Emerging from the depths of space . . .

Hraap-Admiral, commander of the Patriarchy’s 23rd Fang (Fleet) reluctantly focused on the seemingly endless rows and columns of sensor data presented to him by First-Technician. His needle sharp-claws dug into the sheet with frustration, for it seemed like the higher one rose in rank, the more time was spent staring at never-ending piles of paperwork. Even worse, he couldn’t lose face by letting one of his underlings notice something that he missed. With a resigned sigh he sank down onto his crash-couch and began to review the information. Kzinti eyes, evolved for catching hidden prey in the jungles and tall-grass plains of Kzinhome, were surprisingly well-suited for finding patterns and trends among all the sensor-data.

After what seemed to Hraap-Admiral an exceedingly long time, but was actually just a couple octals of minutes, his eyes suddenly widened and his ears fanned out to their full extent. “I haven’t seen these types of energy signatures for months! It looks like a fleet from those beings calling themselves the High Command Hegemony.” He leaned over, flicked a switch, and spoke into a microphone, “First-Technician, report to my quarters hastily!” He disliked dealing with the technically-oriented members of his crew, for they often seemed most un-Kzin-like, preferring to be jacked-into the databanks of the ship or poring over technical manuals, instead of hunting, fighting, or making ch'rowl with kzinrettis.

The door chime on Hraap-Admiral’s door sounded and he spat out “Enter!”, and First-Technician came into the room. The Admiral noted with disdain the data-jack that emerged from the Technician’s right eye socket as if he had been born with it.



Using the imperative/superior mode of the Hero’s tongue, Hraap-Admiral demanded, “Speak quickly First-Technician, did you look at these readings before you gave them to me?”

Ears laid back on his head and adopting a traditionally submissive body-posture, First Technician said, “No, fiercest of Admirals! I did as you instructed and gave the readings directly to you.”

“The juices of obedience flow strongly through your liver, Technician. You have done well.” Leaning over and pointing to a group of sensor readings from what the Kzinti referred to as the Eye of Sherrek quadrant, he continued, “What do you see here Technician?”

Nervously, First-Technician scanned the data, wondering if this was some logical trap the Admiral was setting. Quickly though, his mind snapped back into technical mode. “It looks like a fleet, Admiral, but it is unfamiliar to me.” He knew what the data signified, but chose to let the Admiral “make the discovery”.

“These beings have not been seen in this quadrant for a very long time; They are from the High Command Hegemony, a once great empire that has fallen to decay and waste. We have taken many systems from their now feeble grasp, and some of those among them who have the heart of a true Hero have wisely chosen to join us. This looks to be the largest of their fleets that has been seen in many octals of days.”

“Ah yes great Admiral, I see it now. Your senses are indeed keen!” Inwardly, he hated all the tail-stroking that was required to rise in rank in the Patriarchal forces.

“Dismissed, First Technician.!” The Admiral turned his back and resumed gazing at the report, hearing the hiss of the door closing behind his subordinate.

“The Fanged-God has indeed blessed us this day. This fleet should be entertaining prey, for the Hegemonians have always been cunning opponents.” The Admiral knew well though that there were more ways to earn glory and honor for the Kzinti Empire. Perhaps the commander of this wandering fleet had the heart of a Kzinti, and felt the juices of battle flowing through his veins. “We shall see…”, he thought to himself.

He flicked the comm-switch again, “Helm, plot an intercept to the coordinates coming through now. To the crew of the 23rd Fang, ready for possible battle! Condition green, repeat condition green!” The satisfying hum of the hyper-drives spooling-up was music to the ears of the Kzinti, as it meant that soon they would have another chance to engage their foes and win honor for themselves and the Empire.

Sentient species taste better...

Ahh, echos from the past meet the young champions. This might bear watching.

Muttley! Cloak the Mean Machine and start some popcorn! ... Muttley! (Where is that *%#$@ dog anyway? So hard to find help nowadays. I guess I'll just do it myself again.)

Thanks, Dick_Dastardly. Hopefully Popcorn Avenger will respond, and this will turn into something interesting.

Sentient species taste better...

The vessel off the port bow slowly rotating in the blackness of space. A small ship of the Hegemony's Intrepid class, it was a scout ship equipped with an advanced lab well suited to the exploration of the Void, and any of the potentially powerful - or lethal - precursor artifacts scattered here and there about the galaxy.

This scout, and a nearby freighter, were fated to do no more exploring. Commander Wilson sighed; their gutted remains were a sad sight, as well as a trophy to the ineptness of their former captains. Assuming they'd even had a chance to recognize or respond to what hit them before it was all over. Space warfare, Commander Wilson knew, was almost always over before it even properly began. The mathematics of defeat were often plain to both the defeated and the victor before any weaponry even reached their targets.

"Analysis, Lieutenant."

"Weapon's fire, definite weapon signatures on both hulls and some of the surrounding space debris. This was not a stellar accident or navigation failure, Sir."

"Unknown origin?" Wilson kept his voice calm, but inside he tensed. Of all the terrors endless space could conjure, little was as dreaded as a new enemy. A new unknown enemy, he reflected. Knight-Commodore of the Hegemony fleet, he was no stranger to battle nor to the flush of victory in the aftermath.

"No sir. Weapon signature's are known to us and present in the computer's memory archives. Kzinti, without a doubt. There's also traces of fusion drives and a hyperdrive eddy. Yet they're . . . odd, Sir. "

Wilson turned to the Lieutenant. This junior officer, Lt. Peabody, was a calm, almost cold man with who displayed little emotion. One of the latest Knights from the biotanks on a nearby colony ship. Wilson had little liking for these cold, almost robotic pseudo-men, but he couldn't deny their efficiency. "Odd?"

"Eddy currents speak of several . . dozen . . .yes, dozen ships, sir. A small fleet. Yet only a few engaged our exploratory force. In fact, too few to easy defeat us - there, that debris is not ours, but from a Kzinti vessel, a fighter.". Wilson's eyes followed the pointing finger and grunted. Chewing on the narcostick, he slowly nodded.

"Those sighted us and the others kept on moving . . . even avoiding our vessels. Plainly instructed not to attack us, yet some disobeyed. Likely a little-bloodied captain of those reeking cat-men seeking coup and fresh meat."

"Yes, sir. I thought the Kzinti command structure was strict and well regimented?"

