MODERATION: Redchigh - Fighters don't count as warships, but you can't have hundreds and hundreds of them just to get around the ship limit That's why I said that you should tone down your "inneumerable fighters" a little bit.
Also, since all the major government slots except the Hinwar second in command seem to be filled up now, I've decided to open the Human Renegades as an option for any new players to choose.
Continuation:
The probe could now be seen, just outside the cave, with a large rocket booster welded to it's bottom. A panel controled from within the cave showed just 5 minutes until launch.
"How will we keep this thing from getting shot down by the Voinians?" one member asked.
"I'll field that one," Thunder replied. "It seems to come with some kind of cloaking device, he said, punching a few buttons on the probe, and watching as the probe and it's rocket booster shimmered and faded from view. All the Hinwar marvelled at the spectacle. Seconds later, Thunder, after searching for the appropriate (and now invisible) buttons, faded it back into view. "We've added enough power to it to keep the cloak going for up to 2 months. Until then we'll be able to use it as a covert communications center."
Suddenly, an alert beeped on the probe. It was recieving a message. "Quick," Thunder ordered, "Abort the launch! Now!" Thunder stepped up the probe, and using the same setup he used earlier, managed to download the message.
"What is it?"
"It's a message from a new alien race, the Emalgha! They claim to be fighting the Voinians as well! But their ship is in trouble, and they need a place to land."
"There's a suitable landing site about half a mile from the cave," one of the resistance members said, "in that large valley where we store weapon stashes 7 and 8."
"Yeah, that would work as a landing site. I'll mark the location and send it along with our response. It shouldn't take long, resume the launch." As the countdown continued, Thunder typed in a quick response to the Emalgha, and uploaded a map showing the recommended landing site. After uploading the second message, he cloaked the probe again, and waited for launch.
The resistance member in charge of the launch gave an audiable countdown, which was followed by a large blast of hot wind, as the engine exhaust from the rocket booster could be felt, but not heard or seen due to the cloaking device. All the Hinwar present looked toward the sky, to see if they might catch a glimpse of the probe as it headed for space, but they saw exactly what they were supposed to: nothing. Five minutes later, the countdown operator let out a cheer, followed by a report, "The probe has attained orbit at a distance of 700 kilometers from the surface, and remains undetected by all Voinian forces!"
"Transmit the messages!" Thunder said excitedly.
"Transmitting..."
<<Message to Imperial Phoenix, Encryption sequence Liadon-3>>
<<From Thunder, on behalf of the Hinwar Resistance Corps>>
I don't know how you learned of our plight, but any assistance you could provide us would be highly appreciated. Land your ship at the coordinates specified in this message, concealed as best as you possibly can. Resistance members will be waiting there to meet you. Due to the necessarily secretive conditions of our lifestyle, I can't say anything else more now. I look forward to meeting.
Thunder out
<<End Message>>
{{Message to Stricken Emalgha Fighter, Encryption sequence Liadon-5}}
{{From Thunder, leader of the Hinwar Resistance Corps}}
We have recieved your message, and welcome your arrival. A suitable landing site is provided in the form of a map attached with this message, try and land your ship as close to those coordinates as you can. Resistance members will be waiting there to take you to a safe hideout where we can discuss things further. For your safety and for ours, try to avoid Voinian patrol ships if at all possible.
Thunder out
{{End Message}}
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American components, Russian components, all made in Taiwan!
(This message has been edited by Thunder (edited 05-09-2001).)