Expanding the Empire

Posted on Wed May 31st, 2023 @ 1:11am by Captain Mattias Richardson [Reece] & Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Lieutenant Clara Lawson

Mission: Tales from the other side of the Mirror
Location: IES Serce Raumo, Romulan Space
Timeline: 5 Eri, 2399 / 1343 hours (local)
2896 words - 5.8 OF Standard Post Measure

Six months. For six months now, the First Erisian Armada, under the command of Aratar Eidosar Mattias Richardson led his forces against the Romulan Legion as Erisia began to Annex and claim conqured Romulan and Reman worlds. To date, more than half of the Romulan Empire had fallen.

Though the Romulan fleets were technically advanced, they had only been able to slow Mattias's advance. While he had lost some of his picket ships during the progression towards Romulus and Remus, none of his capital ships, which were powerful enough to operate both a cloaking device and QSD, had been destroyed.

Sitting in his command chair, aboard his flag vessel, the IES Serce Raumo, a Leviathan Class Super Dreadnought, he watched the battles unfold.

"Number One, report status of Romulan defenses," he stated powerfully as he looked over at his First Officer, Tadal Kiral Sethanti.

The Tadal straightened. "Five capital class vessels have been detected, though they may have more cloaked near by. But from the distortions we have found, we believe that the five we have are so far all they are committing to the battle."

Mattias nodded. "Send in the Third fleet to engage those vessels, with both the Sixty-Third and Eighty-fifth fighter squadrons as cover."

"At once." She replied and went to her console to send the orders. "Ten minutes until engagement." Kiral announced.

The Emperor nodded again. Then, looking to his left, he addressed his Chief of Intelligence. "Jhoraelal Lawson, what are the reports of military resistance We should expect, once the Armada reaches the Romulan homeworlds?"

"They have been picking up their military building these past few years and we can expect heavy resistance Sir." Clara reported.

Mattias considered everything he heard. Suddenly, he stood from his command chair. "Sethanti, continue the attacks. I will be in the war room, you have the conn." As he descended the command dias, he looked over at Clara. "With me." As he moved to the rear of the bridge, his shadow, Micheal, fell into step with his Emperor.

The XO nodded.

Clara merely fell into step.

Once the three of them entered the large war planning room, they saw dozens of intelligence officers and crewman moving around the large holotable, which was located in the center of the room.

"Show me the latest intelligence on the defenses around Romulus and Remus!" Martius barked as he moved to his place at the table.

Clara, ignoring the temper, calmly pressed buttons and the image appeared. "This is what we currently have. We have sent drones but they are being targeted. I had a thought to launch self replicating cloaked mines around the planet to at least cull some of their forces."

Matt's mulled over this option for a few beats, then nodded. "Do it. I want those shipyards and orbital defenses obliterated by the time we arrive in the system." He then pressed a few controls of his own, and Q'nos, the Klingon homeworld, appeared. "And our next goal, once the Romulans and Remans are dealt with? What of the Klingons?"

"The Klingons are going to take a while longer. And the Terrans are in talks with them at the moment for some reason, I think the Terrans are scared of us."

At the mention of the Terrans, Mattias sneered. "And right they should be. For too long now, they have held onto the belief that they are the rightful rulers of the universe. I intend to dissuade them of that notion. Once the Romulans are beaten, we will use their resources to build an even larger Armada. We will then obliterate the Klingons. Once they are dead, we shall again, take time to rebuild, then head straight to the heart of the Terran Empire, Terra herself. She will be the brightest jewel of the crown of power that I shall forge and present to my wife."

"I am sure she will be most appreciative," Clara replied as she sent orders for the mines.

Over the next several weeks, as the Erisian Armada moved closer and closer to the the home system of the Romulan Empire, Clara's idea of using cloaked, self replicating mines, had done the job she had promised. The Romulans had become neatly hamstrung, as they started to focus their waining energy on destroying the minefield that now surrounded their homeworld. Many started to realize that they had been beaten by a stronger opponent. Unfortunately, the majority of the voices in the Romulan Senate quickly over powered and eliminated those beginning to consider surrender.

In their panic to remain in power, the remaining senators made a decision, one that would ultimately be their downfall. Orders were sent out that anyone who discussed the idea of surrender would be executed on the spot. The nail in the coffin was the followup order, in which those that would be executed, their families would all share the same fate.

The end result was a civil war finally erupted on Romulus.

As the Erisians entered the Romulus system, they witnessed, with great interest, their enemies suddenly turning on each other. Mattias took this as the signal to push forward and complete the annihilation of the species. He gave the orders the proceed at full military power, eliminating any ships that got in the way.

Clara was puzzled as she looked at her scopes. "Sir, we have Romulan ships firing on other Romulan Ships! Looks like we have deserters."

