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【Vision of an Alternate Future】

Arc 2: Return of the Crystal Guardians

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【VAF】Chapter║: 54 ─ Days of War

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It was clear to anyone who knew what was coming that the coming days would be the most important the Galaxy has ever experienced. At the capitals of the Major Galactic Alliance Civilizations Leaders were conducting Final Situational Assessments; making sure that nothing was left to chance, and all the elements were in place for the perilous battles to come.

As it stood only the Jiquam Federation, the Folong Empire, the Carmak Republic, the Hildrano Enclave, the Andronian Federation, O'con Federation, the Entig Republic, the Aloran Enclave, the Velrovian Enclave, the Qualong Republic, the Dranek Federation, and the Ronian Conclave knew of Crystalorb’s imminent return to normal space; leaving all others blind to the tragedy that was about to unfold.

The Qualong Republic is under the Guidance of the Jiquam Federation and the Folong Empire; the Qualong are in-fact essentially a creation of the Jiquam Federation and the Folong Empire. The Dranek Federation Qualong Republic is under the Guidance of the Carmak Republic and the Hildrano Enclave; the Dranek were genetically modified by the Hildrano Enclave and the Andronian Federation.

The Ronian Conclave takes Guidance from the Andronian Federation; The Ronians genetically modified themselves to be more like their Andronian Advisors. The Qualong Republic has a 200000 year old Civilization, the Dranek Federation has a 242000 year old Civilization, and the Ronian Conclave has a 90000 year old Civilization. The Qualong Republic, the Dranek Federation and the Ronian Conclave are amongst the most Powerful members of the Galactic Alliance; equipped with some of the most capable ships in the Galaxy.

The Genetic modifications to the Qualong and the Dranek were done in accordance to agreements amongst the 5 Older Civilizations, and that means that the Qualong and the Dranek willingly participated in programs that enhanced them genetically. The Ronian on the other hand have had extensive Genetic modifications that were initially driven by a reverence for Andronians and later accelerated by improvements in their technology.

The Qualong Republic, the Dranek Federation and the Ronian Conclave had the arduous task of supporting potentially vulnerable major civilizations like the Humans, the Nabi Federated Kingdom, the Azlecks, the Vradon Republic and to a lesser extent the Kulnet Dominion. To that end the Qualong Republic, the Dranek Federation and the Ronian Conclave would each add 10000 StarCruisers to the Galactic Alliance planet protection detail with particular focus to enhancing the protection of Humans, the Nabi Federated Kingdom, the Azlecks and the Vradon Republic.

The Qualong Republic, the Dranek Federation and the Ronian Conclave operate StarCruisers that have a common design platform that is based on that of the Jiquam Federation and the Folong Empire; given their level of technology the StarCruisers are not nearly as Advanced as those of the Jiquam Federation and the Folong Empire, but they’re good enough to go one on one with a Migon BattleSphere.

The Older Civilizations understood even more than Crystalorb what was going to happen when Crystalorb made its move, and because they understood what would happen they reluctantly supported Crystalorb’s plan to pre-emptively attack Migon forward Bases near the border with the Galactic Alliance. That the Older Civilizations would go along with Crystalorb planning is indicative of the influence wielded by the Andronians.

The Andronians knew that the fate of the O’ltana hung in the balance, and should the Migon focus all their considerable resources on destroying the O’con Federation there would be little that could be done to stop them. Therefore Andronian Strategist considered Crystalorb’s surprise attack on the Migon as the crucial thing necessary for the military rebalancing that would save the O’con Federation.

The Andronian role in Crystalorb’s surprise attack on the Migon would be to knock out Migon resistance and to protect the Crystalorb Fleets and thereby allowing them to achieve their objectives. The Andronians understood the pre-emptive attack on Migon forward Bases would cost lives, and they it was far more likely to be Crystalans lives, but Crystalans were far more nonchalant; believing that the element of surprise, new technology and Andronian support would guarantee a swift victory.

Despite Crystalan nonchalance the Senior Guardians knew that the Crystalan campaign would be a bloodbath; if successful then Crystalorb would have committed a massacre, and it fails then Crystalorb would have suffered a calamity. Crystalorb had brought every Ship Capable of fighting to the fight and a military failure would mean a loss of the bulk of Crystalorb’s fleet.

