The Long March, IC Thread

[Selee-01]

"Mayday, mayday, this is the IXS Diplomatic Incident requesting aid from all Nexus Imperium allies. Our Subspace tunnel broke down, ejecting us into realspace approximately 2.5 hours ago. Our thrusters are compromised, and we require aid to repair them."

Captain Alexandrias stood on the bridge, lost in thought. His vessel had been forced to exit fifteen light hours from the nearest military base, and two point five hours had passed. The Diplomatic Incident was a battlecarrier equipped with a compliment of Light Cruisers and Drones, but the reentry had disabled the Intelligence built into the ship. Without it, and the hyperspatial calculations only it could preform, there was no way to reenter Capillary 55.09.12, and no way to readily escape. The emergency broadcast they'd transmitted would summon every alien vessel nearby, but he hoped Human allies would be included. The Diplomatic Incident still had point defenses, and a hull capable of weathering an asteroid the size of Old York, but without thrusters they could only float.

He glanced at the readout on their cargo. The measures taken to preserve this particular... shipment was extreme. It could turn the war, and allow Mankind to end the Hegemon's influence once and for all. If they survived.

Suddenly, the scanners detected a long-range interference. The first vessel had arrived, and more would doubtlessly follow.

The Captain whispered a brief prayer.

___________

Rules for this mission:
Only one warship. This mission will ease you into the setting, so limited forces are a must.

Your first post should include the basics of your faction.

Be ready to rumble!

 

[Puppernickel]

The ship existed Subspace, a long thin craft that at first appeared to be a standard Hegemony cargo vessel, until further inspection revealed the multiple autocannon batteries located across its hull, along with advanced armor throughout its entirety. It was certainly a combat vessel, rather then the transport it first appeared to be. But then, that was a Varmint Corvette in a nutshell, an advanced miner retrofitted for war.

"Sir, we've arrived at our destination and breached Subspace. Distressed vessel located and identified by sensors." Rear Lieutenant Mallory reported as she sat at her station, her antenna flickering about as she informed the Commander of their arrival. Not that he needed it due to the screens simply telling him, but it was Mallory's job after all.

Commander Genteel Hector nodded at the Rear Lieutenant in acknowledgment, staring at the readings as he contemplated his current predicament. He'd been on route to Camilia for a standard check in when his ship had picked up an emergency distress signal from a ship. Normally this would have been ignored, as the ship lay outside of Hegemony space and thus had no relay. But it was from a Nexus warship. A battlecarrier, in fact. That could not simply be ignored, not on the Accord's watch. So it was that Genteel had ordered an "emergency Subspace jump", which was code for using the highly illegal and definitly stolen from Humanity Subspace jump tech that some rare Varmint ships were equipped with for emergencies like this. The Hegemony called it illegal, but the Accord cared little for what the Hegemony thought, and as long as they weren't caught they would continue.

The Commander frowned as he stared at the data screens, the ships advanced sensors confirming the story the emergency broadcast told. While not powerful enough to puncture through Human tech, Fortuna sensors were still good, and did agree with the assessment that the battlecarrier's thrusters were busted. This left him in a particularly deep pickle, as human's would say. While he was technically a Hegenomy vessel, and this at war with Humanity, the Accord had so far managed to ride by the skin of their teeth and avoid any open fighting. Thus, their opinion on the war was not only still vague, but the Accord could possibly convince Humanity to help them reclaim their lost territory from their overlords. However, to do so would need a valuable favor. Such as, say, helping to return one of their battlecarriers. And the Accord needed that favor.

With that thought firmly fitting into his mind, Commander Genteel sighed deeply and nodded. "Coms officers, hail the Nexus ship." He said, his high pitched voice tired as he shook his head. As the frequency was readied, he straightened up and gave the screen a calm, serene expression. "To the commander of the IXS Diplomatic Incident, this is Commander Genteel Hector of the ANS Determinous, we are responding to your call for aid accordingly as per the Holy Star Accord's commands, please respond." He said sternly to the screen, hopeful that this time the human commander wouldn't crack up due to his high pitched, squeaky voice. He never understood why humans found that so funny, it was common for Fortuna to squeak when they talked.

 

[Martydi]

ANV Breaker of Chains
Stalwart-class destroyer operated by Arkadian Navy
Currently on a long range patrol through unclaimed space

An Arkadian Stalwart destroyer slipped out of the Subpsace before the tunnel it was traversing ended, leaving itself a generous safety margin. The vessel was built functionally, with no decorations or unnecessary features on the outside. Its sturdy, angular frame floated through the empty space, lit up from the back the bright blue glow of its engines. Four railgun turrets were positioned on the ship, and a closer inspection would reveal barely disthuignuishable from armour covers of heavy missile launch tubes, forty in total. Currently they were loaded with ten EMP, four nuclear and twenty six conventional missiles, with a second, identical set stored internally. The ship's transponder identified it as ANV Breaker of Chains to anyone with an up to date database on Arkadian signals. Two courier drones latched on to the rear part of the hull with magnetic clamps betrayed the ship's role as a patrol vessel.

Captain Erhalt Gerster definitely had not expected this mission to turn out like this. It was supposed to be a regular patrol, maybe chase off a smuggler or swat a pirate or two. But when Breaker of Chains picked up a Nexus distress signal, Erhalt had to do something. Initially, that "something" ended up being laughter as the distress call revealed the name of the troubled vessel. Shortly after a second "something" came, an order to move out and check on the ship. As much as he might dislike the Nexus, it would be better not to let the human vessel live up to its name.

