Post by thewanderer on Mar 22, 2022 20:00:04 GMT
Ravskiy Mir, Free Worlds, Ancerious
Colonial Council Chambers, Talber
July 20th, 2455, 78 AME
“What of the situation with the Syndicate? Reports from the Athii system are promising, but we cannot dare let our guard down now!” was the cry from Representative Kiori, a sentiment echoed by a number of those around the large room. The colonial council had been in session for the better part of a day now, delegations from colonies large and small across Free Worlds space coming to discuss the ongoing galactic situation, fragile as it was. Frankly, it was something of a miracle that this subject had not yet been broached, as the all but direct declaration of war against the powerful and dangerous Malaratko Syndicate had been galvanizing but divisive. There were opinions for escalation of force, arguments for moving towards covert operations, cases being made to bring a declaration of war forward to the PGL and even a few that claimed that the Free Worlds was not yet ready.
This, atop the already mammoth implications of the alliances and lines being drawn in the sand all across the galaxy, the rising and falling prices of Ancerium, the collective hysteria of the galactic economy and the word, rumors and now simply outright confirmation of a Coronan fleet moving on the Golden Expanse that simply outstripped any fleet that the Free Worlds had ever seen. It was enough to drive even a boundlessly patient man to distraction. One of the prices of democracy that sooner or later, one had to pay, supposed Chairman Calwick. He rested his head on a hand at his desk as a debate began again on the council floor, between Representative Kiori and a rep for the Colonial Defense Command, supported both by a number of reps from other colonies, polities and organizations. This was fairly typical in the Council, but this, unfortunately, was not going to get them anywhere.
“Representative Kirori, Commodore Gauchen, you are asked to return to your seats.” he announced, his voice ringing through his microphone over the chamber. The chatter and debating quieted as he brought up his holoscreen, straightening his tie.
“Honored representatives of the Colonial Council, we are here today to consider several matters set before us. The first, is the matter of the conflict with the pirates and criminals known as the Malaratko Syndicate. Evidence provided to this Council by our armed forces and that of our allies have confirmed the presence of this organization during the recent Operation Hailfire, and the assault by the Syndicate against a native population.”
There was a rumble of assent through the chamber, a number of voices remaining quiet. Nobody could dispute this, everyone had seen the evidence. Some footage of the battle had even been broadcasted on Frontier Bulletin.
“The matter to be voted on here is this.” Calwick stated, flicking his hand to send the vote to every representative in the room. To openly declare war on the Malaratko Syndicate and present a motion to the Pan-Galactic League to do the same, or to maintain operations as we have before following a show of force. Voting begins now.”
The low murmur of voices began, and the votes began to be submitted…
------
Fettler’s Gate, Free Worlds, Ancerious
Mount Tathhon Navy Base
July 20th, 2455, 78 AME
“You guys have been keeping tabs on the news, right?” asked a FWN chief petty officer, uniform jacket unbuttoned as she reclined on the common room couch, looking up at the holoscreen.
“‘Course we have, skipper. It's hard to not these days, with how the talking heads are going on and on about it.” replied a Marine, in the midst of examining the chamber of his rifle. The room was filled with off-duty troopers and sailors, all of them chatting or relaxing. But around one low table, with a good view of both the holohub in the center of the room and the stunning view of the sunset-kissed mountains outside, there was a conversation.
“Galaxy getting on fire, economy’s going down the crapper, what’s new?” another marine asked, looking over towards the CPO with a shrug.
“It’s getting to be a bit more than that, Andy.” the petty officer sighed, taking a sip from her soda as the scene on the holo changed.
“News about big fleets moving on Aedleshaven, now. Really big ones.”
“Corona, and those two new alliances, yeah?” the first marine asked, slotting the bolt assembly back into place.
“Yeah. News guy was saying that Corona is intending to take the corridor or something, take all the go-juice for themselves.”
“Fuck! Just when I thought our patrols weren’t gonna get any shorter.” broke in another naval crewman, this one wearing an engineer’s bars as he leaned on the couch. There was a long pause between the four of them, before one of the marines spoke, her voice quiet as she looked over at the holo.
