[center][h2][color=yellow]The Terran Imperium[/color][/h2][/center]

[h3][i]The Imperium Strikes Back.[/i][/h3]

It had been five days since the horde attacked and slain Dominions' Envoy and second in command. Most found solace in blaming Uther as no one had the desire to face the horde. Reality though, was starting to set in as outpost after outpost reported sightings and each one was further in to the empire. The path was right through the middle of the new imperium in what was to be Bragga literally splitting the nation in two.

One world in that path, Lumia IV, referred to as Davions Hope, lay silent for three days. Imperium command had dispatched two scouts that ceased reporting, followed by a battle group of seven ships.. That also never sent word. Families began asking a questions and to hear, we do not have all the information countless times was creating an uproar. 

The decision to deploy assets was up to the high naval command, a group of five arm chair grand admirals that reported directly to Uther himself. The choice they made was to send an admiral that had turned down a grand admiral position many times, always stating "I need to see my enemy to defeat him." 

Enter, Fleet Admiral Graff. 

A tall, blond haired athletic male in his mid thirties. His chiseled form intimidated the majority of his men and held women's lustful hearts. Heavy footsteps announced his arrival on the bridge of a mighty Imperium warship, The Sol class battleship named [i]Dark Horse[/i], named by the brash mr Graff upon launch.

"Attention crewmen." He said with a drawn out 'N' and after a deep breath, an even more so heroic tone came fourth, "Today, We shall, Make certain that our worlds are, safe." 

He prepared to open with a heroic speech of committing glorious deeds to his soldiers but the arrival at Lumia drew his attention elsewhere. Ahead he could see the remains of a lone Ganymede that was seemingly fleeing the battle. As they got closer they recognized the name as the ship that sent the distress call. "So they weren't traitors." Graff said. "Who ever committed these horrendous acts must be using a-" A bridge officer interrupted, "Sir, Long range scanners are detecting some sort of dampening field, something akin to a communications jammer but far more powerful." 

"Fascinating." Graff said, seemingly unamused.

"Sir, This isn't the work of a rebel militia." Another officer stated.

Graff began examining his fingernails, mumbling about dry skin as well. "All right. Go to full alert. Battlegroups Centaur, Pegasus and Gryphon, enact Graff maneuver number four." He pointed his finger directly at what all could now see as a massive fleet of ships hovering above a small world, "How big is that fleet." The Sensors officers turned to Graff, "Sir, I cannot get a number but systems suggest they outnumber us five to one, and that's minus any fighter presence."

Graff turned from the massive view screen and sat down in a rather lavish command chair. "And. Here I was, hoping for a fair fight."

As the fleet split into battlegroups, Graff ordered his own group to push forward. Once within visual range without magnification, Graff stood up once more, "All ships except for the four Sol battleships, assume broadside formation." His second in command looked to him, "Why are we not turning our heavy guns towards them?"

Graff smiled, "I read up on these new ships. From what we could tell, those Bulwark battle carriages would outgun us in a true broadside. So, I have a plan." He said, trying to hide his excitement. "This entire fleet is their new age weaponry and from the reports, they have decimated everything they have encountered. Until now."

The second nodded and looked towards the massive ships. Graff spoke again, "All ships except for the Sol's, Launch all fighters and assume standard defensive formation." He gazed about the room then spoke one last time, "All ships, Be fierce, show these barbarians your fury! fire at will!"

With the order given, a barrage from the Imperium line signaled the start of the war. A war that was to transcend both Uther's Imperium and Bragga's Horde.

[center][h2][color=yellow]The Barbarians[/color][/h2][/center]

[i][h3]For The Horde[/h3][/i]
	
It had been a long time since Bragga felt the true exhilaration of combat. The fights he endured from fighting fellow barbs for his title of warlord were tough, but nothing like killing a true alien from another land. As the now dead James Conrads bones snapped and flesh ripped along Braggas jagged teeth, he couldn't feel anything but excitement. This was his ultimate test. With war on the horizon, he was already winning. His forces had already penetrated the imperium border, a land that had foolishly turned its gaze from the barbarian space, thinking the horde to be content in their pocket of the galaxy. 