It took not even a few seconds for Arkadian tunneling drive to traverse the two light hours separating it from the Nexus vessel. Erhalt was somewhat surprised to see two ships on site, and even more surprised when one of them was identified as an Accord vessel. When asked, his navigation officer confirmed that there were no subspace relays nearby. Which meant that the Accord vessel used an illegal, at least under Hegemony laws, subspace drive. While it might have been be of some use to the upper echelons of Arkadian command, Gerster decided this information was above his pay grade, and pushed it to the back of his mind, making a mental note to mention it in his after action report. "Patch me through to the Nexus vessel." Stalwart's captain said in the general direction of his comms officer "If the Fortuna try to hail us in the meantime, let Adrian handle it." he said, waving a hand towards Adrian Williams, his first officer. Should his hail be accepted, Erhalt would begin the conversation with whoever ended up being on the other side. "This is ANV Breaker of Chains to IXS Diplomatic Incident. We have received your distress call. Our vessel isn't exactly specialized in that regard, but we could try helping you with the thrusters, depending on the severity of your issue."

Spoiler: Faction basics

Name: Arkadian Republic

Allegiance: Independent

Primary goal: Expand and find allies to help defend their independence

Basic overview: A democratic republic, formed in the Arkadian Cluster after a collection of human colonies rebelled against the Nexus. Currently, Arkadia keeps peace with both the Nexus and the Hegemony, though relations are strained. Unwilling to surrender their independence to either, the Republic chooses to remain independent and pick no sides in the conflict. Besides their own of course.

 

[Gravitys Momentum]

MRN Pax Meridia
Praetor-class battleship
Flagship of the MRN​

Space itself warped for a second into an enormous hole, where a behemoth of a ship pushed itself through surrounded in an ethereal barrier. As they get through the hole, it collapses behind them and dissolved into the rest of space. All MRN vessels were built to be practical instead of ornamental, they didn’t kick around the can they went straight for the goal. Offensive firepower and defensive capabilities were high on the MRN’s list, though they left stealth tech off the list because of their pride to showboat the night of their flagship.

Eight ultra heavy rail gun turrets, fourteen torpedo launchers covering all sides, and 59 point defense cannons with enough missiles to boot. It’s firing capabilities were to the brim, and ready to take on any challenge. But the ship is only as capable as its crew.

Captain Vello looked out from the command room as the naval officers managed the system’s, the MRN Pax Meridia had received a distress call from the IXS Diplomatic Incident and they had arrived on the scene. But there were two other ships there too as well.

“Lieutenant Hiro, what’s their transponders tell us?”

“They’re registered as the ANV Breaker of Chains and the ANS Determinous, Captain.”

“An Accord ship? What’s one of those rock-hoppers doing here?”

“I do not know Captain, maybe they’re trying to take advantage, sir.”

“Hmm a possibility, we cannot allow any unknowns to take control of the IXS Diplomatic Incident though, this is from Admiral Shu’s orders. But let us hail them all first though. Open up a channel to each of them.”

“Yes sir.” Lieutenant Hiro typed in a few commands and cameras went online. “Channels are opened sir, first one goes to the IXS ship.”

“Noted. Salutations! This is Captain Vello of the MRN Pax Meridia. We have come to deliver aid as per protocol XII subcode 53D. And as members of the Nexus Imperium. We available to escort you along to deliver you to your required destination. And send.”

“Yes sir. Next online is the ANS Determinous.”

“Salutations! This is Captain Vello of the MRN Pax Meridia, if you leave the IXS Diplomatic Incident alone, we shall be on amicable terms, anything else and our missiles will be locked, as per protocol XIV subcode 12A. And send.”

“Last to send online is the ANV Breaker of Chains, word of caution sir, they’re in a neutral position of trying to be a middleman.”

“That is noted, thank you Lieutenant.”

She motions for the cameras to turn on as her head tentacles flare up.

“Greetings ANV vessel, this is Captain Vello of the MRN Pax Meridia. Our ship is more than capable of helping out the IXS Diplomatic Incident, please take caution as any advances will be taken as a sign of hostility without forewarning. Stay where you are and relations will be amicable. And send.”

“That was a harsh message, Captain.”

“It was Lieutenant, but those who take no sides will find themselves stranded. They will only crumble with no friends to call their own when they try to what do the humans call it? Ah yes, have a share of the cake and eat it too.”

“That makes no sense Captain.”

“I know, but war doesn’t either and yet here we are.”

 

[Space Buddha]

Purity:

Colonial Enforcer #0634


Meanwhile, on the deck of a distant starship somewhere in a neighboring system, the Diplomatic Incident's distress call had been detected once more, though, this time not by any Hegemon or Human forces. The thin, grey-skinned aliens aboard the bridge chittered and clicked to one-another as they exchanged information between minds, one seemingly identified as an equivalent rank to captain speaking above the others. It wore no uniform, but due to the psionic nature of their race, such badges of authority were of little use. It would telepathically address its equivalent to a first mate, while gazing upon a holographic projection of surrounding space.

- This distress call emanates from a human warship? -

- correct, high commander -

- Probability of intercept by hegemon forces? -

- Exceedingly likely, high commander -

- Prepare to fade and maintain distance, we will salvage the wreckage after they are done with each other. -

The creature gestured to its subordinates and within moments, the ship seems to fade from reality and appear some AUs (Astronomical units) away. The ship was close to half the size of the Battlecarrier in length, though larger in overall area. Around its circular rim were a range of missile batteries and effector dishes, Twelve of those missile batteries were arranged along its rim, and its eight main Effector dishes were likewise arranged radially around the ship. The massive hangar bay on its underside contained around fifty smaller fighter craft. Nonetheless, it was vulnerable to smaller, more maneuverable vessels, and as such had materialized a few light seconds' distance from the others, putting at a range where the accuracy of scans, and more importantly, weapons would be inaccurate at such a range.

