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(- Molar -)
After nearly twenty minutes, the Azdgaris last stand had come to an end. The Kisande was one of the last ships to fall to the Wolfs forces. While the battle had raged on, Molar had been evacuated in time, and a small number of mainly Azdaras had escaped to Tollb. Their shields overloaded, they had left the battle with relative ease once they could battle no longer. The foolish Wolf had attempted at first to give chase, but against the Azdgari, there could be no chase.
Only, with the Wolf knowing that, they were bound to strike right at the heart of the Azdgari people next. And unlike the last time, this time it could spell the end for the Raven.
----------------
(- Capital Complex, Tibidat -)
For a few minutes, Charhin made no attempt to reply to Urvöns question, his head low. He emptied his glass of tirasa too quickly, knowing he would pay for it in a few hours. He felt dizzy, and not from the tirasa. Urvöns assumption was almost certainly correct - and Charhin was afraid, not because he didnt feel the Azdgari could defend against the Wolf normally but because Hyaishi had been planning an offensive against the Igadzra soon. If the timing had gone wrong, things could be bad.
Furthermore, for the Zidagar to be attacking the Miranu... Something had definitely changed amongst them. He had heard rumours these last few years, but he had not believed it could come to this. Charhin was often considered the quick minded sort and, from all the rumours hed heard, and now this, he could only conclude that the Zidagar had launched a holy war. Things could be very bad indeed. The worst part in some ways was that Urvön knew - how would this change the negotiations?
He quickly weighed up whether or not to play the usual card of over-confidence and avoiding the question, but decided against. This Strandless would not be impressed by Azdgari nationalistic drivel. Besides, Charhin didnt really believe it. He had been lost to the Azdgari for too long now to think like that. Successes and defeats were based on numbers, strategy and equipment. It had been a long time since he believed national superiority, true or perceived, had any sway in the matter.
Charhin lowered his glass, almost choosing to set it down on the floor before realising that it might be considered impolite. Instead he chose to hold on to the empty glass, albeit not very delicately. tis probable, he said then, quietly. If that was to be the case, the Wolf would aim to attack Molar alone, as well as Mark and other border systems of the Bear. In fact, given the nature of the Wolfs border with the Bear, they may have chosen to launch a more cautious attack than the one they have almost certainly launched against Molar.
You are worried that the Azdgari may be under serious threat? Urvön inquired, his voice sounding to Charhin all the more cool and unaffected. Probably simply a product of Charhins own tattered nerves.
Yes - I am, he responded honestly. Theres no point pretending otherwise. He shrugged. The likelihood is that Molar has been attacked, and probably with a fleet larger than any of the other fronts saw individually... Molar is our only frontier with the Wolf.
And considering how much you and the Igadzra have damaged each other...
Charhin shook his head then, a faint smile coming to his lips. Your information is faulty. The Azdgari have won two decisive victories in the past half year, and have lost next to nothing. The Bear may be in a poor position, but the chance are they have it easier than we do.
You are nationalistic after all, Charhin. You do well to hide it.
I respect my friend, Urvön, Charhin said. He glanced at his empty glass for a moment then, pausing as if thinking something else. Those victories were Hyaishis.
Maybe so: but what use are Hyaishis strategies against a direct offensive?
We digress, the half-Azdgari replied firmly. After we are finished here I will travel to Unobot without pause. Theres nothing I can offer the Azdgari, other than what I am already doing for them.
Charhin was reminded of Kitras silent presence at his back, and a shiver went down his spine. Id forgotten about her completely... I wonder what she might feel about knowing her ancestors are under attack? Does it bother her? Is she glad?
The only other thing Im here to discuss with you, youve already heard about. We would supply you with a communications device - one you can keep hidden from the other Strands easily. In return for your ability to use this to communicate with who you may wish within... negligible time... over virtually any distance... we would ask that you inform us of fleet movements in region. Not your own, I dare say... but of the other Strands, renegades, or anything else.
As I have said already, we do not wish to become involved in your wars.
The risk to you is negligible, and the benefits are great, Charhin countered. You have absolutely nothing to lose from this. At least discuss this with me properly, you could gain much without becoming involved in the Strand War at all.
(- DSN-8209 -)
A lone Azdara jumped into DSN-8209, an empty, lifeless system. As its pilot scanned the system for hyperlinks out, he found two and chose the one that he expected was closer to the direction of Miranu space. He knew he would be late, but with any luck, he could arrive to fight the Wolf before they left.
The Azdara immediately re-entered hyperspace, not even slowing down, making for the system commonly known as DSN-1469. Going off what the pilot knew of the layout of Miranu space, he was two or three days away yet.
(- Garit, Raigar -)
At the other side of the galaxy, another lone Azdara descended into the lower atmosphere of the moon of Garit. At first sight, Garit was a fairly small moon almost completely covered by vast but shallow oceans. It sky was a clear, bright blue for half the Garishan year and completely overcast in grey clouds for the other half. The relatively small land masses on the moons surface were occupied by tropical forests on the light side, facing the desolate red planet Raieg Prime, and near desert wastelands on the dark side of the moon.
The Azdaras shield network lowered with a small hum and a flash of subdued red light, as the ship hovered several hundred metres above the tops of the magnificent thagai trees which dominated this part of the planets surface. It hovered over one of the larger tropical islands briefly, the environs about as unlikely a place to see an interstellar craft spending any time amongst. After a few seconds had passed, the Azdara began to glide through the air, clearly without any use of reaction drives. After covering about a mile, it paused again.
Then, in a confident, smooth movement, the Azdara descended slowly into the forest. As the ship reached where the roof of the forest appeared to prevent passage, a gap opened in the canopies - four enormous thagai trees were pulled back, and the Azdara glided down into the depths of the forest. Moments after, the flowing emerald canopy returned to its original place, and the Azdara was nowhere to be seen.
Hidden within a false patch in the Garishan forests on a small island called Runaroi, the Azdaras shields lowered again with a hum and a flash of red light, to the lowest phase. Every stage in the descent had assured minimal energy signatures, and with the recent addition of stealth fields, these measures secured the hidden locations of Garits dark bases. The particular base, the aptly named Runaroi Outpost, was a surprisingly simple facility. What had appeared from above to be dense tropical forest was, in fact, a cleverly and painstakingly designed ruse. The thagai trees in this area existed on two artificial ground levels with water pumps providing nutrition from the ground. They were apparently genetically modified slightly to account for their shorter height, lending the appearance from above that there was nothing strange.
The outpost itself existed on the surface, and was by necessity quite simple to minimise energy signatures. The vast majority of the outpost was in fact comprised of long wooden buildings, with only vital components being comprised of more advanced metal alloys. For those who lived long periods of time in the Runaroi Outpost, it was a very different life to anywhere else in Azdgari space. A very different life indeed.
The Azdara made its careful, spiralling descent, its Impulse drive providing a gravitational singularity only just powerful enough to resist the acceleration due to Garits gravity, a surprising eight metres per square second. Garit may have been a small moon, but it was remarkably heavy, owing to the elemental composition of its core. As a result, it was more suitable for colonisation than its planet, Raieg Prime, whose similarly anomalous density owed to its massively powerful gravitational forces.
Rather than travelling straight down to the surface, it approached the lower of the two platforms, where a surprisingly large cleared area providing a suitable landing bay. Just over a dozen Azdaras were already landed there, and a pair of Aradas as well, one of them sheltered against the massive bough of a thagai.
Landing gear opened quickly, and the Azdara made a surprisingly gentle landing, considering it had not slowed to a near stop until the last possible moment. The plateau upon which it landed, almost resembing a massive treehouse, seemed to have some sort of over-sized transparent elevator running down it, travelling below parallel to water pipes which reached towards the surface.
The now half-spherical shield network finally gave a fourth and final hum, the third having occured just before landing, and the shields went completely down. At the same time, the rest of the Azdaras systems were powered down and the ship fell silent, its pilot bay sliding open. The figure that stepped out of it was tall and slender, and wore a plain black uniform under a long, dark green robe, the Azdgari serpent woven into the chest of it in a lighter green. The robe was open half way down the chest and a belt held a phase burst shotgun and three small disruption grenades, a reasonably light armanent overall.
As the Azdgari made an easy jump down onto the surface of the platform, he tapped a key on a control band on his wrist and the pilot bay closed, the Azdaras last systems shutting down completely. A small group of Azdgari stood by the elevator some distance away, having recently appeared from it. Waiting for him, it seemed. Before walking off, the Azdgari removed a strip of cloth that was tying his waist-long black hair back and habitually rearranged the shotgun now that he was standing. Several days in space had caused him much discomfort and he set off at a steady pace to meet with the others, promising himself a race around the outpost against some young initiate to make up for the inactivity.
Back early, Kisai?one of the Azdgari called out as he approached. Its only Niadar, you werent expected back til at least Chotaa.
Was there trouble? another asked, his voice conveying that he sincerely doubted there could be anything worth calling trouble.
Change of plans, Kisai replied coolly, closing the distance on the three other Azdgari who stood by the elevator, the third, silent one sitting. Did you not receive the sensor logs?
We headed up here the moment the outposts sensors detected you in the system, the first Azdgari explained. Is there a problem?
Kisai shook his head marginally, offering an easy smile which reached his pale teal eyes. Not quite. Ill explain while we descend.
Completely defeated? The voice sounded rather surprised, and with good cause.
Yeah... Kisai murmured a response, his attention divided between the other Azdgari and the view of the humble outpost as they descended in the transparent elevator. Not too surprising, considering the developments over the last few months."
North Tip Station in the hands of the Zachit, the Rock itself conquered... one Azdgari muttered. We should have done this, not them.
Our forces have always been more limited, and now more than ever. Azdgari are needed on the real front, not here, Kisai responded. With the renegades defeated, our security here is assured.
That is, unless the Zachit are hired by the Miranu to destroy us next. Azd only knows they suspect us of enough counter-pirating of their goods without returning it.
Kisai shook his head, unconvinced. Why would the Miranu risk open war with the Azdgari over a few cargoes that we didnt care to return to them? They lost them in the first place, and its only their suspicions.
Besides... the older and more level-headed of these three interjected, We have some news for you. Major news, received just two hours ago.
The newcomer turned his head then, and waited. The Miranu have been attacked, by Zidagar battlegroups. Zachit itself has been assaulted - probably more as well, we only just received word from Zachit.
Kisai blinked. Sure? All three nodded. He looked back at the outpost that was nearly before him now. Once were at the Outpost, show me everything. And check with the other Outposts what ships we have in-system right now.
What are you suggesting, Kisai?
Im not sure yet, he admitted. He closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, it was almost as if a different awareness had crept in. We should do what we can, he muttered quietly in an obscure Miran dialect.
If you want to move to interdict the Wolf, youll have the support of everyone on Ragit, the normally silent young Azdgari spoke. No-one cares that youre half-Miranu, I mean... Youre Kisai, the Master of the North. What does that matter? Besides, an opportunity to actually fight the Wolf...
