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       #Post#: 299--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Roundup at the Borderlands
   DIR By: MichaelH23
       Date: July 14, 2016, 11:49 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       <cont'd
       Rhess - "As long as you fight, I don't give a damn how reluctant
       you are."
       Ghimones - "As it stands now, the IGF fleet will render
       assistance to Trekylonian ships and fighters should they require
       it. Under no circumstances are we to engage the enemy fleet
       unless attacked first. We're here mainly to provide a morale
       boost to the Trekylonians as well as a size advantage vis-a-vis
       the enemy fleet. Those orders come from the Chief of State
       himself. His representative should arrive in Imperiopolis
       moments from now to repeat the order and make it clear to the
       emperor that we're saving our firepower advantage for Verulon
       Prime."
       Rhess was surprised both by the information Ghimones shared, and
       by the fact she had not been made aware of the visit of the IGF
       representative to Imperiopolis. Then again, she had her own
       orders and so did not question the orders of Fleet-Commander
       Ghimones or the other IGF fleets en route. The dozen other
       Imperial fleets would arrive at the same time as the IGF fleets,
       and once they did, Rhess would have them engage in the
       'scorched-earth offensive against the Great Houses, Jovepenia,
       Rhamos and Serdaristan.
       Rhess - "Thank you all for your time."
       Ghimones gave Korolevna the signal to end the link. One by one,
       the holo-images of the other captains faded into nothing, until
       only Ghimones, Bacardi and Rhess remained, flesh and blood, in
       the room. Both Ghimones and Rhess now locked eyes on Bacardi.
       Bacardi - "I guess I better report back to my ship and see how
       the repairs are coming. Good meeting you Commodore."
       He started out of the room, but then paused and turned back to
       Rhess.
       Bacardi - "Let me be clear for the record...I appreciate your
       being in command of the Trekylonian Armada. I wish you good luck
       and may the Great Bird of the Galaxy embrace you beneath his
       wings."
       Rhess allowed a small smile to creep onto her face and she bowed
       her head in acknowledgement. Bacardi nodded to Ghimones before
       leaving the room.
       Ghimones - "I have to apologize for Paolard. He's one of those
       old-fashioned people who still believe men should lead fleets.
       He takes getting used to."
       Rhess - "Much as I would like to afford him the time to get used
       to my command, we have a war to fight. He's either in it all the
       way, or he's not. There is no room for coddling."
       With that, she made her way out of the Conference Room. Sensing
       that only the Fleet-Commander remained, the plexiglass returned
       to its transparent setting. Ghimones watched Rhess cross the
       Command Deck, straight for the turbolift. The doors hissed open
       then shut again as soon as she stepped inside.
       Ghimones - "All stations maintain battle alert. Be ready to
       plunge into the fight if we should be needed. For now, this is
       Trekylon's fight."
       At the Tactical Station, Lieutenant Wallace Brubank frowned at
       his display.
       Brubank - "Fleet-Commander, I hope Commodore Rhess has returned
       to her flagship."
       Ghimones - "Why?"
       Brubank - "The enemy fleet.....it has begun their advance, and
       they're loaded for bear."
       #Post#: 300--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Roundup at the Borderlands
   DIR By: MichaelH23
       Date: July 18, 2016, 9:37 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       ISS Orpheus
       Commander Dickson paced the deck in front of the captain's
       chair, growing impatient for Commodore Rhess' return. Thrik had
       just delivered the news, conveyed by long-range sensors, of the
       enemy advance and Lt. Commander Narik drummed his fingers on his
       console. Ensign Ryujin looked nervous, which Dickson could
       understand. The enemy fleet was quite formidable on the
       viewscreen, blotting out the distant blue dot of Atlantica.
       Ryujin - "I hope the commodore gets back soon. I'd hate to go
       into battle without an experienced leader."
       Dickson shot him a insulted glare, which made Ryujin whither
       under the barrage.
       Ryujin - "Not saying you couldn't lead this battle, sir."
       Tahna - "You might want to stop while you're ahead, ensign.
       Dickson wasn't entirely thrilled with the idea of turning over
       command to Commodore Rhess. Its not because of her gender or her
       prior experience, but more out of concern for her seeming
       one-track mind when it comes to the Great Houses."
       Ryujin - "But Tahna, if she experienced all those things at
       their hands, wouldn't it stand to reason that she has legitimate
       grievances against them?"
       Dickson - "I just hope that grievance doesn't cost us dearly."
       At that moment, the turbolift doors hissed open and Commodore
       Rhess stepped onto the Bridge. Dickson walked back to the center
       of the Bridge as Rhess met him in front of the command chairs.
       Rhess - "Report."
       Thrik - "Enemy fleet has begun their advance. Looks like the Xie
       fleet is taking point. Their frigates and  assault cruisers are
       forming the spear tip of their advance."
       Dickson - "Looks as though they may want to soften us up before
       they bring their big guns to bear. What about the Jovepenians
       and Rhamosians?"
       Thrik - "They're spreading out slightly but holding back. Guess
       they intend to let the Xie throw the full weight of their fleet
       into the battle."
