Lennox Carver's Story

Several armored vehicles, SUVs and vans began down the street towards the scene of the fighting. Armored aircraft entered the scene, spotlights and what appeared to be snipers raising their sights on those who weren't Terran military, police or Invictus.

"This is Lennox Carver of the National Police Agency." A voice said from an intercom, "Combatants, you will be given a choice. Lower your weapons and surrender to be arrested, or leave the planet." Lennox said firmly as the men and women on the ground began to climb out of their vehicles.

It was a distinct mixture of Invictus, NPA, WCPD and Terran military, possibly outnumbering those on the streets.

"If you do not comply, this will be scene as an act of terror against the Terran government and you will be dealt with accordingly." Lennox said, "You have ten minutes."

Jessica Rohnfeld let her feet out of the door first, as light and sound from outside the Saber flooded the marine special forces as they disembarked from the vehicle. Squad cars and Apparatus vehicles intermingled on the throughfare, horns and sirens wailing that masked the voices around her into nearly hushed sentences. “TNG’s defunct and looking to give the Aschen back their leash on the Local Region and they claim they’re defending themselves from terror.” A Marine Major’s harsh appearance was reflected in the window of the Saber as Jessica turned away from the armored car.

“The ITDM were on standby for this, you keep treating them like they’re people who actually know what to do and you’re giving them false evidence for a pogrom we’d rather try and keep a lid on.” Jessica said, the AR-98 in one hand by her side. “We can do this precisely or we can do this brutally, Major. We’ll do it my way, and we’ll leave just enough skin on them for the fascinating muscles of government to survive. Understood?”

“Yes, General Rohnfeld.” The Major saluted and took his exit, another marine joining him as the Major beelined for a roadblock manned by an armored vehicle and platoon of Shock Marines. “Initiate a tactical withdrawal from the combat zone now -- any units too dug in are to remain in the defensive. We’re not letting these fuckers get away though, even if the Terrans want to keep their business in the back running.”

Lennox watched his momentary enemies closely, waiting for an excuse to open fire. He knew if he did without provocation that he'd never hear the end of it if he survived. The Invictus, the military, what was left of the TNG and his superiors in the NPA would serve him to UCON on a silver platter.

He just needed a bullet to fly and come a little too close for comfort. If Terra had another group of invaders that would help the cause.

It was unclear to most what Lennox's cause was. If one could see the face of the Black Badge's very vocal, very volatile, leader they would surely see the face of a man hellbent on flexing his heavily armed muscles.

A show of force, that's what Terra needed in his opinion.

"Best to clear it with the new people in charge next time." Lennox responded, the top hatch of his APC popping open. The NPA soldier's head found it's way out of the opening.

"I'm not a fan of the Empire, both of them." Lennox noted, "Whatever you do is fine with me, but make sure no innocents are harmed. I'll handle any flak that comes down for allowing this."

It was clear not everyone the street agreed with Lennox, but none of them seemed to care enough about any Aschen to speak up.

"I'm sending a team or two in to help with evacuating civilians."

Several hundreds of thousands of vessels ascended from Terra's surface. The ships were a mix of NPA, Terran Navy and Invictus craft, a few unidentified vessels joining the ranks as well.

The ships varied in size and shape, the smaller, faster ships patrolling further out from the planet for any threats or unauthorized spacecraft.

The other ships mostly stayed put, a few joining the smaller ships as support for any battles that may take place.

Civilian vessels soon ascended from the ground, most of them gathering or destroying space debris around the planet. It seemed their was some organization from the people of Terra/.

Amongst the Terran Navy craft, Jayden's Blue Eclipse seemed slightly out of place with its bright colours and irregular design. Built for raw speed rather than combat, the modifications that the ex-racer had made over the last few months of working with the Terran Militia served to bring it to some level of combat readiness, but he would largely be relying on out-manoeuvring anyone he ended up in a dogfight with rather than tanking any damage.

That said, he had a pretty big gun if he could land a shot himself. But hopefully that wouldn't be necessary. They were taking to their ships just for the sake of insurance, not to interfere. Thus far, the Taiyou had ceased hostilities. Hopefully they'd stick with that.

