View Topic

Ambassador Herjall
Protheus
Sector (-18, 1)

"I will let you know if I need anything." And with that, the Ambassador got up and walked out with her guards.
Ambassador Ulfír
Scientific Imperial Fleet Observation Task Force
Orbiting Vivaldi
Sector (-12, 24)

"Proceeding immediately to the planet would help speed things along," he told Mott. "We have been delayed long enough."
Jarl Brunnhilde
AFS Jörmungandr
Sector (-16, 14)

"Of course. I shall issue the order for the fleet to move to the Wintreath border and await orders from your people. I would appreciate it if you let your people know we're coming so as to avoid any unnecessary conflict.

"After the fleet gets underway, I shall be returning to our capitol world to officially take my place as Jarl. Would you care to follow?"

Comms Officer
Bridge

"Avonite vessel, you are cleared to bring your representative aboard." He then contacted the Science shuttle and said, "Science vessel, you are cleared for landing."

Avonite People's Defense Force Station S-4d, Southern Avonite Enclave

Sgt Tip Wallayer

Sgt Wallayer was just enjoying his nice cup of Andulyssian flavor bean coffe, lying back and relaxed. After all, it might be Penitent Rapture right now but nothing had happened for a good day, probably just a drill. Once the stand down order was given, things would go back to normal. A light beeped on his console. He scratched his leg then lazily pressed a read out on his console. It showed that...an entire fleet of unidentified cloaked vessels had entered Avonite space and were progressing deeper into our territory. Wallayer put down his coffee and ordered a rescan. It had to be a mistake, the GSN had to be malfunctioning or something. The same result. Wallayer opened a drawer and hurriedly pulled out his quick identification card list...not Kevarian....not Laurentian....definitely  not Avonite...Romulan....they were Romulan ships. The Romulans had invaded Avon!

Admiral of the 4th Peoples Defense Force Dac Deevader

He stared at the screen in disbelief. It cant be true. It just.... it was true. He leaned back. The projected trajectory put it toward... Avon. The damn pointy eared untrustworthy backstabbing manipulators were invading Avonite space! There was only one thing for it! He stood up. "EVERYONE LISTEN UP! WE HAVE BEEN INVADED BY THE DAMN ROMULANS! FOR THE DEFENSE OF SPODE, FOR THE DEFENSE OF AVON, FOR THE DEFENSE OF YOUR FAMILY AND ALL YOU HOLD DEAR WE MUST PROTECT OUR HOMELAND! I want all reserves across Avon space mobilized! Elements of all fleets to converge on Avon! All fleets to adopt Anti-Romulan stances! All ships to patch into the GSN and to activate their own GSN units! Get the bulk of our fleet moving towards Avon! 5 ships every 90 seconds, no delays, no excuses! WE THINK WE ARE GOOD AT WAR?" a rousing cheer filled the room from everyone in the station bridge. "NOW LET'S PROVE IT! FOR THE ENCLAVE!" the room exploded into cheers as everyone rushed to their stations, contacting distant commanders and moving men to battle positions. War had returned to the Avonite Enclave....

Admiral Ark Innsmouth, Frosthold Planet

Admiral Innsmouth stopped as his communicator beeped again. Urgent message. "Excuse me a moment." he said to his escort. He read the message from the Capitol building. It was from Jan Lightbringer? What... invasion? " THOSE SPODEDAMNED ROMULANS! THEY'LL PAY FOR THIS!" in a rage he threw his communicator against the wall. "THIS MEANS WAR!" he turned and continued to advance towards the crown room. He had one, single purpose now. He entered the Monarch's room. "Your Majesty." he said as he bowed, waiting for the Monarch's response....

AES Blader, in orbit around Avon

Captain Gry Breadbakker

"What the hell is going on? I get attacked in AvCom and now the 3rd Fleet is here firing on the Romulans? What the hell is going on?" Captain Breadbakker sat at his captains chair for the first time since this all began." I'm not sure sir, we've been in orbit and in contact with Admiral Hanover's fleet since this all began! I have no idea what's going on." his first officer replied. This was screwed up! The 3rd fleet thought that the Romulans were responsible? They were invited guests! He had to.....

