Syntori 8

*One Week Prior to Niihama Negotiations with the Taiyou*
In one of the corporate buildings the board of Sullen Enterprises was gathering. The meeting was unexpected most of the members had their hands full with trying to deal with a financial crisis and attempting to reign in the chaos caused by the Taiyou efforts to make a blow to the SEC. And to further the turmoil President Holiday had authorized the war on the Cybrans. Many were skeptical of her decision but they all knew war is what would drive their profits.

President Holdiay stood before the board, her normal demeanor was changed she looked taken a back and a bit tired the transition to leadership was still weighing heavily upon her.
"I'm sorry to call you here on such short notice, but due to recent developments I feel this is of the upmost importance. There has been a recent purchase that I'm sure all of you are aware of that has constituted this meeting. Lochlyn Haley CEO of Juniper Corp. has bought the largest sum of stocks to date. I cannot tell you his intentions as I do not know normally I would suggest we make an effort to stop this but given our current status I have invited Mr. Haley here to discuss his motives first as you all know these are difficult times and I urge you all to take this into consideration. " Holiday said.

After she finished a small chuckle could be heard from the corner of the room where a Luke Sullen the former President and CEO of the company sat. Though he was imprisoned being the founder he had an entitlement to come to the corporate meeting. Beside him sat a younger version with brown eyes and dark hair and the former heir to the company Josiah Sullen.

Lochlyn stepped into the room, donning his usual dark blue suit and trenchcoat. Expression as unreadable as it always was. "My intentions will be made clear." He told the board, "As you all know I now own the majority of stocks within the SEC. I understand that you have been having economic hardships, my purchase of such an abundance of stocks will only help you." The man informed the board.

"I now have stake in this planet, and it's government. I will be providing in the near future ships, weapons and manpower to protect my assets, which are also your assets." Lochlyn was making a case as to why he was going to be the SEC's savior. For all intents and purposes he was, and he knew it.

"What I do won't cure all of what plagues you, but it would help, would it not?" He asked rhetorically. No one in that room could deny that they needed to plant their feet before trying to hold the line against the Cybrans and any other threat.

Anyone who didn't know was going to be convinced if Lochlyn had his time.

The board listened to Lochlyn with a series of mixed emotions some looked utterly taken aback others seemed enlightened. Damion and Holiday looked reserved while Luke sullen had a smirk of amusement across his face.

"Well Mr, Haley under normal circumstances I would call this a financial coup but given our current status I cannot see why anyone would be interested in buying Enterprise stock. I must say I commend your efforts. Given our current situation I see no reason for us to be against this." Holiday said before pausing, "Does anyone have any statements before we move on for questions?" She asked.

A plump man placed his hands on the table he was still a firm supporter of Mr. Sullen and he was clearly enraged. "Lindsey!This is corporate sabotage and you know it! He is doing just what you have done to weasel your way into power how can you stand by and do this!" The man said before turning to Lochlyn.

"Why would you offer this why buy stock when our company is clearly failing it's only a matter of time before we are just another colony of the Taiyou or the Cybrans." He stated.

The stoic Lochlyn turned to address the man that had spoken up, "Call it whatever you want to call it." He began, "But, do not dare believe I will let this planet, this government, fall into the hands of the Taiyou or Cybrans." Lochlyn said, then turning to address the others.

"Do you all wish to bow down and kiss the feet of invaders, or would you like to welcome a man that will keep you free?" Lochlyn asked, "I am that man, and I vow to keep you free to do as you wish. Be it financial coups, or military coups, or whatever else you want to do." He said, "Whether you trust me or not, know in your hearts, or your minds, that I am your preserver." Lochlyn finished.

The blue-suited man turned his attention to Holiday, "This does not mean I wish to take your place. But, it would be wise of you to allow me a chance to do what I need to protect my new assets." Lochlyn told the woman, "The SEC will not fall today."

"I promise."

It was clear most of the board was silent and listened. The contester merely sat back down he knew he would have no voice in this fight not that there was anything to vote on in the first place it was clear that Lochlyn could do what he wanted with the amount of stock he had bought.

"If there are no more statements or questions then I move that the meeting be concluded. The board as in agreement but on the way out Luke paused as he was nudged by the guards. " I like your style." Luke said with a smile that said he knew all to well that there was something else behind this man's motives.


"Mr Haley would you mind staying a minute? I would like to have a word in private. " She said as the others filed out of the room. She knew the board was only so useful.

"Damion I want you to go get General Williams and brief him on this meeting." Holiday said to one of the board members as he walked out. Once they were all gone she turned to Lochlyn she had an intrigued smile on her face.

