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   DIR Return to: War against the Great Houses of Xie
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       #Post#: 358--------------------------------------------------
       Z+5 Days 3 Hours (Advance!)
   DIR By: MichaelH23
       Date: December 24, 2016, 11:38 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       This is a GTV newsbreak. Coming live from the Galaxy-1 station,
       here is Sylus Magren.
       "I'm here just inside the Command and Control Facility commonly
       called the Watchtower, where the view from outside the viewports
       is quite awesome. Moments ago, a multiracial fleet composed of
       Romulan, Klingon, Gorn, Breen, Kinshaya, Tholian, and Cardassian
       ships joined with the Imperial Armada so recently victorious in
       what is now being called the Battle of Gateway Sector. They were
       followed by a multinational fleet from three of the nonaligned
       nations who have chosen to unite under the banner of the Gaian
       Union under the command of former emperor of Trekylon, Michael
       I. Now unfortunately, we're not allowed to interview the staff
       here at the Watchtower, nor have we been given access to the
       holoconference which will be taking place very shortly between
       Michael I, Commodore Carlia Rhess of the joint IGF-Trekylonian
       armada, and Praetor Gell Kamemor who commanded the multiracial
       fleet, but we have been told that transcripts will be made
       available to us once the conference is concluded. Meanwhile,
       there are rumors that the Romulans may be sending their drone
       craft to the station for eventual deployment into the enemy
       nations for espionage and recon. There is also a report that a
       recent action by a Xie cruiser back in Galaxy 23-A may have
       caused a stir in Inuyashia, as many of the people killed when
       the Xie ship wantonly targeted the vessel as an 'accomplice' of
       Trekylon were Otakus from the allied nation. No word yet on the
       official reaction from Ryujin as of yet, though it was reported
       that Empress Rebecca I has begun visiting the families of the
       victims and has promised an official response to the Xie action
       soon. There has been little reaction from Trekylon to this
       incident, but both Alexzonya and Ish'Cong have condemned the Xie
       action, as have Jamesistan, America, and Alterra. We will have
       reporters in Ryujin to follow this unfolding story, and continue
       to follow events on this side of the intergalactic divide. For
       now, we return you to your regularly scheduled TV show already
       in progress. This is Sylus Magren signing off."
       #Post#: 359--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Z+5 Days 3 Hours (Advance!)
   DIR By: MichaelH23
       Date: December 30, 2016, 2:11 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Z+5 Days 5 Hours. Whitestar Alabama conference room
       Michael I returned to the ship after seeing off the two Mongol
       girls. He hoped they would be given a warm welcome in Ryujin and
       that his wife would understand the reasons behind the adoption.
       He contemplated the latest report from GTV about the incident
       involving the passenger liner and a pair of Xie frigates which
       everyone had assumed were accounted for following the Roundup at
       the Borderlands. He knew without a doubt that Rebecca I would
       not forgive or forget the incident. He entered the conference
       room, which looked very similar to the Situation Room he had
       visited beneath the Imperial Palace during the Trekylon Civil
       War. He took his place at the head of the table, then tapped a
       control.
       Michael I - "Is Commodore Rhess and Praetor Kamemor standing
       by?"
       Rhelor - "They are, Excellency."
       Michael I - "Tie in their transmission here."
       Moments later, two holoimages appeared on either side of Michael
       I. Seated to his left, Commodore Rhess looked very much the
       warrior and was still receiving reports from personnel
       off-transmission. To his right, Gell Kamemor looked more serene
       despite similar activity on her ship.  Before he could sit down,
       Rhess startled him,"Sir, I have someone else who wishes to join
       the conference. Captain-Commander Ghimones of the IGF fleet."
       Michael I - "Have him tie in on this frequency."
       Before Rhess could acknowledge, Ghimones appeared, standing to
       the left of Rhess' image, "Thank you for allowing me to
       participate."
       Michael I - "Status of the fleet, Commodore."
       Rhess - "Fleet status is we're up to 98% operational. There are
       only three ships still undergoing repairs, but they should be
       ready within the hour."
       Michael I - "Very good. Commander?"
       Ghimones - "The IGF fleet is fully operational. We're getting
       resupplied before we continue the advance."
       Michael I - "Very well. Right now the enemy is disoriented. How
       long that lasts is hard to determine, but if I know the Xie,
       they won't stay dazed and confused for long. They just suffered
       two defeats so they'll be out for revenge."
       Kamemor - "Do you have a plan, Excellency?"
       Michael I - "I do indeed, Praetor. You should see by now that in
       addition to the Whitestar fleet I have at my command, there are
       fleets from Greater Showa, the UTM, and UPC. I intend to use
       those fleets to conduct what in Old Earth history was known as a
       cavalry raid."