       Ryujin - "That's good, right? We can isolate the JVP and
       Rhamosians from the Xie, right?"
       Tahna - "Theoratically we could. However, Empress Athena has
       likely expressed a desire to cross swords with us as well. In
       all likelihood, the Rhamosians are only involved so far as their
       allies are involved."
       Rhess - "It no longer matters. What we face in the here and now
       is a united enemy fleet bent on evicting us from Milky Way then
       crossing the intergalactic divide and eliminating us forever. We
       cannot allow that. Thrik, put me on with the rest of the fleet."
       Thrik - "You're on, Commodore."
       Rhess - "Attention all Imperial ships. The enemy is advancing.
       All ships Excelsior-class and larger form up. Centaur, Miranda,
       Nebula, and Ambassador groups provide cover fire for the
       Peregrines and runabouts. Starfuries and Thunderbolts move to
       advance positions."
       Dickson - "Any plans from the IGF?"
       Rhess - "Just one. Reestablish the surface-to-orbit artillery on
       Atlantica. We can then box them in and force them to either
       fight or surrender."
       Dickson - "What will their role be in this?"
       Rhess - "Support. Nothing more and nothing less. They're still
       on course for the showdown at Verulon Prime."
       Dickson felt disappointed and he let it show in his voice and
       tone. "Good to know we can count on them."
       Thrik - "Picking up a tachyon disturbance moving through the
       fleet. Origin is the IGF fleet."
       Rhess - "That would be the tech teams en route to Atlantica.
       They're using a phasing cloak for the purpose. The only reason
       you can detect them is that they've misaligned the radiation
       buffers slightly. Once they clear the armada, they'll readjust
       and you'll lose them. Inform the other ships not to hinder that
       transport. Don't want to give the enemy reason to use their
       antiproton scanners and tachyon detection grids."
       Thrik - "Message acknowledged, Commodore."
       Dickson - "Sir, considering the enemy also have missile
       cruisers, wouldn't it be prudent to activate the missile jamming
       systems and the point-defense lasers?"
       Rhess - "Quite right, commander. Thrik, send to the fleet.
       Activate missile jamming and point-defense systems."
       The missile jamming system consisted of a device which put out
       an active EM field just outside the shield perimeter of a
       starship. The idea being to deflect missiles launched directly
       against the starship by an enemy ship. The point-defense lasers,
       modified from its original system standard on Juggernaut troop
       transports and MMBs acted to destroy missiles launched against
       fighters or other starships. Between the two, the armada would
       be protected at least from the missiles, though Rhess was unsure
       if the Great Houses had developed the fabled transphasic
       missiles. If such were to prove true, then the battle could get
       even bloodier.
       Rhess - "Have the Peregrines and runabouts advance. Let's see if
       we can rile the Xie commanders enough to make mistakes we can
       exploit."
       Dickson - "The wait is over."
       #Post#: 301--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Roundup at the Borderlands
   DIR By: MichaelH23
       Date: July 18, 2016, 11:17 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Peregine-class heavy fighter Ben Nevis, leading advance.
       CAG Eddie Weiss, nicknamed 'Edelweiss' by his peers, looked out
       the viewport of his fighter at the enemy fleet moving
       relentlessly toward them. He was glad that, should he become the
       first casualty in the coming battle, he would not die alone. The
       cockpit of the Peregrine-class fighter was designed to
       accomodate 12 but only need a crew of six to operate. In
       addition, the fighters were equipped with torpedo launchers, six
       phaser banks (two beam-generating banks forward, two
       pulse-generating banks forward, and one of each aft), rotating
       shield emitters which could 'rotate' through various
       frequencies, and an emergency transporter pad in the back
       compartments. To his left manning the weapons station, his
       companion and partner Misty Beltine, nicknamed 'Mistletoe' in
       keeping with the floral nicknaming, watched her boards for signs
       of enemy weapons lock. To his right manning the navigation
       station, Montagu Mallad with the more animal nickname 'Geoduck'
       kept the fighter on its course.
       Beltine - "Hey Edelweiss, you think the enemy has any idea about
       the restoration of Galaxy-1?"
       Weiss - "If they don't know, Mistletoe, they will soon enough. I
       doubt they've been able to scan past our task force and detect
       the station."
       Beltine - "I heard a rumor that the IGF is sending a team to
       restore power to the batteries on the surface of Atlantica, give
       the enemy something else to worry about."
       Mallad - "I think its more than just a rumor. I've been tracking
       an unusual tachyon disturbance for the last three minutes. It
       seems to be on a direct heading for the planet that will take it
       through the enemy fleet."
       Weiss - "Discontinue tracking it, Mallad. We don't want the
       enemy getting too curious as to what we're watching. We want
       them focused on us."
       Beltine - "Besides, if it is the team, we want them to land
       safely on the planet surface."
       Behind Mallad, manning the engineering and damage-control
       stations, Hansuke Miyori ignored the banter between the three
       officers and remained focused on monitoring the impulse and warp
       drives, making sure they were ready in case of emergency. She
       had acquired the nickname 'Lotus' because of her delicate
       appearance, with almost snow-white skin, slanted blue eyes and
       jet black hair she kept in a geisha style.
