Imperial Defense Force's Story

"There you are, Mr. Dellevon. You know it's almost impossible here to buy property, or even get into the place without a sponsor." The strange man said as he came up behind him, resting upon an ornate bejeweled cane, and dressed in a sharp button down shirt, slacks, and an expensive looking designer blazer.

All of the gate agents, and customs officers knew who the man was, and he simply offered a smile.

"I'd like to sponsor his entry." The man said, placing his identification documents onto the counter, while the customs officer nodded. Then she reached out to mark Carlo's passport with it's visa stamp, and hand him an ankle monitor.

"This must be worn at all times, I've scheduled your hearing for nine in the morning, tomorrow, at the Ministry of Law's hall of Justice."

The older man smiled and slapped his hand onto Carlo's back. "Do I have a business proposition for you, one that you can't refuse." He said with a devious grin.

Carlo received the ankle monitor and turned it over in his hands. Like all Aschen tech, it was pretty cool looking.

"Of course," He smiled at the older man, giving a respectful nod to the bedazzled cane, "Tomorrow morning? Name the time, and i'll be there ten minutes early!" With a wink Carlo kneeled down to apply the ankle monitor under his slacks. It wasn't uncomfortable.

As for an irrefutable business proposition... Well. If it meant opening a property on Langara, chances are it was able to be stomached. JHe had come a long way and had gone through way too many motions to be turned off by a classic quid pro quo. That was practically the name of the game, wasn't it?

Carlo stood back up and returned the older man with his own sly grin. He straightened his blazer and held out his hand for a proper handshake.

"Looking forward to doing business with you, Mr. ?"

Hagan thought it was cute that he didn't recognize the president, and CEO of the largest, and most powerful interplanetary conglomerate known to man.

"Miles Hagan, please, call me Miles." He said with a smile, taking his hand in a firm handshake. "Fifty percent stake in the acquisition, Tech Con kiosks in every Dellevon property, and seventy five percent in all net profits, after you pay the taxes." He said, resting on his cane. "Oh and you'll be renting the property from Tech Con group. It's the only way you'll be able to get past the legion of bureaucratic red tape the Imperial government will surely throw at you. Oh and I'd do something about the lady, I can't have the senior fleet commander pissed off at your little group." Hagan said.

"In return you get access to the Aschen market, and I keep the state off your backs, what do you say?"

"Well aren't you larger than life," Carlo laughed, "A pleasure, Miles."

Oh, wow. He didn't let it show in his face, but Miles got down to business fast. Carlo must have missed the part where the Aschen were not only efficient, but painfully direct. His eye twitched when Miles mentioned 'the lady'.

"We'd be honored to have you a partial owner, Miles, of whatever properties Dellevon Intergalactic is able to open here on Langara," Carlo continued. There were many beautiful locations on Langara, a lot of citizens and a love for living a full life so it seemed.. Yes, Langara could make Dellevon Intergalactic a lot of money.

Carlo liked money, and money wasn't an object here- even so, in the back of his mind, he cursed Carmen to Hell and back. If she hadn't done whatever it was she did to cause whatever problems she was trying to cause, would these figures be more in his favor? Probably.

"Seventy five percent sounds reasonable, if we're talking product profit from your Kiosks. Every jurisdiction has it's own heft of red tape. So long as there are no bans on Tech Con in any of our locations, consider it done. We can sort out the installation details later," The one thing Carlo couldn't do in all instances was override local government. He figured the Aschen had their own process for that and gave Miles Hagan a wink.

"Tomorrow, after the hearing," Carlo exhaled and grabbed his documents when they were done being processed. Business was moving, and that was a relief. Carmen wasn't going to fuck this one up. He would bury her, first.

"Shall we take a tour of what properties you had in mind, for the resort?" His eyes turned sharp despite the smile, "Do any of them, by chance, come with a graveyard?"

"We don't bury our dead anymore." Hagan remarked, it was a practice that had long since been replaced with cremation or burial in space. "And what I mean is all net profits from your properties here on Langara." He offered a nod to the Border agent, and began to lead Carlo out of the customs area of the spaceport, through the gleaming concourses and towering halls that were lined with shops. Hagan didn't let it be known that Tech Con owned nearly all of it, or had a stake in it.

