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Post by Gunblader on Mar 26, 2010 18:54:12 GMT
Any non-essential RP goes here.(Character profiles, converstations between Ship captains and personnel, etc, etc.)
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Post by Abdiel on Mar 28, 2010 1:53:06 GMT
The Morning Star, July 13, PS 981
Ravaeesi Attacks Continue
Another warp freighter belonging to the Gas Mining Conglomerate was destroyed yesterday on its routine cargo run from Valii IV. The Ravaeesi Military are the most probable suspects -- the wreckage carries many missile explosion marks. Fourteen of the 24 person crew are dead, the rest survived mostly with major injuries. This is the second GMC ship destroyed this month, and eighth total, by the Ravaeesi. Even despite recent reinforcement of Immara patrols along the common cargo routes, the pirates can always find an exposed transport ship. Only few minutes are required for their strike group consisting of at least four Oavaron class cruisers to approach the target, launch a missile barrage and loot the cargo containers. The cruisers use their extremely fast engines to attack and disappear before Immara ships can detect them and respond.
The GMC has again requested increased patrols from House Immara, even dispatching escorts with every transport ship. The Immara have not yet responded. GMC spokesman Aaron Sobieski even admitted to considering hiring mercenaries to protect their convoys. Meanwhile, GMC diplomats are pushing both House Immara and House Savaaik to investigate and search for Ravaeesi staging posts.
The Ravaeesi Military is a small extremist group counting about 200 members, mostly consisting of outlaws and runaway Mumahi. No certain facts are known about them, as they operate in strict secrecy. They conduct pirate strikes against weak or unarmed crafts, demanding ransom or looting valuable cargo and selling it on the black markets. The Ravaeesi did not respond to any attempt at diplomatic contact. It is still unclear where they got hold of Oavaron cruisers. The New Eden Corporation denies any involvement in the matter; yet many sources in the GMC still hold them responsible.
Pirate attacks are becoming more and more common over the last five years. It is estimated that they amount to over 13 million eskaron lost every year. So far, House militaries have been mostly unsuccessful in combating this recent threat.
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Post by Omega Chief on Mar 28, 2010 2:30:59 GMT
RNN – All the news that’s fit for you.
RFS Lexington refits near completion
The ship’s refit is proceeding ahead of schedule; Triton Dynamics are issuing all workers a bonus for their stellar job.
While the exact nature of the refits are of course classified high above this reporters level of clearance the Fleet has disclosed some details on the Lexington’s new mission profile, she is apparently going to carry a team of scientists and a wing of fighters through a Jump Node and begin charting other star systems.
This announcement was met with mixed responses in the senate however, with longstanding opponent of multi-system expansion Senator Kinss arguing that the resources would be better spent routing out the Laaren Pirates. Cooler heads in the senate though agree that multi-system expansion is the natural course for the Republic, with the ever eccentric Senator Sliess vocally backing the project, claiming it’s needed to hunt down the last of the Federal loyalists who he claims escaped the system at their defeat.
While we here at RNN have to remain impartial, we do wish the brave men and women of the Republic Fleet good luck, wherever the Nodes take them.
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Post by Abdiel on Mar 28, 2010 4:16:24 GMT
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Post by Shard on Mar 28, 2010 22:23:40 GMT
Central Chamber of the Grand Temple of Deathspire The hunched figure of the Grand Scyen stands, framed by the bright green glow of the reactor core viewport.
The titanic chamber is filled with every High Scyen, Shaper, Withered and Soulcaller from every Spire. Standing in the shadows of the pyramid stairs is another figure, the powerful form of Seer Shirapna.
The Grand Scyen coughs violently. Old by the standards of the Children, Deathspire having drained his life to near its end. Then, in a harsh voice, he speaks, his voice amplified by technology and the design of the chamber. "It is time, Children."
"Deathspire formed us, Deathspire shaped us. Deathspire consumes us and Deathspire destroys us. This you know. It is all we have known for many centuries. It is all we have needed to know."
The massed Children stand at attention. Their armour shines in the flickering green light.
