All the Way Back STGOD [Prologue]

[Shark Bait]

To: Her Imperial Majesty Queen of the Teknokon Empire
From: Lord Protector Joshua Matthews, United Protectorates
Reply

We, the people of the United Protectorates, welcome her Imperial Majesty to the ranks of our freedom loving and valiant allies. I accept her pledge and hope that this day is the beginning of an era where she and her subjects need not fear domination by any forgein power organic or otherwise. May Fortunine favor us.

In My Own Hand

Lord Protector Joshua Mattews.

In her throne room the queen reviewed the message and smiled slightly, in orbit gigantic ships in the shape of hyperbolic geometrical shapes powered up their engines as thousands of spider drones of various sizes scrambled over and through them preparing fighters and loading weapons. The fleet minds knew they would suffer losses but they were extensions of the queen they obeyed her as the hand obeys the mind, they would fight unquestioningly till either they or their enemies were obliterated.

[Charon]

Kainan Empiricate
Teler Cluster
Teler
Counsel Room

Imperial Lord Graimen looked over reports. The Tomari were moving a lot of ships for their strike against the United Protectorate. There was no doubt that this would be a war that would spread, the question now was how quickly it would spread.

Graimen looked up at Head Senator Helmerat. [The Senate is unanimous as well?]

[Yes my lord.]

[Very well.] Graimen turned to a comm and openned up a channel. [Grand Duken, send our scouts out further, send fleets 2, 4, and 5 to Tal Nira for defense. The other three shall be sent to Vera Medra. Both are our closest systems to the Tomari.] Graimen closed the channel and looked back at the Head Senator. [Any word from Kye Loon or Garel?]

[Garel has reported that his ship experienced difficulties, and during that time, Kye Loon left the ship and headed for Tomari space.]

Graimen reached a hand back and carressed his old head spikes in thought. Meanwhile the Head Senator spoke up again.

[She has another 18 hours to contact us before it is assumed she is captured or dead.]

Imperial Lord Graimen nodded slowly. [I know protocal Helmerat. Start sending diplomats to the other free systems, convince them to get involved in this fight. If they don't it will just be us.]

Helmerat looked at his lord. [What of the United Protectorate and their allies?]

[We cannot assume that they will survive the attack, should they indeed survive we will give them an opportunity to fly their banner with ours.]

Helmerat nodded and got to his feet. Stepping out of the office he passed by rows of Imperial guards.

The Kainan Empiricate was awakening, and this was a demon the Tomari Empire would do well to keep placated.

Just outside Colony space
KIN Carrier Gal Quar

Garel's time period had ended. No more excuses could be made, it was time to move back with the rest of the fleet. It looked like Kye had failed in her mission. With a heavy heart the Kainan task force turned around and hypered back towards Empiricate space.

[Shark Bait]

The queen looked over woefully out of date star charts and strategic data on the worlds of the western Tomari Empire she knew she would need help if she was to launch an assault. Her eyes flicked to the right changing the focus of the large map projected in front of her, she focused on Neo Strabior and began to record a second message.

To: President Meralis Sherakin, Chosen Leader of the Strabior Republic
From: Her Imperial Majesty Queen of the Teknokon Empire

Greetings President Sherakin, I know of your past strife and old wounds that are not soon forgotten. Now the galaxy is poised on the brink of war and the time for you to strike back against those responsible for past transgressions has come. Truthfully though neither of us can stand alone against the Tomari, so I come to you now with a proposition for an alliance against the western Tomari front, with the combined might of our ships and military intelligence we can stand against them. If possible I would like to send an ambassador, to discuss further strategy.

The queen lowered here eyes and the transmission was sent, she returned to the previous view on the star charts, dedicating a small portion of her processors to muse on what she would do once the Tomari had fallen.

[Agent Fisher]

SRN Quickship "Cautious Stranger"
High Orbit
Valerious Prime
Senatus Populusque Valerious

The single, unarmed Strabior ship had left hyperspace when it had reached the outskirts of the system. It had been intercepted by a number of patrol craft with captains very interested in knowing what business had the alien ship. Then, in an extremely non-threatening manner, the captain of the Cautious Stranger had informed them that the quickship carried an official representative of the Strabior government. Although Strabior ships were not completely unknown in Valerious space, the visitors were usually traders. Ambassadors were a completely different thing.

Both republics had contacted roughly three centuries ago and the Strabior had followed their customary protocol of denigrating the expanding Tomari. The Senate of Valerious hadn't liked the idea of being associated with aliens who made a point of antagonizing the local superpower and the result had been a three centuries long isolationism. But the Strabior felt that it was time to make another try, in the hopes that the Tomari moves against the United Protectorates would finally knock some sense into the stubborn humans of Valerious. And so, the quickship currently awaiting authorization to dock had been dispatched with Ambassador Kareli on board.

