Commander John stood alone in his ready room aboard the Relentless Intent, as the Sicarius class ship drifted quietly above the capital. Sighing the commander looked out across the gulf of stars that filled his view, though he would admit it to no-one he much preferred the quiet of space to the noise and bustle of the city. With a sigh he turned away from the view and concentrated on the tasks at hand, namely the multiple reports that littered the floating screen above his desk, all were from different scouting groups, most contained nothing of value and would be discarded with a wave of his hand. But one report stood out from the rest, it was an update added to a long string of reports that had been filtering in, all were from various ships and sensor nodes tracking the movement of a Dominion ship that had entered Varangian space some time ago. Normally it would be little cause for alarm if a single ship entered into their space, but this ship was one of their Titan Class and warranted more attention. The most current report filed a day ago stated that the ship's arrival in system was "Within a day or two, depending on route taken"

John furrowed his brow and was about to begin an inquiry of the various outer sensors when klaxons began to blare all across the Relentless. With the clam demeanor of someone who has heard the warning sounds far too many times, John left his ready room behind and quickly strode into the C.I.C that it shared a door with. "Status report if you would Mr.Gaeta" The Commander ordered with an even tone as the klaxons lessened their intensity, becoming more of a background noise.

The younger XO nodded as he walked around the central terminal, his hand dancing along various displays "Something tripped the systems outer sensors sir, something big bearing the transponder signal of a dominion ship. All current information from the sensor web put its heading as straight for Agartha."

"Right on time." The Commander muttered to himself as he watched the real time sensor updates "Order the defense fleet to ready up, and get the hunters into the void. What of the Sat defenses and the Midnight Sun?"

Gaeta flicked a couple of more displays with his finger "All stations are online, multiple Aegis station banks, as well as Testudo stations 5-7 will be in range to support if need be. As for the Midnight Sun, she and her fleet are already underway and will meet us at the designated area."

John scratched his chin lightly "Good, good. Well lets not keep them waiting, all ahead full."

As the Relentless reached the area where the Dominion Titan would exit FTL, she would find she wasn't alone. As arrayed out in-front of the planet the bulk of the Agartha defense fleet stood, its own numbers bolstered by that of the companion fleet of the Midnight Sun, which itself took point in the center of the fleet, its size dwarfing everything around it, including the already impressive bulk of the Relentless and the other two Sicarius that flanked it. As the last ships entered into position a warning light flashed on the CIC's central display, drawing the eye of John who noted it with a grim smile. The Sun had powered up her interdiction field, as evident by the warning and the small prickle that danced along John's skin for a moment. The titan would find her exit a bit early, how she would respond was up to her.

As the Titan would exit a message would immediately be transmitted to her "Power down all weapons and shields and state your business and intent."

As the Titan exited James smiled "At least they provided a welcoming party. Captain, do as they say and get me an open comms channel with their leader so we may inform them of my intent." James said as we walked closer to see out into the vast space which was now full of various ships.

Gaeta look to John "They are hailing us sir. Shall I put it through to you?" With a nod John touched a small ear peice that was implanted just behind his ear. "This is Commander John Lanna, you may speak " He said after a moment

"This is Executis James Conrad of the Dominion, I am here on the behalf of Arachon Faust to speak with your Dominus about a future together." James said while looking over a file on John as well as the Dominus.

John stopped for a moment, multiple thoughts rolling about in his head "Well met Executis. You say you've come to speak with the Dominus then?" He cast a side look to Gaeta, who upon catching the glance began to work quickly on side channels

"Indeed I have commander, with your permission I'd love to take a shuttle down to the planet, with an escort if possible. Then the Dominus and myself may speak." James said as he returned to the captain's chair and sat down.

John set his mouth and once more glanced at Gaeta who after a moment looked him in the eyes and nodded, nodding back John continued "It seems your in luck then, you have been cleared for you shuttle and an escort of two. You will be given you landing instructions in atmosphere, and Commander Selik will meet you upon landing and lead you to the Dominus." John was about to cut the transmition before he came back to add simply "Also Executis, I certainly hope you dont mind the rain."

With the transmission cut James told the captain to be prepared for anything and with that he bored his shuttle and with two fighter escorts they headed down to the planet below. The pilot followed the instructions and landed upon one of the numerous platforms with a small team already waiting for them. James smiled as he strode off his ships and put his hand out to shake the supposed Commander Selik "Greetings Commander, I am under your care I believe now." as he looked around the massive city.

The dark grey sheet of clouds that sat over the city, their form blurred as a thin sheet of rain fell from them. On the landing platform waited Selik and a small squad of 6 Legios, all seemed unaffected by the water as it rolled off their armor. Selik himself had donned a special suit of armor, it was like normal Tor battle armor save it didn't have a shield and attached cannon, instead his hands were covered in thick gauntlets. As the Dominion's Executius landed Selik followed his movements until he put out his hand. The Tor shook it very carefully, obviously not trying to cause the man any discomfort. "Greetings to you as well Executius James. Follow closely if you would, let us not keep the dominus waiting." Turning he moved his large frame down the ramp connecting the landing platform to the main governmental building, the 6 Legios turning silently to march alongside James and Selik. It was a relatively short walk, ending at a large stone door covered in decorative reliefs.

Reaching out Selik pressed one armored hand against it, triggering something within it the door quietly slid away opening the way. Leading the way inside Selik maneuvered the large corridors with practiced ease, he walked in relative silence as the waited for any comments or questions from James. As they walked they would pass a large relief set into the wall depicting a large battle between soldiers in antiquated legios armor and antiquated imperial armor, the sweet smell of a couple of sticks on incense burning at the base of the carving filling the air. At this point Selik turned to face a large corridor that stretched off opposite of the carving, death guard lining its sides at a patterned interval.

As James admired the place as they walked about he said nothing waiting only to meet with the Dominus. Before long they reached a side pathway in which James assumed the Dominius waited "I take it he's down there?" James said waiting for the alien commander's response.

Selik chuckled slightly as he walked with James down the corridor, the Legios turning to wait at the mouth of the passage. At the end their was another door of stone, only this one more plain than the others "You could say that." Selik said as he stood to one side of the door that opened almost noiselessly.

Inside sat the office of the Dominus, various carpets covering the floor in a tasteful way. Along the sides were bookshelves piled high, and a small wooden shrine set into the wall, a statue of two entwined robed figures set inside. In the center of the room however, outlined on the large window (or holo desplay it would be hard to tell) that showed the skyline, was a large wooden desk. Its corners were carved into the figures mythical beasts that were supporting the top, its wood stained dark. Several chairs sat in front of it, all seemingly comfortable. But behind the desk sat the figure of Dominus Aventus who was currently reading something on a sheet of paper of all things, but as the door opened he slowly put down the paper and slowly rose, his face impassive before a slight half grin begain on his face "Come in Executius, I hear you've been looking for me."

James nodded "Indeed Dominus. I've traveled far on behalf of Faust to meet with you and form a truce of sorts. If that is something you or your people would be interested in." James then walked closer to the desk before taking a seat across from the dominius.

Aventus continued his half grin as he retook his seat "I see, is that so?" Aventus paused as he sized James up, careful not to betray anything, "You say a truce of sorts, what kind of sorts are we talking about?"

James smiled "I'm glad you asked. The legios used to serve as elite guards to the Emperors of the former Imperium and while the Imperium maybe gone the blood of the Emperor is not. Faust would like to offer an alliance between our two nations. To deal with the threat caused by the Alorian Empire. In return for our help in anything you may need Faust would be honored to have elite legios from your great nation serve him as guards just as in the days some 200 years ago and these would hopefully only be the first of many." he looked the dominus in the eyes trying to figure him out.

Aventus shifted slightly in his seat as James spoke, the small half grin fading slowly as he adopted once more a impassive look "I hope you forgive me if I say i need a moment to digest what you have proposed. As you see for us it is both the simplest thing and the most complex thing in the universe to agree what you've asked. But before we get into the mirelurk that is why, I must ask one thing. You say Faust would be honored to have Legios guardians, but he does know we count the Tor and Sia amongst our numbers. They are Legios as much as any human to us and given your recent... actions, how would they be viewed?"

James nodded and took a moment. "Well, personally I feel no ill will to the Tor or Sia, however. Faust and many humans within the Dominion see the aliens as the reason for the collapse of the Imperium in the first place. They were the first to revolt and planets with higher alien populations revolted before human ones. Now, Faust understands that aliens were useful in the past and after having spoken to him he will soon announce that certain aliens that have been terranized like the Tor or Sia or those within the 2nd Imperium would be allowed the same system in which the Imperium used so long ago. But if you were to accept our deal I would request purely humans until the announcement was made as it may frighten the populace or they maybe treated with disgust."

Aventus nodded slowly "I see. I see." He tapped one of his fingers against the arm of his chair in thought "This is a large decision to make I am sure you quite well aware. But I can say with some certainty, you can return to honorable Faust with this message, we will stand with him if it comes to war with the Alorians, that much is certain. If he still wishes a Legios guard I can have one dispatched relatively quickly, a sign of good faith. In terms of a permanent alliance, I suppose it is up to him and time to prove himself a worthy heir to the Concord." Aventus sighed as he stood and crossed the room, grabbing a pitcher of clear water, pouring himself a glass "I mean no disrespect of course, tis only our tradition." He took a sip before turning to James "Water?" he offered

James shook his head no before saying "I'm sure Faust would be honored if you sent a Legios to Faust. However, I'm afraid I must stay and work instead of Faust as he is currently leading the Assault on Earth personally before his own coronation. I'd love to stay as your guest and would love to meet with the council and speak to them on behalf of the Dominion. But I can't leave without a full backing apologies." James said as he stood up.

"No apologies necessary my friend, tis only politics. If you wish to speak to the council, I can convene a full session so you may speak your mind to them. If you wish you can stay here on the planet, no need to worry about the trip from here to your ship and back. Your ship of course will also be welcome to use one of the gantries in orbit if it has need of it." Aventus took another sip of the water "But in any case Im sure you have much to report, and we are both busy men are we not?" he said with a slight smile. He paused before a thought struck him "Ah and if I were to send a guard for dear Faust, I must ask where he would like them."

"Well it would depend on how many you were to send. Though I suppose they should be sent to Earth and await for his orders. I can report to my crew from one of the rooms I assume and whenever the council is called I'd be honored to join you. Though I believe we are done for now, unless you have something else?" James then looked around and just smiled taking in the room.

Aventus shook his head "No I believe we are done here for now. The council will convene in a day or two. If you wish Selik can show you around the city until then. If you need for anything just ask and it will be provided." The Dominus set his glass down and moved towards James, extending his hand "But I will say good day for now, it has been a pleasure Executis James."

James nodded and shook the Dominus hand "Indeed it has been a good day and I look forward to meeting the council. I'd also love to see the city if Selik would love to show me around." With that James stood up and began heading for the door.

---

As soon as the door closed and James and Selik were well away Aventus sat back down in his chair, as the figure of Commander Lorili seemed to melt from the shadows. Without even turning Aventus addressed her "Do you trust him?"

She pursed her lips and thought only a moment before answering "Long answer? About as much as I trust a Sia to use a Tor's cannon without ripping their arm off. Short answer, no."

Aventus nodded "Thought as much, have a couple Skulks follow him during his tenure here and have John task a couple of ships to observe that Titan."

Lorili nodded "And what of the forces you are sending to Earth?"

"Plant Skulks in them as well, if possible also send more to Earth. I want eyes during this entire operation." Aventus ansered as he shuffled a few papers "We will give him a few Legios, though they will be under orders not to fire upon unarmed civilains if they can help it. Earth once was the forge from which conquors and rulers of great mettle and honor were cast. Perhaps our estranged mother may yet produce another."

Fel'Blade System
And so the battle for the Fel'Blade System had finally begun as Battle-Commander Krux and his forces engaged the central swarm of the Agonis Incursion Fleet. The defenders were met with swarms of drone fighters and bombers as they flew out from the fleet like angry insects protecting their hive, fortunately for the Hexanagallions, Agonis Drone strike craft were delicate, weak, and lacked shields. As such, the charging Hexanagallion warships cleaved a path through the swarms.

The central fleet begun to split into smaller groups and maneuvered around the Hexanagallion Fleet, the Command Ship and Templeships proceeding forward, all the while the smaller ships broke off into four groups, intending on encircling the defending fleet, bombarding the Hexanagallion frigates as they drew closer in, however, like the small fighters, Agonis capital ships, with the exception of the Command and Temple ships, were without shields and were just as vulnerable as the fighters, the combined firepower of the Predator Frigates and their fighter escort were enough to destroy hundreds more of the Agonis craft as they screened for the command group.

And it was all the same elsewhere, agonis ships rushing towards their targets like insects, with no regard towards their own and were decimated by planetary defenses. All this was for the hope that the local defenses would be distracted long enough for the command group to reach to their true goal, the Raulek.

-------------------


Edge of Falianth Space
Just like the others, the Fal Incursion Fleet were also giving a specific objective, a target of great importance and value. The Falianth are known as experts of genetic engineering and cloning, converting entire worlds into foundries, such worlds and technology would be better suited in the hands of the AI Overlords of the Collective.

The fleet composition was virtually the same as the force tasked on the Hexanagallion Front, however, their intended strategy was quite different, the fleet would not scatter, rather, they all would move in in full force. Deep in the system was one such Foundry World that the Gods seek to claim, as such, all forces will be necessary in order to hold and occupy it.

Totalist Union. Sector 0001. Centre System. Totalist Centre.



The planet was the heart of the Totalist Union, the first to be colonized by the fleet of exiles and refugees fleeing from the Imperium so many centuries ago. At that time, the Centre was a rugged world of humid mountains covered by rainforest, originally called “Zemlya Natalia” by the original colonists. Not that many people within the State knew that, the Party saw no point in sharing this information with the masses, or even amongst itself. And if one were to look at the planet now, inhabited by many billions of men and women toiling endlessly under the watchful gaze of Party, one would be hard pressed to imagine the tropical paradise that the Centre once was.

Looming over the vast industrial parks and habitation areas, built into one of the last remaining mountain ranges of the Centre, was the Party Headquarters, colloquially known also as the Mountain Lair. A colossal complex that both covered and penetrated deeply into the peaks. Housing the beating heart and brain of the Party along with the massive army of administrators and bureaucrats needed to keep a planet the size of the Centre running smoothly and the impressive array of defenses necessary to keep this vital area secure.

Within this vast labyrinthine complex lies a room, isolated from the rest of the bustling corridors there is a briefing room. Spacious and somewhat luxurious when compared to the usual Totalist standards, though still dull and dreadfully utilitarian to an outside perspective. It's here that the Totalist Board of Directors meets semi-regularly. As a matter of fact, the current meeting is well underway.

“And to wrap up, the Cultural Commissars have been able to locate the hidden cashes in SHFR-938. We have already arrested the dissidents responsible. I expect to have the locations of their accomplices by the time I return to my office.” Director of Truth Fianecci intoned, a rare half smile on her almost reptilian features. “With the ongoing extermination of undesirable cultural elements going at full steam we estimate that it will take only a decade at the most to completely suppress any notions of unauthorized culture within the new territories.” She pressed a few keys on the table console. “The relevant documents, for any interested parties.

The Directors clapped politely.

“Very well, Director Fianecci.” Replied Director Dollabela-Rybalsky, the current first among equals within the Totalist hierarchy, actually managing to disguise his utter contempt for his fellow Director, the less said of their relationship the better. “And now I would like to bring the Board's attention to the situation on the front lines.” He cleared his throat. “Thanks to the efforts of the Directorate of Production, our forces are finally ready to expel the alien threat from our southern borders.” The Director smiled. “In a week our forces will be in position to counter-attack. And I will be taking direct command of the operation.”

The Directors clapped politely.

“Very good, Director.” Fianecci replied. “The Directorate of Truth could use good news from the front. It gets tiresome to praise last stands and strategic retreats every week.”

“Oh, I assure you, Director.” Rybalksy-Dollabela glared at her. “I will destroy everything that stands in my way. Your Commissars will have their hands full once I'm done.”

“My fellow Directors.” Director Shukar, in charge of foreign diplomacy, called out. “If I may intervene, it has recently come to our attention that the Collective is also engaged in aggressive campaigns against some of our neighbors. It may be in our interest to reach out to them.”

“You doubt our ability to crush these pests by ourselves, Director?” Tanzin, Director of Safety and known radical, challenged his colleague.

“I'm not saying that we can't.” Shukar replied carefully. “But if we were to take the initiative and form up a Coalition against this common enemy, we could make this war much cheaper and easier for us. While also securing our frontiers. At least temporarily while we deal with the bigger threat.”

“The State can stand alone. The State was triumphant, the State is triumphant, the State will be triumphant” Tanzin retorted, as usual quoting Party slogans.

“There's merit inn this proposal, Director Shukar.” Fianecci spoke up, several others murmured their agreements and Rybalsky-Dollabela himself was forced to admit that. And so the motion passed and the Board moved to the next subject.

Totalist Union. Sector 0021. System 092-B. Planet JHS-294



Ilika Dvarza's mouth was already watering when she grabbed the ration pouch from the storage room. The Totalist Lieutenant had just returned from a three weeks long aggressive patrol in the no man's land between the Totalist and Collective lines. Eating only hard, tasteless ration bars. When she heard that the bunker had received a shipment of direct heating rations Dvarza skipped sleep to enjoy the mystery meat before it ran out.

Walking into the mess hall, the Lieutenant found a place in one of the empty tables and drew her pistol. Inserting the barrel into the designated muzzle she fired a short burst and then ripped open the pouch. Relaxing in her chair and letting her nose appreciate the scent, the Lieutenant finally started feeling the effects of those three weeks as the effects of the drugs wore off. Dvarza really was looking forward to actually sleeping for the first time in weeks.

Then the bunker shook, dirt fell into the open pouch and another soldier cursed. If they were still alive then it meant the shield had held. She relaxed again, until the klaxons started blaring there was no reason to rush. So Dvarza enjoyed her meal, chewing laboriously and swallowing slowly. It was not everyday food tasted this good so one might as well enjoy it. The dirt barely registered at all. When she was halfway through the pouch the alarm started blaring. Sighing, she grabbed the remaining food and stuffed her mouth, swallowing everything in one go.

Rushing out of the mess hall, the Lieutenant retrieved a small vial from her pouches. Dvarza snorted the stimulant quickly. The effects were immediate and she rushed along with the stream of soldiers converging from the other areas of the bunker.

In six minutes she had already put on the vacuum-sealed helmet and had reached her unit's designated position in the trench. So far the enemy was nowhere to be seen, but the sounds of battle made it clear that other areas were already under attack. As they waited, more rounds hit the shield, creating miniature earthquakes.

Then the enemy finally arrived. A mass of “Stunties”, or Homunculi-K as they were officially called, emerged from the distant mist covering the wasteland right as Dvarza's helmet HUD started warning about the incoming enemy. She wasted no time in opening fire. Their front ranks were shredded by the Totalist fire, but the advance barely slowed down. As more and more enemies climbed over the corpses of their fallen comrades. A lucky shot killed the soldier on Dvarza's left but the Lieutenant paid it no heed, already crouched in the trench, reloading her gun.

When she emerged again it was to see that the Collective forces had brought even more troops. This time their actual soldiers supported by the damned walkers and heavy weapons. The Totalist artillery finally showed itself, sending clumps of Collectivist troops flying as rounds and rockets fell into the charging mob. Clouds of gas started emerging among the enemy as acid munition detonated over them. And still they kept advancing.

The lines of barbed wire and the minefield did manage to buy some time however. Time in which more ammunition was hurriedly brought from inside the bunker.

Dvarza's helmet, along with every other soldier in the front, was filled with propaganda by this point. Martial music accompanied boastful speeches and Party slogans were supposed to help keep up the morale. Though most veterans like Dvarza had long learned to tune it out, eventually, and focus only on the battle.

The last line of barbed wire was quickly pushed aside. And with the minefield completely spent the Collectivist abominations had apparently brought even more troops to close the gap that had been formed. And in no time they were scaling the ramparts of the trench, a volley of grenades did nothing to slow them down and soon the melee had started.

Knife in hand, Dvarza slashed at a bug-eyed Stuntie before it could regain its bearings before stabbing one of the back of the head of one of the larger Homunculi. A blow to her back sent her staggering forward, with her knife still stuck in the head of the alien abomination. The Lieutenant drew her pistol and fired away at the closest enemy, a twisted creature of flesh and metal. At least this time it wasn't anyone she knew.

Another soldier fell on her, which fortunately got her head out of the way of a blade. Quickly regaining her bearings, Dvarza pulled out the blade stuck in the body and dodged the grasping claws of an enemy cyborg before counter-attacking with a swift stab to the head that sent it crumpling to the ground. She stepped back into the communication trench, emptying her pistol on the chaotic throng before her, not caring who or what she hit. And as she did so, a hail of heavy fire cut through the melee, Dvarza didn't knew whether it was her side or the enemy firing. Regardless, the Collective monsters were then swiftly crushed as more Totalist reinforcements rushed in, Dvarza at the front being pushed by the soldiers behind her.

Picking up a bloodied rifle as soon as the melee ended, the Lieutenant took position at the lip of the trench, firing wildly at the incoming enemy. By now, the no man's land was half covered by gas and all Dvarza could see were the shadows of tanks and gunships dueling with the Collectivist's own armor trying to keep their infantry from getting surrounded. Then the radio crackled:

“Do not falter, brothers and sisters!” Commissar Nigri's voice cried out, drowning the music and propaganda being transmitted on loop. “The assault from these alien abominations has been beaten back! Our glorious Black Banner troops have cut off the enemy horde! It now remains to us the task of mopping up these wretches! Onwards, soldiers of the State! The Supreme Leader orders! GO FORTH AND KILL! NO MERCY! NO PITY! NO SURVIVORS!”

The troops, Dvarza included, took up the chant as they kept firing at the Collectivist forces, still advancing despite their thinning numbers, behind them more soldiers arrived to bolster the attack. Then a blinding flash and an explosion that drowned out everything else, several mushroom clouds grew out into no man's land up to the horizon. Dvarza and the rest cheered as their HUD's finally blared the assault orders, fixing her bayonet in place the Lieutenant was one of the first going over the edge. Behind her a swarm of screaming Totalist soldiers followed by their heavy armor while overhead gunships and aircraft flew at incredible speeds, unloading their deadly cargo within the ranks of the enemy.

The Inner Sanctuary, The Holy Cathedral of Leadership, Rhodullgard Province, Halmr: The Second World



The massive room bustled with life. Religious and political officials from all corners of the union wandered about, finding seats, exchanging pleasantries, and leading prayer sessions. At the head of the room sat the First Alter, and in front of it stood three thrones. As the last of the attendants filed in through the front door, the great drums rang from the church's drum-tower. With this prompt, the hundreds of representatives slowly took their seats, including the the four thrones. From left to right, they were filled by President Dyrrboen, of the Fourth World, Archpriest Rhomaera, of the Second World, Deputy Prime Councillor Rhodullvard, of the First World, and Rage-Channeler Fen, of the Fourth World.
As the drumming ended, the room fell utterly silent. From the back of the room, opposite the thrones, a voice boomed.

"The Deputy Prime Councillor will now commence the blessing of Rhodull, for this emergency summit. All in attendance, please raise your hands in prayer."

This request was met with a unanimous "aye", from the attendants, as a thousand hands rose into the air.

"Oh mighty Rhodull", Rhodullvard began in a hazy voice, resonating from his eyeless, mouthless face, "keeper of the eternal flame, prophet of the stars, your will lives on in your followers. We, many, devout, continue your dream, that as all life basks in the warmth of the stars, so may the stars bask in the reverence of all life. They that give us life. They that give us sight. They that chose you to be their voice. Give this congregation your blessing, so that we may enact your will, as you would desire. Give us your protection, so that we may banish the darkness with glorious solar light. For this, we pray."

Rhodullvard returned to his seat, and the crowd concluded this prayer with a deep, ritualistic chant.

"Rho-dull, Rho-dull, Rho-dull" echoed through the chamber, accompanied by "Rh-o-du-le", from the short-breathed, fish-esque representatives of World Four, and rhythmic clicking sounds from the monstrous residents of World Three.

As the sound once again died down, the Archpriest of Halmr, the Second World, rose from his throne. Standing nine feet in height, he was among the tallest of all True, and his resonating voice was uniquely imposing. Exploding out, from his indistinguishable face, his words washed over the audience like a great wave.

"As most of you are aware, I'm sure, aggressions are increasing along our outer border! The Second Imperium, and the Barbarian Hordes, grow ever more vicious! It is only a matter of time before war begins breaking out within our territory! Worse still, the travel of our missionaries has been limited by this... Dyarchy! Our prophets have read the will of the stars, and the overwhelming consensus is that this region is a threat! The artificial beings of this realm are not blessed by Rhodull! Action must be taken, so that our people are safe, and to ensure we do not lose the blessing of Rhodull! It is to determine the best course of action, in the face of such danger, that you have all been summoned here! Our blessed Prime Councillor is currently praying for a solution, so our Deputy Prime Councillor will be acting on his behalf for the extent of these proceedings."

Another "aye" resounded throughout the room, and the behemoth Archpriest retook his seat.

A bearded, middle-aged man jumped to his feet, near the front of the crowd.

"The admiral of Rhodull's human fleet wishes to speak", he shouted as loud as he could, introducing himself.

"You may be heard, honourable human", Rhodullvard responded.

"Thank you, blessed Deputy", the man began, "As I have lead the patrol of our forces along our border with the Imperium, I have seen the aggression that brings such concern to the Archpriest. However, I have also personally seen the conversion of thousands of refugees, from across the war-torn space. Great council, we humans have an old proverb, that if a new church is built, a new congregation will appear. It is my belief that our armada has the strength to endure in Imperial space, and that Rhodull will bless us for our boldness. As such, my request to the council is that you order our fleet into Imperial space, to act as a peaceful safeguard to the civilian planets therein. I am certain, that our mere presence in the face of such belligerence, would quickly lead to the conversion of many billions of Imperial citizens. Let us be a beacon of hope, to those who feel abandoned by the Imperium."

A cacophony of aye's and nay's filled the chamber, which quickly devolved into a storm of argument and debate among the membership.

Rhodullvard gestured to his fellow True, the Archpriest, who again rose from his throne.

"Silence!", he roared at a deafening volume. "In the name of Rhodull, SILENCE!"

The room was again quiet, with many dignitaries recoiling in shock.

"Each!", the Archpriest announced, in a somewhat milder voice. "Each of this summit's four capital members, shall now respond to the honourable human's proposition!"