“Council’s in session. You guys think we’re gonna get sent in?”
That got an even longer pause. None of them wanted to say it, but fleets that size, battles as violent as that promised to be… it wasn’t something that the Free Worlds was cut out for. It was something that none of them in their lifetimes had ever seen, and many had hoped never to see. Like any soldier like themselves, they were proud to serve the Free Worlds and they were ready to do their duty, but fighting pirates, engaging in anti-slaver ops was nothing like anything they had ever seen before. Of the four of them, only the CPO had actually seen the Second Great War, and that was only the tail end and at a distance.
“I dunno,” she said quietly, looking down at the deck. “We don’t have a lot of reasons to get involved, do we?”
“Might do, if one of our allies gets involved.” the engineer postulated, scratching his beard. “But we might not.”
“Might not have a choice, if war happens, and if it comes to us.” the rifle marine stated, slotting his weapon back together and setting it down. “If that happens… Well, we might get to see if the Watchman works like it’s s’posed to.”
“Against a fleet like Corona’s? Fat fucking chance of that, man.”
“Hey, I’m just saying. We’ve never been invaded here.”
“Came close, that one time.”
“That was then, I’m talking now, hull-for-brains.”
“Both of you, shut up.” the CPO said suddenly, gesturing to the screen. ”Voting’s started.”
All four of them turned to watch the screen, silent once more. Nobody wanted a war. Nobody wanted to fly without hope into the jaws of hell. They just had to hope their leadership shared the same opinion.
------
Colonial Council Chambers, Talber
“The votes for the declaration of war have been tallied, and will be reviewed.” Chairman Calwick stated as his screen beeped, looking around the room. He had full attention now, as he brought up the next item on the docket.
“The next vote is in regards to the developing situation in Aedleshaven and the matter of the alliances of SAGA and CONA. The matter at hand must be carefully considered, honored representatives, for this could lead us as a nation down a path that we have never had to tread. Do we involve ourselves in this operation, and do we align ourselves with either of these alliances? Do we warn our neighbors and offer them protection and cooperation if they want it? The voting will begin now.” he said, repeating the motion as he had before. The room fell silent but for hushed whispers, and the whirring of cameras. Calwick knew that the entire Free Worlds, and maybe the whole of the Uriel Cluster, was watching.
------
FWNS Kendel Bay
12-09 Sector 'Prairie’ Grid 125-097
July 20th, 2455, 78 AME
It was quiet on the bridge of the destroyer. The lights had been shut off and replaced with the red of battle lighting, loose objects floating about in the microgravity set to in anticipation of possible combat. Nobody spoke but for reports, there was no chatter. The air was still enough that even a cough sounded like a gunshot, the hum of the ship faded into the background.
“He’s still out there, commander.” the sensor operator reported, focused over his screen, the display throwing ghostly shapes in light into the air. Their position was indicated by a small, blue circle currently in the midst of an asteroid patch, the massive stones around them showing up as little specks of gray on the display. Outside the bridge windows, the stones were very real and very large, many of them larger than the ship, slowly tumbling through space.
But they were not alone. A red triangle that could be anything from a probe to a dreadnought sat outside of the asteroid patch and well outside visual range, making its way towards the center of the lonely system. They were the only two ships here.
“Commo, is there signals outgoing or incoming from the bogie?” the skipper asked, floating between the two operators. The man shook his head, one hand on his headset, eyes closed.
“Just routine stuff, sir. Encryption is unfamiliar, but I’m running it through the system.” the commo replied, eyes still closed. The bow of the ship was pointed towards the bogie, slowly rotating to keep her fore sensor arrays focused on the ship, probe, or… whatever it was, for a slong as possible before they had to move. The bogie seemed unconcerned that they were being watched, not showing any indications that they knew they were being watched at all as it continued onwards. This continued for a long, long moment, the atmosphere throughout the whole ship feeling heavy enough as to stifle even breathing. If that contact suddenly became aware of their presence, or if they already knew, then the Kendel Bay could already be targeted, but until that time, they were watching.
