Inside the Hall in Eclipseon, music swelled. Wein stood beside Vl'jii and Uthman once more, exchanging measured smiles beneath chandelier light. Crystal glasses clinked, laughter drifted upward painting the hall with celebration.
To the watching networks, it was an image of prosperity and renewal. The beginning of a new age for House Voss.
In-between this, Vern approached quietly. He did not interrupt immediately, Wein could notice the subtle change in posture.
"Excuse me," he said smoothly to his guests.
They stepped aside toward one of the marble columns where the noise softened.
"Ulix has responded," Vern said.
Wein's expression did not change, he had expected it.
"Minutes ago, we were able to retake the captured rigs quickly and began offensive attacks on the watch tower ships. Two were severely damaged and the rest slightly damaged."
Wein nodded. "That's good, what was their response?"
"They have declared our attack unlawful and have sent a petition to the Empire for permission to attack."
There was a faint pause.
"This is what they have always wanted, an excuse. Ever since they captured the mining rigs. How are their fleets looking?"
"Their fleet is amassing along the Theta Belt past their jurisdiction. Larger vessels are gathering faster than expected."
That was fast. House Voss was able to deploy the fleet that fast because they had been planning the strike for months. But Ulix responding that fast meant they were expecting a war too.
The two sides were already planning for this confrontation.
Wein absorbed that realisation in silence.
"So," he said calmly, "they have been wanting to fight all this."
"It appears so my lord," Vern replied. "It appears Ulix was ready for a confrontation. This could also mean they have backers. That would be risky."
Wein glanced briefly toward the hall, the sounds echoed even to the room. Out there the two houses were engaged in celebration of a successful deal with Voss. They were the beginning embers of the new Voss.
In the future, it was inevitable that Voss would need to be against many more houses. It would have to fight, outmanoeuvre, align and protect itself.
This was a test.
His first test against a noble house.
Ever since before the negotiations, he knew this. That was why he ordered this attack during the dinner as the empire watched.
To send a message.
He was a commoner but he was not weak.
"We do not need the empire's permission" he began. "Tell Velis to do what she must, I give her authority."
"Yes, my lord"
A subtle shift occurred in the music. The tempo rose slightly as dancers took centre floor and the crowds followed in applause at the skilled dance.
"They might have anticipated this," Wein continued. "But Voss has advantages we can take over them. It's time we use them. We don't need to follow the Imperial customs."
Vern studied him carefully. "You mean discarding arbitration. Using the first Request to our advantage."
"Yes, Alex walked me through the first Request weeks ago, before she left for the fleet. I'm using it exactly the way she laid out."
Another wave of applause erupted from the dance floor. Silk gowns spun beneath gold chandeliers and laughter echoed against pillars.
Wein's voice remained calm.
"If Ulix wants a spectacle. Then we will give it to them."
He made way back to the others.
***
Beyond Velmora's atmosphere, space was no longer quiet.
The Theta Belt, a curved cluster of asteroids spread across the space shimmered with distant engine flares as Ulix heavy carriers formed a forward assault wedge. Their hulls were darker, more industrial built for intimidation.
They slowed just before they could enter Voss space, as if waiting to receive permission to attack. Their formation was ready to strike at Voss, with more and more smaller fighter squadrons exiting the carriers.
Huge, bulky dreadnoughts lined up, cannons aimed at their inevitable targets and enemies.
On the bridge of the Voss command carrier, Alexandria Velis stood with her hands clasped behind her back.
"Sir, Ulix vessels are just shy of crossing the disputed boundary," reported one operator.
"They have released ships and ready to open fire" reported another.
"Watch them clearly and prepare a channel to the commanding officer" ordered Velis.
"Direct command authorisation confirmed from Lord Wein," announced one comm officer.
"What are the parameters?" she asked.
"You have full authority." The transmission cut.
Velis was quiet for a while. All in all, Wein gave her the authority for the entire operation. She was not inexperienced with this, she was skilled but if Wein gave her command, that meant he wanted it done right.
Wein could take command. He was once a lieutenant in his days as a trooper and had experience leading in the military. But he was far less capable than her in a fleet engagement. Still, it had been a long time since she had commanded a battle such as that herself.
She turned toward the massive forward display where Ulix ships sat in disciplined formation.
