Once More, With Feeling

[Ivan2006]

OOC: small correction: basically the entire Macaian space is open to mining by Hexalan

[Professor Fenway]

As Argon exited warp just kilometers from a civilian station, it was shook by a massive explosion.

The ship split, spewing blue fire and liquid metal in every direction. Power arced between the bits of metal as it flew through space, the remainder of the ship detonating through secondary explosions. The arcs increased in intensity before the ship finally fully disintegrated, detonating completely as Magnus dropped out of warp just behind it.

Moving at high speeds after exiting warp, Magnus plowed through the debris field. Metal screeched and fire flared as the ship was torn apart. The ship was split by an explosion and cast away, leaving the two halves drifting in pieces towards the civilian station, but luckily, not very fast.

A military ship and many civilian ships converged around the growing debris field. The first ship on the scene was the military frigate Harmonic Oscillation. It ordered the incoming civilian ships to search for survivors while it combed the debris for the destroyer's black box. It picked up the destroyer's IFF, and sent a message.

//PRIORITY 1 TRANSMISSION\\
-ENCRYPTION KEY HEX-020-
-SENDER: N.R.S Harmonic Oscillation
-DESTINATION: NR Security Council

At 0200 hours, NR Destroyer Magnus entered the Frostilin system at inclination 023, bearing 120 relative to primary star. Ship detonated immediately after exiting warp; second destroyer was sighted exiting warp immediately after. Second destroyer was torn apart by debris field from Magnus.

Preliminary debris analysis suggests Magnus suffered extreme combat damage: Warp drive likely overloaded as a result. Searching for survivors and Black Box.
\\END TRANSMISSION//

[cats]

@Ivan: Point to where the bad man touched you you entered Batii space.

Spoiler:

A galaxy map would be pretty useful.

@Error: That's what I was thinking

=================

Butik/NR contact zone, aboard Butik assault carrier Muraun

The flagship's admiral turned toward his communications officers. "Damage report."

One of the officers tapped at her console. "Muraun suffered no damage." She swept her hand over the control surface. Incoming reports from the rest of the fleet flashed across the screen. "Of our twenty-six ships, One destroyer in the forward formation's mid-line rendered immobile, drive and reactor down, casualties unknown. Six frigates and two corvettes with minor hull breaches, ten casualties. Several vessels of varying class with minor radiation damage to their armor, one reported casualty."

The admiral grunted and cursed himself for his hastily-made decision. "Send a salvage team to the crippled destroyer, first priority is evacuation, then tow it somewhere safe. Have those with breached hulls jump to the nearest shipyard for repairs. Tell the rest to fill the holes. Send a message to the Admiralty Board, request more scouts. If they come back, we need to know where they are."

"Aye, sir." The two communications officers said simultaneously.

"And what about the alien ships?" The admiral inquired.

One of the officers paused in his work to check the combat logs. "One destroyed, the two others were severely damaged, but managed to retreat."

"I want the hulk searched, any left alive treated to the best of our ability and brought aboard Muraun."

"Aye. Sending messages now."

[Professor Fenway]

-NR Interview Record-
-Alien Contact/Engagement Incident-
|LEVEL 5 EYES ONLY|

"Please state your name and rank for the record."

"Lieutenant Thomas Halley. Is this really necessary?"

"Regulations. On what ship did you serve on?"

"The Magnus. [EXPLETIVE DELETED] was blown to bits."

"Role?"

"I was the communications operator. Handled all the traffic between ships. Sensor reports. All that."

"Describe your mission."

"Don't you have this on file? We were sent to investigate a missing scout, last reported from that area. Last message indicated an alien presence."

"Any other data?"

"No. But we knew this was far from those [Expletive deleted] owls or the Macaians or anyone else. This was somebody new."

"What about the task group?"

"We had my ship, the Magnus, along with the Argon and the Limitless. Argon was leading the operation, under Captain Natalie."

"So you warped to their last known coordinates in this task force."

"Yep. We fanned out after we discovered a very large debris field. Looking for clues. A black box. Anything. We just found trouble."

"Explain."

"Not an hour in, we got 15 contacts and Natalie ordered us back. Arrowhead formation. Weapons charged but orders were to not fire unless fired upon. Then the fleet reached us."

"Anything unusual about what happened?"

