Wow Namus, keep it up This is some great story telling and interpretation of the battles!

Thanx a ton guys! As i had said earlier, it's a pleasure to write for such kind and appreciative folk as you all.

The action continues...

Stardate: 7.11.2258

Location: Onboard the T.A.S. Warhammer, Warhammer Squadron, Alliance Battle Group 1, in orbit of Kaled III, Kaled System, Drengin Western Colonization Zone



The Allied invasion of kaled III

The scene was an impressive one. Orbital space around Kaled III was a hive of activity, filled with thousands of shuttles and drop ships moving inexorably towards the planet’s surface. A little distance away, commanders aboard the nearby massive Warcraft Troop Transports coordinated the invasion. In lower orbit, a string of specially set up satellites with powerful antennas broadcast a concentrated stream of vicious computer viruses, electronic jamming signals and propaganda messages towards the surface in an effort to disrupt the operations of the Drengin Imperial Army defending the planet and sow confusion in their ranks, preparatory to Alliance forces making a landing.

Despite the impressive show of force seen on his viewscreen, Commander Alex Gordon knew that the Alliance marines would have a tough fight on their hands. So far the Alliance, despite the tragic loss of 6 of their transports to a sudden strike by a Drengin Escort appearing from Battle Group 2s flanks, thereby leading to the loss of life of 60 million marines, had successfully invaded and captured 3 recently conquered Drengin planets (which were former Torian colonies). The Drengin garrisons on these planets had not offered as much resistance as had been feared, as they had been overwhelmed by the significant technological superiority of the Alliance marines and the daring and innovative tactics devised by the Tir Quan trained officers.

But Kaled III was a different case. This was an original Drengin planet, protected by a force of 60 million fanatical Drengin Imperial troops and some of their best officers, who were prepared to defend their planet to the very end. The 30 million Alliance marines of the 1st wave would be heavily outnumbered and vulnerable until reinforcements came in (which were still several weeks away).

But one thing was certain…the tide of the war had turned against the Drengin. In the last 8 months of fighting, the Drengin had lost 30 warships (including 12 destroyed by Warhammer Squadron and out of these 4 by the TA.S. Warhammer itself, as well as 2 Battleships) from their ever-shrinking fleet, while the Alliance had lost only 9 warships (excluding the 6 Warcrafts). The Drengin still had a couple of dangerous Killer Fleets left, but the Alliance had more and better ships…and reinforcements were coming in every month. Starfleet now definitely held the advantage and was well on its way to achieving space superiority in Drengin held space.

In fact, besieged by the ever-growing Alliance forces from their north and west, and overwhelmed by the Altairian military juggernaut from the east, the Empire now had only 12 planets left.

But they were still dangerous and Alex knew that in the months to come, many more millions of marines and hundreds of sailors would perish, before the last Drengin planet would fall.

The war was far from over…

Stardate: 19.11.211
Location: Argolan Heights, Baaka Valley, LZ # 3, on the surface of Kaled III,



The T-98 Wolverine Super Battle Tank

The massive 150 mm Plasma Projector Cannon fired again, its recoil shaking the entire 200-ton Wolverine tank. A distance away, another of the approaching Drengin Devourer tanks disappeared in a cloud of fire, smoke and dust. Metal fragments and also Drengin body parts were thrown several dozens of yards away by the force of the explosion. Several other tanks also opened fire, the combined roar eclipsing all other noises on the battlefield. Then the Secondary 20 mm RBCs beside the Main Gun opened up, cutting down large swathes of the approaching Drengin infantry. Return fire from the remaining Devourer tanks, as well as several Mini-Fusion missiles and hand held Plasma Projector beams lanced out towards the Allied Wolverines. Explosions rippled amongst the Alliance line, signaling the destruction of 3 more Wolverines. Artillery fire rained down amongst the Drengin troops, killing several. Two more Devourers were destroyed, the plasma shells burning through the relatively unprotected top section of the tanks. The remaining tanks pressed on, causing more death and destruction. Off to the distant right, a small group of Alliance Dragon APCs suddenly swept down the slopes, disgorging troops and firing their twin 50mm Cannons at the enemy flanks. Several more Drengin troops went down, despite their advanced Battle Suits. Outflanked, the Drengin offense began to falter.

