The Storm Breaks: Start of 2AW

(Please Note: 2nd Ancerious War officially starts now this means the DEADLINE IS NOW FINISHED no post will be accepted to do with 2AW prep now and only to do with the war itself. In addition to this the ship count for Ancerious will be raised to 6000 ships (as was agreed on by poll before new people entered and clicked 7k after the debate ended) this means everyone even those with 4k ships will get an extra 250 per two weeks as per rules. Empires with more than 6k ships already raise their count by 2k and add ships. (For example Capitol has 6k now gets 8k limit etc.) And the war is officially starting IC so references can be made to it and counter plans can be initiated, several RP chat rooms will be established for certain events. But most of all everyone.
Have fun!)


All along the USM region

With the invasion of Alpha Ceti now in full swing the Justicars saw their chance. Mounting a full invasion with every ship at their disposal over 2000 vessels entered Minevan space, targeting multiple systems to engage and destroy everything they could find. It was no longer a raiding force but a full scale invasion.

Their second Neighbour the Kalaedans were also not exempt, another 2000 ships spilling over onto populated systems, weapons hot and in some places support by small Capitol elements promised by Inara. The whole region of space exploded into chaos and an entangled warzone as multiple systems were suddenly embroiled in war. As reports came in and the full scale of the event was seen something became very odd.

USM high command wasn’t responding. And something, was very, very wrong.

Alpha Ceti: Minevan Space

The time had finally come. Minevan and Union crews of star ships watched in horror as over 1000 signatures dropped out of FTL into the Alpha Ceti system along with troop transports and more. Some were to peel off into other systems however this system was the key target. As the Capitol fleet exited FTL they ran into a pre prepared minefield, the mines exploding around the ships and taking some in an explosive demise, but it was not enough. The few listening stations and light defence platforms near the jump area were quickly destroyed with railgun fire and overcome with little effort. The huge Capitol fleet not spreading out but moving as one solid mass, defensive formation around the transport ships as the fleet centred around one giant ship… A super dreadnought. The Union and Minevan forces tightened their formations, the Union vessels firing up Interdiction fields and the defence stations on the planet powering up everything they had. 750 Union ships and around 550 Minevan vessels waited, while they outnumbered their foe this was going to be far from easy… it was then an incoming communication was sent from the Capitol fleet. As the massive mass of ships halted just on the edge of weapons wave, the two giant fleets facing off.

“This is Grand Admiral Raxis of Capitol. Lay down your weapons and withdraw, this system is now property of the Grand Empire of Capitol. We will not ask again” the message played on all frequencies. Until a message was sent back from the Minevan flagship.

“Burn in hell” With that order, the void between the fleets exploded into fire as the Union and Minevan fleets as well as all the orbital defences opened fire. The first shots of the war had been fired. However. Not all of the USM ships fired…

Pavonis Prime: Union of Worlds space

Pavonis prime was busting, troop movements and ships being sent two and fro between the Union Ancerious holdings and the Unions home galaxy through the massive quantum gate array. General Kain observed the proceedings from the Wyvern class orbital station placed near the gate, she watched as another transport of refugees was sent through, and a small contingent of Union warships came back through.

“I hope the flyboys can handle this Capitol attack alright, I would hate to think what would happen if they tried to invade our home…” She spoke aloud on the bridge.

“It would be a blood bath ma’am we have so many defences around homeworld that many of the forces here fighting together wouldn’t get more than a few inches into our realm” One of the gate operators called out back. Kain laughed.

“I guess you’re right, shame we don’t quite have those defences in place here”

“Yea but ma’am we have the Emperors daughter with us that has to count for something?”

“She fought with the Draken… I’m not entirely convinced” Another man replied.

“If he trusts her then we should do… Wait” The gate operator paused tapping some screens as an alarm went off. Kain confused asked aloud.

“What the hell is going on?”

“Ma’am… We have a breach in the quantum tunnel… it’s like something has hacked in… No that’s impossible…” The man muttered the last part “Detecting a plasma coil missile in the quantum tunnel! Massive energy readings detected!” He screamed. Kain shouted back.

“SHUT IT DOWN! SHUT IT DOWN NOW!”

“TOO LATE!” The man screamed out, the quantum gate seeming to shudder as the portal face glowed bright white, a blast of monumental proportions erupting out to engulf refugee and warships alike.

