We Ain't on Ansion Anymore [Primeval Dominion of Rhadamanthus]

[Aleksandyr Gaillard]

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(Credits go to Magic The Gathering and Fabula Cavataio for finding it)​

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A world of death, pain, danger. Gulamendis was said to be an epicenter of death itself. Little did The Primeval know that not too far out on the fringe of their own space that they'd find another one.

Inhabited by the Qineam, a fearsome four-armed race, the world of Rhadamanthus is one developed from primal carnage. Home to massive carnivorous planets and hostile creatures of exotic evolution, the jungle-world is a place few have ever ventured. Those who have landed here likely perished from the hostile environment alone; the only successful visitors were the Vong. A race not unknown for their more sinister and vile methods. Out in the pitch black of deep space a small Primeval patrol lead by the newly pronounced Executor [member="Kadri Ughad"] was on a flight path to the more or less undiscovered Rhadamanthus System. With him was his Carnage-class heavy frigate and two Mendacity-class corvette escorts.

His mission: To explore the edges of Primeval space and map out star systems that may prove useful to -- or work against -- their goals.

Back on Gulamendis, capital of The Primeval, the priests and warriors were growing restless. Recent conflict with the Shadow Dynasty has made the Gulandi Sephi eager or war. Anja Aj'Rou has been working restlessly to quell their bloodlust in the time being but all out war is likely. Her she has called her Warlords and allies alike, those under her and those working for her with personal gains in mind. Moments ago the Executor sent word of a previously undiscovered star system and he was on his way to investigate. Although the Host Lord was busy, one of the High Priests who aided her was present to give instructions to those invited to conduct the task of discovering what this system was and who ruled it.

Pacing back and forth was a robed figure, an older Umbaran man and elder of his people.

"After many long years we have returned to the Galaxy and with us -- with the Host Lord -- we've brought the greatest fleet in the fringes. Our alliance with the Sith have provided us access to newer technologies and one of them was the vong-inspired Prim'ra Carrier. Anja wants us to test the carrier's prowess if necessary but we aren't to attack this star system... Not until we're sure they're an enemy. The doctrines dictate that all worthy races will be spared of a more cruel fate."

The elder one continued to pace after his long speech. His piercing silver eyes rotated like two small moons; a simmering glint shined out like the sun's reflection. His voice blanketed a few coughs and his hands shook subtly with anticipation and age. Finally the gaze turned to the rest with a more direct message.

"One of you will have to lead our response fleet aid the Executor but more important we need two of you to infiltrate the world and discover its true nature. I suspect there is far more than we can tell from simple reports and it is likely inhabited."

The High Priest stopped in his tracks. His body slowly turned towards them and from behind a large door opened and Gulandi Sephi poured in. Behind them were two Raze-class transports, ready to transport them all to their destination.

Back in Rhadamanthus space a small pirate fleet containing outdated ships was approaching the world. It seems that they were not alone and for whatever reason, rogue warships have found their way near the Vanguard.


Vanguard Fleet:
Commander: Kadri Ughad

Ships:
x1 Carnage-class heavy frigate
x2 Mendacity-class corvettes

Response Fleet:
Commander: [member="Geronivous"]
Members: [member="Darth Legion"] , [member="Algan Crow"]

Ships:
x1 Prim'ra Carrier

• x2 GU-10 Interceptor Squadrons
• x4 GU-20 Fighter Squadrons
• x3 GU-55 Bomber Squadrons

x2 Raze-class transports

• x8 GU-42 Droships (4 each)

Black Ops:
[member="Morrigan"]
[member="Ciara"]
(Aboard a Raze-class: Feel free to use the GU-42)

Spoiler: OOC

So the Vanguard is just consisting of Kadri because of how our numbers got spread. Otherwise Darth Legion and Crow will be part of the response fleet.

Number of writers: 9

 

[Ughad]

"Sir, ships approaching fleet, vector shows that they are heading towards the planet."

