>>3556080
For House and Dominion! Liberating planets from Neeran Empire before their annexation into Ulgean Empire.

For House & Dominion!

FOR HOUSE AND DOMINION

"The sooner we get these planets liberated the better. The last thing we want are the Ulgean fleets to sweep in after all our hard work. What's the status of their forces?" you ask Maybourne.

"Latest report from one of our silent hunters is that they captured the super heavy shipyard they were laying siege to. A number of their supers that took damage during the assault look to be undergoing repairs at the yard. The remainder are launching harassment attacks against the second super yard and other facilities on that side of the galaxy. We dont know where the Ulgean Super carrier to the north went."

The Neeran seem to be trying to evacuate their super yards with as many of the incomplete capital ships as possible. As a result of this Ren has reported the recent arrival of a large neeran fleet in the south. Mostly made up of incomplete super heavies, they appear to be picking up supplies and equipment. Looking over the data, the fleet is a big one but in its current state they’re not going to be looking for a fight. Your combined fleet would probably be able to drive them off without firing a shot.

Intel has confirmed that two of the partially completed super carriers were ones that had been seen preparing to depart the northern most shipyard.

Admiral Elerain and the Baron have reported additional reinforcements from the Alliance are two days out. That would put them 4 days ahead of the worst case scenario. Not what you’d consider ideal but whatever, it cant be helped. For now you have to deal with the situation that's been given to you.

"Have Forbearance and the assault forces continue to their liberation target as planned. I'm going to make the Neeran an offer that's in their best interest to accept."

Approaching the system Ren as reported the Neeran are in you have Mezan's fleet punch up the signal strength on their IFF's. While no match for the evacuation fleet on its own they have to know by now that you're simply the tip of the spear. No reason to show them how close the rest of your fleet is.

Dropping out of FTL on the far edges of the system you ask communications of open a channel, requesting to speak to the commander of the enemy fleet. It takes a few minutes before there is any response. According to Versa the hail doesn't have any immediate impact on enemy force deployment.

>Cont.

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Eventually one of the more intact Super heavies respond to your hails and a powerfully built looking Neeran appears on screen.

"We acknowledge you Alliance vessels. For what reason do you contact us?"
"This is Viscount Sonia Reynard, a General of the Alliance fleet."
"We know who you are. I am Dranot the Unsung. State your purpose."

"On behalf of the Alliance I am prepared to offer the Neeran fleet an honorable, uncontested withdrawal from this galaxy if they are willing to abstain from bombardments and scorched earth tactics. You would have 48 hours to depart."

"You wish to hasten our evacuation efforts?"
"I wish to prevent civilian casualties from bombardments and Scorcher attacks. Enough have already died in this war."

"I could refuse and begin to lay waste to worlds. This would compel you to commit your forces while they remain under strength, if only to save face with your rebel allies. Do not think I haven't considered it."

That would suck and he's not far off the mark. All of the southern rebels in your fleet would demand to fight and if you refused they might desert with their warships. You could win in an all out fight, but it would grind down your fleet and all of its reserves in short order.

The Neeran Admiral continues to give you a stony gaze before speaking again.
"Ultimately it would only aid the Ulgean and neither of us would benefit. I suspect you are well aware of this. I will agree to these terms. No further harm will come to worlds in this galaxy by our action. We will obey a cease fire for 48 hours, though I will not promise all our admirals will have abandoned their positions in that time."

The main shipyards and the fleet base in the north west will probably try to hang on after the cease fire but by then it shouldn't matter. The Alliance fleet will be here and they can be assaulted in short order.

>anything else to add?

>>3556233

I've nothing else to add. So long as this group gets out of here. The only real resistance we should face is the fleet base and whatever planetary defenses that are still loyal to the Neeran Empire. Oh and the Ulgeans at the shipyards, not going to bother with that. The longer the Ulgeans are tied up with that mess the better for us to liberate more of the galaxy before the Ulgeans decide they want to fight.

Also make note of the Neeran Commanders name, should we ever cross paths again. Also to maybe see if the Alliance has any information on them. Watch, we just let a Neeran Commander who is responsible for destroying several Dominion worlds go without a shot fired.

>>3556233
>anything else to add?
> I am Dranot the Unsung.
Does he have to change his name if we have somebody record a song about him?

>>3556233
Can't think of anything right now.

>>3556243
Very little intel is available. Records indicate them to be a competent commander but not one that is known to take credit for the victories of their subordinates. This is unlike many other Neeran fleet commanders who amass considerable prestige.

>>3556256
Maybe if it impresses the Neeran Emperor for longer than a few decades.

>>3556233
>anything else to add?
Do the other ranking officers think it would be smart to share what we now about the current status of the Ulgean forces with the Neeran?

>>3556366

I'm going to guess that's not a good idea. And could be considered giving secrets to the enemy. And crossing lots of lines that will end up with us court marshaled.

>>3556233
>We know who you are.
This is sound more and more ominous in my head.

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>>3556366
>Do the other ranking officers think it would be smart to share what we now about the current status of the Ulgean forces with the Neeran?
The others are against sharing any intelligence with the Neeran. There may be an appropriate time and place for it but this is not it.

Update:
The Alliance FOB’s are now far enough along that their production modules have been switched over to parts production. Because of this they can, if given enough time, assemble new assault corvettes. This is good as you’ve been slowly depleting your reserves.

On Threochts planet engineers continue to dig down to the subsurface facility detected by deep scans. Rob Ecord and his people also have a unit setting up special equipment. Vehicles like the buggies you used on the sphere expedition, drones and aircraft, even a few tanks with alternate power sources.

Civilians are curious about what is going on at the site but they're being kept quiet. A pair of frigates have been parked to block line of sight to the nearest population centers. This hasn't exactly made things less conspicuous but it has helped to hide the specifics of what's going on there.

Museum facilities containing relics from ancient ruins are still under guard by a mixed contingent of your forces and Rekesh troops. Some of them have been identified to have been of builder origin but it's a small number. Many are damaged beyond usefulness.

It has taken a day but enough Rekesh personnel to man 9 wings of attack ships and a number of larger vessels are now available. You have perhaps 5 wings worth of salvage after the activation of the latest rebel unit. After that the Rekesh will have to get ships from your own yards. They do have Neeran corvette production, though these are models that lack FTL. Fortunately, as you already know, they can be built fast. A few of the smaller Neeran carriers have already been marked for delivery to them.

The Rekesh are prepared to make lease agreements for any warships you might spare them. They're reluctant to buy them outright both due to the precarious state of their economy near the front lines and due to the desire to field their own ship classes later. The Government would be extremely grateful for any gifts.

>1) How much of your mixed wing salvage did you want to give or lease to the Rekesh?
1A) 5 Wings
1B) 3 Wings
1C) 1 Wing
1D) None, they're needed for our rebel unit
1E) None, but give them corvette FTL upgrade tech

>2) Medium Cruisers to give or Lend-Lease
You have 7 Fast mediums and 9 slower types all in various states of repair.
2A) All the Fast mediums
2B) Half or less Fast mediums
2C) All the slower types
2D) Half or less of the slower types
2E) Other /
Or combinations of the above

>3) Heavy Warships to give or Lend-Lease
3A) Qlippoth Heavy Carrier
3B) 2x Qlippoth Heavy Carrier
3C) Compact Heavy Cruiser
3D) 2x Compact Heavy Cruiser
Or combinations of the above

>>3556480
What are the fast medium that's not a delta at "+NM3+" and the one at "NM5/FRG Yard"? I think we haven't encountered these before. The last one at the "Nuked base" also looks weird.

>They're reluctant to buy them outright both due to the precarious state of their economy near the front lines and due to the desire to field their own ship classes later.
In that case it would make sense to sell them ship types they don't have their own designs for.
In addition to that, we should give them 25% of the faction ships intended for local rebels. We brough Nirium cruisers and Decis, I think.
Can Rekesh corvettes be repaired by Qlippoth class carriers?

>>3556480
For House and Dominion. I got to say I am a bit disappointed we signed a cease fire. We gonna lose out on a lot of potential salvage this way which we could use to further arm the Rekesh.

In any case I see no problem in leaseing basically all the ships they can man to them. If we don't do that and are attacked then we miss out on valuable firepower. If we do it but lose some but win then we will still gain money from it as they are leased and not borrowed and thus they are responsible for replacing them.

1A) 5 Wings
2C) All the slower types
3B) 2x Qlippoth Heavy Carrier

I am thinking lots of small ships to help train them up at first. Slow mediums to act as escorts for the Heavy Carriers.

>>3556480
>1B) 3 Wings

>2B) Half or less Fast mediums
>2D) Half or less of the slower types
3 Fast Mediums, 5 Slow Mediums

>3C) Compact Heavy Cruiser

>Dig progress
Would the dig go faster if we used the Artifact E-Beams like on the original Sphere mission?

>>3556518
>In that case it would make sense to sell them ship types they don't have their own designs for.
They mostly lack dedicated carriers and medium cruisers. Their heavy cruisers will also take a long time to build up once again, and the 2 they still have are almost exclusively long range oriented.

>we should give them 25% of the faction ships intended for local rebels. We brough Nirium cruisers and Decis, I think.
There were only about 3 attack squadrons of Nirium and Vulture iirc and you already gave them to the Rekesh rebels after your agreement to work together. They've lost about a squadron of them on higher risk operations. Like taking down the sensor arrays that were keeping you pinned in the denser star region.

Did we really bring Deci class ships?

>Can Rekesh corvettes be repaired by Qlippoth class carriers?
Yes.

>>3556534
>Would the dig go faster if we used the Artifact E-Beams like on the original Sphere mission?
They're trying not to kick up an enormous debris plume to keep from drawing more attention. A salvage e-beam is on site but they're having better luck with a modified tractor/repulsor digging system. If they use the e-beam it becomes a potential bio-hazard because of the monomolecular dust they tend to generate. That requires vacuum containment since there are civilians living down wind of the operation. Not optimal for the amount of material they need to move.
Either way they should be done in another day or two.

>>3556480
>1A) 5 Wings
>2B) Half or less Fast mediums
>2D) Half or less of the slower types
>3A) Qlippoth Heavy Carrier
>3C) Compact Heavy Cruiser

>>3556233
>anything else to add?

Do they have any interest in negotiating for the Scorcher crew we took as POWs?

I'm perfectly comfortable retaining them, but you never know if they might be willing to exchange something of value.

>We know who you are.

Neat. I wonder how their file on us compares to the Terran one?

>Dranot the Unsung
Unexpected Razgriz?


>>3556480

>1B

>2C

>3A + 3C

Idea here is to give them a solid standing fleet as a core to expand from, and to augment their current long-range focus.

And hopefully reserves the Fast types for forces that have not yet liberated their worlds, like Gun/Viq? Or for expeditionary forces rebels plan to loan to the FA advance.

>>3556574
>Did we really bring Deci class ships?
>>3394139
>The Nirium attack cruisers were never popular in your House, but Baron Xedols probably brought a squadron for just such a situation. As for the Deci... well I'll say you have maybe 4 that were rebuilt from salvage.
But yeah, I guess aside from those it was Niriums and Vultures. Anyway, thanks.

>>3556480
>1)
>1B) 3 Wings
Gift them 4 ships per planet, that would put us at 36 or half a wing.
>2)
>2E) Other
Gift them one Delta and lend lease 4 Shoal class ships and on ECM medium.
>3)
Leand lease 1 Qlippoth and 1 Compact.

>Other
Did we pick up any freighters or other economy focused ship that could help them stabilize their infrastructure?

>>3556480

>1E) None, but give them corvette FTL upgrade tech

>2E) Other / 3 Fast Medium and 5 Slow Mediums

>3E) 1 Qlippoth Heavy Carrier and 1 Compact Heavy Cruiser

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>>3556600
>Neat. I wonder how their file on us compares to the Terran one?

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>>3556632
...

I have so many questions now

>>3556632
Aww, that's adorable.
>always flees
The only time we did that I feel bad about is when our unwillingness to sacrifice a cruiser lead to a heavy carrier being destroyed at the end of the first huge engagement against the Neeran.

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>>3556640
>I have so many questions now
Saw it on /tg/ awhile back. The artist has done some funny ones over the years.

>>3556674
You do mainly focus on hit and run. closest that was on there.

>>3556632
>Always flees
I will cut you!

>>3556518
>What are the fast medium that's not a delta at "+NM3+"
It's a custom built Cordate that someone tried to splice a battleship onto the front of like the other fast mediums. It was given more engines to make up for the mass.

>"NM5/FRG Yard"? I think we haven't encountered these before. The last one at the "Nuked base" also looks weird.
A Trireme. They're the same class from different angles. I'd had them together but ended up moving things around so they weren't side by side anymore.
I've tried to redesign it a few times so the ramming prow looks scarier.

>>3556724
Thanks. A ramming focused doesn't seem like something that seems particularly suited to rekesh tactics. I'm kinda curious about that cordate modification, so I'd prefer not to hand it over either.

sonia cute

The Rekesh will be given 3 mixed attack wings worth of repairable warships which their combined shipyards should be able to refit in short order.

4 Shoal class mediums and 3 fast mediums will also be provided once enough repairs have been completed that they're easy to transport. 1 Delta/Archangel and 1 Shoal that are nearly finished should be operational within 30 hours.

A Qlippoth heavy carrier will be transferred to help provide mobile fleet support and repair capability. This far surpasses the minimal field repairs the Rekesh heavy cruisers can provide to smaller ships. It should be ready to have its engines installed in a few days.
A Compact Heavy will also be handed over to act as an escort, though it may be some time until any from your salvage are operational. The two from Threochts planet certainly wont be ready any time soon.

The Rekesh government is extremely grateful for your promise of warships. Regardless of their legitimacy it wont mean much without a military to back them up. Hopefully they can make a show of force in the hopes of convincing the other worlds in their territory to switch sides. That plus recordings of the Neeran agreeing to withdraw from this galaxy will certainly help.

While you were away the fleet arrived at their next liberation target. A world your people have already hit with repeated raids, there aren't much in the way of orbital defenses left. When rebels on the surface are given the signal all hell breaks loose around the planetary capital. The rest of the planet is seemingly unaffected but where there are signs of rebel activity they certainly make an effort.

When the shield protecting the capital fails the army begins their drop. Governmental buildings raise a small local shield and open fire on transports trying to drop nearby. One LST is hit badly enough that it crash lands inside the city, while the rest are driven off. Most of the soldiers aboard survive the crash and set up a forward rally point. They hold it against counter attacks until friendly tank columns from outside the city reach them about 30 minutes later.

