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#Post#: 22--------------------------------------------------
New Columbia
By: MichaelH23 Date: January 12, 2015, 1:02 am
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RECAP: Orbit of New Columbia
Drake I couldn't believe what he was seeing as he viewed the
massive rebel fleet poised just above New Columbia. The relief
fleet, a mix of Imperial loyalist and GUJF forces, had just
entered the New Columbia system an hour ago, but were cruising
at full impulse so as not to alert the rebels before they had
their ships in position. During the voyage from Gaia to New
Columbia, Drake I had personally contacted the fleet commanders
via holo-communication and outlined the battle plan which would
be utilized. As he continued to focus on the rebel fleet
displayed on the viewscreen, he went over the plan once more, in
his mind, now taking into account the position and deployment
pattern of the rebel fleet:
1) Fighters would take point, with Thunderbolts and Strikors in
the lead for offensive action. Starfuries would be kept close to
the larger ships and act as a defensive screen.
2) Defiant, Centaur, and Akira wings would form up behind the
offensive fighter screen and provide hit-and-run offense against
the cruisers and destroyers, while clearing the way for the
capital ships to move in.
3) The Sovereign, Galaxy, Excelsior, Dreadnaught, and other
large capital ship classes would engage the rebel big ships in a
toe-to-toe all-out offensive, giving the rebel ship captains a
chance to surrender or flee the warzone before engaging them,
and offering amnesty to surrendering rebel ships and their
crews.
4) The GUJF ships would not take immediate action in the battle
but provide support and in essence keep the rebel ships from
trying to outflank the Imperial loyalist ships and taking them
from the rear.
Drake I sat down in his chair, took a deep breath, and prepared
himself for the coming battle. All around him, the crew were
relaying orders, status reports, and last-minute updates. Then,
as he watched on the viewscreen, a group of rebel ships, clearly
stolen New Texahoman destroyers from their triangular
appearance, broke off from the rest and moved in the direction
of the relief fleet. Fighters could be seen streaking toward
their position from the rebel ships.
Drake I - "Fighters, break and engage enemy fighters, then
proceed against the destroyers. Defiant, Centaur, and Akira
wings, advance and engage destroyers. Everyone else, maintain
approach on main target. Do not fire unless advance enemy units
fire on you."
The Imperial fighters screamed into the rebel lines, meeting
rebel fighters and a screen of defensive fire from the larger
ships. Explosions flashed bright against the night sky and the
globe of New Columbia. Behind the attack fighters came the wing
of Defiant, Centaur, and Akira class ships, weaving through
enemy fire and firing back in their goal of punching an opening
through which the rest of the fleet could then move through to
engage the rebel capital ships. With a sideways glance and a nod
to Toran, Drake I gave the order for the remaining ships of the
fleet to follow close being the fighter and scout wings.
At this point, the rebel flagship, Liberator, advances toward
Enterprise. A weapon of destructive capability is about to be
deployed, and even the arrival of a Vulcan task force is not
enough to steer its commander, Trivas Bogon, from his mission to
cripple the Imperial flagship and seize the emperor. While both
fleets continue to engage in the orbit of New Columbia,
Liberator prepares to unleash its weapon..a powerful anti-proton
beam..when a fighter warps in from sectors unknown. The new
arrival makes a daring and nearly suicidal run at the rebel
flagship and, in a stroke, renders its antiproton weapon
useless.
Drake I couldn't believe the daring of the fighter pilot as he
drove his ship straight at the rebel flagship, holding its fire
until it was practically at point-blank range before unleashing
a series of alien torpedos which detonated on the surface with a
bright flare. Then the fighter swung on a wide arc and was now
closing on his ship. But as he watched the ship steadily grow in
size as it drew closer, he began to realize that he recognized
the fighter.
Drake I *to Toran* - "Clear the shuttlebay for arrival and let
me know when that fighter has landed. I have a feeling I know
who's about to drop by."
In the shuttlebay, a contingent of guards stood at attention as
the Centurion landed. The ramp lowered to the deck, and an irate
Michael I strode in rapid steps toward the entryway leading to
the main corridor. Seeing his emotional turmoil, the guards kept
their distance but followed him. One of them signaled Drake I
that the former Trekylon emperor was aboard and on his way to
Drake's ready room.
Minutes later, Michael I strode into the Ready Room, where Drake
I stood behind his desk. Without offering a greeting, Michael I
moved around the desk and locked his hand on Drake's throat,
lifting him two feet off the ground in a grip of iron. Drake's
windpipe became partially blocked by the hand clamped to his
neck. He saw the rage in the former emperor's eyes, saw the
muscled arm twitching with barely controlled fury as Michael I
snarled a single question which took the current emperor by
complete surprise....
Michael I - "Where did they take the empress!?"
Drake I tried to get a word out, but found his speech and
breathing were impaired by the iron grip around his trachea. He
couldn't believe that this wild-eyed, outraged person who held
him in such an increasingly lethal grip was the same man who had
appeared mysteriously at his Coronation Ceremony and offered
helpful words of wisdom both in dealing with the people and
especially in dealing with the foreign powers.
Drake I - "I......I......don't know.......I didn't know......she
had been kidnappped."
Something about his words reached into Michael and caused him to
relax his grip on the emperor's throat, though he didn't yet let
go. His eyes remained cold, burning with hate and rage, yet his
voice took on a slightly softer tone, but with that fiery edge
not far beneath.
Michael I - "She was abducted two days ago, while we were
walking in the city. I was rendered unconscious so I don't have
but vague memories of who they were, but they were hired by The
Fist. The Fist arose in Trekylon as the extremist wing of the
rebel movement, which means that YOU know where they are."
Drake I - "You have every reason to blame me not just for the
civil war, but for your wife's abduction. I had no idea my
reforms would provoke a reactionary backlash."
The utter admission of guilt finally induced the former emperor
to release his hostage, who gripped and massaged his throat,
coughing to clear the passages. Michael I walked away from Drake
I, contemplating his words. Then he turned back to face him, a
whole new expression on his face: guilt and shame.
Michael I - "What reforms did you pass that triggered this civil
war?"
Drake I - "The Affordable Care Act......the Higher Education
Act....and the Military Budget Act. The Military Budget Act cut
funding to the military by 50%....and allocated that money to
improve healthcare and education, hence the aforementioned acts.
I felt it was time that Trekylon spent less on military
ordinance and ships and more on improving the standard of living
and the education system. Was I wrong for doing that?"
Michael I shook his head.
Michael I - "No. You were right in doing so. If there is fault
to be found, its in those warhawk senators that have spearheaded
this civil war.......and me. I should've thought about those as
soon as I declared the empire free from the Imperial Federation.
But the empire was truly free for the first time since its
founding, and there was still the Directorate to deal with."
Both men relaxed considerably, Michael I steadily calming
himself down, and Drake I gradually recovering from his assault.
Michael I - "I am sorry for attacking you. You were not at fault
for what happened, but I was so enraged that I took it out on
you."
Drake I - "I would've reacted the same way in your place.
Besides, no permanent harm was done. I am curious, was there a
transmission from the abductors to the Fist hideout?"
Michael I - "I believe so, why?"
Drake I - "Because I have someone on board who can decipher
their transmission and trace it to wherever it was bound for. It
might lead to a dead end, however."
Michael I - "At this point, even a dead end is better than the
nothing I have. Let's get started."
Drake I - "Good luck to you, then. I'm sending six Centurions
and four Jem'Hadar as extra security, and this time I insist."
Michael I - "Have the location of the trace transmitted to my
fighter. I'll take it from here, and I'll do my best to return
the droids and Jem'Hadar to you in one piece."
Drake I - "Just rescue the empress. That'll be thanks enough for
me."
Michael I nodded, then turned and left the ready room. Drake I
hoped for their sake that whoever had the empress would give her
up without a fight, because from the look in his eyes, Hell had
just left with the former emperor.
#Post#: 23--------------------------------------------------
Re: New Columbia
By: MichaelH23 Date: January 12, 2015, 11:18 am
---------------------------------------------------------
15 minutes later. ISS Smiths Station
Drake I emerged from the Ready Room more relaxed than before.
