Hraap-Admiral, commander of the Patriarchy’s 23rd Fang (Fleet) reluctantly focused on the seemingly endless rows and columns of sensor data presented to him by First-Technician. His needle sharp-claws dug into the sheet with frustration, for it seemed like the higher one rose in rank, the more time was spent staring at never-ending piles of paperwork. Even worse, he couldn’t lose face by letting one of his underlings notice something that he missed. With a resigned sigh he sank down onto his crash-couch and began to review the information. Kzinti eyes, evolved for catching hidden prey in the jungles and tall-grass plains of Kzinhome, were surprisingly well-suited for finding patterns and trends among all the sensor-data.

After what seemed to Hraap-Admiral an exceedingly long time, but was actually just a couple octals of minutes, his eyes suddenly widened and his ears fanned out to their full extent. “I haven’t seen these types of energy signatures for months! It looks like a fleet from those beings calling themselves the High Command Hegemony.” He leaned over, flicked a switch, and spoke into a microphone, “First-Technician, report to my quarters hastily!” He disliked dealing with the technically-oriented members of his crew, for they often seemed most un-Kzin-like, preferring to be jacked-into the databanks of the ship or poring over technical manuals, instead of hunting, fighting, or making ch'rowl with kzinrettis.

The door chime on Hraap-Admiral’s door sounded and he spat out “Enter!”, and First-Technician came into the room. The Admiral noted with disdain the data-jack that emerged from the Technician’s right eye socket as if he had been born with it.



Using the imperative/superior mode of the Hero’s tongue, Hraap-Admiral demanded, “Speak quickly First-Technician, did you look at these readings before you gave them to me?”

Ears laid back on his head and adopting a traditionally submissive body-posture, First Technician said, “No, fiercest of Admirals! I did as you instructed and gave the readings directly to you.”

“The juices of obedience flow strongly through your liver, Technician. You have done well.” Leaning over and pointing to a group of sensor readings from what the Kzinti referred to as the Eye of Sherrek quadrant, he continued, “What do you see here Technician?”

Nervously, First-Technician scanned the data, wondering if this was some logical trap the Admiral was setting. Quickly though, his mind snapped back into technical mode. “It looks like a fleet, Admiral, but it is unfamiliar to me.” He knew what the data signified, but chose to let the Admiral “make the discovery”.

“These beings have not been seen in this quadrant for a very long time; They are from the High Command Hegemony, a once great empire that has fallen to decay and waste. We have taken many systems from their now feeble grasp, and some of those among them who have the heart of a true Hero have wisely chosen to join us. This looks to be the largest of their fleets that has been seen in many octals of days.”

“Ah yes great Admiral, I see it now. Your senses are indeed keen!” Inwardly, he hated all the tail-stroking that was required to rise in rank in the Patriarchal forces.

“Dismissed, First Technician.!” The Admiral turned his back and resumed gazing at the report, hearing the hiss of the door closing behind his subordinate.

“The Fanged-God has indeed blessed us this day. This fleet should be entertaining prey, for the Hegemonians have always been cunning opponents.” The Admiral knew well though that there were more ways to earn glory and honor for the Kzinti Empire. Perhaps the commander of this wandering fleet had the heart of a Kzinti, and felt the juices of battle flowing through his veins. “We shall see…”, he thought to himself.

He flicked the comm-switch again, “Helm, plot an intercept to the coordinates coming through now. To the crew of the 23rd Fang, ready for possible battle! Condition green, repeat condition green!” The satisfying hum of the hyper-drives spooling-up was music to the ears of the Kzinti, as it meant that soon they would have another chance to engage their foes and win honor for themselves and the Empire.

Sentient species taste better...

Thanks, Dick_Dastardly. Hopefully Popcorn Avenger will respond, and this will turn into something interesting.

Sentient species taste better...

Sitting Behind His Office on Visor, Everflyer Scanned over Trade Agreements from his many loyal races. His long Teal hair hung low, it came to about half way down his back. His double-bladed sword hung on the wall behind him. The sword itself was hand made and had lasted over 70,000 years of war and time, yet it remain perfectly intact. Neither was it ominous, or Scary looking. It was quiet a remarkable weapon. Relising he had let his mind wonder from the task he quickly turned back to the data pads. He may have been a robot but he had more human features. Xionian Robots were Very well programed, Physically and mentally he looked and acted like a normal biological begin. He even wore cloths. Blue and Teal cloths covered his body, they where more about honour rather than formal wear. Once a great worrier and leader, now a Leader with alot of trade problems. He missed combat sometimes.