"Yes yes, open a channel."

It took Kadri less than a second to realize the antiquated look of the ships.

"Also open low and high frequency radio transmissions.... Send the command to the Mendacities to begin charging their cannons."

An officer quickly began to type commands into their console

"Channels and radios open, sir."

Kadri hesitated for but a moment, for all he knew these could be pirates.

"Alien vessels, this is Executer, Kadri Ughad. State your business nearing our ships or we will take hostile action."

And now he waited for a response.

 

[Aleksandyr Gaillard]

The pirate fleet halted momentarily; revealing its numbers.

PIRATE FLEET
x1 Warrior-class gunship
x4 Whitecloak fighters
x6 Delaya-class courier

A transmission was sent from the Warrior-class to [member="Kadri Ughad"] , "Bah! So someone's out here, eh?", the transmission went static momentarily and the fighters began to spread in a flanking maneuver but slowly enough as to not suggest hostile actions just yet.

The Warrior-class itself slowly moved forward as if it was a cautious living creature trying to inspect its prey before striking. "Give up your cargo. Leave the system and you will be allowed to keep your ships.", the static was broken by those final words before the transmission cut. Immediately the Warrior-class opened fire with a volley of lasers followed by two concussion missiles. The fighters went full speed and banked around either side to flank the corvettes.

Meanwhile back on Gulamendis the response fleet was preparing to leave. [member="Geronivous"] was placed in command, and with him were several others including a blackops team tasked with landing on the planet's surface. Kadri will have to hold out until they arrive.

[member="Darth Legion"] [member="Algan Crow"] [member="Morrigan"] [member="Ciara"]

 

[Ughad]

The ship careened and groaned as the second missile had made contact and destroyed one of the atmospheric stabilizers, lights flickered throughout the ship. The volley had almost brought down the particle shields, the first concussion missile had taken down the particle shield. A few guards flew out into space. He was informed by one of the officers that all airlocks and doors to the area were being closed to prevent further loss of crew.

"Fine then, you just declared war upon the Gods, prepare to face their wrath." Kadri signaled to the communications officer to cut off the transmission. He was now connected to only the two mendacites.

"All bombers launch, defensive formations, take out those fighters. They're antiques, should be easy to wipe out. As for the Mendacities, open fire with turrets, and begin firing ion cannons on the command ship before it makes another move!" He coughed for a few seconds.

"Fire all mass-drivers on that forsaken gunboat! Two center! Adjust the ship so that the other four get the arms!"

The dorsal hangar doors opened up, it was only a few seconds until the 14 GU-54s poured out, the two mendacities in front of him doing the same. Auto-turrets blazed to at least attempt to intercept the fighters.

[member="The Primeval Storyteller"]

Actions:
- Bombers launching on intercept
- Both Mendacity Class Corvettes firing main ion cannon at the Warrior-class
- Carnage Class firing all six mass-drivers at Warrior-class

 

[Aleksandyr Gaillard]

The whitecloaks did their best to intercept the bombers but were caught in the corvette fire; their deflector shields took a few close shots and some had their hulls seared before they were able to go return to formation and hunt down the bombers. Meanwhile one of the couriers took a direct hit from one of the bombers, the hull splitting in two; the remaining five banked lower to maneuver themselves behind the enemy fleet.

The Warrior-class -- their command ship -- tried to turn out of the way, rotating its horizontal axis vertically but it too late. One of th two central projectiles managed to punch into the bottom of the ship, the other just scrapping across and behind in a miss. Two other projectiles smashed into the port side of the starship as it twisted like a corkscrew before being hit by the ion blasts. The weapons were mostly disabled, all 3 port turbolasers were destroyed, and and the aft missile tubes were clogged with debris rendering them useless. Its shields down and engines at half capacity, the sluggish ship turned to face the enemy again. The two forward missile ports fired, aiming for one of the mass driver guns on the enemy frigate.

