Fiction:The Upstarts/Invasion of Drenmarr

After the events in the Preface to War the Drenmarr Republic has managed to make enemies of both the and the  despite having been on decent terms with both of them prior to the terrorist attack on the APR by the Collective. Now, both nations consider the Republic to be just an expanse of territory they need to conquer in order to reach one another and finally wage the war they both demand.

This part of the conflict has two distinct storylines. They are the APR Advancement and the Kioskstrum Conquest. The two take turns, every other 2nd-Scale title being one or the other. There are also sections from the Drenmarr perspective, and from the perspective of the, the Waptorian Tribal Byzan Web and the Nazaycrum Sovereign State.

The Algolurn Advancement - The Lower Province Campaign - Part 1


2 days and 8 hours since the attack on Tylambie, aboard the Komolov, flagship.


 * Young Officier - Comrade Commander, you have a communication on the secured channel.
 * Commander Kolkoze - Put it on the holodeck and leave the room now.

Comrade Commander Vlad Kolkoze, in charge of the Iron Navy, was an old Algolurn veteran with a career in the navy crowned with glory. When the APR declared war on the Collective, it was with pleasure he launched his fleet toward the Collective’s space. When the 3D model of the Comrade Chairman himself appeared, he knew something terrible was about to happen.


 * Commander Kolkoze - Red salute to you Comrade Chairman!
 * Chairman Vostok - Red salute to you too Comrade Commander. I have dire news for you. Our ambassador to the Drenmarrs just informed me that they will not honour their military obligation towards us.

The news almost made Vlad’s heart flinched. After a moment however, he managed to make an answer.


 * Commander Kolkoze - I guess so long for the quick war we hoped for.
 * Chairman Vostok - The situation is even worse than you can think commander. The plans completely changed.
 * Commander Kolkoze - And what are they exactly?

The holodeck’s projection erased the Chairman and showed up a map of the Drenmarr Republic.

Chairman Vostok - Here is your new destination. Head out to the borders of the Lower Province, the heart of their industry, or at least what remains of it. The republic is trying to muster it’s forces. Do not give them this chance! Shatter their petty armada in the sector! You will receive new instruction as soon it is done.

With reverence, the commander answered.


 * Commander Kolkoze - It shall be done Comrade Chairman.

Thinking they were done with the conversation, Vlad Kolkoze turned around to go back to the commanding desk, when the Chairman added something.


 * Chairman Vostok - Comrade Commander, avenge the honour of the Popular Republic.

Understanding the real meaning of this last sentence, the commander had a small smile and the holodeck was shut down. Comrade Commander Vlad Kolkoze opened a tactical map projection and with red eyes, elaborated his battle plan.

3 days and 6 hours since the attack on Tylambie, aboard the Komolov, flagship.


 * Commander Kolkoze - System Permafor shall be the first battle of this war, officers.

In the war room of the Komolov, Kolkoze organized a meeting with all of the ships captains.


 * Captain - Sir, this system is of no strategic value. We should directly attack the armada in the…
 * Commander Kolkoze - NO! We are still uncertain of their strength! Attacking an entrenched position could be our death! The Permafor system is defenceless. The farmers population will pose no threat. FIELD COMMANDERS 14, 15 AND 16!

The three young men shouted all together.


 * Field commanders - YES COMRADE COMMANDER!
 * Commander Kolkoze - Once the warships will be in fighting positions, I want your dropships to immediately initiate the planetary descent. Take your anti-infestation equipment with you.
 * Field Commander - Why? The anti-infestation equipment mainly consist of fire-purifier, or simply flame-throwers. We seriously can't risk...
 * Commander Kolkoze - YES YOU CAN! I want this planet to be as bright as a star, understood?
 * Field Commanders - YES COMRADE COMMANDER!
 * Commander Kolkoze - Captains, order your ships to jump to hyperspeed. We will arrive in exactly an hour. EXECUTION!

3 days and 7 hours since the attack on Tylambie, above planet Darem in the Permafor system.

