Politics always worked the same way.
Any political, ecological, technological, humanitarian or otherwise change works in the same way. First of all, everything goes slowly. Then, events move ahead faster and faster, until finally events simply skyrocket out of control.
From the time the Igadzra Union was split into four seperate organisations onwards, that buildup has been occuring.
Finally, the situation has moved out of control.
- - -
It was dark that night, at New Maciay, the capital city of Triam Rios in Oloni. Darker than most previous nights had been - darker than any night since Triam Rios had been built. Some might have called it a sign, and those people, for once, would have been at least partially correct.
Every colony, be it belonging to the ITA, IGNA or IXD, would have an administrative command base, usually visited by a member of the Assembly every few weeks. The base in New Maciay was one of the most heavily guarded, for obvious reasons. Gun turrets were set along trench-lines, out of range of any rebels. The Igadzra Trading Authority knew exactly why it had been set up like this, but no-one knew just how ahead of everyone else they were.
At 11:59pm, a mere second before midnight, the turrets and base shielding would switch off for a microsecond as power cells were switched. A small group inside the ITA, known as Kestrel, had picked up this information via an insider, and now was the time to act on it.
In a blink of light too fast for the naked eye to pick up, the entire network went down. So fast, in fact, that computers within the base were unaffected, as electricity continued to travel. This time, however, one certain unexpected event would occur.
The network didnt come back up again.
Within seconds, a huge mass of Kestrel, Talons Guardsmen and other mercenary groups hired by the ITA stormed the IAC base. Meanwhile, two Stargliders armed with military technology moved in from above and bombarded the compound.
Half an hour later, the area was secure, and Oloni was completely under control of President Heraphar.
Meanwhile, the same was occuring on Titan, Kedan, Maktee and Coya. Before even the faintest signal could be sent to the Assembly, the ITA had reformed into their own force.
- - -
Bellaraphon was quiet. Only twenty-five IGNA vessels patrolled the area, all of which were new, and thus comprised of about two Igazras, eight Izagas, and fifteen Izars, instead of the old fleet compliments of 1:1:1 ships. There would have been more ships patrolling, had it not been that the IGNA subcommander had earlier declared they would not fully patrol any system that the ITA complained should be given more independance.
This was an incredibly stupid act by Subcommander Iosa, as time would show.
During a regular patrol route, one Igazra and two Izagas swept past a pair of two Izars. It was over before it started. The Izars went down under a mass of turbophase fire.
The ITA loyal Igadzra vessels were quickly swarmed upon by SAI modules once confusion had been put aside, but the outlines werent quite as simple as they seemed. A barrage of modules apparently heading for the traitors instead swept out and hit more of the loyal ships. Meanwhile, a wing of twenty Stargliders moved into the system, all having been built for the Igadzra Trading Authority.
The IGNA fleet was vaporised, and the heavy Igadzra vessels moved in to wipe the IGNA garrison on the planet clean.
- - -
The Guardian , a modified Igazra, once belonging to an IGNA captain that had been assassinated by Kestrel agents, entered the Homeward system, only twenty light years from Lars Magnas nearest stronghold.
Aboard the ship was President Heraphar himself. Wasting no time, Heraphar sent a long-range message to the planetary command on Syter.
This is President Heraphar of the Igadzra Revolutionists, more commonly known as the Igadzra Trading Authority. Just twelve minutes ago, we secured Oloni, Titan, Kedan, Maktee, Coya and Bellaraphon as our bases. All Igadzra Union presence has been eliminated.
I request an audience with Lars Magna, your leader, concerning the forging of an alliance. I am currently in the Homeward system, but I will tolerate no tricks.
After a while, a message arrives from the Pirate base on Barah. "Our leaders has considered your request, and granted it. Come to Barah and then we will escort you to Syter.
Satisfied, the Guardian left Homeward for Barah.
- - -
Entering Barah, the Guardian put up its shields, which were majorly enhanced, at the lack of weaponry - although, this was nothing that was obvious to a minor scan, and it was unlikely any deep scans would be performed in the split second chance to run that might be needed to escape any pirates.
Locking onto the communications command on Barah, Heraphar sent another message.
I am President Heraphar of the Igadzra Revolutionists. I request that you escort me to Syter.
"This is Barah Fleet Command; prepare to be escorted to Syter by two Crescent Warships, came the reply.
Two sleek Crescent Warships moved in to flank the Guardian , and they began their short journey to Syter, in which Heraphar began to compose a long-range signal message...
- - -
(From President Heraphar of the Igadzra Revolutionists)
(To Akrahd Command)
I would like to ask of you that you speak with Lars Magna of the pirates ASAP. I am attempting to forge an alliance with him and his pirate warfleet, to help crush many enemies of the Large Megellanic Cloud, including the pitiful Igadzra Union and their warmachine, the IGNA, as well as the Horoth. I believe you would benefit from working with us.
The three of us would be unstoppable.
(end message)
- - -
The Guardian and the two pirate warships that escorted it entered the pirate capital of Syter, a heavily defended base - so heavily defended that it was frightening.
This time, Heraphar did not send a message again. He allowed his escorts to take him down onto the planet, and across through various areas of the main city, until finally, he came face to face with Lars Magna.
From one sight, it was obvious this man was quite insane. There was a sort of frenzied look in his eyes that said it all. Heraphar was afraid, but not for the first time. He knew fear, but he had never expected to feel it here, be it in the heart of one of the most powerful governments in the refugee galaxy.
Greetings, Lars, Heraphar muttered, struggling to keep his voice level. Have you considered my offer?
Lars thought over Heraphars request, his eyes darting this way and that, a sort of manical look on his face. "Yes... Yes... An alliance with the Igadzra would be quite profitable... Profit, yes... Technology, very yes... We can only offer our enhanced thoron beam, but believe me, it's better than yours. Of course, I'll want a look at some of your technologies as well... Yes, I would like that very much..."
Heraphars eyes flashed. Were not the Igadzra as you think of them...we are the Igadzra Revolutionists, not the Igadzra Union. As for our weaponry, I am willing to give you the specs. for turbophase right here and now.
"Willing? Good... Give me the turbophase immediately, and I'll give you the Enhanced Thoron Beam immediately... As for your name, I care not, you're just Igadzra for all I care..."
Done, came the reply from Heraphar, and one of the most deadly alliances in existance was forged.
All the while, Codax, formerly of the Zidagar Rebels, looked on from down on Syter, him and his ships now being fully integrated into the pirates. Smiling a knowing smile at the realisation that Lars would soon be invincible, he left the area, unseen.
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Word.
