The Detla  Fleet had split. Mu was given command of a battle group that consisted of the Skith Fleet, The Tortugans , and the EVOLs

  2  ESN Transport/bases  went with them. Bur a was under attack. It seemed desperate  for the demons to attack a  world that was   now , a solid  ESN territoty. But they had to have a reason.

 The rest of the fleet, that consisted  of the ESN naval Vessels, and the Few ships of   the Sanri and Occui  Federations, as well as 4 token ships from  the Moons, 2  each from the Blue and red  Moon, headed to Fuji , for repairs  and refits. Though?..if needed, they would  have to leave  with the Skith's  section of the fleet, could not eliminate the Demon threats.

  About the time, the Shuttle landed on Fuji.....

  The small ship kept its Jump engines working hard...Pop in....power up...pop out..repeated for some 2 hours.

 The  small Qarl vessel final  appear of the portside of a MAssive Qarl Battleship.

  The  Human in the Black Uniform looked out the porthole...we have been hearing about beings that looked like this , my whole life....and now?  we are going to meet them.

 a Tired Occui with some signs  of battle scars  simply snorted at those words,..CAreful Human, even the Angels and  demons  Tread softly  , with the Qarl.

 The Man turned, seemingly with out a care,Delta Fleet didn't...they sent that ship packing ...Skith may have brought it down, had they not been ion the other  end of the planet...

 he  whacked the  wounded Female demon on the shoulder,..besides..they are goign to make her see again? right?

 The Occui looked  at the wounded Demoness as he shrugged,..maybe..maybe not...i think, she will at least get some form of sensors...But Cell growth and Biotech are  what the  Qarls are noted for...

  The Planet looked  wonderful from space. Mostly Green and Blue, white or dark grey clouds moving in their patterns  above the planet.

 This was Zolth. The free Planet in ...what used to be..The Free Zone. The Delta  Fleet changed that, when Tortuga Joined the AP.

 Tortuga  sits on the  AP edge of the system, a stopping  point  for ships going in either direction. Since  they have Joined the ESN, Tortugan ships have  patrolled the Black, focusing their attacks of  slaver ships, Demons and any ship flagged as a Demon empire vessel.

 the results  are not always good. Zolth has maintained its 'open planet' status. They allow  any vessel who wishes to trade, or needs help, to dock there. Goods from everywhere are  here...sadly the Goods include captives who are sold off as slaves.

 The EVOLs have made Zolth their  home, after being made aware of it, by their new Qarl Masters. The EVOLs thrive here. and have no problem recruiting  wayward Angels, Humans from dozen planets, and  disgruntled Humaniods from across The Black.

  With the transfers  coming on Board, there was also a change in the Vid-reporters  for the Delta Fleet..while everyship had  a reporter  and Cam person, The   Hermes  held the "face' that would  report the news   and  bring in other reporters for their 'time in the sun' on CAm.

  It was a very well paying, very sought after  job, if yuou were a Vid-reporter.

 Cindy was retiring, too much time in space..too mnay hard stories...

  Enter , Minnie Max. Though she  swore that was her real name, Most folks  doubted it. The  Tall slender Black woman, who has been seen on the battle field when she first became a Vid  Reporter, was now in the Prime spot  for her Business.

 She  smiled at the Vid-cam as she stood on the OB Dec. With Zolth over her should..ever-so-slowly, growing bigger.

  Hello people Of   the ESN and AP...I cannot  tell you what an Honor it is to be standing   on the OB Dec of the Hermes. I wish to thank the people  behind ESN NEWS, for giving  me this chance.

 She  Motions  with  her  Free arm over her  shoulder  with a Thumb,We can see, the Planet Zolth. Once the  Queen of  Free Space, Until  they allowed the EVOLs to hold operations  from thier   homeworld. Being stripped of this  Title by the AP, the delta  fleet..in a daring raid...attacked   leaders of the EVOL arm of the  Demonic  Empire...Talks between the Delta Fleet and the Zolth Leaders....Coupled with the strikes against the EVOLs..helped  win a treaty  between the ESN and  Zolth...the smaller planets of  Lux and Elba have also signed on. This Gives   the ESN its  deepest  thrust into  The Black..in the direction of the  Demon's Homeworld of Hel...As I stand her this Morning, The Fleet is closing  in on Zolth , to  have  Admiral Hack and the Board, go down for a formal signing of the treaty , as well as Give the Delta Fleet a Chance to meet and Know each other..a rare  thing Indeed, as Most of  out allies   are in sectors, that have not needed the  presence of  ESN  warships...

 She Smiles  , but the smile Fades as three faces appear on the  screen nest to her.On a darker note.. Admiral Wess  and General Nickerson , of the  EVOL forces who  have become to be known as 'Red EVOLS' were Killed in  operations  by the Detla  fleet..the Third, Lady Blankenship  escaped her Villa as it was attacked..thus far, her fate is Unkown. There are still some  , who still believe in the RED EVOLs thoughts  of siding with the Demonic  Empire to save  our race. Other  feel it would be akin, to a cow  offering to walk into a food processing center... reports have seen a drop  in EVOL signings..Most that leave earth Come from the  Middle East or  South America.... But there are patches of   support groups  all around the Globe, as well  as in some colonies..

 ..In the  End..only history will be able to tell who was right....

  The AP news   comes  on for their show. Most things are  about planets who are in the AP gearing up for the war, Build  ships, fighters..shuttles  and supplies for the effort.

   A guy with a head set on comes into view ( the reporter at his Desk looks annoyed  until he takes the paper  from his   hand), the headset fellow  goes off  camera, and   the  Vids behind the  reporter  go down and  a New one starts...