As the battle raged on; the Qineam on the nearby world of Rhadamanthus became steadfastly aware of the growing scene. Despite never achieving hyperspace, the race had colonized the moons of their system and were well aware of lurking threats outside due to their experiences with the Vong, one of the few outsiders to have known their race.

[member="Kadri Ughad"]

 

[Algan Crow]

Algan looked up in surprise as he was arisen from a nice nap by the sound of someone shouting

"Were about to reach the atmosphere, board your ships!"

How did he get into this.... Oh yea, he'd put himself into it. Now he had to command a squadron, the ship ever nearing the planet didn't help his nerves as he boarded one of the GU-42 Drop-ship as they floated above the atmosphere of the planet. As the craft began its descent he didn't like what he saw; the planet was all jungles which meant all exotic bugs. He hated bugs.

"Alright everybody get your gear on, only advice i got is don't die, good luck to us."

 

[Ughad]

The Particle shields were down, there was nothing he could do.

"BRACE YOURSELVES!" The last command that Kadri gave before one of the missiles made contact with the port driver destroying it and another good section of the ship. More crew members, already dead from the concussion plummeted into space.

"Bant! Tora! Fire every missile you have at that thing before it can get away! Bombers squadron from the Will of Halromalenth, follow suit! All other bombers remain on defenses!"

The Will of Halromalenth coudl do little more as it spun out of control, the crew however, mostly unaffected as the artificial gravity made them only fall down for a short amount of time.

"Turrets, open fire on the enemy fighters!"

[member="Algan Crow"]
[member="The Primeval Storyteller"]

 

[Aleksandyr Gaillard]

OBJECTIVES​

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Vanguard Fleet
Location: Rhadamanthus, above atmosphere
Objective: Defeat the pirates and hold out until Geronivous arrives.
Allies: [member="Kadri Ughad"]
Enemies: Pirates (NPC)

Response Fleet
Location: The other side of Rhadamanthus , approaching.
Objective: Deploy dropships in a jungle clearing.
Allies: [member="Algan Crow"] [member="Darth Legion"] [member="Geronivous"]
Enemies: TBA

Black Ops
Location: Within the Response Fleet.
Objective: Deploy just ahead of the response fleet force in a dropship, scout ahead and discover intel.
Allies: [member="Ciara"] [member="Morrigan"]
Enemies: TBA

By this point the pirates had dealt a rather substantial blow to the Vanguard Fleet. All the interceptors were picked off, the last one being destroyed by turret fire and only three of the six couriers had survived this point and struck with proton torpedoes around the rear of the corvettes in hopes to hit their exposed engines. Their command ship, the Warrior-class, was now being fired at from all directions and little by little its firepower was chipped away. The few weapons not destroyed or disabled fired wildly in whatever directions they could before the ship finally caved in on itself and fire exploded from several openings as missiles collided.

Just if anything couldn't seem to get worse it looks like they weren't alone. Approaching from afar, not yet in range, was an Agave-class picket ship followed by an Interceptor-class frigate and another squadron of Whitecloaks.

 

[Algan Crow]

Algans Drop-ship reached the surface swiftly after finding a flat area to land, all the men moving out and instantly aiming there guns around forming a full circle expecting hostility from most things on the planet, as he had told them too. He was the last to leave the ship and turned on his mask scanning around for any forms of life, nothing in particular, except for any sentient beings or things that might eat them; the second the most prioritized.

"Ill tell you if i see anything, if the areas clear of sentient life we can take out most of the Carnivores, keep your sights trained"

if he discovered any traces of sentient life at all he would give an order to follow the trail keeping an eye out for any carnivorous life forms presence; above, below, left, right, in-front and even behind them.