The Blader exploded as fire from Avon ground batteries pierced the armour and detonated engineering. Without it's shields active the ship never stood a chance. Soon the whole ship was caught in a massive explosion. Another casualty of war.

AES Murphy, in orbit around Avon

Admiral Fir Hanover

Hanover watched as the Blader imploded, killing all onboard. At least, that would be the official story. Any life pods would be dealt with. Now no one could possibly confirm that the Romulans were invited guests. Except Darkcloak and Flowchaser. But if that idiot from the police was right and they were on that damn Romulan ship they wouldn't be a problem much longer. "Open a line to Trhpanner. Make it a line to line communication to cut through the Romulan interference.  Tell him the Romulans just destroyed the Blader. Then open a hailing frequency to the Romulans. I want to talk to them." The comms ensign nodded and tapped his console. Soon a message was broad casted to the Romulans.

"This is Admiral Fir Hanover of the Avonite Home Systems Defense Force. You're alone. You're surrounded. You have no hope what so ever of victory. And despite your parlor trick, yes, we know about your precious cloaking devices, we know exactly where you are. We can blow you out of the sky at a moments notice. The only reason, the only reason, you are still alive despite everything you have done to my people is the fact that you have kidnapped our Councilors. Return Kir Darkcloak and Irk Flowchaser, unharmed and in good health, then surrender or I promise you we will destroy your ship before you can even comprehend what you've done. You have one minute to reply."

Hanover sincerely hoped they wouldn't reply. If they didnt, he had an excuse to kill them. If they did, he could take Darkcloak and Flowchaser and then parade them as POW's. A win-win for him either way. He waited for the minute to pass.....

AES Redoubt, next to Aesir Fleet

Captain Kli Waverider

"Thank you very much, I will board promptly." Waverider got up to, for the second time, meet the Aesir Jarl. Hopefully this one would survive the day....

Somewhere

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Lajardi Voidwatcher existed. He knew that much. What was he? Where was he? His mind was hazy.....where was his mind? It felt like he was trapped. By what? Where? What had happened? Soon a voice whispered to him in the dark, sensing his struggle.

Sleep....sleeeeppp....let the dreams come.....yesss.....yessssss

It was in his mind. He knew that. He had to fight. He had to get out of this prison. Where ever it was..

I said sleep.....rest.....rest....yessssss.....yessssssss.....your eyes are heavy.......sleeeeeeeepppppp

Laj had to fight. He... he had to.....

Lajardi Voidwatcher, or what ever it had become, slipped away again. Resting. But not dead.


? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Years ago, longer than any person could possibly remember, when Avonites fought each other with sticks and stones, 3 men had meet a weird Avonite. He dressed funny, talked funny and felt funny. But the 3 men had bigger concerns than a strange man with strange thoughts. Like providing for their families and keeping predators at bay. But they would always distrust the strange man who entered their village. Finally, after a particularly bad hunt, the 3 men accused the strange man. Hunts had become difficult. Animals acted like they were in a panic. Strange lights were seen in the sky. Stranger things had happened. Obviously, the Strange man had insulted the Gods or cast a strange spell. The strange man replied simply. "You cant insult the Gods when you are a God." That was the final straw. The 3 men beat the Strange man to death for insulting the gods like that. They went home, satisfied by their act. Their names were Kip Fishcatcher, Han Spearchucker and Gar Meatcutter. The Strange man's name? Alc Spode.

Alc Spode.

If only they had know what they had done. What they had doomed their village, their people and themselves to. Now, he existed in this tired old body. It's previous inhabitant had named it Lajardi Voidwatcher. The others had bodies named Poe Pestlewait and Danoz Preacher. He had since stopped using the name he used to have. Why would he?