All of the warships jumped out of hyperspeed in perfect synchronisation. As planned, the dropships almost immediately initiated their planet descent and arrived without any resistance. In less than an hour, Darem became a giant fireball with the Algolurn troopers setting crops and towns ablaze with no distinctions. The news of the inferno reached the Drenmarr’s small armada in the sector and immediately jumped into hyperspeed in an attempt to save the planet.


 * Commander Kolkoze - Idots! They are jumping out with absolutely no synchronisation and don’t have any time to put their shields up.

The Iron Navy’s far more combat-able crew quickly blow the arriving forces.


 * Commander Kolkoze - They were thinking we would go immediately for their industrial worlds, not some second-zone system.

The space fights ceased after 3 hours, with the Drenmarr’s armada completely obliterated and the planetary battle was done within a day. When it was over, an delighted Vlad looked over the ashes of what had once been a lush world.


 * Commander Kolkoze - Good. The Soviet Supreme will be delighted of this.

A Meeting of Powers

 * President - ... so we need to sue for peace as quickly as possible!

As the president of the Kioskstrum Collective ranted at the assortment of powerful CEOs and Chairmen, a certain chimera among them yawned widely and stood up. It was a measure of great respect (and no small amount of fear) that everyone in the room grew silent, even the president.

Chimera - Mr. President, with all due respect, you are looking at this from an entirely political perspective. Yes, this looks bad considering our government isn't allowed to have a military force beyond mere police-keeping, but, and I think I speak for everyone else here, the mercenary fleets will be more than enough to handle the governmental and obviously flawed APR.

Heads around the table nod as the powerful, if not especially imposing, figure sits back down with a rather disturbing smile on his face - not that anyone would ever tell him that. This individual was Jarid Taanji,more commonly known as Mr. Paloin. Few enough people had ever called this tycoon of cooperate power 'Jarid' and most of them were dead, for Mr. Paloin was just over 182 years old. It was widely known that Mr. Paloin was the richest person in the entire Collective, which also made him the most powerful. His corporation, Paloin Products, sat atop the pile of companies an then on a golden pillar, standing head and shoulders above even the top 20 other largest corporations in the nation.

The person he was addressing,, was the president of the Kioskstrum Collective. The two of them had called a summit of sorts between all of the most powerful people in the Collective to discuss the suddenness of the war with the. So far, the cooperate leaders had allowed the president to have his little rant, since they all knew that in the en he held little true power. In the Collective, money and power are synonymous. As the president tried to think up a half decent response to Mr. Paloin's complete dismissal of the 'Pansy Police', as they were called, several other cooperate leaders stood and supported Mr. Paloin's statement. Among them was the mercenary commander, Bureches, who had been chosen beforehand to lead the cooperate fleets. As the president visibly gave up on winning anyone over, he sat down in a huff.


 * Taanji - Well then, why am I even here?
 * Paloin - Why, to give us access to your 5%, of course. We corporations can't be expected to foot this bill entirely ourselves, now can we? I mean, imagine how that would look in your next run for office?

Swearing loudly and unprofessionally, the president glared at Mr. Paloin and then grumbled.


 * Taanji - Very well. I'll write up a bill that gives you access to 3% of every 5% we own. I can't give you more, the rest is needed for basic government functions. Mr. Paloin smiled, and then turned to his chosen commander.


 * Palion - So, Commander Bureches, how shall we proceed?
 * Bureches - The Drenmarr Republic has refused to support us, so we can only assume that they are supporting their fellow Republic. I've selected a small colony of the Drenmarr Republic to target first, as a sort of warning shot, if you will. It's called Iwazen...

Capture of Iwazen
Bureches regarded the image of the large planet with its thick atmosphere and vast oceans.


 * Bureaches - I wonder, does it always rain down there do you think?

He had asked out loud, not expecting an answer but getting one anyway.


 * Corsair - Yes sir, it actually rains 4 out of every 7 days. Not a pleasant place, but the water-based resources definitely make it a- *Bureches - SHUT UP! It was a rhetorical question damnit. Communications, send this out to all ships: Full speed ahead, don't use force unless absolutely neccessary.

