http://theamazingjex.googlepages.com/PBEM22.savThe Li Halan fleet warps into the Malignatius system and finds themselves eye to eye with the remnants of the al-Malik space forces. Admiral Ackbar barks out orders throughout the C+C of the LHSS Eternal Pilgrim, the cruiser that had long served as flagship of the Li Halan fleet. The discipline of Li Halan takes over as the sleek capital ships glide into a defensive formation and the small craft swarm out from their transports, creating a defensive perimeter. Many of the Li-Halan spacers were untested in battle, but harsh training had already made them experts with their craft.
Tense moments follow before the situation report comes in, sending a wave of elation throughout the ranks of the Li Halan spacers. House al-Malik has no new ships. Li Halan has them outgunned!
Ackbar takes the news with stony faced impassiveness. His hand lingers over the fleet communication channel for a moment as he considers, briefly, giving the order to fire at will and avenging the innocent lives lost in the siege of Kish. But he withdraws his hand, no need for more death today. He reaches for a different channel and hails the flagship of al-Malik.
"Greetings, worthy adversary. I come to you today prepared for war, but seeking peace. I am not the one carrying the offer however. I humbly suggest you hail Istakhr to inquire about their current situation. My forces will make no aggressive action. Admiral Ackbar out."
Meanwhile...
Commodore Sergio over the bridge of the LHSS Wind Rider. It is not his beloved craft of years. It was an honor to be promoted from captain of a frigate to the command of a cruiser and it's task force. But still he did not feel the ancient familiarity he had felt to this vessels namesake...
Still, there is no doubt that this new vessel is more capable. Sergio hailed the lone frigate which al-Malik had in orbit of Istakhr, tersely informing them "Begin hostilities and you will be crushed." Then he sent a message towards the palace of Istakhr.
"I come bearing the word of Lady Chi-Koo of the great and illustrious house Li Halan. She wishes it to be known that no person will be allowed to stop the pilgrimage of the holy man, Patsi, nor will anyone be allowed to deprive his people them of the home that the Pancreator has ordained for them. Should your house interfere with this divinely sanctioned mission, I am authorized to take whatever measures I deem necessary against the planet Istakhr, including orbital bombardment.
"Should any al-Malik forces deploy upon the eastern continent of Malignatius, hostilities will recommence. al-Malik is free to act as it wishes upon the western continent and Li Halan does not wish to act in that area. I bring to you a map of Malignatius upon which borders have been marked. A small de-militarized barrier has been drawn between the two continents. So long as al-Malik does not enter into the territory claimed by Li-Halan or the de-militarized zone, war can be avoided."
(I couldn't get the map to cover the entire planet, but just extend the lines vertically until you reach the edge of the map.)
Edit:
Btw, the stigmatia garrison has lost it's fleet, which kinda restricts it's ability to fight the symbiots. I'm starting construction on a new fleet for the garrison. I was thinking that this fleet would carry the requirement that it never travel beyond Stigmatia and the planets to the galactic northwest of there. I'd agree to this if everyone else would agree to it as well should they become commander.
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Topic: Emperor of the Fading Suns PBEM turn 63 - closing comments and analysis (Read 88387 times)