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Post by Wavelength on Feb 4, 2014 0:57:39 GMT
Spacedock III, Equestrian OrbitThe recruiter looks at Yellow. " There is a recruitment office near the docks. The other recruits are getting ready to leave due to an incoming Free Systems Military Fleet, the 21st Defense Fleet. And this much I will tell you, they rarely lose any pilots, that is ever since the Sheriff became the Fleet Admiral. Only an unlucky turn of events made them lose a few pilots in a recent skirmish. If you truly wish to join us, then this fleet is your best bet in staying alive and being well paid." The recruiter gives Yellow a map to where the recruitment office is at. Yellow Light nodded and accepted the map. "Thank you, sir," she replied and headed off in that direction. While she was walking, she noticed another military recruiting sign... Blitz Development Industries? Able pilots? Well, she'd like to think of herself as a good pilot, but she was fairly certain they didn't want trainees with no time in the cockpit for an experimental exercise. She also wasn't particularly familiar with the brand. Yellow arrived at the crowded docks and looked around to see where the recruitment office was at. She initially expected to find the office based on lots of ponies crowded around it, but then again, the whole area was always crowded... minor detail. She started searching for a sign relating to "Free Systems Military". Deep Space, Bitopian BorderWith the first ship out of orbit, the revered First Legion's commanding officer, the cyborg Emperor Scorpion glanced at the holoscreen with a stiff smile as reports of more transportation vessels for his masters grand army came into view, guns prepared and ready for anything. In honesty he could not originally see the requirement for so many vessels to accompany but a few of his Mark IV brothers as they followed a distress call to a point near the sleazy trading isles of Bitopia, but now he understood that, whilst they were the mainstay for siege and fortification when on world, offworld they often required expendable aid. Expendable, his nose turned at the notion of even considering he was not a high ranking officer in this glorious Armada, he was Naval Admiral Supreme, only trumped by Clockwork himself should he ever come on board. His tactics were virtually sound and his loyalty was infallible in service to his Lord and Master. The Mark I's were crucial to any success that the other Generals claimed to, and he even heard them admit that, whilst his organic components could slight his chances of ever growing beyond his rank, his commanding stature and tactical prowess were only overshadowed by Lord Clockwork and General Clagger of the Mark V series. Speaking of the other series, the Mark IV exploration vessels soon materialised beside his own ship, the Dark Sting, alongside their own general, Pertrabus. " I trust materialisation was effortless as always, Pertrabus?" the Admiral asked through a communications link, his voice cold and synthesized even with his organic components. " Not as effortless as I had hoped, Scorpion." his cohort reported back, a thick, gruff voice befitting of the Minotaur shape his soul unit occupied " Our main drive received some damage from a chunk of debris after it collided with us, but I assume that your organic lackeys have a solution already prepared." Scorpion turned slightly with his good eye, the mechanical engineers behind him already preparing for mobilisation onto the accompanying ship. Good, the less time spent on that the better. Drifting towards the distress point Scorpion kept his eyes open for radar readings, from gathered experience this area of space was notorious for pirate incursions and attempted boarding actions... First, Emperor Scorpion encountered the source of the distress call... a drifting beacon, somewhat as common among space pilots as flares would be among automobile operators on planets. Long-range scans from the beacon's location revealed something nearby. It was approximately half a kilometer long, from the looks of things, and had multiple smaller signatures around it as though it were breaking up. From this range, it was difficult to tell anything else.
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Post by Bane Emural on Feb 4, 2014 2:56:49 GMT
There is a small office near the docks with a sign that says "Free System Military Defense Recruitment Office/Center". There is not many ponies/ griffons around that office. They seem to be either officers or pilots/ soldiers looking to be recruited.
The 21st Defense Fleet comes out of Slip-space and is flying towards the Homeworld orbit. Within the Shining Star, Sheriff Buckeye opens coms to Spacedock III. "This is the Sheriff of the Free Systems 21st Military Defense Fleet. I have prisoners onboard waitin to be imprisoned into Homeworld for piracy and raids against the Free Systems Colonies. Do we have permission to board, Spacedock III?" He waits for an answer as the fleet continues on its slow course towards Spacedock III.
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Post by Wavelength on Feb 4, 2014 6:12:53 GMT
---In orbit high above The Equinox Home World---
With a flash and blue streams of light, a ship came out of its warp jump heading for the Equinox Space Dock. As soon as it got within range the ship slowed. It was now only using its maneuvering thrusters and 1/4 impulse drive.