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Day: 1 【Earth date 17-05-2611】

The CCS Nalen A2292CL, CCS Ralen A2295CL, CCS Intrepid A2025CL, CCS A'ltana A2151CL and the CCS Cobalt A2211CL stand ready for the Energy projection required to open the Inter-Dimensional Vortex that will bring Crystalorb into Normal space. Crystalans had calculated the precise location that would give Crystalorb a Solar Orbit of 365 Days SED and Rotational Spin of 24 hours SET.

However because the Star in the Crystalorb System is slightly smaller than Earth’s Sun Crystalorb would have an average temperature 4 Degrees Celsius lower than Earth. Crystalans had lived in a cold and dark environment for millennia so a little cold would not bother them, and they had both the power and technology to alter their environment to meet their needs.

The People of Crystalorb had been waiting for the designated moment with great anticipation, and therefore there was great excitement when the Fragments of the Spirit Stone stationed at Public Centres all over Crystalorb activated in preparation for the massive release of Energy. The Spirit Stone Fragments strengthened planetary defence shields by increasing energy directed towards the shields.

In Normal Space the gathered Ships began to open the massive Inter-Dimensional Vortex connecting to CIDR and on Crystalorb convergent beams converge on the wormhole into the Crystalorb Inter-Dimensional Pocket creating a gigantic wormhole to Normal Space; a Vortex to Normal Space is open and Crystalorb is pulled into Normal Space by Inter-Dimensional Vortex Forces.

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Onboard the CCS Nalen A2292CL Naole, Aurora, Knora Rilen, Knora Camin, Commander Arog, Lieutenant Juvil, Civet, Commander Elrig and General Holnari observe Crystalorb’s emergence into Normal Space.

Cmd-Elrig : “ Incredible!”

Naole : “ Crystalorb; you have returned! You are Home!”

Cmd-Arog : “ Now we begin Again!”

Holnari : “ Crystalans have opened the door to efficient planetary movement. Older Civilizations have moved planets before using Hyperspace but nothing on this scale; this is truly spectacular.”

Cmd-Elrig : “ Crystalans don’t have to colonize and defend entire systems; they can simply move the desired planets to the Crystalorb System.”

Aurora : “ Crystalorb doesn’t really do colonization, but what commander Elrig suggest certainly brings up some interesting options.”

Camin : “ Whether Crystalans will take up these options is a different matter all together!”

Holnari : “ Wouldn’t Knoras decide on the application of these options.”

Rilen : “ Crystalans are generally opposed to any form of Colonization! And while they might support planetary instillations on planets for specific purposes Crystalans consider Colonisations to be a waist of resources that could be used on our beloved home; Crystalorb.”

Cmd-Elrig : “ A waist of resources that could be used on Crystalorb? Don’t Crystalans realize that Crystalorb has a finite Habitable Space?”

Naole : “ In theory there is a finite Habitable Environment, but we don’t know that for sure.”

Holnari : “ I’ve seen Crystalan thinking on this; they have rather revolutionary Ideas on spatial planning.”

Cmd-Elrig : “What sort of Ideas?”

Camin : “ If the Habitable Environment becomes a problem we would simply grow the size of the planet; make Crystalorb larger.”

Lt-Juvil : “ Hold on!” essentially interrupting the Knora “You actually believe you can make planets?”

Camin : “ We can’t make sufficient new matter to make an entirely new planet, but organizing existing matter into new planets is essentially easy. What we’re talking about is increasing the volume of an inhabited planet; now that is a considerable challenge. That being said we’ve been growing the circumference of Crystalorb by 1 metre for the past forty years.”

Civet : " You are actually doing it?"

Rilen : “ The surface of Crystalorb is a kilometre thick Crystal, and in the next hundred years that will grow to 4km in thickness. There are 28,887512344 Billion Crystalans on Crystalorb, and we estimate that Crystalorb can comfortably support 124 Billion Crystalans in its current size. Thus with proper management it will be 800 years before we need a new planet, and hopefully by then Crystalorb will be a great deal larger than its current dimensions; provided we find a way to make peace with the Migon.”

Civet : " You are talking about actually consuming entire planets to increase the size of Crystalorb?"

