[b][u] March 23rd, 2590 Haven System [/u][/b] The Haven System, once the most prosperous, and peaceful of the Powderkeg Systems, an unstable region of space in between the Union, the Aurolian Federation, the Terranis Empire, the Confederated States, and the Commonwealth. The Haven Republic was once a neutral zone for the Federation, Empire and the Union, who were in a continuous state of Cold War, a cold war that has been waging on for centuries. Haven's troubles begun fifteen years ago, Human and Alien colonists were on the verge of civil war, but through the combined efforts of the usual three adversaries and one man, war had been stopped, for now that is. For the moment, the Sector celebrated, the Superpowers were in awe of what had successfully occurred, Interstellar Media had dubbed this moment as the "Miracle of Haven", it's main orchestrator, a human by the name of Marcus Sadain was hailed a Hero, the Modern Gandhi of his time, the Powdekeg Peacemaker. Sadain even was soon elected to lead the Haven Republic. The next decade was one of calm peace, and little hostility under Sadain's leadership, that until he was assassinated. The Unknown Assailants made no demands, no intentions, it came without warning and sudden and shortly after his assassination the Haven System fell into anarchy as number of Alien and Humans colonists were once again divided, Militia groups engaging in the streets of the Worlds of the Haven System. The situation escalated as Federation, Union, and Imperial military task forces were sent in as the System plunged into Civil War. The Federation, protecting a Client State closely aligned to them, the Union, backing the slowly shrinking Human minority groups, and several Imperial Noble Houses of the Terranis Empire protecting their valuable financial investments. The involvement of the Three Powers escalated the conflict, and soon became another front for their proxy wars. Ten years pass, and now the system is further divided, unrecognizable to what it once was. This conflict however, is unlike the others, for years the three powers fought indirectly, however this time, it is no longer the case. [b][u]Bright Horizon[/u][/b] For years Bright Horizon, among several other worlds, remained contested between the Three Powers and their proxies, below surface, Bright Horizon is a torn landscape, many of the once thriving cities now ruined warzones, burnt out husks of vehicles and corpses littering the streets, forests, grasslands, etc. Falling debris from destroyed starships falling randomly to the planet below, a Garden world now in ruins. Now up high above, battle will be fought once again as the Three Powers engage in yet another skirmish for Orbital Superiority. A fleet of seventy Federation warships, at the center was an Defiant Heavy Cruiser, the [i]AFS Titan[/i], commanded by Admiral Kinsa herself. The fleet slowly cruised along the planet's orbit, approaching a designated Drop Point. Currently a Federation strike force, the 701st Strike Battalion, was sent on a deep strike mission to weaken Union forces and establish a foothold in the Provisional Capital City of Sadain's Hope, deep into Union-held Territory in the region. However, the Battalion has encountered heavy resistance in the city, and while they have broken through and had secured a section of it, they are heavily outnumbered and face artillery bombardment and occasional full frontal assaults and had requested for reinforcements. And their ply for help has been answered. [b][u]AFS Titan, Command Bridge[/u][/b] Admiral Kinsa stood watching over a holographic display of Sadain's Hope on a wide table, the hologram was being streamed from the 701st's Forward Operations Base as to observe the current battle on the ground. She could see a small section of the city in bright green, indicating that being the 701st, while the rest of the city was red. "The situation's not looking good." She said to other officers observing the hologram. One, a Naasu Colonel, nodded in agreement. "They can't hold them off for long. I estimate they'd last for a few more days. The bastards are lucky we arrived in time." The Admiral nodded to the Naasu Colonel, turned and walked over to lay against the command chair. "We'll be in the Drop Point within the hour, I want all Marine and Army units aboard the [i]Colossus[/i] and [i]Argon[/i] to be ready for deployment by then, Colonel Weth. We can not afford to lose this opportunity the 701st have given us. This Offensive could very well turn the tide for this Front." "Understood, ma'am, my forces will be ready then." He said while saluting to her, then turned and left. The Admiral's chair swiveled towards the Bridge Staff, as she observed them, she felt a bit of unease. For nearly two hours, there was no sign of Union ships, no resistance at all for a significant-sized fleet, one possible explanation of course is that Imperial forces may have entered orbit as well. But there's a real possibility that the fleet is heading right into a trap. Of course, if a trap were set, the Admiral felt confident enough to repel such an attack if it came to it, although at the same time, they may very well won't survive if outnumbered. Although those thoughts and uncertainties were quite prophetic the alarms went off. "Admiral! We're detecting a large Union fleet on our course!" Soon the ship begun to shake violently as Union warships fired before they could even be seen. "Damn it!" She cried out. "Destroyer Squadrons 1 and 2! Return fire! All ships, protect the transports!" From outside, the Federation Destroyers, organized into Squadrons of eight, aimed their main guns towards where the enemy last fired, and unleash a hail of graser bolts as their main forward batteries lit up. Enemy fire persisted, several frigates and an escort cruiser had already been decimated by the Union barrage. " "Push forward! Don't let enemy destroy the transports!"