All the Way Back STGOD [Prologue]

[Shark Bait]

Leonina The Imperial throne room
Tulsa +2days

The Queen rapped one finger impatiently on the arm of her throne. The quick ship she had dispatched to the Strabior had sent a message declaring it’s location but had not yet made contact with the outpost it had been sent to. Dealing with organics often seemed painfully slow to her, suddenly an idea struck her, she activated two more ambassador units. This time she loaded them directly on to two different quick ships without removing their processors. She then dispatched the two ships in opposite directions one was headed to the outer border of SPQV territory the other towards the United Protectorates. The quickships would each reach their respective destinations in a just under three days, which of course meant more waiting for the queen.

As the quckships and their diplomatic cargo exited the Teknokon space the queen finally decided that she could not sit completely idle while she waited for the Strabior to reply. She ordered the deployment of the first, second, and third fleets to 100ly “southâ€Â

[Murazor]

Main Control Room
Border Outpost 432/24
Strabior Border
Strabior Republic

Tulsa +2.

"Have you finished?," asked the outpost commander when his chief echnician entered, much to the annoyance of the tech. He had heard the irksome question hourly for the last two days and it was starting to get to his nerves. However, he finally had some good news and maybe things would return to a semblance of normality now. At least the frantic activity of the last two days would stop and he would enjoy some well deserved rest.

"Yes, commander. We have finished. The life support systems have been fully isolated from the communications array. The Teknokon "ambassador" will be completely unable to control the key systems of this facility," reported the Strabior, keeping to himself his opinions about the paranoid scenario. Considering the problems he had had to create a barey adequate interface for the Teknokon computer, the AI would have found it really hard to move through the many firewalls and security systems.

"Very well. Contact the Machine ship and send them the approach vector. Keep weapons and shields in standby, just in case they try something funny."

The security officer nodded and readied the armament, a couple of point defense lasers, included in the design for use against dangerous asteroids and raiders. Although useless against any kind of warship, they might be enough to damage the very light shields of a quickship. The crew fervently hoped that they wouldn't need to take their chances. The quickship approached slowly and the tension grew slowly. It reached its maximum when the Teknokon ship docked and unloaded its passenger. Finally, the ship undocked and the security detail confirmed that the mechanical construct didn't carry explosives.

"Very well. Contact Admiral Trineren and tell him that we have received the ambassador. Afterwards, plug the blasted thing, give it the database and let it access communications."

[Charon]

Kainan Empiricate
Teler Cluster
Teler
Communications Array 1B
TI +1 Day

Gral looked over the incomings. No report from the border, but to their sides had come the desired responses. A quick message was sent to the Imperial Chambers.

Imperial Lords Chambers

Graimen looked over the reports. Good, the Colony was willing to donate a fleet to the cause, once they got there they would be of great help to any attack force. He almost pitied the Colony, not being able to directly participate in this war because they were far enough away to not garner the Tomari's interest. But their fleets would have much time in battle. Soon it would be seen just how good the Colony was.

Graimen sent out a message agreeing with the terms and informing that a diplomat was on the way to set up an embassy.

The Hiigara troubled him though. Access to secure Kainan channels worried him slightly as to their intentions. Perhaps they thought that just because they had a common enemy they were allies of the highest regard? Or perhaps they were planning something. Unlikely, not with the war looming and revenge on their minds. A message agreeing to the terms and a second diplomat was sent.

Graimen immediately after sent word that new secure channels were to be made within the year, he wanted to be able to dump the current ones at the first sign of trouble. The Hiigara were small, mostly they would probably be left to destroying trade routes between the Tomari systems, but that would help none the less. The trade routes between The Colony and the Kainan Empiricate were almost complete. Things were looking up for the calm before the storm. The populace of the core worlds were restless, the populace of the outlying worlds were still bothersome as life as a Kainan was still second class.

Graimen called in Head Senator Helmerat. A few hours later the tall, old Kainan came in. [Yes, Imperial Lord?]

Graimen leaned back in his chair and sighed. [I need the Senate to vote the outlying systems into first class. Able to join the military and put senators out there.]

Helmerat pursed his thin wizened lips. [Is that wise? The species there are still slightly annoyed at us.]

[We don't have much of a choice in this. Let the fact that we are protecting them as Kainan show that we think highly of them.]

[If the Tomari attack and one of the outlying worlds falls, they will all revolt.]

