Resurgence - Alliance Lost

==Alliance Lost==
August 3152
Sterlington
“Are you sure, Captain?” asked a shocked Star Colonel Dominic McKenna.  He was speaking to a jumpship Captain that just arrived in the system.
“Aff, Star Colonel.  The officer left in command of the garrison stated the 5th and 97th deployed in June to Stratford and Milligan… on Khan McKenna’s orders.”  The skepticism in the Captain’s voice was obvious.
“Be prepared with your final battery charge to jump when I give the order.  Out.” Star Colonel McKenna dropped the signal. He and the Galaxy Commander already received word of a massive invasion of the Raven Alliance.  Alpheratz itself was being torn apart.  Both Beta and Gamma Galaxies were trying to rally their own forces but half the units in each had already acted on bizarre orders the Galaxy Commanders did not send or had even seen.
The 5th and 97th were supposed to be stationed on Kirbyville but, had now deployed to two Federated Suns worlds.  Similarly, the 100th and 121st of Gamma Galaxy went charging into the fray of the invasion by the Word of Blake.  Hazelhurst was just one jump away from Sterlington, where Gamma was assembling. In the next few hours it was likely that Beta would be jumping to join them and push to Alpheratz. 
With Beta Galaxy controlling a full star of Warships, it was time to take the fight to these invaders.  The Star Colonel ran his report and sent it to the Galaxy Commander’s quarters.  Scouts had returned to show insignia that clearly resembled the long thought dead Word of Blake.  Coreward of Beta and Gamma Galaxies if the worlds were not being attacked by this new enemy, they were deploying and attacking other worlds of being attacked. None of it made sense given the peace he thought they had with the DCMS and FedSuns.
“Star Colonel, we have a jumpship emerging.” Called a crewman on the bridge.
“Aff.” Responded McKenna. 
A bright flash appeared ahead of the staged fleet.  He had a thought quickly of how satisfying it would be if a Blakist ship appeared in front of the five Warships in the star.  He closed his eyes until the brightness through his eyelids dimmed.  Opening them, he could see the jumpship ahead, it was one of Gamma Galaxy’s. 
“We are supposed meet up with them in a few hours, that’s bizarre, let us see what is going on, comms, open up a line.” Ordered the Star Colonel.  He waited a few seconds, then began to realize there were orange, flickering dots about the hull.  “Where are those comms?  Enhance the image of that vessel.”
A hologram window came to life before the ferroglass on the bridge, then the ship appeared, blurry at first, then cleared. The jumpship had multiple deck breaches and fires.  One docking collar was ripped off and another had half a dropship connected, a small cloud of parts… and bodies drifting away.
“Star Colonel, the line is broken, they are saying something but we cannot understand them.” Shouted the comms officer.
“Clearly something bad has happened, get me a channel to the Galaxy Commander.” Ordered McKenna but, rather than comms responding, the Galaxy Commander entered the deck.
“Right here Star Colonel, looks like Gamma may be in trouble?”
“Yes, Galaxy Commander, that jumpship is not doing well.  Conqueror Star could use some live fire.”
“Negative Star Colonel, if a jumpship was fired on and ordered to flee, there could be far worse awaiting us than we know.” He reached his chair and sat, opening a line to his fleet, “Beta Galaxy, we may have trouble on the way, all personnel to stations, prepare for battle.”
Across Raven’s Nest the klaxon was blaring to ensure all personnel knew of potential attack they may face.  The entire fleet began maneuvering to get the best firing solutions on the expected jump point. 
“Galaxy Commander, Star Colonel, we have more jumps opening up!” shouted the navigation officer.
“Here we go Star Colonel, we will see…” Galaxy Commander Magnus trailed off, eyes squinted, waiting for the flashes. 
Then more ships began appearing.  Multiple jumpships with Pocket Warships and dropships began emerging, all Gamma Galaxy, all showing signs of damage.  Both the Galaxy Commander and Star Colonel looked at their console readouts for the inbound ship IFFs, multiple ships of all sizes were unaccounted for.
“Galaxy Commander Magnus, this is Star Colonel Shu, the Galaxy Commander is dead, we need to depart immediately, they may try to follow us.  Two Swordships are in that fleet, that is more than a match for the Conqueror Star.”
“Dezgra Blakists…” Mumbled the Galaxy Commander under his breath, holding his fist over his mouth.  Rumors of these new ships had circulated, he hoped they were exaggerations. 