       Kamemor - "I do not understand that reference."
       Rhess - "You intend to attack the industrial and military
       capabilities of the Great Houses, Jovepenia, and Rhamos. Keep
       them disoriented and weaken their ability to recover ships and
       personnel they lose in battle."
       Michael I - "More than that. I intend to seize several of their
       breadbasket worlds. The idea is that a few of them will be
       traded back in exchange for star systems Trekylon, Inuyashia,
       Greater Showa and the UTM will fully claim. Drake I gave them a
       chance to end the war with their territory still more or less
       intact minus Verulon Prime. They have answered by attacking an
       Inuyashian passenger liner and intensifying their operations in
       Verulon."
       Ghimones - "What's the latest from Verulon Prime?"
       Michael I - "There is a full insurrection happening right now.
       Some obscure captain by the name of Jack has already seized two
       dozen Xie freighters and stirred up things in Verulon orbit.
       That's managed to tie down some Xie forces, but they still have
       their black fleets."
       Kamemor - "Their black fleets will have to be eliminated before
       a concerted attack on Verulon can be launched."
       Michael I - "Leave that to me, Praetor. I have additional
       resources I can put to use there. I would like if a dozen or
       more ships can be transferred to my command."
       Kamemor - "I don't think the Klingons could want anything less
       than to fight under your banner. Many of my fellow Romulans are
       also willing. I can request the Breen and Cardassian commanders
       to detach a dozen of their ships as well. I have some pull with
       both."
       Michael I - "Thank you."
       Rhess - "I can have the fleet on the move for Verulon as soon as
       you launch your cavalry raid. I will also assign a dozen
       [i]Sovereign-class and Galaxy-class ships and a squadron of
       transport ships to you."[/i]
       Michael I - "The rest of Kamemor's fleet will join the armada.
       With luck, my cavalry raid will divert enough ships from Verulon
       to give you an edge. Godspeed to you all."
       #Post#: 360--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Z+5 Days 3 Hours (Advance!)
   DIR By: MichaelH23
       Date: January 26, 2017, 12:20 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Venzette Prime, within the sovereign territory of the Great
       Houses of Xie. Z+5 Days 5 Hours 20 Minutes
       To any observer, Venzette Prime was an uninteresting planet
       located close to the outmarches of the Great Houses' sovereign
       territory. With a population of approximately 2.9 million,
       Venzette Prime might have once had the chance to spread its
       civilization out toward the four star systems which the natives
       referred to as the Four Metrons ('metron' being the Venzetti
       equivalent to the English 'sister'). But having failed to
       embrace the promise of FTL travel even after fourteen successful
       test-flights and begin colonization efforts, the Venzetti
       remained confined to their primary world, not realizing they
       would soon fall under the dictatorship of an outside power. The
       Great Houses' own colonization fleets arrived in the system only
       three years after the last test-flight, and instead of offering
       peaceful exchanges with the natives, began systematic conquests
       of the landmasses on the planet surface, driving out the
       Venzetti from their villages and, in many cases, either
       enslaving them or exterminating them in random genocidal bouts.
       As a result, the population declined from the once numerous 5.3
       million and many Venzetti were forced to live off whatever
       meager scraps were left by the greedy Xie overlords. But as the
       Xie continued to exploit the planet and its inhabitants in order
       to expand on their war machine, a name began to be heard among
       the oppressed, a name which until now had no real meaning or
       power beyond identifying the being to which the name belonged.
       It would soon become a name associated with freedom, defiance,
       and rebellion....Raan'Ta.
       Y'luk City was not the largest city by Xie standards, or even
       the standards of Imperiopolis or Ryujin, but to the Venzetti it
       was their metropolis. Before the Xie conquest, Y'luk City
       boasted artisans, bankers, merchants and a thriving intellectual
       center. With the conquest and occupation, many of those same
       artisans found themselves in labor camps, many bankers toiled
       for meager offerings in the orbital shipyards for foreign
       overseers, many of the intellectuals found themselves imprisoned
       or even exterminated as threats to the Xie state. The city, like
       the rest of Venzette Prime, had become a prison planet where
       none dared try to escape for fear of his or her family's
       extermination, and where death was already assured. The
       realization hit Yaar'l'k hard as he hurried to the munitions
       factory just down the street from the City Hall. He didn't dare
       glance at the facade of the great building, tainted now with the
       banners and flags of the Great Houses. He didn't lock eyes with
       the various Xie samurai who patrolled the street looking for any
       sign of challenge, having remembered what happened to an elder
       who was foolish enough to catch the attention of one yesterday.