Graimen sighed. [I know, but we don't have much of a choice. The core won't be happy between our missing diplomat and now this, but they'll fight all the harder for it. We need them thinking that the people they are protecting are just as much Kainan as they are. Make it happen Helmerat.]

Kainan Empiricate
Kainan News broadcasts
TI +3 days

[This is Melrene here at the Senate hall to give you this breaking news. The Senate today has afforded the outlying clusters of Run Nwen and Saltra full citizenship to the Kainan Empiricate.] Beside the reporter dozens of others relayed the story. Within minutes almost every Kainan knew the story.

[The reasons stated for this move are varyed, including a general sentiment among the senators that the Outlying systems have time and again proved their loyalty and Kainan ideals in the twenty years they have been a part of the Kainan Empiricate. This will now allow the Outlying systems to both vote in senators and join the military forces.] The mood was mixed at this, military forces were eager for new recruits in the face of war. The Outlying systems were glad to have full rights and a voice in the government. The Core systems were mixed, some believing the non-Kainan were not worthy, others being more open minded followed the idea taht the Outlying systems had shown their loyalty. The next piece of news however had unanimous support and was soon sent throughout the galaxy proper.

The news was almost simultaniously stopped as word passed that the Imperial Lord was making a statement. Across all channels Graimen appeared in his full glory, two versions of the broadcast were made. The first was taped in Galactic Basic and sent across the channels. The second was in Pendran.

[Greetings citizens of the Kainan Empiricate. In the early hours of the morning, a notice appeared upon my desk from the Senate. The notice was a declaration of war upon the Tomari for crimes against Kainan citizens.] Graimen held up a document of war, no signiture was at the bottom. [As you all know, one of our diplomats dissappeared within Tomari space, our last report from her coming from just outside the Jaen cluster. There has been no word from her since. This was five days ago. As such the Senate decided that the Tomari Empire has captured or killed a Kainan citizen.] A hush fell over the Kainan Empiricate. No war could be made without the approval of the Imperial Lord.

[At 15 hundred today. I, Imperial Lord Graimen, declare that the Kainan Empiricate declares itself the enemy of the Tomari Empire and we shall do all in our power to stop or destroy the Tomari Empire.] Graimen signed the document and held it up.

[The Kainan Empricate is going to war.]

Cheers erupted all across the Empire.

[Shark Bait]

Border Outpost 432/24
Strabior Border
Strabior Republic

Tulsa +2.

The quickship approached slowly and the tension grew slowly. It reached its maximum when the Teknokon ship docked and unloaded its passenger. Finally, the ship undocked and the security detail confirmed that the mechanical construct didn't carry explosives.

"Very well. Contact Admiral Trineren and tell him that we have received the ambassador. Afterwards, plug the blasted thing, give it the database and let it access communications."

Ambassador unit 004829 stood calmly in a small room waiting for the next round of humans to either examine it as the last several had or finally allow it to carry out its function and establish relations. The unit looked like every other Teknokon ambassador, approximately 5.5 feet tall and basically human, its features were simplified and soft. The face was made of a flexible white, almost transparent, plastic and had a simplified nose, small mouth and roughly human sized eyes, though they were dark camera lenses instead of the bright blue eyes of the queen. The unit had no hair on its head or eyebrows, and was clad in simplified human clothing that merely served to cover some of its mechanical workings. Though the unit had arms and legs they were not heavily powered to reduce weight, as a side effect he walked with the assistance of micro-repulsorlifts giving it a marionette like quality.

[Comrade Tortoise]

Tulsa +1 day

From: TCA
To: Teknokon Empire
Re: Diplomatic Relations

In the interests of furthering the war effort, we wish t open up formal diplomatic relations with you. It would be in our mutual best interests, so that we may better coordinate our attacks on Imperial space.

[Cynical Cat]

Tomari Space - Rim
Morchea Province
Apocalypse class Battle Barge Ragnarok
Tulsa +6 days

Fleet Rank Hallstrom' cyberlinks kept him appraised of all elements of the battle. The shear weight of fire the heavies of the reinforced First Fleet was bringing to bear on the Tomari was taking a heavy toll. Weapons platforms and Tomari escorts were dying, reducing their fire power and opening holes in their defence networks. This in turn increased the Narsen firepower advantage, especially now that the Fury heavy frigates had joined the engagement.

The fight was not completely one sided. His battle barges hadn't been targeted, but several cruisers had taken solid hits. Their shields and defence systems were still holding, but the damage would mount. Hallstrom sent an order. The heavy ships of group one decreased closing speed while the escort vessels of group two and the carriers in group three increased their speed. They would help screen his wounded cruisers and give the Tomari the choice at firing at more difficult targets or fresh ones. All the while, his missles would be taking a heavier toll.

