Newbie Galactic Combat II - Story Thread

[tbontob]

ZAX Society
============================================

THE LOCATION: JUST OUTSIDE OF THE ENTRANCE TO ELSTONILE CASTLE.

Eston was in a quandary.

He had a mission to accomplish. Not only did the health of Zaxxon depend upon his actions, but also the very survival of the society may depend upon it.

So, he could have "ordered" the guard to relay his message to the Zaxxoness.

But the distress of the guard was so great, that it brought out his deep sense of compassion. He decided to wait for the changing of the guard.

Almost eight hours, after midnight, the changing of the guard took place. But when Eston made his request, the new guard exhibited similar signs of distress. Eston decided wait a further 8 hours.

Morning dawned. With the changing of the guard, Eston approached the new guard on duty and made his request.

The guard started to tremble and sweat...

"Are you addicted to Bubblebath as well?" Eston asked.

"No sir, but I heard about it."

"Then why are you so afraid?"

"I have seen the deep longing of my fellow soldiers for another bubblebath. I have participated in holding them down as they exhibited severe signs of withdrawal. It is not something I wish to experience."

Eston could not bring himself to order the guard to deliver his message and turned back to his camp.

================================================

THE LOCATION: THE SEMI-OVAL OFFICE OF ZAX CENTRE

Zaxxon was happy. That morning, he had leaped out of his bed with a heart bursting with joy. He thought, "By now, the silver tongue of Eston must be doing its work. Why, even now, the Zaxxoness must be preparing for the trip back to him!"

He felt that nothing would affect his feelings of happiness and well being. This was going to be a great and momentous day!

His thoughts were interrupted by "R2D2 wishes to see you, sir."

"Send him in"

R2D2 burst in with "Sir, I have changed the funding for the research and development projects.

"Great. Tell me abo..."

"Well, I reduced the funding for reverse speed by 5% and put the 5% into researching propulsion. This way the research into reverse speed will not be lost and we will eventually get the next level of propulsion."

Only then did R2D2 become aware of the beet-red color of Zaxxon and of the court physician pulling out an empty hypodermic needle from the arm of Zaxxon.

"Whaaaaat?" R2D2 exclaimed.

"If you value your career, I would suggest you put some more thought into the projects you are funding." the court physician interjected.

================================================
THE LOCATION: THE SEMI-OVAL OFFICE OF ZAX CENTRE
THE TIME: 2 hours later

Zaxxon was beginning to emerge from his 'short nap', when Strong-of-the-Arm Custer burst in with "I must see him!"

"Sir, we must do something!" Going to the maps, he continued, "The CCCP is showing increased activity at these three locations! We must pull our ships of the line from this location to bolster our defenses."

Zaxxon started to tremble and hyperventilate when he realized that the system Custor wanted to abandon was the system where the Zaxxoness's parents lived.

Zaxxon again felt the prick of a needle and fell into a deep sleep.

================================================
THE LOCATION: THE SEMI-OVAL OFFICE OF ZAX CENTRE
THE TIME: 3 hours later

Zaxxon had almost fully recovered from his 'inoculations', when a courtier announced that Spiii wished to see him.

Zaxxon said, "Well Spiii, I hope you have some good news!"

"No sir! We have discovered that the CCCP has subordinate allies. A number of them are assisting the CCCP with resources, ships, intelligence and God knows what else."

This time Zaxxon hardly felt the pinprick.

================================================
THE LOCATION: THE SEMI-OVAL OFFICE OF ZAX CENTRE
THE TIME: 1 hour later

"Dip-low-Mac-Sea, the minister of foreign affairs wishes to see you sir."

Zaxxon responded with a weary "Send him in"

Dip-low-Mac-Sea said, "I have some bad news, sir."

"Well, it couldn't be any worse than what has happened so far!"

"Two more empires have declared war on us."

This time a hypodermic was not necessary as Zaxxon passed out with the shock of the announcement.

[Ruatha]

Weyrling Empire - Dawn, the new beginning. 2404.5
=================================================
It was an ordinary day in the God Emperor's palace, orders were issued without being obeyed, heads were rolling and guts opened, the blod pouring out of the throne chamber, Ruatha was in a good mood.

"Send in another wench!" He screamed after having killed his Last rape victim (in full view of the 234 attending persons in the throne room).

