Chapter Three

[Quantum Rain]

First topic message reminder :

As the forum auto-splits topics every 50 pages, the next topics will be named further chapters accordingly. This is chapter three, guys, KEEP IT UP!

Post.
POST.
POST!

~Jediluigi

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--Yaga Minor--

“Unfortunately, they did not have one.” He stated, looking over the janitor’s shoulder to confirm his directions mentally. Now there was just the matter of blending in without magic…

--Unknown World--

Leon walked up cautiously toward the creature, pistol ready in his free hand as he kept himself aware of his surroundings. So it takes a shot to the head to kill them. He thought, as he used the opportunity provided by the creature to learn how to combat his potential enemy.

--Gothis Orbit--

The Hive Ship activates its telekinetic powers once more, managing to deflect the torpedoes utilizing similar abilities to the Rachni. The Collective fleet presses on still, taking light losses via the Thanix cannons by comparison to the Turians.

--Gothis Land--

Despite the Collective Troops hunkering in and luring the enemy to them, several were still dieing, while some managed to put up a fight.

--Charad--

The pilot looked at the kiwi incredulously, as if annoyed. She hands the drawing to the kiwi, as if emphasizing it.

--Konnsallann Station--

Cross was annoyed, at first, to the interruption, but then intrigued by the report she overheard. She remained silent, however, waiting to see if anyone would even remember her presence and what they would say in explanation.

--Bladnir--

(On hold until JL either gets Victoria II or managed to talk to me on Skype to discuss where to go from here.)

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Invictus--

*Many League foundling units also join the defense, eager for payback now that the tables have turned.*

*The Feds' 7200mm railgun shells slam into the airship's shields and bounce harmlessly away, as do their other attacks on it. The airship retaliates mercilessly, unleashing a storm of drones against the allied airpower--these drones joining and complementing the already-present manned Imperium fighters, bombers, and gunships. The Imperium craft also launches a barrage of missiles at the Feds' railgun batteries and brings its ventrally-mounted plasma cannons to bear on the allies' ground units. Though it cannot fire on front-line units locked in close-combat without leading to friendly casualties, the flying battleship is able to bombard allied reserves and support emplacements with impunity.*

Bylaric: Sergeant Bylaric to General Brusilov. That damn thing is tearing our ground jockeys a new one! We have to deal with it somehow or it'll wipe them out!

[Roach]

--Invictus--

A powerful deflector shield is raised over the federation lines as the rain gun batteries continue to fire away at the imperium battleship. Then from higher altitude a salvo of photon torpedoes and a volley of turbolaser fire smashes into the imperium lines. A Heavily modified Federation Victory Star Defender decloaks after the salvo and turns its guns on the imperium battleship.

The bridge was abuzz with chatter the Federation Victory-class Star Defender Musketeer had been hiding in the upper atmosphere since the federation fleet had arrived. In the center of the command deck a single throne like chair there sat a large Gorn with leathery green skin and glowing yellow reptilian eyes. He was Captain Rygar a veteran of general Martok's fleet and he had captured the ship as a prize early in his career he had it extensively modified and now he played a dangerous game an atmospheric battle in a massive star ship.

"Lets make them come up and play, target their ground forces and fire another salvo of torpedoes. It should make a lovely present for them." Rygar almost hissed as he tapped a few keys on the arm of his command chair.

Another salvo of photon torpedoes exploded amongst the advancing imperium forces.

"Now target that ship and lets make sure we have their undivided attention. Fire a salvo of turbo lasers at them, target their bridge just so we can make sure they get the point."

Ripples of green fire erupted from the canons of the Musketeer slamming into the battleship from above.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

*The battleship's point-defense cannons shoot down some of the torpedoes, but it is unable to stop the turbolaser fire from doing damage to the Imperium ground forces. The Imps cover themselves with their own shield, but the battleship is still hit by attacks from below, including AA missiles and artillery along with the Feds' railguns. This in turn forces the craft to fly higher until it is out of their range, but also unable to keep firing its ventral cannons at the allied forces. Its PD lasers continue shooting down many torpedoes, though it is unable to stop them all due to the sheer amount of incoming ordinance. Turning to face the Musketeer, the airship sends another flurry of drones at the Star Destroyer, charges a massive spinal-mounted antimatter beam cannon, and fires upon its adversary. The blast would cause severe trauma to any shields the Musketeer possesses. The battleship complements the attack with another missile volley.*

*Meanwhile, the ground battle settles into a stalemate. Whoever wins this Duel of the Titans will be the deciding factor for this fight.*

[Roach]

--Invictus--

A swarm of Klingon fighters decloak and intercept the drones.