       Without hesitation, the samurai drew his blade and in one swing
       decapitated the elder in front of his screaming widow. Had it
       not been for a stranger taking her arm and pulling her away, she
       would've followed her husband into the afterlife, as the samurai
       was already moving to end her the same way he had ended him.
       Yaar'l'k kept his eyes downcast as he made his way to the gates
       of the factory, where two samurai stood vigil. One of them
       forcefully stopped him while the other grabbed the badge hanging
       from his neck to inspect. Angry, the samurai kicked Yaar'l'k in
       the stomach, then pushed him to the dusty ground.
       Samurai #1 - "You're late, Number 692. For being late you will
       receive no ration. Be thankful I don't kill you right here."
       Yaar'l'k kept his eyes downcast as he slowly rose to his feet,
       saying nothing. To speak to a samurai was to invite instant
       death, so he remained quiet. The other samurai grabbed his arm
       and flung him through the gates.
       Samurai #2 - "Tomorrow you better not be late. If you are late
       by even 30 seconds, you will die."
       Yaar'l'k walked limply into the courtyard where other Venzetti
       were hurrying to their various jobs, and an occasional scream
       arose from the noise of factory machines, signifying the ending
       of another Venzetti life by Xie blade. Yaar'l'k was dumbstruck
       as to why the Xie needed more ammunition. They used very little
       of it to overpower the Venzetti, preferring their katanas to any
       rifles. All he could surmise was that the ammunition was as much
       for their starships as for their troops, and they needed
       starship ammunition due to the fighting on the galactic edge.
       Yaar'l'k had only heard the description of the enemy the Xie
       were fighting as 'Tr'kkys', not learning much more than that.
       Rumor had begun to circulate that one of their own had in fact
       been freed by the Tr'kkys and was living as a Saved One among
       them. As Yaar'l'k went to his machine and powered it up, he
       could only wonder if the fabled Raan'Ta would ever return to his
       people and lead them in an uprising against the hated Xie
       oppressors with the backing of these Tr'kkys. If he did,
       Yaar'l'k was certain he'd be among the many who would follow the
       call to freedom, the call of Raan'Ta.
       #Post#: 361--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Z+5 Days 3 Hours (Advance!)
   DIR By: MichaelH23
       Date: January 26, 2017, 2:27 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Main Audience Hall, Imperial Palace. Gaia
       Raan'Ta was escorted to the Palace by an Honor Guard of Panther
       Legionnaires from the spaceport in Imperiopolis. When he first
       met them, he felt frightened due to the fact that he had never
       been in such a large city as the Imperial City. The Legionnaires
       had also frightened him for their numbers and the lethality of
       the weapons they carried. It was only when Foreign Minister Odan
       explained that the Legionnaires were an Honor Guard to protect
       an honored guest of the emperor, and that Raan'Ta himself would
       be treated like a diplomatic emissary did the Venzetti calm
       down. The ride from the spaceport to the gates of the palace was
       spent with Raan'Ta asking constant questions about the
       architecture and history of the city, and Odan doing his best to
       provide the answers. They disembarked at the Iron Gates, where
       Odan gestured for Raan'Ta to continue to the palace, excusing
       himself because of duties relating to the conflict. Now, moments
       later, Raan'Ta found himself in awe yet again at the marvelous
       architecture and the power which it evoked.
       Herald - "All stand at attention for the entrance of His
       Intergalactic Imperial Majesty Drake I of Trekylon."
       The Legionnaires stood fully erect, as did the emperor's
       personal secretary, a middle-aged man named David Wexler.
       Raan'Ta did not stand at full attention, but neither did anyone
       compel him to do so. Drake I walked into the Hall a few seconds
       later, dressed in the full regalia of Imperial power. Without a
       word he walked past the Ruby Throne straight to the Venzetti,
       who found himself frozen with fear. The last time a powerful
       person appeared before him, his people were enslaved.
       Drake I - "You must be the one they call Raan'Ta. It is an honor
       to meet you at last."
       Drake I offered his hand. Raan'Ta, hesitant, took it and allowed
       the Human to shake it gently but firmly.
       Drake I - "I hope you've been treated well on your journey
       here."
       Raan'Ta relaxed, "Your people have treated me better than I
       expected, Your Majesty. I have had no cause to complain."
       Drake I - "That pleases me. You've already made an ally of one
       of my subordinates, Carlia Rhess. She spoke very highly of you."
       Raan'Ta - "Carliarhess has been very kind."
       Drake I - "Walk with me, Raan'Ta."