 ..This   just in..a live stream form somewhere Between Astra and the Delta  Colonies......

 he turns  so he can see the Vid Himself  as he  reads the  report,The reporter  makes  no attempt at appearing 'neutral'..the  disgust and anger   is barely controlled as he reads ...and watches.

 This is a Live  Vid  Feed from a  Life Pod from the   'Little Princess". The  Little Princess is a colony ship Bound  for  the Delta Colonies..it is....was...carrying  some 30,000 Humans  , sanri and a hand full of Occui...With her  was the   ECS  ( Earth Colony Service)...Med supply ship...she had 2,000 Crew, mostly Med techs and ships crew... and  the Supply ship, " The  Brown Dog..out of Tortuga....

 He looks up again,..We see the   HAdes, Now wearig the colors  of the Demonic  Empire, along  with the Pyrite  and  another ESN Vessel we cannot  get the  Niumber of...with them are  3 Largran Cap ships..and an Avain Nest ship.....

 the Vid  shows the Hades  pounding the  Little princess, until the  surrender Lights  came on...the LArgan vessels are Now  boarding the ships, sending shuttles to the Avain Nest ship....It appears  that any and all survivors  are being taken to the Nest ship....we must assume the ships will be 'joining' the Hades   taskforce....We can only hope  these...traitors...will be brought to Justice..and those in the Life Pods.....

 Two LArgan Fighters  appear on the screen   and   grow closer...then Fire..the   Vid  Disppears in a flash....

  The  Reporter  stares at the blank screen, then looks to the  Vid Cam,..If  any of You have Joined the Demonic Empire..I hope you burn in the  9 hells....

 The News  story ends...and some commercials pop up to fill in the  dead air.

   On  Everest there was a Big Parade in Lowers. It was the  Parade to celebrate the  growth of the AP. 3 new planets in a new system. A great day, unless you were from the demonic  Empire....

 here we are, a celebration to welcome  the new system to the AP!, and of course a Day off  for alot of the workers  on Everest! the man with bad hair  smiled

 ..That's  right Jim, andThe weeding out of EDT and  EVOLs has  helped freshen the air, so-to-speak..at last it seems like the  Tables are turning , quickly... said the Blonde  with the smile made for VIDs.

 Well, Beck? I'm sure there are  some Angels  and such who aren't  real happy. Humans have seemed to  be  taking over the galaxy, but not as  conquers , but  as a United  force...

 Indeed, Jim, one  can only wonder what we could have achieved if the Angels would  have come to us sooner!

 the    highschool bands came  down the street, one of them came from the Uppers, there  were Booths set up along the street for  food, and  many Races  lined the street to watch.

   there  seemed to be a disturbance as  a Fellow ran out in the middle of the street, standing before cameras as he shouted,"....THE FLEET WILL BE THE DOWNFALL OF EARTH!!!..."

 Then he Pushed a trigger on his  Belt, Blowing Himself  and  many dozens of people around him Up....The VIDs  kept  running as people screamed  and  Everest SEC scrambled... Med Techs where flying in with  Med Vans...

  The woman was Horrified...the Man struggled to talk,...we  just recieved this message...I think we were supposed to read it   before..this happened.... the Note reads, "...as long as there is  Delta Fleet..there will be an EDT!.."

  The Man looked at the Screen,his voice was bitter,we can only hope, the Fleet can stop these monsters...as well as the Demons....

 the CAMs moved  away and began to cover the MedTechs  as they tried to treat those who could be saved.

    As people went  about there  day a  APF Vid, the first issued  by the new Alliance , came onto  Vids  screens  everywhere.

    The  Man with BAd hair, that seemed to be the main studio guy for the APF ,

  we have this  bit of news  from   Fleet HQ there  will be a new   formation of  the Delta  Fleet. In order to protect from or  attack any...Empire Forces, The Fleet is being broken up into  smaller  fleets, that will  cover the Delta  Quad, and now, the Beta Quad.

 In this  Quote, at the a brunch meeting  at  Admiral HAck's  quarters...he explains  what they are about to do, so the people of the APF will understand.

the Viss switches to a tape....


 ....and..we have  come a long  way, since the  Hermes set out as a lone vessel, to hunt down a rogue  Demon ship, inside    the Sol System

 he looks  down at   the people in front of him , then back up to the Camera's. He is dresses in a  beach shirt and Shorts,  The Commander  has a sundress on, a lot of the people have dress uniforms on.

 ..at first..it seemed ,w e were a welcome bit of fresh air..each victory we  made, every set back  that faced us... we gained more and more followers, more and more...allies...

 Hack turned to the gathered aliens  and humans  from newer planets and systems.

  Then he looked  straight into the  main Camera,..but ...we did not  come out here.. to kill  a few bad guys, and chase away others...We came , to  rid the galaxy of the demon threat...

 his  voice grew a bit sterner as he continued,..i really, do not know, just how long the Empire  had the run of the  Black.. but that ended the  day we  blew up that first Vessel..people wonder why..i allow  live  vid feeds from  battles, and live  vid feeds when teams go onto the captured Vessels, or into Captured bases.... we want  every being  , to know, just what the Empire does...we have also started beaming  footage to Empire space, of tests we are doing on  every Race in the Empire....

 there looks to be some concerns  around the people behind him, But  Hack holds up both hands as he continues,..total war...means...just that... there are no...noncombatants ... the demons   take  women and children.....the least we can do..is to test things on their  warriors,rather then sending out people with no idea..."if it works"....