"Evasive maneuvers" Rygar barks

The massive Star Defender fires thrusters and engages its engines and goes into a roll causing the Antimatter beam cannon to score only a glancing hit. The missiles crash violently into the shields causing them to flare up but they hold.

"Attack pattern alpha three fire a full torpedo spread."

The star destroyer rockets forward after the torpedoes detonate in the air all around the airship it rolls tipping up on its side exposing its dorsal surface as it passes to the port side of the Astrium airship. THe brunt of it offensive power brought to bear it peppers the imperium ship with a startling volley of ion cannon and turbolaser fire. The Musketeer rights itself at it passes the imperium ship and begins to turn back about.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Invictus--

*The Klingon fighters manage to occupy some, but not all, of the drones, as the automata's host ship continuously replaces destroyed ones. The rest continue swarming over the Musketeer.*

*The Star Destroyer's maneuvering catches the cumbersome Imperium airship off-guard, though the vessel fires its broadside cannons at the Musketeer as it passes by and blasts several torpedoes out of the sky using its PD weapons. It starts turning to face the Federation warship, charging its beam cannon again.*

[Roach]

Rygar: Activate photon torpedo point defense system.

The Musketeer Launches an omni directional salvo of photon torpedoes that detonate in clusters all around the ship vaporising the drones attempting to swarm the ship.

Rygar: Continue evasive action keep us out of their main cannons firing arc.

The Musketeer maneuvers above the imperium battleship and opens fire with its ventral cannons.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

*After the dust from the photon cluster blast clears, the drones are gone. The Imperium warship retaliates against the bombardment with its dorsal neutron pulse cannons, though it is unable to do serious damage against the agiler Star Destroyer's shields. The craft launches another missile salvo at its adversary and then flickers for a few moments before suddenly vanishing from sensors and visuals. Then, just before the missiles impact, the Atrum airship reappears directly in front of the Musketeer and unleashes its antimatter beam cannon before the Star Destroyer can react. The beam hits at the same time as the missiles, additionally corresponding with a new swarm of drones attacking the Federation vessel from behind. This combined attack would cause massive damage to the Musketeer.*

*Taking a chance, Bylaric and his gunship squadron make a strafing run on the airship and manage to penetrate its shields, their missiles exploding against its hull.* Bylaric: Bylaric to Musketeer. That thing's shields are down! Now's our chance! *The gunships continue strafing the Atrum craft to prevent its shields from regenerating, though they come under heavy fire from its point-defenses. One takes a crippling hit to its eezo core and plummets like a stone.*

[Roach]

Rygar: Status?

Ensign: Sir shields are out engines are on auxiliary power and our weapons are at minimal power we still have another full salvo of torpedoes we also have two tricobalt devices.

Rygar: HIt that ship with everything we have even fire the kitchen sink out of the tubes if you have to.

Hundreds of photon torpedoes streak toward the Imperium battleship followed by two massive blue balls of light as the tricobalt devices streak forward at the tail end of the salvo.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

*With the massive torpedo swarm incoming, the gunships put as much distance as they can between the doomed Imperium warship and themselves, though they launch missiles of their own to contribute to its demise. The Atrum craft's point-defenses shoot down as much of the incoming ordinance as they can, but it is an ultimately futile effort as the warheads slam into its vulnerable hull, causing terrible damage to the floating behemoth. Rippling explosions bloom across its armor and it begins to lose altitude, until the tricobalt torpedoes seal its fate--blowing the huge aircraft in half. With their most valuable asset destroyed, the remaining Imperium forces beat a hasty retreat.*

[Roach]

Rygar: Well done men now lets get this lumbering hunk of metal down to the ground and begin repairs.

