And, So it Begins | SDR-RUW First Contact (0 BBT)

A1-0
, ,
1

Atlia System
Atlia System1360×768 86.6 KB

The Atlia System from Atlia I’s eccentric Orbit. Photo Credit

Atlia System
Atlia I | High Orbit
AFP / SDR Control
Rear Admiral Avery Cesia || Commander Tristie Claire

Composition - Navy

“Atlia Armada” - 84th Naval Defense Company [I]

Rear Admiral Avery Cesia

Captain Vannesa Hazelwood

Homeport: Atlia Interstellar Spaceport (AIS)

Command Ship: RNDFV Frontier’s Call

Battlecruiser Group
RNDFV Frontier’s Call - Flight Astra II - BCG-513924

RNDFV Last to Fall - Flight Astra I - BCG-513925

Cruiser Group
RNDFV Recusal of Conformity - Vitreo Pattern A - CCG-5158824

RNDFV The Six Sense - Vitreo Pattern A - CCG-5158825

RNDFV Context of Guilt - Vitreo Pattern A - CCG-5158826

RNDFV Foreman’s Jury - Vitreo Pattern A - CCG-5158827

Destroyer Group

RNDFV Lost in Thought - Longbow Pattern A - DDG-3453819

RNDFV Skylight Anticipation - Longbow Pattern A - DDG-3453828

RNDFV Earlkeep’s Pass - Longbow Pattern A - DDG-3453829

RNDFV Wide and Stride - Longbow Pattern A - DDG-3453830

RNDFV Protective Punch - Vanguard Pattern A - DD-32530219

RNDFV Reprisal Justice - Longbow Pattern C - DD-32530219

Frigate Group

RNDFV Cloudstrike I - Astron Pattern A - FF-31158211

RNDFV Cloudstrike II - Astron Pattern A - FF-31158212

RNDFV Guns and Roses - Astron Pattern A - FF-31158213

RNDFV Attache I - Astron Pattern A - FF-31158214

Sixteen More Numbered - Astron Pattern A - FF-31158211-27

Corvette Group
Forty More Numbered - Hermes Pattern A FFL-11158240-80

Rear Admiral Avery Cesia looks out of the window of Atlia Instellar Spaceport. The port was bustling, the crews hectically worked refurbishing her ships. The large looming Bulk Freighters were prime targets of the Cargo Feeders, taking large amounts of ore and moving towards the systems refineries. It was an average refurbishment day, people working quickly moving to and from the ships. AIS is the largest Port of Call in the AFP, and the largest outside of the Nebula. A notice to her Wristcomp.

Unknown Vessel Drive Flare Signatures Detected. Extra Solar. IFF Ping N/A. Phase Shielding N/A. One Extra-Large, 25 Large, 24 Small.

Another notice.

CDR Tristie Claire, on tasking. Palisade Class Cruiser “Preach Unto Fire.”

The noticeboard lights up now.

Lost in Thought departing Port.

Reprisal Justice moving to assist.

A few minutes later, the ships are out of Port. Avery Cesia is rushing to her flagship, the Frontier’s Call. The rest of the ships by now have cleared the port. The hustle and bustle of the port is long gone as the ship array themselves in a battle formation before moving out. Workers move to their outdated mass driver arrays, used to shoot cargo. Filling them with whatever they can find, be it trash, random rods, anything that could theoretically and possibly be used to fend off attackers. QRF ships cross system are outbound 1 Hour. The 84th NDC is on their own.

Thirty minutes later.

RNDFV Preach Unto Fire
Battlespace Reference Point IV
AFP / SDR Control
Commander Tristie Claire

Composition - Navy

249th Quick Response Fireteam [Ø]

Commander Tristie Claire

Lieutenant Commander Vacant, on LoA.

Homeport: Joint Base Clydesdale (JBC)

Command Ship: RNDFV Preach unto Fire

Battlecruiser Group
N/A

Cruiser Group
RNDFV Preach unto Fire - Palisade Pattern A - CCG-5154954

RNDFV The Sixth Shooter - Palisade Pattern A - CCG-51587467

Destroyer Group

N/A

Frigate Group

N/A

Corvette Group
N/A

CDR Tristie Claire is standing in her CiC, flash equipment on, vac mask on, and is fully ready, the rest of her crew in the CiC have already followed. Her ship had reached 500 Kilometers away from the fleet. She hadn’t spoken in the last few minutes, preparing herself for what she was going to say.

“Comms, give me the multispect line.”

“You ready? First Contact, and all?”

“Yeah, just wish it wasn’t a Condition I procedure, this smells like it hasn’t been used since the Unification War.”

“Yeah, and it makes my hair feel like hell.”

“This is the RNDFV Preach Unto Fire broadcasting to any foreign vessels, on this line. Stand by you are entering the Scientific Dire–”

“The Atlia Federated Protectorate, we’re in the AFP.”

“The Atlia Federated Protectorate. Please respond if you can read us.”

1 Like
2

The Envari fleet, if you could even call it that, was in deep trouble. Most of their fleet was wiped out during their retreat in the Battle of Enver three years ago and they’ve been on the run ever since. It was only a matter of time before the Republic found them. They performed an uncharted jump at the last second, a very dangerous maneuver, hoping to find an empty system to buy some time, maybe shake off the pursuers. But instead, they found a xeno civilization.

“Sir, there are two ships approaching. Permission to open fire?” Asked Captain Dahal.

“Denied. What’s the state of the quantum drive?” Asked Commodore Hramer. He smelled of fear and panic.