       Raan'Ta looked puzzled as Drake I released his hand and turned
       to walk away. He expected the emperor to take his place on the
       throne, which shone with a bright red glow from the sunlight
       streaming down on it. He started after the emperor, walking past
       that bright red chair and toward a set of double-doors concealed
       by the very walls themselves. As Drake I approached, the doors
       opened to what appeared to be an elevator. Drake I stepped to
       the side and gestured for Raan'Ta to enter first. Wexler gently
       prodded the Venzetti forward and entered behind him, with the
       emperor entering last.
       Drake I - "Take us below, please, Wexler."
       With the push of a button the elevator car began its slow
       descent. Raan'Ta was more puzzled by the technology carrying
       them down below the ground, and he hoped to ask more of the
       Trill minister later. Moments later the elevator car came to a
       stop and the doors opened. Raan'Ta was taken aback by the
       abundance of various forms of greenery which greeted his eyes.
       He could even hear the sounds of water flowing gently and
       rushing powerfully.
       Drake I - "I thought this would be a better place for us to
       talk, where you'd feel more comfortable."
       Raan'Ta - "Your people have the ability to grow trees
       underground?"
       Drake I looked surprised, "You mean this is your first visit to
       a subterranean garden?"
       Raan'Ta - "My people have yet to perfect the means to grow our
       food and trees beneath the soil, and with the Xie occupation, I
       fear the knowledge to do so will soon die with the intellectua."
       Drake I showed a bit of a surprise at the use of the word
       'intellectua' but fully understood what Raan'Ta meant, "So I've
       been told from the report provided by Rhess. What I would be
       interested in learning from you is the most current state of the
       occupation on your world."
       Raan'Ta walked down the main aisle, past lush ferns and jungle
       shrubs, "My people are dying by the millions. The Xie either
       enslave us under brutal conditions or they exterminate us to
       make room for their own colonists. Those who do not die from the
       overwork or Xie blades die from lack of sufficient food."
       Drake I - "How long have the Great Houses been in occupation of
       your world?"
       Raan'Ta - "Three to four cycles now. Their grip gets tighter
       every day. It may soon be that there is not enough Venzetti left
       to drive them off our planet."
       They came to a stop near a series of benches which provided a
       great view of the stream which flowed gently past, babbling as
       it brushed the stones which had been meticulously laid down.
       Raan'Ta let his attention drift to the stream for a moment, and
       Drake I allowed him to savor the sounds the water made. He
       himself could often lose himself in the garden, so he was not
       bothered by the fact the Venzetti also found the sound soothing.
       Raan'Ta finally broke the spell of silence, "What has become of
       my people aboard the Xie ships?"
       Drake I - "I've made it very clear that any Venzetti found on
       Xie ships were to be treated as liberated ex-POWs, not as
       prisoners themselves. They've been given food and medical care
       when needed and brought here."
       cont'd>
       #Post#: 362--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Z+5 Days 3 Hours (Advance!)
   DIR By: MichaelH23
       Date: January 26, 2017, 2:57 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       <cont'd
       Raan'Ta looked hopeful, "Then you have my eternal thanks for
       helping to free my people. The Xie like to use us as
       cannonfodder..is that the correct phrase?"
       Drake I nodded. Raan'Ta continued, "They hope that by having us
       sacrificed in battle against your people, they can further
       reduce the population."
       Drake I glanced at the flowing water, an idea starting to take
       shape, "Do you desire to return to your people, Raan'Ta?"
       Raan'Ta nodded, "I have to return, Your Majesty. I need to free
       my people."
       Drake I - "Ordinarily I would attempt to talk you out of
       returning, at least until the end of the war, when we can exact
       the liberation of your world from the defeated Great Houses. You
       and your people here would be granted asylum until the treaty
       was signed, then returned to your world to help in the
       rebuilding."
       Raan'Ta - "Isn't that standard procedure with your people?"
       Drake I - "Normally, yes. However, knowing the Great Houses as I
       do, to allow you to return to your world would be no different
       than if we handed you over to them. They will soon become aware
       of you, and if you should reappear among your people, they will
       surely kill you as an example to the rest."
       Raan'Ta - "Your Majesty, as logical as your argument is, you
       must understand that my people need me. They need a voice to
       help spur them into action."
       Drake I rose from his bench and leaned on the railing
       overlooking the stream, "I agree. That is why you will be
       returning to your people. Just not alone."
       Raan'Ta began to feel as though the moment of hope he had looked
       for had finally come, "What is it you propose?"
       Drake I - "Your people whom we rescued....they'll go back with
       you, along with our Imperial Marines and Knights."
       Raan'Ta - "They have no weapons, nor sufficient training on how
       to use them."
       Drake I - "Then we will train and equip them. Best of all, they
       will be provided for, and not just them. Any of their family
       members who we've also liberated will be well-cared for."
