NationStates Jolt Archive

Strictly OOC-Steel, I see this is pretty far on, but it being what could be a major part of NS history I'd like to take part?

Annoyed that he was able to get his target this the man decided to make a quick exit, and try again later, after all he had all the time the world. The thought brought a bit of a smile to his face.

As he rounded a corner he was caught by surprise to see a woman charge at him, despite tensing up before the impact the sprawling back, with full force he ran into a door causing the door to open. Within moment he was on his feet, preparing himself to fight his attacker. His attacker was a beautiful young woman.

“You must be Éclair” said the man sarcastically “Your reputation proceeds you”

“Then you know how this works” answered the woman coldly.

Taking a deep breath the man tried to take a swing at the woman.

Reaching out she stopping his fist mid flight, taking a quick step in and with her arm tucked in she drove her elbow in the side his head. The blow sent him flying into a stack of brooms and mops.

Dazed he reached for his gun taking aim, at his attacker, but it was of now use. With lightning speed she jumped out of the way and tucked into a roll, at the end of the roll she pulled out her gun a shoot the gun out if the mans head, ending up on her feet she put the gun the side of the mans head.

“Who are you working for” she asked.

“Can’t tell you, you know what they would do to me if they even thought that I was going to talk to you. They would make sure that I never even existed.”

She thought to herself for a moment. “Well see”

All the noise in the room had caught the attention of one of the security guards who had decided to go investigate. Looking around the corner into the room he found nothing, but a number of brooms that had fallen over. Satisfied that there was nothing out of the ordinary going on he closed the door and went about his business.

Meanwhile not far from the conference there was another conflict developing. Slamming on the breaks at the last possible moment the car that was carrying Jade Allenson, and Jon Anerton came a stop.

Red and blue light filled the night sky and both EMS, as well as security personal had descended to the site. Parked near the main door was the ambulance, and armed guards were making their patrol routes, the media had yet to arrive, she was hoping to keep them out of this for as long as possible.

“What going on here” all she knew was that a 911 call bad been placed from the house, or then that she was completely out of the loop. “Where are my children” she yelled out as she begun running toward the house. First concern was the safety of her children. She came stop as a stretcher carrying her husband made it’s my out the house and into the back of the limo. “No” she could hardly get the words out her mouth.

Watching the scene unfold before him Jon stopped beside “Go with him, I’ll look after the kids.”

Without even answering Jon, Jade quickly made her way in the back of the ambulance and was off. Jon turned as one of the security guard carried out Jade oldest daughter Makenzie who was crying uncontrollably.

“Here I’ll take her” he said taking Makenzie into his arms. She was his Goddaughter.

She put her arms around him giving him a hug “I tried to make him up Uncle Jon, but he just wouldn't wake up.”

“I know” said Jon trying comfort the girl.

She looked up at him her eye’s still filled with tears “Is Daddy dead” she asked him.

Jon wasn’t sure how to answer the question, or even if he could.

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Jade Allenson

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Jon Anerton

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Eclair

[OOC: Unless otherwise noted or obviously not, the things in italics are generally Alexei's thoughts. However, this is not a rule.]


“Alexei” Henry heard Emily yell out. He turned to see if friend there along with another man he didn’t know,

“Alexei, good to see you, we were worried that you didn’t make it out the battle for Aesis.”

Alexei seemed distracted. "...whatever..." was his response. After all, what good were friends? In the end, you'd just lose them...and get hurt. No, he wasn't about to be hurt again. Not this time...not any time...

"I...I think I'm feeling ill," Joseph lied. Alexei saw right through it but Joseph didn't care. They both knew they needed to get out of there.

"Forgive me," Alexei apologized half-heartedly. "I have a lot on my mind, you must understand. The situation between the planets is very tense."

Joseph jumped at the sound of alarms and Alexei seemed to have the same thoughts flowing through his head. He wasn't supposed to be found this early...was he?

The party looked so happy, with the people laughing and flirting with each other. Henry's face however mirrored their concern. Where's Jon? Where the hell is he?

And that's when Alexei realized what had just happened. Through an innocent conversation with an old friend and companion, his cover had been blown. Joseph's face didn't signal that he had realized the same thing, and since Joseph was wearing his emotions on his sleeve currently, Alexei figured that he didn't know either.

Alright, alright...play it cool...

"It's no problem Alexei," Henry replied. "But what's bothering..."

"Who did you address me as?" Alexei asked. Joseph's eyes grew wide - he understood now.

"Alexei...Ivanova..."

"I'm sorry, you must have been mistaken...my name is Mikhail Sevanov," Alexei replied. "Ambassador Mikhail Johanovich Sevanov"

Both Henry and Emily tilted their heads in disbelief.

They know...after what we went through...they'd know my face...but still...

"My deepest apologies," Alexei said, continuing the lie quite well. "Had you thought me to be this Ivanova from the beginning?"

"I think he did," Joseph replied, forcing a laugh, and extending his hand. What's he doing? "My dear man, my name is Ambassador Zachary Aetna from Aeisis," Joseph said, forgetting to pronounce it correctly or at least how he had before. Alexei shot him a glare. "However, as I said, I do believe my stomach is not used to this diet, as the two do not seem to agree with each other. I do believe we must be going."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. and Ms....?" Alexei said, buttoning his coat.

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Ambassador Mikhail Johanovich Sevanov
Commander Alexei Ivanova
XO of the 1st Marines

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Ambassador Zachary Aetna
Lieutenant Joseph Frost
Vehicle Specialist of the 1st Marines

It had been some time since Henry had last seen Alexei, but he never forgot a face, after all that was his job as an intelligence agent. There was more going her then what he knew. Maybe he on some mission for the rebels thought Henry to himself, the last thing that he wanted to do was to put a friend at risk. Alexei had saved his life a number of time Tatania, a favour that Henry would not soon forget.

“Mr Kobe, and this here is Miss Williams” motioned in Emily’s direction “I feel I must apologize for the confusion, you look much like a friend of our, he too is from steel butterfly so when we saw you we naturally assumed that you where him.” Out of the corner of his eye he could see Emily give him a confused look. “So Miss Emily and myself have many more people to see, so we such leave you to your meal.”

Henry turned to go on his way, but Emily stayed for moment looking Alexei over then turned to join Henry “I could have swore that was Alexei” she said as the two where out of hearing distance “He looked so much Alexei it was scary.”

“I know” answered Henry, he knew the rules to being a spook. “Some times when we miss a friend we tend to see them when they are not really there.”

“I guess. I just really would like to know how Alexei is doing.” She replied.

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Henry Kobe

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"Good friends?" Joseph asked as they walked to the door without saying goodbye to anyone.

"The three of us owe our lives to each other..." Alexei replied, Henry's expression carved into his mind. This is stupid...why am I feeling sad? What do I expect to do...run over and give them both hugs? No, saving them was part of the mission, saving me was part of the mission, and both were military duties...right?

Joseph didn't say much more due to Alexei's pause, as the two slowly moved into and eventually through the tunnels to where their fighters had been stored.

Depending on others...I don't need anyone else...I've taken care of myself all along...

In silence, the two marines quickly changed into outfits more suited for piloting starfighters, and got into their ships.

"Prepare for launch..." Alexei ordered out of habit and the ships rose off the ground.

"Roger that, Raptor 4, thruster engines online, fold drive standing by..." Joseph replied in the same monotone. They were alive...they had made it...yet Joseph was not overjoyed as he thought he would be. In fact, joy was far from his mind at the current time.

"Engage thrusters..." Alexei ordered, even though it was just a technicality. Naturally a pilot would have to "hit the gas" for the craft to go anywhere. Relying on others only gets you hurt...and disappointed...

The two ships rose steadily out of the Tappee atmosphere and towards the endless sea of darkness and stars. "You think they know?" Joseph asked.

"Know what?" Alexei asked back.

"That we did it?"

"They know he's dead...but..." Alexei said, stopping to think about it. Would they find out? "We completed the mission with the utmost accuracy and precision. If we are discovered, it is in no way our fault."

"Alexei..." Joseph began. "I didn't care if we got in trouble or not...this just...it needs to look like NiMBUS...for the sake of the resistance..."

"I know, Lieutenant..." Alexei replied. The Resistance...more people relying on each other...why don't they just kill that damn doctor and emperor? "...I know..."

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Commander Alexei Ivanova
XO of the 1st Marines

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Lieutenant Joseph Frost
Vehicle Specialist of the 1st Marines

Jade just sat there a stared ant the wall; there was no visible emotion on her face. Jon took a seat beside her, he had arrived shortly after her and had finished talking with the doctors. For a moment he sat there trying to find the right words.

“I just talked with the Doctor” he waited for her to respond, instead she kept staring at the wall. “He said that because Calnuxian physiology is slightly different then human that virus had unforeseen consequences, it caused him to go into cardiac arrest, by the time the paramedics got there, there was nothing they could do. I’m sorry Jade.”

For some time there was silence, neither knew what to say. “Why” asked Jade, she sound more like a robot to Jon then the woman he knew “He had nothing the to do with this, he was innocent.”

“Innocent lives mean nothing to these people. To them he was just an end to the means” Deep down Jon knew that he had no right saying those words, but like in any war there were casualties, Cal was now one of them. It was once said that betrayal was is an art, it that was the case then Jon had painted a master piece.

“It’s my fault” answered Jade right back “We should have never got involved, had I decided to stay out this them he would still be alive.” Jon could see a single tear run down her cheek “My children would still have a father.”

It hurt Jon to see her like this, but he had to get through this “If we do nothing NiMbus will take more lives. First Tatania, now Cal, they have to be stopped”

Jade continued to stare forward, the entire conversation she had never moved her eye’s “
They will pay for this” for the fist time Jon heard emotion in her voice, it was anger, uncontrollable anger. “They will pay for what they have done here today with their lives”

For the first time since this all had began Jon wondered if he had done the right thing, he fear that he might of unleashed some time of Blood Lust in Jade. Would Tappee be ready to pay the price for her vengeance?

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Jade Allenson

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Jon Anerton

In the eternal night of space, the two fighters were picked up by a much larger ship. Alexei and Joseph exited their crafts and were escorted to the bridge. Once there, a voice called them into an office.

"Well done I take it?" Pierce asked, sitting in a chair and facing the other direction.

"I have a report to give, sir," Alexei announced, saluting.

"In time, Commander, in time..." Pierce said, spinning his chair to face them. He smiled. "Now all we have to do is wait to see if that President of Tappee was correct in his assumption."

"Yes, sir," Alexei and Joseph both said, continuing their salute.

"You two will rejoin your unit at 04:00 tomorrow," Pierce continued. "It is imperative that you be on time. We are moving out to Gest at 06:00. The sun does not rise on our location until 07:30."

"Gest, sir?" Joseph questioned. "Imperial mainstay?"

"NiMBUS facility," Pierce replied. Alexei cringed. "Dismissed..."

"Yes, sir," the two Marines replied and then exited the office.

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Commander Alexei Ivanova
XO of the 1st Marines

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Lieutenant Joseph Frost
Vehicle Specialist of the 1st Marines

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Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance

Exausted from the mission, Alexei laid down in his bed and shut his eyes. Life seemed to be moving in slow motion lately, and Alexei felt old...much older than the 25 years he really was.

"They never taught you this at the Academy," Joseph said. Alexei pressed his eyelids close tightly. He didn't want to talk. "It was always get your mission and do it...they never mentioned how to live with it..."

Is this guy for real? Tell me he's joking...

"It wasn't the purpose of the Academy to teach you how to deal with your emotions," Alexei replied, hoping to end the conversation. "You learn that out on the job."

"Yeah...but I just got out months ago..." Frost said, looking down over the bunk. Alexei opened his eyes.

"How'd you get with the resistance then?" He asked, remembering when he graduated from the Orion Military Academy. Packed full of Imperial propaganda, he would have killed anyone who mentioned a resistance, much less join one.

"Captain Spencer was a teacher and a friend of my family's," Frost replied, frowing. His head disappeared from where it was but a few seconds later, he jumped down and sat in a chair across from Alexei's bottom bunk. "He left...I went with him..."

The academy must have changed...so much has...

Alexei had graduated three years ago at the top of his class. As a reward, he and Eric, who finished second, were inducted into the Imperial Guard - sword soldiers to the Emperor, and the elite and somewhat mysterious fighting unit of the Empire. Quickly rising up the ranks, Alexei was given the oppertunity to join Phoenix, the intelligence group that "didn't exist". It was because he was a Phoenix Agent that he was assigned to the international rescue team for that fated city in Tappee. He was actually supposed to find out what happened and report it, using the commando disguise as a cover.

"Your family...?" Alexei asked, remembering that Joseph had mentioned them. Joseph paused for a moment and then responded.

"They died some time ago...Captain Spencer has been like a father to me..." Frost responded. "I owe a lot of things to him..."

"I'm...sorry..."

"Don't worry about it, ok?" Joseph said. "I...I hate seeing people upset."

Yet he hangs around me...

"Being a soldier must be rough then..." Alexei commented.

"It is, man," Joseph replied. "But I got nothing left...ya know?"

"Yeah..." Alexei said honestly. "I know..."

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Commander Alexei Ivanova
XO of the 1st Marines

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Lieutenant Joseph Frost
Vehicle Specialist of the 1st Marines

To: Pierce
From: Col. Tse

We will be there as ordered at the appropreate time. Will we face intergration with exisiting units or do we fight seperate?

Transmission
"This is the NSS Rampage of Nanakaland," said a voice. "I have heard that you are torn apart by a civil war. You have opened hostilities with the Celestia and have been very corrupt." There was a pause. "Now you will pay the price."
End of Transmission

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The NSS Rampage

[OOC: After begging me to get back involved, you should acually respond to this.]

[OOC: After begging me to get back involved, you should acually respond to this.]

[OOC: Who is that directed towards? Rebels or Imperials? Specific places?]

To: Pierce
From: Col. Tse

We will be there as ordered at the appropreate time. Will we face intergration with exisiting units or do we fight seperate?

.:Open Channel Between Pierce and Tse:.

"Whatever is easier for you, Colonel,"

Channel Maintained

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Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance

Harold Armstrong Tappee’s foreign minster took the podium at the centre of the room, as he did there was a number if flashes as the media took their picture. Once everyone settled in Harold began.

“I’m sure you have all head the rumours, and I am here to address them” Taking a moment he adjusted his speech. “At approximately 11:45pm the Husband of Intelligence Chair Jade Allenson was died of a heart attack. The heart attack was caused by a reaction caused by a virus. He was purposely infected by an outside source.” He paused for a moment “We have positively identified the source as being that of NiMbus corporation based in Steel Butterfly , the same company that just over just over a month ago destroyed Tatania. They were trying to use the Chair Woman husband as a means to control her. This is the second act of Terrorism against Tappee by NiMbus, and Steel Butterfly has been providing protection for NiMbus, that is why today under order from both the President as well as the Intelligence Chair Tappee is formally declaring war against the Nation of Steel Butterfly. With more information here is General Williams”

Armstrong step aside and General Williams took his place.

“At 2:00am this morning the orders of Tappee military forces in the Orion sector have changed, they are no longer limited to providing protection for Rebels forces, they have now been authorized to engage Steel Butterfly force at will.” Looking around the room he waited for the reporter to finish writing in their notepads “Currently in the Orion Sector is the 1st battle fleet and 2nd transport division. The 2nd through 5th battle fleets, 3 Carrier division, and 4 Marine divisions will also be deployed to the area within the next few days.”

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General Robert Williams

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Foreign Minster Harold Armstrong

[OOC: After begging me to get back involved, you should acually respond to this.]

[OOC: Who is that directed towards? Rebels or Imperials? Specific places?]

The Rampage sent that threatening transmission to the Imperials. The Rampage is trying to find the Rebels to help them.

As the fleet came out of hyper space Admiral Dodalla looked through the view screen at the planet below. Thing were much quieter now then the first time she had visited, there was no war going on around the planet. It was times like this that she saw space as a peaceful surreal place. Like most thing she knew that the peace would not last, at least not in the coming days.

Like the planet below the mood on the bridge had changed, command had set them free to do what she felt was needed, they were no longer waiting for the enemy to bring the fight to them, they were now going to take the fight to the enemy. She could sense the apprehension in the air, some were scared, others anxious about the coming days. As much as she hoped that there would be no loses she knew that it was a unrealistic goals, in every war there are losses, so far Tappee had taken the first casualties, Tatania, and now the recent assassination of man she called friend.

“Com open a channel to rebel command tell them that I will be arriving on the surface shortly” Yelled out Dodalla

“Aye Aye ma’ma” was the response she got back.

With the arrival of the fleet it was now time for her to sit down with the rebel forces and come up with a plan the would suite both their objectives.

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Admiral Dodalla

"Incoming message, sir,"

"Who is it?"

"An Admiral Dodalla, sir, from Tappee,"

"And...?"

"She's requesting..er..demanding to land, sir..."

Pierce smiled and leaned back in his chair. His ship had just landed a few minutes ago, and he was still on it in his office. Alexei and Joseph were still on board.

"So it worked..." Pierce thought to himself. "Bring her in, Lieutenant,"

"Her, sir?"

"Yes, Lieutenant. Her..."

The lieutenant raised an eyebrow but did as he was told. It was a strange thing for a woman to be in a leadership position or any other position of power in the Empire. It wasn't that they were discriminated against purposefully...it was just how it always had been...

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Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance

Alexei woke up saw the lights outside his window. Checking his watch, he saw that it was 02:00 in the morning. Cursing himself for not sleeping more, he got up to get a glass of water.

"Go on," a sleepy Joseph Frost said from the top bunk. "Make some more noise...it's not like people are trying to sleep in the wee hours of the morning."

"We gotta leave in two anyhow," Alexei said, checking his watch again to make sure. "Less than two..."

"Where are our boys?" Frost asked, stretching his arms and yawning.

"Probably loaded up already," Alexei laughed to himself. "Nah...but I guarentee you that they're all awake. This battle means a lot."

"Only you get less cranky with less sleep," Joseph mumbled. "What makes today different than the 'I'm gonna die' of yesterday."

Alexei didn't answer...Alexei didn't know. He washed his face in the sink and then downed the water he had gotten for himself. After replicating himself some breakfast, Worthen Bull T'nec steaks, he returned to see Joseph checking and rechecking his weapon.

"You know...some guys prefer real women over machines..." Alexei sneered, laughing. Frost looked up and smiled.

"It'll save my life as fast as any real person could," Frost replied seriously regardless of his tone.

"Yeah...and take some one else's too..." Alexei replied. Seeing that the comment made the mood a bit uneasy, he quickly offered Joseph a steak, but Frost refused.

"Nah...I always fight on an empty stomach," Frost says. "That way...I'm thinking about food...and not all the shit that's going on around me. Food and tactics...that's all that should be going through my head during battle..."

"Food?" Alexei asked. One would think you would concentrate soley on the battle itself...

"Yes," Frost responded, looking down at his gun again. "Food..."

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Commander Alexei Ivanova
XO of the 1st Marines

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Lieutenant Joseph Frost
Vehicle Specialist of the 1st Marines

You have been cleared to land said a voice on the other side

“Copy that” replied the pilot. Now that he had been given clearance to land he made a series of course corrections

Admiral Dodalla looked out the window as they began their descent toward the surface, for a brief moment she could see a orange flame form under the bottom of a craft, however it disappeared as the pilot made a few adjustment. Several moments later she felt a soft bump as they touched down.

Taking a moment she look out a her new surrounds, from where they had landed she had a breath taking view. To her it looked like a tropical paradise, it was hard to believe that it was now the centre of this war. As she stood up she notice that the gravity was a bit stronger here, not much, but noticeable. She waited for a moment for the ramp to extend out so that she could make off the land craft.

As it opened she could a gust of warm air hit he face, she could smell the ocean in the air. In truth she preferred the sea to space, the smell of the sea only made her feel more at home.

As she made her way off the craft she could see that a greeting party had arrived.

“Hello I am Admiral Dodalla, and I am her to speak with Mr Pierce.”

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"Admiral Kanosis sir! we have not heard back from the crusiers at XIII yet but the Tappesian fleet has entered teh area and tehy ahve alnded a shutle obn the surface. Perhaps we should send a message down?"

"Send it to the rebels."


[code:1:5ef06a2fa8]~***transmission***~
>to rebel command on Aesis
>from Celackain flagship
-
-
-
>Admiral Kanosis of the Celackain fleet would like to meet with the head

>of the resistance. If you can accomidate this please send a reply. We

>are prepare to send down supplies for war such as arms, ammunition,

>food and medical supplies to you on the surface.
[/code:1:5ef06a2fa8]


o.o.c. sorry been sick past week or so.

Amazing Grace could be heard playing somewhere off in the background. The ceremony had finished and the crowd had begun to disperse, but few remained.

Baraca reached over and gave his sister in-law a hug. “I’m sorry that there was nothing that I could do.” He was having a hard time keeping his emotion back, It was a Calnuxian tradition not to grieve for those that where lost, but Cal was still his brother. Even thought the two had not always been on good term they were family. “If there is anything that you need just ask”

Jade nodded “There is” it took her moment “I need you take the kids somewhere safe, I don’t know if I can keep them safe while all this is going on. I want you to take them somewhere where NiMbus can’t reach them”

“Not a problem” answered her brother in-law “I’ve got a few safe places”

“Thanks” Jade felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to find her father standing behind her.

Without a word he took her into his arms. In the arms of her father was the one place that she truly felt safe. Resting her head on his shoulder for the first time since her husband death she began to cry.

“I wasn’t strong enough the save him” she said through the tears “a failed him, and now my children don’t have a father, all because of what I have done. We should have never got involved.”

“You did what you thought was the best, there was nothing that you could have done differently.” As Jade pulled her off his shoulder he wiped the tears away from her eye’s “through out life sacrifices have to made. Both you and Cal knew the risks that were involved with the Job. Just your mother and I” his words stuck with her. It wasn’t until then that she realized the truth to his word. Her parents had given up lots to do their job. And Jade like them too had to pay the price.

“That doesn’t make in any easier” was her response.

“Losing a loved one never is. But we must be strong”

Jade thought to herself for a moment “Do you think that I did the right thing?”

“Moving against NiMbus” asked Her father, he watched as she nodded “Let me say this, when we first became aware of the situation with Iaceo we choose to ignore it on the assumption that it would just go away. When it became clear that it would not thought that we could avoid an all war a fight them behind the scenes without losing any. However, in the end it cost us more then had we gone to war right away.” He looked his daughter in the eye’s “When you try to lose no one you lose everyone. Both NiMbus and the Imperials in Steel Butterfly are a threat not only to us, but to other. A threat that must be eliminated, learn from the mistakes of the past or you are doomed to repeat them.”

Jade found it funny, there was so much wisdom to his words. When she was younger she felt that she knew it all. However, with age came the realization that one never knows what truly goes on. Her father on this day had given her strength, the strength to carry on and finish what was needed of her

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Jade Allenson

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Smith Allenson

“Hello I am Admiral Dodalla, and I am her to speak with Mr Pierce.”


"Hello, Admiral," Pierce said in a voice slightly lower than what his normally was as he stepped from the shadows. Quickly the two were rushed inside. Pierce poured himself a drink, and then proceded to pour Admiral Dodalla one as well. He smiled, "What brings you here today?"

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Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance

Once Alexei and Joseph met up with Captain Spencer, they immediately got aboard the transport ship. This transport, one of a new planetary invasion design, felt more like a five star hotel then a vessel of death.

"Shit," Alexei coughed as a woman ran straight into him in the halls. He was on his way to Captain Spencer with their new orders. Alexei was forced to take a step back to catch himself, however the girl flew off of him and hit the floor. Reaching down he helped her up, and realized that she was the girl from the other transport from the last mission.

"Commander Ivanova!" She said excitedly, obviously remembering him as well.

"Ensign..." Alexei replied, kicking himself for forgetting her name.

"Ensign Dominique Hutchinson," the girl said, smiling. Alexei smiled back out of habit. "So...whatcha doin'?"

Alexei stared at Dominique. Is she serious? "We're invading in a half an hour...this isn't the time for small talk..."

"Then promise me to talk later on," she winked. "...sir..."

If we're both alive...

"Sure," Alexei said hastily, walking away at a fast pace. After a few more moments he ran into Eric Vinzer, although not literally this time.

"Alexei?" Eric said, blinking his eyes. "ALEXEI!" Eric held out his hand, which Alexei took, and the two old friends laughed and patted each other on the back as if there had been no tension between them before. Eric said it best by saying, "I just...I thought you were dead..."

"Believe me...so did I..." Alexei responded, his smile slowly fading. "What are your objectives?"

"They're making us stay back again...we're on the 5th phase," Eric complained. Alexei shook his head. The 1st and 2nd Marines were dubbed 1 and 2 for a reason, yet while Alexei's 1st...or Captain Spencer's 1st more precisely...fought up front in both of the two main battles so far, Eric and Captain Williams' 2nd did much less dangerous work. This time was no different.

"We're heading in first," Alexei said, his eyes showing his tense mood, but his attitude hid it from most. "Gest is supposed to be heavily fortified..."

"And this war was supposed to end with the invasion...Alexei we've been up against odds this whole war!" Eric exclaimed.

"What if the odds are stacked too high this time," Alexei continued. "What if I don't make it...?"

"You won't die, Alexei...Your too bullheaded for death..." Eric laughed, trying to lighten the mood. "Still...I'd tell Lance for you..."

"Fuck Lance!" Alexei screamed. Some people in the halls turned to look. "Eric he's Imperial...we're Rebel...and that's that! You can't keep living in the past. It's over...we're all that's left of the three of us. You're all that's left to me..."

"Then you need to stop living in the present and think of the future," Eric replied, keeping his cool. "Surely this war will not go on forever. What about afterwards, Alexei? Genocide against all supporters of the Emperor? Alexei, it's not their fault. We are bred to worship the Emperor's feet. One day it'll all be over, and once again we'll have to live among each other. Will you go on hating your whole life?"

"I don't see myself around in a few more years..." Alexei said.

"Well I do," Eric said. "Because Lance has been lied to. All NiMBUS's carnage...all the Emperor's evil...all the Imperial soldiers are being told that it's us. Maybe in the future the three of us will be together again...but for now...like you said...you're all I have too. Alexei you're too damn good and too damn smart for this. Snap out of it!"

Alexei looked down at his watch. Twenty-two more minutes. They both needed to be loading into the dropships. Alexei extended his hand once more.

"To the dream of survival..." He said, as Eric took his hand and shook it.

"I'm sure of it," Eric assured him, trying to assure himself at the same time...with the same words...

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Commander Alexei Ivanova
XO of the 1st Marines

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Commander Eric Vinzer
XO of the 2nd Marines

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Ensign Dominique Hutchinson

Reaching up she took the drink from Mr Pierce. Drinking in Tappee was usually frowned upon in Tappee, it was seen as a waste of time. However, diplomacy was also part of her job, so she accepted it.

“What bring you here” asked Pierce

She wasn’t sure what exactly he meant by that. Was he asking why Tappee had sent their forces back, or why had she come, or worst yet was the fact she was a Woman. She quickly put that last thought out her head, her being a woman commander had always been difficult and at time she seen things that were not really there. She knew at she was good at what she did, and that was all that matter.

“I’m here Mr Pierce because you and I have them same enemies. NiMbus has proved to be more trouble some and originally thought, and the Imperial tend to look the other way making them a threat to you, as well as us. The Enemy of my Enemy is my friend” Pausing she took a sip of her drink for appearance “The truth as a much we in Tappee glorify our military we still don’t have the resource to take on the Imperial forces alone, nor do you. So why not combine our resources.”

Standing up she made her way to the nearest window and looked out, while looking out she continued taking “Mr Pierce I’ve taken a look at the current situation, and from what I can tell the Imperial still have yet to take this Rebellion of your seriously.” She turned to face Mr Pierce again “I purpose that we use this to our advantage. Using the pirate fleet that has joined you I would suggest staging a numbers of hit and run attacks in order to draw the imperial fleet out. And when they go after the pirate we attempt to make a crippling blow to their war machine by destroying the main shipyards. It would be a easy feat by any means, but it may quickly turn the tide of the war to our favour.” She allowed him a moment to consider what she had just purposed. “What do you think Mr Pierce can we take the Ship yard.

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Admiral Doddalla

Pierce thought about the troops heading towards Gest. They would be there in less than 10 minutes. He also thought about the pirate's fleets, and how they had already lost two battles. Would Demidov be ready for orders? If not...this could be just another pirate loss.

"I've just activated twenty-five thousand troops to invade a NiMBUS facility on the colony planet of Gest, a few lightyears into the expanse," Pierce said. "However, I could spare a fleet for a certain attack on a certain shipyard. That being said, the Imperials have hundreds of shipyards...and I wouldn't rely on the Pirates for much..."

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Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance

"Very Well" answered Dodalla "Would you like an additional fifteen thousand to help on Gest, they should be arriving in system shortly. Without a doubt NiMbus will lobby the Imperials for assistance on Gest. I send a porition of my fleet to Gest in an attempt to lay an ambush for them when they arrive. With the commitment of Imperial forces at Gest I try to take the rest of the fleet to launch an offensive. However, I don't want to leave you defenceless here. with your permission i would like to station another hundred thousand troop here on Aesis."

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Admiral Dodalla

Pierce nodded. "I'll take whatever you have to give. Also...I think the shipyard we should attack is..."

Pierce appeared to touch nothing but air with his index finger, put the point where he had touched started to glow, and then a whole screen appeared.

"...here. Dantana Shipyards...I'll inform Sky Marshall Mitchell to prepare...or won't you be ready in time?"

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Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance

"...and if I hear one more word on the subject, you will be court marshalled!" Sky Marshall Michael Zephyr said, slamming his fist onto his desk. "Now give me your report and leave!"

Captain Lusec Apakoh did what he was told, handing over the Intelligence PADD. He then saluted and left. Looking down at the PADD, Zephyr raised an eyebrow.

"So they're going to try and take Gest, eh?" He said to himself, though outloud. "We'll see about that..." He scratched his chin with his hand. He hadn't shaved in days. "We already have...god...how many men do we have on Gest?" Thinking, he intended to ask Nemerov that same question. They should have at least fifty thousand. "Either way...I'll send more...right now..."

After sending the order to the Fleet and High General Shockey, Zephyr quickly made his way to Nemerov's office, ignoring many on the short trip.

Nemerov had his back turned to the doorway and was saying something into a transmitter, although Zephyr couldn't make out the words. Deciding that he shouldn't evesdrop on the Emperor, he interupted the man instead.

"Your Highness?"

"WHAT?" Nemerov screamed, turning around and shocking the Sky Marshall. He mood quickly transformed into a more acceptable one though. "I...I'm sorry. What is it that you want?"

"I have an intelligence report on Rebel movement," Zephyr replied, still a bit shaken and confused. "They appear to be moving towards Gest."

"Gest?" The Emperor asked. "Why would they attack a NiMBUS location? What has NiMBUS done to them?"

"Tappee has come back into the war," the Sky Marshall said, uneasy. "They blame NiMBUS for the death of someone important." Zephyr thought he heard something, although Nemerov did not make a noise.

"That's horrible!" Nemerov replied. "NiMBUS has done nothing to these people, yet they intend to attack the company!" Pressing a button, Nemerov continued. "We have one hundred and seventy thousand men at Gest...we need more! Sky Marshall, inform General Shockey that he's to put another sixty thousand at the compound on the double! You Sky Marshall, need to keep protecting those moons. Let the MI take care of this one...only send a few marines..."

Zephyr stood there dumbfounded. All Gest was was a research facility. Why should 230,000 men be assigned to protect it? "Y-yes sir..." he said, saluting and leaving the room.

What do I care? This will be an Imperial victory without question. Yet...we still have to protect moons. Perhaps I should send Apakoh...the man's been itching for battle...and he is good...yeah...I'll send him...

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Sky Marshall Michael Zephyr
Commander of the Imperial Fleet and Marines

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Captain Lusec Apakoh
81st Imperial Marines

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Emperor Alexander Nemerov
Star Empire of Steel Butterfly,
In the Orion Sector which includes:
Steel Isle, Steel Moon,
CTaNbHaR Eabo4Ka, XIII,
Aeisis, Bivens, Esthar VIII
Orion Sector Alliance Premier,
Order of the Seraphim

The one thing more then anything else that Tappee’s military had pride in was it’s ability to mobilize it’s forces at a moments notice.

“Very Well Mr Pierce I shall order Third Marine Division and the fourth battle fleet to assist in the assault at Gest. When the imperials launch their counter attack me and the rest of the fleet will attack the Shipyard at Danata. Now if this meet with your approval I shall leave you a make preparations for the battle.”

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Admiral Dodalla

"I'll send fighter squadrons 3-18 along with two nice-sized fleets," Sky Marshall William Mitchell said over a comm link. James Pierce turned to Admiral Dodalla.

"Those are to assist you," Pierce said, finishing his glass. He motioned to the guards at the door. "...until we meet again, Admiral..."

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Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance

She gave Mr. Pierce a salute. Even though he wasn't a member of the military, she did it more of as a sign of respect.

"Very Well, I shall leave you and go to prepare my forces, they shall be ready shorty. To the Honour of Combat." with that she turned a made her way out of the room and back to her shuttle.

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Admiral Dodalla

Walking on the bridge Captain Randomer caught the attention of his crew, everyone went silent waiting for his command. Randomer was the commanding officer for the Fourth Battle fleet, in addition he was also the Captain of the THSBS ‘Dark Angel’ an Ithra class battle ship, there were only nine others like it in the fleet. He had just received his orders from Admiral Dodalla.

“COM open a channel to all ship under our command” he waited for a moment till the channel was open “Attention all hands we’ve received our marching orders, we’re to head to planet called Gest. A marine division will be accompanying us. This is now our time to do our job”

With his speech done he glanced over at his Nav officer who was already punching the coordinates, at the rate they would be there soon.

He couldn’t help but smile, he wondered if the imperials were ready for the battle to come.

Captain Lusec Apakoh responded with nothing less than a smile upon hearing the news. When he told his crew, their reaction was quite similar. They were to leave right away, and there wasn't a person on the SSF Apparition who wanted to stay near these bastard moons. Tapping his communicator, Captain Apakoh sent a message to Lieutenant Lance Radney.

"This is the Captain to Lieutenant Lance Radney," Apakoh said. "Grab someone near you and come to my office."

So Lance "grabbed" Private Nero Applegate and made his way through the huge ship to the Captain's office right off of the the Bridge.

"I need your opinion, Lieutenant," the Captain asked. "You graduated the year after I did...I was in your class the year before. Tactical Manuvers." Lance remembered the class, but not the Captain. Then again, the Academy had millions of students, and one would mean little to him now. Except Alexei and Eric that is. "We will be the elite of the elite in this mission, however we will arrive a bit late for the projected start of the Rebel invasion. How do you suggest we procede?"

"C-captain, I..." Lance began, shocked that he was asked of his advice. "I-I'd suggest that we enter the atmosphere from the other side of the planet and fly in the upper-atmosphere to the battle site...no...to right outside of the battle zone. Then we land and depart."

"I see..." Apakoh said, thinking to himself. He pointed to Private Applegate. "And you...what do you think of this?"

"Personally I'd worry about the ship," Nero replied. "Why not just use dropships to fall into the atmosphere from space and leave the ship up here? Or why not take on the Rebels from the back?"

"No..." Lance said. "Taking on the Rebels from behind would be suicide...and leaving the ship up here half full would endanger it more than hiding it on the ground half full."

"So we enter the atmosphere and land...what happens if they find us?" Apakoh asked, his mind already made up. "I worry about the ship..."

"Sir," Lance replied. "With all due respect....I doubt anyone here has to worry about this ship. It is truely the most advanced in the fleet."

"And you want me to go down as the one who destroys it..." Apakoh laughed. "Very well, Lieutenant, your plan is close to what I had invisioned from the beginning. Thank you for your effort. Dismissed."

A very intrigued Lance and Nero both saluted, then left.

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Captain Lusec Apakoh
81st Imperial Marines

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Lieutenant Lance Radney
81st Imperial Marines

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Private Nero Applegate
81st Imperial Marines

OOC: Steel, on which planet is Pierce's HQ located?

IC:

The decision had been made, the Captain had made it in her heart a long ago and when Captain Julia McHale of the Royal Protectorate Space Navy set her heart on something, there was nothing in the universe that could change her mind.

And her crew supported her. She was their captain, their mistress second only to god, they would follow McHale to where ever she would go, even if that was death.

That however did not mean that Commander Eric Huang had to like the Captains decision. He was her executive officer, and that meant that he had to voice his valid concerns over her decision to her.

The briefing room aboard the relatively small Minstrel-class Destroyers was a bit cramped. Especially now when even the command staff of the Rapier were joined among the comm staff of the Artemis.

"Julia, you know my problem with this." Captain Joseph Stark said to his friend. His face was taut with the announcement McHale had given.

"I understand you Joseph, but this is what we must do and you know it. I will take full responsibility of my decisions and anyone who disagrees with me can voice their disagreement and it shall be noted in my logs." Julia responded calmly.

There were no voiced disagreements. Only discomfort on the faces of the officers seated in the briefing room. But no disagreement, they would follow McHale to the very end of what she had started. Julia released a mental sigh. She had hoped for this, but never had held much faith in it being true.

"Allright, we'll do it then." She stated.

"Lets go meet Mr. Pierce."

OOC: Steel, on which planet is Pierce's HQ located?

[OOC: Aeisis, heart of the resistance]

"Admiral Kanosis sir! we have not heard back from the crusiers at XIII yet but the Tappesian fleet has entered teh area and tehy ahve alnded a shutle obn the surface. Perhaps we should send a message down?"

"Send it to the rebels."


[code:1:f826eab56e]~***transmission***~
>to rebel command on Aesis
>from Celackain flagship
-
-
-
>Admiral Kanosis of the Celackain fleet would like to meet with the head

>of the resistance. If you can accomidate this please send a reply. We

>are prepare to send down supplies for war such as arms, ammunition,

>food and medical supplies to you on the surface.
[/code:1:f826eab56e]


o.o.c. sorry been sick past week or so.

o.o.c. Steel sometimes I feel that you really don't want me in this rp anymore.....

[OOC: I can't have Pierce check his messages when he's in a meeting with Tappee's Admiral. I'm getting there man...but it needs to be realistic. Don't take it so personally...]

The two white destroyers had been here for several weeks now. But only now would they reveal themselves, and not because they were going to attack. Not because they were going to leave, but because they were going to cross the road to the other side and make a stand.

The Protectorate Warships Rapier and Artemis stood silently in space, in the middle of the void of space, at a distance of 10 light-minutes from Planet Aesis. There were no active emissions, no active scanners engaged, nothing to give away the two (relatively) small vessels.

The main boat bay of HMS Artemis was silent. McHale had wanted it that way. Only she and her executive officer stood there. While McHale's face would not betray her emotions, Commander Huangs face was the complete opposite.

"Captain, i dont like this. You going down there alone is a REALLY bad idea." Huang told her. They had allready had this discussion, but he had to keep insisting that the idea was bad as long as possible.

McHale simply smiled warmly and replied.
"This course of action was my decision, thus i am going to be the one who initiates it. And really, i doubt im in any danger down there. Pierre needs all the allies he can get afterall."

"Atleast let me go with you skipper."

"You know i cant let you Eric."

He sighed heavully and gave up. He had known McHale for years allready. And when she set her mind upon something, she wouldnt yield from it.

"I'll be back in no time Eric, mind the store while im gone will you."

"Aye ma'am." He replied and threw up a parade ground salute.

==========================================

The pinnace began accelerating from the Artemis towards Planet Aesis at its best possible accel. The trip would take several hours even then but this was the safest option when thinking in terms of the entire division.

As the pinnace drew closer to Planet Aesis, its communications systems came alive and a whisker laser was pointed at a communications satellite which would undoubtly take the message to its planned destination.

[code:1:85d24e211a]To: Sir James Pierce
From: McHale Julia, CO HMS Artemis

.: Message Begins :.

I wish to discuss with you at your earliest convinience.
My matter must remain for your ears only until decisions
have been made.

.: Message Ends :.
[/code:1:85d24e211a]

Pierce looked at the message from Clairmont with caution. After all, both the Empire and Clairmont were in the Order of the Seraphim, making them allies. However, this man did wish to discuss something, although the message never made that "something" clear.

Deciding that communications were rarely a bad idea, Pierce sent a response setting up a meeting.

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Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance

The navy pinnace began its decceleration to standard re-entry velocity and adjusted its angle of re-entry. The pilot went thru the standard procedures and contacted Aesis traffic control.

"This is CSN Pinnace 00421, requesting landing instructions."

And then he waited patiently for the flight control people on the other end to guide him thru.

It was the beginning of winter and snow had blanketed the land, in the middle of a park Jade sat alone, kept company by only her thoughts. Somewhere behind her could hear the quiet crunch as someone stepped on snow walking towards her.

“What do you want Jon?” she asked never turning to see who it was.

“Just wanted to make sure that your OK” he wasn’t surprised the she knew it was him. “It’s getting to be rather cold out side don’t you think”

“I’m fine” she answered coldly “But thanks for the concern”

Jon sat down beside her. “No matter what you think. It wasn’t your fault.” He took a moment to glance over at her “I need you to say focused, there is much work to be done in the coming day. Our force should be arriving at Gest in a short while. So I’ll need you at the core.”

After that there was silence between them, realizing that there wouldn’t be any more conversation Jon stood up and made his way back to work.

Meanwhile, across space others were no lucky to have the benefit to go out enjoy some time alone to reflect. Checking the last of her gear lieutenant Clara Sintara made sure that she was ready for what ever was about to come their way.

“That should do it” she said out loud. She was the squad Medic and had just finished packing all her med gear “Now lets hope that I don’t need to use it” she said quietly under her breath. Her squad and her were to the first to land in the assault against Gest, and although she hoped that her skills wouldn’t be needed she had to be a realist.

Like everyone else in the squad she had a knot in the pit of her stomach but would never admit it, on the surface she was as cool as she could be.

Their was a flurry of activity going on around her as everyone was trying to get ready for the coming battle. There was no such thing as privacy on a transport ship, they were jammed in like sardines. Taking a deep breath she prepare her self for what was to come.

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Jade Allenson

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Jon Anerton

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Clara Sintara

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The planet rose up before them as they gazed down upon it. By all means it was a simple planet, and at any other time they could be colonists, heading off to a new life and not the death that was inevitable.

"In my heart lies truths stripped of poet's gloss," Pierce said over everyone's comm link. "This is our destiny...our path chosen long ago for us. It is the will of the universe for us to clash upon this day, a day that will forever be remember for its outcome, and not those who died to achieve whatever happens. Win or lose, gentlemen, I want you all to leave everything you have out on these fields of Gest. I want no regrets..."

Alexei nodded to himself inside his helmet. Pierce always had a way of words, and the pre-battle speech was something that Steel Butterfly leaders hadn't done for some time.

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The terrain was gently sloped over the landscape, with small rivers running through the land. As they departed their ships, they could barely make out the NiMBUS building in the distance through the fog.

"Commander, gain order and take them this way," Captain Spencer commanded. Alexei nodded and pointed to Joseph who got the speeder-tank up and running.

The 1st Marines flew a foot off the ground over two streams. Looking beside him, Alexei saw many other units, and thousands of men doing the same thing.

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Captain Dimitri Spencer
Leader of the 1st Marines

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Commander Alexei Ivanova
XO of the 1st Marines

[OOC: It's storming like fucking crazy out here, lightning and all. I cut this post short because of it. I'll be back when the storm dies down a bit. I can't afford another laptop being that I'm at college.]

[OOC: I want my fleet to get involved before the whole RP is over. Please tell me if I can.]

[OOC: I want my fleet to get involved before the whole RP is over. Please tell me if I can.]

[OOC: Ok, storm stopped and I'm back. As for your fleet...don't worry...the war is still in it's infancy.]

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"Full speed ahead!" Alexei heard someone shout over the comm link. He blinked, clenching his pulse rifle tighter in his palms.

"Sir," Lt.JG. Pedro Ibanez, formerly of the heroic 27th MI reported. "Something's effecting our sensors. We can't get a count on lifesigns."

"Perhaps your sensors are faulty, Lieutenant," Captain Spencer responded, staring through the fog. A few large beams began to fly overhead, aimed at the 2nd wave of invaders. Alexei smiled, the Imperials were caught by surprise.

"No sir," Ibanez replied. "All sensors are being effected..."

