Title: Operation Perseus
Type of RP: Conflict (Cross-faction)

"Though force can protect in emergency, only justice, fairness, consideration and cooperation can finally lead men to the dawn of eternal peace."
- General Dwight D. Eisenhower

Story:

The Warmaster had been on the bridge of the frigate since the Highliner had arrived in orbit of Eirdanos. He watched as the one hundred and fifty frigates dispatched by Marquis Eleusis began their undocking procedures to leave the colossul ship that had brought them here. Warmaster Gleason had been to war before, multiple times, but there was always a sense of trepidation when about to embark on a mission that could result in open conflict. The mission was relatively straightforward in and of itself; take control of the Starport on Eirdanos, prevent any ship to leave or land on the planet's surface, and provide suitable encouragement for the rebels to end their campaign against their lords.

Archibald wondered about that last part, whether the loss of the fief to the more stable House Aiantis would be sufficient to end the rebellion against the incompetent Alexin regime, or whether they would be stupid enough to continue rebelling against a Great House. Aside from the quarantine, the immediate goal was to end the rebellion peacefully to prevent any needless loss of life. To this end a diplomatic entourage of House Aiantis had been given special permission to accompany the Eluesinian forces to the surface, however until the quarantine was lifted they could not leave either.

He reached down with his right hand and picked up a handset nestled in the side of the situation table and nodded to the Communications Officer.

"Broadcast across all frequencies Lieutenant." he instructed and then waited for the go ahead. It only took a few seconds as the Lieutenant pressed a few buttons on his panel before giving Archibald a nod to signal he was broadcasting. Archibald took a silent, deep breath before bringing the handset to his mouth.

"Attention all entities of the Imperium. By order of his Imperial Majesty, Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV, Eirdanos is hereby placed under quarantine by the forces of House Eleusis. This quarantine will be immediately put into affect and all transport to and from the planet will cease. All passengers and ships aboard the Highliner may remain or undock as they wish, however all requests for landing will be denied. All passengers and ships waiting to board the Highliner will be refused entry and all requests for lift-off will be denied. Anyone attempting to breach this Imperial quarantine will be forcibly deterred." Announced the Warmaster with a steady and calm voice.

"Please obey all instructions you receive from House Eleusis' forces and there will be no bloodshed, only some delayed travel plans. Your cooperation in this matter is appreciated, and will allow for the prompt conclusion of Eleusinian presence." he added before nodding to the Comms Officer to terminate the transmission.

"Have that message broadcast on all primary travel and civilian communication frequencies every three minutes for the next twenty four hours." Archibald instructed before turning to the frigate's Captain.

"Let's get this done by the numbers, Captain."


Summary:

• House Eleusis deploys the 4th and 5th legions to Eirdanos to impose a planet-wide quarantine.
• House Eleusis pays 100s in upkeep for the deployed legions.
• House Eleusis assigns 1 unit of spice to each deployed legion.
• House Eleusis transports 5 units of drugs and foodstuffs to Eirdanos along with the legions, to be used as instructed.
• The 4th Legion is instructed to land at the Eirdanos Starport and immediately occupy and introduce a strong defensive perimeter around the Starport and ground all transport attempting to leave the planet.
• The 4th Legion is also ordered to seize and guard all transport hubs capable of servicing, receiving and launching off-world freighters and transports.
• House Alexin staff and cargo are not permitted to leave Eirdanos until the quarantine has been lifted.
• House Alexin staff and cargo are to be classified as likely priority targets for the Rebels and are to be protected within the Eleusinian defensive lines of the 4th Legion, however their movements are to be restricted to prevent any disruption to the quarantine.
• The 5th Legion is instructed to divide into two and take up defensive positions a short distance from Kratos and Karameikos, and prepare for potential assault.
• The 5th Legion is instructed to provide food and medical care to the local populace as far as they can manage without compromising their defensive positions or manpower for any potential storming of the cities if requested by House Aiantis' diplomats.
• The House Aiantis diplomatic team is afforded free movement and protection by Eleusinian forces throughout Eirdanos, but will not allow them to leave the planet while the quarantine is in effect.
• A warning message is sent to the rebels that whilst House Eleusis' forces are assuming defensive positions to maintain order while House Aiantis' diplomatic team negotiates, any attacks or interference with House Eleusis' missions will result in severe responsive measures.
• Anyone attempted to breach the quarantine will be warned only twice before use of force is authorised, including deadly force if ultimately required.