Lt-Juvil : “ I like it; Brilliant in its simplicity! Fortify and expand the planet you have rather than seek new worlds.”

Cmd-Arog : “ Crystalorb is our home, and Crystalans don’t like the idea of calling any other planet home. I suspect that feeling will not change any time soon; it hasn’t changed for Four Thousand Years.”

Cmd-Elrig : “ I must say that Crystalans coming back to normal space are vastly different from the Crystalans we remember. This new Crystalorb is a power unlike any I’ve ever seen, and you’re all so confident in your abilities.”

Camin : “ I know it doesn’t seem like it but we are 3500 years older than the Crystalans you remember. And while 3500 years may not be that long for the Entig or Andronians it is a significant amount of time for those of us who are still mortal.”

Rilen : “ The expected average lifespan of the current mix of Crystalans is 225 years. In those terms we are 15 generations older.”

Lt-Juvil : “ How are you storing all that energy?”

Naole : “ Directly beneath the Spirit Stone’s primary Core Component there is an intricate network of Energy Conduits that lead to an Energy Storage Centre buried deep inside the planet.”

Holnari : “ How deep? Are you trying to convert the planet’s core into an Energy Storage Centre?”

Camin : “ We’re not trying; we’re doing it!”

Rilen : “ When we realized that energy being generated by Naole’s Phaylon reactor exceeded all previous sources we began planning for Energy storage, and to that end we placed a Fragment of the Spirit Stone inside one of our Crystalium1417 Energy Storage Module and sent it borrowing deep into the planet’s core. For 40 years the Crystalium1417 Energy Storage Module has been growing in size as Crystalium1417 becomes more and more available, and the materials its growth displaces as it increases in size are sent to the surface for processing.”

Holnari : “ My concern is that you are taking on too much; that you have undertaken far too many projects. Shouldn’t your resources be directed at the war effort?”

Camin : “ Our focus is in dual use capabilities! The Casara Class Cruiser is a clear example of dual use capabilities, and all these infrastructure programs undertaken by Crystalorb have dual use capabilities. We are developing these dual use capabilities because we understand that we may need contingencies that would allow our survival beyond current circumstances. The projects undertaken by Crystalorb will require an increase in terrestrial energy generation by a minimum of 50000 Fusion Reactors.”

Lt-Juvil : “ That would bring the total number of terrestrial Fusion Reactors to 80000, and combined with the output of your Phaylon Reactor Crystalan energy generation capabilities would be equal to those of the 5 Allied Older Civilizations. How do you plan to produce the advanced metals necessary to build Advanced Fusion Reactors?”

Rilen : “ The short answer is Nipaklium. The operations we are about to under take should yield sufficient refined Nipaklium to build at least 10000 Fusion Reactors, and once we do that we’ll be able to produce Crystalium947 and Crystalium1417 to fulfil our objectives. We will feed on the Migon much the same as they feed on others to grow stronger, and every ship they loose will make Crystalorb stronger; they will finally understand that there is a cost to warfare.”

Holnari : “ You realize that the fleet is ready; do you have the elements in place?”

Aurora : “ On Screen!”

Surv-O : " Aye Guardian!"

Naole : “ We opened long range Wormholes from Hyperspace to Normal Space; the 7000 LightYear Wormhole targeting 200 LightYears from Mardon and the 6105 LightYear Wormhole targeting 200 LightYears from Byon. We then sent Micro Fragments of the Spirit Stone through the Wormholes and they followed Migon ships into hyperspace where they await further instructions. When the fleet mobilizes in 10 hours 〘SET〙 the Micro Fragments of the Spirit Stone will move to Normal space and Vortex in Lager Fragments of the Spirit Stone that are capable of channelling the energy required to open Inter-Dimensional Vortices capable of Vortex Jumping entire fleets!”

Holnari : “ Interesting; You could reach other Galaxies with this method?”

Aurora : “ We have already sent Micro Fragments of the Spirit Stone on route to the local group of Galaxies and we should reach Andromeda within a year.”

Lt-Juvil : “ And you didn’t bother to tell any of us?”

