History of the Galaxy, part 1-Story Thread

[TerranC]

Wow. Very Very Epic.

Keep up the good work eh?

[Jmenschenfresser]

2403.1
Tallik's work is long finished on Arklite I; however, the Elders have decided, possibly inadvertantly, to leave us here. Neither Tallik, nor I, have the slightest clue as to why. So much has happened these Last 6 months. I pray that good will come out of this somewhere. Sometimes the Almighty uses death and evil to teach or bring about a greater good that could not have come about of it's own. So it is.

Almost as soon as we arrived on Arklite I to begin our work on the satellites, the Connecticut warship sent to explore beyond the Sallega Empire was attacked by a fearless, evil race called the Xi'Chung. We now have no doubt it was the Xi'Chung that the Sallega warned us about. I read what I wrote just 6 short months ago about greed and faithlessness, and as much as I want to deny it in a post script, nothing else can explain the actions of the Elders and the Priests. I wonder if being exposed to the galaxy and its wonders has not reverted us all back to the mongers and killers our ancient ancestors were. I've read several Versions, including the official report and transcript, sent to Tallik. It would seem that just as our ship was about to move from Narcisston and into what is the homesystem of the Xi'Chung, Organtrix, a Xi'Chung war ship exited the warp point directly ahead of it. No doubt this ship was bound for the Sallega colonies or possibly the homeworld, and in stopping it, we no doubt assisted the ransacked Sallega, inadvertantly as it was. Here are bits of the log:

"Captain, something's exiting the warp point...."
"I see it. Looks like a ship. Is it from the Sallega?"
"It bares no markings we've ever seen."
"Prepare to move out of its way."
"Captain!"
LOUD THUNDER CLAP
"Did they just?......."
"Yes, sir"
"Return fire...all cannons and missles! She who bent the first bow, guide our judgement."
"They are turning...direct hits all along their side."
"Captain, they are behind us..."
"Stay the course!"
"But they'll......
"Firing again! Incoming!....."
ANOTHER CRASH
"Captain, we've lost all of our engines and several uranium cannons have been damaged."
"We need those engines Online!"
"We're drifting into the warp point."
"That is the Last place we need to escape to....into the lion's den."
"Can we use our docking thrusters to maneuver?"
"Negative...the gravity of the warp point it too strong."
"Where's the ship?"
"Gone sir"
"Gone!"
"Yes, sir. One of our missles found its mark."
"Thank the Almighty!"

Unfortunately, the Connecticut drifted into the warp point and vanished into Xi-Chung space. There it met a colony ship which was waiting no doubt to infest the Sallega system with its evil offspring. Our ship fired on the colony ship, poking a hole in its bio-sphere. The crew watched as the colony ship turned and fled, far outpacing our limping vessel, venting air and millions of lives like dust, sucked out into space.

At about this time, our Priests for Foreign Affairs sent a message to the Sallega, not necessarily asking for military assistance, but for repairs, if the Connecticut was able to escape from Organtrix. They rerouted the energy to one engine and were thus able to turn and begin the slow approach to the warp point. As it neared the warp point, several sleek new Xi'Chung warships swooped in from above and tore the Connecticut to shreads. The Sallega relayed the Last Messages of the Connecticut to us. I will not relay them further and leave them out of this report. What letters comprise such sounds? Only the Almighty and the beast guarding the underworld know.

The Sallega kindly offered free resupply to our ship were it to return; however, we were not able to provide a means through which they might fullfill their offer of charity. Perhaps in the future. The Sallega are a brave and charitable people. At the first sign of distress, they sent several of their warships to the aid of our vessel; however, it was the Will of She who orders the universe, which brought them to its aid after the fact. They have reported to us that the very same vessels which destroyed our ship, are themselves space dust. The Xi'Chung are an evil race. The High Priest has discussed announcing holy war against them. No doubt, the universe would be a better place without them. We've promised to help the Sallega in their battle against the Xi. We asked our allies to help, but they refuse. I personally must wonder...our allies value peace but do they not know, peace is a fragile thing...it must be protected...with war if needs be.

Maybe once the Xi'Chung plasma bomb the CueCappa homeworld, we'll see more cooperation against such threats.

