Battle of Cornucopia,
HMS Eternity

Hell had broken loose, but the Stoinians were prepared for it. Corvousier suspected that the first wave was but a testing fleet. Its size was indeed unsettling, but they had the numerical advantage and support of the defensive platforms. The Stoinian fighters were deployed as soon as the Venterran fleet had left the wormhole, however, they hadn't anticipated in an in-system jump. Even the Velutarians didn't use such tactics with their slipspace engines. The MAC canons from the larger ships were loading, but the sudden disappearance of the Venterrans had helped them in a way. Now up close, the MAC rounds fired up close and shattering smaller Venterran destroyers. If this was to become an up close fight. Then so be it!

"Fleet Section One and Two, continue defending the remaining fleeing civilian ships. Defensive grids, focus MAC rounds on Venterran battleships. Batter them with all that you've got. All fighter wings, intercept boarding actions to our defensive platforms. Rest of the fleet initiate attack manoeuvre Bravo-November-Sierra!"

With those orders the Stoinian star ships formed three dimensional arrows. A large ship in the middle escorted by multiple screen ships. This attack manoeuvre was often called the Batter 'n Slash. It involved these attacking arrows to first batter a target with the MAC rounds from all involved ships into weak spots of the enemy ship. Then, while the screens evaded, the large ships would engage full thrusters and ram the enemy ships in hopes to shatter it and render it useless. Then the aft MAC canons finished the scattered ships with another volley. This tactic had its flaws and depended on the ship's structural strength and shielding, but when targeting smaller ships, it proved effective. Thus the Stoinian ships started forming "hunting packs" actively destroying Venterran ships who came close to their defensive lines. The defensive platforms focused on battering the larger Venterran dreadnoughts while the packs sought their targets. The Eternity, using its large size, went after Venterran dreadnoughts to ram them. If the Venterrans wanted to skip the early battle where the Stoinians hammered their ships first with long distance volleys, the Stoinians would bring it up close to them.

Battle of Cornucopia
CorDefCOM HQ

HQ was littered with alarms and shouting. Field Marshal Häkkinen kept his cool and prepared his defences around the spaceports. The fate of Cornucopia would rest now on what happened above them. Would they have to seal themselves or would Corvousier be able to repel them? Häkkinen decided to take pre-emptive measures. 

"Raise planetary shields after the last transport are within safety ranges. We're going into full lockdown, alert the planet. Mobilize the Air Force, if any Venterran dropships make it past, shoot them down!"

Thus Cornucopia shielded itself. No bullet, energy bolt or ship could enter the planet now. All its remaining 710 billion inhabitants could do was watch the sky lit up with explosions as the battle waged above them.

Battle of Cornucopia,
Cornucopia Southern Spaceport

ince the planetary shield had been activated, the Venterrans had two choices. To actively bombard until the planetary shield failed or use the space elevators as a means to bypass the shield. However, if they believed it would be easy, they would be wrong. Cornucopia had three such elevators, the Northern, Equatorial and Southern one. The northern one was intended as bait. It had been rigged with high yield explosives, but the Stoinian ships formed around it to give it a false sense of importance. It's goal was to lure as many Venterran ships and boarding parties around it to take it down with them. It's controls were diverted planetside, but Marine forces were tasked to hold the boarding parties at bay until they had committed enough forces. The Equatorial and Southern Spaceports too had their failsafes. Stoinian Artillery had locked unto them and awaited the orders if the spaceport was deemed lost.
Aboard the Southern Spaceport, Major Paul Harrison was in command of Alpha Company of the 763rd EVA Battalion. A unit designated to zero gravity combat, they would be the surprise for the Venterrans. Compared to Northern Spaceport, the Stoinians intended to make the Venterrans bleed for every corner of the Southern and Equatorial Spaceports.

"All right men. Do not fear our enemy. They are no Terrans, they have given up their mankind when they attacked. As far as I'm concerned, they are a bunch of fucking bastards who need some good spanking. And that's what we'll give them. From all angles possible!"

Alpha Company laughed at their commander. The humour had eased their tensions.

"Now boys, let's show them what it means to be Stoinian! For God and King!"

"Ura! Ura! Ura!"

 

Cornucopia Southern Spaceport, one of the three spaceport and space elevators of Cornucopia.

Pacifica: Myria, Sallodesia, Stoinia • A1-0: Stoinian Star Kingdom • Aurora: Kingdom of Threnebor

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30 minutes into the Battle of Cornucopia, VNS Tip of the Spear

Commander Pryde observed the tide of battle closely analyzing the 3 dimensional arrow head formation of the enemy and grinned. "The Terrans are smart enough to use their numbers to overwhelm the shields of our Frigates and Cruiser, although their decision to ram our vessels is questionable..... Comms! Status Report on our boarding parties!" "Sir, General Mykraft reports that boarding parties have successfully taken five of their orbital defense platforms and reports heavy fighting on 10 others. The General expects his divisions to take them by the time the Second Wave arrive. However, advance boarding parties may be able to land on the Southern Elevator if we fire them directly at the elevator."

"I see... have the VNS Regal Knight deploy her complement of Hell-" said the Commander before he was interrupted by one of the Bridge crew, "Commander, the VNS Regal Knight's been rammed by a Stoinian Dreadnaught, The Regal Knight's shields and hull have held, but they've suffered extensive internal damage, her captain reports that they can only withstand 2 more hits before the shields fail." "What's the nearest vessel?" mildly annoyed that he interrupted by his crew. "Ours sir, the others are too busy engaging the Stoinian screens who are whittling the shields for their cruisers and dreadnaughts to ram our own vessels."

Commander Pryde grimaced as he roared, "Damn the Rail Guns. Helmsman Full speed ahead! We're relieving the Regal Knight and disabling that dreadnaught.
Inform the King's Hand to fire the Hell Divers at the nearest space elevator and and the fleet initiate the Void protocols! If they think they can ram through our ships with impunity we'll give 'em a nasty surprise!" The crew fell silent for a moment as they understood that initiating void protocols would mean that if the VNS Tip of the Spear suffered catastrophic damage by an enemy ram attack then they would be engulfed by the quantum rift alongside their foe in a localized slipspace explosion destroying both vessels and those unlucky enough to be caught in the blast range. 