The fleet, all 50 vessels, activated their in-system drives and moved with precision and speed - or so Bureches would have liked. The reality was that about a quarter of the fleet started up too soon and another quarter too slow, with only one quarter starting up at the right speed for his liking. The last quarter didn't start up at all for a full minute, time that could be the difference between success and failure on the battlefield.


 * Bureches - This fleet is far from the unified fighting machine Mr.Paloin made it out to be at the meeting...

As they arrived in planetary orbit, Bureches observed the cockroach-like activities below him as ships and military (such as it was) scrambled to react to the sudden invasion.


 * Bureches - Communications, send this on all channels: 'I am Commander Bureches of the Unified Cooperate Fleet. This planet now belongs to the Kioskstrum Collective. Any ships that attempt to leave the atmosphere will be captured or destroyed. We will commence with-

At that moment 6 military ships rose up in a lose formation, with 2 more civilian ships protected within them. As the military craft launched themselves at the Collective fleet, the two civilian craft shot away from the planet in opposite directions.


 * Merc Captain - FUCK, shoot them down, shoot them down! Not the military ships, the civilian ships! YES, I'M TELLING YOU TO FUCKING SHOOT CIVILIAN CRAFT!

As his fleet scattered, a quarter going after one ship and a third going after the other, Bureches watched as both craft were destroyed.

It was moments later that he learned that 7 of his ships had been damaged, but not by the enemy - they had surrendered with only potshots at the larger fleet. The damage had been done when his ships turned on each other because they each wanted one of the larger civilian craft for themselves. They had stopped firing almost immediately, but the damage had been done.


 * Bureches - Fucking imbeciles... ttacking each other...but then again, I don't like most of 'em either. Different mercenary groups are so used to fighting each other that they forget we're all supposed to smile and hold hands now...All right, get those 7 ships to the tender. I want Alpha and Omega groups to spread out over the planet, I'm taking Beta group with me to the surface.

The Spoils of War
Having captured the planet several hours earlier, Bureches was surprised by the fact that his boss, Mr. Paloin, was going to be visiting the planet in only an hour.


 * Bureches - Sonofabitch must've been on his way within 6 hours of our departure...

Bureches wasn't quite done preparing the planet for incorporation, but he would have no choice but to speed up his efforts now.


 * Bureches - Damn cooperates, they have no sense of military action...

An hour later, however, the planet was fully under control and ready for Mr. Paloin to incorporate the population.


 * Bureches - *Nervous laughther* Ah, Mr. Paloin, I wasn't expecting you so soon!

Bureches did his best to have a winning smile, since Mr. Paloin smiled as a form of happiness, but only succeeded in making himself look like a wolf about to pounce on one of its kin.


 * Paldion - Well, I've always believed that not having enough time is vital to achieving something great. You succeeded, and that's what matters. They're ready to be incorporated?
 * Bureches - As ready as they're likely to get any time soon.
 * Paldoin - Good good. You will, of course, get a pay raise for your services. Let us incorporate this planet and reap the profits.

Over the next three weeks, the planet Iwazen was industrialized and most of the population was relocated and split into three new colonies, with each being on a wet planet where the services of oceangoers like the people of Iwazen had been would be needed to help build the colonies up. The people left on Iwazen were forced to reveal their planets riches and watch as the Collective took those riches - historic artifacts, natural treasures, various marine resources - and sold them across the Collectives territories and trade networks to fund the continuation of the war. The people of Iwazen would never forget, but most of them would also never return to the planet.

The Battle of Arler – Part 1
6 days and 16 hours since the attack on Tylambie, somewhere in the Lower Province, Drenmarr Republic.


 * Chairman Vostok - You’ve done a fine job on Darem. I’ve heard there is nothing like the smell of crispy traitors on the morning, is that true, Comrade Commander?

Krasna Vostok’s projection on the holodeck was standing comfortably behind the office. The expression on his face was a mix between curiosity and delight.


 * Commander Kolkoze - Ho, it is even better than you could ever imagine. Revenge is a dish best served cold, but heating it up is also very tasteful.

The Chairman had a smile, laughed a bit and had a small moment to take back his breath before continuing.