“Surprisingly still functional, sir, but barely. It’s severely overheated, approaching 50000 degrees. One more jump and it will melt.” Answered an engineer over the comms.

“Sir, the xenos are trying to communicate with us, but we have no way of translating it.” One of the crew reported.

“Send them a signal to show we received it. We might be able to avoid a confrontation.”

“Avoid a confrontation?! We are only exposing ourselves to the enemy, giving them time to prepare! We need to strike when they are vulnerable!” Captain Dahal screamed out, smelling of anger.

“Stand down Captain. I am done tolerating your constant insubordination. Seize him and lock him in the cargo bay.” Hramer commanded.

The crew pulled out their guns and reluctantly pointed them at the Captain. But instead of arresting him, they just awkwardly stood there, nobody wanting to make the first move.

“These are xenos! We should be giving them no quarter, just like the Ideology dictates! They should be the ones running away in fear, not us!” When Dahal saw the crew hesitating, it gave him a massive boost to confidence. They aren’t very confident in the Commodore’s strategies either. “It’s because of people like you we lost the Great War! You are too passive, complacent.” He turned to face away from the Commodore and towards the crew. “If we manage to capture that station we will finally have a base. That means, no more running. Who’s with me?”

The crew switched their weapons towards the Commodore. Dahal once again turned to the Commodore.

“Commodore Hramer, you have committed treason against the Grand Imperium of Enver. As you probably know, the penalty for treason is death.” With these word, he shot the Commodore with his pistol. Hramer collapsed onto the floor, the plasma shot gong straight through his head.

“Everybody, to battlestations! Open fire on those ships with everything we’ve got, i want them destroyed as fast as possible! And do something with this body before it starts to stink.”

1 Like
3

RNDFV Preach Unto Fire
Battlespace Reference Point IV
AFP / SDR Control
Rear Admiral Avery Cesia || Commander Tristie Claire

Composition - Navy

249th Quick Response Fireteam [Ø]

Commander Tristie Claire

Lieutenant Commander Vacant, on LoA.

Homeport: Joint Base Clydesdale (JBC)

Command Ship: RNDFV Preach unto Fire

Battlecruiser Group
N/A

Cruiser Group
RNDFV Preach unto Fire - Palisade Pattern A - CCG-5154954

RNDFV The Sixth Shooter - Palisade Pattern A - CCG-51587467

Destroyer Group

N/A

Frigate Group

N/A

Corvette Group
N/A

The Klaxon Blares as the first shots ricochet off the Phase Shielding

“Board, Picture, Situation!”

“Gunfire-”

“I know that! Didn’t we just get signaled- Helmsman maintain heading, get us moving pray for no locks! Throw us backwards, keep our Drive bay from being blown back to Horizon!”

“Helsman Flank Reverse!”

“Someone get us shooting! COMMO! Line to the Rear Admiral.”

“She’s on net!”

“We’re seeing coil-”

“Shut up and get over to BRP IV! Fifty Hostile Contacts! I need everything you got! Live targeting data attached!”

“Calm down! 84th is enroute, Helical’s are spinning, is your Deadeye still on?”

“…Yeah, it’s on, pointing it at the battleship.”

“The rest of the squadron excluding the destroyers are pushing up, please don’t die.”

“We’re working on that! Helmsman throw us irregular! 450s load HVAP-T! 250s focus their destroyers! Keep the deadeye on the big ship!”

30 Seconds later…

RNDFV Skylight Anticipation
Extraplanetary Space
AFP / SDR Control

The RNDFV Skylight Anticipation’s Three Helical Railguns turned towards the target. The other Longbow’s in the formation were a little sluggish, only being plugged after their refits were almost complete. Skylight wasn’t in need of this, and stayed out of dock. As such, the ship was quick on the draw, live firing data being immediately inputted, calculations made, and the first two volleys were out in less than a second. The shells, HVAP-SB, were designed to pierce shielding, then explode. The other two, were HV-HESH shells. It would only see if Velvet Rose weapons would work against her adversaries. The other few finally put out their own rounds, which would course adjust as the ships moved, as long as the Deadeye maintained lock.

1 Like
4

The Envari vessels handled the fire surprisingly well. It was thanks to their shielding, which functioned as basically an extra layer of armor. They also reflected part of the energy making contact with it, instead of bearing the full damage. As long as the shields held, the already damaged armor and hull were untouchable.

The ships returned fire with high-energy plasma, basically a particle beam of plasma, and missiles. The ships deployed unmanned fighters, meant to help with screening.

The fleet advanced forward, but the battleship and missile cruisers kept a bit further back, letting the more maneuverable destroyers and cruisers attract most of the fire.

One of the Atlian ships suffered critical damage after a period of focus-fire and exploded into several chunks of debris, getting a massive cheer from the crew. The other one wasn’t looking good either.

“Finish the other ship and keep moving towards the station. The faster we do this, the better.” The Captain commanded. He was visibly confident in his victory, perhaps too confident.

“Sir, there is a large enemy force approaching. 66 ships to be exact.”

“We can take them. What’s the shield status?”

“Between 95 and 98% across the fleet, sir, but the long-range fire could become a major problem.”

“We will lose it in the thick of combat. Prepare to transfer emergency power to the shields if things get bad. Keeping them stable is imperative to my plans.”

1 Like
5

RNDFV The Sixth Shooter
Battlespace Reference Point IV
Contested

Composition - Navy

249th Quick Response Fireteam [Ø]

Commander Tristie Claire

Lieutenant Commander Vacant, on LoA.