       Raan'Ta - "Forgive me, Your Majesty, but the last time someone
       said we'd be well-cared for, we found ourselves in chains or in
       corpseboxes. How can I be sure you will not become like the
       Great Houses?"
       Drake I turned to face the Venzetti. Gone was his fear and
       trepidation. Gone was his hesitation. Now before him, Drake I
       could see a man with a growing sense of confidence, "Because you
       have the word of the emperor himself. I highly doubt the
       Governing Body of the Great Houses gave you such a guarantee."
       Raan'Ta rose to his feet, "No, they did not. I will trust you,
       Your Majesty."
       Drake I - "We will assist you for as long as you should require
       us. When you feel strong enough to stand on your own feet, we
       will give you the space to do so. We are not the Great Houses."
       #Post#: 363--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Z+5 Days 3 Hours (Advance!)
   DIR By: MichaelH23
       Date: January 31, 2017, 5:20 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Xie capital world. Z+6 Days 2 Hours Four Minutes
       Lord Togoyama arrived in orbit over the Xie capital world. As he
       brought his craft into a descent-position and set the course for
       the spaceport on the surface, he took a moment to revel in the
       glory displayed all around him. Battleships, cruisers, carriers,
       frigates and even dreadnoughts glided gracefully in formation
       past the viewport. This glorious armada of ships will soon be
       sent against the rebels of Verulon and that damned Trekkie
       fleet, he thought proudly as he cast his attention back to the
       monitors which guided his flight down. An aura of plasma energy
       enveloped the craft as it began re-entry and Togoyama braced
       himself as the little craft shook.
       Moments later the skies cleared to a stunning view of the
       capital as Togoyama brought the craft into a more shallow angle
       and made the final approach to landing. With ease he brought the
       craft down onto the pad, then unbuckled his restraints and rose
       from his chair. Outside, several House Guards stood at attention
       while three figures, robed in glittering blue and gold
       approached the ramp. Togoyama recognized his wife, Ikaya, from
       her smooth facial features and braided hair. His brother Fujiko
       wore a perpetual scowl on his face, which for him was normal.
       When Fujiko didn't scowl, Togoyama worried that bad news was
       coming. The youngest member of the trio, a member of House Meiji
       only by alliance and with the rank of Minor Lord, was Akio. His
       fresh-faced appearance and eagerness to please was both a source
       of comic relief and at times annoyance.
       Togoyama - "So is everything set?"
       Lady Ikaya - "Everything is set, my husband."
       Fujiko - "You know the other Houses will not sit idly by while
       we usurp the power and the military might to dominate the Great
       Houses and conduct the Trekkie War."
       Togoyama - "They will submit or die. There is no other option
       for them open. We need to win this war and show the damned
       Trekkies that we are serious about wiping them from the history
       books."
       Akio - "You can be certain my family will support House Meiji
       fully in the coup, My Lord."
       Togoyama - "Akio, how many House Troops have been summoned to
       the Chamber?"
       Akio - "All of them, per your subspace instructions, My Lord."
       Togoyama - "My brother, what of our agents on the ships of the
       other Houses?"
       Fujiko started walking from the shuttle to a nearby hovercar
       waiting on the other side of the pad, "Our people are in place,
       awaiting only your word to take action."
       Lady Ikaya looked concerned, "What action are you going to take
       with the other House fleets?"
       Togoyama shot her a glare, "Be careful what you ask, woman. You
       may be my wife but that doesn't give you prerogatives to ask too
       many questions. If it eases your mind to know, I intend to seize
       the other House fleets and add them to our own. House Meiji will
       be the dominant power in the Great Houses, and after we destroy
       the Trekkies, we'll become the dominant power in the Concordiat.
       We may even be in a position to seize the leadership of the
       Concordiat council away from them cowardly Ishii."
       Fujiko opened the door and gestured for Lady Ikaya to enter
       first, followed by Togoyama. He entered next, and Akio closed
       the door behind him as he took his seat last.
       Fujiko - "We do have two other Houses ready to submit to our
       authority, though we may wish to take their families hostage to
       insure their loyalty."
       Akio - "I can handle those Houses, My Lord."
       Togoyama said nothing, gesturing for the driver to take them to
       the Council Hall. As the car rose into the air, Togoyama looked
       forward to putting the Great Houses under the banner of House
       Meiji.
       #Post#: 377--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Z+5 Days 3 Hours (Advance!)
