MAIN THREAD: Betrayal Revealed (Invite)

[Ols]

Admiral Aurelius Knite stood on the bridge of the carrier Resolute, looking out at the flashing hyperspace beyond. The blue-white flashed through the fore viewport sporadically lighting up the bridge in which the only other light emanated from low power, floor level lights. Knite took several long, deep, calm breaths. Today would go down in galactic history. Alongside Resolute, was the Third fleet, aptly nicknamed the Republic's Assault Fleet, spearheading the attack. Though ninety ships strong and with some of the best officers in the Republic navy at the helms of its ships, the one fleet alone would not be big enough for todays operation. Supporting it, both equally as large as the Assault Fleet, were the First and Tenth fleets. Normally the CO of the First fleet would have been the Supreme Commander of the military, and would have led the operation over Knite, but since Tudor's resignation shortly before this attack was ordered, a new leader had yet to be appointed by the Supreme Chancellor.

"We'll be dropping out of hyperspace in one minute sir," a Lieutenant said the Knite. A grunted thanks was all the reply young man got from the Admiral. There was a time for chatting, and this was not it. They knew the procedure. Everyone just wanted to get in, and then get out. The nerves rose from the pits of their stomachs to the tips of their tongues, and it was for the men and women in command, like Aurelius, to keep things together. He had been here, on the edge of big chances, many times before. He could keep his exterior as cool and calm and collected as his troops expected from the now almost legendary Admiral, but deep down the nerves bit at him in just the same way.

A short time later and a beeper chimed. It was go time. The ship shuddered and the flashing blue and white slowed into separable stars and black space. And before them a planet, glowing green with life. The three fleets exited hyperspace in sync and formed up, ready to fight, facing the planet. There was little traffic, little coming from their direction at any rate. Lights flickered on, illuminating the bridge brightly enough so the floor lights gave off no more illumination than computer screens. The ships inched forwards. Knite looked at the communications officer and nodded. The Lieutenant pushed a button and Knite stepped onto a holotranciever platform. The message he was about to send would be transmitted to every station that was now pinging the republic ship, every fighter and military ship being scrambled to intercept them and every active receiver on the planet below, including those in the offices of the leaders of the planet. That planet was Alsakan, and floating around it the city world of Xenvaer, where those leaders now would be.

"Noble Vicar, High Priests and Priestesses, clergy-folk, ladies and gentlemen of Alsakan. It is with great regret that I, Admiral Aurelius Knite of the Republic Navy, inform you that the recent attacks on Metellos have been confirmed as Alsakan based. Whether every stage of the leadership from the military to the young Vicar knew, or just Alsakan intelligence is not clear to me, but what is, is that there are numerous people at fault for ordering these war crimes. Now, as you may have noticed, my fleets are vast, and are armed with state of the art laser technology, nuclear warheads, incendiary weapons and others beside. There is enough firepower here to decimate Xenvaer and burn Alsakan until it is permanently scarred and blackened. Are weapons are primed and ready for firing.

"However, it would be cruel of us simply to punish all of Alsakan for the crimes of a few. Therefore we have a list of demands that, if adhered to, to the letter, we shall leave. One, the unconditional surrender of the Alsakan Union and associates in this war. Two, the surrender of the Union's star fleets and ground army weapons, and the fleets of the Skeleton Guard. Three, the delivery of all criminals against the Republic (see list sent with this message) and those responsible for the attack on Metellos. Four, the immediate return of the Alsakan system to Republic jurisdiction and its agreement to play host to security observations and restrictions as seen fit by the Galactic Senate. That is all.

"You have thirty minutes to respond, or else we shall open fire. If we discover any Alsakan defence ships in this sector of the system, or any others scrambled to meet us in that time, we shall open fire. If we so much as begin to suspect you playing for time, or commencing any kind of deceptive behaviour, we shall open fire. The clock starts now. Admiral Knite out."

The hologram on the Alsakan receivers would flicker and die. Knite stepped back, a grave expression on his face. This was not something he was happy to do. Now, we wait.

 

[Kit]

The unique position that Anthony Berethro Salandra possessed meant that he was made aware of the move by the military very early. Admittedly, not before the moves had been made, but he was hours ahead of most people.

Which was the reason for the smashed glass, and whiskey, slowly trickling it's way down the wall of his office.

He had had a busy day lined up before the madmen in the Republic decided that today was a good day to kick a hornets nest, so to speak. The Admiral of the Corellian Security Fleet, Lorin Jacobs, stood before the Prime Minister, with an undeniably solemn look upon his face.

