Depths of Space (IC, OPEN, FT)

by **Delta Eridanus** » Thu Dec 10, 2015 6:09 pm

Decius departs with them, sending a message ahead.

All Cadian ships, and allies,

A trade agreement and defense pact has been signed with the people of Arcturus, I am returning with reinforcements.

Decius Lupercal

The United Tributational Territories wrote:
Delta Eridanus wrote:"I know Dorian Martell like the back of my hand, and I know that he will not show all of his cards in one battle. What we see in Theta Eridani will be only a slice of what is in Achernar. Any other questions?"

"No, I should be good with just that." Braken looked at his wrist notifier. "More ships should make the jump in approximately 20 Earth minutes."

Epsilon Eridani

"Very good." Darius nodded.

A crewman walked up to Darius, and handed him a note.

"Ah, and it seems Decius has come through. Reinforcements from Arcturus are arriving... Now,"

the ICS Corinthian Valor arrived, with multiple unfamilar starships totaling 100, along with one VERY large carrier...

(UTT, this is Aterrian Union, Aterrian, this is the UTT. You're both helping me put down some insolent Martells! :lol:

)

by **The United Tributational Territories** » Thu Dec 10, 2015 10:19 pm

Delta Eridanus wrote:Decius departs with them, sending a message ahead.

All Cadian ships, and allies,

A trade agreement and defense pact has been signed with the people of Arcturus, I am returning with reinforcements.

Decius Lupercal

The United Tributational Territories wrote:"No, I should be good with just that." Braken looked at his wrist notifier. "More ships should make the jump in approximately 20 Earth minutes."

Epsilon Eridani

"Very good." Darius nodded.

A crewman walked up to Darius, and handed him a note.

"Ah, and it seems Decius has come through. Reinforcements from Arcturus are arriving... Now,"

the ICS Corinthian Valor arrived, with multiple unfamilar starships totaling 100, along with one VERY large carrier...

(UTT, this is Aterrian Union, Aterrian, this is the UTT. You're both helping me put down some insolent Martells! )

(Good to hear! Braken will be leading this fight, but John will introduce himself to every leader on the battlefield. John's gonna be busy putting down some insolent Florans)

Braken nodded at the ships, and sent them a greeting. "Reinforcements arriving in 15 Earth Minutes."

by **The Moscow Metro Red Line** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 3:01 am

Sol System - Orbit Around Mars - Battle Group Sol - I.O.S. Relentless Zeal, Crown Prince Joseph Marx's Flagship - Audience Chamber - 2135 Earth Hours - 62 Hours after Awakening

"Cannibalism is punished by a public burning." Joseph replied sharply, before changing back to his calm tone. "Mmm..." Joseph spoke and looked at his tablet. "High priority communication from Ostia, on the Imperial News Network?" He muttered, and let it play. Just than everything faded and went dark. When the light came back on, the scenery changed to inside the gilded halls of the Imperial Ostian Throne room. Banners flew at the top of the white columns, and the Emperor stood infront of his throne.

"Brothers and sisters of Ostia and loyal subjects of the Imperium, this is your Emperor, Karl Engels the Seventh speaking from the home-world. As some of you may have heard, the neighboring systems of the Displeoa system have began to evacuate. You may have also heard that contact with the Displeoa System has been lost as well. All of this is true. The three neighboring systems are being evacuated as I speak. But why is this?, you all may be wondering. Why has contact been lost?" The Emperor shifted to gaze to the center of the screen and changed his tone. "We are facing a threat that we have never faced before. A threat greater than the one posed by the Sovik Union which we defeated after fifteen years of war. The images that are about to be displayed are not for the light of heart. But you all must see the truth and the threat we face as a country." Just than part of the chamber changed from the throne room to some sort of urban center, completed with people walking and other scenery. "This is some of the recovered footage from Xarintine, the capital planet of the system." Just than the scene time-lasped and showed the urban center slowly becoming chaotic and the sky turning a different hue. Strange particles were floating in the air, and military forces were fighting some off-screen enemy. Just than a battlesuit appeared in sight, firing at the unseen enemy.

"This is Greyback Platoon! We are running out of munitions? Where is that resupply?" One of the battlechatter said.

"Negative Platoon leader, we are overextended as it is. We cannot grant your request. You will have to improvise."

"Keep firing! Keep fir-" Just than something slammed into the battlesuit, some sort of hideous creature about half its height. The ground also began to change as something spread gradually.

The solemn voice of the Emperor returned. "The planet was overrun within 36 hours after awakening. The next planet was overrun within 51 hours after awakening, after Xarintine had fallen." A few images of the changed planet were shown, especially the sudden climate change of Lepota where the frozen frigid regions suddenly started to melt and shapes burst from the ice, attacking the Ostian soldiers ontop of the ice. A battlegroup led by Prince Xaiver Marx was dispatched to handle the threat. That battlegroup was destroyed completely with no survivors."

As the battle log was played, images from the battle were shown. Images of the Ostian starships clashing with the larger bioships. Images of Ostian Battlesuits struggling to stave off the incountable biofighters. Images of the Morbid Angel firing at its weapons at the unique bioship. Images of other Ostian ships firing at other Ostian ships. Images of the biomass consuming one of the frigates as it rammed into a bioship. Images of Battlesuit performing a mercy killing on one of the other battlesuits as a biomass started to grow on it. The final image was a fleet of bioships moving through the wreckage of the battlegroup towards the starbase.