Battlestar VRS Prasda
Valerious Prime
Valerious Cluster

Unknown to the little Quickship, waiting behind the moon, was the BattleStar Group(BSG) 01. The oldest and most prestigous group, it was tasked with the defense of the home system. It was currently hidden from the quickship by use of jammers.

The quickship had set off all kinds of hell. Right now, senior officer in charge of the Valerious Watch Center was yelling at his junior officers, asking how a ship could get through their sensor network and into the main system without them being aware until it came back into realspace.

A flight of Vipers were launched from the Prasda, they came up on behind the Quickship. They opened a comm channel, their voices slightly garbled from the comm equipment.

"Quickship Stranger, Quickship Stranger, this Viper 1109, set course for Orbital Staion 24, heading 322 degrees, declination 3 degrees, sped 105. Landing bay 22. Comfirm."

[frigidmagi]

The fleet dropped out of hyperspace in the Tulsa System and quickly assembled into formation. A standard demand for surrender was broadcast on all frequencies, but at this point, it was merely a formality. The UP had chosen their path, and it would be one of pain. The fleet pressed on, scanning for targets. He was certain the UP did not intend to disappoint.

Admiral Sheridan checked the connections on his suit one last time before taking his seat. His two fleets were between the invaders and the planet, it would be best to bleed the enemy before bringing them into range of Tulsa's defenses.

"The fleets will advance to missle range and hold the range open, until we arrive into planetary range. Fire Plan Alpha." He ordered. The Fleets began to move deploying their missle pods, small drones that carried 9 missles each for launch in a single volley.

They moved into formation, the Frontier Fleet took a sphere formation placing the carriers in the center of overlapping defenses, while 4th Fleet went into a rolling cylinder formation. They moved towards the massive collection of enemy ships at best speed.

"Enemy in range, Sir." Annouced the Tactical Officer.

"Open Fire."

Over a thousand missles exploded from the UP defense fleet screaming towards the Tomari.

[Hotfoot]

United Protectorates Space
Oklahoma Sector
Tulsa
Jaen Invasion Fleet

Fleet Compositions
-Battlegroup Alpha Primus(60% DF, 20% SF, 20% MS)
-Battlegroup Alpha Secundus(20% DF, 60% SF, 20% MS)

-Battlegroup Beta Primus(60% DF, 20% SF, 20% MS)
-Battlegroup Beta Secundus(20% DF, 20% SF, 60% MS)

-Battlegroup Gamma Primus(60% DF, 20% SF, 20% MS)
-Battlegroup Gamma Secundus(10% DF, 10% SF, 80% MS)

-Battlegroup Delta Primus(60% DF, 20% SF, 20% MS)
-Battlegroup Delta Secundus(10% DF, 80% SF, 10% MS)


The time had come. Today, the United Protectorates would feel the might of the Empire. The Invasion fleet had been split into eight distinct battlegroups, each designed to maximize firepower. The Protectorate fleet was bundled together, attempting to hide in the protection offered by the system defenses. There was an inconsequential blip to the side, most likely suicide ships. They would be torn apart before they got within range.

Suddenly, the colors of the boxes bounding the enemy ships cascaded from yellow to red. Fenrick smiled. Missile range had been achieved. Rough parity had been reached, he mused. The reports from the scout group indicated that Protectorate ships favored missiles, but with their ships so tightly grouped, maintaining a full barrage was untenable, such was the nature of the battlefield. As soon as the lights turned, he gave the order. Standard procedure, in this case, was to target the escorts first, deny them the ability to adequately defend themselves from the coming fighter strikes.

Of the various battlegroups, those from Alpha and Beta targeted 4th fleet, while Gamma and Delta targeted Frontier Fleet. The majority of missile firepower working to strip the escort coverage from the carrier fleet. At almost the same time, the Protectorate barrage was launched. Fenrick glared at the monitor. The size was larger than he had anticipated. Somehow the Protectorate fleet had launched a high initial barrage. If they could sustain this, then projected losses would increase dramatically. He gritted his teeth. The plan was in motion, and changing it now could be disastrous.

Moments felt like eternities as the targets of the Protectorate barrage became evident. Point defense ships lanced out against the swarm with fast tracking laser fire, but it wasn’t enough. Heavy missiles slammed into battleships and dreadnoughts of Beta Primus and Delta Primus groups. The firepower of nearly an entire fleet of missile intensive designs erupted among the shields of the Tomari’s heaviest ships. Beta Primus, which had been targeted by 4th Fleet, saw one battleship’s shields begin to fail as the last missiles struck it.

All the while, Admiral Fenrick held his course. He would make the Protectorates bleed for him a nebula of crimson.

[frigidmagi]

The second volley roared out toward the enemy has damage reports flooded in from across the fleet. Admiral Sheridan kept his face relaxed and calm. Projecting an aura of calm and control.

"Continue falling back, launch fighters." Sheridan ordered. They should be in Tulsa's launchers best range in 12 minutes, he thought, a second big salvo should make a good lead in for his real suprise.

