Battle at Apex-East

We're going to name the action where the Emperor returned from exile and fought the Usurper's combined militia/military force in the Apex-East system. Actual battle starts in From Ruins, Chap 10, but set-up begins before it.

Setup

The Emperor was at the Source, where the Worldlord's son (Reserve-East or East-Reserve-Prime) had assembled a fleet of reservists several thousand strong. Second had taken his "scouting party" and attacked the Alliance, and the Twelveworld Lord had taken his fleet back to the Twelveworld. This left the forces still massed in Apex-East masterless, so the Emperor decided to go there immediately, and figure out the details on the way.

Events

Fight in Space

When they learned of Second's treachery, the system lords still at Apex-East wanted to leave for the Alliance, while the Navy wanted to wait for orders. Thus, the Emperor's forces arrived into a firefight between the naval forces and the militia of the system lords.

The militia was already reduced: they had either snuck off to hunt in the Alliance, or they went to the Throneworld to reinforce the Usurper. Some navy ships declared their obedience to Apex-Navy (whoever he may be), but some drew back from the fight, awaiting the outcome so they could join the winning side.

The Silhouette stayed Dusted during the fight, and used Uuvek's link to the flagship's data to do some intelligence gathering, creeping around the edges of the firefight. They noticed that some of the navy ships were not just hanging back, but deserting. Throughout the battle, ships used the distraction to disappear. Six hundred ships went missing while the Silhouette was keeping track.

When the battle ended, the Emperor revealed himself and broadcast new orders: “To all Chatcaava of the Apex-East system: You will stand down and accept your assignments to our battle fleet, there to return to the throneworld to oust the Usurper who has betrayed the Navy’s ideals and turned Chatcaava against Chatcaava. This order I deliver to you personally. [...] I am Kauvauc Ueneuvin, first Emperor of that name, true Emperor and true Apex-Navy. All those who challenge my authority will be answered. Follow and rise. Defy me… and I will meet you on the dueling field.”

Duel on the Station

Admiral-East-Prime declared himself in charge of the Navy ships that were hanging back at heliopause, in defiance of the Emperor's orders. Unsurprisingly, he was the first one to take up the Emperor's challenge in the naval base's auditorium. He was unable to withstand the Emperor's shape-changing attacks for longer than a few seconds, and after a few rounds, the Emperor issued a new challenge: he would take on all those who would fight -- all at once. The base administrator protested that such a thing was not done, but the Emperor prevailed: thirteen Chatcaava attacked, and not a single one was left standing.

Results

The Emperor spent not quite a week at Apex-East, consolidating and coordinating his forces, before heading to the Throneworld to remove the Usurper.

Witnesses/Participants

During battle

• On the flagship: Emperor, Admiral-Offense, Worldlord's son, and presumably Uuvek, somewhere.
• On the Silhouette's bridge: Laniis, Knife, Meryl, Shanelle, Na'er, Lisinthir.
• Hanging back at heliopause: Admiral-East-Prime and his followers.
• On planet, presumably: Worldlord, Deputy-East.

During duel

• In the naval base's auditorium: Emperor, base administrator (who may be the same as the referee?), Worldlord and son, Deputy-East, Admiral-East-Prime, thirteen challengers, plus thousands of spectators.
• On the flagship: Admiral-Offense, keeping an eye on things. Probably also Uuvek.
• On the Silhouette's bridge: same as during the battle, except add Andrea and Crosby.