Everyone on the bridge already seen the former emperor, Michael
I, leave the room only moments before, and so knew that the
monarch and former monarch had held a private meeting. As a
result, a new surge of confidence spread among the crew like a
wildfire. Drake I seen this in how they performed their duties
even as the ship rocked from rebel fighter strafing attacks. He
took his place in the center chair and looked at the viewscreen,
which showed the rebel flagship Liberator still firing on them
with turbolasers while fighters from both sides danced in and
out of frame, chasing one another across the gulf of space
between combatant ships.
Drake I - "Mr Toran, I believe you know the way to New Columbia
orbit."
Toran - "Yes, Majesty."
Benez - "And if that rebel ship gets in our way?"
Toran - "Knock it down."
Drake I - "I couldn't agree more. I leave targeting to your
discretion. Indulge yourself, Mr Toran. You earned it."
Toran smiled a Klingon smile, which Drake I still found somewhat
unusual given Toran's partial Vulcan heritage. He had learned
early on that Toran mostly relied on his Vulcan critical
thinking ability to perform his duty. But when the situation
called for a more aggressive response, his Klingon side came to
the fore with devastating results. Woe to the enemy ship or
soldier who went up against Toran, with his Vulcan mind and
Klingon muscle (and aggression).
The image of Liberator grew larger as they approached, and Drake
I could almost imagine the panic breaking out on their bridge as
they watched the flagship of their enemy bearing down on them.
Drake I called up two comscreen images on his armrest control
panels, and as they flipped up and clipped into their secure
positions, the screens lit up with images of the crumbling rebel
defensive lines, as Akira, Galaxy and Centaur battlegroups
converged on and picked apart individual rebel ships. Calling up
additional images, Drake I saw two ships of the Miranda
battlegroup take heavy damage from four rebel battlestars. He
also noted that the Inuyashians were holding true to the plan,
only moving forward to render humanitarian assistance to damaged
Imperial starships.
Meanwhile, at his station just above and behind the command
level, Toran continued his attack on Liberator, unleashing
phaser barrages and following them up with quantum torpedo
salvos. The enemy ship was already showing signs of damage, and
as they drew closer to it, those damage areas became more
prominent. At that moment, Toran's board beeped an alert. He
stopped firing and glanced down to see that the rebel flagship
was transferring what power remained to them, but it couldn't be
determined where to.
Toran - "Majesty, the rebel flagship is transferring power. I
recommend we adjust our heading in case of an evasive."
Drake I - "Benez, prepare to carry out Mr Toran's --"
Their eyes fixed to the viewscreen, they watched as Liberator
broke from the formation and began moving off. Both Toran and
Drake I noted that the surviving fighters from Liberator were
also breaking off and retreating with their mothership.
Toran - "Majesty, the other rebel ships are breaking off...at
least the ones not experiencing engine damage."
Sure enough, as the viewscreen image shifted and expanded into a
wider panoramic view, Toran's report was confirmed as several of
the rebel ships were ceasing fire and breaking the defensive
formation, following Liberator out of the system. Minutes later,
all the escaping rebel ships had jumped into warp. The remaining
rebel ships, unable to flee due to engine damage, continued
their desperate stand, but now there was a gap open straight to
New Columbia orbit.
Drake I - "Signal the others to switch objectives. Have the
Sovereign and Excelsior groups contain those rebel ships.
Everyone else set course to enter orbit. Inform our military
transports to stand by to begin landing operations on the
surface."
Toran - "Yes, Majesty."
Drake I rose from his seat and started for the portside aft
turbolift. He paused just before the door and turned back.
Drake I - "You have command of the fleet, Toran. Have the
quartermaster prepare my battlegear. I'm going down to New
Columbia to lead the battle personally."
A thousand protestations welled up in Toran's throat and got no
further. All he could do was nod in acknowledgement. Drake I
sensed that Toran had protests he wanted to say, and he could
see Toran's jaw muscles moving on their own accord, so he was
satisfied with the nod Toran gave him, choosing not to force him
to actually verbally acknowledge his orders. He knew that Toran
was simply carrying out his other chief duty, as the emperor's
protection..just as he had done for the former emperor Michael
I. Drake I turned and entered the turbolift, the doors hissing
shut behind him.
#Post#: 24--------------------------------------------------
Re: New Columbia
By: MichaelH23 Date: January 12, 2015, 4:43 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
ISS Archon, near New Columbia orbit
Captain Brady Maroney was at least happy that his ship was no
longer taking fire from several directions at the same time. The
Centaur-class starship had been surrounded by five of rebels'
stolen Longhorn-class battlecruisers, and it had only been
because of the Imperial fighters and two pairs of Defiant-class
ships that he managed to keep his ship intact under the rebel
barrage. Just before the rebels had retreated, his Tactical
Officer, Bill Blackstock, had managed to seriously damage one of
the rebel ships. It was now behind them, without weapons,
shields, or propulsion. Maroney surveyed the bridge and was
appalled by the carnage the two-hour broadside left behind. ODN
cables hung powerless from the ceiling, consoles sparked with
excess power, and seven bodies lay strewn between the viewscreen
and the command level. As he turned to survey the rear of the
bridge, four more bodies lay draped across their powerless
stations. Blackstock himself was nursing a gash across his right
arm and three broken ribs, but remained at his station.
Maroney - "Can we get a signal to any of the nearby GUJF ships?"
Blackstock - "Limited capability, but yes sir. There is an
Inuyashian ship closest to our location."
Maroney - "Signal them, and let them know we're declaring SOS.
Alert Engineering and tell them that I want our weapons and
shields repaired top priority."
Blackstock - "Yes, sir."
Maroney - "Transporter Room 2. Are the transporters ready?"
Voice - "Yes sir. Marines have just arrived."
Maroney - "Stand by to beam them down to the planet as soon as
the emperor gives the signal."
Voice - "Yes sir."
Maroney wanted to seat himself in his chair, but the debris
which occupied it was too heavy for him alone to move. He
remained standing, feeling exhausted from the recent battle.
Blackstock - "Captain, the Inuyashian ship is moving alongside.
They reply that their damage-control teams will be beaming over
at your request, bringing spare parts."
Maroney - "Tell them the word is given. Let Engineering know
they're getting help."
Blackstock - "Aye, sir."
Maroney turned back to face the viewscreen, which showed the
crescent of New Columbia and several Imperial starships already
in orbit. Hope this was worth the sacrifice, Maroney thought to
himself.
#Post#: 26--------------------------------------------------
Re: New Columbia
By: Empress_Rebecca_I Date: January 18, 2015, 6:03 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
ISS Maiden's Sword nearing New Columbia orbit
Commander Zara Bonnet watched the surviving rebel ships flee
from New Columbia with surprise. She had witnessed the battle
and was fairly certain that both sides were evenly matched.
Despite yerning to participate in the battle, she had been
ordered not to participate unless she was attacked first. With
the battle now concluded, there was little that needed to be
done. But before she could relax, she was notified of a distress
call from the Imperial ship ISS Archon. Her Lieutenant Clovis
Klein read out the SOS message.
Clovis : The Archon is requesting assistance. They have suffered
damage to a majority of their ship but life support and
communications are operational for now.
Zara : Pull alongside. Communication, connect me to Engineering
and Sickbay.
The helm officer directed their ship alongside the Archon as the
communication officer connected the bridge to the necessary
stations.
Communications : Connected, Commander.
Zara : Thank you. Shino, I need you to get a team together along
with as many spare parts as you can carry. The Archon is in
distress with heavy damage.
Shino : I hear ya, Commander. I'll see what I can find. I wont
let our friends down.
Zara : Good. Karuna, I need you over there as well. There is
bound to be many wounded and they may be running out of supplies
fast.
Karuna : Understood. I'll prepare a small team and supplies and
we'll meet engineering in the transporter room.
Zara : Good. I want everyone ready in 10 minutes. We dont have
time to dilly-dally.
Zara cut the communications and watched the Archon approach on
the viewscreen as her ship full came along side.