Better than bloody renegades any day of the year, aye, the older Azdgari commented.
The elevator came to a halt, its doors opened, and the four Azdgari walked off towards the nearest of the command buildings, numerous comments regarding the opportunity to fight the Wolf they expected being met with absolute silence from Kisai, the half-breed Master of the North who seemed to be walking completely alone.
R &D
Kyhaani Shipyards (2/6 operational) 6/18 days
Previous: Arada Drive Enhancement (3), SIN Refit (2), Level 5 Phase Shielding (7), Subspace-Interface Nexus (10), Azdgari Raider Outfitting (3), Azdara Hyperdrive Refit (3), Phase Stealth Field (9), Impulse-1 Refit (2), Phase-Arada Refit (2), Graviton Impulse Drive (8), Hypercube Project (12), Level 4 Phase Shielding (7), Azdgari Hyperdrive (6).
Azdgari Fleet The Kisande has been destroyed. 850 Azdaras, 225 Azdgari Aradas, 80 Azdgari Warships destroyed in Molar. 205 Zidagar Fighters, 12 Zidagar Aradas, 72 Zidaras destroyed in Molar.
Fleet: 3425 Azdaras, 540 Azdgari Aradas, 70 Azdgari Warships, 596 Freight Aradas, 15 Hypercubes(9 full), 10 Phase-Aradas. In limbo: 1040 Azdaras, 155 Azdgari Aradas, 14 Hypercubes. Production: 160 Azdaras, 25 Azdgari Aradas, 2 Hypercubes.
Tollb: 2030 Azdaras, 253 Azdgari Aradas. Inc. the Tzi (9 hypercubes), Chanari. Chak: 1222 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.
58 Azdaras are said to be involved in scanning and patrolling.
Patrolling... DSN-2298, DSN-6107, DSN-5468, Siqwe, DSN-5553, 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, Mordus, Muid.
Scanning... Qerid, Fluron, Plogok, Terapin, Mark, Nujja, Norhis, Motif.
_Morin Kyakara Sai-Varitair has been slain. Outnumbered and outmatched in every way, betrayed by the foolishness of an inferior commander, he nonetheless rallied the Azdgari for one last stand against the Wolf. Five Zidaras and twenty six fighters to its name, the Kisande was destroyed.
May his name join the ranks of Dakun-isei and Kyhaan, as one of the legends of this century.
4876 to 4951. Born rank 325045, died rank 6._
This post has been edited by SilverDragon : 10 March 2005 - 05:57 PM
Landing craft Pan , move in to the right a little bit. Toward the hangar. The same order was repeated to several other Freight-Couriers in the area, as well. Sitting back, General McFarland looked out in the green vapours. Finally, he turned around in his chair and faced the twenty-four troops in his craft. They, noticing his attention, started to prepare for the assault. The blaze rifles, as well as their companion pistols, were gathered up, and the troops, upon taking their weapons, started preparing further by gathering up grenades-two per trooper, as McFarland recalled-and by getting their various communication devices prepared. Finally, as the craft shuddered upon hitting the metal hangar deck, the soldiers grimly turned, facing the door that would open them up to the elements for the first time. The captain of the vessel, knowing what was to come, brought up an enviromental shield around the door to prevent any of the strange green gas from entering the ship, and pressed the purple button. With a hiss, the doors slid open, and the Rebel troops emerged from the battered freighter, ready for battle.
---
The pilots in the hangar bay noticed that there was an eerie quietness about the entire place, as the enemy blaze fire had stopped. Getting out of their fighters, for there was no point in staying in them, they looked around, and instinctively hid behind their craft, with their backs to the wall. A single pilot looked at his comrades, and whispered, I think I hear some people marching in the distance. They nodded in agreement, and the oldest pilot, a veteran of many years, carefuly withdrew his blaze pistol and walked up to the door, or what was previously the door. He finally came back, nodding. The doors gone...well have a bit of debris in between us and the enemy, however, if it should come to that. A group of people, climbing over debris and bringing in strange equipment, arrived, and the pilots instinctively raised their weapons, to fire. They realized that the newcomers were United Earth soldiers, however. Good to see you, the lead marine said. Were forming a battle line here, and in the hallway leading here. The enemy has arrived-if you can get in your fighters and turn the things so that well have some support, we should be able to hold this place for a while. The pilots did so, and then waited, growing tense as the soldiers who were setting up their blaze tripods finally finished and then waited. Everyone heard a bit of blaze fire coming around in the hallway, but nothing major...until, in a flash, enemy blaze fire starting blowing away the debris. The defenders started firing even before the smoke cleared, their weapons blowing the attackers to pieces...the enemy marines kept coming, until, finally, there was a gap in the wall behind them caused by blaze cannon fire. Once again, the room filled with an ominous silence, and everyone instinctively began preparing for a renewed assault. The fighter commander, slightly worried, told half of his fighters to alternately turn backwards, and the marine commander got his forces to surround the fighters. It was a small, well-protected camp...then, all at once, it happened. Troops swarmed out of the hallway, and several newly-created doors (generated by determined Rebel soldiers, most likely) served as new passages for attackers. The ship bombardment began again as new blasts came in, hitting the protective shielding that had been brought back up around the roof multiple times. Artillery fire sounded out, and the hangar bay door, which had been brought to a large metal block incapable of being used, was blasted open by enemy armoured units. Several light walkers and tanks started arriving, their guns blasting seconds before they were in turn destroyed by the firepower of the U.E. Fighters. The hangar bay was now filled with turmoil as the defenders slid closer to defeat.
The light walkers slid quietly over a small area that had been conquered by the Rebellion. It was formerly a small United Earth trooper outpost, but their guns and grenades had solved that problem. Two Skirmisher tanks followed them. The commander of the tanks, noticing a wooden bridge ahead, spoke out. I dont think these tanks are going to be able to cross that thing. The lead Walker pilot responded. Well, you dont have much choice, do you? The U.E. is forcing our allies on the other side to retreat back into their Freight-Couriers. The tank commander sighed and prepared his two tanks for the travel. The light walkers, strapping onto the bridge gravitically, walked on it without trouble, but the tanks forced the bridge to succumb to their weight. The contraption, created out of hundreds of wooden links, broke. The tanks fell to a demise in the green ocean while the walkers, which were strapped onto the bridges links gravitically, were shattered upon hitting the stony cliff. The Rebellion had lost more soldiers to the landscape.
--- Schoolchild Timmy Jones looked up as the schoolteacher suddenly spoke. The math lesson for today has been cancelled. School is out. Timmy stood up as did his fellow students, shocked at the sudden ending of their class. They began to leave, getting together their backpacks. As they came near the exit door, Timmy saw that the principal and several other people had been waiting for them at the end. He started to wonder if it was a trick to get them into detention, but saw only worry and a bit of despair on the faces of the school officials. He was about to ask what was wrong, when he heard a mechanical noise coming from outside. The principal began hustling them out frantically, and directing them to the local school spacecraft that was sometimes used for all-school outings-almost never for transportation, though. As Timmy entered the craft, he realized that all of the school was there. The principal frantically gave out orders to the school space captain, but it was too late. A large mechanical monster, or it seemed that way to the terrified civilians, stood near the craft, with several other walkers coming close. The principal, petrified, pushed buttons at random in an attempt to raise the ships shields, but it was too late yet again. A salvo of grenades from the walkers ended not only the careers of the teachers, but the lives of their students, as the craft exploded under the assault.
--- Zachary Corridon stood up as the fleet under his command finally left hyperspace. Prepare the attack. Destroy the enemy Freight-Couriers that are in space-theyre the biggest threat. Blaze fire sounded as the Voina Liberation Front poured into the system, firing hunter missiles at the Rebel foe.
--- Losses: U.E. Losses: None (They took the enemy by surprise)
Rebel Losses: 60 Freight-Couriers 5 U.E. Destroyers
-----Huron Rebellion Fleet And Construction*---- Liberty Force 10 U.E. Carriers 25 U.E. Destroyers 50 U.E. Fighters 340 Freight-Couriers 5 Scoutships Location: Talii
------United Earth Fleet and Construction 240 Carriers 983 Destroyers 1,185 U.E. Fighters 300 Freight Couriers 95 Scoutships 700 mines Per Day: 9 Carriers, 33 Destroyers, 50 Fighters Earth: 4 Carriers, 10 Destroyers, 20 Fighters New Taranto: 2 Carriers, 13 Destroyers, 20 Fighters Paaren: 3 Carriers, 10 Destroyers, 10 Fighters
United Earth Force Locations:
Voina Liberation Front 98 Carriers 409 Destroyers 655 Fighters
Location: Talii
Defense Fleets:
Verril Fleet 30 U.E. Carriers 82 U.E. Destroyers 130 U.E. Fighters <150> (Twenty of the U.E. Fighters are patrolling Yandros and the surrounding systems, and, like Carnotaurs old Patrol Interceptors, will stay where they can jump and only take scans of the enemy fleets) Centauri Fleet 30 U.E. Carriers 75 U.E. Destroyers 62 U.E. Fighters
Eltor/Sol Defensive Fleet 76 U.E. Carriers 384 U.E. Destroyers 420 U.E. Fighters
Attack Force Alpha 9 Carriers 33 Destroyers 50 U.E. Fighters
Sol Defenses: Earth Station (six blaze turrets, three hunter missile launchers, fifty hunter missiles, 1200/1200 protection; pre-equipped with above stuff)
Centauri Defenses: Centauri Station (six blaze turrets, three hunter missile launchers, fifty hunter missiles, 1200/1200 protection; pre-equipped with above stuff) 700 space mines
---PROJECTS---
Sol Jumpgate Module Construction. Will construct jumpgate modules in the Sol system. Three days. Centauri Jumpgate Module Construction. Will construct jumpgate modules in the Centauri system. Three days.
Predator Missile. This missile is effectively a cross between the needle missile and hunter missile; it is small and uses a simplified (and, although slightly inferior in the realm of targetting things, is harder to jam) version of the Needle Missiles guidance systems, but it packs a punch much more similar to that of the Hunter missile. It functions as an effective cross of both... Stats: 50% of the damage of the Hunter Missile, 95% of the speed of the Needle Missile, 1 ton, and a firing rate that is the same as that of the Needle Missile. 20-ton launchers.
All ships mounting Hunters or Mini-Hunters will have them replaced by Predators with twice as much ammo (naturally). Railguns on the existing United Earth warships will be decreased by one each to sport one and two Predator launchers respectively. ETA: Finished.