- Order the view teams to begin probing the alien vessel's hulls. Their psionic scans should go undetected and provide us with an idea of their weapons' compliment. Maintain distance and prepare to fade should we detect their approach, and effectorize the surrounding space to further interfere with scans, -

An officer would mentally transmit an affirmative and relay his message to the lower decks, where teams of trained psionics would mentally probe the physical attributes of distant targets. Such an ability was inherent to many species, but very few had developed it to the extent that it could replace sensors altogether. The ship, if detected at all as anything more than a disjointed cloud of radiation cause by natural phenomena, would refuse any hails.

Spoiler: Faction Details

Name: The Purity Collective

Allegiance: Independent

Primary Goal: Large-scale conquest of the galaxy.

Basic Overview: An authoritarian, collectivist alien empire that has genetically engineered themselves to be in symbiosis with an alien virus, allowing them to propogate themselves across the galaxy while simultaneously eliminating other forms of life. They are psionic, and Uunanimously hostile against what they deem lesser beings. They were reduced to small remnants in the past by the hegemony and rebel forces emerging from "Clean" alien rebels from within their own species. They have recently recovered however and are returning to the galactic stage.

The alien rebels from the distant past have spent centuries rebuilding their society in largely primitivist communes on distant worlds, and have only recently reactivated their ancient ships to join with the hegemony.

Spoiler: Summary

Purity Collective aliens have picked up the distress call and jumped into neighboring space. They are effectorizing the space around themselves in an attempt to resemble a naturally-occuring ion storm while remaining outside the best-operating range of most weapons and conventional scanners. They are currently anticipating that the humans and hegemon forces will open fire on eachother, and that they will be able to salvage the wreckage after cleaning up whatever is left of the winning side.

 

[Martydi]

ANV Breaker of Chains

"Sir, incoming vessel. Looks like a Meridian ship." Reported one of the officers when Pax Meridia jumped out of subspace. "I'm getting their transponder. It seems to be... Pax Meridia?" A pause in the officer's voice betrayed surprise. Truth be told, everyone was shocked. Including Erhalt. "Are you sure you're getting this right? What would the flagship of Meridia be doing on this ass-end of nowhere? And close enough to receive a sublight signal? There is something we are missing." Before he could continue, he was interrupted by another information. "Pax Meridia is hailing us." a short pause "Scratch that, it's just a one way message. Should I play it?" Since they were still waiting for an answer from the Diplomatic Incident, Erhalt signalled to play the transmission. After hearing it out, his suspicions only grew. While usually he'd be happy to hand over the rescue of the Nexus ship to the Meridian vessel, the presence of their flagship in this seemingly obscure location, and the threat of firing on a neutral vessel for attempting to provide help to their ally was highly suspicious at best. Still, triggering an interstellar war was one of the last things Gerster had the intention of doing. "Record a response for the Meridians. Start... now. This is ANV Breaker of Chains to MRN Pax Meridia. We're happy to let you take over. If you need any help with the Diplomatic Incident, let us know. We can lend our engineering team to your aid, or send a message for help to Arkadia should field repair prove impossible." With that, Erhalt gestured to end the recording and send the message. Out of curiosity, brought up readouts from Breaker's electronic warfare station on one of his command screens. Sure enough, Pax Meridia also sent messages to the Diplomatic Incident and the Determinous. Arkadian captain could bet that the message Accord vessel received was similar in tone to the one directed to his crew, if not outright hostile. Deciding to stay in the system and monitor the situation, Gerster gave the order to stop attempting to hail the Nexus warship and maintain their current position in relation to the disabled vessel. Waiting for any new developments or incoming messages, Stalwart's captain decided to occupy himself with a book he had put down before entering the system.​

 

[DapperKnight]

Svo-Urrida
Volley Form
177th Fleet Sect, Expeditionary Force

Link Form "Mandt-Ullusi" had detected an anomaly outside Churvar Borders. Strange still, it seems that many other vessels with differing unknown signatures are converging on the anomaly. This cannot be ignored. A small expeditionary force of 7 vessels, 1 Volley, 2 Dowers, 2 Reapers, 1 Link, and 1 Forge was sent to determine the reason for this convergence and determine if the anomaly is worth securing, or destruction. It is rare that the Churvar would sent vessels this far from their territory, as they were more interest in slowly expanding outward then wide spread colonization or exploration.

Space opened near the anomaly, and the expeditionary vessels exited the wormhole. A small school of ships had joined this congregation, moving in a similar fashion to their biological counterparts. The 770m long, flat, Ray-like Volley ship, made of synthetic muscles and tendons, and covered in grey alloys which acted as thick, but flexible armor. It is armed with 2 Plasma Flak Casters, 8 side mounted Plasma Casters, and 1 forward facing Beam Caster. Following it are the 200m long Links, small quick vessels who stayed close to the Volley warship, two 260m long Dowsers, who immediately broke off from the main force, and began to swim around the empty space, scanning the area around them and quickly identified the Diplomatic Incident before scanning for weapons, biological life and valued resource or technology the might be salvageable. Staying close to the back are two ships with similar builds to the Dowsers, the Reapers are identified by their twin-mining beam casters rather then the Dowser's single Plasma Flak Caster. Between the Reapers is a Forge, over 600m of armor and industry as the unarmed, shark-like vessel carries no weapons but is capable of mass-refining resources given to it by Reapers, and mass-producing any Forms the Churvar might require for this encounter.

"News. Multiple signatures identified. Dowser 'Odes-Orles' has determined the vessels to be of organic creation. Vessels inefficient, but heavily armed."
-Link 'Mandt-Ullusi'.