A group of Haraku Aerial Attack Crafts (AACs) swept over the tanks, their twin Plasma Cannons taking out several of the Dragons and sending the rest of the Alliance troops scrambling for cover. Two AACs were shot down in the attack, but the defenders had lost their initiative. Taking the opportunity, the Drengin force resumed their vicious attack. The defenders fought back bravely but it would only be a matter of time before the heavier Drengin numbers overwhelmed them.



Alliance 3rd Company, 4th Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment immediately after landing in the LZ a few months ago

Pvt. Seymour of the 3rd Company, 4th Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, removed the binoculars from his eyes and turned to his Squad Leader, Sergeant Sanchez who was also hunkered down, watching the distant battle. The 3rd Platoon, consisting of 100 Marines, was stationed in the Argolan Heights, which overlooked the Baaka valley. Their job was to protect the flank of the Alliance LZ, and act as advance warning for any Drengin counter-attack from the west. Down in the valley was the Mobile Command HQ of the 23rd Corps, guarded by an entire Marine Regiment. Already the situation of the Alliance troops was dire. They had destroyed a significant portion of the large Drengin Imperial Army, but at great cost. As casualties mounted and the Drengin repeatedly counter-attacked with increasing numbers, the desperate Alliance defence was crumbling. If the Drengin broke through here and captured the LZ…it would mean disaster for the incoming Alliance reinforcements.

“They’re really giving them hell.”

“Yes sir…I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes for all the gems of Frey II.” Sanchez agreed.

They resumed their vigil.

Many minutes passed. The sun continued to burn down on the soldiers.

Then one of the other members of the Squad stirred.

“Movement to the right. Coordinates 230, 350.”

Seymour took his binoculars up once more.

For a few seconds he saw nothing. Then he saw one of the large rocks in the stony floor of the western valley shift an inch.

Something stirred in his subconscious.

The same realization came to the Sergeant.

“Get down!! Incoming Artillery!!”

Hell broke loose…

A series of huge explosions erupted on the ridge.

Dirt, pieces of boulder and even parts of those unlucky enough to be caught in the bombardment filled the sky. Thunderous impacts knocked the wind out of the cowering soldiers and the air became hot, filled with smoke and fire. Pvt. Seymour crouched down beneath a big boulder, desperately seeking to hide from the devastating bombardment. All around him pandemonium reigned. Screams, curses and even pleas for help filled the air, as the bombardment continued. The hot air was stifling him and the continuous thumps were dazing his mind.

Almost an hour had passed and there were no signs of the bombardment abating. Then suddenly, a series of explosions took place…so violent that they could even be heard from such a great distance. The enemy guns had been detected by Alliance Counter-Battery Sensors, and destroyed by a small detachment of Viper Interceptors.

As the bombardment stopped, Pvt. Seymour got up and looked around. Several bodies littered the ground some distance away. To his right Sgt. Sanchez was rallying his men, trying to return some semblance of order to the Squad. 4 of the squad had survived. Pvt. Harrison had not been so lucky. His crumpled body lay nearby…his upper torso having been torn apart by one of the shells.

Another shout broke Seymour out of his trance.

He crawled back onto the edge of the Ridge and looked through the scope of his MK. II Plasma Projector rifle.

Nothing…

Then he saw what the others had seen.

There were thousands of them.

Almost two full battalions of Drengin Marines were approaching their ridge.

He gulped and clutched his rifle more tightly.

He heard a curse and turned to see Pvt. Kleene angrily gesticulating to his radio.

“They’re blocking our communications.”

“Use the Direct Frequency Communicator.”

“It was badly damaged in the bombardment.”

A silence prevailed as the men considered their situation. They were cut off from reinforcements, and facing superior numbers. The artillery barrage had whittled the odds even more in favour of the Drengin. If the enemy broke through, Command HQ would itself be threatened.

Sgt. Sanchez spoke.

“All right men…you known now what we’re up against. We are facing bad odds. But we can’t let the enemy occupy these heights. Let’s hope that someone in the valley notices the battle here and informs the top brass. Lets make those bastards pay.”

A huge roar answered him.

“People, man your positions. Fire at will, but aim and fire. Aim for the faceplates. Remember the enemy has better armour. We don’t have unlimited ammo.”

The Squad took up their positions.

The enemy soldiers were coming closer, their huge forms wrapped up in Battle Suits. They were approaching cautiously, knowing that the defenders had the advantage of height.

The Alliance troops opened fire.

