AN: Sorry for my absense. I got a lot of planning going on my working place. These columns of digits stressing me a lot during the recent days. Here the next chapter.

Chapter 08

"It seems that people here does not really hate the Empire," – While looking at the scenery that passed behind the car window, Hyun-Ae politely threw a question to her companion. By her observation, the people of Aptic III was wary of the Abh but not entirely antagonistic to them. Unlike the religious fanatics from the United Mankind, majority of population on the surface did not really care about who ruled that space around their planet as long as they could freely trade their industrial goods for daily necessities and food. They were more interested in the foreign princess that was escorted by one of Abh nobles, who was at the same time a Deputy Ambassador.

Jinto smiled in return but kept silent. The incident that happened at the star port was still on his mind despite the fact that Lafiel informed him about her safe return. He thought that the difference between landers and the Empire was wider than he previously imagined. Looking at the princess of the New United Nations his mind wondered about one possibility: would common people be wary of the Empire if the Abh as whole remained as close to human lineage? After all, during several interaction on the Aptic III, there was no even a seed of hostility toward this black-haired girl.

"Count, it looks like you still preoccupied with the incident from earlier on?" – With a sigh, Hyun-Ae lightly kicked Jinto to get his attention. The youngster in question turned his head and looked back at her – "Your Excellency, I think your personnel business with your girlfriend could lead to a lot of complications in you career, if you continue to be so obvious about your feeling."

"Wh-wh-what do you mean by "girlfriend", Your Highness?" – Jinto's face became slightly red from embarrassment while he started to stutter.

"Good, at least your mood is a little better than a few seconds ago;" – The self-proclaimed princess glanced at the scenery and continued – "Let us be honest with each other… We both know that the Empire is not as good at management of the planets; they leave them to their own devices without assistance, which in return could lead to many problems later on…"

There was a truth in these words. Jinto himself thought that the Empire way to deal with planet dwellers was a little too aloof, creating a lot of negative misunderstanding with landers. This, as result, could lead to rebellions and a like. While the Empire was strong and had no real competition aside, maybe, the United Mankind and allied nations, it could pass. However, the New United Nations example had shown that there could be more powerful nations, lurking in the darkness of space.

"Well, I am not really a person that should talk about governing a nation though," – Hyun-Ae continued to talk, still looking outside of the car – "I am just a fossil of the blissful past, from the time when our home world was a beautiful blue sphere in the star ocean. Still, I want you to understand that the New United Nations was built through sacrifices and determination of our people…"

"Your meaning, Your Highness?" – Something in the last sentence was wrong, at least Jinto thought the mood became suffocating for him. It would be better if Lafiel was present here to talk about politics and alike, not him who decided to go with the flow and protect Martine as much as he would be able.

The girl sighed and turned her head toward this naïve count. She smiled at him and pointed upward – "The Empire does not try to understand Landers, because the Abh thinks it is a bother, am I right? However, such attitude sooner or later will lead to rebellion…"

A possibility of rebellion was not zero. Even in the past, the Ground Forces raised against the Empire and briefly got a hold of the capital. Only the lack of competent star fleet allowed the Empire to deal with it without any long lasting problems and the army was reorganized to avoid such possibilities in the future. Even the current policy made a rebellion as futile struggle – without any war capable ships it would be impossible to truly hold independence from the Abh. Any ground operation would not be a necessity because of ability to bombard the ground defenses from the orbit and in rare case even complete destruction of the planet could be achieved – theoretically, since such usage of the fleet was a complete waste of resources.

"No need to look at me with such troubled face, Your Excellency," – Despite being apathetic toward the government policy as a whole, Hyun-Ae understood the general outline of it. Currently, the New United Nations was weak but even before she would die of old age, if everything would go right – the numerical advantage of other great nations would be negated by superior technology. Thus, while their current strength was not enough to intervene with global politics, it could be the case later on – "You need to understand that my people look down at some practices of the Empire. Well, the same goes with the United Mankind too. So..."

