A young Miranu businesswoman walked down the halls of the Peace Corps complex in search of a contact. She had only his office number, and in the labirynthine halls of the historic complex, built nearly 280 YBP, finding that office was quite a task. After nearly half an hour of searching, she finally located the right door. Stepping inside, she saw an older Miranu man sitting behind a desk.

"I'm here about the escorts for the trade envoy," she said, matter-of-factly.

"Someone told me you'd be coming," the older man replied, in a rather deep voice for a Miranu. "It's always the pleasure of the Peace Corps to help out the MTC."

"You've been breifed on the envoy to the South Tip, haven't you?"

"Yes, your MTC co-workers sent me all the necessary paperwork. We'll provide you with five crescent fighter escorts, and the pilots to fly them."

"Excellent. Along with the three Zachit fighters, that should be plenty to ensure our safety, without appearing too powerful and intimidating."

"There is one condition, though," the man said to her. "Our scientists have just completed work on a hyperspace modification that allows hyperjumps from anywhere in the system, even near the center. We've installed it on the escorts that will be accompanying you, as well as the Zachit that will be joining you."

"What's the catch?"

"You've got to allow your escorts ample opportunity to test out the new modification. It's been tested sucessfully, and the Zachit already have full access to it, with plans to upgrade at least some of their ships, but we want to test it out on a real mission."

"That should be no problem."

"Have you got the flight plan?"

"Yes," the woman replied, handing a datapad to the Peace Corps officer. "Our destination is the Strandless system of Feviry. We'll be conducting trade negotiations there. Shouldn't take longer than a couple days."

"You're cleared to go, then," he said. "Safe journey."

----------

Governor Kitanu smiled as he recieved the latest report from his political advisors. He had been surprised earlier this morning when word had arrived that the humans had detected one of the Miranu Sentinel ships, and much of his morning had been spent hastily assembling and sending off a diplomatic envoy consisting of three freighters and five crescent fighters. Now, though, he had a bit of time to relax, and something to celebrate.

"The latest revision of the Corporate Investigation Act is gaining support in the senate," his aide informed him. "Minority leaders are using delay tactics to postpone a vote, but we expect that it will be passed, almost completely intact, perhaps as early as the day after tomorrow."

"That is good news," Kitanu beamed. "And it's not the only good news of the evening."

"How so?"

"It's no secret that the MTC doesn't like me," Kitanu said, the smile suddenly gone from his face. "My approval ratings have been suffering greatly in the southern worlds where MTC influence is strongest." Just as quickly as the smile disappeared, it returned. "But I've got just the thing to solve that problem, help to re-instill a sense of unity among the northern and southern Miranu worlds, and solve some of the overcrowding issues on Blaga and Mira."

"What's that?" his aide asked, a questioning look on his face.

"I've ordered the Peace Corps to head a colonization effort to set up a colony and settlement on on the planet in the DSN-3930 system, one jump south of Dislor. Now that we've made contact with the humans, we're going to need a stopping-off point for commerce and travel, and DSN-3930 will make an ideal spot."

Kitanu's aide also broke out into a smile. "Wow... the first colonization effort since 310 YBP!"

"Indeed," Kitanu responded. "And someday you can tell your children that you heard it first."

-----------

A lone Miranu courier floated through the DSN-1469 system, taking low-power, long-range scans of the Ji Nebula. With power output so low it was nearly undetectable, and taking care to hide near the northern fringes of the system, it was clear that this was another Sentinel. The mission here was a bit different though. Whereas many Sentinels monitored known alien presences, this one was monitoring the unknown, searching for any sign of life out in the nebula, or any sign of hyperlinks into the nebula. So far, though, all scans had turned up empty. And without improved sensors, thought the pilot of the Sentinel ship, it was likely to remain that way.

----------

Research :

1. micro-Faster-Than-Light (mFtL) communication - to be completed Tue. Feb. 15th (3 days total)
2. Hyperspace modification (jumps from anywhere in system) - Complete (took 4 days)
   New Project: Colonization of DSN-3930 - to be completed Sun. Feb. 20th (7 days total)
3. Zachit Slot: Currently being used by RMA for phase enhancement

Fleets :
Trading fleets: 100 ships diverted for DSN-3930 colonization effort. Traders are avoiding Zidagar space.
Defense/Peace Corps fleets: 100 crescent fighters diverted for DSN-3930 colonization effort. No other changes.
Colonization fleet: 30 Miranu Couriers, 55 Freighters, 15 Heavy Freighters, 100 Crescent Fighters. Location: DSN-3930.
Trade envoy to Strandless: 1 Courier, 5 Crescent Fighters, 3 Zachit Fighters (under Zachit command).
Diplomatic envoy to UE: 3 Freighters, 5 Crescent Fighters

Production :
All new ships produced today have been stationed in Mirava.

This post has been edited by Thunder : 13 February 2005 - 01:16 AM

  
"You are not to interfere in our space or in the South, period. Understood? I suspect that you'd try to distract us, so that you could call reinforcements. To avoid that occurrence. I am afraid that I will have to terminate you and send a message to you superiors. If you should wish to surrender during the course of the battle, you have my permission. Goodbye."  
  
Ascia listened to the message and knew that things were not going to work out. Then the warhead sirens went off.  
  
“Full afterburners! All engines to emergency speed! Power up the hyperdrive!”  
  
“What course, sir?”  
  
“ANY course! Just push the button! If you need a direction, left is as good as any, now GO!” The ship shook as a full jump of fuel dumped out the afterburners and exploded behind the ship, shooting it forwards. The Turncoat began to enter hyperspace, shooting forwards just as the first modules began to impact, burning off the shields and ripping the armor to ribbons, bringing the hull to the brink of structural collapse. The second turncoat, captained by Ascia’s friend Rex, jumped soon after. The third tried to follow but had hyperspace troubles due to some destabilizing modifications, and broadcast its surrender without a fight. They kept jumping without waiting even long enough to scan the systems they entered, until they arrived in a final system and could not go “left” anymore. Scans of the system revealed a planet, a station, and many of those strange, frightening white starfighters that the aliens were fond of using.  
  
“Sir, I’m getting targeting locks from the ships in the system!”  
  
“What’s their IFF?”  
  
“It doesn’t match any group we know of, not even the ships which attacked us a few days ago, sir.”  
  
Ascia sat back in his chair, a look of resignation on his face. “Well, given our fuel status after that little adventure, these are the people we are going to have to deal with, for better or for worse. Signal our surrender and request diplomatic channels.”  
  
“Message sent sir, Captain Rex is locking his targeting computer onto the alien fighters! We must do so as well.”  
  
“No. We cannot. Rex, I am sorry, my old friend. Weapons officer, lock all weapons onto the other Turncoat. Communications officer?”  
  
“Yes, Captain Ascia?”  
  
“Give me a channel to Rex.”  
  
“Channel open.”  
  
“Rex, this is Ascia. Stand down, Rex. Safety your targeting systems.”  
  
“I can’t do that!” came the reply over the channel. “They’re targeting me, and I won’t go down without a fight!”  
  
“Don’t make me destroy you.”  
  
“What?!?! We are friends, Ascia. Friends who are in this situation together! You must not give up!”  
  
“We are friends, and for that reason, I deeply regret what I will have to do if you do not stand down.”  
  
“No.”  
  
“Weapons officer, lock rockets and missiles onto Rex’s ship. Prepare to fire on my mark. Communications officer, await the reply of the aliens.”  
  
~~~Freeport~~~  
  
An old, grizzled pirate with an eyepatch, a hook, a pegleg, and a parrot approached Jo and Helen and asked them what “a couple of nice gentle ladies like themselves were doing playing with space mines.”  
  
They both drew their weapons and blasted him into oblivion, then got back to work supervising the loading of a suicide freighter with spacemines. They had to complete the freighter soon, because they had a meeting with the turncoat captains who were constructing the minefield around Freeport.   
  
A few levels above them, in a cramped office, O’Grady was looking over the latest reports from the reconnaissance raiders and coordinating the raids to come, which would continue until further notice.  
  
  
~~~Iothe~~~  
  
Ian Ki’s Helian landed at a decidedly sketchy, out of the way secondary spaceport, and the man made his way to the main part of the settlement under a hooded coat that blocked his features from all. He had almost arrived at his destination when a couple of militia officers caught sight of him.  
  
“Hey Ray, what’ve we got here? I betcha this fella’s a renegade trying to sneak around and cause trouble, made stupid by their success in yesterday’s raid.”  
  
“You could be right, George. Let’s go ask him for his papers.”  
  
