Resurgence - Trust's Treachery
Trust's Treachery
The last days of November had arrived, final preparations were underway to begin moving the Stormhawk Galaxy toward New Avalon, and the guests from this newfound “Comstar” were brought aboard the Raven’s Nest. Nothing via video feed, nor from the armed guards, gave any alarm of potential treachery. Trying not to let hope get the best of them, the Galaxy Commander and Star Colonel began interviewing these refugees.
They learned everything. From the last days of the Jihad to the secretive escape routes. From the Hidden Worlds to the vanished fleets, militias, and Shadow Divisions. From the enslaving of Periphery worlds to reproduction programs to re-education camps both within the Inner Sphere and in the Periphery. From the building of their Capital World to the artificial intelligence and automation feats that gave them the chance to gather the resources needed and construct such numbers of space vessels over the decades.
Numerous holovids and images were shared by Imala, showing the star charts he took, and more. Most of the personnel left were the scientists and scholars. Only a few were skilled in combat among the surviving Comstar personnel. The downside of this was that they had very little information about current Blakist activity. General corridor information was all that they could give as intel. Luckily, the Stormhawk fleet was not in the way of the Federated Suns corridor and now the Galaxy Commander knew what planets to avoid.
After a couple hours of discussion, Magnus, McKenna, and Imala decided on a break. It was an overwhelming amount of information to take in. As the two Ravens departed the room, Imala added, “I would recommend that we reconvene soon, there is additional information and we will need to get moving, however it is important for us to talk more before expending jump charges. For right now, we are in one place our hunters wouldn’t be looking.”
“Aff, Precentor Imala, we will be back in the next thirty minutes, I will make sure navigation has our path charted.” Magnus said as he left the room.
Walking down the corridor, they were initially silent, then Star Colonel McKenna started, “They missed re-education camps in the Inner Sphere for years? Didn’t even find the other Hidden Worlds? Enslaved entire planets in the Periphery?”
“This information alone will dramatically alter the Inner Sphere, Star Colonel. We just need to focus on getting to New Avalon. Prince Davion and the Khan had positive interactions in the past, hopefully this will be a fruitful outcome.”
Walking onto the bridge, the ship Captain confirmed that the course was plotted and they were preparing all the fleet vessels for the journey ahead. Both of the Comstar dropships were going to have their insignia removed at their next point of refit to avoid being fired upon.
“Captain, we will be returning shortly to find out additional information on whoever was hunting them, just make sure we are ready to go on a moment’s notice.”
“Aff, Galaxy Commander, the Raven’s Nest is ready to soar.” Responded the Captain, confident in his vessel’s ability to carry them across the stars.
“Captain, Galaxy Commander, we have IFFs coming in from inbound ships, shows to be the Sea Foxes.” Shouted a voice from the navigation personnel.
“Well, this is a stroke of luck, we can fill them in before we depart and thank them for the recharge station, start building up some good rapport, let us hail them once the Arcship emerges.” Suggested the Galaxy Commander.
With the Sea Foxes being a space faring people, the fleet coming in was quite large overall. Magnus stood next to the Star Colonel and Captain watching the immense fleet arrive, happy to see something going right. Readings on the forward holodisplay read that this was The IlKhanate and Skate Khanate. Both formations had grown significantly over the years between the population growth and acquisition of additional war time vessels.
IlKhanate ArcShip Tsunami appeared near the end of the Sea Fox arrival. A colossal vessel that was a marvel to see, even for those on warships. Connections were quickly established and Khan Mori Hawker appeared before the Galaxy Commander.
“It is with good tidings I welcome you to the Alta Vista system, Galaxy Commander, we were on a mission to recover some lost goods elsewhere, I regret that we have not been able to welcome you in the weeks you have been here. I am seeing some reports that you have been aided by the recharge station and purchased some goods from the local population, has everything gone well?”