Now I come full circle and speak again of greed. I want to see the Knowledge spread about the world as much as anyone. I would be on the first ship to the other end of the galaxy. However, it has been said by the prophet, Huyrak, that the servant lowers himself to raise others, and the master lowers others to raise himself. Our ship of the Rhode Island class has moved beyond the Amon'krie system of Hwansul and into Cephedri, where a curious race, the Xintis live. On the way, our ship exited the warp point and found itself in the middle of a battle between the Farzah and the Amon'krie. We have trade treaties with both of these empires, so their anger was not toward us. Our ship skirted the skirmish (I do so love tongue twisters) and saw the Amon'krie loop around the Farzah ship laying missles to her like rain at mid-summer. Our ship escaped unharmed.

It began transmitting to the Xintis. Their system was filled with four large M class planets--the perfect place for the Norak to colonize. We asked for their permission to colonize, but they refused. We asked for a non-aggression pact, but they refused. As their warships closed in on the unarmed Rhode Island, we warned them about attacking the emmissay of the Almighty. Just as our ship was about to return to Amon'krie space, one of their ships closed within attack range and fired. The Rhode Island did not stand a chance.

Since then, it has been decreed that all non-colony ships must have some kind of weapons systems. The High Priest has declared the Xintis to be an enemy of She who walks on stars. Our fleet of Connecticut's has been prepped and readied. Four of them have been sent, along with a support of two colony ships, for a one-way journey to Cephedri. Their orders are to physically subdue the Xintis and establish a base of operations there. Only She who holds the keys to the underworld can judge a being in its entirety. Not I, not Tallik, and not even the High Priest. I think mercy should have first been shown to the Xintis. The Almighty avenges the deaths of her martyrs, sure enough as the Xibanian sun rises. More of an attempt should have been made to win them for Good! But there is little stopping the wheels of the Theocracy once they reach the apex of a hill. We assume the Xintis know we are coming. I think the haste of this decision speaks to the conviction that this decision is not a full measure of justice, but rather a mixed cup...a cheap wine...tainted by greed for distant riches and open fields for our children.

Does not the law speak of protection of the weak? I doubt in the long run, the Xintis have a chance of keeping us from their system. The strong who push the weak are not sent by the Almighty. She will judge the greed of this race.

Because of our numerous trade pacts, the mineral stock piles of the empire are again rising, and even exceeding previous levels. Tallik says we can support a fleet four times its present size. I have no doubt about that. He has shown me the specs for the newest Norak warships, dubbed Utah. Destroyer classes, weighing in at 300k. They boast longer range Uranium cannons, missles and what scientists call "shields." These shields form a barrier of energy around the ship, stopping every weapon known to us from penetrating them. Eventually they fail, but I have been told it would take more than 3 capital missles to make this happen. Perhaps this technology will deter future battles. I sure hope so. Tallik is also experimenting with a new beam weapon, an anti-proton beam. So far they are weaker than our present cannons, but he predicts that in a year's time, they may make the uranium cannon obsolete. Furthermore, our scientists are working on a merge of the latest technology with spiritual powers. I am not sure what the outcome of this research will be. To a common mind such as mine, I cannot imagine the combination. Many think technology and science is an antithesis to religion. If it were, we would not be on space ships preaching to the galaxy, but still there are those who call it blasphemy and all sorts of ugly things.

...

Tallik has just informed me that we are to make ready. We are returning to Xiban to test the newest Utah class ships. Several have recently come Online. I am now reluctant to go...for personal reasons...but that is for another time.

[ 20 March 2002: Message edited by: Jmenschenfresser ]

[ 20 March 2002: Message edited by: Jmenschenfresser ]

[geoschmo]

Year 2404.5

Mr and Mrs Reabarts
Lundara City, Vinton Province

Dear Mom and Dad,

How are things going at home? Things here are fine. I don't want you all to worry about me. With the ships we have now stationed at the wormhole we can handle anything the bugs throw at us. And more ships arrive every month.

Admiral Grandow's plan to stop the Xi raiders before they reach the colonies is a good one. We feel like we are doing something, rather than just scramblling around the system chasing the enemy ships. Our own captain Davic was the one who spotted the one flaw in the strategy. That was blockading the wormhole with missle ships. He realized that we could get more of a jump on the enemy ships coming through if we retrofitted the ships with particle cannons instead. Almost the entire fleet has been retrofitted now.