Naole : “ The last time I checked Crystalorb does not have masters! We don’t have to ask for permission before we do something! We have shared our best and most advanced Technology with the Allied Older Civilizations, but so far we have not seen significant reciprocity; every now and then you reveal a new and unsettling secret like a trickle from a leaky tap.”

Holnari : “ There are precarious considerations you may not be aware off!”

Naole : “ This is exactly the kind of thing I’m talking about; you obviously know something but you won’t share.”

Cmd-Arog : “ We have for some time now recognized that a Civilization as old as that of the Andronians could have reached the local Galaxies eons ago.”

Aurora : “ The fact that the Allied Older Civilizations haven’t said anything suggests that they found something unpleasant and threatening.”

Cmd-Elrig : “ Crystalorb should have informed the Entig what Crystalans were planning.”

Naole : “ Oh no! We tried to share our plans with the Entig, but the Entig Collective Leadership didn’t want to hear us, they preferred and insisted on not knowing; the Entig Collective Leadership wants and has always wanted plausible deniability.”

Cmd-Elrig : “ Yeah; That sounds like the Entig Collective Leadership!”

Cmd-Arog : “ We trust the Entig and the O’ltana implicitly! The O’ltana say that the Andronians can be trusted and that’s good enough for us, and we are willing to cooperate with the Andronians, but what must always be remembered is that our allegiance is not to the Allied Older Civilizations but to the Entig and the O’ltana.”

Holnari : “ I suppose from the perspective of a Crystalan the Allied Older Civilizations haven’t earned your loyalty! It may be true that to Crystalans the Allied Older Civilizations have not done enough to foster an enduring relationship with the people of Crystalorb. I recognize that the Allied Older Civilizations have been cryptic in the relationship with Crystalorb and we have not given proper recognition to Crystalorb’s contribution to the fight against Migon Tyranny. But I believe everything is about to change, and Crystalorb and the Allied Older Civilizations are about to forge a new path for all Civilizations; a new dawn is breaking, and all of us will reach that goal together! By working together we will bring about a new age for our Galaxy; We Can Begin Again!”

Cmd-Arog : “ Indeed we can General!”

Aurora : “ And for that matter we will!”

Lt-Juvil : “ General Holnari and I will remain on the Crystalan Command Fragment Carrier for the duration of the Operations. General Holnari has decided to command Allied Operations from the CCS Nalen A2292CL because of the centrality of the Crystalan role in the Allied Offensive Operations to destroy the Migon regional capitals of Byon and Mardon. General Onlec of the Folong Empire, Admiral Quanite of the Jiquam Federation and Sky-Chief Nareb of the Carmak Republic will arrive shortly and join General Holnari in liaising with Crystalorb.”

Cmd-Elrig : “ I will also be staying onboard the CCS Nalen A2292CL!”

Civet : " As will I; for my place is at the side of the High King!"

Lt-Juvil : “ How exactly do you plan to destroy the Migon Capitals?”

Naole : “ The simplest and most efficient way to achieve this goal is to vortex planetoids on collision with Byon and Mardon!”

Lt-Juvil : “ Hold on; won’t that drain a very large chunk of Crystalorb’s Energy Reserves?”

Camin : “ 25% of projected reserves to be precise.”

Lt-Juvil : “ A little risky don’t you think?”

Rilen : “ More than a little risky!”

Camin : “ However from the moment we first conceived of the plan we started gathering additional energy.”

Civet : " How? Aren’t you at your limit?"

Rilen : “ Terrestrially; yes! But then again we have 53849 Battle Capable Ships, and each of those ships is equipped with several of our most advanced Fusion Reactors. We therefore placed a Small Fragment of the Spirit Stone on every Ship, and now for the past 20 years we’ve been running every Reactor at our disposal at maximum output; adding 15% to our energy generation in CIDR; Energy that has been stored deep within our planet.”

Cmd-Arog : “ The Fragments of the Spirit Stone have since been removed from Ships not designated to carry Fragments of the Spirit Stone! And if the planetoids fail to fulfil our objectives the Nalen Class SkyGarrisons will finish the Job.”

Holnari : “ The Migon have impressive Planetary defence Platforms, but as to weather they can stop a high velocity planetoid remains to be seen. I for one am eager to find out!”

Cmd-Arog : “ In a few hours we make our move, and as we do that the Migon will make their move! How it turns out is anybody’s guess. All we can do is make sure that our planning is adequate to mitigate any foreseeable outcome.”