“Skipper, sensor results are back.” the XO whispered, floating over with a datapad in hand. The commander nodded and gestured for him to continue, aware that every man on the bridge was listening. He would have been disappointed if they weren’t.
“Drive signatures and comm freqs match up with returns from the Orillian Free State.”
“Why would they be out here?” the skipper asked, arching a brow. They had never seen Orillian warships out here before… and even trade had been sparse enough that they didn’t often see them in general.
“Likely recon, skipper. Maybe preparing a first strike, but I doubt they’d send one ship for that.”
The skipper took the datapad and nodded, turning back to the viewscreen, and the asteroids outside. What did one lone Orillian ship want out here, with them? He didn’t like it.
“Commo, forward this to AEGIS, recommend readiness alert. We will continue to monitor.”
“Aye, skipper.”
------
Colonial Council Chambers, Talber
The moment of truth. Chairman Calwick opened the display holding the voting results, and blew out a breath. It was better than he feared, at the very least. The chamber waited with bated breath as he stood, and adjusted his microphone.
“On the matter of the Malaratko Syndicate, this Council has voted in favor of a full declaration of war. This motion will be presented to the PGL Congress for further consideration.” he announced, and the murmuring began, as he knew it would. He continued.
“On the matter of Unaligned cooperation, this Council has voted in favor. Talks will be offered to determine interest to our neighbors, and will also be presented to the PGL Congress.”
And then there was the last item. Calwick could only hope that the choice that they had made was the right one, and that these alliances would not come for them for this decision.
“On the matter of the Aedleshaven Question and the alliances of CONA and SAGA, this Council has voted against involvement at this time.”
The murmuring became louder even as he spoke, some rising to speak to their peers, others looking to those beside them as though wondering, who had voted for what? Calwick couldn’t say where he would have cast his vote. This matter too would be taken before the PGL, and there it would be voted on among their fellow nations, but here, for the Free Worlds at least, the decision had been made.
“Honored Representatives, this Council is now in recess,” Calwick announced, settling back into his chair. “We reconvene in one hour.”
He had to hope that they had not resigned them all to burn in the rising fires in the coming night.
Colonial Council Chambers, Talber
July 20th, 2455, 78 AME
“What of the situation with the Syndicate? Reports from the Athii system are promising, but we cannot dare let our guard down now!” was the cry from Representative Kiori, a sentiment echoed by a number of those around the large room. The colonial council had been in session for the better part of a day now, delegations from colonies large and small across Free Worlds space coming to discuss the ongoing galactic situation, fragile as it was. Frankly, it was something of a miracle that this subject had not yet been broached, as the all but direct declaration of war against the powerful and dangerous Malaratko Syndicate had been galvanizing but divisive. There were opinions for escalation of force, arguments for moving towards covert operations, cases being made to bring a declaration of war forward to the PGL and even a few that claimed that the Free Worlds was not yet ready.
This, atop the already mammoth implications of the alliances and lines being drawn in the sand all across the galaxy, the rising and falling prices of Ancerium, the collective hysteria of the galactic economy and the word, rumors and now simply outright confirmation of a Coronan fleet moving on the Golden Expanse that simply outstripped any fleet that the Free Worlds had ever seen. It was enough to drive even a boundlessly patient man to distraction. One of the prices of democracy that sooner or later, one had to pay, supposed Chairman Calwick. He rested his head on a hand at his desk as a debate began again on the council floor, between Representative Kiori and a rep for the Colonial Defense Command, supported both by a number of reps from other colonies, polities and organizations. This was fairly typical in the Council, but this, unfortunately, was not going to get them anywhere.
“Representative Kirori, Commodore Gauchen, you are asked to return to your seats.” he announced, his voice ringing through his microphone over the chamber. The chatter and debating quieted as he brought up his holoscreen, straightening his tie.
“Honored representatives of the Colonial Council, we are here today to consider several matters set before us. The first, is the matter of the conflict with the pirates and criminals known as the Malaratko Syndicate. Evidence provided to this Council by our armed forces and that of our allies have confirmed the presence of this organization during the recent Operation Hailfire, and the assault by the Syndicate against a native population.”
