Fawx
It awoke.
Or, well. Fully, that is.
For the vital parts of its operation was never asleep in the first place.
And to attribute its awakening to that of a sentient person would be to overestimate the complexity of a simple computer.
Its body was a hollowed asteroid, lined with the Mar’ki’s most capable stealth composites hiding a simple passive sensor net, half-a-dozen self-cleaning laser-line transmitter-receivers and a silent radio-receiver tuned to two specific frequencies. All of it was powered by several low-output RTGs each with a lifespan of several decades still that also kept a bank of capacitors ready to turn on its seven carriers of seven bodies it was made to launch.
It had awakened to the prodding of one of the many sensor-nodes that littered the field, feeding telemetry and targeting data for what its internal database registered as a Battleship and 2 Cruisers as well as 0-400 Skiffs. The uncertainty with the final class of signatures was caused by repeated loss and re acquisition, but regardless of the true number were calculated to be inconsequential to the possibility of successful intercept and destruction of the central flotilla which to its primitive value-calculation was judged to be of greatest value.
That this formation seemed to be embroiled in combat (with what it did not see, nor attempt to intuit) only served to make target lock easier on what it believed to be the primary combatants. And with the flotilla being in the most optimal range of itself except for any grater-positioned kin, the primitive computer algorithms notified its networks central hubs via a simple radio transmission of its discharge against the detected flotilla. Completely abandoning its own stealth with the discharge of capacitors to kick start the internal fusion-reactors of its many sub-bodies, then blasting off the asteroid-covers for each of its 7 IPBMs and triggering the timed explosives that would remove all trace of it’s existence before initiating it’s sub-bodies launch.
And in the span of 5 seconds, 7 fat torpedoes blazed out of a featureless asteroid that moments later was engulfed in a brief nuclear flash, and the opponents witness a third actor show itself.
By now the fight between the Vaiealon Next-generation Tarokas and the Ruvostali patrol squadron was in space-combat terms, not that far away from the Innermost asteroid field of the system and the metaphorical border between the Inner system and the Outer system, when both sides detected the sudden launch and detonation from within the debris-choked asteroid field. Sensor returns identifying what to the Vaiaelons were interplanetary missiles of unknown origin (though further inspection would make the assumption of them being of Native origin very high), and to the Ruvostali were frustratingly durable, numerous, persistent and potent multi-warhead shipkillers.
And speaking of their fight, by now the Vaiealons were moving in for the kill, intent to end this one-sided but agonizingly slow fight first with the destruction of the Hesmudt-class Frigates engines by way of precision pulse-lasers from the biggest of the Taroka burning into range. Intent to sell their deaths as dearly as able, the Ruvostali began firing all they had, laser emitters shot out even past their effective ranges in the hope of forcing the Tarokas to move, with even brief contact permitting the Ruvostali knowledge of a Tarokas current position, Coilguns fired flak at every possible target, prioritizing any that left their fields of stealth with the assistance of predictive solutions from the Mainfleet, AMM launched from their box-silos both to intercept hypervelocity munitions and to go out and attempt destruction of the Vaiealon Fighters. And most notable of all was the launch of the squadrons ASMs, aiming to detonate too close to the Vaiealon Tarokas for their Stealth fields to withstand and thus leave them cover less for subsequent flak bombardment.
This frenzy still wouldn’t have changed anything, the fate of the “Geramofve Netchidt” and Patrol squadron 12 was death, even if it would claim the lives of a half-dozen Vaiealon pilots more. But then the 7 Native ASMs appeared from a self-immolating asteroid, and fast became 49 after a brief pause permitted the fattened MIRVs to split apart for their final approach on overcharged fusion torches, and the Ruvostali’s frenzied focus turned completely away from the Stealth Tarokas to the Incoming anti-capital barrage. And despite these being the doctrinal preferred Targets for the Ruvostali starships, their fight with the Vaiealons had crippled their ability to effectively utilize their defenses, their flak unable to appreciably slag their ablative armoring, lasers too sparse to concentrate enough, shields too depleted of capacity to be sufficient at any interception and AMM already significantly depleted from intercepting Vaiealon hyper velocity munitions, leaving only the Ruvostali ASM to defeat the incoming Native ASMs in hoped-for mutual annihilation.