Homeport: Joint Base Clydesdale (JBC)

Command Ship: RNDFV Preach unto Fire

Battlecruiser Group
N/A

Cruiser Group
RNDFV Preach unto Fire - Palisade Pattern A - CCG-5154954

RNDFV The Sixth Shooter - Palisade Pattern A - CCG-51587467 K-Killed

Destroyer Group
N/A

Frigate Group
N/A

Corvette Group
N/A

The guns of the ship fall silent as the yell over the intercom becomes steady.

“HIT THE PODS!”

The crew of The Sixth Shooter bail on their vessel. They powered off their reactors, depressurized the ship fully, and purged the fuel lines before bailing. Hopefully, the ship was in recoverable state. Meanwhile, the Preach Unto Fire faired better, her Shielding holding up as she watched her compatriots bail from the vessel.

RNDFV Frontier’s Call
Extraplanetary Space
AFP / SDR Control
Rear Admiral Avery Cesia || Commander Leah Phasewood

Composition - Navy

“Atlia Armada” - 84th Naval Defense Company [I]

Rear Admiral Avery Cesia

Captain Vannesa Hazelwood

Homeport: Atlia Interstellar Spaceport (AIS)

Command Ship: RNDFV Frontier’s Call

Battlecruiser Group
RNDFV Frontier’s Call - Flight Astra II - BCG-513924

RNDFV Last to Fall - Flight Astra I - BCG-513925

Cruiser Group
RNDFV Recusal of Conformity - Vitreo Pattern A - CCG-5158824

RNDFV The Six Sense - Vitreo Pattern A - CCG-5158825

RNDFV Context of Guilt - Vitreo Pattern A - CCG-5158826

RNDFV Foreman’s Jury - Vitreo Pattern A - CCG-5158827

Destroyer Group

RNDFV Lost in Thought - Longbow Pattern A - DDG-3453819

RNDFV Skylight Anticipation - Longbow Pattern A - DDG-3453828

RNDFV Earlkeep’s Pass - Longbow Pattern A - DDG-3453829

RNDFV Wide and Stride - Longbow Pattern A - DDG-3453830

RNDFV Protective Punch - Vanguard Pattern A - DD-32530219

RNDFV Reprisal Justice - Longbow Pattern C - DD-32530219

Frigate Group

RNDFV Cloudstrike I - Astron Pattern A - FF-31158211

RNDFV Cloudstrike II - Astron Pattern A - FF-31158212

RNDFV Guns and Roses - Astron Pattern A - FF-31158213

RNDFV Attache I - Astron Pattern A - FF-31158214

Sixteen More Numbered - Astron Pattern A - FF-31158211-27

Corvette Group
Forty More Numbered - Hermes Pattern A FFL-11158240-80

“Situation.”

Avery’s voice sounded pretty annoyed. She had every right to be, after all. Her vessels had been pulled out of Drydock for an engagement that seemed fairly unfavorable. A response to her question followed, clearing her thoughts.

“The Sixth Shooter is throwing Pods! Preach Unto Fire is damaged but still fighting. 650s and 450 Batteries are ready!”

“All batteries clear engagement, HVAP-SB.”

“On the way!”

“Have the Herme’s and Astron’s push up, if they don’t we’ll lose the Preach unto fire. How are the HVAP-SB and the HV-HESH?”

“Almost onto target, awaiting effect on target ma’am!”

“Cloudstrike I all Corvettes and Frigates Flank Ahead close the gap for 250’s and 120’s. All weapons cleared hot! Have you Commanders pick a ship, and blow it back to wherever it came from!”

A call. SDR Vessels. Praise be for the QRF, Avery thought.

“VMCV Plaster and Pretenses, on station. Scrambling QRF Fighters now. Commander Leah Phasewood, on station, outbound five minutes. 195th Naval Defense Wing is crossing behind us, twelve Wardens, eighteen Vitreos. Hold out.”

“Thanks Commander.”

“Secondaries are at Maximum Engagement Distance!”

“Don’t tell me that, start shooting!”

1 Like
6

The first barrages from the main fleet started hitting and it wasn’t good. Shields dropped to 70% and the shield bursting rounds even managed to create some localized breaches, which though quickly sealed, put strain on the already under-maintained shield generators and damaged the hull.

“Sir, should we transfer the extra power to the shields?”

“Not yet. Get some of it to plasma launchers, increase their energy load.” Dahal didn’t sound and smell as confident as before. There might even have been a bit of fear or stress. This turned out to be harder then he expected, but he wasn’t going to give up so easily.

The fleet returned fire with higher energy plasma, which was more destructive, to both shields and armor. Dahal considered some of the heavier missiles in the arsenal, but decided against it. They might be needed for later.

The second cruiser suffered critical damage, but unfortunately didn’t go out with a cinematic explosion, just powered down and drifted off into the abyss. Now, they could focus their full attention to the main fleet.

Meanwhile, another ship from was heading towards the site of the battle. It was enormous, making even the Envari battleships look like screens in comparison. It was painted grey and red, with “Ravager” spelled in white letters on one side of the hull and “79” on the other. It’s hull bore significant damage, leaving no doubt it was a veteran of combat.

“Status report.”

“We still got them tracked, they attempted an uncharted jump and are in an unexplored system outside of the Republic. Quantum drive is stable, 30000 degrees. We should be there in less then an hour.”