"Thankyou Mr. Haley for accepting my Invitation to speak, I must say you are very convincing, but the board only goes so far as I'm sure you know it is those with the most power who truly run things." She said.

"Would you be open to further discussion? I can have some dinner sent up? Or drinks. " She was clearly acting reserved, she knew all to well this was too good to be true but it pleased most of the board members.

"What more is there to discuss?" Lochlyn asked, moving to take a seat. "I'm fine without dinner or drinks for the time being." He informed the woman, "And, it's not about being convincing. All of what I said is truth. You're in danger of being a colony of the Taiyou or Cybrans, that's if they let you live." Lochlynsaid.

"I am going to make sure you live free. You have my word. My word is my bond." The man told Holiday.

"I can not tell you just how I will make that so, but I do hope it isn't done over a stack of corpses." He added, the man wanted to avoid too much fighting right now. Especially when the SEC wasn't at it's best and his forces weren't where they needed to be yet.

"Well with the amount of stock you have bought you have some real weight here now. I want to get to know my highest stockholder, at this point I have to thank-you for what you are doing. I do know what you say is the truth but if you are going to be moving Juniper forces into SEC space I think we need to come to a bit more of an understanding. "

"I think we both have similar lifestyles, You're going to come in here as the savior and save us it's going to be very public and the population will fall in love with you I know that. I've done that. You can do that, I'm willing to work with you to save this company confederation and it's people but I want to get one thing clear. If you make any attempt to ruin me or my family or cross me you will regret it. " Holiday said her face cold she wanted to trust this man but if he was anything like Luke or herself she knew there was a snake beneath all that charm.

"Ruining you, or your family, would serve no purpose but to indulge in sadism." Lochlyn informed Holiday, "I am no sadist. Your life, your family, is in good hands. When all is said and done you just might reach a higher greatness than you've ever known." The man continued.

"Maybe not. I am no oracle." He said, "Anyways, our first course of business is business as usual. Continue as you were, my people will start moving into the city and on the planet within the week. With them they'll bring scientists, engineers, and technology to improve the quality of life here." Lochlyn told Holiday.

"Cybernetics, mostly. I prefer those I'm protecting to live long healthy lives if it can be helped." He told the SEC leader. It was clear that despite any ulterior motives Lochlyn might have had that he cared sincerely for people, even if he wouldn't be admitting it to Holiday anytime soon.

"If I do indeed hold the real power, I'll need to get in touch with you soon with standing orders on how we fight, and end, this war and any others."

"And, we will end them. Permanently."

Holiday listened closely as he said this but as she listened something was too good to be true about this. "Hold on there who are these people?" Holiday asked Lochlyn, "Are you speaking about ,military forces and or security forces? Because I will have no such thing. As for those described I can permit but I will need full documentation of course. " Holiday said.

"Mr Haley I was speaking figuratively, we can make this work but you do not command me or my people. If you are interested in assisting in the war to protect your assets then I can have General Williams speak to you on how you can incorporate a defense force. If you are wishing to provide us assistance then I believe we can work on the Cybran threat. If you wish to assist with that." Holiday said.

She was starting to regret this something deep down told her to fight this but what could they do. If Lochlyn pulled his stock it would be the final blow to the SEC the entire nation would crash and the Cybrans or the Taiyou would surely conquer them. At least with this she would have a chance but here she knew it was possible.

"Then take what I say as suggestions, but I highly advise that you take them to heart if you want there to be an 'us' to defend or assist." Lochlyn said, "I have other things to do." He said, standing up. "We will speak another time." He told the woman, nodding in respect to her before he turned to leave.

"You would do well to understand, you only have as much power as the people allow you to have." The man said before finally stepping out.

Holiday stood at the table facing the group of representatives a full dossier on Lochlyn Haley was being presented. Audio clips and reports from his attacks on both the Aschen and the Taiyou. Apparently most of this information was not present during a first scan of the mans information a computer error or possibly sabotage.

"With this evidence there is no doubt in my mind that Mr. Haley is guilty of International terrorism. I move for an immediate vote to freeze Mr. Haley's assets within our control. Further more Mr. Haley will be placed on a wanted list for our crimes and he will be arrested on sight and handed over to the international community for trial." Holiday said.

Finally as commander in chief I am giving Admiral Charles Teller authorization to stop and Seize all Juniper Corporation vessels within SEC space. The vessels will be searched and then allowed to leave SEC space. Holiday said.

Once she was done the vote began. Given the evidence against Mr. Teller clear admissions to the crime along with multiple international warrant there was no vote against the motion. Lochlyn Haley was officially wanted by the Sullen Enterprise Confederation.

