We Do Not Come in Peace [Closed][IC]

[Excidium Planetis]

OOC Thread

The Kiln, 10 Months Ago

Nelek looked out through his quadroculars* at the approaching vehicles. By appearance, they were Kiln Administration Gunships.

Anger**. " Raid Approaching us, Administration of Kiln Armed-airships." He chirped to the other renegades with him. "Hide in cover, Administration airships perhaps over pass without us being seen."

The Birrin rebels retreated into the nearby ruined buildings, grabbing their weapons in case the Kiln Administration decided to investigate too closely.

Unfortunately, the Kiln Administration was apparently curious today, as their Gunships landed in a square of the abandoned city. Nelek watched as Kayborian Military officers exited the craft.

Surprise. "What are the things!?" one of Nelek's comrades exclaimed.

From the aircraft, several beings wearing armored suits emerged. They walked on only two legs, Nelek noted, and had two arms. The Bipedal Beings could not be seen clearly, as their suits covered their forms. Nelek tried to determine what they were. They were evidently well trained by the Kiln Administration, as they were handling what appeared to be delicate instruments.

One of the Beings pointed at the building Nelek was in, and made bizarre motions to a Kayborian.

Alarm. "Administration of Kiln units heading in the direction of us!" Nelek chirped, trying to keep his voice low. "Ready the weapons of us."

There were several knocking sounds on the front door. The rebels crouched silently, waiting. After a while, the door was blown in by what appeared to be a small explosive charge. Several of the Beings entered the building.

Anger. "Never you take us alive! Liberty! Vengeance!" Nelek shrieked, firinghis assault rifle at the attackers. The figures were knocked backwards and collapsed to the floor.

Concern. "You outside go prior to Administration of Kiln Officers inside coming! Take Back Way! You go!"

Nelek's comrades fled while Nelek waited for the Kayborian soldiers to enter. To his surprise, one of the suited figures began to stand, pulling what was unmistakably a weapon from a holster on its hip.

Nelek was surprised that the creature survived his hail of bullets, and took cover behind an overturned metal table, and then sprayed several more rifle bullets around the table.

Nelek ran, using his four legs to swiftly exit the back of the building into a courtyard. He weaved in between crumbling ancient statues, attempting to throw off the creature's aim if it pursued him. Nelek looked back with two of his eyes, seeing the creature emerge from the building's exit.

The creature raised its handgun. There was a flash, a bang, and that was the end of Nelek's journey.

Teni-izenahi Port, 5 Months Ago

Anger. "The Offworlders defile the nation of us! No Tenzeni should accept the sale of the people of us! Now the sale of the Birrin must end!"

A lone Birrin standing atop a stone bench in Capital Square shrieked at a rally of Tenzeni citizens. Protestors March with signs carrying various slogans decrying the practice of selling Birrin into slavery. Slavery was illegal in Tenzeni, but the protestors were concerned with Tenzeni's acceptance of the Offworlders in their nation, and trade with the Offworlders.

Nearby, at a building designated as the Offworld "Alien Skies Mining Local Offices", a group of armed Offworlder security guards kept the Tenzeni protestors away. An Offworlder Gunship flew into the area, and the guards cleared a section of the Square for it to land.

The Protestors continued to chant, defying the few Police of Civilian Tenzeni who arrived to keep an eye on things.

Then the Offworld Gunship opened up.

Shock. Several gasps spread throughout the crowd. The Alien Skies security guards unloaded a small group of Birrin, who were locked in strange plastic handcuffs connected to each other by cables.

Fear. "Help us! Never let the Offworlders take us!" one of the slaves cried out to the crowd.

Instantly a frenzy was stirred up, and the crowd began shouting, shoving. A rock was thrown at one of the guards, and two of the Tenzeni citizens rushed in to grab hold of a slave and drag them into the crowd. One of the guards attempted to stop them, and was met with a hail of rocks. Some Birrin drew a knife, probably to cut the cables on the slaves, and things went downhill from there. A guard fired a stun gun at the knife-wielder, who collapsed with a pained cry. Unaware of what happened, several of the Birrin assumed he had been shot, and attacked the guard, battering him, taking his stun gun and removing his helmet.

At this, several other guards fired actual microrocket rounds into the crowd, injuring and killing a few Birrin. The crowd panicked, some fleeing the chaos, others furiously attacking the guards with rocks, knifes, and anything else remotely dangerous. One of the Tenzeni grabbed a rocket pistol from a downed (and dying) guard, and fired the weapon at another guard. The guard, protected by her body armor, stood firm and returned the shots.

Alarms began blaring, and the Tenzeni Police launched several gas bombs into the crowd, aerosol drugs calming the crowd down. Unfortunately, these drugs were also toxic to humans, and presuming this to be a chemical weapons attack by the Tenzeni Police, the surviving guards entered the Gunship, lifted off, and fired its machine gun at the Tenzeni enforcers.

The Birrin who were still alive and undrugged ran for their lives, and frantic radio calls went out to warn the government to prepare for war.

Kaybor, 3 Months Ago

Narket Uriditi, the second of his name, looked out upon his Empire from his palace in Devon. The Offworlders had attacked his great nation. At first, they had been a great asset: Narket's government could not only use the Offworlders to get rid of undesirables, but the Offworlders would pay for the undesirables with resources and technology.

Unfortunately, Kaybor had all but run out of undesirables to sell, and the Offworlders wanted even more. Not only that, but the Offworlders brought back some of the slaves as translators and workers, and these returned slaves had strange ideas... rule by citizens, voting, civil rights. They passed these ideas on to the people of Kaybor, and Narket's government could do nothing, as the returned undesirables were now citizens of the Offworlders.

Narket had told them to leave and never return, but the Offworlders did not listen. One of their ships returned, and Narket had ordered the Military to shoot down the next ship that arrived in their airspace without permission.

The next ship not only shot down the missiles fired at it, but had the audacity to destroy the missile launcher as well. The Offworlders would pay for that.

Alarm. "Ships of Offworlders incoming! There are many!" a messenger shouted, rushing to Narket's side. "What are the orders of you, Great Commander?"

"Destroy the Offworlders." Narket replied.

Several fighter squadrons were launched, targeting the Offworlders and launching missiles at the main Offworlder ship. The smaller Offworld vessels broke off, and with astounding speed flew past the attacking squadrons, reversed course, and annihilated the Kaybor fighters with the Offworlder's strange light-fire.

The Main vessel was (unfortunately for the Offworlders), hit by several missiles, and began to plummet to the sea below.

"Destroy the fighter Offworld ships."

Several batteries on the city's perimeter, new Kendi-designed models of the System for Defense of the Air in Close Proximity (SDACP), targeted the swift enemy fighters, and fired off several thousand armor-piercing rounds. A few fighters were shot down, and the rest fled the area.

Delight. "The Offworlders will learn a lesson." Narket chirped.

Foreboding. "No, believe me. The Offworlders again will come, and the Offworlders will greater bring ships. Ships terrible, fears me. Now prepare for war, the advice of me is [that]."

Narket turned to look at the speaker, Kaybor's Minister of War. "If it is what you say, then commands me you will do it."


OOC:
Okay, for now, until I get a post up from the Excidian viewpoint, only arrival or pre-arrival posts are permitted. Once I get my first Excidian post up, things will progress as they progress, and you can post what you like.

Also,
*basically like binoculars for four eyed freaks.
**for the purposes of this RP, a single word or phrase in italics before a sentence spoken by a Birrin indicates the emotions or message commonly associated with a pheromone or pheromone combination released by the speaker. This is a method of communication frequently (but not always) used by the Birrin, and is generally only understood by other Birrin. Aside from that, Birrin communicate in high pitched chirps or screeches, or via sign language (the preferred method for communication between Birrin and Excidian Terrans.

[Tinfect]

SR-388 - Solar Orbit - TCO - Ashes of Eternity

The bridge was quiet, for perhaps the first time in days. The last three, had, in fact, been spent almost solely on the Ship, his usual presence at the New Harron Citadel totally foregone as the force gathered. A collection of Vessels from the Fourth Fleet, a fairly standard force all things considered, hardly smaller than the usual Detachment, but each one loyal to the cause.

The screen before him showed the last of the Archailect decoys moving into Fleet Position. If one had any knowledge of Imperial Military History, the facade would be broken immediately. The false warships painstakingly mimicked vessels that had been out of service for over two centuries, but it didn't really matter, they wouldn't be with the fleet for much longer.