Alexei's smile quickly faded. It was a lengthy and difficult process to install normal sensor jammers on civilian establishments. But...

"How the fuck can they jam these sensors we just stole? This isn't simply a typical defense force...they know we're com..."

But Alexei's voice was cut short as the speeder directly to their left was destroyed. The enemy fire wasn't light and random...that hit took precision!

"Commander, contact mission control," Spencer ordered, but Alexei had already tried it and failed. They were being jammed from their support as well.

"Captain I can see a tower-like building ahead," Alexei said eventually.

"Yes, Commander..." Spencer replied, getting on his comm link. It was fuzzy as well, although the jam didn't quite make it useless. "This is Captain Dimitri Spencer to all Aeisis soldiers currently on Gest. We have entered into an ambush, I repeat, we have entered into an ambush. However, this will not void the mission. You are to procede as planned....that is an official order from mission control."

"Captain, we cannot establish contact with mission control to varify your order," another captain said over the comm link. "What frequency are you currently on?"

"All frequencies are down as of now, Captain," Spencer replied. "You might as well fight."

"Yes sir," multiple captains said at the same time.

The building seemed to inch closer to them, not the other way around. The lone object in front of the enormous mountainside, the building was undoubtedly a way in, and a location that needed to be taken. This was the job of the 1st Marines....this was the fate of the 1st Marines...

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Captain Dimitri Spencer
Leader of the 1st Marines

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Commander Alexei Ivanova
XO of the 1st Marines

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Lieutenant Joseph Frost
Vehicle Specialist of the 1st Marines

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Lieutenant J.G. Pedro Ibanez
27th MI, 1st Marines

The navy pinnace began its decceleration to standard re-entry velocity and adjusted its angle of re-entry. The pilot went thru the standard procedures and contacted Aesis traffic control.

"This is CSN Pinnace 00421, requesting landing instructions."

And then he waited patiently for the flight control people on the other end to guide him thru.

The flight plan went along effortlessly, and as the ship landed, armed guards came out to escort whoever needed and escort.

"Landing in 5...4...engaging reverse thrusters...2...1..."

The SSF Apparition touched down with an ease never before achieved by such a massive ship. It was all Captain Apakoh could do to keep his crew from cheering.

"Crew and Officers of the SSF Apparition," Apakoh announced, "The time has come when we must join our co-patriots on the land in battle. Being that we all are marines, each and every one of you are fit for this battle. When you leave the saftey of this vessel and venture out into the realm of war, you must remember always who you fight for and why you fight for him. We have an Empire to uphold, and the responsibility of that duty falls squarely on you."

They still had twenty five miles to go until they neared the battle scene, and even though not seeing any action would mean a quick victory for them, Apakoh wished that they broke through that pass...just once...

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Captain Lusec Apakoh
81st Imperial Marines

"General...am I correct in assuming that they have arrived?"

"Yes, sir," General Drake Grey, the supreme commander of the Imperial Mobile Infantry, replied. "They are nearing our outer wall."

"And their sensors?"

"Still jammed, sir,"

"Excellent...excellent..." Dr. Ackerman laughed. "You have your orders, General."

"Yes, sir."

"Report all findings to me, immediately."

"Of course, sir."

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Dr. Robert Ackerman
CEO, President, and Lead Developer
NiMBUS Biotechnologies

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General Drake Grey
Commander of the Imperial Mobile Infantry

"Lieutenant," Sky Marshall William Mitchell said. "Your orders are to assist the pirates and the Tappee Fleet in a bombardment of the Shipyard at Danata. All other details of the mission will be included on you briefing in your pad."

"Yes, sir," Lieutenant Mark Andrews replied, saluting. Damn right...there's a reason why they always give the 15th the most important missions... He walked to the hangar, where Jack Highwind and Katrina Brady were working on thier ships.

"Hand me that wrench," Jack ordered Katrina who shot back that he should get it himself. He whined, so she threw it at him, missing him, and barely missing Mark as he entered the door. Unphased, Mark raised and eyebrow.

"I take it I snored again?" he asked, slowly walking to the two of them. Katrina laughed at the comment.

"No," she said, wiping off her hands. "But I was trying to put Mr. High and Mighty to sleep..." She hugged Mark, but when he didn't hug her back she asked what's wrong.

"We have a mission in two hours," he said, frowing. "We're to attack Danata..."

"Are you kidding me?" Jack asked, coming back into the room with the wrench. "I practically grew up there...I loved all the ships...they'd let me go on tours..."

"We met there," Katrina explained. She laughed nerviously and looked up at Mark. "We were invited on a maiden voyage of a cruise starship as pilot and co-pilot. It turned into a vacation for us as well..."

"What is the likelyhood of us suceeding?" Jack asked, beginning to work on his ship again, but still listening.

"Well..." Mark began. "The Pirates will be helping us...as will Tappee's fleet...so I guess it depends on defenses. We're just supposed to go in there and blow shit up...I'm guessing they only picked us cause we'd know what not to blow up as well..."

"Speak for yourself..." Katrina said, pointing to Jack who was just zapped by his ship's wires. "You better have that up and running in an hour..."

"It'll be done in five minutes!" Jack replied, holding up his right hand and five fingers. It had a dark burn line down the center of his palm.

"Are those five minutes including your trip to sickbay?" Katrina laughed. Jack scowled and left the hangar.

"Honestly Kat, you have to be so hard on him?" Mark asked, smiling and leaning in for a kiss.

"No, sir!" She said and saluted jokingly.

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Sky Marshall William Mitchell
Commander of the Space Fleet and Marines

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Lieutenant Mark Andrews
"Raptor 1"
15th Fighter Squadron

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Ensign Jack Highwind
"Raptor 3"
15th Fighter Squadron

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Ensign Katrina Brady
"Raptor 2"
15th Fighter Squadron

Three landers hit the atmosphere in unison, each deployed from the SSF Rocket with a platoon (25 personel, 5 sections in a platoon) of A company, N.E.R, but all three part of the first wave.

A call went out abored the landers:

'One One though One Three, this is One, Radio Check, Over.' Maj. Ryoh Misato subvocalized over the comm net, sitting in his crash webbing on Lander 3 with his command Section and the shrunken Heavy Weapons Platoon.

'One, this is One One, Loud and clear, over," Capt. Christine Yip responded from Lander One, which contained her Rifle platoon.

'One, this is One Two, Loud and clear, over,' came from Capt. Rob Loxter in Lander Two with his own Rifle platoon.

'One, this is One Three, Loud and clear, over,' this time comming from 5 seats over in the Maj. Misato's own Lander as Capt. Adam Kirkley affearmed the readyness of his own Heavy Weapons Platoon.

Misato shifted in his webbing, 'This is One, you know our mission, let's not let the Regiment down. One, Out.'

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

Lander's One and Two hit the ground first, disgorging the two rifle Platoons. As the troops spread out and secured the area, Yip comm'ed Maj. Misato. 'Area secured."

The third lander unloaded it's cargo in the protective circle OneOne and OneTwo and formed.

'To all Platoons, this is One, we're behind already. Remember your objectives. Pro Rege est Patria!'

Sub-vocalized cries of 'DACIMUS!' hit the net from 74 voices.

"One Out."

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

Christine Yip was nervous as hell, though never letting the troops under her see it. The entire Company was in active GearUp, their forms blurred to a non-enabled eye as every heartbeat sent movement into the outer layer of the skin.

Of course, she decided, the fact that the company was eating up ground to catch up to the 1st Marines to help with the building assault had a lot to do with it.

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

'Sir, we're only getting static from all attempts to communicate with the Colonel.' the Comm tech subvocalized into the Command section's Net.

'Shit, I guess their equipment can even jam our long range communications gear.'

Misato puzzled this for one second before cutting communications with his Comm tech and sending out a message.

"Captain Spencer, 1st Marines, this is Major Ryoh Misato, N.E.R, we're approaching fast on your tail. Please advise your troops not to frag us. Have you been advised of our being on this mission? Over."

The pinnace touched the ground softly as the pilot did his best to bring down the small craft with his best performance.

Julia gazed outside from the viewport and as soon as the pilot yelled the all-clear from the cockpit, she took off from her seat and ventured to the main hatch.

The hatch hissed open slowly. Julia noticed the armed escorts in place and frowned slightly. She sought out the highest ranking soldier of the armed escorts.

"I assume you are here to escort me where i need to go?" She asked from the trooper.

"If that is the case, could you please take me to Mr.Pierce, my matter is most urgent."

The group of marines huddled around the door waiting for it to open, they were unsure what waited for them on the other. In what seemed a life the door opened to revival the outside world. Once opened the marines filed out with the up most speed in precision, they had practised this procedure some many times that they could honestly do it their sleep. Taking up key defensive positions they did a sweep of the area. Once they were sure the area was clear the landing craft lifted of the surface to head back to space to pick up the next landing group.

The air was rather foggy so much so that hindered the marine’s vision.

“Switch to thermal imaging” said the commander through the COM.

Following their commanders orders the marines switched the imaging in their helmets over to thermal. With the switch it mad it much easier to see. They had landed in a rather mountainous region just a few mile from target. Their objective was to climb up and secure the high ground for the arriving force, in an attempt to limit both snipers, and ambushes.

“Alpha, and Bravo proceed to objectives” said the commander again. With his word the marine broke into two and began the assent to the top.

As they began Clara increased the grip on her gun “There some about this place that I don’t like” she wasn’t sure if it was just her, or the environment, but their was a chill running down her spine.

“it reeks of death out here” said another member her squad.

“Cut the chatter” quickly responded their squad leader “stay focused”

Putting her gun closer to her shoulder Clara continued walking in silence. So if remained for some time.

After walking for some they were interrupted by the radio operator. “Sir I’m picking up a broken signal on the scanner.”

“Put on the COM” barked the commander

“ This is Captain…..Spencer to all Aeisis sold……..Gest. We…en…………..peat, we…..ntered in..ambush……….void the mission………re to proccede as planned....that………ficial order from m….n control.”

The commander turned and looked at his squad, even though the transmission was broken, they had all understood it. The original plan had been to try and draw the imperial force into a trap in the sky above Gest, now they were no longer the hunter, but the hunted. It was now time for him to instil leadership into his men. “To the Honour of Combat” he yelled in his COM “Squad proceed to objective Double time”

They all began running using what ever cover they could to their advantage.

"I assume you are here to escort me where i need to go?" She asked from the trooper.

"If that is the case, could you please take me to Mr.Pierce, my matter is most urgent."

The soldier smiled, but Julia was not able to see it through the helmet.

"Ma'am, you have a choice to make..." He said, as nearly a hundred other soldiers sprung up all around the Pinnace.

http://invisionfree.com:54/129/44/upload/p205.jpg

"You can either be a prisoner...or a casualty..."

Alexei turned when he heard the sound. The long, piercing wail cut through the morning fog. The definitive sound meant only one thing - an anti-matter explosion.

No sooner had he turned, than he saw the ship. The massive vessel was dangerously close to the atmosphere, and rapidly accelerating. Using this as a cue, the Imperials focused their munitions on it, causing it to break into three main pieces, which each hailed down upon the troops, crushing many. Those who were not flattened to death died in the explosion that followed, sending dirt and flames flying across the land.

Estimating that near 5000 had just died because of that single act, Alexei turned back to see that they were right aside the mountain, looking up at the fortress which led to the base inside.

"Prepare to scale the facility," Captain Spencer and the other captains ordered as they polarized their hands and feet so that they would stick to the metal surface. "Go, go, go!"

It was then that Alexei was shot by an Imperial pulse rifle...and shot again. He went down on one knee to steady himself, only to find that he was not injured in any way. He saw Joseph Frost react the same way to a similar situation, and said over his comm link, "The armor is holding up to munitions, get you foot off the break! GO!"

Instead of climbing the fortress, Alexei nodded to Joseph and Pedro and the three engaged their rocket boosters, propelling themselves upward. Landing on the roof of the building, the three Rebels engaged the Imperial Marines but to no avail. Neither side's polaron beams or pulses had any effect. Realizing the situation at hand, Alexei and crew pulled out their swords, hoping to find a soft spot in the armor.

An Imperial charged, but Alexei's blade did little except simply stun the man. Ripping off the Imperial's helmet, Alexei ran his sword through the man's head.

After decking an Imperial in the face, Joseph threw an EMP grenade behind the ranks of the Imperials. This would at least disable the computer systems loaded onto the ODIN Battle Armor. Unfortunately, Pedro was also effected, and had to take his helmet off to see what was going on.

By now more and more Rebels had made it to the roof and the mini-battle was quickly turning in their favor. The Imperial snipers watched in horror as their shots did little, if any, damage to their enemy.

With all the force he could muster, Alexei ran his blade through neck padding of an Imperial, spraying blood everywhere. He then smashed a metal barrel over another Imperial's head, breaking the eyepiece on the Imperial's helmet. Pulling out his pistol, Alexei fired a beam into the hole, destroying the bastard.

Pedro was punched in the face due to the fact that he had no helmet, and Joseph quickly rushed to his rescue, knocking the Imperial off of the tower and down to a certain death on the ground. He turned around, and Pedro stood still, simply staring ahead.

"Come on man, we'll deal with your cheek later!" Joseph Frost shouted amist the chaos. "LET'S GO!"

But Pedro did not respond, for he had that ability taken away from he before the question was even asked. The top half of Pedro's head fell to the floor as he body collapsed, revieling an Imperial with a sword behind him. Enraged, Joseph charged at the man, but before he could get there, Alexei had already attached an EMP grenade to the Imperial's suit and threw him off the tower.

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Captain Dimitri Spencer
Leader of the 1st Marines

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Commander Alexei Ivanova
XO of the 1st Marines

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Lieutenant Joseph Frost
Vehicle Specialist of the 1st Marines

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Lieutenant J.G. Pedro Ibanez
27th MI, 1st Marines

"I assume you are here to escort me where i need to go?" She asked from the trooper.

"If that is the case, could you please take me to Mr.Pierce, my matter is most urgent."

The soldier smiled, but Julia was not able to see it through the helmet.

"Ma'am, you have a choice to make..." He said, as nearly a hundred other soldiers sprung up all around the Pinnace.

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"You can either be a prisoner...or a casualty..."

Julia frowned slightly as the soldiers appeared. She wasnt supprised really, she had expected something like this. Hell, she would have been more supprised if there HADNT been this kind of welcoming committee out here to meet her.

However, that didnt mean that she would simply become a prisoner just like that. Her face was that of stone and her voice as cold as helium as she spoke again.

"Understand this soldier, i am here to meet Mr.Pierce, not to become a prisoner at someones whim. I will come quietly if you take me to Mr.Pierce, you can check me, i have no weapons and you can bring as large of a security contignent with me as you wish but i have something Mr.Pierce wants to hear and i intend to say it, if these terms are inconvinient for you and you decide to "dispose" of me...well lets just say that as a result to that will be a cee-fractional kinetic strike with a 40-ton missile....coming in ballistic. Do not mistake me, i am not Mr.Pierce's enemy, but neither will i be a nameless prisoner rotting in some prison cell when im trying to help."

She knew what she had said, as well as she knew what would happen if she didnt report back within two hours. Her Exec had been extremely reluctant to take the orders she had given in-case she didnt report back. If she did not report back, then both the Artemis and Rapier would launch a kinetic attack from beyond the hyperlimit against Aesis. The destroyers would first accelerate to a good initial velocity and then launch, when to that was yet added the speed the missiles own drives would give them and the mass drivers in the launchers gave them, they would be coming in fast, real fast. And past the acceleration phase, they would be nothing more than 40-ton bulks of metal moving at a significant percentage of cee. They wouldnt be emitting anything.

She smiled coldly back at the soldier and waited out the mans response. How ironic it was, she had decided to commit 750 people perhaps to die for the cause of the Rebels and now those very Rebels threatened her life.

She also hoped that Senior Chief Willis wouldnt panic and begin blasting with the under-nose turret on the Pinnace. She was rather certain that the twin 15mm multi-barreled cannons spitting high-explosive darts at 400 rounds per second at those soldiers would hurt them bad, but in the end it would be of little use. She reprimanded herself mentally for thinking of that possibility. Willis knew of her plan, and she knew the Senior Chief rather well. He wouldnt panic.

[OOC: How can RPly my character from the Realm of the Risen return home? I can RP my fleet to pick him up, but Steel Butterfly has to hand him over.]

The soldier remained still.

I'd like to see that attack get through...

"Ma'am I have direct orders from Sir Pierce to insure the saftey of this base and its people," he replied. "Now please, come with me."

By now the soldiers had moved in on the enabled, very cautiously.

"I implore you not to make this difficult..."

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[OOC: Clairmont, before posting, check your TG's]

Julia released a mental breath as the trooper spoke. So it was a security measure, but why this "ambush" if it was a security measure? Another matter that worked to soothe her was the slight edge of worry she thought to detect in the soldiers voice.

"I understand you trooper, even tough i question your methods to welcome your guests." She said with a slight edge of humor in her voice.

"I will come quietly, but i will remember this when im filling the customer feedback." She yet stated and stepped forward to move with the pace the soldiers would wish to set.

The rapidly moving line of enableds soon entered the mass of grey ODIN suits bounding their way up the mountain sides.

'OneOne, OneTwo, this is One, get up that mountain, I want your platoons up there and covering OneThree in 1 minute! Over.' Maj. Misato subvocalized.

'One, This is OneOne, confermed. Over'

'One, this is OneTwo, Confermed. Over'

'This is One, DACIMUS! Out.'

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OneOne hit the mountain on the right side of the heavy weapons platoon, blurring up the rocky cliffs with enhanced speeds while OneTwo hit the mountain on the left side of OneThree.

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"MOVE MOVE MOVE!" Capt. Yip roared out to her platoon as they, in StepUp, ripped up the mountain using only diamond weave gloves and combat boots.

'OneOne, One, Sitrep?' came a voice over the comm.

Christine didn't pause in her movements, letting her arms and legs go on automatic. 'One, this is OneOne, only light resistance here, proceeding to the top of the MountainHigh. Over'

'One, Clear, Out.'

As the voice faded from her ear, several large blasts announced that the Enabled's bodysuited forms had not gone un-noticed.

In her SteppedUp state, the energy weapon blasts came at her in an almost sedate pace, moving only as fast as a car going 40Km. Christine's right arm flung itself forward then up, palm out, deflecting the blast outwards while her left arm flung her body even higher on the cliff face.

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

And thus, in less than a Minute, all three platoons had toped the mountain.

'ONETHREE, Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, TARGETS! FIRE!'

M.Cpl Davis' Alpha section had their Carl G's out before the word go, and on the command, had fired their shapecharge'ed HE rocket into any surrounding hardpoints or groups of Imperial ODIN suits.

'ONETHREEALPHA, REPLOAD!' Davis comm'ed before he snapped his C-9 up at an charging Imperial, spraying aim'ed fire faster than the enemy could take one more step towards what had seemed to be a un-armored, easy target.

HE and Hollowpoint bullets rippled accross the battlearmor, seeking out chinks in the hardened surface before ripping through the softer helmet, sending the imperial's skull in several different directions.

'ONETHREEALPHA, FIRE AT WILL!'

Carl G rockets once again ripped out across the land, touching approaching groups of gray battlearmor and sending the enemy flying into the air, stunning those the explosion did not destroy.

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

'ONEONEALPHA, with me!'

Christine bellowed into her comm as she sent a blurred fist through the head armor of another Imperial, wincing once again as Diamond Weave Glove met hardened alloy before breaking through with the force of her Mental strength, pulping the man's face.

The rain of fire intensified around her and, thus, the sight of temporary shield points sprung into view, absorbing or deflecting the blasts.

'ONEONEBRAVO, COVER AND BLOCK!'

Capt. Yip and her Alpha Section once again blurred across a vertical landscape to land on the roof of the building in a blurred rush, all bolts of energy directed at them seemingly deflected away by BravoSection.

Once on the roof, all Yip saw was the continuance of a bloody pitch'ed battle.

'ONEONEALPHA, if they attack, KILL'EM.'

As they were the only ones using projectial weaponry, they were the only ones still using ranged weapons.

HallowPoints and HighExplosives ripped out in a carefully aimed current of death, ripping through heads.

Yip fired her C7A3 into the biggest group of Imperials she could find before pulling the M203 trigger and letting fly a 40mm HEAPFRAG granade at them.

To those not killed outright, Christine came into Melee range, first matching the ODIN's speed and strength in her SteppedUp state, then pushing past them.

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Captain Christine Yip,
Platoon Commander, One-One,
(N)Enabled Regiment

It was if it all had happened so quickly, one moment the squad was proceeding towards their objective, the next they were fighting for their lives.

Taking cover behind some rocks Clara took a moment to asses the situation, the Imperials had managed to catch them by surprise, a number of her fellow squad members had taken hit, but their armour had held. However, the same could be said for the imperials as well, when the imperial had made their presence known it had been followed by a number of well placed shoots.

Clara knew that battle armour could only take s much punishment before it eventually gave in. Seeing movement to her right she brought her rifle to bare on the target launching a punishing volley in the general direction. One of her shoot glanced the Imperials shoulder causing him to loose his footing and exposing him to the rest of the squad. Having an opportunity for a kill a number of the Tappee Marine brought their gun to bare on the fallen soldier, it was not long until the Imperials soldier armour gave way under the constant barrage of gunfire.

However, the victory was a small one, while the Marines had been distracted by the fallen Imperial soldier, another had been allowed to sneak up close enough to through a plasma grenade into the their midst.

“GRENADE!!” Yelled one of the marines. But it was too late, there was a bright flash of light follow by the concussion. The concussion was so strong that it knocked Clara to the ground. For most their armour had withstood the blast, except for those unlucky few that where close to the epicentre. The blast had destroyed the Marines lines, they were now open to the Imperial attack. The Marines tried to form another defensive line, but were out gunned by the imperial forces.

As the squads medic she sprung into action, ignoring her own personal safety she made way over to the marines that had been injured by the blast. She left those that had been closest to the blast, they were already dead, if they weren’t there was nothing that she could do for them. Kneeling down beside a follow marine she looked him over.

What had once been new combat armour was now a smouldering hunk of metal. She found it ironic how the armour that had once protected him, was now his coffin. The blast had caused his breastplate to shatter driving pieces into his chest, for him there was not much she could do. Removing his helmet she could now hear his desperate scream. She pulled an Epi Injector of her bag and placed it firmly against the man neck. A squeeze from the trigger cause the liquid inside the to quickly empty. The man let out a gurgling sound then his eyes rolled to the back of his head, a quick death was her gift to him. Moving on the next patient she found that his wounds were less sever then the last, a shot from a plasma rifle had penetrated the armour. Hitting the quickly release to the armour she removed the breastplate revealing the wound taking more items from her bag she began to attending the wound. Out of the corner of her eye see could see more and more of her comrade’s fall to the imperial onslaught she would be able to get to them all. While working on the her patient a hand reached out and pulled her back as enemy shoots fell were she once stood instantly kill her patient.

“Thanks” she said as she turned to thank the person that had just saved her life, but couldn’t get the words out when she saw what stood before her. Their was a man standing before her wearing some type of armour that she had never seen before, from what she could tell he was neither Tappian, nor imperial. She tried to bring her gun around but the man effortless knocked it out her hands, she turned to run but again he reached out a grabbed her.

The Squad Commander looked to see being grabbed by some mysterious figure that had not been there before. Taking aim with his gun he was about to fire on their position in an attempt to free her from his grip, but was blinded by a bright blue light. Then to his horror both Clara and the man were gone. He called out to her hoping that she may be out there somewhere, but got no response. Looking around he realized that he was the last remaining soldier. Taking a deep breath he threw an EMP grenade in the general direction of the imperials. Arming an Plasma grenade he jumped from cover, hit after hit pounded his armour. He didn’t care anymore; he jumped in the middle of the imperial forces just as the grenade went off.


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Clara Sinistra

[OOC: Perhaps it's relevant: http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2860245#2860245 ]

Captain Leon Williams was just about to enter his dropship when he was summoned to Sky Marshall William Mitchell's ready room. The Sky Marshall looked either sick or upset, Leon noted when he arrived. Probably both...

"Captain, are you aware of the communication difficulties on the battlefield?" The Sky Marshall asked. Leon was puzzled...the Marines could handle that.

"Yes, sir..."

"We have just cracked the encryption..."

"Excellent, sir. Well done!" Leon exclaimed.

"No, Captain, far from it," Mitchell replied, confusing Leon even more. "We have recorded lifesigns of near 230,000 Imperial soldiers and Marines amassing over the mountain ridge."

Captain Williams froze...an ambush?

"I'm calling for an immediate retreat...however...we will not be able to get those men we deployed back," the Sky Marshall said, sitting down as if the weight of the decision was too much to bear. "The enemy fleet will be here in a matter of thirty minutes. We can't risk further casualties. This mission was a failure..."

"Sky Marshall," Leon said, trying to ease the pain of the loss. "We learned that something important is here, something that the Imperials must defend."

"Yes, Captain," The Sky Marshall responded. "Their pride...they made sure they wouldn't lose again."

"They will," Leon said as he left the room. "They will..."

The walk back to his dropship seemed longer than the one to the ready room. They weren't being deployed, but that wasn't the problem. No, it just didn't seem fair to the soldiers on the ground to just leave them there. Then again, war was not a boxing match...it was not fair...

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

"ALEXEI'S DOWN THERE!" Eric exclaimed when Leon told the 2nd Marines of the news. Sean Athens had a similar reaction regarding his good friend Pedro, who he thought still had a chance.

"Commander, I know it's hard to grasp, but..." Leon said, but Eric cut him off.

"No, what's hard to grasp is how we can be so cowardly!" Eric screamed. "I have friends, but more importantly co-patriots, down there fighting for the reason we sent them there, and we're simply leaving them!"

"We're not being cowards, we're being intelligent," Leon pleaded, but to no avail.

"There's nothing intelligent about this," Sean Athens snapped. "Someone in the chain of command got scared. Send us down to find them!"

"STOP IT NOW!" Leon screamed, instantly quieting the dropship, freezing the Marines in their place. "Gentlemen you apall me! If you want to look out for you friends, go join the boy scouts. We cannot win this war...the sheer numbers tell each and every one of us that every day. However we must try...and we must fight...and we must do it intelligently! Pouring countless soldiers into a lost cause is worthless. We don't have the reserves that the Empire has. Every solider...every life matters! It may be the last man rebel alive that wins this war, but if that man dies without purpose, the tyranny of the Empire lives on."

So the soliders silently exited the docked dropship, but not without directly their glares towards the Captain. Down on the surface of Gest, the carnage continued...

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Sky Marshall William Mitchell
Commander of the Space Fleet and Marines

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Captain Leon Williams
Leader of the 2nd Marines

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Commander Eric Vinzer
XO of the 2nd Marines

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Lieutenant Sean Athens
27th M.I., 2nd Marines

Captain Randomer sighed as he heard the news of the rebel retreat, they had walked straight into a trap. To make matter worse Imperial reinforcement would be arriving shortly, which would not allow them time to withdraw their ground forces.

“COM open a channel to Admiral Dodalla”

Within moment Dodalla’s image appeared on the main screen. Adjusting his posture he addressed the admiral.

“Ma’am we’ve been lead into trap, our ground forces have been lead into a trap, and more imperial forces will be arriving shortly. I’ve just received word that the Rebels are about to abandon their ground forces and retreat. What are your orders.”

Through the view screen he could see a concerned look come over her face as she considered her option. After a brief moment of silence she addressed his question.

“Me and the fleet are the only one that can reach you in time. However, we are going to proceed to our intended objective as plan. Captain your orders were to stall the imperial forces as long as possible in an attempt to draw them away from Danata. Those orders are still standing. You are to move the fleet out of sight and engage them when they enter the system, you are to keep them in system as long as possible then retreat back to Aesis. Do you understand me Captain?”

Randomer nodded “What about our forces on the ground?”

“I agree with the Rebel Sky Marshall in this” she paused for a moment trying to find the right words but realized that there were none. “They are considered lost. We cannot jeopardize our other objectives for their benefit. Now proceed to our objective captain.”
With the Admiral Dodalla ended the transmission.

Randomer turned to look at his crew he could see the look all their faces, they didn’t like leaving people on the ground, but Randomer knew that they had no choice. He thought of an old movie quote the had heard somewhere. “The needs of many out weight the needs of the few” he couldn’t risk the lives of those in the fleet and those headed to Danata, for the lives of fifteen thousand Marines.

“COM contact the Rebel fleet, tell them that we are going to cover the fleet an attempt to stall them as long as possible, Contact the rest of the fleet have the move out of sigh.” There was a slim chance that they would catch the imperial force that was about to arrive by surprise, but they could try.

Admiral Dodalla took her seat and rested her chin on her hand, and fell deep into through, trying to figure out what was going on. Captain Phobo took the seat across from her. The two had known each other for a sometime, and he could tell that something was bothering her, he knew that it wasn’t about abandoning the troops on Gest, there was more to it.

“Your worried that we too might be heading into a trap at Danata” he finally said out “You think that there may a mole hidden somewhere in Rebels.”

His word caused to snap back to reality. “Or worse yet, the mole is in Tappee.” She could see a confused look over his face. “Think about it, someone had to be helping them at Tatania, not to mention the assignation of Jades Husband. There are too many things that don’t add up.”

He could see her point, and it caused him to worry a bit “So what if we are heading into a trap, what we do.”

A smile came across her face “It has been said that knowing there’s a trip is the first step to evading it.” A plan was formulation in the back of her head. “Get Me Captain Randomer again, I need to talk to him, it urgent.”

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Admiral Dodalla

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Captain Phobo

Captain Randomer came out his ready room with a smile on his face, for the first time since all this had begun.

“What is Captain” asked the Helm officer surprised the Captain change of moods.

“The instant to Imperial forces enter the system order the fleet to jump to these coordinates with exception of the Sky Range” He handed her the coordinates “The Sky Range will attempt to EVAC as many as they can.”

The Helm officer was dumbfounded by the Captains orders. “Sir the Sky Range is a Transport and doesn’t have the ability to defend it’s self.”

“Then they better hurry, just make sure that the rest of the fleet falls back to those coordinates.” Answered the Captain.

Aboard the SSF Rocket

Col. Wesley Tse glared at the situation report in front of him, hoping to scare the words into a better order.

"Fuck."

No contact with the NER, an approaching Imperial fleet, a huge ambush force waiting to slaughter every combat troop on the ground; these were not what a CO ever wants to hear.

"Lieutenent Jenson, have we re-established comm's with the NER yet?"

The hazel haired Commtech looked up from her work, though her fingers never ceased movement, "We're still working on it sir, about 30 minutes or so ago, we've managed to get a partial break in the... wait, hold on sir."

Wesley leaned forward.

"Sir, good news, it isn't as clear as possible, and the message will have to be short, but we've figured out a way to get the information down to them. Altering the equipment will take 17 minutes."

"The imperial Fleet will be here in 30." the Colonel responded.

"Yes sir." the Lt. responded.

"Send a message to Sky Marshall Mitchell and Captain Phobo of the Tappee force, tell'em what we're planning. Ask'em if they have any tactical data that might help us in the evac."

"Yes sir."

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Colonel Wesley Tse,
Regiment CO, Nin'er
(N)Enabled Regiment

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Lieutenent Maya Jenson
Comm Tech
(M)Enabled Regiment

Ooc: just so you know Phobo and Dodalla are not at Gest, they are with another Battle group preparing for the assult against the Shipyards at Danata. Dodalla is Commanding the entire Tappee fleet. As it stands the Fourth Battle fleet is Gest, the First and Third Battle fleets, and the second carrier division are head toward Danata.

IC:

Dodalla stared through the window at the open space. Out of the corner of her Eye she could see Captain Phobo walk up beside her.

“Have my orders been carried out” she asked never turning her attention away from the view infront of her.

Phobo took a deep breath “Yes Captain Timerus of the Sky Range has volunteered for the EVAC manoeuvre.”

“Very good Captain as soon as the Imperial fleet arrive, have Randomer and the fleet retreat to the coordinates that I gave you.”

Phobo though to himself for a moment “I’ve just received word from the Canada-Germany commander, they have found a way to communicate with the ground forces, only for a brief time, what should the message be for the ground force.”

From the initial report the Randomer had sent Dodalla she very much doubted that there would many left by this point. It was not that she doubt the marines ability, it came down to simple numbers, the imperials had more. “Tell them that we are about to execute EVAC procedure Delta Epsilon 4 7 Theta.”

“As soon as the Imperial enter the system drop the fleet out of hyperspace and launch the assault against Danata, coordinate with both the Rebel and the pirate forces.

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Admiral Dodalla

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Captain Phobo

"Today..."

Left punch, right, block, block, stab...turn...block...punch, high, low...stab...

"...we must continue to fight..."

Block, right, kick, dodge, stab, juke, elbow, stab...

"...to ensure that tomorrow..."

Slash, backhand, jump, kick, grab, flip, stab, rip...pistol, raise, fire, trigger...

"...we have something worth fighting for!"

Bodies and weapons, ally and enemy alike, flew past Alexei's eyes faster than he could see. He had since simply resorted to instinct, as Captain Spencer called out phrases, commanding them...no...begging them to move foward.

"Alexei, let's go!" the Captain cried, calling the Commander by his first name for the first time. Death had an ironic way of bringing people closer together. The Captain raced across the roof, spearing an Imperial off the side of the building, and stared out over the mountainside. Suddenly, he simply sat down, as the last of the Imperials on the roof were being killed. Seeing this, Alexei ran over towards his commanding officer.

"Captain Spencer!" he exclaimed, quickly checking his superior for wounds. The man had none.

"Look..." was all Captain Spencer said, pointing out over the peaks. Alexei slowly walked to the edge and looked down. He gasped as he saw hundreds of thousands of troops all standing ready...ready to hold back the invasion. He looked behind where he stood and saw the ships in the sky. Were they leaving...was it just his imagination...?

Joseph ran up beside the two and saluted. "Captain, Commander...sir, we have the area neutralized. What are your orders?"

"I...I can't do it..."

Joseph looked at the Captain as if the man's words had wrecked him. Captain Spencer, his idol, his father figure, was now admiting defeat...a coward hiding from his destiny. "Nonsense," Joseph said with a smile, but Alexei gazed back at him. Those cold, hauting eyes...Joseph had seen them before. "Captain, please," Joseph continued. "What are your orders?"

"Get the hell out of here," Captain Spencer commanded. "That's an order."

"C-captain..." Joseph said, almost tearing up.

This can't be happening...these morons...

"Captain," Alexei said, picking Dimitri Spencer up and back onto his feet. "You are to give us your orders, now!"

But the Captain only shook his head and sat down again, bringing his pistol up and placing it in his mouth. Joseph stared as if he wanted to turn away but couldn't. Alexei had had enough.

Kicking the Captain's hand and knocking the gun away, he yelled. "Damn it, Spence, the least you could do is draw some fire from the rest of us."

Captain Spencer began to whimper and rock a bit, first back and fourth then side to side. "I-I-I-I-I-I-I-d-d-d-o-nnnn't w-w-w-want to di-i-i-ie!" The Captain cried, tears streaming down his face. Alexei slapped him.

"Pull yourself together!" Alexei screamed. They needed leadership, they needed order...I can't do this...I can't lead them all...I don't want to...I...

"Commander...." Joseph began. "Lets just leave him..."

"NO!" Alexei screamed, surprising even himself. "No one gets left behind. We do not have a choice to fight...it is what we are paid to do, it is what we are meant to do...it is what we were born to do. I do not have a choice...you do not have a choice...and I'll be damned if this bastard has a choice!" With that, Alexei grabbed the back of the Captain's suit and held the man in front of him.

"Surrender or die, rebel scum!" a man with a loudspeaker ordered from the Imperial ranks.

How original...

Kicking his legs out from under him, Alexei tossed the Captain over the side of the facility and into the first wave of Imperials, standing ready. Soon after, the Captain's body exploded, killing near fifty troops.

Alexei screamed "Charge" as the remaining Rebel Marines leaped over onto the other side of the mountains. Alexei landed with one less grenade.

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Captain Dimitri Spencer
Leader of the 1st Marines

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Commander Alexei Ivanova
XO of the 1st Marines

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Lieutenant Joseph Frost
Vehicle Specialist of the 1st Marines

Casualty report, OneOneBravo: 2 killed, 1 mindburned, OneOneDelta: 3 mindburned, 1 Killed. OneOneEcho: gone.

Voices echoed over the comm bringing Madness into her ear.

'Corporal Brown's down!'
'Bring fire to baring...'
'INCOMMING!'

and then

'Here they come again...'

A call...

"CHARGE!"

Captain Christine Yip and what remained of Platoon OneOne, Alpha Company threw themselves over the edge of the building, howling hell from their beings.

'What is the role of the Infantry?' she called out over the comm.

'TO CLOSE WITH AND DESTROY THE ENEMY!'

'DACIMUS!'

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

Capt. Rob Loxter had been in battle before, but this was mad. The roof had been cleared, but the amount of bodies on it was such that he could not longer see the building.

From the comm traffic going back and forth, he knew that both rifle platoons were down to rifles, a smattering of granades (both rifle and hand) and their sidearms. His platoon, however, was now down to 3 Sections, Alpha, Delta and Echo.

Loxter didn't even know who gave the call to charge, but, seeing Christine and her platoon diving off the edge told him that he and his would follow.
------------------

It came faintly over the comm, harder than hell to hear over the noise of battle, but, fortunetly, hear Major Ryoh Misato did.

'One-Nin'er.....this is..... ley Tse......ontact with....Tappee ground forc..... EVAC pro....ure Delta Epsilon 4 7 Theta.....Follow th.... out One-Nin'er.'

Misato called for his Comm personell.

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

'We're damn good targets up here sir!' M.Cpl Davis comm'ed.

'It's called SUPPORT FIRE M.Cpl. That means we SUPPORT.' came the reply from Captain Adam Kirkley. 'Now, I want those Carl G's, mortars and Machineguns up and READY ON THE BUILDING EDGE TO SUPPLY OneOne and OneTwo WITH ALL THE FIRE THEY NEED!'

'Yes SIR!'

Within seconds the Machinegunners were belching bullets again. Seconds after that, another salvo of Carl G's were fired at the tide of Imperial's.

The mortars clunked and more ODIN's were shredded.

Of course, the return fire was in such volume that the combined powers of the shrunken company was unable to handle them all.

A cry rang out as OneThree suffered it's first casuality.

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

'OneTwo, OneOne, Barrier sweep out! On me, Link NOW!'

Distortion surrounded Yip's blurred form as the two rifle platoons linked to give her what energy they could without leaving each individual defenceless.

Still arching in the air, Yip twirled and flung her arms out, forming two visible streams of distorted air outwards from her rigid hands, and as one stream hit the massed Imperial army below her, brains began to literally melt in their skulls.

Still twirling as she fell, screaming bloody defiance, the columns of visible psionic energy continued ripping furrows through the Imperials again and again, making the sight of her falling figure akin to that of a bloody angel of death.

15 Meters from the ground, Christine slammed her hands together, sending one more psionic burst at the Imperials before she landed in a field of bodies, over 50m in length, that had been killed by her final blast.

Three seconds later, as the rest of the two platoon's landed around her, four more Enabled's hit the ground with the crack of bones, already dead from the smoking holes through their bodies.

Still, the two understrength platoons faught on.



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Captain Christine Yip,
Platoon Commander, One-One,
(N)Enabled Regiment

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Captain Rob Loxter.
Platoon Commander, One-Two
(N)Enabled Regiment

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Captain Adam Kirkley
Platoon Commander, One-Three
(N)Enabled Regiment

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Major Ryoh Misato
Company Commander, One-Nin'er
(N)Enabled Regiment

...and then the ground gave way...

...and they were falling.

The hole was not much larger than a square meter, and with all the explosions around, it went unnoticed. However, Alexei, Joseph, and an already dead Imperial fell. They passed out before they hit the bottom.

The carnage was rampant as the last of the Rebels died off in the waves upon waves of Imperials. This battle had been lost from the beginning, and somewhere, Emperor Nemerov was smiling.

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

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“Raptor 1, this is Raptor 3 reporting,” Jack said over the comm link as the ships dropped out of a sub-space fold and into a nebula.

“Raptor 3, proceed as planned,” Mark ordered. The Raptor-Class Long Range Tactical Fighters were in range of the Danata Shipyards, which was only a few light-years away from the planet of Gest. While Danata was not the largest shipyard that the Imperials had, Pierce and Sky Marshall Mitchell determined that it was the easiest to attack. Admiral Dodalla of Tappee only made this job easier.

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Lieutenant Mark Andrews
"Raptor 1"
15th Fighter Squadron

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Ensign Jack Highwind
"Raptor 3"
15th Fighter Squadron

Three lone marines made their through the dense fog trying to stay hidden from the imperials forces, they were all that remained of the Tappee force that landed on Gest. They had given up on taking the intended objective, instead tried only to stay hidden and survive until help could arrive.

They were lead by lieutenant Thanos Cortabo, a junior officer, who had just came out of the military academy this was his first assignment. Behind him was privet first class Rhea Henerson and Douglas Carpenter.

The three took cover behind some rock in an attempt to catch their breaths; they had been on the run for what seemed a lifetime.

“How long until we can expect an EVAC” asked Rhea in-between breaths.

“Don’t know, it depends how long it take for them to cut through this interference” answered Thanos. Almost as if cue a message came across the COM system:

'One-Nin'er.....this is..... ley Tse......ontact with....Tappee ground forc..... EVAC pro....ure Delta Epsilon 4 7 Theta.....Follow th.... out One-Nin'er.'

Thanos upon hear the message glanced over at David then back over to Rhea. He could see Rhea’s shoulders drop as she realized what the message meant. David placed his face in his hands. Thanos himself had to fight the need to vomit.

“Why” where the only words that Rhea could force out of her mouth. Delta Epsilon 4 7 Theta was code for DEATH, which meant that there would be no EVAC or rescue, they were now on their own.

It took a moment for Thanos to collect his thoughts “How many more of us do think are out there, we’re it. Do you think that they are going to risk how many more other just to save us, they don’t even know were we are.” He got to his feet, he was in command now, even if it was the three them, they were not going to surrender, or just give up. “Try to conserve your ammo, I many of comrades died today, let not disrespect their memory by giving up now. Here on out we are going to use gorilla style tactics and take out as many of those imperial scums as we can. For every one of our friends that died today, another Ten Imperial are going to die.” He knew that they stood little chance of following through with words, but he needed to rally his troop. “Now I can see a cave up head may it leads to the compound and we can still do some damage.” He placed his hand out “Until the end.”

Doug pulled his face out of his hand a took a moment to consider Thanos’s words. Getting to his feet he placed his hand in Thanos’s “until the end.”

Rhea let out a bit of a sigh. And placed her hand on her comrades “Some has to watch out for the two you” she said with a bit of a smile. “To the honour of Combat”

The three quickly made their way to the cave entrance and out sight.
Rhea Henerson
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Rhea Henerson

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Thanos Cortabo

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Douglas Carpenter

Admiral Dodalla stood there was her arms crossed behind her back staring at the Holo display, that had just entered the Danata system and she was taking a moment to analysis the situation. The distraction at Gest, the imperial presence in Danata was minimal, but there had been a high price. Tappee had been forced the abandon all Fifteen thousand of it ground troops at Gest, that was the price of war she thought to herself.

“COM open a channel to the fleet, have them begin with their assault against Danata, attack pattern bravo epsilon seven” said the admiral coldly, this was no time to get emotional, there was a job that still had to be done.


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Admiral Dodalla

(OOC: wow, now THIS is a hopeless situation, lol)

The buildings were lost under the weight of the Imperial Push. Major Misato could only watch and fight in unfeeling calm as one by one, the Regiment was reduced in numbers.

There was only one thing to be done.

'This is One-Nin'er to all units. Rope Break, I say again Rope Break.'

Misato touched his wrist and a burst ripped through the interferance. A burst that contained only once peice of information. It ment that very soon, the grounded troops would need help.

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

'...s One-Nin'er to all units. Rope Break, I say again Rope Break.'

Rope Break, code word for the desolution of the regiment as a fighting force and retreat by individuals back to the landers. The ships in orbit would provide as much support as possible in the evac of the remaining troops.

They were running.

-----------

OneThree had abandoned their heavy weapons and in leaps and bounds, raced back to their ships.

OneTwo did the same, minus their Captain.

OneOne, the hardest hit of the platoons stayed behind with only 2 sections in operation, and two Captains between them.

----------

As hellish as it was, the comms still connected the troops in a net of communication.

