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Speaker 1: Hullo. I'm welcomed stories all the time. Glad you are here.

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Let's get into it. Admiral's ex Star stood on the

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bridge of the Starlight Defender and watched another world by

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Through the large viewing screen. She could see the green

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planet Mallory burning orange and red flames covered its surface

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like angry scars. The beautiful forests and blue oceans that

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once made this world home to forty million Calloi were

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now gone forever. Admiral, we are getting the last evacuation ships,

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said Commander Velter from his station. His voice was quiet

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and sad. Only two hundred thousand made it out, said Starr,

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closed her four eyes for a moment. Two hundred thousand

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survivors from forty million people. The numbers always hurt to hear.

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She had been fighting this war for three years now,

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and every battle ended the same way. The Vortha came,

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They consumed everything, and the calorie ran. How long until

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the vortha creached the next system? She asked, Our scouts

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say maybe two weeks, Admiral. They are moving faster now.

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The Admiral looked at the tactical display floating above the

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command table. Red dots showed where the Vorthak forces were

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moving through their space. Blue dots showed what was left

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of the Calorie fleet. There were far more red dots

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than blue ones. The Vorthak were not like any enemy

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a Calorie had ever fought before. Most wars in the

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galaxy happened between different species who wanted the same planets

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or resources. Those wars had rules, they had limits. When

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one side won, the other side could surrender and make peace.

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But the Vorthak did not want peace. They did not

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want to rule over other species. They wanted to eat them.

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Every living thing on every planet it conquered became fruit

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for their By mechanical ships, they turned entire worlds into

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giant factories that made more weapons and more soldiers. Sex

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thorough remembered the first time she had seen a Vorthak

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ship up close. It was three years ago, during the

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Battle of Zurian Prime. The ship looked like a massive

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insect made of metal and flesh. It had thousands of

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small holes all over its surface, and from these holes

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came smaller ships that looked like flying beetles. The big

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ship itself was alive in some horrible way. It breathed,

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it bled when it was damaged, and when it was

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hurt badly enough, it would eat its own smaller ships

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to heal itself. The worst part was how smart they were.

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Every time the Calorie used a weapon against them, the

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Vothackle learn to defend against it. Energy weapons that worked

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perfectly in one battle would be useless in the next battle.

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The enemy ships would grow new armor that could absorb

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the energy blasts. They could change the shape to avoid missiles.

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They could even copy Calorie technology and use it against them. Admiral,

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we have an urgent message from a high command, said

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Lieutenant Karrs from the communications station. But if reviewing screen

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changed to shure the face of General Model, the leader

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of all Calorie military forces, he looked older than Mendex

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Thoroughs soon him. Last month the war was edging all

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of them quickly, Admirable Cxorer, you need to return to

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the capital immediately. We are calling all fleet commanders for

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an emergency meet in gentle My ships are needed here

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to covert the evacuation from Mallory of the evacuation is finished,

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Admirable Dare is no one left to save on that world.

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The General's voice was heavy with sadness. We have bigger

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problems now. Our intelligence division has discovered something terrible about

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the Vodak's next move. Sexara felt cold fear in her stomach.

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What have they found gknob over this channel? Admiral, just

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come home as fast as you can, and Seksaara, bring

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every ship you have. We may not get another chance

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to gather our forces like this. The transmission ended, leaving

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the bridge in uncomfortable silence. Six Starr knew the tone

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in the Genital's voice. She had heard it before when

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they first learned that the Vorthak had destroyed the outer colonies.

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It was the sound of some one delivering very bad news.

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Commander Velter signal, all ships in the fleet, we are

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returning to Calory Prime immediately. Yes, Admiral, should I tell them? Why?

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Tell them? We have new orders from high command? Nothing more.

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As he ships prepared to jump faster than light speed.

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Sex Thoro looked one last time at the burning planet below.

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Meloria had been one of the most beautiful worlds in

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Calorie Space. Her sister had lived there with her family

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before the war started. They had escaped during one of

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their earlier evacuations, but millions of others had not been

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so lucky. The stars stretched into long white lines as

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the Starlight Defender entered hyperspace. The journey to Calory Prime

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would take six hires. Ze's Thoro used the time to

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review the latest battle reports from other parts of the war.

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The news was all bad. Admiral Ckelon had lost half

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his fleet trying to defend the industrial world of Factory seven.

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The Vorthach had completely destroyed the mining colonies in the

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Outer Room, whilst of all, the defensive fleet protecting the

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agricultural wales had been wiped out completely. Those worlds grew

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most of the food for the civilian population. By Zex's rascount,

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the Callerie had lost over sixty percent of their military

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ships in the last three years. They had lost even

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more civilian ships trying to evacuate refugees from conquered worlds.

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At this rate, they would have no ships left within

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a year. But the ships were not even the biggest problem.

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The biggest problem was that they were running out of

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places to run to. The Vorthach had conquered or destroyed

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over two hundred Calori worlds. Each conquered world gave the

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enemy more resources to build more ships and more soldiers.

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The Calorie had maybe fifty words left under their control.

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When the fleet arrived at Calorie Prime that Ksora could

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see that the home world was preparing for sea each

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huge defense platforms had been built in orbit around the planet.

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The space around the world was full of military ships,

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supply vessels, and refugee transports from dozens of other worlds.

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The admiral took a shuttle down to the surface and

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went straight to the military headquarters in the capital city

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of New Kolra. The building was buzzing with activity. Officers

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and soldiers heard through the hallways carrying data tablets and

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battle plans. Everyone looked worrid and tired. The emergency meeting

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was held in the same room where the Calari Confederation

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had declared warn the Worthic three years ago. All the

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surviving fleet commanders were there, along with government officials and

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military leaders. Sixty accounted only twelve other admirals in the room.

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At the start of the war there had been thirty five.

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General Morduks stood at the front of the room next

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to a large holographic display. Thank you all for coming.

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I know you have left your fleets at a critical time,

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but what I am about to tell you effects survival

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of our entire species. He activated the display which show

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a map of Fortheck movements. Over the last month, our

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intelligence teams have intercepted enemy communications. We have learned that

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the Vortaka gathering their forces for what they call the

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Final Consumption. They are bringing together every ship in their

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empire for one massive attack. Admiral Techron, who commanded the

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defense of the Northern Sectors, raised his hand. How many

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ships are we talking about? General? According to our best estimates,

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over one million vessels of various sizes. The room fell

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completely silent, six thorough felt sick. One million ships. The

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entire remaining Callori fleet had maybe eight thousand ships, and

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most of those were damaged below on supplies. When will

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this attack begin, us to Admiral Jansorer. Our sources suggest

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they will be ready to move in approximately six months.

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They are taking time to bring ships from the far

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edges of their territory and to build new vessels using

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the resources from recently conquered worlds. Command A Poulter from

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the Intelligence Division stepped forward. We believe their target this

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calorie Prime itself. They want to end this war by

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destroying our home world and the government Sixtoros stood up

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General with respect. How are we supposed to fight one

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million ships with eight thousand. Even if we gathered every

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civilian vessel we could find, we would still be outnumbered

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more than fifty to one. That is exactly the question

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we need to answer in this meeting, Admiral, our scientists,

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our military strategists, and our political leaders have been working

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around the clock to find some way to survive this attack.

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We need ideas, we need miracles, We need anything that

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might give us a chance for the next civil iris.

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The room filled with desperate suggestions. Some commanders wanted to

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scatter the fleet and tried to hide on remote walls

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until the Vorthach moved on to the parts of the galaxy.

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Others suggested trying to negotiate with the enemy, though every

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one knew the Vorthek did not negotiate with food. A

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few officers proposed using weapons of must destruction against forth

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Ec worlds, but those whipons had already been tried early

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in the war. The Vorthak ship simply absorbed the energy

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from nuclear explosions and used it to make themselves stronger.

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The most popular suggestion was to evacuate as many civilians

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as possible to the unexplored regions beyond the galactic rim,

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and hope that some Calorie would survive to rebuild the

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civilization some day. As the meeting continued into the night,

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Sextaro realized that none of these plans would really work.

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The Vorthact were too strong, too adaptable, and too numerous.

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They had been winning this war since the first day,

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and nothing the Callorie had tried had been able to

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stop them. There is one more option we have not discussed,

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said doctor Lenora, the head of the Science division. We

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could try to find allies. General Mordick shook his head. Doctor,

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we have already contacted every major civilization in this part

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of the galaxy. The eelkn Republic is too far away

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to help in time. The Unified Worlds are fighting narrow

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and war against a machine collective. The styll of Federation

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has closed their borders and refuses to get involved. I

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was not talking about the major civilizations, General, I was

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talking about the small ones, the species we have not

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contacted because we thought they were too primitive to matter.

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What could primitive species do against the Vodka? We cannot

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to ai ourselves. I do not know, doctor Lenarre admitted,

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but we have exhausted all other possibilities. Maybe someone out

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there has something we do not, Maybe someone has developed

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weapons or strategies that we have never considered. Admiral's Extrara

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thought about this idea as a meeting finally, and a

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near dawn. It was a desperate plan, but then again,

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they were in a desperate situation. As she walked back

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to her shuttle, she looked up at the sunrise over

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Calorie Prime. It was beautiful, but she wondered how many

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more sunrises her people would see. Six months. That was

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all the time they had left to find a miracle.

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Six months to discover something that could stop an enemy

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that had conquered half the galaxy. Six months to save

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their entire species from extinction. The Admiral climbed into her

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shuttle and prepared to return to her fleet. There was

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still work to do, Silwell's to evacuate, still battles to fight,

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but now she also had a new mission. She would

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start looking for allies in the most unlikely places. After all,

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when you are about to lose everything, even the smallest

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hope is worth pursuing. Three weeks had passed, since the

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emergency meeting on Calorie Prime. Admiral Vosekstara sat in her

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command chairboard the stall Defender, reading through the latest reports

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from the search teams. Doctor Lennarre's suggestion to contact primitive

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species had been approved by the high Command, but the

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results so far were disappointing. The science teams had found

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dozens of small civilizations scattered throughout the outer regions of

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the galaxy. Most of them were still using chemical rockets

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to travel between planets and iron star systems. A few

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had developed basic energy weapons, but nothing that could challenge

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even the weakest fourth The scoutship command of Alder approached

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her chair with another data tablet. Admiral, we have responses

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from the contact teams in sectors seven through twelve. The

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Brolin species offered to share their agricultural knowledge with us.

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The Katari want to trade their out for our medical technology.

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The Iliens asked if we could help them build better

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space stations. Six Star rubbed her forehead with two of

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her hands. None of them understand what we are facing,

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do they no, Admiral. Most of them have never fought

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a war beyond their own star system. They cannot imagine

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an enemy like the Vorthek. Any word from the teams

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in the outer Rim sectors still waiting for reports from

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sectors fifteen through twenty. Those regions are so far out

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that it takes three days for messages to reach us.

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The Admiral looked at the tactical display showing forth the movements.

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The enemy was still gathering their forces for the final attack,

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but they were also sending scab fleets to Procollery defenses.