Alongside his fighter, the even smaller figure of Aiedail joined him. The android also served amongst the ranks of the Terran Militia, and flew to the defence of the planet with them and the Navy. Despite her small size, Aiedail was a lot more combat ready than Jayden's vessel and even some of the hulking ships that made up the rest of the fleet.

Designed to be able to do significant damage to starships, she would be in her element here if things went south, despite relative inexperience. Space warfare had been what she was made for, where she could use every trick up her sleeve without worrying about civilians getting caught in the crossfire.

As she had done before, Stryfe sat her desk. A pen moving swiftly along a piece of paper. She was writing another letter, this one less of a call to arms like the last. This was where the brainpower came into play. Where she saw who was serious and who wasn't.

She wrote, 'Hello again, captain, officer, prime minister, ambassador, colonel, general, director, president, senator, or congressman, whomever you may be. Once again, my name is Fatin Alfarsi, you may, or may not, know me, but I am one of two heads of the organization known as The Invictus.

To those who have met with me, and those who haven't had the chance but are still interested in reforming Terra, I ask that you attend a meeting of minds. Send those who call the shots for your organization, nation, clan or army to a neutral location we all agree upon to discuss where we'll go from here.

We have to discuss the organization of our military and intelligence forces, get them used to working together, which there will be much of in the future. We need to get our mouthpieces, our would-be politicians, used to making choices together. We have to discuss how we'll handle the crime on our planet, the anarchy, the war with the Taiyou.

Until we're organized, we have no real power. Until we're working as a cohesive unit, we can't squabble as a cohesive unit. This is our chance. I suggest meeting in Solinus City, it's much safer than Wing City, and nicer to look at.

Personal Phone: 213-489-2732.
E-mail: BigKahuna@various.
Address: The Palace @ 9001 Main Street, Wing City.

Finishing the letter, Stryfe handed the letter off to her bodyguard, Natasha. "Take this to the Veritas. Make sure it gets all those I designate." Stryfe informed the woman. "You got it." Natasha said, making her way to the exit.

Several Terran Seraphim carriers began to converge on the location, at least a hundred large and small NPA and Invictus gunships following as well, taking their sweet time. It was clear that if there was a fight, the Terrans and their allies would go down swinging with the intent to take every single Taiyou soldier on the ground, in the air, or in space with them to hell in a hand basket.

"For the sake of your lives, our lives, and the lives of these innocent people, leave right now." Tommy told Yamamoto, "Or try us for war crimes, that's what your letter said you would do if we got in your way." The Scotsman added, Invictus and Terran military moving to constantly to stand in front of the Taiyou soldiers moving up the streets.

The Invictus soldiers threw taunts at the soldiers, mostly about their moms, many of the barbs far more highbrow than one would think they'd be. The Terrans mostly followed their lead, with the exception of the NPA soldiers who stayed with Tommy.

The NPA Enforcers on the ground seemed to be the ones really itching for the fight. Most of them were born and raised on Terra. They lived through the Taiyou's previous invasions and occupations, those of the Aschen. They were fed up, they were angry, out for blood.

Maybe it was out of respect for their Invictus allies that they weren't beheading Taiyou in the streets, or maybe they were waiting for that one moment when they could strike a killing blow against this mutual enemy and show them that Terra was there to stay and decide it's own fate. It's own future.

Maybe.

Yuriko turned to Yamamoto, and finally she spoke up after sending a psionic probe outwards in all directions.

"Watashitachiha, sensō o kaishi sezu ni hijō ni tōku shutoku suru tsumori wanai." She said to her superior, and the Admiral nodded. "Hai..." He tapped his holstered weapon before he turned towards a landing Sudden Transport.

"I will return to Niihama and address this situation with the Emperor and ask how he wishes me to proceed." He said, placing his hand on the shoulder of a young Commandant.

"Karera wa satsuei o kaishi shita baai, seizon-sha o nokosanai." He said, patting the young Officer, whom nodded. "Hai, Wakarimashita."

The Admiral turned away from the Invictus, and slowly started to walk towards the landed Sudden Transport.

"Watashi wa u~ingu ichi kara heiwa no jōken o kettei shimasu." He added, stepping on the transport



The Transport's engines began to whine, and then it started to lift off, a pair of Rocket Angels and Jet Tengu flying alongside it, to escort it up into the Stars, where Yamamoto could return to his ship, the ITN Nagato.