It had been a while since Everflyer had to do this kind of work, After his encounter with the Beast and the Destruction of the Xionian Robots he hadn't had a chance to catch-up on his political skills.

Everflyer could have easily Downloaded the nessecary files right into ihis programing but he felt the need to learn things the natural way. It was the only way to bring balance to this situation. Even if it was a boring task.

Everflyer remembered back to his early teaching over 80,000 years ago, right at the begining of the Xionian wars. That fight between the Brutal and Barbarian Xionians and their robots Devestated the Universe they lived in for thousands of years. His Master had taught him about universeal powers and magic. "Inorder to bring balance to the universe you must bring Balance to yourself" Was one of his most popular lines. What he spoke was true, Everflyer needed to sometimes balance even the most irrelivate things so that the Universe would grant it's full power to him so he could then balance the major events like war and overwhelming powers.

He could hear the staff outside his room start rushing around. "What is going on out there?" He whispered to himself. He was ment to run the T.U.F.C and maintain order amongest the many races under his rule, But his staff almost made it impossible. When ever there was a traffic jam or an un-idenified ship that entered the T.U.F.C space they freaked out.

This time was different though. Ever stood up from his seat, He could sense a new event unfolding. He hovered over to his computer screen and quickly accessed the veiw screen.

"Ops... States report." He commanded to the Technician who had answered.
The tech turned to a second screen and then faced him again and said "Sir we have a fleet of Kzinti ship that are trying to cross our space, we register 7 dozen of them. They do not have clearence and they have powered weapons".
Everflyer could Finally understand why everyone was in a rush. Kzinti often Mean business. Technically they are allies with The T.U.F.C but for some reason Everflyer had never really trusted them and made sure he honoured one of their oldest and noblest laws, "If your claws can grasp it, it's rightfully yours". He made sure he could grasp all of his terretory so as to keep the Kzinti from thinking about invasion. Looks like the Kzinti where looking for a T.U.F.C target.

Ever snapped is fingers and instantly he was in the command nucleus of this planet. He turn to the ranking officer of the complex. "What is the states of the Kzinti Fleet. where are they going?" He asked.
"Right now sir... We haven't a clue. we checked our logs, they are heading into empty space on the other side of our terretory" he said puzzled "I'm sorry sir but we haven't found a reason for them to be doing this yet".
"... Think like a Kzinti. their is 1 thing most active in their gene. the need to fight.
Their fleet size segests they have found a target.
They are on a Direct course which mean they know exacly where it is.
Since the Kzinti are worrier whom believe in pure combat we can rule out a trade line or starbase. They are not into pety Piracy. This is a military target.
Judging by their speed I guess it a strike attack. they need all the speed and time they can get their furry claws on. in which case their target is alive and moving and asking us permission to pass through our space would cost them precious time which they don't have. with no homing beacon detected we can guess that their prey has no idea their in danger..."
The Crew stop and stare for a bit, Stunned that their leader has sussed out that plot of things merely but knowning the race well enough to judge their actions. they then resumed their work.
"So we have nothing to worry about then..." The Ranking officer said, delited.
Everflyer called the Ranking officer aside "I want to detain the Kzinti a bit longer. We neede to show them that violating our space is not permited. We need tow frigates and I recommend a class 4 EMP frigate. send a dozen warships to escourt them."
The ranking officers face turn from delite to horror. "With a force like that those ships will be torn apart! Are you really segesting a surcide mission?"
"No... You can take the Karli If you must but I would like to just send them a warning. If they reject the Idea I want you to fry them with an EMP and Towed back to space dock where we can impound their ships until further notice. this is a police action now, not a war. No blood shed. If we allow them to pass through imagine what example this will set for our standards. The EMP is the only none violent measures we have of disabling a ship for long periods of time. Assemble a fleet and go" Everflyer ordered.
The ranking officer Bounded down the corridor towards the command post.

