NationStates Jolt Archive

It was another day in the small elven village of Nat'Lit. Satik and his sister, Anata, were carrying berries that they'd gathered in the woods back to their parents. The two children belonged to an elven race native to the world of Pyrtania, a medium planet with a tiny population spread over its surface. They were etherial beings with lithe bodies, regal bearing, and inhuman beauty. They were a noble race in ages past but had been since reduced to slavery by the human rulers in the capital of Sky City. They also went by the names of fae, fairies, aes sidhe, the good people, and a dozen others but mostly by the name of elves, and it was rumored they were distantly related to the Eldar.

A noise sounded behind them, a government hover vehicle. Anata and Satik tried to leap out of the way but they were two slow. The vehicle slammed to a halt, spilling the cargo of liquor it was carrying. The bottles broke within their boxes, the sound of shattering all about. One of the humans in the vehicle growled with rage, leaping from his seat. he struck Anata again and again as the helpless elf child screamed.

Satik ran for help as fast as he could, rushing into Nat'Lit. "Someone..there's a human, beating Anata. Please..help." The elves paused in what they were doing and grabbed what came to hand, knives, clubs, whatever could be used as a weapon. Satik rushed back to the scene, a crowd in tow.

The human ran, diving back into his seat. he grabbed his radio. "We are under attack by elves! Repeat: We are under attack!" He and his partner sped away. The elves chased them for a ways down the road before the vehicle disappeared from sight. Then they heard the buzz of government airships. Rapidly fired rounds hit one elf, then another. There were screams of mingled pain and terror as most of the village was slain mercilessly.

There was no report of this on any official channel but it did not take long for word to spread throughout Pyrtania, and off-world as well.

We shall send a TSD Combat Group to help with these rebel scum.



OOC:A combat group consists of 400 Troopers and 3 AT-Pt's

While we appreciate the offer, we have no great need for assistance in controlling the elven population. While these soulless, sub-human creatures are wiley and dangerous, they do not currently possess such arms or technology as to present a threat. However, we would welcome a small diplomatic delegation as proof of the support of the interplanetary human community in controlling these creatures.

What are your plans for the elves?

http://www.strategyplanet.com/aow/lizardmen.jpg
Ambassador Krall'c
Head of Foriegn Relations and Embassys
Former Head Ambassador

Our plans for the elves are the same as they have always been. Use them for their labor when needed. Keep them strictly segregated from the human population. Use a small portion of them for study. And prevent rebellion by our superior force of arms.
Lord Ahmud, Minister of State

I see... we will send a represenitive party to evaluate the situation. They must be given diplomatic immunity as our laws differ too much and the party could easily break one without knowing.

http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:dT0iin-wOIAC:daisydownunder.com/images/motion-picture45.jpg
Larea dinAthos
Head of Interspecies Relations
Represenitive Council to the Coalition of Universal Rights
Quote: "Wars are not started by the military. They are started by bad diplomacy."

We will grant full diplomatic immunity.
Lord Ahmud, Minister of State

OOC:Offworld?Where is Pyrtania located?

((The Grand Duchy of Pyrtania technically is the whole planet of Pyrtania. But only effectively controls an area about the size of Canada at present. Outside this area it's just uninhabited.))

"Another one?" Kyria glanced through the report with a jaundiced eye.

"They do seem to multiply, don't they?" Alaric smirked. "Fortunately, this one won't require intervention... as such. Not yet, at any rate."

"Not planning on crushing them?"

Alaric grinned, turning toward the viewscreen on the wall, which was currently displaying an overview report on the status of Lodoss. "I'm the Chief Diplomat, Kyria. I don't do crushing. A wise man once said, 'When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem begins to look like a nail.' It works the other way around, too. If you treat every problem as a nail, soon all you'll have left are hammers. I don't intend to throw the rest of my tools away so carelessly. Particularly not when they've given us such an important key."

Kyria nodded. "I'll give the order, then. Anything else, before I'm on my way to Deimos?"

"That should do. Thank you."

-=-=-=-=-=-

The orders were delivered, in person, to certain starship captains. Within a matter of days, the first ship would quietly approach Pyrtania. Others would follow, only one ship at a time to minimize the chance of detection: each one a small, aged freighter, barely large enough to power a spacefolder, with a small but diverse complement of crew -- primarily immigrants, hailing originally from various nations of Terra. The ships' registry would likewise be out of different nations.