 * Chairman Vostok - Anyway, we must keep our momentum. Your next target is the Orak system. The destruction of their initial armada allowed our fleets to capture the Drenmarr’s systems with almost no opposition. However, they will soon put their old abandoned shipyards in activity. Several scouts’ reports indicate the installations above planet Arler, capital of the system, are the most dangerous of these.
 * Commander Kolkoze - *Lights up a cigar* It would be a shame of all of these infrastructures were to fall into or hands, isn’t it?
 * Chairman Vostok - Still clever as ever. Dismissed Comrade.

As the holodeck was once again shutting down, Comrade Commander Kolkoze sit behind his desk, took a deep breath of his cigarette and wrote something in the commander's logs.

Meanwhile, in the Orak system, Drenmarr Republic.

Senator Kakmer Rummer, a middle-aged man, was travelling in the more than 80 years old diplomatic shuttle. ''“Probably the only thing this damned republic can afford. The first line of defence of the Most Glorious Drenmarr Republic, riding in combat with a shuttle older than him.”'' he tought. With the continuous setback the Drenmarrs, the Senate decided to send a representative to make sure the governor would hold the position. “We will arrive on Arler in a few minutes Senator.” Hearing the information from the pilot, Kakmer took a look at the few guards assigned his protection. ''“They are so young my son could be their father. This whole situation is absurd.”''

As soon as the shuttle’s door was open, the Senator, flanked by his cortege, rushed out and almost ran over the governor.


 * Senator Rummer - Governor, what a pleasure to see you.
 * Governor - I wish I could say as much Senator. But you see, I’m afraid your presence here is no longer required.

At this moment, a whole troop of soldier appeared behind the governor and the Senator, arms in hands.


 * Governor - You see Senator, I hold my life for precious and one thing is sure: resisting to the Popular Republic’s Iron Navy isn’t really good for my health. I’m sure you can understand.

Shocked, Senator Kakmer almost get his personal weapon out, but one of his personal guards grabbed his hand, just in time. An eye contact between both of them made the Senator understood of how badly that decision would have ended.


 * Governor - Get back into this pile of rust you call a vessel, Senator. This war will not ravage the Orak system.

Still completely red of rage, the Senator slowly started walking back in the shuttle.


 * Senator Rummer - Get us to the closest colonized system. I swear I will get this old man’s head on my desk!

7 days and 21 hours since the attack on Tylambie, Orak system, Drenmarr Republic


 * Senator Rummer - Pilots, land on in front of the governor’s palace. Rush to the planet, do not answer identifications calls!

Back with some civilians ships filled with militias, most of them equipped with nothing more than basic pistols and rifles used for hunting and wildlife controls, the Senator was back above Arler. The ships landed quickly and the palace’s guards were obliterated by the superior number of the militias.


 * Senator Rummer - You guys, come with me. You, guard the entrance. No one is allowed to enter. Shoot anyone who tries to!

The few guards left in the palace did not offer much resistance, most of them surrendering. Before the governor even known what happened, the militias stormed the office.


 * Senator Rummer - Here you are old man. Glad we are able to talk again that soon. Our last conversation kind of ended a little bit prematurely, don’t you think?
 * Governor - You don’t understand. This war is already over for us. Or time is long gone. Our republic is too sick to be saved! We need to…

The aged man did not finished it’s sentence before Kakmer smashed his gun on the man’s head, knocking him down on the floor, with a tiny blood stream coming out.


 * Senator Rummer - Because you think the Algolurns will spare us? It is too late. We betrayed them and their honour has been wasted. Only our blood on the floor will re-establish it. And like you old man, I’m not willing to die so easily. GUARDS! Bring him to the nursery and always keep an eye on him.

8 days and 1 hour since the attack on Tylambie, on the public place in front of the governor’s palace on Arler, Orak system, Denmarr Republic.


 * Senator Rummer - By the power the High Senate of the Denmarr Republic bestowed on me, I, Senator Kakmer Rummer, declare all these men guilty of high treason and to be hanged until death follows. Executioner, do your work!

As the executioner followed the Senator’s orders, pulling the levy to open the traps, the guards that were loyal to the governor fallen through the wooden shaft’s floor, gesticulated for a moment, before expiring their last breath. The Senator had convoked the planet’s media to broadcast the executions planet-wide.