First to respond was the President Dyrrboen, of the Fourth World. He dropped from his throne to the floor with a bare-skinned slap, where he stood less than four feet tall. Speaking through hyperventilated breaths, as was the manner of the Herfiligr, the President's throaty voice carried well nonetheless.



"On be-half of the Her-fi-li-gr of Njor, our ble-ss-ed ho-me-wor-ld, I have doubt in the se-cu-ri-ty of su-ch a de-ci-sion. The ci-ti-zens of Rho-du-ll's Un-i-on have liv-ed pea-ce-fu-lly for cen-tur-ies now, since the fall of the Em-pi-re. We have the de-fen-se of our prou-d na-vy, and the hon-our-a-ble hu-man ad-mi-ral him-se-lf to thank for that. How does he e-x-pec-t this pea-ce to con-ti-nue, with our de-fen-si-ve for-ces out of po-si-tion, in-tru-ding up-on hos-tile spa-ce?"

"The admiral of Rhodull's human fleet wishes to respond!", the man hastily requested.

"Granted", said Rhodullvard.

"Honourable President, our only other immediate concern is the Dyarchy, and we have no current conflict with them. Let's offer them a treaty of peace, and fortify our planetary defenses along that border. They have no reason to conflict with us, and our current defenses would be enough to hold them off, even were they to suddenly take aggressive action."

"Hmmm", the amphibious President pondered. "The hon-our-a-ble hu-man spea-ks thought-fu-lly. I shall with-ho-ld my jud-ge-ment un-til I've heard the re-sponse of my fe-llow ca-pi-tal mem-bers."

Climbing back upon his throne, the fish-creature nodded to his left, back to the Archpriest.

"On behalf of the True of Halmr, Rhodull's Second World," the Archpriest began, sounding like the voice of God, "I wish to remind all in attendance, that Rhodull's will is law. Rhodull wishes to hear the praises of the stars, wherever their light may shine. It shines bright in Imperial space, and yet the Imperials do not sing in praise. We must do as the honourable human reccomends, in Rhodull's glorious name, and great Rhodull will bless us for this act of devotion. This is my judgement."

With that, he nodded to the Deputy.

"On behalf of the residents of Musdl, our sacred First World, I must disagree with my brother, the Archpriest. It is my belief, that Rhodull would not be pleased, if we left his loyal followers vulnerable. What is the value of billions of new worshipers, if trillions of Rhodull's most devout fall to nonbelievers. In the glorious name of Rhodull, I can not agree to risk so much."

The Deputy gestured to the last of the council. Rising from his throne, dripping with saliva, the four-legged Rage-Channeler towered over the congregation. He stared hungrily, as a slender human female arose from the front of the congregation, standing directly opposite him.

"The human translator for Rage-Channeler Fen wishes to speak.", she announced.

"Granted"

The disgusting monstrosity began breathing heavily, and swinging its head about, tossing strands of saliva across the floor.

"On behalf of the False of Negh, the Third Planet, Fen expresses aggression toward the Second Empire", the woman commented.

The quadruped leviathan stood up on its hind legs, flailing its front limbs in the air.

"Fen wishes to move forward, into Imperial space."

The gargantuan animal lowered itself down, thrusting its snout into the face of the translator, and exhaled heavily.

"Fen wishes to lead the charge, and hopes to bring torturous death to any aggressors."

The creature sat back down upon its throne, satisfied, as did the woman.

All eyes turned to the President of Njor, to make the final verdict. Not bothering to go through the trouble of lowering himself to the ground, he spoke from his perch.

"Well, ha-ving heard from my fe-llow ca-pi-tal mem-bers, I vote to en-ter Im-per-i-al space. But On-ly af-ter, con-tac-ting both the Sec-ond Im-per-i-um, and the Dy-ar-chy. Peace comes first."

The summit continued for several more hours, with many other issues, and logistical concerns being addressed, but the takeaway remained the first resolution. Emissaries were quickly sent to the Second Imperium, seeking a cease-fire while the fleet worked to retake civilian worlds from the Barbarians, and the Dyarchy, seeking a pact of non-aggression.

@Serpentine88 @Wernher

As James was walking through the ship awaiting the arrival of the 2nd Imperium's diplomat he made his way to Yuki's retainer's room. He ponder if he should speak with her given all that's happened to Yuki and believed they may require help and would allow Dominion influence within the Musashi's monarchy. As he arrived at the room he gave a buzz to the holo communicator awaiting for a reply.

"Yes?" Came a reply a few moments later. The voice belonging to a woman in her mid to late twenties. "How may I help you?" Despite the going on's between Musashi and the Confederation the retainer's voice seemed serene, with not a hint of worry to be found.

"This is Executis James Conrad, I was hoping we may speak especially about what is happening to your Grand Princess Yuki." James said as he pushed to holocommunicator before waiting for the door to open.

"Ah Conrad-dono, please wait a moment." She had no sooner finished speaking than the door to her quarters slide open to grant James access, only to close again the moment he was inside. The woman who served as Yuki's retainer rose from her seat and offered James a low bow as she said "I am Kau Rong, ratainer to Yuki-hime and the Imperial throne of Musashi."

As she rose from her bow a hand came to her face, removing the mask behind which it hide. The revealed face was a pretty one. Unnaturally so, indicating a certain degree of genetic engineering. Kau Rong seemed to study the man before her for a moment before gesturing to an open seat that was opposite the one she had previously been seated in. "Please Conrad-dono, make yourself comfortable."

James nodded and walked over to have a seat before removing his officer cap and placing it upon his lap, and was a bit confused as to why she was taking off the mask for such an informal meeting let alone the normal custom that the Musashi had their mask on. But James gave little mind to it before continuing "Thank you Ms.Rong. I was wondering if you had received word from Yuki's father on what they planned to do or if they had required any assistance from the Dominion. As I believe Faust and myself would be honored to help Princess Yuki especially in her time of need."

The woman regard James for a moment before answering "I have not recieved any specific instructions from Yamamoto-heika regarding this matter." She paused for a moment before adding "And the press release about the incident makes it quite clear that he does not want another country to meddle in our affairs." She scowled at the thought of the conflict. "You must understand, Conrad-dono, that even under the best of circumstances I do not possess the authority to request the intervention of a foreign government."

James nodded and took a moment to look over the girl. "Very well, Ms.Rong, however should you require the Dominion for anything please contact myself or the Archon as we'd be happy to help in anyway possible if turely needed we could even act as a moderator over the treaty." James said though he hesitated to ask Ms Rong another question he continued "Ms.Rong, if I may ask what are you personal opinions of the Dominion especially compared to what you had believed us to be."

"I've certainly seen enough of the inside of this warship to tell you that your Dominion runs a tight ship." Rong answered with a raised eyebrow. "But I doubt that the inside of a warship is a good example of an entire country." She tapped a finger against her mask as she further considered his question. "We tend not to pay much attention to the affairs of foreign countries. What I can tell you is that those few in Musashi who care about what goes on beyond our borders are quick to point out that the Dominion is very... pro-human. Some like that. Others don't. Some just don't care." She gave a slight shrug. "I recall Yuki-hime once commenting that the military and aristocracy tends to view the Dominion as a rival." A second shrug accompanied that statement.

"And as for what you said earlier" Rong continued, allowing her lips to form a small smile. "I'm sure that an offer to act as a moderator would be recieved favorably by the emperor, so long as it didn't come off as being forceful. 'For the betterment of humanity' or some such, right? That IS your thing, is it not?"

James gave a chuckle and a smile "Indeed, that is our thing. If you would be so kind as to put the message through that'd be most helpful. As for your princess I do hope she survives otherwise you maybe out of a job." James then stood up and put on his cap before leaving.



Faust found himself lost in thought, the idea of invading earth. It was beyond glorious to him, worthy of memory for centuries to come and here he was, right on the cusp. However, these events would have to wait as the mighty Maledict with a massive fleet in tow still had a trek ahead of them.

A simple knock from the door to his quarters pulled him from this dream. A elderly male voice was gentle with words, "Archon, your meal is prepared. shall it be delivered to your room?" Faust raised a brow, "Actually, I'd enjoy my meal in the galley."

"The Officer galley?" he asked.

"No, the grand galley. I would like to invite this, ms. Rong" to meet with me personally." Faust replied. He knew James had met with her already and fully intended to avoid any topics the two had touched on. Perhaps this was just him entertaining a guest on his ship. Within moments at Ms. Rong's quarters, an message was presented, an invitation to the ships grand galley for dinner with Faust.

Kau Rong responded with an affirmative, stating that she would meet Faust at the grand galley within the hour. She spent the better part of the next hour preparing for the dinner, dressing herself in the finest hanfu she had brought with her and adorning her hair with a hair ornament before placing an obsidian and silver mask over her face. Seeing that she had spent fifty minutes preparing for the dinner, making herself presentable for the Dominion's head of state, she didn't quite hurry to the grand galley.

"Faust-sama" Rong said as she entered the grand galley, bowing deeply as she spoke, "thank you for taking the time to dine with me."

Faust stood up and returned the bow, motioning towards the table. "The pleasure, Ms. Rong, is all mine. I am rather pleased that you decided to dine with me tonight." His outfit was rather plain, nothing akin to the formal attire she had chose to wear. To his left however was a female as well dressed as her stood silently. Faust motioned to both to take a seat.

The seating was vast as the room was indeed intended for a great host, no less than fifty at the least. It would seem imposing but the ornate candle holders had been pushed aside by Faust, creating a small clear area for the three. Moreover, they would all be sitting at the end near the kitchen doors. Behind them, the gentle sound of faceless cooks preparing for he orders to come could be heard. It was a silent room though, ornate but empty.

Faust smiled at the two. "So, Ms. Rong, what do you think? about this ship, the crew, your bedding or what not." He seemed a little hesitent, maybe even nervous as from what many knew him as not one for small talk, only for grand speeches of hate and anger.

Rong looked at the unnamed woman as she seated herself, choosing to keep her mask on for the time being. She turned her attention to Faust as he spoke. "The Maledict is a fine ship" She said after a moment's pause. "Possibly the finest I've had the pleasure to board, though I have never been aboard one of my nation's Yamato-class superbattleships." Her voice had a hint of amusement, though with her face hidden from view it was impossible to tell if she had meant to tell a joke or imply that her own country's warships were superior.

"I must say" She continued, "that your crew have conducted themselves in a fashion that speaks well of your country, though I can't help but notice that I've recieved more than a few stares while moving about the ship."

A small smile crossed Faust's lips. "Perhaps the reason they stare is the fact there is no sight of ones face. I will admit though, it gives one no choice but to have an imagination." He chuckled a bit, "I am however pleased that your stay on my ship has been pleasant. I am more so happy that you haven't gotten lost, this being the size of a moon it seems." At that moment, he called for the waiter.

On cue, a older man with a priminant nose and a penchent for pleasing attire stepped forward in an almost robotic fashion. "Ms. Rong I presume. I am pleased to meet you and will be taking any request for your meal. I am assured, mostly, that our chefs can prepare most any meal you could want." He leaned over gently, handing a small paper with a list of drinks.

Faust shook his head, "Banz, I appreciate your vigor but those drinks aren't anything she would be accustomed to. No offense Ms. Rong but please, any drink of your people, let Mr Banz know, I'm sure it can be prepared.. and if not, well we always have water." All the while, the girl across from her sat silent, almost staring at Rong openly.

"It is a rare occassion that I find myself so far from my homeland" Rong said to Banz. "And I would love nothing more than to be able to tell Yuki-hime about the local dishes of the Dominion. If you could, I would love to try a dish iconic of your country."

"Faust-sama," she turned her attention back to Faust. "Would you care to introduce your companion. I find myself at a loss." She turned to the other woman, returning the stare with one of her own.

Faust looked at the other woman then back to Rong, "I suppose we did miss the introduction between you two. This, this is one of my most trusted officers. She has done much for the Dominion in her time under my command. She is one of my four Justicars, specialists that report directly to me." He nodded to the other woman.

It almost seemed forced but the woman stood up and gave a lazy bow, "Ms. Fong, I am Morinth of the Dominion. The pleasure is all yours." She said before sitting back down. Faust looked to Rong, "She may not be the most personable lady out there but I promise, you two will become well aquianted." In the back of his mind, he was regretting having Morinth tag along.

"I see" Rong said. She paused for a moment before reaching up and removing her mask with no apparent haste. "I am interested in how Morinth-san and I are to be further aquianted." She put a bit of an emphasis on the word 'san' as she spoke, although she kept her face carefully neutral.

Faust watched as Rong removed her mask with some excitement. He, along with the majority of his crew had only seen her with a mask. It is true that he could've gazed upon her with the various security cameras throughout ever room but even he had some dignity in this regard. "Well, I appear to be in the company of two fair females. Both with interesting tales I assume." He turned to Morinth, "Do you know anything of Musashi culture? Of their foods? Or music?"

"No."

"Ok then, well, Hmm." Faust said before turning back to Rong, "So, Ms. Rong, if you do not mind me asking, what is your story? How did you come to meet the Musashi Princess, Yuki."

"Hmmm..... well we first met a bit over two years ago." Rong let her eyes roam the grand gallery as she recalled events. “The oldest son of some admiral had managed to get himself kidnapped by a group of pirates that were operating by our border. I was a part of the kunoichi team sent in to retrieve him. At the time Yuki-hime was still a fighter jock for the navy and it was her squadron that was flying support for us.”

“The short version of the story is that we managed to pull the kid out from under the pirates’ nose without them noticing, then the navy squadron blew them to hell as we pulled out. Later we bought them drinks on account of them not blowing us up as well.” She shrugged as she continued. “Of course I didn’t realize at the time that Yuki-hime was an imperial princess, so I was quite surprised when the next time I saw her was at the imperial palace.”

Before Faust could answer, an Unlikely response came from Morinth, “That’s actually pretty good, what kind of weapons did you use?” She was leaning in now, still imposing but attentive at this point.

“We each got to choose what we took on any given mission” Rong answered, “so each one of us carried something different. I believe I was carrying a R-19 railgun rifle and two monomolecular katanas on that mission. I might have been carrying wakizakis instead…” She frowned as she struggled to recall the specifics. “I remember we were mostly relying on our blades till the very end as we didn’t want to give away our presence.”

Morinth was smiling on the inside through the story until the end, “Using blades, Personally I’d perfer a silenced weapon but I guess that old human phrase, to each their own applies.”

Faust grinned, “Guess all it took was some violence to break the ice here.” He drummed his fingers for a moment, “Ok, Banz, I’d like to go ahead and get our orders!” It didn’t take long for the waiter to walk back up, “Alright, lets just do an Rigel four buffet, and three tall draft beers. Might be a bit heavy for our young visitor here so bring a water as well.” He looked back to Rong, “Unless you would like a different drink?” She was quick to reply “I can handle a beer or two.”
The first thing to arrive was the meal, “Really?” was Morinths snip to Banz. She lowered her head, “Not like I was thirsty or anything.” Faust looked upon the Rigel Four buffet, which amounted to mostly basic fried chicken strips and various greens, with a ranch-like dipping sauce. “So long as you aren’t allergic to good food, dig in Ms. Rong.” Faust said whilst snagging a strip with his bare fingers, “No need to be proper with food like this.”

Rong eyed Faust for a moment as he grabbed his food. Her expression was a mixture of intrigue, confusion, and disbelief. After a moment she finally stated “I had heard about this so called ‘finger food’, but I had never believed that I would try it in company such as your’s Faust-sama.” She gingerly reached towards the food with one hand, using the other to ensure that the sleeves of her hanfu stayed out of said food. After taking a small bite she allowed a smile to form on her face and gave a slight nod. “This is excellent. What kind of meat is this?”

Faust was pleased with her delight, “This is an old earth avian called.. A chicken I think. Was immensely popular and spread throughout the inner rim. Not sure why they fell out of-” he paused as a bit of sauce had slid off the chickenstrip onto his shirts collar. He showed no frustration towards the stain, even going so far as laughing. “Falling out of favor.”.

Morinth nodded, “It’s been awhile since I’ve had this dish.” she said between bites. It was nearly an opposite to her demeanor, the hardened warrior with no respect for peoples customs had a napkin on her lap and as she drank, her little finger was extended. Simple pecks at the food and her utter disgust at Faust’s penchant for double dipping was evident, more obvious than it should be. “So, Fung, Rung.. Rong. Rong.” She paused, “So, Rong, What do your people think of earth?”

“That…. Is not an easy question to answer” Rong said, wiping her hands on her napkin. “There’s no real consensus in Musashi on what Earth means to us and the Emperor has made no effort to find out what the peoples’ thoughts are. I know that a number of influential governors and admirals have a desire to bring certain regions of Earth under our administration. The lands that were once known as East Asia. However most people don’t give Earth much thought.”

She got no response from Morinth, Faust however saw this opportunity, “So, what would your people do with those lands if they were given? I’ve heard many things about beautiful pink blossom trees and far rolling hills, ancient ruins that were still being unearthed when the Imperium fell.” He raised a brow, “It’d be a very interesting place for scholars, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Indeed” Rong answered with a nod. “I don’t know what the people, or more importantly the government, would do with these lands if it came under Musashi’s administration. That aside I would take the opportunity to visit the homeland of my ancestors. I’ve heard tales of a truly ancient construction called the ‘Great Wall’ that was built by hand. If half the stories are true its construction was quite a feat.”

Faust gently wiped the corners of his mouth with a napkin, “I believe the country was called.. Chinie? Something of the sort. There are also these ancient pyramids near the river nile that were sadly lost to nuclear fire. Did you know, before the nuke went off on those pyramids, that Nile river ran the opposite direction of all the others?” Morinth gave a puzzled look, “Why does that matter?” Faust turned to her, “Nature is a mystery, Morinth. Things like that are impossible to ignore. Especially when certain planets are devoid of any originality, unlike earth.”

Morinth leaned back and thought real hard, “The only thing I recall was a region called florida, where elderly went to live.”

“Why would you confine your elderly to one region?” Rong asked. “How can they pass their wisdom on to the young?”

Faust was quick to answer, “You’re completely right, such a waste.” He reached for another piece of chicken, “Let me ask you a question,” Faust said, leaning in a bit. “How would you like to see earth?”

“Ah well” Rong seemed startled by the sudden redirection of the conversation. “As I mentioned earlier, I would love to see the lands of Ancient China. I recall Yuki-hime once commenting that she wanted to see a place called Hiroshima. She claimed it was the first place ever struck by a nuclear weapon and was a part of her ancestors’ homeland.”

“Well, Rong, I am in a position to ask something of you, and feel free to say no. But this ship, nay, the Dominion itself is on a collision course with earth. The two seem intertwined as it is indeed the birthplace of mankind. All of that history lies buried beneath the war on the surface. I never asked Yuki and I will not ask you to report to your nation in a bid to ask for war. That wouldn’t be proper.. But we are..” He got hesitant, fearing that Rong may get the wrong idea.

Morinth chimed in, “Ms. Rong, Hey I got it. Anyway, We, The Dominion, are planning to stabilize earth. It’s a bold plan. But after what you’ve already said of your military experience, would you care to help?” She smirked, “I mean, what else would you rather do?” Faust slowly put his palm against his forehead.

Rong slowly turned her gaze from Faust to Morinth. “Yuki-hime has been captured by a country that Musashi is now at war with.” She slowly stated. “I would be a poor excuse for a retainer if I didn’t feel compelled to come to her aid. The only reason I am still here, and I beg forgiveness Faust-sama for being saying as much, is that I have no means of returning home.”

Faust nodded, “I completely understand, it is a tough situation you’re in. Alike mine in all honesty. Something so precious, stolen away. Does your nation have plans to retaliate?” He paused, “Well that was a little forward.” Morinth leaned back in her seat, “Well, if what I’ve heard is true, This Yoku princess is still in good hands, with elite warriors like yourself watching out for her.” Faust just slowly closed his eyes, at Morinth nearly and unknowingly insulting Rong’s honor. “Morinth, Theirs are an honorable people, they will find Princess Yuki.”

“Her name is Yuki” Rong didn’t quite snap at Morinth. She took a deep breath before adding “And the reason I am worried is because she had been with a pair of well trained bodyguards when she was captured. They would have died before allowing harm to come to Yuki-hime. Perhaps the worst part of this whole mess is that it came about because Yuki-hime wished to prevent a war.”

Faust stroked his chin a couple times, “Well.. I could always offer certain services to our lost Princess, Yuki.” He does a very obvious head turn towards Morinth. “Perhaps... “. Morinth bows, “I would be honored to help, but what of earth?” Faust was grinning inside, hoping she would say that. “Well, Morinth, we seem to be, as they say, in a pickle. On one hand we have a near religious event for the majority of the Dominion, the invasion of earth. And the other, Helping a fellow nation find their lost Princess. And I only have one Morinth.”

He clasped his hands and gazed deep into her eyes, “So, Ms. Rong, let us say you had that choice, where you had the potential help from a potential ally. How would you use it?”.

“If the emperor would allow me” Rong said carefully, “I would use that help to execute my own rescue mission. But are you truly willing to divert one of your most capable warriors to help Musashi handle her problems while you have your own important tasks to see to?”

Faust already knew his answer but humored Rong with a moment of thought, “Well, I have to ask myself this.” He leaned back in his chair, “What is worth more, A princess, a person in dire need? Who could already be in grave peril? Or a planet that has been there, and will be there for billions of years. The answer seems pretty self evident, wouldn’t you agree?” He turned to his glass and gently swirled the little bit of beer left before finishing it off. “I on behalf of the Dominion, Offer service to help with this unfortunate situation you’re caught up in.”

“I will gratefully accept your offer then” Rong said. “I’m sure that Yuki-hime will be most pleased to learn that her attempts at forming relations with you have been successful after we rescue her.” She flashed Faust a warm smile before turning to Morinth. “I am in your debt. Both of you.”

Faust rose his now empty cup, “Then let us toast to good fortune and friends.” Morinth rose her cup and smiled, “Honestly, I wanna try one of those sword things you spoke about, sounds pretty awesome.”

Faust lowered his cup and let out a sigh, “And… she ruined it.”

Rong let out a chuckle as she lifted her glass as well. “Perhaps the princess will see fit to grant you a sword for services rendered. And if not I may be inclined to give you one from my personal collection.”



“Further delay could prove to be catastrophic!” An officer shouted.

“Perhaps” another countered, “but charging straight into the heart of Confederate territory may push them to harm Yuki-hime.”

“That’s exactly why we must send a team of shinobi to rescue her. Now!”

“And if they get detected on the way?” A third officer slammed his fist against the table that all of the officers were sitting around. “The Confederates may just decide that it’s too risky to keep her alive!” His statement brought a wave of angry remarks from the various officers present.

“Then let’s take measure to ensure the shinobi are not detected.” Lian Yunxu calmly stated. Those around him quieted as they turned to look at him.

“And how do we do that Yunxu-dono?” The first officer asked.

“Simple” Yunxu tapped the table twice, causing a map of the region to appear before the officers. “First we strike this system,” He indicated the Edinburgh System, “with a sufficiently powerful force to draw the majority of the region’s defenders to that particular system. Then while the Confederate navy is distracted we’ll send a team of shinobi into Confederate space.”

“Hmm…. The distraction force will need at least two carriers.” One of the officers commented, stroking his chin as he considered Yunxu’s plan.

“I was thinking that the force would be built around three carriers.” Yunxu stated.

“We should add one or to battleships if we want to appear to be a threat to the system.” Another officer added. “We should actually land some ground forces on the planet, or at least attempt to, to make it look like we intend to take the system.”

“So three carriers, two battleships, and a sufficient force of cruisers and destroyers to screen them then.” Yunxu summarized. “Alright people, let’s get moving on this then.”



The Musashi strike group appeared at Edinburgh without warning. Three carriers, the Hosho, Kaga, and Akagi, two battleships, the Kotetsu and Fuso, as well as some ten cruisers and sixty destroyers. Some of the destroyers were doing double duty, acting as both escorts and transports for the ten thousand soldiers who were to attempt a landing on the system’s main inhabitable world.

A mixture of Zero and Toryu fighters began to spill out of the carriers as the battleships and the majority of the escorting cruisers and destroyers started to make their way towards the main inhabited world. After the carriers had launched the bulk of their fighters they, along with a handful of screens headed towards the edge of the system, where they would keep out of harm’s way.

Meanwhile, several systems away, four Ko-class corvettes, utilizing their state of the art stealth systems, slipped into Confederate space and headed towards the Confederate capital system.

Near Luna, battle fleet Reclamation led by Faust's Titan, Maledict.

On the bridge, a Female officer pressed a few buttons and then turned to Faust, "Archon, earth is within visual range. shall I bring it on screen?" Faust smirked as he lowered a small tablet. On the tablet, it wasn't obvious that he was playing a simple game from long ago, 'Angry Birds' but this trip was long and he didn't much care for screen staring. It ruins the surprise.

"Yes, bring it up on the screen. I have to see this." He said eagerly.

The sight that he beheld was one that was only seen in text books in the Dominion. The peaceful blue dot that his fleet was sailing to was in his grasp. To see it with his own waking eyes. The sight was beset by the Imperium Remnants though, a massive fleet rivaling his own was menacingly watching his every move. This was no matter though, he had attained passage from James Conrad and from what he could see, the Imperium was honoring it. "Sir, Hail from the lead Imperium warship." the female officer said.

"Attention, Faust. I am Admiral Grafe of the Imperium seventh fleet. We have been given orders to clear your passage to earth. As per the agreement, my fleet will be watching your forces closely for any violations. My ships will be actively targeting yours as a measure but rest assured, if you follow the rules, we will not fire." It was a simple message that came as quick as it went. There was no time for Faust to reply but this is the way Grafe wanted it.

It wasn't but an hour later did the planet come within view for one to see continents and swirling clouds. Soldiers and shipmen alike stared at it, in awe but also in respect, knowing the horrors that lay below.

The Dominion of however, possessed horrors of its own.



"Attention Brave soldiers of the Dominion. Today we embark on a journey none have ever walked in the history of our kind, the retaking of earth."

"This will mission, this... crusade, will be wrought with peril, the peril of our race. But know this my brothers and sisters, that no matter what monstrosities our foe may try to block our way with, we will crush it down under our righteous heels."

"These heels are not bound to one warrior but to all, as no one will fight alone. Your comrades bravery and the might of our war machine will win the day but it will take determination and will to accomplish this."

"Know that through this great effort will be the ultimate victory as this is not a mere human world, it is not some back water station or a removed jungle world, this is our birthplace. This is earth, the very mother to our glorious race."

