General Williams's Story

The large ships approached the station after awhile, some slowing down to a stop to allow the lead ship to go ahead on it's own. "Coming in. The ships are kind of big, all the same make. You'll only need one. But, if you must, search them all." The captain of the ship said.

His words were transmitted out towards the station and the SEC forces, "Make room. It's a big ship, we'll be here for awhile." He joked.

"A full search will not be required please forward a manifest including a list of cargo and crew papers and lower any scanning jamming devices." Tarin ordered. He knew he was suppose to stall but he wasn't in the mood for a lengthy debate he had other things to see to himself and for all he cared this was an issue on the side of the Board.

"General this is cocky show force but I want these ships to move on honestly I don't care what becomes of this situation we have a defense to plan in regards to the cybrans incase they have a change in heart. I know the board isn't pleased with Juniper moving in but from a purely military prospective and an economic I cannot see why this wouldn't serve our personal and national interests." Tarin stated.

"I completely Agree." Williams stated.


"Captain I assume you have a representative with your ships be it you or someone else I would like to invite some of you over for drinks and parlay while things are finalized."

"Uh... sure. I'll contact the other captains and they'll bring their seconds." The captain said, "By the way, my name is Quinn Styles." He continued. "Captain Quinn Styles, because it sounds cool." The man joked, his ship coming to dock at the station.

"Tell the other captains we're going off-ship, gonna have drinks and whatnot." He told his crew, "Tell them to have their crews get together any cargo manifests and any papers if they have them." Captain Styles ordered, getting up from his seat.

As the ship docked with the station, Captain Styles and his lieutenant were already on their way to the ship's airlock. Up and down a few staircases, down an elevator and eventually they were crossing over onto Belta Station.

Styles probably wasn't a particularly interesting sight when he stepped onto the space station, donning a clean blue jumpsuit that made him look more like a mechanic who took care of his uniform. His lieutenant wearing the same.

He'd be surprised if someone didn't toss him a wrench soon.

Tarin and Williams were walking to meet the group at the airlock when an aide ran up to them. "Sirs, Josiah Sullen has landed on the station."

Tarin was a bit taken aback by this the young man didn't really hold any power from what he could see but both Tarin and Williams were strong supporters of Sullen. After Lukes removal from power both men were stuck on back water positions as more suitable candidates were moved into the higher military roles.

"Give him a suite and see to his arrival if he wishes to meet us and our party for drinks he is more than welcome to attend." Tarin said was the two and a few guards moved to the airlock. They waited until the Arrival of the others.

"Captain Welcome Aboard I thought we greet you personally I'm Moff- Fen Tarin and this is General Jim Williams" He said.

Over time the other captains of the Jupiter Corporation fleet and their lieutenants piled into the space station, most of them wearing variations of the blue jumpsuits that fit their styles. Some were simple, some more dramatic, others tighter and loose fitting. A few of the captains even wore armored vests over their uniforms.

"So, drinks?" Captain Styles asked, "I'll have to be honest and say I am looking for to getting a little buzz going." He told the two men, "As you know, I'm Styles, with me is my lieutenant, Jan Crock. With us are captains Oliver, Sanchez, Adwele, Florence, Rios, Putin, and Marquez." Styles said, introducing his fellow captains.

"Lead the way, sirs."

The Two men lead the party to a large room it appeard to be a higher class bar but there was a large table and a few smaller ones. There were a few guards but a young man stood in the room and smiled as the group entered. "Welcome to Enterprise Space, I'm Josiah Sullen It appears that Mr. Haley is not with you?" The Heir to the Sullen Enterprises fortune said.

Both of the Military men gave Josiah a nod they were surprised by his presence given his fathers execution not even a day prior. Though both of these men were after all Tarin was one of Lukes more trusted associates.

"You'd be correct, Mr. Sullen." Captain Styles said, his comrades moving to find seats and grab drinks. "He's a busy man, but I'm honored that he put me in charge of securing his assets." The man continued, "There's some people in our organization that hold him in high regard."

"I'd be lying if I didn't say I thought some of them were a little jealous. Some of them jealous in a very unhealthy fashion." He added.