Title: Operation Perseus
Type of RP: Conflict (Cross-Faction)

Story:

The young lady just put down her juice when the transport shuddered, she had hoped that as they were moving to a new world that she could finally have a dinner party without too much drama but now doubted that. Something had though, the transport felt different. Had it stopped? Or perhaps slowed down? and if so why? but she resolved to remain imperturbable though and smiled at her guests, Ludwig and some select governors.

If it was anything serious someone would contact inform her "And they say women are bad drivers, even we could manage empty space". A small, perhaps merely polite, laughter sounded around the table and the guests tried to settle themselves back to their meals.

She sipped her juice and grimaced, "You know gentlemen I cannot wait to have this child because, and maybe it's having 2 younger brothers to take care of, but I would really like to join you and have some wine"

A small knock at the door cut short any potential reaction and again eyes fixed on the young lady but Ludwig stood up and laughed, "I bet the pilots went and got lost, he has two locations a planet and a huge ship and not much distance in between; I bet he's got some bloody Aiantis blood in 'im".

The guests chuckled as Ludwig stepped out, the conversation reasserted itself once more but was cut unfortunately short when Ludwig came back in and informed them that the Baroness was needed in the control section.

By the time the Baroness got to the command deck, which was a minor miracle considering how heavy she now felt, she glanced at the pilot who bowed and said "I think this should explain it all m'lady". Knocking on a random public broadcast system the Eleusian announcement came through, as though to hammer his point home he skipped through a few systems to show that every frequency was playing the same announcement.

Turning to the pilot the Baroness smiled, "Well we knew this was coming, I had hoped to avoid it though... Oh well, hold position and please invite the warmaster to join us for lunch as his presence is requested as soon as it is convenient"

Summary:

Requested the Warmasters' presence.

Title: RP - Operation Perseus
Type of RP: Conflict, cross-faction

Story:

The heighliner the House Eleusis forces arrived on was the 'Daring Gamble.' It turned slowly in high orbit far above Eirdanos. On the opposite side of the world, the 'Far Traveller,' tasked with House Alexin’s evacuation, likewise turned in high orbit above the planet.

"Warmaster Gleason of House Eleusis," came a tight band response from the command deck of the Daring Gamble directly to the earpieces of both warmasters of House Eleusis and the House Alexin. The voice is monotone, without inflection or emotion. "The Spacing Guild remains neutral to your apparent attempt to limit the evacuation efforts of House Alexin. However, we remind you that this 'quarantine' you refer to extends, at best, from the surface of the planet into low orbit. If you attempt to extend your efforts to a high orbit and thereby place Spacing Guild heighliners at risk by interfering with "passengers and ships" either already in high orbit or who successfully run your interdiction, we will not only immediately withdraw our ships from this space and thereby terminate your legions’ logistical support, but we will cancel any and all heighliner service to House Eleusis for a minimum period of one year."

"Further," the dispassionate voice continued. "We advise you at this time that we have a cohort of armed personnel securing Spacing Guild interests on planet as well as dedicated Guild vessels acting as over watch for them. We will convey to your people our positions and numbers if you so wish, that you may coordinate your efforts accordingly, but they will not be withdrawn unless all our non-combatant personnel are withdrawn – which may unnecessarily hamper your operations on-planet both now and in the future. Alternatively, if you wish Guild non-combatants and their dedicated security to remain, but wish us to withdraw our over watch, you must in turn assume those vessels' task. We estimate that it will require approximately twenty percent of your current fleet to do so.”

“While Guild Heighliners will not be risked at any time, by any one, in any way, we also know that both the leadership of House Alexin and the warmaster of House Eleusis understand that if any harm comes to any Spacing Guild employee, item of equipment or vessel of any kind, we will hold the house whose action, or inaction, led to that harm, entirely responsible.”

