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+--- Thread: The Catalyst. (/showthread.php?tid=199864)
RE: The Catalyst. - RedEclipse - 11-03-2023
A sudden bright source of light appeared above the Comercio Fantasma, a ship of immense sizes glimpsed out of nowhere and swiftly astir in station direction. "This is the Phoenix flagship Hyperion to Comercio Fantasma, we're requesting permission to moor…" The Hyperion amplified its tow and engaged mooring protocols.
Christian was about to leave the bridge, glimpsed at James "You're captain of the Hyperion in time of my absence". He went through the elevator and James said “Chris! There you go!” he took a glance on James and saw something flying in his direction. “Thanks James, I almost forgot about my nostrils filters and to what station we are docked to”.
As Christian went though Hyperion’s corridors and reached out airlock he wear the filters “It's been a really awhile since my last visit on Outcast reaches” As he reached out to Fantasma’s hangar bay, he was full of confidence continued forward, as many space stations following same pattern on terms location of premises.
He opened the door that led to the meeting room, everyone glanced at Christian, he slowed down and slightly smiled and said “It's nice to meet you face-to-face gentlemen…” He noticed a lady in the chair “and ladies.” He quickly glanced around the room and found only one familiar face and slightly nodded, slowly stride to the chair, and layed down in there “Sorry if you had to wait for my arrival. The preparation for… Liberation takes all of my time and power but it's all worth it to pull those barbarians back home. Lots of variables need to be handled, practical evacuation of the Pygar planet has started, as we don’t know how far Corsairs would go.” He settled and layed back in the chair “But I guess Mr. Chenzo informed everyone what brought us to this place. I would like to hear your thoughts on this matter”.
RE: The Catalyst. - Implosion - 11-03-2023
Gabrielle put out her cigarette and looked at the man that had just entered the room.
" Wise move to evacuate the planet. The Corsairs care little for civilian casualties. We shouldn't either. Tell me...Mr..."
Her eyes lit up ever so slightly as she scanned the man.
" ...Burton, are your people prepared to do what has to be done? I'm putting the lives of my own on the line here. Considering the history the Core and the Zoners share, this is a big step for us. It was not too long ago that I personally delivered a NEMP device to a certain Freeport and detonated it. For which I do apologize, but we had no choice at the time. Sorry about that. "
Despite her words, her face was as cold as the vacuum outside.
" And please, do not forget, my main purpose here is to bring as much destruction and suffering upon the Corsairs. Of course, we will try to limit the damages to the base to a minimum. Freeport 9 is much more useful to us intact and under Zoner administration. Business is business, after all."
RE: The Catalyst. - RedEclipse - 11-05-2023
Christian slightly nodded, remaining calm “Zoners had multiple clashes around the Sirius sector, including your group. The recent Freeport 11 accident has a little to do with us, as back then we were out on the Great Voyage, out of the Sirius sector...” Christian glanced at Chenzo and gestured “Mr. Chenzo, can I have a coffee? It's been several sleepless nights for me. Though no need for special flavoring like cardamine, please.” he glanced at Gabrielle with dowsing thoughts and continued “We are dealing with common threats here on the ground, without grievances of the past, especially when Core was a subdivision of the Bounty Hunters. Of course, it can even grow to something bigger, than a temporary coalition." Although the Christian face looks to be transfixed, it seemingly sounds as indifferent.
“As for Freeport 9 boarding, you can leave it to my boys. If we would encircle the station from the flanks, Corsairs have no other choice but to fight or surrender onboard of the station.” he continued more impulsively “Execution methods of Corsair ships is irrelevant for me, but I would like to to keep in mind - Freeport 9 shouldn’t get more damage than the holes for the infiltration team. There’s no point in wasting all our efforts.”
RE: The Catalyst. - Implosion - 11-05-2023
Gabrielle nodded, as a sign of agreement with Christian.
" Business is business. We can surely draft something that's beneficial for us both."
Gabrielle took out another cigarette and lit it.
" ...But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Back to the matter at hand. You have my word that no Core ship will fire upon the station. I'm not entirely certain it's wise to enter the base on your own. We have excellent strike teams, armed with devastating close quarters weapons. Plasma whips, particle shotguns, optical camouflage and body armor that's insanely tough to penetrate. If anything, we can lend you a shipment of our toys. Your marines would love them."