The renegade addressed as Ray accosted Ian. “This is a security check, mister. We need to see your papers.”  
  
Ian tried to remain calm. “I’m sorry, officer, I must have left them at home. Is there a criminal at large?”  
  
The other one, George, was nowhere to be seen as Ray said with a smirk, “I don’t like the looks of you, and if you don’t have papers, I’m going to have to ask you to submit to a simple identity check.” The militia officer held out a portable fingerprint reader.  
  
Ian, who had had surgery to alter his fingerprints, held out a hand, which quickly received the red beam of the scanner. After a moment, the scanner bleeped once. “Well, I guess you’re clean. In the future, mister, remember your papers, and try not to dress like someone with a secret, okay?”  
  
Ian was about to reply when hands from behind pulled back his hood. George had used Ray’s speaking to come up behind Ian. Ray took a step back. “My God, it’s Ian Ki!” He reached for his service blaster.  
  
There was a deep-throated blast as Ian’s shot pistol discharged into Ray’s chest. The stricken man was sent flying backwards; he landed hard and did not move. George tried to grab the renegade but received an elbow to the solar plexus for the trouble, followed by a spinning kick to the throat as Ian turned around. The fallen son of Iothe set his stance, leveled his weapon, and fired once. George’s head was suddenly replaced by a geyser of red, gushing blood.   
  
The decapitated body sunk to its knees and remained there for a second before pitching forward onto the pavement into the pool of blood that it continued to create. Ian reconcealed the shot pistol and vanished into the shadows.  
  
Internal security was tighter than he remembered. His job would be more difficult than anticipated.  
  
~~~North of Freeport~~~  
  
The cargo transporter that Presley had hired was the generator of a most peculiar smell. He quickly decided that saying any more about the ship would glorify the wretched crate too much.  
  
~~~Somewhere East of Iothe, most likely Igadzra space~~~  
  
“It’s huge, sir!”  
  
“Aye, that it is, laddie. The only folks that’ve ever seen bigger’d be the lasses I’ve slept with.”  
  
“The energy readings that I’m getting from that ship are astronomical it must have over 5000 SBD of shielding!”  
  
“So she’s a fighter, that ship.”  
  
“That seems to be a logical assumption, based on what little our scans can determine.”  
  
“Do ye know why she’s so brightly colored?”  
  
“No clue, sir.”  
  
“Aye, very well then. Hail them.”  
  