1 Like
7

RNDFV Preach Unto Fire
Battlespace Reference Point IV
Contested
Commander Tristie Claire

Composition - Navy

249th Quick Response Fireteam [Ø]

Commander Tristie Claire

Lieutenant Commander Vacant, on LoA.

Homeport: Joint Base Clydesdale (JBC)

Command Ship: RNDFV Preach unto Fire

Battlecruiser Group
N/A

Cruiser Group
RNDFV Preach unto Fire - Palisade Pattern A - CCG-5154954 R-Killed

RNDFV The Sixth Shooter - Palisade Pattern A - CCG-51587467 K-Killed

Destroyer Group
N/A

Frigate Group
N/A

Corvette Group
N/A

Preach Unto Fire’s power was cut, and the crew nervously awaited a call-out for pods, but none came. E-Power supplanted the CiC and auxiliary communication system, giving Damage Control an attempt to restore and fix broken components. Tristie sighed as the line crackled, seeing the swarm of Astron Frigates and Hermes Corvettes push forward of her position. All signs indicated that her ship could now attempt to fix itself, playing dead.

VMCV Plaster and Pretenses
Relay Dry Zone
AFP / SDR Control
Commander Leah Phasewood

Composition - Navy

“Task Force Adventurous” - 143rd Quick Response Task Force [XIX]

Commander Leah Phasewood

Lieutenant Commander Charolette Tseliadan

Homeport: Dry Zone Picket (DZP)

Command Ship: VMCV Plaster and Pretenses

Carrier Group
VMCV Plaster and Pretenses - Flight Compliment Foam - CV-04385

Cruiser Group
N/A

Destroyer Group

VMCV Izangi’s Burden - Longbow Pattern A - DDG-3453889

VMCV Icebreaker’s Promise - Longbow Pattern A - DDG-3453878

VMCV Black Spindle - Longbow Pattern A - DDG-34538259

Frigate Group

Fort More Numbered - Astron Pattern A - FF-311550-90

Corvette Group
N/A

The Assagei Fleet Carrier and her support vessels began their push out of the Relay Dry Zone, Plaster and Pretenses beginning to throw SASF-412 Balisong’s out, beginning their journey towards the hostile fleet. Eventually, her flight compliments would hopefully have an opening to exploit the enemy, who were clearly focused on the other ships. The Hempens were also brought up, groups of Marines clustered around their craft, awaiting orders to board their vessels.

RNDFV Frontier’s Call
Extraplanetary Space
AFP / SDR Control
Rear Admiral Avery Cesia

Composition - Navy

“Atlia Armada” - 84th Naval Defense Company [I]

Rear Admiral Avery Cesia

Captain Vannesa Hazelwood

Homeport: Atlia Interstellar Spaceport (AIS)

Command Ship: RNDFV Frontier’s Call

Battlecruiser Group
RNDFV Frontier’s Call - Flight Astra II - BCG-513924

RNDFV Last to Fall - Flight Astra I - BCG-513925

Cruiser Group
RNDFV Recusal of Conformity - Vitreo Pattern A - CCG-5158824

RNDFV The Six Sense - Vitreo Pattern A - CCG-5158825

RNDFV Context of Guilt - Vitreo Pattern A - CCG-5158826

RNDFV Foreman’s Jury - Vitreo Pattern A - CCG-5158827

Destroyer Group

RNDFV Lost in Thought - Longbow Pattern A - DDG-3453819

RNDFV Skylight Anticipation - Longbow Pattern A - DDG-3453828

RNDFV Earlkeep’s Pass - Longbow Pattern A - DDG-3453829

RNDFV Wide and Stride - Longbow Pattern A - DDG-3453830

RNDFV Protective Punch - Vanguard Pattern A - DD-32530219

RNDFV Reprisal Justice - Longbow Pattern C - DD-32530219

Frigate Group

RNDFV Cloudstrike I - Astron Pattern A - FF-31158211

RNDFV Cloudstrike II - Astron Pattern A - FF-31158212

RNDFV Guns and Roses - Astron Pattern A - FF-31158213

RNDFV Attache I - Astron Pattern A - FF-31158214

Sixteen More Numbered - Astron Pattern A - FF-31158211-27

Corvette Group
Forty More Numbered - Hermes Pattern A FFL-11158240-80

“Good effect on target, but we lost our Deadeye.”

“Have the secondaries split their fires, remove their destroyers for the incoming strike package Bring up our own deadeye, put eyes on target.”

“Reprisal Justice, Missile Strike inbound. On the way.”

“Mass Driver Rounds outbound from Protective Punch.”

Atlia System
Battlespace Reference Point IV
Unified Control Line

By this point, most of the Directorate Vessels had opened fire, most of the Enemy Destroyers were suffering critical, but not fatal hits. One of the Missile Cruisers was blown clean off, several mass driver rounds hitting the ship’s magazine. The battleship in the center of the formation was hit with a few more of the HVAP-SB, but the localized breached sealed. The space was filled with ships of both sides with considerable damage, mostly Hermes Corvettes, swarming into the enemy formation, being too close even for secondaries.

1 Like
8

“Sir, we are losing pur screens! One missle cruiser is offline too.”

“Focus fire on their swarmers, the sooner the better.”

The ships opened fire on the vulnerable corvettes and frigates that harassed the fleet and confused its targeting systems. The exposed ships were dropping like flies under a massed fire of plasma. Their close distance to the Envari vessels didn’t help them, as their high - energy plasma weapons didn’t explode. The particles of the plasma just lost their binding when tearing through enemy shields and armor, spreading around the weaker inner systems.