Rilen : “ We have planned for every eventuality, but even if all the operation yields produces Migon ship deficit of 7000 ships the operation can be considered a success.”

Lt-Juvil : “ Andronians never underestimate the Migon ability to throw a spanner in the works or throw a curve ball. During the last great battle I was considered too young to participate, but this time I will be right in the thick of things, and I relish the opportunity to see what the infamous Migon enemy will do when the shoe is on the other foot.”

Just then Naole catches a glimpse of Lieutenant Juvil’s relative youth; demonstrated by an unfamiliar Andronian youthful exuberance.

Naole : “ Crystalans say that they are ready, but I wonder if perhaps they need more time.”

Holnari : “ There’s no more time Naole; We’ve detected a fleet heading towards O’con Space! There is no more time to waist; the clock is ticking and O’con doesn’t have more time.”

Aurora : “ Shouldn’t we be redirecting our efforts towards the O’con?”

Holnari : “ Crystalorb’s planning has been spot on thus far. The build up on the border has drawn a great deal of Migon forces from other areas, and if Crystalorb had not planned a strike on the Migon we would have been caught completely unprepared by the Migon offensive to come; therefore this isn’t the time for Crystalan resolve to waiver. The prevailing feeling now is that if you were correct about the potential for a Migon advance then there is a high probability that you are correct about the outcome of a direct assault.”

Naole : “ With Crystalorb Back in Normal Space there is no going back is there?”

Holnari : “ No; all of us have agreed to the terms of this Operation, and there is no going back now. The Allied Older Civilizations have made sacrifices, and we acknowledge that O’con and Crystalorb are poised to take the brunt of the operational losses, but win or loose we know now with near absolute certainty that innocents on hundreds of worlds will pay the ultimate price for the actions we are about to take. We take heartfelt solace in the understanding that the lives of the innocents were already on the line, and that the actions the Allied Older Civilizations are taking at the behest of Crystalorb are designed to save lives.”

Naole : “ Looks like there’s no getting out of this!”

Camin : “ Then we press on!”

Lt-Juvil : “ The other Commanders are arriving!”

Jump points from Hyperspace open and a Carmak Republic SkyStrider, a Hildrano Enclave SkyGlider, Jiquam Federation StarCruiser and a Folong Imperial StarCruiser enter into Crystalorb’s Orbit.

Civet : " The Ancient Elder Ones have arrived; this is really happening isn’t it?"

Aurora : “ It must happen; we must do what we can when we can to safeguard a future for all noble beings!”

Guardian Naole opens a JCC with all of Crystalorb’s Guardians.

Naole : “ Guardians; it is time!” he looks at Aurora “Begin!”

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Day: 2 【Earth date 18-05-2611】

A Micro Fragment of the Spirit Stone Opens an Inter-Dimensional Vortex to CIDR allowing a Lager 1.5m Diameter Fragment of the Spirit Stone to emerge, and as the Larger Fragment fuses with the Micro Fragment the Inter-Dimensional Vortex closes. Onboard the CCS Nalen A2292CL the TaskForce Commanders Inform their respective Principals that the moment of truth is at hand and the countdown to Battle has begun.

Onboard the CCS Nalen’s Command centre Naole is on JCC with the other senior Guardians. Neom, Rinav, Maen, Sonad and Nalen are Nalen Class Crystalan ships.

Cmd-Arog : “ The Target Space Area Grid 01-14578936 seems to have minimal Defensive infrastructure!”

A’ltana: “ As expected the Enemy is completely blind to the tactical Advantage achieved by Crystalorb and its Allies.”

Intrepid : " We can proceed as planned as soon as the Fragment of the Spirit Stone achieves stability.”

Cobalt : “ The Fragment of the Spirit Stone should achieve stability in 700 seconds! Will we be sending in scouting groups?”

Nalen : “ Definitely not! We’ll be sending probes, but the main force will follow shortly.”

Neom : “ The last thing we want to do is tip them off that we’re about to hit them where it hurts.”

Rinav : “ We need the Galactic Alliance to engage the Migon at the Border; keep their major fleets tied up for at least a few hours.”