He checked the progress of Second Fleet. They weren't in position yet to begin the englobement, but the Tomari hadn't seemed to detect them yet. Or if they had, they were keeping that card close to their chest. Either way, he would soon find out.

[Marcao]

Tomari Space
Andarian Planetary Siege Ship: Bloody Rose
5.5 days after Tulsa

The ANS Bloody Rose slid through hyperspace keeping in formation with its sister ships. Ahead of the formation slid the four hundred ships of the Andarian third through sixth cluster fleets. It was the largest array of Andarian military force ever unleashed in a single attack. This thrust into Tomarian space represented years of planning and a fair degree of desperation in the part of the Andarian government. If the Andarian nation was to survive the Tomari Empire had to fall that thought was on the mind of everyone from the admirals encased within their mighty battleships to the Andarian trooper preparing to put his or her life on the line on foreign soil.

The Rose was a planetary siege ship, a ship that was larger than even an Andarian battleship. Within its cavernous holds, the Rose carried thousands of troops and their equipment. Each planetary siege ship held within several entire Andarian divisions. While the captain of the rose was master of the chip, the general in charge of all the ground troops was arguably the highest ranking officer. In the case of the Rose, the general in charge of her fighting men and women was General Maraeh Enara. Thirty year old Maraeh Enara was one of the youngest generals in the history of the nation but her devious mind and solid strategies had catapulted her up the ranks in breath taking fashion.

Maraeh had spent the last five and half days establishing a routine with her people, utilizing the tools available to her in the ship to its best possible effect. A blade was best when kept sharp and she had every intention for her people to be as sharp as they could possibly be once they were dropped into a hostile Tomari world. She was in her room when the communication console came alive, the series of sounds it emitted hinting at the identity of her caller. She blinked, approaching the console and letting her right hand slide over it before the air above the device flickered for a moment, replaced with a face she knew well.

â€Â

[Cynical Cat]

Tomari Space - Rim
Morchea Province
Apocalypse class Battle Barge Ragnarok
Tulsa +6 days

Hallstrom watched the distance seperating the battling fleets slowly disappear. Tomari loses to his superior throw weight of missles were mounting as the range closed and their defence network started to fall apart. Already the System defences were mostly smashed and the Tomari escorts had taken heavy loses.

The advance hadn't been bloodless. Tomari firepower had decreased as their butcher's bill mounted, but they had managed to slam some damaging hits through. Several escorts had been destroyed by enemy missle fire and the cruiser Relentless had been crippled.

Fighter range would be the death of the Tomari. They weren't even trying to shoot at the carriers, because they didn't intend to fight at a range where they mattered. They were going to cut and run before attack waves from the carriers and battle barges finished them.

Hallstrom checked the position of Second Fleet. Their position wasn't ideal, but it would serve to cut off one flank and put Second Fleet in a good position to attempt to cut off the Tomari's escape. He signaled Fleet Rank Stern to go active.

Reactors went to full power as engines flared and shields went up. The tac web snapped into being a moment latter missle flashed from launchers, burning through space as they. Second Fleet had joined the battle.

He triggered an open transmition to the Tomari Fleet. While it was addressed to the Tomari admiral, every ship would pick it up. "Commander of the Tomari Fleet, this is Fleet Rank Hallstrom of the Narsen Domain. Your escorts are shredded and the system defences are wrecked. The escape routes for your cruisers and capitals are compromised. You'll remain in missle range of our capitals and cruisers for a considerable amount of time, even if you escape out of interdictor range. You will not escape our missle frigates."

"Your chances of survival in continuing battle are nil. Your chances of escape are only slightly better. Surrender. You will be treated humanely and be able to resume you lives after the war is done. It is your only realistic chance of survival. You have done your duty and fought well. Your loss is inevitable. Your death isn't. Choose life."

[Agent Fisher]

Tomari Space
Hallenas Province
BSG-04 and GSG-02 and -09
Battlestar VRS Eagle's Pride
+12 days from the Tulsa Invasion

CIC

Commander Jones looked over his charts. His fleet was cruising through space at the moment. Nothing out here but black. About a light years directly underneath him was one of the outer small colonies in province. It was lightly defended, but it still had a good amount of shipping through it. Jones pulled back from his charts.

"Mr. Obutu, please take us in."

