Imperium Thirteen: Clipped Wings Memoirs

[KnTenshi]

Well, I'd like to say that for anyone who actually speaks Arabic, let's just pretend this is an alien version thereof. I don't have my report all done, but I hope it will entertain you guys. Heck, making up the names takes longer than writing the entries.

Journal of Abu Oma Sfur Al-Hadi ibn Nabil ibn Ghalib al Altairi

1 Rabi' al-awwal 2302

It cannot be an accident that our colony ship landed on this day. The first day of spring for our first day on a new world. Though we were sent here on our scientists' speculation and have found this planet wanting, with less than a third of the arable land of Altair, there is still joy throughout the ship as we begin scouting the nearby land for materials and clearing out an area to begin the construction of the first city.

It filled me with pride to watch little Oma run around on solid ground and glide in the open air after two years in space. Her bright eyes justly reflect the new world. Even I was able to find a bit of relaxation time and be able to stand under this new green sun, gaze out into steppe filled land, and take it all in. I feel optimistic about the whole ordeal.

Most all of the families with non-occupational names have decided to rename themselves "al Altairi" to commemorate our heritage on this new world.

Journal of Hani As-Sabur ibn Utt ibn Anwar al Bhari

23 Shawwal 2305

I finally reached my destination. With the report that Esper's planet was a poor, rocky wasteland and Firma's was mostly covered in desert, I feel that my search will show that Altair is a beautiful jewel in a basket of rocks.

At first, I though I might have been turned around and have arrived back at Altair. White clouds, shimmering blue seas, and hints of a green land between the clouds. But the landmasses looked all wrong. Al Rbyh Quddus was the wrong shape and size and Al Kabeer Gristan was nowhere to be seen.

I flew low to better examine the alien planet and found many strange flyers and wondrous features. I have found another jewel that rivals our Altair with it's untouched splendor. Artemis shall indeed be a star of great beauty.

[KnTenshi]

Collective Journal of the Deep Space Association

4 Rajab 2328

Chilling news today. We received a distress from the Scout sent to Orion. After hours of careful screenings, we were able to understand what was sent. "I am under atta..." All attempts at communication with the Scout, both before and after the transmissions was deciphered, have given no response. This proves two things that we have prepared ourselves yet have tried to to reject.

There is life out there, and it is hostile.

Report from Mayhguub

Once again, it is my honor to discover more about these 'Sakkras'. When their transmissions were picked up on Drakka's long range communicators, I felt the disgust and curiosity of our entire race upon seeing them. These scaled landwalkers clam to be peaceful, but I would not trust them as far as I could carry one.

I shall keep it a top priority to find out if these are the same beings who annihilated the brave bird sent to Orion, as well as report any scientific findings they might have.

[KnTenshi]

Channel 16 News, Altair
20 Sha'aban 2363
16:32

This just in. Our government has issued an official statement about the incident on Drakka two days ago.

"Sakkran ships entered the Drakkan system and ignored all attempts to to communicate. Though they claimed, for the two years we've known them, that all Sakkras were pacifistic, this proved otherwise. Once they reached the planet's atmosphere, the ships began shooting and bombing the populous. They have not entirely confirmed the appearance of a mysterious epidemic reported by some hospitals. There were no survivors. The Sakkras quickly set down and started a colony in the ruins of our own."

They have declared war on the Sakkras for such an atrocity and have designed a new class of ship, appropriately named Vengeance. It is armed with two lasers and the best targeting systems we have. It is protected by a Deflector Sheild.

We will pay blood for blood.

Black box recording from Vengeance-class ship HAC-Al-Muntaqim
Retreived 12 Jumada al-awwal 2374

First Officer: "Captain, we have the Sakkran ships on screen."
Captain: "Muna'dal Al-Aziz, what do our scans show?"
Science Officer: "There are two types of ships in the fleet. One is a Colony ship, similar to our own. The other is a small, one man fighter. Each is armed with a laser."
Captain: "How many of them are there?"
Science Officer: "20... 45... 60... 87... 87 fighters. Sir!"
*Murmurings of the Crew*
Captain: "Signal Al-Hasib. We will defend Vox with our all."
Communications Officer: "Message sent."
Captain: "Move to combat range and fire at will."
Combat Officer: "We are within range. Firing. ...Sir! I can't seem to get a lock on to any of them. They are outracing our tracing computers. They are returning fire!"
Captain: "Brace for impact!"
*Many loud explosions*
Engineering Officer: "Captain! Our Cargo Hold and the Engine Room have been breached."
Captain: "Return fire!"
Combat Officer: "Al-Hasib has destroyed one of them! They---"
*A moment of screaming, and the recording ends*

