Into the Nexus (FT/Open)

[United Stellar Confederation]

Ceti Alpha
Annihilator Class Destroyer Prototype
USCS Annihilator
Line Captain Bu'Ga'Ta

Bu'Ga'Ta looked out the viewscreen of the bridge, the ship had the largest bridge of a ship of its Class in the Stellar Defence Fleet, but also the most well protected. Flanking the ship on each side was a Malicious Class Corvette, escorting the valuable Destroyer, as it carried the best technology, offensive and defensive, available to the fleet, but that wasn't what made her so valuable, for she carried a new method of travel, the Nexus drive, which had seen a small prototype move a shuttle 15 light years in a matter of seconds, a task that took hours with current hyperdrive technology, a big deal for a growing civilization such as the United Stellar Confederation, which now comprised of three species and multiple colonies.

However this had attracted the attention of several large threats, making a counter to these threats a necessity. While the Malicious had proved a successful attack vessel, they were too small to fill a mainline combat role, though they excelled at surprise attacks and hit and run tactics, they simply did not do well in a full fledged battle on their own. So the need to replace outdated Destroyers and Cruisers had become a main priority for the SDF, the Annihilator was Ceres Starnautics answer, and its first ship larger than a shuttle. She had passed most of her tests so far, being several times more powerful than any other ship in Service with the fleet, while also being the most durable ship in the fleet. However the company had not stopped at that, they had taken upon itself the challenge of making it the fastest in the fleet, equipping the new Nexus drive to the ship, it was hoped she could respond to threats far faster than her predecessors.

He smiled as he watched the Systems icy world reflecting the light of the star, gleeming in the light like a pear, a beautiful sight. He then heard the engineers in the drive room call over the combs
Nexus drive is ready for use, we are ready for Nexus jump
He pressed a button on the console of his chair and said we read you lieutenant, we will be making the jump to Cygni Alpha soon, standby"
Roger that cap'n, standing by
Bu'Ga'Ta, or Bugata as his Terran crew members called him, looked over to the ships pilot and said "move us into position commander, and spoil up the Nexus drive"
"Affirmative captain, beginning maneuvers to designated coordinates"
He then looked to his Communications operator and said "link me to our escorts"
"Affirmative captain, link established"
"Erg'At and Hug'Ma, we are preparing to jump, your are clear to report"
This is Erg'At, reporting Affirmative
This is Hug'Ma, Roger that
He nodded and the link ended and then he said "Begin Nexus Jump"
"Opening Nexus gate"

He watched as a green glow began to emminate from the void of space in front of the ship, as a gap outlined in green energy opened, presenting a view of a blue star.
Bu'Ga'Ta said "Jump"
"Beginning Nexus Jump...Now"

The Ship slipped in an instant through the gate, and it closed behind the ship, the ships sensors took a moment to get a read on where they were, thrown off by the sudden vast change in position in the galaxy, but soon got a bearing.

Bu'Ga'Ta frowned and said "status Commander"
"Jump was successful, that trip took 14.4 seconds approximately, we are in the Cygni, but that jump gave off a massive energy burst, if the intensity says anything, we'd be able to read a nexus jump from several systems away"
He nodded and said "I think the fleet will find that acceptable, was the burst dangerous?"
"If it is the sensors haven't identified it as anything dangerous, or at least nothing that could get through the shields and armor plating"
He nodded and said "keep me posted" he hit the button on his chair again and said "Driveroom report"
All Systems reportin' optimal cap'n, the fusion core was more than capable of takin' the load
He nodded and said "good, keep me posted Liuetenant"
Aye Cap'n
He hit the button and said "well that was fun, how long until we can take the return trip?"
"Matter of minutes sirs"
"Good, let's enjoy the scenery a bit shall we?"

[Higher Japan]

Cygni Alpha
Space station alpha 1

"Bring it in!" The gate officer shouted as a cargo freighter entered the space station. The space station was located in the middle of nowhere as a small escorting force could be seen waiting outside of the station, consisting of 10 'Archangel' class escorts and a 'Caroline' gravity well cruiser. The task force surrounded the entire space station, as if it held something important as the guns darted around, making sure that there were no other anomalies in the system as the freighter went in and docked. As it docked, men rushed around as a large black container was brought out of the freighter, as the empress walked out of it as well next to the box. An engineer rushed up to her as he began to speak. "Empress, the new planetary shield generator and gate is ready, there is only one problem. The generators are too weak. But however, we believe that using the new crystals found we can generate a shield strong enough to resist all bombardment."

"Excellent, begin refining it. We need to start producing more of them. We need the gates ready soon. This plan must not be compromised."

Finishing it, she walked off to the main control center as crew starting rushing around the entire room. Multiple screens were raised up as she sat in the throne designed for the commander, which was also designed to be fit for her. After a while, results came in as the engineer ran into the room with a large paper report. Another droid came in as it carried a small vial. In it was a small piece of a blue crystal as it was suspended by electric bolts in the middle.

"Empress, we have begun the refinery process. It works. We have managed to harness it to generate a shield powerful enough to resist any bombardment, well hypothetically."

"Empress, ships detected in the system. Unknown origin and design. Large burst of energy almost destroyed our solar panels. Hailing communications, prepare the tractor beams and laser weaponry. Alert the fleet." As the command was given, the fleet formed up with the destroyers closing their flaps and forming up around the cruiser and station as a message was sent. "This is the Higher Japanian border, requesting ship ID and class."

[United Stellar Confederation]

Cygni Alpha
Space station alpha 1

"Bring it in!" The gate officer shouted as a cargo freighter entered the space station. The space station was located in the middle of nowhere as a small escorting force could be seen waiting outside of the station, consisting of 10 'Archangel' class escorts and a 'Caroline' gravity well cruiser. The task force surrounded the entire space station, as if it held something important as the guns darted around, making sure that there were no other anomalies in the system as the freighter went in and docked. As it docked, men rushed around as a large black container was brought out of the freighter, as the empress walked out of it as well next to the box. An engineer rushed up to her as he began to speak. "Empress, the new planetary shield generator and gate is ready, there is only one problem. The generators are too weak. But however, we believe that using the new crystals found we can generate a shield strong enough to resist all bombardment."

"Excellent, begin refining it. We need to start producing more of them. We need the gates ready soon. This plan must not be compromised."

Finishing it, she walked off to the main control center as crew starting rushing around the entire room. Multiple screens were raised up as she sat in the throne designed for the commander, which was also designed to be fit for her. After a while, results came in as the engineer ran into the room with a large paper report. Another droid came in as it carried a small vial. In it was a small piece of a blue crystal as it was suspended by electric bolts in the middle.

"Empress, we have begun the refinery process. It works. We have managed to harness it to generate a shield powerful enough to resist any bombardment, well hypothetically."

