Written with contributions from KlavoHunter.
Force Lord wrote:
Command Bridge, SRS Ragnaraok
Wolf 359, Multiversal Empire of Happiness
02 June 3401 8:00 AM UNST
Grand Admiral Gilad Pellaeon, commander of the Shinra Republic 9th Fleet, and head of one of the most, if not the most, powerful combined human fleets in history, was pleased. The destruction of the MEH Wolf 359 fleet had been quicker than he expected, and casualties were not serious. Already ground contingents of the Coalition were going down to secure MEH worlds, a few still infested with Ork concentrations. MEH planetary resistance was relatively light: the MEH Marines were too few in number and the planetary militias scattered when confronted in the field by superior Coalition armies. Even the urban fighting was not as bloody as it could have been. Only the local Orks seemed to put up a fight.
All in all, things seemed to be on schedule. If the recent success held in later campaigns, then Pellaeon expected to see the MEH’s Earth within a month. Speed was of essence: the alien coalition (with those shifty Byzantines) was already making progress inside the MEH as well. The Coalition needed to move as soon as possible. Pellaeon was already making plans to reinforce the Alpha Centauri contingent with as much ships as he could send without compromising the occupation of Wolf 359. Most of the commanding officers of the national contingents were receptive to the idea, with one notable exception: The Centralist Grand Admiral, Noslen Yeslah.
Pellaeon regarded Yeslah as a mixed bag. Yeslah at first seemed like the typical arrogant, egotistical, cowardly, and loudmouthed Centralist, who was also rumored to be lecherous. Considering that the same could be said of the Centrality’s scandalous Dictator himself, Pellaeon was not surprised. Yeslah was disciplined and measured when needed to be, but he took the principles of Dovan’s New Centralist Man a bit too seriously. Once in combat, however, Yeslah proved to be a quite competent commander, with a mix of caution and boldness, as the recent Battle of Wolf 359 showed. In that respect Pellaeon was surprised, since he had heard that Yeslah had been the Central Navy’s Chief of Staff only a few months before. Maybe paperwork had something to do with it, since he had overheard Yeslah loudly telling one of his subordinates that he hated “desk jobs”.
As to Yeslah’s position regarding the Coalition’s next move, he did support a move to Alpha Centauri, but he was opposed to sending in most of the fleet there. He argued that the Coalition had more than enough units to attack Alpha Centauri and Sol simultaneously, and that the Coalition needed at least to have a meaningful presence on the MEH’s Earth for political reasons. Pellaeon was suspicious: why was the Centralist so eager to get there? He recalled the meeting on The Planetoid, where Yeslah acted defensively over the Klavostani Admiral’s inquiries about his reasons to reach the MEH’s Leader first. Yeslah claimed then that it was a matter of principle, but Pellaeon believed that there had to be more than that. What did the Centrality want? Why they were so eager to attack the MEH before the Coalition itself even began training operations? The Centrality’s Dictator had claimed that the MEH tried to assassinate him when he was negotiating with them, but everyone knew the Centrality was never totally honest. What really happened between the MEH and the Centrality that made the latter so eager to fight the former? Did anyone even have a clue?
Perhaps the Klavostanis know something. Admiral Abu Bakaar looked like he knew what happened when he asked Yeslah about his reasons to attack the MEH’s Earth early. Looks like I have to arrange a private chat for both of them. After I finish the main briefing with all the national commanders, of course.
“Ensign, inform the Coalition commanders that we will discuss our next move. Preferably in a few hours. Also, send tightbeam messages to Grand Admiral Yeslah and Admiral Bakaar. I want to speak with them personally after the conference is over.”
“Yes sir,” replied the ensign.
Pellaeon began to stand up, but suddenly felt an intense pain in his chest. He gasped.
Damn it, how the hell this is happening, I'm not that unhealthy...
“Heart attack...”, he blurted out, before he collapsed to the floor, causing a great commotion on the command bridge. The last thing he heard was his Captain screaming for a medic...
Grand Admiral’s Quarters, CNS Steel Fist
9:04 AM UNST
Grand Admiral Noslen Yeslah was busy reading a magazine, or rather, admiring it. The reason? It was the latest Spaceboy issue. Yeslah was even a subscriber! Of course, only a select few knew the Grand Admiral even read such things in the first place. Yeslah had kept his stash of porn back home in the Centrality under lock and key, and brought only the latest issue with him.