Dark hulls, heavy silhouettes, and cannons aligned like clenched teeth. They were waiting, waiting for the go ahead from the empire. Justification to strike.
A moment the empire hadn't seen in decades.
The act alone would catapult Ulix's reputation throughout all the houses that hate Voss.
Velis understood immediately.
"Once they receive confirmation, they will attack."
She stepped forward, studying the tactical grid. Ulix busters held position outside the marked boundary. Fighters drifted forward slightly, testing distance without crossing the line as if revving their engines, testing them.
They were arrogant but predictable.
"Open channel to Ulix flagship." Velis spoke after an inhale.
A moment passed before a sharp featured human officer appeared on the display. His uniform bore the insignia of Ulix high command. His expression was controlled but strained.
"This is Commander Rathern Onvee of House Ulix. Withdraw your forces immediately or face the might of house Ulix."
Velis did not react. The officer was a proud man and he knew exactly who she was. She was the second in command of Voss's military and he was her counterpart. A person of outstanding achievements she could name him as her rival.
Without giving too much information about herself, Velis exhaled softly and looked Rathern in the eye.
"I am Alexandria Velis," she began. "Marshal and second in command of Voss's forces. House Ulix has long since been antagonising House Voss, claiming its territory and weakening its citizens..."
As she spoke, Rathern observed her. There was an arrogant look in his eyes that angered Velis just a bit.
"As such, you have left us with no other option other than war." She continued.
"Stand down Velis" Rathern reiterated his eyes focused on Velis.
The channel was then cut.
"Signal all Voss vessels," she ordered. "Begin the first phase, Dislocation."
Several operators looked up sharply. That was not a standard doctrine manoeuvre, one of the most unique in the arsenal.
Voss's cruisers suddenly accelerated but not forward rather outward. Some criss crossed, others going up others down readjusting their position and breaking formation.
From Ulix's perspective, it was utter chaos still they were on guard.
During this reassembly, shots were fired from Voss's ships, slipping past the ships and headed towards the Ulix fleet. The strikes were numerous and unpredictable but nonetheless did not cause too much damage as they were deflected by shields raised in haste.
The shields glowed as they reflected the laser cannons, alerting the Ulix forces who were still trying to match the purpose of the sudden movement done by Voss. The second wave came without warning. This time the volleys were synchronised.
Heavy beams, brighter and more focused, surged through the open channels created by the earlier manoeuvre. Instead of scattering, the strikes converged with deliberated precision.
Forward shields on the nearest Ulix carriers flared violently under concentrated impact. Simultaneously, a secondary burst lashed the rear support, sending shockwaves through the cruiser, which had not expected a direct attack.
Before long Ulix having received two rounds of offensive fire decided to return fire and release cannon fire towards the fleet.
Unfortunately for them, the earlier dislocation had expanded the Voss position across a far broader section of space. Where Ulix expected density, there was now distance. The heaviest blast burned through vacuum as the exposed weakness of the moving vessels was gone.
One segment of the fleet now faced Ulix head on in disciplined alignment, shields layered and overlapping. A second segment angled from above and behind, positioned along angles that threatened lateral strikes. The earlier fragmentation had resolved into a multi angled enclosure.
Ulix vessels found themselves exposed along lines they had not prepared to defend. Simultaneous defence was still possible, but reckless movement would be fatal. So fighter squadrons launched from both sides.
Hundreds of smaller craft spilled into the growing void between fleets, engines burning sharp white. They darted through the space like buzzing bees, weaving between laser beams just missing them and then dogfights ignited almost instantly.
The battle had begun.
The dogfights were brief, filled with violent exchanges of light interceptors colliding in spirals of laser fire and then moving to the next ship. Each blast struck layered defences, shields flaring in radiant ripples before stabilising again.
Impacts rolled across hull plating in tremors of contained force. Aiming systems shifted constantly from target to target, missile trackers chiming each time a new lock was marked.
The whole stretch of the Theta Belt had changed and become a canvas of falling stars, streaking to and from the fleets.
Gradually, the tempo shifted when Voss began to attack in earnest, using the vessels positioned in angles. Ulix had already accounted for that.
They chose to face the enemy without disrupting the formation. The two forces began exchanging fire.