"Empress, ships detected in the system. Unknown origin and design. Large burst of energy almost destroyed our solar panels. Hailing communications, prepare the tractor beams and laser weaponry. Alert the fleet." As the command was given, the fleet formed up with the destroyers closing their flaps and forming up around the cruiser and station as a message was sent. "This is the Higher Japanian border, requesting ship ID and class."

Cygni Alpha
Annihilator Class Destroyer Prototype
USCS Annihilator
Captain Bu'Ga'Ta

Bu'Ga'Ta was about to give the order to begin another nexus jump when his communications officer frowned, and said "Captain, incoming transmission, Unkown contact us requesting we identify ourselves"
"Multiple vessels incoming, Unkown design, nothing that matches our database"

He frowned and said "weapons and shields to full, and get me a communication link with whoever or whatever they are"
"Weapons online sir"
"Communication link active"

The ships several dozen plasma accelerator, Ion cannons and plasma torpedo launchers, including four massive wing mounted iron cannons, came to ready status, giving off energy readings equal to a small colony

He nodded and said "Unkown vessels this is the United Stellar Confederation Starship Annihilator, I advise that you order your ships to back down, we are a Stellar Defense Fleet Starship conducting research." He didn't specify that they were testing a new FTL system, deciding that mentioning it would have been unwise.

He then nodded and the link was put to listen only, so that the other side couldn't hear him speak.

"Status on Nexus drive"
"Were ready to spoil up and jump on your command"
"Good, have it on standby"

[Higher Japan]

Cygni Alpha

The empress sat in her throne as usual as she looked at the scene over her. The ships were giving off high readings but she knew that it was expected after the small escorting force started to form up around it, while the cannons prepared for fire. The command crew worked in silence as they prepared to escape through hyper space, the closest 'solar' dreadnought only a short jump away as they also began scanning the ships. Results came in as footage of them entering the system came on. The method that they had used was unknown to even the best technicians of the republic, and was clearly much faster than hyper drives.

As she pressed a few buttons on her throne, a signal was discretely sent to the dreadnought a mere system away, one that would remain so long as she was still safe in the station. As the reports came that the station was ready to jump to hyper space, she sent off her message. "We would like to believe you, we really do. But however, according to our database such a nation does not exist. Moreover you didn't come from hyper space. The energy readings we got up was not radiation, which is strange really. Although we will have to unfortunately request that you stop temporarily as we scan the ships one more time as a last check before you can leave." She said before she turned the communications off as she gave her orders to the crew. "Load up the lasers, prepare the fleet for a full on assault. Prepare the scanning droids."

A few hundred small circular droids with an antenna came out from a bay as they prepared to scan the ships.

[United Stellar Confederation]

Cygni Alpha

The empress sat in her throne as usual as she looked at the scene over her. The ships were giving off high readings but she knew that it was expected after the small escorting force started to form up around it, while the cannons prepared for fire. The command crew worked in silence as they prepared to escape through hyper space, the closest 'solar' dreadnought only a short jump away as they also began scanning the ships. Results came in as footage of them entering the system came on. The method that they had used was unknown to even the best technicians of the republic, and was clearly much faster than hyper drives.

As she pressed a few buttons on her throne, a signal was discretely sent to the dreadnought a mere system away, one that would remain so long as she was still safe in the station. As the reports came that the station was ready to jump to hyper space, she sent off her message. "We would like to believe you, we really do. But however, according to our database such a nation does not exist. Moreover you didn't come from hyper space. The energy readings we got up was not radiation, which is strange really. Although we will have to unfortunately request that you stop temporarily as we scan the ships one more time as a last check before you can leave." She said before she turned the communications off as she gave her orders to the crew. "Load up the lasers, prepare the fleet for a full on assault. Prepare the scanning droids."

A few hundred small circular droids with an antenna came out from a bay as they prepared to scan the ships.

Cygni Alpha
Annihilator Class Destroyer Prototype
USCS Annihilator
Line Captain Bu'Ga'Ta

Bu'Ga'Ta sighed and nodded, the link being deactivated, he took a moment and said "I'm afraid I cannot allow that, our research is highly classified and property of the Stellar Defense Fleet, do not force us to open fire"
He nodded and the link was cut and he said "spoil up, get ready to jump, set course for the Ross system"
"Affirmative sir, what about those ships?"
"Shields should hold long enough to get us out of here, I would rather not stay and fight, but fire a warning shot from one of the iron cannons"
"Affirmative, firing"

One of the ships four heavy ion cannons fired, sending an ionized bolt of energy flying just past one of the ship, carrying 255 gigajoules of energy in the single bolt, warning that they were willing to fight if neccessary

The ships multiple particle-beam turrets came online , targeting several of the droids at a time, designed to sweep the beam of particles across their targets.

[Higher Japan]

Cygni Alpha

As one of the ion bolts flew past the blockade, the entire space station was rocked slightly as the ion bolt struck it dead in the command center, knocking it out cold as the laser weaponry went down along with the signal to the nearby system. "Ships, you have my permission to open fire." The empress said through her personal communicator as a freighter could be seen taking off from the station although it seemed like it was crashing. The station's auxiliary power came back online as the command room lit up with the emergency lights, as the crew quickly got to work attempting to divert the power properly to keep it up.

As that happened the cannons of the ships turned towards them and opened fire as red bolts started to fly at them, while in the distance reinforcements were arriving as the small fleet attempted to delay the enemy for time. The droids suddenly started charging at the ships as they started to beep.

OOC: Sorry for short length i need sleep.

[Eclius]

OOC: is there an OOC page or a sign up thread?

[The Mars Congressional Republic]

Olympus Mons Naval Intelligence Command
Mars Congressional Military High Command
Mars

---

When the MCR first formed, Olympus Mons was nicknamed "The Monster of Mars". Not because of it's jutting volcanic landscape, but because of the stations surrounding it. They all connected to form the Naval Intelligence Command. During the Interplanetary War between Earth and Mars, Martian intelligence was key to winning a majority of battles during the ten year long war. Hundreds of top secret and high priority missions were monitored from here. The ambush at Jupiter, the strikes on the Luna Military Command, and the assassination of United Nations General Secretary Hon Tukogaya. Many will say that the only reason Martian ships breached Earth space was because of the precise information gained through agents of the Naval Intelligence Command.

Twenty-five years after the end of the war, the end of the United Nations, and a Peaceful solar system ruled by Mars, Olympus Mons has become a place where the richest and most decorated military veterans send their fresh recruit sons and daughters. The halls were no longer filled with determination, dedication, and service, but of laughter, horseplaying, others that would cause Director Cadbury, the intelligence director during the war, to roll over in his grave.

