THE SONS OF LIBERTY

OOC Scare/Supe- Of course! How could I be so foolish? END OOC

OOC I'm sorry that I wasn't able to post more. I've been pretty depressed lately. I am having a very hard time getting motivated to write this. I'll try to get more up very soon. I hope that the quality of my work hasn't suffered along with the amount being posted. End OOC



R.R.W. Alth'Indor Mess Hall 23:35 Day 2

    D'Avek had gotten his Commander into a chair, his disruptor on safe and holstered.
    "What happened back there? Are you okay, Vardok?" The Republic Commander breathed deeply, trying to calm himself, eyes on the floor, as his friend questioned him by candlelight.
    "I don't know, D'Avek. I'm tired and I have a lot of adrenaline in my system. I'm fine, I just need sleep." But the young first officer was not buying this explanation.
    "I've seen you work under far more stressful situations with much less sleep than this. You've always been calm and clear-headed. Something is definitely wrong. You mentioned Station Alpha. This isn't just 'not enough sleep.' Are you sure you're alright?" Vardok shifted his gaze to the candles on the nearest table.
    "I'm fine. I've just been remembering a lot of things I wish I could forget lately. It's nothing. I just need to get a good night's sleep. That's all. You don't have to worry about me. Playing the part of an Imperial Commander just shook me up. It's hard to have to become the thing you hate." Am I fine? Really? What is with me lately? Why is all of this coming back now? I've never been able to forget the past, but I've always been able to live with it. It's like a flood-gate of every death of every battle I've ever been in just opened. All the faces. I can't escape them. Get it together, Vardok! Come on! Lives depend on how you handle this! You can't save those people who died years ago. You couldn't save them then, and you can't save them now. No! Don't go there! I can make a difference! I have to believe that. I can't let all these people die. I can't let the Empire kill everyone in the Republic. Because if they aren't stopped, they might just do that out of revenge. Revenge for us wanting our own lives. Wanting freedom. They are tearing the galaxy apart. I won't let them do that. I have a job to do. Even if it is all in vain. Even if it costs the lives of everyone on this ship, I have to try. Even though it means killing my brothers. I can't let them hurt anyone else. D'Avek was still uncertain.
    "You've done undercover work before. This isn't like you. Look, I'm not trying to accuse you. I just want to be sure you're really okay. That's all." S'ren shook his head to clear his thoughts.
    "That's enough. I'm really okay. I know you are concerned about me, but you don't need to be. Relax. I'll be myself tomorrow."
    Just then, Doctor T'nai walked into the mess hall, slightly winded from quickly climbing ladders. The security team turned to the doors as he entered, but as soon as they saw that it was only the doctor, they went back to passively guarding the room.
    T'nai studied the scene, pointing his flashlight around the room with one hand, and scanning with his tricorder in the other.
    "Two dead. Both of them guests from the escape pod I see. That only leaves two of them left. Good grief, I thought that escape pods were supposed to save lives. But more then half the people from that pod are dead just days afterwards, all of them by violence.... Alright Vardok, what seems to be the problem?" He said, walking up to the two seated officers.
    "I'm fine, T'nai, thank you." S'ren said as he rose from his chair. D'Avek got up also, wanting to ensure that his Commander was actually as well as he claimed to be.
    "With respect, I don't think Commander S'ren is 'fine.' He become very distressed earlier. He seemed dazed. Maybe even irrational. Not at all like himself. Would you please have a look at him, doctor?" Vardok was about to brush aside his first officer's concerns, but T'nai spoke before he could do so.
    "Well I didn't come up here to do nothing. You're going to be examined. Please sit down again, this will only take a minute. And don't argue with your doctor." Vardok reluctantly obliged his friends. I've got a lot to do. I don't have time for this. But maybe it would be a good idea. The doctor ran his medical tricorder over the Alth'Indor's Commander.
    "Well, you have no physical injuries. And that's always good news. But you are showing signs of increased stress. My prescription is sleep. And this." He said, taking out a hypospray and injecting the substance into Vardok's neck.
    "That ought to help you relax. Just try not to get into situations where people are killing each other for a while, okay?" The Commander got to his feet again and stretched, the medication already taking effect.
    "Thank you, doctor. I'll do my best. Did you say that you have one of the Reman prisoners in sickbay?" T'nai held up his right hand.
    "Vardok, you need sleep. You don't need to be down there interrogating and worrying. Security can take care of him for tonight. Please just go to bed, I'll give you something to help you sleep." But Commander S'ren was already heading for the doors.
    "No, T'nai. This can't wait. I need answers. He may have a way to deactivate this virus."