The moments fell by, each one bearing a quiet tension, each one bearing yet more vessels reporting in. It was down to the end now, waiting on only the final confirmation before the war would begin.

"TNC - Truth in Twilight - Reporting all ships as prepared for jump. At your command, Overseer."

There it was. The only thing left to do was to give the order.

"Birrin Intervention Fleet, This is Civil Overseer, Andersen Saar. Coordinates have been provided, and you are now authorized to make the jump to Subspace."

And so it was done. The screen in front of him cut out, showing only the time remaining until the destination was reached. Two Minutes was all it would take, two minutes before the fighting began, two minutes before thousands of men and women meet their death for a world none of them had ever seen, and a people none of the had ever met.

[The Second Brotherhood of Planets]

Space, the great immaculate void.

These are the voyages of the starship Osiris. Its five-year mission: to unlock the mysteries of the universe. To explore this great void for curious anomalies and amazing occurrences. And, as always, to discover and protect sapience wherever it may lie. We who have been consumed by this dream of personhood everlasting no matter what form it takes shall give our lives to preserve it. That is why we fight.

*Cue heavily distorted, yet somehow familiar theme.*

BPS Osiris, Bridge

It was his second joint of the evening.

The bridge was calm, silent, perhaps somewhat tense as Commodore Reynolds inhaled deeply.

There was a grumble from the science console.

"Sir, need I remind you that regulation 37 specifically states that no intoxicants of any kind are to be consumed on duty?" The grizzled old science officer huffed, his eyes glowing blue as his features showed an increasing amount of irritation.

The Commodore laughed. "Commander, we are at least 80 lightyears from any possible source of intervention. Command tends to frown when patrols are sent in the same sector, and as we continue our voyage we'll be further and further away from the enforcement of these blasted rules." He inhaled again. "Even if something happens, my ship can handle... Can handle..." He shook his head forcefully. "Whew! Can handle anything that happens without me."

"All support vessels report readiness." The Communications Officer announced. "Sir, Senior Captain Yuan of the Brightest Day is asking why we haven't changed course at all. We haven't detected anything for hours, yet you insist on heading in this direction."

"Oh, trust me." Reynolds chuckled. "We'll see something soon."

The Osiris and its support vessels hurled through the void, the bridge crew of the task force's flagship barely hiding their disgust for their unorthodox commander.

Four hours later, BPS Brighest Day, Bridge

"Captain! While we've continued to receive responses from the Osiris, Commodore Reynolds has left the bridge. His number two, Captain Owens, has suggested that command be deferred to you in the meantime."

Senior Captain Yuan Zexuan adjusted his posture as the universal translator attached as an earpiece to his ear relayed the information to him. He was a newly minted Senior Captain, of a ship that was mostly human now instead of Mukitan. Earlier in his career he'd studied the Mukitan and Vux languages for dealing with non-human staff, yet Command had the wisdom to place him among a mostly human crew that spoke English, not his native Chinese. The translator was swift, however, and soon he relayed his order with all translators among the crew humming the English equivalent:

"Very well. Give me a briefing on the situation."

"Sir, long-range sensors indicate that there are various small gravity wells in Hyperspace ahead of us, indicating that we might end up jumping into the midst of a fleet. They seem to be gathered near what appears to be a star system. Astrometrics reports that this system is far from previously mapped locations in Truespace."

"Have the fleet cut speed and activate our cloakers. Exit Hyperspace at least half a lightyear from the confirmed edge of the system, and have our thrusters slowly take us in. Even if these ships prove to be friendly, I don't want to take any risks."*

"Of course, sir."

Soon the Osiris' largest escort began to cloak, and the rest of the Task Force followed suit. As Reynolds snored loudly in his quarters, his men followed orders and, under the cover of their cloaking devices, gradually approached Chri-irah's star system.

*While most of the retrorockets on Bro craft are sub-light, main thrusters can exceed 15c. We are better at running away than fighting, you see.

[The Usea Federation]

Orbit, Hours Ago

From a point high in the planet's sphere of influence, a bright flash of almost-blinding red light is seen. As this sudden and inexplicable display of visible radiation reaches its highest luminosity, a huge, seven kilometer-long ship appears. Moments later, 30 smaller vessels also follow suit, jumping to the area alongside their flagship. Scans of these vessels would reveal that they are indeed manned. At least, that is what any sensors would say.

Wasting very little time, a transmission is sent from the aforementioned flagship, bearing the voice of a rather... Interesting individual:

"Howdy Tachyon forces, this ere's Admiral Jim-Bob Mcgriddle of the Usean Seventh Fleet. We're here ta' provide assistance for you and your operations should any enemy forces arrive.

Now, I know that we're not gonna get paid until all operations are complete, and that's perfectly fine. But, one of the reasons we came here was because we were rather interested in doing some business with you.

On that note, could y'all tell us a bit more about these "Birrin" lifeforms?"

As the message is sent, the ships begin releasing a large number of fighter craft. The swarm of tiny ships begin surrounding their larger counterparts, clearly in preparation to defend them from any possible threats.

[Apophan]

Endless Sorrow, Deep Space

The Mothership's Command Chamber was alive with flickering bioluminescence, as the great vessel's nervous system reactivated, having been offline for several months as the crew slept between harvest seasons. The stasis pods glowed as their inhabitants awoke, and the ship hummed as the engines flared to life. In the darkness that surrounded the great biomechanical vessel, seven smaller shapes also awoke, eager to join their larger cousin on the great hunt.

The Xaphaii clan had existed for almost ten thousand years, after the previous claimant to this particular piece of territory had met their demise at the guns of a long forgotten civilisation. Xaphaii had been careful to avoid drawing attention to itself, focusing its raids on lone cargo ships or small, defenceless colonies, staying away from any major power that could easily spell the end of the clan.

Admiral Xaph'Vy pulled himself from his personal stasis chamber, and stepped into the small elevator across the hallway. The platform rose quickly, and within a few seconds the doors opened, revealing the Command Chamber and its many lights. He noticed the flashing icon on the communications screen, the icon, which he realised with shock, of the Iron King. The message was brief, and to the point.

Salutations, Admiral.
It has come to my attention that there is a situation developing within your territory. Several large corporate entities have begun exploiting the inhabitants of a world that goes by the name of Chri-irah. Now, the creatures that live upon this world are primitive hexapods known as the Birrin. I'm sure you are wondering where I am going with this, so let me make it clear. I see an opportunity for your clan, one that my make Xaphaii into a great power. Several groups have expressed outrage at this Industrial Coalition's use of slavery, and other "unethical" practices. Indeed, the Coalition has in fact called for help in defending its claim to this world, so great is the threat posed by these groups. Now, I believe that, if played right, this game could turn out very nicely for your clan, and the Apophan race as a whole. I do hope you decide to at least investigate these events, and the potential profit we could gain from them.

[OMGeverynameistaken]

Alliance of Terran Free Companies Fleet, Chri-irah Space, Rendezvous Point

The rag-tag fleet of assorted Cossack vessels and mercenary ships, ranging in size from individual fighters up to the imposing commerce raider Grom, nominally a heavy cruiser, and the still larger Merciless Macdonwald, had emerged from the Etherway by the standard means and made an uneventful journey to Chri-irah space. The Cossack ships, as was their tradition, made a flashy procession into orbit, executing high-g stunts, looping through each other's flight paths and even performing EVAs at high opposing velocity to swap small items between craft. Their craft were, as was normal, decked out in all manner of banners and streaming pennants, depicting saints and Orthodox religious icons, as well as the standard of the various hosts and sotnias to which the craft and its crew belonged. Potop itself was a riot of colors, banners streaming behind it by means of small mechanical arms which caused the devices to wave majestically. The channel nominally for interfleet communication was mostly occupied by an impromptu chorus belting out an old song about Cossacks never dying.

Charles Montgomery Gordon, nominally the commander of the fleet-in-name, surveyed the local sensors with some displeasure. The Cossacks, of course, had bluntly refused to adopt any sort of formation, which he instinctively felt was indicative of poor discipline...something their behavior certainly seemed to confirm. Merciless Macdonwald and Grom were both at the center of a swirling mass of chaotic, spiraling, whirling and generally maddeningly mobile ships. He was, to some degree, impressed that nobody had collided with anybody else yet. The damn things were flying directly through the Macdonwwald's EM dispersion coils, something which would normally tear such small craft apart, but apparently they were finding some small stable passages through the fields of normally rending energy.