In the end, 12 corvettes and 4 frigates suffered critical damage, while the rest retreated back to the main fleet.

“Focus on knocking out the remaining screens. When their line ships are exposed, we will easely finish them off.” The battle was once again turning towards the Envari, with a highly favorable KD ratio. As a result, Captain Dahal was quickly regaining his confidence, something which could be openly seen, smeller and heard by the crew. They cheered loudly, just as confident in their oncoming victory.

1 Like
9

RNDFV The Paladin’s Navigator
Relay Dry Zone
Firm SDR/Atlia Control
SDR REDCON STATUS - 3
Rear Admiral | Lyla Lockoria || Fleet Commander | Octavia Easiia || Commander | Leah Phasewood || Rear Admiral | Avery Cesia

Composition - Navy

Task Force Faith [XXIXX]

Rear Admiral Lyla Lockoria

Fleet Commander Octavia Easiia

Homeport: Dry Zone Picket (DZP)

Command Ship: The Paladin’s Navigator

Battlecruiser Group
RNDFV The Paladin’s Navigator - Astra Flight II - BCG-5331987

RNDFV Prophetic Premises - Astra Flight II - BCG-5331988

RNDFV Verdance and Violence - Astra Flight II - BCG-5331989

RNDFV Captain Calypso - Astra Flight II - BCG-5331990

RNDFV Rods of Ruin - Astra Flight I - BCG-5331991

SNDFV Complicit Company - Astra Flight I - BCG-5331992

6x More

Cruiser Group

18x More

Destroyer Group

125x More, Longbow

Frigate Group

250x More, Astron

Corvette Group

475x More, Hermes and Firefly

10 Minutes ago…

RADM Lockoria’s ships of Task Force Faith exit into the Dry Zone, with weapons starting to spin immediately. The Longbows, requisitioned from the 195th NDW, are the first out of Dry Zone, before each of them opening up with their Mk.109s, beginning a sustained fire mission on the largest contact, the Battleship. This time, instead of localized breaches, the entire shielding system went down. The other ships in the Task Force begin their burns toward the Envari Fleet, closing distance quickly, but precisely, the pickets this time being far more numerous, but being far more coordinated.

4 Minutes ago…

Meanwhile, the Flights of Balisongs are on point, before laying into the destroyers, with missiles and strafing with their guns. The Assegai finally start launching their Hempens, which by now, are orbiting their carriers, with marines of the 249th Orbital Shock Legion waiting patiently.

Now.

By now, it was a pincer. An unintentional pincer, but a pincer. The Envari ships had nowhere to run, and with the stream of Velvet Rose Vessels, it should’ve been clear the message the Serniani would not yield the system. The Battleship’s bow was now being metaphorically torn apart by long distance fire, and three of its cruiser escorts were being ripped apart by the 650s and 450s of Task Force Faith. Every ship in the Envari Formation, was being locked onto, and the screen of Destroyers were slowly being picked away by long distance 250s of the Astron Frigates. There would be no second rush of corvettes and frigates for open season.

“…Do you think we made our point, Lyla?”

“No. That battleship is still in working order. The cruisers we targeted are gone, but we’re slowly pushing forward. What of the balisongs?”

“They’re winchester on payload, pilots are counting kills on Destroyer Size Assets.”

“Can we get a count on the Atlia Armada?”

“Heavy damage, the corvettes and frigates did something stupid. Our EMAGs are Winchester, they’re RTB.”

“Suppose we’ll sling this noose ourselves. Keep your Wardens front and center, provide them with something they want to shoot. Cover your frigates and Corvettes. We’re pushing hot.”

“We got more assets exiting the Dry Zone, all corvettes. Local SNDF wanted in on this action. two hundred or so of them were rallying.”

1 Like
11

Dahal realised the battle wasn’t going his way. The enemy ships just continued pouring in, while he was quickly running out. It did not take much to realise the battle was lost.

“Jump us out of here!” Dahal screamed over the comms.

“But sir, the Drive is overheated…” An emgineer spoke, anxious and frightened.

“I don’t care, just do it!”

The fleet started to emit a yellow glow for a couple seconds, during which weird timespace anomalies started forming around it. But then it stopped, as fast as it begun. Barely a fraction of a second later a couple of the ships periahed in a fire explosion or completely powered down. The only operational vessel left was the battleship.

“Reroute all non-essential power to engines and shields! These cowardly xenos sabotaged our ships!” Dahal had to shift the blame onto anything else. If the crew blamed him, he was sure to end up like the Commodore.

The battleship started burning at full speed away from the battle, its shields restores to almost full power. However, its escape was stopped by another ship appearing in its way. The Ravager.

Menwhile on the Ravager

“Most of the Envari fleet is knocked out, there is also an unknown fleet in the system.”

“Knock down their battleships shields and board. I want their leader alive.”

“What of the other fleet?”

“Once they see us engage the battleship, they should figure out we are friendlies.”