Josiah listened to the man before he spoke again. "Yes I've heard a few things about Mr. Haley, Before my father left he asked me to attend to a few matters. One of them being of an urgent matter. If Mr. Haley is not present might I inquire if he is available to have Myself meet with him elsewhere outside of Sullen space? It is of a rather urgent issue one that Mr. Haley might be very interested to be informed of." He said as he glanced over the men here.

With his fathers death Josiah had been given a number of tasks and even though after the arrest he had taken over his fathers previous agenda though now that his father had parted Josiah had improvised adding a bit of his own. For now first of all he wanted out of Andromeda he was stopping here to supply then he was going to leave these men being here at the same time only server as a convenient coincidence. Meeting with Mr. Haley would provide him with the perfect reason to leave the system until things cooled down for a bit. Plus it would piss Lindsay off to no end.

"We can make that happen, Mr. Sullen. I'll get in touch with him when I get back to my ship. Get you guys talking business." Captain Styles told Josiah, "I should probably get back to that soon. As much as I enjoy tea time, I'm more at home doing what I do best." Style told the men with him.

"I do hope that's okay with you all."

"It's fine Tarin said my men should be finished and you are cleared to enter our space. Though if you plan on moving further into enterprise space I will need your plotted courses." He said with a nod.

Josiah just nodded to the men. "That will be fine. General Captains, Moff I will be retiring to my quarter's if you need me. Once you talk to Mr Haley just inform Tarin and he can get in touch with me." Josiah said before walking out of the room.

"I'll be sure to throw those your way." Styles said, standing up from his seat. "You all have jobs to do, try not to get too plastered or anything." He said to the other captains from his fleet.

Styles then turned to the other men as Josiah left, "I'll be seeing you around. We have a bright future ahead of us." Captain Styles said before he turned and headed for the exit, his lieutenant in tow.

Local Niihama Space
0800
SEC 3rd Taskforce
Strength 300 Vessels
Paladin Class Defender Uriel

The small force had been dispatched a week prior to assist in the conflict with the Concord. The fleet had been awaiting other AXIS memebers. On the Bridge of Uriel stood two men. Rear Admiral Kim Fallon and General Williams. Both were looking over a message from SEC Command, directly from president Lindsey Holiday.

Effective Immediately, The 3rd Taskforce is to remain in the Niihama system for a defensive role only. No ships shall transit or partake in the invasion of Ayenee until further evidence proving that the Varden are directly responsible for an attack on the SEC surfaces. Follow up with Axis command regarding your new orders.

Both men stared at the orders. "Well this is going to be akward to tell the command...." Fallon muttered.

"Open a comm to AXIS Forces Command in the system. " Fallon stated as she walked across the bridge to the comm station. A young officer moved from his chair to allow the admiral to sit. He gave a nod telling her the comm was ready.

"AXIS Forces Command this is Rear-Admiral Fallon of the SEC 3rd Fleet. We have recieved orders to assist in Defensive support of Andromeda. We will not be joining the Invasion force. Requesting Link-up with Defense command." Fallon stated.

Among the AXIS ships were 3 Sullen Enterprise ships, one of which towered over the other two destroyers. The crews onboard the vessels appeard to scramble as they tried to paint a picture of what was actually going on.

On the massive Paladin Defender, Admiral Charles Teller looked over the various screens, he was only able to bring a few ships with him but this wasn't an invasion after-all. Beside him stood General Williams, commander of the Enterprises Marine forces. With the fleet here there was a compliment of 4,000 battle hardened veterans. This might not have been an invasion force but the general was taking no chances in coming unprepared.

With the loss of Moff Tarin a few weeks prior, there was clearly still a deep distrust of the situation by many in the military command structure.

Meanwhile back on bridge, Commander Nayar awaited confirmation on the status of the ship's FTL.

The Matokey Shipmaster remained silent, listening to Alric as Kayabuki considered his words, Admiral Mifune was also on the other screen.

"Prime Minister, we need to secure this system as a foothold for the Taiyou Empire." He protested, and the Matokey Shipmaster nodded slightly.

