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OOC: As the Battle of Elder has called both the Azdgari and the Igadzra into strict-time until it is resolved, this post is character development that occured at the same time as my last post, or shortly after. For that reason, while R&D and Fleet specs are posted at the bottom by convention, theyre not updated for the past two days yet.
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(- Residence of Aynakurai Vakhys, Xarnes -)
Vakhys let out a long sigh. When he had secured another deal with the Council of War to fund him, even more massively, for his next project, he had hoped that this time they would have been grateful enough to not send Xiaan and Karyd back to him. He had been wrong. On the bright side, the two bloodthirsty monsters were now living next door to him, instead of in his own personal living space, but even so, their daily visits were beginning to wear him away once more.
Twice now there had been moments when Yains two confederates had become violent with him, and the second time he had been left to clear up the mess that had been caused - equipment scattered, crystals shattered. They were costing him time and money and didnt seem to realise or care.
His research, thankfully, was making progress all the same. In reality, the theories he had struggled so hard to formulate months ago were now providing the perfect basis for what he was doing. In many ways, this project was a simpler one than the last, but he had not known that at the time.
At the far side of his lab, sheltered by a shield of transparent plastic, was a very early design of a subspace-interface nexus. It was only a miniature compared to what might be built into a ship, and had a very distinctive appearance. A long, thin cylinder that fluoresced softly was surrounded by tiny, spherical rings suspended in position by cables connecting them to a translucent outer cylinder. At one end, a large metal sphere contained the rest of the nexus workings.
Biting on his lower lip, Vakhys walked over until he stood right against the barrier, admiring the prototype design. Something very like this would soon be fitted into Azdgari systems everywhere, connecting realspace to subdimensional levels of existence everywhere. They could be used not only for communication, but also for sensors, and later, to supply energy.
All morning Vakhys had been worrying about testing out this particular prototype SIN. Even if this went smoothly, there would be a lot to do... But if it failed, he would have to start all over again. Xiaan and Karyd had not thought very highly of Vakhys fears of testing the machine, but they didnt know what he knew - if this went disastrously wrong, he couldnt even predict what might happen.
He smiled faintly at the prototype nonetheless. It was remarkably pretty, really. He had loved the understated beauty of the hypercubes he had invented, but this was something on another level entirely. Not only was this the cornerstone of Azdgari technological research, it was also a beautiful thing. Once again, he wondered if there were any negative implications to painting it green.
It was some hours later, and Vakhys had finally summoned up the necessary courage to test the first SIN. After running various diagnostics to ensure that if something went wrong, it would be contained quickly, he set about connecting up the SIN to a powerful enough power source - not mains power, but a decommisioned Azdgari Arada he kept. These last few weeks he had insisted it be repaired with his funds from the Council of War, and somehow had convinced them to upgrade it with Impulse drives and new shielding. If he wanted, it would only take a little while to make the ship worthy of space travel. For now, however, all he wanted was its fusion reactor.
Unfortunately, hooking the two up together had proved more difficult than he had expected, and in the end he had destroyed part of one of the walls in his house to produce a gap large enough to connect the two together with cables. He was so bothered about testing the prototype that he hardly even cared that it would be awfully cold in his house until that was repaired.
Connecting everything up (including demolishing his wall) took the better part of two hours, and by the end of it, the scrawny little Azdgari lay sprawled over a chair admiring the mess. A handheld computer somewhere on the floor, no doubt under a pile of books, was all he needed to remote control the rest of the process, but as he sat there, he felt the minutes slipping away peacefully.
In fact, he almost dozed off before realising that in less than an hour, Xiaan and Karyd had promised to return to check on him. Immediately brought back to the world of the living, Vakhys literally jumped out of his chair, his eyes suddenly wide. No chance am I letting them find me asleep with a hole in the wall.
He quickly found the handheld computer he was looking for - as he suspected, it was under about eight large books on various subjects, ranging from astrophysics and chemistry (for his brief exploits in trying to make a proper, oldfashioned quill pen which wrote in real ink), to Ancient and a large, unmarked book whose contents he rather hoped nobody would ever read. Everyone had their vices, after all.
After connecting to his Aradas patchwork wireless network, he had the ships fusion reactors power up, which they did admirably quickly. When you look at legendary physicists like Roshiakar, and the quality of Azdgari engineers... Its easy to see why engineering is valued so much higher than pure science. Science hasnt given the Azdgari anything since, since... Well, I would have said the phase cannon but...
But that wasnt Azdgari. At the heart of it, every Azdgari had to know that, but many refused to believe. After all, where else could it have come from? Vakhys was the only Azdgari alive to know the answer to that, he suspected.
With the fusion reactor powered up, all that was left was to attempt to power up the SIN and use it for its most basic function - communication. Of course, as this was the first SIN ever designed, the only place to send a message to was straight back to this. He still had to work on transferring a SIN-comm. into an ordinary comm., to allow a SIN to communicate with other ships.
Vakhys closed his eyes tightly, whispering under his breath short, heretical prayers to an unheard of deity. And with that, he pressed one key.
Xiaan and Karyd were sitting outside on a knoll overlooking Vakhys isolated residence in a small valley. It was quite a pretty little looking, Karyd thought, with its own stream. Vakhys home was a strange place - large and sprawling, with a decommissioned Azdgari Arada lying around as if it belonged there. There were other residences not far away, but this part of Xarnes was rather isolated on the whole, and Vakhys home more than most.
Shall we check on him again, Xiaan? Karyd asked his twin without looking over at him. In almost all things, Xiaan had precedence over Karyd, although their relationship was a rather strange one.
Before Xiaan could respond, there was a deafening sound from Vakhys laboratory. Karyds head twisted quickly, his eyes blinded by a momentary knife of intense light. He felt Xiaans hand on his shoulder, steadying himself - Xiaan must have averted his eyes.
What is it, brother? Karyd cried out. Whats that fool done?
Not killed himself, Xiaan muttered, clearly disappointed. He tried to power up that Aradas fusion reactor... Overloaded it. The damage should be minimal.
Vakhys was literally jumping up and down with joy. A total success! The message was both sent and received, and from these readings...
The message had been directed in a very peculiar way, equivalent to taking a round trip right around all of the Azdgari moons before returning. He had organised it this way to measure the time delay, and from the readings he was looking at, the message had made this trip far faster than should have been possible for normal hypercomms.
It works! It works!he shouted in Ancient, jumping for joy. Oh, hed burst his Aradas reactor to do it, but that didnt matter too much Hed have the Council of War repair the destroyed one for now. With any luck, it had scared the hell out of those two idiots watching him anyway.
Today was a good day for Aynakurai Vakhys.
(- In hyperspace to Azdgari... -)
Azhaurai glanced back in his Azdara pilot seat, looking at the cramped conditions where Pael sat uncomfortably. He offered a small frown as consolation, and glanced back at the display. They would be in Azdgari soon.
The journey had seemed a very long one, with communication rendered virtually impossible. Azhaurai had managed to pick up a few words, enough to know that these people called themselves the Emalgha. He had spent several hours teaching Pael some basic Common Azdgari, and had managed to explain that they would receive the Common Azdgari Lexicon which could be studied by their people. Once some Emalgha linguists could speak Common... A proper first contact would be possible, and the Azdgari could find out what in the hell the construct on Kelmaon was.
Azhaurai was still wary that this might be some sort of trap, but scans of Pael and Swain had detected nothing. Nonetheless, caution would be taken. He was ready to kill Pael in less than a second if necessary, while seeming completely at ease with the alien.
There was a fractional, barely detectable movement as the Cahaari re-entered realspace. Azhaurai was so used to it that his body barely registered the movement, but Pael clearly felt it. Azhaurai turned, offering a few hand signals to demonstrate that they had returned to realspace. Pael clearly understood, which gave Azhaurai some hope. So, they are capable of hyperspace travel too. Perhaps they will be of some use to the Azdgari.
Kohatis Azdara was by his side as he approached Dames. The other Azdaras had gone along different routes, controlling their patrols and such. Swain was with Kohati, while the third Emalgha had remained on Kelmaon, with Tahal offering to stay as well.
The Cahaari quickly descended into Dames lower orbit, a series of brief communiques allowing Azhaurai to discover that Yain was on Dames. Quickly pondering the situation, Azhaurai decided it would be better not to introduce the Emalgha to someone as imposing as Yain. They would land, pick up a copy of the Common Azdgari Lexicon, and return to Kelmaon. Hed explain the situation to the Assembly later. In reality, this wasnt a matter for the Council of War, so he didnt see why he should have to go through Yain.
The fact that anyone attempting this who wasnt the student of Kyhaan himself would be immediately challenged to a fight to the death by Yain didnt really bother Azhaurai, who had become used to his immunity and enjoyed it thoroughly.
OOC: Grunadulater, feel free to write the next section of this. Azhaurai and Kohati will pick up a copy of the Common Azdgari Lexicon (in the form of a handheld computer), and return to Kelmaon with you.
(- Residence of Kyaand, Veltes -)(
It was Kyaands first day off in several months, and he was restless. He knew he should be catching up on sleep, but instead he was pacing about outside. Outside in this case meant his vast yard which contained his Azdara, Azdgari Arada, two Crescent fighters (one of them in very poor condition), and a nightmare of a collection of components to all sorts of other ships. Somewhere in one of his hangars he also had part of an Igazra which was over two hundred years old, but had never proven to be of much use to him. He found it quite calming to make the two mile trip all the way around his yard, but he had already done this four times tonight and was not tiring. It was beginning to rain.
His expertise had been called in for work on the Level 5 phase shielding upgrade that hundreds of engineers and a good few scientists were working on, but progress had really only just begun and Kyaand had the feeling that he wasnt really needed in it anyway. Kyaands real interest was with the Impulse drive he had invented. It has been major success on his part, the completion of the revolutionary new drive a month ago, but he was beginning to wish the Council of War would fund him again to improve what was in reality only a beta version of the design. There were many more things he had planned to do with the drive before releasing it to the public, but he had been pressured by his peers to get the designs out as quickly as possible.
When he wasnt helping other engineers work with the shielding upgrade, however, he had been overseeing the installing of twelve hundred new hyperdrives onto carried Azdaras, according to this new initiative to phase out the Azdgari warship. Kyaand was probably one of the only engineers to find this sad - that warship had been built beautifully, and now it would be decommisioned entirely, never to be seen again. They had even been upgraded with the largest and most powerful Impulse drives. At first, Kyaand had wondered why anyone was bothering, but it seemed obvious. Decommisioning such a large number of ships would not be done normally - they were going to be involved in one last battle, he imagined. A solemn funeral for one of the most beautiful ships in existence.
That was Kyaands oddity amongst Azdgari. As much as he respected the Azdara, it was the larger ships that really caught his imagination. Thats why he had part of an Igazra in a hangar - he had always been impressed by the inner workings of that ship, but of course, getting a closer look at it was nigh on impossible.
Other than the Impulse drive Kyaand had spent most of his thirty year life dreaming of, Kyaands other dream was of a true, dedicated Azdgari mothership. The Azdara was certainly the backbone of the Azdgari navy - and that was exactly why it needed a beautiful, deadly carrier to deploy it into action. But nobody agreed with him.
Kyaand reached the end of his fifth circuit, and without pause for thought began to make his sixth. He couldnt stop thinking, he had far too many plans. Tomorrow he would be working on the Level 5 shielding again, over in the more populated corners of Veltes. For tonight, he would dream more about the Impulse drive and greater Azdgari ships.
R &D Two RTDs out of date.
Level 5 Phase Shielding (Upgrade) 0/7 days.
Azdara Hyperdrive Refit 2/3 days.
Subdimensional Research, Stage Two: Subspace-Interface Nexus 4/10 days.
Phase Stealth Field (9/9, complete 28/02/05.) Impulse-1 Refit (2/2, complete 26/02/05.) Phase-Arada Refit (2/2, complete 24/02/05.) Graviton Impulse Drive (Model: I-1) (8/8, complete 24/02/05.) Subdimensional Research, Stage One: Hypercube Project (12/12, complete 23/02/05.) Azdgari Hyperdrive (5/5, complete 16/02/05.) Level 4 Phase Shielding (7/7, complete 18/02/05.)
Azdgari Fleet Two RTDs out of date. 55 Azdaras, 22 Azdgari Aradas lost in Elder. 140 Igaras destroyed in Elder.
