After the liberation of the Aquarian Home System in 4242 A.D from the scourge of the Pirate Cartels of the Angel Reach, no one could have imagined that a mere three hundred cycles later, the fate of the Home System would once again hinge on the actions of a brave few, or perhaps; many. But indeed, Humanity is wrought in the fires of war, forged in the flames of conflict; after all, it is all we know.
The attack happened much sooner than we expected. Naval Intelligence had approximately 3 Eridonian Days notice to prepare for the arrival of the first alien fleet elements. This, in and of itself, was a feat given the inconclusive nature of essentially all intelligence coming in and out of the Taran Nebula. Scouts in the Angel Reach detected Subspace Echoes consistent with a two-point standing gate jump between the Core Systems of Aquarius and the Taran Nebula. Of course, it wasn't a large jump to conclude that the target system was Eridonia.
-Fleet Admiral J. Rykhani, 1st Rapid Response Force, Eridonia Core Sector Fleet, Aquarian Imperial Navy
We had enough forces to hold the aliens at bay for a while, or at least we thought. I wouldn't say overconfident; I would say cautiously optimistic. We all knew how much preparation for an eventual attack on Eridonia had already taken place, after all; this is what we had trained so much for. It's the fighting with your back to the wall; as a whole State, a whole Species - that idea knowing that there's no one coming to bail you out if you fail. 'Those are the thoughts that make us human' they say, but at the same time, I can't help but contemplate the idea that we may be standing on the brink of the final days of humanity in Aquarius.
-Unnamed Ensign, 1st Rapid Response Force, Eridonia Core Sector Fleet, Aquarian Imperial Navy
Despite all the anxiety, the fear, the 'human' elements of the 'machine'; we stood together as one. There isn't much more impressive and awe-inspiring than seeing an Imperial Dreadnought getting underway with a dozen cruisers at her side, all ready to give everything they have to something I'm a little cautious as to call a 'final stand'. We were scared, we're human, after all. But we absolutely had the courage and the dedication to see this through until the end, whatever that end would be.
-Unnamed Ensign, 3rd Standing Guard Force, Eridonia Core Sector Fleet, Aquarian Imperial Navy
The precipice we stand upon now, as a people; a species, unified, represents a turning point in our history. I will not draw from the history of the human species, but from Aquarius; as Aquarians, we have defined our own history; one that today, we will proudly enshrine in the annals of human history as a moment that we took our place among the stars, and we stood by it. Unwaivering.
As your leader, I stand by each and every one of you - from the highest to the lowest ranks. Each and every one of you will do your part, and I will do mine. I will work from behind the scenes to co-ordinate and direct your passion into a stalwart and tangible shield that, let me tell you now: will hold back these alien, inhuman aggressors. But not only that, after they have worn themselves down upon the barbs of our shield, we will return the gesture ten-fold, in-kind, and promptly. The enemy has declared they cannot co-exist with us without genocide; and so we will accept that declaration and deliver unto them, a genocide never before seen in the history of their people, or ours.
Let the Aliens test our ability to wage all-out war. They will not find us lacking.
-The Director, excerpt from The Director's Speech, broadcast to all Imperial Navy units taking part in the first-phase defence of Eridonia, 4521 A.D.
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