"It is a well known fact that our race has been tarnished by the great effects of outsiders on our once prized planet. We will see that glory restored, the glory of our once shining might known as the Imperium,"

"What we seek to build though is not the Imperium, not a failed way a life that had its run but we will build a new Dominion of man, one free of the shackles of what was once the lower class. This land will be a safe place for all man kind from all foreign races or creeds. This will be a Dominion that will last the ages."

"Now, Brave warriors of the Dominion, Knights of man kind I bid you rise! rise and retake the glory of your birthright. What we do here, today, will echo through the ages. Will it be the fall of man? or will it be, through your actions, the emergence of a new bright future!"

"For Earth! For Humanity.. For the Dominion!"

Earth

Earth... the birthplace of mankind. Once a beautiful world with clear flowing rivers, blue skies flanked by white clouds hanging peacefully above. Picturesque mountains and a civilization so diverse that it seemed nothing would ever unite them. Then the Empire came with a fury. It was a culmination of many powers that formed what was to be the Imperium and through war and peace, and war, did the realm of man gather under one banner. Decades? Centuries? a long peace followed as man spread from the pale blue dot but one thing was never forgotten how ever far man travelled, that earth.

was home.

How did it come to this, a world beset with nuclear fire and littered with the graves of billions. Alien and Human like found themselves gunned down in the streets like animals, only to have their killers obliterated in a ball of fire. This was a place of war now, a place where gunfire seems to exist without pause and there was no end in sight.

----
What used to be San Francisco,

"Just breathe, don't stop just breathe." Said a young red haired girl. Her arm had a patch with a simple red cross. The eternal sign of the medic, a position as dangerous, if not more so than the soldier on the field. Running from fox hole to fox hole moved this girl, maybe 18 years of age. Her heart raced as she slid from cover to cover, trying to respond to the constant shout she had trained so hard for.

"Medic!"

Ahead of her was a fire fight, a platoon of her comrades were trying to hold off an incoming force battalion. Automatic weapons, accurate snipers and remote turrets had pinned that huge force down. This was a war between two "nations" of this world, the upper Concorde Entente and the New California alliance. The Entente was adamant believers in a renewed north America. As to which it could invade what was left of central America and hold off the South American nations that in reality, posed absolutely no threat. Though media made them out to be blood thirsty Huns. The Alliance was a large group of alien and human militants that wish for nothing else than to leave for the fabled island of Hawaii, which was also in reality something far different. It was an irradiated wasteland due to the massive military space port that stood atop what used to be a massive naval port, A very juicy target for the then imperial defenders fourth-fleet, two hundred some years ago. Numerous attempts by the Alliance to grant them leave in return for leaving their territory freely for the Entente was ignored. Fresh soldiers was the reply, that north America must stand together against the evil in the south.

The Entente had the big guns, monstrous tanks, and short range, but incredibly strong artillery. They even possessed a large number of aircraft whereas the Alliance had grit and resolve. Heavy weapons given to them from "the source" had given them a chance to survive the Entente's onslaught but it wasn't to last forever. Especially with this renewed Assault bearing down on the last obstacle to the Alliance capitol of August, a literal fortress south of old San Francisco. It had been quiet for the last week or so but spotters reported seeing tanks and towed artillery rolling through wooded trails.

"Medic!"

She almost couldn't hear it through the explosion but instinct carried her forward, dodging bullets and explosions as best she could. A loud metal clank sent her rolling onto the ground. She sat on her back for a moment, trying to process what had just happened. As she shook it off the realization that her rifle was now in two parts from a heavy rifles direct hit made her life much worse. Granted, the weapon did save her life, she was no defenseless in this dangerous place she was in.

Her heavy footsteps brought her to a fox hole, the one that yell came from earlier. It was a gruesome sight inside, the remnants of a body blasted by a well placed mortar shell. On the severed forearm was a necklace, a necklace with a boys name etched along with a birth date. Only two weeks old and the kid is without a father. "Fuck this shit." she said angrily, drawing her pistol and leaning out of the Fox-hole. Ahead she saw her first enemy and with three rapid pulls of the trigger, a body fell. Was this redemption for the life that was taken beside her? Well as they say, what comes around goes around as a sharp pain shot through her body.

The Entente soldiers weren't fearless as many were conscripts from a giant nation, comprising of nearly the entirety of old Canada, some northern old American northern states and some western states. Loudspeakers shouted for the Alliance to surrender but to no avail. This was a young Entente' soldiers time to shine and he was running quickly through the trees with haste. Ahead of him another soldier had been shot dead by the medic. The young soldier on instinct, fired four shots at the fox hole before hitting the ground himself. As explosions that rocked the forest started to subside, he finally started to crawl forward.

As he reached the hole, he could hear a long winded gasp. After a moment to gather resolve, he peered over the edge to see the woman laying at the bottom. Her eyes were still wide open as blood poured from her mouth. three of his four rounds had struck her dead. Two in the upper arm and shoulder and one right through the neck. He could see signs of her struggle to live as one of her hands was pressed against her neck, an effort to stop the bleeding but it was too late. Part of him wanted to celebrate as this woman had killed one of his comrades but on the other hand, this person had a life, had dreams and aspirations and he had ended all of that. Reflecting wasn't good for soldier in the midst of combat as before he could even take in what was going on, his vision turned red, then black in seconds as a rocket exploded over him.

War is hell.

--- Hours later,

August... Shining bastion of the Alliance, so imposing to the naked eye. A city sized high-walled fortress with concrete trenches flanked by what could be described as nothing short of battleship turrets. The fields leading to this bastion housed Machine gun nests poke out of well placed earthen work hills and steep cliffs. To make matters worse, pre sighted and accurate artillery positions littered the field, from mortar to heavy guns. Direct fire Anti-air and ground cannons dotted the landscape, hidden by hills and shrubs. And below all of that, simple flat fields with barbed wire and mines of all types. This place was designed to withstand the ages. Internal farms would last defenders years if not longer. Aquifers allowed for an untainted water supply and various hazardous safety points would shield she unprepared for chemical and biological warfare.

General Bradley of the Entente wasn't wavered by this obstacle though, perhaps the reason his commanders chose him. His forces had taken what was known as the low-lands, north of August. The Alliance had mustered half of their remaining tanks, numbering just seventy. To make matters worse, nearly half of those were relics dating back to the early 21st century. Bradley on the other hand, possessed some six hundred more modern battle tanks. Above the fortress, Bradley had the opportunity to use considerable air supremacy but the missile systems of August were long range and highly advanced. Care had to be taken with artillery as well, as August's guns out ranged his by far.

"Alright men, We have an opportunity here. The enemy is still occupied by our diversionary assault to the east as well as the fleet making itself seen to the west of the bay. We believe the enemy does not know we are here so make it count!" Bradley said to his commanders. It wasn't the most eloquent battle speech but he knew half of his army would likely be etched onto a wall of remembrance. He was always the one to not grow attached to his men.

All around his Strike group 7-B, leading right through the center was comprised of heavy armor. The sound of powerful engines starting up was glorious for a tank commander and at the lead was a fifteen battle veteran, Captain Jones. His Battle tank was a well oiled machine, tested in many scenarios. He led a group of five tanks, all led by veteran crews.

The blonde haired Jones wiped sweat from his forehead before raising from the tanks hatch. Above him was a cloudy dusk. The ground was damp from a light rain only a few hours ago. "Alright, full speed ahead. Keep the turret scanning for targets." he said before lowering back down. The vehicle started moving along with ten others. Further in the distance he could see more tanks just like his starting their advance as well. Behind him, flashes of light from an allied distant artillery barrage signaled the advance. Nearly twenty minutes passed before the gunner shouted those words that no cautious commander wanted to hear, "Enemy spotted. Light armor APC."

"Load HE, set range and fire at will." Jones said, gritting his teeth as adrenaline started to flow.

"Scratch that Boss, 2-2 already shot him. AP round right through the front. No other targets on the scope." the gunner replied

"Well damn. Must've been a scout. Alright. Lets keep moving. Just hope they didn't report us."

"Enemy spotted ahead! three quarter mile away. Damn that's a big formation. At least ten enemy tanks supported by mechanized infantry." the gunner announced.

Jones got on his radio, "Formation halt. Got a group ahead and they haven't spotted us. Lets creep into that tree line ahead." He received simple affirmatives from his tanks as they slowly crept through the trees. At the edge of the line his tanks were nearly invisible to the naked eye as adaptive camouflage began to kick in. It wasn't perfect and thermals would show bright white but these enemies had no clue they were there. "Pick your targets, 2-2, 2-3, and 2-4 start at the second to lead tank. 2-5 load HE and target the first wheeled APC." Another affirmative was followed by precision turret movements and an eerie silence. "Alright, target that first tank. Wait for optimal range then fire at will."

"Shot!" followed by something akin to shattering glass signaled a high velocity slug bursting from a high velocity, stabilized rail assisted cannon. The round pierced the lead tank's turret ring and the resulting explosion sent the turret some sixty feet into the air. Not even a full second passed before three more Alliance tanks fell silent. Soldiers had no warning when 2-5's HE shot blew the first APC to pieces. wheel pieces and parts of the hull were sent in all directions. The other APC's quickly evacuated their personnel as the second shot from 2-5 detonated in the aft of another APC. Further explosions led to the quick decimation of the Alliance's tanks and APC's. The remaining soldiers were gunned down by the .75 heavy machine guns but a lucky soldier managed to get an anti-tank rocket launcher to effective range. He raised the weapon and aimed at 2-1, Jones own tank.

Dust kicked up as the AT rocket burst into the sky. The rocket flew high into the air and started to head back down, targeting the weakest point on any tank, the top of the turret. The soldier smiled thinking he was to succeed but before the projectile hit, it exploded in mid air. "Boss, the ML just fired. we got AT somewhere nearby." Jones turned around to check the anti-missile laser's thermal gauge, as they sometimes had a bad habit of overheating depending on the height and angle of an incoming projectile. "Boss, thermals spotted him. Firing." Perhaps a fitting end for that tank hunting soldier was not death by a hail of bullets from a machine gun, but the full might of the tank. The Cannon of 2-1 had quite literally splattered the soldier from sheer impact force. The surviving pieces being no larger than a finger.

The battle lasted a mere twelve minutes before 2-4 reported surrendering soldiers.

It was an hour later before the next move order was given, one that would place 2-1 in visual range of August. His tank crews were all anxious to see this sight for themselves but all knew the dangers ahead. There was no resistance along the path as the Alliance had recalled its remaining low land forces. Bradley had planned perfectly, striking from so many angles at once. Before long, there it was, bright and shining in the distance. The crews all popped their hatches to see the monstrous city with waking eyes. There was a moment of silent awe and respect as the faint outline of heavy guns could be seen at the top of various towers. "Alright 2's, we got a job to do. We can get this and end this war." Jones said in an attempt to bring focus to his men.

Jones noticed that his men were still unbuttoned when massive bursts of anti=air fire started. "Guys! ready up!" Jones shouted but it was obvious that his words were completely ignored. There was a strange sound he had not heard before which prompted him to raise back out of the tank. The sight was more than he could ever hope to imagine.

The massive machine bore down upon the helpless fortress as shells just seemed to disappear harmlessly into the sky before reaching it. At the bottom of the vessel, a strange bluish yellow ball of light formed that grew more bright and intense before it shrunk into a small flashing point. With a blinding initial flash and a near deafening blast, the once mighty August was swallowed by a glowing yellow array of pure energy. Huge plumes of fire rose high into the air as the beam slowly swept across the fortress. Towers collapsed before being removed from sight by the ray of light. As quickly as it started, it had ended. The light was gone, revealing a white hot crater where August once was.

"Alright! we got a situation, radio command and lets get this tank backing up. we cannot hope to repel that things fire." His crew was no longer awe struck but were now serious. Life preservation instinct kicked in which led to an even more ready crew than before. The tank made precise movements to avoid obstacles in a mad dash to escape what was now hovering ominously over where August once sat. "Incoming aircraft!" the driver shouted as low flying unidentified space craft buzzed over head. Things went from bad to worse as all the lights in the tank began flashing rapidly for a moment before going dark. The engine shot off grinding the tank to a halt. Jones rose from his hatch to see the other tanks had stopped dead as well. "Emp?" he said as his gunner slammed his fists against the cannon periscope.

Jones was once again filled with awe as thousands of black dots shot through the clouds. These drew in fast then slowed rapidly before touching down. He didn't know what to think when the nearest one landed and hatches opened on the sides, revealing soldiers that rushed out into combat positions. Over head he could only stare as the second massive warship broke through the clouds, then the third... and in the distance, even more. Then the voice came, loud and clear.

"Attention people of earth. Do not seek to bar our way onto this world. Aggression will be met with consequence. For those who accept us, fear not. We are bringers of peace and solidarity."

"We are the Dominion."

The Battle for Fel'Blade:
Battle Commander Krux and his Warrior 002 class Starfighters ripped through the initial onslaught of enemy Agonis fighters, their lascannons burning through them like sharp claws through exposed flesh. They found themselves at the rear end of the enemy fleet once they punched through, turning around and flanking them.
"Status" Warmaster Daixanos demanded to Krux through his visor's comm.
"22 of ours dead. 3 are damaged and need help."
"Enemy deaths?"
"Hundreds."
"Make it a thousand."
"With pleasure." Krux replied, giving a guttural chuckle as he set his comm to his fleet. Before his visor, he could see the larger Agonis ships making a straight path right into the Hexanagallion Predator frigates, as if they wished for death. The smaller fighters that remained swarmed around their larger cousins and split off into 4 groups, bypassing the Predator frigates and only taking minor casualties from the Predator rear guns. "Warrior 002's, this is your Battle Commander. I want Squads Ravenous, Hydra, Warcry, and Raider to follow those small Agonis fighters. Squad Fang, look after the damaged ships. Squad Ripper, with me." he ordered. "Ready your torpedoes." Krux knew that Raulek could survive those puny fighters with just its defenses, but his fighters would make sure there was as little damage to the Station as possible.
Gripping both thrusters in his custom fighter, he pushed forward and took back the controls as his Starfighter zoomed at incredible speed toward the flank of the Templeships and Commandship. At his right and left, Ripper Squad joined him at top speed, their force moving like a hawk swooping in for the kill. Faint flashes of light caught Krux's attention, and he glanced out of the cockpit to see the planetary defenses of the system firing their DARC cannons, scattering the enemy fighters within their atmosphere while the Warrior 001's cleaned up the remaining filth. It filled Krux with an insatiable battle lust, and he gave the order to fire.
The previously unused Dragon Torpedoes bombarded into the rear of the Templeships and Commandship just as the Predator Frigates blew through them with their ARK cannons from the front.
Daixanos ordered the Raulek defenses to open fire, and one Hexanagallion roared as he fired his UR turret, laser blasts from across Raulek firing in rapid succession and ripping through Agonis fighters as they were mercilessly chased from behind by the 4 Warrior 002 squadrons.
"Honored Warmaster." Daixanos heard from behind, taken from the reverie of watching the battle unfold, the fleet captain approaching him on the command Deck of the largest Frigate Fellhammer.
"What is it?" Dax asked, barely glancing back.
"Our mission to Hexana. It was successful. I had just received word, and it is my greatest honor to tell you this most joyous news." the Fleet commander said, bending a knee before his Warmaster.
Daixanos turned slowly, his reptilian eyes glinting in the light. "We have our home back?" he asked slowly.
"Yes, Warmaster."
"Spread the word." Warmaster Daixanos ordered. "The time of our people has come."
@Sigma
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the Edge of Xeno-Barbarian Space: Space Station Doum
"Do you want to crush humans? The Imperium?" Warmaster Gatar asked his new recruits. Roars and cries of readiness filled the chamber as 10,000 Hexanagallion Infantry watched his every move as he stood upon his hover-dias. His silver armor, and metallic left arm shined the light above the chamber, as if he was a Warknight of old, come back to command their people to glory. And was it not so? The Primal light had given a vision to their prophets, which had led for a Nation wide morale boost and battle lust inside the Hexanagallions. It was why an Honored Warmaster had shown up to speak to the troops and not simply a General or Battle Commander.
Gatar pointed to the large Holo map along the left side of the large chamber, showing the entire region of the Galaxy, and the region of space that was slowly squeezing into the 2nd Terran Imperium space. "First, we must prove our mettle." Gatar said. "And what better way than to kill the ones who prey upon humans? To devour the devourers!"
"WE WILL CRUSH THEM!" a lieutenant cried in his deep and hoarse voice.
"We will!" The Warmaster said. "Already our transports are being readied. I am told you troops lack experience. You each have only one kill, maybe two. But I can see the heart of our people in this room. I see the future of our race. I see conquerers!"
Bellows and roars threatened to overwhelm the huge chamber. It was time to deploy, and attack.
@Serpentine88

The Royal Fleet of Rhodull, True Division, Inner SURTR Space



The fleet was cruising ahead at sub-light-speed, and the majority of crew were already in stasis. The journey would't be too long, once they made the jump, but the True didn't respond well to warp-speed. The residual energy fields created by the Human technology caused a great deal of disorientation for them. As such, most True soldiers preferred to sleep through the entire process. One True who preferred to endure the discomfort was Archpriest Rhomaera. He sat, slumped over on a chair that was far too small for him, and beneath a metallic ceiling that was far too low for him. Next to him, seated far more comfortably, was the middle-aged human admiral.

"You know," the man began, "we humans have a saying, passed down from one of the old religions of Earth."

"You Humans are full of sayings", the Archpriest commented, in his usual deep, echoing voice. "We True live far too long, to bother with such things. Each True's life is a legend of its own."

"So how old are you, Archpriest?", the admiral inquired.

"It is difficult for me to say. In my youth, I possessed no calendar. My life was for Rhodull, praises to him, and time was irrelevant. Time matters very little to the True. We measure ourselves not by years, but by those we've converted to the Faith."

"So how many have you converted then?"

"Before I lead the church, when I served Rhodull only as an individual, I converted many thousands. Many, many thousands. Then came the Great Church, and my congregation brought billions into the faith... Now tell me, young Human, what is this 'saying' you hold so dear?"

"It comes from an old, religious wisdom-book, that was once very popular on Earth. It says, that it is one thing to be a fisher-man, but it is far greater to be a fisher of men."

The Archpriest contemplated this for a moment, emitting a low, resonating hum from his exoskeletal head.

"This is what we are, then.", the large alien concluded. "Fishers of men, casting our nets through the fallen Empire."

"I believe we are." The admiral responded calmly.

The Archpriest began his deep, constant hum again, this time for much longer.

"I wish to see this Earth for myself." He resounded, finally. "Admiral, you will report to Rage-Channeler Fen from now on. I will brief him on the mission going forward. I sense the will of Rhodull, and I do not believe he wants me to enter into the Second Imperium. Rather, I must go to the Dominion. To bring the light of Rhodull into the heart of the old Empire... it would be unspeakably glorious. I will depart now, before the fleet enters warp-speed, and I'll be taking this division's flagship, along with three of your warp-capable human vessels."

"As you see fit, honourable Archpriest."

The expressionless, featureless face of the True made it difficult for the admiral to judge his mood, but he believed that Rhomaera was pleased. The tall, imposing Archpriest hoisted himself up from his chair and made his way out of the room, slouching forward so as to not bang his head on the ceiling.

___________________________________________________________________

Days later, the SURTR fleet assembled at their border with the Second Imperium, ready to invade. Meanwhile, Archpriest Rhomaera and his congregation, split between four large ships, made their way into Dominion space.

Dropping out of warp-speed, the stasis chambers opened, and the congregation assembled upon the flagship. The crowd was an even mix of True and Human, with only a couple Herfiligr present. The False were generally prohibited from prosthelytization missions, unless military conflict was expected.

"My brothers", the Archpriest began, "today we bring the unfathomable love of Rhodull, to those who have never known such radiance. Today we extend our hands, in friendship, to the lost. In an age of war, of suffering, of betrayal, we show those around us that their is another path. Now, in Rhodull's holy name, let us go out, and bring millions of new members into our blessed congregation!"

The crowded vessel erupted in chanting "Rho-dull, Rho-dull, Rho-dull".



As the chanting died down, and the service was concluded, the ships branched outward in four different directions, searching for planets to prosthelytize.

@Monkeypants

Drop Patrol Corporal Vroda's Journal - Day 1

There are two ways to name a city after a great leader. The first is to rename an important one, re-casting a respected hub under the auspices of vis great name. The second is to make a new city from the ground up. Since the late King Vladisvla had been a great builder in every way, it was only proper that vis memory was honored in the second way. All honor be to vis name!

True to the great King's legacy, the city is immense. A glistening marvel dense with warehouses and industry and hydroponic centers, a pinnacle of productive power! Yet, it is an island of civilization in a sea of barbarians, a city whose every function must for now be devoted entirely to its own defense. The farms feed soldiers. The warehouses store arms and munitions. The factories spew military equipment. And around the whole city is the greatest network of fortresses and trenches I have ever seen! Beyond are plains of thick red grass, under a sky of endless grey that neither darkens to night nor clears into bright day.

They say the enemy lurk in millions of underground bunkers, for we rarely see them above-ground. Eerily enough, the veterans here say there hasn't been an attack for months. We've sent burrower drones to mine the earth around us, lest the traitor Ayar try to tunnel their way under us.

Day 5

Starting two days ago, several times the bone-headed barbarians have climbed out of their holes and mass to attack about five miles off from the outer lines and push from all directions. Although they outnumber us, the Sky Patrol and our artillery keep them at bay. They as far as the serf levy line yesterday, but the line did its job. I hear a few of the serfs got commendations, good to know some among the common folk have some martial virtue! Such a shame that the revolutionists keep trying, all the plasma fire is ruining the grass.

Day 8

So much for brave serfs! The whole outer line defected to the enemy during an attack this morning, giving the barbarians a foothold in the outskirts! The serf backstabbers and their rebel scum friends tried to push in together, and we had to call in orbital fire to wipe out their rear ranks in the field. Their front was too close to the city to bomb from orbit outright, so us battle-suits had to go in and do the job ourselves. Without the heavy guns from their rear, they couldn't do much to us, and we sent them scrambling back to the trenches.

Needless to say, the starship missiles devastated the landscape. There weren't even any fires, just huge blinding clouds of plasma followed by grey barren waste.

Day 9

Command called for a media blackout after yesterday's serf debacle. Any communication we send to home has to go through the fleet first. It's the right move under the circumstances. Can't have the rabble back home getting uppity. But it sure makes watching the holo-game tournaments a pain.

Day 11

Somehow, the half-wit serfs and their rebel friends figured out how to disable the burrower drones. We don't have enough suits to mount a counter-attack, so we pulled back to where the concrete and metal will keep the moles from surfacing. The whole outskirts lost just like that, along with hundreds of important forts. At least we pulled out or destroyed all the equipment.

Day 12

It's a new firefight every hour today. The enemy managed to slip their artillery through tunnels into the outskirts, and now the shells just don't stop falling. They're shooting down our planes, too, and we don't have the numbers to replace them. My own suit's been holding together fine, and I've blasted about four tanks and twenty two barbarians. But two squadmates had theirs break down under fire, and one was wounded before we could bring ver back. Even worse, we lost some artillery suits, and unlike the enemy we can't afford that.

I fear I'll die here at the hands of uncivilized brutes. But I won't give up till the end. If I die, I die with the honor my opponents lack.

_

The thirteenth day of attacks began like the last, with the unceasing scream of shells and rockets raining down on Varsovian lines. The Shravians replied with swathes of precision air strikes and calculated return-shellings from artillery suits that reduced entire sections of artillery to shreds, but they simply could not match their enemies' power. Even as the Varsovian aircraft and artillery neutralized ten pieces for every one lost, they were losing the battle. Every plane that spiralled down to its doom and every artillery suit knocked out of action was irreplaceable, while even a whole row of rebel self-propelled guns turned to smoldering rubble was a mere drop in the bucket of reserves.

Then came the tanks and infantry. The front-line battlesuits were stretched desperately thin: Corporal Vroda's nearest comrade on either side was a quarter mile away. Vis suit alone, surrounded by ammunition and nestled in the cover of prefab barriers, would have to cover a radius of some 200 meters.

The first enemy to enter range rounded a pile of rubble directly ahead. It was an old RWU model light walker, an "egg" on two legs with a chain gun on one arm and a laser on the other.



Vroda sent a plasma beam its way, causing it to shudder for a moment as it was impaled before exploding into searing orange fire and black smoke. Merely a second later, a makeshift tank was emerging from an entirely different location, a hollowed-out shell of a building. Vroda barely managed to rotate and fire again in time, but then there were three, six, fourteen enemy vehicles and whole companies of soldiers behind.

The prefab barriers shuddered as dozens of enemy shots landed, while the desperate corporal rushed to target his most dangerous assailants one by one: A tank-hunter spider walker here, a fast-approaching armored car with a flamethrower there, a squad of furry Ayar manning a laser cannon yonder.

Try as ve may, Corporal Vroda was getting surrounded. Ve remembered that yesterday, ve had been saved by the timely flanking intervention of a VSOP team, little Shravian figures that looked almost like robots with their cybernetics and tight grey power-armor. They had come out with plasma guns blazing, mere infantry ravaging an entire column of tanks before retreating back into their hiding. But right now, ve knew they were occupied elsewhere: VSOP had been assigned the objective of softening the rebel artillery now that the defenders had lost too much of their own to manage counter-battery fire. It was just Vroda and the enemy here today.



There were too many of them. Vroda was getting surrounded. Shots were starting to hit vis suit. Clunk! The chatter of comrades and commanders cut out with not more than a tremble and a blip. Puh! With a metallic ring and an electronic whine, targeting reticules and rangefinder markings disappeared from Vroda's display. Desperate, ve clasped the triggers and digged into the buttons for every weapon on the suit. Missiles screeched, light gas autocannons popped, plasma beams hummed, and plasma throwers roared. Everything the corporal could see ahead seemed to burst into fire and dust, but the inaccurate barrage scored precious few true hits.

It was the fury of a dying animal, knowing no direction, and the enemy knew it. They began to close in on the isolated suit. The fight was over. Or so it seemed, until...

_

Day 13

...the enemy was swept away before me in a blaze of explosions and beams and shells from above! Or was it behind? Whatever the case, then came the Ussuri gunships flying in over my head! There must have been hundreds of them, and that was just the ones in my line of sight! Glorious metal birds with the sword-and-gear of our Frontier comrades emblazed upon their armor.

My own suit was out of action, but I witnessed what came next. Ussuri in suits and Tr'Kan on foot, a veritable tidal wave of metal and lizards that swept past me and then disappeared ahead, so quick and devastating was their advance!