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Every week brought needs of another skirmish and other lost

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battle and other retreat dot. The Tenant Kirer's turned from

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her communication station. Admiral, we are receiving a priority transmission

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from contactem Gammons Sectory At Team put it through the

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main screen, show Captain Morjen, one of the expedition leaders.

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He looked excited, which was unusual. Most of the Contact

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Team reports have been routine and borne. Admiral, we have

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found something interesting. We encountered a species that calls themselves humans.

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There from a star system called Soul, and they want

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to meet with our command structure. What makes them different

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from the other species we have contacted, well, Admiral, they

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contacted us first. Our scouts ship was investigating their system

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when they sent on vessels to intercept us. When we

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explained our situation, they immediately offered to help. Six Storo

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was surprised. Most primitive species were afraid when they first

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net advanced aliens armed vessels. What kind of weapons do

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they have? That is the strange part, Admiral. Their weapons

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are very primitive. They use all the projectors instead of

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energy beams. Their ships have no energy shields. They do

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not even have faster than like communication systems. But they

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seem very confident about their military abilities. How confident can

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they be with such old technology. They claim to be

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experience fighters, Admiral. They said they have been fighting wars

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for their entire history as a species. They also said

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something else that was interesting. What was that? They said?

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They specialize in fighting enemies who think they are unbeatable.

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Command of Walter Lean closer to the Admiral. It sounds

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like they do not understand what they would be facing. Maybe,

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said to Storer. But we are running out of options,

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Captain Morgan. A range of meeting. I want to see

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these humans for myself. Yes, Admiral, they suggested meeting at

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the edge of the stores. They said they prefer to

253
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conduct important meetings in neutral space. Very well, send them

254
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the coordinates Ferrand de Viewpoint. We will meet them in

255
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two days. Two days later, the Starlight Defender arrived at

256
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the meeting coordinates, along three other Calorie ships. The human

257
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fleet that was waiting for them was small, but organized

258
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to extier counterdate vessels, each about half the size of

259
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a Calorie cruiser. Of their ships look very basic, observed

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Commander Velder. I am not detecting any energy signatures that

261
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suggest advanced weapons systems. What about their defenses? They appeared

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to have some kind of metal armor plating, but no

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energy shields. Admiral, a single blast from our main cannon

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could destroy one of their ships. The Admiral started the

265
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human vessels through the viewing screen. They had a rough,

266
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practical design that reminded her of the first schet to

267
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her own people had built thousands of years ago, but

268
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there was something about the way they moved, thus suggested

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their crews knew what they were doing. Incoming transmission from

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the lead human ship announced Lieutenant Carus put it through

271
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the screens showed a heat and female in what appeared

272
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to be a military uniform. She had short dark hair

273
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and sharp eyes that seemed to take in every detail

274
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at the Calorie Bridge. When she spoke, her voice was

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00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:12,679
calm and confident. I am Captain Sir John of the

276
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Earth to fend For's vessel resilience. I speak for the

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United Earth Government in this matter. I am an Admiral's

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ex starer of the Calorie Confederation. Captain Chan, my people

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are grateful for your willingness to meet with us. Admiral.

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Our preliminary discussions with your contact team were quite concerning.

281
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You are facing an enemy that has conquered hundreds of

282
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worlds and is planning to attack your home while with

283
00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:37,240
over one million ships. That is correct, Captain, the Vardic

284
00:14:37,320 --> 00:14:39,840
Empire has been expanding across this part of the galaxy

285
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for several years. They consume everything in their path. Captain

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Chan was quite for a moment, and Zik Sar could

287
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see her thinking carefully. Admiral, I need to be honest

288
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with you. Humanity is never fought a space war on

289
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this scale. Our conflicts have been limited to our own

290
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star system and a few nearby regions. Commander Velter whispered

291
00:14:58,360 --> 00:15:01,039
to the Admiral. They admit thing they cannot help us,

292
00:15:01,679 --> 00:15:05,120
but Captain Chan continued speaking, However, we have been monitoring

293
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Vothak movements at the edge of their territory. They have

294
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sent scout fleets to investigate our systems several times in

295
00:15:10,720 --> 00:15:14,440
the past month. You have encountered vorth Ak forces. Tex

296
00:15:14,480 --> 00:15:20,000
thorough was surprised. Most primitive species would have been destroyed immediately. Yes, Admiral,

297
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small groups of their bioshet have pro god defenses. Three times,

298
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each time we have managed to drive them away. You

299
00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:31,279
drove away forth Ak scouts. How we destroyed them, Admiral,

300
00:15:31,360 --> 00:15:33,840
all of them. None of the enemy ships escaped from

301
00:15:33,840 --> 00:15:37,840
any of the encounters. The Calori bridge fell silent, command

302
00:15:37,879 --> 00:15:39,879
of all to check his censor readings again, as if

303
00:15:39,919 --> 00:15:42,759
he could not believe what he was hearing. Lieutenant curest

304
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aired at the human captain with white eyes. Captain Chan said, Sexora, slowly,

305
00:15:47,519 --> 00:15:49,480
are you saying that your primitive weapons were able to

306
00:15:49,519 --> 00:15:53,440
destroy Vorthic bioships. I would not call our weapons primitive, Admiral,

307
00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:57,399
different perhaps, but not primitive. We have been developing military

308
00:15:57,440 --> 00:16:00,600
technology for thousands of years. We may not of energy

309
00:16:00,600 --> 00:16:02,600
shields or plasma canons, but we have learned to be

310
00:16:02,720 --> 00:16:05,240
very good at what we do, What exactly do you do?

311
00:16:05,879 --> 00:16:10,840
We specialize in kinetic weapons, admiral high velocity projectors, explosive devices,

312
00:16:10,919 --> 00:16:14,879
and electromagnetic systems. We also have extensive experience in fighting

313
00:16:14,879 --> 00:16:20,919
adaptive enemies. Dexter did not understand adaptive enemies species on

314
00:16:21,039 --> 00:16:23,799
machines that learn from previous battles and change their tactics.

315
00:16:24,480 --> 00:16:26,919
We have fought several wars against enemies who could modify

316
00:16:26,960 --> 00:16:29,879
their behavior based on our strategies. We learn to count

317
00:16:29,879 --> 00:16:35,559
to their adaptations. Commander valterstept poured. Captain chan Avotha can

318
00:16:35,600 --> 00:16:38,879
adapt to any weapon system within minutes. Their buyer ships

319
00:16:38,919 --> 00:16:42,480
literally grow new defenses during battle. How could kinetic weapons

320
00:16:42,480 --> 00:16:47,360
possibly work against them? Captain Chuen smiled slightly. Commander may

321
00:16:47,440 --> 00:16:49,480
I ask what kind of weapons you typically use against

322
00:16:49,519 --> 00:16:54,120
the Vorthak energy weapons? Of course, plasma cannons, particle beams,

323
00:16:54,120 --> 00:16:58,039
fusion missiles, and they adapt to all of the ease. Yes,

324
00:16:58,159 --> 00:17:01,000
after a few hits, their ships develop amadakin absorb or

325
00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:06,160
deflect energy attacks. What about solid projectiles metal slucks accelerated

326
00:17:06,160 --> 00:17:10,440
to high velocity. Commander Veltel look confused. We stopped using

327
00:17:10,480 --> 00:17:13,680
those weapons thousands of years ago. They were inefficient compared

328
00:17:13,680 --> 00:17:17,000
to energy weapons. The Fisher, perhaps, but the vorth Act

329
00:17:17,000 --> 00:17:20,079
have never encountered them, have they? Sex Star began to

330
00:17:20,119 --> 00:17:22,920
understand what the human was suggesting. They think they might

331
00:17:22,960 --> 00:17:24,920
not know how to defend against weapons they have never

332
00:17:24,960 --> 00:17:29,000
seen before. It is possible, Admiral, our encounters with the

333
00:17:29,000 --> 00:17:31,680
scout ship suggest that their adaptive capabilities are based on

334
00:17:31,759 --> 00:17:35,480
previous experience. When they encountered weapons and tactics they had

335
00:17:35,519 --> 00:17:38,839
never seen before, they struggled to respond effectively. Tell me

336
00:17:38,880 --> 00:17:43,480
about these encounters. Captain Chhn activated display device on her ship.

337
00:17:44,039 --> 00:17:46,359
Three weeks ago, a voth Act scouting force of twelve

338
00:17:46,359 --> 00:17:49,319
buyer ships entered our Star system. They approached our utter

339
00:17:49,359 --> 00:17:52,039
defense platforms using standard Fourth Act tactics that we had

340
00:17:52,039 --> 00:17:55,440
observed through long range senses. The display showed a recording

341
00:17:55,480 --> 00:17:58,440
of the battle. Sex thorough watched as the insect like Foroth,

342
00:17:58,480 --> 00:18:01,559
that ship moved toward what paid be primitive human spased stations.

343
00:18:02,200 --> 00:18:05,119
The bio ships were clearly expecting energy weapon attacks because

344
00:18:05,119 --> 00:18:08,279
they had already begun growing their adaptive armor. Instead, the

345
00:18:08,359 --> 00:18:11,640
human stations opened fire with streams of solid projectiles. The

346
00:18:11,720 --> 00:18:15,240
metal slugs punched through the vorthakama like it was made

347
00:18:15,240 --> 00:18:18,119
of paper. The bioships tried to adapt, but they could

348
00:18:18,119 --> 00:18:20,440
not grow armor thick enough to stop high velocity metal

349
00:18:20,440 --> 00:18:23,640
without making themselves too heavy to move effectively. The Vordic

350
00:18:23,640 --> 00:18:26,480
ships were destroyed in less than ten minutes. Captain Chun explained,

351
00:18:27,039 --> 00:18:30,279
then never managed to adapt to our weapons. Commander Velter

352
00:18:30,440 --> 00:18:32,799
was staring at the display, but how did you know

353
00:18:32,880 --> 00:18:35,759
this would work? We did not know for certain, Commander,

354
00:18:36,400 --> 00:18:38,839
but we had studied the Vordic through long range observation.

355
00:18:39,519 --> 00:18:42,200
We noticed that their adaptive armor was very effective against

356
00:18:42,359 --> 00:18:46,200
energy weapons, but seemed to be designed for that specific threat.

357
00:18:46,759 --> 00:18:50,720
Admirals ex thorough felt something she had not felt in months. Hope.

358
00:18:51,240 --> 00:18:54,240
It was a small hope, but it was real. Captain Chen,

359
00:18:54,559 --> 00:18:56,720
are you suggesting that humanity would be willing to join

360
00:18:56,759 --> 00:18:59,960
our fight against the Vordic? Admiral, The Voldic scouts came

361
00:19:00,039 --> 00:19:03,640
into our system for a reason. Our intelligence analysis suggests

362
00:19:03,640 --> 00:19:05,960
that Earth is on their list of words to be consumed.