Syntori 8
6 Hours after board meeting
SEC Military High Command

A man stood in the room as he read the report. "Jupiter Corp Forces are Moving toward our Planet. Move the Board to their Bunkers and prepare the orbital defense systems. Mobilize the Security forces." The Planetary security commander ordered. "I want a sign off on ground to space based missiles." The commander ordered.

"Whats the ETA on Teller's Fleet?" The man barked.
"2 Minutes Sir. He sent us that report." An aide shouted.

Across the planet for the first time in history an alarm sounded. People stopped unsure of the strange sound until words followed. "All citizens are to report to their homes or local shelters in the lower levels of the city immediately." Across the planet men wearing the black armor of the security forces were milling around preparing for the worst but hoping for the best.

Above the planet over two hundred ships jumped out of FTL. Among them was Admiral Charles Teller this was the Vanguard of his fleet. "Take up an interception course for the Jupiter Corporate Fleet. All Paladin class ships are to prime their primary weapon systems I want them on stand by." He barked as he rubbed his Temples.

"Attention Juniper Corp Fleet, My Name is Admiral Charles Teller. In our records I have that a Captain Quinn Styles is your commanding Officer. Captain Styles I bring an immediate order from the SEC's board. Given recent evidence regarding Mr. Haley his stock holdings have been frozen and criminal charges are being upheld. By order of President Lindsey Holiday all Jupiter Corp forces are to vacate SEC space effective immediately." Charles stated.

"We're being hailed." Jan told Captain Styles, "Patching them through." A crew member said.

Quinn sat back in his seat, listening to Admiral Teller speak, all the while his crew were preparing their weapons. The soldiers putting on their gear. "What's this about criminal charges?" Captain Styles asked, "What are these chargers, if I may?" He asked Teller, wanting to buy time for his men and the rest of the fleet to prepare themselves for whatever was going to come next.

He needed to contact Lochlyn first. Get the orders straight from his mouth now that things had changed.

"Contact Mr. Haley, Jan. Everyone else on standby." Styles ordered, "Yes, sir. Contacting the Janus now."

Charles listened to the response. " Mr. Haley is wanted by both the Aschen and the Taiyou for acts of Terrorism. President Holiday has elected to uphold these charges and has ordered that Mr. Haley's Assets be frozen as his motives for investing in enterprise stocks are reevaluated. Further More the Enterprise well be upholding the status as Mr. Haley as a criminal and known terrorist and we demand that he turn himself over to international authorities." Charles stated in a response. "I will reiterate that until this matter is resolved President Holiday has ordered that all Jupiter Corporate forces leave SEC space. "

"Link us into the planetary defenses, and contact gamma groups, Gamma, Echo and Foxtrot, set their jumps as planned if we do not respond to an order in ten minutes they are to proceed with the contingency plan." Teller stated.

Styles scoffed, rolling his eyes despite Teller and the others in his fleet being unable to see him. It just came naturally for the situation. "The Aschen and the Taiyou are the same people who called the Terrans terrorists for defending themselves and their nation from Aschen and Taiyou attacks. Your leader, Holiday, can't be that afraid of Mr. Haley that she'd stoop this low to oust him." Captain Styles said.

"He won't let this stand, the better idea would be to back Mr. Haley and prevent any loss of life over hearsay. Especially since he has plans to give the company's technology to the SEC." Quinn told Teller.

"Sir, Mr. Haley says proceed with your original orders." Jan said to Styles, "Let him know I'm trying to talk them down. But, I understand and will follow our orders without hesitation. Let the others know to get into position." Styles ordered.

Teller listened to this man speak. He was starting to wonder if this wasn't going to end peacefully. "Shields up full" He stated, before turning back to respond to The Jupiter corp forces. " Captain Styles a singe planet in another galaxy is of no concern to this matter. What your leader is accused of doing is no better than what you have accused them of. Now as for the Taiyou in light of recent events regarding Mr. Sullen, fought with our forces in Cybran space. I daresay I would not be here today not were it for their assistance in the intervention over the Cybrans. But this isn't the problem if Mr. Haley Wishes to show his meaning toward us then he would order your fleet away and face up to these charges. Using a military force to get his way will not go lightly here or in the international community. " Charles said pausing.

"If your fleet continues further toward Syntori 8 this will be seen as an act of aggression and we will be forced to respond forcefully." Charles said.

"Scrable the ground based fighter bomber wings. Have the Carrier crews prepare to launch as well. I want targeting locks on their ships. " Charles Stated to his command crew.