"We face an enemy which can turn our own kin against. We face an enemy which grows stronger as it consumes more organic matter. We face an enemy which is not only a threat to Ostia, but the rest of the galaxy. Brothers and sisters. Loyal subjects. We face a dark hour. We face an ancient enemy. A foe which has not tasted defeat in ages. A foe which seems unbeatable."

"However." The images changed to that of the Ostian military. Images of ships being assembled. Images of Battlesuits being manufactured. Images of soldiers marching in formation. Images of fleets of Ostian starships on the move. Images of personal being mobilized. "We will not be deterred. We will not be frightened by such a foe. This foe underestimates our resolve and zeal! We will not back down that easily! We are not a people of weak-willed. But a nation of warriors! We are a people who pride themselves in being the strongest among our peers! We, who have shown time and time again, that no foe can underestimate the Ostian resolve. Remember how long ago during the Sovik-Ostian War how they outnumbered our brave soldiers one to fifteen. The odds, I'd say were far more bleak than what we face today!"

The image returned to the whole throne room. "We will demonstrate our unbreakable zeal and unity to this Highbreed. Not matter the cost. No matter the losses. Victory will be ours! Today, begins the greatest chapter in Ostian history! The chapter which the Highbreed lies broken and our feet. A chapter which our nation has cleansed the galaxy of an ancient foe!"

"Glory to the Imperium! Glory to Ostia!"

The hologram projection returned to normal. And Joseph stood silent, contemplating this news and the death of his younger brother.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Displeoa System - 62 Hours After Awakening

By the time the Highbreed reached the Starbase. It was already destroyed and the lone Ostian vessel with its allies escaped the system to the Fuerein System.

Fuerein System

The Inquisition battlecruiser and its ally arrived in the system. A quick scanner sweep revealed a large presence of ships in the system, some ships were of ridiculous proportions and not of Ostian design. There were over a hundred starships in the system.

"It's been a tactical nightmare, do you know how many times we've changed security codes in the past few hours after we got word? If you weren't inquisition and whatever that is, you would've been destroyed." The fleet liaison spoke to the Provost Frystein.

"We are obviously not infected by the Highbreed. And contain information vital for the military," Provost Frystein replied and closed channel. "Thank you for helping us. It appears we have more friends to aid us in our shared plight." Frystein spoke to CNED Enduring Legacy over a secure communications line.

Captain Y'era looked at his tablet. "It appears there are survivors from the Displeoa system. One is an inquisition battlecruiser and another of unknown origin. But they are both registered as friendlies and headed to the starbase."

by **The V O I D** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 6:19 am

Disploea System
Xarintine / Lepota / Orbit
62 to 63 Hours After Awakening

Orava roared with victory. The Highbreed had taken this system and established their dominance. The leftover planets - any survivors who remained - were consumed. The worlds were Highbreed worlds now, and nothing from this system could change that. The Bioships all began to heal and process, as well as producing more Biofighters. Cultists who remained were not feasted upon; instead, Orava had the Highbreed assist them in beginning to build their churches and such dedicated to the "All Father." It was glorious. This was what the Highbreed were made to do: feast, grow, and conquer. The Cultists were left free to be used in the future.

The Highbreed also began some minor reconstruction on these worlds - using Ostian technology and capabilities. Memories. They were beginning production of specialized Ostian weaponry that the soldiers and those who had been consumed knew about. The Highbreed were building their own specialized armor. Bioship shield generators were being built, as well as things to enhance a Biogenerator's Psionic Field to make a sort of telekinetic shielding. The Highbreed were now amassing up, building up for their next step: total war. They would begin invading system after system soon. And with the Seeds sent out to sow the invasion's success, Orava knew victory was almost guaranteed. All of this was starting, but wouldn't be finished for several hours - for the easier things. For the more complex things, it might take several days. But within the week, they'd be ready. Within the week, the Seeds would land.

In the mean time, the Cultists were given special Spores. Spores that connected them to their 'All Father' without infecting them... not entirely. The Allmind, using these Spores, began broadcasting images and such that matched what each of the Cultists viewed as bliss. As heaven. They were shown ultimate peace... ultimate pleasure. Thanks to their 'All Father.' This would solidify the Allmind's control and influence. It was time to spread the glory of the All Father. Orava grinned as the Allmind did this. The Allmind spoke to the Cultists.

"When we are done building you some smaller ships, go forth and spread our word. Spread our promise and glory.", the Allmind stated in a command. The Cultists, with the Spores in their minds, would no longer have a choice, or even the illusion of choice. But with the Allmind having kept its promise, they probably wouldn't care. The Cultists' ships would be finished within the next two days, and then because their Spores emit a psionic field to help them... persuade more weak-minded... the Cult would grow. Orava laughed in a very dark manner as this was begun. Soon, it would be time for the Highbreed to feast.

