The Walkers, updated 9-28-03

[Mudshark]

I'm enjoying this story Chewy.

[chewy027]

Thanks Mudshark...here's a little more...

Phong Confederation 18th place
Rebel Alliance 17th place
Terran Confederation 16th place
Vandron Empire 6th place
Aquilaeian Empire 3rd place
Klingon Empire 2nd place
Star Empire of Romii 1st place

2406.3 – 2406.5 ~ More Thoughts

The following is an excerpt from the journal of Lord Chagnon:

The analysis of the Rebel ship provided us with more information than even Junon expected. From it we were able to adapt our point defense weaponry to a more powerful model and we were able to configure our engines to be more efficient. We learned of meson bLasters, an energy pulse weapon, and most importantly of all, we were able to analyze the construction of the ship to develop our own light cruisers. We immediately designed the Wrath Class attack ship to supplement the tiny vessels in our fleet. These ships immediately went into production around the cluster, so that if the Aquilaeians do attack us, we will stand a greater chance of beating them back. Junon was also able to finish up his own research into combat support and a more powerful PPB, both of which were implemented in the new Wrath light cruisers. It was then decided to begin research into a new type of engine as well as more efficient repair droids. Junon believes that he can develop an entirely new engine that will grant us greater speed and efficiency then the current ion variety as well as a droid that can repair two components per tenth without a space yard present. We shall see.
After the bloody combat aboard the Rebel battle cruiser, Major Evon and his troops were given a grand welcome on Alpha Leo Prime and hailed as heroes by the people there. Indeed they should be, for if it were not for their heroic efforts aboard that ship the colony may not even be there today. Evon and the other survivors refused to be coddled, however, and requested immediate transfer to another Overtaker Vessel. We granted them this request and they are now en route to Overtaker Three in the Host of Heaven battle group, one of the ships under Admiral Nefta’s command. Nefta herself has been patiently waiting in the Parvenium System for any Rebels to make their way through either of the wormholes leading into that system. She is perhaps our best fleet commander; however, I fear her lust for vengeance. Only the Almighty truly knows how her fate will play out.
Exnon tells me that the colony ship has reached Bastion and has begun a colony there. Captain Impo will construct the essential facilities: a space yard and resupply depot, and raise a fleet for himself there. If the Aquilaeians want a fight, we’ll be prepared to give it to them. Impo will use his ships to sweep through the southern cluster eradicating the large, but undeveloped, Aquilaeian presence there. Of course, if all goes poorly, we will make our way to Bastion and try to fight our way back from there.
A colony ship has also reached another “Ruin World.” I don’t know if it was because Impo was not with this ship, but they didn’t find any new technologies to salvage. There were more mysterious ruins and clues to the great race that had once inhabited the planet, but nothing overly concrete. If this race is indeed where the Almighty came from then we still have much to learn.
Meanwhile, Mandron has continued talks with each of the races that we have come in contact with. He made some progress, though for the most part, relations remain relatively unchanged with each. He has tried very hard to induce the Star Empire of Romii to agree to a partnership with us, but they continue to refuse. Something tells me that they will agree to a partnership only when they are ready for it. However, the Rebel Alliance, surprisingly, begged us to sign a peace treaty with them, in the form of a trade alliance, after we captured their vessel. We have given them the benefit of the doubt and accepted their plea, though we have made it clear that any hint of treachery will result in a severe response from us. The Klingons continue to make idle threats as they haven’t even tried to attack us. Mandron believes that they are located in the southeastern star cluster, and hence are not in a position to bring much force against us. At the same time, Mandron has confirmed our long time speculations that there was another race on the cluster to the northeast of us. We finally made contact with the Phong Confederation. They are not a very powerful race, though we don’t know much more about them than that. Mandron initially brokered a trade alliance with them with the expectation that they would eventually become a partner to us, which they did within three tenths. At least we are making allies as quickly as we are making enemies.
Finally, Defcon reports that the Rebel Colony in the Gliese System has been wiped out by the Aquilaeians. This puts to rest one threat in that system, but sheds light on just how brutal these Aquilaeians are prepared to be. It was hoped that if war would come that at least it could be conducted away from the innocent civilians on these worlds. If the Aquilaeians will burn an enemy world that doesn’t even pose a threat to them, then I can only imagine what they will do with our worlds should they have the opportunity to harm them.
Defcon has also reported that with the neutralization of the Rebel battle cruiser, he feels there is no need to divert the Gliese Protectorate back into the Alpha Leo System. I have agreed to this, simply because of the threat from the Aquilaeians. Strategically, Gliese is much more important then Alpha Leo. The planets in that system are now capable of building their own fleet and have commenced with that. In time, Alpha Leo will have its own Protectorate to take care of any Lasting Rebel problems. However, I have one great concern with those two systems; it has been reported that a great fleet of Aquilaeian ships has been spotted numerous times in and around those systems. The strength of this fleet has exceeded twenty-five ships, nearly all of which are at or above frigate size. If this fleet were to attack either of those systems I do not think they could Last long, especially since their ships are nearly all equipped with those damn self-destruct devices. Our only hope is to draw it into either the Parvenium System or the Halifax System, our home system. Here we have the strength to defeat such a fleet, but the battle would most likely be severe. In the simulations that have been run, we have an equal chance for victory and defeat. Let us hope that the Almighty will favor us if and when that time ever comes. In the meantime, we will continue to build up our fleet in expectation of the inevitable confrontation that awaits us.