There's no longer any question in my mind. If my opinion as a humble noble corporal is of any value, let it be known that the Ussuri are heroes and true kin of us Varsovians. Their customs may be odd, their habits a little rugged, but the frontier-folk are the strength of Shravia as much as those of us keeping the core in order. We must rise again united, as we did today to overcome the mindless revolutionaries. Tomorrow, perhaps, we will overcome the Imperium degenerates as well. I only hope I live to see it on the ground, as I've witnessed this victory today!

_____






Holo-Journal of Kapitan Sudoslav b a

168th Penal Regiment

The stench of death and pestilence are everywhere. The incinerators burn day and night, interrupted only by the burst of shelling, screaming, and the cursed Tr'Kan hissing. We live a troglodyte existence, dodging artillery strikes and air patrols by day, and and skulking by night. We arrived on Kyschev four million strong, thirty thousand tanks and mechanized vehicles, and six thousand aircraft. A decade has passed since our glorious army has landed on this barren wasteland of a world.

Kyschev was supposed to be the culmination of a glorious campaign.

The capital of the Tr'Kan rebels and the Asov bandits who support them.

Kyschev was supposed to be the end.

Instead, Kyschev was a trap designed to bleed the Ussuri to death by a thousand cuts.

The enemy fleet gave our forces precious little resistance, conserving their ships to strike during the landing operation when the Armada was most vulnerable. Chaos ensued and the wreckage of the flagship Admiral Kubliov still lurks in orbit over the planet, a grim reminder of the battle. The back of the Ussuri fleet was broken and a new offensive by the Asov Clan meant that there was little naval firepower to save Sirakov's army.

But like us, the rebels lack the means to deliver a final blow. A blockade has strangled the planet, with only the occasional transport ships and blockade runners slipping through to dekuver vital supplies. Now even that precious link is threatened.

Week One: The Siege of Tambov

Something has changed over the last six months. The Tr'Kan have become more bold and we've captured scouts surveying our lines. More importantly, we've seen battle suits much akin to ours amongst the enemy ranks. These feral barbarians are not capable of grand strategems. Someone with shrewd intelligence is guiding them, a cunning Shravian mind. The Asovians have arrived, first only a handful of troopships, then hundreds more.

When the offensive came, it was brutal, swift, and sudden. The Front Line of the Vostok Sector was overrun in a matter of two days, the assault not only coming from the air but beneath us as well. Massive tunneling charges blowing massive gaps into fortifications that have been in place for the last three years. It's become clear what the enemies objective is: Tambov.

The city on the river is the last remaining spaceport in Ussuri hands, without it, the bare minimum of supplies that have been reaching us will grind to a complete halt.

Week Six:

The crack of autocannon's and burp of rocket fire is near constant. I cannot deny the thrill of combat, the constant rush of adrenaline pumping through my heart. Yet the state of our existence and its inevitable course cannot be denied. The enemy have advanced into the outskirts of Tambov and no matter how many I kill, it seems the enemies numbers are limitless. The wretched reptiles and their Asovian masters.

The radio cracks with a never ending stream of reports and I carefully select which squads are beyond saving. The command module implanted in my wrist hums to life, activation runes glowing as I trigger the kill switch. Massive explosions follow, sending shrapnel and debris flying in all directions. The explosive collar around my own neck is a reminder of my own fate should the scum overtake my position.

I take a moment to survey the space port. Near constant shelling has reduced Tambov to smoking ruins, fires rage uncontrollably through many of the districts. It's only a matter of time. Enemy bombers swoop in for another strafing run, leaving ka trail of destruction and destroyed vehicles in their wake. A wave of our own missiles pursued them, a twisting trail of contrails.

Despite our efforts in holding the perimeter.. I receive my orders...

Withdraw.

Week Fourteen:

A battle is raging in low orbit.

The streaking remains of warships come shooting down like stars, but down here in the trenches there is no respite. The enemy has taken seventy five percent of Tambov, only the space port, protected by a void shield and a network of anti-aircraft batteries still remains firmly in control. But that control is slipping by the day. The streets are carpeted with the dead and destroyed vehicles. Tanks lay haphazardly, thrown like a spore's plaything. Enemy air attacks have gone from annoying to incessant. Our supply of missiles has run extremly low and like birds of prey, every movement is watched.

The regiment of four thousand has been cut to just four hundred men. We've been ordered to dig in around the space port. I await the final assault.

It doesn't come. Swarms of new fighters have arrived and suddenly there is a pitched air battle in the sky. These sleek new fighters swat their enemy counterparts out of the sky, leaving little more than flaming wreckage in their wake. Orbital bombardments swiftly follow, blasting the countryside to volcanic glass.

Hoverbirds swiftly follow, deploying specialized platoons. Their battlesuits identify them as Shravian's but these aren't the aging ing battlesuits that the Ussuri grunt has grown useto.d to. Gleaming and advanced, it is only then that I see the colors of Varsovia emblazoned upon their shoulder emblems.

Our cousins from the Core World, long thought lost. The sky is soon filled with new waves of Ussuri troopships and words soon begins circulating that the Varsovian's have broken the blockade! Without their help, despite their odd ways, we would've been little more than meat.

Perhaps there is more to these long lost cousins than meets the eye. They are brave in their own right, with Ussuri manpower and Varsovian ships, the Galaxy will tremble.

Even after the heated confrontation that had sparked the current state of hostilities mere weeks past, the system of Edinburgh was all but undefended in the face of the sudden Musashi onslaught. Enormous mobilization efforts had been called by the Confederation’s Star Navy and Army in the temporary lull, but that glut of war material lay waiting far from where it was needed. After Musashi’s declaration of war, and the Confederation’s subsequent reciprocation, debate and uncertainty had gridlocked the efforts to plan a coherent military response.

From the surface of Edinburgh proper the scant Planetary Defense Force mobilized courageously, but in spite of the forces valour it numbered a mere three cruisers, seventeen destroyers, and a smattering of escort fighters and armed merchant vessels. Standing guard at the planets door the small force stared down death unflinchingly, each and every one of its members a volunteer fighting to safeguard their own world.

The Zero and Toryu fighters were the first of Musashi’s strike force to reach the Edinburgh defenders, launching a barrage of missiles and particle beams at the cruisers. Right behind the fighters came eight cruisers and twenty destroyers, which focused their weapons on the Confederate destroyers. From the rear the Musashi battleships Kotetsu and Fuso opened up on the three Confederate cruisers.

As the Confederate fighters intercepted their Musashi counterparts, the Musashi Toryu fighters peeled off to focus their efforts on the Confederate warships while the Zero fighters dealt with their Confederate counterparts. Unlike in the previous encounter, this time Musashi had a distinct advantage in the number of fighters in the region. Zero fighters worked together, baiting the Confederate Stingers while a wingmate came in from behind.

In stark contrast to the earlier engagement the Confederate Stingers lacked not only the numerical advantage, but also the vital asset of experienced pilots. Within moments the Stinger force was overwhelmed. Inexperienced pilots accustomed only to combat simulations fell prey to the Zero’s tactics and found themselves in a withering hail of fire seemingly without warning. The fighters formation fell apart even as a handful of elites left behind by the Webber and its sister ships tried their best to coordinate the crumbling defense. Those few elites soon found themselves isolated as the volunteer force Stingers either broke off in panic or fell prey to their betters.

Among those elites John Cabet cursed bitterly, hurling a thesaurus of invectives at his enemies. Still hungover from the night before and having downed an irresponsible amount of stimulants to prepare himself for the sortie John was thoroughly displeased with the state of the battle. He’d caught onto the Zero’s game quickly enough and it was maddening to see it work. For his part when it’d became clear what was happening his flight of six had decided to stick together, operating as sort of flying defensive satellite. Whenever a zero closed they’d each cut acceleration and reorient outwards, firing to dissuade any closing attackers while still covering all angles.

The tactic pissed him off, and it was his. With such a disadvantage it was all they could do to cover themselves, but it was trash. Any enemy with a shred of competence wouldn’t be any more than warded off, scoring a kill was impossible and so long as it remained so the clock was ticking. For now the Zeros were occupied, but if they ganged up on his formation it’d be over in an instant. He didn’t fancy dying. Where that left him, he didn’t quite know.

Away from the dogfight the big guns of the defense fleet found themselves in an equally hopeless situation. The Musashi attack had split the few escort fighters available from their charges and now the Toryu’s tore away at the destroyers savagely. Ill suited to point defense unlike the larger cruisers the Destroyers found themselves flailing in response to the fighters attack. When the larger Musashi force had arrived the situation had turned for the worse. While the destroyers had shown laudable discipline unlike their escorts, the introduction of other warships to the attack shattered any pretense of possible victory. Three destroyers burned up in the opening exchange.

Outnumbered so severely the destroyers executed a retreat to Edinburgh’s orbit. Falling back to the gravity well would have put them at a disadvantage under normal circumstances, but within moments of the retreat they’d be close enough to enter the range and protection of the ground batteries. Alongside them were the cruisers who’d fled the onslaught from the Musashi battleships. While more than capable of fending off the Toryu’s, the larger vessels had found themselves pitifully outgunned, badly enough that even as they ran the rearmost of them was struck critically. Almost immediately it flashed out of existence in a brilliant deflagration that bombarded the area with radiation and light.

Whereas in the previous battle of Edinburgh it was clear that the Musashi Zeros had been attempting to limit casualties, targeting the wings and engines of their foes, this time around the Zeros showed little intent to be merciful. There were a few skilled Zero pilots who certainly were not going for the kill, but just as often as not it was clearly with the intent of allowing another, arguably less skilled, pilot take the kill.

Lines such as “That was for Swallowtail!” and “For Yuki-hime!” could occasionally be picked up by the Confederate defenders. At one point a pilot even yelled “Down with the barbarians!” Although he seemed to be a minority in the group.

The more elite Confederate pilots, namely John Cabet’s flight, found themselves surrounded by an equally skilled group of Zero pilots. These Zeros would swoop in, taking a hastily aimed shot before rolling away. It became clear very quickly that they had no intention to commit themselves to a slugfest with their Confederate peers, instead choosing to try and wear down their foes and wait for their comrades to mop up the other Stinger fighters. Within a matter of minutes the group of Zero fighters around John Cabet and his allies had doubled in number and the new arrivals proved to be far more aggressive than the first group of Zeros. They began to swoop in in groups of three while a pair of Zeros got in front of the Stingers, spun around, and launched a pair of missiles each before darting away.

By this point the Musashi fleet had closed with the planet and what little remained of the Confederate defending fleet. The defenders fought furiously, forcing a pair of Musashi destroyers and a cruiser to back off after taking some serious hits, but the pair of battleships have the aggressors too distinct of an advantage. With the two battleships acting as a shield, the Confederate defenders were helpless to prevent a group of four destroyers and twenty Toryus from descending into the planet’s atmosphere. The battle would soon be fought in the streets of Edinburgh’s capital.

His flight was good, maybe even the best, but John had recognized the impossibility of the situation long ago. Every attack from the Zeros was met with a hail of coordinated fire, every missile intercepted, but the strain of keeping track of many threats was getting to him and his comrades. The clock was ticking down and it seemed the end was nigh. Firing his own missiles at a particularly bold Zero and letting his flight attempt to corral the fighter with fire John realized how limited his options were. They could kill half of their attackers and even then breaking out was impossible.

Cursing bitterly John opened a channel with his comrades, “Stand down everyone, broadcast your surrender and disarm. We’re fucking beat, no need to die for nothing.” Slamming the control to power down his weapons John swore again and retrieved the flask he’d kept under his seat for just such an occasion. There was no sense in giving up sober after all.

For a time it seemed the planet was silent, even as the Musashi contingent broke off to land forces. Seconds turned to minutes and it seemed as if the planet's defenders had been betrayed. Then, and without warning, there was a brilliant flash as dozens of massive defense emplacements lanced fluorescent beams of energy into the sky as if the besiegers had crossed some invisible line. Overwhelmingly the static defenses lashed out at the Musashi battleships, using the leviathans careless advance so far into the gravity well against them. In concert the remaining cruisers far above closed with the Musashi juggernauts as the scattered destroyers tried their best to cover them, even in the face of their disadvantage. Yet still, the initiative was all too obviously against them. In the time it had taken for the enemy to close to optimal range two more destroyers were shredded and an additional three had suffered such damage as to signal their surrender.

Time may have been bought with the planets aid, but the still situation in orbit was hopelessly dire. Down below however, the story was different. Quite unlike their allies in space the ground forces of Edinburgh had experience and most importantly, numbers. Even as the Musashi landing force neared the surface numerous squadrons of unfatigued Wasp atmospheric fighters rose to intercept them, each one loosing it’s armament of missiles and opening fire. For them, the fight had only just begun.



The Princess and heir apparent of Musashi, Yamamoto Yuki, was at once a guest and a prisoner. She had arrived directly from the first battle at Edinburgh aboard the Liberation class carrier SSCSS Webber and soon after found herself confined to a room nominally reserved for foreign heads of state. Lavish by any standard the room went so far as to contain it’s own atrium and no less than three bedrooms, but to Yuki it was a cell all the same. The armoured guards at the only exit made that clear. In her time there not once had an official come to greet her, or even speak to her, each one with the pull to do so far too concerned with the potential consequences any such action would have.

Only a short tram ride away the Chamber of the Cabinet had been stunned silent, none had truly expected Musashi to act this quickly. They had convinced each other that their victory, however slight it was, had dissuaded the Empire from actly rashly. There should have been time for them work out the details, to open negotiations on their terms. There should have been time.

Steve Woolsey spoke first, his face paling to a degree that was nothing less than unsettling, “We’re at war.”

The statement was obvious, after all they had issued a declaration days ago, but it encapsulated the sentiment in the room well enough. What followed however, was something that served to unify the distressed chamber. Woolsey spoke out once more, “I move that the First Chancellor be granted emergency measures and the war act be instituted.”

Grey hair pushed back by a hand resting on her forehead, Kaela Sevaren spoke first, “I… Consent to the proposal.”

The cabinet voted with only one dissenting vote from the Iberian Commonwealth. The Confederation was truly at war.



For the first time since Yuki had arrived the guards at her door stirred, diverging from their robotic routine. The two men turned to one another and snapped into a salute and without warning the reinforced door retracted up into its frame revealing the form of the woman who’d just been granted the authority of an absolute monarch. The First Chancellor stepped in, and no sooner than that the door fell shut behind her.

An oddly aged woman for fifty three Kaela’s hair was a weary silver and her eyes showed heavy bags, as much from age as exhaustion. It was obvious she had never opted for rejuvenation surgeries or drugs, and all her motions showed a lack of genetic tampering. Walking towards Yuki she spoke, calmly yet unquestioningly, “Come Princess, the atrium is a finer place to speak than the entranceway.”

“Very well.” Yuki responded, following the aged woman to the atrium. “I was beginning to wonder when someone from your government was going to come speak to me.” She paused awkwardly before asking “And your name is?”

Kaela spared only a glance at Yuki as she strode forwards, “I am Kaela Sevaren, First Chancellor of the Sovereign Star Confederation and High Commander of its militaries.” Coming to a stop at a wicker table in the atriums center Kaela gestured to a chair opposite to the one she had pulled out for herself, “It is a pleasure to meet you Princess, and you have my sympathies for any difficulty this delay has caused you.”

“The pleasure is mine Sevaren-sama” Yuki said as she took a seat. She removed her mask, showing a face that was clearly the product of genetic engineering; a stark contrast to Kaela’s face. “And you need not be concerned. I am sure you have been busy with negotiations up to this point.” She let out a long sigh. “I know my father can be a bit of a pain at times. Well, since you are here now, Sevaren-sama, does that mean you have concluded your negotiations with my country’s government?”

The irony inspired a short smile, but even that was quickly stifled, “It is with regret that I am unable to provide you such news Princess.” The lines of Kaela’s face hardened, “Your country and father declared war shortly after the incident at our border, and I replied in kind. In the time since then we have busied ourselves with preparation for negotiations, but it appears your government has taken a different stance. Moments ago I was informed that an attack has been launched on the Edinburgh system by your military, and as a result I have been granted special authority to retaliate however I see fit, without due process, to preserve the tenets upon which this Confederation was founded.”

Sighing deeply she continued, “That having been said Princess, I do not wish to see millions of innocent lives extinguished. I do not wish to have the blood of men I order to their deaths on my hands, yet I will do what I must. I come to you now as my only recourse so that untold suffering may be avoided, but I will not pretend that my request is fair.” Glancing at a small timepiece from forgotten age on her wrist Kaela looked Yuki in the eyes, “Denounce the actions of your military, advocate restraint, and request they retreat to the border. Do all this in spite of what it may cost you among your people, and the slaughter may yet be stopped before it begins.”

“I do not understand why you would delay in informing my father of my safety” Yuki said as she closed her eyes, “but doing so has allowed the hawks in my government to gain the power necessary to influence its policy.” She let out a long sigh as she opened her eyes and looked down at her mask. She seemed to ponder something before turning her gaze to Kaela.

“Sevaren-sama,” She began, “I can request that the military returns to Musashi.” She suddenly adopted a stern expression “But I will not call into question the honor of those who are acting as they feel necessary. Not when they risk their lives to, as they believe, to save mine.” She slowly shook her head. “No. I will tell them to back down. I will request that negotiations are started. But I will not make those in my military out to be the villains.”

Kaela’s fingers danced along the table, their drumming the physical manifestation of her contemplation. It was not ideal, without a condemnation the counterattack planned to give them an edge in peace talks would be less palatable, and Musashi would have yet more to bargain with when negotiations finally commenced. Still, every second wasted was an affront to the defenders of Edinburgh who were dying by the second, and a slight to a military that had already requested permission to deploy to Edinburgh in force and strike back at Musashi from there. Looking to the false holographic false sky for a moment Kaela cast her gaze on Yuki once more, “Then you will have the opportunity to do so. In an hour a conference will be called and the Cabinet will announce the invocation of the War Act, after which you will be provided your chance. If they don’t listen to you I will be forced to answer their attack on one of our systems in kind.”

“We can end this war right here and now, Sevaren-sama” Yuki stated. “If we enter peace negotiations now we can call a ceasefire. It will be binding until either the negotiations break down or we are at peace. However” Yuki hesitated before continuing “for the negotiations to be binding I must be under the protection of my own military to ensure that I am not negotiating under duress.”

“What you suggest is not here and now Princess, but then and there.” Kaela eyed the princess carefully, “You said it yourself, any ceasefire you declare at the conference will be called into question. That said, you are correct that the path to negotiation lies in your endorsement of the process. The Confederation can provide a place and a time for you to announce, but until offical negotiations commence any declared ceasefire would be meaningless and only serve to damage your position further. We can only hope your forces respect the request that they withdraw even without an official order.”



“Admiral” Lian Yunxu looked towards the officer who had addressed him, “intelligence has flagged a Confederation broadcast as top priority for your viewing.”

“Oh?” Yunxu couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow as he felt the ship shake under his feet. “Important enough to draw my attention from the matter at hand?” The battleship Fuso shook under his feet again as it fired a barrage at a Confederate cruiser that had strayed too close. “Very well, display this broadcast on my personal monitor.”

Though somewhat muddled from the interference of countless weapon discharges in the surrounding area what appeared on the Admirals screen was none other than the figure of Kaela Sevaren, and immediately to her right Princess Yuki. The two stood on the great podium of the Confederate capital’s press room and were all but surrounded by cameras and reporters.

With a cough to clear her throat Kaela spoke out, “My fellow citizens of the Confederation, I come to you today with grim tidings. As you all know some time ago the Empire of Musashi launched an unprovoked and unexpected attack on the New British Republic system of Edinburgh, and that this attack spurred our declaration of war against them at that time. This morning I and the other members of the Cabinet received word that the armies of Musashi have followed up that previous, unsuccessful, attack on our territory with a second and larger invasion. It was in response to this sudden attack that in a closed session no more than two hours ago I was granted by majority vote emergency powers as defined by the War Act.” At that the room burst into questions both murmured and shouted, but nevertheless Kaela forged on, “Using these powers I will do all in my power to repulse the unprovoked aggressors at our door, of that you have my assurance. However, in the interests of peace I feel obligated to permit the Princess of Musashi, Yamamoto Yuki, the same one that Musashi asserts we kidnapped as pretense for their hostility, a word on behalf of both herself and her people.”

Yunxu’s eyes narrowed as the view of his monitor focused on the image of Princess Yuki. One of the problems with Musashi’s culture was, due to the mask, it could be difficult to determine the true identity of an individual. “I want intelligence analyzing the voice of this woman claiming to be Yuki-hime!” Yunxu snapped. He didn’t listen to the affirmative given, his attention returning in full to the Confederacy news conference.

“People of the Confederation” Yuki began, “it pains me to appear before you at this time. Our two countries are at war, but under false pretenses. The valiant soldiers of my homeland wage war on you due to the foul plotting of cowards and fools. I was indeed kidnapped, but my kidnapping was not the will of the Confederation. No, it was orchestrated by terrorists who would see our two great nations at war with each other.”

“Oh…?” Yunxu heard himself say.

“We now find ourselves in the midst of a violent gale,” Yuki continued, “And have no choice but to either dance gracefully or flail about in fear.”

“Admiral” An officer said as he approached Yunxu. “Intelligence is reporting that there is a ninety percent chance that the woman in this broadcast is indeed Yuki-hime. They are certain that her voice is not being altered or faked through digital means.” Yunxu nodded. She had also just said a few choice keywords that high level officials knew to look for.

“The Confederate Navy rescued me from my abductors” Yuki continued “and I have been a guest here ever since. I am unharmed and not in danger.” She paused for a moment before adding “And although neither of our governments has handled this issue perfectly, that by no means necessitates the loss of further life. I am hereby requesting that all elements of Musashi’s armed forces ceases military operations against the Confederation and that the Imperial government prepares for peace talks. Thank you.”

Once more the room exploded in a frenzy of rushed inquiries, but with years of experience Kaela honed in on the one question that mattered, spoken by a timid and new reporter that blended into the crowd almost totally, “Does this mean we’ll be ceasing operations as well? Will Edinburgh go undefended?”

Looking to the unremarkable man Kaela spoke commandingly, “Let me be clear, the Princess and I are both committed to peace, but I am not so cowardly as to leave our citizens to the mercy of an enemy, no matter how reconciliatory. While official peace talks will not hinge upon it, I speak this as warning: should Edinburgh still be under assault in five hours we will take action to reclaim the system decisively.”

Another reporter, a woman who’d been a regular at such conferences for years, shouted, “When will this peace conference be if Musashi agrees?”

“While these things would normally be agreed upon by both parties,” Kaela looked to Yuki, “The nature of this war does not permit such luxury. As such the coordinates of a station on the edge of our border will be provided to the government of Musashi. A nominal military force will be supplied by both sides and it is there that Princess Yuki shall be repatriated and an official ceasefire, if one is to be had, will be struck.”

With a short scan of the audience Kaela decided there was little more she needed from the reporters and spoke above their clamour, “That will be all, thank you.”

While more questions were spoken they fell upon deaf ears as both Kaela and Yuki were escorted to an exit. From there a minor aide stepped up and bore the presses interrogation, providing only half truths and intricate nothings in reply to the deluge of inquiring voices.

“Signal the fleet” Yunxu snapped as he turned away from the news conference. “We will be withdrawing the moment are ground forces have pulled out. Inform all ships and fighters that they are to limit combat as much as possible.”

“You sure sir?” An officer asked. “We could easily take the city…”

“No. That would go against Yuki-hime’s will. We pull out.”



Musashi’s ground forces had been informed that the objective of the operation was to take the capital city of the system while inflicting as little damage to the city as possible, as it would later be traded for the princess’s return. Thus, while tanks, artillery, mechs, and fighters had been deployed the city was in considerably better condition than one had cause to expect. Musashi ground forces had taken some substantial losses on the way down; two destroyers, carrying a total of a thousand troopers, had been destroyed by Confederate ground based artillery pieces. The destroyers’ wrecks could be seen still burning to the south of the city.

Otagi, along with a battalion of fellow bushi shodans, had been amongst the first of Musashi’s troops to step onto Confederate soil. From there the fighting had been harsh. Every street, building, and room had been a struggle for Musashi troops to take. They had been burning through their ammunition quickly and more than a few melee fights had broken out.

It was thus that Otagi found himself, sword poised over his head, staring at a Confederate counterpart. He could hear gunshots a street over and a collection of Musashi and Confederate jets roaring overhead. None of that was his concern at the moment. No. All he could afford to pay attention to was the man before him.

Colin Booth had always been what his platoon mates called a meathead, too much muscle and too little brains. It had been a distinction he’d come to appreciate, even enjoy. There was a sense of power in it, that even in good fun you were acknowledged as being strong, formidable. Colin hadn’t much considered the other side of the coin, after all what good had a soldier for cunning or guile? His job was to buckle up, be given a direction, and kill every motherfucker out there.

It was with that mindset that Colin had been separated from his comrades hours ago, and it was with that mindset he found himself face to face with a right crazy bastard he likened to himself, only difference being the other guy had a sword. Grunting in acknowledgement of the challenge Colin dropped the magazine from his rifle, not that much was left in it, and affixed a plasma bayonet. With the flick of a switch the bayonet roared to life in a blinding blue glow.

Otagi gave a slight nod as he edged forward, mildly surprised that the Confederate man hadn’t taken a shot at him. He eyed the man, sizing him up, before suddenly darting forward and slashing down with his katana. He then stepped to the side and followed up with a horizontal cut aimed at the man’s shoulder.

Colin slammed himself to the ground and rolled, Otagi’s blade cleaving the air just beside his head. Springing up Colin stabbed at Bushi’s legs and dove forward with an armoured fist lunging out at his adversaries head.

Otagi deflected Colin’s attack with his blade, protecting his legs as the Confederate’s fist smashed into his armored head. He shook his head before returning the blow with one of his own. The blow rocked Colin and for a moment led him to stagger backwards, but in a blink he was coming back with a push kick aimed at Otagi’s chest.

Otagi planted his feet on the ground and took the kick with a grunt, stumbling back a few steps before regaining his balance. He didn’t allow Colin to push him back further. He advanced, his blade a flurry before him, forcing Colin to retreat.

His helmet left him faceless, but Colin was smiling savagely. The bastard he was up against was good, and he’d been in the mood for a proper brawl all day. The question was how to get around that damnable sword. Grabbing a sizable hunk of concrete off the ground and flinging it at Otagi Colin charged in again, this time with his plasma bayonet ahead of him and thirsting for blood.