“That is all,” the dispassionate voice says, and the communication is terminated as if it never was.

Summary: The Spacing Guild reminds the involved parties how seriously it takes threats to its personnel, equipment, vessels and, most important of all, its heighliners.

• 1st item: The Spacing Guild provides House Eleusis with the current deployment of all Guild personnel on the planet – both non-combatants and armed security personnel, so that they are not put at risk through House Eleusis operations.
• 2nd item: If so required by House Eleusis, the Spacing Guild withdraws all its personnel from the planet. Though this certainly may have no effect on operations on planet, it could also have a short-term effect, a long-term effect or both a short and a long-term effect.
• 3rd item: Guild “dumpers” acting as over watch for Guild personnel on planet (see viewtopic.php?f=126&t=1783) will not be withdrawn unless thirty House Eleusis frigates are assigned to take over their duties - or they are threatened directly with force by other orbital craft.

Title: Operation Perseus
Type of RP: Conflict (Cross-faction)

Story:

Archibald listened to the words of the Guild official from the bridge of the frigate as it left the giant maw of the Daring Gamble. When the voice concluded, the Warmaster motioned to the Comms Officer.

"Get me a private and encoded line to the commander of the Daring Gamble." instructed Archbibald. The Lieutenant complied and it took a few moments before the line was connected and he received the indicator from the Lieutenant. Picking up the handset, Archibald looked out the fore windows to see Eirdanos growing larger as the ship descended.

"Daring Gamble, this is Warmaster Gleason. Spacing Guild operations will not be interfered with to the exclusion of imposing the quarantine on the planet. Guild personnel should be completely safe from harm, although I do warn you that there will be combat on the surface of Eirdanos, it should be quite limited and likely will not anywhere near Guild facilities. Within the next forty eight hours, the Emperor's Sarduakar will arrive to descend to the surface and wipe out a secret research facility of the Bene Tlielax." explained Archibald before pausing for a moment to let that last facet of information sink in.

"Once the Sarduakar are assured the Bene Tlielax presence has been eradicated, the quarantine shall be lifted. I'm certain you understand the need in this instance for a quarantine to prevent any further infiltration of Tleilaxu agents, or their exfiltration now that they have been discovered. You can rest assured that Guild personnel are under no threat from House Eleusis's forces, and if desired, the Guild's personnel on the surface may be routed to the Starport to remain protected within House Eleusis' defensive perimeter." he offered, waiting for a response from the far off command deck of the Daring Gamble.

Summary:

• Warmaster Gleason has responded to the Guild via secure and encrypted communication to explain the situation.
• Warmaster Gleason has assured the Guild that their personnel will not be in any danger on the surface.
• Warmaster Gleason has offered the Guild protection within the defensive lines of the 4th Legion's beachhead of the Starport, if they so desire.

Title: Operation Perseus
Type of RP: Conflict (Cross-faction)

Story:
The Guild Highliner exited space and almost right away began deposting the long, sleek war frigates. From the outside their hulls were as black as space. The only difference was each one held a large golden lion logo painted carefully on the hull - the Sarduakar had arrived. 250 war frigates began a slow decent to the surface, ignoring the Eleusis frigates and the small transport that had been held in dead-lock due to the blockade. The Supreme Commander of the Sardaukar, and Warmaster to House Corrino, Federico Forbino paced the lead frigates command deck and watched as they slowly made their way to the former Alexin homeworld.

He held the rank of Hegemon, meaning he was in charge of all Sardaukar operations and reported directly to the Emperor himself. There was no greater honor for a Sardaukar officer.

The command deck was busy, each member went about their business in perfect sync. No errors, no complications. Perfect.

He moved to a comm console and pulled the speaker. He turned to the comm-officer of the watch.

"Set for wide-beam transmission - direct to all civilian population centers, the lead Eleusis frigate, the House Alexin leadership and all Spacing Guild Highliners in orbit."