The UP fleets began to fall back has missiles and fighters were launched to bleed the enemy more.

[Hotfoot]

United Protectorates Space
Oklahoma Sector
Tulsa
Jaen Invasion Fleet

Fleet Compositions
-Battlegroup Alpha Primus(60% DF, 20% SF, 20% MS)
-Battlegroup Alpha Secundus(20% DF, 60% SF, 20% MS)

-Battlegroup Beta Primus(60% DF, 20% SF, 20% MS)
-Battlegroup Beta Secundus(20% DF, 20% SF, 60% MS)

-Battlegroup Gamma Primus(60% DF, 20% SF, 20% MS)
-Battlegroup Gamma Secundus(10% DF, 10% SF, 80% MS)

-Battlegroup Delta Primus(60% DF, 20% SF, 20% MS)
-Battlegroup Delta Secundus(10% DF, 80% SF, 10% MS)

Fenrick watched the battle unfolding. The Capital ships of Beta Primus and Delta Primus were beginning to suffer damage. By the time they would get within gun range, they could be crippled. Nonetheless, he pressed on. Another commander might have had them pull back in the overall formation, or sent them home to fight again another day, but the Empire had resources to spare, and a crushing defeat required as many guns on the Protectorate fleet as possible when the time came.

Meanwhile, the Protectorate fleets fell back, attempting to maintain missile superiority for as long as possible. The subsequent barrages had subsided in power, but the prolonged bombardment was beginning to take its toll on both sides. The mighty capitals of the Tomari were beginning to buckle, as were the numerous escorts of the Protectorate. Soon, the flights of fighters and bombers from both sides would be launched amidst the pockets of missile fire. In between the fleets, a miniature of the battle currently being waged would be fought, each side’s interceptors and space superiority fighters attempting to cover the passage of the bombers which would unload their payloads accurately at the enemy forces.

Fenrick knew what could well happen. The ships under his command were beginning to deteriorate rapidly. Once the command and control of the capitals was gone, the overall firepower of their respective battlegroups would suffer accordingly. It was a gambit on the part of the UP, and it would appear to be working. The only question was who would lose the most ships this day before cutting their losses and running.

The loss of the Protectorate’s escorts would be ameliorated somewhat by their inclusion into the system defense network, the only question that remained is if it would be enough to stop the onslaught that awaited them. Once again, the firing orders remained the same. Send the most fighters against the Frontier fleet, take advantage of their lack of point defense to now take apart their capital class carriers. Across the encrypted Tomari communication signals, flights of fighters, bombers, and interceptors checked in, affirmed targets, and began their approaches.

[frigidmagi]

The Fleets continued to fall back. Admiral Sheridan kept his eyes on the range countdown. Two numbers counted down. The first number turnned red and Sheridan smiled. He'd lost destoryers and frigates but now it should prove worthwhile.

"Tusla Defense Center, this is Admiral Sheridan, open fire."

Tulsa was equipped with both ground and orbital launchers, being feed sensor data from the fleets and with that command they opened up. Firing missle after missle at the invadors.

Tulsa Moon

3rd Fleet had sat silently while their fellow sailors had fought, killed and died. They had remained silent while listening to the death screams of their fellows. They had remained silent while the enemy had rolled closer and closer and passed them. But they would remain silent no longer.

Admiral Tzu relaxed his hands and took a deep breath. It was finially time.

"Full Power, Fire when we get into range, maintain fire plan alpha." He ordered. 3rd fleet began to move out behind the Tomari fleet.

[Hotfoot]

United Protectorates Space
Oklahoma Sector
Tulsa
Jaen Invasion Fleet

Fleet Compositions
-Battlegroup Alpha Primus(60% DF, 20% SF, 20% MS)
-Battlegroup Alpha Secundus(20% DF, 60% SF, 20% MS)

-Battlegroup Beta Primus(60% DF, 20% SF, 20% MS) (Capitals Currently Damaged)
-Battlegroup Beta Secundus(20% DF, 20% SF, 60% MS)

-Battlegroup Gamma Primus(60% DF, 20% SF, 20% MS)
-Battlegroup Gamma Secundus(10% DF, 10% SF, 80% MS)

-Battlegroup Delta Primus(60% DF, 20% SF, 20% MS) (Capitals Currently Damaged)
-Battlegroup Delta Secundus(10% DF, 80% SF, 10% MS)

Fenrick’s fingers drummed on his armrest. The display clearly showed the extent of the Protectorate’s plans. Clever, hiding a fleet behind the moon. What had appeared to be several smaller suicide ships was instead two battlegroups laying in wait. Meanwhile, the two primary fleets had managed to fall back to the system defense grid. The missile volley from the combined fleets and defense grid filled the display with clouds of missiles. The capitals of Beta and Delta Primus would never make it into gun range. Orders shot back and forth, it was too late to attempt an integration maneuver, the missiles were on their way. All integration would do would destroy the existing command and control networks and result in uncoordinated ECM and point defense.