Swordfish GP-1 Fighter-Bomber Shields: 200 Armor: 75 Speed: 290 Accel: 625 Manuever: 150 deg/sec Fuel: 4 jumps Shield Recharge: 2.68 points per second Cargo: 1 tons Space: 3 tons MaxGuns/Turrets: 5/0 Mass: 14 tons Length: 8 meters Crew: 1 Special: none Weapons: 4 Blaze Cannons 1 Space Mine Launcher + 2 Space Mines 1 Predator Launcher + 6 Predators ETA: Three days; subject to moderation. All U.E. Carriers will mount three of these fighters instead of five U.E. Fighters. A third of the United Earth fighters will be converted into these bombers.
Jumpgate research. This project, upon completion, will enable humanity, with special modules or ships, to create subspace tunnels that allow instant travel between place to place. Gateships can select certain locations, but only ones that are already on the official map. A mapped system must be under or have been under the control of humanity, an ally, or simply uninhabited. In addition, gateships require a massive amount of power. There are many other pieces of information that havent been generated yet that will hopefully be created during the development of this technology. ETA: Finished! Jumpgate modules can be self-destructed, provided that they must power down their travel tunnels to a certain level before it can occur. Their power settings are also such so that a jumpgate tunnel will not collapse-it will slowly lose power as the module comes under fire.
Battle of Ersadt
Ithon watched slowly as the battle unfolded, his flagship Igazra rocking slightly as a plasma-rocket struck it. "Target that Zidara," he ordered, the ship turning to face an oncoming Zidara. Immediately, three graviton beams lanced out and latched onto the enemy vessel. It was now being held at just beyond the range of its phase beamers. While PDS batteries took care of any incoming rockets, the Igazra now attacked with all five of it's Particle Beams. At this close range, the effect was utterly devastating.
As the Zidara exploded, the rest of the Zidagar fleet pulled back. This gave the Igadzra time to regroup, quickly pulling in their damaged vessels to be regenerated. Ithon watched as the Zidagar came around for another pass, but this time the Igadzra would be better organized.
As the Zidagar charged, they opened fire with what ammunition they had left. Igadzra formation was tighter, allowing the PDS batteries from different ships to cover each other. The Zidagar continued to fire, but their effectiveness was dwindling. As well, in order to close enough to have an impact upon the effectiveness of the Igadzra point-defense-systems, they would have to come within range of the Particle Beams, as well as the Igadzra's torpedoes.
Having held back during the first attack, the Igadzra began firing off more of their torpedoes, mostly at the slower and easier to hit Zidaras. While the torpedoes often missed a direct hit, all they needed to do was proximity detonate, and with a large blast radius it was quite effective. As the Zidagar opened fire with their plasma rockets, the PDS batteries automatically switched priorities, targeting the rockets first and destroying most of them before they could get through.
The Igadzra continued to make a brave stand. As the enemy fighters and aradas closed in with what they thought would be easy kills with their phased beamers, the Igadzra replied with hundreds of their own Graviton Beams. Instantly, dozens of enemy ships were stopped in their tracks, and almost as quickly were blown away by concentrated particle beam fire. In order to use their beams, the Zidagar had to close within phase range and even closer still. Particle Beams were at their most devastating at this range, and combined with close-range torpedo fire, the Zidagar suffered terrible casualties. Fighters could simply not escape the grasp of a massive warship like an Igazra.
Any Zidara that attempted to use a phased beam met a similar fate. The Igadzra merely latched onto it with three or four beams, five if the Zidagar tried to boost away, and opened fire with class-3 torpedoes and all of their particle beams. The Zidaras, their shielding rather weak compared to the mighty Igazras, were easily destroyed. As the Zidagar pulled back from their second strike, the Igadzra readied themselves to deal out more of their own horrendous losses.
However, it wasn't to be. Ithon, knowing he was badly outnumbered, ordered a retreat. The station had already been almost entirely evacuated while the Igadzra had held off the Zidagar fleet. Moving quickly while the Zidagar regrouped, the Igadzra fleet turned and jumped out of the system. Outpost Vargien was manned only by a small handful of troops with orders to destroy the station themselves if the Zidagar tried to board or attack it, taking down as many Zidagar as they could with them...
Igadzra 2nd Armada (retreated) 15 Igazras (12 destroyed) 30 Igaras (44 destroyed)
Zidagar Paladin Battlegroup 44 Zidaras (30 destroyed) 30 Zidagar Aradas (14 destroyed) 80 Zidagar Fighters, Mk. 1 (28 destroyed) 100 Zidagar Fighters, Mk. 2 (54 destroyed)
------
Battle of Innirian
The Battle of Innirian was much the same as the Battle of Ersadt, except the Igadzra were more numerous, and were more organized when the Zidagar made their first pass. Meeting the Zidagar with everything they had, the Igadzra fleet made a valiant stand, shooting down enemy fighters in droves with their concentrated Particle Beam fire, combined with the Graviton Beams. The Zidaras received the entirety of the torpedo fire, their hulls pounded repeatedly by huge salvos of the torpedoes. Although unguided, the weapons were very fast and accurate, and were used to great effectiveness.
The Igadzra took heavy fire from the Zidagar's missiles, however, and had to work fast to pull damaged ships into the protected center of their formation. More Zidagar fell as the Igadzra continued to hit them with everything they had.
Executor Shaei watched from the bridge of his flagship, the Ultimatum. A Zidara charged the ship, but was instantly met by four graviton beams and five Particle Beams, combined with a salvo of torpedoes. It was reduced to slag within moments. A flight of Zidagar fighters now moved in, but were stopped by another wave of Igaras and another Igazra, and were all pushed back or destroyed.
The battle continued, the Zidagar not giving up until the very end. As the system became quiet once again, debris from over 300 Zidagar ships littered the area. As the clean up effort began, Shaei surveyed his losses. It had been a tough fight, but they had won, and now reinforcements were being moved up from Innor.
But, there were already problems that needed to be dealt with. Shaei had received word that Ersadt was under attack, and would probably fall soon. If it fell, Threefrog and Innirian would be open to attack. Shaei decided to stay at Innirian and guard the shipyards with the now reinforced 3rd Armada. He only hoped that Threefrog would be reinforced in time...
Igadzra 3rd Armada including the Innirian Defense Force 30 Igazras (31 destroyed) 90 Igaras (82 destroyed)
Paladin Battle-group Gamma - Destroyed 0 Zidaras (100 destroyed) 0 Zidagar Aradas (19 destroyed) 0 Zidagar Fighters (200 destroyed)
Threefrog System
Iagraz's inquiry was answered with the arrival of the massive 5th Armada. Soon after, Iagraz received a hail from the lead vessel, the Courageous. On the bridge stood High Templar Tauri Lena. Although technically not a fleet commander, most of the other executors were either someplace else or busy. There was Asai, but X'el had chosen not to send him. It was quite an odd move, especially since Tauri was a female. Although female officers were not unheard of, giving them command of an armada was very rare indeed.
"This is High Templar Tauri, commander of the 5th Armada," Tauri spoke over the comlink. "I will be taking command of the operation here. Thank you for your efforts, and continue to evacuate civilians. Ready military facilities to be evacuated, but do not make a move until we're sure if we are actually going to come under attack." She then added, "And don't send any ships to Ersadt. It's probably under the control of the Zidagar by now.
Tauri looked around at the system was the chaos was slowly brought into order. She sighed slightly, then gave out additional orders. "Deploy the fleet at the far edge of the planet so we can quickly move to intercept an attack. Post the Indaras on the flanks. Put all ships on Alert Status Red."
DSN-4111
The Prophecy bolted into the system, along with what remained of the Igadzra 2nd Armada. They had dealt major losses to the Zidagar, but still had lost the system. Now, Ithon just needed to figure out where to head next. He decided on Innirian, as the shipyards there would no doubt make a tempting target, and Threefrog was hopefully being heavily fortified.
Igadzra Research and Development
Within the last few weeks, Igadzra researchers had been extremely busy. The Indar project was now completed, and shipyards were now being reconfigured to produce the new and powerful warships. They would, hopefully, prove to be a great asset when facing the Zidagar and, in particular, the Azdgari.
Igadzra shield technology had undergone a recent upgrade, making their warships even more well protected than before. The Igazra was undoubtedly the most powerful warship in the galaxy (so far anyway). They had an added edge now in the Dual-Particle Beam. Four of these dual-beams would be outfitted on every Igazra (replacing the five regular ones) at the cost of a few torpedoes to make room. The Indar would also be outfitted with the new weapons, which were twice as powerful as the old beam turrets, at the expense of only one Zephyr Rocket.
As these projects were completed, resources were now diverted to construction projects. All crescent stations upgraded to the new Idaka-type Battlestation. Already well shielded, they were armed with an arsenal comparable to that of an Ixada ODP. The Idzar'xada Station in Igadzra was also armed, although it received a larger armament because of it's size. In Mark, the system was being heavily fortified. Already, one Orbital Defense Platform had been completed, and two more were under construction. In Elridi, the new Outpost H'vara was also completed.
Research & Projects
Igara Weapons Refit -- DONE! (3/4/05)
Shield Upgrade -- DONE! (3/7/05)
Indar Project -- DONE! (3/8/05)
Dual-Particle Beam -- DONE! (3/8/05)
Mark ODP I -- DONE! (3/10/05)
Outpost H'vara -- DONE! (3/10/05)
Idaka Station Armament -- DONE! (3/11/05)
Mark ODP II -- 2 RTD
Mark ODP III -- 3 RTD
Naval Statistics
Current Ship Count 244 Igazras 75 Indars 777 Igaras
Old Production (for 3/4/05 to 3/8/05) (new ships assigned to Igadzra) 35 Igazras 105 Igaras (new ships assigned to Innirian) 15 Igazras 45 Igaras
Ship Production (for 3/9/05 to 3/11/05) (new ships assigned to Igadzra) 51 Indars (new ships assigned to Innirian) 24 Indars
1st Armada -- Mark 90 Igazra 330 Igaras (2 Igaras currently patrolling Grooz) (2 Igaras currently patrolling Emnin)
2nd Armada -- DSN-4111, en route to Innirian 15 Igazras 30 Igaras
3rd Armada -- Innirian 45 Igazras 24 Indars 135 Igaras
5th Armada -- Threefrog 50 Igazras 26 Indars 150 Igaras
6th Armada -- Elridi 44 Igazras 25 Indars 132 Igaras
The Peace Corps commander in Zimla sighed with relief as 210 Crescent Fighters and 30 Miranu Freighters appeared from the Mirava hyperjump lane and began to reinforce their sparse ranks. With a total force of around 350 fighters and a considerable freighter contingient, perhaps they would stand a chance should the Zidagar decide to initiate a conflict. The commander sat in his cockpit, staring out the front viewport in nervous silence. The Zidagar deadline was about to pass, and the Peace Corps had not bowed to the Zidagar demands. Silently, he prayed that this disaster could be averted... but held out little hope.
The situation in Blaga and Himgro didn't look even as cheerful as the ominous one in Zimla - there would be no reinforcements here... all the neighboring systems were too far away, even with the advanced warning network in place. All the Peace Corps and MTC could do was wait... and pray.