(3 Hours later) Everflyer could see the ships launching from the docks. the T.U.F.C's Military was young, just like the empire itself. Lucky most races had decided to donate their military inorder to defend the corperation.

"Sir... we still read the Kzinti ships In hyperspace, they are halfway across our space now sir. Our ships will engage them at 3/4" Ops reported.

Everflyer Glared at the charts. He then reachout our with his soul to the Kzinti ships. Sure enough he saw them, small and large, battle ready ships. He then truned to the direction they where headed. He used his mind to speed ahead. he passed their space, towards a space ship traveling towards a Guardians nebular. That nebular was part of the T.U.F.C's space... it was home to a feirce group called the Guardians. They were one of the first members to join the corperation. they had donated half their ships also.

Everflyer closed his telekenetic powers and returned to his body.

"Ops, Is the Guardian Sensor nods along the Gizi Nebular avaliable to us?" Ever asked
"Yes sir we have access to them. Running sensor sweep... their is a faint power signature, it can't be... Re-running scan... sir that's a ship using a Power dampener. it's Ion trail leads right through our space. looks like it took damage though and the power dampener was damaged." He replied.
"Can you get a visual?" Ever asked again.
"yes sir, On screen now"
Ever stared at the alien vessel, He knew the Hull well, and the symbol painted into the hull made it clear.
"that's a High Command Hegemony ship isn't it?" one of the tech Said.
"Get our fleet on the coms now!" He barked, this was Ever's chance. he knew the Autobots and the Kzinti had heavely attacked the High Command Hegemony when the Xionian Robots arrived in this universe. He was intreged to know about the long gone race. Actually that is wrong, For all Everflyer knew they could be alive a triving. but first he needed to impound that ship so the Kzinti couldn't touch it.
"Grid Fleet 3! Emergency Hyperspace! sector 45, mark 567, mark 7964. Your are ordered to impound a High Command Hegemony, it has entered the Gizi nebular without permission. Use Minimal force I want them to be treated like guests not prisoners." Everflyer commanded.

This would truely be a fine moment in History. He only hoped he didn't mess it up.

so, this is an AAR using MV empires, right?

I hate wednesday, I could never get a hang of wednesday. This was the first thought of a Arthur Dent, who until recent circumstances changed was supposed to be by all intents and purposes dead. But yet he was alive, and as well as one could be when ones home was completely and utterly demolished for the second time. It is true what they say, a Vogon never gives up.

"Attention all crew members, this is Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz speaking. We have just cleared the Sol system, and are now on the move to rejoing the main construction fleet near Alpha Centauri. Prepare for Hyperspace Clearance."

Arthur's stomach sank, he now remembered what happened, worse he was now onboard a Vogon ship for the second time in his life. And the first time was to say the least, very unpleasant. All he do now is hope that he wasn't found. He looked down at his hands, at the glint of the 'hitchiker's thumb' Ford had given him. He sighed, where was Ford now? Dead like the rest of Earth's sentients, or was he also spared somehow. None if it mattered now Arthur though, it was time to try and be resourceful.

The ship rattle and the roar of its subspace engine filled the air. Sparks flew and several panels dropped from the sealing as the ship entered Hyperspace. One particular panel, of one particularly bad panel manufactured had the misfortune of being glued to the ceiling with one particularly bad edheasive, which was applied by one particularly inept Vogon. We speak of this particular panel, because this particular panel soon was one of the dozens that dropped from the ceiling, but instead of falling to the floor unharmed it fell on the head of our poor hero and promptly smashed into four even pieces. And what of our hero? Well he was now slightly unconscious....

The Vogon Flagshop dropped out of Hyperspace on scheduele. Its rusty patchwork hull caught the glint of the Alpha Centauri's stars as it began its quite slow approach to the rest of the Vogon Construction Fleet. As far as the crew of the Fleet new, its job with Earth was finally finished, and they will probably get some quite well deserved rest filling some papers back on Vogsphere.

That was of course, untill somewhere in the great filling blocks of Vogsphere some lowly clerk made the inept mistake of rounding a digit too soon. This inept mistake would send the Vogon Fleet and our unsuspecting hero into a ragin war of disastorous propritions. For this particular digit was the one of the coordinatess for the Fleets next departure to the next system schedueled for demolision.