“Transmitting.”  
  
~~~Thehir~~~  
  
In an abandoned warehouse, a disheveled man in a suit was chained to a chair. “I don’t know anything, I swear!”  
  
The taller of the two black-cloaked figures nodded to the shorter one, who advanced.  
  
“What are you going to do to me?” asked the man, and an instant later, an open-handed blow broke his nose, followed by a jaw-breaking hook from the other hand, a straight shot to the throat from the first, and finally a vicious power hit to the chest that knocked out the man’s wind. With his jaw and nose broken and his throat damaged, the man was trying frantically to catch his breath but received nothing but pain for his efforts. Finally, when he was just about to black out, he managed to get the tiniest bit of airflow going, keeping him alive, but as his instincts forced him to expand that channel too quickly, his ruined breathing parts tormented him. Only several minutes later did the pain start to leave his face. The smaller figure then turned around to back off, but then suddenly spun around and punched downwards with all her weight into the man’s crotch. The figure withdrew to beside the taller one as the man bent over in agony. He tried to scream in pain but that only brought back the first set of problems.  
  
After several more minutes, the taller figure spoke. “Let me ask you again,” he said, his British accent giving the impression of a civilitiy belied by the suffering of the man in the chair. “And if you do not answer me, I will be forced to let my apprentice continue this barbarism. What do you know of the Nadir?”  
  
“He’ll find me! He’ll kill my family!”  
  
The taller figure nodded to the smaller one again, who began to advance.  
  
“Oh please, for the love of God, don’t do this! I’ll tell you what you need to know!”  
  
”I am listening.”  
  
“About ten days ago, the Nadir and his boys landed on a deserted part of this planet. With his agency here destroyed as collateral damage in a recent raid, he needed someone to do the work on his fleet for him, and he chose my company.”  
  
“What did he need?”  
  
“For his ship? New needles, a replacement fuel scoop, a tune-up of the afterburner fuel system, and six improved-grade power splitters. His fleet needed a few minor repairs here and there, but for the most part, they were in fine shape all pretty well-made turncoats from what I could see.”  
  
“Was there anything else?”  
  
“Yeah, one thing. He wanted the particle accelerator from the University, so we stole it for him. Then he had us put it in his cargo bay and make all kinds of modifications on it, connecting it to the new fuel scoop and a couple of the splitters, and adding all these weird gyromagnetic crystals to parts of it. I don’t know what he was doing, but I’d say he’s trying to improve his fuel scoop efficiency.”  
  
Suddenly, the taller figure unholstered what appeared to be a Voinian neutron pistol and fired four shots. The man in the chair clenched his eyes shut and waited to feel the pain but when he opened them, only his bonds had been broken, and the two cloaked figures were gone.  
  
“Things have just become far more urgent, Trisha. We have to find him very, very soon, or there may be a far greater disaster than this region has ever seen before.”  
  
“Because the Nadir’s making some type of improved fuel scoop?”  
  
“The Nadir isn’t making a better fuel scoop, Trisha ”  
  
The smaller figure looked up at the taller one, hood revealing a questioning tilt of the head. The taller one finished his sentence.  
  
“ he’s making an anti-matter bomb.”  
  
“My God.”  
  
“We must leave now for Iothe, where he will head to acquire technicians. Once there, we will make contact with Ian Ki. With luck, we will arrive before the Nadir is ready to depart; he will be flying with his fleet, which means that we will have a much better chance if we catch him on the ground.”  
  

R&D:
Krait Needle Initiative: 2 Days
Hunter Jammers: 1 Day

Ship Construction:  
Still halted to allow for the construction of the Riomar minefield and bomb-ships.   

The Master stared at the captain on the viewscreen.
"You let two old, slow, and pitiful ships to escape your fleet? Are you one of those incompetents that I thought I had gotten rid of? Well, it doesn't matter now."
The Master gestured. The captain's second-in-command stepped up behind him and shot him in the head. Then, he bowed. The Master stared at him grimly for a moment before speaking.
"Bring the captured crew of that ship to me and then see what you can learn from the databanks of the ship itself. Find the others and bring them to me-dead or alive. Drop debris and make it appear as if all three ships have been destroyed. Do not fail me."
The man nodded and the image disappeared. The Master sat back, coldly furious. He would instruct his agents to see that the Strandless learned of these Renegades and the threat they represented, as well as general information concerning the UE and Vionians. He knew that they almost certainly receive no support. Certainly, none if the Strandless were informed of the power of the UE that the Renegades faced or the fact that, if the UE fell, they would have to confront the might of the Vionian Empire. He would see to it that they were informed within 24 hours. He had another idea that might help avert any sort of crisis.
One of his agents that had done work with and was well known to UE intelligence would see to it that they received the message that he had for them.

To the UE: from a friend
The Renegades you beat in Pariah are sending envoys to look for help from other races. I suggest that you be careful.

Just after he sent the message to the agent, his aide entered the room.
"Master, the phase weaponry has been improved as you ordered. What are your future plans for research?"
"A new kind of fighter to replace the Crescent Fighters. Faster, lighter, and stronger."
"Very well, Master. It shall be done."

Research and Development
Armor Upgrade
Estimated time to completion: 2 days

Improved phase weaponry
Estimated time to completion: done
New research initiated:
Crescent Hawk-will be completed in four days
Through various upgrades, this fighter is overall about twice strong as the Crescent fighter, even carrying some pursuit missals.

Fleet positions:
South and near Mavs, keeping away from the human systems
2 Crescent Warships
5 Laziras
10 Renegade Aradas
56 Crescent Fighters

Mavs System:
9 Crecent Warships (one has returned with the captured turncoat)
16 Laziras
73 Renegade Aradas
486 Crescent Fighters

DSN-6107 System:
5 Crescent Warships
12 Laziras
44 Aradas
318 Crescent Fighters

Groned System:
3 Crescent Warships (one has returned to the DSN-6107 system)
10 Laziras
22 Aradas
108 Crescent Fighters

New ship construction (what bonus is received from new worlds?)
1 Crescent Warship (in Mavs)
2 Laziras (in the DSN-6107 System)
7 Aradas (5 in Mavs, 2 in the DSN-6107 System)
46 Crescent Fighters (in Mavs)

Huron System
After the refitting of the fleet, Admiral Rivers prepared the Earth Force for travel once again.
“We must KILL THEM ALL! The Renegades must become extinct! This mission is crucial.”
The bridge crew, having had many years to get used to the Admiral’s antics, simply nodded and got things ready for the voyage.
In a matter of six days, the U.E. fleet was in the Yelts system, ready for anything.
----
In the DSN-8200 system, a lone Exploration scoutship skimmed through space, searching for the alien race that might save humanity. If the rumors were true, the Voinians would be toast...if not, the fight would be very, very hard.
-----
The Director stopped the conversation he was having with the Miranu by saying “Well, I’m really very sorry, but I need to get things ready for a massive attack against the Voinians. I’ll put you on with the Administrator.” After contacting the Administrator and setting things up so that they would talk to one another, the Director, or Bob, prepared his fleet for the attack on Vorik.

After bringing in reinforcements, they dropped by Yandros for refuelling. The Director imagined what would happen in just several days...

Quote

After three days, the entire force was there, and emerged onto the small moon.
“Attention, Voinians. You have no choice. Surrender is futile. You will either fight back and die like all of those merchants you cowardly attacked, or sit where you are and die. It really makes no difference to us, although it would be a shame if someone said that it wasn’t a fair fight. We aren’t ones known for patience, so come on, if you have the guts.” After making this bold speech, Bob coolly sat down in the command chair and, in the meantime, told the majority of his force to move back into the asteroids, where they would not be spotted.

Shaking himself back into reality, the Director continued making plans for the voyage. With any luck, they would be able to pull this attack off before long...
------
United Earth Fleet and Construction
199 Carriers
729 Destroyers
1110 U.E. Fighters
700 Freight Couriers
100 Scoutships
Per Day: 5 Carriers, 23 Destroyers, 30 Fighters
Earth: 4 Carriers, 10 Destroyers, 20 Fighters (All work will be done temporarily on station construction.)
New Taranto: 2 Carriers, 13 Destroyers, 20 Fighters
Paaren: 3 Carriers, 10 Destroyers, 10 Fighters
United Earth Force Locations:
Grand Armada (Commanded by the Director)
37 U.E. Carriers
141 U.E. Destroyers
250 U.E. Fighters
Location: Yandros
Earth Force (Controlled by Admiral Rivers)
15 U.E. Carriers
30 U.E. Destroyers
100 U.E. Fighters
Location: Yelts
Defense Fleets:
Huron Fleet
10 U.E. Carriers
30 U.E. Destroyers
50 U.E. Fighters
Thoso Fleet
10 U.E. Carriers
33 U.E. Destroyers
50 U.E. Fighters
Valos Fleet
13 U.E. Carriers
35 U.E. Destroyers
60 U.E Fighters
Yandros Fleet
20 U.E. Carriers
50 U.E. Destroyers
100 U.E. Fighters
Bakka Fleet (Commanded currently by the Protector)
20 U.E. Carriers
50 U.E. Detroyers
100 U.E. Fighters
DSN-1810 Force
5 U.E. Carriers
10 U.E Destroyers
20 U.E. Fighters
Centauri Fleet
13 U.E. Carriers
75 U.E. Detroyers
100 U.E. Fighters
Saalia Fleet
13 U.E. Carriers
75 U.E. Detroyers
100 U.E. Fighters
Sol Defensive Fleet
43 U.E. Carriers
200 U.E. Destroyers
180 U.E. Fighters
---NEW PROJECT---
Mini-Hunters
A weapon about equal to the Hunter Missile Launcher except in size. This weapon, optimized for use against fighters, launches missiles faster, although weaker, than normal hunter missiles. They are half as powerful as hunter missiles, but half again as fast.
ETA: Three days.
---PROJECTS BEING DEVELOPED---
Missile Jammer. ETA: Three days.
Earth Station. ETA: Five days.
---PROJECTS FINISHED---
Hunter Missile power upgrade. ETA: Complete. All Hunter Missiles used by United Earth are now half again as powerful against shields and armour. Old Hunter Missiles are the only ones sold to Independents.

This post has been edited by Consul Bob : 14 February 2005 - 01:39 AM

OOC: I hope I get everything correct in this post, Paranoid, but if I get a detail wrong in exactly how you wanted this to work out, just tell me (like i assume the representative is already at the landing area).

------

Khaz nodded slowly. At least the Strandless didn't seem to be openly hostile. Khaz knew there was great animosity towards the Strands in this area, but he would do his best to work past it. He turned to the nav officer. "Set in a course to the coordinates they gave us. Have the escort aradas hold in orbit."

The Swift Justice descended down through the atmosphere of Tibidat, heading straight for the coordinates that they had been given. Extending it's large landing struts, the Swift Justice set down with a low thud. Immediately, walkways were lowered, and a company of marines disembarked. Moving into a defensive formation around the exit from the ship, they were then followed by Templar Khaz and his own personal bodyguards (another four marines). As usual, the marines were in full battle gear, and Khaz had most of his face shrouded by a bandana of sorts.

Looking around for a moment at the landing pad, Khaz saw the council representative. He nodded, walking forward slowly until he had approached within a couple feet of the representative. Khaz bowed respectfully, then spoke. "I am Templar Khaz of the Swift Justice. I come to negotiate a treaty between the Igadzra Directorate and your world. We already have a series of terms we would like you to consider, if I may."

The representative nodded, and Khaz continued. "First of all, we wish this to be a two-way alliance. We have no wish of subjugating you or taking advantage of this treaty. We also respect your sovereignty. If you agree to the treaty, not a single soldier or warship will be stationed on your world. If you request it, we will have a patrol of warships stationed in orbit for your protection.

"One major issue we know is worrying you is the Renegade incursion. As an ally, we will aid you in crushing the Renegades. We will gladly move to crush their base in DSN-6107, although we'd prefer to keep the base for ourselves. Groned can also be taken back, and will be handed over to you, for you are no doubt better suited for dealing with fellow strandless.