A diplomatic shuttle trying to flee the city is forced down and captured. Officials aboard are encouraged to broadcast their support for the rebels and ask the PDF to stand down. A majority of the planetary forces quickly surrender after this. Four hours later nearly all of the remainder does the same. Several thousand remain unaccounted for but they're a minority and many believe they've simply deserted.

Over by FOB1 the Baron reports that they've also taken another system.

The Southern Rebels are ecstatic that one of their worlds has now been liberated. Soon enough a few of their officers in the rebel attack wings are requesting a transfer to help set up training schools on the planet. This may be a bit premature as they are still lacking orbital facilities and even a provisional government.

This planet isn't very well set up to support a fleet overall. It has a large enough populace and there is surface industry but it might be best to wait until more worlds are liberated to combine their strength.

Did you want to split off a southern rebel fleet at this time, allow some personnel to leave to help with training, or ask they keep making use of your own training facilities?

>>3556834
Keep training them with our facilities for now.

>>3556834

tl;dr: Ask them to be patient just a little longer as we liberate the rest of their core worlds.

Haste makes waste after all. And we don't know the state of their government, whether it is still there like the Rekesh government was. Or if it was removed by the Neeran. Otherwise we'd be making a mess by having several dozen different organizations working at once claiming to be the rightful representative of their people. If we liberate enough of their worlds we and the Alliance can work with them to reform or reinstate a lasting government for them. One that will last and ensure the safety and well being of its people are well taken care of. Without causing much disruption or heart ache to those who would be adversely affected by rash decisions.

>>3556834

Allow some personnel to leave to help with training.

I'm guessing that the rebels are still fairly green, even if they've passed Sonia/J-D level training, and the majority of them will benefit more from operating with our forces at this time.

To start a proper fleet they'll need the proper means to support one, which appears to mean additional worlds.

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With little in the way of a rebel government, and even less way orbital support infrastructure, you ask the rebels to hold off transferring out of the fleet yet. As you already have systems in place to train crews rather quickly any recruits are encouraged to join up with the fleet for now.

As work begins on finding someone or a group to temporarily administer the planet it's quickly revealed how much worse off some of the non-rekesh worlds are. There are ethnic groups from a dozen different species present on the planet. Those previously in a leadership position were appointed by the Neeran due to a combination loyalty and skill at their job.

While there were similar problems in the west the rebels there were a fairly harmonious group. Here there is considerable confusion. Groups are vying for control of regional government any way they can. General Rna is forced to formally implement martial law and recommends that 200,000 troops instead of the planned 50,000 remain on planet for at least the week. Former PDF personnel will be recruited where possible to build up a security force.

"That's only going to leave us with a million with the fleet."

>1) Approve the General's troop figures?
1A) Approve 200k
1B) Try to cut it back where possible (150k)
1C) Troop surge, try to build more stability (300k)

2) In liberating the other South Rebel core worlds did you want to target the Neeran supporter stronghold next, or the other two where they have less support?
2A) Stronghold
2B) Rebel majority worlds

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>>3557027

>1A) Approve 200k

>2C) Liberate a Stonghold world that could be considered an actual 'capital' while also working on other worlds to bring into the fold.

Also, while it probably isn't our job to do so right now. Try screening the previous officials from the Neeran Empire. Those still loyal to the Empire are removed. Those who are willing to work towards a future without the Empire can stay. At least until the people can elect or choose keep them or replace them.

As for now, until the Alliance gets their hands into this mess. We should keep the current governments established by the Neeran Empire running. But also making sure to ease up on some of their oppressive laws and give the citizens more rights. Completely removing a form of government without having one ready to replace it is asking for trouble. And while it will be bad press to leave even the old style running even in a muted capacity. It’s a better alternative to complete anarchy or having dozens of minor factions fighting for supreme control. No this is not a reflection of the Dominion politics. Dominion is more subtle in their feuding.

Maybe setup a system where these liberated nonRekesh southern worlds have a system to talk and coordinate with each other. Reestablish communications between them so that they can start working towards a future where they can establish an actual lasting government. And as much as I hate the idea of it, maybe borrow an idea from the Terrans/ Rovinar and have the worlds choose their own representative. And then have the people elect who would be their over all leader/ ruler who has to listen to the planetary officials and the people of the world. Essentially bringing Freedom and Democracy to a sector near you.

>>3557027

1A)

Any chance the Rovinar brought along some specialists for this sort of thing?

Barring that, are there any members of the Rebel fleet that have served in any sort of Government function?


2B) Rebel Majority Worlds

For now, I think we should blockade the Loyalist worlds. Secure and steal their orbital infrastructure where possible.

>>3557075

>keep the current governments established by the Neeran Empire running

This is actually a good idea, especially when it comes to the people that actually get things done (high-mid tier and lower).

Iraq is a great example of what happens when you remove the whole structure, and what not to do.

>>3557075
>Liberate a Stonghold world that could be considered an actual 'capital'
The one with greater neeran support could be considered this but even it is really more of a sector capital.

>>3557079
>Any chance the Rovinar brought along some specialists for this sort of thing?
The Alliance diplomatic team are finishing off a few things with the Rekesh government to normalize relations. This should be a good next project to keep them distracted.

>keep the current governments established by the Neeran Empire running
Objections?

>>3557075
>We should keep the current governments established by the Neeran Empire running.
Supporting this as long as the Neeran hardliners are removed and any measures the Rebels want implemented are put in place to keep them happy.

>>3557027
>1A) Approve 200k
>2A) Stronghold

>>3557027
>1A) Approve 200k
He's the expert.
>2A) Stronghold

>>3557190
>Objections?
None. As long as we keep their hands off the police, military, and other highly important infrastructure such as water supply.

>>3556324
We gotta put a song about him in our inevitable movie about the liberation of the Rekesh.

Diplomacy!

>>3557027

> 1A) Approve 200k

Give the man what he says he needs, this is his specialty after all. Tell him to pick a faction and support them to dominate the rest.

> 2A) Stronghold

>>3557190


>keep the current governments established by the Neeran Empire running
Objections?

Not in critical infrastructure, but elsewhere why not.

>>3558070
>pick a faction and support them to dominate the rest

with a dozen different ethnic groups in the melee for power, that may not be a good idea. You'll likely end up opening the door to the Ulgeans to come in and hold their own rebellion.

Maybe we can form a sort of Union Junta out of rebel fleet officers, and give them additional training/advisors? They're best exposed to our Dominion mixed race fleet and the strength we've forged together, and presumably their own rebel fleet is mixed enough to have viable choices from most of the ethnic groups.

They have the rebel credentials, combat training, and hopefully faith in our judgement to allow us to advise them and temper their impulse to tear down the existing pro-Neeran governmental structures. And they will most likely ensure that Neeran loyalists are removed as viable replacements are found and brought into their fold.

For now 200k troops will remain on the surface to prevent things from breaking down. As many of the previous officials as possible will be kept in place temporarily until replacements are found. Or at least those willing to switch sides.

A call is out out to the various rebel factions on the planet calling for peace while the particulars of new government are worked out. There have been incidents of violence before you even depart but the garrison force are quick on the scene in most cases. Vetting and rearming the PDF is going to be given an increased priority.

Once the Alliance diplomatic corps arrives on scene you take that as a good sign to move on to the next world. Capturing one planet a day, even those with minimal resistance, is going to play hell with army maintenance but you dont see another way. You've got to bring planets under control before the Rekesh take them.

The southern rebels need a rally point here, something with even a hint of a functioning regional capital. Right now that means striking a former enemy stronghold. Some of the populace and planetary industry was evacuated from this one days ago when you began to shut own communications. With luck most will have taken that opportunity to flee leaving little in the way of resistance.

This one only has a single large platform in orbit. The rest are smaller models and many of those have been savaged by previous raids. Unfortunately the main platform has been upgraded with the newer Rekesh long range siege weapon turrets. One of which are promptly destroyed by Arron's Nocturn when the fleet arrives.

Jumping in at medium range and pushing closer, the station isn't given a chance to make the best use of its superior gun range. Siege cannons and shield breakers wear down the defenses, eventually allowing your medium cruisers and battleships to cripple the platforms guns. Unlike most other systems you've liberated this one has still been producing corvettes in number. Enough to tie up your attack wings during the station assault.

"How are the attack wings doing?"
"We lost roughly a dozen assault corvettes securing the orbital space. One crew is unaccounted for."

Sensors show the PDF launching fighters but keeping them below the shield. Clearly they've already realised the battle in orbit is lost. Intel attempts to signal any rebels on the ground but soon find they're unable to make use of the channels they'd be able access.
"The PDF are jamming most com frequencies sir. We could still send a direct signal to the planetary government."

Versa brings up scan data highlighting a remote region on the surface. A military installation in the wilderness is under attack. While it doesn't house any of the planetary shield generators it looks like there are stockpiles of recently built tanks there. It seems there actually are rebels on the planet. While they cant get your message they must have seen the fighting or noticed the planetary shields going up.

>cont

>>3558884
Any sort of message demanding surrender you'd like to send to the local government? Or just go ahead and begin to knock out shields and commence landings?

>>3558887
"This is Viscount Reynard of the Dominion and the Faction Alliance. All Neeran assets are abandoning this galaxy.There is no need for further violence."

Then send proof in the form of the conversation we held with the Unsung Neeran commander.

"Surrender and you will be treated fairly and no more innocent people need to die needlessly in a battle which you can not possibly win."

>>3558887

"The Neeran Empire is withdrawing from this galaxy and will not be coming to aid you. Surrender and spare your people upon this world and others from the destruction of invasion or worse."

>>3558898
Only provide a limited clip of him agreeing to not bombard the worlds.

We don't want too much of that conversation getting out and potentially being sent to the Ulgeans. They may not like learning that we and the Neeran spoke and agreed that the Ulgeans are not good news.

>>3558887
Give 'em the ol' razzle dazzle and assault with holographics fully on.

>>3558887
> "The Neeran Empire is withdrawing from this galaxy and will not be coming to aid you. Surrender and spare your people upon this world and others from the destruction of invasion or worse."

> "We are not here for conquest, but are aiding in the transition of administration and governance from Neeran oversight to native governance. Fighting us will only ensure that some other planet will be more appropriate to lead the Southern sector."

Dangle the bait of being leadership for the region in front of them.

"This is Viscount Reynard of the Dominion speaking on behalf of the Factions Alliance. The Neeran Empire is withdrawing from this galaxy and will not be coming to aid you. There is no need for further violence. Surrender and spare your people the damage and destruction of invasion or worse.

Those who surrender will be treated fairly. The new rebel governments will have need of experienced administrative personnel to continue running this and other worlds. Don't waste the lives of your citizens needlessly in a battle you cant possibly win."

To help prove your point that the Neeran are leaving you include a clip from the short conversation with the enemy admiral.

With that sent you wait for a response. When there still hasn't been anything after a minute you give the fleet authorization to begin probing the shield for weak points. A few vessels use phase cannons to determine the overall strength of the defenses and how much firepower will be necessary to safely punch a hole through it with conventional bombardment.

Realistically you'll probably just use an SP KKV to drop the shield like before, but it should make the locals nervous. Maybe you can even use some holographics to amplify the appearance of siege weapon fire? That could panic the populace. If they're not all hiding in shelters right now.

About 15 minutes later there is a strong reply from the center of planetary government. Versa soon advises you the signal is being routed from another location on the planet. The apparent governor begins a long winded response, turning down your offer and calling on the citizenry to stand against the enemies of the Neeran. The Empire having for so many centuries given them unparalleled prosperity in return for their obedience.

As the speech continues to drag on Admiral Tama mutes the feed.
"He intendeds to filibuster us to death."
"I guess so. Suggestions anyone, or should we just go ahead and begin the attack?"

"Put a bounty on him." says Maybourne. "A few million for the Governor to be taken alive."

Checking the broadcast the old bag of bones is still going and showing no signs of slowing down.

[ ] Standard SP attack against shields
[ ] Conventional bombardment of shield to shake the populace
[ ] Offer a bounty for capture of government leaders

>>3559128
>[ ] Offer a bounty for capture of government leaders
Just for pure amusement. There'll be some very rich soldiers today I think.

>>3559128

>[ ] Offer a bounty for capture of government leaders

Put a bounty out for the local officials to either be captured/ deposed. And let it remain standing while General Rna and Admiral Tama put the finishing touches on their invasion and occupation plans. Then proceed as normal and take down the shields if they haven't been lowered.

So, an hour or however long would realistically be needed for the pdf or whatever faction on the ground needs to go in and depose the current government officials. And if the shields are still up, then we will settle this via combat that they could have avoided.

"Put out a bounty for the capture of government officials. They need to be taken alive. Highest one on the Governor. What's a good price range for a Governor? Ten? Twenty?"

Tama and a few other noble born officers indicate slightly higher.
"Thirty? I'm not going higher than thirty. They'll have to split it between the people who take part. We'll split up another thirty for officials."

Transmitting your bounty proves difficult as the governor is using all available channels they're not jamming. While Versa attempts to help communications work around this other options are considered. Forgoing using holographics to enhance the main guns they're put to use projecting messages against the shields. Particle beams on a few ships are used in a similar manner.

A few minutes later the governor's seemingly unending rant moves on to mentioning the futility of the Alliance battering at their shields. There are some breaks in the transmission at times as your ships manage to get the message through on overlapping channels. There are limits to how much you can boost your broadcast strength.

Over the next 20 minutes there is no immediate change but there seems to be movement in places and a gradual shift in the surface situation. Those monitoring the enemy broadcast report that some of the other officials in frame seem to be getting a bit more nervous and a few have dissipated entirely.
Fifteen minutes after that ground vehicles from one of the PDF armies protecting the capital are detected relocating. It isn't long before they're storming the centers of government. The surface broadcast drops in strength as it loses about half its transmission sites. It doesn't stop but the majority of the officials that had been backing the Governor are now conspicuously out of frame as the camera zooms in.


"New transmission from the surface. They're requesting communication with you Viscount."

"Put it up."

A Trayan that looks to be even more emaciated than Ren appears on screen. He identifies himself as a PDF General that is in a position to deactivate some of the planetary defenses. Though his army group knows they location of the Governor they're unable to reach him as that location is defended by a far more loyal unit. Two other loyalists army groups are probably preparing to retake the city from him at any moment.

"We can give you key shield generators, the Governor's location and the assistance of my army group. In return we expect to be paid. Does this sound reasonable to you?"

>What say?

>>3559370
"How much are you asking for, General?"

I just want to see if we can lower the price at all.