Mattias was about to respond when the communications officer spoke up. "Sir! She's right! I'm picking up comm chatter about those ships. Apparently, the Romulan Senate is killing anyone not fighting, plus their families." The young officer paused as she put a finger to her ear device. "Sir!" She looked back up again. "The senior officer among the deserting ships is requesting an audience!"

Mattias arched his right eyebrow. After thinking about it for a moment, he sat back in his command chair and replied. "Put them on the main viewer."

A few beats later, the scene of battle on the viewer changed to show and elderly Romulan male. "To whomever I am speaking, I am Senator Drato Kreena, I am leading a fleet of twenty ships, mostly civilian, fleeing Romulus. If you will allow it, I offer our unconditional surrender to your forces, and will kneel to your rule. I only ask that you protect us from the fools that are still following the Senate before they kill us all!"

Mattias was silent for a beat, then spoke. "Senator, We are Aratar Eidosar Mattias Richardson, supreme leader of the Erisian military and Emperor of the Erisian Empire. If you speak true, then We shall be merciful this once. However," he growled as he continued. "Try Our patience once, and you will wish you died at the hands of your countrymen. Do you understand me?"

The senator nodded "Of course. You have our word on it Excellency." He swore.

Clara meanwhile was running scans on the ships and sent her people to beam over and secure the ships and the crews.

Mattias then nodded and looked over at his XO. "Send in the two closest squadrons to provide cover to the escaping Romulan ships." He looked back at the viewscreen. "Mister Kreena, you will abide by the instructions of my people. If a single member of my crew is harmed in the slightest, then you will feel my wrath."

"Yes Sir" came the reply.

Mattias nodded again. "Then, once the war is finished, We shall speak again. You will be the spokesman for your people." He then cut the transmission. He had a war to win afterall, and it required his full attention. "Signal the rest of the Armada, any Romulan vessel that surrenders will be given quarter. All others, will die under our boots!"

"With pleasure," Came the reply from the XO who sent the order. "We are receiving calls from several vessels, crew are mutining against their captains it seems. Not everyone wants to die."

"Have Third and Fourth Squadrons take charge of the ship's that surrender. Segregate any warships from transports. If one warship even activates a weapon, destroy the transports."

"Acknowledged" Came the reply and the orders were relayed.

An aide stepped up and handed the XO a PADD. She read it and said "Aratar Eidosar, the Empress is contacting us."

"On screen!" Mattias replied immediately. When the screen changed again, a loving smile started to fill his face. "My love! To what do We deserve this wonderful suprise?"

The Empress was not however smiling. "I was calling to let you know we have tracked an armada heading for our space. From the Romulan Space."

Mattias was up on his feet in a rage. "WHAT?!" He looked over at Clara. "How did you miss this?!" Turning back to the viewer, he continued speaking to Penelope. "I will wipe them from your skies, my Queen!" He then looked down at his XO. "Sethanti! Relay to the Dragon's Breath, Admiral Montgomery is to continue the advance with fifth through tenth squadrons. The rest will come with us! Helm! Lay in a intercept course on the pointy eared bastards! I want to be upon them before they can even realize they are dead!"

"They aren't Romulan," The Empress stated.

Clara however didn't comment only brought up the data. "The Empress is correct. The Fleet is made up of different vessels. There are two Cardassians, three Klingons, and I believe that one there is a Bajoran vessel."

"The Alliance?" He moved off of his dias and moved to Clara's console, looking over her shoulder. He saw that the ship's were traveling in formation, at warp five. At their current speed, they would enter Erisian space in forty minutes. He pressed a control and Pene's image appeared on the work station screen as well. "Have they contacted you, my love?"

"No, not yet. I have recalled our reserve fleet to protect the border, but as you know we are vulnerable."

The thought of his wife and child being vulnerable made Mattias growl. "Your champion is coming, my Queen. They will not threaten you or our child." He turned back to his XO. "Relay my orders. We want to be underway immediately!"

The XO nodded and barked out orders.

Penelope nodded. "See you soon My love." And she cut the connection.

Clara was frowning. "This is weird." she muttered.

Looking down at Clara, Mattias asked, "What is weird?" Around them, his orders were being carried out without delay. In the ship formation, two dozen starships started to move away from the rest of the Armada. The larger capital ships engaged their cloaking devices.

"I have contacts in the highest echelons of the Alliance. Nothing came out about this. This may not be what we think it is."

"Explain!" Mattias was started to get agitated.

"I believe these ships are not Alliance. They may be refugees or they may be a distraction."

Mattias thought about it for a few seconds. "Regardless, they are approaching our sovereign territory and have not communicated their intentions." He looked over his shoulder to his XO. "Is the fleet ready to move?"

"Yes Sir, we are ready for your order"

"Activate cloak and QSD! Helm, execute my orders!"

Clara meanwhile considered things. "I will see if i can find out more Sir."

The half dozen capital ships in Mattias's smaller group suddenly cloaked, then each of the ship's opened a QSD portal and flashed away.

