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#Post#: 315--------------------------------------------------
Re: Roundup at the Borderlands
DIR By: MichaelH23
Date: September 8, 2016, 10:35 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
ISS Ivan The Terrible
Rasmanov had not been able to let go of his chair since the
engagement began. His Helm and Tactical officers worked in
tandem to keep the ship from taking the most severe damage while
inflicting damage of its own on the enemy. Though the ship
managed to dodge the worst of the enemy blasts, enough struck to
shake the vessel. Valik remained at his seat, directing
damage-control parties to various decks in an effort to repair
the critical damages. The rest of the crew gripped their
stations tightly as the ship made one maneuver after another.
Rasmanov - "Helm, break through! Tactical, hit that Rhamosian
cruiser again!"
Helm Officer - "I'm trying, but those damned Jovepenian torpedo
ships keep trying to hem me in"
Tactical Officer - "Just give me enough room and I can shake
them off."
Helm Officer - "Try telling them damned Jovepenians that!"
Rasmanov - "Do the best you can. Tactical, give me a stat-rep on
the rest of the fleet."
Tactical Officer - "62 ships destroyed, 22 heavily damaged. The
enemy has lost 265 ships in total."
Rasmanov - "One last strike on the Rhamosian cruiser, then we
need to go after more Xie ships."
Tactical Officer - "Aft torpedoes firing."
Helm Officer - "Heading 2-5-9 mark 2. Got a Xie dreadnaught
coming into weapons range. Looks like Orpheus is also
approaching the enemy ship."
Rasmanov - "Let's see if we can lend the ol' Cossack woman some
assistance in taking down Goliath there. Tactical, lock onto any
weapons ports and neutralize them."
Helm Officer - "Shit. More Jovepenian torpedo ships coming fast.
I'll need to readjust our heading to stay out of their firing
solution."
Tactical Officer - "Do that and I'll have to readjust my
targeting sensors, and that will cost valuable time!"
Rasmanov - "If he doesn't, then we won't have to worry about
targeting solutions because between that dreadnaught and those
torpedo ships, we'll be destroyed. Execute."
The ship took a sharp evasive turn to port, narrowly avoiding
the incoming fire from the Jovepenian ships. Rasmanov gripped
his chair tighter as the ship was brought back into trim at the
same moment that it began unleashing its lethal fire on the
dreadnaught's weapons ports.
Tactical Officer - "Captain, I got new readings from behind us.
Looks like the next wave of Imperial and IGF starships have
arrived."
Rasmanov - "Good. Now if the folks down on Atlantica can get
those guns restored, we can box in the enemy and annihilate
them, or force them to surrender."
Valik - "Unless they bring in reinforcements before we can close
the box, in which case, they will be able to drive us back."
Rasmanov - "Mr Valik, this is one time I wish you'd shut up."
#Post#: 317--------------------------------------------------
Re: Roundup at the Borderlands
DIR By: MichaelH23
Date: September 9, 2016, 1:36 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
ISS Orpheus
"Commodore, we have reinforcements coming in, weapons hot!"
That warning from Lieutenant Thrik alarmed Commodore Carlia
Rhess as she watched her ship tear into a Jovepenian destroyer.
Several smaller craft, Peregrines, were harrying the torpedo
ships trying to attack Orpheus. In the farther distance a
Defiant-class starship was spiraling powerless, as was a
Centaur-class ship with almost half its saucer completely
destroyed. Rhess was becoming uneasy about the battle, despite
the fact the enemy was losing twice as many ships as the armada.
Ryujin - "Should I bring us about and withdraw?"
Narik - "Hold on, Ryu. Those reinforcements might not even be
for the enemy fleet. If we withdraw, the other ship captains
will become demoralized and start fleeing themselves."
Ryujin - "You know I only have the best interests of the ship in
mind, Tahna."
Dickson - "Both of you calm down, that's an order. Thrik, give
me some information. What direction are those reinforcements
coming from?"
Thrik - "Stand by.......scanning.....sir, its from behind us.
Its ours!"
Narik - "See Ryu? I told you they weren't the enemy
reinforcements."
Thrik - "Captain Isonzo of the ISS John Paul Jones is requesting
orders."
