Galactic CrossFire - Peace/War? Victory either Way!

[ArlEammon]

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showt...t=98647&page=4


This is Galactic Crossfire....
Abraxis Command is, so far, dealing with nomadic peoples migrating from hundreds of light years away, attempting to escape fascistic governments while overrunning the human Pristines of Abraxis.
The war is running well so far... with minimal loss of life on the Abraxis side, and no territory lost.

Science:
Economy: 5
Industry: 10
Metaphysics: 15

Scientists are keeping their toes on the wealth of Abraxis to see if they can keep the infrastructure running well while fighting a war on their home lands at the same time. Meanwhile, they need to find ways to radically improve their manufacturing capabilities.... Genetic engineering research and the creation of supersoldiers is experiencing a Renaissance.

[Greystone]

The Goh are a golden age of exploration and expansion. They have been expanding in all directions steadily for the past fifty years. The province moving the fastest has been Brianna and her fleet.

The Omi-lar System

Princess Brianna stared at the wide holographic view of the new system. Preliminary scouting has revealed five planets, four class B and a class A. She smirked to herself and sat back in her throne-like command chair. Bria wore what was the mix of a silken robe of state and a Commanders uniform. Her very long dark green (almost black) hair fell down past the small of her back.

Commander Verona circled the display with a confident grin on her face. Her commanders uniform was far closer to the norm than Bria's, with black pants and dress uniform. On her throat collar was the pendent of The Goh royal family next to her Commanders pips. Her crimson hair was pulled back in a elegant ponytail. Her pale red skin was flushed in excitement.

"Bria, this is quite the system" The commander said, leaning in to eye the statistical readouts on the class A planet.

"Indeed it is" she consulted a readout "Is Captain Modakai and his colonization detail ready to launch?"

A blue ensign, in charge of communications, spoke up "Govenor, Mordakai is ready for immediate take-off."

"Excellent, tell him to-" a urgent beeping drew her attention to her holo-screen.

Verona moved to where the beeping originated from, she looked up and raised an eyebrow "Well Bria, there appears to be a veritable fleet jumping in from out of system"

Bria rolled her eyes " I swear to the Comet, if that is Melvinar I'll kill him"

Verona shook her head "Oh its not your brothers, the ships came from the wrong side of the system...and their class of starship is unknown." She began tapping the display, zooming and taking in the picture.

Bria turned to the ensign "Contact Commander Direca"

The Blue commander appeared on a different holo-field. Liiza has short black hair and a silken eyepatch covered one of her eyes "Commander, several undocumented ships have entered the system" her voice was cool and professional "Your orders"

Bria pondered momentarily. Commander Direca commanded a Talon class Battleship, only a class below her own Fist Class, and along with one other talon and a variety of smaller craft they seemed to match or outnumber the aliens.

"Take up a Third Sphere and bring up shields to full power, do not engage until the signal is given"

The commander inclined her head "Yes Ma'am"

Bria swiveled to the ensign "Hail the largest alien vessel" he did so and she spoke, through what the technicians assured her was a translator "Unknown vessels, This is Govenor Brianna Goh, of the Goh Empire, Identify yourselves"

Science
Industry:8
Economy:8
Meta-physics:14

The Goh scientists, while keeping other branches well funded, have expanded into Arcanotech, were Magic and Technology mixes. That along with upgrading the military and colonization methods.

[Moral Wiz]

Alone, in the bridge of the lead ship, High Sorcerer Khan was sitting. A large, somewhat menacing figure he made, clawed hands, red scaled skin, cloven feet, gigantic horns… And all of it belied the reality. Yes, Khan was a demon in battle, but outside it, he was a gentle soul. He’d seen too much fighting to be otherwise. The old Touched was relaxed now. He was escorting a colony fleet, on the Investiture, watching the celebrations back home on UNN long range broadcast.

And there is cheering today throughout Charath, and throughout the Union as High Chosen Kerra was formally invested with her office, in a grand ceremony before the Eyes of the Gods themselves. The High Chosen is due to make her initial speech today, from the heights of the First Temple, and there is already a thronging crowd down here waiting

And now to our political correspondent, Rikki Tomaris

High Sorcerer Khan sighed. Most Touched liked watching the diminutive Imp, but Khan had never really been a one for politics. It was good that UNN employed a Touched in such a high position

But in part at least, as a figure of fun. As much as the little guy tries to avoid it.

