[b]January 2057 (Orbital) Supplemental[/b]. (Excerpt from After Action Report, Konrad Von Bock: Classified) “‘Take the remaining four corvettes to assist the Cindorayians in search for any survivors and to collect the dead from the explosion.’ That’s what the admiral told me to say, what she knew the world would accept for any ship rushing into a battle zone, and picking through the wreckage. ‘We’re looking for survivors!’ that would be the best defence against any challenges to why we were there. But the real reason…. That would never be accepted by the public.” “The real transmission i received from the admiral was to put up the facade of looking for survivors. While we actually looking through the debris for anything salvageable, and gather data on the armaments of the Cindorayian ships.” Konrad said over the encrypted communication channels to the three other corvettes assisting him in the top secret operation. “ We have 4 hours to focus on this mission before we default back to the search and rescue parameters. Less if there are Cindorayian ships floating around. So let’s make the most of this time and make Admiral Lucina proud gents!” The crews of all four ships replied “Hoo-ah!” All ships got to work searching through the debris. Three hours later, they had managed to find a heavily damaged, but operational rail gun from the Cindorayian corvette #023. In addition they had gathered all the pertinent data relating to current and past Cindorayian corvette designs. After examining the fleet’s findings and finding them acceptable Konrad said “Alright we have salvaged what we can, let’s proceed with the search and rescue mission.” [b]January 2057 (New Pitam City, Union of Kor)[/b] Ernst Brandt, woke up in his bed in a cold sweat. This was the third night this week he had woken up in a cold sweat like this. For some reason this time of year always brought back bad memories. Anyway he had a busy day ahead of him, so he may as well get up early… After a shower and a shave he headed downstairs for breakfast, said good morning to his wife, and set off for the Tarian city hall building. On the way he passed by many empty embassy buildings much like his own, that had once been fully staffed, but now slowly withering away. The Tari guards stand tall on the walls surrounding the embassy sector, proudly doing their duty to keep the undesirables out and keeping their families fed. As he approached the city hall Ernst noted the imposing look of the stairs, and he could have sworn that these suckers seem bigger than yesterday. Then he thought to himself: “Man my age is really starting to catch up to me now that i’ve rounded the big ol seven oh.” While he was making his way up the staircase, he took note once more of the chitanite embellishments adorning almost all visible surfaces. They made what would normally be very mundane, beautiful. After tearing his attention away from the chitanite he noted that there were some new guards outside the building. He dismissed it as a new security measure after what had just happened in orbit, why the Union of Kor was concerned about what was happening in orbit, he didn’t quite understand. He resolved to ask about it during the trade meeting this afternoon. [b]April 2014 (Vaspen Empire, Front lines)[/b] A much younger Emperor Wolfgang is walking among the wounded just behind the front lines, reassuring the wounded, giving them a sense of hope. The Emperor’s Captain of the guard approaches. “Sir, I know that being among the wounded pleases you, but you are needed at the front.” “Come now Captain Ernst, we must show these men some appreciation for risking their lives for their country.” the Emperor replied. “But Sir, the military commanders would like you to come to the front.” “Very well Ernst. Let me just go though once more, and then we shall head to the front.” At the front, there are newly dug trench lines for miles in every direction, there are bunkers interspersed with gun emplacements throughout the trenchline. Emperor Wolfgang, and Ernst entered one of the bunkers to find a group of generals huddling around a table finalizing the plan to counter attack. For the past two years the Vaspen army had been hammered month after month with a seemingly endless wave of Wojteki soldiers, day and night, on and on. Then as suddenly as the wave began the wave started to slow, and slow, and eventually the two armies reached a state of equilibrium. The generals motioned to a PA system in the corner of the bunker. “We thought it would be appropriate if you were to give some motivational words, or even a speech, before we proceed with the plan.” said the eldest general. Emperor Wolfgang walked over to the PA system, thought a moment, and then proceeded to tear it off the wall of the bunker and walk outside. He walked out of the bunker, his guards and generals following behind, down the trench line to a gunpit with soldiers manning the weapon. He then turned to the highest ranked general, and stated, “ I think this is a better setting for this sort of thing.” The general just smiled. The Emperor, then proceeded to turn on the PA system, every soldiers’ radio squaked in protest. “Soldiers of the Vaspen Empire, this is your ruler Wolfgang Vaspen speaking. Soldiers! As you know all too well, we have lost many comrades, friends, and even family at the hands of the Wojteki. But think of all those behind us! We are the only thing holding the Wojteki back! If not for us the Wojteki would be free to sack, pillage, and enslave our cities and towns.” “We have successfully halted the Wojteki advance, and now it is our turn to push back! We shall push them back, reclaiming our rightful land! Back Into [i]their[/i] barren homeland! Now is the time men! Advance!” As the Emperor finished that last sentence, the artillery from behind the front line fired what could only be the biggest, and noisiest barrage that they could. Tanks appeared on the horizon advancing towards the Wojteki lines, and the soldiers together as one advanced. Later that day the high command determined they gained almost a mile out of the advance, and they were still actively pushing the Wojteki back. However for the next couple of days the Emperor could be found walking amongst the wounded, and observing the great loss of life that had occured. [b]January 2057 (Venris) Supplemental[/b] Emperor Wolfgang sat in his study amongst various piles of documents of all description. His humble little study was one of the few places he could be alone with his thoughts if only for a short while. But this time he sat in front of his desk writing a message to the newly established People's Republic of Cindorya. So far it read as such: To: Sahrova Verasha From: Wolfgang Vaspen Subject: Support Mrs. Verasha, I am proud to say that the Empire of Vaspen recognizes your independence, at least in secret. As we are currently not in a position to stand against your former overlords, even after your utterly surprising attack on their main force. While we may not have the industry, or even space presence that other nations may have, we do have a certain technological advantage others do not. On a completely different note, we have an exploration ship enroute to your planet, if and when it gets there i hope you will accept my gift of 50 cubic feet of Vaspenite. It should be more than enough to shield a small fleet of corvettes. Sincerely, Wolfgang Vaspen. After reading through the letter multiple times, and finding it to his satisfaction he called in a member of his Imperial guard. “Take this letter to the spaceport ground control, and have them relay it to the People's Republic of Cindorya. This is classified information, guard it with your life.” “Yes Sir!” The guard said just before he rushed out of the room. If that letter were to fall into the wrong hands, he didn’t ever dare think of what the Empire of Cindorya would do.