History of the Galaxy, part 1-Story Thread

[Jmenschenfresser]

Greetings,
This is just a small introduction to a new project Geo and I are undertaking. We have started a game on PBW along with some 10 AI and few neutrals. The game will be role-played on our parts, and as in my Klingon story thread, we will each be writing stories to go along with what happens to our empires and posting them here. We think once our empires meet or face the same enemy, being able to read the preconceptions on either side will create a great story...and hopefully nail-biting.

Of course, we will be reading one another's Posts, and this might give away secret aspects about our empires, but we are going to attempt to refrain from using the knowledge gained here to play.

In any case, we are role-playing. The important part is creating interesting events to write about. This isn't a straight up competition; although we both will play for the greater glory of our respective empires. You'll probably see us doing stuff not seen in regular PBW games, just for the sake of the story.

We will be posting every ten turns...possibly more frequently if cool **** happens. Expect the first Posts sometime this weekend.

And as an added bonus, Geo may, from time to time, post the game file, so you's guys can see the game yourselves from the POV of the AI empires.

Just trying to entertain. Now, that I've said all this, I've got even more reason to keep my fledging empire alive.

[geoschmo]

Welcome and thank you for visiting our newest exhibit here at Temporal World where our motto is “Happiness, through history”. Please keep your appendages inside the car at all times and do not attempt to stand until the car has come to a complete stop.

Now, join us as we travel back in time over 500 years. Back to the beginning of the Sallegan Empire. Back, on our

Journey to yesterday!

Our first stop is the Orbital Services research Laboratory on Narcisston VIII, in the year 2400.0. We see here Professor Krankton, hard at work on his most important invention. The Mark one Ion Engine.

Sallegans first broke the bounds of gravity and ventured into space over a hundred years before. Computer guided probes had visited several planets, and the first manned expedition to the closest planet in the Narcisston system had returned just 18 months earlier. But the limitations of chemically propelled rockets meant that it took 3 years for the round trip. At that speed, it was simply not practical to venture far from our homeworlds orbit.

But the awesome power and efficiency of Professor Krankton’s engine meant that any planet in the system could be reached in a month or less. Ships could be built that could make several such trips without having to refuel. This finally was the key that allowed the Sallegan people to explore their system. To establish colonies on the other suitable planets, and begin the long long process of terraforming their atmospheres. And it allowed the creation of ships that could travel deep into the atmospheres of the great Gas Giants and extract their raw materials.

T minus 3, 2, 1…Aksu 1, ignition…. Launch.

Here on our next stop on the Journey to Yesterday we see the first Sallegan Inter-Planetary research vehicle, Aksu 0001 taking off on it’s maiden voyage. This 150 Kt design was the first production ship to be fitted with the Krankton Ion-Engine. Led by Captain Grandow, who later would be so prominent in Sallegan early space history, and crewed with the finest men and women that the Orbital Service could produce. Launched on 2400.3, its mission was to explore the Narcisston system.

The Aksu 0001 was also fitted with a launcher that could launch nuclear tipped, computer guided missiles. This was originally intended to be used to destroy rouge comets and asteroids that might someday threaten our world. It was a quite fortuitous decision as we later found out we were not alone in the galaxy.

But that is a story for another day...

[geoschmo]

The possibility of extraterrestrial life in the universe was not totally disregarded by the Sallegan people. Among the scientific establishment it was considered something of a statistical certainty that somewhere in the universe other life existed, and that some of this life could have evolved into intelligence as the Sallegan race had. But it was considered highly unlikely that any such life exsisted close by, or that it would be possible to travel between the stars and meet such life.

The opinions of the uninformed masses varied widely from arrogant skepticism, to outright apathy, to an almost religious acceptance among some of the more fringe elements. Popular culture was full of legends of UFO's, visitors from other worlds, and even alien abductions. Nothing had ever been proven, despite the concerted efforts of several branches of the government. This fact alone was proof enough of a vast conspiracy to some people.

