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Week One - Syoyorlea

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Category: Game Blog

Published on Sunday, 31 January 2016 08:29

Written by Super User

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Over the course of a couple of weeks the crew, unknown to each till this point, began to gather at the naval base on Hlaseuikh. Once the last crew member reported in you are all bundled aboard a non-descript transport ship for the last four weeks to Syoyorlea, all 70 military personal, seemingly from all branches of the military.
The Syoyorlea base is not much to look at as the transport approaches. Just a large rock in amongst a lot of rocks in the asteroid belt. A few large metal hanger doors dot the surface of the rock but not much else gives away the fact that a scout base is there.

Once on Syoyorlea it doesn't take long for you to be assigned bunks, each in quarters that house eight crew, five quarters in total. You are
all assigned to the same quarters. From the hangar where the transport lands a corridor runs off into the complex. The first right off this corridor runs into the complex proper while the corridor continues on, five corridors to the left, until it stops at a wall. Each of these corridors run to your quarters. The quarters are standard military fare, a single bunk room for each crew member, kitchen/eating area and lounge/common area. At the far end of the common room, furtherest away from the main corridor, is a locked blast door.

The duty officer sticks his head in the door of your quarters after only an hour of your arrival.
"Briefing in 800 local time," he smiles, "that's in ten minutes. Level two, conference room two."
He leaves you all, moving on to the next quarters.

On arrival to the conference room the crew find a large lecture hall, with sitting for 300. Standing patiently next to a holo projector at the front is Captain Teanna Yhoul.
"Everyone take a seat so we can begin." she says.

"I'll be blunt," begins Teanna, "you have all be selected because of your skills and your psych evals. You now form the core company of the Alliance's first expeditionary force to leave the main in over twenty years."
Teanna pauses for effect.
"On the data pads in front of you are the crew assignments for each of the five new jump two exploration ships, the first built by the Alliance. These ships have been constructed in secret here in this system."
Teanna brings up the ship schematics on the holo projector.
"Each ship has a crew of eight, with enough provisions for a six month tour of duty. Each ship has a specific route that has been selected by command, each with specific targets. Each ship crew will learn their route once the ships jump from this system."
The ship's schematics are replaced by a star map of Alliance space.
"From the Kteleaelal main one ship will head coreward for the Islaiat cluster. Two ships will head to trailing towards the Asden cluster and the final two ships will head spinward towards the Fearah cluster."
A tall, thin man with a gray mustache and bald head comes from the side to stand next to the holo projector. Many of you recognize the insignia of Naval Intelligence on his shoulder.
"The data on the systems beyond the Alliance is roughly 70 years old. We have some data from tramp traders that have made it to Alliance worlds over the years but this data cannot be verified and is of dubious value. However it has been tagged and uploaded into the ship's data banks."
"You will have one week to familiarize yourselves with the ship's functions, as well as requisition any extra equipment you feel you need from the Quartermaster."
"The ship's are armed and armored for defense. Beyond updating system data you are also tasked with acquiring any tech you can."
"Questions?" Teanna asks.

Sterlkar raises his paw and asks, "What are we instructed to do if we come across Virus infections?"
"Standard Alliance protocols are still in place. If it's tech, isolate and neutralize, destroy if that is not possible. Each ship will have at least one engineer trained in computer warfare."
The bald man pauses briefly.
"For ships or enclosed spaces deploy the PKX-43 gas and recover what remains."

"Crew structure will be as follows." Teanna flicks her data pad.
"The flight crews will consist of the Captain and navigator. The flight crew will be in command and responsible for all ship-board actions. As the ships will be out of Alliance space the flight crew will have full judicial powers. The flight crew will also have ultimate responsibility for all actions taken by themselves and the
crew." She pauses.
"The Engineering team, when not on ship's duty, will be responsible for the recovery of tech and the acquiring of Intel and hard data on all mission targets. While the Chief Engineer has the authority to recover tech and Intel they deem high value the Captain has final say on what can be returned to Alliance space."
"The gunnery fireteam are tasked with protection, not only of the ship, but of the away teams as well."
"Finally," Teanna places her data pad down, "the Legionnaires are to be the first in team. No-one is to move on a mission unless the Legionnaires give the all clear to proceed. The Legionnaires will be tasked with threat assessment and, if necessary on advisement from the Engineering team, threat neutralization to recover high value targets. Those of you with incorrect ranks will be given temporary commissions during the term of the mission. The Captains will have the authority to change those commissions."
Teanna stops long enough to sweep her gaze across those seated before her.
"Make sure you get all the equipment you think you will need for any situation you can imagine. After jump there will be no second chances. The ships have Repros on-board but the resources for making parts will be managed tightly."
"Final questions?"