"Hardly" the Commander replied. "Fierce, yes, formidible in body and spirit. Yet not so well disciplined. Given the size of the force that avoided us, he's either roasting over his leader's fire-pit right now, or displaying the heads he captured. . . . either depending on his political or clan standing with their own commander. "

"Order, sir". Wilson sighed, then nodded. "We cannot allow them to get away with this without bloodying them, or they'll return with a force large enough to damage even the Star Warden. That cannot be allowed". His eyes wandered over the maps, then fixed on a habitable world some ten light years away. Scanned from afar, it was revealed to be a barren desert world with little in the way of value. Yet energy signatures cryptic before now made sense. A small Kzinti force lingered there, likely bored fightercraft and mining vessels.

"Set the fleet to flank speed. Encircle this system " his finger stabbed down upon the screen, virtually pinning the spheroid that was the icon representing the planet.
"Standard "Rally Boy" maneuver, yet do not enter orbit. That will likely throw them into disarray, attempting to guess our motive. "

The Lieutenant turned. "Not enter orbit, Sir? Why encircle at all?" The Lieutenant blanched then, as Wilson turned a beady eye on the junior officer. The skin of the Commander's face rippled sparkling gold, fractal tattoos as current rang along the the biotech pathways connecting the various implants imbedded just below the skin. Wilson grunted, then grinned; perhaps here was an officer worth cultivating, few of them would dare to speak so, out of turn, to a Knight-Commander of the Irrefutable. The luminescence of his skin faded back to normal as the datastream packet he mentally sent to the officer's own implants arrived.

"We destroy every fighter craft coming up to meet us - and, believe me, the Kzinti will come up, they're aggressive to a fault. Then destroy every craft in orbit from the outside, excluding mining vessels or non-combantants.

"Once that is accomplished they'll be a larger Kzinti fleet on the way. We're not there to conquer the outpost, which will also delay them as they will likely pause to bolster its defenses once more."

Immediately withdraw into this sector " he muttered, tracing a line with his finger. The computer complied to the touch, sensing the biotech device implanted in the Captain's finger, and a glowing line sprang up from the semi-intelligent console. A few light-years away from the outpost, it was at the edge of a dark sector with few stars and no habitable worlds. "A large nebula that will hide us and mask the bulk of our fleet. Not enough to prevent them from finding us, but it'll give them pause and their sensor techs headaches."

"Then we wait, and see if they want to dine, or to talk. Either way we'll give them a bloody snout and a belly-full of their own blood . . . and maybe gain the respect we're warranted."

Sitting Behind His Office on Visor, Everflyer Scanned over Trade Agreements from his many loyal races. His long Teal hair hung low, it came to about half way down his back. His double-bladed sword hung on the wall behind him. The sword itself was hand made and had lasted over 70,000 years of war and time, yet it remain perfectly intact. Neither was it ominous, or Scary looking. It was quiet a remarkable weapon. Relising he had let his mind wonder from the task he quickly turned back to the data pads. He may have been a robot but he had more human features. Xionian Robots were Very well programed, Physically and mentally he looked and acted like a normal biological begin. He even wore cloths. Blue and Teal cloths covered his body, they where more about honour rather than formal wear. Once a great worrier and leader, now a Leader with alot of trade problems. He missed combat sometimes.

It had been a while since Everflyer had to do this kind of work, After his encounter with the Beast and the Destruction of the Xionian Robots he hadn't had a chance to catch-up on his political skills.

Everflyer could have easily Downloaded the nessecary files right into ihis programing but he felt the need to learn things the natural way. It was the only way to bring balance to this situation. Even if it was a boring task.

Everflyer remembered back to his early teaching over 80,000 years ago, right at the begining of the Xionian wars. That fight between the Brutal and Barbarian Xionians and their robots Devestated the Universe they lived in for thousands of years. His Master had taught him about universeal powers and magic. "Inorder to bring balance to the universe you must bring Balance to yourself" Was one of his most popular lines. What he spoke was true, Everflyer needed to sometimes balance even the most irrelivate things so that the Universe would grant it's full power to him so he could then balance the major events like war and overwhelming powers.

He could hear the staff outside his room start rushing around. "What is going on out there?" He whispered to himself. He was ment to run the T.U.F.C and maintain order amongest the many races under his rule, But his staff almost made it impossible. When ever there was a traffic jam or an un-idenified ship that entered the T.U.F.C space they freaked out.

This time was different though. Ever stood up from his seat, He could sense a new event unfolding. He hovered over to his computer screen and quickly accessed the veiw screen.

"Ops... States report." He commanded to the Technician who had answered.
The tech turned to a second screen and then faced him again and said "Sir we have a fleet of Kzinti ship that are trying to cross our space, we register 7 dozen of them. They do not have clearence and they have powered weapons".
Everflyer could Finally understand why everyone was in a rush. Kzinti often Mean business. Technically they are allies with The T.U.F.C but for some reason Everflyer had never really trusted them and made sure he honoured one of their oldest and noblest laws, "If your claws can grasp it, it's rightfully yours". He made sure he could grasp all of his terretory so as to keep the Kzinti from thinking about invasion. Looks like the Kzinti where looking for a T.U.F.C target.

Ever snapped is fingers and instantly he was in the command nucleus of this planet. He turn to the ranking officer of the complex. "What is the states of the Kzinti Fleet. where are they going?" He asked.
"Right now sir... We haven't a clue. we checked our logs, they are heading into empty space on the other side of our terretory" he said puzzled "I'm sorry sir but we haven't found a reason for them to be doing this yet".
"... Think like a Kzinti. their is 1 thing most active in their gene. the need to fight.
Their fleet size segests they have found a target.
They are on a Direct course which mean they know exacly where it is.
Since the Kzinti are worrier whom believe in pure combat we can rule out a trade line or starbase. They are not into pety Piracy. This is a military target.
Judging by their speed I guess it a strike attack. they need all the speed and time they can get their furry claws on. in which case their target is alive and moving and asking us permission to pass through our space would cost them precious time which they don't have. with no homing beacon detected we can guess that their prey has no idea their in danger..."
The Crew stop and stare for a bit, Stunned that their leader has sussed out that plot of things merely but knowning the race well enough to judge their actions. they then resumed their work.
"So we have nothing to worry about then..." The Ranking officer said, delited.
Everflyer called the Ranking officer aside "I want to detain the Kzinti a bit longer. We neede to show them that violating our space is not permited. We need tow frigates and I recommend a class 4 EMP frigate. send a dozen warships to escourt them."
The ranking officers face turn from delite to horror. "With a force like that those ships will be torn apart! Are you really segesting a surcide mission?"
"No... You can take the Karli If you must but I would like to just send them a warning. If they reject the Idea I want you to fry them with an EMP and Towed back to space dock where we can impound their ships until further notice. this is a police action now, not a war. No blood shed. If we allow them to pass through imagine what example this will set for our standards. The EMP is the only none violent measures we have of disabling a ship for long periods of time. Assemble a fleet and go" Everflyer ordered.
The ranking officer Bounded down the corridor towards the command post.