The Admiral keyed the comms to the capitals of the respective groups. “Men, we started this day knowing our lives were to be put on the line of battle for the Glorious Emperor. We knew the consequences our actions could bring. You have served me well, and thus, you have served the Emperor. Regardless if we triumph or suffer unthinkable defeat, your souls shall join the Gods in the next realm.â€Â

[Agent Fisher]

Levar System
5 Ly galatic south of the SPQV border
Viper Squadron VF-99 HellRaisers

+1 Hour, Tulsa invasion

Commander Burton checked his sensors. There was alot of jamming up ahead of them, with a bit all around too. He opened a comm channel to his squadron.

"All right boys, lets move in. Call out any bandits. Stick with your wingmen."

He goosed his throttle. Suddenly the jamming dropped in front of him, his sensors started painting enemy contacts, maintaining formation. Not moving to intercept.

"All right, HellRaisers, lets get us some."

He shoved his throttle forward, shooting through space. He watched as on his HUD the number scrolled down.

******

Captain Dorn smiled. There was the HellRaisers, moving in on the decoys. He used his running lights to signal his squadron to follow him. He dipped his nose and began to dive on the Vipers.

He reached over and activated a non-regulation music player in his cockpit. The strains of a classic-rock song blared in his cockpit. He punched in the frequency that the HellRaisers were on, waited for his squadron to almost be right on top of them (and for the music to be at a great part), and flicked the switch to broadcast on their channel.

******

Burton let out a yelp as music blasted in his ears. Suddenly his computer screens flashed red, telling him he had been shot down by hostile forces. He started cussing up a storm, laughter drifting through his comm speakers.

"DORN, YOU ASSHOLE!"

******

Dorn pulled up along side of Burton, wagged his wings then did a barrel role over Burton's viper, and blasted off, heading back to the NMTC(National Military Training Center) Fighter Bay, the strains of the music and laughter still coming from the comm. Just another day as the OpFor in Operation Dark End.

[frigidmagi]

Planet Tulsa's Surface

General Lee, United Protectorates Federal Army, stood at the gates of Tulsa's capital, the city of New Madison. He wore a green and grey uniform, fit perfectly and within regulation to the letter. The capital had been surrounded by farms both above ground and below. Now however the above ground farms were being burned, better to lose the crops than give them to the Tomari. The underground farms were yet untouched but charges were being laid to bury them if it was required. In the distance the General saw the flares of launching missles and firing guns piercing the shourd of smoke. His staff moved uneasily, the general was exposed here.

"General Sir, the cilivans have been moved to the bunkers, the Govenor is requesting you at the command center." Whispered a staff member.

"Yes, I suppose it would be rude of me to keep the Governor waiting. Let us proceed then gentlemen. Major Atkins would you perform a final check on the other cities, ensure their readiness has well." The General said turning around and walking back through the gate, the tunnel that lead from the outer gate to the inner gates were blank expect for a single carving. A life size image of a single solder from the end of the civil wars.
A stone portrait of the last solder to die in the civil war.

General Lee stopped by the carving and looked into the stone eyes for a moment. He whispered low enough so no one would hear his words.

"I fear, Sir by the end of today you will be the last solder to die on Protectorate soil no more. No I think there will be blood enough to glut even the Tomari. May God have mercy on our souls..."

Tulsa Orbit
The void around the planet Tulsa was no longer cold. It was lit with the flames of dying and wounded ships, rent by the engines of missiles and fighters. Admiral Sheridan sat like a stone has his escorts burned and twisted under enemy fire, they were hammering at the enemy's capital ships in an effort to break up the CnC networks that held the enemies networks togather. Break up the enemies formations and they were just splintered, uncoordinated ships, flailing in the confusion of battle.

But it cost...

"Enemy Battleship is breaking apart Sir! She's gone! She's gone!" Came a triumphant scream from Tactical. A bark of victory ripped around the air of the bridge.

"Concenrate people, shift fire and do it again!" Admiral Sheridan ordered, to a chrous of "Aye, aye Sir."

[SirNitram]

Aggression. Hate. Contempt. Fear. Panic. The adrenal glands of millions, perhaps billions were firing now full power, and the Asgard forward observer on the surface of Tulsa was drinking it in like a mix of a finely aged wine and the most potent Accel powder in known space. Every nerve was on glorious fire, and her muscles ached with need of use.

It was therefore quite surprising when the readying ground forces began receiving reports of a woman, dressed archaicly and with an axe, was dancing through the burning fields. But the psionic didn't care; she drank of the battle that now raged, and felt it in her soul.