"News acknowledged. Order. Maintain current position and tasks."
-Volley Svo-Urrida

"Orders Acknowledge."
-Dowser 'Odes-Orles'

"Orders Acknowledge."
-Dowser 'Fioss-Sodi'

"Orders Acknowledge."
-Reaper 'Kale-Meka'

"Orders Acknowledge."
-Reaper 'Daalvir-Beplin'

"Orders Acknowledge."
-Forge 'Le-Nult'

"Orders Acknowledge. Proposal. Send acknowledgement to organics. Display peaceful intention and demand explanation for anomaly."
-Link 'Mandt-Ullusi'

'Proposal Acknowledge. Order. Proposal accepted. Send ping to organics."
-Volley Svo-Urrida

'Order Acknowledge. Action. Ping sent.'
-Link 'Mandt-Ullusi

As quickly as the vessels arrived, they had sent a single ping to every vessel at their location. A single, simple coded message, when received says the following. "We have discovered your congregation. Explain yourselves. Any message in response to this ping shall be sent to the Sects of Belltahai. We do not wish for confrontation, but if you prove to be hostile, or have ill-intent toward the Grand Goal, we will not hesitate to retaliate.

 

[Puppernickel]

"Sir, we've got multiple readings incoming to this location. I'm counting 1, no, 2 vessels about to exit Subspace, the second arriving later sir!" Rear Lieutenant Mallory reported urgently, her pincers clicking.

Genteel bit back a curse, watching the readings as the first ship exited into real space. He could tell immediately that they weren't Hegemony aligned the fact they were here, and the model ship was unknown to him. "Who are they Rear Lieutenant?" He asked immediately.

"Sir, it appears to be an Arkadian vessel, a Stalwart, Sir." Mallory responded quickly, checking the detailed readings the sensors gave her.

Genteel sighed deeply, leaning back in his seat. "Ah, third party, that's more preferable then, say, a Meridian ship." He joked. At that moment the second ship exited Subspace, entering the sensors range and showing the crew who, and what, it was. For a moment there was silence, then Genteel sighed deeply. "That's a Meridian ship, isn't it Mallory?" He asked her, his voice tired.

Mallory checked her sensors, and nodded. "Yes Sir, that's Meridian make. According to our readings it is in fact the their flagship, the Pax Meridia, Sir." She replied flatly.

Genteel sighed. "They're about to hail us, arent they?" He said in a tired manner.

"Not a hail Sir, a message." The Coms Officer responded, his tone resigned.

"Play it then." Genteel ordered, and the bridge crew watched the message that the Pax Meridia had sent them. The crew was silent a moment, then Genteel cursed. "Of course they're hostile, everyone and their bloody hound are hostile these days." The Commander grumbled loudly, straightening in his seat. "Prepare to send a reply to the Pax Meridia."

The Coms officer nodded. "Aye Sir, preparing to send message....now."

"To the MRN Pax Meridia, this is Commander Genteel Hector of the ANS Determinous, replying to your message. We have no intentions of hostile action and only desire to carry out our orders, as stated under Accord Naval Doctrine under Cypher IX, Directive 56, which states that all Accord military craft are to assist in emergency endeavors, regardless of nationality and allegiance. We are here only to serve our Empire's best interests, and mean no harm to Nexus forces." Genteel waved at the officer, who cut the feed. "We need to get that old com tech replaced already." Genteel grumbled.

That was when the entire crew felt a tingle down their backs, the sensation of being watched by something filling every last one. Several became fearful, feeling that it was sinister in nature. In general, the whole ship was suddenly silent as the entire crew tried to focus on that feeling, and figure out what it was.

Then the Churver ships arrived, and Genteel felt like screaming his head off.

 

[Selee-01]

Captain Alexandrias noted the multiple signals as alien vessels arrived. There were Hegemon-aligned ships, Human allies, and independent vessels, all converging on his Battlecarrier. He recalled the briefing he’d received from the High Command themselves. If necessary, this entire crew was expendable. Even allies were not allowed to interact with the Cargo. And in a situation like this... he entered his codes into the terminal he was seated at. Within the depths of the IXS Diplomatic Incident, the Prime Reactor was brought to maximum power, just below the danger zone. If the ship was unsalvageable, if the Cargo was compromised, the ship would be annihilated by the antimatter burning in its heart. The Cargo could be retrieved afterwards.

“Lieutenant Aethan. Give me a rundown of the vessels present, if you will.” Aethan nodded, gazing into the holographic swarm of symbols that floated around him.

“It appears we have an Accord ship, the ANS Determinous. The Accord are superficially Hegemon allies, but this one is offering aid. The Arkadian ANV Breaker of Chains has also arrived. They’re neutral, but they also offer aid.”

“That reminds me,” Alexandrias said. “What’s the sitrep on the thrusters and Ship Intelligence?”

“Extremely bad, for lack of a better term sir,” Chief Neurogrammer Fritz said. “I’m afraid that we would need facilities we lack to restore the Intelligence, and the thrusters are ruined. Sieve array completely fried, and Chromodynamics indicate that the Intelligence is scrambled.” In other words, Alexandrias thought, we’re screwed.

“We have a signal from the MRN Pax Meridia, as well. They’re Human allies, and seem eager to help. There’s some sort of ion storm not too far away, but it’s unlikely to be anything major. Our rad screens are still optimal, at least.” Alexandrias nodded in contemplation. “A Churvar force has appeared as well... seems we are near their borders. They request an explanation.”

“Activate communications array. Ahem. This is Captain Alexandrias. We were testing this vessel in Subspace when our systems failed. Our thrusters require aid from Nexus chipheads, and if you wish to assist we can consider towing operations.”

“Sir! We’re detecting another vessel! It’s a Hegemon Scout Ship, approaching at 98.9 c, and its weapons are hot!”


