GloryorSolitude

http://imgur.com/lK5xMX2 i need a skin of this guy for something unrelated. I guess I have a couple hundred minas left on my account for a meager reward.

-OOC- Forum Name: GloryorSolitude Skype (Optional): We're talking right now, actually Did you read the rules/Introduction?: I did, yes. Secret Words: No Magic -IC- Race Name: The ak'Taliim Settled or Nomadic: Settled, mountain dwellers Brief Description: The ak'Taliim are among the oldest sentient races on Zol'Darios. By their nature, they are proud and noble. The ak'Taliim are a humanoid, sapient species, easilly identifiable by their tall stature and four prehensile arms. Born and raised in the mountains, the ak'Taliim are blessed by their environment with improved endurance and a knowledge of many of the realm's harsher animals that have evolved alongside them, such as the wyverns and dragons, as well as other large sturdy beasts. At the same time, their isolation provides them with little exposure to the disease common in the forested and jungled regions of the world, and thus disease may prove a fatal problem for them. Their non-sentient beastly neighbors also provide good game for the hunters in the wild, and some have been tamed and domesticated for the ak'Taliim's use. The ak'Taliim have developed a culture reminiscent of feudal Japan. One's honor is heavily dependent on one's abilities and actions on and off the field of battle. Duels between rivals are common, but it is common practice to spare your opponents life except in extreme circumstances or when such cannot feasibly be done. The ak'Taliim are diveded into noble houses, the mightiest of which will hold absolute power at a given time. Currently, there are four houses, the House of Eagles, the House of Dragons, the House of Frost, and the House of Storms. Presently, the presiding house is the House of Storms, led by Patriarch dol'Viik'mon. While his house, the strongest, is firmly united, dol'Viik'mon has accumulated a number of rivals in the Houses of Eagles and Frost that are eager to lay claim to his power. Thus, the same system of houses that provides a rigid and efficient structure of command and inspires loyalty in its members, also neatly divides the ak'Taliim into several polarized factions vying for power, which may at one point open a floodgate into civil war.

Orion Production Update Cosmodromes Taurus, Centauri, Draco, and Castillo in Japan, Ethiopia, Porto, and Greece respectively, all near completion. All facilities are built and most are fully operational. Final preparations are made for the full opening of each cosmodrome. (1 page.) The expansion of the Polaris cosmodrome in Britannia is finished and all additional systems are brough online and at full functioning capacity. The Indian Pandora Cosmodrome continues progress and all is on schedule. (7 pages.) The Ursa expansion, with the flux of new workers, as advancing slightly ahead of schedule. (7 pages.) A Bobcat freighter is finished at Polaris Cosmodrome and handed over to the USSR command. Polaris Cosmodrome: T1/T2/T4 Jaguar-II (2 pages) Bobcat Freighter (2 pages) Ursa Cosmodrome: Panther Flagship Carrier (7 pages) Cougar Battleship (9 pages) M2/M5 Jaguar (3 pages) Andromeda Cosmodrome: Panther Flagship Carrier: (5 pages) M1/M2 Jaguar: (2 pages) Online systems at all four of the four new cosmodromes are put to work producing a new and undisclosed ship for Orion. Details unavailable. Additional undisclosed project continues. (3 pages.)

Orion Avionics Upon the offer from Britannia, Lucas Messer appears in Britannia to accept the invitation to officially join the commonwealth as an independent state. ​Orion officially becomes a realm of the Commonwealth. In a deal with the SAF, Orion has acquired terraforming technology. Immediately plans go underway to turn the area around Orion's mars colony into a much more hospitable atmosphere. Along with this, a large construction project is undertake to create a large structure to facilitate a small controllable atmosphere in which to build a small metropolis. Scheduling on this project is not yet determined. Underground on Mars, the colony continues its expansion. It digs downwards into the depths of the red planet. Perhaps it will uncover something, as the English did on Europa. In a deal with Australia, Orion acquires the technology requires to create advanced VIs, rendering their current research into the subject obsolete. On Mars, these VIs are immediately builts and purposed for ship control, to be installed on Orion ships as soon as possible. The two M1/M2 Jaguars over Mars are bought by the South American Federation and await orders from their new command. Production: Cosmodromes: Polaris Cosmodrome: T1/T2/T4 Jaugar: 5 pages Bobcat Freighter: 3 pages Bobcat Freighter: 5 pages Ursa Cosmodrome: Panther Flagship Carrier: 10 pages Cougar Heavy Battleship: 12 pages M2/M5 Jaguar: 6 turns Andromeda Cosmodrome: Panther Flagship Carrier: 8 pages M1/M2 Jaguar: 5 pages Orion Moonbase: E1/E3 Jaguar: 5 pages Undisclosed projects continue, 6 pages.