 

[Talos Rygat]

Location: Response Fleet
Objective: Aid Vanguard Fleet/Deploy Recon Teams
Allies: [member="Algan Crow"]
Enemies: TBA

Legion stood aboard the bridge of the Prima class Carrier, until the commander arrived, he'd take command. Upon reaching the appropriate position, Legion ordered the deoyment of the Raze transports cargo of scout units. Continuing on to the fight further on, Legion saw in the scanner that the Canguard fleet was taking damage and was about to get hit from behind by another small fleet of pirate vessels.


"Launch all fighters, target the remaining ships in range...All batteries, target the inbound vessels, fire when in range...After the first volley, launch interceptors and bombers on intercept...All hands to battle stations..."


Actions:
Deploy Black Ops Teams
Deploy Fighters on Pirate fleet
Fire on incoming pirates
Deploy interceptors and bombers on incoming fleet

[member="The Primeval Storyteller"]

 

[Aleksandyr Gaillard]

The swarm of fighters launched from the Prim'ra Carrier had begun to devastate the pirate fleet. The ships being annihilated began to launch escape pods, most successfully made it into the atmosphere whilst two were destroyed by fighter fire.

The Interceptor-class frigate and Agave-class were now in range and began to fire upon the corvettes defending their wounded frigate and the remaining Whitecloaks engaged the Primeval fighters as much as they could but were quickly being picked off from sheer numbers alone and the fact their ships were quite outdated.

Meanwhile a ground team lead by [member="Algan Crow"] had finally landed, the bounty hunter in service to The Primeval would see the world for what it was: A Jungle filled to the brim with primordial trees that towered above entire forests, and more importantly, the nature of the plants that inhabit it. Many were exotic in shape and colour, excreting sweet pheromones which would attract pray and if one was not careful might become attracted by them as well.

Now all that was left was to await the Black Ops team and allow the response fleet to finish off the pirates; hopefully that was the last of them.

[member="Darth Legion"] [member="Kadri Ughad"]

 

[Boethiah]

"Prepare my ship."

Anja looked out upon the spiraling city of Sar'Sargoth and saw the death world grow docile as their warlust was being fulfilled.

"Of course, Your Worship.", an armored woman spoke in response; her face was covered with a ceremonial mask representing the Bleeding Sun. A few other similarly dressed figures dotted the corners and formed a circle around the Host Lord. These were the most loyal to the Aj'Rou family and thus the most loyal to Anja herself. The Host Lord placed her arms out and spread her legs slightly, wearing nothing but her green robe garments. Several servants approached, bowing before painting her exposed skin in various markings and symbols; they spent a good amount of time doing this and finally she had black, blue, and green markings lined across her pale skin and around her eyes and mouth in an intricate design.

The ones with the paint left and now three servants, holding pieces of her armour, became known to the light of the room and began to strap the alloy plates along her body, lacing them tightly and buckling clasps to hold each piece in place. When they were finished a final fourth servant approached, bowing and holding out her scepter. The Host Lord took it and one of the other servants returned with a vibroblade in sheath and strapped it tightly around her waist.

She walked down the corridors and onto an exposed open platform, there was very little light glistening down due to the shadows of the towering structures but just enough space where a dropship landed. Sephi warriors and Umbaran officers formed in lines and paraded out of the dropship's entrance, forming a ceremonial guard to allow her entrance into the ship. Following closely behind the parade returned to its interior and the ship took off, swiftly navigating out of the atmosphere and approaching Order's End , the Host Lord's flagship.

The crew had already prepared jump coordinates. Their destination was this new world that Executor Kadri Ughad had found.

"Your Worship, we have reports that a ground team has touched down on the world.", the intercom officer turned to her and announced the news. At this point she was sitting in her command chair.

"Connect me to the ground leader.", she ordered. The intercom officer turned back to his console and began punching in the necessary codes to trigger the holo transceiver held by [member="Algan Crow"] , a bounty hunter they've recently taken in.

Anja would appear as a hologram in the small palm-sized device. "What have you found?", she asked.

Meanwhile the starship had jumped to lightspeed and was well on its way.