Rhess - "Now that we have our Fourth Fleet coming, we have a
numerical advantage. Tell Captain Isonzo that we got them boxed
in and to drive straight for the center."
Thrik - "Orders sent and confirmed."
Rhess - "Attention all ships. We're about to drive through the
center of the enemy fleet. Any ships that break through are to
come about and hit their rear flanks. Give them Hell."
Dickson - "Mr Ryujin, find us a Xie dreadnaught. Its time to
show them what we're made of."
Ryujin *smiling* - "Yes sir."
Rhess - Mr Thrik, status of the IGF fleets?"
Thrik - "They've lost 15 ships, mostly frigates, but they're
still in the fight."
Dickson - "Hope Captain-Commander Ghimones knows what he's
doing."
Rhess - "After meeting him, I feel he's quite capable."
Dickson - "Coming from you that's high praise."
Rhess - "I have my moments."
The ship lurched again as they made for their target. Rhess
resumed barking orders.
#Post#: 320--------------------------------------------------
Re: Roundup at the Borderlands
DIR By: MichaelH23
Date: September 10, 2016, 11:31 am
---------------------------------------------------------
The Imperial Armada, given new life by the arrival of the 4th
Fleet, surged deep into the enemy center while the IGF fleets
continued to hem them in on their flanks. With the flagship of
Commodore Rhess leading the charge, the entire center line of
the Trekylonian armada pushed deep into the Xie center, which
had already begun to crumble despite assistance from Jovepenia
and Rhamos. As her two allies were contained by the IGF, the
Great Houses fleet was on its own against the massive
Trekylonian blitzkrieg.
---------------------------------------------------------
Xie Dreadnaught Kuroi Ryū, flagship of Fleet Commander-Lord
Togoyama Meiji
Togoyama, fleet commander of the House Fleet and heir to the
Leadership of House Meiji, gnarled his teeth in bitter
frustration. Despite their best efforts, the ever-annoying
Trekkies were inflicting more casualties than they were
suffering. And the addition of the damned IGF of which the
Trekkies were the more prominent members, only added to his
frustration. He was already receiving communications from his
counterpart in the Jovepenian fleet to the effect that they were
preparing to fall back either to the Verulon star system, or
deep into their own territory out of concern of a possible sweep
by Trekylon. The Rhamosians were not as keen on withdrawal, but
their commander too was already talking as though he expected to
lose nearly 60% of his entire fleet in this one battle. What
pissed him off the most was the lack of Serdari assistance,
despite their joining the war. Their government had pledged
ships and men to assist, but there had been insufficient Serdari
participation. On every monitor, the story played out in detail.
Though some Trekkie ships were shown in flames, most of the
ships he could see were either Xie, Jovepenian or Rhamosian.
Samurai - "My Lord, Lord Mogato's ship is disabled. Five Trekkie
ships surround it. They're likely boarding now."
Togoyama - "Damn that Mogato. His House was always the impetuous
one, yet they fail at everything they do."
Minor Lord Mayuki, ally to House Meiji, rushed into the command
center, startling the samurai who guarded the entryway. Togoyama
liked his attache, but felt that the young man, 24, was too
eager to be accepted into the Great House.
Mayuki - "My Lord, our center lines have crumbled. Several
Trekkie ships are coming at us fast, weapons hot. We have no
fighter protection and our Jovepenian allies are pinned in by
the damned IGF fleet."
Togoyama - "We don't need protection. This dreadnaught bristles
with firepower. Its time we employ them to the fullest."
Mayuki *to Samurai* - "Order the gunners and missile battery
controls to begin firing. Keep those Trekkie ships back until we
can gather enough support to crush them and drive the rest
back."
Togoyama - "I intend to do more than drive them back. I intend
to destroy them all, then make for their sanctuary galaxy and
blaze across their pathetic empire, burning every planet I come
upon, whether Trekkie or not."
Samurai - "My Lord, the enemy ships are too close for missiles,
and with their point-defense and jamming systems, we would be in
greater danger from our own weapons than from the enemy."
Togoyama - "Then use the turbolasers, railguns, and
charged-plasma cannons, but carry out your orders!"