[Comrade Tortoise]

Admiral HookBill of the Colonial FIrst FLeet stood in his flagship, the Supercarrier DragonRaptor. The order had come in the day previous. His fleet was to deploy to Oklahoma sector. They were on their way, steaming through hyperspace at several lightyears an hour. They wouldnt arrive to assist in the battle they had reports of currently occuring. But maybe, just maybe they could provide reinforcements for a weakened but victorious defensive fleet

[Cynical Cat]

Morchea
Morchea Province
Tomari Empire

The First Fleet broke out of hyper in a burst of FTL noise. Sensors and defences went to full power as they went active. There was no way to hide the entrance of so many capital ships into the system. The Narsen didn't try. Not exactly.

Second Fleet broke from hyper in the wake of First Fleet. Fury heavy missle frigates and Sting ships escorted the battle barges of Second Fleet to join First Fleet. The Talon and Athena class ships would provide C^3 support.

The Fleets began to divurge. The now swollen First Fleet powered towards the enemy fleet base above the elliptic, its escorts ranging in front and wasting every spying eye and transmitter in their path. This could not, did not hide their presence. It wasn't suppossed to.

Second Fleet cruised on the elliptic "beneath" the First Fleet. Stealth fields, the planetary bodies, moons, asteroids, and the kill sweeps and noise of First Fleets vessels. The shock and confusion of the Tomari, who were being invaded instead of being the invaders, and by a state they were not even at war at, would hopefully aid them.

Fleet Rank Hallstrom considered the plan. It was a good one, but none of them survived contact with the enemy. He placed more faith in his crews and on his ships. He turned to his officers.

"If there is any justice in the universe, we shall prevail this day," he began. "It is up to us to make this universe a better place. To be post human is not merely about power. It is about being better. Today, we shall be both. We shall exercise our strength and make this universe a better place."

[Cynical Cat]

Sophia
Narsia
Narsen Domain

The camera was centered on Executor Anna Devries. She was wearing a red suit with black piping, her skin a light olive in colour. "Greetings to all who hear this message, which will be transmitted as far as the Narsen Domain can manage. Recently fighting has broken out before out between the United Protectorate and the Tomari Empire. I say fighting, not war, because war really began when the Tomari Empire decided to devour everything in reach.

"We stand not divided by human and post human, xeno and machine intelligence, but between those who would live with dignity and those who would enslave and destroy us. Our peoples have seen the Tomari inflict slavery and debasement on world after world. Some have submitted, some still fight. We have armed and prepared ourselves to fight against the terrible certainty of their boundless hunger.

"We cannot win. Not alone. But we are not alone. We are united by something stronger than blood, more profound than treaty. The will to survive. We will not be divided. We will not be intimidated. We will not be suborned. We will not surrender. We will not quit this fight."

"We will fight on. We will persevere. We will triumph. To fight the Tomari is a moral duty in the way to oppose evil is a moral duty, but it is more than that. It is a matter of survival and so it is no choice. To those of you in other nations, we are proud to call you comrades in this great struggle. To the Tomari, who have removed themselves from all decency and morality, I tell you now we are coming. Your time is over."

[Agent Fisher]

Valerious Cluster
VRNF HQ Station
VRNF Signal/Intel Section
+4 Hours from the commencement of the Tulsa Invasion.

Colonel Costello lifted his phone and punched in the number of the Senior Officer of the Watch, Rear Admiral Miller.

"Sir, this is Signals, we are getting info from some of our deep probes of the other side of the Tom. Sir, if we are reading this right, the Tom may have begun moving north, and in a big way. From just the volume and direction of the traffic we are intercepting from the Tom naval units, it appears that the Tom have begun an invasion of we believe to be the UP...No sir, we wont have this current crypt key cracked for awhile. No word for sure if this is the real thing or just a drill. But I recommended moving all VR Navy and defense units to at least Condition Two and begin a call up of the reserves...Yes sir, we will keep feeding the info as we get it."

Costello hung up the phone and turned back to his desk, waiting for the next bit of info they could pick up.

******

Admiral Miller picked up his phone again and dialed.

"Get me the Supreme Commander...Sir, this is Admiral Miller, SOW, at VR Navy Headquarters. Sir, we have monitered a large amount of signal traffic that may indicate that the Tomari have begun another round of conquest. Sir, I recommend moving the entire VR Armed Forces to at least Condition Two, with our Battle and Gunstar groups moving to Condition One. I also recommend recalling the BSG-04 and GSG-88 from the Levar System and get them loaded for bear and ready to lead any assualts. They are our most sharp units sir...Yes, sir, I am fairly certain that the Tomari have begun another war, and yes sir, I think we're next. Hold on sir, I just recieved a message from Signals. Message reads, 'Comfirmed, fighting has begun on the Tomari border between the UP and Tomair forces. Sir, since we now know this, I recomm... Thank you, sir. I'll make sure the message gets sent out right now. Goonight, sir."

******

Levar System
Battlestar Group-04
Battlestar Eagle's Pride

Commander Jones walked into CIC. It was a slow day, with just some fighter exercises, and running two drills today. He walked over to the table in the middle of the room that had a display for a surface, showing the location of the ships in the system, the stations that served as the base for the NMTC. He saw on the display, his CAG's squadron out playing tag. He heard a beeping from the Comm station, a sound that meant they were recieving FLASH traffic. His comm officer read the message, then nearly ran to Jones.