The High Guard closest to Ruatha twicthed the wiskers in a nervous manner, the High Guard's tail whisped slowly back and forth while pressed to the floor. Suddenly the Guard reaches for his beam wepon, steps forward and points it towards Ruatha, no other High Guard seems to react.

"-Death to the tyrant", the high pitched noise of the beam blends with the splatter of God Emperor Ruatha as he is split in the middle when the Guard sweeps the beam from Ruatha's head to the floor.

Now the other High Guards finally reacts, drawing their weapons and aiming at the killer.

The former High Guard moves his warm beam weapon upwards and points it towards his own head:
"-Long live Zaxxon, ruler of all , oh, sorry, I mean.. Long live the free Weyrlings, freedom to the people!"

As he presses the trigger the high pitched noise is this time abruptly ended by the splatter of the exploding head.

[ February 21, 2003, 23:13: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

[Ruatha]

Weyrling Empire, A new sun arises. 2404.6
========================================
The provisional council was in session:
Admiral Elyssandra as acting chief of state was leading the procedings:
"-What is the state of the realm?", she asked.

"-Well", the general next to her replied, "It's quite odd, but the moral has never been higher. We belive those prone to panic were mostly killed in the recent disorders.
The Empire has responded well to the quick takeover by us military, as we have provided order.
That you Admiral has been appointed Chief of state helps, as you are seen as an honourble leader. Most remember your efforts in the short "Sons of thunder War" which you won singlehandedly with that weapon platform."

Elyssandra spoke again,
"-Good. Now we must make plans for the future. The fleet must be strenghtened. Surely some external forces might try to take advantage of the situation. Also we must send more ships to the Joint Alliance Force, so far our contribution has been laughable. We must prove ourselfs to the alliance now so that they don't turn against us.
General elections can't be held in any predictable time, I will continue as Chief of State for as long as needed.
We have already seen to a quick building program for the fleet, and we have a general defence plan for the next three years.

Now to another matter, we must find out who made us the favour of disposing of Ruatha. I'd like to thank them but of course they must be punished severly. High Guard Anjel who assasined Ruatha made a somewhat confused statement before taking his own life.
This Zaxxon he mentioned is unknown to us, it has been proposed that he might have been mad, or the sanest Wyerling around if you'd like to see it that way. Most evidence hovewer points towards the "Free Council". I'd hate to punish them as I do belive they are true patriots, but if we can't find anyone else to blame soon we will have to point the guns towards them.
If you haven't been informed of that underground movement, you ought to know that they are trying to awaken The One, these efforts are inofficially supported, but officialy we don't know of the existance of that "council".
We do know that the insanity still continues to rise in the population, the proportion of insane Weyrlings has decreased due to the recent events but the rate of affection increases. So far we haven't found any cure, and this insanity was unknown during the unity under The One.

So, to work. Strengthen the fleet, and let's find those behind Ruathas death!"

__________________________________________________ __________________________________

A public statement was made through all embassys to the alien civilizations:
Ruatha is dead, Matriarch Elyssandra now rules the Weyrlings. Death to all enemies of the Weyrling people and may their friends prosper.In the few systems in wich conflict with others might arise, the fleet strenght was raised.

[ February 21, 2003, 23:14: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

[tbontob]

THE ZAX SOCIETY
================================================

THE LOCATION: ZAXXON'S BEDCHAMBER OF ZAX CENTRE

Zaxxon was screaming.

The high chamberlain ran into the room in response to the anguished cries of his Zaxxon.

He had to shake Zaxxon with increasing roughness until Zaxxon awoke. He was wild-eyed, pale and shaking.

"You had a bad dream, Sir."

"It was so vivid, so real."

"What Sir?"

"I dreamt I was being sliced in two, from my head to my foot. Blood was everywhere!"

"Just a nightmare, Sir!"

"No, it was more than that! It was so vivid, so real...so extraordinarily real!"

"Well,..."

"What does it mean?"

"I could ask the court physician, Sir"

"Yes, ask him to come at once!"

============================================
THE LOCATION: ZAXXON'S BEDCHAMBER OF ZAX CENTRE
THE TIME: 30 MINUTES LATER.

The court physician was saying "From what you tell me it can be no more than a bad dream..."

"No, no! It was more than that!" interjected Zaxxon.

"Well, I think we can help calm you." said the court physician as he prepared a hypodermic.

Zaxxon went hysterical, "No, no. I don't want to go to sleep. I may dream it again!"

"Hmmmm. Well, if you will calm down, I will not give you an injection."