And their food would prepare itself for them thanks to the Cult.

by **The Greater Gambia** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 10:54 am

Kalchata
Maug-Lai Armada

Hundreds of Maug-Lai ships now orbited the dead planet of Kalchata, with more ships coming in to answer the call of the Legolo-Sa. It's once green and tan surface now a now a black wasteland. Nothing would be able to even begin growing here for a thousand years. The surface was a inhospitable wasteland, where any of the native life was killed either by the methane and other substances in the air, or by the highbreed, which consumed them. Either way, they were all glassed by the ventral beams of the Maug-Lai fleet. Scans indicated that the surface had become completely devoid of life. The catacombs underneath the surface, were another story. Scans had shown the High breed amassing in one area, like they were regrouping for one final assault.

Salog called a meeting of the Warlords of the Armada. He was surrounded by a dozen holograms of other Warlords of the fleet. Some of them had loyally served Salog for years, others up until a few days ago were actively fighting him in the Fringe Systems. The Legolo-Sa now united them all under one banner. Even Rear Admiral Tila was in attendance. She was not going to let the High Breed get away with using their technology against them and kill her men.

"Our scans indicate that the defilers have entrenched themselves within the crust of the forsaken planet. While we have annihilated all life on the surface, our beams cannot penetrate deep into the ground, especially now that the glass has had time to cool and harden." Salog said. Tila added her own input.

"We've tried to break through with our own beams and MAC guns, but, as the Highest Warlord has said, the glass has made an impenetrable shield to those Tarlacks below the surface."

"It would appear that their doom has become their salvation. Hopefully, we'll starve them out." Warlord Akono said.

"The High Breed has slain 2.5 Million of our brethen and taken down several of our Frigates. Starvation is nothing compared to the wrath they have brought upon them." said another Warlord. Suddenly, a voice peaked up out of the group of Warlords.

"Excuse me, Highest Warlord, may I offer a suggestion?" Salog was surprised by the formality.

"Go ahead, Warlady Yakana, and you can do away with the formality. The situation requires none." Yakana bowed her head in respect.

"Thank you, Highest Warlord. I have a fleet of 49 ships armed with Asteroid mining beams. We can pierce a hole through the glass. Allowing the rest of the Armada to strike at the infestation below."

"You brought mining tools for a hunt? We might as well send you and your tribe down their with shovels to dig them out." Said Warlord Honoka, leader of the Hera Nebula Clique. A few other Warlords chuckled at his outburst, Yakana just rolled her eyes.

"That's rich coming from a member of the Hakani tribe. While you Yokels may have drowned your memories in a sea of Dalga narcotics, I remember the legends of the Legolo-Sa of the Yakar. While other tribes answered the call with swords and bows, the Hakani came with fishing tridents. While you may have forsaken your past as fishermen for the riches of a drug dealer, the rest of us haven't forgotten yokel heritage."

"Why you Sakara filth! I'll" Salog silenced the fuming Honoka.

"We'll follow Yakana's plan. The High Breed is too dangerous to let simply starve out. Order your ships to position themselves over the amassing defilers. The rest of you, rally with Yakana's fleet. Begin firing at the first sign of Highbreed. May the High Breed remember this day as the day they felt the rage of the Maug-Lai!" Yakana's fleet arranged themselves over where the scans showed the High Breed had burrowed themselves. Yakana stood at the bridge of her Battlecruiser, "Fury of the Sakara", as her crew prepared to fire. Once they gave the signal, she pressed the red holographic panel, beginning the bombardment. The rest of her fleet followed suit, firing their mining lasers to the ground below.

The mining beams hit the ground below. Soon breaking through the layer of glass.

"Noble Warlady, we've broken through and are now commencing penetrating the planet's crust." Said one of the weapons specialists aboard the "Fury of the Sakara". Yakana opened a communication channel with Salog's ship.

"We've breached the glass. It's only a matter of time before we silence these vermin." Salog was pleased. Soon, this would all be over.

"Good work, Yakana. All ships prepare your weapons. Once the Highbreed is brought out, glass them with extreme prejudice!" Salog turned to Warlord Akono.

"Beat the war drums. Play them on all frequencies so that the High Breed knows what it has unleashed." Akono nodded and gave the order. Soon, drumsbegan to play over the comms so that the whole Armada(and whoever happened to be listening) heard. It was a beat made by tribes of Marsolis, the Maug-Lai Homeworld. While those descendent from the other planets of the home system had different customs and music, they knew what the beating of the drums meant. Soon, the other fleets began to play their own music as well. Flutes, string based instruments, didgeridoos, and others soon joined the beat of the drums. Signaling that the many tribes of the Maug-Lai had joined together for this glorious fight. The High Breed would soon know what force it had unleashed.

by **Delta Eridanus** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 11:37 am

The United Tributational Territories wrote:
(Good to hear! Braken will be leading this fight, but John will introduce himself to every leader on the battlefield. John's gonna be busy putting down some insolent Florans)

Braken nodded at the ships, and sent them a greeting. "Reinforcements arriving in 15 Earth Minutes."

(As of right now, my posts are now affecting both of you at the same time.)

Darius quickly conferred with his Council, he then addressed the entire fleet.

"We'll be able to wait for reinforcements, but we're going to send out the first vanguard to mark the jump point for the second vanguard. We have our best pilots ready to go."