The Coalition Fleet: Europa, 2 hours into operation. The NeoRussians manning the ion batteries on Europa had met a nasty surprise. So used were they to the concept that their technology was unrivaled that it would be unsurprising if they were struck in awe when they saw the baby blue light that seemed to absorb their rounds and make light of it. Nonetheless, as Jason recovered control of the defensive grid, the coalition fleet was forced to retreat, cloaking and orbiting just outside the effective range of the grid's weapons. The shielding on the Pillar of Salvation and other ships fired upon by the Russians had saved them this time, but now they lost that element of surprise and had to wait for their shields to recover. Grand Admiral William Hensford leans over his SBI Command Console, observing the situation in space and the deadlock of infantry forces on the ground. "Can we kick it back out?" The answer was apparently no, but he asked anyways. "One way or another now, we'll have to push through those defenses. in order to get support to our men on the ground." Hensford raises the fleet command channel. "All ships! Prepare to receive orders!" The fleet waits until it can position itself between the defenses and the son, making it almost impossible to see the ships while cloaked. This is when the new operation is launched. The fleet intends to punch a hole in the defensive grid and get below it's range, and then find a way to deal with the ion batteries on the ground. All pilots are kept on alert and ready to scramble. A large number of their engines are even kept hot while the next phase begins. All ships are cloaked for this operation. Two Leopard-II Assault Frigates OCS Anomoly and the OCS Arctic Winds approached the designated batter from a wide angle from its main battery while the HMS Windsor's Wrath approaches it straight on using the glare from the sun to cover its advance. Once the range is significantly closed, the Reclaimers on board the platform are none the wiser until the two frigates decloak, firing their main plasma cannons at the anti-ship cannon, quickly disabling it. As smaller batteries turn to light up the two frigates, the Windsor's Wrath deactivates its own shields, firing its four primary LIONs into the center mass of the platform, blowing it to pieces before much damage can be done. The Fleets streams through the hole in the defensive grid, slipping below its effective range of engagement. Fighters aboard the Pillar of Salvation, Windsor's Wrath, and Feeling Lucky? are scambled immediately after passing through the heavy AA coverage of the defensive grid. As the fleet approaches, combined forces of SF-2s, Churchills, and SG-1s fill the air above the fighting infantry as a low level strike is initiated. Most of the craft target the ion batteries to disable their anti-orbital capabilities. In theory, their previous targeting of the Reclaimer air capabilities should minimize fighter losses. As soon as all craft are clear of the zone, the three Endeavor-Class destroyers decloak and fire their main cannons into each of the sites, hoping to demolish the cannons and Reclaimers therein. SF-1s and Churchill squadrons remain available as much as possible over the colony, initiating air strikes to areas where the Russians have dug in and evacuating their respective carrier directly thereafter. Ships resume a similar defensive formation should the Reclaimer fleet arrive. In an attempt to remove the Jason VI's influence from the battlefield, the colony is bombarded by a VI virus designed by Britannia. The hope is this will eliminate the Jason VI, cause it to issue erratic and nonsensical commands, or at least force it to temporarily leave the battle in order to isolate and eliminate the virus' intrusions. On the ground, Tyranid-driven MAPs and Coalition marines remain girdlocked with the Reclaimer forces. They are monitored by Hensford and his commanders, waiting for any fault in Reclaimer lines to appear in the fighting to appear to launch a renewed offensive. Currently, losses are minimal on both sides, but the Coalition air strikes may vary well be able to turn the tides quickly.

Orion begins two undisclosed research projects. Orion vaguely announces the coming release of a ground-vehicle series. Details currently unavailable.