The Fleet was now ready for departure, its ships lined up in neat rows, 10 wide and 10 deep. One by one the ships were granted Hyperspace clearance, and one by one they dropped out into subspace. No one had any idea that their next destination would not be the Silver Moon of Augular Mento, but instead a relatively undeveloped system that the local populace called "Zrinj". It only took a few hours to reach, and soon the Fleet was upon the periphary of the system.

"Attention all crew members. We have no entered the Augular Mento system. Our orders are to demolish completely the Silver Moon. As you can see by the star charts the Silver Moon lies dead ahead. Begin surrounding the system and charging all frontword Matter Dissemblers."

Prostentic Vogon Jeltz leaned back in his chair. Another planet to be cleared away, another hyperspace lane to be built. All in a days work for a Vogon. He looked out at the remarkably desert looking moon, he was about to sigh when his mind finally processed what he saw. He looked back at the small projection of what the Silver Moon was supposed to look like, and sadly it wasn't supposed to be a desert. It wasn't supposed to be populated either, however the scans now showed several large energy signatures. This was of course troubling to poor old Jeltz, but he wasn't about to argue with orders, if he was sent here it was for a reason, and he would carry out his job. However, now that he knew the planet was populated he would have to make an announcement to the sentients of the planet to evacuate if possible. He quickly ran a background check on the planet. Population and almost every other statistic was unknown, even the name was unheard of. Still regulations clearly stated that sentient species had a right to know if their home was being demolished.

"People of this unknown world, it is has come to our attention that your world is next on our list of worlds to be demolished. Now do not despare, your world is being demolished in order to provide the Hyperspace Planning Committe with a new hyperspace lane to the more undeveloped sections of the Galaxy. If you have any complaints you may submit them to your nearest Developement Office. Thank you and have a nice day".

Hmmm....TGE, that sounds VERY familiar for some toatlly inexplicable reason.   

Sentient species taste better...

Aren't we all.

Won't allow me to edit the post - not sure why, it just does it sometimes. Wanted to say I have forgotten much, and am not sure what a "AAR" is. For me this is just fiction with more than a few contributing authors

mindbogglingsoulwrenchingdismayjoyscentmetalflowerlibidolinearstarwashTHRUMM!


Several medium to smallish fleets of Hegemony ships winked into normal space as they cavitated, shone with a brief burst of luminescence as well as emitting some hard gamma and x-ray radiation. Appearing at the edges of the Zrinj system, each group of ships immediately sent a brief tachyon micropulse to the neighboring fleet, synchronizing their internal clocks and confirming ship status.

The sight of one fleet alone would be dismaying to any world caught unprepared. Four Annihilator-class heavy cruisers, each with enough firepower to decimate planetoids, surrounded one of the three remaining HCH Dominator class battleships, which acted as the central hub and coordinator. Releasing molecular bindlocks holding them virtually welded to the hulls of all four ships, several dozen fightercraft and space marine boarding pods issued forth, forming a third spherical picketline about the massive warships. One subfleet alone would give nearly any planetary enemy nightmares, four appearing in tandem about the system often brought about instant capitulation, always an outcome favored to actual combat.

. . and we can't afford to lose many of these ships, the Commander thought. He sighed, briefly bowing his chin upon his chest as the datastream packets flooded in, burying his HUD in mountains of flashdata and visuals. With no central base to be had, no planetary resource, the supplies and lifeblood of this forgotten fleet came from the occasional asteroid or other stellar body encountered. The valuable ones rare compared to majority, worthless space rocks and plasmoids thrown off by impudent suns or even darkmatter comets.

Once synchronized, the four subfleets began to slowly circle inward in the classic corkscrewing manuever "Rally Boy", cleaning up space mines and satelites as they went, and disgorging several varieties of nanite bombs, psionic mines, and mono-molecular ship impalers. Robotic weaponry, mind bending mental bombs, and disablers should an enemy fleet attempt to intervene in planetary conquest.