Fleet: 3100 Azdaras, 745 Azdgari Aradas, 150 Azdgari Warships, 596 Freight Aradas, 12 Hypercubes, 10 Phase-Aradas. Production: 140 Azdaras, 20 Azdgari Aradas, 3 Hypercubes.
Elder: 2445 Azdaras, 530 Azdgari Aradas, 10 Phase-Aradas(10 Hypercubes). Molar: 130 Azdgari Aradas, 120 Azdgari Warships. Tollb: 652 Azdaras, 92 Azdgari Aradas, 30 Azdgari Warships. Chak: 3 Azdaras.
Raigar: 100 Azdaras, 42 Azdgari Aradas.
60 Azdaras are said to be involving in scanning and patrolling.
Patrolling... DSN-2298, DSN-9041, Novish, Racet, Karra, Funit, Reban, Kacca, Calb, Elridi, DSN-2143, DSN-1273, Dafi, Emnin, Dirach, Lontri, Toi, Plate, Kade, Tinar, Meagh, Azdgari, Leka, Kelmaon, Marafey, DSN-682, DSN-2189, DSN-8204.
Scanning... Qerid, Fluron, Plogok, Terapin, Mark, Mordus, Nujja, Norhis, Motif, Elder.
A fleet only post for the moment. I'll create a story post too later today, but I wanted to get this in before stuff started spinning out of my control.
Vorik
1 RTD Production: (Placed in the Mihal System)
Subjugation Fleets 4 Fleets of: 10 Cruisers ( 40 total ) 25 Frigates ( 100 total ) 45 Heavy Fighters ( 180 total ) The Gamur Fleet moves to reinforce Vorik. The Gualon Fleet moves to reinforce Obron. The Durram fleet will arrive at Voinia 6 (strict time) days from now; the Durala Fleet moves to reinforce Svass and will arrive there 3 strict time days from now.
Abaddon Warfleet -- Mihal 52 Cruisers 142 Frigates 260 Heavy Fighters 230 Interceptors 0 Heavy Fighters (Launched)
Abaddon Warfleet -- Vorik 43 Cruisers 143 Frigates 250 Heavy Fighters 140 Interceptors (10 Interceptors are currently patrolling the Pokoren system) (10 Interceptors are currently patrolling the Dogover system) (10 Interceptors are currently patrolling the DSN-9338 system)
Perdition Warfleet -- Obron 35 Cruisers 85 Frigates 145 Heavy Fighters 100 Interceptors (10 Interceptors are currently patrolling the Zator system)
Cerebus Warfleet: Romit 37 Cruisers 77 Frigates 48 Heavy Fighters 60 Interceptors 75 Supply Ships 5 Interceptors in DSN-4743, 10 in Krraali; 5 more each in DSN-2061 (the one to the left of Emalghion), 5 more in DSN-7617.
Reinforcement fleet to Voinia from Romit (will arrive in 6 strict time days): 50 Cruisers 300 Frigates 80 Heavy Fighters 84 Heavy Fighters (Carried) 70 Interceptors
Suicide Fleet (Kelmaon) 148 Interceptors 75 Supply Ships
I will detail the Suicide Fleet's orders later, but as of now, the Supply Ships will move to the ground and begin the invasion. 70 Interceptors will wait just beyond the point where the Emalghans are most likely to jump in; the other 78 will locate any energy sources and attempt to cause avalanches, mudslides, death, and any other form of chaos.
This post has been edited by specops : 02 March 2005 - 12:26 PM
Battle of Elder
Ujo cursed as the Igaras were destroyed, knowing that it had been a terrible tactical decision to go after them. Quickly, the remaining Igadzra vessels retreated back into their defensive spherical formation, ready to defend themselves. They had watched as the other Igaras had been massacred, and Ujo knew that even his massive fleet of Igazras could not hold up to them. They would have to retreat. Even if he fought to the death, the fleet would still break through. However, if he just ran, it might tempt the enemy to attack Igadzra itself...
"Order all ships to stand ready with their torpedoes. Fire in spread detonation patterns, try to hit as many Azdgari as you can. Stay close together, and don't spread out your fire. Concentrate as much fire as you can on one ship, destroy it, and move onto the next. Their engines seem more powerful, so double up the graviton beams on a single ship to hold them," Ujo ordered as the fleet formed up, ready to take on the Azdgari fleet.
As the executor braced himself, he gave out another order. "Begin computing your jumps to the Dafi system. I don't want to stick around here too long after the initial engagement when we'll do the most damage. Order about twenty-five Igazras to stay behind as a rearguard and escape if they can after we jump."
The Igadzra fleet braced itself for battle...
------
Mordus System
Far away from the battle in Elder, a large group of merchant Laziras worked to disassemble Station Raelion. It would be brought back to Mark via the Igadzra system, and eventually used to construct a new station in Elder (assuming, of course, that the Igadzra actually managed to reclaim it).
Ersadt System
Ithon nodded as Soran concluded the negotiations. "All seems to be in order. You may depart in your ship. Our ships and bases will be instructed to expect additional Miranu trading traffic. Safe journey."
Meanwhile, construction of Outpost Marok was completed. As well, an upgrade to Igadzra vessels was begun, implementing the new Miranu sensor and communication equipment. As well, the new Indar design was being developed, and Station Raelion was still being disassembled and moved back into Igadzra space.
OOC: Will post stats for the Indar later.
Research & Projects
Ixada Orbital Defense Platform -- 1 RTD (joint research project with Feviry)
Outpost Marok Construction -- DONE!
Indar Project -- 6 RTD
Miranu Technology Upgrade -- 1 RTD
Naval Statistics
Current Ship Count 340 Igazras 940 Igaras
Production (per RTD) (new ships assigned to Igadzra) 10 Igazras 30 Igaras
Defense Fleets Igadzra, Ersadt, Innirian 25 Igazras ( 75 total ) 75 Igaras ( 225 total )
1st Armada -- Mark 90 Igazra 330 Igaras (2 Igaras currently patrolling Grooz) (2 Igaras currently patrolling Emnin)
2nd Armada -- Ersadt 25 Igazras 75 Igaras (2 Igaras currently patrolling Sirabor)
3rd Armada -- Innirian 33 Igazras 99 Igaras (2 Igaras currently patrolling Kavkaz)
4th Armada -- Elder 90 Igazras 130 Igaras
5th Armada -- Igadzra 27 Igazras 81 Igaras
Note -- All Igara patrols are ordered to avoid contact with enemy ships, and will always stay in area ready to hyperjump out of the system.
This post has been edited by Captain Carnotaur : 02 March 2005 - 10:58 PM
DSN-2131 back on the 25th
The Zachit fleet arrived, smaller than it had been before the inferno of the Battle of Zachit, but still large. With hundreds of Renegade ships destroyed during and before in Hrekka. All that was left was a small force, and it would be unable to fight the might of the Zachit.
"Renegade fleet, your comrades at North Tip Station have been destroyed or removed to Hizdriar. Surrender and your lives will be spared. You have 30 seconds to comply"
The Zachit fleet had entered with its ECM systems at full power, targetting scanners reaching out, and now it swooped round and away from The Rock, tracking the Renegade fleets carefully. Live or die, the choice was up to the renegades.
============
Hrekka Sometime later
Commander Terif sat in his new office, in the chair of the old Captain of North Tip Station. The renegades had been cleared out, and now North Tip station was in Zachit hands, Miranu traders already moving through the system eager to exploit the nebulas newfound world currently being colonised. It was strange not being at Zachit any longer, but he had his new promotion, and the area was settled for now. The Zachit patrols
Research
Zachit Dual Swivel Phase A redo of the previous project due to moderation. ETA:Complete 27/02 - 2/03
Zachit Tri-Turret An improved Phase turret with 3 phase mounts instead of 2. ETA:4 days 2/03 - 6/03
Miranu Hyperspace Destabiliser Will destablise the dimensional line between normal space and hyper space, disrupting a ships ability to transition. ETA:9 days 28/02 - 9/03
Fleet Groups is 20 Z.Aradas & 60 Z.Fighters Squadrons is 2 Z.Aradas & 6 Z.Fighters
DSN-2131 13 Groups
Hrekka 1 Group & 4 Z.Aradas 12 Z.Fighters
Zachit 4 Groups
Construction Zachit 5 Squadrons
Hrekka 4 Z.Aradas 12 Z.Fighters
This post has been edited by RMA : 03 March 2005 - 09:27 AM
I shouldn't post off-topic stuff. (thank you EVula).
This post has been edited by Dash_Merc : 02 April 2005 - 02:04 PM
OOC: I will let it slide this time, specops, but next time you must wait for me to post before moving your fleet. I could have easily blown a lot more of your ships with my railguns had I had the chance to post while you were retreating.
---------- Emalghion
Mineaux grinned. This battle was over.
"Sir! Interceptors heading to Kelmaon!"
"Send 150 Fighters. Don't let them do any damage." With that, 150 Fighters, though faster than the Interceptors, jumped with a 30 second trail behind them.
Fleet Status: 241 Fighters 172 Warships 194 Attack Drones 78 Explosive Drones 85 Rocket Drones 30 Freighters 0 Defense platforms 8 Carriers
---------- Kelmaon
The 148 Voinian Interceptors and 75 Supply Ships had had a good 30 second period before the 150 Emalghan Fighters would arrive in Kelmaon. In this time, 76 managed to make their way to the planet... almost. A very very small fleet of Emalghan ships stood in the way, the Warships of which seemed to be firing railgun shells. Suddenly, one hit, detonating a Interceptor.
The fleet will go after the Interceptors only, and let ground resistance and ground turrets take out as many Supply Ships as possible.
In a few moments, when the Fighters jump in, 75 will go after the ships right behind them, and 75 will go after the other ships. The Fighters are currently faster than the Interceptors and Supply Ships, and will catch up to them in moments.
Fleet Count: Emalgha: 4 Warships (0 Destroyed) 8 Fighters (soon to be 158) (0 Destroyed) 8 Attack Drones (0 Destroyed) 4 Rocket Drones (0 Destroyed) 4 Explosive Drones (0 Destroyed)
Voinians: 150 Interceptors (1 Destroyed) 75 Supply Ships (0 Destroyed)
The Azdara had flown back, and dropped the Emalghans off. After waiting for them to confirm that the device did indeed work, Azhaurai nodded to Pael. Pael nodded back. The Azdgari then walked back to their ships and left. Pael looked at Swain, who was holding the Lexicon. Together, they silently journeyed back down and into the Construct.
(Pael, an Ancient Emalghan linguist, has started to decipher the Lexicon. With the help of linguists back home, the gist of the language should be complete in 5-6 RTDs.)
---------- Research and Development
Colonisation of F-25: ETA: Done, but I'll let Thunder take care of this one.
Corrosive Railgun Shells: ETA: Done (Tuesday, March 1st)
Hyperspace Telescope: ETA: 7 Days (Wednesday, March 9th)
New Repair Repair and Restocking of all ships in Emalghion: ETA: 1 RTD
This post has been edited by grunadulater : 02 March 2005 - 06:17 PM
The celebration on the surface of F-25 was a sight to behold - Miranu and Emalgha standing side-by-side, cheering as the ribbon was cut on the spaceport to the first joint colony built by two races in the history of the galaxy. The colony was a fusion of Miranu and Emalgha architecture, a combination what produced surprisingly pleasing results. Above it all, the nebula was clearly visible, even in broad daylight, painting streaks of red and yellow across the otherwise blue sky. The show put on by the nebula was even more spectacular at night.
Standing in front of the now-cut ribbon were one Emalgha and one Miranu, the two captains who had made first contact between the Miranu and Emalgha.
"This is a bright day for both our races," the Miranu man said. "Today we mark the beginning of an era of friendship and cooperation between our peoples. May our future be bright, and filled with peace."
----------
Investigators of the murder of the Blaga Senator combed the scene - but no new evidence was to be found. No cameras had been pointed in the direction the two shots originated from... and there was no evidence as of yet to connect any individuals to the murder. Several hundred pages of MTC documents had been subpoenaed, but the MTC had thus far been unable to produce them, citing a database error had resulted in the deletion of those files. Investigators suspected a coverup, but as of yet, the evidence just wasn't there.
"Things don't look good," Governor Kitanu said, in a meeting of his advisors. "This Zidagar situation is going downhill fast."