"What could they possibly be hoping to achieve with this, Jacobs? Threatening these people... that's worked so well for the past hundred years, hasn't it? Everytime they get into a bloody scuffle, they flatten the Union, and expect them to be happy about it! I don't know whether Coruscant's collective stupidity or the Union's tenacity is more impressive..."

The Admiral listened quietly, but picked his opening carefully. When Salandra paused to breathe, he calmly, but forceful spoke.

"Sir, The Security Fleet is ready to act as we speak. Around sixty ships are currently operational, with a further one hundred and twenty ready to return to active service in under a week. We can move to intercept the Republic fleet, attempt to force them to reconsider their position?"

"No." The Pm's reply was almost instant, accompanied by a fist slamming onto his ancient oak desk, "We would be ignored at best, or perhaps branded as traitors. The Union wouldn't trust us, and we'd lose ships and men that we cannot afford to."

Standing up, the sixty year old looked both drained and strong. Proud and noble, Corellian through and through. And he had a duty, not just to his people for a change. He had actively worked for the good of Corellia his entire political career, at the cost of other systems and planets. But now was the time for that selfish streak to come to an end. Corellia had to stand up for all people, no matter where they came from or what they believed in.

"We cannot do nothing, Admiral. I know that much. We have to convince the Republic to give the Union room to breathe. A cornered animal fights twice as hard, after all. No... We're going to have to draw their attention. Force them to wake up to the fact that they cannot wage this war unopposed. If we stand up to them, people will stand with us. I fear that we may well make villains of ourselves in the process."

Jacobs, who had been previously caught up in the aged politicians passion was freed from it at the mention of villains.

"What... what do you mean by that?"

Salandra sighed.

"I mean we're going to have to make villains of ourselves. Mobilize forty ships, and get the mothballed and dormant ones up and running again."

***
​

Little over ten minutes later, the hyperspace beacon in the Abregado system quietly announced the impending arrival of a number of ships from Corellia. It was no cause for alarm, as convoys of ships between two trade worlds was nothing out of the ordinary.

However, these were no trade ships. Forty warships, ranging from destroyers to gunboats emerged from Hyperspace. A number reamined at the Beacon, blocking access to and from the system, whilst the rest proceded to take position over Abregado-Rae, capital world of the system.

For now, they remained silent, but it was clear that no-one was going to leave the system any time soon. The first pawn had been moved in the cosmic chess game.

 

[Storm]

((OOC: I've been instructed by Ols to reply as the Alsakans.))

Xenvaer was in shock. Hordes of men and women clamoured and screamed amongst the streets, running around as if they themselves had been scolded by the viciously hot laser blasts that may very soon fall like rain upon the flying city. The Churches of Shalharra were full of those praying for deliverance, salvation or safety in the midst of these new developments. Perhaps prior to Van Tien the Alsakan fleets could have repelled the Republic, but not now; they were still rebuilding. The military of the Union had taken to the streets, attempting to restore some semblance of order and protecting the administrative buildings. There was a danger of riots, demanding the surrender that would ensure the safety of the people of Xenvaer, and that would not be allowed to happen. Screams rent the midday air as a man who'd jumped upon a soldier was thrown down onto the floor and kicked away. The Vicar would not be allowed out in such an environment, yet perhaps only she could restore order to these maddened people.

And yet that was out of the question.

Venator Furtificus had heard the demands, and he was disgusted. For all he'd fought for, for all he'd killed for, it would come to nothing. He'd be destroyed with Xenvaer; they'd never surrender to the Republic. "People of Xenvaer." He dimly heard one of the High Priests bellowing into a speaker system. "Deliverance shall come to all those who die for our cause against the Republic; those who surrender shall die a thousand deaths and burn in the hell that Shalharra reserves only for those who betray her and her cause. Stand firm, I urge you, stand firm in the face of this opposition from the heretics of the Republic!" Venator hoped that'd restore some organisation, yet he wasn't keeping his hopes up. An emergency convening of the higher members of the Alsakan Union had been called, and they'd reached a unanimous decision. And it most definitely was not to surrender. Regardless of any death suffered to day, they would be rewarded five thousand times over and more in paradise.

Such was the promise of Shalharra.

Yet there was still a bitter taste in Venator's mouth; he didn't want to die to these Republic dogs. "Admiral Knite." Venator almost spat as he replied to the message. "This is Admiral Venator Furtificus of the Alsakan Union. "The Alsakan Union and all it's associates refuse to surrender on our path to salvation as we are. No matter what you do to us in this life, we will be rewarded more than you can possibly imagine by the Great Mother in paradise! The fleet will remain where it is, and the Skeleton Guard no longer exists. Our so called "criminals" are war heroes and men who have chosen the right way in this war. You shall learn this when you burn under the smiting wrath of Shalharra. Any attempt to attack Xenvaer or the Alsakan people will be met with brute, suicidal force. If needs be, we will recall everything from across the galaxy to defend the sacred planet and to wipe as much of the Republic fleet from the sky as is possible. The people of Xenvaer will stand firm! This decision is unanimous, and will not be rectified any time soon."

