Sarah listened to the exchange and comments coming over the comms.

"Admiral Hack, Commodore McKeon here. We'd like the honor of being the lead element, and invite Captain Osic and the Nivarian fleet to join us. We all have beef with the Roussians, but at this point I'd argue we've got the biggest grievances at the moment."

She sends a message to Sam to queue up two songs for the Burian Battle net:

https://youtu.be/Qb4Q-2TueEM

https://youtu.be/3zHNfzXSqLQ

Once complete she sent out the new Burian order of battle.

Task Force 1: Vengeance, Liberation, Dark Carn, Sanguine Blood, Gloved Claw

Task Force 2: Retribution, Deadly Song, Exquisite Blood, Chill Grip, Sharp Tail

  The   Flag COMs  were  quiet for a moment, Then Hack relied to  Sarah...   Delta  1  and delta   tow  are goign  right  down the Middle.. Your task  forces  can  take Postion  above   Delta 1 and Delta  2, that will give us   a  bigger..taller   battering  ram... Delta  3 and Four  are   goign to spread out  and  fire  Broadsides.... The Nivarians   may come Under us, and  hammer the south pole  region. The Udenese are Goign from the Back... be  warned,, there are two more planets in this system... be ready for a counter attack....but?  we won't have to worry about   that until we shell  the Homeworld into a gravel pit.

  there was a beep from 'ark-1' Ma'am?.... I..I.... the captain had  trouble speaking.. he cleared his  troat a few times...I...Wish you could see this..... gods.... if  any one needs  something  else to fight for...I...i don't know what it is...

 Sam set the music up and they moved forward, Sam acknowledges all the comms and keeps everything going. Sam looked at Sarah and said," Ma'am I think everyone should hear and see this." Sam patched through Ark-1's video systems got the feeds of the children responding to Admiral Hack and then sent audio and visual through out the fleet, and the kids will know they are live and the fleets can hear them. Once she gets confirmation from Sarah she hits the switch to have the kids reactions go out into the fleet.

The Burian Fleet split into it's two sections each forming a triangle shape  above the Delta fleet engines a maximum power ready to fight.

Sarah listened to Hack's speech, standing next to her command chair screens pulled out so she could still see them from her position.  Her light boarding armor was cleaned and polished next to her sat her helmet cutting an imposing figure. Around her on the bridge the Burian Naval personnel worked in their light boarding armor. Shadow might have his pilots in light armor, but Sarah had adopted that and expanded it to the entirety of the Burian Navy will personnel shipping out with light boarding armor to be worn during combat. Outside of boarding action the armor would provide some protection against depressurization and the magnaboots provided extra utility against the potential ship-board hazards found in combat.

Push it everywhere Sam, she says quietly her face an emotionless mask as she continues issuing orders in the rapidly evolving situation as they raced towards the Roussians. All she knew, remembering her old earth history lesson, was that she was prepared to make Sherman's march to the sea look tame compared to her intent for the Roussians.

Sam, Next song. Please." she says pushing the track to Sam, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rW4uBvP2Dqc

Across space the Burian Fighter wing was expanding outward a hazy cloud of defensive and offensive capabilities surrounding the Burian fleet an integrated part of the massive tsunami of deadly steel hurtling through the black towards the small defensive wall that was the Roussian fleet. As the distance closed the final warning lights and alarm klaxons sounded as blast doors and the like slammed shut locking into place. Across the ships lights dimmed leaving only emergency lighting up as power was diverted and boosted to other systems. It seemed like the Burian fleet collectively held it's breath as the calm before the storm rose to its crescendo. Outside in the silence of the black things felt much less threatening until the opening flashes of fire blazed out from the Roussian fleet in hurried and desperate pot shots most of which missed the Burian ships.

Still the seasoned Burian gun crews held their fire as the distance closed waiting for the right moment.... Aboard the Vengeance Sarah sent final approach orders for the fleet they were coming in high along the pole hard and fast. She intended to get close enough to allow her gunners to snipe on the planet. Then the moment came optimal weapons range and suddenly it seemed like in one giant pulse of destructive energy the Burian fleet unleashed a wave of pure hell onto the Roussian ships, and the battle was joined.