“Indeed it has, Khan Hawker, thank you for your gracious welcome. We were about to depart and were concerned we might miss you. As you travel the Inner Sphere far more than us, you may be aware of the looming threat that has returned to the Inner Sphere?” Magnus responded.
“Word is spreading fast, we must all be ready for the storm that is brewing.” Hawker briefly looked to the side, a slight frown forming, before turning back to the Galaxy Commander. “It seems like you have a few damaged vessels, have you seen combat recently?”
“Part of our formation did. I regret to say that Alpheratz may be lost from an incursion into the Raven Alliance space. We were preparing for a retaliatory strike before half of our formation was ambushed, forcing us from our home. Some repairs were greatly sped up thanks to the local hospitality here. We are genuinely grateful to them.” Stated Magnus, he was surprising himself at how diplomatic he was being, of course, he was hoping these Sea Foxes would join StormHawk Galaxy in the fight to retake Alpheratz.
“Yes, I see that some of your ships are recently repaired, although I was addressing those two severely damaged ships at the rear of your formation.” Hawker clarified, expressing concern on his face.
“I was about to lead into that Khan Hawker, turns out the enemy of our enemy is our friend. Personnel saying they are Comstar have revealed themselves to us and are going to provide us a great amount of information to understand our enemy. All of that data will be sent to your IlKhanate after we finish our discussions in the next couple hours as a show of good faith.”
Hawker simply smiled with this last statement and nodded to the Galaxy Commander. “Thank you for giving us this vital update, this will certainly change the course of our near future, one moment please, Galaxy Commander.” The hologram of the Sea Fox Khan vanished.
“Excellent job so far, Galaxy Commander,” said Star Colonel McKenna.
“Seems like being diplomatic is paying off, I will be able to ask for his aid with this crucial information, now we may not even need to go to New Avalon, we can retake our home starting now.” The Galaxy Commander said optimistically as his head was turned toward the Star Colonel.
Some motion caught the Galaxy Commander’s eye, causing him to turn back towards the ferroglass shield of the bridge. He went from a slight grin of confidence to shock.
“Multiple contacts inbound, Sea Fox vessels taking aggressive maneuvers, lock ons detected!” shouted someone from the weapons section of the bridge.
“What?! No! Get me back on with the Khan! What is going on?!” shouted the Galaxy Commander, hesitant to tell his fleet to open fire.
Mori Hawker’s hologram appeared again, “Thank you for your much needed update, turns out we have found our lost goods, it is a shame you investigated them rather than hold them for us. Magnus sends his regards.”
“Are you talking about me? What?” Galaxy Commander Magnus looked on in confusion.
“A fun play with words, I mean Precentor Magnus, the leader of the corridor to tear the Federated Suns in half. He offered quite the bounty to take out these traitors to their cause.” Mori responded coldly.
“Inbound weapons fire! Do we respond?!” shouted a voice from gunnery.
Taking it all in took a second, the Sea Foxes were working for… them. “Y-Yes, return fire with everything we have, prepare to jump!” shouted the Galaxy Commander, filling with rage from the betrayal of another Clan like this. He looked Hawker in the eyes, “You would betray us all for those who wanted to see to our extermination?!”
“Why do you think we have been buying up all the HPGs? Why do you think we explore the Inner Sphere so much? The treasures we have found would stun you. However, since you have taken the side of this ‘Comstar’, you are now our enemy, regrettable.” Hawker’s words were interrupted by a massive wave fire from and impacts to the Raven’s Nest.
Continuing, “Galaxy Commander, for your ignorant bumbling and aiding the enemy of the true Star League I now challenge you to a Trial of Annihilation. Also, do not attempt to jump, the Star League has provided us with certain technology so that we will know where you are going. Stand and fight to the last like honorable warriors, seyla.” Hawker’s end of the feed cut off.
Opening a line to the fleet the Galaxy Commander ordered, “All ships open fire! All fighters scramble!”