Nigel raising a hand:
"Yes, how intensively are we to survey the various systems we pass through? Simple updated to navigational chart or full on socio/economic survey? Anything in particular we need to pay attention for?"
"That depends on the value of the target. High value targets will get a more through sweep than low value targets. Tech is the primary target of this mission, with the Captain of each ship having a list of targets for each world."
Teanna's gaze sweeps the audience.
"Remember however that the data is 70 years old. These missions are fluid, with the Command crew having to make decisions on the fly."
"Not to sound like an ass but what happens if the flight crew are taken out? " Nigel asks.
The bald man steps up.
He taps a few keys on the holo-projector. A listing of the ship's roster comes into display.
"The Captain is of course the Commanding Officer on board, while the navigator will be designated Executive Officer. The Chief Engineer has command of all away missions as the flight crew are not to leave ship unless there is no other recourse."
A few taps on the hologram grays out the CO and XO positions.
"Should something happen to take out the CO and XO or they can no longer give commands, or the flight crew deem the mission has failed due to crew losses, then the remaining crew are to return to Alliance space with a much risk minimization as possible."

After the mission briefing the bald man pulls Nigel to the side.
"Mr Strawn, this is not going to be an issue is it? I know the Imperials liked their routines, but this is another time and another place. You have skills the Alliance needs now, but any issues need to be sorted before leaving this system."
He continues, "Look, I know this transition hasn't been the easiest for us Remanents, but as Chief Engineer you'll have one of the toughest and possibly most dangerous job on board. However you also have the most experience to locate the tech the Alliance wants."
He slaps Nigel on the shoulder.
"What do you say son?"
"Just wanted to make sure all our ducks are in a row beforehand." replies Nigel. "Talking from experience, better to clarify things now then out in the fields when the shit hits the fan and this becomes relevant! Don't you agree?"
"Ducks in a row. You still go for those old Solomani sayings, even after all these years." chuckles the bald man.
"As for the routine bit," continues Nigel, missing the statement, "was I ex navy or marines I'd agree with you, but the IISS wasn't a military service. The nature of our work and the conditions under which we performed it required flexibility, that's what set us a part!"
By this time the bald man had a wide grin on his face.
"I suggest you don't say this in front of the other former scouts, it won't win you any friends."
"Oh and don't call me son," Nigel says with a smirk, looking in the mans eyes, "it sound patronizing and I don't need to be 'Handled'."

At this the bald man bursts out laughing, catching the rooms attention. Then it dawns on Nigel, something familiar about the man. The laugh, the blue eyes.
"Scout Leader Vincent De Bough." Nigel said, almost not believing his own words.
"Seriously, I almost got a stitch stringing you along." De Bough returned to grinning. "Been a long time son since Intel School at the scout academy. Never expected to find you here."
"I didn't recognize you without that long black mane of yours." responded Nigel.
"Yeah, well when you're 140 you got to lose something."
The pair are then approached by Teanna, who says "Everything in order here Commander?"
"Sure, just catching up with an old, and I mean old, student."
Teanna looked slightly puzzled but didn't ask further.
Nigel broke the awkward silence that was starting to develop. "Captain might I suggest we carry some precious metals, in small strips and ingots, along with a bit high tech trade good to barter with along the way?"
"Not a bad idea Yhoul, I'm sure the base has some level nine tech they can spare." replies De Bough.
"Fair enough, see what you can arrange Commander." Teanna nods to the pair and leaves.
De Bough slaps Nigel hard of the shoulder. "Good to see you again kid. Come and see me later when you've settled in. I might have some extra gear for you."

The Quartermaster gave each crew member the same tired look as they each arrived.
"Requisition forms for required equipment? Sign here. Equipment will be delivered to your ship tomorrow."
Amalric pats the plastic cases sitting on top of a wheeled cart that arrived with him. One large, one medium and one small case, all neatly stenciled with his name, ID number and the words "WARNING! IT IS A CLASS ONE FELONY TO OPEN THIS CRATE WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION".
"I could use some toothpaste and another blanket, but other than that, I came with everything I'm going to need."
"Sure." Replies the Quartermaster. He taps his screen. "Six months of tooth paste and a blanket on its way."