A squadron of Stormblade-class fighters undocked from the ICS Hyperion.

"Would anyone like to follow the vanguard?"

by **Spindle** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 11:51 am

The next message had Ceto somewhat aback when it formed in her mind. They wanted her to explain? Would they even understand what she meant? After all, they were plants. She doubted they had woken up one day to discover their body no longer functioned by biological processes. The panic, the loss of it all was still almost overwhelming. At the end of the day, she didn’t want to have to relive those memories if she could help it. She could still remember the shock of it all and the sudden cold chill that had gripped her when her torso had suddenly crumpled.

I used to be a mammal, but there was an...accident. My cardiovascular system was pulped and It had to be replaced, along with most other parts of me that weren’t going to make it, including everything below the waist. That was where they discovered my interlink potential, so I was given the option of joining the Navy. I did. It seems it may have been a bad choice now.

An update appeared in her mind: coolant levels had gone below sixty percent. That gave her enough breathing room to use the anti-ship MASERs if the battle began again. She quickly drew targeting solutions on the mass of plants and prepared for their reply to her message-whatever form it might take.

Euphemia clutched onto Lyson as she felt the tears threatening to spill from her eyes, hand moving in small circles over his back as she tried to comfort him, or at least reassure him that she was there for him. As he shuddered against her, she held him tighter against her body, unsure of what else to do. As he murmured his thanks she smiled sadly and closed her eyes, a tear tracing its solitary path down her cheek. She could hear the hurt in his voice and it was another twist of the knife embedded in her heart. But it didn’t matter. She would be there for Lyson because he needed her now. Not to understand his loss, because she knew she couldn’t, but to try to understand his loss.

“It’s going to be all right.” She murmured, “It’s all going to be all right.”

Ophius winced internally at Joseph's tone before his mutterings pricked at her her curiosity. As the room darkened her curiosity grew even more, and when a powerfully-built man appeared on the screen she settled back into her chair and waited for whatever was coming up. She knew it was going to be worth the price of admission, and even the food. Yet as Engels began to talk, she felt a chill brush up and down her spine. His tone was too serious, his eyes to hard. Either most Ostians were nothing like Joseph, or else something was big was happening. And when big things were happening, that was bad news for smaller nations. Spindle was, unfortunately, definately in the 'smaller' category, from what Ophius had seen here. Her eyes narrowed.

And then she saw Xarintine.

Ophius had seen body mods that turned the stomach before, seen people dissolve into a lump of screaming flesh because they got the DNA on their viral vector wrong. She thought she'd seen some of the worst that biotechnology could throw at a person. She had been wrong. Those things couldn't be real, her brain protested. Nothing could be that twisted and that powerful. Creatures that could give Lovecraft nightmares paraded forth in endless streams. And then, there were the things that had been done to that planet. Whatever those things were, they'd...raped the planet, for want of a better word, and it was now spewing forth an endless parade of their bastard children at the Ostians.

The chill that had brushed over her spine now coiled itself in her stomach, writhing endlessly as she stared at the endless scenes of obscene perversions of the natural order. Over and over, people dying, people turning, fire and flame and chaos, all-consuming. Even when Engels resumed his speech, she didn't hear him. Her mind was instead far away, running over the implications and what it meant for Spindle. War. Spindle was about to be dragged into war, whether or not they wanted it. Even if she somehow dodged it here, the Highbreed would reach them eventually and then, without any allies...no. Spindle would be at war before the week was out. Her stomach sunk as the thoughts impacted on her mind like lead weights.

"Are you going to be withdrawing from Sol, then?" She asked lightly, "It is your home, after all."

by **The Greater Gambia** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 12:20 pm

Jakala
New Talveria
Banquet Halls

Lahira soon regained her composer as Solia left. She looked around and noticed that everyone was gone, save for a few Home Guard Soldiers. She went outside and Found Korz,standing out of earshot of the crowd that had gathered outside of the banquet hall. She noticed two Home Guard Officers comforting Representative Shila.

"I'd like you to hold off on your operations for the time being." Lahira said. Korz gave her a quizzical look.

"I never took you as one to take pity on a enemy."

"I'm not, a new avenue has shown itself. She was just held hostage by someone she could call a friend. She'll be re-evaluating her priorities and alliances. She'll need someone to point her in the right direction. She is also in position where she will gain sympathy for what has gone down tonight. She'll be a great asset in the days to come." Korz grunted.

"Good to see that incident didn't make you weak. However, my brothers in the Bloodied Sand will need compensation. These operations take countless hours of planning."

"Don't worry. For your troubles, I'll pay you double. As for me, this isn't the first time I've killed someone. I was a Huntress after all. There are many Poachers out in the wilderness that fire back when you tell them that they're under arrest. I just thought that I left all that behind once I became Consul."

"Thoughts like that kill, Consul Lahira." Korz said. "You'd do best to prepare for any situation, even the worst. Anyway, I must be off. I have to tell my brethren to hold off on our targets. They will be mad, but their spirits will lighten at the sound of double the pay. May the Dune Mother embrace you." Korz bowed before leaving for his shuttle. Lahira picked Lethox out of the crowd, "standing" next to Sindra. She decided to finish their discussion. As Lahira made her way towards him, the Medical shuttle arrived. Home Guard Officers came out, carrying three people on stretchers. One of them was Riiva, still unconscious and bruised but looking in better shape. The other too she could not say the same for the other two. She knew the first one was Kemir, as it was the obvious choice. His body was covered with a white sheet, hiding it from the crowd. The second she could only assume was Riiva's assailant. Both sheets were covered in blood from the wounds. The crowd was silent as they were loaded onto the Medical shuttle.

