Unfortunately for the Hunn'sta fleet, it took too long to enter hyperspace. Several volleys of nukes could easily be shot off in that time.

The destroyers ceased to exist in their current form, and only one thing saved the Beam Cruiser from destruction. Its 2 stingrays had launched themselves, and smashed themselves into a nuke each. Normally the nukes would have avoided the stingrays with ease, but it was done close in to the Beam Cruiser, and they couldnt evade much, or they'd overshoot their target. The blastwave still caught the Beam Cruiser, but it survived what would have killed it otherwise. The Corporation had expected the Beam Cruiser to go up in that volley, so more nukes had not been following. It was just enough time for it to escape into hyperspace, battered, armour down to nothing. It would take some time to repair.

(OOC:Normally the fighters couldnt have done that, but I thought I'd be nice for once and let him escape, barely. Otherwise he got blown up, since the hyperspace exit point is on the other side of the system, so he couldnt really get to it quickly. That and it takes too long to enter hyperspace anyway.)

Corvette Upgrade ETA:3 posts

Nighol was furious. The shipyards below had informed him that as a matter of fact, they're insurance policy only consisted of munitions, not fighters. Nighol failed to see how fighters weren't munitions they were just guided munitions after all. Those fools down there accuse me of being a traitor, yet I know that they have stockpiles of surplus fighters. I've given everything to this cause. With that, he looked over towards the holos of his family. It had been all that he could take with him, and they were his last possessions of them. When the Empire had learned of his suspected defection, they had used the routine method of killing the defector's entire family. Killing isn't the right word. More like murder. And for that, they will pay. Since he still hadn't received a reply from Chairman Rivay, he powered up his communications terminal once again.

To: Chairman Rivay
From: Adm. Nighol
Subject: Nuclear Launchers
Priority: High
Encryption: High

Chairman Rivay, I am resending this message just in case you failed to receive it the first time. I am interested in acquiring some of your nuclear launchers and their rockets. I am willing to negotiate the price.

End Transmission

Nighol then decided that he would make a strategic strike at Ruby. He ordered all ships to form up, and then sent them their orders of what to do once in the Ruby system.

Fleet Movement:
Tiber -> El Santo -> Osiris -> Ruby

When the Weave Fleet popped out at .1 of a light year from Ruby, the first thing they did was to form up. Going in at 5% maximum velocity with only passive sensors, the fleet was harder to detect than an asteroid. When the sensor stations on the bridges began to pick up the signals, Admiral Nighol began to grasp the status of the current situation. He smiled. Intelligence reports had claimed that the Neutron Cruiser stationed at Ruby was in dry dock, and would be so for the next 2 days or so, undergoing standard maintenance. From what his sensors told him, that was true. The only thing orbiting Ruby right now was a Missile Cruiser. The Weave fleet microjumped into Ruby's gravity well, and on an intercept plot with the Missile Cruiser's orbit.

The 3 Escort Carriers, 1 Destroyer, and 1 Beam Cruiser suddenly appeared. The crew on the bridge of the Missile Cruiser had almost no time to react. A volley of 12 missiles from the Escort Carriers, as well as a volley of 2 more missiles from the Destroyer and another 4 torpedoes slammed into the Missile Cruiser's shields, leaving it at 75% shields. The Missile Cruiser, in return, launched its fighters and fired a salvo of 4 missiles at the nearest and weakest target, an Escort Carrier. It began to strafe the same Escort Carrier. The fighters, which fired their own pairs of missiles at the Carrier, disappeared in a hail of fire as the 8 pulse turrets targeted them. The remaining 22 pulse turrets targeted the Missile Cruiser, dropping its shields to 42%. Then, the missile launchers and torpedo launchers had been reloaded, and both sides fired again. The Missile Cruiser's shields dropped another 25%, to 17%. With the fighters gone, all 30 pulse turrets could now focus solely on the Missile Cruiser. With its shields failing, the Missile Cruiser accelerated away. However, it only took less than another 1.2 seconds for the combined might of 30 pulse turrets to disable it. Another salvo of missiles finished it off.

Nighol, standing on the bridge of the W.S.S. Trimension smiled at the resulting explosion. All of his ships hastily retreated from the explosion before the shrapnel that was flung to all corners of the system could do damage to them. The short skirmish had only taken 10 seconds. One of his Escort Carrier's shields was down to 33% shields. Nighol ordered it to retreat back to the Tiber system as soon as he said so. And this was so easy he thought to himself. Then, a huge something appeared behind him, blocking out Ruby's sun with its massive form. Merde he thought. "Intelligence was faulty" he screamed at his bridge crew. "Take us out, full speed, set course for the Tiber system! NOW!"

The Neutron Cruiser and the accompanying patrol ships fired a salvo of missiles and neutron torpedoes at the weakened Escort Carrier, bringing it down to 10% shields. After what seemed like an eternity, the Weave fleet lurched forward, and they were headed back towards the Tiber system. The Carrier had been partially hit by another salvo (only the missiles, the neutron torpedoes were too slow to catch it (it started moving into hyperspace at that point and only the missiles hit before it could do so)), dropping it's shields down to 5%.