----------
Research Peace Corps Arada - completed!
---------- Production All production is in the form of Laziras and Crescent Warships, and all this past week's production has been stationed in Mirava.
OOC: It's unexpected cross-chär development time! /OOC
Threefrog ---- "Tauri, its nice to see you again. When was it last we met, the third battle of Notil?"
"Enough with the pleaentries, I'm here on assignment Iagraz."
"So am I, and for the same purpose."
"I doubt you recieved orders from central command, you havn't been since your... reassignment."
"True. But because of the open ended nature of my ahem "asignment" and my military experience my presence here was implied. We've allready hammered out a working full-system battle-plan by dear, all you need to do is discuss inner-fleet tactics"
"Sharp as always you halfbreed nutjob, I never understood why you were tollerated."
"I wasn't, but I'm useful enough to keep around. We will continue to evacuate civillians as you have requested, and yes, I am well aware of the happenings at Ersadit; we won't be going there until the immediate threat is averted. And get ready, the Zidigar will arrive at any moment."
"You are not my superior, and I already stated that I have now taken charge of operations here commander."
"Nonetheless I retain control of this FLF detatchment, and current position as administrator of military affairs. We've known eachother a long time Tauri, we both know we're good, but we can't do this without eachother's support. With your firepower and my brains we may yet be able to stop this advance here; before Innirian falls."
"I don't take kindly to insults, especially about my capabilities as a tactician. And by my watch the Zidigar will attack Innirian first, if it falls it will fall before we fend off our attackers."
"Predictable as always old chum, you really have allot to learn about the Zidigar."
"How would you know? Don't test my trigger finger; I am poised to kill you personally"
"Heh, I work with one. And in my experience, if the Zidigar were in the mood for a gambit such as this then they would waste no time taking another; splitting their forces once again and cutting off reinforcements from Threefrog whilst assaulting Innirian at the same time. They will be in a confident mood afer their victory in Ersadit, I would not doubt they would expect another."
"Always engaged in questionable activites, you are a hazard to know."
"Indeed I am. Of course I prefer trying to tick-off Rune, but he is rarely roused by my proding."
"Don't make me kill you."
"Excuse me? You two need to shut up and get ready."
"Who is this human Iagraz? My desire to kill him rivals my feelings for you."
"My co-worker, Administator Gregory Garette. I would not take kindly to you killing him."
"...Perhaps I shall do so to annoy you..."
"ENOUGH! The trap is set and the peices advance! We must prepare while there is still time, now stop your bickering you idiots!"
"Hmph."
Feviry ---- "Kjole, I'm afraid your pet projet will have to be put on hold until our next project is complete...Specifically an expansion to the R&D wing."
"Details please."
"sigh We're expanding the labs so you can run more than one project; or alternitvely use the extra space to hasten your research."
"Ah, good I guess I can wait for that then."
"I'm pleased to hear that. I was worried you might seriously injure me..."
"I might have had this delay have been less productive"
"Now I'm not shure if I should be worried or pleased..."
--- Ship Production: 2 Laziras --- Fleet Status:
12 Crescent Fighters: Standing By, preped for launch 4 Aradas: Standing By, preped for launch 18 Laziras (Varied): (8 in Threefrog, 8 standing by in Feviry) 2 Miranu Couriers: (Evacuating Laspin civilians to Notil) --- Research:
Hyperquartz Research (Phase 2): Further refinement of hyperquartz phased-conduit; intigration into ships systems (refit giving 15% perfomance boost) ETA: On Hold
Expansion of R&D wing: Addition of extra labs and equipment giving an extra research slot. ETA: 6 days
This post has been edited by ~vIsitor~ : 12 March 2005 - 10:55 AM
Capital Complex, Tibidat:
Urvön chuckled at his guest and lifted his glass for another sip. Very well spoken, you may not be a diplomat by trade, but Hyaishi did very well to choose you. The only mistake I can see that you made was that youve never told anyone what benefits will come out of agreement. The shield designs have already been given to the Hirosians and youve never offered anything further. Excuse me for being so demanding, but whats in it for us?
DSN-2298:
Zigrabar darted around madly in his little fighter. They were faster than anything that he had handled before hed started training, but nothing was truly challenging to fly for a pilot of his caliber. In fact, he was nearly lounging in the pilots seat as he swooped through a tangle of fighters. They were all under order to fly at maximum speed and never to reverse thrusters. The first few days hed had thousands of collisions daily and theyd been using hundreds of cubic kilometers. That had been weeks ago, now all fifty fighters were staying within four cubic kilometers at top speed, and hed even thrown the Aradas in as immobile obstacles. Gratifyingly, the pilots were matching his challenge. True, they werent nearly as fast as the Zidagar pilots hed worked with before, but not all of them had been trained in Fighter flight for most of their lives.
Fin. Cycle back for a meal and some sleep and be ready to fly in one tenth turn. Next round we add weapons fire. Zigrabar could easily imagine the groans and complaints of the Strandless. Theyd had a hard enough time accounting for the change in inertia when hed ordered them to turn on the mass magnets. Now rather than a bulky defense, they would be adding an offensive weapon that took up as much space as a dozen fighters; it would be very interesting to see how they reacted.
His supper had been dry and tasteless. There was not much storage space on this modified ship, so everything was in the cockpit and there was no way to cook even the rations. He'd been out without any station for six weeks, and in that time he'd cycled through three sets of pilots. After about two weeks without anywhere to be but a cramped cockpit, they got too restless to stay. He truly wished he'd gone with one of the earlier groups, he didn't like being stationed without a base either. Thinking of himself as being stationed was funny; almost as if someone controlled him. He was only in this gig for the power, he already wielded as much military power as the Commander. If he wanted the power, he knew that he could take it. The problem was that he didnt want the responsibility.
Could they have made this thing any more uncomfortable! He normally wasnt in the least bit bothered by insomnia, but then again, he normally had a beautiful woman right beside him. Sure, he had gone on long campaigns in crowded ships before, but the six weeks without sex was unbearable. Hed thought several times about arranging liaisons with the captain of that one Arada, not because she absolutely adored him, but rather because she had access to real beds. Unfortunately hed been forced to hold himself back, it wouldnt be a good example for the pilots to see their trainer have a night of comfort when they werent allowed to leave their ships.
Just because Ive been out here for six Zid cursed weeks and you bed-wetting Azdgari have only been out here for two days! But no, that isnt a good enough reason for me to take a break. He was strong enough to endure, he could endure anything. The last group would be done with their training in a few more weeks and he could visit the new station in DSN-5553. He could go back to sleeping with a different Zidagar every night and more importantly sleeping on a real bed and eating real food.
He sighed again and opened his eyes, the ceiling swirled with colors that hed painted the first night. They were mesmerizing; in their own way they depicted every battle, every hero, every life and every death that anyone could ever know. It was too bad that he was the only one that truly understood the brilliance. If only they could see, they could become more like me
Projects:
LuRay Project.
Long range cluster rocket.
Fleet Status
Production: 40 Fighters 6 Aradas
Daily Production: 40 Fighters 6 Aradas 1/8 Station
Total fleet: 7 Crescent Warships 21 Laziras 166 Aradas 970 Fighters
Tibidat: 7 Crescent Warships 21 Laziras 100 Aradas 420 Fighters.
Duois: Tibidatian fleet: 12 Aradas 60 Fighters
Hirosian fleet: 3 Laziras 15 Aradas 60 Fighters
DSN-5553: 125 Fighters Clarino
Nifal: 295 Fighters 30 Aradas Chalumeau
DSN-2298: 14 Aradas (7 transporting goods from DSN-5553, 7 stationed) 50 Fighters
Patrols: Orders to avoid confrontation and to not use modified new technology under any circumstances.
DSN-8075: 10 Fighters
DSN-5468: 10 Fighters
Malago: 10 Fighters
DSN-9041: 10 Fighters
Funit: 10 Fighters
Racet: 10 Fighters
Novish: 10 Fighters
Threefrog
Tauri quickly turned to her second in command, who was also a female; Templar Osura Pel. "Look up 'human' in the database... never even heard of them..." Tauri muttered as Osura nodded, punching in some data to the console.
"Humans. New race to the west, south-west of our territory. An Igazra on patrol made contact with some of them in the Ragni system. Seem to be somewhat warlike but nothing much to worry about. Physically, smaller and weaker than us."
Tauri nodded, reactivating her communicator. "Don't try me, Iagraz. I might not be an Executor but I hold a high rank. Still hold it I might add, unlike you."
"Oh, why not? It's such fun."
Tauri hissed slightly, but privately enjoyed the exchange. Some officers were so boring and dull. Asai was an arrogant pig, and X'el was always busy. She didn't know Shaei well, as he was somewhat new to Igadzra, or the legendary Ujo, but she did know Ithon. Interesting person really. One wonders how he became an executor.
"Commander, the fleet has been deployed facing the DSN-4111 system," Osura reported.
Tauri nodded, then spoke again to Iagraz. "Do as you wish. I'm content to leave the matters of herding civilians up to you. I think you should be capable of that. As for Innirian, I'm sure Shaei can handle himself. With the ships he should have left, combined with the fleet from Ersadt and the reinforcements he received from his shipyards, he'll be able to hold. I know him." At least, she hoped Shaei would hold, seeing as how she really didn't know what forces he had, and, again, didn't really know him.
"I just hope your confidence is well placed."
"Shaei has more of my confidence than you ever will."
"Is that so? Does that mean much at all, really?'
"I'm still ready to kill you, Iagraz, and more than capable of that."
"Perhaps you'll get an opportunity later," Iagraz replied, chuckling over the comm.
"You wouldn't know I had even begun before you would be dead," Tauri retorted, grinning slightly. She turned to Osura. "This will be an interesting assignment..."
Charhin had been expecting this question to some extent, but was surprised that Urvön hadnt picked up on the answer already. He had, after all, said it barely a minute ago.
The shield technology is a gift, and has nothing to do with anything else. It is not a bargaining tool - it is to our benefit as much as yours that you have access to it. My coming here with a statement that Azdgari amongst you may return to us if they wish, their exile cancelled... all of these things I am disappoitned to see you classify as some sort of bargaining tool... they are conditionless as well. That again, is a gift.
As for the last part... Charhin paused for a moment, glancing at his empty glass again. He set it down on a nearby table. The answer to your question has already been given. Say there was an emergency on Tibidat, and you needed aid. Say you contacted your allies on Duios... and the powerful union thats forming around Akrayhek... and you contacted us, lets say for the sake of argument. With your current technology, it would take a day for your plee to reach Hindros, six days for it to reach Kayia, and something in the region of eleven days to reach our homeworld.
Yes, we are asking you for something - for you to tell us if there are military fleet movements in your area - but consider what we are giving you to allow you to do this. We will give you one device, which cannot be reverse engineered, so dont even try... which could get your message to Hindros in thirty minutes, to Kayia in three hours, to our homeworld half way across the known galaxy in under six hours.