>>3559370

Sounds reasonable enough to me.

What all do I need to know/read before jumping into this quest? I’m a sucker for space operas and space battlefleets.

>>3559406
Here is the rather bare bones summary page which I keep forgetting to update. It'll get you part of the way. As it's been running for a stupid long time it usually takes people weeks or months to read through the entire archive.

https://houseanddominion.fandom.com/wiki/Summary_Page

>>3559406
I hope you like reading.

>>3559406

You've got some good reading ahead of you if you decide to read the archive.

>>3559399
"How much are you asking for, General?"

"Information leading to capture plus the other things I've thrown in? I think 20 million is reasonable. I'd just need you to get down here quickly enough to save my army from being crushed by two to three times their number."

>>3559504

I like him.

I'm for getting down there and delivering death to the loyalists.

>>3559504

Tell Rna to get the troops ready to drop in. The shields will be coming down soon. Also to expect resistance and to back up tentative allies and rebels on the surface.

>>3559504
Sounds reasonable. Just try to ensure that we're not running into a trap.

You shrug.
"Fine 20 million. Drop the shield and we'll be down to help."
"Thank you... Waitcouldyoumakemegov-"

You're already closing the channel and ordering the fleet to prepare for immediate drop. A number of planetary shields go offline and those zones are swarmed by your descending fighters and transports.

Tama has already warned the fighter squadrons to expect heavy resistance this time. Battleships that had been hitting the shield with particle beams begin to target enemy air cover. Most had been patrolling beneath the protection of the shields and expected more warning, like signs of an SP strike. Without even that much to tip them off several units are wiped out or scattered before your fighters even close within engagement range.

Heavy ground fire from the north of the capital attempts to light up the larger transports. Mass driver fire both from orbit and the descending HAGs pepper the northern defenses, shrouding the area in dust and debris plumes. A sustained barrage eventually takes down secondary shields that had been protecting the larger guns and missile silos.

Weapon emplacements to the south west all appear to be offline and Rna wastes no time in landing transports to secure them. Shuttles and LSTs land inside the city and make contact with the Trayan General's forces. They transmit vehicle IFF data to the fleet which is quickly updated showing their army group as friendlies. Once that's in place the gunships begin to open up on targets inside the city itself.

In the more remote areas the rebels have managed to take the vehicle depot and have begun to roll out towards the nearest shield generator. They even managed to commandeer a couple of super heavy tanks that were still missing a few weapon emplacements. Their main guns have been completed though, which they use to good effect. After crashing through defensive walls they take out the shield generator with a few plasma cannon shots.

"Dropping our remaining forces to bail out the Rebels." Rna reports.

Fighting in and around the capital remains fierce for the better part of an hour. Tanks and troops begin to make use of local infrastructure to shield their position from air attack. Local buildings are taking quite a bit of damage though few of them are in any danger of collapse. Exceptions being those that are demolished intentionally to block roads or crush tanks.

Of mixed news is that the governor stopped talking up a storm shortly after the shields went down. Versa confirmed that the General's location data matched up with one of the position locations she had calculated but by now it's being evacuated. Air battles around that area are still going on making it too dangerous to send in shuttles.

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Before the aerial situation can resolve itself a signal comes in reporting the capture of the Governor along with a good portion of their cabinet.
"Who? How?"

While Rna is too busy to find out Versa quickly reports that Troy's unit managed to land to the east of the city and advanced at ground level to the bunker complex.

Even with the capture of the Governor the fighting isn't quick to end. A pair of Frigates sent in to assist with extraction take ground fire as the PDF manage to get one of the defense guns back online. After a few hits one shot gets through, taking out enough reactors to cause a frigate to drop the remaining 400 meters to the surface.

A pair of SP impactors takes out the gun emplacement a second later, turning it into a fireball that can be seen from anywhere in the city.

Despite all of this the second frigate manages to extract the Governor and Troy's unit, heaving back into orbit at full burn. The Governor refuses to cooperate but once they're split up a fraction of his staff are more willing.

Footage of damage to the capital and of PDF units fighting both with and against your troops is broadcast to the rest of the planet. Rna insists video is included showing local ground vehicles failing to penetrate the tough armor on your heavy tanks.
With this one of the upper level ministers urges the PDF and populace in general to stand down. Much as you'd said before the assault the local forces cant possibly win. All it will do is delay the inevitable and cause more damage and loss of life.

By the end of the day most of the planet has been secured with only minimal pockets of resistance. Between the rebels and defections the new PDF already has a force of close to 100,000 troops. Not huge but it's a better start than the last planet.

Damage to the capital city is severe in places. Probably why the Governor had already abandoned it. The central region however is in better shape overall. Government buildings are intact for the most part and it should be able to act as a regional capital for the southern rebels.

While still taking stock of your losses and preparing a garrison force, the cease fire with the Neeran runs out. Not long after you get word that the Alliance fleet has arrived. A force of Alliance Capital Ships backed up by heavy carriers and some less impressive Kavarian Supers. It's not as large as you would have liked but its more than a match for the remaining Neeran forces.

The Neeran fleet in the south has left the galaxy as has another group that was apparently emptying out the executioner cannon facility. The fleet base in the north west and two of the major shipyards haven't been evacuated yet, but but they could at any time.

If you thought all of this might make the situation easier think again. Rekesh sensor positions report that 4 Ulgean fleets are mapping corridors through the denser regions. At least two of their super carriers are on a course for Rekesh space. Other small units are beginning to make strikes closer to the southern regions of the galaxy.

The Neeran could attempt to evacuate their remaining shipyards at any time, meaning if the Alliance wants to take one of them it will need to be done soon.

Rob Ecord reports they have finished tunneling efforts on Threochts planet and are sending in vehicles for careful excavation of the remaining cover. They could be done in the time it would take you to fly there.

Admiral Elerain sends a warning that a Krath unit will likely arrive in this galaxy in another 2 days or less. They apparently want to look into whatever Gaben Wilson's Alliance Intel unit was supposed to investigate here. As in the potential builder facility.

You'll need to decide on what to focus your forces on, or split up and delegate command to others.

Top priority for Sonia to focus on:
[ ] Liberate Rekesh worlds in Ulgean's path
[ ] Liberate Southern worlds in Ulgean's path
[ ] Liberate Northern worlds in Ulgean's path
[ ] Capture NW fleet yard & support facilities
[ ] Capture a super heavy shipyard
[ ] Investigate builder facility

>>3559781
>[ ] Investigate builder facility

>>3559781

>[ ] Investigate builder facility

Top priority, numero uno. Also, tell the Baron to have one of his ships over here ASAP. In the case he and his super cant get back to Threochts.

Our reasoning for the rapid relocation of him and his Super should be easy enough. We want to secure the Rekesh space against the Ulgean's. And make sure that we present a clear presence here in the galaxy. And since we made an alliance with the Rekesh, we're simply honoring our agreement. By having two Dominion Supers on hand nearby. With the Barons by Threochts, the planet closest to the Ulgeans and ours by the Capital. Again reasoning being, we’re putting the most advanced and powerful ship the Dominion has out front to show we (the Dominon and the Emperor) will stand by our allies. And we (Sonia) are putting our houses greatest asset in defense of the Dominions newest Allies homeworld. Since we’re the ones who brokered the Alliance it’s our job to ensure they remain free until the threat of being dominated into the Ulgean Empire is gone.

Plus with the Alliance here, they can focus on the fleet base. And if they want, they can then focus on the Super Yards. We’ve done the work of prepping the galaxy for the Alliance. Now it’s their turn to show that the Alliance is every bit stronger than the Neeran and the Ulgeans.

Also, we could ask the planetary governor of Threochts and the Rekesh government to power on their planetary shields on their worlds whenever the Krath fleet gets close. And again, claim we’re advising our allies to be prepared incase the Ulgeans decide to test Alliance mettle in battle. And since shields make it impossible to get good scans of objects underneath them and underneath several kilometers of earth. We will prevent the Krath from getting orbital scans. And we can have our units begin tightening security around the dig site.

Pretty much full paranoid/ panic mode and doing everything legally possible to prevent said Krath fleet from getting close and figuring out what’s really going on. Least they tell their government and then the whole Alliance before we’ve had a chance to really do some deep searching. Sure it’s all real sketchy of us to do this with the presence of Krath unit nearby. But really, with salvage of this caliber on the line. Can we really take chances?

Also, have our friendly Neeran come join us. Citing that wee need them to help scan possible Neeran infiltrators and what not as an excuse if anyone asks. So we can have Neeran support going down there.

>>3559781
>>3559803

Additional thought on how we could possibly downplay our shadiness.

Can we ask the Krath fleet to assist our units in making strikes against targets of opportunity in the southern region and in investigating the Super Yards, claiming that we want to hasten the unification of the southern rebels. And having their ships assisting in turning over trouble worlds like the last one we encountered would really help. And also learning if assaulting the other Super Yards at this point would be feasible for the Alliance, what with the presence of the Ulgeans now assaulting all of them.

If the Krath are insistent on investigating Gaben Wilson’s Intel. We can offer to take one of their units to Threochts. And give them the run around, where we bring them to the Rekesh museums that have the Builder artifacts that are no longer functional. And to the multiple dig sites spread across the planet. Heck, we could even preempt this by having other archeological teams going to the other dig sites and making them look like we’re doing serious digging at all the sites. And if they insist on visiting the dig site we’ve spent the most time at. We can put a call ahead to team there to partially collapse the tunnel. And make it look like seismic activity or something other that’s dangerous sounding that our engineers and geologist can think of. Citing we’re closing this dig site off until we’re certain the tunnel is safe and not going to collapse and kill anyone.

Again, all still super shady. But I’m trying to think of ways to minimize the chances of the Krath telling Krath/ Alliance Intel what we’re doing. And our whole operation being shut down before we even have a chance to learn what we’ve been chasing after this whole time. And returning back to the Dominion empty handed.

Also, we could have our commanders working the southern region. While the Alliance is working the west and northern region. Again, all in the hopes of convincing the Krath fleet to assist us and to divert a good portion or any portion of their fleet from Threochts. To other places in the galaxy that we could technically use their expertise. So long as they aren’t using their expertise to infiltrate our operations.

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>>3559781
I'd suggest we split up and focus on liberating as many worlds close to the Ulgean advance as possible.
The remaining orbital defenses around many worlds seem pretty light at this point, so dividing the fleets into smaller groups should pose less of a problem.

Specifically I'd suggest:
-Baron Xedols and half of the fleet we brought leaves the west of the galaxy to liberate the remaining Rekesh worlds. Ulgean occupation is the only remaining alternative to the FA and the Ulgean fleets aren't bound by the factions treaty when it comes to planetary attacks.
-The Rovinar fleets stars taking out lightly defended planet with no strong support for the empire. Offer hardliner planets the choice between us and the Ulgean but focus mostly and getting to worlds that will fall easily before the Ulgean can.
-The J-D fleet continues liberating worlds in the southern part of this galaxy.
-Contact the FA fleet and suggest to them to let the fleet remain unharmed for the time being and instead to focus on the super yard and strongholds to the south east of the galaxy. We should be able to take these before the Ulgean can if we move now.
-Sonia and various specialists head to the builder facility.

>>3559781
>[ ] Investigate builder facility

Sonia can take a force to deal with this and ensure it is speed up. Don't suppose we can install some scanning equipment that can locate Krath forces? Or that we could use our own Krath Mercenaries to guard this place for us?

Maybe the Rekesh could be of help here if they forbade anyone not of the Dominion from landing on Threochts due to concerns about their civilian population not taking it well? Either they will respect that in which case it's all good as they will be delayed if nothing else. Or they will disregard it in which case we can throw around political weight as a sledgehammer for them violating our allies. With the Baron here we got the RH to throw around as well so that should help if it comes to that.

>[ ] Liberate Rekesh worlds in Ulgean's path

Meanwhile our fleets should focus on Rekesh worlds. We want our allies happy and they wont be that if the Ulgean invades their worlds. Plus more liberated worlds means more ships they will be able to field to help us.

>[ ] Capture a super heavy shipyard

The Alliance could make a push for the southernmost shipyards and in doing so cut off the Ulgeans from pushing further south

In other words. It's time we made our move. It's probably going to out our intentions to the FA but in all honesty they aint got shit to say about it right now and wont as long as the Rekesh backs us up.

>>3559781
>[ ] Investigate builder facility

>>3559781

If we're going to send Sonia to the builder facility,

We need to bump one of our Wing Commanders to Knight Commander In-Being to ensure the J-D fleet has a clear command structure.

Do we want to second Mezan and Versa to the FA fleet, presumably while they take the SHC yard? Hopefully this would be a force multiplier that keeps the FA fleet in better fighting condition.


I'd imagine the Dominion/Rebel combined fleet would take on additional army forces from the FA fleet and proceed to race to liberate worlds before the Ulgeans can seize them.

Was hoping to resume now but just got called in to work.

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>>3560764
Sadness

>>3560764
Make that money!

>>3559781
>[ ] Investigate builder facility

Versa will be super useful for this, while we're doing it though we should pass off command to

> [ ] Liberate Rekesh worlds in Ulgean's path

Pop those top two Neeran fleets north of +FR1 and prevent Ulgeans from attempting to set up a competing rebel government.

>>3560960
>Versa will be super useful for this

Just keep in mind who Versa belongs to. If we allow her unrestricted access to the Builder Facility investigation we should probably go all in and take her in as a political refugee or the like. As in piss of the Terrans by "Stealing" their AI.

If the builder facility has a manufacturing center, we should try to build Versa a human/android body.

>>3560960
>>3561145

I'm against bringing a Terran Alliance AI into a builder facility under anything but 'prevent capture' conditions. Versa has outright stated that the Terran Alliance could compel her to share gathered intelligence if she were installed in one of our Dominion ships, and that would logically apply to the sphere facility as well.

If we want to keep the sphere tech information in Dominion hands to the maximum extent possible, Versa is not an option.

Personally hoping it's some kind of docking/storage/ship facility and we can stick Forbearance in, and get Artifact Forbearance out.

>>3561201

If it -is- such a thing, can we allow it to even exist? The Faction Alliance could implode over such a find.

>>3561216
It is okay. If they implode it just means we get more Supers to put in the Artifact ship hole to create more of them. The internet will be in flames about the minimaxing Dominion cunts who can't stop snowballing.

>>3561140
>>3561165
Ideally we can bake Rekesh rights to the area into our deal with the Ulgeans, which we should handle ASAP.

>>3561216
Terran spies can read your posts? The correct question, if it is such a facility, is how can we steal it. Realistically the Sphere Keepers would probably just take it though.