RE: The Catalyst. - RedEclipse - 11-05-2023
Christian answered with consency “If you can spare with your own the infiltration team it would be really appreciated. I merely want to save up the resources of the involved groups, though we can’t really estimate the number of their soldiers aboard the station, so the more of people mean less casualties for our side.” he continued after with a more attuned speech, weighing every word “I’ve contacted various groups across Edge Worlds, who could come up in our aid. The Coalition had shown their interest, so we can count on their aid. I have really no clue what your relation is, but they are quite straight to join up the temporary coalition. We also could count on the help from other Zoner groups and individuals… But I’ll be honest with you - the least aid would be from our “fellow” brethren. The movement is rot, dispersed, decadent. I cannot blame them, but we should count this fact that could play against us.”
RE: The Catalyst. - Chenzo- - 11-05-2023
Upon Christian’s request, Chenzo got up silently and went to go and make coffee. He’d never made coffee before and was taken entirely by surprise at the request for it.
The Mollies he grew up with used to drink a lot of it. Sometimes targeting ships they knew held coffee more than ones carrying vital supplies which always confused him. Perhaps its common absence in Maltese society was based around Cardamine itself, the need for Coffee simply wasn’t there.
He was sure he had stockpiles of it somewhere.
Pacing through the hallways like a mad man he remembered, the food court next to the quiet bar that separated guests from the more lively side of the station. There’s even a machine for it!
As he glances at the screen, he’s presented with many words all perfectly readable, but none of which made sense. He read them in his head silently. Flat White, Americano, Latte, Vienna Coffee, Macchiato, Corretto, Frappe, Bicerin, Sirius Coffee, Espresso, Irish Coffee
As patience wasn’t his strong suite, he jabbed the ‘Irish Coffee’ three times and the machine got to work.
He remembered the Mollies used to call it Irish coffee. He’d tried it once and spat it out. Looked at by those around him as if it was a cardinal sin. He wasn’t offered it again.
Putting the three strange drinks on a tray & whisking himself back off to the meeting room. He enters just as Christian is talking about the Coalition.
Chenzo: Your coffee’s senors, senorita. I selected ‘Irish Coffee’ I do hope that’s to your liking. Now, did you just confirm suspicion or did I miss hear, the f**k’n Coalition?
Senor, I asked you to reach out to your trusted brethren of Zoners, not them…”
He paces back and fourth, slightly annoyed. He did however suspect it.
Chenzo: “This could actually work… If they have all enemy’s knocking at the same time they’ll be forced to retreat. We need to ensure they won’t turn on us the moment the Corsairs are no longer a threat.
Harabero, what do you think? Personally I thought we were going to blow the station to smitheries, salvage and rebuild.”
All eyes in the room on Harabero.
RE: The Catalyst. - BobMacaroni - 11-06-2023
Harabero was listening to the chatter. Which he liked - not that he could have gotten in anything of value otherwise - but he was otherwise content to listen to them for the time being. A true Maltese through and through, he preferred to gain more information about those he was dealing with than they had about him.
The Don assumed a more business-like posture than the relaxing, thoughtful one he had taken.
First of all before I say anything further. If we are asking the Coalition for involvement, we might also see if the Core representative can get the Order involved as well on our side?
A wicked grin spread across his face. He held up his hand.
The answer is no, if you didn't get it. If they want to throw themselves as cannon fodder attacking somewhere else, they can be our guests. But if we are to ally with the Coalition, we might as well search to make peace with the Corsairs while we are at it.
Harabero regained his more neutral expression
Now that that is out of the way... I do agree that the Freeport is best taken intact. It might rally even more to our side, perhaps? Indeed, it'll provide an even further buffer and forward outpost against them, and break down even more their operations in-
Nevermind. First things first. Actually taking the station shouldn't be difficult. But its protecters are the main focus.
The battleship Delos and the twin cruiser strike force Majorca and Minorca, as well as the respective escorts of each. Perhaps we might even be able to brute force through them? Although this would require Zoner assistance alongside our forces and...
The Don was almost sickened to say the next words. He hated to have to put any stock whatsoever in, his eyes, glorified bounty hunters.
The battleship Mars and its escorts. I am correct in assuming Omicron Kappa is sterilized for the most part? Perhaps you could divert further assets toward Omicron Theta.