OOC to Dino: I thought it was great as usual! Keep up the good work, and don't abandon ship! End OOC

Commander Turson stands a bit aghast when J-red's orders first reach him, but in a second or two he swings back into action.

"ATTENTION ALL TASKFORCE VESSELS: This is Commander Turson of the PCG Liberty," Turson says into the intercom. "PREPARE FOR IMMEDIATE WARP AWAY FROM RATOR III!!! Repeat: prepare for immediate warp away from Rator III! It is a trap! The Empress is not even on the planet! All ships with personnel deployed to the planet's surface, do what you can to get your men back! And keep an eye on those SAF pirates!"

As if on cue, an SAF ship sends a volley of torpedoes down upon the Liberty, knocking the Liberty's shields down by 15 percent.

"Dear Lord, help us!" Turson prays.

The comms officer on the Vindex suddenly turns on his chair. "Captain!" he exclaims, "we just got a burst transmission from the Liberty; the empress is gone! Orders are to warp out immediately!" "What?!" Wrightshede replied, then immediately punched abutton on his command console, saying "Engineering, this is the bridge! Divert power to the warp drive and prepare for emergency jump!" Ending the channel before the presumably-shocked engineering officer could respond, he turned to his bridge crew and ordered "Navigation, plot us a course to the emergency rendezvous! Comms, order the squadron into warp formation! Tactical, divert power from weapons to shields!" The ship shook as a counterattacking Warbird swung in, firing plasma torpedoes into the ventral shielding. "Tactical, do we have a targeting solution on that Warbird?!" "If we swing around, we can fire iso-cannons three and four, sir!" "Do it!" With the agility of a much smaller vessel, the Vindex swung around and fired two isokinetic pulses right into the Warbird's underbelly, enveloping it in a brilliant burst of light- a beautiful sight, had the crew not been suddenly distracted by a squadron of attacking Shrikes. "By gosh!" Moyter yelled, "Do they ever stop?!"

Onboard the Aquila: Primary Bridge

Immediately, the massive TMC-4’s of each of the PXE vessels began barraging the rapidly approaching Romulan attack force. Each shot was focused, purposeful, and most of all, deadly. “This is Captain Vryon to all ships, maintain barrage and open fire on any building in the path of target group Victor. Maximize collateral damage and topple all buildings on top of any approaching targets, over.” Immediately, hundreds of electron bolts tore through the brittle Romulan buildings, defenseless in the face of the massive barrels of each cannon. Thousands of screams emanated throughout the city from the civilians remaining within. Gradually, the farthest-reaching towers were severed, hailing any unlucky Romulan ships, troops, and civilians below with massive pieces of rubble. The Warbirds were cleaved into pieces as the salvo of glass, metal, bodies, and other assorted materials divided the Romulan force. But there were hundreds of Romulan ships. Despite the distraction and ensuing turmoil, several dozen warships had regrouped. “This is Captain Vryon to all ships, prepare for mass engagement. Repeat, prepare for mass engagement.” The Lyra’s broke formations, splitting into pairs. As the triplet of Aquila barges rapidly descended, the Romulan warships finally reached the PXE assault force. “Incoming, 50 degrees northwest!”