THe Victory star destroyer descends to the ground and lands near the federation bas swarms of nanobots begin pouring over the hull repairing it as the form themselves into the shapes of the damaged systems within a few days no one would realize that the ship had even been in battle.

Rygar: Get those replicators going i want our torpedo compliment restocked as fast as possible, And get that lance of mechs offloaded. Ensign inform General Brusilov that we come bearing a shipment of weapons for the Turian resistance fighters they may appreciate some additional firepower.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

*The turians gratefully receive the proffered weapons.*

--Brusilov's Command Post--

Vonak: General, we're running out of time. Have your gearheads finished breaking into the Imps' comm system?

[Roach]

Brusilov: We have all the encryption broken we just need one of those Imp bastards to cough up the override code so that we can start sending our little suprise data packet.

At that moment Rygar lumbers into the room he towers above everyone around him he reaches the side of the general and salutes smartly despite the massive Lizard standing at over 9 feet tall Brusilov still managed a commanding presence.

Rygar: Lieutenant Vonak i Presume? Shall we interrogate the Prisoner? You be the good cop and I will be the bad cop?

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

*Vonak doesn't bat an eye at the imposing Gorn's appearance and shakes Rygar's massive hand.* Vonak: My pleasure, Captain Rygar. And my thanks for the weapons shipment--we were so low on ammo we were about to switch to the sticks up our [censored] that we keep as backups. *He shakes his head at the Captain's suggestion.* No, you be the good cop. I'll be the bad. It'll throw them off to see a big lizard playing nice and a turian shaking up a can of whoop-[censored], rather than the opposite.

[Roach]

Rygar: Intriguing very well I will play nice.

*The two men go to the interrogation room the Imperium squad leader is sitting at a simple wooden table cuffed to his chair. Rygar enters the room first and sits opposite the imperium squad leader.*


Rygar: Good Evening I am captain Rygar with the federation navy, How have they been treating you?

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

*The man remains silent, his face stoney and revealing no emotion. Vonak also keeps quiet, for now, though he walks around the interrogation room and passes behind the human.*

[Roach]

Rygar Strokes his snout* 

Rygar: What is your name rank and serial number?

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

*The Imperium soldier remains close-mouthed. Vonak suddenly smashes his fist into the back of the man's head, cracking it forward onto the table.* Vonak (snarl): My friend asked you a question. I understand that in human culture, it's rude not to answer someone when they ask you a question.

*The human lifts his head up from the table, a trickle of blood running from the corner of his mouth.* Duncan: Heath Duncan, Sergeant in the Atrum Imperium Army. If you aliens think I'm telling you my ID number, you're--

*Vonak kicks Duncan's chair forward, crushing him against the table's surface.*

[Roach]

Rygar: That looked like it hurt, My friend here has a short temper it may be easier for you if you answer my questions. Now we captured your entire patrol and have already broken the encryption for your comm codes now all I require from you is the override codes for your Comm network. Provide me with that and you and your comrades can spend the rest of this war resting comfortably in a detention center on Ramius.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

Duncan: Now why should I do that? Why should I betray my country for you, lizard?

*The turian grabs the Imperium sergeant's arm, twists it around, sets his boot against the human's back, and pushes him forward until beads of sweat break out on Duncan's forehead.*

Vonak: Because if you don't, I'll break your [censored] legs.

[Roach]

Rygar: You don't have much of a choice, its only a matter of time until we get the codes. We can extract them from you or from one of your men but that is up to you. This interrogation is nothing compared to what we are capable of. So you must ask what is more important your government or your men. Only one of those has shed blood sweat and tears beside you.

[Quantum Rain]

"More than that, I'd say demented would be more apt." He replied, as the elevator flew towards the city, with the castle peering ahead of them. "This place isn't as ruined as it is twisted. None of the damage you see is damage done by battle at all... and the ocean..." He continued, scrutinizing the situation around them. "It doesn't quite make sense, does it?"

Xyphus shrugged.  "I guess it's all irrelevant in retrospect."  He said blandly.  "This isn't an architectural inspection."  He would be tapping his foot, as if he were impatient to get off the elevator, but his expression remained completely devoid of feeling.