This ship was a flagship/fortress class vessel given the name The Galactic Phoenix by its maker, Techno Blitz. It was soon joined by three other vessels. One is a modified Intrepid class medical ship. It is called the Reborn Star Phoenix. The second is a Galaxy class exploration cruiser. This one is named the Phoenix Star Defender. The third ship to join this happy little fleet is the defiant class prototype called, the Phoenix Star Runner. Their captain and commander is the already famed, for 6 separate defense engagements, Cosmic Phoenix.
The engagements were in order from the first one to the last one. The first run in was with an unknown raider to protect a close border system. The second two were run ins with the pirates and raiders, protecting a trade convoy heading home to Sol system at the heart of the Homeworld faction. The third was another run in with the unknown raider again, this time escorting a noble envoy from Sol system to the Solar Empire for a diplomacy meeting with its leading personnel. The fifth run in for this team had to have been raiders and pirates again, this time trying to harass a simple trading vessel for free supplies. The vessel seemed to have said it was heading home to the Black Rose Empire. His ships came upon this one by complete accident while heading to the final mission for its 3 month test flight of the prototype. The final one was yet again the Unknown raider trying to take out another supply convoy. This final engagement had been a true test of all the systems on all four ships since they were on their maiden voyage anyways, though that was also when all the system's bugs got found and fixed. On all engagements, with minor damage and casualties, they had come out with the enemy running back home with their tails between their legs.
The captain hailed space dock, "Space Dock, this is Cosmic Phoenix here requesting permission to dock for repairs and resupply. Also I have the test reports for my grandfather, Master Engineer Tech, on his newest prototype. The Baby was perfect in nearly every engagement we had. Before I forget I have, for the Homeworld council, my patrol report." The radio buzzed to life as Spacedock control picked up the other end. Docking request confirmed, Cosmic Phoenix, we'll have maintenance crews come out to meet you right outside Hangar Five. Sounds like the latest hunt yielded quite a few results, eh?" the familiar traffic controller said with a chuckle. "Good to see every ship returning in one piece. Welcome home!" With that, the top of the hangar in question lit up with guidance beacons while support struts and docking tubes extended into position. Traffic control automatically transmitted a flight path to each of Phoenix's four vessels to guide them into position. Meanwhile, he could see repair teams already preparing for their arrival within the hangar below. |
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Post by Midnight_Aurora on Feb 4, 2014 6:28:45 GMT
Cosmic says, "You would be surprised. The only thing missing from these test reports is a 100% functionality rating. Thanks though and The runner is to report to grandfather's personal lab for assessment and adjustments. grandpa's orders."
The Phoenix Runner veers from the dock and heads to the orbital lab near by. The remaining three ships dock with the station following the given Flight paths. Cosmic AS soon as his ship docks goes to the Transmat room and transmits over to the station for some much needed R&R as well as to give his report. Cosmic goes into the lounge and over to the bar. He says to the bar keep, "One Equinoxian Salad sandwich and a Equinoxian special martini. My ships ran out of the ration packs. I told them to get extras this time." Cosmic waits for both The confirmation of his order and the food and drink.
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Post by Clockwork on Feb 4, 2014 9:20:26 GMT
Emperor Scorpion urged two of his forerunner ships onwards towards the beacon, watching carefully as they approached their target. Nodding at his navigator to establish visual feed, Scorpion watched as the two ships gently eased either side of the area. A message buzzed through to Scorpion's ship.
Well? What are your findings?
Scorpion looked over the data, the readings indicating that one of their faction's ships had passed through this area before and had suffered at the hands of a more prepared foe. He relayed the information onto Pertabus with a frown.
The readings show that one of our own was caught in a crossfire situation between two unknown groups, but looking at the wreckage of what may have been a carrier ship I can guess that such readings may be...inaccurate.
Your reasoning?
Scorpion watched as a large hulk of metal drifted past the port of the scouting ships, the visual feed clearly showing the title of what was once a vessel. His eyes widened.
Unbelievable. Pertrabus...establish video feed with the Gear's Tooth...tell me I am seeing this correctly.
There, in bold white writing masterfully plastered over dirty copper, was the identification of one of their greater battleships, the Pride of Time.