“Captain, the warships have broken formation and are engaging us in a dual flank formation, sir. I have an angling attack vector set on target Delta 43. Target Echo 27 is coming in for a past at heading 35 degrees and closing.” Around Captain Vryon, assorted officers shot off information of attack vectors, approaching targets, and ETA’s. Surveying his projector screen, he squinted as a pair of Lyra’s, identified as Escort 3 and 4, veered into a ninety degree path, engaging a group of five Warbird’s at a range of only 300 meters. “Escort 5, watch your flank. Escort 8, you’ve got a squadron of frigs closing form mike 13. Escort 2, you’ve got crisscross coming in from 80 degrees per! Escort 2!”

Through the projector screen, Vryon gaped in horror as two Romulan Warbirds, each about 1200 meters in length, crashed straight into the Lyra. The collision sent a massive amount of fire and shrapnel catapulting towards a nearby building, cutting straight through it. Additionally, a piece of rubble collided with another Warbird, sending yet another titanic explosion from its bridge. The shockwave rippled through the entire battlefield, further increasing the turmoil. Glancing at an officer nearby, he inquired, “Sit-rep?” Responding, he murmured, “Escort 2 loss. Escort 6 and Escort 10 are pinned down in echo 3. Our own shields are holding at standard magnetic and thermal output. No damage reported.” Once again skimming through the screen, he ordered, “Escorts 3 and 4, pick off targets Hotel 3 through 7! Escort 1, screening maneuver at 190 degrees rotation around Escorts 6 and 10. I want squadrons 150 through 217 to engage target group Echo 6 through 15 and Gold 31 through 40, over. Squadrons 233 through 270, target Golf 60 through 73 and India 5 through 8, over.” With orders blazing from his mouth throughout the FIS, the results were instantaneous. Hundreds of PXE bombers poured out thousands of missiles straight into the Romulan hordes.

As the Warbird’s slowly withdrew, Vryon deployed several dozen squadrons to pursue the routed attackers. “Captain Axal, I’ve deployed several dozen squadrons of fighters and bombers to hunt down the remaining Romulan task force. However, despite this victory, I believe the Romulans were merely testing us, sir. I’m keeping the fleet on standby.” From the projector screen, Axal replied, “Affirmative. Reporting no naval casualties and moderate aerial casualties. A pathway to Rator III has been cleared, and we’re mopping up some of the AA bunkers with some orbital bombardment. PXE ground forces are currently closing on the southern-located hangar-bunkers, while Gkal’s forces are very near to the rendezvous point. We’re reporting moderate armored resistance from tanks identified as Scorpion Attack Force members. However, MI units have largely dealt with them, sir.” Nodding, he responded, “We’re currently cleaning up some of the LZ before initiating landing procedure. However, we are on standby for landing.” With a final salute, the projection of Axal vanished, replaced by the normal projector screen. Nodding to another miscellaneous officer, he ordered, “I need that LZ cleared in three minutes. PXE ground troops should have nearly arrived by now.”