The elevator suddenly stopped at the halfway point, almost sending Xirce forward off the edge. He quickly regained his balance, and sighed. "I'm thinking I should wish it were." He commented, staring at the distance they had yet to go, and looking back to see that it would be equal distances to and fro, and thus, quite a feat to swim. "I don't think we can swim that distance..." He said, thinking. He conjured as large of a hardlight platform as he could, focusing as much as possible. He stepped onto it, closing his eyes as it flickered slightly due to his concentration faltering.

--For Dominion



--Altakiril--

Several IS soldiers decloak in the middle of the AI squad and tear them asunder from within their ranks, finishing off this advance. The lieutenant stepped forward to Bularr. "The AI has several reinforcements on their way, they'll intend to destroy this place." He said, nodding to his soldiers as they ran off towards the exit outside. "They're bringing an Excalibur and some heavy support alongside their infantry lines. All the patrols have been directed here, and they're not stopping. We hailed one of our ships to provide air support, but it will be some time." He said rather calmly. He didn't seem at all worried about their situation.


"I need more time to get through their security." Cross spoke from his control panel, now working quicker than before despite showing no concern either. These IS soldiers were far too level-headed for comfort really. "Now that they know, they're throwing up as many firewalls and defenses as they can to stall my advance. I can get past them easily, but it will require time. Once I am finished, I will launch the missiles. When you hear the silo alarms, flee the compound immediately. I'm not leaving a single structure for the enemy to hide themselves in."

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

*The lieutenant's assessment of the enemy strength visibly rattles the avians.*

Bularr: You're--what's the human word?--you're kidding. How in Aves's name are we supposed to hold off an army?!

[Quantum Rain]

"Well, at last count, there were six assault crafts, three heavies, one Excalibur, and sixty infantry. A higher-standard patrol force." The lieutenant replied to the Avian, taking out an energy blade from his energy-carrier. "We will hold them at bay because we have no other choice." He answered, unconcerned about their numbers.

[Sir Noret]

/Survey 72 Fence-class Light Frigate|E7-81 1IC|System E7-81|Sector E-7 Space\

The captain hurries to the ship's main communication room and hails the admiralty on Kolaris II


//Ship-to-Command\\
||Encryption-class: Alpha*||
o DES Survey 72
x Naval High Comand, Kolaris II
 
x This is Naval Command, what do you have to report?
o I have made contact with a rebel group of something called the True Sith Empire in the unknown regions. They seem to be somewhat partial to our ideals, I suggest we make further contact with them in the future. In the meantime, I have decided to help them to the extent that I can as their ship is heavily damaged. There doesn't seem to be any immediate danger, however, it would seem that the pirates out here are significantly more armed then we anticipated. If there are available resources I might suggest they be moved out here, before we are caught off guard.
x Unfortunately, due to recent developments in the core we may not be able to allocate additional military resources to ACE. However, Command approves of your current course of action and authorizes you to proceed, although we request that you remain in intermittent contact with Victoria.
o Understood, Survey 72 out.
//End\\

The crew begins readying the ship to carry the additional passengers and the generator.

/Crippled Red Faction Vessel|E7-81 1IC|System E7-81|Sector E-7 Space\

Survey 72's engineering squad arrives to assist with the removal of the generator

---

/Bridge of the DNS Rule of Law|Recopi|Recopi System|M-11|Mazeronian Core Worlds\

//Command-to-Ship\\
||Encryption-class: Alpha*||
o Naval High Command, Kolaris II
x DNS Rule of Law

o This is Grand Admiral Yrks, the council has decided that the Moffs and their supporters are not worth a full scale war at this time. You are ordered to pull back to Iri and prepare defense throughout our core holdings as a precaution.
x Understood.
//End\\

//Ship-to-Fleet\\
||Encryption-class: Null||
o DNS Rule of Law
x Directorate V-VII Fleets

o Admiral Renas to fleet, the council has decreed that we pull back to Iri. Move to the edge of the system and prepare to jump.
//End\\

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

Bularr (muttering in Raptorian): This is crazy. (Basic) Alright, I have an idea. We haven't yet detonated the charges we placed around the base, so we could retrieve those and use them as makeshift mines. I saw some stationary turret emplacements around the base--could we turn those to our advantage?

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