"Though I agree, with the Admiral, we must adhere to the resolution of the AXIS." He said, frowning. "The High Council would be disappointed if we chose to remain." 'Taanz explained.

The Admiral nodded, and then turned to Kayabuki. "I'll secure these enemy ships for Salvage and bring them back through the Hyperspace gate. I'd suggest getting an envoy to send to CONCORD so that we can resolve this matter quickly. It's going to take some time to dismantle the gate, and recover our wounded."

Kayabuki turned to Admiral Yotsuga, a middle aged man who was one of the first to receive the genetic enhancements and become linked with one of the new "Royal Trees" that the Science Directorate had come up with.

"Admiral?" Kayabuki asked, while Yotsuga frowned. "I am prepared to take you to CONCORD, while 'Taanz secures this system along with Admiral Mifune." Yotsuga explained, and Kayabuki nodded. "Proceed, then, let me know when we arrive." She said, turning to find her quarters, while the Admiral opened a link to the Rising Sun.

"Ryu-oh to Rising Sun." Yotsuga hailed, appearing as a three-dimensional hologram on the Rising Sun's bridge.

"I'm prepared to travel with the SOCO Fleet to CONCORD Space, it would be advisable that you accompany us. The Matokey and the Recon fleet are going to secure the wrecked vessels, in addition to their own wounded before withdrawing back to Taiyou Space."

A Transmission line was promptly opened back up to Airic, and the SoCo ships.

"We're ready to receive coordinates, and will jump once everyone is prepared." Yotsuga said, waving his hand over a yellow holographic console.

---

Like clockwork, the Matokey and Taiyou recon ships moved quickly, the Omnicruiser moving to provide a strategic position on grid to monitor incoming ships, while the Taiyou began to make towards the ruined CAID vessels. They would be towed back to Taiyou space for salvage and study.

Alric raised a bushy salt and pepper eyebrow and then turned back to the man behind the console. "Breac dom bealach díreach chuig Sendaya i Derelik. Plot me a direct route to Sendaya in Derelik." The man behind the control console had to question the order. No one in Ayenee used direct routes. They were dangerous and took much longer even than using the gates. "Tá bealach a dhuine uasail díreach? A direct route sir?" Alric nodded and turned back to address the AXIS force as the man went to work.

"Give me a few microns. I will arrange your escort." The communication was terminated. What they wanted from Alric was not as simple as it seemed. Most of the systems between here and low security space were inhibited and SOCO did not have sovereignty in all those systems. If they gave the AXIS force coordinates they would never make it. They would crash against a sandbar and maroon themselves in dead-space. Even with Alric providing a direct route for them they still would need escort for the corridor at some spots would be less than a few hundred kilometers in diameter and they could easily stray. The SOCO sky marshal would also have to call in a favor in Farit and then in Sendaya.

Not only was the direct route dangerous it was temporary for it opened up the Southern Coalition sovereignty to attack from a myriad of enemies. The corridor would be closed behind them. The journey would span the distance of nearly two-hundred and ten light years. It would take them through four different regions: Scalding Pass, Curse, Derelik, and through a large part of Wicked Creek. There was also the threat of the Kraed in the black between systems. They had not encountered this evil since the slaughter of Dodixie but there were rumors and vessels sometimes went missing traveling through the dark spots of Ayenee.

Mircon: A length of time just over a minute.

"All systems are a go," Liuetenant Arnesh Agarwal called out as the diagnostic results came in.

"Alright, get us prepped to jump," Commander Nayar instructed before he addressed the holographic image of Yotsuga.

"We'll be ready to jump in three minutes," he told Yotsuga as his crew went about prepping the ship for an FTL jump.

Nearby another officer, Lieutenant Ishya Darzi, was in contact with the other ships as well. "Rising Sun to Ryu-oh, requesting jump coordinates," she transmitted, unaware that the SOCO where contemplating other routes of travel.

The whole bridge was a hive of activity as the crew members of the Rising Sun worked over the ship consoles. They where young, like the ship, but they went through the process with practiced ease. It had been the Matriarch's belief that something as new and innovative as the Rising Sun required a young and equally innovated crew to adapt to changing times.

