A New Frontier
19 Jan 2017FriscoFlame
"Pause Screen"So it was true. My sources in Imperial Intelligence had originally questioned the footage released by Commander DP Sayre, but as more and more commanders experienced what they were calling "Hyperdiction" we were forced to face the reality that not only were we not alone, but we were facing a possible threat with technology none of us had even conceived. I just searched the image, examining and re-examining, trying to find anything that might give a small clue as to whether this was creature or craft, friendly or hostile. I would have given anything for a solitary clue.
"Senator, do you have a recommendation?"
The voice had come from behind me. One of the newer Squires within the Prismatic Knights had entered my private quarters. The title of Senator was new to me, as the Knights had recently overhauled the government in hopes of presenting a stronger front against larger factions. Now, however, the prospect of War between factions was laughable against stopping a threat we knew nothing about.
"Yes," I spoke, "Open a direct line to the Consul. I wish to present on the record."
**********
"Consul Nezrec," I addressed the man that I for who i strongly lobbied the position of Consul within the Prismatic Knights, "Though yourself and many of our other Knights have an exemplary war record, I must insist we maintain a resolution of Non-Aggression. Our Navy continues recovering from the Federal Force Conflict of late last year, and the prospects of an Imperial Coalition remain at best, vague, and in likelihood, impossible."
"That hardly sounds like a plan, Senator." The response was Consul Prostheticmind7. I hadn't I can't say I expected him to cut me off. Prosthetic tended to be more Diplomatic while Nezrec was a strong believer in Strength through Projection of Force. I now needed to present my arguement on two fronts. I had prepared.
"If the Consul would allow, I have a proposal." I withdrew my DataPad and projected the draft for display among the senate. The voice of my Digital Assistant 'Katherine' suddenly filled the chamber:
Resolution: Acknowledging the importance of maintaining a readily deployed force to respond to threats that may hit home, the following actions are proposed by the Senate to be carried out by the War Council:
I. The Creation of Three unengineered platforms to be kept stationed at home with the sole purpose of use in defence of Home System.
- The First platform should utilize a Small Landing pad and is to be created with the purpose of being a trainer craft, instilling the basic combat skills necessary to being a member of the Prismatic Knight's Naval Combat Team. Target Cost: <10 Million
- The Second platform is to utilize a Medium Landing pad and be bake to provide support in defensive actions, or when properly utilized by a trained wing, be a powerful first line of defense in home System. These craft would also be used as targets when training small wings of recruits in our Imperial Navy of Prismatic Knights. Target Cost: <50 Million
- The Third platform, being reserved for our most elite combat pilots, as well as our more affluent members, is to be based on a frame of the War Counsil's choosing, and is meant to be the Flagship of our Navy. The pilots controlling this platform will be in command of their wings and responsible for the overall battle plan. No limit to the cost of this platform is proposed.
II. Platforms proposed will utilize only openly available ships or Imperial ships, as we are citizens of the empire and our commisioned Naval vessels are not to be tools of the Federation.
III. The War Counsil is to set a necessary set of skills and knowledge imperative to members of the Prismatic Knight Naval Combat Team, as well as methods for certification/demonstration.
This was a lengthy proposal, but I could see fire in Nezrec's eye. No doubt if this proposal passed, he would enthusiastically act as Consult to the War Counsil. This was the only way, we needed focused training as well as a uniform approach to conflict. We didn't need another EXO situation while recovering, and intelligence throughout the galaxy was unreliable ever since The Arrival.
"Senator," Prosthetic called, "This resolution is certainly ambitious, and do understand that my co-Consul and I may require extra duties of you if this resolution passes. To ensure civilian oversight in our military matters."
"I understand and yield the floor." I went back to my seat, recieving an alert I had been waiting for all day.
**********
It hadn't been an easy task to decommission "Botfly" and "L'espirit de Fierte", but it was thelogical choice. After removing my engineer modules and weapons, i was able to refit them to my new vessels.
I looked out onto the dick as out flew my brand new Vulture, the "Arthur C Clarke". I had named it after an early 20th Century aviator who is said to have invented Dive Bombing, a tactic still used in Landfall Conflict today. Our conflicts were currently limited to local skirmishes, so i wasn't to work about losing jump distance. Besides, nothing a good fuel scoop couldn't fix, fair trade forheavier weapons and better maneuverability. I had ordered the Arthur C Clark into storage as the refitter stepped into the light.
"Those Canons yagave me and that FSD were a beaut, then engineers did a great job. I put thecoat in it like you asked, guess you couldn't stayaway from those imperial colours."
I smiled. "Thank you, Adam.your work is worth every credit.," I transferred the funds to theman's account, "look forward to doing business again."
"Hail the Emporer," Adam called out.
"Bask in Her Glory," I replied as I stepped out to view my beautiful new White Python.
"Welcome to my fleet, Matsui."