The latter devices were completely passive, invisible spears, or shards, of ultradense dwarf star matter, arranged along a monomolecular bond. Passive until the gravity well of a passing hyperdrive capable ship came within range, they would be drawn to the ships like bees to honey, ignoring classical energy shielding, and piercing most known forms of alloy or armor. In other words, nearly invisible ship-killing FOD. Unfortunately they were few in number and would ignore any craft passing them not capable of instellar travel, or one with its drives completely shut down.

Five intervals out from engagement of the planet's sole space outpost, obviously a scientific platform of some kind, and suddenly another powerful and urgent tachyon micropulse flashed about the system. Nearly every subfleet halted in it's advance, one so close to the Kzinti observation platform its captain swore he caught the gaping face of a Kzin at one of the viewports staring at them. The small space munitions lauched from this source was largely ignored by the approaching fleet, save for the deadlier missiles, which were dispatched by the few AMM's the cruisers could spare. Several winks of light denoted the extinction of fightercraft not so fortunate.

The Kzinti prepared their counterattack and defense of this remote frontier world. Then came the unexpected. With a ponderous turn that belied their true speed, the four fleets abruptly recalled their fightercraft, spun on their axis, and launched themselves towards a rally point on the opposite edge of the system from where the first appeared. As they traveled the space munitions and mines were collected and stored once again, costing them nearly an interval in and of itself. Several collector craft and converted constructors were destroyed by pursuing Kzinti fightercraft as they did so, yet the bulk of the fleet did not pause to contest it.

Once they arrived at the new rallypoint, a full interval later, their singularity drives spun up to the tune of a singular calculation, and the subfleets joined in one massive hyperjump out of the system. A scant interval ahead of several Kzinti fightercraft brave enough to chase the massive fleet.

" . . not one but possibly three different sets of encrypted communications? Another fleet appearing in the system, with, of all things, armed Constructors? The Omegascan hinting at even more potential enemy minds out there?"

Several rather descriptive - and inventive - curses followed before the current leader of the last of the Hegemony forces digested the data and the full import of what was occurring was made evident to him.

Wilson spun from the display, clasping his arms behind his back. Arrayed in his impressive biomechanical armor, he appeared undismayed, even intrigued, by the unexpected events. His exoskeleton's power signature slowly faded as the semi-intelligent armor powered back down into a maintenance mode. Battle would have to wait it seemed, and he grimaced as the suit jabbed him anew, releasing several chemical counter-agents into his bloodstream, counteracting the battle cocktail that had been swimming in his system. Tiredness immediately set in, as well as a mild depression, normal for post battle fatigue. The metallic taste in his mouth, however, would take several hours to go away, and he ordered up a fresh pot of coffee from the ship's replicators. Then he mentally cued the ship's comms, his voice beamed out from the command center to the captains of the three battleships.

"We've clearly stepped in it, gentlemen. This sector of space is not as empty as our initial scans revealed. Initiate plan Better Side of Valor." He heard the faint chime as the message was stored in the ship's databanks, ready to be emitted to the fleet once they regained normal space.

Likely we were detected by several passive scan deep space hyperradar sites, he thought. The floor beneath him thrummed with the vibration of an entry into normal space, the ping of another synchronization pulse and a datastream burst conveying his orders . . . and then the thunderous, teeth-jarring clap of yet another jump. One of many in several small hops taking them to the nebula's discernible edge. It was the deep space equivalent of "running for cover" as each subfleet leaped from gravity well to gravity well, doing their best to use stellar phenomena to mask their entry radiations as they proceeded onwards.

Everflyer watched in astonishment as the fine ships of the HCH blinked into the sector. there weaons at the read to dispose of an enemy at a moments notice. Everflyer lowered his holo-suit to reveil his true form to the HCH officers.

"Well it seems I have miss judged the extent of your empire" he said calmly "it turns out you have no need for our assistance after all. We look forward to the benefits our empire can offer to one another. But until that time I must depart. Good luck with your upcoming battle HCH officers".
The Officers just stared at him, but soon came to their senses and gave him a warm smile, stood up ans saluted Everflyer. Everflyer inturn Bowed low with his hand and arm placed across his chest. a simple sign of great respect.