They would, however, have one thing in common. Secreted within each of the vessels would be a cache of advanced weaponry, which the crew, particularly the nonhuman members of the crew, would seek to distribute to elven rebels, along with instruction in their use.

((The Grand Duchy of Pyrtania technically is the whole planet of Pyrtania. But only effectively controls an area about the size of Canada at present. Outside this area it's just uninhabited.))

I am wondering, how soon till we can send you a ship to open embasies? You seem to need enlighenment about the nature of elves.

OOC: May I please be the one to enlighten them? Pretty please? I want to try out my new chemical weapons.

OOC: May I please be the one to enlighten them? Pretty please? I want to try out my new chemical weapons.

Your nicer than I am, I am going to try out a new disruptor weapon on them, go ahead, just, wait till the elves are off plannet before gassing the Humans

Excellent. The party of seven includes two humans, three elves a Brute, like Krall'c, and a Beta Cygnian, like myself.

We ask that no nations interfere at the moment, I want to hear what they say peacefully.

http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:dT0iin-wOIAC:daisydownunder.com/images/motion-picture45.jpg
Larea dinAthos
Head of Interspecies Relations
Represenitive Council to the Coalition of Universal Rights
Quote: "Wars are not started by the military. They are started by bad diplomacy."

bump

Two men were drinking out in a field near some elven villages where there had been rebel activity. One grunted. "I hope some of those pointy haired little freaks come by here. It's like shooting fish in a barrel."

The other man gives a drunken laugh. "Except fish don't make that cute squeeling noise when you hit them." Then the man pauses, pulling a gun up as he hears a noise. he moves to fire but stumbles briefly, and then a gunshot. "Hey! We're humans too!"

"We're not!" Comes a cry from just over a small hill and then a group of elves rise, charging and firing advances projectile weapons from Ravenspire. The aim is imprecise as they were just trained in their use but the two humans lie dead in short order.

Another patrol pulls up behind the elves and two dozen human soldiers leap out, rapidly firing advanced weapons with the precision of trained soldiers. The elven lines break and most of them are shot in the back, fleeing. Only one more human dies. Most of the men start to yell out whoops of victory. The Captain just frowned. "The elves have modern weaponry now. This changed everything...everything."

Meanwhile, the grand Duke and his court await the delegation from Crimmond. About two or three dozen humans in finery stand near the landing field where the diplomats are expected.

The Delegation arrives aboard the CSS Crossbow, a Nebulon-G destroyer escorted by a frigate, the Redemption.

A small craft launches from the destroyer and heads for the surface, the shuttle touching down without stiring up any dust or debris. As the hatch decends, several gaurds walk out and take up sentry positions as the delegation exits.

The first is the 10 foot reptilian Brute, followed by the Elves and Beta Cygnian, the last are the two humans, placed there to show the Empire does not place humans above other species.

The bald Beta Cygnian steps forward. "I am Ranar ruLarn." He says in a deep voice. "I am heading the delegation."

The guard at the landing sight insitinctively reach for their guns before a harsh glance from their officers sets them straight and they pull their hands back up. The Grand Duke, dressed in courtly robes of red and gold steps forward slowly, looking at the non-humans with barely concealed disgust. "Welcome to Pyrtania. I am Grand Duke Gregory. You wished to speak of our elven problem?" The other courtiers murmur quietly among themselves.

Ranar nods, the sun glinting off his head slightly. "Yes Grand Duke. We seek to see if the problems you have had recently can be solved peacefully, before hostilities can break out."

Gregory shakes his head. "Then you are too late. There is already violence in the countryside."

The others in the partylook at eachother and starts to converse quietly as Ranar frowns and raises a hand to silence them. "It may not be too late. If we act quick enough this could still be salvaged."

Gregory nods. "We are certain that, with enough force, well used, the rebellion can be put down and its leaders captured."

The elves in the party look rather displeased at that, as do the humans. The brute always looks unhappy.

Ranar frowns. "That wasn't quite what I meant... it would work, but would cost much more lives than needed and would only draw more hatred towards the humans."

Gregory shrugs lightly. "Perhaps you have a better solution?"

Ranar nods. "Perhaps... how many elves are we dealing with though? Hundreds, thousands? The more there are, the more complicated any solution is."