 * Senator Rummer - And you, governor, for the so outrageous acts of infamy you committed against your own motherland, I condemn you to become a [| Bloody Eagle]!

Terrified, the old governor was quickly grabbed by 2 men while the executioner brought a blade that would inspire fear even in the most hardened warrior. The old man tried pulling one arm, then another, but too weak, failed to flee. The executioner did a first massive cut on the back, up to down.


 * Senator Rummer - Slower, I want him to feel all the pain he deserve!

The executioner started the second opening on the old man’s back, down to up this time, taking all the time. The man scream the man did was probably heard a mile around. Once done with it, the executioner, took a swig of alcool before pouring it on the open wounds which made the former governor yell even more loudly, to the point some blood spitted out of his mouth. Then, the slaughterman placed the blade aside and grabbed giant pliers that were heating up all this time in a furnace. White red coloured because the heat, they man cut the governor’s ribs one by one. At this point, the governor’s screams were so strong that they were probably able to damage ears. This long and though process was slow, the governor losing consciousness several times and having to be reanimated, while the pliers were also heat again and again. Once done, for the final part, the militias attached the governor’s arms to pillars to prevent him from falling and the executioner swiftly placed both part of the rib cage in wing’s positions. The victim’s internal organs fell on the shaft, while the governor lived for the last minute. “And let this be a clear message to every citizen in the Orak system: Every one of you are now considered defenders of the Republic! Traitors and enemy will be shot on sight. Glory to Drenmarr!” As the Senator retired, the media started to pack their materials up while the corpse will be let in position for an undetermined amount of time.

The Battle of Arler – Part 2
9 days and 9 hour since the attack on Tylambie, close to the Orak system, Drenmarr Republic.

Comrade Commander Vlad Kolkoze was looking at the holodeck, projecting a stellar map of the Orak System. With an serious expression on, he was revisiting a last time the battle plan he adopted. Seeming satisfied, he was finally ready to launch the attack.


 * Commander Kolkoze - All captains, I'm broadcasting your respective destination...right now! All ships, hyperspeed, NOW!

In a matter of seconds, the Iron Navy was upon encircled the Orak system, but nothing.


 * Commander Kolkoze - Nothing? The' hell is going on?! There were suppose to be at least a minor flee...

The commander wasn't able to finish his thought when a scream from a cruiser's captain interrupted him.


 * Commander Kolkoze - What the hell?! Holodeck, close-look on cruiser AP-55.

As the projection switched from the system view to zoom on the cruiser, all that was to be seen was a fire ball.


 * Commander Kolkoze - Holodeck, enlarged system view!

The projection quickly zoomed out, now showing the whole system, the Iron Navy's ships, awaiting in position, the shining star, the planets and the small asteroids. "Nothing alarming. Where are these sons of a..." Here gain, Vlad wasn't able to hold on to his thoughts, cut by another transmission.


 * Destroyer's Captain - This is Destroyer Vilk-41. We're hit Comrades! Evac' pods are jam'd! HHHEEELLLPPP!
 * Commander Kolkoze - Copy captain! Battleship Vassilief-04, rescue all the destroyer! Well, forget, it is too late. The hell is that guys!
 * Another Destroyer's Captain - Commander, it is Destroyer Vilk-37. There is movements inside the asteroids belt.
 * Commander Kolkoze - Copy captain. Holodeck, close-look on the belt!

What Vlad discovered made a drop a sweat appear on it's forehead.


 * Commander Kolkoze - These motherfuckers have suicide-ships! All warships, open fire on anything leaving the asteroids or that looks suspicious. Do not hold your fire!

As all ships turned around to begin firing on the belt, another detonation occurred on a cruiser.


 * Commander Kolkoze - BITCHES! They are filled with nuclear explosives!

Scenarios and plans were rushing in the commander's head. A decision was require, here and now.


 * Commander Kolkoze - Dropships, rush to Arler! Neutralize the command center, now! You will have to do without orbital support! Use anything at your disposal. Good luck men.