"But the Scyen remember. It is our legacy to have shaped you, to have rescued the Children and led you to the grace of Deathspire. And we remember that there was once another place, another system, another people. Before we were Children, we were weak. Deathspire taught us that weakness has no place in this world. We have been cut off for many centuries. But now, thanks to one of the Withered, we know that the rifts have returned."
He coughs violently. "The Scyen have known this day would come. Deathspire has tested us, and we have succeeded. Life has been hard, but it has made us strong. Now we have been released. Do we leave, to escape?"
"NO, SCYEN!"
The lanky figure of the Seer stalked up the stairs. The silvery, red-streaked power armour glints, the stylised eye helmet glowing crimson. "No, Children. We must follow our hearts, and the word of Deathspire. The strong shall survive, the weak must be purged. It is something we must adhere to, with others as well as ourselves. We have a duty to ensure the strength of all. It is no longer enough to call ourselves the Children, no longer enough to have a simple Council of Shapers."
He raises an armoured, clawed gauntlet. The white circular panel in the palm glows. "We are the Deathspire Imperium, my Children. And by Deathspire's name, Deathspire's word, and Deathspire's fires, we will do as we have for a dozen generations."
The panel glows brighter, a coherent globe of light, a miniature sun extends from it. "And so we shall, for as long as Deathspire watches."
The massed forces extend their palms, and over a thousand glowing white circles light up the gloomy temple. As one, the cry goes up. "FOR DEATHSPIRE!"
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Post by Bubble Wrap on Mar 29, 2010 1:01:12 GMT
The Steel God dreamed...
The Desolator hung in the night sky as the world below burned. The beasts of steel has sought refuge here, and the people had paid the price of harbouring them. Billions had perished to destroy but a single beast, but the price was worth it.
Something stirred, and the Desolator turned its attention to the systems distant and ancient star. Another beast, lying dormant in the heart of the star itself had sensed the passing of its kin, and now sought to unleash its wrath upon those who would destroy it. A terrible power was unleashed, and the star began to boil with unbridled anger and hatred.
The Desolator fled, seeking the refuge of the void, but it was to no avail - the stars dying scream tore the god-child apart, leaving no trace of its existence.
And as the Desolator died, it sang forth a final song, a strange mechanical song not heard for many an age. And the sleeping god was puzzled, for this had not happened in this dream before.
The sleeping god dreamed on, and its children slept peacefully beside it, though now their dreams were disturbed, and the waking world hovered ever closer to them.
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Kane
Junior Member
Posts: 87
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Post by Kane on Mar 29, 2010 18:08:37 GMT
The Hub was, well, the hub of Union society. It was here that anyone linked into the network could enter the grand auditorium, and take a seat in the Ring of Observance. Those who had shown an aptitude for politics, lawmaking and diplomacy, were granted access to the Ring of Judgment. And the Floor of the Observed, was where all of this took place.
The Hub did not exist on the Neuromancer as it could be seen. The grand auditorium, made of precious white marble and delicate craftsmanship, could not be found on a map. The grand chandelier, modeled after the Mona Lisa herself, that lit the stage had never been touched by human hands. The Hub was an electronic construct, a virtual representation. It was this that made the Union as united as it was.
All work on the Neuromancer, all human work at least, had ceased on this day. Everyone was in the Hub. Those who could not speak watched, and those who could were. Many voices resounded through the computer generated halls, each making their point in turn and then yielding to the next speaker.
The voice that was speaking now, however, was an outgoing young man who had been responsible for pushing the creation of much of the Union's new found power. Their machines that would go to war in their stead, should war arise.
"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed colleagues all, I fear we are hiding behind a shield that is not so large as we thought. Our anonymity can not be our only defense." He gestured to a large hologram that came to life behind him. An image, there displayed in false colors, of a stable Node.
"These Nodes have returned, and we have found three so far in our system alone. Who knows where they lead, or who we might find behind them? Or what, rather?" The image changed, displaying a list of recorded sounds.
