Lord Ryat looked at the viewscreen on the wall of his Squad Command Bridge which showed Admiral Alexander's grim smiling face. A formidable person obviously, fought valiantly against the Vasari since the beginning. Only fought the Advent when needed, but that didn't bother Ryat. "Thank you commander for appraising me of the situtation," Lord Ryat said, "Indeed it is dire but I have a few tricks up my sleeve. I also have the data of the fleet if you wish to view."
     "That would be appreciated Mr. Arnoldt," Admiral Alexander said, avoiding the honorific of Lord. TEC policy stated that you did not have to use any honorifics that are not standard TEC titles. "Indeed it seems that we are in for a fight. I was hoping that we could talk it all out, but does not look like that is possible," Alexander shrugged, "But, sometimes you got to fight."
     "You could always run for it," Lord Ryat suggested, "No one would blame ya."
     Alexander's smile tightened. "As could you," he pointed out, "My Lord."
     Lord Ryat laughed out loud at the comment, which allowed everyone within hearing to calm down. "Touche', Admiral, Touche'," Ryat said. He looked over at the tactical holotank, observing the construction vessels. "I see I'm not the only one planning on suprises. Good. Here is my little suprises" Lord Ryat sent over the info to Admiral Alexander's ship.
     Alexander's right eyebrow went up. "You are bringing them into this?" he said with a slight edge of disgust, "Im not sure who is worse."
     "Come now Admiral," Lord Ryat said soothingly, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend. And believe me when I say they don't want Iron to get a hold of this device." Alexander shrugged in agreement. "Plus when this is all over, they will help reopen the Phase Gate and take out the enemy on the other side."
     "They are willing to fight their own kind!?" Alexander exclaimed, "How can you trust someone like that!"
     "The same way I trust humans who do the same," Lord Ryat said, "Very carefully."
     Alexander looked at him for a moment, then shook his head. "Well, they said you were dangerous," he said, "guess they are right." He looked over the information again in a much more neutral manner. "Not many caps looks mostly like cruisers and frigates," he commented.
     "Well, we easily match up with caps but we are vunerable in the frigate cruiser department so I called them in to support us against this mass that Iron has." Lord Ryat said, "Though I was hopeful to talk him out of it. Doubt it though."
     Suddenly alarms went off. Both commanders looked over at their information centers in dread. -Ue_Iron had arrived.

A 1,000 light years away at the colony in the Orion Nebula all is peaceful until one day when Nilla Freedom was making his usual patrol route in the New Haven system, starting at the industrial planet, Terra. Nilla really hated being a patrol pilot and wanted to go back to what he was good at being a pilot in the T.E.C. which signed an armistice with an alien race, called the Vasari. After his usual route he picked up his son Annatar to continue his training to get his pilot's license, it was tradition of the New Haven colony to train their oldest child first to be a pilot because of the war so that the T.E.C. had extra pilots to spare if things got tough. During the one of the final lessons Nilla and his son pick up a message.

"Hello, is anyone there? Please respond!" Both Nilla and Annatar recognized the voice. It was Nilla's old friend from the war with the Deviants it was Colonel Tyler!

"I repeat is anyone out there?"

"Yes, this is the Freedom Blade, what's the problem?" said Nilla

"Nilla is that you? Man I'm glad to hear your voice." said Colonel Tyler.

"Yes, it's me Colonel....what's wrong you seem out of breath?" said Nilla

"The planet Niebuhr is under attack in the Sirrus system...GET OVER HERE NOW! Use the jump gate to get here faster than using the regular PJD, now hurry up and warn the others........."

"Colonel Tyler....Colonel Tyler!!" both Nilla and Annatar said

Serveral minutes later Nilla hears something it was Colonel Tyler he's still alive.

"Colonel Tyler is that you?, said Nilla, If he doesn't respond we're going to his location in the Cirrian Sector, so u need to get ready to fight Annatar. I have a feeling your goin to become a pilot sooner than expected."

"I just hope it hasn't come to fruition." Nilla said to himself.

"Hello, Nilla you still there? Please respond!" said Colonel Tyler "Nilla, Annatar you guys there, respond if you two are?"

"Thank the gods your still alive Colonel. What happened anyway?" both Annatar and Nilla said "We heard fighting, what's going on over there?"

"It's the Vasari they've returned and they're attacking Niebuhr! Hurry up and round up any T.E.C. militia men you can and get over here NOW!" Colonel Tyler said quickly.