[chewy027]

Phong Confederation 18th place
Terran Confederation 17th place
Rebel Alliance 14th place
Abbidon Enclave 7th place
Vandron Empire 6thplace
Klingon Empire 3rd place
Aquilaeian Empire 2nd place
Star Empire of Romii 1st place

2406.6 – 2407.8 ~ Humdrum

“It’s been too quiet,” thought Admiral Nefta as she sat in her command chair staring off into space. “I know the Aquilaeians are going to try something, they have too large a presence in our systems not to. Yet, as the tenths pass they continue to go on their way barely even noticing us. It simply makes no sense. What is the wisdom in tying up resources by stationing ships in our systems? Perhaps they’re just trying to scare us into not trying anything ourselves. But that makes no sense; they know that we would never initiate a war. No, the only reasonable answer is that they plan to attack. So we must be ready.” She had been having these discussions with herself for over a year now. Tactically, the Aquilaeian presence made no sense other then to position themselves for an attack, and yet the attack had not come. This is what bewildered Nefta because the Vandron fleets grew stronger by the tenth. They became larger, faster, more powerful, and better defended as each day went by, and the Aquilaeian threat began to look less and less like a threat at all. Yet deep down Nefta knew that the real reason she was tired of waiting for an attack was that she herself yearned to continue the fight to avenge her sister. To Nefta it did not matter how many victories she won against the Terrans or the Rebels or Aquilaeians. All she knew was that they were responsible, maybe not directly, but it was their fault that she was dead. It was simply the way that these galactic powers operated that was to blame. If they could just live at peace with each other Sharnon would still be here. Therefore, she had decided a long time ago that as long as there were other powers who would oppose the Vandron, she would not have her thirst for vengeance quenched. “I wish the Rebels and the Terrans would not have capitulated so easily,” she thought in disgust. “I didn’t even get a chance to fight in a major engagement in the war with the Rebels, and these Klingons haven’t even shown themselves in our systems much less attacked us; they must be a cowardly people. Yes, my only real hope for a battle now is the Aquilaeians, but when are they going to give it to me?”

“Yes, of course we will continue with our previous agreements. This is simply an upgrade over those prior arrangements,” explained Mandron as he was finishing up a partnership treaty with the Abbidon. “Think of it as us becoming as b…brothers. We will share everything, and hold back nothing.” The ambassador from the Abbidon seemed to finally understand what Mandron was getting at, and finalized the deal. With that settled Mandron retired to his quarters to rest. “I can’t believe how easily manipulated they are,” he thought to himself as he walked back to the room. “Of course, it’s not like I’m leading them into a war, ours is a peaceful endeavor that will allow both of our people to flourish,” he stopped his hurried pace to look out the window. “Still, it does seem that these Last few tenths have dragged by. Apart from the Abbidon negotiations, boring talks at best, there have been no new surprises from any of the other races.” He continued on his trek back to his room, “I almost wish the Aquilaeian would contact us, even to deliver another threat about us having a treaty with their enemies. Yes, the Aquilaeians,” he paused again, “they are always a challenge to deal with. They may be our enemies, but they’re damn good diplomats.” He had finally reached his door, “Oh well, I suppose this will be another boring night. Here’s to hoping the Almighty gives me a divine revelation in my meditations.” And with that Last thought he entered his room and retired for the evening.