Unfortunate then that the Ruvostali ASMs were originally fired towards the Vaiealon Stealth fighters, eschewing their angles of attack and preventing fast and easy approach when their intended targets were drastically faster than them, and in the end despite their nearly hundred nuclear warheads creating a glittering field of nuclear plasma, still there was 37 Native ASMs that reached outward, intent to grasp and drag the souls of every Ruvostali to the deepest of hells with the wrath of the uncounted dead and then the first of them detonated.
In but moments Patrol Squadron 12 was reduced into nuclear plasma, not just from the detonation of a singular, or a trio, of the Native Shipkillers, but from the detonation of 28 anti-capital-equivalent warheads where once there was a IIG Hesmudt-class frigate and its pair of Sakepetriyv-class corvettes, leaving behind an absolute nothing from whence it could never be reconstructed again even by the most godly of being.
And then there was 9, confused and disoriented from their sensors being briefly fried by the rapid detonation of almost 3 dozen shipkillers in close-proximity, the remaining shipkillers did not properly register their targets destruction and thus began searching for their designated target or any other valid targeting signature, noticing spots of space their primitive computer brains found anomalous.
At this point, had they still had IFF, they would have self-detonated in case of critical malfunction or prevent them from haring off into deep space at the sign of a decoy but with said functionality disabled entirely by an executive override command received over a dozen days ago, haring off after what could have been a decoy in absence of a valid Primary Target was completely valid to its programming.
And so did the 9 native-originated Anti-capital equivalent Shipkillers blast out of a sensor-blindingly-bright cloud of annihilation and then reorient to rocket towards the most-recently maneuvered temporarily-blinded Vaiealon Stealth-Tarokas, each intent to detonate as close as possible to their perceived targets…
THE ASHES SEEK VENGEANCE, UNCARING FOR UNSEEN DIFFERENCES IN INVADER
—
At a far distance to the sudden Death of the Ruvostali Patrol Squadron was the 173 VSA warships that formed the Spearhead of the War Pacts efforts to save the embattled Natives brutally and unjustly assaulted by the Ruvostali Expeditionary Fleet. Though contrary to what one might have believed the VWP would do, even when severely outnumbered, they were not burning towards the besieged Native home world at maximum speed but were instead delaying their final approach to the most likely period of time where the others that had come to Intervene were finished clearing out the Ruvostali presence in the Outer- and Middle-system, allowing the Interveners to collectively face the Primary Ruvostali fleet at something much closer to numerical parity than previously apparent.
While some would comment that this delay would give the Ruvostali time to continue their bombardment and genocide of the Natives. It was apparent to the VWP’s keen sensors that the Natives judicious usage of nuclear bombs made any successful Ruvostali landings terminally short-lived. And without any observed decrease in the amount and frequency of the Native AO-missiles harassing the Ruvostali mainfleet throughout the VWP’s entire stay in-system, and the essential assumption that the Natives had all evacuated into massive bunker-complexes deep underground in order to survive their world, it didn’t take a genius to assume the Ruvostali orbital-bombardment (moderate as it was) had only negligible effect on the Native populations, enough that a moderate delay would not risk any disaster.
Unfortunate that your naivete will doom Billions more
Of course those were only assumptions, strong as they were, the VWP’s sensors were too far away for any combat-quality readings of the Ruvostali fleet, and at this distance there wasn’t a snowballs chance in hell of them getting any appreciable amount of data of the worlds surface through the apocalyptically thick clouds of Nuclear ash that embroiled the world in perpetual night, except of the times in which those clouds were briefly parted by the high-altitude and surface-level detonation of dozens of nuclear bombs every few minutes.
