RP: 4th Fleet [Fourth Standard Fleet] Operation 流星- Falling Star

[Miyako]

~HALNA SPACE~

The Taisho sighed, and sent a message to her son. "Verify synchronization and execute." Her voice was firm, and there was soon another burst of sound from all decks of the YSS Nadare. A Chiharu she'd recommissioned from depots like most of the other ships she had arranged to give the Fourth Fleet less of a one-sided combat viability.

Elements of the 4th Standard Fleet numbering well over the thousand mark broke from hyperspace, advancing into the system. Primary composition still sported a large presence of Ayame and Irim class vessels, but the fleet had been supplemented with Nozomi, Yuuko, and several Takumi class vessels to supervise them advanced on the moons. Smaller vessels broke in first, scanning for explosive traps or other emplacements as the main fleet closed with it's targets. In the rearguard, several Jihi ships were pulled just in case. There was a presence from the 1ST XF there as well, one small squadron of gunboats.

Akina had taken a good portion of her fleet, but not over half for the operation, and was committing all of their Intel from previous encounters into the formation. A modified version of her falling star planetary assault form was used, spacing vessels at intervals to avoid mass-scale destruction, and provide room for evasive maneuvers while taking gravity wells into account, let alone what hostile forces from the local space or the planet might throw at them. A somewhat artful show of power she was known for.

"Fire within mission perimeters."

They were there for a specific reason. Taking aim at the outer layer of defenses being constructed in the system, they opened fire and entered full combat operations. Even as that was happening, the fleet was preparing to locate and destroy the grid in construction.

"Taisho!" One of the officers at a communications station shouted, "The 10th Squadron reports successful anti-FTL field activation when we hit the system. The blackout began immediately."

"Good. Open all channels." She was happy to have been lent A squadron to stop FTL travel and communications from leaving the sphere the Plumeria had raised. It was a quick response to the SAINT intel, that much Shimizu felt was enough for her to rush out of bed in the dead of early morning.

"Channels open, ma'am."

This is the YSS Nadare. All vessels are ordered to power down non-essential systems, and surrender to inspection after combat operations are concluded.

Those who do not comply with our right to defend this system from Fresspacer presence and entrenchment will be detained or destroyed. Civilians are advised to clear their attempts to construct a citadel.

Any attempts to flee local space will be treated as a sign of open hostility. I repeat, all vessels in the area are to stand down, and potential combatants elsewhere are advised to discard their weapons and move away from our operation if possible.

The channel closed at Akina's command, and she leaned over the projection before her, watching for their reply carefully. She had brought the medical ships with the civilians in mind, assuming the system would be secure enough for such operations. They would have to review each person though, she did not want a tricks on a medical vessel.

 

[Strangelove]

A number of ECM emitters began powering up among the ruins of Halna. Before the sensors could be jammed completely the ships would catch glimpses of some sort of subterranean equipment beginning to mobilize from their hiding spots beneath the city ruins. Apparently they were expecting and well-prepared for such an attack after the previous one launched under Hanako. It would seem the same trick wouldn't work twice in a row after all.

However, whatever armaments they had prepared did not begin to counter-assault immediately. Instead a voice message followed:

"We haven't even finished burying the dead yet, and already you come to butcher these people once again. You fascists have already taken the lives of the sisters and brothers, sons and daughters, mothers and fathers of these people. But I don't suppose you'd just settle for that and call it a day, would you?"

 

[Andrew]

(I have retconned this thread back to the beginning. Can we just let Lilly and Jess RP in it now? Thanks. The pre-existing posts are in storage at Lilly's request.)

 

[Miyako]

"Send two wings- from the older gunships. Keep casualties to a minimal." Akina pointed where they had the best flashes on intel, which moved in on the 'hiding spots' Targeting the emitters first, and any other high-priority defenses on the way. The wings were mostly LAMIA, something she had counted on since some of her Irim weren't yet refitted. They engaged their relative stealth, and moved in.

"I want a channel to that last transmission." The woman motioned to communications.

"Open, Taisho."

I am not my predecessor.

Do not detonate half the planet with the defenses, let them be destroyed or dismantled in a controlled manner. I will minimize casualties to nothing depending on your cooperation. We are enemies, but an article of war has not been passed.

However, I cannot allow such a citadel to be constructed here. Nor will I tolerate anyone moving without authorization. Active combatants will be detained or killed, civilians...will be advised to leave the system when operations are complete and the blockade has successfully secured the system.

Akina closed the channel, still wary of identifying herself.

"Taisho!" Sensors called, "Elements appear to be moving in orbit-identified..pirate vessels."

Her intelligence officer piped up to her left, "They're probably the ones left on Yamatai's side. I'm getting some chatter about their intent. Weapons are powered."

Staring at the sudden movement, the woman sighed. "Bring the nearest ships in, disable hostile vessels I don't care who they think they're shooting at."

"Aye." While the Nadare's fleet bridge crew worked to disable the pirate ships, Akina brushed a hand all the way through her hair and waited for a response. It would be a real show of what their character was.

This is not sanctioned action. Any remaining vessels intending to move please know regardless of allegiance that this fleet will disable you to maintain system security.

 

[Miyako]

(OOC: With Jess gone, I'm finishing the operation so the system can be opened again, and Akina can go home and no longer frozen.)

1347hrs Kyoto Standard Time: YSS Nadare Fleet Bridge

"Taisho, our medical ships are reading clear. The forward vanguard has stored as much of the pertinent emplacements that weren't detonated for SARA, though most of it appears to be lower grade than Intel first suggested." Her temporary XO nodded, and closed her display.

"Tell me about it." She leaned over the display, frowning as escorted civilian vessels moved away from Halna. They had struck enough of an accord, the Taisho had completed her objective, and provided aide to the injured, and transport elsewhere for those requesting. A small portion of her Ayame contingent was to be left until the 3rd could resume patrols and possible garrison for the area, but she had finished her job.

Standby all vessels, FTL jamming will be lowered. Mark.

The Plumeria ceased operations, and fell back into squadron formation as ships began to depart the system normally. FTL communication was restored to the outpost, and Akina drank from her mug, the only food she'd had for 18 hours.

"K-kuso!" The communications officer stood out of her station, her face reddened. She had managed to contact more civilian transports for those who couldn't find space on other transports, but everything that had transpired in that day was rushing through to her station. She compiled a packet, and sent it to Akina after regaining her composure.

"Set course for home, release the 10th Squadron to Mistress Taisho with my thanks. Add a note if she wishes to build us a squadron for operational viability in the future they'd not be frowned upon."

As messages went out, the fleet retrieved the last of the armours that were not to be left returned to their motherships, she was surprised it had turned into more of a humanitarian operation than military, but the defenses had been dismantled or destroyed, and the Taisho could go back to Katsuko.

An hour later, the 4th Standard Fleet warped out of Halna, bound for its headquarters. Akina retired to her quarters, and began sifting through everything that had happened while taking lunch at the until then an unused desk.