>>3561279
>Realistically the Sphere Keepers would probably just take it though.
Uller seems like a sensible choice. He'll knows how to deal with all Neeran factions, is experienced with sphere builder stuff, he'll need a new job/home once this war is over, and so far he's proven himself to be a pretty decent person on top of that.

With time running out and the way to the builder facility open you need to get there and begin investigating immediately. Towards that end you'll need to set the rest of your forces the task of continuing the liberation without you.

You dont intended to dictate what the Alliance fleet does, their Admiral probably out ranks you, but you can make a suggestion. Such as securing the southern most super heavy yard now before anyone else takes it.

Having the J-D fleet continue their work here while Ruling House forces assist the Rekesh might be the most expedient option for your group. The less Forbearance and its troops transports have to move around the better. Having a Ruling House fleet nearby to evacuate artifacts onto would also be handy.

1) Who will have overall command the J-D forces in your absence?
1A) Hera Boosalis
1B) Phas Rah'ne
1C) Lyas Cinayk
1D) Admiral Mezan
1E) Admiral Tama

2) What is happening with Versa?
2A) Staying with the J-D fleet
2B) Assisting the Alliance Fleet
2C) Helping with builder facility investigation

>>3562730

>1A) Hera Boosalis

>2B) Assisting the Alliance Fleet

Versa is a massive benefit to fleet combat, and the Super Yard is likely to be one of the most important fights we see happen.

And she is essentially a Terran Alliance spy if we include her in the builder facility op. We've gone through the trouble of cutting the other Factions out of the builder facility as best we can by treaty, and I don't see reason to give the Terrans further intel on what we may find.

>>3562730
>1B) Phas Rah'ne
>2B) Assisting the Alliance Fleet

>>3562730
>2B) Assisting the Alliance Fleet

>>3562730
>1E) Admiral Tama

>>3562730
>2C) Helping with builder facility investigation

>>3562730
1A) Hera Boosalis

2B) Assisting the Alliance Fleet

Much as I like Versa she had made it clear she is going to report back to the Terrans and I don't want her to gain more intel on the facility than she already has.

>>3562730

>1A) Hera Boosalis
>2B) Assisting the Alliance Fleet

Time to have Hera step up. If she wanted to be a commander and eventual Baron. It's time she got control of the fleet in full.

And I'm with >>3562746 anon on Versa's utility to a large fleet and its capabilities. And if they plan to hit the Super Yard soon, they'll need her. And we are only temporarily assigning her to assist the Alliance in that capacity and she'll return to us after. And conveniently be after we finish excavating whatever relics we find. So that she is still assisting us and also doesn't have to give over what we found to the Terrans when she returns to them.

>>3562746
>>3562792
>>3562821
Any particular reason you guys want Hera?

>>3562824

iirc, Hera and Phas are basically not-Sonia and not-Daska (in no particular order) and neither has really had a stand-out moment or done some crazy side mission resulting in an explosion on an enemy super.

So I flipped a coin and picked Hera. I'm perfectly willing to reconsider the choice if someone has additional information.

>>3562824

I want to have her be promoted to knight commander and eventually the next Baron after the new one gets settled in to their world. Meaning we will have made two Barons, which puts us at even with Winifred and we will have Phas right behind Hera to have had us made four Barons. Which is significant, since only the Count could lay claim to making anyone else in the house a Baron.

And while I doubt we will experience another internal struggle anytime soon. We will be the largest power inside our house. With only the Count being able to hold more power simply because of his position. We may not run the J-D, but we will have the most strings inside J-D.

And like >>3562842 anon I rolled a d4 and Hera won 3 times out of four. With Phas right behind. But as they've said if given a better reason, I'm willing to back Phas.

They are both good commanders and need to spread their wings and leave the nest.

>>3562850

Not like Sonia is any good at politics, anyway. But then again idk if we've ever bothered to find out the politics of anyone in our fleet ever. For all I know, Hera could be full-blooded traitor.

>>3562824
Both Phas and Hera are about equal in command skill and are next up for becoming Baron, unlike Tama who is "just" a Admiral. Now I am perfectly fine with Phas also taking command but I went with who got the first vote, sort of go with the flow sort of deal.

>>3562859

If we were any good at politics, Sonia would be the Count right now. But as it is, being the power behind the power is good enough. One of the reason Tenni joined the EC is because she was put in a pocket and had no one to help her. But then in came the EC after they over threw and assisted in killing the Count. And they made new laws that would help her so she joined their cause. Because as far as she could tell none of the other Barons cared to help her. Though of course if she had simply asked, she would have gotten the help she needed. With Avun, Alex, Daska, Xisioth, and Drake, we played a significant part in their becoming Barons. So they knew they could rely on us and Daska and Xisioth were under our command and became Barons thanks to us. And now with Hera, Phas and eventually Lyas, though that's going to be a real push to make him a Baron. We will have made four people Barons. We are essentially king makers within our house. While we don't make the wisest politics decisions. We do make the best commanders in our house who become some of the best Barons. Tenni and Jor'run and whoever the Count makes Baron next, are the only ones we've had little to no influence in their becoming Barons, since becoming a Baron/ Viscount ourselves.

>>3562896
>>3562876
>>3562859
>>3562850
>>3562842
Now that you mention that, I think we should go with Lyas Cinayk. He's the kind of methodical person we need to keep our investment in one piece when we're not around. He's also a Kavarian, which will put the Count in a hilarious spot when it comes to promoting him.

>>3562910

Trying to promote Lyas is going to be the most difficult thing. As not just people inside the House would be watching, but also powers outside the House. I'm all for him being promoted to a Baron. But we have two options ahead of him who are more veteran and we can almost guarantee become Knight Commanders and eventually Barons. Getting him to Knight Commander and Baron will likely be an under taking we will have to put a lot of thought and backing into. Because chances are high people outside the house will think negatively against him being raised higher than he is currently.

Not sure if he would be the first Dominoin Kavarian Baron or not, but I'm pretty sure he would be.

>>3562910

My concern here is that this mission is -not- a sanctioned Knight Commander assignment, so there is no expectation of promotion upon return.

We're basically giving someone a resume line that hopefully makes them the best choice for the next official Knight Commander fleet.

>>3562922
>We're basically giving someone a resume line that hopefully makes them the best choice for the next official Knight Commander fleet.
That's what I'm a bit worried about, Hera (or Phas? One of them) likes to go on high risk high reward operations and I'd hate to lose Forbearance at this point because her gamble didn't pay off for once. The chance to add a huge qualifier for Knight Commander might cause her to do something stupid.

>>3562921
>But we have two options ahead of him who are more veteran
Are they?

>>3562932

A successful addition to their resume does require that they not tank our fleet's K/D ratio while it is under their command.

Plus they will have all of our advisors to help temper their impulses, just like Sonia's are.

That said, I'd support the more cautious of Hera/Phas if others prefer that.

Looks like we're going with Hera leading the fleet then. You apologise to Phas promising that she'll get the next shot at it. For now you ask that they support each other and focus on the mission.

"You'll have your work cut out for you liberating these planets. Even with the help of the rebels. I dont envy you. Make sure the Dominion Knights are prepared to evacuate their bases if the Ulgean make claims on those systems."
"Yes sir!"

Versa meanwhile will assist the Alliance in their larger scale attacks. To speed things up Mezan will take her unit and link up with them while you transfer your flag over to one of the faster battleships in the command squadron. The Outer Heaven is soon detached from whatever other duties they've been assigned to and heads for Threochts planet as well.

Along the way you make inquiries with the Rekesh government. They're already setting about establishing marker buoys in systems claimed by them in their agreements with you and the Alliance. Since the recent Ulgean fleets were detected they've stepped up attempts to convince remaining worlds to ally with them.
These worlds have requested access to communications so they can verify the situation themselves. Those deeper in their territory have been granted this request but the worlds closest to the Ulgean advance have not. Partly for fear they might ally with the oncoming fleets. The government has made it a priority for Ni Ahni to secure these worlds first.

When you arrive at Threochts planet you see that the orbital defenses have been redeployed and work has begun on repairing the stations. Most of the engineers are focusing on the heavy cruiser docks in preparation for the arrival of the carrier.

Taking a trip down to the surface you soon see that the engineers have built a structure above the dig site. From the air it looks more like a warehouse, which cant be far off given the number of vehicles parked around it and the two Frigates. Ground vehicles are hauling rubble to what seems to be a processing station and from there off site.

After touch down an APC soon arrives with Rob Ecord a few guards and a pair of Rekesh. The younger more fit looking of looking of the two introduces himself.

"Welcome to Threochts planet Viscount. I'm Lieutenant Tu Quedis, the Rekesh liaison officer for the site. On behalf of the planetary government I most deeply thank you for liberating our people, and giving us the first clues we've seen in centuries that might answer what happened to one of our greatest minds."

"You're welcome, I just hope it isn't a dead end." you reply.

Tu Quedis gestures to the Rekesh next to him.
"This is Ten Zohn who I believe you may have heard of."

[ ] "Thanks for finding this place." (Stay positive)
[ ] "You took a lot of risks, fortunately it paid off." (Middle of the road)
[ ] "You're lucky the Neeran didn't catch you. That could have cost lives" (Admonish)

>>3562932

They are his seniors, while I cant say how by how much because my memory is shit like that. They are at still his seniors in time served. So they may be his seniors by a month or maybe a year, but they do have a lead over him.

>>3562978

>[ ] "You took a lot of risks, fortunately it paid off." (Middle of the road)

>>3562978
>[X] "You're lucky the Neeran didn't catch you. That could have cost lives" (Admonish)

Do stupid shit for your own fame, get called stupid.

>>3562978
>[ ] "You took a lot of risks, fortunately it paid off." (Middle of the road)
Can we really yell at somebody who's basically scientist Sonia?

>>3562978
>[ ] "You took a lot of risks, fortunately it paid off." (Middle of the road)

"Man where you a pain in the ass to track down."

>>3562978
>[ ] "You took a lot of risks, fortunately it paid off." (Middle of the road)

"You took a lot of risks, fortunately it paid off. It might have taken us days longer to find this place on our own. With the Ulgean fleets on their way those are days we're going to be glad we have."

You decide against telling the scientist about the incoming Krath unit at the moment. If necessary Rob or the local J-D garrison commander can be informed and get the locals to raise the shield to keep them out.

"I hope everyone has been getting along? I know the terms of our agreement may not have made everyone happy."
"Well enough sir." replies Rob. "All working towards the same goal."

Mounting up in the APC the vehicle speeds off towards the structure and the dig site.
"What's our status?"

"Uller is on the way here with one of the other caretakers. Should arrive in a few hours. We have some scientists plus Sam, Dave and the ranking caretaker, Veod, down there right now looking around. They say we should be able to open it without issue with one of the artifacts, even if we cant use them properly."

"That's dangerous."
"Tell me about it. I keep expecting one of the rookies to run up and pile drive the damn door open. We can open it as soon as you give the word."

Once into the shaded area of the building you dismount. Vehicles, weapons and equipment are being readied along the eastern side. Expedition rifles, suits of hard plate armor, buggies and some tanks you're not familiar with.

"What's with the tanks?" you ask.
"Just being prepared. All the vehicles have easy to swap out power plants. Gas, RTG, those new plasma fuel core ones you wanted. We also got the vehicle grade plasma guns."

"Right, how were those going to work if we run into a power drain again?"
"Apparently the Alliance got a look at some chemical lasers you took from a few enemy troops?"
"Oh yeah, the little lizard guys."
Internally you're trying to remind yourself not to mention they were Rovinar.

"They sent the specs off to a bunch of Factions and companies. A bright light bulb figured out you could use a chemical ignition to fuel a plasma weapon AND provide power to the containment system."

He waves you over towards a buggy that's clearly seen some modification. Mounted on top is what looks like a Bofors gun with barrel reinforcement. Folding braces on the back of the vehicle look like they can extend down to the ground.
"One of our test vehicles. They're really not meant to mount a gun like this but it's the best way to train the troops on them. First time we fired it the buggy nearly flipped so we had to add the braces. Downside of not having a repulsor to counter the force of the weapon."
Climbing up he pulls back the breach and extracts a 30cm long cartridge, handing it to you.
"Safe to handle. Minimal radiation or chemical pollution after use. The light weight tanks can be fitted with the same thing. Range is a bit of an issue but it's better than plinking away with expedition rifles."

>Any special equipment you'd like the engineers to assemble?

>>3563254

>Any special equipment you'd like the engineers to assemble?

Maybe our artifact armor or sphere armor?

Nothing really jumps to mind unless we want to make a mobile mining laser to brute force our way through parts of the facility.

>>3563254
Prep our armour. The special one. Bring out ALL our toys for this one. We are going in loaded with enough unique shit to buy out a Super Heavy Cruiser.

>>3563254
>>Any special equipment you'd like the engineers to assemble?
Soldier scale drones that run off similar fuel cells? They just fly right up to the enemy and explode.

>>3563316
>Soldier scale drones that run off similar fuel cells? They just fly right up to the enemy and explode.
They dont really have enough output to support themselves on repulsors. Fitting out a small fuel cell in a propeller driven UAV could be possible. A team will get to work on this right away.

You ask that arrangements be made for all the special armor types to be brought down. IT would be good to have them nearby depending on conditions encountered.

Rufaro has loaned Ruiz her sphere armor so she's set for most eventualities but Valeri is lacking in that department. He doesn't have the Krath bio armor this time. For now he'll stick to his traditional gear and if necessary switch to a hard plate suit.

With that taken care of the next is team selection.
"Who do we want present when we open up the hatch?"


1A) Keep it small, a couple caretakers & specialists
1B) Let the scientists tag along
1C) Full team with escort (it might get crowded)

2) Is Sonia going to be among them?
>Y/N?

>>3563398
>1A) Keep it small, a couple caretakers & specialists

Small group, less eyes to know what is found and taken back home. And less people to worry about spilling the beans without significant legal ramifications that would end careers. Plus the scientist wont know what they've missed out on when they work with the Alliance groups that are bound to be here soon.

>2) Is Sonia going to be among them?
Yes, this is why I wanted the Baron to come back so he can act as the highest ranking Dominion person in case questions are raised. And why we selected Hera to lead the J-D fleet.

>>3563398

>1A) Keep it small

The last add-on we brought to a sphere facility was a Neeran sleeper agent.

>2) Yes

We've got the custom armor for the job.

>>3563398
>1B) Let the scientists tag along
Have we had all the scientists screened this time? I can only imagine Sonia being on a hair trigger if she ever sees one near a manufacturing console ever again.

