Fwurg

[Teprogrenaian Consensus]

The office of the Ministry of Defence is located inside the Senate building. The people send by the factions for the Military Advisory Committee are sent towards one of the rooms in the office, after it is confirmed that the people are indeed who they claimed to be and are scanned conforming standard safety protocols.

The room appeared to be some sort of War Room. In the middle was a large holotable showing the galaxymap of the Union. Several images of fleets were floating in the space, indicating what fleet was located where.

Fecta Ritgor was already present, deep in thought staring at the map.

((OOC: I would also like to point to the Mandalorian Theatre Intelligence Streamfor the most up to date information about the Mandalorians))

[Fecta Ritgor]

When the first person arrived, Ritgor looked up: "Avé, I am Teprogrenaian Fleet Admiral Ritgor, but you may call me Ritgor."

[Joyce Andrasto]

Shortly after the Admiral had entered the room a young naval officer, apparently in a new, freshly steamed dress uniform, arrived and gave an honorary salute.

"Admiral Rigtor, sir" she said as her heels clicked together audibly, "I'm Captain Joyce Andrasto, attaché for the Sundarian Intelligence office."

[Amira Suzumia]

A tall woman wearing a black Astrian Colonial Navy uniform, with the markings of an Admiral on it, marched into the room. She snapped a quick salute and then sat down.

"Lets get down to business." She said, closing her eyes she accessed the hologram on display. For the sectors where there was active combat, data on the fleets in that sector was displayed for each fleet. To the side of the hologram a set of tables appeared summing up the information.

((OOC: Since tables don't work in replies I'll direct you to the wiki: here))

"This is our current status."

[Zatiri Ferumdra]

Zatiri entered the room shortly after Amira Suzumia.

"Sir my sources tell me that the fleets from Excaria are located in 16 -5, 15 -6 and 14 -7. This is not on the bozzy spine as is displayed on your map.

The UDF AUX 1 and UDF AUX 2 will be most welcome in 7 -5. We should push our advantage here."

((OOC: Source for claim about Excaria fleets: viewtopic.php?p=12758#p12758))

[Teprogrenaian Consensus]

When Amira Suzumia tried to connect with the hologram, she heard a set of beeb-boebs followed by a loud Péééép, indicating that her access was denied. A moment later, a few guards walked in whispering some things to Ritgor.

[Fecta Ritgor]

Ritgor said some things back to the guards, something with: "Keep monitoring." Then he turned to the others: "It looks like that someone tried to hack us. Luckily he didn't came trough."

He then put a disc in the holotable, and pressed a few buttons. The combat data Amira wanted to show appeared on the holo table.

"Here are tables with the damage data of turn 124.

It looks like that two fleets have retreated from sector 7 -5, we now have a advantage there of 2 fleets. Maybe it is wise to retreat one fleet so we have the fleet guarding Unity and one other fleet ready to strike once they appear. While at the other hand, we can use this advantage to damage the Mandalorian fleets."

((OOC: No wireless hacking into my ministry >:(. Here I fixed it so we can continue now :).))

[Amira Suzumia]

"I wouldn't call a failed attempt to legally log in an attempt at hacking, sir." Amira said with an annoyed tone.

"Now if you would be so kind as to allow me access to the holoprojector I can keep my tables up to date."

[Fecta Ritgor]

"So you were trying to access the files. No I will not grant you a connection to the holoprojector, as I will not allow a severe security breach on my watch. If you want access, use one of the control panels.

Now back to the important things.

The major issue we have is: carry on and push trough the major offense of the Mandalorians, or use this chance to make some important reparations to the fleets. The Daryans in sector 7 -4 need help, but there are already five fleets in that sector. We can use that as well as a leverage to push trough.

Still, the retreat of the Mandalorian ships might as well be a trap, trying to lure us to the front to crush us at another location as our fleets are occupied."

[Amira Suzumia]

The Astrian Lady-Admiral was not pleased with the Teprogrenaian Fleet Admiral's answer. She could work ten times as fast with her cortical implant then using a console and she didn't see the difference between using a secure wireless connection and using a console security wise.

Amira thought the man was paranoid, if they wanted updates on the tables they would have to get them from someone else. She leaned back in her chair and listened to what the others present had to say.

