[img]http://d2rormqr1qwzpz.cloudfront.net/photos/2012/11/26/41646-serenity.jpg[/img] [h1]The First Contact War[/h1] For years, the 10th Armada roamed the Northern Reaches of the Old Empire, scouring hundreds of dead and lifeless worlds, few even worth harvesting. For years they've scouted worlds that could fuel the Dathu Warmachine, or discover potential new subjects to the New Empire or a resource, and for years, have found nothing. This region seemed too remote. All seemed calm, the Armada's mission seemed to be long over, or so they thought that is. Bits of the Armada broke off for another sweep of a new uncharted sector they've come across, the Commanding Overseer, Zamaria, wouldn't be surprised to find yet more barren, primordial systems. But this sweep would prove to bare fruit. [h2]Uncharted Star System, 2th Scouting Brood[/h2] For several days the 2th Scouting Brood had ventured around this newly discovered star system, for days they traveled, from the drifting asteroids, and slowly travel deeper in the system, recon probes sent out ahead have found a lush world, a planet that seemed more, "alive" compared to the countless worlds they scouted before, interestingly enough, the worlds of this system seemed to be orbiting a black hole-type anomaly, how such worlds maintain their structure is quite a mystery, yet the current matter at hand was top priority. The small brood consisted of a heavy cruiser at the helm, and half a dozen frigates. The scouting brood were near the end of their cycle, and were to soon return to the Armada, making their rather satisfactory report, until yet another unexpected event occurred, alien vessels were inbound. [h2]Aboard Heavy Cruiser 11120, Command Room[/h2] Deep in the bowels of the heavy cruiser, spindly, thin insect creatures were at their stations, keeping track of the new arrivals, letting out clicks and gnarls, communicating, it was not long before the one In command of this Brood walked in. It was a tall, imposing figure, carrying a long staff, the small clacking and clicking sounds of his crawling legs echoed throughout the hall. He was called [url=http://i.imgur.com/3z8K192.jpg]Guimos[/url], Overseer of the 5th Planetary Swarm. The other creatures cower before his presence, scurrying off as he approached the center of the room as a holographic map of the system materialized right before him, several red lights appearing in one part of the system as well. "How many vessels are present?" He asked. "Unknown, Overseer guimos" The Ship A.I spoke. "No signal transmission has been detected as of yet." "Maintain our course, we shall determine how the locals respond, they may prove to be good servants...or cattle, it matters not to me in the least." [hr] Patrols often are laden throughout Dearothian space. Despite not being quite sure what is out there, the Fleet is convinced something is out there. In their paranoia, large patrol groups are split from the Fleet at assigned intervals, scouring the seemingly empty system which they call their own. [h2]Edge of Dearothian Space, I Patrol Group[/h2] This motley flotilla of two cruisers, six destroyers, eight frigates, and twelve corvettes are in what seems to be another monotonous and fruitless patrol across the edge of the system they call home, until a strange reading appears on the telemetry of each craft. Chittering and chattering, humming and panicked typing between the bridge of each ship confirms the readings as the ships turn to bear. [h2]Diligence-class Cruiser DFS Vigilant[/h2] The bridge of the lead vessel is alive with uncertain chatter and a suspenseful feeling as they receive the unanimous result from each of their subordinates. They've encountered aliens. Soon enough a figure in an ornate uniform and a rugged look on his face waltzes on deck, and the chatter dies down. "What've we got this time, petty officer?" The figure queries, in a slightly annoyed tone. "This better not be one of your 'jokes'." A seated individual replies with haste, his voice much more panicked and higher pitched. "No sir. All vessels are reporting vessels of unknown origin off the group's starboard, bearing roughly 260 degrees, sir." The officer scowls and retorts after a moment of contemplation. "Open a broadband channel. Order all ships to receive and relay the reply." The seated petty officer goes about his work, pressing buttons and twirling knobs with shaky hands. "When you're ready, sir." The standing officer composes himself, straightening his posture and beginning to speak in an enunciated and commanding tone. “This is the DFS Vigilant, identify yourself and state your business in Dearothian space." The officer nods to the seated man to broadcast and relay it. All that's left is to wait, and so he does, standing there, legs spread slightly, hands clasped behind his back. [hr] Overseer Guimos stood at the center, observing the holographic image of the inbound alien ships, their technology seemed primitive, something typical of a civilization at this stage of technological development. "Overseer." A Dathu Operator spoke. "The alien ships are emitting a transmission signal." The Overseer turned his gaze towards the direction of the operator. "Can we receive it?" "Barely, I've only managed to gather only a fraction of the signal." The Operator proceeded to pressed down several keys, the audio playing in the intercom. The message sounded