The Last few months since I visted you have been very routine. Almost every month the bugs send through a ship or two, testing our defenses. We scramble, and blow them out of space. Every once in a while one of their new bio-seekers gets through and hits one of our ships. But since we established the perimeter, we haven't lost any more vessels. I didn't tell you at the time because I didn't want to worry you, but that was the reason for the suprise visit a while back. The Crimsala had taken minor damage and we were in for repairs.

We've even destroyed two Sergetti ships. From what I hear they haven't formally declared war yet, but I don't think it will be long. The politicians back home probably think there is still hope for a treaty with them, but they don't see the way they come at us. Besides, if they aren't allied with the bugs, what are they doing coming at us through bug space, I say.

We heard that the Amonkrie finally agreed to join us and the Norak against the Xi. That's all well and good, but I'm still waiting to see the first one of either of their ships at the wormhole. Our captain says they are fighting them in other systems, but I don't know anything about that. Maybe you have heard something from cousin Lewis? I heard that he was part of the research team in Cephredi. If the bugs come at us from another direction, it'll have to be through there.

I don't know anything for certain, but I'd say that inside of the year we will be going on the offensive. I don't see how we can just keep waiting for the bugs here. We are going to have to take the fight to them and put an end to this thing one way or the other. Whenever it happens, I'll be ready.

Stay safe. Don't worry about me. I'll be home to see you when I can.

All my Love.

Ensign Nathaniel Reabarts
Weapons technician, third class
S. S. S. Crimsala (Bintulu class attack frigate, 0006)

[Jmenschenfresser]

2404.3
I do hate it when I am right. I hate it when I am right about the actions of our blessed state. Tallik and I are again on the homeworld. We have been for sometime. I sit in my study, listening to the bustle of the street below, and I cannot imagine silence. The silence of Cephedri II must freeze one's ears. Greed is utter faithlessness. You see, all real depravity and waste finds its first fruits in faithlessness. Still the head's of state sit in the squares and temple yards, beating themselves, asking for forgiveness. Rightfully so. Millions are dead because of their greed. Greed even for a nation as a whole is evil; the difference being, a nation pays.

On my Last post, a fleet had been sent to Cephedri. One fleet to colonize and one fleet to enforce the colonization. The Zynarra Holding to whom Cephedri rightfully belongs had rejected all of our deals and proposals. Simply put, they wanted nothing to do with us. Perhaps some false reputation preceeded us? Perhaps another nation, wanting Cephedri all for itself placed lies in their heads? Or perhaps they hate the Almighty? In anycase, we asked again and again, to be allowed to colonize one of the Cephedri worlds.

After being refused, the elders and the ministers and the priests hardened their minds and their souls became like daggers in their own breasts. The Almighty had shown us this salvation from our trapped status. Surely the Texts must find their ways beyond the bounds of this small corner of the galaxy. Surely the Almighty would deliver a colony for us to use as a staging point. Not to the disobedient!

After reaching Cephedri, and being greeted by 4 Zynarran warships of the destroyer class, some began to wonder if we could pull this off. By this time several Utahs were on their way to reinforce the initial fleet. First the fleet of colony ships returned to Amon'krie space expecting war. After a month and the Zynarra backing down, the colony fleet returned and both made their way to Cephedri II. As our ships passed the largest planet in the system, our scanners noticed a Sallega outpost on the planet. I personally doubt that the Sallega have turned the Zynarra against us; however, many think just that. They aided us when our ship fell victim to the XiChung. And on that note, our repeated requests for fellow empires to assist against the Xi'Chung have for the most part, fell on deaf ears.

The fleet reached the planet and one of the colonizers set up a temporary colony on the surface of Cephedri II. 34 million terra-formers began the long chore of building the facilities to resupply our warships. The vice-roy of the colony began sending pictures and stories about the beauty of the flora and fauna on the planet. He called it "promised." I don't remember being promised anything. The greatest teachers, at best, have only been promised misery and death...never beauty and wild streams and tasty nature.

