[ WP ] A peaceful alien race is besieged by another race in the same galaxy . As their last planets fall and their home-world comes under threat they do the unthinkable . They ask for aid from the only known creatures more brutal than their foes in exchange for FTL technology . Humans accept the deal .

> Earth Day 1: Contact 
 
 `` We are not *mercenaries* Ambassador. I empathize with your plight but you can not simply bribe us into war'' 
 
 *WE NEED YOUR RACE. WHATEVER THE COST. IS THERE NOTHING WE CAN OFFER? * 
 
 The Speaker for the Congress glanced around at the world leaders for final confirmation. This was a gamble, and humanity was a chip on the table. One by one they nodded. Steadying herself, she continued with the plan. 
 
 `` You have numerous technologies that would ultimately save more lives than such a war would cost. Medical understanding, food and energy supply, Faster Than Light drives... Such things could guarantee both our survival and our future prosperity.'' 
 
 *YOU WILL HAVE IT. * 
 
 Perfect. 
 
 > Earth Day 5: Contract 
 
 The research center was alive with activity. Thousands of human scientists and engineers were already digesting the contents of the data crystals, although some seemed a bit squeamish about literally eating the information. 
 
 `` This is absolutely fascinating. It almost has a a salty flavor to it.'' 
 
 *YOU ARE A STRANGE HUMAN. DOES THIS NOT FRIGHTEN YOU? * 
 
 `` Heck no. I've learned more today than I could have in several lifetimes. Millions of new inventions are practically at my fingertips!'' 
 
 *I SEE. * 
 
 The Oracle Ambassador gazed out over the facility. Numerous teams had already begun work, producing prototypes with the energy and speed of their world's `` hurricanes''. It was a terrifying sight to behold. 
 
 `` Ambassador...'' 
 
 *YES? * 
 
 `` What else do you use the space folding FTL tech for.'' 
 
 *WHAT ELSE? * 
 
 `` I mean you do realize it would make the perfect shielding, right?'' 
 
 *YES, ISOLATION SHIELDS ARE USEFUL, BUT IMPRACTICAL IN WAR. I WAS TOLD THIS FACILITY WAS DEDICATED TO THE WAR EFFORT. * 
 
 `` I'll have to disagree with you there, if you'll excuse me I need to get to work.'' 
 
 The human male practically ran off to join his team. He excitedly exchanged words with a female and they set to work. Why were they so excited? They were tasked with creating weapons. 
 
 > Earth Day 10: Combatants 
 
 `` Ah Ambassador, welcome. Are you ready for our demonstration?'' 
 
 *YOUR SPEED IS... SURPRISING. YOUR STARCRAFT ARE IMPRESSIVE. HOWEVER, WHAT OF YOUR WEAPONS? * 
 
 `` Oh railguns, lasers, the standard trimmings. What we have for you today is somewhat... different.'' 
 
 *DIFFERENT? * 
 
 `` You remember Dr. John yes? From the military research center?'' 
 
 *YES* 
 
 `` Begin the demonstration Captain.'' 
 
 The admiral observed the creature carefully as the test commenced. On the moon's surface below, a man wearing the new Type II Suit trotted out to the center of the testing arena and saluted. Various weapons platforms roared to life around him acquiring their target. 
 
 *ADMIRAL WHAT ARE YOU DOING* 
 
 `` Just observe Ambassador.'' 
 
 The warning sirens blared and the first volley fired. Even in the moon's thin artificial atmosphere the weapons made a colossal racket. The air itself exploded in fire and death. In an instant it was over. In the center of it all, the man stood unfazed and unscathed, still saluting. A telltale shimmer surrounded him. 
 
 *MOBILE ISOLATION SHIELDS? CLEVER, BUT WHY? * 
 
 `` Well you're right in some regards. Isolation shields take a great deal of time to deploy fully, preventing the soldier from using projectile weapons of their own. Allowing a small amount of visible light through was enough of a challenge. Even movement needs to be carefully controlled. However close combat is still perfectly viable with these suits.'' 
 
 *CLOSE... COMBAT? * 
 
 `` Yes; captain? Phase Two if you will.'' 
 
 The target dummies rose like a small forest. The man produced his weapon. 
 
 `` The official name is the Type II something-or-other. We've affectionately nicknamed them Knights.'' 
 
 Propelled forward by some strange thrust, the Knight set about deforesting the array of targets. As the Isolation Sword cut through each dummy it would twist and warp, leaving behind a mangled pile of rags. 
 
 *YOU... YOU CA N'T. THIS IS NOT HOW WAR IS FOUGHT* 
 
 `` This is not how *you* fight war. You asked us to win this war, and we will. It's hardly an inhumane weapon, death is usually instantaneous. Besides, the First Wave is already embarking.'' 
 
 *WHAT? HOW? * 
 
 `` I thought you came to us *because* of our tenacity Ambassador.'' 
 