       Mallad - "I took the scanners off passive mode and the
       disturbance has vanished completely. If that is the tech team, I
       wish them luck navigating through the enemy to get to
       Atlantica."
       Beltine - "I'm picking up missile batteries becoming active on
       the enemy side. They may be loading up."
       Miyori - "Point-defense systems active. Missile jamming on
       standby."
       Weiss - "All Peregrine and runabout groups, stand by. Enemy is
       preparing to attack. Let them take the first shot, then give 'em
       Hell."
       Beltine - "Enemy missiles going hot! They're locking on. Enemy
       fighters moving out to advance positions."
       Weiss - "Helm, get ready to commence Attack Pattern Nu-1"
       Mallad - "Standing by."
       At that moment, the enemy fleet unleashed its bevy of missiles.
       Weiss could see the contrails of several missiles approaching
       his combined squadron, though not the missile bearing down on
       his own fighter. Beltine, however, seen it and reacted
       immediately, punching the controls that activated the
       missile-jamming system. At the last second, the missile bearing
       down on them suddenly averted course, swinging away to port
       before getting blasted by the point-defense laser from the
       adjacent Peregrine.
       Beltine - "Enemy fighters advancing!"
       Weiss - "Helm, execute Attack Pattern Nu-1. Tactical, open up on
       them as they pass."
       Seconds ticked by as the orders were executed. Through the
       viewport, Weiss could see the enemy fighter closing to attack
       range, then swerve suddenly to starboard as Mallad executed his
       order. Beltine saw her chance as the enemy fighter proved slow
       to react and she laid into it with a withering blast which
       ripped it in half.
       Weiss - "Nice job, Geoduck. Good shooting, Mistletoe. Bring us
       back around and let's get this party started. Lotus, watch our
       systems."
       Yes, he was happy to be in the thick of battle with his
       colleagues and friends.
       cont'd>
       #Post#: 305--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Roundup at the Borderlands
   DIR By: MichaelH23
       Date: August 3, 2016, 10:10 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       < cont'd
       Xie Frigate Ashita
       Lord Mogato gripped the armrests of his chair as his ship
       trembled and bucked beneath his feet. While he truly despised
       the Trekkies as a "gnat power" trying to bring down the mighty
       tiger, he also had to reluctantly admire their determination and
       near-religious zeal as they drove deep into the Grand Fleet. All
       around him, the bridge was filled with acrid smoke, making it
       hard to tell who among his crew remained uninjured, though he
       could hear the shouts over the constant boom and rumble of
       battle. At his side, Minor Lord Taeno shook his head in
       disbelief.
       Taeno - "They've prepared well. Their point-defense systems have
       destroyed nearly all our missiles, and those that remain have
       been deflected by their jamming systems."
       Mogato - "Damn them! We can't let them get a beachhead in this
       galaxy, otherwise we'll never dislodge them. Send to
       Commander-Lord Togoyama. We need to employ other means to attack
       these damn gnats."
       Taeno - "Miyoku, get on the line to Commander-Lord Togoyama.
       Tell him we need a larger fly-swatter to beat back these gnats."
       Mogato - "While we wait for our illustrious Meiji commander to
       give the order, arm the railguns and turbolasers. If we can't
       destroy them with missiles, we'll destroy them with everything
       else."
       Taeno - "That could be viewed as treason. After all, you aren't
       of House Meiji and only House Meiji can issue those orders."
       Mogato - "I may not be of House Meiji, but the Great Houses are
       a united force. Why else call it 'The Great Houses of Xie'?"
       Taeno - "You make a good case, but you and I both know the
       situation back home is precarious. If we lose this battle, it
       will be the incentive House Meiji needs to attempt another
       coup."
       Mogato - "Let them try. There is strong opposition to them in
       the House Council. They will fail."
       Taeno - "Don't be too sure. That opposition which had united to
       defeat the last coup attempt is falling apart now."
       Mogato - "Then let me light the way to the opposition with this
       battle."
       He turned to the navigator, who was a member of a House which
       had yet to attain even the dignity of being called a Minor
       House.
       Mogato - "Take us into the fire and order the other frigate
       captains to do the same. If they dare to question me, or request
       confirmation from Lord Togoyama, warn them that I will not allow
       them to live to see the triumph of the Great Houses."
       The navigator, not wishing to incur the wrath of a member of a
       Great House, and seeing that he had no support, not even from
       Minor Lord Taeno-who wasn't even paying attention to the
       conversation, watching instead the movements of the Trekkie
       ships, obeyed without delay. Mogato was rewarded when he felt
       the reverberations change slightly, indicating that his ship was
       charging into the battle. On the viewscreen, one of the Trekkie
       Peregrines rocked from blasts delivered by the railguns. Good,
       now we're getting somewhere with these annoying gnats, he
       thought to himself. He looked up as a blur roared past, then
       found himself staring down the barrels of three more Peregrines,
       which promptly unleashed a barrage of phaser blasts that shook
       his ship again.