Otagi spun around the concrete missile and Colin himself, kicking the man in the back of the knee as they passed each other. As Colin fell to a knee Otagi kicked him a second time, forcing him to the ground. He then raised his katana over his head in preparation for the final blow. A final blow that never came.

“All troops fallback!” Someone yelled in the distance, causing Otagi to freeze, poised as he was to strike Colin. The bushi shodan didn’t look away from his Confederate counterpart.

“What’s going on?” He called out as a gale onna flew overhead. She paused for a moment before swooping down to over near the two combatants.

“Yuki-hime’s safety has been confirmed” The gale onna said. In the distance a cry of victory could be heard. Others quickly took up the victorious shout as it rolled through the battlefield, ending with Otagi and the gale onna shouts. “The princess has ordered us to cease combat immediately.” The gale onna added before taking off into the air again.

“Well then” Otagi said as he sheathed his blade. “Looks like it's your lucky day soldier of the Confederation.” He offered Colin a hand up as he added “You fought well.”

With a grunt Colin took the man's hand, “Aye, but I want a fucking sword too.”

“Hah! Well deal with it” Otagi said as he helped Colin up to his feet. He eyed Colin for a moment before backing away. The second battle of Edinburgh had ended. Within the hour all Musashi ground forces had left the planet and the fleet was headed out of the system.

Four hours after that the entirety of the Confederations 1st, 2nd, and 3rd fleets dropped into the system led by the Liberty-class battleship Self-evident Truth. Within minutes the planet was properly secured and humanitarian aid was already landing in force.

The ancient ring station floated like a mote of dust against the vastness of the nebula around it, the lurid blue and violet clouds of gas looking like waves set to devour the tiny lifeboat in space at any second. An outpost left over from the Imperium, the station had to be many centuries past its prime. It had been dormant when the small army of diplomats responsible for choosing the meeting place of the peace conference dug its coordinates from a mountain of disorderly files left over from the fall, and had they not it would likely have ended up as one of the billions of artifacts like it, forgotten and abandoned by its creators for all eternity. Luckily for the station at least, it was now sure to be remembered.

It had taken a day to sweep the circular station and reactivate its rotational motors, even longer to prep it for the coming negotiations, but now the time was nigh. Three Freedom class cruisers loitered above the station and within a short battalion of men guarded the side that’d been reserved for the Confederation. All was set and now the Confederate diplomats abroad anxiously awaited the Empire’s own contingent, each watching their clocks as the seconds ticked down to the agreed time.

A pair of Ibuki-class cruisers, escorted by a pair of minekaze-class destroyers appeared a few minutes before the designated time. The Musashi force approached the station slowly, making no move to power up their weapons systems, although shields were operating at full power. As they neared, the cruisers launched several craft that were identified as carrying Musashi government officials and escorts.

“Ah” Princess Yuki said as she looked over the list Musashi had provided of the officials who were to partake in the meeting. “It’ll be nice to see Lian-sama again.” Her face lit up with a smile as she placed her hand on her mask and pushed it ever so slightly away from her on the table.

Sparing the Princess a glance Chancellor Woolsey cocked a brow and questioned, “A friend? Teacher? I suppose it’s best you know the diplomats your father sent. This might go well enough none of us die by the end.”

Yuki let out a quick chuckle before answering “No, nothing like that. Simply a man worthy of respect. A true patriot. He was tasked with overseeing the defense of our border with you a few years back.” Her smile seemed to widen slightly as she commented “I recall my cousin throwing a fit when Lian-sama drastically cut our active military presence in the region.”

“Is someone talking about me?” A tall man, dressed in dark blue hanfu, said as he entered the room. He took one look at Yuki before removing his mask and falling to a knee. “I cannot put into words how grateful I am to see you unharmed.”

“Please” Yuki said with a slight blush, “not here and now Lian-sama. Now then,” She said as Lian rose to his feet and approached Yuki and Woolsey. “Allow me to introduce you to Woolsey-sama. Chancellor of the New British Republic. Woolsey-sama this is,” She gestured towards Lian, “Lian Yunxu-sama. Admiral of the Imperial Musashi Navy.”

The admiral eyed Woolsey for a moment before saying “The pleasure is mine Woolsey-sama. And be grateful it is I that am here today.”

“Lian-sama!” Yuki sounded truly shocked.

“It was either myself or one of your cousins, Yuki-hime” Lian shrugged.

“Oh….”

“Your father, the emperor, made it quite clear to me that I was supposed to support you in negotiating this peace” Lian continued. “And, might I add, that you need perform well during these negotiations. Shoichi-denka and Saeko-denka are already preparing to take advantage of this whole...mess.”

“Lian-sama! Why speak of internal matters here?” Yuki was clearly flustered.

“The Confederation will figure things out eventually on its own” Lian said with a shrug. “Consider this a token of goodwill on my part.” This he said to Woolsey. “Now then Yuki-hime, Woolsey-sama, shall we begin?”

Woolsey had listen to the back and forth with interest, and at the prompt he was quick to speak, “Indeed we shall Admiral, and it is taken as such. We all have… Unpleasant realities to face in the wake of this. After all, I wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t the only choice I had. It can’t be helped, more than a few of my ministers were born on Edinburgh.” Woolsey regarded Lian closely and gestured to a seat, “Take that anecdote as you will.”

“Edinburgh is a nice planet” Lian commented as he took the offered seat.

“You’ve been there before?” Yuki asked with a raised eyebrow.

“I’ve seen it from orbit.” Was all Lian gave up before switching the target. “Now about those peace talks…”

“Umm… yes. Woolsey-sama I would like to take measures to prevent another war from occurring. Towards that end Musashi is willing to officially recognize its pre-war border with the Confederation if the Confederation does so as well.” Yuki began. “I would also like to see provisions in this treaty that would prevent either country from annexing territory that once belonged to the other except with the explicit permission of the country that the territory was once a part of.”

“The pre-war borders shall be restored, of that we are in agreement. However, I would amend your second suggestion.” Woolsey interlocked his fingers in thought, “I acknowledge the necessity of a provision against hostile annexation of territory. However, in light of recent events I believe that we should institute a legal apparatus for such annexation to occur, if desired by the majority populace of a system on either side.”

Yuki frowned, closed her eyes and leaned back in her seat as she considered Woolsey’s proposal. After a moment she opened one eye to look at Lian, who was carefully maintaining a perfectly neutral expression. “A two thirds majority” Yuki said after a moment. “And neither country will be legally bound to annex a system in the event that such a referendum is successful. Agreeable?”

“Hm,” Woolsey thought for a moment, ideally the bar would be set lower, but he wasn’t foolish enough to ignore Lian’s warning. If the Princess didn’t seem to be getting a good, or even fair deal the Confederation would have larger issues than attaining mere treaty concessions. “Very well Princess, your conditions are agreeable. On the subject of preventing another regrettable incident though, I propose a line of direct communication between the Confederation and Musashi be established at the highest level.”

“Yes!” Yuki perked up. “That falls in line with some of my longstanding wishes. I would like each of our countries to establish an embassy in the capital of the other. I cannot negotiate a direct link to the Emperor, but I can set up a direct communication line to our minister of the foreign affairs.” She nodded to herself before adding “And perhaps we should set up a station, operated by both countries, that we can use as a site for future conferences.”

Woolsey nodded, “All this can be done. So to recap, a direct line will be established between our respective foreign affairs bodies, a mutual exchange of embassies will occur, and a neutral territory will be established to settle future disputes.” Woolsey glanced at Lian before looking to Yuki again, “Is there anything else the Empire of Muashi wishes to propose on the subject of averting future conflicts?”

Yuki glanced at Lian before shaking her head. “I believe we have done as much in regards to that subject as we can at this point in time. Is there anything else you would like to bring up?”

Woolsey corrected his glasses with a quick tap, “No… Moving on then.” Woolsey opened a small folder on the table and continued, “Mmmm, yes the next subject of note would be prisoners of war. Quite simply the Confederation asks for their mutual exchange, all in our custody would be released, as would all in yours. Does your government find that acceptable?”

“That is acceptable.” Yuki said.

“Actually” Lian spoke up for the first time and, for a moment, it seemed that he would contradict Yuki. “We have brought our POWs here with us. Eight pilots lead by a…” He had to go over some of the materials he brought with him “Captain John Cabet. They can be released into your care the moment these negotiations are completed.”

“Good good.” Woolsey flipped through another few pages in his folder, “Likewise we can have yours brought here within a single jump. Most seem to be injured soldiers from the assault on Edinburgh, so they would have to be transferred via medical ship.”

“Would it be possible for the medical ship to transport them straight to a facility in Musashi territory?” Lian asked. “I’d like to avoid any unnecessary transfers of injured personnel if at all possible.”

Woolsey looked up, “Certainly, though we would need certain assurances of the crew's safety, not that I expect trouble of course.”

“I give you my personal word that both the crew and ship will be unharmed while in Musashi’s territory.” Lian said. “And perhaps if we stated they were Yuki-hime’s guests…?”

“None would dare harm them.” Yuki said with a slight nod. “It will be so. Now then.” She lightly tapped the table before saying “I am prepared to offer twenty million in Confederate dollars as compensation to the families of those who died in the defense of their homeland.” Lian narrowed his eyes, but kept his mouth shut.

Woolsey leaned back and shot a glance at Lian. Reparations would be seen as a significant victory for the Confederation, even if they were small in comparison to the damage done. The very fact that Yuki would offer them told Woolsey enough about the Princess he’d resented only days ago to agree with the Admiral. If there was to be a lasting peace, Yuki would have to lead it. Making eye contact with Yuki he spoke, “On the behalf of my nation's citizens I would be more than happy to accept such an offer.”

“Excellent” Yuki said with a smile. “I hope that it helps in repairing some of the damage done to our countries’ relations.”

Tapping the table and looking down Woolsey remarked, “Indeed it will.” With a flip to the last page of his folder he spoke again, “Which leaves us the last issue on my agenda. At the moment my government holds all the agitators responsible for the incident which started this war, and we are prepared to extradite the ringleaders to Musashi to face trial. Those ringleaders being some eight individuals we’ve noted for their active involvement in the kidnapping of the Princess.”

“I… we appreciate it.” Yuki said after a moment. “But if I recall there was another ten or so individuals on board the ship. Nothing… happened to them, right?”

Glancing up and turning to the Princess from his folder Woolsey answered, “Those individuals were found to be either innocent of conspiracy to provoke a state of hostility between our nations, or remain under interrogation. It is the will of my government that they remain in the Confederation for the time being.”

“I always figured some of those separatists had truly good intentions. Very well. We shall allow some of our citizens to remain in your country as… tourists?” Yuki nodded to herself. “Yes. Or whatever you want to call them. And the ringleaders of my kidnapping shall be put on trial for terrorism, war crimes, and treason, amongst other charges I’m sure.” She nodded again before adding “Well I believe that just about wraps things up. I must admit we’ve come to an agreement far easier and quicker than I had dared dream.”
“Often times a rational opponent may recognize the value in simplicity Princess. I feel we’ve both done so today.” Closing his folder Woolsey stood and outstretched his hand, “I’ll have an official treaty drawn up from the transcripts for us to sign, It was a pleasure.”

What Woolsey didn’t mention how he’d almost certainly be reprimanded for his actions, unofficially of course, but nevertheless. He just hoped the unconditional extradition would soften the blow to Yuki’s reputation, after all her future was as much power as he had left now. The failure to protect Edinburgh was enough that he’d lost any chance of reelection, but the pleasant thing about monarchies was that a good decision made regarding them could have a truly lasting impression.

“The pleasure was mine Woolsey-sama” Yuki said as she shook his hand. “I look forward to working with you and your government in the days to come.” She turned to Lian with a smile. “And it’s good to know that you are on my side.”

By this point the admiral had risen to his feet and was looking down at Yuki with a raised eyebrow. “I’m afraid you’re misunderstanding something” He said as he placed his mask over his face. “The only side that I am on is the Empire’s. I have rushed to your aid once, but I shall warn you now: should you cause harm to Musashi again, I will not hesitate to crush you.” He turned to Woolsey, ignoring the look of utter shock plastered across Yuki’s face, as he said “If you’ll excuse me Woolsey-sama, I’ll see that your pilots are returned to you.”

Rather taken aback by the exchange Woolsey stuttered, “Ah… Yes I’ll make the arrangements on my side as well.”

“I...I’m sorry you had to see that” Yuki managed as Lian made his exit. All color had seemed to have drained from her face, any trace of pep had fled her body. Her expression was equal parts shocked and betrayed. After a few moments she forced a weak smile and asked “I suppose that completes our business, does it not?”

“I suppose it does.” With an adjustment of his suit Woolsey almost turned to leave, but he lingered for a moment, “I would take care Princess, for a great many have already sacrificed for your sake. Do honour them and what they’ve lost, for they won't always be there.”

With that Woolsey strode out of the meeting room and prepared for what would be hours of drafting versions of what had been said until the minor aides on both sides were content with the phrasing. All said and done, all he wanted now was a modest bunk and a bottle of whiskey.



The signing of the official treaty was completely perfectly and was broadcast live in both the Confederation and Musashi. After the ceremony Lian located Woolsey and led him to a side room.

“My apologies Woolsey-sama” Lian said when they were alone. “But I wanted to give you this away from the prying eyes of the media.” He held out a small data cube. Activating it showed the image of a Musashi bushi helping a confederate soldier to his feet. “This was recorded during the battle of Edinburgh. I suspect that it will be leaked to the media in Musashi within the days to come. I am also sure that certain individuals will be using it as part of a propaganda campaign aimed at repairing the relations between our two countries.” He shrugged as he added “I figured you might be interested in a copy yourself.”

“Well then…” Woolsey waited for the clip to player over a second time, “I can certainly see what you mean. This will doubtless be a great help to my successor, after I resign.” With a wry smile he continued, “It seems the party wasn’t too pleased with me, but that’s the beauty of democracy isn’t it? I’m replaceable, always was. I digress, but still you have my sincere thanks Admiral. For more than just this.”

“True leaders are not replaceable” Lian shook his head. “But I suppose that is the problem with democracies. They give their people the type of government they deserve. And monarchies eventually make the people wish they were in a democracy.” He sounded somewhat amused. “Ah, but I must have taken up enough of your time. Perhaps we shall meet again Woolsey-sama, though to be honest I suspect we won’t.”

“Well you may have made it sure there Admiral, after all life tends to mock what we take as certainties.” Woolsey smiled and went for a handshake, “I have enjoyed your company, however brief it was.”

“Ah. yes.” Lian said as he returned the handshake. He turned to leave, but paused for a moment. “Oh, and thanks for not browbeating Yuki-hime.” He didn’t wait for Woolsey’s reply.

Totalist Union
Planet JHS-294
Collective Battlelines
Planetary Command Center Zero-One

Deep in the bowels of the gargantuan structure that is Zero-One, a pair of Agaathi-class Homunculi, both of which were members of the small, yet elite Commandos, both in full body armor, with the exception of their helmets, carrying them to their sides. The pair strolled through the wide, cold, and dimly lit corridors of Zero-One, passing by their fellow Agaathi, all going about their tasks like the living machines they were, mostly emotionless and dull, even their mannerism and body language matching their activities. The Commandos however, were a far different breed compared to their noncombatant brethren. The very way they walked and spoke had hints of individualism and high energy, a necessary, if very risky trait needed for such soldiers to be the elite, to be the finely crafted Blade of the Gods to strike down their foes.

The two commandos had finally reach their destination, standing before a large door as it slide away open, greeted a blinding way of light from the local star as it beamed through the Command and Control Center, a wide room filled with electronics equipment and consoles, several dozen of Agaathi manning these devices as they maintained control of the facility and the battle outside waging. Above was a domed glass ceiling. The two continued onward as they walked along a runway, passing by their brothers and sisters below in small trenches as they tended to the computer consoles. They passed by a cadre of Varusch soldiers standing at attention on both sides, giving the respect they deserved, their birthright. They soon halted at the center, standing before a large command chair of extravagant design, the chair begun to rotate as the owner had revealed himself, a cyclopian machine sat giant on the chair like a throne. The two commandos knelled and bowed their heads before the machine.

"My lord." One of them spoke up. "We have arrived as ordered."

"What is your bidding, Lord Regius?" The other inquired.

"Good..you've finally arrived" Reguius spoke in a booming, Metallic tone. "Command Units 10321 and 698802. What have you to report regarding the frontlines...how do our forces fair?"

"The results are...mixed, my lord. The humans of this region are a persistent breed, we score many victories, yet face the same amount of defeat against them. They are hardened, fanatical and are determined to liberate this system of our presence."

Regius sighed in disappoint. "Such a shame, they reject our holy vision, they waste their fanaticism on a lost cause, such energy would be better suited for the Collective...but whats done is done, they will face the same fate as all who reject our gift." the AI had paused for but a moment before speaking once more. "You are in need of...greater assets. You will launch another attack on their forward positions, however, you are to be giving command of several Colossus, use them to great effect, I expect to break them once and for all. We WILL take this world and all others, they will eventually accept Ascension, or fall."

Totalist Union. Sector 0001. Centre System. Aboard Floating Fortress AA-#04.



Generalissimo Dollabela-Rybalksy sighed contently as he unwrapped the bar of chocolate. The good kind, reserved for the upper echelons of the Party instead of the things they gave out to the masses. He took a bite, almost moaning when it started melting inside his mouth. Oh how he enjoyed the privileges of command.

A beep from his console took the Director of Peace out of his reverie. Quickly recomposing himself, the Generalissimo accepted the call from his secretary, telling him that his guests had arrived. He ordered them in as he deftly wrapped the chocolate again, throwing it inside one of the drawers of his desk.

Moments later, one of his proteges entered his personal office. Tall, broad shouldered and stern faced, General Harold Lindsay was the picture of a proper Totalist officer. Though what really caught the Generalissimo's attention was his unshakable loyalty and willingness to obey without question. The General saluted and sat silently, waiting for his superior to start, as it should be.

“General, I have a mission for you.” That was one of the things that put Lindsay in the Director's good graces, he didn't had to sugar coat or flatter with him. “Consider it a personal task instead of a military one.”

Lindsay's reaction was almost imperceptible, but the Generalissimo knew his protege well enough to know that he was interested. Though he remained silent.

“As it has already been decided, you will be leading the vanguard of the landings in OLA-519. The defense there is led by General Bocanegra. Surely you've already heard of her.” He said disdainfully. “Our friend, the Director of Truth seems determined to remind the entire State of how she heroically defended the planet during these last two years. What I want from you is to access whether this Bocanegra is one of Fiannecci's creatures. Understood, General?”

“Yes, General.” Lindsay nodded. “Anything else?”

“No, not now.” The Generalissimo shook his head. “You are dismissed. Return to your transport and finish your preparations. We depart tomorrow morning.”

The General left and the Director quickly returned to his chocolate. He would deal with Bocanegra and the Collective later, hopefully Bocanegra was aware of the immense stupidity of supporting Director Fianecci. She was competent enough and it would be a pity see her career and life ruined because she was too stupid to not know to whom her loyalty was owned. But such were the necessities of politics.

Totalist Union. Sector 0021. System 092-B. Planet JHS-294



Dvarza's regiment had been rotated to the rearguard after the last major Collective offensive had been blunted. Though calling their current position rearguard was being charitable. The incessant pounding of long-range artillery could still be clearly heard, despite the music flooding the reinforced basement that had been re purposed as an officer's lounge. Not that it bothered the occupants of the room.

The Lieutenant sat in one of the corners, nursing a half-filled glass of Victory gin and talking with Major Karaj Kurlum, from one of the few Black Banner regiments deployed on the sector.

“…And these.” He continued, gesturing to his face. A thing of faded and yellowish skin with prominent veins and shiny cybernetic gray eyes. “Aren't actually direct results of the surgeries. But actually the modified Kalavrian cocktail that sometimes causes the veins in your body to become so noticeable.” The Major took a sip from his own glass.

“Why modify it, though?” Ilika asked, frowning slightly. “The Kalavrian cocktail is as good as it gets. I've had it once or twice, took me out of action almost instantly. And from what they told me, the slightest change in the recipe could end up killing someone.”

“No, no.” Kurlum waved her off. “The cocktail can be modified without presenting any risks to the user or affecting the performance enhancing effects.” The Major finished his glass. “It's difficult and there are very few right ways to do it. Most of them having results that are considered undesirable by most.”

“Like the veiny look.” Dvarza pointed out, refilling her own glass.

“And many varied kinds of pain.” Kurlum added. “As a matter of fact, this particular version gives an immediate feeling of burning inside your veins once you take it. As the time passes, it subsides to a mere dull throbbing pain.” He refilled his own glass as he sighed. “Unfortunately I'm growing resistant to the effects, even the initial rush doesn't has the same kick anymore.” He paused. “And that's not even counting the fact that the Black Banner modifications make me much more resistant to its effects. You said the cocktail took you out of commission instantly, the brew I take would give you a most agonizing death!” He finished, smiling widely at her.

“Oh.” Was all Dvarza said, realization dawning in on her. “You're an adept of the Pain vehicle.”

“Exactly!” Kurlum grinned at her. “It has been years since I've had free time to have a proper enlightenment session.” He downed half of his gin. “There are no monasteries here in JHS or even nearby systems, and the Collective hit the closest thing we had when they landed two years ago. So I take my pain when I can. And as long as it doesn't interferes with my duties at the front, Colonel Pardokht doesn't cares.”

“That sounds reasonable.” Dvarza nodded as she took a sip of gin, that was also her position towards the Adepts under her command.“So what? Do you just whip yourself during your free time?” The Lieutenant asked, smiling.

“I don't have the time for that.” The Major replied. “A proper whipping, that is part of a complete session, would leave me out of action for at least five days. Besides, self-inflicted pain doesn't really counts. That's what's great about the cocktail. Since we have to take it regularly there's no problem in suffering from it because it's not our choice.”

“Really? I've got a few adepts under my command and they don't seem to care about that.” Dvarza countered, trying not to think what kind of whipping would take a Black Banner out of action for almost a week.

“There are several different currents of thought within the Vehicle.” Kurlum shrugged as he moved to refill his glass. “I guess we will never found out who's right until we escape samsara.”

“Hold on a bit there, mate.” Dvarza took the bottle out of the Major's reach. “This is the second bottle you finish almost by yourself. Let a sister have her fun.”

“These things tend to happen.” The Major chuckled slightly.

“Laugh all you want, this is probably the last good bottle of gin we will be seeing in a long time.” Dvarza replied before downing her glass in one go, grimacing as she did so.

“Can't really blame them, can we?” Kurlum said, easily wrenching the bottle from the Lieutenant's hands. “The Directorate of Production has bigger priorities than Victory gin.”

“That doesn't make the bootleg booze any less horrendous. But you would probably like it that way, don't you?” She joked.

“Now that.” Kurlum replied, drinking straight from the bottle. “Would be self-inflicted pain.”

“Show off.” Dvarza glared at the Major, as the last decent booze of their stocks disappeared before her eyes.

Totalist Union. Sector 0021. System 092-B

Roughly two years before, the first Collective ships had started violating Totalist space. With the fleet and the Party's attention still focused on wiping out the last Albionese and Cymelian holdouts, these intruders were initially ignored. A grave mistake considering the massed assault that soon followed. Ever since then, the Totalist forces in the frontier had been forced to hold off the endless waves of Collectivist troops with only passive support from the Centre. But now, with all other priorities dealt with, the State was finally in position to mount a full blown offensive against the invader.

The fleet warped out at the edges of the system. Suddenly, thousands of ships and a flying fortress appeared into the radars of the Collective fleet. Behind them, an equally large number of transport ships carrying the ground forces assembled to purge the Collective forces from the planet.

Inside the Floating Fortress, Generalissimo Dollabela-Rybalsky watched in satisfaction as his subordinate officers reported a successful jump. Manipulating his command console, the Director of Peace gave the orders for the assault to start.

The ships moved in groups, spreading out along the edges of the planet so as to make their numerical superiority count. The Floating Fortress remained in the center of the formation, launching swarms of fighters and bombers as the fleet launched its first salvo, long range missiles and railguns, against the Collective fleet besieging the planet.

Meanwhile, the Totalist command on the ground, still recovering from the shock of the fleet's unannounced arrival and struggling to hold the line against the latest Collective attack, received orders to prepare suitable landing grounds for reinforcements and to drawn up new offensive plans. General Granziani, the Totalist commander in JHS-294, encouraged by the apparent change of fortunes, decided to launch what was left of his nuclear arsenal to blunt the Collective offensive.

Elements of the Collective fleet holding the planet's orbit had departed from the main group as the totalist ships made their approach, the first wave of long wave missiles obliterating the smaller screen ships, in retaliation, swarms of drone fighter craft were launched from the fleet, sent out to harass and weaken the enemy fleet before they arrive. The battle group soon followed behind, the capital ships scattering to all corners of the system as they hunt for any hostile ships.

All the while, on the ground, the Collective had launched another offensive upon Totalist positions as thousands of homunculi and cyborg infantry charged at their trenches, supported by various combat walkers, aircraft and from afar several Colossus Siege Walkers as they unleashed a barrage of missile and mortar fire upon the enemy, its heavy ordnance raining down from the skies. For but a brief moment, victory seemed to be within their grasp, until however, several nuclear missiles were launched deep in the Totalist's fortifications, several mushroom clouds rising up as the blast had wiped all of the shock forces.

"Admiral Ivanova!" The Generalissimo barked on the comms. "Keep these fuckers off our back. The rest of you focus your fire on that group of temple ships! We take it out and the battle is as good as won. Then we can hunt down the rest of these metal cockroaches."

And so the Totalist fleet obeyed. Fighters and bombers remained close to the of the fleet, acting as a protective screen while the bulk of the larger ships and the Flying Fortress turned their guns and missiles against the command ship and its escorts.

Deep in the Command Ship, in the control center, it shook and shambled as the totalists threw all they had against it, its shields slowly dying out. A duplicate body of Regius watched a holo imaging of battle outside, and despite lacking a face for any facial features and emotions, he clearly was irked, if a bit impressed. "Such tenacity, such bravery and boldness...lets end this."

More fighter drones had emerged from the larger ships, dueling the totalist fighter craft in one large dogfight, supported by point-defense guns on the capital ships. "Temple Ship 100-044" Regius spoke. "Make planetfall."

Upon his command, one of the temple ships had broke off from formation, soon adjusting itself, aiming directly to the planet below, and thrust itself downward and fell.