   DIR By: MichaelH23
       Date: June 29, 2017, 9:03 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Colorizonico, capital city of the Federal State of New Texahoma
       Phylis Oakley took her new job as manager of the Trekylonian
       satellite state very seriously. She had to. After the debacle
       involving her predecessor, Ike Earp, the people of New Texahoma
       were determined to see the nepotism and corruption come to an
       end. She spent the first six months purging the cabinet and
       legislature of those who were both loyal to Earp, and too lazy
       to make any attempt to stop him. Having called for new elections
       to the Diet, and oversaw the votes, she was now ready to work
       with the new senators. On the military front, she ordered the
       military high command to complete their registry of surviving
       Republic ships which had managed to escape the attention of the
       Trekylonian rebels during the recent civil war.  At the same
       time, she began moving forward with a plan to win eventual
       membership in the IGF for the state. She had enough on her plate
       at home to deal with, but as she made her way to the
       Presidential Palace, formerly the Royal Palace built under the
       late monarch Eugene I, she was met by her secretary, Lillian
       Gomez. Gomez's tanned skin-a product of her Latina heritage,
       dark hair speckled with flecks of grey, and lithe form was a
       contrast to Oakley's more heavyset build, lighter hair and
       slightly wrinkled light skin.
       Gomez - "Madam Manager, I just received a report from one of our
       transport ships on its way to Inuyashia's colony out on the deep
       range."
       Oakley - "What is it?"
       Gomez - "They've been attacked, ma'am. Rhamosian static charges
       planted in the sector."
       Oakley - "Do the Inuyashians know about those charges?"
       Gomez - "Unlikely, ma'am. They've just recently lost a passenger
       liner to Xie frigates not far from where this attack happened.
       My guess is some of them may be operating as privateers. They
       could even be leftover ships from the fleets Trekylon
       annihilated in the Outworlds a week ago."
       Oakley - "We are not at war with any of the Barlat powers, so
       why have they started conflict with us?"
       Gomez - "Likely because of our close ties to Trekylon."
       Oakley paused just at the bottom of the steps to the Palace. Her
       thoughts were in a wild tumble as she tried to analyze the
       information given. If this was indeed true, it would further
       spur her to negotiate with both Trekylon and the Intergalactic
       Federacy for a more independent stand in the war. Whether she
       would continue to serve as head of state would then be up to the
       citizens of the Republic, not Trekylon.
       Oakley - "Lillian, I need you to get the Cortes summoned. First
       thing we need to do is start a new shipbuilding program
       independent of the empire. Once we have a flotilla ready, we can
       present this to Drake I as a fait accompli for independence."
       Gomez - "Yes ma'am. But, you realize that the status of the
       Texaco and Oklahom parishes will be up for dispute, as well as
       the Azteca states Trekylon created after settling on Gaia."
       Oakley - "As far as those lands are concerned, Trekylon can keep
       them. Its the other lands that we'll need to reestablish
       ourselves in."
       Gomez - "I'm sure Drake I will easily agree."
       Oakley - "Let's hope so. They'll still need all the allies they
       can get."
       #Post#: 378--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Z+5 Days 3 Hours (Advance!)
   DIR By: MichaelH23
       Date: July 4, 2017, 2:29 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Whitestar Alabama, entering Xie territory
       Michael I looked over the starchart of the Xie imperial
       territories. He felt like an eagle surveying the land below him,
       looking for prey to pounce on. Rhelor had joined him at the Plot
       Desk, located at the very front of the bridge, surrounded on one
       side by a semicircular seating area and the viewport and open to
       the rest of the bridge. The Plot Desk was so named because from
       here, they could plot their courses through a dozen sectors in a
       ten light-year radius of the ship. In this case, it was charting
       the many sectors rich in star systems. Flashing dots indicated
       the actual targets: a series of subspace relays and commstations
       which linked each star system to each other and to the capital
       systems within the Barlat starzone. Michael I knew that that
       area would have to remain offlimits if he wished to maintain the
       benevolent neutrality of both Ish'Cong and Alexzonya.
       Rhelor - "Those look like tempting targets, sir."
       Michael I - "I doubt they'll be easy to take out. They'll either
       have defenses built in to protect them, or small squadrons to
       chase off any threat."
       Rhelor - "If I may ask, why not just slip a cloaked Whitestar
       into the Starzone and hit the central hub?"
       Michael I - "Any other commander might've gone for that tactic,
       but considering that the Starzone is heavily patroled and
       protected by a tachyon web, even a cloaked ship would not have a
       chance in hell of running the gauntlet of enemy ships, striking
       the central hub, and getting out in one piece. Plus there's the
       matter of keeping the neutrals neutral. Any Trekylonian advance
       into the Starzone would be viewed as hostile even if it targeted
       the actual hostile within. Ish'Cong and Alexzonya could then
       rightly claim we violated their neutrality and come in on the
       side of the belligerents and it would be the Assault all over
       again."
       Rhelor - "I understand."