Still, the “little guy” seemed in fine shape as his face appeared, in front of the crowd at the ground below the balcony.

Thank you Shazza. May the Emphyrian watch over you. The small being tipped his glass of wine with a smile, before continuing.

This’ll be a defining moment for the new High Chosen. She isn’t exactly inheriting the best of positions. True, heresy is at a low, Initiate numbers are rising high, and the economy is more or less balanced, but the wider situation is none too promising. The Khal lurk beyond the Aether, and their threat will be a very real concern for the people on the ground today. Quite a few people have images of the Hound, and plaques proclaiming “Remember the Dead”. They won’t be happy with much less than a large show of strength by the High Chosen

The Imp-Touched looks irritated at this, and Khan knew why. He’d fought the Khal, that day on the Everfire. They were tough, disciplined, and out-there in numbers. And the idiot civilians think that we can go about launching crusades….

Rikki continued Also, Touched Liberties groups are out in force, alongside a brigade of seemingly somewhat rowdy celebrating Initiates. The Authorities have been informed…

What little attention Khan was paying to the broadcast at this point was interrupted by his new second in command, a young Magi, Jal Rann, who came rushing into the room

Sir! Just got a reading of the sensors. I think you’ll want to see this

With a press of a button, the view screen opens. Touched and Aetheri looked out, together in wonder.

A ship…

No. He brought up the magnification, and the view seemed to flow through space, becoming closer, until…

The old touched whistled.

A fleet

They were both stuck at that. Neither spoke for a while. When it happened, Khan was the first to speak, his voice bighting and direct.

Khal?

Rann had anticipated this. His answer is smooth

We’re still checking sir, but probably not. Doesn’t match anything of their kind we’ve seen before.

Also, it’s broadcasting. And not in Khal.

The two stood there in silence as the ship slowly moved forward. Then Khan spoke, voice quiet

Get the crew together. I want every man, woman, touched and demon under my command at the ready to fight. Get the Sorcerers to all put on full armour. Then come meet me in fifteen minuets at the central hall.

Yes sir!

The Magi scurries off, as his old master cries out behind him

And get whatever techs you can find to work on a translation!

There is a muffled grunt from Jal as he flies to his duties, as the old touched is simply left in his command room, looking out at the ship, the sound of the Rikki’s smooth voice still playing in the background.

However, there is another, less obvious omen for this auspicious day. We’ve received reports that some colony ships have been picking out echoes, blips, strange long range transmissions… And they aren’t all Khal.

The gods have made a strange new day for us, Union. Let’s make the most of it.

Oh yes indeed. Thought Kahn. We will honor the gods

With a quick thought to the true controller of the Emperor’s Light, the fleet started heading for the system, matching pace with their new found advisories. The Emperor's light headed for their primary target, the others scattering for theirs. They are to keep in time with their opposite numbers in the alien fleet, though they are somewhat edgy, and liable to see movement when there was none.

Then, a transmission seemed to get through to the command deck. Khan looked slightly surprised, but brought it up. It wasn’t perfect, but he got the gist. He brought up a return transmission, overlayed by his tech's own translation

The Goh leader saw a large, human-like being with red, scaled skin, large horns, and black glittering eyes. He seemed to be wearing armor, a slight glow appeared from beneath the screen. He stands alone upon his bridge, yet his ship still moves

This is High Sorcerer Khan, of the Emphyric Union, commander of this fleet. Who are you, governor and what are you doing this close to Aetheri space?

[Krrth]

Kreel

The Kreel have stabilized their civilization, and spread across the stars. Wary of being attacked, their scout ships investigate star systems while cloaked, leaving as little evidence as possible that they were ever there. Fortunately, the Kreel enjoyed planets that most other races wouldn't even look twice at.

Scout Task Force (STF) # 15
The task force was investigating a likely system for colonization when a strange fleet arrived. Going to full stealth mode, the STF watched and waited. The wisdom of this policy was shown when a second fleet arrived. This fleet looked vaguely familiar, although the databanks had no information on them. Still, the stealthed STF opened recievers and listened to the communications. Translation programs went to work.





Science
Economy:5
Industry:10
Metaphysics:15

The Kreel have no real need for individual wealth, but they still enjoy personal possessions such as artifacts from earlier times. They are increasing industry so that they may be prepared for when the hated demons return.
Major funding is being places into special projects:Planetary shielding,improved cloaking, and Stargates.