Lahira walked next to Lethox.

"I apologize for the events that have transpired here tonight. I hope this hasn't changed your mind about what we discussed."

by **The Dark Brotherhood of Deros** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 2:14 pm

The Greater Gambia wrote:
Jakala
New Talveria
Banquet Halls

Lahira soon regained her composer as Solia left. She looked around and noticed that everyone was gone, save for a few Home Guard Soldiers. She went outside and Found Korz,standing out of earshot of the crowd that had gathered outside of the banquet hall. She noticed two Home Guard Officers comforting Representative Shila.

"I'd like you to hold off on your operations for the time being." Lahira said. Korz gave her a quizzical look.

"I never took you as one to take pity on a enemy."

"I'm not, a new avenue has shown itself. She was just held hostage by someone she could call a friend. She'll be re-evaluating her priorities and alliances. She'll need someone to point her in the right direction. She is also in position where she will gain sympathy for what has gone down tonight. She'll be a great asset in the days to come." Korz grunted.

"Good to see that incident didn't make you weak. However, my brothers in the Bloodied Sand will need compensation. These operations take countless hours of planning."

"Don't worry. For your troubles, I'll pay you double. As for me, this isn't the first time I've killed someone. I was a Huntress after all. There are many Poachers out in the wilderness that fire back when you tell them that they're under arrest. I just thought that I left all that behind once I became Consul."

"Thoughts like that kill, Consul Lahira." Korz said. "You'd do best to prepare for any situation, even the worst. Anyway, I must be off. I have to tell my brethren to hold off on our targets. They will be mad, but their spirits will lighten at the sound of double the pay. May the Dune Mother embrace you." Korz bowed before leaving for his shuttle. Lahira picked Lethox out of the crowd, "standing" next to Sindra. She decided to finish their discussion. As Lahira made her way towards him, the Medical shuttle arrived. Home Guard Officers came out, carrying three people on stretchers. One of them was Riiva, still unconscious and bruised but looking in better shape. The other too she could not say the same for the other two. She knew the first one was Kemir, as it was the obvious choice. His body was covered with a white sheet, hiding it from the crowd. The second she could only assume was Riiva's assailant. Both sheets were covered in blood from the wounds. The crowd was silent as they were loaded onto the Medical shuttle.

Lahira walked next to Lethox.

"I apologize for the events that have transpired here tonight. I hope this hasn't changed your mind about what we discussed."

Lethox chuckled. "Oh no. no its perfectly fine. I suppose all societies have their rough patches. either way, its of no consequence to me." He said, trying to reassure her.

by **The V O I D** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 2:23 pm

Spindle wrote:Euphemia clutched onto Lyson as she felt the tears threatening to spill from her eyes, hand moving in small circles over his back as she tried to comfort him, or at least reassure him that she was there for him. As he shuddered against her, she held him tighter against her body, unsure of what else to do. As he murmured his thanks she smiled sadly and closed her eyes, a tear tracing its solitary path down her cheek. She could hear the hurt in his voice and it was another twist of the knife embedded in her heart. But it didn’t matter. She would be there for Lyson because he needed her now. Not to understand his loss, because she knew she couldn’t, but to try to understand his loss.

“It’s going to be all right.” She murmured, “It’s all going to be all right.”

The Imperator's Might
Capital Dreadnought of All Remnant Fleets
The Taari Armada / Remnant

Lyson continued to hold Euphemia and cry with her for several minutes. He then slowly began to regain his composure. As he did so, he looked into Euphemia's eyes thankfully. She was too perfect for him. Too nice. Lyson certainly did not deserve perfection, but here it was, before him, in the form of Euphemia. Lyson smiled at her, a sad but loving smile. He spoke.

"Thank you... so much. I'm sorry about... this.", he stated. Lyson simply cried silently as he began to calm. But the pain was still there, and so he still cried. Lyson sat there before her. He then went back to holding her, silently crying with her again. It was so nice to have someone to be with. But, Lyson couldn't shake the feeling that something horrible was going to happen. Something horrible, but what?

by **Spindle** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 2:47 pm

Euphemia felt the tears soak through her dress, a warm, wet patch on her shoulder that spread slowly through the fabric. She shifted Lyson's head gently away from it, letting him rest in the crook of her neck. The tears gently tricked from her neck down around her chest, tickling as they did so. She shushed gently and insistently, letting him cry his heart out as her sympathetic pain caused her own tears to continue to trickle down her cheeks.

"Don't be sorry." She said, "There's nothing to be ashamed about, okay? Just get it all out of your system, then we can face the day. Together."

by **The V O I D** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 3:03 pm

Spindle wrote:Euphemia felt the tears soak through her dress, a warm, wet patch on her shoulder that spread slowly through the fabric. She shifted Lyson's head gently away from it, letting him rest in the crook of her neck. The tears gently tricked from her neck down around her chest, tickling as they did so. She shushed gently and insistently, letting him cry his heart out as her sympathetic pain caused her own tears to continue to trickle down her cheeks.