Near the fringes of the Syntori 8 System, a single Hyperspace distortion opened up, if one could really call it a Hyperspace Distortion. As the distortion came, it quickly went, until a massive alien ship flickered in roughly several thousand kilometers away.

It appeared as if the strange ship was made from wood, organic in appearance with massive branches, and bioplasma surging from the rear of the ship as it pushed forward.

"SEC has been approved for AXIS admittance following ratification by your government." A Voice played out on the communications.

The figure, clad in a long hooded cloak stood at the bridge of his ship, which was in tune with his very thoughts as the ship's internal systems began to spin mutations for weapons to be readied.

"Ships and Personnel of the Jupiter corporation, you are advised to leave this system or be terminated, this is your first, and final warning." The stern voice hailed the Jupiter ships.

"Admiral, we have not accused them of anything. It's simple fact. We are not calling the Aschen or the Taiyou terrorists, they are terrorists. War criminals. Men and women who kill for power." Styles said, standing from his seat. Jan handed Captain Styles a headset, the man putting it on before moving to leave the bridge.

"They are not unique in this, let's make that clear." Styles said as he and Jan walked, both of them being handed armored vests and utility belts with holsters. "I'm no politician, I'm a soldier who follows orders. And my orders are to kill." Captain Styles told Teller, being hand a pistol which he shoved into his holster.

"Not for power, but to send a message."

Styles and Jan stepped into what might have been an escape pod. Armed men and women already inside and strapped in standing up. Styles strapped himself in, taking a deep breath.

"I can't sum up the message with any class or elegance." He admitted, "I can only say that you've fucked up." With those words Styles removed the headset, tossing it out of the pod as the doors closed.

The forty or so Jupiter Corporation ships fired off the pods. Each spherical in shape, down towards Syntori 8. There had to be a few thousand of them being sent down towards the planet, the speed at which they moved and their quantity making it nearly impossible to stop them all or pinpoint where they'd be landing.

The ships aimed their weapons, some down at the planet and others at SEC ships in the area. They were ready to go to war and do some damage.

They weren't prepared for just a battle, this was a holocaust if they had their way.

Teller was listening to the scene the response when the Axis Ship emerged from hyperspace. He quickly replied in a comm. "Forwarding your message to ground command I think we can have that Ratified after this is dealt with. In the meantime as Operational Commander I am giving Axis forces Green lights on weapons in SEC space, if it comes to it." Teller responded.

Though not a few moments after the chaos seemed to begin. As the pods Launched the Bridge of Teller's flagship turned an Eerie red. "Concentrate fighters for interception of those pods. Allert ground forces to brace for impact and repel defenses."

Teller then strapped himself into his command chair. "Axial Superlasers online on All Paladin Class Defenders Sir." An officer stated.

"Target the ships, targeting the Planet and Fire. Fleet is to execute defense plan gamma." He stated has he punched in his authorization code.

Across the fleet All three massive Paladin class defenders lurched as their Axial Superlasers fired. A bright green light would shoot from each racing toward the enemy ship in a linear path vaporizing any of the pods in it's path. The weapon, had the ability to crack through strengthened planetary shields and easily rip deep scars across entire landmasses. On impact the ships would be torn apart though each laser could only target one ship per shot.

Following this deadly attack the entire force would launch a barrage of thermonuclear missiles towards the Jupiter Corporation's fleet.

The pods were in such a great number, constantly being fired the forty ships, that for each one destroyed there were five or six entering the atmosphere of the planet. They'd crash into buildings, roads, anything in their path as they descended on Syntori 8. The shielding on the pods taking the brunt of force when they hit the surface of the planet, keeping the men and women inside from dying upon impact.

Eventually the pods would open up, allowing armed men and women to climb out and move through the streets of Syntori 8's megacity. Squads forcing themselves into homes, offices, and the planet's sewer system.

Others took it upon themselves to hijack any vehicles they could get to, with some opening fire on any law enforcement or military they could see. They needed to buy time for their comrades to get situated. Getting onto the planet could be seen as the easy part. Making the most of their time on Syntori 8 without being decimated or overrun was the real challenge.

Above the planet the Jupiter Corporation fleet was doing it's own part in making things easier for their people on the ground.

"Fire on the planet, avoid our own if you can. If it can't be helped, fire anyways." The man now in command of Styles' ship ordered the fleet, "Open a channel to the enemy," He ordered the remaining crew.

The massive ships in the fleet began to fire their weapons on the planet, attempting to create chaos and confusion for their ground forces to capitalize on. It was much easier to take the planet if the SEC had to focus on keeping the planet from becoming space debris and it's people from filling many thousands of grave plots.