“…and that should do it,” thought Junon as he was putting the final designs into the computer for simulation. “I think we’ve finally acquired the knowledge and expertise to build Cruiser sized vessels,” he said aloud to Chagnon and Defcon.
“Good work Junon, you never disappoint,” congratulated Chagnon. “So what is that now, five breakthroughs in the Last year?”
“Something like that,” replied Junon. “Let’s see, a new armor material to protect our ships, those marvelously fast contra-terrene engines, another level of religious technology, and a more efficient means to capture ships. Yes my Lord, I do believe it was five new breakthroughs.”
“So what does he turn his attention towards next?” asked Defcon. “The Aquilaeians haven’t made a move toward us in over a year, and the Klingons haven’t shown their ugly faces, perhaps we should look into something a bit less militaristic?”
“Actually, I have already begun my next line of research,” put in Junon, “or perhaps it would be more accurate to say have continued an old line.”
“How do you mean that?” asked Chagnon.
“Well, when I finished my research into that Last round of religious research, I hit onto something that may prove a decisive advantage for us militarily. However, I will need much time to perfect it, which is why I have begun it now.”
“And what is this Almighty-given technology that you have hit upon?” laughed Defcon.
“You laugh now,” replied Junon, “but you are not very far off the mark.” Defcon stopped chuckling as Junon went on, “in my research into harnessing our religious understanding and meditation, I realized that when we Vandron are in a highly meditative state, we react with near perfect exactness to the world around us.” He paused for a moment to allow this information to sink in before going on, “While that may be of little use to us, I also realized then when given a specific task, like hitting a ball or swatting a fly, the accuracy of the people within this state of deep meditation was 99.9 percent dead on.”
“I still fail to see how that can help us,” put in Defcon.
“Well then I’ll get straight to the point,” cut in Junon. “I believe we can harness this seemingly Almighty driven meditative state to make the gunners on our vessels have impeccable precision in their targeting. I do not yet know how this will be done, which is why I need time, but I do believe it can be done.”
“If that is what you wish to pursue then you may,” allowed Chagnon. “If your theories about the outcome of this research are to hold true, then no force should be able to pose a threat to our people.”
“Bigger ships would be nice,” said Defcon with a stern face, “but I suppose this would be good too,” said Defcon with as he broke into a smile. “Besides those birds aren’t going to try anything any time soon. We may as well develop this targeting technique so that if they do come for us they’ll be wishing they hadn’t.”

After the explanation of the new cruiser class ship, Chagnon went back to his quarters and received a brief synopsis of the current exploration and colonization efforts by Exnon:
All goes well my Lord. We now control forty-seven worlds across ten systems. We have again begun production of more colony ships to reach more worlds since the threat the Aquilaeians pose has somewhat diminished, and so the number of worlds we control should begin going up sharply again. Also, the exploration side of things is gong extremely well. With the new star maps we have received from the Abbidon we now know the contents of over eighty percent of our quadrant. There are only a handful of unexplored systems and wormholes left. While we do not know what races inhabit these other star clusters, we at least now know what stellar objects inhabit them. We have also learned of more worlds throughout the quadrant that harbor ancient ruins. One system in particular, the Omicron System, has three worlds with ruins. It is my belief that this may have been the home system of the race that built these ancient structures. However, it is not an easy system for us to reach. Perhaps we will meet one of the races in that area of our quadrant who can teach us more about that system. Until then, we really don’t know too much more about these ancient people. Until next time, Exnon out.