As soon the transmission ended, thousands and thousands of dropships started to move toward the capital world. The planetfall was rude and several dropships weren't able to slow down and crashed into the city. Extensive fights popped-up all over the capital. The civilians were fighting with everything they could find from stone to bottles. Bloodthirsty Drenmarr militias, on the order of the Senator Kakmer, executed anyone attempting to flee. Still, the lack of proper training and decent weaponry eventually made the militias flinch. After hours of street combats, the way to the palace was open for the Algolurn commandos. The view of the mutilated governor, still decomposing on the shaft he was left on, made some soldier puke their dinner.

9 days and 21 hour since the attack on Tylambie, former governor's palace, Drenmarr Republic.

The fights finally ceased, both on the ground and above. The Iron Navy lost a couple of good ships but overall, did a good job at surviving. The capture of the palace and the command center located there was sufficient to disable all suicide bombers. Comrade Commander Vlad insisted to personally see the palace and capture the Senator himself. A group of soldier were guarding the alley, some of them aiming their weapons at a door that was hasty barricaded from the inside. A young lieutenant, with blood stains all over his uniform, approached the commander.


 * Lieutenant - He is inside comrade. As ordered, the men awaited for you.
 * Commander Kolkoze - Excellent. Hand me your carbine. Be ready, at my signal lieutenant, use these explosive charges to put the door down. Soldiers, in 3... 2... 1... GO!

The lieutenant pressed the trigger, setting off a huge explosion which made the door fly all the way to the other side of the room, squishing a Drenmarr guard with it.


 * Commander Kolkoze - GO GO GO! You there, launch your flash bang in there!

The soldier waved his head in sign of agreement, throwing the device with a uncommon force in the door. The giant flash following allowed Kolkoze and his men to rush inside the room, slaughtering the few guards and militias in there. Once done, only the Senator was left of them.


 * Commander Kolkoze - Here you are, Senator Kakmer. When I heard the republic has sent someone to command the defence of this hell hole, I taught his heart would made a fine trophy on my desk, don't you agree?

The Senator, visibly terrified grabbed his pistol in a hurry, but Vlad shot his hand with is energetic rifle before he could, knocking him on the floor with force of the impact.


 * Commander Kolkoze - *Smiles sadistically* Come on Senator, I though you would be best friend you know? Don't you wanna come play with me on my ship?

The Senator looked more terrified then ever.


 * Commander Kolkoze - *Laughs* If you wanna stay here, fine. Just don't tell I didn't warn you. I don't like that, you see...

A soldier behind Vlad shot a capture net on the Senator, trapping him on the wall.

'*Commander Kolkoze - *Still grinning* Fair enough men. Let's leave now. We would not want to bother his Majesty Kakmer after all, don't we?

As the commander and his men were leaving, all laughing together, Vlad said something to the lieutenant. When done, the young men grabbed a piece of wood, strapped some clothers around the end of it and lighted it up before throwing it on the floor. The Senator's screams for help and mercy changed nothing to it's fate. Once out, Vlad grabbed a field commander and ordered him to set up the explosives. Once in orbit with all of it's forces, the Comrade Commander triggered all the nuclear devices placed all over the planet. There was a giant flash and then, only smoke and ashes on planet Arler. Vlad thought to himself "That will learn them to nuke some of my ships. I would be surprise if any civilian ever try to fight us from now on."

The final part of the Campaign
The Battle of Arler was the last easy one. The Drenmarr Republic finally managed to assemble decent armadas and started to counter-attack. It was however already too late for them. The Lower Province and the industry it hold that could have saved the Drenmarr Republic was almost fully occupied. The Chancellor ordered evacuation of the systems at risks. The population was evacuated, but time was to short to disassemble the production facilities. The Republic keep sending waves and waves of ships in suicide missions against the Iron Navy. While some ships took damages from these attacks, the looses outweighed the gains by far more. 2 weeks after the beginning of the Lower Province Campaign, it was mission accomplish. The Soviet Supreme officially declared the Lower Province now part of the Algolurn Popular Republic. The region was repopulated and the industry became once more fully operational, after years of stagnation under Drenmarr's directions.