“Ah, fine ladies I see here. Mang, dat ass...I’d tap it.”
A beeping sound threw Yeslah out of his reverie. Annoyed, he closed his magazine and tapped a button, activating the holo-projector on his desk. The image of the communications chief sprang up.
“What is it? I was entertaining myself.”
“My apologies sir, but this is urgent.”
“What? Another boring meeting?”
“Negative, sir. We just got word that the Shinran Grand Admiral, Gilad Pellaeon, suffered a heart attack.This is big, sir.”
Yeslah dropped his magazine. Pellaeon had a heart attack?
Poor bastard. He was old enough already, but the shenanigans pulled by that drunk fool Rus must have made things worse. Now who will command the Coalition now? Wait, why am I even asking this question? There can only be one.
A small smile crossed his lips. Yes, there could be only one person fit to command such disparate contingents, only one individual to keep the different national fleets under control. Only one commander to guide the Coalition to its ultimate objective.
Yeslah knew perfectly who that man really was.
“Sir?”, the confused communications chief said, again snapping Yeslah out of his train of thought. The Grand Admiral sighed.
“Tell the Shinrans that they have my support. Also, inform the other COs that I will organize an emergency Coalition-wide meeting on my ship. I want them here as soon as possible. We need to plan our next move.”
“Aye, sir,” responded the comms chief. His holo-image soon dissipated.
Yeslah chuckled. Oh yes, our next move will be the one I planned for all along. The MEH’s Earth shall be within my grasp!
Yeslah began to laugh. He fucking laughed.
Briefing Room, CNS Steel Fist
1:45 PM UNST
All available Coalition commanders had made their way to
Steel Fist with remarkable speed, as the task of choosing a new Coalition Supreme Commander and planning the Coalition’s next move was something not to be taken lightly. The fact that it was the
Centralist Grand Admiral who was calling up the meeting was not endearing to most, if not all, of the other commanding officers. Nonetheless, for the sake of the Coalition, everyone had to put up with it. The commanders of the Haruhiist, Hiigaran, Klavostani, and Tianguonese contingents, as well as the interim Shinran commander, were present in person. The Anglian, Miratian, Umerian, Belkan and Frodian chiefs, still busy holding off MEH warships in Alpha Centauri, were unavailable, leaving their chosen subordinates to represent them by hologram. Yeslah had refused to start the meeting until everyone was accounted for.
“Very well, now that everyone is finally here, let’s start the meeting. Pellaeon may be unable to command the Coalition for the time being, but he would not have wanted his health problems to interfere with military necessity. Now, as we all know, Wolf 359 is more or less under our control. There is no opposition left in space and the enemy planetary garrisons are falling one by one. Meanwhile, the forces sent to Alpha Centauri have done their work in pinning down the enemy where he stands. Now is the time to reinforce them, and destroy the opposition in space. Who wants to contribute ground troops for taking the Alpha Centauri worlds?”
Admiral Abu Bakaar stood up, despite not being the most senior Klavostani officer present. His superior, Fleet Admiral Sulaiman Ziane, was present, and merely smiled.
“Klavostan has its concerns about the inhabitability of the MEH worlds postwar. It is in our interest to not wreck the MEH too badly. We fear that... others... may not show the same restraint....”
Yeslah nodded. Technically, the Centrality only wanted Sasha dead, with her head as a trophy. Wrecking the MEH was not an objective, which Kierger had made clear. It was actually good, in a way, that the Byzantines were no longer in the Coalition: the alien coalition would be hard-pressed to keep the Byzantines’ genocidal tendencies in check. Not that the Bragulans were any less genocidal themselves.
“I am sure even our competitors in the alien coalition understand the need to keep collateral damage to a minimum. My only worry, which I’m sure you all share, is the Byzantines. But enough about that. I presume that the Klavostani forces wish to go to Alpha Centauri?”
“The Anglians and Umerians have been holding there for many hours now. Of course we wish to go, it would be prudent to relieve them as soon as possible.” Fleet Admiral Ziane left much unsaid here, as both Klavostani Admirals coolly, unnervingly kept their gaze focused on Yeslah.