Some of these conspiracy theories were wildly speculative, and none of them were true. But they weren't exactly false either. The government did have a secret. There were no crashed flying saucers, and no bodies locked away in refrigerators deep in the bowels of some nameless military facility. But there was evidence. Only a couple hundred had ever heard of it, and only a few dozen of them had seen all the information. But it did exist.

Early in the unmanned space program, probes had been sent to all the major planets in the Narcisston system. These varied in specific missions, but for the most part were general research probes looking for, well looking for anything really. After all, when you didn't know enough to ask the right questions, all you could do was keep your eyes and ears open and hope to stumble on something interesting. And something interesting is exactly what they found.

While surveying one of the four gas giants in the system, some anomalous readings were found that appeared to be artificial. They were too deep in the atmosphere to get good information, so very little was known for sure. But they appeared to be the remains of an ancient civilization. Much debate followed with one side taking the position that these had to be natural formations of some kind. Life was simply not possible at those pressures, no matter what the technological advancement they argued. But when evidence of another "city" was found on a second gas giant, even the sceptics were convinced something very unusual was down there. It was decided that it would be kept a secret from the general population until the Sallegans could develop probes that could survive the hostile conditions of these planets long enough to get more concrete data.

Another thing that was not commonly known was the existence of three gravitational anomalies at the extreme edges of the star system. Something like this had been theorized centuries before by the early astronomers when it was noticed that the actual positions of several of the outer planets did not fit exactly with their predicted orbits. For many years there was a futile search for another planet not visible with the optical telescopes of the day. Some physicists even hypothesized the existence of a micro black hole or a "dark star" in binary orbit with the Narcisston sun. When the unmanned probes finally reached the edge of the system, what they discovered instead were three wormholes in an extreme orbit.

The Sallegans had not had a chance yet to study these wormholes enough to know if they could be of any value. Some believed they could be used to travel to far distant star systems, and some unmanned probes were even launched into them. Most of these broke up before crossing the threshold from the strong gravitational forces. Those that didn't, stopped communicating several seconds after disappearing from view. Only once did any telemetry return from the "other side", and it was so hopelessly garbled that it was not known for sure that it wasn't just some computer generated "hallucination" prior to finally disintegrating

It was decided that a small unmanned probe was simply not strong enough to handle the stress of the transit. It was believed that only a large vessel would be able to succeed. Of course it was entirely possible that it would be a suicide mission. Even if the ship somehow survived, there was no guarantee that it would be able to return through the wormhole.

About the time of the maiden voyage of the Aksu, Sallegan researchers made a breakthrough in the construction of space going vessels. It was now possible for ships as large as 200 kt to be constructed. Plans were being made to build such a vessel and outfit it for what could be a long voyage for its crew. Extra supplies would be taken, and the crew would be specially selected from those that had no living family members. The hope was that they would be able to return. But if they were not, every precaution would be taken to allow them to survive, wherever they ended up. But four months before they were scheduled to depart, the aliens arrived.

It was not known immediately, but it was a scout vessel of the Xi'Chung Hive, a insectoid race from a system on the other end of the wormhole. After the initial shock, the Sallegans attempted to communicate with the new vessel on several frequency bands. The Sallegan government decided a non-hostile approach was waranted, unless the newcomers gave them a reason to believe otherwise. An offer was made of a treaty of non-aggresion, and diplomatic envoys began preparations for a journey to a new world. There was no response at first. The Xi'Chuung ship simply sat there on the Narcisston end of the wormhole and didn't move for two full months. Finally a terse, single sentance reply was recieved. "We cannot accept your proposal at this time."

This communication was sent on several frequency bands as well. Many of which were used for public communication and commercial entertainment channels. The government could no longer keep it a secret. In an instant the Sallegan people knew the awesome truth. They were not alone in the universe.

