With the outbreak of war between our galaxy's Ancient Races in the past months, galactic stability is at an all-time low. Not much is known about these powerful races, but our sources indicate that there are massive battles underway. The outcomes of these clashes may have consequences which affect the far corners of this galaxy. While there are few eyewitnesses to events in such restricted systems, our special correspondants have been able to find accounts of two major battles that have taken place recently. Let's go there now...
Hi, I'm Aakx Grwed, here with a crewman from a Manticore dreadnought which was involved in operations against the Sign of One. What happened out there?
"We were a part of the legendary sixth fleet - 1 of 300 warships -, charged with occupying the outworlds of the Sign. Their fleet had been amassing over Sigil (their home sphere), and leaving us alone. This did not bother us, as we knew they would have to defend their people eventually. Just Last month, their fleet, which contained over 400 ships, engaged the Sixth. We had not been tested against a large Sign contingent in many years, and did not know what to expect. However, we needn't have worried. The sixth took heavy casualties, but emerged with over 160 ships still battle-worthy. All Sign of One vessels were destroyed. Hail the Sixth!"
As you can see, it would appear that even powerful races such as the Sign have enemies worthy of them, regardless of what they may imply to the rest of the galaxy. Our other eyewitness comes from the Yerdonian Collective, and his tale defies belief. He was one of the few survivors of an attack on the Manticore system itself. What did you see?
"It was terrible... we were sent to attack the Manticore system itself, while their fleets were engaged with the Sign of One. It was hoped that we slow down their operations by drawing their forces back into their own system. That all sounded good to us when we heard it, but when we warped into Manticore..."
What happened?
"... most of their ships had been drawn off, that much was true; but their warp point fortifications were far beyond what we expected. They had merely 50 warships to our 300, but not one of our ships escaped. As far as I know, we only destroyed 3 Manticore warships... it was a massacre beyond anything I could imagine... I can't talk about it... don't make me talk about it..."
News indeed! The Manticore appear to have just achieved two stunning victories against other prominent ancients of our galaxy. What this bodes for the rest of us, I am unable to guess. Rest assured, we will be here as events unfold. Stay tuned. For Galactic News, I'm Aakx Grwed. Now back to you.
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(OOC: 303 to 3... that's gotta hurt...
Just for some background on the ancients involved:
Both the Sign and I (Manticore) are Religious.
The Yerdonian are Organic.
Total losses:
Sign + Yerdonian: ~ 420 + 300 ~ 720
Manticore: ~150