Through the grey halls, walked Director James Mathis, Intelligence leader for Olympus Mons.

He entered through the large double doors to see the main chambers, where the staff sifted through and monitored Martian space.

"I'm sure there is a good reason as to why you decided to ruin my day with this nonsense? Which probe is picking up something, you say?" Asked Director Mathis, leaning down to examine the orange holographic screen that the recruit was sitting in.

"Sir, it's not a probe. It's not even one of ours. You won't believe me when I tell you this but..." Said Lieutenant Sanna Khan, daughter of General Martos Khan, leader of the 12th Shock Division, the division responsible for making the final push into the UN stronghold of New York City, effectively ending the War.

"Spit it out, Khan. I'd like to return to my activities." Director Mathis said coldly. Mathis wasn't one to follow protocol or even act like a Director. He served on the MCRN Ethos for eight years before pulling some strings, and becoming Intelligence director.

"It's...it's the Hubble Telescope, sir." Said Lieutenant Khan.

""Bullshit, Khan. You fuckin' recruits think it's always so funny to pull your little jokes. Good job, I hope the joke was great." Said Director Mathis, turning to walk away.

"Sir, this is no joke. I'm not joking. I..I don't know how, but we just received a ping from the Hubble. Look at this data. It's all still NASA coding." She said to him, causing him to turn back around and examine it.

"It gives me old login requests for NASA personnel, now long dead. With the tech we have now, this shouldn't take but just a moment....there we go." She said, the Martian programs breaking the old security codes easily. In the right upper corner sat the NASA logo, a space agency belonging to the former United States of America, back when Space travel was just beginning it's infant crawl. Code streamed across the screens, the words Hubble replaying over and over again. Director Mathis simply stayed glued to the screen, watching the ancient codes work their magic.

"Decoding now. We should get a full list of where it's been and where it is." Said Lieutenant Khan, her dark brown eyes darting back and forth across the screen.

"This can't be true. Hubble was deactivated years before the United Nations took over space administration. What was it, 2027? What is a two hundred year old satellite doing sending back information?" Said Mathis, genuinely stunned. Other lieutenants gathered around to see the new discovery.

"Could have been running on a back up power source, or could have just been put into hibernation. Hubble is sending over a graph of radiation and energy spikes, something that doesn't look natural. I don't know where Hubble is but I do know that it's at least hundreds of thousands of lightyears away and we don't know how old these logs are. They could have been sent eighty years ago. I'm picking up recorded radio frequencies, trying to see if I can play them now." She said. A larger holographic screen appeared up in the air.

Code: Select all

""Unko*static*....nfederation Starship Annihilator.....*static*.......Defense Flee*Static*"

The short, garbled transmission left everyone speechless.

"If this is a joke, i'm going to send every recruit here home. What is this? It's gotta be a joke, right?" Said Mathis, the other students erupting into muffled talk. Director Mathis rushed over to his command console in the elevated position in the room, pressing a series of holographic buttons, the entire room turned dark with red emergency lights flickering on. Every door and window closed shut and sealed, covered with a tungsten carbide chain-link cover.

"Director, sir. What's going on?" Said one of the lieutenants.

"Lieutenant Khan, secure and close all communications channels in Olympus Mons." Ordered the Director.

"Sir....all of them? But sir..."

"Do not question my orders, Lieutenant. Do what I have ordered." Said the Director, taking a new tone that no one had ever heard.

"All channels in Olympus Mons have been shut down. Communications department has been notified and told to await further orders." Said Lieutenant Khan.

"If this isn't a joke...then this is something completely different. You said that the Hubble was hundreds of thousands of lightyears away..way too far for it to be intercepting any commmunications from Sol. What this satellite just sent us...is perhaps the signs that we are not alone in the galaxy. If word leaves this station of this transmission, it could cause disruption on a solar system scale. There's alot of groups out there that will burn Mars to the ground if they find this. As Director of Intelligence for Olympus Mons, I am now labeling this as Priority Black-One. I don't have to tell you all the penalty for leaking information on a Priority Black-One file. Priority Black-One has been the MCR's highest level of top secret files. Anyone found in violation of Black-One protocols will be labeled an enemy of the Republic and given the death penalty automatically per Military Code Section 57, Chapter 85.

"Lieutenant Khan, open a Black-One channel with Navy High Command. Send them this audio file with the source and the whereabouts of Hubble. This is no longer our case." Said the Director, lifting the lockdown on the Central Command center.

"Keep all channels locked and off. Any Black-One orders from Navy High Command will go directly to me. Listen, all of you. There are cameras, voice recorders, and monitors everywhere. If word of this gets out of Olympus Mons, there will be a witch hunt, and I won't be able to save you. Not a word, understood?" The 13 lieutenants saluted in understanding.

[Higher Japan]

Cygni Alpha

"Emergency power deactivating, main energy generators reactivated. Stabilizing station." The station's personalized AI said as the station went back into position as it was as fire was being exchanged, as the empress got back to sit on her throne after being thrown off the throne as she quickly reactivated the screens on the throne as she pressed a few more screens, causing shields to appear around the station again as it prepared for another ion shot. Suddenly, one of the crew stepped next to her as they gave her a paper report from the communication systems. It was on an interception of regional communications.

"Empress, our communications picked something up on the radar. Some unknown source has intercepted the transmission between the other group, and we have managed to track it down to a system."

"Excellent, prepare for jumping. What system is it." The empress said as she put the papers into a small slot in the throne, causing a map to appear on the screens as it zeroed in on a system.

"That's what I was about to mention. We don't know what system it is, it is called Sol 3, but according to our database it doesn't have a match. Is it an error?" The officer said as they waited for her response.

"Sol 3, well i suppose you rookies won't know of it. Let me explain. Sol 3 is the system of the cradle of civilization. Have you ever wonder why Japan is in our name, where it came from, and what it means? Japan used to be a land back on the only habitable planet in Sol 3, but we left it for greater things. According to the probe droids we left there, they report activity but now they've suddenly gone inactive. We jump there soon. Jump now." She said, the last part to the fleet as it turned and jumped off into hyperspace.

Mars

As the fleet came out of hyperspace, a large burst of energy was released as it came into view of the red giant, mars. As the fleet came into view, the empress sat in her throne as it moved to the front of the windows. She then turned to her side as she pressed a few buttons, a hangar opened as a few hundred small circular probe droid which had diamond shaped optical receptors and a small antenna flowed out into the atmosphere of mars. As it landed it started to scan the area as it looked for the area which caused the interception.