“Very well,” said an uneasy Yeslah. “Anyone else wishes to go?”
There was much muttering. In the midst of all the discussion, Yeslah noticed that the Shinran representative was walking towards him. No doubt he wanted to discuss with him about his plans for Sol.
Yeslah waved to the Shinran. “I know what you want to say. No offensive towards Sol. Do we want to leave the MEH’s Leader solely at the mercy of the aliens? I find that difficult to accept.”
The Shinran did not flinch. Instead, he responded, “I merely came to tell you that there is a reason why Sol is off-limits to us. If you go there with whatever contingents wish to follow you, there is a probability we will disown you. We do want to keep our word-”
Yeslah angrily interrupted him. “Disown us?! What could possibly lead you to disown those who wish to capture the enemy’s capital? Do you Shinrans know something I don’t?”
The Shinran shrugged. “Perhaps. But I cannot speak with liberty on this matter. You should ask Pellaeon, once he regains consciousness, of course.”
The Shinran officer then walked away, leaving Yeslah fuming.
Why I was never told of this? Or was I told, but forgot?
Yeslah was so frustrated, and so absorbed in his own thoughts, that he did not notice the two Klavostanis plotting something...special. Something that was useful blackmail material, if it came to that.
Infirmary, SRS Ragnarok
Wolf 359, Multiversal Empire of Happiness
3:00 PM UNST
Napoleon had said that an army marched on its stomach, and a similar argument could be made for a fleet as well. Without its supplies of ammunition and fuel, a warship was little more than a decorated, immobile shell of metal. It’s crew needed food and drinks to keep working, unless they were literally machines. But then, even machines needed maintenance, and sometimes needed organic supervision in case there were problems. Last but not least, a space fleet needed supplies of air for crew survival, gravity to keep them firmly in the ground, and medicine in order to maintain the crew healthy. The Coalition fleet, dependent on many separate supply lines, understood all of this perfectly. Without replenishing its war materiel the Coalition could not advance safely, and a great effort was being made towards this purpose.
Grand Admiral Gilad Pellaeon, having regained consciousness a few hours before, had been informed of this. He would have left the infirmary immediately as well, but his doctors expressively forbade him to leave his bed until they were sure there was no risk of relapse. Unsurprisingly, Pellaeon was chagrined. And so he was bed-ridden, trying to make the most of his time. Not that there was much he could do.
“Nurse, this isn’t my place. I’ve taken care of myself in worse situations. I may be old by normal human standards, but with rejuvenation available, I’m not
that old.”
The nurse was then busy checking out the instruments. She turned to Pellaeon, a serene look in her face.
“Well, you
have been working hard lately sir. And let’s not forget the stress that Byzantines gave you during that chase,” replied the nurse.
“Yes, there was that. And I’ll admit that the effort in getting this Coalition to leave on schedule led me to ignore my health. But I’ll be fine.”
“Well, you’ll have to wait for the doctors’ verdict before you can even leave bed, so be patient, sir.”
Pellaeon sighed. At times like this, he could not help but feel envious of little girls’ reputed ability to get what they want by putting a face. A very sad face. Pellaeon, though, had seen enough in life that rendered him difficult to feel real, honest sadness. It frustrated him sometimes.
“I must be going now, sir. Lord knows how many of our people are in real need of my help. Just relax, sir.”
Pellaeon smiled at the nurse. “Of course.” He saw the nurse leave his room.
Now’s my chance! If the doctors complain, well, they can stuff it. I’m not letting a heart attack prevent me from preventing some uniformed fool from deciding strategy.
But before he could even start his escape, the door opened again, revealing none other than Grand Admiral Noslen Yeslah. He immediately saluted, a little too stiff and formal for Pellaeon’s taste. Pellaeon, out of professional courtesy, saluted himself, but he was visibly surprised at Yeslah’s presence. Nonetheless, Pellaeon realized that he could finally fulfill what he was planning to do in the morning. But he still wondered why Yeslah would come to him, in person of all things.
“Grand Admiral Yeslah, your presence is... unexpected. Still, it’s good that you’re here. I was meaning to ask you about something yesterday, if not for my heart attack.”
Yeslah did not move. “Coincidentally, Grand Admiral Pellaeon, I was also wanting to ask you some things as well. You may have some... experience with them.”