"Yes sir." Came a voice from the FTL section of the CIC.

There were flashes of light and the fleet disappeared.

*******

They reappeared in the system, missiles blasting out of the tubes, rail guns firing their shells, jamming being pumped out.

*******

Fighter launch tube Alpha-1 Starboard
SF-66 Viper Mk.II

Captain Dorn was leading the VF-67. When the BSG-04 had been called out, he had pulled some strings and had his squadron replace a squadron on the Pride. He looked to his right at the yellow shirted officer, nodded, returned the salute and felt the catapult yank him forward. When he cleared the tube he shoved the throttle all the way forward and immediately turned his fighter, clearing the path out of the tube for the next fighter and flew in a circiut pattern as his squadron cleared the tubes. The Pride, the two Warstars and one of the Rapier Cruisers spat their rail gun slugs at the enemy ships, while the other cruisers fired their missiles at the ships as well. The Strikestars and the Gunstars they escorted, fired their weapons on the transports and cargo ships in system Dorn lead his squadron towards one of the smaller cargo ships, escorting a flight of Snakeir-class heavy bombers. The bombers closed to their release distance, released the locks on the anti-cap ship torpedoes. The torpedoes seperated from the bomber, ignited their boosters and raced towards the cargo ship. The missiles impacted and detonated, ripping the ship apart.

[frigidmagi]

United Protectorates Space
Oklahoma Sector
Tulsa - Orbit

The sky burned has the first wave of the Tomari invasion dropped through the atmosphere. The Planetary Defense Force Air Wing rose to met them has the ground stations of the PDF opened up. However the troop transports were not entirely defenseless. The Tomari fighters dipped into the atmosphere like dark sleek demons their engines screamed across the sky. The UP Air Wing was outnumbered and unable to hit the ships that the Tomari fighters were based off of. However the Tomari were able to hit the airfields of Tulsa. The Tomari established air dominance in a matter of hours. The ground stations lasted longer, being dug in and reinforced but they to were silenced before the first day ended. It is not without lost for the Tomari, over 60% of the Tomari fighters and bombers are shot down and 45% of the troop transport destroyed in transit.

The Tomari landed near the 3 major cities of Tulsa, on the still burning grassy plains. The Tomari equipped with armor vehicles and NBC gear found the environment to be an annoyance but nothing more. They exited their transports and fell into formations to begin their march on the cities. There was no resistance on the route, save for the sounds of burning crops everything was quiet to the point of eeriness.

Tulsa Capital
Command Post- 400 meters below ground

Tulsa was a federal colony, so there was no Noble House serving has it’s executive. Instead an appointed governor ruled in conjunction with an elected assembly. Governor Braun was not an ungifted man, after all Tulsa was meant to be the adminsterive center of a new cluster of settlement. However he was not a military man and had no training in the arts of combat. So he tended to ask some rather foolish questions.

“Why aren’t you fighting them on the surface General?â€Â

[SirNitram]

Could any human ever understand it? The feeling of being linked with thousands of minds, all in the throes of battle and conflict. Could they ever know the glorious feeling of losing the Self to the call for chaos and destruction, to so completely indulge their vices? Most likely not. Even human telepaths were woefully weak compared to Homo Psionus.

So it was that the Asgard scout on Tulsa descended into the caverns, avoiding patrols and barriers by sensing the troubled minds of the defenders and attackers. She toyed, briefly, with bringing down whole sections of cave on the heads of the Tomari; but it would expose her to attack, and they would slaughter her before her task was done. Glorious death would wait for another day.

The difference between the minds artificially linked by the Asgard woman's probing glances and the Vell Hive Mind were signifigant. Most stunning of all was the cold; ice cold was the only way to describe it in human terms. The chill certainty of their predictions, the freezing, inward-turned hate for creating the Empire accidentally, and the resignation that there was no salvation.

Yet there were cracks; some were beginning to get conflicting visions of the future. The uncertainty felt by the Tomari, the visions of the war in the caves that she brought would be like a wedge driven into the cracks, widening them, starting the rift.

She knew that, someday, the Vell and the Asgard both would try to explain to their human cousins what this day was like, but would fumble for the words. How could you describe to them the feeling of certainty eroding like sandstone crumbling to shifting grains beneath your feet? How could you ever get them to realize that, until then, you knew what was next?

Tomorrow didn't matter, for her. She drove the wedge into the Vell-Os, and the chaos began to engulf them.