>2)
Y

>>3563448
>Have we had all the scientists screened this time?
Yes. There are really only 2 civilians. The rest are on your payroll or with the Ruling House.

>>3563418
Supporting

>>3563440
>The last add-on we brought to a sphere facility was a Neeran sleeper agent.
This too.

>>3563418
>>3563440
>>3563448

"Let's keep it small, a couple caretakers & specialists. I'll be going too."

If it's a small enough team you could attempt entry now and not wait for Uller. Time is of the essence after all.

"No heroics please sir." Rob asks as the team begins prep. "Just have a look around and you can decide if you want to bring in more personnel."

With that in mind you could probably take power armor without issue since there wouldn't be time for a power drain to be an issue.

>Choose your equipment!

Hard Plate Armor (unpowered)
Sphere builder armor
Light Recon armor
Medium Jump Jet Armor
Nxesi Pattern Relic Armor
"Ambient" Medium power armor (Alliance/Dominion energy drain/resist)

Or did you have other equipment in mind?

>>3563518
>Sphere builder armor

If there's any systems in here that are able to recognize other facility equipment. This may help us? I'm just guessing at this point. But my first choice is the Sphere armor followed by the Relic armor.

>>3563518
>Nxesi Pattern Relic Armor

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>3563529
1
>>3563539
2

While you consider wearing the sphere armor you'd rather not risk messing it up in the first few minutes. Plus you'd rather trust the vacuum seals and life support on Nxesi's suit.

Veod and Sam ready their own equipment as does the specialists who have drawn the short straws. They're outfitted with scanning gear and scientific equipment. Valeri takes his recon suit while Ruiz waits up above.

A small repulsor lift vehicle takes the team down to the base of the drill shaft. Most of the shaft has been sealed with a spray concrete ensuring it wont cave in. At the bottom a pair of soldiers who apparently has a background in archeology are finishing up a last sweep for relics. They soon catch another lift headed up.

Most of the base is still covered in dirt and rock but not all. Towards the center a platform made up of the same nearly indestructible material as the sphere is present. It certainly looks like a door, with a small circular pedestal to the side. Indentations on the top are the right size for a staff, sword or other artifact.

"Who wants to do the honors?" you look between those present. "I would but I figured I should ask first."
Veod steps forward. "I should. If the facility is hostile to a caretaker it is all but certain it would be even less forgiving with everyone else."
"Maybe one of the Rekesh should be doing it?" wonders Valeri on your private channel.

No one is in a hurry to potentially sacrifice some of their precious wargear so the staff taken from the museum is inserted.
"Please cease radio emissions while we open the doorway."

"You hear that up top? We're going coms dark for a bit." you inform the surface team.
"Copy that. Blackout in five."

The hatch retracts slightly and splits apart, each section falling away to the sides. Up through the opening arrives what looks to be very similar to the lifts you made use of on the sphere. Around the edges you can make out faint light from below. There is an open area though it looks like you can see the floor. Hopefully that's a floor.

"No biologicals, radiation is at or below baseline. Air seems good." reports the specialist.

Veod checks the staff finding that he's unable to withdraw it. Both neeran do a quick check from near the platform then inform you that it should be safe to contact the surface once more.

"Reynard to Ecord, com check. Hatch is open, we're resuming uplink."
"We copy."

After continued examination Veod believed the lift to be safe, though he can't promise the hatch will stay open.

[ ] All aboard
[ ] Leave one person here as relay
[ ] Only some of you board (who?)

>>3563829

[x] All Aboard

A relay is going to be useless if the hatch closes.

>>3563829

>[ ] All aboard

Have them wait 48 hours, if they don’t hear from us before then or before the Krath fleet shows up. They send a small team down to make contact with us.

Shit I just had an idea. We could have a laser relay system set up inside the facility. That way if anyone comes in behind us they can get in contact with us. And us with them. And if we reach regions that are cut off from one another. We leave data terminals or messages explaining where and what we plan to do. And now I understand why in video games you discover random datapads left behind when you explore places. Though I also figure this idea would fall flat if there is indeed energy drain inside the facility. So maybe just written notes that are taped to walls or some adhesive is used on notes stuck to sides of walls or just using markers to point the way we went?

>>3563829
>[ ] All aboard

>>3563853
>And now I understand why in video games you discover random datapads left behind when you explore places.
>So maybe just written notes that are taped to walls or some adhesive is used on notes stuck to sides of walls or just using markers to point the way we went?

>Yellow notes begin appearing on walls in increasing number.

I just realised, we haven't fired an Amplified Lightning Gun yet.

>>3563254
Anti-Krath idea: Radioactive markers in key personnel' cells

>>3563853
>Have them wait 48 hours, if they don’t hear from us before then or before the Krath fleet shows up. They send a small team down to make contact with us.
That sounds sensible. Also bring the two scientists with that team.

>>3563829
>[ ] All aboard
Once more into the breach!

"Everyone aboard. If our communications are cut by the door closing then leaving anyone behind wont make much difference.
Reynard to Ecord, we're going in. If you haven't heard from us in 48 hours or a Krath fleet shows up send a small team in after us."

"Two days is a long time if you run into trouble." the Knight points out.
"I know, but we'll make do somehow. I'll try to check in as soon as possible."

Everyone takes up positions on the lift, weapons and scanners pointed outward.
"Hit it."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ppfDDx4SNA [Embed]

The lift descends but doesn't pick up the sort of speed you've come to expect from them. above you the hatch swings shut, with a few faint clanks.

It quickly becomes apparent that the hatch is located at the apex of a dome. Large enough to fit a squadron of shuttles but not much more. Faint illumination around the edges slowly begins to brighten as the lift comes to a halt at ground level. It's still a bit dark as you step off and scan the surrounding area. There is equipment and consoles scattered about making it look like a lab space.

"Reynard to surface, do you read us?"

Predictably there is no response. Coms cant penetrate the material.

"Anything familiar?" you ask as Sam looks over a few lab stations.
"Some of this is builder technology, a lot of it isn't. It might be of Neeran manufacture pre-schism."

Everyone continues to reconnoiter the area. One of the specialists find a badly corroded device that shares some similarities with modern Rekesh tech. In its current state there's no telling what it was for.

"Any builder artifacts?" you call out to the others.
"Got one." you hear Valeri reply.

Veod identifies it as an immutable staff with some modifications. An unusually small amplifier device has been grafted into the interior.
"Whoever was working on this may have been attempting to reverse engineer it. Possibly into another type of tool or weapon. I advise you not to touch it, this is very likely to explode or irradiate the user if activated."

You make a note that some labs would probably find it an interesting and valuable addition. Maybe not enough to pay for the expedition but a good chunk of it. This can't be everything though or you're going to feel like a bit of a fool for coming all this way.

"Keep searching."

>cont.

Eventually the team finds a set of retractable stairs running along part of the room's outer wall. It's similar to those your expedition encountered inside a tower on the Sphere. Pressing a nearby switch the staircase drops down, extending into the darkness below. Waving one of the specialists forward the group begins the trek downwards.

Like up above this chambers walls slowly begin to illuminate, though it doesn't provide much light. The entire level is empty except for another larger hatch at the center of the room. Various markings cover the floor surrounding it.

"Translation?"
"They are... general caution and hazard warnings." Veod replies, pacing around the room and taking in what he can see.

"The next chamber has the potential for gravity shifts, radiation, biological sterilization protocols. There are other things I am attempting to make sense of."

Sam points to a pair of characters on the opposite side. "I recognise these from when we were studying on the sphere. I think it had to do with faster than light travel?"

"It's a gate?" you wonder.
"Potentially." agrees the Caretaker. "We should bring in the others to help study it before doing anything."

[ ] "Can we at least take a peek?"
[ ] Bring in the other Caretakers
[ ] Caretakers & J-D personnel
[ ] Full science teams and escort party

>>3565236
"Can we send a Drone through, to see if it works?"
>[ ] Caretakers & J-D personnel

>>3565236
>[ ] Full science teams and escort party
We've secure a beachhead for them that seems safe. No time to let up on the throttle. We're on a tight deadline here after all.

This seems extremely interesting. I wonder where it leads and if we can salvage the tech involved itself!

>>3565236
>[ ] Caretakers & J-D personnel

Lets get a science base setup down here. We got some labs, so it would make sense to me.

>>3565236
>[ ] Full science teams and escort party
This has the potential to blow up a properly developed world. Let's do this properly.

>>3565236

>[X] Caretakers & J-D personnel

>>3565236
>[ ] Caretakers & J-D personnel

>>3565236

I winder if this is a facility where the Sphere builders were testing worm holes and their creation? Now THAT would be a hell of a discovery. Link the portal in SRL space and at the Sphere. Make travel to the front lines really super quick.

As this might take a bit you head back up and call for additional personnel. The rest of the Caretakers and more J-D personnel. Uller is clear to come down whenever he arrives.

Ecord relays that the Rekesh are waiting for an invitation to send someone, anyone, down along with them. The same can be said for the other civilian with the Foundation.
"Give them access to our sensor data and feeds for now. See if they can do anything with them from up there."

Over the next half hour additional personnel and equipment are brought down. Scanners, stasis units, flood lights. Keeping the top side hatch propped open continuously is considered but the Caretakers are against it. If anything happens when opening the lower chamber they'd prefer to have the upper one closed. For now one of your guard will open it up every ten or fifteen minutes to transmit the latest data.

Minute traces of DNA are found. Mostly Rekesh by the looks of it though other species like Neeran cant be ruled out. Some of it is far too old for quick analysis.

Within two hours the specialists are certain that the upper chamber is a lab space. Project consoles that are operational still have some data, though its difficult to read. Some being encrypted, others partly deleted, fragmented or just being kept in languages requiring lengthy translation.

"How long?"
"Days, weeks, maybe longer for a good chunk of it sir. We're relaying it topside for the others to look at."

You turn to one of the caretakers.
"Any idea what they were working on here?"
"Reverse engineering sphere technology and exploring new applications for it."

Or attempting to it would seem. Based on Rekesh timetables much of this would have been done around the time of Threocht but not everything. Certain pieces are too old to have been the work of modern Rekesh. Maybe their ancestors? That doesn't make sense either given that they originate from another planet.

Heading down stairs you ask Veod how long it will be until you can send a probe through the lower hatch. After all how harmful can it be to simply open it wide enough to toss a hand size recon drone through?

"lt would be unwise to do so before we have deciphered all of the warnings."
"Any progress?"
"Nearly finished, we just have to cross reference for hidden meanings." answers Sam.

"If you're getting close what is it?"
"It's an airlock. A special one for containment purposes I think, but it involves subspace fields."

Veod sighs.
"We still need to be certain. Please give us another hour or two."

[ ] Give them time
[ ] Speculate with them?

>>3565472
>[ ] Speculate with them?
"What if this is a prison?"

>>3565472
>[ ] Speculate with them?
something hidden in subspace, like those old Faction Alliance ships, at the station, where we recovered a lot of veckron torpedoes?

>>3565472
>[X] Give them time
If that was a lab space used by that famous Rekesh scientist, shouldn't we bring in Ten Zohn and his rekesh chaperone? Scientific discovery is supposed to be highly valued in their society so I feel rude leaving them out. They'll probably also be incredibly useful when it comes to deciphering the older computer systems present.

>>3565489
>mething hidden in subspace, like those old Faction Alliance ships
Those were Neeran ships that were using something that the Alliance had never seen before to stay in Subspace and occasionally 'ghost' into the station if I remember. Good catch, maybe whoever built this place has hidden something inside the gravity well in subspace?

>>3565490
>If that was a lab space used by that famous Rekesh scientist, shouldn't we bring in Ten Zohn
Support for this?

>>3565504
Have one of our guard escort him at all times, but sure.

>>3565472
Oh boy I sooo want to know what's behind this "door".

>[ ] Give them time

>gravity shifts, radiation, biological sterilization protocols
>faster than light travel?"
> it involves subspace fields."

Okay. This is the only other Builder Facility know to exist in the entire universe besides the Sphere. Unknown if it's Caretaker or Precursor made. Either is possible at this point really.

My immediate thoughts on this is that this was at one time a research station for Biology. Or rather a gateway to a lab that may or may not be located inside of either subspace or some other extra dimensional area.

The containment protocols specifically mentions bio sterilization so it can be assumed from there that they didn't want something getting out from there. Dangerous enough not to risk having it on the Sphere. Either because the biological danger inheritance to it or because of the subspace gate. Which seems to be a bit worrying if you ask me. As for what bio stuff could they have been reseraching. The obvious one seems bio weapons but that seems a bit... Not them. I am more leaning towards them researching their natural reactors. Possibly even creating them.

>>3565504
Sure, but with baby sitters.

>>3565472
>>3565490
>>3565504

>[ ] Give them time

Sure I'll back it

"The Empire was experimenting with ships that could hide in localised subspace then reemerge when they wanted to. I think some of them were intended for use as a minefield."

Veod considers this.
"If this facility works by a similar principle then it's possible they may have got the idea from other builder technology they found elsewhere. The Empire clearly didnt know this was here, or if one of their commanders was aware they must have covered it up."

"Wait, what if this is a prison?" you wonder.
"Then it is fortunate you brought weapons and Knights trained in their use. If firearms are not effective we can only hope artifact weapons will be."

After that exchange you consider having Rob prep some special weapons on the surface for a worst case scenario. Like a Vekron torpedo maybe.

For now you leave the Caretakers to their work and see to some of the political considerations of the expedition.
"When Uller arrives I want you to give the ok for Ten Zohn and an escort to come down at the same time."
"Understood, they'll have their bags packed."

The better part of an hour later Uller arrives, looking prepared for just about anything. Beside him the Rekesh scientist looks more than a little unnerved by the company. You bring both of them up to speed and Zohn is soon assisting with investigation of the labs.

Uller seems glad to be getting on with things. He was getting tired of working with Rebels that were less than pleased with him being there. At least here a good portion of your personal guard are familiar enough with him.

Heading down to the second level Uller helps where he can with the translation, though it's now mostly past the point where he could assist. Sam finishes calculations based on the information present in the markings and scans from your specialists.

"The next chamber should be an airlock as we suspected. It's also either a micro gravity environment or one where it switches up and down. We think it may transition occupants out of phase or to another layer of subspace or reality. The only way to confirm it is to activate it. Opening the hatch should be safe, but once it closes that may change."