… Only for a sudden energy spike from the centre of the Ruvostali warfleet to strangle those assumptions in the crib. And in the blink of the eye the Native homeworld found itself with a half-dozen hundred-mile wide craters across its southern continent, and in the moments after the ash-choked heavens were split again in the detonation of thousands of nuclear munitions turning the charred and frozen earth into flash-boiled hellscapes of glass and broken dreams.
It would seem the Ruvostali were ill-intent to let themselves be delayed longer by the Native’s attempts at scorched earth, and tired of the continued losses to their AO network (even diminished in capability by the severe Kessler Syndrome). And worst of all for the watching Vaiealons was the realization that accounting for the several hour light-lag to the Native Homeworld, this glassing had begun practically moments before the first of the Interveners had entered the system. And according to all predictions, by the time the VWP fleet arrived in orbit if it immediately proceeded at full speed, 6 hours would have passed since the beginning of bombardment and the entire Southern hemisphere of the world would be glassed, and when the others would arrive unless the Ruvostali were significantly delayed or pacified, significant portions of the Northern Hemisphere would be glassed as well.
… And almost like an afterthought did the Vaiealons notice the presence of a Fifth Imperium battlegroup, FTL jumping into a brief hole in the Ruvostali Interdict, before making their way towards the planet to… Join up with the Ruvostali warfleet.
Time was no longer on the side of the Interventionists…
TO ASSUME IT OTHERWISE IS TO INVITE DISASTER
—
@“KrankysFirebrand48”
Still there was silence, as the Bastonians awaited any ill-willed response from the mysterious Stealth-ship, searching for any signs of ambush or allegiance while presenting “opportunities”. And so far the Stealth-ship had shown zero hostility aside from being suspected of the destruction of Bastonian probes. There was no “hard evidence” that It was behind the destruction of the probes either, but unless there was another Stealth-vessel coincidentally here (in which case there was no sign yet) it was hard for this one to avoid the suspicion of guilt from proximity.
And so the Bastonians decided to create another “opportunity” for the ship, though it was also one that gave lines of fire for the primary Bastonian taskforce in case of attack. One could interpret it as a temptation, and an attack.
The response of the Stealth-ship and its drone shell was a simplistic one, as while the ship itself stayed still once more, the drones were once again the only source of movement, RCS slowly and calmly sending them into a wide spread across the large moon they orbited. And with cruel coincidence, sending a pair uncomfortably close to where the HMS “Phantom” laid in wait, so close in fact that had they been of Bastonian manufacture, there was no doubt that they would have noticed anomalies where the “Phantom” lay.
And as it was, there was no guarantee that wasn’t the case, the sophistication of the Stealth drones and Ships obviously put them uncomfortably close to the Bastonians, but there was no indication their Sensors weren’t closer, and at this range even RCS could potentially ruin the “Phantom”s stealth.
It would appear that Fate had tired of the wait, for if the “Phantom” wouldn’t act on the presence of another Stealth-ship, how would the Stealth-ship act on the presence of the “Phantom”?
—
Darkstar Zendikarofthewest
With the death of Patrol Squadron 18, the Outer System received a moment of tense silence as the UGE reinforcements arrived. With the Ruvostali stuck in pained silence as, in the case of the Intermatter Squadron, they struggled to evacuate their groundside forces and accumulated materials in anything approaching a fast order, while for the Logistics Squadron, It was a grim hesitation for the possibility to retreat towards the Mainfleet, kept from execution by the strategically and tactically immobile Shipyards and factory-ships they were charged with protecting, as well as the additional firepower of their Defensive Stations. For the Interveners it was a moment to catch the full sight of the Ruvostali presence in the outer system, with the outer Patrol Squadrons having retreated either towards the two Flotillas or the Inner System.