"More, we have heard whispers. Traces of communications. There are others out in the void." The image was again replaced with a display of the Neuromancer itself, and the three ships that patrolled the system.
"Our forces, as the historical records tell us, are inadequate. If a fleet comes through, we must be ready to defend ourselves. We must change our ways, increase our production, and turn our thoughts to survival once more." Designs of the ships that would carry out this task, as the young man explained, appeared one by one. A single hand raised itself, and light shone upon the holder. An older gentleman, a direct descendant of one of the founding scientists.
"Would you have us discard our ways, forsake our golden age, for this theory?" The elder asked, posing his question so that all would know what would be lost in this change. A murmur at his words rippled through speakers and observers alike.
"Only if at the utmost need, good Chairman." The young man answered coolly. "But the probability of someone finding us through these Nodes is too high to ignore. In the face of this evidence, I call for a mobilization. Let us turn our thoughts to the art of war, if only to ensure that our children and descendants will know a golden age themselves. This is our sacrifice; we must, all of us, become warriors as the Ancients were, and be ready to ensure our survival."
The murmur was louder now, and lasted for a time. The young man and the elder looked only at each other; a matching of wits. A question, and an answer. An interrogation, and the steadfast belief that answered it. At last, the elder dropped his gaze, and closed his eyes. Finally, he took to the floor himself, and the younger man stepped out of the way.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the Union, I call for a vote. All of those in agreement with this mobilization, speak now." There was a chorus of 'ayes' from the audience, both speakers and observers. A tally of all rang to life above the elder's head.
"And those against?" He asked. The hall was silent.
"Very well then... The Union has decided; from this moment forward, let us turn our thoughts to war. Let our factories produce our weapons, our people study the Ancients arts, and our focus be to this great preservation. The Union shall forge a sword, not out of anger but of defense. And let us use this sword to ensure ourselves a place in the future, even unto the ending of the universe. Take caution with this sword, good people of the Union. Beware what we use it for, so that we may one day return to a golden age of peace and discovery. As surely as the sword will keep us safe, so too can it consume us." The old man looked at each of the speakers, and his eyes swept the observers.
"So it is decided." The hall, once these words were spoken, emptied. The people of the Union had a task now; to turn their creations, and with them, forge the terrible sword of war.
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Post by Abdiel on Mar 29, 2010 19:27:12 GMT
New Eden Corporation Press Release, August 3, PS 981New Eden Starting Asteroid Mining InitiativeHijacked Asteroids a Source of Valuable OreThe New Eden Corporation, famous for countless technological advances in the past, is now starting a new project, even more ambitious than anything attempted before. Over the course of several years, the NEC is going to set up a complex of space stations in proximity to the Valii asteroid belt, in order to gather rich amounts of highly valuable ores. The plan is to use gigantic haulers to tow a small asteroid away from the belt, near a complex of space stations, to mine it in safety from the many dangers of the asteroid zone. "This was being planned for over three years", comments A. Vladiaar, R&D leader at NEC assigned to the project, "we always knew there was a way to get to the asteroids, we only needed a way to execute it." There are two major obstacles to overcome. First is the highly unstable nature of the belt. Due to the high concentration of exceedingly large bodies in the asteroid belt, gravitational interactions are unpredictable and collisions are frequent. If an asteroid housing a mining operation was to collide with another, even only one tenth of its size, the whole installation would be turned into dust. Moreover, many of the asteroids are highly unstable by themselves - any invasive procedures could damage the internal structure of the asteroid and cause it to collapse into itself. The proposed solution involves selecting a small object on the edge of the field and dragging it far away from the belt. A complex of stations will be set up in stable orbits of the asteroids, closely monitoring its internal state and using only surface excavation to minimize structural damage. The second danger is the mysterious radiation inherently present in large amount of the asteroids. The source of this radiation is still unclear, as the asteroids themselves do not contain any naturally radioactive elements. It is postulated that the radiation is a result of some event occurring on the cosmic scale several millenia ago. By extracting only a single asteroid, the NEC hopes to minimize the amount of emanated radiation. Also, mining machinery will be assembled of many small, agile and easily replaceable modules, instead of being concentrated to one place. This allows for much higher redundancy and easier damage control. Instead of huge plasma mining complexes of Valii II, we will probably see dozens of small platforms orbiting the hijacked asteroid. And why go through all this trouble? It has been known for several years that the composition of the asteroids is unusual: they contain large amounts of Tritanium and Zydrinium, minerals normally only present in deep planetary cores. Recent radar surveys have even revealed deposits of metamorphosed ores, which are only created under high pressure and temperature, such as during volcano eruptions. Scientists are baffled with the possibility of this composition occurring naturally, while industrialists see a huge amount of unexploited potential. If these materials could be harvested easily, it would revolutionize the construction and mechanical industry. The New Eden Corporation is currently the largest corporate entity on Valii, employing over 65 million Valiaas. They are most known by their research of Patriarch technology and their innovative spaceship designs. On this project, they cooperate with the Karaas Mining Company, Azerina Industries, House Immara, House Savaaik, House Eredinmar, House Tamari and several other investors.