Orion Production Update Cosmodromes: Indian undisclosed project: 8 pages Polaris Cosmodrome: T1/T2/T4 Jaguar-II: 7 pages Bobcat Freighter: 5 pages Ursa Cosmodrome: 2 M1/M2 Jaguars: 1 page Andromeda Cosmodrome: Panther Class Flagship Strike Carrier: 10 pages M1/M2 Jaguar: 7 pages Orion Moonbase: E1/E3 Jaguar: 7 pages Ship AI Development: 8 pages

The Coalition Fleet Strikes Coalition Fleet Makeup: The Flagships: -HMS Windsor's Wrath Carrier-Batlleship -OCS Pillar of Salvation (Panther Class strike carrier) Capital Ships: (Mammoth) OCS Feeling Lucky? (Jovian Clipper Class Cruisers) HMS Jovian Clipper, HMS King Charles II, HMS Trafalgar (Endeavor Class Destroyers) HMS Endeavor, HMS William HMS Brotherhood (Jaguars) (M2/M3 Jaguar) OCS Vanguard of Freedom, (M2/M3 Jaguar) OCS Defiant, (M1/M3 Jaguar) OCS Aptitude Leopard-II Assault Frigates OCS Arctic Winds OCS Anomaly OCS St. John OCS Milan OCS Rattlesnake OCS De'tente Leopard-II Phalanx Frigates OCS Still Waters As soon as the OCS Pillar of Salvation was ready for operation, it was loaded with a full compliment. It carries now 72 SF-1s, 36 SF-2s, and 24 SG-1s in its upper spacecraft hangar. In its larger ground deployment hangar, it also carries a large compliment of ground deployment capabilities, including 550 shiny new MAPs, operated by Swarm Guard Tyranids bought from Othryian Genetics. These are split into divisions of 50. One is a field repair divisonto help damaged ships, the other ten are standard deployment divisions, armed with 45 standard assault MAPs and one heavy Breacher MAP each. In addition, the bay houses a compliment of 3,400 marines, combined British and Orion forces, a number of Lancelot and EMU mechs to support them, and the large number of cloaking interplanetary shuttles required to get them to the surface, similar to the deployment capabilities of the Windsor's Wrath. The OCS Pillar of Salvation, HMS William , and HMS Brotherhood are deployed to rendezvous with the rest of the Coalition Fleet as they depart for Europa. Once the fleets converge, all ships cloak for the duration of the travel, vanishing from any instruments tracking them . . . With their powerful new cold fusion equipment, the fleet makes Europa in record time. Reclaimers aboard the orbital defenses would be none the wiser of the coming assault until the British command remotely deactivates the systems, completely shutting down the orbital defense grid. The Reclaimers there can only look out their observation decks as the Pillar of Salvation de-cloaks before them, followed by a much larger Coalition fleet. Grand Admiral William Hensford looks out over his command from the observation deck of the Pillar of Salvation. He strokes his graying scruff as he runs through the plan one last time in his head - not that extra-terrestrial combat usually went to plan. "Lietentant, patch me through." The Reclaimers on the ground would hear first of the coming attack as a Coalition message is broadcast on all local channels. Grand Admiral Hensford's voice would be received by anybody on Europa, British, Reclaimer, or otherwise, who would be listening. "I am Grand Admiral William Hensford, commander of this fleet and captain of the OCS Pillar of Salvation. I am joined by Fleet Admiral Alexander Keilitz, captain of the HMS Windor's Wrath. I'm sure all you Russians down there are familiar with that name. This will be brief. The Neorussians, these . . . Reclaimers, have committed an atrocity by occupying this fine colony and enslaving its residents. I am here to be your judge, jury, and executioner. We will destroy any military asset we find and we will retake this colony, despite any rebuke you may feel like uttering. If you are British, this is your lucky day. If you're a Reclaimer, not so much. If you lay down your arms and surrender, you will be given due process of law on Earth. If not, then we will be forced to exert military force to liberate this colony. We have been granted full authority to engage with prejudice, and as such you will be treated as hostile targets until we hear word of your surrender. This is the Pillar of Salvation, out." Once the transmission cuts out, Hensford turns to his command crew, clearing his throat. "Gentlemen . . . Execute Operation." After a few minutes, the Coalition Fleet moves into position to begin their attack. The Pillar of Salvation turns its flank to the planet. Once in a stable orbit, the Panther's broadside batteries open up, targeting the sight of the Reclaimer Flagship's construction. Joined by the Defiant and Aptitude, the bombardment fires several salvos into the construction yard. Shortly thereafter, The OCS Feeling Lucky? scrambles its compliment of 72 SG-1 Executioner Gunboats, initiating a fast low-level strike on the construction sight and airfield to disable any Reclaimer air resistance. They are escorted by assorted SG-1s and Churchills from the Pillar of Salvation and Windsor's Wrath. Simultaneously, both ships launch their shuttles to surface, staying cloaked until the ships can drop the troops and mechs aboard. In all, the ships deploy 7,400 marines to surface, armed with LION-IIs and quantum suits, supported by the 10 MAP Assault Brigades as well as a number of EMUs and Lancelots. In theory, the assistance of enslaved British citizens combined with the Coalitions superior ground capabilities should make the battle one that is short with minimal casualties. In space, the Windsor's Wrath takes position off the Pillar of Salvation's port side, covering its flank and engines from assault should Reclaimer ships show up. The three Jovian cruisers take postion of either side of the Wrath, favoring two on the side of the Salvation's engines. The Feeling Lucky?, having little defense against enemy ships, stays below the Salvation while its compliment is dispatched. The final Jaguar, the Vanguard of Freedom, all three of the Endeavor destroyers, and the fleet's frigates remain cloaked and form a picket around the central fleet, waiting to ambush any Reclaimer ship hoping to jump in and gain the upper hand with a surprise attack. At least 1/4 of the fleet's starfighters are scrambled at a given time, patrolling the area in and around the fleet's space in groups of four, and all fighter pilots remain ready to scramble should a threat emerge.