'Parimeter secured Sir's!'

'We've got enemy incomming!'

'Lander One, lifting off.'

'OneTwo loaded on Lander Two! Lift off in 15 seconds.'

'OneThree loaded on Lander Three, Lift of in 3..2..1 Liftoff!'

'Lander Two, Liftoff!'

'Godspeed OneOne.'

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

The three landers lifted off in flame, protected by the minds inside them and by their breathern in the sky.

Though battered, they would make it to their berths relativly intact with their cargo of 43 battered and bloodied survivers. The SSF Rocket, Torpedo and Missile would follow their rebel breathern when the Imperial fleet finally arrived.

Captain Christine Yip, 44th surviver of the NER threw a brief glance at the sky without interupting her movements.

'Last contact for now OneOne. CodeName, Mother's maiden.'

For now, she was no longer Captain Christine Yip, her birthname. Instead, she was Mahoro Ando, ghost.

(OOC: Some of those in the NER are also in my Foreign Service Branch, the GPA. Now, there's the bright upstanding side to the GPA, and then there's the side that does all the dirty work. For those engaded in the dirty work, a second name is provided for securities sake.)

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

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Mahoro Ando
Ghost
The Agency

Soldiers in ODIN suits do not make good forest stalkers.

Another mass breakage of brush and branches signalled the apporach of another Imperial sweep up team. Mahoro had seen them comming and going for hours on end after the carnage had ended, sometimes they tossed a granade into a bush they thought had moved, sometimes, they just sprayed it with gunfire. A leftover Rebel M.I had been killed that way; blown up then riddled with smoking holes.

Such was not the way that she saw herself going. Infact, she didn't see herself going at all; not here anyways.

As the most recent search group pasted her moving 30 meters away, she once again Steped up and started to move. There had to be some kind of shelter in this forest, some place to take cover, rest, regain some of her energy.

Her hope proved to be providence as a cave caught her vision. It wasn't even much of a cave; it's opening end almost totally covered by rubble leaving just a small opening. Quite perfect, it was, for her purposes.

http://img34.photobucket.com/albums/v102/GrimRX/MahoroAndoProPic.jpg
Mahoro Ando
Ghost
The Agency

[OOC: Canada-Germany...I've noticed a trend regarding your posts lately. This isn't an insult of any way, just a "heads up." The Steel-Orion Empire is a "far-future" tech nation that has had centuries to perfect it's armor. ODIN Mk. II and Mk. III Heavy Tactical Armor is far stronger that what you make it seem like. The old "it reflects lasers, etc, so lets shoot it with bullets" does not work. Projectile weapons are not out of the Steel Butterfly military, and the designers of the Armor took this into account as well. Also, the military has many different sizes, shapes, and types of armor for different situations. No one, and I mean no one, would be trying to sneak around in ODIN Armor. As you said, it would be impractical.]

[OOC: Canada-Germany...I've noticed a trend regarding your posts lately. This isn't an insult of any way, just a "heads up." The Steel-Orion Empire is a "far-future" tech nation that has had centuries to perfect it's armor. ODIN Mk. II and Mk. III Heavy Tactical Armor is far stronger that what you make it seem like. The old "it reflects lasers, etc, so lets shoot it with bullets" does not work. Projectile weapons are not out of the Steel Butterfly military, and the designers of the Armor took this into account as well. Also, the military has many different sizes, shapes, and types of armor for different situations. No one, and I mean no one, would be trying to sneak around in ODIN Armor. As you said, it would be impractical.]

OOC: I figured someone would get me on that point sooner or later, lol. I suppose I should explain it alittle, and put it up to you to decide if I should change it.

The soldiers up on the roof were some of the only ones I've shot with bullets, and those on the roof had their helmuts off, I do believe. So, for that, they were shot in the head, ^_^ Also, assuming the helmut could not possibly be just as strong or as armored as the main body of the armor'ed suit, multiple hits by a explosive round, even something as small as a 6mm HE bullet would be able to penitrate at one point or another.

As for the sneaking around? yeah... I kinda fudged that, lol, I don't really know enough about your armor to say what type of armor the cleanup party would wear. However, I assumed that these were just regular infantry just off the battlefield so they would only have ODIN's.

But you're right, ^^;; I'll try and write it so it doesn't seem like I'm just easily cutting through the armor.)

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"This is Raptor Three to Raptor One," Katrina's voice said over the comm link. "Lieutenant, what type of resistance are we looking for?"

"Sabre-Class Support Fighters, Vengeance-Class Light Destroyers, and the Shipyards itself..." Mark replied.

"That's rather light, sir," Jack commented.

"No, Ensign, it's not," Mark responded. "The Empire needs all the Necromancers for the front lines. We've served on a Vengeance-Class before, they're no pushover..."

"Indeed..."

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And as if they sensed their names being discussed, five Vengeance-class ships appeared on sensors and viewscreens alike. Their captains wasted little time before attacking the incoming Raptors.

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Lieutenant Mark Andrews
"Raptor 1"
15th Fighter Squadron

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Ensign Jack Highwind
"Raptor 3"
15th Fighter Squadron

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Ensign Katrina Brady
"Raptor 2"
15th Fighter Squadron

OOC: Hey Steel, could you continue your part in getting my Capt. into talks with Pierce? Make a post about the continuation damnit! :P

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"Port shields failing...attempting to compensate..."

"This is Raptor 5 to Raptor 1, my shields are down! I'm losing it!"

"Raptor 2 to Raptor 1, adjusting attack pattern to T-17-Alpha..."

"Raptor 1 to 15th, I'm having difficulty...ah!...maintaining a lock on the enemy. I'm switching to manual. All others may procede to do so at their own discretion," Mark said, checking his shields. At the press of a button on his control pannel, he grabbed the two-handed joystick that popped up out of the dash and felt the surge of power excite him. This was real flying - not that computer-controlled nonsense.

"This is Raptor 5...cover me...I'm going in!"

There were already five Vengeance-Class Light Destroyers protecting the station, and more ships were coming...more powerful ships. Obviously a band of fighters could not be expected to go head to head with such massive firepower...so the Raptor's were outfitted with a new weapon.

The Hellbore Cannon, a Resistance original, fires a high-velocity fusion bomb that contains a special magnetic field. This field causes the fusion explosion to wrap around the entire target and then implode. Due to the nature of shield technology, this causes the greatest damage to a ship, or a station's, weakest shield. They had been bombarding the shipyard's extrememly strong frontal shields for quite a while now. It was time to use the Hellbore.

"I'm on it, Raptor 5," Mark said, flying into a support position. Raptor 5's shields were down, and one carefully placed shot from either the destroyers or the shipyard's defences would eliminate it easily.

"Agreed, Raptor 5, I'm on your tail," Jack said, shifting to manual as well. Two other ships joined them.

They had not gotten far before a destroyer, the Vengeance-Class SSF Getaway, noticed the five fighters speeding dangerously close to the starbase. With one shot of it's polaron beam, the Getaway destroyed one of the fighters and began charging up weapons to do so again.

"Raptor 1," Jack shouted. "I'm being targeted. Beginning evasive manuvers..."

"Raptor 3, this is Raptor 1," Mark replied. "Fall back until you lose them!" Only three ships were left now...and they were so close...

"Charging the Hellbore," Raptor 5 announced over the comm link as Mark tried to calm himself a bit. "60%...75%...90%...engaging...noooooooo!"

The ship designated as Raptor 5 exploded as the Getaway's polaron blast ripped through it unprotected hull. The objective now fell to Mark.

"This is Raptor 1," he reported. "Charging the Hellbore Cannon, procede as planned..."

As if the Imperials knew exactly which ship to target, the Getaway locked onto Raptor 1, but instead of shooting, it got shot at.

"WHOOOOHOOOO!" Jack screamed as his Hellbore connected with the Getaway's shields, completely destroying the previously damaged aft and forward shields. "These fuc king shield hunters are great!"

The rest of the 15th as well as other fighters closed in on the Getaway with their Polaron Pulse Cannons, tearing through the defenseless metal guarding it's precious energy core, which soon exploded under the extreme firepower. One Imperial ship had fallen.

"Hellbore at 90%...100%!" Mark screamed over the comm as he felt a rush of energy flow through his body. Slamming on the launch button, he fired the weapon. The orange glow circled the shipyard's main control facility before focusing on one certain section of the shields, which it completely took out.

As the station's port shields rotated towards the Resistance ships, at least one portion of the shipyard was completely vulnerable.

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Lieutenant Mark Andrews
"Raptor 1"
15th Fighter Squadron

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Ensign Jack Highwind
"Raptor 3"
15th Fighter Squadron

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Ensign Katrina Brady
"Raptor 2"
15th Fighter Squadron

"I will come quietly, but i will remember this when im filling the customer feedback." She yet stated and stepped forward to move with the pace the soldiers would wish to set.

The soldiers led her to a room, filled with guards, in which James Pierce stood in the middle.

"Good day," he said, looking up from where he had been staring. "We have much to discuss..."

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Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance

Captain Lusec Apakoh returned to the bridge of the SSF Apparition and prepared for takeoff. Their mission had been shifted by command from ground support to space support. There seemed to be an attack on the famed Danata Shipyards, and the Empire wanted it's finest ship to be there.

"Engage!" Captain Apakoh ordered as the ship lifted off from the Gest surface and exited the atmosphere.

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Ascender-Class Dreadnaughts were outrageously large and powerful. With crews the sizes of small cities, these ships were meant for one thing...war. There were only two in existance, the SSF Ascender (Prototype) and Apakoh's SSF Apparition. Fit with newer cloaking technology and enough firepower to destroy starbases like they're frigates, the Ascender-Class was made to strike fear into the hearts of the opposition...and it suceeded...except for one man...

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Captain Lusec Apakoh
81st Imperial Marines

"New orders, gentlemen..." Captain Leon Williams announced to his crew. "Command has just located an Ascender-Class starship en route towards the Danata Shipyards. As you may or may not know, the resistance is currently attacking these Shipyards. However, this ship, named the SSF Apparition, has enough firepower to turn the tide. We are to intercept it and stall it until the Danata mission is complete."

Leon's bridge crew stared back at him in disbelief. Lieutenant Sean Athens, manning the tactical consol, spoke up first.

"Sir, with all due respect, I've read up on this so-called Ascender-Class," he complained. "It will mop the floor with us..."

"What other ships are assisting us in this attack?" Commander Eric Vinzer asked from the XO seat.

"None..."

"Pardon me?"

"You heard correctly, Commander," Leon said, motioning towards the con to lay in a pursuit course. "Our ship, the Wraith, is a Necromancer-Class heavy destroyer, adapted by the Resistance. While we have many, this ship is the best we have...and we're going for it."

"It's suicide...why not send others?" Sean Athens continued, but Eric knew exactly why now.

"Because they don't want to lose more than one ship...as the Captain said...we're to be merely a distraction..."

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Captain Leon Williams
Leader of the 2nd Marines

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Commander Eric Vinzer
XO of the 2nd Marines

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Lieutenant Sean Athens
27th M.I., 2nd Marines

Where am I...?


What am I doing here...?


Am I...am I dead...?


We charged and...no...I fell...


I was...I was...


"Relax..."

Alexei slowly opened his eyes as the warm light danced across his face from the slight rip in the tent's ceiling. He was still in the C-uniform that soldiers wore under their ODIN suits, but all traces of sweat or blood were gone. In fact, he felt surprisingly clean.

"How are you feeling?"

The soft voice comforted him, but he was still confused.

"I...I don't know what's going on..." he reponded honestly. What had happened to him...to the resistance...? However the lady with him simply stroked his cheek with her hand, gently pushing his hair out of his eyes.

Is this...can this be...?

"Where am I?" he asked, sitting up quickly. It was not a good decision, as he became light headed and laid back down just as quick. The woman looked down on him.

"You're in Shir Kapurni," she said. "I found you and two others in the stream. I had just been there five minutes before washing my fruit for mealtime when I realized that I had left my shoes on the land beside the water, not wanting to get them wet. I came back and...saw you three..."

"Three?" Alexei asked. "What were we like?"

"You all had some sort of protection on," the young woman continued. "Our warriors investigated it...they've never seen anything like it..."

Great...I probaby just contaminated a whole society...

"You were badly bruised...broken ribs," she said. Alexei felt his abdomen...he was fine. "Those were easy to take care of...however the other man's leg...I've never seen a leg bent that way before."

"What of the third man?" Alexei asked, despritely trying to piece together the puzzle. He was having little success.

"He was dead," she replied. "He looked the same on the outside...same protection...but he had different garmets on underneath. His was red...your's and the other man's are black..."

Alexei knew what that meant. One Imperial and one Rebel had fallen down with him and the Imperial had died do the fall. But...this woman was convinced that they didn't fall. Surely there would have been a noise.

"This other man...what did he look like?" Alexei asked. The woman thought for a few seconds and then responded.

"He was a little shorter than you, perhaps an inch...short hair...cloth head covering..."

"A bandana?" Alexei asked as his eyes got wide.

"Ban...dan..a?" the woman asked. She had never heard the word before. But Alexei knew of only one man who wore such a thing on his head. He got up to go, but the woman protested, putting her hand on his chest and pushing him back onto the bed.

"You need your rest..." she said, as Alexei felt the obvious tension between them. He raised his hand to touch her hair...pushed it back...and saw her ears...

"You're an elf?!?!" He exclaimed, quickly pulling his hand back. The woman looked offended. "But..." Elves had been exterminated through massive genocide about seventy-five years prior. How could they still be alive and well in the Empire? "I...I'm sorry. I don't see many elves..."

"And I don't see many who aren't," she said, pulling back the flap on the tent reveiling a whole village full of elves.

"I have to go see the other man," Alexei said, standing up. "He is my friend...I want to see how he's doing..."

"He is resting, as you should be," the woman replied. "He's worse off. We can't repair such large bones quickly. Ribs are one thing...leg bones are another..."

"I..." Alexei began to protest, but the elvan woman wouldn't have it. Finally laying down again, Alexei asked her what her name was.

"Nienna Alcarin," she said, and the laughed when he told her his. Apparently...his name was strange...

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Commander Alexei Ivanova
XO of the 1st Marines

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Nienna Alcarin

“Admiral, the Rebel fighters have opened a small hole in the shields” yelled out one of the TAC officers. “What are your orders”

Due to the tight defence at Danata it had been decided that small fighters would have the best chance to penetrate the shipyards defences, and disable it’s shields. Now that they had done their job it was now up to the Tappee fleet to finish the job.

“Have the fleet begin attack pattern Helix omega 7.” She was going to attempt to drive a wedge into the imperial lines then push them apart to give the larger ship a clear shot at the hole in the shields. “Once an opening presents it’s self have the avenger fire it’s main gun at the open in the shields.”

On her command the ships of the Tappee began a series of manoeuvres aimed at opening the Imperial. The smaller and faster Gunboats were the first to rush into the imperial lines. Their objective was not to destroy the Imperial forces, but instead to confuse and misdirect them, they began to swarm the larger and slower Imperial ship. However, it was not long until a number of the Gunboats were forced to withdraw their assault after taking direct hits from the more powerful Imperial guns.

While the Gunboats were distracting the Imperial fleet the larger and more powerful Destroyers began a concentrated attack at the weak point in the imperial line in an attempt to drive a spearhead head directly into the imperial formation.

In an attempt to counter the Tappee offensive, the Imperial Capital Ship turned their attention away from the Gunboat and towards the new emerging threat that was coming toward. The Imperial ships started concentrating all their fire on single ships, ships that were too slow to escape the constant barge of firepower that was unleashed upon them.

Dodalla watched the Holo display as a number of Tappee ships lit the dark reaches of space as they erupted into brilliant fireballs. Although they were taking some losses they were slowly opening a hole in the imperial line. Their deaths would not go without meaning as finally the Avenger was able to bring it’s self into position to fire it’s main gun.

Seeing that they now had a chance Dodalla was not about to pass it up. She glanced over at Captain Phobo. “Fire the Main Gun”

The Main gun that she was referring to was known as the ‘Ship Killer’ it was a giant rail gun that could fire a round at amazing speed. The round that she had chosen to fire was an anti-matter round that contained a larger amount of Anti-matter, enough to do considerable amount of damage to the shipyards, but there was a problem. First being that it took so long for the gun to power up that if they missed it would take another hour before they could fire it again, they second was if they had rotated the shield then the hole might not be there an the Anti-matter round would hit the shield and do little damage except to lower the shields a bit more.

“Fortune favours the brave,” she said out loud. She held her breath, beneath her feet she could feel the main gun powering up. There was slight rumble in the floor as the gun actually fired. Looking at the Holo projector she waited to see what would actually occur.

"I will come quietly, but i will remember this when im filling the customer feedback." She yet stated and stepped forward to move with the pace the soldiers would wish to set.

The soldiers led her to a room, filled with guards, in which James Pierce stood in the middle.

"Good day," he said, looking up from where he had been staring. "We have much to discuss..."

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Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance

"Yes Mr.Pierce, indeed we do." Captain Julia McHale proceeded to shake hands with the man who had the sheer guts to go against Emperor Nemerov and defy his rule of the Orion Sector.

She gathered her thoughts and began to spoke her business.
"I am here to discuss direct military support for you Mr. Pierce. Now, this support is not officially authorized or condoned by my goverment for they are atleast officially at Nemerov's side. But you can hardly blame the Protector for that for the situation is rather awkward at best."

"This support would be from my force and my force alone. I cant yet reveal the size of my force unless we come into some kind of agreement, but i think we could be of a lot of help for your cause. My people have allready agreed to follow me into this despite them knowing its a direct violation of our standing orders here."

"And the reason why im doing this Mr.Pierce? Well, i am aware of what NiMBUS Corp. has done and of their power within the Empire. They need to be brought down and hard so that the Empire can once again be something more than a power controlled by mega-corporation thru a sock-puppet."

She went silent and observed Pierce's face for a moment, and then added something yet.

"Me and my people will fight for you Mr.Pierce, the question is now that do you accept our help?"



Captain Julia McHale
CO of HMS Artemis
CO of 022nd DesDiv

"As always, Ms. McHale, we are looking for assistance," Pierce replied, sipping at his drink. She had never told him her name, and he wondered if she would notice. Nevertheless, it was his job to be informed. "The question is...are you truely willing to give everything you have, and give up everything you could have...simply for our cause?"

He touched an area in the air in front of him, and as he did it lit up. After touching a few more seemingly non-existant buttons, a holographic star system showed up in front of the two. Touching a planet, James magnified it.

http://207.44.246.95/129/44/upload/p142.jpg

"This is CTaNbHaR Eabo4Ka, one of the eight Imperial planets," Pierce explained. "A primitive tribal planet, the CE population is entirely made up of the Worthen race, a cat-like humanoid. However, their leader, raised on Steel Butterfly as an orphan, is very well travelled within the Empire and intelligent. He has set up an agreement with the Emperor to keep CE society as unadulterated as possible. However, in these times of war, our intelligence says that the Imperials are planning to land and attempt to set up a base. It will be our job to stop them, however as we saw from Gest, there is something about planetary invasions that we have not yet grasped. Other than the fact that such feats are extremely difficult, as shown by the fact that the Imperials did not succeed either, it has occurred to me that we need more firepower. It will be your fleet's job to supply this space to land artillary. Are you up for the challenge?"

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Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance

Mark watched in anticipation as Tappee's anti-matter sped through space, tearing into the shipyard's central command.

"This is Raptor 1 to the 15th," Mark said over the comm. "I'm reading massive internal energy variations. That thing's going to blow...get the hell away from it!"

They all cheered as the once-glorified Danata exploded over and over again, until the massive shipyards was nothing more that space shrapnel. However it was not over yet...the Imperial Fleet has arrived, and the captains were quite upset about the shipyards.

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Lieutenant Mark Andrews
"Raptor 1"
15th Fighter Squadron

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The Apparition as about to go into the sub-space fold when...

"Captain we have something on sensors..."

"What is it, Ensign?" Apakoh asked, standing out of his chair. They were to be the only Imperial ship to be out here.

"The shipyard sir...it's not there..."

"NOT THERE?" Apakoh screamed. Had they been too late? "Well what is there?"

"A massive number of ships, sir...Tappee, Resistance fighters, Imperials..."

"Then that's where we're going," Apakoh ordered. "Prepare the fold drive, enga..."

The Apparition was rocked as many officers were thrown from their seats.

"Fold drive down, hull integrity at 98%, massive power failures on decks 24-37...they're losing life support! Hull breach is eminent on four decks!"

"Readjust power to decks 24-37, enable emergency forcefields," Apakoh commanded, trying to stable himself in his chair. He eventually gave up and just grabbed ahold of it. "Raise shields, weapons standby! What do we have out there?"

"Necromancer-Class, sir. The computer recognizes it as the SSF Wraith. It's listed as a defector sir..."

"Ready weapons...Fire!"

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Captain Lusec Apakoh
81st Imperial Marines

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"Incoming!"

The shields absorbed the hit as the Imperial weaponry hit their target.

"Status?" Leon ordered.

"Direct hit on the Apparition," Lt. Sean Athens reported. "We disabled their trans-fold drive."

"Our shields are down to 92%...holding..." Cmdr. Eric Vinzer reported as the ship shook again. "...85%..."

'Return fire!" Captain Williams commanded, and the Wraith unloaded on the Apparition with both Polaron Beams and Polaron Pulse Cannons.

"Their shields are holding at 99%...we barely scratched the surface..." Eric reported.

"Launch fighters," Leon ordered, and a second later twenty five fighters flew towards the massive Imperial ship.

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Captain Leon Williams
Leader of the 2nd Marines

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Commander Eric Vinzer
XO of the 2nd Marines

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Lieutenant Sean Athens
27th M.I., 2nd Marines

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"Shields at 98.5%...life support restored..."

"Engineering...how is the trans-fold drive doing?" Apakoh asked over the comm link.

"Captain it's really damaged..." The Chief Engineer responded. "It will take some time...and I can't do it while being shot at!"

"Fighters...incoming..."

"Helm, are the thruster engines still online?" Apakoh asked.

"No sir," Lt. Lance Radney replied. "Helm controls are not responding..."

"Casuality report in the hundreds, sir..."

"Those bastards are nothing less that criminals...tactical, introduce them to the Ascender-Class..." Apakoh said, fuming.

"Yes, sir..."

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Captain Lusec Apakoh
81st Imperial Marines

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Lieutenant Lance Radney
81st Imperial Marines

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"Ahhhh! Captain, foward shields are failing..."

"Reinforce the foward shields," Leon ordered. "Helm, full power to the engines...ramming speed! Tactical, charge up the Hellbore!"

"Shields at 56%!"

"They're blowing the fighters away, sir...one shot each it seems..."

"Fire at will, Lieutenant Athens!"

"Sir, our pulse beams are having little effect...they seem to be...adapting..."

"What?" Leon asked. Was it a new technology? "Are the pulse cannons still effective?"

"Affirmative, I'll re-route all beam power to the pulse cannons..."

"Hellbore at 90%"

"Fire at 100%!"

"Shields at 27%"

"Reinforce the front shields!"

"Engines at ramming speed!"

"Hellbore at 99%"

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Captain Leon Williams
Leader of the 2nd Marines

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Commander Eric Vinzer
XO of the 2nd Marines

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Lieutenant Sean Athens
27th M.I., 2nd Marines

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"Shields holding at 98%..."

"Target their weapons..."

"Sir, they are heading on a collision course with us...we can't move..."

"All hand brace for impact!"

"Sir, they seem to be changing course...they're firing the Hellbore Cannon!"

"FOCUS ALL FIREPOWER ON THE HELLBORE! DESTROY THAT THING!....FIRE!"

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Captain Lusec Apakoh
81st Imperial Marines

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Lieutenant Lance Radney
81st Imperial Marines

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"DAMNIT!" Lt. Sean Athens screamed when he felt what the computer told him. "The Hellbore is disabled. We couldn't get it off in time!"

"Shields at 3%...hull integrity at 85%..."

"Continuous fire! Send a distress call to the fleet!"

"Sir, we just recieved word that the Danata Shipyards have just been sucessfully destroyed. Our mission is complete..."

"Somehow I doubt that these Imperials are just going to let us go..."

"I'm adjusting power to main engineering. We need to get our trans-fold drive to full power!"

"Frontal shields failing...aft shields...port shields...we've lost 'em!"

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Captain Leon Williams
Leader of the 2nd Marines

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Commander Eric Vinzer
XO of the 2nd Marines

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Lieutenant Sean Athens
27th M.I., 2nd Marines

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"Their shields are down! Preparing to fire at..."

"No," Apakoh interrupted. "We're boarding..."

"But sir..."

"Silence! We need to get that Hellbore technology from their computers. Assemble an Assualt Team,"

"Sir, yes, sir!"

Fifty Imperial Marines transported onto the Wraith and began heading towards main engineering.

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Captain Lusec Apakoh
81st Imperial Marines

McHale smiled internally as Pierce spoke her name without any problems. She had deliberately not said her name, as she had allready begun discussion by saying her name with the transmission from her Pinnace. Ofcourse that was screwing dots but still, and it had also been kind of a test if Pierce would take her business seriously.

"Mr.Pierce, before i even began considering this road, i thought of what it would mean for my career and for the people serving under my command. I understand what will come out of this, but i also know Protector Benjamin. Our admiralty wont condemn the people serving under my command when the mission logs are given to them, of that i am certain. And yes, i am ready to sacrifice my own career and future for you people, i could have simply continued on my original mission and received only commendations but my consience would never have allowed that."

She finished and observed the holo in the air. Quite similar to the holo-tanks every warship in CSN had and those numerous civilian holo devices in practically every home these days. But technical specs werent the issue, the information in the holo was. She listened to Pierce and at the same time eyed the holo of the planet.

The mission sounded simple. Orbital strikes, altough she only had two destroyers, even those would be more than sufficient to provide orbit to ground fire-support. And she also had four Thunderhawk-class pinnaces at her disposal which could be fitted with heavy anti-ground ordnance all the way from snowflake clusters to heavy plasma bombs. She turned her gaze to Pierce and confidence was the prominent feature at her face.

"Yes Mr.Pierce, this sounds like a very standard Orbital Support operation. We can use our missiles for the task, they mass 40 tons and if we launch them from 10 kilo-klick orbit, they will attain quite a good final velocity before hitting. We can also equip the missiles with standard thermo-nuclear warheads, but if you prefer a clean solution then the kinetic strikes are definately the way to go. We can also use our energy batteries, grasers and lasers, but the grasers for one will leave a lot of radiation. I have also four Pinnaces in my disposal, they can be equipped with heavy anti-ground munitions if need be. And yet Mr.Pierce, i have two platoons of Marines in my disposal with Powered Battle Armor for half of them and top of the line weapons for all of them. They are also very efficient in more surgical strike operations."



Captain Julia McHale
CO of HMS Artemis
CO of 022nd DesDiv

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"We have Imperials on Deck 26...Deck 25..."

"Commander, assemble a security team and confront the threat!" Leon ordered. Eric Vinzer pointed to Sean Athens and the two ran off towards the armory, where they grabbed weapons, gear, and other men.

They met the Imperials on Deck 22, four decks away from Main Engineering. A firefight ensued.

"Adjusting pulse rifles to maximum setting," Sean said as he pretty much vaporized two Imperials after shooting a nearby consol on the wall. The Imperials, trapped like sardines in the narrow halls, scattered, and the Rebels gave chase.

Eric turned right at a dead end and entered into a pitch black hallway. Switching his vision to thermal, he scanned the area for Imperials, and was hit on the head from behind by the butt of a rifle. Spinning as he hit the floor, he kicked the Imperial that was on top of him off with his legs. Another Imperial continuously bashed at his facemask with the butt of a rifle, trying to break the helmet or at least the eye holes so that he could stab something through them.

Eric grabbed the man's leg and tripped him. Getting up, he blocked the first Imperial's punch with his left hand, adjusted his body, and decked the man with his right fist. The Imperial flew back into the wall of the hallway, breaking open a consol.

The second Imperial soldier grabbed him from behind, but Eric grabbed the Imperial by his neck and threw him over his shoulder so that the Imperial was now sitting in front of him. With a sharp jerk, Eric snapped the man's neck in two.

By now the other Imperial had gotten back up, but Eric side-kicked him backwards onto the same consol. Grabbing him by the chest, Eric threw the man into a doorway and then told the computer to shut the door....it sliced the Imperial's midsection in half.

Sean's combat was much less hand to hand. Caught in a hailstorm of polaron bursts, Sean watched as his two companions were torn apart by the blasts. Sitting down behind a metal box, he threw a plasma grenade behind his head, and listened as the Imperial's suits melted into their flesh.

After a while he got up to see that the plasma had eaten through the floor, and had killed the Imperials on the lower deck as well.

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Captain Leon Williams
Leader of the 2nd Marines

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Commander Eric Vinzer
XO of the 2nd Marines

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Lieutenant Sean Athens
27th M.I., 2nd Marines

"Ms. McHale, nuclear weapons or anything emitting lasting effects will not be allowed," Pierce said frankly..forcefully... "I will continue to believe that this will not be the 'war to end all wars'. We still still live on these planets long after this conflict has finished. I will not damn the Worthen people for the actions of the Empire!"

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Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance

The Nanakan fleets in the area noticed the fighting. It was seen as their chance to move in and attack the imperialists. Two Rhino Dreadnaughts slowly moved toward the area...

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"Sir, none of the Marines are reporting in..."

"Can you get a lock on their signatures?"

"No sir, they're...nonexistant..."

"Prepare to fire on the..."

And with that, the highly damaged Wraith jumped into sub-space.

"Did we have a tracker on that ship?"

"...no sir..."

"DAMNIT!" Captain Apakoh exclaimed. "Then we will continue on our mission...to Danata!"

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Captain Lusec Apakoh
81st Imperial Marines

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Lieutenant Lance Radney
81st Imperial Marines

The Nanakan fleets in the area noticed the fighting. It was seen as their chance to move in and attack the imperialists. Two Rhino Dreadnaughts slowly moved toward the area...

[OOC: Just to tell you, you'd probably have more fun with the fighting at Danata. By the time you get to where the Wraith and the Apparition fought, both will be long gone.]

"How many are out there?" Jack asked Mark over the comm link. They had entered a nebula for cover as they tried to recharge their heavily depleated systems.

"Tappee got one of the light destroyers, and we got one...but more are on the way..." Katrina replied.

"Thanks, Mark," Jack said sarcastically.

"It doesn't matter how many there are..." Mark said. "We're outnumbered, outmanned, and outgunned. Either way...no...every way we 'lose'...and yet..."

"How did they do at Gest?" Katrina asked, thinking of her brother in the 1st Marines, all of whom were dead except for Alexei and Joseph.

"Complete loss...greatest one so far politically...although we lost more men at Aeisis..." Mark replied.

"...the 1st Marines went first..." Jack said. Katrina was quiet for the rest of the time they were in the nebula.

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Lieutenant Mark Andrews
"Raptor 1"
15th Fighter Squadron

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Ensign Jack Highwind
"Raptor 3"
15th Fighter Squadron

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Ensign Katrina Brady
"Raptor 2"
15th Fighter Squadron

Alexei woke up once more, although this time Nienna was not by his side. Looking out into the village, the sun was due to set shortly, and most of the other elves were back in their houses. Nienna had told him eventually where Joseph was, and Alexei wanted to see how he was doing.

I...what's wrong with me...?

He cared too much. Joseph was just another soldier...nothing more than a companion...but no matter how much he told himself that...Alexei's couldn't bring himself to believe his own lies.

Where the hell am I?

It didn't make sense for sure. He had fallen from a battleground, surrounded by mountains and rivers, but as he looked up, the sun was setting behind the trees of a plush green forest. There were no mountains in sight, and no where for them to fall from.

Upon entering the tent where Joseph was, he was relieved to see that the man was in decent condition. Joseph had a few scratches and bruises on his body, but that was to be expected. Looking in the mirror, Alexei saw the same things on his face. Such was the nature of war.

Joseph was asleep, so Alexei left him and ventured out towards where Nienna told him that she found him. Once there, he found Nienna as well.

"This is the place," she said, not even turning to look if it was him.

"I...I know I fell...but..."

"...but it looks like you didn't...right?"

"Yeah..." they both said at the same time. Nienna laughed, and Alexei gave her a strange look.

"Alexei...I've been here my whole life...but I...what is that?" she asked, pointing to what looked like a grid, suspended and out of place in the air. Alexei instantly recognized it, but he told her to think nothing of it. She smiled and put her arms around him.

"I...the man who was to be my husband died in a hunting accident," she told him. He hugged her back. "Our culture doesn't allow us to have another choice...it's been three years..."

So Alexei followed her back to her house. They made love, and fell asleep in each others arms. Alexei smiled. Here there was no war...no death...and yet...

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Commander Alexei Ivanova
XO of the 1st Marines

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Nienna Alcarin

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Lieutenant Joseph Frost
Vehicle Specialist of the 1st Marines

"Ms. McHale, nuclear weapons or anything emitting lasting effects will not be allowed," Pierce said frankly..forcefully... "I will continue to believe that this will not be the 'war to end all wars'. We still still live on these planets long after this conflict has finished. I will not damn the Worthen people for the actions of the Empire!"

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Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance

Julia understood Pierce. She understood his goal and his dream of what the Star Empire would be after this. And she certainly understood that he wouldnt want his liberated people living in irradiated wastelands. But like all civilians, Pierce did not know the full aspects of nuclear weapons. Modern nuclear weapons were "clean" nukes, ones that after a week or two wouldnt have any large scale radiation effects at all, no significant background radiation increase. Ofcourse the ground-zero point would remain relatively hot for quite a while, but still, things like "nuclear winter" and other doomsday scenarios were inherintly flawed.

"Ofcourse Mr.Pierce, i also had that impression that you wouldnt allow the use of nukes and i would have been reluctant to use them at all, i merely brought the options to your knowledge. But kinetic strikes will give largely the same destructive effects as nuclear weapons , but without the radiation so there is no problem. "

"May i ask when this operation is planned to begin?"



Captain Julia McHale
CO of HMS Artemis
CO of 022nd DesDiv

"Whenever the troops are ready," Pierce replied, wondering if he sounded unofficial or not. "At this very moment there is a massive space battle occuring. I cannot allow our efforts to be spread too thin. The Imperials have yet to try and do this...and I won't give them the idea."

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Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance

"Captain...you may want to take a look at this..."

The Wraith had fled to a random point in space to escape the punishing Apparition, however the location of the ship was not the problem.

All around the vessel, medical workers collected the bodies of the Imperials and launched them into space towards a star, however no one had gotten to Eric's position yet. Still, Eric had gotten the lights back up in the once-dark hallway, and he was able to see the two men he sucessfully killed.

The one was lying in the middle of the floor with his face looking at 5 o'clock instead of the normal 12. This had been the one who's neck was snapped.

However, Eric was bending over the other, who's body had been chopped in half through the midsection thanks to a door with a powerful closing motor. However, as Eric pulled off the man's helmet, all was not well. The man, if that was indeed what it was, was far from human.

Leon approached Eric and asked him what was wrong. Without looking up, Eric spoke.

"This...look at this...it's..." he said, mystified at the being. Leon's reaction mystified Eric even more. The captain looked pale, sickened at the sight...not of the blood...but of the face.

"Where the hell did you get that?" Leon asked, rubbing his hands together as if he was nervous.

"It was with the Imperials when they invaded...remember...our computers signalled that fifty humans boarded the ship," Eric explained.

"That because he was human..." Leon mused. Eric looked confused. "This man...he is a man by the way...is from a race known as the TorS'la." Eric had never heard of such a species. "However that is not what is upsetting..."

Leon instructed Eric to scan the TorS'la's signature, and Eric was amazed to find what timeperiod the alien was from. "2000 years...in the future?" Eric said in awe, reading it off the PADD's display. "You...what do you know about this?"

"I..." Leon began as he started to think that telling Eric that he was from the future was a bad idea. "I don't know where to start..."

"Start by saying what he's here...disguised as an Imperial...and how he 'was human' but now he's not..." Eric replied. Leon nodded, and then sat down to continue.

"The TorS'la are a shape-shifting race from another universe entirely," Leon said, watching the shock grow on Eric's face. "Damnit...I didn't know that they were involved..."

"What the hell? Why is the Empire involved with these people?" Eric demanded.

"They aren't...or at least they don't know they are..." Leon replied. "The bad part is...I didn't either. You see, 1500 years from now, the TorS'la begin to see the Humans and Zabrak in the Orion Sector as a threat. Disguising themselves as Worthens, they invade, however the humans realize that they aren't Worthens due to the technologically ineptness of the Worthen people. Still, the TorS'la manage to completely kill 99.99% of humanity and all of the Zabrak. Then...in 2000...in an event unclear to us...the humans fight back...and begin to defeat the TorS'la. Horrified at this, the TorS'la travel through time in order to try and kill the ancestry of these survivors. That is what the Temporal Guard, of which I am a part of, was founded for. We go back in time and rewrite the rewritten history...to some surprising results."

"How does that make you..."

"Don't ask how it makes us any better than them, Eric..." Leon snapped back. "We're fighting a war across time...everything isn't either black or white, up or down, good or bad. We have to write history so that it benefits the Humans and the Zabrak of the Orion Sector...and not the TorS'la."

"Well you know what's going to happen already...end this war now!" Eric exclaimed.

"It's not that easy..." Leon tried to explain. "We...I...I have to be careful..."

"Or bad things happen?"

"Yeah...exactly..."

"Have any bad things happened?"

Leon laughed and the sighed. "We put Nemerov in power..."

"Are you serious?"

"It was a grand plan...at least for the Nemerov we chose...but the TorS'la...they messed with his past...changed his ideals," Leon said. "We wanted a supreme ruler...but along with Nemerov...came his "don't interfeer with business" policies that give rise to corporations like NiMBUS. We can only assume, therefore, that NiMBUS will eventually destroy humanity...or at least certain parts of humanity...because it was brought on due to actions by the TorS'la."

"Leon...it already has destroyed certain parts of humanity..."

"I know, Eric...I know..."

"What happened before you interfered, and before the TorS'la interfered?" Eric asked. Leon had no problem explaining this...they all had memorized it.

"It starts after Emperor Kyou Graav was killed..." Leon began. "...in that terrorist nuclear explosion on Earth. Soon after, Dr. Ackerman and I developed a way to control the Q virus, and started the NiMBUS Corporation. Someone gave us money...tests later on confirmed that he was a TorS'la in disguise. As you know, Joseph Satin then came to power, but because he too was injured in the explosion, he was only Emperor for a week. An election, off all things, followed, and General John Canon came to power. Emperor Canon was a warmongerer like no other, and devoted all of the Empire's resources to developing a fleet capable of invading anything. This is where one of the losers of the election, a man named Alexander Nemerov, staged a coup to assassinate Emperor Canon. This is also where the two histories take two different paths."

Eric listened with unwavering attention. He had never heard of such things before.

"In our current timeline, agents of the Temporal Guard infiltrated Nemerov's personal special forces unit, Phoenix, and assisted Nemerov's coup. As you know, Nemerov ultimately succeeded, and came into power," Leon continued. "However, that's not how it originally happened. John Canon and the military shut down the coup, and Nemerov was executed in public. Steel Butterfly, an Empire of 5 planets, not 8 as it is today, became much weaker militarily and economically do to Canon's warmongering. James Pierce then began a resistance, urging for peace through counter-agression as he said."

"Ironic, isn't it?" Eric said, raising an eyebrow.

"Perhaps ironic is not the right word," Leon said. "However, it goes to show that some things happen regardless, even if they happen for different reasons."

"What about me...and Alexei?" Eric asked. "What happens to us?"

"Alexei, a member of the Russian Mafia on Steel Butterfly still, since Nemerov never came to power and never destroyed them, helped fight in a mob vs. military war on the capital planet and died," Leon said. "You, Eric, graduated first in your class from the academy and fought against James Pierce in Aeisis. After Pierce was assassinated by you, and the resistance was shut down, John Canon called you a murderer and executed you in public in an effort to still keep Aeisis in the Empire, and keep its people happy."

Eric stared at Leon, both shocked and horrified. "Don't you have some rule against telling me this?"

"Not at all, for it never happened, at least not any more," Leon explained.

"So...you saved Nemerov, me, and Alexei..." Eric said, thinking to himself but speaking out loud. "Nemerov was for leadership, but you messed that up anyhow. What were Alexei and I for? Before, in that NiMBUS facility...you said we were important...how?"

"As the future currently stands, somewhere in the future your offspring will meet and mate," Leon said. "It is the offspring of both of you that eventually lead the humans, along with a few other people, against the TorS'la threat. This action is what started the Temporal War to begin with. Neither of you are safe...so...both of you were assigned people from the Guard to look out for you."

"So you are my protector?" Eric asked.

"Yes," Leon said. "I was assigned to you, just as Agent Frost was assigned to Alexei."

Eric thought hard, trying to remember where he had heard that name before. "That's...that's that sniper...with the bandana!"

Leon nodded his head. By now, Leon had put the TorS'la's helmet back on his face, and melted it to his head, so that no one could know that it was not a human. They then carried the bodies to the correct location, and they were send speeding towards the star for cremation.

Back in his room, Eric stripped down and decided to clean up a bit after the battle and the body duty. He thought about what Leon had told him in the shower. For all he knew, this could be his last day. If someone killed him in the past, would he just disappear?

Eventually he decided not to think about it more than just keeping it in the back of his mind. He already had enough to worry about.

Looking at the picture where Alexei, Lance, and him had stood next to each other in front of the Academy after graduation, he bent over to pick up the medal he had gotten for finished second in his class and held it in his hand. He didn't care about being first in the alternate reality, since that meant Alexei would have died.

But then again, Alexei died in the alternate reality, just as Pierce had started a resistance. Alexei was on Gest, probably dead right now, but Eric couldn't bring himself to believe it. A tear fell down his cheek as he put the picture and the award back in their place in the drawer. Why had he been the one to survive...and after Alexei...who would be the next one to die? Lance...or him...?

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Captain Leon Williams
Leader of the 2nd Marines

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Commander Eric Vinzer
XO of the 2nd Marines

Aboard the Avenger there was no cheering or excitement as the Danata Shipyard went up into flames, only silence. There objective had been completed, but the job was far from being done, more and more imperial ships were arriving to deal with the remaining Tappee ship. However like the Imperials Tappee too had reinforcements scheduled to arrive soon.

Now Admiral Dodalla would have to choose whether or not she would have the Fleet stay and fight, or fall back to Aesis to regroup for another objective.

“TAC have the fourth Battle fleet change heading back to Aesis.” She could not foolishly waste the lives of her crews, and her resources “Send to the order to the fleet to fall back to Aesis.” The fourth battle group would arrive back at Aesis before they did and could provide support if they were followed by Imperial Force, and maybe they could lead some of the Imperial forces into a trap. “Contact the Rebel forces tell them of our withdraw.”

"Kat...we're leaving..." Mark said over the comm, and for once, Jack didn't comment on the situation.

"...ok..." she said as the Raptors zipped out of the nebula and contacted the Tappee flagship.

"This is Raptor 1 to Avenger," Mark said over a video connection. "Requesting docking..."

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Lieutenant Mark Andrews
"Raptor 1"
15th Fighter Squadron

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Ensign Katrina Brady
"Raptor 2"
15th Fighter Squadron

It took a moment for Thanos to collect his thoughts “How many more of us do think are out there, we’re it. Do you think that they are going to risk how many more other just to save us, they don’t even know were we are.” He got to his feet, he was in command now, even if it was the three them, they were not going to surrender, or just give up. “Try to conserve your ammo, I many of comrades died today, let not disrespect their memory by giving up now. Here on out we are going to use gorilla style tactics and take out as many of those imperial scums as we can. For every one of our friends that died today, another Ten Imperial are going to die.” He knew that they stood little chance of following through with words, but he needed to rally his troop. “Now I can see a cave up head may it leads to the compound and we can still do some damage.” He placed his hand out “Until the end.”

Doug pulled his face out of his hand a took a moment to consider Thanos’s words. Getting to his feet he placed his hand in Thanos’s “until the end.”

Rhea let out a bit of a sigh. And placed her hand on her comrades “Some has to watch out for the two you” she said with a bit of a smile. “To the honour of Combat”

The three quickly made their way to the cave entrance and out sight.
Rhea Henerson
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Rhea Henerson

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Thanos Cortabo

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Douglas Carpenter

"...honour of Combat”

The three figures quickly made their way into the cave.

Mahoro heard this before steping out of the brush cover. " After seeing that battle, they still believe in the honour of Combat?" She shook her head at the percived foolishness.