[Fecta Ritgor]

As it remains silent, Ritgor walked around the table

"The Daryan fleet in danger from sector 7 -4 has been relieved by the ACA. There is one Union fleet in sector 7 -6 which on the verge of collapsing. The Ministry of Defense proposes to sent UDF-AUX2 from sector 7 -5 to sector 7 -6 to relieve UDF-RIPI3, although this is a risk as UDF-AUX2 will arrive in 126, and engage in 127, but this is the fleet who can be there the fastest, as UDF-AUX1 and 2 are engaging 126 in the battle of 7 -5.

We have to wait for the intel to see if UDF-RIPI3 can hold on or is forced to retreat.

UDF-CORE1, currently protecting Unity then can engage the battle in sector 7 -5 in 128 to press our advantage there."

[Amira Suzumia]

"Admiral if I may?" Amira said, leaning forward in her chair.

Without waiting for an answer she went on.

"The ACN Second Fleet is preparing to move to sector 7 -6 to help the Union fleets there to defend the Hiocan Society, they are just waiting to get permission to enter the sector from the Hiocans.

The Union fleets are doing a lot better in sector 7 -4 and 7 -6. We need to press our advantage in those sectors and slow the Mandalorians as much as possible in sector 7 -5. Then when sector 7 -6 and 7 -4 are secure, have the fleets in those sectors move directly to sector 7 -5 in a pincer move. Cut off their escape route and wipe them out.

I recommend getting this done ASAP to minimize losses. To do this I suggest to divert UDF-CORPI1 and UDF-RIG3 to sector 7 -4 and sector 7 -6. The faster we secure those areas, the faster we can send those fleets to sector 7 -5."

[Fecta Ritgor]

"of course you may, thats why you're here.

I think you have a good point. We can sent the fleet around Unity together with UDF-AUX2 to free the Hiocan society. This will give UDF-RIPI3 time to make repairs, after which we can send fleets to the ACA to free them. Then we can sent our full force to sector 7 -5 to end this foolish assault.

The main risk is that the fleets in sector 7 -5 have to hold on till that time.

We can first free the My-enru'system and than re-evaluate the situation in sector 7 -5."

[Joyce Andrasto]

"Admirals, if I may interject," Joyce said, "While I agree that we should pull out UDF-RIPI3 for repairs, I would suggest that we keep things as they are for the most part.

From what our intelligence can gather, the battle in 7 -4 is already going in our favour, though it will be a while before those fleets can be freed up to join the fronts in either 7 -5 or 7 -6. The front in 7 -5 has also shifted slightly in our favour, were as a careful balance in maintained in the Hiocan sector.

I would advise against focussing heavily on the Hiocan sector for this reason, the current position are in balance once RIPI3 has been replaced, and the largest threat still remains the large Mandalorian Fleet in 7 -5. We should focus our efforts there instead."

[Amira Suzumia]

"Tell me captain, which is more important a sector with little to no strategic value or a sector with a Union member world?" Was Amira's reply to the Sundarian captain.

"Sector 7 -5 is little more than a buffer zone where we can delay the enemy. While things may be going in our favour there for the moment, we have little to no strategic advantage. A major offensive might give us victory, yes, but the cost will be high.

We can minimize losses on our side by moving through sectors 7 -6 and 7 -4 and coming at them from behind. We'll cut off their supply lines and pick them off with little difficulty."

[Fecta Ritgor]

"Winning in sector 7 -5 can result into a victory. At the other hand, the Mandalorians might retreat to other sectors, forcing us to split our forces as well. Keeping the Mandalorians at bay at 7 -5 ensures that the majority of their forces are not flooding into the Union.

A flanking maneuver appears less risky.

Though the balance in sector 7 -5 is fragile to say the least, and we indeed must make sure that we won't loose the Union fleets there. Though the Mandalorian fleets in the Hiocan Society are damaged, so a battle is most efficiently won there at this moment."

[Joyce Andrasto]

"I would not be so quick to consider sector 7 -5 merely a bufferzone admiral,"

Joyce replied to the remark of the astrian admiral,

"should the mandalorian fleet breakthrough, they can reach many more worlds from there. So yes, as sorry as I am for the harm caused to both the Astrian and Hiocan people and their assets, I find sector 7 -5 of much greater strategic importance, given the large fleet the Mandalorians have amassed there. We cannot afford taking the risk of pulling out too many fleets."

[Fecta Ritgor]

"All Mandalorian fleets in sector 7 -5 are in full retreat, while they are pressing their attack on the homeworlds of the Hiocan Society and the ACA. We of the ministry believe that they will be reinforced by the fleets from sector 7 -5.