The Commander understood their hesitation and spoke calmly, "I know many of you don't want to be lost to the void, but we must take down the enemy. It can't be our comrades who avenge us! The deed must be done by us, if any of our ships are damaged beyond repair by an enemy ramming attack then they drag the enemy down kicking and screaming into the void. We are the Vanguard and we can not disgrace this honor! Now show these Apes the power of the Federation!" 

The crew nodded and relayed the Commander's orders, war is hell, but it is the vanguards role to drag the enemy further into the void...
  

Battle Cornucopia, King's Hand

The Venterran Hell Divers were the Federation's premier EVA shocktroopers. Programmed and trained to be loyal they, embodied the Federation's ruthlessness by taking no quarter and moving forward no matter the cost. Captain Hasega was given the honors of leading the King's Hand's detachment of Hell Divers and he did so with pride. When the order came for them to breach the Southern Elevator, he relished the opportunity to lead his men once more unto the breach. To experience the joy that came from the adrenaline of fight or flight. He was mad with blood lust, but so were they all. He looked at his men, all xenos of varying races, he smiled,
"Alright maggots, its time to go into your pods, We've been given the honor of taking the first stab at an enemy elevator. We don't know what we'll face, but I can assure you that it'll be a fight to remember! Let us hope these so called, 'Stoinians' can put up a fight that we can enjoy because tonight we seize our glory!" The men roared with enthusiasm jumping into their pods and were fired straight towards the enemy elevator...

Just call me Frost

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King of the Hill

(This post was last modified: 06-14-2021, 08:15 PM by Imperial Frost Federation.)

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Battle of Cornucopia
H.M.S. Eternity

Although the battle was going well for the Stoinians, Corvousier saw the bigger picture. Five platforms had fallen into enemy hands, he couldn't allow any more of them to fall into the enemy hands. If the Stoinians were to recapture Cornucopia, the defensive platforms would help the Venterrans have a range advantage. Something the Stoinians would make extensive use of if they were to return. NO! They mustn't fall. It was time to finally use the traps they had if they wished to succeed against this wave of Venterrans. Corvousier suspected more would come and the current wave had to be eliminated. They still had the numerical advantage. He opened the comms to the fleet from his Admirality Command Center.

"Attention Stoinian Fleets, the enemy has managed to capture defensive installations. I therefore order their immediate retreat. Authentication Code: Charlie-Zero-Zero-Six-Niner-Four. All platforms abandon ship, nearby vessels pick them up before the Venterran fighters pick them off. Rest of the fleet, we're going for phase 2. Form defensive perimeters around the space elevators. Group Delta, prepare for Alexander's Manoeuvre. God's speed to all of you."

Corvousier looked at the large hologram displaying his forces. The Stoinian ships no longer began to flicker around, but slowly moved to form a defensive perimeter around the space elevators. Even those had begun to be boarded and the Stoinians were forced to rearrange their formation. The Stoinians Fleets were assigned to a group that formed the perimeter of each space elevator. Group Delta was assigned to the Northern Spaceport, when Corvousier would give his signal, they'd jump out of the system. Then re-enter realspace just outside the system, presuming that Venterran tech wouldn't detect them that far out, and re-emerge the battle from behind and pierce the Venterrans from behind. However, the time spent just outside the system would be so small that any meaningful detection could be discarded. 

The defensive platforms too switched strategies. They were to be abandoned while their self destruction systems began the countdown. The Stoinians wouldn't leave anything to help the Venterrans if they had any say in it. Venterran fighters adapted and started to target the escape pods, but most would be saved. When all pods had launched from the platforms, either in mere seconds or minutes, they exploded. Taking the Venterrans with them, the Stoinians made it clear that the Venterrans would have to bleed much if they wish to exterminate the Stoinians.

Corvousier continued and saw that what he had suspected to be a Venterran flagship to gain speed. Had they begun to use the same tactics? As a veteran of the Velutarian War, he knew that slipspace ruptures could be harming the Stoinian ships. Was the madman doing such a things? Corvousier's assistant then showed a datapad. No word or anything was spoken, but Corvousier read the datapad and understood why. 

Mon Dieu... Aide-moi de ce cauchemar.

Battle of Cornucopia
Cornucopia Southern Spaceport

Major Harrison and Alpha Company were tasked to protect the spaceport from boarding parties. The Venterrans had come sooner than expected. Their pods had large spikes which were able to cut through the multiple layers of Stoinian armour. The Venterran Hell Divers had free reign the first few minutes, but then the 763rd EVA Battalion finally caught up with them. Alpha Company was sent at the brunt alongside Stoinian Marines. Through the corners the Stoinians began to pin down the Venterrans, but they had not expected the sight they first saw when they turned the corner facing the Venterrans. Multiple xenos fought alongside the Terrans. The Ryccians had showed the Stoinians it was possible, but they hadn't expected them to fight alongside their age old enemy. From the depths of hell their mortal enemy had returned again. The Mardakii were here! Fighting alongside Terrans!

Although trained to remain focused, some Stoinians were shocked but were easily shot down by the Venterrans. Rage and fear overtook the Stoinians' minds. How could this have happened? What sort of devilry were the Venterrans up to? Major Harrison understood the turmoil, but he decided there was no time for it. His troops formed behind bulkheads at the cross-section.

"Boys, looks like it's our turn for the Great Hunt! Our ancestors are looking upon us now. Do not fear them, if they defeated them so shall we! We all saw the vids, up close, climb and knife them in their necks. Bayonet charge after grenades. Give them hell."

The Stoinians fixed their bayonets and kept their knives at the ready. Like their ancestors before them, they would face the Mardakii with the same courage as in Sayed's Charge. They had superior armour now and the experience. Harrison wanted to scatter the Venterrans if possible, just so to stall them. That was his ultimate goal. 