"Yes, yes. I am calm, I am calm!" said the wild-eyed Zaxxon in a trembling voice.

"But my dear Zaxxon, we need to resolve this."

Zaxxon was so disturbed that he didn't notice the court physician and the high chamberlain had moved to a corner of the bedchamber and were discussing his situation in low whispers.

"We are at a loss Sir as to how to explain this event and its significance. We will put it before the council to ascertain how we should proceed. Is there anything we can do for you, now?"

In a trembling voice, "I just wish my Zaxxoness was here now. I could relax in her..." Zaxxon stopped, turned red and amended with "I meant with her."

"Well I am confident that Eston and the Zaxxoness are on their way here at this very moment."
================================================

THE LOCATION: JUST OUTSIDE OF THE ENTRANCE TO ELSTONILE CASTLE.

Eston was starting to panic.

He called a meeting of the Zax nobility who had accompanied him on the mission.

"Well, it seems obvious that she will not meet with anyone unless it is her Zaxxon." said one noble.

Another responded with "And if we cannot meet with her, then our mission is doomed. What could we tell Zaxxon? He had such high hopes for a reconciliation."

Everyone looked at each other, hoping against hope someone had a solution.

Seconds passed. Seconds turned into minutes. Everyone had a haunted look.

"Ahem, I may have a solution." said the guard who was in charge of the flap to the tent.

"Ignore him. He is only a guard! What does he know of matters such as these!" said one of the nobles.

"Insufferable!" said another.

"Low class...

The guard persisted with "But, I may..."

"Do you want to be dishonourably discharged from the service without a pension." shouted a noble.

Eston stepped in with, "Gentlemen, gentlemen! We have not come up with a solution. I do not want to go back to the Zaxxon and tell him our mission was a failure."

When the nobles had the opportunity to digest what Eston said, he continued with "I propose we allow him to tell us his idea."

Grudgingly, the nobles saw the wisdom of Eston's words and gave permission to the guard to speak.

"Well, it seems obvious that the Zaxxoness will not meet with anyone but her Zaxxon. And the Zaxxon cannot come here. So, the only solution is to pretend the Zaxxon is here and wants to see her. Once you have an audience with her, you can plead your case."

The meeting turned into an uproar.
"That's terrible you would suggest such a...."
"To lie to the Zaxxoness..."
"You actually suggest we use deceit?
"She could lay charges if we did such a thing!"

Unanimously, the nobles turned down the guard's suggestion with utter contempt!

Sadly Eston said "I do not want to return to Zaxxon to tell him the bad news. Personally, to avoid that, I would try almost anything."

"But, I however much I would like to try it." he continued. "I cannot do it without your help."

Zaxxon concluded with "So if this mission fails, it fails because you are not prepared to risk offending the Zaxxoness."

The nobles all responded with,
"My ethics do not permit me to lie...
"It is not right!
"To even imply that we do such a thing...

To a man, the nobles agreed that they should return to Zax central forthwith.

Sadly Eston said, "Yes. I will report our failure to the Zaxxon. It is likely he will ask if we have tried everything. If he does, I will have to tell him "No." because I didn't have your support."

Eston continued with "We should realize our society is imperilled with the war with three empires. How well our society performs depends in large part on the Zaxxons health and enthusiasm."

The nobles responded with
"Maybe so, but to demand we lie..."
"My conscience will not allow it."
"Sometimes we just have to accept things."

Eston quietly said, "But I think we have a law which says that if by action or inaction a person imperils the society, he could be hung."

The nobles went into shock and then suddenly said:
"Our Zaxxons health is paramount."
"We should do our duty."
"It is only right that we do what we can to reconcile the Zaxxoness with the Zaxxon."
"I am sentimental and want to try to get these lovebirds back together."

"How do you propose we do it?" Eston asked the guard.

"Well, if it was the Zaxxon, he would be accompanied by a retinue of nobles dressed in their finest silks and literally dripping in jewels. To do less may expose you."

The guard continued with "Then, I would suggest you pretend that Zaxxon is in the litter. Make sure the litter openings are closed with silks, give the reason that the Zaxxon is ill and requires immediate attention of her physician."

"Here, here!", the nobles shouted happily, each thinking of the silks and jewels they would like to have.

Historians would write that it was not only the nobles inner sense of duty and loyalty to do the right thing and but it was their compassion for the lovebirds which unwaveringly led them to change the course of history.