" Yes Ma'am already done." Sam sent out the kid video and then added the new music and coordinated everything as they got close and then the Burian Fleet opened up and headed through the line, Sam would check on all Burian ship status as they break through the Roussian line and Sam knew Sarah was pissed and Roussa was going to pay dearly. They where headed towards the north pole of Roussa Sam began scanning for possible targets that will cause the most damage and hurt Roussa the most.

Things had calmed down, aboard the Vengeance Sarah sat at her desk reviewing the current casualty lists. As a fleet commander letters home were a bit more impersonal than as the commander of an individual corvette where it was possible to easily know and identify the 60 or so folk aboard. As the fleet commander she had a generic letter for all but the most extraordinary cases, and relied on the ship and section commanders to send the appropriate letters home that were more personal. She glanced at the clock, the after party should be in full swing by now. Time to make an appearance and hand out the pilots awards and toast with the crew.

Rising she heads towards the door and the Rec Deck of the Vengeance.

 Sam had helped set up the After Party, she got the Vid Machine running and set everything that needed to be set up. The party was in full swing when Sarah came onto the Rec Dec, Sam smiled at her and then said, " Commodore on Deck." Then waited for Sarah's response, and getting the awards part of the party done.

 On Sam's   Fleet COM, a message would come in, stating  that  Sarah was invited to the meeting aboard the Hermes on talks of the upcoming  signing  and  control of the planet.

 if they could not make in with in 90 minutes, they would be briefed after the signing.

Things had been incredibly Hectic for Sarah, with the surrenders, the signing, and the like. She'd taken on quite a share of organizing and supporting the Burian efforts to govern their sectors and prepare the Burian personnel who'd remain to be most successful. There'd been meetings, upon meetings, files to review, guidance and rules to codify, meetings with Ambassadorial Staff, the acting Ambassador until the appointed Ambassador and the rest of the leadership could arrive. Bura wasn't treating Roussia like a colony, but it was putting a lot of effort into making the areas they controlled successful. There was a lot of potential hate, but there was also potential markets, and future friends and allies if the Roussian remnant was treated well and set up for success.

Aboard the Vengeance she relaxed in the tub in the Fleet Commander's Suite. It was a suite mostly in name, a standard bunk room, with a larger closet, a larger bathroom that held a soaking tub, and a stateroom with exits onto the flag bridge. Sitting on a tray next to the tub was a cup of hot chocolate.

The bath was a welcome respite, a chance to let her brain slow down for a brief moment before she was called back to the grind and life.

 Sam had been beyond busy, with orders, the signing, setting up orders and transfers, and also checking on the children and the adoption procedures. She worked hard helping Sarah get everything organized, and set up. Sam then headed back up to the Vengeance with Sarah, where she had even more work to do.

 Sam was finally done and then Sarah sent her off duty and ordered her to take a break and relax. Sam smiled and agreed, she went to her cabin took a long shower then got dried off and got comfortable and checked her messages. Sam then sent two  Comm text messages:
To Howe she sent," Glad you made it through all that, hope you are well, I will try to get to the Hermes as soon as I can to see you.  I am in my cabin and have bottle of wine next to me."

 Then she sent one to Izzy," I hope you doing well I have been very busy with the signing , Bura taking control of part of the Colony and the children. How is your eye did you surgery and where are you stationed now? Hope to see you soon, see you soon my friend."

(( after Roussa  invasion ))

  the  Fleet  began to slowly maneuver, spread out over  The Black, but 100's of thousands of  Miles.    Delta  #1  taken the  lane  higher then the   support ships....

 Delta #2  below, With  Delta  #3  to the port and  Delta  #4  to the  Starboard

 Each section had a  Roussian  ship added to its  section... Roussa still had two of its own vessels, But the Udenese, Burians  and Nivar , would add ships   for Home defense... The   Hyrians  and   Verian ships  would als9o be within  easy reach , should the other  two Roussa  space   planets  decide they  no longer wanted APF  rule.

 Bura, Nivar, Hyrian  and   Uden also recived two ships   to add to thier navies, to place where they wanted. Everest  and Etna   would get one  each.

