Galactic CrossFire - Peace/War? Victory either Way!

[Halna LeGavilk]

Space Battle

The Goh and Aetheri were having difficulties until the arrival of the UCF - their magic was fading, for some unknown reason, and their depowered vessels couldn't compete with the Khal in their chosen theatre.

However, the Khal formation was completely broken when the UCF arrived. Lightning reflexes honed by the ice storms of Syrii helped most ships evade, but some ships were badly damaged and many fighters were obliterated.

Now, the battle was a back-and-forth. Khal battleships exploded into flame, but the Khal skill and firepower was enough to drive back the UCF and show the Farronites some respect for the Khal. Technological terrors may be the talent of these aliens, but the Khal were pilots from the egg.

On the flank with the Goh, the Khal ships began to retreat, and one ship shot forward. The battle-damaged Lar duthin Hli, under orders from the Kaharach himself, stood alone against the UCF fleet.


Lar duthin Hli

As the alien ship exploded, taking the brave marines, Ycharr Tvari nodded. "I guess these aliens aren't as bad as we thought - they certainly know how to truly give a warrior's death!"

She hit the console, every nerve throbbing with anxiety and energy. "Glory or death! Launch the modified torpedoes!"

Ycharr Tvari watched as the bundle was shot towards the alien fleet, torpedoes bound together with heavy-duty cord, their controls sparking. Tichan had better know what he was doing with those instructions, or they were dead.


Mith drikn Vwy

"Metkhun of the Army, we have pinpointed the enemy lead ships. Here - here - here. The last will be tricky, it's teleporting all over the battlefield. However, the marines will persevere." Rann Thnor nodded, then activated the ship's ansible. Launch the marines - their targets are marked as follows. Take prisoners - we wish to learn more of our worthy opponents. Krytonite!


Unbreakable, several moments later

"Did you hear something?" A Farronite on level 72 halted its companion. "Your mind's playing tricks on you. Come on." "No, really, there it is again. Like scraping on the hul-"

A black claw punched through the hull, shocking both. Another claw was extended into the rip, and the Khal on the other side literally ripped the hull open. The Farronites rushed off, trying not to be sucked out of the hull. Two pistol shots later, they lay dead on the floor. Six more space marines followed - the elite of the Khal, unstoppable and deadly. Their gravity-boots clicked against the metallic floor as they blasted door after door open, heading to the bridge, splitting up and heading there one by one.


The same scene replays on the lead ship of the Goh armada - seven deadly warriors, ready to seize command.

The URF fleet fought on, the technological edge dulled by the Khal's simply ferocity and born piloting skills. The carriers released swarms of small, expendable drones that fired a large amount of Gatling-MAC rounds at enemy ships, fighter and torpedos.

Ships grouped back together and swirled about in random patterns, phasing when needed. A group of ships would swarm about a single Khal ship until it was destroyed, then move to the next one.

On the Unbreakable

Farez smiled as the ship's systems detected the seven intruders. He walked off the control landing, and turned to the Grand Admiral, Kirat Nurto, and said, "Take the deck." Farez dissapeared.

Farez appeared behind the seven intruders, laughing. "Having a good time? So am I." As the Khal turned to fire at Farez, they found themselves... not wanting too. Their Khal instincts almost made them, but, a full six seconds later, they were bowing to Farez.

Spoiler

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Use of the Farez's genetic manipulation ability to make the seven Khal his loyal slaves.

[Moral Wiz]

Boarding Party

Jal smiled

We all are

He finally takes out the bladestaff... It should be too big for him, but he somehow carries it easily, smiling

For the Emperor!

With that, the Aetheri ran briskly onto the bridge, to whatever combination on Demons and Khal awaits.

Magister's Fist

They're trying to lock on? With us this distance from their own fleet?

Drake laughs, grimly

Bloodthirsty fools. Let's show this new arrival why the Inquisition commissioned the Fist.

Inquisitorial High Fleet

With a deft motion, almost the equal of a Khal, the Fist wheels away from the initial broadside round of the Khal lead ship, sending it crashing into the abominable Tech Priest ship. The process continues, no matter how many times the Khal try it, the Fist is just that little bit faster than a heavy capitol ship is supposed to be.

Quickly, not wishing to overstay it's welcome, it moved off past, to resume it's mission of trying to cut through the Khal Fleet already there, though not before giving the abomination next to it a full broadside at point blank range... They tried to keep it between them, and the new arrivals.

