Rise of the Remorhaz Society

[Growltigga]

Geo and Sachmo, for what it is worth I create my troops in units of 25 each. This is a battalion (if small troop), regiment (if medium troop) or division (large troop) and each block of 25 get's called something unique like

1st battalion, Kings Royal Life Guard
2nd battalion, Vox Geo
1st regiment 'Fighting Furballs'

or whatever, it does make tracking them around a little bit more of a laugh

[sachmo]

Not a bad idea, Tigga. I've always loved the way the British Army gives names to their regiments. Maybe I'll bring it into the story! Thanks!

[Growltigga]

Sachmo, see if you can buy Richard Holmes' new book "Redcoat". An interesting history of the British army, the best in the world, and good for tracing through all the unit's histories..

[sachmo]

Breaking the Stalemate in Zekrat

Admiral Sakazawa knew that his fleet could not penetrate the defenses of the Rage homeworld, but he knew that he did have one advantage over the Rage�the mobility of his fleet. To use this to their advantage, Sakazawa had his fleet stage a series of hit and run attacks on the Rage homeworld. In the first attack, they were able to destroy a Rage minelayer, the four defense satellites, and an orbital shipyard. A second attack yielded nothing, as all of the Rage defenses were too concentrated. The third attack resulted in the destruction of the Firestorm defense base, which was the most formidable defense outside of the planet itself. The heavy phased polaron beams it housed could make short work of any ship in the Remorhaz fleet. With that base out of the way, the fleet could now concentrate on neutralizing the defenses of the planet itself.

Sakazawa used the debris field that now surrounded Zekrat VIII to get his ships in very close to the Rage homeworld before they were spotted. Before the ample defenses of the Rage were able to react, RSS Quasar was able to attack the major Rage defense bases with planetary napalm. The attack was a success, and all but three of the defense bases were neutralized. Every other ship in the fleet opened fire with missile, guns, and whatever other weapons were handy.
After riding out the initial attack, the Rage responded with everything they had. Missile warnings sounded throughout the fleet as the surface of Zekrat VIII erupted with capital ship missile fire. Every ship in the fleet was targeted by at least one salvo, and the final orbiting defense base was also still active. Point defense would have to carry the battle now. Tarus again took the brunt of the enemy fire, taking two salvos amidships. However, since the shields had been repaired after the original damage was taken, most of the damage was contained, and while her fighting capability was diminished, the ship remained functional and maneuver capable.
Tarus returned fire again, bLasting a missile complex into atoms before moving back in the line to allow the undamaged ships access to the battle. Finally, Quasar was able to move in and finish off the Last defense base. RSS Badger moved in with the 2nd Space Marine Brigade, and the assault began.

Brigadier General McMasters watched from the combat information center as the troops of 2nd Brigade dropped onto the Rage homeworld. As the first elements entered the atmosphere, they were met with fierce ground fire. The pilots twisted and jinked their craft as much as possible, but twelve Blazers were knocked out of the sky, spilling the hapless Space Marines into the atmosphere when they exploded. The remaining 123 Blazers formed up and moved to neutralize the Primary Sequencer. As they closed, Rage troops fought like demons to try and stop the Remorhaz troops. The fighting was the most intense as they finally located the Sequencer, as he commanded every Rage citizen to attack the Space Marines with whatever weapons they could scrounge. After two weeks of bitter and bloody fighting, Zekrat VIII was in Remorhaz hands, and the Rage homeworld was theirs. The Space Marines lost 71 Blazers and close to 1500 Space Marines. The Rage lost countless citizens and soldiers, but the capture of the planet yielded over two billion Rage citizens. 2nd Brigade was finished as an offensive combat unit until replacements could be mustered in. The Space Marines of Remorhaz had come thru their most challenging test to date, and been victorious. Hopefully, the Rage were just about finished now. Zekrat VIII was renamed Rage, a name that fit in more ways than one.

[TerranC]

Originally posted by sachmo:
Brigadier General McMasters

Hmm, relating to a history figure we know?
Good stories.