Gregory shrugs. "We do not keep exact statistics. But fey races outnumber humans about three to one here. The elves are the most numberous of these non-human races."

"They've attacked?" Alaric asked, arching an eyebrow.

Hotaru nodded. The foxgirl, Secretary of Intelligence and acting Minister while Sakura was away, had appointed herself liaison between the ministries of Defense, Intelligence, and Trade and the diplomatic corps. In this, her mother-hen instinct and her taste for efficiency coincided nicely.

"That didn't take long. Unfortunate, really. They wouldn't possess enough training to make best use of the weapons yet, and now they've tipped their hand."

"Resentment must have been greater than anticipated." Hotaru shrugged. "It doesn't change the long-run."

Nodding, Alaric remarked, "True. The balance of power has shifted. The humans will have to decide how to respond now. There are only two approaches: diplomacy or force."

"Do you really think they'll pick diplomacy?"

He smiled thinly. "Hope reigns eternal. We humans can be accepting. Besides, the weight of international opinion might pressure them into being more diplomatic than they might otherwise be inclined to."

"It will take time. I think the best we can hope for is some form of recognition of the elves as a separate nation. Integration doesn't happen overnight."

"I'm willing to accept that. Now, what would you suggest, if they should choose force?"

Hotaru's tail swished idly through the air as she thought over the question for a moment. "If it comes down to genocide, intervene, of course. But if it's a civil war..." She frowned. "The biggest problem will be supplies. The elves don't have that many bullets for those sniper rifles and assault weapons we provided, and the shoulder-mounted anti-tank weapons and surface-to-air missiles are very limited. They have no armor or air force of their own..."

"Exactly. And we're not providing our more advanced weaponry, so microwave lasers are out. The elves would likely have to wage a guerilla war. Assuming, of course, no other outside force enters into the equation."

"Ah. And have you got a projection?"

Alaric chuckled. "Nothing I'd trust my life to, yet. Keep me informed, though. And see whether we can persuade the elves not to launch any more attacks just yet."

"Assuming things don't escalate before the new shipments reach Pyrtania, of course."

"Nothing in this life is sure."

Ranar nods. He had hoped it wouldn't be that many. "That makes relocation out of the question. There are too many and it would most likely destroy your economy to have so much of the populace removed," He pauses as one of the elves steps up.

She speaks softly, "I am Ambassador Laroona. I suggest an envoy. We would meet with you, take your arguments to the elves, then take the response back. It would take longer, but I doubt their leaders would want to sit down at a table with you at the moment."

Ranar nods, "A good strategy, It may work."

Gregory nods a bit. "If you would be so kind, that might help. Our arguments are simple. We do not kill the elves when they do not commit crimes. We allow them enough food and water and space to live in. Therefore, they have no cause to rebel. If they persist, there will soon be no life for them on Pyrtania."

Meanwhile, in a village somewhere in the jungle, Segok sits in a circle with many other elven elders. Young elven men and women, armed with modern weapons, guard the perimeter. Segok speaks slowly. "I am Segok, son of Synok, son of Sabik, son of Sifok, who was the last elven king of Pyrtania. I am the rightful king and I will wear the crown." Two of the other elven elders leave the circle. No one makes a move to stop them. Segok continues. "I have received word that our arms suppliers no longer wish us to attack. This I do not understand. But they are our only true allies so far. No forces loyal to me are to attack until further notice. We will regather ourselves, form an army capable of sustained combat. I would also name Amena, henceforth to be known as the Lady Amena, my ambassador to any nation which will receive her, to plead the cause of the elves. Let that spread through our suppliers."

Meanwhile, in the elven village of Ther'Of, Samantha Sorrentino looked around. The young schoolteacher was a woman of liberal views and had come to try and help the elves somehow. A young elf man came out of his hut, peering at her. "Hello, she said. My name is Samantha and.."

"Human!" He yelled, diving back into his house.

"No, wait!" She yelled. "I'm here to help yo.." She paused, sucking a breath in in terror as he reappeared with a knife. Soon elves were all around her, hate in their eyes and weapons at the ready. One elf moves behind her, pulling her arms behind her back and binding them at the wrist. "I came here to show sympathy for the elven...mmpphhh!" Samantha was cut off as another elf shoved a truly filthy rag into her mouth.