For security purposes, we cant give this technology directly over to you but in exchange for your promise, you will gain a vital piece of equipment. If anything ever goes badly for you in the South Tip, you can secure allies by your side quickly. This is, I dare say, the most advanced piece of technology in existence. I dont even pretend to understand how it works.
Urvön seemed to be considering this, but Charhin continued, determined to make his point clear.
Of course, while youll be able to send messages to other Strandless worlds in the South Tip extremely quickly, you wont be able to receive replies as quickly. Unless, that is, they also agree to the arrangement. Its in your best interest if as many Strandless worlds as possible agree to the deal. And in terms of threat to yourself? There is virtually none. Even if the improbable happens and the Azdgari act on information youve supplied and lend the Bear a major defeat, how could they suspect you? Wed be acting on the information far too quickly to be possible - weeks early. Besides, we couldve received information from scouts of gossip in the area as easily. The only question will be how we received the information so quickly , a question which would baffle the Bear and never, ever, point in your direction.
So you see, the benefits for you are definitely greater than the risks. There is one more thing Id like to add, though. Ive heard some disturbing rumours of a militaristic faction to your galactic northwest. Hyaishi has told me that he gives his word that if you accept this communications deal, he will send warbands to your aid should they even think about moving into your territory with hostile force. Chances are wed do it anyway, but if you have this communicator well be there in time. If you dont, we wont.
_Odd how unsure Urvön is about this. I was stunned when Hyaishi told me all this, stunned that he could ask so little in return for... Everything. Of course, theres still the things Urvön doesnt know about, things he doesnt realise hes agreeing to...
But he cant have a clue about any of that, so why is he being so cautious?_
(- Cahaari (Azhaurais Azdara), Molar -)
The moment the Cahaari entered the Molar system, its pilot Azhaurai blinked. Once. An unprecedented display of self-control, considering what his sensor display was showing him. The planet Molar had been abandoned, and was no longer registering as an Azdgari-controlled world. More importantly, hundreds upon hundreds of Zidagar vessels occupied the system, with no sign of an Azdgari presence whatsoever before the Azdaras of Azhaurai and Kohati had entered the system.
In some ways, it wasnt surprising. The ferocity of Azdgari raids had, other past years, often left Molar almost undefended and several times in the last century Molar had actually been taken over by the Zidagar only to be immediately taken back. However, Azhaurai knew that since Hyaishis plans had come into action, Molar had been heavily defended by a third of the Azdgari fleet. The Zidagar forces here could only mean one thing - that fleet had been defeated.
Azds ashes, what in the name of hell has happened? Kohatis voice came over a comm. link.
Locked deep within several spheres of mental calm that, after the first moment, proved impenetrable, Azhaurai replied coolly. We go to Tollb.
As a dozen Zidagar fighters moved off to intercept them, futilely, the two Azdaras re-entered hyperspace for Tollb.
Kyhaani Shipyards (2/6 operational) 8/18 days
Previous: Arada Drive Enhancement (3), SIN Refit (2), Level 5 Phase Shielding (7), Subspace-Interface Nexus (10), Azdgari Raider Outfitting (3), Azdara Hyperdrive Refit (3), Phase Stealth Field (9), Impulse-1 Refit (2), Phase-Arada Refit (2), Graviton Impulse Drive (8), Hypercube Project (12), Level 4 Phase Shielding (7), Azdgari Hyperdrive (5).
Azdgari Fleet
Fleet: 3425 Azdaras, 540 Azdgari Aradas, 70 Azdgari Warships, 596 Freight Aradas, 15 Hypercubes(9 full), 10 Phase-Aradas. In limbo: 1240 Azdaras, 190 Azdgari Aradas, 16 Hypercubes. Production: 180 Azdaras, 30 Azdgari Aradas, 2 Hypercubes.
Tollb: 2032 Azdaras, 253 Azdgari Aradas. Inc. the Tzi (9 hypercubes), Chanari , Cahaari. Chak: 1222 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.
Patrolling... DSN-2298, DSN-6107, DSN-5468, Siqwe, DSN-5553, DSN-9041, Novish, Racet, Karra, Funit, Reban, Kacca, Calb, DSN-2143, DSN-1273, Dafi, Emnin, Dirach, Lontri, Toi, Plate, Kade, Tinar, Meagh, Azdgari, Leka, Kelmaon, Marafey, DSN-682, DSN-2189, DSN-8204, Elder, Mordus, Muid.
Scanning... Qerid, Fluron, Plogok, Terapin, Mark, Nujja, Norhis, Motif, Elridi.
This post has been edited by SilverDragon : 12 March 2005 - 12:23 PM
Threefrog ---- Greg was doing all in his power to prevent Iagraz from tauntin Tauri further, staying focused on the task at hand. The fleets had prepared, the traps had been set, and the Zidigar would be coming at any instant; as a result all ships were constantly in-position. When the Zidigar did come, they would be met with hellfire...
Feviry ---- The lab extention had begun; the smal, overtaxed facility was cleared and stripped, soon the exention would begin. In the meantime Razel and Kjole discussed research priorities, and the all-important plans were finally coming to realization.
12 Crescent Fighters: Standing By, preped for launch 4 Aradas: Standing By, preped for launch 20 Laziras (Varied): (8 (SAE variant) in Threefrog, 10 (standard variant) standing by in Feviry) 2 Miranu Couriers: (Evacuating Laspin civilians to Notil, also preparing to evacuate military installations planetside) --- Research & Development:
Expansion of R&D wing: Addition of extra labs and equipment giving an extra research slot. ETA: 5 days
Urvön leaned back and took another small sip of his tirasa. Hopefully, he wasnt noticeably deteriorating in front of Charhin, he couldnt afford to lose any edge in this negotiation. Im willing to admit that there is a bit of potential in this gift. If all the Strandless worlds had one we could become an effective Confederacy, but that isnt going to happen. Hindros will never accept any deal that would involve them in warfare, theyre pacifists. Groned wont accept anything from the Azdgari while they have strong ties to the Igadzra, unless you bring in a small fleet they wont take it. The other systems are wildcards, considering Akrayheks role as the South Tip Defender over the decades Id guess if you can get them to coalesce the other systems will agree with just a word from South Tip Station.
Charhin leaned forward during this short speech; some of the information might be helpful as he traveled further South. It could do all that and more.
Urvön stood up; evidently, the drink had finally overcome his good sense. What good is that for us? What does Tibidat get from that? If were attacked I can send a message saying Oh dear Azdgari and fellow Southtipsians! Were being attacked by a superior force and are about to all die. When any fleet arrived, theyd find rubble. Then again, we could send it out into another system and several of our other flanks could be attacked. He breathed deeply and sat back down. Im sorry for that outburst, but the practical applications are limited when you view a single system as supremely important. The technology itself could help us to no end, but the Azdgari are too smart to ever allow us to obtain it.
Urvön still looked slightly embarrassed about his outburst and by the door, a muffled laughter was coming from Kitra. Are you going to refuse?
Under the present terms, yes. I cannot accept any deal that will not actually benefit Tibidat. If the Azdgari were to supply us with a dozen of these communications devices and their superior shield technology, I would be more than willing to take their offer. It would also help them much more. Id send one to Duios in the hands of a trusty military man, the Hindrosians would never need to know about it, and it would mean that I could send reinforcements quickly if they were in danger. Then we could send one with an envoy to Miranu space. She could sit in comfort on Mirava and send regular reports about the state of things up there, and since the South Tip regularly trades with the Miranu shed be better accepted than an Azdgari representative. Then we could send a few patrols to look out for Renegade activity, and another to watch the build-up of vessels in Nifal, and one more to observe the UE to the Northwest. The possibilities are endless, and every system with one of these things would mean another system that you can know if any Bear fleets are stepping on our systems. He stopped as if considering something new. These messages are completely untraceable, and cannot be intercepted, correct?
Thats right.
That means that they could be used to send all messages to the Azdgari regardless of their target.
Hyaishi would never
I know. You trust him enough that you think he wouldnt do that, but that doesnt mean I do. Its always safest to be cautious. Still, despite the dangers of informing the Azdgari of our every move, it may be worth it if you send us your best shield technology and fifteen of these potentially bugged devices. What do you say?
Nifal:
Thats absolutely crazy! Just because we can do something doesnt mean that we should! Grűthner was visibly happier than he had been in a long time. He had been released from most of the scientists and he had command of the most advanced station in the Galaxy. However, it had come at a price. He still had to deal with the woman who haunted his nightmares, and not in an erotic way. The Azdgari psycho and Lthe were both still under his command, along with their lab. That actually meant that he had to do whatever they wanted under orders from Gręthul Urvön.
The pale Miranu woman next to him was livid with excitement. But think of the possibilities! Wed be closer to a sun than anyone else had ever gone before. We could study the workings in such amazing detail, and it would be perfectly safe. Weve already recalibrated the magnets to produce enough gravity in opposition to avoid being crushed like origami dolls and the coating of heavy metals will protect us from almost all the radiation, and the shields will protect us from the rest. It would be so neat to go in that deep. Please?
Grűthner was about to distract her with some technical idea that would get her to go off on an another inventing spree when the Azdgari showed up. Oh, but my dear sir, it would be so nice if youd listen to Lou. It would make her very happy and Im sure youd find things to be interested in. Take stealth for instance, the radiation would completely hide us from all vessels in the system. Didnt our glorious leader tell you to keep a low profile? How else can you hide a station this big, but deep in orbit around a sun.
While it was tempting to disagree, the prospect of getting his gullet pulled out through his nose made him consent. All right, but we dont go so far in that we cant get out quickly and you two better come up with something that Gręthul really likes.
Oh, hes so amazing. Id like to get a sample of his DNA, a new variation is simply amazing. But he always comes and leaves so soon, I suppose he is really busy running this mining operation, maybe I can hold a nice long interview with him some time. She turned to the Azdgari without even slowing her lips. Ray, will you please remind me next time we see him. Im sure hed be willing to give me a few hours. He seems like such a nice person.
Grűthner grunted at this, she'd already explained to him that because his blood was so impure he wouldn't make an adequate sample. He didn't mind in the least bit, but he was sure that Gręthul would much rather avoid interrogation.
The Azdgari didn't give him a chance to respond before she started dragging Lthe away to the observation room. Ill make sure to tell him, now wed better go work for a while. The good captain will get us closer to the star and then well be able to take all the samples you want.