[The Mars Congressional Republic]

MCRN Valkyrie, MNV-303
Donnager-Class Battleship
Mars Home Fleet

---

Crimson lights and loud whoops echoed through the ship as crew scattered for general quarters, bumping past each other in the crowded hallways, rushing to their stations in a short a time as possible. The entire Mars Home Fleet had been put on high alert the second unknown entities entered Martian space, thanks to EVIE, the Artificial Intelligence who was built for and maintains the Atmospheric Early Warning System put in place six years back for pirates and Earther rebels. The signals were immediately transferred from the Valkyrie, Home Fleet's flagship, to Navy High Command.

"Officer on deck!" Screamed the Sergeant-At-Arms at the notice of Commander Reynolds arrival to the Combat Information Center. All souls inside rose from their seats and stood at attention, stiff as a board.

"At ease, back to stations! Specialist, give me an update." Said Commander Reynolds, his stare icy, his words, heavy with authority. Commander Reynolds commanded the 3rd Fleet during the Battle of Earth. His ship, the MCRN Etherium scored the highest kill list, at 7 cruisers, one of the major contributing factors that led to the UN Navy's abandonment of the offline MAC defense system around Earth and Martian boots touching Earth soil.

"0831, a fleet of unknown vessels entered Martian sovereign airspace, three seconds later, EVIE registered it and sent it to the Home Fleet and Navy High Command. The ground-based MAC defenses are still warming up, but both the Scorpio and Alexander are en route to intercept. Ships look unknown in origin and shape and they don't register as Earther or Belter ships. EVIE reports a single small entity has departed the main fleet and has breached Martian atmosphere. EVIE is tracking, and QRF forces are en-route to the location.

The Commander had nothing to say. His face said "puzzled" all over it. This was the first time they had ever seen the Commander with such a face.

"Spiderweb the Fleet, order the ships to defend in grids. Flight Specialist, all forward. They've already breached both Martian space and atmosphere with that illegal jump. I have a feeling they either don't know what they are doing, or they are intent on provoking us. Either way, those two corvettes are going to need more firepower if this goes sideways. Any word from Navy High Command?" Said the Commander, leaning himself against the chair with his arms.

"Navy High Command has already alerted the Second and Third Fleets, and they are holding position at their posts for now. The Earth Occupation Fleet has travel to and from Earth tightly monitored. Independent action has been authorized, other than that, no further orders." Said the Specialist.

They felt a slight bump as the Valkyrie's ion engines fired up, pushing the ship faster and faster away from the other 30 vessels that make up the Mars Home Fleet, racing towards the two QRF corvettes.

MCRN Scorpio, MNV-112
Tachi-Class Corvette
En-Route To Unknown Entities

---

The two Corvettes stayed neck and neck the entire trip to the unknown contacts, communications surged between them and Navy High Command. Point Defense Cannons were armed and ready, all of the 20 Long range low-yield nuclear warheads of the ships' missile compartments were armed and ready to launch, and battle stations had been called.

"How far to target?" Asked Captain Maki, sitting in her Captain's Chair, strapped and ready for combat.

"6,000 Kilometers and closing Captain." Said Lieutenant Jones, the ship's pilot and radar specialist for the past three years.

"Captain, 80,000 PDC rounds are loaded and all missiles are cradled. MCRN Alexander reports the same. The Valkyrie has broken formation from the Home Fleet and is closing in from the rear, 13,000 klicks away." Reported the Weapons and Communications Specialist.

"The Valkyrie? Doesn't look good for us when the flagship wants to horde all the fun." one of the other staff said, jokingly.

"Send a challenge, hold position at 2,000 clicks. Be ready to fire at any minute." Ordered the Captain, receiving a unified confirmation in return.

Quick Reactionary Force Zeta
En-Route to Unknown vessel groundside
Arcadia Planitia Plains
87 Miles from the City of Phoenix

---

The three dropships sped across the barren and dead land, sporting speeds of 200 miles per hour. As part of the QRF Zeta's protocols, the three dropships held a total of 50 Marines, used as a solution to rogue pirates and Earther rebels that strayed too far from the Outer Limits.

"ETA two minutes to anomaly. Scans show that it's mechanical in nature, no lifeforms picked up on the insides from our scans. Could be a scout." Said the Marine Pilot, surrounded by Orange holographic displays that controlled the entire ship, from it's engine speeds to it's weaponry of .50mm Ion rounds.

"Two minutes, Marines! Lock and load! Buddy check equipment!" Ordered First Sergeant Demaxus Kline, commander of the Zeta Squad Charlie.

As they closed in, they saw it wasn't just a single one, but hundreds.

"Holy shit. That's not just one. Looks like-" The Pilot was interrupted by First Sergeant Kline.

"An invasion force. I don't care if they are scouts or probes, if this is a message, we are more than happy to send one back. Inform Navy High Command. Don't get too close, but triangle formation around the cluster. Fire warning shots, but don't engage.

[Higher Japan]

Mars

"Empress, two unknown ships coming at us. The three supporting ships will be arriving shortly." The communications officer said as three more capital ships came out, one marked with blue paint and a red hawk on the main body of the bridge. "Transfer command to that ship. And get me a transport." The empress said as the throne was raised slightly as it hovered above the ground slightly as it hovered off to the hangar. In the hangar men were rushing around as 20 fighters which were docked in the ceiling were lowered with their S foils locked into position and were launched in waves of 5 as they surrounded the fleet while 5 went for a recon mission.

As the fighters took off, 5 'Diana' heavy attack craft were wheeled out from their hangars as they were hydraulically lowered from the platforms they rested on as the pilots jumped in, before taking off. As the heavy engines of the craft roared in the distance, a droid wheeled the small shuttle out as she hovered her chair into it while 2 pilots went into the cockpit as it took off, effectively transferring command of the fleet to the new battleship. As the throne hovered into the command room, replacing the chair there, she opened up a few screens which showed the droids being shot at. Tapping some screens which closed, the droids on the ground would turn and begin to open fire with their eyes as they were shot at.

[The Mars Congressional Republic]

MCRN Scorpio
Martian Home Fleet

---

"We are in range, Captain."

"Send it." Said the Captain, watching as smaller craft began swarming the unknown fleet of ships. They were like nothing they had ever seen. So foreign, so alien. Far more advanced than anything the United Nations had during their reign. Their size intimidated the Captain. It dwarfed the two corvettes.

Code: Select all

"Attention, unknown vessels. You have breached sovereign Martian space and are in violation of Congressional Order 055-667. You are hereby ordered to cease and desist all activity and retract all equipment from Martian soil. Failure to comply with these orders will result in immediate retaliation by the Home Fleet and Groundside Defensive Systems. You now have thirty seconds to comply."

The automated voice said plainly and coldly.

The two ships turned sideways to bring the full missile clusters and PDCs to bear on the ships. Each launcher and cannon locked on to the nearest ship and prepared to fire should the request not be acknowledged.