"Unusual? These [Expletive deleted] brought a full battle fleet for three measly ships! They had a [Expletive deleted] carrier! 26 ships when they all undocked."

"Did you attempt to contact them?"

"Of course! We tried all channels and tried to work out the language, but nothing went through."

"And why were you fired upon, Lieutenant?"

"Hell if I know. We detected a massive FTL signature which wiped out sensors, and then they start shooting us. Natalie ordered a retreat and we hauled out of there. Less than 5 minutes from when we saw them and when we retreated."

"Nothing else?"

"Nope. Argon, though, blew up on exit. Engineering team was screaming about power surges before she blew. Our ship was shredded by the debris without shields. I'm lucky to be alive."

"Thank you, Lieutenant. You may return to your quarters.

-END RECORD-

[Meta]With the recent military incident, the NR Hierarchy has, internally, declared itself in a state of war with the unknown empire. The warp signatures of the fleeing destroyers could be easily tracked, and strategists believe an offensive could be imminent. Multiple fleets have been dispatched to the nearest systems to patrol the areas, and a large scale offensive is being planned. [/Meta]

[Ivan2006]

OOC @Mercury: I entered Batiss space at the Shihe... peninsula that is seperated from the rest of their space by Butik territory

[meta]Although the ME does not know the reason for it, they have observed increased military activity in the NR and have given orders to further expand their own military, including the creation of an offensive fleet, in order to create a deterrent and to be ready for whatever conflict now seems likely to break out.[/meta]

[Vinyl]

[Meta]Preliminary reports indicate a potential expansion of the ME military. Despite their providing of mining rights, some on the Board fear for the safety of the mining operations critical to the defense overhaul project. However, their fear has not yet been manifested into action. Yet. Plans have been slightly altered to account for possible Macaian aggression.[/meta]

[Ivan2006]

The Macaian government has now published an official position on the military buildup.
The Macaian government has noticed an increase in international tension, such as through the Strigiforme rebellion as well as military buildup in the NR, possibly escalating the situation.
The ME assures that their actions are purely defensive and that international relations or economic deals are not at risk unless the ME is directly attacked by the faction in question.

[Error]

A number of genetic treatments and therapies are now jndergoing testing; while analysis indicates they will perfprm as required, side effects may occur.

[Meta]Research on ion cannons has reached a wall; it seems the heat-dissipation problems cannot be solved with current materials. Engineers are installing heat sinks to allow a set of six shot before cooling, but the weapon is still only moderately useful.

Explorations into the Derelict have revealed a number of discoveries; the structural materials of the wreck appear to differ from the outer armour. Analysis is underway. Samples of the discovered metal have been sent to the NeoRomans.[/Meta]

- - - -
The Terran Union has declared martial law on all worlds; pulling their military forces back from everywhere outside their borders, they are attempting to suppress the now widespread, large-scale rebellions. Terra itself has yet to come under attack, but military officers speculate it's merely a matter of time.

[cats]

Butik space, Butik, Capital Palace, Office of the Imperial Minister

The ambassador, cleaned and draped in new robes, dipped his head in a curt bow before addressing Butik Lauraun, "My lord."

The Imperial Minister glanced up from his command console. "My High Ambassador. I trust you know of my troubles. Where have you been?"

The ambassador began in a flat monotone, "I was summoned by The High Commander of Merek, Me--"

He was silenced with a wave from Lauraun. "Yes, yes, matters of your own state, I'm sure very important. Why are you here?"

"I've a message from the Commander. She, too, has heard word of the engagement. She offers you assistance in your plight in any manner, though she reminds you that her military force has suffered in the recent battles with the Alliance. We support you fully and recommend that you proceed with any action against the unknown threat."

Remote polygraphs within the walls passively scanned the ambassador. Readouts on Lauraun's throne console showed no reason to distrust the Ambassador. He grunted. "The High Commander has my thanks, then." The Minister scratched his neck, considering. "Send message to my Admirals, order them to begin organizing a defense around my periphery. Call our minor houses to arms. We can wage another war."

==============================

Shihe space, orbit around Shihe, Capital Ship Rahn, Office of Shihe Rahn.

A soft tone echoed through the office speakers. Rahn straightened a few piles of polypaper documents and secured them under a half dozen polished stone paperweights before answering the door. "Yes?"

