In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 30):

No, that seems to be part of the problem. If Girii had stuck to Vilani designs, they probably would have been smashed by that last raid. The new designs were effective, but new, bringing cries of a new Kimashargur rebellion that would strike a chord with way too many, and questions of who started it and why are too quickly forgotten. Of course, that is a two edged sword. By raising that spectre, if Girii is successful, it might just encourage many of the other Kimashargur worlds to join them, and that would be a lot of the worlds near Terra...

Quite a few on this side too. But we sure don't need another war...  the last one sure hurt Terra a lot.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 32):

"That is true. We lost Nusku. But we will not get it back without another war, either. This civil war may just be our opening..."

Yes, I have been wondering if this Peace is just a temporizing bid to allow everyone to build up for another big war. Some of the violent leaders close to Terra need to go ... and a wide spread revolt would certainly take a lot of steam out of their war fighting ability.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 34):

"Yes, that is what we are hoping to see. There are even rumours of a Terran base in these parts...I can think of a lot of scouts that would love to know about it if it was safe from Vilani patrols...and prying eyes.

But we have discovered something much more interesting. The Vilani are actually engaged in another war at the moment. Other, non-human barbarians closer to home. Have not heard much about them, but they are also advanced, and much bigger than Terra. That explains the Vilani reluctance to see us as a serious threat. Given that the other 'barbarians' probably see us as just another faction of Vilani, given we too are human, I doubt we can expect any sympathy from them, but the impact they have as both a distraction and as our enemies' enemy is no doubt substantial. The only terms we have heard for them, aside from barabrians, are 'Vargr', or dogmen.

Fortunately, the leader providing most of the problems for Terra, Sharik Yangila, is not actually Vilani, but an Anakundu. This has opened the to to many intrigues, and she has many that oppose her despite the very successful way she has engaged Terra. Some of these are campaigning to have the fleet that devastated the Terran fleet diverted away to deal with Girii, aided in no small way by Yangila's own claims to have largely pacified us. This of course makes it all the more imperative that the fleet is destroyed by a Vilani fleet, feeding into the sense of complacency that the Vilani have about the superiourity of their own ships. After all, if the mighty fleet that destroyed the terrible Terran Barbarian fleets is wiped out by a rogue Vilani fleet, then any rogue Vilani fleet presents more of a threat that anything the Terrans can come up with. That, at least, it the line we would like to push.

Which brings us to our suggestion. Since your vessel is not likely to offer much in the way of a direct attack, perhaps you can best be utilized in dealing with those that run. Or supplies and enemy communications. We expect the main fights to be at either Iishuni or Girii. Is your craft fast enough to outrun Vilani warships? We have yet to see anything over 6G, or to take on a lone Kargash?"

I am not sure I understand exactly what you are looking for us to do, but this ship will make 6Gs and should be able to take a Kargash , even if supported by another smaller ship. Possibly even two Kargashs.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 36):

"I guess I am suggesting your most valuable contribution might be cutting off the Vilani fleet once it has engaged the rebels, taking out stragglers and communications, in addition to raiding commerce."

I can see that, indeed that was sort of my orders, but they wanted me working for the Kimashargur, not Terra. Thus i am on my way to Girii to offer my services for a monetary fee... becoming a damned Mercenary.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 38):

He laughed.

"There is nothing damned about the mercenaries in the employ of Vilani Kimashargur. Hell, they are paying you to attack the Ziru Sirka, the enemies of Terra, and that means they take the heat for whatever damage you do! So do your worst...it only breaks up the Empire further.

There are also a number of pirates operating around Shakiimi as well, and the fleets at Amki and Gadarur just cannot be everywhere. Sarriiu Kaagira Sharikkamur is complaining a lot about how Saarpuhii Tamesha Eshi at Shululsish and sarriiu Khazuni (Zuni) at Lemrukiri are so focused on getting rid of Sarriiu Riga Eneri at Girii that they are neglecting pirates away from Girii. I have noted that several of you old enemies are operating in that area, so it is in our interest for you to leave them to the Vilani until the Girii issue is decided, one way or another.

Oh, and you might want to check out the strange natives at Uriisha if you ever get a chance. Oddest world I have been to...the natives are called Nugiiri, an odd winged bipeb that has both Lizard-like and Insect-like characteristics. The Vilani seem to avoid the planet, and none live there. One of the few subject races the Vilani leave alone."

Uriisha could be useful to know about ... the Pirates I know about as I am the one who led them up there with DASTAVKA at the request of Sarriiu Riga Eneri, he has obviously played their games before. Glad to hear that they prosper.

In terms of immediate problems for Sarriiu Khazuni at Lemrukiri, what could I do? he seems to keep his fleet at a system away from Lemrukiri, any idea of what defenses he might have there?

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 40):

"His fleet are based at the Naval base at Garaanis, but there s a squadron of Kargash reserved for defending the seat of governance, along with a couple of Aasha cruisers and a flight of fighters, in addition to the usual Gashidda used to police the merchants.