The Olympus Building
Congressional Military Command
Londres Nova

---

The highest ranking officials in the Republic government were present as they discussed the new threats that have made their presence known throughout the entire system within a matter of minutes. Mars as a planet and the largest government within the Sol System, was turned completely on it's head. Riots had already broken out in the major cities on Mars and Earth as people genuinely believed this was the end of the world. Many believed they were aliens, others believed they were UN ships that had escaped and came back to attack at the heart of the Martian Congressional Republic.

Walking briskly, Prime Minister Nathan Smith entered the room, a look of worry and exhaustion upon his face. Every General, Admiral, and Director had stood up and saluted in loyalty to their Prime Minister.

"At ease, gentlemen. The Congress, Cabinet, and Court are down in the bunkers, so if they decide to nuke Londres Nova, the government will survive. Give me an update on what's going on here....where did they come from? Who are they? Why did they breach Martian space?" Said the Prime Minister, sitting down in his chair.

"Naval High Command has assured me that they have the situation under control. The Home Fleet is mobilizing, and the other fleets are on general quarters. We do have confirmation from Marine QRF that they have landed hundreds of drones on the surface near Arcadia Planitia. There's nothing there, except for Phoenix 87 miles to the north. Phoenix Police and the Army 103rd Brigade has locked down the city. We are still connecting with Military forces outside of Mars, but all Army and Navy forces on Mars are on high alert and ready to mobilize." Said Fleet Admiral Hashus Alejhro.

"How exactly does the Navy have this under control? They've already landed, we can't-.." the Prime Minister held his tongue, before putting blame on the Military. Except for the few Naval personnel that knew about the Hubble incident, a majority of the Armed Forces had no clue of this recording. Had they, Groundside defenses would already be online and ready to fire, which they were still in the process of being loaded and reactivated, as they were shut down after the surrender of the United Nations and the scuttling of what remained of the UN Fleets.

"Have we made first contact yet?" Asked the Prime Minister.

"The Scorpio has issued a cease and desist order and-"

"Sir. Marine QRF forces have been fired upon by the unknown drones planetside." Said an Intelligence agent present in the room. The LCD screens in the room switched channels that projected the feeds coming from Helmet cams and dropship-mounted, impact resistant cameras.

"Triangle form locked in! Firing warning shot!" Stated one of the dropship pilots, firing off a single shell above the sea of drones. Less than a second later, the drones turned to fire upon the Marine forces in the area.

"Enemy returning fire! I'm hit! Viking One going down!" The feed from the dropship buzzed out as it smashed into the red dirt of the Martian dunelands.

"Return fire! All forces return fire!" Said one of the other pilots, firing off continuous shells until it eventually met the same demise as Viking One.

"Viking One and Two are down! Formation broken! Taking heavy fire! Gah...Losing altitude! Viking Three going down! Brace for impact!" The last dropship feed finally cut off as it slid into the dirt. The screen switched to a list that encompassed every Marine's vitals. Red lines buzzed across the screen. Viking One Marines were all Killed in Action, half of Viking Two's were KIA and a majority of Viking Three's marine crew survived. The screen divided between vitals and helmet cams.

"Let's go, Marines! Contact Navy Command!" Yelled First Sergeant Kline, looking down and switching on his rifle, a red glow emitting from it in veins across the rifle. He walked over a few dead Marines to smash the button that opened the ramp towards the back. The door sputtered open and eventually smacked into the sand, allowing just enough room to squeeze through. Raising his weapon, he walked around the dropship, he watched as the drones were still present, their red eyes focused on the downed dropship. Raising his rifle, he unloaded on one of the drones, causing sparks and melted circuitry to disarm the drone before falling to the ground, it's red eye flickering and shutting down. Twelve Marines had poured out and took up defensive positions, opening fire on the drones.

"This changes everything.." said Prime Minister Smith quietly. They continued watching as one by one, Marine helmet cams shut down with their coinciding vitals as the Drones continued returning fire. As much as he wished they hadn't of fired away warning shots, Smith knew the possible outs of war were becoming very narrow.

Olympus Mons Naval Intelligence Command

---

All screens were displaying news channels as every one across the system were playing live footage of the alien craft from civilian reporters aboard the two responding corvettes. Fear, shock, and disbelief ruled the air. For centuries, Humans looked for intelligent life elsewhere in the galaxy. Government programs like NASA, the ESA, and civilian agencies like SpaceX all had one core goal: to find new life. As time continued, many lost hope in the hunt for alien life. When space travel inside the system was perfected, many looked inward, to build their own legacies, expand Humanity to limitless boundaries, to become what they were always looking for: to be an ever expanding, galactic species. When the Interplanetary War began and Mars became the ruling body of Sol, this attitude changed, and nearly forgotten about what their forefathers dreamed of, rather content with colonizing the solar system and reaping the benefits of it.

"Director Mathis, you can't believe this is a coincidence! We intercept communications from a long dead satellite and it just so happens to prove the mystery of life in the galaxy. Literally, hours later, an alien fleet appears above Mars! I'm telling you, they detected the recording and traced it back here. There was no safety measures on the Hubble, and it didn't have updated security software. A child could have tracked it back to us!" Said Lieutenant Khan, trying to force the Director to believe what she was saying.

"Look, Lieutenant, we've already submitted the file to Navy High Command, and they haven't said anything back! In fact, we've lost all communications from everything! The last order we were given was to keep Olympus Mons on lockdown and our defenses up. Other than that, you can sit there and watch the feeds and the news and the reporters and the aliens. Please, leave me alone about it!" Said the Director before walking into his office, the hydraulic door sliding shut behind him.

[Higher Japan]

Mars

The empress watched from the safety of the ship as the message was sent to the fleet, but it was too late as the fleet had already armed their turbo laser cannons and had shields up. As she pondered on what to send back, fingers drumming on the armrests. As she did that, and officer came up to her with a report. "Empress, the drones are under fire. We must return fire or retreat. The senate is restless over this act and demands an explanation. I suggest landing some troops down for recon. We've lost almost the entire droid force, enough data has been recovered." A message was sent back.

Code: Select all

"Forgive us, but we are merely acting in the interest of the senate."

"Very well then, prepare me a transport. Pull the cruiser out and form the frigates around the flagship. Fire a few warning shots." She said as the throne hovered away from the command room to the hangar. In it's place, a large circular object was raised as screens appeared around it. A frigate raised it's guns as it fired a shot past the ships, warning that they were ready for combat if needed. In the hangar more fighters were raised into their docking points as transports were lowered in their place. As troops readied for combat, she herself took the shuttle as it left for a frigate at the back. Soon, a frigate had turned and jumped into hyper space.

The transports flew down quickly past the ships as it landed a distance away from the last reported activity from the droids. As they got off the transports, the transports flew forward towards the droids as it flew overhead. The entire scene was a mess with bodies of humans and droids lying everywhere. The transports landed as they took some shots while the droids boarded the cargo bay, before flying off towards the ships to retreat.