As a precaution against attack Aksu 1 was recalled from it's exploratory mission around the gas giants and was kept in orbit of Narcisston VIII to protect against any hostile action by the aliens. A second Aksu class ship was built, and the hull laid for a third. The new larger hull size designs were modified to allow for less supplies and more weaponry, just in case the worst happened. Plans were made to build as many as these "attack ships" that could be supported by the Sallegan shipyard.

Aboard the Aksu 1, Captain Grandow was not sure what was going to happen next, but he believed he and his crew were as prepared as they could be. All they could do now was wait.

[ 15 March 2002: Message edited by: geoschmo ]

[Jmenschenfresser]

(I realize the Norak are genderless, but you try writing a story using only the pronoun "it". Sounds stupid.)

I am Raeghar, of the house of Samorim, a lowly monk and scribe in the service of the Continuum and this is my story. I am the personal assistant, spiritual guide and companion to one of the Continuum's highest officers. I will not give his real name, but rather I'll call him Tallik. It is because of my friendship with Tallik that I have so far seen things no one else will see or hear. I know such writings would be hard frowned upon by both my Order and the government, but it is Wisdom who knows that difficult times produce great learning. I dedicate these writings to She who first wrote the things unwritten, to the Ancient Order of Hujov, and to my sibling, Pellwain, who now resides on the colony.

I am no longer part of the Counsel for Spiritual Enlightenment, but a very good friend of mine is, and he invited me to sit in on what was and will be the most pressing debate concerning the survival of our beliefs, our religion, our people and our history. In the second cycle of the year 2400, the Elders of Norak gave their approval to the launch of a colony ship. The first step includes the Last, or so the old proverb contends. Many argued a step into space is the most pride-filled thing we could do. It is blatant disregard for what we have. She, who was, is and will be, gave us this planet as the scriptures tell. "A place to be ruled and to rule over." Many said such an act, as the colonization of other planets, meant we were not happy with that with which we were given. However, the old guard had grown few number, and the government of Norak was less inclined to follow them. No one could deny the fact that we were too many for our planet. People were starving. Food, water, land, and just about everything else which grew was rationed. Strict unwritten rules were concocted to slow the grow of our people. The rules had to remain unwritten because our scriptures say, "Nothing which governs the people can be written in contradiction to the text." And the text explicitly says, "The third goal in life is to reproduce."

Our scientists long ago began to survey the stars and the bodies of the Xiban system, and as this debate was raging, as to what we should do about our population, a probe sent out years before reached a not too distant planet in the Xiban system. The news spread like a plasma fire. The planet was almost identical to ours in every way. The people rejoiced; She had granted us stay from our dire situation. The opponents to space travel and colonization faded into the backgroud. The ship was sent carrying some 34 million terra-formers. The planet would be made habitable for hundreds of millions to come. I have yet to travel there. Tallik has been charged with developing our defensive capabilities, and it is in this I assist him.

2400.5
The Debate:
The Terra-formers had barely left the ship, when our asteroid sensors, which are supposed to pick up asteroids which pass too close to our planet, picked up some strange energy reading and what was determined to be an unidentifiable craft closing in on our new colony. Tallik and I were in the station when the first Messages were sent and received. They claimed to be an intelligent race called the Cue Cappa, from what we roughly translated, "the next star." We asked how they got to Xiban, and again we roughly translated their response to be "through an interstellar door." We offered them the scrolls of peace, a mutual agreement of non-aggression. To our surprise, they refused, saying it was too early to make treaties. How can it be "too early" to commit to peace and life?