 

[Talos Rygat]

[member="The Primeval Storyteller"] [member="Kadri Ughad"]


As the first pirate fleet was destroyed, reports of life boats being deployed reached Legion. He redirected all fighters to the inbound Pirate Fleet and sent transmissions to the other commanders. Also, he moved the carrier and transports in to assist the Vanguard fleet.

"Vanguard Commander Ughad, relief is being sent to you now...Wait for transport and collection...Your ships will regroup with Us to finalize the destruction of the Pirates..."


"Commander [member="Algan Crow"], scans indicate Pirate life boats inbound to the surface...Keep an extra eye out for them...We will dispatch air support as soon as it is available..."


Actions:
Fighters rerouted towards incoming Pirates.
Prim'ra carrier and Raze transports move to vanguard fleet.
Crews sent to Vanguard fleet for repairs and injured
Air support to eventually be sent to the abet for black ops teams, once the all clear is reported.

 

[Ughad]

Tora's ship had taken heavy damage. The fighters had effectively disabled the main engines, the only thing carrying her ship forward now was momentum and maneuvering thrusters, a lack of feedback quickly told Kadri that the crew was preparing escape pods, only some of the gunner crew had been left behind now manned at the turrets and one on the bridge to fire the ion cannon one last time. Several escape pods launched from the side of the ship.

After the hostile ships began to fire missiles the abandoned ship fired an ion blast at the Agave-class.

"What in the name of the gods is going on over there?!"

But it was too late. The first missile slammed into the relay for the ion cannon, the second hit the command tower, and a third finished the job. A chain of short explosions set off across the ship from the escaping oxygen before quickly dissipating into the vacuum of space. What ever life support was left protected most of the gunners as the command tower tore off, heading on a trajectory to the planet below. The autoturrets continued firing at the two ships for a few seconds before running out of power. Tora's ship began to succumb to the gravity of the planet below.

Kadri sighed, "Good to hear captain." He pondered his next course of action.

"Bant, fire the ion cannon at that smaller ship to keep it still until we can destroy it, then position yourself to fire whatever missiles you have left at the other hostile. As for us, Fire turbolasers and mass driver weapons straight down the bow of the larger ship. Captain of the carrier, Legion, I advise you to take out the smaller vessel before it can act, over."

[member="Darth Legion"][member="The Primeval Storyteller"][member="Algan Crow"]

 

[Algan Crow]

Algan received the message from the host lord first, but was able to hear the warning of the incoming pirates on his com's, so he looked around the area one more time before responding to the host-lord.

"Its A jungle filled to the brim with carnivorous planets and primordial trees, no sentient life yet from what i can see."

He try'd to see how many plants there we that try'd to lure them in around this area, hell he even checked the ground to see if they weren't standing on a giant plant before saying, promptly shutting off the holo-cast after.

"That's all we have to report, Host lord."

 

[Boethiah]

The Host Lord's ship was still underway when the Bounty Hunter disconnected the transmission.

She clenched her fist slightly at the fact; normally it was her who ended a conversation. "Send orders to the Bounty Hunter. Tell him that besides the commands of Geronivous that he should also pursue the collection of plant samples.", she said tot he intercom officer. The officer immediately sent the message out to [member="Algan Crow"] immediately.

Meanwhile Order's End continued to hurl through hyperspace towards its destination -- knowing very little of the pirates or whatever else is going on. For the sake of [member="Kadri Ughad"] he better hope that some of his fleet was still intact by the time she arrived but unlike his predecessor he has few stains on his record.

With the heavy cruiser followed two more mendacity corvettes in escort.

 

[Algan Crow]

Algan received the message from the officer and silently felt a little anxious, he began to look around for any hostiles that may be mammals or bugs, being rather through before ordering his men to open fire on a few plants to try and kill them before ripping them from there roots and getting all the samples they could need.