“What is it you propose we do then, Star Colonel? The plan was for our fleets to merge and attack.” Stated the Galaxy Commander in return.
“It is your decision, of course, Galaxy Commander but, we have already lost a significant number of vessels and with them, ground forces.  Any simulations we have run, there is not enough of us left, even with your fleet to put them down.  I recommend we jump to Alta Vista and meet with the Sea Foxes.”
“Aff Star Colonel. I accept your recommendation. Navigator, get the fleet to Alta Vista immediately.” Said the Galaxy Commander. Dying like a fool rushing in was not the honorable death Clan warriors sought. Before giving the Captain of Raven’s Nest the go ahead to jump Magnus did a final accounting of the Raven’s numbers and it confirmed the Star Colonel’s thoughts.
This was an extremely unexpected turn of events. Beta and Gamma were both prepared to attempt to retake Alpheratz.  The Raven Alliance was split in half with fighting engulfing all the central worlds of the nation.  No word had made it through if the Khan or Alpha Galaxy was even still alive.  But to sacrifice his warriors in an almost guaranteed slaughter was unacceptable.
---
Flashes all around the star of the Alta Vista system gave way to the Beta and Gamma Raven Galaxies.  Initial hopes were that the Sea Foxes would be able to commit a sizeable number of ships to overcome this new warship type being fielded by the Word of Blake. 
Expecting to find a fleet of Sea Fox ships though, the Galaxy Commander looked upon a vast openness where at that was present was a recharging station.  “Navigation, confirm location.  Scan for any ships.” He ordered.
“Aff, Galaxy Commander, we have arrived in Alta Vista.”
“Neg, Galaxy Commander, no ships at the Nadir or Zenith points.”
“Galaxy Commander, we are getting a hail from the recharging station.” Called out the comms personnel.
“Patch them through.” Galaxy Commander Magnus ordered.
A hologram came to life on the bridge in front of the Galaxy Commander and Star Colonel.  “Well met, Galaxy Commander. Welcome to Alta Vista, how may we assist you?” It was a man of shorter stature, a Star Captain.
“Star Captain, we appreciate your kind welcome, we are here to speak with your leadership.  The Raven Alliance is under assault and I was seeking to rebuild our bonds as Clans.”
“Aff, I understand Galaxy Commander. However, the fleet has an undetermined return date.  As of right now, our presence in system is garrison duty and this recharge station.”
“Do you know where they went Star Captain?”
“Negative, Galaxy Commander, I regret that this is not the information you were seeking, however we can at least provide your jumpships with charging services.”
“Aff, Star Captain, we will begin our approach.” Replied the Galaxy Commander as the Raven’s Nest proceeded forward.  Bridge staff began planning out the fleet’s charging order and which ships would just begin to unfurl their solar sails.
---
Over the course of the next few days, the jumpships were all brought to full charges.  Still, there was no sign of the Sea Foxes.  Repairs were completed that could be and reserves for food and fuel filled from the system’s locals.  Galaxy Commander Magnus was hoping that the good conduct of his command would at least start to build new and positive relations with the Sea Foxes. 
A number of issues needed to be taken care of. Firstly, the 11th Raven Wing Cluster, the 3rd Raven Auxiliaries, and 17th Raven Garrison Cluster merged with Beta Galaxy.  Given their two separate names ‘Storm Crow’ and ‘Hawkshead’, the new name of ‘Stormhawk’ Galaxy was determined to give the survivors of the two galaxies an identity they could rally behind. 
Finally, the most important topic was where to go next. A number of options were given. One was that they could move through the DCMS to the Coreward worlds of the Raven Alliance to determine the location of Khan McKenna.  Another was to skirt around the Periphery and see if they could find any Blakist targets to strike at.  One was to find a Federated Suns unit to find out if they had any more information on the situation, should any Blakists have been attacking them as well. 
Soon though, a decision was made for them.  On an early August morning a distress beacon was detected.  The system was not on their star charts as a viable jump point.  However, after a number of personnel worked out the situation and utilized the Clan mapping technology onboard the Raven’s Nest, this was a system they could reach with a single jump. 
Now, the Raven Galaxy Commander was at a point where he had to make a decision.  The first question, was this a trap?  If it is, how do we find out if it is a trap?  Next, who was the beacon from?  Did the Sea Fox fleet mis-jump so severely they could not get back?  After multiple discussions, it was determined that a plan would be drawn up to investigate but, not stay and fight. 