1 Like
12

RNDFV The Paladin’s Navigator
Relay Dry Zone
Firm SDR/Atlia Control
SDR REDCON STATUS - 3
Rear Admiral | Lyla Lockoria || Fleet Commander | Octavia Easiia || Commander | Leah Phasewood || Rear Admiral | Avery Cesia

Composition - Navy

Task Force Faith [XXIXX]

Rear Admiral Lyla Lockoria

Captain Octavia Easiia

Homeport: Dry Zone Picket (DZP)

Command Ship: The Paladin’s Navigator

Battlecruiser Group
RNDFV The Paladin’s Navigator - Astra Flight II - BCG-5331987

RNDFV Prophetic Premises - Astra Flight II - BCG-5331988

RNDFV Verdance and Violence - Astra Flight II - BCG-5331989

RNDFV Captain Calypso - Astra Flight II - BCG-5331990

RNDFV Rods of Ruin - Astra Flight I - BCG-5331991

SNDFV Complicit Company - Astra Flight I - BCG-5331992

6x More

Cruiser Group

18x More

Destroyer Group

125x More, Longbow

Frigate Group

250x More, Astron

Corvette Group

475x More, Hermes and Firefly

“Long Distance Radar picking up another vessel on intercept course with assumed hostile contact… Placing as Assumed Friendly…?”

“That’s… Odd. Hey Octavia, how are we doing with everything else?”

“Confirming destruction of most major hostile assets. The labcoats back in the Directorate are going to be so happy to see whatever secrets they’re hiding.”

“249th is moving in toward the Battleship.”

“Someone get me a line to Atlia International Spaceport, got a scrapping job for them. We’re going to need a couple tugs. Maybe a couple Skypiercers, if any of those people are still alive,”

“Suppose that happened. Hey, get me a line.”

“Line is active.”

“Someone get a cipher. I suppose we can try brute forcing this. Send them a Standard Serniani Phonetic Alphabet. Maybe they can get the translation going before we can.”

fifteen minutes later.

Stargoing tugs and station tugs of all kinds arrive at the reference point and begin hooking up to the disabled ships, Envari and Serniani. The Serniani ships were towed back to AIS, while the Envari Ships were slowly towed to the Relay. Meanwhile, the 249th were finally at the battleship, the Battleship’s engines being shot out as they tried to run.

1 Like
13

The Ravager unleashed its full might upon the lone battleship, tearing through its shields, leaving it defenceless.

A couple of transport shuttles, carrying Commandos, flown towards the battleship and begun to punch through hangar and loading bay doors utilizung a series of precision strikes.

“We’ve received a transmission from the other fleet. It appears to be an alphabet.” Reporting was Major
Casey, the ship’s second highest-ranking officer.

“Prepare to send them a message.” The order came from General Andarna, one of the highest ranking members of the Republic’s military. “Attention unidentified vessels. You have engaged remnants of the Grand Imperium of Enver. They are criminals in the Republic of United Worlds and await trial fir their multiple crimes. I am General Andarna of the Commonado Core of the Grand Army of the Republic. I was tasked with hunting them down but I’m also authorized to conduct diplomacy with alien states.”

“Are you really authorized for diplomacy?”

“Most probably not, but I’m not going to wait three weeks for the Senate to authorize first contact protocols and send over a diplomat that got his podition only because he is related to the fucking Kaiser in his 50th generation!”

“So we do the usual. Should the Senate be nofied after we are done or slightly earlier?”

1 Like
14

RNDFV The Frontier’s Call
Relay Dry Zone Exodus
Firm SDR/Atlia Control
SDR REDCON STATUS - 4
Rear Admiral | Avery Cesia

Composition - Ground Forces

249th Orbital Shock Legion [XX]

Captain Sarah Ardala

Commander Owen Colisia

Garrison/HQ: Dry Zone Locksmith

Logistics Ship: VMCV Plaster and Pretenses

Logistics

Infantry Units

  • 31st Quick Reaction Brigade
    – 45th Space Control Squadron
    – 47th Mechanized Assault Squadron
    – 22nd Space Assault Squadron

  • 32nd Orbital Assault Wing
    – 29th Combat Shock Regiment
    – 30th Combat Close Support Regiment

Avery Cesia frowns from inside her CiC. The battle may have been won, but now she would have to deal with the politics, internal and external. She sent out her own message, standard for a joint first contact.

“This is Rear Admiral Avery Cesia of the Atlia Federated Protectorate. In association with the Core States of the Scientific Directorate of the Velvet Rose, we welcome you to the Atlia System. We are prepared to conduct diplomacy at Dry Zone Exodus, egress towards the giant ring in interstellar Space.”

249th Orbital Shock Legion
Hostile Control - Enemy Ship
SDR REDCON STATUS - 1
Commander | Leah Phasewood || Captain | Sarah Ardala || Commander | Owen Colisia

The Marines made it to the Battleship, the clang of Metal on Metal as the marines disembark onto the ships hull. They looked like ants crawling onto the ship’s surface. The First Contact Marines, spread throughout in multiple locations, those being the Engine Deck, Midsection, and bow. Meanwhile, in the Intruder I, a Hempen modified to serve as a forward Command and Control Post…

“Vac Suits are so clunky sometimes.”

“If you get sucked out into the Black, it’s your funeral. Or lack thereof.”

They chuckle before returning to their workstations

“Iris 1-1 to Overwatch, we’re reporting from the hull, our team is standing by.”

“Cherry Actual to Overwatch, charges are set, on you.”

“Allium 1-2, Overwatch, we see forces from a potentially friendly boarding action inside the Battleship’s hangar. Ships inside are uniform and appear to be refurbished Civilian Vessels. Requesting permission to enter hangar to assist.”

“Overwatch, Allium Elements proceed to assist Assumed Friendly Elements. Keep your strobes active.”