"What?! I thought that both the T.E.C. and the Vasari signed an armistice!" said Nilla.

"We did but aparently they thought that the armistice ended and you can figure the rest of it out." Colonel Tyler said.

"Hmmm, I thought the armistice said 100 years not 5 years so why are they attacking us?" Nilla said questionably.

"Yeah it was 5 years ago today, I remember it because I was there when it was signed." said Colonel Tyler.

"Oh yeah that's right I forgot you had to go for me because it was my daughter's birthday.....by the way that reminds me. I'll contact you before me and Annatar are gone gathering them troops and yes I had Annatar record this conversation." Nilla said.

"Alright, and good thing you did...even though you are the most popular pilot but still good to have some evidence eh?" Colonel Tyler said additionally.

"Hey, this is Nilla and Annatar is my daughter there?" Nilla said.

"Yes she is, hang on I'll get her." said the babysitter.

"Dad, Anny, is that you?" said Katherine.

"Yes Katherine it's us just called to wish you a happy birthday. We left the presents with the sitter alright?" said Nilla.

"Ok, and when will you teach me how to be a pilot like Anny?" Katherine said.

"You have to be as old as I was when I started sis." said Annatar,"You got to be 16 so you have another 2 years to go."

"Ok, I can't wait to fly a battlecruiser like you and dad!" said Katherine.

"Alright Kathy put Summer back on I need to talk to her about something." Nilla said.

"Alright, I'll get her." Katherine said.

"Yes, Nilla?" said Summer.

"Don't tell Kathy this but, me and Annatar are going to be gone for awhile, something's happened at Niebuhr and we need to get there immediately and hopefully get some combat training in for Annatar so he can get his pilot's license sooner." said Nilla.

"Ok....wait did you say Niebuhr?" said Summer.

"Yeah why?" Nilla said.

"I've got family there! I hope they're ok." said Summer passionately.

"What?! When we get there I'll ask around to see if they're ok alright?" said Nilla.

Meanwhile over at Niebuhr....

"Where's (General) Freedom at (Lieutenant) Tyler? He should've been here by now with the reinforcements." said the Commander.

"No idea sir, I did tell him to gather as much as he could and knowing him he'll be bringing a huge fleet of ships with him." said Colonel Tyler.

"Yeah your right he would do that." chuckled the Commander.

Meanwhile back at Terra....

Alright is everyone ready to help Niebuhr out?" Nilla said.

"Yes sir General!" said the reinforcements.

"Your a General dad?!" said Annatar in surprise.

"You should already know that son." said Nilla seriously.

"Alright men on my mark we jump!" Nilla said.

"Yes sir!" resonated the fleet.

"Jump in 5....4....3....2....1....jump!" commanded Nilla.

Over at Niebuhr the battle still continues....

"Alright is everyone here and accounted for?" asked Nilla.

"Yes sir!" the fleet said.

"Alright men engage at will!" Nilla commanded.

The fight continues on for another few hours and ended with the Vasari retreating with their tails between their legs...

"Good thing you showed up Nilla or it wouldn't have turned out well for us." said both the Commander and Colonel Tyler in unison.

"We need to make a meeting with some of the others and my son will be there cause i think he just earned his wings from the fight" suggested Nilla.

"Yeah your right on both accounts ur son's a hell of a shot." said Colonel Tyler jokingly.

Later at the station in a secret sector in the Pillars of Life nebula.....

"What in the fraking hell was that?!" Nilla said angrily.

"No idea but that was fraking fun." Alexia said.

"This is no time for jokes Alexia." Nilla said in a bit of an annoyed tone.

"I know I just havn't seen any action in a while so....well I was just glad to finally see some action." said Alexia.

"She's right you know Nilla no of us have seen any action in a while." said Koren wisely.

no longer needed

[PERSONAL STORY/NO RELATION TO ANY OTHER POST]

So here's mine. I put it as a pdf, since it's sort of long, and I don't want to spam the thread. Also, pdfs are mad cool.

Prayer in the Night
Part I of Stormfall

Oh and it's totally DS related, for sure. Kimotro is totally a paradise planet. Fo sho.

Cadalancea

Lol wut? Both Norton and McAfee scan it as clean...

Cadalancea

no longer needed

Quite. Glad it worked though. Also glad that nothing bad happened!