Then she too entered the cave. There were very few twists and almost no other paths. As such, she very soon caught up to them.

"I'm assuming from those uniforms you're all from Tappee? My company was suppose to find you and lead you back to our landing zone for Evac.... are you three all that are left?" she asked them, standing 10 meters behind.

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Mahoro Ando
Ghost
The Agency

The three heard footsteps from behind them, and assumed the worst, taking cover behind the rocks they prepared to ambush the Imperial Forces that were coming up behind them. As the figure came around the corner they prepared to fire, but paused at the last possible second.

To their surprise it was Canada-Germany soldier. "I'm assuming from those uniforms you're all from Tappee? My company was suppose to find you and lead you back to our landing zone for Evac.... are you three all that are left?" asked the woman.

Thanos being the commanding officer was the first to step out from behind his rock. “We are the only ones that we know of.” There was no emotion in the mans voice, had had accept the fate of all those that had joined him on Danata. He glanced over at the others that by this time had came out there hiding spots. “It was my understanding that there was to be no rescue attempt of our forces”

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Thanos Cortabo

Admiral Dodalla looked through the window as the Fleet entered the Aesis system. They had come back nursing their wounds, they had lost a few ships, and several more were badly damaged. The cost of Battle she thought to her self. However there were more pressing issues to deal with at the moment.

“Prepare my shuttle I’m going down to the surface” she yelled out not sure who would answer. “I would like to speak with the Mr Pierce”

“Yes Ma’am answered one her subordinates

Captain Phobo was the first to voice his objections “What If the Imperial Fleet follows us here.” She could hear the concern in his voice about a possible counter attack.

“Captain We have five Battle divisions, as well as two Carrier division with a total of over a 1000 ship, couple with that the Rebel and imperial forces, they would be foolish to do. If they did then we would have benefit of fighting on our own terms.” She gave Phobo a bit of a smile “Besides I trust in your ability to command” She turned and began to make her way to her shuttle.

With in a few minutes she was on her way to the surface.

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Admiral Dodalla

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Captain Phobo

Mahoro's lip's twitched downwards at such a suggestion, and the idea such a suggestion implyed.

"Ah, so that's what Delta Epsilon 4 7 Theta ment. No evac."

She grunted softly to herself in dismay about those that would leave their troops behind when another solution was possible.

"Well, this is your lucky day. It may take a couple of weeks, but we should be able to get off this rock. In the meantime... Lietenient," she said glancing at his bars, "what were you and your merry band of survivers planning on doing?"

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Mahoro Ando
Ghost
The Agency

"Then what next?" Dave Bivens asked. He was quite worried due to the complete loss at Gest.

"We destroyed Danata, Dave," Pierce replied, trying to be optomistic, although his faith was diminishing as well. "That's what we have to keep doing. That's the only way we'll win."

"Se non sei con me, mi sembra grigia la città
Camminando solo i piccoli vedo giocar
Volti e voci del passato che non ricordavo più
Mi chiedono"

Dave sung the tune to himself as he thought. Sitting down, he took a drink and then continued. "It's Founder's Day..."

"I...I know..." Pierce replied hesitantly. "Believe me, its been on my mind for some time now. It's strange...Founder's Day was never a big holiday on Aeisis. I mean...we always celebrated it in the name of the Empire, but it was just that, the Empire's holiday...not ours. Aeisis wasn't part of the Empire back then. I guess...the resistance was bound to happen here..."

"Forse qualche giorno poi
Il mondo capirá che non molto [può] capitar
E tu ci sei per me senti cosa dicono..."

"What song is that?" Pierce asked, overhearing Dave's singing.

"There For Me," Dave replied, quieting down. He couldn't help it, the damn song was stuck in his head.

"You know...I've met Nemerov prior to all this..." Pierce said. "He was in my class at the academy. It was so amazing for me, going from here to the big city on the capital planet. I...we...had such a blast there."

"Does this hit you any harder than it normally would?" Bivens asked. Pierce shook his head.

"I don't think so...someone had to lead the rational people against this bastard empire...I was in the right place at the right time..." Pierce said.

"And lucky for the resistance, it was you and not someone else..." Bivens laughed. "You know you're being compared to James Foxx." Pierce had heard of this, first hand in fact from Alexei Ivanova and Joseph Frost, but he never gave it much thought. Comparing yourself to the greatest leader in Steel Butterfly history who saved humanity from the Machina threat was rather arrogant.

"I think nothing of it," Pierce replied. "Comparisons don't interest me...they can be made and argued regardless...but it's all a matter of opinion."

"Before...I asked you..." Bivens said. "I said 'What's next?'"

"I don't know..." Pierce mused. "Up until this point I had his every move down...but sending that many men to one place...that's not Nemerov's style. Nemerov would have been arrogant to a fault..."

"The Empire didn't want to lose again," Bivens said. "Or perhaps he wants you to second guess yourself?"

"No," Pierce responded. "Not on something like that. Nemerov's arrogant...he always has been, and he always will be. People don't change, David, they really don't..."

"I agree," Dave replied. "However, we do adapt to situations rather well..."

"No," Pierce said again. "The illusion of change is just people lying to themselves. They think they've become good, giving to charity and whatnot, yet deep down they're still the same. You can never forget that...no one should..."

"How taught you that one?" Bivens asked, laughing. Pierce smiled briefly.

"Your father," James Pierce replied, and Dave Bivens quickly stopped laughing. Instead, he began singing again.

Dimmi quanto tempo ancora resterai con me
Dimmi quante cose mi nascondi dentro te
Molti sogni abbiamo che alfin potremmo vivere
Io spero che

"You really do have an excellent voice," Pierce commented. "Did you ever consider going professional?" He laughed. "I bet there'd be plenty of girls lining up to hear your songs..."

"When I was little," Bivens replied. "I also wanted to be a soldier at a time...a marine to be exact. But my parents never had another child, and I had to live up to my calling."

"Ah," Pierce said. "The Bivens family/business/planet monarchy..."

"It's tradition...you people of Aeisis wouldn't understand..." Dave replied with a smile. "Why didn't you ever become a govenor? You obviously have the capability." Pierce's smile faded.

"My last name wouldn't allow it," Pierce said, frowning. "I should have been one, but there's nothing I can do about that..."

"Nemerov isn't a classic name, Pierce," Bivens said. Pierce nodded.

"We weren't handed anything in life," He said. "We made ourselves who we are today..."

"My father was the greatest leader the Empire has seen in centuries!" Bivens screamed, standing and pointing his finger at Pierce. "When he died, billions of people wept for his sake! He was handed that position by his father...that made him no less of a man or a leader!"

"I agree," Pierce said, remaining calm. "How will you turn out? How will the history books remember David Christopher Bivens?"

Dave sat back down, sipping at his drink. "Don't doubt yourself, James. You need to believe all that you tell the soldiers."

"We can't win this war..."

"But we can give it a damn good shot!" Bivens said. "James we don't have to beat the Empire. They're being kept in the dark...as soon as their soldiers know what they're really fighting for, they'll switch sides in an instant. All we have to do is shut down NiMBUS. We're going about this the wrong way..."

"Still..." Pierce said. "We can't let them take the war to us again. We might not be able to hold them back the next time. Even if we lose, we must fight on our terms. I'm sending an invasion force to CTaNbHaR Eabo4Ka in three days. The Imperials are attempting to set up a base there. We both know that would ruin all the culture of the Worthen. Perhaps if we get them on our side..."

"James...that would ruin their culture as well," Bivens said. "Does that even matter anymore? Besides...what good would spears and arrows do against tanks, body armor, and polaron rifles?"

"I don't know," Pierce said. "I just...I don't know..."

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Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance

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Dave Bivens
President/CEO of Bivens Co.

As Admiral Dodalla made her way of the shuttle a Rebel Soldier greeted her. She did not give him time to talk, as with any war time was always against them, and could not be wasted of idle chat.

“Take me to see Mr Pierce Right away” she barked out at the poor man “I must speak with him right away.”

There were urgent matters that had to be dealt with, and she was never one to put things off.

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Admiral Dodalla

The three Marine and their new found college moved silently through the cave, the events of the past few days still fresh in their minds. However, with the situation that they found them selves in did not allow them to grieve for fallen friends. Now their primary objective was nothing more then survival.

Finally Rhea had had enough of the silence, it was beginning to driver crazy. Now she thought would be a good time to find out more about their new friend, after all she would fell better putting her life in the woman’s hands if she knew more about her. “You I just realized that we don’t know anything about you, in fact we don’t even know your name. You look a little young to be in the middle of a war zone.”

“She’s no younger then those in the Second X” quickly answered Doug before he had a chance to think about what he was saying. He had forgotten that other countries did not operate the way that Tappee did.

Rhea let out a sigh “Yeah but those from Second X are trained from childhood for life in the army.” Her own words caused her to think for a moment “Is what happened to you. Were you trained from a early age just for War” she asked the mysterious woman.

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Rhea Henerson

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Douglas Carpenter

"I see we meet again, Ms. Dodalla..." Pierce said, smiling as she was escorted into the room. "This is Ex-Consul David Christopher Bivens, CEO and President of Bivens Co. and leader of the planet of Bivens. He's my closest ally in this matter."

"Just call me Dave," Bivens said, extending his hand for a handshake.

"Now," Pierce said, filling a small glass with some brandy. "What is this urgent topic that we must discuss right away?"

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Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance

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Dave Bivens
President/CEO of Bivens Co.

She reached out and shock Mr Bivens Hand “Nice to meet Mr Biven” even though he had asked her to address him as Dave she felt that addressing him by his last name was more respectful. She turned her attention back towards Mr. Peirce “We learnt a valuable lesson today Mr Pierce. We learned that the Emperor places a higher regard for NiMbus assets then that of his own fleet.”

She had found it odd that that the Imperial had left Danata so open to attack while committing so much to Gest, even thought Danata was in her mind a more needed resource.

“This is a fact that we can use to our advantage Mr Pierce.” Her tone was serious, and she wasn’t sure that he would like what she was going to say. “We must make the Imperial forces see that the Emperor doesn’t care about their safety, but instead about protecting NiMbus’s interests. The only we could do that is stage hit and run a attacks on NiMbus’s facilities, and once the Imperial force come out to engage us then we hit Imperial Military facilities. However, it would mean splitting our forces in to two group and me might see more tragedies like the one a Gest. But I won’t take long until the Imperial Commander see what the Emperor is doing and they will switch to our side.”

She waited the judge his response, but decided to hit him with something else.

“The urgent part is the fact is I believe that we may have a spy among our midst. The Emperor knew that we we’re heading to Gest and laid a trap for us these. Unless he now has the power of foresight then we have a spy that we must deal with first before we can proceed with any other objectives.”

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Admiral Dodalla

What had been asked of her was not nessasarily classified. Mahoro was free to tell of her experiances and of her past, though cautioned that some stories might not be so appropreate.

However, working as a Ghost, she had to be careful of any specific events that might be traced back to her and so, she began softly.

"I was born an Enabled and trained from early childhood to control these powers. They had to, of course, as an untrained Enabled is a danger to herself and others."

Mahoro shrugged. "When I was 10 they gave me a choice. I picked this."

She turned to the two that had spoken to her, "My name's Mahoro Ando, as for my age... how old do you think I am?"

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Mahoro Ando
Ghost
The Agency

Seven replacements. That was all. Alpha Company were now little more than 2 platoons.

Col. Wesley swore.

The Transport Pod which had delievered the 7 replacments were carefully lifted out of it's cradle, hanging in the air for a second and then winked out.

"And Christine's still down there..."

He swore again. Gest had been a Rat Fu*K, killing or burning a third of their troops and for what? Reports had the Imperial casualty at about 20,000, where as the Rebel's had suffered almost total casualties, baring his own troops.

And the Colonel swore for the third time.

"You kiss your wife with that mouth sir?" Lt. Maya Jenson asked from her station.

"You wanna be demoted Leutenant?" he replied.

"Question retracted sir."

Maya wasn't being calloused. She too cared about the men and women lost on Gest, but the tension in the command section had been so thick over the last couple of day or so that something was going to break if it wasn't releaved.

Of course, she also knew that the Col. cared about the three captains under his command like he would have his children, had he had any. It did not prevent him from ordering them into dangerous situations, that was their job afterall, but it made him worry just that bit more.

"Good... now, send Mr. Pierce a message asking him what the hell we're suppose to do next."

"Yes sir."

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Colonel Wesley Tse,
Regiment CO, Nin'er
(N)Enabled Regiment


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Lieutenent Maya Jenson
Comm Tech
(M)Enabled Regiment

"There are many ways the Imperials could have found out our plan..." Pierce said, turning 180 degrees and walking away from the Admiral. "An insider is simply one way...and even at that...why only inform the Imperials this once...and not all the other times?"

Bivens touched the air and a notice came up. "James, we're getting a message from...Gest, sir. Troops from Canada-Germany."

"Jam them!" Pierce replied. "They must know that any conversation leaving that planet would be monitored hundreds of different ways..."

"Setting up encryption...level 1...level 3...level 7..." Bivens said, typing in the air as fast as he could. "Ok...they won't break this..."

"However, Admiral," Pierce said. "Your hypothesis on the Emperor's desires is wrong. I have recieved reports of pirate ships coming under attack by Necromancer-Class heavy destroyers that are unregistered in our database. Upon further investigation, we have found many such ships. This can only mean one thing, Admiral, and that would be that the Imperials have a new main shipyard somewhere other than Danata. While our attack was definately damaging, it did not do as much damage to the Imperial war effort as expected. I was...disappointed...to say the least at this report..."

Dave Bivens stopped what he was doing and raised an eyebrow to Pierce's report. Pierce hadn't even given it to him yet.

"Unlike Nemerov, Shockey, Zephyr, Grey, and whoever else the Imperials have leading them, I am not in a position to sacrifice large amounts of soldiers to obtain my goals," Pierce stated. "I must fight this war using what I was given...and large numbers was not a gift of mine..."

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Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance

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Dave Bivens
President/CEO of Bivens Co.

“Then how do you purpose that we win this then?” Replied Dodalla sharply “I don’t know how much military experience that you have Mr. Pierce, but if we are to win this then we need to have direction. Something that I have yet to see in this little military campaign of ours.”

As soon as the words left her mouth she regretted saying them, although she was the Fleets Admiral, as was also the acting ambassador to the Rebels, and such words were unbecoming of an ambassador. It was times like this that she preferred to be stationed on a bridge fighting the battle, not playing diplomat.

“I give you a suggestion on how I think that we could best utilize the situation to our advantage, and you push me down” the anger could be heard in her voice. “Yet you offer no alternative in achieving victory, no direction. Don’t think for a single moment that are the only one that is taking losses, I’ve loss people too, but the is the cost of victory. We may have fewer forces then the emperor but that does not make us any less dangerous. Military history is filled with stories of how those with their backs against the wall have won against the odds. We cannot allow our selves the luxury of feeling sorry for ourselves. I seen the speech’s that you have given your men, now are going to back those words up with action, or do I have to fight this war on why own.”

She sat down a took her seat “Show your men the leader that you are capable of and we might still win this.”

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Admiral Dodalla

Laughter came from the doorway, which none of the three leaders had heard open.

"Listen to you..." Demidov said, shaking his head. "Getting slapped around by a voman...fighting over tactics...I think it's rather obvious how ve should fight this var..."

"Then why don't you enlighten us?" An aggrivated Pierce sneered, shifting his glare back and forth between Demidov and Dodalla.

"I think I still know how..." Demidov said as he touched the air, bringing up a display. He zoomed in one the image a few times until he pointed right at the holographic planet. "Ve attack here..."

"Steel Butterfly?" Bivens said, shaking his head. "And kill all the people we're trying to save? No...we should stop the Imperials from taking CE. We can't let them establish a base."

"And of course we should listen to the little rich boy who was just given the best birthday present a year before...a whole planet..." Demidov said, mockingly.

"Stop it...NOW!" Pierce said, snapping and losing his cool for the first time Bivens had seen. "Demidov, you talk of a clear path to victory, yet you lose battle after battle to the Imperials in deep space! Dave, you have plans for everything, and most of them contradict each other!" He paused, letting the words sink in. Turning to Admiral Dodalla, he continued. "You talk of the Imperials like they are an enemy that we can overcome by courage or something of the sort. Admiral, life is not the military...things aren't black or white. Once we have an established direction, they will figure it out, and stop it within days. I know how you must feel, coming from a background of such order only to be thrust into this chaos. Believe me, I graduated from the Orion Military Academy, I'm a military man, and at times I find our plans daunting. However, we must take this war on a day-to-day basis...I've yet to see a reason why we shouldn't."

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Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance

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Dave Bivens
President/CEO of Bivens Co.

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Viktor Mikhailovich Demidov
Russian Mafia - Orion Pirates

Admiral Dodalla sat back in her chair and made her self more comfortable “Very well Mr. Pierce We shall do it your way, after all neither of us can win this alone.”

She glanced over at Viktor then over at Bivens, then lastly over at Pierce “So where do we go from here then. Obliviously an attack against Steel is out of the question. And as you said you want to stay away from any clear battle plan, so what do we do now. Would you like for my forces to conduct hit and run attacks against the small imperial position. Or do you have something more important in mind for the near future.”

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Admiral Dodalla

“How old you think I am”

Mahoro’s question caused Thanos to think for a moment. From what he could tell she appeared to be very young, but there was something about her tone that caused him the think that she was much older.

“I would have to say that your about 20, but there something the tells me that it’s a trick question and you are much older then you appear to be.” Answered Thanos

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Thanos Cortabo

Twenty... they told her that she looked twenty.

War is hell.

The corner of her lips quarked upwords slightly.

"Nineteen actually."

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Mahoro Ando
Ghost
The Agency

Pierce touched an area in the air in front of him, and as he did it lit up. After touching a few more seemingly non-existant buttons, a holographic star system showed up in front of the two. Touching a planet, James magnified it.

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"This is CTaNbHaR Eabo4Ka, one of the eight Imperial planets," Pierce explained. "A primitive tribal planet, the CE population is entirely made up of the Worthen race, a cat-like humanoid. However, their leader, raised on Steel Butterfly as an orphan, is very well travelled within the Empire and intelligent. He has set up an agreement with the Emperor to keep CE society as unadulterated as possible. However, in these times of war, our intelligence says that the Imperials are planning to land and attempt to set up a base. It will be our job to stop them, however as we saw from Gest, we do not have the amazing manpower required for such an invasion. Other than the fact that such feats are extremely difficult, as shown by the fact that the Imperials did not succeed either, it has occurred to me that we need more firepower. A fleet from Clairmont, an Imperial ally, will be assisting us in our struggle. We're dropping down again, but they are doing the same at the same time. They won't be entrenched this time around...and the outcome will not be similar..."

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Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance

Alexei was up with the sun, as he slowly pushed the covers off of his legs, so not to wake Nienna. He put on the same clothes that he had worn for the past two days, and winced as he prepared to wear them for the third.

"Here," an older woman said, throwing him clothing which resembled when they wore - long flowing robes. Alexei thanked her and put them on, tying his hair back as the elves did.

He ate breakfast with his woman, and although he was not sure of what it was, it was good none the less. After thanking her again for the food, he exited the makeshift building, and ventured out into the streets.

The eyes focused on him shifted as he walked past, but no one tried to stop him as he left the city and ventured into the forest. The breeze was calming...

This whole place is calming...

...and the sky clear. Perhaps the simplicity of this place prevented Alexei from falling into the mental deathtraps so common when he was alone, but regardless, he was in good spirits.

Maybe falling here was a good place...falling...did I even fall?

But the rather large bruise and a deep cut on his left arm reminded him that he did indeed fall, regardless of what the elves told him. The pain was gone, thanks to some elvan medicine that he did not know of, but for some reason they could not, or simply did not, do anything about the bruise or the slash. Alexei was sure it would leave a scar, perhaps as a reminder of this place. Currently, there was no way out...

But as Alexei got to the site that he was found, and stared at the grid magically floating in the sky, he decided that he needed to get up there, however the only way seemed to be to climb a tree, something he hadn't done since his childhood. Laughing at the memories, he approached a nearby tree with the right height, and began to climb.

The physical activity was invigorating as the breeze blew through his hair. Alexei watched the leaves blow back at the wind as he thought about how lazy he had been lately. Normally he worked out around five hours a day, yet climbing a tree was the first thing he had done in almost three days, since that damning battle.

Wait...that's not right...no...what the hell?

The leaves were blowing back against the wind, not in the direction that the should have been. Looking down at his robe, he noticed that the wind was blowing it to the right of him, while the leaves were blowing to the left. That only further confirmed his suspicion that he had gathered the first time he saw the grid...

...that this place was all an illusion, the grandest of all holoprograms. Alexei knew all about holoprograms, as he normally trained in one, and in fact designed some for his friends as gifts. However he found it strange that the Imperials would allow an imperfection in the simulation, even one as little as the leaves' reaction to the wind. He also found it odd that the Imperials would leave the hole in the grid, ground, sky, or whatever it truely was. Perhaps they were distracted by the battle.

By the time Nienna had realized where he had gone, and after she had arrived to join him, Alexei had already discovered that he was in fact, correct. These people were being lied to...their paradise was underground...in some sort of observation lab. Of course, he didn't tell this to Nienna, although she could tell that he was holding something back.

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Commander Alexei Ivanova
XO of the 1st Marines

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Nienna Alcarin

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"We're closing in on their position..."

"Hail them..." Mark ordered. They had gotten back to Aeisis via the Tappee flagship, and immediately were ordered to find the lost ship and bring it back. As they approached the Wraith, who the files said was captained by a Captain Leon Williams, Mark intended to do just that. "This is Lieutenant Mark Andrews of the 15th Fighter Squadron, call name Raptor 1, requesting docking permission..."

After a short pause came a response. "Permission granted, Lieutenant, am I correct in assuming you're here for assistance?"

"More or less," Mark said, and the cut the comm as the docking bay doors opened, and the three Raptor-Class Long Range Tactical Fighters entered the hangar. As they exited their craft, Eric entered the room to meet them.

"Hello, I am Commander Eric Vinzer, Executive Officer of the Wraith," Eric said. "Welcome aboard..." Mark, Katrina, and Jack all saluted. "Repairs are going faster than expected...we really do have an excellent crew...however many are dead...and 36% of our engine core is blown. My engineers have estimated that a Raptor-Class fighter would supply 40% of the core."

"At it's max," Mark replied. "Although dismantling one of our vessels was not in the report."

"Did you think you were just going to see that we were here and leave?" Eric laughed. "Hardly, people. Now, is there any fighter which would be better suited than another?"

Katrina laughed and smiled a sly grin. Pointing to Jack's ship she replied, "This one's never had any engine trouble that I'm aware of..."

"Fine then," Eric said, saluting. "Make it so..."

Mark and Katrina saluted back as Jack tried to protest, but the engineers were already on the job, tearing the engine out of Jack's fighter. Katrina laughed again, as Mark just rolled his eyes and shook his head.

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Commander Eric Vinzer
XO of the 2nd Marines

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Lieutenant Mark Andrews
"Raptor 1"
15th Fighter Squadron

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Ensign Jack Highwind
"Raptor 3"
15th Fighter Squadron

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Ensign Katrina Brady
"Raptor 2"
15th Fighter Squadron

"No, Sky Marshall, there is no excuse!" the Emperor roared. "You should have prepared for it!"

"Damnit, sir, you told me not to...and to focus our troops on Gest...which I did!" Sky Marshall Michael Zephyr yelled back. He was getting fed up with this nonsense.

"It is not wise to insult the Emperor," High General James Shockey commented.

"It is not wise to invade CTaNbHaR Eabo4Ka!" Zephyr continued. "We have no base there, and the Rebels will certainly pick up on it. It will be luck that determines the winner! That is not how I like to play this game we call war..."

"SILENCE!" Nemerov bellowed.

"You are out of line, Sky Marshall..." Shockey said. "Go plan for the invasion...dismissed!"

The young Zephyr shook his head as he left the office with his eyes wide and temper hot.

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High General James Shockey
High Commander of the Imperial Military

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Sky Marshall Michael Zephyr
Commander of the Imperial Fleet and Marines

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Emperor Alexander Nemerov
Star Empire of Steel Butterfly,
In the Orion Sector which includes:
Steel Isle, Steel Moon,
CTaNbHaR Eabo4Ka, XIII,
Aeisis, Bivens, Esthar VIII
Orion Sector Alliance Premier,
Order of the Seraphim

Bivens interrupted Pierce as another message came in.

"If it's the soldiers again on a different frequency..."

"No, James," Bivens replied. "It's CTaNbHaR Eabo4Ka, Consul Vercs Bof'Ether..."

Pierce looked at the others and then answered the message.

"James Pierce," the Worthen Consul said. "It has come to my attention that both you and the Imperials will be invading my people's planet shortly...defying the Treaty of Pilfer which stated that my planet's technology level and people will be respected and allowed to progress at their own pace, not tainted by outside forces. Both sides are in violation of this treaty..."

"Mr. Bof'Ether," Pierce replied. "I'm sorry to say that this treaty does not apply to us. I'm sorry about your loss..."

"Let me finish, please," Consul Bof'Ether shot back. "As I was saying, both sides are in violation of this treaty, but it is no longer lies on a piece of paper which worry me. As primitive as my people are, they do believe in "aliens", just as your's did thousands of years ago. Today, I issued an announcement that aliens are fighting somewhere far away, but that the battlefield will expand to our planet shortly. I told them that there are good aliens as well as bad ones, but they look the same. I instructed them to be prepared for loss...however...their response brought tears to my eyes. You see, Mr. Pierce, they proclaimed that they will fight for their land, their families, and their friends, by helping the good aliens. At this time, they are all gathering their weapons and preparing to assist you."

"Consul..." Pierce protested as he could see the proud cat-people taking up arms in his mind. His lip quivered...it was so... "Leather and swords will have little effect against Battle Armor and Polaron Rifles. I'm not sure if..."

"Please, Mr. Pierce..." the Consul pleaded. "Just tell your men to let them fight along side you. Gunpowder can blow up things as well...they just want a chance to defend their home...they need that chance..."

"Aren't you afraid of cultural contamination?" Pierce continued. The Worthen, unlike their leader who was kidnapped and eventually educated at Steel Butterfly, were quite far behind the Humans and the Zabrak in the sector.

"Yes, Mr. Pierce, I am," Bof'Ether replied. "But some things are simply more important. Besides, after this is over, I trust that you will leave us alone. I cannot say I believe that the Imperials would do the same thing...but I also cannot join you outright. I need to be in the Empire...for the sake of my people...but not this Empire...not under this Emperor. I look towards tomorrow, Mr. Pierce...Bof'Ether out."

And with that, Pierce cut his side of the comm link as well. He turned to address the three others. "We move out in five hours...order your soldiers to...to regard the Worthen warriors as allies..."

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Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance

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Dave Bivens
President/CEO of Bivens Co.

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Consol Vercs Bof'Ether
Governor of CTaNbHaR Eabo4Ka

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Another Necromancer-Class Heavy Destroyer dropped out of the subspace fold and hailed the Wraith.

"This is Captain Thomas McNeil of the Resistance Starship Outlander," The voice over the hail said. "We are requesting a meeting..."

Naturally, Leon and Eric responded, and then teleported over to the Outlander for a conference.

Once there, Leon and Eric met the Outlander's Captain and First Officer in a briefing room that looked quite similar to the Wraith's, although with different personal touches and colors.

"As I said, I am Captain Thomas McNeil," the Outlander's Captain said, extending his hand for a handshake. Both Eric and Leon took it. "This here is Lieutenant Commander Charles Trinneer, my first officer."

"Lieutenant Commander?" Eric asked. He himself, along with all the other first officers aboard main starships, were always Commanders, and nothing less.

"I guess the term 'Acting Commander' is more appropriate," McNeil replied. "Casualties are a reality of war, Commander. Your ship is lucky to have lost so few..."

"Our ship's taken quite a beating..." Leon commented. Was this man implying that they had not been in battle?

"As I can see," Lt. Commander Charles Trinneer said. "However, as you have lost armor and whatnot, we have lost men, and women actually. Two thirds of our crew is dead..."

No one opened their mouth for a long while. Eventually, Captain McNeil continued. "Regardless, the Resistance doesn't have many backups. We're to invade CTaNbHaR Eabo4Ka as a counter attack to an Imperial invasion occuring at the same time. Each two resistance ships will be grouped into pairs, assault and support. We are to escort you to CE, then support you with space-to-land firepower and supplies as you drop down."

"I understand," Leon said. "We'll be operational in two hours..."

"Good," McNeil said, trying hard to force a smile in such solumn times. "Because we move out in four and a half."

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Captain Leon Williams
Leader of the 2nd Marines

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Commander Eric Vinzer
XO of the 2nd Marines

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Captain Thomas McNeil
CO of the Outlander

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Lt. Commander Charles Trinneer
Acting XO of the Outlander

[OOC: lol...I had to use those pics. Don't worry, just like "james pierce", the characters won't be the same.]

"What's wrong?" Nienna asked for what had to have been the tenth time.

"Nothing is," Alexei said, lying for an identical amoung of times. "I just...I just miss my home."

"Onack shit!" Nienna exclaimed, referring to a large, cow-like animal with fur. "What is it, Alexei?"

But Alexei didn't have time to explain. Shots flew out from the hole, igniting parts of the forest around them. Alexei looked up, only in time to see a boot kick him in the head. The Imperials had found the hole, and now they had found him.

All across the "sky" holes opened up and Imperial soldiers dropped down and either slaughtered the elves on the spot, or captured them and took them back into the holes.

Alexei got to his feet and pushed Nienna behind him. The Imperial raised his rifle, but Alexei kicked it out of his hands. Continuing his turn from the first kick, he sidekicked again with his other leg. He then jumped and drove his elbow into the soldier's collarbone. Luckily, they were wearing only basic armor, and not the ODIN suits that they normally fight in.

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The soldier pulled a sword from behind his back and swung it at Alexei, who caught it after it had passed him and yanked it out of the Imperial's hands. Screaming at the horrified Nienna to run, he sliced off the Imperial's head.

Another one dropped down, and Alexei hacked off his right leg and then impaled him through the open spot in the helmet. These men were obviously not expecting resistance. Nienna screamed, and Alexei rushed off to save her, but he was shot in the back. The impact made him fly five feet and the skid across the grass. Whatever he was shot with was not intended to kill him, but instead it shocked him and restricted him from moving. Nienna screamed as the same thing hit her in the neck, her body flailing wildly from such a close hit.

Alexei thought of Joseph, asleep and recovering in a tent, he thought of Nienna, who had shown him, a stranger, such love, he thought of the woman who gave him clothes and breakfast, and then he thought of himself, and what would become of him. Closing his eyes, he passed out.

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Commander Alexei Ivanova
XO of the 1st Marines

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Nienna Alcarin

Admiral Dodall was surprised at the change of event over the invasion of CE, having the locals help would make things easier, but at the same time more difficult.

“I’ll send the both Rapid Response division, as well as parts of the 3rd Mechanized. I’ll have them deploy Hydra’s on the surface to provide surface to air support.”

The Hydra was a mobile artillery platform that carried a quad laser system that was capable of shoot down smaller aircraft, and drop ships. It was a piece of equipment that would be very useful in fending off an invasion.

“If the Consol knew that we were coming then it would be wise to say the Imperials might now the same fact as well. So I’m going to send a large portion of the fleet in as support as well. Specifically a Carrier division to provide fighter support.”

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Admiral Dodalla

"Be sure not to deploy anything permanent...for the invasion is not all I have planned," Pierce said, touching some more spots in the air. "Once we have gotten enough land, I will have Organic Phase Disruptors implanted into the soil on our side. We will then retreat...or more specifically...advance to the rear and prepare to meet reinforcements and invade the planet of Steel Isle using the same assault-support tactics. The Imperials will advance to where we one were on CE, as the Organic Phase Disruptors go off, effectively eliminating anything living within a 100-mile radius."

Demidov laughed. "Genious! Where in the galaxy did you get such a weapon?"

"Like he'd tell you!" Bivens snapped, knowing that he himself had given the weapon to Pierce after his father had gotten it from the Zabrak many years ago.

"There are three of them," Pierce said. "I intend to use all three. These weapons are horrible...but we need a quick win...and CE will be a perfect distraction. If you don't want to participate..."

"Nonsense!" Demidov exclaimed. "This one will go down in history as one of the greatest slaughters ever!"

"Why would a pirate have any concern for life?" Bivens jabbed. "Still, James, I've been with you from the beginning...and we must do whatever we can do to win..."

Pierce nodded and turned towards Dodalla. "Admiral?"

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Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance

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Dave Bivens
President/CEO of Bivens Co.

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Viktor Mikhailovich Demidov
Russian Mafia - Orion Pirates

She just gave Mr Pierce a shrug “I have no problems with it. My Hydra’s and my forces are completely mobile so they can be moved fast. However, we can’t appear to give up to easy, or the imperial might suspect something.”

She thought to her self for a moment, trying to play the battle out in her head trying to think up every possible situation. “The Imperials may not know the CE is willing to assist us. We could have the locals stage an attack to our rear that would force us to fall back. The Imperial would see the attack to our rear and would land their forces as confidant as ever, and that is when we would strike. Our reinforcements will be hidden amoung the Local force that attacked our rear.”

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Admiral Dodalla

[OOC: Check telegrams]

"I don't think the locals would be up to it," Pierce said. Afterwards, his face got rather grim. "We would have to start...losing...on the front lines...or at least appear to be. I hadn't thought of if we'd have to fake it though. I'm rather sure that we in fact will be losing men on the front lines constantly. They'll be coming at us, Admiral, and once they're in our land we won't give them time to consider that the retreat is a hoax."

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Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance

OOC: I did, check yours

IC:

"Very well, I will talk to my commanders so that they have a clear understanding of what we are doing" She was startled when her communicator went off. She reached into her pocket and turned it on. "Yes"

"Admiral I just thought that you would like to know that the FA has entered the system Ma'am" Said the voice on the other side

A look of shock came across her face. Had not expected for the FA to even be near a battle feild at this point little alone here at Aesis. "If you will excuse Mr Pierce there is another matter that I was attent to too. But rest assured that my forces will be ready of the battle of CE."

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Admiral Dodalla

Henry looked out from the Furious Angels Bridge at the mammoth ship before him. The Furious Angel of the FA as it was often referred to with by far the largest ship in the fleet. The FA dwarfed even the Avenger, which was the Fleets flagship. Building the FA had been on of the most ambitious project ever done, it had taken nearly ten year and billions and billions of dollar. But despite all it’s glory it was untested, due to the ever developing situation in the Orion Sector, and the loss at Gest, there were those in Command, as well as on the Tribunal that felt the FA fire power would be needed.

His thoughts jumped from the FA to admiring the view. He had never taken a moment to just enjoy the view that space had to offer it was so surreal. After word of the loss a Gest the Tribunal had decide to send him to act as an advisor to Admiral Dodalla. At first he was hesitant on taking such a position, he didn’t want to leave his girl friend, they had only been together for a short while. However, after learning of the lost at Gest he found reason to fight. He had lost many friends a Gest good Friends, ones that he could honestly say he owed his life too, now this was no longer about work but about vengeance, plain and simple. He would make them pay for all that they had done.

“Admiral on Deck” yelled on of the crewmembers, and every one to the bridge jumped to attention, except Henry. He was an Intelligence agent, and as such technically out ranked all military personal; he turned in time to see Admiral Dodalla make her way on to the bridge.

“Good afternoon Admiral” he extended his hand “Welcome aboard the Furious Angel”

The Admiral took his hand; he could see that she was visibly annoyed. “Commander Kobe, could you tell me why the FA is even here.”

“We need a Command Centre in the sector, Space Command and the Tribunal feel the FA will suite the role nicely.” He knew what she was thinking “Don’t worry the FA has not been cleared to take part in to active combat. I’m here to act as an advisor, from here on out Command has been transferred from the Avenger to the FA., I’ve got final say on all matter, is that Clear Admiral”

Dodalla didn’t like that fact that she would now have all her decision question. “Is the because of Gest” she asked concerned that there were those among Command that did not agree with her decision to abandon their forces of the surface.

“No” quickly answered Henry “The Tribunal wants to have a Rep in the field, I’m it. I just spoke with Mr Pierce before you arrived and he brought me up to speed with what as going on, and we are going to proceed as planned.”

“Very Well” Answered Dodalla “Now if you will excuse me I have much work to do.”

As the Admiral left Henry Turned to look back out the window, truth be told he would have preferred to be out there fighting the good fight, but knew at least for the time being that he was needed here.

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Commander Herny Kobe
Tappee Intelligence

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Admiral Dodalla

"Captain, I don't want to hear it!" Sky Marshall Zephyr said over the comm link. He agreed with Apakoh, although for the sake of the Empire, he couldn't come straight out and admit it.

"Please, sir..." Apakoh continued, almost to the point of begging. "We are..."

"NO!" Zephyr screamed, kicking himself for even saying it. Apakoh was right. "High General Shockey said that the Apparition will stay clear of CE, and I am telling you to follow that order. You will be assigned to our shipyards at Trabuta. The High General doesn't want this attack to be another trick..."

"Sir, yes, sir," Captain Apakoh said, rolling his eyes with a scowl on his face. Zephyr cut the comm link.

Sipping at his drink, Zephyr looked over the paperwork scattered and piled on his desk. How he missed being a captain...and yet he was a captain for a total period of eight months. He had been the youngest captain ever at age 23, the youngest admiral ever at 25, and now at 28, he was still the youngest sky marshall ever, and he had held the post for a year and a half now.

...Fuck it...

In front of him, he had a Captain that was more loyal to him that the Emperor himself, and Apakoh wasn't the only one who fit that description. Also, Nemerov had been acting strange as of late...and...

No...

And so he stopped thinking about it, took out the paperwork, and began the time-consuming task.

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Sky Marshall Michael Zephyr
Commander of the Imperial Fleet and Marines

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Captain Lusec Apakoh
81st Imperial Marines

Captain Julia McHale, Clairmont Space Navy, CO of Destroyer Artemis and commander of this mission force, sat in her captains chair and her mind was troubled.

The talk with Pierce had been a productive one. Either Pierce had lied to her about the Rebels objectives or he had truster her. In either case, they were on this path now and there wouldnt be anything short of death moving her or her people away from it.

The two destroyers were ready for war. She had drilled the crew mercillesly during the entire operation and now with the reality of going into battle, they were both eager and a bit terrified. But they wouldnt let her down, they would die for her and they would follow her and they wouldnt let her down. She felt so proud of them, and that pride and reality of battle terrified her to the depths of her heart. If and when she commander her people to battle, some of them would die. Die for a nation that wasnt theirs and for a captain whose ethics had forced her to act.

She brushed off those thoughts, she commanded 700 people, there could be no hesitation or it would all be for nothing.

"It seems that this mission is starting to get underway rather soon skipper." Julia's Exec stated from his own chair.

Ofcourse it was, from how Pierce had spoken of it, this operation would be going off soon, and this was soon.

"Right, lets get into readiness level two. I want both of our ships to be ready to leave on a moments notice."

"Aye Captain."

"Comms, get Aesis and Pierce on the horn, lets hear what they would want us to do."

"Aye Ma'am."

[code:1:8cafb99dcc]To: Sir James Pierce
From: Captain Julia McHale

At this time i would wish to ask for any instructions you have for us regarding the upcoming operation of counter-attacking the Imperial invasion of CTaNbHaR Eabo4Ka. My force is prepared to depart at a moments notice.
[/code:1:8cafb99dcc]

“Make sure that it is clamped downed” Yelled out as the tank made it way in the drop ship “The last thing we want is for it to come loose during entry” Commander Jefferys took a moment to look around, almost every where in the hanger Tanks and personal were being loaded into drop ships for their coming battle on CE. “Ah the machines of War” he said under his breath as his ‘Promethus’ Command tank was being loaded. He suddenly became aware of another person standing behind him. He turned to find Admiral Dodalla standing behind him. He quickly jumped to attention and gave her a salute.

“At ease” she quickly responded, “ it never ceases to amaze me how quickly you and your men are able to prepare.”

He couldn’t help but smile “With all due respect ma’am that is what we are trained to do” The Rapid Response Division took great pride in it’s ability to mobilize at a moments notice. “That way we get paid the big bucks” he said sarcastically.

“Well you are going to earn that pay check in the coming battle.” Answered the Admiral “Keep your head in this one Jefferys, the last thing we want is another Gest.” There was an awkward silence between the two.

The news of Gest had hit their moral hard. However, Jefferys had given a pre battle speech to his men, one that he hoped would put any hesitation out of their minds. “We are going to make them pay for Gest”

Dodalla couldn’t help but smile, she had known the Commander for some time and knew if any could pull this off it was him. “Very well Commander, I can see that you are busy, and shall let you get on with your work.”

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Commander Adam Jefferys

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Admiral Dodalla

"Message was blocked sir." Maya announced from her station

"Message was... oh bloody hell, we're still far enough insystem that the Imp's would be able to hear every word we said to Pierce.

On this he mused for several minutes, and then,

"Lt, contact the Torpedo, tell'em that the Missile and the Rocket are going outsystem to see where ever the hell Pierce is. Tell them also to wait here for Captain Yip's signal, then do what needs to be done.

"Yes sir."


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Colonel Wesley Tse,
Regiment CO, Nin'er
(N)Enabled Regiment

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Lieutenent Maya Jenson
Comm Tech
(M)Enabled Regiment

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"Looks like we're early..."

"Did you run the tachyon field scan yet?"

"Yes, sir, the Imperials seem to be taking the scenic route...impulse drives only..."

"Be prepared though, once they know we're here..."

"...Captain...good luck..."

"You too, Captain..."

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The crew of the Wraith decended in dropships over the dense forests of CTaNbHaR Eabo4Ka.

"You know that CTaNbHaR Eabo4Ka roughly translates into Steel Butterfly?"

"Thanks, Sean..." Eric replied sarcastically.

"Is it really pronounced C-tan-bar E-a-boo-for-ka?"

"What does it matter?" Eric asked, getting annoyed. He was trying to focus on the upcoming battle...and this guy...

"I've heard it said San-thar I-boo-ka,"

"Sean, shut the fuck up," Eric yelled. "Concentrate!"

"I'm just trying to relax..." Sean complained. "Pilot...where are we?"

"...X-54.203...Y-89.386...Z-43.6 degrees...half impulse..." Ensign Jack Highwind replied.

"Half impulse, Ensign?" Captain Leon Williams asked sternly. "Isn't fourty-five hundredths the required speed?"

"I'm sorry, Captain..." Jack said, kicking himself for the mistake. "I'm used to fifty times this speed."

"The rest of us aren't, Ensign," Leon laughed hesitantly. "So try to..."

"Captain, incoming!" Jack screamed. Eric released his restraint and ran to the cockpit.

"Fusion Cannons, Captain...they're not wasting time..." Eric reported. "They're coming in fast...Raptors, sir..."

"Eric get back in your seat!" Leon ordered, staying calm. "Ensign Williams, I want us alive!"

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"Adjusting heading to X-34.5..."

"Ensign," Eric commanded. "Fuck the heading! Emergency procedures...NOW!"

The dropship sped up heading right towards the ocean and to avoid a shot bounced off the water and then rose and spun in the air.

"Structural integrity failing..." Jack reported. "Twenty kilometers to drop site..."

Sean puked as the ship spun twice more and then got rocked by the Imperial Fusion Beam.

"Shields offline...Landing gear...failing..."

"I'm popping the hatch!" Eric screamed, releasing his restraint once more and hitting the control which tore the roof off the dropship. The dropship turned upside down, letting Jack and the Marines jump out into the forest, mere kilometers from their intended destination.

"Lets move!" Leon screamed over the comm link as the Marines got to their feet and began sprinting towards their destination.

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Captain Thomas McNeill
CO of the Outlander

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Captain Leon Williams
Leader of the 2nd Marines

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Commander Eric Vinzer
XO of the 2nd Marines

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Lieutenant Sean Athens
27th M.I., 2nd Marines

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Ensign Jack Highwind
"Raptor 3"
15th Fighter Squadron

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"Captain, their fleet's decloaking..." Ensign Allison Wilson said from the helm.

"Bring us about, Ensign," Captain Thomas McNeill replied, grasping the armrests of his captain's chair. "Red alert...raise shields..."

Three sharp horn blasts rang through the bridge of the Outlander as the lights flashed red and then dimmed, letting the consols stand out more.