Growling to himself, Gordon punched up a general communications channel agreed upon with the people who had hired him and the others.

"Attention, this is the Alliance of Terran Free Companies, broadcasting to local space. We have arrived as per our contract and are prepared to commence operations at your signal. I should also add that our billing begins at this point, so the meter's running, you best give us something to do."

[Singaporean Transhumans]

---

UNKNOWN TIME
UNKNOWN LOCATION, THE KILN, CHRI-IRAH
Forward Squad Kumpas

---

Above the fiery desert, the local star shined with blinding rays, cooking the fine sand as it did for millions of years. Few organisms, let alone sapients, were in sight, the inhospitable climate of the area the love of none. Nothing would be remotely aware of what happens here. Exception being some Industrial Coalition patrols, though the area wasn't of the smallest importance to them. Not that there was any.

And, for that, a purple sphere emerging in the sky did not add to the minimum significance of the area - even though it dawned the entrance of another power. Currently the only representatives for this new power was however a small squad of hovering drones, exiting the purple sphere, and a fireteam of soldiers, recognized in their signature uniforms as defenders of Singaporean Synkomese might. The soldiers weren't here to kill however, instead they were equipped with a set of physics manipulation and nano-construction tools, for whatever they were going to do here. Then unloaded was a storm of storage cubes, big and small, the exact kit the squad required for the construction of...well, predictably, a sustainable teleportation-transit station.

Immediately, the construction team started working, unpacking the storage cubes, their contents being either matter converters, structure projectors or canisters of construction nanites for the parts that will then become a functional transit station. It was far from anything exciting (and such things weren't going to happen anytime soon), but never was any prelude.

[Menelmacar]

Interstellar Space, approximately nine light-months from Chi'irah

The Argus Array was, in many ways, one of the wonders of Menelmacari civilization. For far longer than there had been a Menelmacar, the elves had always loved, and been fascinated by, the stars. Comparatively crude telescopes had come earlier in their development than for most peoples, and improved steadily over time. From there the desire to observe and learn had grown, the appetite only whetted by the growing knowledge made possible by improving technology. After the founding and consolidation of Menelmacar, great observatories had soon dotted its territory. The first ventures into space had brought with them orbiting observatories that, for the first time, escaped Arda's* atmosphere, peering deep into the most ancient history of the cosmos.

Still they had not been satisfied.

When travel to the stars had become possible, it had occurred to the Menelmacari that a mobile observatory with FTL capabilities would be a good idea. You could move it around, observing celestial bodies and astronomical phenomena at whatever distance you wished. You could use it to see around clouds of dust or other obstacles that blocked certain areas of the sky from your home system. In particular you could observe something, in real time, that from your own perspective had already happened. This last supposition proved correct several thousand years ago, when the mobile observatory observed the SN 1006 supernova in progress at a one thousand light year range; when Arda itself entered SN 1006's light cone millennia later, it became the brightest stellar event as seen from Arda in recorded history. Many more such vessels followed, for there was always more interesting things to see than there were manned ships to send to them, and each sported greater resolution and faster drives and generally better technology than the last. The discoveries kept coming.

The next advance had come with the advent of FTL communications, and it was not a great leap of logic to network the elements of what would become the Argus Array. This done, the various institutions that owned the existing observatory ships entered an agreement to share the entire network. Crucially, they also opened it to any other organization or individual who were willing to contribute to expanding the array, and construction expanded further. When nanofabrication technology hit the mainstream, theoretically anyone could build their own array element, and thus have access to directly observe the entire universe with the same quality of equipment that had long been the province of governments and universities, and remain so in most countries to this day. When the Greeks' mythology had later come up with the notion of Argus, a giant with a hundred eyes, someone had jokingly applied it to the, as yet unnamed, observatory network, and the name stuck.

By the present day, the spaces between the stars all across the Cloak of Varda**, and also in many neighboring galaxies, were littered with millions of mobile observatories, all networked, each of which had their own subsidiary elements arranged in Very Large Arrays. One of these was several light-months from the Chi'irah system, and spotted the emissions of Excidian vessels first entering the area.

University of Silharthad
Menelmacar
Three Months Ago

"Hey, that's funny," Sindyrrith nos Dhalmass pointed at her holo.

"Wha's that?" asked Frerin, her research partner, who was a dwarf.

"This is." Sindy was Bajoni by descent, and a third-year student of xenosociology at the University of Silharthad. She was in the midst of a project to use various elements of the Argus Array to monitor star systems known to be home to pre-FTL civilizations, in an effort to observe, chart, and compare their development of spacefaring technologies and the changes in their cultures that resulted.

In the case of Chi'irah, a Menelmacari survey vessel had passed through the system two thousand years ago. The thriving civilization there was taking its own first steps to the stars, and were noted, but left alone. A later survey found the civilization had collapsed, and the planet's climate had changed significantly, becoming hotter and, in many regions, drier. It was still not well understood what exactly had happened; in any case, the locals not sufficiently advanced for their own starships, clearly what was being observed here was a third party.

A grin spread across Sindy's face as her mind worked through this logic, and as ongoing telemetry indicated the incoming vessel had approached the planet. "This is incredible, Frerin. I think I may be watching a first contact."

Fëanor Palace, Vinyatírion, Menelmacar
Present Day

Things moved quickly from there. The first ship had been joined by others, and traffic in and out of the system grew significantly. Within a couple of weeks it became clear to Sindyrrith that this was growing much faster than the scope of her grad project could handle, and she told her professor about it, who mentioned it to his department head, and from there the news made their way to the Prefecture of Science, reaching the government around the same time as the plea from previously-enslaved Birrin aboard the Excidian fleet for the liberation of their homeworld. When these facts were discovered by elected officials in the Artaoron, and subsequently the general population, a political perfect-storm aimed at intervention was almost inevitable, and events led from one to another to a meeting on the subject attended by the highest officials of the Menelmacari government.

"The Excidians, for their part," Prefect of State Túrelio nos Fingolfin was saying, "are claiming they are but simple traders, and they are merely defending themselves after they were inexplicably attacked by the Birrin."

"Do you believe them?" asked the woman at the head of the table. Excidium Planetis was a matter of minor irritation to the Menelmacari. A generally libertarian people with an orientation to trade and a propensity to break down entire uninhabited systems for resources, they shared many commonalities with the Menelmacari, and the loss of the Excidian homeworld made them sympathetic. In other circumstances, they might have been friends. If... if they had not also been slavers. There was nothing a Menelmacari despised more than a slaver.

"Not on your very long life, my Lady," Túrelio huffed contemptuously, "These Excidians last made the news when their ambassador to the WA got them into an agreement to end slavery that somehow they couldn't get back out of. The Excidians were not the least bit pleased about this, and while they are reportedly complying with the letter of this agreement, their commitment to the spirit of it is, by all reports, precisely zero. A more reluctant abolition has possibly never happened, certainly not without bloodshed. In any case the Excidian government is refusing to enforce the agreement with the WA, and while they are not aiding the corporations, they aren't reining them in either. I'd say the odds are better than even that these corporations are acting as outright proxies."

The Lady looked to her other side, where sat Prefect of War Serendis nos Fithurin.

Serendis needed no prompting. "We need to take a firm hand in this, my Lady. This matter is taking a political life of its own, and the people are vastly in support of an intervention. We should, at the very least, dispatch a fleet to Chi'irah. In the off chance the Excidians are actually telling the truth, we can always withdraw. If they are not... well, in that case, law or no law, slavers they remain, and that must end."

"An entire fleet, to investigate?"

"In recent months the Excidians have placed twenty defense platforms in orbit of the planet. If they were merely defending themselves from the Birrin, I can't imagine them doing this. No, they're guarding what they see as a colonial possession, I'd put money on it."

The Lady nodded. "Put out a press release that we are investigating this matter. Túrelio, contact the Allaneans and have them attach some forces to our own. I'm certain they will want a piece of this action. Serendis, dispatch a fleet. Have them assemble in a neighboring star system and contact me when they arrive."

---

*Arda is Earth.
**Varda's Cloak is the Milky Way.

[Allanea]

Leyfield Palace, Sovereign Duchy of Leyfield

The white gazebo where Alexander had once eaten his first breakfast on the grounds of the royal palace was quiet, and the Emperor ate lunch alone, accompanied only by a single young lady who was not his wife - a young woman with brown hair and eyes. Both were dressed elegantly, in parade uniforms, as if they were here to receive a stately parade. The young lady was, of course, not the Emperor’s lover - she was more than that, she was a close friend and disciple. Baroness Priscilla Conde, Marshal of Allanea, has come here to receive an assignment.

