United Fleet
I sat in the control chair of my flagship, McVay standing next to me. Brunhilde was on the bridge, and I was genuinely glad to have her. We'd been talking less often lately, but I liked her, and she was a good friend. Of course, she was in her cloaked holographic form.
The fleet consisted of fifty Hattaks, donated by various planets, and one Beleskiner Thor. And that's not counting the more than three hundred Alkesh, who were also undergoing final training. Gliders were now launching from the ships, attaching themselves to the hulls with magnetic grips. I decided to employ a couple of clever tactics: radiation buildup would be minimized, but I would be able to launch a thousand gliders into battle simultaneously. They would suppress the enemy's defenses, dealing critical blows to their infrastructure. Landing units were also preparing for battle. Brunhilda was to operate from my flagship, and Thor had my Golden Legion as landing force.
"Send a message through the gate to begin the attack in two hours," I ordered McVay. He nodded. I had attacked the interstellar Empire, which meant taking complete control of the entire Confederacy. Planets holding gates would be struck with devastating force. Any Aschen facility would be destroyed as hostile. I would allocate a legion to each planet, with the main forces deployed to Aschen Prime.
The armies of Svorin and Galaran would also be involved in the landing operations. The operation had been planned by my General Staff with exceptional meticulousness; Imotekh and Krel couldn't be more thrilled about the coming war. And, of course, the mad De Wiart. And Main, who had largely retired from affairs and was exploring the galaxy (the area around my territory) on his personal liquor, had returned and was ready to lead the sabotage forces.
When all preparations were completed, it was time to turn to the troops.
"To all allied forces," I said over the comm. "The Aschen represent a threat that has violated all moral norms. Considering themselves a superior race, they allowed themselves to treat humans like cockroaches. They intended to do the same to us, but we are not defenseless. Remember, we adhere to the highest moral principles and will not emulate them by committing genocide. Their sentence is exile to a virgin planet. Perhaps their progeny will be given the chance to become part of the galactic community. But remember: this race uses bioweapons. Your equipment is protected against them, but if necessary... Do not hesitate to use intar shots. Phaeron Szarekh, Exterminator, ending communication."
Yes, here I revealed my name to the allied forces. Despite previously ensuring information security on many fronts, my name was known only to the highest political figures on the allied planets. Now the gloves are off, they are going into battle in my name. And it's not just my fleet. Against fifty Ashen heavy ships, we fielded an equal fleet, as well as numerous smaller ships.
"For the first time in history, the Asgardian Whiteskinners and the Goa'uld Hattaka are going into battle," Brunhilda said quietly, approaching me.
"Yes, and the reason, frankly speaking, is not the best," I replied.
- This is a historic day, and you are so calm.
"I've learned over a long period of time. But there's little glory in this day, for we haven't had time to do anything for the millions they poisoned. There's nothing great in punishment, but there is justice. Justice that will one day come to the Replicators and the System Lords. I hope that even then, our fleets will march in unison."
"You're in too much of a hurry," Brunnhilde replied, embarrassed. It's worth noting that the holograms perfectly conveyed the Asgardians' emotions, usually hidden by their inhuman physiology. Such a program was designed for interaction with humans.
- Don't worry, I know how to be patient.
"I'm even surprised that you won't ask the Asgard for anything."
I blinked.
"You understand, right, that we're assaulting a high-tech civilization? I'm not so brazen as to ask for anything more in return. Eliminating the Aschen as a threat to the galaxy is in the interests of everyone who isn't an Aschen."
- Understood.