HTML http://i.imgur.com/AajMWs9.jpg
The Ship
HTML http://i.imgur.com/lRf8PMy.jpg
Zara
HTML http://i.imgur.com/JSOXzRO.jpg
Clovis
HTML http://i.imgur.com/KIzTXPI.jpg
Shino
#Post#: 27--------------------------------------------------
Re: New Columbia
By: MichaelH23 Date: January 19, 2015, 2:44 pm
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Breakdown of Liberation Forces assigned to New Columbia invasion
20,000 Imperial Redtroops
20,000 Keshik Mark III tanks
25,000 Red Stripe Centurion droids
10,000 Archer artillery guns
10,000 Trekdroid troops
5,000 Imperial Marines
5,000 Imperial Knights
5,000 Heavy Redtroop Infantrys
1,000 Juggernaut transport vehicles
30,000 noncombat support personnel
Air Units
20 squadrons of S-120 Silver Falcon fighters (four in each
squadron)
15 squadrons of XT-20 Punisher fighters (three in each squadron)
25 OT-500 Skywalker heliplanes
45 ZX-495 Ironside gunships
100 ZX-375 Shrike strike helicopters
300 Thunderbolt aerofighters
Sea support (to be constructed on-site)
25 Swordfish-class PT boats
20 Lancelot-class Mark II cruisers
Auxiliary Support
New Columbian militia (5,000 men)
Loyalist partisans (total: 2,000 men)
Cherokee Braves (total: 15,000 men and 5,000 small vehicles)
Breakdown of enemy Rebel Forces
200,000 Clone Troops
100,000 Patriot Heavy Clone troops
10,000 Anarchy Light Tanks
5,000 Chaos hovertanks
500 SAM mobile launchers
300 AA mobile tanks
200 FIST infiltrators (possibly armed with Xie equipment)
[hr]
Personal fighter Scepter, descending toward New Columbia surface
Drake I watched the surface of New Columbia approaching as he
guided his fighter toward the LZ secured an hour ago by
Trekdroids and Imperial Marines. In that short span of time,
they had not only built ten landing pads to facilitate the
landing of the troops and vehicles, but had also constructed a
command center, field hospital, airpad for the fighters,
shipyard facilities along the river for the naval units, and two
armories. This was no doubt due to the thousands of support
personnel that had gone down with the droid and marine forces
and braved enemy fire to construct the needed facilities. Drake
I was pleased that the techs had the good sense to build the
generator and the eight base-shield generators that now provided
protection. As he leveled his fighter in preparation for
landing, he noted that they had already begun construction on a
second series of base-shields in preparation for the securing of
a second LZ. He brought his fighter down in the specially-marked
landing pad and rose from his seat toward the opening ramp
halfway down the corridor from the cockpit. Waiting on him at
stiff attention was the eight member Panther Guard, who would
protect him while at the command center, and maintain the
security of the facility while he was leading the troops. He
stepped down the ramp with his Guard on his heels, marching in
perfect unison. As Drake I made his way to the command center,
he watched as battalions of Redtroops disembarked from their
transport ships. Their captain noted the attention of the
emperor and gave promp salute, which his men copied immediately.
Not one to stand on formality while combat was raging on the
periphery, Drake I nodded to the group in return. His confidence
boosted by the act, the battalion captain turned on his heel
with a smile on his face and nodded to his men, who were now
also smiling. Drake I would never fully understand the need to
show fealty toward a Commander-in-Chief, due to the fact that he
was no military man. As a former merchant and leader of the
Merchants' Guild, he saw all men as equals regardless of their
rank and societal standing. To him, a soldier was no more
powerful than a senator or businessman, even if they were vital
to the defense of the empire. Today, however, Drake I would have
to assume the mantle of military leader in order to unite the
divided house that was Trekylon and restore the legacy of the
Great Michael I.
Drake I entered the command facility followed at the heel by his
Panther Guard. Waiting to welcome and brief him were Major
General Tillon Rees, General Gage Van Doorn, and Lt. General
Horatio Lincoln. Lincoln had previous experience in the Roman
and Horizon Wars and survived the heroic yet futile defense of
Orion during the Kiran invasion which was part of the Barlat
Assault. He had lost half his left arm and his left hand in that
defense, yet the bionic parts that served as replacement looked
so real as to almost seem as though he had never lost them.
Drake I knew that he was of the same class as his rebel enemy
Alden Tate, but unlike Tate, Lincoln remained extremely loyal to
the Imperial government.
Lincoln - "Majesty, welcome to New Columbia. I presume this is
your first visit?"
Drake I - "I would've preferred it under better circumstances,
but yes."
Van Doorn - "The rebels have suffered a psychological and morale
defeat with the skedaddling of their support fleet in orbit.
Must've scared the bejeezus outta them."
Drake I rather liked the informal style of Van Doorn. While he
knew when to be formal as demanded by military courtesy, he also
knew when he could be informal and almost relaxed. Drake I
smiled especially at the use of the words 'skedaddled' and
'bejeezus'.
Drake I - "Let's just say an old friend took their biggest toy
away from them and made them see reason.....after a fashion."
Not to mention after the loss of 30,000 on their side and 20,569
on our side, he thought to himself bitterly, keeping the smile
fixed in place.
Van Doorn - "Well, that little wakeup call might've given us an
edge. Unfortunately, they won't sit idle for long. Already
they've begun shelling the city of Freedomtown."
Drake I - "How many residents of Freedomtown?"
Van Doorn - "3 million. They can't even go out for food without
worrying about those spires coming down on them. Freedomtown is
the last Loyalist holdout on the entire planet and they've been
under siege since the Azuria Purge."
Lincoln - "Fortunately for us, we have the militia and the
Cherokee here. Commander Alexander Halfkiller is in charge of
that group that just arrived with you. His men could teach the
partisans guerrilla tactics while the militia conducts
hit-and-run strikes on their artillery batteries."
Drake I - "How long until we have our forces supplied?"
Rees - "Shouldn't take more than four hours, thanks to all those
support personnel. They'll also have the second set of three
landing pads completed by sunset."
Drake I - "Good. I want the troops to begin combat training
immediately. They need to be prepared for the coming battle."
Lincoln - "I'll see to it personally, Majesty."
Drake I - "Thank you, General."
Van Doorn - "Perhaps we can get a peek at the enemy positions
and terrain, so our boys can have a better idea of what they'll
be facing."
Rees - "I agree, Majesty. Perhaps a stealth fighter recon?"
Drake I - "Why send a fighter when you have ships in orbit that
can do the same job and not get shot at? Contact Toran on Smiths
Station and have him conduct a battlefield scan. Use that
information as part of the troop training."
Rees - "Aye, Majesty."
Van Doorn - "Majesty, we have the automatic blaster rifles for
the Banded Chrome Boys you brought with you. They should start
training with them ASAP."
Drake I - "See to it they're equipped and set aside a separate
shooting range for them."
Van Doorn - "You got it, sir."
Van Doorn bowed at the waist formally, which seemed odd for
someone so used to being informal. It reminded Drake I of
another roguish man, Modigh Tohopka. Nevertheless he returned
the bow with a nod of acknowledgement, then focused on the
holomap display of the globe of New Columbia. Red question marks
showed the possible but not yet verified locations of the rebel
forces, while the flashing blue dots showed the Imperial forces.
Drake I hoped to know the whereabouts of the rebels soon, for he
was already concerned the rebels would launch a preemptive
attack.
[hr]
Rebel Assembly Area, just 5 miles from Freedomtown
General Olis Ignatius felt confident in his Clone troops as he
watched them train for the coming battle. The sounds of phaser
and blaster fire were sometimes overshadowed by the boom of the
artillery guns as they continued to shell the nearby spires and
towers of Freedomtown. Reports he read from sources located
within the ruined city told the story of residents reduced to
living off bugs and fungi as even the rats had abandoned the
city. He personally hated the idea of bombarding the town, but
the damned Loyalist partisans were making it impossible to hold
the city with their incessant hit-and-run attacks. Thus the
order came down from Igvasson just days ago to level the city
and then level the ruins. It was an act of supreme spite that,
it was believed, would be rectified once the hated Imperial
government was brought down and Drake I made to suffer for his
crimes against the true Trekylon. A Clone lieutenant approached
him, breaking his spell of wanderlust as he handed Ignatius a
padd.
Clone Lieutenant - "Sir, a report from our cloaked spy
satellite. It appears we've been abandoned. A mulitnational
fleet is holding orbit."