 The fleet   began to build up cruise speed  , with  Bura  and the   damaged ships   thier  focus.

The Burian fleet moved to depart, the two captured Rousian Vessels nested within the fleet running with skeleton crews. They'd pick up their full complement at Bura. Standing next to the conn she watched the various boards as information flowed over them changing every moment telling a detailed story of each part of her fleet. The Burian Expeditionary fleet.

Her commed pinged quietly and she glanced down noting CSM MacDoona's call sign, "What can I do for you Mac?" She asked briskly.

"Got activation for several wet works assets on Bura. Wanted to confirm."

Sarah nodded her eyes cooling as she stepped over to her chair. "Confirmed by Hermes and L.O. Command team?"

"Aye, Commodore. Its second hand, seems a few targets in the cull are on leave planet side. Heimdall unit reached out for assist on those currently out of pocket."

"Still not seening what you needed my clearance for here Mac, when I gave you this project I gave you all the rope and lead you needed so long as I'm made aware of imminent threats, before the news breaks it."

Getting to that Ma'am. We've had about a half dozen AWOLS from the training academy. Specifically our pilot training program. We'd been looking for them and they'd gone completely off grid. Two turned up four days ago in a casualty report found on an EDT vessel. Of the four remaining one was in the ships logs but remains MIA possibly KIA in the action that took the ship. Using that we dug into things and we've identified three instructors with red flags. All had close contact with the six, none are Bura natives, and all came from the same Merc unit that was flying in and around black for a while before disbanding. Majority of members wound up in the EDT, or wrapped into the Red Birds, and based on account info it appears all are still getting paid by them. Being that they're instructors and visible I wanted to clear you first." MacDoona explained calmly.

Sarah frowned. "So what's the delay, is Karst involved?"

MacDoona sighed, "We're working on that we're not sure yet who authorized their hiring."

"Look I'm going to make this simple, get to the bottom of this. I want the hammer to drop as we hit orbit. Ring leader stands trial, all the other bodies roll. If Karst comes out clean we're having words, not sure which ones but we're talking. I don't care what the excuse we give is, they're all retired permanently." her voice was curt and cut directly.

"Aye Ma'am, already done." MacDoona replied.

The comm connection disconnected.

She looked about the bridge, work continued as if no one had heard her. She looked over at Sam, "Robertson, get down to SEC. See if you can't work some Morrow level arcane magic to help the SGT MAJ out. We should be good up here for the time being."

She sat in her chair her happier mood significantly soured by the news as she began pulling reports on her screen.

Sam was sending out orders tot he ships, coordinating the fleets departure and handling the comms. Busy as usual but Sam loved it, then Sarah had a talk about some bad apples, after Sarah was done talking to Mac she turned to Sam. Sam smiled double checked everything and got her backup to take her console and replied a little too happily," Yes Ma'am already done, I will do my best Commodore." Beth was amazing she hoped she was half as good and she then headed down to SEC.

 Once she gets to SEC she got a secured computer and then began deep digging and checking and rechecking files, comms, and tried to also track the bad apples in question. Sam checked in with Mac and got all the information he could give her and she went to try and perform some magic of her own using tips and ideas she has gotten from Beth.

Unlike Sam, MacDoona, and the SEC and comms office Sarah couldn't devote her attention to attempting to deep dive the files and profile potential suspects. What she could do, however is ensure that no alarms were triggered by Sam and the rest of the team digging into the files by granting clearance. In her current capacity she had more fingers on one hand than the number of people who could classify items beyond her ability to access in the Burian Fleet. She'd ensured Sam and the SEC team wouldn't encounter any resistance she returns to her task of managing the fleet.

 Sam dug and searched she did notice the Commodore gave her and the SEC clearance to everything and it made Sam's job easier and she she dug as deep as she could. Sam finally after awhile of digging and combing messages, leads and files she found 5 names that had ties to a EDT backed company. There where three instructors all Lt.'s Lt Maxwell Kingsley, Lt. Amanda Payne, and Lt. John Walker, she found Master Sgt Nevil Johnson and lastly most likely the leader of this group LC Fred Salisburg. Once Sam checked and double checked that these 5 where in fact dirty she would give the names and the locations she found for them to MacDoona and sent them to Sarah on the bridge as well.