       #Post#: 306--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Roundup at the Borderlands
   DIR By: MichaelH23
       Date: August 3, 2016, 10:37 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       ISS Orpheus
       Commodore Rhess flinched every time one of the Peregrines
       exploded, feeling the loss deep down in her core. She knew that
       Dickson was watching her, but she didn't care. Whatever her
       reputation, she still felt and she wasn't afraid to let it show.
       Behind her and Dickson, Thrik continued giving a running
       commentary on the opening round of the battle, which was a
       combination of heart-warming triumphs and heart-breaking
       tragedies. She knew both sides were already enduring more loss
       than either commander would like, but she was also aware the
       Great Houses had brought it on themselves by interfering with
       the Civil War and trying to start a second civil war in Showa.
       Narik - "Commodore, we've lost 78 ships thus far. The Xie have
       lost 119. Jovepenia and Rhamos have yet to lose any ships."
       Dickson - "That's because they're still watching the Xie and
       trying to determine if they should enter the battle on their
       side. They joined only to provide more intimidation, not to
       actively engage."
       Thrik - "That may be about to change, Commander. I'm picking up
       power fluctuations from the Jovepenian fleet. They're charging
       weapons and raising their deflector screens.....same readings
       now coming from the Rhamosians."
       Ryujin - "They could be trying to surround our Peregrines and
       runabouts so they can destroy them and cripple our ability to
       screen their fighters."
       Dickson - "If they do that, they could even launch ordinances at
       us at FTL speeds and we'd be caught unprepared."
       Rhess - "Have the Interdictor cruisers spread out among the
       fleet and activate their FTLi fields. That will alleviate the
       risk substantially."
       Dickson - "I'm on it, Commodore."
       Dovas - "I'm getting panicked calls from decks 8, 9, and 17.
       They claim to have ODN failure."
       Rhess - "Have tech teams dispatched to check those reports."
       Dovas - "Yes Ma'am."
       Dickson - "We still need to do something to help those runabouts
       out there."
       Rhess - "I'm aware of that, Commander. Thrik, signal the
       Defiant, Akira, Centaur and Steamrunner wings to move in and
       engage the destroyers and frigates. Tell them if the Jovepenians
       and Rhamosians open fire on them, they have clearance to engage
       them."
       Thrik - "Message sent."
       Rhess - "Ryujin, take us in with the Centaurs. Thrik, full power
       to forward shields and target closest Xie vessel. As soon as
       we're in range, give them everything you got."
       Thrik - "Yes, Ma'am."
       Rhess - "Tahna, signal the capital ships to stand by and be
       ready to move in."
       As Narik carried out her order, Rhess went to her chair and took
       a seat, gripping the armrests as the first blasts from the Xie
       fleet struck her ship's shields.
       #Post#: 307--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Roundup at the Borderlands
   DIR By: MichaelH23
       Date: August 8, 2016, 1:52 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       IGFS Undaunted bridge
       Ghimones could only watch the spectacle play out on the
       viewscreen, as the main view-port-as expansive as it
       was-provided little detail on the raging battle. Brubank
       provided occasional commentary on the battle, while Korolevna
       monitored the communications channels. Berentine had little to
       do but watch the battle as Ghimones was doing. A buzz from
       Brubank's station caught their attention. Berentine walked over
       to the Tactical station, leaving Ghimones to continue to watch.
       He knew that whatever prompted the First Officer's departure for
       Brubank's station would be shared as soon as she assessed the
       information.
       Berentine - "Looks like Commodore Rhess has sent in the small
       ships."
       Brubank - "Defiant, Akira, Centaur and Steamrunner groups. She's
       holding back the Mirandas, Soyuz, and Saber groups and placed
       the capital ships on standby."
       Korolevna - "She may be trying to punch through the center while
       keeping enough ships back to guard the flanks in case the
       Jovepenians and Rhamosians try to cut her off."
       Brubank - "Certainly a risky move by the commodore."
       Ghimones - "She strikes me as the kind of person who is willing
       to risk everything, especially given that she has nothing left
       to lose."
       Berentine - "What do you mean, sir?"
       Ghimones - "I accessed her personnel file before she arrived.
       She lost everything that meant a great deal to her, including
       family. Anyone who loses so much is that much more willing to
       dare and risk because they believe they have nothing left to
       lose except their lives, and they no longer feel they have
       anything to live for."
       Berentine - "And yet she was selected to be the commodore for
       the Imperial Trekylonian Fleet. What was the War Minister
       thinking?"
       Ghimones - "It wasn't the War Minister who appointed her. It was
       Drake I himself."
       Korolevna nodded in understanding - "A message to the Concordiat
       in general and the Great Houses in particular...making clear
       that he's serious about this war."
       Brubank - "Let's just hope she's not too serious. Trekylon may
       be a founding nation of the IGF and a Consulate nation, but she
       is bound by the same regulations she drafted for the other
       members. Rhess goes off half-cocked, it could put the empire in
       a precarious position vis-a-vis the rest of the faction."