"Have 10 men scout the area to try and find the pirates pods"

As the order was given a few of his men went off guns trained as they knew they were in a jungle of living plants that wanted to eat them, as they disappeared into the trees, he would try and communicate with the local sentient life if they arrived peacefully, other whys, they'd shoot up anything for samples.

 

[Ciara]

[member="The Primeval Storyteller"]

Ciara simply stood aboard the GU-42 Dropship idly. She was annoyed that she was unable to utilize her personal vessel during this journey; the only vessel where she felt safe and not on the verge of being killed by suddenly exploding within the confines of space. She tightened her flightsuit helmet further.

She stepped into the cockpit of the GU-43 Dropship and nodded. She was the 'captain,' as delegated by the Primeval. Not that it really mattered. Ciara was unaccustomed to the role of being apart of a group, let alone being in a room filled with other people who relied on her decisions and her supposed leadership.

Ciara was no leader.

The ship, which was not created to withstand the brutality of combat, slowly retreated towards the rear of the fleet as the battle continued, along with its sister and another GU-42 Dropship squadron. Ciara agreed with the commander's logic and agreed to do so. She watched as the lives of hundreds were being wiped out of existence for what reason? Piracy? In her mind, it was idiocy.

 

[Aleksandyr Gaillard]

The battle raged on and soon enough the pirate fleet was nearly destroyed, except for a handful of fighters and the two larger vessels, there was only debris. The interceptor-class too a hard hit from the mass-driver's disrupting its shield generator temporarily and disabling one of the torpedo tubes. The agave-class was hit hard by the ions and slowly drifted as its shields and weapons were disabled for the time being.

On the ground [member="Algan Crow"] was collecting plant samples, albeit aggressively, some of the plants released toxic fumes as they perished in a defense mechanism whilst others -- less aggressive -- simply 'died' from the blasts and got materials collected. In response to the aggression a large bellowing roar could be heard over the distance, the shout towards their direction as if challenging them like one predator to another. It seems that the blaster fire disturbed whatever was living here and despite light in the clearing, on ahead things got darker and more murky as the jungle continued to delve further under the highest trees and tall plants as result of their oxygen-rich environment. Everything was bigger.

So far no signs of sentients, though.

[member="Ciara"]

Objective: Land on the surface, just ahead of Algan Crow, meet up with [member="Morrigan"] when she arrives.
Secondary: Collect plant and pheromone samples.

 

[Ciara]

[member="The Primeval Storyteller"]

The final verge of battle was complete and Ciara commanded the four GU-42 Dropships to the planet's surface. Reaching the orbit, Ciara initiated the orbital deployment protocol. Utilizing the planetary gravity field, Ciara began accelerating the dropships centripetally around the planet in a elliptical orbit; she mandated to the navigational officer to calculate the precise moment of exit to ensure they landed precisely ahead of Algan. The navigational officer looked flustered, and Ciara, exasperated by the incompetence of the crew, quickly calculated in her head the moment of exit. Thinking of all the possible variables, ranging from the composition of the atmosphere, the mass of the dropships, the current centripetal acceleration of the dropships within orbit, the point and angle of exit, and finally, the distance from the exit point to the rendezvous point, Ciara deftly concluded the point of exit. She commanded in a loud, clear voice, "Disengage from orbit..." and quietly whispered to herself, "Three...Two...One," before addressing the crew once again, "NOW."

The dropships roughly plunged from the orbit and began spiraling down through the upper layers of the planet's atmosphere. Ciara braced against the side railing of the cockpit before glaring at the navigational officer. She focused her eyes, memorizing the face, rank and physique of the officer, before bluntly stating, "One more mistake, and shoving you out the airlock myself."

She briskly moved towards exiting the cockpit before abruptly turning backwards and addressing the crew, "Now, engage the reverse thrusters and make sure we reach the rendezvous point."

She turned towards the comms officer and stated, "Inform the entire crew and the company of troops on board to haul their asses out of their seats and prepare for initial recon..."