"Launch grenades!" 

The Stoinians threw their grenades towards the Venterrans to blind and to soften them up. A few smoke grenades were launched as well to give them a bit of cover. Then the order came and with it the Stoinians screamed with complete bloodlust. Shoulder to shoulder the ran towards the Venterrans, firing rounds as they approached them. They wanted to exert their revenge on the Mardakii as well, who would become the major targets of the Stoinians. Perhaps the Venterrans would be shocked to see how proficiently the Stoinians would kill their tallest species. Or the bloodlust of the Stoinians once they decapitated a few of the Mardakii and throw the heads back at the Venterrans. Stoinians aimed to be a stoic people overall, but when it came to the Mardakii, no mercy was to be given.

"CHAAAAAAAAAAARGE! Shed their blood for our ancestors!"

Pacifica: Myria, Sallodesia, Stoinia • A1-0: Stoinian Star Kingdom • Aurora: Kingdom of Threnebor

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Paragon Sector,
TaiSihn,
Stoinian Foreign Legion Headquarters

Lieutenant General Keenan Koeremoer was enjoying his break behind his desk. After about a month, the Legionnaires were now well entuned with basic training. Although a few incident forced the Stoinians to make an example of Ryccian supremacists. 200 of them had been put before a firing squad of xenos. Speciesism and racism had no place in the Legion and the new Legionnaires understood that message loud and clear that day. The Foreign Legion was a diverse bunch. Not only because of its many species, but by motivations as well. Some wanted to escape from past crimes or they were too heavily indebted in their nation of origin while others saw this as an opportunity to gain honour. Nonetheless, here they were and it was Koeremoer's job now to forge these lads into a new fighting force. Like his forefather, the legendary Col. Koeremoer, the founder of the Stoinian Army, he was now in charge of making an army. He wanted the Legion to become as fierce if not even fiercer than the Marine Force. The Mandalorians had proven themselves thus far and would form a pillar for the Legion. Just about now the Legion's command to begin dividing the Regiments and Battalions. He had some ideas, but he would receive the needs of the Star Kingdom sooner than expected.

The viewscreen on his desk chirped.

"Incoming message from Grand Marshal Tharal Grant. Priority Code: Zero."

Koeremoer didn't know what to think. That kind of code was only used for the most dire of situations. He hadn't heard it since the Velutarian War, something wasn't right. Especially since it was the Old Bulldog, Grand Marshal Grant himself. He clicked on a button and the Grand Marshal appeared on his screen. 

"Sir, what can I do for you?"

"Lieutenant General Koeremoer, I have some news you might be surprised to hear."

"Ah, how could that be?"

"You know we are at war with the Venterrans now. They have entered the Cornucopia system and Grand Admiral Corvousier is fighting them there as we speak. The Royal War Council is making strategies for possible outcomes. We intend to make them pay for every inch of space. However, we're also planning on ways to liberate Cornucopia. Though recent reports have indicated some worries."

"I'm all ears Sir."

"Reports indicate that the Venterrans are in fact aligned with the Mardakii."

A brief pause overtook the room. Koeremoer didn't believe it. His own kind fighting side by side with the Stoinians' sworn enemy? What had the Stoinians done wrong to bring this cursed situation upon themselves?

"Are you certain, Sir?"

"Quite so, Lieutenant General. I know that you're eager to manifest the Foreign Legion's reputation. It seems that fortune is smiling upon you, I was thinking of recommending the Foreign Legion to help eventually retake Cornucopia as it appears they will be on their own for a while before we can liberate them."

"How much time do you expect before we can retake Cornucopia?"

"The shield could hold for months with the current number of Venterran ships, but I fear that they are still holding back their forces and their initial wave is just to test our tactics and strength. The Old Dreadnought is giving them hell, but I fear he'll be forced to retreat. If the Venterrans decide to push further into our territory, I don't think we can hold them off as our fleets aren't yet in range. At the soonest, I expect we can liberate Cornucopia in six months."

Six months, plenty of time to train the Legionnaires. Yes, he would do it. He would grant the Legion this honour.

"In that case, Sir. I'd like for the Stoinian Foreign Legion to volunteer in the liberation of Cornucopia when the time comes, Sir. They'll be in shape by then."

"Duly noted, Lieutenant General. I expect updates every two weeks from you. I'm sure if anyone can make an army out of that rabble, it must be a Koeremoer. Good luck, Lieutenant General."

"Yes, Sir!"

Just like that the Old Bulldog disappeared. The stakes had risen now, but the Legion needed a goal to function and that is what Koeremoer would give them now. Morale was still low because of the Ryccian supremacists incident, but this might just help them get back on track. Without a doubt, he gave the order to assemble the Legion. He left his desk and in about ten minutes the Stoinian Sergeant Majors had drilled the Legionnaires up in formation. The whole Legion stood below Koeremoer as he looked over them from the balcony. 42.000 individuals stood in front of him. It still amazed him how much that actually meant. As time progressed the numbers of men to able to hold a planet had grown exponentially, let alone an entire Star Kingdom. The true scope of the Army at large was nearly unthinkable, but Koeremoer hadn't yet grown accustomed to having so many under his direct command. The Legion was silent, awaiting for the reason why they had been assembled. It had only happened once during this time of day so the Legionnaires were perplexed.

"Legionnaires!"

"Sir! Yes, Sir!"

"A great terror has befallen the Stoinian Star Kingdom. You may not know, but a recent discovery of a wormhole in the Cornucopia system, and subsequent contact with a hostile star nation, known as the Venterran Federation, has lead to our Kingdom to declare war. Gentlebeings, we are at war!"
 The Legion murmured, but the Sergeant Majors were swift to keep the silence.

