Cold Delivery
The Marianites and the Commos were like two weathered old boxers from a nearly forgotten era. Wary, constantly circling, they kept their distance, waiting for that illusive opening. Rapid, staccato jabs intermittently punctuated this deadly ballet, keeping both gladiators honest. The Marianites had loaded up a killer right hook in the form of their massed fleet, while their misguided brethren kept up relentless pressure, swarming their opponent, striking from every angle; gangly, awkward and unpredictable. The Respublican ducked, dodged and weaved, in response. Unwilling to commit to a rash counter, he kept up his stolid guard, absorbing shots all the while. Sadly, the opportunity for the knockout blow never came. The Commonwealth armada continued to advance across a broad front throughout June. As the Marianites concentrated their forces, their resistance to that advance actually slackened across the strategic theatre.
The cumbersome one hundred vessel fleet moved to counter the largest groupings of Commo vessels, and was singularly successful in wiping out several taskforces at minimal cost. The Battles of Teegarden and Caynan were instructive in the value of the newfangled shielding systems, and their tactical utility. There were few Commo survivors from either clash. But, all in all, the troublesome heathens did not take the bait. They refused to accept the set piece battle so graciously offered by the valiant Respublicans. Instead of confronting the mustered Commo fleet, they dispersed their forces even further. Individual squadrons raided targets of opportunity with near impunity, unimpeded by the badly denuded and poorly deployed Marianite defensive forces. The Respublican admiralty was dumbstruck. This enemy did not seem to want to occupy territory. They attacked industry, infrastructure, economic and logistical arteries, in turn. Serious resistance was bypassed. Strategic analysis suggested that the overall aim seemed to be to hamstring the Marianite state’s war-making capacity.
Vicious bombing raids on individual worlds left thousands dead. The Commos did not mind a little inaccuracy, if it meant that they could hit their targets in a timely manner. Factories, refineries, shipyards, supply depots; all were subjected to the tender attention of Commo warships. By early July, when the main body of the Respublica’s Space forces finally began streaming back into Marianite space, the damage was heavy, indeed. Tens, if not hundreds of thousands, were dead. The people of the Respublica bayed for vengeance, but frustration continued to mount. It was only around mid-July that the Commo offensive finally ran out of stream. The supply tugs that had accompanied the various raiding groups on sorties finally expended the last of their fuel and materiel reserves. Quite literally, the Commos stopped in their tracks - but not before the reserve grouping of fifty AFC vessels that had hitherto been suspiciously absent from the fighting burst on to the scene. Sadly for the Venerable Respublica, they did so in the Marianite home system, having leapfrogged their way there.
The ongoing disaster was now nearly complete. This small flotilla smashed its way past the paltry defensive network present, settling into a low orbit around Codexia. An initial terror bombardment followed, hitting multiple Land force facilities and some civilian infrastructure. After a few hours, the ultimatum was delivered by public broadcast: ‘Surrender, or suffer.’ It was a terse statement of intent. But one that induced panic, generally. The Commonwealth wanted the Marianites to surrender unconditionally; to capitulate without reserve. Unfortunately, the relief forces were too late - the barbarians were inside the gates. And they were threatening to burn down the city, if the defenders did not lay down their arms. The bulk of the Marianite fleet was now just a few days away. Given the chance, they could turn the far smaller Commo fleet to ashes and scattered junk in a matter of hours. But the Marianite leadership faced a grim choice. If they attempted to grind the Commo forces to dust, the retribution would be savage... and sustained. A vast arsenal of nuclear weapons and other strategic devices loomed large over the homeworld. Were the Marianites ready to accept the sacrifice required for victory?
***
Do you... lay down your arms? We bear a responsibility for millions. If we do not capitulate, our people will pay the price. Our world will pay the price of our vanity. Let us take our revenge later, whatever the terms of the surrender.
OR
Do you... crush this scum? If they bombard our homeworld, they had best be ready for the revenge that we will unleash upon them. The Maker will be their judge and ours.
OR
Do you... neither crush them nor capitulate? Let us not force their hand. Every day that passes is another day for us to gather our strength. Their supplies are almost gone. If they begin the bombardment, we can intervene, in any case. If they are bluffing, we will know soon enough.
***
Voting is open for the next 72 hours. Conan wishes to update on Sunday.