(3 Hours later) Everflyer could see the ships launching from the docks. the T.U.F.C's Military was young, just like the empire itself. Lucky most races had decided to donate their military inorder to defend the corperation.

"Sir... we still read the Kzinti ships In hyperspace, they are halfway across our space now sir. Our ships will engage them at 3/4" Ops reported.

Everflyer Glared at the charts. He then reachout our with his soul to the Kzinti ships. Sure enough he saw them, small and large, battle ready ships. He then truned to the direction they where headed. He used his mind to speed ahead. he passed their space, towards a space ship traveling towards a Guardians nebular. That nebular was part of the T.U.F.C's space... it was home to a feirce group called the Guardians. They were one of the first members to join the corperation. they had donated half their ships also.

Everflyer closed his telekenetic powers and returned to his body.

"Ops, Is the Guardian Sensor nods along the Gizi Nebular avaliable to us?" Ever asked
"Yes sir we have access to them. Running sensor sweep... their is a faint power signature, it can't be... Re-running scan... sir that's a ship using a Power dampener. it's Ion trail leads right through our space. looks like it took damage though and the power dampener was damaged." He replied.
"Can you get a visual?" Ever asked again.
"yes sir, On screen now"
Ever stared at the alien vessel, He knew the Hull well, and the symbol painted into the hull made it clear.
"that's a High Command Hegemony ship isn't it?" one of the tech Said.
"Get our fleet on the coms now!" He barked, this was Ever's chance. he knew the Autobots and the Kzinti had heavely attacked the High Command Hegemony when the Xionian Robots arrived in this universe. He was intreged to know about the long gone race. Actually that is wrong, For all Everflyer knew they could be alive a triving. but first he needed to impound that ship so the Kzinti couldn't touch it.
"Grid Fleet 3! Emergency Hyperspace! sector 45, mark 567, mark 7964. Your are ordered to impound a High Command Hegemony, it has entered the Gizi nebular without permission. Use Minimal force I want them to be treated like guests not prisoners." Everflyer commanded.

This would truely be a fine moment in History. He only hoped he didn't mess it up.

An insistent chirruping sound startled Hraap-Admiral out of a sound sleep, and he was instantly wide awake, his claws unsheathing involuntarily. The alarm had been designed with the sound of a common prey-animal on Kzinhome, because it caused an instinctual response that immediately alerted and focused the attention of any Kzin who heard it. Knowing the device was well designed did not improve the Admiral’s mood at being awakened so suddenly. He growled into the vid-com, “Report swiftly!”

The image of Ksizhyee-Commander, 2nd in command of the Hrizhwasg, appeared on the screen, “Admiral, excuse me for waking you, but the Hegemony fleet has changed course and is now headed for Outpost Zrinj. It is not clear what their intentions are. Our facilities and ships there are well shielded against enemy detection. It may be a coincidence.”

Hraap-Admiral smiled, which for Kzin is a common threat display –a baring of fangs. Many species have initially mistaken that expression, to their detriment. “Obviously not shielded well enough, they have caught our scent. At full speed can we intercept before they reach the outpost?”

Remaining calm and unfazed under the angry glare of the Admiral, Ksizhyee-Commander was a credit to the revamped training regimen of the Patriarchal forces, which was implemented to suppress the impulsive nature that was often the downfall of the Kzinti in the past. It did nothing to improve the Admiral’s mood though. “No Admiral, they are too far ahead of us. At full speed, the main fleet would arrive 13 intervals (analogous to hours) after the Hegemonians. What are your orders sir?”

Speaking quickly in the Hero’s Tongue, which to any non-Kzin sounds something like a nasty cat-fight, Hraap-Admiral ordered, “Utilize strictest encryption protocols, send word immediately to Chooprak-Captain, commander of the forces at Outpost Zrinj. That foolish ya-nar must hold his t’kzintar in check until the 23rd Fang arrives.” Knowing Chooprak-Captain to be a grizzled old warrior with a reputation for hasty action, he was doubtful that his order would have the intended effect. “Order any Patriarchal forces that are in closer proximity to the outpost to come to their aid. Dispatch 1st and 2nd Swift Prowler Talons (squadrons) to scout ahead of the fleet and monitor the situation. Have the 3rd Talon scout a wide perimeter around the fleet until we reach the outpost…we must ensure no outside interference. They are not to engage under any circumstances. Let it be known that I’ll personally devour the livers of any pilot who disregards my orders!”

Ksizhyee-Commander quickly saluted the Admiral, slashing the claws of one hand in front of his face in a quick swipe. “It will be done Admiral!”

Hraap-Admiral flicked of the vid-com angrily, grabbed his wtsai (Kzinti dueling dagger), and headed towards the holo-gym to work off some of the tension by slaying virtual foes. He did not like anything interfering in his plans to win more honor and status, and as Outpost Zrinj was technically within his sphere of control, it would be unfortunate for him if it were attacked. Crew-Kzin hastily stepped out of his way as he strode the hallways of the flagship Hrizhwasg. They had learned well to avoid his notice when his disposition turned blood-red.

---

Against the star-speckled blackness of space, a thinly spread network of tiny dark-red ships prowled the void around the 23rd Fang.



Each of the Swift Prowlers was equipped with the most sensitive sensor equipment, and to the distaste of their pilots, a Telepath. Every cockpit reeked of the drug made from sthondat lymph-extract that enhances the psychic abilities of its users, and also of the unkempt pelts of the Telepaths. The side effects of the drug were not gentle. Considered to be insane by most other Kzin, the Telepaths are outcasts of Kzin society, due to the mental dysfunction caused by their abilities, and their notoriously bad hygiene. It is shameful for a Kzin to neglect his furry coat, and the scent of an unwashed Telepath is highly offensive to the sensitive Kzinti nose. The hypnotic trance that was required for far-sensing was also disconcerting to the average Kzin.