 In the end? This war is going to be over  when  Hel is  a burning  rock. The Demons pushed too far, and they are paying the price..those  races who side with them?  will be treated accordingly...and humans who side with the demons...will be treated...much...much worse....

 ..so? from here on out?  We will not  be as 'nice' to  the Empire as we have been...if you are an Empire ship  and we come across you... we will..indeed, capture or destroy you..and the only chance you have to save your life..is to hit your surrender lights, and pray to whatever gods you have, that we are in a good mood that day...

 ..as one  might suspect?  We have had a few officers, who do not agree with,,,total war... and i respect those officer's choices... they have been removed  form the  fleet, and given  responsibilities  in Colonies,  on Bases  and in the rear area...because.... I will not allow an officer  to get his people killed, through stupidity, as the former   Commander of the ESN Thor did in the Battle of the Black....

 ..Now..this conference is over, and  we have some shore leave to attend to...thank you for your Time..... You folks..in the Demonic Empire?...enjoy the  quiet...because...we're  coming for you.... his  smile was as dazzling as it was  cold, behind him   there were  APF people shaking hands  and grinning....

 The announcer  said  with a grin, as they went back to the studio,well?.... as the  old earth saying   goes.... stuff  just go real!

 the Vids  cut off and returned to regular programs.

  The Time  was   close to 8:00 AM...

  News Feeds, Games shows,  Vids..whatever  were interrupted  as    A Very good Looking , woman,reporter stood with  Admiral Hack And Commander Si.

 The Admiral looked distinguished in his uniform, but the  5 o'clock shadopw was  getting thick, and the Collar of his  dress Uniform was opedn.

 The Commander's   Uniform was opened a bit  as well, but she  still seemed fresh and alluring as always...

 ..I am   Here, for  FUJI  News... the breaking announcement that will be fed through out The Black..

 ..I am Here  with Admiral Hack, and  Commander  SI who headed the  talks, and  the  papers have been signed, Can you tell us, now, Admiral?..What has  taken place?

  Hacks  smile  was real, if not tired,..Well? I wil start  this off , by saying, we contacted  the Demon, Largran, Avains and Creshian Homeworlds..not  planets they Hold, but the seat of thier  Government.... not one of them agreed to be included in the talks, that would have brought some form of peace...and..saved  Millions of Lives... what it  comes down to? The Empire thinks  , even after  1000s of years of war, that they will  prevail.... Me?..not so much...

 ..And?  Admiral..How does  this  Effect the Delta Quad and  the Beta  Quad?

 ...if shows  us now...who  we fight, who we don't fight, who  we aid, and who we will not aid.. The demons  Thought we were seeking to surrender?.. But.. that is what i was seeking from them. In the End..they walked away, never  even  had thier names  entered into the Minutes, except to say they refused to  join in the talks.

 ..If  i may?..The   battlelines have  been drawn for sometime? We were offering the demons  a way out. There is no secert we intende to destory thier homeworld... we were giving them a chance, to prevent that...but they seem to think they will prevail.....

 ..Destroy thier  homeworld?

 It means  , Just what the  Commander says. The demons , and Angels for that matter.. as well as the Sanri and Occui, have been on earth  going back to the time when  my people lived in caves....  Our   history books  and books on religion are full of references to them...but it is only the demons who have sought  utter destruction, and rule over our race.

 It is clear, that  if you bowed  down to the  demons, and joined the Empire..you would  slightly better off, then those who fought against the Empire....Times have  changed.... Those who  walked away..who side  with the Empire are going to  pay..a very  heavy butcher's bill, when all is  said  and done... at least, until  The Homeworld of Hel is a smoking Cinder in the Black..then?  we'll see who still wants to continue the Empire

  Can you Tell us?... how the sides  have   formed up?

 Si Smiles,... we have   the some  people on our side as we did   When this was the AP.... The APF merely added the   Stations  of Everest, Etna, and the Matterhorn... there are   a few world  who came to  Fuji  to The  Roussians, The Orange Skinned , taller people..have  Joined the  APF...The Verians   have  confirmed  their place as active Members as opposed to advisors ...

  Hack  scowled,..The  Hillites... Nivens and Hyrians have   left to  join the Empire. Though the truth be told..they were always attacking   ESN/ AP  places before. This conference  made them choose  a side, that would be recorded..they chose the Empire..There are smaller..  moons, and even planetiods  that have  joined one side or the other.. they will be  added to the roster  as they join the   war effort in some form or other..now..If I may Make an announcement for the Fleet?

 ..of  Course Admiral..by all means!

  All Delt Fleet personel, You will report to your  ships  at 8:00 PM  tonight..COMS  will be send.... if you miss your ship, you will be assigned to Colony duty..that is all....

  Thank You Admiral, Commander... go get some rest... The wave  to the CAM  and move off, as the reporter says,..and there you have it..a Historic alliance is built..and dark days seem to  be coming for the Empire!

   There was Music playing  and Fuji Sec  guards  at the Doors.  Dozens of  waiters and waitresses were   hustling   drinks  and   finger food  trays. Servers  manned   buffet tables    cutting   meats and such   the way  people 'liked them'.

  The scene was odd. Men in uniforms or  suits   with  hair slightly a mess  and   5:00 shadows, collars   Un buttoned.. Ladies  with  hair falling out of they set up, and makeup worn away.

 Through it all people smiled and drank, laughed  and  talked.. this is the  1st day..or the APF...........