[sachmo]

An important victory

In every compartment throughout every ship in Providence Fleet, com units chirped to life.
�Now hear this. Now hear this. Stand by for a message from Commodore Brennan.�
There was a momentary pause, and the crew waited for the news.
�Good evening, everyone. I have the latest news from Zekrat VIII. Admiral Sakazawa�s fleet has crushed all resistance by the Rage. Their homeworld has fallen.�
Commodore Brennan smiled as cheers echoed thru the ship. The crew had been on the razor�s edge for over a year now, and was finally watching this phase of the war come to a close. Hopefully, they would all be able to go home soon.
He continued.
�We also have a personal note here from Grand Admiral Urian. It reads; to the men and women of Providence Fleet�by now you have heard of our great victory at Zekrat VIII and the crushing of the Rage stronghold there. While this is indeed a great step forward in the war, it should by no means diminish the feats that you brave soldiers and sailors have accomplished. The capture of Lezzari and your unprecedented advances in Jethanis are just as important to ending this war as is the capture of the Rage homeworld. Without your victories, it is quite possible that the Rage would even now still be resisting our advances into their territory. We are all so very proud of you, and all throughout the Remorhaz Society feel safe knowing that you are fighting for our very existence. We thank you for your excellent work, and take pride in your accomplishments. Stay safe and hurry home to us. Signed, Grand Admiral Marcus Urian.�
Another cheer rolled thru the ship.
�Folks, I cannot tell you how proud of you I am. In one month, we have captured three Rage colonies with a minimal loss of life. In another month, we will have kicked the Rage out of the Jethanis system. If we continue at this pace, the Rage will be finished in a year.�
Thunderous applause and shouts.
�All crewmembers of Providence fleet have been granted forty-eight hours of planet side leave, effective 0600 tomorrow morning. There will be a victory celebration tomorrow evening at 1700 in Peonei City. Once again, thank you everyone for your hard work and dedication. Enjoy your leave. You�ve earned it.�
Brennan switched off the com unit, but could still hear the shouts and laughter of the crew. He only hoped that he would be able to make it planet side tomorrow for the victory party. There were still two Rage worlds to take, and Brennan wanted to get it over and done with. Then he might be able to relax.

2411.4

The strategic display was choked with Ukra-Tal ships. The enemy fleet deployed in a wall formation, twenty-two ships strong. The depleted minefield had taken out one more enemy ship, but it hadn�t done much to slow this vast armada down.
Commodore Hitcher had sent a warning message to Governor Ervay on the surface of Correlia, but Hitcher was sure that his own ground-based radar could see the Ukra-Tal fleet without his help. He watched as the Last of the civilian and commercial flights that were in the area made full speed for the Ultrinox wormhole. Those few that remained or were too slow to escape would surely perish in the battle to come, and so were safer hunkered in a bunker on the surface.
He keyed up the com link to the fleet captains and discussed the battle plan. Protect Correlia at all costs. They all knew the odds were against them, but as long as they drew breath, they would defend the planet. On the surface of Correlia were thirty million Remorhaz colonists, and since the Ukra-Tal brought no transports with them, Hitcher had to assume that they wanted nothing less than the complete extermination of all life in this system. He knew he and his people would do their best to stop them.
Correlia also had an impressive array of weaponry on the surface, also. Three missile complexes, three anti-missile complexes, and three heavy cannon bases would make life difficult for any Ukra-Tal ship that closed range. Meanwhile, Hitcher would use his fleet to press the attack whenever possible and try to destroy any Ukra-Tal ships that he could. He was hoping that the massed firepower of his fleet and the weapons platforms on the surface would allow them to withstand the superior numbers of the enemy fleet, but it would be a close thing. As he watched data roll across the screen with enemy weapons information, his face grew long. The Ukra-Tal brought some nasty toys to the fight. Acid launchers and seeker projectiles were the stuff of nightmares. He had seen their capabilities at Yukra, and was not looking forward to facing them.