The colossal ship was disturbingly organic, all smooth biometal and predatory blades. The forward-pointing spines glowed with a pulsing green radiance, seemingly salivating at the Human ship, crippled and ready to be destroyed. However, it was not powerful enough to attack on its own. A signal propagated through the black of space, contacting the Hegemon-allied vessels.

/PREPARE TO ATTACK/ /THE HUMAN VESSEL MUST BE STOPPED NOW/ /ALL ALLIES OF HEGEMONY, ATTACK/

_________*_________
OOC
If you wish to continue communications, I’ll open a PM channel.

 

[Martydi]

ANV Breaker of Chains

"Sir, new transponder signatures. Looks like a flotilla of Churvar ships. One military vessel, six non-combatants." Came a report from the sensor station. "They are sending us a message." "Play it." Erhalt responded. When the Churvar message played out, Stalwart's captain was only somewhat surprised. This section of seemingly unimportant space was about as busy as the Haider Memorial plaza on Arkadia during an independence celebration. He himself wanted to start asking everyone involved for explanations, the Churvar were simply more direct about it. Gerster pressed a few buttons on his command console to start recording his response to the Churvar. "This is ANV Breaker of Chains to Churvar flotilla. This is not a planned meeting. A Nexus vessel was disabled, we came here to answer their distress call, but Meridians seem unwilling to let anyone provide aid." Several buttons pressed on the console, and the message was away to the Churvar vessels. "If we manage to catch any messages sent by others, send them to EW to decode." Stalwart's captain said to the electronic warfare officer "Maybe we can get some glimpses into the situation from that."

Regardless of what was or wasn't intercepted, soon the Arkadian vessel picked up another incoming ship. This time, a Hegemon scout vessel. "Looks like trouble. Helmsman, back us away a few hundred meters. And make sure no stray shots hit us. I don't know what is going on, but it's not our problem. Unless something major happens, we're not getting involved." Erhalt turned to the electronic warfare officer once again "Keep intercepting whatever communication we can. Maybe something important is going to be said, and I don't want to miss it."​

 

[Gravitys Momentum]

MRN Pax Meridia
Praetor-class battleship
Flagship of the MRN​

The ship floated through space as it awaited the responses of the Accord and Arkansan ships. The Arkadian message came through first and Captain Vello nodded at their acceptance.

“Prepare the recording, ANV Breaker of Chains, that will be appreciated. If the Arkadians ever wish to join the Imperium, they will be welcome.” The Meridian smiled strainedly as the Imperium forces were always told to try to recruit the neutrals. Shifflin’ bystanders.

Then the Churvar came and Captain Vello cursed. The little snots just had to come too. A message was sent to the Churvar ship. “This is Captain Vello of the MRN Pax Meridia. A congregation this is not, we were answering a distress call. And send.”

And the Accord ship’s response came through. This was interesting then, a Hegemony ship that wouldn’t outright attack. “Then please watch as we help, if you do want to do no harm. Join the Imperium in our efforts. And send.” Vello hopes that they picked up on his not so subtle message of recruitment.

It all cluster shiffled when the Hegemony came. Captain Vello immediately stood up. “Target lock all missiles onto the Hegemony ship! Charge the railguns and bring them to maximum power! Lieutenant Hiro, raise the shields to their limit and somebody prepare for an instant exit through subspace!”

Captain Vello then sent his own message to the Hegemony scout. “Come any closer you shifflin’ Heges, and we’ll rain down righteous fury!”

 

[Puppernickel]

Commander Genteel sighed deeply, managing to hold back his frustration as he stared at the Churvar fleet now located in the system. "Rear Lieutenant Mallory, what readings are we getting from the Churvar battle group?" He asked with forced calm, turning to stare at the Lieutenant.

"It appears to be one of their standard salvage teams Commander." Mallory immediately replied, reading the data coming in. "The only warship in there is the Volley, the rest are Links, Dowsers, Reapers and a single Forge unit, Sir."

The Comms officer turned to genteel as Mallory finished, a flat look on his face. "We've recived a message from the Churvar, Sir, as well as a reply from the Pax Meridia." The officer reported.

Genteel let out a sigh, shaking his head as he waved a hand in acceptance. The Comm nodded in understanding, playing the Churvar's message first for the Commander to hear. Upon hearing the Churvar's question, Genteel let out a loud snort. "You know, I'd love to ask the same question. Why are we all here anyway? Well, prepare to send a transmission back."

"Ready Sir." The Comms officer replied almost immediately.

Genteel nodded, then cleared his throat. "To the Churvar, this is the ANS Determinous, we are here to respond to a destress signal from the IXS Diplomatic Incident." He paused, then continued. "We politely request you refrain from taking apart the ship until it has been confirmed as wreckage." Genteel waved, and the Comms officer cut the transmission. "Play the Meridian message." Genteel ordered.

They listened to the message, and most on the bridge grimaced. Genteel breathed sharply, then waved a hand at the Comm officer. He was just about to order a reply when everything went catastrophically wrong.




The Hegemon ship arrived, and gave out its orders. Orders to attack the battlecarrier. Orders the Accord had to follow, else they face destruction once more.




There was silence on the bridge as everyone held their breath, all eyes on the Commander as they awaited their orders. Genteel himself stared silently at the signal of the Hegemon Scout for a long, unending moment. Then he stared at the Pax Meridia and the battlecarrier, and licked his suddenly dry lips.

".......Lieutenant Denel." He began suddenly, turning to face the officer in question. "Do we still have those schematics on Hegemony ships?"

The officer blinked, then nodded. "Yes Sir, every Accord ship has them downloaded as standard procedure due to joint actions we may take under their orders." The officer replied.