In the Streets of Rator III: About half a kilometer from the LZ

“Let’s move it!” Breaking cover from the shadow of a massive, 600 meter tall building, the squadron of PXE MI-2 hardsuit units, accompanied by MI-3 Taipan’s, sprinted across the street. Fires were rapidly spreading from the supposed LZ. “Huh, looks more like a wildfire than an actual LZ to me. What does the captain think he’s doing?” Suddenly, a grenade whistled towards his location. With superhuman speed that could only be possessed by a genetically-engineered lifeform, Gkal rolled forwards, dodging the grenade. It detonated harmlessly beside him. However, the grenade had earned his squadron valuable information. Glancing at one of his fellow comrades, he ordered, “Park, keep that nest occupied.” Then, nodding at another soldier, named I’Chech, he ordered, “Get your RL ready. I want that building cleared.” Nodding, he replaced his AR-8 with an RL-3. Gkal, checking his squadron, ordered, “Let’s move out!” Immediately, Park opened fire with his AR-13, distracting the grenade-carrying Romulan. A volley of bullets greeted the PXE troops in return, chipping the edge of the building that they were now taking cover behind. Redirecting his AR-13, Park squeezed the trigger. It was followed by a high-pitched screen and then a thump. Another volley of bullets was returned from the building, forcing Park backwards. Retaking his position, he fired again, a stream of electron bolts following from the barrel. Finally, Gkal ordered, “Move it!” The entire squadron once again sprinted out of the building’s shadow. Multiple beams of disuptor fire and machine gun bullets whistled by. Lastly, I’Chech braced his RL-3, and fired, a HYR-3 streaking from the launcher. It collided with the building containing the nest, completely obliterating the entire area and several levels around it. Glass and metal crumbled, catapulting into the nearby buildings or clattering onto the streets. Suddenly, Gkal received an urgent message. It was from Axal. “This is Captain Axal to all ground units, abandon positions and return to your dropships. We have received an emergency message from the PCG. They’ve ordered us to abandon Rator III.”

Swearing in his head, the major general ordered, “Alright, you heard him, all troops, full retreat!”

Onboard the Capricorn: Primary Bridge

Within about ten minutes, the Aquila’s had returned to orbit around the planet and were streaking towards the 73rd and 74th Fleet, with their escorts behind them. Glancing at the communications officer, he inquired, “Have all ships retreated yet?” Surveying his projector screen and tapping several icons, he responded, “Affirmative sir. Most of the ground troops have been evacuated, including those near the South Pole of the planet.” Satisfied, he thought, “Might as well finish this now.”

OOC My apologies for such another cruddy post. End OOC

Stu Riley, Johnnyred's personal helmsman maneuvered the PCG Arondite Closer to the planet as the Wave Shock Cannons mounted on the mighty war vessel ripped through Romulan and SAF craft.  

"Shields are at 76 percent sir!"  X.D. yells to Chuck.  

"Get us closer!"  Chuck yells to Stu.  "Transporter room beam the assault team aboard on my mark!"

Chuck nervously eyes the telemetry monitor at his station, waiting for the moment when when they would reach minimum range for transport.  The seconds that seem like eternity pass by as the phase cannons and torpedoes sound around the ship when at long last...

"Drop shields now!  Transporter room!  Beam the captain and his team aboard!"

In the transporter room, the familiar electronic humming sound of the mysterious transporters resound throughout the room as beams of light and molecules virtualize into human form as Captain Johnnyred and his courageous assault team are beamed aboard to the safety of the Arondite.

At the same instant that Johnnyred is beamed aboard, the massive form of the PCG Argo drops out of warp into the space of Rator III.  It's mass drivers roar to life, hurling projectiles at the largest SAF ships while its Wave Shock Cannons fire upon some of the Romulan vessels.

"Quickly!"  Johnnyred yells.  "Beam me aboard the Argo!"

The transporter hums to life once more as Johnnyred disappears into a beam of light and reappears in the transporter room aboard the Argo.  Leaping off of the transporter plate, Johnnyred shouts a quick good job to the men manning the transporter room.  The young captain dashes down the corridor, passing saluting ensigns in the halls.  He finally reaches a lift, dashes aboard and punches in the bridge deck.  

The lift hums as it raises from the level it was previously on, and at last reaches the bridge level.  Rushing out of the lift and onto the bridge, he ignores the shout of "Captain on the bridge!"  and gives Lieutenant Commander Derek Kodai, the Argo's Captain a quick salute as he takes the command chair.

"Maneuver us in position to fire on the Romulan and SAF fleets without compromising the safety of the planet!" Johnnyred orders.  "As soon as we're in position to fire, begin charging the Wave Motion Gun!  Do not fire unless I give the word!  Comms, get me in contact with the Romulan admiral immediately!"