"Agreed," replied his Peace Corps advisor, concern clear in his voice. "We've got to find some way to salvage relations with the Zidagar before it's too late."
"Is that even possible now?" Kitanu asked.
"I don't know..." intoned the diplomatic advisor. "The sect currently in power in Zidagar space is not one we've ever been on good terms with. And we don't know enough about them to know just how far they'll take this."
"Try broadcasting messages on open channels signaling our non-agression and peaceful intent. We've got to make it clear that we want peace here." Kitanu said.
"That may not be enough," the Peace Corps advisor replied. "I know you don't want to do this, but I think it's time to consider switching our production from Freighters to Laziras and Crescent Warships. The designs are openly available in many Miranu spaceports."
"You know how I feel about that," Kitanu responded, slamming his hand on the table. "There hasn't been a war in Miranu territory in over 700 years! No Miranu world has ever been invaded by hostile forces, save in the renegade raids! I won't make the mistake of starting a war by engaging in an arms race!"
"War may soon be upon us, whether we want it or not." the Peace Corps advisor said with a somber tone in his voice. I suggest we switch production immediately. I admire your principles - your committment to keeping Miranu space a haven of peace, but if we don't act now, there might not be anything left for us to defend."
"Kitanu," the advisor said, laying his hand on the Governor's shoulder, "I've known you for thirty five years. I've never led you astray. Not once. I wouldn't ask this of you unless I thought it was absolutely necessary. I'm asking you... please change the production."
Kitanu stood there for what seemed like a whole minute, in somber silence. Finally, he lifted his face toward his friend and advisor. "Okay... consider it done. But please... do everything you can to see to it you'll never need to use these warships we'll be producing."
"You have my word, Kitanu."
Later that evening, Kitanu recorded a personal message to the commander of the Zachit. He set his comms unit to transmit it immediately via the mFtL network as soon as he'd finished dictating it.
"Commander," he began, "this is Governor Kitanu. I come to you with most disturbing news - the situation with the Zidagar continues to deteriorate. Though I still hold out hope of a peaceful solution, my advisors tell me that we need to step up our security. Please have your forces be on alert, and be on watch for any Zidagar action within Miranu space. Please do what you can to keep the peace, but I hope you'll be ready to stand in defense of our people should worst come to worst."
Production All production has been switched to Crescent Warships and Laziras. I will leave it to the mods to decide what the values per day should be.
Fleets Since this may be necessary soon, I'll try to put some rough numbers here. No miranu ships have yet been destroyed, so percentages are a percent of the whole initial Miranu fleet, plus however many days of production have elapsed since the beginning of the story.
Blaga - 8% of Miranu forces Himgro - 10% of Miranu forces Zimla - 8% of Miranu forces Nadej - 8% of Miranu forces Mirava - 15% of Miranu forces DSN-3930 - 10% of Miranu forces Lieta - 9% of Miranu forces Zanat - 3% of Miranu forces Priat - 3% of Miranu forces Kitrak - 3% of Miranu forces Eiribi - 3% of Miranu forces Zeldair - 3% of Miranu forces Timidor - 3% of Miranu forces Kirrim - 3% of Miranu forces Garren - 3% of Miranu forces Dewe - 3% of Miranu forces F-25 - 5% of Miranu forces
Total: 100%
This post has been edited by Thunder : 02 March 2005 - 08:37 PM
Capital Complex, Tibidat:
Is this all you could come up with? If I were one of your researchers I could have easily designed something far superior to this pathetic upgrade. Zigrabar was very animated, he was actually fairly impressed with the short time it had taken to create this new vessel, but the reliance on untried methods could be dangerous if the right person wasnt in control.
Urvön waved his hand at the wall, which displayed a picture of the newly upgraded fighter. It moves faster than anything other than the Azdara, it has more firepower than any fighter its size in the galaxy, and it has defenses that nearly match a standard Lazira. You could do better?
Yes, you put all your reliance on a single weapon that hasnt even been battle tested yet. The ship is designed around this Veldegrass cannon. If it doesnt perform as well as you expect. BOOM! No more fleet.
Perhaps youre right, what would you have us concentrate on instead?
Zigrabar paused and looked around the room before inspiration obviously struck him and he started waving his arms and talking as quickly as possible. For now, I think I can use your plans, the cannon might be beneficial, but I need to train your pilots. They cant fly into battle cold, but it wouldnt be smart to let anyone see the new toys, it could be very damaging to the advantage of surprise
Urvön quickly interrupted. The weapons must not be shown to anyone. Im keeping all information restricted even from the other Strandless.
Yes, yes that makes training more difficult but maybe you could sanction of a remote system and I could take your fighters and run drills. He paused quickly again mouthing a few syllables as he thought to himself. DSN-2298 would be perfect. The Azdgari are gone so we dont have to worry about their interference, the pirates are gone so we dont have to worry about attack and no one else is near.
Thats too far away, if you took many vessels youd leave our defenses greatly weakened.
Yes, yes. Ill just take about a hundred pilots at a time and drill as best as possible. I dont even need a hundred ships, you have plenty of surplus pilots, we could train in thirty of your South Tip Fighters. Ooo, what do you think of the name. It fits perfectly, doesnt it! The South Tip Fighter proud creation of Zigrabar Emalphus III. Its absolutely brilliant, dont you see. Yes, that will be the name. Or maybe The Zigrabar actually
The Commander hurriedly interjected. Thats a great name. It will be the South Tip Fighter. Very good. Now, Ill get a few Laziras to convey the pilots and Ill send thirty South Tip Fighters down with you to train. Ill make sure to arrange you transport as well.
No worries Commander, I plan on flying one of my fighters myself. I have to know how well they handle. I may have invented them, but I havent gotten nearly enough flight experience. Dont worry chap, I learn fast. The flight down there should give me all the experience I need. The Zidagar paused and looked around before practically bouncing out of the room yipping happily at himself. I cant wait, flying a ship again! Joy, joy, joy. Thank you Zid! I know youre proud of your best son, thanks again for showing me that you care!
Project status:
Continued development on the LuRay project.
New project: Long range, high speed cluster rocket using the Veldegrass chemical.
South Tip Fighter designs and upgrades: Complete
Fleet Status
Daily production: 30 Crescent Fighters 6 Aradas
Total fleet: 7 Crescent Warships 21 Laziras 112 Aradas 560 Crescent Fighters
Tibidat: 7 Crescent Warships (carried Crescent Fighters are now South Tip Fighters) 15 Laziras 100 Aradas 330 South Tip Fighters. 80 Crescent Fighters
Duois: Tibidat fleet: 12 Aradas 60 South Tip Fighters
Duois fleet: 3 Laziras 15 Aradas 60 South Tip Fighters
DSN-2298: 6 Laziras 30 South Tip Fighters
Patrols: Orders to avoid confrontation and to not use modified new technology under any circumstances.
Nifal: 10 South Tip Fighters
DSN-8075: 10 South Tip Fighters
DSN-5468: 10 South Tip Fighters
Malago: 10 South Tip Fighters
DSN-9041: 10 South Tip Fighters
Funit: 10 South Tip Fighters
Racet: 10 South Tip Fighters
Novish: 10 South Tip Fighters
This post has been edited by Paranoid : 02 March 2005 - 11:06 PM
(- The Battle of Elder -)
Zosens Ranirakyin floated deep in space, dozens of other Azdaras and Azdgari Aradas flanking him. In the initial attack, he had lost proximity with his other squadron pilots - Chyi-Azhars intention, he thought. Zosen flew alone today.
He was still stunned by the cunning of Hyaishi. To have developed such a strategy so quickly, annihilating so many of the bears fleet with such minimal losses, was nothing short of genius. At first, Zosen had been terrified of the new lesser ones warfleet, expecting to meet annihilation at a fleet so heavily powered, but instead, the Azdgari had twice gained the upper hand against the Igadzra foes, and it seemed like today, the bear would suffer a defeat the likes of which it would not forget for some time.
His comm. channel was still busy receiving commands, delivered in a lightning fast flurry. He tried his best to keep track of everything coming in.
Engage according to plan. Do not break into their rank. Leave the hypercubes to do their part first. The bears have much to learn yet.
On three...
Zosen smiled faintly, powering up his Impulse drive and weapons. The Azdgari fleet surrounded the bear, and for now, they were unseen. They would close in at speeds the bear could not hope to comprehend, and with the stealth field and the Impulse drives, there was little chance of taking serious losses to even the devastating new missile weaponry they faced. However, Hyaishi was leaving nothing to chance... Nine hypercubes. The Azdgaris most devastating weapon was to be deployed already, and in such numbers!
Two.
What chance did these fools have now? Everything they had done since attacking Outpost Rai had been insanely amateurish, and now they were going to pay with what Zosen expected was almost a third of their entire navy.
One.
We move. Luck, Zosen, Chyi-Azhar spoke over hypercomm. Zosen barely heard. For some reason, he didnt feel luck or skill would matter much today.
As Zosen predicted, the Igadzras initial strike as the Azdgari fleet began to exit absolute uncertainty was much dampened. At first, there was only the vaguest idea of the location of the Azdgari ships and as the Igadzra fired desperately, spreading out their fire, they found that it was futile. If by spreading out their fire they expected to hit some Azdgari ships, then to a small degree they were right - some of their fire went on target, but the targetted Azdgari ships just slowed and, using their Impulse drives, strafed past the poor blinded missiles. Even those that hit at the longer ranges only hit in tiny numbers, baring causing any casualties at all, most of which overloaded and flew out of the battle.
As the Azdgari fleet closed over the last few seconds, they became more vulnerable to the missile fire which began to hit some of the Azdgari ships, although the stealth field still provided some defence, and with the Impulse drives capabilities of manoeuvring the missiles were still finding it one hell of a task to actually pin down an Azdgari ship.
Seconds later, the Azdgari were upon the Igadzra, whose close formation gave them some protection from the Azdara swarms. However, the Azdgari fleet slowed to a stop and did not attempt to break the formation, firing off at the edges of the formation. This strategy immediately disabled the Igadzras ability to use their graviton beams, although for a few seconds their particle beams dealt heavily damage. Some Azdaras under fire were able to overload and retreat immediately, but others fell under the heavy fire. This only lasted for about ten seconds.
Unbeknownst to the Igadzra during this time, nine Phase-Aradas were amongst the Azdgari Aradas, their dimensional phasers active. After about ten seconds in range, the phasing was completed and vast portions of the Igadzra fleet were teleported into hypercubes. If the Igadzra had not kept so close a formation, the hypercube-capture would have been dangerous but not as devastating as it proved to be. Thirty two Igazras and ninety five Igaras were suddenly not there anymore, locked within hypercubes.
This immediately caused chaos to the much reduced Igadzra ranks, whose formation now had cube shaped gaps in it. The Azdgari advantage had leapt from three to one odds to five to one odds, and the fast, agile Azdgari continued their devastating display of force. At this range, particle beams were dealing serious damage, however, and even the Igadzra missiles could hit, although about half of Azdaras were still managing to high tail it back to higher levels of uncertainty and lose the missiles there. The Azdgari were playing this entire battle too cunningly for the Igadzra, however. With their speed and overload regeneration, they had a last line of defence -- running away. Any Azdgari ship that came under fire left the battle scene, either using overload regeneration or not. Those that were not overloaded would soon return.
It was looking very much like things would come to an end in just over a minute. What were the Igadzra going to go now, facing such a superior force?
The Ranirakyin dived in and out of the fray, combining with other Azdgari ships to help pull down Igadzra ships. It was almost too easy - there were so many Azdgari that Igadzra ships were falling like wheat under the scythe. This sort of battle was hardly challenging for someone as talented as Zosen.
In fact, Zosen was so relaxed about the whole deal that he barely reacted in time when a pair of Igazras turned their fire entirely on him. He had but a split seconds notice in which he activated overload regeneration, feeling the immediate heat of the Igazra fire being soaked up by the powerful regenerative abilities he enjoyed. Devastating though particle beams might be, for a few seconds he would be okay.
Missiles were launched at him, but now that his overload regeneration was up, the worst of it was passed. He flipped his drives singularity around to the rear of his ship and almost immediately was travelling at full speed in the other direction. Some of the missiles kept up with him and closed, however.
Azd be cursed, theyre not bad, Zosen muttered, realising that in half a second a swarm of missiles would hit him. His distance had increased at first, increasing his ships uncertainty and losing many of them, but a few had closed in and stayed on track. Quickly factoring in the location of the Elder star, he went for the only other thing he could do.