       Michael I - "Oh that doesn't mean I won't pay the Great Houses a
       visit in their own backyard within the Starzone, but it does
       mean that I cannot use IGF or Trekylonian means to do so if I
       want to keep Ish'Cong and Alexzonya happy."
       Rhelor - "What is the significance of striking the relays near
       the systems? Wouldn't they detect us with their long-range
       sensors and call for help?"
       Michael I - "They can spy on us all they want, because once
       those relays are down, and we've activated FTLi in the target
       systems, they won't be able to get anything out, not even an
       SOS. They'll be isolated and alone."
       He walked back to take his seat at the center. Rhelor followed,
       going back to his station just behind him.
       Michael I - "I want one Romulan ship to change course and take
       up position just outside the system boundaries, under cloak.
       Watch for any sign of activity and alert us."
       As the message was being relayed, Michael I took a deep breath
       Now but for the grace of God I go, he thought to himself. He
       released the breath again and steeled himself.
       Michael I - "Break into groups. Group 1 is to advance on the
       closest relay. Group 2 lock on to the next closest relay and
       advance to position. Group 3 to form up on us and move to
       advance position. Transports, medical ships, and tenders join
       the remaining ships in Group 4 and hold position til given the
       Go order."
       Rhelor - "All groups standing by, waiting on your order. Group 4
       will hold on your order."
       Michael I grit his teeth, in a predatory manner. Again, the
       mental image of the eagle came to mind, now seeing its first
       prey.
       Michael I - "Go!"
       #Post#: 379--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Z+5 Days 3 Hours (Advance!)
   DIR By: MichaelH23
       Date: July 5, 2017, 4:32 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       ISS Caesar Augustus, leading Group 1
       Captain Arellia Dourgas sat in her chair, just happy to finally
       be called to action. When Commodore Rhess asked for volunteers
       to join Michael I on his cavalry raid, she figuratively shoved
       her way to the front of the line, declaring her intention of
       joining up. She had a crush on the ex-emperor since she was 11
       years old, living on the former colony on Argolis, and had been
       among the children who met then-emperor Michael I when he toured
       the tsunami disaster zone. At that age, she hoped that Michael I
       would consider a second wife, as many rulers from Earth and
       other interstellar empires often did. But when it became clear
       that he would remain monogamous, she opted to join the Imperial
       Starfleet. Her crush evolved as she grew older, becoming a form
       of hero-worship. She graduated among the top of her class and
       proved herself valuable when she helped bring the resurrected
       Michael I back to Inuyashia. The crew she took command of also
       exuded hero-worship for the ex-emperor, which made her command
       much easier.
       Lieutenant Elgin Tobaras - "Captain, we're on approach to the
       target relay. I'm picking up 50 Xie frigates and at least 3
       dozen fighters."
       Dourgas - "Go to Red Alert. Stand by on phasers."
       Tobaras - "Captain, the Romulan commander is hailing us on
       secure channel."
       Dourgas smiled slightly. She knew the commander, Eh'revehn
       Silovok, very intimately. After all, she fell in love with him.
       Silovok - "Captain, we've picked up the enemy ships. How do you
       wish to proceed?"
       Dourgas - "Think your missile cruisers could form up with the
       Terran ships to take on those ships?"
       Silovok - "Of course, but I thought you wanted the honor of
       taking out that relay?"
       Dourgas - "I know how much honor means to Romulans, thanks to my
       association with you. I'm not about to deny you your chance to
       gain honor. The Jem'Hadar will join you."
       Silovok - "That's one thing about you and the Great Michael. You
       both respect and honor Romulan traditions. We'll knock out that
       relay and any support structures while you keep them busy.
       Silovok out."
       Dourgas - "Romulan wings A-5 thru A-7 form up on us. Jem'Hadar
       group form up on Romulan Wing B and go after the relay.
       Eliminate it and any defensive platforms you encounter."
       Tobaras - "All wings report ready, ma'am."
       Dourgas - "Then go to battle-stations and lets go. Our dates are
       waiting, now lets see if they can dance."
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Xie frigate Hideki
       Lord Hokada could not believe the audacity of the Trekkies,
       managing to penetrate the Holy Space with such a small force. At
       first he couldn't understand why they would attack a facility in
       the middle of a sector.  Minor Lord Seki walked to his station
       where Hokada stood, and looked down at the starchart.
       Seki - "How could the Trekkies hope to strike us by hitting the
       relays?"
       Hokada - "I'm trying to comprehend that myself. It makes no
       sense.
       Seki - "There's nothing in this sector, except four star
       systems."
       Suddenly, the plan became horribly clear to Lord Hokada. How
       could he be so stupid? It made the most sense.
       Hokada - "Them damn Trekkies are planning to launch invasions of
       the star systems. Minor Lord Seki, send an urgent SOS to the
       colonies and call for the Black Fleet."