The village looked at Samantha coldly. "Human invader, enemy of my people, I sentence you, for your crimes, to hang by the neck until dead." A noose was tightened around Samantha's neck and then she was hoisted into the air. Her legs kicked wildly for several minutes, then slowe, then stilled. The body was left there by villagers, driven mad by the resentment of years of poor treatment, as a sign of "victory."

"I've been watching the QEC nets lately, milady," Serendis said, coming into Siri's office. "You might be interested in events on a little planet called Pyrtania, out in sector fourteen. About forty lightyears out."

"I've heard of it, in passing," Lady Siri replied. "Colonized a while back, only just reached a point where it has much of an infrastructure at all. Elf-human mixed population. What's happening out there?"

"Well, apparently the humans have been mistreating the elves for a while. They rose up... and now they're using modern weapons. Reports suggest they're of Ravenspirian make." (OOC: Stop me if I'm wrong on that.)

"So?" Siri asked. "Good for them. What's the problem?"

"Well, it could escalate. The humans might try something more drastic. I'd like to send a fleet."

"What have we got out that way?"

"The Sixth Fleet is patrolling the Vinyarda Trade Route right now. I could put them on it, they're a day and a half away. I need a quick decision, the fleet's going the other direction; any delay will be doubled in the course of their return."

"Do it," Siri said with a nod. "Put them above the planet, geostationary over the human capital. Interdict if necessary. There is to be no bombardment until I specifically order it."

"Understood." Serendis gave a little bow, before turning and leaving the room.

http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/nationstates/sirithil/sirithilnosfeanor.gifLady Sirithil nos Fëanor
Elentári of the Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar
Chancellor of CENNA
"If it is to be war between us, it shall be war to the knife and the knife to the hilt."
~Foreign Minister Duke Paolio, The Outlands
We Love the Iraqi Information Minister (http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com)
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Ranar nods. "We will go to see the elves and relay the message. I can assure you... they aren't going to like it though." He turns ands speaks with the others quietly and the two humans nod, looking unhappy.

"We don't think that showing up with two humans is going to make them trust us. I look enough like one to cause uproar, but not enough that I can be confused with one easily. We are going to the largest elvin village, they will no doubt spread the word that we wish to talk."

The group of five along with the gaurds board the shuttle and takeoff, heading towards the largest village.

A young elf ran into Segok's camp, bowing to the would be kind. "My liege, our scouts report there is a fleet from Menelmacar on the way."

A younger warrior blinked slowly. "Menelmacar? Aren't they a huge nation? What do they care what happens in a backwater like Pyrtania?"

An older elf snapped. "Because Menelmacar use their power to ensure the rights of elves who don't have any of their own! If you knew anything about interplanetary politics, you'd know that!"

Segok held up a hand. "Go easy on the young man, Sagek. Our people have been denied such education." He then looks towards his aids. "Do we have anything that can carry a signal into space? Anything at all?"

A young elf nods. "We have a fairly long range transmitter, just one and its scratchy." He runs to get it.

Moments later, a weak signal is broadcast into space. "Menelmacar Fleet. This is..." The signal breaks up a moment. "...We thank you for coming to the aid of the elves of Pyrtania. We would humbly ask you to receive the elven Lady Amena as the envoy of Pyrtanian elvenesse. Please respond."

The largest elven village is that of Lar'Pos. The elves there are milling about the street. They all run inside their house and the arrival of a spacecraft. After a long pause, an older elf comes out, cautiously approaching the shuttle. When he sees there are elves in the party he relaxes a little. "I am Selak. What brings you here?"

The CSS Croosbow
Geosync orbit over a point 30 miles south of the human capital

The captian looked baffled. "Menelmacar? Ah, hell... this is going to make things a lot harder on the diplomats."

Meanwhile the shuttle flew high over the forest and approached the village, landing on the outskirts. The armored gaurds stepped out again and took up positions as the diplomats exit, elves in the lead to quell the villagers.

Ambassador Laroona looks about and seems disgusted at the poor living conditions. "Who is the village leader? I am a represenitve of the EMpire of Crimmond."

"Well, apparently the humans have been mistreating the elves for a while. They rose up... and now they're using modern weapons. Reports suggest they're of Ravenspirian make." (OOC: Stop me if I'm wrong on that.)