       Berentine - "Careful, Walter. More than 90% of all the IGF
       officers and enlisted are Trekylonian citizens or citizens of
       Inuyashia, including the Fleet-Commander."
       Brubank was about to say something more, but a beeping at his
       console drew his attention to the combat sensors. The look of
       shock on his face didn't spell anything good to Berentine.
       Brubank - "Fleet-Commander, the Jovepenians and Rhamosians are
       moving to flank the Imperial Trekylonian Fleet. Rhess has just
       flown into a trap and she'll need those capital ships sooner
       than she liked."
       Korolevna - "I think she heard you, Lieutenant. The capital
       ships are moving into attack formations and into the fight."
       Brubank - "It won't be enough. She's lost 107 ships already and
       another seven are showing extensive damage."
       Ghimones was now in a precarious position. His orders from the
       Chief of State were clear. They were not to actively engage in
       battle unless directly attacked by the enemy, yet 80% of the
       fleet still owed their loyalty to Trekylon the nation despite
       pledging themselves to the very organization Trekylon helped
       birth. He himself felt the pull of battle and his conscious
       struggled between his loyalty and oath to the IGF and his love
       for the nation of his birth and fealty to that nation. He could
       see the same struggle in Berentine and Korolevna. He knew
       Brubank hailed from a planet not a part of the Trekylonian
       Imperial Commonwealth, but he also knew Brubank would follow
       orders without hesitation. He made his decision as, on the
       viewscreen, three Galaxy-class Trekylonian ships took severe
       damage and exploded, sending pieces crashing into surrounding
       ships and damaging friend and foe alike.
       Ghimones - "Korolevna, have the frigates, gunships and cruisers
       break formation and follow the Trekylonian ships in. All other
       ships are to flank the Jovepenians and Rhamosians. Let's do to
       them what they're trying to do to the Trekylonians and hope
       we're not too late for the party."
       Berentine - "All bays, launch fighters."
       The time for action had come at last.
       #Post#: 308--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Roundup at the Borderlands
   DIR By: MichaelH23
       Date: August 8, 2016, 2:48 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Saafian Cloud, adjoining the jurisdictional boundaries of
       Klingon, Romulan, Terran Federation and Gorn space. Trekylon
       The Saafian Cloud, named after the Sa-Toran scientist who first
       viewed it through a telescope on his homeworld some 1.4
       light-years away, seemed at first glance to be nothing more than
       the typical nebulae that graced various regions of Imperial and
       non-Imperial space. Closer examination revealed a cloud of
       charged plasma, dust and gas in a slowly evolving state of
       fluctuation. It looked like nothing so much as a series of
       stacked shelf clouds, but it hid asteroidal debris, white and
       black dwarf star remnants and charged particles. Radiation,
       while not high enough to present a navigational danger or risk
       to starship crews, was still too high to allow lifeforms to
       exist on planets within, assuming there were planets within the
       tumult. Removed from the navigational lanes, it was of interest
       only to scientists and occasionally curious tourists looking for
       a photo-op. With the cloud serving as an appropriate backdrop, a
       ripple in the fabric of space began, then took on a large shape.
       It solidified slowly, like the reflection in a pond, and finally
       coalesced into the imposing form of a Romulan D'Deridex-class
       Warbird. Minutes later, a smaller form rippled into existence to
       port of the Warbird, which dwarfed the smaller ship. The Klingon
       Bird-of-Prey took up station adjoining the Warbird as streaks of
       light reduced themselves to points, ships decelerating to
       half-impulse power. The Kinshaya warcruiser Pontifex cruised to
       its position before both the Klingon and Romulan ships. Next
       came the Gorn cruiser Rakessh, taking its position next to the
       Kinshaya. A slightly larger ship, resembling a crystalline
       shard, took up position close to the Gorn. That being the last
       ship to arrive, a future destiny could now be planned among the
       Founder Races of the empire.
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       IRW Dokanek
       Commander Ritol had to admire the graceful curves of the
       Kinshaya ship on her viewscreen, in comparison to the more boxy
       Gorn cruiser it slightly dwarfed. Dwarfing both, the large
       shard-like Tholian battleship looked menacing. Ritol had been
       surprised the Tholians agreed to send a delegate ship to the
       meeting called for by Praetor Gell Kamemor, as she knew them to
       have little to do with the galaxy and only maintained, as a
       matter of diplomatic protocol, an embassy with the Imperial
       government on Gaia from the orbiting base-star known as
       Protector. That base-star would soon become obsolete as the
       empire, in partnership with the Intergalactic Federacy of which
       the Founder Races were automatically members thanks to their
       status in Greater Trekylon, would soon be building a new class
       of starbase. It was rumored that the design of the Mark I
       base-star, which Protector was said to be, would be incorporated
       into the new design. She also knew that Kamemor had requested
       IGF help in bringing an idea into fruition, a space-station
       which would allow the Founder Races to maintain delegates in the
       Gaia-Hera system while taking into account the special
       requirements of the delegates themselves. Her ruminations were
       interrupted by the sound of the doors opening behind her. Just
       to the left of the large mosaic displaying the image of the
       raptor clutching Romulus, the symbol of the Star Empire, Gell
       Kamemor stepped onto the command deck. All heads turned and
       salutes were given as she walked to where Ritol stood, just in
       front of her chair. Kamemor had aged significantly despite the
       fact she still only appeared middle-aged. It was well-known that
       Romulans, like their Vulcan cousins, could live to be over 200
       years old. Kamemor was only 144 years old.