The War Goes Well
A few weeks into the open warfare stage of the conflict, the Kioskstrum Collective has conquered most of the Drenmarr territories in the branch that's located near them. At this point, the Collective is using the various horrendous war acts committed by the APR as their excuse - "They can't defend themselves so we must defend them!" being the rallying cry for common people to step up and fight. That and a government and cooperation funded "Majority Soldier Initiative" which gives people 70% of their own stock - eventually. With these new intiatives the only real limit to the expansion of military groups is the speed at which they can train troops, which Virtual Reality easily streamlines. The boosts allow for quick and complete conquering of the Drenmarr Republic, and by showing themselves as saviors many of the Drenmarr planets aren't even particularly upset about the change in government.

In a letter sent from Bureches on the front lines of the war to Mr. Paloin at his cooperate headquarters, it was stated that the war was going extremely well for the Collective, and that it was only a matter of time before the Drenmarr Republic officially surrendered and focus could be placed upon conquering the backwards nation calling itself the "Popular" Republic while burning entire worlds to a crisp.

"This war is almost too easy, Mr. Paloin sir. We've conquered three planets at the time of this letter, and the sad (or best) part is that this was a slow day for us, due to a recent argument between two mercenary groups about how to handle a punishment. But even situations like that are becoming less and less common, sir, as the war progresses. I'm going to say now that, despite the financial losses from the few major battles we actually had to fight, this entire war against the Drenmarr was probably the best possible thing to happen to us. If we had to face the well-commanded and well-organized APR military the way we were at the first battle of this war... we wouldn't be having the conversation because I'd be dead and you'd probably be rocketing your way to another galaxy right now. And before you start thinking up a reply saying something along the lines of 'we would not be losing!' or 'they can't possibly be better than us!' I will make it very clear that they were, and are, better than our troops. But the gap is closing, and I think that by the time we reach the territories they're conquering our military will be on par with theirs. For now, victories are ours daily, and the fleet becomes stronger all the time. Don't lose us support back home and I'll keep this up all the way to their capital."

- Letter from Bureches to Mr. Paloin

A pair of figures walk down a large tunnel that curves upward slightly due to being inside an unmapped asteroid in a system not registered as inhabited by any government.


 * ???2 - Do you think this war could be a danger to us, boss?
 * ???1 - No. Their military already serves me, and these new planets are gullible enough to believe everything we tell them. We will build our own military, and with that military we will become a third power in this conflict, and then we will destroy the winner.It's a simple plan, but no less possible for it.
 * ???2 - Absolutely boss, you know best boss.
 * ???1 - Of course I do. That's why I'm the one in charge and you're still just the heir apparent.

The two figures continue walking, and they pass through a part of the tunnel that leads to a large room with what appears to be a warship being constructed within it.


 * Blackjack - We will be more powerful than anyone else in the sector when this war ends, and everyone will fear the name of Blackjack.

Meanwhile, a certain skilled coder and super genius chuckles as he thinks of the best way to use the information his little spy-drone gathered on the asteroid that the killer of his parents was living on. He doesn't smile, but simply turns back to his computers and prepares for the next stage in his plan to destroy his enemies.

State of the War - Day 30
At this point, the Upstarts Wars have been going on for 30 days. The APR has captured and annexed the Lower Province of the Drenmarr Republic. The Drenmarr Republic, already crippled by centuries of stagnation on political, economical and military levels, was blown a crippling hit with this lost, since it was holding most of their industrial capacities still operational. Their warships proven ineffective against the Iron Navy, while their crews suffer lacks of combat experience. The savages acts committed by the Algolurns at the battles of Permafor and Arler, combined to the absence of military tradition in the Drenmarr Republic, also shattered their will to fight.

On their side, the Kioskstrum Collective (ADD YOUR THINGIES HERE MASTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).

Still, the Drenmarrs, after so may step back, finally mustered their ships together and finally managed to put some of their remaining industrial capacities back online. However, the situation still look grim for them, as both Comrade Commander Vlad Vostok and Commander Bureches and his mercenaries are both preparing to push further inside Drenmarr's territory. Comrade Commader Vlad Kolkoze was ordered to stand his ground in the Lower Province, to protect the arriving colonists and engineers, while preparing for the new orders.