Cadalancea

(NO LONGER NEEDED, SEE EDIT FOR OP)

Roesh, Founder of the Roesh Free Traders

Roesh served along the front lines during the initial Vasari invasion into Trader Space.  Like all ship captains, he was accustomed to fighting off pirates and chasing after smugglers, rather then taking on a fully armed and capable battle fleet.  However, due to above average frigate piloting skills and a whole lot of luck, he always managed to stay just one step ahead of the invaders.  After getting commissioned a new Dunov Class Battlecruiser for his efforts on slowing the advancement of the Vasari, he was called back from the front lines to provide battle experience and assistance in dealing with the sudden resurgence of the Advent.  Knowing full well that they couldn't stop the Advent, he favored the attack and withdrawl method that he was using against the Vasari to slow their progress until there was enough fleet buildup to outright halt the advance.  Having worked to great effect against two major foes, he was awarded several commendations by the TEC, commendations which he gave up in exchange for trade contracts that would take him away from front line activities.  Speculation has it that this was done because his home system was captured and the TEC refused to even attempt to take it back.  Further speculation has it that this move was made to personally finance his own military campaign to reclaim the system.

His personal choice of action is the feigned retreat which fools the enemy into chasing his forces out of the area, which results in the enemy being set up to be ambushed in the process.  Careful and calculating, Roesh favors the use of capital ships with light frigate and cruiser support when agression is needed, leaving the bulk of his frigates and cruisers behind to defend his assets and to provide an escape route should things get out of control in a hurry.  The Dunov, being a former trade ship redesigned for war, is his favorite ship and the flagship of his fleet.  It reminds him of himself.  Due to his humble beginnings, he refuses to acknowledge his TEC rank of Battle Group Commander, and refuses to let anyone call him "sir."  Most commonly you will hear people refer to him by name or by boss.  Little more is known about him or his past.



Todd Degroff, Fleet Engineer, Roesh Free Traders.

Todd trained to be a ship engineer shortly after the Advent began to invade Trader Space.  Proving to be a quick learner he was assigned as an engineering crew member on one of the first capital ships the TEC sent out to the front lines.  Being on a ship that saw lots of action almost immediately out of the shipyards, he got more on the job training then he knew what to do with.  Constantly making repairs to damaged systems and constantly making revisions to ship systems and total conversion upgrades based on TEC R&D, his skills became quite sought after on several front line ships.  Over the next several years, he was transferred from ship to ship further expanding his knowledge on the workings of everything the TEC had put out to space.  He became an expert ship mechanicand engineer, and strove to be a chief engineer someday.  To his disappointment though, he was never promoted to a lead position which ultimately forced him to begin to resent the command structure that was in place.  Becoming a problem for those who commanded him, he was eventually removed from the front lines to work in R&D near the core worlds of Trader Space.  His opportunity for a chief engineer position eventually came when he met another person dissatisfied with the workings of the TEC also returning from the front lines.

He gave up his commission within the TEC and signed on with the newly formed Roesh Free Traders as Chief Fleet Engineer.  Not only did he finally get the command position he sought all those years serving on the front lines, but his skills and knowledge of R&D projects quickly earned him the friendship of his new boss.  Essentially as Roesh's right hand, he helped to build a thriving and robust trade network that was second to none.  Many companies would offer credits, supplies, exclusive contracts, and anything else they could think of, just to lure him away from the RFT for a few days to teach their engineers a few tricks that he learned over the years.  Still being quite young and eager to learn the art of negotiation, it's believed by most that he will be Roesh's successor for the company, and that his future is as bright as the stars he flies to.



Henry Stolvey, Chief of Operations, Roesh Free Traders

Henry Stolvey met Roesh in the days well before the first invasion by the Vasari.  Working the same trade routes, they began to get competitive in almost everything they did.  Who could pilot the biggest ship, who could outrun the most pirates, who could deliver the goods faster, who could chug the largest beer...  If it could be turned into a competition, these two treated it as such.  This always present rivalry didn't make enemies out of them, instead it made them the best of friends.  At the beginning of the Vasari invasion, Henry was visiting the core worlds on vacation.  Unable to return since the the Traders banned travel to the affected systems until an effective military action could be set up, Henry had to rely purely on news reports for information on his friends.  For several weeks the only reports he could get were that the systems were lost.  It wasn't until a year later when he was traveling with much needed resupply ships to the Advent front lines that he was suprised to meet up with his old friend.  Immediately requesting a reassignment, he was transferred to Roesh's command where they picked up their rivalry right where it left off.  While hanging out and having a few drinks to forget the war for a little while, they formulated the idea that they would form a trade company together and use their ranking and all of pull with local suppliers to get themselves off to a good start.