The ship's speed accelerated as it passed through the atmosphere, the shields set to max, protecting the ship's surface for a brief moment from the intense heat. The entirety of ship was soon engulfed in smoke and flames as it quickly approached the surface. The ship's target was miles away from the totalist trenches, a fair enough distance to witness its final impact, but survive as well, as it made impact, it initiated a massive explosion, a towering mushroom cloud forming and rising up high. Soon a shock wave was followed that went on for miles and miles.

The smoke cleared out as the temple ship was revealed to be relativity intact from the drop, sitting upright in the center of it all, blossoming like a metallic flower. Soon the second wave emerged from the landed ship, thousands more of collective troops, aircraft and armored vehicles charging out.

"The fuck...? They must be throwing everything they have at the planet. Keep firing at these bastards! Bring them down before more can land!" The Generalissimo barked. "Admiral Al-Houri, detach your ships and sail them around, I want the enemy command group flanked."

A smaller number of ships, centered around two battleships slowly distanced themselves from the main fleet. Starting to make their way around the edges of the system towards JHS-294 all the while engaging the scattered Collective ships they found on the way.

Meanwhile, on the planet. General Granziani retaliated by launching more missiles, this time equipped with chemical, radiological and biological warheads while his reserves occupied secondary defensive lines in preparation for the expected enemy breakthrough.

The latest barrage from the totalists were effectively devastating for the organic elements of the collective's ground troops, the homunculi dying in droves as the missiles struck, falling dead where they stood. The cyborg troops however were different, the organic portions had quickly died off, but soon the emergency systems took hold of their machine bodies, still marching on as seemingly undead machines. The Armored Drone Vehicles pressed on as well, those left mostly intact from the missile barrage.

On the ground the battle raged on. Two years of had given the Totalists a lot of time to turn the planet into a fortress, and General Granziani was more than willing to make the Collectivists bleed for every inch of ground they took

In space, the battle continued. Al-Houri's ships were still positioning themselves for the flanking attack against the Temple ships and the command ship. While the rest of the ships continued to pound their target with everything they had. Even as the fighters and drones fought in a maddened dogfights in the void between the two fleets.

A hunter group of a hundred ships had discovered the totalists core group, making a mad and futile attempt of a raid upon the fleet, hurling everything they had at their disposal, energy bolts, missiles, strike craft, and boarding craft, quickly followed behind by the collective warships,

The Generalissimo frowned as he watched the incoming suicide rush.

"Rossiev, Karkassone, redirect your fire and wipe these idiots out of my sight!" He ordered, as several hundred ships redirected their fire to face the newest threat. "Ivanova, why is it taking you so long? I want the enemy strike craft out commission at once! And the rest of you keep targeting the enemy command group!"

The hunter group quickly fell apart as the totalists focused all fire upon them. Back in orbit, the Command Group was continually under fire from the totalist fighters and long range attacks, the drone fighter numbers thinning. "Damn it al!" Regius cried out in frustration. "You want your planet? take it as is! All ships ,make planetfall!" The same pattern before now repeated itself several more times as the other three temple ships dropped towards the planet below. "Your world will be a wasteland in the end..."

"The bastards are making it too easy..." The Generalissimo muttered as he watched the enemy command ship stand alone against the might of the Totalist Fleet. At the same moment, Al-Houri's unit finally got in position, opening a flanking salvo against it and sending its own smaller complement of fighters and bombers to engage the screens.

On the ground, chaos reigned as General Granziani withdrew his forces to another defensive belt.

All around and out their defesive lines, the temple ships made impact, sending shock waves all around, quickly followed by more of the collective's hordes pouring forth, quickly overtaking trenches now abandoned, and advancing further in. "Kill them all!" all the Varusch screamed out.

The Totalist lines buckled under the sheer numbers of Collectivist infantry. All across the planet Totalist units were being overun or being forced to retreat into other defensive lines. And with most of their reserves already committed and the stock of atomic weaponry depleted, there wasn't much General Granziani could do besides hold the line.

The situation in space was much more pleasant however, the sheer number of strike craft and support fire was finally turning the tide of the dogfight into the Totalist's favor. And with Al-Houri's ships focusing their full attention on the command ship it was only a question of time until it was destroyed, its escort having already been considerably reduced. At the cost of several smaller ships and a damaged battleship, lost to the massive firepower of the Divine-class ship

The shields finally gave in, the Divine Command Ship now exposed to the the bombardment of the Totalist fleet, its hull now breaking apart as the attacks continued, the crews sucked out to the dark void of space. From within, Regius could see that the space battle was clearly lost, but it didn't matter to him, the war was far from over, his bodies board the ship had slowly shut down, departing back to the surface to take command of the ground campaign, becoming lifeless as it was crushed from wreckage, the ship splitting apart.

"Phase one complete." The Generalissimo smiled to himself. "Ivanova, Karkassone, Rossiev and Ceacianni. Take your forces around the system and hunt down what's left of the enemy fleet. The rest follow me towards the planet" He ordered. "All transports move closer to the fleet's protection and get the first wave ready."

And so the Totalist fleet finally split. With almost half spreading into four different groups, sailing around the system to destroy the scattered Collectivist ships piecemeal. While the other half, escorting the troop transports, moved closer to JHS-24. Alongside Al-Houri's unit, who was much closer to the planet.

Collective forces on the ground pressed their assault on the totalist positions all across the planet, reinforced by millions upon millions more pouring from their own battlelines, it seemed to be a bleak situation for the defenders. Miles and miles away from the battlefield, in the heart of Collective Territory, Regius sat upon his throne in the Command Center, and watched with glee as his armies laid waste to his enemies, cornering them. "You may have taking the skies..but I have the ground, and soon there will be nothing left to take. Press on the attack! Take no prisoners!"

Meanwhile, Al-Houri's ships had approached the planet and started raining down fire upon the Collective ground forces. Lasers, atomic fire, railguns and the kitchen sink were fired at the landed temple ships.

In the rest of the system, the Totalist hunting groups pursued the scattered Collectivist ships while the Floating Fortress and the rest of the fleet escorted the transport ships towards the orbit of JHS-24.

The tide had quickly turned in the favor of the Totalists as their reinforcements arrived, raining death down upon the collective's armies, millions dead in that instant, causing a mass withdraw for a short while, much to Regius' dismay. The Temple Ships now lay in ruin, blasted out husks, wreaks and corpses now littered the battlefield, many of them collective.

The destruction of the Temple Ships allowed Al-Houri's ships to redirect their fire towards major concentration of enemy troops. Meanwhile, the Generalissimo's ships had finally reached orbit. Launching the first wave of Totalist vanguard, landing both behind enemy lines and into pre-determined landing areas to reinforce friendly lines.

The Collective, for the first time in a while, were now on the defensive, holding off against the totalsit shock troops landing in their territory. From the Command Center, Regius was becoming more enraged. "Damn you all!" He cried out. "Raise the Base Shields! I want all forces on standby to deploy at once! I want these vermin out of my sight!"

"All ships in my flotilla. Focus your fire on the enemy main headquarters." The Generalissimo ordered. "Coordinates are being transmitted by ground forces right now. The rest of you keep targeting enemy logistics and providing support for our ground forces."

With half of their ships in the system concentrated around JHS-24. The Totalists were now able to bring an awesome amount of firepower to bear against the Collectivists. Of course, not all of it was being used against the planet. Such overkill was unnecessary. But still, the sheer number of weapons turned against the enemy ground forces ensured that the Black Banner regiments landing en mass all across the occupied territory could consolidate their position with more ease than expected. Allowing further troops and supplies to be brought in, while the troops in the frontline launched improvised offensives with reinforcements from orbit.

The other half of the Totalist naval strength in the system was still busy sweeping the region for scattered Collectivist ships.

The Central base was under continued bombardment from the ships above, all of the occupied lands were lit aflame by the totalists, sweeping through the collectives forces like a blade through flesh. The Collective, or Regius in particular, had underestimated the strength of these particular group of humans, they're firepower something of a great surprise to him, a mistake he, or the Collective as a whole will not make again, the battle may seem a total defeat, but the war, no, the crusade was far from over. The massive structure begun to trembled and shake, Regius rose from his throne, sensing his end was very near, as such he'll make the most of this moment, and take out as much as these humans as possible.

Sometime had passed, the shields nearing depletion, down the very ground level, the wide doors slide open, revealing an army of Regius Duplicate bodies, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, with little hesitation, the Regius Army, supported by the regular forces, charged out into the fray, for one last battle. Despite his Digital form, Regius is far from Collective Space, and is cut off from the vast network, as such, if he were to lose form here, he would "Die" for a lack of a better word, and cease to exist, nonetheless, he would rather die fighting the good fight, for the Queen, for her vision of the galaxy.

The area around the main Collectivist headquarter was the target of not only the floating fortress but also its support ships. Everything from battleships to corvettes had been firing everything they had at the area. Because of this, no troops had landed nearby, the sheer amount of fire would more likely obliterate any landing force. And the Generalissimo had no wish to sacrifice the Black Banner like common conscripts. So, they kept firing, even as sensors picked up something happening down there. Nuclear fire, rail projectiles and lasers tore the earth and inflicted a steep price upon the Collectivist forces. Nevertheless, the sheer number of them was enough to hit the advanced elements of the 2945th Black Banner Division, the Totalist formation closest to the enemy HQ.

Unfortunately for the Totalists, the local commander had been overconfident, assuming that the sheer volume of orbital fire would eliminate any real threat to him or his troops. And as a result, nearly half of his on-ground forces were caught and outmaneuvered by the Collectivists, suffering a career-ending amount of losses before reinforcements from the landing zone could be brought in to encircle and counter-attack the enemy.

The last of the Collective forces led by Regius had manage to score a small victory, taking out the Totalist elite, this victory was short lived as the reinforcements arrived, his army out in the open were assailed from weapons fire from all around them, the weaker troops cut down, but the Regius duplicates pressed on, charging out like mad beasts, many brought down, but few others rushing forwards, it wouldn't take long for the last one to fall on his knees, the small amount of life flicking out as his last body completely shut down.

Corinthene
Planetary Defence Command

The PDC bunker was an enormous facility buried deep below Corinthene’s surface, armour clad, environmentally sealed, shielded, and all around indestructible. Staff there liked to joke that the bunker would still be there even if you blew up the planet around it. General Verner, the man responsible for Corinthene’s safety, was in no mood for jokes today. He was hovering on the edge of incandescent fury, but keeping it under control. He looked around the command centre slowly, noting how on edge its personnel were. “Alright,” he said calmly, “how did they get by the detection grid.”

And that was the million dollar question. On the surface, the population was in a state of anxious confusion. The content of the message was already slipping from their minds, completely overshadowed by the question of how the alien ship slipped into orbit of the Commonwealth’s capital without being detected. Already the news networks were bandying about theories, consulting ‘experts’ and being generally unhelpful. General Verner knew he needed to get a statement out, or the population would likely begin to panic. Thankfully Parliament was sitting on Praetoria this week for its quarterly Royal Session, or else Verner would’ve had every one of them beating on his door demanding answers.

His chief of staff was the first to respond. “We’ve been working on that, and I believe we may have an answer.” He brought up sensor logs on the primary display. “Here,” he said, pointing at a small blip. “We think that was them dropping out of FTL. They came into realspace way out of the system, far enough that the signature was too faint for analysis software to flag. We think they spent the next week or so coasting in ballistically, which combined with their cloaking field and the small size of the vessel, made them more or less undetectable.”
Verner nodded slowly. “What about psy-ops? Did no one pick up anything while they were in orbit?”
“Psy-ops reported that the speaker in the message was a powerful psintegrat. He was hiding himself and the vessel’s crew the whole time.”
“Alright; I want a full report written up ASAP, and get somebody from media relations in here to put together a press release. Oh, and let’s contact Admiral Herzenhollen, and see about getting some probes to follow that thing.”

----------------------------------------------------

An hour later, Lieutenant Cecilia Jesbeth Ferguson, press officer for the PDC, was standing in front of a holographic projection of the PDC’s shield and stars logo, delivering a statement she’d whipped together in less than an hour based on the report from Operations. And then, she said those fateful words she hated so much: “I will now take your questions.”

Immediately the room exploded with cries of “CJ! CJ! Over here CJ!”. Ferguson hated the newsies on Corinthene. She’d started out on Praetoria, where the largely Vit’azny press corp looked at her--a human--like she was wearing an offensive perfume, but at least they addressed her correctly as ‘Lietenant Ferguson’. On Corinthene, within a week of starting her job, the newsies had named her CJ and no amount of correcting them would make ‘Lieutenant Ferguson’ stick.

Hating them all equally, Ferguson chose a reporter from the crowd at random.
“CJ! Would the aliens have been able to successfully bombard parliament?!”
Ferguson resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “No. The unidentified vessel was targeted and queried within 5 seconds of beginning its broadcast. It would have been destroyed at the first sign of weaponsfire, and Parliament’s shields can withstand days of sustained fleet bombardment without failing. Next question.”

“CJ, is this the precursor to a foreign invasion?”
Again, the urge to roll her eyes. “ONI and CID think it unlikely. An invasion scout would’ve been better served by remaining undetected. The alien vessel was here to deliver a message, nothing else. And if the unknown aliens should pursue an invasion, well, they will find us a formidable adversary”

“And what about the message, CJ, does the military have any comments on that?”
Ferguson shrugged. “Who can fathom the minds of religious zealots? It was evidently important to them that they deliver this message. We have faith that the citizens of Corinthene won’t fall to panic from the vague threats of fanatics. That will be all, thank you.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sol System
RCNS Unbowed

When thinking of stealth and spacecraft, a Commonwealth Reliant-class battlecruiser does not generally come to mind. But surprisingly enough, they can hide themselves quite effectively given the right circumstances. RCNS Unbowed was operating in stealth mode at the moment, and was nicely tucked away in Sol’s middling asteroid belt, giving her plenty of cover. In the days of the old Imperium she never would have made it this far into the system undetected, but years of conflict had reduced Sol’s detection arrays to clouds of debris.

Unbowed was diligently watching a specific target. She couldn’t use active scanners lest they give away her position, but the Dominion Titan she was stalking was so huge and so emissions heavy that passive scanners were more than enough to keep track of it. From afar, they watched the fate of the galaxy unfold, as the occupation of Earth began.

The two imperial guard bushi leading Admiral Nathanial Fren had said exceedingly little to their charge, sometimes answering with as little as a grunt should the Dominion admiral ask a question. The Imperial palace of Bushu was a large structure, although certainly not the largest in the galaxy, and was a contender for most ornately designed. Interestingly there had been few other individuals seen within the palace, those few the admiral had seen were either other imperial guards or the occasional government worker. That all changed when the two guards suddenly halted in the middle of the hallway they were currently leading Nathanial through and fell to a knee.

"Who do we have here?" A woman, dressed in fine silky hanfu asked. Her tone hinted at the smile hidden by her mask. "A foreigner? Its been centuries since we've had one here. What is your name?"

Nathaniel took a moment looking at the stranger and following after the guards he had he gave a simple bow before answering "I am Admiral Nathaniel Fren of the Dominion,I was sent to speak with some of the more influenctial people within the Empire."

"Oh?" The woman cocked her head to one side. "Well you certainly found one of them Fren-dono." She turned her gaze to one of the Imperial guards as she asked "And where were you to leading him to? My dearest cousin?"

"It is as you say." The guard responded.

"Of course it is." The woman said as she turned her gaze back to Nathaniel, leaning in towards him slightly. She made a 'tsking' sound before saying "Fren-dono, why do you let the likes of them" She gestured towards the guard that had spoken "see your face?"

Nathaniel tilted his head curiously "I'm not sure what you mean by that, the people in the Dominion have always allowed others to see their face. I suppose it allows people to hide less of themselves and their emotions." Nathaniel said before continuing on "I suppose I could ask you why you don't let others see your face?"

The woman let out a soft chuckle before answering "Why would you ever want to show your face to an inferior?" She shook her head. "You foreigners are so... odd." She shook her head again. "If you would like I could provide you with a proper mask. A... gift, if you will, to the first foreigner to walk these halls in centuries."

Nathaniel Smiled "I would be honored to have a mask my lady, I would treasure it always. Though if I may ask who would I have the pleasure of speaking to and recieving such an honored gift from?"

"Excellent" The woman said. She gestured to he servant who had been waiting a respectful distance away. "I knew that not all of you foreigners were... barbaric. It is pleasant to be proven correct. I am Yamamoto Saeko. You may use my given name so long as you attach the correct honorific to it."

The servant stepped forward and held out a porcelain mask painted in the greys and red colors found on the Dominion flag. The servant immediately backed away once Nathaniel had taken the mask.

"Now remember," Saeko said, "that you are to remove that mask when in the presence of only your betters. However the presence of even one inferior is excuse enough to wear your mask."

Nathaniel nodded and smiled at the gift before he put it on and took a bit to get adjusted "What honorific name would I give to you if I may ask?"

"Sama and denka are both appropriate." Saeko answered. She looked at the two Imperial guards as she said "Well, lead the way." The two guards rose without question and once again began to lead the way down the hallway. "So tell me, Fren-dono," Saeko said as she walked besides Nathaniel, "What brings you here? Besides talking to 'influential people' as you put it."

Nathaniel nodded "Well, Saeko-Sama, Aside from offering my commander's best wishes to the princess and making sure she is alright, I was also asked to open up diplomatic ties with the Empire and further improve the relations that the Princess and Ms.Rong had done."Nathaniel said while walking fairly slowly still adjusting the the masks small eye holes.

"Ah yes. I remember Yuki sent Kau-san off to the Dominion some time ago. It must have been quite awkward for her to not have Kau-san on hand, what with the mess she was in recently." By this time the group had come to a halt in front of one of a number of doors in the hallway. Had the Imperial guards not taken up position on either side of the door it would have been indistinguishable from the others. "I suppose we have arrived." Saeko commented before knocking on the door. "Yuki-nee? Its me. I'm here with that guest from the Dominion. We are coming in."

Without waiting for a reply she opened the door and stepped in, gesturing for Nathaniel to follow. The room was a small one, adorned by a couch on one wall, and a small table with four chairs occupying the center of the room. Seated in one of those chairs was Yuki, who cup of tea raised up to her lips, had a look of surprise as both Saeko and Nathaniel stepped into the room.

"Saeko-chan" Yuki said as she set her cup onto the table. "You really must wait a moment or two before entering. Saeko shrugged as she walked towards the couch. Yuki raised an eyebrow as she watched the other woman before turning her gaze towards Nathaniel. "Fren-dono, was it?" Yuki asked. "It is a pleasure to meet you, I'm Yamamoto Yuki. Please take a seat."

As nathaniel walked in slowly he gave a small bow to the princess before moving forward "Fren-Dono,yes I believe that is what Saeko-sama had called me. Not that I'm entirely sure what it means." he slowly walked towards the table and took a seat "It's an honor to meet you Princess. I'm glad you aren't hurt from your imprisonment."

"As am I" Yuki said with a smile. "All things considered my stay in the Confederation was quite comfortable, if not boring. As for the dono honorific, well-"

"It means something akin to 'lord' I suppose" Saeko interjected from where she sat on the couch. "Its basically used for nobility and high level military and government officials."

"Thank you Saeko-chan" Yuki rolled her eyes.

"You are most welcome" Saeko's tone strongly implied she was rolling her eyes as well.

"Now if you don't have something better to do..."

"I don't." Saeko seemed to be perfectly content to remain where she was and Yuki, realizing this, decided to just ignore her presence.

"Very well then" Yuki turned her attention back to Nathaniel. "What is it you have come here to discuss?"

"While I can't go into to much detail as that was what the Executis Conrad was to do. I believe it was to open further negotions aside from the small trade convoys we currently have. I believe that he was interested in allowing the empire control of historical points of interest on Earth."

"And what points of interest are we talking about, exactly?" Yuki asked with a raised eyebrow.

"You don't sound very certain about your purpose in being here" Saeko commented.

"Well to be frank, I'm not entirely certain for the past 7 years that I've been with the commander I've been a warrier not a diplomat. Though I suppose being one of his closest men he saw fit to send me. " Nathaniel said before taking a deep breath. " I suppose, I should get to know your culture so he's better prepared for when he arrives."

"Ah, so it's a mission of discovery." Saeko sounded amused. "A word of advice, Fren-dono. Speak with certainty. You aren't guessing that you are to learn our culture, you KNOW that you MUST learn our culture."

"Well if learning about our culture is your objective Saeko-chan is the one to listen to." Yuki gestured towards the other woman. The two women seemed to stare at each other for a moment before Yuki rose to her feet. "I'll allow her to attend to you." She reached for her mask. "Now if you'll excuse me I have some other duties to attend to."

"Best of luck Yuki-nee." Saeko said as the other woman put her mask on and headed towards the door.

Nathaniel seemed confused behind his mask as he watch the princess leave the room before looking once again at Saeko "Well Saeko-sama, what should I know about Musashi culture?"

"Hmmm...." Saeko brought her hand up to her mask and tapped it twice. "For starters both I and Yuki-nee are princesses. We are a social class above you, thus you should not wear your mask in our presence. Our society is... probably more stratified than others. We place importance in one's place in society. An indentured servant is below a commoner, which is naturally below a soldier. And soldiers, of course, are below the aristocracy, which stands under the Imperial family. Are you still following me Fren-dono?"

Nathaniel quickly nodded and began to undo his mask before looking back at her once again.

"Determining when to remove your mask when in the presence of those of your same class can be equal parts science and art. That is something that can't quite be explained, though if you feel that those you are speaking to are more important or powerful than you, you should probably remove your mask." Saeko shrugged. "There is a lot of information you can gather simply by observing who removes their mask and when they do so."

"I somewhat understand your heirarchy, yet. I noticed that there are several suffix's depending on the different classes and how close you are? So how would one be able to tell when to use the correct suffix?" Nathaniel asked with a confused look.

"It's really quite simple" Saeko answered. "There's five different honorifics that, if you know when to use, will more or less cover everyone you would talk to. First we have san, which is similar in usage to Mr or Mrs. Mr Fren. Fren-san. This reminds me... do be sure to use an individual's family name unless told otherwise. And for future reference Musashi names go family then given. I will never understand why your foreigners insist on having your names in the wrong order." She shook her head as she let out a theatrical sigh.

"Sama" Saeko continued, "is essentially a more respectful version of the san honorific. It is most normally used when speaking to one's better, however it can also be showed to simply show admiration for an individual or respect for one's office. I hear that Yuki-nee loves to use sama when speaking to foreign heads of state. The dono honorific lies between san and sama in terms of showing respect. I suppose it would be similar to using the term lord or master in other human countries. It is most commonly used to refer to the aristocracy or high ranking members of the military or government."

"And then" Saeko continued, "we have the honorifics refering to royalty. Denka is for non-sovereign royalty and is similar in usage to Highness. Heika is used for sovereign royalty. If you ever speak to the Emperor, ensure that you use Heika at all times." She paused for a few moments before adding "Of course there are other honorifics that we use, but they are much more situational and less important to know right away. Does that answer your question Fren-dono?"

After taking a few moments to take it all in Nathaniel begane to slowly nod his head "I believe it does...though it feels like I just learned a school lesson." He said with a chuckle.

"Well then Fren-dono," Saeko said as she slowly rose to her feet, "how about I take you to a theater where you can see some traditional dances that originate from ancient China and Japan?"

Nathaniel slowly began to put back on his mask and nodded " I think that would be lovely."

With Oz;


In the last few days the Alorian Queen and her advisers has been talking with each other internally about the problems that were beginning to arise for the Empire, and potential solutions. Many of the meetings had been rife with disagreements, the Alorian high government not being able to come too a decision regarding outside pressures and threats. That was, until the Commonwealth responded too the Alorian calls for talking too be held between the two nations. The Queen wasted no time in setting up for a meeting, sending three of her best advisers to a Commonwealth system as a sign of goodwill. The three advisers, Lila of the Alorians, Raina of the Alorians, and Takeer of the Krolm, left on a Royal transport ship, safeguarded by a small naval vessel and around a dozen F35X fighters, all as precaution, with no violence or threat intended.

The ship came across a Commonwealth border force as they crossed from Alorian space too Commonwealth space. As soon as they did they had entered the Meridiana system, a system full of verge worlds on the Commonwealths Alorian border, holding the world that the talks would be held on today, Terizand. The Royal transport ship docked slowly onto one of the ships belonging too the border force, the doors between them opening as for the first time ever Alorian government spoke with another nations people in their own space for democratic reasons.

Lord Sir Castlereagh had made the journey from Praetoria specifically for this occassion, yet doubts still lurked in the back of his mind. He was still reeling from how quickly the negotiations had crept up on him. He, Telemachus and Bismarck had duly presented their recommendation to cabinet, and their fellow ministers had jumped on the idea. Evidently the threat of the Dominion weighed heavily on everyone's minds. Castlereagh had heard that even the Imperial Queen had leant her support to the proposal. The opposition parties were raising a fuss about it in Parliament, naturally, but not with half the vigour they usually did.

So here he was, sudddenly face to face with the Alorian delegation. With a slight start, he placed a translator in his ear; general contact with the Alorians was frequent enough that the Commonwealth had solid translation software for their language.

"Welcome aboard the RCNS Anna Karenina," he said grandly, "and welcome to Terizand. I am Lord Sir Robert Castlereagh, Minister of Foreign Affairs for her Imperial Majesty's government."
He gestured to the stern looking man to his left. "This is Captain Arthur Wellesley, commanding officer of the ship," then to the man on his right "and this is Anderson Ribbentrop, with the Imperial Diplomatic Corps."

The Alorian advisors bowed as they entered the Commonwealth ship RCNS Anna Karenina. They took a few steps fowards before reaching down, taking translation devices from their pockets and fixing them onto their ears. Raina stepped fowards, watching and listening as the Lord introduced the men too his right and left. She nodded too all three of them in the order that they were introduced, as did Lila. "Thank you, Lord Castlereagh, for allowing us into your space. And thank you, Captain Arthur Wellesley, for allowing us onto your ship". She said, smiling gently at the two men. She reached out too her right, gesturing too the other Alorian woman, and spoke again. "This is Lila of Aloria, one of the Queen's most trusted advisers". She stopped, gesturing too her left, "This is Takeer, of the Krolm".

Lila and Takeer stepped foward so that they were now standing next too Raina and not behind her. Lila spoke next, looking too Castlereagh. "Minister, shall we move onto the important topics at hand? I believe we need to speak about how we can work together too help us stay strong, despite outside threats. The Queen want's us too propose two things". She said, stopping. Takeer opened his mouth next, speaking for the fist time. His voice was much more rough, low and gritty than the two Alorians too his side. "We would like too sign a defensive pact with the Commonwealth, so that we are stonger. And we would like to enact free trade between our nations". He said, looking down at the three men infront of him. None of the three here wanted too take any more time getting this done than needed.