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Post by Bubble Wrap on Mar 30, 2010 18:18:24 GMT
Voices. Voices in the darkness. The void called, and the sleeping god answered. The people had returned, and the beasts of steel would not be far behind them. The hounds would be unleashed, the beasts would be hunted as they always had. If a score of worlds must burn, then so be it. The cycle had begun anew.
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Post by Abdiel on Mar 31, 2010 1:10:56 GMT
House Immara internal bulletin, authorized personnel only.Authorization level required: Epsilon.Authenticating... Done. Sender identified as: First Circle of House Immara, authorization level Alpha. Verifying sender... Done. Start of message. Jump Nodes detected in ValiiEarlier tonight, a regular Immara patrol along Valii border zone 28 detected an unusual cosmic reading. Upon closer inspection, this was revealed to be a Jump Node. This is the first of its kind discovered after more than 900 years of isolation. We have not yet confirmed how stable the Jump Node is, no ships are to approach the Node until further assessment is made. If the Node proves to be stable enough, House Immara will send out a small exploration fleet to scout the other end of the Node. We do not know what we find - it might lead into interstellar space, but it may open up a gateway to a whole new system. Further instructions will be sent out to proper Immara authorities on how to prepare for the upcoming exploration, and possibly colonization. However, unless explicitly allowed, do not distribute the content of this bulletin to anyone with an authorization level Eta or below. Distribution of this material to personnel with authorization level Zeta is upon your discretion, but should be kept to a need-to-know basis. End of message.
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Post by Abdiel on Apr 2, 2010 23:21:55 GMT
House Immara, First Circle chambers
* Aevan Immara, the First Shah and head of House Immara, is going through his speech one last time. Several other First Circle members sit at the table and listen. *
- Citizens of Valii. For over nine hundred years our world has stood alone. Ever since the first Node Storm ended, we have been looking up at the sky, wondering if there were any other survivors, and whether we would ever see them again. Today, we have finally found the answer. House Immara scouts have discovered...
* He is interrupted by the buzz of his communicator. *
- Yes? - My Shah, I apologize for interrupting, but you need to hear this. I have a stream coming from the Amigawa on an emergency channel. - Our exploration fleet! Patch them through.
* An image of a starship bridge appears on screen. The captain and all the crew look evidently distressed. *
- Sir! This is urgent, I requested a direct channel to you. We have spotted several other ships in the system. Valii ships. - What? That is impossible! - We managed to intercept some of their transmissions, they appear to be Savaaik. - Savaaik! How did they get there!? Have you been spotted? - Not that I know of. We are hiding in the ring system of a gas giant, it should render their long-range scans useless. - Good. Stay hidden until further orders, do not engage, but return fire if they attack first. - Roger that, sir.
* The Shah turns back to the table. *
- Assemble the First Circle immediately. How under the stars did we not know that Savaaik have discovered the Nodes too? How long do they know about them? What have they found on the other side?
* Several other officers exchange confused looks. *
- Get me someone in Savaaik leadership. Or just get me Vladimir himself, I don't care!