"I cannot believe this trip was for nothing" Zekk replied on the return trip to the outpost.
"Nothing was in vail Zekk. I can assure you" Everflyer said, and he was right. Ever could already feel one of the Universal strings tighten, balances was restoring.
"ok well don't you go all strange on my and telling me about all the vodo stuff you learned. You know I have no interest in it" Zekk said "besides, I can see nothing wrong with this universe..."
The comms panel lit up. An encrypted message from High command. Ever could feel the anguish in this message.
"Everflyer... Its a distaster. Dispite our constant messages the Vogon fleet they have plotted a course for solar Prime, the celerion homeworld. Preparations are underway for another emergency Hyperspace into sector 58673 mark 6785 mark 12, ight infront of the Vogon fleet. Hyperspace Inhibitors have been placed in all our ships. the Celerion fleet will also meet up with us. We await your arrival to Command the Karli into comebat" the message stopped playing.
"Zekk we need to get back now" Everflyer said.
"Understood, YOu have my ship aswell" Zekk replied.
Ever stared at him, Like he had said. Half brave half foolish.

Aboard the Karli Again. Old memories came rushing back to him, those old days of just Everflyer and the Karli. He had taken on so many races in this proud vessel, never once had he even come close to loosing those fights.

His fleet in tow. 146 ships all as large or larger than a frigate. the smaller fighter wings where stored inside the larger ships. The Mantis had donated the very best of their fleet, 6 tiamat crusiers stood ready with hundreds of fighters in bay. The Tiamats were basicly just hives, no other weapons. Those ships would stay far away from the combat zone but deploy devestating fighters into combat.

They would win this battle... and along side those Gaint Celerion Monoliths the enemies didn't stand a chance. everyone knew Celerion's, the only natural born Robots in the galaxy, where one of the most powerful defenders of all time. Hopefully they had Starburst defence bases with them aswell.

"All ships, prepare for hyperspace" Everflyer announced on a wide band channel. unlike hyperdrive, hyperspace was portal technology. point to point ship transport. very fast and effective.

the travel was over as soon as it started... the battle had begun. an armada of Vogon warships had just crossed the T.U.F.C Boarder lines. The 2 sides stopped staring eachother down. the Vogon cruisers had alot of anti-fighter weapons, but no weapons of which could harm the larger cruisers of the T.U.F.C fleet. The Karli Moved forward. The Lead Vogon crusier moved forward. A channel was opened.

"This is the Vogon high command. We have clearance to demolish these planets for our new hyperspace route" ~vogon
"This is Everflyer. Leader of the T.U.F.C. you have crossed our board lines WITHOUT clearance from my government. you make threats about destroying The Celerion homeworld. YOur Clearance to destroy this planet my be issued by me, which I'm not allowing such an action to take place. Destroying this planet is an open act of war" ~ Everflyer
"Did you have clearance to make that hyperspace jump? and to clame this area of space?" ~ Vogon
"We didn't need clearance this space belongs to the Celerions and since they are under our companies banner we own this space. You re not permitted to enter this space" ~ Everflyer.
"We have been ordered to construct a hyperdrive route through this area of space" ~ Vogon
"You will have to go around this area of space then. We are not allowing unknown traffic to pass throguh this area of space and cerianly not at the cost of the Celerion homeplanet. Leave now or we will open fire!" ~ Everflyer
"hold on... we need clearance to start this war" ~ Vogon
"We you go get your clearance while we destroy your fleet. OPEN FIRE!" ~ Everlfyer
"Do they have clearnace to do that" ~ Vogon
"...No!..." ~ Vogon officer

The Karli chargered into battle, it's weapons blazing. The rest of the fleet followed. Celerion ship closed in from top and bottom, their sweeping beam weapons cut throguh the Vogon ships with little trouble. Clearly this race hadn't developed shields. Everflyer felt the need to cut up soimething himself... Maybe it was his primative Xionian programing. but he intended to satify it.

He launched himself out the airlock. sword in hand... as it would seem the vogon only just got their clearance to fire. most their shot reflected off the hulls and shields of the larger ships. Causing little or no damage... the Karli was mowing the ships faster than any ships and had definately received no fire. Everflyer swooped down towards one of the vessels. blade at the ready. the sword turn white and with a single swing Ever had sliced the ship in 2. He thrusted his arm towards another ship and it exploded on site. he grabbed anther with his mind and thrusted it into another vessel. With the Vogon fleet in full retreat Everflyer took one final look at them... In his mind he could feel the magic swelling up inside him. He attached his sword to his back plate and placed his hands infront of him. With a flick of his wrists the remaining ships exploded in an astonishing display of fireworks.

the ship reports came in... so far the most damaged ship was the Astron which received a micro fracture on it bow. repairs would take about 10 mins. As it would seem the celerions were right in their assumption that the enemy had inferior technology to their own. an estimate guess would be if they had attacked solar their fleet would had the same fate.