Maen : “ Once the Battle begins at the Border we will launch our assault.”

Sonad : “ What do the Galactic Alliance members think is happening?”

Holnari : “ Most believe that this Operation is about taking the heat off the O’con Federation.”

Crimson : " Wouldn’t that almost certainly encourage a major attack on the O’ltana.”

Naole : “ We’re counting on it!”

Cobalt : “ You want them to attack O’con?”

Naole : “ If they’re fighting major Campaigns on both fronts you know where the bulk of their forces are!”

Intrepid : " It’s brilliant in its simplicity!”

Crimson : " You’re forcing them to empty their space of their major forces!”

Aurora : “ And when we hit and destroy their Regional Capitals they could blink and pull out of the entire galaxy.”

Holnari : “ The Migon aren’t known to panic! But then again they haven’t been properly threatened for eons.”

A’ltana: “ We are orchestrating a galactic campaign on the premise that somehow the most dangerous species we’ve ever encountered will flinch and abandon their millennia old campaign to protect their core Space Territory? I like it; let’s do it!”

Cobalt : “ Now these are the Crystalans of old I remember! Once more into the fire Comrades, we draw the line here; here and no further!”

Rilen : “ The Fragment of the Spirit Stone has achieved optimal stability!”

Naole : “ We are ready” Naole looks at General Holnari “General?”

General Holnari opens a channel to the Galactic Alliance Force Chiefs.

Holnari : “ This is General Holnari of Andros; High Commander Of the 1st Andronian Fleet! Declaring Red Condition Alpha!”

High Commander Senalo of the Hildrano Enclave Responds.

Cmd-Senalo : “ Confirmed General! Taskforce operations begin in 100 seconds.”

Holnari : “ Naole; 100 seconds!”

Naole : “ 100 seconds Aye General!” Naole activates the JCC “All Ships; 100 seconds!”

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Onboard the CCS Nalen A2292CL the TaskForce Commanders observe as the Battle at the Galactic Alliance Border with the Migon Federation begins. First the Galactic Alliance jump in and destroy Migon Instillations then the Migon and Hakum fleets jump in to counter a Galactic Alliance advance, and as the two opposing forces line up against each other it becomes clear that a Titanic Battle is about to begin.

As the Migon BattleSpheres begin to swarm the Galactic Alliance Ships from the less advanced Civilization decide to counter the Migon swarming techniques by ramming the swarm with auxiliary and support ships and that gives Galactic Alliance big guns an opportunity to take aim and attack Migon ships; this would at best stall the Migon for a moment, but war is often about opportune moments.

When the Battle at the Galactic Alliance Border with the Migon Federation begins the Battle for O’con also begins. Evidently the Migon Federation saw the Battle at their Border with the Galactic Alliance as a form of desperation by the Alliance and that triggered an all out assault on the O’con Federation; an attack clearly designed to eliminate the O’ltana as a threat forever.

28000 BattleSpheres, 1000 BattleSpears, 1000 BattleCylinders, 8000 Hakum Sky Spears and 6000 Hakum Sky Super-Spears poured into O’con Federation Space; sweeping aside perimeter defences and headed straight for the O’con system. Fortunately the O’ltana and the Andronians had anticipated such a direct Migon move and pulled in all their forces to defend the core of O’con space.

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Onboard the CCS Nalen A2292CL they prepare for Battle.

Naole : “ General?”

Holnari : “ Into the fire!”

A Fragment of the Spirit Stone opens a Massive Inter-Dimensional Vortex to Normal Space and Crystalorb and Andronian fleets pour out of the Vortex and jump into Hyperspace. Wormholes open into the Mardon System and thousands of Crystalium712 missiles emerge and detonate as soon as the wormholes close. Then a secondary set of Wormholes open and Crystalorb and Andronian fleets jump into the Mardon System; opening fire on every Migon Instillation within weapons range.

The Crystalorb and Andronian fleet is confronted by a mere 2000 BattleSpheres; a poultry sum compared to the 53849 Ships of the Crystalorb Fleet and the 11000 SkyStriders of the Andronian fleet. Mardon itself is protected by 300 planetary defence stations and there are thousands of planetary defence military instillations on the surface of Mardon to defend the planet.