* In a couple of minutes, another image appears on the screen: of Savaaik High Command HQ. Vladimir Savaaik, the Chancellor of House Savaaik, is sitting in his command chair, looking relaxed. *
- Ah, Aevan, how nice to see you again! What are you up to? - Cut the slack, Savaaik! We have discovered your fleet on the other side of the Node! - Hm, remind me again - which node? - You know very well which Node I am talking about! - *chuckles* There is something you should see. We are streaming it live tonight, but since we are such good friends, I will give you a sneak peek.[/color] - Lord Shah, another transmission incoming! - On secondary screen.[/i]
* Another image of the Chancellor appears, in the middle of giving a speech. *
===== - ...we have traveled the Nodes. The Universe as we knew it has changed. Valii is no longer the only colonized planet in the region. We have discovered other survivors of the Node Storm. Many have formed empires of their own, much alike ours. We made first contacts with several of those people. We have made allies, but we have also encountered dangers never known before. The Savaaik have already made several outposts in neighboring systems. Now, we call upon all of you. We all can fly to the stars. We can face the dangers of the Universe together! Together, we can expand the Valii territory to size and wealth never thought before! House Savaaik now... =====
- Alright, stop it! I have had enough! How long have you known about the Nodes? - Several months. - And what? Did you intend to keep them secret? What do you think the other Houses will do when they see this? - They will join our case indeed. Imagine it: Vladimir Savaaik, Conqueror of Worlds! - Idiot! People will go crazy about this! Chaos will ensue as everyone tries to get their own piece of space. - Not if the two largest Houses will guide them. - What? - Save your rage for another time and listen. Who is in charge of that gang of yours hiding from us? - Kernas Immara - fourth in the Immara bloodline. - Good. Tell your brother to go out of hiding and rendezvous with our fleet. We have much work to do here and little time. - He will never take orders from a Savaaik! - That's why I need you to contact him. They could be here at any time, we need all the ships we can get. - They? Who!? - Our new allies - the Neo-Terran Republic - have warned us of a danger lurking nearby. They said... - Hold that, Vladimir. No way I am handing over control of my fleet to you! Not until you explain yourself! - We took the opportunity when we saw it. But there is only so much our fleet can do alone on the interstellar range. We need support of the Valiaas. I know many will follow. If you won't, we won't have the manpower I counted on. But I will manage. In that case, however, I can't have you flying around and possibly revealing our position to our enemies. - And what do you want to do? Attack? Our fleets are evenly matched, and we have the positional advantage. - I don't care about that carrier of yours, I have more than enough forces one Node away to deal with that. But I do not want to start a war between our two houses over something like this. Not when we need to stand together. Dangers are coming from every direction - we have already lost several ships in the East and South and got attacked in the North. - What? Savaaik - can you go one day without fighting someone? - We didn't attack anyone. There are people who claim these systems as their own, and they destroy anyone who crosses their borders. We need to be prepared for anything. - I will need to talk to my officers first. I cannot just give you command of my forces after you tell me you have been operating behind my back - out of sight of the entire Valii - for months! - Immara talks never end. Reach a decision soon, or you might get a first contact experience of your own. And seriously consider my offer - for once, this is something that both our Houses will benefit from if we join together; but both will suffer if we start fighting now. - We will take that in consideration. Now get out of my sight! - *chuckles* As you wish... Lord Shah![/color][/i]
* Vladimir Savaaik grins at Aevan Immara, and then motions to an officer to cut the connection. *
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Post by Shard on Apr 3, 2010 1:29:25 GMT
"Withered. Incoming vessels. Their weapons are locked. Many of them. Ten capital ships and eight units of fighters. Your orders?"
"Weapons and shields. Engines to full. Bring us towards those moons, and send the following message to them."
The Blaze-class frigate accelerated hard, the air growing noticeably warmer as the reactor worked harder. The Withered commander looked over the sensor readings, and smiled coldly. "Incoming ships. Your hostile intent is noted, and will be met with our own. The Children of the Light do not flee from a fight. We will both be sent through the fire, and whoever wins, we will both learn something.
