[font=agency fb]Location: [color=#FFFFFF]Far side of Planet Odessa, Omega-52 Date: 31st May 819 AS
"Praise the Premier, it's beautiful...."
[color=#FFFFFF]With those words finally said, Lt Colonel Ling sighed and sat back in his command chair. Around him, the crew of the XiaoSet busied themselves at their stations, as he watched the ship in the viewscreen become larger. The Typhoon class vessel reached the edge of the negative-radar shield and slipped inside. Almost instantaneously it vanished from all known sensor equipment. While not a perfect cloak, the drive-yard facility didn't require one. The EM it was putting out was absorbed by the large planet below and if anyone did pick up any trace signals and came looking for the source - they would wrongly assume it was Mykolaiv Research Station. This allowed the shipbuilding teams to work on Project Red Letter Day without fear of espionage or sabotage.
"Major Xu. Commence docking protocols."
[color=#FFFFFF]The XiaoSet gradually slowed to a dead stop in the dry dock. Two docking arms activated within the dock and arched their way over to her. Connecting with the ports, the Typhoon was pulled gently towards the dock and locked in place.
"Docking complete"
[color=#FFFF00]"Initiate full reactor and system shutdown once the umbilical is in place and we're drawing power from the dock." "We've got positive feeds from both A1 and A2, initiating shutdown."
As the secondary consoles shut off one by one, Ling looked around the bridge as the auxiliary lighting came on and time was called on the XiaoSet's career.
"Goodbye ship."
[color=#FFFFFF]He stood up, and the bridge crew stood to attention. He bowed his head and left the bridge. The XiaoSet's career had ended too soon in his opinion, a few shared by most of the High Command however it was inevitable. The wounds sustained in the Civil War had weakened the ship. Diving into the surface of the Neutron Star in Omega-41 to avoid a Corsair fleet, effectively sealed her fate. The hull of the XiaoSet still gave off a radioactive signature. Thankfully, the hull plating was one remnant of the XiaoSet's which would not be saved. The Premier himself had decreed that the newest arrivals to the Coalition's fleet were to be the toughest yet. Shining examples of brute force to strike fear into the hearts of the fools that would oppose the Red Dawn. Ling quietly walked along the darkened corridor to the primary docking port, the airlock opened and he walked across the bridge. Halfway across, he turned back and looked at his ship. He was optimistic for the future, today he had lost his command. In the next few months, he would gain the most lethal ship in the Coalition's arsenal.
"Ling Ling is it?"
[color=#FFFFFF]If it was anyone other than the Premier or his trusted comrades asking that question, Ling would have drawn his sword and gut the idiot whom asked that question. It was no idiot though, Dr Xiobei himself was aboard the dry dock, overseeing parts of the project.
"Unless you want to be called Xiobei Xiobei, I suggest you just stick with Colonel Ling."
[color=#66FFFF]"Yes yes, we've much to do and little time to do it in." "Your teams are ready?" "Of course, you're the one that is late!" "Dui, but it could not be helped. Secrecy is paramount of course, there was... business.. which needed attended to." "I won't bloody ask, I don't want to know.. Right you halfwits - Start stripping that hunk of metal!"
With that, the teams of workers rushed forwards onto the XiaoSet and began their inspections of the now defunct vessel. Ling turned with the good Doctor and headed up to the control tower where he would further briefed on the construction project.
[font=agency fb]Location: [color=#FFFFFF]Freeport 9, Omicron Theta Date: 5th June 819 AS
"Xi'an, I need an exit now. Target is dead."
[color=#FFFFFF]He hadn't squeezed the trigger at this point, but as soon as the transmission was cut, the slug flew from the Seeker rifle. A faction of a second later, the targets head split in two. Almost immediately, alarms blared and the people on the promenade started screaming and running. In almost a single motion, Major Han Xu had the seeker rifle on his back and was jumping down the level to retrieve what remained of the traitor. He took out his side arm, and blasted at the two people Mr Walker was trying to meet. Both were dropped as Xu rolled to the body. He picked it up and flung it over his shoulder. Running now, he sprinted towards the docking point which the Xi'an was about to moor itself to.