The other ships are less lucky, and are taking more stress than expected. But they cut through the weakened forces of Rann Thror's fleet quickly, and in the great maelstrom of ships that resulted, it was hard for Khal outside the immediate area of the fleet to open fire. Those who did were as likely to hit their own fleet as the Inquisition one, targeting systems or no. There was that much confusion...

The Vela shuttle runs work rather better. The Inquisition ships are fast, but the Spears are their equal. Quite a few Vela manage to land.

Kre-Kanith Ascendant

One of those battleships they hit was an old hand aboard the Inquisition. A little battle scarred, a little worn, but still the equal of her sisters. The grizzled Capitan smiled on the bridge as the alarm rang out

All right. Heads up all, we've got boarders. Full ahead as before, defense teams should be in the hanger, ready to meet them. Let's show Drake what we can do.

Spoiler

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Curious, are the Vela Warp users? Cause that'll make this interesting...

Stormhand

Aboard the Stormhand, one of the Aetheri Cruisers that had been fighting side by side with the Goh, High Sorceress Rilithe Nathre looked out at the new arrivals, her face set and mind locked in contemplation

This can only be the Kaharach's personal fleet. The Hound's own...

She simply sits in her command chair, lost in thought. She'd never expected to see battle. The Stormhand was modified for speed, of course, and carried armament, well, naturally. But it was a civilian ship and transport, primarily. It wasn't the equal of the other ships here.

And was certainly not the equal of the almighty fleet before it. The Sorceress sighed

We don't stand a chance, do we?

Ma'am.

The crew did not lie to their mistress. She slumped back in her chair, her eyes and mind once more on the battle.

Thought not. Well, then. Let's win what we can.

There is no cheer from the crew, no last gesture. They know what they're going into. But still, they do it.

Full ahead. Give that lead vessel something to remember us by!

Space Battle

Before the Duchar vul Armach's attempt to reach the Brutius can quite succeed, one small, fast cruiser darts between the two, breaking formation, and any chance at protection, opening up with whatever fire it can at the mighty battleship, trying to keep between it and the Brutius

Brutius

A broadcast comes in from the Stormhand

Governor Brianna, listen. This is the personal fleet of the Kaharach. He is the greatest of all Khal, a strategist and master of war. An immortal, chosen of the Hound, and a storm in battle. His arrival will herald that of countless Khal, all of whome will flock to your empire like flies to carrion.

Your Grand Fleet will need all the ships it can get, when it shows up. I beg you. Get out of here. This will be a massacre, not battle, and there is no shame in running from such a thing. We can't win, and being annihilated by this force, and wasting your whole fleet is not...

The broadcast cuts off, suddenly.

Aetherlight

Khan looks over the rather surprised Khal marines, and smiles

Marines have tried to storm this ship before. They got this far too.

His speech is surprisingly fluent, and indisputably Khal

It was in this room that they died. You want to join them?

In absence of his bladestaff, Khan holds the traditional weapons of a Sorcerer. Pistol, and longblade, both demon-bound. One other sorcerer stand there with him, in full armor, helmet and all. Along with him are eleven Aetheri soldiers crewing the bridge. Not all were truly needed though, and now they were pointing their warp rifles at the Khal invaders. They weren't the equal of the marines, but they were selected for this job by the Most High. They were some of the best of the Aetheri military, and all had trained under Khan and other warriors who'd fought Khal before. Well armed, and in full power armor, in Khan's colors of black and light blue... They weren't going to go that quietly...

[Greystone]

(This post was approved by Armin)
Brutius

Brianna sighed, she could see the point. There was no way, even their four fleets combined, could defeat that without aid. Her father simply took to long to get here. She began to pull out, a fighting retreat perhaps, but they were still pulling back. She grimaced and then keyed a transmission.

"Major Ordanis?" She said, trying to get ahold of him.

"Yes Govenor?" he inquired, looking eager for news.

"The battle is not going well, we need the MK IV's to launch" She said stoically.

The major sputtered, apparently at a lost "But Ma'am, on your own orders we would only use...those....in a"

"Time of desperate need, Indeed Major, now launch them" and she signed off.

From the twin planets arose hundred, if not thousands of small sleek craft, each around the size of a frigate. The MK IV's were a last line of defense tactic, piloted entirely by semi-aware and programmed Golems. Their mission was to fly at a enemy ship, unload its armament in merely a few seconds, and then detonate on the ship itself.

Brianna hated to use these...things. She considered them vaguely unhonorable, but as long as the enemy was out-matching them she had no choice. Her jaw dropped as the first wave came within attacking distance of the enemy fleet. They did horrific damage, The Khal completely unready for it. Now that she looked, more of their shots were slamming into the Khal fleet, with better accuracy.