Orion Short Post ================== In response to the riots in the USSR, Orion operatives at Andromeda Cosmodrome keep a closer watch on the facility's walls, all Orion employee's and USSR officials working with them are advised to stay within the complex as much as possible. Given the important nature of the construction inside, the gates remain closed to most visitors and security is kept at maximum for now.

Orion Avionics Catalog of Purchasable Ships [New Ships!] ((Build times subject to change; PM me)) Cougar Class Battlecruiser Capital Ships Jaguar Class Multi-Role Support Cruiser Jaguar-II Multi-Role Heavy Cruiser Mammoth Spacecraft Carrier Tiger Class Fast-Attack Destroyer Leopard Frigates The cloaking tech from Brightsword is installed on all Coalition Fleet ships, and all repairs are completed. The fleet remains in orbit above Mars until final preparations for the offensive are finished. Shortly after the raid on the Red Skies Project in the USSR, a number files are received at Polaris Cosmodrome. Somebody has sent Orion the schematics for a module to produce an energy shield encompassing large ships. Somebody has made Dr. Messer a very happy man. Installation of these modules begins on the under-construction Panther and standing Coalition Fleet ships. (USSR Approved) At the offer of work from Orion, workers from all regions flock in an attempt to join up at Orion dockyards, hoping for a chance to start over and earn a decent living on Mars. Orion is forced to stem the flow of immigrants aboard Orion and British shuttles, but the Mars Colony Alpha continues to expand to accomodate the extra workers, including a pair of new cold-fusion reactors to add energy to the system. The wealth of additional labor significantly speeds up the Ursa Cosmodrome expansion. (12 pages) Two Endeavor-Class Destroyers are finished for Britain and handed over to their command, though they are requested to stay on station on earth until the Panther is finished. The resources dedicated to their construction is immediately changed to contribute to the Panther under construction, reducing the construction time to just a few months. (1 page.) The MAP Project nears completion as suit designs are finalized. (1 page) The SIP Project continues, still a long way from completion. (9 pages) All other construction continues normally.

Orion Quick Post As part of an undisclosed projects, Orion Avionics sends Agoge's genetics division a large amount of data, including schematics for most of their ships and several large computer simulation programs. Details unavaiable.