363
00:19:06,599 --> 00:19:08,599
Whether we help you or not, we will eventually have

364
00:19:08,640 --> 00:19:11,640
to fight them ourselves. But your forces are so small

365
00:19:11,640 --> 00:19:14,359
compared to what the Vorthak will bring against us that

366
00:19:14,519 --> 00:19:18,319
is true, Admiral, eight hips cannot defeat one million, but

367
00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:20,319
eight ships might be able to teach your forces new

368
00:19:20,319 --> 00:19:23,480
ways to fight. Captain Chuhn pauls and looked directly at

369
00:19:23,519 --> 00:19:27,079
zex Thorer. Admiral, we would like to propose a joint operation,

370
00:19:27,759 --> 00:19:30,039
a small battle where our forces work together against a

371
00:19:30,119 --> 00:19:33,720
vorth target. If our methods prove effective on a larger scale,

372
00:19:33,759 --> 00:19:36,759
we can discuss expanding the co operation. Six thorough thought

373
00:19:36,799 --> 00:19:39,400
about the proposal. It was risky to commit any of

374
00:19:39,440 --> 00:19:42,319
her remaining ships to an experimental battle, but if there

375
00:19:42,359 --> 00:19:44,440
was even a small chance that human tactics could work

376
00:19:44,480 --> 00:19:47,440
against a vorthoch, it was worth trying. What kind of

377
00:19:47,480 --> 00:19:51,160
target did you have in mind? Our intelligence indicates that

378
00:19:51,160 --> 00:19:53,359
there is a vodic supply convoy moving through the Arian

379
00:19:53,400 --> 00:19:56,799
sector in five days, twenty bio ships escorting several cargo vessels,

380
00:19:56,880 --> 00:19:58,799
large enough to be a real test, but small enough

381
00:19:58,839 --> 00:20:01,880
that we could retreat if the opera ration fails. Commander

382
00:20:01,920 --> 00:20:05,160
Walter whispered urgently to the admiral. Admiral, we cannot risk

383
00:20:05,200 --> 00:20:08,079
our ships on and untest its strategy. That Sexto was

384
00:20:08,079 --> 00:20:10,359
thinking about the millionship fleet that was coming to destroy

385
00:20:10,400 --> 00:20:14,559
her home will. Conventional tactics had failed for three years.

386
00:20:15,279 --> 00:20:18,559
Maybe it was time to try something unconventional. Captain Chan,

387
00:20:18,680 --> 00:20:21,559
what would you need from us for this operation? Primarily,

388
00:20:21,640 --> 00:20:23,519
we would need some of your ships to be temporarily

389
00:20:23,599 --> 00:20:26,880
modified with human weapons systems. We would also need detailed

390
00:20:26,920 --> 00:20:32,799
intelligence about for the adaptive capabilities modified with primitive weapons. Yes, Admiral,

391
00:20:33,319 --> 00:20:36,559
we would need to install kinetic weapons systems and remove

392
00:20:36,599 --> 00:20:39,440
some of your energy weapons. It would be a significant

393
00:20:39,480 --> 00:20:42,680
change to your ships. Sextor closed her eyes and thought

394
00:20:42,720 --> 00:20:44,720
about all the battles they had lost, all the wells

395
00:20:44,720 --> 00:20:47,079
that had been consumed, all the people who had died.

396
00:20:47,160 --> 00:20:48,960
Then she thought about the six months they had left

397
00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:52,599
before the final attack. Captain Chen, I agree fewer proposal.

398
00:20:53,160 --> 00:20:55,759
We will conduct a joint operation against the Czarian convoy.

399
00:20:56,400 --> 00:20:59,240
Thank you, Admiral. I believe this could be the beginning

400
00:20:59,240 --> 00:21:02,480
of a very important alliance. As the two fleets prepared

401
00:21:02,480 --> 00:21:05,000
to depart the meeting point, Sexthor wondered if she had

402
00:21:05,039 --> 00:21:07,119
just made the best decision of her career or the worst.

403
00:21:07,759 --> 00:21:10,160
But one thing was certain. For the first time since

404
00:21:10,160 --> 00:21:12,119
the war began, the Calorie were going to try something.

405
00:21:12,160 --> 00:21:15,160
The vote that had never seen before. The Territorsnibula was

406
00:21:15,160 --> 00:21:17,839
a perfect place for an ambush. The thick clouds of

407
00:21:17,880 --> 00:21:19,880
gas and dust would hide the allied fleet until the

408
00:21:19,920 --> 00:21:22,839
last moment, and the electromagnetic interference would make it hard

409
00:21:22,839 --> 00:21:25,400
for the voter to call for help. Admirals of Star

410
00:21:25,440 --> 00:21:27,519
restowed on the bridge of the Starlight Defender and watched

411
00:21:27,519 --> 00:21:30,640
her technicians make the final adjustments to the human weapons

412
00:21:30,640 --> 00:21:32,720
systems dot. It had taken four days to modify her

413
00:21:32,720 --> 00:21:35,599
ships for the joint operation. The humans have worked around

414
00:21:35,599 --> 00:21:38,400
the clock to install their kinetic weapons on three Calorie cruisers.

415
00:21:39,119 --> 00:21:41,920
The process was more complicated than anyone had expected because

416
00:21:41,960 --> 00:21:45,839
human technology was so different from Calorie systems. Admiral, the

417
00:21:45,839 --> 00:21:49,480
weapon modifications are complete, reported Chief Engineer Corvin. We have

418
00:21:49,519 --> 00:21:52,079
removed the plasma canan arrays from the Starlight Defender, the

419
00:21:52,119 --> 00:21:55,079
store Runner, and the Nightwing. In their place, we have

420
00:21:55,119 --> 00:21:58,920
insolved human kinetic weapons systems. How do they work? The

421
00:21:59,000 --> 00:22:02,680
humans call them real goes, Admiral. They use electromagnetic fields

422
00:22:02,680 --> 00:22:06,359
to accelerate metal projectors to extremely high speeds. The projectiles

423
00:22:06,400 --> 00:22:08,400
are solid metal rods about the size of my arm,

424
00:22:08,440 --> 00:22:10,519
but they travel at nearly thirty percent of light speed

425
00:22:10,519 --> 00:22:12,759
when they leave the weapon. Thik Sura looked at the

426
00:22:12,759 --> 00:22:15,680
strange new weapons mounted on her ship's hull. They were

427
00:22:15,759 --> 00:22:18,599
much smaller than plasma cannons and had a simple approval appearance.

428
00:22:19,200 --> 00:22:22,440
What about ammunition? Each weapon has a magazine that holds

429
00:22:22,440 --> 00:22:26,079
two hundred projectiles. The humans brought enough spare ammunition for

430
00:22:26,119 --> 00:22:30,640
alarm battle. Commander Velter approach with a word expression, Admiral,

431
00:22:30,680 --> 00:22:33,400
I still think this is a mistake. We are removing

432
00:22:33,400 --> 00:22:36,319
proven weapons and replacing them with technology that is thousands

433
00:22:36,319 --> 00:22:39,599
of years old, old technology that has already proven effective

434
00:22:40,240 --> 00:22:43,880
against fourth are scouts. The admiral reminded him. Besides, we

435
00:22:43,920 --> 00:22:46,000
are keeping our energy weapons on the other ships in

436
00:22:46,039 --> 00:22:48,799
the flee. If the human weapons fail, we can still

437
00:22:48,880 --> 00:22:52,880
fight conventionally. Captain Chin's voice came over the communication system

438
00:22:53,480 --> 00:22:56,680
Admiral's extorer, This is Captain Chan. My ships were in

439
00:22:56,680 --> 00:22:59,480
position at the edge of the Nebula. Are your mauvided

440
00:22:59,519 --> 00:23:03,400
vessels red ready for the operation? We are ready, Captain.

441
00:23:03,960 --> 00:23:06,640
What is the status of the Vortak convoy? A long

442
00:23:06,720 --> 00:23:10,440
rangeansor showed them approaching on schedule. Twenty Escot ships and

443
00:23:10,519 --> 00:23:13,519
six cargo vessels. They should reach the ambush point in

444
00:23:13,559 --> 00:23:18,200
approximately one ah. Understood, all ships moved to attack positions.

445
00:23:18,920 --> 00:23:22,279
The combined human calorie fleet positioned itself within the Nebula clouds.

446
00:23:22,920 --> 00:23:25,640
Dick Surer had twelve ships under her command, while Captain

447
00:23:25,680 --> 00:23:29,440
Chan had brought eight human vessels against twenty vourth Ak bioships.

448
00:23:29,480 --> 00:23:32,920
The odds were roughly even in terms of numbers, but

449
00:23:33,039 --> 00:23:35,880
everyone knew that Vothak ships were individually more powerful than

450
00:23:35,920 --> 00:23:39,240
anything the Alliance could field. Admiral I am detecting the

451
00:23:39,319 --> 00:23:43,119
Vothit convy entering the Nebula, reported Lieutenant kerrors. They are

452
00:23:43,160 --> 00:23:46,119
moving in standard formation, with the cargo ships in the

453
00:23:46,160 --> 00:23:49,279
center and the escotes spread around them. Can we identify

454
00:23:49,279 --> 00:23:53,680
the ship types? Yes, Admiral, mostly Hunter class buioships, with

455
00:23:53,759 --> 00:23:57,680
three larger Destroyer class vessels providing heavy escort. The cargo

456
00:23:57,720 --> 00:24:00,240
ships appear to be carrying raw materials and possibly by

457
00:24:00,359 --> 00:24:04,359
mechanical components. Sext Arrow studied the tactical displayed of Vartak

458
00:24:04,440 --> 00:24:06,960
formation was typical for supply confert. The escort ships would

459
00:24:07,000 --> 00:24:09,160
be alert, but not expecting a major attack. As deep

460
00:24:09,200 --> 00:24:11,200
in their territory. It was a good target for testing

461
00:24:11,279 --> 00:24:15,559
human tactics. Captain Charm, are you ready to begin the attack? Ready, Admiral,

462
00:24:15,599 --> 00:24:18,160
Remember we want to engage the escorts first and leave

463
00:24:18,200 --> 00:24:20,079
the cargo ships for lust. We need to see how

464
00:24:20,119 --> 00:24:22,359
the Vorthak react to our weapons before they can call

465
00:24:22,400 --> 00:24:28,119
for reinforcements. Understowed, all ships prepare for attack. Modified vessels

466
00:24:28,160 --> 00:24:31,880
will engage first, followed by support from conventional weapons. The

467
00:24:31,920 --> 00:24:34,359
Starlight Defender moved out of the nebular clouds along with

468
00:24:34,400 --> 00:24:38,960
the other two modified Calorie ships. The Vorthak escorts immediately

469
00:24:38,960 --> 00:24:42,279
detected them and began moving into battle formission as expected

470
00:24:42,279 --> 00:24:45,039
if the bioships started growing their adaptive armor even before

471
00:24:45,039 --> 00:24:48,759
the first shots were fired, target the lead destroyer, Chief Engineer,

472
00:24:49,400 --> 00:24:52,559
let us see what your new weapons can do. Yes, Admiral,

473
00:24:53,119 --> 00:24:57,000
railcon systems are charged and ready to fire. The first

474
00:24:57,079 --> 00:25:00,599
kinetic projector left the Starlight Defender at incredible speed. It