"By your command, Hegemon" The officer set and began adjusting with the control systems. "Comm-open."

"Attention. By the order of His Imperial Majesty, Padishah Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV, this planet and all its occupants are now under full-plantary blockade by the combined forces of the Sarduakar and House Eleusis conscripts. All civilian groups who have taken up arms are ordered to cease aggressive actions at once. All traffic is grounded. All pleas for leaving and all colony laws are mute. Obey the commands set by His Majesty and non will be harmed. Failure will result in extreme measures."

He paused for a moment.

"All capitol city occupants will undergo a random screening process by Sardaukar forces, this is mandatory. Failure to be screened or failure to attend a screening will result in extermination. All civilians are ordered to remain within the city, attempting to leave shall result in extermination. This is your first and only warning."

He switched off the comm-unit and turned to navigation.

"Order all frigates to begin landing at the Starport. I want all troops, equipment and supplies landed and a CP set-up within 48 hours." He said as he moved to watch the frigate make its passing towards the starport. "At which point I want the 13th legion to deploy to the outskirts of the Tleilaxu base. The 18th legion shall began lockdown of the capitol city.

Summary:

• Two legions of Sardaukar are deployed to aid in the Eleusis blockade. The 13th and 18th Sardaukar legions.
• This turn focuses on deployment; the 13th shall deploy and establish a beach-head at the rumoured BT base.
• The 18th shall begin a lockdown of the capitol city. Anyone, civilian or otherwise, found to be fleeing the city shall be executed.

Title:RP - Operation Perseus
Type of RP: Conflict (Cross-faction)

Story:

"Whatever your purpose on Eirdanos is, warmaster," the toneless reply begins. "We have advised you of our concerns with your original broadcast. The Spacing Guild does not permit any hostile actions in or around its heighliners, which for your purposes shall be considered high orbit. Therefore, any interdiction is limited to low orbit and there shall be no “hot pursuit” by your vessels to a high orbit or any interference whatsoever with Spacing Guild operations in and around any heighliner."

“We will, however, inform the Imperial authority when we detain those who attempt to attach their transport craft to any heighliner without the requisite Guild contract in place,” the voice assures the warmaster. “This includes any and all unregistered craft as well as those craft operating under suspected fronts of the renegade order of the Bene Tleilax.”

"As for the planet itself, we have transmitted the current position of all Guild personnel, armed and unarmed, to your staff and we will certainly accept your legions’ lawful protection once it is on planet. Eric Duvan, Primus Pilus of the First Cohort, will liaise with whatever legion officer you designate to ensure our personnel remain safe under your protection. Spacing Guild over watch will remain in place until your people can arrange their replacement. Be assured that we will not interfere in any way with whatever operations your forces, or his imperial majesty’s Sarduakar, are engaged in.”

Summary: The Spacing Guild reiterates its expectations of House Eleusis when it comes to conduct in high orbit and especially around heighliners. Guild personnel will place themselves under the protection of House Eleusis forces once they are on planet.

• 1st item: Remind House Eleusis of Spacing Guild rules when it comes to space-based operations.
• 2nd item: Maintain highest security protocols to identify unregistered, renegade and false front vessels docked or docking with heighliners.
• 3rd item: Spacing Guild personnel on Eirdanos will cooperate with and ultimately place themselves under the protection (though keeping their own security personnel and protocols in place, of course) of House Eleusis legions.

Title: Operation Perseus
Type of RP: Conflict (Cross-faction)

Story:

The Warmaster had moved from the bridge of the frigate to the the CiC on the deck below after it had landed within a secured zone of the starport. It was from here that he would oversee and command the remainder of the quarantine. The Command series frigates had been outfitted with the communications equipment and personnel necessary to act as a mobile joint operations command center. He watched the icons on the large display table as Eleusinian frigates landed and deployed troops quickly before taking up holding patterns to make way for more frigates. The Eirdanos Starport, while not exactly tiny was by no means large enough to accomodate the hundreds of frigates that were now moving through the starport.