"Captain, they're targeting the Wraith..." Lt. Commander Charles Trinneer, who had to be both the Tactical Officer and the XO, said from Tactical.

"Fire on my mark..." Captain McNeill ordered as the ship rocked a slight bit.

"Captain, they just hit us with a Myotronic Beam...we're not shooting anything for a few seconds...." Charles replied. "Attempting to compensate..."

"They've fired on the Wraith..." Ensign Wilson reported, turning her chair to face the captain. "They must know it's undermanned..."

"On screen!" McNeill commanded.

The Wraith's shields glowed as the Polaron Phasers fired on them over and over again without a punch back.

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

"He's dead..."

"Who's next in charge?" Mark Andrews asked, after bursting into the bridge to see a Lieutenant Commander lying in a pool of blood on the floor. He got a blind stare in return from young officers barely out of the academy. "Are there any Lieutenant Commanders left?" he restated.

"No...sir..."

"Then I'm taking charge," Mark replied, jumping into the helm seat. "Ready weapons, reinforce shields, and get those engines back on line!"

The officers still stared at him, as the shields dropped more every second.

"NOW!"

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Captain Thomas McNeill
CO of the Outlander

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Lt. Commander Charles Trinneer
Acting XO of the Outlander

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Ensign Allison Wilson
Helmsman of the Outlander

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Lieutenant Mark Andrews
"Raptor 1"
15th Fighter Squadron

“Captain we’ve got enemy ships decloaking” Yelled the Avengers TAC officer

Captain Phobo turned his seat his seat so that he could see HOLO project which gave him an 3D view of the battle field. Looking at the display he watched as a number of enemy ship came in too view. To be honest this had not surprised him, he knew something like this might have happed, but had hoped that it wouldn’t. It was now clear that he would now have to face this fear “How far along on the drop are we”

There was a brief pause as the TAC office tried to find the numbers that would answer the man question. “We are about 35% done the drop Sir” was the answer that was given.

Phobo slammed his fist against the arm of his chair, the appearance of the imperial fleet would greatly slow down there progress. He had to consider his options. Command had decided to send down most of the ‘Hydra’ artillery down with the first wave, which meant if he could get them in position fast enough he could cause serious damage to the imperial forces that were trying to land as well. Since neither side controlled any real estate at this moment it would be a race to see who could set up first. “Contact the Carrier have them deploy fighters to provide an escort to all allied drop ships.” Phobo glanced over at the TAC officer to see if his order had been heard, when he got a reassuring node he continued. “Coordinated with the allied Ship, lets try and concentrate our fire on the larger Imperial Ship, hopefully we can take some of them real quickly cause their lines to fall apart. Try an put our ship in between the Imperial ship and the rebel ship that have taken some damage, give them time to fall back and regroup”

With his order the crew of the bridge jumped and moved about to make sure that his orders were done.

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Captian Phobo

The tactical plot suddenly filled with the angry red signatures of enemy ships. So far, they were of no danger, the range was yet in the order of 12 million kilometers.

Captain Julia McHale just hoped she would have had Ghost Rider in her disposal. With the missiles having maximum powered envelope of 15 million kilometers, she could have hit the enemies even from her current position. But, Ghost Riders were far too large for a Destroyers launchers, so she would just have to do with what she had.

The two destroyers were moving towards the Rebel fleet in a vector that would take the Imperials who had just decloaked within their powered missile envelope. The tactical plot showed a green cone opening from the two ships towards the Imperials and a time tag decreasing from 12 minutes.

"Twelve minutes to maximum powered missile range." The tactical officer of the Artemis reported.

The time went down and down but slowly, it felt like the eternity. It allways did no matter how ready for battle the ship was. Julia glanced at her bridge crew, all of them were suited up in navy skinsuits so that in case of a decompression, they wouldnt die to the sudden pressure loss.

"Five minutes to maximum powered missile range."

Julia turned to her comms officer.
"Comms, record message."

[code:1:f4f8680c8e]To: Rebel Fleet Commander
From: Cpt. Julia McHale, CO HMS [i]Artemis[/i]

To the commander of the Rebel fleet. We are closing on you in a vector that will bring us to our powered missile envelope from the Imperials. We will be opening fire in another four minutes from the sending of this transmission.

I also have a single Marine Shock Platoon onboard and two heavy ground assault Pinnace's in my disposal, if you require assistance on the ground, i can provide it.[/code:1:f4f8680c8e]

"On the circuit Captain." The comms officer reported as the recording was finished.

"Send it."
The lightspeed transmission shot away from the Artemis towards the Rebel Fleet. It would arrive in less than a minute.

On the bowels of the Artemis and the Rapier, missile crews were loading up the launchers. MK-40 Space Warfare Missiles, with the warhead being a 30 megaton thermo-nuclear device. In each salvo from both ships, there would also be two missiles carrying only electronic warfare. Their job would be to try and mess up the enemy targeting and tracking systems so that the missiles would have an easier time. They were going for staggered launches. The first launch would be regular nukes, but the second salvo would be x-ray laserheads. The advantage of the laserheads was that they didnt need to actually physically or near physically hit the target, their thermo-nuclear warheads would detonate on the distance of 20,000 kilometers from target, and a dozen lasing rods would channel the initial energy of that blast into murderously powerfull x-ray laser stilettos.

The marine complement of both ships was also getting prepared. Altough marines had the task of working on the weapons of the ships, in this case the regular navy crewmen had to do the job if the Marines were needed on the ground. Forty of the Marines were suited up on Battle Armor and were loaded with heavy weapons, the rest had regular Type-4 Combat Battledresses and armament. The Thunderhawk-Pinnaces of both ships were also being prepared. They were excellent in ground support operation where their massive firepower would be very usefull. The ordance bays and launchers were being loaded with everything from heavy rockets to snowflake clusters.

All in all, they were ready.

OOC: Im not able to respond again sooner than monday so dont do anything drastic folks.

"Damnit!" Eric exclaimed, picking himself up off the ground. The ODIN Armor had protected him well, but the shot to his shin still had enough power to knock him on his ass.

"Commander?"

"I'm fine," Eric replied, checking his HUD. "Armor integrity still at maximum..." He grabbed his gun and continued on his way. They were less than a kilometer away from their location, but from the impact of the blast he had taken, Eric judged that the Imperials were quite close as well.

"Captain, I'm not seeing any orbital support for our unit," reported Sean Athens as he scanned the area while trying to keep up with everyone else's pace.

"Has orbital been called off?" Captain Williams asked.

"Negative, Captain," Sean replied. "Other units have orbital..."

"Then the Imperial fleet is here as well..." Leon said, half to himself and half to his unit. "Don't count on support, men, this one's up to us. We all know the objective here...we've all prepared for it...now lets do it!"

"Deploying the first Organic Phase Disruptor at a depth of..." Sean said, checking his display. "...twenty meters..." Shots flew through the air overhead, lighting some bushes on fire.

"Steady..." Leon commanded as the troops got low to the ground. The Imperials would be charging...there was no point in charging back. "Hold this ground, men..."

"Prepare arms," Eric said, raising his Pulse Rifle. "Fire when ready..."

"OPD deployed," Sean reported. "We have an hour, Captain..."

"Then lets get this show on the road..."

The polaron pulses hailed over the Rebels as the sounds of snapping brush was overshadowed by explosions and other sounds of war.

"Ready AEMP cannon," Eric ordered, firing off two rounds and then ducking back down. "On my mark...

...FIRE!"

An Advanced Electro-Magnetic Pulse flew from the cannon in a bright yellow orb, disabling the oncoming Imperials, and dropping them to the ground. Captain Williams raised his right hand and pumped it three times, telling the Rebels to get to their feet. The enemy was down...what a great time to strike them...

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Captain Leon Williams
Leader of the 2nd Marines

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Commander Eric Vinzer
XO of the 2nd Marines

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Lieutenant Sean Athens
27th M.I., 2nd Marines

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"Sir, the Avenger seems to be protecting the Wraith and shielding them from damage..." Ensign Allison Wilson reported.

"Ensign, the Avenger isn't in this mission...it's stationed at Aeisis..." Captain McNeill responded.

"She means the Avenger of Tappee," Lt.Cmdr. Trinneer informed the captain, as he fired another Polaron Beam at an enemy ship. "Captain Phobo, sir..."

"Continuous fire, Commander," McNeill ordered. "And get the fighters out there!"

"Yes, sir, Captain..."

One hundred fighter pilots sprinted to the many shuttlebays of the Outlander, preparing for takeoff. Normally, there would be more, but the Outlander had taken a good bit of previous damage, and as a result was undermanned as well.

"Incoming message, sir," the communications officer reported. "It's going to all ship captains, but it is addressed to 'The Rebel Fleet Commander'..."

"Sky Marshall Mitchell isn't here," McNeill replied, thinking to himself. "Transfer it to my consol." After reading it, he turned to the comm officer. "Tell them that any help is appreciated."

"That all, sir?"

"That's..."

The bridge of the Outlander rocked dangerously as consols exploded and chairs broke under the stress.

"...tell them to hurry the hell up..."

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Captain Thomas McNeill
CO of the Outlander

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Lt. Commander Charles Trinneer
Acting XO of the Outlander

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Ensign Allison Wilson
Helmsman of the Outlander

Of all times, Eric now thought back to the Academy and what he had learned. History always repeated itself in one form or another...and this war was no different. Some time ago warfare had switched from the long-range combat back to close-range. No one had noticed, really, since both methods were used by the military, but even as polaron beams flew from ship to ship overhead, the battle on land consisted of hand to hand combat.

Both the Imperial and the Rebel's armor wasn't that much stronger than their weapons, they just knew how to defend against those weapons. Shots were deflected or absorbed, and it would literally take hours to kill one man if you shot at him consistantly.

So as Eric tore off a Imperial's helmet and ran his blade through the back of the disabled man's head, he considered it nothing more than sword and shield holoprograms back home.

The Imperial soldiers, disabled by the AEMP charge, were simply bugs awaiting the large boot to squash them. Eric brought his boot down on a man's forehead, as the Imperial's horrified eyes stared into his soul.

Raising his dagger, Eric sliced the man's throat in a quick motion, letting him drown in his own blood.

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Commander Eric Vinzer
XO of the 2nd Marines

The ground shuddered as the Avenger took another hit. For the first that Phobo could remember he was actually concerned about the safety of his ship “Shield status” he called out

“”Shields at 75% and holding sir” Providing protection of the damaged Rebel ships had proven to be a costly it. He had knowingly put his ship in the line fire, and had caused the fleet to be out of position for a counter offensive. However, they had saved many ships in the manoeuvre. “Sir Incoming message, I’ll transfer it to your consul.”

Reading the message from Clairmont force gave him an idea. “TAC contact all Iithra Class ship have them power up their main guns” he reached up and touched points in the HOLO projection. “Have them fire here, here and here.” He said as he touched three different points. Have all the ‘Strikers’ target Imperial ship near these three point with only their Ion Cannons. Fire the guns in 3 minutes and 50 seconds, at the time have all ship in the area power down”

A Confused look came over the TAC officers face “those point are in the middle of the Imperial formation, and there are no ships in the area. The Antimatter blast will only be absorbed by the shields, besides the ‘Strikers’ will never deplete their shields in time, they will be sitting duck”

Phobo could help but smile “We’re not going the be firing and antimatter round, have all the ship load their guns with an MK45 EMP warhead.” His plan was simple, he was going to fire three EMP warhead into the middle of the Imperial formation, and couple that with the ION attack that would be conducted by the ‘Strikers’ then he would hope that the Imperial force would not have any shield left when the Clairmont Missile attack occurred. The ‘Striker would power down just before the EMP blast and would not be affected by the blast, it would be a risky manoeuvre, but if they succeeded then the Allies would gain the upper hand.

“Yes Sir” the TAC officer quickly responded “The warhead will be changed within the minute.

Phobo glanced down at his consul. A Time had been placed there, and had begun counting down from 3:50. Like most thing that occurred during battle he knew that it would be a long 3:50.

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"Lieutenant, the Tappee ships are...ahh...readying EMP warheads..." an ensign said as the Wraith was rocked once more.

"Damnit," Mark said, bringing the ship about. "The shields are transphasic...only one phase will be effected. Ensign, what weapons are still online?"

"Polaron Beam Phaser, Polaron Pulse Phaser, Quantum Torpedoes, Tachyon Pulse, Myotronic Beam, Fusion Cannon, Hellbore Cannon...it's all working...we just don't have enough power for it all to work..." the ensign said, falling to the floor, but then getting back to her feet.

"As long as at least some of the shields are damaged, the Hellbore will work, won't it?" Mark asked. He was no engineer, and neither was this ensign, however someone on the ship had to be.

"Yes, sir, it will..." A voice said over the ship's comm. "However, Lieutenant, at least one of the phases will have to be down to at least 95%."

"...And how much will the EMP warhead damage the phase it hits?" Mark asked, bracing himself for impact.

"7%, sir...however...there is the problem of hitting every ship in this section of the grid with the Hellbore...it's meant for one ship..."

"Ensign, it's meant to completely disable one ship..." Mark said, smiling. "However, I assume that on a wide-beam pulse, it will still damage multiple ships. Contact nearby vessels...lower shields...cut engines!"

"Sir?"

"Redistribute all power to the Hellbore cannon...fire on my mark..."

Mark's smile faded as quickly as it had come and in its place was the reality of a fighter pilot commanding and flying a heavy destroyer, and as if that was not enough, his ship was quickly dying in the face of an enemy more powerful and more plentiful.

His mind drifted to Katrina for a second, his loyal girlfriend on the planet with the other half of the chaos. Who would die first...him...or her?

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Lieutenant Mark Andrews
"Raptor 1"
15th Fighter Squadron

[OOC: Tappee, since Clairmont won't be here...I'll let you RP their weapon being launched. I think I gave you a pretty good idea of how it will effect the Imperial ships in the area.]

There was a brief moment of silence as the men and woman aboard the drop ship waited for the main door to open. They had been on the ground only for a few moment and they could already hear gun fire hitting the out side of the drops, the Imperials where wating for them to make their way out.

“We go on my Mark” said a voice in their head sets. Most recognized the voice as that of Commander Jefferys who was sitting in a command tanks waiting for the doors to open. “Get ready we are going in hot” there was a brief pause “GO!”

In an instant the main door dropped to the ground and all hell broke loose. Beams of light were furiously coming in and out of the drop ship, several Marines hit the ground dead from the constant barrage of fire, other took cover behind the Tanks as they made their way out of the drop ship and on too the planets soil. Shoot glanced of the ‘Promethus’ armour as the Hurricane cannons turned to unleash a punishing volley in the Enemy’s general direction.

One of the more lightly armoured tank burst in to flames as it took a missile hit while coming out of the drop ship, the armour that once protected those inside now became their coffin. However, the now empty shell of a tank was pushed out of the way by a more larger tank. With it’s payload now delivered the drop ship started to make it’s way back up to the waiting fleet to pick up more soldiers and tanks.

The mobile force of the Rapid response division quickly formed in to a defensive line to combat the Imperial attack. Now that they had actually landed in was Jefferys turn to deal some damage to the Imperials.

Inside the ‘Promethus’ Command tank he began giving his orders. “Have ‘Land Raiders’ and the ‘Short Blades’ form up here and here to provide protection for the ‘Hydras’ and the ‘Whirlwinds’” he said pointing to position on the screen in front of him. Much to his happiness he seen two giant dot appear in his screen. The dots represent two super Tanks that had just been dropped off. “Have them take up position here and here.”

The TAC officer nodded he could barely hear Jeffery over all the noise, as shoot bounce off the Armour. “Sir maybe we should move back”

He quickly caught a glare from Jefferys “My men are fighting on the front an so am I”


Outside the Marine were in the fight of their life, every where one looked were the fallen, so had the luxury of being attend to by medics, most died alone.

One of the Super Tanks brought it main gun to bare on an unseen target far away, the gun locked it to position and for a brief moment it stood there silent. In a violent action the barrel shoot recoiled back, even the Marines at the front of the line could feel the concussion it’s blast, the blast was quickly followed by another as the second tank fired on it’s target.
A Marine took cover behind in a ditch as his position was fired upon; he took a moment to look up at the sky above. He wasn’t sure it was night or day, the sky had become blacken from all the fires from the battle raging both in the ground and the space above. He could see missile from ‘Whirlwinds’ being fired at target miles away. Swarms of fighter it the sky fighting for supremacy. Steams of light being shoot at drop ship from both side as they ferried troops to the ground. Beyond all that he could see small burst of light from the fleets fighting above. To the young Marine was Armageddon, on his day he felt that there was a good chance that he would face his maker, despite all this a single thought kept going through his head over and over again ‘To the Honour of Combat’. It was a single saying that had been drilled in to his head during his time at the military academy.

It was not until now that he understood what the phrase meant. He realized now that what meant was that no matter how bad thing were is was one jobs to do there duty, to defend those who could not. His thoughts jumped to that of his sister, it had always just been the two of them they had been as close as two siblings could be, his sister had been living in Tatania when NiMbus had found it convenient to destroy the city to cover up their activities there. The thought of his sister’s murders gave him new strength.

A near by explosion brought his attention back to the surrounding chaos. Looking up over the ditch he could see an imperial position not far from his. Again Taking cover his fumbled around until he found a Plasma grenade. “Cover Me” he yelled out to the others in his platoon. With no hesitation he stood up a threw the grenade, his action came at a cost. An Imperial Soldier had taken advantage of such an open target and had managed to hit a soft stop in the Marines Armour. The Young Marine yelled in pain as he collapsed to the ground.

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Commander Adam Jefferys

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young Marine

tick, tick, tick, tick

Captain Phobo watched the timer with the up most care as it was approaching zero, every thing would require perfect timing, they could not be out by even a split second. For a moment he lost his breath as the timer hit zero. Even from his chair he could feel the main gun fire. He quickly glanced over at the HOLO display to make sure that the two other ships had done the same. In the tense moments that followed he watched as the Warhead made their way to their intended target. “Power down now” there was a panic in his voice, the last thing he wanted was for the Avenger systems to be affect. At the exact time all the other ship did a quick power down to avoid damage from the EMP blast. With everything off Phobo had no idea of what was occurring outside.

With lighting speed the three warheads proceeded to their targets. However, out of the three only two would make it to their intended target. One the missiles hit a small Imperial ship that had been unknowingly been in the line fire. The Warhead tore into the interior ship detonating deep inside the ship, an action the contained most of the blast. In a brilliant flash of blue light to the other two remaining Warheads detonated.

The Avenger brought it systems on line just in time to see the Clairmont missile hit the Imperial line. The EMP attack worked, to some extent, again a number of the small Imperial ship had lost their shields as a result of the EMP blast and were undefended as the Clairmont missile came crashing. Unfortunately, the shields of the more larger ship had held against the EMP. Others had been spared as a result of the third missile missing.

Phobo knew that it was a small victory, but the none the less it was still a victory, one that he would take. “Maybe that will cause the Imperial to take us seriously” he said out loud. it would now take at least another hour before the main guns could be fire again, and he seriously doubted that they could do the same thing again.

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"Helm, attack position Delta 5 Prime!" Captain McNeill ordered. By pressing a button, he contacted the rest of the fleet. "Move in by Fleet Assualt Two Niner Five Nine Pi!"

The nose of the Outlander lowered, exposing an Imperial Necromancer-Class starship to its powerful Fusion Cannon. The two ships looked identical facing each other, and Captain McNeill reminded himself that those soldier inside of the ships were quite similar as well.

"FIRE!" he screamed, extending his hand and pointing his finger at the ship in his viewscreen. The Fusion Cannon, the most powerful direct-assault weapon known in the Orion Sector, worked simple enough. A stream of excited tritium and deuterium nuclei are projected at the target. The nuclei are then fused into helium, releasing tremendous energy at the moment of impact.

The large blue stream connected with the shields of the Imperial Heavy Destroyer, which held it at bay for a few seconds, before it passed through and connected with the hull of the ship, right near its engines.

"Fusion Cannon at 46%" Lt.Cmdr. Trinneer reported. The cannon's energy level started at 100%, and as it was maintained, the level naturally dropped. The cannon's energy level replenished itself, however it could not do so while being fired. Therefore, it would have to recharge, and be fired again. "I don't recommend we let it go to zero..."

"All that will do is make it take longer to recharge, Commander," Captain McNeill said. "Maintain the current pressure..."

"Their hull is buckling....cannon at 23%..." Trinneer announced.

"Sir, I reccommend we get out of here...now..." Ensign Allison Wilson strongly suggested.

"No," McNeill said, smiling. "Enable a tractor beam on this ship we're firing on. Maintain fusion cannon lock, but tractor it near...this cluster of small ships with their shields disabled. Hurry...it won't last long."

"Yes, sir!"

The Outlander's tractor beam locked on to the enemy ship and dragged it towards a group of about four Sabre-Class Gunships and two Vengeance-Class Light Destroyers, each with its engines and shields disabled.

"Their outer hull has been breached, Fusion Cannon at 5%, enemy core breach in seven seconds..." Lt.Cmdr. Trinneer reported, sounding nervous.

"Fire quantum torpedoes....and get us the hell out of here!" Captain McNeill ordered as Ensign Williams turned the ship hard to the right and back towards the Wraith and the Avenger.

Behind them remained an amazing light, as the Necromancer exploded, and the six other ships followed shortly after.

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Captain Thomas McNeill
CO of the Outlander

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Lt. Commander Charles Trinneer
Acting XO of the Outlander

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Ensign Allison Wilson
Helmsman of the Outlander

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Meanwhile, life aboard the Wraith was quite different.

"Shield generators offline, sir..." an ensign reported. Mark shook his head.

"Polarize the hull...Ensign, get those shields back!" Mark ordered, trying to fly the ship off of the front lines. "Damnit! Helm non-responsive...engines off line..."

"Hull breaches on decks 14 through 32...in sections..."

"Enough," Mark said, standing up from his chair and moving towards the back of the bridge. "I understand the situation."

"Emergency forcefields failing. We're open for...LIEUTENANT, I'M READING FIFTY...NO...ONE HUNDRED IMPERIAL ZERO-GRAV MARINES ON BOARD..." the ensign said, getting obviously nervous. "THEY'RE...RELEASING THE AFT ESCAPE PODS!"

Mark closed his eyes tight to calm himself and muttered something into the computer. Turning back around, he addressed the bridge crew, made up of none of the original bridge crew members. "Its been fun...hasn't it?" He was about to touch the ship's comm system when he instead opted for the individual comms of each person on the ship. That way, the Imperials wouldn't know what was happening. After taking a deep breath, Mark enabled the comm. "This is Lieutenant Mark Andrews, you have five minutes to abandon ship. I repeat, this ship blows up in six minutes...you have five minutes to abandon ship. Do not attempt to use the aft escape pods. Please hurry...time is of the essence."

"Sir, there aren't enough pods left compared to people alive..."

"Put four in a pod instead of three," Mark ordered, trying to think quickly. He smiled at the bridge crew. "Good luck to all of you. We'll meet back up on CE. Please be armed."

The bridge crew, even younger that he was, sadly nodded and filed out of the two doors leading to hallways. Mark walked over to the Captain's chair and sat down. This is where he had dreamed of sitting ever since he was a child. Sure piloting a fighter was exciting...however...commanding a starship was an experience like no other.

And I failed...I somehow get a starship to command...and I make it self destruct...

"FOUR MINUTES UNTIL SELF-DESTRUCT"

On the viewscreen Mark watched as the first wave of escape pods were ejected from the Wraith. He didn't need to do the math in his head, the computer had done it for him. Even with four to a pod, there was one soldier who would not be able to go...and Mark had since chosen himself as that man.

I guess that answers the question...unless Kat's already dead...

Either way...it didn't matter. A tear slowly moved from his eye to his cheek, before dropping off his chin and onto the consol attached to the arm of the captain's chair. Looking down at the consol's display, Mark saw a readout of a Raptor-Class ship.

But all the Raptors are fighting...

"THREE MINUTES REMAINING UNTIL SELF-DESTRUCT"

It was then that Mark saw a glimmer of hope. After all, all the Raptors that were supposed to be deployed were, however, there were three Raptors aboard the Wraith that weren't part of the normal deployment. One didn't have an engine, however there were still two left that did. Grabbing a Phase Rifle, Mark ran through the doors towards the shuttle bay.

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

"He went this way!" an Imperial screamed. Mark pressed his back against a wall, trying to catch his breath. He was so close...yet Imperial Marines stood in the way...and he had no armor on.

"TWO MINUTES UNTIL SELF-DESTRUCT" rang Mark's comm, which he stared at with horrified eyes for it gave away his position. Ripping it off his uniform, he threw it across the hall just as Polaron pulses barely misses his extended arm.

However, Mark had prepared for this. On his way he had killed a soldier, and then taken the personal cloaking unit from the ODIN suit the man had worn. He cursed himself now for not taking the whole suit, but there wasn't enough time to do anything about it. The personal cloaking unit would only work for a limited amount of time before self-destructing itself. It was programmed only to work with ODIN Armor so that foreign nations couldn't steal the technology.

He enabled the cloak and then stepped out. Running around a corner, he opened the shuttlebay doors, and by doing so gave away his position. A barrage of shots flew through the air all around him, but he quickly locked the doors and ran to his Raptor, getting inside and turning it on.

By now, the one minute limit had been reached, but Mark no longer had his comm link with him, and everyone else, minus the Imperials, was off the ship.

The Raptor levitated in the air as Mark feverously tried to open the shuttebay doors, however they were offline. The locked door opened, as the Imperials blasted through with weapons blazing. Following suit, Mark fired on the shuttlebay doors with whatever he could, blowing a large enough hole through them for him to escape.

http://207.44.246.95/129/44/upload/p423.jpg

As he flew from the Wraith, it exploded in a blinding light that expanded outwards, killing the hundred Imperials on board. After reinforcing his rear and lower shields, Mark rode the shockwave as if he was surfing...something he hadn't done for some time.

Mark could see the Outlander quickly rescuing the Wraith's escape pods, however he figured that he would be more productive in his fighter, and flew in the opposite direction.

http://69.57.141.218/237/117/upload/p125.jpg
Lieutenant Mark Andrews
"Raptor 1"
15th Fighter Squadron

McHale watched sickly as the Rebels and Imperials pounded each other mercilessly. Then, the green cone in the tactical plot changed to red.

"We are at maximum missile range Captain, i have good locks on targets."

Julia took a deep breath and gave the Order.

"You may open fire."

Both of the destroyers rotated and fired both of their broadsides. Only the starboard broadside went immidietly towards the enemy while the port broadside had to turn itself on the correct vector before beginning to seriously accelerate. A total of 16 missiles were in space in the first salvo, each of them massing forty tons and accelerating towards their targets at 41,000 G's. Six birds of the first salvo were equipped with electronic warfare packages and were programmed to lead in front of the salvo. They fought to mess up the targeting and tracking sensors of the Imperial ships and in doing that, help the real missiles hit home. And the entire salvo was targeted into three large ships in the Imperial fleet. And after 12 seconds, another 16 missiles were in space, again 6 EW warheads but now, the remaining 10 were X-Ray laserheads.

Julia tracked the course of the missiles and waited for the result, the Tappee EMP attack would help them. The shields on the Imperial ships would atleast be weakened when those nukes and laserheads began to go off.

"Alpha and Bravo flights have a go, proceed with primary mission objectives."

At this order, two Thunderhawk Pinnaces launched from the boat bays of each of the two destroyers. They were all fitted with heavy ground assault ordnance and carried the Marines of both of the ships. Immidietly upon clearing the Impeller perimeter of the two destroyers, the two small-craft lighted up their own drives and went for full acceleration towards the planet that was the entire reason this battle was occurring. Both the Tappee and Rebel ground forces would soon be getting some serious air cover.

OOC: Tappee, you can RP my missiles, but remember and Steel too, these are thermo-nuclear warheads, 30 megatons a piece and the x-ray laserheads are a little short of the power of a nuke going in a dozen x-ray lasers. I will be checking again here tomorrow so dont do anything drastic :wink: Oh and, since i didnt RP the actual hit of the missiles here, just gave some time from between launch and hit, you dont propably need to change anything.

OOC: Yet one more thing, altough i cant be checking these forums as regularily as i could if i had my own connection, i can still propably check these every day atleast once. But if you want to proceed with the battle faster than i can check these forums out, you can RP some things regarding my ships, just nothing big please.

Now i gotta scram.

Jumps were hellishly disorianting to Colonel Tse and he hated them with a passion.

A flash of light and matter and suddenly, he's billions of kilometers away from where he had been.

"Bugger this." Wesley growled to himself. "Have we arrived insystem Lieutenent Hyouga?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. Lt. Jenson? Send a message to our Mr. Pierce, ask him for a metting. I'd like a word or two with him."


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Colonel Wesley Tse,
Regiment CO, Nin'er
(N)Enabled Regiment

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Lieutenent Maya Jenson
Comm Tech
(M)Enabled Regiment

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"FIRE!"

The SSF Apparition, over 5 kilometers long, burst into the scene at the sound of Captain Lusec Apakoh's voice. The massive ship fired three Fusion Cannon shots, destroying three Sabre-Class gunships instantly.

"Captain, the Rebel fleet is locking their weapons..." Lieutenant Lance Radney reported from his station.

"Reinforce shields...draw their fire...we can take it," Captain Apakoh commanded. "Return fire on my mark...FIRE!"

An onslaught of Fusion Cannon, Polaron Beam Cannons, Polaron Pulse Cannons, Quantum Torpedoes, and the omnious Hellbore cannon blitzkrieged the Rebel ships, destroying five more upon impact.

"FIRE!"

The targets of the Apparition were going up in size. They were now aiming at Vengeance-Class Light Destroyers, and finishing them off in a few vollies.

"FIRE!"

The sight of a Necromancer-Class ship detonating was never a common sight, nor a pleasant one, with the eight hundred man minimal aboard. However, thanks to the awsome firepower of the Apparition, a second had been destroyed in less than five minutes, with the first being the Wraith.

"Captain...I believe the Rebel task force is led by this ship..." Lance Radney reported, pointing at a holographic display of the Outlander.

"...FIRE!"

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Captain Lusec Apakoh
81st Imperial Marines

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Lieutenant Lance Radney
81st Imperial Marines

Imperial MSA's were now firing at the Rebel invaders, instead of the ships they were supposed to shoot at. The blasts tore through the lines like tissue paper, ripping flesh and spraying blood across the forest. The Second Marines were deeply dug in, while Polaron Beams grazed the top of their helmets as they flew overhead.

"Deploying the second Organic Phase Disruptor at a depth of..." Lieutenant Sean Athens said, checking his display. "...thirty seven point five oh six meters...damnit...I can't get it in..."

"Cover me!" Commander Vinzer ordered, sprinting towards Sean's location. "LIEUTENANT, WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?"

"I CAN'T GET DEEP ENOUGH WITH THIS FUC KING ROCK EVERYWHERE!" Sean screamed back. Eric pulled out a grenade.

"STAND BACK!" he screamed, throwing it into the hole Sean had already blasted away. Rock and dirt flew everywhere, and afterwards, Eric grabbed the Phase Disruptor.

"Sir, I'm reading a depth of thirty seven point nine one five..." Sean complained, looking at his readout.

"Fu ck it Lieutenant," Eric replied. "We can't fu ck around with this one when we have one more!"

Sean nodded, and just as he lowered his head mid-nod, a huge polaron beam blasted through where his head once was, knocking both him and Eric to the ground.

"ARE YOU OK SOLDIER?" Eric screamed to the shell-shocked Lieutenant.

"SIR, YES, SIR!" Athens screamed back, forcing his weary body back to its feet.

"OUR UNIT IS STUCK HERE. WE CAN'T MOVE ALL TOGETHER. I NEED FIVE OTHER BADASSES TO COME WITH ME," Eric commanded. "FOUR IF YOU'RE IN, LIEUTENANT!"

"SIR, YES, SIR!" Sean repeated again, as he saw the four other men stand and run towards their position. One of the four was immediately gunned down, but he was replaced by another man near by. Quickly, the six soldiers sprinted off deeper into the woods.

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

They had to plant the last OPD in less than fifteen minutes, before they would be picked up at the proper dropsite.

"By now, they'll already be retreating," Eric thought to himself about the second marines. If they didn't get back in time, they would suffer the same fate of these Imperials, and ever other living thing in the area. "MOVE OUT, MOVE OUT!"

"SIR, THIRD OPD LOCATION FOUND, SIR!" Sean reported, as the man beside him was torn to pieces, through his ODIN suit. "DEPLOYING ORGANIC PHASE DISRUPTORS!"

Eric hit the dirt and fired in the direction of the shots, igniting the trees with his misses and spattering lives when he connected.

"THIRD OPD DEPLOYED, SIR...SENDING A COMM TO HEADQUARTERS...WE'RE READY!" Sean announced, crawling towards Eric and the other remaining man.

"GENTLEMEN, WE HAVE TEN MINUTES TO GET TO THE EVAC SITE!" Eric screamed, starting to lose his voice. "LETS MOVE! GO, GO, GO!"

Attempting to outrun the hailstorm of energy pulses, Eric and Sean slipped through trees but the other soldier's brain was splattered all over one.

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

"Captain, with all due respect, we're leaving!" Ensign Jack Highwind protested after Captain Leon Williams told him for the third time to remain on the ground until his men came back.

"Ensign, if you so much as touch those controls," Leon said, pulling out his pistol, "I'll blow your head all over them!"

...tain...'re on ou..w..on't leave!.....o go g...

"Sir?" Jack asked nervously. "He did say..."

Captain...'re on our wa...on't leave! Lift off...o go g...

"Ensign, raise this ship two feet of the ground, prepare for liftoff..." Captain Williams ordered. "Open the hatch!"

"Captain, we're getting shot at from every direction...shields are failing...if we open the hatch..."

"Damnit, I said....!" Captain Williams started, but he heard two pounds on the roof of the dropship.

"Captain we're on board," Eric's voice said over the comm link. "Get us the hell our of here!"

"Commander you need to get inside!"

"Worry about that once we get going!"

As the dropship rapidly ascended through the atmosphere, Sean and Eric slowly crawled towards the now-open doors and threw themselves inside. Leon Williams slammed the doors behind them as the dropship made its way into space.

From ashes to ashes, from dust to dust....from chaos to chaos...

http://207.44.246.95/129/44/upload/p341.jpg
Captain Leon Williams
Leader of the 2nd Marines

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Commander Eric Vinzer
XO of the 2nd Marines

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Lieutenant Sean Athens
27th M.I., 2nd Marines

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Ensign Jack Highwind
"Raptor 3"
15th Fighter Squadron

From the command center in Aeisis, Pierce was watching the holographic battle unfold right before his eyes. To his left, he saw the Apparition tearing through the Rebel Space Fleet, however to his right was the display of the surface battle. 99% of the rebels had retreated, and the Imperials were quickly taking the bait, gobbling up the land which the rebels once held.

"Since when did murder get so easy?" Pierce mused to Bivens who was also watching the plan unfold perfectly.

"Since the value of life was reduced to nothing..." Bivens replied.

"Such is the nature of war..." Pierce said, scratching his chin. He picked up his drink, but instead of sipping at it, he put it back down again.

"No, James, such is the nature of NiMBUS..." Bivens stated. With a few touches, he shifted the picture to the planet of Steel Isle, where the Rebel fleet would soon be going. Resorts made up 85% of Steel Isle, and the planet was the least-guarded of all the Imperial strongholds. Had it not been for the NiMBUS facility there, Bivens wondered if it would be guarded at all. Nevertheless, they needed a planet near the capital if they wanted to lauch an offensive.

An attack on Steel Butterfly...

No one would dare to mention it now, but even Pierce, who continuously strived for the salvation of the Imperials regardless of the war, was even having thoughts about ransacking the capital. Even if he didn't want to, some times leaders had to do things that they didn't want to...and attacking SB was becoming more and more of a reality with each passing day.

"There's a message incoming, James," Bivens said, looking up from the hologram. "Canada-Germany...a Colonel Wesley Tse..."

"Patch him in...but tell him to make it brief..." Pierce said. Perhaps these Enabled had something important to say after all.

http://207.44.246.95/129/44/upload/p348.jpg
Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance

http://207.44.246.95/129/44/upload/p357.jpg
Dave Bivens
President/CEO of Bivens Co.

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The destruction could be seen from space...

...and although the Apparition was fighting strong and taking out a new ship every few minutes or so, the Imperials could not deny that they were losing the battle. The fact that 100,000 men died in an instant on a "non-important" planet didn't help things either.

Lieutenant Mark Andrews closed his eyes, trying to shut out all the voices echoing from the mass grave. There would be no trace of death, however, no trace of live either. The molecules of everything living in the radius simply broke down into common substances, so that the lush forest and galant soldiers were now nothing more than a cheap strip mine.

"This is Raptor One to the Outlander," Mark said over the comm. "Outlander, please respond!"

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

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"Sir, we're being hailed...by a fighter..." Lt.Cmdr. Trinneer reported to Captain McNeill. "It's Lt. Andrews, sir..."

"Reply," Captain McNeill said, as the bridge shook from the Apparition's volley.

"Sir, shields down to 48%..."

"THAT WAS ONE BLOODY SHOT!" the captain exclaimed, jumping out of his chair and promptly getting knocked down from a second blast.

"Shields at 3%, sir...they're failing..."

"Answer the damn fighter's hail!" the captain ordered. "Lieutenant Andrews, what is it?"

"Sir, the Wraith had encountered this ship previously," Mark reported. "It has severe energy problems...fire at the engine core...they will have no choice but to retreat..."

"Their shields are still high, Lieutenant," Captain McNeill explained.

"Captain, that's why we have the Hellbore!" Mark screamed. "Fire a Myotronic Pulse into their mainframe to stop them from firing for a few seconds while they adapt. Then hit them with the fucking hellbore and tell the other ships to blow it to hell!"

"Lieutenant, do you think you can handle the Myotronic Beam while we do the Hellbore?" Captain McNeill asked.

"I was waiting for you to ask..." Mark said, killing to comm.

"This is Captain Thomas McNeill to the fleet and the Tappee ship Avenger," Captain McNeill announced over the ship to ship comm. "On my mark you will fire whatever you have left at the Apparition..."

He watched as Mark slipped unnoticed in his fighter along side the massive Imperial ship, disabling the Apparition's main weapons array with a strong Myotronic pulse. Pointing to his tactical officer, McNeill nodded. A second later, the infamous Hellbore cannon connected with the Apparition's shields, seeking out the weakest section, and bombarding it with massive energy rays.

"FIRE!"

http://69.57.141.218/237/117/upload/p125.jpg
Lieutenant Mark Andrews
"Raptor 1"
15th Fighter Squadron

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Captain Thomas McNeill
CO of the Outlander

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Lt. Commander Charles Trinneer
Acting XO of the Outlander

As tracer fire went flying dangerously close to their heads Medic began moving what injured that they could into to the transport, explosions could be heard all around them.

“Incoming” yelled someone as an Imperial fighter strafed the ground as both Rebel and Tappee forces where in the middle of their EVAC. Several tanks exploded as they were riddled with fire.

Somewhere amidst all the chaos field commander Jeffery watched everything unfold. From what he could tell the Imperial had taken the bait, they were anxious for another victory and where quick to try and over run the allied position with stopping to think. “what the EVAC status” he asked loud

“We are at nearly 87% Sir”

Glancing over at the timer Jefferys realized that now time was not on their side. “Good, do not move this tank until we hit a 100%, is that understood.” It was customary for Field Commander to be the last to leave the field.”

The TAC officer began counting up wards to hundred, the whole time weapons fire could be heard bouncing off the Promethus’s thick armour.

“We are at 100%” finally said the TAC officer.

Getting the nod of approval from Jeffery the tank made it way back to the EVAC point. Despite their best efforts Jeffery knew that there were those that were left behind. However their pain would not last long.


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Commander Adam Jefferys

Captain Phobo watched with both Horror and Respect as the newly arrived Imperial ship quickly made it presence noticed on the battlefield, as ship after ship fell to it’s awesome fire power. He wished that the Furious Angel had been commissioned for active combat, it was the only ship in the entire Tappee fleet that could possibly rival this Imperial ship.

He was quickly snapped back to reality as his COM officer yield out to him. “Sir We’ve just received word from the Outlander that they are going to attempt to bring down the Imperial shields, and they want us to fire every thing that we have at them.”

“Good keep them on an open channel put it on the intercom” Phobo thought of the options that they had available to them “Can we fire the ‘Shipkiller’?”

“Negative sir, we are still waiting for it to charge up from the last time we fired it, it going to be at least another 20 minutes before we can fire it again”

Phobo could help but sigh, the ship killer would have done considerable amount of damage to the Imperial ship. “Very well when their shield come down concentrate all forward fire on that ship, also have the Ion Cannon target their engines, we don’t want them to get follow us.”

The TAC officer typed on some command into the ships targeting computer, the Avenger mighty turret swung into position waiting to unleash a punishing volley.

Their was silence among the bridge as every wait for the moment that they would unleash hell.

Then a voice came across the intercom. “fire”. Phobo nodded, the ship shock violently as almost every weapon that the Avenger had fired at the might Imperial ship, beam after beam slammed into the ship hull

But even the combined fire power the Avenger was not enough to destroy the Imperial ship. Phobo slammed his fist against the arm of his chair. “Are all the drop ships in”

“Yes” was the answer he got.

It was clear that they could not hope to win the fight in space. “Very well order the fleet to EVAC to point Bravo Omega Seven” It was now time to count their losses and move on to their next objective.

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Captian Sam Phobos

http://207.44.246.95/129/44/upload/p425.jpg

"Sir, aft shields failing!" Lance Radney screamed over the noise on the bridge.

"Reinforce them!" Captain Lusec Apakoh screamed back, pulling himself to his feet. What the hell's wrong with this ship?

"Main Engine Core...destablizing...!"

Apakoh wipped his head around to where the voice came from. "SHUT IT DOWN!"

For a second, the whole ship was dark, as it took a slight moment for the auxillary power to kick in. In the moment, however, the Rebels and Tappee had manage to cause several hull breaches throughout the ship, although nowhere critical. The dim support lights came back on on the bridge as controls came back online.

"Sir, weapons are down...shields at minimum...impulse engines down..."

"Lieutenant," Captain Apakoh said, feeling the rage already building within his being. "Cloak this ship and get out out of here...subspace-fold..."

"Yes sir..." Lance replied, equally disgusted at the performance of the Apparition. "Where to, sir?"

"Lieutenant," Apakoh said, trying to stay calm. Those bastard desk fu ckers...giving me a defective ship... "I don't give a shit..."

"Yes, sir," Lance said, as the Apparition vanished from sight, and left soon after.

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Captain Lusec Apakoh
81st Imperial Marines

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Lieutenant Lance Radney
81st Imperial Marines

Wha...what is this place?

His eyes were foggy so he raised his hands to wipe the sleep dirt away. Blinking, he tried to focus.

Where am I?

The room was dark, with the only light coming from outside, someplace around a corner. Staring at his hand, Alexei let his eyes adjust to the dim light.

What happened?

There was no doubt about it, he was in a cell. While it appeared to be bar-less, the shock Alexei recieved after he touched the forcefield told him otherwise.

How long have I been here?

Food fell from the ceiling, landing just out of arm's reach. Alexei sat up to grab it, but stopped as a sharp pain flew through his back.

The hologram villiage...the Imperials...that weapon...Joseph...NIENNA!

Ignoring the pain, Alexei scrambled to his feet and tried to look for her out the invisible forcefield, but he could only see the other side of the hallway his cell was attached to. He had stood up to quickly, and now needed to sit back down, for his head was hurting. Grabbing the food, he put some in his mouth, and forced the tasteless rations down.

http://207.44.246.95/129/44/upload/p309.jpg
Commander Alexei Ivanova
XO of the 1st Marines

OOC: I have my broadband back so i can again participate more easilly.

IC:

Nuclear warhead after another shot out of the two Destroyers as they continued to put out everything they had on the Imperial force. From the situational reports, the mission objective planetside was achieved and the planetary forces were retreating, now the Rebels and McHale's force only needed to get the heck out of dodge.

"Skipper, we're down to 24% on the magazines. Mag two is down to one salvo." The tactical officer of the Artemis reported.

No supprise. The two ships had been firing double broadsides and on rapid fire for both of them for a while now, Destroyers werent meant to be throwing out that many birds in that short time.

"Allright, three more salvoes and then we will begin our retreat. Astro, get a ready course for hyperlimit, i want to be able to get going the second when we throw out our last salvo, signal these orders to the Rapier "

Another salvo cleared the tubes and accelerated towards the Imperials.