Seeing his friend's distaste for how the TEC was running the war, he convinced Roesh that it was time they started their business.  Using Roesh's name since it was recognizable on both fronts, they set up resupply lines that quickly moved goods from the core worlds to front line positions.  Having a lot of battle experience, they weren't afraid to venture into enemy held systems to resupply TEC ships that were badly in need.  These actions alone garnered them much favor from many worlds and allowed them to sign exclusive contracts and expand rapidly.  Having a keener sense of business, Roesh easily agreed to let Henry take control of the company's operations, where he's happily been at ever since.  Every once in awhile Henry takes the time to mentor Todd when he's not too busy, to not only teach him how to run the company some day, but to also put him in constant contact with shadier business people that Henry himself cannot be seen associating with.


Casey Tahira, Head of the Mining and Salvage Division, Roesh Free Traders

Casey is a child of the Advent.  She spent her whole life learning the ways of her people, yet never wanting to achieve greatness.  She was more then happy to take a little more time for herself then that of the unity.  As this was an unpopular thing to do she didn't have many friends, nor did she care.  She spent much of her time studying the history of her people and how they came to be, as well as learning about geology and rare metals.  Her knowledge guarunteed her to be an outcast until the descision to reclaim their rightful place in Trader Space was made and plans were set into motion.  Next thing she knew, she was being sent out with expeditionary forces to set up resource collection operations to ensure the fleet's survivability if the war proved to be long and drawn out.  It didn't take long for the Advent to push their way into Trader systems and take them over.  Each time the call was made to expand, Casey was sent along with the advance forces.  During one of these pushes, the TEC set up a fairly hearty defense and held the line against the Advent assault.  Unfortunately for Casey, in the beginning moments of battle her ship was shot up and destroyed.  Doing as she was taught, she remained in her escape pod maintaining inner peace waiting for pickup.  That inner peace turned to rage when the fleet she was with turned and left as soon as Vasari forces entered the system, leaving several dozen of them stranded floating in space.

The Vasari and TEC clashed with little reguard to the Advent lifepods, destroying most with stray weapons fire.  Casey lucked out when her pod was gathered up by Roesh and the crew of his resupply ship.  Understanding that she now owed her life to the captain of the ship, she struck a deal with Roesh to turn over everything she knew about the Advent in the local systems, in exchange for protection from being turned over to TEC intelligence officials.  Roesh, took the information but couldn't promise her safety, so she worked out a new deal to ensure her survival.  With the promise to never use her mental talents on anyone tied to his company, he smuggled her away from the front lines and to the core of his operations where he'd allow her to work as a crew member on his trade ships.  Eventually, as his business grew and he needed to find new ways to hide her, she developed the mining and salvage division of his company so that she could conduct her life away from the planets and the people who were too closed-minded to accept her for who she is, not by where she was raised.  At least in mining and salvage, you got judged by how much effort you put in, rather then by where you're from.  As an added bonus, she got all of the peace and quiet she wanted, whenever she wanted it.

(DS White Impluse)

Xenon's Fleet came out of his jump. He looked at the quick scan of the area, and noticed that nothing was there. This was where Iron's fleet had just left, heading for David's Lions, and Lord Ryat as he had just learned. This was where the former Advent stronghold had been, the one that had got the jump on Carbon and nearly killed him. Iron had run though it like it was an outpost, not even losing momentum. Xenon was worried. Could the combined forces be able to repel the fleet that had fended off the many enemies of the United Explorers Corperation, one of the largest forces that was in the Distant Stars system. Even if Iron was repeled, there was still thirteen other divisions in the -Ue_. That was thirteen possible fleets, and as unbleviable as it was, Iron's fleet was not the largest, and this was only one of Iron's fleets that had come to reclaim the company's prize possetion. Xenon contined in his thoughts as his flag ship, Osiris, and its support fleet moved to make the next jump, the jump that would put his small fleet into the fray. This was the jump to repel Iron...

(NO LONGER NEEDED, SEE EDIT FOR OP)

Or fly through the sun, considering all the clipping issues....

