[h3][center][b][u]One Month Ago[/u][/b][/center][/h3] [h3][center][b][u]Arkford, Blit Star System, The Rim Systems, Mankind Empire of Ithica[/u][/b][/center][/h3] “You are to kill every single person found out on the streets captain.” The black shirt said. “This farce has gone on for long enough.” “I must of misheard you” Captain Noel Dupuy said. “For a moment I thought that you gave me the unconstitutional order to kill on sight any citizen in this city.” “These citizens are rioting.” The black shirt said, a raised eyebrow belying his indignation at having to explain himself. “They are protesting peacefully” Captain Dupuy countered. He gestured towards the crowd of humans standing before the two men. The crowd held signs plastered with anti-Humanity United slogans as they chanted their demands for the party to step down from its position of power. “We do not distinguish between rioters and protesters. “Perhaps you don’t, but I do.” Captain Dupuy said. “As do my men. And even if we didn’t we still wouldn’t shoot them. We do not shoot unarmed civilians.” The argument had drawn the attention of a few nearby soldiers, who were even now beginning to crowd around so they could listen in. “Very well” The black shirt let out a long sigh, “if you will not listen to reason than I will have no choice but to charge you with dereliction of duty. Sergeant” He turned to a nearby soldier, “Please arrest Captain Dupuy and notify that his XO is now in command.” When the sergeant stood unmoving the black shirt said “Sergeant? You have your orders.” “No one here will listen to your orders.” Captain Dupuy stated. “You are hereby under arrest for breaching article seven, clause two of the IGF code of conduct. Sergeant, remove this piece of trash from my sight.” “What you can’t-” The black shirt began. “Yes sir!” The sergeant gave a smart salute before manhandling the black shirt away. “And now we wait to see what the fleet does…” The captain muttered to himself. [h3][center][b][u][i]ISF Undoubting[/i], Low Orbit around Arkford, Blit Star System, The Rim Systems, Mankind Empire of Ithica[/u][/b][/center][/h3] “So in short,” Admiral Lolande summarized, “the IGF on Arkford are refusing our orders and placed all the black shirts under arrest while allowing the riots to continue.” “That is correct sir.” The captain of the battleship [i]Undoubting[/i] said. “Its nothing to be overly concerned over. There are only a few battalions planetside anyways. Just give the order and we’ll send the marines in to reestablish control over the planet.” “I have another idea.” The admiral said. “Captain prepare for planetary bombardment. Target the planet’s capital city. I want nothing left of that city.” “Uh… You want to bombard the whole city? Shall I issue an evacuation order?” “Heavens no. We want to kill them all, don’t we?” “...Them?” The captain asked with a deep frown. “Why the rebels of course. And not just the soldiers. Those so called ‘citizens’ down there are also guilty of treason. Now prepare the bombardment.” “I… Aye aye Sir.” The captain turned away from the admiral. “Prepare for orbital bombardment! Target Arkford’s capital city.” “Ye- yes sir! Preparing orbital bombardment. Target: Arkford’s capital city.” Please with himself, Admiral Lolande tuned out the going’s on of the bridge for a few moments until something said by an officer caught his attention. “Sir! The destroyer [i]Argent[/i] has moved into our line of fire. Its captain is requesting that we hold off on our bombardment.” Lolande yet out a long sigh before saying “Just destroy the [i]Argent[/i] if it insists on rebelling as well.” “I,” The captain began only to rethink whatever it was he was about to say. “Aye sir. Gunnery. Target the [i]ISF Argent[/i]. Now fire.” “[i]ISF Argent[/i] has gone silent.” An officer reported. “Its breaking up. No escape pods launched. All hands lost.” “Excellent.” Admiral Lolande said. “Now captain, continue with the bombardme-” “Sir!” Another officer shouted. “The battleship [i]Warspite[/i] is broadcasting to the entire fleet.” “Let’s hear it” the Captain said. A moment later the voice of [i]Warspite’s[/i] captain could be heard throughout the bridge. “[i]Warspite[/i] will not follow the orders of a fleet admiral who is willing to fire upon his own fleet. This action, along with the intent to destroy a city of the Empire, is an act of treason. This ship will now act to purge the Empire of this filth. All loyal subjects of the Empire to arms!” Admiral Lolande let out another sigh. “Captain destroy the [i]Warspite[/i], then commence the bombardment.” “The battleships [i]Warspite[/i], [i]Valiant[/i], [i]Indomitable[/i], as well as three cruisers and ten destroyers have just formed their own command net!” An officer reported a moment before the [i]Undoubting[/i] began to shake. “They have us outnumbered three to one!” “Oh shit.” The captain muttered. It was those words, more than anything else, that caused the blood to drain from Admiral Lolande’s face. “Captain!” Lolande shouted. “Hail the rest of the fleet. Tactical retreat. We’ll return with more forces later!” The opening shots of the Ithican Civil War had been fired. [h3][center][b][u]Current Date[/u][/b][/center][/h3] [h3][center][b][u][i]ISF Curious[/i], En route to Earth[/u][/b][/center][/h3] “Do you understand your role in all of this your Highness?” Grebel asked for the third -or was it fourth?- time. “Look regal and show the galaxy that Humanity United has the full support of the Imperial family.” Princess Veronika answered flatly. “And?” Grebel pushed. “And if we don’t” Veronika liked to use the royal form of we to keep the lackeys from Humanity United off balance, “you will have our niece killed.” “Well,” Grebel let out a soft chuckle, “let’s make sure [i]we[/i] don’t repeat that at the conference. Or around the other members of our diplomatic party. Do you understand your Highness?” “We do.” Veronika said. After a moment she continued “So the knights from the Orders of Cross and Magi…” “Yes? What of them?” “You are bringing them so they can feel invested in the current system.” Veronika stated. “So they will have a vested interest in fighting against the Constitutionalists.” Grebel let out another soft chuckle. “The insurgents you mean?” “Of course.” Veronika inclined her head. “We wouldn’t want to give others the wrong sort of impression about our small band of misfit rebels.” “Its times like this, your Highness, that I wish you hadn’t been born into the Imperial family.” Grebel said. “But to answer your earlier question: yes. If the knightly orders feel like they are being included in how we run things, they will feel less inclined to aid the insurgents.” “And you really don’t care how these conference turns out, do you?” Veronika pressed. “Not really.” Grebel said with a shrug. “The only things we really care about, in regards to this conference, is securing our influence over the knightly orders and ensuring that the rest of the galaxy things things are just fine within the Empire. Now then… you do understand what your role is, correct?” Veronika let out a long sigh. “Please tell me you won’t keep asking me that for the duration of our trip.” “Well I can think of another way of entertaining ourselves” Grebel wiggled his eyebrows at her. “You want us to look regal at the conference, right?”