2411: Admiral Vipersian's emergency report from the main western battle fleet, in which, for the first time, the great Admiral appeared to show emotion:
Target now in range. Dunatis is protected by nine missile bases and a large fraction of the Human fleet.
We've destroyed everything that didn't flee except for those three Cruisers, but we can't cut through their shields! Superior weapons are needed. Repeat: Superior weapons are needed! I'm calling a full retreat! There's nothing we can do to save the transports!2412: Vipersian was correct of course, and the Sakkra troopers' new personal shields could do nothing to protect them from the enemy ships' rockets and mass drivers. There was some hope for the empire's own planets however as Iguanaius began work on a Class V Planetary Shield, and the very next year brought a message from Special Agent Hissius Chamaeleon, deep in Psilon space:
These Hyper-X Rockets should double our bases' damage output against the Human Cruisers!Deployment of the new defenses would have to wait however, as the same year saw the development of Dotomite crystals, which Dr. Iguanaius intended to develop for use in an Energy Pulsar since Uridium would not have provided access to any new worlds. The Sakkra were back to compulsive - and in this case, entirely pointless, as we shall see - colony ship and scout construction in spite of the ongoing wars, but RBO-18 had learned to deal with this, and was much more sanguine than on past occasions:
Let them flail about purposelessly. We completed a Longdead 2 more than a decade ago and sent it southwest for just this purpose. It's standing on and off at a Human colony within four parsecs of that corner star already. Send it down, and colonize the planet if possible immediately. If it proves too hostile, we can always scrap the ship.2414: Human battle fleets continued to strike into Sakkra space, even briefly and barely achieving orbital superiority at Kakata again while the bulk of Vipersian's fleet was helping to defend Ryoun.
Curiously, Lasitus then immediately offered peace, with 1025 BC as an incentive, which Obsessivus spurned, as always. Fortunately for the lizards, their leaders had calculated correctly, and barren Rigel was colonized just two years after they acquired the necessary fuel technology, leading Dr. Iguanaius to say:
We've got it! Research is back online! Let's finally get started on those toxic bases!2418: Forced over the past few years to repel a Bulrathi attack on Gienah, send Vipersian's fleet to wipe out Human transports over Kakata, and deal with countless other Human attacks, Obsessivus was perhaps most furious of all with Quark's offer of a 225 BC trade agreement.
RBO-18: We're at WAR! At WAR, I tell you! What part of that don't you understand?!2423: As usual, it was up to Admiral Vipersian to bring some good news:
Quark: Hmmph. I can't understand a word you're saying when you're all riled up like that. Calm down and let me know what you think of my trade deal when you can speak calmly and peacefully.
RBO-18: Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!!!!!!
Obsessivus was in a foul mood thanks to the presence of an invincible Cruiser at ultra-poor Kakata, and another at ultra-poor Proteus, but the conquest of Dunatis made the whole war effort worthwhile, bringing the Sakkra empire to 18 star systems - GNN reported that, unless contained, they would soon control the galaxy - and lifting vital technology from the ruins: ECM Jammer Mark II, Improved Robotic Controls III, and an Automated Repair System. The robotic controls were so welcome, they almost made Obsessivus forget that Dr. Iguanaius was nearly finished researching the other two for himself anyway:
RBO-18: Bluescales! What are you doing here?2424: Thanks to their Cruisers, to which the Sakkra had as yet built no mobile response (missile boats would have sufficed, but none were yet in construction) the Humans retained orbital superiority at both ultra-poor worlds and even regained it at Dunatis, but the Sakkra were about to end the vulnerability of Proteus and Kakata once and for all.
Dr. Iguanaius: Just reporting our new research projects: The only ways to move forward. Battle Computer Mark IV and Zortium Armor.
RBO-18: No improved scanner, then.
Dr. Iguanaius: Still, not bad at all under the circumstances....
With the capture of Mass Driver technology, the Sakkra could build a beam ship capable of standing up to the Cruisers, but more importantly, with the capture of Klystron, while holding Dunatis, neither Klystron itself nor either of the ultra-poor worlds remained within human combat range. A wealthy merchant's donation of 1200 billion credits to the Bulrathi passed almost unnoticed, but a Meklar threat in response to Sakkra expansion did not. RBO XVIII's speech on the occassion follows:
The Meklar say they will not allow us to take over the galaxy! I say, who are they to allow, or to permit? With the addition of Klystron to our empire once more, we are more powerful even than they, and we will no longer allow them to have their way in the galaxy! All trade with the Meklar shall cease at once! From now on, they are our enemies! And as for those who refused to believe our war declarations before, they will pay attention now, I assure you! - I, and over 100 million troopers due to arrive at Uxmai next year! The Psilons refuse to understand words - let us see how they understand conquest!_______________
Next: Open War