The image of the Romulan admiral appears on the screen as Johnnyred stands to his feet as he resolutely says,  

"Admiral Teran.  We meet again.  In case you didn't notice.  I breached your 'impenetrable' line and the PXE Aquilla followed suit.  We landed in your capitol city, breached your lines, and made it to the empress' throne room.  So it's quite evident that we're very adapt in doing the impossible.  What I want from you is that you and your SAF allies cease and desist before I am forced to take action against your fleet.  The Sons of Liberty task force has been given the order to leave orbit.

Unless you wish for complete and utter devastation, you will turn your ships around and head to your planet now or warp out of the area.  If you do not comply with my orders, I will fire the Wave Motion Gun at your fleet.  And it will be destroyed.

Well admiral?  What have you to say?"

[OOC] Sorry for the poor quality. It seems that we've all been having trouble writing lately. Though I honestly haven't noticed it with anyone else but myself. Scare, Dino, and PXR seem to be writing as well as ever. Hopefully the next parts of mine will be better than before. [End OOC]

OOC I suspect the issue has more to do with skuel than actual motivation or anything (that's how it is for me, anyway. ) END OOC

OOC to PXR:
The missile strike was a bit too flamboyant for reality, so yeah, please delete it. First, it's dreadfully cruel to the masses of innocent civilians, and second, it has a bit of an air of "ANDTHENTHEREWASTHISUBERBIGEXPLOSIONANDEVERYENEMYONTHEPLANETDIEDLOLERZWOWY!!!!"
End OOC

Admiral Teran of the Romulan 12fth fleet pauses before answering Captain Johnnyred, seemingly reluctant to sacrifice his fleet. He also begins to wonder why the PCG didn't capture the Empress if they had reached her throne room. All he had been told in his orders was that he must defend the planet at all cost. It was assumed the Empress was on the planet...but was she? Mentally reigning in his thoughts, Teran looks at Johnnyred and smiles deviously.

"Captain Johnnyred," he sneers. "I am a Romulan. I am not a human coward, a Vulcan drone, or a member of any other inferior race. I am a Romulan. My men are Romulans. And we don't surrender."

The unthinkable occurs. Admiral Teran orders his flagship to speed ahead--in direct course for a collision with the Argo. As the ship draws rapidly closer to smashing into the Argo's main hull, Teran laughs hysterically.

"You may destroy most of the 12fth fleet, but it will be over my dead body!"

Johnnyred shrugs as he sits down in the command chair.

"Fine by me. Cut the comms."

The image of the shocked admiral, fades from the vid-comm as a holographic targeting reticule appears in front of Johnnyred and a firing trigger folds up from the command chair.

"Hold steady!" Johnnyred orders to the helm. "Prepare to fire! Activate protective face shields and window shields!"

Heavily tinted hologlasses appear over the eyes of the bridgecrew and light armor plating folds down over the windows on the Argo to protect the crew from the blinding light of the Wave Motion Gun.

As the Romulan flagship draws closer, Johnnyred hesitates a moment, but then resolutely pulls the trigger. The Wave Motion Gun roars to life as a massive beam of energy screams out of the bow of the ship, tearing away at the flagship and past to the rest of the Romulan and SAF fleet. Many of the SAF and Romulan forces see what's coming and are able to evade or warp away, but many are not so fortunate and are caught in the powerful blast. The ships melt away as the beam disintegrates their hulls away to nothing but floating particles. What seems like an eternity finally ends as the Wave Motion Gun blast finally dissipates leaving only empty space.

"All ships warp out of the area and regroup immediately!"

The Argo warps out of Romulan space with the other SOL ships on its heels. Once they reach their designated coordinates, Johnnyred sends out a communication to all of the SOL flagships.

"I have urgent news that needs to be relayed to all unit commanders, you are requested to meet aboard the PCG Arondite for an emergency conference."

