ST:TTV619 | "The Battle of Calahadon Pt. II"

Stardate 98135.7

The Coalition's efforts are finally put to the test when the in-numerous Horde fleet arrives at Calahadon...

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Keliaya@anncaris FX | Shortly after the success of the Observer's mission, Kelly visits Rianni and Emma's quarters, ringing the doorbell Emma Ralde@crystyl answers the door with a welcome smile, "Hello Kelly! This is a rare pleasure" Emma Ralde@crystyl | Rianni looks over from the sofa and waves too, "Hello Commander" Keliaya@anncaris smiles and waves over to Rianni, "Hello. I wanted to let Rianni know her plan was a success. Assuming she hasn't heard already." Emma Ralde@crystyl | Rianni stands to join them, but Emma is already stepping back and inviting Kelly in Emma Ralde@crystyl:"It was? That's great! You hear that Ri, it worked!" Emma Ralde@crystyl gives Rianni's hand a squeeze with a proud smile as they sit back down Emma Ralde@crystyl | Rianni: "It really worked? The Azedi fleet is gone?" Keliaya@anncaris steps inside, smiling and nodding at Rianni, "The Observer's sensor data shows no survivors, and a significant decrease in the Horde fleet's numbers as well." Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Oh and how is she? The other Rianni I mean. Not that I have any ulterior motive in having two of you around of course..." she grins, teasing Rianni to her side who just flushes and groans in response Keliaya@anncaris laughs, "Both her and her ship are unharmed. She stayed to make sure the Azedi fleet was gone and then jumped back before the Horde reached her." Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Well that is a relief then" Emma Ralde@crystyl | Rianni: "What about the Horde fleet though? Did the Azedi make much of a dent?" Keliaya@anncaris:"Well there is good news and bad news there. Mostly good in regards to the success of your plan." Emma Ralde@crystyl | Rianni shares an uneasy glance with Emma who still holds her hand while cuddling up beside her Emma Ralde@crystyl | Rianni: "What's that then?" Keliaya@anncaris:"The Horde fleet is down more than a thousand ships, and we learned something that could help with the battle. Remember how Starfleet had no defense against Azedi weapon technology when we first - Keliaya@anncaris:- encountered them?" Emma Ralde@crystyl | Rianni shifts a little in her seat, "How could I forget..." Keliaya@anncaris:"It seems like the Horde are in the same position. From our sensor records, their ships were going down to one or two hits from the Azedi weapons. And since the Azedi's technology are based on the - Keliaya@anncaris:- Junayd's, we suspect the Junayd ships could be similarly effective against them." Emma Ralde@crystyl | Rianni thinks a moment on this and nods, "That makes sense" Emma Ralde@crystyl:"So... that's the good news. What's the bad?" Keliaya@anncaris:"There's still more than five and a half thousand Horde ships headed towards Colonial space." Emma Ralde@crystyl | Rianni, "Yeah... that's still not good odds" Emma Ralde@crystyl smiles reassuringly, "Better than six and a half thousand though!" Keliaya@anncaris:"That's true. Your plan's dealt with more than a thousand of them before they even got here. That's more than half the fleet size at Terminu." Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Shame we don't have another sun to throw at them really" Emma Ralde@crystyl | Rianni, "Let's not go there again" Keliaya@anncaris:"Well, we do have the inhabitants of a sun helping us out this time. But five and a half thousand, that's still larger than any single fleet I've seen..." Emma Ralde@crystyl | Rianni nods solemnly, "I don't know how we can pull this off..." Emma Ralde@crystyl squeezes her hug around Rianni, "Hey, if anyone can find a way, you can!" Keliaya@anncaris smiles and nods, "I was hoping the Junayd weapons might be able to help. The Observer said the ones carrying civilians will be staying at Vue-En as a last line of defense, but we haven't - Keliaya@anncaris:- decided where the ships that are joining us in the battle should be positioned." Emma Ralde@crystyl | Rianni: "It will no doubt help, but those numbers are just incalculable" Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Do we even know how many ships the Junayd will be reinforcing with?" Keliaya@anncaris shakes her head, "We'll have to ask the Observer. But anything they can add is better, even if it's only a small force." Emma Ralde@crystyl | Rianni: "I'll see what I can find out from her and start working on the allocations" Keliaya@anncaris smiles, "Thank you, Rianni. I'm sure with two of your tactical minds, you'll figure something out." Emma Ralde@crystyl snickers Emma Ralde@crystyl | Rianni faux-scowls at Emma and nods to Kelly, "We'll do our best Commander" Keliaya@anncaris looks to Emma, "Any historical advice for us here, Emma? You've had much more experience than me. Ever seen a confrontation with a fleet this size?" Emma Ralde@crystyl shakes her head, "I've seen my share of wars for Starfleet, but honestly? I don't think there even that many ships in service across the entire quadrant back then, let alone on one side" Keliaya@anncaris:"Maybe there were instances of similar outnumbered battles that could help, though? Just on a smaller scale." Emma Ralde@crystyl thinks and nods, "Well that's true I guess. Almost every time Starfleet gets itself into a fight that's the case!" she chuckles Keliaya@anncaris chuckles, "See Rianni, we have a chance! This is what we do!" Emma Ralde@crystyl | Rianni gives a faint smile, "It is true that Starfleet's combat history is compiled almost entirely of facing impossible odds" Emma Ralde@crystyl:"I think when an enemy has vast numbers, they fight to that strength. So we have to fight smart, not hard" Keliaya@anncaris:"Good advice! I think Vora's plan is fairly good, but we'll have to adapt as we go still- no plan ever goes perfectly." Emma Ralde@crystyl | Rianni nods, "Using the sun entities will be a big advantage if we time it right" Keliaya@anncaris nods, "Let me know if you might have any other ideas. We can use every advantage we get. And speaking of adapting...will you be using that tactical command hub again, or just working from the - Keliaya@anncaris:- bridge this time?" Emma Ralde@crystyl | Rianni nods, "We'll be utilizing the command hub for sure" Keliaya@anncaris smiles, "Great. It worked very well last time above Cidria. Maybe I should work on getting some of those improvements from Pia's program in..." Keliaya@anncaris:"Not the whole thing, obviously, that would require a refit, but we could implement a few of the ideas in." Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Ooh that could be good yeah!" Emma Ralde@crystyl | Rianni: "We need every advantage we can get, but I don't know how much of that design will transpose into our ad-hoc hub" Keliaya@anncaris nods, "We'll probably only have time to make some minor adjustments before the battle, anyways. But with how much use it's seeing, I'll look into implementing some larger changes afterwards." Emma Ralde@crystyl | Rianni smiles, "Sounds good to me!" Emma Ralde@crystyl:"If I can be of any assistance to you Commander, I am at your disposal" Keliaya@anncaris:"You think you might be any help tweaking the command hub?" Emma Ralde@crystyl:"I'm nowhere near your level of knowledge when it comes to the ship's systems, but I'm sure I can be of use!" Keliaya@anncaris:"You can work with Rianni, then, see if there's any little improvements to be made before the Horde fleet gets here. We don't have too much longer until then, so don't completely overhaul anything." Emma Ralde@crystyl nods, "We'll do what we can!" Keliaya@anncaris nods and stands, "I'll leave you two to it. And I'll see if Pia can help out again, if she's not too busy with her classes." Emma Ralde@crystyl chuckles, "I'm sure Mia will understand if we have to steal her away for a while" Emma Ralde@crystyl | Rianni: "Yes. Thank you for dropping by Commander!" Keliaya@anncaris chuckles, "I think so too. Good luck, you two!" Emma Ralde@crystyl:"To all of us" Emma Ralde@crystyl | Rianni nods Keliaya@anncaris nods as well before turning to head out --- Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Some time later, Keelah works in her ready room when the doorbell sounds... Keelah@crystyl:"Come in" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 steps inside, "Captain." Keelah@crystyl looks up, "Eva. What can I do for you?" Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Well, I had an idea, but I'm not sure if you're going to like it..." Keelah@crystyl stands, moving over to the sofa waving Eva to join her, "I am not exactly enthralled by most of our plans and actions of late. Let's hear it" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 steps over and takes a seat on the sofa as well, "You remember when I accidentally controlled those thralls at the Iconian ruin?" Keelah@crystyl:"You're right, I won't like this..." Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "I thought as much. We have some advantages here- the Calmina, the Junayd ships, but if a single Horde ship gets through...it could take control of the people on the New World, and there's - Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- more unshielded people than those with implants. And once they take control of the orbital defenses and ships...it won't just make it difficult to retake the planet, but they'll be able to repair - Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- and produce their own ships. I don't know if the advantages we have are enough." Keelah@crystyl sighs softly, "You are right, of course. What exactly did you have in mind?" Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"The Architect has been teaching me to refine this control. Of course even with training I wouldn't be able to take control of more than a handful of thralls, but if we amplified it with the - Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- Trident like Sin and I did when we communicated with the Basilisk...it could be enough to turn some of the Horde against each other." Keelah@crystyl:"I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought about the possibility of using the trident..." she looks to Eva, "Lay it out for me; what is the best we can aim to gain from this, and what is the worst?" Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"The best, we might be able to turn a number of Horde ships against them. A hundred, maybe more. The worst...well the Architect says there shouldn't be any serious risk. We might overstretch - Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- ourselves and pass out, or we might only be able to control a handful of ships. But there's no serious risk involved. The only incident I've had in my training is the accidental swap with Kelly, - Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- but that's only because of our bond. That shouldn't be able to happen with anyone else." Keelah@crystyl:"You truly believe so? Even when we know so little about the trident? What about limiting your control to just the Horde, or more severe risk to yourself?" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "I haven't had any other issues, and the Architect says there shouldn't be any more serious risk. He's the one that created the backdoor, and he knows more about it than anyone. He'll be - Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- assisting me if we do this, like when Sin helped with the Basilisk. The biggest risk is us failing and draining ourselves, and there definitely shouldn't be a risk to the ship with our implants." Keelah@crystyl:"And what does Kelly have to say about this?" Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"She has the same reservations as you, expectedly. But she also knows that our plan might not be enough to stop the Horde. Defeat the fleet, maybe, but the Horde isn't a conventional enemy. My main - Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- concern is about not being able to control enough of the Horde to make much of a difference rather than my own safety. Kelly suggested that we don't rely on it as a part of our main plan, but - Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- she thinks it's worth having it as an option, just in case we need it." Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I can't say how effective it might be, but if things don't go well, it's worth a try." Keelah@crystyl:"I assume you'll need Sin to help you channel the trident's energy?" Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I'll have the Architect's help as well, but it wouldn't hurt to have Sin along as well. The three of us'll probably have less risk of overstretching ourselves than two." Keelah@crystyl nods, "Agreed" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 smiles, "So you'll allow it as a contingency measure?" Keelah@crystyl:"I stand by my position of not ordering any of my officers to undertake such personal risk. But... I won't stop you from pursuing it should it come to pass" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods and smiles again, "Thank you, Captain." Keelah@crystyl:"I do hope it doesn't come to it, but hope is in short supply at the moment" Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Me too. This battle isn't looking the most optimistic, is it?" Keelah@crystyl shakes her head Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"We've already evened the odds as much as we can with what we did at Terminu and Rianni's plan with using the Azedi fleet. The rest...we'll just have to manage." Keelah@crystyl:"And manage we shall" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods and stands, "I'll make sure we're prepared to use the Trident if we need to. You probably have lots of planning to do as well, so I shouldn't keep you." Keelah@crystyl smiles, "Thank you Eva" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 smiles back and turns to head out --- Keliaya@anncaris FX | Two days of last minute preparations later, the bridge crew gathers on the bridge as the Horde fleet begins to approach. On the viewscreen, ships from the rest of the fleet are visible, - Keliaya@anncaris - including Baseship One where Vora is commanding from and a Guardian cruiser serving as Skormir's flagship Keliaya@anncaris | Fisher: "ETA to contact with the Horde fleet in fifteen minutes." Keelah@crystyl:"Fleet readiness?" Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "All vessels are reporting ready. Support vessels are in place in the Calahadon system and every ship equipped with a cloak is hidden and ready to intercept any Horde that try - Keliaya@anncaris - to make a run for Vue-En." Keelah@crystyl:"This is it then" Keliaya@anncaris | TQ: "We're receiving a hail from Baseship One." Keelah@crystyl:"On screen" Keliaya@anncaris | Vora appears on the viewscreen, dressed in her Colonial Fleet uniform, "Keelah. Everything ready?" Keelah@crystyl gives a curt nod, "Everything is in place" Keliaya@anncaris | Vora: "Your ship is probably one of the most durable around here, with the new generated armour we helped you install at Vue-En. And you've proven yourself trustworthy and reliable." Keelah@crystyl:"I would certainly like to think so by now" she smiles a little Keliaya@anncaris | Vora: "The New World Council is fitted with implants along with a company of ground specialists back on Vue-En. They'll be able to hold off thralls for a while. If we fail here...go back to - Keliaya@anncaris:- Vue-En and get the Council out of there. My daughter Yala will be with them too. I don't know how much use it'll be if the New World falls, but if enough of the fleet survives, they might still - Keliaya@anncaris:- be able to organize something." Keelah@crystyl nods, "Should it come to pass that this is our time, I will endeavour to evacuate everyone I can" Keliaya@anncaris | Vora: "Thank you. My ships will help you, but I instructed them to give you priority in evacuating the Council unless you're unable to. Your ship's tougher than any of my single ships." Keelah@crystyl:"How about we focus on the positive and resolve ourselves to not let it come to that?" she smiles, "We have to hold the Horde here, therefore that is what we will do" Keliaya@anncaris | Vora: "I don't intend on letting them get past either, but I wouldn't be Supreme Commander if I didn't know to put contingency plans in place." Keelah@crystyl:"I understand" Keliaya@anncaris | Vora: "You're not old enough to remember the Dominion War, are you?" Keelah@crystyl:"Not in the sense of active service, no" Keliaya@anncaris | Vora: "It didn't feel much different from this. An enemy force with numbers never seen before, the quadrant on the verge of collapse. If you can make it through that, I'm sure we'll manage." Keelah@crystyl gives a firm nod, "As am I" Keliaya@anncaris | Vora: "Let's get this battle underway. Good luck, Captain." Keelah@crystyl:"To us all Vora" Keliaya@anncaris | The call ends, and Fisher announces, "Five minutes to contact." Keelah@crystyl:"This is it. All hands to battle stations" Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "I recommend deploying the armour before the Horde arrive, Captain." Keelah@crystyl nods, "Proceed" Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht taps on his console and the armour deploys around the VF. Everyone makes preparations on the other consoles and a few minutes pass before Fisher announces, "Contact in 30 seconds." Keelah@crystyl opens a fleetwide comm, "People of the Coalition; the Horde is upon us. Whatever the outcome of the coming hours; know that I - that we - could not be more proud to stand beside all of you at this + Keelah@crystyl:+ precipice. Godspeed to you all" Keliaya@anncaris FX | Soon, the viewscreen flashes with ships dropping out of warp, blinding out the stars. When the flashes subside, the Horde fleet sits in front of the much smaller Coalition force and begins - Keliaya@anncaris - closing in like a massive swarm of insects.. Keelah@crystyl:"Hold the line; don't let them break our formation" Keliaya@anncaris | The viewscreen lights up again as the Coalition and Horde ships open fire, the first enemy wave being decimated in the crossfire... --- Keliaya@anncaris | The tactical command hub has been slightly rearranged and improved since its use during the battle above Cidria. Though there is no panorama view, a tactical holoprojection has been set up in - Keliaya@anncaris - the centre, giving Rianni a better, three-dimensional view of the battlefield. The holo is filled with ships, that of the Coalition forces and the enemy Horde fleet. A number of Horde ships - Keliaya@anncaris:- begin flickering out as the battle begins, but the size of the enemy soon begins to overwhelm the Coalition as a few Coalition ships are also disable or destroyed. The larger enemy fleet - Keliaya@anncaris:- begins trying to not exactly encircle, but swarm around and strike the Coalition ships from all directions Keliaya@anncaris | The room shakes slightly and a comms operator announces, "Vora is calling for us to fall back to Calahadon! We've got their attention." Rianni@crystyl:"Very well. Operators; have your task forces maintain defensive postures around the Junayd and Nuhar; we have to protect the heavy hitters" Keliaya@anncaris | The comm operators nod and the fleet begins to pull back, rearranging itself to shield the heavy hitters. Rianni watches as an old Syndicate cruiser with a Colonial Fleet IFF moves - Keliaya@anncaris:- between a Junayd ship and the Horde, taking several hits from multiple angles before the holo blinks out. Two Guardian escorts break off to make an attack run on a cruiser targeting a Nuhar - Keliaya@anncaris:- Watcher, disabling the cruiser but at the cost of one of the escorts, which is shot down by other Horde ships in the vicinity Keliaya@anncaris | The room shakes slightly as the VF moves in to protect a different Junayd ship under fire Rianni@crystyl:"ETA for the fallback position?" Keliaya@anncaris | Tactical Officer: "Seven minutes." Keliaya@anncaris | The Coalition forces manage to pull back from the Horde fleet, laying down covering fire as the entire enemy fleet begins to pursue as expected Rianni@crystyl continues to observe and study the enemies movements as they retreat Keliaya@anncaris | The Horde fleet follows, firing back but neither side inflicting significant damage and focusing on speed instead. Tense minutes pass by until the Coalition fleet enters the system, followed - Keliaya@anncaris:- by the Horde one, but a group of twenty-five ships break away from the back of the fleet, heading further into Colonial Space instead Rianni@crystyl spots the breakaway, "Forward those warp signatures to Captain Vix. The stealth fleet will need to engage" Keliaya@anncaris | One of the comm officers nod, and before long, a cloaked Regulator ship fires a pulse at the twenty-five. They continue on their present course, but do not return fire as the Regulator ship - Keliaya@anncaris:- decloaks, followed by the QanwI' and a group of Toroki raiders. The group of twenty-five rapidly blink out of existence, easy pickings for the stealth group Keliaya@anncaris | As the twenty-five are wiped out, a hundred ships break off and go to warp deeper into Colonial Space, but the rest of the Horde fleet are sufficiently far into the system for the Coalition - Keliaya@anncaris:- to attempt to encircle and contain... Rianni@crystyl:"More for the back lines to absorb. Reinforce to that stealth fleet that none can get through to Vue En" Rianni@crystyl while talking, begins directing holographic flight paths for task groups; slowing some down, spreading them out to begin the encirclement Keliaya@anncaris | The comm officer nods again. This time, two Regulator ships, reinforced by An and Toroki ships, move to intercept the force of a hundred while the fleet slowly begins to encircle the Horde Keliaya@anncaris | The exchange of fire between the fleets intensify as they meet properly once again, and the room shakes again Rianni@crystyl braces against her console, continuing to direct movements Keliaya@anncaris | Before long, the encirclement is complete and the Calmina begin to emerge from the sun, the glowing wisps floating towards the system to engage the Horde. The Horde change targets, firing on - Keliaya@anncaris:- the Calmina, but energy weapons don't seem to have any effect on the plasma lifeforms, which pounce on the Horde ships, rapidly draining their shields before burning through the ships, - Keliaya@anncaris:- disintegrating them. Horde ships begin to flicker, but strangely the fleet doesn't seem to be trying to break out. Instead, it continues advancing, /towards/ the Calahadon sun Rianni@crystyl narrows her eyes, "What are they up to... do those Horde ships have the capacity to usurp the star somehow?" Keliaya@anncaris | Soon, a portion of the fleet with roughly a hundred ships breaks off while the rest of the ships lure the Calmina off them, some ramming the Calmina and sacrificing themselves to get their - Keliaya@anncaris:- attention while the rest of the fleet suddenly begins pushing back against the encirclement. The force that broke off moves full speed towards the star, unimpeded by Calmina Keliaya@anncaris | Comm Officer: "The An Mothership is reporting that three of the ships making a run for the star have traces of trilithium weaponry on them!" Rianni@crystyl 's eyes widen, "Priority targets! All ships in range intercept" Keliaya@anncaris:The VF and Skormir's flagship break off, followed by the Light of Arindol, several Lupan escorts and Nuhar constructs and a Junayd ship. The VF and Guardians open fire and manage to cripple a few - Keliaya@anncaris:- outlying ships, but don't do any significant damage. The Nuhar and Junayd move in behind and manage to tear a hole in the Horde formation, which the Light of Arindol and Lupan escorts dart into, - Keliaya@anncaris:- dodging and weaving between enemy fire and taking out one of the trilithium ships. They take heavy damage as they try to escape, all but one of the Lupan escorts being destroyed. The Light of - Keliaya@anncaris:- Arindol just manages to clear the Horde fleet, but takes a hit from behind and is left adrift but intact Keliaya@anncaris | The Nuhar and Junayd try to keep the breach in the Horde formation open, several Constructs going down in the process before a construct lands a precise hit and takes out a second trilithium - Keliaya@anncaris:- ship with its main antiproton beam. Despite their best efforts however, the Horde reform the formation and continue on to the star… --- Keliaya@anncaris | Meanwhile on the VF bridge... Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "Armour at 70%!" Keliaya@anncaris | TQ: "We're being hailed by the Guardian flagship, Captain." Keelah@crystyl:"Put it through" Keliaya@anncaris | Skormir's masked visage appears on the viewscreen, "The Horde are preventing the rest of the Coalition from intercepting this group. We must destroy the last trilithium ship with the forces we - Keliaya@anncaris:- have now." Keelah@crystyl:"At any cost" she nods Keliaya@anncaris | Skormir nods back, "Their ships are countering our methods of disruption by using mechanical auto-targeting and auto-pilot while the thralls' connections are disrupted. Which means they will - Keliaya@anncaris:- continue to fire and be unable to change targets. We will draw the Horde's attention to us and then disrupt them. Use your deflector pulse at the same time, and if we disrupt enough of them, the - Keliaya@anncaris:- auto-targeting should continue to focus on my ship and not yours." Keelah@crystyl:"Acknowledged, we'll follow your lead" Keliaya@anncaris | Skormir: "Stay back for the moment while we get their attention with an attack run, then fire your pulse on my mark. Once the Horde is focused on me, charge them and destroy the one - Keliaya@anncaris:- carrying the trilithium." Keelah@crystyl:"Understood” Keliaya@anncaris | The viewscreen shifts back to the view of the battle as the Guardian flagship, along with the remaining Constructs and Junayd ship, charge in to attack the Horde group. There is not enough - Keliaya@anncaris:- ships left to punch a hole through the formation like before, and they are forced into a slow exchange of fire that the more numerous Horde are bound to win Keliaya@anncaris | Skormir's visage appears on the viewscreen again, "Now, Captain." Keelah@crystyl:"Fire!" Keliaya@anncaris | The lights and consoles on the bridge flicker as the VF fires the pulse, supported by the remaining Constructs. Lennie reads a strange subspace reading coming from the Guardian flagship, as - Keliaya@anncaris:- well as the drifting Light of Arindol Keliaya@anncaris | Skormir: "This is your chance. Destroy that ship." Keelah@crystyl:"Mr. Vrolmacht, if you please" Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "We need to move closer, other vessels are obstructing the target." Keliaya@anncaris | Fisher: "On it!" Keliaya@anncaris | The Valley Forge moves in, past Horde ships large and small who seem completely unaware as the Starfleet cruiser flies between them Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "The Horde are not switching targets to us, but the Guardian flagship is taking heavy damage." Keliaya@anncaris | Skormir: "It has been an honour to fight with you and the Coalition, Captain." Keelah@crystyl:"Hang in there Commander, we just need to get this ship out of the way and we'll have your backs" Keliaya@anncaris | Skormir: "My ship will not last until then, but I should have died long ago. I am glad I persisted- persisted long enough to see you rally this Coalition and make the Horde hurt." Keliaya@anncaris | Fisher: "Coming into range in 10..." Keliaya@anncaris | Skormir: "Thank you, Keelah." Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "Firing. Target shields at 70%. 40. 10." Keelah@crystyl:"Get that ship destroyed and prepare to double back to the Guardians" Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "Aye Captain.” Keliaya@anncaris | A second later, he announces: "Target is down." Keliaya@anncaris FX | The feed with Skormir cuts abruptly Keliaya@anncaris | Fisher: "Doubling back..." Keelah@crystyl:"Status of the Guardian ship...?" Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "It's too late. Skormir's ship is gone." Keelah@crystyl:"Escape pods?" Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "None surviving, Captain. The Horde targeted and destroyed them all. They are targeting us now." Keelah@crystyl:"Then make every shot count. For the Guardians" Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht nods and returns fire while Fisher takes the VF into evasive. The bridge shakes slightly and Vrolmacht announces, "Armour at 60%. The Horde are returning to rejoin their main fleet." Keliaya@anncaris:"No more trilithium ships remain." Keelah@crystyl:"Press the attack. We've got a long way to go here still" Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "It looks like two of the ships have broken off to attempt to finish the Light of Arindol." Keelah@crystyl:"Then you have your priority targets. Let's not lose any more friends now" Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "Understood, Captain." Keliaya@anncaris | The VF peels off its attack to engage the ships going for the Light of Arindol. The Guardian escort, though drifting, still has some weapons capability and returns fire, and between the two, - Keliaya@anncaris - the Horde ships are quickly taken out. --- Istar@anncaris | Meanwhile on the Swiftjaw, Mysti-2 and her team are armed and ready in the armoury. The ship shakes violently around them and the lights blink throughout the battle as they stand by and await - Istar@anncaris - instructions. The instructions come with a vibration of their wristcomps followed by a flashing message Istar@anncaris | WARNING: Boarding Parties Incoming Mysti@crystyl:"Show time" Istar@anncaris | Jorana nods and taps her wristcomp to check a map of the ship, "Nearest boarding party is in Main Engineering." Mysti@crystyl:"Alright, let's move" Istar@anncaris | The team moves out, heading towards Engineering. The hallways are a mess, with a number of lights out and some bulkheads hanging open, exposing sparkling wires and internal workings beyond Istar@anncaris | They run into a corridor sealed off by force fields to contain a breach, and beyond the damaged hull they can see the battle raging intensely outside Istar@anncaris | Jorana quickly leads the team away along an alternate route, and before long they near Engineering... Istar@anncaris | As they enter Main Engineering, they see that it is even more of a mess than the halls. The core had been shielded behind a force field, but the rest of the room is filled with destruction, - Istar@anncaris:- from collapsed bulkheads to fires and plasma leaks. Two survivors take cover behind a console, only one of them armed and desperately trying to hold back the thralls in the room while the rest of - Istar@anncaris:- crew here appears to be among the various bodies scattered through the area Mysti@crystyl covers the two survivors while moving to check on them Istar@anncaris | The rest of the team joins in, firing on the thralls. Both survivors are wounded, but the one laying down fire is less so with a few minor burns visible through a tattered uniform. The other, - Istar@anncaris:- has similar injuries, but doesn't seem to be able to get up, likely as a result of a broken leg which isn't visible on the surface Mysti@crystyl:"Are you all that's left?" she asks of the less injured survivor while still firing on the thralls Istar@anncaris | The survivor nods, "In Engineering, at least. Between the damage and these thralls, all the others are gone. The ship won't be long now, I've already informed the Commander." Istar@anncaris | The group of thralls are quickly taken out by the team, but almost as soon as they are gone, more transporter beams appear and additional thralls come in... Istar@anncaris | Their wristcomps vibrate and flash again, this time with a different message Mysti@crystyl frowns at the situation as she checks the message Istar@anncaris | OBJECTIVE: Evacuate survivors and proceed to escape pods Mysti@crystyl:"Gisjachet! Seriously? Damn..." she looks to her team, "Orders're in; we're bugging out" Istar@anncaris | Raven nods, "These thralls keep coming. We can't stop them." Istar@anncaris | Survivor: "And the ship won't last long either. I can take her," he motions to the survivor with the injured leg Mysti@crystyl still helps with the injured survivor, "Alright, let's move!" Istar@anncaris | The rest of the team provides covering fire as they retreat from Main Engineering. The thralls try to follow, but Jorana slaps a proximity charge on the door. The charge explodes as the - Istar@anncaris - thralls try to come through, catching the first few and collapsing the doorway, preventing the rest from following Istar@anncaris | The team soon makes it to the nearest escape pods, where several other survivors are also getting into escape pods next to theirs. Some are heavily injured, while the less injured or unharmed - Istar@anncaris:- ones help and sometimes even carry them inside the pods. Raven opens the hatch to an unclaimed pod, hopping into the pilot's seat Mysti@crystyl helps the survivors in and holds back to ensure all her team get on board before she does Istar@anncaris | Once the survivor with the wounded leg is in, Meru scans her quickly and gives her a hypo before he straps himself in. The hatch closes behind them once everyone is in, and Raven taps on her - Istar@anncaris - console, launching the pod Istar@anncaris | As the pod is clear of the damaged Swiftjaw behind them, the full view of the battle becomes visible outside the window. Flashes are visible all around them, but the fighting seems the most - Istar@anncaris:- intense directly in front of them. Lights of bolts, beams, torpedoes and exploding ships cover their vision, and despite going down in droves, the Horde ships keep coming. On the other side, - Istar@anncaris:- Colonial Fleet battleships, Nuhar constructs and Lupan packships led by one of the elegant Colonial Baseships hold the line Mysti@crystyl watches the battle outside, "This is just crazy..." Istar@anncaris | The pod closest to them is caught in thes crossfire and explodes. Raven quickly goes evasive, dodging through the fire Istar@anncaris | Raven: "I've never seen a battle like this before..." Mysti@crystyl:"I've never even imagined anything like this! We're vulnerable out here, are any ships picking up escape pods?" Istar@anncaris | Jorana: "Jorana is on comms. Baseship One is picking up pods." Istar@anncaris | Raven nods and moves the pod towards the large Baseship Istar@anncaris | Meanwhile, the Coalition forces take out more ships than they lose, but the Horde are simply too numerous. One of the Lupan packships buckle under the fire, then one of the smaller Nuhar, a - Istar@anncaris:- Colonial battleship and then another packship. The Horde begin to break through when Baseship One turns, blocking the breach directly with several refitted Dominion attack ships. Fighters stream - Istar@anncaris:- out from the Baseship, joining the attack ships amidst the carrier's covering fire, and they stem the tide...but only for a brief moment Istar@anncaris | The attack squadrons disappear into the mass of advancing Horde ships before they can return to their Baseship and the Horde launch their own attack run, a wave of twenty escorts followed by - Istar@anncaris:- covering fire from more than a dozen cruisers. Escape pods begin to launch from Baseship One, and to their horror the Colonial flagship explodes in a bright flash Istar@anncaris | Meru: "That...was the Supreme Commander's ship." Mysti@crystyl stares out in disbelief. Istar@anncaris | The escape pod rocks and Raven quickly snaps to attention, checking her console, "We're caught in a tractor beam!" Istar@anncaris | Jorana: "The Horde?" Istar@anncaris | Meru: "No, the Horde has been shooting down pods, not attempting to capture any." Mysti@crystyl:"Then who has us?" she asks, trying to peer awkwardly up out the window Istar@anncaris | From the corner of the window, Mysti sees the source of the beam- the huge An Mothership. As they are pulled in closer, they can see that the ship is heavily damaged with scorch marks and even - Istar@anncaris:- full breaches across its hull, but it continues fighting. White beams and quantum torpedoes shoot out towards the Horde while a swarm of small defense craft circle around it, intercepting enemy - Istar@anncaris:- torpedoes. However, it is too late as the Horde stream through the breach and out away from the Coalition encirclement... Istar@anncaris | Before long, the pod enters one of the Mothership's huge hangars, where rows of other pods can be seen, some Colonial Fleet, others from a variety of different Coalition members Mysti@crystyl disembarks and immediately begins searching for the Supreme Commander. Refusing to believe she could have been killed Istar@anncaris | Several An in the white non-Tel'darash uniforms rush up to their shuttle. One of the large-headed Tak'an leading them asks Mysti, "Any wounded on your pod?" Mysti@crystyl:"A couple" she nods, "What about Baseship One, do you have pods from that ship?" Istar@anncaris | Tak'an: "We're just bringing them in now. We've had to recover some with transporters, we couldn't tractor them away from the Horde in time, so if you're looking for someone specific, they - Istar@anncaris:- might not be here." Mysti@crystyl:"That was the Supreme Commander's ship. We /have/ to find her and get her back into control of Colonial forces before they fall into disarray" Istar@anncaris | Tak'an: "The Supreme Commander...she's a hybrid, isn't she?" Mysti@crystyl nods, "Orion-Arshai" Istar@anncaris | The Tak'an nods, "Her lifesigns should be distinct, then." He looks to his team, "Check on the wounded, I'll see what I can find." Istar@anncaris | The Tak'an takes out a PADD, tapping on it before passing it to Mysti, "There's one corresponding lifesign in one of our transporter