like gibberish and static. "I figured as much." Guimos said. "This world was spared from the wrath of the Terrans. Their language not recognized by the archives. Open up channels, perhaps they'll have a better chance in understanding us." "Shall we continue course?" "Indeed." Within moments, a small device lowered from the ceiling, right before the Overseer. "Attention people of this system. I am Overseer Guimos of the Dathu Hives, your world and all it's holdings now serve the Queen Mother. I will be kind and offer you an open hand in our new Empire, serve us well, defy us, and you will face bloodshed unlike anything you've experienced in your isolated existence, the choice is yours, choose carefully." [hr] "Captain, we're receiving a signal!" Exclaimed the petty officer. The Captain's scowl is replaced by a shed of surprise. "Let me hear it." Garbled static is all that is heard over the comms. "Was that some kinda joke, petty officer?" The petty officer replies in a quiet, embarrassed tone. "N-no sir. They're definitely sending out a signal. We just, uh.. Can't seem to receive it." "Prepare to broadcast again." The petty officer nods and repeats the process. The Captain speaks up in an even more agitated tone. "I repeat, this is Captain Rainard Anthelm of the UFS Vigilant. Identify yourselves and state your business, or you will be fired upon." [hr] The Dathu Warships continued on their course, disregarding the second message all together, it wouldn’t matter either way, neither side could break through the language barrier, this clash ending in only one possible outcome. [hr] “They’re still on course right for us, sir!” Exclaimed the petty officer, shaking in his seat. “There goes diplomacy.” Muttered the Captain, stroking the thin fuzz ‘beard’ upon his maw. “Tell I Section to send a warning shot, high. Put Sections II through V on high alert. Any signs of retaliation, I want all Sections putting fire out.” Across all vessels in the group, the same calm humming and chattering sounded over the announcer system, a grim warning that loomed in the air as the personnel grasped its meaning. “General quarters, general quarters. All hands man your battle stations. This is not a drill.” It loops five more times, cutting to static. Each vessel is filled with a sense of panic, yet order. Sailors man their guns and consoles while marines pile into each deck’s armory, flooding back out armored head to toe. A lone frigate on the far starboard of the group maneuvers to bear. A shot from its main coilgun is sent high, shuddering the deck of the vessel as it goes forth. [hr] The coilgun round was sent speeding past the Dathu ships, missing one of them barely. From the Command Room, the Overseer was less than pleased. “I see they’ve made their decision…” The Overseer said, turning to face one of the Operators. “Let us oblige them. Have our batteries target the ship that shot first. Turn them to stardust.” And as said, they carried out his orders. The ship trembled as as streams of plasma light were shot out from the underbelly of the Heavy Cruiser, the plasma beams converging towards the offending frigate. [hr] As the plasma is sent flying, a blinding light flashes as all the frigates and destroyers present fire off their coilguns at any target they can acquire, following it up with a hefty payload of missiles. As for the poor frigate that fired the warning shot, they do not take it well. Before they even manage to arm their missile batteries and begin reloading their coilgun, the plasma beams strike home and essentially vaporize the midsection of the ship, exposing the internals to space. [hr] The retaliation was swift from the defending ships as volleys of missiles was sent towards the Dathu, two of the frigate escorts took the brunt of the attack, their shields crumbled to the constant strikes, and left limp as the coilgun rounds tore into the smaller ships. The Heavy Cruiser unleashed its own payload as plasma bolts were shot out from its starboard, followed by more plasma battery strikes. [hr] The Dearothian ships begin reloading their coilgun batteries and continue to sustain the seemingly never ending barrage of missiles. Many of the plasma projectiles strike targets, taking out quite a few of the frontline corvettes which are now beginning to clump even closer to protect those ships behind them. [hr] The Heavy Cruiser now fell under fire as the missiles clash against its shields, while the shields were a higher grade compared to the smaller frigates, their seemingly fearless determination to hold their stance was quite something. Few times have opponents of the Dathu stood tall against their larger capital ships with such defiance. “I want our frigates to fall back. Send in the fighter swarms to weaken them.” The frigates do as commanded, and pull out near the Heavy Cruiser’s flank, within that instant, a swarm of over a hundred interceptor and bomber craft launch from the cruiser, converging towards the Dearothian fleet. [hr] “Fighters. Damn. Loose formation, deploy all interceptors. Screen the enemy and delay their approach. I want all available hands on either point defense or repair duties.” The vessels spread apart in a loosened formation, the point defense guns on each swiveling and preparing to fire on any enemy craft close enough. Simultaneously, the two cruisers and six destroyers deploy a much smaller but