The senatorial building

In the large senatorial building, circular platforms were docked into their slots as some had already started floating around, showing that the debate on the morality of the military action against mars. In the middle of the room a platform was raised as the empress stood with two guards in a red cloak. The members soon began to speak up.

"Empress! This is uncalled for! This is a provocation of a peaceful country that has done nothing against us, recall all forces at once" Someone had shouted as someone else began to speak up.

"Empress! I believe we should press for a stronger offensive. Our troops have been sitting dry with no real experience, I believe that this is a good chance to gain more territory and train our troops." Another also shouted against the previous opinion. This would go on for a few hours before the senate eventually came to a vote which won in a vote to attack the entire system. Although this was passed no other forces would appear soon as only time would tell what would happen.

[Valkiir Conclave]

tag

[The Mars Congressional Republic]

MCRN Valkyrie
Joining the QRF Corvettes
Above Mars

---

The situation was becoming dire, and was now sealed. The protocols of this were clear, and were to be followed through. Martian sovereignty was very serious for the Republic. After decades of taxation, martial law, and unfair cargo "procurement" by the UN, Mars and her population of 3 billion were raised to fight, and to die for their planet.

"Sir, Scorpio is forwarding a response from the unknown vessels. Broadcasting now."

Code: Select all

"Forgive us, but we are merely acting in the interest of the senate."

The message in itself was shocking. They breach a nation's borders, giving no warning, no reason, besides for their Senate. While it was forwarded to the Valkyrie, the message was also broadcasted to the Prime Minister and the panel of military officials.

The ship began to shake moderately for a brief moment as projectiles whizzed between the two corvettes and above the Battleship.

"Enemy ship has fired at us, sir. Possibly warning shots?" Said the radar specialist.

"More alien ships have departed towards Martian soil!" This was becoming out of hand, and there was only one way to solve this should Navy High Command agree, which they would.

"Damn it all, provoking us in our own damn territory! Fire back a warning shot and issue another warning!" Said the Commander, receiving an aye aye back.

The frontal railgun charged and fired off a glowing blue shell, flowing past two of the smaller vessels and speeding off into the black night of space.

"Unknown vessels, this is Commander Reynolds of the MCRN Valkyrie. This is your last warning. Tell your ships to get off Mars and lower your weapons or there will be war! You have fifteen seconds to comply!" Said Commander Reynolds, taking charge of the microphone.

"Sir, two additional Martian battleships coming up on their other side." Said one of the officers through all of the high tension and noise.

"This is the MCRN Scipio Africanus and MCRN Proteus to Valkyrie. Guns are loaded on locked on. Give us the word, Commander." Said Commander Reyes, captain of the Scipio Africanus and veteran from the Interplanetary War.

"Commander, We have incoming from behind. The Dominance, Strickland, Reaper, and Revenge are en-route to provide assistance per High Command's orders."

"Hold your fire, Commander Reyes." He said, quickly opening the link and closing it after he was done. With two Donnager-Class ships on the other side, and four more coming in to help, this was beginning to look like a Mexican stand-off.

Quick Reactionary Force Zeta
Arcadia Planitia Plains
87 Miles from the City of Phoenix

---

Gunfire filled the air as bullets and lasers whizzed back and forth, either slicing through droid innards, piercing a Marine's composite body armor, or smashing into one of the three downed dropships.

"More hostiles inbound! Six o'clock!" One Marine said as First Sergeant Kline turned to watch the alien ships land behind the droids, who were falling back into the ships.

"They're falling back! Hold your fire! Hold fire! Hold fire!" Kline said, pushing the nearby Marines' guns down as the droids disengaged. The popping sounds of combat slowed and died down to silence as the alien ships flew off into the red Martian sky.

"Get the wounded together! We need a Medevac out here now!" Yelled Kline.

"QRF Bravo and Gamma are en-route from the South, ETA two minutes." Said one of the Marines. First Sergeant Kline ran to where Viking One had crashed, smoke bellowing out of the top cracked composite plates. The back ramp was warped and hanging, the mechanisms were bent and broken. He was able to see inside and saw the Marines still strapped into their seats, their vitals were all red.

"Viking One crew all KIA here, how's Two looking?" Said the First Sergeant, walking away from the dropship.

"Viking Two is fucked up and we can't get inside. None of the electronics are interfacing right. We-" A large explosion shook the ground as the shockwave threw Kline off of his feet. He could see the cloud rise above from where Viking Two had crashed. Scrambling to his feet, he saw the troop carrier engulfed in flames, his Marines that were in the vicinity were blown back while others were on fire, screaming, and rolling. Vital signs began to drop and eventually die as the few Marines that were still alive inside burned to a crisp.

"This is QRF Gamma, we have visual on additional alien forces two miles east of your position. We are engaging."

Quick Reactionary Force Gamma
Arcadia Planitia Plains
2 Miles from Zeta

---

The Two dropships from Gamma broke off from the main force, leaving Bravo to link up with Zeta.

"Enemy foot soldiers coming in, probably from those shuttles that picked up the droids. Should we engage?" Asked the Pilot.

"Do it. Show these fuckers we mean business. This is for Zeta." Said First Sergeant Alvarez, commander of Gamma.

As the group of unknown soldiers set up their positions, the two incoming dropships fired away in rapid succession with their side mounted railguns. Each shell travels at the speed of 6,270 feet per second, the ability to continuously disintegrate human flesh on impact and turn anything harder than cement into shrapnel moving at 1,244 feet per second.

"Deploy Kaiser drones." He said as the two ships were firing away. Four quad rotar drones, equipped with a .308 caliber machine gun light up, fell from the undercarriage of the ship and spread out, their targeting parameters focused squarely on the group of soldiers on the ground.

The Olympus Building
Londres Nova

---

The Prime Minister watched the live feeds from both the QRF Marines and the Home Fleet.

"Home Fleet is mobilizing. Additional ships are en-route to the Valkyrie. We've ordered the First Fleet to divert their two Donnager-Class from Jupiter to Mars. The Second Fleet at Pluto, Third Fleet at Titan, and the Fourth Fleet at Earth are holding positions. The Groundside defense platforms are all online, ready to fire when ready." Said Fleet Admiral Hashus Alejhro.

"Order all Platforms in range to target the smallest ships first. We'll let the Fleet handle the larger ones. God be with us." The Prime Minister said, watching as everything continued to unfold.

[Valkiir]

Space itself twisted and burned as the fabric of space time was torn open. A cloud of charged gas hot dust and rapidly decaying hyper matter exploded into a ball of flame and dust as a transit point formed. The opening from hyperspace to normal space casing a shriek across the radio bands that sounded as if space itself was screaming in pain.

