[sachmo]

Colonial Enterprises

A new planet was colonized in Xillantha, Sovrid. It was another dome colony, but the world was large, with ample space for resource storage and research centers.

The Ukra-Tal did something very strange in Iolo, colonizing Iolo VI at the beginning of the month but sending a single light cruiser to protect the new world. Hitcher dispatched Landover’s task force to destroy the colony and the enemy ship.

As she laid course for the enemy world, the light cruiser moved to intercept her force. Four sectors from Iolo VI, they met in combat. The ship was yet another unarmed colony ship, this time rigged to colonize gas worlds. Landover’s ships destroyed it and continued on to the enemy world.
Halfway to their objective, they received orders to return to Correlia. Landover was puzzled, but she obeyed. Soon after these orders were relayed, the 3rd Space Marine brigade was dispatched from Highrock and ordered to make best possible speed to Correlia.

Days after the space marine brigade left Highrock, an Ukra-Tal fleet appeared on the Remorhaz side of the Yukra-Lenoltris wormhole. Thirty-two ships crowded the long range scanners, including three huge new ships, designated by fleet intellgence as battlecruisers. Details of the ships were unknown, but spies had sent all of the information that they could gather about them. They knew that they were twice the size of light cruisers, and packed with weapons and armor. They were formidable foes on their own, but these were backed by a large force of cruisers and light carriers. Hitcher prepared his ships for a defensive operation, hoping that his fleet could salvage yet another victory from the overpowering Ukra-Tal forces.