Forerunner ships, begin extracting any of our men you can find and have them transported to the refitting bays post haste, then open teleport links for both I and Pertrabus. I want to ask them what happened...
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Post by Wavelength on Feb 4, 2014 20:24:00 GMT
Cosmic says, " You would be surprised. The only thing missing from these test reports is a 100% functionality rating. Thanks though and The runner is to report to grandfather's personal lab for assessment and adjustments. grandpa's orders." The Phoenix Runner veers from the dock and heads to the orbital lab near by. The remaining three ships dock with the station following the given Flight paths. Cosmic AS soon as his ship docks goes to the Transmat room and transmits over to the station for some much needed R&R as well as to give his report. Cosmic goes into the lounge and over to the bar. He says to the bar keep, " One Equinoxian Salad sandwich and a Equinoxian special martini. My ships ran out of the ration packs. I told them to get extras this time." Cosmic waits for both The confirmation of his order and the food and drink. The mare barkeeper nearly winced. "Ran out in the middle of a voyage? I'm glad you made it back all right!" She set about preparing Phoenix's order and had the Equinoxian special martini in front of him within fifteen seconds, held in one of the bar's antique wood-plated mugs. The inside of the mug was walled with a solidified adhesive to prevent the drink from seeping out the sides. While she put together the sandwich, the barkeep tossed a glance over her shoulder. "New supply officer?" she suggested. "Those guys always miss the first order... every time, I tell ya. I sometimes get incomplete deliveries 'cause there's someone in training down the line." Emperor Scorpion urged two of his forerunner ships onwards towards the beacon, watching carefully as they approached their target. Nodding at his navigator to establish visual feed, Scorpion watched as the two ships gently eased either side of the area. A message buzzed through to Scorpion's ship. Well? What are your findings?
Scorpion looked over the data, the readings indicating that one of their faction's ships had passed through this area before and had suffered at the hands of a more prepared foe. He relayed the information onto Pertabus with a frown.
The readings show that one of our own was caught in a crossfire situation between two unknown groups, but looking at the wreckage of what may have been a carrier ship I can guess that such readings may be...inaccurate.
Your reasoning?
Scorpion watched as a large hulk of metal drifted past the port of the scouting ships, the visual feed clearly showing the title of what was once a vessel. His eyes widened.
Unbelievable. Pertrabus...establish video feed with the Gear's Tooth...tell me I am seeing this correctly.
There, in bold white writing masterfully plastered over dirty copper, was the identification of one of their greater battleships, the Pride of Time.
Forerunner ships, begin extracting any of our men you can find and have them transported to the refitting bays post haste, then open teleport links for both I and Pertrabus. I want to ask them what happened...
As the forerunner vessels dodged through the debris to approach the derelect battleship, they began to notice that the floating pieces didn't all belong to the ship they were approaching. As they got closer to the battleship itself, they saw various points of explosive damage along its outer hull, but nothing structurally significant--nothing but a massive opening toward the rear end of the ship, opening outward. Further observation revealed that it was the exit wound for a point of impact on the other side. Whatever the battleship had been fighting, it was clearly succeeding... and their foe had been willing to sacrifice themselves in one final, spiteful act to ensure that their defeat wasn't without cost. The impact had utterly pulverized the rammer, however, so it was impossible to tell what sort of ship it had been. Meanwhile, one of the forerunners detected a small power surge from a single point on the battleship. Half a second later, a deck gun near the battleship's bridge slowly turned 45 degrees to the right and fired off a fluorescent green smoke shell to indicate the presence of survivors. Someone on board seemed happy to see them. |
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Post by Midnight_Aurora on Feb 4, 2014 20:56:41 GMT
