The screens showing the Heran surface a kilometer above radiated the warm glow of early morning sunshine on Shade's face. Around him the command center was busy, with officers moving to and fro among the consoles.
Sitting back in his chair, Shade picked up the sheets of message printout which had arrived overnight; one from the Confederate Republic, and one from Darven. Idly reading them, Shade activated the message systems, and began to speak.
"To Prime Minister Alan Rak, from High Commander Shade.
I apologise for that; my forces will of course wait in Mentos system.
Sincerely,
High Commander Shade, leader of the Olympian Solidarity."
"To Nick of Darven, from High Commander Shade.
That is an excellent idea; you may expand into Zaxted, while I expand into Sauron and Diphidia.
As for the free trade agreement, we will agree to your offer. In return for the opportunity to purchase Tigershark Fighters at base price, you may purchase our Athena Frigates at base price.
Sincerely,
High Commander Shade, leader of the Olympian Solidarity."
That done, it was time to move. The Solidarity would eventually encompass much of the south, and Shade's might would be assured.
The fleet which remained at quick-response positions throughout Olympus moved; four Athenas, four Kestrels, three Corvettes, two Lightnings, and twenty Rapiers.
Olympus --> Canopus --> Sauron
The Olympian merchant fleet which passed through Sauron two hours previously had meant no harm; the latest Solidarity arrivals - two Athenas, two Kestrels, and twenty Rapiers - did.
Their first act was to cripple Sauron's long-range sensor buoys; the Sauron defence fleet launched. Sauron was little more than a refuelling post, and had a minimal fleet of ten Corvettes and twenty Rapiers.
As soon as they exited the atmosphere, they were hit by torpedo barrages from every Solidarity ship. Torpedos flew in reply from the Sauron ships; one Solidarity Athena and two Rapiers went down. Then the other half of the Solidarity fleet jumped in from Farazon. Under the heavy torpedo barrage from the Olympian ships, the Sauron corvettes were quickly destroyed.
The Sauron Rapiers got closer, and were hit by missile and Heavy rocket fire as well as the ever-present torpedos; five Sauron Rapiers went down, as well as three Solidarity Rapiers.
Then the Sauron Rapiers got into primary weapons range, and were decimated by Proton fire.
The Olympian Solidarity had made it's first conquest.
The Sauron system now comes under the jurisdiction of the Olympian Solidarity
Solidarity losses - 1 Athena, 5 Rapiers.
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(url="http://"http://www.geocities.com/shades_shipyard")Shade's Shipyard(/url), the source for your ship needs.