Mayuki *pointing to the viewscreen* - "My Lord, look!"
Togoyama turned to the viewscreen just in time to see a dozen
Xie ships, with some Jovepenian cruisers, turning away from the
battle. Togoyama growled in fury at the deserters.
Togoyama - "Track their course. I will deal with them once we
destroy the Trekkies."
Mayuki - "Even the Jovepenians?"
Togoyama - "ALL of them."
His feet came out from under him and he toppled onto a samurai
as the first quantum torpedo blast from a Trekylonian ship
stuck.
Mayuki - "Gunners and all batteries reporting. They're firing
back."
Togoyama - "Damn Trekkies. I will enjoy stomping them beneath my
boots, then setting their precious galaxy aflame."
He managed to get to his feet just as more blasts struck his
ship.
#Post#: 321--------------------------------------------------
Re: Roundup at the Borderlands
DIR By: MichaelH23
Date: September 10, 2016, 10:17 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Atluc Mountain, Atlantica. Three hours later
D'Lise and his team of techs and tactical operators arrived at
the base of Atluc Mountain. They had walked almost 10 miles from
their landing area, and Figuroa spent nearly that entire time
complaining about the blisters forming on his feet. Tucker was
breathing hard, not just from the exertions of the travel but
from the mounting frustration with Figuroa. Xi Bao was already
scanning the mountain to locate the entryway into the facility
deep within. MacKenna helped Lanning to the outcropping, seeming
to draw closer to him during their journey.
Xi Bao - "I found the entryway. The holographic camouflage is
still operational after all these years. As soon as I open the
door I will disengage the camouflage so you can find it."
Figuroa - "About damn time. Any further and my feet would rebel
against me."
MacKenna - "Perhaps if you spent more time working out and less
time chasing skirt, you'd be in better shape."
Delunga - "I have a holodeck program, Olympic Dash, which would
be beneficial to you. It has done marvels for me."
Figuroa - "I prefer chasing skirt to just running. It might not
get me a workout, but it gives my genitals good exercise."
Xi Bao - "This is why you have such trouble finding a woman who
actually likes you. You talk too much about your genitals."
D'Lise - "Okay, that's enough. We're gonna split up into groups
once we go inside. Tactical operators will be on stand by.
Lanning, you and MacKenna will check the turbolaser tower
systems. Xi Bao, you and Milkowski will reengage the computers.
Delunga and Tucker, you boys will make sure the tie-in with the
other surface-to-orbit platforms is still intact. We'll need
them once we reactivate the computers. Figuroa, you're with me.
We'll need to activate the base-shields. Plus, I need to keep an
eye on you, before either Gwen or Tessa decide to separate you
from your genitals permanently."
Xi Bao - "Opening the doors......deactivating the camouflage."
As the camouflage rippled then vanished, they could see the
large double-doors opening into a dark corridor beyond. When the
doors finally opened fully, a set of lights flickered on,
illuminating the corridor.
D'Lise - "Okay people, you have your assignments. We have 10
minutes to get the batteries operational. After that, our fleet
will be bringing the enemy here. It'll be that much harder for
them to win the battle if they don't have guns down here waiting
for the enemy when they're pushed here."
Figuroa - "Tessa, you owe me a date at my place once we're
done."
MacKenna looked as though she was about to explode with
embarrassment, but Lanning saved her.
Lanning - "Sorry Batali. Your date is with your hands tonight.
Tessa doesn't want to go out with you."
MacKenna - "In fact, Alan and I have already made plans once
this operation is over."
Lanning looked surprised, but it was nothing compared to the
dumbstruck look on Figuroa's face. Tucker and D'Lise couldn't
help but smile.
Delunga - "My holodeck program can be set up with a female
partner, Batali."
Figuroa's look of disgust spoke more volumes. He started for the
corridor, grumbling to himself. D'Lise gestured for the others
to follow.