[Greystone]

If Bria was surprised at what she saw, it didn't show on her face. The same wasn't the same for the rest of the bridge crew. They began to mutter among themselves. With a flick of her hand, Verona left her side and quieted them.

"I am The Princess Brianna of The Goh, second of the Royal house, commander of this fleet and Govenor of the Loi Province, and I may repeat the same question to you" she replied coolly, emerald eyes not wavering " Who or what the Devil is Aetheri, and why are you near Goh space. What is your meaning interfering with our colonization efforts"

She made several quick hand gestures, speaking in the non-verbal language of the Goh "Move to meet the oncoming ship, but not to close, and contact The Emperor"

[Moral Wiz]

Your colonization efforts?

Kahn seemed surprised, the laughed hard, revealing a large number of pointed teeth.

We are here, I think, for the same purpose. The Aetheri are our people, our kind, the masters of the Emphyrian. The Emphyric Union is our realm, one that stretches across hundreds of worlds....

They look like you, usually. But without the color. I'm an... exception

He smiles

And you are on the edge of our space. Who are the Goh?

A beep comes up, as the Goh obey their mistresses order. Kahn smiles

Heh. A nice trick, Governor. But not one beyond me.

Without a single motion, sound or any such, the flagship heads out to meet the Goh's now moving ship.

[puppyavenger]

The Krin

AS the expansionists and imperialists gained influence within the horde of nations and colonies that is Krin space, expansion projects began, nearby-by systems were found, and locked on too, with colonies quickly being established.

Thirin, 3rd Imperiator-Magus-elect of the MAgocratic republic of Drethin, marked it as the longest lasting interstellar Nation-State in krin history.

The Philosopher Hirek remains the most influential Krin in the entire Sphere, with large numbers of supporters from rim worlds.

Tech

Metaphysical 20, lots of of philosophers
economy 6, luxuries aren't really in high supply
industry 4 as above.

IF you want to meet the Krin, just have one of their colonies land in your territory.

[Greystone]

Bria smirks almost imperceptibly "It wasn't so much a trick, it was a curtesy" she brings her hands up and smiles "I mean this way I don't have to interrupt our conversation."

"Who are the Goh...hmm, well we are the people of the Comet, Servant of The Sun God"

Verona stepped up and spoke to Bria in hand-speak "Maybe I should be the one talking..."

Kane's Palace

Kane was sleeping. Not in his bed, or even in his room...no they would find him there. But they may not find him here. He stretched and rolled over. He was nestled comfortably in a gigantic chandelier. It was easily accessible from a near Balcony.

He was supposed to be in a budget meeting but who would want to go to something like that?

His reverie was broken by the sounds of soft footsteps. He held his breath and willed himself to be smaller.

"Kane, I know your in there" his wife said.

"Damn it" he muttered, then louder "How did you know?"

"It was Bara, she saw you jump in to the chandelier from the entrance hall, she said the damn thing swung for about ten seconds."

"Traitor" He said good-naturadly.

"You should know by now dear you don't scare them as much as I do." she said causing Kane to chuckle.

"Too true"

"Well, you need to get out of the chandelier dear, we have news" Isabel said, an odd hint of excitement entering her voice.

Kane sat up "What?"

"Bria has made contact with aliens" Isabel said matter-off factedly.

Kane winced "I hope she lets Verona talk..."

[Moral Wiz]

Kahn's initial minor irritation at the courtesy turned into bemusement

"Sun god? Comet? Forgive me, there must be something wrong with my translator. You are made of rock, and worship a sun?"

OOC

Spoiler

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If you have the instruments, the Aetheri ships are all suffused with magic BTW. An "unknown energy" if you will. In case you didn't know that.

[Greystone]

Brianna opens her mouth then frowns at her adopted sister, she turns back to Khan "I apologize, I am needed urgently elsewhere on the ship, but I will turn you over to Commander Verona Goh, adopted Princess of the Royal family, Commander of my ground forces...The Dragon of Felucian"

Without another word she surrenders her seat to the younger commander. Bria then goes and redies her force personally, making sure her troops are ready for ship-to-ship fighting.