The ships seemed to easily take the attacks fired on them, several different kinds of shielding flickering on each ship hit. Most notably was the orange energy, likely new and strange to any scanners the SEC ships may have had.

The Jupitor Corporation ships seemed focused on only firing upon the planet, their weapons aimed at the SEC ships not yet firing a single shot. They were up to something, buying as much time as their shields would give them.

The Lone Matokey ship didn't seem to react as pods were fired towards the planet, and the ships themselves inevitably began to open fire.

However what seemed like inaction was the opposite of what was truly transpiring. The Ship shifted on it's axis only slightly, as the ship's consciousness assessed the number of Jupiter Corp ships in the area. M'zulft was running his hands through the ship's weapons complement, before he accessed the psionic neural nodes throughout the ship. With a thought commanding the ship, psychokinetic energy would move to draw the pods, each and every one of them wildly off course, attempting to force them into each-other or perhaps redirect them back into orbit.

Those that weren't redirected would likely find the structural integrity of the pods failing, as the materials vibrated apart on the molecular level.

The second wave of attacks followed, as the larger ships were likely being drawn away from the planet, their individual weapon turrets redirected back into the fleet, and against each-other while orbs of sickening green energy began to form among the Jupiter ships.

These orbs began to ramp up a gravity field, acting like miniature black holes scattered through the Jupiter fleet, aiming to tear each and every Jupiter ship asunder, and hopefully finish them swiftly.

As the pods approached the planet they were met with both the fire from the fleet they passed and that of fighters that swooped up from the planet. Those pods that were not thrown back into orbit would find themselves the targets of swiftly attacking fighters. Some of the more dangerous pods were rammed directly by drone ships sacrificing the fighters to save lives on the planet below.

For any of the pods that did make it to the surface, they would surely be a danger but with each passing moment, thousands of security corps members rallied to the call. Fully armed teams roamed the streets hunting for the pods that fell upon the planet. Any teams that did make it out would meet stiff resistance. Aerial Assault teams flew into burning buildings where pods crashed using repulsor lift packs. Attacking the Jupiter corporate soldiers from their entrance points.


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In space the battle continued as the fleet continued toward the Jupiter corporate fleet as the missiles had not been countered the space around the Jupiter Corp. ships would erupt in light as the missiles would detonate as close as they could get to the ships. Once the light was cleared three entire fighter bomber wings would be launched from their carriers in the fleet following up the attack and leaving only minutes before they reached the ships.

From behind the fleet three new task forces would arrive launching their own missiles specifically targeting the ships engines before moving in closer hoping to follow up with a short range attack from behind though this would likely come minutes after a second detonation.

There were fire too many pods being fired for the majority of them to be stopped, each one holding up to five or six soldiers, engineers, intelligence agents. This wasn't just an attack that would end after a few hours or a few days, they were laying the ground work for terror cells, guerrilla warfare, dissent among the people of the SEC.

One couldn't be sure exactly where each pod would land, even those that fired them couldn't be one hundred percent sure. They just needed as many pods as possible to hit the planet and deposist the men and women inside.

"We're under attack.Something's forcing our weapons away from the planet." An engineer said to the fleet's new commander, "Now we're being forced off course." He continued, "How long will the shields hold?" The cpatain asked.

"Hours if nothing goes wrong." A crew member answered, "Drop the engines." The captain ordered, fearless despite his ships coming under attack. They wouldn't last long, not under these conditions as far as he could tell. But, that wasn't the point of the mission.

"And then fire the Chroniton torpedos in all directions wher we have enemies and the planet itself."

In the egine rooms of each Jupiter Corporation ship men and women worked to remove their engines from whatever was holding them in place. The engines themselves were round in shape and very large, obviously meant to power the ships and their weapons entirely on their own.

"We're in overload in three seconds." An engineer said as he and many others tapped buttons, flipped switches and pulled wires on the engine itself.

"Bridge, we're ready."

With those words uttered cargo doors opened beneath the engine room, sucking out everyone in the room and the engine. The other ships did the same, engines shooting out into space surrounded by dead and dying men and women. To call the sight gruesome would be nothing but an understatement.

The engines preppeled towards the SEC vessels, seemingly attracted to them. This while with the last of their energy the ships they came from fired several torpedos at their enemies and Syntori 8. The torpedos fluctuated an eerie orange glow as they moved, they and the discarded engines all that remained of the Jupiter Corporation ships as their shields went down and they were attacked by the forces around them.

That and the men and women simultaneously burning and freezing in space.