The story goes, that only a few days prior, the colonists were able to get the makeshift sensor array up and running. The guarding fleet was on the other side of the planet, when a Zynarra fleet of four destroyers were picked up flying toward the colony. Fleet Admiral Bullar was quick to act. The four Connecticuts accelerated and rounded the planet quickly. By that time the four Zynarra ships had closed half the distance to the planet. Bullar ordered all missles into open space; however, he made the bad move in not staying out of range of the Zynarras short ranged anti-proton beams. Several of their ships opened fire. Bullar couldn't keep track of the number of beams hitting his ships. The beams of the Zynarra weren't very powerful, but the sheer amount was enough to immediately convince that no one was getting out without a limp. Bullar ordered his fleet to move across, in front of Cephedri II and draw their fire. For several volleys this worked until one of Bullar's ships had to retreat having lost all capability to fight. This left a gap in the crossing fleet. Only two Zynarra ships remained in fighting condition. One was already space dust. But a third distracted the fleet while his sister ran Bullar's defenses and opened fire on Cephedri II. His proton beams struck the colony and triggered an atomic bLast. The 34 million colonists were instantly vaporized. Bullar's ship was limping from three proton bLasts to his engines. He ordered his ships to close the gap, and in doing so they trapped the ship right above the atmosphere. As the other Zynarra ship turned to help, Bullar crushed the trapped ship. Bullar was now down to two ships. His was nearly done for and the other had lost several cannons. Bullar decided to use his own ship as a decoy and lead the attack, hoping the final Zynarra ship would fire at him leaving the other ship free to strike unmolested. The plan worked perfectly...well, all but for Bullar himself. His ship took four direct hits sending it spiralling down on the z-axis (go figure). Bullar was killed when the deck of the bridge collapsed down into the body of the ship. The Last ship seeing the flag ship out of commission returned fire. The Zynarra trying to run was struck several times, but eventually out ran the Last armed Connecticut.

With Bullar dead and the colony destroyed the fleet, still comprised of four ships, had no way to make repairs. So the second colony ship was unwisely sent to recolonize the planet. All four ships had suffered more than 75% damage. Some were left without bridges, some without engines, some without weapons, and overall were left without an Admiral. The first Battle of Cephedri II cost the Norak 34 million colonists and 2139 crew, of which 274 were officers. May the Almightly not judge the puppets as harshly as the masters.

Three days later, the second Battle of Cephedri II took place. Apparently, Bullar had managed the destruction of most of the Zynarra fleet...the better part at least. Our frigates had defeated their destroyers 1 to 1. They returned with two frigates and another destroyer. From this, and Tallik agrees, there isn't much to tell. The colonists were again destroyed and the four strewn, defenseless Connecticuts were dispatched quite easily. We lost 68 million colonists! 68 Million! And four brave crews! Tallik says it was a failed mission from the beginning. Without a treaty from the Zynarra, they did not stand a chance.

With fire and brimstone and photon beams the Almighty will bring us again to the soft underbelly of the Zynarra. They must be judged! and they will. But the senseless deaths of so many, just to come to such a conclusion cannot be easily forgiven. Who do we help but ourselves when we iinfringe upon the Zynarra? The life of the Norak is the life a servant. Many have lost their jobs. Tallik has been asked to take part in the assessment of a return to Cephedri. The Templars, our defense fleet, has been moved up to a forward position. I've argued, that a better road to the rest of the galaxy might lie through Sallegaian space. However, Tallik is pressing for immediate response. Either way is war. Neither the Xi'Chung nor the Zynarra will let us pass through their territories freely. He doesn't suggest this out of foolish anger, but he estimates since our attack on the Zynarra weakened their fleet, a return now, would find them in no state to resist. But it is well known, and known to Tallik, that a return with warships must be accompanied or followed by terra-formers. The High Priest has called for a crusade. All who go have the blessing of She whose incense burns forever. A minimal consort of colonists will depart for Cephedri, if the Templars do indeed reign in the Zynarra.

As over some areas of government, the people lament signs of foolishness, others areas show wisdom and progress. In a joint project the Amon'krie and ourselves have instructed one another on the process of colonization. Now our exploration minister is in possession of ships which can terra-form ice planets. We've learned to melt the icelayers into seas and oceans. Already several planets have been so colonized.