  Closing in  on 2:00  A very Tired Admiral  smiles   weakly  at people as they left. Si, likewise, tired, but still some how, looking 'fresh'

   Standing In  the Lobby, after     asking   for their things to be sent down...  Hack finally looked at his COM, the first time, since the  party, he  flipped through  screens  and   screesn shaking his head... Until he checked the  HOT BOX... there were only 5 COM TEXY there..all were from  Morris and Rivets... all sent  from the Shed.

   in his  present state he was more  easy to anger, He  told the Desk Clerk to have their  things sent  as soon as they were able, then he  stormed out   waving for a Taxi. Si Hustled after   him.

 ..to the Hermes.... as  fast  as you can get there....

  Kevin  O'higgens was not a rich man, as  most merchants go. True, he hand a few ships, and made  credits   selling  as well as transporting goods.

 He had three  Modest homes in the Lowers of the  Three Stations, of what has become known as, The Beta Triangle.

 More then Once, O'higgens used his ships to  meet people  , just off the 'corridors', to get  escaped slaves, to a CArrier /Station. That came to and end today.

  Two Nivarian  Caps  ships   were dogging   the ship he was on,  The BIg Package, he  was running   through the Corridor  between  Fuji and Everest when the ships  were  spotted on the scanners.

 Fast, and agile for Merchant ships, they were  lightly armed with  one Heavy Pulse Guy and a  unit of 10 Merc  troopers.

 O'Higgens got  17 people  aboard his  personal Shuttle  and hand them drop off the ship..with instructions  not to power  up for an hour...

 Floating   and 'dropping' away from the 'Package'.. they were unseen , or ignored by the   Caps ships..in 40 Minutes, The Package was hit...then Boarded...all three ships sailed into Hillite Space.....an hour  , on the  dot the Shuttle powered up and heading towards  FUJI and rising  back into the 'corridor'

 There is  spotted the  ESN Sandstone And the Destroyer   closed in on its  Hail......

  The Vids Broke into a news  story.

  Mark Liop here for Everest news.... we have Confirmed, that a fire has occurred in the Fleet E-stacks of the  St Gaul Library...the fire was contained to the E-stats, one of the  Info -Techs said,over 90% of the Fleet crew histories  have been purged..Admiral had said, by way of  a rep, that the delta fleet  will be sending techs to help repair and replace the information...

 he looked  more troubled,...another   tragic bit of  news, happen close to the same time...Admiral St Gual's Home was broken into At least 6 Everest SEC guard were killed, and Admiral St Gaul's husband was killed,..rumors  have it  that  token was left behind at the scene, that may lead to  the Group, " Golden Skulls' who have been known to work in the   Beta triangle as well as  the Delta Quad...The Fire destroyed most of the first floor, leaving only one upstairs bed room intact

 another Bit of news that may, or may not be related...Popular Pawn shop  owner Neci and Virk...is under new Management  by another husband  and wife Couple from the delta  quad..the news  came as a surprise  to many of the customers.. officials are loking into their   leaving , calling it...'odd'

 then the  news  switched  to some quoted  by Delta folks  as they were entering the BAll...before showing how'grand it was'

    Well come to  The Latest in the News of the  Beta Quad  and out Human holdings. Today?  we have the recent COM  Vid  debate  With the  reps from The Empire... Ge_fi and those  of the APF

 These are the snippets , right before the  hearing  ended.

  A Very Good looking Demon, Female Wisp Stood  by her  Mic,..What we are saying,  The forces of Earth have to withdrawn the delta Fleet. They have  committed war crimes, beyond that, of  any Human force in you tiny  history....

  Ge-fi looked  troubled,..we have  tried to recall the Delta Fleet...we have even cut off the normal support, other  Fleets that  have stayed in the Sol system. But Admiral Hack, who has control over the delta Quad, as seen fit to Join the APF as a full member..while the Sol system has been annexed  by Paradise ...and  we remain a non contibuting Member.

 A Sanri female, in full dress of silks  and  such was at her  micWe..The APF have we3lcomed  Admiral Hack and the delta  Quad Territories...and we will continue to support  the Delta Fleet...and acknowledge any territories he  annexes or, Gives over to other  Member species to annex... It has been a long time coming, but  The Black is standing up to the  Empire's  bullies....unlike..some races...

..so?  Ge_fi..you are saying you have no control of the Humans...

 ..I am not here to control them, but...to protect them... If Humans  Volunteer to go outside the system to join the Delta Fleet or live in  Earth's colonies? I will not stop them...at the same time, we hold back resources, so we can  fortify our  Home forces, to protect our system from Empire forces...

 Regardless  of what Ge-Fi says... the APF will help the ESN as they Fight....it was bound to Happen, to the Empire, sooner or later. You would hit the point that you could no longer push past...you were reward, with some one who will push back.... This is  the time, you should sue for a peace..and withdraw to your own systems...Before you do not have systemns , to withdraw to.

 Olympus was  in a state  of flux, EVOL-EDT forces  have all but  taken over the Uppers.

 The Lowers  seemed to be in control of ESN-APF  folks...The Stem was a no man's land, with Black market folks playing both ends against each other....at the same time ..'resistence'  also held up in the Stem, attacking/Hijacking   EVOL VAns  and sich that would try to make it to the lowers, and knock of  Uppers SEC.

 Even  the fighters.. the Lower HAngers   and Upper hangers  would   have stand offs.. while  Ships  started  docks on the   Uppers or lowers, depending on which FAction they leaned to.

  through it  All.. Ambassador Frans Ruled over the The Uppers, Having dinners  with EDT and EVOL  forces..and..even entering   Demon envoys ( those that would make it through the freelance Lower's fighter hunts. )

    People watched news  Vids from Olympus, as a matter of course. Nothing much  different then seeing news  around the world, or around The Black.