       Seki walked to the commterminal to send the messages, but his
       console beeped a warning. Seki looked up with horror.
       Seki - "Our comms are being jammed! There is also indications of
       an FTLi field in place. They've cut us off!"
       Hokada - "Damn them! All ships assume attack formation. Let the
       fools come to us and we'll destroy them."
       #Post#: 385--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Z+5 Days 3 Hours (Advance!)
   DIR By: MichaelH23
       Date: August 19, 2018, 1:23 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       The Terran battlegroup, flanked by the three flanking Romulan
       wings, advanced on the Xie flotilla. In moments, space was
       crossed with weapons fire of various kinds which often found
       their targets. The advance soon broke down into a series of
       dogfights between clusters of ships. Captain Dourgas directed
       the engagements as best she could, always with an eye toward the
       nearby relay, which was now being engaged by the Jem'Hadar
       fighters. The bridge shook as Xie blasts pummeled the shields,
       but she remained steady. On the viewscreen, she watched as the
       Romulan ship with her lover Silovok as commander led two other
       Romulan ships to pin a Xie frigate which had meantime been
       engaged against an Imperial ship she could only identify as
       Centaur-class.
       Tactical Officer - "Captain, we have a clear path to the relay!"
       Dourgas- "Tell the Jem'Hadar to make their run while we have the
       chance. I suspect now that the Xie commander knows our target,
       he'll make us pay for every kilometer of space."
       Helm Officer - "Captain, we got four Xie cruisers closing on
       us."
       Dourgas - "Adjust heading 2-7-7 point 4. Tactical, take out
       their propulsion systems as soon as they're in range."
       She felt the ship turn sharply to port, then heard the whine of
       phasers. Seconds later the Tactical Officer confirmed that three
       of the four cruisers had lost their propulsion systems. While
       the fourth managed to avoid a hit there, they took a hit to
       their weapons control systems instead.
       Comm Officer - "Captain, I've located the source of the local
       subspace commands linking this battlegroup. That fourth ship we
       hit. I've identified it as the Hideki. It appears to be a cross
       of a frigate and cruiser."
       Dourgas - "Rather odd combination, but then what else can you
       expect from the Great Houses?"
       Tactical Officer - "Hideki is moving off. Several other Xie
       ships have broken off and are in pursuit of the Jem'Hadar."
       Dourgas - "Helm, pick a ship and tail them. Tactical, as soon as
       we're in range, give them everything you have including the
       kitchen sink."
       Comm Officer - "They're trying to access their relay."
       Dourgas - "Are we jamming them?"
       Comm Officer - "Affirmative."
       Dourgas - "The sooner that relay is taken out, the better. FTLi
       only works in one area and that's propulsion."
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Xie frigate Hideki
       Lord Hokada clutched the arms of his chair as his ship banked
       hard to avoid losing the propulsion systems to the Trekkie ship.
       Nonetheless, enemy weapons fire caused several ODN lines to
       frizzle and burn out, causing the bridge to plunge into
       darkness. Seconds later, emergency lights activated, painting
       the bridge in a dull light grey light brightened only
       occasionally by the continued battle raging around them.
       Seki - "We lost weapons, My Lord. The other three ships have no
       drive propulsion and minimal weapons capability."
       Hokada - "Then get us closer to our relay so we can warn Central
       and our nearby colonies!"
       Seki - "My Lord, a wall of enemy craft are already on their way
       to the relay."
       Hokada - "Order our ships to break off their engagements and
       pursue those ships. They must not destroy that relay or we'll
       lose communications for 20 parsecs."
       Around him, the samurai and many of the Minor Lords, allied to
       House Meiji only by oaths of fealty, marriage, or promotion
       struggled to get weapons back online as the ship took course to
       pursue the Jem'Hadar. Hokada realized too late that the whole
       idea behind attacking this relay was to disable communications
       links between Central and the outmarches as well as between the
       outmarch worlds. If no one could be warned about the Trekkie
       advance, then the colonies would be easy targets. On one level
       he couldn't fault the Trekkies for their sound strategy. If he
       had led an invasion, it would be the tactic he'd use, and thus
       make it easier to then attack the blind, deaf and mute colonies.
       On the other hand, the very fact that Trekylon had returned to
       the galaxy which had rejected them almost universally was
       blasphemy of the worst kind and needed to be exterminated before
       they were allowed to spread deeper. His train of thought was
       brought to an end by a blinding flash which took everyone by
       surprise. It didn't take long to realize that the relay had been
       destroyed. Despite his best efforts to slow them down, the
       Trekkie ships had achieved their objective.
       cont'd>
       *****************************************************
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