Passenger Ship SS “Greenwich”, landing in Jonathansburg, UED Capital
The Greenwich made a slow and steady descent onto the spaceport in Jonathansburg, the Capital of Earth and its near colonies. Founded along the Danish-German border two hundred years ago by UPL Supreme Chancellor Jonathan I, the city was the hub of all UED affairs. With massive skyscrapers reaching high into the sky, it was truly a site to behold. Its skyline was engulfed by the tallest building in the city, the UED Senate House. Its marble sides could be seen for miles around, and it was the most important building in the city.
This was of little concern to Alexei Stukov however, as he prepared to leave the ship. He was wearing sunglasses to hide his eyes, which was not too strange actually, considering how bright the interior of the ship was. The Greenwich was far more luxurious than the freighter Stukov had been in before, and Alexei was travelling first class. He had one thought in his mind as he felt the gentle thump of the landing gears touching the space pad, contact the UED officials.
Alexei was expecting some of the media to show up, as he was claiming to be a dead man, and had braced himself for the same kind of questioning he had been given before being sent to capture the Dominion. It was one of curses of being a high ranking officer in the military. Alexei had been ready to leave by the exit ramp as he thought this, and when he saw it slowly open, he turned to walk off. The ramp, in contract to the rest of the ship was a little rusty, and Stukov tried to ovoid walking on some parts.
Alexei looked away from the small crowd of reporters that were busily snapping off pictures and sticking out microphones while asking questions. In fact he ignored them entirely, and might have walked by the entire crowd of people if a young man in a UED military uniform had not caught his eye. The boy bore a lieutenant’s insignia, and was wearing a lopsided parade-uniform cap. The boy’s face was covered by the shadow of his cap’s brim, and it was not until Alexei drew closer that he saw who it was.
“Alek!” Alexei called out, running through the reporters. He embraced his son, lifting him off the ground.
“Father, is it really you?” asked Alek, his voice seeming to plead.
“Yes Alek, it’s me. We should really get out of this starport,” Alexei gestured back toward the reporters, who were now surrounding them like a wolf pack.
“Of course,” Alek replied, and they walked into a waiting UED military hover-jeep.
“Who arranged all this?” Alexei questioned.
“Admiral Hardel.”
“Ahh, of course. So you’re a lieutenant now!”
“Yes father, I’m an officer of the Admiral’s battlecruiser.”
“I always knew you’d pull into a rank once you joined the army. So where is this jeep headed?”
“You’re going to be questioned by the Admiral, father. Then they’ll let you back in to the military.”
“Good son. Very good. I have some very important information for the Senate.”
“That will all come in time, father, all come in time…”
***
Korhal, Rally Point of the Reformed Dominion Armada Two Months Later
Emperor Mengsk was not a man who was very tolerant of failures or setbacks. He expected his critical battles to be won, and his orders to be carried out, so quite naturally he had been furious at McHenry’s death, and even more furious when he learned that an Umojan manufactured assassin rifle had been found nearby. Mengsk, however, was not a fool. He had been looking for a reason to invade the Protectorate, and one had presented itself to him just as he began to gather military strength.
Mengsk, already wanting to combat test his new battlecruisers, and eager to press his advantage, had immediately declared war. The Dominion Armada would form the shock force that would break straight through the Protectorate’s defenses.
Mengsk watched from the bridge of the command ship, Emperor’s Pride, as his forces prepared to head to Umoja. Despite the ship’s superiority, the bridge remained much like the other ship’s in the fleet, and was mostly graded metal. Technicians diligently set the course, while lieutenants sent out and received orders to the Pride’s various stations. Mengsk turned toward Dresner, and gave him the order, “Go ahead General.”
The General picked up his comlink and called out to the fleet, “All forces are clear to move out. Come on boys, we’re heading to Umoja!”
The battlecruisers’ engines started up, and it was just then that the Emperor noticed one of his other Emperor class ships, the Dominion’s Glory, seem to stutter. Mengsk watched in horror as the fore of the vessel suddenly exploded, its shields flashing brightly before losing power to the interior explosion. The remains started to tumble, and it’s mostly intact aft hit the engines of another ship. This seemed to stop the movement, and Mengsk starred out with hate in his eyes.
“Damage report!” screamed General Dresner, “All forces halt immediately!” I repeat all forces halt immediately.”
Another voice crackled over the radio, “Sir, this is the captain of the TDSS Iron Hammer. We have lost all forward propulsion. Twenty three men are missing, six confirmed dead, nine confirmed wounded. We are receiving faint radio signals from survivors of the Glory’s explosion. Requesting permission to launch rescue craft.”
“Permission granted,” Dresner turned away from the radio and pounded his fist against the computer center, “Damn!”
The General turned to face Mengsk, “Sir, the Glory’s aft should be salvageable. We’ve should wait for the repairs on the Hammer finish before…”
“No General! I will not tolerate delays! We will go without the two vessels, and that is final!”
“Yes sir,” Dresner turned on the comlink again, “All remaining units, continue forward.”
“Ready my shuttle,” said Mengsk, “So much for the grand show off.”
“Of course sir. This is only a minor thing, I’m sure everything will go on fine.”
“For your sake it had better,” with that the Emperor turned and left for the docking bay. Dresner’s eyes followed him, before he turned his view back to the bridge window and the cold void of space.