The 2000 BattleSpheres put up a fight but against the overwhelming numbers of the combined Crystalorb and Andronian fleet the BattleSpheres never stood a chance and were destroyed in less than 4 minutes. 700 Crystalan Ships specially outfitted with Fragments of the Spirit Stone for the duration of current Operations began to Vortex Migon Ship wrecks to CIDR-1; a specially created Inter-Dimensional Pocket designated specifically to store Migon Ship wrecks.

Then the Crystalorb and Andronian Fleet set its sights on Mardon, and as the fleet made its approach they fired a salvo of long range beams designed to determine the defensive capabilities of the 300 planetary defence stations.

Commander Arog opens a JCC to Naole.

Cmd-Arog : “ They are heavily shielded!”

Naole : “ Trying to destroy them will only generate Casualties on our side!”

Holnari : “ What do you suggest?”

Naole : “ Deploy the weapon!”

Cmd-Arog : “ At this range they’ll have enough time to stop the planetoids!”

Naole : “ Which is why I’m going to bombard them with thousands of large Asteroids! Commander; Deploy the weapon!”

Cmd-Arog : “ On your Command!”

Neom, Rinav, Maen and Sonad Nalen open Inter-Dimensional Vortices that release thousands of large Asteroids between 200 km and 350 km in diameter; sending the salvo of large Asteroids on a collision course with Mardon.

Naole : “ All ships follow the Asteroids in! Target the stations as they target the Asteroids!”

SkyC-Nareb : " Very industrious! They can either attack the Asteroids or the approaching Ships; either way they die!"

Admr-Quanite: " The Inter-Dimensional Vortices have accelerated the Asteroids to over a Hundred thousand kph, and when they hit they’ll explode with the power of thousands of Nuclear Explosions!"

Then the CCS Nalen receives an urgent Coms Channel from Sky-Commander Khilag of the O’con Federation.

SkyCmd-Khilag:" General; the Migon Have broken through our perimeter defences and the Battle for O’con has begun. They attacked with 28000 BattleSpheres, 1000 BattleSpears, 1000 BattleCylinders, 8000 Hakum Sky Spears and 6000 Hakum Sky Super-Spears; 10000 more ships than anticipated. We need reinforcements!”

Gen-Holnari : " You got it! I’m sending an Andronian fleet to you! Naole; Vortex one of the fleets to O’con!"

Naole : “ That won’t be enough!” he links with Aurora “Aurora; we’ve got everything under control here so take the Expeditionary Division and the 7th Andronian fleet to O’con!”

Aurora : “ On your Command!”

Inter-Dimensional Vortices open and the Expeditionary Division and the 7th Andronian fleet disappear behind the closing Vortex Wormholes just as the first Asteroids breakthrough Mardon’s Planetary Defence Infrastructure and bombard Mardon. As the Asteroids hit the surface they explode with the power of billions of Megatons of TNT and they send thousands of seismic shockwaves racing across the planet on a collision course with each other.

Mardon’s crust explodes sending ejector into space destroying the surviving planetary defence stations in the process. The impacts melted the surface of the planet and thereby killed nearly all forms of life on Mardon. Then a Nalen Class Ship released a 1.7m wide Fragment of the Spirit Stone onto Mardon and the Fragment Buried itself deep beneath the planet’s Crust.

The Fleet receives a Communiqué from the Galactic Alliance Border with the Migon Federation.

Gen-Onlec : " The Migon have broken off from the fighting on the Border; their entire Border Fleet is heading for Byon. The Alliance ships are in pursuit but Migon ships are significantly faster; they’ll get to Byon half an hour before the Alliance fleet"

Admr-Quanite: " They know what happened to Mardon; therefore if we are to succeed we must attack Byon now while we still have the initiative!"

Gen-Onlec : " The current state of this Fleet cannot take the entire Migon Border Fleet!"

SkyC-Nareb : " The clock is ticking!"

Naole : “ All ships prepare for Vortex Jump Sequence to Byon!”

The Seven Hundred designated Fragment Carriers opened a massive Inter-Dimensional Vortex around Mardon sucking the planet and its surrounding material into CIDR-2. Then the primary Fragment Carriers opened Inter-Dimensional Vortices on a Vortex Jump Sequence to Byon.

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