#Post#: 324--------------------------------------------------
Re: Roundup at the Borderlands
DIR By: MichaelH23
Date: September 12, 2016, 11:59 am
---------------------------------------------------------
IGFS Undaunted bridge
Fleet-Commander Ghimones could hardly believe the daring of the
Trekylonian commodore as she led a battlegroup of 100 starships
on an attack run against the behemoth Xie dreadnaught. They had
managed to clear the path to the dreadnaught, but Ghimones knew
the Xie fleet-commander would make of their attack a perilous
run. His own dreadnaught had just finished off a Rhamosian
battlecruiser and with its own phalanx of missile gunships,
cruisers, and frigates was now beginning to press into the bulk
of the Rhamosian fleet.
Berentine - "Gotta give her credit for being courageous."
Ghimones - "That could get her killed."
Berentine - "Maybe, but she's managed to hold off Death so far,
so that's gotta count for something."
Ghimones - "Mr Berentine, we all are gonna die. Its a question
of how and when. Even if we avoid disease, disasters, and wars,
we only live to be 200 years old on average."
Berentine - "But she makes it seem as though she won't die
unless its on her terms."
Ghimones - "Death knows no terms."
Korolevna - "Begging your pardon, sir, but you can be a
depressing killjoy sometimes."
Ghimones - "I've seen too much death in my service in both the
Imperial Fleet and the StarNavy, Lieutenant."
Korolevna - "Commander, I have four Rhamosian gunships bearing
2-1-1."
Ghimones - "Have our forward guns locked and loaded. As soon as
they get into range, tell our boys to unload everything
including the kitchen sink."
Berentine - "From depressing to droll in five minutes.
Commander, you never cease to amaze me."
---------------------------------------------------------
Ben Nevis
Edelweiss gripped the console tight as Mistletoe banked the
Peregrine fighter hard, just missing a piece of wreckage from a
Xie gunship. Geoduck grumbled mostly to himself, trying to
steady his stomach. Through the viewport, they could see the
imposing form of the Xie dreadnaught dead ahead. ISS Orpheus and
a phalanx of other starships and fighers were bearing down on
it, and they knew that very soon the enemy dreadnaught would
unleash all its firepower in an attempt to keep them at bay.
Mallad - "Eddie, we should give the commodore a warm welcome. I
can lock on to the batteries of that dreadnaught and punch a
large enough hole in its defensive screen to give her a chance."
Weiss - "What do you think, Lotus? Can we charge into the fire
without getting blackened like charcoal?"
Miyori - "It will be a tough run. They may have anti-fighter
turbolasers or railguns waiting for us, but if we can avoid
direct hits, I think we can."
Weiss - "Mistletoe, you up for a strafing run against that Xie
dog?"
Mistletoe - "Always."
Weiss - "Then lock on. Let's not be late for the party."
#Post#: 326--------------------------------------------------
Re: Roundup at the Borderlands
DIR By: MichaelH23
Date: September 29, 2016, 11:44 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
ISS Orpheus and the attack force of 50 starships bore down upon
the massive Xie dreadnaught, firing everything they had at the
behemoth. The dreadnaught answered in kind even as explosions
tore into the hull. While no single Imperial starship could
stand against the behemoth one-on-one, the fifty ships were
giving the Xie gunners a run for their money. Orpheus took more
damage but continued to bear down on the larger enemy ship. Ben
Nevis and the handful of Peregrines not destroyed or otherwise
engaged against the Jovepenian torpedo ships also bore down upon
the large Goliath, targeting the anti-fighter, anti-missile, and
turbolaser batteries in an effort to give the fifty ships the
best chance to disable the dreadnaught.
---------------------------------------------------------
Kuroi Ryu
Samurai - "My Lord, we've lost about 65% of our defensive
screen."
The news angered Togoyama, who had expected to inflict more
damage on the Trekkie ships. He was almost certain their
fighters had done most of the work of targeting the batteries
and eliminating them, even as they lost their high numbers.
There were now fifty starships on approach, weapons firing and
rocking the ship with the many impacts of phaser, photon and
quantum torpedo impacts.
Mayuki - "Our allies have failed us, My Lord. We should consider
abandoning the ship."
Togoyama turned and directed a fierce, intense growl toward the
Minor House member. Ally or not, it was impertinent for him to
even suggest such a course of action, which would disgrace House
Meiji and all who called themselves allies.