Sterlkar is next up with the Quartermaster. He pats his trusty takhestah and yeheal while thinking of what other gear he needs, especially for a fight.
"I'll need a vacc suit with appropriate comms, if the vacc suit doesn't come with a thruster pack I'll need one of those too. Oh and magnetic boots if they aren't standard."
The Quartermaster looks at Sterlkar and then at his datapad.
"One set of Legionnaire Heavy Combat Zero-G suit with standard thruster pack and mag boots with optional long range comms kit do?"
Sterlkar nods. "Also a grapnel gun suitable for space, an iris valve opener would be good too, and an electronic lockpick set, assuming electrical skill isn't required to use it."
"Right." replies the Quartermaster. "How about a Forced Entry Kit. Includes a grapnel gun, iris valve opener, electronic and mechanical lockpick kits, various shaped charges and a mini hydraulic pry bar?"
"Sounds perfect."
Sterlkar bows his head to the Quartermaster. "Thank you, sir. Your knowledge of a warrior's needs knows no bounds."
The Quartermaster looks up from his datapad. "Just doing my job. Do you need anything else?"
The Quartermaster leans in close. "I think I might have a bottle or two of Ithklar Honey Liqueur in storage somewhere."
Sterlkar's eyebrows arch in surprise. In a conspiratorial tone, he says, "You honor me with that offering, sir." In his regular tone of voice, he adds, "Yes, perhaps a case of ammunition for my takhestah and yeheal. And a blade. It is generally unwise to extend one's dewclaw through a vacc suit or environmental suit."
"Sure." responds the Quartermaster. "Actually, I think I might have something for you."
The Quartermaster disappears into the store for several minutes before returning to the counter with a pair of gloves.
"Try these on for size." He hands the gloves to Sterlkar.
Once Sterlkar takes them he continues.
"Just come in, new stock." The Quartermaster points a nodule on the side of the glove, right where Sterlkar's dew claw is. "Try extending your dewclaw."
As soon Sterlkar does the nodule springs out into a wicked short blade.
The Quartermaster smiles. "The Legion designed them so their troops could still use their dewclaws in combat suits. We found the design and modified them for our suits. When your dewclaw retracts a sensor retracts the blade as well."
Sterlkar's eyes go wide with amazement. He holds the glove up to examine it. "These are fantastic! Thank you, sir! These are truly a gift! I am in your debt."

Next up is Nigel. "I'd like my carbine retrofitted with a RAM grenade adapter."
"Sure," the Quartermaster replies, "it'll take 2 days."
"The ship's troops are outfitted to tl-10?"
"Tech level 11." replies the Quartermaster.
" I'm assuming ACRs and Lasers for Zero-G work," Nigel says "make sure there's few extra's to go around if need be. Same for Combat environment suits."
"I can add up to half a dozen ACRs, laser rifles and snub pistols per ship. Even a few Accelerator rifles. Combat environment suits are available to all crew, I can throw in a few extra common sizes, but ship's troops are only allocated one set of combat armor. Those things are too expensive to hand out seconds."
Nigel pauses to think. His EDC (every day carry) consists of some type of blade (dagger, folder or poket knife, which ever is appropriate at the time), multi-tool, small flash light, lighter, rad detection badge, bandana and short range comm.
"What's in the survival kits?"
"A blade, small trenching tool, heat wrap, weather cover, multi-purpose army knife, cold light lantern, high protein rations, lighter, compass, and short range com." replies the Quartermaster.
"I'll have a few extra of each of theses to account for attrition in the filed." replies Nigel.
"Done." replies the Quartermaster.
"Could you throw in a few lower tech weapons, maybe some pistols, smg, and carbines for occasions we don't want to stand out. Also a crate or two of 5mm for my carbine."
"I'll check in storage and see what I can rustle up."

Legionnaire Master Sergeant TK Salazar-Wei patiently waited his turn with the Quartermaster. As the last of his new companions moved off with their carry-alls of equipment he stepped forward and presented his ID and orders to the bored official.
"My needs are simple," he said and flashed a quick smile. "I understand that we ground-pounders will be issued with Combat Armour? Yes?"
"That's right." responded the Quartermaster.
"If that is the case, then I really only require some minor accessories. A Gauss Rifle or Advanced Combat Rifle, and ammunition; a selection of RAM grenades; an Accelerator Rifle and ammunition; an Auto pistol for formal wear, and a Snub Pistol for hold-out, plus ammunition. I would also like some sort of radio-controlled ATV or mule for carrying bulky equipment, and for fitting down narrow hallways, with a pintal-mounted autocannon or VRF Gauss gun for that little bit of extra fire support. A couple of hundred meters of rope with grapnels and assailing rigs would be handy, as would demolition shaped charges for unlocking doors."
"I got everything except the Gauss rifles and Gauss gun. We got some anti-grav cargo haulers but I doubt you could mount an autocannon on them and still be stable."