Seymour looked through his Rifle Scope, trying to pick out a target. He found one, and centered the crosshair on its faceplate. The Mk. II Rifle roared, and the face of the Drengin exploded in a crimson spray. Around him, the well-aimed Alliance fire felled some more of the enemy troops. But they still advanced.

Seymour chose a new target and fired…

-------------

Many minutes had passed. Many Drengin lay dead on the valley floor, but even more advanced.

Seymour looked at the Safety Indicator on his Rifle. It was hovering around the Red Zone. The rifle had been fired continuously so long, it was overheating.

The Drengin troops were returning fire now.

Mostly their shots went wide…the high ground protecting the Alliance troops. But some hit.

A cry of pain pierced the battlefield. Seymour turned to see one of the Alliance soldiers collapse, his face a smoking ruin.

He returned grimly to his task.

--------------

The RBC cut down several of the advancing Drengin. But more followed.

They had almost reached the heights.

Seymour threw another grenade. Two more Drengin went down.

He turned to see the commotion to his left. The Drengin had overrun the RBC position.

He saw Harding fire his rifle point blank at the faceplate of one of the advancing enemies, causing it to collapse.

Then the other Drengin opened fire…virtually vaporizing the Private.

Seymour turned back to his front, and saw three Drengin heading his way.

He threw his last grenade. One of the Drengin went down. Using the confusion, he took aim and felled one more enemy. But the third had reached him. As the big lizard aimed and was about to fire, Seymour hurled himself at it. The shot passed scant inches over his head. As he came up he saw the Drengin swing at him with the butt of the gun. He ducked the blow and punched back…but without much effect. Then the next thing he knew was a crushing pain in his abdomen, and he was hurled several feet back. As he struggled to catch his breath and get up…he saw the enemy raise its gun.

Time slowed down…

-----------

Lieutenant Hunter pulled his throttle back as the Vipers cleared the surrounding hills. The view below him took his breath away.

Hundreds of Drengin littered the valley floor, while many more were on their way to reaching the relative safety of the heights. The entire ridge was a scene of fierce fighting, with the Alliance and Drengin troops in fierce hand to hand, and plasma combat.

Having returned from the desperate but successful raid on the enemy artillery, they were low on fuel, had used up all their Thermionic Bombs and had lost one of their members to the withering enemy fire. But the Lieutenant knew that he had to help…

“All right Squad, let’s go in. I’ll go in first, and then Cathy and finally Morris. We must take as many of them out as possible in this one sweep. Stay sharp of any hand-held missiles.”

As the Viper zoomed down, Lt. Hunter took careful aim, concentrating on the thickest concentration of troops, which were at the base of the heights.

He pressed the trigger, and the specially modified twin 50 mm RBCs with which his Viper had been equipped, spat death and destruction. Many Drengin disappeared in the continuous plasma explosions, which suddenly mushroomed amongst them.

As he pulled up, and sped away, he could see the next Viper sweep in. It laid down a hail of plasma fire across the valley floor and then banked sharply to avoid being hit by a hand-launched Fusion mini-missile. As the third Viper came in, the Drengin gunners were more prepared and a salvo of Fusion mini-missiles lanced up to met it. In a desperate maneuver, the pilot dived the Viper into the Drengin troops below. The massive explosion and subsequent detonation of the Fusion missiles incinerated scores of Drengin and many more were thrown dozens of yards away by the force of the detonation.

-----------

The loud explosions in the valley below momentarily distracted the Drengin soldier.

Pvt. Seymour grabbed the opportunity, diving for his gun, and managing to shoot off one round before the Drengin could open fire.

The plasma blast momentarily staggered the Drengin. Its strong armour and thick hide had combined to take most of the damage out of the hit, but it still hurt badly. Letting out a howl, it took aim once more.

Seymour knew that he wouldn’t be able to get off another shot in time.

Instinctively he leaped to his left. As he dove, a searing pain ripped through his right shoulder.

He fell.

He saw the Drengin take aim once more.

The Ready Indicator beeped.

The blast hit the Drengin squarely on the chest, burning through the remaining armour and gutting the inside. A horrendous screech filled the air.

A black wave swept over the Private as he lost consciousness.

----------

An insistent sound was invading his consciousness.

Slowly, and painfully he opened his eyes.

“He’s okay. He took a bad hit on the shoulder, but he’ll be okay.”

He turned his head to see the source of the words.

A soldier, in the uniform of a Marine Medical Corps Officer, returned his gaze, and smiled.