Flipping his singularity again, he began to move in orbit of Elder. Because his relative speed to the nearest immobile point -- the Elder star -- was zero, the coefficient of his stealth field leapt skywards, losing many more missiles. A salvo that had once numbered in the dozens was now reduced to two or three that were even remotely on track. One hit his ships shielding, still protected by overload, and was proved to be virtually harmless. The second hit just after his overload regeneration fell, but thankfully did not deal enough damage to pass the Azdaras entire shielding net at full power.
By the time that was over, Zosen had escaped, likely in absolute uncertainty now. However, with his regenerators burnt out, there was no way he could continue fighting. He had kept his life, and thats what mattered... But he was disappointed.
In four seconds, the Battle of Elder is over for me... while Chyi-Azhar, Runar, Ka-ruul and Isa... are still fighting. Yet I have to sit here. Zosen began to curse harshly, his ship floating harmlessly in absolute uncertainty, as it would for the rest of this battle.
The bear is slain, Inys uttered from somewhere behind Hyaishi, who was busy piloting the Zaarisha through the Igadzras rank, destroying ships left and right - although admittedly with little attention needed.
Not yet, Hyaishi countered, checking the hypersensor readings. Very nearly, he thought to himself. This has been a complete slaughter.
Theyre fleeing, Inys said even before Hyaishi noticed it himself, on his sensor display. They were indeed fleeing - all but twenty five of their remaining Igazras were attempting to leave the system. For once Hyaishi could actually hear an emotion in Inys voice - incredulity. He understood it perfectly.
Why in Azds name do these idiots think they can just power up and jump out of the system? Its over now. Cowardly fools...
Hyaishi sighed. Is nobody worth fighting anymore?
The Kirandas was alive in this battle, more so than Ka-ruul had felt in a long time. Although Chyi-Azhar had commanded that he keep close to the Astarsi piloted by that accursed azdhara , he was ignoring him. He didnt need the help from an amateur, and especially not an azdhara. This was childs play.
Ever since joining the heat of the battle, the Kirandas had darted in every direction full of the sense of mayhem that made the Azdgari who they were. He knew he wasnt gaining many kills, but Ka-ruul was instead enjoying the challenge of seeing how many different ships he could hit in a minute. He was at fifty at the moment - and was pretty sure he hadnt doubled back.
Considering how quickly the enemy were falling, he barely saw the point in actually waiting around to take down a ship with the help of thirty others. This was a complete slaughter.
A group of Igadzra Aradas attempted to attack the Kirandas then, firing off the last of their missiles and then moving in close to attack with their particle beams. Ka-ruul flipped his singularity and was moving in the other direction quickly, although some of the missiles still hit his ship as they accelerated to vast speeds when close. He wasnt going to let the Aradas close in however - and moments later, the three were swarmed over by two squadrons of Azdaras.
Ka-ruul was taken completely offguard when a badly damaged Igazra caught him with graviton beams and was about to turn its particle beams upon him. He had been, momentarily, looking away from his sensor display and was suddenly caught, unable to escape. Too many beams were locked onto his ship to force out using his drives singularity, and he desperately moved to activate overload regeneration. For a few seconds, his upgraded Azdara the Kirandas could stand under fire, and his powerful phase weaponry might just be enough to tip the Igazra over the edge...
A dispersal rocket smashed into the hull of the Igazra, and a flurry of phase fire. A second dispersal hit one of the graviton beams then, and part of the Igazra exploded, the Kirandas suddenly released.
Ka-ruul stared in astonishment. The Astarsi glided past smoothly, hitting the Igazra with more phase fire before departing.
Isa has an Azdara with dispersal rockets? Interesting... And...
Shed saved him. As Chyi-Azhar almost predicted she would have to. Ka-ruul began to realise that hed been a fool to assume he could protect himself.
Finishing off the tremendously damaged Igazra himself, he moved to follow the Astarsi. For the last few minutes of this battle, he would keep to Isa as Chyi-Azhar had commanded.
The moment the bulk of the remaining Igadzra forces attempted to enter hyperspace, the mistake was capitalised upon. With fourteen Azdgari Aradas to each Igadzra one, and over fifty Azdaras to each Igazra, attempting to enter hyperspace was a huge mistake. When the battle had entered close range, there were overwhelming numbers of Azdgari ships attacking every single Igadzra ship, and nothing had to change in the Azdgaris strategy to obliterate the Igadzra fleet as they attempted to enter hyperspace. With their offensives almost completely down, and it taking a few seconds to enter hyperspace, it was suddenly all over.
A small number of them managed to escape, none of them with any shielding left and few of them with pristine hulls. Those twenty five Igazras which had remained as a rather ineffective rearguard (ineffective because, by that point, it was far too late - and the Azdgari didnt use the type of fleets that you could pin down with a rearguard), were finished off by suddenly comically large numbers.
With the battle over, two thousand Azdaras remained, and five hundred Azdgari Aradas. Twelve Igazras and twenty Igaras had fled to Dafi in terrible condition. Immediately after the battle was over, one octa-squadron was flagged by Hyaishi and sent to Dafi. They would arrive seconds after the Igaras and obliterate them, and wait another twenty four hours for the Igazras to appear, which would similarly be obliterated. As the ships in flight had lost all their shielding and many had damaged hulls, it would only take a few bursts of phase fire to finish things off. The Azdaras were under orders to return as quickly as possible, and a hypercomm was sent out to Diudir, where about twenty Azdara patrollers were stuck. Its come to come back, Hyaishi had sent. The Elder fleet is destroyed, and now you can return.
Which revealed one of the real purposes of this battle. There were Azdara patrollers out there who wouldve starved to death had the blockade not been shattered.
(- Chak -)
As the Azdgari warbands returned to Morin for repairs and to be redistributed back to the border, little they did know that in just a few weeks, a massive Zidagar battlefleet was to attack Molar...
There would be no pause in this story. The blood would continue to flow.
R &D
Level 5 Phase Shielding (Upgrade) 3/7 days.
Azdgari Raider Outfitting (Refit) 2/3 days.
Subdimensional Research, Stage Two: Subspace-Interface Nexus 7/10 days.
Azdara Hyperdrive Refit (3/3, complete 1/02/05.) Phase Stealth Field (9/9, complete 28/02/05.) Impulse-1 Refit (2/2, complete 26/02/05.) Phase-Arada Refit (2/2, complete 24/02/05.) Graviton Impulse Drive (Model: I-1) (8/8, complete 24/02/05.) Subdimensional Research, Stage One: Hypercube Project (12/12, complete 23/02/05.) Azdgari Hyperdrive (5/5, complete 16/02/05.) Level 4 Phase Shielding (7/7, complete 18/02/05.)
The Azdgari Raider Outfitting is a long awaited general refit of some stuff to use up the free space that I havent used and almost everyone else has done quick refits to use. Itll be explained in the OOC thread, will finish after Ipvicus battles with me finish, and is pretty basic.
Azdgari Fleet 445 Azdaras, 40 Azdgari Aradas lost in Elder. 46 Igazras destroyed, 15 Igaras destroyed in Elder. 35 Igazras, 95 Igaras captured in Elder.
Fleet: 3075Azdaras, 765 Azdgari Aradas, 150 Azdgari Warships, 596 Freight Aradas, 12 Hypercubes(9 full), 10 Phase-Aradas. Production: 140 Azdaras, 20 Azdgari Aradas, 1 Hypercube.
Elder: 2000 Azdaras, 490 Azdgari Aradas, 10 Phase-Aradas(10 Hypercubes).
Molar: 130 Azdgari Aradas, 120 Azdgari Warships. Tollb: 652 Azdaras, 92 Azdgari Aradas, 30 Azdgari Warships. Chak: 3 Azdaras. Azdgari: 420 Azdaras, 60 Azdgari Aradas.
Raigar: 110 Azdaras, 46 Azdgari Aradas.
These positions are effectively 3 RTDs old, as of the end of the Battle of Elder. Im almost immediately going to post again and change them. Ipvicus and I are in agreement that my border is restored by the time he attacks, which hes about to do today.
This post has been edited by SilverDragon : 03 March 2005 - 07:28 AM
OOC: Fleet repositioning. After the Battle of Elder post and my character development post yesterday, I dont have it in me yet to do a well-written post. Ill respond to the Battle of Molar with as good a post as I can handle for today, and have something more impressive ready for tomorrow.
In the aftermath of the Battle of Elder, in which the Azdgari had decisively proved to be superior to the foolish bear that was the Igadzra, Azdgari forces returned to patrolling their borders. Hyaishi was unable to place any sure bets on whether the Igadzra or Zidagar front needed to be more secure, as although they were injured, there was no telling what the Igadzra might attempt, and so he arranged for roughly equal battlefleets in each of Chak, Molar and Tollb.
Over the past two weeks since the Battle of Elder, equipment had been gathered to allow for a refitting of all Azdgari ships in several minor areas, but this would not be completed for another week and as of now, the Azdgari frontier ships were unaltered. Raigars fleet and patrolling Azdaras had already been outfitted with the new Raider style, but as it was disadvantageous to lower the border now, equipment was being prepared so that the refitting would occur all at once. As such, for the moment, Azdgari ships in the three defended systems have not been outfitted in the Raider style.
The Azdgari now faced an interesting proposition. The Igadzra had lost many of their vessels, and were weakened. The Zidagar had taken Muid but little had been seen of them since. Their aggressive move suggested they may be acting soon - if they were not already attacking the Igadzra. Plans were drawn up, and Hyaishi decided that in a few weeks, it would be time to continue with his plan to attack the Igadzra and destroy them at their heart. If the Igadzra were disabled, the balance of the lesser ones would end and a true offensive against the Zidagar could begin.
The captured Igadzra ships remained in hypercubes which had been transferred on request to Yains Tzi. Sai-Varitair continued to monitor the border at Molar, while Hyaishi defended Chak and Yain held Tollb. Hyaanl moved between the three, although for the next few days would be spending time in Tollb. They were testing out Vakhys theory of how much longer the hypercubes would be able to contain the Igadzra ships - he had estimated that the hypercubes would lose stability and release the Igadzra ships within a few more days. When that time came, they would be surrounded and destroyed immediately.
Unbeknownst to all, however, a massive Zidagar battlefleet was in hyperspace towards Molar, and soon, all of the Azdgari plans would be replaced by one single driving instinct - one of survival.
Azdgari Fleet
Fleet: 4275 Azdaras, 765 Azdgari Aradas, 150 Azdgari Warships, 596 Freight Aradas, 15 Hypercubes(9 full), 10 Phase-Aradas. Production: 140 Azdaras, 20 Azdgari Aradas, 2 Hypercubes.
Molar: 1039 Azdaras, 239 Azdgari Aradas, 80 Azdgari Warships. Inc. the Kisande. Tollb: 1839 Azdaras, 239 Azdgari Aradas. Inc. the Tzi (9 full hypercubes). Chak: 1174 Azdaras, 239 Azdgari Aradas, 70 Azdgari Warships, 10 Phase-Aradas(6 hypercubes). Inc. the Kohatsa, Triada, Ranirakyin, Kirandas, Astarsi, Zaarisha.
Raigar: 115 Azdaras, 48 Azdgari Aradas. Dafi: 48 Azdaras.
60 Azdaras are said to be involved in scanning and patrolling.
Patrolling... DSN-2298, DSN-9041, Novish, Racet, Karra, Funit, Reban, Kacca, Calb, Elridi, DSN-2143, DSN-1273, Dafi, Emnin, Dirach, Lontri, Toi, Plate, Kade, Tinar, Meagh, Azdgari, Leka, Kelmaon, Marafey, DSN-682, DSN-2189, DSN-8204, Elder.
Scanning... Qerid, Fluron, Plogok, Terapin, Mark, Mordus, Nujja, Norhis, Motif,.
Hypercube production reduced to two per day by my own discretion. Potentially too devastating otherwise. 1200 fighters appeared from the Azdara Hyperdrive refit. Should have been mentioned in the last post, but its sorted now. Remember: the Azdgari warships do not carry Azdaras now.
This post has been edited by SilverDragon : 03 March 2005 - 01:25 PM
Igadzra Central Command
A lieutenant walked slowly towards X'el, who was silent, watching a large galactic map layed out on the table. "Executor?" the officer asked timidly.
"Yes?" X'el replied, not moving to look at him.