[Ruatha]

Weyrlings: The Surprise.
=========================

Date 2404.9 The Weyrling Empire:

"-Why so silent?", Asked Matriarch Elyssandra and continued:
"I realise that the sudden change in the Earth alliance's stance towards us is a bit unexpected, but it's also an opportunity we must take advantage of."
"What has the intelligence service to tell us about the situation in the Earth Alliance leading up to these events?"

"-Well", the intelligence liason officer begun,
"President Sheridan seems to have disappeared, no one knows of his whereabouts. As he was the initiative taker to our military alliance, the alliance between us turned to dust the moment he disappeared. We have heard rumours of a military takeover in the Earth Alliance. It can be that the military there belives that we are weak after Ruathas death and want's to take advantage of the situation.
There has been some speculation that by launching the Early Warning system satellites in the Irith system we might have provoced this attack. Remember that the only ship lost so far is the ship that deployed those spy satellites.
The good thing about those spy satellites is that they have picked up the traces of two Earth Alliance destroyers, the Lexington I and the Claymore 4 moving towards the Kadok system. "

Matriarch Elyssandra responded:
-"These spy satellites, they are armed, right? Can they be used to defend the Kadok system?"

"-They are well armed yes. But against two destroyers? They wouldn't stand a chance. And they aren't in any defensive position anyway, they're located out in an unimportant sector in the system. The idea being that they should spy, not fight."

"Well then. It would seem that it's up to us in the military to solve the situation, as we always do.", Elyssandra replied and turned towards her military chief in command:
"What forces do we have in the region?"

"-Not that many I'm afraid. The Hunter class fighter carrier Endavour is currently loading supplies in the Kadok system. It was scheduled to depart that system next month, and then there would have been no ships there.
The Hunter class carriers are an old design. They haven't been improved since the construction almost two years ago. But still, they are the largest ships we ever built. And if I may say so, we haven't made any finer ships since!
The Endavour is carrying seven Tie Deceptors and 28 Advanced Tie fighters, the ship itself is heavily armed with two large Depleted Uranium cannons of the highest tech class.
In practice combat we've hseen that a single Hunter stocked with fighters can easily take out two of the most advanced destroyers we are able to build. So if the Earth alliance dares to enter the Kadok system they will regret it!
In the near systems we have two special ships, the PC Alpha class light cruisers Gurkan and Tomaten, they aren't that well equipped for combat but will propably take out a destroyer in one on one combat if needed."

All attention was turned towards Elyssandra as she started moving her tail from side to side, the excitement the prospect of war made in her was obvius to see.
"-So, we haven't had a good fight since the small Sons of Thunder war almost five years ago. Granted, this war didn't come were we expected. We are poorly prepared but that will only make it a bit more exciting!
It's time to get some target practice. If we're lucky we might consolidate our territory in a far more cost effective way than we had planned. This way we don't have to trade an entire system for a few albeit strategic important still economic worthless small planets.

These are the orders for this month:
One, the Endavour is to move into an defensive position and intercept the Lexington and Claymore if they enter the Kadok system.
Two, the Light cruisers Gurkan and Tomaten will be rerouted towards Kadok at highest speed, there they will join with the Endavour and create the task force "Fast Reply", the PC Alphas will defend the Endavour that will be the main offensive unit.
Three, The Intelligence service will start doing their job properly, we shouldn't have been as surprised as we were by this attack.
Four, start the construction of mine sweepers and a new offensive force in the area.
Five, probe all Earth alliance channels for a peaceful resolution to this. I'd hate to back down, but Sheridan has been our friend and for his sake we will have to try to spare some Earth Alliance lives.
Six, two of the warriors Body 2 class destroyers at Kalzeron VIII will be stocked and ready to leave next month. I'll take command of them and head into the combat zone with them.
Seven, initiate a strengthening of all borders, others might try to take advantage of this situation.
Eight, tell the scientists to look for any connections between the mind control devices and the Earth Allince, they migh have been planning this a long time.
Nine, send a request to the Central Power alliance headquarter that they stay out of this. If they join this there will be no way to stop the annihilation of the Earth Alliance, and altough we will fight, I'd rather have the Earth Alliance as neighbours than radiated ruins.

To sum this up: We will whip those Earth Alliance asses so hard they will never forget this lesson."

Rear Admiral Ayles stod up and stared at Elyssandra:
"Admiral, sorry i mean Matriarch. I'm glad that it's you who are leading us now. If Ruatha would have stayed in power we would have been doomed. You Madam has proven your combat skills before. I speak for the entire empire when I say that we are yours to command!
Let's fight!"