Cadalancea

     Lord Ryat studied the tactical screen as the mines blew up in the face of Iron. The fleet staggered as the blast ripped through it. Two Marzas and many frigates and cruisers disappeared in the blink of an eye and the many others were severely damaged. But Iron's fleet was well disiplined as it quickly reformed and many of the support cruisers and frigates stepped up to take their fallen comrades place. Neither Alexander nor Ryat thought for a moment that it would stop Iron from being victorious. His fleet was too massive. But they had other plans and the mines were just the beginning.
     At the edge of the gravwell M'trak, a Vasari Maruadar for the J'kar clan, had been hiding in phase space. It dropped out of phase space and fired up its mobile phase gate. Immediately a Vasari fleet appeared at the edge. Though it did not have much in the way of capital ships, only J'kartha and three Vulkoras, its collection of cruisers and frigates was impressive. 125 Enforcers, 40 overseers, 150 assailants, 60 subverters, 75 sentinels, 150 Lansuraks, and 200 Skirmishers came pouring through the temprorary phase gate.
     Lord Ryat placed a call immediately to Lord J'rah. "Thanks for giving us a hand," Lord Ryat said as a violent blast shook Phoenix, "that's quite a fleet you have."
     "The pleasure is all mine," Lord J'rah spoke, "though I should warn you we focused on building the fleet and our tech is behind yours and this Iron person. We will lose many, though I assume it will be for a good reason."
     Another blast shook the ship. "Yes, its very important," Lord Ryat assured him, "If Iron gets a hold of that device, it will cause a lot of problems for us all."
     "What is this device you are speaking of?" asked Lord J'rah.
     "We just lost Wasp!" Lord Ryat's tactical officer reported. Wasp was a newer Sova Carrier and was not as strong as the other three Sovas.
     "I don't have a lot of time to explain J'rah," Ryat said loudly as another explosion rocked his beloved ship, "Just trust me that you need to help stop Iron."
     "Understood Ryat," J'rah said, "but you had better tell me what is going on." With that the Vasari cut off the line.
     "Yeah, thats going to be interesting," Ryat mumbled under his breath.
     "My lord," the tac officer shouted joyously, "we got one of their Dunovs." Another report came in. "And we just lost Behemoth," he added sadly, reporting the death of the second Marza. Lord Ryat cursed under his breath.

     The Vasari fleet quickly formed up and began heading for Iron's fleet with the Enforcers and Skirmishers taking the lead. M"trak shut off its phase gate and began to distort the gravity around the fleet. The Vasari fleet flew quickly through space and, as they came into range, the subverters jumped foward of the fleet neutralizing many of the support cruisers will the rest of the fleet smashed into the backside of Iron's fleet shattering the wall.
     Onboard Hammer, -Ue_Iron was furious.
     "Where the hell did those damn aliens come from!" Iron shouted.
     "Unknown sir," one of his officers reported,"but they are coming at us fast and there is a lot of them."
     "Order the Marzas to open up their Missile Barrages," he said.
     "Currently unable sir," another officer said, "They need some time to reset the systems."
     The Vasari fleet slashed at the TEC fleet, destroying many support cruisers and LRMs. the assailants focused on the Dunovs of the fleet though unfortunately they were not loaded with their infamous phase missiles and many were wasted upon the shields  as the Dunovs began a series of shield restores in an attempt to stave off destruction. Still one Dunov was destroyed and another critcally wounded. J'ratha charged into the breach, its overcharged weapons smashing through armor of the heavier ships and sweeping away the smaller frigates. The three Vulkoras stood off and opened up with their phase missiles, wrecking more havoc on Iron's fleet. A Kol, Marza, Sova, and an Akkan fell to the onslaught as Iron's fleet attempted to deal with the new threat.
     But the weaker quality of the Vasari ships began to tell reap its own destruction as a signifcation portion of Iron's fleet turned upon the Vasari. Many of the subverters were destroyed allowing the once trapped ships to turn their guns upon the Vasari. Enforcers and Skirmishers soon began attempting Reintegration but still fell to the massed gunfire of the TEC. The elite TEC fighters soon began crushing Vasari bombers as the TEC flak stripped the area of Vasari fighters. Overseers attempted in vain to keep the three Vulkoras alive but the focused firepower managed to smash through one and the other two were soon streaming atmosphere and debris attempting to escape.
     "Sir, the Marzas report successful reset of systems," one of Iron's officers reported.
     "Excellent," Iron said coldly, "Fire at will."
     The seven remaining Marzas opened up with their missile batteries at a high rate of volume. J'ratha began attempting a retreat with its power surging to its shields in hopes of riding out the attack. Lord J'rah immediately ordered his fleet to scramble and attempt to get away from the holocast.