He wasn't Gar Meatcutter anymore. They werent Kip Fishcatcher or Han Spearchucker either. They hadn't really been ever Spode and his people "forgave" them and "enlightened" them. Now he was cursed to carry on this damned existence. But no matter. Perfection would come. Perfection would come.....

Donna Leonard - Diplomat Convoy to Romulans
IRW Pevatha
Romulan Border Zone

Commander Tovanus led her further into the ship, eventually arriving at the dining hall. The Romulan commander wanted her, her, to be the first Lernaean to experience the full extent of the Romulan Star Empire. She couldn't believe it! Oh the stories she could tell her future children...

"Thank you, commander," Donna replied, with a smile spanning the length of her face. "Enlighten me Romulan Empire!"
Wallace White - Diplomat to Aesir
Protheus
Sector (-18, 1)

Wallace and his ceremonial guards stood as Ambassador Herjall and her party exited the room. After they walked out, he sent a dispatch to command letting them know of his progress.

Zuophus, United Acarian Empires
Foreign Quarter
Sector (5, -19)

"Very well then," Bergli said. It's the best I could hope for in this situation, he thought to himself.
Wintrean Diplomatic Convoy
Protheus, Allied States of Lernaea
Sector (-18, 1)

The shuttle landed, and Øye and her team stepped out.

"Thank you for agreeing to meet with us on such a short notice," Øye said as she greeted the Lernaeans.
Wintrean Border Control Station
Sector (-6, 8 )

After some discussion with the Ministry of Defense and Hvitt Ridderal, the border control station sent out instructions to the Scientific Expeditionary Force on where they could observe and help in the fight against the Romulan and Acarian aggressors.
Romulan Occupation Command
Trilia Scientific Research Station, Wintreath
Sector (5, -6)

Lajunen quivered in fear. "Please, I'll do whatever you want, just don't hurt me..."
Wintrean Diplomatic Mission to the Aesir Empire
AFS Jörmungandr
Sector (-16, 14)

"Yes, continuing to Drekiheimr sounds like a good idea, since we will need to set up our permanent diplomatic office," Lundgren replied. "And I will let my people know about your military's arrival."
Wintrean reception committee for Lernaea
Monarch's spaceport, Frosthold Planet
Sector (-3, 3)

"Welcome!" Jarl Jensen said as the Lernaean delegation arrived. He and the rest of the reception then provided information on constructing the embassy.
Frosthold Castle

"Welcome, Admiral," the Monarch greeted Innsmouth. "I believe we have much to discuss."

Scientific Imperial Fleet Observation Task Force
Orbiting Vivaldi
Sector (-12, 24)

"Very well then," Mott said. He then boarded the shuttle with the Aesir ambassador and his team. A short while later, they landed.
Diplomatic Mission to Aesir Empire
Jörmungandr
Sector (-23, 14)

Glass's delegation landed in the Aesir flagship, and disembarked from their shuttle.
Science Expeditionary Force
Near Wintrean border
Sector (-6, 9)

The Expeditionary Force received the welcome from Wintreath, and headed towards the front, towards Galactic South.
Special Task Force of the Scientific Exploration Fleet
Orbiting Toobek, New Witchmond
Sector (-14, -19)

The Scientists, Lernaeans, and Witchians soon reached the Witchian capital. As they arrived, Bailey waited for the Witchains' lead.

Frosthold Planet

Admiral Ark Innsmouth

"Thank you for seeing me, your majesty. I hope we can come to a mutual understanding between our two peoples. I also understand that you are being invaded by the Romulans. My sincerest apologies. But I know how you feel." He paced the room. "Have you been told about the troubles in my nation? There was a terrorist attack in my capital and a member of our government was killed. I recently got an update from our capitol. Apparently, the Romulans are responsible. They have attacked our government to create chaos, possibly for an invasion similar to yours. The Romulans are obviously planning to conquer the galaxy and wipe out their biggest enemies." He rubbed his hands nervously. "I'll be honest, my government is afraid. We have been at war with ourselves for centuries but our population is decimated. We have a standing army of experienced veterans and an effective fighting force but lack the manpower to keep up a prolonged war. So my government has authorized me to make a proposal on their behalf." He faced the monarch earnestly. "What would you say to an alliance?"