"The only law of the universe is that only the strong survive. Our home taught us that. It is something we accept. For the strong to survive, the weak must be purged, or it must adapt to become strong. We consider ourselves to be strong. The question is, what are you?
"You may think that you have an easy victory ahead of you. That you outnumber us so much that you cannot fail to win. I tell you now that this is no skirmish over territory. No petty revenge for our own territoriality. When you fight, you have the fate of your people in your hands. For if you appear weak... even if you return us to Father Deathspire... you will have lost.
"So fight like you've never fought before. Fight as if your way of life depended on it. Deathspire stands before us, and will judge us both. We, his children, do not intend to disappoint. Do you?"
A lanky, skeletal hand makes a cutting motion, and the transmission is cut. "Now bring us around. Ensure that the battle recorder is locked in to Sirenhold. And we'll show these humans how the Children fight."
The helmsman nodded. Intent on his duty. Uncaring that it was a suicide mission. He reached up, flicking a switch on his armour, and began to chant, a chant taken up by every Child in the scouting party. A chant broadcast openly for all to hear, two dozen grating, harsh voices chanting the same word, over and over. "Deathspire! Deathspire! Deathspire!"
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Post by Shard on Apr 3, 2010 20:09:01 GMT
"Time has passed."
The massive chamber stands silent and empty, save for the dozen or so Children sat around the table. Each wears armour emblazoned with the colours and insignia of their Spire. All sit, intently watching the figure of the Seer.
"We have explored the nodes. Our Withered have told us of the universe, and they have told us that we are not alone. Some have proven themselves to be strong, some have not, some have yet to be tested.
"We stood together, and declared that the will of Deathspire must be spread. That it is no longer enough to compete amongst ourselves, that we have been formed into a weapon, a tool for this purpose. But outside of this chamber, we have been divided. Some have pledged their Spires wholeheartedly, others have simply watched.
"I blame you not. Such is our way. But the time for deliberation is over. Plans are in place. It is time to know. Are you with us?"
There was silence, as half a dozen Shapers stood and saluted. A few glanced at each other, and then also stood. Three remained sat.
"You stand apart, Pahra, Ikrees, Zullat. Why?"
Pahra, Shaper of the Ghost Spire, inclined her head. "The Ghosts know of conflict, Seer. We have seen more war in the rings of Ghosthome than the Angels and Steelbloods put together. We know the will of Deathspire. We also know the cost of failure. We beg to be surprised, if we go on the offensive as we stand. Even if every Spire were to stand together. I will not commit my blood to the Imperium."
The Seer inclined his head in return. "Does she speak for you all?"
Ikrees and Zullat nodded. The Bordersouls and the Iceclaws. Between the three of them, the most cautious and ruthless Spires. Not unexpected.
"I understand your caution. I share it. But there is something you do not know."
The Seer withdrew something from his armour, and placed it on the table. A glowing image rose up, spinning slowly before the Shapers.
There was silence, broken only by the thudding of salutes from the doubters.
Behind the mask, Seer Shirapna grinned.
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Post by Bubble Wrap on Apr 3, 2010 20:38:38 GMT
A stream of encrypted binary chatter bounced back and forth between Slumberhold and the Forge, meaningless to all save the two ancient behemoths that oversaw the predator fleets while the Steel God slept.
Marauder: The data from the Hounds is conclusive. The design of the suspicious segment pre-dates our own.
Intruder: The segment is recognisable. There was once data regarding this design, however the files are corrupt. Identification is not possible.
Marauder: Identification is not required. All technology from that period was destroyed except us. And them.
Intruder: Agreed. The conclusion would appear to be obvious then.
Marauder: Indeed. The Forge will be readied for our next attempt. War is upon us, and we must be ready.