A gruff voice "Admiral Enchai Kardadas. Urgent message. Code: Filtered Through."

"Enter." She closed a few panels cluttering her desk screen and opened the door.

The admiral entered and stood in front of the desk. He began to speak as soon as the door closed. "New, unknown contacts near the southern border. Believed to be non-batii. Other information has been sent under encryption."

Rahn brought up the messages and entered her personal decryption code. "Spin up the pulse station, I'll have to talk to the Alliance about this. Send a small diplomatic fleet to the region along with escorts and a translation key to keep these guests entertained until the Alliance can draw a course of action." The admiral nodded and turned to leave, but Rahn began to speak again. "In two hundred sixty-three years, we've had only radio babble and hyperspace silhouettes. In the past months, we've had three contacts. Odd how everyone decided that now was the time to come to our little corner of the galaxy. You're dismissed, admiral."

[Error]

"It... worked? What? How did that work?"

Ifriit Maanan raised an eyebrow at the scientist opposite him. "What this time? More sensor errors?"

The white-jacketed man turned, and Ifriit could almost see excitement rolling off him in waves. "The prototype! It worked! We have a steady signal, and successful transit!"

Ifriit raised the other eyebrow and looked over at his partner's console. "So we do. We still need a successful exit. And to get the mass detectors working. And to-"

"Beginning exit protocol. And gravity detectors should work, right? Everything we know about interspace points to-"

"Gravity affecting it similarly to realspace, with the added bonus of violent reactions when you transit in a strong gravity well, yes. Exit progress?"

Till Maanan was almost bouncing. "Exit in three, two..." he trailed off, staring out the window.

Ifriit almost showed surprise; their test rig, an old corvette, appeared; first the glowing outline, and then the characteristic rippling blue of an interspace exit.

"Well, I'll be damned. We have an interspace drive. Computer, test report."

The dull monotone of the science module's VI grated on his ears. "Interspace transit, confirmed. No structural damage detected. Alert: outer hull sensory and ECM systems inoperative. Alert: electromagnetic damage detected. Primary systems, online."

Till punched the air. "Yisssss. Computer, cause of damage to exterior electronics?"

"Unknown. Possible source: electromagnetic pulse detected at point zero five seconds before transit."

"Easy enough to shield against," muttered Ifriit. "Want me to report to the Commander?"

"Please, I think I can figure out how to..." Till trailed off, absorbing himself in the console before him. Ifriit shook his head as he exited the small science module, heading down the corridor to speak to the carrier's commander. With luck, today would be a good day.

- - -
The Terran Union was a temporary solution. A bandage, meant to cover humanity's wounds during a war; not meant as a leading body in peace. We all know, and knew, this.

To that end, I advise the inadvisable: the immediate dissolution of the Terran Union. As government is always necessary, I again advise the inadvisable: a reformation, into smaller, independent states.

We must remember, friends: Terra is the cradle of humanity. But humanity must leave its cradle eventually. Without a central command authority, the situation within the Union will stabilize; worlds may lead and remake themselves as they see fit.

I, however, must also insert a caveat. The Terran Navy is not to be a part of whaever comes next. We shall fade away just as surely as the Union if we remain. To that end, those Naval personnel who wish to leave may, without oenalty; those who wish to stay shall joinnour journey to the edge. We shall construct a new life among the stars, not interfering with any, nor being interfered with by any.

It is on this day that I say farewell. May the road rise to meet you, and the wind be ever at your back.
-Admiral Kaitlyn LaCroix, Terran Navy; speech to the Union Assembly, January 1, 2191.

[Professor Fenway]

[Meta]With a small modification, the Plasma Shield generator increases its power and strength by nearly 35%, and the change is small enough to be rolled out immediately to all ships with little downtime. Further calibrations to the Fusion Coil Splicer have refined the software and increased power output by another 5%; this change is also being rolled out.

The Dominion is also preparing to annex multiple systems from the soon-to-be former Terran Union. These worlds were previously owned by the Dominion, but due to the loss of all infrastructure on these worlds from the Strigiforme War NR had no claim to them when it seceded.