Selecting a jumpship that could double jump was the solution.  Jump in, see who was there, jump out.  Three Assault Dropship Captains volunteered to go with the jumpship, should the worst come to pass. 
---
“So, Captain, that is the plan, you do not risk your lives or those ships unless absolutely necessary, we must be prepared that this is a trap.” Stated the Galaxy Commander, firmly to the jumpship Captain.
“Aff, Galaxy Commander, we will return.” The Captain stated.  With that his image vanished and all eyes were on the flash of light as the Jumpship leapt away.
Minutes ticked by, adrenaline pumping through the veins of the fleet.  A massive number of Aerospace pilots were ready to deploy if needed and weapons crews were standing by.  As the estimated wait time before the ship should return passed, nerves became even more tense.
“Star Colonel, this is not looking good.” Said the Galaxy Commander.  Both had made their way to the ship’s war room, a sealed and secure room behind and above the main bridge. 
“Agreed, Galaxy Commander, however, I do lean toward that being a legitimate distress beacon.  I don’t think that if the Blakist’s goal was to take Alpheratz, they would come all the way out this way. Even to hunt down the Conqueror Star.”
“Contact!” yelled a bridge crewman, her voice carried across the deck.  Both officers burst out of the war room. 
A flash illuminated the bridge as a jumpship appeared.  Looking on, they could see there were now five dropships docked, rather than three. “Bring it up on visuals.” Ordered Magnus. 
A hologram window appeared, showing a close up zoom of the new dropships.  Stunned, the insignia was not what they expected…. the Sword of Blake.  As the Galaxy Commander was about to yell orders to prepare to fire, the Jumpship Captain appeared in front of him.
“Galaxy Commander, hold your fire!” shouted the Captain, clearly his own crew was already picking up locking pings. 
“Why are those ships on your hull, Captain?!”
“Galaxy Commander, these people are calling themselves… Comstar.”
“Say again, Captain?” the Galaxy Commander asked in confusion, trying to stem his rising adrenaline levels.
“I have with me the leader of these people. They put up no resistance before boarding and our Battle Armor troopers boarded their vessels without resistance. There are no signs of nuclear warheads onboard either vessel and both are barely spaceworthy.”  The Captain stepped to the side, his hologram dissipating, replaced by an older man wearing all white.  It wasn’t religious attire but, more professional.  Certainly not military in nature either.
“Galaxy Commander, Comstar thanks you for your mercy and rescue, as you can see our vessels are heavily damaged.  We had to scuttle our last jumpship just days ago.”
“What do you mean you are Comstar?” asked Magnus, “Even the renewed Comstar was eradicated by the Republic of the Sphere years ago.”
“Where in the past the Blakists grew under the nose of the now dead Comstar.  We grew under the nose of the restored Word of Blake.  These two ships are all that remain of a fleet that was composed of thirty ships.  When we thought it was the right time to break from the greater fleets, we were found out.  We have been running for months, and not just from the Word of Blake.”
“There is going to be a great many more questions, I have for you, what is your name?” Magnus responded.
“I am Precentor Grade XV-Alpha Imala.  However, I would highly recommend we depart this system and move at best speed to the nearest House Lord or Clan Khan.  We have brought knowledge to aid the Inner Sphere in combating this Resurgence, it will be crucial, given the algorithmic and physical component improvements to the Blakist’s jump drives, their access to the HPG grid, and even in fighting their flagships.”
“Very well, the jumpship you are currently on will charge its battery and we will be on our way.  It will be reasonable to understand that all of your people will remain under heavy guard with no access to our fleet.  It will be arranged for you to join me on Raven’s Nest.” Said the Galaxy Commander before the hologram vanished.
“Well this is an interesting change of events, Star Colonel.” Magnus said as he turned to McKenna. 
“Indeed, Galaxy Commander.  At the very least we need to find out that data.  That they are willing to just give it to us to turn the tide…”
“As always, we need to be cautious, however, this will help to prevent us from running into any issues in the Federated Suns, given the Palmyra situation and that we never showed up.  I need you to arrange the transport of that Command Staff, as long as they are forthcoming with information and non-combative, treat them less as prisoners and more as legitimate refugees.”
“Aff, Galaxy Commander, I will notify you when they have arrived.” responded Dominic.
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Editing assistance by Star Colonel Ichaerus Ward, thank you.
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Chapter 2: Trust's Treachery
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