Ongoing Subplots
James Greyson, leader of the Expansion MovementBehind Primus Station's smooth, dark exterior, the Sun rises. In the face of the ancient heart of mankind's home system, the heart of the Tellian Dominion seems miniscule. Tellus itself is a tiny glitter in the blackness of space, barely visible out of your ship's observation deck. You feel an odd sort of longing - Tellus is still the most populous world in the Dominion, and still nearly a paradise despite the scars of the Great Wars.
Unfortunately, you're interrupted by the gravelly voice of Zulen, your head of security. A synth, like the majority of your staff, but still a pleasant enough fellow, as long as you can overlook his traditionalist leanings. Which, for a man in your position, is a necessity.
'I've been monitoring Station comms, Mr. Greyson, and I may have some bad news. I intercepted an Enforcer dispatch about the murder of a human in the lower docking bays,' he says.
'The body has been identified as that of Ms. Emma Chabon. She was the only human here of that name.'Damn. Chabon is - was - one of your main Expansionist operatives on the station. More than that, she was a friend.
'Do you wish me to divert the ship closer to there? I would be able to investigate while you are working in the upper levels?'Yes, you're here to discuss matters of state and attempt to convince others, and, of course, RAPTOR, of the Movement's goals. But then, there's really no rush, and, if need be, you could send someone else in your place to speak according to your instructions. Zulen is more than capable of speaking with a few Enforcers himself, of course.
Commander Kara Seikan of Second Detachment, Shield FleetThe
Dragoon goes up in flames right underneath you, close enough to be visible by the naked eye. Caught in the dead planet's gravity well, the ship begins its gradual descent towards its surface. Wreckage blown off by the explosion is flown into several directions - you're sure you can see little bodies thrashing in the vacuum. Maybe if you waited long enough, some of them could drift up, and you'd feel a shiver as they collided with your shields.
The sleek destroyer's killers begin approaching from beyond the planet's moon, four slow-movers bristling with high energy signatures - packed to the brink with weapons, no doubt. The
Dragoon went down in minutes. You have no chance. You feel your nails digging into your palms, your heartbeat going wild, sounds becoming more distant...
Then a polite cough and low voice brings you back to reality.
'Ma'am, according to the sim timetable, we're supposed to have engaged the hostile fleet by now. What's our plan?'
You glance back at the navigation officer and can't help blushing. You've always had a problem with the overwhelming realism of Navy full-body sims, but usually you don't let it get this bad. You go over the displays again and the positioning of your ships - good, most of the captains seem to be sticking to formation. Far to the left of your fleet, First Detachment pounds into the secondary enemy group, finally reminding you of your professional pride - like hell you're going to let a synth give a better performance record than you!
The hostile ships are approaching at full speed, the first impacts of their long-range guns slamming into your armor. You give permission to return fire and consider several plans of approach.
Navy doctrine calls for co-ordination between different fleet sections, and advocates first strikes whenever possible. You've already blown your chance there, but with a rapid assault - you're confident your ships could handle it - you could 'ball in' the enemy and blast them with concentrated fire. That risks casualties, however, and it might be safer to lure them in, presenting an unified, shifting line to share their fire, and wear them down gradually. And there's the possibility of joining First Detachment and working together to destroy both groups, but you don't doubt for a minute the synth Daur would hog all the glory.
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Evil Marahadja, 10ebbor10, you are missing Representative characters. Do you intend to create them at all?
Those who don't have Subplots right now - I'm working in batches. Once these reach their resolution, I will begin new ones for others.
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Topic: Masters of the Bright Void - Turn 2! Grand Strategical Scifi! Join now! (Read 14997 times)