[u] Azera waters, off of the Grey Isles – 4 days before the ball. [/u]

The Stellata convoy had been allowed to progress far enough. There was no question in the minds of both the political and military wings of the Azera, the convoy could not complete its journey. To allow the Stellata out would be a sign of weakness and inability. So, they had been allowed far enough into Azera waters to make it near impossible to get out again. Kept under aerial observation from a distance, and stalked by warships behind the horizon it had been decided that now was the time to act. Confirmation had been received that the Irodien Empire were a supporter of the Azera’s position and with that diplomatic assurance the Azera were now far bolder. 

Therefore, the first Lord, under advise from the Lord Marshal, had authorised the stopping and capture, or the stopping and destruction, of the enemy ships. When he had rung the admiralty his tone had been sombre and serious. He knew exactly how most people would view this, as the opening battle in a war. His own diplomats and PR machine would try to downplay this act, pitching it as more of a police action than anything else. But something inside him told him the rest of the world would not exactly buy that. Still this had to be done. When the brief conversation had finished he leant back in his chair and sighed.
“So it begins.” He thought quietly to himself.

The order moved along the chain, down to admiralty and out to the ships and aircraft involved. The warships were to close to maximum firing range, moving into position in the dead of night. Shortly thereafter multi role craft and strike planes were put into the sky, again to close on the foe in the dead of night. Finally, the reconnaissance plane that had been recording the Stellata transgressions from a distance was ordered to move in slightly closer, and take a few better photographs of their military vessels. It was still a small black dot on the black night sky but after a few pictures had been taken it would reveal its own position. Using a signal light that had been affixed to it the plane broadcast a message in an international code used by ships at sea, sailors of all nationalities should have been able to understand the message. The message read thusly. 
“Stellata vessels. Come to a full stop at once. Run in your guns or point your guns down and forward. Prepare to receive boarders.” This was a warning that would be delivered only once. Should the Stellata fail to comply armed forced would be used to force compliance. Even now the approaching aircraft were confirming their targets and getting into their attack lanes whilst also relaying the precise position of the enemy warships, to aid the accuracy of the warships which were now shadowing the convoy at maximum weapons range. The atmosphere was tense, what would the dragon kin do?