Back on Velmora, Eclipseon, the command room had become quieter than before, but the tension within had only deepened. Dozens of holographic projections floated in the air like ghosts, tactical overlays of Ulix-Ultra routing and the updating positions of Voss's forces on the planet.
Around the projections were officers reading the data and compiling certain information. Despite the huge deal it was for a war, their expressions were not one of worry; rather, they were too calm.
Wein on the other hand was seated down, legs crossed and holding a cup of brewed tea, sipping as he was reading a report on his pad. His jacket was tossed to the coat hanger leaving him in just his three-piece vest.
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"…. The first batch of files sent from Voss have been authenticated. From them, our officers were able to draw a connection between House Ulix and the current key criminal syndicates…"
Wein put his cup down and leaned forward slightly, watching the holographic broadcast playing across the central display. From it, it showed the connection between Ulix and their past action to cause disruption to House Voss. This effectively gave Voss a reason to retaliate at Ulix.
The data traced back years forming a web of Ulix interferences that had directly impacted Voss, destabilising trade routes. Despite that, the evidence notably left out other co-conspirator houses that also played a hand in this.
He listened as the broadcaster rambled on in the background, listing financial transfers, covert supply chains, and intercepted communications.
Most of it was already known to Wein, but that did not matter. What mattered was that the information was made public. And the information was damning for House Ulix, making it clear who cast the first stone.
A quiet murmur spread through the officers in the room. Some were exchanging short glances, others scrolling through their own data pads when one officer finally spoke.
"My lord, two of the five houses have issued a rescission of their earlier objections to the attack."
Wein leaned back slightly in his chair.
He only nodded back. When suddenly there was an alert. The holographic map shifted and the whole globe of Ulix-Ultra appeared, the two opposing fleets engaging above it.
Voss which had stepped back was now pushing back at Ulix, this time more firmly with the intention of staying not to be pushed back. With them taking the initiative, Ulix would have to give all they could to push them back.
The plan was clear: if Voss reclaimed the sky and planted itself firmly, it would be hard for Ulix to push them back again much less remove those on the ground. However this time, it was much harder. Before, they'd used the planetary cannons to force Voss ships back, but with the power supplies sabotaged, that option was gone.
Across the holographic globe, the engagement intensified. Voss cruisers accompanied by busters advanced in formation and exchanged fire with those from Ulix. The attack was absorbed by the shields on both sides so that meant they would send squadrons for a dog fight.
The sky then became filled with swarms of ships, shooting at each other. Laser beams bolted past each other, some intercepted, ships exploding and troopers ejecting.
The entire battle was a mess while the huge ships only watched on either side seeing as they could not do anything because of the shield.
Wein and the officers were forced to watch the battle ensue. For several minutes no one spoke.
The projections flickered constantly as ships moved in and out of range, a red line marked the territory where Voss had gained air superiority. In between the dog fights Voss and Ulix still did try to shoot down the other cruisers.
On medium ships shields were bypassed and they were struck and they began to sink and fall from the sky. Fortunately, this happened to both sides, so there was no clear stronger party, with the exception of Voss being able to maintain the aerial advantage it had already secured.
Wein watched all this happen. The ships sinking and exploding, certain that the casualties were piling with every moment. Still he watched without speaking as the chaos of war was unfolding before him. He was not the current commander and gave authority to another.
Rather the ships and lives lost were pieces moving across the board. This was not the first time it had happened, even when he was lieutenant he watched as his fellow comrades died one after another.
Still they were lives, forever lost and they died for their lord, him.
Suddenly Vern entered the room along with his aides.
"Velis is a good commander," he noted.
Several officers in the room glanced briefly toward the Prime Minister before returning their attention to their tasks.
"Did you settle things with our guest?" Wein asked.
"There is no need to worry, my lord. They even reiterated their support for this war."
"I was worried I'd inconvenience them unfairly, but it had to be done."
Vern walked closer to the central display, his hands folded behind his back as he studied the battlefield.
"Ulix is pushing harder than I expected," he said.
An operations officer standing nearby nodded slightly.
"Commander Velis is maintaining forward pressure along the eastern orbital lane," he reported. "Ulix forces are attempting to strengthen the mainland central areas but they can't stop the flanking."
Vern tilted his head slightly, even as a politician he understood some battlefield knowledge and logistics.
"With the planetary cannons being destroyed, Ulix can no longer force us back. In a matter of time, we will secure a ground position," continued the officer.
Wein leaned forward.
"That was always the key. Without those cannons, Ulix's fleet would have to fight directly but that would open up the option for an easy ground invasion."
Wein stood up and approached the projection with the other two and could see the success of Voss fleet.
"Velis is breaking them apart," Vern noted, a smile growing on his face.
"The moment a fleet loses cohesion, the battle shifts from strength and force to reaction speed. Ulix knows that if we gain a foothold, it becomes difficult to defend and they must return to find a location to hold us down from."
"Do you think Ulix will retreat, my lord?" asked the officer.
"No, at least not yet. They will try to push us on the aerial front now until they realise the lost cause."
The three continued to watch the fight ensue. Just as predicted, Voss was able to push Ulix back and was able to establish a tight formation above Ulix-Ultra. With that they were able to send reinforcements on the ground levels, making invasion far easier and began developing a base of operations.
Then out of nowhere, there was an alert. Rathern was using the second half of Ulix fleet to attack Voss from the back hoping to enclose them.
The holographic map expanded, pulling out to show the entire battlefield. There was Ulix-Ultra and the battle happening there and then further apart from the planet was the field the initial clash had happened on.
Fortunately, some of the fleet from Voss that remained stood guard, blocking off Rathern and his forces. But that did not mean Rathern was complacent. He brought with him a fierce, battle-hardened mind and immediately collided with Voss.
Wein and Vern were both informed of the new development. The naval fleet had entered a two-front battle.
For a moment, the room stirred with activity.
Several officers began inquiring on their comms about the situation and if there were any measures that the commander Velis had drafted. From the look of it Ulix was determined to pass through the blockage and if they did, it would be disastrous for Voss ships currently above Ulix-Ultra.
Vern narrowed his gaze at the display.
"They are taking a gamble," he noted.
Wein did not immediately respond. He was busy thinking about what he would do first if he were commander.
The projection zoomed in to show the battlefield more clearly. The remaining fleet of House Voss had formed a defensive arc, their cruisers locked into a staggered formation designed to absorb impact from Ulix. Heavy carriers shifted positions from just behind them, ready to launch waves upon waves of interceptors and fighter ships.
Ulix's ships surged into all-out battle, immediately. Bright flashes erupted across the battlefield with them exchanging fire only this time it was different from earlier. Ulix felt desperate and that difference meant they were more dangerous.
But Voss was unyielding and held on. When they were unable to progress with cannon shots and busters, both sides unleashed their squadrons. The clash was brutal.