475
00:25:00,640 --> 00:25:02,640
crossed space between the ships so quickly that it was

476
00:25:02,640 --> 00:25:05,839
impossible to see. The metal rod struck the Vordic Destroyer

477
00:25:05,839 --> 00:25:07,720
in the center of its hullm punched completely through the

478
00:25:07,759 --> 00:25:10,920
bio's ship from front to back. The destroyer immediately began

479
00:25:10,960 --> 00:25:14,759
trying to heal the damage, but something was wrong. Instead

480
00:25:14,799 --> 00:25:17,880
of the rapid regeneration that usually followed damage to a

481
00:25:17,960 --> 00:25:22,039
Vortak ship, the healing process was slow and chaotic. Green

482
00:25:22,039 --> 00:25:24,759
fluid leaked from the hull and the ships towl. Direct

483
00:25:24,799 --> 00:25:28,240
hip reported the targeting officer. The enemy ship is heavily

484
00:25:28,319 --> 00:25:33,400
damaged but still functional. Fire again, same target. Free more

485
00:25:33,480 --> 00:25:37,119
kinetic projectiles hit the destroyer within seconds, each one punched

486
00:25:37,119 --> 00:25:40,000
through the bioship's hull in a different place. The vourthducked

487
00:25:40,039 --> 00:25:42,920
vessel tried desperately to adapt, growing thick armor round the

488
00:25:42,920 --> 00:25:45,680
impact points, but the armor could not stop projectile's traveling

489
00:25:45,680 --> 00:25:49,079
at such high speed. The destroyer is breaking apart, announced

490
00:25:49,079 --> 00:25:52,519
command of Velteur, with amazement in his voice. Admiral, it

491
00:25:52,559 --> 00:25:55,119
is not healing at all. Sixth Thorow watched as the

492
00:25:55,119 --> 00:25:59,279
mass of bioship split into several pieces and died. It

493
00:25:59,359 --> 00:26:00,960
was the first time iron she had ever seen a

494
00:26:01,000 --> 00:26:04,680
Vothok ship completely destroyed in less than a minute. Target

495
00:26:04,720 --> 00:26:08,839
the next destroyer continue firing. The other vortheck Eskirts were

496
00:26:08,839 --> 00:26:11,119
now moving to attack the modified Calorie ships, but they

497
00:26:11,119 --> 00:26:14,119
were having the same problem as their destroyed companion. Their

498
00:26:14,160 --> 00:26:17,319
adaptive armor, which had been so effective against energy weapons,

499
00:26:17,359 --> 00:26:21,440
could not stop high velocity solar projectiles. Captain Chan's voice

500
00:26:21,440 --> 00:26:24,880
came over the communication system. Admiral, now it would be

501
00:26:24,880 --> 00:26:27,880
a good time to observe something interesting. What do you mean,

502
00:26:28,559 --> 00:26:30,680
watch what happens when the Vothach tried to board one

503
00:26:30,680 --> 00:26:34,160
of our ships. As if responding to her words, several

504
00:26:34,160 --> 00:26:36,200
small vot at boarding pods launched from one of the

505
00:26:36,279 --> 00:26:39,759
Hunter class ships toward the human vessel Resilience. The pods

506
00:26:39,759 --> 00:26:42,240
attached themselves to the human ship's hull and began cutting

507
00:26:42,279 --> 00:26:46,519
through the armor with biomechanical tools. Captain, should we provide assistance,

508
00:26:47,319 --> 00:26:51,240
ask sixt Hor, Not yet, Admiral, this is part of

509
00:26:51,240 --> 00:26:54,279
the test. The Admiral watched as board if biou soldiers

510
00:26:54,359 --> 00:26:56,279
entered the human ship through the holes they had cut.

511
00:26:56,920 --> 00:26:59,160
These creatures were some of the most dangerous weapons in

512
00:26:59,200 --> 00:27:02,039
the enemy arsenal. They could adapt to any environment and

513
00:27:02,079 --> 00:27:05,559
could interface directly with enemy computer systems to take control

514
00:27:05,559 --> 00:27:08,640
of ships dot But after several minutes, something unexpected happened.

515
00:27:09,240 --> 00:27:11,480
Instead of the voard that taken control of the human ship,

516
00:27:11,599 --> 00:27:14,559
the boarding pots began detaching from the hull. The few

517
00:27:14,599 --> 00:27:16,599
bio soldiers that made it back to their pots look

518
00:27:16,640 --> 00:27:21,519
confused and agitated. Captain chn what just happened, Admiral. The

519
00:27:21,599 --> 00:27:25,240
Vorfek boarding process relies on their ability to interface with

520
00:27:25,279 --> 00:27:28,279
our computer systems and adapt to our technology. But our

521
00:27:28,279 --> 00:27:32,119
ships use analog control systems and mechanical interfaces. The bio

522
00:27:32,160 --> 00:27:36,440
soldiers cannot connect systems that are not digital, Commander, vaulta

523
00:27:36,519 --> 00:27:39,559
leaned forward. You mean their most dangerous weapon does not

524
00:27:39,599 --> 00:27:43,759
work against your ships exactly, Commander. They can cut through

525
00:27:43,799 --> 00:27:46,079
a hull, but once there inside they cannot take control

526
00:27:46,160 --> 00:27:48,960
of anything important. Our crew was able to drive them

527
00:27:48,960 --> 00:27:52,319
off with simple chemical weapons. The battle continued for another

528
00:27:52,359 --> 00:27:54,640
thirty minutes, but the outcome was no longer in doubt.

529
00:27:55,279 --> 00:27:58,680
The human kinetic weapons were devastating against Fortac bioships, and

530
00:27:58,720 --> 00:28:02,519
the traditional Votak bordering tactics were useless against human analog systems.

531
00:28:02,559 --> 00:28:05,440
Dot By the end of the engagement, all twenty fourth

532
00:28:05,480 --> 00:28:08,880
O Cascot's ships had been destroyed. The cargo vessels, lacking

533
00:28:08,920 --> 00:28:11,720
any significant weapons, tried to flee, but were easily captured

534
00:28:11,759 --> 00:28:15,160
by the faster human ships. Admiral, this is Captain chan,

535
00:28:15,759 --> 00:28:18,160
I suggest we examine one of the cargo ships before

536
00:28:18,200 --> 00:28:21,960
we destroy it. We might learn something useful about Vorthac technology,

537
00:28:22,559 --> 00:28:26,640
agreed Captain. But we should be careful. Vortac ships sometimes

538
00:28:26,680 --> 00:28:30,200
have self destruct mechanisms. The boarding team that investigated the

539
00:28:30,200 --> 00:28:33,920
capture cargo ship made several important discoveries. The ships by

540
00:28:34,039 --> 00:28:37,079
mechanical systems were incredibly advanced, but they were all designed

541
00:28:37,079 --> 00:28:39,359
around the assumption that the Vothak would be fighting enemies

542
00:28:39,359 --> 00:28:43,079
who used energy based technology. Chief Engineer Corvin, who had

543
00:28:43,119 --> 00:28:46,839
joined the boarding team, sent a report back to the Admiral. Admiral,

544
00:28:46,880 --> 00:28:50,200
the ship's defensive systems are amazing, but they are completely specialized.

545
00:28:50,880 --> 00:28:54,160
Every piece of armor, every adaptive mechanism, every heeling system

546
00:28:54,200 --> 00:28:57,880
is designed to counter energy weapons, plasma attacks, and digital systems.

547
00:28:58,519 --> 00:29:03,759
What about the defensive capabilities the same thing, Admiral. Their

548
00:29:03,759 --> 00:29:06,359
weapons are designed to o volowed energy shields and disrupt

549
00:29:06,359 --> 00:29:09,960
digital targeting systems. They have no weapons that are particularly

550
00:29:09,960 --> 00:29:13,440
effective against solid armor or analog systems. But the most

551
00:29:13,480 --> 00:29:16,200
important discovery came when the boarding team tried to interface

552
00:29:16,200 --> 00:29:20,200
with the cargochate computer systems. Vorthach by mechanical computers could

553
00:29:20,200 --> 00:29:23,759
not understand human technology at all. When presented with analog

554
00:29:23,839 --> 00:29:26,920
circuits and mechanical controls, the alien systems became confused and

555
00:29:26,920 --> 00:29:29,880
began malfunctioning. It is as if they have never encountered

556
00:29:29,880 --> 00:29:33,160
this type of technology before, reported the Chief Engineer. Third

557
00:29:33,200 --> 00:29:36,119
optation protocols keep trying to find digital interfaces that do

558
00:29:36,200 --> 00:29:41,160
not exist. Admirals Exterer, realize what this meant, Chief Engineer.

559
00:29:41,240 --> 00:29:43,680
Are you saying that the Vortek Empire has never conquered

560
00:29:43,680 --> 00:29:48,759
a species that used analog technology It but peers that way, Admiral.

561
00:29:49,279 --> 00:29:52,759
Every adaptation they have developed is based on fighting digital civilizations.

562
00:29:53,279 --> 00:29:56,599
The implications were staggering. The Vorthek had conquered hundreds of

563
00:29:56,599 --> 00:29:59,279
wells and dozens of species, but apparently every one of

564
00:29:59,319 --> 00:30:04,359
those civilizations had used advanced digital technology. The enemy had

565
00:30:04,400 --> 00:30:08,920
never encountered a species that still used mechanical annalog systems.

566
00:30:09,400 --> 00:30:12,440
Captain John requested a private communication with Admiral's x thorow

567
00:30:12,480 --> 00:30:16,240
after the battle. Admiral, this change is everything the fourth

568
00:30:16,319 --> 00:30:19,480
It can not invincible. They just appear invincible because every

569
00:30:19,559 --> 00:30:21,640
enemy they have fought has used the same basic types

570
00:30:21,680 --> 00:30:25,160
of technology. But Captain humanity cannot fight a million ship

571
00:30:25,160 --> 00:30:28,160
fleet alone, no matter how effective your weapons are. You

572
00:30:28,240 --> 00:30:31,200
are right, Admiral, But what if we could modify more

573
00:30:31,200 --> 00:30:33,799
of your ships? What if we could teach your entire

574
00:30:33,799 --> 00:30:37,319
fleet to fight using human tactics and weapons. Six horror

575
00:30:37,319 --> 00:30:40,279
thought about this possibility. They would take months to modify

576
00:30:40,279 --> 00:30:43,119
our entire fleet. We do not have that much time.