Pellaeon frowned. So his suspicions were correct. “I presume we’re talking about your wish to capture the MEH’s capital?”
“Correct,” Yeslah confirmed.
Pellaeon sighed. This was going to end up like last time. Which meant nowhere.
“Yeslah, how may times are we going to talk about this?”
“How many? As many as I can! Until I convince you of the rightness of my position!”
“And what is your argument this time? What things will come out of your mouth now?”
“Let me tell you something, Pellaeon. The position of my government is simple. We want revenge for the MEH’s attempt to kill our leader. I hope you understand this, because attacking the leadership of a foreign nation without provocation leads instantly to war.”
“I doubt the MEH would be competent to pull off such a thing. Or be even willing to do so.”
“This is the MEH we are talking about. They think the sky is the limit, and are too stupid to realize that they can’t fly. Who else reveals their intentions so openly? That is the reason we are all fighting here, aren’t we? The MEH is too stupid to exist.” Yeslah cleared his throat before continuing, “Now, your representative mentioned something about a deal. I vaguely remember some discussion about that. Would you mind refreshing my memory?”
Pellaeon restrained the urge to laugh. How did this man get to be Grand Admiral? Certainly even the Central Navy had to have
some standards.
“I don’t know what made you lose your memory, but I will tell you again. My government made an agreement with the Chamarrans to divide the MEH between the Coalition on one side and the Chamarrans and their allies on the other. Hence why we aren’t going to Sol. At least, not if some sort of arrangement is made with the Chamarrans...”
“Then that is what I’ll do!”, Yeslah suddenly declared. “If you’re worried about ticking off the catgirls, then we’ll just give them many fluffy balls of yarn as a bribe and so go on to Sol! Not with you, though. In any case someone needs to watch over Wolf 359 and protect our damaged ships.”
“At least you do have a
bit of sense. My fleet will not go to Sol in any case. But who will be sent to Alpha Centauri, then?”
“Why the Klavostanis. of course! With their help, the Alpha Centauri force will destroy the MEH forces there in short order. The rest will march on Sol, provided the negotiations with the Chamarrans go through. If not, well...I dunno.”
Pellaeon was about to respond when a beeping sound emerged. Yeslah felt something vibrating in his pocket.
“Oh, my apologies. Must be my comlink.” Yeslah pulled out his black comlink, and began to speak. “This is Grand Admiral Noslen Yeslah. ...We have guests? Who? ...I see. Have they said what they want? ...Speak with me? About what? ...They didn’t tell? So why are they asking me? ...It’s urgent? How...tell them I’m on my way.” Yeslah then put away his comlink into his pocket.
“What was that all about?”, said an confused Pellaeon.
“Nothing you would care of! Centralist business! By the way, the CIS and other intelligence agencies suspect that your heart attack was anything but natural. Perhaps there is an assassin on the loose? Who knows?”
“An assassin on my ship?! Wh-” Pellaeon was cut off by Yeslah.
“As I said, just suspicion exists. The doctors have not said anything yet. Now I have to get going. Toodles!”
And with that, Yeslah left Pellaeon’s room in a hurry.
Observation Lounge, CNS Steel Fist
4:00 PM UNST
A person that was in the Observation Lounge of the
Steel Fist could see the hectic work of supply ships zipping to and fro amongst the great ships of the Coalition, ensuing that these mammoths (and not so mammoths) remained with fuel, ammo, and other needed materials. One would also witness new Coalition movements, as fleets made ready for their next destination, either Alpha Centauri or...some other place. Aside from the Klavostanis (who were soon moving to reinforce Coalition forces in Alpha Centauri) and the Shinrans (who had chosen to stay put and guard Wolf 359), the Coalition contingents in Wolf 359 had no clear idea where go to next. Sol was the obvious target, but no serious planning for such a move was available. Only the Centralites had the plans ready and the will to go to Sol, but they preferred to have the most help possible. Already Centralist officers were being sent to the Hiigaran, Haruhiist and Tianguonese fleets to ask their commanders that if circumstances allowed, they would join the Centralist First Armada in a strike on Sol.