Our brothers, the CueCappa, have joined with us in a military pact. We see no reason why we should not rely on one another for defense. Our worlds pass near each other. We have colonies in their homesystem, so an attack on one is an attack on two. This marriage will prove wise in the long run. For the Norak, it gives us a buffer zone and a pact of free movement within the CueCappa sectors. We've even instituted an agreement of mutual supply. Surely, this helps to extend the reach of the Almighty's servants. At the Last census, it has been estimated that a full 15% of the CueCappa population follow our religion. It is easily the largest religion they have...seeing that everyone else believes in nothing but the hard work of their own hands.

On one of the ice planets in Lundra, we've located and analysed what seems to be a civilization frozen in the lower layers of the surface. Quite a lot of information has been gained--we've learned how to further maximize the extraction of radioactive material from the planets we inhabit and we've found ways to strengthen our uranium cannons. What gifts!

Perhaps the foolishness is over. Perhaps, but I doubt it. I long to return to Arklite I. I personally established a small school there for all who wish to attend. I am quite fond of my pupils there, and wish to return. Perhaps, once the fleet is ready to move, Tallik and I will be transfered back to Arklite. Pellwain is eager to move on to new tasks. She is a traveller at heart, a sojourner, and she has been on Xiban IV for 3 years. Perhaps. I do so hope she refrains from signing up for the next one-way trip to Cephedri. "One-way trip." Is that negative talk? Faithless? We shall see. The great road to the galactic center runs right through Zynarra space. Unlucky them.

[Story Junkie]

Links/Bump!
[EDIT: By SJ, not me, but Suicide]

[ 23 March 2002: Message edited by: Story Junkie ]

[geoschmo]

Year 2405.2

Are you a healthy man or woman between the ages of 17 and 24?
Are you looking for a career with excitment, adventure, and plenty of room for advancment?
Do you want to make a difference with your life?

Join the Space Marines and help take the fight to the Bugs!

Earn the respect and gratitude of your friends and family. And take home 495 a month after taxes doing it. No advanced education or experince required. Visit your local recuiting office today.

Your republic needs you!

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

Grandow reviewed the invasion plans. He had already made the final decision to go with the plan, and construction had begun on the combat vehicles two months before. Recruiting was well underway on all of the colonies. There had been no shortage of volunteers to join the newly commisioned Space Marines.

Casualty estimates varied wildly. Most of his advisors believed that the invasion would be sucessful, but the cost to the first wave of troops was likely to be horendous. The first phase would come next month when the fleet moved through the warp point to Organtrix. Once there a beachhead of sorts would be set up. Information would be needed about bug fleet strength and defenses. To do that we would need eyes in the bug system.

The plan allowed for three months before phase two, to allow for repairs to the fleet before moving on to the ground assault. Time would also be neeeded to revise the plans if it turned out the Xi'Chung homeworld, the primary target, were too heavily defended. If it became neccesary, one of the smaller colonies would be invaded first. This would give the Sallegans a base of operations in bug space. This would also demonstrate to the bugs the predicament of their situation.

They were almost totally isolated now. Along with the Norak and the Amonkrie, the Sergetti had agreed to a non-aggression pact with the Republic now and had declared war on the Xi. The only race known to have peaceful relations with the bugs now was the Cue Cappa. But they didn't fight with anybody it appeared. Despite all this, the Xi had refused the latest ultimatum to cease attacks in the Narciston system.

It was clear that the Queen was not open to negotiation. For whatever reason, she was bent on the destruction of the Sallegan race. This could not be allowed to happen. If it took the complete subjugation of the Xi'Chung race, that is how it would have to be.

Time was of the essence. The war with the Xi must be resolved before the conflict between the Zynarra and the Norak got out of hand. Offers had been made to mediate that dispute, and so to keep the support of the Sallegans two closest allies.

Also there were concerns in the research and development front. The Sallegan researchers had discovered it was possible to build space mines which were difficult to detect and could do considerable damage. So far we had not developed the technolgoy to sweep these mines. It is not clear whether the Xi have developed these mines yet, but they cannot be allowed to do so before the invasion.

