After weeks and weeks of constant battle, the war had reached the greater continent of Ulix-Ultra. From orbit the landmass stretched across the curve of the planet like a vast scar of steel and light. There were numerous megacities scattered that could be distinctly seen from space.
With the first continent, which was much smaller secured, Voss launched a sea and aerial invasion and was quickly able to take the coast. From then on, it was easier to charge through seeing it was difficult for Ulix to defend an attack coming from the coast.
Massive transport vessels pierced the sky in controlled descent, their armoured hulls casting shadows on the coast as they safely landed. Beneath, thousands of smaller craft broke away, plunging toward the surface like fallen stars.
Within a matter of hours, the defences were overwhelmed, this allowed for Voss Troopers and Shock Troopers to be deployed. They landed in waves along the coastal industrial belts quickly securing the area while armoured divisions followed shortly after.
With this assistance, the first cities along the eastern coasts fell with brutal efficiency as aerial attack capabilities were taken out, burning up in smoke. The resistance that remained was quickly swallowed beneath the advance.
Within two days, Voss banners were already rising above the first three megacities and the land between them. The larger continent had been considered the backbone of Ulix-Ultra's defence. It housed the planet's defence infrastructure and key facilities.
The rate of loss and the advancing Voss force was an indicator that Ulix-Ultra was slipping away, and Ulix was well aware of it. Each city they lost, Voss fortified and took it as their own and it was almost impossible to retake it.
There were defensive grids rebuilt with anti-aerial cannons repositioned and more Voss troops. It was ironic, Ulix had tried to take Voss lands and now they were losing their own lands.
Ulix commanders had attempted several counterattacks throughout the invasion but most met the same result, with only a few exceptions. House Voss's forces were superior in capabilities, a reason as to why the house rose to be heroic in the last war.
***
Far above the planet on the other side of the planet, inside Ulix command carrier, the reality of the situation weighed heavily over the central war chamber.
Viscount Simon stood at the centre, staring down at the holographic projection of his planet now curved in two. One side Voss the other Ulix.
He had come in the earlier days of the war with reinforcements, not that many since leaving his home world that undefended was stupid. Still his being there was not as reinforcement but to be hands on in command after Rathern failed him too much.
The image of his planet had been changing every week and that brought so much anger to the surface, the whole room was walking on egg shells.
"My lord, the Voss forces are advancing further through the east northern path" spoke one of the commanders beside him brave enough to talk. Though even he had a streak of sweat dropping down his face.
"If they continue, they might claim the mine deposit close, there."
"Damnit…"
That was all Simon could respond. Ever since he took back command from Rathern even if there were momentary success, Voss undid everything in only a few days. And now they were advancing at a fast rate, gaining valuable key locations.
For several seconds he said nothing more, his eyes locked onto the shifting battlefield. The eastern portion of the continent was already under house Voss and he was watching as they advanced further in.
"My lord…reports are coming that the attack on the southern target has failed. Ulix forces have been repelled back."
Simon's jaw tightened. Of course, they failed. At this point he was losing land faster than he could ever hope to retake it.
In his anger he brought his curled fist crashing on the display and crashed disrupting the projection and alerted everyone. Unable to bring his face up and being disappointed in himself he spoke.
"Contact Voss… Let's make a deal."
For a moment no one in the chamber moved. Several officers exchanged uneasy glances while shattered projection flickered weakly above the command table. The image of Ulix-Ultra struggled to reform, two halves of the planet blinking in and out as the system attempted to stabilize.
Simon slowly straightened. His hand still rested on the edge of the display where he had struck it. The anger was still there, but now something heavier sat just beneath it, acceptance.
One of the commanders stepped forward cautiously.
"My lord… a deal?"
Simon finally lifted his head. His eyes returned to the projection to see the battlefield once more. In a few weeks, Voss would have control of a quarter of the continent at the rate they were moving. He had to accept they were weaker on ground attack compared to Voss's troopers.
"I can't afford to lose any more than this," he said quietly. "There is always the future to think of. Do it."
No one argued.
Simon turned to the communications officers.
"Inform Wein Voss, we are open to a ceasefire and to stop this war."
The officers quickly nodded hands already moving to their consoles.
"Yes, my lord."
They began establishing connections to their Voss counterparts and secure diplomatic channels. The chamber remained quiet except the soft hum of the command system and the faint crackling of the holographic projector.
Simon remained watching the war unfold, powerless to do anything.
"My lord," the officer spoke again after a few minutes. "The transmission has been sent to their command ship."
Simon gave a small nod. It settled in his mind just what an error it was to antagonise Voss. Though he, as anyone in his position would, had taken advantage of a weakness in Voss, it had backfired on him now.
The response came sooner than expected. Less than an hour later the communications console chimed. It was Alexandria, Marshal and second in command of Voss as well as the sole commander during this war.
Simon looked up as she began to speak.
"I have received confirmation form Velmora that ceasefire negotiations have been acknowledged and accepted. A neutral meeting location will be suggested soon and Lord Wein will personally attend."
After the transmission turned off, it struck him as unexpected.
Not much was known about the young new lord of House Voss, all that was known was that he had been a commoner. One might have expected a timid man, unwilling to face a noble in direct confrontation.
It was strange but that was not what mattered.
"Prepare for this," he said. "Also, get my daughter to come here this instant. It is time for her to be useful for once."
"Yes my lord" replied the officer.
And just like that, months of war shifted toward something else entirely diplomacy.
***
Two days later.
A small Ulix diplomatic vessel detached from the command carrier and began its journey across the quiet space between fleets. For the first time since this invasion, the space was silent.
Both sides had halted their advances under temporary ceasefire terms while the negotiations were arranged. It was an uneasy pause but it was to Ulix's benefit, allowing them to rest and regroup their stand.
Neither army trusted the other completely but both understood the rules and laws of the empire under such cases and they were well aware they were being watched by the empire.
The vessel took the Ulix delegates to a small station at the edge of Ulix-Ultra. It was an old trade hub that had long been abandoned after commercial routes shifted and belonged to an old eccentric man.
In front were three ships, one bearing the Ulix crest, one the Voss crest. They were scouts sent to ensure the reliability of the meeting place. The other was likely the ship with Wein and his commanders.
The station lights glowed softly against the dark of space as the ship approached the docking ring. Moments later, the vessel connected with a soft metallic thud.
Simon straightened his attire and walked out first, following him were three other individuals and a young woman. They were all dressed formally, ready for what was to come, and entered the station's empty hall.
At the centre of the hall, a table had already been carefully set, with people gathered around it. Around were numerous guards from both sides watching the event and ensuring their lord's safety. When Simon stepped into the hall, he was immediately drawn to Wein, that psychic ability between nobles.
He walked over to them and took a better look at Wein, the young commoner noble. Back at the gathering he did not get a good look at him but now that he was seeing him, he couldn't refute that he was dignified, fitting for a noble.
He walked up to him and stretched out his hands.
"Wein Voss, it is a pleasure. My name is Simon Viscount of House Ulix."
He and Wein's hand shook but for a while Wein did not say anything. They studied each other's eyes, trying to access what the other was thinking.
"The pleasure is all mi…"
As he spoke, he felt it, a psychic attack. Someone trying to influence and infiltrate his mind. To the outside it looked like he was shaking hands but he understood and so as fitting for a noble he returned this attack back, startling Simon in the process.