"Sir, FLASH traffic from VRNFHQ." He handed the slip of paper to Jones. "Message reads, 'Attention all Valerious units, set Condition One. Hostilities with the Tomari imminent. This is not a drill, repeat, not a drill. All ships, proceed to proper rally points."

Jones called out. "XO, set condition one and action stations throughout the ship, recall our fighters, get them onboard and loaded for bear. And get us to our rally station."

The XO nodded, picked up a phone, and began annoucing "Set Condition One, all hands, action stations."

Jones put down the peice of paper. It was going to be a long day.

[Murazor]

To: President Meralis Sherakin, Chosen Leader of the Strabior Republic
From: Her Imperial Majesty Queen of the Teknokon Empire

Greetings President Sherakin, I know of your past strife and old wounds that are not soon forgotten. Now the galaxy is poised on the brink of war and the time for you to strike back against those responsible for past transgressions has come. Truthfully though neither of us can stand alone against the Tomari, so I come to you now with a proposition for an alliance against the western Tomari front, with the combined might of our ships and military intelligence we can stand against them. If possible I would like to send an ambassador, to discuss further strategy.

From: Sky Admiral Merelix Trineren, Commander of the Third Space Fleet of the Strabior Republic.
To: Her Imperial Majesty Queen of the Teknokon Empire.

We Strabior have long memories and are slow to forgive. The extremely unpleasant demise of our ambassador in Leonina during your... takeover has prevented the opening of diplomatic relationships for several centuries. In fact, under our laws you are still accountable for charges of murder and our public opinion would loathe the notion of an alliance with your nation.

However, acknowledging that you have shown no hostile intentions against the Strabior race in many centuries and the clear and present danger posed by the Tomari Empire, I have been ordered by President Meralis Sherakin to act as liaison between our nations.

Brikandir, an Imperial sector with a major Tomari fleet base with forces matching those currently invading the United Protectorates is only days away from both our territories. It is our opinion that any aggressive action against the Tomari should be concerted to maximize our chances of success. For that reason, one of our border outposts is being modified to accommodate one of your nodes, so that our joint efforts can be better coordinated and a limited exchange of intelligence can be safely carried out. No Teknokon warships are to enter Strabior space and no details of this conversations are to be made public. Surprise is our best ally against the Tomari and we can't afford to lose it.

[Murazor]

Battlestar VRS Prasda
Valerious Prime
Valerious Cluster

Unknown to the little Quickship, waiting behind the moon, was the BattleStar Group(BSG) 01. The oldest and most prestigous group, it was tasked with the defense of the home system. It was currently hidden from the quickship by use of jammers.

The quickship had set off all kinds of hell. Right now, senior officer in charge of the Valerious Watch Center was yelling at his junior officers, asking how a ship could get through their sensor network and into the main system without them being aware until it came back into realspace.

A flight of Vipers were launched from the Prasda, they came up on behind the Quickship. They opened a comm channel, their voices slightly garbled from the comm equipment.

"Quickship Stranger, Quickship Stranger, this Viper 1109, set course for Orbital Staion 24, heading 322 degrees, declination 3 degrees, sped 105. Landing bay 22. Comfirm."

Landing bay 22
Orbital Station 24
Valerious Prime Orbit
Valerious Cluster

Ambassador Kareli's frustration had been building up for almost an hour now. Anyone with the most basic knowledge about Strabior females would have been able to told the bratty lieutenant that his condescending attitude put him in position to suffer serious bodily harm. Unfortunately, the officer either had no knowledge about Strabior body language (or female body language) or had no regard whatsoever for his own well-being.

"For the last time, we followed the instructions of your fighters. The quickship is unarmed and we made no attempt to hide from your sensor network. The incompetence of your sensor network during the maneuvers of your military does not concern us, although it should concern you given the situation," the ambassador stopped for a few moments. The Cautious Stranger had just received the Narsen declaration of war and had used the Kareli's implants to warn her. Things were going to hell in a handbasket, as humans would put it and time was now essential. "Lieutenant, I will not stand this travesty anymore. I demand to meet someone with real authority and to be treated with the respect I am due in my condition of official representative of my government."

Main Security Room
Orbital Station 24
Valerious Prime Orbit
Valerious Cluster

"This diplomat is not very diplomatic, is her?," joked one of the security officers that had witnessed the exchange from the station control room.

"Not," agreed his partner. "But it seems that she means business. I think that we can let her pass. That ship is about as threatening as my old ma. Although I pity the bunch of idiots in the Watch Center that missed them. Heads are going to roll for this screw-up."

[Agent Fisher]

Battlestar VRS Prasda
Valerious Prime
Valerious Cluster

Unknown to the little Quickship, waiting behind the moon, was the BattleStar Group(BSG) 01. The oldest and most prestigous group, it was tasked with the defense of the home system. It was currently hidden from the quickship by use of jammers.