[ ] Ready some drones
[ ] Maybe call one of Rob's people that can tank subspace radiation
[ ] We're opening not activating it, same team as before

>>3565662
>[ ] Maybe call one of Rob's people that can tank subspace radiation

>>3565662
>[ ] Ready some drones

Get the drones ready as well as getting some folks who are able to tank some of that subspace radiation.

>>3565662
>[ ] Ready some drones
>[ ] Maybe call one of Rob's people that can tank subspace radiation

>>3565662
>[ ] Ready some drones

>>3565662
>[ ] Ready some drones

Also

> Mine the exit in case something comes out that we don't want to come out.

>>3565662
>[x] Ready some drones

File: Pacioli.jpg (1.22 MB, 1500x1250)

1.22 MB JPG

"Rob, send down some drones and one of your people with the special immunity."

It doesn't take long for the requisitioned equipment and personnel to arrive. Techs set up sensors near the gate then retreat to the upper level, as do you and most of the Caretakers.

"How dangerous is this sir?" asks the Knight as she prepares to send in the drones.
"Probably not dangerous but there's a good chance of subspace field bullshit going on so better safe than sorry."
"Right." you catch her mumble about hazard pay before the channel cuts off.

Once the caretakers, techs and scientists are ready the unlucky Caretaker to have been given the task activates the gate. Aside from the metallic plate swinging aside as planned nothing happens. No explosions, bio toxins, monsters or inmates burst forth.

After a momentary pause the knight throws one of the small recon drones through the entrance. It floats through on its repulsors, reporting no signs of an energy drain. Background radiation is slightly elevated but still beats standing outside on a sunny day on some J-D worlds.

The drone descends through a short corridor made up of builder material with occasional sections of transparent walls. Through them the sensors can make out the outline of a sphere below the facility, similar in size to the dome above. Part way down it registers gravity getting lower, approaching 15% standard at the bottom. It's greeted by yet another hatch.

There are few if any additional markings by this one, just a few buttons that translate to open, close and lock. A larger support drone with actual manipulators is sent down next. With everyone holding their collective breath the larger drone taps the button and the next hatch opens. Or it begins to, it quickly slams shut again causing everyone to wonder what's going on.

This is soon answered as the upper lift to the drill shaft descends carrying a couple soldiers with supplies.
"Unload then close that hatch. We're on lock down until you hear from us!"
"Yes sir!"

The techs go over the few readings taken while the bottom hatch was open. Radiation is slightly higher again but still within safe levels. They speculate it might be decay products as a result of the age of the facility.

This time when the last hatch opens it stays open and both drones proceed inside. Their instruments register micro gravity. The interior is smaller in volume than the outer sphere, the walls forming a truncated cuboctahedron. The flat surfaces are fitted with what to you look like components from a faster than light drive. These are where most of the background radiation is coming from.

>Cont.

With no other signal from you or the techs both of the amateur explorers descend to the chamber, though they remain inside the corridor. The two drones complete a full scan, sending back data. Ten Zohn notices there are identical buttons on the inside of the chamber as those on the outside. Open, close, lock. Though "lock" is also accompanied by glyphs for "activate."

There are signs of a hatch on the opposite side of the chamber it lacks any means of opening it. The Caretakers speculate that buttons may become accessible after completing a cycle, or the entire thing may rotate.

"Can we go home now sir?" asks the increasingly nervous Knight.

[ ] Program a drone with a series of exploration commands and seal it in
[ ] "Would you care for double hazard pay?"
[ ] Let's assemble a team

>>3565995
>[ ] Let's assemble a team

>>3565995

>[ ] Program a drone with a series of exploration commands and seal it in
>[ ] Let's assemble a team

Tell the knight to return. And lets have the drones begin a basic search of the inner area. While we begin assembling a team.

>>3565995
> [ ] Program a drone with a series of exploration commands and seal it in
> [ ] "Would you care for double hazard pay?"

Program the drone to be fairly passive and wait ten minutes, then send the Kinght in. The Knight can back out right away if they don't detect it.

>>3565994
It's an engine to move the entire world, isn't it.

>>3566033
I'm sure that would look more like a motorbike.

>>3566114
> "Troy, think you can drive this thing?"

Just think how awesome it would be if we could use planets as weapons to slam into Neeran city ships.

Doom Eternal looking fucking tight, it's also what I imagine fighting Sonia would be like. Constantly dodging and packing 8 different weapons.

File: Spoiler Image (552 KB, 1024x1447)

552 KB PNG

>>3566123
Pic related?

>>3566120
> "Troy, think you can drive this thing?"
This reminds me. I was supposed to ask if you wanted Troy recalled since he also has sphere builder armor among other reasons.

>>3566129
Nah, we can't risk both parents being trapped for too long.

Unless his armor can fit someone else.

Oooh, I wonder if we could get him to decoy a different planet to make it look like he's going after Sphere tech on it.

>>3566129
>This reminds me. I was supposed to ask if you wanted Troy recalled since he also has sphere builder armor among other reasons.
Yeah keep him safe for now but if it becomes slightly safer later he can meet up?

Assembly work begins on having everything ready to go to quickly put a team together once you give the signal. You haven't decided who will be on the team yet but once you do they should be ready in a few minutes time.

For now the techs focus on programming the larger drone so that it will be able to carry out reconnaissance cut off from remote control.

While that's happening the caretakers take time to examine the interior of the roughly spherical chamber. They seem concerned that the equipment might be breaking down due to age. With the help of another drone and radiation shields they're able to remove one of the elements to inspect it. This triggers an automated repair protocol which they were apparently expecting. Using the drone they release the removed component which is soon retrieved and put back into place.

"Any effect?" you ask Uller after the test.
"Only minor adjustment to the piece we removed and touch up work to a few others we were concerned about. It should be operating correctly."

Once everyone is ready the drone is sent in to trigger the system. It closes the door then hits the activation button. You cant see into the into the interior of the sphere but you can certainly feel the hull of electricity and vibration of powerful machinery run through the facility. The camera drone left in the corridor detects static discharge off the exterior of the sphere. The small bolts of lightning increase in number and strength.

Veod who had been observing from the lower level leaps to the top of the stairs. Around the same time the techs detect trace subspace energy emanations. They're penetrating the sphere but from your current position you should be safe.

After a tense minute of steady build up everything stops. The hum of machinery rapidly drops off. A quick check down below shows that the chamber is sealed. You cant open it from this side presently. Or the buttons dont seem to respond right away. Now you have to wait for the drone to complete its objective.

A little over ten minutes pass, the length you'd set it for, then the sensors begin to detect activity once more. Much like before there is energy discharge and a bit of radiation. When it stops there is a momentary delay before anything happens, then the hatch opens. The panel from the bottom of the chamber acting as a lift helps push the drone up towards the corridor entrance.

"The drone is operational. Minor burn out of a few unshielded systems we added on but all of the core gear is fine."
"Download the logs then we'll see about donating it to a Rekesh museum."

>Cont.

The logs show that the entire chamber had spun about and when it stopped the drone exited through a similar corridor identical to the one above. It performed basic recon of a seemingly identical facility then returned to the chamber after a few minutes search. The upper dome level didn't have anything in it resembling the lab space, just some debris.

"A cleaning crew might be in order." observes Valeri on seeing the video.

"If we bring the amateur archeologists it'll be like bringing a cleaning crew, they'll just waste more time making sure to catalogue all of it."

From the recordings the transport seems to have been safe enough for anyone to survive the process. Energy wave form readings are certainly strange though. The medics suggest that if you do make use of it try to do so as little as possible.

Are you ready to send a team through?
If yes, select your party.

* = has Sphere builder armor available

Sonia Reynard *
Valeri Fusaro [Human Male] (Bodyguard)
Sandhya Ruiz [Human Female] (Bodyguard & body double) *
Dave Kárpáti [Human Male] (Bodyguard)
Emor Kozan [Dro'all] (Bodyguard)

Troy Harmen [Human Male] (currently with the main fleet)*

Rob Ecord [Human Male] Knight, special forces, immune to subspace radiation
(x6) "Immortals" squad, immune to subspace radiation

Uller [Neeran] Caretaker, combat specialist *
Veod [Neeran]Caretaker, combat specialist *
Sam (Light Neeran) *
Dave (Light Neeran) *
(2x) Caretaker warrior support specialists *

Knight Ilya [Human Male] Senior Knight - Thule's Prism contingent *
4x Senior Knights, Thule's Prism (Sphere builder armor) *
10x Junior Knights, Thule's Prism

>Civilians & misc allies
Jan Novák [Krath infiltrator]
Estavan Risto [Krath infiltrator] (Protectorate) RTS intel
Arif Sayadov [Human Male] Former Kharbos special forces *
Akyarres (Rovinar) Sphere Foundation
Ten Zohn [Rekesh male]

>Dedicated Power armor troops
2x Heavy power armor
12x Medium jump jet armor
10x "Ambient" Medium power armor
3x Light Recon PA
250x Power cell armor

Also you have enough suits of hard plate armor to equip everyone in your entire guard force if so desired. Plus similarly equipped marines and soldiers elsewhere on the planet. Lots of backup in terms of numbers this time if you want it.

>>3566277
Sonia Reynard *
Sandhya Ruiz [Human Female] (Bodyguard & body double) *
Uller [Neeran] Caretaker, combat specialist *
Veod [Neeran]Caretaker, combat specialist *
Sam (Light Neeran) *
(1x) Caretaker warrior support specialists *
(x3) "Immortals" squad, immune to subspace radiation
(5x) "Ambient" Medium power armor
(100x) Hard plate armor troops
(1x)Estavan Risto [Krath infiltrator] (Protectorate) RTS intel wearing Arif's sphere armor.
(2x) Senior Knights, Thule's Prism (Sphere builder armor) *

I want to leave enough troops behind to secure the place / rescue us if needed.

>>3566277

Yes, lets go in.

>Sonia Reynard
>Valeri
>Sandhya
>x3 of the "Immortals"
>Uller
>Veod
>Estavan

>>3566277
Sonia
Valeri
Ruiz

Rob Ecord
x2 Immortals

Uller
Veod
Sam or Dave, their choice

Knight Illya
2x Senior Knights

Jan Novak
Estavan Risto
Sayadov
Akyarres
Ten Zohn

1x Heavy PA
3x Light Recon PA


Additionally, I'm thinking it might be worth switching to the Sphere Builder armor. I forgot that that the Nxesi relic can't mount the artificial 'reactor' they built for us.

>>3566277
>Sonia
>Valeri
>Sandhya
Sonia+backup.

>Rob
>2x "Immortals"
>Ullear
>Veod
>Sam or Dave
>Ilya
>1 senior knight
>2 junior knights
A good selection of combat specialists and people experienced with sphere technology. Leaving some behind to stop Krath from sneaking and also keeping an eye on the entrance.

>Jan
>Estevan
>Arif
>Akyarres
>Ten
Krath are super useful. Arif is Ilya's buddy, so why not. The scientists must have crazy int scores, just make sure they have somebody to keep an eye on them this time.

>3 Ambient PA
>2 Light recon PA
>48 Power Cell Armor
Some power armor support and enough soldiers to support 3 groups and a base camp with a squad of soldiers each.

2 fucking hours on hold and they dont even speak english.

After considerations you decide on the following team.

Sonia Reynard *
Valeri Fusaro [Human Male] (Bodyguard)
Sandhya Ruiz [Human Female] (Bodyguard & body double) *
2x "Immortals"

Uller [Neeran] Caretaker, combat specialist *
Veod [Neeran]Caretaker, combat specialist *
Sam (Light Neeran) *

2x Senior Knights, Thule's Prism (Sphere builder armor) *
Estavan Risto [Krath infiltrator] (Protectorate) RTS intel
3x "Ambient" Medium power armor

You could easily bring more but these have the best overlap of capabilities. Valeri will retain his recon armor initially and switch over to hard plate if needed.

"Ilya, Jan you're both assigned to the rescue party. If one isn't needed you'll be in charge of the second team bringing scientists, specialists and equipment. They'll need more protection so most of the Knights will be going with them."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HeQGfUagsI [To Jotunheim]

Assembling in the lower level the team then makes their way into the chamber, loaded down with supplies and gear. You're certainly grateful for the low gravity.

Once in position more or less in the center Sam gets ready to hit the button. Those of you with artifact weapons and the like prepare to use them if this turns out to be more dangerous than expected. Uller cautions everyone to avoid using converter or amplifier artifacts as it might disrupt the system's effect. So much for that.

Once the lock and activation button is pressed you quickly notice that everyone is being pushed away from the walls towards the center of the space. Everyone grabs hold of the person next to them to try and keep some spacing. With 14 people there's still ample room, though a team larger than 30 might begin to have some difficulties.

>Cont

The entire room begins to rotate and there are some visible static effects between the wall mounted elements. Less than what was outside the sphere fortunately. Things start to get rather loud then a short distance of the walls the air itself begins to tear apart. You lose sight of the walls as what to you looks like a giant subspace tear surrounds you to every side.

"Oh my god I feel like we're inside a Veckron launcher." comments one of the immortals.

Despite appearances to the contrary very little radiation seems to be reaching you. That's certainly a relief as in your experience anything seeing this kind of shit are usually about to die. There is enough electromagnetic flux that anything not sufficiently shielded would have been knocked out but you're carrying military grade gear.

Then the tear dissipates as quickly as a ship dropping to real space. The chamber finishes spinning down and in the process rotating the hatch that had been behind you to the front.

"Transition complete." reports one of the specialists in the Ambient armor. "Here comes the lift."

Everyone grabs hold of or steps aboard the levitating "floor" panel as it approaches and pushes you towards the corridor entrance. Uller helpfully tosses a few of those not wearing power armor upwards to help scout ahead. Within a couple of minutes everyone has made it into the lower level and dropped their gear.

Valeri and the Immortals head up the stairs to the dome level and begin checking things out. As the drone recordings have shown it's deserted with only some piles of dirt remaining. There is little information to be gleaned here. The Caretakers dont have much to go on and the team archeologist reports nothing of immediate value. There may be pieces of bones or other biological traces though so he asks permission to set to work.

[ ] Leave it to the second team. Onward and upward
[ ] Set up base camp, send a drone back through to report safe transit

>>3567095

>[ ] Leave it to the second team. Onward and upward

>>3567095

[x] Leave it to the second team

Please tell me Rob's team was never inside an active Veckron launcher...

>>3567171
Not inside one no.

>>3567171

We've stared down the barrel of one. And then promptly told our fleet to primary that ship to force them off. Before the charge could be finished.

>>3567189

True, but that wasn't the first time we nearly got caught in a V-torp mess.

Remember the Warlord's last stronghold?