  The odd  Civil war  was being fought on Olympus, fighters were  now  painted  with Blue and red  for the  ESN/leaning fighters... Or  EDT Black for the Upper  fighters. Both sides knew  they could not have large  scale battles. the station would not survive.

 so...running battles  here  and there... The Black Market folks  became more rich, by the  day. selling arms.. taking a cut of Mercs who they ., more or less, acted as an employment agency for.

 the  docks were crowded as ships settled into their berths. The Merchants were split... creds were  creds... though there were some who showed , outright distain for the  EDT leaning  Uppers.

  This showed as   Lower's  fighters  escorted  merchants...or  attacked   those who would not 'stand  down' if they were heading to the Uppers...both sides  would board Merchants, and take the ships...and cargo.

  Tortuga got into the  act... destroyer and frigate class Tortuga vessels that were Flagged  as ESN.. would attack  any Vessel that was not   flagged  as   ESN/APF..when they were successful  they would  split  the cargo, sending some back to Tortuga,  and escorting the vessel to the lowers, to help the  embattled  Lowers.

 Tortuga also , engaged with small units  of  Empire   ships, that were trying to Aid the Uppers..a few smaller warships were even captured... again..Tortuga  would  share.. one time, adding the captured  ship to their  defense  fleets...and  then giving one to Astra, to add to their home defense

 ESN/APF ships  could  still pass through the Olympus  space , safe enough, but  Larrgan and  creshians  ships would pop up from time to time...

    far to the  " 1:00 " side of  the Paradise  system..was a Quad Earth folks never named.. they never thought they would need to, for  quite some time... right now, It was the X01 Quad.

  Here  the Skith and Qarl were engaged  in a war that has been going on since  the Angels lived in caves.

   with weapons  and Tech..close to equal, the battles  would be fierce, and devastating . Because of this..The Skith and Qarl where of  little use  to there  respective 'sides' in the war.

 now and then a smaller  ship from either side was sent to aid, in , whatever  way they were, but...in the end.. their  effect was more shock value, then impact.

  One  news  item that was send throught he feeds as a hijacked   CON-vid from the Hel system to Olynmpus.

 Qer La Cal's  face showed up on the screens. She was talking to someone.. the voice seemed human..but it  was hard to tell, in that transmission.

 ...I want to know, why the Delta Fleet has not been stopped....Even when we have  had ,some of our best resourses  in place... They seem to....how do you people say...'luck out?

 She had ..evolved a bit, her  features  still bore the Orangeish color, and there were lines, were , once  were crags of the  demon  blood vessel system.

  Her teeth. were pointed, but more in line, some  people might consider her....'attractive'.

 the  Voice..a Human Male , for certain..or  it sounded very close,..It his  hard to understand, High Mother. The Admiral  has...instincts?... and his people are loyal... and the fight as hard as any race in The Black....

  Qer La Cal looked  slightly behind her..Serving   platters  were being  brought into the room, that was being set for   dinner..one  would think...be that as it may? we need them to be stopped, we are losing too many of our resources ... we have more then enough  to send after them...but that does not take away from the very fact, that they are still out there..

  some  squeals could be heard  from  behind her  as the tables  were being set..the squeals muffled, by the lids  of the serving trays.

 ...high mother?  If i may be so bold, as to point this out. Perhaps...if more Demonic Empire   ships  were here to face them... we might  trun them back?

 Qer La Cal looked  at the screen ( at whomever she was talking to)...Should  we need to take   Empire  ships from elsewhere... then, perhaps, we  will find, we no longer have need for you and your factions? If that is the case... we could always  use you  and yours  to help fill our larders, and birthing chambers?

 ..of...of..Course..High Mother.. I was merely pointing out...

 She  slammed her  fist into an open hand,...you were  pointing out the fact, that your race is weak...and has become an insult to  the Demonic  Race , that we  ever  included you in  our glory....now....keep us informed, of the goings on in the  Beta Quad....we have...other  fires to start.

  Then she turned away from the screen as  her image  began to fade, while , loud screams of terror and pain filled the audio  for a few seconds  until the feeds were cut.

  In the Hillite system.  The people did not want to  bow  down to the APF. But things were going badly.

  over the  three worlds..Millions of people had  died .. Though many ket factories  for their  'war machines' had been destroyed... smaller one were   being ramped up, to try to turn out more   fighters...and Mechs  and  armor.

 but, this did not come, without a price. Civies  rioted  and more people were dying... Food and water  was being sent out to  smaller cities were people fled  for  protection.

 The New Council..now divided.. as  each  head council member was tapped on their  own planet... COM talks were often disrupted by ESN or  APF Techs.

 In this system, as in the others... to try and aid the Hillites could cause you to lose your ship...maybe, your live and that of your crew, if you tried to run the blockade.

 The once Proud slavers ..Merchant kings  and self-styled   privateers had to start to listen to the people...

...................

 On Hyria.. the effect was much worse... with only one rather  huge, homeworld, the ESN was able to concentrate their attacks...The attacks had proved, even more deadly, then the eggheads  had thought.

 Fires had been raging for weeks... thick smoke  , coupled  with the  clouds of 'fallout'..help spread  sickness and death, almost the whole of the Northern Hemisphere had been covered..and slowly the  clouds  were  seeping southwards, as trade winds   pulled them along

  the Hyrians that were  saved, by odd moment of  mercy, from the ESN, would  ensure , that the race would live on... the other colonies..might now be  in danger, without the  Might of The Black Fleet... many lesser races, would soon know of Hyria's savage wounds...and perhaps..come to feed.

  leaders  of the planet, those very very few, that were left, had been taken to the South to  have  ideas  acted upon, to save their planet...more then once...as  Hyrian warlords  screamed  to take vengeance on  the Humans.. some one would play  the Vid... the Vid showed a stoic, Admiral Hack as he said, with  a cold, by level voice,"...remember... when the bombs hit your planet..it was you..who spurned out offerings...