"Don't be sorry." She said, "There's nothing to be ashamed about, okay? Just get it all out of your system, then we can face the day. Together."

The Imperator's Might
Capital Dreadnought of All Remnant Fleets
The Taari Armada / Remnant

Lyson nodded, wiping the tears away slowly. He blinked a few times as he calmed himself, sighing. He looked over at Euphemia, and couldn't put to words his thanks. So, instead, he thanked her with actions. He moved over to her, kissing her with an unyielding fiery passion that burned away at him, at her, at everything. The passion was enough to make the world explode, possibly. Lyson ended the kiss shortly after, but stared her in the eyes with a thankful nod. He then stayed there, unsure of what to do with himself next.

by **Spindle** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 3:26 pm

The kiss was so unexpected Euphemia felt her breath catch as Lyson's lips were suddenly pressed against hers. She struggled for air, but still clung tightly to Lyson as she did so, as if he would stop her from drowning in him. As if he felt that, he pulled away far too quickly and she looked up into his onyx eyes, memorising every slight speckle and swirl in them. She could lose herself in those endless, infinite voids set into his head. It was like looking out into space, but there were no stars, just an empty infinity that was somehow alive.

Her holo buzzed and her head whipped around, hair spilling down to a jumbled mess around her shoulders. The holo buzzed again and she shot an apologetic smiled to Lyson before cautiously approaching it and tapping it with a single forefinger. Eris sprang up, an absolute mess. She smiled warmly at Euphemia before she started talking.

"Euphie, are you free this afternoon?" She asked, "I've got a meeting scheduled for then and Khronos is on duty as well, so I need someone to look after Gawain."

"I will be," Euphemia promised, running a hand distractedly through her hair, "I've got a conference with Lovelace in an hour to organise work rotations in and out, but I'll be done by half one at the latest. Do you want me to arrange for you to get rotated back to Spindle for your leave? You can get some of the family retainers from back home and use them."

"It'll be fine." Eris nodded, almost to herself "I'll see you at two, then?"

"Two, then." Euphemia echoed before shutting down the holo and turning back to Lyson.

"I'll get someone rotated over here by 'accident'." She decided, "It'll play merry havoc with our personnel budget, unless I can get mother on board with it." She shuddered at that, before glancing up again.

"What do you have to do today?"

by **The V O I D** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 3:47 pm

Spindle wrote:The kiss was so unexpected Euphemia felt her breath catch as Lyson's lips were suddenly pressed against hers. She struggled for air, but still clung tightly to Lyson as she did so, as if he would stop her from drowning in him. As if he felt that, he pulled away far too quickly and she looked up into his onyx eyes, memorising every slight speckle and swirl in them. She could lose herself in those endless, infinite voids set into his head. It was like looking out into space, but there were no stars, just an empty infinity that was somehow alive.

Her holo buzzed and her head whipped around, hair spilling down to a jumbled mess around her shoulders. The holo buzzed again and she shot an apologetic smiled to Lyson before cautiously approaching it and tapping it with a single forefinger. Eris sprang up, an absolute mess. She smiled warmly at Euphemia before she started talking.

"Euphie, are you free this afternoon?" She asked, "I've got a meeting scheduled for then and Khronos is on duty as well, so I need someone to look after Gawain."

"I will be," Euphemia promised, running a hand distractedly through her hair, "I've got a conference with Lovelace in an hour to organise work rotations in and out, but I'll be done by half one at the latest. Do you want me to arrange for you to get rotated back to Spindle for your leave? You can get some of the family retainers from back home and use them."

"It'll be fine." Eris nodded, almost to herself "I'll see you at two, then?"

"Two, then." Euphemia echoed before shutting down the holo and turning back to Lyson.

"I'll get someone rotated over here by 'accident'." She decided, "It'll play merry havoc with our personnel budget, unless I can get mother on board with it." She shuddered at that, before glancing up again.

"What do you have to do today?"

The Imperator's Might
Capital Dreadnought of All Remnant Fleets
The Taari Armada / Remnant

Lyson stood and waited as Euphemia talked with Eris. Upon hearing her voice, Lyson felt that pang of guilt again. Damn. Lyson decided that he'd have to fix his relationship with Eris if he wanted a happy one with Euphemia. At some point. Not right now. Lyson paused at Euphemia's question, unsure. What did he have to do today? He thought hard for a moment, honestly unsure of himself.

"Well, when I was an Admiral, usually by now I'd be checking defense systems and such. But now...", he trailed off. He was lost. He had nothing to do, really. Lyson looked over at Euphemia apologetically. He didn't want her to feel bad for him. But he knew she would. He sighed slightly, sitting down. He looked over at the woman he wanted to be his wife... what was he to do?

by **Spindle** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 3:55 pm

Euphemia felt her heart plummet at Lyson's words. She'd forgotten about...that. That he was the same Taari who had attacked her at the ball all those months ago. It seemed like so far away when that had happened. He'd been so different. She sighed and shook her head, gently teasing a knot out of her hair and wincing every time she tugged too hard. She couldn't just leave him here, without anything to do but brood...she made her decision and gave up on the knot, tying her hair back in a quick bun.