Genteel nodded, then took a deep breath. "Lieutenant Denel, I want you to take two copies of the schematics for the Hegemon Scout... and send one to the Pax Meridia and the other to the Diplomatic Incident." Genteel stared at the officer. "That's a direct order, Lieutenant. For our ancestors, if command does not appeal to you."

The entire bridge stared at the Commander for a moment in silence. The officer slowly nodded, determination flashing in his eyes as he began to prepare the copy, a determination that swiftly grew in the eyes of the entire bridge crew. They had come here for a chance at freedom, and would not have it denied so easily as this.

"Copy sent to both Nexus aligned ships, Sir!" The Comms officer and Lieutenant reported at the same time.

Genteel nodded, then let out a long, tired sigh. Then he gave his command. "Set speed to max and maneuver the ship on a direct path for the Scout. All nonessential crew are hereby ordered to abandon ship and head for safety. It's time the Accord did our best to force our release from servitude."

With those orders the ANS Determinous lurched, turning around and away from the Alliance vessels. Its autocannons began to come online as it headed on a direct course for the Scout, several escape pods already jettisoning as a final transmission was sent from the ship to all Humanity aligned ships present.

"Forgive us our chains, that we may be free once more."

 

[Space Buddha]

Purity:

Colonial Enforcer #0634

The Purity vessel had remained largely dormant within its artificial ion storm throughout the proceedings. Its continued analysis of the other ships would focus on those appearing to fly the colors of hegemony-aligned factions as the scout entered the system, soon focusing on that of the accord. On the lower decks of the immense vessel, one alien monitored the hundreds of psionic viewers cataloguing data from the scene, as was its duty to isolate relevant data from the flood of information the viewers collected and inform the captain. The monitor pulled out what resembled a wire with a suction cup on the end, applying it to its forehead and directing its thoughts toward the 'captain' equivalent on the bridge.

- Hegemon forces have entered the system, Accord and Arkadian warships are altering course. -

- To intercept? -

- Negative high commander. Accord warship appears to be attempting to ram its allied craft. Arkadians are retreating. -

- Are you certain? Could the viewers be in error? -

- Negative. The Accord is abandoning ship so as to ram their vessel into the hegemon scout. -

- Are you sure? I am aware doctrine states that inferior beings are prone to illogical action, but surely they aren't that inferior? -

- Maybe there's a strategy to it? Who knows, perhaps the hegemon and allied vessel are capable of fusing together, or, something? -

- Perhaps. Communication terminated. -

The high commander had heard enough. The reasoning of why the aliens would choose now of all times to betray eachother and leave themselves stranded in escape pods was irrelevant. Their job had not changed, that job being to get someone to start shooting so that the battlecarrier could be salvaged. To that end, they would order the ship's effectors to cease generation of the now incredibly thick ion storm, and to begin directing their interference at the Diplomatic Incident. Given the huge distance and interference caused by the ion storms, and the ship's attempts to conceal itself by firing effectors on low power, effects of the effectorization would likely be only minor due to the weapons' innacurracy. A system might blow out here or there, a few crew members may find themselves acting more aggressive than normal, things that could be written off as chance. It would be enough to get some people paranoid though.

Spoiler: Faction Details

Name: The Purity Collective

Allegiance: Independent

Primary Goal: Large-scale conquest of the galaxy.

Basic Overview: An authoritarian, collectivist alien empire that has genetically engineered themselves to be in symbiosis with an alien virus, allowing them to propagate themselves across the galaxy while simultaneously eliminating other forms of life. They are psionic, and unanimously hostile against what they deem lesser beings. They were reduced to small remnants in the past by the hegemony and rebel forces emerging from "Clean" alien rebels from within their own species. They have recently recovered however and are returning to the galactic stage.

The alien rebels from the distant past have spent centuries rebuilding their society in largely primitivist communes on distant worlds, and have only recently reactivated their ancient ships to join with the hegemony.

Spoiler: Summary

Purity Collective aliens deliberated on how stupid everyone else is, and started effectorizing the incident on low power in an attempt to provoke it to start shooting. They have not picked up any transmissions beyond those going out to all ships, so they have little context to what is happening.

 

[Martydi]

ANV Breaker of Chains

Looking at his display, Erhalt raised a brow. The Accord vessel set itself on a collision course with the Hegemon scout. Stalwart's sensitive radar also began registering a number of small contacts detaching from the Determinous, likely escape pods. As the two distant vessels approached eachother, a report came from the electronic warfare station. "Sir, a message from the Accord vessel has been intercepted. We managed to break their encryption. It's a data package." When Stalwart's captain looked at the data on his command screen, he couldn't believe what has been intercepted. While Arkadia was not at war with the Hegemony, schematics of one of their vessels, even if just a scout, would be incredibly useful in the possible scenario of a war breaking out. For a second he would have thought it was some sort of a trick. But considering that Determinous was seemingly attempting to ram the Hegemon vessel, it seemed like they were genuinely trying to do as much damage to their overlords as possible. Not wasting time, he attached a short note about how he acquired the data, and transmitted it to one of the courier drones with a short ranged radio, with orders to deliver the message to Arkadian military, and then return. After a few seconds of plotting a course, the unmanned vessel detached itself from Breaker's hull and put some distance between itself and the destroyer before slipping into a temporary subspace tunnel. At a speed of around 500 light years per day, Erhalt expected the drone to take around four hours to make the round trip to the nearest Arkadian outpost and back.

Decryption roll: 20 + 1 for tech modifiers​

 

[Gravitys Momentum]

MRN Pax Meridia
Praetor-class battleship
Flagship of the MRN​

“Captain, we’ve received a data file and a transmission from the ANS Determinous.”

“Well play it then and check out the file.”

The crew watched the message and the file as it expanded onto the screen. Captain Vello only smiled as the Accord ship began launching its escape pods and the main ship went off to ram into the Hegemony ship.