Time wasn't on Bragga's side however, even as the horde assembled in its masses, threats from his flanks lingered. For now he had no immediate worry but the fact that he had to leave forces inside his own 'nation' meant that he would be counting on the Dominion to enter the war in the most flashy method possible. 

From the outside of his borders, one could only see the lines fortifying. Entire worlds were abandoned that offered no real strategic value. This afforded Bragga more forces to defend the populated and important areas of his homeland. To the ignorant, it would seem as if he were cowering from the approaching aliens, but to the wise...

The wise would know a storm was coming.


[center][h2][color=yellow]The Dominion[/color][/h2][/center]

[i][h3]Casus Belli[/h3][/i]

"The Executus, Dead.

Earth, Sieged and blockaded not by aliens, but by an emboldened 'Core Imperium'.

Creatures, machines and humans fighting in the reaches beyond the Imperium.

And the Horde uniting under one banner for the first time in.. who knows when.

These are the signs of our times, the signs of the coming darkness and the strife to come. Do we sit idly by as the galaxy unravels? Do we sit idly by as the machinations of foreign powers bring our mighty nation to its knees? The status quo is no more and there is no going back. 

We must put one foot in front of the other, step by step we will not turn back, we must press on if we wish to survive. And survive we will. Today marks the initiation of an event that some had called our existence based around, war. This war was not hastily wrought, it was determined and decided through reason and thought alone. The vicious attack on our nation's leadership was proof of that reason, proof that we cannot sit back any more.

After the murder of the Executus by Uther's forces, Uther and his ilk's destiny was not written in the stars, but by their own hand. And we, the dominion, shall deliver this destiny to his front door.

I call on the Dominion's allies and friends. To uphold your words to help defend a nation that has been attacked so deeply. The Imperium must be brought to justice for its unwarranted attack and its allies, should they decide to aid Uther, are just as guilty of murder and treason. The time for half measures are over. Now is the time for action."


"Prepare yourself Uther, I am coming for [i]you[/i]."

The news began eating Faust's words alive, every word, every breath, it was what the media needed to survive.. war. 

It was going to get its share.

>>>>

Not even an hour before the announcement, Faust's ship had departed earth, leaving another Titan in its place. The pieces had been set and forces from all over his Dominion had reached their positions. The soldiers were bold from words of glory, their aim and skill honed from decades of intense training and centuries of examples to learn from. 

Faust's Dominion war ready.

>>>>
Earth, the day of days.

"Admiral!" shouted a communications officer.

"Yes?" The captain replied.

"Sir, Code Blue announced!" The officer announced, with panic clear in his voice.

"What?!" the Admiral said, mirroring the panic and bringing him upright from his command chair.

"Message reads, Code Blue, Authority Faust. Designation, Total... and complete destruction of the Imperium Under.... Uther."

The Admirals eyes widened as the reality of the situation played across his mind. Knowing it was no jest, Focus pushed through and the Admiral turned towards the viewing screen. Shown was a broad view of the fleet, which was getting word at the same time. Messages were coming through in far greater numbers than the Admiral could hopefully read but all had the same premise, "For the Dominion! Permission to engage?"

The Admiral walked to the comms officer and pat him on the shoulder before returning to his chair. He sat down and pressed a small triangular yellow symbol on the chairs arm mounted console. "Attention fleet. As you all know, the order has been given. Fleet captains, Today will either be your finest or your last. Make use of your well trained crews, make use of the lessons of your ancestors, make use to the true might of your patron. We are the Dominion."

There was a moment of silence as the grin grew across the admirals face. "All ships, assume broad stance, pick targets and engage on my mark."

It was the poster child of a well oiled machine as the entire fleet split off into positions with precision. Ships moved into perfect spots and their fighters launched in a choreographed fashion. The Imperium ships started launching their fighters as well but were lazy in comparison. The Imperium was unaware of the full scale of the situation. The word of the declaration had yet to reach them. 

And all across the Imperium and Dominion border, Fleets of Dominion warships crossed. Completely bypassing border patrols and disregarding warning messages. Casting them aside as a mild foul smell would be waved from ones nose.

The Admiral took one last deep breath as the fleet signaled it was ready.

"Fire."