"We've, uh... not heard any word from the 4th Armada... we assume they were destroyed by the Azdgari..."
X'el was silent for several long, agonizing moments. "Thank you, lieutenant... you're dismissed."
The lieutenant nodded slowly, quickly walking off to another assignment. X'el closed his eyes, shaking his head slowly. "Ninety Igazras... Ninety..." he sighed again. "Dark days for the Igadzra indeed..."
Not everything was going badly for the Igadzra, however. Research of the Ixada Orbital Defense Platform had been completed, with the first prototype already constructed in the Igadzra system. Now, the Igadzra had an extra means of defense for their systems. The designs of the ODP were also sent to the strandless at Feviry, and the Miranu.
Meanwhile, the refit on Igadzra ships had been completed, and now all Igadzra vessels possessed Miranu improved FTL comms, as well as their advanced sensors and sensor drones. Igaras were also being refitted with the new Zephyr Rockets, originally developed for the Indar. Removing fifteen Class-1 Halcyon Torpedoes, a new rack with four Zephyr Rockets would be installed. Research of a new shield upgrade, as well as the Indar project, continued. In Mordus, Station Raelion was completely disassembled, and the parts moved back to Nujja. They would be used later.
Ixada Orbital Defense Platform -- DONE!
Indar Project -- 5 RTD
Miranu Technology Upgrade -- DONE!
Shield Upgrade -- 4 RTD
Igara Weapons Refit -- 1 RTD
Current Ship Count 260 Igazras 840 Igaras
Production (per RTD) (new ships assigned to Igadzra and Innirian) 10 Igazras 30 Igaras
3rd Armada -- Innirian 36 Igazras 108 Igaras (2 Igaras currently patrolling Kavkaz)
5th Armada -- Igadzra 34 Igazras 102 Igaras
This post has been edited by Captain Carnotaur : 03 March 2005 - 10:09 AM
The Faithful, Chapter Six Command Nexus, High Citadel of the Paladin Order, Tumni
"I'm sorry to come to you on such short notice, but something urgent has come to my attention."
A series of guarded looks circulated among the assorted Paladins in the room as the First Consul took a seat at the head of a large conference table. Short notice wasn't the only thing strange about what was going on. As either the First Consul or the High Priest, Nemisa had the right to come here to Tumni and speak directly to the Order's leaders, but this was almost never done. Expectations, however, were a hard thing to apply to the first person to hold both of thetwo highest positions in Zidagar society.
The newly promoted Major Vehn Dorja was probably the lowest ranking Paladin in the room, and it was only by chance that he'd been called here from Stror. He sat and watched as the final few Generals and Admiral that had been in the Citadel arrived and took their seats. There was more high ranking brass in attendance at this meeting than he'd ever seen in one place. From the looks on the faces of some of the highest ranking commanders, including General Deran, he could tell that they knew something unpleasant was about to happen. The room grew silent and after a few moments, Asrin Nemisa stood to address them.
"Honorable Paladins, I come to you with grave news. As I'm sure you know, the links between the Igadzra unbelievers and the Miranu have grown considerably in the past weeks. More than that, they have sheltered the Azdgari pirates in Raigar for centuries. They claim that they pursue this for mere trade and scientific advancement... but the evidence has continued to mount that their motives are anything but innocent."
As he said this, assorted information began to stream across their data-consoles. Miranu involvment in the rebellion on Pozdag-3, incitement of riots in response on several frontier worlds, MTC involvement in industrial espionage... the list went on. Towards the end something caught Dorja's attention, he keyed open an attached file and watched a vid clip of a Miranu Courier's involvement in reporting fleet positions to the Igadzra. What the hell? This can't be right...
"As you can see... the Miranu have even gone so far as to make themselves the Igadzra's personal spies, giving them the very positions of our forces. How many brave Paladins died at Stror? How many more will die as a result of their treachery if we let it continue?"
Dorja wasn't sure what kind of response Nemisa was looking for, but as he looked around the faces of his brothers, he wasn't seeing much of a difference from their typical stoic expressions. His gaze fell on Samael, and what he saw was almost as disturbing as what he was hearing. The General was leaning back heavily with his eyes closed as the First Consul spoke, but his face was covered in an expression of the deepest sadness. By this time Nemisa seemed to have come to the realization that he wasn't going to inflame his audience to the same patriotic fever that he was used to getting from commoners or the Governing Council, and paused before going on.
"To put it simply, the time as come that we must not longer be satisfied with defending ourselves within our own borders. The Azdgari have grown stronger over the past few months than ever before, but they have underestimated us. The Igadzra have tested our strength, and they will pay for the lives of those who fell at Stror. Our Navy is more powerful than it has been in a hundred years... and the time has come to show the infidels the meaning of that power. The time has come to launch an offensive that will bring the Igadzra and the Azdgari to their knees. What say you General Deran?"
Opening his eyes and leaning forward, Sammael Deran looked as if he'd aged ten years in the last few minutes. His gaze was now locked with that of Asrin Nemisa, and the First Consul was obviously uncomfortable. Again the General bowed his head for a moment... then he swept his eyes over the men seated to either side of him down the long table, then back to Nemisa at it's opposite end. The tension in the room was palpable, many of these Paladins would be heavily opposed to such rash action. The First Consul was all but demanding that the Paladin Order pursue a strategy that was counter to decades spent defending the Holy Worlds from within their own borders.
The balance hung on the shoulders of General Deran. His word would decide whether the Paladin Order would accept Nemisa's request, or if they would refuse, an act that would approach direct betrayal of the High Priest of Zid.
"It is your wish that we do this High Priest?"
Nemisa's face could have been etched in stone. His gaze never left that of General Deran, but the barely restrained emotion from those around him radiated into his senses.
"Yes."
General Samael Deran nodded, then stood bringing his fist to the center of his torso, covering his heart in salute.
"So let it be done."
Chambers of the High Priest of Zid, Great Temple, Zidagar
The room was entirely dark when Brenon Sernak entered. He could barely make out the form of the High Priest sitting with his back turned to him and looking out his window into the night sky. He stood silently in the middle of the room for a moment, and was about to speak up when Nemisa turned around.
"It's done, the Paladins will be launching their offensive within the week."
The High Inquisitor nodded his head. This was the moment for which he had prepared for years, and there was really little more to say. He simply turned around and strode back in the direction he had just come.
"I will begin the final phase immediately."
High Orbit above Tumni, Zidagar System
It had been several days since First Consul Nemisa had set the Paladin Order on it's quest to all out war. For decades the Strand Wars had been little more than border skirmishes, and outpost hit here, a raid there. While soldier killed in a raid is just as dead as one who fall in a legendary battle, the history texts never seem to fill up with mere "skirmishes."
By this time all of the preparations had been made for the largest offensive in Zidagar history. Almost every ship on the eastern border was being pulled to strike a blow to the Azdgari that they would not be able to withstand. While this was happening the ships stationed on the southern border with the Igadzra would engage in a lightning war that would keep their forces too destabilized to exploit any gaps in the Zidagar offensive. General Deran had also given orders that most of the ships stationed on the border with the Miranu be pulled to shore up the Strand borders.
It was the uncertainty of what was being undertaken here that was keeping Samael Deran from maintaining any sort of clarity as he attempted to meditate. Ever since the final form of this offensive had taken shape his sleep had been fitful at best, and meditation escaped him. Finally giving up, he stood, and activated the lighting in his quarters. It's just as well, I'm needed on the bridge...
He donned the heavy purple jacket of his Paladin's uniform, then left his room and entered a turbo-lift to the bridge. Half way up, he halted his progress and redirected the lift to Main Engineering. How long has it been since I've toured this old girl? Since the he'd been granted his first command of a Zidara years ago, he'd always made it a point to tour his ship before every battle. In his current flagship, the Zi'etara, he'd only been on one tour, and that had been years ago.
When the lift stopped, he was greeted by the sight of the main reactor powering the ship's hyperdrive, nestled in the center of the ship's mechanical nexus. Busy crewmen were moving around dozens of consoles and panels making sure that the ship would be in full fighting readiness before battle. As he walked in the Chief Engineer quickly spotted him, and ran over to ask if there was anything he needed.
"Sir, did you have something you needed me for?"
"No no, carry on Brother," he said with a smile "I'm only having a look about."
For the next hour Samael Deran toured every duty station on the Zi'etara Wherever he went the crew couldn't help but feel encouraged by his calm demeanor and quiet resolve. For those who met him that day the story of his tour would become a legend that they passed down through countless generations of their descendants. It was to be the General's last tour.
Leka System, Several days later...
The Zi'etara accelerated at half impulse as it came to the for of a massive Zidagar fleet. Ships from Terapin, Plogok, Muid, Fluron and even Zidagar itself had assembled for the offensive against the Azdgari. Several Azdara scouts were even now looking in horror at the four hundred Zidaras and other ships that had swarmed into the system. At the same time in various other parts of the galaxy Zidagar battle groups were also preparing to attack the Igadzra.
Finally, all of the Zidagar ships were in position, and the fleet jumped as one to hyperspace.
Molar System
The Azdgari warband in Molar had absolutely no warning as the massive Zidagar fleet came out of hyperspace, but it wasted no time in reacting. Despite having little idea exactly what the Zidagar fleet was made up of because of their advanced ECM coverage, the Azdgari knew that now was the time to prepare to defend themselves. After only a few seconds the Zidaras had launched their fighters and were closing the distance between themselves and the Azdgari in order to bring the enemy fleet in range of their missiles. They would most likely concentrate their Javelin fire on whatever Azdgari Warships were in the system, taking them down one at a time as they prepared to engage the main Azdgari fleet.
The Zidagar formation looked essentially like a half sphere extended forward almost into a kind of rounded cone. The Zidaras formed most of the edges and the front of the formation, with squadrons of fighters concentrated on the flanks and the Zidagar Aradas in the center surrounded by the Zidaras.
Accelerating, the Zidagar fleet began to approach it's maximum missile range.
Paladin Battle-group Alpha 420 Zidaras 110 Zidagar Aradas 600 Zidagar Fighters Mk. I 800 Zidagar Fighters Mk. 2
Sirabor System
Major Vehn Dorja was back in command of his fleet based in Stror. He'd gained a great deal of respect among the Paladin High Command for his defense of the system against the superior Igadzra attack force, and it had been decided that he should have the honor of returning the favor to Ersadt. Despite is eagerness to take the fight to his enemies, however, his feelings were mixed concerning the entire offensive. To be perfectly honest he didn't trust the First Consul in the least. This entire business with the Miranu made him sick to his stomach, and he had a hard time believing that any of the accusations against them were genuine.
Nevertheless, he had been ordered to attack the Igadzra, and he had no problem with that. He'd make those bastards pay for those they'd killed at Stror, and pay dearly.
Five minutes later his fleet was on it's way to Ersadt to collect on a debt.
The Igadzra in Ersadt were caught just as unaware as the Azdgari had been in Molar, but similarly, they were quick to react. Once again, the Zidagar had entered the sytem under full electronic emissions control, and the Igadzra had a very hard time determining their strength. Within moments however they had formed a defensive formation and were ready to meet the Zidagar invaders.
By the same token, the Zidagar wasted no time in launching their fighters and forming themselves for battle. The entire fleet accelerated to the edge maximum missile range and immediately launched a full salvo of Javelins, followed quickly by another in it's wake. As the missiles streamed in close to the Igadzra fleet dozens of beams lanced out to destroy the incoming projectiles, destroying many before they come anywhere near their targets. With the large of missiles fired however, a number of them managed to get through, especially where they had been focused most. Unable to withstand the power of the new Zidagar weapons, a number of Igaras were engulfed in fireballs of plasma.
Paladin Battle-group Beta 100 Zidaras 55 Zidagar Aradas 135 Zidagar Fighters Mk. 1 200 Zidagar Fighters Mk. 2
Igadzra Defenders 50 Igazras 134 Igaras (16 Destroyed)
Innirian System
Above the skies of Innor much the same situation that had occurred in Ersadt was taking place. The Zidagar jumped into the system under ECM protection, then launched a few volleys of missiles doing minimal damage as a result of greater PDS coverage.