"Alright, come with me for today. We can sort out a permanent fixture for you at the personnel meeting."

by **The United Tributational Territories** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 4:53 pm

Spindle wrote:The next message had Ceto somewhat aback when it formed in her mind. They wanted her to explain? Would they even understand what she meant? After all, they were plants. She doubted they had woken up one day to discover their body no longer functioned by biological processes. The panic, the loss of it all was still almost overwhelming. At the end of the day, she didn’t want to have to relive those memories if she could help it. She could still remember the shock of it all and the sudden cold chill that had gripped her when her torso had suddenly crumpled.

I used to be a mammal, but there was an...accident. My cardiovascular system was pulped and It had to be replaced, along with most other parts of me that weren’t going to make it, including everything below the waist. That was where they discovered my interlink potential, so I was given the option of joining the Navy. I did. It seems it may have been a bad choice now.

An update appeared in her mind: coolant levels had gone below sixty percent. That gave her enough breathing room to use the anti-ship MASERs if the battle began again. She quickly drew targeting solutions on the mass of plants and prepared for their reply to her message-whatever form it might take.

The Great One and his advisors talked amongst themselves.

That's a mammal.

Yes, and its people are mammals. I say we send a friendly message, and sucker punch it as hard as we can.

The Great One chuckled, and said, I agree with these proposals.

On it.

Ah, we do not count that assssss a mammal. If your racccccce does that, then we might actually come to an agreement. We only really hate the UTT. We are sssorry for damaging your ship. Would you like ssssome repairssss?

Spindle wrote:Ophius winced internally at Joseph's tone before his mutterings pricked at her her curiosity. As the room darkened her curiosity grew even more, and when a powerfully-built man appeared on the screen she settled back into her chair and waited for whatever was coming up. She knew it was going to be worth the price of admission, and even the food. Yet as Engels began to talk, she felt a chill brush up and down her spine. His tone was too serious, his eyes to hard. Either most Ostians were nothing like Joseph, or else something was big was happening. And when big things were happening, that was bad news for smaller nations. Spindle was, unfortunately, definately in the 'smaller' category, from what Ophius had seen here. Her eyes narrowed.

And then she saw Xarintine.

Ophius had seen body mods that turned the stomach before, seen people dissolve into a lump of screaming flesh because they got the DNA on their viral vector wrong. She thought she'd seen some of the worst that biotechnology could throw at a person. She had been wrong. Those things couldn't be real, her brain protested. Nothing could be that twisted and that powerful. Creatures that could give Lovecraft nightmares paraded forth in endless streams. And then, there were the things that had been done to that planet. Whatever those things were, they'd...raped the planet, for want of a better word, and it was now spewing forth an endless parade of their bastard children at the Ostians.

The chill that had brushed over her spine now coiled itself in her stomach, writhing endlessly as she stared at the endless scenes of obscene perversions of the natural order. Over and over, people dying, people turning, fire and flame and chaos, all-consuming. Even when Engels resumed his speech, she didn't hear him. Her mind was instead far away, running over the implications and what it meant for Spindle. War. Spindle was about to be dragged into war, whether or not they wanted it. Even if she somehow dodged it here, the Highbreed would reach them eventually and then, without any allies...no. Spindle would be at war before the week was out. Her stomach sunk as the thoughts impacted on her mind like lead weights.

"Are you going to be withdrawing from Sol, then?" She asked lightly, "It is your home, after all."

John hadn't left yet, and watched the entire message. He slowly and softly said, "After I meet this new nation, and the UTT takes out the Florans, who I think we can agree are an equal threat, the UTT will be sending all resources to this Highbreed extermination effort. The new nation appears to be in a sort of civil war, so we are split in many ways. But after our main threat is taken care of, the Highbreed will feel our wrath. I understand if you wish to send your men to your home. I would've done the same." John then left, leaving Shellist waiting for any further news.

by **The United Tributational Territories** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 5:04 pm

Delta Eridanus wrote:
The United Tributational Territories wrote:
(Good to hear! Braken will be leading this fight, but John will introduce himself to every leader on the battlefield. John's gonna be busy putting down some insolent Florans)

Braken nodded at the ships, and sent them a greeting. "Reinforcements arriving in 15 Earth Minutes."

(As of right now, my posts are now affecting both of you at the same time.)

Darius quickly conferred with his Council, he then addressed the entire fleet.

"We'll be able to wait for reinforcements, but we're going to send out the first vanguard to mark the jump point for the second vanguard. We have our best pilots ready to go."

A squadron of Stormblade-class fighters undocked from the ICS Hyperion.

"Would anyone like to follow the vanguard?"

John materialized onto the Bolt, and he got a rundown of events from one of his captains.