Ecstatic Sul Gravemind

Sul walked hurriedly back to his shuttle. Damn those foolish Wintreans. They had no idea what they were unleashing. Jim Windwaver had asked Sul to approach the Wintreans to try and calm down whatever was happening. People were being killed and spys were everywhere. And then the attack. Sul had only recently heard about the attack. Damn it to hell, there had to be a way....

"Sul Gravemind?"

Sul stopped and turned to face the noise. It was a vigilant? And what was he holding?

"Yul Deacon sends his regards."

The ceremonial ax lifted and before Sul could even scream buried itself into his skull, killing Sul Gravemind instantly.

The killer left the ax embedded in his skull and left quickly.

Bridge Communications Records
IRW Venator Stellarum
Avon, Avonite Enclave

"Deploy decoy probes and set them on various courses out of the system.  We shall defeat them with confusion!  Modify scramblers and put shields on modulating frequencies.  Tie in automated control to the helm.  Computer, plot course and modify system functionality to mimic subspace distortion."

Commander Gela paused, "Beam us back down to AvCom.  And the rest of the security contingent.  In fact, beam ship security personnel as well.  The Councillors must order their fleet to stand down." 

She paused again, thinking, as Councillor Flowchaser walked in, "Out of curiosity, Councillor, do you have any way of disabling the Avonite fleet remotely?  Surely you built in safeguards in the event different factions proved... uncooperative."
Admiral Pistrix's Fleet
IRW D'Venorex Elysia
Southern Avonite Enclave
En Route to Avon

"Admiral!  The Avonite border defence forces are moving to intercept.  Orders sir?"

"Hail the Avonite vessels!  And decloak those vessels still cloaked."  Admiral Pistrix cleared his throat and growled, "AVONITE VESSELS!!  This is Admiral Pistrix of the Romulan Star Navy.  We have no quarrel with you, but with those who would blame us for infighting within your race.  And, no offence, but we wouldn't want your space in a thousand years.  You have my word as an officer and a commander that I shall withdraw once we have retrieved our people from your homeworld—alive."
Communications Records
IRW Pevatha
Romulan Border Zone

"Wonderful!  Good to meet you, Commander Leonard!  We are truly delighted to have you aboard today, truly!  This way!"

"Very well!  You see here in my hand what one might call the best drink ever invented—Romulan Ale.  Though I must caution you, it has quite a kick..."

After rambling on about the various culinary masterpieces of Romulus on the table, Commander Tovanus paused, "And should you like to add anything to the meal, I'm sure we could beam over anything Lernaean that you'd like to add to it!  I certainly don't want this to be a one-way cultural exchange now, after all!"
Ground, Planet Trilia
Romulan Occupation Command
Romulan-Occupied Wintrean Remant

"I am Director Lemarak, of Tal Shiar Special Weapons Development.  You are an ex-Wintrean scientist who is now under my command.  Should you fail to do as instructed, you, and your staff, who as we speak are being given needed medial attention and shelter aboard one of our transport cruisers.  Even you, Dr. Lajunen, are on IRW Arx, lead ship of the famed Arx-class.  And we are about to return to my facility on Yenyria, to Project Pottentia.  I want your team's assistance, which I am sure you'll provide.  After all,Yenyria isn't a boring agricultural world.  In fact, it's quite similar to Trillia, in that presently it's underdeveloped.  Though eventually, it shall be the most advanced construction ever undertaken in the empire."