Paladin Battle-group Gamma 100 Zidaras 20 Zidagar Aradas 200 Zidagar Fighters
Igadzra Defenders 61 Igazras 174 Igaras (9 destroyed)
Blaga System
As a Zidagar battlegroup, notably comprised of black, not purple, ships, including the new Zidagar Arada, exitted hyperspace into the Blaga system, sparsely patrolled by Miranu fighters and busy with trade, they caught the Miranu defenders by surprise. While the Miranu may have been suspecting the Zidagar of such a thing, they were unprepared for the sudden ferocious attack.
Miranu fighters scrambled all across Blaga and those that had not been patrolling quickly exitted low orbit to meet with their fellows. Disturbingly for the Miranu, their sensors were unable to penetrate the Zidagar fleet and could not even determine how many ships they were being attacked by.
With the Miranu vessels quickly targetted, and plasma missiles ready to launch on a seconds notice, the Zidagar fleet hailed them.
Miranu vessels, lower your weapons and surrender immediately. You have one half hour to land your ships on Blaga and evacuate with self destructs set. No Miranu military vessel is to be allowed to remain. Blaga is being liberated by the Zidagar Inquisitors.
Inquisition Battle-group Delta 30 Zidaras 75 Zidagar Fighters
Miranu Defenders 122 Crescent Fighters
Himgro System
Meanwhile, exactly the same as occuring in Himgro, and while Himgro was in a slightly better position to defend itself, the situation still appeared to be hopeless.
...Himgro is being liberated by the Zidagar Inquisitors.
Inquisition Battle-group Epsilon 30 Zidaras 75 Zidagar Fighters
Miranu Defenders 152 Crescent Fighters
Zimla System
At the same time as Blaga and Himgro were struck, another Zidagar battlegroup struck in Zimla, responding according to the plan and immediately demanding an unconditional surrender involving the Miranu defenders destroying their own ships within one hour, or facing annihilation.
Inquisition Battlegroup Zeta 68 Zidaras 75 Zidagar Fighters
Zachit System
As a massive Zidagar battlegroup, albeit one whose size could not be determined upon entering the system due to their ECM systems, entered Zachit, they were surprised to find the system not as heavily defended as expected. With ECMs already powered up, the Zidagar ships immediately fired off salvos of their Javelins against the limited Zachit forces, who responded with their own missiles which were hopelessly incapable of striking any Zidagar. In the opening seconds of the battle, several Zachit vessels were destroyed, and the Zidagar quickly moved to engage a closer range where their advantage would be even more pronounced.
Inquisition Battlegroup Omega 150 Zidaras 105 Zidagar Aradas 394 Zidagar Fighters (1 destroyed)
Zachit Defenders 236 Zachit Fighters (4 destroyed) 80 Zachit Aradas
Construction 2/28/05-3/03/05 Total 120 Zidaras 175 Zidagar Aradas 300 Zidagar Fighters
Pozdag (to Zimla) 38 Zidaras
Terapin (to Molar) 32 Zidaras 70 Zidagar Aradas 100 Zidagar Fighters
Neradag (to Zachit) 30 Zidaras 70 Zidagar Aradas 60 Zidagar Fighters
Stror (to Ersadt) 35 Zidagar Aradas 30 Zidagar Fighters
This post has been edited by Vice Admiral Ipvicus : 06 March 2005 - 10:08 PM
The Miranu in Zimla, Himgro, and Blaga were caught completely in a state of shock. An invasion?!? What had they done to precipitate this? In each of the three attacked systems, the peace corps vessels hastily assembled into a defensive perimeter. The peace corps also had at its disposal Miranu Freighters and Heavy Freighters, both armed with Defence Pod launchers and Phase Turrets. Though most of these ships were trading vessels, the Peace Corps brought what few they had into orbit quickly, joining the assembled fleets of fighters.
As the Advanced Warning Network allowed for faster-than-light communication between nearby Miranu systems, it soon became clear to the defenders of each of the three threatened systems that this was not an isolated incident, nor an act of terrorism. This was a coordinated invasion by the Zidagar!
Pleas went out over encryped Miranu channels, the peace corps begging any merchants who would be willing to aid in the defense to join the assembled fleet. "Those of you who have escape pods on your vessels," cried a Peace Corps Lieutenant into his comm unit, "we beg you to stay and help us defend your home! At least lend us your help in the form of defence pods before you retreat!" Few did, but the smattering of Freighters that came meant that many more defence pods. It was anyone's guess as to how effective these civilians would be should a battle ensue, though.
The situation in Zimla was tense. Less than ten minutes was left before the Zidagar ultimatum would expire in Blaga and Himgro... not to mention the threat that they themselves were under. Suddenly a communication came over the comm of Peace Corps Admiral Deniku's Crescent Fighter... it was Governor Kitanu himself.
"I never expected it to come to this..." he said, visibly shaken. "But don't worry. Thanks to the Advanced Warning Network, help is already on the way. I've ordered 210 crescent fighters from Mirava to join you in Zimla. Himgro and Blaga are also under attack. I've given orders for reinforcements from DSN-3930 and Lieta to move to help Himgro, but Blaga is in sorry shape. We can't get an exact count on the Zidagar ships, but we believe Blaga's defenders are heavily outnumbered. If the fighting becomes too intense there, I've ordered our forces to withdraw to Himgro in hopes we can save two out of three of the threatened systems. Please... Admiral... do what you can to stop this madness with as little bloodshed as possible."
"Of course, Governor," the Admiral responded, with a salute.
In Blaga, the situation at MTC headquarters was utter chaos. MTC agents shouted and cursed, yelling to one another and to their hastily assembled fleet of mostly trading vessels. "What is this betrayl? The Zidagar were once our most trusted trading partners!"
"Why aren't there more Peace Corps ships here? This is an outrage!"
"Where are the Zachit at a time like this? Some defenders indeed..."
"If the Miranu Senate won't stand up for us, we'll fight for our own defense!"
"Get your Heavy Freighter into orbit now! We need those Defence Pods!"
"This is ridiculous!"
The scene in orbit was no less chaotic, the sparse group of Peace Corps defenders joined by an odd mix of Couriers, Freighters and Heavy Freighters - the bulk of the MTC fleet in the system.
"We're not giving this system up without a fight, the lead MTC vessel radioed to the Peace Corps ships. We'll fight with you."
Less than five minutes now remained before the Zidagar ultimatum would expire. In all three threatened systems, the lead Miranu vessel simultaneously broadcast the same transmission, relayed directly from Mirava. Unbeknownst to the Peace Corps, the same broadcast was also going out over civilan channels through pirated MTC transmitters. Within hours, it would be news across the Crescent.
(TRANSMISSION TO ALL ZIDAGAR VESSELS IN MIRANU TERRITORY (Zimla, Himgro, Blaga)) "Zidagar vessels, this is Governor Kitanu of the Miranu. I don't know why you have come to us with this threat, or what crime you feel we are guilty of, but I can assure you, we have no malicious intent toward you or your people. We are a peaceful race, and have pursued nothing but commerce and friendship with all our neighbors, yourselves included. We once had a strong bond of friendship with your people; we were once trusted trading parners. What has happened that it has come to this? What brings you like this, with weapons drawn, to the home of a peaceful people?
"We do not wish for war, but we cannot surrender our systems to you. These systems have been our homes for centuries, and we will not simply give them away. But we desire, with all our hearts, to find a peaceful solution to this situation. Our friendship may have fallen far, but we can still stop these rash actions before we go too far.
"Please. Innocent blood need not be shed today. This battle need not occur. I believe I speak on behalf of all Miranu when I say: Please, our neighbors... don't do this." (END TRANSMISSION)
Defense fleets - Miranu Peace Corps Zimla: 122 Crescent Fighters 30 Miranu Freighters (20 Peace Corps, 10 civilian) 15 Miranu Heavy Freighters (12 Peace Corps, 3 civilian) Reinforcements: 210 Crescent Fighters en-route from (Mirava-->Zimla) 35 Crescent Fighters en-route from (Kitrak-->Mezt-->Zimla) -- two hyperjumps, so will arrive later in battle!
Himgro: 152 Crescent Fighters 35 Miranu Freighters (23 are Peace Corps, 12 are civilian) 20 Miranu Heavy Freighters (18 are Peace Corps, 2 are civilian) Reinforcements: 91 Crescent Fighters en-route from (DSN-3930-->Dislor-->Himgro) -- two hyperjumps, so will arrive later! 76 Crescent Fighters en-route from (Lieta-->Dislor-->Himgro) -- two hyperjumps, so will arrive later!
Blaga: 122 Crescent Fighters 50 Miranu Freighters (45 of 50 are MTC) 30 Miranu Heavy Freighters (all 30 MTC) 25 Miranu Couriers (all are MTC)
---------
(OOC:) Shoud the Zidagar feel like starting the battle in their next post, here's some critical info: Miranu Defense Fleets are comprised of freighters in front, with Fighters immediately behind. Should the Zidagar attack, Peace Corps and Civilian freighters will release defence pods and then retreat. Crescent Fighters will fight until destroyed. All MTC ships will fight to the death.
If Peace Corps in Blaga suffer more than 30% losses and the battle is going poorly, peace corps ships there will withdraw to Himgro to try and aid the defence there.
Fleet movements:
All but 10 Kirrim ships --> Mirava All but 10 Zanat ships --> Lieta All but 10 Priat ships --> Mirava All but 10 Tmidor ships --> Mirava All but 10 Garren ships --> Kitrak
This post has been edited by Thunder : 03 March 2005 - 12:24 PM
DSN-2131: The End of the Renegades
I never thought it would come to this, thought Rago. We're supposed to be the raiders, and here the Zachit have beat us at our own game! Well, one thing's for sure. I will never be a slave, on any world. He picked up his phase pistol...
===============
Two phase shots echoed through the governing caverns of The Rock. Two councilmen burst through the door to find Rago and Laszlo lying on the floor, smoking holes in their skulls.
They may not have surrendered, but we cannot order the entire Renegade faction to sacrifice their lives to this massive fleet. There is no way that we can defeat the Zachit here, not even if we use every asteroid trick we know. Oh, we could undoubtedly whittle them down quite a bit...but we would be destroyed in the end, under any and all circumstances. We must surrender, thought one of them. He raced from the room to the main communications station.
Out in the DSN-2131 system, the Renegade fleet powered down their weapons as one. A white flag waved on the communications screen of the lead Zachit Arada.
Second Executor Ithon, commander of the 2nd Armada at Ersadt, rushed aboard the bridge of his flagship as the Zidagar attacked. As they opened up with a hoard of missiles, he shouted orders to the fleet. "Spread apart. Divide all their fire amongst our ships, it'll make it easier to shoot down incoming munitions," Ithon ordered. "Tow damaged ships back behind the formation to regenerate their shields. They'll be protected by other ships PDS batteries."
The Igadzra fleet quickly moved to intercept the missiles sent against them. They were spread out enough so that each ship only had a certain amount of missiles to handle, making it easier work for the PDS batteries, but nevertheless many missiles made it through, destroying several Igaras. However, the damage was otherwise minimal. The Igadzran ships held their positions. They were spread out, but only so far. They needed to quickly reform into a sphere in order to better defend against a Zidagar charge, being careful in their judging of distances.
"Fire a salvo," Ithon ordered from his flagship. The mighty Igazras began firing, while the Igaras, with their shorter ranged weapons, held back. However, it didn't take very long at all to realize that the Zidagar had a new and very effective ECM.
"Halt all salvos," Ithon shouted over the comm. Fortunately, the Igadzra fleet had wasted little ammunition, and their reserves were still at 75%, and 100% for the Igaras, which would come in very useful soon enough.
Ithon surveyed the battle with his eyepiece, then turning to watch the holographic projection of both fleets. He remained silent for a moment in thought. "Hold our positions, but prepare to move back into a spherical formation. Remember your training, and what to do if your ship is too badly damaged. All heavily damaged Igazras are to be rapidly moved to the center with graviton beams, and then replaced with fresh ships." He paused. "Set all Torpedoes to unguided Rocket mode. We'll use them when the Zidagar get closer, but don't waste your ammo. Make every shot count."
Ithon surveyed the enemy fleet again. "Order 60 of the remaining Igaras to concentrate all fire on the enemy fighters. The remaining Igaras will fire on enemy Aradas, and aid the Igazras in taking down enemy Zidaras. All Igazras will use their graviton beams to hold enemy ships at bay and safely out of their beamer range."
The Igadzra fleet prepared for battle, continuing to shoot down enemy munitions...
