Post by EmperorMyric on Feb 22, 2023 23:24:03 GMT
Why is it that every so often history demands a bloodbath, a holocaust, an Armageddon? And why is it that every time the time before has taught us nothing?
Aedleshaven was a hellzone.
A massacre was putting it lightly, thousands of ships lost, tens of millions of lives extinguished. It was the first battle of the new war, the 3rd Ancerious war, and it had eclipsed all previous battles from 2AW, 1AW and even the Boreal Jihad. It was a new era calling.
None of the three forces that vied for control over the Golden Corridor, the most economically and strategically important place in the entire galaxy, could get the upper hand. SAGA had a much more cohesive and well equipped force, while CONA had ideological drive and numbers. The Third Republic of Corona however had sheer tonnage and belligerence on their side, having pushed twice now at the cost of hundreds of vessels of all sides. No matter how surgical either side was in crippling super weapons, CnC ships, refueling stations and more it was not enough to gain more than a fractional temporary victory.
CONA and SAGA were tiring, but Corona and their AI controlled vessels were designed to grind down the enemy, the space war was waning but the ground war was no different.
SAGA forces had met OMPAF and CONA forces head on, being fought to a standstill at LZ Alpha after both sides suffered heavy losses, the armored combat across the Cimbrian plains being some of the largest ever seen in galactic history. LZ Charlie had fared better for CONA, Crippling the SAGA oceanic fleets and beating them back to their LZ, although the cost had been very high.
But Beta had been where the galaxy's eyes were, the SAGA forces suffering terribly as they fought to secure the city of Lyne. They had done so, but a strategic nuclear strike by CONA had practically erased the city from the map, crippling OMPAFs forces SAGA had swept across the region and made significant gains on the ground. But fighting was fierce in near orbit and in the air, every minute more lives were lost.
But change was just over the horizon. Diplomacy and politics were finally turning, but the question of whether the war would end with Aedleshaven was never in doubt.
Aedleshaven System: Tau Secundus
The read outs painted a bleak and horrific picture.
Abelcain had not eaten in over a day. He had stood, almost like a statue, watching the updated loss read outs for space forces and the ground forces, but most importantly, the civilian casualties. He had watched impassively as Lyne had been wiped off the surface of his world, as millions had died in moments to a dogmatic CONA force, who had clearly decided sacrificing Abelcains people was worth it to hold SAGA back. Yet they had swept through anyway, taking so much in the equator. The Orillians had danced around, CONA forces themselves using OMPAF forces as blockers and shields, treating them as a resource to be used.
His command staff had rotated in and out, talking, murmuring among themselves but trying not to be too loud as if it would disturb Abelcain from some trance. They had shouted at him of course, when Lyne had occurred they had demanded retribution, demanded orders. But he had merely held up a hand for silence.
It had been almost an entire day since the ordeal at Lyne, he knew his commanders had hand picked them personally. He knew how they felt, what they felt and the general mood of the troops through the command lines. He had been evaluating.
Not the military situation, Aedleshaven had been invaded before, beaten far worse than this. They could rebuild.
No, he had been evaluating the political situation.
CONA and their hardliners didn't give any more of a care about OMPAF than the colonials did, and it was painfully obvious to see. He had refused all direct contact with his Orillian CONA Liason and he had also heard rumours of the supposed ceasefire talks in the Union.
That was one potential way out, but they had to deal with Corona regardless of what happened.
“The CONA leaders talk of emancipating the galaxy” He spoke aloud, causing his entourage to suddenly turn to him in surprise.
“But it is a lie, the same political lie used to exploit the very people they seek to free. Continue all current operations as planned, but make preparations. If this ceasefire is to occur we must be ready to fight Corona, but we have gauged the loyalty of our new allies and found them wanting, stained with the blood of our own people. You already know what I ask of you, I already know you think the same. We are once again bound in the chains of circumstance, let us free ourselves”
There was no question or reply, the commanders knew what Abelcain was talking about and immediately got to work.
Avarian Frontier: New Janar Space
“Confirmed dead?”
“Yes sir”
Poleck Fara wiped his hand across his face in anguish.
“The Union claims to have evidence supporting Orillias involvement although they have denied the killing, I am unsure whether to believe that Orillia committed this a-”
“It does not matter if they did or didn't, the matter of fact and reality is it happened, the fallout has already occurred. I hear the Union has already had a whole election, is this true?”
“Yes sir, the new Prime Minister Esme Lange has already been elected” He nodded.
“I guess having a fully integrated political system helps. Such progress lost, Orillia and their hardliners are losing us this war, losing us the moral high ground and stopping any diplomatic discourse. What are the current losses from Aedleshaven for our forces?” The Foreign Minister grimaced in preparation for the number that was to be given. Even in his office looking out over the luscious woodlands before him he knew he was fighting for its existence, both against SAGA hardliners, but also against his own allies.
“58% sir” Poleck didn't reply for a moment.
“And to think the foundation that we laid at the meeting was for nothing. Our own allies are a poison to our cause”
“Many seem to think that way sir”
“I am aware. It's time we did something about it, but our only window just got shattered.”
Poleck and his aide both sighed before a chime called out from the Minister’s desk.
“Yes, what is it?”
“Sir I have an urgent priority One communication for you, its an active video call”
“Who is it from?”
“Its Prime Minister Esme Jange of the Union of Worlds sir” Poleck looked in absolute shock at his aid.
“Maybe not all is lost, Minister”
Silver Cradle: Union of Worlds Space
Esme stood on the podium looking out across a whole crowd of people. The energy was palpable.
“People of the Union of Worlds, and of the wider galaxy, brothers and sisters all. I have within my hand, the legacy of Prime Minister Tarn Eiasten. This piece of paper, is the foundation, the culmination, of a potential and lasting peace in the galaxy” She held up a document.
“I have just talked to the leaders of New Janar, along with several others part of the CONA block. They wish to see natives of this galaxy freed from potential persecution and economic exploitation, something we too wish to see. Right now, thousands of lives are being lost on Aedleshaven and elsewhere in the galaxy for every word I speak. Those lives can be saved, and dialogue be established through the CGSS, if we all just agreed to stop fighting. An impossible goal many told me” Esme paused.
“And yet, this document, this signed and written document, is a ceasefire. Yes, brothers and sisters of the galaxy, it is official. This legislation is a ceasefire document which will end the combat at Aedleshaven and elsewhere. There are conditions, nothing comes easy in these trying times. But the full details will be made public as soon as possible. It is the hardliners and extremists who want this war, and on both sides they will be dealt with. Tarn Eiasten’s death calls out for retribution I know, but this ceasefire was his legacy. And I will be damned if the first act I make as this great nation's Prime Minister is to tear down the legacy of the last. He wanted peace, and we will have peace.”
“So I call now, on all those within SAGA and CONA to lay down your arms, to accept this document and to stop fighting one another. I wish I could say the fight was finished, but we all know there is one side who will not yield to peace, and that is the Third Republic. One of the terms of this agreement is that both SAGA AND CONA, will fight together as we tried before, to stop the Coronan fleet. To protect Aedleshaven and keep the corridor free. It is one last act of blood, one joint operation to try and help pave for a better tomorrow. As such, all of those who hear my voice. Join with us, let us try to fix this galaxy”
Esme was met with roars of triumph.
BREAKING UPDATES:
It has just been announced and confirmed that an official ceasefire has been issued between the Union of Worlds and New Janar on behalf of SAGA and CONA respectively to take place immediately and so diplomatic talks can resume in the CGSS.
Welcomed already by many on both sides the ceasefire, thought to be at the very least temporary, is the final legacy of the Olive Branch event and Prime Minister Tarn Eiasten. Despite the well received nature of the signing by many nations on both sides have criticized the move or outright denounced the ceasefire altogether, with hardliners and extremists being the most vocal.
No word has been heard from Orillia or their supporters within CONA but the response will likely make or break the ceasefire.
This document comes with various stipulations including a joint bloc defense
of Aedleshaven against the Third Republic of Corona as well as the expulsion of more extremist elements of SAGA. Examples being the Imperial Restorationist Government of Capitol, Eapia and Osoriopia. It is believed that the same removals will occur within CONA soon with time and many within CONA who left the CGSS have rejoined to take part in unilateral diplomatic talks.
Time will tell how this ceasefire ends whether in permanent peace or continued conflict or how Orillia will respond but for now it is the first step towards ending this war.
We will bring you the latest from Aedleshaven as things develop.
Carnaithian Space
The admiral stormed down the hall of the mooring station. The intercom barked its updates to the personnel aboard the structure, dozens of kilometers of core structure supporting more dozens of mooring scaffolds. Spacers saluted and carried on with their business as the admiral bore down on his, stopping only for the security scan leading into the classified command area.
The area within was no more decorated than the logistical spaces surrounding it; the difference came in the presence of stummer fields fencing off small offices from one another. But those were all empty. Security stood by doors, drones flying through their own transit network and patrolling spaces. Beyond the next set of heavy portholes, the command staff could be seen assembled - blurry, as they were surrounded by their own, large stummer field. The admiral marched through, heads turning to acknowledge him, the crowd parting to reveal the figure at the group’s center.
“Admiral Xilieph. It’s an honor to have you here.” The kind, wise face of High Admiral Jaseron’s scruffy-furred and fragile figure peered at the arrival through wide snout-hung glasses, clutching at a cane. “I can regale and honor your achievements as much as the new medals on your chest can and more, but you know as well as I that we’re far from done.”
“I’ve already recommended the pivoting of assets to the defense of our own territories and assets,” Xilieph responded, steeled yet tired. “Supporting the ceasefire loses us nothing.”
Jaseron shrugged. “Perhaps the respect of our allies.”
“Allies who contributed half of what we did. Allies who hesitate and allies who behave like the CONA whelps we fight against.” The murmur of conversation between friends in the crowd had silenced, the noise-cancelling warbling of the stummer field becoming audible. Jaseron offered a weary smile in response this time.
“We’re pivoting to homeland defense until further notice. We have an announcement to make,” The superior deflected, gesturing to another set of doors - a broadcast room. “Go on then.”
Jaseron and Xilieph stood at attention before the recording equipment - CIGO personnel and AI cores filtering their actions and adjusting footage on-the-fly before feeding it into a more deliberate system. It took but one take.
Celebransk: Orillian Space
The silence was palpable.
Until the breaking of the PDA in Madam Yrillixs hand.
“We were strong armed, betrayed by our own countrymen.” She watched the news reels, it was all over the Ancnet.
“Ma’am we can always denounce the act and continue operations, New Janar and their supporters are only a fraction of CONA and nowhere near our powerbase”
“Are you that dense? We would lose every scrap of public and galactic support we have if we choose to avoid peace. We have no option but to concede to New Janars political backstabbing”
“But ma’am our forces are not designed to fight alongside SAGA against Corona” Yrillix huffed.
“They won't. Withdraw all forces from Aedleshaven immediately, get those who are close to us to do the same. Sabotage or destroy everything we cannot take, and cripple anything we may leave to the supporters of New Janar. Leave the CONA forces staying to fight with the colonial scum nothing, terminate all joint command and info nets. Let the traitors flail. We may lose Aedleshaven for our direct control but Corona will annihilate the majority of SAGAs fleets and cripple New Janars little gaggle. They will have no choice but to court OMPAF, and the corridor goes back to status quo. Only this time, we have the military upper hand and our enemies will be forced to lick their wounds.”
“Right away Ma’am”
“New Janar thinks they have ended the war, thinks they have outplayed us. Maybe for the time being, but they have given us the very thing we wanted. They have left the colonials' throats wide open. Its time to tear them out”
Citizens of the Galaxy.