The Ukra-Tal fleet was closing at maximum velocity. As they closed range, the sensors gathered more information on the enemy ships. It appeared that the minefield had done more damage to the Ukra-Tal than originally estimated. Several ships were heavily damaged, and some had no weapons at all. The odds slimmed down a bit more in favor of the Remorhaz fleet. His staff continued to send out information to the rest of the fleet, trying to ensure his captains had every piece of info that they could get their hands on. Missing even one piece could turn a battle like this from a rout into a slaughter.

Still the Ukra-Tal came on. At maximum range, they unleashed their seeker parasites. These hell-missiles locked onto their targets and streaked unerringly thru space, determined to rend metal and flesh. Before they could do any damage, the anti-missile defenses of Correlia knocked them out of the sky. RSS Skydancer moved to clear Correlia�s first moon, but was set upon by the Ukra-Tal frigates with acid launchers. The majority missed their mark or struck the shields, but eventually the attacks burned thru her defenses. The acid tore into her hull, destroying both of her DUCs and one of her missile launchers. RSS Narvik closed range and damaged one Ukra-Tal destroyer with DUC fire. They then resorted to evasive maneuvers, trying to escape the guns of the Ukra-Tal ships. The guns on the surface of Correlia opened up on the Ukra-Tal fleet, knocking a destroyer from the sky. Skydancer endured more punishment from the enemy ships, as acid globules slammed into her hull, melting it into a twisted wreck. Her bridge knocked out and all of her weapons gone, she attempted to limp from the fight. Orion pumped a full salvo of heavy depleted uranium shells into an Ukra-Tal destroyer, destroying one of its acid launchers. RSS Milton also took heavy damage, but was able to fire another missile salvo back at the pursuing enemy fleet.

Hitcher moved his ships into range of an enemy light cruiser that had moved into range of the planetary defense cannon and taken a severe pounding from them. Orion and Shining Victory opened fire and damaged the light cruiser badly.
Eventually, Milton was destroyed by overwhelming acid damage. She exploded when the acid penetrated her power core, causing a chain reaction that obliterated the ship. The Ukra-Tal also broke thru the defenses of Orion, pummeling her with acid fire. For what seemed an eternity, Hitcher was directing both the battle and the helm, as the bridge and most of her crew had been killed when an acid globule burned thru the hull and exposed the bridge to the vacuum of space. The ship was a wreck, and what was left of the crew transferred to Shining Victory. Commodore Hitcher and his staff were the Last off of the ship, having ensured that everyone who could escape had.
The ground cannon acquitted well for themselves, destroying three more Ukra-Tal ships in quick order.
The battle raged, and the ground cannon of Correlia smashed ship after ship. The Remrohaz fleet served as tempting bait for the Ukra-Tal, as they concentrated their fire on the ships while the bases on the surface of Correlia kept up a high volume of fire, exacting a horrendous toll from the enemy ships. Narvik was pounded by the Ukra-Tal fleet, and she tried to limp off the battlefield. The Ukra-Tal ships moved into range of Correlia itself, finally realizing the threat the planet itself posed to them. They destroyed a few of the anti-missile bases with acid fire, and killed a few thousand colonists at the same time.
The ground cannon proved to be the difference. Twenty of the twenty-two ships that attacked Correlia were destroyed, with the final two being so badly damaged as to not be a factor. The Remorhaz Society had lost one frigate, three thousand colonists, and close to five hundred sailors. Hopefully, this defeat would put a major crimp in the offensive plans of the Ukra-Tal, but who knew what resources they had? On the planet Shadow, the first Remorhaz agents had been trained to gather just that sort of information.

[Growltigga]

Brilliant Sachmo, having fallen foul of planetary defence bases maxed up with DUC V's, I actually sympathise with the Ukra Tel...

Out of interest, what is your current rating vis a vis the rest of the galaxy?

[sachmo]

Tigga, Last time I checked, I was third. That was before I put the smackdown on the Rage, though. I'll check for you, soon!

I really thought that the Ukra-Tal were going to clean my clock, but thankfully they went after the fleet while the heavy DUCs on the surface wasted their ships.