Khori-Pilot found it difficult to focus on his patrol around the 23d Fang, due to the distracting stench and distorted purring and growling noises emanating from the Telepath behind him. He refused to address his unwanted companion by anything other than “Telepath”, but he had a large number of other uncomplimentary names in mind that he would rather use. Halfway from waypoint 73 of his patrol pattern, the noises of his passenger suddenly stopped. The spitting hiss of the Telepath’s voice momentarily startled Khori-Pilot. “Contact… Unknown mind... Hissss! Cold…very cold…precise… Metal-beings. Yes, open, unfold… Pattern, Xionian. Identity…hrrrraaarrrggghhhh!” The scream of the Telepath ripped through the small cockpit momentarily causing Khori-pilot to veer sharply off course. As he quickly regained control of his craft, the Telepath behind him collapsed into drooling unconsciousness. Wasting no time, Khori-Pilot relayed the discovery to the duty-officer on the Hrizhwasg. The situation had just become a lot thornier for the 23rd Fang and Hraap-Admiral.

Sentient species taste better...

so, this is an AAR using MV empires, right?

Yes, it seems to have become that, although I doubt that was Popcorn Avenger's original intent. I'm having fun with it.

Sentient species taste better...

I hate wednesday, I could never get a hang of wednesday. This was the first thought of a Arthur Dent, who until recent circumstances changed was supposed to be by all intents and purposes dead. But yet he was alive, and as well as one could be when ones home was completely and utterly demolished for the second time. It is true what they say, a Vogon never gives up.

"Attention all crew members, this is Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz speaking. We have just cleared the Sol system, and are now on the move to rejoing the main construction fleet near Alpha Centauri. Prepare for Hyperspace Clearance."

Arthur's stomach sank, he now remembered what happened, worse he was now onboard a Vogon ship for the second time in his life. And the first time was to say the least, very unpleasant. All he do now is hope that he wasn't found. He looked down at his hands, at the glint of the 'hitchiker's thumb' Ford had given him. He sighed, where was Ford now? Dead like the rest of Earth's sentients, or was he also spared somehow. None if it mattered now Arthur though, it was time to try and be resourceful.

The ship rattle and the roar of its subspace engine filled the air. Sparks flew and several panels dropped from the sealing as the ship entered Hyperspace. One particular panel, of one particularly bad panel manufactured had the misfortune of being glued to the ceiling with one particularly bad edheasive, which was applied by one particularly inept Vogon. We speak of this particular panel, because this particular panel soon was one of the dozens that dropped from the ceiling, but instead of falling to the floor unharmed it fell on the head of our poor hero and promptly smashed into four even pieces. And what of our hero? Well he was now slightly unconscious....

The Vogon Flagshop dropped out of Hyperspace on scheduele. Its rusty patchwork hull caught the glint of the Alpha Centauri's stars as it began its quite slow approach to the rest of the Vogon Construction Fleet. As far as the crew of the Fleet new, its job with Earth was finally finished, and they will probably get some quite well deserved rest filling some papers back on Vogsphere.

That was of course, untill somewhere in the great filling blocks of Vogsphere some lowly clerk made the inept mistake of rounding a digit too soon. This inept mistake would send the Vogon Fleet and our unsuspecting hero into a ragin war of disastorous propritions. For this particular digit was the one of the coordinatess for the Fleets next departure to the next system schedueled for demolision.

The Fleet was now ready for departure, its ships lined up in neat rows, 10 wide and 10 deep. One by one the ships were granted Hyperspace clearance, and one by one they dropped out into subspace. No one had any idea that their next destination would not be the Silver Moon of Augular Mento, but instead a relatively undeveloped system that the local populace called "Zrinj". It only took a few hours to reach, and soon the Fleet was upon the periphary of the system.

"Attention all crew members. We have no entered the Augular Mento system. Our orders are to demolish completely the Silver Moon. As you can see by the star charts the Silver Moon lies dead ahead. Begin surrounding the system and charging all frontword Matter Dissemblers."

Prostentic Vogon Jeltz leaned back in his chair. Another planet to be cleared away, another hyperspace lane to be built. All in a days work for a Vogon. He looked out at the remarkably desert looking moon, he was about to sigh when his mind finally processed what he saw. He looked back at the small projection of what the Silver Moon was supposed to look like, and sadly it wasn't supposed to be a desert. It wasn't supposed to be populated either, however the scans now showed several large energy signatures. This was of course troubling to poor old Jeltz, but he wasn't about to argue with orders, if he was sent here it was for a reason, and he would carry out his job. However, now that he knew the planet was populated he would have to make an announcement to the sentients of the planet to evacuate if possible. He quickly ran a background check on the planet. Population and almost every other statistic was unknown, even the name was unheard of. Still regulations clearly stated that sentient species had a right to know if their home was being demolished.

"People of this unknown world, it is has come to our attention that your world is next on our list of worlds to be demolished. Now do not despare, your world is being demolished in order to provide the Hyperspace Planning Committe with a new hyperspace lane to the more undeveloped sections of the Galaxy. If you have any complaints you may submit them to your nearest Developement Office. Thank you and have a nice day".

Love this idea.

Hmmm....TGE, that sounds VERY familiar for some toatlly inexplicable reason.  :LOL: 

Sentient species taste better...

What can I say, I'm a hitchhiker at heart.

Aren't we all.

No, I like to write fiction when my Muse is obliging, and my original post was just a "I'm back" message of sorts. Then it escalated when another empire declared us having been wounded by the Kzinti (always very likely, but I'd leave it to them.).

I'm just flying by the seat of my space-pants and putting stuff out. I'm also "relearning" GalCiv with the latest expansion in place. As to the fate of the HCH or where this "fleet" (player) goes is unknown even to the poster.

Not counting coup against any race or empire or trying to start an interstellar war (yet!). It's sorta like BG on SciFi; they're adrift and looking for likely systems to colonize and reestablish the Hegemony once again.

Of course, we all know how wars are often started by accident . . .

Won't allow me to edit the post - not sure why, it just does it sometimes. Wanted to say I have forgotten much, and am not sure what a "AAR" is. For me this is just fiction with more than a few contributing authors

Everflyer gazed up at the veiw screen, he couldn't understand what was going on. it was like the Universe had gone mental. Dread Lords had returned, The HCH had returned, the Kzinti making an illegal move inside T.U.F.C space, reports of people anialating planets for their own soul perpouse... not to meantion after they finished the silver moon their next target was the Celerion homeworld Solar Prime. It was a vital planet they could not aford to loose. Everflyer feared he would have to abandon the chase of the Kzinti war ships and make way to defend Celerion space.