OOC: Not all of them are, but enough that it's a reasonable guess. Two things to note, though:

1) They're advanced by the elves' standards, but relatively primitive by Ravenspire's or Menelmacar's. No energy weapons or the like, as noted.

2) Given Ravenspire's laws (or lack thereof), it's probably a major supplier to foreign black-market operatives, just because anything short of a WMD is perfectly legal to sell/buy. So the weapons' make isn't necessarily incriminating... but we've worried more about covering up the ships' and crews' origins than the weapons', so feel free to draw conclusions. 8)

Sector Fourteen
Coreward Region, Kuiper Belt, Pyratania System
0917 hours, Fleet Time
Dreadnought MIS Naralagos ("Firestorm"), Sixth Fleet Flagship

"Milord... we are receiving a message from the planet. Extremely weak... it's in an Avarin dialect."

Warlord Aphration nos Menelmehn, commander of the Sixth Imperial Gravitic Battle Fleet, rose from his chair. "Intriguing. Put it through..."

There was just a whole lot of static, with assorted occasional tidbits that might, a couple light-days further in, have once been words.

"Enhance," Aphration ordered. "And translate. Damn... I haven't taken any lessons in Avarin in decades."

The comm officer did his work, and put it up again.

"Menelmacar Fleet. This is..." The signal breaks up a moment. "...We thank you for coming to the aid of the elves of Pyrtania. We would humbly ask you to receive the elven Lady Amena as the envoy of Pyrtanian elvenesse. Please respond."

"What in Angband are they using? An old Q-17?" Aphration asked, referring to a Menelmacari civilian audio-only stellarcomm that had been obsolete since the Second World Human War.

"Could be, sir, especially if the reports are true. Should we answer?"

"Please do. And helm, increase velocity by fifteen percent."

"Okay, milord... you're on... I'll translate your words as you go."

Aphration stepped forth, and spoke, adjusting his uniform, even though he would likely not be visible on the Pyratanian Elves' antiquated unit. "Elves of Pyratania, you have indeed successfully contacted the Sixth Menelmacari Imperial Gravitic Battle Fleet. I am Warlord Aphration nos Menelmehn, of the dreadnought Naralagos, flagship of said fleet. I would gladly receive your envoy; however, I am curious how this would be accomplished. Do you have a craft capable of reaching us before we arrive in orbit? Or should we come to you? Would the meeting be conducted in your encampment, or aboard my ship? Please respond."

http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/nationstates/sirithil/sirithilnosfeanor.gifLady Sirithil nos Fëanor
Elentári of the Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar
Chancellor of CENNA
"If it is to be war between us, it shall be war to the knife and the knife to the hilt."
~Foreign Minister Duke Paolio, The Outlands
We Love the Iraqi Information Minister (http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com)
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Selak just gapes at Laroona, staring in shock a moment. Then he bursts into a broad grin. "Forgive me, m'lady, but this is the first time I have ever seen an elf come out of a space vessel in all my 207 years...and a representative of an empire no less." He falls to one knee. "You are here to deliver us, then?"

Segok listens to the reply from the Sixth Fleet before speaking again. "Your Lordship, we could seige control of a spacefaring vessel if it were necessary to get our envoy into space. However, it would be far more practical if you were able to send a shuttle for her at *And he gives precise coordinates*. The meeting would also be best carried out aboard your ship. We cannot gurantee your safety on the surface."

The CSS Crossbow:

"They sent a whole fleet?! Ah, crap.... inform the diplomats... things have gotton a bit more complicated."

The two humans listen to the report and look at each other. One speaks quietly to the other. "I think we might have been safer with the others... they start ortillery strikes..." The other nods. "We'll be pulled out by then, once the demands are sent..."

---------------

Laroona shakes her head, "Not exactly, and I am not royalty, only an ambassador, you need not kneel."

At the village, Ranar also heard the report. "Laroona, things have changed. Sirithil has sent a fleet to stop the fighting."

She sighs. "That isn't going to help things with the humans..."

Aphration nods. "Very well, then. We'll do precisely that... and we'll throw in some fighter flybys to... 'impress' the local mortals." He breaks into a wry grin. "When you see the black and red craft, do not fear; those are ours. We'll see you in about an hour. Naralagos out."