rooms. I have it marked for you here." Mysti@crystyl nods taking the PADD, "Thank you. Come on team, new objective: Locate the Supreme Commander and get her back into the fight" Istar@anncaris | Jorana nods, "Lead the way, Mysti." Mysti@crystyl rushes off to the transporter room Istar@anncaris | They move through An Mothership, which is also heavily damaged, much more so than the last time they were here driving off Horde boarders. There doesn't seem to be any boarding parties this - Istar@anncaris:- time though, or they've already been taken care of. Some scorch marks can be seen on the inside, indicating that some boarding did occur Istar@anncaris | They reach the transporter room before long, where they find Vora speaking with the leader of another white-uniformed team while the rest of the team tends to other wounded Arshai and Orions - Istar@anncaris:- around the room Mysti@crystyl approaches, "Supreme Commander. When we saw Baseship One fall, we feared the worst" Istar@anncaris | Vora turns, "Mysti. Good to see you made it." Mysti@crystyl:"We must get back into the fight" Istar@anncaris | Vora nods, "We need to seal the breach before more Horde get through. The An are letting me use their Central Operations to coordinate Colonial Fleet forces." Istar@anncaris | Masan: "We'll transport you over. It's quite a ride from here." Mysti@crystyl:"Then it shall be done, Supreme Commander.” Istar@anncaris | Vora: "Come with me. The Mothership's not in the best shape and she might get boarded again." Mysti@crystyl nods and follows Istar@anncaris | Vora and the team step back onto the transporter, beaming away to Central Ops... --- NPC@annpc#557 | In the tactical command hub, Rianni watches as the remainder of the force that made a run for the sun begin to fall back towards the main Horde fleet. Two ships break off, moving to the - NPC@annpc#557 - damaged Light of Arindol, and the VF follows. The two Horde vessels quickly flicker and disappear from the display, but much more troubling is what is occuring with the majority of the - NPC@annpc#557:- Coalition forces as one particular part of the encirclement begins flickering rapidly. With their trilithium weapons gone, the Horde seems to have focused on one part of the fleet and thrown - NPC@annpc#557:- everything at it to break out of the system Rianni@crystyl directs the nearby wings to redeploy and reinforce the lines NPC@annpc#557 | A number of nearby ships respond and reinforce the area, but it is still not enough against the sheer force of the entire Horde fleet pushing down on it. A breach is formed, and Rianni watches - NPC@annpc#557:- as the Colonial flagship Baseship One tries to stem the tide, but manages only for a few moments before its holo blinks out of existence... Rianni@crystyl shakes her head, "Not Baseship One..." Rianni@crystyl continues doing all she can to coordinate fleet efforts NPC@annpc#557 | The An Mothership arrives with Lupan reinforcements, but Horde ships are already pouring out of the breach and away from the system NPC@annpc#557 | After some time, Rianni is able to redirect the remaining heavy hitters, the Nuhar and Junayd ships, to either side of the breach, which allows them to cut off the Horde fleet, and a second - NPC@annpc#557:- Baseship followed by the An Mothership, several Lupan packships and Lodzki dreadnoughts and one of the larger Nuhar Defenders take the opportunity to seal the gap, taking heavy damage but containing the - NPC@annpc#557:- rest of the Horde fleet. A little over a thousand ships remain trapped in the system, where the Coalition and Calmina begin to finish them off, but over 1600 are out and moving towards Vue-En... Rianni@crystyl:"Not good, not good..." she frantically works to direct efforts including the stealth fleet and reserve forces NPC@annpc#557 | The numbers of the stealth fleet alone are clearly not enough to hold back such a large Horde fleet. Even with the reserve forces, they might defeat the Horde, but it's likely in the chaos - NPC@annpc#557:- that a number of vessels could slip past and reach Vue-En unimpeded Rianni@crystyl informs the bridge that the Horde has broken through and she has no options available. Recommending emergency countermeasures to evacuate Vue En. --- Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | On the bridge, Keelah receives news from Rianni that the Horde has broken through... Keelah@crystyl sighs, "Any word from the Supreme Commander?" Keelah@crystyl taps at her armrest controls, informing Eva's team of the situation and the comment 'if there is to be a time, this may be it' Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | TQ: "The An Motherships confirms she has been safely recovered. She is activating Colonial Fleet reserve forces at Vue-En." Evanne Dra@annpc#557:<C> Understood, Captain. We're going to want to be as close to the Horde we're targeting as we can Keelah@crystyl:"Inform her we are moving to reinforce and honour our agreement. Helm, catch us up to that breakaway fleet" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Fisher: "Aye Captain! Engaging warp now." Evanne Dra@annpc#557 FX | The VF jumps to warp away from the battle, the viewscreen displaying warp streaks as they pursue Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kelly: "I hope Eva's idea can help..." Keelah@crystyl glances back, "If it doesn't, then Vue En is already lost along with everyone we directed there..." Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kelly nods grimly Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | After a while at warp, Fisher announces, "We're tailing the Horde fleet now. The stealth fleet and reserve ships are expected to intercept the Horde in sixteen minutes." Keelah@crystyl taps another update out 'Tailing now. 16mins to allied intercept' Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht: "The Horde do not seem interested in us. They are continuing towards Vue-En at full speed." Keelah@crystyl:"As well they should. We are but one ship after all, next to a heavily populated planet that is barely even an appetizer" Evanne Dra@annpc#557:<C> We're standing ready now. Let us know just before our allies intercept and we'll do what we can Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | 14 tense minutes pass as the VF tails the Horde fleet and the stealth and reserve forces draw closer and closer... Keelah@crystyl sends the update Evanne Dra@annpc#557:<C> Trying the procedure now... Keelah@crystyl:"Stand by to engage" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The VF drops out of warp as the Horde fleet does. Ahead of them, the Regulator and reserve ships stand their ground in front of the Horde, which immediately engages. A number of the Horde - Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- ships crumble like paper crushed into a ball by the Regulators' unorthodox weaponry Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Sensors suddenly register a massive burst of psionic energy expanding outward from the VF, not unlike the bursts detected from the Basilisk Keelah@crystyl watches closely Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The energy engulfs the Horde fleet, rushing over it before dispersing near the Coalition forces Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht: "Over four hundred of the Horde ships have stopped firing...Captain, they're altering targets and locking on to other Horde vessels!" Keelah@crystyl:"We don't know how long this will last. Seize the advantage" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The Horde fleet explodes into chaos on the viewscreen, bright lights flashing across the entire fleet as they turn on one another Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht: "Aye Captain!" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The VF joins the battle, opening fire on the nearest Horde ships. The Coalition press their attack as well, still taking damage from the Horde vessels that haven't been turned. Two of the - Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- Regulator ships go down in explosions significantly larger than the other ships around it, one of them managing to clear allied forces before it explodes while the other charges into the Horde - Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- fleet, catching almost a hundred Horde vessels in the blast radius. It seems the Regulators weren't boasting when they said one of their ships was worth ninety lower-tech ones...just probably not - Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- in the way they thought Keelah@crystyl:"Tee, try and get an update on Eva while we clear this fleet please" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Tee nods and taps her console. There is no response for a moment, before the Architect's strained voice comes through Evanne Dra@annpc#557 <C - Architect> We...have done all we could. I hope it is enough Keelah@crystyl:"Eva...?" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht: "The Horde ships have ceased attacking one another, but there is only under five hundred left. The threat should be containable by the Coalition forces in the area." Evanne Dra@annpc#557:<C - Architect> The others are fine...simply drained Keelah@crystyl breathes a sigh of relief, "Thank you Architect" Keelah@crystyl:"Press the attack, this is the final stand so get all our squadron out there too" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht: "On it, Captain." Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The squadron launches from the VF and are soon joined by the ever-eager QanwI' in clearing out the remainder of the Horde force. Before long, Rianni sends news again, this time that the - Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- Calmina and Coalition forces have cleared the thousand still in the Calahadon system Keelah@crystyl:"This is it, just the last ships here to clear out..." Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Meanwhile the last hundred or so Horde ships by the VF scatter in all directions, making an attempt to escape their now certain defeat. Regulator ships jump in front of some fleeing groups - Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- using their coaxial warp drives, while the raiders and squadron chase after the rest Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The pursuit lasts a few minutes before Vrolmacht announces, "All clear." Keelah@crystyl:"Verify. We can leave nothing to chance" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht nods, tapping his console, "No sign of non-Coalition vessels on sensors. I'm instructing the squadron to sweep the battlefield for any surviving thralls." Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kelly: "It seems the Toroki have the same idea. They're finishing off disabled Horde ships as well." Keelah@crystyl:"And the rest of the fleet?" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | TQ: "The ships at Calahadon report all clear as well. The Calmina have dealt with all the surviving thralls." Keelah@crystyl:"Very well. Stand down from red alert and let's begin prioritizing medical and engineering aid to our allies. Begin a search pattern to locate survivors" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht nods, standing down red alert, "Aye Captain." Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | TQ: "Supreme Commander Vora is asking the Coalition to regroup at Vue-En, and for Coalition ships to tow any disabled allies there for repair." Keelah@crystyl nods, "We'll rendezvous as soon as we can; tow back who we can" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The VF combs the battlefield for survivors... Evanne Dra@annpc#557:<C - Silvestrie> Captain. One of the survivors wishes to speak with you Keelah@crystyl:"Someone we brought on board? Very well, it would do me good to take a walk about now anyway. Where to?" Evanne Dra@annpc#557:<C - Silvestrie> Transporter room 2 Keelah@crystyl stands, "Very well, you know where I'll be. Vrolmacht, the bridge is yours-" she pauses, pushing some debris aside with her foot, "-what's left of it..." and heads off. Keelah@crystyl takes her time wandering the ship and taking in the amount of damage they've suffered. She stops a few times to speak to crewmembers and check on some injuries being treated but eventually arrives Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | As Keelah makes her way to the transporter room, she notes a significant volume of Regulators exiting from it, some carrying others but most of them are uninjured and walking on their own Keelah@crystyl ponders on who the request came from as she proceeds Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | In the transporter room, a Regulator female with her suit on and helmet active stands waiting Keelah@crystyl:"You asked to see me?" she opens, approaching the Regulator Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The Regulator nods, "That is correct. A number of the Horde vessels turned on their own after we detected a wave of psionic energy emanating from your vessel. I wish to know how you achieved - Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - this." Keelah@crystyl nods, "That is fair. Please, walk with me" Keelah@crystyl leads her to the lab where Eva & Co. worked their magic Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The Regulator nods, her expression indiscernible behind her helmet as she follows Keelah@crystyl:"You are aware that a number of species on board this ship have telepathic ability, yes?" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Regulator: "I am." Keelah@crystyl:"That is what you witnessed. A desperate contingency plan some of these officers put in place shortly before the battle" Keelah@crystyl enters the lab Evanne Dra@annpc#557 is sitting on the ground and waves weakly to Keelah as she steps inside, "Captain." The Architect stands nearby with the Trident in hand. Keelah@crystyl | Sin sits equally groggily with her back against a console. She waves overhead to the approach behind her without turning Keelah@crystyl:"Eva, how are you all doing?" she asks, kneeling and taking her hand Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"We're alright. Tired. but fine," she smiles weakly Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Meanwhile the Regulator steps over to the Architect, eyeing the Trident curiously Keelah@crystyl stands, looking to the Regulator, "My officers here learned during a previous engagement of their ability to overcome the Horde's control over it's thralls" Keelah@crystyl:"And when working to save a Lodzki colony from a Basilisk entity, they learned that this artifact served as a psionic resonator" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The Regulator nods, "I see. So your officers enhanced the reach of their natural abilities using this device?" Keelah@crystyl nods, "Exactly, yes. The effect was first explored during the Basilisk encounter. And don't worry, extreme precautions were made to safeguard the attempt too. See, we were able to interpret some of- Keelah@crystyl:- the Basilisk's immense psionic energy as communication images. One such image was a view of the Trident but through the eyes of one wielding it. From this the hypothesis was formed" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Regulator: "This Trident, you called it an artifact and did not know how to wield it properly? Where was it found and to whom did it belong previously?" Keelah@crystyl:"A planet in a nearby system that we investigated after the Arshai had failed to explain the unusual weather patterns there. We discovered the Trident in an ancient facility deep beneath the ocean - Keelah@crystyl:- surface and evidence which suggested it may have belonged to an entity known in Human history as Poseidon; a member of an ancient race of powerful beings who weilded technology to garner worship - Keelah@crystyl:- deities from less evolved cultures as their kind is sustained by adoration" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Regulator: "A species of individuals with powerful telepathic and telekinetic ability who posed as deities to less advanced cultures. I believe the Administration knows to whom you refer." Keelah@crystyl:"That is no surprise. In our experience, more Children species than not have evolved with these beings forming a distinct portion of their ancient mythology. Even ancient Vulcan is beyond suspect - Keelah@crystyl:- of this. Not that the High Council would ever admit it..." Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Regulator: "I presume our representative on your ship is aware that you are in possession of this device?" Keelah@crystyl nods, "It was agreed when we first recovered the relic that it would be held on board this ship until such time that we return to Federation space where a neutral scientific research body would be - Keelah@crystyl:-tasked with securing and studying it. This was the only way since it is of such potential religious significance to so many cultures and it's presence may spark controversy" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The Regulator nods, "I understand. You have shown responsibility when dealing with foreign technology, and it seems the Administration has approved of your retaining the device." Keelah@crystyl:"I am however now quite curious as to your Administration's knowledge of this particular species. Starfleet has only one confirmed encounter on record and there is much we do not know still" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Regulator: "The Administration has one recorded instance of an encounter with a member of the species. Outside of that, we have found several traces left behind by the species, largely in the - Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- form of less advanced civilizations influenced or in one case, created by them." Keelah@crystyl:"Fascinating. Perhaps once we finish the cleanup of this Horde invasion we could explore the potential sharing of knowledge on this subject; a mutual exchange of information as a point of historical- Keelah@crystyl:- interest" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Regulator: "If your own culture have at some point been influenced by them, it would be of interest to us as well." Keelah@crystyl:"Many Federation species have consistent mythology which is now generally attributed to this species' influence. We would be happy to share all knowledge on the matter in a mutual exchange" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Regulator: "And we have learned much of them from our Regulated Zones across the galaxy. We will contact you once the cleanup here is complete." Keelah@crystyl:"In the meantime, Coalition forces have been recalled to Vue En. Perhaps you would care to join me on the bridge as we head back" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The Regulator nods, "I shall. Thank you for taking us on board, Captain Keelah." Keelah@crystyl:"Just doing our duty" she smiles, turning to head out Keelah@crystyl:"Eva, Sin; make sure you get yourselves some well earned rest ok" Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "We'll make sure we're rested up, Captain." Keelah@crystyl smiles, "You did great work here today. I'm proud of you all" and heads back to the bridge with the Regulator" --- Keliaya@anncaris FX | Some time passes as the Coalition slowly gathers at Vue-En. After helping ferry survivors and tractor disabled ships back, the Valley Forge waits in orbit quietly as the Coalition assesses - Keliaya@anncaris - their damage and treats their wounded Keliaya@anncaris | Keelah is in the ready room when the doorbell sounds Keelah@crystyl stands at the window, hands folded at her back as she looks out, "Come" Keliaya@anncaris steps in with a PADD in hand, "Captain. Damage reports and ship counts are starting to come in from across the Coalition." Keelah@crystyl:"How bad is it?" she asks in a flat tone, continuing to watch outside Keliaya@anncaris steps up closer, scrolling through the PADD, "The Colonial Fleet is down to half-strength, with only one functional Baseship. Baseship One was lost and Two is disabled and requires extensive - Keliaya@anncaris:- repair. The An Mothership also suffered heavy damage and can't currently sustain warp speeds for long. Preliminary estimates put the repair time at six to eight months with the facilities at - Keliaya@anncaris:- Vue-En's ring, and the other An ships need the Mothership to supply them so they can't go far from Colonial Space. Two Lodzki dreadnoughts were lost, one disabled and two more damaged, but the - Keliaya@anncaris:- they still have most of their other military ships intact as we weren't able to get many of those into the fight in time. Keelah@crystyl:"So many losses..." she sighs, "We may never recover from this" Keliaya@anncaris:"The Guardians are down to a third of their strength, but that's not factoring in the disabled ships which should be repaired a few months from now. We lost twenty-one Constructs and two Junayd - Keliaya@anncaris:- ships, nineteen packships, two Regulator vessels and twenty-seven mercenary ships including Toroki raiders." Keliaya@anncaris nods solemly at Keelah's comment, "The Coalition won't be able to hold off another assault like this." Keelah@crystyl counts another allied ship limping into orbit before turning, "True, but that is not what I meant" Keliaya@anncaris lowers her PADD, nodding again and looking to Keelah, "Commander Skormir, the Gallant Defender, Fleet Marshal Paval and Captain Radomin are gone." Keelah@crystyl sighs solemnly again, lowering herself to a seat, "The wounds left by their absence - by that of everyone we lost - are the ones that I fear will never truly heal. For any of us" Keliaya@anncaris sighs and takes a seat as well, "Something we see all too often in times of war." Keelah@crystyl nods, "It is our duty as leaders to help guide the crew through this. They will be needing us now more than ever, perhaps more than they realize. It will not be easy to keep moral up after this" Keliaya@anncaris nods, "The only good news I have- other than the Horde advance being stopped, is that the damage to the Valley Forge is almost all superficial. We won't need to stay in the Ring for long like - Keliaya@anncaris:- our last visit here. We don't need the Ring's facilities at all, it's nothing we can't patch up on our own, but Vora's been very insistent that we use their facilities while we're here." Keelah@crystyl gives a faint smile, "We can make a show of accepting her gratitude. Perhaps we can do it ourselves, but once we set out from here again it could be the start of a whole new voyage as we push on to- Keelah@crystyl:- find the Heart of War and stop the Horde once and for all. So perhaps it is fruitful to use this opportunity and stock up everything we can" Keliaya@anncaris smiles back faintly and nods, "I agree. I'll go and make arrangements for docking and repairs with them." She stands Keliaya@anncaris:"Oh, and Eva just got a message earlier. The Coalitions calling for a post-battle meeting tomorrow." Keelah@crystyl:"I figured that was high on the agenda when Vora called everyone here. Now the imminent threat is dealt with, there's a planet full of refugees to look after and I believe a grand victory celebration- Keelah@crystyl:- will do wonders for public moral after this" Keliaya@anncaris:"I imagine so. The victory wasn't without cost, but we did manage to directly stop a Horde fleet of a size that's never been directly halted before. At least not any time in recent history..." Keelah@crystyl:"Indeed, and it will make a fitting homage to those who gave of themselves too" Keliaya@anncaris nods, "If there's nothing else, I'll prepare us for docking with the Ring and the upcoming repairs. With the facilities here, it shouldn't take more than a week." Keelah@crystyl nods, "Please do" Keliaya@anncaris heads out to make preparations --- The Architect@anncaris | Not long after Kelly leaves, the ready room doorbell rings again Keelah@crystyl:"Come in" The Architect@anncaris steps inside, "Captain." Keelah@crystyl sits on the sofa, nursing a tray of spiced tea, "Architect. Please, come in" The Architect@anncaris makes his way over to the sofa, "Is everyone on the ship doing well?" Keelah@crystyl:"As well as can be expected at this point I think" The Architect@anncaris takes a seat, "I am pleased that our control over the Horde vessels was successful." Keelah@crystyl:"We made a remarkable achievement here today" The Architect@anncaris:"In pushing back a Horde fleet this size, yes. But I believe it is only the beginning of what we can achieve." Keelah@crystyl looks at him, handing a cup of the tea, "How do you mean?" The Architect@anncaris:"What we have achieved here is only a small-scale application of what I have been researching. You must realize by now, Captain, that this war cannot be won by conventional means. Even if we were - The Architect@anncaris:- to provide every member of every Coalition species with a defense against the Horde, there are still countless Children out there, and our enemy is far better at seeking out these populations - The Architect@anncaris:- than we are, as they are inherently drawn to them. Even without counting people they consume, their breeding still allows them to replenish numbers much faster than any Children species naturally - The Architect@anncaris:- could. What we need is a means to end