Ignatius - "We have not been abandoned, Clone. This is just a
temporary setback. They left to call up reinforcements and will
return to brush aside that multinational mongrel force. This
does mean, however, that we will soon be visited by the
government troops and their foreign devil allies."
Clone Lieutenant - "Should we abandon the bombardment of the
city and prepare for the enemy advance?"
Ignatius - "Not yet. But have the tanks armed and ready. We'll
need to launch an attack before they can do so."
Clone Lieutenant - "Yes sir."
Ignatius knew it would take the enemy a few hours to prepare
their own advance, and thus they would be vulnerable. He also
knew, however, that the clock was ticking and that whichever
side finished their preparations first would have the ultimate
advantage in the big battle he knew would come. He believed that
he could either cripple their forces or even destroy them
outright and force them to rebuild from their orbital
bastions..which would delay them long enough for reinforcements
to arrive and finally crush them. The thought made him smile.
#Post#: 28--------------------------------------------------
Re: New Columbia
By: MichaelH23 Date: January 20, 2015, 2:42 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Five hours later. Imperial LZ
General Van Doorn finally received the information he needed for
the battle. He gathered Lieutenant General Lincoln and Major
General Rees around the Situation Table inside the command
facility. It was night in this part of New Columbia, and the
tiny crescent of the unnamed Class-D planet was rising in the
east. Van Doorn wasn't sure whether the gas-giant planet was the
third from the sun. He activated the computer built into the
railing of the table, and watched as the holomap materialized.
The red question marks from earlier had become red dots. More
ominously, a small group of red dots had separated from the rest
and were slowly advancing toward their position as highlighted
by the blue circle.
Rees - "Seems the rebels know that we're here."
Lincoln - "They may be conducting an armed recon of their own."
Rees - "At this rate, they'll be within attack range in 25
minutes."
Van Doorn - "I better go tell our boys to man the artillery guns
and prepare for an assault."
Rees - "We need to sound the alarm."
Van Doorn - "No. If we do that, we'll surely give away our
location to the rebels. Just pass the word quietly."
Rees left to give the warning, while Lincoln moved to stand with
Van Doorn. Both men studied the holomap for a few moments in
silence.
Lincoln - "At least we have the advantage of both the
base-shields and forewarning of their approach. Forewarned is
fore armed."
Van Doorn - "Let's just hope that's enough."
[hr]
Drake I was awakened by Major General Rees just minutes later.
Donning his battle armor and grabbing his weapons, Drake I
rushed from his private lodge to the front line, where the
Archer guns were already manned. Lincoln and Van Doorn met him
close to one of those cannons.
Drake I - "How many are there?"
Van Doorn - About 250 light tanks and 5,000 troops."
Drake I - "Our troops will get their first taste of combat
tonight. Its too dark for the aircraft, so it'll be ground power
here."
Lincoln - "We could send a small force of PT boats upriver to
attack their supply lines."
Drake I - "They could be isolated and captured or sunk. No."
Soldier - "Sirs, I have enemy troops at bearing 8-9-5 mark.
Orders?"
Drake I - "Have the Redtroops and Knights deployed just outside
the base-shield perimeter. They need to keep the enemy within
the firing solutions of the cannons. Get the crews to the
tanks."
Van Doorn - "Permission to lead the defense?"
Drake I - "Granted. May fortune favor the bold."
Van Doorn unholstered his phase-pistol and charged through the
energy shield to join the troops holding the line. Drake I moved
to stand alongside the Archer cannon, hoping the skirmish would
not last long, or cost too many lives.
[hr]
Van Doorn waited with his men in the shrubbery as the enemy
troops crept closer. He was tense with anticipation as he
focused on the sounds of footfalls crunching the twigs and
pebbles just meters away from them. On either side of him, his
men were just as tense, just as alert, and just as anxious for
battle. Through his nightvision visor, he saw the branches sway
as the Clones marched. Behind them, he could see the light tanks
humming toward them.
Van Doorn - "Ready your blasters, men. And for frak sake, stay
out of the targeting solution of the Archers unless you wanna
become fertilizer."
The Clones closed the distance at a brisk pace now, having
either heard Van Doorn's command or picked them up via
tricorder. Van Doorn raised his own blaster toward the closest
group of enemy troops.
Van Doorn - "Fire!"
Suddenly with that command, the night was lit up with phaser and
blaster fire. Several of the enemy troops collapsed where they
stood. The rest returned fire, felling several Redtroops. Van
Doorn ducked behind a large stone slab and fired on three Clones
closing on his position. Behind him, the cannons were firing
their plasma blasts into the enemy lines. Bright flares of light
blinded both sides as they fought. Van Doorn scurried back to
position just as the slab he hid behind erupted into smaller
rocks and pebbles from a rebel tank.
Van Doorn - "Hold position, boys. Wait for the cannons to take
out the tanks before we move."
For the next several minutes, which to Van Doorn felt like an
eternity, the firefight continued, punctuated by the loud
concussive impact of plasma blast on enemy tank. Several groups
of Imperial Knights even managed to take the offensive and
disabled one enemy tank and seized control of a second, which
they then turned on the rebels with devastating results. Within
25 minutes, the enemy tanks were either disabled, captured, or
destroyed. Van Doorn seized his chance.
Van Doorn - "Forward and strike, boys!"
With scattered battle-cries, the Imperial troops and knights
charged into the remaining rebel lines, stabbing, shooting, and
beating through the enemy with gusto. Van Doorn himself charged
into battle, hacking through several Clones with his broadsword.
Behind him, Keshik tanks emerged from the forcefields and drove
into the brush, firing at the rebels. The battle continued for
another hour as Van Doorn led his troops against what remained
of the rebel skirmishers. As Van Doorn prepared to fire on
another rebel soldier, he saw his opponent drop his weapon and
break into a full retreat. Soon many of the other surviving
troops followed his example, giving up the field and running in
full retreat.
Soldier - "Should we follow them?"
Van Doorn - "No. Let them go. We've defeated them and prevented
them getting the jump on us. That's what matters. Stand down and
have someone send for the medical teams. We've got wounded that
need help."
As the soldier scurried off to get the medical teams, Van Doorn
took a look around at the battlefield. The ground for several
yards was covered in Imperial and rebel wounded, dying, and
dead. He wouldn't know how many had died in the night battle
until morning, but he was already heartbroken by the
possibilities. He glanced back in the direction of the
retreating rebel survivors and noted that none of them had
slowed down or broken their pace as they continued fleeing over
the hills and shrubs. Well, if the enemy didn't know we were
here, they will soon, Van Doorn thought to himself, Time to
gather our forces and start our own advance before the rebels
regroup. He made his way back to the FOB as the first of the
medical teams arrived with their antigrav carts to load the
wounded from both sides.
#Post#: 30--------------------------------------------------
Re: New Columbia
By: MichaelH23 Date: January 21, 2015, 1:19 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Z-minus four hours until battle (2 a.m.)
The array of Redtroops, Trekdroids, and Centurions looked
impressive to Drake I as he walked in front of them in review.
While the droids stood ramrod straight, the soldiers saluted and
cheered the emperor. Just past them assembled infantry, the
Knights stood next to their Iron Horse speederbikes at full
attention, garbed in their battlegear that lent credibility to
their name. Further down the line, lined up with their operators
saluting, the Keshiks were arrayed, fully loaded. In the near
distance, aircraft were lined on top of the carrier transports,
ready to launch. Drake I was ready for the battle to begin so it
could end and he could return to being a civilian emperor again.
As he continued taking in the infantry formations, someone began
yelling for a speech. The calls grew louder and more numerous as
all the living infantrymen joined their comrade in calling for a
speech. For their part, the droid soldiers remained stiff and
silent. Finally, Drake I could no longer ignore the cries from
the troops to hear his voice, the voice of their
commander-in-chief, offering wisdom, encouragement, and support.
He stopped walking and turned to face the entire group, Knights,
Marines, infantry, tank drivers, and droids.
Drake I - "Ladies and gentlemen who have gathered here from
colonies across the empire, and from the capital worlds of Gaia
and Hera, I am most humbled to be among you. You have honored
your families, your colonies, your empire, and your emperor in
choosing to stand with me as we overcome the rebels and their
terrorist allies. I wish there were another way to end this
civil war which has torn our beloved empire asunder, but as the
rebels have clearly been gaining technological and logistical
parity with us, and The Fist remains a very real threat, I find
no other recourse. Those of you whose loved ones may be fighting
for the other side...I feel your pain. You are all a part of my
family, and to see my family at odds with one another breaks my
heart. I can only imagine what you must be feeling. I want to
give you my personal assurance that I will do everything in my
power to spare your loved ones fighting for the rebels..and with
your help....rehabilitate them and bring them back into the
family. That being said, you must never forget your job. The job
of a soldier is to destroy the enemy and come home alive....the
goal of this battle is the liberation of New Columbia and the
freedom of those suffering in Freedomtown under rebel
bombardment. The ultimate objective is to take away the
opposition's ability to make war. To that end, you do what you
have to, even if it means you have to kill your brother, sister,
husband, wife, mother, or father who has joined the opposition.
If they have the chance, they will forget that there was a past
history between you and them, and they will kill you. We will
neutralize their artillery and tank brigades, then offer them a
chance to surrender. If they refuse, then we will take them out,
no questions asked. The next several hours will be a trying and
very difficult time for you.....but you must never waiver, never
back down, and never retreat. Only with your help.....your
bravery....your cunning....and your fighting ability can we
bring this civil war to an end without further losses. Thank you
all....and Long Live the Empire."
Infantrymen *collective* - "LONG LIVE THE EMPIRE! LONG LIVE THE
EMPEROR!"
Drake I smiled a wan smile. He was not accustomed to giving
military speeches, and he felt that his first speech was too
weak. But he gave them hope, gave them his courage, and gave
them a goal. Now he would have to help them meet that goal,
whatever the ultimate cost. As the soldiers cheered, Drake I
walked to where his adjutant held onto the reins of his Gaian
mustang. Drake I mounted the mustang, who reared up on its hind
legs, and raised his fist to the sky.
[hr]
Rebel lines outside Freedomtown, at the same time
General Ignatius expected a lot of things to go right tonight.
He didn't expect anything to go wrong, which was why he was
shocked to see several Clone Soldiers coming over the hill in a
panicked run. He raged at the clones as they ran past him. They
ignored his condemnations as they continued running. As Ignatius
stood open-mouthed with pure rage, Major Jele Tyur came running
toward him. A veteran of the USOA attack on Panthera, he
suffered from a form of mania which was at its worst when he was
enraged. He also bore a limp from a piece of shrapnel in his
knee which made his run seem ungainly.
Tyur - "I thought these clones were supposed to be an even match
with the Jem'Hadar?"
Ignatius - "It seems that is no longer the case. However, their
return did confirm one thing....that Drake I has sent his
mongrel liberation army down."
Tyur - "I could've sought that confirmation in a different and
less humiliating way."
Ignatius shot Tyur a look that would've leveled the hostage city
behind them instantly. Tyur realized his faux pas immediately
and regretted it. Ignatius turned to face Freedomtown and the
artillery batteries still bombarding it.
Ignatius - "We still have artillery in place for reserves,
correct?"
Tyur - "Aye sir. There are 15 in reserve waiting to be
deployed."
Ignatius - "Then deploy them in a defensive line. Have a
division of Clones set up trenchworks in a semicircle. We have
four hours before the enemy converges on us. I want to be ready
for them when they come."
Tyur - "Aye sir."
Tyur turned to leave, but Ignatius grabbed his right shoulder
forcefully. Tyur looked deep into the general eyes and saw
something he never expected: pure rage.
Ignatius - "I also want you to round up those clones that ran
from the fight...and execute them in full view of the others.
They will be an example of what not to do when the enemy comes."
Tyur couldn't believe what Ignatius had just ordered. On the one
hand, they were clones and as such were expendable in a major
battle. On the other hand, simply executing them for showing a
characteristic their originals would've likely displayed in
similar circumstances was beyond outrageous. But even as he kept
his gaze locked on Ignatius' eyes, he knew that to refuse the
order would likely see him either incarcerated or executed
himself.
Tyur - "Aye sir."
Ignatius released Tyur, allowing him to make a brisk escape back
down the escarpment.
[hr]
Freedomtown. 23rd Street, in front of the Government Center
Paul Barachi kept low as he scurried in the darkness between
streetlights, keeping out of sight of the Infiltrators. The Fist
terrorist group had sent Infiltrators into the city the day
after they raised the independent New Columbia banner, with the
Loyalist symbol affixed to show their adherence to the Gaian
central government. Infiltrators were the worst of The Fist's
many groups, as their job was to abduct Loyalists at random and
at will, and strap bombs to their chests to be used against
other Loyalist groups, Imperial Liberation forces, and foreign
forces. Barachi had already lost his younger brother, Sam, to
such actions by The Fist. Barachi was one among a number of
partisans who were collecting small arms and medical supplies
through the only underground channel, the sewers. News also
traveled through the sewers, and because of that, any new news
item was given the codename 'fecal matters'. While Barachi
thought the idea of fecal matters as a codename was, to use the
pun, a shitty one, he was not the one who originated the
codename. Further, it had become an accepted codename within a
short period of time. He checked both directions before risking
a brief exposure in the light to make his way up the walkway to
the entrance. Barachi had been instructed not to use the main
entrance, as Clone Guards were stationed just inside and would
likely arrest him for violation of curfew. Instead, just short
of the steps leading to the double doors, he turned left and
walked to a set of steel doors angled at 45 degrees. There, a
stairwell led deep into the subterranean vaults that served as
the meeting area for the Loyalist partisans. He walked down the
stairs slowly, quietly, because even here there was a risk of
alerting the rebels above. Only when he had nearly reached the
end of the stairs could he finally feel safe enough to talk.
Here, two other partisans acting as guards pointed their phaser
rifles at him.
Partisan - "Password"
Barachi - "Michael the Great"
Both sentries nodded in confirmation and lowered their rifles,
allowing Barachi to enter the main vault. Here, several other
partisans were already gathering around a holoemitter which
stood at the center of the chamber. Among the crowd, Barachi
spotted his childhood friend of 19 years, Eddy Longsworth.
Longsworth had shaved his head recently, citing the need to keep
Fist infiltrators from having something to grab onto. His bald
pate shone in the ambient light of the chamber. Between him and
Longsworth, almost lost in the crowd, was Barachi's girlfriend,
Angela Dettinger, or as Barachi called her, Dettie. Her auburn
hair draped across her shoulders in cascades. He longed to hold
her, but the time was not right. Their cadre leader, a
middle-aged man named Alexander Mackiewitz, cleared his throat
to get the attention of the others gathered.
Mackiewitz - "Okay people, we just received the latest new fecal
matter from one of our contacts in Adamsville. Drake I himself
has arrived with a multinational army which thankfully has no
Laptev or Barlat elements. They're about to launch an offensive
all across the planet, but their main focus will be here in this
city."
Partisan #1 - "Its about bloody time they got here. We've been
taking blasts from them damn rebel guns for weeks."
Barachi - "Not to mention those Fist infiltrators rounding up
people at random and using them for their suicide attacks."
Mackiewitz - "Okay, okay. I get where you're coming from. But we
need to get focused on the matter at hand. Freedomtown is a
communications hub for this continent, and if the liberation of
the planet is to be successful, we need to cut the lines where
they meet. Isolate the cities from each other and make it harder
for the rebels to unify a defense. Now, I invited Adamsville's
partisan leader, Otis Reading, here because our objective
requires two missions. The primary one, which I just talked
about, is important as it will determine whether we can proceed
with the second objective."
Partisan #2 - "And what pray tell us, is that?"
Otis Reading stepped into the circle and gave each freedom
fighter a long look. He was black-skinned, slim, and showed
every bit of his 55 years in his wrinkles, greying hair, and
slight droop. When he spoke, however, his deep bass voice
conveyed a strength and determination that belied his advanced
years.
Reading - "That second objective Mr Mackiewitz mentioned is
nothing less than the liberation of the entire continent of
Alatea. With this continent freed, we could supply the
Liberation forces with enough men to help free the rest of New
Columbia."
Barachi - "You realize that this second objective, even with the
primary one successfully completed, will be a tall order to
complete."
Reading - "Not entirely true, son. We've been supplied with
Jem'Hadar polaron rifles and Klingon bat'leths thanks to our
Cherokee friends. Because the Cherokee State has declared
neutrality after their early loss to the rebels in the Storm,
the rebels do not suspect them."
Longsworth - "Does this mean that the Cherokee have changed
course and are willing to assist Drake I?"
Reading - "Silva Sixkiller, their former Principal Chief, passed
away three days ago. The new Principal Chief, John Runningdear,
pledged to provide weapons, food, and just recently, Braves, to
Drake I's efforts to end the Civil War."
Dettinger - "That's good news, then."
Reading - "Yes it is. Its the first good news we've gotten since
the day we discovered this galaxy. We need to press the
advantage."
Barachi - "What of the Infiltrators? They'll be on us like
vultures on a fresh kill the moment we come out of hiding, not
to mention those clones the rebels use as their expendable
infantry."
Reading - "Sir, by any chance are you the brother of Sam
Barachi?"
Barachi - "How do you know my brother?"
Reading walked closer to Barachi, and placed a hand on his
shoulder gently. Reading's face took on a sad expression as he
addressed Paul directly.
Reading - "He was rescued by a Strike Team I put together, but
by then, he had been beaten to death pretty good by the
Infiltrators for refusing to wear their deathgear. He was a very
brave young man. In the process of securing him, we came upon
some intelligence that you will find useful, namely the location
of the main Fist hideaway. Wouldn't you like a chance to take
them out completely?"
Barachi - "Where is their hideaway?"
Reading - "In Adamsville, near the Town Square. Help cut the
communications for us, and you can join our effort to liberate
Adamsville, and have your revenge against The Fist at the same
time."
Barachi - "I would do anything to get my hands on that scum and
do to them what they tried to do to my little brother."
Mackiewitz - "Then consider yourself the first volunteer for the
mission, Paul. I'll gather up another seven to join you."
Barachi - "Seven? Why only seven?"
Reading - "The rebels may be about to have their hands full with
Drake I's army soon, but that doesn't mean they won't be on
their guard. Plus the Infiltrators will be on extra guard in
case any Imperial Marines are beamed down from orbit."
Dettinger - "I want to join Paul on the mission."
Longsworth *stepping forward* - "As do I. I've been with him
through everything from his first haircut to his first
heartbreak and first hangover. I volunteer because I have no
intention of leaving his side now."
Mackiewitz - "Done and done. Just need four more volunteers to
join up and we'll have a mission."
Four other people, three men and one woman, stepped forward to
give their support to Barachi and his friends. Barachi smiled at
each of them, and each in turn nodded at him. Reading couldn't
help but also smile.
Mackiewitz - "Then I have our Magnificent Seven all together.
Otis, go back to Adamsville and tell your fellow partisans that
we're onboard."
Reading - "We'll get our gear together for the next phase of the
plan. Godspeed to you all."
Barachi watched as Reading made his way through the ring of
people and out of the chamber. Mackiewitz walked into the center
of the circle and activated the holoemitter on the floor.
Clicking the emitter into place, he stepped back into the circle
and activated a remote control. Suddenly a holomap of the center
of the city appeared, with the communications lines in bright
white, rebel bastions in deep red, and green arrows indicating
the strike team displayed.
Mackiewitz - "Okay, now its time for the planning. Remember, no
one is to speak of this plan to anyone, or else you will be
shot. Understood?"
The crowd responded in the positive and Mackiewitz nodded. Then
he began to lay out the strategy for their operation.
#Post#: 32--------------------------------------------------
Re: New Columbia
By: MichaelH23 Date: February 3, 2015, 4:24 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
15 Miles from Freedomtown and Rebel lines
Drake I rode his Gaian cresthorse behind 20 lines of 50 Imperial
troops as they advanced to a position just 7 miles from the
rebel lines. Scouting Knights had already reported that the
rebels were laying down trenches, tank traps, and piked
barricades, in preparation for the coming assault. He couldn't
help but wonder if the plan he had gone over with Major General
Rees and General Van Doorn a half-hour ago would succeed...and
how many would pay the price for that success. He once again
considered that despite his years as Leader of the Merchants'
Guild and a strong proponent of commerce and diplomacy over
conflict, he was now leading an army against people who were,
for all intents and purposes, still citizens of the empire, even
if they were following someone else's banner.
[hr]
Half an hour ago. Command Center
Drake I, General Van Doorn and Major General Rees had gathered
around the holoconference table only an hour after the skirmish
with rebel troops. Van Doorn looked battle-ready, while Rees
looked weary from the earlier fighting. Drake I felt
sleep-deprived yet he willed himself to direct the strategic
meeting. On the holomap displayed the terrain and locations of
the opposing armies. Also on the map was the city of
Freedomtown, currently under rebel siege.
Drake I - "We have less than three hours to lift the siege of
Freedomtown. After that, the city falls and we lose any chance
of liberating a vitally important commercial center and relief
site for our liberation forces."
Van Doorn - "Looks like New Athens all over again."
Rees - "I was thinking it looked like the Breen occupied world
of Xodara during the Breen War."
Drake I could only guess at what both men meant, as he was not
yet even a high-ranking member of the Merchants' Guild at that
time. He cleared his throat to end the speculations and
reveries.
Drake I - "I propose that we split our forces into three groups.
There will also be additional forces beamed into the city to
assess the condition of the civilians and assist the partisans
in guerrilla warfare against the rebel occupiers."
Rees - "Sounds like a plan, Majesty."
Drake I - "Rees, you will lead the bulk of the mobile artillery,
and armored units to Point 2-75. Spread your artillery on the
hilltops overlooking the city. Those rebel guns need to be
battered into oblivion. Have the tanks move to Point 2-90 and
form up. They'll join my troops in a combined-arms move that
will sweep to either side of the rebel fortifications, and
essentially pin them down."
Van Doorn - "Will you bring the droids into the battle?"
Drake I - "That is my plan. The rebels will be expecting
flesh-and-blood troops to be advancing against them, so I intend
to give them chrome soldiers instead. They don't have powerful
enough weapons to do more than damage them."
Van Doorn - "What about me?"
Drake I - "You will bring the Marines and Knights in to trap the
rebels between the city and their own fortifications. I'll also
need you to detach five groups of fifteen Knights to go into the
city to assist with operations. The Fist have Infiltrators in
the city and their job will be to hunt down and neutralize them.
Capture them if possible, kill them if necessary."
Rees - "How high do you estimate the casualties on our side will
go?"
Drake I - "Depends on what the rebels have in store for us. They
know that this is the focal point for the liberation of the
continent and eventually the planet, so they'll send as many
reinforcements here as they can safely round up from other parts
of the planet. This will provide an opening for the Loyalist
partisans and our own reinforcements to make progress."
Van Doorn - "So as soon as we liberate the city, we're to
fortify it in preparation for a rebel counterattack?"
Drake I - "Unfortunately yes. We'll need to draw as many rebel
forces away from the other cities on the continent as we can,
and help the partisans to liberate their cities."
Rees - "Will we be in communication with the partisans in
Freedomtown?"
Drake I - "I don't know. If some of them manage to establish an
underground line of communication, we'll need to tap into it to
coordinate our operations with theirs. I urge both of you to
keep alert for any communications you get from those partisans
in Freedomtown."
Rees - "What about air and water support?"
Drake I - "Thankfully, we still have our PT boats on standby.
Since the river flows just outside Freedomtown, I'll have them
move downriver and take up bombardment positions. They have
Katusha rockets custom-built into their frames so they'll come
in handy when we begin bombarding the rebel lines. We don't yet
have enough destroyers to send to the coastal cities, but it
shouldn't take but 48 more hours."
Van Doorn - "We'll need to leave a force to protect the LZ and
defend the workers and techs. I can detach 2,000 Heavies and 500
Knights for that duty."
Drake I - "Make it so. I'll have some additional Knights sent
down to compensate you once we take Freedomtown, but until then,
you'll have to make due with 500 less Knights."
Van Doorn - "I'll do more than 'make do', Majesty."