Null (Deleted because I should never have posted with my Muse Dead!)

"Well, It's all fun and games until someone threatens nukes." quicker then a humming birds heart beat Ix is before Yuriko "Listen, this is my home and I'd rather not see it blown up in a pissing contest so I'll make you a deal, Back off And I'll show you the end to this..." And with that Ix shows the young mind reader a though. it's the first person view of an ashen ship floating over head. it also shows the person in charge greeting the viewer and the viewer inviting them inside. but then the thought stops and she is blocked off from his core and thoughts inside.

"That is my offer." Ix finishes.

"Don't any of you do a god damn thing!"

His yell swept through the area an explosion over the sounds of the sea; it was even louder than the intense revving of the Yamaha steed that carried him, the bike swerving to a halt in the midst of the confrontation and ceasing to make any sound but the low growl of the engine. As he sat there with one foot flat against the ground, Cain removed the helmet that had been as black as the bike that carried him before sprays of dirt ruined the colours on both.

"If you let this become a storm, it will be a storm unrivaled by anything any of others have ever seen. Is it really worth it? Forces of Terra and whoever commands them - do you really want to start a war over a single town? And soldiers and leaders of the Taiyou, is forcing a confrontation really worth the prize? I know enough about this planet to know that your victory will be Pyrrhic at best and at worse, your loss an utter devastation. Those same predictions stand for Terra too. It is impossible for a resounding victory here, only complete destruction."

"Taiyou, just go home. If this planet is as worthless as everyone says, then why do you return here? Why do you waste the manpower? I would not see anyone else die because of your arrogance."

The young Commandant emerged from his Transport, with Yuriko behind him. "We want answers as to why these people were helping the Aschen! The Terrans chose to escalate this!" He called out.

"Give us our answers and we will leave in peace!"

Yuriko tapped his shoulder, and then she silently pointed to Ix. The Commandant nodded and then turned to the man.

"You! You will come with us! We have a few questions to ask you, and then you are free to go, comply, and our stay will be brief, and painless." He said, gesturing to the Sudden Transport behind him.

The Commandant then spoke up. "We search for another! Daemala Tauvyr!"

Ix nods "No idea where she is but do you really need her? You have me, and I can answer any and all questions you have to the fullest extent."

The convoy came to a screeching halt as they were confronted with the walking monstrosities. "Hold fire, Keep weapons hot." Ben Said over the comms to the convoy. "Get ready to paint the lead target if commanded." He ordered, they would not fire unless fired upon or given the go ahead from one of the others.

Thelead tanks stopped their massive railguns were aimed directly at the walking tanks. They did not fire for the time being but remained motionless. Behind them the APC'S pulled off the road and behind rocks and ditches as troops poured out and took up positions. For now this point would serve as the Joes forward line.

-------

General Allen was staring it his command screen as he watched the scene unfold. He was now faced with a choice, Reinforce the Joes that were cut off and risk escalation or risk an enemy strike against the Joe line. "Send some artillery and light tanks with a few reinforcements here." He said pointing to a map a location a mile from the trapped Joes. "And scramble some choppers and Fighter bombers A.S.A.P." He said as he ran a hand through his hair.

Maurana tilted her head towards the darkened sky, and shrunk down into her panther form. Due to their blood tie, she was still able to communicate through the mind with Risika. 'Risika, they are after your leaders due to some kind of treason. Boy, you sure know how to pick 'em, don't you?' "Oh, hush, you!" Risika snapped, "I've never met the man they are trying to take now, but I have met Daemala, and I can assure you, she is in no way a traitor to any honorable agreement ever made; in this universe or another. If these beings believe her to have sold them out in any way, trust me, they aren't as intelligent as they appear."

Maurana looked up, 'What do you mean? Surely you're not so trusting of a person you've known for merely months? For all you know, she accepted your citizenship here purely for sacrifice to these beasts. You see how the rest have fled, but your dull behind stays planted. Maybe she knew you were not one to be moved so easily, so she accepted you as sacrifice for her realm.' "You're wrong about Daemala. But are correct in the sense that I'm not afraid of those things. And mind you, you're still here as well, taken form as a cat even! I don't believe a fanged four legger is any kind of threat to the likes of them."
'I care not what happens to this city, or even to you. It's proven to be an interesting public affair though, and you do know I'm always one for a show.'