Orion Avionics, Engineering, and Mechanical Manufacturing The owner of Orion Avionics himself, Lucas Messer, appears publicly to apologize to India for their use of ships due for turnover, stating the the need to combat the Reclaimers is dire to Orion's security. Orion now turns the control of the two carriers promised to them over to the Indian government, the OCS Troy and the OCS Stoic Revenge, once the latter is finished with repairs (1 page). The ships are stationed over Mars awaiting orders from Indian command. Over Mars, the coalition fleet has been refitted with shiny new cold fusion engines and reactors. A ceremony is held at Polaris Cosmodrome to commemorate the crew on board the OCS Gallipoli, destroyed in action while combatting the Reclaimer Corps. To do its fair share to relieve the world recession, Orion begins large construction projects in several nations and on Mars with the money accumulated through its sale of recent ships. In India, construction begins on the Pandora Cosmodrome, a 400 square kilometer project provided the local labor force with a huge amount of jobs (16 pages). In Greece Orion begins construction on the standard 200 km Castillo Cosmodrome (10 pages). Expansion of the Polaris Cosmodrome begins in Brittania, building an external construction facility covering the Clackmannanshire county with a small-town of construction centers. (8 turns.) On Mars, jobs are promised to any legal persons who emigrate from Earth to Mars Colony Alpha seeking to find sustainable income. People who would wish to leave Earth for Mars who need financial support would be offered low-interest loans from Orion to afford transport. They would be put to work alongside the current citizenry in expanding the Ursa Cosmodrome to triple its construction capacity, as well as to expand the colony's population capacity. (18 pages on construction, Mod for attracted citizens, please) EDIT: Now receiving government subsidies from Britain, Ehtiopia, Japan, and Porto, Orion also begins the construction of standard cosmodromes in Porto, Japan, and Ethiopia. (10 pages) As the Pandora Cosmodrome develops, construction of an undisclosed project begins for India. (12 turns.) New Marketed Ships Other Construction Projects Orion Starfleet

Orion Quick Post ================== Orion does, in fact, respond to the Caliphate's request for them to declare independence from Britannia. They do. However, this is of little importance as Orion had always been treated this way by the UK. Specifically, Orion had been treated as an ally. As an ally, Orion could not let this attack go unmatched. The two Orion military ships on station, the Mammoth Carrier "OCR Feeling Lucky?," carrying a compliment of 72 SG-1 Executioner space-bombers, and the M1/M3 Jaguar "OCS Aptitude" are deployed in response. As the Cairo is well within operable distance of Orion's air forces on Mars Colony Alpha, most of the colonies fighters are scrambled for intercept, consisting primarily of SF-1 and SF-2s. The Orion tactic is to approach the Cairo I itially on its flank. The "Aptitude" would immediately open up with a shot from its main plasma cannon and all bombers are scrambled from the "Feeling Lucky?" which begins maneuvers to close the distance while its bombers go straight for the Cario's engines and major weapons systems. The SF-1s and SF-2s, as well as a small number of bombers launched from Mars Colony Alpha target the Caliphate bombers as soon as the air corridor as secured. EDIT: Althoigh initially out of range, local ground defenses are brought online at Mars Colony Alpha in case the battle goes south. ======================= Upon orders from the British Command, the coalition fleet retreats with its damaged ships to Mars and the American station to make repairs. Should the battle between Orion and Caliphate forces still be progressing when the fleet gets word, all non-damaged ships would be diverted to assist in the combat. Once safe and docked, damaged ships will undergo repairs and the entire fleet will be refitted with the new cold fusion reactors and engines. (Three pages total)

