RP: GM Cinematics Beyond Belief - Mothers of War

[Andrew]

RP Date

YE 46.8

RP Location

Lorenz.

Lorenz System​

FCS A’aenalin
Inyanthaes-Class Battleship, Vespan Free Commonwealth Flagship
24 Hours before planet moves to the Kosuke Sector in the Kagami Galaxy.

The FCS A’aenalin and the UNN Taesi maintained a precise parallel formation as they emerged from VTD, their hulls gleaming faintly in the light of distant stars. Only hours had passed since their hard-won victory at Celunithar’s Gate, yet the aftermath rippled across the Caelithorn Cluster and into the embattled Lorenz System. Fractures within the U.N.N fleet had grown into outright schisms; several vessels under Grand Admiral Caelorn Islerius had followed their commander and defected to the Commonwealth. The remaining U.N.N ships, loyal to Chancellor Vaelaris, had been annihilated by Admiral Ayia Igera’s strike force or had retreated into VTD, seeking the sanctuary of fortified positions.

A projection of Admiral Igera materialized at the forefront of the A’aenalin’s bridge. Her image was sharp, her voice carrying the disciplined authority of a veteran commander. "The system is ours," she reported crisply. "Most of them defected, while the remnants scattered or fled. The team you sent remains on the surface, ensuring the final resistance is extinguished. I’ll be aboard momentarily." She offered a deep salute, her right fist clenched and pressed across her chest to rest against her shoulder as she bowed with deliberate formality.

Grand Strategist Esari inclined his head, acknowledging her with his characteristic calm. "Grand Admiral Caelorn Islerius will join us shortly. He and the majority of his forces have committed to our cause," Esari said, his voice measured. "Additionally, the Quaen mothership is now under our control. We’ll discuss the situation further when you arrive."

With that, he stepped away from the glowing operations table that dominated the bridge and sank into the command throne, the seat a physical manifestation of his authority. His fingers tapped lightly on the armrests as he observed the forward display, his mind already turning to the next strategic decisions. A small nod dismissed the channel, and the projection of Admiral Igera faded into nothingness.

The bridge settled into a purposeful silence, every officer aware that though the battle had been won, the war’s tides were far from calm. It was going to be a long road to liberating the rest of the Imperium.

Telarion, Capital City of Lorenz​

Capital Building

Rin and Artemesia moved with precision through the desolate corridors, splitting off from their unit to secure the administrative offices while the bulk of the team advanced toward the State Council Chambers. The moniker "Mothers of War" had been painted onto the side of their Cholegam Combat Suits by the crew of the A’aenalin, a nod to their reputation. Artemesia took the right side of the hallway, Rin the left, each checking doors as they went. Occasionally, they encountered frightened workers or administrators huddling inside, whom they calmly directed to leave the building.

Glancing at her PMR, Rin noted her diminishing charge and spoke over the comm. "I’m down to an eighth. Time to reload," she said, the tone casual as she joked, "Unless you’re too busy playing with yourself again."

Artemesia responded with a dry laugh. "You’re buying the drinks tonight. Or maybe I’ll just spend the evening giving my friend here..."~she lifted her weapon for emphasis~a little more attention." Artemesia opened another door, revealing an empty office. "This one’s clear," she announced, giving Rin’s armored arm a tug and pulling her inside.

Rin’s eyes narrowed at the sudden move, but she quickly swapped out her depleted cartridge, snapping a fresh one into place. "All this fuss over one lousy politician," she muttered, exhaling sharply. "I’ll bet he tries to run the second he sees us."

"I’ll take that bet," Artemesia said with a smirk as she reloaded her weapon. "My money’s on him surrendering, sobbing like a baby when he can’t reach Vaelaris for help. Loser buys the drinks." She glanced around the room, rifling through a pile of g-pads on a nearby desk. "Not that there’s much to celebrate. They barely had control of this system anyway."

Rin chuckled darkly. "I thought you’d stay with the sphere when it heads to the Kosuke Sector. Figured you’d go back to your family."

Artemesia dropped the g-pads back onto the desk with a dismissive shrug. "The war’s here, and it’ll follow us wherever we go. Someone has to fight it." She stepped closer to Rin, tapping the side of her helmet with a gloved hand. "Besides, who’s going to save your ass if I leave?"

A sudden, unfamiliar alarm blared through the facility, cutting off Rin’s response. "What is that?" Artemesia asked, her voice sharp.

Rin moved to the door, listening intently. A mechanical voice echoed: "Escape ship launch sequence initiating." Her jaw tightened. "That fucking Cli’cha," she snarled before sprinting down the hallway, her weapon raised. "We have to stop that ship!" she barked into her comm as she reached the Governor’s Office. The doors slid open with a hiss, and she stepped through, weapon drawn, with Artemesia covering her from behind.

"Shit!" Rin cursed, spotting the governor already seated in the cockpit of a sleek escape ship visible through the transparent niranium viewport. She slammed the butt of her weapon against the pane in frustration, but it held firm. She kicked the bottom of the hatch, muttering curses under her breath.

"Relax, I’ve got this," Artemesia said, stepping past her. She gave the governor a mocking wave before pulling a plasma charge from her belt. With calculated precision, she affixed the explosive to the center of the viewport. The ship’s engines roared to life, shaking the building as it prepared to launch. Artemesia activated a forcefield between them and the viewport, pulling Rin back as the explosive detonated. The escape ship managed to clear the building before it erupted in a fiery explosion, debris scattering across the night sky.

"See? I told you I had it," Artemesia said with a self-satisfied grin.

Rin scowled, pulling off her helmet and clipping it to her belt. "Yeah, you ‘got it.’ Now he’s dead, and we’ve lost any chance of interrogating him." She sighed, leaning against a desk. "Not that he had much to tell us. Just another parasite riding Vaelaris’ coattails."

"Probably," Artemesia agreed, removing her own helmet and shaking out her hair. Her ears twitched slightly as she leaned toward Rin. "But I guess I’m buying tonight~you were right, he ran like a coward." She smirked before closing the distance between them, capturing Rin in a passionate kiss. Breaking away, Artemesia tapped her comm. "Mother of War One to A’aenalin. The governor has been neutralized, we couldn't take him alive.. Send a relief team; we’ll rejoin the unit shortly." She glanced at Rin with a mischievous smile. "Looks like this world will be the first to cross over after all."