A Coalition Storm

[Shagohad]

She didn't even respond. They were still trying to pick up a communications signal. "Comrade," The gunner sang out. "The guns won't lock! We can't even see anything! The storm...it's...it's playing hell with our instruments!"

Her temper was short, "Keep trying, damn you. We're in an Order ship! These ships' scanners can read David Hale's porn from across the sector! So don't you tell me that we can-"

"Comrade," A crewman interrupted, "Target is of...cruiser origin. Not familiar with the configuration, though..."

"What IFF is it flying?"

"Blood...Dragon...? This can't be right...." He scratched his head to emphasize his confusion.

"Keep hailing them!" She barked.

---

"THE HULL HAS BEEN BREACHED AND THE SCIENCE IS LEAKING OUT!"

[arvg]

INCOMING TRANSMISSION
COMM ID: Premier Alvin Katz of the Coalition
LOCATION: Office of the Premier Omega-52

TARGET ID: TAZ leadership

Thank you for your information, our scientists are examining the data in a hope to glean what connection this planetary formation may have to the events unfolding across Sirius. If we find out anything, you will be the first to know.

Premier Alvin Katz
Премьер-министр Элвин Кац

Volgograd

Sirius Coalition Revolutionary Army
Революционная Армия Коалиции Сириуса

END TRANSMISSION

---

[Akura]

((???? System - Mizuchi))

Akuji soldered the circuit board of the panel back onto it's holding, being careful with his hands as to not tear any of the wiring. Satisfied, he re-connected the power, sliding it back into place.

The impulse drive let out a worrying sound, something not quite right with the calibration. Akuji cursed, turning down one dial and reducing the fuel input through the injection system.

"Sensei, you better come see this" the internal comms buzzed at him, "We are being hailed"

"Right, open a stable channel, I'll be up in a moment" Akuji ordered, sliding his toolbox away from his legs and standing up,

The computers on the command deck were busy working away with statistics and solutions, a single panel attempting to open a secure transmission through the heavy storm.
He checked their position on the map, they weren't in Sigma-19 anymore, or at least, the ship didn't know where they were.

"Hows that channel coming along?" Akuji questioned, reading through the lists of results,

The ship that had hailed them was about the size of his own ship, maybe slightly smaller. He had a basic shape infront of him, from the limited scans. The ship they were facing had similar systems to his own, as they interfaced with little or no translation of their programming.
This cruiser was either Kusari of origin, or used the same Order systems as the Mizuchi.

"Almost aligned our frequencies, sensei" the Ronin spoke, "And... channel is open"

Akuji could hear shouting and a few curse words coming through on the comms unit, from the other ship. He checked the scanners, trying to place the mysterious ship on the map. He knew it was out there, but the Mizuchi was struggling to pinpoint the exact location.

"Konnichiwa.. captain, I presume? I am Shogun Akuji of the Rising Sons, I apolagise for not being able to communicate with you in clearer conditions" he began, hoping the response he got wasn't aggressive.

He could barely move his own ship, doubting their ability to move aswell. If either ship fired, they'd most likely burn themselves out or destroy their own powerplants before they did sufficient shield damage.

Neither ship was in a position to enter battle, or at least, the Mizuchi wasn't, he hoped the same for the unidentified ship...

[Ophiuchi]

From: Moira Waverly, Veranda Incognita, Port C.
To: Them SCRA Scientist fellers

Well, lads, whatever ye're doin', it ain't all bad!

Here at the plantation, the bleedin' Kallisti Gold plants 're growin' like the mill tails o' Hell! They must be at three meters now, and stinkin' like a convention o' civet cats!

Whatever flux ye're puttin' out, it's gonna be a bumper crop o' entheogens fer the Faithful this year! One ray o' sunshine in all this bleedin' sleet, eh?

Cheers!
Moira

---

<span style="color:#339999">Reg Waverly * Moira &quot;Kentigearan&quot; Waverly * Fnordette Sophie Noir</span>



<span style="color:#66CCCC">Sophie's on the Square * Veranda Incognita</span>