Togoyama - "I run from no man...not even a Trekkie. They're
simply overwhelming us with their numbers, but even minnow in a
school are no match for a shark pack."
Mayuki - "My Lord, we don't have enough sharks to attack these
minnow, plus they have the protection of the IGF whales."
Togoyama - "If you wish to run from these Trekkies, then do so.
But keep in mind that once you leave the bridge, the alliance
between your House and House Meiji comes to an end and you will
never see that promotion to a major House that you so
desperately crave."
Mayuki - "If losing all that I stand to gain means that I remain
alive, then its a chance I'll take."
Togoyama drew his katana in one fluid motion, swinging it toward
Mayuki but stopping just short of his neck. Nevertheless the
blade touched the skin.
Togoyama - "You may also forfeit your life. Should I survive
this battle, I will make certain that you and your
family....indeed your entire House, pays dearly for your
cowardice."
Mayuki - "Only if your House takes full control of the Council,
which is unlikely to happen."
Before Togoyama could say another word, Mayuki pushed the katana
from his neck and went straight to the doors leading to the
turbolifts in the back. Togoyama silently vowed to hunt down
Mayuki and his family regardless of what the Council said,
especially as it would soon be overthrown. Just then, a large
explosion sent debris, cables, and bulkheads smashing into the
samurai working the forward consoles. Togoyama knew they had
been instantly killed, but felt nothing, determined to hold out
against the Trekkies.
#Post#: 327--------------------------------------------------
Re: Roundup at the Borderlands
DIR By: MichaelH23
Date: October 12, 2016, 1:01 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
ISS Orpheus
Ryujin - "I think we found the command ship of the Xie fleet."
Carlia Rhess didn't show much emotion at the revelation of the
news, but deep inside, a part of her smiled a predatory smile.
She now had the Xie commander by the throat and she would relish
every gasp, every struggle for breath as she and the fleet of
ships she commanded throttled him and his fleet-and the fleets
of his foolish allies.
Dickson - "Then we're in luck. The reinforcements are already
pressing the Xie fleet into a tighter formation and our IGF
friends have trapped the Rhamosian and Jovepenian fleets."
Thrik - "Commodore, I'm picking up unusual energy readings from
the Xie fleet. It looks like they're charging their engines."
Tahna - "You think they might be about to overload their engines
and attempt to severely reduce our fleet numbers in glorious
seppuku?"
Dickson - "If that's the case, they'll be in for a rude
awakening."
Rhess - "In any event, we're still pressing them toward
Atlantica. The gravity well of the planet will hinder their
attempts to flee and allow us to deliver our own surprise."
Dickson - "Surprise?"
Rhess - "Remember when we built colonies on many of the planets
in this sector?"
Dickson - "I do."
Rhess - "We not only installed transport inhibitors and
planetary shield grids, but also various surface-to-orbit
defense weapons. Atlantica's defense systems should be online
now. Once we push the enemy fleet to within range of their
targeting systems, the Xie, Rhamosian, and Jovepenian commanders
will wish they hadn't given us such a warm welcome."
Tahna - "Very clever, Commodore."
Thrik - "Looks like they're falling for your trap, Commodore.
Several Xie and Jovepenian ships have broken off and retreated
to Atlantica. They're forming a new defensive line there."
Ryujin - "And the Rhamosians are fleeing. Half the surviving
fleet is falling back toward Verulon and the other half is
retreating to their sovereign space."
Rhess - "All ships. We have the enemy on the run. Press it
home.....press it home."
#Post#: 328--------------------------------------------------
Re: Roundup at the Borderlands
DIR By: MichaelH23
Date: November 6, 2016, 3:19 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
All around him, Togoyama watched as his surviving crew tried to
hold the line against the Trekkie ships, but he knew their
actions were futile. Sensing that the time had come for him to
initiate the coup d'etat back on the capital world and bring
forth all the military resources of House Meiji and the Houses
yoked to them, he slipped away off the bridge. Walking, not
running as many of the samurai were doing, Togoyama arrived at a
door which was marked with the seal of the Great Houses as well
as a warning that only authorized personnel were allowed past
that point. He pulled a key from his inside coat pocket and
activated the locks, opening the door. Inside, there was a
corridor which dead-ended, but along the left side a series of
hatches leading to escape pods. Going to each one, he pressed
the controls that began the countdown to jettison, then left the
corridor, turning down another hallway that led to a turbolift.