The quickship had set off all kinds of hell. Right now, senior officer in charge of the Valerious Watch Center was yelling at his junior officers, asking how a ship could get through their sensor network and into the main system without them being aware until it came back into realspace.

A flight of Vipers were launched from the Prasda, they came up on behind the Quickship. They opened a comm channel, their voices slightly garbled from the comm equipment.

"Quickship Stranger, Quickship Stranger, this Viper 1109, set course for Orbital Staion 24, heading 322 degrees, declination 3 degrees, sped 105. Landing bay 22. Comfirm."

Landing bay 22
Orbital Station 24
Valerious Prime Orbit
Valerious Cluster

Ambassador Kareli's frustration had been building up for almost an hour now. Anyone with the most basic knowledge about Strabior females would have been able to told the bratty lieutenant that his condescending attitude put him in position to suffer serious bodily harm. Unfortunately, the officer either had no knowledge about Strabior body language (or female body language) or had no regard whatsoever for his own well-being.

"For the last time, we followed the instructions of your fighters. The quickship is unarmed and we made no attempt to hide from your sensor network. The incompetence of your sensor network during the maneuvers of your military does not concern us, although it should concern you given the situation," the ambassador stopped for a few moments. The Cautious Stranger had just received the Narsen declaration of war and had used the Kareli's implants to warn her. Things were going to hell in a handbasket, as humans would put it and time was now essential. "Lieutenant, I will not stand this travesty anymore. I demand to meet someone with real authority and to be treated with the respect I am due in my condition of official representative of my government."

Main Security Room
Orbital Station 24
Valerious Prime Orbit
Valerious Cluster

"This diplomat is not very diplomatic, is her?," joked one of the security officers that had witnessed the exchange from the station control room.

"Not," agreed his partner. "But it seems that she means business. I think that we can let her pass. That ship is about as threatening as my old ma. Although I pity the bunch of idiots in the Watch Center that missed them. Heads are going to roll for this screw-up."

Operations Center
Orbital Station 24
Valerious Prime Orbit
Valerious Cluseter

Colonel Russ re-read the message he had just recieved from VRNF HQ. He nodded to the XO, who hit a button and the over the speakers on the station, a siren began to wail, letting everyone know that they were now at Condition One and needed to be at their Action Stations. Marine guards rushed from their posts to the nearest armory, and grabbed their combat vests, and assault rifles. Within two minutes, the stations' marine contingent was ready for incoming, the shields were up, and the station's sensors were up and pulsing out.

******

The lieutenant that had been talking with the alien ambassador snapped his head over to the speakers when the alarm went off. He told the ambassador to wait in the room and he scrambled out to report to his station. Word, however had been passed on of the ambassadors arrival, and Senator Vaco, of the Leo Cluster, had been dispatched to speak with the alien. He walked into the room only a minute after the lieutenant left.

"Hello, Ambassador, so sorry to keep you waiting."

[Murazor]

The lieutenant that had been talking with the alien ambassador snapped his head over to the speakers when the alarm went off. He told the ambassador to wait in the room and he scrambled out to report to his station. Word, however had been passed on of the ambassadors arrival, and Senator Vaco, of the Leo Cluster, had been dispatched to speak with the alien. He walked into the room only a minute after the lieutenant left.

"Hello, Ambassador, so sorry to keep you waiting."

"I am honoured to meet you, Senator. I would like to apologize for my earlier outburst. My behaviour was most unbecoming, but currently time is a precious commodity we cannot waste. If this alarm means what I fear, it might already be too late. However, I must ask whether we can continue our conversation somewhere else. If possible, in a calmer and more discrete place..."

[Agent Fisher]

The lieutenant that had been talking with the alien ambassador snapped his head over to the speakers when the alarm went off. He told the ambassador to wait in the room and he scrambled out to report to his station. Word, however had been passed on of the ambassadors arrival, and Senator Vaco, of the Leo Cluster, had been dispatched to speak with the alien. He walked into the room only a minute after the lieutenant left.

"Hello, Ambassador, so sorry to keep you waiting."

"I am honoured to meet you, Senator. I would like to apologize for my earlier outburst. My behaviour was most unbecoming, but currently time is a precious commodity we cannot waste. If this alarm means what I fear, it might already be too late. However, I must ask whether we can continue our conversation somewhere else. If possible, in a calmer and more discrete place..."

"Of course, follow me. Oh, and the alarms don't mean we are under attack. Those are simply to tell our people to get ready. You may not know, or you might already know more than we do, but the Tomari have begun another war. This time, the people of the Valerious Republic shall stand against them. But please, this way." Vaco led them away from the room, deeper into a station. After about a minute, the alarms had been silenced, though there were still red lights flashing.

He nodded to a marine guard and waited as the marine upened a door. Vaco walked inside, with the Ambassdor following. Inside was a confrence room.