“Proceed with all breaching operations. This is a free fire zone. Keep your Gamma Strobes active so we can track you and avoid Blue on Blue or Blue on Green incidents.”

“Iris 1-1 to all Iris Elements, KICK THE DOOR IN!”

“Cherry Actual to Cherry Elements, let’s roll!”

“Allium Actual, pushing through into the hangar. Check your fire before engaging.”

“Daisy Actual, 450’ IN PLAY!”

“Aster Elements, let the charges off!”

The air hisses from the holes made by the breaching charges, some marines cracking out Antimaterial Rifles, some using a converted 450mm gun to punch a hole into the ship. The marines began to push into the battleship, with Allium Elements linking up to support the Commando’s Push from the Hangar.

“Overwatch. Status?”

“Awaiting results, breaching has started.”

1 Like
15

The Ravager started moving towards the zone designated by the Sereniani.

“Maybe I ahould assist tge boarding action? We are moving quite far away from the battleship.” Asked Major Casey.

“Don’t worry, they’ve got this.” Andarna answered.

The shuttles finally breached the bay doors and landed inside. As expected, Envari battledroids were alreeady there and begun to return fire. The shuttles were used as cover as the Commandos unloaded.

The Commandos, about 500 of them, were of different races and wore green armor, that usually shown digns of tear and damage. They were usually equiped with rifles, pistols and repulsor swords. They formed a square and advanced, while dispersing enemy fire eith their swords.

After dealing with the droids, they split into several groups and started advancing towards the bridge through the narrow corridors.

1 Like
16

249th Orbital Shock Legion
Contested Control - Partial RUW/AFP-SDVR Control
SDR REDCON STATUS - 1

Composition - Ground Forces

249th Orbital Shock Legion [XX]

Captain Sarah Ardala

Commander Owen Colisia

Garrison/HQ: Dry Zone Locksmith

Logistics Ship: VMCV Plaster and Pretenses

Logistics

Infantry Units

  • 31st Quick Reaction Brigade
    – 45th Space Control Squadron
    – 47th Mechanized Assault Squadron
    – 22nd Space Assault Squadron

  • 32nd Orbital Assault Wing
    – 29th Combat Shock Regiment
    – 30th Combat Close Support Regiment

Pushing through the ship, the sound of beanbag rounds and breaching charges echo in the halls as the Engineering deck is cleared out, along with the Forward Deck. Engineers, and anyone who surrendered or was incapacitated was moved out of the battleship. Marines of Allium and Cherry Elements linked up and let the RUW Commandos take point on the bridge, not wishing to accidentally shoot commandos in the crossfire.

“Cherry Actual, Overwatch, we’re sitting outside the Bridge of this battleship, we’re gonna let these Commandos take point, we don’t want any Blue on Green Action here. Advise from here us and Allium are watching these people. Read?”

“Check, Cherry. Overwatch Advises.”

"Iris 4-2, Overwatch, we’re doing SKYLIVE* on POWs. Advise 4 Adults, Unknown Species, 30% Oxygen."*

“Check, Iris 4-2. Overwatch Advises.”

*A SKYLIVE operation is tactical callsign for Casualty Evacuation

1 Like
17

The multiple Commando squads advanced through the narrow corridors towards the bridge, leaving the less important areas of the ship to the Rosecordi Marines. The droids weren’t built for close-quarters combat. Instead, they often relied on their mass numbers. Though they were impressive in their armaments and programming, they couldn’t compare to sapient soldiers. Especially elites such as Commandos, who were trained specifically for close-quarters combat in small squads and had already years of experience from fighting rouge droid units, that were abandoned after the Rebellion.

In a desperate attempt, the Envari tried to seal off the bridge by closing multiple blast doors leading to it. It only delayed the inevitable, as precision charges and plasma cutters were enough to break through. Eventually the final breakthrough was made and Commandos poured onto the bridge.

“Drop your weapons and hands on your head!”

Most Envari, previously pointing their pistols at the multiple doorways, followed through with the command. The hesitant few followed after they noticed in how small of a minority they were. Except the Captain. He refused to lower his pistol. And then he fired.

The shot landed on the shoulder of one of the Commandos. Dahal got him milliseconds later with a “zipper”. It was a small device that could be fired from a weapon or armor extension. It implanted itself into the targets skin and sent electric shocks, just enough to stun but not to cause any major damage.

“Are you ok?”

“Yeah, didn’t even pierce.” The shot Commando answered. “At least I’ve got a new scar.” Commandos rarely repaired damage on their armors if it didn’t severely impact its performance. These types of damages were called scars and were worn with great pride, being a sing of a veteran and their combat proficiency.

“We’ve captured their leader and around 30 bridge crew. The bridge, hangar and cargo bay are under our control.” The Commandos reported.

“Very well. Get them back to the Ravager. The rest can help out the other guys a bit. We’ll send you a rudimentary translation of their language. It should be enough for basic communication. But be careful and explicitly state you are friendlies. We don’t want any incidents while negotiating with their leadership.” Major Casey instructed the ground troops. He didn’t have much diplomatic experience, but a joint military operation against a common enemy was clearly the perfect way to start a peaceful, cooperative relationship.