Commander Verona walks up and smiles "Hello Commander, to answer your question simply, hundreds of years ago a great comet and many other smaller comets rained on our home system. It gave us the colors and the" she holds out her arm and a red glow surrounds it "magic we now posess. The Sun God is the one Goh who survived the comet at ground zero. He is a living god, given golden skin and the powers of the sun"

[Moral Wiz]

Mystic energies that change the body, and grant power

Khan smiiles, if only slightly

We have much to discuss. My thanks, Princess. Simply do one favor for me

His voice becomes more serious

Inform the Governor that today is a holy day for the Aetheri. It is this day that our gods are granting their power to their greatest servant on the Material.

The Sorcerer steps back to reveal that he is wearing full power armor. It is finely made, an obsidian black construction, with carved runes that glow light blue.

As is the energy that flows around the head of his massive, bladed staff.

On this day, we will not strike first. But we have learned the lesson of dealing with aliens. You are not the first we have met amongst the stars. We stand more than ready to defend ourselves, if you attempt anything. Do I make myself clear?

Spoiler

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You hand over to the commander of the ground forces, whilst approaching another ship. And are known to give secret orders. And Kahn's a bit paranoid on this matter. ;D

[Greystone]

Verona inclines her head "I understand and may I wish your...chosen one a long, healthy reign. I fear I must ask, are you going to be still speaking with me or will you be, err, busy with the ceremony. We must discuss what is going to happen to this system."

She waves her hand quickly. A few moments pass and then the Goh fleet pulls back a little leaving the Fist Cruiser very alone "Will this be enough to assuage your fears Magi?"

On The Talon Battleship, Thokar

Commander Direca was a patient woman. She followed orders and stayed cool, but this order was preposterous. To let her charge, two Princess's of the Royal family be exposed in the middle of unknown territory at the mercy of some alien.

She followed her command, but she turned to a ensign "Push more power into the sensors, I will see if these aliens have anything hidden"

The sensor sweep only took moments "Sir" a green ensign reported "We have strange unknown arcane magiks powering the alien ships" several more sweeps and the ensign growled "These last to sweeps I have picked up what seems to be a ghost signal, what do you think sir?"

Commander Direca locked her eyes on the fleet "their hiding something."

The Fist Cruiser, Liberatia

Verona looked down at a beeping display and smiled grimly "Magi, our sensors have picked up a strange anomaly..almost like a stealthed ship, but we can't seem to pin it down. Do you know anything about that?"

[Moral Wiz]

More or less. We will dock with the central ship. And our fleet will do the same

It does so, seemingly purely at his vocal command. The demon thing smiles at the question about the ceremony.

Heh. No, that's a long way away. No, we're here just to establish colonies in this system. Supposed to be an auspicious day after all. I'm at your disposal till I'm to start talking with your governor. She's docking here after all, right? Or why are we both heading towards each other?

Spoiler

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The Kreel put down stealth systems as a strength. And as you haven't put down "Sensory systems" as one... I'm not sure here...

[Greystone]

I should mention, feel free to have various blips and sensor "ghosts" appear on your scanners.

Commander Direca merely is jumping at what most would consider shadows, thinking that it is coincidence.

[Moral Wiz]

As to stealth ships, why the hell would we be using stellated ships to protect colony ships? They'd still come under attack...

He looks it over his monitors, and sighs

I'm getting the same readings. Probably interference. Making a Aetheric-Realspace jump is never easy. But, as we're both now half suspecting the other is going to attack, if someone else decides to crash this affair, they'll be in for a surprise, no?

[Greystone]

Verona smiles "indeed, we are preparing to board to exchange diplomacy face to face." The ship continues to cruise forwards until it is very near, then it stops.

"Can you dock, or will you have to take a shuttle?"

(Is my ship bigger?)

[Moral Wiz]

Spoiler

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We're probably about equal, in size if not firepower. The Aetheri don't scrimp on colonies. Not since they met the Khal.

We've got docking equipment. pressurized, void sealed, thrice bound... I'm not sure how computable it'll be though

[Krrth]

Scout Task Force (STF) # 15

They had almost been detected! Such a thing had not happened in a long, long time. It seemed that they had not quite found them, or hard evidence of their existence. This was good. Until such time as they were deemed to not be a threat, it was imperative that they not be revealed. The ships were docking, which could case some difficulty however. One ship would get closer, and attempt to tap into the ships internal communication systems. The rest of the Task Force would move back and see what happens.

Spoiler

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One cloaked ship moves closer. Getting too close will degrade the effectiveness of the cloaking. Depending on just how vigilant the crews are, the attempt to tap into communications will may or may not be noticed. If it is noticed, it will quickly become clear that neither party docked is the cause.