As you can imagine, many things were claimed about the Cue Cappa. Conspiracies flourished. Some thought it retribution. Some thought them emissaries from She who rules. I personally think, as is the general sentiment of today, that they are like us...just another kind created to serve and honor the Almighty. The elders sat and talked and yelled and talked and became quiet and finally some fell asleep on the stools they sat on, and still the question, "How can another culture exist in the universe?" went unanswered. The texts said nothing about it. If the question could not be answered, it is possible the Pluralists could be right. The night wore on, the candles burned low and some went out, dropping the light in the hall to a dim backglow. I was yawning myself, but across the room, the wide, white eyes of a young Monk caught my attention. He stared unblinking. I thought possibly he'd gone mad, or that he'd died with his eyes open. So still and intense they were. Suddenly, he mumbled something, breaking the hours and hours of silent contemplation and prayer. Everyone woke or woke someone. The eldest turned to him, the young monk, and ask, "What was it you said, brother?" The young monk stood. "To answer this question, we must first answer something about ourselves no one has been able to...why we, the Norak, are here." I could see the sudden interest on everyone's face. It was a subtle arguement, but as far as I could tell, it could not be refuted as a premise. "If we cannot answer why we are here, then we cannot exclude the existence of others on the basis of not being able to explain how they fit into our plan...for in the end, we must all agree, the Norak have been given by She, the unmoved, only a temporary plan...temporary meaning unfinished. And if we cannot know the beginning of history to the end of it, and be able to say, 'see you do not fit in' then we cannot claim them to exist less than us. Nor can we claim them to be a work of evil, though evil they may be. If we cannot totally explain the entire universe, then we have not been given the power, by She who lives, to judge them." The debate was over.

Tallik has been given the task of developing planetary defense for Norak and our new colony. The Cue Cappa ship milled around just outside of visual range for more than a month. We sent a scout ship of the escort class to hunt down this interstellar door. I almost cannot believe it myself after viewing the visual records Tallik received. All one must do is take a ship to a certain spot and they open...like doors with motion detectors. I have no doubt that these in some unexplainable way are gifts from the Almighty. A way to meet all of Her children. Beyond the warp point, our ship recorded contact with a densely populated world, the Cue Cappa home world...two sectors from the warp point. Worried that the Cue Cappa might attack our fledgling colony, Tallik and I are on our way to there to inspect their newly constructed weapons platforms, built after Tallik's design and they are armed with extremely fast capital ship missles. It will be good to see Pellwain again.

The Cue Cappa ship is returning to its own system. The future as they say is upon us, and it's fog is thicker than ever.

[Taera]

*****
Sorry to interfew (sp????) but i have to note that Norak never were peaceful. Those are aggressive zealots prone to sudden crusades.
*****

[geoschmo]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Taera:
*****
Sorry to interfew (sp????) but i have to note that Norak never were peaceful. Those are aggressive zealots prone to sudden crusades.
*****

---

Yes, but that is written from the point of view of other races. Mensch is writing from the point of view of a Norak. They are not likely to view themselves in such negative terms are they?

This is not intended to be an official history of the galaxy, despite the grand title I chose for the game. It's merely one possible Version. Purely intended for our own fun in writing, and hopefully some others will be entertained reading it.

Geo

[ 15 March 2002: Message edited by: geoschmo ]

[mac5732]

I like it, good idea, refreshing aspect of playing SE4, the story lines w/RP makes for an interesting concept. looking foreward to reading the updates

juste some ideas a helmeted mac

[Jmenschenfresser]

Yes, Taera, in a manner of speaking you are right, but this is being written from the POV of a lowly monk and if you remember the history of earth religions, almost all of them promote life and wisdom, but have little trouble killing infidels along the way....

What I am trying to say...this is the first post and I am sure my story will have many righteous rampages, excommunications, and blood letting.

Even to the Norak, patience is a virtue.

[Taera]

Yes. Right. Sorry.
Great story. I'll practice a little more and then just might play the same thing with someone. had a similar idea a while ago, too.

[geoschmo]

(Hadn't planed on posting so often, but a lot is happening very quickly.)

Year 2400.6

Captain Grandow watched through the portal as the second Aksu class exploratory vessel rose through the roiling clouds below. It was the rainy season in the southern continent. No doubt the shipyard workers and others around Capitol City were getting a good soaking right about now. Maybe we will get lucky and a lightening bolt would strike the senate chambers, Grandow thought with a snort.