Reaching the arrivals gate, a large limousine and motorcade awaited them, it was lavish, and luxury that was unparalleled. "I'm sure you're absolutely famished after a long flight, so how about I take you for something to eat, Callisto's on the bay has some of the freshest seafood." Callisto's was known for it's fresh seafood, and the highly rated chef that was preparing it.

"And then we can tour a few places that I have in mind."

"Famished, starved- All of the above," Carlo couldn't wait to dip into some of Caprica's finest. He noted in his head that Hagan seemed hungry for profit. Miles had homeworld advantage, and then some. As they made their way through the spaceport it wasn't lost on Carlo how affluent this society was. High tech,

Thus far all the rumors were true- so he figured he'd avoid cutting corners and immediately address that uncomfortable bottom line. 75% of all net profits was a hefty ask. A bold ask. Controversial, some might say, considering the circumstance. This also wasn't lost on Carlo. That's alright, he thought to himself, I love to play ball.

"Best I can approve on the fly is 60% - majority net profit. After all," He chuckled and gestured towards the limousine, "We still do have to staff the place. Dellevon Intergalactic isn't in the business of underpaying it's associates, either. Seafood, you say?"

Slowly sliding into the limousine, Hagan found a place to rest his jeweled cane, and waited for the android servant to seat Carlo, across the large and plush limousine interior from Miles Hagan. The door closed with an audible clunk, and the older man smiled.

"Do you know how hard it is for a foreign business to even open up shop here on Langara? It's almost impossible." The businessman smiled, and even shifted to get comfortable in the seat as the limousine began to move. "You're also not in a position to negotiate. I have to make sure the proper quorum delegates have their campaigns funded, and I have to make sure that the cubits go to the right people to... smooth things over. Part of that seventy five percent is to make sure your people aren't scooped up by the Confessor Cabal because they let their visa lapse."

Hagan grinned almost devilishly.

"It'd be a shame to build such a wonderful hotel in such a prime location only to have the authorities shut it down on some trivial national security concern."

"A shame that would be, indeed." Carlo chose to act as if he were ignoring the threats. Yes, he was fully aware of how difficult it was to open a business here as a foreigner. He realized he wasn't in the best negotiating position, and cursed Carmen again. When he had a moment alone he'd see to it that problem was nipped in the bud before it could bloom into a fart.

"Tell me more about this quorum, and who would be sponsored," He settled deeper into the cushions of the limousine, taking a look out of the window at the scenery passing by.

"They're in favor of business, which means i'm inclined to be in favor of them. I suppose it would look good to have those proceeds made public. We can take that percentage and have it donate directly from the company coffers. The tax write-off alone for the applicable jurisdictions impacts the bottom line enough worth talking about regardless of sixty percent, seventy five percent..." Carlo swiveled his head to look Hagan in the eye, returning his devilish grin with one of his own.

"What do you say we throw a benefit banquet for the grand opening?"

AHSC Esteem
Reverence II Class Planetary Assault Carrier
Imperial Defense Force

CIC

Admiral Hanley didn’t think she would once again find herself back at the Blue Heaven, with the miniscule asteroid prominently displayed within the center of the large, and airy command center within one of the largest, and most powerful Imperial Aschen warships in the galaxy. Her eyes were focused on the Blue Heaven much like a predator’s would be as it surveyed it’s prey. The shimmering blue, red, and green icons denoting various ships coming and going as well as their various vectors were displayed alongside the blue heaven, and the vectors for the Imperial formation that surrounded the Blue Heaven like a blockade, menacing any traffic that was coming, and going.

Hanley kept her hands firmly clasped behind her back, breaking her interlocked fingers only momentarily to push some errant strands of red hair out of her face. She was staring stonefaced at the display, and then she broke her gaze to avert towards her executive officer, Colonel Juergen Belzen, a middle aged, physically fit man with an olive complexion, a man of clear Tauron descent.

“Colonel, take us on a docking approach, use due caution I’d hate for the whole thing to strike the hull. Gravitic distortions or not, we should announce ourselves rather than sit out here, menacing the station. Line it up with Airlock truss Alpha nine.” Hanley added as she looked back towards the display.

“Admiral, there’s what appeares to be a civilian freighter blocking our approach vector. I have not parsed the origin, but it appears it’s make and design are unique.” The Colonel reported.