“BRACE!” Kain shouted as the shockwave hit, the structure moaned as the wave passed over and dissipated “Damage report!”

“Shields down… counting 8 warships destroyed and 14 refugee ships… by creation that was over 2 million people…” Came the reply.

“And the gate…” Kain replied looking up at the huge structure, thankfully its auto collapse feature had kicked in, terminating the gate hub in a correct way so that the quantum tunnel collapse hadn’t also detonated and destroyed the entire system..

“The gates gone ma’am. We have lost all connection to home… Incoming message!”

“On screen!” It was text only. And merely read…

Your time has come

Joronas and Klendathu systems: Union of Worlds space

Klendathu had been attacked once before. Almost a year ago after relations went sour with the Eos Consortium they had attacked in force, the Union had responded and while the zealous fleet had been driven off casualties had been high. Now a year later, they were back. Union scanners picked up the jumps at the edge of the system, 250 Eos vessels plus a massive ship of some kind now appeared in formation, charging weapons and making their way into the inner worlds of the system. Klendathu was a small place, with only two planets, one populated the other barren and acting as an orbital defence installation Klendathu was well defended with platforms and minefields, a sentry fleet of around 75 ships stood vigil over the system with the expected attack to come south nobody had foreseen a move by Eos from the north. The Union fleet powered weapons and kept defensive formation around the large defense installations, oblivious that the very defences they were hoping would save them. Would probably do less than they imagined.

“Keep defensive formation and signal command!” Yulan shouted over the bridge, the Victorious class heavy cruiser powering not only its regular weapons but also Quantum accelerator cannons and Spearhead drones.

“Signal away sir!”

“Alright prepare for combat we know they jump in on us! When they jump scan their jump systems and interdict them… but watch out somethings not…” Yulan stopped talking a moment. The bridge crew also looking confused.

“Do you hear… Chanting?”

---////---

Joronas was also a fortress system, just as lightly defended fleet wise but larger defences and more worlds awaited. By the time the signal had been sent from Klendathu, Joronas was powering its defences when the Eos fleet arrived. 250 ships without the large vessel which had attacked the other system they immediately went on the offensive. Eos ships jumping in to catch the 75 Union vessels in system by surprise. The golden and white ships jumping in on top of the Union as the Union fired its first shots, slamming into the enemy vessels it was not enough. With pulses of yellow light the Eos wave weapons of 250 ships smashed the Union defence fleet apart. Annihilating any and all survivors. As the defense stations around the 4 worlds in system readied for a fight distress signals were sent. It was clear Eos wasn’t here to glass these worlds… But invade them.

“Exemplar our reports show the main fleet is engaging the heretics in their other system. The Hand is already making short work of their steadfast minds” The communication operator bowed.

“Excellent. Take us in and destroy the defence stations, then prepare the troops. These worlds are ours now”

Capitol Space

"Knowledge is power." These words, to some. Were simply words, an old phrase, a repeated quote. For others, they were a rule of warfare, to know your enemy one must first identify one’s self. To construct a profile of your opponent and those around you. For others still they embodied reflection, or simply intellect to be used over others.
For the converged, they were simply a way of life.
Intelligence had allowed them to grow, and establish themselves. Spreading their network as subtly and as hidden as they possibly could. They had watched the empires of Ancerious develop sense their formation. Always out of sight, their proxies hidden, their posts always reclusive in nature. A trait that perhaps, only the enigmatic race of the flux could boast above themselves.

They had chosen the capitol based on principal. The Kartanian elder, their equivalent of a greater axiom, had called for it. And they had cautiously followed through. Initiating contact with another race for what might have been the first time. An arrangement had been made, services offered, exchanged details made.
Now, in the days before the capitols great movement, they followed suit.

The Cargo ships were vast, crude things. Nothing akin to the sleek, dark corvette that had entered capitol space weeks before. Little more than vast cargo containers propelled by Simple ion engines and operated by transmission based autonomous bridges. Twelve kilometres long, one high, and three kilometres wide. Twelve in total, not counting the single battleship sized silent one vessel that headed the flotilla. They jumped into capitol territory one by one. Maintaining a course with the same determination and unflinching coordination as the corvette had.

Histirion system: Carnaith space

Ajas watched the sensor readings and the sheer chaos coming from the anomaly in front of them. His fleet of a thousand ships had taken position just out of reach and on the systems edge. Very soon the forces from Shadowblade and the Silent Ones would arrive, with more Axiom forces guaranteed to show up.

“The plan is still on, we will wait for our allies to arrive and then hit designated targets” He sent over the coms array. Blinks of red indicating acknowledgements. It didn’t take long for the signatures of 100 odd ships to appear at the edge of the system on sensors.

“That would be the Silent Ones then… Send them a full update and by creation tell them not to get any closer” It was quickly followed by around 500 Shadowblade ships and some more Axiom forces appearing, the Axioms however appearing inside the anomaly, as if it had no effect on their forces whatsoever.

“Well everyone’s here… Might as well as the Axioms what the hell this thing is…”

Mirach system: Union of Worlds space

“The first reports are coming through, Alpha Ceti is officially now under siege” Hargun announced, the conference room was actually small, however using the digital software the room was massive. Every captain, of every Union ship sat in concentric rings looking down on Admiral Hargun and Sapphire, along with the holographic forms of Fleet Captains Dewitt, Volkus and Sacule.

“It begins. All forces you have your assigned locations and plans. Put them into place” Sapphire nodded to the assembled holographic captains.

“We have also seen the reports of the events at Histirion and the potential birth of a new Axiom helped by Capitol forces. From this moment treat all Axiom vessels as hostiles, the support flotilla aiding the Carnaith and CAE forces will most likely have to engage Axiom vessels, we wish you luc…” Hargun was cut off as one of the aids ran into the room the assembled captains all turning to look.

“THE QUANTUM GATE HAS BEEN DESTROYED! AND EOS IS INVADING!” He shouted. Hargun stood up.

“By creation… how could…” Sapphire responded calmly.

“Give us the locations of the Eos attacks, response fleets 4 and 6 split off and engage the Eos forces. As for the Quantum gate… we knew that was to be a target… But damn. We will have to refer to the Ye’Tule plan to protect our Refugees” A whole group of the captains saluted and cut the link tasked with stopping Eos.

“Why they are engaging us… Perhaps they are in league with Capitol…” Hargun muttered.

“I wouldn’t put it past them, Capitol have been clever this time, and they have powerful allies. The Eramons are also in place..” Sapphire finished before alarms rang out not just through the orbital station but also through all of the captains ship links. An announcement came over the intercom.

“All personnel battle stations repeat battle stations. Massive enemy fleet inbound. Repeat Mirach is under attack” Sapphire looked to Hargun, then to the assembled captains.

“Fight well. May creation preserve us all” She said as the links terminated.

Mirach was a bustling system of 7 worlds. And had the defences a Capital system should had. As the Justicar beacon activated at the edge of the system, the Union forces received incoming. And the numbers made even the most hardened sensor operators flinch. Over 3000 signatures plus extra were detected entering the system. With only 1000 vessels in system plus the super dreadnought Transcendent Angel the Union was outnumbered 3 to 1. Thankfully the monolithic defence systems of the system activated as the first of the ships appeared.

First came the super carrier Her Will, surrounded by the forming jump points of over 1000 Capitol ships taking a spread out formation. Next came the Shadowblade forces, another 1000 odd ships pulling themselves free of FTL to form up into their own formations, then came the Triarch loaned vessels, another thousand ripped free of hyperspace to take formation, along with some pirate vessels here and there as well as the elegant hyperspacial distortions forming which represented the forms of 6 Holy Axiom blinkers entering the system too.

The faces of the Union forces dropped in horror at the sight, until a video message was broadcast throughout the system. Sapphire stood in her resplendent armour her face a beacon of defiance.

“My people. We have been through much together, and while the universe now seeks to destroy us once again, we must yet disappoint it further! We will fight! To the last drop of blood! If these forces seek to drive us into the ground then we shall annihilate them with the same determination we used to defeat our enemies so far! We will never falter! We will never surrender! For the Union! And for creation!!” She shouted, the voices of every man women and child in the system cheering in response, as the massive enemy fleet closed in. The Union vessels and defence installations charged weapons, activated shields and launched fighters, this was going to be a fight to remember.