Ruby Defense Fleet: Ammo - 80%
Neutron Cruiser - 1 @ 100%
Missile Cruiser - 1 Destroyed
Patrol Ships - 2 @ 100%

Weave Fleet: Ammo - 60%
Beam Cruiser - 1 @ 100%
Escort Carriers - 2 @ 100%, 1 @ 5%
Destroyer - 1 @ 100%

Weave Fleet Orders:
Ruby -> Osiris -> El Santo
At El Santo, rearm munitions completely. Also, recharge shields there. Once at 100%, proceed onto Tiber.
El Santo -> Tiber

ETA to the Tiber System: 1 Post

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The Thunderhead Lance and Ion Cannon: Coming to an outfitter near you!

Polaris
The system was empty, the destroyed Hunn'sta fleet having dealt with the Empire here. Now the Corporation could claim it with ease. Nothing could resist the first fleet of the Corporation, and now the Empire would feel the burn.

Zaxted
Death struck the Empire fleet. a mere colony world, it could not stand up to the Corporation. The first volley of nukes obliterated the Neutron Cruiser, 2 nukes impacting the missile cruiser, its shields rippling. Already the most powerful of the terran ships had been destroyed, and the next strongest wouldnt last the next volley, which was already incoming. A few shots from the plasma emitters on Chairman Rivays Flagship devastated the gunboats.

The Corporation was expanding, and none would stop it.

----

Corvette Upgrade ETA:3 posts

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If someone makes a mistake, it is not my fault. I will however use it to my advantage.

Voted most likely to be a serial killer by Insane Asylum - 2002

(This message has been edited by RMA (edited 08-15-2002).)

Nighol had conflicting emotions raging inside of him. On one hand, he was overjoyed that his somewhat ragtag fleet had managed to take out a whole Missile Cruiser without any significant losses. On the other hand, he was furious that Weave Intelligence had screwed up that badly. The fact that the operatives had thought the Neutron Cruiser to be in dry dock meant that those agents must have used false information in gathering their conclusions. This in turn suggests that the Ruby Counter-Intelligence/Security Forces were stronger than Nighol expected. But since Ruby was an entirely military installation, there wouldn't be any realistic way for the agents there to slip away. Oh well Nighol thought. Nighol was impressed by the progress that had been accomplished in rearming his fleet. Scarcely less than 2 hours after the convoy had put in at the snowy world of Samson's Planet, they had been restocked with munitions. Now, Nighol and the fleet were orbiting above the shipyards at Tiber, in geosynchronus orbit. The only thing that needed to be done was to ascertain the whereabouts of President Vaten.

To: President Vaten
From: Adm. Nighol
Subject: The Reins of Power
Priority: Urgent, Respond ASAP
Encryption: Low

Sir, given that I haven't heard from you in ages, I feel that it is necessary that I take over certain portions of the Weave. Currently, I am still the Commander in Chief of Weave Forces, for now, I have taken the Brox forces under my wing. The Brox, rather reluctantly, have agreed that is best if they are under the direction of myself. Pending a reply from you, Sir, I shall not take over the entire Weave. But that can only wait for so long. I need to hear from you, Sir, to ascertain that you are, as we put it on Earth, "still alive and kicking". You have two standard days, and then I shall take the reins of power. I am sorry, Sir.

End Transmission

Weave Fleet: Tiber Ammo: 100%
1 Beam Cruiser @ 100%
3 Escort Carriers @ 100%
1 Destroyer @ 100%

Nighol then received a high priority report from one of his agents on Blackthorne Station.

To: Adm. Nighol
From: Agent 1324BXR
Subject: Pirates
Priority: Utmost
Encryption: High

Sir, I have just found that the pirates have dry docked their entire defense fleet. It appears as if all the Corvettes in the fleet are having their pulse turrets removed and as if barrage turrets are being refitted on them. The Corvettes are just beginning dry dock and should be there for the next 12 hours or so.

End Transmission

(edit) With that bit of crucial information, he then ordered the Weave Fleet to move to Sauron.

Tiber -> Mentos -> Sauron (/edit)

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The Thunderhead Lance and Ion Cannon: Coming to an outfitter near you!

(This message has been edited by specops (edited 08-15-2002).)

When his fleet entered the Sauron system, Nighol quickly ordered that one of his agents leave and infiltrate the Blackthorne Corporation's station of Blackthorne. The agent had very simple orders. Within 3 hours, the agent transmitted that he had found passage to Darven. Nighol used those precious three hours to convince the Sauridian High Command that he was in fact in charge of the Weave, and that it was in their best interest to release the fleet to him. Finally, they agreed, and the Sauridian remnant joined the Weave fleet. The fleet then jumped to a point that was only 30 light minutes away from the Blackthorne Station.

Blackthorne

The agent, who had been disguised as a pirate, paid his transport the necessary fee, and then left. He carried his bag over his shoulder. In his small duffle bag was a very small LASER beam emitter. Whereever the point of light touched, it gave off a very small, but detectable, bit of radiation, that could be used to guide in missiles. The agent, checking his watch, realized that he only had another 30 minutes before the fleet arrived, and then another 30 minutes after that at most until the sensor operators on Blackthorne realized that there was a fleet in system. He quickly began making his inquiries.