TK rubbed the close-cropped hair on his head thoughtfully. "Navigation beacons would be helpful, for laying trails of breadcrumbs, and some Virus-repellent could be useful, too. As well as an electro-riot batten for putting the zap on any 'droids." He tapped his teeth with a finger nail, gazing off into the distance.
"OK. Got nav beacons, both camo and anti-grav with homing function. We got PKX-43 in an spray can and the Hazmat suits to suit. We got some stun battons as well."
"Water-proof paper and grease pens, " he added and glanced at the Quartermaster. "You need to take notes and you can never be sure if your handcomp isn't suddenly going to crawl up your arm and try and bite your throat out."
"That should do for starters," he added brightly, stepping into 'at ease'.
"Paper and pens eh," says the Quartermaster scratching his head, "not much call but I'll check storage."
Suddennly TK felt a presence behind him. Turning he sees the Captain.
"TK," begains the Captain, "Our doctor has not arrived in system and official reports has the transport ship she was on as suspected mis-jump. We don't have time to get another doctor here so you are being promoted to Combat Medic."
Teanna turns from TK to the Quartermaster.
"I want 100 doses of every drug you have in stock. Plus a couple of bone knitters, skin grafters for each race type, a dozen field med kits and the best portable med scanner you have in stock. And a patient grav stretcher, actually make that two."
The Quartermaster looks at Teanna for only a second.
"I'll see what I can rustle up."
Turning back to TK Teanna says "Familiarize yourself with whatever we get." then turns and leaves.

The next day Kirth, Nigel, Sterlkar and Heather are called into Captain Teanna's office.
When they get there they find the Captain and De Bough already sitting and chatting.
"Come," says Teanna waving her upper hand at them to enter, "sit."
"Hi Nigel." De Bough greets Nigel with a nod of his head. "We managed to scrap up some trade goods."
"Yes," Teanna continues the conversation "we managed to find a few kilos of gold and silver, as well as some gems."
"We also got some basic antibiotics, a few old computer tables, satellite comms and some old micro satellites. We also have some spare chemical fuel power plants and freeze-dried food stuffs the base staff won't eat."
"I also have a little surprise for the troops." adds De Bough. "I've managed to bring along half a dozen Gauss Rifles that were found in the Knights' Legion stockpile. There is a crate of ammo but it's experimental stuff we had to construct as none was found in the cache, so make sure you have a backup weapon on hand."
"This is a special allowance given the nature of our mission." Teanna says. "Make sure it is stowed safely and all your sections are in order."
De Bough continues "We also have some new intel that we want confirmed." De Bough hands Nigel a memory stick.
"Recently we've made contact with a group of traders calling themselves the 'Caledonain Free Trade League'. They are aggressive and are claiming all the worlds for two subsectors to trailing of the Alliance. That data chip contains all the current intel we have on them."
De Bough turns to Teanna. "As I was explaining to your captain yours is one of the two ships heading into Reavers' Deep. We want you to be on the look out for the CFTL, but don't engage them. Strictly passive intel gathering on this one. This group may turn out to be a bigger threat then we can imagine."
Nigels reply "Yes I've looked over the ship's locker manifest, I notice the lower tech weapons I requested, theres a carbine and case of ammo listed. I would still like an extra case of 5mm ammuniton added. While I'm at it a case each of tear gas and thermite grenades just to widen our options in dealing with Virals interventions. A few more easely concealed pistols would be nice too."
He accepts the memory stick "I'll look over the data as soon as I get the chance."
Heather nods and thumps his tail slightly. "The gauss rifles will be appreciated. When we come out of Jump I will personally exercise each of the weapons and the ammunition. As well all the troops and back-up security crew will be familiarized with them. Meanwhile, yes we will rely on our more reliable weapons."
He looked to Nigel. "I would be honored to understand your evaluation of these Free Traders after you have processed the data Nigel."

A new beginning...

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Category: Game Blog

Published on Saturday, 01 January 2011 00:00

Written by Super User

Hits: 6457

Teanna Yhoul looked at the crono on her desk and then back to the personal files on her computer screen. She scrolled through the restricted files one crew member at a time.

"Navigator Kirth Gersen." she said to the empty office. Human, Akakhad. Alliance Scout Service, courier division. If she had eyebrows they would have raised when she got to the special assignments section of the file.

"I'll have to keep an eye on this one." she thought to herself. She flicked the screen to the next file.

The next file appeared. "Engineer Nigel Strawn." Human, Remnant. Two years in Alliance Scout Service anti-virus division. Simple thought "a survivor." A flick brought up the next personal file.