Three months now since the Xi'Chung ship had appeared, and still the damn thing hadn't moved. Except to block the entrance to the warp point to a diplomatic shuttle that had attempted to saunter by with a wave and a warm smile. If that wasn't a hostile action, Grandow didn't know what was. But the REMF's decided it was just a cultural difference and we should not read too much into it.

"Cultural difference my rear!" Grandow said out loud to no one in particular. "The damn politicians won't admit there's a threat here until the bugs march up Main Street Capitol City, bite their heads off, and feed them to their Queen!"

"Careful Antony. The walls have ears, even on your own ship." It was Lieutenant Commander Dannak, Grandows former second-in-command, protege, and closest friend. "Don't give them a reason to take your command. The Republic needs you on this bridge, when the inevitable happens."

Grandow thought back to their meeting with Senator Flicken three days before. It was then that Grandow had been given orders to escort the new Colony ship to Narcisston IX as soon as the Artemis (Aksu class explorer, series 0002) left space dock and could take over patrol around the homeworld. Grandow almost resigned his commission on the spot, which would have pleased Flicken to no end. His nephew was the captain of the newly commissioned Artemis. The senator would like nothing better than to promote him to the bridge of the flagship of the fledgling Sallegan Space Service. It was Dannak that saved Grandow from his own temper then, as he had so many times before.

Grandow knew the Xi'Chung were stalling, he couldn't understand why the politicians didn't know it too. Of course the reason was that politicians are not typically students of history as military officers are. For a race that had not had a conflict of note for three generations, it was not an easy thing to be a military officer. Grandow had never fired a shot in anger. Had never tasted battle. No living Sallegan had.

Grandow didn't like leaving the entire Sallegan race undefended. And he didn't trust Flickens nephew to defend it. He finally agreed to the assignment, but insisted that Dannak be transferred to the Aksu 0002 as first officer.

Danaak's shuttle undocked from the Aksu, and Grandow gave the order to come about. The colony ship was slower, and the Aksu would have to run at less than full cruising speed for it to keep up. The round trip would Last three months, if the Aksu were allowed to return as soon as the colony ship landed. That had not even been decided yet.

He only hoped that the bugs would take enough time to allow the Aleppa class attack ship to be built. Three months they told him. One more to finish the third Aksu class vessel, and two to build the new, larger Aleppa. And, he hoped, enough time for him to get back to Narcisston VIII himself.

Year 2400.7 Day 0

Grandow paced the bridge like a caged Pintha cat. The tension was palpable. He was in such a foul mood that the comm officer almost was afraid to make his report. But he knew it would be worse for him if he didn't. "Captain. We picked up a communication on the official channels. Queen Kaziktra rejected the Senates latest treaty proposal."

"Those idiots! They have to know now the bugs are not interested in being our friends. Contact Space control and request permission to return immediately." But permission did not come. And at this point Grandow made in retrospect the most important decision in the history of the Sallegan race. "Helm, bring us about. Maximum speed. Take us home. Lieutenant, signal the Aden, tell them to continue on their mission. They won’t be needing an escort the rest of the way." Grandow knew the danger was behind them, not in front.

Year 2400.7 Day 10

The call the Captain was expecting for a week and a half now finally came. Senator Flicken himself was scowling at Grandow from the view screen. "Captain, please tell me you have a good reason for disobeying a direct order and putting 34 million civilians at risk. My aides tell me you have not reported any malfunction, and are in fact travelling at maximum speed."

Grandow stood up straight. "We are coming home Senator. I cannot stand by and watch the Sallegan race endangered by your shortsighted leadership."

Flickens eyes burned. "Why you insolent... I don't suppose ordering you thrown in the brig and instructing your XO to resume course would do any good. That cult of personality you have with your officers is well known. Well, so be it. When you return you all can share a prison cell. Flicken out."

Part of Grandow hoped that he was court-martialed, because that would mean he would be wrong and that the Xi'Chung did not attack. At least this way my ship will be where it's needed, even if I am not on board her he thought.