After reading this summary, Chagnon began his daily meditations. He thought on all the usual things, and said all the usual prayers. He enjoyed the serenity and peace of it, and the deliverance from stress and worry that it provided to him. He had been worried about an invasion for so long now that he had forgotten what it was like to truly be at peace. “Perhaps,” he thought, “we were all wrong about the Aquilaeians. Maybe they never intended to attack us but simply wished to prove their dominance. They haven’t made any hostile moves in over a year now; maybe we simply misunderstood their intentions.” He finally gave in to his optimism with a sign. “But what does it matter,” he finished, “we must be prepared for whatever lies ahead, and the most likely event is still war.”

[ September 18, 2003, 16:14: Message edited by: chewy027 ]

[chewy027]

Just so you know, to whoever has been reading this, my classes have started up in full swing so i won't be able to put nearly as much time into this as before, as is evidenced by the three day layover in the latest update. I'll continue to play and write, just don't expect a whole heck of a lot each week.

[ September 16, 2003, 04:40: Message edited by: chewy027 ]

[The FryeR K]

Well keep up the good work, and I'll keep readin
You are a good author, and it is a fun read.

[chewy027]

Thanks FryeR K...here's a bit more...

Terran Confederation 17th place
Phong Confederation 16th place
Rebel Alliance 15th place
Abbidon Enclave 7th place
Vandron Empire 6th place
Klingon Empire 3rd place
Aquilaeian Empire 2nd place
Star Empire of Romii 1st place