IRW Venator Stellarum, in orvit around Avon

Councilor Irk Flowchaser

Irk looked at his hands. No....no....."NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Irk was screaming now, dropping to his knees as he did so. His whole body was shaking now, his mind was in a panic. "YOU KILLED US! YOU KILLED BOTH OF US! DO YOU REALIZE WHAT YOU'VE DONE? YOU TELEPORTED US! WE'RE JUST PALE SHELLS, CLONES, YOU KILLED US! YOU KILLED...you killed....you killed our souls....." Irk broke down crying. The teleporters had killed the original bodies, including their souls. They were dead. They were worse than dead. Their souls were gone, they simply did not exist in the eyes of the Avonite people. The Romulans had killed them. He got up and stumbled to Kir Darkcloak. "I'm sorry Kir...." he spoke between sobs. He reached for the knife on his belt.....

AES War's Harbinger, flagship of the 4th People's Defense Force, north of the border facing Kevarus

Admiral of the 4th Peoples Defense Force Dac Deevader

The 4th PDF was chasing the Romulan invaders. It was estimated that the fleet would catch up around... "Sir, the Romulan fleet has halted and decloaked! They are hailing us!" An ensign called out. A Romulan appeared on the screen, barking orders at them. Upon hearing his words, Deevader stood up, his hands forming fists, his face contorted in rage. The briDge crew knew what to expect, Deevader had a temper. He began shouting.

"YOU HAVE THE UNMITIGATED GALL TO BARK ORDERS AT ME? HOW DARE YOU! FIRST, YOU INVADE AVONITE SPACE UNDER CLOAK..." he gestured towards the Gravity Ops Ensign, who nodded and activated the concentrated gravity wells around the Romulans, trapping them in the area, unable to warp. "THEN YOU SHOUT ORDERS AT ME LIKE A FUCKING PRIVATE..." the last few words he spoke in utter contempt as he signaled the Weapons Ensign who targeted the Romulans. The whole fleet followed suit. "AND NOW YOU INSULT MY PEOPLE?" this sentence, if it was possible, was shouted even louder. His whole face was in  full on attack mode, his spinespikes bristling, his stance aggressive. "YOU HAVE 5 SECONDS TO SURRENDER OR DIE!" he cut the comm line. He turned to the bridge crew. "On the count of 5, open fire, all ships! 1...2...3...4..."

Bridge Communications Records
IRW Venator Stellarum
Avon, Avonite Enclave

Commander Gela recoiled in shock—then fired her distruptor on stun at Flowchaser. 

"Wake Darkcloak.  I want someone who isn't sentimental to work with, and that's her."
Admiral Pistrix's Fleet
IRW D'Venorex Elysia
Avonite Enclave
En Route to Avon

"Avonite forces powering weapons and preparing to fire.  Action sir?"

"Focus fire on their engines and launch all strike craft.  Signal the ICC cruisers to remain behind with the strike craft, and order all Warbirds on us.  It appears we'll be fighting and fleeing today."  Admiral Pistrix grinned.  He was certainly not the most easily intimidated commander, and was willing to sacrifice his entire fleet to achieve his mission.  In this case, it involved the sacrifice of battlecruisers not even technically under Imperial Navy control.  All the better he thought, as he dispatched orders from his fleet command station, ordering thousands of drone fighters to engage the Avonites, positioning the ICC hulks as walls to shield enemy fire. 

"Focus fire on their flagship!  Kill the head quickly and the body shall die with it!" 

Protheus
Sector (-18, 1)

Valkyries carrying architects and Berarr carrying building materials and equipment began their descent from the frigates and destroyers to the predetermined area.
Ambassador Ulfír
Vivaldi
Sector (-12, 24)

Ulfír climbed out of the cramped shuttle once the hatch was opened up. Standing to his full height, he took a look around to survey his surroundings.
Jarl Brunnhilde
AFS Jörmungandr
Sector (-16, 14)

"Excellent. We shall take this longboat so no Aragonn loyalists dare challenge us on our way to the planet. Keep your ship close to mine. We should have little to no trouble once we get there, but until we do, it's better safe than sorry."