“What must be clearly comprehended,” - Alexander said, as he sliced into his steak carefully, holding it in place with a silver fork - “Is that we are doing this within the Greater Prussia framework. So Ferinion outranks you absolutely.”

“But Sasha, this isn’t fair.” - said Priscilla, her lower lip pushed out only so very slightly.

“Perhaps it is not.” - agreed Alexander amiably, as he raised the piece of steak to his mouth and chewed on it for several seconds. “On the other hand, you are not a trained ground forces commander. Ferinion has literally thousands more years of military experience than you - or me, and I absolutely trust his judgement, as well as Aunt Sirithil’s. Furthermore, it will no doubt improve our relationship with the Menelmacari if we assist them, so we are going to assist them.”

“I am a qualified ground forces commander-”

“You have taken the abbreviated high command course. This isn’t anything like what an actual ground forces general knows, and it has nothing on Ferinion. There isn’t anybody in the Allanean armed forces who has Ferinion’s level of military experience. Furthermore, it is a matter of sheer diplomacy-”

“Fuck diplomacy.” - said Priscilla in an irritated tone.

“You have the luxury a luxury to say so. I do not. Menelmacar is a jewel of the Greater Prussian Empire. Having them be members of the organization is a massive achievement of mine, the likes of which no previous Emperor has dared even dream of. So I have absolutely no problem deferring to them in this matter.Now, you will report to Ferinion.”

“Very well.” - said Priscilla, cutting into her steak.

“What must be understood with total precision is that we don’t have a clear knowledge of the situation.” - said Alexander, raising his drink to his lips - not a wine of any kind, but in fact a soft drink, a Menelmacari Red Rabbit - “We know that Excidians are the sort of people who are civilized - except for that one matter of slavery.”

“So, you mean, utter actual jackasses?” - smirked Priscilla.

“No, that’s not what I mean. What I mean, however, is that they were utter actual slavers until recently, and may or may not have ended the practice. We don’t know. What we do know is that they’ve been dealing in slaves openly up until several months ago, and have been capturing them with brute force. They’re still defending that practice-”

“I thought you said-”

“I said they claim to have stopped. They don’t look the slightest bit embarrassed by the whole thing!” - said the Emperor, raising his fork upwards.

For a brief moment, he gazed out on the palace grounds. The chill autumn air was pleasant and clean to breathe, and smelled faintly of the violet roses that have been planted near the gazebo. The gleaming, crystal-like walls of the Leyfield Castle, with its towers and crenellations, appeared far on his right, about six hundred yards away. On his left, the palace grounds extended as far as the eye could see, an impossibly large park, its lawns and alleys maintained beautifully by droid gardeners and palace AIs. Far away - a mile away precisely from the main palace, about five furlongs from where Alexander now sat - stood a white building in the classicist style, the building of the Leyfield School for Boys. From here, one could see several dozen cadets, arrayed in a square, jogging from the building and through the palace park. Happily, their teacher knew well enough not to direct them to where the Emperor was now seated. There would otherwise be saluting and that was always quite tedious. Saluting, Alexander suspected, was the sort of act young cadets enjoyed far more than the officers they were saluting did.

Alexander looked back at Priscilla. “The point is, Excidian propaganda puts out the Birrin to be slavers who are supposedly enslaving each other at a merry pace and selling off the spoils. Note that even if this is true, this still doesn’t mean that the Excidians get to claim the planet. Even if the Excidians were totally the moral equals of the Menelmacari - which they’re not, at any event - I would side with the Menelmacari on the sheer fact that they’re our allies. Further we should note that Chi’irah-”

“Again? How do you pronounce that? Kiirah?”

“Chi’irah. It’s a heinous postapocalyptic wasteland. So while slavery isn’t excusable, slavery is never excusable, it’s quite possible that with Aunt Sirithil’s wise guidance it will be easier to stamp it out than by making everything a corporate colony of assholes who were slavers literally months ago and are refusing to take any kind of moral responsibility for it.”

“Gods, what a mess.” - said Priscilla, covering her face in her hands momentarily.

“I know, right? Now, I am authorizing you to assemble a fleet, and also to commandeer some freighters from the Ministry of Colonial Affairs. This will mean the colony effort will run behind schedule for a few weeks. But the MCA bureaucrats will have to suck it up and live with it. We all know that the purpose of all government is war,” - he said with an air of someone pronouncing a well-known truth.

*

To: Warmaster Ferinion nos Cirdan, Marechal of Greater Prussia
From: Emperor Alexander Blaken-Kazansky
Encryption: Delivered by hand, vellum envelope.

My dear friend!

I have ordered Baroness Priscilla Conde, whom you have surely heard of, to assemble a fleet in your assistance. The intent is for her to match your fleet ship for ship to what extent possible. Several freighters are also being sent to Eärendil Ring Station, where you can equip them as fit within your needs.

Please contact Baroness Conde by Greater Prussian secure datalink and issue her with the necessary operational instructions.

Alexander

[Vilkia]

A tall man with weather beaten skin looked out of the small bridge window. The random swirling energy waves of the Warp rose and fell outside making strange buzzing noises against the hull. The waves were all different colors. Some were dark blue, while others were neon yellow. In the distance a large foggy half spherical shape loomed, swaying back and forth in some invisible winds. It had a sandy colored "belt" along what seemed to be its equiter.

The weather beaten man, whose name is Heargnim Wolfbite, shouted to his helmsmen,"Take us out of the Warp Chigar. We are near Chirran, Chirrah, oh whatever that blasted planet is called." "Ay Skirl." the helmsman replied. Heargnim returned to his thoughts. He was meeting up with another Vilkian Raider skirl, named Moreke, who also had an Omega class corvette. They had agreed to work together in this system.

The helmsman touched a strange bullseye rune. It responded to his touch with an erie black glow. "We're coming out of Warp.", Chigar called out to no one in particular. 5 red lightning bolts, or Egir's Knives as they are officially called, protruded from bow of the ship. The Knives began swirling slowly at first, but became faster until it was a blinding whirl. The Knives spread outward until their tips were larger then the width and height of the ship. A black hole apeared before them. The ship lurched down and entered the hole. Everything temporaily went black excet for the bullseye rune, which grew brighter.

Somewhere in an astroid field on the outskirts of the system...
Skirl Moreke Cleaver was sitting on his fur covered chair. He had short, dark brown hair. His skin was also weather beaten, a common trait among skirls. He was looking at a holo chart of the system. Many enemy ships had already made it to the planet's orbit. This wasn't a good sign. It would make it tricky to reach Sigma Station undetected. He noticed a blinking yellow dot on the holo map next to his own vessel, the Space Viper. It meant that another ship was entering realspace next to him. Walking to the starboard side of the bridge, he looked out of the window. Sure enough a black hole appeared out of nowhere. Multi-colored energy waves spilled out of it. Shortly after, the hole spewed another Omega class corvette into realspace. The hole immediately it closed up once the stern cleared the hole. At first, the multi colored energy started dissipating into glittering dust, and then dissapeared.

"Get lasio contact with that ship. Its probaly Skirl Haergnim's Wolfs Bite.", Moreke yelled to his communicater. The communicater responded,"Establishing contact in 3,2,1, you're on."
"Nice of you to finally arrive Haergnim. What kept you?" Moreke jokingly said. Haergnim was actually 2 hours early, but he wanted to have some fun. Haergnim jokingly replied back,"Late? I'm 2 hours early!" Returning to his serious tone, he continued;
"How's the situation here?"
"Not to bad, but not to good either. A lot of enemy ships have already arrived in orbit. I've been pickybacking their communications for a while now. Most of its encoded but we're working a decoder."
"The enemy ships shouldn't be that much of a problem. Have any other Vilkian ships arrived?"
"Not that I know of. Nobody has lasiod me. They may be hear, they've probaly just gone silent."
"So we're probaly not the first ones to the party, oh well. Shall we begin to cross the gap to the station?"
"Sounds good to me. How many Loki decoy pods do you have? I have 2."
"I only have 1. You should probaly use one of yours midway to the station. We need a good distraction. Once we get there nobody is ever gong to find us."
"Copy that. Shall we start?"
"We will start."