“I guess it is war now. Something must have happened for the Accord to break ties. If I suppose this is it, then use that file and begin targeting key areas of the Hegemony scout ship with the missiles.”

“Yes sir, the scout ship has been target locked and the missiles are ready to launch.”

Vello watched the screen and shuddered, the war would begin anew with this act but there was always the clause that the Hegemony attacked first.

“Lieutenant, tell the Imperium that the Hegemony is attacking and that war is inevitable. Prepare for combat.”

“I’ve done so already, sir.”

“Good man... well then, FIRE!”

As the missiles launched, their targeting systems activated and they went forth. To hit key areas of the Hegemony scout ship with assistance from the Accord file. The war began anew.

 

[Selee-01]

Chaos broke out on the bridge of the Diplomatic Incident. The documents were transmitted to the nearest Nexus Starfortress, and Alexandrias shouted orders.

“Launch all four Light Cruisers! Let’s try to take out the Hegemon ship!” The hull split, and four black cylinders spun free. Although limited in range, they could attack. Railguns fired, rods of tungsten lancing into the hull of the Hegemon ship. Alien metals tore, and the ship began the slow repair functions.

The Effectors of the newly revealed Purity would not, normally, cause severe issues. But the internal damage to the Battlecarrier also reduced the effect of its Universal Fields, and so the Effectors breached the hull.

Lightning flashed, terminals crackling as sensor arrays shut down. The damage compromised the Reactor, and began the slow death of the Battlecarrier.

“Total ship loss in five minutes and counting!” Someone screamed. Seconds later, Hegemon Nucleoplasmic weapons impacted. Green light illuminated the void, the ship reeling from the crippling attack.

The Hegemon Controller, a skeletal mass of metal bone, nerves and fungal filaments, considered the appropriate response to the charge of the Determinous. A crackle of electricity, and its orders ran through the bowls of the ship. Weapon organisms awoke, shaking off monofilament seals and testing Ionic Screamers.

The Hegemon vessel turned, Phase Shields rising in power, and a message howled through the black.

/YOUR FATE IS SEALED//YOUR HOMEWORLDS WILL BE RENDERED ASH AND ECHOES//BUT FORGIVENESS WILL COME IF YOU CEASE/

 

[Space Buddha]

Purity:

Colonial Enforcer #0634

Meanwhile, aboard the still-hidden Purity vessel, the chittering grey aliens watched in suspense as the countless projectiles, suicide-charging starship included, barrelled towards the Hegemon vessel. The High Commander exchanged a telepathic dialogue with its weapons officer all the while, attempting to determine the next course of action.

- It is our duty to the collective to ensure the Hegemony is brought to war on this day. How do you suggest we proceed? -

- The destruction of the scout would prove a favorable outcome, it would prove disadvantageous for the lesser races to obtain their technology. -

- Current battle projection? -

- The scout is equipped with hegemon phase shields, known to be unaffected by kinetic impact. The scout will either escape or be taken intact. -

- Unacceptable, chances of detection if we move to intercept? -

- High, however an effectorization pulse to eliminate the shield would give the vessel only seconds to transmit our presence to the hegemon. Moving in beneath the ship will minimize timeframe of detection. Hegemon will likely prioritize aggression against initial offenders. -

- Acceptable. engage fade drive and prepare effectorization pulse. -

Moments later, the ion storm would disperse as the Colonial Enforcer faded into subspace, reappearing only a few hundred miles, within a hair's width by astronomical standards, below the Hegemon Scout. Having directed each of their effector dishes directly upward at the Hegemon scout, they would fire simultaneously, emitting a pulse that would likely render a lesser ship completely inert, but in the case of the hegemon scout, would likely only be strong enough to neutralize its shields, and a few other systems, rendering it as vulnerable as possible to the collective onslaught of the other ships. The ship fired up its main engines, immediately accelerating away from the scene. Anyone who had been scanning the area would easily have been able to detect the massive, black, disc-shaped battlecruiser spontaneously appearing unloading a powerful energy pulse that would hopefully neutralize the shields. Given its actions, it would likely appear friendly. At least, that is what the High Commander counted on. As for the hegemon, well, if the ship survived, he might regret his actions soon enough.

Spoiler: Faction Details

Name: The Purity Collective

Allegiance: Independent

Primary Goal: Large-scale conquest of the galaxy.

Basic Overview: An authoritarian, collectivist alien empire that has genetically engineered themselves to be in symbiosis with an alien virus, allowing them to propagate themselves across the galaxy while simultaneously eliminating other forms of life. They are psionic, and unanimously hostile against what they deem lesser beings. They were reduced to small remnants in the past by the hegemony and rebel forces emerging from "Clean" alien rebels from within their own species. They have recently recovered however and are returning to the galactic stage.

The alien rebels from the distant past have spent centuries rebuilding their society in largely primitivist communes on distant worlds, and have only recently reactivated their ancient ships to join with the hegemony.

Spoiler: Summary

Purity aliens decided the hegemon ship wasn't screwed enough, and fade-drive jumped in to hit it with effectors in an attempt to take down the phase shields, they then retreated.

 

[Puppernickel]

A third of the Determinous's crew had already abandoned ship as ordered, escape pods flying through space and away from the brewing conflict as fast as they could. The rest of the crew was holding fast, many still heading for the escape pods, but most remaining at their stations. The crew was prepared to die in battle, even if many would rather live to fight another day.

The bridge was nearly half empty, several of the officers having gone to the escape pods to flee the ship. Commander Genteel was also absent: not because he had left for an escape pod, but because he had refused to leave despite his crew's insistence. This had resulted in a short mutiny as the chief medical officer hit Genteel in the neck with a sedative. The unconcious Commander had been taken to the escape pods by the medical officer and several crew members, now drifting in space as they awaited the outcome of the battle.