Year 2400.7 Day 15

The Aksu was halfway back, but still days away at top speed. Grandow was watching the Xi'Chung ship on the tactical display. It was just visible at this distance. The wormhole was not, as it phased out of view when not being used they had discovered many months before. Suddenly the energy readings spiked, and the wormhole flared into view. "What is it?" he asked the science officer.

"I don't know sir. But I think another ship is coming through." As the words still hung in the air, the Captain watched on the viewer as a second bug ship exited the wormhole. This one was larger than the first. From the looks of it, it was a 200 Kt hull. The size of the new attack ships Grandow had been pleading the Space service to build for so many months.

The new ship reached the spot where the first waited, but did not stop as everyone expected. And a moment later the first ship came to life. It quickly got up to speed and fell into formation behind the larger ship. Both on a course for the Sallegan homeworld, and there was no way the Aksu could get there before them.

"Ship to ship! Raise the Artemis, NOW!" After what seemed like an eternity, the viewscreen sprang to life, and the welcome face of Dannak filled the screen.

"Yes captain. I see them." the lieutenant commander said before Grandow could get the question out. "We are tracking them in. The course is straight for Narcisston VIII." No words were spoken for the next few moments, but as the two friends looked at each other, much was said.

"Good luck Paul." Grandow finally broke the silence. "We are on our way. Aksu out." Both men knew at the moment the words were spoken, that the Aksu would arrive too late to be any help. Artemis was on her own.

Year 2400.7 Day 20

S. S. S. Artemis
The Xi’Chung ships closing on the Sallegan homeworld were closer than the Aksu racing to intercept them, but they were still days away when they started moving. This actually worked against the Sallegans as it gave them time to calm down from the initial shock of the second ships arrival. Already the politicians were coming up out of their bunkers and starting to think maybe this was simply a peace delegation coming for a visit. The significance of the fact that they were not communicating during their approach was lost on the senate. At least it was lost on the part of Senator Flicken. But it was all too evident what was happening to Paul Dannak aboard the Artemis. They were at war. Even though a shot had not been fired. And no formal declaration had been made, the Xi’Chung were attacking the Sallegan homeworld.

Unfortunatly his captain was an incompetant paper pusher who had been given his position as a favor to his powerful uncle. He had at least had the sense to allow Paul to handle the day to day operations of the Artemis. This meant the crew had been drilled and prepared. But the captain was still insisting that no shots would be fired until they wre given orders from the planet. Dannak had given up trying to reason with him. But as XO he had the responsibility for crew shifts. And he made sure his best people were where he would need them when things started happening.

The Aksu class Explorer was designed with durability and flexibility in mind. Having been built before the Sallegans were even aware of the exsistance of the Xi’Chung, military hardware was not considerd a high priority. Fortunatly though it had as a primary mission the destruction of space debris large enough to be a hazard for the planets in the system. To this end it was fitted with a missle launcher capable of firing nuclear tipped missles. They were fast, they had range, and they could punch a big hole in something when the hit. Unfortunatly they took a long time to reload, and they took up a lot of space. Because of this there wasn’t enough room for anything else of value on the ship. Almost as an afterthought, the designers threw in an auxilliary control center on the ship. If anything happened to the bridge, they thought, at least the crew could limp home for repairs. This is where the XO had spent most of his time the Last few days. Testing the equipment, running simulations. Making sure that if needed, it would be ready.

As the Xi’Ching ships entered sector 1, many people hoped they would stop then, and start broadcasting amessage of peace. But they did not. On the bridge of the Artemis, Dakken spoke up. “Captain, I implore you to open fire as soon as they come into range. We don’t know what kind of weapons they have. We may only get one shot.”
“No. We have our orders commander. We will move out from the planet to meet them, but will not open fire first. We don't want to start a war.”

“Start a war! Damnnit, we are already in a war. And we are going to be it’s first casualties if we don’t take action.” Dannak shot back.