Enemy at the Gate! - Battle of Stanis
It has been 20 days now since the Battle of Arler. The Iron Navy advanced and secured the whole Lower Province since and was affected to the defence of the region. Millions and millions of engineers were sent to restore the abandoned factories and modernizing the ones that were operational. The men who took part in the Battle of Arler were sent back home in permission. The Comrade Commander was since supervising the integration of the new recruits. Except sporadic raids, the Drenmarrs seemed abnormally quiet.

30 days and 2 hours since the attack on Tylambie, above planet Varko, Kurk system, border of the Middle and Lower Province.

Vlad was sit at the commanding desk, writing in the commander's logs, smoking one of his cigarettes. The commander was quiet, but still alert. Suddenly, a green light started flashing, indicating a communication entering. Vlad put the logs on the desk and pressed the light, opening the holodeck, revealing a scout ship's captain.


 * Commander Kolkoze - Comrade Commander Kolkoze, listening.
 * Scout Captain - Scout reporting sir. We are picking up strange signatures incoming from an supposedly uncolonized system in the Middle Province, sir. We are not sure of what is is, but it is emitting strange radiation sir.
 * Commander Kolkoze - Show me the pictures.

The holodeck erased the captain and switched to a picture of somekind of vast installations.


 * Commander Kolkoze - Please stand by captain.

Vlad, suspicious about what he seen, composed the post to contact the Information Analysis Unit. The holodeck changed and showed a little Murglbrg. Though "little" was not exactly the right word to desribe him, as the Murglbrg, and especially the Borealis variant, towered over most other races, having a far larger muscle mass as well. This was because the Murglbrg were originally created as the brawn and workers of the Urglbrg, a war)like race of scientists.


 * Chief Analyst - Chief Analyst reporting commander!
 * Commander Kolkoze - I want an analyst to come to my room immediately.
 * Chief Analyst - Copy sir. I'm sending one of my guys right now.
 * Commander Kolkoze - No! I want you personally, Chief Analyst.
 * Chief Analyst - Very well sir.

The analyst arrived within minutes. He looked even shorter then he seemed on the holodeck's projection. Vlad was looking at the pictures sent by the captain and did not even noticed the man entrance until he talked.


 * Chief Analyst - Chief Analyst, reporting sir!
 * Commander Kolkoze - Come here and take a look at this.

The small Murglbrgs approched and took a look at the picture displayed on the projection. After a couple minutes, Vlad asked something.


 * Commander Kolkoze - So, what do think it is?
 * Chief Analyst - I'm... I'm not sure sir. But...
 * Commander Kolkoze - Don't be afraid. What is your opinion?

The analyst took some more seconds to look at the pictures before finally answering.

(I NEED AN IDEA MASTER! WHAT DO YOU THIN KIT COULD BE?) (Well, that depends on if we want to introduce more players in the war... if not, then it could be a surprise attack fleet from the Kioskstrum Collective, or they could have come across a secret military fleet being prepared by the Drenmarr - both of which would be unexpected. Something unrelated to the military aspect, but still important, could be a star destabilizing and preparing to go SuperNova, which would probably wipe out most of the Middle Providence, explaining why the analyst is so nervous. Lastly, it could be the Union of Mecholife, but I won't be officially introducing them until this war is over so you wouldn't be able to communicate with them if you encountered scout ships or something. They're a Tier 2, so it would explain why they're confused.) (It could very well be the Waptorian Byzan Web. In the wake of the Polular republic, they've been setting up secret bases everywere in the Lower province, with they intend to become the HQ and shared territory of the "Peoles Grand Alliance of Eastern Byzan", the communistic triple alliance between them, the Polpular republic and the Expanse, though all huts, tree villages and maya-themed buildings on the outside, beneath them are vast, kinda alive hives of moss, vines and plant matter that constantly create new cell-spores that eventually transform into womb-like sporocysts each holding an newly-created Bio-Soldier within. These sporocysts can combine into a gigantic organic vat in with the Web's spaceships are developped. That could be the cause of the strange signals.)'