Skirl Moreke yelled into his intercom,"All hands, report to battle stations. We are about to start Operation Slip and Hide." He pulled the ships controls to his seat. He looked briefly at the Wolf Bite, which was also moving into postion. He counted to 20, and then started his engines similtaneously with those on the Wolf Bite. Both space ships moved forward quickly, then blisteringly fast, then faster then light itself. Within a few minutes, Moreke released one of his Loki decoy pods. It started jamming any sensors that might have bbeen scanning the area. Another few minutes passed, he started slowing down along with the Wolf Bite. They entered the dense space debris surrounding the planet. He let out a sigh relief.

Both skirls skillfully weaved their ships around the debris. Most systems on both ships were shut off except for the engines, maneuvering engines, life support, and passive sensors. After an hour of weaving, they finally made it to the station. Moreke checked his timer. The Loki decoy pod should have had self destructed by now. Haergnir lasiod Moreke. The sounds that came in were coded wolf howls. He decoded the different howls in his head for a moment. The howls said,"I don't believe we were followed. I'm gong into hanger #6 of the space station. Let's meet at section 6, cubic 2, deceter 0." Moreke told Quick Paw, his wolf, what to say. The faithful wolf howled back. He steered his ship into hanger 4. This was going to be a fun raiding trip.

[The Ctan]

The Lightning Rail ran through the city's perimeter in a sunken freight-way. Akator was not the largest of the many worlds of the Great Civilization, and indeed it only had a few hundred people present on its surface at any given time. It was used primarily to carry equipment and machinery from one part of the planet's surface to another, usually from hardened bunkers to deployment zones, and this was no exception. Beams of energy linked he many components of the machinery to one another, cargo pallets carrying all manner of equipment and materiel. The carriages were similar to the ghost-ark IFVs used by the necrontyr, resembling the rib cages of ancient dragons, dozens and dozens of them. Curled up within the frames were a multitude of equally skeletal figures, gleaming in the evening light.

Martia looked down at them with her veil fastened over her darkening features, her hair was fastened high behind her head and ornamented with bright pearls grown in spores that never saw the light of day. Her dress was fugilin, a material with a substance that seemed to drink light from around it, and she leaned on the cane she carried, its wooden structure supporting her as she watched the glittering river of military material go by. She sighed and stared into the middle distance, thoughtful, pensive.

"Gramma," a young voice said from behind her, tugging the hemline of her dress. She looked down at the boy, darker skinned than her and coming up to her hip, he carried a toy gauss flayer on a sling, and he was beaming at her. DUshan, the child of her grandson, she recalled after a while. Her thoughts were becoming slower, and it was difficult to remember the names of people, to see them as people. Her affliction was like that, and soon she would have to give up trying such things.

She turned around to look at Dushan and put on her best smile, underneath the veil. She knew it was vanity, of course, everyone here was aware of her condition, and would not think it in poor taste, but still habits persisted. The restaurant looking out over the freightway boasted several balconies that looked down on it, and they were standing on one. "What can I do for you, Dushan?" she asked.

"Shen-yi is too good at hiding!" he said, with a frown, "Can you help me find her Gramma?"

"Oh that's not very sporting, is it darling?" she said.

"She always wins though!" Dushan said.

Martia sighed, and looked around, carefully studying the room. "She's under your auntie Tellya's table," she said, after a long moment. The boy grinned, and grasped the gauss flayer, scampering across the room with what he probably thought was stealth, shouldering the weapon and firing, the weapon fired a green beam that lit the area it hit with an aura that emitted a soft light, to show damage. Not to be outdone, Shen-yi returned fire, beams of green slicing across the room. None of the adults seemed to mind overmuch, though Dareth sighed as table was splashed with the directed holography beam. He patted the table twice, and the holographic light emission vanished.

A service android butled out carrying a tray on which were laid several fluted wine glasses. Sustenance was impossible in such things for Martia, but she took one of the clear drinks anyway, sipping it.

"Lady Martia?" another asked, circulating over to her on the balcony, "I see you're enjoying the air."

She smiled, "Ah, Aracitalnai," she said, recognizing his rank, "Have I had the honour?" he asked.

"You have not, Rávon of Singar, pleased to meet you," he said.

"What can I do for you?" she asked, smiling nonetheless, making a gesture of greeting.

He returned it in kind with greater respect, "I was wondering," he said, moving to a casual posture, "Will you gain from this expedition?" he asked.

"The flowery war?" she asked, looking down at the lightning rail as it moved more machines to their deployment vaults, "I certainly hope so," she said.

That was all that needed to be said. Her ailment could only be treated by the ability to consume parts of other sapient beings, the morticators would cut the captives down and make them into rations, for when Martia could not be fed, she would lose all sense and attack those around. In a mortuary culture, such as most of the Great Civilization, only captured enemies and outsiders could be called To avoid that she would have to go into stasis, and she would do so, until such time as such beings could be found. She sighed, "I very much hope so," she said. "The Chi'irah adventure may give me many years of life," she said.

__ __ __

The ships deployed in a formation, dispersed, arranged such that no single line could pass within seventy kilometres of more than two of them, in this matter preventing them being enfiladed. The formation was loose, and folded into space many light seconds from the planet Chi'irah, a group of crescents and discs that carried innumerable weapons and more. Their first task, when they arrived would be to begin laying a field of orbital mines and planetary defence guns, to establish strongpoints on the surface and then to begin the task of garrisoning the world, before the harvest could begin.

Mines were a foolish weapon, in nine situations out of ten, but here, where there was already great orbital clutter, and where the enemy would need to land in order to 'liberate' the planet, they had plentiful uses. Bomb-pumped munitions that would sit quietly in among the junk and then direct lance-like beams of terminal energy at landing craft.

Signalling their arrival to the local corporate forces, the C'tan ships accelerated following the Cossacks and others.

[Excidium Planetis]

Kaybor Plains, Present Day

"Enemy Units approaching at 180°*!" A Tachyon Security Lieutenant called out above the sound of gunfire and exploding shells.

Colonel Franklin Paquet turned to the left. His Heads Up Display immediately recognized the hostiles, highlighting the 30 Kaybor Battle Tanks emerging from a narrow canyon to the left of the Industrial Coalition forces. The Tanks, despite being designed by aliens, were remarkably similar to Terran-designed tanks. Form follows function, I guess, Paquet thought.

Paquet was officially an employee of Perelandran Armaments, specifically in the Marketing department. He now served as a military commander because during his mandatory years of military service for Excidium Planetis, he had chosen to serve as an officer, and had actually been involved in a ground battle against pirates. This put him in the fairly unique position of having actual experience commanding ground forces in combat.

"Pack up two of the Heavy Cannons, move them back and bring them around to cover that canyon. Direct some of our IFVs to fire on those tanks, keep them busy."

Two of the four Mountainbreaker Mobile Heavy Cannons ceased their firing, lowered their guns, pulled up the retractable stabilizers, and slowly rolled backwards to the right. Placing their stabilizers back into the dust of the Chriiran plain, the Cannons loaded new shells, took aim, and prepared to fire.

"Target the walls of the canyon, not the tanks. Fire when ready." Paquet spoke into the microphone on his helmet.

With two distinct booms, both cannons fired. Four 340 millimeter shells collided with the canyon walls, shattering stone and sending a several dozen tons of rock to the canyon's base. With the canyon temporarily blocked, the Industrial Coalition forces could focus on the Birrin tanks.

The Sandrunner Infantry Fighting Vehicles hurled fire at the Chriiran forces with 70mm autocannons, which were fairly effective against the Birrin tanks, who lacked the advanced technology needed to adequately protect them from the Excidian ammunition. The Kaybor tanks responded with their own fire, destroying twelve of the IFVs, and damaging one of the Heavy Cannons.

Several flashes of light struck the remaining Birrin tanks, which exploded. Shadows streaked overhead, followed immediately by a high roaring sound as a squadron of supersonic Ventus interceptors passed overhead.

"About time air support arrived." Paquet remarked. "Now we can really get on with the offensive.

"Interceptors, go ahead take out any enemy air defenses. We need to clear a path for our gunships. I plan to reach the Kaybor Gate in two days. Now, tanks, roll out!"

From behind a sloped embankment carved out by combat engineering vehicles, the Perelandran Windcry MBTs rolled up and out onto the plains beyond, heading towards the Birrin line that currently held the valley against Industrial Coalition.