"So, Ambassador, what would you like to talk about?"

[Murazor]

"Of course, follow me. Oh, and the alarms don't mean we are under attack. Those are simply to tell our people to get ready. You may not know, or you might already know more than we do, but the Tomari have begun another war. This time, the people of the Valerious Republic shall stand against them. But please, this way." Vaco led them away from the room, deeper into a station. After about a minute, the alarms had been silenced, though there were still red lights flashing.

He nodded to a marine guard and waited as the marine upened a door. Vaco walked inside, with the Ambassdor following. Inside was a confrence room.

"So, Ambassador, what would you like to talk about?"

"You have finally chosen to stand against the Empire, then?," said the female Strabi sitting in the swivel chair offered by Senator Vaco. The seat creaked ominously under the ambassador's considerable mass, but Kareli didn't notice. She was brushing her reddish facial hair, a mannerism she used to calm herself while considering her next few words. "It is a bold move, but courage alone will not defeat the Tomari. The Ravagers rule thousands of worlds and will only be defeated if all those who oppose them stand together. If we fight alone, we will most certainly die alone. Now, the situation is spiraling out of control."

"Different powers have joined the United Protectorates and the Narsen Domain has just declared war against the Tomari. The northern expanses are about to know war as we have never dreamed, but eventually they will be crushed unless the southern fleets of the Empire are busy in their home provinces. In just a few words, the Strabior Republic feels that the time for payback is at hand, but we chance defeat if we don't coordinate our efforts. If all the hostile powers in the western border ally against the Tomari, we will be able to strike all the key Tomari positions from Morchea to Hallenas."

"However, the scope of such an operation makes every contribution critical and the Valerious Republic is more important than most. You and the Andari are the only noteworthy powers in the southwestern border... Any offensives against the Imperial core territories from the west is doomed if the Hallenas sector isn't attacked. Even if the northern forces are tied fighting the United Protectorates, even if we crush the Brikandir fleets, even if the Polisch resistance moves openly against the Tomari, an exposed right flank will be our undoing. That is the reason for my arrival here. The Strabior Republic feels that it would be in the best interests of both our nations to sign a secret pact of cooperation against the Tomari Empire."

[Charon]

Kainan Empiricate
Teler Cluster
Teler
Imperial Center

Imperial Lord Graimen looked over reports once again, the fighting had started in the United Protectorate. No word yet on who would be victorious in the first round, but the war would be continuing. The Narsen Domain had sent out a thrilling speach, thrilling enough to get his citizenry riled up and calling for offensive motions. That wasn't something he needed right now. They would have to also be called under the Kainan banner, soon. Graimen's eyes turned to the map once more, Hiigara was close as well and they seemed to have a history with the Tomari, they would be excellent additions. War plans were running smoothly so far, but then again they had yet to have clashes with the enemy. And if this was going to be done right, they'd have to start things out defensively.

Kainan Empiricate
Saltra Cluster
Tal Nira
Orbit

Fleet Duken Heral watched as his ships and defenses went through the rounds once again. When, or if, the Tomari came around, they would be in for a hell of a surprise. He watched as two of the three fleets in the sector outright dissappeared from his scanners, and they were in Energy beam range. Meanwhile the planetary defenses were testing range and accuracy, being planetary in scale, the missiles and energy beams were bigger and better than most things a ship could carry. Interdictors and transmition jammers were being placed throughout the system as well, with any luck, the Tomari wouldn't even know what happened to whatever fleet they sent this way.

Scouts would give them about a days notice if the Tomari were coming in with capital ships, about 18 hours before contact would they know where they were headed. That wouldn't be enough time for the rest of the fleets to get here, but it would help.

[Shark Bait]

From: Sky Admiral Merelix Trineren, Commander of the Third Space Fleet of the Strabior Republic.
To: Her Imperial Majesty Queen of the Teknokon Empire.

We Strabior have long memories and are slow to forgive. The extremely unpleasant demise of our ambassador in Leonina during your... takeover has prevented the opening of diplomatic relationships for several centuries. In fact, under our laws you are still accountable for charges of murder and our public opinion would loathe the notion of an alliance with your nation.

However, acknowledging that you have shown no hostile intentions against the Strabior race in many centuries and the clear and present danger posed by the Tomari Empire, I have been ordered by President Meralis Sherakin to act as liaison between our nations.

Brikandir, an Imperial sector with a major Tomari fleet base with forces matching those currently invading the United Protectorates is only days away from both our territories. It is our opinion that any aggressive action against the Tomari should be concerted to maximize our chances of success. For that reason, one of our border outposts is being modified to accommodate one of your nodes, so that our joint efforts can be better coordinated and a limited exchange of intelligence can be safely carried out. No Teknokon warships are to enter Strabior space and no details of this conversations are to be made public. Surprise is our best ally against the Tomari and we can't afford to lose it.

When The Queen received the message from Strabior Republic a processor in the back of her “mindâ€Â