The 5th Legion's frigates were landing in cleared areas and open fields on the outskirts of the rebel cities and appeared to be making headway with no signs of any resistance to their presence. The starport on the otoher hand was getting crowded quickly, and while not a concern at this point for the Warmaster and his staff, they did need to eventually find somewhere safe to park the frigates that weren't being used. The FATC had dispatched a squadron of ornithopters to scout the nearby areas to find suitable sites that could safely hold the weight of a frigate without it destroying infrastructure or sink into the ground, and would also be relatively easy to guard and defend in the event of an attack. The table display blinked four green rectangles on the starport map which drew Archibald's eye quickly.

"14th, 15th, 16th and 17th Battalions have just disembarked their frigates, Sir. That's the last of the starport security detail. Colonel Irvine indicates that his Regiment will move out and secure the remaining northern perimeter gap within twenty minutes." reported one of the officers standing around the display table wearing a headset.

"Very well." acknowledged Archibald.

"Begin Phase 4 of the Operation. GELSO, inform ground-crews to prepare for the Sarduakar to begin landing. FATC, keep our birds out of the airspace and our dukes rotating and awaiting landing clearance. As soon as the Sarduakar have landed and disembarked I want the remainder of the 4th on the ground within two hours." he instructed, a duo of acknowledgements came from the GELSO and FATC as they began relaying instructions to their staff stations. Archibald felt a tap on the shoulder as his aide de camp whispered into his ear.

"They want what?" asked Archibald in surprise, drawing the attention of some of the CiC staff.

"They've invited you for lunch, Sir." repeated the Aide supressing their smirk from turning into a full-blown smile.

"The family is a stone's throw away from being chased off the planet with pitchforks, there are 120,000 foreign troops landing on a planet they just lost control of, and their esteemed child-leader is inviting me to their ship for a tea party?" asked the Warmaster with a sense of wonderment.

"That about sums it up, Sir." responded the Aide, failing at keeping his smile from growing. Archibald shook his head as he watched the display.

"I don't have time to go play three rounds of diplomatic tea and crumpets with a disgraced Minor House run by a child. Politely have the Countess and her Warmaster escourted under armed guard from their ship immediately. I'll see them in my office. The Hegemon will want to speak to them as well when he arrives." instructed Archibald, using the word countess with a due sense of sarcasm.

Summary:

• Warmaster Gleason has summoned to the Eleusinian Flagship via armed escourt, Countess Alexin and her Warmaster.

Title: Operation Perseus
Type of RP: Conflict (Cross-faction)

Story:

"Baroness, Warmaster Gleason." General Paul Stukav, dressed in duty uniform, entered the Eleusis compound at last to overhear the warmaster's final words to his aide-de-camp. "Eirdanos is no longer their Countly."
The word "their" in Aiantis vocabulary had become laden since the recent events and carried a deeply disaffectionate tone for the Alexin household.

"I have briefed the diplomats who came with me on my shuttle and they have departed to speak with the governors, I hope to hear their answer at some point, I do hope it's not too much a problem to direct my attention should they want to talk to an Aiantis representative?" Stukav fused his sentences together so that Gleason could not interupt him.

He continued to speak with pace. "I've been instructed to tell you that na-Marquis Herod Aiantis has bestowed upon me the governorship of Eirdanos and as such I will remind you of our agreement that I shall be kept up to date on everything that goes on." He sighed. "That said, pretend I'm not here and who knows, maybe I'll just get bored and wander off to interrogate some unlucky peons."


Summary:

• Governor-General Stukav has arrived on Eirdanos as agreed with House Eleusis and House Corrino to oversee the management of Eirdanos itself in all non-military matters and as chief representative for House Aiantis.

Title: RP - Operation Perseus
Type of RP: Conflict (Cross-Faction)

Story:

Being told that the warmaster would not grace her with his presence was expected, but still irritating and the fact that she needed them far more than they needed her made it far easier for her to accept; Even if Ludwig found it contemptible that a warmaster would presume to order his Baroness.

"Telling you that you must meet them..." he grumbled "like you're a ch...", at which point the young woman stifled a laugh. Slowly, but surely, she knew he would run himself into a foul mood that would last for several hours and there was little she could do to stop it.