The MBTs were followed by the IFVs, and some Xion AA Guns. The Excidian war machines fired on the Birrin units ahead as they drove, with two of the Mountainbreakers providing additional support.

The line of Kaybor tanks, Artillery, and infantry, realizing they were about to be overrun, determined to stand their ground: retreat would not allow them to live, their nation depended on them, and the fortified position they currently held offered more protection than the plains. This would be their last battle, Paquet thought.

Port Victory
"Civil Overseer" Zhu Li Moon sighed. Today, as was usual these last few months, was going to be a long day. The Military Board had informed her this morning that Birrin spies reported that the Chey Confederation was planning an offensive against occupied Tenzeni... likely a naval assault given Tenzeni's geography. However, no naval base or assembling armada had yet been discovered. Exploration subs were searching for some time of underwater assault base.

Not only that, but another rebel group had attacked the false Coalition Headquarters set up in Capital Square, and the Tenzeni Security Administration had not yet discovered the group's composition and headquarters.

Of course, the demand for even more Terrans to step down and be replaced by elected Birrin leaders was constant, the Northern Shore District was still without complete power due to delayed repairs on the bombed-out Ridirril Hydroelectric Dam, and Border Patrol stated it was virtually impossible to maintain closed borders... Chey agents leaked in, and refugees leaked out.

And now there were inspectors from the World Assembly Food and Drug Regulatory Agency here to make sure that the newly created Tenzeni Food, Beverage, Drug and
Firearm Administration was doing its job well.

A knock on her office door woke Zhu Li from her reflection on her new life.

"Come in."

The door opened quite hesitantly. A Birrin peaked in to the room.

Zhu Li nodded, a symbol that was apparently common to both Birrin and Terrans, indicating that what she had said did indeed mean that the individual could enter the room.

Zhu Li looked at the Birrin's nametag, as she could not tell the difference between any of them. The writing on the nametag was completely unreadable to her, but at least she recognized this individual's tag: City Counselor Zayko Kibillin.

Zhu Li made several swift hand movements, the sign language created specifically to communicate with the Birrin, who could not replicate Terran speech... and vice versa. What is it, City Counselor Kibillin? she motioned.

Overseer, there is a riot going on in Capital Square... apparently Port Authority fired Director [Boliziri], and the riot Birrin believe it to be because she supported Birrin sovereignty. Kibillin replied.

Zhu Li slumped in her chair. Running a country was too difficult.

SPACE

Mr. Robert Percival, the CEO of Tachyon Corporation, sat in a rather luxurious bedroom aboard the Tachyon flagship Capital Investment. The large cruise ship was usually just used to host corporate meetings between employees from multiple fleets, but in this case it was a combination of Command Base and long range troop transport, as most of the Tachyon Security personnel on Chri-irah were brought in on the majestic ship.

A beep alerted Mr. Percival to an incoming communication.

"Hmmm... from the Bridge, huh? I wonder what they want." Mr. Percival mused aloud.

He answered the communication. "Yes, Mr. Percival here. What is it?

"Really? A communications from some mercenaries Nguyen hired? Patch the transition through to my room."

The sound of... Man... with a horrendous accent announced himself as Admiral "Jim-Bob McGriddle". My god, I feel sorry for that man.

"Well, defer Mr. McGriddle to Battlestation 01, let the Chri-irah Space Administration deal with orders. Yes, yes, do the same for these Cossacks that arrived."

Battlestation 01

Valerie Nguyen, Counselor of the Excidian Government, CEO of Gizmos and Gadgets, and now Assistant Director of the Chri-irah Space Administration, waited in the Battlestation 01 control room.

One of the Communication Officers report "Counselor, we're receiving a transmission through Capital Investment. The Mercenaries are here."

"Bring me online with the Usean Federation ship."

"You're through."

Valerie Nguyen address Admiral McGriddle. "Alright, Admiral McGriddle. Here's the basic facts. Birrin are a six limbed sapient lifeforms native to Chri-irah, the only sapient native to it. They are 2 meters tall, they live an average of 60 Terran years, communicate in chirps and body language, etc. Here, read this of report on the planet compiled by the Excidium Planetis Astronomical Service, if you really need more info than that.

"Anyways, we hired you for a reason. There's a network of satellites operated by the Birrin nation of Kendi. Unfortunately, blowing these satellites up would create a debris field virtually unnavigatable by our dropships, so we need you to carefully retrieve the satellites and bring them to the indicated hangar on Battlestation 3, you read?"

Another comm officer spoke up. "Ma'am, there are a few other ships that have hailed... Notably the C'tan ships have arrived, and several ships that have made no attempt to contact us..."

"Alright, hold on. Get me on the same frequency as the Cossack forces."

In a short moment, Nguyen began broadcasting to the Cossacks. "Alright, we have unknowns in the system, so communications are no longer secure. I'm going to have a nearby observation vessel send a coded laser beam to your ship to prevent any chance of interception... 3, 2, 1."

The message was rendered in Morse Code, instructions for which were sent to the Cossacks over standard radio, and read as follows: "Your forces are needed on the Kaybor front stop Bring dropships to the northern half of the planet [designated coordinates] and contact Colonel Paquet stop your forces shall assault the enemy position from behind in conjunction with our ground forces end transmission"

A greeting was sent to the C'tan ships, which were told over regular frequencies to wait in orbit for further orders.

Finally, Nguyen sent out a broadcast across the system. "Attention all starships: Any ship failing to identify itself immediately shall be considered trespassing on Industrial Coalition property, and shall therefore be designated as a possible military target. Allies are requested to make contact as soon as possible. Thank you, and remember to shop at Gizmos and Gadgets Surplus."

[Chri-irah]

---

(Image)

UNKNOWN TIME
UNKNOWN LOCATION, THE KILN, CHRI-IRAH
Forward Squad Kumpas

---

Above the fiery desert, the local star shined with blinding rays, cooking the fine sand as it did for millions of years. Few organisms, let alone sapients, were in sight, the inhospitable climate of the area the love of none. Nothing would be remotely aware of what happens here. Exception being some Industrial Coalition patrols, though the area wasn't of the smallest importance to them. Not that there was any.

And, for that, a purple sphere emerging in the sky did not add to the minimum significance of the area - even though it dawned the entrance of another power. Currently the only representatives for this new power was however a small squad of hovering drones, exiting the purple sphere, and a fireteam of soldiers, recognized in their signature uniforms as defenders of Singaporean Synkomese might. The soldiers weren't here to kill however, instead they were equipped with a set of physics manipulation and nano-construction tools, for whatever they were going to do here. Then unloaded was a storm of storage cubes, big and small, the exact kit the squad required for the construction of...well, predictably, a sustainable teleportation-transit station.

Immediately, the construction team started working, unpacking the storage cubes, their contents being either matter converters, structure projectors or canisters of construction nanites for the parts that will then become a functional transit station. It was far from anything exciting (and such things weren't going to happen anytime soon), but never was any prelude.

The Kiln, presumably
Though recent events had reduced the ability of the Kiln Administration to patrol the baking equatorial desert with Irradalli RO aircraft, Kendi still maintained a nice array of satellites observing the planet. One of those passed over the site of the PTFS arrival, and noting the appearance of some small construction in the sands, a message was sent from the Kendi Agency for Observation of the Globe to the Kiln Administration.

Code: Select all

KAOG sending
KAK receiving

About: Activity of Unusual Variety Reported in Kiln by Satellite for Observation of Equator 1

Regretfully informs you us the appearing of forces adversarial and new in the refion of Kiln. Earlier today satellite oversaw construction, probably of base being new in the Kiln. Offworlders almost certainty to blame. Recommend you out send Irradalli Radar Optical to investigate.

The Kiln Administration, on full wartime alert, reacted quickly and sent out an Irradalli observation craft almost immediately to gather high-definition images of the construction site.

[Singaporean Transhumans]

---

UNKNOWN TIME
UNKNOWN LOCATION, THE KILN, CHRI-IRAH
Forward Squad Kumpas

---

The baking atmosphere gradually faded, replacing it was a radically different one, one of darkness and cold. It was much thanks to their inner workings being encased and segregated completely from the outside that the AI didn't get their electronics fried or frozen, and able to continue the construction at a pace of efficiency. The zero point energy field manipulators allowed the bulky metal to be quickly lifted and assembled into shape without effort, while the nanoconstruction, first with a layout projected, then slowly filled by material, the structure materializing, as the sun set a rough skeleton of the portal could be seen standing from the sand dunes.