[OOC] Is that um...somehow less flamboyant than PXR's totally realistic atmospheric bombardment? xD [/OOC]

@Supe: Scare told me I had to take it out. But he said I could have one Antimatter missile strike! I'll have to write it up sometime. Anyway, one shot and everybody goes boom? I mean, TBH, I can't see an energy weapon doing that? Even an antimatter missile couldn't do that much damage, and you're telling me a Wave Shock Cannon can? I mean, IK they're powerful, but being that powerful is...OP. And yes, I just said that.

OOC OMG PXR JUST CALLED SOMETHING OP! IT'S THE APOCALYPSE! AAAAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!

Seriously, I knida agree though. I get that Wave-motion tech is OP by design, but you pretty much just ruined the whole point of Scare's event- instead of having an interesting plot point, you literally pressed a button and the problem went away.

I dunno... just seemed weird.

END OOC

[OOC] Because I wiped out a few ships that were in a concentrated group.  Not all life on a planet.  
Also.  That was a Wave MOTION GUN not a Wave Shock Cannon.  Major difference.  WMT comes from another series and I've toned down its power a lot.  Technically that blast should have eradicated the entire fleet and the planet. There's also plenty of the fleet left I just got the handful that wasn't lucky enough to get out of the way. [End OOC]

OOC WMG or not; the point is, you literally had an "I win" button. Kind of defeats the point. END OOC

OOC @J-red: Antimatter could technically destroy a planet. Take an Earth-sized planet; all you need is ~2,500,000,000,000 tons. A couple grams of antimatter could wipe out a small city; a couple hundred kilos could probably wipe out a city Rator III's size, if not even a hundred kilos. And plus, I didn't destroy  the planet; I simply eradicated everything on the surface and about a kilometer below. The problem with antimatter is not actually how much firepower it packs; its how long it would take to produce. At today's rate, we'll have a gram of antimatter in like 2.5 million years or something, maybe much less with better technology. I can't see an energy beam packing that firepower; how could you contain that much energy and then release it in a single shot. I'm not trying to be antagonistic here, but I'm honestly curious. END OOC

OOC PXR! you're forgetting your OOC tags!

Anyway, by my understanding, it's a tachyon beam, not an energy one... though you still raise a valid point...

END OOC

OOC:
We seem to have digressed into a discussion of reality vs. unreality.

I think the main point I would like to stress is balance. For example, it's unlikely--and, let me be frank, a little noobish--to send a hailfire of readily-available-and-easy-to-manufacture antimatter missiles onto a planet to destroy all its surface lifeforms. It's also noobish to have a cannon or gun that can wipe out an entire planet whenever and wherever without considering the immense amount of energy and capital needed for such a weapon to be manufactured. However, when balance is put into play, it looks like this: an extremely expensive, seldom used antimatter missile/wave-motion weapon is used once to do a lot of damage, but not total damage. E.g., with PXR's antimatter missile, the entire capital of Rator III is obliterated: very conceivable and in fact possible (cf Hiroshima and Nagasaki, both of which occurred hundreds of years before our present fictional time). E.g., with J-red's wave motion gun, many Romulan/SAF vessels are able to escape the main thrust of the weapon's force (realism), but many are obliterated (also realism). Both the antimatter missile and the wave-motion gun would realistically be little-used due to the amount of energy they required, but still able to be used. Thus, the Romulans have two very formidable enemies armed with limited yet extremely powerful weapons; but the PCG also has a very formidable enemy in the Romulan Empire--a system with oodles of ships and manpower.
So, as it is, when both the anti-matter missile and the wave-motion gun are used sparingly, they both can fall within the realm of realism--even if they are in the outer limits.
NOW ON TO THE RPG!
End OOC

As the Sons of Liberty taskforce vessels leave for the determine regrouping point outside Romulan space, Commander Turson heads toward the transporter room to be ready to beam aboard the Arondite.