Stepping inside, he calmly commanded the lift to carry him down
to the Hangar Level.
Lord Togoyama exited the lift just as a series of explosions
erupted on the far end of the hangar bay. Finding his personal
shuttle was a simple matter, and the samurai who were
unfortunate enough to get in his way were slaughtered without
mercy or remorse. He walked up the gangway and entered the
cockpit of the shuttle. Pressing controls, he activated the
engines, closed the gangway, and opened the hangar doors. He
continued watching impassively as samurai tried to approach his
shuttle, hoping for rescue. Then pressing a final set of
controls, he initiated the course already plotted. His shuttle
lifted up and soared through the hangar doors just as the
atmospheric forcefields which kept the air from depressurizing
and fleeing into space collapsed. Hundreds of samurai bodies
were sucked instantly into the vacuum, where their deaths were
all but assured.
---------------------------------------------------------
IGFS Undaunted bridge
"Commander, the enemy flagship is about to explode."
That simple message from Berentine was enough to grab Ghimones'
attention. He turned to the holoviewscreen and watched as
explosions played across the hull of the mammoth Xie
dreadnaught. Several smaller craft continued to strafe the ship
while other smaller craft appeared to be falling away from it.
Lifepods, he thought to himself.
Korolevna - "Commander, most of the Xie and Jovepenian ships
have started falling back toward Atlantica. Rhamosian ships have
fallen back toward Verulon Prime and their own borders."
Ghimones - "Have wings 2-A and 3-A move in. Let's give them
further incentive to run."
Berentine - "I'm picking up massive overload in the
dreadnaught's engine core. They may be about to completely go.
Looks like Rhess is pulling her ships back."
Ghimones - "She isn't stupid. She won't risk anymore casualties
than necessary. Call back our frigates. Let that dreadnaught
destroy itself."
On the imager, the Xie dreadnaught continued to drift slowly.
Suddenly, the image whited out as a flash obliterated the
dreadnaught. Ghimones and the others on the command deck had to
shield their eyes from the blinding light. After a few moments,
the light died down to reveal a floating flotsam where the
dreadnaught had once been.
Ghimones - "Looks like we won this battle. Have wings 1-B and
2-B move in and engage any Xie and Jovepenian stragglers."
#Post#: 329--------------------------------------------------
Re: Roundup at the Borderlands
DIR By: MichaelH23
Date: November 6, 2016, 8:06 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Main Audience Hall, Imperial Palace. Imperiopolis
Drake I had called his Panther Legions and Panther Guard to the
Main Audience Hall in expectation of the arrival of the
Jovepenian emissary. Also present were Admirals Sheridan, Sisko
and Archer. He had called them in to help him assess the state
of the JVP emissary during the brief meeting. The emissary had
been confined to Diplomats Square just before the Battle of
Gateway Sector. Now he was being summoned to the Palace, where
Drake I hoped to convince him, and through him his government,
to accept modest terms for peace and abandon their alliance with
the Great Houses. A herald rushed into the chamber, looking
white as a sheet of paper.
Herald - "Majesty, the emissary from Jovepenia is coming in, and
he has a large retinue of troops with him. At least two
battalions."
Drake I nodded to the herald, then gestured for the Legionnaires
to take up positions. The Guard advanced to the golden
double-doors and parted to form a corridor of living firepower
for the emissary. Once he knew the Legionnaires were in
position, he signaled for the herald to open the doors. The
emissary walked in, followed by his two battalions of armed
troops.
Drake I - "I'm afraid we do not allow armed troops in the Main
Audience Hall, emissary."
Emissary - "How would you stop me from ordering my men to shoot
you dead here and now?"
Drake I - "You could try, but the dais is protected by a Force
XXII shield, and that's assuming your men aren't taken out
first."
Emissary - "You only have these Guardsmen, and they're no match
for my men."