"Although we are at war with the Azdgari and Zidagar, we will not require that any of your vessels aid us in battles against them. We would also request aid in constructing an outpost in the Nifal system, for purposes of guarding against a possible renegade incursion from the West.

"If, in the future, you are challenged by another force, we will immediately come to your aid. As an ally, you have the full support of the Igadzra Navy, within reasonable bounds of course. Any ships we can spare from the frontlines against the Azdgari and Zidagar will be sent to help you in time of war.

"Although we, for obvious reasons, cannot share all of our technology with you, we will give you access to some of our lower-level technologies that you might still find useful. In return, if we see a technology that you have, we may be interested in acquiring it for use in our ships. We will, of course, supply you with a list of the available technologies.

"What is your response?" Khaz asked.

------

In the Feviry system, the fleet from Igadzra finally arrived. It was a decent sized force of fifteen Igazras and fourty-five Igadzra Aradas. The fleet quickly moved into orbit around Ursla, their shields at 50% standby and weapons unpowered. Second Executor Shaei was still on the planet negotiating, and supply ships had yet to arrive. When they did, construction of the station could commence.

------

Research Projects

Particle Beam -- 4 RTD remaining

Graviton Beam -- 3 RTD remaining

Igara Upgrade -- 1 RTD remaining

------

Naval Statistics

Current Ship Count
230 Igazras
690 Aradas

Production (per RTD)
10 Igazras
30 Aradas

Defense Fleets
Igadzra, Ersadt, Innirian, Mark, Nujja, Mordus, Norhis, Motif
15 Igazras ( 120 total )
45 Aradas ( 360 total )

1st Armada -- Mark
40 Igazras
120 Aradas

2nd Armada -- Ersadt
30 Igazras
90 Aradas

3rd Armada -- Igadzra
15 Igazras
45 Aradas

Feviry Defense Detachment -- Feviry
15 Igazras
45 Aradas

Innor Defense Detachment -- Innirian
5 Igazras
15 Aradas

"I assume you would like to aquire these crystals, we will hand them over once we sign the treaty--I hope you have proper containment facilities on that ship, these crystals are badly damaged and must be handled with extreeme care."

"That should be of no concern, sign here, here, here, here, here, sign this waiver here, and finalize it here."

"Allright, we'll ramrod this through the representation using Razel's fillibuster skills"

"HEY!"

"...And transfer the crystals to you as a sign of good will. We remind you that research on the nature of the crystals themselves will be required before we use them for anything, they are too badly damaged for use as a phazed beamer."

(Razel hands over the crystals, somewhat reluctantly and warns Shaei to not drop them)

"We will send all of our cargo-capable ships to assist in the construction of the battlestaion--by the way, have you thought of a name yet?"
---
Fleet Status:

12 Crescent Fighters: Standing By
4 Aradas: Ferrying Equipment to Igadzra Battlestaion to-be
2 Miranu Couriers: Ferrying Equipment to Igadzra Battlestaion to-be
---
Research:

General Facilites Upgrade: Adds minimal outfitters (better than standard flea-market), and a small shipyard. Allows minimal retrofitting when nescessary.
ETA: 4-5 days

Crystal Research: Testing and experimenting with 'procured' phazed-beam twynus crystals. Transfering to Igadzra Labs.
ETA: Unknown

Shaei nodded, carefully handing the crystals over to a marine who brought them aboard ship for careful storage. He then signed the treaty, and handed it over to Iagraz to be completed by their government. "As the representative of my government, I thank you for accepting this treaty. I am sure that it will prove to be mutually beneficial, and help us greatly in times to come. The fleet that has just arrived will be stationed at the outpost. We've decided to name it Outpost T'akra."

With that, Shaei bowed, then returned to his vessel, which promptly took off and departed for Threefrog.

Among the pilots, the cry was "We return victorious!" Among the members of Mineauxs crew, the cry was "You're screwed beyond all comprehension!" The fleet entered Emalgion and headed for their docks. Mineaux winced, as something behind his eyes changed again.

-----

After they'd landed, the Admiral had no more than stepped out of his ship when sequrity officers grabbed his arms and walked him to their transport. From there, the Board Chamber was hopefully the final destination.

The room burst into applause as Mineaux walked in, applause soon silenced by Mindules penetrating glare. Mineaux smiled weakly, then looked around the room in astonishment. He had never seen the Chamber so full; it looked as though nearly every Director on Emalghia was there. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, then waited for Mindules inevitable bellowing.

"Fleet Admiral Mineaux of the Terquey house of Nopel parish, I am charging you with disobediance, disregard of Emalghan life, and finally, theft of the entire Emalghan fleet. I think I need not continue. You are hereby permenately stripped of your ra-"

"Whoa, hold on a moment." Bosch finally had his opportunity. "We're a Board, Mindule. We decide things together. I challange your charges, and disagree with them because of the fact that, yes, even if I did not think it was a good choice at first, I believe we all know now that this was the best decision. What were the enemies losses, Admiral?"

"Well... sir.. I believe we destroyed 4 cruisers, 3 supply ships, 14 frigates," The clapping rearose within the back of the room, " 9 Heavy fighters, and lastly 32 interceptors." The clapped was back now, in full force. Mindule silenced it once more.

"And, what were our losses?"

"Yes... sir, 8 Warships and... " He coughed, "112 fighters."

"Do you see what the price of your insolence was?" Bosch interupted.

"With all due respect, sir, the fleets in both DSN-4743 and DSN-2061 are gone. We put a new sensor relay in 2016 just this morning." Mindule scoffed, then called for a vote.

It was 19 against, 4 for. Mineaux was off the hook. For now.

----------
Emalghia

With the Drone design complete, it was time to put it into construction. Off of the regular assembly lines, 36 drones could be made per day in Emalghion, and 4 per day could be made in Kelmaon.

----------
Research and Development
Enhanced Sensors: 1 Day (Monday, February 14th)
Thermite Enhanced Projectiles: ETA: 3 Days (Wednesday, February 16th)
New Building Contruction
Drone Factories on Emalghia:
By building factories specificly for making drones, the ship per day for drones will increase by approximately 20 more per day. ETA: 3 Days (Wednesday, February 16th)

This post has been edited by grunadulater : 14 February 2005 - 11:06 PM

In Mavs, the Master leaned back in his chair. His agents had informed him that the Igadzra had sent a ship to Tibidat. What were they up to? Were the Strands trying to bully the Strandless as they had done for years or was this different? As far as he knew, the former was most likely-only if the South Tip united could they hope to shrug off dependence on or fear of the Strands. Of course, there was always the slight chance that they might have been there for a good reason, but that was a very slim chance from what he had seen of the Strands. However, he had more pressing business at the moment. He sent a communication to the United Earth fleet in the Yelts system.

To the Admiral in control of the UE fleet attacking the Yelts system:
Greetings. I am the leader of the United Free systems-a new government formed out of former Renegade strongholds. We are not your enemies; in fact, we wish to open peaceful negotiations with your government. I must caution you that the Renegades that you are attacking have sent envoys to look for help from other races. I also am offering you my aid in defeating them. I have also captured a turncoat, its crew, and its captain. I can give you the results of reading their databanks and of the captain's interrogation, if you wish. If you promise me that no ships will escape to the south of Yelts, I am prepared to move immediately on Riomor. I await your reply.

In the Akrayhek system, Captain Sage anxiously waited for a reply.

In the Tibidat system, the courier had been boarded and Captain Maximus had been removed to one of the local militia ships. The ship landed on the planet and Captain Maximus and the two other diplomats with him were escorted to a room to wait for someone to come meet them. He was extremely nervous and kept glancing at the Strandless from Groned who had accompanied him here. The Igadzra Strandless had been an ardent revolutionary against the old government, and, in the recent elections (held quickly because of the revolutionary's extensive preparations), he had gained a seat in the planetary Senate. The captain hoped his presence here would ease negotiations.

Research and Development
Armor Upgrade
Estimated time to completion: 2 days

Improved phase weaponry
Estimated time to completion: done
New research initiated:
Crescent Hawk-will be completed in four days
Through various upgrades, this fighter is overall about twice strong as the Crescent fighter, even carrying some pursuit missals.

Fleet positions:
South and near Mavs, keeping away from the human systems
5 Crescent Fighters

Mavs System: (all but 5 Crescent fighters have returned to Mavs)
11 Crecent Warships
21 Laziras
83 Renegade Aradas
537 Crescent Fighters

DSN-6107 System:
5 Crescent Warships
12 Laziras
44 Aradas
318 Crescent Fighters

Groned System:
3 Crescent Warships (one has returned to the DSN-6107 system)
10 Laziras
22 Aradas
108 Crescent Fighters

What bonus to ship construction is received from new worlds?

This post has been edited by Selax : 13 February 2005 - 03:44 PM

"I think it's really them." Rays, the Director of Foreign Policy was extremely excited. Since the only real foreign races known were the Voinians, who didn't seem to want to talk, and the strange aliens to the north (They passed through DSN-1469 every once in a while) who were currently being covered up by the government (If they were hostile, the Emalghan government didn't want another fight. Don't bother them, they don't bother us), he didn't have much to do.

But there was another theoretical race, one that could be the northern aliens or something else entirely. The Voinian Empire in it's grandness could easily destroy the Emalghans, but something was holding them back. Most believed that there was another race currently fighting the Voinians.

The ship detected by the buoy drone in DSN-8200 was completely unlike anything detected of the northern aliens. It looked so much more... less advanced. But the drone detected that it jumped in from the south, meaning.. well, there was a great deal to learn from this ship.

"I have called this meeting of the Board to discuss the alien ship." He spoke in a loud voice as he looked around the room. Of course, since this was the Board Chamber of Kelmaon, the only other person there was Pael, who really just didn't care.

"That's nice."

"No, I'm serious. It's a real alien vessle."

"No, no, I believe you. Have we got that new mining equipment in yet?" Rays skin paled.

"It's an alien species! How can you so idly ignore this?!" Pael shrugged.

"It's very easy. I just tell myself, 'it's Rays' problem,' and voila. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go back to..." Pael paused and thought for a moment of the mountains of paperwork due to the latest cave-in. "Fine. Tell me about the ship."

Rays brightened. "Looking at the schematics of the ship, I believe that it's a scoutship of some time. A ship for exploration." He waited for Pael to look impressed. As the moment passed, and nothing happened, he continued. "They came, looking for us. They must be the other enemy of the Voinians, and they need our help!" Pael nodded.

"Shall we alert th-"

"No! They don't need to know yet! I want this to be big, really big." Poor Rays, Pael thought. He hasn't had any recognition in so many years, and he's nearly the oldest on the Board. Let the guy have his fun.

"Very well then. What do you propose we do?" The happyness radiated off of the loud Emalghan.

"We shall send a freighter to meet up with this scoutship. As a token of good will, we shall bring along some Cannons. I mean, that's why they're here, for our help, right."

"If you say so."

"Good, it's settled. I'll depart immediately. Thank you for your support, my good friend, you won't regret it." Somehow, Pael doubted that.

----------

A single freighter takes off from Kelmaon and heads to DSN-8209, then to DSN-8200.

----------
Same T&D as last post.

The Faithful, Chapter Three
High Orbit above F-6572, Stror System

"Thanks again the rush delivery of that desalination plant, the colonists on New Zidagar will be very grateful."

A female Miranu freighter captain smiled back through the viewscreen at Captain Vehn Dorja. "Don't mention it Paladin Dorja, after chasing that Renegade Crescent Warship off my ass in DSN-3425 I owed you one. Hell, I owe you more than that."