What the devil was going on?

Then the Khal seemed to outstretch itself, chasing the fleeing Goh. It was a sound tactical maneuver, nothing was threatening that flank. Well, wasn't until the entire space there was suddenly filled with the Goh Imperial Navy. It literally filled the edge of the sector. The resulting wave of their arrival caused any Khal ships to go careening into each other or spin off into the distance.

Then the Goh fleet fired and a roiling mass of plasma, torpedo's, and fire scorched and slammed the newly under the attacked flank. This had a devastating effect on the Khal, many of their battleships had been destroyed. Elsewhere they ran out of luck.

The Aetheri managed to score a critical hit on the Tech Priests, even the normally luck Kaharach wasn't so lucky. He wasn't lucky as the torpedo clipped his shuttle, crippling it, so it could only limp back to his flagship. He WAS lucky that he wasn't vaporized like most of the small craft.

Brianna whistled. She was very impressed by the entrance> She turned to her bridge crew "Lets win this battle!"

The Solar Hammer

The Solar Hammer dwarfed even the mighty Khal flagship, and perhaps even had more weaponry. It was extremely slow, but with its cadre of defending ships it didn't seem to mind. Gold and white robed Sun Priests and Mages fired fireballs along with the ship actual weaponry with a uncanny accuracy, many of them attached to the ships sensors. The ships guns fired and did much damage to a nearby Battleship.

Emperor Kane watched the battle unfolding before him with a cool stare, it was what he did, how he stayed calm. He was having trouble staying calm though, how dare these creatures attack the Empire and his daughter.

Brianna's form crackled onto the holo-scree "You always were a showoff father, what did you do, bring the entire Imperial Navy?"

Kane chuckled "As much as I could bring, along with about half of Melvinar's and a good portion of Hadrian's"

Brianna groaned "Please don't say-"

Kane smirked "Melvinar came himself"

Brianna blanched "He is going to be unbearable for the next couple years at least, couldn't you have just taken his army?"

Kane "No, Kane out"

The Sun God had been able to attack so precisely because of a scout ship nobody had noticed in the fighting. hey had waited for the perfect time to strike, and it had payed off.

Isabel's Casting chamber

The room was dark, lit only by candles. In the center of The Solar Hammer she stood with five other black-robed figures. She was in the center of a gigantic pentacle while the other five stood at one of the points.

Isabel was born on a non-unified Goh world. On her planet relics and ancient artifacts of a long-forgotten race were everywhere. When Kane came the populace saw very little reason to oppose him. When he rode into Isabel's village it is said that the two locked eyes, and for the first and last time...The mighty Sun God looked away.

They were married as soon as Kane could woo her. But Isabel's family had a darkside. Generations before, Isabel's great-great grandfather had found a book crafted out of a pure black substance. Its writing was in silver ink. Their family had been called witches, but on her planet Witch meant wise woman and protector.

Well know Isabel and her disciples were weaving a curse on the Khal fleet, the ones who dared to make war on the mighty Goh Empire. They had been casting practically non-stop since they had begun the voyage. None were tired, for the Eldritch ritual filled them all with an innane power.

Isabel read drew her power directly from the book and channeled it. No one could stop her. Even direct hits wouldn't shake the ceremony. They reached a crescendo in the ritual and each of them stretched out their hand, and swiftly cut it. Blood dripped onto the pentacle, further fueling the ritual. Isabel's blood sank directly into the book and the silver lettering glowed with power.

[Greystone]

Boarding party

Verona walked over to the slagged door and drew back her fist. She slammed into it, her enhanced strength causing the already weakened door to collapse. The bridge crew were half fighting demons, half attempting to inflict as many casualties.

The oathborn streamed in a engaged the crew. Verona strode forwards and pointed to the captain "Fight me, I challenge you!"

Brianna to Stormhand

"This is the Flagship Brutius, do you need aid Stormhand. Repeat, do you need aid?"

[Raz_Fox]

Boarding Party

Most demons on the main bridge are dead or wishing that they were, and the intruders were fallen upon by the remmnant of the crew. Bleeding Khal with razor-sharp talons used every part of their body as a weapon; beak, talons, wings, arms, legs...
Several Nebensee had grabbed pulse rifles and augmented them slightly - enough to punch through demon-armor if aimed right. Two Spicans with power-swords stepped forward, like angels of death coming to claim their due. Some Vela still survived, their long knives lashing out at weak points in the enemy's armor.
Lastly came Tchaikoan Ycharr Tvari, armed with two scisks and using them to deflect projectiles and lash open any unwary enemy. When she heard Verona's challenge, she leapt forward, scisks ready.


Duchar vul Armach

What an annoying ship the... Makhester's Fyst was proving to be. The chief gunner began the Hasholo maneuver - when the ship tried to dodge out of the way of one battery's fire, it dodged right into another. And another. The Duchar vul Armach began to weave a net of yellow fire around the Makhester's Fyst, locking on torpedoes and making it dance to their tune. Even if it was still dodging most of the damage, the Khal had cleaved away from the Kaharach's vessel and it had nowhere to go.
Then something new happened. An enemy fleet had jumped in and opened fire. The Duchar vul Armach stood strong through the fulisade, the Mith drikn Vwy by its side. Together, they shot towards the only ship their size - the Solaar Haimmr, the Plasma Scourge charging up, the full power of the Kaharach's ship about to be unleashed.


Stormhand

"Ma'am, we've been boarded by one of the new ships. We've lost Engineering and Security levels, and they're heading to the bridge. Quite quickly, in fact. We're ready to fight, Ma'am."


The Kaharach's Shuttle

The Kharlong pilot spoke out. "Kaharach, we are being fired upon by an enemy vessel. Evasion begun." Tichan simply looked at the holo-projection of the battle and nodded. "Fly past it - it has been boarded by Captain Tatharan. I doubt the guns will be in working order for much longer..."
"Kaharach, another enemy fleet has jumped in - they're opening fire, sir."
Tichan simply closed his eyes, and focused. "Kaharach..." "Wait... wait... now!" Tichan hit the accelerators, dodging them out of the way of multiple torpedoes.
"Pilot, get me to that ship. By any means necessary."

Kre-Kanith Ascendant

Captain Tatheran, this is Lieutenant Shazera. We've boarded the Kre'Kanith Ascen'dant. Resistance encountered, neutralizing. Lieutenant out.

Shazera left cover long enough to hit two Aetheri with her rifle before ducking back. The Vela were skirmishers at heart, and several groups had slipped past the defenses already.


Space Battle

As if connected to the arrival of the Imperial Navy, Khal Armies begin to Jump in. Fleets from across the Greater Khalardis Empire, fuelled by the knowledge that they would have a battle to remember.

As the fleet of the Mith drikn Vwy began to fall back and repair, four more took its place. The Swift Wind of Omens - which had also withstood and evaded the storm - led them into the flank of the Imperial Fleet, guns blazing and Khal piloting at its best.

[Krrth]

Emperor Loras


This isn't right. Too many people are getting involved, and the umber of ships is wrong. Too many for a simple raid. Something else is going on here. I need more information....

*Quickly orders went out. An enemy warrior was to be captured and brought before Loras so they could try to figure out what was going on.

A squadron of Heavy fighters was tasked to find an appropriate target. Since space was a "target rich environment", it didn't take long to find one. A single destroyer, already damaged from the fighting, was temporarily alone.

The fighters targeted both the engines and the weapons, rendering the destroyer unable to move or fight, but keeping (most) of the occupants alive). A transmission was sent to the ship*

Attention vessel! Prepare to receive visitors. We are sending a single shuttle to open communications between visitors! Repeat, prepare to receive visitors! We wish to talk to the officer in charge! If you accept, please indicate docking access point! We will undertake to defend your vessel while we are on board!

[Greystone]

(I will continue my battle when Raz and I are done discussing)

The Krin

The Goh Colonel hands the coordinates of the battle to the Krin ambassedor.

[puppyavenger]

[how long's the battle been going on for?]

a few days later, two dozen ships, mainly cruisers and destroyers with two battleships and one carrier, jumped into the starsystem where the battle was.

I'll put more when I figure out if the battle's still going on by then.

[Emperor Demonking]

The Peaceful Empire

The Peaceful Empire focus on gaining Ship and Cloaking information.

[Greystone]

I'd say by this point its been maybe a day at most, but I'll leave it up to the rest to decide)

[Emperor Demonking]

Its not fair for those not in your battle to have to wait till the end of your battle to advance.

[Krrth]

Spoiler

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So go ahead and advance your plotlines. If you aren't in the battle, don't worry about it. It wouldn't be the first time we've had multiple timeframes going on in a game like this. We should also probably keep this in OOC

[Moral Wiz]

Kre-Kanith Ascendant

The boarders discover that they're fighting their own shadows, foes who look for the moment to strike, then hit in strength. Inquisitors too expect to face stronger foes, and fight accordingly Sniping posts are scattered throughout the ship. The only parts of the ship that are fortified are the shield generator room, and the door to the bridge, both of which are covered by snipers from every which way. Snipers with supernaturally skillful aim

This is how skirmishers make war.

Spoiler

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Neither of us are really specalized here. The Inquisition have their magic, which is semi-helpful, the Vela have their warfare skill, which is again, semi-helpful. (The Inq also have some fancy tech and experiance, but let's forget that for a moment, as Vela skill in warfare is slightly more useful, in gerrulia combat)

I'm thinking standoff. Work for you?

Boarding Party

Jal ends up fighting the two Spicians, his skill with Khan's bladestaff augmented through his own white magic. Hood down, his black messy hair ends up making it a battle of the angels there...

The smiling laughing Thoi entered into a dance of death with the Nebensee, red and blue energy causing a storm across the room

Four of the Magi engaged the Vela when they could. They didn't wear armor, but they were not without a few tricks. An impressive healing factor to start with... The Claw using Magi danced around, his robe whipping as he steped, looking not unlike a Vela himself.

The three remaining Sorcerers fought the remaining Khal, pistol and sword making a dance of death, giving the wounded Khal the fight of their lives. Two magi stand amidst them, striking quickly in melee, with staff and rapier, and retreating and healing as needed.

Stormhand

Thank you, Lieutenant.

Rilithe took up her iron staff, and looked around her. Her crew may never have expected to see actual combat, they may not be the equals of whatever came through that door, but they were still warriors, soldiers, and true heroes in her eyes. This confirmed it

The High Sorceress' eyes flared

Time to fight. May the Emperor guide us, the Lady show us her grace..

..the Crone her mercy and the Magister his light, at the end.

[Greystone]

Boarding Party

The Goh Oathborn decided to engage the Khal warriors on the bridge, except the one with the machine gun who got into a firefight with the Nebanese.

Very little of that mattered now as Verona and the Captain squared off. Suddenly Verona shot forwards and sword met Scisks. Again and again the two's blades met. As the fight dragged on Tvari realized that instead of getting slower, Verona seemed to be getting faster and stronger.

The runes on her demonic blade glowed with an unholy light, and she brought them done unerringly in complex feints and counter attacks. Her eyes glowed brighter, and she finally managed to slip through the Khal's guard and cut through its hide. Just a flesh wound but Verona grinned savagely.

Her canines had elongated, both upper and lower like a animals. Her blade sang at the taste of blood. Internally she was fighting a war, her inner calm vs the Demons bloodlust.

(Moral, Brianna called the Stormhand before, asking if they need help)

[Blockhead]

Da Orks

The planet or GorkaMorka and indeed, most if not all the Ork inhabited worlds had finished producing enough weaponry and armour to arm a few trillion Orks, which was just as well, as there would likely be that many. 'Big Boss' Blokk'ead had spoken with his retinue of Nobs at length and they had come to an agreement. Each Nob would get a small slice of the Ork army, worlds and armaments in exchange for loyalty and tributes to Blokk'ead. The agreement went as follows:

'Big Boss' Blokk'ead's Lootin' Rights List

Spoiler

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'Big Boss' Blokk'ead would control 50% of the army directly, meaning over 150 worlds were at his disposal and his army answered to him only. He maintained ultimate authority over all Orks anyway, however.

The rest of the Nobs (which were 5 in total) would each control 10% of the army, meaning 30 worlds each at their disposal to do what they wished with, as long as Blokk'ead got a share. The Nobs were called:

Nob Thwacka - An Nob that liked to hit things with clubs and prefered melee combat
Nob Rokkits - A Nob that liked space travel and missles, as well as custom made jetpacks, preferred blowing stuff up to anything else
Nob Blazkin - A slightly crazed Nob that liked to burn things
Nob Derakka - Another slightly crazed Nob that loved bullets and big guns and preferred range combat
Nob Mechascrap - Quite a calm Nob by Ork standards, who liked collecting scrap, building things and repairing things, liked using vehicles in combat and collect technology

With each Nob given their own army, they quickly set off for their designated area of space aboard personalised Scrap Metal Flagships, with needless gun turrets and bits of armour everywhere the eye could see. They each had visions of grand WAAAAGGGHHH!!!!s and endless loot and stompin'. Once they had left, Blokk'ead went about readying his own army for space travel.

Spoiler

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Thought I'd do this so you'd have more of an opportunity to run into the Orks. I'll have more on the Spaceships later.

[Moral Wiz]

Greystone

Spoiler

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Their comms are down. That message took a while to send

Magestir's Fist

The ship shook as it's shields absorbed a hit. Inquisition or no, that was close. They couldn't take too many like that.

Sir? They're trying to encircle us with their fire. The Khal fleet's surrounding us. We're running out of places to go...

Drake grimaced

They've got us playing to their tune. So let's change the dance.

He barked orders quickly over the comms as the Khal fleet rushed to greet them.

All guns, fire, down and right. Shield focus up and left. Drives to the up and left, full speed. Fighters, give support fire. We're going to cut our way through, one way or the other..

Inquisitorial High Fleet

As the Khal dodged the fire of the Fist's guns, the Inquisition's tactic became clear quickly. They wheeled to the up and left. The incoming fire of the Duchar vul Armach was met by a rush of pure white shields, as the full protective power on the Fist became focused there. Those Khal who could have hit it's vulnerable side on the down and right were still dodging the volley of the ships guns

Those Khal ships that tried to stand in the Supercruiser's way either dodged, or found that the Fist's shields were being bolstered by a large team of initiates. They were strong enough to take even direct hits from a ship. Heretics are fond of suicide runs, after all.

The other ships were looking likely to be in trouble, more and more Khal shots finnaly connecting... until the arivial of the Sun Hammer. As the Khal fleet left, they made good, heading away, each on it's own path, scattering across the battlefield, trying to divide Khal attention

As they did so, pure white veins flowed across the shields of the ships. With luck, they could fully recharge before the Khal fleet attacked. And if they did, the bloodthirsty spawn of the Hound would be distracted from the Solar Hammer, and the Goh. That could cost them the battle...

[Raz_Fox]

Aboard the Aetherlight

The space marines lunge forward regardless, two aiming to kill Khan while the other three battled the crew. Twin-bladed scisks flash as they meet daemonblades, beak and claw against magic and honor.
However, the space marines are badly outnumbered, and they begin to be overwhelmed by the superior numbers of the Aetheri.


Aboard the Stormhand

The boarders had nearly made it to the bridge - predominately Vela light infantry. They moved into position, as Captain Tatheran walked out before them. He waited for the Aetheri counterattack, Khal marines and Vela skirmishers behind him.

"Good evening. Would you care to defend your ship, or simply hand it over now? If you pick the latter - for once - we can skip this whole messy buisness..."


Aboard the Lar duthin Hli

Tvari's eyes widened as her opponent became something... other. She began a frantic defense, catching the demonic blade between the twin blades of her scisks. She flipped back from one attack, kicking Verona in the face with her claws and landing on the deck perfectly. However, Tvari was losing her characteristic energy and vigor, while this beast wouldn't stop.

All around her, her men were dying valiant deaths. Would she join them?


Aboard the Zshar wylri Xirkath

The Khal Saikoan shook his head. "A boarding party! My lord, let us slaughter them if they dare come aboard!" Tchaikoan Silariin shook his head. "There are those with good intentions. They only disabled our guns so that we could not shoot them out of the sky. I will meet them personally - if they attack me, Nthar Lunak, you have permission to open fire upon them."
He turned on the ansible. This is Tchaikoan Silariin of the Kirnanli Army. If your intentions are honorable, you may proceed to the undamaged docking bay 4-9O. I repeat, 4-9O.
"Let us go meet these peacelovers..."


Aboard the battle-damaged Rik'zhell d'nr Pwtath

"That fleet - I am certain of it. They posess the blessing of Rik himself. As brother to brother, we must warn them." "Agreed, brother."

Aboard the Unbreakable, an ansible transmission was picked up. Run through translators, it read as follows:

Brothers [lit. battle brother], we praise the name of [untranslatable=Rik] that you are here to meet the Khal [lit. the one true people]. We must warn you that the Khal are eager to fight [lit. duel in space] and cannot be warned from this path.
As fellow masters of technology and mathematics, we must warn you that the Khal will never stop fighting [lit. a battle eternal] but if you leave, we will not [closest translation=bear grudges, seek vengance]. As brothers and sons of [untranslatable=Rik], we give you [mercy?] and warn you.
The Khal will always war. Will they war against you, [enlightened? smart?] ones, or against the warrior races?


Brutius

Thirteen Kharlong stepped aboard, the best-armed warriors in the fleet. Behind them, the Kaharach himself came aboard. "The sacrifice of the marines was not in vain - we know now the way to the bridge. Let us see how this... 'Breynna' really fights."

[Moral Wiz]

Aetherlight

Khan smiled as the marines charged him

Foolish.

His blade is out in an instant, and he shows himself every bit as strong with it as you'd expect from a seven foot demon-thing, though his grace is a little surprising. His blade sings as it makes contact, though not with bloodlust, meeting the twin blades of the Khal head on, a rare feet...

The others had it little better. The sorcerer's blade stormed in single combat with one marine, having a hard time of it, but not quite dieing yet. Those against the crew might have fared rather better... in their armor. But even with the Khal's incredible strength, there are only so many shots an unarmored body can take...

They close to melee, in spite of the pain and destruction they encounter, their scisks cutting down two of the Aetheri before the warpfire truly makes it's mark....

Stormhand

No counterattack is forth coming. Predominantly because the Stormhand simply hasn't the garrison to make one. Barring the bridge, which still holds the High Sorceress and her personal guard, the ship is under Tatheran's control

A voice called out from behind the fortified bridge door.

The Khal do not surrender. They kill without mercy. Why should we trust you, whoever you are?

Spoiler

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Will delay the actions of the INQ till I know more about the fleet battle...

[Raz_Fox]

Stormhand

Tatharan chuckles. "Reason one: I'm technically a Vela, not a Khal. Reason b: it's about the war, not the battle. If I can take this ship with a lack of bloodshed, we will be one step closer to taking the battle. Reason iii:" Tatharan pulls out his pistols, flicking their power gauges to Overload and aims at the door. "I'm the sort of commander who gives the enemy one chance. Now are you going to surrender or will I have to blow the bloody door off?"

Yes, this was approved by Armin. No, this wasn't my idea.
Rik'zhell d'nr Pwtath

"We... cannot break the equation of misfortune placed upon our fleet, brother." High Enginseer Rik'tith screamed his frustration. "Then try harder! Divide their side, multiply our own! Do you require me to personally oversee the simplification?" The Enginseer Rik'zarn cowered, before suddenly widening his eyes. "High Enginseer, an unknown variable has entered the equation... it's value is greater than the alien side of the equation! y + z > a, High Enginseer!" Rik'tith clacked his beak in approval. "Let the approval of Dk'vye fall upon us once more! May Rik grant us knowledge, Dk'vye grant us fortune, and the Kaharach grant us victory!"

[Krrth]

Kreel Cruiser Sapphire Sun


The destroyer Zshar wylri Xirkath agreed. The shuttle containing the "ambassador" followed the blinking docking lights to 4-90. When it docks, the ramp lowers and three figures stand in the doorway.



May we disembark?



ooc:Make them crystalline and this is what they look like.

[Moral Wiz]

Stormhand

The Capitan is saved the bother, as with a sound of thunder, someone else blew the door off first... straight at him

Standing at the forefront of the ten strong Aetheri guard, is High Sorceress Rilithe Nathre, in her light blue battle armor, doing her very best to appear as a true warrior of the Emperor, and mistress of the Magister's art.

Black flames play around her staff, as, with all the scorn she can muster, she calls the Capitan out.

No matter what you call yourself, you side with the Khal. The blood on their hands stains yours too.

No surrender!

With that, the crew at last cheer, and open fire on the doorway, and anything that comes through.

[Greystone]

Aboard the Lar duthin Hli

Verona was losing herself. The kick to the face would of probably incapacitated her earlier but now it merely irritated her. She brought the glowing sword down again and again. Tvari was pushed back, to the wall. A crescendo is reached and her sword breaks throgh Tvari's blade.

The Demon laughed in her head and she laughed as well. The Bloody sword buried itself in the Khal's Shoulder-neck joint, causing blood to spurt. Verona lifted the sword one final time...and stopped. Her body began to shake. Her skin, before the eyes of the assembled audiance, began to blacken to a deep ebony. Her already pointed canines crew longer. Her crimson hair darkened a shade and now her eyes flashed with more than magical fire.

On the inside Verona fought an internal battle. As the onlookers watched, the glowing sword drained of its power and suddenly shattered. The Demon warred against The Goh General's inner light. Her nails grew to claws, rupturing the ends on the gauntlets. With hate filled eyes she began to sink her claws into the Khal.

From behind her she heard a door open and she turned, blood dripping, to see a troop of Khal security, numbering five, burst through another way to the bridge.

The commander acted quickly and ran its blade through Verona's chest, breaking through a weak point in her armor. Verona/The Demon smirked and breathed fire into the Khal reinforcements. The fire was red outlined in an unholy black. The Khal died burning in the evil fire.

Verona turned her eyes back to the bridge...

(I'm going to give at least one of you time to respond Moral and Raz...more later)

[Moral Wiz]

Aboard the Lar duthin Hli

And was met with a bolt of holy, white light in the back, that seemed to spread through the Thing's entire form, causing no harm to it's occupant, but leaving the thing in excruciating pain.

Turning with an effort, the Demon-Verona saw an arrogant little, holy seeming meddl..

Jal. The green robed magi was standing there, chanting, staring the thing that had just been the Goh princess straight in the eyes. One of the Spicians was lieing there, near death, watching, the other was now going up against a sorceror, though both seemed to stop to watch this drama unfold.

Theoi however walks over, and, from a distance, shoots the remains of Tvari's weapon away from her. It's a mirical the viscious blades don't hit anyone. Even he only seems to be paying half attention to his shooting however.

The white mage speaks, each word surprisingly gentle. The light doesn't stop however.

With the Ten Thousand Whispers of the Crone, I call to you
With the Eternal Grace of the Lady, I bless you.
With the Everburning Lights of the Magister, I guide you

And with the Strength of the Emperor, Black One, I bid you BEGONE!

The last words were layered with total power. The demon shrieked at that, as the holy light of the gods surged around it. Jal was sweeting however. It would be a struggle. The demon had power, and the Princess had let it more or less roam free. What had he been thinking in letting her....

No. He had to trust in her. In her inner strength, in her will.

Because if she didn't help him here, they were all, totally and utterly screwed. Probably worse.

Every single magic user, Kreel, Goh, Aetheri or even Tech-Priest could probably feel the sheer power being used here. First, a surge in power, dark as night, heralding a major demonic manifestation... then, an equal sure of opposing power. The two balance each other, creating harmony.

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Who says white mages suck? Grey, sorry, but I want Tvari alive. If only so she can hear about what the Aetheri are about to do with her ship.

Oh, and Greystone, Verona will probably suffer some after affects from this. Some degree of the signs of possession will remain... Aetheri magic can cure some portions of the mutation, but probably not all of it, or even most of it.

[Krrth]

Emperor Loras

Dark energy slammed into his psyche. He staggered, momentarily loosing his train of thought. The Light energy that followed quickly thereafter helped sooth the scarring.


What? The Ancient Enemy here? After all this time? This cannot be!

Orders are given. All Kreel ship currently engaged in combat break off and return. Only the squadron around the Zshar wylri Xirkath stayed, as they had to protect both the destroyer and their own people aboard.

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The Kreel are not amused. In fact, Loras is kinda worried now.

[Moral Wiz]

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Oh dear... the shuttle will have an interesting time upon departure.

[Raz_Fox]

Stormhand

Captain Tatheran groaned as he sidestepped the flying door. "Why do they never surrender?" He aimed his pistols at either side of the door, and fired. Either wall surrounding the door exploded open as both light pulse rifles rip at them and a super-charged pulse bolt slams into each.

Holstering the smoking pistols, he leapt forward to where the smoke was clearing, past the energy pulses from the Vela rifles and the Aetheri guns. The first one of the Aetheri sorceress's guards to stumble forward out of the smoke got Tatheran's elbow to his gut and an armored paw across his chin, and fell dazed. Even though Vela were not as battle-thirsty as the Khal, Tatheran laughed worryingly as he lunged into the middle of the sorceress's bodyguards, tripping one and slamming the Aetheri into another. "Fine then, let's fight!


Ycharr Tvari

Closing her eyes tight as to not be blinded by the holy light, Tvari slowly gets up, pulling herself up on a terminal. "Shards..."

[Krrth]

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At least the Kreel didn't pinpoint where it came from. Otherwise, they would be ramming the thing, if nothing else worked.

[Moral Wiz]

Stormhand

The Guard were disunified. Some kept firing at the Vela outside, some tried to shoot at the fast moving Tatheran. The High Sorceress called out, as loudly and as confidently as she could manage

Focus your fire on the ones outside. Leave this one to me

With that, as the guard followed her orders, she stepped down quickly, and brought her staff across in a sideways motion towards the good Capitan's head, black fire coming to meet him. It'd been a long time since training, but surely she could...

[ArlEammon]

(8 pages and no one's posted a summary of their actions at the bottom of their posts.)

[Moral Wiz]

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We... Kind of want to know WTH's gonna go on with this great big battle first though. Be fair. (And what actions anyway?)

I could probably do something for the Aetheri soon, but thematically, I'd like to put it off a bit more... You want a summery of our actions on an empire wide level?