[KnTenshi]

Exert from personal letter of Lieutenant Hala Al-Juham bint Kalil ibn Berek Al-Esperi
Dated 5 Shawwal 2394

Dear Mother,

The fighting is over. We have secured Vox as our own again. It cost us dearly, but we have won. There were far more of them than what our initail reports said. For each of platoon of theirs we kill, they killed two of ours. They had personal shields that made all but the most accurate shots even wound them, and their flak armor was tougher than ours. They say that war is hell. I am inclined to believe them.

[...]

Forgive me mother, but our orders were to wipe the planet clean of Sakkran life. At first, I did this gleefully as the monsters did to Artemis two months ago. No Sakkran would survive, no matter what rock they would hide themselves under. It was not until I saw a small Sakkran wander out of a ruined building that I paused. It was crying and gurgling in its own language and clutching a leather toy animal. It came to a stop, oblivious to the fighting. The loud snap of a sniper rifle silenced it as it slumped to the ground. The streets were so quiet after that. I can't stand it any more. I want to come home. Please.

Love, Hala


Channel 16 News, Altair
13 Safar 2399
4:32

News anchor: ...I turn you over to our official Sakkran Reprisentative. Ssader?

Sakkran: Yes. Hello Alkari. I am here to offer the olive branch of peace. It was regretful that we killed your people in our efforts to give our burgeoning population room to spread itself. Those fleets were sent on old intelligence that stated they were uninhabited.

Reporter 1: But what about the so called 'Death Spores'?

Sakkran: Those were terraforming devices. We need a special enzyme that seems to only be found on few worlds. Those were an artificial version we have devised to avoid having to inject our colonists every few months. It is unfortunate that the same things that give us life, take yours.

*The crowd of Alkari new crews murmurs, growing louder and louder*

Sakkran: People, People! I... Quiet down. I assure you that our offer of peace is a true one. We wish only the enjoyment of life for all forms of intelligent life.


29 Dhu al-Qi'dah 2422
The Stand on Vox.

Ever since the Sakkran betrayal five years ago, we have been planing for this day. We have come together as a mass fleet of DreadStingers, equiped with the best weapons we have to offer. Now for the battle plans.

First, their Hydra designs hold the Death Spores, so those are a high priority. Other than that, they have Fusion Bombs and Nuclear Missiles. Next in their Armada are their Colossus-class ships. These are fully loaded with Fusion Bombs. They are also of high priority. Their two Juggernaut ships hold the advanced Mass Driver Weapons and Nuclear Bombs and their five Valkyrie ships have Mass drivers and Fusion Bombs. Theses are not as much of a threat as the first classes of ships. Swarming around all of these are their out dated Daemon fighters. Our ships are too protected and maneuverable to be hit by these anymore.

First, we will concentrate on taking out their Hydras. When those seven ships are down, we widdle down the Colossi ships. Once they are down, the Valkyries and Juggernauts are next. If we survive this, great pilots, the future of our race will shine in the darkness of this hellish universe.

[17 Hours later]

We have done it men! Though we nearly lost half the planet, we have survived. The sad news is, a new fleet comes in two years and we will have no missile bases to help defend the planet. Honorable pilots, we will denfend Vox with our last breath.


Journal of Yazid Ar-Ra'uf ibn Afif ibn Shadi Al-Mituhudawt, Oligarchy aid
16 Jumada al-thani 2429

A Message was sent to us that all alien races are to participate in voting on who should rule the galaxy. If one species gets a two-thirds majority, they shall be declared the Masters of Orion. Though neither I nor the Oligarchy have any idea the importance of Orion, we may still have time to find out about any other races that may help us from extinction.

The evil Sauron stands as one candidate and a strange alien that is mostly machine, given as INT-986, stands as his opponent. Sauron votes first, with 19 votes for himself. It seems that votes are tied with population. His votes are covered in the blood of Alkari. An alien representing the Bulrathi, the ones who were wracked with a plague a generation ago, gives its two votes for the Cyborg INT. The Cyborg himself votes for itself with 10 votes. A odd little being with four arms passes it's 3 vote to INT. The last alien, buried deep in purple robes, motioned to INT, with two votes. I resist the urge to cover the Scaled Abomination with curses as I pass our single vote to INT. 19-18 total means that the loathed Sauron will not be ruler any time soon.