There was a rumble of assent through the chamber, a number of voices remaining quiet. Nobody could dispute this, everyone had seen the evidence. Some footage of the battle had even been broadcasted on Frontier Bulletin.
“The matter to be voted on here is this.” Calwick stated, flicking his hand to send the vote to every representative in the room. To openly declare war on the Malaratko Syndicate and present a motion to the Pan-Galactic League to do the same, or to maintain operations as we have before following a show of force. Voting begins now.”
The low murmur of voices began, and the votes began to be submitted…
------
Fettler’s Gate, Free Worlds, Ancerious
Mount Tathhon Navy Base
July 20th, 2455, 78 AME
“You guys have been keeping tabs on the news, right?” asked a FWN chief petty officer, uniform jacket unbuttoned as she reclined on the common room couch, looking up at the holoscreen.
“‘Course we have, skipper. It's hard to not these days, with how the talking heads are going on and on about it.” replied a Marine, in the midst of examining the chamber of his rifle. The room was filled with off-duty troopers and sailors, all of them chatting or relaxing. But around one low table, with a good view of both the holohub in the center of the room and the stunning view of the sunset-kissed mountains outside, there was a conversation.
“Galaxy getting on fire, economy’s going down the crapper, what’s new?” another marine asked, looking over towards the CPO with a shrug.
“It’s getting to be a bit more than that, Andy.” the petty officer sighed, taking a sip from her soda as the scene on the holo changed.
“News about big fleets moving on Aedleshaven, now. Really big ones.”
“Corona, and those two new alliances, yeah?” the first marine asked, slotting the bolt assembly back into place.
“Yeah. News guy was saying that Corona is intending to take the corridor or something, take all the go-juice for themselves.”
“Fuck! Just when I thought our patrols weren’t gonna get any shorter.” broke in another naval crewman, this one wearing an engineer’s bars as he leaned on the couch. There was a long pause between the four of them, before one of the marines spoke, her voice quiet as she looked over at the holo.
“Council’s in session. You guys think we’re gonna get sent in?”
That got an even longer pause. None of them wanted to say it, but fleets that size, battles as violent as that promised to be… it wasn’t something that the Free Worlds was cut out for. It was something that none of them in their lifetimes had ever seen, and many had hoped never to see. Like any soldier like themselves, they were proud to serve the Free Worlds and they were ready to do their duty, but fighting pirates, engaging in anti-slaver ops was nothing like anything they had ever seen before. Of the four of them, only the CPO had actually seen the Second Great War, and that was only the tail end and at a distance.
“I dunno,” she said quietly, looking down at the deck. “We don’t have a lot of reasons to get involved, do we?”
“Might do, if one of our allies gets involved.” the engineer postulated, scratching his beard. “But we might not.”
“Might not have a choice, if war happens, and if it comes to us.” the rifle marine stated, slotting his weapon back together and setting it down. “If that happens… Well, we might get to see if the Watchman works like it’s s’posed to.”
“Against a fleet like Corona’s? Fat fucking chance of that, man.”
“Hey, I’m just saying. We’ve never been invaded here.”
“Came close, that one time.”
“That was then, I’m talking now, hull-for-brains.”
“Both of you, shut up.” the CPO said suddenly, gesturing to the screen. ”Voting’s started.”
All four of them turned to watch the screen, silent once more. Nobody wanted a war. Nobody wanted to fly without hope into the jaws of hell. They just had to hope their leadership shared the same opinion.
------
Colonial Council Chambers, Talber
“The votes for the declaration of war have been tallied, and will be reviewed.” Chairman Calwick stated as his screen beeped, looking around the room. He had full attention now, as he brought up the next item on the docket.
“The next vote is in regards to the developing situation in Aedleshaven and the matter of the alliances of SAGA and CONA. The matter at hand must be carefully considered, honored representatives, for this could lead us as a nation down a path that we have never had to tread. Do we involve ourselves in this operation, and do we align ourselves with either of these alliances? Do we warn our neighbors and offer them protection and cooperation if they want it? The voting will begin now.” he said, repeating the motion as he had before. The room fell silent but for hushed whispers, and the whirring of cameras. Calwick knew that the entire Free Worlds, and maybe the whole of the Uriel Cluster, was watching.
