Big Nerd
Relephon IV was mostly tropical, the most populated of Relephon's moons, and home to House AlGray. The seat of their power rested on a hill overlooking the crescent bay that Relephon IV's capital, Charhelm, spilled into and over. Once it'd been imposing on its own, but now its towers were matched by the city spires that rose to the sky.
Defensible, protected from the elements, and resource-rich, Charhelm would be an essential base for any Hapan rebels – and one the AlGrays could not afford to lose.
The Se'n Dorrin, drawn out of hiding by a splinter group acting on their own, seized a moment of distant chaos to move. Long-prepared traps were sprung as trade routes were shut down by piracy and interdiction mines. Se'n Dorrin cells leapt from hiding, making massive progress in the opening weeks despite the size of their forces. Their ideas and slogans leapt into public consciousness, spreading like wildfire through circles common and aristocratic alike.
The first problem faced by the Se'n Dorrin was a slow yet inevitable one – logistics. Even as the public drew closer to them, their lines drew farther apart. No longer were there single cells organizing a couple blasters and reading materials; they needed more supplies and soldiers than ever before. The rebels of Relephon IV felt the strain on their supplies as they pushed closer to the capital, and farther from their bases.
Next was time; their momentum waned as the Consortium recovered from the initial shock. The Houses marshaled their forces and the Queen gave her orders. The jungles of Relephon IV became thick with blood and bodies, as things shifted onto even footing. Though the rebels adjusted, returning to more guerrilla tactics, their advantages became fewer with each passing day.
Last, perhaps, was their ideology. In a public statement they condemned the attack on Hapes as irresponsible – tactically unsound. But their radical militancy had not been fully seeded throughout the Cluster. In some places it bloomed; riots and disruptions sprang up across a dozen worlds, and many new rebels joined the Se'n Dorrin. Yet the violence caused was unabashedly brutal. Few among the Se'n Dorrin held any reservations about their place here: Freedom had to be won. It had to be taken, and taken wholly, not in part. They would accept no concessions, and no peace, until the men of Hapes were free, forever. Then, so too would be the women, and every other across the whole of the Cluster.
Even still, the escalating violence shook some followers' faith, while others fell further into a hatred of the women who ruled Hapes – and any other women in their path.
Their unyielding nature was a double edged sword. The progress of each day was harder fought than the last. On Relephon, now that the AlGray had gathered their forces, they leapt into battle in a furious counterattack, stopping the rebels' advance. Charhelm's position kept it safe from easy orbital strikes, the fearsome weapons of the fort of House AlGray forcing the Se'n Dorrin's few cruisers to stay in outer orbit, out of bombardment range.
The longer things went on, the more likely the Consortium would be able to reestablish orbital control. The longer things went on, the more public sentiment would turn against them. And the longer things went on, the more likely the Alliance was to intervene – and though many hoped otherwise, most knew that, were that to happen, it would be in the Hapans' favour.
No matter what legislation may be passed, no bill or law could protect them for all time, into the future. It could be repealed. It would be repealed. The Se'n Dorrin had to force the Consortium and Alliance's hands.
As the GADF bears down on Relephon, the rebels begin their advance anew, recovering from their initial slowdown via the timely arrival of new munitions and supplies. In the space above, a small but crafty fleet of Battle Dragons and smaller ships use the cover of the moons to their advantage, intent on stopping the Alliance from gaining orbital control. On the ground below, unrest in the city of Charhelm approaches a boiling point. The Alliance must move carefully.
Yo. This one's going to be a bit longer form -- I'll be presenting a couple of key obstacles and crises over the course of the thread; you're welcome to respond to them as you see fit or stick to one spot throughout. Don't be afraid to mix things up or switch partners part way through. I trust you to do something cool.
About the rebels: they're remarkably well-armed and equipped, sporting modern weapons and overall pretty tactically sound, leveraging a smaller force on good terrain to great effect. Make them feel tough, dangerous, and most of all, loyal to their cause.
About the rebels: they're remarkably well-armed and equipped, sporting modern weapons and overall pretty tactically sound, leveraging a smaller force on good terrain to great effect. Make them feel tough, dangerous, and most of all, loyal to their cause.