[KnTenshi]

Channel 16 News, Altair
26 Muharram 2434
22:00
The Oligarchy has released a statement. I must warn our viewers that the news is grim.
"It is time. They have finally come. In four years, the Scaled Abominations will be orbiting our homeworld. We should have four missile bases by that time. With our fifty DreadStingers, we will make a mighty stand. Not one Reptile will step foot on Holy Altair while our military has even one still flying. Not one scaled hide will fly our skies as we have breath in our lungs and the wind beneath our wings."
I'm sorry to say that all programming will be phased out in the coming years as more and more resources are funneled to equip our warriors with our best. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such loyal viewers. Though we will still air for one more year, I would like to say tonight, thank you and good night.

Final Journal Entry of Akhir Al-Muhaymin ibn Altairi Al Qatsaw'ts
29 Dhu al-Hijjah 2438

The transmissions from Holy Altair have stopped. I am the last of my kind. The last Alkari alive. No companion but the purple glowing planet orbiting Stalaz. There is no way for me to travel anywhere outside the system, much less reach a safe place to spread the words of the Alkari to all those how will hear.
Even now I feel the cold of loneliness creeping into my soul. The irradiated planet that has been my charge for the last 75 years seems warm and comforting, but I know that if I even try to fly low, my Scout will be torn to shreds. Oh how I miss the gliding of my youth. The warm sun on my back, the cool air under my wings. This small blue star might be the last sun I see.
I've set the cryostasis to not wake me unless a ship enters the system. I have also set my broadcast to send one simple message on a constant loop.

[INDENT]"I am here."[/INDENT]




Sorry it took so long to write such a short story. I do hope everyone enjoyed it. There's quite a bit of story I decided to allude to rather than have similar or repeating journals. I even had a few story bits I ended up not using, such as Oma - mentioned in the first Journal - being interviewed as one of the first to be employed on Esper and a suicide mission conducted by radical youths that try in vain to take back Vox (based on a slight... error on my part).

At my best, I owned only 6 planets before the war with the Sakkras. Altair, Esper, Haydes, Artemis, Vox and Drakka. I never even got to meet with any other race outside of the single Council vote. I did take a hand full of pictures and have a full, if slightly fluffed, turn-by-turn report, but posting those might spoil this report. I did my best and still lost. And it was fun writing like this.

[RefSteel]

Wow - this is a great read, especially as the game sounds like a really rough ride. I loved the way you brought the war home to a personal, human (errrr ... Alkari) level, for both sides. The political discussions and posturing were priceless as well.

On the events of the game itself: It sounds like you had an opportunity to make peace with the Sakkra in 2399, but rejected it; is that right? Also, did you ever develop the necessary tech to put LR tanks and a colony base on a large ship? In my game, I sent a ship to Xengara in the far northwest as soon as I developed that ability, and even though I never sent it population through the entire game(!) (too many other desperately important priorities with too little population to go around anyway, and it was just too far from everything at warp one) Xen's fertility and size helped it to grow into a very useful world on its own.

I really enjoyed this report! And perhaps some day, Akhir Al-Muhaymin ibn Altairi Al Qatsaw'ts will be awakened from hypersleep by an alert siren activated by his Scout's one remaining functional sensor. He'll prepare himself to die in battle with the inevitable Sakkra Hierarchy Dreadnought only to find a Meklar renegade piloting an ancient, reassembled Orion Doom Star, assembling a revolutionary force to overthrow the lizard overlords! ... But of course, that's a tale for another day....

[KnTenshi]

Thanks.

No, we did sign a peace treaty, which is why it came as a betrayal eighteen years later when they re-declared war. It didn't help matters much that they stormed Firma IN 2399.

Although I did have the ability, by that time, I was embroiled in war and had most everything pumping into research or war shipbuilding. But it wouldn't have lasted long, as a fleet killed the second-to-last Alkari Scout orbiting Xengara at the same time as they struck Altair.

Oh, and hopefully the Darloks will have a renegade with a menagerie that includes a collection of Alkari females. Until then, he'll just have to wait for the Vindicator.