Returning to the capital, Everflyer hung up his sword in it's same place. he took a moment to pray for the mana godess to take those Vogon souls under her wing. For now, more policical issues awaited everflyer once more.

A small asteroid floating in the depths of the void.

Adrift in the sea of stars, this space rock, composed of impure iron ore and quartz silicates floating, seemingly oblivious to the massive energy discharges and explosions occuring in and about the planet nearby.

Unbeknown to the fleets contesting the fate of the small Kzinti outpost, this small rock was completely artificial in origin. An outer mantle of rock hid a sophisticated listening array and computer controlled by advanced espionage AI. Watching and listening with it's passive hyperradar and multi-spectral bandwidth scanners, it floated serenely as it progressed in a slow but stately orbit about the system's primary sun.

It's prey was not life forms but data. Once it had captured enough information, consisting mostly of weaponry employed, encrypted communications, ship size and numbers it performed a quick active-scan of its immediate surroundings. Then the rock suddenly spun as a attitude rocket flared into life, aligning its primary tachyon gun out-system.

It fired a tight burst of hard radiation bearing several tetrabytes of data. Uninterceptable by any save it's intended target, this impudent flare of temporal energy revealed its existance and location for a brief nanosecond. The effort in creating and firing the databurst, however, completely consumed the space rock and its contents, destroying the AI as it performed its final act of compliance to its masters, the HCH.

An investigating ship racing to the vector noted the artificial composition of the exposed debris that marked the origin of the tachyon databurst. Of it's creator, however, little or nothing remained save spacedust, pebbles and fist sized debris . . . . .

Wow...lots more content since last night. Excellent job everyone.   Popcorn Avenger, what a great way to return to GalCiv2 & the forums!

Not sure when I will post next...I'm away for the next day and a half visiting friends for a gaming get-together.


Going to contribute General Homsar? You are one of my favorite writers on these forums.

Sentient species taste better...

A flicker at the edge of consciousness. A bright fragment that sears and instantly fades. Gone.

The torpid mind of the hibernator ponders for hours, weeks. Wake, it sighs.

After the med units power down, he discovers he has enough muscle tone left to grab a handhold and peel himself off of the grid. The ambient temp is still low, and drying flecks of supermeringue along his back start a serious case of the shivers. He channels the energy into a kick that propels him slowly through the doorway. Microgravity is good.

A few more kicks, pulls, and a bruise from an encounter with a hatch lip bring him to Central. The only lights come from the panel he floats above. Only vocal commands can access the data he needs; speaking hurts, but little is needed. An Admiralty-Class event is noted.

From a far sector, a helicon pulse has been detected.

Only the designated recipient would have received the coded message, but the burst is a message in itself. Two messages, actually. A powerful artifact of the High Command Hegemony has activated to deliver a critical datastream. And it would only have done so if there had been a lockon recipient.

He brushes a shock of brittle white hair back from his face and begins punching up more data. Nothing worth a bug's eye.

With returning agility, he hauls himself from grip to grip along the unlit corridors. The vanished emperor is still long gone. The HCH fleets that still register all fight under other banners now. The grinding upheaval of the League Wars has worn away his resources and finally, so he had believed, his will to go on fighting. The Corinthian had once come from the realm of Dream, and sought to return. Now this.

Was that pulse the last gasp of a dead behemoth? Probably. But the environment scans had showed a few items of interest, after all. Mysterious new crystal-based energy structures have been sighted around the galaxy. New technologies are being discovered everywhere. Upstart young empires have risen up to challenge the old order. And apparently cats rule most of the galaxy.

The Corinthian laughs aloud for the first time in decades, the mouths in his eye sockets outdoing the properly-placed one. Later, in the meditative state that serves him for sleep, he dreams of planets and fire.