577
00:30:43,680 --> 00:30:46,559
We might not need to modify every ship, Admiral. We

578
00:30:46,720 --> 00:30:49,319
just need enough ships with kinetic weapons to cause confusion

579
00:30:49,359 --> 00:30:53,920
in the fourth are ranks. Once their adaptive systems start malfunctioning,

580
00:30:53,920 --> 00:30:56,960
your conventional weapons might become more effective to How do

581
00:30:57,000 --> 00:31:00,640
you figure that? Think about it, Admiral. The Votak has

582
00:31:00,680 --> 00:31:03,759
spent years developing defenses against energy weapons used by your people,

583
00:31:03,799 --> 00:31:06,440
But those defenses were developed while fighting an enemy who

584
00:31:06,480 --> 00:31:10,119
only used energy weapons. If we can disrupt their adaptation

585
00:31:10,240 --> 00:31:13,119
process with kinetic weapons, their existing defenses might not work

586
00:31:13,119 --> 00:31:16,440
properly any more. Commander Welter, who had been listening to

587
00:31:16,440 --> 00:31:19,880
the conversation, spoke up, Captain, are you suggesting that we

588
00:31:19,880 --> 00:31:25,559
could confuse their defensive systems exactly, Commander. Military adaptation requires

589
00:31:25,599 --> 00:31:29,240
consistent patterns. If we can introduce in consistent patterns into

590
00:31:29,279 --> 00:31:34,240
battle adaptive systems become much less effective. Admiral Admiral sek

591
00:31:34,279 --> 00:31:37,000
Sara looked at the tactical display showing the destroyed Vodic

592
00:31:37,079 --> 00:31:40,279
escort fleet. Twenty five ships that had seen in Vincible

593
00:31:40,359 --> 00:31:43,279
just hours ago were now floating debris, all because they

594
00:31:43,319 --> 00:31:46,079
had accounted weapons and tactics they had never seen before.

595
00:31:46,720 --> 00:31:49,440
Captain Chan, how many calories ships could your people modified

596
00:31:49,480 --> 00:31:53,720
before the final at all? With our current resources, maybe

597
00:31:53,720 --> 00:31:57,160
fifty ships, But Admiral, we would need access to your

598
00:31:57,160 --> 00:32:00,359
ship ouds and manufacturing facilities. We would all also need

599
00:32:00,400 --> 00:32:02,319
your people to learn how to maintain and operate the

600
00:32:02,359 --> 00:32:06,599
new weapons and in return. In return, Admiral, we offer

601
00:32:06,680 --> 00:32:09,720
humanities for commitment to this war. Every ship we have,

602
00:32:09,880 --> 00:32:13,200
every weapon we can build, every tactical innovation we can develop.

603
00:32:13,240 --> 00:32:16,440
Sextra made her decision. Captain Chen, you have a deal.

604
00:32:17,079 --> 00:32:20,200
Let us return to Calori Prime and begin preparations. We

605
00:32:20,279 --> 00:32:22,960
have a war to win. As the combined fleet prepared

606
00:32:22,960 --> 00:32:25,720
to leave the Teretis Nebula, admiral's Ekxtarer felt something she

607
00:32:25,759 --> 00:32:28,119
had not experienced in three years of fighting the Vortec.

608
00:32:29,160 --> 00:32:31,000
She felt like they had a real chance to survive

609
00:32:31,680 --> 00:32:34,880
the enemy had made their first mistake in the entire war.

610
00:32:35,039 --> 00:32:37,519
They had assumed that all civilizations would fight the same way.

611
00:32:38,160 --> 00:32:39,640
Now it was time to show them how wrong that

612
00:32:39,680 --> 00:32:42,680
assumption was. The news of the victory at Turtis Nebula

613
00:32:42,720 --> 00:32:45,279
spread through the Calorie fleet faster than any official report

614
00:32:45,319 --> 00:32:48,519
could travel within eyres of Admirals ex Thores returned to

615
00:32:48,559 --> 00:32:50,920
Calorie Prime. Every ship captain in the system knew that

616
00:32:51,000 --> 00:32:53,599
twenty Vorthek bioships had been destroyed without losing a single

617
00:32:53,640 --> 00:32:57,079
Allied vessel. For the first time in three years, Calorie

618
00:32:57,119 --> 00:32:59,680
crews were talking about winning instead of just surviving. General

619
00:32:59,720 --> 00:33:02,559
Mortar called an emergency meeting of the High Command. As

620
00:33:02,599 --> 00:33:06,359
soon as the admirals shuttle landed. The same room that

621
00:33:06,400 --> 00:33:08,400
had been filled with the spare three weeks earlier was

622
00:33:08,440 --> 00:33:12,599
now buzzing with excitement and possibility. Admiral's extror Captain Chan,

623
00:33:12,720 --> 00:33:15,480
please explain exactly what happened at Turdis, said the General.

624
00:33:15,519 --> 00:33:17,880
As soon as every one was seated, Sex activated the

625
00:33:17,920 --> 00:33:21,400
holographic display and showed the battle recordings. The room fell

626
00:33:21,480 --> 00:33:24,960
silent as the commander's warfact destroyers being torn apart by

627
00:33:25,039 --> 00:33:28,440
kinetic weapons. When The display showed bio soldiers fleeing from

628
00:33:28,440 --> 00:33:31,680
a human ship and confusion. Several officers have shutcheed. The

629
00:33:31,759 --> 00:33:34,880
implications are clear, said doctor Lenara from the Science Division.

630
00:33:35,400 --> 00:33:37,759
The Fourth Act have a fundamental weakenss that we can exploit.

631
00:33:37,839 --> 00:33:41,640
Their entire military doctrine is based on fighting advanced digital civilizations.

632
00:33:42,279 --> 00:33:45,079
Admiral Techarn raised his hand, but can we can we

633
00:33:45,200 --> 00:33:47,359
really modify enough ships to make a difference. The final

634
00:33:47,400 --> 00:33:50,599
battle is still only four months away. Captain Chain stood up. Admiral,

635
00:33:50,720 --> 00:33:52,640
We have been working on that problem during the journey

636
00:33:52,640 --> 00:33:54,720
back to Calorie Prime. We believe we can create a

637
00:33:54,799 --> 00:33:57,400
hybrid approach that will be more efficient than completely converting

638
00:33:57,440 --> 00:34:00,000
your ships. What do you mean by hybrid approach? Instead

639
00:34:00,000 --> 00:34:02,319
head of removing all your energy weapons, we can add

640
00:34:02,359 --> 00:34:05,039
kinetic weaponpods to your existing ships. This way, you keep

641
00:34:05,079 --> 00:34:07,519
your current fireport but gain the ability to confuse forotic

642
00:34:07,559 --> 00:34:11,280
adaptive systems. Chief Engineer Corvin, who had been studying human

643
00:34:11,320 --> 00:34:14,719
technology for the past week, added his analysis. The human

644
00:34:14,800 --> 00:34:17,519
kinetic weapons are actually quite simple to manufacture. We could

645
00:34:17,519 --> 00:34:21,679
begin mass production immediately using our existing industrial facilities. General

646
00:34:21,719 --> 00:34:24,679
Mordical lean forward. How many ships could we modify with

647
00:34:24,760 --> 00:34:28,880
this hybrid approach. Captain Chun consulted a data tablet. With

648
00:34:29,000 --> 00:34:31,679
the full cooperation of your ship heads and manufacturing centers,

649
00:34:31,920 --> 00:34:34,599
we estimate we could modify approximately three hundred ships and

650
00:34:34,639 --> 00:34:37,519
four months. That would give you enough hybrid vessels to

651
00:34:37,559 --> 00:34:41,360
disrupt fourth informations during the final battle, three hundred ships

652
00:34:41,400 --> 00:34:44,400
with kinetic weapons against one million fortic vessels us IT

653
00:34:44,519 --> 00:34:48,519
Admiral Insorer. The odds are still terrible. What they are

654
00:34:49,239 --> 00:34:52,599
not helpless, said k Sorer. We learn something else important

655
00:34:52,639 --> 00:34:55,760
during the battle. When voth A adaptive systems are confused

656
00:34:55,800 --> 00:34:58,920
by kinetic weapons, their defenses against energy weapons become much

657
00:34:59,000 --> 00:35:02,519
less effective. She activated another section of the battle recording.

658
00:35:03,199 --> 00:35:06,000
Watch what happens when we fired conventional plasma weapons at

659
00:35:06,000 --> 00:35:09,239
bioships that had already been hit by kinetic projectiles. The

660
00:35:09,320 --> 00:35:12,639
display shared the final phase of the Tardius battle. Calary

661
00:35:13,280 --> 00:35:16,320
ships using normal energy weapons were achieving much better results

662
00:35:16,320 --> 00:35:18,800
against fort that bioship that had been damaged by human

663
00:35:18,840 --> 00:35:22,360
kinetic weapons. The enemy armor, that usually adapted quickly to

664
00:35:22,400 --> 00:35:25,400
plasma file was slow to respond and less effective. The

665
00:35:25,480 --> 00:35:29,119
kinetic weapons disrupt their entire adaptive process, explained Captain Chum.

666
00:35:29,760 --> 00:35:33,039
Once therebiomechanical systems are confused, they cannot adapt, probably to

667
00:35:33,119 --> 00:35:37,480
any weapons. Doctor Lenaro was studying the data carefully. Captain,

668
00:35:37,639 --> 00:35:39,559
do you think this disruption effect would work on a

669
00:35:39,679 --> 00:35:43,760
larger scale during a major fleet engagement. We believe so,

670
00:35:44,039 --> 00:35:47,840
Doctor Oh. Analysis suggests that forthack ships share information about

671
00:35:47,880 --> 00:35:51,280
adaptive responses through some kind of biological network. If we

672
00:35:51,320 --> 00:35:53,239
can confuse enough ships at the beginning of a battle,

673
00:35:53,360 --> 00:35:55,360
the confusion might spread to other ships in their fleet.

674
00:35:56,079 --> 00:35:58,719
Commander Velter, who had been quite during most of the meeting,

675
00:35:58,880 --> 00:36:02,679
finally spoke up. This could actually work. If we position

676
00:36:02,760 --> 00:36:04,840
the hybrid ships correctly, we might be able to create

677
00:36:04,920 --> 00:36:09,599
chaos in their entire formation. General Mordoc mate's decision very well.

678
00:36:10,239 --> 00:36:14,199
We will commit all available resources to this project. Admiral's Extorer,

679
00:36:14,360 --> 00:36:17,639
you will oversee this ship modifications, Captain Chen, we need

680
00:36:17,679 --> 00:36:19,639
your people to train our crews in human tactics and

681
00:36:19,679 --> 00:36:23,719
weapons operation. General, we will need more than just ship modifications,

682
00:36:23,800 --> 00:36:26,400
said Captain Chen. We also need to change how your

683
00:36:26,440 --> 00:36:30,800
flee fights. Hallary battle tactics so designed around energy weapons

684
00:36:30,840 --> 00:36:34,280
and long range engagements. Kinetic weapons work best at shorter

685
00:36:34,400 --> 00:36:37,800
ranges with different timing. What are you suggesting we need

686
00:36:37,880 --> 00:36:40,840
to train your flee commanders in human combat doctrine. Our

687
00:36:40,920 --> 00:36:44,519
tactics are based on overwhelming concentrated firepower and rapid position changes,

688
00:36:45,280 --> 00:36:48,519
very different from traditional calorie strategies. Admirals zachs Starr nodded.