"Your Highness, are you saying that the New United Nations could become an enemy to the Empire?" – It was a certain possibility that in the future the difference in views could lead to the conflict. Still, the Empire had won all wars to this date…

"Yes, if the Empire continue with its current non-caring policy with planet dwellers, we could become enemies in the future... I want to warn you… We fight our wars until our opposition surrender or completely annihilated… We are willing to fight to the bitter end, using all possible ways to win and in case of existential crisis… You will not want to see our forbidden weaponry…" – Hyun-Ae spoke about a war like it was something she lived through, despite never being on battlefield. However, Jinto felt that the girl in front of him saw some horrible things during her long life and shared general opinion of her people to prevent a conflict before it could escalate to full war – "I telling you this, Your Excellency, because you look like a person who pretty much understand the limits of your nation policy…"

"We have a major problem on our hands!" – The message was projected directly on Hyun-Ae's retina, forcing her to stop her philosophical monologue and concentrating on the follow up text – "We found an old Zentradi recon drone. It was operable and likely informed the corresponding fleet about our existence. I would like you to return on your ship as soon as possible. I think there is a chance that rogue Zentradi force could arrive to this system in the next eighty hours."

That was a real mood killer. If Mira was right, than their small fleet could bring some large strike force from Zentradi into the system. Knowing the basic policy of Protoculture soldiers, there was a certain scenario, which could lead to complete annihilation of Aptic III. Likely something around 2000-3000 thousand capital ships.

Hyun-Ae looked at the silent Jinto, who continued to think over the dilemma that was presented to him, and waved her hand to get his attention…


"It is only 2000 ships. We have over 100000 ships as for now on the orbit of Aptic III," – Dusanyu could not understand why the princess wanted to discuss battle plan when the victory was guaranteed. Of course, he understood that there was a technological advantage of the other side but according to the data provided by the New United Nation, the rogue Zentradi fleets had no access to the most recent weapon and defensive systems.

"It may be true that we have overwhelming advantage in numbers but our ancestors were careless and a standard Zentradi fleet usually numbered in millions of capital ships. These 2000 ships are part of the search and destroy recon groups," – It was Mira, who explained the basic military doctrine of Zentradi. Unlike humans, her race fought in the simplest way: fold in, overwhelm enemy with sudden fire and retreat. Rinse and repeat. Of course, the search and destroy fleets, like the one that attacked the Earth during the Space War I, did not attacked the potential enemy right from the start. Otherwise, the humanity would became extinct a long time ago – "These groups could inform the main fleet in vicinity and a real strike group will arrive to deal with us. You need to understand that in this case it would be battle with the same numbers, the standard wartime fleet is numbered in 90000-150000 ships…"

The standard tactics for both the NUNS and the Star Force were quite similar to each other during the first phase of battle. When an enemy appeared the fleet would launch barrages of missiles to an enemy position, destroying as much enemies as possible during this initial stage. However, unlike the Abh Star Force, the New United Nations never designed dedicated missile type battleship. At the same time Assault-class ships of Abhs were not compatible with high maneuver engagement doctrine of Variable Fighters: while being faster than their own capital ship and on par with older VF models in terms of overall mobility, they lacked the punch and utility of NUNS space fighters.

To make matters more complicated, the Abh weapons were not suited for battles with high numerical disadvantages. While missiles were comparable with NUNS own anti-ship ones, their quantity heavily relied on number of battleships that could only launch one barrage at a time and reload for several hours afterward.

"Is it possible to evacuate the entire population of the planet?" – It was another possible solution, which would rely heavily on the logistics of the Empire. Hyun-Ae did not want to fight near the high-density populated planet because in battle anything was possible, the Space War I proved it a long time ago.

Admiral Kenesh shook her head. The population of industrial planet like Aptic III had reached the limits of its ecosystem. It was over ten billions in number. The planet itself was not able to sustain such mass of people and heavily depended on inter-stellar trade for food and some organic medicine.

"Yes, Your Highness, it would be impossible to evacuate the entire population of the planet. Even if we would have an entire year, it still not doable even in terms of migration administration. So, I suggest we abandon the planet," – For Dusanyu it was an obvious choice. As it is, the current stage of Operation Phantom Flame, the strategic importance of the Aptic System was lost, the enemy main force was routed and local defense fleets on their path would not be able to resist them. As long as he would be able to keep his own fleet intact.