Igadzra 2nd Armada including the Ersadt Defense Force 50 Igazras 132 Igaras (2 destroyed)
Third Executor Shaei's eyes widened as he saw the incoming Zidagar fleet through the eyepiece on his headset. "Here they come..." he said slowly to himself, then turned to the comm officer. "Order the fleet to spread out a little and take out incoming enemy munitions. Have damaged ships towed away."
As the Igadzra fleet continued to intercept most of the munitions sent against them, Shaei surveyed the unfolding battle. "The Zidagar must be crazy to go up against a fleet of this size...." he muttered. "Fire a salvo."
As was the case in Ersadt, few of the Halcyon Torpedoes made it through, but those that did were quickly targeted to a single enemy Arada, which was destroyed. Shaei frowned, noddly slowly to himself. "They must have ECMs... set all torpedoes to unguided mode, and prepare to open fire when they are close enough. Have one-hundred Igaras concentrate on the aradas and enemy fighters, and the rest help us destroy enemy Zidaras. Our graviton beams outrange their Phased Beams, so order all ships to use them to hold off attacking Zidaras."
The Igadzra continued to intercept any incoming enemy munitions, and waited for the Zidagar to charge them. Soon, the real fighting would begin...
Paladin Battle-group Gamma 100 Zidaras 19 Zidagar Aradas (1 destroyed) 200 Zidagar Fighters
Igadzra 3rd Armada including the Innirian Defense Force 61 Igazras 172 Igaras (2 destroyed)
Overall Naval Statistics
Current Ship Count Somewhat inaccurate at present, it'll be fixed after the battles in Ersadt and Innirian are over 260 Igazras 840 Igaras
Defense Fleets All defense fleets will be counted as a part of the armada currently stationed in that system
2nd Armada -- Ersadt 50 Igazras 132 Igaras (2 destroyed)
3rd Armada -- Innirian 61 Igazras 172 Igaras (2 destroyed)
5th Armada -- Igadzra 59 Igazras 177 Igaras
OOC: Ryuu, I think you should make a descion at this point on if you will be joining us...
Returning to Feviry Greg's Lazira and Peter's fleet were met by 7 FLF Laziras and escorted back to Nimor. Something had happened, Greg would ask his colleauges what transpired in his absense...
"Iagraz, what the **** is going on?!"
"Many things...The Azdgari have wiped out our allies' entire 4th armada, and the Zidigar are invading Igadzra and Miranu space --we can only assume they hit the Azdgari too--...we've been trying to do what we can while you were out."
"Grave news indeed. I've got the personel we needed and an experienced mercinary fleet to aid us; as soon as production increases our pitiful fleet will move out to aid the Igadzra on the fronteer."
"Greg, they won't last long out there, the Zidigar are using advanced ECMs and powerful artillery that could rip a hole clean through a Lazira. Why waste our forces on such?"
"You most of all I woul have expected to understand. By the terms of our agreement the Igadzra protect us--I intend to return the favor!"
"And what good can come of this? We will likely lose much of our fleet, and the Igadzras' resources are strained--it is unlikely they can compensate for our actions."
"At the very least, salvage. Load tractor beams onto the Laziras and the couriers--we're heading out to Ersadit."
"And what of the mercinary? Will he come?"
"If he deems it so fit..... This will be dangerous, I need you with me to lead the fleet, else we'll loose all we have on this gambit."
"Very well, I'll get Kjole and Razel to assigning these people to their appointed tasks while we are gone--we'll leave at 2010 hours, the tractors should be fitted by then."
"Contact your superiors Iagraz, let them know we're comming..."
--- Ship Production: 2 Laziras --- Fleet Status:
12 Crescent Fighters: Standing By 4 Aradas: Standing By 8 Laziras (standard): (En-route to Ersadit) 2 Miranu Couriers: (En-route to Ersadit) --- Research:
Hyperquartz Research (Phase 1): Find a way to cheaply produce refined hyperquartz refraction crystals, research retooling them into power-cells, conduits, and capactiors. ETA: 4 days
This post has been edited by ~vIsitor~ : 05 March 2005 - 11:31 AM
(- Molar -)
A minutes warning was all the Azdgari had of the Zidagar battlegroup that was about to arrive. As fast as the Azdgari were, not all of their ships were in-space at the time, and Sai-Varitairs entire warband was on the planets surface at the time. In a minute, some of them had roused but the protocol was strict - nobody would take off until everyone was ready. It would take a few more minutes, and the Zidagar would be almost upon them by then.
However, there was already a warband in space, either patrolling or on standby. Almost eighty Azdgari warships were floating like corpses in orbit of Molar, technically on standby and with skeletal crews still, but already listed and confirmed for decommisioning. These forces constituted Molars more permanent defence force, commanded by Azarvhi, a well-respected member of the Council of War who was one of the twenty more active members in recent times. Azarvhi was the de facto master of the Molar base, in a similar way as Diugar was the de facto master of Diumins base. And in almost all cases, in almost all raids, Azarvhis commands would have held precedence in this situation.
The moment Azarvhis warship received the communique from an Azdara patroller in Leka, soon after it had been received by the base and at the same time Sai-Varitair received it, the soon-to-be-not-so-respected Azdgari made a decision that would cost him his life, and many others. They had under a minute, and there was no chance Sai-Varitairs main warband could scramble in that time. His forces were in position and were ready immediately. When the Zidagar battlegroup entered the system, he had already made up his mind.
He had barely had any time to give thought to the other part of the communique - Sensors distorted, cant predict fleet size, hundreds of Zidaras... - and had foolishly assumed that the Zidagar would not seriously launch such a massive attack and that this new sensor distortion device was being used to fool the Azdgari into believing that a fleet of truly significant size had been sent.
Immediately overruling Sai-Varitairs command, which was issued surprisingly quickly - it was said that you could tell the most influential Azdgari commanders, as they never slept - Azarvhi sent out a command to all of the ships that owed allegiance to him. The Zidagar were to be engaged immediately. Azarvhi fully intended to show his older counterpart that there was a reason he had been the de facto master of Molar for twelve years.
-----------------
As the Zidagar battlegroup formed their semi-spherical formation and began their approach, they were at first confounded by their inability to detect the location of Azdgari ships within any degree of accuracy. It quickly became apparent that the Azdgari had developed a technology similar to their own ECM, and that in this battle both of them would be fighting more blind than they were used to. However, there were important differences. While the Azdgari would be unable to exactly count the numbers of the Zidagar ships at a range, the main use of the ECM to prevent guided weaponry was likely to be useless, as the Azdgari had never favoured such.
However, the Zidagar fleet were at a loss as to locations of the Azdgari ships, and quite majorly so. There were several exaggerated blips for where Azdaras may be, but very quickly upon entering the system these blips disappeared. Quick calculations were made and found that the Azdaras were fast - faster than usual.
The Azdgari fleet had, for all purposes, disappeared. It was definitely in the system, however, and its numbers were encouraging. Five hundred Azdaras, one hundred and fifteen Aradas, and almost eighty Azdgari warships - the warships did not seem to be launching Azdaras however, which made the Zidagar uneasy. These ships, however, could have been anywhere at that point.
Preliminary scans of the surface of the planet revealed there was another fleet there, but even with that, the Azdgari defenders were far outnumbered by the massive Zidagar strike force, whose size had not been seen in action for decades. Even incapable of locating the Azdgari ships, the Zidagar were not concerned. There was no fleet anywhere in the Crescent that could match the Zidagar today.
Azarvhi, weve entered total uncertainty. Stage one done, how do you want us to proceed? came an uncertain reply from an Azdgari over hypercomm. Not much time had passed and the Azdgari sounded half asleep, but despite that managed to sound suitably worried about ignoring Sai-Varitairs orders to stay in low orbit until reinforcements took off.
The Zidagar still approach, Azarvhi replied. Our warships will not be successful in moving out of the way. Hit the Zidagar from behind with the Azdaras. Everything else will remain here. We will crush the Zidagar between us, catching them by surprise.
As you say, the same Azdgari replied, some confidence restored to his voice, boosted by Azarvhis apparently positive outlook. Once that channel was closed, the master of Molar went through three more, giving out orders quickly and in many cases without thinking. He too had barely woken up - such warnings immediately set off extremely loud alarms for every Azdgari in the entire system. He hadnt even dressed. There was something rather undignified and unfair about sitting alone at a warships command station in your pyjamas after having been woken from a rather pleasant dream of an azdhara harem.
Thankfully, his Azdgari behaved according to plan. The extremely agile Azdaras made as if to flank the Zidagar forces, ensuring all the while that they kept within absolute uncertainty - the Zidagar would not be expecting this. They would expect the Azdgari to wait by their planet for the forces not yet scrambled to arrive, but that wasnt how Azarvhi was going to do things today. He knew that this was a Zidagar bluff, and he wasnt falling for it.
The Azdgari warships and Aradas remained to protect the planet, but the Azdaras would have finished their manoeuvres before the Zidagar were close enough to deal any damage. They didnt have any long-ranged weaponry, and even so, hidden in relative uncertainty for the last twenty seconds provided the Azdgari with protection against just about anything.
The Azdaras quickly moved around the Zidagar battlegroup, aware that they were seriously outmatched in just about every way, even considering the forces led by Azarvhi which would attack from the other side. After about a minute they were tailing the Zidagar, and gaining, their pace controlled admirably by a confederate of Azarvhi who, unlike his master, was no fool. He was unhappy about this situation. They would be chasing the Zidagar, meaning it would take longer for them to engage. What was Azarvhi thinking? Hed better hit them quickly.
When the shadow of absolute uncertainty was broken, the Zidagar fleet suddenly knew of the presence of the Azdaras on their tail and responded accordingly. At first several Zidagar fighters broke out of formation, but they were called back quickly, and the Zidagar continued moving towards Molar. A few dozen small, unidentifiable missiles were launched from several Zidagar Aradas - an unexpected sight indeed - and they deftly doubled back on themselves and travelled towards the uncertainty following them, but were rendered harmless.
The Azdaras stopped closing then, as Azarvhis confederate realised that if they closed now it would be suicide - the Zidagar had missiles, and a new class of ship. There was no telling what they had up their sleeve.
As the Zidagar battlegroup came to the point where both sides of Azarvhis forces were in relative uncertainty, and the warships quickly becoming clearer, they opened fire with larger Javelins against the Azdgari warships, this time a more significant salvo. At that range, many of them were still lost and the Zidagar continued to close again, waiting until their weapons could be more effective.
Azarvhis Azdaras went to maximum velocity and were suddenly quickly closing on the Zidagar battlegroup, which after a controlled period of time let rip with everything it had - hundreds of Darts were fired back at the Azdaras, while an only slightly smaller volley of Javelins struck the warships. The effect was immediate and devastating. While the main force of the volley was reduced by the still fairly significant uncertainty due to the Azdgari stealth fields, the damage was enough. Several Azdgari warships were reduced to spiralling plasma, completely incapable of defending against Javelins. The targetted Azdaras did their best, their Impulse drives providing them with a unique ability to protect themselves, but the Darts were faster than anything they had seen before and there were far too many of them.
As the three groups closed, it quickly became evident that Azarvhis plans werent going to work. Many more Darts and Javelins were fired, Azdgari warships and Azdaras alike falling. At closer range, the Azdaras began to attack the Zidagar formation, proving that up-close they were still superior to the Zidagar fighters, until suddenly it became realised that the Zidagars most dangerous weapon, the phased beamer, was now capable of firing constantly.
The Azdgari paid for their mistake with the blood of hundreds. Azarvhis forces were almost immediately overwhelmed, dozens of overloaded Azdaras barely escaping the conflict alive. While Zidagar ships did fall to concentrated Azdara fire - an impressive number of Zidaras destroyed considering the odds - it was nowhere near enough. The Zidagar were displaying a completely new level of destructive power, and that was even without factoring in how much the odds were in their favour.
By the time Sai-Varitairs Kisande , the only Azdgari warship to have remained in low orbit, and the rest of the Azdgari force, joined the fray, there was little left to join. Azarvhis warship had been obliterated during one of the early volleys. While at first the Zidagar had miscalculated and not fired enough Javelins to take down each warship, due to the Azdgaris new impressive shielding networks, the second and third volleys had begun to count. The Azdaras had not fallen in massive amounts until entering close-range, but not many of the original force remained now, and most of the remaining ships were Aradas, their slightly superior stealth coefficients affording them a slightly higher chance at escaping what was a brief thirty second slaughter.