Nayar could see it in the crew. Many where fresh out of academy, though the senior officers on board had some years of experience under their belt. Still, it was a very green crew, and a lot of faces he was still getting to know.

At the back of the bridge, one of the hatches hissed open to admit Ambassador Jaya Kumara and her attendant, Najiv Hebbar.

The three SEC ships would move into a supportive role with the Omnicrusier ,as Charles and his soldiers prepared for what hoped to be an uneventful operation.

"Atlas to AXIS fleet we will hold with the Chzznt in an imperceptive role."

The term dead-space could simultaneously or separately mean a number of distinct things when the term was used by a native of Ayenee or Eden. The first and easiest to define was the area outside of any proper solar system, anywhere from one to one and one half light years from that system's center of gravity.

The term dead-space could also mean the area between galaxies as there is seldom enough energy present within these locations to allow life to prosper. These areas represent one of the most extreme environments known. The recent discovery of the Kraed twenty cycles ago caused the scientific community in Ayenee and Eden to rethink the defining characteristics of life and what was needed to support it. It also resulted in a greater proliferation of system inhibitors throughout the galaxy and the incursion alert system.

The last meaning relates to certain areas scattered around space in Ayenee and Eden that were unsuitable for inter-celestial, inter-stellar, or inter-galactic travel. In these places only conventional propulsion operates properly. These are sandbars that can leave ships marooned for years, decades, and even centuries. Only recently the strategic usefulness of these special areas had been discovered. Ancient acceleration gates, the precursors to the modern gates in Ayeene and Eden could catapult vessels, much like a slingshot, through this space and out of it. These dead-space pockets can then be used as remote safe houses or easily defensible pockets within even high security space. These pockets could also play havoc with sensors and faster than light communication.

Three frigates and a single cruiser exited warp in a tight formation with vibrant displays of bent light and vented heat as they landed on the grid and pealed off in a direction pointed to a distant star. They shortly came to a stop. The four pilots spoke on a secure communication network once they were back in formation. "Is fuath liom an cac. Déanann spás dorcha mo reáchtáil fola fuar. I hate this shit. Dead-space makes my blood run cold." One of the other pilots, a female quickly responded with a serious tone, "Sioc fan ansin. Stay frosty then." Another male spoke up in reply after a chuckle, "Í a choimeád daingean. Keep it tight."

Alric would open the communication channel back up after only a minute. "I am transmitting your route now. Follow it exactly. Your escort will adjust speed to keep with your slowest vessel." The route would come across as eight coordinates, breaking between some systems and also between them to make small changes in course. Some of the distances between coordinates were short, one only a single light year between two points and some were were much longer.

Provided the AXIS force did nothing that could be considered an act of aggression, their gate did not continue to deploy, and they had no questions Alric would speak again. "Godspeed."

While the Ryu-oh was plotting it's course once it received them from Alric, the Matokey and Taiyou Shogunate forces continued to secure their own wounded, as well as the CAID Ships while the Hyperspace continued to unfurl.

Taiyou Communications made note that the Gate would not be able to stop it's process until complete, unless it was destroyed and therefore would stand near the vicinity of the gate while they waited for it to be complete.

Yotsuga waved his hands over the controls of the Ryu-oh, unaware of the sandbars and other eddies that existed within the Galaxy. FTL Travel in Andromeda was relatively straightforward, done either through shipboard Hyperdrive, or hyperspace gates. All of which was heavily regulated by local governments.

----

Yotsuga reviewed the coordinates, and then he looked up to a large screen, his hands relaying the controls to the ship's central intelligence. The Ryu-oh would transmit them to the Rising Sun, and sync it's drives as it made the last checks for jump.

"Rising Sun, jump on my mark, I'm transmitting the set of coordinates now." Yotsuga said calmly, turning to survey the Taiyou crews going out to the wrecked hulks in Sudden Transports, and Yari Midget ships to tow what they could carry back through the gate.

The 'Chzznt itself remained relatively stationary, acknowledging the SEC Ships, while watching for more pirates.