With a wave of his hand, Drake I smiled at the emissary. Above
and on both sides of the Hall, in the podiums and among the
seats, Legionnaires rose up and trained their rifles on the
Jovepenian troops. The Guard pulled their pistols from their
holsters and did likewise. It became clear to the emissary that
he was now outnumbered by five to one.
Drake I - "Now, your men can either leave and keep their weapons
and honor, under supervision of my Legions...or they can be
detained and their weapons confiscated. I'd hate to think your
propaganda machine would have to explain why inferior Trekkies
got the best of your finest troops."
The emissary bristled at the comment, which Drake I took as his
first victory.
Emissary - "Very well. I will dismiss my men. But rest assured
this will affect whatever you summoned me here to discuss,
Majesty. Unless of course, its your surrender terms, in which
case I can show leniency in respect to my country. I cannot,
however, speak for the Great Houses, Rhamos, or Serdaristan."
Drake I - "I intend to meet with the emissaries of those
nations...minus the Great Houses. He is currently in prison."
The emissary dismissed his men, then proceeded under the heavy
escort of the Guard to the front, just below the dais.
Drake I - "I have a simple proposition that could benefit your
country and your people. All you have to do is take it."
Emissary - "A proposition, indeed?"
Drake I - "Your fleet is outgunned and outnumbered. Surely you
know this. Even with the robust resistance your ships are
providing, you failed to take into account the fact that those
star systems your government failed to occupy are now back under
our control, and their planetary defense systems are operational
again."
Emissary - "Do you really expect me to believe that you want to
offer my government generous terms for surrender?"
Drake I - "Would you rather believe I wish to impose such a
treaty to your government, repeat what your Xie allies did to my
government with the Twist Diktat?"
Emissary - "If you were a strong empire, you would force us to
accept your terms without hesitation. The fact you offer those
terms tells me you are not as strong as you would have us
believe."
Drake I - "What if my offer was genuine, out of a sense of
preservation? There is a Klingon saying: Destroying an empire to
win a war is no victory, and ending a battle to save an empire
is no defeat."
Emissary - "Such a foolish saying, from a people who have known
more defeat than any other in history."
Drake I - "We may be fools, but we're wise fools. Hear me out.
If your government agrees to a cease-fire and to opening
negotiations to ending the conflict between our nations...and
abandons the Great Houses...then you will not face harsh
penalties. We are even willing to agree to modest reparations to
your government, the amount to be determined by us."
Emissary - "Ha! If we left you to decide those amounts, you'd
never give us those reparations. Plus, we're allied to the Great
Houses and a member of the Barlat Concordiat. Abandon the Great
Houses, and we might as well leave the Concordiat. How would our
other allies react?"
Drake I - "With common sense, I would hope."
Emissary - "Then you are as foolish as you seem, Majesty. You
may have fooled the Alexzonyians and Ishii, but you cannot
convince me or my government to buy what you're selling. Now, I
am still prepared to accept your terms of surrender, if you wish
to take that course."
Drake I - "You know my answer is the same as yours."
Emissary - "Then you and your empire are lost. Let it not be
said that I didn't try to offer you a way out that would've
preserved some of your honor, tainted though it is thanks to
your lies. Now, the fortunes of war will dictate that you suffer
the same fate as your predecessor and your empire reduced to a
pathetic rump managed as a Concordiat vassal state."
Drake I - "You will not get another opportunity to pull your
empire out of the fire you willingly stepped into. Next time we
meet, my terms will not be so generous. Guards, escort the
emissary and his troops out of the Palace. Legionnaires,
follow."
The emissary looked shocked and angry with the announcement from
the emperor. Drake I, for his part, looked serene on the Ruby
Throne as the troops did as commanded. The emissary turned and
stormed away, through the golden doors, with the Guard and
Legions close behind.
Sheridan - "Majesty, may I be the first to offer my opinion?"
Drake I nodded.
Sheridan - "He seemed to be hiding something. Possibly the fact
their fleet has been crippled more than we thought."
Sisko - "We don't know the outcome of the battle yet, John."
cont'd>
#Post#: 330--------------------------------------------------
Re: Roundup at the Borderlands
DIR By: MichaelH23
Date: November 6, 2016, 8:52 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
<cont'd
Sheridan - "That may be true, but what else can explain the
false bluster he put on while in here? Or the need for armed
escort?"