Castlereagh put up a hand. "Please, let's adjourn to the conference room before we get down to business."
"If you would come this way?" Ribbentrop asked.

The various military personnel detached from the group and went about their own business, leaving, Castlereagh, Ribbentrop, and three staffers with the two Alorians and the lone Krolm. They boarded a lift that took them directly to the Anna Karenina's diplomatic suite and the conference room, which had been prepared in advance with appropriately sized seating for everyone involved. Once everyone was settled, Castlereagh spoke up.

"As you said, we have two main items to discuss today. I believe a mutual defence pact is fairly straightforward. I will be frank, I think the Dominion is our primary concern; they are blatantly militaristic and violently xenophobic, and we are certainly better off standing together against them. There are other enemies out there, however, so my government has asked me to suggest that the defence pact be a broad one; in the event either nation is attacked by any third party, the other is obligated to commit forces to assist in bringing hostilities to a close.

The Alorians sat and listened quietly as Castlereagh spoke, fortunately he spoke just the words that they wanted too hear. "We agree. The Queen thinks that a defensive pact should be signed as soon as possible as too deter any of our violent neighbours from launching an attack against either of us". She said, looking between Castlereagh and Ribbentrop. Takeer spoke up when she finished, his gruff voice a little louder than everyone elses. "We are willing too give our full and strongest support too you in any kind of attack, as long as you can promise too provide the same if we enter a time of need". Lila spoke next, looking at the two representatives, "And if we agree, this pact can be signed here? The Queen is very concerned with getting this done soon." Lila asked the two Commonwealth representatives.

"Well," said Castlereagh, "anything signed here shall have to be ratified by Her Majesty's government, but given current subspace comm traffic, it should require no more than a day. We are of course equally anxious to establish a mutually beneficial defence pact, and shall commit our full military capability to any conflict encompassed by the pact."

Ribbentrop spoke next, somewhat tentatively. "On the subject of free trade between our nations," he began, "we require....certain guarantees with regards to our...human citizens."

Castlereagh too shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Ah, yes. Eliminating tarriffs between our nations would certainly see an increase in trade activity, but we would require....assurances...that any human Commonwealth citizen would not be harassed, harrangued, or...detained...within Alorian space."

Lila and Raina did not speak for a few moments after the needs of the Human's was brought up. Raina sucked in a deep breath before she spoke, looking at the two men. "These needs can be met, of course. We wouldn't be looking too harass and detain our allies, would we". She spoke quietly, as she could tell that the commonwealth delegates weren't very comfortable speaking about the issue, and truthfully neither was she. "Of course, they would need too be wearing some kind of identification which would render them exempt from the Queens law's regarding Terrans, which I am sure you are quite familiar with". Takeer kept quiet, he had no opinion on the matter as his people did not look upon Humanity with malice, but certainly in no favour either. When it came too issues with Humanity they Krolm usually let the Alorians take lead. "Is that acceptable?" Raina asked.

"Yes, perfectly acceptable" Castlereagh replied, He was obviously relieved to move away from the sensitive topic. Privately he believed that this treaty never would have gone through if the Dominion wasn't looming over the horizon. The Commonwealth could stomach a lot of things, but outright slavery was not usually one of them.

Next came the business of hammerring out the details of the treaty. This process usually took quite a long time as each party tried to squeeze in tiny concessions to give themselves an advantage, but in this instance, both the Alorians and the Commonwealth were more interested in getting the treaty signed as soon as possible. The finished document was remarkably short and straightforward: free trade and a mutual defence pact in one neat little package. The delegates parted ways for a few hours as Castlereagh sent the treaty off to Corinthene and Praetoria; it returned a few hours later with the Lord Chancellor and the Queen's electronic signatures. He met back with the Alorians shortly thereafter, a wide smile on his face. "Lila, Raina, Takeer; I am pleased to inform you that my government has ratified the treaty."

Lila, Raina and Takeer had been speaking and keeping mostly too themselves during the hours in which both parties were seperated. The only productive thing they had done was contact the Queen, have her look over the treaty and wait for her acceptance. This did not take long as the Alorian Queen had nobody else too consult but the three who had already accepted the treaty. After this the two Alorian delegates fed, away from any Commonwealth staff so that it didnt cause any alarm. And then Castlreagh returned with a ratified treaty. "Wonderful! As has our Queen". Raina spoke with a smile on her face. "We look foward too a very secure and peaceful future with you and your people".

Not long after this did the advisors and the small convoy that came with them leave. They returned too Alorian space and made their way straight to the capital planet, where they would soon meet with the Queen and speak about how best it would be too announce the new treaty too her people, and too others who needed too hear it.

SPleen-n-monkey presents,



Near the core Imperium-Confederacy-Musashi border.

Morinth’s ship, The Avalon, had been traveling some time at beyond light speed. Unlike Dominion capital ships, the smaller ships equipped with FTL drives were ones to use a cryo-sleep system. It was an optional system to use but for these long distance runs, sleeping through was always preferred. Luckily with the advanced computer systems and what they call a “light sleep” state of rest, it was easy to wake someone in the event of an emergency without the sleep sickness that one would’ve experienced on the sleeper colony ships of the olden times. This long distance travel was like the many other Morinth had taken but as the ship was nearing the destination, computer systems awoke the two operatives. Morinth was first to awaken with the Musashi’s Rong awakening moments later.

Morinth rolled out of the pod onto the floor. “Ow.” She was quick to shake it off as she pulled herself upright. A few quick wiped across her eyes brought some focus as the darkened ships lights started to flicker to life. “Computer, Situation report.” she said plainly.

A male voice sounded overhead, “All systems online, fuel reserves replenishing and no foreign detection noted. We are currently passing the edge of Core Imperium space towards the sovereign state of Musashi.”

“Alright, resume automated pilot and keep course and speed.” Morinth said as she made her way to Rong.

“Where are we?” Kau Rong asked as Morinth approached. She was sitting cross legged on the floor, her eyes closed and a calm expression on her face. A sheathed katana was propped up against her left shoulder, her right hand touching the sheath. Since the two women had boarded the ship Rong had clearly felt no need to wear her mask, which was currently hidden away someplace.

Morinth wiped her eyes once more before answering, “At current speed we are ten days from Musashi’s border. We had to slow down even more when we got close to the old second Imperium.” she said. Morinth offered her hand to help Rong up, “You hungry?”

“A bit, yes” Rong said as she opened one eye. She hesitated for a moment before accepting the offered hand, rising to her feet. “You look like you could use a few extra hours of beauty sleep” She commented with a small smile as she looked at Morinth. For her part she looked mostly well rested, though that illusion was shattered when she stumbled after having risen to her feet.

A hand was quick to catch Rong before could’ve fallen on the floor. Morinth did her best to keep Rong upright, “I take it your people do not use sleeper pods for long distance travel? Eh, no matter. Right through here is the galley. Yes it’s an couch, yes that is an old display with holo-tapes and yes that is a potted plant, do not judge.” she said sternly.

“We tend not to travel far” Rong commented as she sat down on the couch. “So we have little use for ‘sleeper’ pods.” She slipped her braided hair over her shoulder as she looked the galley over, giving a slight shrug. “So what is on the menu this morning? It is morning, right?”

“It is morning, on some planet somewhere. All of my clocks are tuned to Dominion set time, so technically it’s about.” she looked around for a moment before locking on to the small gamma ray oven. “Ah yes, about mid afternoon.” She smirked and walked towards the cooling unit, opening to reveal a well kept mess. “So… hmm. I’ve got some. Ew” she said, pulling a clear plastic tray onto a nearby counter. “Well, and here we have… ew” she followed, adding yet another clear container to the table. “Ah! You’ll like this, never mind.” At that moment Morinth felt frustrated for not checking her supplies before leaving, instead just assuming someone had cleaned and filled it for her.

After slipping the containers into the disposal, she opened the dry foods cabinet, “Oh here we go. And you’ll probably love this. Noodles!” she smiled, completely missing the potential racism she just blurted out. “Let me get a dish and I’ll get some cooked unless you want something else.” she turned to look back in the cabinet, “Looks like noodles is about all I got left.”

“Morinth-san” Rong said after having watched her companion rather unsuccessfully procure a meal, “perhaps we should gather some additional supplies the next opportunity we get. Not that I dislike noodles, mind you, but I would prefer to eat something else during the duration of our ride.” By this point she had undone her braid and begun to brush her hair. “Maybe buy some of that chicken we had the other night with Faust-sama. You can eat chicken with utensils, right?”

“Well.. you can.. But what's the fun in that.” she said with a smug look. “But hey, who am I to judge.” she followed, almost trying to convince herself more than Rong. It didn’t take long for the smell of chicken to fill the entire ship. Morinth was good at two things more than anything, killing proficiently, and cooking. A strange combination.

“Alright Rong, Feast your eyes, A whole mess of chicken, I put some sauces that I could find on the side.” She said while setting the plate in front of Rong. Morinth then turned and fetched a drink for her passenger, “This Rong, This.. This is a rare drink among the Dominion, hailing from the ‘north western’ part of the galaxy. It tastes like.. Water and something delicious.” A tall bottle was sat in front of Rong, “It’s like an orange, or something like it. You know what an orange is, right?”

“I’ve had oranges before” Rong answered as she reached for a piece of chicken, a large smile plastered over her face. The smile somehow got larger after she took her first bite. “Morinth-san, if you ever need a job that doesn’t involve killing people…” She took a few more bites before changing the subject. “Any news about the war?”

Morinth gave a toothy grin as Rong complimented her cooking and after taking a few bites herself, “The war.” she chuckled, “I should ask which one. In regards to earth, last I heard the fleet was positioning for the initial invasion. I saw the images of attack ships preparing a ridiculous number of drop pods and oppressors actually planning to enter the atmosphere, something that is rarely ever done.” She took a moment to take another bite and spoke with her mouth half full of food, “Granted, this is a pretty big event for my people.”

After she had finished chewing, Morinth leaned forward and rested her elbows on her knees. “What about your nation? Have your people fought the confederacy before?”

“No” Rong said with a shake of her head. “Nothing official at least. We… haven’t fought a serious war in decades.” She let out a long sigh. “I suspect that our military’s leadership will either act too cautiously or far too aggressively. Likely the Confederate military will be the same. Unfortunately I suspect our military will act overly aggressively. Still…” She shrugged. “Most of us in Musashi never imagined going to war with the Confederation. I suspect the Confederation was the same way.”

Morinth shrugged, “No one ever imagines going to war but it’s seemingly as common as breathing. I just wonder how bad it could really get. In your time in the service, what's the best combat you’ve ever been in?”

“Me personally?” Rong’s eyes seemed to focus on something that wasn’t there. “I’ve… fought my fair share of battles. Few could be described as anything but ‘bad’. There was always something going on at our borders. And someone inevitably had to deal with it….” Her voice trailed off, her gaze focusing on a section of the wall as she let the silence hang.

“Well hey, let me tell you a really cool story.” Morinth’s eyes lit up in excitement. “So I had to use a foreign high caliber marksman rifle to stage a.. Well classified mission. So I’m watching the front door of this palace thing and these two guys come walking out. They were just gabbing away.. Gab gab gab until I saw the one start lighting up what looked like a cigarette. I know, I know those are rare especially on the fringes but yeah.” she took a deep breath, “So I pulled the trigger right? The guy's head just blew up. The best part was, his eyes came flying right out of his sockets in to the other guys face! He screamed so loud I could hear it nearly a mile away!” she chuckled, “Oh good times.. Good times.”

“That is sick” Rong said, letting out a soft chuckle of her own. “Not exactly a specific story… but you just have to see the look on someone’s face when you cut into their companion while still cloaked. It's a mixture of confusion and fear. Its as if they know they’re supposed to be afraid, but can’t tell what to be scared of.”

Morinth gave a nod, “I hear that. The look of pure surprise and it’s even worse when they surely can't know you’re there but look right at you with fear. It can be really creepy. At least you didn’t get caught though.” she sighed, “Sometimes all we have is the mission, ya know?”

“The mission…” Rong closed her eyes and shook her head. “Was never good enough for me. I always needed someone to fight for. You know? Someone who could validate your actions, no matter how horrible.”

“I know exactly what you are saying. It’s one of the reasons I admire Faust. No matter what I have to do to complete a mission, he at least shows understanding and him having a very obvious, open and well defined objective. Easy to relate to, easy to draw strength from.” She turned and looked at the same spot on the wall Rong had been staring at, “I used to work for a nation that had its morals in a tailspin. One week something was loved and next it was frowned upon. Really messes with one's head.” Morinth had taken a deep breath and was preparing to change the subject as to lighten the mood. Right as she had opened her mouth, the Male computer voice sounded. “Warning, sensor pings detected across the hull. Dropping out of light speed.” Morinth snapped upright and darted towards the cockpit, “Shit shit shit, where’s it coming from?”

“The small moon ahead. It appears to be a request for assistance from any passing craft.” the computer replied.

“Hey, Rong, what do you make of this? Rather odd that right in the middle of nowhere an automatic SOS would be active.” morinth asked.

“Odd indeed.” Rong agreed. She already had a firm grip on her katana, despite the fact that they were in no immediate threat. Not that it would be useful in the situation anyways. “What are you thinking Morinth-san? We could just ignore it, but if it's some sort of trap perhaps we should spring it before someone else does.”



Morinth gave a concerned look to Rong, “Then let's spring it first.” One wouldn’t feel the high G turn Morinth took as it mattered not in the vacuum but now they were on a straight line to the barren moon. On the surface was a landing pad and what seemed like a partially subsurface bunker of sorts. After engaging the stealth drives, the sensor pings ceased as they were harmlessly reflected. Upon further examination, the facility looked quiet. A small communications dish was attached to the top of the bunker entrance but aside from that, it was a plain sight.

As the craft began to land, dust kicked up gently into the air before coming to a stop. It was quiet now as the two sat at this moment, prepared for the worst. Morinth activated the ships active camouflage in an attempt to stop anyone from finding the parked Avalon. The Computer acknowledged a command to activate automatic defenses and should Morinth’s and Rong’s life signs go dark, it was to automatically return to the nearest dominion outpost. Things were squared away in terms of contingencies, now it was time for action and when Morinth led Rong to the small ships rather impressive armory, all of Rong’s weapons were waiting for her.

“Well Ms. Rong, I’m assuming you’ll take the stealthy approach?” Morinth said in an amused tone before entering the bulky armor that stood at the end of the room. It was not meant for sneaking at all with the powered fists being three times larger than an average hand. Furthering the disregard for stealth was the addition of a high caliber assault cannon and attaching a back mounted, deployable shoulder pod holding five high explosive rockets. To any normal person, it would seem as if Morinth was getting ready for all out war.

“Stealthy interrupted by moments of explosive violence” Rong corrected, amusement noticeable in her voice as well. She removed her clothes, seeming to not mind being bare before Morinth, before grabbing the set of kunoichi armor she had brought all the way from Musashi. “And is it safe to assume you’ll be kicking in the front door Morinth-san?” Rong asked as she wiggled into the almost skin tight armor. After covering her body she put on her armor’s face piece, which covered the lower half of her face and had two large antennae like pieces that went over her ears. “Good to go” She said as she attached her katana to her waist. “So what’s the plan?”

Morinth smiled as she pressed a button on the wall of the armory. As the button depressed, the clanking sound of metal wheels sounded whilst a metal door slid down. “You said, I’ll be kicking in the front door?” she said before reaching into the case. After a moment of wrestling with an object inside, she pulled out a black box and laid it upon the ground. She hummed a moment before a blinking light started and then deployed a strange rifle like weapon that was quite taller than either woman. “Yeah, sounds about right.”

“Let’s take a look at the area real quick.” Morinth said, pressing yet another button that brought up a flat display of the area immediately surrounding the Avalon. “There’s only one way in. And it’s sealed pretty tight. Doesn’t seem to have been tampered with from the outside though.” She shook her head, “The inside will get pretty tight if I remember these old facilities. I’m thinking we take a position on this ridge and knock on the door, see if they answer.”

“Sounds like a plan” Rong said as she grabbed a spotting scope from Morinth’s armory. Ten minutes later the two women had positioned themselves on the aforementioned ridge, Morinth with her rifle and Rong with the spotting scope. “We’ve got a three mile per hour wind going towards the west” She said as we looked at the targeted wall through the scope.

Morinth grit her teeth as she gazed down the massive scope of her weapon. As Rong spoke, she adjusted a few things on the scope and then after a moment of silence, the trigger was pulled. Dust kicked up as hot air vented off the barrel and with a split second blinding light, A solid beam of energy shot forth, burning a massive hole in the door and exploding within. After which, Morinth had a very wide smile. The door itself began spewing atmosphere for a few moments before it became a vacuum like the moon. “Alright Rong, I think we have our way in.” she said, setting the beam weapon who’s barrel was still glowing orange, onto the ground.

“That we do” Rong said after a moment. She eyed the entrance, expecting something to happen. When nothing did she narrowed her eyes. “This smells bad.” She commented as she moved away from the ridge. “I’ll head down first and see what I can find. Try not to shoot me.” And suddenly the space where she was appeared to be empty. As she approached the building she couldn’t help but shake her head, resisting the urge to mutter “You could have told me it was an energy weapon…” She wisely remained quiet as she reached the opening. She was cloaked, which did remove some of the risk involved with poking one’s head into an opening that a likely enemy was watching, but certainly not all of it. She reached through the opening with a single finger, using a small camera fixed on the in to take a look at what was on the opposite side of the wall.

Unsurprisingly a pair of men had set up a defensive position on the far side of the hallway that the onetime door had led to. Rong took a moment to check the hall before coming to the conclusion that there were no advanced sensor around. At least none that would detect her. Drawing her katana, she began to walk slowly down the hall, taking care that she didn’t brush up against anything. Something as simple as scuffing the floor could give away her presence. Thankfully neither guard noticed her as she walked past them and their defensive position. She took a moment to look around, making sure no one else was nearby before turning back to the guards, taking a moment to line up her swing and, with one fluid motion, cutting through both men at once.

She then froze instantly, waiting for something to happen. When nothing did she sheathed her blade, returned to the entrance and de-cloaked so that she could wave Morinth in.

After being waved in, Morinth took a moment to examine the very dead soldiers. “A double kill, Nice.” she said smiling, “Well, that’s odd.” She said, examining not the precise and deadly slash from Rong, but the symbols on their armor. “This symbol, Rong. I don’t recognize it.” She pointed to a strange almost serpent like black line with a red triangle backing it. “Does this mean anything to you?”

“Can’t say it does” Rong said after eyeing the symbol for a moment. “Hmm…. They have fairly decent equipment. Certainly not cutting edge, but nothing I’d expect simple pirates to have either.” She looked over both guards, checking for anything that might indicate who or what they worked for, but found nothing. “I suppose we’ll just have to make a trail of bodies until we solve this mystery. Do you want to knock on another door or should I open us a path?”

“I’ll let you take the reins on this next door. Be careful though, these people have to know we are here now.” Morinth said while walking towards a rather obvious destroyed door panel, likely from Morinth's initial knock. “I’ll cover you.” she said, Kneeling in the massive armor still brought her to just above Rong’s height.

Rong looked at the door panel, then up at a ventilation shaft, then down to where Morinth was standing. “Pardon me Morinth-san” She said right before she jumped onto Morinth’s armored form and used her companion as a springboard to leap into the ventilation shaft. “I’ll see you on the other side” She said as she began to crawl through the shaft.

Of course, as one would expect on a facility built on a moon, the building’s ventilation was designed to block off sections of itself should there be a breach, thus Rong was not surprised whatsoever when she came to a blocked off section of the shaft. She looked at the ‘bulkhead’ for a moment before, rather awkwardly, drawing her blade and plunging it into the bulkhead, making a small hole through which the atmosphere on the other side could escape. Once the atmosphere of the other side had been vented she used her blade to cut the shaft’s bulkhead enough that she could crawl through.

After a few minutes she found herself looking down into a control room. She could jump down, right into the sights of the five armed men in the room. But that would just be silly. Instead she focused on the control panel, finding the controls that would open the door for Morinth and, reaching out with her mind, activated those controls. One of the men cursed as he realized the door was opening while the other four rushed out to deal with the ‘two’ intruders. Rong waited for the men to leave before kicking down the ventilation cover and jumping down right next to the very startled and alone man. He had only a moment to gasp out in shock before Rong freed his head from his shoulders.

Morinth watched as the door opened and took a defensive stance. The Four men, expecting a two on four fighter, split into two groups to handle each threat. Morinth however caught them as they began to diverge, bringing her mighty 25mm assault cannon to bear. The first shots put huge dents into the wall before striking one of the soldiers in the leg, removing it completely and sending the dead body rolling to a stop.. The men realized that they were spotted and took defensive positions themselves, Two hiding behind a very well placed shipping container and another behind a set of barrels. Morinth wasn’t confident that Rong could take on all three soldiers at once as they were already prepared for combat so she did her best to suppress the three with heavy weapons fire.

Rong had followed the three men from a respectable distance as she didn’t want to be blown away by Morinth from accident. She watched as the fight began to take form, watching for patterns from both sides. Taking note of when Morinth changed targets and how long she fired on individuals. She then waited for Morinth to target the lone soldier before diving for the two hiding behind the shipping container. They might have been protected from Morinth, but their backs were wide open for Rong. She became visible for a moment as her katana sliced through one of the men, cleanly cutting through his lungs and heart. A moment later she was invisible again, the second soldier turning to find nothing cut the two pieces of his comrade. And then Rong was suddenly in front of him again, her blade cutting his rifle in half, and taking a hand in the process, as he stumbled away from her and into the open.

Morinth was hesitant to actually engage a target as initially she had no idea which direction Rong was going to take. Luckily her comrade had caught on to Morinth’s strategy of timing shots long enough to take advantage of it. There was no doubt as to where Rong was when Morinth watched a unarmed, and un-handed man move out from cover in pain. Morinth was indeed impressed before unloading a few rounds into the man, sending the body against the wall. She then turned her attention to the one hiding behind the barrels who was now aware of Rong. He thought he was safe behind the cover and was raising his rifle to engage Rong, who from this angle was very open. Before he pulled his trigger, the barrels shook violently as Morinth placed well aimed rounds through them. The Soldier winced for a second in pain as his head burst into pieces from a direct hit. His body fared no better as it slid lifeless across the floor until splattering against the wall.

After a few moments of waiting, making sure no additional threats were incoming Morinth broke the silence, “I wish I had a sword.. You make it look so cool.”

“It is pretty cool” Rong allowed. “So long as you don’t accidently cut hand off or something. And before you say anything… it's surprisingly easy to cut yourself and not even realize it.” She let out a sigh as she appeared next to Morinth, seemingly appearing from thin air on the opposite side of Morinth in which her gun’s barrel was pointed. “Also…” Something seemed to flash across Rong’s eyes as she sheathed her katana. “My sheath won’t be able to re-sharpen my blade after a few more uses.” She approached one of the dead soldiers and grabbed his sidearm. “Better to be safe I suppose. So what next?”

Morinth lowered her weapon and the two walked into the command center. It was littered with electronic equipment including what was obviously an video monitor leading to the exterior. It was fixated directly on the Avalon. “If they knew we were coming-” But before Morinth could finish her thought, a group of men slowly made their presence known by banging on a door to Rong and Morinth’s left. The lead shouted, “Check the monitor! We aren’t armed!” His claim was validated and Morinth held her hand over a button to open the door. “What do you think? Check what's above the button. Either let them through or gun them down.”

“The controls for this levels automated ceiling turrets.” Which further confounded Morinth as to why they weren’t used in their initial assault.

“Odd…” Rong muttered. “Think those thugs were in the process of taking this place over? Perhaps having taken it from these guys?” She gestured towards the door. “Let’s let them in and see what they have to say for themselves.” She drew her katana, but chose not to activate her cloaking device, as she positioned herself by the door. “Ready when you are.”

Morinth gazed one last time at the automatic turret panel and monitor before pressing the open button carefully. As that occurred, a Yellow light began flashing in the room and the blast door behind them sealed. “Pressurizing” could be heard faintly overhead and within seconds, the room now had atmosphere. As the yellow lights faded, the door opened revealing four men and a woman who slowly departed. “Oh thank heavens.” said the man who had spoke to them through the door. “I am Doctor Magnusson. And these are my colleagues. I never imagined someone would actually come.”

“Why would no one come?” Morinth said, slowly cocking her head to the side.

“Because.. Because we are so far away from everything.” he said, gulping as he spoke.

“Sure, sure yeah. We detected the signal back on Epyen and came as fast as we could.” Morinth said, obviously lying to them. She knew something wasn’t right and was making sure Rong was alerted to that fact.

The man took a more professional stature and motioned for his people to go back into the facility. “I’m so happy that forces arrived from Epyen so quickly. I hope you excuse my demeanor earlier. We have all been on edge since barricading ourselves in the facility. I.. I do have to hurry back and help get our equipment ready for transport. Before more people come back.”

Morinth gave a puzzled look to the man, “We have a cruiser incoming right behind us for extraction. They will take care of any evacuation that you need. Just sit tight, you’re fine.” The man took a deep breath, almost startled by the prospect of a government warship coming in. He nodded though and headed back into the facility. With a quick motion, Morinth broke the activation button for the automated defenses and turned to Rong, “Alright. Epyen is on the other side of the Dominion. What the hell is going on here.”

“Too sloppy to be from a decent intelligence agency or special forces” Rong shook her head. “Either one would know to make sure its field agents knew something as basic as what the closest inhabited worlds were.” She slowly sheathed her katana, her eyes seeming to focus on nothing as she thought. “Criminals perhaps? Clearly not local. But not local as in this side of the Dominion or not from the Dominion at all?” She tapped her foot once before adding “I can’t distinguish their accent from yours, which implies that they have either been practicing for years or come from the same region as you. Is your accent what would be considered normal for Dominion space? For that matter what about the remnants and Second Imperium?”

“Heh. I have a very core world accent. And I can tell you right now, these guys aren’t from out here.” She said while still staring at the open doorway, “I say we follow him. We still have the upper hand here so we can find out what is going on.” She nodded towards the door and started ahead of Rong.

Morinth was quiet as they moved down the facility, taking in every detail on the way. The innards wasn’t complicated at all being more or less a long single hallway with a couple bunk and storage rooms attached to it. The one thing Morinth was quick to point out is that the bunk rooms seemed empty. As the duo arrived at the final room at the end of the hallway. The Lead man seemed startled once more when the two walked through the door. “Oh, Oh did you come to help us? Or is the ship here.” Morinth paused and then spoke, “Our ship is still maybe an hour out.”