[Shark Bait]

Tulsa +1 day

From: TCA
To: Teknokon Empire
Re: Diplomatic Relations

In the interests of furthering the war effort, we wish t open up formal diplomatic relations with you. It would be in our mutual best interests, so that we may better coordinate our attacks on Imperial space.

Teknokon throne room

The queen smiled when she recieved the message, she knew the more allies she had in this conflict and afterwards the better she could ensure her survival in the turbulent times ahead.

From: The Teknokon Empire
To: TCA

Thank you for your invitation of deplomacy I will disbatch an ambassador to your location shortly, it will be capable of acting in my capacity.


Once more the queen sent the transmission and activated an ambassador which was launced in another quick ship.

[Agent Fisher]

(ooc this goes before my attack post
Edit: and this goes out to all nations)

Press Room
SPQV Armed Forces HQ
Valerious Prime
Valerious Cluser
+11 Days from Tulsa Invasion

Supreme Commander Trinidad walked to the podium in the press room. He set his papers down on the top of the podium and cleared his throat.

"My fellow Valerians. By now you have all heard the news reports of Valerious Armed Forces being placed on high alert, and the reserves called in. Eleven days ago, Tomari naval forces began an unprovoked assualt on the United Protectorate space. The Valerious Republic cannot stand silent while the Tomair begin another wave of agression against the civilized galaxy. Thusly, as of this moment, 19:05, Valerious City Time, a state of war now exist between the Tomari Empire and the Senatus Populusque Valerious. That is all."

[Hotfoot]

Tomari Space - Rim
Morchea Province
Hanchis Malliq
Narsen Harassment Task Force
TI +6

Jachin sneered. “Surrender? Presumptuous Rimmers. Very well. Let them have their victory, but never let it be said we surrendered in battle. We follow procedure. Ships of the line withdraw, escorts and midships cover.â€Â

[Cynical Cat]

Tomari Space-Rim
Morchea Province
Narsen 1st and 2nd Fleets

Tulsa +6

Fleet Ranks Hallstrom heard the rejection and noticed the enemy capitalships beginning to withdraw behind a screen of their cruisers and the ragged survivors of their escorts.

"Full speed ahead," he ordered. The enemy was just at the edge of strike craft range and between the dedicated carriers and all seven battle barges, First Fleet was carrying a lot of drone combat craft. "Launch drones. Target escorts and surviving system defences." Of which there was almost none, of course. "Redirect all missle fire towards enemy capitals." The Tomari capitals had a fair distance to go before they left the Narsen missle envelope, especially now that the Narsen were moving in on them at best possible speed. And had a lot less cover since their escort and the system defences had gotten shredded.

"Have Second Fleet go to full power and intercept enemy capitals. Deploy the Interdictors to prevent escape through hyperspace. All missle tubes to target enemy capitals as well." Which a lot. The combined missle tubes of the two most powerful Narsen fleets concentrated on a few Tomari capitals with a torn defence screen. "Inform the Tomari ship captains that despite their admiral having left them to die, we will still accept their surrender; but they had better be quick about it."

[frigidmagi]

United Protectorates Space
Port Cluster
Lastport
TI +1

David Ryan's face froze, his facial muscles stopping all movment not related to speech, has his breathing automatically dropped into a steady easy rthythm. It was such a handy trick. Even his blinks would happen in a none varying rthythm designed to black someone from reading him via body language. He spoke to the suited alien first.

"The United Protectorates has no interest in attacking it's neighbors. Has long has they do not provide a threat. I believe that unless the unforeseen happens that we can make an agreement on those grounds. We may of course formalize the arrangement with a written treaty at any time you would like." He said without missing a beat he turnned to the humanoid.

"Ara was it? I'm afraid it is not has simple has that. While we would be willing to grant amnesty for any acts of piratcy commited before the war. We would not allow ourselves to become a sanctury for pirates of any stripe. Any offer you extend in regards of nonaggression would have to cover any allies the UP retains after the war and an understanding that running to our void is not a get out of jail free card. We are not in the habit of shielding people from the consequences of victumizing others. Also you claim you're not has bad as the others, but what do you mean by that, but for all I know that means you don't torture ship crews before you kill them. I'm not trying to offend you, but these are things we need know before we can extend such a blanket deal. I'm afraid this is going to take a longer amount of time to hash out. " Ryan finished off and sat back turning his head to the Sherdani.

"If you wish to continue discussion in private, that is agreeable with us if you are willing to wait until me and this gentlemen finish. Until then may I offer you a place to rest? We do have rooms with adjustable atmospheres for your needs." David Ryan said.