their threat swiftly and instantly- what the Iconians intended their Heart of War to be." Keelah@crystyl nods, "It is my intention to resume the search for the Heart of War with haste" The Architect@anncaris smiles, "Excellent. That is what I wished to suggest. Though we learned at the ruins that the Heart of War was not the weapon the Iconians intended, but I think it will still be of more use to - The Architect@anncaris:- us than an advanced base. Or specifically, I believe I have found a way to use it against the Horde in a way its creators did not anticipate." Keelah@crystyl:"Oh?" The Architect@anncaris:"The amount of Horde ships we could control was limited by the energy we had at hand. Though the Trident is a powerful artifact, it too has its limits, especially as it was built primarily to be a - The Architect@anncaris:- conduit and an amplifier, not a source. With the proper source, we will be able to reach far more Horde thralls with our command. Tapping into your ship's core, for example, may have given us the - The Architect@anncaris:- power to control all 1600 ships. Do not worry- that is not what I suggest we do. I know you have your reservations about directly interfacing with such powerful technology." The Architect@anncaris smiles, "No, what I suggest is...more ambitious." Keelah@crystyl perks a brow, "More ambitious than tapping the warp core to control over a thousand ships of Horde thralls? You presume then to use the omega molecules likely found at the centre of the Heart of - Keelah@crystyl:-War like other Iconian facilities of it's kind to attempt a complete override of the entire Horde" The Architect@anncaris:"Precisely, Captain. I have reviewed the Guardian research, performed the calculations based on the data of other such facilities encountered by Starfleet. It is feasible for the energy of the - The Architect@anncaris:- sphere to propel the signal across the entire stretch of the galactic rim controlled by the Horde." The Architect@anncaris:"The Iconians /did/ build a weapon that could end the threat of the Horde. They simply did not have the tools to use it." Keelah@crystyl:"Well, we always knew that if we were to find it that we would still have to find a way to complete what they started. But still... Omega?" The Architect@anncaris:"It is the only way. If we were to use the sphere as a simple battle installation, it could buy the Coalition more time, hold off more such fleets. But the Horde will always replenish their numbers - The Architect@anncaris:- faster. They do not have internal disagreements. Everything they do is calculated and intended for peak efficiency, not to mention that anyone they encounter without defenses will be added to - The Architect@anncaris:- them along with all their knowledge. At this moment, the Coalition may have better technology and two victories, but even now, this victory has been far more costly than anything the Coalition - The Architect@anncaris:- lost at Terminu. And without taking a risk with our ability to control the Horde with the Trident alone, you may not have this victory at all." Keelah@crystyl:"Yes, I am painfully aware of the cost of this victory. And it is not that I particularly disagree with you in any form, it is just that one of Starfleet's most stringent mandates is on the control - Keelah@crystyl:- of Omega molecules. Their detection and safe neutralization is a mandate that overrules even the Prime Directive" The Architect@anncaris:"And that is precisely why we need an untouched sphere, not one that Starfleet has already visited. The power harnessed by the sphere from its sun alone will be enough to neutralize Horde fleets, - The Architect@anncaris:- but not the entire Horde all at once. You may neutralize the molecules once we are done here. But this is the only way we can survive this war." The Architect@anncaris:"There is one other way, made I believe in jest by the Regulator Analyst. It may very well work, but it involves uniting the rest of the galaxy under the group known as the 'Borg' to form what is - The Architect@anncaris:- effectively an anti-Horde. I believe of the two, my proposal is the lesser violation of your ethics." Keelah@crystyl chuckles, "No arguments there. But still; I will have to explore options to handle this mandate should we find Omega. You see, this is hardcoded into our main computer to the point where upon - Keelah@crystyl:- registering Omega on sensors, all ship functions will be overridden with the protocol to neutralize" The Architect@anncaris:"I understand. We have not located the sphere yet, so you have plenty of time to consider and explore your options. I do not believe we will require the ship for much, other than transportation to - The Architect@anncaris:- sphere and any work that is needed to repair and activate the sphere. After that, the sphere's own systems should be capable of managing the molecule reactions as long as we have the Trident." Keelah@crystyl:"Now just the minor task of locating it" she smiles The Architect@anncaris:"That I am afraid I can be of less assistance for. Though you already have a rough vector to follow, and we know the ruins are close to the site of its creation, so you have made good progress there.” Keelah@crystyl nods, "We just have to return to our original course and proceed further than the ruins" The Architect@anncaris:"Your new friends may be able to help. It will take time to return to where we were, time the Horde will spend preparing for their next attack. These wormholes the Junayd generate; though we do not - The Architect@anncaris:- have a destination for the sphere, it may be advantageous to speed up the journey by asking them to open one to the Iconian ruins." Keelah@crystyl:"True, it is worth asking. But we know so little about these people still, it may not even be possible" The Architect@anncaris nods, "Perhaps not, but it is certainly worth asking. It is the only suggestion I have for the search itself." Keelah@crystyl smiles, "And it is a good one. As always, I find your council invaluable" The Architect@anncaris smiles back, "I am pleased to be of assistance. You know where to find me if you require more detail on my proposal. In the meantime, I will continue my research and be prepared to carry it out - The Architect@anncaris:- if you believe it is worth pursuing." Keelah@crystyl:"Are you kidding? Just that fact that it is you presenting it makes it worth hearing. I may sometimes forget who you are to us, but many here do not" The Architect@anncaris smiles, "It is good to hear that my council is appreciated. I only hope this plan will be sufficient to put an end to this war." Keelah@crystyl:"As do I" The Architect@anncaris stands, "You are welcome to call on me if you need more information or council." Keelah@crystyl:"Thank you Architect" --- NPC@annpc#557 | Keelah beams down to the site of the temporary Lodzki colony on Vue-En. As she materializes, she sees a number of short, rectangular buildings that look almost like oversized cargo crates, - NPC@annpc#557 - a far fetch from the traditional Lodzki architecture. They are not rough, despite the hastily assembled nature, there is still a sleek, modern elegance to them, but they are clearly - NPC@annpc#557 - constructed from prefabricated components NPC@annpc#557 FX | https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/masseffect/images/e/ef/Taerve_Uni_outpost.png/revision/latest?cb=20181203162049 Keelah@crystyl looks around, already impressed by their quick work NPC@annpc#557 | As Keelah examines the surroundings, she sees the familiar figure of Admiral Celestina heading towards her Keelah@crystyl smiles and turns his way, "Admiral. I hope you don't mind the impromptu visit" NPC@annpc#557 | Celestina smiles back, "Not at all, Captain. I've only just stopped here after the battle to check on the colony myself. My ship's in dock getting repairs, older dreadnought design couldn't - NPC@annpc#557 - take many hits. My husband's dreadnought barely got a scratch on it." Keelah@crystyl:"Your ship survived. That alone is testament to its strength" Keelah@crystyl looks around, "Your people have done an impressive job of building things up here already" NPC@annpc#557 | Celestina grins, "What can I say. We colony kingdoms know how to build. We're spearheading the construction here, using mostly the same techniques we used to settle Kodek, Vasomir and Cidria - NPC@annpc#557 - way back. We haven't used those techniques much since our initial period of expansion, save for a few resource outposts, but with modern technology we do it a lot quicker." Keelah@crystyl:"Indeed. And what about the Arshai - how are relations at present?" NPC@annpc#557 | Celestina: "The Arshai don't seem to hold any animosity for us, but I suppose the war was at least...three, four generations ago for them? It's harder to get our population to trust the - NPC@annpc#557:- Arshai, but they are giving us a place to stay, and now that much of our military has seen how dangerous the Bies can be, they're grateful to the Arshai for the refuge, and the military are the - NPC@annpc#557:- people with the most against them, since the fighting never reached our inhabited planets." NPC@annpc#557 | Celestina: "A lot of us were also afraid that we'd be handing our fate over to the hands of the Arshai, but with the Colonial Fleet below half strength, we've agreed to help take on part of - NPC@annpc#557:- the burden of patrolling and defending Colonial Space until we go back to our own territory. The Arshai need our help, and our people are happy with gaining some power over the Arshai instead of - NPC@annpc#557:- putting our lives purely in their hands." Keelah@crystyl smiles, "I was hoping that the current state of losses would lead the two of you down a path of cooperation here" NPC@annpc#557 | Celestina: "And we're sharing this colony with the Czostak Kingdoms as well, which is another step to reconciliation." NPC@annpc#557 | Keelah notices another familiar face of the bard Fabula as he makes his way over as well, "Keelah! How have you been?" Keelah@crystyl:"I remain confident in the lasting union of the Kingdoms" Keelah@crystyl turns with a smile, "Fabule, it is good to see you. Here to see your people settling in as well?" NPC@annpc#557 | Fabula: "Actually, I was given a spot here to help with the morale." Keelah@crystyl:"I can think of no better person to help bolster things here" NPC@annpc#557 | Fabula smiles, "Thank you for the vote of confidence, Captain! So, what do you think of our little colony down here? I say colony because that's what everyone has been calling it, but it's - NPC@annpc#557:- really more of a resort." Keelah@crystyl:"In fact, I was just telling the Admiral here how impressed I am with the work your people have done in such a short space of time" NPC@annpc#557 | Celestina: "Unfortunately if we wanted to even settle a fraction of our population here, we'd take up much more space than the Arshai would be comfortable with," she chuckles. "We do plan on - NPC@annpc#557:- expanding this site to the fullest extent the Arshai are allowing, but the bard is right, even at its maximum capacity it won't hold many people, and we don't intend on staying permanently - NPC@annpc#557:- anyways. Most of the population is still on the ships, we plan on rotating people here for both temporary habitation and brief visits to get some fresh air." NPC@annpc#557 | Fabula: "It does get quite cramped on some of the ships." Keelah@crystyl:"Hopefully it won't be long before you're all able to return home" NPC@annpc#557 | Fabula: "I hope so too, as nice as it is getting to visit the Arshai city and meeting more species than I've even heard of." NPC@annpc#557 | Celestina: "We could head back now with the Horde fleet gone, but we've decided it's best to pause here and take a breath. Have our damaged vessels repaired in the meantime and more of our - NPC@annpc#557:- soldiers outfitted with the implants. We'll be able to better defend ourselves that way, and the Coalition needs us to bolster their defenses here in the meantime as well." Keelah@crystyl nods, "I agree that now is not the time to disperse. Everyone in the Coalition has paid a heavy price for this victory. It is important that everyone stands together and supports one another now" NPC@annpc#557 | Celestina: "Indeed. The High Queen took some convincing, but luckily Ambroz is quite sympathetic to our views and the Queen trusts him. It might not be the most comfortable for our people, - NPC@annpc#557:- especially the Czostak nobles, but they'll be safe here, and that's more important." Keelah@crystyl:"Indeed" she looks between the two, "Is there anything we can do to help you here in the meantime?" NPC@annpc#557 | Celestina: "I think