“But it wants us to be ready to head out the moment it arrives” Rong said. She had changed her own accent to something very close to Morinth’s core world accent, as if she had been living in the region for a few years but still had the remnants of some other place’s accent. “How many of you are there and how much of your equipment are you bringing with you?”

The lead man turned to Rong, “Well, it’s mostly data files. Most are encrypted as we had to place it on lockdown when we were attacked.” He turned his back to Rong and began typing on a large display. The symbols that were entered weren’t akin to any that had been seen before by either Rong or Morinth. The Latter was becoming uneasy in the situation as she began swaying slightly in place. Her senses were going off left and right, something was so very wrong, and her comrade knew it too.

“Now, I suggest we head towards the surface, your ship must have arrived by now?” he said, motioning to the others to begin moving their equipment. “If you would be so bold as to lead the way?” he said, pointing at the stairs. Morinth was the first to turn towards the door but before she could, a small display built on the inside of Morinth's suit’s collar showed an outside view of the facility. Above, a strange ship had arrived and was positioned directly above the facility. The Avalon had engaged its stealth drives and had reported passively locking on to various points on the alien craft.

She nodded at Rong and rose her rifle, turning towards the man who was now facing the large display. “Who are your friends?” she asked.

He took a deep breath and turned, “Some things cannot be stopped.” he said, changing his tone entirely. Morinth piqued a brow, “What?” was all she could muster.

The man nodded, “Look, those men above are coming to try and stop my people and I’s mission. It’s highly classified for very specific reasons.” he said, keeping his demeanor as professional as he could. Morinth had enough at this point and motioned towards Rong to get ready as she rose her cannon to the man’s face. “Enough lies.”

Before any answer could be given, the facilities alarm activated and the man turned, staring at the ceiling where he had anticipated the automatic defenses to activate. Luckily, the weapons had been disabled by Morinth earlier. The man smiled as the opposing forces began funneling into the base. “Who do you serve?” she asked, pushing the barrel of her cannon to his face. He could nearly see the first shell down the barrel it was so close. “Musashi? Imperium? Sacred union?” she said aggressively.

With a chuckle he said, “I serve a higher power. And what’s done is done..” he said, trying to reach for a pistol unnoticed.

Morinth snarled and pulled the trigger, splattering the man across the display. “Rong, we have to get out of here now!” she said, turning her attention to the now cowering men and women around the room. And through all of it, the sound of oncoming soldiers became clearer and clearer.

“Please tell me you have a plan Morinth-san” Rong said as she drew her katana. “And hopefully one that doesn’t involve a drawn out battle. This katana won’t stay sharp indefinitely.” She spared the cowering men and women one look before fading from sight as her cloak activated. “If you take the lead” Her disembodied voice said from beside Morinth, “I can cover your flanks and take out anyone that gets behind solid cover.”

There was a heavy let loose from Morinth’s mouth before she pointed down the lone hallway. “There isn’t much of a choice here tactically. Just uh..” She smiled a bit before bringing up her arm and deploying a small holographic display, “I’ve got a plan.” she said before pressing what was obviously an ‘upload’ key. Seconds later, yellow lights began flashing overhead and automated turrets activated from the ceiling. “I disabled direct access from this system earlier. Always have a ba-.” But before she could finish, the hallway ahead began filling with the sound of gunfire.

Morinth started down the hallway, slowly at first but then picking up speed as she reached the first bend on the way, ahead a soldier was moving to take cover from a turret, only to receive a direct blow from Morinth's shoulder. “Rong!” she shouted before pointing to two soldiers around the corner, raising their weapons towards Morinth and the man she had just crushed against a wall.

Kau Rong was already there, appearing suddenly as her katana sliced through the upper chest of one of the soldiers. She danced away, towards the second soldier, as the first fell apart. Stepping right in front of the second soldier, her left arm snapped upwards, forcing his rifle to point towards the ceiling right before he squeezed the trigger. Startled the soldier did exactly the opposite of what he should have, he stepped away from Rong, which opened the distance between the two enough for her to bring her katana to bear on him. As the man collapsed Rong sheathed her blade, shaking her head slightly before disappearing from view.

Two more soldiers, rounding a corner, caught sight of her just before she disappeared. They immediately opened fire where they had last scene her. For a moment she flickered into view as she quite audibly grunted in pain, but then she was gone again. The two soldiers, realizing that she was either dead or had moved to safety, brought their weapons to bear on Morinth.

As Morinth let up on her shoulders recent victim, she saw the two others approaching. With a snap reflex, she pulled the crushed soldier up to take the incoming fire. After a few moments of gunfire, Morinth dropped the body and returned fire. The first couple shots missed as she wasn’t aiming except to keep their heads down. The second couple shots were dead on, removing one of the oncoming soldiers arm and upper shoulder and another hitting the second soldier right in the chest, punching clean through. A subtle smirk gave way to a serious reality as the fire from the sentry turrets were dying down. Either out of ammo or being destroyed. It was clear they had to move fast.

It was strange though, Another soldier was closing fast and using light armor. As Morinth Pulled the trigger, the soldier seemed to blink from place to place, evading her fire while closing even faster and before she knew it, The soldier was standing right behind her but instead of actively engaging Morinth who at this point, would’ve been an easier target, the soldier made direct eye contact with Rong and drew a blade. Morinth left the agile soldier to Rong as another three regular soldiers made their way down the hallway and began exchanging fire..

Rong charged the agile soldier, the two taking up a deadly dance as their blades flashed in between them. The two sword users would flash into view as their weapons collided, only to flicker out again as their cloaking devices reengaged. It became clear, after a time, that Rong was forcing the agile soldier back. As he lashed out with a horizontal cut aimed at her waist, Rong aerial cartwheeled over his sword. Landing in a fashion worthy of the ancient Olympics of the twenty-first century, she quickly backed away from her foe, drawing her pistol with her left hand as she did so. She fired at the soldier three times, forcing him to dive to the side, before dropping the weapon and charging him with her katana. He began to bring his own sword up to deflect her attack, but was too slow and off balance to successfully do so. Her katana caught him in the shoulder, cutting through his heart and lungs before exiting from the other side. Having ended the immediate threat to herself, she sheathed her katana and grabbed the pistol she had dropped early. Dropping behind cover herself, she used it to lay some additional firepower on the soldiers Morinth was engaging.

The Hallway was now covered in scorch marks and holes from the exchanged fire. “This is taking too long Rong, <lol we have to break through this now. Cover your ears.” and as she stopped, the rocket pods on Morinth's armor deployed. There was a silence before the roar of the engines sent the payload towards the invading soldiers. The missiles flew past the men and exploded, showering them with not only shrapnel but small incendiary grenades that exploded a mere second afterwards. All ahead was death and fire. “Well, guess I don’t need these anymore.” she said, detaching the empty pods onto the floor.

It didn’t take the two long to move through the carnage in the main room where burnt bodies lay about. Morinth walked up to a dead soldier whose mask was partially broken. Inside was something foreign to Morinth. It was almost as if the mask was grafted onto a cloned body, it had no discernible features aside from the damage done from Morinth's missiles. “What do you make of this?” she asked.

“I’m not sure” Rong said as she knelt next to the body. She eyed the mask for a moment before taking a closer look at the body itself. “These masks are a different style than what is usually found in Musashi.” She commented. “Also… the hell? Did this guy’s face melt onto the mask? No…” She poked the man’s face around the mask. “This almost looks surgical... Manufactured soldiers?” She asked at last as she rose to her feet. “This is… disturbing. Maybe we should just grab one of these bodies and get out of here before more of them arrive. We can investigate the body later.”

“Alright.” was the only reply before Morinth began hefting one of the soldiers over her shoulder. The only room left was the one Morinth had forcibly opened before. A quick button press and the door opened to reveal the alien ship with two bright lights shining on them and soldiers all around. These ones were different, carrying strange glowing rifles. There was a simple call, “Surrender.”

Rong, having been slightly behind Morinth when she opened the door and presumably out of sight, immediately activated her cloaking device. She eyed the soldiers as she moved out and to the right, counting six in total. She slowly approached the rightmost soldier, taking her time to ensure that she got around him undetected. Then she took her katana and quickly brought it down on the man’s neck. Before he could drop she caught the body, struggling against the combined weight of man and armor, and lowered it to the ground. She then grabbed his odd rifle and, using the man’s body as makeshift cover, took aim at the next closest soldier and opened fire. The soldier, having noticed that something was happening to his right, had begun to turn towards Rong, only to get caught full on in the chest by her well aimed shot. The shot knocked him off of his feet. Before his body even hit the ground Rong was taking aim at the next soldier down the line.

Morinth had to act fast as right when Rong hit the second soldier, the ship above targeted Rong with its heavy guns. Morinth pulled her weapons trigger but only heard clicks. From behind the alien craft though, a strange red light drew closer and closer until striking the alien craft, blasting it violently in half, showering pieces all over the area. Two of the remaining four soldiers were impaled by falling debris and the other two were quick to try and escape. From behind the burning wreckage, a sight Morinth had wrote off, A Dominion cruiser had responded to an emergency beacon set off by the Avalon when it first detected the Alien craft.

A strange male voice sounded through the smoke and burning metal, “This isn’t over.” and from the grey clouded veil, a tall man with light, yet heavily ornate armor stepped forth. He held a large staff and a gauntlet on his left arm. Morinth quickly drew her last remaining weapon, a low caliber pistol and fired off three kill shots, but all deflected by a shield of some sort. “Damn!” she shouted as the man seemed to teleport right in front of her. His hand held out, an array of blue fire engulfed Morinth’s armor and with a sudden burst, sent her now unconscious body to the ground. The man then turned to Kau Rong, “Hello there. I could sense your power from the ship. Impressive.”

“Says the teleporting man that can summon fire” Rong said as she eyed the man, making sure to keep her newly acquired rifle trained on his form. “Who are you?” She asked, only to correct herself “What are you? A normal human can’t be that powerful.”

The man bowed, in a fashion that Rong would be well familiar with. “I am Lau Shan.” He took a deep breath, “I suppose I’m not a normal human.” Lau then pointed the staff directly at Rong, “You should return the formality. Who are you?”

“Kau Rong” She slightly inclined her head. “Retainer to Yamamoto Yuki-hime, first princess of the Empire of Musashi.” She paused for a moment before asking “What are you doing here Lau-san?”

Lau nodded, “I see, one of Musashi’s finest.” He then sized her up, “I can’t say I’m very impressed.” and after a chuckle, “I am here to complete the mission that this woman.” He put his foot upon Morinth’s head. “This thing, stopped. Inside that complex was someone so very important and she just shot the guy. Why do people always have to interfere?” he said, letting his foot off her head then walking casually closer to Rong. “I could then ask you the same? Why are you here?”

“I need not answer you!” Rong spat as she fired two well aimed shots at Lau’s chest. She didn’t wait to see if the shots connected. Instead she dropped the rifle, grabbed her katana, and charged towards. She took two steps before activating her cloaking device and diving to the side, hoping that it would throw him off.

Lau effortlessly shrugged the shots with the shield and quickly lifted his staff, then slammed the ground with it. The vibration deactivated her cloak and he smirked at her, before raising his hand and from seemingly thin air, shot forth a strange energy blade. He left the staff then sprinted at her, keeping his sword low. As Lau came close, he thrust his blade forward, intending to land a killing blow.

“Shit!” Rong gasped out as her cloak was forcibly deactivated. She dove over Lau’s blade, landing in a roll, she lashed out at him with her katana as she rose to her feet. And even as she did that she reached out with her mind, took hold of a nearby rock, and sent it hurtling towards Lau’s head.

Lau recovered quickly from her slash, which had only touched its tip on the edge of his armor, leaving a faint scratch. It didn’t phase him one bit as his hand extended towards the rock, catching it and then throwing it to the ground. He then gazed at a dead soldiers helmet, raising it with his mind and sending it Rong’s way. He then dashed towards Rong with his sword low again, as he got close, he thrust himself into the air and as he started downward, he began a long slash. Right as the Helmet arrived.

Rong’s eyes reflected her genuine surprise when her sword left just a scratch on Lau’s armor. A scratch! She quickly shook off her shock and met Lau’s charge with a charge of her own, dropping to her knees and sliding across the ground as he jumped into the air. Her sword reached up to meet his as they passed each other. Unfortunately for her she hadn’t noticed the flying helmet, which struck her in the chest and caused her to shift her katana further to the left than she had intended. She still managed to parry Lau’s blade, mostly. She the two passed each other she hissed in pain, looking at where his blade had just barely brushed against her left forearm, tearing through her shields and almost slicing through her armor itself. She could feel the heat from where his sword had made contact.

She jumped to her feet and rushed Lau, her sword a flurry of activity before her. Even as she lashed out with her sword she reached out with her mind, grabbing various stones and throwing them at Lau.

He held out his hand again, sending the rocks Rong has thrown to the ground before raising his own sword. He didn’t calculate how fast she was moving though and got a well placed strike, blocked only by Lau’s Gauntlet. He did two backflips before coming to a kneeling pose. Lau slowly rose up and lowered his blade, “Pretty good. I suppose I underestimated you.” he said, nearly with a smug tone. Above them the star was being eclipsed by the cruiser, engulfing the entire area in a shadow. “Enough of this.” he said, raising his sword. Just as he started towards Rong, a sharp pain rain down his leg as a half awake Morinth had pushed a knife into the back of his thigh.

Lau kicked Morinth as hard as he could before teleporting to his staff, “It’s only a matter of time now.” he said, laughing as he seemed to just vanish into nothing.

“Please let me never see him again” Rong muttered as she sheathed what was very likely a ruined katana. “You okay Morinth-san?” She asked as she rushed to her companion’s side. “I thought you were dead to be honest.” She knelt next to the other woman as she began to check her armor, looking for anything that might actually kill her if left unattended.

After a brief moment of examining, there was no immediate threat to her life. All around them, dust began to kick up as three dropships touched down, deploying Dominion soldiers. They rushed to Rong and Morinth. The first to arrive was an officer, “Are you two ok?” he said, motioning for his men which had taken a defensive stance around the area and two medics tended to Morinth. “Who was that you had engaged with? Where did he go?”

“He called himself Lau Shan” Rong said as she stood up. “And I have no idea where he is or how he managed that little teleporting trick.” She slowly shrugged. “I don’t even know who or what he was working for.”



The Dominion officer nodded, “I’ve never heard of teleportation like that. As soon as we arrived, he disappeared off all our sensors.” He made a swirling motion into the air, prompting one of the dropships to take off and take a hovering position above them. A basket then dropped and Morinth was loaded. The officer then started towards the Dropship, “We will pick up the ship you came here on, it seems that a stray shot caught one of its engines during your fight. If you would please follow to the ship, we can get you off world.”

Rong followed the Dominion soldiers to the Cruiser above. It was a quick debrief as the officers weren’t accustomed to Musashi protocol. It however was clear that the two were heading for Rong’s home nation and as quickly as the Dominion ship came, it disappeared into the nights sky.

Fel'Blade System
The Core Command Group fell under heavy barrage as they made their approach to the Raulek, it's defenses and the pursuing Hexanagallion warships tearing away at the shields of the larger capital ships. From the Control Center of the Command Ship, the three Agaathi, forming a semi circle around a large holo-image of the battle outside, all with saddened expressions upon their faces, it was all going so wrong, they had not anticipated such furiosity despite their sheer numbers, their supposed superiority....perhaps it wasn't the most wisest decision to divide the invasion fleet, and now they pay the price for such arrogance as the shields are eaten away little by little.

Upon watching the holo-display, one of the templeship icons had begun to flicker for a few brief moments as it faded away, signifying the loss of one of the vessels. "What do we do..?" one of them spoke.

"Failure is not an option." The leader said. "We press on."

Outside the Command Vessel, the remaining capital ships pushed on towards their objective, their point-defense turrets and other defenses shooting down any incoming projectiles and craft. One of the templeships moved ahead of the Core Group, preparing for "planetfall" for lack of a better work on the station, however, a wave of dragon torpedoes had tore right through it's shields, vital section of the ship blown apart from the volley. Before it could even reach the Raulek, the ship broke apart at the midway point, becoming drifting wreckage.

The situation seemed all too grim for the Agaathi Commanders, it was the end. Sirens were going off as the shields had gave out, the hull creaking and shaking as the ship was being torn apart from outside, the holo-display fading out as power was lost, the lights within growing more dimmer by the moment. All three Agaathi lowered their heads in great shame. "We...have failed.." the leader spoke as she and the other two were sucked out the vacuum of space as a large hole was blast through from one of the torpedoes, closing their eyes as they accepted their fate.
@POOHEAD189

Dubrovnik Station
Praetoria

Dubrovnik Station was perhaps the least graceful space station in the entire Commonwealth. The original structure had been constructed as massive civilian traffic terminal, designed to become Praetoria’s primary orbital hub. Over the years, its needs had far eclipsed its as-built parameters, so the central structure had begun receiving addons and extensions some twenty years ago and hadn’t stopped since. Warehouses, freight terminals, shipyards, hotels, shops, restaurants; all clamoured for precious space somewhere in the mess of Dubrovnik station.

MSV Rosalind was just one of hundreds of civilian freighters docking at the massive orbital complex. She was a big old freighter, worn out but well cared for. She slowly inched her way into her designated berth, pulled along solely by the stations tractor beams now, her GDC powered down.

Captain Ryan Lydell, a human some 43 years old, was an old hand at space travel. In his lifetime, he’d been practically from one end of the old Imperium to the other, from the tip of the Commonwealth to the depths of Musashi space. He tended not to make such journeys anymore; his runs with the Rosalind were decidedly more pedestrian. Lydell was not much of an idealist, but he felt there were some things worth fighting for.

No sooner was the Rosalind securely docked than a customs officer and an armed constable came ‘swimming’ down the airlock tube, floating through the gap between Dubrovnik and Rosalind’s respective gravity systems. The Rosalind had already encountered customs upon arriving in system, but Lydell knew Praetoria’s customs officers well and he’d timed his arrival so that an old friend was on duty. That old friend had given his cargo the briefest inspection before sending Lydell on his way.

Unfortunately that sort of thing wouldn’t fly on Dubrovnik. Customs officers here could feel their superiors breathing down their necks, so they were very thorough. Usually it was nothing more than a time consuming irritation, but today Lydell had other things he needed to do.

“Good afternoon officer,” he said amiably enough as the two officials crossed the threshold into Rosalind’s gravity and touched down.
“Good afternoon Captain Lydell” the customs officer, an efficious Rhodesian replied. “Manifest?”
Lydell had it ready to go. The Rhodesian inspected it thoroughly. “Direct us to the cargo bay please. I’m assuming we’ll find everything in order? You do have a good record with customs.”
“Of course, officer. Perfectly in order.”

The first inspector had satisfied himself with simply opening the storage containers and glancing inside. This one however was much more thorough, selecting containers at random, opening them, stepping inside, scurrying through their depths to verify that their cargo was legitimate, running a scanner over the containers...a time consuming process all around.

It was on the third container he selected that the inspector suspected something was amiss. The industrial equipment at the front of the container seemed to be packed especially densely, to block all view of anything further inside. Not to be dissuaded, the inspector used his small size to squeeze through gaps in the cargo to get a better look at the containers contents. He finally slipped through a final space, and abruptly found himself face to face with a container full of suits of power armour that were most certainly not on the ship’s manifest. “Constable!” he called out, reaching for his comm. One of the suits abruptly reached out an arm and grabbed the Rhodesian by the neck. The armoured fist casually twisted, killing the inspector instantly.

Outside, the constable was looking decidedly bored. His attention was pulled to the container by strange noises. He never saw Lydell draw a concealed pistol and place a laser blast square into the back of his head.

All over the ship, various cargo containers were opening, and sizeable number of power armoured men emerged, hefting railguns, gattling lasers, and a wide variety of military grade equipment. They quickly assembled at the main airlock, and prepared to board Dubrovnik station. Lydell climbed into his own suit of power armour, then turned to his troops. “Well, we have a job to do. Let’s get to it.”

The officials at the first checkpoint barely had time to register what they were seeing before they were gunned down. The armoured contingent didn’t even stop, sprinting past with superhuman speed. They emerged into a primary civilian concourse, and screams began to rise. Still, the soldiers didn’t stop, gunning down anyone in a uniform and anyone who happened to get in the way. An alarm began to sound, and the soldiers were forced to a brief halt at the next checkpoint, which had time to organize a defence. Sadly, the security was meant to deal with civilians, not military equipped commandos, so it was only a brief speedbump for Lydell’s soldiers.

They stormed deeper into the station, encountering increasingly heavy yet still inadequate resistance. Finally, an obstacle came up outside main engineering; a massive blast door. Three men got to work with fusion torches, slowly slicing through the thick metal, while the rest assumed defensive positions down the hall By that time, Dubrovnik security’s heavy response unit had begun to deploy, and now Lydell’s soldiers found themselves up against equally well equipped adversaries. The first of Lydell’s men went down, a barrage of lasers cutting through his shields and melting his armour around him. Lydell had a slight advantage over Dubrovnik security in that he had no concern for the integrity of the station, meaning he could use heavier weapons, while security was confined to weapons that wouldn’t cause massive damage to the station.

A vicious firefight ensued, and Dubrovnik security began to gain the advantage as more reinforcements arrived. Luckily, the fusion torches were doing their work well, and a hole large enough for one man at a time had been cut through the blast door. Lydell went through first, gunning down the engineers with impunity so they wouldn’t interfere. Dubrovnik was powered by a relatively simple but large antimatter reactor; no need for gravitons and a Wronski-Birks reactor with no GDC hogging up energy. Lydell quickly clambered up to the reactor’s antimatter storage pods, its most vulnerable point. He had to hurry, from the sound of it his men were dying increasingly fast. Lydell placed some explosives, then found a comms terminal. He loaded up a program that would give him full access to the stations communications systems. This was the last and perhaps most vital part of his mission. The program completed its work as the last of Lydell’s soldiers fell, and Dubrovnik security began coming through the gap into main engineering. Lydell opened the comms system across all channels, as a Dubrovnik soldier yelled up at him. “It’s over!”

Some things were worth fighting for. Some things were even worth dying for. “FREEDOM FOR HUMANITY!” Lydell yelled, and pressed the detonator.

500 000 people died instantly as an explosion seemed to leap out of the heart of the station. Secondary explosions killed even more as the destruction spread across Dubrovniks sprawling extensions and additions. Civilian ships of all kinds were caught up in the explosions, while more distant compatriots looked on in horror. Then, the remnants of Dubrovnik station began to fall towards Praetoria below.

A quick thinking tug captain likely saved several million lives when he steered his vessel into the maelstrom of debris and set his tractors to halt the descent of a particularly large piece of debris. The Imperial Palace defences--activated the moment word came of trouble on Dubrovnik--blasted everything larger than a fist out of the sky over Vitrograd, limiting the damage to the capital city and the Old Quarter in particular. An arcology downtown took a hit from debris, the impact killing 40 people and setting the building ablaze. Small chunks of burning metal, too small to be targeted by the Palace defences, rained down over the capital, killing and injuring a handful of people out on the streets and causing superficial damage to a number of structures.

But not every city on Praetoria had its skies guarded like Vitrograd’s. A large piece of debris came crashing down into one of the world’s oceans, the ensuing tsunami devastating a number of coastal communities. Another struck the downtown core of Novobinsk, blasting the city off the face of the planet and snuffing out 9 million lives. For the rest of the day, Praetoria’s skies rained fire, but the worst was already done.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

They were calling it the Dubrovnik strike. Accurate, to the point, not too sensationalized; Martuf was vaguely impressed with the media’s restraint. Some few shards of debris were still reentering the atmosphere, appearing as shooting stars in Vitrograd’s night sky. Martuf had been summoned to the Winter Palace. Not officially of course, that would be entirely too obvious, but he had been summoned nonetheless, so he made his way through the Palace grounds, having entered the compound by a secret entrance, flanked by two Su’urtugal. The Palace’s own Su’urtugal chafed at his armed escorts, but his people’s constitution required Lord Captain Commanders to have armed guards at all times, even when visiting the Imperial Queen.

The Winter Palace was the section of the Palace complex reserved solely for the day to day living of the Royal Family. Judging the danger had passed, the Imperskiy Vichnesk had returned the Queen to the Winter Palace from her emergency bunker far below. It was highly unusual for the Queen to summon guests to the Winter Palace; such a summons was generally reserved for close friends or discrete visitors. Martuf was something of both.

He slipped through the gardens, and let himself into the Winter Palace via a sunroom close to the Queen’s quarters. Her Imperial Majesty, Catherine Romanov, was waiting for him, dressed in full mourning.
Martuf raised an eyebrow. “A little much don’t you think?”
The Queen gave him a frosty glare. “Eleven million of my citizens died today, Martuf. Nothing is ‘too much’.”
“My apologies, your majesty. You know how my tongue gets the best of me sometimes.”
“See that you keep it under control in future.”

She was hurting, that much was obvious. Catherine took her devotion to her citizens very seriously. She had to be reeling from such a blow so close to home.
They were silent for a moment, before Catherine spoke.
“What do we know so far.”
“What we do comes from CID; my work is only just beginning but I’ll go over their findings anyways. Captain Ryan Lydell; by all accounts an upstanding and respectable citizen. Experienced merchant commander, pays his taxes, plays by the rules. Exactly zero indication he would ever do something like this.”
“And his soldiers?”
“Very little on them I’m afraid. Copies of Dubrovnik security footage are transmitted to offsite locations, so while we do have footage of the soldiers, their armour makes it impossible to get any facial recognition. Their equipment and their actions tell us a great deal however. Their equipment was high end military--some Commonwealth, some not--certainly difficult to obtain, and very expensive. They were well trained too, very well trained. Possibly ex-military, excellent coordination, they’d rehearsed this, and that means somewhere out there is a camp or a facility training more of them. This group, we don’t have a name for them yet, went from absolutely nothing to the most dangerous group in the Commonwealth in a single attack.”
“I think I see where this is going. You think they had outside help.”
“Absolutely. It’s possible whoever supplied them comes from within the Commonwealth, but more than likely a foreign power is at work here.”

There was another silence. Martuf was the one to break it this time. “I’m putting Javelin on this one. Its jumped to the very top of my priority list.”
“Yes, good...Martuf?”
“Your majesty?”
“Find them. Find them and kill them. Kill them all.”