Before the dust and gases cooled and dissipated sleek fast moving shapes of fighters swept through the fireball and out into open space a squadron of fighters fanning our and banging away with active sensors sweeping the system with waves of electromagnetic energy, gravitic pulses, and tachyons for any sign of a threat.


As the cloud began to thin and cool larger forms slipped through into normal space sleeks and moving swiftly behind the screen of fighters six corvettes moved though and took up a screening position to cover the entry of the larger ship moving behind them.


"Transit complete a escorts reporting in." A crew woman faceless behind her visor reported dutifully." Beginning position fix now."

"Any track on pursuit?" Captain Syfrae asked removing her helmet and wiping sweat from her face, her braids soaked and hanging limply around her neck.

"No captain that last group seems to have been the last of the pursuit force. Sweeps are clear." The tactical officer replied as she cleared her displays and pulled up the local star map in the holo field that surrounded her.

"No response from nav-buoy system." The nav officer spoke up as her panel lit up with results from the navigation sweep. " we may have taken damage to the system in that last exchange. Stellar cartography indicates we are precisely where we should be. Outer edge of Sol System six Hours out from Charon Station."


"we should be picking up system pickets" tactical piped in." I am showing no shipping in outer system other than commercial vessels and habitats....And.....Hmmmm."

Ma am no vessels are broadcasting T.A.E or ICC beacons, all the transponders are failing interrogation....we're receiving improper encryption protocols on all signals."

"Did we take a hit to the Comms?"

"No ma'am all signals systems check green." Engineering reported from her station her face puzzled as she looked at her displays."all nav systems check green, engineering reports minor damage to transit drive and barrier emitters in the last exchange but were running green on all other systems....gravitics, quantum core, life support, weapons,flight control and maneuver drives all green"

"Alright signal Prometheus station we are experiencing unspecified systems malfunctions on multiple sensor systems and ask for navigation assistance and a pilot ship..I don't want to run over some ice hauler because our sensors are out synch."


Broadcast in the clear across multiple frequencies and in multiple languages

Prometheus command this is VWS Stormwitch Requesting Navigation assistance and Pilot ship at our coordinates, we have suffered minor systems failures and can not navigate safely though commercial space. I repeat VWS Stormwitch Requesting navigational Assistance and a pilot ship."

Fighters


Corvette:


Battlecruser Stormwitch in action

[Higher Japan]

Mars

The shots went by the ships as out of the core came a Type 25 tactical droid. It stood in the center as a panel was raised with the info on the battlefield so far. It's metallic fingers clicked together before he pointed at one of the crew members on the ship. "Aim at the ships. Fire at will. Move the fighters in." It said with the cold metallic voice installed. As the men nodded, they pressed some buttons as the cannons on the ships all turned before firing all out as the smaller craft around them moved into attack them as heavy attack crafts escorted by fighters moved in and began their attack run with their heavy lasers.

On the ground the transports that were leaving were quickly notified and returned back for a run with their heavy front facing guns as they dived down against the fighters, while droids are dropped onto them for damage as they shot it up. The admiral, TOC-203 was overlooking the battle as they fired their heavy turbo laser armament at the small battle group. "Concentrate full fire, full power to the shields. Launch the fighters." It said as the order was sent to the hangars, causing men to scramble while fighters were lowered and launched as some flanked the fleet while the others began their attack run.

[Remulia]

Four imperial ships were patrolling the border of the remulian empire, when suddenly, the sensors of one of them captured a powerful signal coming from an unexplored area near the space.
- sir - said one of the remulians in charge of monitoring the sensors - we detected something -
- what we detect? - said the general in charge of the operation.
- We do not know, sir, but it was a very powerful signal.
- I understand, well, let's go investigate, let two of the ships follow us.
-At the command, sir,- said the manager before doing what he had been ordered, after that, the three imperial ships activated their FT drivers and went out to the area where the signal had come.

[Valkiir]

The Stormwitch Sat dead in space keeping station near its original entry point. Her secondary vessels fanned out to form a perimeter and scan the system reporting the same results the Stormwitch systems had reported. On the bridge of the Battlecruiser, the mood was tense as technicians and repair crews became more confused and distressed by the results of their diagnostics.

"Captain Syfrae sat at her command station observing with a slight frown."Can Anyone explain to me why one of the most advanced ships in the fleet, with the best crew in the Conclave, can't find a damn thing that we KNOW is out there?"

"Because it is not out there" The head engineer spoke up looking as if she had seen a ghost." All our systems check out. But nothing that's supposed to be there is there and a lot of ships that aren't supposed to be here are. No quantum core signatures, no gravitic noise, no R
resonance hum...nothing."

"and Not a word of Avandii."He comms officer spoke up,"English, Chinese, Russian, but not a syllable of Avandii or Advent."

"Contact long range FTL track." A sensor officer snapped crisply." Unknown signature, on an intercept course."

"Finally, Nephilim to the rescue."

"It's not Nephilim or Osahdii ma'am the signatures are all wrong, too noisy, a lot of N-space distortion for an Osahdii drive."

"Oh, what now...Set condition two, alert escorts to stand ready..." The captain snapped and motioned to the Chief of the Ship to sound alert acoss the ship." If anyone fires before i give theorder I'll have her scouring the reclamation tanks with her toothbrush."

[Remulia]

The imperial ships continued to travel to the place where the signal they had detected had originated.
- How soon will we get there? Asked the general in charge of the ships.
- we will arrive in 3 minutes, sir - said the pilot - if we slow down at this time -
- All right, do it- said the general.
Immediately, the three Imperial ships shut down their FTL turbines, in order to decelerate, they did not want to turn the ships into a relativistic missiles.
- scan the area - said the general - we do not want any surprises .
- ok, sir.

[Valkiir]

The imperial ships continued to travel to the place where the signal they had detected had originated.
- How soon will we get there? Asked the general in charge of the ships.
- we will arrive in 3 minutes, sir - said the pilot - if we slow down at this time -
- All right, do it- said the general.
Immediately, the three Imperial ships shut down their FTL turbines, in order to decelerate, they did not want to turn the ships into a relativistic missiles.
- scan the area - said the general - we do not want any surprises .
- ok, sir.

Contact decelerating and approaching on an intercept vector. Three distinct signatures, Moving in formation." A sensor operator announced as the data fed to the captains console in far more detail.

three corvettes and twenty fighters deployed around the battlecruiser reoriented to face the approaching vessel moving in well-practiced formation and coordination as the smaller ships effortlessly moved without seeming to notice the ten to twelve gee accelerations their maneuvers would have induced.