we have things in hand here. We need repairs, building materials and some supplies, but the Arshai are helping us with that." NPC@annpc#557 | Fabula: "I could do with an account of the battle from your ship's perspective. For some new works." Keelah@crystyl:"Very good. Well the Valley Forge will be in orbit for a few days still, so feel free to return and speak to the crew on that" NPC@annpc#557 | Fabula: "Excellent. I'll be sure to do so. The battle will be the /perfect/ finale to the grand epic of the evacuation." Keelah@crystyl:"Just do me a favour and make sure that if you immortalize any aspect; make it the sacrifice made by so many of our allies so that we could see another day" NPC@annpc#557 | Fabula: "Don't worry Captain, I'll make sure they'll never be forgotten, at least not by the Lodzki people." Keelah@crystyl nods, "I can think of no more fitting tribute. Well then, I should probably leave you all to it for now" NPC@annpc#557 | Celestina nods, "Thank you for checking in on us, Captain." Keelah@crystyl:"Of course" she smiles, turning to head off. --- NPC@annpc#557 | The next day, Keelah beams down to the Council Complex on Vue-En to attend the Coalition meeting. She materializes outside the main complex, where she has a view of the celebrations throughout - NPC@annpc#557 - the city of Nim-i-Rune. The view would no doubt be more spectacular at night, but the large holos in the plazas and screens on buildings are still visible during the day, and there seem to be - NPC@annpc#557:- a parade of some description proceeding down a street, with fancy hovercars and shuttles flying over it Keelah@crystyl moves over to the railing to get a better look. Despite the heavy losses, she can't help but smile at the sight of everyone expressing their elation NPC@annpc#557 | As Keelah enjoys the view, Vora steps up beside her and joins her at the side of the railing, "Magnificent sight, isn't it?" Keelah@crystyl glances across with a smile and looks back, "I may not share the victorious feeling, but I know they need this. It is good to see everyone getting it out of their system" NPC@annpc#557 | Vora nods, "I agree. I have a feeling this is only the start of our troubles, but the people need this. Morale is an important asset, even more so with how outnumbered we are." Keelah@crystyl:"Indeed, and those who gave their lives deserve a fitting memorial after all" NPC@annpc#557 | Vora: "This has been a victory, but not one without sacrifice. Far more sacrifice than I hoped we would have to make." Keelah@crystyl:"But a victory nonetheless, and one that will no doubt live on the history of the quadrant as a great one" NPC@annpc#557 | Vora nods, "I hope there are many more to come. But first, let us proceed to the meeting and discuss our next steps." Keelah@crystyl nods, "On to the things that matter" NPC@annpc#557 | Vora turns, leading the way into the central building of the complex NPC@annpc#557 | As with previous meetings, the Coalition gathers around a circular venue, mostly seated by the different factions. Once everyone is gathered, Vora stands and begins the meeting NPC@annpc#557 | Vora: "Thank you all for coming, and more importantly, for coming to the defense of Vue-En and Calahadon. All of us here have lost people in this battle. While there is nothing I can do to bring - NPC@annpc#557:- them back, I can promise you that their deaths were not for nothing, and that they shall be remembered as long as the New World stands. And the New World, this entire Coalition, stands now only - NPC@annpc#557:- because of their sacrifice. But our fight is not over yet." NPC@annpc#557 | Vora sits back down and Issandros stands across the chamber, "It has been decided that I am taking command of this Chapter of Guardians. The squadron I have brought will permanently be - NPC@annpc#557:- integrated into this Chapter. With our losses in the battle, their presence is needed here." NPC@annpc#557 | Issandros: "As for the Horde's next move, that is difficult to say. We have never stopped a fleet this size directly, and there is only one instance of the Horde having their advances - NPC@annpc#557:- repeatedly halted in the past. We do not have much records of that time, but we do know they altered their strategy and ceased relying on numbers alone. It is possible they will attempt something - NPC@annpc#557:- completely unexpected, though we cannot rule out the possibility that they will assemble an even larger fleet for another assault." NPC@annpc#557 | Vora: "We will reinforce our defenses as much as possible and prepare for such a possibility while remaining on our guard." NPC@annpc#557 | Issandros: "From what we understand, the force that we defeated here was assembled at the same time as the fleet destroyed at Terminu. It will take time for the Horde to direct additional - NPC@annpc#557:- ships into this region. Time we can use to recuperate and recruit." NPC@annpc#557 | Lupan Elder: "What of offensive options? Is there a chance we could strike back at the Horde, stop their next assault before it begins?" NPC@annpc#557 | Issandros: "The Rangers will do what they can to hamper the Horde, but sending the Coalition fleet into their territory is far too risky." NPC@annpc#557 | Marshal Solan: "What of the facility the Valley Forge is seeking?" Keelah@crystyl:"We will be resuming that search once we have finished our resupply in a few days" NPC@annpc#557 | Marshal Solan nods, "Such a facility could help bolster our forces significantly." Keelah@crystyl:"We are still working on the assumption that it is indeed the fabled 'Heart of War' which the Iconians created to stop the Horde, and that we will be successful where they were not in using it. We - Keelah@crystyl:- would be wise not to pin all of our hopes for final victory on this single avenue" NPC@annpc#557 | Marshal Solan: "Even if it is not the superweapon the Iconians intended, it will still serve as a mobile forward base, one even more powerful than the Andarash fleet carriers. We may be able - NPC@annpc#557:- to use such an asset to spearhead an assault into Horde territory. We would join you in the search, but as you know, our Mothership will need significantly more repairs than a few days' worth." Keelah@crystyl nods, "I understand. It is also worth keeping in mind that the facility we set out to find shares a gateway connection to Federation space. Finding it and securing it would open up an avenue for - Keelah@crystyl:- Alliance reinforcements to support us" NPC@annpc#557 | Regulator Supervisor: "On the subject of reinforcements, we are outfitting more crews with the implant and will spare as many vessels as we can away from our regular duties. In addition, we - NPC@annpc#557:- have been working with the Trinity Alliance in providing and equipping their forces with the implants. Their peace negotiations with the Forli have gone very successfully and the Forli front - NPC@annpc#557:- is quiet, allowing them to send forces to assist the Coalition here." NPC@annpc#557 | Vora: "We also have forces from the Orion Space Navy already on the way, using conventional travel means." Keelah@crystyl perks a brow at that, glancing to Lennie at her side who also seems surprised NPC@annpc#557 | Runata: "The Lodzki Confederacy will outfit all our warship crews with the implants. We should be set to assist the Coalition with our full capacity, minus losses in this battle, by the time - NPC@annpc#557:- of our next engagement with the Bies, whether offensive or defensive." NPC@annpc#557 | Vora: "Then it seems we have our task for the moment. We will strengthen the forces we have at present and obtain new assets, allies and recruits where we can. If the Horde does not make their - NPC@annpc#557:- next move before we are up to full strength again, we will reconvene to discuss a potential for counterattack options, but for the moment we will remain on the defensive while we reconsolidate." NPC@annpc#557 | Issandros: "It is the best plan of action until we are able to discern what the Horde are up to next." NPC@annpc#557 | Vora nods, "Then let's get to work." --- Rianni@crystyl | Keelah nods, "We know so little of them still, but it is definitely worth inquiring about" Keliaya@anncaris nods, "I can go ask her now, if you'd like. I've been working with her on Rianni's plan and repairing her ship." Rianni@crystyl | Keelah: "By all means, I would only have to defer to your expertise anyway on the technicalities so I leave it to you to assess the possibility" Keliaya@anncaris:"I'll speak with her, then." She heads over towards the Observer Keliaya@anncaris:"Thank you for your help. I have a feeling this battle would've gone very differently without the Junayd's support." Rianni@crystyl stands quietly behind the biggest, most intimidating Lupan of all in attendance staring up at the back of his head longingly... Keliaya@anncaris pauses and looks between the Lupan and the Observer, "Please don't do what you're thinking... Rianni@crystyl may juuust be starting to reach up as Kelly speaks. Pausing and turning, "I have no idea what you mean Commander Keliaya..." Rianni@crystyl glances back, "So fluffy..." shaking it from her mind and looking back, "It was a resounding tactical success. The Creators are pleased" Keliaya@anncaris:"I'm sorry about the ships you lost. But at least you don't have to worry about the Azedi hunting you anymore." Rianni@crystyl:"The losses were far less than the best projections of any drawn out situation with the Azedi" Keliaya@anncaris smiles, "I thought so as well. Will you be staying here with your Creators now, or remaining on the Valley Forge?" Rianni@crystyl:"I served my purpose in tracking me down, so there is no requirement for me to remain there. I do not yet know what my next assignment will be; though it will likely involve serving as the Creators - Rianni@crystyl:- voice in these forums" Keliaya@anncaris:"I thought so; you've done well representing them so far. I presume they'll be staying here at Vue-En for the near future as well?" Rianni@crystyl:"Until such time that the obligation to help defeat the Horde has been met at least, yes" Keliaya@anncaris smiles, "Thank you. We might have one more favour to ask of you, if it's possible. It's nothing dangerous to your Creators like fighting the Horde." Rianni@crystyl:"Oh?" Keliaya@anncaris:"The Iconian facility we're searching for is further rimward from here. We don't know exactly where, but we found a ruin close by to where it was built before we turned back to aid the Coalition. - Keliaya@anncaris:- It's some distance away from here, and I was wondering if you might be able to open up a portal to it if we gave you the coordinates." Rianni@crystyl smiles, "Well it wouldn't be the first time!" Keliaya@anncaris nods, "When the Azedi destroyed the Gainborough, some of our escape pods were accidentally pulled through the wormholes and survived, so I thought there wasn't any special precautions we needed." Keliaya@anncaris:"You think we'll be able to transport the Valley Forge and QanwI' using them?" Rianni@crystyl:"Yes, and - oh, you may not know this yourself yet - but I helped the Valley Forge open one of these wormholes before during the rescue of the Gainsborough crew" Keliaya@anncaris nods, "I was there when we did that, but...I don't remember you being involved. You were already with Starfleet during the time, but you weren't on the mission to my knowledge..." Rianni@crystyl:"That's right, I was still performing my duties as the Observer of Starfleet. But the connections I had formed with all of you compelled me to disobey the Creators and help you find the missing - Rianni@crystyl:- people. So I covertly provided Captain Keelah with instructions on tracing and reopening the Azedi escape wormhole they got pulled into" Keliaya@anncaris:"So /that's/ where we got the information from! Well, that's something else to thank you for which I didn't know about." Rianni@crystyl nods, "It was revealed to the investigation team after I allowed myself to be captured and when I was requesting asylum, but I did not know if became public knowledge or not. To be honest, I had my- Rianni@crystyl:- doubts it would as the more credible I was seen to be, the less credible the senior officers who had me executed would seem" Keliaya@anncaris:"Typical Starfleet admiralty. I wish I could say it was an isolated incident, but it's not the first time high-ranking officers have kept information classified to cover their own necks. At least - Keliaya@anncaris:- we're willing to admit we're flawed, though. And we have people who know right from wrong who expose them in the end." Rianni@crystyl nods, "Mhmm! Anyway, so yes. Though that was a little different because we reopened an established wormhole the