"Engineer Amalric Gethens." Human, Akakhad. Transferred from Alliance Naval Intelligence. Injured in combat at Esekheali, transferred to a desk job for a while.

"Requested assignment to the Trailblazer." Teanna rubbed her frontal lobe. 
"Request additional information, Intelligence Archives." she thought as she looked at her office Bio-computer node. The Biod tweeted in response as Teanna opened another terminal screen with her lower left arm and tapped at the inputs. A flick of her upper right arm brought up the next file.

"Doctor Claire Balfour." Teanna spoke aloud this time. "Why does that name ring a bell?"

Teanna brought up the rest of the file. Human, Akakhad. Transferred from Alliance Navy, Petty Officer First Class. Served on the FAS Royal Guard. 
"Ah, I know you Claire." Teanna thought. She flicked the file to her personal Biod.

"Marine Captain Tok*nakilie - Heather". Teanna flicked across to another file. "My first Ithklur on board."

Teanna used both upper arms to bring the files side by side. She compared them for several moments before filing them again. 
"Muscle we might need."

Teanna opened the next file. "Master Sergeant Dominic Te Kooti Salazar-Wei - TK for short." Human, Solomani. Awarded Order of the Alliance at the Battle of Port Khtoleas, Kteieaelal. 

"This human likes to fight." Teanna thought to herself as she read TK's service record.

Just then Teanna's personal Biod buzzed in her head. Distracted she cast her mind toward the flashing message icon. She opened the message and sighed. "Duty calls." she said, swiping the screens to clear them as she stood. She stood still for a moment, clearing her mind to encrypt her computer terminal and Biod. That done she left her office.

The new crew was assembling in the Trailblazer's barracks. Teanna cast a sideways glance out her office window as she approached the door. The rocks of the Syoyorlea asteroid belt tumbled past in their eternal dance.
"Yes indeed," Teanna thought, "time to go to work."

The normal population of the scout base located in the Syoyorlean asteroid belt had begun to swell with the influx of personnel. The secret base had a regular staff of just 90 scouts, mostly using jump 1 scout ships to keep tabs on the trailing, rimward section of the Kteieaelal main. But recent arrivals had almost double that head count, the five gleaming new jump 2 scout ships sitting in the enclosed hangars the reason. Modeled after the patrol cruisers of long ago Third Imperium, these ships had a distinct Islaian style to them. Five ships, five new crews coming together.

Most of the crews had only arrived at the base in the last day or two and were busy checking out the new ships. The FAS Trailblazer sat proudly at the head of the five ships, the first of her class. She would also be the first to leave on her mission, a mission brief her crew would soon be called to.

Team Leader Brison Thrax chewed on his cigar as he eyeballed Kirth. His extreme crew-cut, scarred face and broad frame would have fitted him for the Alliance Legionaries any day of the week, but the red stripes on his black uniform placed him in the scout service.

Thrax stared at the data pad in front of him and then back at Kirth. The report on the data pad was heavily redacted. Thax bit down on the cigar harder, the bitter juice of the leaves starting to dribble down the back of his throat.
"Why you here boy, why you on my station?"
Kirth had only been on Ktaihei for barely a week and yet to see his family. His mission had been long, hard and dangerous and yet those in charge had slapped a none disclosure command on him and dumped him on standard duty. He simmered yet held his tongue. Kirth had been from one end of the Kteieaelal main to the other, had visited almost every world including the dead ones and yet he was here now. Back home and on a desk job.
Before Kirth could say anything Thrax snapped to a standing attention.
"Senior Leader Yahrina!"
"Easy Thrax, before you break something." came the words which almost floated across Kirth's mind. He know who to expect even before he turned.
"Senior Leader." Kirth acknowledged.
Yahrina nodded and began to speak. Except Kirth knew that Islaian don't speak, can't speak as they have no vocal cords. Their mouths were only for the ingestion of food and they moved their mouths so as to not remind the other races of the Alliance that they spoke directly to your mind. Kirth also knew they were telepaths and masters of linguistics and that it only seemed that they were speaking.
Kirth gazed at the Islaian as the words flowed into his mind. The Islaians were tall with amber like skin and four arms on their upper body. Their almond shaped heads were only broken by their small mouths and large clear eyes, eyes that at times felt like they could see right through you. Each of their arms and legs ended with four stubby digits.
"Mister Gersen has been re-assigned."
"Oh really," replied Thrax "just when we were becoming best buds."
Kirth almost felt the mental frown from Yahrina. "Indeed Team Leader, that will be all."

Yahrina escorted Kirth out of the Team Leader's office and down the hall.