We think it is best to keep the Unity fleet in reserve in case the Mandalorian fleets directly go for Unity. We can try press the attack in sector 7 -5 while we have the chance, but without scanning we are flying blind when we chase them, so lets not do that.

UDF-RIPI3 in sector 7 -6 is incapacitated, but UDF-AUX2 is just arrived as reinforcements, the Mandalorian fleets there are nearly down. If Mandalorians from sector 7 -5 are entering sector 7 -6, Union fleets will follow to defend the Hiocans. In fact, Union fleets will chase the Mandalorian fleets within the Union territory.

If the Mandalorians fly to sector 8 -6, it might be best to scatter around our fleets around that sector to intercept the Mandalorians. We have the bozzy spine with us, so our fleets will be able to join any combat adjacent to sector 8 -6 in one turn.

What are your thoughts?"

[Joyce Andrasto]

"I would agree Admiral." Joyce responded, "though it could pose serious risk to the fleets already in combat in those sectors. Still I think that keeping our fleets in reserve and react to their movements is best.

Once the new fronts have settled, I propose that the Ministry of Defence contact the Sundarian Federation and discuss new options for scanning from sector 7 -5. While that sector is not risk free, it could provide us with valuable intelligence on Mandalorian reinforcements.

As for the fleets of the Kingdoms of Komès and Meritonia, perhaps they can return to guard their own sectors and reinforce once more when needed at a later time."

[Fecta Ritgor]

"Sector 7 -5 is once again empty of Mandalorian presence as far we know. It should be relative safe to sent a scanning fleet to that location.

UDF fleets CORPI 2, RIG 3 and 3, and the fleet guarding Unity, CORE 1 are all sent to the Hiocan society. The rest is sent to the ACA. The idea is to achieve a victory within the Hiocan society first. After which we sent the fleets to the ACA and free them. By then the Azaryans should be freed as well, if not, we can sent help to them as well.

An issue is what to do when the Mandalorians retreat. Going after them is risky, however, letting them go may accomplish that the Mandalorians will return again, throwing us again in war.

We have received some precious information about the Mandalorians which can give us a short advantage. I suggest we use this advantage in turn 130 to increase our firepower one time."

((OOC: I am talking about the one time advantage the intelligence boon gave us/))

[Joyce Andrasto]

"I agree, we should pack a punch when it matters, and rather sooner then later."

Joyce said, agreeing the admiral suggestion to use the information gathered from the mandalorians.

"I also believe that pursuit into Mandalorian Territory, while it looks tempting, would nett no result. The war is costly enough already and an advance in the Mandalorian Territory will dry the Ministry's coffers even more. We should be happy with the push back and not over extend, vengeance only leads to more vengeance and eventually solves nothing."

Joyce then walks out to return a few moments later

"I've requested that the Edge of Darkness moves to 7 -5, that should provide us with information on movement outside our direct borders next turn."

[Fecta Ritgor]

"The Mandalorians are in massive retreat! The timing of the advantage action seemed to have worked. The real question is now: Do we pursue or let them be? Many of their fleets are disabled, we of the ministry say we pursue them till the Mandalorian borders, then we retreat. If we can damage them some more it will take a very long time before they dare to attack again."

[Amira Suzumia]

"Agreed, we need to make an example. Not just to the Mandalorians, but to the rest of the galactic community as well. Show them what happens if they're stupid enough to attack the Union.

I would advise to hold a few fleets in reserve, in case one of the other superpowers thinks they can take us after our fight with the Mandalorians. It would probably be best to keep the most damaged fleets here and start repairs immediately."

[Fecta Ritgor]

"At this moment we stand at a decisive point in sector 5 -5. What is your analysis and advice on the situation?"

[Amira Suzumia]

"It depends on how badly we want the Echani to not be an enemy. Are we prepared to have Union Military personnel die for that?" Amira said.

"The calculated move is having them fight it out and then finish the job when their done. Normally I would say to bump it up the chain of command, but that will likely take to long. Seeing as this is no longer about the defence of the Union, it would be up to the senate instead of the minister of defence or the chancellor. And I doubt I have to tell you how long politicians take to make a decision.

Personally I don't trust any of the other superpowers, regardless of whether we have good standings with them or not. So in my eyes having the Mandalorians and the Echani try and kill each other is good news. Being able to cripple the Mandalorians after is just a bonus.

But it's your choice, your world holds the seat of minister of defence after all."