It sounded cruel but in terms of a long-time strategy, the single non-crucial fortress could be easily left behind, sometimes defenders could even destroy it before an enemy reached it. There was no real need to fight over Aptic III against the superior fleet. There was no real gains in such action.

"I agree with this decision," – Unlike the Supervision Army, Zentradi would not directly attack the planet as long as it was not marked as contaminated. Mira knew it, and because of this agreed to abandon the planet and retreat – "A recon fleet will patrol in the system outside the reach of the planet surveillance vessels for three-five years and leave afterwards if nothing will agitate it."

Still, there was a major flaw in the plan that Hyun-Ae mentioned right away – "I am not eager to fight as well but we are basically leaving these people to die from starvation? Did you forget, this planet could not self-sustain itself," – Without import of food, the population would slowly die even if the Zentradi would just blockade the system for some time. The standard procedure would require a recon group to stay there up to five years.

The classic response would be something like "problems of landers are not of concern for the Abh"; however, Dusanyu had read a report of that interesting fellow from the Hyde system that served under his niece. That kind of answer would surely antagonize the Empire with the New United Nations. Despite them being very similar to them, these people still lingered for the surface, probably because their princess was a lander.

"We will leave them all our hydroponic gardens from our ships. Additionally, we could unload all our rations that are not necessary for our retreat to the closest civilized system," – It would severely cripple the advancement of their fleet if enemy had some kind of major reinforcement in region but would not hinder the completion of all strategic goals otherwise. Just a lot of resources to resupply. Of course, he was considerate because of everything went smoothly during this operation.

"Hmm, since you mentioned it, my fleet can probably become a bait if we fight at the edges of the system," – With this tactic, they could demolish a recon fleet to dust, leaving several strugglers to tell the tale, and withdraw. She was assured that after several folds, especially through Vajra controlled zones, the Zentradi would lose their traces. It would ensure the safety of the planet the other way.

"It is dangerous, even though it will likely work well if you don't make any severe mistakes," – Mira thought that implementation of this plan would force a recon group to pursue them and leave the system behind, as long as there would no interaction from locals or the Empire.

"Commander Orbos, do you think it is a viable strategy to allow Her Highness to become a bait? I admire the courage of your princess but I think it is kind of foolish to put her in unnecessary danger," – Even though Cipair Kenesh was currently chief-of-stuff of Prince Dusanyu HQ, she was an admiral as well. That kind of reckless tactics would please someone like infamous Beneej Spoor but not her.

"Do you have another plan?" – Hyun-Ae attentively turned her eyes toward aloof assistant of the prince. She had already understood the symbiotic-of-sorts relationship between both officers of the Star Force.

"According to you data, those rogue Zentradi lack scrupulousness in their actions aside of destruction," – It was indeed somewhat true, as long as a recon fleet commander was not open-minded. Mira chuckled but kept her thoughts for herself. Cipair continued to explain her plan – "I suggest leaving the role of the bait to the Commander. As for the princess… I observed Your Highness personal ships and found that they were designed with landing on a planet surface in mind. Considering their volume and probable mass, I think they are fine with submerging in water…"

"So, your proposal is to hide?" – Mira never thought about such possibility. It really was a good plan, generally speaking. It had some flaws here and there but in their current state, they could bet on it.

"Yes, I think it would be better for Her Highness to hide in the waters of Aptic III while you Commander, as a hardened veteran unlike your princess, would fight in battle and retreat to shake off a tail later," – It was a cunning plan that utilized the general arrogance of Zentradi toward the other races. Admiral Kenesh had no knowledge about it but her thoughts were indeed close to reality to some degree.

"I think we should fight…" – Those words that abruptly came out of Hyun-Ae's mouth made everyone speechless. They wasted a lot of time to come to such one-sided conclusion that came from the least experienced person in this war council. However, the next sentence made them understand, why it was proposed…

Because it was not a proposal…

"I detected numerous fold signatures at the edge of the system…"


P.S.: Fixed some mistypes that were pointed in reviews.