[OOC] I...but...you had PXR take out his missile strike but not Jred's wave motion gun... also, nobody "escaped" the wave motion gun, people just ran away. You could say the same for any fighters or vehicles who happened to be outside the city at the time of the missile strike. I'm confused. Nevermind. [/OOC]

OOC My issue with it was that he literally just took a dramatic moment and decided to essentially ignore it with his super-gun. But, I digress; pushing the point any more won't help. I'll write my next piece tomorrow. END OOC

[OOC]And MY issue is that MM used "literally" three times in four posts. [/OOC]

A few hours after the departure of the Sons of Liberty taskforce from the Romulan system, Admiral Fyn Ta'ar of the Imperial Romulan Navy is walking through the ruins of Rator III's capital. Medical personnel race to and fro, trying to save the lives of what few civilians still remain alive. The Empress's palace is little more than a heap of rubble, but Ta'ar advances in its direction, accompanied by several Remans and a detachment of Imperial soldiers.

"What are we looking for, sir?" asks a young captain. "The Palace is destroyed, and so, no doubt, is our beloved Empre--"

"Be quiet, Yirn," snaps Ta'ar. "Our beloved Lady is not dead, or I'm a human. You shouldn't doubt Her Majesty's foresightedness."

Within several minutes, the group is climbing through the rubble of the palace as Admiral Ta'ar leads the way, apparently very aware of what he is looking for. Suddenly, he stops at a peculiarly shaped mound of rubble.

"Alright men," he barks. "Get digging."

A little stunned at such an order, the soldiers nonetheless obey, and, tediously yet steadily, begin removing the rubble. The work is slow, and eventually a couple of machines are called in to assist in the work. Finally, after a couple hours, a metallic structure is revealed: small, about 4' x 4', with a manhole on one side. Using a crowbar, the Imperial soldiers open the hatch.

"Captain Yirn, Lieutenant Lax'r, follow me," says Admiral Ta'ar, and slips into the opening.

The two officers follow their leader. As they enter the manhole, they discover a ladder leading down into the blackness. The men turn on some emergency lights strapped to their belts and begin the descent.

"How far does this go down, sir?" asks Lieutenant Lax'r.

"Not more than 300 meters," is the reply.

Admiral Ta'ar gripped the ladder rungs tightly. He despised heights, darkness, and close spaces--all of which were present now as he descended into the earth. He had once been tortured by the Tal Shiar for suspicion of espionage and, although he was released upon being found innocent, he never forgot the psychological terror, the searing-hot "instruments of truth," and the endless despair he felt during that hopeless time of his life. But the Tal Shiar had not made him bitter. He was a victim to the propaganda and the brainwashing of the Imperial government, and although the memories of his torture haunted him often, he still was fanatically devoted to the Empire. Such was the power of the Tal Shiar, that those whom they did not kill they turned into raging zealots for their cause.

Several minutes later, Ta'ar's feet hit the ground, and a gust of cold, clammy air, plus the lights of his belt, revealed that a dark hall opened behind him. He walked a few paces to allow his fellow officers room to come down, and when the trio had assembled he spoke.

"Men, this is the Empress's secret bunker," he says. "The only reason you know about it now is that, what with the Palace destroyed, it was inevitable for us to reveal its location in order to free the Empress. She did not know exactly what the PCG and its allies would do to the Capital, but she made the necessary preparations to retreat here if they advanced on the Palace. Since it is known that a PCG team made it into the Palace, we must presume she made it safely to her bunker as planned."

The trio continued walking down the dark hall. But something was wrong. Actually many things were wrong. First, the hallway was abandoned. Ta'ar knew that, if the Empress had made it down here, there would almost assuredly be dozens of heavily armed guards ready to destroy any unauthorized intruder. But as yet, they had seen no one. Second, the air had a musty, old, unoccupied sort of smell--certainly not the kind of smell it would have if the Empress and her elite guards had entered the bunker. Thirdly, there were no security systems that seemed activated. No alarms, no lasers, nothing.

At last, the trio reached the end of the hall. There was the great door leading to the Empress's quarters. But, to their dismay, it was wide open. Cautiously they entered the room, mounting lights to their disruptor weapons and pointing in various directions. It was empty.