"Mister Gersen" the words in his mind again, "you have two weeks R&R before you have to report back here. You've been reassigned to Syoyorlea."
Kirth stopped dead in his track. "Are you sure?"
Kirth had heard whispers of a secret base at Syoyorlea and the asteroid belt did make the perfect jump off point back into Reavers' Deep but the Alliance had no ship's they were willing to risk across the voids. The navy guarded the few remaining Legion ship's capable of jump 2 or more like they were gold plated. Several had been send out and never heard from again in the early days of the Alliance.
"Yes I'm sure." came the reply.

Nigel Strawn sat staring at the little box on the desk in front him, almost willing for something, anything, to happen.

Then it did. The little red lever on the side of the box sprang to attention. The whoot escaped from Nigel and his companion Brac before they could stop themselves.
"Your canary really works!" exclaimed Brac. Brac was a remnant just like Nigel, both found frozen on the drifting ISS Otterway and they were close friends.
"Course it does." replied Nigel with satisfaction.
"Think the bosses will let you use it in the field?"
"Maybe, they would probably space us if they found out we had a live virus on base."
Nigel glanced out the window at the Oloih asteroid belt, half expecting someone to be staring back at him. A little like the nightmares he had, they all had, after waking up on that ghost ship.
"This has got to be a better solution than the PKX-43." Nigel said, looking at Brac.
"Yeah, I agree. What that stuff does to flesh is just plan wrong. Don't care if the people are willingly helping the virus ships, that ain't no way to go out."
Nigel nodded in agreement. "Official solution or not, trapping and destroying the virus has got to be more humane."
Humane. Nigel thought there was nothing humane about his situation. A sector and 70 years away from his home. His comlink beeped.
"Strawn here."
"Strawn, get your butt to command," it was Commander Samgong at the other end, "seems you've been reassigned.
Reassigned? Remanents had never been reassigned out of Cyber-command. The running joke around base was Remanents were too old for active duty. The men in Commander Samgong's team suspected they weren't fully trusted yet.
"Are you sure?" Nigel replied.
"You have one hour to make the shuttle. Sure I'm sure." Nigel could almost see the smile on his Commander's face.

Amalric Gethens walked the metallic halls at a brisk pace filled with purpose. The heels of his boots clicked with each stride, echoing down the near empty corridors. Nothing unusual for 2am ship time, but Amalric's location on-board at the time was.

The FAM High Guardian, once called the FAS Broken Sword and before that the Legion Victory, was a 50 kton cruiser in high orbit above Toaakhitleil. Once the pride of the Ftahalr Alliance Starship fleet, one of the dozen or so remanent warships found in the Knights' Legion cache, the ship had been relegated to Monitor status and renamed when the jump drives failed. Still she had 75% of her armament operational thanks in part to the dedication of engineers like Amalric. Amalric had once even found a plate attached to the back of a drive panel that read "IN Indivisible". No idea what that meant as it wasn't in any of the technical manuals retrieved with the cache.

Amalric arrived at the duty officers station. He saluted the commander on duty, although technically being a member of Naval Intelligence meant he outranked the officer.

"Ah, the viper." Commander Siggins half saluted, half waved back.
Amalric know the insult derived from an old human saying, 'snake in the grass', but choose to ignore it. He had once been a part of this crew but his transfer to NI a year ago had met with much hostility from his old comrades.
"Commander," Amalric began and hesitated briefly until the commander looked up from his coffee, "I found a still in the back of a condensing tower on engineering level 18B."
He placed the data pad in front of the commander and flicked through the photos.
"That is where your Joppa fruit have been going, to seed the still. The full details and those involved are included in the brief and full report on this data pad. A copy has been registered with High Command."
"Well I'll be," began Siggins as he zoomed in on the still, "that's clever hooking it up via the heat exchangers. No wonder the internal sensors never picked it up."
Amalric's personal communicator hummed. He glanced at it briefly then saluted the commander, who waved him off without taking his eyes off the screen.
Amalric pivoted on his heels and headed for the hangar bay.
"Crossover duty to the scouts. Posting Syoyorlea System. Leave immediately. NI Command." the message had read. He double checked the encryption stamps to confirm the message.
"I wonder what's at Syoyorlea?" he thought to himself. "Better get a few books, it's a ten week journey to Syoyorlea."

Claire Balfour stared out the window at the distant grey mountains of the Bunya Ranges, the sunlight reflecting off the peaks.