“Registration inquiry complete, Admiral.” A holographic woman flickered into view immediately on the console besides Hanley, offering her a warm smile. “Registration ‘Yamaya’ Origin unknown, comparing design features with all known vessels.”

While EVE Set to work, and Colonel Belzen set to plotting their approach vector, Hanley settled into her own position at the main console, briefly surveying the hundreds of people within the Esteem’s CIC Going about their functions like a well oiled machine, as was expected for those within the Imperial Military.

—-

All three of the Esteem’s massive plasmic-fusion drives came to life with a brilliant blue-green glow. Gracefully, the massive Reverence class lurched forward through the crowded blackness of space, slipping free from it’s position among the Imperial fleet, and crossing the vast gulf between itself, and the asteroid. The closer the sleek, yet bulbous Aschen warship approached, the larger it seemed to be, clocking in at roughly twenty three kilometers long, and nearly two thirds as wide, and deep. The Reverence II was a self contained city, carrying a compliment of soldiers, logistical personnel, and the manufacturing capabilities to keep an entire fleet supplied on even the longest deployments. It passed within a scant two kilometers above where the Yamaya was docked, and it’s sheer size was now glaringly obvious. It’s hull plating bore the years of battles, followed by refits, followed by even more battles as the iridescent alien material the massive ship was clad in seemed to be new in some places, and worn in others.

One could even make out recessed weapon emplacements that were easily as large as some civilian heavy freighters. These Turbodisruptor batteries were capable of unleashing enough destruction to flatten cities, and their power sources were linked through quick-charge capacitors to the Reverence’s gargantuan Deuterium-tritium cold fusion reactors.

The void filled with a static charge as the warship’s energy shields cycled, armored plates retracting to reveal a modest docking bay where transport shuttles were being fueled, and prepared for departure. It was at that moment a trio of sleek, and angular looking Raptor Talon starfighters passed beneath the Yamaya, rolling to starboard, and jetting along the Esteem’s hull.

While the helm crew of the Esteem carefully maneuvered the ship into position, Hanley watched the Blue Heaven on her display. Her eyes narrowed.

“What should we do about the freighter?” Belzen asked.

“They’ll get the message.” Hanley said, shifting her weight and clasping her hands behind her back once more.

Mueller stares out the docking bay window as he jogs into the docks. Holy- Is that a Reverence? The entire CU Navy had been trained in recognizing opposition ships, and he supposes with the inclination towards "sovereign stateship" or whatever the Aschen were into, they could show up really anywhere. He glances over at the Yamaya, and sees that it's in the way of this massive monstrosity of a ship. Oh, shit. He pulls out his VTC and cranks a dial until he's in Hailing range of the Yamaya. Hey, this is a passerby to the Yamaya, there's an Aschen Reverance-Class trying to shoulder you out. I don't know where you're from but these people don't frakk around. Heads up!
He knew that something bad was about to happen, and he forgets, for the moment, about his task of finding the blue-cloaked woman.

The arrival of two Gundams on the fringes of the Epsilon Eridany system did not go unnoticed by the watchtower that was within the nearby system. With it’s deep space early warning systems, an information packet was rapidly sent to the nearest Imperial warship, the Hastati Class Cruiser Valiant Lustre, and her Commander; Adrian Samaras, a young up and coming man from Langara.

Transiting FTL happened in an instant, placing the single Imperial warship roughly 500,000 kilometers away as they surveyed the situation briefly. They had limited intelligence on the gundam technology from Terra, and had largely been advised that they were museum relics, and yet here were two of them fighting.

“Course Calculations place these unidentified power suits on course for the Imperial border, recommend intercept. Design Pattern analysis indicates possible Gundam types, Advise extreme caution.” EVE chirped.


“Right…And here I thought these Gundams were a museum relic…” The commander replied as he watched the three dimensional holographic projections on his screen. ”An additional civilian vessel has been detected, Identified as ‘Artruth’ Registration is valid, and current, this vessel does not appear to be involved.” EVE added.

“Right… Raise shields and bring power to weapons, we are very likely outmatched but a show of force is required. Signal the fleet, and prepare for engagement.” Commander Samaras ordered, as the lights dimmed to a dull red. “Send hostile challenge, and ID.”

Attention unidentified objects, this is the United Aschen Empire’s Naval warship Valiant Lustre, you are within the stellar exclusion jurisdiction of the United Aschen Empire, disengage your combat, identify yourselves, and submit for inspection, failure to comply with these requests will be met with force. You have thirty seconds to comply.”