McHale had quickly found out that high velocity on her base vector towards the Rebel fleet had been a bad idea, when the range between the Imperials and her two ships had decreased signifcantly from the time when missiles had began to fly from the two destroyers, the two ships had been incapable of changing their vector quickly to get out of beam range of the Imperials. As a result, her ships were taking hits.

The energy beams came at the ships like lances, the gravitic sidewalls protecting the port and starboard flanks of the ships twisted and bended them, deflecting some away to the "roof" or "floor" of the ships impellers, but some got thru. The ship shook as another beam punched thru the final defense, the particle and radiation shields, and punched thru the armor of the destroyer. A laser mount vanished and its crew died immidietly. Fortunately, the losses in launchers had been light among the two ships. The Rapier had lost its fore launchers completely, which wasnt that big of a loss, and a single launcher from its port broadside. Artemis had lost two from her port broadside. But considering that the small ships didnt have that many launchers in the first place, it had struck their launch capability quite a bit.

It seemed however that the Imperials were quite pre-occupied with the Rebels and two small ships with a measly mass of just and just over 100 thousand tons werent their primary target.

And fortunately, at ranges over three light-seconds against targets that were moving at a good fraction of c. , accuracy wasnt allways too good, even with computers.

Wesley looked up from his mission de-briefings. Reports of some Rebels being captured and not killed. A queer incident involving a collapsing area of land in battle.

The Comm clicked on.

"Sir, Mr. Pierce is returning your call." Jenson reported in.

"Good patch him through."

Static hit the line for a second before the call was connected.

"Mr. Pierce, I'll be short and to the point. The operation was a rat f*uck. However, we've gotten some reports of some Rebel survivers still on the surface. The fact that they were not killed outright, but taken prisoner speaks highly of their status. We still have some agents on the gournd. Should a rescue operation be attempted?

Also, is there any further orders regarding our deployment? I'm getting reports of another planitary invasion of the planet...."

Tse paused while looking down at even more papers.

"I'm not gonna even try to pronounce this, but I will assume you know what I'm talking about. Should we move to reinforce?"

http://img34.photobucket.com/albums/v102/GrimRX/WesleyTseProPic.jpg
Colonel Wesley Tse,
Regiment CO, Nin'er
(N)Enabled Regiment

http://img34.photobucket.com/albums/v102/GrimRX/MayaJensonProPic.jpg
Lieutenent Maya Jenson
Comm Tech
(M)Enabled Regiment

[OOC: Just as a note, if there are survivors left on the planet (and there shouldn't be...as most of them evacuated and left for Steel Isle), they're far from the battlefield. Everything living in the certain radius was destroyed...people...grass...plants...bugs...

There should be a ton of "empty" ODIN Battlesuits lying around, though.]

"Get in there you worthless prick!"

Alexei looked up as Joseph was thrown into the cell. The forcefield was raised automatically, before Joseph hit the floor, and the guards laughed as Joseph cried out, clutching his leg with his hands.

"Wish I could be of some help..." Alexei said, shaking his head. Joseph looked up with nothing but sorrow in his teary eyes.

"I...I didn't cry...they sprayed stuff in my eyes..." Joseph said back in a trembling voice, wincing as he let go of his leg. Alexei was shocked, for this young man so wanted his approval, that he would lie about his emotions and his pain.

"It's ok..." Alexei replied. "It's natural..." Joseph had nothing to say to that.

A long time, or what seemed to be a good while, passed until another word was spoken. "You know..." Joseph said, trying to smile. "The last time we really talked was when we were on cleanup duty...after the invasion..."

"How's the leg?" Alexei asked, trying to change the subject.

"It hurts to walk," Joseph replied. "But it'll be fine. You know...my life wasn't perfect either. My parents...they always wanted to live their lives through me. They didn't do too well in school...or in life for that matter...so they pushed for me to be perfect. Perfect grades, perfect clothes, perfect everything. I hated it so much, and hated them for it, but now you know...when I think about it...they only wanted what was best for me. They wanted me to be something in life...to make something of myself...and I hated them for it. And even now...I sit here and whine about my parents loving me too much...when your's were killed in front of you. I guess I'm just...selfish..."

"You know what Frost?" Alexei asked. Joseph shook his head no. "I'm supposed to have a girlfriend."

"You told me, man," Joseph replied. "But she thinks your dead, remember?"

"I know..." Alexei responded. "But I just...I don't even think of her. She doesn't even come into my mind...ever..."

"War is such a distraction..." Joseph said, frowning. "There's so much I want to do...so much I want to see...but now, what? I'm limp in a cell...held by the enemy..."

"What was it like?" Joseph asked.

"What was what like?"

"The elf village..." Joseph replied. "I slept through the whole thing. They...they really did a bang-up job on my leg. I'm a lot better off than I would have been."

"It was beautiful," Alexei said, thinking back to Nienna. "But it was all fake, a hologram...except for the people...they were trapped there, no better off than we are now."

"Why would NiMBUS or the Imperials do this?" Joseph asked. "What good could come out of this?"

"Have you seen Nienna?" Alexei asked, not even listening to Joseph's question.

"No," Joseph said. "I haven't seen her here."

"Damn..."

So Alexei daydreamed about Nienna instead, for it was all he could do. He thought about the warm sun, the cool river, the soft touch of the elvan hands...only one of them were real...and now none of them were. He thought about the elfs nursing them both back to health, and Joseph sleeping through it all, while Alexei becamed so attached to the beautiful elvan girl...that he slept with her...and now felt so horrible that she was not by his side.

"Joseph..." Alexei said, quinting his eyes and leaning towards the man. "You said you slept the whole time...right?"

"Never woke up once..." Joseph replied.

"Then...how do you know who Nienna is?"

"You told me about her," Joseph said, raising an eyebrow. Alexei concentrated hard. She was all that was on his mind...he could have told Joseph...but no...he didn't...

"I didn't mention her until I asked how she was..." Alexei said. Joseph was clearly becoming uneasy. "I ask you again...how do you know who Nienna is?"

"The guards must have said something then..." Joseph said. Alexei knew it was a lie, and he said so. "Why would I make something like that up? She obviously means a lot to you..."

"Oh I don't think you made anything up, Joseph..." Alexei said, his upper lip curling up as it so often did when he was angry. "I think you know more that what you're admitting to."

Obviously uncomfortable, Joseph tried to inch away from Alexei as food fell through an opening in the ceiling. Alexei grabbed the packet nearest to him, but as Joseph stretched out to grab his, Alexei kicked it away. Using his arms, Joseph crawled towards the food packet, but Alexei slowly pressed down on Joseph's hurt leg with his boot. Joseph screamed out in pain as tears streamed down his cheek.

"YOU'RE WORKING FOR THEM, AREN'T YOU?!?!" Alexei screamed, pressing harder onto Joseph's leg and taking a bite out of his food. It tasted like salty bread, and was clearly old...althought still able to be eaten, perhaps just barely.

"N-NO!" Joseph screamed in pain, trying to wiggle away from Alexei's boot. Alexei just pressed harder. "Get off, get off...AH! FINE! I'LL TELL YOU! JUST GET OFF ME!"

Alexei crossed his arms, with his boot positioned to strike incase Joseph told him the wrong thing. In response, Joseph grabbed his leg and cuddled it close to his body.

"I work for the Temporal Guard," Joseph replied. Alexei tried to remember all the different groupings within the Empire, but he had never heard of this Temporal Guard.

"So you do work for them!" Alexei said, curling his right hand into a fist.

"N-no!" Joseph stammered. "I work for Leon Williams...Captain Leon Williams. It's not rebel or Imperial...it's not even this time!"

"Not this time?"

"When I was asleep in the tent, Leon Williams woke me and took me into the future," Joseph quickly tried to explain. "There, I saw all kinds of things. Afterwards, he gave me my mission...it is to protect you, Alexei, you're important to the timeline..."

Thinking to himself, Alexei tried to make sense of it all. "Well then, if you learned of Nienna, she's obviously important as well...so we have to find her...and get out of here..."

"I think I know a way to do it..." Joseph said, looking for Alexei's approval once more.

"Then get to it," Alexei said. He felt foolish now, and gave Joseph the remaining half of his food packet. Joseph tried to refuse it, but Alexei wouldn't allow it and he said that he wasn't hungry.

It wasn't completely a lie, for he wasn't hungry for food. However, he needed to find Nienna...and for that he was starving...

http://207.44.246.95/129/44/upload/p309.jpg
Commander Alexei Ivanova
XO of the 1st Marines

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Lieutenant Joseph Frost
Vehicle Specialist of the 1st Marines

"Welcome, General," Pierce said, extending his hand. "We've been waiting..."

Twenty minutes ago, a space fleet with Imperial markings showed up near Aeisis. Chaos insued, but soon order was restored, for the fleet was not Imperial, or at least the commanders were not.

"Your invite must 'ave gotten lost in de mail..." Demidov snickered. "Your'l six months late..."

"And you still show up at parties when you're not wanted, I see," the new General shot back. "Didn't you learn anything from high school?"

"Gentlemen, please," Pierce interrupted, breaking up the two men. "I propose a drink!"

"What's the occasion?" Bivens asked...not that he cared why they were supposed to drink, but instead why this fourth man was now in their leadership meeting.

"Do you not know who this is?" Pierce asked. "This man is none other than General John Valkare!"

"Lionheart?" Bivens asked, raising an eyebrow. A avid historian, Bivens knew the name well, if not the face. "I hear you have quite a record, General..."

"Please," General Valkare replied. "Formal or not, I've always liked Jack better."

"Of course, General," Pierce replied, tilting his head back and swallowing the firely liquid. "Give my regards to Laguna," Pierce said of the famous alcohol producer of Esthar VIII.

"The man needs all the regards he can get," Valkare scoffed. "That's what I am here about..."

"Of course you both heard of Peter Cubeta's, the Governor of Esthar VIII, passing early yesterday," Pierce said to Demidov and Bivens. Having heard of the news, they both nodded.

"Well," General Valkare continued. "The bastard Governor's age finally caught up with him. I must say, I doubt anyone could resist killing to fool had he lasted longer. Still, now the postion of Praetor is open in Esthar VIII. Naturally Laguna Loire will get the position, as the man is loved by all and quite capable to lead during peace-time...however...as with the Esthar Constitution, I am now the supreme ruler of the planet for the time being. If the Praetor is to die during war time, the Commander of the Esthar military is to take over until the conflict is settled."

"General," Demidov sneered. "I doubt dat you vould come out 'ere all dis way just to tell us dat..."

"Had I known you would be here, I would have brought more ships," General Valkare replied. "Regardless, I believe it is time for Esthar to take on a new path. Mr. Loire agrees with me...and tomorrow we will announce our separation from the Empire."

"There is a battle going on right now, General," Pierce quickly interrupted. "Is there anyway you could get troops to Steel Isle?"

"Of course!" the general exclaimed. "I will get to it right away! I must leave now, good day gentlemen...and may we win this thing!" With that, General Valkare walked through the doors and headed towards his ship.

"I 'ave to be going too," Demidov said, but he didn't leave for about ten minutes after he said he would. When Bivens and Pierce were alone, Pierce poured another drink for himself and looked to Bivens.

"Is there something I should know about between those two?" Pierce asked, shaking his drink in his glass.

"I told you that I heard of his record did I not?" Bivens replied. "He's a young general...35 or 36...but he is the most famous pirate hunter that the Empire has...or I guess had. I'm sure these two have had some interesting incounters over the years..."

"Good lord," Pierce said, rolling his eyes and shaking his head. "What have I gotten us into now?" He winked.

"About 800 million more citizens for our cause," Bivens said. "Think of the manpower coming from that number..."

"It's never left my mind, good friend," Pierce replied. "And I doubt it will..."

http://207.44.246.95/129/44/upload/p348.jpg
Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance
Leader of Aeisis

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Dave Bivens
President/CEO of Bivens Co.
Leader of Bivens

http://69.57.141.218/237/117/upload/p76.jpg
Viktor Mikhailovich Demidov
Russian Mafia - Orion Pirates

http://69.57.141.218/237/117/upload/p640690.jpg
General Jack "Lionheart" Valkare
Commander of the Esthar Military
Acting Praetor of Esthar VIII

[OOC: Thanks to good old Easter, I'm going to be computer-less from sometime tonight (friday) until about noon-ish (EST) monday. Don't do anything drastic!]

[OOC: Thanks to good old Easter, I'm going to be computer-less from sometime tonight (friday) until about noon-ish (EST) monday. Don't do anything drastic!]

*Blows Steel Butterfly, the planet, up*

Whoops! http://www.elite-games.ru/conference/images/smiles/shuffle.gif
Add that to the TSC-1's tax bill http://www.elite-games.ru/conference/images/smiles/yes.gif

"How's it going?"

"Alexei these things take time!" Joseph shot back for the third time in twenty minutes.

"Well hurry up, damnit!" Alexei replied, just as he had the other two times. A few moments prior, Alexei had thought he heard screaming, and all he could think of was Nienna. He had become strangely attached to that girl, a girl who he had spent merely two days with...and yet...

"I...I think I got it..." Joseph said, turning around and sitting against the cell wall.

"Well..." Alexei said, motioning with his hands. "Get on with it..."

"The guards are watching...all they'd have to do to stop us is overload it...or shoot..."

"Damnit, Joseph," Alexei said, pushing his hair back out of his face. "We're going to be in here forever anyhow...just do it!"

And so Joseph pulled off a small piece of the wall and stuck it into the forcefield. He slid it through the energy towards the side, and jammed it into one of the emitters. A stream of energy disappeared. After turning to smile at an equally excited Alexei, Joseph peeled some more of the wall off and did the same thing over again.

"HEY!" A guard shouted. "STOP THAT!"

But Joseph continued, quickly covering up the emitters with the pieces from the wall.

"GET THE HELL AWAY FROM THERE!" The guard said, coming closer and raising his rifle. He aimed it at Joseph's hand and fired, but Joseph was quick and pulled his hand back. The polaron burst blew off the emitters that Joseph was covering, disabling them completely. Alexei and Joseph nodded to each other, for they had planned this.

Joseph reached for the wall once more, and the man fired at him, but missed and hit the bare spot of wall without covering. The burst flew back, hitting the guard in the chest. Raising an eyebrow in confusion at their sudden luck, Alexei dove through the hole in the forcefield and picked up the guard's weapon. Firing at the field emitters, Alexei freed Joseph as well, just as more guards arrived and the alarm was sounded. Alexei tossed Joseph the rifle, and readied his fists.

The guards rushed forward shooting, but there were plenty of things to hide behind in the hall, and Alexei and Joseph took full advantage of them. Alexei grabbed a soldier that was aiming at Joseph from behind and in one swift motion snapped the man's neck. Another came at him, but Alexei threw the man against the wall and kicked his chin, forcing his helmet to twist on his head. Not being able to see, the guard fired wildly, but Alexei picked up the weapon of the first man he killed and cut the second guard in half.

With a rifle in each hand, Alexei ran past Joseph, who also began to run, and shot down the hallway. They shut doors behind them as they ran, killing soldiers as they went. Alexei knew not where he was going, but it didn't matter to him, for he would tear down this whole facility if he needed to. Nienna was close. He could just...feel it...

Then the scream came, a sickening scream that echoed through the halls, sending chills down Alexei's spine. Joseph and he ran towards the scream, and into the room where it was coming from. As soon as they entered, they were slammed to the ground and stripped of their weapons.

He and Joseph both had two guards in ODIN suits on top of them, and although they struggled, they couldn't move. Looking up, Alexei saw a room that looked like a hospital. Close to them was a table, and above it a bright white light. The light blinded Alexei for a moment and he closed his eyes trying to get them to adjust back to normal light.

"It was truely genious how you escaped," a man said, seemingly to Joseph. The voice was familiar, but Alexei couldn't place it. "I should have put you in a more modern cell. That old one...well...as you found it was falling apart."

"I'm going to rip your throat out!" Joseph screamed, and the man promptly kicked him in the face. Joseph coughed, spitting out blood. Alexei chuckled to himself at Joseph's outburst. He had always thought the Lieutenant to be more of a reserved type man. Then again, war changes everyone.

What the hell am I doing?

A year ago, or even a week ago, Alexei might have escaped by now. Civilians, much less women, were none of his concern, for he could always get another. Had this women meant so much to him that he should sacrifice his life?

What did coming into this room accomplish?

He was acting foolish. Never would he have risked his life for another without question. Never would he have burst into a room obviously guarded and been so easily overcome. Never would he give up his freedom...his well-being...

"Why...?" Alexei asked. "Why are we here?"

"You're not supposed to be..." The man said. "You're supposed to be dead...like all the other Rebels trying to tear down what has taken centuries to achieve."

"Why were those elves there?" Alexei continued. "Elves...elves were purged...why the holograms...why did you keep them alive?"

"You see Alexei Ivanova," the man said. Alexei looked up, but the light was far to bright to see. "NiMBUS isn't entirely heartless. Sure the Empire ordered the extermination of all elves many years ago, but NiMBUS has kept them alive, thriving in their own little world. We'd take an old one or a sick one every once in a while to study, but for the most part they thrived, for they knew no better."

"NiMBUS," Alexei muttered. "NiMBUS went against the Empire...they...they do all the time..."

"NO!" the man said. "NiMBUS is the Empire, the true Empire, not the weak shit its become. Steel Butterfly will soon be great once more...and the Empire won't have to deal with pitiful scum like Rebels...or any one else for that matter. However, we are not beyond compassion, Alexei, and we didn't want these elves to die."

"Liar," Alexei said, and was promptly kicked for it. He made sure not to bite his tounge though, as the man's boot struck above his right eye, cutting a gash in his skin. "NiMBUS just wants to experiment on those elves."

"Perhaps," the man replied. "But what is wrong with that? The Empire, three decades ago, just wanted them dead. What purpose would these elves serve then? None, I tell you. NiMBUS could see the bigger picture though...they saw the potential. How else could most diseases be cured, Alexei? AIDS, Cancer...they were all cured because of NiMBUS. Billions of people saved, Alexei! Do you think they care about what had to happen for them to live? Do you think they cared that some foreigners in Tappee, or hundreds of other places needed to die for their survival? No, Alexei, because NiMBUS speaks for the people, just as the Empire used to. NiMBUS is the next Empire, and Dr. Ackerman its Emperor."

"What gives you the right..." Alexei said, but the man reached down and picked Alexei up by the collar. The guards held his hands and legs together and they lifted him to his feet.

"Alexei," the man said softly, as if he was speaking to a child. "We are the chosen people. We are the ones destined to rule this universe. We have come so far...but so many things have slowed us down. Disease, impurities...they all are roadblocks to our ultimate success. Alexei it's not a matter of if we will rule, it only comes down to when!"

"You..." Alexei said, gazing at the man's face. "You're a general! What are you doing here? Isn't your job leading the troops in battle?"

"Fool!" General Drake Grey shouted, back handing Alexei across the face. "This is where I belong! Dr. Ackerman needs me, and I will do what I can to ensure our superiority! I want this control to be in my life time, Alexei! I want my children to live in a place where they are valued above all others! I want the best for them, just as any father would!"

"I want to see a certain elf..." Alexei said through clenched teeth.

"Feast your eyes on her," General Grey said, motioning towards the table. "For she has been waiting!"

http://207.44.246.95/129/44/upload/p309.jpg
Commander Alexei Ivanova
XO of the 1st Marines

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Lieutenant Joseph Frost
Vehicle Specialist of the 1st Marines

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General Drake Grey
Commander of the Imperial Mobile Infantry

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Nienna Alcarin

In the black void of space the Avenger and the rest of the Tappee fleet that has survived the battle at CE drop out of hyperspace. They were now alone, and for that they were grateful.

“Report” Called out Captain Phobo. “What are our losses” sitting back in his chair he prepared him self for the news. No commander liked losses, but it was a reality of war.

The TAC officer began reading out the numbers “53 Strikers, 21 Retribution, 18 Hammerheads, and one Ithra, were either destroyed or heavily damages”

The news of an Ithra being destroyed caught Phobo by surprise, the Ithra Class was one of the most advanced ships in the fleet, the best weapons and shields, it had a crew capacity of over 3000. “Ithra, which ship was it?”

The bridge went silent; the Avenger was an Ithra Class, a fact that made the crew feel somewhat invincible, until now. “It was Captain’s Sances, the WarHammer” answered the TAC officer quietly.

Now the true scope of the war hit home for Phobo, him and Sances had attended that academy together and were good friends. Reaching over Phobo flicked a switch that open communication to the entire fleet under his command “This is Captain Phobo to all hands” every one on the bridge turned their attention towards him. As you all know our job here is far from being done, and the road before us is still long. Again we must prepare ourselves for coming battle. We have all lost many friends on this days, but we must not allow their death to be in vein. In a short time the rest of the fleet will join up with us so that we can proceed towards the next objective, but before we do a moment of silence for those that fallen on the field of battle” Phobo and the rest of the crew lowered their heads as a sign of respect. “To the honour of combat, and may our friends watch over us in the coming days.”

Phobo turned off the COM system and turned to his ENG office. “I want this fleet battle ready in less then an hour.”

The ENG officer gave him a quick nod “Done”

Before he could continue his words were interrupted by the TAC officer “Sir we’ve got hyperspace points opening up near our position”

“On screen” Phobo turn his attention to the main view screen. He let out a sigh of relief as he realized that it was the rest of the Tappee fleet from Aesis that had come to join.”

“Sir we’re being hailed” yelled the COM “Sir it’s the Furious Angel, it’s Admiral Dodalla.”

Phobo gave the COM officer a nod, and soon after Admiral Dodalla’s image appeared on the main screen.
“Good to see Captain” said the Admiral “give my regards to you and your men, you all did a good job at CE, you fought well”

“Thank you Admiral” quickly answered Phobo. “I must say that I’m rather surprised to see you here, I hadn’t been told that the FA had been cleared for combat yet.”

“With the appearance of that large Imperial Ship at CE it was decide that the FA is the only ship in the fleet that could match it in size, and if that Imperial ship should make an appearance again the FA will be there to go toe to toe with it.” She knew that the FA was an untested ship, but she had no choice in the matter, the FA was the only ship in the entire fleet that had enough fire power to combat such a there. “We have some time before the next attack I suggest that we use the most of it to get the fleet ready. Once we get the word from the Rebels we are going in fast and hard, there will be no room for error.”

Phobo gave the Admiral a quick salute. “You can count on me and my men Ma’am”

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Captian Sam Phobo

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Admiral Dodalla

The two destroyers had been among the few last ships to leave the embattled star system behind. Missiles had been screaming from the two ships at the Imperials for the duration of the entire escape as well as the battle, and the signs showed. Altough the two small ships had been at a significant distance from the actual battle, t here had been damages. There were scorched points in th ships flanks where energy beams had striken and clawed thru the hull. Some of those scorched points had engulfed weapon mounts.

Captain (Junior Grade) Julia McHale glanced at her small data screen on the armrest of her chair. The damages had been surveyed and repairs begun during the last 18 hours spent on hyper, but there was still work to be done.

She glanced at the logistical section of the reports. Nearly all of the missiles had been depleted. For a ship of this size, magazine space was allways at a premium and the two ships had been throwing double broadsides at rapid-fire. As a result, both of the destroyers were down to 5% on expendable munitions. And there was no-resupply coming on that front. She almost laughed at the concept of sending a message back to Sol and request for more rounds.
Fortunately, the energy weapon armament of both of the destroyers was still in good shape. Neither of them had lost more than two energy mounts. And energy weapons didnt need munitions. The problem was ofcourse that if the two destroyers proceeded close enough to use their lasers and grasers on the enemy, they were most certainly at beam range of the enemy as well.

The loss of life hadnt been heavy, which was a huge relief for Julia. There were 27 dead and 32 wounded aboard the Rapier and 38 dead and 50 wounded aboard the Artemis . Considering the shit storm where they'd been the losses were supprisingly low. But that didnt mean that every single one of those lives didnt weigh on Julia's being with their deaths.

Well it could have been a lot worse and....

"Hyper footprint, massive hyper footprint!" Her tactical officer screamed from his station.

Julia's head whipped at the tactical plot and noticed the large blue blip of "unidentified" appearing just eight light-minutes from her two ships. Who the hell? Julia had withdrawn with her force to a star system that was only a lightyear away from Aesis, one that had been designated as the mission fallback point. Her ships were immobile, their impellers down, and those new ships were coming straight at her at .3c and accelerating rapidly.

After a few minutes, CiC began to clear what the incoming ships were. They had impeller signatures, currently the count was: One Perseverance-class Dreadnaught, Two Warlord-class Battlecruisers, One Protector-class Assault Carrier, Six Star Knight-class Heavy Cruisers and what apparently was a Caravan-class Freighter, propably designated as logistical support. It appeared that the Admiralty had decided to come and retrieve her.

"Captain, i have incoming message." The comms officer told her.

"Put it on." Julia ordered hoarsely.

The channel opened and a familiar voice came from them.
"This is Rear Admiral Thomas Theisman in command of Task Group 5 to Captain Julia McHale. The admiralty decided that it really was time for some serious explanations captain, and you better have those explanations ready by the time i arrive.


http://sivut.koti.soon.fi/villerainamo/togogo1.jpg
Captain JG. Julia McHale

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Read Admiral Thomas Theisman

Alexei gazed upon the table, squinting his eyes in the bright light, and saw a face he remembered. He tried to imagine beauty and tranquility as he stared, but the mangled body was nearly beyond recognition. The general laughed and motioned the guards out of the room.

"Why...did...you..." Alexei fumed, balling his hands into fists.

"Come now Alexei," General Grey replied. "Hadn't I explained it well enough? This is your doing. You ruined their world, Alexei, you damned their lives. It's your fault, Alexei...it's you're fault."

By this time Alexei was slowly inching closer to the General, making the man very uncomfortable. General Grey yelled for guards, but Joseph hit a key sequence on the computer locking the doors.

"She's still alive..." Joseph said, pulling up a display.

"BRING HER BACK!" Alexei snarled.

"I-I'm sorry...that's beyond my control...Dr. Ackerman...I merely oversee all this..." General Grey stammered.

"This is the control room, correct?" Alexei asked, trying to maintain his composure. "Then gas them all, Joseph. Get rid of the oxygen!"

Joseph nodded and did so. All the oxygen left the building, minus the room they were in, and in it's place came all sorts of toxic gases.

"I'll give you one last chance..." Alexei muttered to the General, continuously inching closer.

"There's nothing I c-can do!" General Grey replied, raising his fists. How could he have gotten himself into a situation like this? How had he been so careless?

But Alexei couldn't believe his luck, and all the rage that had been building inside of him boiled inside of him as his body shook with anger. The General grabbed a doctor's knife but Alexei was already on him, pounding his head over and over again off the cold metal ground.

Picking his body up, Alexei threw the General across the room and into a glass cabinet, spilling crates of syringes onto the floor. Alexei grabbed a handful and stuck them all into the General's face, slowly pressing the toxic syrum into his skin. Alexei stood back for a second, watching the General's face mutate into a hideous deformity as the man screamed for the toxin surely burned.

Joseph kindly ignored the carnage while quickly putting Nienna out of her misery. Searching the computers, he vented all the oxygen back into the dead halls and searched for a way out.

But Alexei was not finished. He threw the mutated body of General Grey onto the table beside Nienna's and strapped him in. Pulling out a knife, Alexei cut the general's stomach open and dumped acid into the wound. He proceded to beat General Grey's face over and over, his fists pounding on the mutated flesh, seeking revenge...seeking retribution...seeking sanity...

"Alexei stop it!" Joseph screamed, but Alexei swung at him, knocking him backwards. Joseph grabbed Alexei from behind by the throat in a head lock and squeezed as hard as he could. Alexei grabbed the back of Joseph shirt from over his shoulder and flipped him over his head. Joseph reacted quickly, however, and kicked out Alexei's feet from under him. Jumping on top of Alexei and back handing him across the face, Joseph screamed for Alexei to snap out of it.

Alexei stood...and asked Joseph where the exit was...as if nothing happened. Frightened but mostly disturbed, Joseph told Alexei where the weapons and ODIN armor was kept, and Alexei stormed off to get it. Joseph yelled after him that he will be there in a few minutes, but Alexei didn't seem to care.

Hastily, Joseph contacted James Pierce with the frequency that Leon Williams had told him to use.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
.:Lieutenant Joseph Frost to Sir James Pierce - High Priority:.
Transmission Secure

"James, we're on Steel Isle...Commander Ivanova is...unstable...requesting instructions...over..."

Transmission Terminated
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By the time Joseph reached the weapon's locker, Alexei had already suited up and was ready to leave. Standing in the door, Joseph called out to him.

"There's an invasion out there...what the hell do you hope to accomplish?" Joseph asked, but his question fell on deaf ears.

"He's out there," Alexei replied, not even turning around.

"Who's out there?"

"He's close..."

"Alexei who the hell are you talking about?"

"General Grey contacted Dr. Ackerman mere seconds before we entered the room," Alexei said, breathing heavily. "Dr. Ackerman is less than a mile from here..."

"Alexei he'll be protected by millions of guards," Joseph protested, but Alexei didn't care.

"No. He's hiding. The little rat is hiding, fearing for his life. Oh and he should fear...he should fear...he's hiding..." Alexei said, turning and smiling a wicked grin. "...and I know where..."

http://207.44.246.95/129/44/upload/p309.jpg
Commander Alexei Ivanova
XO of the 1st Marines

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Lieutenant Joseph Frost
Vehicle Specialist of the 1st Marines

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General Drake Grey
Commander of the Imperial Mobile Infantry

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Nienna Alcarin

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"Captain, we're at Steel Isle..."

"Defenses?" Captain McNeill asked, rubbing the stubble on his chin. He hadn't shaved in three days...he just never got around to it.

"Minimal, sir," Trinneer replied. "On both land and in orbit. Some units are already landing...first reports are in...rapid advances for our side, sir!"

"Inform Captain Williams that he's about to be dropped again," McNeill said. "We're dropping everyone. Standby for deployment."

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

"Gentlemen," Leon Williams addressed his men as the dropship detached itself from the Outlander. "This is what is all comes down to..."

Sean Athens looked at Eric and nodded...this is what they fought for.

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Captain Thomas McNeill
CO of the Outlander

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Lt. Commander Charles Trinneer
Acting XO of the Outlander

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Captain Leon Williams
Leader of the 2nd Marines

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Commander Eric Vinzer
XO of the 2nd Marines

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Lieutenant Sean Athens
27th M.I., 2nd Marines

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Even in the chaos, Mark still felt alone. He knew not where the love of his life was at this time, and she could be anywhere from CE to Steel Isle. Still, Mark fought and flew regardless...it was what he did.

Raptor 1 this is Captain McNeill of the Outlander...procede in attack pattern Delta One Fifteen Niner Z. I repeat, attack pattern Delta One Fifteen Niner Z.

"Copy that, Captain," Mark replied, shifting his fighter into manual control. There were a good number of ships on his sensors, yet not nearly as many Imperials as at CE. They truely were not expecting a second invasion attempt mere hours after the last.

But something caught Mark's eye. Although the Imperial ship and troop numbers were down, the MSA guns from Steel Isle were tearing through dropships like tissue paper. The sick realization came when Mark realized that Katrina was flying one of those dropships, and that every explosion could be her last breath.

"Captain," Mark said over the comm. "Shifting attack pattern to Bomber Nine Two Fourty Omega."

"Lieutenant?"

"Sir, they're taking heavy fire down there," Mark replied. "One fighter won't mean much up here, but I'm fast enough to outrun the MSA's...dropships aren't..."

"Go for it, Lieutenant, be careful...and god's speed..."

The saying meant little for a nation and an empire so devoid of religion, but there had been a time where "god's speed" was something every pilot strived for. Mark smiled at the allusion to times long forgotten, and flew his ship as fast as he could into the atmosphere of Steel Isle.

Lush vegitation was ablaze as troops and ships alike burst into flames while setting each other on fire. Mark seeked out his first MSA gun, and after dodging several projectiles with ease, locked onto the tower with his fighter's Fusion Cannon, and tore the weapon to pieces.

Setting his sights on another, he darted his fighter towards it, not taking his mind off Katrina and the thousands of other people he knew fighting below him.

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Lieutenant Mark Andrews
"Raptor 1"
15th Fighter Squadron

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Captain Thomas McNeill
CO of the Outlander

Eric breathed in deep as the doors of the dropship opened, revieling a odd paradox of beauty and death both fighting for supremecy over the sights of the battlefield. Bodies lay torn on flowers, and beautiful multi-colored trees covered the carnage below.

"MOVE OUT!" Captain Leon Williams screamed as the 2nd Marines grabbed their weapons and prepared to depart.

Their first target was a small pocket of Imperials hiding out behind a ledge. A few plasma grenades disposed of them quickly, and the 2nd Marines then split up into two groups, one led by Leon, the other by Eric. Leon's group marched towards the nearby city of Plume in an effort to take the city as a stronghold, while Eric's took off into the woods, following intelligence information that said the President of NiMBUS was vacationing nearby.

By now the Resistance had already taken one fourth of the planet, and none of the Resistance's allies had even landed yet. The rebels struck like lightning at the startled and unprepared Imperials, squashing them like bugs under a boot.

"Commander, up this way!" Sean said over the comm, pointing to a mountain ledge overlooking the battlefield.

"Let's move, Lieutenant!" Eric commanded. "We're taking that ledge!"

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Captain Leon Williams
Leader of the 2nd Marines

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Commander Eric Vinzer
XO of the 2nd Marines

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Lieutenant Sean Athens
27th M.I., 2nd Marines

The realm of hyperspace vanished as Task Group 5 penetrated the Alpha wall and dropped to normal space, right on at the hyperlimit.

The bridge of the HMS Reliant was a hive of activity. Unlike the cramped bridge of the small destroyer, the bridge of the 2.2 kilometer long, 6.5 million ton Ship Of The Wall was enormous. Nearly two dozen men and women saw to their tasks in a hussle of activity.

The holographic tactical plot drew the positions of Task Group 5 and the locations of sensor contacts, it seemed that the attack had begun just moments ago.

A course line appeared on the plot, the red line went right past Steel Isle and vector corrections as well as velocities were displayed on the correct course points.

Task Group 5, Clairmont Space Navy had come to do war.

Rear Admiral Thomas Theisman glanced at the course plot with acceptance. It had been a short trip to here from the fallback system and there hadnt been much time to perfect the operational plan but they had had to do what they had gotten.

Altough Captain McHale had stood ready to be relieved and court-martialed, she had been utterly wordless when Theisman had simply sat down and requested an explanation. When the Captain was thru with her explanation, Theisman had only sat silently for a moment and then answered by understanding the captain. McHale had been dead certain that the Admiralty had sent Theisman to bring her back, by force if necessary, but instead, First Space Lord Caparelli had simply told Theisman to get over to the Orion Sector, and then act by his own conscience, and Theisman had been a supporter of the rebels from the start. So, instead of relieving McHale and bringing her back, Theisman had brought dozens of times more firepower into the Orion sector to support the Rebels.

And now they were headed for Steel Isle. They had quickly recieved word of the intended invasion of the planet and seeing the possibilities, Theisman had made his decision quickly.

"Time to insertion?" He asked from his flag Captain.

Captain (Senior Grade) Sergei Leonovna glanced at the tactical plot and replied quickly.

"Fifty-Three minutes Admiral."

Theisman acknowledged and went thru his mental checklist and everything was in order, Task Group 5 itself was in no immidiate danger considering how light on ships the area was, but the same did not go for the 1st Div/7th Fleet Strike Regiment that was about to drop on the planet.

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

Colonel Jack Horner observed the troop preparation bay of the Reliant with judicial eye. All over the bay, troopers of the 1st Div/7th Regiment were preparing for the drop on the planet. Everything in this Op was rushed. The planning was rushed, the training was rushed and it seemed that the deployment was going to be rushed too. Meaning that the result could be a complete cluster-f,uck.

Most of all he was worried about the training. 2nd Generation Armored-Combat-Suit required 500 hours of training time for a basic trooper, for a commander with a command suit that count was 800. So far, only 25% of his 2,500 troops had their required training times on their suits. True, most of the rest were pretty close to the limit but that didnt ease his tension.

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

Sergeant Major Melissa Mao walked thru the formations of gathered troopers of Bravo-Company, 4th Battalion. So far, she hadnt been seriously disappointed, but that could change anytime.

She checked her displays. She was allready in pretty good condition. Ammo levels were 100%, power levels 100%, explosives packed. medicals loaded and other equipment gathered. She checked her M-300 Grav Gun and grunted as the weapon showed green. She didnt yet connect the ammunition feeder from her back to the weapon tough, that would be done just moments before the drop. She reached to her right and pulled her nearly foot long combat "knife", she allways chuckled at the designation "knife" that some brainiac had given to the blade. She checked the blade carefully and sheathed it. Yup, everything looked good.

She glanced to her right to the direction of Third Platoon, and sighed as Corporal Slattery fumbled with his ammo feeder. It looked like she had a plenty to do before the drop.


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Rear Admiral Thomas Theisman
CO Task Group 5, CSN

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Colonel Jack Horner
CO 1st Div/7th Fleet Strike Regiment

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Sergeant Major Melissa Mao
1st Div/7th Fleet Strike Regiment/4th Batt/Bravo-Company

As the fifty-third minute filled up, the red cone between the icon of Task Group 5 and Steel Isle changed to green. Drop point had been reached.

There was ample time to send the troops down. The Task Group hadnt been coming in too fast in the first place and they had been slowing down a good while before the drop point, now, they were moving at a measly 30 kilometers per second, absolute crawl in standards of space warfare, but for the purpose of this mission, it was a perfect speed.

"Commence "Razor" Captain." Theisman instruced his flag captain and Leonovna complied.

"Falcon-One-One, commence "Razor"."

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The Caravan-class freighter that accompanied Task Group 5 had many tasks to fulfill. Firstly it was a logistics ship. In its vast holds was crammed large loads of spare missiles, consumables and everything that a Task Group would need. But it also carried a full two thirds of 1st Div/7th Fleet Strike Regiment.

And now, over 800 ACS Troopers went underway as the Assault Shuttles that carried them launched from the bays of the freighter and a flight of Pinnaces went along for aerial support.

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

The Ground fire was intense. Altough the area was pretty void of enemy ships, that didnt seem to be the case with planetary defenses. Energy beams flashed all over the flight of small-craft as they plunged thru the athmosphere like meteors.

The Assault Shuttles carried 140 troopers each, with a total of six of the massive small-craft in the first wave. They had heavy armor and equally heavy armament but in this case, they kept their weapons on safe and let the Pinnaces configured for ground assault do the sweeping.

"Shit. There goes Renfro." Senior Chief Jackson grunted as a beam caught the Pinnace on the left flank of the formation right in the middle and the small-craft disappeared in a fireball. Out of eight Pinnaces, seven still remained and now they were in range.

"Weapons free, engaging targets." Jackson chanted to the comm net and his weapons officer released the safeties and fired.

Two rockets dropped from the external racks of the Pinnace and trailing fire, leapt towards their targets. Each of those rockets massed a thousand kilos, and each of them carried a warhead equivalent to a 0.2 kiloton nuke. Altough fifth of a kiloton wasnt that much in larger terms, against ground targets it was usually quite sufficient. And each of the remaining Pinnace's shot two rockets, in two seconds, a total of 14 rockets were heading towards planetary defense weapons, tracking stations and whatever looked like a military target and worth to shoot.

Even as the rockets had just cleared the racks, the internal weapons bays of the Pinnace's opened and anti-ground missiles shot away. Altough not as powerfull as the heavy rockets, the missiles had a strong enough warhead to wipe out smaller ground installations like tracking stations with ease, and each Pinnace dropped two of them.

The Assault Shuttles dropped closer to the ground and the drop area of the troops was only seconds away. As the heavy insertion vessels came closer to the ground, their under-belly projectile weapons went to work on clearing any hostiles from the immidiate vicinity. Double 30mm Tri-Barrels spat explosive rounds at nearly 3000 m/s at everything that even looked hostile.

With the ACS troops, the Assault Shuttles didnt even need to completely land. They just made a low speed overflight at 20 meter altitude and the troopers jumped. There was no need for parachutes, the suits could easilly take such a drop and the undergel on them as well ass the shock absorbing musculature ensured that the troopers survived. They dropped by platoons, securing a perimeter for the insertion.

Colonel Horner hit the ground and rolled until he stopped and jolted upright. Leveling his weapon he checked his surroundings and opened the comm.

"Allright! Lets get the rest of our boys to the ground! And somebody contact the Rebel ground force that they have friendlies on this area."

[code:1:782a06f82e]Rebel Ground Force, friendlies on the area, 1st Div/7th Clairmont Space Navy Fleet Strike Regiment here to support you, commencing offensive operations against Imperial ground forces. [/code:1:782a06f82e]

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Rear Admiral Thomas Theisman
CO Task Group 5, CSN

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Colonel Jack Horner
CO 1st Div/7th Fleet Strike Regiment

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Sergeant Major Melissa Mao
1st Div/7th Fleet Strike Regiment/
4th Batt/Bravo-Company

As planned The Furious Angel and the rest of the Tappee battle fleet dropped out of hyper shortly after the Rebel force began their invasion of Steel Isle. However, unlike the Battle of CE the Imperial Forces were ill prepared for such an assult.

“Status” called out the Admiral, curious as what was going on around her.

“Ma’am the Rebel forces have begun deploying their ground force, but are taking heavy fire from the surface.”

Dodalla thought to her self for a moment playing out possible scenarios in her mind. Move the FA and the Ithra’s close to the planet, have them target enemy gun positions on the surface. Also launch bomber with fighter escort to do the same.”

The TAC officer nodded to signal that he understood the order, but soon got more, this time from another source.

“Have all our force exercise extreme caution” interrupted Henry Kobe, the Tribunal appointed advisor to the mission in the Orion Sector. It was his job to act as the Tribunals voice out in the field. “I would like to see that there are no Civilian casualty, which means that you are not to launch an orbital bombard to any site that may put civilians at risk, is that understood.”

Admiral Dodalla turned to face Henry, anger could be seen in her eye’s. She knew the policy toward civilians losses, they were to avoid where ever possible, put to have none at all would mean that she would have to put her forces at what she thought was a needless risk. “We will try our best, but of they try to hide behind the civilians we will have no choice but to act. I will not let them use civilians against us or put my people at risk.”

“That is enough out you Admiral” Henry shoot back quickly. “We are fighting an enemy that does not care about life in general, NiMbus has no problem taking civilian life, we are not going to allow ourselves to become them. We are trying to save these people” Henry paused and took a step towards the admiral in a bit of a threatening manner. “You would do well to remember that fact Admiral, or should I have you replaced.”

For several moment there was silence between the two, the crew on the bridge waited in anticipation for the Admirals response, no one was sure how this change of events would lead, they all knew that the Admiral hate for others to question her authority.

“Very well” answered the Admiral “We will have bomber precision bomb gun emplacement near civilian position. It will take longer then if we were to bombard from space, but it will prevent civilian losses.”

“Good” quickly responded Henry. The last thing that he wanted to do was to relieve Dodalla, she was a popular commander among the troop. “Have the small ship provide fire support for the transport and the ships attacking the surface. Once the rebel finished landing their troops land our shortly their after”

Dodalla gave the TAC officer a quick glance to make sure that he knew that she approved of Henry orders “considered it done” with that she took her seat to resume commanding over the battle

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Admiral Dodalla

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Henry Kobe

Theisman noted that the Tappee ships had dropped in also and were now moving towards Steel Isle, what they intended he did not know but they propably were going to be landing ground forces. Meaning that there would be a lot of ground fire against their dropping forces. He turned to the comms officer.

"Send the following to the Tappee fleet commander."

[code:1:a99e752fff]To: Fleet Commander, Tappee Strike Force
From: Rear Admiral Thomas Theisman, CO Task Group 5 CSN

If i may assume, you are going to be dropping troops on Steel Isle soon correct? If that is the case, i offer you the assistance of my ground strike complement. We can do what we can to clear you a route thru all this ground fire and in the mean time clear you a Landing Zone so that you dont need to be coming in under fire. [/code:1:a99e752fff]

The message left, Theisman just wondered how the Tappee Fleet Commander would react. Afterall, this was the first battle where he was making an appereance, before this the Rebels and Tappee forces had only been in contact with Captain McHale and her command.