 > Earth Day 11: Combat 
 
 The Baal admiral paced the deck, waiting impatiently for the analysis of the incoming vessels. 
 
 `` WELL?'' roared the admiral 
 
 `` Sir I'm afraid there is no record.'' the tactician replied timidly 
 
 `` Impossible. All ships, this is the admiral, prepare for combat with an unknown foe. Odds are this is the `` human'' race the Oracles supposedly recruited. Expect slightly modified Oracle ships.'' 
 
 `` Sir, this is n't Oracle tech, our instruments would be able to...'' 
 
 `` Enough, we will see.'' 
 
 As the admiral turned back to the monitors the enemy fleet folded in. Damn the luck, the technician was right. These ships looked nothing like the Oracle design. Like vast eggs with jagged protrusions, they were a bizarre sight. The intel must have been bad, the humans had clearly been involved for quite some time. It did n't matter, they were still new to the theater of war. After all, any ship coming out of a long-range fold can not be combat ready. The humans were far too eager. 
 
 `` Admiral, we are detecting at least twenty Capital-Class ships. Their attention seems to be focused on us, however a ground force has already departed for our strongholds on the planet's surface.'' 
 
 Too eager. Space-Superiority is far more important. 
 
 `` Have our Orbital Defense grid focus on this battle, we can deal with the ground forces after. All ships, this is the admiral, deploy electro-magnetic weaponry according to Stratagem E.'' 
 
 Within moments the fleet opened fire. Energy beams filled the planet's exosphere. Metal plating became plasma before the assault; massive fireballs erupted from inside the hulls. In mere moments ten of the human capital ships were destroyed, peeling apart like ripe fruit 
 
 `` All ships, this is the admiral, seize fire. There is no honor in such destruction. Hail The human craft.'' 
 
 The monitor morphed into the head of a `` human''. 
 
 `` This is Admiral Tyreal of the Heaven's Sword. You must be the Baal.'' 
 
 The creature was amazingly calm considering the situation. 
 
 `` Ahh Admiral,'' the Baal practically purred, `` are you ready to surrender yet? I would hate to reduce any more of your species to dust.'' 
 
 `` Dust is a... relative term.'' 
 
 The sensors tactician cut in. 
 
 `` Admiral! We are detecting massive coordinated movement from the destroyed capital ships!'' 
 
 `` Impossible. Cut the connection and bring up visual.'' 
 
 The monitor morphed again. The destroyed capital ships were just clouds of debris and dust... 
 
 `` Tactician Tyer, give me a detail view.'' 
 
 As another monitor came to life, it became clear. Not dust, small craft. How devious of the humans. They certainly had no honor. 
 
 `` All ships, this is the admiral, the capital-class ships are a diversion for smaller, close-range craft. Prioritize kinetic countermeasures. Deploy shell-cannons according to Stratagem K-C.'' 
 
 In moments the space around the Baal fleet bloomed with millions of explosions. Shell after shell added to the chaos. 
 
 `` Division B, acquire and destroy the remaining human capital ships. Prioritize any that move to support the smaller craft. Dreadnaught captains, move forward and exert control.'' 
 
 As the massive armor-plated Dreadnaughts moved forward to shield the fleet, the cloud of human craft reached the explosive curtain. Without hesitation, they entered. 
 
 `` What an insane and suicidal species, have the Oracles recruited [ mindless bugs ] to throw at us? Where is their honor?'' 
 
 Just then the cloud emerged from the explosive curtain, apparently unscathed. 
 
 `` Impossible! Deploy our fighters!'' 
 
 But it was too late, the swarm slammed into the dreadnoughts. The admiral watched in horror as the massive ships practically disintegrated. 
 
 `` What... what are they DOING!?!'' the admiral screamed in fear. 
 
 The swarm jumped from ship to ship more slowly now, seeming to enter the various baal craft. 
 
 Countless monitors came to life, the captains on them wild with fear. 
 
 `` Admiral we've been boarded! The enemy are *KRTCHHH* 
 `` Admiral the forward line is lost!'' 
 `` Admiral we need aid!'' 
 
 Pulling himself from the nightmare the admiral barked orders with cold determination. 
 
 `` Sound the retreat! We will rendezvous with the main fleet in the Katilla System! We may have underestimated them today, but their tricks can not win the war!'' 
 
 Just then a hideous screeching erupted from the bridge blast doors as they were ripped to shreds. The gaurds' bodies lay in deformed heaps. A tall suit of armor stepped through. 
 
 `` Ahh Admiral so good to meet you in person. Our previous conversation was cut a bit short.'' 
 
 `` T-T-Tyreal... How DARE you.'' the Baal stuttered 
 
 `` Enough of your childish blubbering. Surrender now and I shall spare what's left of your armada.'' 
 
 The Baals face twisted in anger, then in fear as the human raised its weapon. 
 
 `` All ships... this is the admiral. Cease hostilities and surrender yourselves. The humans have won this day.''