principle is the same. So the good news is that your technology is capable of it" Keliaya@anncaris:"Last time we needed support from other ships to manage it, but we've improved our power systems since then. It'll be nice if you could take a look and help us optimize things, though." Rianni@crystyl:"Yes, that is the bad news. At least, depending on your perspective" Keliaya@anncaris:"What do you mean?" Rianni@crystyl:"I will have to accompany you to operate the wormhole. It is the only way the Creators will consent as they will not share this technology" Keliaya@anncaris:"We could carry your ship with us, so once we're there, you can return if they still need you to serve as representative here." Rianni@crystyl:"I will follow the Creators instructions on the matter" Keliaya@anncaris nods, "We'll see what they decide, then. You'll have a means to return with your own ship if that's what they want, and I'm sure the Captain would be happy to have you on board if you're to stay - Keliaya@anncaris:- with us. First, let's get the ship ready." Rianni@crystyl smiles, "It will be considerably easier without having to program the subroutines to revert after a fixed time to stop you from learning about them!" Keliaya@anncaris chuckles, "That it would. Well, we appreciate your help with that, and hopefully we can get it working even better this time around." Rianni@crystyl:"It won't be a problem" she nods, glancing over her shoulder as the Lupan giant moves of and pouts a little, "Aw.." Keliaya@anncaris laughs, "Come on, let's get back to the ship before you get tempted to adopt one of the Lupan..." Rianni@crystyl:"They can be adopted?" her tone rises with newfound hope at the idea. Keliaya@anncaris:"No they can't, and they're not likely to respond well if you try. Which is why I wanted to get you back to the ship before you get tempted to try..." Rianni@crystyl:"Oh... well ok then, let's get back so I can consult the Creators" --- NPC@annpc#557:FX | Lennie beams down to where her pre-warp group had settled. She materializes on the edge of a sizable forest, with a river flowing out from the trees and into the plains beyond. On the edge of - NPC@annpc#557:- the river are a large number of tents, between and around which the foundations of more permanent buildings can be seen in the midst of construction NPC@annpc#557:| Among the tents, the activity of the villagers can be seen, many of them moving back and forth and working on the constructions of the permanent buildings Lendaria@crystyl:smiles as she looks around, trying to see if she can spot any familiar faces NPC@annpc#557:| As she looks around the camp more closely, she can tell that the tents are clearly made using modern materials and technology and likely set up by either the Lodzki or the Arshai. She spots the - NPC@annpc#557:- village master Maar-Jadeen by one of the buildings being worked on, speaking with an Arshai Lendaria@crystyl:makes her way over, waving to them, "Maar-Jadeen!" NPC@annpc#557:| Maar-Jadeen turns at the sound and waves back, "Lady Lennie! It is a pleasure to see you again." Lendaria@crystyl:"You too my friend. How are the people doing?" Lendaria@crystyl:seems to be letting her UT do the work again with these people. NPC@annpc#557:| Maar-Jadeen: "Exceptionally well, my lady! You claim you are not gods, and this place you have taken us to is not the realm of the gods, but we would have believed you even if you said it was!" NPC@annpc#557:| Maar-Jadeen: "I've never seen a place more lush and filled with life!" Lendaria@crystyl:smiles, "I'm glad it's working out for you all" she looks to the Arshai, "I guess you're job is to help them settle around here?" NPC@annpc#557:| The Arshai nods, "That is correct. The Council would have provided a region more similar to where the village was originally located, but unfortunately Vue-En does not have such regions. But the - NPC@annpc#557:- villagers are more than satisfied with this land." NPC@annpc#557:| Maar-Jadeen: "This is exactly what we imagined Nimran's land to be like. A place of growth and life throughout! We could not ask for better. We had a river by our village, but we still had to - NPC@annpc#557:- irrigate the land, make sure the water could reach our fields. We've already seen more rain since arriving here than we get in a month!" Lendaria@crystyl:"I'm glad it's working out for you, truly" NPC@annpc#557:| Arshai: "This one and several other Arshai are teaching the villagers all the different things that can be done with wood, to make better use of the resources in the area." Lendaria@crystyl:"Wow that's great!" NPC@annpc#557:| Maar-Jadeen nods, "We don't get much wood in our old village. There were trees, but not ones that could be used for building, so we traded for wood and used it sparingly. Now, we have more wood - NPC@annpc#557:- than we know what to do with! We only ever used wood for roofing in our old village, but these Arshai are teaching us to build entire houses from it." Lendaria@crystyl:"Just remember that it is still limited. There may be a lot now, but there won't be if you go crazy building with it. Is all about balance" NPC@annpc#557:| Maar-Jadeen nods, "Don't worry, we won't cut down too many of them, only the bare minimum we need to build new homes for everyone. The forest is too beautiful to damage, we've never been to a - NPC@annpc#557:- place with so many trees!" Lendaria@crystyl:smiles, "I'm so proud of you all Maar-Jadeen. To have come so far in such a short space of time has been quite the journey for your village, figuratively and literally" NPC@annpc#557:| Maar-Jadeen smiles back, "It truly has been a journey like one our people have never undertaken before. Thank you for bringing us here to this wonderful land." Lendaria@crystyl:bows her head, "It's been my pleasure" NPC@annpc#557:| Arshai: "Do not be too comfortable. This area is not known for dangerous predators, but there are still predators in the forest." NPC@annpc#557:| Maar-Jadeen nods, "I am aware. Lady Lennie's people told us about it and are training our hunters." Lendaria@crystyl:"My people?" NPC@annpc#557:| Maar-Jadeen: "They were also green, like Lady Lennie, but males. I assumed you sent them." NPC@annpc#557:| The Arshai chuckles, "No, these are Colonial Orions." Lendaria@crystyl:"No, but this place is also a new home to my people" she smiles, "That is why I knew it would be a safe home for you as well" NPC@annpc#557:| Maar-Jadeen: "And it has been more wonderful a place than I have ever imagined. You have our eternal gratitude, Lady Lennie." Lendaria@crystyl:rubs the back of her neck, "Eternal, huh... Anyway, I just wanted to come see if there was anything you guys needed to help settle in here" NPC@annpc#557:| Maar-Jadeen shakes his head, "We have everything we could ever need, my Lady. But thank you for coming to see us." Lendaria@crystyl:"Well in that case, how do you all feel about having another little village feast like when we met? I'll be going away again soon and it sure would be nice to spend some more quality time with you - Lendaria@crystyl:- all before then" NPC@annpc#557:| Maar-Jadeen: "An excellent idea! We shall organize a feast to celebrate our safe arrival to this new home." Lendaria@crystyl:grins, "Excellent! And maybe you'll let me help this time" she chuckles NPC@annpc#557:| Maar-Jadeen chuckles, "We would welcome it! We are only just starting to settle in here after all." Lendaria@crystyl:looks to the Arshai, "Perhaps as the locals working with the village, you and your friends could join us too?" NPC@annpc#557:| The Arshai nods, "This one will join, and the Orions would not pass up a good celebration either." Lendaria@crystyl:grins, "Of course they wouldn't!" NPC@annpc#557:| Maar-Jadeen: "We'll begin work on preparations immediately, then!" Lendaria@crystyl:"Lead on then!" --- NPC@annpc#557 FX | Nikki beams down to a region not too different from where she encountered her tribe on their homeworld. She materializes on a beach on what seems to be a large island, only that this one - NPC@annpc#557 - has more (and different) trees and no birds or primates. Instead, large insects the size o birds dominate the skies, small amphibians can be seen scampering close to the water on the beach, - NPC@annpc#557:- and tiny reptiles skitter around the trees. Tents of the same construction as the ones Lennie saw in the forest line the beach and the tribesmen are busy at work building here as well, except - NPC@annpc#557:- more progress has been made and the aliens are quite adept at using the trees found here Nikki@crystyl takes in the sights a little before making her way into the new village NPC@annpc#557 | Many of the tribesman pause their work to wave at her as she passes by. Before long, Holuma-Slayer spots her and rushes over, "You've come to visit!" Nikki@crystyl smiles, "It was important for me to see how you were settling in now" NPC@annpc#557 | Holuma-Slayer: "We are doing well! This new island is...different from our old, but it is similar enough that our knowledge and skills can apply here as well." Nikki@crystyl:"Such knowledge and skills often make the foundation of civilization" NPC@annpc#557 | Holuma-Slayer: "The Arshai people that gave us this island said it was the closest they had to our old homes, and that this island should be safe with no predators we would not be able to - NPC@annpc#557:- handle. They do not have use for the other islands either, but they are warning us not to travel there until we have mastered this one, as there are more dangerous predators there." Nikki@crystyl:"A sound approach, and something for the hunters to focus on" NPC@annpc#557 | Holuma-Slayer nods, "I am curious what these islands have to offer. I think we hunters have the most to learn." She looks to some of the tribesman who are working on a building, "The trees - NPC@annpc#557:- here are different, but the wood of most of them can be worked in similar ways. The creatures are very different though." Nikki@crystyl:"And how are relations with the Arshai?" NPC@annpc#557 | Holuma-Slayer: "They helped us set up our homes for now," she motions to the tents, "and are checking on us, but they say we are doing very well. One of us stayed with us for the first few - NPC@annpc#557:- days to teach us about the island and the creatures. He said there are no birds here, only very big bugs. Apparently they get big enough to be dangerous predators even to us on the other islands, - NPC@annpc#557:- and the mainland. We certainly don't have anything like that back in the old island!" Nikki@crystyl chuckles, "This is a whole new world. Plenty of new things to explore and learn, it will be a challenging new chapter in the history of your village" NPC@annpc#557 | Holuma-Slayer nods, "It is! But we will manage. This island is still quite like our old one overall. We just have to get used to the small differences, and I think we will do well here." NPC@annpc#557 | Holuma-Slayer: "I may have to practice with the club more, though. From the description the Arshai gave of the predators on the other islands, I don't think a spear will do much against their - NPC@annpc#557:- carapace unless it is a very precise jab." Nikki@crystyl:"A very good point. Well it seems like you're doing well here, but I'll be around for a few days so you can ask the nearby Arshai to call me if you need anything" NPC@annpc#557 | Holuma-Slayer nods, "We will be sure to! Come visit us before you have to leave, too, and the Matron has said you are welcome to our new island anytime you wish." Nikki@crystyl smiles, "That is most welcome, I will be sure return any time I am in the region. And I promise I'll drop by before heading out on this next trip too, so don't worry about that" NPC@annpc#557 | Holuma-Slayer: "Great! And thank you for bringing us here, away from the army that threatened our old island." Nikki@crystyl:"Just doing our duty, but I am glad still" NPC@annpc#557 | Holuma-Slayer smiles, "As am I. I will be sure to catch you when you visit next time!" Nikki@crystyl:"I look forward to it, Holuma-Slayer. For now, I shall leave you to your business" NPC@annpc#557 | Holuma-Slayer waves to Nikki before heading back to her own work as well Nikki@crystyl takes her time enjoying the setting while here, in no rush to get back anywhere NPC@annpc#557 | As Nikki enjoys the setting, a large beetle the size of her hand flies over, trying to land on her arm Nikki@crystyl watches curiously, raising her arm to allow it to land NPC@annpc#557 | The large beetle lands and folds its wings into its colourful shell. It crawls along Nikki's arm, pauses for a few seconds, before extending its wings and buzzing off into the trees Nikki@crystyl smiles as she watches, always reminded of home by being close to nature.