He tried to get up, but fell back.

“Steady, my lad. You still need some R&R. After which you’ll be as right as rain.”

The huge frame of Sgt. Sanchez entered his filled of view.

“Sir…did the squad survive?”

A look of sadness drifted across the Sergeant’s face.

“No Seymour, it’s just you and me. We’re lucky we survived.”

“How many people did we lose?”

“Everybody. Only 10 survived.”

Shocked, Sanchez asked the only other question he could think of.

“Did we win?”

This time a smile creased the tired visage of the Sergeant.

“Yes, Private. We won. The air attack wiped off a significant part of their forces, and momentarily stalled their attack. We managed to hold off the rest until the 3rd Battalion came to our rescue. The Drengin have lost almost a thousand troops.”

As the Evac-Shuttle hovered over the ridge, preparatory to heading back to the Command HQ Medical Zone, Pvt. Seymour could see the devastation in the valley below. Hundreds of bodies littered the valley, and the craters of explosions scarred the barren landscape. The other battered survivors were also being similarly evacuated and fresh troops were taking their place. In the distance, explosions could be seen, and muted sounds of a firefight were just barely discernible.

And then as he turned his head he gave an involuntary cry of relief. For there, framed against the red glow of the dying day were the faint outlines of an armada of fiery trails descending from the heavens.

Their reinforcements had arrived…

Frakking superb Namus!  

Thanx tons for all the encouragement guys!

Stardate: 4.1.2259

Location: Onboard the T.A.S. Excalibur, Wolf Squadron, Alliance Battle Group 3, Figel System, Drengin Western Conquest Zone



The T.A.S. Courageous a few minutes before being ambushed by a Drengin Killer Fleet

Yet another hit by a couple of Drengin Psyonic missiles jolted the bridge of the battle scarred Nexus cruiser. The lights dimmed again and a few of the consoles exploded into a glittering display of sparks.

Captain Valorus cursed under his breath as he gripped the sides of the command chair in an effort to keep his balance. They were in a fight for their very lives and they were losing. It had been only a half hour ago that Wolf squadron, while on patrol in the Figel system had been ambushed by the Drengin Killer Fleet, consisting of 8 Ko’rak Missile Escorts, armed with the powerful Psyonic missiles.

The fleet had suddenly appeared from behind one of the moons of Figel I and their first missile salvo had destroyed two of the Nexus cruisers before they could react. Outnumbered 2:1, Commander Valorus had hastily re-arranged his squadron and had desperately fought to take out as many Drengin ships as possible. The Alliance ships maneuvered like a cornered beast – rolling, yawing, looping, and performing a dozen other desperate maneuvers to outflank the superior enemy and cause as much damage as possible. Later new recruits at Starfleet Academy, in orbit of Earth, would use this battle as a teaching tool on how to fight a superior enemy force.

But in the end, this bid to survive was failing. There were simply too many Drengin ships and the large salvoes of Psyonic missiles were literally tearing the Alliance ships apart. 4 Ko’rak Missile Escorts had been destroyed, but Wolf Squadron now only had 2 ships left, both of them heavily damaged.

“Concentrate fire on that damaged Ko’rak. Chrysalis…open fire!”

Once again the photonic torpedoes lanced out, smashing into the desperately evading Drengin ship and blowing it apart.

A string of ragged cheers broke out on the bridge that soon turned to horror as the viewscreen was filled with a blinding flash, signifying the demise of the T.A.S. Chrysalis.

“Incoming!”

Once again the bridge jolted violently and more consoles exploded. One of the crew let out a yelp of pain as superheated plasteel bits of the console bit into his unprotected face. On the main viewscreen a static filled snowy screen replaced the clear blackness of space.

“Damage Report!” barked the commander as he struggled to an upright position.

“Sir, that last hit took out our remaining launchers. Hull integrity at 40 %. Life Support at 20 %. Reactor operating at only 30 % power. Looks like they scored a direct hit on our sensor array. Senor Efficiency degraded to 15 %. Decks 2-6 have been completely destroyed. Lots of casualties. Sir…we won’t survive another hit!”

As realization of their imminent death sank in, the bridge became quieter.

Captain Valorus took a deep breath, and forcing his voice to be calm, said, “Mr. Kane, divert all power to the engines. Make full speed towards the nearest Drengin ship. We’ll see if we can’t take some more of them with us. Mr. Jared, please start transmitting our sensor logs, last half hour, via ultra-wave to comsats in the Jessuin system and tell them to re-route to any nearby Alliance ship. And connect me with the rest of the ship.”