[Growltigga]

Ahahh Sachmo, cunning use of the old "chase my flimsy starships whilst the guys on the planet nuke your backside" trick - works every time

[sachmo]

Breathing Room

Grand Admiral Urian pinned the rank insignia onto the uniform collar of the Remorhaz Navy�s newest Rear Admiral.
�Congratulations, Admiral Jager. This has been a long time coming, but very well deserved.�
He clasped her hand and shook it. Gina flushed a bit, but thru it all managed to smile.
�Thank you, sir. I won�t let you down.�
Urian relaxed his grip, and gave her a long look.
�You never have before. Why would I be worried you would start doing it now?�
Gina flushed again. The navy band began to play the Remorhaz anthem. Everyone turned and saluted the ensign flying over the parade ground.
With that, everyone was dismissed and the formal ceremony ended. Now the private parties would begin. For Gina, tonight night was going to be just as long as the day had been. The victory at the Battle of Correlia had given the Remorhaz forces a moment to breathe, and they intended to take full advantage of it. With the pace of the fighting over the past five years, there had not been enough time to award decorations and promotions, and so Grand Admiral Urian himself decided to bring the ceremonies to the fleet instead of waiting for everyone to rotate back to Remorhaz. This action gave a big boost to moral. The fighting men and women of Remorhaz took a few days to stand tall and be proud of their accomplishments. The ceremonies here on Highrock were the first of many to follow, and were being broadcast live throughout the society.
Now that Gina was the second-highest ranking officer in the system, she was expected to attend at least one official party in honor of her new promotion. All she really wanted to do for celebration was to take a very long bath and go to sleep for a week or two, but it would have been rude of her not to attend. At least she had a few hours to freshen up before the party was to begin, and since she was the guest of honor she was expected to be fashionably late.
Gina hopped into the rear of her staff speeder.
�Please take me to my apartment, Ensign� she muttered to her driver.
He turned around and flashed a huge smile.
�Anything you say, Cap�sorry, Admiral, ma�am.�
She gazed out of the window, look out at the granite landscape of Highrock.
�I suppose we will both have to get used to that.�
�Yes ma�am.�
They rode on in silence, and Gina allowed her mind to wander back to the beginning of the war. Back to when her biggest fear was if she could get enough training time in for her crew on board Eagle. Now, here she was in a far away system, at the tip of the spear. She had gotten used to being afraid out here at the front. There were so many ways to die, and any one of them could take you without warning. There weren�t many choices out here on the frontlines, and if you weren�t fighting, you were dead. Gina had to make sure the people under her command kept fighting, until the fight was done.

Rear Admiral Sakazawa continued the offensive against the Rage. After two weeks of rest and reorganization, he loaded what was left of the 2nd Space Marine brigade back into Badger and moved into the Sutran system. The brigade was still at less than half strength, but Sakazawa decided that it should be sufficient strength to take these less strongly defended Rage worlds. After a brief battle Sutran II fell, along with 135 million Rage colonists. Space Marine casualties were light with less than ten killed.
In Jethanis, Commodore Brennan was forced to abandon Peonei when a Rage fleet of nine frigates and destroyers jumped in from Aldan. He planned to fall back to Cetarus and defend the entire system from there, and hoped to lure the Rage fleet into attacking the planet. He communicated his plan to the governor on Cetarus, who immediately began building ground-based defenses to lend firepower to the outnumbered Remorhaz fleet. It was hoped that if this Rage fleet were to be destroyed, that would put an end to the Rage navy, but of course no one could be sure.

On the planet Shadow, two fast shuttles lifted off simultaneously from opposite sides of the planet. On board each were members of the first class of agents of the Remorhaz Security and Intelligence Bureau. The first shuttle laid out a course for Remorhaz, where the agents would begin counter-intelligence operation within the government. The second shuttle set a course for the Xillantha system. Once there, the agents were to board a captured Ukra-Tal spacecraft and infiltrate their frontier. If they succeeded, they were trained to carry out any number of missions, from intelligence gathering to asset destruction. A new front had opened up in the war, and on this front the battles were fought in the shadows.