Fleet Status:
Total fleet: 7 Crescent Warships 21 Laziras 178 Aradas 1050 Fighters
Hindrosian fleet: 3 Laziras 15 Aradas 60 Fighters
DSN-5553: 100 Fighters 12 Aradas Station Clarino (hidden in a close orbit of the sun) 100 Fighters (docked in the station)
Nifal: 200 Fighters 30 Aradas Station Chalumeau (hidden in a close orbit of the sun) 100 Fighters (docked in the station)
This post has been edited by Paranoid : 14 March 2005 - 09:39 AM
Fridion
The planets surface, now seriously scathed, could still do nothing to protect itself. Not as if it could've done anything in the first place. After all shipyards, military installations, and batteries had been destroyed, thanks to the railguns, the Warships and Carries landed. The populance could do little to protect themselves against the invaders, and the planet was quickly occupied.
The ships took back into orbit and jumped to Krraali.
---------- DSN-1156
The station, now fully controlled the the Emalghans, is left be as the fleet moves on.
----- DSN-8906
The fleet arrives, and moves on.
----- Tientu
The fleet arrives in Tientu, and quickly lands on the planet. Finding absolutely no resistance, Vice Admiral Leinir walked from his ship to the largest... structure on the planet. As he and a squad entered, they noticed a single Voinian lying forwards on a computer terminal. Irritated, Leinir walked up and poked the alien.
"Wake up, you bastard." The Voinians eyes opened, then widened.
"E... Emalghan?" His hand immediately slammed onto an alarm button. Klaxons blared, but nothing happened.
Leinir looked around. He looked back at the Voinian, whos hands were raised.
A door slid open, turning out two young gaurds, who screamed and managed to get one shot off before the dozens of Emalghan soldiers raised their blast shields and returned fire. One gaurd was hit in the leg, while the other cowered behind the door.
-----
After giving the gaurd medical attention (Leinir disapproving), the Vice Admiral walked outside and met who appeared to be the lead slave.
"You. Being. You and your race are no longer slaves. You are free." The slave looked at him questionly. Leinir shut his eyes tightly, then took a breath and opened them.
"Do you speak Voinian?"
"Yes."
"You're free."
"Okay."
Shaking his head, Leinir turned to his Rear-Admiral.
"We're done here."
The fleet took off and proceeded. Since the Emalghan map shows roughly where Voinia is, the fleet decides to steer clear and proceed with the spine attack.
----- DSN-4207
The fleet arrives, moves on...
----- Riden
Nothing here but a station, which is quickly invaded by drones. Railguns took care of any defenses. Things will happen, be assured.
---------- Krraali
The station now occupied, the fleet moves on.
----- Romit
The fleet arrives, now bearing a challenge. Railgun fire rains down upon the advancing Voinian fleet.
OOC: I'll write something for this later.
---------- Research and Development
Absorbing Armor: ETA: 1 Day (Monday, March 14th)
New Constrution Shipsyards in Avalon: Will be able to make up to 2 Carriers, 6 Warships, 15 Fighters, 20 Attack Drones, 15 Rocket Drones, and 15 Explosive drones a day. ETA: 6 days (Saturday, March 19th)(I'm not sure what I was thinking, 10 days from Wednesday, March 9th is definitely March 19th)
New Construction Hyperspace Telescope: ETA: 1 Day (Monday, March 14th)
Charhin considered this proposal. His mind was still quite sharp, despite the glass of tirasa - in truth, Charhin probably drank more than he should and his tolerance was quite impressive, owing to countless nights out and drinking contests over the years. He had noticed that Urvön was slightly affected, however. Despite his enormous body, it seemed even he wasnt immune to the effects of a glass of tirasa. That said, Urvön was drinking the stuff one sip at a time, rather than downing it quickly. It was a little known fact that tirasas intoxicating effects were reduced the quicker you drank it. A true wine connoisseur would drink tirasa one sip at a time every fifteen minutes to maximise its effects. Urvön wasnt quite managing that, but he wasnt going to be very sober in a while.
If youre worried about encryption problems, just use a one-time cipher, Charhin replied smoothly - a bit too smoothly, maybe the tirasa was going to his head after all. Fact is we wont do it, though. But you might as well make sure, doesnt bother me anyway.
The other point he was pondering, though. In truth, knowledge of the presence of hostile fleets in the vicinity of Strandless space was barely anything at all to ask, the deal he was trying to secure here was very little and mostly in the favour of Tibidat. However, under the circumstances...
As for the other thing: ten, Charhin responded. Ill come back to Tibidat with ten communicators in my cargo bay and pass them on to you, in a few weeks time. He indicated the data ship on the table, the one with the specifications for Azdgari enhanced shielding. Ill also bring you something twice as powerful as that.
You have something that powerful? Urvön seemed taken aback. The first enhancement had sounded significant - something twice as powerful as that was quite remarkable.
Aye, if youre after having our best shield technology for this, thats it. However, under these circumstances, I must demand something else.
I asked for fifteen and your best shield technology, and you suggest ten and you want something else? Urvön raised an eyebrow. What else is it that you want to involve in this?
Well, you see... Charhin began, realising only now that Urvön had made the classic mistake of confusing tirasa with tarassiu , a near identical and cheaper rival brand which unfortunately didnt mimic tirasas strange tendency of not being intoxicating when consumed quickly. Either hed confused it himself, or someone had sold him the latter claiming it was the former. Few could tell the difference. I rather like this place. Would you permit some Azdgari to apply for citizenship here if they so wish? There are a handful amongst us - myself included - whod rather not be so central to such dangerous times.
Kyhaani Shipyards (3/6 operational) 10/18 days
Fleet: 3425 Azdaras, 540 Azdgari Aradas, 70 Azdgari Warships, 596 Freight Aradas, 15 Hypercubes(9 full), 10 Phase-Aradas. In limbo: 1620 Azdaras, 255 Azdgari Aradas, 18 Hypercubes. Production: 200 Azdaras, 35 Azdgari Aradas, 2 Hypercubes.
Tollb: 2032 Azdaras, 253 Azdgari Aradas. Inc. the Tzi(9 hypercubes), Chanari, Cahaari. Chak: 1222 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.
Kelmaon
The brand new Hyperspace Telescope has been loaded onto a Emalghan Carrier. Escorted by 10 Warships, 15 Fighters, and another Carrier, the Carrier Far Seer is on it's way to UE space. There is enough power, when the Far Seer has all systems but life support off, to use the Telescope to view 3 systems away, thus making sure that there are no enemies near.
----- DSN-8209
The ships continued along their route.
----- DSN-8200
The ships captian took a moment to view Miranu space before continuing.
----- DSN-4386
Again, the ships continue.
----- DSN-1003
Taking a short break to refuel the Warships, the captain of the Far Seer sent short message to the UE concerning a certain package that would be arriving soon, and what would be compensated in return.
Absorbing Armor: ETA: DONE (Monday, March 14th)
Shield Energy Capacitor: 6 Days (Sunday, March 20th)
Shipsyards in Avalon: Will be able to make up to 2 Carriers, 6 Warships, 15 Fighters, 20 Attack Drones, 15 Rocket Drones, and 15 Explosive drones a day. ETA: 5 days (Saturday, March 19th)
Hyperspace Telescope: ETA: DONE (Monday, March 14th)
New Construction Hyperspace Telescope: ETA: 5 Days (Saturday, March 19th)
Urvön laughed at this final comparatively simple request. That I can agree to easily. Youre welcome to settle here any time you want. Its a little hard to get comfortable without a few credits and some connections, but I can easily offer both of those. Youre also welcome to bring any Azdgari that would rather leave their homes; contrary to popular opinion were actually fairly friendly to exiles.
Urvön stood up and walked back over to his shelf and back with a couple bottles of tirasa. Im very sorry that I had to be so rude initially, but I hope that these will make up for it. He set the bottles beside Charhin and continued. Kitra will have to escort you out of the complex again, but weve brought another pod for you to use. Itll be on loan for the next tenth of a turn, and you can use it to do whatever you want, itll get you anywhere on the planet in a matter of hours and it has a built in list of all the nicer places to stop. Urvön paused again, as if wondering if hed forgotten something. Is there anything else youd like to discuss, Charhin?
Ascension Complex, Tibidat:
That under-evolved maggot is really starting to get on my nerves. Two Azdgari sat facing each other around a small table. Each of them had a pile of octagons sitting in front of them and several in the middle. The one that was speaking threw a single colored chip into the center and kept on talking. The military budget is four times what it used to be, and I dont even know where most of it is going. If it wasnt for the damn Society it would be easy to confront him straight out. No one on Tibidat has nearly as much influence as I do; if theyd never formed the Society I would be the unchallenged ruler as it should be. Now Im just the greatest among equals; equals who are always working against me and curtailing my power. Nothing will ever be accomplished if they dont follow me.
The other player paused and looked at the new chip in front of him. Then he pressed one of the sides down and a laser fired towards a glass sphere that was sitting in the center of the table. Then why dont you get rid of him, Karesa? Surely youd be better off without the maggot.
The globe was just starting to glow a deep red when Yetraitnoshkaresa pressed one of his chips edges and another laser fired at the globe. Assassins are too incompetent. He isolates himself in that complex like a fortress. No one goes in that he doesnt want to see, but he still manages to control the Society. We put him up as a weak figurehead, but his paranoia makes him dangerous. Two decades have given him enough time to figure out how to work the system.
The other Azdgari scowled and pressed two of his chips, which caused the globe to glow a pale green. I know an assassin that could get in. He knows the back entrance and he stole the security codes to the entire complex. We could provide him with a blueprint and the location of the office and he could make a quick strike.
Nosh quickly countered the gambit by pressing two-sides of one of his pentagonal chips and the globe cleared again. You can try, as long as nothing is traced back to us.
The other Azdgari whipped out a little communicator and pressed a button. Gręthul Urvön. Then he closed the device and went back to the game.
You have an assassin on speed-dial, Romi?
No, that was the Azdgari who will write up a sealed message that will be sent to the man who will deliver the message to the assassin. See, I am cautious. Romi flipped over one of the chips and pressed a corner, which started the orb pulsing between blue and yellow.
Nosh couldnt help but laugh at the naivety of his young compatriot as he pressed a single side on one of his pentagons that turned the entire orb a deep black. Well, youll learn sooner or later, I win.