  That would  settle the room down, as the began to talk about Med tech working on cures and treatments, and how they would amange food supplies...

...........

  In Nivar  the  grand  Complex  of  Nivar's leaders showed  little sign of  concern...after all?..how long would the  Fleet stay? they had other fires to put out...The Great Golden Guns  would hold, even the Might Delta fleet at bay.

  there was  concern... two battered  Nivarian shuttles   had  landed.. 16 , wounded  and bloodied  troopers  had been sent  back, by the humans, from the Black Moon..they told the stories  of Felrites and Hyrians..Angels and Humans...Sanri and Occui... fighting  and Killing...it was...too easy...and now, they shifted their  eyes to the Green Moon...the Holy place? Rumors were , of 100s who died ,with but  a hand  full of Humans there?... The Valley of the Moons was no longer  there... and   the  scrap of the fleet that nestled in its protection, were even now, being gathered as  scrap.

 there were rumors  of  a brave  Nivarian  pilot , who Ambushed  a flight of   Humans, Killing many...but his attack  was causing   ESN fighters  to  shoot and kill any   fighter or pod that floated in the debris...Humans..it seemed...not only learned  quickly...but  seemed to make a point, of  teaching people lessons...

 Perhaps..Nivar  could teach them one.

... the  vid  broke was taped.. the quality, not the best. it was of Occui signature...but   was  sent  from the Green moon..

 .... There is  a shakey scene of the Cavet looking at Vid  screens, she is in a lavishly appointed   room and is drinking  something from a metal cup ( gold?) as she  watched   some screens.

 ..there is  some noise in the back round, and  a tall gangly Nivarina in a Camo uniform that bears some   sparkles on its  chest... He  puts  a thinly made helmet on a table  and goes off  screen..he comes back with  his own drink.

   the voice s are a bit rough..but  they can be made out

  ...what have you learned... she  leans  back in her  comrotable looking chair, her long legs, hanging over   one arm as she used her free hand to run her screens.

 ...it is near impossible to tell.... the devestation... the savage attacks... we have   close  to  400  dead... and close to 100 missing.... we thing the Missing  were either blown to small pieces.. or the Naragrans took them...

 she shook her head , then took a sip...why would the Naragrans aid the humans?

 ..I am sure i do not know, Cavet...I....

 ...your  scouts..they are  fond of  roasted Naragran...do you think they....may have poached a few too many?

 he   downed his  drink  and went off screen, returning with a bottle. he refiled her  cup and set the bottle  down,..it is possible.. they are out  for  5 days at a time?

 she nods slowly, her voice  is dangerously sweet, and soft...and?.. yet..one lone  earthman, manages to  have the whole damn region  turn on us?.... do you know...the whole Moon must know  by  now...it is something we could ..never..ever.. afford..yet..this has happened...

 ..it may have been better, Cavet...had you not wanted him alive...

 ..I saw the  Vids, Captain... you cannot  tell me, your  people were not trying to kill him.....and his people, had no trouble killing ours...and now?..Naragrans seem to have stepped up... it is something  we had planned... NOT..to happen..yet..here it is...

 ..what are you watching...... he said, to try and change the subject.

 .... the  right  screen.. is the Hillite  system... the  left screen is Hyria.. the  top screen is Astra....

 The Captain  sat down and slowly shook his head,..the Humans.... are worse then the Demons....

 ... the Humans... are trying to be worse then the Demons...like the naragrans. They were content, to live  out thier lives..tucked away from everyone else... Thier myths supported the foolish talk , of  'no one else' in the Black.... But> the bastard Angels changed all that...and now... Humans and thier allies  seek to  wipe away, any who might harm them....

 she   makes a flip of her right hand that held the  remote,...much like the  NAragrans...we will see.. a very high increase, in Nivarian Jungle deaths.. the Humans  want this Moon... The Black Moon has fallen..and the  Valley of the Moons, is  no longer there... all that remains, is which one of those vids, will Nivar look like...

 There is the sound of a Cat..only deeper,  with more of a Hissss..there is the purple  flash of an  energy weapon  and   a lizard-cat falls   into  view as the Captain drew His weapon...the Cavet sat straight up  and Glared in the direction of the Vid... then the feed stopped..............

   , well outside the, estimated.... range of  Nivar's  big guns... Cap ships spread out, with smaller  ships   in between... from  Pole to Pole and  around the  equator...as the Delta fleet, began to slowly deploy.

  Shuttles from the Black Moon were allowed through the blockade... Slightly damaged  shuttles  ( that is to say, shuttles from seized vessels , that were 'damaged' when the ships  were board, so the crews and passengers only destination would be  Nivar.

 So far..20 some  shuttles were sent to Nivar  with captured and wounded Nivarians...( again..Nivarians  that were captured, and not  gunned down, when they did not  follow the EXACT surrender procedure )

  Three ships   had been captured... 2 Nivarian merchants that tried to Out  Run ESN  sloops  and one LArgan that was  trying to 'sneak'... the  Largran was boarded   , and the lizards sent to Nivar, in their own shuttles...

 the  2 merchants were towed  ( one to Hillite system one   to the Middle of the Delta Fleet.)  the crew..what was left..were sent to Nivar.

 The Merchant ship  heading to the Hillite system , would be  used  as  another Blockade ship, and its supplies shared among the   ESN/APF vessels there.