[Hotfoot]

United Protectorates Space
Primary Cluster
Diplomatic Station
TI +1

The Envoy nodded. “That is acceptable. We will now leave you to discuss with the shades.â€Â

[Charon]

Colony Space
Kocra Prime
TI +2

The quickship of Diplomat Bal Mierden came out of hyperspace and came to a halt. The Colony would have ships prepared to take him in, he hoped an embassy would be soon finished. A channel was openned to the nearest docking station.

"Greetings, I am Diplomat Bal Mierden. I come on behalf of the Kainan Empiricate to set up a Diplomatic embassy so that better relations may be made between our great nations."

Jaen Cluster
Jaeni Prime
Governor's Palace
TI +3

Kye Loon paced in the rather adequately room she had been stuck in for the past 3 days. It was nice, though not as nice as it should have been. She'd met the governor a few times now, an arrogant man, and those in his employ were somewhat skilled psychics, not well enough to break her mind however, she hoped. So it had indeed been true what the ancient tales had stated, the Tomari devils were skilled in Psionics. It was a few hours until they were to have dinner again. No doubt the governor would once again regale her about the size of the Tomari Empire and the fleets under it's flag that would crush all resistance. No doubt he would once again curse the name of the United Protectorate, and proclaim how powerful a man he was. The governor and his surity, as well as his arrogance, was bothering her. As was the lack of any word of Kainan involvement yet.

Saltra Cluster
Vera Medra
Orbit
TI +4

Fleet Duken Gran was awakened to the loud beeping on his comm. With a groan he got to his feet and threw a shirt over himself.

[Yes, what is it.]

The voice of his Lieutenant came over the speaker. [Sir, orders from the Grand Duken, our fleets are to move out and wait just outside sensor range of Laminu.]

Gran moved to quickly get on his particulars. [What of the scout forces? They won't have enough time to warn the other fleets if the enemy isn't going to Tal Nira.]

[The Grand Duken says that the scouts are spreading out their scans, the line will be thin but it will be there and give us about two days warning.]

Fleet Duken Gran paused for a moment, that spread out a small fleet would be able to get past their early warning, hopefully though the Laminu were going full bore and were sendign their fleet as Jaen did. Gran did the quick calculations in his head, if they were just outside Laminu sensor range, it would take them two days to reach Laminu. Perfect.

[frigidmagi]

United Protectorates Space
Oklahoma Sector
Tulsa-Surface

"Outer Drones report contact, company sized, coming dead center. They got decent seperation to... Must be something besides the usual shitbags." Whispered LCpl Monroe. Gunny Sgt Johnson nodded in response. His platoon was dug in and in stealth mode on the back side of a slight wooded ridge. Their powered armor was camoflauged by smart paint and their emissions dampened to next to nothing. 500 meters behind them was a motor section for fire support. All by the book.
Here was hoping the book wasn't talking out its ass.

The Tomari came forward into sight, they were staying low and well spread out. They weren't bad and if they got to much closer they would figure out where the Marines were, stealth mode or not.

"Steel Rain, Steel Rain, this is Echo Seven Juliet. Targets in the open, infantry, position Alpha, Alpha, Gamma. Anti-Armor requested." He whispered into his laser mike slowly and quietly.

"Echo Seven Juliet, this is Steel Rain. Targets in the open, infantry, position Alpha, Alpha, Gamma, Anti-Armor requested." Came the reply. The order was repeated in order to ensure there were no screw ups. Gunny Johnson gave the go ahead and the motors opened up. The motors were 91mm tubes that fired shells with a semi-smart CPU that determined the shell's height and distance from target. It made airbursting, exploding the shell directly over the enemy much easier. The shells burst over the Tomari formation and the screaming started.

"Open Fire!" screamed the Lt and the platoon let loose. 40mm grenades were fired and plasma guns tore into the Tomari, with riflemen picking off targets. It lasted maybe 15 seconds, but seemed closer to 15 hours.

"Assualt! Assualt!" Came the order and the Gunny leapt up pulling free his vibro sword. The platoon advanced in a series of rushes, one squad running forward while the other 2 covered them with fire. They swiftly slammed into the remaining Tomari. Gunny Sgt Johnson clashed with a Tomari officer of some sort, slamming the sword through his gut. The Tomari armor ripped apart like paper. He looked up and saw Marines bayoneting or otherwise putting down the last few Tomari survivors. Those who hadn't fled back to the main Tomari force anyways.