It is true that a ceasefire has been signed between CONA and SAGA. And it is true that CONA and SAGA elements will be participating together in joint operations against the Third Coronan Republic.
We of the Orillian Free State support this ceasefire as a method that can lead toward peace, although we do not believe that the colonials wish for our true freedom we are willing to discuss terms and political moves to help achieve our goals off the battlefield. While our hope is this will succeed we are always prepared to act should the colonials turn their guns against us once more, and while we did not commit the atrocious act of assassination the Union accuses us of we are fully willing to back the ceasefire discussed with their previous Prime Minister.
Our forces however are extremely battered from the engagements at Aedleshaven and will not be able to support the joint operation. Instead we will be withdrawing all our assets to home territory to ensure that no accidents occur to jeopardize the current peace.
We wish the joint operation good luck, for the sake of the natives of the galaxy.
Freedom for us all.
Kalaras System: IRG Capitol Space
“And they oust us just like that! Outrageous! We should never have trusted the words of the old AGA!” Pelio was angry, the man sat at the head of the large table surrounded by his lessers, both physically and holographically for those at Aedleshaven.
“Typical of the Union and their ilk, we help them fight and die at Aedleshaven and they spit on our sacrifice and try to make peace with these damn savages.”
“We don't have enough supplies or support assets to maintain operations in Aedleshaven if SAGA pulls out, and yet they want us to destroy the Coronans first. One last fight they call it, no doubt to throw more of our countrymen into the meat grinder”
“We won't be fighting Corona. All forces are to withdraw to our borders at once, positioning them to threaten Strixx. That old hag will be forced to peel forces away from the war against the NCR, bogging them down even more” Pelios reply was quick. The commanders from Aedleshaven nodded in response, Pelio had already given them orders to withdraw over an hour ago. And IRG fleet assets and ground forces were beginning to pull away from SAGA.
“Surely Encanda must cease the invasion of the NCR with the ceasefire?”
“No, the invasion was independent of the north's allegiance, they wont stop the invasion just because of a piece of paper”
“Works for us, let them fight and die when its time we will crush them and rightfully take what belongs to us”
“I have received word that many within both SAGA and CONA are refusing the ceasefire, this war is not going anywhere. We will use this opportunity to consolidate our position before we launch an attack against Encand-”
They were all interrupted by one of the Hydra Guard bursting into the room with a salute.
“Urgent news my lords. Catan has just been attacked by an unknown foe, the shipyards have been utterly destroyed” The mens faces went a mix of white and red. Pelio stood up in rage.
“Give me a full report now!”
Broadcast from the Carnaithian Omniversal Empire
Even from the beginning, Carnaith has called for meeting with peers. Even as the war on Aedelshaven raged, we avoided total nuclear annihilation. Even as our armies fell, their remnants reached out to former hostiles in assistance. Even as Coronal forces bore down on the world, we turned our guns skyward and led friend and would-be foe alike to shatter the monoliths of the greatest fleet in the entire galaxy. Even as terrorists interdict the golden cross, we work hand-in-hand with natives and neutrals to clear the blockage.
The galaxy is stronger as brothers in arms. Carnaith has contributed to the issues outlined in the Jobediea Report, yet we are willing to lead the charge to correct them. We are ready, willing, and able to facilitate changes either through ourselves or through the CGSS alike. Native states have already lost blood for no good gain - They do not have to lose more.
Remember the dead of the corridor. Remember those who died so that the galaxy may live.
BREAKING NEWS:
CEASEFIRE ALREADY IN ROCKY WATERS?
UNN– Silver Cradle: With the current ceasefire between CONA and SAGA officially put into place the galaxy is ablaze with political back and forth as well as confirmations and official statements.
However while even the likes of Orillia have accepted the ceasefire there are many who have denounced it, and even called it an affront to those who have laid down their lives already in this war. Most vocal are those ‘extremist’ elements which have been removed from SAGA such as the IRG, Forst Plutocracy, Osoriopia and the Geladian Hierarchy to name a few. However extremists within CONA have also said much the same thing, threatening the already bare thread ceasefire in the opening days.
Despite the call for a unified response to Coronas attack on Aedleshaven as well, forces from both SAGA & CONA have withdrawn from the battle, leaving both sides undergunned. Still however both have managed to combine and reports indicate that the full engagement will likely start in the next few hours.
Alas despite this ceasefire, fighting still continues in many places across the galaxy, in Capitol between the NCR and CNM, in the Invilis Corridor between the Bulo Compact and Royal Federation and in the north between the Emerald Republics of Ramamunjagar and Sarabhai.
We can only hope the coming diplomatic talks can help calm these still burning flames and pave a way for true lasting peace.
We will bring you more as this develops.
Natar: ASN Space
The Palace of the Assembly, Talcit, Natar, ASN Space.
“Sir, we-!” A young, Teliran bureaucrat burst into the room before quickly silencing. Before her was the naked visage of Natar’s Stadtholder, Saljir Arcamavir, as he sloshed about in the bathtub of his quarters. The civil servant took a bewildered stare at the sight, caught off guard, before bursting into an explosion of stammering and excuses, “-I’m sorry Stadtholder Arcamavir, my superior told me to-.”
“What is it…?” Saljir sighed with a tiresome, disinterested tone.
“Regarding some news from the Union of Worlds, sir.”
“Yes, what is it?” He inquired, to be quite honest he couldn’t have cared less about useless bulletins.
“...The Colonials have signed a ceasefire with the Natives.”
Saljir’s head spiked up at the statement. He practically cracked his head to the side to look over to his secretary with an icy glare.
“That’s not good… Not good at all.” Abruptly, he rose from the water in a tremendous splash and began to scamper across the warm, tiled floor of his chamber. His secretary did her best to maintain professional composure as she desperately averted her gaze from the charging image of her overweight boss. Passing her by, Saljir rushed into study as he slipped a towel around himself. Rushing through dossiers and files; hastily shoving them into a briefcase, the Teliran leader began to mutter to his lackey.
“You are aware of what this means don’t you…?”
She shook her head.
Arcamavir looked over with an outraged flare of his nostrils,
“Peace! A genuine chance at peace you moron!”
She now looked even more confused.
With a huff, the Stadtholder shook his head and paused his work for a moment,
“When Mose Tetlisun was in power, and I was merely his Director of Finance, he arranged a deal with the Orillians. He would use our planet’s financial systems to fund their militarisation programmes… Tetlisun sank trillions into them… ‘A long term investment’ he called it!” He grunted, “...I was the only one who called him a fool- And they say I'm an economic imbecile!” He spat out with bitterness before returning to his briefcase-packing.
“A ceasefire means peace, peace means cooperation, cooperation means no more war… Well, except for Orillia, those batshit psychopaths would keep trying to find a way to antagonize even if everyone was dancing around a fire singing songs of friendship!”
“They’ll be outmaneuvered and their war economy will atrophy their own health. If they don’t collapse to some sort of war, they’ll collapse to their own bankruptcy, and that’s not to mention how much our reemployment programmes currently depend on production for the war effort of both damned sides!” He whined out in a desperate panic.
“They’re going to hold me accountable, you know?” He turned back to the secretary, who was by this point simply trying to follow along with everything the Stadtholder was saying, “The banks, the industrialists… They’re the same people that put me in fucking power and they’ll make me squeal until this war is back on…” He could feel himself starting to hyperventilate as he began to feel the carefree security he had enjoyed just a few moments ago come crashing down upon him. His mind was racing.
“Even after I fucking kick him out Mose-fucking-Tetlisun is still shitting on my face!” The Stadtholder whimpered as he tried to button up the first tunic he could find. He tried to take what deep breaths he could and cool himself.
“Okay… Okay…” He stuttured as he turned to his secretary, “...Tell… Tell them that I have a plan… It- It’s simple… The Orillians need the other natives back on side… We need the natives back at war… T… And both sides both want peace but doubt the other does… All we… All we have to do is… I-is devise a way to convince them that the other plans a preemptive strike while their guard is down… It’s as simple as that.” He waved his hand. With a desperate nod his croney took flight down the halls and disappeared from the room.
With a shudder, Arcamavir took one look at his mortified face in the mirror and mumbled,
“...God save me.”
Vulkan System: Triarch Inc. Space
“A ceasefire? Very prudent, given what's happening in Askandar at the moment”
John sat behind his desk, surveying the various data packages from the news networks and from Askandar itself. He didn't want this war, although his security forces had fought alongside Rangvald to keep company assets safe on behalf of CONA, it still didn't sit right with him.
“Yes sir, what are your orders?” Destro was ever blunt and to the point. John sighed.
“Have the dividends from the Hashomer transfer finally come through? Truth be told I was a small bit surprised that Talixos could pull it off but the man was just like his father. Lets just hope his deals don't destroy the company a second time” A bleak smile crossed Triarchs face at the irony.
“They have.” Destros' failure to rise to the humour or topic didn't put John off.
“Good. Then I want you to funnel all of that into the next phase of the plan. I think we have seen what the Army can do, and while we did damage to this galaxy before I think it's time we give something back. A way to fight them affordably. I want you to hand everything we have on anti-psionics to Hashomer, omit nothing. Tell them to run wild, tell them to bring down the very psion field itself”
“Sir, is it wise to hand over such classified information immediately?” John's face blanked, as he looked over the reports of damage caused by the Panopticon. They had struck hard and fast, destroying all of the Hronir research before their anti-psionic response could react. That was a blow that made John angry.
“Yes it is, their R&D is beyond ours and we can turn their creations into sellable, workable products. As I said, spare nothing, and put the funding into expanding that department. There's no money in megastructures during this day and age, it's time we focused. Tell me, are the 5 prototypes ready?” Destro shook his head.
“No sir, they will be ready in approximately a month” John grimaced.
“Bastards. Askandar could have been retribution against the Army and a display of products in one move. See that everything for them is accelerated and approved. The Aurastone from the Voshkanreem will help”
“Yes sir”
“I can't wait to see the look on their face when we match them at their own game”
Aedleshaven System: Golden Corridor
The entire situation in the corridor had been chaos during the fighting.
Now the ceasefire had been signed the chaos only escalated.
Elements of both sides continued to fight sporadically here and there, as command nets demanded an end to hostilities and forces to withdraw. The CONA situation was far worse, almost immediately and with military precision the Orillian fleet and its closest supporters broke away from the battle line, cut datalinks and accelerated away from the engagement to try and leave the corridor. Even on Aedleshavens surface huge lift operations were underway as Orillian drone forces were evacuated, other CONA elements demanding to know when they would be withdrawn or while the Orillians were creating so many holes in the line. Barely any responses if any came, the priority for the Free State was to save as many military assets as possible quickly followed by their supporters.
It was rapidly made worse too, any Orillian assets which couldnt be taken were sabotaged, along with joint assets and even local infrastructure which had supported them. Supposedly it was to prevent SAGA forces from gaining intel on them, but OMPAFs demands and outrage fell on deaf ears, the very people who were supposed to defend them had now abandoned them and added salt to the wound on top of such. Even as the other CONA forces now prepared to leave the world and SAGA did the same, the air across the globe was melancholic and remorseful. Soldiers of all sides felt the entire affair had been a total waste, as frontlines were disassembled and assets were recovered it had felt like tens of thousands had died for nothing. Resentment was red raw all round, even the OMPAF forces and civilians who should have been happy that their world was now once again free, felt betrayal and anger. Their world had burned once more, and for what?
Ego.
OMPAF did not harry either side as they left, and while standoffs occurred the withdrawal of ground forces from Aedleshaven went without incident for the most part, the ever lingering sense of doubt on everyone's minds.
But in space things were different.
As the shooting between CONA & SAGA ceased the Coronan fleet, now aware of the ceasefire finally decided to make its last and final move. A hail mary to break through and take Aedleshaven fully, to secure the corridor and have a total stranglehold of Ancerium to fix the market and save their own nation from collapse. Both of the power blocs reeled at the push, explosions lighting the void as CONA & SAGA now out of position struggled to hold back the Coronans. Both SAGA nations and CONA nations had abandoned the battleline, leaving whole open sections in the frontline and shutting down important com and datalinks. The entire situation was a mess and losses, already high, were once again steadily creeping up as the gigantic Linebackers rushed forward guns blazing.
It was then as both sides reeled to make a cohesive defense that the Carnaithian Admiral Xilieph made a radical decision. Agreed upon by Union Admiral Dewitt but facing much criticism the decision was made to open SAGAs datalinks and comlinks to the CONA forces. It was the only way to ensure cohesion and to create a unified defense. While it was attacked for giving CONA access to SAGA sub systems and some on CONA refused thinking it was an elaborate ruse for a cyber attack the vast majority accepted. Falling back slightly the CONA & SAGA forces, now made up almost exclusively of the moderates and more understanding nations, formed a unified battleline. While the peace was uneasy the fleet stood ready, even as Abelcain and OMPAF stood surprised watching the unified defense of their world.
When the Coronan fleet hit the united defense line all hell broke loose.
They did not find a shattered and disunified fleet but a cohesive wall.
Timed long range weapon barrages battered the Coronan frontline quickly followed by massive attack craft waves which blasted apart the gigantic vessels despite their best efforts of huge point defense fire. Even as they closed to try and brawl the joint fleet was fluid, ever moving, allowing individual Coronan vessels to penetrate the fleet only to be surrounded and picked off by fast moving hunter killer packs. Where the Coronans struck hardest SAGA & CONA dreadnoughts formed the anvil upon which the Third Republic shattered itself, immense planet shattered firepower traded at such close range practically blinded sensors as ship detonations and wreckage clouded entire parts of the engagement.
The final battle of the Coronan fleet ended in approximately three hours.
Despite the best efforts of the Third Republic its military might was dashed on the united force before them. Its remaining ships, crippled and battered opting to retreat and withdraw after the destruction of their flagship for a third time in the battle. They had done it, Aedleshaven and the Golden Corridor had been saved from the Coronan threat.
But the price was high.
Practically all fleets, be they CONA or SAGA, were reporting casualty rates starting at least at 50%, with some contingents having been mission killed completely. It was devastation, and while victory had been attained the state of the forces present was telling. With the battle won individual fleet elements began to sound off, signaling their withdrawal from the corridor and their return home to re-arm and repair. It started with a trickle but soon turned into a tide.
The joint datalink was finally closed, with many messages being exchanged by both sides.
The most frequent however seemed to quickly turn into a well used phrase.
“Remember the dead of the corridor, those who died so that the galaxy may live”
It became almost a chant as forces began to leave the corridor en mass. Whole fleets withdrawing and those staying behind focusing on recovering vessels and debris. The wreckage itself from such a huge battle was a treasure trove and already OMPAF salvage teams were being overworked to recover everything they could as scavengers across the entire galaxy descended in swarms.
But it was over.
The Battle of Aedleshaven had ended.
8th Strike Force Staging Area
Somewhere in the Golden Corridor
RANGSI Staging Area
RSS Gamma George
To say Force Admiral Naylen was a ghost would be a severe understatement.
Perhaps it was her skin’s even more unnatural paleness, as a result of the prolonged lack of natural light, much of her days spent either in sterile steel-grey cubicles, or in the dark command centers of the bridge which were barely illuminated by holo-maps and terminals. Perhaps it was her underweight, skeleton-like face - she barely had time to eat and nourish herself in the constant chaos of battle, and at times she and her fleet were cut off from supply routes as CONA, and later Coronan, hunter-killer teams disrupted their tempo. CONA raids into RANGSI systems also disrupted supply deliveries on a larger-scale - many war fronts were disrupted, but Aedelshaven was hit the hardest with the loss of its main supply system, Rian-Tabah.
But above all, she was spiritually broken. The casualty rates had been high - more than 70% of the original Strike Force had been lost in the terrible, nail-biting battles that left not only her but every command staff and every ship Captain constantly on edge, wondering if they would ever survive the next day. There were many times, too many to count, where Naylen’s headquarters fleet was almost overrun, only to be rescued at the eleventh hour by Union, Carnaithian, or other allied SAGA reinforcements.
The theater itself was a literal meat grinder as the 8th Strike Force faced the combined might of the numerically superior CONA forces, and those of the Coronans as well. New replacements kept coming in, and they kept dying. Eventually, the situation was so dire that Vladano became unwilling to throw anymore of its professional Strike Forces inside this meat grinder, and Naylen soon found that her next replacements were cannibalised from hosh-poshes of MIRA Light Strike Forces and System Defence Forces - a.k.a military reservists.
If a knife had been stabbed into Naylen’s heart, then that only twisted it further. It was one thing to ask professional astronaval crews to go into the breach, and die for your operation. It was entirely another to ask reservists to do so, whose hearts lay, not in the profession of arms, but in the families that they leave behind. They trusted that Naylen, one of the legends from the 2nd Ancerious War, could bring them back home. Indeed, their trust was rewarded - they could indeed go back home. Just not alive.
Naylen was remembered by her subordinates as an aggressive commander, but so was she not one so easily willing to throw lives into the fray, and she deeply cared for each and everyone under her command. Those closest to her knew that every death under her command was one more that kept her up at night, and guilt drove her to do better. For example, the loss of that one Captain who crashed his ship into Eosian defences at Klendathu drove her to come up with measures to deal with enemy anti-orbital defences, involving a great deal of ECM, recon, and stand-off assets.
If she mustered guilt for one Captain, what then of this horrible massacre? What can she even learn from this? The Chamber of Standards, a large room dedicated to the display of flags belonging to the many Fleets that made up the 8th Strike Force, offered nothing but silence. But the charred, torn and peppered fleet standards on the wall, with holographic labels of ‘DECOMMISSIONED’ and ‘IN HONOUR OF THEIR SACRIFICE’, provided her the answer. She was a failure.
The 8th Strike Force, or what was left of it, would soon return back to RANGSI to be deactivated for the time being. The Force quite almost literally needed to be rebuilt from the ground up, with whole new ships and new crews required for it to return to proper fighting condition.
Erdae-Terione
The rude, open-mouthed chewing to Rictuld’s flank was beginning to become grating. The gently crowded open-air skyway of the administrative megabuilding offered spectacular views of the sunny subtropical coast, and the warm sun contributed to a hopeful and happy attitude throughout the city. Other megabuildings occupied the horizon, from residential to corporate to government.
“Sho,” the food-full mouth of the Royal Guard’s compatriot spoke before swallowing. “You don’t think this ceasefire’s in good faith.”
“I think it’s in very good faith, actually. I believe it to be a permanent measure to only a few is the issue.”
“No ceasefire is permanent,” Reik chuckled. “That’s why you keep me around.”
The structure in front of them grew in scale as they approached, a round spire whose mast speared far, far above the rest in the tower cluster. It was guarded by a sheltered segment of the skyway, security personnel and drones patrolling as national flags flew from its sides. A great banner, fifty meters long, flew in the wind above them directly off of the side of the spire.
Within bustled the offices of a military communications center. A big one. An elevator ride. A walk down a hall. All filled with friendly banter between the two officers and salutes from their inferiors. They stopped before a secure door similar to the one on the mooring station, its mechanisms opening only once identities had been confirmed. Immediately visible was the face and figure of Katia Varan, annoyed and weary.
“Get in and hurry, I’ve been here two hours.”
While Rictuld wordlessly complied with his peer, Reik was all but guaranteed not to.
“You knew where we were,” he shrugged. “You could have gotten chea.” An annoyed, if obviously banterous, jab quickly connected with his bicep, eliciting boisterous laughter from the giant as the doors closed.
Before the trio stood a rare device in the colony, as ubiquitous as it was at home. A philotic communication array, normally used to send word directly back to the home territories. It wouldn’t be used today, as this room was simply being used for its incredible security. Along the walls were RTG units, powering the entire room from within; security seals along the entire wall with charged plating preventing silent breaches meant that there was next to zero chance of compromise.
“The Union can’t be trusted,” Katia announced to her peers. “Not fully. I just got worrying data from the golden cross with communications matching their closed line. The ceasefire seems honest but I can’t help but think it’s a setup. They haven’t sent me a dime of tamper-free evidence from the olive branch meeting.” She began gesturing and tapping at invisible readouts. “And everybody expects Orillia to be up to something, me included. They’re pulling their forces out of everything, they’re going to strike at somebody.”
“Calm down,” Reik responded, a sidelong glare from the CIGO director signaling spiteful acknowledgement. “We have contingencies.”
“But we have bigger problems, too. The entire galaxy’s ignoring this little 2AW relic called the Army of the Panopticon - Inara’s dogma continuing to ruin things. See.” She swept a display out between the three, Elwar’s request and live updates from Askandar playing out on a hologram projected from her eyepiece.
“We need to lock down this little economic philosophy dispute and quickly.”
BREAKING GALACTIC NEWS:
THE THIRD REPUBLIC HAS FALLEN.
Yes. You heard that right valued readers of the galaxy. It is all over for our hard hit friends in the Third Republic.
We have received word and hundreds of reports today that the Coronan assault on the Golden Corridor, a brazen and reckless action undertaken in an attempt to stranglehold the source of Ancerium, has failed. Surprisingly due to a joint CONA & SAGA defense of the corridor the massive fleets of Corona were stopped in their tracks and destroyed in a titanic space battle. After having their flagships destroyed one after another three times you would have thought they would have learnt. But alas, the remnants of their once titanic armada has retreated, fleeing home.
Albeit, not somewhere that is doing much better, you see readers, we are getting many reports that the Third Republics government has simply disappeared.
Yes you read that right, Coronas leaders have just up and left.
Upon hearing of the defeat and with riots and uprisings erupting all across their now economically shattered nation, the leaders actually made a smart decision for once in their lives and just left. Taking with them many investments, economic assets and SIGEC. Ransacking their own people for their own personal profit. If that doesn't sum up Coronans in a nutshell I don't know what does.
Already the Grindstone has declared the Third Republics assets and economic investments Junk and that it is likely to default on all loan repayments or economic deals. Signaling the last nail in a coffin which is by this point made out of little but nails and feces.
With such instability and utter economic collapse I think it is finally safe to say dear readers.
That the Third Republic of Corona is simply no more.
It's a shame of course, I will miss writing about its hilarious antics and terrible actions.
But do not worry readers, we will keep you up to speed as the situation deteriorates further.
Aedleshaven System: Tau Secundus
Abelcain was relieved truth be told.
The CONA & SAGA joint fleets had defended the system and shattered the Coronan fleets, at great cost. His world was still battered by the ground war, and both sides were still withdrawing military assets which he had given his word not to interfere with. There had been enough bloodshed for the time being, and the sheer scale of the wreckage field now in the system was a gold mine of the highest order both for restoring ships and retrieving technology and data.
All told, OMPAF had come out of this relatively well, and he was thankful that his world was not now a devastated blasted wasteland being bombarded by degenerate filth.
But despite the good situation they were in, there was something he simply had to address.
As he stood at the podium he looked around, the melted, ruined remnants of buildings and roads surrounded him. The blackened cratered ground all that remained of the central area of Lyne. He had insisted on making the speech here, it would help hammer home his words.
“People of the galaxy. Hear my words. I am Abelcain, leader of Aedleshaven and I stand before you in the ruins of Lyne, a once bustling and lively city which was wiped off the face of this planet by nuclear warfare. Not by the enemy SAGA, but by our own allies in CONA. I acknowledge, and thank, each and every nation who stood by to defend this system against the Third Republic. And I promise that OMPAF will protect the corridor and ensure that all nations may access the Ancerium hyperfuel within. But, due to events which have transpired we will be taking a neutral role once more. Siding with CONA was a mistake, rather than seeking to help natives it is purely for the ambition of one singular nation. From this point forward, Aedleshaven is withdrawing from CONA, rejoining the CGSS and is willing to work with both natives and colonials for a brighter future. The emancipation of natives will only happen if we work together. If we do not, this spot where I stand is testament to the alternative. For the people of this galaxy”
Malaakian Loyalist space:
Markhezio wished that Raok would just come back already. Standing there in the conference room with other members of the advisory board, he started thinking of what their poster face was up to. What could possibly be so important?
“...sure would be fine if the whole galaxy could stop shitting itself every two seconds.” Karen said while absent mindedly staring at the latest reports. Defeat of the once feared corona fleet had disrupted all of their plans. The balance of power between CONA and SAGA was upset by the Olive Branch conference, with SAGA's cause becoming ever more appealing with the majority of the galaxy as the war went on and on, and CGSS started springing back to life.
“We need to start leaking more shit.” Markhezio told the others who nodded in a silent agreement. Winning over SAGA became more important than ever.
“We simply aren’t in the inner circle anymore. Orillian bastards left most forces at Aedleshaven to hang, and we were not consulted at all. We bought ourselves some time with Nuclean Ecumene but…” Karen sounded defeated, the usual anger and impatience in her tone evaporating and leaving only tiredness.
“This leaves us with only one option. What's the status on the bioweapons department?”
“It's coming along, but nerds down there need more funding. And with our auxiliary incomes from the colonies evaporating, we simply don’t have any.”
“I see. If we can keep the war going until we secure more resources, we will have a real shot at taking back what's ours. Karen?”
“Yes?”
“Despite how it looks, CONA hardliners haven’t budged and aren’t even in the CGSS; they won’t go out quietly. And since they are already losing public support-”
“They need someone to break the truce for them.”
“Precisely. Look into who wants the war to go on, follow the money.”
With that, the meeting was concluded and everyone went back to their office, leaving Markhezio alone with his thoughts and fears. Everything they have been working towards has been thrown off, first with disasters at Lyne, and then with AOTP appearances…
And unification was no closer.
TO'OORA: INDUSTRIAL PARK MEGATOWER
“Shitshow. All of it. Goddamn disgrace.”
Fleetmaster Yo'thek stared out of the window, as Warlord T'lajre sat on his couch, smoking a cigar. The evening sun of the To'ooran skies lit the room with shades of amber, pockmarked with smog and the rising spires of the industrial park far below. They had chosen to meet here, instead of at Ka'li'ban, because earlier in the day they both had to manage the corporate and military sectors inverting themselves over the loss metrics from Aedleshaven for the fifth time this week.
"Don't need to tell me again." noted T'lajre, as he took a drag. "You've seen the loss rates, right?"
"Seen them? I've had to debate with the other masters for 15 hours over them. A fleet and military force worth more than all our cronies in the ICA combined, pissed away in less hours than it took for the galactic economy to crash." He sighed, and shook his head while returning to the couch. "And y'know, that's not even the worst part. Have you seen how our 'allies' performed?"
"How so? You talking about the Kels and their little maneuver? Shit made me damn near punch a wall." T'lajre mused through cigar chews.
"Not the nuke. Still boneheaded as shit to do it while we had forces in the area, but that city was doomed either way. No. I'm talking about Orillia, Aluminaria, those third rate pirates that call themselves a nation. Here, look at this."
Pulling out a datapad, he gave it to the warlord, showing him battle statistics from Landing Zone Beta. "Scroll through that. All of it. Orillia commits 2 battalions, who get folded the instant they go into combat. Aluminaria, pisses about and does nothing even after getting into a prime attacking zone. Marauders, they just flee after losing a few vehicles! Hell, we were practically the only ones in the city, all the others just sat outside and pissed about or were late arrivals! We carried these fuckers on our backs, and all we gets a 'thank you' and a 58% attrition rate!" His voice raised as he ranted on, outrage seeping into his voice.
"And the OMPAF? What about the space battle?"
"OMPAF are fine. I don't give a shit, they pulled their weight. And space was just a shitshow for everyone, cause everyone was railed into throwing mothballs in there anyways. I just-" He paused. "You actually wanna know what boils my blood the most?"
"Orillia?" drolly intoned T'lajre.
"Oh, yes. Those spineless little shits. Assassinate the Union leader at his own peace conference, then don't have the BALLS," he proclaimed, slamming a fist into the table. "to even own up to it! And then they agree to the ceasefire even though half their rhetoric is not giving an inch to anyone that so much as leans against their goals! Not mentioning all my sources say they just up and left first chance they got, leaving all of us to deal with Corona. Even sabotaged their own shit just so we couldn't use it. Disgrace." He then paused for breath, taking a swig of water then ruminating in silence.
"...You're not mad about the ceasefire?"
"Why would I be? Stopped us from committing more clowns to the circus." He paused for breath, taking a swig of water. "The Voriarch ever say what the game plan was now? Council?"
"Bunch of moderates rejoined the CGSS, council's thinking we follow suit. Talks about abandoning CONA are picking up. Can't say I disagree."
"The ICA?"
"Hotly debating. Kel's are MIA, say they're busy. Espa, Umpreta, Isoterrans and Andise are arguing with Sante, Sernin and Blitsa. Leaving versus staying. Others are trying to be level headed." T'lajre paused for a moment, thinking. "Council meeting's happening tomorrow morning, I plan to bring it up."
"Tell them we should leave. Get out of the shit before we get too stained with it." He sighed again, taking the datapad back from the warlord as he began to flit through programs. "And tell Vol'nisa to make it quick.
"You got it." He noted, getting up to leave. The amber sunset left Yo'thek sitting there, as it began to turn into a shade of bloody crimson.
CGSS Forum: Killian Rhizome
The virtual space was once again packed.
Following the ceasefire and the collapse of Corona after the united defense of Aedleshaven, a measure of life had once more found itself into the CGSS.
CONA moderates and even more mainstream nations had rejoined the organization, much more willing to conduct diplomacy and talk through the problems now facing the galaxy after witnessing both the horrors of a full blown war and what Orillia was truly like. These CONA nations had renewed vigor as discussions abounded over tariffs on colonial goods, to try make native industries more competitive and cease exploitation.
But Orillia and the majority of CONA had still not returned, despite their claim that they would do so for further peace talks.
It was a telling act.
Alongside this SAGA hardliners had themselves either left the CGSS or attempted to derail proceedings, seeing it as a betrayal that they had been kicked out of the alliance on unfair and biased grounds.
It was a rocky start to the ceasefire, and only made worse by repeated denouncing of CONA moderates by more hardline elements, claiming they had given in to colonial powers or lacked a backbone to save their own people. Such claims only increased, leading to many moderates suspending their CONA membership in an act of defiance against Orillia.
Even as peace talked slowly, glacially, made progress, the flames of war were already smoldering.
The Capitol theater raged on, skirmishes continued in the Emerald Republics, fighting between the Barony of Metzergerstein and the Northern Republic did not stop and now the announcement that the Royal Federation had been invaded en mass by the Bulo Compact hit yet another toll which CONA and SAGA hardliners alike used to justify their own actions. Hit and run strikes, raids, false flag attacks, all were conducted by both sides to antagonize and help break the fragile peace.
Despite all the ongoing efforts, things were fraying.
CGSS Forum: Killian Rhizome
Hours passed in seconds. One belligerent was listened to while the next one was voted off the podium. Over and over again, for hundreds - no, thousands - of nations, from pillars of the galaxy to single-continent microstates whose status as denizens of disunited worlds put them at a severe disadvantage by almost every metric. Jolien himself, the Carnaithian CGSS representative, had a bottle of military-grade stimulants hooked up to his dive seat; which helped with making sure his brain actually processed all the information he went through. But admittedly, he wasn’t too concerned with this bickering, posturing, and saber-rattling. It was his turn.
“The Carnaithian Omniversal Empire wishes to jump to solutions. With this in mind, we offer and support the following as non-destructive equalizing measures to deal directly with the contributing factors of our unfortunate galactic climate. To be clear, we do not support unequal tariffs or military limitation treaties, which have both long historically been ineffective and counterproductive.
“Firstly, the establishment of a common bureau to regulate commerce and soften the impact of newly-arriving colonials should be strived for. This one believes that the goals of said bureau should include, but not be limited to, the vetting of arriving colonial states and the regulation of economic deals.
“Not only this, but more investment and weight should be placed behind New Janar’s initiative for a Native economic bloc in order to facilitate common trade among that demographic and equalize the material transit and development advantages held by colonials not isolated from their origins.
“Finally, as has been exemplified by recent action, the arms of the galaxy serve together best. The ramifications of this should be twofold - The creation of a voluntary military arm of the CGSS for counter-extremism purposes, and the labelling of the Golden Cross trade route as a neutral, demilitarized zone, with unilateral response being permitted against transgressions there and therefore against the galaxy at large.
“I have made no mention of reparations for any purpose as we do not claim to have any control over how much should be given or to whom; this is a topic we must continue to discuss. However, the Empire volunteers to offer material and or assistance to Aedelshaven in the wake of the war for the corridor. We acknowledge the fact that they are likely to reject the latter and maintain the offer from the former, and are willing to ship such from the Grand Commodity Market.”
He stopped and marked the end of his contribution, taking note of the continued bickering and vitriol from extremists who still lingered. As his form was whisked away from the digital podium, he turned his eyes to the isolated debate - Likely as he was to get much, seeing as he had offered something to be debated in the first place.
Istralan: Orillian Space
The foundries and shipyards were working overtime.
Yrillix strode down the absolutely monolithic access rung, extending for kilometers both in width and height. She was dwarfed by the thousands of ship cradles in this section alone, each repairing, refitting, re-arming and refueling vessels of the Orillian fleet which had returned from Aedleshaven. While initially she had been bitter about the united defense and the defeat of Corona the victory had been short lived as the galaxy continued to ignite itself towards war. The ceasefire peace was already fraying and as she walked and her eyes looked to each vessel, she felt the truth of their coming victory ever greater.
“All repair operations will be completed by the next two weeks. Within acceptable time limits, additionally, new vessels will be ready to join with both task forces in time. We are on schedule ma’am”
Her entourage consisted of security personnel, advisors, military attaches, fleet admirals and more, all given a wide berth thanks to secret police escort and military soldiers who ensured that no Orillian worker could get near them.
“Good. I am very happy to hear that, I want you to send a personal support message to the Bulo Compact as well. Wish them a successful invasion to help liberate their region from the colonial menace”
“Of course ma’am”
“Are the invasion plans on our end finalized?” An admiral stepped forward a couple paces.
“Yes Madam Yrillix everything's in order, and the plans have been confirmed by many of our allies. The CONA moderates and actions at Aedleshaven have done little to blunt our support or CONA as a whole, they were a definite minority. Everything is set and awaiting your approval”
“Fantastic.” She seemed to stop and gaze up at an automated cruiser, marveling the size as her entire entourage stopped as well.
“This particular vessel has three confirmed kills Ma’am”
“I see, thank you for the information. I very much hope it gets many more. It will have plenty of time to in both Carnaith and the Union”
Aedleshaven was a hellzone.
A massacre was putting it lightly, thousands of ships lost, tens of millions of lives extinguished. It was the first battle of the new war, the 3rd Ancerious war, and it had eclipsed all previous battles from 2AW, 1AW and even the Boreal Jihad. It was a new era calling.
None of the three forces that vied for control over the Golden Corridor, the most economically and strategically important place in the entire galaxy, could get the upper hand. SAGA had a much more cohesive and well equipped force, while CONA had ideological drive and numbers. The Third Republic of Corona however had sheer tonnage and belligerence on their side, having pushed twice now at the cost of hundreds of vessels of all sides. No matter how surgical either side was in crippling super weapons, CnC ships, refueling stations and more it was not enough to gain more than a fractional temporary victory.
CONA and SAGA were tiring, but Corona and their AI controlled vessels were designed to grind down the enemy, the space war was waning but the ground war was no different.
SAGA forces had met OMPAF and CONA forces head on, being fought to a standstill at LZ Alpha after both sides suffered heavy losses, the armored combat across the Cimbrian plains being some of the largest ever seen in galactic history. LZ Charlie had fared better for CONA, Crippling the SAGA oceanic fleets and beating them back to their LZ, although the cost had been very high.
But Beta had been where the galaxy's eyes were, the SAGA forces suffering terribly as they fought to secure the city of Lyne. They had done so, but a strategic nuclear strike by CONA had practically erased the city from the map, crippling OMPAFs forces SAGA had swept across the region and made significant gains on the ground. But fighting was fierce in near orbit and in the air, every minute more lives were lost.
But change was just over the horizon. Diplomacy and politics were finally turning, but the question of whether the war would end with Aedleshaven was never in doubt.
Aedleshaven System: Tau Secundus
The read outs painted a bleak and horrific picture.
Abelcain had not eaten in over a day. He had stood, almost like a statue, watching the updated loss read outs for space forces and the ground forces, but most importantly, the civilian casualties. He had watched impassively as Lyne had been wiped off the surface of his world, as millions had died in moments to a dogmatic CONA force, who had clearly decided sacrificing Abelcains people was worth it to hold SAGA back. Yet they had swept through anyway, taking so much in the equator. The Orillians had danced around, CONA forces themselves using OMPAF forces as blockers and shields, treating them as a resource to be used.
His command staff had rotated in and out, talking, murmuring among themselves but trying not to be too loud as if it would disturb Abelcain from some trance. They had shouted at him of course, when Lyne had occurred they had demanded retribution, demanded orders. But he had merely held up a hand for silence.
It had been almost an entire day since the ordeal at Lyne, he knew his commanders had hand picked them personally. He knew how they felt, what they felt and the general mood of the troops through the command lines. He had been evaluating.
Not the military situation, Aedleshaven had been invaded before, beaten far worse than this. They could rebuild.
No, he had been evaluating the political situation.
CONA and their hardliners didn't give any more of a care about OMPAF than the colonials did, and it was painfully obvious to see. He had refused all direct contact with his Orillian CONA Liason and he had also heard rumours of the supposed ceasefire talks in the Union.
That was one potential way out, but they had to deal with Corona regardless of what happened.
“The CONA leaders talk of emancipating the galaxy” He spoke aloud, causing his entourage to suddenly turn to him in surprise.
“But it is a lie, the same political lie used to exploit the very people they seek to free. Continue all current operations as planned, but make preparations. If this ceasefire is to occur we must be ready to fight Corona, but we have gauged the loyalty of our new allies and found them wanting, stained with the blood of our own people. You already know what I ask of you, I already know you think the same. We are once again bound in the chains of circumstance, let us free ourselves”
There was no question or reply, the commanders knew what Abelcain was talking about and immediately got to work.
Avarian Frontier: New Janar Space
“Confirmed dead?”
“Yes sir”
Poleck Fara wiped his hand across his face in anguish.
“The Union claims to have evidence supporting Orillias involvement although they have denied the killing, I am unsure whether to believe that Orillia committed this a-”
“It does not matter if they did or didn't, the matter of fact and reality is it happened, the fallout has already occurred. I hear the Union has already had a whole election, is this true?”
“Yes sir, the new Prime Minister Esme Lange has already been elected” He nodded.
“I guess having a fully integrated political system helps. Such progress lost, Orillia and their hardliners are losing us this war, losing us the moral high ground and stopping any diplomatic discourse. What are the current losses from Aedleshaven for our forces?” The Foreign Minister grimaced in preparation for the number that was to be given. Even in his office looking out over the luscious woodlands before him he knew he was fighting for its existence, both against SAGA hardliners, but also against his own allies.
“58% sir” Poleck didn't reply for a moment.
“And to think the foundation that we laid at the meeting was for nothing. Our own allies are a poison to our cause”
“Many seem to think that way sir”
“I am aware. It's time we did something about it, but our only window just got shattered.”
Poleck and his aide both sighed before a chime called out from the Minister’s desk.
“Yes, what is it?”
“Sir I have an urgent priority One communication for you, its an active video call”
“Who is it from?”
“Its Prime Minister Esme Jange of the Union of Worlds sir” Poleck looked in absolute shock at his aid.
“Maybe not all is lost, Minister”
Silver Cradle: Union of Worlds Space
Esme stood on the podium looking out across a whole crowd of people. The energy was palpable.
“People of the Union of Worlds, and of the wider galaxy, brothers and sisters all. I have within my hand, the legacy of Prime Minister Tarn Eiasten. This piece of paper, is the foundation, the culmination, of a potential and lasting peace in the galaxy” She held up a document.
“I have just talked to the leaders of New Janar, along with several others part of the CONA block. They wish to see natives of this galaxy freed from potential persecution and economic exploitation, something we too wish to see. Right now, thousands of lives are being lost on Aedleshaven and elsewhere in the galaxy for every word I speak. Those lives can be saved, and dialogue be established through the CGSS, if we all just agreed to stop fighting. An impossible goal many told me” Esme paused.
“And yet, this document, this signed and written document, is a ceasefire. Yes, brothers and sisters of the galaxy, it is official. This legislation is a ceasefire document which will end the combat at Aedleshaven and elsewhere. There are conditions, nothing comes easy in these trying times. But the full details will be made public as soon as possible. It is the hardliners and extremists who want this war, and on both sides they will be dealt with. Tarn Eiasten’s death calls out for retribution I know, but this ceasefire was his legacy. And I will be damned if the first act I make as this great nation's Prime Minister is to tear down the legacy of the last. He wanted peace, and we will have peace.”
“So I call now, on all those within SAGA and CONA to lay down your arms, to accept this document and to stop fighting one another. I wish I could say the fight was finished, but we all know there is one side who will not yield to peace, and that is the Third Republic. One of the terms of this agreement is that both SAGA AND CONA, will fight together as we tried before, to stop the Coronan fleet. To protect Aedleshaven and keep the corridor free. It is one last act of blood, one joint operation to try and help pave for a better tomorrow. As such, all of those who hear my voice. Join with us, let us try to fix this galaxy”
Esme was met with roars of triumph.
BREAKING UPDATES:
It has just been announced and confirmed that an official ceasefire has been issued between the Union of Worlds and New Janar on behalf of SAGA and CONA respectively to take place immediately and so diplomatic talks can resume in the CGSS.
Welcomed already by many on both sides the ceasefire, thought to be at the very least temporary, is the final legacy of the Olive Branch event and Prime Minister Tarn Eiasten. Despite the well received nature of the signing by many nations on both sides have criticized the move or outright denounced the ceasefire altogether, with hardliners and extremists being the most vocal.
No word has been heard from Orillia or their supporters within CONA but the response will likely make or break the ceasefire.
This document comes with various stipulations including a joint bloc defense
of Aedleshaven against the Third Republic of Corona as well as the expulsion of more extremist elements of SAGA. Examples being the Imperial Restorationist Government of Capitol, Eapia and Osoriopia. It is believed that the same removals will occur within CONA soon with time and many within CONA who left the CGSS have rejoined to take part in unilateral diplomatic talks.
Time will tell how this ceasefire ends whether in permanent peace or continued conflict or how Orillia will respond but for now it is the first step towards ending this war.
We will bring you the latest from Aedleshaven as things develop.
Carnaithian Space
The admiral stormed down the hall of the mooring station. The intercom barked its updates to the personnel aboard the structure, dozens of kilometers of core structure supporting more dozens of mooring scaffolds. Spacers saluted and carried on with their business as the admiral bore down on his, stopping only for the security scan leading into the classified command area.
The area within was no more decorated than the logistical spaces surrounding it; the difference came in the presence of stummer fields fencing off small offices from one another. But those were all empty. Security stood by doors, drones flying through their own transit network and patrolling spaces. Beyond the next set of heavy portholes, the command staff could be seen assembled - blurry, as they were surrounded by their own, large stummer field. The admiral marched through, heads turning to acknowledge him, the crowd parting to reveal the figure at the group’s center.
“Admiral Xilieph. It’s an honor to have you here.” The kind, wise face of High Admiral Jaseron’s scruffy-furred and fragile figure peered at the arrival through wide snout-hung glasses, clutching at a cane. “I can regale and honor your achievements as much as the new medals on your chest can and more, but you know as well as I that we’re far from done.”
“I’ve already recommended the pivoting of assets to the defense of our own territories and assets,” Xilieph responded, steeled yet tired. “Supporting the ceasefire loses us nothing.”
Jaseron shrugged. “Perhaps the respect of our allies.”
“Allies who contributed half of what we did. Allies who hesitate and allies who behave like the CONA whelps we fight against.” The murmur of conversation between friends in the crowd had silenced, the noise-cancelling warbling of the stummer field becoming audible. Jaseron offered a weary smile in response this time.
“We’re pivoting to homeland defense until further notice. We have an announcement to make,” The superior deflected, gesturing to another set of doors - a broadcast room. “Go on then.”
Jaseron and Xilieph stood at attention before the recording equipment - CIGO personnel and AI cores filtering their actions and adjusting footage on-the-fly before feeding it into a more deliberate system. It took but one take.
Celebransk: Orillian Space
The silence was palpable.
Until the breaking of the PDA in Madam Yrillixs hand.
“We were strong armed, betrayed by our own countrymen.” She watched the news reels, it was all over the Ancnet.
“Ma’am we can always denounce the act and continue operations, New Janar and their supporters are only a fraction of CONA and nowhere near our powerbase”
“Are you that dense? We would lose every scrap of public and galactic support we have if we choose to avoid peace. We have no option but to concede to New Janars political backstabbing”
“But ma’am our forces are not designed to fight alongside SAGA against Corona” Yrillix huffed.
“They won't. Withdraw all forces from Aedleshaven immediately, get those who are close to us to do the same. Sabotage or destroy everything we cannot take, and cripple anything we may leave to the supporters of New Janar. Leave the CONA forces staying to fight with the colonial scum nothing, terminate all joint command and info nets. Let the traitors flail. We may lose Aedleshaven for our direct control but Corona will annihilate the majority of SAGAs fleets and cripple New Janars little gaggle. They will have no choice but to court OMPAF, and the corridor goes back to status quo. Only this time, we have the military upper hand and our enemies will be forced to lick their wounds.”
“Right away Ma’am”
“New Janar thinks they have ended the war, thinks they have outplayed us. Maybe for the time being, but they have given us the very thing we wanted. They have left the colonials' throats wide open. Its time to tear them out”
Citizens of the Galaxy.
It is true that a ceasefire has been signed between CONA and SAGA. And it is true that CONA and SAGA elements will be participating together in joint operations against the Third Coronan Republic.
We of the Orillian Free State support this ceasefire as a method that can lead toward peace, although we do not believe that the colonials wish for our true freedom we are willing to discuss terms and political moves to help achieve our goals off the battlefield. While our hope is this will succeed we are always prepared to act should the colonials turn their guns against us once more, and while we did not commit the atrocious act of assassination the Union accuses us of we are fully willing to back the ceasefire discussed with their previous Prime Minister.
Our forces however are extremely battered from the engagements at Aedleshaven and will not be able to support the joint operation. Instead we will be withdrawing all our assets to home territory to ensure that no accidents occur to jeopardize the current peace.
We wish the joint operation good luck, for the sake of the natives of the galaxy.
Freedom for us all.
Kalaras System: IRG Capitol Space
“And they oust us just like that! Outrageous! We should never have trusted the words of the old AGA!” Pelio was angry, the man sat at the head of the large table surrounded by his lessers, both physically and holographically for those at Aedleshaven.
“Typical of the Union and their ilk, we help them fight and die at Aedleshaven and they spit on our sacrifice and try to make peace with these damn savages.”
“We don't have enough supplies or support assets to maintain operations in Aedleshaven if SAGA pulls out, and yet they want us to destroy the Coronans first. One last fight they call it, no doubt to throw more of our countrymen into the meat grinder”
“We won't be fighting Corona. All forces are to withdraw to our borders at once, positioning them to threaten Strixx. That old hag will be forced to peel forces away from the war against the NCR, bogging them down even more” Pelios reply was quick. The commanders from Aedleshaven nodded in response, Pelio had already given them orders to withdraw over an hour ago. And IRG fleet assets and ground forces were beginning to pull away from SAGA.
“Surely Encanda must cease the invasion of the NCR with the ceasefire?”
“No, the invasion was independent of the north's allegiance, they wont stop the invasion just because of a piece of paper”
“Works for us, let them fight and die when its time we will crush them and rightfully take what belongs to us”
“I have received word that many within both SAGA and CONA are refusing the ceasefire, this war is not going anywhere. We will use this opportunity to consolidate our position before we launch an attack against Encand-”
They were all interrupted by one of the Hydra Guard bursting into the room with a salute.
“Urgent news my lords. Catan has just been attacked by an unknown foe, the shipyards have been utterly destroyed” The mens faces went a mix of white and red. Pelio stood up in rage.
“Give me a full report now!”
Broadcast from the Carnaithian Omniversal Empire
Even from the beginning, Carnaith has called for meeting with peers. Even as the war on Aedelshaven raged, we avoided total nuclear annihilation. Even as our armies fell, their remnants reached out to former hostiles in assistance. Even as Coronal forces bore down on the world, we turned our guns skyward and led friend and would-be foe alike to shatter the monoliths of the greatest fleet in the entire galaxy. Even as terrorists interdict the golden cross, we work hand-in-hand with natives and neutrals to clear the blockage.
The galaxy is stronger as brothers in arms. Carnaith has contributed to the issues outlined in the Jobediea Report, yet we are willing to lead the charge to correct them. We are ready, willing, and able to facilitate changes either through ourselves or through the CGSS alike. Native states have already lost blood for no good gain - They do not have to lose more.
Remember the dead of the corridor. Remember those who died so that the galaxy may live.
BREAKING NEWS:
CEASEFIRE ALREADY IN ROCKY WATERS?
UNN– Silver Cradle: With the current ceasefire between CONA and SAGA officially put into place the galaxy is ablaze with political back and forth as well as confirmations and official statements.
However while even the likes of Orillia have accepted the ceasefire there are many who have denounced it, and even called it an affront to those who have laid down their lives already in this war. Most vocal are those ‘extremist’ elements which have been removed from SAGA such as the IRG, Forst Plutocracy, Osoriopia and the Geladian Hierarchy to name a few. However extremists within CONA have also said much the same thing, threatening the already bare thread ceasefire in the opening days.
Despite the call for a unified response to Coronas attack on Aedleshaven as well, forces from both SAGA & CONA have withdrawn from the battle, leaving both sides undergunned. Still however both have managed to combine and reports indicate that the full engagement will likely start in the next few hours.
Alas despite this ceasefire, fighting still continues in many places across the galaxy, in Capitol between the NCR and CNM, in the Invilis Corridor between the Bulo Compact and Royal Federation and in the north between the Emerald Republics of Ramamunjagar and Sarabhai.
We can only hope the coming diplomatic talks can help calm these still burning flames and pave a way for true lasting peace.
We will bring you more as this develops.
Natar: ASN Space
The Palace of the Assembly, Talcit, Natar, ASN Space.
“Sir, we-!” A young, Teliran bureaucrat burst into the room before quickly silencing. Before her was the naked visage of Natar’s Stadtholder, Saljir Arcamavir, as he sloshed about in the bathtub of his quarters. The civil servant took a bewildered stare at the sight, caught off guard, before bursting into an explosion of stammering and excuses, “-I’m sorry Stadtholder Arcamavir, my superior told me to-.”
“What is it…?” Saljir sighed with a tiresome, disinterested tone.
“Regarding some news from the Union of Worlds, sir.”
“Yes, what is it?” He inquired, to be quite honest he couldn’t have cared less about useless bulletins.
“...The Colonials have signed a ceasefire with the Natives.”
Saljir’s head spiked up at the statement. He practically cracked his head to the side to look over to his secretary with an icy glare.
“That’s not good… Not good at all.” Abruptly, he rose from the water in a tremendous splash and began to scamper across the warm, tiled floor of his chamber. His secretary did her best to maintain professional composure as she desperately averted her gaze from the charging image of her overweight boss. Passing her by, Saljir rushed into study as he slipped a towel around himself. Rushing through dossiers and files; hastily shoving them into a briefcase, the Teliran leader began to mutter to his lackey.
“You are aware of what this means don’t you…?”
She shook her head.
Arcamavir looked over with an outraged flare of his nostrils,
“Peace! A genuine chance at peace you moron!”
She now looked even more confused.
With a huff, the Stadtholder shook his head and paused his work for a moment,
“When Mose Tetlisun was in power, and I was merely his Director of Finance, he arranged a deal with the Orillians. He would use our planet’s financial systems to fund their militarisation programmes… Tetlisun sank trillions into them… ‘A long term investment’ he called it!” He grunted, “...I was the only one who called him a fool- And they say I'm an economic imbecile!” He spat out with bitterness before returning to his briefcase-packing.
“A ceasefire means peace, peace means cooperation, cooperation means no more war… Well, except for Orillia, those batshit psychopaths would keep trying to find a way to antagonize even if everyone was dancing around a fire singing songs of friendship!”
“They’ll be outmaneuvered and their war economy will atrophy their own health. If they don’t collapse to some sort of war, they’ll collapse to their own bankruptcy, and that’s not to mention how much our reemployment programmes currently depend on production for the war effort of both damned sides!” He whined out in a desperate panic.
“They’re going to hold me accountable, you know?” He turned back to the secretary, who was by this point simply trying to follow along with everything the Stadtholder was saying, “The banks, the industrialists… They’re the same people that put me in fucking power and they’ll make me squeal until this war is back on…” He could feel himself starting to hyperventilate as he began to feel the carefree security he had enjoyed just a few moments ago come crashing down upon him. His mind was racing.
“Even after I fucking kick him out Mose-fucking-Tetlisun is still shitting on my face!” The Stadtholder whimpered as he tried to button up the first tunic he could find. He tried to take what deep breaths he could and cool himself.
“Okay… Okay…” He stuttured as he turned to his secretary, “...Tell… Tell them that I have a plan… It- It’s simple… The Orillians need the other natives back on side… We need the natives back at war… T… And both sides both want peace but doubt the other does… All we… All we have to do is… I-is devise a way to convince them that the other plans a preemptive strike while their guard is down… It’s as simple as that.” He waved his hand. With a desperate nod his croney took flight down the halls and disappeared from the room.
With a shudder, Arcamavir took one look at his mortified face in the mirror and mumbled,
“...God save me.”
Vulkan System: Triarch Inc. Space
“A ceasefire? Very prudent, given what's happening in Askandar at the moment”
John sat behind his desk, surveying the various data packages from the news networks and from Askandar itself. He didn't want this war, although his security forces had fought alongside Rangvald to keep company assets safe on behalf of CONA, it still didn't sit right with him.
“Yes sir, what are your orders?” Destro was ever blunt and to the point. John sighed.
“Have the dividends from the Hashomer transfer finally come through? Truth be told I was a small bit surprised that Talixos could pull it off but the man was just like his father. Lets just hope his deals don't destroy the company a second time” A bleak smile crossed Triarchs face at the irony.
“They have.” Destros' failure to rise to the humour or topic didn't put John off.
“Good. Then I want you to funnel all of that into the next phase of the plan. I think we have seen what the Army can do, and while we did damage to this galaxy before I think it's time we give something back. A way to fight them affordably. I want you to hand everything we have on anti-psionics to Hashomer, omit nothing. Tell them to run wild, tell them to bring down the very psion field itself”
“Sir, is it wise to hand over such classified information immediately?” John's face blanked, as he looked over the reports of damage caused by the Panopticon. They had struck hard and fast, destroying all of the Hronir research before their anti-psionic response could react. That was a blow that made John angry.
“Yes it is, their R&D is beyond ours and we can turn their creations into sellable, workable products. As I said, spare nothing, and put the funding into expanding that department. There's no money in megastructures during this day and age, it's time we focused. Tell me, are the 5 prototypes ready?” Destro shook his head.
“No sir, they will be ready in approximately a month” John grimaced.
“Bastards. Askandar could have been retribution against the Army and a display of products in one move. See that everything for them is accelerated and approved. The Aurastone from the Voshkanreem will help”
“Yes sir”
“I can't wait to see the look on their face when we match them at their own game”
Aedleshaven System: Golden Corridor
The entire situation in the corridor had been chaos during the fighting.
Now the ceasefire had been signed the chaos only escalated.
Elements of both sides continued to fight sporadically here and there, as command nets demanded an end to hostilities and forces to withdraw. The CONA situation was far worse, almost immediately and with military precision the Orillian fleet and its closest supporters broke away from the battle line, cut datalinks and accelerated away from the engagement to try and leave the corridor. Even on Aedleshavens surface huge lift operations were underway as Orillian drone forces were evacuated, other CONA elements demanding to know when they would be withdrawn or while the Orillians were creating so many holes in the line. Barely any responses if any came, the priority for the Free State was to save as many military assets as possible quickly followed by their supporters.
It was rapidly made worse too, any Orillian assets which couldnt be taken were sabotaged, along with joint assets and even local infrastructure which had supported them. Supposedly it was to prevent SAGA forces from gaining intel on them, but OMPAFs demands and outrage fell on deaf ears, the very people who were supposed to defend them had now abandoned them and added salt to the wound on top of such. Even as the other CONA forces now prepared to leave the world and SAGA did the same, the air across the globe was melancholic and remorseful. Soldiers of all sides felt the entire affair had been a total waste, as frontlines were disassembled and assets were recovered it had felt like tens of thousands had died for nothing. Resentment was red raw all round, even the OMPAF forces and civilians who should have been happy that their world was now once again free, felt betrayal and anger. Their world had burned once more, and for what?
Ego.
OMPAF did not harry either side as they left, and while standoffs occurred the withdrawal of ground forces from Aedleshaven went without incident for the most part, the ever lingering sense of doubt on everyone's minds.
But in space things were different.
As the shooting between CONA & SAGA ceased the Coronan fleet, now aware of the ceasefire finally decided to make its last and final move. A hail mary to break through and take Aedleshaven fully, to secure the corridor and have a total stranglehold of Ancerium to fix the market and save their own nation from collapse. Both of the power blocs reeled at the push, explosions lighting the void as CONA & SAGA now out of position struggled to hold back the Coronans. Both SAGA nations and CONA nations had abandoned the battleline, leaving whole open sections in the frontline and shutting down important com and datalinks. The entire situation was a mess and losses, already high, were once again steadily creeping up as the gigantic Linebackers rushed forward guns blazing.
It was then as both sides reeled to make a cohesive defense that the Carnaithian Admiral Xilieph made a radical decision. Agreed upon by Union Admiral Dewitt but facing much criticism the decision was made to open SAGAs datalinks and comlinks to the CONA forces. It was the only way to ensure cohesion and to create a unified defense. While it was attacked for giving CONA access to SAGA sub systems and some on CONA refused thinking it was an elaborate ruse for a cyber attack the vast majority accepted. Falling back slightly the CONA & SAGA forces, now made up almost exclusively of the moderates and more understanding nations, formed a unified battleline. While the peace was uneasy the fleet stood ready, even as Abelcain and OMPAF stood surprised watching the unified defense of their world.
When the Coronan fleet hit the united defense line all hell broke loose.
They did not find a shattered and disunified fleet but a cohesive wall.
Timed long range weapon barrages battered the Coronan frontline quickly followed by massive attack craft waves which blasted apart the gigantic vessels despite their best efforts of huge point defense fire. Even as they closed to try and brawl the joint fleet was fluid, ever moving, allowing individual Coronan vessels to penetrate the fleet only to be surrounded and picked off by fast moving hunter killer packs. Where the Coronans struck hardest SAGA & CONA dreadnoughts formed the anvil upon which the Third Republic shattered itself, immense planet shattered firepower traded at such close range practically blinded sensors as ship detonations and wreckage clouded entire parts of the engagement.
The final battle of the Coronan fleet ended in approximately three hours.
Despite the best efforts of the Third Republic its military might was dashed on the united force before them. Its remaining ships, crippled and battered opting to retreat and withdraw after the destruction of their flagship for a third time in the battle. They had done it, Aedleshaven and the Golden Corridor had been saved from the Coronan threat.
But the price was high.
Practically all fleets, be they CONA or SAGA, were reporting casualty rates starting at least at 50%, with some contingents having been mission killed completely. It was devastation, and while victory had been attained the state of the forces present was telling. With the battle won individual fleet elements began to sound off, signaling their withdrawal from the corridor and their return home to re-arm and repair. It started with a trickle but soon turned into a tide.
The joint datalink was finally closed, with many messages being exchanged by both sides.
The most frequent however seemed to quickly turn into a well used phrase.
“Remember the dead of the corridor, those who died so that the galaxy may live”
It became almost a chant as forces began to leave the corridor en mass. Whole fleets withdrawing and those staying behind focusing on recovering vessels and debris. The wreckage itself from such a huge battle was a treasure trove and already OMPAF salvage teams were being overworked to recover everything they could as scavengers across the entire galaxy descended in swarms.
But it was over.
The Battle of Aedleshaven had ended.
8th Strike Force Staging Area
Somewhere in the Golden Corridor
RANGSI Staging Area
RSS Gamma George
To say Force Admiral Naylen was a ghost would be a severe understatement.
Perhaps it was her skin’s even more unnatural paleness, as a result of the prolonged lack of natural light, much of her days spent either in sterile steel-grey cubicles, or in the dark command centers of the bridge which were barely illuminated by holo-maps and terminals. Perhaps it was her underweight, skeleton-like face - she barely had time to eat and nourish herself in the constant chaos of battle, and at times she and her fleet were cut off from supply routes as CONA, and later Coronan, hunter-killer teams disrupted their tempo. CONA raids into RANGSI systems also disrupted supply deliveries on a larger-scale - many war fronts were disrupted, but Aedelshaven was hit the hardest with the loss of its main supply system, Rian-Tabah.
But above all, she was spiritually broken. The casualty rates had been high - more than 70% of the original Strike Force had been lost in the terrible, nail-biting battles that left not only her but every command staff and every ship Captain constantly on edge, wondering if they would ever survive the next day. There were many times, too many to count, where Naylen’s headquarters fleet was almost overrun, only to be rescued at the eleventh hour by Union, Carnaithian, or other allied SAGA reinforcements.
The theater itself was a literal meat grinder as the 8th Strike Force faced the combined might of the numerically superior CONA forces, and those of the Coronans as well. New replacements kept coming in, and they kept dying. Eventually, the situation was so dire that Vladano became unwilling to throw anymore of its professional Strike Forces inside this meat grinder, and Naylen soon found that her next replacements were cannibalised from hosh-poshes of MIRA Light Strike Forces and System Defence Forces - a.k.a military reservists.
If a knife had been stabbed into Naylen’s heart, then that only twisted it further. It was one thing to ask professional astronaval crews to go into the breach, and die for your operation. It was entirely another to ask reservists to do so, whose hearts lay, not in the profession of arms, but in the families that they leave behind. They trusted that Naylen, one of the legends from the 2nd Ancerious War, could bring them back home. Indeed, their trust was rewarded - they could indeed go back home. Just not alive.
Naylen was remembered by her subordinates as an aggressive commander, but so was she not one so easily willing to throw lives into the fray, and she deeply cared for each and everyone under her command. Those closest to her knew that every death under her command was one more that kept her up at night, and guilt drove her to do better. For example, the loss of that one Captain who crashed his ship into Eosian defences at Klendathu drove her to come up with measures to deal with enemy anti-orbital defences, involving a great deal of ECM, recon, and stand-off assets.
If she mustered guilt for one Captain, what then of this horrible massacre? What can she even learn from this? The Chamber of Standards, a large room dedicated to the display of flags belonging to the many Fleets that made up the 8th Strike Force, offered nothing but silence. But the charred, torn and peppered fleet standards on the wall, with holographic labels of ‘DECOMMISSIONED’ and ‘IN HONOUR OF THEIR SACRIFICE’, provided her the answer. She was a failure.
The 8th Strike Force, or what was left of it, would soon return back to RANGSI to be deactivated for the time being. The Force quite almost literally needed to be rebuilt from the ground up, with whole new ships and new crews required for it to return to proper fighting condition.
Erdae-Terione
The rude, open-mouthed chewing to Rictuld’s flank was beginning to become grating. The gently crowded open-air skyway of the administrative megabuilding offered spectacular views of the sunny subtropical coast, and the warm sun contributed to a hopeful and happy attitude throughout the city. Other megabuildings occupied the horizon, from residential to corporate to government.
“Sho,” the food-full mouth of the Royal Guard’s compatriot spoke before swallowing. “You don’t think this ceasefire’s in good faith.”
“I think it’s in very good faith, actually. I believe it to be a permanent measure to only a few is the issue.”
“No ceasefire is permanent,” Reik chuckled. “That’s why you keep me around.”
The structure in front of them grew in scale as they approached, a round spire whose mast speared far, far above the rest in the tower cluster. It was guarded by a sheltered segment of the skyway, security personnel and drones patrolling as national flags flew from its sides. A great banner, fifty meters long, flew in the wind above them directly off of the side of the spire.
Within bustled the offices of a military communications center. A big one. An elevator ride. A walk down a hall. All filled with friendly banter between the two officers and salutes from their inferiors. They stopped before a secure door similar to the one on the mooring station, its mechanisms opening only once identities had been confirmed. Immediately visible was the face and figure of Katia Varan, annoyed and weary.
“Get in and hurry, I’ve been here two hours.”
While Rictuld wordlessly complied with his peer, Reik was all but guaranteed not to.
“You knew where we were,” he shrugged. “You could have gotten chea.” An annoyed, if obviously banterous, jab quickly connected with his bicep, eliciting boisterous laughter from the giant as the doors closed.
Before the trio stood a rare device in the colony, as ubiquitous as it was at home. A philotic communication array, normally used to send word directly back to the home territories. It wouldn’t be used today, as this room was simply being used for its incredible security. Along the walls were RTG units, powering the entire room from within; security seals along the entire wall with charged plating preventing silent breaches meant that there was next to zero chance of compromise.
“The Union can’t be trusted,” Katia announced to her peers. “Not fully. I just got worrying data from the golden cross with communications matching their closed line. The ceasefire seems honest but I can’t help but think it’s a setup. They haven’t sent me a dime of tamper-free evidence from the olive branch meeting.” She began gesturing and tapping at invisible readouts. “And everybody expects Orillia to be up to something, me included. They’re pulling their forces out of everything, they’re going to strike at somebody.”
“Calm down,” Reik responded, a sidelong glare from the CIGO director signaling spiteful acknowledgement. “We have contingencies.”
“But we have bigger problems, too. The entire galaxy’s ignoring this little 2AW relic called the Army of the Panopticon - Inara’s dogma continuing to ruin things. See.” She swept a display out between the three, Elwar’s request and live updates from Askandar playing out on a hologram projected from her eyepiece.
“We need to lock down this little economic philosophy dispute and quickly.”
BREAKING GALACTIC NEWS:
THE THIRD REPUBLIC HAS FALLEN.
Yes. You heard that right valued readers of the galaxy. It is all over for our hard hit friends in the Third Republic.
We have received word and hundreds of reports today that the Coronan assault on the Golden Corridor, a brazen and reckless action undertaken in an attempt to stranglehold the source of Ancerium, has failed. Surprisingly due to a joint CONA & SAGA defense of the corridor the massive fleets of Corona were stopped in their tracks and destroyed in a titanic space battle. After having their flagships destroyed one after another three times you would have thought they would have learnt. But alas, the remnants of their once titanic armada has retreated, fleeing home.
Albeit, not somewhere that is doing much better, you see readers, we are getting many reports that the Third Republics government has simply disappeared.
Yes you read that right, Coronas leaders have just up and left.
Upon hearing of the defeat and with riots and uprisings erupting all across their now economically shattered nation, the leaders actually made a smart decision for once in their lives and just left. Taking with them many investments, economic assets and SIGEC. Ransacking their own people for their own personal profit. If that doesn't sum up Coronans in a nutshell I don't know what does.
Already the Grindstone has declared the Third Republics assets and economic investments Junk and that it is likely to default on all loan repayments or economic deals. Signaling the last nail in a coffin which is by this point made out of little but nails and feces.
With such instability and utter economic collapse I think it is finally safe to say dear readers.
That the Third Republic of Corona is simply no more.
It's a shame of course, I will miss writing about its hilarious antics and terrible actions.
But do not worry readers, we will keep you up to speed as the situation deteriorates further.
Aedleshaven System: Tau Secundus
Abelcain was relieved truth be told.
The CONA & SAGA joint fleets had defended the system and shattered the Coronan fleets, at great cost. His world was still battered by the ground war, and both sides were still withdrawing military assets which he had given his word not to interfere with. There had been enough bloodshed for the time being, and the sheer scale of the wreckage field now in the system was a gold mine of the highest order both for restoring ships and retrieving technology and data.
All told, OMPAF had come out of this relatively well, and he was thankful that his world was not now a devastated blasted wasteland being bombarded by degenerate filth.
But despite the good situation they were in, there was something he simply had to address.
As he stood at the podium he looked around, the melted, ruined remnants of buildings and roads surrounded him. The blackened cratered ground all that remained of the central area of Lyne. He had insisted on making the speech here, it would help hammer home his words.
“People of the galaxy. Hear my words. I am Abelcain, leader of Aedleshaven and I stand before you in the ruins of Lyne, a once bustling and lively city which was wiped off the face of this planet by nuclear warfare. Not by the enemy SAGA, but by our own allies in CONA. I acknowledge, and thank, each and every nation who stood by to defend this system against the Third Republic. And I promise that OMPAF will protect the corridor and ensure that all nations may access the Ancerium hyperfuel within. But, due to events which have transpired we will be taking a neutral role once more. Siding with CONA was a mistake, rather than seeking to help natives it is purely for the ambition of one singular nation. From this point forward, Aedleshaven is withdrawing from CONA, rejoining the CGSS and is willing to work with both natives and colonials for a brighter future. The emancipation of natives will only happen if we work together. If we do not, this spot where I stand is testament to the alternative. For the people of this galaxy”
Malaakian Loyalist space:
Markhezio wished that Raok would just come back already. Standing there in the conference room with other members of the advisory board, he started thinking of what their poster face was up to. What could possibly be so important?
“...sure would be fine if the whole galaxy could stop shitting itself every two seconds.” Karen said while absent mindedly staring at the latest reports. Defeat of the once feared corona fleet had disrupted all of their plans. The balance of power between CONA and SAGA was upset by the Olive Branch conference, with SAGA's cause becoming ever more appealing with the majority of the galaxy as the war went on and on, and CGSS started springing back to life.
“We need to start leaking more shit.” Markhezio told the others who nodded in a silent agreement. Winning over SAGA became more important than ever.
“We simply aren’t in the inner circle anymore. Orillian bastards left most forces at Aedleshaven to hang, and we were not consulted at all. We bought ourselves some time with Nuclean Ecumene but…” Karen sounded defeated, the usual anger and impatience in her tone evaporating and leaving only tiredness.
“This leaves us with only one option. What's the status on the bioweapons department?”
“It's coming along, but nerds down there need more funding. And with our auxiliary incomes from the colonies evaporating, we simply don’t have any.”
“I see. If we can keep the war going until we secure more resources, we will have a real shot at taking back what's ours. Karen?”
“Yes?”
“Despite how it looks, CONA hardliners haven’t budged and aren’t even in the CGSS; they won’t go out quietly. And since they are already losing public support-”
“They need someone to break the truce for them.”
“Precisely. Look into who wants the war to go on, follow the money.”
With that, the meeting was concluded and everyone went back to their office, leaving Markhezio alone with his thoughts and fears. Everything they have been working towards has been thrown off, first with disasters at Lyne, and then with AOTP appearances…
And unification was no closer.
TO'OORA: INDUSTRIAL PARK MEGATOWER
“Shitshow. All of it. Goddamn disgrace.”
Fleetmaster Yo'thek stared out of the window, as Warlord T'lajre sat on his couch, smoking a cigar. The evening sun of the To'ooran skies lit the room with shades of amber, pockmarked with smog and the rising spires of the industrial park far below. They had chosen to meet here, instead of at Ka'li'ban, because earlier in the day they both had to manage the corporate and military sectors inverting themselves over the loss metrics from Aedleshaven for the fifth time this week.
"Don't need to tell me again." noted T'lajre, as he took a drag. "You've seen the loss rates, right?"
"Seen them? I've had to debate with the other masters for 15 hours over them. A fleet and military force worth more than all our cronies in the ICA combined, pissed away in less hours than it took for the galactic economy to crash." He sighed, and shook his head while returning to the couch. "And y'know, that's not even the worst part. Have you seen how our 'allies' performed?"
"How so? You talking about the Kels and their little maneuver? Shit made me damn near punch a wall." T'lajre mused through cigar chews.
"Not the nuke. Still boneheaded as shit to do it while we had forces in the area, but that city was doomed either way. No. I'm talking about Orillia, Aluminaria, those third rate pirates that call themselves a nation. Here, look at this."
Pulling out a datapad, he gave it to the warlord, showing him battle statistics from Landing Zone Beta. "Scroll through that. All of it. Orillia commits 2 battalions, who get folded the instant they go into combat. Aluminaria, pisses about and does nothing even after getting into a prime attacking zone. Marauders, they just flee after losing a few vehicles! Hell, we were practically the only ones in the city, all the others just sat outside and pissed about or were late arrivals! We carried these fuckers on our backs, and all we gets a 'thank you' and a 58% attrition rate!" His voice raised as he ranted on, outrage seeping into his voice.
"And the OMPAF? What about the space battle?"
"OMPAF are fine. I don't give a shit, they pulled their weight. And space was just a shitshow for everyone, cause everyone was railed into throwing mothballs in there anyways. I just-" He paused. "You actually wanna know what boils my blood the most?"
"Orillia?" drolly intoned T'lajre.
"Oh, yes. Those spineless little shits. Assassinate the Union leader at his own peace conference, then don't have the BALLS," he proclaimed, slamming a fist into the table. "to even own up to it! And then they agree to the ceasefire even though half their rhetoric is not giving an inch to anyone that so much as leans against their goals! Not mentioning all my sources say they just up and left first chance they got, leaving all of us to deal with Corona. Even sabotaged their own shit just so we couldn't use it. Disgrace." He then paused for breath, taking a swig of water then ruminating in silence.
"...You're not mad about the ceasefire?"
"Why would I be? Stopped us from committing more clowns to the circus." He paused for breath, taking a swig of water. "The Voriarch ever say what the game plan was now? Council?"
"Bunch of moderates rejoined the CGSS, council's thinking we follow suit. Talks about abandoning CONA are picking up. Can't say I disagree."
"The ICA?"
"Hotly debating. Kel's are MIA, say they're busy. Espa, Umpreta, Isoterrans and Andise are arguing with Sante, Sernin and Blitsa. Leaving versus staying. Others are trying to be level headed." T'lajre paused for a moment, thinking. "Council meeting's happening tomorrow morning, I plan to bring it up."
"Tell them we should leave. Get out of the shit before we get too stained with it." He sighed again, taking the datapad back from the warlord as he began to flit through programs. "And tell Vol'nisa to make it quick.
"You got it." He noted, getting up to leave. The amber sunset left Yo'thek sitting there, as it began to turn into a shade of bloody crimson.
CGSS Forum: Killian Rhizome
The virtual space was once again packed.
Following the ceasefire and the collapse of Corona after the united defense of Aedleshaven, a measure of life had once more found itself into the CGSS.
CONA moderates and even more mainstream nations had rejoined the organization, much more willing to conduct diplomacy and talk through the problems now facing the galaxy after witnessing both the horrors of a full blown war and what Orillia was truly like. These CONA nations had renewed vigor as discussions abounded over tariffs on colonial goods, to try make native industries more competitive and cease exploitation.
But Orillia and the majority of CONA had still not returned, despite their claim that they would do so for further peace talks.
It was a telling act.
Alongside this SAGA hardliners had themselves either left the CGSS or attempted to derail proceedings, seeing it as a betrayal that they had been kicked out of the alliance on unfair and biased grounds.
It was a rocky start to the ceasefire, and only made worse by repeated denouncing of CONA moderates by more hardline elements, claiming they had given in to colonial powers or lacked a backbone to save their own people. Such claims only increased, leading to many moderates suspending their CONA membership in an act of defiance against Orillia.
Even as peace talked slowly, glacially, made progress, the flames of war were already smoldering.
The Capitol theater raged on, skirmishes continued in the Emerald Republics, fighting between the Barony of Metzergerstein and the Northern Republic did not stop and now the announcement that the Royal Federation had been invaded en mass by the Bulo Compact hit yet another toll which CONA and SAGA hardliners alike used to justify their own actions. Hit and run strikes, raids, false flag attacks, all were conducted by both sides to antagonize and help break the fragile peace.
Despite all the ongoing efforts, things were fraying.
CGSS Forum: Killian Rhizome
Hours passed in seconds. One belligerent was listened to while the next one was voted off the podium. Over and over again, for hundreds - no, thousands - of nations, from pillars of the galaxy to single-continent microstates whose status as denizens of disunited worlds put them at a severe disadvantage by almost every metric. Jolien himself, the Carnaithian CGSS representative, had a bottle of military-grade stimulants hooked up to his dive seat; which helped with making sure his brain actually processed all the information he went through. But admittedly, he wasn’t too concerned with this bickering, posturing, and saber-rattling. It was his turn.
“The Carnaithian Omniversal Empire wishes to jump to solutions. With this in mind, we offer and support the following as non-destructive equalizing measures to deal directly with the contributing factors of our unfortunate galactic climate. To be clear, we do not support unequal tariffs or military limitation treaties, which have both long historically been ineffective and counterproductive.
“Firstly, the establishment of a common bureau to regulate commerce and soften the impact of newly-arriving colonials should be strived for. This one believes that the goals of said bureau should include, but not be limited to, the vetting of arriving colonial states and the regulation of economic deals.
“Not only this, but more investment and weight should be placed behind New Janar’s initiative for a Native economic bloc in order to facilitate common trade among that demographic and equalize the material transit and development advantages held by colonials not isolated from their origins.
“Finally, as has been exemplified by recent action, the arms of the galaxy serve together best. The ramifications of this should be twofold - The creation of a voluntary military arm of the CGSS for counter-extremism purposes, and the labelling of the Golden Cross trade route as a neutral, demilitarized zone, with unilateral response being permitted against transgressions there and therefore against the galaxy at large.
“I have made no mention of reparations for any purpose as we do not claim to have any control over how much should be given or to whom; this is a topic we must continue to discuss. However, the Empire volunteers to offer material and or assistance to Aedelshaven in the wake of the war for the corridor. We acknowledge the fact that they are likely to reject the latter and maintain the offer from the former, and are willing to ship such from the Grand Commodity Market.”
He stopped and marked the end of his contribution, taking note of the continued bickering and vitriol from extremists who still lingered. As his form was whisked away from the digital podium, he turned his eyes to the isolated debate - Likely as he was to get much, seeing as he had offered something to be debated in the first place.
Istralan: Orillian Space
The foundries and shipyards were working overtime.
Yrillix strode down the absolutely monolithic access rung, extending for kilometers both in width and height. She was dwarfed by the thousands of ship cradles in this section alone, each repairing, refitting, re-arming and refueling vessels of the Orillian fleet which had returned from Aedleshaven. While initially she had been bitter about the united defense and the defeat of Corona the victory had been short lived as the galaxy continued to ignite itself towards war. The ceasefire peace was already fraying and as she walked and her eyes looked to each vessel, she felt the truth of their coming victory ever greater.
“All repair operations will be completed by the next two weeks. Within acceptable time limits, additionally, new vessels will be ready to join with both task forces in time. We are on schedule ma’am”
Her entourage consisted of security personnel, advisors, military attaches, fleet admirals and more, all given a wide berth thanks to secret police escort and military soldiers who ensured that no Orillian worker could get near them.
“Good. I am very happy to hear that, I want you to send a personal support message to the Bulo Compact as well. Wish them a successful invasion to help liberate their region from the colonial menace”
“Of course ma’am”
“Are the invasion plans on our end finalized?” An admiral stepped forward a couple paces.
“Yes Madam Yrillix everything's in order, and the plans have been confirmed by many of our allies. The CONA moderates and actions at Aedleshaven have done little to blunt our support or CONA as a whole, they were a definite minority. Everything is set and awaiting your approval”
“Fantastic.” She seemed to stop and gaze up at an automated cruiser, marveling the size as her entire entourage stopped as well.
“This particular vessel has three confirmed kills Ma’am”
“I see, thank you for the information. I very much hope it gets many more. It will have plenty of time to in both Carnaith and the Union”