"26% completed. Keep going, we're already receiving reports of people up there in space doing funny funny things."

"You no need to notice us lah, we'll complete the job by tomorrow night lah. Provided no kiasu tries to attack us, if they do, diu them and their whole family."

"Eeee, scrub why you so rude? We're here to HELP them, not to cause more trouble and make pain on natives. Keep working lah." the 3rd AI pacified the commotion. Meanwhile, the transhumans just picked up and placed parts in where they belong, not saying anything. This was quite peculiar though, for it should be, in Singaporean culture, to have the AI being silent and the cyborgs doing the chatting. The power source was now what they were working on, and for that a few hundred storage cubes' worth of material would be poured in - dark energy reactors were quite of an engineering feat, even if they were just ones for a portal transit.

Some of the other AI, through sync with data from instruments set up to detect incoming objects, became aware of the craft that was hovering high above their heads - more precisely, their cores. The instruments didn't get it quite clear what the craft was equipped with however, and, better safe than sorry, the AI treated it as if it was an armed one. One of them tried to sort out a communications frequency, in hopes of establishing contact with the craft and stating intentions, but in such a stranger's place it would take more time than if the AI was in PTFS territory.

[The Usea Federation]

Orbit

The man with the rather obnoxious name responds a few moments after the Excidian transmission is received, clearly having read over the documentation that was sent to him during this time. While still leaving the communications channel open, he seems to issue a command to his forces, and then finally responds to the Station.

"Alrighty then. Ships one through twenty, get over there n' start capturing those satellites. Get in position to scan for their orbits and match them.We don't wanna' create any debris now, so keep it clean, okay boys? After yer done, bring em' back to the station marked here."

"... Very good, my folks should be workin' on those darned satellites as we speak. Now, as a businessman myself, I'd like to offer y'all a good trade. We'll be willin' to do this work unpaid, if we can have 25% o' the Birrins that are captured during this operation. We're really in need of some new hands around here. And if those aliens whatsits have six of em', that'll be pretty swell for our industries. What do ya' say?"

Twenty of the smaller Usean ships begin burning to spread themselves out over the area of the planet. They also begin scanning the area for satellites, and other pieces of orbital debris.

[Chri-irah]

The Kiln, Singapore Gate
The Birrin pilot of the lone Irradalli Radar/Optical craft was surprised that the odd machine-Offworlders were attempting to contact him. He played the transmission over radio, and understanding nothing of it, replied back. They had clearly already spotted him, anyways.

"You Intruders Offworlders, you are in the region of Kiln, subject of Administration of Kiln by Kaybor Government. Leave area or become destroyed." the pilot chirped in his high pitched language.

The Irradalli, of course, had no weapons. But other Kaybor air craft did, and despite the war so far, Kaybor had retained many off its number.

[Singaporean Transhumans]

---

UNKNOWN TIME
STATION LAZIC, THE KILN, CHRI-IRAH
Forward Squad Kumpas

---

The AI was not surprised at all by the Birrin's assumption of hostility, upon translating the message using equipment from Aeiouia the squad had obtained earlier, before the mission. Calmly, tuning on to a correct, comprehensible frequency, the AI responded, in [1024-bit] binary - a universal language, believed to be so since ancient Chinese philosophers.

"It seems that you have mistook our intentions. Rest assured, we are not hostile entities...we are delegates of a power that does not wish to be named, but nevertheless it is a power, not to be ignored. This power has taken attention of the situation on your homeworld, and has become, indeed, very concerned...as a result, a volunteer force from said power has been dispatched to this place to...help you people in defending your sovereignty and freedom. There are no political conditions added to this assistance. We hope for friendly responses."

[Vilkia]

The Nótt dropship took a sharp turn to the right to avoid a large piece of debris. "Dang this debris!", Screreg Shadowwalker muttered to himself. His co-pilot, Dergog Ratsnapper, replied annoyingly,"We've literally went through space debris thousands of times before. Everytime you always say "Dang that debris!". Just relax. We will be within broadcasting range in no time." The small craft drooped down underneath a now defunct satllite. Screreg continued,"That's another thing, we're going to be broadcasting. Broadcasting! We're a STEALTH dropship, not some radio relay. We'll be lit up like sun." A commanding voice from the back yelled to the cockpit,"Do we have a problem up there? Do I have to remind you how important this mission is?" Dergog replied,"No need to Alpha Skril, we are still going on course and on schedule. In fact, we are about to reach the edge of the battlestations AA defenses. As for Screreg, well, he just doesn't like the idea of giving away our position. He's always agrophiac and scocophobiac whenever he's in this ship." Screreg slowed down the dropship. He said,"You can broadcast now. I'll stand by to get us out of here when,"Dergog hit him on the head,"if things go south." The alpha skirl, who's name is Condor Wolfcunning, replied,"Good. Get ready to take off the visual stealth systems on my go." bringing up a small microphone to his mouth he began speaking,"Hello Tachyon Corporation, this is NOT an encoded message. We are here on behalf of the Vilkian forces sent here for this conflict by the Overjarl. I am here to discuss our situation personally with your high commander. Please send a message. We will be waiting here for 1 hour." He turned off the radio. Talking to Screreg,"Move us a couple hundred meters to the left."

[Tinfect]

Chri-Irah - High Solar Orbit - TCO - Ashes of Eternity

The blue gates that signified a tear in the local Subspace Field began to form far from the local Star, slowly growing in size, each one subtly warping the space around its edge. As the distortion grew stronger, the Imperial Fleet emerged. The smaller vessels of the fleet arrived first, followed in short order by their fellows in the Battleships, and they by the Capital Ships. In the space of only a few seconds, the fleet was in position.

----

The screen before him flicked on once more, now showing the first glimpses of the system, as seen by the Sensors of the fleet.
They were certainly in the right place, the system was consistent with the, admittedly small amount of Information they had gathered previously. What was, however, worrying, was the Tactical grid, displaying dozens of unknown vessels, and, quite disturbingly, a number of Battlestations matching descriptions of the 'Stormwrath' designs. Clearly, this was not war that would be won easily.

The Communications Decurion broke the relative silence of the bridge,
"Overseer, we have received a transmission from Excidian forces in the system."

"Attention all starships: Any ship failing to identify itself immediately shall be considered trespassing on Industrial Coalition property, and shall therefore be designated as a possible military target. Allies are requested to make contact as soon as possible. Thank you, and remember to shop at Gizmos and Gadgets Surplus."

It opened with a threat. He was reminded of the standard Imperial response to trespassers that had been in use for nearly a century, granted, the Imperial transmissions were usually followed by the fire of weapons, rather than an advertisement.

"Please prepare a response, Decurion. It is clear they are already aware of our presence, and it may be best to avoid conflict until the Archailects have carried out their plan."

This is the Civil Overseer, Andersen Saar, of the Imperium of Tinfect, Intervening on behalf of the Birrin Civilizations of Chri-Irah. It is the request of the Imperium that your forces cease hostilities against the native Birrin Civilizations, and withdraw from the system.

[Hobbiest Republic]

"Rear Admiral Snugguluffikos, you are assigned to Command the newly formed Fleet of Belligerent Disposition, and assist in the Birrin Conflict. This order comes from the top, do us proud. Given the murkiness of the situation, your flagship is the star destroyer Inevitable Contempt it will be escorted by the Cruisers Veritablely So and Queen's Ransom. Attach yourself to whatever ally of convenience you can and support their actions to the fullest. We're assisting with the invasion, but as you are well aware, we have not committed any carriers to the operation, you'll be mostly confined to orbit." Secretary Tirrin informed the Rear Admiral who was quartered aboard HR-001 the port through which most Hobbiest space traffic was directed over NSEarth.

"Affirmative." Snugguluffikos replied, stretching out before slipping into her light-blue uniform and command circlet.

The fleet was waiting a short DSPA Dropship FTL jump away at the far reaches of the Oort Cloud. In typical hobbiest fashion the smallcraft that wouldn't fit inside of a hangar were mag-clamped onto the hull not unlike barnacles on seafaring ships.

A quick jump brought the assortment of ships into the system in a wedge formation with patrol vessels on the leading edge and Inevitable Contempt bringing up the rear with the Refreshment vessels, and bulk supply ships at the 'center' of the formation with the frigates and cruisers forming a protective cocoon around them.