------
FWNS Kendel Bay
12-09 Sector 'Prairie’ Grid 125-097
July 20th, 2455, 78 AME
It was quiet on the bridge of the destroyer. The lights had been shut off and replaced with the red of battle lighting, loose objects floating about in the microgravity set to in anticipation of possible combat. Nobody spoke but for reports, there was no chatter. The air was still enough that even a cough sounded like a gunshot, the hum of the ship faded into the background.
“He’s still out there, commander.” the sensor operator reported, focused over his screen, the display throwing ghostly shapes in light into the air. Their position was indicated by a small, blue circle currently in the midst of an asteroid patch, the massive stones around them showing up as little specks of gray on the display. Outside the bridge windows, the stones were very real and very large, many of them larger than the ship, slowly tumbling through space.
But they were not alone. A red triangle that could be anything from a probe to a dreadnought sat outside of the asteroid patch and well outside visual range, making its way towards the center of the lonely system. They were the only two ships here.
“Commo, is there signals outgoing or incoming from the bogie?” the skipper asked, floating between the two operators. The man shook his head, one hand on his headset, eyes closed.
“Just routine stuff, sir. Encryption is unfamiliar, but I’m running it through the system.” the commo replied, eyes still closed. The bow of the ship was pointed towards the bogie, slowly rotating to keep her fore sensor arrays focused on the ship, probe, or… whatever it was, for a slong as possible before they had to move. The bogie seemed unconcerned that they were being watched, not showing any indications that they knew they were being watched at all as it continued onwards. This continued for a long, long moment, the atmosphere throughout the whole ship feeling heavy enough as to stifle even breathing. If that contact suddenly became aware of their presence, or if they already knew, then the Kendel Bay could already be targeted, but until that time, they were watching.
“Skipper, sensor results are back.” the XO whispered, floating over with a datapad in hand. The commander nodded and gestured for him to continue, aware that every man on the bridge was listening. He would have been disappointed if they weren’t.
“Drive signatures and comm freqs match up with returns from the Orillian Free State.”
“Why would they be out here?” the skipper asked, arching a brow. They had never seen Orillian warships out here before… and even trade had been sparse enough that they didn’t often see them in general.
“Likely recon, skipper. Maybe preparing a first strike, but I doubt they’d send one ship for that.”
The skipper took the datapad and nodded, turning back to the viewscreen, and the asteroids outside. What did one lone Orillian ship want out here, with them? He didn’t like it.
“Commo, forward this to AEGIS, recommend readiness alert. We will continue to monitor.”
“Aye, skipper.”
------
Colonial Council Chambers, Talber
The moment of truth. Chairman Calwick opened the display holding the voting results, and blew out a breath. It was better than he feared, at the very least. The chamber waited with bated breath as he stood, and adjusted his microphone.
“On the matter of the Malaratko Syndicate, this Council has voted in favor of a full declaration of war. This motion will be presented to the PGL Congress for further consideration.” he announced, and the murmuring began, as he knew it would. He continued.
“On the matter of Unaligned cooperation, this Council has voted in favor. Talks will be offered to determine interest to our neighbors, and will also be presented to the PGL Congress.”
And then there was the last item. Calwick could only hope that the choice that they had made was the right one, and that these alliances would not come for them for this decision.
“On the matter of the Aedleshaven Question and the alliances of CONA and SAGA, this Council has voted against involvement at this time.”
The murmuring became louder even as he spoke, some rising to speak to their peers, others looking to those beside them as though wondering, who had voted for what? Calwick couldn’t say where he would have cast his vote. This matter too would be taken before the PGL, and there it would be voted on among their fellow nations, but here, for the Free Worlds at least, the decision had been made.
“Honored Representatives, this Council is now in recess,” Calwick announced, settling back into his chair. “We reconvene in one hour.”
He had to hope that they had not resigned them all to burn in the rising fires in the coming night.