The loud voice of one of Starfleet’s most legendary captains once again boomed across the length and breadth of this once majestic ship…for the last time.

“Men and women of the T.A.S. Excalibur, as you would have guessed, this is the end of the road for us. But despair not, for we have done our duties to the Alliance and we have proved, again and again, that the human will is far more powerful than anything that the Drengin or any other race can throw at us. We have met and defeated the enemy at all turns and even now…at the very end…we will go like true warriors, to become legends to be passed through the generations. It has been an honour serving with some of the galaxy’s bravest men and women and I can say honestly, that there is no other place that I would rather be, than with you all…till the very end. All personnel, brace for impact!”

A stunned silence filled the interior of the ship. And then…the clapping started…and the cheers. It rose and rose till it reached a crescendo. Even the normally unemotional First Officer Wilson started cheering like mad…he knew not why.

All across the ship…similar scenes were being replayed.

It was as if the stars themselves were carrying the cheering across the vast realms of space.

Destiny was calling…

------

On board the D.I.S. Gorak, Overlord Korami looked on in stunned disbelief as the proximity alarms started blaring like mad. In its eagerness to destroy the hated enemy, the Gorak had moved too close.

“My lord, the Terran ship is heading towards us!”

“Evasive action! Destroy that ship!”

The Alliance ship came ever nearer. Then the viewscreen went white as the Psyonic missiles impacted with the ship and overloaded its reactor, imploding the ship from inside.

Big chunks of the hull went spinning out and collided with the D.I.S. Gorak, while shockwaves from the explosion shook it like a rag doll.

Angry red lights bathed the bridge, giving the scene a look similar to a typical blood-red sunset on Drengi.

“Report!” growled Overlord Korami as he struggled to his feet.

“My lord, heavy damage to the fore hull sir. Hull integrity down to 12 %. Reactor power down to 10 %. Sensors and Psyonic Missile Launcher destroyed. Decks 3-9 report heavy casualties and fires.”

Overlord Korami grunted as he absorbed the bad news. They had won…but it was…what was that human term? Ah yes…a phyrric victory. The Empire now had 5 less ships and his flagship was itself so badly damaged that it would most likely be scrapped. At the rate the Empire was losing ships and planets, he doubted whether he would get another ship to command. And the Terrans would be here soon, to investigate the distress signal.

Survival would be difficult in the coming few months.

This is the first time ever I read such a long AAR entirely - my full respect! Your storytelling is truly entertaining, please keep it up!

Another great chapter in the story Namus, I look forward to the next.

Sethpenguin It`s Cool that you are working on a AAR for yourself but kept it out of Other people`s AAR`s If it deserve the recognition that this AAR has receive it well get it

You made me buy this game, the expension and pre-order the one that is coming.
You should be paid to write more!

WOW!!! Gosh i'm beginning to blush now!

Thanx everybody...for your overwhelming response. I don't know what else to say. When I started I just wanted to create a story which shared my experience of my first GalCiv game. Can't say how glad i am that you guys are enjoying it.


Point taken VavOom, but there are a couple of reasons why i chose photons to be my "magic" particles (plz forgive any really dumb assumptions as im no scientist...just a dumb layman trying to sound scientific! )

1> According to recorded Earth history, it had always been known that Photons were special particles which had FTL (Faster Than Life) properties. In other words it is a quasi-particle (tachyon-like objects that exist as faster-than-light 'quasiparticles' moving through laser-like media). This was first discovered in a series of tests in 1990, specially by the famous scientist Gunter Nimtz (who showed that single photons pass through a photonic tunnel barrier with a group velocity faster than the vacuum speed of light).

2> It seemed to be the most convenient particle to choose as in the actual game there are several technologies which use photons as their base (like photon torpedoes, etc). Would make sense for a race to use their principal scientific achievement to create a whole line of spin-off technology.

Note: Due to a severe time crunch...and a number of other circumstances, i regret to say that i am forced to reduce my number of entries for a little while (the same reason why i couldn't post for teh last couple of weeks). So for the next 2 weeks or so, ill only be able to add 3-4 entries at the max. After that, i hope it'll be business as usual.

That said...onward the Alliance! And...HAPPY 2008 everybody!