A shimmering curtain of light bathed the Imperial warship in a shimmering glow as her batteries of weapons swiveled to life, while the cruiser slowly began to come about.

”Main batteries have fixed target bearing, we are ready to open fire on your command.” One of the officers reported, while Samaras eyed the screens above him within the CIC.

“This isn’t good, not this close to an Imperial Province, I just hope rapid-response can get here in time…” Samaras said as he clenched the console before him.

From outside it was evident that the Amatsu-Mikaboshi has refrained from powering up its weapons, opting instead to continue pursuit despite the hails. A transmission was sent out as to answer the why.

"Attention, this is Shinigami Daku, in current operation of OZ-13MS Gundam Epyon, modified, designation: 'Amatsu-Mikaboshi', a blade in service of Lord Kurogane of the Zephyr Veil. This is not an act of hostility upon your... respective forces. The target is a hijacked AEU-09 AEU Enact Space Type, designation: 'Sol Senshi', or rather, the pilot, Carmen Dellevon. She is charged with familicide of Cobreo Dellevon, and will be judged accordingly by the Dellevon family, or here should she choose to resist. It is ill-advised to intervene, as the will must be fulfilled."

As the Amatsu-Mikaboshi concluded it's transmitted response to the Aschen Empire, the Sol Senshi all but dropped from the sky. It was going down, it's version of down, plummeting in a deep arc. It was picking up speed - clocking in at 130,000 MPS as it completed it's arc and shot off towards the Perseus Arm.

The Gundam may have been old, but it apparently still had a couple tricks of it's sleeve - and absolutely no conception that it was being operated by a fugitive of the law.

Commander Samaras watched the display as the first message from one of the gundams rolled in, the voice crackling on the speakers as he narrowed his eyes.

"Attention, this is Shinigami Daku, in current operation of OZ-13MS Gundam Epyon, modified, designation: 'Amatsu-Mikaboshi', a blade in service of Lord Kurogane of the Zephyr Veil. This is not an act of hostility upon your... respective forces. The target is a hijacked AEU-09 AEU Enact Space Type, designation: 'Sol Senshi', or rather, the pilot, Carmen Dellevon. She is charged with familicide of Cobreo Dellevon, and will be judged accordingly by the Dellevon family, or here should she choose to resist. It is ill-advised to intervene, as the will must be fulfilled."

The name was meaningless to the Aschen commander until EVE's voice interrupted his focused train of thought.

"Registering name of interest, Arch-Terrorist Carmen Dellevon is wanted by the Ministry of Defense for crimes against the Empire, and her apprehension is priority one. The AI reported as she turned to face the commander. "Tag both mobile suits." He ordered, as the thought of the rewards he would receive from the Imperial Government far outweighed the risks he was taking trying to take both gundams."

"I need sensor lock on the one dubbed Sol Senshi, we must not lose that mobile suit." The Commander narrowed his eyes on the holographic projection, and watched closely as it dropped.

"We need to give chase, we must not lose that machine!" The Commander called out, gesturing forward. "Hard pitch ninety degrees, rear engines thrust full, divert all available power to main engines, and prepare a reply!" The commander shouted as the crew of the Valiant Lustre began to carry out his orders, causing the massive Hastati cruiser to dip it's bow, engage it's massive rear engines, and rapidly accelerate after the fleeing gundam.

Everyone within the CIC was nearly thrown from their stations, as the contents of their stomachs threatened to lurch upwards with the sensation of freefalling overtook them. The stakes had rapidly gotten higher, and Commander Samaras was not going to let them escape.

"It is gaining distance."

Keying up a reply for the Shinigami, the Commander scowled.

"Shinigami Daku, this is Commander Adrian Samaras of the Imperial Aschen Navy, Carmen Dellevon is a highly wanted arch-terrorist and enemy of the state, she must be apprehended at all costs, perhaps a mutually beneficial arrangement can be had, but my orders are clear, and I will neutralize any threat that attempts to interfere. Be advised the Imperial fleet will arrive soon to prosecute this goal." The commander warned.

"Colonel Tyrus, load tricobalt warheads in missile tubes seven through thirteen open fire as soon as they're ready, I'm going to try and trap her, use her cowardice to our advantage... EVE I want everything we have on this woman."