Cosmic says, " You would be surprised. The only thing missing from these test reports is a 100% functionality rating. Thanks though and The runner is to report to grandfather's personal lab for assessment and adjustments. grandpa's orders." The Phoenix Runner veers from the dock and heads to the orbital lab near by. The remaining three ships dock with the station following the given Flight paths. Cosmic AS soon as his ship docks goes to the Transmat room and transmits over to the station for some much needed R&R as well as to give his report. Cosmic goes into the lounge and over to the bar. He says to the bar keep, " One Equinoxian Salad sandwich and a Equinoxian special martini. My ships ran out of the ration packs. I told them to get extras this time." Cosmic waits for both The confirmation of his order and the food and drink. The mare barkeeper nearly winced. "Ran out in the middle of a voyage? I'm glad you made it back all right!" She set about preparing Phoenix's order and had the Equinoxian special martini in front of him within fifteen seconds, held in one of the bar's antique wood-plated mugs. The inside of the mug was walled with a solidified adhesive to prevent the drink from seeping out the sides. While she put together the sandwich, the barkeep tossed a glance over her shoulder. "New supply officer?" she suggested. "Those guys always miss the first order... every time, I tell ya. I sometimes get incomplete deliveries 'cause there's someone in training down the line." [...] " Yea, I know what you mean. It is so hard to find good help these days." Cosmic says as he sips the martini. " Well, time to wait for the emissaries to give my patrol report to. I am glad however that Project Phoenix is almost ready for its big reveal. I can't wait!" Cosmic waits at the bar for the emissaries to arrive. He seems excited about the last words he spoke. |
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Post by Clockwork on Feb 4, 2014 21:08:59 GMT
Scorpion sighed as he saw the slow comet of green dust shoot from the active forward barrel, at least whatever had occurred here had not left nothing salvageable. Yet the apparent ramming puzzled him, why go to such lengths to take out the Pride of Time? Who would even do that? Even Homeworld forces knew to steer clear of the Armada's hulking guns, and Harmonia would want nothing to do with them. Pirates? Extremists? Sure their anarchistic appetite for destruction would cause the most damage that they could get away with, but against a battlecruiser they would have been easily crushed. Perhaps it was a last ditch effort to take the crew down with the ship, and it clearly hadn't worked. At least Scorpion could frigidly smile at that.
Leaving his post for the docking station where he would don his Voidwalk suit, Scorpion requested Pertabus to join him...
Give me a valid reason why I should, and I may consider it...
The Pride of Time often contained valuable cargo of the Master's before its service as a mere battlecruiser, a rather far fall from what was once the greatest flagship this side of the Nexus system.
I am still not hearing my reason.
What would Master say should he see you and I return with his old pride and joy? He knows I only require more augments to be truemetal like the rest of you, but it's common knowledge that your ship has seen better days Pertrabus...
He could hear the self-dubbed Mechotaur pondering the possibilities, so whilst he waited Scorpion made sure his suit fit snugly. It was just before departure when Pertrabus responded, sounding perhaps a little eager...
We make contact with the ship within the next ten minutes, and you had better assist in dragging our prize back to base...
Scorpion said nothing as he shut off the link, heading back upstairs to his teleport beamer alongside his personal cyborg guard. That was far too easy.
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Post by Moonbacon on Feb 5, 2014 3:11:42 GMT
Moonlight got out of her room made her way to the lounge Cybelle was there too she was drinking her own morning tea Moonlight sat next to her " good morning cybelle " she as she waited for her morning tea Cybelle on the other hoof her attention is focused on reading a book.
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Post by Teal Turken on Feb 5, 2014 5:09:49 GMT
Awaking from a much needed night of rest, Herdfather Teal opens his eyes to the early morning rays beaming through his window. He smiles for a moment before he remembers that it's not the sun back home and it's just the fluorescent sunflowers simply placed to simulate being back home. He sits up and sighs, not exactly in a good nostalgic mood due to his old, old life on Homeworld Equestria, which happens to be his current destination.
Teal left his silky wool bed and tended to his hygiene in the restroom, staring at his reflection in the wash basin and dreading to look upon Equestria again. He's actually hoping that a Homeworld fleet will halt his before they can see Homeworld.
Around the Harmonian flagship, several cruisers provide safe escort into Homeworld territory. Teal wishes an audience with Homeworld to discuss a matter that only Harmonia deems a serious one. Hopefully Homeworld received the message dating their arrival.
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Post by wanderingmagus on Feb 6, 2014 3:04:49 GMT
Nexus, Crystal Palace:
The butler returned shortly thereafter, bowing once again. "Milady, Duke Goldenblood is in the Waiting Chamber outside the Throne Room for his audience. Shall I permit him to enter, your majesty?"