"Lt. I think we better hustle on to the next rally point, we're likey to draw some attention now." Gunny Sgt Johnson whispered over his helmet radio.

"Right Gunny. You take the lead squad, I'll take the back." Came back the reply.

"Aye, aye Sir."

[Comrade Tortoise]

The quickship of Diplomat Bal Mierden came out of hyperspace and came to a halt. The Colony would have ships prepared to take him in, he hoped an embassy would be soon finished. A channel was openned to the nearest docking station.

"Greetings, I am Diplomat Bal Mierden. I come on behalf of the Kainan Empiricate to set up a Diplomatic embassy so that better relations may be made between our great nations."

"Greetings and Salutations Mr. Mierden. The Coloney Welcomes you in the hope of strengthening diplomatic ties between our powers. we have given you priority docking clearance. Feel free to do so whenever you are ready"

[frigidmagi]

United Protectorates Space
Oklahoma Sector
Tulsa, Capital 3rd level
T-2

Cpl Campbell took a drink of water from his canteen. They had been moving for a bit, the Tomari had sent in better fighters and had overran a few positions, pushing troops back from the main entrances, rumor had it that a company of the invadors had even ran down to the 4th level. That didn't really bother Cpl Campbell, there were enough ways up and down that he wasn't really worried about being cut off. Besides the levels were huge anyways, several kilometers of tunnel after tunnel.

"Incoming." Noted Pfc Richards, grabbing her rifle and pointing it down the hall. Cpl Campbell looked up, a good number of armored Tomari were slinking down the path, they were a whole different kettle of redwings from the Tomari that he had ambushed before. These were pros.

"Shit, LIGHT EM UP!" Cpl Campbell cried and opened fire with his rifle. The squad opened fire and shells howled and screamed down range. Some of the Armored figures fell but others returned fire without missing a beat. Their weapons sawed through the lighter armored solders. The squad, outgunned, began to fall back, . Cpl Campbell grabed a grenade off his vest and tossed it, the explosion threw a few of them back and gave them time to start booking.

Has he turnned however a lucky (or unlucky shot) whistled out of the darkness to tear through his calf, destorying his lower leg. He fell over with a straggled cry. With a grunt he rolled over and started firing wildly down the hall. He could see them advancing through the fire with no damn problems at all. He felt hands grabbing at the back of his harness and then starting to drag him across the floor, looking up he saw Pfc Richards pulling with single minded determination.

"What the hell are you doing PFC? Get!" He cried only to be ignored. Richards hauled him him around a nearby corner and stopped grabbing a pair of grenade and tossing them around the corner. The explosion was accomplied by several screams. Richards grimly bent down and started pulling Cpl Campbell again.

United Protectorates Space
Port Cluster
Lastport
T-1

[quote] “Concerning your current or future allies, that won’t be a problem, so long as the favor is returned. We run a tight ship. I can understand your hesitation, so did my superiors, given what little we’ve heard of you. In any event, you can rest assured that we won’t use your space as a safe haven, we have plenty already.â€Â

[Hotfoot]

United Protectorates Space
Primary Cluster
Diplomatic Station
TI +1

Ara’s smile faded. Ray’s parting words had rung true, much to his chagrin. “Proof like what? Hate to say it, but in our line of business, we don’t like to leave much proof that we exist, much less that we’re actively doing what we do. You have to understand that my even being here is a massive risk to the organization that I represent. The only thing I can realistically do is give you a public encryption key that’s linked to our own communications and IFF systems. You can compare it to sensor logs of your own piracy victims. Additionally, it’s what you’ll use to talk to us if and when you decide that it’s a good idea. In the end, there’s nothing we can do to prove we’re not responsible for what you’re afraid we might be responsible for, there’s always going to be that shadow of a doubt in your mind, or someone else’s. However, what we’re offering now is very real, and frankly if you expect to have any chance of surviving what’s coming, you’re going to need as much help as you can get.â€Â

[frigidmagi]

United Protectorates Space
Oklahoma Sector
Tulsa, Capital 3rd level
T-2



[quote] Ara shrugged with a slight sigh. “If it makes you feel better, call us mercenaries, privateers, or even freedom fighters. Almost all of our targets have been the Empire itself, or those who would side with them without so much as a second thought. In any case, consider carefully what we’re offering and what we’re asking. We’re not asking for a free ride, just equitable payment for the risks we’ll be taking.â€Â

[Hotfoot]

Tomari Space - Rim
Morchea Province
Hanchis Malliq
Narsen Harassment Task Force
TI +6

Jachin smiled as the jump to hyperspace was completed. The Rimmers would have to choose, and he eyed his short range hyperspace sensors. If the Rimmers followed, there could be trouble, but then there was plenty of that.