       Kamemor - "Have the other ships provided the signal?"
       Ritol - "Confirmed, Praetor. All the ships have sent their reply
       on transponder frequencies we provided them when you set up this
       meeting."
       Kamemor - "Very well."
       Ritol - "If I may make comment, Praetor?"
       Kamemor - "Speak your mind, Commander."
       Ritol - "I believe this will be a significant step for Greater
       Trekylon, but especially for the Romulan people. For too long
       our brothers have been separated from us. I'm also certain the
       Klingons will wish to reestablish control over the systems they
       were forced to leave behind as well."
       Kamemor - "I appreciate the support, but this meeting is not
       about the war with Barlat, although I hope to convince the
       others to contribute three fleets to the assistance of the
       emperor and the Intergalactic Federacy in that conflict."
       Ritol - "Then this is about the space-station idea you presented
       to the IGF Diet and the emperor."
       Kamemor - "I have yet to present the idea to the emperor, but
       the IGF Diet has been informed. I hope to receive commitments
       from the other governments before going to Drake I."
       Ritol - "You seek to gain unanimous approval."
       Kamemor - "The Humans have done much to bring us all together.
       They have become....the cement...that has bound us all. It is to
       the legacy of the Great Michael that we continue to build those
       bounds. Building a space station with a common area, as well as
       living quarters specially designed with the race in mind will
       help, especially with the Tholians. Plus, the day is coming when
       we will need to welcome the Breen to the fold as a Founder
       Race."
       Ritol - "And the Tzenkethi?"
       Kamemor - "Them as well. Their recent conflict with the Kzin has
       prevented Drake I from entering into any talks with them."
       Communications Officer - "Praetor, Commander. The other ships
       signal they're ready to open frequencies."
       Ritol - "Permission to remain on the bridge?"
       Kamemor - "This is your ship, Commander. I am merely a
       high-level passenger about to conduct a meeting over a
       audio-visual channel."
       Ritol turned to the Communications Officer - "Open hailing
       frequencies."
       Communications Officer - "Frequencies open, Commander."
       Ritol took her seat as the image of the various ships vanished,
       replaced by a 4-way split screen showing the delegates from the
       Klingons, Gorn, Tholians, and Kinshaya. Here we go, she thought
       to herself as she straightened and watched Kamemor begin the
       meeting.
       cont'd>
       #Post#: 312--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Roundup at the Borderlands
   DIR By: MichaelH23
       Date: September 4, 2016, 1:51 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       <cont'd
       Kamemor approached the viewscreen, partly so that she would have
       the undivided attention of the other delegates and partly to
       ease the slight tension which had permeated the bridge ever
       since their arrival in the Saafian Cloud. She instantly
       recognized the Klingon chancellor, Kurn, as well as the Gorn
       imperator, Gozzorin, and the Kinshaya emissary for the Pontifex
       Minima, Rey'kasha. The only one she could not recall was the
       Tholian diplomat, Baskene. Little in fact was known about
       Baskene, especially the gender. Baskene's face was distorted due
       to the intense heat and atmospheric composition which the
       Tholians depended on to survive, but clearly his (her?) aura was
       a deep red. Kurn wore a scowl that Kamemor recognized as being
       typical of Klingons.
       Kurn - "What do you want?"
       Another trait typical of Klingons, she thought to herself as she
       addressed the assembled group on the viewer.
       Kamemor - "For some time, we each have formed a vital backbone
       to the Trekylon Empire. It is true that our races didn't always
       agree on many things....in fact, we were more often than not at
       each other's throats. The Klingons and Kinshaya had been at war
       off and on for centuries, while the Gorn and Tholians were never
       keen on interacting with other races. Sadly, my own people had
       shown a chauvinistic tendency which often caused conflict."
       Gozzorin - "This is all well-known to us, Praetor. Please make
       your point."
       Kamemor was not surprised by the Gorn response. Their race was
       one that preferred to come to a point straight on, which
       sometimes made them ruthless negotiators.
       Kamemor - "You are no doubt aware that the Humans have begun
       their campaign to return to the Milky Way galaxy."
       Kurn - "Of course we are. You forget who serves as War Minister
       for the empire?"
       Kamemor - "Of course not. The point that I am about to make is
       this: ever since we came in contact with the Humans, we have all
       experienced some form of fundamental change...even the Tholians,
       despite their best efforts to remain isolated."
       Baskene - "Do you deem to insult us when we have been gracious
       enough to leave the security of our space to attend your
       meeting?"
       Kamemor was lucky the Universal Translators were working.
       Baskene's language would otherwise be nothing but angry chirps,
       clicks and squeals that no one could understand.