Archer - "John has a point, Ben. The emissary wouldn't have
delivered such a performance unless it was to cover the fact his
military force just took a beating."
Drake I - "All the same, we should hold off on further
speculation until we have facts."
At that moment, the intercom chimed. Drake walked to a
free-floating platform close to the throne and activated it.
Drake I - "Yes?"
Voice - "I do not wish to interrupt, but we have news on the
front."
Drake I - "Continue."
Voice - "Our fleet has destroyed the Xie flagship and almost 75%
of the Xie fleet. The Jovepenians are falling back in rout and
the Rhamosians are surrounded by the IGF fleets."
Drake I - "Have they fallen back to Atlantica?"
Voice - "Confirmed"
Drake I - "Very well. Inform Commodore Rhess to take the ships
undamaged and press them against Atlantica."
The intercom chimed closed. Drake I looked at Sheridan and Sisko
again.
Sheridan - "We have the advantage now. We should continue our
drive toward Verulon."
Sisko - "We need to send techs to finish restoring the station
and get our ships repaired before we continue the advance. Our
force has been reduced by 30% in the battle. We cannot afford to
lose many more if we're to liberate Verulon."
Drake I - "I concur. We'll hold them near the station and begin
sending colony ships to return the citizens to the systems in
Gateway sector."
Sisko - "Majesty, I'd like permission to lead a task force as
part of the campaign"
Archer - "Ben, why would you ask this?"
Sisko - "I haven't led a fleet since the Horizon War, Johnny. I
feel like I should get out and feel space beneath me once in a
while."
Drake I - "You will have to accept a reduction in rank to
captain in order to lead the task force, Ben."
Sisko - "I'm prepared to accept that."
Archer - "And if you're lost in combat, someone else will be
elevated to take your place as Rear Admiral."
Sisko - "Understood."
Drake I - "Then you will take an order to Admiral Adama from me,
accepting your position as captain and assignment to a task
force."
Voice - "I wish command of a task force as well"
Everyone turned to the source of the voice and was amazed to
find a cloaked figure standing in the doorway. The Guards were
immediately surrounding the figure, who showed no further sign
of movement. But as the Guard got closer, one of them could
clearly see the face beneath the hood and immediately dropped to
one knee reverently. The others saw him do this and copied his
gesture. The figure began walking toward the dais, while the
Guard remained on one knee in genuflection. Drake I did not need
to see his face to recognize the person who made his entrance.
The cloak was very familiar, from the day of his coronation as
emperor. He knew only one person who wore the cloak: Michael I,
former emperor of Trekylon.
Michael I - "Well, aside from some slight cosmetic changes,
everything looks the same."
Drake I - "Welcome to the Ruby Throne Main Audience Hall. I
believe you already know Admirals Sisko, Sheridan and Archer."
Michael I - "I appointed them."
Sisko - "Eminence, its a welcome surprise to see you again."
Drake I - "You mentioned wanting to command a task force. What
exactly did you have in mind?"
Michael I's answer shocked the emperor.
Michael I - "The Whitestar fleet. Its under the jurisdiction of
the Gaian Union, and therefore cannot be released without the
consent of both powers."
Drake I - "That is correct, both myself and the empress would
have to approve the release of the Whitestars. How does your
wife feel about you going into combat again so soon after the
Civil War?"
Michael I - "My wife is understandably worried. But she knows
that I have a personal score to settle with the Great Houses of
Xie."
Sheridan - "Because of their role in the Civil War and their
attempt to foment civil war in the Greater Empire of Showa."
Michael I - "No. Because they played a role in the kidnapping of
my wife."
There was not a sound after the revelation by the ex-emperor.
Michael I waited to let it sink in, then offered his
explanation.
Michael I - "Those mercs were hired by the rebels, that much is
true. But the question remained as to how they could afford the
mercs when they were buying tech to keep them on par with the
Imperial Starfleet. As it turns out, part of their funding was
diverted from tech-buying to hiring a group of mercenaries for a
mission to hamstring me and fool Inuyashia into blaming Trekylon
for my wife's abduction. That funding came from the Great
Houses."
cont'd>
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