Protocol for Operation Nemesis is under revision after a jumping freighter was nearly shot down by a Strigiforme cruiser. The latest shipments have delivered primitive, radar-equipped vehicles on contested planets, which is capable of detecting orbiting ships without necessitating more expensive sensor units. These installations can be moved at a moments notice to evade enemy attack. And finally, nuclear-tipped IPBMs are being delivered to the three planets in the next shipment. These missile units are fast enough to take out orbiting ships with little risk to the missile itself.


The Novan provided Ion Cannon is being modified with an eject-able heat clip. These clips are ejected once the weapon reaches a certain threshold and then the mechanism is cooled even further with a spurt of highly compressed nitrogen gas. Though it may increase firing capacity, the weapon becomes reliant on the availability of clips and nitrogen, both which could easily run out in the middle of a firefight.
[/Meta]

Multiple probes have been launched into Butik space, which are mapping out everything they can find and pinging back the data collected. They are also equipped with nuclear self-destruct mechanisms, designed to go off should any ship move within blast range.

[ACH0225]

The Strigiforme Council has finally dedicated 5 additional fleets to the rebelling areas. The Strigiforme forces have cut a path to the fortress world Hyytiik and relieved the forces there. In other areas, Strigiforme battlegroups are becoming bogged down in week long battles in asteroid belts and other difficult to maneuver areas.

[meta]The rapid increase in rebel technology is quite obviously foreign in nature. The Novans and NeoRomans are most strongly suspected. Special Services cells in these nations are being issued orders for action. [/meta]

[Error]

[Meta]Novan ships in the rebelling areas have noted an increase in the rebels' fighting effiacy; NeoRome is suspected, but no communications are made.

The first fully-fledged InterSpace Drive is being tested on the Harrier in three days time. [/meta]

Both Novan ships have left the Strigiforme rebellion zones, citing 'lack of supplies' and 'lack of fuel' for their operations. They note they may return. Both ships have set course for the homeworld.

- - -
The Terran Union has officially announced its dissolution; they have now designated a number of former provinces as individual empires, to be run however the populus sees fit. The Terran Navy has donated a staggering number of older or smaller vessels to these territories, saying 'you'll still need to defend yourself.'

The Union government has lefts its laws, constitution, and reccommendations to each new empire, but requests only that they do not join the Strigiforme.

The Terran Navy, with their remaining ships, has vanished; experts suggest they are regrouping in an 'off-the-map' staging area.

[Professor Fenway]

NR has annexed and taken over four systems near its borders formerly belonging to the Terran Union. These four systems belonged to NR prior to its secession, but the claim was not recognized due to the lack of local government and NR infrastructure (which was destroyed in the Strigiforme war)). Multiple ships have landed at former installations and are searching the wreckage for any pieces of technology not recovered when the worlds were lost.

[Meta]NR agents have noticed a shift in Strigiforme activity and the freighters have begun delivering the missiles to asteroid belts and planetary rings to set up ambush zones. Military command believes the Strigiforme may begin counter-operations in NR territory, and has stepped up security as a result.
[/Meta]

[ACH0225]

A man walked down the street alone at night.

Nothing out of the ordinary; there were rarely more than 5 or 6 people on this small road even during busy days; it was out of the way. The street happened to lie on a NeoRoman world, Aquarius, which was not quite in the center of NeoRome, nor quite the edge. The road lay in the capital city, which was, in terms of NeoRoman cities, not small, but not large. It was, in a word, ordinary.

The man continued walking, entering more populated areas. He wore a thick coat, it being winter, and carried a briefcase. As he entered the downtown, more people were seen around. Shopping, eating, ect, he passed them by. As he went, he began passing more and more government buildings. Tax offices, ship regulations, the works. He finally stopped at an unassuming environmental regulatory office. Looking at it for a second, he checked his handheld communications device, and looked back at the building.

Then, he exploded.

The blast rattled windows for about a mile around, as the high powered explosives in his coat and briefcase detonated. The blast itself took the front off the building, and likely caused significant structural harm to the rest. The building, while for all external appearances an office for a government agency concerned with the environment, was actually a(suspected) shield research facility, containing some scientists and logisticians concerned with the deployment and development of high powered shield units.

The man, seen by countless monitoring cameras was a Strigiforme agent, a part of a local cell. Externally, he was a human, and he just bombed an environment regulation office on an unimportant world, and that's all that matters for appearances.