"Lieutenant," Ta'ar says. "Scan the room for signs of life."

The Lieutenant takes out a tricorder and does just that.

"Sir," he says reluctantly. "Not only is the room empty, but the scanner seems to indicate it has been empty for nearly three years."

Admiral Ta'ar is dumbstruck. Lowering his weapon, he whispers.

"Then where is she?"

“Sir, we have an incoming warp signature…it’s the Bastion. ETA, five minutes,” Announced one of the officers aboard the bridge of the Vindex. “Noted,” sighed AC Wrightshede. “Hail her as soon as she arrives,”
    The Bastion reported the least amount of damage taken by any ship in the small strike squadron; the ablative armor was only seared in some areas, not penetrated, and replacement process was already underway. With the news, Wrightshede got up for the first time since they left Fasaway Station. The Vindex had taken the most amount of damage from the engagement, with heavy scarring on the port and dorsal ablative areas and some minor damage to one warp core due to the emergency jump. “Well,” he said heavily, “I’m… going to tour the ship, chat with the crew… then try to get some shut-eye. Lieutenant Moyter, you have the conn,” “Yessir,” Moyter replied gravely. He watched the captain leave the bridge, then focused his attention on the viewscreen, wishing he could get some sleep himself. “Comms, do you have anything from Task force command?” “The comms officer paused, then replied, “...Sir, I just picked up an emergency transmission from the Argo. It’s… from Captain Johnneyred himself. We’re ordered to meet for an emergency conference aboard the Arondite,” Moyter shook his head, grunted, and got up, walking to the center of the bridge to make it easier for engineering to beam him over. “Comms, request permission to beam aboard the Arondite, and tell engineering to prep for site-to-pad beaming. Engage when ready,”

OOC So… everyone knows I’m here, right? I sorta just puttered around at Rator III… OOC

Turson beams aboard the Arondite, salutes the transportation crew, and heads in the direction of J-red's Conference room.

"I wonder what we're going to do with Smythe..." Turson thinks to himself. "I know what I would LIKE to do..."

*Captain Candirith, using his beam-compatible QL1 transporter, appears onboard the Arondite, mock-salutes the crew members he finds there with a good-natured grin, and walks briskly towards the marked gathering room*

The decoys of Gkal and Axal are transported over, both in hardsuits, and escorted by PCG soldiers to the conference room. This time, the two are accompanied by six MI-3B Taipan's, the newest variant of the MI units.

Meanwhile, the Capricorn, along with the 73rd, 74th, and independent Aquila fleet have cut power to the primary thrusters entirely, to divert as much power as possible to the MCEG's and SG's. However, several issues continue to bother Captain Axal, including the insertion of the Taipan stealth units into PCG territory to eliminate Ro Niko's family. The stealth technology mounted on both the Taipan's and the dropship transporting them is experimental and has never been field-tested. A failure could provoke an all out war between the PCG and PXE, a war that PXE would not be prepared for, especially since the Mukara have just barely been contained.

[OOC] I apologize for my lack of enthusiasm in the RP or the forum in general for the past several days. A combination of massive amounts of tests, quizzes, and homework, in addition to football (soccer) practices and DSF have left me little time for the RP. I am trying to spend as much time in LDD trying to build some stuff, but I've had little motivation. TBH, I'm not sure if I'll be able to remain as active as I was for the next month, most probably until some respite from the relentless assault of school stuff-s, but we'll see how it goes.

While I have the entire PXE-part subplot worked out in my head, I haven't really had anytime to translate that onto paper, or in this case, posts. I'm thinking about simply abandoning it, or just skipping over it and summarizing it briefly. That would be disappointing for me, either way, since I was really hoping to type it out. Given circumstances however, I doubt that's happening.

As a side thing, if I go inactive, I'd like Scare to take over, since he knows everything from the PM's, or for Tetra to take over, since I think he knows my [PXE's] POV's from the conversations in the Chat.

[End OOC]