The ships that remained behind continued to fight. No transmissions were made, and as the Capital Ships left, the interdiction fields of the Narsen fleets started. Surrender was not an option, the commanders knew as much. The Tomari would flay any who surrendered. The battle would be to the death. They would bleed the Rimmers as much as they could, so that when the counterattack came, they would suffer even more.

United Protectorates Space
Oklahoma Sector
Tulsa - Orbit
Jaen Invasion Fleet
TI +4

Admiral Fenrick flipped through the reports coming from the front. This first invasion was increasingly costly. The fighting was worse than city-fighting on many levels, and was almost akin to boarding a station or starship. The bombing was troublesome. Fenrick had been sorely tempted to return the favor in spades, but he knew the Tomari’s stance on bombardment. He knew he’d be putting his career, indeed his life at risk for such a thing.

Bypassing the tunnels and chokepoints would be nice, but the only way to do that without massive damage to the planetary infrastructure would be with specialized mining equipment. He had put in requests to Jaen, but they would not arrive until after the reinforcement fleets. On top of that, the status of the reinforcements had not been updated since the beginning of the invasion. What the hell was the Governor playing at?

In any case, the ground war was going to take months. By now, the Protectorates could counterattack in force. Without reinforcements, the invasion force would be hard-pressed to keep things contained.

“Have the fighters start bombardment of heavily fortified areas. Arrange for the engineering corps to provide corridors of access for anti-bunker munitions. Be careful not to destroy too much of the structure, but do what needs to be done. I want to get to civilian centers in at least the local capitols by the end of the week. Also, start pumping HTA Gas into the caves as we go. If they want to fight like they’re in space, let’s see how they like having their air poisoned.â€Â

[frigidmagi]

United Protectorates
Oklahoma Sector
Tulsa - Command Bunker
T-4

"The gas while not killing our solders or reaching the civilian bunkers or hospitals has added to our difficulties, Sir. It aided heavily in their last push. Currently the enemy has pushed into the level 11 and we are holding the majority of their forces there. There are however enemy units in levels 12 and 13 and friendly units in levels 8, 9 and 10. The enemy has begun bombardment, we lost most of the foothill bases and the Marines are in retreat. The Tomari however have lost a good 40 to 45% of their ground forces, we believe that they will lose another 10% before the day is out." General Lee reported to the Governor. General Lee hadn't slept much in the last 4 days, but his uniform was still sharp and clean. The Governor on the other hand looked like he had been feed feed first into a meat grinder. He hadn't shaved since the invasion began and barely had anything to eat. He sat hunched over a holodesk with a simple tac map.

"We're losing." The Governor rasped. General Lee didn't twitch, but did shift his footing.

"What we are doing is trading ground for blood Governor. They have lost thousands upon thousands for the little they have taken. Our defenses are better the deeper they go. The bunkers are in no danger. Even if the fleet does not come, I can hold this city for another 7 months." He replied.

"Are you so sure the fleet will come?"

"The Void Navy has many flaws, but it does not abadon the people of the United Protectorates to preadators." General Lee answered.

United Protectorates
Oklahoma Sector
Tulsa System Void
T-4

The void was rent again a mere 4 days after witness the violence of the invasion. The flaring energy of Hyperspace lashed out for a space of seconds has the massive metal ships of the U.P. flashed into existance. The entire void fleet of the U.P. had arrived. They deployed in a shallow bow, the ends of the bow positioned lower and father out than the center. First fleet was the centermost fleet, commanded by Fleet Admiral Andersen. Admiral Andersen sat at his station, he was commanding the single greatest concenration of naval might in the history of the U.P. If he won it would be considered one of the greatiest fleet battles to ever take place, if he lost one of the greatest tradgeies.

"All ships are through and reporting green, interdictors are ready." Reported the Comm Officer.

"Excellent. Please inform Admiral Tzu that the go order is his to give." Admiral Andersen said with a smile, it wouldn't do to be stingy after all on the eve of such a battle.

UPVN Dreadnought Sessionist Bane

Admiral Tzu leaned back upon hearing the message. He had promised to return and he had, with friends.

"All units, advance, activate interdictors." He declared offically beginning the 2nd battle of Tulsa.