Moments later, the ship's dropped out of QSD, directly in the path of the approaching Alliance fleet.

"All hands, battle stations!" Mattias barked as he moved back to his command seat. "XO, inform those ships that if they do not halt immediately, they will be destroyed!"

"Acknowledged," the XO replied.

Comms called out. "They only have short range communications. They are broadcasting a message."

"Let's hear it," Mattias commanded.

[[We are no threat. We have no where else to go. We are no threat.]]

"Yeah, they are not a threat.." Clara replied. "These ships are falling to bits."

Mattias looked at the viewscreen. "Put a tactical view of those ships on the main viewer. Communications, split the screen and open a channel to the Alliance vessels."

"Aye sir" his orders were followed.

On the screen a slender human female appeared. She was hollowed eyed, and the look of someone who was not well fed. Her clothing was ragged and patched. Behind her the bridge was clearly held together by 'creative engineering ' she raised her eyes to look the Emperor in the face. "I am Elspeth Shari. Are you from the Erisian Empire?"

"We are Emperor Mattias Richardson, Terran. What reason do you have for approaching Our territory?"

She bobbed slightly. "We are escaped slaves from the Alliance. Rumours say that your territory is safe for slaves looking to escape that life. We are 200 souls looking for a better life, Excellency."

Mattias pressed a control on his chair, muting the conversation. Looking over at his Chief Intelligence Officer, he spoke clearly. " Send a squad of enforcers, along with an Intel officer, to each of those ships now." He turned his eyes back to the screen and reactivated the comm channel. "Bring your ships to a halt and prepare to be boarded. Be warned, if any of you try anything, I will wipe you from the stars."

"Of course." Replied the woman. "Feel free Excellency. "

"Stand ready," Mattias stated. He then terminated the comm channel. Looking iover at Clara he gave his orders. "Make sure they are who they claim to be. Any sign of trouble, eliminate them all." He cast a side glance at his ever present shadow, Micheal, then looked back at his Intelligence Chief, a knowing smirk threatening to cross his face. "Of course, if you are injured, I could always release a certain Mad Dog on them."

Clara's face didn't show a thing. She merely inclined her head. "I would rather he maintains his place beside you, Excellency, in case they get past me. Now if you will excuse me, I will start."

Mattias nodded and indicated that Clara could go about carrying out his orders. He then turned back to address his executive officer. "Number One, have the Guilded Blade and Fury maintain their positions behind those ships. Maintain transporter locks on our people." He looked back at the group of Alliance, or if it were true, former Alliance ships and asked, "Are the sensors picking up any indication that this is a ruse, or a distraction?"

"No Sir, no sign of anything out of the ordinary." the XO replied. "Reports from Romulus as well sir, we have more deserters being cleared."

Mattias nodded as he listened to the report. "Excellent!" He sat down in his command chair and leaned back. "And what of the Remans? Have they committed any forces yet, or are they still remaining out of things?"

"They have made a few tentative strikes since we left their space but they have yet to commit fully."

"Send word to Montgomery, once he has dealt with the Romulans, remind the Remans who their betters are."

"Aye," came the reply. "Message sent."

Mattias's Comm pinged. And Clara's voice came over. [[Sir, we can confirm these people's stories. And one has a treasure trove of information for us. We have beamed the person to the intelligence holding cell]]

Mattias reached over and pressed a control on the arm of his chair, opening the channel. "Very well. See to what supplies they need, then assign a squad of troops to operate each ship and have them fly to the nearest patrol marker. They will take them from there. Report back here when you are done."

"Of course, Excellency," came the calm reply from his head of intelligence. Then the connection went dead as she closed it.

Sitting back in his command seat, Mattias thought about the war he was raging to expand the Empire. Looking over at his XO, he motioned her to approach. When she did, he spoke quietly to her. "How are our supplies. Do we have enough to return to Romulus and press our advantage, or should we return home to refill our stores, then head back out refreshed and rearmed?"

"We have more than enough Sir, however one would remind you sir, that your wife's birthday is in 4 days and I am sure you would like to be home for it." The XO said in a soft voice.

Mattias nodded. "I would. However, The Empress deserves a truly wonderful gift." He thought about it for a few moments, then came to a decision. "Inform all of our dreadnoughts currently in Romulan space, to lay in a course for the capital city. Use QSD to get past their defenses, and lay waste to the planet's surface. If the Preator and his Senate wish to hold onto their world, then so be it. We will present the Preator's crown and scepter to the Empress."

"Aye Sir," came the reply with a small smile. "All men should take lessons on gift giving from you Sir."

Mattias returned the grin. "Engage the cloak, lay in a course to put us directly over the Preator's palace. This war ends today!"

Off

===Translations===

1. Serce Raumo - Blood Storm
2. Eri - May (calendar month)
3. Aratar Eidosar - Supreme Admiral
4. Tadal -