He had a lot to say, but he hoped the conversation would stay on track. The big picture was most important, after all.
RE: The Catalyst. - RedEclipse - 11-06-2023
Christian took the coffee and started sipping it periodically, while listening to the points of Chenzo and Harabero. He knew that involvement of the Coalition would bewilder them. “Mr. Chenzo, great pick of the coffe. I believe this sort of coffee could have awaken the undead.”
His blue eyes looked up at them gravely, wondering “I believe everyone has come up with deep ingrained stereotypes of the Coalition, like me. Our past with them were same turbulent as with the Core, but I’ll be straight with you - ” He took the cup and drank the drink to the end “With their help we could block Corsairs in their damned homeworld and let them starve to death without Freeport’s goods transit and it’s production vegetables.” irritation was heard between his words “Never underestimate your enemy. They have already shown the face of how insidious they are.”
Christian leaned forward tensely, moved the cup away and folded his hands on the desk “Like I said, unfortunately there’s not much other Zoners have to provide, so I had to lurk for other possibilities. They are, just like us, fed up with Corsair's ambitions. Afterall, the strike force stiffened with more ships meaning less cost for us.”
RE: The Catalyst. - Implosion - 11-06-2023
Gabrielle picked up a cup of coffee and took a whiff.
"Sorry, I don't drink alcohol. I like to keep my mind sharp."
She coughed and continued.
" There is absolutely no way we'll work with the Coalition at this point. If you want to involve them, have them act as a distraction a few systems away from us. Furthermore, we'll not divert the Mars. Kappa is still a hot zone. The AI are handled, yes, but we still have the Corsairs there to keep at bay. We have dedicated Battlegroups, on standby, whose sole purpose is to conduct offensive operations, but I'm sure as hell not going to weaken our own defenses."
RE: The Catalyst. - Chenzo- - 11-06-2023
Chenzo listens as Harabero, Burton and Daniels speak. All Outcasts and Core were clearly out for Corsican blood, the Corsairs have relied heavily on freeports for the bulk of their food source for much longer than they had. Corsican logistics were a total shambles, blunt dumb luck is how they operated, like a rampant bull in a fine porcelain shop.
Chenzo: "Gents and Lady, perhaps I brought you here under under a false illusion. Zoner's are not war faring people, yet we inherently rely on them for goods and services we simply cannot collect any other way.
The sheer fact that ridding the Corsairs of Freeport Nine is of mutual interest to all is... Sheer coincidence.
How many times have we gritted teeth within the No Fire Zone? Our enemy so close you could strangle them with our bare hands.
How many times have we let the traitors float away?
Yes, of course these are negatives to the Zoner's ruling, however they are essential for what are essentially civilians to do their job. Zoner's don't need to be caught up in our war. But in this instance, it aids all parties to work together.
No war is won in a single fight. They are now getting used to the lifeline that is Freeport nine, how much of a blow would it be for them to lose it now?
The Corsairs will be drastically weakened without the use of Freeport Nine. You'd be a fool to think otherwise.
This fight can be won without the loss of any ships if we're smart about it. And please, you think at all I'd ever want to do anything but ruin the Coalition.
My point here is, this operation gives back to the Zoners and takes away from the Corsairs. The severe weakening of the Corsairs in itself is a massive victory, they'll have to wind their neck's in rather a lot.
I prepose we draw up a contract of actual unified law around freeports that those who actually use and value them are to abide by. If the law is broken in any way shape or form, the Zoners can issue a unified No Dock, in to which all signed up would have to send forces to attack, much as I'm trying to organise with you here. It means we all have warships ready for the assault.
It would mean that all Freeports are an actual Zoner safe haven for Zoners whilst not allowing their ports to hold scum launching attacks at us from, we would have to respect the fact both ways.
If any one party were to violate these laws, the Zoners instantly declare them hostile, we all attack. Heavy fines for the corsairs in this instance and of course, Dividends paid to all those in aid of freeing up the Freeport.
The aim here is to amass a force so big across multiple parties that it forces the Corsairs to 'fight or flight' and we all know they're either dumb and bold or just plain cowards."
He sits back down, clearly feeling deeply passionate about what he has said. It may have been part of the 101st's downfall and why he is the only one which remains, but honour above all other things is paramount. A man/woman is only worth as much as his/her word.