"I suggest you leave this system now before you burn."

 

[Ols]

"This conversation is over Admiral, you have made your choice," Aurelius replied sternly.

"Well," Knite said to his bridge, "send the messages to the fleet. Engage all Alsakan forces. Fire to cripple ships. I want their fleet down as soon as possible. Lieutenant!" he turned to the communications officer, "broadcast a repeated message on all open frequencies to the Alsakans. Inform them that the republic is willing to accept any prisoners and will allow any unarmed ships approaching to leave the system. Any armed ships that approach will be fired upon. Any Alsakans who choose to remain on Xenvaer or with the fleet will be fired upon."

The mammoth Republic fleet bore down on the Alsakan defenders. They had been given chance after chance to make peace, and now the Republic would deal with these traitors. They had made clear any civillians who wanted out were free to leave. Streams of plasma and gigantic missiles began to rain down upon Venator's fleets and ships began to burn. The defenders would not last long. After a few minutes of the battle, if this one sided affair could really be called that, Knite turned back to his complement, "Break these lines. I want firing resolution on Xenvaer within the hour!"

 

[Kit]

It took a while, but the message relayed to the Alsakans, and images from the planet found their way onto the holonet. It was exactly as the Corellian Prime Minister had feared.

The fools had acted in haste. Before he had been able to truly cast his die. Now he would be forced to show his hand, and it was not a losing hand. It was not a hand he ever hoped to have to play.

He took no joy in what he had to do next, but it had to be done. So it was with a heavy heart that he opened a comm channel to his forty strong fleet about Abregado Rae.

He gave the command to set up a relay to the planet below, and began to speak.

"People of Abregado Rae, my name is Anthoni Berethro Salandra. I am the Prime Minister of the Corell System, and Senator for Corellia. I have no doubt that there has been no small amount of confusion as to my ship's prescence in your system, and I apologize for any inconvenience caused to you."

He paused, before continuing with a sad tone in his voice.

"I imagine most of you are aware of the events that occured mere moments ago above Xenvaer. I understand that a lot of the people of the Republic feel that this action is justified, including yourselves, no doubt. However, I do not. My fleet is in orbit above your planet to prove a point. The Republic are flexing their muscles, and despite their best efforts, causing the death and suffering of innocents."

Another pause, substantially longer than the first.

"I will be honest with you. I sent my ships here to teach the Republic a lesson. To bombard your planet until nothing was left. To force them to understand just what they were doing to the Union. I leave you with a simple message, for you to pass on to the Republic. Aggression and intimidation will be tolerated no longer. Corellia shall oppose tyranny and oppression wherever it exists. Including in the Republic. To this end, I am enacting the Contemplays Hermi clause. Corellia is withdrawing from the Republic."

Yet another pause, mainly to allow this information to sink in.

"Any system, any planet. Any single being wishing to stand against the Republic and it's violent action is welcome to join my own worlds and citizens. Refugees and dissenters alike will be welcomed with open arms in the Corell system. In times like these, we cannot allow ourselves to be ruled by fear, or dominated by the desire to destroy those unlike ourselves. This is a declaration of intent, and a warning to the Republic. The capital city will be annihilated, as well as two others. This order will be enacted in one hour. I apologize again for what I am forced to do here, but the Republic must see what it is doing. Merely be thankful that you were given time to run, unlike the innocents on Xenvaer."

Back in the PM's office, orders were being issues. With Contemplanys Hermi in effect, Corellia was free to act, the shackles of the Republic's laws removed. The orbital shipyards received orders to begin constructing further warships, for the newly renamed Corellian Defense Fleet, and Salandra's speech to the Abregado Rae system was relayed to the Senate on Coruscant.

Some small relief was to be gained in that he had given the people more than enough time to gather thier lives and families and get the hell out of the doomed cities. It was more than the people on Metellos had had, not to mention those on Xenvaer. He didn't like the way this would make him look, nor how it would affect his legacy and reputation, but it had to be done.

He doubted that the Republic would sit up and listen, rather, this was far more likely to devolve into a brutal and bloody war... but he had to hope, to pray that the Republic would see sense first.

He would not declare it, but this was doubtlessly War.