" Ah... it looks like we're late... as always. Message whomever is in charge of the Ctani formation, we'll attach to that one, a way of avoiding an international outrage if I ever saw one. I certainly wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of one of those Flayers." Snugguluffikos ordered her communications officer, from the luxuriously padded seat of her command chair.

Encrypted narrow beam transmission to Ctani large vessels 512bit quantum encryption.
This is the Theocratic Hobbiest Republican Empire's Fleet of Belligerent Disposition, requesting permission to join your formation in a support role. -Regards Rear Admiral Mina Snugguluffikos.

[The Ctan]

"The squad's trench section is to be improved throughout the entire time the squad remains on the position."

Lt. Colonel Yuri Veremeev, "Anatomy of the Army"

It was an essential of warfare that any unit not ordered to advance or take any other action by higher authority should be engaging itself in productive activity. Examples might be maintenance, rest and recuperation (itself a productive activity) or war-games. When deployed in a defensive posture, observation and fortification was a perfect example of that. From ancient armies with sword and shield, to those in the pre-fission age, to the most advanced cultures, the same general doctrine held true; time not engaged in activity that would increase the probability of was time wasted.

For this reason the moment that the C'tani vessels arrived they had distributed themselves around Chri'irah. A planetary orbit was quite a small space, tens of thousands of kilometres was really not much by stellar standards, and they were quite content to spread themselves around Chri'irah, where they began to settle into the denser areas of debris around the planet.

There was not much real utility in cover in space, but such things would provide an ablative layer against kinetic attacks from a long distance. A relativistic kinetic vehicle hitting a piece of metal the size of a coin was exactly the same as a stationary missile being hit by a piece of metal the size of a coin travelling at relativistic speed.

The Necrontyr starship Meravaid rested in orbit, the crescent and spindle shape feeling the caress of millions of micro-meteoroids across its skin as it sat in orbit, watching the deployment of various munitions from its drop bays.

Narrow Beam to Inevitable Contempt

Understood Admiral Mina Snugguluffikos, welcome to the party, pull up a pew and let the cause of Empire prevail.

[Excidium Planetis]

Battlestation 1

Valerie Nguyen listened carefully to Anderson Saar's ultimatum. At the same time, she glanced at the reports coming in on the tactical screens: 2 Capital ships, 42 Battleships, 44 Cruisers, 76 Frigates, and 40 troopships.

She turned to look at the data for the friendly vessels. The Coalition had exactly 1 Carrier, 20 Cruisers, a motley array of only semi-combat-capable ships, and of course, 20 Battlestations. The Cossacks added 2 armed transports, so they were little help, but the C'tan had an impressive 14 ships of at least cruiser size and another 20 raiders, and the Hobbiest Fleet consisted of a capital ship, 2 Cruisers, 10 Frigates, and a variety of other ships. Vilkia's raiders added 8 Battleships and 40 Assault ships, plus smaller vessels. Rounding out the Mercenaries that had shown up so far was the Usea Federation flagship and its 30 frigates.

All in all, they had about 20 vessels larger than a cruiser, 67 Cruiser or equivalents, 60 Frigate or equivalents, and a collection of support and landing craft. If the battlestations had not been present, the Coalition-aligned forces would be at a disadvantage, but the Mare-class stations were there with their defenses, so Nguyen decided to gamble. She had the most outrageous luck, anyways, might as well put it to use.

"Well, 'Saar'-y, Civil Overseer, but my company and its business partners do not take orders from Imperial scum. You have no right to intervene in this conflict, and any attempt to remove our holdings from the planet by force will result not only in a response by Industrial Coalition forces, but prosecution to the fullest extent of World Assembly law. For a nation so vocal in the General Assembly, surely it would reflect poorly on your nation if it were discovered you were in noncompliance?"

Nguyen had the transmission muted while she consulted with the rest of the pri-Coalition forces. "Get me beamed transmissions to the allied flagships. Ahem,

"Allied vessels, as you can clearly see, the Imperium of Tinfect has entered the system and demands we leave. That will not happen. Your current orders are to hold fire until the Tinfect Fleet decides to attack... And then you shall open fire on their flagship, which appears to be the Ashes of Eternity, given that it is the only 1.6 kilometer Tinfect ship we are aware of. Destroy the flagship, and the Tinfect Fleet may withdraw... Or be crippled, at the very least."

Nguyen crafted a private response to Admiral McGriddle. "Admiral, not only is what you are suggesting illegal, but you've already negotiated a contract with us. 400 billion is a lot of Excidian Credits..."

[The Usea Federation]

The Usean Flagship seems to briefly loiter doing nothing for a few moments after receiving the private transmissions, before finally replying eventually:

"... Ah, very well then. We're still gettin' paid, so it's all swell with us.

I'm orderin' my forces to get in position to keep back the enemy ships should they attack. But, I have two troopships that ain't very well-equipped for space combat. Should I send them to the surface, and if so, where should be my target?"

The twenty frigates that were collecting the satellites spread out around the planet in a defensive formation. They are seemingly joined by two frigates that were near the Usean flagship. These vessels begin burning to put themselves on a de-orbit burn.

The rest of the Usean ships seem to prepare for direct combat with the Tinfect forces. The flagship turns its guns to face the new threat, locking onto the Ashes of Eternity. As its escort of frigates and fighters begin charging their shields and their weapon systems. Though, as ordered, none of them fire, of course.

[Chri-irah]

The Kiln

Unfortunately for the PTFS freedom fighters, binary was not quite so useful as they might have hoped. While an excellent mathematical system, easily translated into the numerals of any culture, it was useless to the Birrin as a language... it was just a string of code. In a world that had never known ASCII or Unicode, there was no letter, symbol, cuneiform or speech equivalent rendered by the binary code that the Kiln Administration pilot could understand.

Maybe if it had been an Excidian Birrin, they might have been able to construct some meaning out of it... or at least pass the code on to someone who could interpret it. But with neither Terran knowledge nor advanced decoding computers, nothing could be done.

The pilot repeated the earlier warning, and began to fly away, back to safer skies.

[Tinfect]

"Well, 'Saar'-y, Civil Overseer, but my company and its business partners do not take orders from Imperial scum. You have no right to intervene in this conflict, and any attempt to remove our holdings from the planet by force will result not only in a response by Industrial Coalition forces, but prosecution to the fullest extent of World Assembly law. For a nation so vocal in the General Assembly, surely it would reflect poorly on your nation if it were discovered you were in noncompliance?"

The response weighed heavily on the Bridge. Saar wasn't pleased about this claim of violating international law, though it was almost certainly false. He keyed in the codes for a response himself, he had no patience to wait for the Decurion to do it for him.

Your unwarranted insults aside, the Imperium has every right to intervene in the unjustified and pathetic attempts to conquer a lesser civilization, especially seeing as how we received several transmissions from Birrin captured by your company, specifically requesting that forces intervene. Slavers such as yourself have no right to the higher ground here, regardless of your recent cessation of such action. It is the belief of the Imperium that your company intends to exploit the native population for ends as-of-yet unknown. And if you intend to contest that the Imperium has no jurisdiction here, allow me to remind you that the Excidian Government has, to this point, made no official claims to this territory, leaving it, for the majority, unclaimed.

The Imperium hereby claims all territory in this system not under the jurisdiction of existing States, as part of the Exterior Territories of the Imperium. Your company is now a foreign industry operating in the Imperial Territories, in direct violation of Imperial Law. As per Imperial Law, your company is required to surrender all illegally operated assets to the Imperium. This includes Firearms, Military Vessels, Orbital Constructs, Mining Equipment, as well as any and all assets owned by your Company that are within this system.

Further, you have militarized this territory, indicating that your company intends to lay a private claim to it, in effect, an act of war against the Imperium. Due to your Company being a private organization, and therefore, a non-state actor, operating in Imperial Territory, any attack by your forces against the Imperium allows your forces to be considered Terrorists under the World Assembly Definition of the term. Due to the Government of your state of origin allowing the operation of your company, this makes the Excidian Government responsible for the arrest, and subsequent criminal trials of all those under the employ of your company, as it would fall under the World Assembly definition of an International Terrorist organization, should you take any hostile action against the Imperium.

I repeat my request, now an order, backed by the Civil Oversight Division of the Imperium of Tinfect. Your forces are to withdraw from the Imperial Territory. Any assets you are capable of taking with you, are to be removed in this action. Anything that cannot be removed, is required to be turned over to the Imperium. Failure to comply... well, you should know the consequences by now.

That should certainly give them something to think about.