Before much more could be said the room, Ludwig included, fell silent as they watched the Imperial forces arrive, to say it was impressive was the ultimate understatement and the Baroness finally began to see why the Emperor was the Emperor. To defy such forces was simply insanity, and she was glad this messy business with the Tleilaxu would atleast force any temptation to defy the Imperial House; Though if the full truth was ever known then they were 'up the creek' as the saying went.

"Well we have our instructions gentlemen" the Baroness stated "take us to the Eleusian war ship pilot" the trip went smoothly and within a few minutes the young woman and her uncle were waiting to speak with the warmaster.

Summary:

Complied with the summons

Title: Operation Perseus
Type of RP: Conflict (Cross-faction)

Story:

It would be the first time that Warmaster Gleason had received a noble from another House into his office aboard the command ship. He had members of House Eleusis' nobility in his office, even the Marquis when he was but a young officer fighting in the wars against Kuentsing, but this was different. Social ettiquette held that the chief advisors to a Great House were of same social station as ruling family from Minor Houses, and while that meant he did not need to bow and scrape to even rulers of Minor Houses, civility need not be dismissed. Archibald was running a few minutes behind schedule due to requiring the shuffling of some movement orders around to ensure that an empty frigate was standing by for immediate lift-off. While overseeing the matter, he had dispatched an orderly to serve tea and some of his personal stash of spice biscuits to the waiting Baroness and her for want of a better word, henchman.

Opening the door to his office, the four guards that had escourted the Baroness and the Alexin Warmaster snapped to attention. With the threat of the Tleilaxu and their facedancers, certain precautions had been taken in security measures. All personnel were required to be armed, travel in groups of no less than two, and immediately report and detain any suspicious behaviour, including travelling alone. With stringent security checks in place, it was hoped the chances of infiltration by the Tleilaxu would be minimised, but infiltration was why the Warmaster wanted to see this pair. He stepped through the bulkhead and looked at the Baroness seated drinking tea with one of the few remaining loyal servants she had standing behind her. The dossier had reported the man was Ludwig; no one of any repute or special ability. He nodded politely to the Baroness.

"Baroness Alexin, welcome aboard the Redoubt, command ship of the Eleusinian forces on Eirdanos. Forgive my tardiness, I had to ensure matters were in order for the conversation we are about to have." began the Warmaster as he walked to his chair behind his desk and sat down, facing the Baroness and Ludwig.

"As you are well aware Eirdanos is now under full quarantine by the joint forces of his Imperial Highness' Sarduakar and House Eleusis' army. The presence of Hegemon Forbino as the commander of the Sarduakar forces which are landing as we speak may convey to you the seriousness of this operation in both the eyes of the Emperor and Marquis Eleusis." began Archibald as the orderly poured him a cup of tea that Archibald took a sip from briefly before continuing.

"Due to time being a critical factor in current operations, and the desire to prevent any catastrophies from occuring during this operation I will cut right to the chase. While the quarantine is in effect, I cannot allow yourself or your personnel to leave the planet. However, there is a matter of concern for us that is sitting at this very starport; your atomics. With the threat if the infiltration of facedancers, a threat that even the strictest of security measures in this environment cannot rule out, the presence of atomics in the middle of a large-scale operation makes me uneasy." Arhibald leaned forward and palced his elbows on his desk.

"I want those atomics off the planet and for their threat to be removed entirely from this situation. I'm certain you have your store of atomics ready for transport aboard the Guild highliner, and I am willing to facilitate the transport of those atomics aboard the Far Traveller and for the Guild to keep hold of them until the quarantine is lifted and you are reunited with them aboard the highliner on your journey to your new world. there is an Eleusinian frigate standing by, ready to immediately accept a transfer of your atomics and to take them to the highliner."

Summary:

• Warmaster Gleason has requested the immediate transfer of House Alexin's atomics onto an Eleusinian frigate for delivery to the Far Traveller to be held by the Guild until they can be reclaimed by House Alexin.