Production: 40 Fighters 2 Aradas
Duois: Tibidatian fleet: 12 Aradas 100 Fighters
Chaos. This was the description of the Talii system as the Voina Liberation Front, having been diverted from its mission in Voinian space, began their attack upon the Huron Rebellion Navy. The high-pitched yelping of the Huron blaze fire was responded by the deeper and more menacing sound of the military weapon fire. Several Freight-Couriers, including the Fury , began retreating, but their battered hulls were ripped to pieces by avenging Fighters. After the initial overwhelming Hunter fire of the United Earth ships, the Rebels lashed out, their capital ships firing off missile after missile at their attackers. Soon, however, the Rebel fleet was engulfed by the mass of Earth ships. --- Commander Repond was thrown out of his chair as blaze fire slammed into his bridge. A missile salvo fired off from a Destroyer pack had ruined the shield systems, and now that the battle was turning into a melee... Standing up, he leaned against a section of the wall and looked over at the damaged panels that had formerly indicated a Huron victory. Now, they were anything but optimistic. Four of the panels indicating Fighter stats had gone dark, and the fifth Fighter was, based off of a small camera view on the screen, caught between a fighter squadron and an enemy U.E. Destroyer. The fighter took a missile in the cockpit and then went spinning out of control into a nearby asteroid. The fifth panel went dark, signifying that all five of the ships fighters were gone. Repond limped over to his command chair, looking around. His first officer had been slammed up against a panel and killed in the missile attack; his communications officer had been knocked out when the blaze attack started. His other officers were dazed, but still in the fight. Begin evasive action...focus all fire on the most poorly protected Destroyer. Call for reinforcements. A new officer, stepping up, nodded and began pressing the buttons required for a distress signal. The helmsman began the slow, clumsy turn of the vessel while the weapons crew opened up on the weakest, and nearest, destroyer. Suddenly, his second officer sprang up. Theres a missile coming in! Raise some shields or shoot the thing! The weapons crew turned their fire on the incoming missile, but they had been disoriented by the battle. The projectile smashed into the bridge. Everyone was sent flying back with the impact. Repond, grabbing his command chair, was forcibly thrown out of it and sent flying to hit the wall in the hallway behind the bridge. The helmsman was killed instantly by the attack. The weapon crew were also killed, although by the incoming blaze fire instead of the missile they failed to destroy. As the commander stood up, and struggled to get back into the bridge, he saw another missile smash into the ship. The bridge went dark. He pressed a button on the wall and started to speak. This is your captain speaking. All hands abandon ship; repeat, all hands abandon ship. The situation is hopeless. He started running in the general direction of the escape pods, with the general idea of coordinating an evacuation and then hopping into the last pod himself. --- --- Losses: U.E. Losses: 5 U.E. Carriers 10 U.E. Destroyers 45 U.E. Fighters
Rebel Losses: 4 U.E. Carriers 1 U.E. Carrier disabled 40 Freight-Couriers 5 U.E. Destroyers 35 U.E. Fighters
-----Huron Rebellion Fleet And Construction*---- Liberty Force 6 U.E. Carriers (1 disabled) 20 U.E. Destroyers 15 U.E. Fighters 50 U.E. Fighters (Launched) 300 Freight-Couriers 5 Scoutships Location: Talii
------United Earth Fleet and Construction 276 Carriers 1,115 Destroyers 923 U.E. Fighters 462 Swordfish Fighter-Bombers 300 Freight Couriers 95 Scoutships 700 mines Per Day: 5 Carriers, 23 Destroyers, 20 Fighters, 10 Swordfish Fighter-Bombers Earth: 4 Carriers, 10 Destroyers, 20 Fighters (Are currently being used for blaze testing purposes; none of these ships are applied to the military) New Taranto: 2 Carriers, 13 Destroyers, 15 Fighters, 5 Swordfish Fighter-Bombers Paaren: 3 Carriers, 10 Destroyers, 5 Fighters, 5 Swordfish Fighter-Bombers
Voina Liberation Front 93 Carriers 399 Destroyers 610 Fighters 490 Fighters (Launched)
Verril Fleet 30 U.E. Carriers 82 U.E. Destroyers 11 U.E. Fighters <31> 114 Swordfish Fighter-Bombers
(Twenty of the U.E. Fighters are patrolling Yandros and the surrounding systems, and, like Carnotaurs old Patrol Interceptors, will stay where they can jump and only take scans of the enemy fleets) Centauri Fleet 30 U.E. Carriers 75 U.E. Destroyers 60 U.E. Fighters 2 Swordfish Fighter-Bombers
Eltor/Sol Defensive Fleet 76 U.E. Carriers 384 U.E. Destroyers 210 U.E. Fighters 210 Swordfish Fighter-Bombers
Attack Force Alpha 45 Carriers 165 Destroyers 125 U.E. Fighters 125 Swordfish Fighter-Bombers Location: Sol
---NEW PROJECTS--- Blaze Reactor Implementation. This will improve the firepower of the standard United Earth military blaze weapons by 5% and will increase the firing rate by 50%. Blaze weapons, under this plan, mount specialized reactors for each weapon enabling them to shoot without relying on the space craft. ETA: Five days. Will require Earths shipyards for testing purposes.
Emalgha Jumpgate Module Construction. With the approval of the Emalgha government, a package will be sent over with the materials required for jumpgate construction and with the codes that will provide them access to the existing jumpgates. ETA: Emalgha approval; four days. Two for shipping and handling, the others for construction.
---PROJECTS--- Swordfish GP-1 Fighter-Bomber Shields: 200 Armor: 75 Speed: 290 Accel: 625 Manuever: 150 deg/sec Fuel: 4 jumps Shield Recharge: 2.68 points per second Cargo: 1 tons Space: 3 tons MaxGuns/Turrets: 5/0 Mass: 14 tons Length: 8 meters Crew: 1 Special: none Weapons: 4 Blaze Cannons 1 Space Mine Launcher + 2 Space Mines 1 Predator Launcher + 6 Predators ETA: One day. All U.E. Carriers, instead of mounting three of these fighters instead of five U.E. Fighters, will mount two Fighter-Bombers and three Fighters. A third of the United Earth fighters have been converted into these bombers.
---FINISHED PROJECTS---
Sol Jumpgate Module Construction. Will construct jumpgate modules in the Sol system. Finished. Centauri Jumpgate Module Construction. Will construct jumpgate modules in the Centauri system. Finished.
OOC: Will write something worthwhile when Ipvicus posts to unfreeze the Crescent. Could technically post Raigar stuff but it doesnt feel worth doing right now.
Feeling the effects of the tarassiu really beginning to sink in, Charhin decided hed better finish the negotiations quickly, although there were one or two more questions he had, albeit ones not from Hyaishi. Before he continued, though, he inspected the two bottles of tirasa , sincerely hoping they were actually the real stuff. A moment later, it dawned on him that he was worried of it being poisoned - remembering the old days indeed.
Ah-... there are two things, he replied, craning his neck to meet the giants eyes. Firstly, to whatever extent you deem appropriate, would you send my ship an update on this region? Any information on threats in this immediate area, worlds I should probably avoid- Ursla and Nimor are givens - and anything else. No national secrets and the like, just a basic regional map update.
Urvön nodded, clearly not surprised. Ill see what I can do.
Also, Hyaishi has asked me to look into the South Tip unmarked patrols, Charhin added in casually. He was lying - Hyaishi had said no such thing - but Urvön wasnt to know that. Namely, there are groups of Crescent fighters patrolling Racet, Novish and Funit, no? At first we suspected they were renegade but they dont seem consistent with that.
For the sake of avoiding a public incident, it would be best if youd tell us if they happen to be yours. Otherwise, neither I nor Hyaishi can guarantee that they wont be attacked by some foolish young Azdgari. Your military forces are certainly in the best shape in this area of the South Tip. Are those ships associated with Tibidat?
Of course, if you arent entirely aware either way right now... You could give it some thought and inform us later, but its best for everyone if we know whether or not we should be destroying these ships on sight.
Kyhaani Shipyards (3/6 operational) 11/18 days
Fleet: 3425 Azdaras, 540 Azdgari Aradas, 70 Azdgari Warships, 596 Freight Aradas, 15 Hypercubes(9 full), 10 Phase-Aradas. In limbo: 1820 Azdaras, 290 Azdgari Aradas, 20 Hypercubes. Production: 200 Azdaras, 35 Azdgari Aradas, 2 Hypercubes.
This post has been edited by SilverDragon : 16 March 2005 - 05:50 PM
Urvön looked up at the ceiling as if Charhin had reminded him of something. Yes, the unmarked fighters. Theyve only shown up fairly recently, Im surprised that Hyaishi had any knowledge of them when he sent you, but I shouldnt, considering his ability to communicate quickly. Our first assumption was the same as yours, that they must be Renegades. However, they didnt attack anyone, so we sent a few vessels to investigate. Our ships sent communications and tried to raise a response but the unmarked fighters were silent. That fueled some speculation about them really being Igadzra, but that doesnt seem to fit either. Their ships are almost exclusively fighters in the systems weve investigated, the Igadzra would never rely on fighters. Anyway, they appear to have set up a base in Nifal and quite a few of their fighters are patrolling the system. We havent been willing to risk an attack due to their unknown origins but since their forces are building right next to ours we are slightly concerned. The Hrinix government has also expressed nervousness and we are both monitoring the situation carefully. So, in other words, we dont know very much. Ill drop you any more information I dig up along with the map data.
Unknown project.
Total fleet: 7 Crescent Warships 21 Laziras 178 Aradas 1080 Fighters
Tibidat: 7 Crescent Warships 21 Laziras 100 Aradas 430 Fighters.
DSN-5553: 115 Fighters 14 Aradas Station Clarino (hidden in a close orbit of the sun) 100 Fighters (docked in the station)
Nifal: 215 Fighters 30 Aradas Station Chalumeau (hidden in a close orbit of the sun) 100 Fighters (docked in the station)
Anarchy. The Huron ships were now in retreat. Their flagship was a drifting hulk, the other Carriers being caught and pounded by often five times as many Destroyers as they could send to defend the helpless vessels. The Freight-Couriers, mostly being used as missile support craft, were now being forced into battle-line action, and were being quickly trashed by the more powerful and numerous Destroyers. --- This is the acting Flagship Unification. All Huron ships, retreat. Were going to have to pull out of here. Upon issuing this order, acting Fleet Captain Harrow pondered upon how the battle had originally gone. Commander Repond had sent the Freight-Couriers bearing troops in to land on the planet. After the U.E. arrived, however, he had effectively told the ships to launch their fighters and sit back and fire missiles. That didnt work out very well, and now they were being forced to construct makeshift battle-lines with their freight-couriers to protect the remaining Carriers and Destroyers. He looked over at the status panel and saw that all five of his fighters were still in the fight, if a bit battered. Squadron Alpha, come in for a reload. Youre out of ammo. Aye, Captain. After issuing this order, he watched the battle. Two squadrons of fighters came in behind Squadron Alpha, but his carriers guns distracted the attackers long enough for Alpha to get in safely. Seeing a wolf-pack of destroyers coming in, he opened the channel. Destroyer Group Mercury, enemy Dests are approaching our position. See if you can hold them off with a few missiles; these carriers have to escape. Harrow waited a few moments for a reply while pressing the buttons required for a protected fleet retreat. Will do, Capn. The Destroyer force met the wolf-pack in battle. Despite being vastly outnumbered, Mercury Group seemed to be holding them off temporarily, so Harrow and the few remaining carrier captains left brought their ships into a safe retreating position. It looked like they would get away, but at great cost...