Personal Log
Stardate: 19.4.2259
Askarov Kolinsky
Weapons Officer, 1st Class, T.A.S. Dallas, Ranger Squadron

The war rages on and the bloodshed continues. Another battle…more lives lost.

Of course we are better off than those poor marines. For us death is clinical and represented by colourful explosions in distant space and myriad icons on our sensor screens, while for the marines it is more up, close and personal. But somehow I can never forget that every small flash of light means one more ship destroyed, scores or hundreds or tens of millions of lives lost, both human and Drengin. Countless lives…people who leave behind bereaved widows and orphaned children, all lost in the cold silent tomb of space.

But enough of such morbid thoughts. This was an important victory, with our squadron engaging and successfully destroying a Drengin Killer Fleet of 4 Ko’rak Missile Escorts and one Emperor’s Wrath Troop Transport. If that transport had made it through, it might have meant disaster, as the Drengin troops on board would have probably overrun the small Alliance garrison on the recently captured planet of Frigg I. But they didn’t and all the enemy ships were destroyed for the cost of one more Alliance ship. Taking into account the First Battle of Frigg (and my first space battle too), where we successfully took on a Drengin Killer fleet of 6 Ko’raks, and all subsequent battles, we have destroyed a total of 13 enemy ships, for the loss of 3 of our own. The Dallas itself has been responsible for the destruction of 3 enemy ships. Quite an impressive kill ratio, befitting the reputation of one of the Alliance’s most famous squadrons, but losing friends and colleagues in the bitter fury of space combat is hard indeed.

Anyway, there is some more good news. It seems that with the capture of two more Drengin planets and the dwindling number of enemy combat ready ships, Starfleet Command thinks that the situation on the frontlines is under control and has thus ordered our squadron back to the core sectors for refitting and reinforcement. Most of the other members of the crew are looking forward to going back home.

It will be good to get some shore leave and go visit my family on Triad III. I wonder if Annie is still there, and even if she is will she remember that gawky friend of hers from college?

It’s time to go home…

Stardate: 2.6.2259

Location: Shuttle “Aragon”, enroute to Shuttle Bay 3, Planetia Utopia Mega-Shipyard, in orbit of Earth, Sol Sector, Alliance Capital System

Alex Gordon stared out at the approaching shipyard in fascination. It had been many years since he had visited this shipyard, and every time he visited it, it looked different and larger than before. Right now though, the Planetia Utopia Mega-Shipyard stretched for a couple of miles and was surrounded by an armada of ships – large trade ships (including several Arcean and Altairian ones), freighters, passenger ships, and dozens of shuttles could be seen either docked or in the vicinity. Somewhere in this massive orbital station, he would find the reason for his sudden transfer from the Drengin frontlines.

As the ship came nearer, it came under automatic landing control of the shipyard, which slowly guided it into one of its massive bays. Soon, the Argonia settled down amidst a whole sea of shuttles, all sitting in the docking area, some powered down, and some powering up to leave. Decanting from the shuttle’s ramp, the newly promoted Admiral Alex got his first look at the massive interior of the bay, stretching for many hundreds of feet all around.

“Admiral Alex Gordon, I presume?”

He turned round to see Grand Admiral Hartford accompanied by two more people, a tall man in the regalia of a Starbase Commander and a short man in civilian attire walking towards him.

The admiral saluted.

The Grand Admiral saluted back and they shook hands.

“Congratulations on your promotion, Admiral. It’s a pleasure to finally meet the Hero of the Alliance. This here is Jonathan Havbruck, the Commanding Officer of Planetia Utopia and that is Senator Carl Pearson, Head of the Galactic Security Bureau (GSB).”

Short in stature, and with hair graying at the edges, the senator was not the sort of person whom you would remember. And that was his greatest strength. As Head of the GSB, he was the person responsible for all espionage and other special operations for the Federation. It was under his brilliant leadership that the GSB had quite a few years back, pulled off a series of highly successful missions, including the detection and busting of a plot by a group of senior Alliance scientists to leak sensitive military information to the Yor.

“Thank you sir. A pleasure to meet you too, commander and senator.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, admiral. Now I’m sure that you are curious why we dragged you halfway across the galaxy in the middle of a war. If you’ll follow us, I think we can clear matters somewhat.”

Outside the bay, a series of moving strips propelled the group to a somewhat more remote portion of the bridge. As they progressed, the army of personnel in the halls lessened and armed guards were more frequently seen.