 The other two that were towed into the Middle of the fleet, near the Med tech ships  were also used to spread  supplies among the  ships...once empty, they would be flagged as   ESN captured Vessels  and sent to Fuji as part of  Enmmie's new and growing   merchant fleet...as  thanks... some of her profits would be  filtered into the Delta Fleet coffers.

 Now and then, a Tender was  called, when a 'sleeper' fighter was found  by patrolling fighters, to pick up the scrap...no one allowed a 'sleeper' the chance to ram  anyone  again.

 The Cavet Contacted   Nivar. She was  still shaken of what she had witnesses.

 She had her Captain open a Link to  Hack and the  Hermes. They could  listen and watch..but could not talk.

 Frezit, the  Lead Council...and Calik  the Nivar  Home Fleet Commander  sat eating  some thing htat looked like a Turkey , but had  6 legs.

   The Cavet and her captain hand the Nivarian equivalent to a sandwich and ..whatever they were drinking from the Gold Cups.

 ...Cavet... we have been watching the Vids  that the babarian , Hack is shoving down out throats?... You seem to be in a bad way? Frezit  eat  and looked at the screen, no emotions  either way as he looked at his  screen.

 ..If You have been   watching, High Councilor, Then you know the Humans  have violated the   Mountain..even more to the  point, destroys the weapon of the gods.... in doing so.. they roused the servers  of the deep..The Water Ones...and thy have  killed  100's...and ..as  I speak.. are destroying the sunken city..

 Frezit nods as he points with his golden fork, towards an unseen screen,..yes....we see that..most..unfortunate.....for you.

  Her  eyebrows  furrowed,..for me?..what about Nivar?... I have seen the size of the Human's fleet... and it is not just Humans... Sanri, Occui...Felrites!,,and even a contingent  from Vera!... have you not seen the Vids from  the Hillite system... Hyria?...or Astra?

...Cavet?.... We have  the  mighty weapons... we can destory anyship that coems within range... a near miss crippled one of the Fleet's  ships?  And?... The Hunting Fleet is on its way..be  quite the surprise when they attack  from the rear, while   we  counter Attack from the home world..

 The CAptain Looked at   Juil and sat down his glass, reaching and  grasping his forehead.

 ..something wrong...'Captain'.... please..tell me your wisdom.. i would love to hear the ideas of  a  Moon Watcher...

 The CAptain looked up at the  Admiral.. if ever  there was hate in a Nivarian's eyes it was in his...you may speak thus.... Your postion relied on  allowing your wife and daughters to couple with every offcier  and councilman..or woman...that would  allow you to rise through the ranks....

 the over  weight nivarian  rose in anger.. Frezit seemed amused.

 ..if you could take the  fork from you mouth, long enough to review the  Vids.. you will see how easy  the 'Golden Fleet' was  shattered.... the Valley is Gone... The Black Moon is  a APF outpost Now...and.. Our Moon will soon  join it....The Hunting fleet will be  torn to ribbons.. it will be a victory, if the commanders of those ships have enough bravery to take out an APF Tender!

  Frezit  waved  Calik to sit, he looked down at his plate  scooped up something that looked like  red peas and  put them in his mouth, taking a drink he stared, at his screen...so?..Captain Hiol?...  what backround  do you have, that we should consider your..'wise words'..hmm?

 ..Unlike Calik.. I served and fought... i have been on boarding teams  and have 11 captured ships to my credit... however..I only had sons, and  I would never permit my Late wife to couple, just to allow my rise through the ranks...

  The HC nooded,..and you think we should...what?

 ...you  contact the Admiral... you sue  for peace..... and take whatever bones they throw our way...They are an angry bunch, High Council.  One damn pilot cut his way through scouts... one shuttle  load  of   his  comrades, laid waste to troops on the beach... now?.. one cap ship worth of fighters... two shuttle  loads  of   troops have destroyed the  Moutnain's  weapons, and  all but  destroyed the Sunken City.... The Cavet and  I, have had our  disagreements...but she is  wise in this.... look at the vids she told you... and  replace  Nivar's Landscaape..with one of them...the best case? is we end up as Astra... and become a colony planet for the APF.... with battles ranged every day..until  we  surrender..or die off...or?..  worst case.. we end up like Hyria... a dying planet, that the APF doesn't need to worry about....

 ..what of you, Cavet... As the  Cavet? the choice of the moon, is that which, you make it?

 ..I have send   COMs to all my commanders...or..of the commanders i have left.. we still have  many troops   on the otherside of the  Moon...but they will fair no better then the rest.. we are going to sign a treaty with the ESN/APF..enough of my people  have died... i do not  need to  destroy the  moon as well...

 ..Very well Cavet.. do what you must do...when Calik is  victorious, we  will come to your aid...

  Hiol laughs,Calik?  The Victor?.. over what? that plate   that sits  before  his jiggling jowls?

  Frezit   just smiles,..thank you both..your..insight  has been....most...helpful....  and the vid  signs off....

  As the Hermes   stood down. The rest of the fleet watched  and waited.... a small Creshain freighter, trying to come to the aid of the Nivarians was intercepted.. it  goods  were off loaded, it power cells  removed and  what was left of the Crew  were sent down  to Nivar , with  a used power cell.

...................

 The Black moon was now  being fortified . Some  50 Nivarians  were being  held  in an equatorial  outpost that the   Moringstar  had all but destroyed.

 Out side that outpost a few armor units  and  ESN  troops stood watch near a tranport shuttle from the Madame  Curie .

 at lest a dozen  dead nivarian bodies  showed that trying to escape was not much of an option..