Vehn smiled back at his friend. "I don't know how many times I'll have to tell you that I was just doing my job. Seriously though, I appreciate it. How the colonization board could have misplaced a full sized water treatment plant is beyond me, but you've pulled us out of a tight spot Trina." Passing a datapad off to one of his junior officers, Captain Dorja glanced down at the latest update to the colonization timetable. Looking back to the comm he went on. "At this rate we should have the actual colonies set up within the week, and a good start on getting the industries online."

Trina nodded slightly, "Sounds like you guys have been pretty busy then. You should take a break, bring some of your officers over and we'll have dinner. I've got an entire hold full of Miran rock crab, and I know how much you like good seafood."

Captain Dorja was about to accept when a priority communication from Zidagar flashed on his display.

Quote

(Message Origin: Consular Halls, Zidagar)
(Directed to: All Zidagar Military Forces & Merchant Ships)
(Encryption: Public Notice)
("All Zidagar forces are hear-by notified that our border has been closed with the Miranu. All Miranu ships are to be given 12 standard hours to evacuate Zidagar space, and cautioned not to return or risk impoundment.)
(Transmission Ends)

Stunned silence reigned between the Zidagar and Miranu ships. Captain Dorja read the message again to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. Border closed? With the Miranu? His first thought was that there must be some mistake... but it was right there, the message was from the Council itself. Further thoughts were eliminated by Trina's voice. "Vehn... what the hell is this?"

He shook his head slightly, the looked back at his Miranu friend. "I don't have the slightest idea, this is totally insane. I'm ordered to impound any Miranu ships that don't leave the system within the next twelve hours."

Trina looked closely at his face, then shook her head. "Y'know Vehn, I'll never understand your people. What your Holy Council hopes to accomplish with this is totally beyond me, but maybe they'll come to their senses." She sighed, then went on. "I guess I won't be going on to Station Hesap then, might as well get rid of these rock crabs while I can." The smile returning to her face, she gave Dorja an appraising look. "Twelve hours eh? That's plenty of time for dinner..."

Grinning himself, Captain Dorja nodded his head. "Sounds like I'm going to be missing out on good seafood for a while... I'll be over in an hour..."

Private Chambers of the High Priest of Zid, Great Temple, Zidagar

It was a good day for Asrin Nemisa. He watched in absolute satisfaction as all over Zidagar space the Miranu were being expelled. More than that, on many worlds huge demonstrations were taking place expressing anger about the Miranu "meddling." High Inquisitor Sernak had done well, and now it was time to prepare for the next step. And that was what he and the two men in his office were about to discuss.

The first was Brenon Sernak, whom he was well aquatinted with... the other he hadn't met. He was young, and carried himself with the subtle grace of a highly skilled warrior. Brenon stepped forward and gestured towards his companion. "High Priest, this is Tegra... he'll be leading the new Inquisition Forces."

en route to Ersadt System

Hyperspace swirled around the cockpit of Flight Officer Degwe Norin's Zidagar Fighter. He was on a routine scouting patrol observing Igadzra fleet movement in the border systems... and he was bored. He'd been doing this same run for months, popping into Ersadt at random intervals, taking a quick scan assessing Igadzra fleet strength in the system... then jumping out before the Iggies could catch him. He flipped a few switches, readied his fighter's sensor package for the run, the pulled back the levers to bring him out of hyperspace.

With a flash he was in the Ersadt System, and he began taking readings. Information streamed accross his display, and he raised an eyebrow. It looked like the Iggies had moved a sizeable number of ships into the system. The scan completed, and for what had to be the hundredth time, he brought his ship around and fled back into hyperspace.

Kotik sat quietly in the living area aboard his Miranu courier. The United Earth officials had offered him and Jaron accomodations in the Foreign Relations complex, and while Jarin had accepted the offer, Kotik felt more at home aboard his own vessel. He was used to weeks at a time living aboard his ship, and for all the complaining he did about deep-space missions, he was most at home in his living quarters aboard the courier.

It had been a long day for the two Miranu. They'd talked at length with what seemed like dozens of officials, exchanging information about their two cultures, and stories of their lives. "The food was good, though," Kotik thought. "Much more diverse and flavorful than a lot of the food back home." Miranu food was generally prepared with nutrition in mind; flavor was rarely a consideration.

"Tomorrow will probably be another busy day," Kotik thought. "But at least it will prove exciting."

----------

In the Saalia system, a UE fighter on a routine patrol was shocked when eight vessels, the likes of which he'd never seen before, dropped out of hyperspace and immediately hailed him. Three of the vessels were large, orange freighters, and the other five were roughly the size of his own ship, but with a speed and agility that seemed unimaginable -- at least by human standards. After a moment of shock, he answered the hail.

"Greetings, United Earth Vessel," an alien voice said, in poor (but understandable) English. "I am Ambassador Jani of the Miranu. I am here as to open official diplomatic relations with your government on behalf of the Miranu Senate. My escorts and I request permission to proceed to Sol for this purpose."

----------

"They did what?!? " Governor Kitanu said, a look of disbelief on his face.

"The Zidagar have closed their border with us," his foreign relations advisor told him. "We've got 12 hours to evacuate all our ships, or they risk impoundment."

"B...b...but... why?" stammered Kitanu. "We haven't done anything to warrant such a response!"

"Nobody seems to be quite sure," Kitanu's advisor said. "There are rumors it has something to do with fundamentalists within the Zidagar theocracy. Others believe it's a punitive action against the MTC. In short, we just don't know."

"Well, we've got to act quickly. Have our Peace Corps send out a communique to all Miranu vessels, instructing them to stay clear of Zidagar space at all costs."

"Yes, governor," the advisor said.

"In the meantime," Kitanu said, "I'm going to compose a message to the Zidagar Council."

----------

(MESSAGE TO THE ZIDAGAR COUNCIL)
(ORIGIN: Governor's Residence, Mira)
(FROM: Governor Kitanu of the Miranu)

(SUBJECT: Closure of Border)

My neighbors,

It has been recently brought to my attention that you have ordered closed the border between our two races. I do not understand the reason behind this action, nor have any of my advisors been able to shed any light on the topic. However, I want to assure you that the Miranu will comply with your wishes; we will not venture where we are not welcome. I have sent a message to all Miranu vessels, instructing them to remain clear of your territory.

I am confused by your actions, though, and wish to understand the reason behind this sudden closure of the border. I hope that we can work together to minimize the tension between our peoples, and perhaps someday restore good relations, and perahps even friendship, between us.

Signed,
Governor Kitanu of the Miranu

(END MESSAGE)

----------

"I can't believe we've been banished from Zidagar space," the MTC merchant mumbled to himself, piloting his Miranu Freighter through hyperspace. "My most profitable trade routes... and now I can't run any of them!"

The streaks of hyperspace faded to a starfield, and an amazing sight. Scores of Zidagar vessels swarmed through the Stror system... clearly it was a colonization effort in progress. "I had no idea..." the merchant said. Several of the Zidagar ships noticed his presence, and realizing this, the merchant quickly transmitted a message apologizing for crossing into Zidagar territory, and quickly plotted a hyperjump out of the system.

Once he was safely back in hyperspace, he breathed a sigh of relief. Unsure of whether or not the Miranu government was aware of this attempt, he imagined the latter, envisioning the notariety he'd recieve as the first to discover this new Zidagar colony. "The Peace Corps are sure going to be interested to know what I just saw..."

----------

Technology:

1. mFtL communications - to be complete Feb. 15th (3 days total)
2. Colonization of DSN-3930 - to be complete Feb. 20th (7 days total)
3. Zachit Slot -- Reserved for Zachit use

Fleets:
No changes. All fleets are now clear of Zidagar space, and have been instructed to avoid it.

Production:
All ships produced today have been stationed in Blaga

This post has been edited by Thunder : 14 February 2005 - 12:58 AM

  
Gorky heard of its own impending doom a day before Freeport did, and began to arm immediately, packing as many needle missiles as it could into those Kraits that had already been equipped with launchers. As soon as news reached O’Grady on Freeport, he ordered all available Helians to set course for Gorky with shipments of the new interference capsule systems. The Helians landed and distributed the jammers.  
  
Emerging from the lead Helian atop a hill overlooking the settlement, O’Grady looked out at the arms bazaar that constituted the settlement on Gorky. These people cared about nothing save profit and the satiation of their criminal impulses; they could not feel less for the plight of O’Grady’s people, who had been forced to endure the indignities of a conquering tyranny since the days of the British occupation. O’Grady did not understand how this rabble could live with themselves without some purpose to their actions, some greater cause to redeem them in the eyes of God.   
  
The Irish Captain watched the industrious Freeport crews distributing the jammers to the Augorkian captains. Every now and then, he would hear a loud explosion from beside him, as an uncooperative Augorkian fell under the fire of one of the snipers at his side. The Helian crews set fire to the bars and confiscated all of the alcohol that they could find, so that the Augorkians would be sober for the battle (and the Helian crews could make some money back at Freeport). At the same time, the Freeport crews were also taking whatever weapons-lab and now-abandoned factory equipment they could gather and using it to fill their holds in place of the jammers. A few select Augorkians were loaded into the Helians as well, the very best of the weapons-producers and ship-builders, and D’Arco of Gorky, author of a highly controversial tome on the psychological necessity of weaponry. Here and there an Augorkian objected to the proceedings and was told to get back to work; the Augorkians who insisted accounted for a good proportion of the constant sniper fire raining down from both sides of the Freeport Captain, rubber bullets incapacitating them from afar without killing them.   
  
By the time the UE fleet arrived at Gorky, the Freeport group had returned home with its bounty, and the Augorkians were ready for the fight. Their turncoats had been drawn up into eight groups of three, which were scattered about the system, with orders to keep their distance from the UE ships wherever possible. The Kraits had been divided into four equal groups, with one group consisting of the third of the Kraits that had not yet received the needle upgrade. The first two of these groups would decline engagement with the UE forces, instead using their superior performance to remain out of range of the weapons of the enemy while firing needle missiles. The other two groups would hold themselves in reserve, outside of the enemy’s range; whenever the enemy would be about to catch a group of turncoats, the Kraits without needle missiles would come up behind the enemy in a vicious hit and fade attack while their companion group of needle-armed Kraits kept close behind, supporting the missile-less group with their missiles. Each group of three turncoats would have one tenth of the available Helians accompanying them. Standing orders for the Helians were that when the enemy approached their group, two-thirds of them would use their (relatively) superior performance to fall back independently of the turncoats, then support them with needle fire. The remaining third would surround the Turncoats to try and protect them from flanking by the more agile UE Destroyers.   
  
Such were the standing orders of the Renegades. Now it would have to be seen how the battle would twist them. The Turncoat captains were thinking of escape, but with Freeport closed to them, where would they go? Perhaps the horrors of battle would make that question irrelevant.  
  