 Once she was sure there where no more ties to anyone else that she could find, she close the system down and covered her tracks like the expert she was. She smiled at the team and she said," Do you need anything else MSGT?"

 COMs  came through  from Captain Si...

 This is Captain Si...  The Delta Fleet  wil pull in to Bura, for a  day... we  will load   supplies, The LC will have a  survival run, and the   Crew will have  about a  10 hour  shore leave... there  will also be  an inspection of the Damaged  ship , to see how repairs  are coming  along...from Bura, we will sail to Etna  and take  caerw of somethings, then go to   Matterhorn spcae.... Oliver says  you will have to   decide  if you'll stay in Bura  space and patrol the   Etna-Everset-Fuji  triangle.. We will not need to know until we  cast off from Etna. 

In reply to Samantha Robertson (msg # 756):

Sarah reviewed the files sent over, they didn't contain any details over how the 4 conspirators would be dealt with. That was not something she cared about, they had many of the standard marks of infiltrators. Files too good to be true, or partially hidden behind blocks and walls to hide unsavory behavior. The four conspirators would be gone within the hour of them making Burian Orbit, the fifth LC Salisburg however would be arrested and charged with espionage, and high treason. With the information the SEC team and Intelligence team had dug up the man's grave was dug. The only thing left at this point was seeing if they could get him roll over on any other co-conspirators or even get him to expose other cells on the planet. The fight against the dusters had slowed to a smolder as the Burian Commandos had ruthlessly and efficiently rooted them out.

Perhaps one of the more arcane yet effective laws implemented by the Burian's had been to charge entire households and immediate family of conspirators. Those traitorous to Bura and it's people risked their parents, spouses, and even some of their children being roped into the charges and punishments. More than a few Dusters had been given up by family members concerned over the risk to the household though the number was miniscule compared to those turned in due to patriotism. Typically though the families punishments either carried a non-capital punishment instead focusing on community service and labor to those most hurt by the war.

--- Arriving In Bura Space ---

The Vengeance slipped into Burian space in the lead spot of the formation. The rest of the fleet slipping into assigned berths around the planet. Two captured Roussian ships in tow with skeleton crews for refit. In the docks for additional captured ships just finished being renovated and repaired sat gleaming hulls and lights ablaze welcoming the expeditionary fleet home along with the Delta fleet.

That wasn't what Sarah was watching, instead she was watching a training exercise take place. All three of the traitorous Lieutenants were flying a demo for the newest class of pilot recruits, and she had heard on unofficial channels that there would be some fireworks. As she watched the flight tracks and listened to the comms, three of the fighters began to flicker on the tracking board... Green, the friendly color used by the Burian's to yellow the color of unaligned/merc units... then all three suddenly snapped permanently red. Over the comms and loudspeakers at the event a new voice came on interrupting the announcer.

Welcome to the fight against the Empire and its allies. We are all in this together. Our strength is our trust in our people. Without trust and unity we are weak. When that trust is eroded and the Burian people are betrayed we are diminished. All of you know what it's like to live under the thumb of the empire, to fear the dusters and the like on a daily basis. Will your siblings, children, friends wind up taken and sent as slaves or to fill larder ships for the demons and their allies.

This is why when we find betrayal, and those looking to undermine Bura's freedom and strength action must be taken, the cancer must be excised. Look closely, at the board you'll notice three of the aircraft are not marked in red. Each of these three instructors have worked to recruit from your ranks. They've targeted your colleagues and friends because they believe in a world where power is everything, where the beasts are bought off by sacrificing our own blood and people. They are a cancer. They will be excised. Burian instructor wing, we've done you the favor of equipping your mantis's with a full combat load out. Your computers should now be updated to identify the traitors. You are cleared to engage.

Over the coms came a three distinct voices as Lt Maxwell Kingsley, Lt. Amanda Payne, and Lt. John Walker all cried out in protest as their wingmen suddenly deviated away from them and regrouped lining up to take beads. They reacted with the experience of trained veteran pilots all breaking and trying to group up. A flight being safer than an individual.