"I'm told that the Venterrans are Terrans just as I and many of you. Not only that, but they have aligned themselves with the sworn enemy of all Stoinians: the cursed Mardakii. Those names may not say much to you, but in time they will. We Stoinians never fathomed the idea that we'd have to fight our fellow Terran brethren. But many of you aren't limited by such fears. No, my dear Legionnaires. You fear nothing, not even death itself. For you are already dead! This is the opportunity that will define each and every one of you. This war with the Venterrans will forge you into the most ruthless Legion this Star Kingdom has ever known. Just recently I volunteered this very Legion to be amongst the first units to help liberate the planet of Cornucopia from these intruders! The honour will be ours!"

Some of the Legionnaires began to shout Kote, the Mandalorian word for glory. Their enthusiasm for war was unlike anyone else's. Koeremoer smiled upon his men. 

"Indeed, glory awaits us all. But before we claim that glory, we still have much to do. My superiors have told me that they expect us to fight in six months, but I want you ready in five! The past month of training was just the beginning. A mere introduction of what is yet to come. For if you truly want to claim eternal glory, you must use every ounce of strength in you to overcome your training and that of the battlefield. The following month you'll be tested thoroughly and designated to a Battalion with its own specialization. So rise up and claim your new identity and home in the Legion. For the Legion! Victory is life!"

In unison, the Legionnaires repeated their Commander. "For the Legion! Victory is life!" Then the Mandalorians again stole the show, they started to sing a traditional war song from their cultures. Vode An it was called and their fellow Legionnaires began to sing it with them or at least tried. The gesture moved Koeremoer. It had worked, the troops were motivated again. They would claim their glory.

Pacifica: Myria, Sallodesia, Stoinia • A1-0: Stoinian Star Kingdom • Aurora: Kingdom of Threnebor

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Battle of Cornucopia, Cornucopia Southern Spaceport

Captain Hasega and the King's Hand Hell Divers uttered a gutteral roar in response to Stoinian's "CHAAAAAAAAAAARGE! Shed their blood for our ancestors!" Their bloodlust on full display as the Hell Divers charged forward undaunted by the enemy grenades and fire. The hallway soon became the site of a bloody clash of will, plasteel/steel, plasma and lead, with neither side willing to give up an inch of the facility. The Hell Divers were equipped with personal defense shields in addition to their power armor to deal with enemy fire and explosives, but it didn't matter in the course of the brawl as the shields could be overwhelmed at any unexpected moment in the heat of battle. Stoinian, Venterran and True Venterran blood was spilled on that hallway as the Hell Divers forged a bloody path forward slowly pushing the Stoinians back.

Captain Hasega was personally impressed by the Stoinians who managed to decapitate a few of his troopers once their shields were overwhelmed and use their heads as makeshift projectiles to throw back at the Venterrans. However, he too repaid the favor by tearing the spine from a wounded Terran soldier and throwing it back at them in defiance while laughing maniacally. His troopers followed suit despining some of their fallen enemies and using their bones as a makeshift throwing club. The Helldivers made a concerted effort in conserving their grenades until they were heavily injured, opting to use them as a suicidal option to take down as many stoinians with them as possible. Captain Hasega paused briefly, as his men pushed on, to salute the corpse of a Hell Diver whose heart was bayoneted by a deceased Stoinian soldier who inturn had his torso pierced by the Dead trooper's arm.

Cornucopia Orbital Defense Platform Redesignated "Delta", Battle of Cornucopia 

General Mykraft reviewed his datapad's combat information as his combat engineers feverishly analyzed their prize, the 20th Stoinian Orbital Platform whose self destruct sequence was terminated in the nick of time. His Ground Corps had successfully taken 20 Stoinian orbitals, but as he feared the Stoinians had some tricks of their own. "Damn... we've lost 3 landing waves" He muttered as the pad reported the loss of 36 boarding parties as a result of the self destruction of the remaining 12 Stoinians Orbital platforms. His peers would have thought that he crazy to care about the landing waves, but he was thinking of the overall battle. The more troops and frontline officers survived and gained experience, the more likely they were to adapt to the Terran tactics and this war was likely to drag on for sometime and the Federation would need 'Terran specialists' to bolster their ranks.

Mykraft looked down at his gauntlet and sighed as he inputted the commands to contact the Tip of the Spear, "Tip of Spear, this is Delta, come in Tip of Spear."
"This is the Tip of the Spear General, we hear you loud and clear, sir." responded a comms officer. "Good. Tell Commander Pryde that the lads and I have seized control of the 20th orbital platform and we'll use it against Stoinians. In the meantime, I would advise against sending the men of the Divine Wrath into the enemy Space Elevators until we get a full scale scan of the enemy structures." "Why?" a second voice could be heard in response to the question. "Commander Pryde, a pleasure to finally hear your voice sir, this is General Mykraft of the Fleet of Merciful Restraint." "The Pleasure is mine General, tell me, why do recommend against deploying troops into their elevators?" "Commander, the Enemy is willing to destroy their own defense platforms than fight to the last man-" "A cowardly decision" interrupted the Admiral, "Well, that so called cowardly decision destroyed 3 landing waves across 12 platforms sir. Their decision to rig these platforms with failsafes shows that these Terrans aren't to be underestimated. If we are to take the space elevators it must be done after a reconnaissance mission." Responded the General. "You're right, but I've already deployed the Hell Divers from the King's Hand who are conducting aggressive reconnaissance on the Southern Elevator, they'll be reinforced by the Hell Divers in the Regal Knight once I've peeled the enemy Dreadnaught away from her... However, I'll defer to you and avoid sending troops to the other 2 elevators for now. The Second wave should arrive within the next 10 minutes and we'll seize the this system from them." "Understood sir, Mykraft out."

Mykraft then sighed again as he looked over at the engineers, "Status report?" One of the engineers responded, "Platform defenses are fully operational and in our hands sir, whenever you're ready we can coordinate with the other platforms to fire volleys at the Stoinians reorganizing themselves." "Do it...."

Just call me Frost

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Former member of the Pool of Justices

King of the Hill

(This post was last modified: 06-18-2021, 03:08 PM by Imperial Frost Federation.)

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Battle of Cornucopia
H.M.S. Eternity

"Dammit, they aren't they the bait. Then we shall make them! Group Delta, initiate Alexander's Manoeuvre on my mark. Scatter in all direction, appear to be fleeing! 13th Flotilla follow suit and scatter before re-entering the battle, give them your best deception."

He looked again at the holomap. No, the Venterrans had taken too many defence platforms. He had to do something about it.

"All dreadnoughts, fire on the remaining and enemy defence platforms with our MAC rounds. We're not going to leave any of them to the Venterrans."

After a quick readjustment, the dreadnoughts began to pierce their own defence platforms. Even the ones where the losing fight was still fighting on. Most of these platforms had sustained heavy fire and their shields were no longer able to absorb the MAC rounds. A handful of them were destroyed or rendered useless. That's when Corvousier gave the order to initiate Alexander's Manoeuvre. Group Delta and the 13th Flotilla in Group Beta then jumped to FTL from the battle, scattering in all directions. They would return when Corvousier gave them the signal, but for now most Venterrans might think they were beginning to retreat. The shields of the northern space elevator were still up inhibiting any meaningful scanning. It was a perfect lure now for young Venterrans seeking glory to come after it and claim it for the Federation. However, when just enough ships would be near it, planetside controls would detonate it and taking all ships within 70 km with it.

Battle of Cornucopia,
Cornucopia Southern Spaceport

Captain Williams of the Marines fought alongside Major Harrison. He had joined him in the charge, but even they didn't expect for the Venterrans to use Stoinian spines against them. This war would be on a whole new level. That much was clear now. A Terran against Terran in the most brutalist forms of combat. Seeing the horrors and the tactical disadvantage Harrison argue with Williams. The halls were filled with the stains and stench of blood. Terran, Venterran, Mardakii and other xeno's blood mixed together forming pools on the Stoinian metal.

"Captain, we can't this position for long. We need to put some distance between us and the enemy."

"Sir, nearly the entire station is filled with these corridors. We need them to bleed for every inch."

"If I were a Marine I'd agree. But I'm from the 763rd EVA, once we have enough room to manoeuvre, we'll hit them hard. I suggest we fall back to cargo room a few corners back. There we can show them our speciality. Have your men stay near the eastern entrance. I have a plan in mind."

"Aye, Sir. On it!"

Both the Stoinian Marine and Army forces started to slowly retreat towards the cargo room, continuing to spray rounds after rounds. As they ordered their men to fall back, Harrison clicked on his comm to Station Command.

"Station Command, this is Springbok. Do you copy"

"Affirm Springbok. What's your status?"

"We're retreating towards cargo room B-234. The Venterrans are proving fiercer than thought. We'll make our stand in the cargo room, but I have an idea."

"Shoot it Springbok."

"My Company is equipped to fight in zero g environments. Can you divert the controls of cargo room B-234's grav plating to me?"

"B-234, confirm."

"Affirm, B-234. Is it possible?"

There wasn't a direct response and Harrison fired a few more rounds whilst retreating.

"Engineers are looking into it. I'll put you through to them."

"Affirm. While you're at it, monitor our location and close the blastdoors to give us some time to prepare."

"Affirm. We'll be looking at the cameras."

"Don't be afraid to cut a few of these blasted Mardakii with those doors. Springbok, out!"

Harrison then turned to his men who still were holding their ground.

"Fall back you sons of bitches! Fall back if you still wanna fly!"

Pacifica: Myria, Sallodesia, Stoinia • A1-0: Stoinian Star Kingdom • Aurora: Kingdom of Threnebor

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Battle of Cornucopia, VNS Tip of the Spear

The Tip of the Spear shuddered from a barrage of an enemy dreadnaught. Her Batteries returning fire in a torrent of plasma and kinetic fire. Commander Pryde grimaced as he watched an enemy arrow head formation of the enemy reinforce the enemy Dreadnaught they were engaging. "What is the status on the Regal Knight?"

"Sir She's successfully broken away from the enemy and her captain thanks us for the assistance." responded a Comms officer.

"Good... Maintain Fire on the enemy formation and prepare boarding parties against the enemy formation. If the Enemy wishes to ram us, Then we'll hit them head on and make them regret taking on the Tip of the Spear!"


Battle Cornucopia, King's Hand Hell Divers

The Hell Divers tore through the enemy with renewed vigor as they heard the Terran orders to fall back. The Hell Divers roared at the Terrans hoping that they would stand and fight and not end the "good times". The Enemy rearguard fought desperately and courageously, but in the end they were cut down by the relentless blood lust of the Hell Divers. Nonetheless, their actions allowed the Terrans to retreat into what appeared to be a cargo room and seal it off before the Hell Divers could continue their bloody charge in. 

Taking this brief pause in the fighting to rest, Captain Hasega looked at his men and grinned, "Today is a good day to die, isn't it!?" His men responded with a hearty "Aye Sir!" as they looked at the blast doors that stood between them and their prey. "Well, then we should meet it with a grin, Trooper, set charges to the blast door, we're breaching in ten minutes, in the meantime, we will resupply our munitions from our fallen comrades and charge in soon after." The Hell Divers salute and move to accomplish their tasks....

10 Minutes Later Cornucopia Southern Space Port

"Breaching in 3... 2... 1... Go! Go! Go!" shouted a Hell Diver as the blast doors of Cargo Room B-234 were destroyed. The Blast of the charges sent shrapnel and debris into the room with the Hell Divers charging in almost simultaneously opening fire on the enemy taking cover near the entrance of the cargo room. The Hell Divers charged into the fray with renewed vigor and determination, but the enemy held firm against their onslaught. The enemy terrans continued to repel their assaults, but the Hell Divers were gaining slowly gaining ground. inch by inch the Hell divers moved closer to overwhelming their foes, but the Stoinians refused to break into a panic, their resistance growing more fiercer for every inch the Hell divers took.

However, as the battle went on Hasega barely noticed several Terrans exiting the room. Hasega thought, 'Another rearguard action? A-' before he could finish his thought he felt his body lurch upwards, as though he was about to lifted off the ground. 'No.... those cheeky Terrans' thought Captain Hasega as he understood what was about to happen. Hasega engaged his own mag boots before he shouted through the comms,"Hell Divers! Engage Mag Boots NOW!" 

The Hell Divers complied activating their boots to reorient themselves as the gravity of the room shifted unpredictably. Unfortunately two Hell Divers were unable to activate their boots due to the damage sustained from the fight and were lifted up. The Men flailed helplessly above in a vain attempt reorient themselves after their jump jets sputtered from the damage incurred from the previous fire fight. They attempted to fire on the enemy but were unfortunately cut down as the personal shields soon became overwhelmed from sustained enemy fire from multiple directions. 

The Captain grimaced, as he observed the deaths of his men and howled, "CHARGE!" his rage fueled howl was echoed by his men who soon engaged their own jump jets to meet the enemy who zipped above them...

Just call me Frost

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Former member of the Pool of Justices

King of the Hill

(This post was last modified: 08-01-2021, 08:50 AM by Imperial Frost Federation.)

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Battle of Cornucopia,
Cornucopia Southern Spaceport

The Venterrans had breached the cargo room and solidified their position. When this became apparent to Major Harrison, he ordered Captain Williams' retreat out of the cargo room. Captain Williams would be essential in holding the Venterrans off if they continued to attack. His first hand experience during the bayonet charge had revealed something important too. There was still hope that this war wasn't a brotherly war at all. If that were the case, it should be reported ASAP. As of now however, it was based on barely any evidence. Harrison and his men would try to grant him as much time as they could give. When all of Williams' men were out of the cargo room, Harrison deactivated the artificial gravity in the cargo room. Suddenly the Venterrans were slowly raising up, but were saved by their commander's quick thinking. The difference between the Marines and the EVA troops was barely noticeable, but became quite clear when the backpacks revealed thrusters. The Stoinians used the element of surprise in their favour and even pushed around large crates towards the Venterrans or used it as cover while they flew around and above the Venterrans, picking them off from all angles. The result was utter chaos. The Venterrans quickly returned the favour and threw the crates which had squashed some of their troops back to the Stoinians accompanied by their own charge. As the bayonets now clashed again, shaking from the explosion of grenades, blood from all species spatting in all directions, the Venterrans eventually won the upper hand. That much had become apparent, but Harrison had given them a good run for their money and bought time for Williams.

No, not like this! Goddamn bastards come here! I'll kill you myself, even if I'm the last man standing! Rage took over Harrison and as he dodged bayonet strikes after strike, he was not going into the night without the fight. It may have been the end, but he was determined to make it his finest hour. When his bayonet was thrown to spin around in the zero-g environment, he turned to his combat knife. Grabbing the bayonet of a Mardakii that was charging at him full speed, he slingshot himself on its back. Getting a hold around him with hit legs and left arm hooked, he kept stabbing with his knife until the Mardakii's shield had failed. Then with one swift strike, he sliced the knife horizontally in the beast's neck. Cut off from air and stabbed in the major artery, the Mardakii gasped for air only for its lungs to be filled with its dark red blood. The wound had painted Harrison too and nearly his entire visor was red now. After wiping his visor he turned to the Venterrans and noticed he was the last man standing. It was then when his rage took over as he called the Venterrans out. He didn't care if they understood, but he would seize this moment. Perhaps a rare moment where the Venterran troops mysteriously showed respect to their adversary. Considering the previous fighting where heads and spines were thrown, it seemed like magic.

"What now eh?! Lost your will and guts?! I'll be sure to make a coat from your friend! You hear me?! My ancestors are smiling upon me Venterran! Can you say the same?! For Stoinia!"

Harrison leaped forward and was prepared for a final bayonet charge, but surprisingly, the Venterran in front of him dodged him. Kicked his knee in Harrison's stomach and battered his head with the butt of his rifle. The fighting of the cargo room was now over, but the battle for the space port had just begun.


Battle of Cornucopia,
HMS Eternity

The Venterrans were cautious. Corvousier took note of their tactics and concluded more subtle traps needed to be used. The Stoinians had plenty of such manoeuvres by now, 16 T-years of war against a technologically superior enemy tends to bring the best out of one's military. However, they'd need to rotate their tactics so the Venterran commanders wouldn't get used to them and effectively counteract them. Corvousier looked again at the numbers of the Venterran ships and his own. The battle was indeed turning in their favour. 4.600 of his own were actively orbiting Cornucopia while Group Delta was still feigning their retreat all the while the Venterrans had 1.500 ships left. Half of them were destroyed, this did bring a smile on the Old Dreadnought's face. However, a young Ensign, one of his Admiralty staff, spoke up amidst the fireworks of blue and red dots moving and disappearing on the holoprojector.

"Admiral, incoming message from Captain Williams of the 317th Marine Battalion on board CSS is requesting a direct link with us. He's using code Alpha-Zero-Zero-Zero, Sir."

Normally a mere Captain couldn't speak to the highest echelons of the military, but sometime times were more drastic or the chain of command was shattered. To circle around this problem, code Alpha-Zero-Zero-Zero was inaugurated to signify great importance which otherwise would take too long to process through the chain of command. This code was never used lightly and Williams hoped that he wouldn't face a reprimand for the situation. Corvousier nodded and looked sternly at the Captain as his projection appeared.

"Captain."

"Grand Admiral. I'm sorry to interrupt, but I suspect something about the Venterrans that I thought you should hear. Aside from the fact that they fight alongside the Mardakii."

"Go ahead Captain, we have a battle to win."

"Aye, Sir! Sir, I think the Venterrans might not be what they seem. Hear me out. When we charged at them with our bayonets, their bodies seemed to hold them off."

Corvousier raised an eyebrow and looked concerned at the Captain. Was this all?

"Please elaborate. You do understand that mere speculation isn't worth of coda Alpha-Zero-Zero-Zero, Captain."

"With all due respect Sir, when you're facing the Mardakii again you don't care much about a potential reprimand." There the Captain had a point, something that Corvousier had forgotten sitting safely aboard his ship while it cut through Venterran cruisers. "It was an odd sensation Sir. We're trained at stabbing Terran-mimicking dolls which simulate our anatomy, but the Venterrans felt different. It was as if their bones were pushing our bayonets back again, reflecting as if they were shields. I also saw Venterrans die from being stabbed in seemingly weird angles which wouldn't kill a normal Terran Sir."

"So what are you suggesting, Captain?"

"I don't know, Sir. I'm no biologist, but maybe there's a chance they aren't Terran. If so, even if there's the slightest chance, we should fi-"

"Captain!"

"Sir, they've breached the <bzzz> door. We'll try <bzzz> them off here. Williams out!"

The coms cut off and Williams disappeared facing the Venterran Hell Divers again as the new first line of defence for the Cornucopia Southern Spaceport. Corvousier muttered to himself. God's speed Williams! Then another alarm flared turning the holoprojector all red. When Corvousier looked at the holoprojectors again. It had become clear. A new wave of another 3.000 Venterran ships had arrived. The Venterrans had lost nearly all of their defence platforms and their ships were beginning to crack from all the ramming. Corvousier contemplated his options and decided the fate of the battle. He'd bring the knowledge he had gathered here to the War Council and counter the Venterrans properly. That would bring the quickest victory for his people. Besides, he was the nearest highest military commander and the importance of the Chain of Command had been marked from the Velutarian War. He opened the fleet coms to Group Delta again.

"Delta, this Eternity, turn around and abort Alexander's Manoeuvre. We'll need you to pierce openings for us to escape in."

Pacifica: Myria, Sallodesia, Stoinia • A1-0: Stoinian Star Kingdom • Aurora: Kingdom of Threnebor

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Wave 2

Fleet Commander Yamrahai grimaced as her SAI, Al, listed the casualties of the first wave. "Of the Initial 3000 warships deployed by the fleet of Divine Wrath, 500 Corvettes, 250 Frigates, 250 Destroyers, 100 Cruisers, 200 troop transports, 100 Support Carriers and 50 Dreadnaughts and 50 Carriers have been lost. Meanwhile the enemy have lost an estimated 2,200 Warships of varying classes. ranging from Corvettes to Dreadnaught class warships. The enemy also appears to have lost countless supply ships, whose cargo may be the fleeing non-combatants." 

" I see..." Yamraiha muttered, "1500 losses to their 2200 isn't too bad, but it could be better. Have the Fleet establish a perimeter around the Stoinians, I would have hoped that the Pryde would've been more conservative with his losses and allowed our wave's long range fighters to complement his more close quarters combat style. Nonetheless, we will follow our orders and continue the attack on the defending Terran Fleet as well as cut off their escape."

"Aye ma'am, relaying orders now." Responded Al. The Fleet Commander nodded as she watched the fleet take their positions and deployed their fighters and bombers.

"Ma'am incoming transmission from Commander Pryde of the first wave." said a comms officer.
"Patch it through" she replied tersely.

"Commander Yamraiha," said Commander Pryde, "I'd like to report that the First Wave has initiated Void Protocols and are pushing the Stoinians back. We have deployed troops onto their Southern Elevator and fully seized their orbital defenses and plan to launch additional invasions into their equatorial and northern elevators once we've scanned their defenses. We would also request that you also deploy landing parties to these elevators in addition to your duties to contain the Terran Fleet..."

"I'm sorry Pryde, but no. You've done well in eliminating the orbital defenses, but if these Terrans are still using space elevators, then your duty is to destroy them and trap them on the planet. Their planetary shields will crack in a week once waves 4 and 5 rendezvous with the Invasion force, and we will use that week to demoralize the terrans stuck on planet. However, since you've deployed troops to the Southern Elevator, I will send reinforcements to collect the wounded and dead of both sides. Our eggheads are keen on understanding the anatomy of these terrans to see if they have undergone genetic augmentation like our forebears or remain exactly as our records described from over a millenia or if these terrans are a different kind of Terran, one that evolved independent from those who forced our people into exile. Let's hope that there are some who are alive and able to discuss their history to see if their is some correlation between the Terrans the Venterra of old despise and the Terrans before us..." 

"Understood, I will continue the assault on the enemy fleet then. I will also dispatch a Cruiser Squadron to destroy the equatorial elevator first and then the Northern elevator. I'll see you on the other side Commander Yamraiha." 
"Yes... Although before you go, I will initiate contact with the Terrans in accordance with the Aggressive Appraisal Doctrine of Venterra-" "But, Yamraiha, Commander Mayfeld ordered us not to contact the Terrans for any reasons." responded Pryde. His surprise at the Commander's suggestion poorly hidden in his response. "Mayfeld may have reasons not to contact the Terrans, but it is in our interests to stall these Terrans until the Third wave arrives with Kensei's Interdictors preventing them from leaving the system. Thus allowing us to overwhelm with numbers and superior firepower. However, Pryde I will not interfere if you continue to press the assault as I initiate contact." said Yamraiha calmly

Pryde growled, before he responded, "Very Well, I will accept this compromise and continue the assault. Let us hope your gambit works. Pryde out."

Yamraiha sighed as Pryde disappeared from the view screen, 'stubborn fool... blindly following orders isn't the only way of getting results...' she thought as she looked over to the bridge crew. "Open hailing frequencies, and transmit the following message, 'Terrans, this is Fleet Commander Yamraiha of the Venterran Federation Fleet Pragmatic Union. Surrender Now and I may allow One of your vessels to leave the system unharmed. The rest of you will be judged for the sins your forebears committed against Venterra."