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

Polaron beams lanced from multiple directions at the Platoon as they advanced towards their targets. Sergeant Major Mao saw Corporal Slattery take a beam directly to the chest but there was little effect. The armor on the 2nd Generation ACS had a top section of monomolecular layers of uranium-silicon alloy. In repeated tests it had been concluded that any standard battle rifle or similar standard small arm of a trooper would have little to no effect at all on it. So that left heavy man portable support weapons, but there were so many Imperials that they also had a lot of heavy weapons.

Mao triggered another long burst from her Grav Gun. The large weapon spat silver lightning as 3mm graphite coated depleted uranium teardrops ripped apart trees, foliage and people.

To her left, two troopers of the Grim Reaper platoon were opening up, their arm mounted automortars coughing 60mm grenades at high rates of fire, the forest ahead was engulfed in flame as the volleys of grenades dropped down and went off.

Melissa proceeded forward, crashing thru the trunk of a tree and running directly to an Imperial soldier. There was no time or space to bring up the grav gun so the Sergeant Major dropped it and pulled her combat blade. In one slick movement, she stuck the blade straight to the throat of the hapless soldier. The man had worn an ODIN armor, and it was fully protected, but the foot long blade had a monomolecular edge and it had penetrated. Mao doubted that it could penetrate easilly thru the chest plates or the other thick plates of armor but that was irrelevant. She grabbed her Grav Gun and moved on.

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

"Yes sir, the Alpha-Company of Third Batt has zone zulu secured now."

"Good, and the 4th Batt?" Colonel Horner asked altough he could see the situation quite clearly from his own HUD, having a confirmation was allways good.

"They are proceeding towards their targets." The Major replied.

The 4th Battalions targets were two planetary defense guns, if those were wiped out, then they would have a relatively secure drop line from orbit.


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Rear Admiral Thomas Theisman
CO Task Group 5, CSN

http://sivut.koti.soon.fi/villerainamo/13afaf1.jpg
Colonel Jack Horner
CO 1st Div/7th Fleet Strike Regiment

http://sivut.koti.soon.fi/villerainamo/Smaj.jpg
Sergeant Major Melissa Mao
1st Div/7th Fleet Strike Regiment
/4th Batt/Bravo-Company

Once again, things were moving far faster than he could assimilate them. Communications ripped in the space around the two ships Tse had under his command.

"Another invasion?"

"What this time?"

"Steel Isle..."

"What the hell is Steel Isle?"

"What about the Agent on Gest!?"

"Cut the Chatter!"

His order silenced the Comm traffic on his ships, but the communications from with-out still crackled over the lines.

"We've been given no direct orders from either Mr. Pierce and only one general order from Command. We all know what that order from Command was," the Colonel comm'ed, "so we're gonna follow it."

"Nav!"

"Sir?"

"Get those bastards up on the bridge to Jump to Steel Isle, they should obviously know the co-ord's. Comm."

"Yes sir?"

"Message to that Ship over Gest, I want Captain Christine off there now, with whatever personnel she's managed to find."

"Yes Sir!"

The message was sent out and once again, the two ships began to move, following the departed Rebel ships.

'Aww.. jumping aga...'

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Colonel Wesley Tse,
Regiment CO, Nin'er
(N)Enabled Regiment

It was only a tiny burst of static from her comm, but in no way was Mahoro confused about it's meaning.

"Hey, guys, we're getting outta here," she announced.

Their band of four had managed to survive for a few days off of what ration packs they had with them, but supply was starting to run dangerously thin, even on half rations.

The comm burnt with static again.

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

-location found-

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

Two points of energy flaired, one in the far reaches of Gest's gravity and one in close orbit. With no other warning, the close orbit energy spike was ripping down through the atmostphere of the planet, seeking it's target.

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

-Moving-

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

"Guy's, we've got evac in one minute, we need to get to open ground!"

To them, one second Mahoro was standing there, the next, she blurred, and the second after that, she had the woman and the smaller man tucked under both arms, and the larger male by his wrist.

Unfortunetly for him, in the next moment, they were all airborn, leaving behind the sound of a shoulder being dislocated.

Mahoro told herself that she'd apologise later.

"F..a...s....t....e...r."

Two and a half seconds later, her feet once again touched the ground and she accelerated in half-bounds

Fourty-Seven seconds after she first started to run, she came to an abrupt halt at the closest clearing that provided enough room. The three Tappee personel fell to the ground as she let them go to lean over and catch her breath

Precisely 60 seconds from the end of the message, that which might have been mistaken for a meteor in the atmosphere landed not to gently in front of them.

"Jump in. It's a tight squeeze but we don't have much time."

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Mahoro Ando
Ghost
The Agency

'ian, I f*ucking dispise this jumping shit.' Tse finished thinking on the other side.

His stomach lurched violently before settling down to a dull rumble.

"Colonel, status reports comming in. Heavy defensive fire from the ground. Drop forces are taking heavy casualties. Tasking?" Tactical Officer John Doe asked.

"No landing craft yet, we're going to deal with the ground based defences first. I want our first target in 30 seconds. Comm!"

"Sir?" Lt. Jenson replied.

"Contact the other ship. Tell them to follow our targeting. Nav, I want you to contact Helm and bring us as close to..."

"Found target sir! Feeding position to Tac now!"

"...those co-ords. We'll take some fire, but we'll need to shorten the distances."

The two borrowed ships slid into their assigned positions.

"They'll barely notice us, M.E's, 50/50, N.E's, give those bastards all you got. Generaters to full. Burn'em."

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

Space around the two ships seemed to distort as if they were slabs of hot pavement under a planitary sun and the interier gestult generaters whined into full pitch.

Imperials stationed at the targeted planetary defense battery began to screem out and fall, while little flecks of brain matter could be seen falling out of their ears.


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Colonel Wesley Tse,
Regiment CO, Nin'er
(N)Enabled Regiment

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Lieutenent Maya Jenson
Comm Tech
(M)Enabled Regiment

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Lieutenent John Doe
Tactical Officer
(M)Enabled Regiment

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Lieutenent Makoto Hyuga
Nav Tech
(M)Enabled Regiment

Rebel Ground Force, friendlies on the area, 1st Div/7th Clairmont Space Navy Fleet Strike Regiment here to support you, commencing offensive operations against Imperial ground forces.

"Roger that, Clairmont," Eric said over the comm as he scouted the area for Imperials.

"Sir, we're recieving weak signs of altered human lifeforms in the general area..." a soldier reported, double checking his readings.

That's either Dr. Ackerman or...oh no...

"Clairmont, procede as planned," Eric said over the comm. "Target only Imperial or NiMBUS facilities. There aren't many civilians out here...limit contact...2nd Marines out."

"Commander," Lt. Sean Athens said, coming up behind Eric. "We have a 46% signal match on Dr. Ackerman's known genetic makeup. Given what this bastard's done to himself...I'd say it's good enough for me..."

Energy missiles flew through the air, tearing two Marines apart and spraying blood across Eric's armor.

"UNDER FIRE! TAKE COVER!"

But the shooting stopped as quickly as it began, while Eric heard the familiar beeping noise of his comm go off. "Commander Vinzer" he answered.

"This is Raptor 1, Commander," the voice said over the comm as a Raptor-class fighter flew by overhead, guns blazing. "Providing air support..."

"Copy that Raptor 1," Eric said. "Destination X768.23 Y134.5 Z4, procede."

"Roger, Commander," the voice replied.

"Raptor 1?" Eric continued.

"Yes, Commander?"

"Thanks Mark..."

"Anytime, Commander."

"Ok boys!" Eric said pointing his hand fowards. "You all heard the coordinates...lets MOVE MOVE MOVE!"

http://207.44.246.95/129/44/upload/p332.jpg
Commander Eric Vinzer
XO of the 2nd Marines

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Lieutenant Sean Athens
27th M.I., 2nd Marines

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Lieutenant Mark Andrews
"Raptor 1"
15th Fighter Squadron

"ALEXEI!"

The wind swept through his hair, cooling his flesh as the rage inside him burned. His hair pricked his face, poking his eyes on occasion, and he cursed it, promising to cut it when this all was over.

"ALEXEI WAIT UP!"

Joseph ran to the cliff where Alexei stood, helmetless, and Joseph found himself out of breath. Off in the distance the battle raged, and it was getting closer by the minute.

"The Resistance is taking the planet easily," Joseph said, taking his helmet off as well and smiling. However, Alexei was far from happiness and scowled down on the fertile yet dying ground.

"He's down there," Alexei said pointing. Joseph followed the glove's aim, unsure if what he saw was actually real. The sun was gleaming down on the beautiful day, casting bright shadows on the trees, except for in one location. "The field projects an image of what is behind it, making one think that whatever the field's hiding isn't really there," Alexei said. He was much calmer than before, Joseph noticed, but that only made Joseph more uneasy. There was something eerie about the calm, something not right. "However what the field is hiding blocks the light from hitting what is behind it, and then the image doesn't come out right, and the projection sticks out from reality."

"Hologram and shielding technology is much more advanced than that..." Joseph said, shaking his head and adjusting his bandana.

"For the military..." Alexei replied, not shifting his gaze from the building.

"What are you planning on doing?" Joseph asked, already knowing the answer.

"He killed her..." Alexei replied. "He killed everyone...Nienna...Chris...Colonel Bartok...that little girl...and he tried to kill me...he...he tried to kill me..."

"Alexei please," Joseph pleaded, realizing that Alexei was ranting. "Just contact the resistance...they'll storm the place...you're not well..."

"I'm fine," Alexei replied, ignoring the comment about contacting the military. He was all that he needed now...he had to stop depending on others. "Joseph...you may leave if you wish..."

"I've fought with you so far," Joseph replied. "I'm not about to stop now...I just...don't want to sign my own death warrant..."

"Have we died yet?" Alexei said, turning around for the first time and looking Joseph in the eye. He smiled, a sick sort of smile, one that obviously had intentions other than humor behind it.

"So we're going in?"

"Yes," Alexei said, looking down over the cliff. It was quite high, much too high to jump from. However that small fact did little to stop Alexei who jumped off, emotionless. Shaking his head and engaging the small thrusters in his armor, Joseph followed.

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Commander Alexei Ivanova
XO of the 1st Marines

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Lieutenant Joseph Frost
Vehicle Specialist of the 1st Marines

“Admiral we’ve got more ship appearing on our scope” yelled out the TAC officer, the anxiety could be heard in his voice.

“Bring it up on the HOLO projector” Yelled the Admiral. She turned to see the new ships come in to view.

Henry stood beside her “Those are Clairmont ships”

Admiral Dodalla was took aback, “there were a few Clairmont ships at CE, but I was not aware the Clairmont government has taken sides.”


Henry shock his head “They haven’t, at least officially, not to my knowledge, I wonder why they have sent such a large force”

The two exchanged glances at what this would mean in the coming battle, but where soon interrupted by the COM officer “Ma’am we’ve got an incoming transmission from a Rear Admiral Theisman, He say that he can clear a landing zone for our forces. How shall I respond?”

Dodalla glanced over at Henry, and waited for his approval. “Tell the Admiral that his assistance would be greatly appreciated. Contact Commander Jefferys tell him that we are going begin landing sooner then originally expected.” They had originally intend to begin landing troops after the Rebel forces had been landed, but with the add Clairmont support they could do it sooner.

“We should coordinate our fleet tactics with that of the Clairmont fleet” said Henry calmly “We can better utilize both our surprise, and that of our numbers”

Admiral Dodalla nodded in agreement “Thing are going better then expected”

Henry let out a bit of sigh “The tide of battle can turn at any moment, you above all else should not that Admiral.” He turned to look out at the main gun that were firing repeatedly at the surface below, for the moment they had the momentum he could only wonder for how long, thing rarely went so easily.

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Admiral Dodalla

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Herny Kobe

Theisman smiled as the acceptance from the Tappee fleet commander came thru. It allways felt good when there were reasonable and logical personnel on your side.

"Allright, contact Colonel Horner on the ground, tell him that they have some work to do."

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The Pinnace's had come back to their ships for re-arm and now they were heading back again for offensive operations. They struck against weapons batteries with heavy rockets and missiles, and soon the slackening of the fire pressure in the landing corridor to their sector was evident. As the amount of fire from the ground began to dwindle, the Pinnace's began ground troop support operations.

"Enemy detected, count platoon size!" The pilot of Pinnace Sigma-Eleven yelled thru the intercom to the crafts weapons control officer.

"Engaging." The WCO said simply and squeezed the trigger of her joystick. The underbelly twin-tri-barrel turret sprang to life and spat hundreds of 15mm explosive darts at thousands of meters per second at the location of the enemies. The pinnace overflew the position quickly, and continued towards another target.

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

Sergeant Major Melissa Mao crouched at the treeline and took a better look at the anti-orbital weapon. There werent that many guards, but supprise was allways the best weapon.

"Lets roll!" She yelled and the platoon in her area exploded from the forest their grav guns spatting depleted uranium and shoulder mounted mortars firing grenades. The area was quickly secure enough for Mao.

The platoon explosives expert opened up his suit storages and grabbed some C9. Emplacing them carefully and placing the detonators, he didnt take more than 10 minutes.

"Ready Smaj."

"Allright, lets get some distance. Things are about to get bright."

The ACS troopers retreated quickly from the vicinity of the weapon emplacement and then, Mao pressed the button. There was a flash of light brighter than the sun and a miniature nuclear fireball rising from where the weapon emplacement had been. It wasnt a big mushroom cloud or a fireball but still equivalent to something in the order of 0.5 kilotons the Sergeant Major estimated.

"Thank god for atomic-catalyst explosives." The platoon explosives expert said.

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Rear Admiral Thomas Theisman
CO Task Group 5, CSN

http://sivut.koti.soon.fi/villerainamo/13afaf1.jpg
Colonel Jack Horner
CO 1st Div/7th Fleet Strike Regiment

http://sivut.koti.soon.fi/villerainamo/Smaj.jpg
Sergeant Major Melissa Mao
1st Div/7th Fleet Strike Regiment
/4th Batt/Bravo-Company

Colonel Horner watched intently at the views his suit AI was giving him. The view he had was divided to six zones. Red icons represented Imperial facilities and forces, Greens were allies and Blues were Clairmont. So far the blue icons had moved forward from the landing area with haste and high efficiency and swept the Imperial defenders asunder. There had been ten anti-orbital weapons emplacements on the entire area. Six of those were destroyed, and more had been destroyed by the Pinnace's outside the area of the 7th Regiment.

"Maria, get the 3rd Battalion to send a Company to secure a two square kilometer box for the Tappee forces to use as a landing zone, we need it done quickly." He said to one of his staff officers. There was an acknowledgement.

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

Melissa lifted her weapon from the foxhole she had dug with explosives and checked the position of the Imperial heavy weapon crew. There were six of them, and they had some sort of crew-served heavy weapon there. She had seen the thing penetrate thru the head of Private Simosin, so she knew that this weapon could damage her suit.

But she didnt have time. That NiMBUS facility needed to be secured ASAP.
"Platoon, mass fire on these coordinates on my mark..."
She positioned her weapon so that she could fire it even without raising from the foxhole, using the grav gun sight as her eyes.
"Now!"
And as one, thirty ACS troopers opened fire with their Grav Guns. Lines of silver lightning ripped apart the surroundings of the heavy weapon team and their cover, but Mao didnt want to take unnecessary risks.
"Shoulder mortars, three rounds, rapid fire." She ordered and thumbs sounded as the dual-mortars mounted on the ACS troopers shoulders dropped three volleys of grenades to the position where the Heavy Weapon had been.

"Allright, lets move out. Stewart, your squad to our right flank, Chan your squad to our left, lets secure this place."

The platoon moved out towards the fence surrounded (relatively) small facility where they had encountered quite resilient defenders. It was a NiMBUS facility, and the Rebel Ground Commander had instructed the 7th Regiment to strike against any NiMBUS and Imperial facilities they encountered.

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

The designated landing area for the Tappee ground forces was a bit hot, Corporal Biggs thought as the incoming fire blew apart tree trunks and vaporized soil. He sprinted forward at over 100 kilometers per hour (a speed that the suit couldnt keep up for long but one that was usefull) and landed in the foxhole of Lieutenant O'Neal, the platoon commander.

"Hi Lt. decided to drop by." He said and took a look at the Lieutenant. He had heard that O'Neal was one of those who had been designing the 2nd Gen ACS with its creator corporation, and that the suit owed much of its capability to the Lieutenant. And this was the first combat deployment of the first 2nd Gen ACS suits in the entire Armed Forces, O'Neal had been persistant on coming along.

"Well isnt it nice. However, we have some nasty bogeymen out there who wish to ruin our party." The Lt. said.

"Yup, and what shall we do to fix that Lt.?"

"We're gonna blow them to hell ofcourse."

Another tree exploded to their right as a high-power energy beam ripped it apart.

O'Neal glanced at the representation of the battle area and took note of the position of the Grim Reaper platoon of the Company. They were armed with automortars, excellent.

Charlie-Company of 3rd Battalion was stretched in positions at a treeline which was followed by a plain open field for one thousand meters or so and then more trees. They needed to proceed thru that open field to wax the Imperial positions.

"Reapers, supressive fire on Imperial positions, rapid-fire for 15 seconds."
The orders from Charlie-Company commander came from the command net and the Reapers replied. Their suit mounted 60mm automortars coughed and sent grenades flying in parabolic arcs at the Imperial positions. The high-explosive grenades blew apart anything on their way but the Imperials were dug in tight.

Even before the mortars had stopped firing, the company stood up and charged over the open field. One hundred and twenty ACS troopers took their suit performance to the max and ran at 105 kilometers per hour towards the Imperial positions. Their suit auto-targeting systems fired their grav guns for them, and dozens of lines of silver lighting reached out from the running troops to hit the Imperial positions.

As the last grenade volley fired, the company was 120 meters away from the Imperials. Trooper icons winked out as massed fire and heavy weapons took out some but not nearly enough, and then, they were in the Imperial positions. Grav guns fired and monomolecular combat blades flashed as the company engaged Imperial forces suited in ODIN armor at close range.

And then it was over. The final Imperial fell to a combat blade struck thru the forehead of his helmet.

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

Theisman glanced at the tactical holo representing the ground situation and grunted in acceptance as the designated landing zone for the Tappee forces flashed in green.

[code:1:9b224d3ad5]To: Tappee Fleet Commander
From: Rear Admiral Thomas Theisman, Task Group 5

We have your landing zone secured, coordinates following. The airspace is still a bit hot in that area but most of the weapons covering that space have been cleared so you should have an easier ride. [/code:1:9b224d3ad5]


http://sivut.koti.soon.fi/villerainamo/ghkgkjpg.2jpg.jpg
Rear Admiral Thomas Theisman
CO Task Group 5, CSN

http://sivut.koti.soon.fi/villerainamo/13afaf1.jpg
Colonel Jack Horner
CO 1st Div/7th Fleet Strike Regiment

http://sivut.koti.soon.fi/villerainamo/Smaj.jpg
Sergeant Major Melissa Mao
1st Div/7th Fleet Strike Regiment
/4th Batt/Bravo-Company

"Yes, Admiral, I understand...but it is not your job to question me," Sky Marshall Michael Zephyr said, breathing in the aroma of his morning coffee. The fighting at Steel Isle had continued through the night, and the Imperials were now mainly held up in major cities, minus a few squads here and there. Surprisingly, Zephyr found himself not caring as much as he felt that he should. But then again, Steel Isle was a lost cause from the beginning...but the massacre at CE...

"I'm thinking of sending the Apparition and telling them to deploy the people," Admiral Jerry Dratsab said. "I hear they have a former Imperial Guardian on board."

"Lieutenant Lance Radney," Zephyr said, nodding. "Make it so, Admiral."

"Yes, sir," Dratsab replied, exiting the office. Once the door was closed, Zephyr wasted no time cursing the man who had just wasted two hours of his.

That man's a fool...

However, it was the choice of the Empire to make Jerry Dratsab, a famous NiMBUS supporter, his executive officer. The young Sky Marshall thought that move gave too much power to a man with too little brains, but recently he could do little to change it. That was why today's meeting with the Emperor was so vital, so important.

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

"Why are you here?" The Emperor asked as Zephyr entered his office.

"...you called me..." Zephyr replied, but the Emperor looked uninterested...distracted in some way.

"My mistake, you may return," Nemerov said, looking down as if the matter was closed.

"Actually, sir," Zephyr continued. "I have something to comment on..."

"Can't you do it in a briefing, Sky Marshall?" Nemerov whined. "I'm very busy..."

"Sir, I'd really like to..."

"DAMNIT SHUT UP!" Nemerov bellowed, beforce snapping back into reality. Putting his hand on his forehead, he stood up and led a confused Zephyr to the door. "I...I'm sorry. I'm under a lot of stress...and..."

"Sir, that's what I wanted to talk to you about," Zephyr said. "Admiral Dratsab was in charge of protecting Steel Isle from invasion...anyone else would have..."

"Steel Isle?" Nemerov asked. "There's no main NiMBUS facility on that planet..."

"Don't worry, Sky Marshall," A new voice replied. Out of the shadows came a holographic representation of Dr. Ackerman. "I am keeping the place monitored personally...we still control what is important."

Zephyr was shocked that the President of NiMBUS was with Nemerov in the Imperial Office, but it had quickly began to make sense to him over the past few weeks. He wasn't fighting the Empire's war...no...he wasn't even fighting Nemerov's war....he was fighting for NiMBUS...and that he hated.

http://69.57.141.218/237/117/upload/p61.jpg
Sky Marshall Michael Zephyr
Commander of the Imperial Fleet and Marines

http://69.57.141.218/237/117/upload/p641927.jpg
Fleet Admiral Jerry Dratsab
XO of the Imperial Defense Fleet

http://207.44.246.95/43/101/upload/p1.gif
Emperor Alexander Nemerov
Star Empire of Steel Butterfly,
In the Orion Sector which includes:
Steel Isle, Steel Moon,
CTaNbHaR Eabo4Ka, XIII,
Aeisis, Bivens, Esthar VIII
Orion Sector Alliance Premier,
Order of the Seraphim

http://207.44.246.95/129/44/upload/p340.jpg
Dr. Robert Ackerman
CEO, President, and Lead Developer
NiMBUS Biotechnologies

Getting into the facility was far from difficult, involving little more that silence and lockpicking. Joseph rationalized this by telling himself that the main defense was supposed to be the flawed hologram, but he still felt horrible about the situation...perhaps the reality of the war was getting to him.

The small building was laid out with the ultimate simplicity, consisting of four rooms with a cross-like hallway connecting them. The doors were of the highest security, and Joseph could not see a way to get inside anyone of them. What he could see, however, was that Alexei either had a way to get in, or didn't care.

The empty and dimly lit hallways cast eerie shadows off the walls, as Alexei stood in the center of the cross, his unshifting glare focused on his scanner.

"This one," he said, pointing with his rifle while putting his helmet back on. He lined the walls, not the door, with explosives and stepped to the other side of the building. The explosion jolted both of their eardrums, equally surprising all inside.

The NiMBUS operatives stormed out of the rooms, meeting a hail of phase pulses that torched through light armor and flesh alike. Alexei had encountered these poorly trained, trigger-happy guards before, and he was able to predict many of their moves. Nevertheless, it was Alexei's explosives, and not necessarily his mind, which mowed down wave after wave of troops and Joseph crouched in cover, dumbfounded by the firepower and haste shown.

Smoke filled the poorly ventilated hallways as Alexei carved himself a path through the bodies towards the room of Dr. Ackerman. The flesh was burning, but Alexei, thinking only of one thing, never noticed the smell, nor the fire on his clothing.

"I've been waiting," Dr. Ackerman said calmly as Alexei stormed into the room.

"Unfortunate..." Alexei replied, cocking the plasma cannon attachment to his polaron rifle. "...for you." And without anymore words, Alexei unleashed a fury unmatched anywhere upon the body of the doctor...and assult which lasted nearly seven minutes of constant shooting. Alexei stopped, looking at the scar he had created in the ground and in the wall, and was promptly hit from behind and thrown across the room.

"That is the second time you have destroyed a hologram of mine," Dr. Ackerman laughed. "You are an expensive nemesis, Mr. Ivanova." Alexei rubbed the back of his head, standing up, even more pissed than what he was originally.

Alexei darted at the doctor, swinging his left hand with an open palm across Ackerman's body, but it was blocked. Using his momentum, Alexei continued spinning to his right and connected with his right heel into the right side of the doctor's head, and quickly after came a left backhand. Dr. Ackerman responded through a right hook to Alexei's face, followed by a knee to his stomach, knocking the air out of his lungs. Picking Alexei up, Ackerman threw him across the room and into a wall.

Picking himself up, Alexei was confused. How could this man, who resembled an 70-year-old, have that much strength and power...enough to injure a man in full body armor? The only way was through genetic enhancements, and Alexei quickly realized that he would have his work cut out for him.

Alexei looked up, only to be punched in the jaw at the same moment, spinning his body around. Dr. Ackerman then kicked him in the back, slamming the front side of his helmet into the wall. Dr. Ackerman caught Alexei's head as his body collapsed to the ground, immediately changing his body's direction, which was falling to the right, and slamming his head, and body, onto the floor to the left. Trying to pick himself up, Alexei's head was once again smashed off the ground after colliding with Dr. Ackerman's fist.

Not about to let Alexei get up once more, Dr. Ackerman grabbed him by the legs and drug his body effortlessly towards the center of the room and then swinging him through a metal desk and into another wall, cracking his armor in numerous places.

Alexei struggled to get to his feet as his legs shaked while he stood. After uppercutting Alexei before he could get up completely, Dr. Ackerman lifted him into the air...but without his hands...

Using the metal in Alexei's armor, Dr. Ackerman lifted him off the ground using the magnetic characteristics of his genes, a by-product of extended genetic research. Dr. Ackerman slowly began to smash the armor, crushing Alexei within it. Suddenly, Alexei dropped to the floor, as Joseph had finally made his way to the room, connecting a shot directly in Dr. Ackerman's face.

The doctor stumbled backwards, as Joseph continued to fire pulse after pulse into the man's body until he was literally a man in pieces. Joseph rushed over towards Alexei, who was standing once more, but half way there he felt his body being lifted into the air, for Dr. Ackerman had reformed himself and was better than ever.

Still, this gave Alexei the chance he needed, rushing at Dr. Ackerman and effectively punching him to the ground. Alexei sat on the doctor's chest, punching him wildly in the face, until Joseph swooped down, knocking Alexei off and them both into another wall.

Joseph ran out of the room, as Alexei stood once more, clenching his fists...never giving up...

http://207.44.246.95/129/44/upload/p309.jpg
Commander Alexei Ivanova
XO of the 1st Marines

http://207.44.246.95/129/44/upload/p360.jpg
Lieutenant Joseph Frost
Vehicle Specialist of the 1st Marines

http://207.44.246.95/129/44/upload/p340.jpg
Dr. Robert Ackerman
CEO, President, and Lead Developer
NiMBUS Biotechnologies

"THEY ARE WORTHLESS!"

"Honestly, James, I agree with you," Bivens said, "talking" with his hands. "But now is not the time..."

"Damnit, David, the pirates are losing less men now than they were before the war started," Pierce replied, growing irritated. "We joined with them because we needed ships and manpower...yet they've hardly done anything. They've lost ships in unnecessary battles far from here, and haven't deployed troops in the last two invasions."

"Yet if we cut them loose," Bivens continued, picking up for Pierce. "They attack us in raids. It may only be a few ships we lose, but we can't lose anything anymore...we've lost too much..."

Knowing Bivens was right, Pierce stared at his ceiling. "I can't decide who you would be..." he said, much to Bivens's confusion.

"Excuse me?"

"Some time ago, when...Tappee got back into the war...I had a meeting with a Commander Ivanova and a Lieutenant Frost," Pierce explaining, sitting down and pouring himself a drink. Bivens chucked...it wasn't that Pierce was an alcoholic...but he sure did love his bottle. "We had a discussion...and I was compared to James Foxx. That angel...there. I've yet to decide which angel you are in the historical metaphor, Dave. I've narrowed it down to two...General Okuda, the old advisor to Foxx, or General Kanavage, the brash young officer who's unit...had the highest kill count."

Bivens laughed and then abruptly stopped, as his memory shifted to the two soldiers Pierce had mentioned. He knew very well what they did and how they did it, and now he couldn't get his mind off them. "These two men, what angels did they say they were like?"

"The Lieutenant picked General Irvine, a man noted by historians everywhere as the standard for military loyalty," Pierce said. "The Commander...said that he couldn't tell which angel was which other than the obvious ones."

"What...did he compare himself to a Machina?" Bivens laughed, but once again stopped as Pierce's expression grew grave.

"No," he replied. "He picked an angel randomly and then they left for a mission. He had truely stumped me with his choice. Me, an avid historian!" Pierce pointed to the angel which Alexei had chosen and Bivens raised and eyebrow.

"General Caraway?" Bivens asked.

"Captain "Vendetta" Caraway," Pierce responded. "The man who took the war into his own hands, slaughtering Machina and industry workers alike. He succeeded, and was not repremanded for his actions. Actually, he was promoted to general eventually, as you obviously knew him as."

"Perhaps this Commander will gain a promotion after this war is over," Bivens joked.

"Dave," Pierce said. "An hour ago we intercepted a message sent by that Lieutenant...saying that the Commander may be mentally unstable and is about to do something drastic. We haven't been able to establish contact. The battle is going so well...I don't want..."

"James," Bivens said, putting his arm around his friend's shoulder and laughing. "We're going to paint over these angels...I doubt they're good for you..."

"Perhaps," Pierce replied, taking one last hard look at the angel representing Captain Caraway from the Machina War before he exited his office.

http://207.44.246.95/129/44/upload/p348.jpg
Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance

http://207.44.246.95/129/44/upload/p357.jpg
Dave Bivens
President/CEO of Bivens Co.

The sounds of battle could be heard all around the ‘Prometheus’ Command tank. For the second time in as many days Field Commander Jeffery sat in at a consol commanding the troop. They had landed several hours ago in relative safety thanks to the efforts of the Clairmont forces, but the landing had been the easy, now they had to fight Imperial forces on the ground, no easy feat by any means.

“I want artillery support for blue squadron an X:45:27 and Y:167:30” yelled Jefferys to make sure that he was heard above all else. “I want Bravo and Gamma division to proceed Wicker point seven and too execute attack pattern Marcus Delta niner” despite all the new technology on the battle field wars were still won and lost over using superior tactics, a fact that was not on Military Command.

“Sir artillery has been tied up with other objects” answered another officer in the tank.

“Call in air support then, I want that Imperial position turned into a glass creator before our force launch an offensive” Jefferys wished that he had forces at his disposal, but the logistic of move an army from space to the surface of a planet while under fire made such things difficult. Until more force could land he would have to work with what he had.


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_____________________________________________________________________________

Miles above the surface yet another battle raged, the struggle to control the sky above Steel Isle was a furious as ever, as each side fought for supremacy.

Both the Clairmont fleet as well as the Tappee fleet fought side by side in an attempt to catch the Imperial force in a crossfire. Admiral Dodalla watched the battle unfold in front of her through her HOLO projector which gave her a 3D view, every once and while she would glance out as the FA mammoth guns would fire at an Imperial target. “Have Charlie and Sigma groups form up here, and here” she reached out a touch specific points HOLO projectors “Have the Avenger and the Terminus provide cover fire.” There were a serious of yes Ma’am as the bridge crew carried out her order. Over the years she had started to block them out, knowing full well that her crew had carried out her order mere moments after they had received them. They trusted her with their lives, and she with them, at not moment had she ever doubted their ability, a quality that any Commander likes.

Things had been going well, with Clairmont aid they had been able to land their forces earlier, and with minimal losses, she would have to thank the Clairmont Admiral when she meet him. For now all she could do was to have her force with the Clairmont fleet inorder to prevent as many losses as she could.

http://img.atpictures.com/michellep/tn_michelle129.jpg
Admiral Dodalla

double post

It had been an interesting night. Before night had fallen, the Tappee ground forces had come down from orbit and now were with the 7th Regiment and gunning down the Imperials that stood as obstacles on their path. By nightfall, the 7th Regiment along with the help of the Tappee forces had completely secured a 100 kilometer radius area around their landing zone.
Taking that as a cue, the numerous assault shuttles from the 5th Task Group had come down and ferried supplies for the ACS. Ammunition, food and most importantly, power.

Colonel Horner stood at the hillside with his helmet clutched to his hand. Having watched the battle thru the sensors of his suit for the last twelve hours, seeing it real was good. Tracers flew in the night as the Tappee forces fired and the unmistakeable silver lightnings of Grav Guns showed where ACS troopers were engaging the enemy. There was a flash in the distance, a bright fireball and a rising mushroom cloud, oh it was really small, propably no more than quarter of a kiloton but still, the C9 atomic catalyst explosives created nice looking explosions and no radiation.

He sighed and called to his suit AI.
"Wendy." He called.
"Yes Colonel." The feminine voice replied quickly.
"Find me the Tappee Ground Commanders Vechile."
There was a seconds pause as the AI worked.
"Commander Jeffreys is located at these co-ordinates." The AI stated and marked the position to Horner's map.
Horner smiled lightly, it was only about 500 meters. He put his helmet back on and sprinted towards the position his AI had given him. It took less than a minute to get there are an average speed and he quickly found the tank that the AI had marked as the Command Vechile.

He strode to its side and knocked on the crew hatch, a few knocks enhanced by the suit muscles, no one could miss the sound.

Since both the ACS and 7th Regiment had proceeded quickly and were now at the outskirts of a good sized city (atleast a few million by quick estimates from Horners AI), they needed to seriously think of a strategy so that their forces wouldnt get jammed down to urban fighting.

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

The Second Battalion of the 7th Fleet Strike Regiment had taken positions at the outskirts of the outlying city. Orders had been not to proceed for in urban conditions, the advantages of the ACS would be severely hampered.

So far it seemed that atleast the outer areas of the city didnt hold Imperial forces, ofcourse there were ways to hide. The three scouts sent forward to take a closer look hunched down at the sides of the road and moved towards the buildings ahead of them. Nothing, there was absolutely nothing th..... And then out of nowhere a heavy energy beam struck one of the scouts squarely to the head. 2nd Generation ACS armor was tough, but these were scout suits with lighter armor and the head had allways been a bit lighter in armor than the remaining portions of the suit, the effect was that the beam penetrated and incinerated the head of PFC Tsang.

The remaining two scout troopers immidietly went to full sprinting speed and began evasive maneuvers and retreating back to the positions of the Battalion. More fire lanced out at them but when zigzagging at 105 kilometers per hour, they were not an easy target. The AI's operated the sensors on the suits and located the point where the fire was coming from.

The call went out from the scout leader.
"Romeo-Seven-Two to Lima-Six, request fire support on co-ordinates UTM 1578894!"
The scout leader called, he had called the support direction center and they would dispatch anything they had for him.
"Romeo-Seven-Two, acknowledged, Sigma-Two-Niner on the way."

Oh shit. The scout leader cursed silently and began running as fast as he could towards the Battalion positions with PFC Vinfretti on his tail. It was the best choice to be atleast a click away when Sigma-Two-Niner was on the way.

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

Assault Shuttle Sigma-Two-Niner, her crew called her "Sick Bastard", screamed towards the co-ordinates that Romeo-Seven-Two had sent them. And they were loaded to bear.

Second Lieutenant North longed for a few rockets to throw at the Imperial position, the 1000 kilo rockets would bring half a kiloton of nuclear level goodness to the targets. But the "Sick Bastard" had been armed with precision weapons and snowflake clusters on their second re-arming turn and orders had been to avoid civilian casualties.

The massive assault shuttle dropped down to 50 meters and closed on the position. The 650 ton assault shuttle was 63 meters long, but yet it somehow moved with an elegant grace. North slowed down so that his gunner would get to hose the position longer with his guns.

Senior Chief Kabrinski checked his gunnery console and locked on to the co-ordinates. His sensors saw energy signatures that resembled weapons in there but, they could have been something else. Oh well, soon there wouldnt be anything in there at all.

He cycled the weapons console and slaved the laser turret and tri-barrel turret to his joystick, the targeting circles aligned up and locked on the position. And then he fired.

The ventral laser turret had two 5cm lasers mounted to it, they spat coherent light at the target, slicing thru anything they hit and causing explosions as matter quickly evaporated. The tri-barrels followed suit. every second they spat hundreds of 20mm exploding darts at hypersonic velocities at the Imperial position. The building came apart like a tin can under the concentrated fire and Kabrinski caught the shape of an ODIN suit being cut in two by one of the lasers.

And then Sigma-Two-Niner overflew the position and headed back towards the secure zone, holding the same 50 meter altitude to minimize the risk of ground fire.

Second Lieutenant North noted that he was close to the Rebel 2nd Marines, he opened up the channel that had been designated to them.
"This is Sigma-Two-Niner, CSN Assault Shuttle calling 2nd Marines Commander, need some air-support?"

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

Rear Admiral Theisman whistled silently as Task Group 5 continued to send out death along the Tappee forces. They had been throwing out missiles at a relatively restfull pace and using their Energy Batteries whenever possible. Space wasnt a problem, along with the Tappee, Rebel and Task Grou 5 forces they would surely secure local space relatively quickly and with quite minimal losses, the Imperials didnt seem to have all that much ships in here.

"Comms, get the 2nd Marines commander on the horn, ask them if they would care for some air support."

[code:1:54bcd480f9]To: CO of 2nd Marines
From: Rear Admiral Theisman

I have launched the strike fighters aboard the task group Assault Carrier, i have 100 Scimitar Strike Fighters in space loaded to bear. If you require any air support and if your own fighters are busy, you can call for our support direction center with the callsign Lima-Six. [/code:1:54bcd480f9]

The message went underway and Theisman glanced at the tactical holo of both the planetary surface and local space. Oh yes, Steel Isle would soon be out of Imperial grasp.

http://sivut.koti.soon.fi/villerainamo/ghkgkjpg.2jpg.jpg
Rear Admiral Thomas Theisman
CO Task Group 5, CSN

http://sivut.koti.soon.fi/villerainamo/13afaf1.jpg
Colonel Jack Horner
CO 1st Div/7th Fleet Strike Regiment

http://sivut.koti.soon.fi/villerainamo/2ndLtNorth.jpg
2nd Lieutenant Andrew North
Sigma-Two-Niner, Assault Shuttle "Sick Bastard"

The sound of knocking could be heard through out the tank. Confused one of the TAC officers turned to Commander Jefferys “Expecting company Sir”

Jefferys looked up at a small T.V showing what was going on outside the tank, from what he could see there was a Clairmont soldier standing there waiting to be let in. “Don’t be rude open the door”

Following the Commanders order the main door to the tank was opened, it took the crew a moment for their eyes to adjust to the natural light, they had become adjusted to the artificial light that was provided. Jeffery’s motioned for the Clairmont soldier to take the seat beside him. “Colonel Horner I presume, what can I do for you?”

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Commander Jefferys

Colonel Horner believed in meeting his fellow officers face to face every time when it was possible, perhaps it was because he was an Old Horse or because traditions died hard but he did it anyways, never really thinking why when he could just tell his AI to give him a line to those officers.

He stood next to the tank, waiting and detached the helmet of his suit. It wouldnt have been appropriate to meet a co-officer with whom you were supposed to plan a strategy, with the helmet on, afterall the face of a 2nd Gen ACS armor was completely blank, there was no visor. He tucked the armor covered helmet under his arm.

The hatch of the Command Tank opened and the Commander whom Horner had come to meet came out. He motioned for the Colonel to take a seat. Horner quickly glanced at the proportions of the hatch and the inside of the tank and frowned. He possibly could fit in there, and he didnt want to be rude so...

He took the offer and toned down his suit muscles, afterall it would have been unfortunate to rip apart the allied commanders tank now wouldnt it? It was pretty tight to move with his suit making him stand at 2.1 meters even without the helmet, and the thickness of the legs and arms of the Armored-Combat-Suit didnt help too much either. But he succeeded and Commander Jefferys opened the dialoque.

“Colonel Horner I presume, what can I do for you?”

"Quite correct. I decided to drop by since i was on the neighborhood and i believe in face-to-face meetings with my fellow officers."

"Now on to the business. We have made excellent progress over the night. The Imperials didnt have that much ground forces out of the cities and they didnt seem to be really prepared for a large scale ground assault. We've been making excellent progress because of that, but now we have a city to worry about." Horner outlined his points.

They had been making excellent progress indeed, but now they were facing a large urban enviroment and there was no doubt that there was a heavy imperial concentration there.

"We need to co-ordinate our forces so that we can take the area quickly and not get pinned down to urban fighting where attrition will be high and fighting conditions will be poor. And most of all, we seriously need to think of our tactics on how to proceed from here, we cant afford to get jammed to the first city we come across for days."

http://sivut.koti.soon.fi/villerainamo/13afaf1.jpg
Colonel Jack Horner
CO 1st Div/7th Fleet Strike Regiment

Honestly Commander Jeffery didn’t like the idea of urban combat for a number of reasons. First the Imperial had the benefit of having home field advantage; they now had the option to choose when and where they would engage his forces. Secondly, now the battle would be taking place much closer to civilians which would make avoiding any civilians causalities that much more difficult, limiting his ability to use artillery, no matter how precise it was.

However, in anticipation for the coming battle he had order members of the Second X, which was Tappee special force, to enter the city and scout enemy position. In addition he had called in gun ship’s that would be able to provide close air support.

“I’m planning to blitz the city at a number of key point” answered Jeffery to Horner’s question “My force are going to attack here, here, and here.” He said while pointing a screen sitting front of him. “I’m sending in Marines, ‘Short Blade’ tactical battle tanks, ‘Land Raider’ heavy APC’s, and ‘Viper’ gunships.”

Not sure if Horner was aware of the combat roles of Tappee military hardware Jeffery gave a quick explanation. “The ‘Short Blade’ has a class 3 Plasma Cannon which is ideal for melting down armour, but doesn’t cause a huge explosion like artillery. ‘Land Raider’ have heavy armour and carry a substantial amount of firepower. Lastly the ‘Viper’ carrier various weapon platform that range from anti personal, to anti tank, it’s thrusters are extremely powerful, but silent at the same time allowing it to move through an urban environment extremely effectively.”

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Commander Jeffery's

http://www.freehomepages.com/gate3028/Ground/Pics/exe3stroe.jpgShort Blade Tank

http://www.freehomepages.com/gate3028/Ground/Pics/darkangelsraider.jpgLand Raider APC

http://www.3drt.com/3dm/gunships/gs-02_01.jpg
Viper Gunship

[OOC: Go ahead with the invasion, guys. Just remember...this is a whole planet, a large, beautiful planet. Keep the scale in mind.

There aren't many Imperials, or at least there aren't as many as there could be. Don't be afraid to move fast and wrap this up...I'm looking fowards to the third thread...I have a lot of things planned...including a good "ending" for this thread.

As always, you have your characters.]

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"Do you understand, Captain?"

"...yes, sir," Apakoh said, adjusting his eyepatch and standing up. "When will you be departing, Admiral?"

"You want me gone so soon?" Fleet Admiral Jerry Dratsab asked, laughing. To be honest, that was exactly what Apakoh wanted. The Fleet Admiral had quite an annoying personality and personal beliefs that didn't go over well with either side of the war. Apakoh had long hoped that the Admiral would switch sides, yet he never got the pleasure. "In truth, I was told to stick around here. I'm considering making the Apparition my flagship."

"Oh really?" Apakoh said, wincing. Those words were never what a Captain wanted to hear. To be XO on their own ship wasn't a job that any Captain wanted. "Surely you know of our current electronical problems."

"I also know of your firepower," the Admiral said, walking to the door. "...and the list of ships you've sent to the other side."

Apakoh followed the Admiral out, but as Dratsab continued through the bridge and exited towards his quarters, Apakoh sat down in his captain's chair, forcing the thought out of his mind that it might be one of his last times sitting there.

"Lieutenant," Apakoh said to Lt. Lance Radney who was at Tactical.

"Yes, sir?" The Lieutenant questioned, turning around.

"You were a former member of the Imperial Guard, correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"Why did you leave the Guard?"

"Sir," Lance explained. "I left when the war started. I feel I can serve the Empire better out on the front lines than in the palace or guarding diplomats."

"Agreed," Captain Apakoh replied, withholding a comment on how they were rarely allowed out onto the front lines. "Lieutenant, follow me into my ready room," the captain said, and Lance did as he was told.

"Captain?"

"You're being sent on a mission of the highest priority, Lieutenant Radney," Apakoh said as he handed Lance a PADD informing him of the objectives. Lance's eyes widened as he looked at the PADD, and he shifted his gaze back to the captain's eyes. Lusec Apakoh's single eye glared back at Apakoh, reassuring him that this was no joke.

"I am prepared to do whatever it takes to serve the Empire to my fullest ability," Lance replied, saluting.

"I can't stress enough the importance of this mission, Lieutenant," Captain Apakoh said, saluting in return. "James Pierce must not be allowed to see tomorrow's sunrise...for the sake of the Empire. His fate, Lieutenant, is in your hands. Do as you must..."

"Yes, sir," Lance replied, exiting the Captain's office. Apakoh rubbed his chin, thinking to himself of the order he had just been handed and then passed on. His thoughts trailed off to Sky Marshall Zephyr, who had just contacted him about a similar plan.

Entering the bridge again, Apakoh ordered the helmsman to go to the coordinates that Zephyr had supplied as a meeting point, and the Apparition's engines fired as Lance's fighter cloaked and left for Aeisis.

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Fleet Admiral Jerry Dratsab
XO of the Imperial Defense Fleet

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Captain Lusec Apakoh
81st Imperial Marines

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Lieutenant Lance Radney
81st Imperial Marines

“Take Cover” Yelled Major Frando Cortablez as their position was fire upon by Imperial forces. Him and the rest of his men took cover at the last possible moment as the Tank that they where walking behind blew up. They had been ordered to proceed into the city to clean up the last of Imperial resistance. However, from the fire fight that was developing on the outer edges of the city it was clear to Cortablez that the Imperial where no going down with out a fight. And at the moment they where pinned down.

Realizing that they where not going anywhere any time soon Cortablez changed COM frequencies, contacting command “This is Caterpillar Zebra 36, we have a spider web at location x:34:56 y:139:179, requesting big stick at that location, I repeat requesting Stick at x:34:56 y:139:179” Cortablez yelled into his head set hoping that he was heard over all the noise.

Then came a reassuring voice in his earpiece “Copy that Zebra 36, we have thrown the stick.”

Cortablez let out a sigh of relief knowing that help was on the way. All he could now was wait. Dirt was flying all over the place as their position came under constant attack, when ever the opportunity presented it’s self, members of the squad would fire in the imperials direction, but to no avail, the Imperial where to well dug in. And that when Cortablez saw it.

A lone Gun ship knows as a ‘Viper’ came over the top a near by building, the air around the craft became distorted due to the exhaust from the craft powerful engine, if Cortablez had not seen the exhaust he would have wondered how it flew, for it gave off almost no sound. For a brief moment it just hovered there, the nose of the craft shifted toward the Imperial. At the push of a button the ship gunner unleashed hell from the crafts two Pulse cannons.

Green beams of light streamed toward the Imperial position, the sound of the guns firing was heard above all else, as every thing seemed to moving in slow motion. A number of Imperial soldier fall to the ‘Vipers’ mighty guns, a stray shoot hit so type a off explosive causing a huge fireball. In an attempt to hit the Imperial from another direction the ‘Viper’ begun moving to the right. At the Blink of an eye the ‘Viper banked hard to right trying heavy weapons fire. The Pilot skilfully started a serious of evasive manoeuvres to avoid the incoming fire.

With the Imperial now occupied with the new threat Cortablez order his men out from their cover and attacked the Imperial position

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Viper moving through urban terrain

The silver lightning of grav guns licked the positions where from came the fire of Imperial defenders. Rounds thundered thru air at over ten thousand meters per second and in humongous numbers.

"Reapers! Fire support on the double." Lieutenant O'Neal shouted thru the comm and the Grim Reaper platoon obliged. They set up beyond the field of fire of the Imperial position and opened fire with their automortars. The powerfull ballistic weapons spat rounds at rapid fire and the thunder of explosions, fire and flying debris engulfed the Imperial position.

"Move out!" O'Neal ordered and his platoon moved to what had been the Imperial position and proceeded to a a towering building that had been designated as the objective point. From there O'Neals platoon could be firing down to the alleys and roads going past the building.
Meaning that no more re-inforcement of the frontline Imperial troops in this zone via these roads.

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

Colonel Horner grunted in acceptance as the colour coded zones of control appeared on his helmet HUD. The allied forces had cut to the city like a scalpel and were now in the process of securing the areas where they had penetrated.

The Imperials were giving out a good fight. Indeed, the casualty rates had gone up quite a bit when the urban combat had commenced. But the fact of the matter still was that they would be defeated. Perhaps not as quickly but defeated regardless.

He watched the position and advance of a single Tappee force that was fighting its way forward. They lost one of their vechiles, but they got the Imperial position silenced with the help of some air-support. Their firepower had taken a minor hit however and Horner checked the ACS units that would be close enough to lend a hand. There was Alpha-Company of the 2nd Battalion, they had finished their area of operations and were waiting for a new task. Well, they would get it.

Horner opened the comm to the Company and instructed them to continue proceeding but tag along with the Tappee unit and give them whatever support they needed.

The company quickly acknowledged.

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

The one-hundred and fifty Armored-Combat-Suits of Alpha-Company 2nd Battalion appeared from the southern flank of the advancing Tappee force and arrayed among it. The Grim Reaper heavy weapons platoon remained at the back of the column for they were fire support suits not meant for as close and thick combat as the standard fighting suits. The twelve-hundred pound weighing combat suits among the Tappee infantry may have looked a bit funny to someone.

Captain Alex Steele reported to Major Cortablez and told him that Alpha-Company was here to give them support.


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Colonel Jack Horner
CO 1st Div/7th Fleet Strike Regiment

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1st Lieutenant Michael O'Neal
2nd Gen ACS Expert

Now that they seemed to have a handle on things in space Admiral Dodalla though that it would be good time to check in with Commander Jefferys on the surface to see what the situation was on the ground.

She glanced over at the COM officer “Open a channel to Commander Jefferys, make sure that it is encoded” It took the officer a few moment to open a secure connection “Commander what is your current situation?”

There was a pause due to the brief time delay “We’ve made excellent progress shortly after landing and through out the night. However, the Imperial forces have fallen back in the urban centres. As a result it’s slowed our progess, and we are taken more losses. I’m uploading the current battle information to you now.”

Reaching down she typed a few commands into her consol, which caused the HOLO display to change. Now instead of the battle for space it now showed the battle for the planet. Blue dots represented Tappee forces, the green where the Clairmont force, and the red dots where known Imperial position. She could clearly see that the Commander was right. A majority of the Imperial forces had indeed fallen back into Steel Isle cities. This would mean the fleet could no longer provide artillery support for the forces on the ground, Henry had made it very clear that they where to avoid casualties at all cost, the only option left know was to deploy more ground forces. However, since ALLIED forces now controlled most of the country side it would mean that they could now land their rest of their forces in relative safety. “Very well Commander we shall launch the second wave, they will begin landing out side the urban centres shortly.”

She glanced over at Henry to make sure that she had his approval. “You realize that once the second wave lands that we will have no more reinforcements for those on the ground. What if the Imperial reinforcements enter the system and land more troops. We can ill afford to have all our forces on the ground tiered and injured.” Was Henry’s response to her glance.

“We have control of space now” she had though about a possible Imperial counter attack, but felt that if one had been coming then it would have came already. “If we can gain control of surface quickly then we can form up for a counter attack and fight it on our terms.”

Henry took a moment to consider her logic for a moment “Very well, prepare the second wave”

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Admiral Dodalla

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Henry Kobe

"Sky Marshall, we need air support!" General Sherman fumed. He had been over this before.

"General, please," Sky Marshall Mitchell replied. "I'm not firing on coalition troops..."

"We're not in every city yet!"

"Then I'm not firing on civilians!" Mitchell said, slaming his fist on the desk.

"Fuck them!" Sherman responded. "They're no different than the others!"

"Gentlemen, please," General Jack Valkare interrupted. He had been quiet until now, but it was obviously time to cool down. "Esthar troops will be landing shortly. I'm sending four million men to Steel Isle as reinforcements. I'm planning on keeping at least one million there after we take the planet. Our infantry has been highly trained for urban warfare."

"Trained in low-civilian casualty practices I assume?" Sky Marshall Mitchell asked. To Valkare, he was only asking for trouble.

"Trained in achieving victory however possible," General Valkare replied. "If the civilans get in the way...that's their problem."

"Sir!" a man about twenty five years of age said upon entering the room and saluting. "Esthar forces have began landing on Steel Isle...there have been no casualities as of yet."

"They send me a Lieutenant," Jack grumbled, as he saluted in return. "Very well, Lt. Benz...I trust you'll be joining them?"

"Absolutely, sir!" Kris Benz replied. "I'm no one to sit back and watch,"

"Neither am I, Lieutenant," Valkare said, glaring at Sky Marshall Mitchell. "Neither am I..."

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Sky Marshall William Mitchell
Commander of the Space Fleet and Marines

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General Michael Sherman
Commander of the Mobile Infantry

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General Jack "Lionheart" Valkare
Commander of the Esthar Military
Acting Praetor of Esthar VIII

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Lieutenant Kris Benz
Esthar Praetorian Marines
13th Marine Division

[OOC: I now have 30 main characters that are still alive. 4 have died. Of those 30, 10 are Imperial/NiMBUS, 20 are Resistance/Coalition. I have two words for this: holy shit! Sorry if this response comes a bit late, Clairmont.]

To: CO of 2nd Marines
From: Rear Admiral Theisman

I have launched the strike fighters aboard the task group Assault Carrier, i have 100 Scimitar Strike Fighters in space loaded to bear. If you require any air support and if your own fighters are busy, you can call for our support direction center with the callsign Lima-Six.

Captain Leon Williams switched off his Temporal Communicator and read the message which had been fowarded to him through a ship in orbit. He nodded, and sent his reply.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
.:Captain Williams to Rear Admiral Theisman:.
Channel Encrypted - Transmission Secure

"If you're reading this, then someone from High Command has already given you the encryption codes. While I personally would love more air support than we already have, I have recieved direct messages from the commanders of the Resistance Joint Military stating that no futher support will be provided.

...it looks like we're on our own, Admiral."

Channel Terminated
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Leon flipped down the display on his left forearm and grabbed his rifle with both hands. The city glared down on him as shots could be heard from within.

"Lets go boys," he said calmly, setting his rifle to frag.

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Captain Leon Williams
Leader of the 2nd Marines

[OOC: Also, guys, check your telegrams for some part III planning]

Rear Admiral Thomas Theisman, Clairmont Space Navy, sighed heavully as he watched the holographical representation of the planet and local space.

Things had proceeded superbly in the last few days. City after city had been taken over by the combined resistance forces and it seemed that ultimate victory on Steel Isle was just a matter of time.

But all that hadnt been achieved without cost. He winced every time he looked at the casualty graphs. But war was like that, in war people would die. And the casualties were lighter than they could have been and in comparison to what had been achieved on Steel Isle, those casualties were acceptable.

The 7th Fleet Strike Regiments casualties hadnt been too bad. The 2nd Generation Armored Combat Suit truly had proven its worth. But the loss of a total of one hundred and fifteen suits along with their troopers was notable considering that each suit cost no less than fifteen million Clairmont dollars, not to mention the literally hundreds of training hours each ACS trooper required. Those losses might have been lower if Task Group 5 had had its Tactical Armor complement before departing from Sol, but there had been no time.

He sighed again and glanced at what the tactical plot showed him. There was a real clutter of allied light codes around the icon of Steel Isle, but a new light code had also popped up and it was moving towards Steel Isle at a leisurable pace. That light code had the identification 'Task Fleet 1.1' marked under it.

Theisman was glad that he would get to see Admiral Harrington again. He and she were long time friends and it had been far to long since they had met but in a corner of his mind he was also worried. Was it the right choice for the Star Protectorate to get this heavully involved? Perhaps the appereance of Theismans Task Group to the battle would still have been ignored mostly but the force of two Superdreadnoughts, two Assault Carriers, eight Battlecruisers, six Heavy Cruisers, appropriate screening elements, a mobile repair yard and a full logistics squadron, couldnt even get by a blind man without being noticed. And First Space Lord Caparelli had chosen Fleet Admiral Harrington to command that force.

And he also wondered what had prompted Caparelli into sending this weight of metal and the Protector giving the permission into sending it. Altough the CSN had been building up steadilly for quite a few years allready, thanks to Hephaestus, the number of ships of the wall in the Space Navy was still less than two dozen (altough not by much). So sending both TG 5 and TF 1.1 to the Orion Sector had made a hole to the defensive fleet power back in Sol.

Theisman brushed those thoughts aside. Caparelli was a professional, an excellent strategician and the Protector knew his military as well. If they both concurred on this, then they had to have been confident.

He glanced at the tactical plot, forty minutes before Task Fleet 1.1 would reach Steel Isle orbit and rendzervous with Task Group 5.


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Rear Admiral Thomas Theisman
CO Task Group 5, CSN

Her gamble with the second wave had so far paid off, with the additional manpower; the allies had been able to take a number of Steel Isle cities. However, the planet was not yet theirs, the Imperials still managed to control several pockets of resistance.

For the first time since the battle for Steel Isle had began she was allowing her self a moment of peace. After consulting with Commander Jefferys she had slipped of the commander deck and made her way to the observation deck. Alone to her he thoughts she stared out blankly at space, with the battle for space over the black sky littered glowing dots seemed rather peaceful. It was in this moment that she found her self thinking of an old Tappee legend that her father had told her before he died, her parent had died when she was very young, and the legend that he had told her was one of the few memories that she had of him. The legend stated that when a soldier dies with honour on the field of combat, then their soul would go up to heaven and become a star to watch over those that they left behind. When her parent had died, she snuck out of the house and tried to find the star that would be her parents looking down on her.

For the second time in her life she found her self looking at that exact same star, for on this day it would be joined by many other. In the back of her mind she found her self playing the battle through her head trying to see if she could have done anything different, some thing that could have saved more lives.

Suddenly she became aware of another presence, looking to her right she saw Henry leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed. “Nice view up here” he said. Casually he made his way over and took the seat beside Dodalla “No matter what you think you couldn’t have done any thing differently”

Doddalla found her self caught off guard by his comment, did she ware her emotion on her sleeve that much that all one had to do was to look at her to know what she was thinking. But then she realized the Henry was an agent, it was his job to get into people head. Henry had probably read her file so many time that he knew her better then she knew her self. She let out a sigh “I guess your right, but I just wonder about the could haves”

Henry sat back to make himself more comfortable. “I know what you mean, I’ve been there, you wonder if I had done this then maybe thing would have been different.” He took a deep breath, as if he was trying to hide some deep down pain. “Trust me, it better if you don’t think about the could haves”

“There was could haves at Tatania, wasn’t there” asked Dodalla. As a member of the Joint chiefs, she was aware the Henry was one of the few people to actually make it out of Tatania alive. The loss of life, as well as what went on after the attack would have been a traumatic experience for anyone. She had asked the question not so much for inquiry, but instead for guidance.

It took Henry a moment to come up with a response to her question. “Yes there was, I should have died in that god forsaken place.” There was almost no emotion in his voice.
“What happened?.” His response had peaked her curiosity.

“We were being attacked by this..” he tried to find the right words, unless one was actually at Tatania it was hard to put into words. How do you tell someone that you were attack by the undead, it wasn’t an easy thing to phrase “creature, and I had been injured in a previous attack. So like any good soldier I armed that last bomb that I had and told the rest of the team to go while I held it off.”

Dodalla found her self getting caught up with the story want more, and more details. “OK, you survived, but how.”

Henry turned his attention to the stars that surrounded the ship. “I good friend of mine told me that it wasn’t time for me to die, and that there was a larger plan for me, a plan that I’m still trying to figure out.”

“Did your friend make it out?” asked Dodalla “Or did he die, and you survived, and that the could have.”

“No” answered Henry quickly “It took our combined strength to get out there.” Henry let out a sigh, never shifting his eyes from the stars. “He was one of the rebel soldiers that was left on the ground at the battle of Gest. I feel bad that I wasn’t there for him, that’s the could have.” Again he paused for a moment “I should have been there for my friend”

It wasn’t until now that Dodalla understood the point of Henry’s story. Like it or not they were in the middle of a war. Henry had his duty, a duty that prevented him from helping a friend, just like she had her duty. “Such is the price of war, we all loss someone close to us?”

Henry though for a moment “That why there is only what we have done, not what we could have done”

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Admiral Dodalla

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Henry Kobe

Joseph ran out of the room, as Alexei stood once more, clenching his fists...never giving up...

Dr. Ackerman literally flew at Alexei, who in turn side stepped but was knocked over regardless. The doctor grabbed Alexei by his right arm, but Alexei yanked hard, pulling his right leg up and kicking Dr. Ackerman in the head in midair. Dr. Ackerman dropped Alexei, but Alexei landed on his feet and was fine.

The doctor charged at Alexei again from the air, but Alexei backhanded him, knocking them both to the floor. Scrambling to his feet, Alexei ran to Dr. Ackerman, but he was stopped midway by magnetic forces. Dr. Ackerman picked Alexei up with his abilities, but instead of attempting to crush him, he simply smashed Alexei into wall...after wall...after wall...

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

Eric had recieved the transmission from Lt. Frost and now his unit had approached the cloaked building. Planting explosives all along a part of it, they blew a hole through the wall and stormed inside to the greetings of piles of bodies.

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

Lying on the floor in pain, Alexei begged his body to get up but it didn't seem to be able.

"Pitiful human," Dr. Ackerman taunted. "Just stay down so I can kill you easily."

Alexei's emotions burned inside of him, as he lifted his head off the floor, slowly trying to get to his feet. But Dr. Ackerman had grown tired of toying with this man, who had actually hurt him a few times, and stomped Alexei's head through the ground.

Alexei's scream was cut short, for the helmet had protected his head from anything more than a concussion but his right eyepiece shattered, injecting his eye with the sharp shards. Alexei faded from conciousness, leaving his vulnerable neck liner wide open for the finishing blow.

Dr. Ackerman paced back and fourth until he came to Alexei's gun. With his magnetic abilities, the doctor molded the gun into a knife and then held it over Alexei, smiling.

It was not the doctor's victory yet, however, for he suddenly fell to the floor, revieling Joseph with a sniper in his hand. Dr. Ackerman's face twisted as blood poured out the back of his skull, and then the man was calm. Joseph Frost ran to Alexei and lifted his head out of the hole it was in. Pressing the button to take the helmet off, Joseph was horrified to see that it couldn't come off. The helmet was caught on something...Alexei's right eye...

Dr. Ackerman rose, with the hole still in the back of his head...but it was no longer bleeding and actually seemed to be healing itself. Joseph cocked his gun again, but the barrel was then bent to the side.

"You...can't...imagine..." the doctor ranted, making his way to the two men. "...how...much...that..."

"FIRE!" Eric commanded, his scream cutting through the air as a spear cut through the flesh. Twenty five Marines opened fire on Dr. Ackerman, who then brought the ceiling down in front of him as a shield. Literally in pieces, the doctor retreated to his escape pod and quickly left the planet.

"Commander," Joseph reported. "Get this man to a doctor!"

"Agreed, Lieutenant," Eric replied. "Who is this man?"

Joseph pulled off his helmet so that Eric would recognize him. They hadn't seen each other since the barfight after the Imperial invasion of Aeisis. "Commander Alexei Ivanova," Joseph replied.

Eric gasped. His friend had been dead since Gest...how could he be alive? "H-hurry!" he ordered his troops. "GET THIS MAN OFF THE PLANET! I'LL BE GOING AS WELL."

"Commander," Joseph asked. "What am I to do?"

"Come with us," Eric ordered. "You are...your whole division was destroyed at Gest. You and...Alexei...are all that's left of it."

With the shimmer of light, Eric, Joseph, Alexei, Sean, and three other Marines transported to the Outlander, which was orbiting the planet.

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Commander Alexei Ivanova
XO of the 1st Marines

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Lieutenant Joseph Frost
Vehicle Specialist/Sniper,
1st Marines

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Commander Eric Vinzer
XO of the 2nd Marines

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Dr. Robert Ackerman
CEO, President, and Lead Developer
NiMBUS Biotechnologies

Please be here...

Mark raced through the halls of the Outlander, dodging soldiers and officers alike.

Damnit, where is she...?

"Lieutenant, do you have access to this..."

"OUT OF MY WAY!" Mark shouted, pushing the guard to the floor. He burst into the room where the 1475th brigade were being treated after they returned from Steel Isle.

On the ground lay his girlfriend, Katrina Brady, and covering her uniform was dried blood. Mark fell to his knees...as a tear fell down his cheek. Suddenly guards grabbed him from behind, but the doctor working on Katrina called them off, letting Mark approach.

"Wha...how...?"

"Don't worry...uh...Lieutenant," the doctor replied, smiling. "She'll be fine."

"W-what happened?" Mark stammered, his heart racing.

"Her consol exploded and some of the pieces were thrust into her stomach," the doctor said, watching Mark wince. "They were all safely extracted..."

"When will she wake up?" Mark asked, wiping his eyes.

"Soon..." the doctor replied. "I...have other patients to tend to. I trust she's in good hands?"

Mark thought back to when they had first met. She had run her mouth as usual and had gotten into trouble at the bar outside of the academy. Mark laughed at the fact that they gotten out of the academy in the first place. Such a thing could get them expelled...

But no one could ever convince Katrina to live within the confines of walls and borders. Her free spirit was what Mark had first fell in love with...and that's why he followed her. Ultimately he saved her life, but he stabbed two men in the process and killed one. They were both thrown out of the Orion Military Academy...Mark in his last year...something that only brought them closer.

Luckily the Resistance didn't care, as long as you could fly...and two years of boarder running taught a person to fly rather well, at least those who survived the Border Guard onslaught if they were detected.

"The best," Mark responded, brushing her hair out of her eyes.

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Lieutenant Mark Andrews
"Raptor 1"
15th Fighter Squadron

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Ensign Katrina Brady
"Raptor 2"
15th Fighter Squadron

Jade made the final adjustments to her dress. Looking into the mirror she realized how much she hated these things, she was trained for combat, not matter of state. However, people were often forced to do things that they particularly don’t enjoy, but such is the way of things. She let out a bit of a sigh, preparing herself for hour of boredom and idle meaningless chatter.

A knock on the door startled her making sure that she was ready she walked across the room and opened the door expecting to find Baraca on the other side. Instead she found one her aid waiting.

He handed her a file “It was labelled urgent, for them the tribunal, and requires your immediate attention.”

Stepping in hallway took the file she broke open the security seal and began looking it over. “Thanks” giving her aid cue to leave.

The file contained the losses for the day. Thousands were dead, thousands more injured. A number of ship were either destroyed or badly damaged. Looking at the losses by ship class she was surprised to see that an Ithra class had been destroyed, it that on of the toughest ships in the fleet. The battle had been intense to say the least. However, with their victory at Steel Isle it would now provide more complication. It would now mean that more area would need to be defend, and with these losses their forces would now be stretched rather thin, to the point she wondered if it would be possible to press the attack any more.

Another thought disturbed her. Looking at the figures she realized how many people had died in the past few hour, died fighting what some had argued was her own personal war. With the assassination of her husband she had thrown Tappee back in to the war. While those forces where out fighting and dieing she was half way across the galaxy getting ready for a state dinner worried about the way she looked. A though that almost made her want to vomit.

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The Outlander appeared outside of Aeisis and docked at a spacedock for some much-needed repairs.

"Would Lieutenant Andrews and Commander Vinzer please report to the Governor's Office..."

Mark half smiled at Eric when the two met each other in the hall. He did not want to leave Katrina alone, but the Governor's Office was where James Pierce led the resistance from, and Mark did not think it would be wise to refuse the leader's offer for a meeting.

"Welcome," Pierce said smiling as the two men entered. To his right was Sky Marshall William Mitchell, to his left Dave Bivens. Pierce shook their hands and then told them to sit down.

"We have heard much about your exploits," Mitchell said, standing up. He motioned for Mark to rise as well, and Mark did. "As you know...your commanding officer was killed in the invasion. Personally, we all think you're the best for the job."

"Normally we'd have a celebration of sorts," Bivens continued, picking up where the Sky Marshall left off. "But I think circumstances forbid us from such things." James Pierce opened a case. Inside, was a black pip with a gold border.

"Lieutenant Commander," Pierce said to Mark. "I congradulate you on your promotion. I trust you'll be finding your Lieutenant soon."

"Well sir," Mark replied. "The person who I would make my Lieutenant is injured at the moment."

"That's easy enough to fix," Mitchell laughed. "Promote someone to Lieutenant Junior Grade and then whenever this other person gets well, promote him to full Lieutenant."

"Her, sir," Mark said, correcting the Sky Marshall.

"As you wish, Commander," the Sky Marshall replied. Mark cracked a smile...that was not a normall thing for a Sky Marshall to say to anyone, much less a Lieutenant Commander. "You are dismissed."

"Thank you, sir..." Mark said, leaving the room. Eric stepped fowards.

"Commander," Pierce addressed Eric. "I understand you have encountered the President of NiMBUS?"

"Yes, sir," Eric replied, nodding. "We...shot at him...hitting him quite often...and yet he still escaped."

"As I thought," Pierce said. "That is all...thank you for your time..."

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Lt. Commander Mark Andrews
"Raptor Zero"
15th Fighter Squadron

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Commander Eric Vinzer
XO of the 2nd Marines

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Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance

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Dave Bivens
President/CEO of Bivens Co.

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Sky Marshall William Mitchell
Commander of the Space Fleet and Marines

"So the plan is now in motion?"

"Be patient, Captain...it will happen tonight..."

"The Apparition needs to be refitted...we're not effective with only one power core...we need two!"

"I'm planning on giving it three, Captain..."

"What about the Emperor?"

"I told you, he will be taken care of..."

"And the plan?"

"It will be sent to you...just be ready for it..."

"I will, sir..."

"Good...get together all the captains that you know are loyal to us...22:00 hours we execute the plan..."

"Of course, sir..."

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Sky Marshall Michael Zephyr
Commander of the Imperial Fleet and Marines

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Captain Lusec Apakoh
81st Imperial Marines

The pod had made it up past the atmosphere with limited damage due to it's speed and the many minds protecting it. As soon as it reached the starship's bays, the doors of which promptly closed behind him, the borrowed ship lept away from Gest.

-----------

"Sir? I have a ship inbound, it's the Missile."

"Good, it took'em long enough."

Both the Rocket and the Torpedo had long since stoped their bombardment of Imperial armaments and were now situated in a L.G point many Kilometers away from Steel Isle.

They sat there while their crews rested and healed from their participation in the war.

"Open up a channel to the Missile, let's see what's happened."

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Colonel Wesley Tse,
Regiment CO, Nin'er
(N)Enabled Regiment

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Lieutenent Maya Jenson
Comm Tech
(M)Enabled Regiment

[OOC: ...my computer crashed, and I can only log on about once or twice a week, mainly wednesdays and every other weekend. Bastard schedual. I'll try and get it working again soon. :x ]

"Commander we must pull our resources..."

"I agree, sir...but we cannot possibly go on the defensive..." Eric replied, scratching his head. He hadn't had a haircut in a while, and he liked it better short.

Pierce nodded. There was something about this man's honesty that he liked. Most people simply told him what he wanted to hear, a fact that went along with his position. However, like Dave Bivens and Jack Valkare, this Commander Vinzer spoke his mind, and it was an intelligent mind at that.

"Not now, sir," Eric continued. "Not after we just took Steel Isle."

"I agree," Bivens added. He had been walking behind them for a few moments, waiting for the right time to interrupt. "Now that our forces are stretched even further...we have even more land and space to defend...it's only a matter of time before the Imperials find the seemingly obvious way to beat us. We must strike them down before that point..."

"Well one thing's for sure," Pierce replied. He wasn't changing his mind...not this time. "We can't invade another planet any time soon. I've seen partial casualty reports from the Coalition invasion force...and we're losing too many men. Soon we may have all the land in the sector, and not a man to defend it. No...circumstances dictate our response...we need to make sure that the Imperials can't fight back through other ways. Attack their supplies, their facilities, their emotions...but not their planets. Not yet...and not for a while..."

"SECURITY BREACH IN THE PALACE"

Pierce and Bivens froze as Eric pulled reached for his pistol that they had taken from him at the entrance to the Governor's Palace. The lights went off as the defense doors slammed shut on both sides of the windowless hallway. A flashing red light gave the room an eerie glow...red...then darkness...then red again...

"SECURITY BREACH IN THE PALACE"

Weaponless, Eric squinted his eyes, trying to see his surroundings.

"This is Pierce One Oh Seven Niner Delta, Confirm Two Oh Five Oh Six Eighty Theta," Pierce yelled over the now screaming alarm. "Breach override!"

"Pierce Confirm has been locked out of mainframe control"

It was a measure put in place to insure that no governor could be held hostage for access codes. Pierce cursed the stupid security measure, but Eric told him to shut up as he was listening for something...something he was certain he had heard...

...and nevertheless Eric was right. There were in fact four men in the locked hall. How the fourth got into the hallway ran through all three of their minds, but they all knew that now it was not important...they had bigger problems.

The familiar face flickered in the flashing red light as Eric glared at his enemy. "Hello Lance," he said without any trace of emotion. Bivens ran at the man Eric addressed as Lance, but the enemy soldier took the punch to the face and responded by throwing Bivens against the wall.

"Hello Eric," Lance replied, smiling and glaring at the same time. The red light echoed the anger in his voice as his mouth slowly curved down at the sides. "This will be even more fulfilling that I thought."

"What the hell are you doing?" Eric asked, surprisingly calm. This day had been in the back of his mind for some time now, but although he always hoped it would never come, he always knew somewhere that it would. "Do you really know what you're fighting for?"

"I'm fighting for the Empire, traitor," Lance sniped. "I fighting to uphold what we have, while you're fighting to tear it down..."

"Enough with the patriotic bullshit Lance," Eric said, becoming more and more animated. "The Empire is what betrayed you!"

"NO!" Lance screamed, pulling out his pistol. It was a projectile weapon, so the weapon dampeners of the palace would have no effect on it. "YOU betrayed me! You left me there with those...those mosters! You...you brought us there to begin with! Had it not been for NiMBUS I would have died. But that's what you wanted, isn't it? Just like Captain Womack...and Darren...and Neil...and Vernetta...damn you Eric...I swore I'd make you pay for Vernetta...and here I will! I owe the Empire everything!"

"Goddamnit, Lance!" Eric screamed back. "You're a fool! NiMBUS is the same thing as the Empire now...you said it yourself when you used the two words to mean the same thing! How can you believe any of that? How can you...?"

"Shutup, damnit!" Lance said as he shot. The bullet breezed past Eric's head as he hit the floor trying to evade it. Cocking the gun again, he pointed it this time to Pierce, who was trying to stay out of sight. "Now for what I came to do!"

The single-shot gun released the bullet as it sped through the air. Pierce had no time to react as the projectile grazed his left bicept, tearing through the muscle and splattering blood all over his left arm. Lance recocked as he made his way towards Pierce.

But Bivens had felt something in his suit jacket that nearly impaled him as he hit the wall. Reaching back, he pulled out the bastard pirate pistol that Demidov had given to him at the start of this thing. Standing up, Bivens did what he had to do to save the resistance...and his friend...

Eric looked up to see Lance's brain matter splattered all over the wall, the floor, and a bloody Pierce. The damned Pirate pistol was designed to not be effected by dampeners, something Bivens noted for a future report.

For the next ten minutes Bivens and Eric struggled to get Pierce's arm to stop bleeding, but in the flashing red light it was hard to tell what was blood and what wasn't. As the lights returned and the doors lifted, nearly thirty guards rushed into the hall, lifting Pierce, weak from blood loss, and taking him out of the room. Bivens and Eric were soaked in blood, as was the rest of the room.

Eric stared down at the nearly headless body of his one time best friend. His thoughts slowly drifted back to Alexei, who was also struggling with an oncoming death. He could very well be all alone soon, a thought that worried him more than he thought it should.

After all...it was war...

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Sir James Pierce
Political Head of the Resistance

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Dave Bivens
President/CEO of Bivens Co.

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Commander Eric Vinzer
XO of the 2nd Marines

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Lieutenant Lance Radney
81st Imperial Marines

As Commander Jefferys stepped out of the tank he couldn’t help but take a deep breath, the recycled air inside the tank was begging to get to him. He found the cool morning air refreshing, it had been some time since he had gotten any sleep, two major battle in such a short period of time had proved trying.

Adjusting the visual scanner on his combat helmet he began to survey the battle field, he could have gotten the information from Command Tank visual scanners but choose see things first hand. Through the magnified lenses his combat helmet he moved his field of view across the city, hours ago the sounds of war could be heard, now all that could be heard is the sound of the dying.

Jefferys let out a bit of a sigh, the decision to chase the Imperial Forces into the cities of Steel Isle had proved to costly one, the casualty figures where a bit higher then originally expected, but in the end they had seized the day, the planet was theirs.

For the first time since the campaign begun he found himself growing weary, too many lives had been lost on both side, despite their victory here today, there was no end in sight for the soldiers in the trenches.


Jon couldn’t help stretch, he had been reading the reports for what seemed hours now. He took a few moment to collect his thoughts, he missed the days of being a field agent, out in the thick of things, all he could now was read about them.

There was a quick knock on his door, Jon looked up from his desk. “Come in”. he welcome the change of pace.

One off Jon Aids stepped through the door “Sir we are getting an urgent message From Commander Kobe in the Orion sector, he says it’s rather urgent. Shall I put him through to You, or have Mrs Allenson Contacted.”

Jon though to himself for a moment, Jade was out of the country but that didn’t mean that she couldn’t be reached. He did have the clearance to speak the Tribunal representative, and given the current situation he knew that Jade would be ok with it. “No, that Ok, I’ll take it here. Put it through on a secure line.”

Several moments later he found himself taking a man that was light years away in the middle of war. “Commander Kobe what’s so urgent” Through the view screen he could see a bit a confused look come across the Kobe’s face.

“I though that I would be talking to Jade” asked Henry.

Jon could understand the confusion, after it was against protocol for the president to deal with intelligence matters. “Mrs Allenson is currently out of the Country at the moment to attend the coronation of her brother in law, she gave me clearance to deal with things while she was gone.”

Henry nodded, understanding the situation “Very well, I’ve just received unconfirmed reports that there was an assassination attempt on the life of James Pierce.”

The news caught Jon off guard, there was both fear and relief. Fear that if Mr Pierce had indeed been killed then the resistance may fall apart leaving Tappee alone to fight the battle. Then their was relief, Pierce was one of a handle of people that knew Jon’s dark little secret, a secret that would rip the country apart if it ever got out. “Have you been able to get any conformation” asked Jon keeping his emotions hidden.

Henry shook his head “I’ve contacted Mr Pierces people, but they haven’t given me any information. They are trying at least for the moment to keep this as low key as possible.”

“Very well Henry, is that it, or is there any thing else.” Jon just wanted this conversation to end, he found himself longing to get back to his paper work so that he could go home for the day.

Henry took a moment to think things over for a moment. “With our victory at Steel Isle we’ve got much more real estate to take care of, with the troop losses we need more troop before we can continue forwards.”

“That is not possible” quickly answered Jon.

“What!” shoot Henry “What about the redeployment of the Naval Forces?”

“If I send anymore forces to the front then it might open us up a to a possible counter attack against Tappee itself, and that is a risk that neither the Tribunal or myself is willing to take. It going to take some time before we can have the Naval forces retrained, and deployed.”

Henry’s shoulders dropped as he realized what this meant, they had the enemy against the ropes but where now unable to deliver any further blows “How much time are we looking at?”

Jon took a moment to make a few calculations in his head “We are looking at about a year before we can possible hope to provide reinforcement to you on the front”

Henry began to sputter words out, but nothing was definable due to his anger, it would take Tappee nearly a year before it could begin to press forward, in that time that it took them to regroup the enemy itself could do the same thing. Henry took a deep breath to collect his thoughts “I will talk to both Admiral Dodalla, and Mrs Allenson on this matter.”

Jon sat back in his chair “You do that” Shot Jon Sarcastically “I will talk to you later COMMANDER!” with that he cut to connection between the two. He could under why Henry would be upset, but at the same time didn’t like the why that Henry had challenged his authority. In any case this war was about to get much longer then anyone had thought.

Fleet Admiral Honor Harrington, Commander of the 3rd Battlesquadron stood in her flag bridge, observing the numerous light codes in her tactical plot with exquisite care. Her thoughts often went back to how this all had began. A simple surveillance mission for a Destroyer Division, only that the commander of that Destroyer Division hadnt been a cold hearted bastard and had taken a stance with the Rebels, the kind of cause to which Captain McHale had believedi n. After that, the Admiralty had literally poured more firepower to the Orion Sector. First had come Rear Admiral Theisman's Task Group to provide direct combat support for the Rebels. Task Group 5 had allready had a single ship of the wall in its Order of Battle. But the Admiralty hadnt left it at that, they had decided to send Harrington in along with Task Fleet 1.1 and assume command of all CSN forces in Orion Sector and from those forces create the 3rd Battlesquadron. Now, there were a total of two Manticore-class Superdreadnoughts, two Perseverance-class Dreadnoughts, One Righteous Fury-class Fleet Carrier, Three Protector-class Assault Carriers, Twelve Warlord-class Battlecruisers, Twelve Star Knight-class Heavy Cruisers, Eighteen Apollo-class Light Cruisers, Twenty-Two Minstrel-class Destroyers,Three hundred and eighty one Strike Fighters, A logistics squadron, a mobile repairyard and a total of twenty-three thousand ground troops under Admiral Honor Harringtons command.

Harrington had known that Caparelli was approaching the line of how much material he could send to fight on this front, and now that line was reached. The last re-inforcement had been the Fleet Carrier Sorcerer and her accompanying two Battlecruisers. Further support wouldnt be coming, atleast anytime soon. Logistics support was the only thing that the 3rd Battlesquadron would be receiving back from Sol.

Now she was here where it had began. Aesis, and the HQ of the Rebellion. The entirety of the 3rd Battlesquadron wasnt here ofcourse. The Battlecruisers Sirius and Windwaker were still at Steel Isle, and there were ships on patrol duty but most of her force was here.

She had wanted to meet Pierce in person when she arrived to the Orion sector. But there hadnt yet been time for that. She wanted to know who she would be fighting alongside with, and according to all what she had heard of Pierce, she would definately need to meet the man to get an idea of what he was. Perhaps in the near future.

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Fleet Admiral Honor Harrington
CO 3rd Battlesquadron CSN

[OOC: My next post will be my last of this thread. I'm planning on starting the third thread next week some time. My damn computer is fucking with my RL and NS plans really bad.]

[OOC: My next post will be my last of this thread. I'm planning on starting the third thread next week some time. My damn computer is fucking with my RL and NS plans really bad.]

Sky Marshall Michael Zephyr sat at his desk picking at the stubbly hair on his chin. He hadn't shaven in two days, and facial hair aways did annoy him. It looked unprofessional, he thought, and then there was the fact that he never did grow body hair rapidly or well. A blessing for all other parts of his body, it was a curse someone had put on his face as a child. In the military, one's manhood meant quite a bit, and here he was, the Commander of the entire Star Fleet, and all he had was some stubble after two days. Thinking back to his father, he realized that William Zephyr always wore a full beard.

He held the old pistol in his hand, feeling his warm skin heat the cool metal of the weapon. His father had given it to him when he became a captain, and not only a captain, but the youngest captain ever. Now he was a Sky Marshall; how proud his father would be.

Minutes ago, he had told Captain Apakoh to lock onto his biosigns and beam him up in exactly ten minutes. Three had already passed, and Zephyr had only stood and walked to his door. The door seemed heavier than normal as Zephyr pushed it open and stepped out into the halls. The walk to the Imperial Office was short, but as the door felt heavy, the small walk seemed to take forever, Zephyr's mind racing faster than his feet.

"Come in," Nemerov said, as Zephyr walked through the door. The Emperor had metal toy soldiers in his hand, and he was neatly placing them in front of himself on his desk. "But this is not war, is it?" the Emperor said as both men looked down on the neatly arranged soldiers. Nemerov backhanded the whole lot of them, sending over half off the desk and scattering the others out of order. "This, Sky Marshall, this is war. Come, follow me..."

Nemerov led a somewhat confused Zephyr over towards a door, which Nemerov opened, reveiling three Orion Mu's easily dwarfed by one Tatarisaur. Two guards stood right outside the doorway, who Zephyr could see through the glass-like material. "Mu's are quite fierce," Nemerov commented. "I've known men who have died from their bite."

Zephyr watched as the three Mu's charged at the fierce Tatarisaur who proceded to swat them away. The second Mu charged again, only to be punctured by the giant claw of the beast. The third Mu jumped towards his face, but the Tatarisaur opened his massive jaws and then clamped down when the Mu was only halfway in its mouth, slicing the small animal in half. This, however, gave the first Mu enough time to leap onto the Tatarisaur's back and bite into its flesh. The creature screamed, banging into the glass-like material and making a slight crack in it. Seeing this, the guards rushed in, but the Tatarisaur caught one of them, slicing through the man's head as the beast ran around the room. The other man promply shot the beast down, dead. Nemerov seemed amused.

"You see how life works, Sky Marshall?" Nemerov said, making his way back to his cluttered desk. "The strong and large beat the small, hell, even we humans cannot stand up to them. I fail to see then, Sky Marshall, how a group of fighters can possibly stand up and defeat an Imperial capital ship, or how a group of rebels can stand up and drive back our renouned military."

"It's not that easy, sir..."

"Bullshit," Nemerov barked, pointing to a metal soldier, half on and half off the desk. "This is you, Sky Marshall. You're still hanging on, yet barely. I will not be embarassed again." Nemerov leaned over and softly blew on the soldier, making it fall to the floor. "Even the slightest thing could change things."

"Sir I doubt that will do any..."

"This," Nemerov said, reaching over towards one of the enemy soldiers. It was the only soldier still standing on the entire table. "This is James Pierce, that good for nothing bastard who takes all and gives nothing. I made him and his family what they are today, and what does he do? Treason..." The Emperor bent the toy soldier's head back and fourth until it broke off. "I will have his head..."

"Just like Dr. Ackerman already has your's?" Zephyr asked, feeling his emotions run wild.

"Excuse me, Sky Marshall?"

"You're powerless, Alexander...you're powerless and you don't even see it. You've given up control of this country to a business, a business who's only product is genocide. You're a fool, Alexander, and damn blind fool!" Zephyr spat out, reaching into his coat. Nemerov's face quickly turned red and he flipped over the desk in rage.

"WHAAAAT?"

"Goodnight, dim star who has faded quickly over time..." Zephyr slowly pulled his hand out of his coat.

"Goodbye, old friend, how I wish we could rewind..." the old pistol glistened in the beautifully lit room.

"Farewell, dear sir, with your blind and foolish mind..." The Emperor's eyes grew wide as he stared at the look on Zephyr's face and listened to the words that he spoke.

"Be gone, bastard, your life's no longer worth..." cocked, "...as much..." aimed, "...as mine!"

"NOOO!" Nemerov screamed, scattering papers in front of him as the old bullet cut through the words and into his shoulder. Alarms went off and guards rushed in, firing like mad. "NO! STOP!" Nemerov ordered, hiding behind the overturned desk from the hailstorm of polaron rifles.

Zephyr shot two in their foreheads, but a third got a shot off before he was killed...and as the beam rushed towards his face at near-light speed, he could only hope that his bullet had connected. The polaron beam rushed straight through him, but he had already been transported to the Apparition, and was already light-years away from the Capitol.

Nemerov could hear the shouts from down the hall of soldiers rushing to his position. The pain in his right shoulder was nearly unbearable and to make matters worse he was lying on all of those bastard soldiers. He reached under his shoulder with his left hand and pulled out the one touching his exit hole.

The toy was bloody and disfigured, and Nemerov cried out in pain and agony, for it was the figure of himself that he held in his hand.

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Emperor Alexander Nemerov
Star Empire of Steel Butterfly,
In the Orion Sector which includes:
Steel Isle, Steel Moon,
CTaNbHaR Eabo4Ka, XIII,
Aeisis, Bivens, Esthar VIII
Orion Sector Alliance Premier,
Order of the Seraphim

http://67.18.37.15/237/117/upload/p61.jpg
Sky Marshall Michael Zephyr
Commander of the Imperial Fleet and Marines

[OOC: This thread lasted from Thursday, January 22 to Saturday, May 22. 4 months...1 thread...]