2407.9 – 2408.7 ~ The Next Engagement

“Redemption Seven has been hit, ma’am,” said Lieutenant Kalgon to Admiral Nefta.
“How badly?” asked the Admiral.
“They are effectively out of the fight ma’am,” replied Kalgon.
“So we are down to twelve ships from our original twenty,” said Nefta to herself. “Do we have any boarding craft left?” she asked Kalgon
“No ma’am,” came the quick reply. “Two were shot down while they attempted to board a battle cruiser while the third’s boarding crew was unable to disarm the self destruct device aboard another battle cruiser and was lost in the subsequent explosion.”
“Very well,” Nefta replied, and without another thought for those lost ships went on, “Captain Orton, move your task force in to flank the second battle cruiser.”
“Yes ma’am,” came the swift reply.
Meanwhile Nefta led her task force on a head-on approach to the lead battle cruiser. PPBs lanced out from their ships and melted the organic armor covering the vessels; not one of their shots missed. Nefta’s ship took some heavy return fire from the lead battle cruiser that sent emergency claxons blaring.
“Ma’am,” screamed Lieutenant through the clamor of the claxons, “we’ve lost two of our forward PPBs and our port engine. Our shields have also been depleted.”
“Lieutenant, take us out to maximum firing range,” she commanded with ice in her voice. “The rest of the ships in task force one are to press the attack.”
Her Flood MK 1 class cruiser fell back from the front of their line, but remained within firing range. It continued to pour down PPB fire from its three remaining guns all of which squarely hit their target. Meanwhile the rest of task force one moved in around the lead battle cruiser. PPBs cut deep gashes into the ship blowing out the engines, bridge, and five of the seven gun emplacements. Captain Orton’s task force two was having similar success with their target. His five ships had all but destroyed the vessel as small explosions rippled through the second battle cruiser.
“Target neutralized,” reported Orton to Nefta. “I await your command on the next target.”
“Move in to take out that final cruiser,” came the order.
“At once Ma’am,” replied Orton.
He immediately moved his five vessels into position to attack the final ship. This cruiser had been pestering his group as they took out the second battle cruiser. It had been staying on the periphery of their formation taking pot shots as it flew by, but its fire was inconsistent and all of the damage it had dealt had been absorbed by their ship’s shielding. As soon as Orton’s task force came into range their PPBs began blazing. In the first volley, the organic armor was blown away and unable to regenerate itself. The commander of the target ship must have realized that he was the new target, as the vessel turned and vectored away from them as quickly as possible. Only the two Wrath Class light cruisers could keep up with the ship and poured fire into its aft taking out four of the main engines. This allowed the rest of the task force to catch up and loose fire of their own into the unprotected ship. At the same time, Admiral Nefta’s task force had disabled the final battle cruiser.
“All ships report targets have been neutralized,” reported Lieutenant Kalgon.
“Excellent Lieutenant,” came the steely reply, “all ships finish off the vessels; turn them into floating piles of debris.”
With that all of the ships opened fire one Last time. There was a blinding flash as all three of the final enemy ships were vaporized by the PPB fire. Then unexpectedly battle claxons began blaring again as another Aquilaeian battle group appeared through the wormhole right in the middle of their formations.
“Take evasive action,” screamed Nefta with a hint of shock and surprise evident in her voice. “Concentrate fire on the lead battle cruiser.”
Again, PPBs rained out from the vessels and the combined firepower of all twelve ships was enough to overwhelm the lead ship’s organic armor and reduce it to smoldering wreckage. However, the other four Aquilaeian vessels were also battle cruisers and they opened fire immediately after they realized what they had flown into. They caught an old Angel class escort in their initial fire and blew it to pieces as well as taking a Redemption Class destroyer effectively out of the fight. The ships also loosed a horde of organic seeker parasites. Fortunately, two of the remaining ten active ships were Shield Class defense light cruisers and they shot down all but one of the seekers which exploded harmlessly against Captain Orton’s Wrath light cruiser. The Vandron vessels continued to fight back the Aquilaeian vessels concentrating their fire on one ship at a time, never missing a shot. The second battle cruiser’s armor melted away and its innards were ripped apart by PPB fire from Admiral Nefta’s crippled ship. It hung motionless in space before it lit the view screens with a tremendous explosion, the force of which shook Nefta’s ship.
“Captain Orton,” commanded Nefta, “move your remaining four ships around the underbelly of that lead battle cruiser.”
“Yes ma’am,” came the reply, and the four ships instantly began the maneuver.
“Nefta,” screamed Orton, “the second battle cruiser has dropped to our starboard side, give us some cov…” but his voice was cut out as the battle cruiser opened fire and melted the entire forward of his ship before he could finish his plea for help.
“Damn those birds,” shouted Nefta, “All ships fire at will destroy them all,” she seethed, the hate dripping from her voice.
PPB fire and was everywhere slamming into the battle cruisers from all angles, any hint of a coordinated attack gone. A second Redemption class destroyer was downed as well as another Angel. A second later the lead battle cruiser went up in an inferno of molten steel and lifeless organic flesh. One battle cruiser remained to Nefta’s seven remaining vessels. Nefta’s ships poured PPB fire into the battle cruiser taking out the engines and almost all of its weapons. Just then one of the Shield class defense light cruisers went up in flames and disappeared in an expanding ball of gas and fire as two more Aquilaeian battle cruisers came through the wormhole and sunk their seeking parasites into the ship’s hull.
“We must pull back,” pleaded Lieutenant Kalgon. “We can not fight these ships.”
“Silence,” screamed Nefta, her emotion flowing from her like a gushing waterfall, “we will never retreat.” She turned to the com officer and ordered all ships to continue firing on the crippled battle cruiser.
The crippled ship began to break apart just as Nefta’s own Flood class cruiser was hit again with enemy fire. Explosions rocked the bridge and Nefta was thrown to the ground.
“Damage report,” gulped Nefta as smoke filled the CO2 filled air around her. There was no response. “Lieutenant Kalgon, what is the damage?” she asked again, and again there was no response. Then she saw Kalgon’s body lying motionless on the ground and she knew why she wasn’t being answered. She ran to the nav officer’s console and made the necessary adjustments to ram the lead battle cruiser with what was left of her ship. The remaining vessels in her battle group continued to exchange fire with the battle cruisers melting away the armor of one and destroying half of its engines and weapons. It was toward this ship that Nefta steered her smoldering Flood cruiser. All around her there were short circuiting and malfunctioning systems. Outside her, two more ships, one Redemption and one Shield, went up in explosions as the second battle cruiser loosed another round of seekers which could not all be shot down. Nefta’s cruiser swung around and accelerated to meet the bow of the crippled enemy vessel. The Aquilaeian ship realized what was happening and began to fire frantically at the oncoming ship. But it was to no avail; an angry screech shot through Nefta’s ship as its compartments were impacted and compressed under the pressure of the collision. A second later a searing ball of fire swept through the vessel, starting a chain reaction that engulfed both the Flood cruiser and the Aquilaeian battle cruiser.