They soon came upon a massive set of double-plated plexisteel blast doors, with a Retina-Scanner at the side and a camera at the top.

After verifying the Base Commander’s identity by the Retina Test and visual identification, the massive doors slid aside to reveal a bare steel-gray hall, almost antiseptic in its cleanliness.

“Welcome to Section 91, admiral.”

The admiral paused, unsure he had heard correctly.

Section 91? Sure he had heard rumours of this top-secret government division, which was rumoured to be trying to develop new weapons and ships for the Alliance, but he had always thought it was just that – a rumour. Apparently he was wrong.

The hall soon opened up and the admiral again paused in awe.

In front of him was a giant control room, almost a big as the shuttle bay, with literally hundreds of consoles scattered across and hundreds of personnel rushing about here and there. A series of large plexiglass windows looked out into space where a huge ship was under construction.

“What is that?”

As they walked to the nearby turbo-lift, Grand Admiral Hartford started talking.

“That, admiral, is the result of the top-secret Zeus project, an attempt by humanity to build one of the largest ships in the galaxy.”

“But I thought that it was considered impossible to build combat ships larger than battleships, specially due to their inherent structural instability and the high probability of gravitic forces tearing apart the hull during combat maneuvers.”

“That is true. But if you remember, during the conquest of Kaled III, your troops had recovered some technology pertaining to massive hull building from a captured Imperial research base. Apparently, the Drengin, using their more advanced knowledge of force fields, had managed to devise a new system of structural stability fields, making the construction of these mammoth ships possible. Of course, they never had the opportunity to build such a large ship themselves, but it was a godsend for us.”

The turbo-lift doors opened and they walked into a large room with a massive port looking out at the outer construction site. As they came nearer, Alex Gordon’s jaw dropped in shock. Below him, out in the freezing harshness of space, lay the largest ship he had ever seen. Shaped like a arrowhead, the ship had 2 massive arms protruding from its front hull, one on either side. Bigger than even a Warcraft class Troop Transport, this leviathan was more than a kilometer long.

Carl Pearson grinned on seeing the admiral’s reaction.

“Kind of takes your breath away doesn’t it? She’s a real beauty.”

“What is it?”

This time it was the Grand Admiral who spoke.

“That is the T.A.S. Zeus, the largest and most powerful Alliance ship ever built. The first true Dreadnaught in the known galaxy, this 3,300 feet long giant is armed with 7 Enhanced Photon Torpedo III Launchers, giving it more than double the firepower of the Warhammer class. Weighing 5,000 megatons, the Zeus can use its two large Hyper-Warp engines to attain speeds upto LS 11. Its comprehensive sensor array allows it to detect enemies upto 5 parsecs away, a detection range greater than most other combat ships. With its scorching firepower, ability to absorb far more punishment than any other ship in the known galaxy, high speed and enhanced sensor range, the Zeus can strike at the heart of enemy territory. We now finally have a ship that can take on even the latest Arcean and Altairian Battleships. And this is just the first of its class. We have already started mass construction of these ships in four of our other main shipyards.”

The admiral had once again regained control of himself.

“But, what does this have to do with me, sir?”

“Very good question admiral. The answer is simple. You are looking at your new command.”

The admiral was once again caught off-balance.

“But why me?”

“Oh don’t be modest admiral. We both know that you are the perfect man for the job. You have the best combat record in all of Starfleet and have the most experience in commanding a squadron of large starships. Thanks to your efforts the Alliance is now on the verge of victory against the Drengin threat. If you are not the man for the job I don’t know who is.”

“As you wish Grand Admiral. But I will need time to learn about this new ship.”

“Of course. You have plenty of time admiral…3 full months before the Zeus becomes operational and sets off on its maiden voyage. We already have the crew ready and you will get to meet them soon. Remember admiral, the galaxy is getting to be a dangerous place and we are counting on you to be the first line of defence for our forces. Don’t let us down.”

“I won’t sir.”

“Good. Commander Havbruck will show you to your quarters. Dismissed.”

As the admiral saluted and turned to walk to his new quarters, one new thought kept nagging at him.

The galaxy was becoming a dangerous place…and man was getting to be one of its most dangerous inhabitants.

A cold shiver ran down his spine.

What were they becoming?

Hey...good point idunno116!

Sorry i plain plum forgot.

So to make up for the foopah...

Presenting the T.A.S. Zeus: