After the Battle of Ionia, despite the Symbiote's best efforts, the whispers in the dark betray what was already known: To fight against the Syndicate was a fool's errand. Like a mythical beast awakening from its slumber, the Aurelian Syndicate were quick to meet the Symbiote blow for blow, and then some. A few incursions into the outer rim territories yielded decidedly satisfactory results, but little could be done to stem the Syndicate's hard push into the Second Ring of Expansion. Starting with the system of New Kathar, the Aurelian Syndicate quickly began to strap us to the stake so as to burn us in the pyres of hell. The fuel for the flames? The uncounted bodies of Avalonian citizenry, along with the destroyed and mutilated carcasses of the Leviathan's many drone soldiers. Preparations were being made for a tactical retreat back to our home system of Avalon, with the Fourth and Fifth Expeditionary Fleets buying precious time with their lives.
At the FDSA Fastidious Devotion however, despite High Command's best efforts, nearly the entirety of the Third along with the remnants of the Seventh remained docked and untouched from the fighting that has engulfed the sector. The reason? Lord-Commander Yaer, now going by her former title of Vice Admiral Kirn, has refused to acknowledge Lord-Commander Avalonia's order to deploy back to the front. That being said, Black Captain Mayer, despite Kirn's best efforts, had decided to honor his commitment to High Command, and deployed his Fleet per their word. Despite his continued loyalty to the Vice Admiral, his choice to go back to the front to buy time in a losing war sent shock waves through the ranks of Kirn's subordinates. There was also a quick reshuffling of staff by High Command, which resulted in Black Captain Mayer quickly being award the title of Lord-Commander, and Vice Admiral Kirn being disavowed of her rank and discharged dishonorably. Propaganda quickly spread across the worlds untouched by the hellfire, and the citizenry were quick to call for Vice Admiral Kirn's arrest, trial, and execution. What was stopping the Lord-Commander Avalonia though, from pursuing such charges, was the fact that the Third and the Seventh remained fiercely loyal to the Vice Admiral. And it would take the entirety of the Second to subjugate her under peaceful conditions.
So thus, the Second Expeditionary Fleet of the Avalonian Navy deployed to New Hope, in order to bring to heel, a loyal traitor. Lord-Commander New Matra, with his NAG bodyguards in tow, personally saw to that the Vice Admiral was escorted off her ship and into the hands of the MPs. They were slated to immediately leave for New Avalon. However...
At the deep space control hub that maintained control of all of the remaining drone relay stations within the Second Ring...
[Operator 1]: "All-Clear in Sections F-5 through F-10. Deep scan beacons are being pinged again to ensure accuracy of information."
[Operator Captain]: "Thank you Casey. Maintain vigilance and report any suspicious activity immediately upon notice."
Numerous other operators also report normal business-as-usual until...
[Operator 2]: "Captain, I'm doing a preliminary analysis of the information being fed to us by the remaining hubs, it seems that a few of their sensory arrays have shorted. Running diagnostics now."
[Operator Captain]: "That's nothing new. Solar flares are common. So are malfunctions due to the halt on regular maintenance. What was the last bit of info received from those hubs?"
[Operator 2]: "I'm checking that now Captain. Standby."
[Operator 1]: "Captain, Sections A through C have not reported in. Running diagnostics now."
[Operator Captain]: "The entire sections of A through C?"
[Operator 1]: "Yes Captain. Their feeds were suddenly cut off. I'm trying to re-establish communications with those hubs but so far no good."
[Operator Captain]: "Keep me updated. Haley, do you have anything for me?"
[Operator 2]: "Yes Captain. It seems that before losing communication with these hubs, they reported a high number of UFOs approaching their immediate AO."
[Operator Captain]: "How many Haley?"
[Operator 2]: "Over a thousand hits Captain. The sensory array on the hubs were so overwhelmed with signature analysis protocols that they slaved three entire Sections to help with the computations."
[Operator Captain]: "Which ones... Haley..."
[Operator 2]: "Projections indicated that the UFOs were headed towards Sections A through C. The hubs prioritized their functions above those of the hubs with a priority marker as flagged by a high ranking officer within the Fifth Fleet."
The Captain thinks for a moment...
[Operator Captain]: "Casey, what are you doing right now?"
[Operator 1]: "I'm running normal surfing protoco-"
[Operator Captain]: "Drop it. Quickly establish communications with Lord-Commander Mayer. Let me know when he picks up."
[Operator 1]: "Yes Captain."
[Operator Captain]: "Felis?"
[Operator 3]: "Yes Captain?"
[Operator Captain]: "Give me a full sweep. Immediate AO. Now."
[Operator 3]: "May I ask why Captain?"
[Operator Captain]: "Just do it. Please..."
There is a pause...
[Operator 3]: "Running the sweep. It'll take a few minutes."
[Operator Captain]: "The moment you have something-"
[Operator 3]: "I'll let you kno- oh..."
[Operator Captain]: "What? What is it?"
[Operator 3]: "That can't be right."
[Operator Captain]: "Felis, you need to tell me right now what you're looking at."
[Operator 2]: "Captain, the marker belonged to Lord-Commander Meyer! It was tagged as `Mission Critical: Dear John."
[Operator 4]: "Captain! I've lost all communications with Sectors G through J!"
[Operator 5]: "Captain! I've lost all communications with Sectors O through Q!"
[Operator 6]: "I'm getting nothing from Sectors Q through S."
Numerous other operators report in that they've lost communications with their sectors and that diagnostics were yielding no results.
[Operator Captain]: "May Her Majesty protect us... they're here."
[Operator 1]: Captain... I can't raise Lord-Commander Mayer. It has to be a-"
[Operator Captain]: "No Casey... it's not an equipment malfunction. Lord-Commander Mayer is dead."
Silence ensues.
[Operator 4]: "Dead? What do you mean... dead?"
[Operator Captain]: "Haley... sweep report."
[Operator 3]: "Preliminary scans indicate that a massive group of UFOs are quickly approaching local space. More than fifteen-hundred sir..."
A moment of solemn silence.
[Operator Captain]: "The Fifth Fleet has been wiped out. So has the Fourth. Raise the alarm! Begin to enact mission critical-siege protocols! And transfer all primary functions to the planet! The Syndicate have come to New Hope."
A procession was taking place at spaceport. A solemn one, with no singing nor dancing. There was no merriment or joy to be had. A procession barely held together by the enforcement of threat of sanctioning.
Death though, these people feared not. No, the malady of dying and losing one's life does not scare those whom bear witness to a particular individual's final hours.
It was the loss of a protector. A mother-figure. Their guiding star amidst a sea of sparking lights. She was a beacon of hope to the citizens of New Hope. She helped to build the world up from the sacred soils that feeds to the open space that delivers. There is no one like her. And there was no one that could easily supplant her. For the men and women of the planet called New Hope, Vice Admiral Kirn was very much to them their leader, as much as the First Regent of Avalon was.
And now they had to stand and watch in horror as she is led, in shackle and in chain, away to a judgement not supported by the masses. Her every step sends a shiver down their spines. Her every breath fuels their ever-growing anger. But most of all...
It was slowly giving them the courage to stand-up for what they thought was right. At the FSDA Fastidious Devotion, at the terminal where the Veritas Imperatoria was docked...
[NAG Imperial Guard 1]: "Make way! Make way for his lordship! Lord-Commander New Mantra!"
People move slowly to either side. A beastman coughs and takes his time to comply. He is roughly shoved out of the way by the NAG Guards...
[NAG Imperial Guard 2]: "By the impetus of the First Regent of Avalon! Make way for Her Majesty's servants!"
People move slowly to either side. A child is hastily picked up by his mother, but they were not quick enough. A guard roughly shoves the mother out of the way. Bystanders quickly move to help her up as the child begins to cry...
[NAG Imperial Guard 3]: "Silence the child! Lest it be offered up to Her Majesty!"
[Bystander 1]: "We will silence the child. Please have mercy upon us."
[NAG Imperial Guard 3]: "Hmph..."
More people begin to gather...
[NAG Imperial Guard 1]: "Make way! Make way for Her Imperial Majesty's servants!"
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "You're making a mistake-"
[NAG Imperial Guard 1]: "Silence will be observed! Traitor!"
The guard slaps Vice Admiral Kirn across the face with the back of his hand, eliciting a gasp from the crowd.
[NAG Imperial Guard 2]: "We demand SILENCE! In the name of His Majesty, the First Regent, Lord Avalonia! Speak nothing! Lest you be muted permanently!"
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: ". . ."
[Lord-Commander New Mantra]: "Please make this as painless as possible, Natalie..."
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "I did not strike the first bl-"
The guard again slaps Vice Admiral Kirn across the face, with more force than the first, causing her to fall.
[NAG Imperial Guard 1]: "Speak once more! And we will put a muffler upon you, you despicable hag!"
[Lord-Commander New Mantra]: "Soldier!"
The NAG Guard stands at attention.
[NAG Imperial Guard 1]: "Sir!"
[Lord-Commander New Mantra]: "Who gave you permission to strike the prisoner?!"
[NAG Imperial Guard 1]: "I just thought that since she was a traitor that-"
[Lord-Commander New Mantra]: "That she doesn't deserve to be treated with respect and dignity?! Who was she, soldier?!"
[NAG Imperial Guard 1]: "Sir! She was formerly the Lord-Commander Yaer! The Hero of New Hope! The Conqueror of the Katharian Syndicate! His Majesty's Will Manifest!"
Lord-Commander walks up to the Guard, right up to his face. The NAG Guard looks extremely nervous.
[Lord-Commander New Mantra]: "Lest you commit to brewing more bad blood here... I suggest you restrain yourself, soldier."
[Lord-Commander New Mantra]: "Now fall back in-line..."
Just as the procession was going to enter into the shuttle, the alarms begin to blare which causes the masses to start dispersing...
[Alarm]: "ALERT! ALERT! ALL PERSONNEL REPORT TO COMBAT STATIONS IMMEDIATELY! I REPEAT! ALERT! ALERT! DEAR JOHN HAS BEEN SENT! ALL NON-CRITICAL PERSONNEL ARE TO EXIT THE STATION IN A CALM AND ORDERLY FASHION! ALERT! ALERT!.."
As the procession pauses to take in the new information, a group of soldiers move to block the entrance to the shuttle...
[NAG Imperial Guard 3]: "What is this? We did not request for extra protection..."
[Gunnery Sergeant Mason]: "No... no you did not."
The soldiers blocking the shuttle entrance draw their weapons.
[NAG Imperial Guard 1]: "Wha-?! What are you doing?!"
[NAG Imperial Guard 2]: "This is madness! Put down your weapons!"
[Lieutenant Cortez]: "What if we don't?"
[NAG Imperial Guard 1]: "Mutiny!"
[NAG Imperial Guard 3]: "Treason!"
[Lord-Commander New Mantra]: ". . ."
[NAG Imperial Guard 2]: "You there! Adjudicator (MP)! Arrest these men immediately!"
[Adjudicator Jun]: "I refuse."
[NAG Imperial Guard 2]: "This is high treason! You will all be executed!"
[Lieutenant Cortez]: "We're all going to die if the Second Fleet leaves for Avalon. Vice Admiral Kirn, Lord-Commander Meyer is dead, and there is a massive Aurelian fleet headed towards New Hope. What are your orders?"
[NAG Imperial Guard 1]: "Orders?! She has no authority to give orders!"
[Lord-Commander New Mantra]: "How many signatures, Lieutenant?"
[Lieutenant Cortez]: ". . ."
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "Tell him Cortez."
[Lieutenant Cortez]: "fifteen-hundred signatures... and counting."
[Lord-Commander New Mantra]: "Broadcast that the Second Expeditionary Fleet of the Avalonian-Symbiote Navy will answer the Dear John."
Lieutenant Cortez salutes.
[Lieutenant Cortez]: "Yes Lord-Commander."
[Lord-Commander New Mantra]: "However... I cannot allow the former Lord-Commander Yaer to command the Third Fleet."
[Gunnery Sergeant Mason]: "Respectfully sir... we're not asking."
[NAG Imperial Guard 3]: "Insolence! Traitorous-"
[Lord-Commander New Mantra]: "SILENCE! Say another word, and I will execute you where you stand!"
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "So you still have a heart... eh? Admiral Xavier?"
The Lord-Commander smiles weakly.
[Lord-Commander New Mantra]: "I'm sorry Natalie... But if I were to go forward with your arrest now... even if I were to live through this crisis, I wouldn't be able to live with myself. The people of New Hope need their hero. Will you please honor your commitment and defend them in this dire hour?"
After thinking for a moment, Vice Admiral Kirn gets up off the floor.
[Lord-Commander New Mantra]: "Remove her chains."
[NAG Imperial Guard 3]: "But sir-"
Lord-Commander New Mantra swiftly draws his pistol and executes the NAG Guard, much to the horror of the others.
[Lord-Commander New Mantra]: "I said... remove her chains."
The other guards quickly move to comply lest they also meet the same fate as their deceased compatriot. Vice Admiral Kirn quickly dusts herself off. Mason and Cortez quickly move to her side, guns now lowered.
[Lieutenant Cortez]: "Are you hurt?.."
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "I'm fine Cortez..."
The Lieutenant notes the mark on the Vice Admiral's face and moves his hand to touch it. Kirn shy's away from his hand, causing the Lieutenant to grow quickly in anger. Turning to the Guards...
[Lieutenant Cortez]: "Which of you did it..."
[NAG Imperial Guard 1]: ". . . We were only doing ou-"
[Lieutenant Cortez]: "Which of you did it?!"
[Lord-Commander New Mantra]: "Now calm down Lieutenant Cortez-"
[Lieutenant Cortez]: "Which of you bastards did this?!!"
As the Lieutenant begins to move towards the NAG Guards, in an instant, several men move to tackle him to the ground. A man manages to confiscate his gun, but only after receiving a blow to the stomach and groin. The Lieutenant struggles more, but the men finally manage to subdue him and drag him away from the shuttle entrance. The Lieutenant is furious; he is yelling obscenities and all sorts of curses. His anger is so great, that the Guards quickly retreat behind the Lord-Commander who turns to the Adjudicator...
The guard falls to the ground, clutching his throat and stomach, as if he were struggling to breathe. The Lord-Commander quickly commandeers a rifle from one of the men, whom also train their aim upon the struggling man.
The Lord-Commander collapses to the floor in pain, clutching at his head. The other NAG Guards go rigid, then, without warning, draw their weapons and fire at Vice Admiral Kirn's men. A firefight ensues within the close confines of the terminal. The Imperial Guards, despite their training and discipline, are eventually all taken down, but not before inflicting heavy casualties. Slowly, they recover...
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "Is everyone okay?"
[Loyalist 1]: "Lieutenant Cortez took a few to the chest! Medic! Medic!"
[Loyalist 2]: "He's not breathing! Start CPR!"
[Gunnery Sergeant Mason]: "I'm a little scratched up, but I'll live, Vice Admiral."
[Loyalist 3]: "My leg! My leg!"
[Loyalist 4]: "I've got 2 casualties over here!"
Loyalist 5 groans in pain.
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "Where's Admiral Xavier?"
[Loyalist 1]: "He was on the floor last I checked-"
[Loyalist 6]: "Medic! Medic! VIP down!"
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "Save the Admiral! Quickly!"
[Loyalist 6]: "The Admiral's hurt badly! We need to get him to the medical wing, quickly!"
[Gunnery Sergeant Mason]: "Someone find a gurney!"
[Loyalist 4]: "On it, Sergeant!"
A gurney is quickly brought about by the survivors to transport the Lord-Commander New Mantra to the ER. More medics appear with gurneys and other medical equipment to treat the wounded. Vice Admiral Kirn goes over to Lieutenant Cortez. The medic working on him sadly shakes his head. A man nearby begins to cry on the floor nearby.
[Loyalist 7]: "The Lieutenant's dead! Oh gods! Oh gods!"
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "Pull it together Corporal! We can't afford to mourn them yet."
Sergeant Mason bends down, says something quietly under his breath, and closes Lieutenant Cortez's eyes. Vice Admiral Kirn extends her hand out slowly without saying a word. The Sergeant knows what she's asking for, and places in it, Lieutenant Cortez's transponder.
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "Mayweather. Mayweather."
[Officer 1]: "Lieutenant Cortez? Is that you?"
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "No ensign. This is Vice Admiral Kirn speaking."
[Officer 1]: "Oh thank god! You're alive! Where's the Lieutenant?"
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "The Lieutenant... is no longer with us anymore."
[Officer 1]: "What the hell?! What happened?!"
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "That doesn't matter right now. I need to know what the situation is like?"
[Officer 1]: "Uhh... the drone swarm has been mobilized. Marco ordered everyone to battle stations. The Third Fleet is ready and waiting. However... the Second..."
[Officer 1]: "There are rumors that the Second is in complete disarray. Fighting between the Leviathan and the assimilated, versus those who fight for Avalon."
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "That's not good. That means that the Second is out of the fight then for the moment?"
[Officer 1]: "Yes Vice Admiral. The enemy is at our doorstep and we cannot count the Second to aid us."
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "The moment that Aurelian Fleet lands, hail its flagship. I know that probably the last thing they'll want to do is parley, but we can at least try."
[Officer 1]: "Ma'am? Are you not boarding your ship?"
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "No. I will be coordinating our defenses from here, at Fastidious Devotion."
[Officer 1]: "Respectfully ma'am... but I think you're safer here, onboard the AGN Spirit of Fire."
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: Chuckles "I know you miss me, Ensign... but someone needs to ensure that New Hope has a light in the darkness."
[Officer 1]: "Ma'am... Vice Admiral Natalie... it's good to have you back."
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "You can tell me that in person when we survive this, Ensign."
[Officer 1]: "Yes ma'am! Orders, Admiral?"
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "Raise me Rear Admiral Yura... please."
[Officer 1]: "Yes Admiral. Patching you through now."
[Rear Admiral Yura]: "... I'll live ma'am. I just wish I could say the same of the rest of the Seventh..."
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "I'm sorry that you had to lose such good men to such a corrupted cause."
[Rear Admiral Yura]: "With respect ma'am, the way we can honor their sacrifice is by doing what we can, here and now. For their loved ones and their children both."
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "I have new orders for you Rear Admiral."
[Rear Admiral Yura]: "Ready and waiting ma'am."
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: Deep breath "I need you to quickly make a break for it and leave this system."
[Rear Admiral Yura]: "... what?"
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "I need you to live, Ethan. I need you to live for those whom will come after us. To tell our story."
[Rear Admiral Yura]: "No. Natalie. I am staying right here."
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "Are you refusing a direct order from your superior?"
[Rear Admiral Yura]: "I almost lost you once, ma'am. I will not do so again."
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "Then I will order the tachyon batteries to target your ships until you obey my command, Rear Admiral Yura."
[Rear Admiral Yura]: "Until death! I will defend you ma'am! The Seventh will not abandon you in your hour of need!"
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "God damn it Ethan! I've lost Meyers already! I can't afford to lose you too!"
[Rear Admiral Yura]: "You don't think I want to mourn Meyer's death too..?"
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "We will not win this battle Ethan. We can't."
[Rear Admiral Yura]: "But we can damn well try, Natalie. That's all we can do sometimes..."
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "... I'm seconding the Third to the Seventh. Defend us, Rear Admiral Ethan Yura."
[Rear Admiral Yura]: "For you ma'am, I'll follow into the depths of hell and back."
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "Hopefully we won't make that journey today, Ethan."
[Rear Admiral Yura]: "No ma'am. We won't."
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "How can you be so sure..?"
[Rear Admiral Yura]: "Because we have you ma'am. No one defeat us if we have the fabled Hero of New Hope on our side."
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "May every shot fly true, Rear Admiral."
[Rear Admiral Yura]: "And you as well ma'am."
Cutting the link, Vice Admiral Kirn gives in to the emotions swelling in her breast. She collapses, much to the dismay of everyone around her. Tears stream down her face, and her sobs can be heard echoing throughout the terminal. Silence ensues, with only her crying filling the void. No one speaks, because no one dares to move. The wounded quietly sob along with her. And the dead? Even more so. Vice Admiral Kirn, so strong, so righteous and calm, has broken down. Their beacon of hope was hurt, and no one had the right words to make her hurt go away.
She recovers slowly. The sergeant gets down on his knees, as do others near her, to help her up. They needed her to stand. They needed her to stand up. They needed her to stand up so that she could shoulder the weight of a world upon her small but able frame.
They knew that she could not do it alone. Quietly, work resumes, albeit at a quicker pace than it was before. They needed to work harder for her. They needed to work more efficiently for her. They needed to be strong for her. Because in their strength, they knew she would find the strength to lead. She would find the strength to carry them through this dark hour. She would bring to bear the strength that made her a living legend.
Vice Admiral Natalie Kirn, in Avalon's darkest hour, fought to defend the fledgling nation against the New Katharian Syndicate. Their navy, once upon a time, rivaled Avalon's budding power. During the conflict, the New Katharians had managed to slip a fleet past their initial defenses, and it made it to the world of New Hope. The Vice Admiral was the only one who answered New Hope's distress call, as the world began to burn. With but a fraction of what projections indicated was needed to stop the New Katharian fleet, the Admiral engaged the enemy. Day and night she fought. And it wasn't until the New Katharians were sent retreating did she ever stop to rest.
New Hope was fostered under her careful stewardship, and the people of New Hope quickly came to hail her as their savior and caretaker. Without her intervention, New Hope would have burnt to ashes. Without her intervention, New Hope would've stayed a simple agriculture world. But with her intervention, the planet became a thriving hub of trade. So much so, that New Hope was proclaimed the main shipyards from which new AGN ships were launched, and the craft perfected.
Go anywhere within Avalonian space, and a child will speak of the First Regent of Avalonia being their lord and savior. Go to New Hope however, and any child will proclaim Vice Admiral Kirn, as their savior and their hope. They will say they aspire to be like her. That they want to help people just like she helped them.
She was just a human. An ordinary one. And yet, she may as well have ascended to godhood. New Hope, as long as it stood, would forever venerate her name. As long as its people lived, Natalie Kirn would forever be engraved into their hearts.
[Officer 1]: "Vice Admiral! The Aurelian fleet has just breached normal space! Contact has been made! Confirming ASV Destiny! Multiple other capital-craft have also been confirmed!"
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "Have you tried to hail their commander?"
[Officer 1]: "Negative Admiral! They're blocking all channels of communication! Forward elements have been engaged!"
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "Tell Commander Kirov that Rear Admiral Yura has OpCom! Clear the lanes for the orbital arrays!"
[Officer 1]: "Orders received Admiral!"
Switching to fleet-wide communications...
[Vice Admiral Kirn]: "Third? This is Vice Admiral Kirn. The Second is out of commission as of this moment, which means that the Third and Seventh need to take point! I won't lie: This is a losing fight. But you need to buy me enough time to evacuate the civilians from New Hope! Please, hold the line! Hold the line, and do your jobs, as the Guardians of the New Avalonia!
It is here, that we make our stand! It is here, that we stand stoic within the heart of the storm! We do not bend to the will of others! We will not quake in fear at insurmountable odds! Every fight is an even fight! For it is not the number of bodies one brings, but the strength of wills brought to bear!
We are the Third Expeditionary Fleet of the Avalonian Guardia Navy! We are the Defenders of New Hope! And until we breathe our last, we will never surrender!"