When the Kisande joined the battle, a message was sent out to all Zidagar ships at once, its source clearly Sai-Varitairs flagship.
Whatever you may think, the Wolf will not prevail. If the Azdgari lives here today are not enough to destroy you, more will come. Flee now, before every last one of you dies.
Naturally, there was to be no reply. A moment later, Sai-Varitair sent a message out to all remaining Azdgari ships, moments before the second half of the Battle of Molar was to begin.
We will not fear, nor flee. We will make our lives count. Everyone: you know what to do. By Azds rotten teeth, lets do it.
Azarvhis mistake was to make the Battle of Molar today even more of a slaughter than it may have been otherwise, but the second stand was to be a far stronger one. Now knowing what the Zidagar were capable of, the Azdgari had prepared themselves to fight with everything they had and die today if need be. And against such a terrifying force, death was all that could wait for them.
The remaining six hundred and fifty Azdaras, one hundred and sixty Azdgari Aradas, and twelve Azdgari warships were to make the best stand they could make. Lending the Zidagar no quarter, they dived into the battle aiming to take down Zidaras and the Zidagar fighters that had been flagged as launchers of Darts as quickly as possible. Now that the danger of the phased beamers was recognised, only the Azdgari warships fell prey to its dangers - the Azdaras and Aradas were far too cautious now, choosing the opportune moments to fire a series of phase bursts before darting away.
Were it not for the Azdaras powerful regenerative abilities and shielding, the battle would have ended almost immediately. As it was, the Azdgari were putting up a brave last stand against a far superior force. The Zidagar formation was forced to scatter partly. In a few more minutes, it would be over.
Azdaras and Azdgari Aradas were playing a deadly game, trying to stay alive for as long as possible. And the Kisande , the most powerful Azdgari warship built, once the personal warship of Kyhaan and since upgraded with far more powerful shielding and Impulse drives than any other ship in the Azdgari navy, was putting up one hell of a fight against the Zidagar. Ashamed by the mistake of his fellow commander Azarvhi, which had cost hundreds of lives for nothing, Sai-Varitair was determined to make this a far harder fight than the Zidagar expected they would have to fight.
Meanwhile, knowing how things would turn out, he had sent messages all across Azdgari space.
The Zidagar are coming. Molar is lost.
Along with it, he was transferring all the sensor data of the battle, everything and anyhting that could be of use. His only fear was that all of it would be in vain. A battlegroup of this size could surely not be stopped.
(- Dafi -)
When the remnants of the defeated Igadzra in Elder jumped into Dafi, still extremely badly damaged, they found forty eight Azdaras waiting for them. In their condition, they had no chance. The Azdaras were already moving at full velocity - knowing what time the Igadzra would arrive, they had been flying circles and were moving such that the movement the Igadzra appeared, they would be ready. Fifteen Igazras would normally have been more than a match for forty eight Azdaras, but in these circumstances it just wasnt going to happen. As the surviving Igadzra ships had jumped out in different areas amongst their fleet, they did not appear together, and the Azdaras capitalised on this, annihilating Igazras and Igaras alike in half a minute.
A single Igazra was able to make a second jump to Mark before it came under fire, and the Azdaras did not pursuit. Instead, remembering their orders, they made for Chak as quickly as possible.
---------------
(- In hyperspace to Molar... -)
The Cahaari glided through the apparently infinite emptiness of hyperspace, thirty minutes away from entering Molar. Finally, Azhaurai would have time for a good nights sleep. He would catch up with Chyi-Azhar in a few days and join the squadron, apologising for being late. He had good reason, though. He may just have secured the Azdgari a potential ally.
Unbeknownst to him, his Azdara and Kohatis were about to enter the aftermath of a vicious slaughter.
(- Somewhere in hyperspace... -)
Humming happily to himself and smoking his pipe, Charhin was reclining on a comfortable chair reading a Hindrosian novel he was rather enjoying. Although technically he had been sent by Hyaishi as an envoy to the Strandless, and particularly Tibidat, he was taking his role lightly, and had so far enjoyed his journey greatly. This Freight Arada Hyaishi had gifted him wasnt very good for combat, but at least it wouldnt immediately show up as being an Azdgari ship. Anyway, it had Impulse drives and better shielding, impressive modifications which made Charhin feel very, very safe about this journey.
He was en route to Novish, and expected to pass some Igadzra patrols along the way, but wasnt going to pause anyway. Not that theyd fuss over one Arada they knew nothing about.
Smiling faintly at an amusing part of his book, Charhin completely forgot about the delicate task he was expected to handle once he arrived in Tibidat. There was no point worrying about the future, and right now, he wanted to reach the end of this chapter.
This post has been edited by SilverDragon : 03 March 2005 - 05:00 PM
Kelmaon
Several Voinian ships had managed to land, and were pouring out troops. Unfortunately, by chance, one Supply Ship had made it's way to the Construct site, which was undoubtably pouring out massive amounts of traceable energy. Pael and Tahal had only been on the planet for nearly half a day when the Voinians attacked.
Tahal shot a glance at Pael, and spoke out a jumble of Common Azdgari. Pael was defenitely still learning the language, but he did the best he could.
"What is going on here, Pael? What are these ships doing.?" Pael struggled.
"Us... Emalghans... are below... under... We are under attack." Not suprisingly, attack was one of the first words he had discovered in the Lexicon. "The Voinians are attack... Emalghans.." Tahal frowned.
"What are the Voinians? Are they enemies of yours?"
"Speak not fast, maybe. Vonians evil... Attack... Enemy. Kill. Kill Emalghans." Pael was not enjoying this conversation at all. "Tahal. Go." He pointed to a shelter. Tahal shook his head. Pael looked frantic. "Tahal go!"
"I will fight." Thoguh Pael only understood a wordl of that, he got the gist and nodded.
"No kill Tahal. Kill Voinians." With that, Tahal followed Pael to the armory, where he shook his head and unholstered his own weapon. Pael shrugged, grabbed a Thermite rifle, and ran to the ground fight.
-----
The battle went steadily uphill as the two arrived. Pael, not might of a fighter, aimed and shot wildly, rarely hitting anything but dirt. Tahal, however...
Every shot of his phased blaster burned a hole through the neck of a grey Voinian. He began moving faster and faster, until he was a blur, aiming and killing. Pael stopped shooting and stared. Noticing a Voinian group gaining ground, he quickly pulled out a Thermite genrade and threw it as hard it he could. With a severe exploision, the Voinians were vaporized. Tahal slowed enough to turn to Pael and nod, then went back to the carnage.
(OOC: Tahal is a very good fighter. Neither him nor Pael will die.)
---------- Avalon (A few days later)
And then, the Miranu ships began to depart. Daeso ran up to the Miranu translator, who was packing a few things and walking to a ship.
"What's going on?" The Miranu sighed.
"We've just recieved word from home that our space is under attack." Immediately , Daeso's expression darkened.
" Voinians. " The Miranu man laughed.
"No no, not the Voinians. The Voinians are... not a threat compared to these enemies. These... the Zidagar... were once thought to be our allies, but they betrayed us, and have now attacked our space. I'm sorry, I must go now." And with that, Daeso was left alone.
A few minutes later, he sent a transmission through Miranu space back to Kelmaon.
---------- Kelmaon (OOC: For all intents and purposes, this takes place after the Voinians have been fended off or destroyed)
The message was recieved a few days later, where it was immediately read by Pael. The Director had had a slight grip on Azdgari Common by now, but was still hurriedly learning the language. He found Tahal, and showed him. Tahal hissed.
"Zidagar." Pael nodded, then sent the message to Emalghion to be discussed in the Board. He looked at the message again, and then to Tahal.
"Tahal... Write Azdgari? Write Zidagar. Write same?"
"Well well, this is progressing nicely, isn't it?" Mineaux smiled at an officer, who was beginning to look frightened. The Director had been saying things like this for the last few days. A few hours ago, the message about the Miranu had been recieved. In less than 30 minutes, the Board had decided to send 50 Warships to help the Miranu. They will soon arrive in Mirava.
Current Emalghion Shipcount: Emalghion-->Mirava: 50 Warships
Emalghion: 361 Fighters 187 Warships 344 Attack Drones 143 Explosive Drones 150 Rocket Drones 40 Freighters 0 Defense platforms 28 Carriers
Mineaux turned back to the naviscreen.
"On to the campaign!"
----- DSN-201
100 Fighters entered the system. They took up chase with the Voinian Interceptors, who were sadly slightly slower than the fighters. The Interceptors managed to take out a single fighter before being destroyed in a flury of cannon fire. A few minutes later, 50 Warships and 12 Carriers arrived in the system. All ships jumped on.
Losses: Voinian: 0 Interceptors (5 Destroyed)
Emalghans: 99 Fighters (1 Destroyed) 50 Warships (0 Destroyed) 12 Carriers (0 Destroyed)
----- DSN-7617
Pretty much exact same thing happens in this system. Ships move on.
----- Niot
Seeing as how there's no ships here, the fleet splits up. 50 Fighters, 25 Warships, and 6 Carriers go to Fridion, and the same goes to DSN-8649.
----- Fridion
Seeing as how there's no ships here, the fleet attacks the planet. Attack Drones poured out of the Carriers and began to attack any planetary defenses on the ground. They will proceed to destroy any military facilities and comm facilities.
----- DSN-8649
Again, there's no ships here. The fleet moves on.
----- DSN-1156
The lonely station here soon finds itself under attack by the small fleet. Railguns blow off any of the stations defenses easily. While the fleet refuels, the small Attack Drones manage to fit through the main corridors in the station, killing anyone that stands in their way.
---------- DSN-4743
The much larger fleet of 261 Fighters, 137 Warships, and 16 Carriers enters the system. They easily dispose of the Interceptors with railguns, though one manages to escape. The fleet moves on.
Losses: Voinians: 1 Interceptor (4 Lost)
----- Krraali
The 11 Voinian Interceptors, backed up only by the station, simply got slaughtered by railgun fire. The station itself, however, was a little stronger, but the railguns still destroyed its defenses from a range too long for rockets or neutron blasts. After all defenses are destroyed, Attack Drones invade the station much in the same way as in DSN-1156.
Hyperspace Telescope: ETA: 6 Days (Wednesday, March 9th)
Peter stepped out of the Seydlitz. He was pissed, for lack of a better word.
"GREG, WHAT IN THE LIVING HELL IS GOING ON?!" He yelled.
Yeager and Hermann kept on checking over the schematics of a Zidara, and that of a new, improved version that they had..."appropriated" from a passing Miranu trader.
"Sh!t." Yeager remarked.
Hermann nodded. "PCL strength is higher than normal. Add in those weapons, and you've got one serious hell-raising, sh!t-bashing mean machine."
----- ----- Research Projects: 1. -Currently restocking on Science material- 2. -Currently restocking on Science material-
"We've got trouble."
"I KNOW WE HAVE TROUBLE! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!"
"The Zidigar have launched a three-pronged offensive, One against the Igadzra, we assume another against the Azdgari, and a subjegation fleet against the Miranu."
"THE MIRANU ARE UNDER ATTACK BY ZIDIGAR?!"
"Yes indeed. And thus it proves that everone is target! If the Zidigar breach Threefrog then they will likely attack us--especially with the new Igadzra battlestation in place. Knowing the Zidigar, if they invade the Fuzzes are as good as dead. We, the FLF, must honor our agreement with the Igadzra and help protect their wolds if we are to protect our own."
"AND MYSELF?"
"You may join us if you wish, it will be dangerous--however well-paying--to aid us. Many will die but we will see the stop to this advance. Come if you feel it is worth it, but know there is no time to wast; Ersadit and Innarian are already under siege and may not last... We will organize the defenses in Threefrog and, lord willing, go to assist on the frontier."
--- Ship Production: 2 Laziras (1/2 done;Production Boost to come tomorrow) --- Fleet Status:
12 Crescent Fighters: Standing By 4 Aradas: Standing By 8 Laziras (standard): (En-route to Ersadit, via Threefrog) 2 Miranu Couriers: (En-route to Ersadit, via Threefrog) --- Research:
Hyperquartz Research (Phase 1): Find a way to cheaply produce refined hyperquartz refraction crystals, research retooling them into power-cells, conduits, and capactiors. ETA: 3 days
This post has been edited by ~vIsitor~ : 05 March 2005 - 11:33 AM