...............

 On the green Moon.. 100's of Nivarians  were hauling off  bodies of their  fallen. There were  bonfires being burned in some  clearings, as they sent their   dead to their 'gods'.

 Over looking the scene  where a half dozen Spidergators..watching the Nivarians  work, and Humans from the  Orville wright who  were  torching  Black  bodies to get  rid of them. when the fires  were  high, the black bodies  would burn   to nothing.

 the Nivarians were also working on a  stage, under the watchful even of the Captain.

   APF NEWS Vids...

  A Sanri Female  smiled  as  she   shuffled  some  papers in her  4 hands.... The  Delta Fleet has  set another mark..... Annexing the  Two Moons of Nivar as  one  ,Under the Rule  of   Cavet Juil....

  ..sometime, in the next few hours  The Roussians  of the   Dark Clusters  will be Joining the APF..... and the   Next  Day... Nivar, hersrlf is  supposed to sign a  treaty...the first and Only of the triad worlds to , for want of a better  word...survive the  attentions of the Delta  Fleet...

 ...That is  correct  Vies, Rumors have been floating  around  that the Roussians have  need of the APF.... I am certain  more will come out as the days go on....

 ..in a related topic..Eclipise  is making   news again as Lady V's Ships of  her Viper  Fleet  destroyed a  Convoy for  Merchants and supply ships headed to The delta Colonies.. 4 Transports   and  2 supply ships were lost or Captured... The   Captain of the  O75 Hot Barrel.. an Occui  destroyer damaged one of the ships  that are assumed to be  Up graded Largran Frigates  crewed  by  EDT and  Empire personnel .....

 ..Indeed and  we have a  sound Byte  sent by the Commanded of this Viper Task  Force.... we are also sending this on to the Fleet and all Carrier/stations...

  Hello...delta Fleet.. I Am  Admiral Bluggard.... Hunting has been  poor  for the  Viper  Fleet...but  we manage..Nice  Fat Convoy here... enough  APF trade goods here to keep   Empire  folks  well fed  for a month or so.... the  armor and such, will help out   ground troops...and You'll  be seeing that soon, I'm thinking...

 The  speakers   Face  looked familiar...but  was older the   Then Hack...maybe even older then Morris.. he smiled,... we have  good ships.... delta  Fleet.... we'll find you... will nibble around the edges...but  we'll get you.. And  ..Henny?... I'll be Looking for You...... and   that bastard that beat my son to death..... I'll make sure   his death lasts  days...but Henny?.. me and You?... I'd  love a little Pay back..... the screen  flickered.

 ...well?... we'll keep you posted .....

  around The Black,  Business  as usual .  ESN/APF ships   cruised   to hunt  down Empire, EDT, or  Pirate craft.

  Fuji's  Home defesne  found a  transport load of 'tribute" headed towards Empire space... Two SSN vessels  that were escorting it   ran away... the Vids   shown  of  some 200  Adults, and 100  children, Locked into  capsule like containers... for delivery to Empire vessesl


  the  crew of the ships were executed by space walk... the   victims  were  taken to Fuji, were they could  chose thier  direction ( colonies... other stations, or even 'home' to earth)

  The Transport , itself  would be  gone over  and added to the Fuji fleet as a transport, or  sold to a transport Company that served the ESN/APF

………………………………………..

 Big news  was on  Earth, as   anti- ESN  protesters  battles  with  ESN/APF  backers...The Council of Nations have asked the world's  leaders to quell anti-ESN APF protests... some of the Human led   troops do, some of the Angel led  troops , merely try to keep folks from killing each other.

 Empire.....

   Some places  stopped the feeds... but  then they were blind.

  Other Places, mostly Military watched In horror  as  the Damned Delta Fleet Attacked    'humans' with no less glee  then  they attacked  thier own troops...

  Teh  Larrgan Commander in the sector threw   a desk across the room to smash against the wall of his offcie  as he watched...Like the  Human transport Bases... the transports   that held  Largran troops contained 50,000 troops.. supplies,, goods    were scattered about the transports... they were so sure   the HUmans  would allow  Humans through.... Now... His people  would  die, except those who would   be taken as  Prisoners...


 ESN/APF …

 people watched  in bars... homes.. in parks.. in stadiums... outposts   streamed  to vid screens  and COMs... Roars  went Up with  Each  Ship that  was broken.. Pizzas.. Froth.. beer..  Blue Melon drinks   whatever they had, wherever they were flowed...  they tried  not to notice  that some of the flashes  was the end of an ESN/APF   pilot.. or that  the  flashes on a cap ships meant people  died or were wounded...


Earth...Olympus..Acadia


  Ge-Fi watched  shaking his head... Hack didn't  give one damn in the 9 hells.. Humans were dying, on both sides.. but what was worse...  a 'fool proof plan' by Ambassador  Frans's  think tank was about to wipe out the first of the City class cruisers…. he knew he should be happy.. a blow struck against the Empire.. but he didn't live this long, angering the Empire...

  AMBassador Frans  sat ..staring  in  Horror  when the Hermes  and Nike     Killed the  Pittsburgh, what was worse.. some bastard  Noticed   Largrans in Battle armor    spilling out into the Black   like mints from a tin....Everyone  could see this...every gods be damned body.....This would effect the SSN volunteers … just as well as the ranks of the ESN  would swell


 Sitting  in his offcie , his feet up on his Desk, Stoly sipped   from a Glass of Vodka. She  smiled   as he puffed out a snake  ring from a cigar as he  saw the  tint dots of the shuttles  on the spine of   the New York... he grinned and said to  the people e watching,...to the knife...