Nefta slowly awoke on a table with glaring lights and a contingent of concerned onlookers surrounding her.
“What happened?” she asked.
“You blacked out in your sim pod,” came the reply from Vice Lord Junon. “When your ship rammed the vessel, instead of waking up from the simulation as you were supposed to, you somehow stayed attached momentarily and it caused you to black out for nearly ten minutes.”
She thought about this for a second and then asked, “Were we victorious over the final battle cruiser?” asked Nefta.
“Yes,” answered Vice Lord Defcon. “The final Redemption was able to destroy the Last battle cruiser after it too was rammed by the crew of the remaining Wrath light cruiser.”
“So we won,” she said more to herself then anyone else.
“Yes you did, and against a larger foe,” replied Defcon. “You performed brilliantly up until the end at least.”
“What do you mean by that?” asked Nefta.
“Well you see,” put in Lord Chagnon, “we wanted to see how far you would go…if you would fight to the end or pull your ships back once the battle turned against you. You had already won against the odds Nefta, yet you continued to press the attack even after two more small battle Groups appeared through the wormhole. Do you feel that was wise?”
“Without a doubt,” came her icy reply.
“But you died,” pointed out Chagnon.
“And I won,” she replied
“I thought you’d say as much,” said Chagnon. “Do you not think that it would have been wiser to fall back and save the five ships that were limping away from the fight? There was a well defended space yard but a sector away from your position. You could have docked there and repaired your battered battle group.”
“I would have lost the advantage of surprise my Lord,” she replied. “When the enemy ships appeared through the wormhole they were initially blind to our presence. That is why we were able to destroy some of them so quickly.”
“I understand that Nefta, but you are not completely answering my question. Perhaps I should phrase it differently; was it wise to sacrifice the simulated lives of your remaining battle group when you could easily have regrouped and lost none in a later battle?”
“From that perspective, it was not a wise decision. But,” she quickly followed, “it was tactically wise to press our advantage. I had no way of knowing that those enemy battle Groups would come through the wormhole.”
“Point taken,” said Chagnon, “but you must not forget the fact that a war can not be one in a single engagement.”
“I understand,” said Nefta, the steeliness returning to her voice.
“Still,” finished Chagnon,” your tactics were brilliant and your sacrifice admirable. I would not want to be an enemy commander facing your battle group.”
“Thank you my lord,” replied Nefta and then went on after a pause, “what was the accuracy of our gunners.”
To this question Junon again spoke up, “the accuracy was ninety-nine point nine percent on all shots fired. The single errant shot came when a PPB hit a seeker instead of a ship.”
“So this meditative technique really works then,” she said reflectively.
“Yes indeed it does,” said Junon. “After nearly a year of research I believe we have finally developed the means to have nearly one-hundred percent accuracy in engagements. How else do you think you were able to win?” finished Junon, only half jokingly.
“I still won,” she shot back, not joking at all.
“Nevertheless,” interrupted Chagnon, “this new capability will make our fleet much more formidable. However, it will take much time to outfit our ships with the provisions necessary to contain our gunners in meditation chambers while in battle.”
“At least now is as good a time as any to retrofit our fleet,” volunteered Vice Lord Exnon, “especially while we are producing as many colony ships as we are.”
“We can discuss this later,” put in Chagnon, “now I believe it wise that we allow Admiral Nefta and her crews to rest a while before they begin their next engagement.” He turned to Nefta, “and Admiral, see if you can try to go about your future engagements looking at the situation from all angles. And please, try not to give us any more scares,” he finished with a smile.
“I will try my best,” she said, and then after a short pause finished, “though I can make no guarantees.”

[ September 19, 2003, 03:55: Message edited by: chewy027 ]

[The FryeR K]

All i can say is Sweeeeeet!!!!