~~~New Chicago~~~  
  
The shuttle set down in the spaceport of New Chicago and dropped off its passenger, just another face in the crowd. Wraparound shades and a perfect black hat to complement his black coat, Presley was essentially indistinguishable from so many others on the corporate planetoid. Smoking a cigarette, he made his way to his lodgings to wait for word from his contacts.  
  
~~~Igadzra Space~~~  
  
“Captain, it seems to be ignoring us.”  
  
“Aye, and if I had a ship like that, I’d be tempted to ignore us too, just to rub it in our face. Try hailing one of the little pointy ones.”  
  
“Aye, sir. Sending hail.”  
  
~~~Freeport~~~  
  
Captain O’Grady came back to the meeting room to find a violent argument in progress.  
  
“Why didn’t you let me go? My bomb-ships would have warped in right on top of them; I would have had the satisfaction of seeing at least a carrier crack open and die before I left this life.”  
  
“I need those bomb-ships as a deterrent against attack on my station.”  
  
“What’s your station worth if we don’t kill the UE?”  
  
“You’re talking about the lives of thousands of our people. If you’re gonna condemn them to death that easily, then I don’t get why you should be one of the Captains.”  
  
“And if you’re not gonna kill UE, I don’t get why you should be a Renegade at all.”  
  
“Being a Renegade isn’t about meaningless war. Maybe it is for one of those psychos out there, but not for us ”  
  
“Listen to yourself. A minute ago they were ‘your people’.”  
  
“C’mon, babe, the two aren’t mutually exclusive.”  
  
O’Grady stepped into view. Fred and Jo were the only ones at the table. “Captains!” he called out.   
  
They both looked at him. “What?” asked Fred.  
  
“This is unacceptable, Captains. If you’re going to have a discussion like this, have it over Guinness.” He withdrew a few cans and slid one to each of the others. After a while, he and Fred managed to calm Jo down. She wasn’t happy about things, though.  
  

R&D:

ICS: Complete
Krait Needle Initiative: 75% complete.

Newest Research: Rack System: Actuated internal racks, with vacuum conduits for transportation of materials, inside of the Krait Bay allow for a tighter packing of Kraits into the bay without any loss of repair and rearmament function, and a slightly faster launching rate. This allows five Kraits to be packed into the Krait bay instead of three, with no increase in bay size. ETA: ~3 Days.

Production: Freeport continues to fortify.

Confidential Research Report

Improvements to power storage capabilities, along with engine efficiency and output are proceeding and research is expected to be completed within a few days, with actual improvements being implemented with further development.

Funds have been diverted to a new project with Miranu help in enhancing and adding new capabilities to existing ECM capability. The project will add a scaling capability allowing for larger installations for improved abilities, and linked systems

============

Research

Zachit
Power & Engine Enhancements Replaced, forgot to edit it in after talking to Ipvicus
ETA:3 days 12/02 - 15/02

Miranu
Phase Enhancement
ETA:Complete

Miranu
Electronic Counter Measures
ETA:Complete 14/02 - 21/02

============

Total Forces
200 Z.Aradas
600 Z.Fighters

100 Squadrons of 2 Z.Aradas, 6 Z.Fighters
10 Groups of 10 Squadrons

Niwom
1Group
Dewe
3 Groups
Nadej
3 Groups
DSN-6116
1 Group
Zachit
3 Groups
5 Squadron
Hizdriar
1 Squadron
Turgon
1 Squadron
Zeldair
1 Squadron
Tmidor
1 Squadron
Xrima
1 Squadron
Sumo
1 Squadron
Eiribi
1 Squadron
Garren
1 Squadron
Turgon
1 Squadron
Sumo
1 Squadron
DSN-1770
1 Squadron

3 Fighters detached from Zachit fleet to Miranu envoy.

Production
60 Z.Fighters, 20 Z.Aradas, located in Zachit.

"Sir, I have important news," First Executor Asai called out, quickly walking towards Grand Executor X'el.

"What is it?" X'el asked while reading a message that had just come in.

"Executor," Asai began, bowing quickly, "The Zidagar have cut all ties to the Miranu government. Trade relations, diplomatic ties, everything."

X'el looked up at Asai, narrowing his eyes slightly, his pupils seeming to glow slightly in the low light. "What? The Zidagar?"

"Yes, sir. Igadzra Intelligence just picked it up. Intercepted the transmission on it's way to the Miranu government."

X'el furrowed his brow. "Very strange... although I suppose we should expect anything to come from the Zidagar..." X'el looked back down at the message he was reading, then asked, "Report it to Praetor Zhu'ka. See what he thinks about it. Then arrange a meeting. I'd like to speak with him on the matter and what it might mean for us."

Asai nodded quickly. "Immediately, Executor."

Asai began to walk off when X'el spoke up again. "What about the Stror operation?"

Asai paused and turned around. "On schedule. Executor Ithon is preparing to leave as we speak."

X'el nodded slowly, leaning against the large flat consol which displayed the galactic map. "And the situation in Feviry?"

"The defense contingent is in place. The last supply lazira has arrived and we've begun construction of Outpost T'akra. The project will be marginally improved with aid from the Strandless. Executor Shaei has also returned to Igadzra with a series of damaged phase crystals which we'll soon begin to work on analyzing."

X'el nodded again. "Very good. Keep me informed."

------

In the Ersadt system, the 2nd Igadzra Armada headed off from the station. Fully supplied and refueled, the fleet moved into position, and quickly departed for Stror...

------

OOC: Ipvy, I'll continue that a little later today. A little busy right now. I'll also post what exactly my Igara upgrade does later, and I also need to check with the Phase Crystal Analyzation research time.