The achealogical discovery in Cephredi had yielded fuit. The remains were in fact of an ancient civilization. Furthermore the technology was discoverd to build massive planetary energy shields. Currently the Sallegans do not have the resources or space to build these, but it is a technology valued highly by our allies. Enough so that they were willing to trade ship construction technology. The Sallegans were now capable of building 400Kt space vessels. This put them on a par with every known race.

But the invasion could not wait for these ships to be constructed. Plans were designed, and keels laid. But the fleet would have to make do with what they had now. The timing was too critical to do otherwise.

[ 25 March 2002: Message edited by: geoschmo ]

[geoschmo]

Year 2405.8

The fleet entered the Xi home sector in perfect spider formation, then all hell broke loose. The Xi had kept one Donetsk class destroyer in orbit, along with a dozen defense sattelites. Preliminary scans showed the bugs had 10 weapons platforms on the planet armed with standard CSM's. Those would be the priority. The ships and sats were an annoyance that had to be dealt with, but those platforms could stop the assault in it's tracks.

The Bareilly troop transport fell back well out of danger while the attack ships moved in to clear the way. The bug destroyer moved out to meet them, and suddenly broke right and attempted to move around the Sallega formation. Captain Davic recognized what they were doing in an instant.

"They are heading for the transport. All ships, break formation! Beta group, set an intercept course. Don't let that destroyer get in range of those marines. Ram him if you have too! Alpha group, form on me. Full speed ahead."

One destoryer was no match for the entire Sallegan fleet of 11 friagets and destoryers, but against the 3 ships of beta group, the odds weren't quite so bad. The bug ship was destoryed in a hail of missles and particle bLasts, but not before critcally damaging one ship and slightly damaging another. But the transport was safe, and that was the priority.

As Alpha group closed within range of the planet, the first Chang Rai destroyer let loose it's salvo of missles at the planet. They were follwed closly by the rest of Alpha group. The Sallegnas missles outranged the Xi's, but the ships closing in got in the Xi's range before their own missles impacted on the planet. Thirty blips appeared on the tactical display as the bug missles soared up from the planet below.

"All point defense, fire at will!" As the cannons opened up on the incomming wave of missles, the ships moved within range of their own particle cannons. The first round of Sallegan missles had found their marks, but there were still 6 weapon platforms operational, and the 12 sattelites to deal with. Suddenly the Dannak was rocked by twin explosions as the surviving Xi missles impacted on the lead ships in the fleet. The frigate to the left was struck 5 times and went up in a massive fireball. The Destroyer to the right of the Dannak also suffered multiple hits, but it's larger size allowed it to keep together. It wheeled away from the battle, to damaged to be of any use.

As the Aksu and Dannak turned and began firing on the Xi sattelites, the remainder of the fleet opened up with particle cannons and missles on the surface of the planet. The remaining weapons platforms were destroyed, but not before launching another wave of missles. Damaged by the first wave, and the particle cannon fire from the sattelites, the fleet did not have enough point defense to deal with the entire second wave of incoming missles. Two more frigates were destroyed, and third critically damaged. It was picked off by the Last remaining Xi sattelites, shortly before they were in turn destroyed.

The damage was extensive. Four frigates destroyed, five other ships heavily damaged, including the S.S.S Dannak. But the damaged ships could be reapaired in time, and the Aksu and three other ships were somehow not even hit in all the chaos. And most importantly, the Xi homeworld now lay before them undefended.

The marines came in to do their job. The transport moved into low orbit and launched the landing craft. They disperesed throughout the major population centers. Resistance was stiff, and causalties among the marines reached almost 40%, but in the end, they were victorious, and the planet was subdued.

The capitol had been lightly damaged in the attack. The worst news was that the space yard facility had been destroyed. It would be five months before it could be made operational and put to work repairing the fleet.

The Queen, seeing her empire coming to an end, commited ritual suicide as the marines attempted to take her into custody. The remaining Xi drones quickly submitted to marine authority at that point, and the battle for Organtrix IX had ended.

The only thing left was to deal with the other two Xi colonies. What ships could make way loaded the bulk of the marine force and made way for Organtrix IV, the smaller of the two remaining Xi worlds in the Organtrix system. But a few days before they arrived, the remainder of the Xi'Chung empire surrendered to the Norak.

The war was over.