In one fluid motion, the Hastati cruiser attempted to give chase, using everything it had to try and feebly catch the fleeing gundam, but the six FTL Capable Thunderbolt missiles provided the proper countermeasure, and separating the Sol Senshi from it's escape would be a vast shock, and tear in space that stretched across billions of kilometers, with the intent of forcing the gundam to slow down or change course, lest it risk an uncertain fate.

Commander Samaras watched the display as the first message from one of the gundams rolled in, the voice crackling on the speakers as he narrowed his eyes.

"Attention, this is Shinigami Daku, in current operation of OZ-13MS Gundam Epyon, modified, designation: 'Amatsu-Mikaboshi', a blade in service of Lord Kurogane of the Zephyr Veil. This is not an act of hostility upon your... respective forces. The target is a hijacked AEU-09 AEU Enact Space Type, designation: 'Sol Senshi', or rather, the pilot, Carmen Dellevon. She is charged with familicide of Cobreo Dellevon, and will be judged accordingly by the Dellevon family, or here should she choose to resist. It is ill-advised to intervene, as the will must be fulfilled."

The name was meaningless to the Aschen commander until EVE's voice interrupted his focused train of thought.

"Registering name of interest, Arch-Terrorist Carmen Dellevon is wanted by the Ministry of Defense for crimes against the Empire, and her apprehension is priority one. The AI reported as she turned to face the commander. "Tag both mobile suits." He ordered, as the thought of the rewards he would receive from the Imperial Government far outweighed the risks he was taking trying to take both gundams."

"I need sensor lock on the one dubbed Sol Senshi, we must not lose that mobile suit." The Commander narrowed his eyes on the holographic projection, and watched closely as it dropped.

"We need to give chase, we must not lose that machine!" The Commander called out, gesturing forward. "Hard pitch ninety degrees, rear engines thrust full, divert all available power to main engines, and prepare a reply!" The commander shouted as the crew of the Valiant Lustre began to carry out his orders, causing the massive Hastati cruiser to dip it's bow, engage it's massive rear engines, and rapidly accelerate after the fleeing gundam.

Everyone within the CIC was nearly thrown from their stations, as the contents of their stomachs threatened to lurch upwards with the sensation of freefalling overtook them. The stakes had rapidly gotten higher, and Commander Samaras was not going to let them escape.

"It is gaining distance."

Keying up a reply for the Shinigami, the Commander scowled.

"Shinigami Daku, this is Commander Adrian Samaras of the Imperial Aschen Navy, Carmen Dellevon is a highly wanted arch-terrorist and enemy of the state, she must be apprehended at all costs, perhaps a mutually beneficial arrangement can be had, but my orders are clear, and I will neutralize any threat that attempts to interfere. Be advised the Imperial fleet will arrive soon to prosecute this goal." The commander warned.

"Colonel Tyrus, load tricobalt warheads in missile tubes seven through thirteen open fire as soon as they're ready, I'm going to try and trap her, use her cowardice to our advantage... EVE I want everything we have on this woman."

In one fluid motion, the Hastati cruiser attempted to give chase, using everything it had to try and feebly catch the fleeing gundam, but the six FTL Capable Thunderbolt missiles provided the proper countermeasure, and separating the Sol Senshi from it's escape would be a vast shock, and tear in space that stretched across billions of kilometers, with the intent of forcing the gundam to slow down or change course, lest it risk an uncertain fate.

The Amatsu-Mikaboshi in a fluid motion flipped upside down, transformed into its "Mobile Armor" mode and accelerated downward, seemingly blinking out into a blur, leaving behind only a vapor trail and a rippling ring. Soon communication came to the Valiant Lustre.

"Commander Adrian Samaras, that is acceptable. It matters not by the means, it only matters that she is held accountable for her crime of familicide against the Dellevon family. To that end, my proposal is simple: that at least one Dellevon witness be present in confirmation of justice served. Is that acceptable?"

With a set course, it was not to directly pursue the Sol Senshi but to to accelerate past it in an attempt to further cut off an escape.

The Gundam abruptly began to tumble in a different direction, not losing speed as it pivoted and shot off into the Norma Arm.

The sound of what could be described as helicopter blades began to echo in the distance. Slowly, it was beginning to grow louder.