Of course, nothing could happen if the Coalition did not make some agreement with the other coalition, now occupying Xena. This was the thought uppermost in Yeslah’s mind when he entered his flagship’s observation lounge. Besides the identity of the men who wanted to speak with him. He could already sense their presence, in fact, but not their minds. Something was up. He walked up to them, and realized who they were.
In front of Yeslah were Fleet Admiral Sulaiman, and his deputy, Admiral Bakaar.
“Ah, it’s you. What is it? Last-minute changes to your plans or something? Something else I was not aware of?”
Sulaiman had a grave expression on his face. He briefly looked at Bakaar, who simply nodded. Yeslah was confused at this move. He would have spoken if Sulaiman had not beaten him to it first.
“Since it appears you wish to be Supreme Commander of the Coalition fleet, we figured it was about time to let you in on the secret of whom is in charge. Your Centrality owes us a starship, and the life of your Dictator!”
Yeslah was flabbergasted. What was this Klavostani talking about? It didn’t make any sense...
Unless...unless they know something about...no, it can’t be! It must not be!
Gesturing before himself, a holographic display appeared in the space between the men from Ziane’s turbanputer, depicting the important parts of the
Jaffar’s blackbox transmission upon its death. Their earlier detection of the
Datton, and the all too clear demands the MEH had made of them. But the dogs of The Leader had then instead caught the
Jaffar’s scent, and run the Klavostani stealther down instead...
Yeslah felt a chill up his spine. Anxiety took over him. He knew this would happen. That a foreign stealth ship would catch wind of what the
Datton was doing, and excite suspicion on what the Centrality was really doing with the MEH....
By Dovan’s Fist, what should I do now? What can I tell the Dictator? He would go into a rage! Fortunately, he was pre-empted by the Klavostani Fleet Admiral again.
“The public release of this would be rather problematic. Fortunately, this can be easily avoided with certain... concessions, that fortunately we believe the Centrality will have no trouble accepting. You wish to take the war to the MEH Sol System and bring whatever fate you wish to the Empire’s Leader. The Sultanate can accommodate that wish, too. All we ask is your total support at the postwar negotiating table.”
Yeslah let Sulaiman’s words sink into his mind. Under the circumstances, the Klavostani conditions seemed...reasonable. After all, there was no imagining what would happen after the MEH collapsed. One thing that was certain was that the Centralist forces would have to stay in MEH planets for some months at least, as part of the occupation forces. Backing Klavostan’s claims would make the Sultanate more cooperative, at least in keeping the logistical train more manageable. On a more immediate note, if the Sultanate could help him go to Sol with minimal hitches, then so much the better. Yeslah knew, however, that the Centrality, more specifically Kierger, would have no choice but to agree to the Klavostani demands, as the PR and political consequences of Kierger’s secret diplomacy with the MEH, and its disastrous result, would be tremendous.
Yeslah took a deep breath, and said, “I believe my government will understand what is at stake here. They will agree on all your points. Your help in getting us to Sol will be appreciated. My only worry is in garnering support from the remaining contingents for a move to MEH Sol, though we are working on that. There is also the issue of the Shinran deal with the Chamarrans. If we act unilaterally, there’s no telling what will be the response of the alien alliance. I expect a hostile reception. If we can convince the Chamarrans that we only seek to strike MEH Sol in order to punish the MEH’s Leader and not play a part in the actual occupation of that sector, then everything will work out fine. Do you agree with this?” Yeslah waited nervously for Sulaiman’s answer.
“If you can come to an understanding with them, that would be best. If you wish to arrive at Sol in time to match the other Coalition, however, you must hurry in convincing others to join you, for it will be quite some time before those of us at Alpha Centauri can possibly reinforce you.”
Yeslah nodded. “Yes. Time is of essence. Though I do expect the other coalition to be held up if the Chamarrans are busy negotiating with us. Diplomacy is not something usually done overnight. I fully expect that someone in the Central Government will have to pay a visit to the Hierachy. But then, that’s my pessimism talking.”
Yes, someone who can sweet-talk the catgirls into agreement. Wait, am I thinking of...
Upon that thought, Yeslah sighed. The last time
he tried to sweet talk a female head of state resulted in
this.
The officers continued discussing their plans for several more minutes, before bidding a farewell and returning to their fast shuttles to rejoin their outbound fleets...