Everyone left the room with their tails eagerly moving from side to side.

-----------------------------------------------------------

The Free council was in session:

Marit spoke up:
"- We must speed up the attempts to awaken the one. Things are happening that must be stopped.
Rumours has it that Elyssandra turned down partnership with one of the most powerful races in the known galaxy. And now this war with the Earth Alliance. I've served with Elyssandra during the Sons of Thunder war, she is an excellent commancer but I think she is too eager to fight. She is truly military from the inside out.
I can't understand why the Earth Alliance attacked us like this! We've been friends as long as we've known them. They were one of the first races we discovered out there. I mean, if it hadn't been for them we would still be a one planet race!
We must hurry up, the madness in the empire isn't stopping. Most people don't think about it anymore since Ruatha died, but the madness still increases, without the one we are lost.

[tbontob]

Re: Zax Society - A matter of money
posted by: tbontob Posted Less than 1 min ago
Tue, Jan 28 at 05:35:59 EST

THE LOCATION: The War Room of Zax Central.

Strong-of-the-Arm Custor was finishing his monologue with "...and so our enemies have been making probes in strength all along our defensive line. Here, here, here, here, and here! We are holding, but just barely. What we don't understand is that the probes are only by the allies of the CCCP. But if this continues, they will overwhelm us! We must do something!"

The meeting broke up into an uproar.

"What do you propose?" Zaxxon asked.

In order to appear more commanding, Custor raised his body to his maximum height and said, "We should take our fastest ships and strike here! It would mean leaving our slower ships with their rapid-fire weapons behind, but if we strike fast and hard, we should win the day."

The meeting broke out in a multitude of screams and howls. Zaxxon was starting to sweat, because it was just an occasion like this that his Zaxxoness made her decision to leave for Elstonile.

After some minutes, Spiii was able to ask "And what if a strong fleet of ships of the CCCP are waiting there for you? You said they have not participated in the probing attacks."

Custor responded with, "I cannot see how they can be there! But even if some of the CCCP forces were there, we can handle them!"

"But what if they are all there?"

Custor responded with "They won't be! We must take an aggressive posture or we will surely lose the war to them. Our attempts at peace are getting us nowhere."

Spiii addressed the council with "Unfortunately, I must agree with Strong-of-the-Arm. Intelligence operations against our society have increased in both frequency and severity. They are mainly perpetrated by the CCCP's most eastern ally and we can only expect things to get worse. We need more funding to repel these espionage and sabotage assaults...."

"Is there any good news?"

Custer stepped forward with "Well, we did take a strategic Warp Point. But now, we must keep a fleet there to defend it."

THE LOCATION: The War Room of Zax Central.
THE TIME: 60 minutes later.

Zaxxon "So, we are agreed! We are not ready to conduct a major military assault! But, we will increase the tax rates on all sources of income increased in order to have sufficient funds to construct a new fleet."

Above the "Hear, hears", a minister was heard to say "I would also suggest we make it a war crime to wastefully waste the society resources!"

Above the chorus of "Hear, hears", Zaxxon asked, "Could you be more specific?"

"Yes sir! It would be a war crime punishable by hanging. That is... if anyone were caught misusing the states money or resouces in any way. To give it teeth, there would be no exceptions and no defence can be raised against it. The act of doing it would be enough!"

The "Hear, hears" reached a crescendo. Zaxxon said, "So be it. We will call it the War Measures Act."

THE LOCATION: JUST OUTSIDE OF THE ENTRANCE TO ELSTONILE CASTLE.

Eston and his retinue were planning to leave on the morrow and were busily packing their belongings in preparation for their trip to the luxury provincial capital of Sod Dum.

He asked for the name of the soldier who was so helpful.

"Loy Al tew deBone, Sir"

"Well, ask and see if he can accompany us on the journey to Sod Dum. We will make it worth his while to do so."

THE LOCATION: Sod Dum, the provincial capital.
THE TIME: A day later.

Eston was watching the excited nobles ordering their new clothes with their gold thread, pearls and precious gems inlaid into the fabric.

He was more apprehensive over the selection of rings, necklaces, bracelets, pendants and other jewellery.

He knew these noble were not rich and could not afford to pay the cost of their new clothes or their jewellery.