"Oh, get away from me!" Risika hissed before teleporting to the roof top of her building. Looking down, the intruders seemed much less threatening. Looking up, however, was an entirely different scene. Maurana scaled the columns and pounced a few feet away from Risika. 'I told you, Roxxy is somewhere within this city as well. Until I can locate her aura, I'm not leaving your side.' "How endearing." Risika mumbled, squatting down so as to remain out of sight.

With the crowds of people and many soldiers milling about the Hollow, it was easy enough to trail her prey, but hard as well, to keep him in her sights as he seemed to notice someone was trailing him. But with her skills and natural ablities at blending in with the crowds around the Hollow made it far easier for her to get close enough to bump into him. Easily relieving him of one of two things, his coin purse. Then she walked on, still keeping him in her sights. Shifting every so often into her Jellicle Vision to keep track of his direction and where he was headed.

Once again she started after him. Tantomile picked up the item she was truly after, and by the weight of the coin purse she knew she could either steal the item, or 'buy' it with the mans own money. The Jellicle Assassin was well trained in the arts of theivery, death dealing, and also blending in and acting as part of the crowd.

Tantomile got close a second time. With the mans eyes focused elsewhere she easily lifted from him another item and then took back to the crowd. Blending in perfectly once again. Though it was easy to spot her, after all, she was wrapping up an item rather large. that and she was moving rather quickly too into an alley and then scaleing the wall to the rooftops.

Throughout all of this she kept well clear of the soldiers of different nationale and focused on her primary task. Now she just needed to find the next Piece and also find any news of her sister. She wondered as well how long it was before the man that carried the weapon was going to notice it missing. Most of the time it took a Pollicle a good half a day if not more to find out his money was missing. But she had no idea the man had trained with a certain group and that another group had warned him of her coming.

Lukas felt someone bump into him then notice a slight drop in his weight from being deprived of his money purse. Gutsy. Only one person I know of who has the skills to be able to steal from one as highly trianed as he he thought as he felt another bump. He looked around and caught sight of an anthropomorphic felinoid figure disappearing into the crowd. I should've known it would be her. You don't get away from me so easily he thought as he gave careful but swift and graceful chase.

Tantomile was expecting to be followed, but not that soon. There were many people between her original target and herself, She had what she needed, now to flee the area and get out of his sight. She ducked into a store and then swiftly ducked out the back and climbed up again to the rooftops and then made for the edge of town, staying clear too, of the soldiers around the Hollow as she made her way out the way she had made her way in. But seeing the way barred she instead droped back into the crowded streets, then ducked into another alley and back to the rooftops.

In her robes, it was impossible to tell what she truly was, but she was tall as her race was naturally tall to begin with, it was her height that stuck her out like a sore green thumb at a concrete mixers convention. Light on her feet she jumped the distance between two rooftops swiftly and made for safety. She had what she needed. And money too! But she also had a unwanted tail tracking her. It was time to make tracks, and get away.

Once again she took to the crowded streets and moved along the way as if nothing was wrong. Using the now tightly wrapped in dark brown cloth weapon as a walking stick as she joined a group of monks, bowing her head a bit, her slender furred pawlike hands covered by dark white gloves acted as if part of their procession as they passed directly by her inital prey out in the open. She blended in too well.

Tantomile stayed with the procession as far as the great gates to Verinotte Hall before she broke off and entered a side alley towards the edge of the Hollow and towards the thicker woods that surrounded the place so thickly.

Lukas still stuck with her even through all the switches she was pulling. Her disguise would be good if she weren't taller than me thought Lukas as finally he found a way to cut her off in the woods which he scouted so vigorously for potential spots to build underground bunkers in which he could stay hidden for a long time. He stood before her arms crossed. "I think you have something that belongs to me" he said to the admittedly beautiful felinoid creature. "Money I care not for, but the other has great sentimental value to me, in addition to being an excellent blade. But perhaps if you have a sound purpose we might be able to work together towards it" said Lukas evenly.