"You done raping that docking point yet!?"
[color=#FFFFFF]Of course he moaned, we had to put a bloody Hispanic in the pilots seat for this one. Of course he'll be late.
"Docking complete"
[color=#FFFF00]"You're late. Open the hatch and get us out of here." "Si si si...."
He quickly got aboard and headed for the cargo bay where the corpse was dumped on a workbench.
"You get what we need?"
[color=#FFFF00]"Of course. The target was an extra bonus, but dui.. We have the intel."
He took a Zoner computer chip out of his pocket. He stared at the blue imprint in the centre of it.
"Orders Major, the Freeport's sending out fighters after us!"
[color=#FFFF00]"Ignore them. Set course for Omega-52, Best speed."
He headed to the CO's ready room. It wasn't much, or at all spacious - but it served Major Xu's needs while Colonel Ling was away. He had heard a rumour that soon the Xi'an would be his own command. He thought nothing of it. The Xi'an, like him, were tools of the Coalition. Tools that were required to keep sharp. Any amount of complacency would be their very downfall.
"So... Are you worth all the trouble?"
[color=#FFFFFF]He slotted the data chip into the computer tablet at his desk. Scrolling through it, he allowed himself to smile and then laugh. Yes.. it was definitely worth the effort.
[font=agency fb]Location: [color=#FFFFFF]Deputy PM's Office, Planet Volograd Date: 9th June 819 AS
"Hmph. Couldn't stand all that ceremony."
[color=#FFFFFF]The new Commandant of the Fighter Corps sat outside the door to the Deputy Premier's office. Ling was draped in a new uniform, with a ceremonial sword on his belt and large medal's and pins on his chest. It was important for the people to have Commanders they could trust, fear and respect his uncle had told him. Too bad his uncle happened to be Deputy Premier now, and was using his new office and status as if he were the God that the Libertonian's believed in. Major Xu stood, leaning against the wall.
"Relax. It'll be a pat on the back, well done and go bring me the Corsair's downfalll"
[color=#FFFF00]"I think not. It never is that simple with my uncle.. Especially since that intel you brought back didn't exactly work as planned." "Oh?" "Dui. XiaoBei said something along the lines of square peg, round hole. And that the Zoners can fit do-dec-a-gons into non-existent holes." "Science is not my strong point."
The door opened and a young Chinese man gave a swift bow and invited the Commandant and Major into the office. The office was as grand as it was large, with trophies, trinkets and other grand exhibits placed strategically around the room. There seemed to be 3 sections to the office. The Deputy Premier's large desk with seats in front of it. A small boardroom table with projectors and assets of a tactical nature spread around it. Down slightly, a couple of stairs linked the rest of the room to a small ring of sofas which were to entertain guests. It was here where the Deputy Premier was entertaining someone right now.
"So you can see why the State Duma rose me to Deputy Premier! Now you just have to pick up where what I left off at the Ministry of Plenty! Ahh... Commandant Ling!"
[color=#FFFF00]"Deputy Premier." "I would like you to meet Clariman Porter of Volgograd Industrial."
He nodded at the chairman, and the delegation took their seats on the sofas. Tea was served and Ping sat back in his seat. A box of cigars was on the table, which he offered to his guests. Once they were all settled, Ping sat forth his agenda.
"Mr Porter, as you have now been fully briefed on Project Red Letter Day, I believe Volograd Industrial is well placed to bring the supplies necessary to complete the project. There are modifications to the ships which the State Duma is requesting however."
[color=#FFFF00]"Modifications?" "Dui Nephew. XR-1 will be required to do a lot more deep space work than initially planned. With the increased traffic into our home systems and the increase in trade - Battles will be fought further afield than ever before. The XKR project will yield more than enough defensive capability to defend Omega-52." "Respectfully, I disagree. We are behind schedule as it is, and currently we've not been able to integrate the Zoner Cargo Capability technology which Major Xu acquired. If the technology is rendered incompatible, then we will never be able to keep enough supplies onboard for long range, deep space operations." "Then the technology must be made compatible. Furthermore, the Havana's fighter fabrication bay is only capable of creating fighters from base materials already present. This will be improved upon with XR-1 able to fabricate not only the fighters, but the parts necessary. This will also be on triple the scale as the Havana. If we lose a squadron, then it should be replaced within the week." "That will compromise our fighting ability!" "Bu dui, it will not. The new flagships of the Coalition are REQUIRED to be so. You have the best scientific minds within the Coalition - Make it happen."
The argument seemed to reach an impasse. Ling knew that what his uncle was demanding from the Hammer near enough couldn't be done and shook his head.
'Deputy Premier,' Jeremy Porter began after he'd finished reaching to the table to gratefully heft a cigar away, 'My scientists have been studying the data Major Xu brought back from Freeport 9 since he returned four days ago. Thus far, they've made no progress.
'If you are determined to turn our warships into combat-factory hybrids, either the XR-1 needs to be the size of the Barge - which I'd recommend against, because that would make it utterly worthless - or we need to fully understand how this Zoner Cargo Capacity technology works. My scientists have told me that unless we want to wait for what they believe would be months, we need to study a ship which has the technology installed. That means studying a Zoner ship.' He puffed on the cigar, blowing out smoke in a frustrated sigh. 'If they wanted us to know the secrets to this technology, they would've offered it already.'
'Even if we managed to make this work, you'd have to send the XR-1s to find resources to make the parts to make the squadrons. This would mean mining the raw ores, and refining them. As the Commandant said - we're already behind schedule.'
[17:45:39] Wolfs Ghost (Murphy): Tom, you have problems. Go kill yourself.
[19:25:12] Johnny (Jam): Tomtom, I will beat you with a spoon.
[14:22:56] Prarabdh Thakur: KILL HIM WITH A SHEEP.
[17:40:48] Eagle (Junes): Tom should be slapped with a spoon.
[11:32:18] Warspite: Thank you for being so awesome Tom. <3
[18:17:36] Metano: I love you tomtom
[20:06:24] Warspite: I will seriously give you epic head.
' Wrote:Edit: also, Tomtomrawr, fappin' like a boss.
"You are correct Mister Porter, however the XR-1 and XR-2 must be able to extract and refine materials as they require it in away from Omega-52 and away from any support."
[color=#FFFF00]"But the Hammer will have support..." "From it's fighter squadrons dui, but from supply ships? The risk is too great, the ships must be as near autonomous as possible."
Ping looked at the chairman, an idea forming in his head.
[color=#66FFFF]"Mr Porter, how well placed is Volgograd Industrial in getting what we need? You say we need a Zoner transport... Can you.. acquire.. one and a means to extract and refine materials efficiently in the space we will create?"
'Acquiring a Zoner transport will be difficult. By acquire, it's obvious that this means steal - if the Zoners wanted us to know their transport capacity secrets they would've offered them for trade. The SCRA is far better equipped for this task - Major Xu proved he could successfully infiltrate a Zoner station and carry out an operation. I'm sure a task force of enough men to pilot a Zoner transport, as an example let's say one of their Whales, could hijack the ship in dry dock. We could even try framing the Corsairs while doing so.
'As for the minerals... It'd be too hard to infiltrate a corporate station without the entire House's navy jumping on the task force. You'd have to target a ship while it's in the field mining - I'm sure a Daumann Hegemon would have the mining equipment we need, and once we have a working machine we can replicate it.'
[17:45:39] Wolfs Ghost (Murphy): Tom, you have problems. Go kill yourself.
[19:25:12] Johnny (Jam): Tomtom, I will beat you with a spoon.
[14:22:56] Prarabdh Thakur: KILL HIM WITH A SHEEP.
[17:40:48] Eagle (Junes): Tom should be slapped with a spoon.
[11:32:18] Warspite: Thank you for being so awesome Tom. <3
[18:17:36] Metano: I love you tomtom
[20:06:24] Warspite: I will seriously give you epic head.
' Wrote:Edit: also, Tomtomrawr, fappin' like a boss.
"Very well. Major Xu, work on gaining access to a Daumann Hegemon. Work with the Hessians and ensure that they are fully apprised of the situation. Commandant Ling - Head back to the XR-1 and continue to oversee it's construction. Ensure you have a firm hand - There must be no more delays."
[color=#FFFF00]"Very well Deputy Premier." "Mr Porter. We cannot endanger our relations with the Zoners. I trust that I can leave you the operation of retrieving a Zoner whale? Use whatever subtly, trick or promise - We must have one and the Zoners must not find out."
Ping looked at the men around the table.
[color=#66FFFF]"Then it's settled. Do the work of the Coalition and we will all be rewarded."
[font=agency fb]Location: [color=#FFFFFF]Somewhere in Omega-11. Date: 12th June 819 AS
"There we go. Right where it's supposed to be. Saddle up!"
[color=#FFFFFF]The Xi'an glided out of the asteroid field towards the Hegimon miner. The radiation alarms blared as the computers realised where the Xi'an was heading.
"Steady as she goes. We have but one chance at this."
[color=#FFFFFF]The Xi'an entered the inner asteroid field and charged down at her prey. The Hegimon tried to bank away, but amongst the fields of asteroids - It was just too slow.
"Within Cruise Disruptor range!"
[color=#FFFF00]"Cut the engines, direct power to the launcher. Fire!" "Si.. 10% power available.. Firing!"
The ship shuddered as a missile was fired, and again when another and another were launched in quick succession. The first couple of missiles missed and hit asteroids, while the 3rd hit the starboard engines perfectly and the Hegimon lurched as it's cruise engines were killed as they were mid-charge.
"She's dead in the water!"
[color=#FFFF00]"Boarding party! Let's move!"
The Hispanic Lieutenant did something right for a change, he mused. He jogged to the docking port where several marines were stood to attention. He addressed the men as he checked his rifle.
]"Orders from the top, keep it clean. Minimal casualties, these are civilian miners after all. Tear gas and flashbangs first. Anyone who shoots back, drop them in as non a lethal way as you can. Understood?"
[color=#FFFFFF]"Yes comrade Major!" - Was the unified reply
He popped his helmet on and fastened it tight. He checked his rifle one last time and stretched his arms out in his flexiarmour. He enjoyed these skin-tight suits. Not only where they light and extremely effective in their protection of him, they projected a level of fear and dread in enemies. Exactly the notion which was required today. The green light flashed on.
"Hard seal, cut her open!"
[color=#FFFFFF]A man surged forward with a plasma cutter and started cutting through the Hegimons hull. Speed was key here as if the miners got their engines up and did a quick sharp turn, The Xi'an would be pulled any which way they wanted. Potentially into one of those larger asteroids.
"Quickly!"
[color=#FFFFFF]A hiss and a clang followed the successful penetration of the Miner's skin. The marines armed and threw flashbangs and tear gas through the hole and saw them drop onto wall and explode.
"Gravity's to the side sir, that's the floor as we see it now."
[color=#FFFF00]"Lijie. We'll hold you and throw you down feet first. Move!"
Readjusting themselves, the marines "dropped" the first man down the hole and the rest of the party soon followed.
"Movement 10 o'clock!"
[color=#FFFFFF]A short burst of rounds later and the miner had metal in his legs. The party quickly moved forward and up towards the main control room.
"You two, cover the rear. Lt Vega, Blow the door."
[color=#FFFFFF]The door, much like the ship, was not designed to withstand this type of boarding. Xu kicked it in and threw a flashbang in. Disorientated and confused, the miners were quickly smacked to the ground.
"Don't move. If you do, you get shot. Vega, secure the engineering station. Tomaz, give me helm control."
[color=#FFFFFF]The remaining marines cuffed the miners, put them against the far wall and raised their rifles. Within a few moments, helm was restored and the ship was under their control.
"Excellent. Perfectly executed. Now - Let's get back to 52 before the big guns get here."
[color=#FFFFFF]He then turned to the miners.
[color=#FFFF00]"Now, we're going to drop you off in the lifepods very close to Solarius Station, or you could work for a better life in the Coalition. A life which will see you all live free from oppression! I will have Lt Tomaz give you all the relevant info. Xu to CPW-Xi'an, The ship is ours. Lead the way home."
[font=agency fb]Location: [color=#FFFFFF]Far side of Planet Odessa, Omega-52 Date: 14th June 819 AS
"Excellent, we're finally making progress."
[color=#FFFFFF]The Commandant looked at Doctor XiaoBei, who in returned muttered under his breath while he continued to work at the console. It had only been a couple of days since the raid on the Hegemon and Volgograd Industrial had come through for the workers and had managed to acquire a very old yet still usable Zoner Whale. Eureka moments had flashed through the control tower in the last 48hrs and now the workforce were making up for lost time. Ling looked down at a clipboard which showed the latest workers reports.
"According to this we're ready to install the magna-loaders. Next page states we're a bit behind on the main cruise drive."
[color=#FFFFFF]Again the good doctor was ignoring him, evidently far too busy in his work.
"Very well, I'll go for an inspection. I can see you have other matters to attend to."
[color=#FFFFFF]The Doctor waved and muttered something. Ling could not hear him properly but he did not care. He took a brisk walk down to the airlock and paused halfway over the bridge tethering the XR-1 to the station. On the other side of the station, he could just see the top of the XiaoSet poking out. Rather, the scaffolding around her as the ship was slowly and carefully pulled apart. Up and to the right, the sister station to this one was building the XR-2. The workers had built up morale by hosting a series of challenges to each other. Who could put in the weapons systems the fastest, who could maintain efficiency the longest and etc. Such challenges were fruitful and the work quality managers had reported rapid decreases in both accidents and compulsory redundancies. Ling did not like laying workers off if they made a mistake. In his opinion on a project as vital as this - They should be thrown out the airlock. High Command disagreed. He looked up to see the main clamps on the front of XR-2 retract.
"Surely not. Hah!"
[color=#FFFFFF]He rushed back up the stairs to the control room.
"Seems XR-2 beat us in getting the main cannon online."
[color=#FFFFFF]Ling looked over at the data. Sure enough, the cannon was finished on the soon to be CPW-Sickle.
"You don't sound to happy about it."
[color=#66FFFF]"There's something wrong in the data. It's probably all this bloody Phantom tech we've built in but this chart here.... "
Disaster struck. The entire station was rocked by a massive explosion. Alarms blared. Electric lines shorted and sparked. Monitors went dark and anything not tied down was thrown around the room. Several dark and tense moments later, Ling hazily stood.
"Doctor are you alright?!"
[color=#66FFFF]"What the bloody hell...... was..... THAT!! No no no...."
The shield generator which protected XR-1 had survived. Barely. XiaoBei tried in vain to get the computer systems back online while Ling walked to the window. One glance was all he needed.
"The Sickle's gone."
[color=#FFFFFF]He looked around in space, the station surrounding the Battleship-in-progress was utterly obliterated and there were fires all around space as different smaller bits of debris burned. The XR-1 below had taken a battering, but was still more or less intact. He bowed his head in a silent prayer and gritted his teeth. Today was a dark day indeed.
The eccentric doctor uttered a curse, flipping through charts and reports that were piled all over his work bench, trying to find the one he needed.
"You!" he bellowed at an engineer, "stop drooling and start being useful, Tea, hot and sweet..."
He lit a cigarette as he found the chart he needed.
"Well that isn't going to work," he remarked, looking up. "Someone take our main power flow convertor offline, and bloody quick, if you don't mind. I'd rather not join the XK-2 in vapourization."
He stuffed the chart under Ling's nose, tapping it with the pair of fingers holding his cigarette, spilling ash over the paper. "You see these numbers, they aren't supposed to be into those ranges. I warned the chief engineer of the XK-2 not to accept anything with a variance of point two or lower. This is alien technology we're playing with here, not some kids lego kit. Somethings are not plug and play..." He shook his head.
"We're going to have to strip out the whole system and try to find somekind of mega-resister just to regulate the powerflow. Though... temporary stop gap, flood the entire deck with coolant. Suspended in coolant we won't blow up."