"Beautiful." she thought to herself, before she was remindered that it was vacuum just beyond the glass.
Claire enjoyed working for the navy, had enjoyed the strike missions and the medic roles she had had over the last several years. Working with the navy she had gotten the chance to operate on all the member-species of the Alliance. The human races, Solomani, Solomani-Vilani mixes, and the brooding Akakhad, her kinfolk, had pretty much been her bread and butter in the early days. However once in combat she had learned Aslan and Ithklur physiology. She especially enjoyed working on the Ithklur.

However this last year had been especially significant to her. Her posting to Hlaseuikh had brought her into close contact with the Islaian, and when an outbreak of the Dillithian Fever caused all the Islaian doctors to be isolated she had been left to treat the rest of the unaffected population. What had meant to be a two week sojourn to her new posting on the latest FAS naval escort ship the Hlaseuikh shipyards had produced, turned into a year long posting after the Islaian Commodore had taken a shine to her. Claire could count on one hand the number of other humans that had been on base that long.

"Claire." Claire recognized the mental touch of the Commodore immediately. She placed down the medical data pad she had been absently holding and turned.

"Teallia, how are you today?" Claire was one of the few humans in the navy allowed to call the Commodore by her personal name.
Commodore Mharain Teallia dipped her long, thin head. "I am well today."
Claire smiled.
"Claire you have been transferred." the statement was direct, matter of fact, and caught Claire off-guard.
"W..What.." Claire stammered, "Are you sure? Why?" A hundred things raced through Claire's mind.
"None of those things are true." the Commodore responded.
Claire knew the Commodore was reading her mind, knew she only did it because she had already given her permission to do so. The Islaians never entered another's mind without permission.
"Yes I'm sure. You leave tomorrow."

Sterlkar shook his head. "New recruits, fresh pups."

He looked over the duty roster at the new names assigned to his battery. Several were from his home world of Toaakhitleil, one of the core worlds of the Alliance. He hadn't even been born at that time, but loved the stories his father told him of how Awheaoir of Clan Awtao united the planet before joining the Alliance.
He thought of those early days when he joined the Toaakhitleil space forces, how tough the training was to get up to speed on the higher tech the Alliance used. But he made it, he was a member of Platform 15 of the Orbital Defense Force around Toaakhitleil, tasked with system protection.
And today was the start of a new round of training, time to replace those that had shown enough potential to be recruited into the Alliance navy. Sterlkar looked out the starboard view screens, saw the glint of sunlight as something large breached the horizon of his home world.
Sterlkar glanced at his crono.
"Right on time." Sterlkar commented as the FAM High Guardian began it's graceful arc across the high orbital plane. He looked back at the recruits standing in front of him. Mostly Aslan, a few Akakhad and surprisingly a Solomani human.
"Recruit Harrison, what brings you to this command?"
Harrison snapped harder to attention, if that were humanly possible.
"Sir. Got tired of farming Ekhiwua'ea. Want to serve the Alliance!"
"Alright recruit," replied Sterlkar having to hiding a smile, "just don't mess up and you will get your chance."
"Yes Sir, thankyou Sir." snapped back the response.
Sterlkar shook his head again, not the first and probably not the last time today.

"Trainer Sterlkar."

Sterlkar recognised the voice of his mentor, Okhitea.
"Commander, you look fierce today."
Okhitea bared his teeth in response to the complement.
"Sterlkar, you honor an old warrior." Okhitea put his arm around Sterlkar and turned him away from the recruits as he spoke.
"Sterlkar, you bravery and skill has finally been recognized. Command is sending you on a mission."
"Where?" enquired Sterlkar.
"All I know is you're being transferred to the exploration section of the Alliance scouts. My guess would be somewhere outside the Alliance."

What in the name of all his ancestors could be happening at Syoyorlea that needed the immediate transfer of an intelligence officer with an engineering background, wondered Amalric. Not that he was in any way surprised. The mysteries of the Bureau of Naval Personnel made quantum theory seem rational and simply by comparison. He had in fact been called to active duty because of the fleet's need for gunners and then promptly sent to engineering school instead. It made about as much sense.

Still, he'd done about all he could do onboard High Guardian, and catching Joppa fruit thieves was hardly the glamorous career he'd envisioned when he signed up to transfer to the Intel branch. Whatever was happening at Syoyorlea, it at least promised to be different than this -and- came with ten weeks of enforced idleness wherein he could at last catch up on his reading.
Come to think of it, it wasn't BuPers that had sent his orders. It was NavInt. The Puzzle Palace. Strange that he should receive his transfer orders directly from them. Perhaps something interesting -was- happening out at Syoyorlea, after all? One could at least hope.

Tok*nakilie "Heather" felt and heard the familiar crunch as he slammed his friend 'ireehzixe "Clover" into the practice mat.