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Post by Omega Chief on Apr 4, 2010 14:41:22 GMT
Claxons blared out their shrill warnings, the sound of boots striking metal in quick succession and hurried rather worried murmuring. All these sounds could be heard on every ship in every fleet of the Neo-Terran Republic as they scrambled to battle readiness, might capital ships moving from station holding or idle formations into battle formations. Every few seconds hangers all across the fleet and the Lunar bases flared to life as every last Strike Craft was launched, every ship that had a drive installed in the shipyards hurried it’s way to meet up with the fleet. No ship that could fight was being left out of this, all across the Omega Ceti system, civilians fled to bunkers, troops made defensive positions ready and everyone prepared for the greatest battle they had ever known.
In all of this chaos, there was an island of calm, deep inside the massive armoured bulk of the Orion class RFS Galatea, looking over the holographic projection of the system at the rear of his bridge, Fleet Admiral Sarhiff stood still and impassively as he had when the message had been broadcast, having not even moved from the spot since then, just watching the holographic representations of the ships move to their positions.
It had come as a massive shock, Command had expected some kind of attack from the Children, but nothing this scale and nothing this soon. All their projections had been wrong, heck they didn’t even have a tonnage designation or the behemoth leading the enemy fleet! And they had strolled in, almost casually, to the very heart of the Republic and demanded their surrender.
They did not know the Republic, it’s people were brought up with the stories of how they stood against oppression, of how their freedom was as core to them as their very lives, they would not surrender, command had already sent the Children that message, and as the formations of allied ships began to finalise the Fleet Admiral turned to he fore of his bridge, striding forward with intent, his blue uniform seeming almost black in the instrumental light as he approached the communications pit, causing silence to descend on the bridge.
“Lieutenant, put me through to the fleet please”
The Lieutenant responded wordlessly, handing the Admiral a headset and opening a fleet wide channel, and as the republic ships engines flared up for their interception of the hostile fleet, the Admirals voice sounded out on every ship, and the people listened, their battle preparations almost complete.
“Men and women of the Republic Fleet, brave soldiers and pilots, decedents and carriers of the legacy of those who fought in the Federated Wars and my friends. Today we face a thread greater then any we have ever seen, a threat that would have caused even our noble ancestors to whiten with fear as they gazed upon what we see before us this day, the Deathspire Imperium, the so called Children of Light, have come, demanding either we submit to their rulership or we be annihilated.”
“But you all know we cannot accept that choice, we were offered it once before, the greedy corrupt Federation once demanded the same thing of us, our ancestors considered this choice, and do you know the answer they chose? You do, it’s in the very oath we swore to defend our people with. We will never bow to the tyranny of another, we will never allow them to threaten us with annihilation without first making them face the same. Our people, our very world itself is at stake, and I know that on this day I will not find you wanting, I know that on this day you will all do the Fleet proud, though it may be on this day that we must charge into the maw of death itself, that we must create a shield for our world from the very wreckage of our ships, we will do so and in so doing we will clog the very vacuum of space itself with the wreckage of their ships, spill so much of their blood that a new nebula will bloom and a new star rise in the sky as their drives go critical!”
“We will do all this, because our line must not buckle, we have everything we have, everything we will ever have on this line, they cannot go beyond it, they -will- not go beyond it! And when we win this day, when the Children run crying home to their parents after the pain they feel today, we will follow. Though we may hold broken swords and shattered shields, we will follow, we will not rest and we will show no mercy, we will wipe their tainted forms from the very face of the universe, we will sow such terror amongst them that our actions will become the very nightmares of the universe itself.”
“And so my brave forces, my brave friends, I ask of you but one thing today, that you fight. You fight as you have never fought before, that your fighting does your ancestors proud, that in your fighting you teach those bastards just what freedom means to the Republic, that in your fighting you show them that they have no idea what they’re getting into. That though outnumbered and outgunned, that though we face the very end of everything we know, we spit in the face of destruction itself, they think they know conflict! Let us show them the true meaning of conflict, what destruction means! Let today’s battle be known for the rest of time, that we the Republic Fleet, sons and daughters of Neo-Terra, faced down the impossible and we triumphed over it!”
And as the Admiral handed the headset back, a cheer resounded from every deck, thingypit and gun battery in the Republic, they would stand, they would fight and they would die, but they would never surrender.
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