       Kamemor - "No I do not. I deem to say only that the time has
       come to commit ourselves to the support and defense of the
       Greater Empire. This is a Human-led war effort against an enemy
       who wronged them and indirectly us as well, and it is only right
       that they should lead. The Romulan Star Empire is prepared to
       lend 600,000 ships to their effort. I now ask what each of your
       governments are willing to contribute."
       Kurn - "As you know, we Klingons never back down from a good
       fight. But more important, we never forget who our friends are,
       as well as who our enemies are. I will commit an additional
       600,000 ships for their war."
       Gozzorin - "You Klingons would fight your own shadows if
       challenged. Still, I have to admit to admiring your martial
       qualities. Because you are involved, we will also be involved.
       600,000 ships will be made ready for combat."
       Kurn - "Then may you die well, Gozzorin. I salute you and your
       people."
       Baskene - "My government would prefer to remain isolationist.
       But we have come to understand that this cannot always be. The
       recent civil war among the Humans proved that we can no longer
       afford to remain totally isolated, even if we wanted to. I
       cannot, however as yet, pledge ships to the conflict."
       Gozzorin - "Good. That leaves more for us and the Klingons."
       Rey'kasha - "Have you already forgotten that we too, wish to
       join this Holy Crusade against the Barlat enemy? We will pledge
       600,000 ships and as many Holy Warriors as is needed to bring
       the Barlat nonbelievers to repentance."
       Kurn - "Everything with you has to be about the 'Holy Jihad' or
       'Holy Crusade'."
       Rey'kasha - "Do not mock our faith, Chancellor."
       Kamemor shook her head. It seemed that it was becoming just like
       a typical day before the Romulan senate. She raised her hand and
       cried out "Kroy'ya!" which had the result she sought...the
       silence from the Klingon and Kinshaya emissaries.
       cont'd>
       #Post#: 313--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Roundup at the Borderlands
   DIR By: MichaelH23
       Date: September 6, 2016, 1:44 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       <cont'd
       Kamemor - "Has anyone met with a Cardassian or Breen
       representative to seek their pledge to join our multiracial
       armada?"
       Baskene - "No one has met with the Cardassians as of yet."
       Kurn - "The Breen still reside in Galaxy 12-A and play a nonrole
       in Bode's Galaxy affairs. The emperor has recently granted them
       Founder Race status, but has yet to discuss Breen settlement in
       Galaxy 23-A, plus they have those dishonorable Maquis dogs to
       babysit."
       Rey'kasha - "We can provide you with the 600,000 ships you need,
       but I'm afraid there is another issue that needs to be brought
       up."
       Kamemor was stunned. Not moments earlier, she had the Kinshaya
       pledge for military assistance. Now there was a caveat to the
       aid attached.
       Kamemor - "What issue is that?"
       Rey'kasha - "Our outer worlds have been raided by unknown
       parties. None of the ships we've tracked and attempted to
       capture bear any resemblance to the ships we are familiar with.
       If we have to fill in for any ships destroyed in your goodwill
       effort, we would have to pull them from our security forces,
       which would leave us open to further raids."
       Kamemor - "I understand the necessity to maintain your borders.
       I'm certain Drake I will provide extra support once he can crush
       the Barlat invaders."
       Kurn - "So Praetor, who will meet with the Cardassians and bring
       them into our cabal?"
       Kamemor - "I believe you just volunteered for that task,
       Chancellor."
       Kurn's look of disgust could shatter planets. He growled low and
       stared down Kamemor as if she had propositioned him for sexual
       favors.
       Kurn - "Leave me to have to face that tOr'ZaH Garak. You wound
       me, Praetor."
       Kamemor - "Be thankful you won't have to engage the Breen Domo,
       Chancellor."
       The other emissaries nodded in agreement. They had experienced
       firsthand what negotiations with Breen were like, and all but
       the Tholians chose to maintain only the barest contacts with the
       Confederacy. Before Kamemor could sign off on the commchannels,
       Gozzorin asked a question which came through on her UT clearly,
       yet nonetheless caught her offguard.
       Gozzorin - "Who will inform the Human emperor of this pledge?
       Will you speak for all of us?"
       Kamemor - "I will not usurp your governments' right to refuse
       the pledge, nor will I act without the complete support of all
       of you here."
       Baskene - "On this alone, you have the support of the Tholian
       government. However, we will decide when to add our part of the
       armada to the battle, not you or the Human, Drake I. We have our
       sovereign rights."
       The others also announced their support for the planned armada.
       Kamemor felt a burden lifting off her shoulders and she relaxed
       slightly.
       Kamemor - "Then, when the time is appropriate, there will be a
       signal transmitted along the network. That signal will be the
       signal to gather at these coordinates. On behalf of the Romulan
       government, I thank you."
       One by one, the channels closed on the other end, returning to
       the view of the various ships set against the swirling miasma of
       the cloud beyond. The scientist in Kamemor wanted to go deeper
       into the cloud and examine it from within, but the soldier and
       stateswoman in her knew that there was still much to be done.
       Ritol had risen from her command chair and moved to stand next
       to the praetor as she watched the other ships angle away from
       hers, on headings taking them back to their respective
       territories.