Space cracked with the electronic noise of multiple plasma drives, and a low hum and pop of some form of electronics rapidly cycling thousands of times a second. Space in front of the ships seemed to warp and shimmer at odd intervals and radar sweeps indicated solid masses ahead of the ship where no object was visible other than a faint distortion of light.

"Charge Barriers, transmit A welcome on broadband, let them know we are just a big friendly stranger."

"Ay ma'am broadcasting a greeting"

"Attention this is the Valkiir Warship Stormwitch, We are on a peaceful mission and do not intend to engage, please reply with identity and intent.""

[Remulia]

The imperial ships continued to travel to the place where the signal they had detected had originated.
- How soon will we get there? Asked the general in charge of the ships.
- we will arrive in 3 minutes, sir - said the pilot - if we slow down at this time -
- All right, do it- said the general.
Immediately, the three Imperial ships shut down their FTL turbines, in order to decelerate, they did not want to turn the ships into a relativistic missiles.
- scan the area - said the general - we do not want any surprises .
- ok, sir.

Contact decelerating and approaching on an intercept vector. Three distinct signatures, Moving in formation." A sensor operator announced as the data fed to the captains console in far more detail.

three corvettes and twenty fighters deployed around the battlecruiser reoriented to face the approaching vessel moving in well-practiced formation and coordination as the smaller ships effortlessly moved without seeming to notice the ten to twelve gee accelerations their maneuvers would have induced.

Space cracked with the electronic noise of multiple plasma drives, and a low hum and pop of some form of electronics rapidly cycling thousands of times a second. Space in front of the ships seemed to warp and shimmer at odd intervals and radar sweeps indicated solid masses ahead of the ship where no object was visible other than a faint distortion of light.

"Charge Barriers, transmit A welcome on broadband, let them know we are just a big friendly stranger."

"Ay ma'am broadcasting a greeting"

"Attention this is the Valkiir Warship Stormwitch, We are on a peaceful mission and do not intend to engage, please reply with identity and intent.""

- Sir, we detected something.
-¿what we had detected?- asked the general.
-some kind of fleet, we are determi..hold on: they are broadcasting.
-really? ok, let's hear.

"Attention this is the Valkiir Warship Stormwitch, We are on a peaceful mission and do not intend to engage, please reply with identity and intent.""

there was a silence in the control room, everybody was thinking the same: They were face to face with another civilization, and that was amazing.
- hmm, guys?- asked the general -what you are waiting for? let's send our answer now!!!.

"This is the imperial ship xtry III, of the great remulian empire, we are here because we had detected a fluctuation of energy coming from this sector and we want to investigate it, no more."

the general sat on his chair, thinking about what the odds were of meeting another civilization out there.
-very high, apparently - said the young male.

[Valkiir]

ah pahkiiki ippeh kohi ipphnohkeh....my apologies....We have detected no unusual activity since our arrival....It may have been our transit system you detected the signature is rather noticeable even at long range. We are in transit to the Sol, on a Diplomatic mission. Our drives were damaged by an attack in hyperspace and we are awaiting a pilot ship due to systems errors that make unaided navigation...problematic."

the voice was female and thickly accented but understandable. The vessels maneuvered directing their bows away from the approaching ships and slowed in their maneuvers each one assuming a stance that put its powerful forward weapons out of firing position.

"I am captain Syfrae of the Battlecruiser Stormwitch we are not familiar with your vessels or drive signatures, We are requesting first contact protocols under Osahdii Protocol 294253-Kohpeh. May we establish direct contact via an exchange of emissaries..... these communications are extremely limited and make for a poor first greeting."

[The Mars Congressional Republic]

MCRN Scorpio
Above Mars

---

"Incoming fire!" A voice managed to get out before the ship shook violently, knocking some crew out of their seats while electrical systems overloaded from the massive amount of force crumbling the hull on the fore of the ship. Screams rattled as one of the technicians suffered serious burns from the sparks, the Captain hanging on to his Command chair as the shaking continued.

"Fire at will!" The captain managed to yell out.

On the outside, the Corvette was taking massive damage. The frontal armor plating was burnt black pieces were flaking off across the ship. The Point Defense Cannons of the Scorpio opened up their hellfire and sprayed at the nearest vessel, a smaller alien ship while thirty missiles were unleashed from the launchers, each carrying 100 kilotons of destruction. The Alexander followed suit, taking the same heavy fire.

MCRN Valkyrie

---

Unknown projectiles rushed by the battleship, a few of them impacting and resulted in purplish-blue fire that quickly died away from lack of oxygen.

"All missile batteries, assist the Scorpio and Alexander. PDCs, focus on small attack craft, keep it off the other ships.

"Sir, we have confirmation that the Scipio Africanus and Proteus are engaging and taking heavy fire. The rest of the Home Fleet is on their way." One of the female crew said, trying to stay level as the ship shook from the impacts.

Exetara
Amazonis Planitia

---

The City of Exetara, home to 95,500 souls, was preparing to evacuate as best they could. MCRN transport shuttles from Fort McEntire a few miles south assisted as best they could, holding a maximum load of 350 loads. Above the city, the battle between the Martian Navy and the unnamed civilization raged on above, the debris flaking off the ships were coming down, most disintegrating in the atmosphere, while larger pieces, such as one of the Scorpio's bulkheads, survived, landing in random areas across Amazonis Planitia.

Located across the province, 8 MKZ-842 Ground Defense Platforms fired off massive rounds, causing shockwaves across the province as they fired off. The MKZ Defense Platform system spanned the entire planet, with at least 8 platforms spread across every province. Built during the Interplanetary War, they were used only once before, when the War had just begun and a UN Navy battlegroup of fifteen ships attempted to breach Martian atmosphere. The ships were reduced to scrap by the time they reached the surface.

[Remulia]

ah pahkiiki ippeh kohi ipphnohkeh....my apologies....We have detected no unusual activity since our arrival....It may have been our transit system you detected the signature is rather noticeable even at long range. We are in transit to the Sol, on a Diplomatic mission. Our drives were damaged by an attack in hyperspace and we are awaiting a pilot ship due to systems errors that make unaided navigation...problematic."

the voice was female and thickly accented but understandable. The vessels maneuvered directing their bows away from the approaching ships and slowed in their maneuvers each one assuming a stance that put its powerful forward weapons out of firing position.

"I am captain Syfrae of the Battlecruiser Stormwitch we are not familiar with your vessels or drive signatures, We are requesting first contact protocols under Osahdii Protocol 294253-Kohpeh. May we establish direct contact via an exchange of emissaries..... these communications are extremely limited and make for a poor first greeting."

-that explain everything.
-¿what do we do now, commander.
-well, first, we answer their last message:

i am general Doyax of the imperial ship xtry III, i agree with your proposition, what do we have to do?

-and then?.
-then, we'll wait....