Resurgence - Cataclysm Chapter 8
January 6th, 3153
Word of Blake LZ Alpha, Albion (Between the Thames and Cris River)
1200
“Precentor Avitue, Blake’s blessings are abundant. As a Nomad Republic Duat touched down on the riverbank, they believed themselves to be victorious. However, our warriors thwarted the action. We have passed into the city of Barrington. Sightings of the First Prince at the Palace have been called in.” An adept states aloud as he realizes the 44th Shadow Division Commander is watching over his shoulder in the command center.
“That is excellent news, Blake will continue to guide us to the Third Transfer.” Avitue says in response to the update. Her voice is strong for a woman who has been alive for over one hundred and ten years. Walking along the staff members she looks back and forth between the holotable updates and the screen readings. She knows that the Davion Assault Guards and Dawn guards are tough but, her men are bloodthirsty.
Last time I came as a benevolent ruler. I did not want to use the nuclear weapons. I did not want to kill civilians when avoidable. I DID NOT want anything other than to share the light of Blake and they rejected me for it. Not this time. She is visibly enraged as she thinks to herself. While she woke up multiple times over the decades and did get the latest cryo technology when she went back into the ice, it still did mess with her neural pathways a little more each time. She feels strong but that age may quickly catch up with her.
She turns to another group of Adepts, “Demi-Precentor Lechies should have another update for me by now.”
“Yes, ma’am.” An Adept responds immediately. “Some civilians are resisting his new chain of command in Ranford but, for the most part, they are abiding by his orders.” He then starts a video for Avitue to watch and quickly moves out of her way. She leans down and can see video of him in the science bay of his union dropship. Behind him are multiple tables with bodies on them. Above the bodies are bizarrely shaped devices that are like arms hanging down.
“Precentor Avitue, the leaders of the city of Ranford have been of little help providing information on the military assets and other details regarding the defense of New Avalon. If anything, they feel abandoned by the First Prince. The orbital bombardment of Ranford has had similar demoralizing effects to the populace as it did in Winchester on Brunswick.”
“We are beginning local operations and have taken control of the means of communication in all regions West of the fighting on Albion and East of the fighting on Brunswick. Our messages are being dispersed on every channel, some will make it through to the defended territories. With Blake’s guidance I will send another update soon.” He bows his head slightly toward the camera and his image turns to black. Avitue leans up and away and the Adept returns to his work.
“Mother, we have a signal from the fleet.” Avitue Secunda's voice comes from the command area of the bridge.
“Put it through.” Avitue states as she approaches the hologram stand. As she arrives, it is Precentor Magnus that appears before her.
“Precentor Avitue, we have news from the system jump point. Our electronic warfare suites are still in place so no signal is leaving or coming to the planet. However, a new fleet of ships has arrived. We are working on determining the composition of the ships but, we know there are multiple nations present – Ghost Bears, Snow Ravens. Federated Suns, and Capellan Confederation. Alerts are being sent to our forces through the system to rally at New Avalon. The seemingly allied fleets are not firing on each other. ETA is just under seven days.
“As you may already be thinking this Precentor Avitue, my guess is that these are likely some of the same ships we encountered at Point Barrow between the Snow Ravens and Federated Suns. As for the Ghost Bears, ROM was able to send us an update some time ago that something was going on in the Rasalhague Dominion. It is unclear why the Capellans would be here and be in formation with the Federated Suns instead of killing them for Sian.” He finishes his statement, waiting for a response from her.
She is standing still, a thousand-mile stare with her jaw sliding side to side. She blinks a moment later and begins, “We must assume that they are all aligned and en route to engage us. I think it is unlikely that the Ghost Bears and Capellans have Warships this far out of their own territories. The Snow Ravens did have some of their Conqueor Naval Star remaining at Point Barrow. However, they may be prepared with a much larger quantity of ships than we are prepared to handle. Even here at New Avalon the Assault Dropship presence is surprising.” She pauses in thought for a moment.
Continuing, “The best way to turn them other than sheer firepower is going to be fear and loss. We must seek to kill the First Prince as quickly as possible. Work with the Demi-Precentors on the ground to intercept and beam propaganda footage to all holovid channels, Demi-Precentor Lechies in Ranford is already making strides here. Make sure you keep the footage running as though they have already been defeated. Also, prepare to attack the Federated Suns and Nomad Republic fleets in the coming days.”
“Yes, Precentor. Once we have the new fleet ship compositions, you will have it to your terminal. We are scanning for IFFs remaining from the Jihad as well. We will notify you once we have multiple plans of attack with high success probability. As of now our fleet surrounds the defending fleet but remains out of range. There are daily, heavily defended dropship convoys to the two Yardships in their formation from the surface and back, especially to the Brunswick continent. Is there any action we should take? Should we send out the message for the Sea Foxes?”
“Not yet on both accounts. We want the defenders to get complacent. The Sea Foxes will be ordered in when the time is right. Remember, our planning accounted for the potential for forces to rally against the first wave. Send an HPG message to Precentor Oze to prepare for my call.” Avitue pauses to consider the timeframes. “Deploy the Shadow Divisions. Avitue out.”