------

Research Projects

Particle Beam -- 3 RTD remaining

Graviton Beam -- 2 RTD remaining

Igara Upgrade -- COMPLETED

Phase Crystal Analyzation -- 3 RTD remaining

Outpost T'akra Construction -- 3 RTD (w/ help from Feviry natives)

Igara Refit -- 1 RTD (refitting all Aradas to the new Igara design)

------

Naval Statistics

Current Ship Count
240 Igazras
720 Aradas

Production (per RTD)
10 Igazras
30 Aradas

Defense Fleets
Igadzra, Ersadt, Innirian, Mark, Nujja, Mordus, Norhis, Motif
15 Igazras ( 120 total )
45 Aradas ( 360 total )

1st Armada -- Mark
40 Igazras
120 Aradas

2nd Armada -- en route to Stror
30 Igazras
90 Aradas

3rd Armada -- Igadzra
25 Igazras
75 Aradas

Feviry Defense Detachment -- Feviry
15 Igazras
45 Aradas

Innor Defense Detachment -- Innirian
5 Igazras
15 Aradas

OOC: Made a mistake. Apparently, the upgrade was all one project. So, now all of my Aradas are now the upgrade Igaras. For the exact specs on what was changed... 50% increase in shields (60 to 90), 10% decrease in regeneration time (90 to 100), and 25% increase in turning speed (4 to 5). Weaponry has not been changed.

------

Second Executor Ithon Nahzai marched onto the bridge of the Prophecy. "Report?"

"Approaching the Stror system. Estimated exiting hyperspace in five minutes."

Ithon nodded. "Order General Quarters.""

"Yes, Executor," Templar Auzha quickly replied, picking up a communicator. "General quarters! General quarters! All hands, man your battle stations! Expect enemey contact in five minutes."

"Order the shields to full and begin powering weapons," Ithon ordered, putting on his tactical headset, as did Auzha.

"Exiting hyperspace in one minute, sir," the nav officer reported.

"Sir, all crew report ready and at battle stations," Auzha reported as well as the holo-projector activated. showing the fleet in hyperspace.

"As soon as we exit hyperspace, reorganize the fleet and stay in a spherical formation. Have all Igaras stay with the Igazra they are escorting. Damaged vessels, retreat to the center. Use dispersal rocket ordinance for enemy fighters only. Target their warships with Seek-and-Eliminate Modules," Ithon ordered quickly, watching the holo-projection.

"Executor, exiting in 5, 4, 3, 2... 1... Now!"

The fleet burst out of hyperspace in a multitude of bluish-white flashes. Immediately the fleet, somewhat scattered from the trip, formed into their formations. Three Igaras, the new version of the old Igadzra Arada that would see combat for the first time, were assigned to every Igazra.

"Sir, fleet forming up," Auzha reported, turning to yell another quick order to a marine.

"Begin moving the fleet forward as soon as we are formed up," Ithon ordered, his voice stern and solemn now, watching the battle begin to unfold. "Reports on enemy targets?"

"Handful of Zidagar ships in orbit," Auzha reported. "The fleet is formed up, Executor, and beginning to move forward."

"Navigation Chief, keep with the rest of the fleet. Keep us in front of the direct center," Ithon said.

The massive Igadzra fleet, thirty Igazras and ninety Igaras in total, began to slowly march forward. The nimble Igaras had to keep their engines on low power to stay in formation with the huge, and much slower, Igazras.

"Sir! Zidagar ships launching from their base. Moving to intercept us."

"Shields to full. Prepare to engage the enemy," Ithon growled, standing stone still as he watching the Zidagar fleet approach...

2nd Armada -- Stror
30 Igazras
90 Aradas

------

Research Projects

Particle Beam -- 3 RTD remaining

Graviton Beam -- 2 RTD remaining

Igara Upgrade -- COMPLETED

Phase Crystal Analyzation -- 3 RTD remaining

Outpost T'akra Construction -- 3 RTD (w/ help from Feviry natives)

Tibidat Diplomatic Hall, Azrioni Desert, Tibidat

The Igadzra looked straight at the speaker throughout the discourse. The creature had obviously assumed that the Strandless world would not send a first-generation exile so they could do away with the traditional formalities. She knew that they were not meaning to be disrespectful but to forsake one of the few traditions that held any value in Igadzra life was difficult to for any true Igadzra warrior to forgive easily. Nonetheless, a promise had been made and she had every intention of living up to it.

“This is my home.” The deep bass voice spoke High Igadzra perfectly with a barely discernable trace of an Innarian accent. “I am Igadzra.” In less than a second she had drawn a long bladed weapon from her back and flung it down the twenty-meter long table into the center of the room. It landed with the tip buried in the exact center of the table with the blade gleaming in the room’s artificial lights. She followed it with two laser pistols that fastened to her wrists, a modified phase cannon taken from a fighter ship, an automatic projectile gun with explosive shells and a dozen other weapons slid to the center of the round table far out of her reach. A minute later, she detached and threw a suicide strap with a micro-nuclear detonator. She had completely disarmed herself, even the knives that no Igadzra ever allowed to leave their sides. “Welcome honored guests, this is my home.”

The tradition actually allowed for several different responses from the guests. They could take their weapons and slide them to the center with the hosts pile to show complete submission or surrender. They could slide the weapons any distance between the pile and the edge of the table to mean various degrees of cooperation and opposition if the weapons were within arms reach it meant that their intentions were hostile and forceful. Their final choice was to leave the room and walk away, but while they were guests, it was completely forbidden to harm their unarmed host. In a culture where diplomacy was rare it was truly valued and not the place to deceive.

The Igadzra knew that there were no true Igadzra outside the Directorate. Only cowards and criminals but the leader motioned and all the marines left but one. Then he laid down three knives and a phase pistol on the table and slid them about four meters in, far enough so that they couldn't reach them easily but a dive would make them accessible. His marine hesitated for an instant but when the Templar shifted his bandanna the lesser Igadzra quickly followed suit with his rifle.

The Igadzra exile’s voice boomed out in Igadzra prime once again. “Welcome honored guests, I am Dead Exile. Welcome to my table.”

The leader replied in Igadzra prime as well abandoning the Strand common tongue. “Your table is large and you do well. I am Khaz Ryma and for your hospitality I am grateful, Dead Exile.” Even Khaz was slightly uncomfortable speaking dignified words to an exile, but it must be done.

“You are welcome in my home at any time honored Khaz but I feel that some business is of great importance to you. I humbly request to hear whatever you have come to say.”

At this the remaining marine growled and reached for his weapon but Khaz glanced at him and shifted his bandana. “Yes honorable host, I will tell you our objective.” With that the Igadzra launched into his objective once again explaining using the same words. “That is our objective. Does our honorable host understand?”

“Yes honored guest. I foresee difficulties with your objectives and mine.”

“What difficulties could possibly arise, honorable host?”

“The system of Hrinix to the North would be isolated by this move, honored guest.”

“They would be offered the same amenities as any of your systems.”

“They are not of us, honored guest. ”

“My apologies honorable host. We will go off to right this situation immediately. If they are willing to accept our terms, will you as well, honorable host?”

“I do not have full authority over these people. The Society will need some time to discuss, honored guest. I hope that one day soon you will grace my table again honored Khaz.”

“I hope that one day that I will be able to greet you at my table.” The Templar stretched and grabbed his weapons of the table and walked out of the room; the marine followed suit and left right afterwards. The exile waited a moment until she could no longer see the Directorate military and began to replace her weaponry. It would be a long session on the Society Council.

Abandoned Shipyard, Duois City, Duois

“This is your shipyard! What the hell is this?”

“It has been out of commission for a long time, the only ships it was meant to build were built with the Miranu style. When the Renegades started attacking we bought ships with our farm goods, but the farms have been going drastically downhill and we’ve redirected funds from the defense forces to farming.”

“So you’ve got the resources to defend yourself decently and your worrying about vegetables? Damn ideologues.”

“The food we produce fulfills the needs of all our people and most of your population as well as the majority of the food in Bakoom and a good part of Akrayhek’s resources. If we fall to those pirates they only have to wait a few years and the entire South Tip will be starving and willing to accept “salvation” from them. You need us.”

“And you need us to save your butts. We can’t do that with these facilities, we need to renovate them and increase production.”

“It won’t matter, no one will pilot them. We’re pacifists, we have protests and boycotts against even our tiny defensive system. The protestors are largely ignored because most people have lost too much, but none of them are willing to fight. The few people who will are already flying.”

“Okay, fine, renovate this place and Tibdiat will provide pilots. We have thousands of pilots who’d give anything to kill Renegades.”

“I’m afraid I can’t allow that. You think we’re going to allow you to use us, take our funds and build your own fleet? We aren’t that naďve. You’ll have to find some other suckers to build your forces.”

“What if we make a trade? I’m sure we have something you can use. Tell me what you want and I’ll contact my superiors about getting it for you.”

“First of all, we refuse to pay for any renovation for weaponry. You can pay for your own murder tools. However, we do understand why it’s needed. I’ll have my superiors send your superiors a list of demands.”

“I guess we can live with that for now, but it had better be quick. Every day wasted is an opportunity for the Renegades to destroy us.”

Fleet Status:

Tibidat:
3 Crescent Warships
11 Laziras
34 Aradas
120 Independent Crescent Fighters.

Duois
Tibidat fleet:
3 Crescent Warships
7 Laziras
14 Aradas
85 Crescent Fighters

Duois fleet:
3 Laziras
15 Aradas
50 Crescent Fighters

Technological development

Administrative report said:

It’s done! The project was a success. The new Dispersal rockets have triple the range and more than twice the damage. We had to sacrifice their distance detonation, but the extra increase in damage was worth it. We succeeded but the project will continue, the scientists assure me that the project is not exhausted yet.

Tr. Grűthner

This post has been edited by Paranoid : 14 February 2005 - 11:01 PM

"Master, it would seem that your fleet's prescence in Groned is highly distasteful to the Strandless. It is hampering negotiations," said his aide as he gave his daily report. The Master sat thinking for a few moment before replying.
"I would withdraw the fleet, if I could, but that would upset the people on the planet. The fleet must remain, as long Groned's inhabitants wish it," the Master paused before going on, "It seems that I made a mistake. I believed the Strandless's agents on Groned would inform there is wide support for the fleet's presence in the system. I wonder why they have not done so."
"Master, there has also been no word from the UE in response to your message."
"That is strange. Well, we will continue to wait."
"Master, scientists also wish to announce that they have finished with the work on upgrading our ship's armor. What else do you wish them to do?"
"Massive upgrades to the Crescent Warship. I want it to be better than twice what it is now."
"Yes, Master. It shall be done."
His aide turned and left the room.
The Master leaned back in his chair, pondering on recent events. He had not told his aide, but he had decided that, if it was necessary, he would go himself to hold negotiations.

In the Akrayhek system
Captain Sage watched apprehensively as the big warship hovered in front of him.

In the Tibidat system
Captain Maximus shifted in his seat. They were being kept waiting a long time. This was no doubt deliberate however.

Research and Development
Armor Upgrade
Estimated time to completion: done
New research initiated:
Crescent Dragon-will be completed in five days
Through massive upgrading, this ship will be more than twice as strong as the old Crescent Warship and will hold Crescent Hawks.

Crescent Hawk
Estimated time to completion: three days

Fleet positions:
South and near Mavs, keeping away from the human systems
5 Crescent Fighters

Mavs System:
11 Crecent Warships
23 Laziras
83 Renegade Aradas
537 Crescent Fighters

DSN-6107 System:
5 Crescent Warships
12 Laziras
44 Aradas
318 Crescent Fighters

Groned System:
4 Crescent Warships (one has returned to the DSN-6107 system)
10 Laziras
29 Aradas
131 Crescent Fighters

New ship construction:
1 Crescent Warship (assigned to Groned
2 Laziras (assigned to Mavs)
7 Aradas (assigned to Groned)
48 Crescent Fighters (25 assigned to patrol the systems around Mavs, Groned, and DSN-6107; 23 assigned to Groned)

Rays grinned as his arrived in DSN-8200. The alien ship was still there. He hailed it immediately, in Voinian.

"Greetings. I represent the Emalgha. We assume that you are enemies of the Voinians, as are we. We greet you with joy."

Wait. What if they didn't speak Voinian? Well, they certainly didn't speak Emalghan... Rays bit his lip and hoped for the best.

---------
Research and Development
Enhanced Sensors: Done (Monday, February 14th)
Thermite Enhanced Projectiles: ETA: 2 Days (Wednesday, February 16th)
Drone Factories on Emalghia: ETA: 2 Days (Wednesday, February 16th)
New Tech
Explosive Drones:
Simply replaces the cannon on the drone with a high power explosive device. Is not just an upgrade, creates a different varient of drone. ETA: 1 Day (Tuesday, February 15th)

This post has been edited by grunadulater : 15 February 2005 - 12:17 AM

Murra murred to herself in the manner which she had become famous for. More ships had been arriving as the government of Akrayhek and the Old Man debated what to do. A courier from one of the other Strandless governments had just jumped in-system, and Ghirar's Falcon had verified her IFF and started bringing her in-system. The Pseudo-Renegade courier sat where it was; its hull seemed airtight enough and its life support was still functional, so there was no hurry to decide what to do with it.

However, one of Murra and Mahavir's two playmates was not in such good shape. Their IFF's clearly read as Renegade, though they had surrendered and so far had not done anything more hostile than paint a couple Crescent Fighters with target locks. The damaged one bled streamers of air like blood, and her hull bore scorch marks and holes consistent with Crescent weaponry.

A pair of Aradas had come up from the inner-system and docked to her. They were using their own life support systems and engines to augment the damaged ship's, cabled to the turncoat by monofilament cables. A third Arada had already sped in-system with a load of injured Renegades. The rest of the convoy's progress in-system was slow, but if properly augmented these two Turncoats would make nice prize ships.

Though the ships' only crime in the South Tip was flying the Renegade flag, the punishment could be severe or merely a warning, depending on how the Old Man felt. So it was possible they may not become prize ships, though as they were clearly Renegade raiders that was unlikely. Murra mentally shrugged. Wasn't up to her, and she was very happy with her new command.

<-> <->

"The Old Man will see you now." Ascia and Rex looked up as the Marine Raider stood in the opened door. Ascia and Rex had been asked to surrender their weapons, though they hadn't been chained like their crews had. Four marines escorted them through the corridors of South Tip Station, though their journey was not long.

A pair of marines saluted the group as they approached with parade-ground precision. The escort stopped and faced inwards at their two guests, their rifles held across their chests at an exact 45 degree angle. Ascia and Rex brushed themselves off a little and straighten their tunics. Ascia's suit was actually clean; he'd changed out of the one that he'd worn during the travel to this system, which was apparently called Akrayhek. Rex's smelled a bit like smoke from blown conduits and electronics fires, but there was nothing that could be done for that.

They walked towards the door, and it slid open silently before them. They stepped through the doorway confidently, both of them certain to meet whatever lay beyond with as much aplomb as possible.

The office they stepped into was darker than the hallway, the only light coming from simulated windows along one wall. Holographic rain beat down upon the panes of glass, and the wan light streaming in backlit a tall, broad-shouldered individual. In a chair across the room, a slighter man sat, his shoulders tensed.

"I'm sorry about the atmosphere in here, but I felt it was appropriate to adjust it to fit the gravity of the situation." The man turned around and faced the two Renegade captains. "My name is Inukai Zegara. I am in command of all military forces here in Akrayhek, and both your judgement and sentencing are in my hands.

"However, I have been presented with a potentially larger threat than any human Renegade fleet. This man here is a courier from one of the Standless worlds closer to the Crescent. The Igadzra are moving in on the South Tip. Though they feign peaceful alliances, the only interests they could have here are subjugation. They must be pressed back.

"At the same time, however, we have our own Renegade threat to deal with. It's been confirmed that the Renegades have invaded Groned and displaced the government. While the government there may have had its problems, they are outside of their rights to invade a star system." Inukai sat down behind his desk and relaxed slightly. "You may earn your redemption."

<-> <->

I'll edit this post with some stuff about Selax's courier tomorrow. Bed now.

<-> <->

Crescent Warship Upgrade Program: Completed 02.11.05

Production: Completed 02.13.05

Production: Completed 02.14.05

Production: 1 RTD
-Produces 5 South Tip Warships

Nuclear Arms Program: 2 RTD/6 RTD
-Miniaturized nuclear fusion warheads fitted to Pursuit Missile bodies
-4 Days for 1 kiloton warhead
-8 Days for 100 kiloton warhead

Upgrade Crescent Fighter Program: Completed 02.14.05
-Upgrades Crescent Fighters to South Tip Fighters
-Stats in OOC thread

ShipCount: NA
-25 South Tip Warships
-75 Aradas
-240 Crescent Fighters
-Akrayhek