The Blackthorne Corporation's private shipyard facilities weren't hard to find. Given that they had to maintain the massive defense fleet, the shipyards were huge. And it didn't take a genius to see all the Corvettes in dry dock undergoing the barrage turret upgrade. Quickly finding a secluded place, he set up his laser emitter, manipulated it so that it actually sent out 8 different beams, and then left. The only other pieces of gear included a pistol, a very expensive handheld hypercomm (a device that sends communications faster than light), and a lullaby. He quickly used the hypercomm and sent one quick signal: Now.

Weave Fleet
On the bridge of the W.S.S. Trimension , Nighol waited patiently in the Captain's chair. The crew was at a heightened status, a yellow alert, and they were waiting for the signal. Suddenly, the communications officer sat straight up and hailed Admiral Nighol. "Sir" he breathlessly reported,"we have received the signal."

"Very good, Ensign." Nighol checked his chronometer and saw that out of a thirty minute wait, they had been waiting for 10 minutes. "Take us to a red alert, Ensign. Alert the fleet that on my mark, we shall jump. Transmit the LASER frequency."

After 1 minute of scurrying about, the fleet had formed up, with the W.S.S. Trimension at point, the Escort Carriers behind it, the Battle Dragons flanking the three Carriers and the Destoyer and Cobra acting as a limited screen. They then jumped.

When they reached their exit point, the first thing that they did was zero in towards the laser point. The ships all targeted the Tyrant Cruiser that was racing out towards them. It launched one of it nuclear rockets, which struck the Battle Dragon on the side. However, put together, the Weave/Sauridian Fleet's volley brought the Cruiser's shields down to 31%. The combined might of 38 pulse turrets and 2 thermal lasers broke down its shields in less than 1.5 seconds. Before the Cruiser could release another nuke, it launched its Lightnings. However, the Battle Dragons and Cobra hit it with their 8 Railguns which shredded the armor. The Cruiser exploded. Refusing to heed the fighters, the entire Fleet continued on towards the shipyards. Launching a massive salvo of 8 torpedoes and 20 missiles, the entire volley detonated within the confines of the shipyard. The secondary explosions of all the heavy rockets detonated, and parts of the shipyard began to drift. The Weave launched another salvo, and then the other Tyrants began to come after them. The Weave, realizing that they were outnumbered, turned and fled. However, another nuclear rocket struck the side of one Battle Dragon, and another 3 hit the Destroyer. The Weave fled back to Sauron.

Darven Defense Fleet: Ammo: 90%
Tyrant Cruisers - 5 @ 100%, 1 destroyed
Corvettes - 35 Destroyed, 2 @ 25% armor

Weave Fleet/Sauridian Remnant: Ammo: 60%
Beam Cruiser - 1 @ 95%
Destroyer - 0% shields
Cobra - 100%
Escort Carriers - 3 @ 100%
Battle Dragons - 1 @ 55%, 1 @ 10%

Both Fleets:
Darven -> Perseus -> Farazon -> Sauron
Restock and rearm at Sauron.

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The Thunderhead Lance and Ion Cannon: Coming to an outfitter near you!

The Brox fleet had never actually attacked the Yemuro system. Actually, the Brox president, Finuel Korlin, had recalled the ships. He had instead ordered them to be go to the Curzon system. Now, after a suitable rest there, they moved on.

The fleet had taken the route of Yemuro -> Zaphod -> Risa -> Curzon. Now, the Brox fleet moved into the Propus system. Stupid pirates didn't even bother to leave a guard detail the Brox commander thought. The government of Propus gladly gave themselves back into the Brox. No longer did they trust the Hunn'sta government because of the weakness of the ships. The Brox commander quickly authorized the construction of 1 Escort Carrier and 10 Brox Fighters. The Escort Carrier was to launch all of it's fighters upon completion and keep its fighters on patrol so that if an attack came, they could hit the attackers with all their missiles. Good the commander thought. A total of 90 missiles in 3.33 seconds, with another 40 missiles in the next 7 or so seconds. That's more than enough to take out almost any cruiser.

The Brox fleet held there for now.

Then the Brox fleet received the following incoming transmission:

To: Brox Commanders
From: Adm. Nighol
Subject: Help
Priority: Urgent
Encryption: One time cypher, encryption as long as message

Brox Commanders, we desparately need your help. We have engaged the pirate's defense fleet in the system of Darven, and reinforcements would be nice. Please, deploy your fighters, and fire one or two volleys to kill off some Tyrants and then go right into the mix of things. If you don't come, we will almost assuredly die.

End Transmission

The Brox fleet quickly left the orbit of the Propus system's colony and then jumped towards Darven.
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The Thunderhead Lance and Ion Cannon: Coming to an outfitter near you!

(This message has been edited by specops (edited 08-16-2002).)

(This message has been edited by specops (edited 08-16-2002).)