still sizable force of fighters, most of which thin themselves into a screening line, jumping at the chance to delay and probe the oncoming fighters, with almost no regard for losses of their own. [hr] The small fighter craft on both sides soon clash in between the gaps made by the Dearothian capital ships, turning the battle into a deadly maze of dogfighting. The Bomber craft unleashing light yield plasma bombs on the enemy ships, many however, were shot down by the Point-Defense guns or pursuing fighter craft. The Dathu Interceptor had done their best in harassing the defenses on enemy capital ships and opposing interceptors. [hr] As the bombs are sent hurtling towards the vessels, the CIWS systems open up, shooting down as many as possible before they manage to collide. A few get through, doing a fair amount of damage but nothing mortal. Unfortunately there is no atmosphere, so there is no ‘BRRT’ to be had. The fighters pursue and harass the retreating enemy craft, returning back to their own ships once they were at their maximum flight range. [hr] The surviving Dathu fighter craft ceased their attack and made their return to the mothership. The Overseer was somewhat impressed at their continued resistance. “These creatures are not as weak as I assumed, they’ve managed to survive our weapons technology, if barely. I’ve had enough of this.” He turned his back on the holo-display. “All remaining ships pull out. We’ve got a report to fill out, these beings will truly know to fear our might in due time.” All was still in the space around the two fleets as the Dathu made no other actions, a few moments pass as the remaining ships pull out and retreat to the dark reaches of space, leaving behind their wrecked ships. [hr] The Captain is relieved as he loses his posture of authority. “Recover our fallen and those damn enemy ships. Also, get a line to the capital. Give them a damn good report and request the entire Fleet to station.” The Captain retires to his quarters as his orders are carried out. [hr] [h2]Dearoth, 3 Days After the Battle[/h2] News of the battle had spread rapidly throughout the system. Cities swelled with riots, riots of fear and hatred of the aliens who had opened fire on Dearoth’s ships. WAR, printed on the headlines, arguments of intellectuals, all was focused on the encounter with another kind. Ukyla was scheduled for a speech, broadcast across Dearoth in all its languages. She stepped up to the stand. If she wanted to go back, it was far too late now. “In this solemn hour it is a consolation to recall and to dwell upon our efforts for peace. This is of the highest moral value--and not only moral value, but practical value--at the present time, because the wholehearted concurrence of scores of millions of men and women, whose co-operation is indispensable and whose comradeship and brotherhood are indispensable, is the only foundation upon which the trial and tribulation of modern war can be endured and surmounted. This moral conviction alone affords that ever-fresh resilience which renews the strength and energy of people in long, doubtful and dark days. Outside, the storms of war may blow and the lands may be lashed with the fury of its gales, but in our own hearts this morning there is peace. Our hands may be active, but our consciences are at rest. We must not underrate the gravity of the task which lies before us or the temerity of the ordeal, to which we shall not be found unequal. We must expect many disappointments, and many unpleasant surprises, but we may be sure that the task which we have freely accepted is one not beyond the compass and the strength of the Sovereignty. The Ministers said it was a sad day, and that is indeed true, but at the present time there is another note which may be present, and that is a feeling of thankfulness that, if these great trials were to come upon our planet, there is a generation of our kind here now ready to prove itself not unworthy of the days of yore and not unworthy of those great men, the fathers of our land, who laid the foundations of our laws and shaped the greatness of our country. This is not a question of fighting for power or for territory. We are fighting to save the whole world from the pestilence of alien tyranny and in defense of all that is most sacred to us. This is no war of domination or imperial aggrandizement or material gain; no war to shut the Sovereignty out of its sunlight and means of progress. It is a war, viewed in its inherent quality, to establish, on impregnable rocks, the rights of the individual, and it is a war to establish and revive the stature of our kind. Perhaps it might seem a paradox that a war undertaken in the name of liberty and right should require, as a necessary part of its processes, the surrender for the time being of so many of the dearly valued liberties and rights. In these last few days the Ministry has been voting dozens of Bills which hand over to the executive our most dearly valued traditional liberties. We are sure that these liberties will be in hands which will not abuse them, which will use them for no class or party interests, which will cherish and guard them, and we look forward to the day, surely and confidently we look forward to the day, when our liberties and rights will be restored to us, and when we shall be able to share them with the peoples to whom such blessings are unknown.”