At first he had objected. Strenuously objected. But Loy Al tew deBone assured him that only the richest nobles accompanied Zaxxon on his trips. The Zaxxonness had a keen eye and to select anything less would risk exposure.

Eston sighed as he was being measured for clothing that was so rich, he could never pay for it even if his lifespan was quadrupled.

He reassured himself with the thought that the fate of the society depended upon him and him alone in facilitating a reconciliation of the Zaxxon with his Zaxxonness. In such circumstances, how can the society not support his actions?

Even so, Eston was shocked when he was presented with the bill!

It was enough to buy three battle cruisers of the line.

THE LOCATION: THE SEMI-OVAL OFFICE OF ZAX CENTRE

Zaxxon sighed as he contemplated the draft of the War Measures Act. "We must all make sacrifices." he said and signed the act into law.

He was tired. He was still having weird dreams, only now it was of birds and elves. So disturbing, he would wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat.

He knew the birds were significant in some way. What were they. Wrens? Starlings? And the elf had a name...what was it? Elyssandra! Wasn't Elyssandra an elf in that book the humans thought so much of...the Hobbit? No, not the Hobbit....

"What about the Zaxxonness? Why haven't I heard anything?"

R2D2 replied, "Elstonile is on the opposite end of our society, sir. It's much too early to have any communication."

"This is ridiculous! Not knowing for weeks what is happening in our empire. Can't we research an effective means of communication."

"We can", R2D2 responded "but that would mean cutting back on our research on reverse propulsion even further."

"What do you mean?" Zaxxon asked in astonishment.

"Well, 50 percent of our resources are going into researching reverse propulsion."

Only the concerned look of the court physician and the physician's act of picking up his medicine bag caused Zaxxon to refrain from exploding.

"Reduce it even further and put it into researching communications. And Spiii, see what you can learn about the god-emperor Ruatha."

"Why sir?"

"I can't explain it. I just have these weird dreams."

Zaxxon paused and then continued, "Also, post a reward of 1,000 Zaxxonites to anyone who can discover a way of communicating over long distances. Maybe that will spark enough interest to find a way to communicate with Ruatha and the Zaxxonness."

[ January 29, 2003, 00:06: Message edited by: tbontob ]

[Ruatha]

Weyrlings 2405.3
==================

The private diary of Elyssandra Eliason, Grand Admiral of the Fleet, Matriarch of the Weyrlings and Hero of the Empire.

Location: Destroyer Responder, Taskforce Elyssandra Flag.
-----------------------------------------

Standing here in my quarter staring out into space, my inside feels as empty as the view in the windows.

Problems, problems, problems. Always something that needs my attention.

Trouble is brewing everywhere.

The one thing that finally gave me some exhilaration since Ruatha’s death turned to nothing.

The Earth Alliance cruisers Lexington 1 and the Claymore 4 turned and ran as fast they could. The new leader of the Earth Alliance started talking of peace and restoration of the alliance almost before we knew the alliance was dissolved.

No combat for me and my fleet this time it seems. We can’t really blame them for the destruction of the spy ship, it wasn’t supposed to be there, and it was an Earth alliance system after all.

Deniability, we can’t even mourn our lost crew in public, they never existed.

We must go and retrieve the remnants of that ship; we owe it to that crew. I really hate those mines. Now we’ve lost five ships to these mines throughout our history. No enemy in sight and then unexpected death.

Never again. I shouldn’t have let that ship face those mines alone, they should have had mine sweepers with them, what was I thinking of? Ordering the intelligence service to increase surveillance but not instructing them how! Always, Always specify what you want done Elyssandra, into every detail, do never forget that again!! But who could have expected the Earth Alliance to cancel the Military Alliance, it had Lasted for so long!

I should have expected it, never trust anyone but yourself!

But, alas. New threats are looming at the horizon. Oh to feel combat again and rid the mind of all thoughts. The initial anticipation and exhilaration turning towards fear as the enemy approaches, then nothing, cold as ice inside when the guns start vibrating through the hull and the shields screech while trying to fend of the incoming fire. And finally, the liberating victory, to still be alive contrary to all expectations before the engagement.

Those who made me hero of the empire don’t know the fear I felt as the Sons of Thunder Destroyer approached my small weapon platform, statistically we would have been dead within minutes. Pure luck I think, ingenious strategic and tactical mastermind, the military headquarter called it.

Combat. It might not be as far away though even if the Earth Alliance turned and ran home. The Central Power headquarter is controlling half our fleet at this moment. Operation Sledgehammer is proceeding as planned. I might just get there in time to take control of the Weyrling part of the operation.