Cruiser Squadron Gamma

Squadron Gamma had finished destroying an enemy arrow alongside the dreadnaught, Wraith, when a transmission from Fleet Commander Pryde came in. "Gentlemen, I have new orders for you. Take your squad and destroy the Equatorial and Northern Space elevators to prevent the enemy from deploying smaller space vessels capable of escaping the system. Your torpedo and bomber complements should be more than enough to deal with them. However, according to General Mykraft these terrans are rather wily and may have rigged their elevators to self destruct. So I will leave it you to engage the enemy towers at an appropriate range. Pryde out." The Captains of Squadron tersely aknowledged their orders and detached from the Wraith's fleet screen as the Wraith and her Battlecruisers moved to engage the fleet defending the equatorial tower. Meanwhile the Squadron noted that the Defenders of the Northern Tower had disappeared, but were unaware that the defenders only disappeared to initiate Alexander's maneuver. Once Gamma Squadron slipped passed the enemy defenses they unleashed a volley of torpedoes and kinetic and plasma fire at the equatorial tower from a range of 80km.

Battle of Cornucopia Southern Tower

Lieutenant Mavis Halsey stepped forward when the Terran uttered a desperate cry. He avoided the Terran's charge, sidestepping and kneeing him a fluid motion before bashing the Terrans face with his rifle. Captain Hasega looked at the Lieutenant as the Terran fell and said. "You should've stabbed him Lieutenant." The Lieutenant smiled from his visor, "Other Terrans have been killed when I bashed their face in. Perhaps he has luck on his side if he survives." Halsey then gestured to the door the other Terrans retreated through, "Shall we Captain?" The Captain grinned and said, "Indeed, let us continue the assault." Hasega then turned to a Venterran Marine reinforcement, "You. Take this body, if it has a pulse, restrain it and bring it back to forward operating hangar, its dead take it to the other bodies in the forward operating hangar for the eggheads to dissect." The marine silently saluted, and proceeded to carry the terran after restraining and checking its pulse. 

Some Time later

Once more the Venterran Helldivers and their Marine Reinforcements tore themselves into the Stoinian lines, they're conviction unwavering, their morale sky high as their comrades fell to enemy fire. They adapted to the enemy tactics using the enclosed spaces to their advantage, downloading a map of the facilities to flank their enemies from another corridor. With time, and reinforcements, the station would soon be theirs and although narrow, an alternative invasion route could be secured...

Just call me Frost

Roleplayer,
Former member of the Pool of Justices

King of the Hill

(This post was last modified: 08-22-2021, 04:58 PM by Imperial Frost Federation.)

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Battle of Cornucopia,
HMS Eternity

The second fleet was moving in now, Corvousier's window was growing slimmer by the minute. His options were closing and he had to make a final decision. He could either stand and fight until the last breath or live to fight another day. He took a look at the holoprojector again. There were still some civilians left. The Venterrans had proven ruthless in their combat and had targeted civilian vessels. What a dishonourable bunch of Terrans these are... Corvousier also looked at the incoming message he didn't know what to make of it. His honour was at stake and surrendering to these barbarians was no option at all. The HMS Eternity was built with the Stoinian spirit to survive and he wouldn't break that spirit. He then remembered a lesson taught to all Stoinians, the stoic lessons from the Philosopher-King. "Death smiles at us all and all we can do is smile back." Death was smiling on him and he sure as hell wasn't going with him. Despite his old age, the Old Dreadnought was still cheeky from time to time. Now was a good a moment as any.
"Ensign! Open an open channel to the incoming message."
"Right away Sir! Channel open."
"To the Venterran sous-merde that insulted our honour: Va te faire foutre!"
The gesture brought a smile on the many officers throughout the fleet. The Old Dreadnought was their leader not only through rank, but through spirit as well. He decided on his course of action as the second wave now would be more than happy to join the fight. Though as soon as they arrived within range it would become a complete bloodbath. There was one option to his satisfactory. He took one last puff from his pipe before relaying his orders.
"Group Alpha, time to pierce through our bubble. All Bravo-November-Sierra formations focus to pierce a hole at bearing 054-mark-014. We're going to pierce these bastards and escape through our hole. The Eternity will provide cover for the civilians. Once you have a chance to escape, got for it. This battle's over."
As the fleet acknowledged, he turned to the other groups.
"Group Beta, same game. Bravo-November-Sierra formations pierce a hole bearing 032-mark-023. Escape while you still can. Group Delta, cover Group Beta in their escape. Try to cover them from the second wave. If you can, you have 5 minutes tops! God's speed!"

The Venterrans, Corvousier reasoned, wouldn't engage in another in-system jump. It would do more harm than good for their fleet engaged with the Stoinians. So his quickest and safest way to escape was the application of heavily concentrated firepower, piercing a hole from where they could escape. The Stoinian MAC Cannons had proven themselves and would get the job done. Swiftness and precision would be needed for this to be successful, the ships under his command knew this too an would make the last remaining minutes the best from the battle. When the manoeuvre was starting to go well, the Ensign called out.
"Sir, the Venterrans are attacking CNS!"
"Their distance towards the station?"
"80 kilometres."
 80 km was not quite what Corvousier wanted, but well within the explosion's  radius. Since this was vacuum, the explosives would reach 200 km in their explosion. Enough to make the Venterrans bleed for their mistake. Corvousier looked at the holo again and realized it would make a good distraction. No, I won't get a better opportunity. It's time. Without a flinch, Corvousier tapped on his console and without hesitation detonated the explosives on the northern spaceport taking out the nearby Venterran ships.
"Sir, CSS has fallen. Last reports are about the Venterrans taking over the bridge and their ships are already trying to dock with it."
"Were they able to send their final message?"
"I don't know Sir. Coms are sealed with CorDefCOM."
"Merde. We can't spare the resources, they'll tear Group Beta to pie-"
It was then in the middle of his sentence that it actually started to happen. CSS was shaking and it could mean only one thing. The bridge crew had successfully alerted the planetary forces to shoot down the elevator. The ground artillery forces had fired upon the elevator just under the planetary shield and cut off the orbital section. Now it would fall towards the planet and be crushed by the planetary shields. Killing any Venterrans who didn't make it out on time and denying their forces to use their spaceport against the fleeing Group Beta. The supporting ships of Group Delta had begun to reappear as well surrounding the space nearby Group Beta's hole and assisting them.

Pacifica: Myria, Sallodesia, Stoinia • A1-0: Stoinian Star Kingdom • Aurora: Kingdom of Threnebor

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