*****
Homeworld:
Cosmic didn't have to wait too long. He could already see his old partner from the administration approaching, old Tape Trimmer. Tape had been one of the "good" bureaucrats, one of a claw-full, as griffons say. A fitting idiom, since Tape was a griffon himself, almost pure with maybe an odd pegasus or two in the family tree. He got his name from the way he could seemingly just trim through reams of bureaucratic red tape in a matter of hours through the large network of friends he had accumulated over the years, and unlike one of those lobbyists and predatory attorneys never charged more than what was absolutely fair for his clients, and often gave free consultation to his friends.
The suited griffon grinned and took off his conservative hat as he approached, briefcase in claw. "Cosmic! Nice ta see ya."
Tape always made patrol report filing a breeze. It was a wonder he ever had time for anything, and that he was able to get all his work done in a day; normal reports needed hundreds of forms filled out due to the bloat that still clogged the system even after centuries of attempted bureaucratic reform. Sometimes it felt as though each reform simply INCREASED the number of committees and oversight boards and paperwork, which ultimately translated to hours of downtime for captains just trying to go home to their families after a simple routine inspection.
-----
"21st, this is Spacedock III. Clearance code transmission has been confirmed. You are authorized for boarding. Please deliver the prisoners to Bay 94 for transfer. Guards and personnel will be present for security purposes. Welcome to Homeworld."
Escort craft entered formation, more a formality than anything else, considering that the Sheriff's fleet was big enough to fend for itself if anything should go wrong. Magitech hologram-illusions flickered into sight to guide him to the correct location.
*****
Deep Space:
Far too easy...
The lack of heat signatures wasn't surprising, given that organics should have disintegrated in the collision, and full-conversions would have been cooled down to conserve energy. What was slightly suspect still was the bizarre situation. Something still nagged him in the subroutines of his processor.
Why?
*****
There was a twitter of a bird, indicating a message as the wing-like surface of the shimmering wall rippled gently to show an Elder Guardian, who bowed with hoof over heart, in the Harmonian way.
"Herdfather, we are approaching Homeworld territory. Voidspeaker Sees-Shadows-Swiftly says we will arrive in ten minutes."
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Post by Teal Turken on Feb 6, 2014 3:17:23 GMT
Teal turns his attention to the main chamber of his quarters and enters, giving a respectful hoof to his heart bow to greet the Elder.
Remind me, are we ten minutes from Homeworld territory or ten minutes from Homeworld itself? Teal asks for clarification.
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Post by Moonbacon on Feb 6, 2014 3:21:02 GMT
Nexus, Crystal Palace: The butler returned shortly thereafter, bowing once again. " Milady, Duke Goldenblood is in the Waiting Chamber outside the Throne Room for his audience. Shall I permit him to enter, your majesty?" " yes you sha'll permit him to enter" Moonlight answered casualy. |
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Post by Midnight_Aurora on Feb 6, 2014 3:37:12 GMT
Cosmic quickly finishes his drink and sandwich and pays for them before he turns to his friend Tape and says, "Well, I just get back and your already here, my friend. Nice to see you too, Tape. Are you ready for my report, because it will be a dozy? I think you can also get my test results to grandpa or does he want me to deliver that myself?" As Cosmic speaks he goes over to tape and gives him a hug in greeting.
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Post by Bane Emural on Feb 6, 2014 11:20:48 GMT
A tactical map shows on his table showing the station and the bay area. "I hope they have enough space to fit a Carrier in there." He looks at the other three ships in his fleet then turns the coms back to Spacedock III. "Spacedock III, my fleet is in need of docking as well. You guys have enough room for all three of them?"
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The recruiter looks at Yellow. "There is a recruitment office near the docks. The other recruits are getting ready to leave due to an incoming Free Systems Military Fleet, the 21st Defense Fleet. And this much I will tell you, they rarely lose any pilots, that is ever since the Sheriff became the Fleet Admiral. Only an unlucky turn of events made them lose a few pilots in a recent skirmish. If you truly wish to join us, then this fleet is your best bet in staying alive and being well paid." The recruiter gives Yellow a map to where the recruitment office is at.
With the first ship out of orbit, the revered First Legion's commanding officer, the cyborg Emperor Scorpion glanced at the holoscreen with a stiff smile as reports of more transportation vessels for his masters grand army came into view, guns prepared and ready for anything. In honesty he could not originally see the requirement for so many vessels to accompany but a few of his Mark IV brothers as they followed a distress call to a point near the sleazy trading isles of Bitopia, but now he understood that, whilst they were the mainstay for siege and fortification when on world, offworld they often required expendable aid.