689
00:36:48,559 --> 00:36:50,880
Captain Chaine is right. During the teutiest battle, I noticed

690
00:36:50,880 --> 00:36:52,920
that human ships moved and fought in ways I had

691
00:36:52,960 --> 00:36:55,159
never seen before. Their co ordination was excellent, but their

692
00:36:55,199 --> 00:36:57,280
methods were completely foreign to us. How long would it

693
00:36:57,320 --> 00:36:59,320
take to retrain our commanders? At least two months of

694
00:36:59,320 --> 00:37:02,039
intentsive train in Admiral we would need to practice new formations,

695
00:37:02,280 --> 00:37:05,719
new timing, new communication per calls, general more to c

696
00:37:05,760 --> 00:37:09,159
looked around the room. Do we have any other choice? No,

697
00:37:09,400 --> 00:37:13,320
Sir said sex Sorer. Conventional tactics have failed for three years.

698
00:37:14,119 --> 00:37:15,960
If we want to survive the final battle, we need

699
00:37:16,000 --> 00:37:18,679
to fight in ways the Vota kav never encountered. The

700
00:37:18,760 --> 00:37:22,000
next four months transformed the Calarian military more completely than

701
00:37:22,039 --> 00:37:26,280
the previous century of gradual improvements. Human engineers worked alongside

702
00:37:26,320 --> 00:37:29,800
calorie technicians and Shippard's throughout the confederation. The sound of

703
00:37:29,840 --> 00:37:32,199
kinetic weapons being tested could be heard on dozens of

704
00:37:32,280 --> 00:37:35,320
worlds as crews learned to operate their new equipment. Captain

705
00:37:35,360 --> 00:37:38,119
chn established a training academy on Calorie Prime where human

706
00:37:38,199 --> 00:37:41,280
instructors talk Calorie officers how to fight using Earth combat doctrine.

707
00:37:41,760 --> 00:37:44,719
The classes were intense enough and frustrating for commanders who

708
00:37:44,760 --> 00:37:48,199
had spent their entire careers using energy based tactics. The

709
00:37:48,320 --> 00:37:51,400
key difference, Captain Chun explained to a group of Calorie admirals,

710
00:37:51,639 --> 00:37:53,840
is that human tactics assume the enemy will adapt to

711
00:37:53,840 --> 00:37:57,519
your weapons. Therefore, we focus on changing our approach faster

712
00:37:57,639 --> 00:38:00,480
than the enemy can respond. Admiral Rous and one of

713
00:38:00,519 --> 00:38:03,840
the older commanders raise his hand. Captain, this requires us

714
00:38:03,880 --> 00:38:07,519
to constantly modify about a plans during combat. Calorie doctrine

715
00:38:07,559 --> 00:38:11,800
emphasizes careful planning and consistent execution, and Calorie doctrine has

716
00:38:11,840 --> 00:38:15,039
been feeling against them worth up for three years, Admiral,

717
00:38:15,639 --> 00:38:18,280
you need to learn to improvise. The training was not

718
00:38:18,440 --> 00:38:22,119
limited to ship commanders. Human marines worked with Calorie ground

719
00:38:22,199 --> 00:38:25,760
forces to develop new boarding and defensive tactics. The Calorie

720
00:38:25,800 --> 00:38:29,719
had always relied on energy barriers and digital security systems

721
00:38:29,760 --> 00:38:32,559
to protect their ships from borders. Now they were learning

722
00:38:32,599 --> 00:38:36,480
to use mechanical locks, chemical weapons, and analog communication systems.

723
00:38:37,119 --> 00:38:39,159
The idea is to make your ships as confusing as

724
00:38:39,199 --> 00:38:42,519
possible for vote the biosoldiers, explain Sergeant Maria Rodriguez, a

725
00:38:42,599 --> 00:38:46,039
human marine instructor, every system the encounter should be something

726
00:38:46,079 --> 00:38:49,559
they have never seen before. Meanwhile, the ship modification program

727
00:38:49,760 --> 00:38:53,519
was proceeding faster than anyone had expected. Human kinetic weapons

728
00:38:53,559 --> 00:38:56,280
were simpler to manufacture than calorie energy weapons, and the

729
00:38:56,360 --> 00:38:58,960
hybrid approach meant that existing ships could be upgraded without

730
00:38:58,960 --> 00:39:03,199
complete reconstruction. Chief Engineer Corvin reported to Admiral's Xtra every

731
00:39:03,239 --> 00:39:06,719
week on the program's progress. We have completed modifications on

732
00:39:06,800 --> 00:39:10,239
two hundred forty ships so far, Admiral. The remaining sixty

733
00:39:10,280 --> 00:39:12,719
ships should be finished within the next month. How are

734
00:39:12,719 --> 00:39:16,480
the crews adapt into the new weapons better than expected? Admiral?

735
00:39:17,000 --> 00:39:20,000
The kinetic weapons are actually easier to operate than plasma canons.

736
00:39:20,639 --> 00:39:25,079
No complex energy calculations or heat management required. Point and shoot.

737
00:39:25,679 --> 00:39:28,960
What about ammunition supplies? That was a concern initially, but

738
00:39:29,079 --> 00:39:32,719
human manufacturing techniques are very efficient. We can produce ginetic

739
00:39:32,760 --> 00:39:35,960
projectors much faster than we can manufacture energy weapon components.

740
00:39:36,639 --> 00:39:39,679
The most significant breakthrough came when doctor Lenaris science team

741
00:39:39,679 --> 00:39:42,079
discovered that they could improve the kinetic weapons even further

742
00:39:42,159 --> 00:39:46,000
by studying Poorfook bioship samples from the Totis battle. Admiral

743
00:39:46,079 --> 00:39:49,480
we found something interesting about forth the Chaumer, she reported

744
00:39:49,559 --> 00:39:52,239
during one of the weekly briefings. Their adaptive biable is

745
00:39:52,239 --> 00:39:55,199
extremely effective against energy attacks because it can absorb and

746
00:39:55,239 --> 00:39:58,400
redistribute energy, but it actually becomes weaker when it tries

747
00:39:58,480 --> 00:40:01,360
to adapt to physical impacts. What does that mean for

748
00:40:01,480 --> 00:40:05,119
our weapons? It means we can design kinetic projectors specifically

749
00:40:05,159 --> 00:40:08,320
to exploit this weakness. We have developed new ammunition that

750
00:40:08,360 --> 00:40:10,800
becomes more effective the more the Vodkama tries to adapt

751
00:40:10,880 --> 00:40:14,599
to it. Captain Chen was impressed by this development. Doctor

752
00:40:14,800 --> 00:40:17,039
Yev turned our weapons from a surprise attack into a

753
00:40:17,119 --> 00:40:20,880
permanent advantage. Even if the vod the colod about kinetic weapons,

754
00:40:20,880 --> 00:40:23,880
they will not be able to develop effective defenses. As

755
00:40:23,920 --> 00:40:26,800
the final month before the expective for the attack approached,

756
00:40:27,000 --> 00:40:29,840
Admirals K's Tower conducted a series of large scale training

757
00:40:29,920 --> 00:40:33,599
exercises to test the new hybrid fleet. The results were encouraging,

758
00:40:33,840 --> 00:40:37,079
but also revealed areas that needed improvement. The good news

759
00:40:37,159 --> 00:40:39,920
is that our kinetic weapons are devastatingly effective, she reported

760
00:40:39,960 --> 00:40:43,000
to General Mordock. The bad news is that coordinating three

761
00:40:43,079 --> 00:40:46,639
hundred ships using completely different tactics is extremely challenging. What

762
00:40:46,840 --> 00:40:51,000
kind of coordination problems are you seeing? Timing mostly human

763
00:40:51,079 --> 00:40:54,519
tactics require very precise co ordination between kinetic and energy

764
00:40:54,559 --> 00:40:57,920
weapon attacks. If the timing is wrong, the weapons interfere

765
00:40:57,960 --> 00:41:01,000
with each other instead of supporting each other. Captain Chan

766
00:41:01,079 --> 00:41:04,000
had a solution for this problem, Admiral, we need to

767
00:41:04,039 --> 00:41:08,360
restructure your fleet organization. Instead of traditional calorie formations, we

768
00:41:08,400 --> 00:41:11,840
should organize ships into mixed human calorie battle groups. How

769
00:41:11,880 --> 00:41:14,840
would that work? Each battle group would of human ships

770
00:41:14,880 --> 00:41:18,480
providing kinetic weapons support and tactical coordination with calorie ships

771
00:41:18,519 --> 00:41:21,920
providing heavy energy at weapon firebar. The human crews would

772
00:41:21,960 --> 00:41:24,159
handle the timing and co ordination because they are trained

773
00:41:24,159 --> 00:41:28,159
in these tactics. Admiral's Extar approved the reorganization and the

774
00:41:28,239 --> 00:41:32,079
results were immediately obvious. Mixed battle groups performed much better

775
00:41:32,119 --> 00:41:35,559
than pure calorie formations using hybrid tactics. But the most

776
00:41:35,599 --> 00:41:38,079
important test came when long range scops reported that the

777
00:41:38,159 --> 00:41:41,519
Voly Grand Fleet had begun moving toward Calorie space. Over

778
00:41:41,639 --> 00:41:44,199
one million bioships were traveling in information so large that

779
00:41:44,239 --> 00:41:46,239
it would take ayos for the entire fleet to pasture

780
00:41:46,280 --> 00:41:49,119
a single star system. They will arrive in two weeks,

781
00:41:49,280 --> 00:41:53,039
reported the Chief Intelligence Officer. Our latest estimates suggest they

782
00:41:53,079 --> 00:41:55,719
have even more ships than we originally thought. The grand

783
00:41:55,760 --> 00:41:58,360
Fleet may contain as many as one point two million vessels.

784
00:41:59,079 --> 00:42:04,039
General morticulled final planning meeting Admiral's Extorer, Captain Chun, are

785
00:42:04,039 --> 00:42:07,239
are we ready to Extoro? Looked at the tactical displays

786
00:42:07,280 --> 00:42:10,639
showing the positions of the modified Calorie fleet three hundred

787
00:42:10,639 --> 00:42:14,599
ships with kinetic weapons, fifty human vessels, four thousand conventional

788
00:42:14,679 --> 00:42:18,599
Calorie ships against more than a million Vovak bioships. General,

789
00:42:18,760 --> 00:42:21,159
we are as ready as we can be. The hybrid

790
00:42:21,199 --> 00:42:24,199
ships are fully operational, the crews are trained in human tactics,

791
00:42:24,239 --> 00:42:26,480
and we have enough kinetic ammunition for a long battle.

792
00:42:27,079 --> 00:42:30,679
Captain Chan, what is your assessment? General? We have given

793
00:42:30,719 --> 00:42:32,679
the Calorie the tools they need to win, but the

794
00:42:32,719 --> 00:42:35,599
final battle will depend on execution, timing, and a little

795
00:42:35,599 --> 00:42:39,039
bit of luck. General Mordak nodded, Then we will make

796
00:42:39,079 --> 00:42:42,119
our stand at Calori Prime. If we lose, at least

797
00:42:42,119 --> 00:42:44,079
we will lose fighting with every advantage we could gain.