Landing Bay

A group of guards greeted the two delegations and began leading them to the bridge to meet Brunnhilde there.

Near Monarch's private spaceport
Frostlake City, Frosthold Planet
Sector (-3, 3)

"Sir, the killed person has been identified as Avonite 'Ecstatic Sul Gravemind.'"

"Interesting. Notify the Monarchy and Foreign Affairs Ministry immediately."
Frosthold Castle

"An alliance sounds most excellent for both of our nations' needs and interests," the Monarch replied.

After a moment, as information was relayed to him, the Monarch suddenly changed the subject.

"There's been an... incident nearby. A certain Ecstatic Sul Gravemind appears to have been murdered. I believe you know him?"

The Monarch began playing a holographic surveillance recording.

"Sul Gravemind? Yul Deacon sends his regards."

The recording finished. "Thoughts?"
Romulan Occupation Command
Trilia Scientific Research Station, Wintreath
Sector (5, -6)

"Does that mean I get to live?"
Wintrean Diplomatic Mission to the Aesir Empire
AFS Jörmungandr
Sector (-16, 14)

Ambassador Lundgren returned to the Wintrean ship. Still shaken by her experience, she began collecting her thoughts as she ordered the convoy to follow the Aesir.

Frosthold Planet

Admiral Ark Innsmouth

Ark froze. "Sul Gravemind is dead? How did he die? And how did you get that recording?"

AES War's Harbinger, flagship of the 4th People's Defense Force, north of the border facing Kevarus

Admiral of the 4th Peoples Defense Force Dac Deevader

'5.. FIRE!'

The fleet unleashed hell before the Romulans began moving. They targeted the smaller ships first, deeming the big Cruiser sized ships to be heavily armored but lightly armed, not much of a threat.

There were over 45 Pendelton Cruisers in the fleet and slightly over 150 ships in the fleet.

3 Wilderness class destroyers fired with pinpoint accuracy, immediately knocking out the shields of 3 Warbirds. The Wilderness ships stayed back, behind most of the rest of the fleet. 22 Pendeltons fired with everything they had on the vulnerable cruisers. With that many lasers firing, aiming was not an issue. The surface of the Romulan ships quickly became comparable to the surface of the sun (not a scientific term) and parts of the hull melted after sustained fire, resulting in one ship breaking apart and the other two listing without power. The other ships in the fleet began raining hell down on the Romulans, with almost every ship in the Avonite fleet getting hits in. The Wilderness class Destroyers were recharging the main guns....

Diplomatic Mission to Aesir Empire
AFS Jörmungandr
Sector (-23, 14)

Glass followed the guards as they were led to meet the Aesir leader.
Scientific Imperial Fleet Observation Task Force
Vivaldi Spaceport
Sector (-12, 24)

"Shall we meet with the Government now, or do you want to get your embassy set up?" Mott asked.
Science Expeditionary Force
Wintreath: Near Southern Front
Sector (5, -6)

The Scientist military soon arrived near the front and began making preparations for assisting the Wintreans.

Admiral Pistrix's Fleet
IRW D'Venorex Elysia
Southern Avonite Enclave
En Route to Avon

"Imperator!  The Avonite border defence forces are firing!  Orders sir?"

Admiral Pistrix smirked. 

"Return fire and broadcast all records from Venator Stellarum we have.  I want every ship in that Avonite fleet to receive that data!  Deploy the fleet in testudo and divert engine power to shields and communications."
Ground, Planet Trilia
Romulan Occupation Command
Romulan-Occupied Wintrean Remant

Lemarak grinned devilishly. 

"Yes, I'm afraid that Dr. Lajunen and Wintrean scientists from Trilia will be resettled at a secure facility immediately."

Then the comms flashed and a hologram of Captain Jayaren appeared.

"Orders, sir?" 

"Yenyria.  Set course immediately."

"By your command, Director."