Ever could feel the strings of the universe weaving between his fingers. all of them hung loosely like the ever degrading situation of the universe. He could feel that he couldn't do this alone but there was no one else qualified.sloly but surely those strings would snap the the universe woulds collapes into total choas.

He ran his fingers through his hair. This was a nighmare. Why couldn't the universe just get alone. "Sir both the Kzinti ships and the HCH ship have changed course and speed" ops reported.
"States... Where is the HCH ship going? Call off Grid fleet 3, they are heading away from our space. What is that there? What's it heading to?" Ever asked
"Seems to be a kzinti Outpost. they do have clames on that area of space. The HCH ship is heading right into a trap." Ops reported, "Also the Kzinti fleet has sped up. when our strike fleet reachs it's new location it will find their ships are already beyond our space. there is nothing we can do to stop them sir".
Everflyer "it's ok, we will pull the Kzinti up of this later. We'll contacft their government and have them explain their actions".
"Ay sir, Breaking off the chase" Ops replied.
Everflyer felt his hope falling. "Ready the fastest ship where it be big or small. equip it with a cloak and i'm heading into that space dock" He reported.
Dispite the arguements on the staff he merely walked out of the room. he expected it done.

Ever sat behind his desk and almost instantly a face apear on his veiw screen. "Well hello Everflyer... it's been a long while" Zekk was the man calling.
"Zekk I knew you'd jump at this chance" Everflyer started smiling and laughing. He had met Zekk back in the Solian Galaxy in a bar fight over Primus the center planet. "How in the world did you know i was going to ask you if I could be your escourt for this mission?" He sounded astonished but at the same time Playful, edging ever on. Zekk was brave and foolish, a deadly mix. Everflyer merely tap his head and said "I'll see you in 5 seconds then, ready those engines for lift off".

Everflyer held his hand out ans his double balded sword came flying off the wall and landed in his grasps. he then snaped his fingers and he apeared on the StarSky, Zekks vessel. "Hey, buddy" Zekk called from the pilots seat, "Come your co-pilot for this trip, we will be storing your friends in the cargo hold for the trip home".
The StarSky started lifting off into the night sky.

They soon arrived at the coordinates 3 hours before the Kzinti fleet. there it was, the Kzinti trade post. "Ok, Ever, I need you to hid in the dampening net. they will scann the ship for life signs and cargo. I have spice ore in the back I wish to trade. if they see you there will be security watching over our shoulders every minute. go hide!"
Ever hid in the net. then cloaked himself to make sure. "Kzinti space station this Is Zekk Reynold here to make a Trade delievery to my favourite fuz ball" Zekk taughted into the comms. What the hell was he doing?!
"Ok you made your point Zekk, what you got for us this time?" a reply came through.
"I got my hands on some Spice ore from the CS. looking to barter them off" ~Zekk
"you know the routine" ~ Kzinti Station
"I sure do, scan my ship" ~Zekk
"... You are tellingnus the truth, no other life signs... Spice ores inplace" ~ Kzinti Station
"Would i lie to you? Ok where can I dock this crate of a ship?" ~Zekk
"Zekk buddy we are totally full up today, we have traders from everywhere coming to sell. We can give you dock 13, It's our last avaliable port. We can give you 15 minutes in there" ~ Kzinti Station
"Whoa hold on a second... I have alot of Spice here" ~ Zekk
"We have scanned your ship, there isn't that much" ~Kzinti Station
"... Fine In my hidden hold I have (Looks around to check if the Kzinti stations room is clear and whispers) I have Quadrium Rods, This is reaL 1ST lv stuff mate. I can get us both a HUGE price for stuff of this quality" ~ Zekk
"Why is it not registering on our scan?" ~ Kzinti Station
"I Put in the hold, I don't want Pirates Shooting up my vessel to try and get this. Man not even farengi Gold pressed Latnium compares to this... come on, split the gold 20/80 and you give me 2 hours" ~ Zekk
"50/50 and you get 2 hours" (Grinning) ~ Kzinti Station
"Hey let not make wrong move here now... 30/70 and you give me 1 hour" ~Zekk
"35/65 and I give you 30 minutes" ~ Kzinti Station
"... Fine, but I can't garantee a good price with that amount of time" ~ Zekk
"... You have 45 minutes Zekk, no more or we'll blast you out of the dock whether your in it or not" ~ Kzinti Station
"When have a even let you down? Zekk out" ~ Zekk

Everflyer was impressed. that was good batering skills. "Where did you learn that?" Ever asked.
"It's basic Bartering skills I pick-up from many traders i have crossed. don't thank me yet, you have 40 minutes to seek our your friends and bring them to my stall outside the enterance of our ship. I will give you two portable cloaks, I will also keep 2 crates open outside for spice. Get them to climb into it... this had better be worth it Ever, after this I will not be able to trade in Kzinti space again" He said sternly.
"Understood Zekk, We are docking now" Ever replied.
The docking clamps shut tight on the vessel, the docking hatch opened.

Zekk's sale was going very well. already he was getting tens of thousands fo credit for the Quadrium. The Station itself was bursting with life. Kzinti and other aliens walked around the many events been held. Everflyer had gone in desguish as a human Navy officer. it was a holo cloak ofcourse, just incase. He could see the 2 HCH officers in the lounge area. their uniforms stood out in the small crowd. Everflyer walked over to them, he checked the time. he had 30minutes left. the spice would take time to sell. he could do this.

He placed a hand on the HCH's sholder who he assumed was the commanding officer. HE jumped to atention almost instantly and looked around from where he was seated. Everflyer spoke in a voice only just loud enough for him to hear "we need to talk, it's a matter of Great importance..."

mindbogglingsoulwrenchingdismayjoyscentmetalflowerlibidolinearstarwashTHRUMM!


Several medium to smallish fleets of Hegemony ships winked into normal space as they cavitated, shone with a brief burst of luminescence as well as emitting some hard gamma and x-ray radiation. Appearing at the edges of the Zrinj system, each group of ships immediately sent a brief tachyon micropulse to the neighboring fleet, synchronizing their internal clocks and confirming ship status.

The sight of one fleet alone would be dismaying to any world caught unprepared. Four Annihilator-class heavy cruisers, each with enough firepower to decimate planetoids, surrounded one of the three remaining HCH Dominator class battleships, which acted as the central hub and coordinator. Releasing molecular bindlocks holding them virtually welded to the hulls of all four ships, several dozen fightercraft and space marine boarding pods issued forth, forming a third spherical picketline about the massive warships. One subfleet alone would give nearly any planetary enemy nightmares, four appearing in tandem about the system often brought about instant capitulation, always an outcome favored to actual combat.

