[u][b]Planet Erebus High Orbit[/b][/u] Absolute power corrupts absolutely, the old saying goes. Hundreds of small time warlords had risen up and seized control of old Imperium systems, and every one of them inevitably turned out to be a ruthless tyrant. Erebus was one more world where a meglomaniac with dreams of empire was trying to carve himself a kingdom from the carcass of the Imperium. Fortunately--or perhaps unfortunately--for the inhabitants of Erebus, the system was close to the borders of the ever expanding Imperial Systems Commonwealth; and that was what brought Admiral Lord Sir Adison Volkov, Count Mornington, Knight-Companion of the Order of King Nicholas, Commanding Officer 5th fleet, to Erebus, along with his flagship CSC [i]Praetoria[/i] and the full 5th fleet. Ostensibly they were there to free Erebus from a power hungry dictator and restore democracy, but Volkov could see through that lie. Erebus would be annexed, and probably go through years of ruthless exploitation as a colonial holding. There would be no purges or enslavement of the human population, but they would not be granted citizenship, and in the coming decades many of them would starve to death as their overlords sought to gauge Erebus for everything it was worth. A slight rumble interrupted his weighty thoughts. A single missile had gotten through the flak shells of CSC [i]Praetoria[/i] and her escorts to waste its payload against the flagship’s shields. It wasn’t like him to lose focus in battle, but this particular battle was so obscenely one sided. The local warlord had managed to seize a handful of battleships and cruisers from the old Imperium and organized a fairly effective Erebus Defence Force, but a system defence force was no match for a full Commonwealth battlefleet, especially not 5th fleet. The Commonwealth ships were bearing down on the Erebus Defence Force at high speeds, spitting salvoes of missiles ahead of them and opening up with positron cannons and axial weapons. “That’s another EDF battleship gone sir.” Captain Maria Anisimovna, Volkov’s flag captain, reported. “Very good Masha. Let’s wrap this up. Signal BatRons 8 and 9 to initiate combat jumps, flanking positions on the EDF.” “Aye sir, BatRons 8 and 9, flanking combat jumps” Two groups of battleships from Adison’s forces abruptly disappeared, reappearing seconds later behind the beleaguered EDF ships at close range with their broadsides ready to fire. At the same time, the rest of 5th fleet presented their broadsides, and every railgun battery went from defensive fire to full offensive fire in a matter of moments. That was the end of the EDF. It took only seconds for the massive firepower directed at them to strip away their shields and punch through their armour. In under a minute, all that was left of the EDF was debris and escape pods. Volkov took this all in aboard CSC [i]Praetoria[/i], smiling faintly. “Masha, signal General Wellington; he may begin landing his soldiers.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [img]http://pre10.deviantart.net/a8e4/th/pre/f/2014/253/7/b/cityscape__01_by_dylanpierpont-d7yi6o1.jpg[/img] [b][u]Whitehaven Palace Vitrograd Praetoria[/u][/b] Sir Robert Castlereagh, Baron Katyusha, Knight Indomitus of the order of St. Diae, and Minister of Foreign Affairs for Her Imperial Majesty's Government waved his hand idly through the holo map being projected above his desk. The desk was an exquisite piece, made from rich mahogany with real gold inlays, all crafted by hand. Hidden away on its surface were all the modern necessities, but on the outside, the desk looked like something from another era. Castlereagh loved his office on Praetoria, tucked away in the old Whitehaven palace in Vitrograd’s Old Quarter. A real fire burned real wood in a real fireplace, twinkling merrily and casting a soothing warmth over the room. Heavy red velvet curtains once had helped ward off the chill of Praetoria’s winters, but with the building now fully climate controlled, they were now completely ornamental. Wood panelling and numerous bookshelves completed the room’s atmosphere. While the desk was a new piece made to look old, the bookshelves and their contents dated back over a thousand years to when Whitehaven had been the home of the Imperial family. The office had personality, not like his office on Corinthene, which was too sparkling new, like everything else on Corinthene. Castlereagh was not alone in the office. In front of his desk on a specially built chair was Sir Cato Telemachus, Knight of the order of St. Diae, Marquis of Polesia. Over by the fire, Lord Sir Werner Ludwig Bismarck, Early Granthem, Knight Indomitus of the order of King Nicholas, and First Lord of the Void, was reclined in a large comfortable chair, tapping his foot thoughtfully. The room’s final occupant was Lord Captain Commander Martuf from the Yanissan principalities, who strolled slowly around the room, examining the bookshelves. The four of them were having an informal meeting, as they often did, to discuss problems facing the Commonwealth. On this occasion, the problem was in the middle of Castlereagh’s map; the Dominion. Relations with the xenophobic new Terran regime had always been tense, but now they were downright hostile. War was coming; it was inevitable now. As if reading his mind, Telemachus spoke. “They won’t really start a war before they secure Earth, will they?” he asked. Castlereagh sighed. “They may well try to do both at the same time. They can’t stand the idea of a xeno democracy on their doorstep.” “Which is why I’ve ramping up our military construction programs over the past few years,” Bismarck interjected. “I can’t wait to say ‘I told you so’ about that.” It was true, when Bismarck had first started fighting for increased military spending, Castlereagh had been among his opponents. Now he was grateful the stubborn man had persisted. “You know, I’ve heard the Alorians are very interested in talking to us these days” Martuf said casually, still examining a book. “Is that so,” Castlereagh replied. “Would you care to be more specific?” “I would not.” Castlereagh sighed again. Martuf could be extremely frustrating, but he seemed to have extensive ties with the Commonwealth’s intelligence community, and the three politicians had slowly learned to trust his word. “It could be a hard sell,” Telemachus spoke up. “I mean, did you see that latest broadcast out of Krogow? What are all our human citizens going to think if we open formal diplomatic channels with the Alorians?” “Oh I imagine they’ll be upset, but I’m sure you’ll be able to placate them.” Bismarck said dismissively. “Oh, just like that? I know I make it look easy but keeping the Commonwealth stable is an unending challenge.” “I know, but I don’t see that we have much choice. War is coming, now is not the time to be choosey about our allies.” The room was silent for several minutes as each of them contemplated the possible repercussions of opening channels with the Alorian Empire. Castlereagh was reluctant, but Bismarck had made a good point; they could not afford to turn away potential allies. “I’m going to recommend opening negotiations with the Alorian Empire to the Lord Chancellor next time cabinet meets.” Castlereagh said slowly. “I trust I’ll have your support?” Telemachus and Bismarck nodded their assent, Telemachus much more reluctantly. The room fell into silence once more, leaving each man alone with their thoughts.