The captain looked at him. “Mr Dannak you are relieved. Go to your quarters immedietly.” Dannak paused, and then thought better of it. He turned to leave the bridge, as he did he gave a look to the weapons officer. Orders or no orders, the missles would be ready to fire at the first sign of weapons fire coming from the bug ships. They may get us with our pants down, but we are going to go down swinging the commander thought. He entered the lift and punched the button for G deck. He would go to the Auxillary control room and keep a close eye on things from there.

The bug ships closed in tight formation. The larger ship leading the smaller by a few thousand yards. The captain ordered them hailed again. “Still no answer sir.” Came the reply from the comm officer.

As the ships came closer the lead ship suddenly lurched and fired at the Artemis. Large mettalic shells composed of depleted uranium, accerated to incredible speeds by magnetic powered rail guns. The Artemis didn’t even have time to react before the first shells closed the gap and tore into her upper hull, venting the aptmosphere. The captain and half the bridge crew were sucked out the top and died instantly. The remainder died seconds later strapped into their positions. The Last act of the weapons officer before he passed out was to trigger the firing sequence for the missle launcher. The ship reeling from a gaping wound, the missle was pointed in the wrong direction when it left the launcher. Internal guidance ssytems kicked in instantly and it righted itslef and made a course for the largest of the two Xi’Chung ships.

The bug ship attempted to evade, but the missle was faster, and more manuverable. It impacted on the rear of the ship, knocking out thee engines, and cutting power to one of the uranium cannons. The ship came around and brought it’s wepons to bear on the Artemis. She appeared dead and drifting. The Xi’Chung captain decided it was no longer a threat and resumed course towards it’s main objective, the Sallegan homeworld. The smaller ship now took the lead in the formation and they moved on. Onboard the Artemis secondary explosions rocked the ship. Fires burned wherever they could find the oxygen to sustain themselves. The missle launcher was fully operational, but the bridge was gone, and the captain was dead. One engine had been damaged in the attack

Commander Dannak made his way to auxilliary control. It took several minutes as power to the lifts went out with the bridge and he had to use the maintenance crawlways. As he went he made sure people were at their stations, and damage control teams were putting out the fires. He arrived in aux control just as main powere was restored. He was pleased to see his people were doing their jobs well, and several officers were already taking up their positions on the new bridge.

"Status." He asked the lieutenant as he moved over to the center chair.

"No response from the bridge commander. Engineering reports we can make about 70% of maximum speed. The missle launcher is reloaded and ready to fire." The lieutenant responded.

"Allright, bring us about. Let's teach those bastards a lesson."

Year 2400.8

Captain Grandow watched silently as the S.S.S. Drakken (Aksu class, series 0003) moved into orbit along side his vessel. The repairs to his own ship had already been completed. As he read over the causualty reports, he couldn't help but feel sick. Over 100 million Sallegans dead. Capitol City a smoking, radioactive ruin. Fortunatly the Space Yard on the outskirts of the city sustained only minor damage and was fully operational within hours. If there was any bright side to the attack it was that Senator Flicken was among the missing. "If the bugs didn't get him, I will." thought Grandow.

As bad as it was, it would have been much worse if not for the heroic actions of the crew of the Artemis. They were able to disable the weapons systems of the Xi'Chung frigate completely. The delay saved countless lives and the Aksu returned to destroy both bug ships. Unfortunatly the Aksu did not make it in time to save the Artemis. She was lost with all hands, including Captain Drakken, who had been promoted posthumously for his actions.

Next to the casualty reports, Grandow had a printout of the latest communication received from the Hive. It had been received on a narrow beam transmission through the wormhole itself. Grandow had been mildly suprised that was even possible, but once he read the text, he cared little for the tecnical aspects of the message. It was received fully two weeks after the attack on Narcisston VIII.

"Though we are not a violent species, you have left us no choice. We declare war on your reckless society."

The colony on Narcisston IX was busy building a hastily designed weapons platform, as was the homeworld. The Aleppa class attack frigate would soon follow. There was no telling what the outcome of this war would be. But they would not be caught unprepared again.

[ 18 March 2002: Message edited by: geoschmo ]