798
00:42:44,599 --> 00:42:47,000
Admiral's extarer looked around the room at the faces of

799
00:42:47,039 --> 00:42:50,239
her fellow commanders. Two months ago, these same people had

800
00:42:50,280 --> 00:42:53,400
been preparing for extinction. Now they were preparing for the

801
00:42:53,480 --> 00:42:56,000
largest base battle in the Lactic history, and they actually

802
00:42:56,039 --> 00:42:58,239
believed they could win. The Fourth Act ro about to

803
00:42:58,239 --> 00:43:00,880
discover that their greatest strength was also their greatest weakness.

804
00:43:01,559 --> 00:43:03,760
Their ability to adapt to any enemy had made them

805
00:43:03,800 --> 00:43:06,480
over confident. They had never faced an enemy who could

806
00:43:06,519 --> 00:43:10,119
exploit their adaptation process itself. In two weeks, the war

807
00:43:10,119 --> 00:43:12,559
would end one way or another. But for the first

808
00:43:12,599 --> 00:43:14,920
time since the conflict began, the cavalry fleet was not

809
00:43:15,079 --> 00:43:17,960
just hoping to survive. They were planning to achieve something

810
00:43:18,039 --> 00:43:21,440
no species had accomplished in three years of Vothak expansion.

811
00:43:21,960 --> 00:43:24,880
They were planning to win. The Vothak Ran fleet arrived

812
00:43:24,880 --> 00:43:26,840
at the Calory Prime like a plague of living metal

813
00:43:26,880 --> 00:43:29,840
and flesh. Admirals Extra stood on the bridge of the

814
00:43:29,920 --> 00:43:33,039
Starlight Defender and watched through the viewing screen as more

815
00:43:33,079 --> 00:43:37,119
than one million bioships dropped out of hyperspace. The enemy

816
00:43:37,159 --> 00:43:40,079
formation stretched cross space for millions of kilometers, blotting out

817
00:43:40,079 --> 00:43:43,079
the stars with their dark halls. Admiral I am reading

818
00:43:43,119 --> 00:43:46,360
one point three million vothock vessels, reported Lieutenant Kiris, her

819
00:43:46,440 --> 00:43:49,480
voice barely steady. The lead ships are entering the outer

820
00:43:49,599 --> 00:43:52,480
system now. The site was terrifying, even for crews who

821
00:43:52,519 --> 00:43:55,440
had been preparing for this moment for months. The largest

822
00:43:55,480 --> 00:43:57,639
fourfolk ships were the size of small moons, covered in

823
00:43:57,679 --> 00:44:01,400
thousands of weapon pods. That pulls were organicolite. Smaller bios

824
00:44:01,400 --> 00:44:03,800
ships warmed around the giants like in six around a corpse.

825
00:44:04,440 --> 00:44:06,800
All ships, this is Admiral Zic Thorough, She announced over

826
00:44:06,840 --> 00:44:10,960
the fleet communication system. Today we make our stand. Today,

827
00:44:11,000 --> 00:44:14,079
we show the galaxy that the Calorie Confederation will not

828
00:44:14,159 --> 00:44:18,239
die quietly. All battle groups moved to assigned positions. The

829
00:44:18,360 --> 00:44:22,360
modified Calory Fleet began moving into formation around Calory Prime.

830
00:44:22,440 --> 00:44:24,920
Three hundred ships with human kinetic weapons spread out among

831
00:44:25,000 --> 00:44:28,960
four thousand conventional vessels. Captain Chan's fifty human ships took

832
00:44:29,000 --> 00:44:31,480
position at key points where they could provide tactical coordination.

833
00:44:32,199 --> 00:44:35,480
Captain Chen, are your forces ready? Us Sex thorough over

834
00:44:35,559 --> 00:44:39,760
the private command channel. Ready, Admiral, Remember, we need to

835
00:44:39,800 --> 00:44:42,639
hit them with kinetic weapons first to disrupt their adaptive systems.

836
00:44:43,320 --> 00:44:46,559
Once they are confused, your energy weapons will be much

837
00:44:46,599 --> 00:44:51,119
more effective. Understood, All hybrid battle groups prepare for initial

838
00:44:51,159 --> 00:44:54,400
kinetic strikes. The Vorthach fleet continued its approach with the

839
00:44:54,440 --> 00:44:57,199
confidence of predators who had never failed to consume their prey.

840
00:44:57,800 --> 00:45:00,320
At the center of their formation a massive queensip with

841
00:45:00,360 --> 00:45:04,880
biomechanical energy. Admiralsic Starr knew that destroying that ship was

842
00:45:04,920 --> 00:45:06,960
the key to victory, but it was protected by thousands

843
00:45:07,000 --> 00:45:10,760
of escort vessels. The enemy is entering weapons range, announced

844
00:45:10,760 --> 00:45:15,559
Commander Velter four. The bioships are beginning to grow adaptive armor, perfect,

845
00:45:15,960 --> 00:45:18,960
said Captain Chan. They are preparing for the same kind

846
00:45:19,000 --> 00:45:21,800
of battle they have fought a hundred times before. Begin

847
00:45:21,920 --> 00:45:25,519
the attack, the first wave of projectile streaked cross bays

848
00:45:25,519 --> 00:45:28,800
at thirty percent of light speed. The fourth ships, expecting

849
00:45:28,880 --> 00:45:31,519
energy weapons, had grown armored designed to absorb and to

850
00:45:31,559 --> 00:45:34,840
fleck plasma fire. The solid metal rods punched through their

851
00:45:34,880 --> 00:45:37,840
defenses like they were made of paper. Dozens of fourth

852
00:45:37,880 --> 00:45:40,159
of five ships exploded as kinetic rounds told through their

853
00:45:40,280 --> 00:45:43,599
vital systems. The enemy fleet immediately tried to atap, but

854
00:45:43,639 --> 00:45:46,639
the biomechanical systems had never encountered this type of attack before.

855
00:45:47,280 --> 00:45:49,719
The adaptive armor began growing thicker, but this made the

856
00:45:49,760 --> 00:45:53,280
ships lower and less maneuverable. Direct hits on forty seven

857
00:45:53,920 --> 00:45:58,000
enemy vessels, reported the targeting officer. Multiple ships destroyed, others

858
00:45:58,039 --> 00:46:00,960
heavily damaged, but the VOD fleet was so large that

859
00:46:01,079 --> 00:46:05,000
losing fifty ships barely affected their overall strength. The bioships

860
00:46:05,039 --> 00:46:07,880
began returning fire with their own weapons, streams of living

861
00:46:07,960 --> 00:46:10,360
metal that could bone through energy shields and consume enemy

862
00:46:10,440 --> 00:46:15,760
vessels incoming fire. Cold Conander Volter all ships evasive maneuvers.

863
00:46:16,480 --> 00:46:19,599
The Calorie fleet scattered according to human tactical doctrine, avoiding

864
00:46:19,639 --> 00:46:22,519
the concentrated Forthak fire while maintaining their own attack patterns.

865
00:46:23,199 --> 00:46:26,559
This was completely different from traditional Calorie tactics, which relied

866
00:46:26,599 --> 00:46:30,440
on holding formation and treating firepower second wave fire kinetic

867
00:46:30,480 --> 00:46:33,880
weapons orders to e ex Single quotes stah Adot, another

868
00:46:34,000 --> 00:46:37,719
volley of solid projectiles slammed into the Vorthik formation. This time,

869
00:46:37,840 --> 00:46:40,639
the enemy ships tried a different editation, growing reactive armor

870
00:46:40,719 --> 00:46:43,559
that exploded outward went hit, but the kinetic grounds were

871
00:46:43,599 --> 00:46:45,960
moving too fast and hit too hard for reactive armor

872
00:46:46,039 --> 00:46:50,039
to stop them. Admiral the Vortheker trying something new, reported

873
00:46:50,079 --> 00:46:53,119
Doctor Lennar from the science station. Their ships are linking

874
00:46:53,199 --> 00:46:57,360
together into larger formations and sharing adaptive information. Captain Chin's

875
00:46:57,400 --> 00:47:01,239
voice came over the communication system. Admiral, now is the

876
00:47:01,280 --> 00:47:04,079
time to use your energy weapons. Hit the ships that

877
00:47:04,199 --> 00:47:07,960
have been damaged by kinetic fire. All conventional ships target damaged,

878
00:47:07,960 --> 00:47:11,679
fourthacked vessels with energy weapons. The plasma cannons and particle

879
00:47:11,719 --> 00:47:14,440
beams of the regular Calorie fleet open fire on bioships

880
00:47:14,440 --> 00:47:17,440
that had already been hit by kinetic weapons. The results

881
00:47:17,480 --> 00:47:21,760
were devastating. The Vorthak adaptive armor, confused by the connecticutt ACKs,

882
00:47:21,960 --> 00:47:25,519
could not properly defend against the energy weapons. The bioships

883
00:47:25,559 --> 00:47:28,679
are not adapting correctly, observed command of Vaulter with excitement.

884
00:47:29,320 --> 00:47:34,400
Their defensive systems are malfunctioning, keep firing orders, etcetera. All

885
00:47:34,440 --> 00:47:36,840
ships concentrate fire on targets that have been hit by

886
00:47:36,920 --> 00:47:40,639
kinetic weapons. The battle ridge across the Calorie system for ayres.

887
00:47:41,400 --> 00:47:43,920
The Vortak fleet was so large that even destroying hundreds

888
00:47:43,920 --> 00:47:46,400
of ships made little difference to their overall numbers, but

889
00:47:46,519 --> 00:47:50,119
the human calorie tactics were working. Enemy bioships that should

890
00:47:50,119 --> 00:47:52,480
have adapted to the attacks within minutes, were being destroyed

891
00:47:52,519 --> 00:47:54,480
by weapons they should have been immune to you. But

892
00:47:54,559 --> 00:47:58,920
the Vothak were not helpless. They began changing their tactics,

893
00:47:59,039 --> 00:48:01,519
sending smaller ships to attack the human vessels while their

894
00:48:01,599 --> 00:48:04,960
larger ships focused on the modified Calorie cruisers. They had

895
00:48:04,960 --> 00:48:07,800
to identified the kinetic weapons as the source of their problems.

896
00:48:08,480 --> 00:48:12,320
Admiral Human Ship Proscilience is under heavy attack, reported Lieutenant Caius,

897
00:48:13,079 --> 00:48:16,599
their requesting assistance. Battle groups even moved to support the

898
00:48:16,639 --> 00:48:19,880
Resilience order to ex Thorer. The battle was becoming more

899
00:48:19,960 --> 00:48:23,119
chaotic as both cite adapted to each other's tactics. The

900
00:48:23,239 --> 00:48:26,239
Vorthak were learning to avoid ships with kinetic weapons, while

901
00:48:26,239 --> 00:48:28,559
the human Calorie Allianes was learning to protect their most

902
00:48:28,639 --> 00:48:32,400
valuable vessels dot But then something unexpected happened. A group

903
00:48:32,480 --> 00:48:35,519
of four at bioships attempted to board the human vessel

904
00:48:35,679 --> 00:48:39,480
Enterprise using their standard boarding tactics. The bio soldiers entered

905
00:48:39,519 --> 00:48:42,800
the human ship through hull breaches, expecting to take control

906
00:48:42,840 --> 00:48:46,280
of the vessel systems. Instead, the boarding attempt turned into

907
00:48:46,320 --> 00:48:49,920
a disaster for the Vorthek. The biosoldiers found themselves in

908
00:48:49,960 --> 00:48:53,559
a shipful of analog controls, mechanical systems, and chemical weapons.