We have found that a lot of the drive behind Khazuni is actually about getting control of Gima, Seru and the other planets in that region that are ric=h in minerals, and then incorporating Lashgimaamrishuk into their control. To that end, they are looking at moving companies closely behind warships into this area. Most of the warships are Gashidda or Shamshir class, which are too big for local pirates, but for you to start taking them out would force them to withdraw some capital ships or give up the expansion for now, both very good outcomes. Or break up the squadron at Lemrukiri."

Well Shamshirs and Gashiddas should not be an issue in groups of less than 5 or so...  at some point, numbers matter. Anything else we can do to support your efforts?

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 42):

"As a matter of fact, yes. Can we have a copy of any systems you have charted, as these will give us location where we can escape to or repair, away from prying Vilani spys."

OOC - I presume that AK is willing to have these folks know where his new system is...

Sure, we don't have a whole lot that is new, but we'll share so long as you ensure it is never captured.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 44):

"Naturally. We have always kept ways of keeping our information...secret. As you well know."

What do you actually give them?

Pretty much everything we know, less anything we were specifically told not to share, I think those last couple of worlds, including Fatagin,  DASTAVKA found were to be kept quiet, No?

But I think we are OK giving him AK's new system ,Argon,  at 2422 or whatever




From Mapping the Unknown Msg 321
I have kept tight control on information flow regarding your explorations in order to limit our competition moving in there, so fortunately we have only issued a warning for that system based on your previous experience there.

I am looking at setting up blocks at 1435, 1437 and 1337, as well as here and at 1540, to block of that entire area of space, and only allowing my ships through, and Labrysian ships in their region, so that can work well to give me a reason. All of these planets have habitable planets or moons, and we are already in the process of setting up an outpost 1437 and 1435.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 46):

Limiting your information to the systems accessible through Vilani space in the Magyar system, since it is clearly the most recent and anything in the Solomani Rim system you have is very likely to be out of date, since you have not been there in many years, is plenty for them. They find the new colonies very interesting, particularly Argon and the Pirate colonies. The lack of information on the new Human planets is unlikely to be any concern for them, and if they were to access them, they would have to go through Argon anyway.

Delighted at the new information, they prepare to depart for Argon, for some respite. It has been about a day since you met them, and you are also ready to depart.

[OOC: Those systems are at the other end of the outback sectors, and not accessible through Vilani space, so they are not of interest to scouts anyway.]

10 Dec 2177
2321 (100% Fueled, 100% Refined)

Trying to keep up with what all we have seen is a trick. We Jump into Arsha.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 48):

Setting course for Arsha, you soon find it has been evacuated. It is just as well...a Kargash and a Shamshir are overseeing a transport that has landed on the planet. They move to intercept you, closing up formation first. Current range is 300,000 miles.

"Terran, stand down. We might be at peace, but your presence here contravenes Shululsish laws that dictate that all Girii colonies be embargoed, even by Terrans."

Supplies: 88.5 dTon (0.7 dTon/week or 0.1 dTon/day)
17 Dec 2177
Arsha (50% Fueled, 100% Refined, time in system: ~0 hrs)

I am not governed by  Shululsish laws, nor is anyone outside of  Shululsish's control.  Go escort your transport.

We will man the fighters and prepare to launch; if they get froggy we'll put them out.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 50):

"Go get our transport?" The voice is in disbelief.

"We are warships, claiming control of this sector, and you give us orders? By whose authority?"

he laughs, then adds

"and where is the rest of your fleet if you plan on giving orders?"

We aren't sufficiently impressed by your two little ships ... go take care of your transport and there will be no trouble, get stupid and we'll escort your transport out of here.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 52):

"Our little ships will have to teach you, arrogant Terran, a lesson in humility! But don't fear for your life...I want to take you alive from your wreckage to learn your lesson!"

The voice sounds beside himself, and the usual Vilani veneer of no emotions is close to breaking.

As you probably suspect, they are now forming up together in close formation at 250,000 miles range, and launching a missile swarm of 63 missiles at 200,000 miles.

Supplies: 88.5 dTon (0.7 dTon/week or 0.1 dTon/day)
17 Dec 2177
Arsha (50% Fueled, 100% Refined, time in system: ~0 hrs)

OK, we'll put the fighters out and have some target practice, as we close at 6 Gs. No missiles fired back. Fighters a 1,000 miles or less to each side.  We'll also keep an eye on the transport.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 54):

With the fighters out, you easily shoot down all missiles as you close to 90,000 miles.

Your first round in the opposite direction will be at half speed, to account for the change of direction (this has caught out several with the Jean Bart), so a full reversal now will reduce range to 70,000 miles, as they continue to approach at full speed. Bearing in mind the plasma cannons on the Kargash have a range of 30,000 miles, what range do you close to?