. . and we can't afford to lose many of these ships, the Commander thought. He sighed, briefly bowing his chin upon his chest as the datastream packets flooded in, burying his HUD in mountains of flashdata and visuals. With no central base to be had, no planetary resource, the supplies and lifeblood of this forgotten fleet came from the occasional asteroid or other stellar body encountered. The valuable ones rare compared to majority, worthless space rocks and plasmoids thrown off by impudent suns or even darkmatter comets.

Once synchronized, the four subfleets began to slowly circle inward in the classic corkscrewing manuever "Rally Boy", cleaning up space mines and satelites as they went, and disgorging several varieties of nanite bombs, psionic mines, and mono-molecular ship impalers. Robotic weaponry, mind bending mental bombs, and disablers should an enemy fleet attempt to intervene in planetary conquest.

The latter devices were completely passive, invisible spears, or shards, of ultradense dwarf star matter, arranged along a monomolecular bond. Passive until the gravity well of a passing hyperdrive capable ship came within range, they would be drawn to the ships like bees to honey, ignoring classical energy shielding, and piercing most known forms of alloy or armor. In other words, nearly invisible ship-killing FOD. Unfortunately they were few in number and would ignore any craft passing them not capable of instellar travel, or one with its drives completely shut down.

Five intervals out from engagement of the planet's sole space outpost, obviously a scientific platform of some kind, and suddenly another powerful and urgent tachyon micropulse flashed about the system. Nearly every subfleet halted in it's advance, one so close to the Kzinti observation platform its captain swore he caught the gaping face of a Kzin at one of the viewports staring at them. The small space munitions lauched from this source was largely ignored by the approaching fleet, save for the deadlier missiles, which were dispatched by the few AMM's the cruisers could spare. Several winks of light denoted the extinction of fightercraft not so fortunate.

The Kzinti prepared their counterattack and defense of this remote frontier world. Then came the unexpected. With a ponderous turn that belied their true speed, the four fleets abruptly recalled their fightercraft, spun on their axis, and launched themselves towards a rally point on the opposite edge of the system from where the first appeared. As they traveled the space munitions and mines were collected and stored once again, costing them nearly an interval in and of itself. Several collector craft and converted constructors were destroyed by pursuing Kzinti fightercraft as they did so, yet the bulk of the fleet did not pause to contest it.

Once they arrived at the new rallypoint, a full interval later, their singularity drives spun up to the tune of a singular calculation, and the subfleets joined in one massive hyperjump out of the system. A scant interval ahead of several Kzinti fightercraft brave enough to chase the massive fleet.

" . . not one but possibly three different sets of encrypted communications? Another fleet appearing in the system, with, of all things, armed Constructors? The Omegascan hinting at even more potential enemy minds out there?"

Several rather descriptive - and inventive - curses followed before the current leader of the last of the Hegemony forces digested the data and the full import of what was occurring was made evident to him.

Wilson spun from the display, clasping his arms behind his back. Arrayed in his impressive biomechanical armor, he appeared undismayed, even intrigued, by the unexpected events. His exoskeleton's power signature slowly faded as the semi-intelligent armor powered back down into a maintenance mode. Battle would have to wait it seemed, and he grimaced as the suit jabbed him anew, releasing several chemical counter-agents into his bloodstream, counteracting the battle cocktail that had been swimming in his system. Tiredness immediately set in, as well as a mild depression, normal for post battle fatigue. The metallic taste in his mouth, however, would take several hours to go away, and he ordered up a fresh pot of coffee from the ship's replicators. Then he mentally cued the ship's comms, his voice beamed out from the command center to the captains of the three battleships.

"We've clearly stepped in it, gentlemen. This sector of space is not as empty as our initial scans revealed. Initiate plan Better Side of Valor." He heard the faint chime as the message was stored in the ship's databanks, ready to be emitted to the fleet once they regained normal space.

Likely we were detected by several passive scan deep space hyperradar sites, he thought. The floor beneath him thrummed with the vibration of an entry into normal space, the ping of another synchronization pulse and a datastream burst conveying his orders . . . and then the thunderous, teeth-jarring clap of yet another jump. One of many in several small hops taking them to the nebula's discernible edge. It was the deep space equivalent of "running for cover" as each subfleet leaped from gravity well to gravity well, doing their best to use stellar phenomena to mask their entry radiations as they proceeded onwards.

Prostentic Vogon Jeltz watched his monitor with little interest as a few cruiser sized ships did a quite ridiculous manuever. He would have to follow up on their fleet though, for they had jumped into Hyperspace without any clearance whatsoever. But first, this small insignificant planetoid had to be wiped from the face of the Galaxy. For progress, developement, and beurocracy had to continue no matter what obstacle stood in their way. It was strange though, he manuevers of these strange ships seemed to have confused the natives of the planet, not one evacuation ship left, nothing happened, it was like the message the Vogon's sent to the planet was completely ignored. And the better that was thought Jeltz, now he didn't have to deal with any ridiculous complaints.

"Sir, we have completely surrounded the planet, shall we lower cloaking and begin the charging of Neutronic Detonators?" said Lowly Yelling Officier Number 203.
"Hmm... why yes of course, begin demolision as schedueled. And bring me the latest reports on the ships that just jumped out of the system. Also, I would like to have a Inquiry form submitted to the Departement of Interstellar Exploration in order to request a request for more information to be gathered on the natives of this sector."
The long order had caught the Lowly Officer off guard, it took a minute or so for the Vogon to process, but effentually he nodded kindly and walked away.

Jeltz leaned back to his screen and continued to watch the blury images of choas upon the planet surface as several of the Construction Fleets ships were now clearly visible.

"People of unkown planet, let it be known that the Hyperspace Planning Committee is in no way responsible for any death or damage this demolition may incur upon this planet. This is now your last warming to evacuate."

He waited another minute or two, it seemed to be enough.

He quitey spoke two words, and the world vanished in one bring spark. He leaned away from his screen, and sipped on a cup of crudely made tea.

"Attention crew members, attention crew members, this is Vice President Questular Rontok. We have a new a direct order from the President In-Exile himself. He wants you to clear a path closer to the center of this sector in order for future developement of the our Red Tap Dilivery System to several back water planets that are schedueled to be settled in the next fifty years. As such the next planet on your demolision list is a small system named Celerion. It is a rather populated world, and it seems to have some form of defenses. Remember that the Hyperspace Planning Committee, and the Galactic Republic are in their full right to illimate any obsticales impeeding future galactic developement. Well you have your orders, coordinates are already in and all clearance has been granted."