>>3567181
Good, then it was just the REDACTED.

>>3567095
>[X] Leave it to the second team. Onward and upward
>There may be pieces of bones or other biological traces though so he asks permission to set to work.
Write a note for the second team, and tell the scientist he has 30 minutes to collect samples along the path our team will disturb.

>>3567095
>Uller helpfully tosses a few of those not wearing power armor upwards to help scout ahead
Uller is my favourite Neeran after Svidur.

>>3567201
>>3567095
Supporting this.

>>3567095
[ ] Leave it to the second team. Onward and upward
God this is hype. What will we find? What buried treasure and hidden abomination is hidden here? I need to know. We MUST salvage!

File: Nekuybyshevskaya series.jpg (130 KB, 960x640)

130 KB JPG

You write out a quick hard copy note for the other team and leave it on the stairs.
"Leave the archeology and detailed scans to the second team. We're heading up."

Everyone stands back while summoning the lift in case this one is buried. The moment the hatch opens small amounts of rock and debris pours down through it. The worst of it has subsided within a few seconds though a small stream of sand continues to rain down. Clear the worst of it from the lift half of the team climbs aboard and rides to the top.

Above there is little to no light, forcing everyone to turn on their suit lamps or rely on sensors. At first glance it would seem you're in a cave, albeit a dry one. There are signs of partial collapse, stress fractures and the like but nothing recent. Openings extend upward to the north east if your relative positioning to the surface is any indication.

"Ruins." reports Sam.

There are fallen pedestals and columns made of strong material but it's not builder grade. Some have been snapped in half. Knowing what to look for you soon realise that there is, or was, a wide spiral staircase that wound its way upwards in this cavern vault before its partial collapse. At its apex Uller identifies a sphere transit gateway. It has clearly been damaged and torn from its housing. Probably meant to be pointed downwards it now sits askew, stuck fast between the ceiling and a slab of rock.

"We're not using that." says Valeri.

"Any chance of this collapsing?" you ask around.
"Only if we attempt to move things." is Ullers assessment.

The rest of the team arrives bringing with them a few drones. The small recon drone is sent to search the rest of the upwards sloping cave. While there is minimal air flow at this level its not as stale as it could be if this were cut off completely.

Deciding to give the drone some time you let the archeologist do what he wants for the next 30 minutes. When the drone returns it reports encountering air currents farther up with elevated oxygen levels.

"It explored more than a kilometer ahead." the specialist reports. "We might want to bring in engineers with vehicles to get us up there more quickly."

"We could have engineers stabilize this cave enough for the Caretakers to repair the transit gate." adds Valeri.

Veod isn't as certain that's a good idea.
"We dont know if the other end is operational. Unless both ends are functioning it may not go anywhere."

1) Engineers?
1A) Yes, bring vehicles with them
1B) Yes, Stabilize the cave and repair the gate
1C) No, just bring the second team through
1D) No, update the others but hold off on reinforcements

2) Wait here for the others or press on?
[ ] Press on
[ ] Wait, deploy drones farther

>>3567352
>1A) Yes, bring vehicles with them
>[x] Press on
Unless there are signs of combat around the gate we should keep moving.

>>3567352

>1B) Yes, Stabilize the cave and repair the gate
>[ ] Press on

>>3567366
agreed.

Vehicles will take time to get here, and by that time our forward group can likely cover a kilometer or a good chunk of it. We'll link up when they catch up.

>>3567352
>1A) Yes, bring vehicles with them

>[ ] Press on

>>3567352
>1A) Yes, bring vehicles with them
>[ ] Press on

>>3567352
1B) Yes, Stabilize the cave and repair the gate
2) [ ] Press on

Even if we don't use it now I want to see if it is possible to use it.

Would it perhaps be possible to send a drone to find where the airflow comes from? I am figuring if it can find a way to the outside then maybe it can get a fix on just where we've ended up. If we're even on the same planet anymore.

Didn't the top Dyson Sphere caretakers/researchers say that anything to do with Spacial Manipulation is forbidden for them? Maybe this place is why? It seems older than the Dyson sphere, maybe the builders thought they could compact an entire Solar System into a planetary radius somehow and it failed spectacularly.

>>3567469
>and it failed spectacularly.
For a spectacular failure of a project like that there's way too much left.

"Let's call in the second team. Tell them to bring engineers and vehicles with them. They're to try and stabilize this cave so it wont drop on us and have a few repulsor bikes catch up. The rest of us are going to press on."

The drones are sent ahead to try and map as much of the cave system as possible. Moving through the cave system on foot the going is slow. Even for those wearing power armor care has to be taken not to lose footing in the rough terrain or potentially cause a cave-in.

You're passing the limit of where the drone has previously visited when the second team contacts you. They've made it through and are beginning a more in depth survey of the area so that teams on the surface can work out how to bring vehicles through.

By now the drones have had more time to search a wider area and located branching tunnels. The smaller ones look similar to lava tubes. The larger tunnel you're in doubles back to a partially collapsed vertical shaft that should be directly above the gate. It's hard to tell if its a natural or artificial formation since there are records of similar shafts on some worlds being many kilometers deep. The drone cant reach the top of the shaft due to the collapse.

"I'm do wonder where these caves are going to end up. Is the whole facility like this?" asks Sam.

"Wherever we are we're a long way underground." you reply.

The drones eventually find an underground lake, then not long after what would seem to be a light source.
"How far?"
"Four kilometers. Fairly steady incline."
"Sonofa-"
That's going to be a lot of walking. Fortunately there's no energy drain present and leaving com relays behind has allowed you to stay in contact with the base camp. Once they've been updated they inform you that they're assembling some of the expedition repulsor bikes. Jan is insisting on taking the first one to catch up with your team. Ilya would like to join you but he's taking the defense of the base camp fairly seriously.

"Just wait until you have enough bikes ready for all of us."
"Understood."

The team takes regular breaks. No point in tiring yourselves out on the difficult terrain when who knows what could be waiting at the top. Four hours in Jan arrives leading a fairly slow moving repulsor bike unit. Some pilots are veterans of the last expedition, while others are younger Knights from Thule's Prism that have been training on their use while aboard the fleet.

"I hate these things." comments Uller.
Veod doesn't seem to care much for them either but Sam is glad for a break.

>Cont.

The group looks over the compiled terrain map so far and plots a course. While the caves are more than large enough the three Neeran duck down as low as they can. Sam seems extremely amused by something but decides against sharing it. The older Neeran seem rather annoyed with him from this point off.

Arriving at the lake you stop to get samples. While it looks pristine and clear there are indicators that it's not safe to drink. Very fine particulate matter harmful to humans is present including certain heavy metals. Your filter gear should be fine to decontaminate it in an emergency but it's best not to bother right now.

Once new com relays are set up the team searches for the light source. Eventually it's located streaming in through another shaft but the light seems to be a bit... odd. Not quite sunlight or artificial either. In either event it's a straight shot from here. Everyone prepares for an ascent.

"Be ready in case we need to descend in a hurry. Base camp we're heading up the the surface."

Strapped in and hanging on for dear life the bikes head up the nearly vertical incline. Towards the top you can make out foliage around the edges. Repulsor engines struggle a bit with the uneven weight distribution of having a Neeran onboard but all 4 vehicles make it.

You emerge into grass and moss covered terrain sprinkled with rocky outcropping. Glancing upwards the star looks wrong. Really wrong, almost a sickly green colour and far too big. Jan brings the bike to a halt in an area where the ground looks sturdy and the others park nearby.

Because of the sun's odd the tint of everything as far as the eye can see is an unusual colour. Stretching... up to the horizon?

"It's another sphere." says Jan.

You let out a sigh.
"I was really hoping it would be a shipyard."

>Your orders?

Sorry that took so long. Wasted a bunch of time getting hung up on minor details.

>>3567768
Set up a base camp here. Secure a perimeter in case of hostile native life forms. Scan for radio and other communication spectrum. Rad check the area, and monitor for rates of energy drain.

Mine the entrances in case we have to get out quick and don't want something following us.

>>3567768

>"It's another sphere." says Jan.

Who was the anon who called another sphere?

As for orders. I think this calls for a pause. As we setup a base here. And do as >>3567817 suggests.

>>3567827
>Who was the anon who called another sphere?
Quite a few I think?

>>3567768
>Your orders?
-Ask the caretakers what they think about this.
-Use the curvature of the horizon to calculate the size of this sphere. Is this one located inside the planet or have we been teleported somewhere else?
Search the "sky" to see if there are any stations or similar constructs in orbit around the star.
-Try to find the polar regions, if this served as a prototype for the bigger sphere or at least was built by the same design principles we should find useful infrastructure there.
-Have the second team bring a disassembled ultra light planes to scout the surface and a shuttle we can reconstruct to invastigate further away from the surface.
-Search for clues if there's a transport system like the one on the big sphere.

>>3567764
>"I hate these things." comments Uller.
>Sam seems extremely amused by something but decides against sharing it. The older Neeran seem rather annoyed with him from this point off.
Neeran banter?

>Your orders
Get some laser rangefinder readings of this place. Is it the same size as the Dyson Sphere, or the size of a planet?

Have a two man team do some Recon on the bikes at high altitude looking for structures, ideally something like Weather Control systems or caretaker dwellings. Hopefully from that point we can direct ourselves to a control room.

What's Uller's thoughts on the star? Artificially made? Polar control nodes damaged? Something even weirder? From what I remember green is one of those impossible colours for stars to emit.

>>3567768
...
..........
..................................How the FUCK are we going to be able to salvage this shit?

>>Your orders?
Internal and external cackling with glee at all the good shit we gonna salvage from this place. Boys. We hit the motherload.

>>3567817
Anon has the right of it. Secure immediate area and prepare a camp.


Plant a flag in the ground and claim this land as Dominion territory?

Now we just need to find a entrance down into the sphere itself and we can start hauling shit out of here.

>>3567768

>>3567768

So the Alliance now has a reason to make sure they kick the Ulgeans and Neeran out of here. As it will be prudent that neither the Ulgeans nevermind the Neeran get their hands on this.

Prepare a message to be sent to the Alliance to make securing this sector numero uno. Unless they want to hand control over archeo tech to the Ulgeans and Neeran.

Also, the Rekesh just got a huge bargaining chip in what happens in this galaxy. This is great. We have gotten the Dominion into the good graces of the race who will have say over who has access to this sphere.

The shit show this is going to cause is going to be amazing. And I am glad we are going to be galaxies away when it happens.

>>3567880
> We have gotten the Dominion into the good graces of the race who will have say over who has access to this sphere.

We actually put Dominion access in the treaty with the Rekesh, I believe, and RSS in the contracts.

We gotta chill on the Alliance stuff until we can solidify our Rekesh-Dominion treaty regarding it.

>>3567880
Nah. You got it all wrong. We shouldn't contact the FA. We should contact the Emperor and have them redirect about 10 or so Supers + our way to help secure this world. Can't let the Alliance gain more leverage and we sure are going to need to secure this world proper if word of this sphere gets out. Because man, this turned out to be a bit bigger than anticipated.

Best idea would be to clamp down HARD on this. Only this team gets knowledge of just what we've discovered. To anyone else who asks we should just say it's a Builder facility deep underground and leave it at that. Then we with further Dominion help we fortify the Rekesh up all proper and plant a big ass Archology down right on top of it which we can use as a fortress, storage facility and science outpost for all of this.

If we are lucky word wont get out for some time. Time we can use to secure our position here.

>>3567915
>We actually put Dominion access in the treaty with the Rekesh,
We sure did.
Main points
-Rekesh territorial claims
-Rekesh recognition of allied rebel states
-Rekesh rights to all Neeran facilities and industry in their territory
-Dominion & Alliance recognition of Rekesh state & claims
-Dominion claim to 51% of the sphere tech
-Allowance for the establishment of a permanent Dominion base in region
-Willingness of Rekesh to relinquish some claims to allied rebels

>>3567915

Think that would please the Emperor enough to grant us just about anything we could feasibly want?

I know in a previous thread I suggested we use this discovery to get more grav well generators for our business. But guarnteed access to the sphere while other races and the alliance are still haggling? That aught to buy out this whole expedition and then some and a few favors besides.

>>3567927
The Foreberance DOES have a quantum entanglement back home so we can have instant communications. And request immediate word with the Emperor, if we want to push our luck.

>>3567951
Priority message level ALPHA to Emperor Ber Helum from Viscount Reynard.

"Target confirmed and secure. Favorable access gained on allied world. Locals: Dominion willing allies. Package much to big to secure with local forces. Target under direct threat of discovery and conquest by Ulgean forces. Requesting Dominon reinforcement of no less than two dosen Super Heavy Cruisers and accompying fleets to stand guard. This changes everything."

Message end.

"How are we going to salvage all of this?" you utter, almost on the verge on tears.

Taking a deep breath you snap out of it.
"Right, we're going to need a base camp set up, readings taken and I need a flag."

Ruiz opens up a cargo hatch and hands a J-D flag to you. Hitting the release to extend the flag pole you firmly plant it into the ground.
"I claim this territory in the name of House Jerik-Dremine, the Dominion and our Rekesh allies!"
you proclaim.

Around you the others mostly ignore your theatrics, getting to work.
"Somebody tell me you recorded that."

Ruiz got part of it though she missed the start because she'd turned away to help unpack one of the bikes. The only other person who was watching was Estavan, who of course lacks a suit of armor to carry a recording device.
"Fine." you mutter angrily "I'll just use my own my suit re- shit I'm wearing the sphere armor!"

The specialists unpack equipment and take readings. Both Caretakers are concerned by the apparent size of the sun. It's far too big for this place to support life. Sensor readings fail to detect enough radiation for fusion to be taking place. Radiation shows acceptable levels, energy drain still doesn't seem to be present.

A few minutes later range finding of the inner surface determines the approximate size of the sphere.
"Between twelve and thirteen thousand kilometers sir."
"That's tiny." says Jan. "Uh, compared to a Dyson sphere that is."

You think back to the orbital scans.
"It's the size of the sphere the sensors detected. Or couldn't detect. We have to be inside the planet."

Uller continues to gaze upward at the sun and the interior.
"So it's a miniature sphere. Interesting."

Sam asks if this might have been a testing facility for projects too dangerous to work on at the Dyson sphere itself.

"That's very probable." Veod answers.

There are no signs of radio traffic in the first pass but the team will keep checking. Valeri and Ecord's people scout for a good place to set up a permanent base camp. One with good protection and sight lines. For now the outcrop you're parked on top of is adequate. Nothing will be sneaking up on you.

As everyone continues work you see to it that one bike is emptied first so it can be used for scouting. With that done you, Ruiz and Jan climb aboard and try to get a good picture of the immediate surroundings. Thanks to the rough terrain and sinkholes this area is fairly open. There are forests to the east and west, a lake to the south and the north looks slightly more mountainous, though not a lot more.

What you're really looking for is the upper end of that transit gate. Jan goes full owl man with his eyes and spots it, directing you closer.
Even before setting down you can see the damage. Rock nearby has been melted and parts of the gate have been broken off or blasted clear.
"Plasma weapon?" you question.
"A few types of weapons, including plasma."

>Cont.

You realise some of this must have been done by a lightning artifact. Ruiz takes the bike up a bit higher to look around then returns.
"I think some of the rock here was broken by sheer force. Like a repulsor weapon."

Jan pries one of the elements free from the broken ring structure for the caretakers to look at. Returning to camp they confirm that they wont be able to fix it on their own. A sphere equivalent to a mobile construction vehicle will be necessary to restore full functionality. Given a few days it would be faster to have your own engineers melt a hole through the blockage and construct a repulsor lift.

Observations have failed to turn up any signs of stations or other constructs in orbit around the star. The light is dim enough you suppose it doesn't really need a "night." There are no obvious signs structures at the suspected pole regions of note. Or none that can be seen at this range.

Veod and Uller seem to still be preoccupied by the star. They eventually come to a conclusion of some kind but for now keep it to themselves.
"You have a theory?" you ask.
"One that can wait. We're plan to ask Ten Zohn about it and see his reaction."

You send a message back to base camp. They'll need to send aircraft to help survey the interior. Drones, planes, a shuttle. All of that will take time.

Once the supply request is acknowledged Ecord reports that the Neeran poisoned all of the main crops on an agri-world near the fleet base before they withdrew. Apparently they had already done this several days before the agreement was made to avoid scorched earth tactics.

Did you want to return to the surface to deal with this and report to the Ruling House? Or would you rather stay on site?

>>3568116
>Did you want to return to the surface to deal with this and report to the Ruling House?

This. We aren't a tech, archeologist, or any kind of egghead.

Our job is making sure we can keep this place, and adding an INSANE amount of security.

>>3568116
>[x] Stay on site

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30 KB JPG

>>3568116
Like this much fortification.

>>3568116

>Did you want to return to the surface to deal with this and report to the Ruling House? Or would you rather stay on site?

Lets return to the surface and inform the RH. And once that's done we dive back in and get more loot. Make sure our troops continue to fortify this position. Leave the Neeran to continue studying while we return surface side.

We've struck actual diamonds here. We've done our part to discover it. Now we get the word to the Emperor before the Alliance tells us we cant have nice things. Let him spend some time thinking of a prize to give us. Why did I suddenly get a chill? That we did to well and we could very well be assassinated, by notBerhelum Special forces?

>>3568116
>Veod and Uller
I still don't really understand how these guys do their job. Or if they are actually even doing whatever they're supposed to do.
The sphere Neeran are seemingly supposed to be caretakers but parts of the sphere were damaged so badly you could access the interior support infrastructure, there were Kavarians nesting in the basement, they lost the ship they used to do the part of their job where they collect new inhabitants, there were ancient experiments still running around because nobody every bothered to clean up for millennia and they broke and never repaired one of the wormhole gates that could be used to get around the universe quickly. On top of that they have seemingly left all other sphere builder facilities fall into disrepair.

>Did you want to return to the surface to deal with this and report to the Ruling House?
This place isn't going anywhere and Sonia's skillset won't be needed immediately. Just make sure to have somebody with a stun gun close to the civilians this time.

What if Ten Zohn is Threocht? He found some kind of life extension technology, changed his identity occasionally, and tried to keep this place secret the whole time? He picked up on the location pretty fast, and figured out the artifact staff in the museum too.

With operations underway you decide to return to the surface. There you spend a half hour going over plans for the transport of supplies and equipment into the interior. Marines will be helping them plan out the zero g portions of the operation. They warn that getting an actual shuttle through might take some time. Ultra light aircraft will be available in a few hours.

The medics are making sure people make as few trips through as possible, using drones to trigger the transport chamber when possible. Levels are still in the safe range but there's no telling what long term effects over exposure might cause. Better safe than sorry.

Checking your messages you notice there's one from Troy. He's a bit worried about you potentially going missing for another 3 years while on another mission. You send a quick response that everything is fine here and so far nothing dangerous. It might be necessary for you to be out of contact for a few days at a time but even that may be unlikely.

Tu Quedis has been monitoring the sensor readings sent back to the command post. He is of course ecstatic about the find and wonders about bringing in more of their own specialists to assist. They do have substantial science institutions on planet after all.
"My government will undoubtedly be very happy to provide more support as well once they're informed."

You assure him that it's definitely worth discussing but to hold off on contacting the Rekesh Government or bringing in others just yet.
"This entire operation is highly classified. We can't risk the Ulgean learning of this yet. For now coms stay to a minimal.
I'm going to make use of a secure com system that we know cant be intercepted to make a report. If possible, I'll make sure we have reinforcements, that way we'll be well defended if news of this does leak."

"Viscount, surely there must be someone in our government you can trust. We've become allies over this search."

1A) Not yet. Wait for reinforcements
1B) I'll tell Ni Ahni and no one else
1C) I'll talk to your Government later today

2) Who you gonna call?
2A) The Ruling House
2B) The Alliance
2C) Other J-D Fleets
2D) A & B

>>3568297
>1B) I'll tell Ni Ahni and no one else
If any Rekesh knows about keeping quiet and the necessity of compartmentalization it's him.
>2D) A & B
The FA already knows we're up to something and even if the Krath fleet is not supposed to be here yet they've probably sent spies with the Rovinar fleet at the latest. Might as well coordinate with our boss at the RH to decide how to break this to the FA.

>"We've become allies over this search."
Awwww, that's adorable. Can you head pat Rekesh or does their shark skin just end up scratching your hand?

>>3568297
>>3568297

>1B Talk to Ni Ahni

Get his input to decide whether to inform his government. As tempting as it would be to spread this news to bring the Rekesh worlds together. It will just as likely draw unwanted attention. Especially if his government uses this as leverage to bring the remaining Rekesh worlds under their flag. If the Ulgeans learn about this find. They will be here within day(s) and will ensure a confrontation between the Rekesh/ Alliance against the Ulgeans and whatever Neeran forces are left in the region.

Let him know that with this discovery, he can rest assured the Dominion will be putting forth maximum effort to ensure our treaty with the Rekesh is honored and their claims on Rekesh worlds likely over seen. Hell I’d be surprised if the Emperor and the seven don’t suggest bringing the Rekesh into the Dominon as another house.

>2D Ruling House First, Alliance Command after we get his word.

Tell the Emperor what we found and if we want to ensure Dominion claim here and the validity of our treaty. We need more Dominion presence here. If at all possible. We tell him we’re going to make the Alliance commander in the galaxy aware there is a Sphere Builder facility present in the galaxy. And that it is prudent they make sure the Ulgeans don’t endanger it or the Rekesh. We don’t tell them what kind of facility. Hopefully they realize just how important a Sphere Builder facility is and how important it is to keep it out of Ulgean or Neeran control.

>>3568297
>1B) I'll tell Ni Ahni and no one else
"I am not certain exactly what the Neeran would do if they knew we were here, but it would undoubtedly be bad for us, the Rekesh, and the Alliance."

>2)
Ruling House first, then we can decide if we want to get the Alliance in on it.

"I'll tell Ni Ahni and no one else. I'm not certain exactly what the Neeran would do if they knew we were here, but it would undoubtedly be bad for all of us."

"But I've heard the Alliance fleet is here. Surely they could defeat any remaining Neeran force that could be sent here."
"You do not want a fight like that in this system. The risks to the civilians alone is too much. All it would take is one shot from a Scorcher getting through the shield and billions would die. I waited as long as I did to come here because I was worried of that exact fate befalling this planet.
If the Neeran got hold of whatever technology that might be in there the result could be even worse."

"I'm sorry Viscount. We've heard so many stories over the years, stories the Neeran tried to withhold about Alliance fleets defeating ten times their numbers. Then later about the great capital ships that could finally challenge the Neeran one on one. It's easy to lose track of where reality falls."

"That's alright, but we have to keep this quiet for now. I'll be back."

As you leave security around the site continues to be tightened as more troops and supplies are brought in. It's the middle of the night here and you encourage the commanders to keep engine burns to a minimum so the civilians wont see as much.

In orbit aboard the Outer Heaven you access one of the secure entanglement communications systems you brought along. The range is limited unfortunately but with Alliance and Dominion forces now swarming across this galaxy cluster you're able to establish a link to a Ruling House intelligence vessel. You request to be connected to the Emperor as soon as possible.

"Apologies but live connection is not available at present. What do you wish to report?"

"Existence of my primary target is confirmed. Site is secure for now but extraction in the short term is unlikely. Favorable terms between local allies and the Dominion have been achieved. Legal extraction of objective has approval, we just need time.
The site is under threat by the Ulgean advance. In addition we're anticipating attempts at meddling by other Factions in the near future. Reinforcements and political support to enforce our claims are requested."

The Ruling House intelligence officer considers your report.
"The Emperor may be able to contact you in 4 to 6 hours. If possible I suggest you inform Baron Izolan Xedols. He should have a special forces unit that can act as a garrison for a high security area. They can delay attempts by other factions gaining access to areas, but only for a time."

That should prove helpful.
Do so?

>>3568537

>Do so?

No, not for now.

I am torn.

On one hand, we could use the extra troops. On the other, we could very well be signing over portion of our loot by having his troops there.

For now, no, we do not need the extra troops. Doing so right now would just draw more attention. While I am sure he assigned us a reliable Baron. I’d rather not run up a tab in our loot, by having another Baron provide protection. Even if they are reliable troops.

Also, paranoia, paranoia everywhere right now. Paranoia at the Baron having secret orders to take control of the site if we give him a means to do so. Or someone else acting on said secret orders.

After finishing with that call Ruiz suggests that you might want to get some rest while there is time. You've been up for who knows how many hours. It's not like you'd be far away if the Emperor called you back.

For now the teams ground side will continue work and the fleets will let you know if the Ulgean fleets get too close.

>>3568537
>That should prove helpful.
>Do so?

Yes, but on the contingent that he gets a share of the profit only relevant to what he's put in, payable in access to tech after we develop it with the Rekesh. Like production licenses.

Quite frankly, this is now too big for JD to grab, and if we ally with another Baron we can start to make a power blok to prevent it getting snapped up by the RH and just getting paid out ourselves in a compulsory purchase.

> Compulsory purchase is the power to acquire rights over an estate in English land law, or to buy that estate outright, without the current owner's consent in return for compensation.

>>3568537
>Do so?
We're currently in the fortunate position that every person who wants to access the sphere has to go through that tiny chamber. And it will fortuantely stay that way for the forseeable future. I don't think we'll need them yet, although having them on standby in case anybody tries to access another site should prove useful. Anyway, the first thing we should do is put up a sign that we know spying attempts are inevitable but we'll be especially upset if they cause permanent harm to the people working there. Yes, the means you Krath and especially Terrans. Make that part only readable at wave lengths visible to Krath and recon armor view modes.
The next step is to reach out to baron Xedols and the researcher from the sphere society and see what help they can provide once the existence of this mini sphere becomes know to the intelligence divisions of the various factions.

Also, make sure to have a team investigate the damaged transport apparatus in the first cave. If it can block subspace radiation we might be able to either develop shields that block v-torps or at least something that makes the launchers less hazardous to use. If it's small enough, consider loading it on a Nocturn and shipping it directly to the RH.

>>3568561
>>3568724
I don't really see the RH or Baron Xedols doing. What advantage would they gain from it? Sonia will already most likely provide everything she finds either to the Dominion or hand it over to the caretakers if it proves too dangerous.

>>3569011
> Sonia will already most likely provide everything she finds either to the Dominion

Yeah, that was precisely what JD, RH and all other Houses with info on SP tech where working towards. A common acquisition of SP for the Dominion as a whole. Under the control of a few specific Houses ofcourse. The Houses going for it specifically will get it first but it will also be spread to the rest of the Dominion. Same deal applied here. We get Sphere tech that will be applied to the Dominion. We get first dibs on it but it will be spread to the rest of the Dominion.

Besides, the RH wouldn't betray us like that. If nothing else the Emperor has almost always backed our decisions or helped us when we asked for it. Among people we can trust I put the Emperor in the top three. Just under Archivald and Troy. And the late Count, RIP

>>3569011
>Yes, the means you Krath and especially Terrans. Make that part only readable at wave lengths visible to Krath and recon armor view modes.

Lol. I think we should do this all over the place.

Dominion-Ulgean secret alliance when?

>>3569011
> What advantage would they gain from it?

Nigga what? It's a MF sphere, there's a world of difference between being in charge of something and getting a finders fee. It's HOUSE and Dominion, not for Dominion and House.

Sure, a finders fee would be great short term, but as a Viscount we're obligated to think several generations and hundreds of years ahead. That's how nobility works. If we can get a stranglehold on this tech, the opportunity isn't just to become a Medium house but it's there to become one of the Great Houses one day. Like IX from Dune.

>>3569088
> Besides, the RH wouldn't betray us like that.

Nigga IT'S A SPHERE. The RH isn't God, either, they could easily be pressured into it by the other great houses. We gave up SP tech for this.

> A common acquisition of SP for the Dominion as a whole. Under the control of a few specific Houses of course.

Not our House though, we didn't take those missions.

We have to start making our power bloc regarding this NOW.

We sure as fuck won't get the sphere tech either if we fumble it from the start and let the Alliance get their hands all over the good bits from the get go because we were too fucking greedy to ask for help.

Y'all are gonna make us end up like Portugal. A shit-rectangle that fucked up colonization so bad that Brazil is their greatest achievement and Brazil refuses to recognize them.

>>3569101
Edit: Man, I forgot that Baron Xedols IS FROM THE RH.

You know, the guys we're asking for reinforcement?

It's not like the RH can't take it anyways when all their supers get here to reinforce us, since we went straight to the Emperor about it.

So fuck it, might as well get Baron Xedols to be immediate reinforcement for the site.

Remember, mine the entrances so that we can collapse it rather than let the enemy gain access to it.

Which reminds me, we should tell the research team to prioritize finding a way outside the mini-sphere so that we can find its position. Or if it's in a sub-space pocket, or maybe even another universe who knows.