Rear Lieutenant Mallory sat at her station, her mandibles clicking in agitation as she watched the readings the sensors gave her. It was a simple fact that the Varmint class warship wasnt bug enough to take out the Hegemon Scout in one hit. And if they didn't take it out in one hit, the Scout could get out a report to the home government. Which would be bad. Therefore, an alternative was in order.

"Scout sent a message, warning to turn around or else we face destruction." The Comms Officer said with a snort, shaking his head as he turned to Mallory. "Like they think that'll work. We already made a decision, what, are we like errant children to them? Wait, the answers yes to that, nevermind. They're just stupid bugs."

Mallory frowned thoughtfully, a half formed idea forming as the Comms Officer spoke. It was a stupid plan, and rathe pointless all things concidered, but... "Hey, Denel, how likely do you think the Hegemon would believe a boarding crew of Nexus marines made it onto the ship?"

Officer Denel blinked, then considered the suggestion. "Hmmm, well, either that or a mutiny. Thinking of clearing the Accord of our actions today?"

"Certainly. Think you can make it convincing?"

"Ha, try me!" Denel grinned and pointed at several of those left on the bridge. "Oi, start shooting up the door with those side arms of yours, yeah you hear me, pretend your fighting a boarding crew. Let's see if I've still got all that experience at that human game called poker!" Grinning, the Comms Officer turned to his station and sent a message to the Hegemon Scout, the sound of gunfire suddenly filling the room as he began to frantically scream into his mic, allowing terror to fill his voice.

"This is the Determinous to the Hegemon Scout, we are being boarded, repeat, Nexus Marines from the battlecarrier have boarded the ship, we have lost control of the vessel, repeat, vessel no longer under Accord cont-!!!" He cut himself off as he fired several shots into the console, immediately cutting the transmission then and there.

"There, that should convince them!" The Comms officer snorted loudly, giving Mallory a lopsided grin as the other officers ceased their gunfire. "Let's see if they've bought my helscver dung for full price, eh?"

Mallory shook her head, the rest of the officers returning to their duites as they closed in to attack the Hegemon vessel. Hopefully they would be deceived and accept the lie, cleansing the Accord of all blame here. In the meantime, they had a Scout to shoot and ram.

Fire from the Determinous opened up, a dozen autocannons firing at the Scout as it sped up towards its target. The Scout would not leave this system alive, one way or another.

 

[Martydi]

ANV Breaker of Chains

When the unknown ship appeared under the Hegemon scout, preceded by an unusual subspace readout, Arkadian bridge crew scrambled to respond. When the vessel fired something at the Hegemon ship and started fleeing the scene, Erhalt's first reaction was suspicion. Unknown vessels jumping into middle of combat, only to engage with one of the vessels and then promptly attempt escape were not a traditional sign of good news. "Sensors, I want a data package organized." the captain barked at one of the officers "Give me a readout of everything that we picked up since five minutes before the new ship jumped in, up to five minutes after it escaped." he ordered, assuming the alien vessel would want to escape into FTL after disengaging. He would have to include this data in the AAR. The visitors did not seem like they were intending to stay, which meant that they had nothing to recover from any of the ships present. And since they had no intention of physical recovery, they had something to gain from the simple act of destruction of the Hegemon ship. This was mysterious, and mysterious had the annoying tendency to lash out at everyone present sooner or later. It was best that Arkadia hadn't found itself in the blast radius when that happened.

As the alien vessel floated away into the void, Erhalt's display informed him of yet another transmission intercepted from the Accord vessel. Upon listening to it, Breaker's captain smiled. There was no physical contact made between the Determinous and anything else since it entered the system. Unless the supposed Nexus marines hitched a ride from the Accord space, it was likely an attempt to remove the Accord government from responsibility in case the Hegemon scout got a report back to their homeland. Making no mention of it to any of the officers, Gerster filed the transmission away to be included in the report sent to his commanding officer after the fighting died down. Though such things were way above his pay grade, maybe someone higher up the command chain would make use of it.​

 

[Selee-01]

The Diplomatic Incident glowed white-hot for an instant.

A scream, impossibly, echoed across the void of space, piercing the auditory organs of any organism for light-hours. At the same instance, the Hegemon warship detonated from the Determinous's impact, scattering molten bimetal across the black. Scanners would pick up nothing in the corona of light save for a small container, one roughly a meter in diameter.

The crew had been vaporized, and the ship as well.

In the wake of this, warfare would likely result.

 

[Martydi]

ANV Breaker of Chains

As the sensor readouts informed Erhalt of the destruction of two vessels, as well as of the small container that survived the explosion. A blast, strong enough to not even leave any debris on the site, should have anihilated a box of that size as well. Yet somehow it survived. "Helmsman, bring us in closer. Prepare for retrieval of the object from the Hegemon wreck." the captain ordered "First officer, start organizing the recovery. And prepare to start recovering escape pods from the Accord vessel afterwards."

The Arkadian vessel approached the site of the Hegemon vessel destruction. Breaker carefully manoeuvred into position, aligning one of its cargo airlocks with the container left after the Hegemon vessel's destruction. The airlock opened, and two men in space suits left the Stalwart. One of them was dragging a tether behind himself, attached to something inside the ship. The figures approached the container, quickly looked it over, and then wrapped the tether around it, and signalled the crew inside the Breaker to pull in the cargo. Soon enough, both the container and two crewmembers were aboard. As the airlock repressurized, and several engineers accompanied by guards approached to take the container away, Arkadian vessel began moving to repeat the recovery process, pulling in escape pods left behind by the now destroyed Determinous.​