[Greystone]

"Let me see" Verona scans the docking equipmwnt "Well its not exactly the same but we can modify ours slightly...give me a moment"

This time he hands moves so fast that most have a hard time following it. After a few minutes of silent orders the ship turns and extends a docking tube.

She smiles "Our technicians say that, that will do. Feel free to come aboard, both I and Brianna will meet you at the bay, feel free to bring guards."

[puppyavenger]

[hope you don't mind Greystone]


Colonist group shining grace

as the two dozen small craft and three hab-ships dropped in around the star, immediate readings were taken. three dead rocks, possibility of minerals, one planet capable of life, asteroid belt, 2 gas giants.

as three of the scout ships went to get better surveys of the habitable planet, the reports quickly streamed back to the Lead Escort. Exarch Xiren Herth read them with mild surprise.

Well, of course sapient races weren't unheard of, there were at least a dozen throughout the Core Worlds, but the planet seemed a bit hostile to evolve sapient life, and he wasn't sure how brightly colored skin with at least three different colors had gotten worked into their DNA. As more of the colonial fleet pulled into the system proper, a salutation was sent out from the ship, along the lines of Greetings, we are the Krin, who are you? in as many different languages and modes of communication as possible.

Spoiler

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the fleet pretty much landed in one of those colonies that are only good for holding people and theoretically building up and industry and demand. I'm assuming that something like that wouldn't have a high fleet presence

[Greystone]

Five rapid response frigates, who were on patrol in the system immediatly surround the colony ships. The communication is intercepted and returned.

"This is Captain Ha'nu of the Battle Frigate Sang'la, state your buisness in the territory of Prince Hadrian of the Goh"

[Moral Wiz]

The old touched grins the grin of an old politician.

Oh, don't worry. This is first contact. We have to do it right. I'll be down shortly.

But why don't you head onto our ship? I'm not over keen on the idea of walking blinddly into another ship, though I guess you must be thinking the same. Guards or no, that's the way massacers start

[Greystone]

Verona checks a pad and speaks quietly into it, she waits for a moment then smirks "Heh, you asked for it. We will board your ship, and let me warn you...Princess Brianna is more of a fighter than a diplomat, just don't take what she says to insulting if it gets to that." She grimaces slightly "I'll try to keep her behaved"

[puppyavenger]

Shining Light

After a few scrambled minutes of translations, the reply came back to the frigates, as tall, four-armed, humanoid with an elongated "muzzle" appeared on the vid-screenhmm, that's odd, usually "Prince" means either a small fief or someone higher up the chain...hmm, a planetary principality, Interesting idea....


oh right. We're a colonial fleet commissioned by his Grace King Liddo IV of Calidan. WE came here to found a colony, we were just going through the standardized first contact procedure.

[Greystone]

Brief silence over the channel "Negative, We have been ordered to remove you from Goh territory. Do not resist or we will be forced to cripple you vessels. Any and all colonization must occur out of Goh claimed territory"

The Frigates begin to Shepard the ships out of the system, wary of an attack.

[puppyavenger]

THe response was quick A map of said territory would be useful yes? anyway, we'll just hopping to the next star then.

[Greystone]

"Negative, beyond this star lies the rest of the Goh Empire. Interlopers cannot be allowed into the Empire. You must leave from the same coordinates from which you came. Empreror Kane does not suffer invasions of any type. I repeat, leave to where you came"

The ships begin to form a wedge. The Captain sounds like he is hiding behind his professionalism...perhaps that is fear or an undercurrent of annoyance. Who knows?

[puppyavenger]

the reply was quick So, say we complied with your demands, retreated and our liege did not sponsor any new colonization efforts at all. What of it? what about the dozens of other rim States sending other colonial fleets? Wat about the Technocrats explorator fleets? what about the Impeiators colonization projects? at the very least I'll need a map of your Princes domain and an ambassador to take to someone important, or else someone with a big fleet will just come and colonize the system before you can gather up all the frigates in you Principality to go and try to fight them off.

[Greystone]

That brings a harsh barking laugh "Principality? You will need a map of the entire empire. You will leave the system immediatly, and send back a single vessel. You will ask permission to enter our system. We will supply you with an ambassedor with our maps at that time, no sooner"

[puppyavenger]

The hologram sighs fine all the ships disappear into slip-space and a few seconds later a message comes through Permission to enter system?