Losses: U.E. Losses: 40 U.E. Destroyers 55 U.E. Fighters
Rebel Losses: 3 U.E. Carriers 100 Freight-Couriers 15 U.E. Destroyers 35 U.E. Fighters
-----Huron Rebellion Fleet And Construction*---- Liberty Force 3 U.E. Carriers 5 U.E. Destroyers 30 U.E. Fighters (Launched) 200 Freight-Couriers 5 Scoutships Location: Talii
------United Earth Fleet and Construction* 276 Carriers 1,115 Destroyers 923 U.E. Fighters 462 Swordfish Fighter-Bombers 300 Freight Couriers 95 Scoutships 700 mines Per Day: 9 Carriers, 33 Destroyers, 35 Fighters, 15 Swordfish Fighter-Bombers Earth: 4 Carriers, 10 Destroyers, 15 Fighters, 5 Swordfish Fighter-Bombers New Taranto: 2 Carriers, 13 Destroyers, 15 Fighters, 5 Swordfish Fighter-Bombers Paaren: 3 Carriers, 10 Destroyers, 5 Fighters, 5 Swordfish Fighter-Bombers *These numbers are outdated; Ill get to upgrading them later.
Voina Liberation Front 93 Carriers 359 Destroyers 555 Fighters 490 Fighters (Launched)
Attack Force Alpha 63 Carriers 231 Destroyers 195 U.E. Fighters 155 Swordfish Fighter-Bombers Location: Sol
---NEW PROJECTS--- Earth Station overhaul. This will open up an area for the new Emalghan telescope. It will also replace the hunter weapons with predators, and it will, when the blaze modification is complete, replace the existing weapons with them. It will undergo various other modifications. A specialized Emalgha command pod will also be added onto the station, as well as an overhaul of the existing command bridge. The existing heavy fission reactor will replaced with a specialized quad fusion reactor that will put out 2.5 times as much output, enabling it to take the strain of the telescope and the various other upgrades. New Stats: Earth Station (ten blaze turrets, four railgun turrets, five Predator missile launchers, one hundred Predator missiles, 2100/1600 protection, two Swordfish Bays with six Swordfish Fighter-Bombers, three Fighter bays with fifteen U.E. Fighters) ETA: Ten days. Started yesterday.
---PROJECTS--- Blaze Reactor Implementation. This will improve the firepower of the standard United Earth military blaze weapons by 5% and will increase the firing rate by 50%. Blaze weapons, under this plan, mount specialized reactors for each weapon enabling them to shoot without relying on the space craft. ETA: Three days. Testing in Earths shipyards completed; final tests being run.
Emalgha Jumpgate Module Construction. With the approval of the Emalgha government, a package will be sent over with the materials required for jumpgate construction and with the codes that will provide them access to the existing jumpgates. ETA: Two days.
---FINISHED PROJECTS--- Swordfish GP-1 Fighter-Bomber Shields: 200 Armor: 75 Speed: 290 Accel: 625 Manuever: 150 deg/sec Fuel: 4 jumps Shield Recharge: 2.68 points per second Cargo: 1 tons Space: 3 tons MaxGuns/Turrets: 5/0 Mass: 14 tons Length: 8 meters Crew: 1 Special: none Weapons: 4 Blaze Cannons 1 Space Mine Launcher + 2 Space Mines 1 Predator Launcher + 6 Predators ETA: Finished All U.E. Carriers, instead of mounting three of these fighters instead of five U.E. Fighters, mount two Fighter-Bombers and three Fighters. A third of the United Earth fighters have been converted into these bombers.
Sol
At last, the Far Seer arrived in the home system of the Humans.
As the large ship and it's escort fleet pulled into Earth's orbit, the captain looked out his window in amazement. There, in his viewport, was a giant station. Dozens of shuttles went back and forth, probably carrying supplies. It was truely a sight to see... who would've thought such simple looking creatures could come together to build something so vast? The speakers buzzed with an incoming comm in the Voinian language.
"Hello Emalghans. We are pleased to invite you to Earth and Earth Station. If you could, dock your... Ah, yes, the Hyperspace Telescope, could you dock it with the station? We've just finished constructing where it shall be added."
The rest of the escort had gone down to planet, while the Far Seer had docked with Earth Station. The captain looked disapprovingly at the amount of text in the post, but seeing as how the writer exploded, he nodded anyway. Earth Station seemed to be undergoing an entire refit. He mused the notion of the Emalghans being special and honored, but realisticly decided that the station just needed a tune up and power upgrade to compensate for the Telescope.
The Telescope is not off the ship yet, and won't be until it can be fully powered by the station in a few days.
Charhin nodded briefly, acknowledging Urvöns response but still dubious, as he no doubt appeared. However, he chose not to press the matter, instead standing swiftly and inclining his head in a brief show of respect to Gręthul Urvön. Thanks for your honesty. Ill send a communique back to Hyaishi informing him of the situation and advising that the unmarked fighters between our territories are confirmed game. If you need any help dealing with the others, Im sure Hyaishi would be happy to oblige.
As it is, we may be sending Aradas short of Azdgari IFF codes through your space in the future. If you can provide me with a channel to message you personally, Ill ensure that all such Aradas send a message to you confirming their identity before moving on. It would also help diplomacy in the future if we could contact you directly.
As he finished speaking, Charhin produced another small datachip from a pocket in his humorously colourful attire. He set it down in front of Urvön gently. Channels on which you can contact Hyaishi and I, or send a direct communique to Veltes which will be transmitted to any Azdgari interested. For any private affairs, messaging Hyaishi personally would be advisable. I trust youll use your discretion as to what sort of information would warrant communicating directly to the Relay - bear in mind that would be public to all of us.
Ill bear that in mind, Urvön replied. As for contacting me, Ill send you a message once you leave orbit with details on how to go about that.
Charhin acknowledged his reply, seeming apparently somewhat distracted by another thought. In that case, Ill see you again in a month or two when I can return with the communicators. The two briefly exchanged pleasantries and Charhin was gifted with the two bottles of tirasa (or tarassiu - Charhin wasnt entirely sure which it would be). Upon standing he realised that he was slightly lightheaded, but he took some effort to appear natural and at ease.
He was guided out of the complex by Kitra and to the pod Urvön had leant him. He would leave Tibidat in a day or so, but first, there was some shopping to be done.
(- The Tzi (Yains Azdara), Tollb -)
The small planet of Hoot had, several times over the history of the Strand War, been occupied by the Azdgari as a frontier system against the Bear, but numerous times it had been abandoned when declines in the Bears militancy rendered it unnecessary. Only once before had it ever been abandoned by necessity, over a century ago against a battlefleet sent out of Mark which was defeated in the Azdgari system.
These last few months, Hoot had been occupied, however. While an unorganised affair, there were hundreds of Azdaras making a temporary residence there - Azdgari who had volunteered to defend the system, while also engaging in numerous competitions that took place over the boring one-month shifts. Hyaishis proposal to defend the system of Tollb permanently had turned into one long fair.
Or at least, it had until the news had been received from Molar.
Aboard the Tzi amongst a sea of Azdaras, Yain waited. He had personally looked over sensor reports from Sai-Varitair of what had taken place in Molar - a massive Wolf battlegroup attacking, an inevitable defeat aided by the ignorance of Azarvhi. The fleet the Wolf had sent this time was beyond formidable, and Yain was almost worried - he knew many of the other Azdgari pilots were. Even Hyaanl, well known for his lack of respect for the dangers of being outnumbered due to one too many challenges and hunts, had seemed concerned. And with good reason - while the warbands present in Tollb, called by Yain, Hyaanl, Ipvicus and Athanl represented a far greater force than the warbands of Sai-Varitair and Azarvhi, they were still outnumbered and outmatched, with no hope of reinforcements in time.
If it wasnt for Azhaurai, in fact, Yain wouldve assumed the Wolf would strike Tollb at most an hour after the last report from Sai-Varitair. The young Azdgari prodigy had, by sheer chance, passed through the system not long after the battle had ended, to find the Wolf settling down on Molar. Thanks to the arrival of the Cahaari and its information, Yain now knew that he had a few more hours - probably in the region of twelve if the Wolf rested for a day - to prepare.
However, there wasnt much to be done. He had Azdaras commited to scan patrols of Terapin, once every hour, and communiques had been sent to other Azdgari systems, although likely that had already been done in Molar. The Wolf would definitely strike Tollb next, and Yain had even been tempted to attack before his enemy moved, but a disastrous mistake of timing was all too possible. With no other options, the four commanders had taken the obvious path: Tollb was to be defended by the warbands in the system, which would be on standby for as long as it took, prepared. Informed of the Wolfs armanent from Sai-Varitairs communiques, they had done their best to form a plan.
Despite his state of near-worry, Yain appeared entirely at his, his grey and bronze eyes almost sleepy - although that had something to do with a lack of sleep lately. He lay back in his pilot seat and waited in anticipation, his mind fast at work as he reviewed how they were going to do this.
_Near three hundred and fifty Zidaras, and over nineteen hundred fighters. Twelve hundred of the fighters are armed with light, piercing missiles which are difficult even for an experienced Azdara pilot to evade successfully, and all of the vessels are armed with more powerful versions of their phased beamers, rendering them deadly at close range. The Wolf also seems to have finally adopted the Arada design, and their ships have extremely heavy armanents of their light missiles and close-range firepower to rival their Zidaras.
To their disadvantage, their Zidaras and Aradas have adopted the use of low-velocity rockets which are near useless against ships with Impulse drives and are, thankfully, incapable of destroying Azdaras even so. The armanent on their Zidaras is too versatile, and so lacks performance in any specific area. Their phased beamers can still be negated by never producing a target, and their heavy missiles are within the Azdaras capability to evade - our Aradas may have a harder time at low uncertainties.
Their engines appear to be improved, although are nothing compared to the Impulse drives - it seems unlikely that our Aradas will outpace their fighters. However, they wont break rank with their Zidaras to chase Aradas, so covering eight Azdaras to each Arada will prevent them from following if we move to higher uncertainties.
Their numerical superiority is going to be the major issue, and it wont be as easy to switch from close-range to absolute uncertainty as it would be with the Bear. The stealth fields are still going to be invaluable, particularly in evading the worst of their missile fire.
And then, their own stealth... apparently doesnt cause any problems at range and we dont have any long-range weaponry to be negated. It seems it wont be of any concern to us now that they have already fought us once. We know their numbers now and we know at least the majority of their tricks.
And then theres one more trick, in case we need to retreat. One more thing I have up my sleeve._
Yain checked the stability timer he had programmed according to the estimations made by Vakhys. Ironic, weve been handed the best way to rid ourselves of these old friends.
Kyhaani Shipyards (4/6 operational) 14/18 days
Fleet: 3425 Azdaras, 540 Azdgari Aradas, 70 Azdgari Warships, 596 Freight Aradas, 15 Hypercubes(9 full), 10 Phase-Aradas. In limbo: 2460 Azdaras, 405 Azdgari Aradas, 26 Hypercubes. Production: 220 Azdaras, 40 Azdgari Aradas, 2 Hypercubes.