Around the world of Mars’tovjenn, a dwarf planet that had only barely avoided the grasp of the neighboring Gas giant (minor compared to the others as it was) back during the systems formation. Home to the Natives unfinished Intermatter Accelerator and location of the Ruvostali Intermatter Squadron as nicked by the Interveners, the site was home to a minor but notable Gunsat network of 40 Corvette-equivalents and slowly-evacuating Groundside salvaging operations. But when it came to actual Fleet composition is notable for receiving a comparatively substantial group of reinforcement of numerous Outer-system Patrols boosting their 3 dozen prior ship-numbers with a little over a dozen Escortweights, bringing the total to a notable 42.
Consisting of 12 Corvettes, 10 Frigates, 3 Missile Destroyers, 8 Gun Destroyers, 6 Light Cruisers, 2 Light Command Cruisers and 3 Escort Carriers. The Intermatter squadron was a well rounded light squadron absent full capability to deal with heavier foes, it would serve as a manageable mop-up operation for the Interventionists lighter forces.
And around the large Gas giant of Murt’vunuld was a much more significant presence, bolstered by a much more significant Gunsat network (of around 80 Corvette equivalents) and the presence of 6 Battlecruiser-equivalent defence stations, that together with a slightly reinforced fleet of 79 guarded what was clearly meant to become a permanent operation. Numerous unfurled and active mobile Shipyards (8) in concert with fat factory-ships (6) worked on the creation of multiple squadrons of Sakepetriyv-class corvettes (32) and Hesmudt-class Frigates (16) nearing completion, fed by lunar stripmining-operations, the salvaging and reprocessing of Native wreckage and the cannibalizing of emptied haulerships for Intermatter, Ammunition and industrial components. And next to the emptied haulerships waiting for their turn were the tanker ships and motherships patiently waiting for when the Ruvostali fleet desired to move in full out of the system.
A MONUMENT TO THE ARROGANCE OF MERCILESS CONQUERORS
And as for the defending fleet, consisting of 20 Corvettes, 19 Frigates, 6 Missile Destroyers, 8 Gun Destroyers, 10 Light Cruisers, 4 Escort Carriers, 3 Light Command Cruisers, 5 Heavy Cruisers, 3 Heavy Command Cruisers and 1 Carrier. Compared to the Intermatter squadron, a much more heavily armed and armored fleet with the support of much heavier defences. Getting bogged down with the destruction of this fleet would be ill-advised when the Interveners needed all the forces they could muster if they were to defeat the Ruvostali Mainfleet, so weight of numbers and conservation of force would be key in an engagement with the remaining Outer-system Ruvostali.
—
TL;DR
@KrankysFirebrand48 The unknown Stealthship and its drones response to the Bastonians movement is to spread and move to get behind the moon, With the movement of several drones coincidentally putting them on course to compromise the Phantoms stealth through proximity.
@Fawx Patrol Squadron 12 was moments from unleashing a frenzy upon the Vaiealon Stealth-Tarokas, but the sudden appearance of Native shipkillers makes them redirect their efforts to try and, futilely, destroy the interrupting party’s munitions. They are destroyed with only minimal successful interceptions. And though the majority of the Munitions self-annihilate on the nonexistent corpses of the 12th Squadron, 9 munitions are confused enough to deem chasing after the trace-heat emissions of the Stealth-Tarokas an acceptable proposition.
@Darkstar @Zendikarofthewest The Intermatter squadron appears to be futilely rushing to retrieve whatever forces they’ve deployed to the Intermatter Facility itself, and while they still appear to be too entangled to retreat, it is doubtless they will either try and evacuate towards either the Logistics Fleet or the Mainfleet if given the earliest opportunity.
The Logistics Squadron however appear to be intent to hold their ground, bolstered by heavy defences except for minefields, the defended Shipyards and Factory ships are using their Emptied haulers, ores from the Gas giants moons and the salvage of slagged Native constructions to construct a notable number of Escortweight warships soon approaching completion. While their effectiveness is in doubt, it would nonetheless add extra hassle in fighting off the Ruvostali defenders.