Drake I - "I would hope that we come out of this battle with an
intact force to defend the city, but be prepared to loss more
than 20% of your force. I can only hope the militias and
partisans will be enough to make up the difference. Keep this
plan to yourselves, as there are likely to be Infiltrators from
The Fist moving about. Anyone you don't recognize, detain."
Rees and Van Doorn - "Understood, Majesty."
Drake I - "Good luck."
#Post#: 37--------------------------------------------------
Re: New Columbia
By: MichaelH23 Date: February 11, 2015, 3:17 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Point 2-90, hill overlooking main rebel fortifications
Imperial Redtroops, Red-Sash Centurions, Trekdroids, and Keshik
Mark IIIs arrayed themselves only 100 yards from their opposites
in the rebel lines. Drake I and three of the Centurions stood on
a rock outcrop and reconnoitered the battlefield, the Centurions
holding their phase-rifles at the ready. Drake I held a pair of
binos to his eyes and found himself awestruck by the sheer size
and scope of the rebel entrenchments.
Drake I - "They have tank traps and EM stakes in place between
us and them."
Centurion #1 - "Their placement is flawed. They leave a gap too
wide to cover them in the event of a massed assault."
Drake I - "I agree, but even with that in mind, you and your men
would be at a disadvantage. Attempting to cross that field would
short-circuit your CPUs and render you defenseless."
Centurion #2 - "We are prepared to sacrifice our existence for
the good of the empire. Just present us with a target."
Drake I felt distressed. Though the Droid Project had been
underway since the late former Baron Matthew Godwin's reign as
Michael III, Drake himself did not see the Centurions and
Trekdroids as merely machines, but as sentient beings who should
be given the ability to think for themselves. That they chose to
defend the emperor, empire and people of the empire of their own
accord was a great sign of intelligence mixed with something
akin to emotion. Drake I looked into the red scanner-eye of the
Centurion next to him, and placed a hand on its chrome-metal
shoulder.
Drake I - "I will not waste your skills, your talents, or even
your lives if I can help it. I already have an idea on how to
deal with those EM stakes."
Centurion #1 - "Please explain."
Drake I - "A phaser beam, modified with an anti-tachyon pulse
will neutralize those stakes. They'll become just another part
of the landscape."
Centurion #3 - "They do not have a power source alternative
available."
Drake I - "See? I intend to keep all my people
safe.....including the mechanical ones. Have the Centurions come
to a halt about 20 feet from the closest trenchwork. The
Trekdroids will follow them."
The Centurion behind Drake I stood stock still, and as Drake I
turned to observer, the scanner-eye that swept back and forth
like the pendulum on a grandfather clock froze at the center of
the visor. A very soft, low-level buzz could be heard as the
Centurion remained locked in place like a chrome statue. Drake I
knew that it was sending commands to the other Centurions and
receiving confirmation that the orders were being carried out.
After a minute, the scanner-eye began its pendulum-like sweep
once again. Drake I turned and scanned the area again with the
binos and confirmed that the Centurions had halted in position,
and the Trekdroids were following their lead and doing likewise.
Drake I raised his left arm and balled his hand into a fist, and
as he watched, the living troops ducked down, rifles and other
hand-held weapons at the ready.
Drake I *to himself* - "Now we wait for the prongs to begin
their diversionary attack."
[hr]
Point 2-75, on the rebels' left flank
Major General Rees lay in an embankment only 200 feet from the
rebels, making certain he could not be detected. Behind him,
hidden behind shrubbery and small trees, the Keshik Mark IIIs
that remained in his command were already pointing their guns
into the rebel lines. On the hills past the line of tanks,
Archer guns were manned and prepared to fire, with half
targeting the rebel guns bombarding the city, and the other half
targeting the rebel lines. Rees received some unexpected yet
welcome help when 20 regiments of Planetary Militia, numbering
some twenty men each, joined him just minutes before. Like him,
they were hunkered down, awaiting only the command to charge.
Many of them carried the phased-polaron rifles favored by the
Jem'Hadar, with serrated daggers serving as bayonets attached to
the barrels. They were fighting for their homes, their families,
their Imperial heritage. Rees had to admit to feeling proud of
this bunch of militiamen.
As he scanned the preparations the rebels laid down for the
assault, he was not surprised to see the same EM stakes and
trenchworks and tank traps in place. What surprised him, was the
fact that he was positioned perfectly to bombard the rebel
command center, and he watched as several figures milled about
within the structure. He also noted (mischievously) that the
rebels had failed to shield their command center from such a
bombardment as he could now deliver. He slowly brought his right
arm close, and leaned into the wristcomm he wore.
Rees - "Majesty, I have the snake lair in sight, I repeat..I
have the snake lair in sight. Ready to throw the smokebomb at
your command."
Rees knew that the practice of code-wording had died with the
Third World War back on Earth in the late 21st century, but he
had become so fascinated with the idea that he began adopting
the practice himself. Drake I was at first puzzled by the chosen
words Rees used, but over time..a short time at that, Drake I
began to understand the meanings to the point where he was now
responding in kind.
Drake I *over comm* - "Have your guns start firing on the rebel
gun emplacements attacking the city....and when I give the word,
throw the smokebomb into the lair. Out."
Rees *to Archer gunners* - "Alright, you heard the
emperor....begin your attack on those rebel guns. Time to shove
the stick into the hole and see if the snakes come out biting."
He was rewarded with the thunder of the guns firing, and seconds
later, the first of the explosions. Already from the rebel
lines, he could hear the sounds of panic as they scrambled to
determine what had happened. Surely, he surmised, they don't
think their cannon was disabled by the partisans from within the
city. If they did, they would soon be in for a bigger surprise.
Drake I *over comm* - "Mr Rees....the word is now given. Throw
the smokebomb in."
Rees *to gunners* - "Copy that?"
Gunner *over comm* "With pleasure, sir."
Again, the satisfying boom of the guns. But this time the follow
to the gun bursts made Rees smile....
[hr]
Rebel Command Center
General Ignatius knew that the enemy was aware of their
strength, and thanks to the cowardice of the late survivors from
the earlier skirmish, they also knew that their own numbers were
slightly smaller. Ignatius realized that he would have to call
in reinforcements soon, if he had any chance of crushing the
multinational liberation force, and finalizing the crushing of
the partisans within Freedomtown. Tyur entered the small office
space, looking as though he was spoiling for a fight. Perhaps he
is, Ignatius thought to himself.
Tyur - "Our lookout has reported a cloud of dust approaching
from due east."
Ignatius - "You suspect the enemy is approaching from that
direction?"
Tyur - "I know they are, sir. I'd like to stiffen the number of
troops on our forward east."
Ignatius - "And what if that cloud of dust is just a stampede of
wild horses?"
Tyur - "What if it isn't, sir? Are you prepared to take that
chance?"
Ignatius - "Rumor has it the enemy may try to use a forward
strike as a diversion and attack from the flank...possibly by
slipping troops into the city and coming at us from the rear."
Tyur - "You know I'm right, sir. If we listen to rumor, we could
fall before the enemy."
Ignatius - "Are you saying your men cannot handle a diversionary
strike easily, then face the actual assault with the same
courage?"
Tyur trembled, his hands balled into fists. Ignatius had struck
a nerve. Tyur was most dangerous and most especially
uncontrollable whenever someone questioned his courage under
fire. Ignatius had used that to great effect in the past, but he
was no longer sure if he could continue to rely on it now.
Ignatius - "You tell the gunners at Freedomtown to double on
their firing rate. If the enemy does try to beam down additional
troops, I want them unable to leave the city until after we
crush their comrades."
Tyur - "Should I request The Fist Inflitrators to be extra
discriminatory in their.......efforts?"
Ignatius - "You tell them whatever you want, just be ready to
hold down any enemy advance from the city. I don't trust those
terrorists, but they are our only means of securing this
planet...and if they can round up a couple thousand prospective
suicide bombers for their purposes, so much the better."
Tyur - "How long will we continue to--"
Tyur was interrupted by an explosion in the distance. Initially
Ignatius treated it as just another refinery within the city
that had been destroyed, until he saw the shock in Tyur's eyes.