Heather liked the military base on Ftao, the grays and black of the base contrasted nicely with the greens and blues of the world. Yes, much nicer than the cold gray vacuum of his homeworld of Hlaseuikh. Although Hlaseuikh was his homeworld he knew it wasn't the homeworld of his people. Before dying in his hydroponic gardens on Hlaseuikh Heather's elder-folk Zzegaaxuesu would tell him stories of his coming to this region of space. How, at the invitation of the mighty warriors called the Knights' Legion, Zzegaaxuesu and many companies of his kinsfolk traveled from their worlds in a far off region called the Hive Federation with their benefactors, a race called Hivers, to train with the Knights and fight off incursions into their space from other human invaders.
But then came the virus, and everything changed. While fighting for a world called Drinsaar Zzegaaxuesu and his company was cut off when their transport ship was rammed and destroyed by a virus infected Solomani warship. The company valiantly fought on for several more days before a Knights' Legion transport landed and collected them.
The transport was to take them back to the main body of the Hiver contingent but unknown to the humans who operated the ship the nav computer was infected and they were no longer in control. The jump was uncontrolled and catastrophic, the ship crashing onto the surface of Hlaseuikh. The Ithklur are a strong race though, and the 83 survivors were rescued by the local Islaian population. Heather thought sadly of how none of the human crew or the hivers had survived the landing.
"So fragile." he thought.
Sudden Heather found himself flat on his back.
"Day-dreaming again?" inquired Clover as he stood over Heather.

"Attention!" yelled the duty commander.

The Ithklur in the training room snapped to attention. The duty commander walked up to Heather and Clover. Although a broad man, Heather stood nearly a head above the commander.
"Captain Heather," he began reading from the data pad in his hand, "gather your gear together, you're being put on active duty."
Heather and Clover smiled in unison.

Master Sergeant TK smiled inwardly. He always enjoyed the yearly naming ceremony, that event after graduation when the marine recruits became Legionnaires and received their callsigns. Every Legionnaire had a callsign, for becoming a Legionnaire meant you were giving up whatever went before and dedicating your life to your comrades and the Legionnaires. It was a warm, sunny day at the military base on Ftao.

"Private Benjamin Termanem, Gripper."
The Master Sergeant smiled outwardly this time. That was quite a story that one.
"Private Ryuarel Uihyelaikh, Half Back."
"Private Waita Iyiy, Flasher."
TK chuckled. Aslan males really should not be seen naked in public.
"Private Erael Taulreae, Ripsaw."
On went the role call until all fifty names and callsigns had been read out. From this day until death or old age claimed them, these Legionnaires would only respond to their callsigns, the old names no longer having any meaning to them.

As he was congratulating the new Legionnaires TK thought about his callsign. He told those outside the Legionnaires it was short for his middle name "Te Kooti", but in fact his callsign comes from the virus infected TK48 robot he destroyed while on duty protecting an engineering detachment on one of the boneyard worlds of the Alliance. Something he never wanted his parents to find out about. No need for them to worry about how really dangerous it was out there.

"Master Sergeant."
TK turned and snapped to attention in one swift, fluid motion at the voice of his commanding officer.
"Sir!"
"At ease TK." Brigadier General Terrance Gisborne, Blackbone, saluted back.
"Blackbone, what's up?" enquired TK.
"TK, pack your kit. I'm sending you on mission."

Prelude

Details

Category: Game Blog

Published on Saturday, 01 January 2011 00:00

Written by Super User

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Shortly before the Rebellion the Knight's Legions engaged a Hiver company and a force of Ithklur and brought them to Reavers' Deep (Outpost, the Knight's Legions' home world at that time) to train the Legions' forces in some of their techniques.
The Rebellion trapped them in Reavers' Deep so they joined forces with the Knight's Legions for a while. Then came virus. During 1132-1133 the Knight's Legions fought a running battle with a vampire fleet out of the Daibei sector.
The vampire fleet smashed the Legion's facilities at Outpost and chased the remaining fleet, along with the Ithklur forces, down the length of the Drexilthar Main. The Legions' forces made a last stand at Lanixohn with other Legions' forces it had collected in it's retreat. After a pitched battle, in which the Hiver company ship was destroyed, the vampire fleet was defeated. The Ithklur force survived as they had been dispatched with other Legions' forces to protect ground facilities.
Heavily damaged, the commanders of the fleet obeyed the last command of their Supreme Commander;
"This is a battle we cannot win now. Go to a habitable world and hide your technology. Go to ground, fight and defend those who you protect. We will find a means to defeat this new threat and we will rise again. Survive today and we will fight tomorrow."