Jeltz frowned at the message, another planet to destroy, when are they going to have time for a lunch break? Something wasn't right, but orders are orders, he will have to fill out a Question About Intent/or Purpose Form later, but now wasn't the time. He punched in a few keys that quicly relayed the message throught out the fleet. The rectangular looking ships swept up from the debris of the dessimated planet, turned their backs to the sun and fell out of real space. Its been a long day, thought Jeltz.

Everflyer watched in astonishment as the fine ships of the HCH blinked into the sector. there weaons at the read to dispose of an enemy at a moments notice. Everflyer lowered his holo-suit to reveil his true form to the HCH officers.

"Well it seems I have miss judged the extent of your empire" he said calmly "it turns out you have no need for our assistance after all. We look forward to the benefits our empire can offer to one another. But until that time I must depart. Good luck with your upcoming battle HCH officers".
The Officers just stared at him, but soon came to their senses and gave him a warm smile, stood up ans saluted Everflyer. Everflyer inturn Bowed low with his hand and arm placed across his chest. a simple sign of great respect.

"I cannot believe this trip was for nothing" Zekk replied on the return trip to the outpost.
"Nothing was in vail Zekk. I can assure you" Everflyer said, and he was right. Ever could already feel one of the Universal strings tighten, balances was restoring.
"ok well don't you go all strange on my and telling me about all the vodo stuff you learned. You know I have no interest in it" Zekk said "besides, I can see nothing wrong with this universe..."
The comms panel lit up. An encrypted message from High command. Ever could feel the anguish in this message.
"Everflyer... Its a distaster. Dispite our constant messages the Vogon fleet they have plotted a course for solar Prime, the celerion homeworld. Preparations are underway for another emergency Hyperspace into sector 58673 mark 6785 mark 12, ight infront of the Vogon fleet. Hyperspace Inhibitors have been placed in all our ships. the Celerion fleet will also meet up with us. We await your arrival to Command the Karli into comebat" the message stopped playing.
"Zekk we need to get back now" Everflyer said.
"Understood, YOu have my ship aswell" Zekk replied.
Ever stared at him, Like he had said. Half brave half foolish.

Aboard the Karli Again. Old memories came rushing back to him, those old days of just Everflyer and the Karli. He had taken on so many races in this proud vessel, never once had he even come close to loosing those fights.

His fleet in tow. 146 ships all as large or larger than a frigate. the smaller fighter wings where stored inside the larger ships. The Mantis had donated the very best of their fleet, 6 tiamat crusiers stood ready with hundreds of fighters in bay. The Tiamats were basicly just hives, no other weapons. Those ships would stay far away from the combat zone but deploy devestating fighters into combat.

They would win this battle... and along side those Gaint Celerion Monoliths the enemies didn't stand a chance. everyone knew Celerion's, the only natural born Robots in the galaxy, where one of the most powerful defenders of all time. Hopefully they had Starburst defence bases with them aswell.

"All ships, prepare for hyperspace" Everflyer announced on a wide band channel. unlike hyperdrive, hyperspace was portal technology. point to point ship transport. very fast and effective.

the travel was over as soon as it started... the battle had begun. an armada of Vogon warships had just crossed the T.U.F.C Boarder lines. The 2 sides stopped staring eachother down. the Vogon cruisers had alot of anti-fighter weapons, but no weapons of which could harm the larger cruisers of the T.U.F.C fleet. The Karli Moved forward. The Lead Vogon crusier moved forward. A channel was opened.

"This is the Vogon high command. We have clearance to demolish these planets for our new hyperspace route" ~vogon
"This is Everflyer. Leader of the T.U.F.C. you have crossed our board lines WITHOUT clearance from my government. you make threats about destroying The Celerion homeworld. YOur Clearance to destroy this planet my be issued by me, which I'm not allowing such an action to take place. Destroying this planet is an open act of war" ~ Everflyer
"Did you have clearance to make that hyperspace jump? and to clame this area of space?" ~ Vogon
"We didn't need clearance this space belongs to the Celerions and since they are under our companies banner we own this space. You re not permitted to enter this space" ~ Everflyer.
"We have been ordered to construct a hyperdrive route through this area of space" ~ Vogon
"You will have to go around this area of space then. We are not allowing unknown traffic to pass throguh this area of space and cerianly not at the cost of the Celerion homeplanet. Leave now or we will open fire!" ~ Everflyer
"hold on... we need clearance to start this war" ~ Vogon
"We you go get your clearance while we destroy your fleet. OPEN FIRE!" ~ Everlfyer
"Do they have clearnace to do that" ~ Vogon
"...No!..." ~ Vogon officer

The Karli chargered into battle, it's weapons blazing. The rest of the fleet followed. Celerion ship closed in from top and bottom, their sweeping beam weapons cut throguh the Vogon ships with little trouble. Clearly this race hadn't developed shields. Everflyer felt the need to cut up soimething himself... Maybe it was his primative Xionian programing. but he intended to satify it.

He launched himself out the airlock. sword in hand... as it would seem the vogon only just got their clearance to fire. most their shot reflected off the hulls and shields of the larger ships. Causing little or no damage... the Karli was mowing the ships faster than any ships and had definately received no fire. Everflyer swooped down towards one of the vessels. blade at the ready. the sword turn white and with a single swing Ever had sliced the ship in 2. He thrusted his arm towards another ship and it exploded on site. he grabbed anther with his mind and thrusted it into another vessel. With the Vogon fleet in full retreat Everflyer took one final look at them... In his mind he could feel the magic swelling up inside him. He attached his sword to his back plate and placed his hands infront of him. With a flick of his wrists the remaining ships exploded in an astonishing display of fireworks.

the ship reports came in... so far the most damaged ship was the Astron which received a micro fracture on it bow. repairs would take about 10 mins. As it would seem the celerions were right in their assumption that the enemy had inferior technology to their own. an estimate guess would be if they had attacked solar their fleet would had the same fate.

Returning to the capital, Everflyer hung up his sword in it's same place. he took a moment to pray for the mana godess to take those Vogon souls under her wing. For now, more policical issues awaited everflyer once more.