909
00:48:54,199 --> 00:48:57,519
Their ability to interface with enemy technology was completely useless.

910
00:48:58,079 --> 00:49:01,199
This as Captain Rodriguez of the Enterprise came transmission, the

911
00:49:01,280 --> 00:49:04,760
worthic boarding parts are retreating. They cannot understand their systems

912
00:49:04,800 --> 00:49:08,800
at all. But more importantly, the confused biosoldiers began transmitting

913
00:49:08,800 --> 00:49:10,880
their confusion back to the main Vorthak fleet through their

914
00:49:10,920 --> 00:49:15,920
biological communication network. Other bioships started receiving contradictory information about

915
00:49:16,000 --> 00:49:20,400
human technology, which caused their own adaptive systems to malfunction. Admiral,

916
00:49:20,480 --> 00:49:23,760
something strange is happening to the Vorthak fleet, reported Doctor Lenure.

917
00:49:24,440 --> 00:49:28,440
Their coordination is breaking down. Ships are acting independently instead

918
00:49:28,480 --> 00:49:33,840
of as a unified force. Captain Chun realized what was happening, Admiral.

919
00:49:33,920 --> 00:49:37,119
The biological communication network that makes the Vorthak so effective

920
00:49:37,239 --> 00:49:40,440
is also their weakness. The confusion from our analog systems

921
00:49:40,480 --> 00:49:43,239
is spreading through their entire fleet to ac thirs all

922
00:49:43,280 --> 00:49:48,400
the opportunity immediately all ships brests the attack tugger the

923
00:49:48,480 --> 00:49:51,960
largest Buyer ships. While their systems are malfunctioning, the Alliance

924
00:49:52,000 --> 00:49:54,760
fleet surged forward, focusing their combined firepur and the mass

925
00:49:54,800 --> 00:49:58,519
of Vorthik command ships. Without proper coordination, the Buio ships

926
00:49:58,519 --> 00:50:01,480
could not support each other effectively. Ships that should have

927
00:50:01,559 --> 00:50:05,199
been nearly invincible were being destroyed by coordinated attacks. We

928
00:50:05,280 --> 00:50:08,079
are breaking through their outer formations, reported Command of Velter.

929
00:50:08,840 --> 00:50:11,599
The path to the Queenship is clearing that the Queenship

930
00:50:11,599 --> 00:50:15,119
itself was not helpless. The massive vessel, larger than any

931
00:50:15,159 --> 00:50:17,599
other ship in the battle, began moving toward Caloy Prine.

932
00:50:18,159 --> 00:50:20,320
Its intention was clear. If the Vorta could not win

933
00:50:20,360 --> 00:50:22,079
the space battle, they would land on the planet and

934
00:50:22,119 --> 00:50:26,000
consume it directly. We cannot let that ship reached the planet,

935
00:50:26,119 --> 00:50:30,119
said Dick Thorough. All available ships interset the Queenship. The

936
00:50:30,199 --> 00:50:33,239
final phase of the battle became a desperate race. Every

937
00:50:33,360 --> 00:50:35,880
human ship and every modified Colony vessel that could still

938
00:50:35,920 --> 00:50:39,039
fight converged in the queenship, firing kinetic weapons and energy

939
00:50:39,159 --> 00:50:42,239
weapons as fast as they could. The massive Bowship fought

940
00:50:42,280 --> 00:50:44,840
back with weapons that could destroy cruises with single shots.

941
00:50:45,599 --> 00:50:48,119
Captain Chin ship. The Resilients led the attack on the

942
00:50:48,199 --> 00:50:51,880
queenship's hull. Admiral, we need to get boarding powers inside

943
00:50:51,920 --> 00:50:54,800
that ship. If we can disrupt its control systems, the

944
00:50:55,000 --> 00:50:58,800
entire Vorthek fleet might collapse. Captain, our boarding shuttles cannot

945
00:50:58,800 --> 00:51:01,519
survive the weapons fire around them. Ship. Then we will

946
00:51:01,559 --> 00:51:04,519
have to run through, Admiral. The Resilience can take more

947
00:51:04,599 --> 00:51:07,239
damage than your ships. We will create a breach that

948
00:51:07,320 --> 00:51:12,119
your marines can use. Captain. That is a suicide mission, maybe, Admiral,

949
00:51:12,679 --> 00:51:14,559
but if we do not stop that ship, your planet

950
00:51:14,639 --> 00:51:18,159
dies anyway. The Resilience accelerated toward the queen Ship at

951
00:51:18,199 --> 00:51:21,440
maximum speed. Fourth act defensive fire tour through the human

952
00:51:21,559 --> 00:51:24,880
vessel's armor, but the ship kept flying. At the last moment,

953
00:51:24,960 --> 00:51:27,679
Captain Chun activated a chemical explosive device that had been

954
00:51:27,719 --> 00:51:30,480
installed in the ship's cargo bay. The explosion tore a

955
00:51:30,559 --> 00:51:32,480
massive hull in the queen Ship's hull, but it also

956
00:51:32,519 --> 00:51:36,119
destroyed the Resilience completely. Captain Chun and her crew died

957
00:51:36,119 --> 00:51:38,079
in the blast, but they had created the opening that

958
00:51:38,159 --> 00:51:43,280
the Alliance needed. All marine shuttles assault the breech ordered

959
00:51:43,280 --> 00:51:47,079
Admiral's xt hour human and calorie marines board that ship

960
00:51:47,159 --> 00:51:49,840
and destroy its command center. The boarding part is that

961
00:51:50,000 --> 00:51:52,760
entered the Queen Ship carried chemical weapons, mechanical tools, and

962
00:51:52,800 --> 00:51:57,079
analog communication devices. The Vorfac bio soldiers inside the ship

963
00:51:57,159 --> 00:52:00,639
had never encountered enemies like this everywhere, and the marines

964
00:52:00,679 --> 00:52:03,800
used was something the Vothach had never seen before. Sergeant Rodriguez,

965
00:52:04,000 --> 00:52:07,719
leading the human marines, reported from inside the queenship, Admiral,

966
00:52:07,960 --> 00:52:09,960
we have reached what appears to be the command's center.

967
00:52:10,599 --> 00:52:12,599
It is some kind of organic brain connected to the

968
00:52:12,679 --> 00:52:17,639
ship systems. Can you destroy it? Yes, Admiral, we brought

969
00:52:17,719 --> 00:52:22,159
chemical explosive specifically designed to destroy biological targets. The explosion

970
00:52:22,199 --> 00:52:24,440
that destroyed the Queen Ship's command center was felt throughout

971
00:52:24,440 --> 00:52:27,679
the Vordak fleet. The massive vessel stopped moving and began

972
00:52:27,719 --> 00:52:31,440
to break apart. More importantly, the biological communication network that

973
00:52:31,480 --> 00:52:34,079
connected all Vorthak ships went silent. Without the Queen mind

974
00:52:34,119 --> 00:52:38,599
to coordinate them, the individual Vorthak bioships became confused and disorganized.

975
00:52:39,239 --> 00:52:40,960
They had spent so many years as parts of a

976
00:52:41,039 --> 00:52:44,639
collective intelligence that they could not function independently. Some ships

977
00:52:44,679 --> 00:52:47,719
fled toward the edge of the system, others simply stopped

978
00:52:47,719 --> 00:52:51,440
moving and floated helplessly in space. Admiral, the Worthak fleet

979
00:52:51,679 --> 00:52:54,559
is in complete disarray, reported Command of Welter, with amazement.

980
00:52:55,320 --> 00:52:58,760
They are not fighting back anymore. All ships continued the attack,

981
00:52:59,559 --> 00:53:02,199
destroyed as many enemy vessels as you can before they recover.

982
00:53:02,920 --> 00:53:05,639
The Alliance fleet spent the next several iOS hunting down

983
00:53:05,719 --> 00:53:08,119
and destroying forth that bioships that could no longer defend

984
00:53:08,159 --> 00:53:11,199
themselves properly. By the time the battle ended, more than

985
00:53:11,280 --> 00:53:13,199
half of the enemy fleet had been destroyed, and the

986
00:53:13,239 --> 00:53:16,599
survivors were fleeing into deep space. Admiral Tixorus stood on

987
00:53:16,679 --> 00:53:18,360
her bridge and watched the wreckage of the fourth of

988
00:53:18,440 --> 00:53:21,480
Grand Fleet drifting through the Calorie system. Ships that had

989
00:53:21,519 --> 00:53:24,360
seemed invincible just hours before were now broken and lifeless.

990
00:53:25,079 --> 00:53:28,519
The war that had lasted three years was finally over. Admiral.

991
00:53:28,639 --> 00:53:31,519
We are receiving communications from Vortak ships throughout the galaxy,

992
00:53:31,679 --> 00:53:35,039
reported Lieutenant Caros. They are reporting that their collective consciousness

993
00:53:35,079 --> 00:53:39,079
has been severed. Many ships are requesting surrender. What should

994
00:53:39,079 --> 00:53:41,440
we tell them? Six Thoro thought about all the worlds

995
00:53:41,480 --> 00:53:43,519
that had been consumed, all the people who had died,

996
00:53:43,760 --> 00:53:46,440
all the years of fear and desperation. But she also

997
00:53:46,480 --> 00:53:48,679
thought about Captain John and her crew, who had died

998
00:53:48,679 --> 00:53:51,159
to save a planet they had never seen before. Tell

999
00:53:51,199 --> 00:53:54,599
them that the Calori Confederation accepts their surrender. Tell them

1000
00:53:54,639 --> 00:53:57,440
that the age of the Vortak Empire is over. As

1001
00:53:57,519 --> 00:54:00,880
the news of victory spread throughout Calori space, Admiral's Exthorer

1002
00:54:01,000 --> 00:54:03,480
realized that everything had changed because of one simple truth.

1003
00:54:04,039 --> 00:54:06,280
The voorth I could spent centuries perfecting their ability to

1004
00:54:06,320 --> 00:54:08,920
adapt to advanced enemies, but they had never considered that

1005
00:54:09,000 --> 00:54:11,360
sometimes the most powerful weapon was the simplest one. They

1006
00:54:11,400 --> 00:54:14,519
had never encountered. The war was over, but the alliance

1007
00:54:14,559 --> 00:54:17,880
between humanity and the Calorie would continue. Together they would

1008
00:54:17,880 --> 00:54:20,400
rebuild the galaxy and ensure that no species would ever

1009
00:54:20,480 --> 00:54:25,400
again face extinction alone. And that is the end. Thank

1010
00:54:25,480 --> 00:54:27,000
you for listening, and I will see you in the

1011
00:54:27,079 --> 00:54:27,480
next one.