Although no one doubts the success of the operation it’s still one of the most dangerous situations we’ve put ourselves in, not even the lunatic Ruatha posed such a threat to the empire.

This operation will make a massive resource drain on the empire, if the FMA attacked during the operation we wouldn’t stand a chance. But so far they do seem to be preoccupied, let’s hope that continues.

I’ve given the diplomatic corps the mission to forge a new treaty organization, the JOint DEfence Treaty organization (JODET), that ought to alleviate any threat of an FMA attack.


Seeing this empty space outside makes my thoughts wander. I haven’t seen Illian, loved husband for three months, my heart aches. It’s probably for the best though. I can’t stand hurting him anymore, so this separation is a relief as well. I must divorce him, I know that, but I cannot, cannot, it hurts so much!

If only he knew how much I love him, but he mustn’t be allowed to realize that.

Oh, Illian, how did it come to this, we were always so good to each other. And now the empire has parted us. As always we must do our best for the empire, after all, there must be a place left for our children to grow up in.

I remember when I first realized you were in the underground movement. Your confused scientific mind could never keep such a secret from an organized officer as me. You kept leaving compromising documents lying on your desk plain to see. I burned so many of them, yet you never wondered what had happened to them, knowing you, you had probably forgotten they existed. I’m glad all the children had moved out, they would have known instantly as well, had they still lived at home.

I didn’t know what to do in the beginning. My duty to the empire would have made me report you. Ruatha would probably have had us both killed then, still that wouldn’t have stopped me. But my love for you did, 34 years together and you can still spark that fire in my heart.

I couldn’t tell you either, you would never have continued in the underground then and risked my life.

After reading your documents I started understanding what you were doing and why, and I do agree, The One must be awakened. Only you have the mind needed to finish that task. That was what most attracted me so long ago, your smart head, always running hot with ideas and thoughts.
So what was I to do then? I started distancing myself from you, turning away in bed, not answering when you spoke to me at dinner. You have tried to talk to me about our relationship but I always refused. Hurrying to work, saying that the affairs of the empire were more important than you, I lied. You are most important to me by far, but if you don’t awaken The One I’m sure I’d loose you anyway. The imaginative ones are easier targets for the madness it seems.

The whole empire is about to crumble and fall in upon itself, I’ve seen the madness spread.

These Ruathians must be a sign of the madness, more people are worshipping him now than when he was alive. And then it was mandatory, you were obliged by law to worship him.
Now I heard they want to build a huge statue of Ruatha holding a shoe in his hand, they must be mad!

I’ll have my secretary draw up the papers for the divorce and send them to you. It will probably come as a shock to you, but I can’t go on seeing you everyday, loving you and at the same time trying my best to hurt you. If I’m lucky I might get killed in this Sledgehammer operation.

I’ve heard they’ve made a new flagship for me, the Indestructible. So it doesn’t look like I’ll have that escape route, damn!

What I’d really want to do is to take you with me on a starship, we’d fight our way out to the unexplored west. Rumours says that there are strange civilisations out there. And great wars. Nothing substantial, probably mostly drunken bar imagination, but the CCCP ambassador looked a bit embarrassed when he denied that they were at war, so who knows. I heard my crew telling stories they’ve picked up in bars while speaking to CCCP traders. There was this story about these funny aliens, dying from bubble baths!. What we do not know, we make up histories about! You’d love that story Illian!

If we can get all known civilisations to sign up on the JODET maybe we will get permission from the CCCP and the Ghouls to explore the far west after you’ve awakened The One, if you still want me then.

Trying to kid myself! I’m Matriarch of the Weyrling Empire, spanning over more than hundred of inhabited worlds. When will I get opportunity to go exploring? This might be the Last time I ever get on a spaceship. So I won’t turn back to Kalzeron anytime soon if I have a say. And as Matriarch, I do believe I have some power to wield!

Those Ghouls. They scare me. Their harsh attitude, always angry, never friendly.

Can there ever be peace with such as those?

No, I’ll drop all these thoughts and go out to the bridge. This young inexperienced crew will jump at the opportunity of an unexpected combat exercise. I’ll contact the destroyer CP Refound and order them to make an attack round on us, that’ll take my mind of these idle useless thoughts. Oh, Illian, I miss you so.

[ February 21, 2003, 23:27: Message edited by: Ruatha ]