Nequa got up from his cat nap and felt a headach coming on. It had been a hell of life for him. He rembers back when he just been a simple Kzinti commando trying to kill the Autobot leader, then he was captured by freeman43, and then he took him hostage and then freeman43 escaped. I still kick myself for that one. Then I started this gurilla war agains freemans empire and mad some progress with that. But then SethPenguin had to have a anti-christ Beth for a daughter, and also Beth invite the dread lords. Foricng him to stop attacking freeman43. But now time to focess on the present. The reason he was here is because he was looking for a weapon to use against the Dread Lords and the Geckodons. His deep space probs had sent back some intresting reports.

A knock on the door. It was Admril Klar'l. "good morning Supreme Ops commander Nequa" said Klar'l, "good morning to you". "Sir, we have found something of intrest in the void". "Really what?" "The Star Warden." "Really? That would come in usefull with the Dread Lords". "Prepare the fleet Admril". "it is time to take a ship."This will be intresting battle, Nequa thought to him self. His fleet was small but it was the best. They were all Kzinti ops ships with cloaking. "Sir, we will be ready to strike in a few hours",said the admril. "Go ahead". Time to bring glory to the empire.

A small asteroid floating in the depths of the void.

Adrift in the sea of stars, this space rock, composed of impure iron ore and quartz silicates floating, seemingly oblivious to the massive energy discharges and explosions occuring in and about the planet nearby.

Unbeknown to the fleets contesting the fate of the small Kzinti outpost, this small rock was completely artificial in origin. An outer mantle of rock hid a sophisticated listening array and computer controlled by advanced espionage AI. Watching and listening with it's passive hyperradar and multi-spectral bandwidth scanners, it floated serenely as it progressed in a slow but stately orbit about the system's primary sun.

It's prey was not life forms but data. Once it had captured enough information, consisting mostly of weaponry employed, encrypted communications, ship size and numbers it performed a quick active-scan of its immediate surroundings. Then the rock suddenly spun as a attitude rocket flared into life, aligning its primary tachyon gun out-system.

It fired a tight burst of hard radiation bearing several tetrabytes of data. Uninterceptable by any save it's intended target, this impudent flare of temporal energy revealed its existance and location for a brief nanosecond. The effort in creating and firing the databurst, however, completely consumed the space rock and its contents, destroying the AI as it performed its final act of compliance to its masters, the HCH.

An investigating ship racing to the vector noted the artificial composition of the exposed debris that marked the origin of the tachyon databurst. Of it's creator, however, little or nothing remained save spacedust, pebbles and fist sized debris . . . . .

. . and with that I'm going to get on with the task of bringing my scores back up. .

Once I know the "lay of the land" and its confirmed the HcH is no longer a viable metaverse entity I'm sure the wayward fleet will have to apply for membership in another empire.

Doesn't mean the story's ended, but the Star Warden and its fleet, for now, has once again disappeared into the depths of space. I'm sure the actions of other empires, the fate of the habitable planet(s) in the Zrinj system, the reactions of the Kzinti to these affronts in their space, etc, all can continue.

Naturally it will be the aim of the Star Warden to find habitable worlds and resurrect the Empire of the Irrefutable, although this may be found to be impossible or unwise to do so due to the presence or determined pursuit of several other space empires.

Pragmatists to the end, these members of the HcH will likely find they have to petition for membership into a larger empire if only to survive . . . . before they attempt to subvert it from within, of course.

Wow...lots more content since last night. Excellent job everyone. :HOT:  Popcorn Avenger, what a great way to return to GalCiv2 & the forums!

Not sure when I will post next...I'm away for the next day and a half visiting friends for a gaming get-together.


Going to contribute General Homsar? You are one of my favorite writers on these forums.

Sentient species taste better...

"call up the Kzinti Empire, they need to explain their actions" Everflyer said. His eyes ablaze. justice must be served. KzintiPatriarch apeared on the veiw screen.

"Make it quick Everflyer, I have much greater issues o deal with than you" ~ KzintiPatriarch
"It's only bad news I bring. your fleet crossed our space, weapons armed and without prior permission! that is a direct violation of our treaty. I understand our close boarders makes travel... Difficult. But I will not stand for you sending armed troops across our terretory. Any further troops will be met with force. Don't say you haven't been warned" ~ Everflyer
"Are you threatening me? My Empire?! I don't see any problem with this movement of my troops" ~ KzintiPatriarch
"That wasn't a threat, It's a promise... in our space your ships are to follow our rules and so far you have broken most of them. This is your only warning, an embargo will take place until further notice" ~ Everflyer

Before KzintiPatriarch Could reply Everflyer cut the transmission. He could feel the universe asking for a balance in this matter. "Contact the HCH fleet, Lets see if we can negociate a peace treaty or even better open trade between us" Everflyer said.

A flicker at the edge of consciousness. A bright fragment that sears and instantly fades. Gone.

The torpid mind of the hibernator ponders for hours, weeks. Wake, it sighs.

After the med units power down, he discovers he has enough muscle tone left to grab a handhold and peel himself off of the grid. The ambient temp is still low, and drying flecks of supermeringue along his back start a serious case of the shivers. He channels the energy into a kick that propels him slowly through the doorway. Microgravity is good.

A few more kicks, pulls, and a bruise from an encounter with a hatch lip bring him to Central. The only lights come from the panel he floats above. Only vocal commands can access the data he needs; speaking hurts, but little is needed. An Admiralty-Class event is noted.

From a far sector, a helicon pulse has been detected.

Only the designated recipient would have received the coded message, but the burst is a message in itself. Two messages, actually. A powerful artifact of the High Command Hegemony has activated to deliver a critical datastream. And it would only have done so if there had been a lockon recipient.

He brushes a shock of brittle white hair back from his face and begins punching up more data. Nothing worth a bug's eye.

With returning agility, he hauls himself from grip to grip along the unlit corridors. The vanished emperor is still long gone. The HCH fleets that still register all fight under other banners now. The grinding upheaval of the League Wars has worn away his resources and finally, so he had believed, his will to go on fighting. The Corinthian had once come from the realm of Dream, and sought to return. Now this.

Was that pulse the last gasp of a dead behemoth? Probably. But the environment scans had showed a few items of interest, after all. Mysterious new crystal-based energy structures have been sighted around the galaxy. New technologies are being discovered everywhere. Upstart young empires have risen up to challenge the old order. And apparently cats rule most of the galaxy.

The Corinthian laughs aloud for the first time in decades, the mouths in his eye sockets outdoing the properly-placed one. Later, in the meditative state that serves him for sleep, he dreams of planets and fire.