       Ritol - "That went well. I think you won a diplomatic victory,
       even over the Tholians."
       Kamemor - "Yes. A diplomatic victory. Now we must help the
       Humans win their military victory, or all this will be for
       naught. Have your helmsman set a course for the Second Gate.
       We'll need to travel to Galaxy 12-A and meet with Domo Pran and
       Thot Gor."
       #Post#: 314--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Roundup at the Borderlands
   DIR By: MichaelH23
       Date: September 8, 2016, 4:30 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Meanwhile...
       The Battle of Gateway Sector, the first full engagement in the
       IGF-Barlat War, the Restoration War, or the Trekylon Succession
       War, continued to rage from Atlantica to the city-station
       Galaxy-1. Both fleets suffered major losses in both men and
       ships, but gradually, the Barlat Armada began to lose ground.
       Trekylon's armada, supplemented by the first of three IGF
       fleets, began to press their advantage. Total losses thus far
       sustained are as follows:
       Trekylon = 58 starships destroyed, 1,200 people killed (19
       starships seriously damaged/878 people injured)
       Intergalactic Federacy = 12 starships destroyed, 700 people
       killed
       Great Houses of Xie = 117 starships destroyed, 1,990 killed (7
       starships seriously damaged/563 people injured)
       Rest of Barlat Armada = 100 starships destroyed, 2,225 killed
       (47 starships seriously damaged/1,998 people injured)
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Surface of Atlantica. 5 miles from power station at Atluc
       Mountain.
       Roget D'Lise could not believe his luck when he stepped down the
       ramp and emerged into bright sunshine. His craft, which had been
       retrofitted with a Romulan cloaking device, had managed to slip
       through the enemy armada just before the shooting war started,
       sailing past large Xie battleships, Jovepenian destroyers and
       Rhamosian cruisers without so much as attracting their
       attention. D'Lise had been skeptical of the plan laid down by
       Commodore Rhess until they past the enemy fleet and began their
       descent through the atmosphere of the former colony world.
       D'Lise's team had been given orders to begin reactivating the
       planetary defense systems by restoring control to the targeting
       computers so the gunners who were also with them could then
       begin their task of attacking the enemy from the rear flank.
       Among his tech team was a bear of a man, David Tucker, who could
       bench-press 400 lbs easily, overturn a shuttle with his bare
       hands, and was the second most experienced man on the team other
       than himself. Tucker followed D'Lise down the ramp and took a
       deep breath of the fresh Atlantican air as Tech Specialist Gwen
       Xi Bao, techs Batali Figuroa, Alan Lanning, Bruce Milkowski,
       Tessa MacKenna and Ufunda Delunga began their descent down the
       ramp.
       Xi Bao - "Its been years since anyone has stepped foot on this
       planet. Seems little has changed in four years."
       Milkowski - "Hopefully the power systems are still fully
       charged. We shut them down when we had to flee so that no one
       would know we were here, otherwise either Laptev or Barlat would
       be crawling all over the planet by now."
       MacKenna - "Those mountains look so beautiful. I wish my husband
       was alive to see them."
       Lanning - "You lived here before?"
       MacKenna - "With my husband for three years after we were
       married. We were going to have children, then he was called to
       do a survey which happened to be close to the warzone during the
       Horizon War. He was killed trying to get out of the combat
       area."
       Xi Bao - "I thought nobody was killed from the empire during
       that war despite our involvement as Tamriel's ally?"
       MacKenna - "The Tamrielans discovered his body floating among
       the wreckage only weeks after the end of the war. They were very
       nice in returning the body to the empire, but it still hurt that
       he died."
       Figuroa - "You should've married a technician and not a
       scientist. At least we haven't lost anyone in any wars."
       Xi Bao - "Yet."
       Figuroa - "Leave it to you to find the black cloud in every
       silver lining."
       Lanning - "I thought it was the silver lining in every black
       cloud?"
       Xi Bao - "Apparently I'm the anti-cheerleader, according to Mr
       Figuroa."
       Milkowski - "He's only being an asshole because he wants to get
       in Mackie's panties now that she's a widow."
       D'Lise - "Okay, let's keep the drama down to nil. We have a job
       to do. Atluc Mountain is our destination. The power station was
       built beneath the ground for protection  from orbital
       bombardment. Master Control is there, as well."
       Xi Bao - "In other words, no stopping to take pictures."
       Tucker - "If we reactivate the computer systems and the master
       control, I'll give everyone leave to do some sight-seeing.
       That's a guarantee."
       Milkowski - "He's buying. So Batali, keep it in your pants. We
       have a job to do....and even if not for that, Mackie isn't
       interested in your sausage."
       Figuroa - "She hasn't yet experienced the power between my legs.
       She might like it."
       MacKenna - "In case you forgot, Batali, I'm right here..and you
       have as much a chance of getting me out of my panties as Tucker
       has of becoming a 5-star general.....no offense, David."
       Tucker - "None taken."
       The group began their trek to the base of Atluc Mountain.
       *****************************************************
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