He pushed Tyur aside easily, and went to the viewscreen, which
showed one of his..his..guns now obscured behind a column of
black smoke. Pieces of the gun began raining down on the
surrounding ground.
Tyur - "The partisans have launched a strike!"
Ignatius gritted his teeth so tightly his jaw began to protest.
How could the scraggly band of dirty, ill-fed partisans be able
to launch a strike so quickly, with almost 99% of the city in
ruins? Tyur moved closer to the viewscreen, as if hoping to
catch some partisans in the act of scurrying back into the
rubble-that-was-city.
Tyur - "Damn them!"
Ignatius - "I thought you said you had the city so effectively
destroyed as to force the survivors to flee?"
Tyur - "There had been little activity beyond the usual
hit-and-run strikes. But those damned Infiltrators were supposed
to have them under control."
Ignatius could no longer resist the urge. He brought his arm
back and swung with force, striking Tyur in the jaw and sending
him backwards to land hard on his butt. Tyur slumped back,
groaning as the pain from the hit to the jaw combined with the
pain from his rear to overwhelm him. Ignatius stood over him,
fire in his eyes.
Ignatius - "You couldn't even scare out those rats effectively
enough that you had to rely on those terrorist scumbags to do
your dirty work! You make me--"
A loud boom, followed two seconds later by an earth-shattering
impact on the side of the building froze the rest of Ignatius'
words in his mouth. Pieces of the ceiling began falling to the
ground, and Ignatius stumbled, only barely able to keep from
falling on his quarry. Tyur's eyes widened in horror.
Tyur - "We're under attack!"
#Post#: 38--------------------------------------------------
Re: New Columbia
By: MichaelH23 Date: February 13, 2015, 10:38 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Orbit of New Columbia, ISS Smiths Station
Toran sat in the command chair, looking weary. Four hours had
gone by since the emperor flew down to lead the ground invasion.
Four hours and 37 minutes had passed since the major battle
above the planet had been won. Yet, he felt as though a new
attack was coming. The fleet was still disorganized, several
ships were still in need of repairs. There were still over a
thousand in the medical bays getting treated for their myriad
injuries. It was a glorious but costly battle.
Benez - "I'm getting some unusual readings from outside the
sector."
Toran rose from the seat and walked to the upper level, where an
officer stepped aside at the Tactical station. Toran did a quick
scan and found the same odd readings.
Toran - "Looks suspicious. Could be a subspace wake from a group
of ships."
Benez - "Could be more troop transports, sir."
Toran - "I doubt it. We made a tactical error. We did not deploy
the Interdictor cruisers to the perimeter for the FTLi. Those
could be rebel reinforcements on their way. Even if we outnumber
them 4-to-1, we're in weakened shape."
Benez - "Getting better scans coming in.......oh
fishtails......its the rebels. 225 ships. We outnumber them, but
that doesn't count for much right now."
Toran - "Better warn the fleet to prepare to face rebel
reinforcements."
Benez - "Sir! New readings coming in....another distortion in
subspace between the planet and the rebel ships!"
[hr]
Other side of the planet, facing the rebel reinforcement fleet
Space flashed with a suddenness that would've startled anyone
seeing it had they been present. It was as if subspace had
ripped through into real-space for a milisecond, then folded
back into its own realm. Shapes emerged from the rips, at first
elongated and unidentifiable. But as they cleared the tears in
subspace and cruised to half-impulse, their shapes became more
identifiable. They were dreadnaughts and carriers of the United
Tribes of Mongolistan. As the cruisers moved forward, the
carriers began releasing their fighters, curved-wing craft that
moved with a grace uncharacteristic of their fighting style.
Several of the fighters turned in an arc and headed for the
planet, while the rest swarmed out like a cloud of angry
hornets. Not waiting for the rebels to drop out of FTL, the
fighters and cruisers immediately began forming into an attack
formation, defending the carriers at their rear flank.
As the rebel ships dropped out of warp, they were met by
turbolasers, rail-gun fire, and missiles from the UTM force.
Seconds later, space was alight with fire as both fleets brought
their heaviest guns to bear and let loose with phased-polaron
bursts, torpedoes, rail-guns, and turbolasers. Fighters from
both sides engaged in dogfights, weaving their way through the
sea of fire between the larger ships. The skirmish lasted for 38
minutes, by which time the rebels' reinforcements had been
reduced to just 63 ships. The Mongols lost 211 fighters and a
cruiser. With the surviving rebel ships now unable to fight or
escape, the Multinational Forces had now captured a small
portion of the rebel fleet.
UTM Cruiser TSS Subotai
Commander Goyuk-Temur looked at the crescent of New Columbia on
the holoviewer, wondering how long it would take the rebels on
the surface to react to their presence. He was aware that the
rebel fleet commander likely got off a message before his ship
was obliterated along with several other ships. He rose from his
fur-covered chair and walked forward, closer to the screen.
Goyuk - "Baltai! How long until our fighters reach the lower sky
of New Columbia?"
Baltai, a lanky Naiman-Mongol who had the demure of someone who
expected to be killed suddenly, ran to his station. Goyuk made a
mental note to have his inferior given ten lashings once their
mission was complete. Goyuk had come under the orders of the
Grand Khan, after three of their ships fell prey to rebel
pirates, much as the Traylax had suffered. Now that the empire
was fighting back, the Grand Khan had declared his intention of
joining the fight, not just to help a potential ally, but in the
hopes of seizing star systems from the defeated rebels.
Baltai - "They should be penetrating now, My Lord."
Goyuk - "Good. Hutei, send out the following announcement on all
channels....."
Hutei activated the channel, then waited for her commander to
speak.....
[hr]
[quote]This is Commander Goyuk speaking on behalf of the Grand
Khan of the United Tribes of Mongolistan. For many sunturns, the
rebels calling themselves the Federal Republic of Trekylon have
been using piracy, terrorism, and aggression to push their
twisted agenda forward. Until now, the Grand Khan has done
little to nothing to influence events. That changes now. The
rebels have acted aggressively and directly against the UTM, and
because of this, we're bringing everything we have to bear, in
concert with the Drake I government of Trekylon, their allies
the Federate Cherokee State, Inuyashia, Namekia, and other
allies....to stop and contain the rebels once and for all. For
that reason......we have arrived.[/quote]
ISS Smiths Station bridge
Benez, Toran, and everyone else on the bridge, and likely all
across the fleet, heard the declaration of war against the
rebels by the United Tribes of Mongolistan thru its commander,
Goyuk.
Benez - "Good thing they're on our side."
Toran - "They've become the latest victims of rebel aggression,
so it was expected that they would get involved. Status of the
rebel ships?"
Benez's eyes grew large as he read the reports from the sensors.
Benez - "You won't believe this, but out of 225 ships only 63
remain intact, more or less. The Mongols lost 212 ships. Getting
a signal from the Mongol commander....its for us alone."
Toran - "Put him onscreen."
The image of the battered fleet and planet vanished, replaced by
the image of a grizzled, bearded man wearing a helmet that
looked more at home in the 12th century than the 24th century.
Behind him, the rest of the crew kept their focus on their
stations, not daring to break concentration.
Goyuk - "I am Commander Goyuk of the flagship Subotai. In the
name of the Grand Khan, I and my people have come to fight
beside you against the rebels."
Toran - "This is First Officer Toran of the ISS Smiths Station.
I must admit to being surprised at your arrival, but it would be
our honor to have the Grand Khan fight beside us. May I ask what
brought this about?"
Goyuk - "Our ships have been lost to rebel piracy. This is
something the Grand Khan cannot allow to happen. I'd like to
present you with a gift to cement our alliance. The 63 rebel
ships that survive."
Toran - "That's a very generous gift. May I send some Cherokee
ships to take them in tow?"
Goyuk - "They are yours to do with as you will...just leave some
of them for us, as we have to seek blood as the price for
blood."
With that, Goyuk bowed in respect to Toran before the viewscreen
winked out, then back on with the view of the planet ahead.
Benez whistled, which earned him a glare from Toran.
Toran - "Have some Cherokee ships go and pick up the rebel
ships."
Benez - "Yes, sir."
Toran glanced back at the viewscreen, showing the UTM fleet
coming from behind the planet.
*****************************************************
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