1 Like
18

Atlia System
BRP IV
Firm RUW/AFP-SDVR Control
SDR REDCON STATUS - 2

Composition - Ground Forces

249th Orbital Shock Legion [XX]

Captain Sarah Ardala

Commander Owen Colisia

Garrison/HQ: Dry Zone Locksmith

Logistics Ship: VMCV Plaster and Pretenses

Logistics

Infantry Units

  • 31st Quick Reaction Brigade
    – 45th Space Control Squadron
    – 47th Mechanized Assault Squadron
    – 22nd Space Assault Squadron

  • 32nd Orbital Assault Wing
    – 29th Combat Shock Regiment
    – 30th Combat Close Support Regiment

The marines, seeing the bridge crew being moved off, call into Overwatch.

“Allium 5-9, Overwatch, battleship is secured. Enemy forces is no factor. We should be clear to start moving this battleship for analysis at Dry Zone Picket. When’s 45th on station?”

“Overwatch, Allium 5-9, 45th is enroute, standby.”

“Iris 3-7, Overwatch, SKYLIVE, 32 Adults, 30% oxygen. Some were hit with Baton Rounds, a few are bleeding.”

“Overwatch, Iris 3-7, advises. Continue to egress all POWs for transit to DZ Exodus.”

Atlia System
Dry Zone Exodus
Firm SDVR Control
Rear Admiral | Lyla Lockoria || Rear Admiral | Avery Cesia || Fleet Commander | Octavia Easiia || Senior Command Master Chief Petty Officer | Eiko Alire

The two admirals, the fleet commander, and 249th’s Enlisted Advisor are in a meeting room, awaiting the arrival of the RUW delegation. The silence became sort of uncomfortable, which was broken by Lyla Lockoria.

“Avery-Sama, what happened to your Executive Officer? She sort of… Excused herself.”

“She’s out with the Enlisted Advisor at AIS. She insisted on personally checking out all of the crews of 84th post engagement.”

SCMCPO Eiko is deep within her wristcomp, viewing an After Action Report, before looking up and turning off her wristcomp, crossing her arms as she scanned the room for a second.

“The battleship is clear, when are they supposed to arrive?”

“Approximately an hour, we got called to discuss the ongoing trade disruptions in Tamahagane.”

“Did something happen?”

“Yeah, some freighter captain collided with a 228th QRF Astron in the Dry Zone.”

The quartet continue this discussion for about an hour, waiting for whoever the RUW would send.

“…Suppose I should go greet them at the hangar?”

“Yeah, go ahead. We’ll be waiting.”

2 Likes
19

The dreadnought positioned itself close to the Sereniani station. A shuttle, identical to those that boarded the battleship earlier, landed in its hangar. Twelve Commandos emerged. Ten of them were the escort. They had standard green armor and weaponry. They had humanoid postures, but some were unnaturally tall, had six arms or were hunchback and had tails. The other two walked between them and seemed to lack any of these unusual features. The one on the left looked like the rest of them, with green armor and similar weapons. The one on the right was visibly shorter than most, maybe except the six armed ones, wore grey-red armor, with identical hues as the dreadnought and carried way too many weapons.

“I’m General Andarna and this is Major Casey, nice to meet you.” The shorter one spoke, while extending her hand towards the Sereniani, expecting a handshake and pointing towards the taller Commando. Judging on the voice, it most probably was a woman. “Good job dealing with those Remnants. I never expected them to reach this far. They rarely even leave the Wild Regions.”

3 Likes
20

Atlia System
Dry Zone Exodus
Firm SDVR Control
Senior Command Master Chief Petty Officer | Eiko Alire

SCMCPO Eiko seemed distant for a moment before she appeared to snap back to reality. Accepting the handshake, she spoke.

“Senior Command Master Chief Petty Officer Eiko Alire, the Protectorate welcomes you.”

Eiko retrieved her service revolver, and placed it in the general’s hand.

“Please follow me, there’s much to discuss.”

Atlia System
Dry Zone Exodus
Firm SDVR Control
Rear Admiral | Lyla Lockoria || Rear Admiral | Avery Cesia || Fleet Commander | Octavia Easiia || Senior Command Master Chief Petty Officer | Eiko Alire

Eiko salutes the trio of officers on her way in, motioning for the group of RUW to sit as she takes her own seat. The officers wait for the general to sit as they begin to introduce themselves.

“I’m Rear Admiral Lyla Lockoria, Scientific Directorate of the Velvet Rose.”

“…Fleet Commander Octavia Easiia, at your service.”

“I’m Avery Cesia, Atlia Federated Protectorate.”

“I suppose we should exchange some basic information about our nations. The Scientific Directorate of the Velvet Rose is a science driven nation, created roughly 19000 years ago. We rarely leave the comfort of our Nebula, as it encompasses all Velvet Rose territory. Places that exit the Nebula, like Atlia, are protectorates of the Velvet Rose. That’s the basic information of us. How about you? I’m truly interested to listen about the origins of your people.”

1 Like
21

The group from the Republic sits down, but a few of them keep standing.

“The Republic of United Worlds was established roughly three years ago, after we toppled the Imperium of Enver. It was a totalitarian state that enslaved us for centuries, maybe even millennia. After we broke free from them, we made sure the Republic was everything the Imperium wasn’t. Each world within the Republic is free to choose its own government and have separate laws and military. Xenophobia is not tolerated even among the most extremist circles.” Andarna told the trio. “These ships you were fighting were Remnants of the Imperium. They usually don’t leave the Wild Regions, so I was quite surprised when we tracked them all the way out here.”

“The Wild Regions are areas that decided to remain independent after the Imperium collapsed, but are under the protection of the Republic in case a foreign power chose intervene there. Many remnants hide in these areas as we have limited intel on them and the local governments aren’t always keen to cooperate.” Casey explained.

2 Likes