"Hello! My name is Emperor John Fritzenhein the 2nd, of the UTT Empire! I heard you all were having some rebel problems!" John said, with a cheery look on his face. Underneath, he was thinking about the assault on Gamma Veil and the Highbreed threat. The UTT was being spread far too thin. He needed to end this civil war and the Floran assault as soon as possible, so he wouldn't be stuck asking for help. That wasn't the kind of person he was. He continued to speak, and said,

"I know that this may be hard for you, we've had 4 civil/revolutionary wars in our history. Now, I wish I could stay and help each and every one of you, but my resources are being spread thin fast. I'm facing a threat at home, and my dear allies are facing some at their home. Both are Galaxy-wide threats, maybe even Universe-wide. So, I came with a sizeable amount of ships, so we can end this as quick as possible!"

30 more Battleships came out of jump, along with 2 Frigates and over 300 fighters.

"This, is the 17th Armada of the UTT! 5th strongest we've ever made, and it should help snuff out those bastards quicker than you can say Ashara Danye!"

John winked as he said this, and said, "Yes, I have been reading up on the events concerning your people! I must be leaving now, so I will take any questions or requests now!"

by **Delta Eridanus** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 5:40 pm

"One request, you own me a dinner in New Hyperion."

Darius smirked, and turned to the bridge.

"VANGUARD! AWAY!"

The Stormblades jumped into Theta Eridani.

Theta Eridani

The red sun of the system reflected off the viewport of The Spear of the Sun, flagship of the Rebel House Martell.

The ship was captained by Oberyn Nymeros Martell, son of Dorian Martell. His auburn hair and golden eyes hinted at a bastard somewhere in his bloodline.

"Status report."

"All clear. Tribute's moon is still resisting our attacks."

Oberyn rubbed his nose. "Keep up the offensive. Once the moon is down, we can claim this system."

"Sir!" A rebel shouted. "Stormblades inbound!"

"Visuals."

The screen showed the squad, which had just deployed a X-Ray flare.

Oberyn chuckled. "Out of the dawn..."

Epsilon Eridani

"...into the fray! SECOND VANGUARD, AWAY!"

Darius shouted as more Stormblades and a few of the smaller frigates jumped.

by **Aterrian Union** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 7:04 pm

Delta Eridanus wrote:"One request, you own me a dinner in New Hyperion."

Darius smirked, and turned to the bridge.

"VANGUARD! AWAY!"

The Stormblades jumped into Theta Eridani.

Theta Eridani

The red sun of the system reflected off the viewport of The Spear of the Sun, flagship of the Rebel House Martell.

The ship was captained by Oberyn Nymeros Martell, son of Dorian Martell. His auburn hair and golden eyes hinted at a bastard somewhere in his bloodline.

"Status report."

"All clear. Tribute's moon is still resisting our attacks."

Oberyn rubbed his nose. "Keep up the offensive. Once the moon is down, we can claim this system."

"Sir!" A rebel shouted. "Stormblades inbound!"

"Visuals."

The screen showed the squad, which had just deployed a X-Ray flare.

Oberyn chuckled. "Out of the dawn..."

Epsilon Eridani

"...into the fray! SECOND VANGUARD, AWAY!"

Darius shouted as more Stormblades and a few of the smaller frigates jumped.

"Prepare all ships for immediate jump, show everyone that the Union is not to be messed with."
Epsilon Eridani
The Massive Dreadnaught 100km Big Brother's Might jumps.

by **Aterrian Union** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 7:08 pm

Theta Eridani

Dreadnaught Big Brother's Might warps into the outer parts of the solar system.
Scans show multiple hostiles.
*The ship is so big it's impossible to miss.

by **Delta Eridanus** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 7:28 pm

Theta Eridani

"SHIPS INCOMING!"

Oberyn watched in horror as more ships jumped into the system, along with one HUGE ship.

"Defenses up, stop them!"

Multiple rebel ships turned toward the Dreadnought, while the Imperial ships engaged them.

by **Aterrian Union** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 7:46 pm

Delta Eridanus wrote:Theta Eridani

"SHIPS INCOMING!"

Oberyn watched in horror as more ships jumped into the system, along with one HUGE ship.

"Defenses up, stop them!"

Multiple rebel ships turned toward the Dreadnought, while the Imperial ships engaged them.

Onboard Big Brother's Might
"This is going to be a walk in the park!" States Captain Trotsky.
"Enemy ships don't seem to be a big threat. Charge all frontal guns, and don't fire until I give the command!"

by **Delta Eridanus** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 7:59 pm

Theta Eridani

"The reinforcements should be here soon, Captain."

"Good, keep up the assault."

The rebels continued to head toward the Dreadnought, unaware that the Imperial ships had stopped pursuit.

by **Aterrian Union** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 8:05 pm

Delta Eridanus wrote:Theta Eridani

"The reinforcements should be here soon, Captain."

"Good, keep up the assault."

The rebels continued to head toward the Dreadnought, unaware that the Imperial ships had stopped pursuit.

Dreadnaught stops, and charges frontal weapons.
"Don't fire until they do."

by **Delta Eridanus** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 8:14 pm

(Cadian tactics inbound!)

While the Martells attempted to distance themselves from the Imperium, their tactics was all the Martells knew.

The lead rebel made an "L" sign with a curled middle finger, the Cadian sign for the "Tip of the Spear" maneuver.

The rebel ships headed right at the Dreadnought, and then split up, raking the surface of the ship with laser blasts.

Depths of Space (IC, OPEN, FT)

Out of the Dawn...

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