Orion Avionics, Engineering, and Mechanical Manufacturing On Britain's request, Orion turns over the majority of their existing fleet - including a pair of carriers bound for India's command - to the command of the British command. Upon their departure, they are crewed with the best staff Orion can hire, hoping to make a significant impression on the international stage. Cold Fusion research has progressed loudly due to the open nature of the project. Students and researchers have managed to repeatedly produce situations in which fission occurs in low temperatures. Orion PR officials promise that this discovery is revolutionary on the scale of the steam engine or electricity. Potentially, it will solve world energy problems and likely be the keystone component to extend man's reach out into the grasp of other stars. (1 page) All three of Orion's cosmodromes have been completed and are fully operational. Provided nobody starts throwing stones at them, they promise far quicker construction capacity for Orion and the nations that harbor them, as well as the capacity to facilitate construction of four or five capital ships a piece. At this, Orion begins large construction projects to produce a number of ships (below) for combat and civilian purposes alike. Furthermore, their training of marines locally on Mars, as well as their hiring of Agoge mercenaries would likely make Orion appear a significant power on its own beyond Earth, perhaps to the concern of humanity's leaders. ((Cosmodromes subtract 2 turns for construction, expanded capacity approved)) On the note of militarism, Orion has released another ship to the market. Orion announces the release of the Leopard and Leopard-II Frigate Class Starcruisers. The Leopard-I and Leopard-II serve a role that the Lynx cannot due to its lack of interplanetary capability. Notably, the Leopard-II is only available privately as part of a contract between Orion and its parent, Britannia. Leopards act as small maneuverable frigates to defend the bigger ships from small craft and fighters and to support capital ships during an attack. The Leopards are notable for a couple of qualities; firstly, they can dock on the underside of a Mammoth the be transported by the mothership, and likely other nations could dock them on their own ships. Secondly, they act as a hybrid between HALOs and Starships in that they can enter atmosphere and descend to a low altitude for a short period of time - they cannot stop to hover or land without special solid boosters. ((Two pages each)) Leopard-I Variants and Armament The Leopard-II is armed in a similar - almost identical way. However, the duel-barreled batteries are replaced with the longer-ranged LIONs in a similar format. In addition, the 12 phalanx chainguns are replaced with the new LION IIs. All other turrets are powered by Orion's plasma technology. Construction and Development On Mars, Ursa Cosmodrome, three construction projects begin. -2 M1/M2 Jaguars (8 pages) -One Leopard-II Phalanx Frigate In Polaris Cosmodrome, Ireland, three projects begin. -2 Endeavor Class Destroyers (5 turns) -1 Leopard-II Assault Frigate (2 turns) In Andromeda Cosmodrome, USSR, construction of five Leopard-II Support Frigates begins. (2 turns) On Orion Moonbase, construction of a T2/T4 Jaguar begins. (7 turns) The MAP Project progresses well. Several early prototypes have been constructed and are under testing by the local Marines on Mars. (7 pages) In a press release, Orion has revealed some basic details about the MAP Project. The Multirole Auxilary Platform is a basic skeletal frame on which a light mech-suit can be built. In this instance, three such EVA variants are planned for the suit's initial launch. Firstly is a simple assault suit for boarding ships, second is a suit specialized for mechanical work in the field, supposed to carry a variety of tools for construction and repair. Finally, Orion suggests they will release a heavy suit - the heaviest the MAP can support - carrying a variety of gear and weapons to breech enemy hulls and facilities. Specifics are not yet available, according the the release. Orion Assets

Orion Avionics Full Catalog of Purchasable Ships Mammoth Spacecraft Carrier Lynx High Altitude Low Orbit Support Gunship Starfighters The engines fired full blast for the first time as the ship​ pulled away from the station to the cheers and delight of the on-board staff and technicians. Armed with an array of three large LION cannons and sophisticated propulsion systems, the Endeavor-class destroyer is an agile heavy hitter to serve a find compliment to the British Space Ministry. Baring an immodestly sized Orion logo and large white letters spelling out HMS Endeavor I on its side, the engineering masterpiece - or so its called by Orion - will pose a menacing threat to any ship that gets within its effective range. So impressed was the British government that they commisioned the construction of two more. Orion Avionics and Engineering accepts the contract, though they have little room for construction at the moment, and the ships must be postponed. Most facilities of the British Polaris Cosmodrome and Ursa Cosmodrome are built and online, vastly improving construction speed and capacity. All that's left of the two sites are the twin space-launch bridges, due to be complete in 8 months. ((2 pages.)) Andromeda Cosmodrome near the USSR is sightly farther from completion. Major production facilities are online, but it has significantly longer to go. ((4 pages)) The three Mammoths in construction on Mars are going well and on schedule, as expected. ((6 pages.)) The Mammoth in construction on Odysseus station will be complete in a bit under three years. ((9 pages.)) M1/M5 Jaguar finished in ((5 pages.)) Cold fusion research progressing well. Studies so far have been able to get viable though inconsistent and unreliable instances of fission without the high temperatures needed in conventional reactors. ((7 pages.)) Orion begins developing a new undertaking dubbed the M.A.P. Project. Minimal details have thus far been released. The only public knowledge availble is its relevance to mechs and the acronym Multirole Auxiliary Platform. ((Mod Please)) Signing a contract with Greece, Orion provides the nation with a contingent of SF-1 Justiciars and prototypes of the upcoming SF-3 Constables, a bomber class starfighter. Greece, or Hera rather, is to field test these fighters in their war.