Kingsley wasn't fast enough, or better put his former wingmen were faster activating their weapons systems. His Mantis was ripped into at point blank range and before he could react further exploded in a fiery ball of shrapnel.

Walker fared better managing to evade as he worked his way toward Payne, however he wasn't able to get his guns on any of his opponents and in moments he was swarmed by his former wingmen and the pair that'd ended Kingsley.

Amanda Payne was by and far the best of the three traitors. She'd managed to evade and work her way back around lining up for a shot of her own intending to at least take one of the Burians with her, however when she hit the firing stud, training marker rounds were the only thing that fired from her cannons, and under powered pulse tags.

Very good LT Payne, however as you may have noticed we were quite thorough in ensuring that you'd be unable to cause any additional harm.

Payne cursed over the comms and flipped her fighter over and dove for the viewing stands. "Tsk tsk tsk... I guess we'll have to do this the boring way." Came the unseen voice as all the fighters dove after the traitor making what appeared to be a suicide run on the stands. It appeared there was nothing to be done, but then just out of range of the stands it erupted in a fireball.

Elsewhere in the academy a certain LC Fred Salisburg was being escorted out of his office in cuffs, and on the blotter a MSG  Nevil Johnson was reported as killed in an overnight bar altercation, suspect still at large.

The fireworks ended, Sarah nodded self satisfactorily. Sam, get that vid pushed to all ships in Burian space. Wider if you're able.

Once the vid was sent she trigger the com channel that broadcast fleet wide messages.

"Alright all Burian personnel will be taking 24hrs leave. Those who will be coming in as replacements and cycling out will be holding the watch. See your families, and the like. Don't be stupid, if we leave you, you'll find yourself in a colony breaking rocks somewhere. Make us proud."

Ending the transmission she straightened her tunic on her best uniform. For her part at least the first part of the day would be in conference and hearings with the Burian high council, the other part would be on the trial of LC Salisburg. A courtesy really to him, a message to those who would infiltrate the Burian Naval infrastructure. The last part of the day would be touring, examining and conducting inspections on the training facilities, docks and other home planet assets... all things upon which her home fleet commander's continued career rested.

"Prepare my shuttle, and notify the High Council I am en-route please. Once you finish your current tasks and are relieved you are free to take your leave."

With a straight back she turned and strode out headed to the hanger.

 Sam finished with everything and then joined Sarah for the docking. She watched and listened about the three Lt.s that sold out their own people to the Empire who eats children. She recognized the voice and she knew Burian lights out did well. Then they fought Amanda did well she was a very good pilot too bad she got so dirty .

 Sam had sent out the orders to have the LC Salisburg arrested for High Treason, she would watch that closely. Sam was also checking on the status of the new Burian children being adopted into their planet.

 Sam then sent that vid, with a quick message to Beth to add to the signal to get it out as far as she could through the system and the Delta Fleet. " Already done ma'am."

 Sam replied again, " Already done Ma'am."  Sam walked with Sarah and said," Ma'am I will join you with the Council if you wish Commodore?"

Sarah shook her head, "no need Sam. Go enjoy your leave. The few of us who have to work on this short break the better. No amount of extra hands is going to speed this up."

 Sam smiled and replied," Thank you Ma'am but if you need me comm me." Sam then watched as Sarah left, she made sure her shuttle was ready and the Council was informed of Sarah's arrival. Sam then did more checking into the adopted children and then when her replacement came in, Sam got them up to speed and then went to see what the Hermes Big Ugly's where doing, she then listened in on any chatter but she was off duty now.

<<<< from  Bura   during  'welcome'

  Shadow sat in the  chair, he had his blaster and the Burian  blade..... I sorta  feel bad for Kush?.... I mean? he was getting iced, and so's his  bridge officers...but, between Hope... and   the trooper wannabe, I'm pretty ready  to kill alot of folks right now

Zob sat there with the heavy pulse weapon in his hand he was in the zone... that calm before the storm, "It's not gonna be a good time for them..." he chuckled.

Roy's eyes flickered to Shadow in response to his words, but he said nothing.  While he was glad it would be done, the task at hand was not one he enjoyed, and that left him in an even darker mood than would normally come with dealing with EDT infiltrators.