He turned to the helmsquende. "I want to get there quickly. Plot a tesseract and jump at the earliest opportunity."

"Yes, milord..." The elf's hands flew over the console, and before long, the swirling crimson vortex of a tesseract spiralled open, drawing the fleet within... and snapping shut behind them.

http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/nationstates/sirithil/sirithilnosfeanor.gifLady Sirithil nos Fëanor
Elentári of the Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar
Chancellor of CENNA
"If it is to be war between us, it shall be war to the knife and the knife to the hilt."
~Foreign Minister Duke Paolio, The Outlands
We Love the Iraqi Information Minister (http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com)
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OOC: Menelmacar, if you need reinforcements of goodwill I have a fleet standing by.

The Admiral was upset. the situation on Pyrtania was critical. For the first time in so many years, he could see his race waging heinous acts against innocent people. "This is not elven work, this is orc work" he said after watching the holoprojection of the Pyrtania situation

the Fifth Aelosian Fleet was traveling through the warp, silently and fast. Pyrtania was near the craftworld, so the distance was short enough to get there in a few days.

"Your orders Admiral?", said a young captain, entering the bridge.

The noble commander turned his head "Gather intelligence first. I want to confirm the reports of elven attacks to civilian population. Send a group of commandos to contact the rebels, and a pair of diplomats. Then we will give the information to the Menelmacari and stands by"

The young Captain nods "Who we will send, Sire?"

"The Paelisi Duchess is on board, send her. My own honor guard will be protecting her. Tell them to avoid the use of force, don't fire even if they're attacked", the Admiral looked through the window this situation needs a more subtle approach than just a bombardment and a invasion

"You think the Menelmacari will approve?", says the Captain, worried.

"We will arrive first, then we will ask them"

After a few hours, the dropship, cloaked with a dark matter shield, landed near one of the elven towns. It was a little one, far from the big cities. It was traced as one of the HQ of the elven rebels by the thermal readings of the flagship. The hatch opened and a little elven woman, dressed in the regal dress of the Imperial Ambassadors stepped out, quickly followed by several guards, clad in power armors marked with the blazon of the D'nan family, and heavily armed with deep concussion ShadowBolt rifles.

"Let's find the inhabitants. we need to make contact", says the woman, beginning to walk to the town. The commandos quickly followed her, leaving a guard in the dropship.

Selak rose slowly. "Of course, ambassador. What may I help you with?"

Meanwhile, the Lady Amena waited for the Menelmacar ships to arrive. She stood unattended, wearing trousers, boots, and a simple tunic. Her pose was none the less dignified and her face carried all the unearthly beauty of the elves.

The Aelosian Duchess is greeted by a mass of villagers who genuflect before her. None of them speak first and none of them are obviously in charge.

http://www.geocities.com/ironholdmemorycore/siri6.gif
OOC: Image: Standard Menelmacari fleet uniform (female). The male version is similar, but is a two-piece (shirt and pants). Copy the URL into your browser, don't click the link.

http://www.chaosmarch.com/images/xerxes.gif
Menelmacari GF/A-73 Thoron ("Eagle") Aerospace Strike/Superiority Fighter

http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/acatalog/vr1store.jpg
Menelmacari GC-1 Vilyúlairë ("Skywraith") Dropship

And I don't feel like digging up the body armor pic atm... just picture a modernized, fully enclosed version of the Elven armor from Two Towers.

IC:

The Menelmacari fleet had just arrived in orbit... it was only a few minutes later that a Vilyúlairë dropship, accompanied by several Thoron fighters, descended from the Naralagos towards Pyratania.

They cruised low over the colonies, especially the human cities, weaving ridiculously complex maneuvers among one another with elegance and grace and all at seemingly impossible speeds. Before long they descended towards Lar'Pos. The dropship descended straight towards an open area on the outskirts of town... a farmer's field, probably, the village square won't be big enough for it. (it's a tad smaller than a C-130) The fighters break off into pairs - leads and wing-elves - and circle the town on a defensive patrol.

http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/nationstates/sirithil/sirithilnosfeanor.gifLady Sirithil nos Fëanor
Elentári of the Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar
Chancellor of CENNA
"If it is to be war between us, it shall be war to the knife and the knife to the hilt."
~Foreign Minister Duke Paolio, The Outlands
We Love the Iraqi Information Minister (http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com)
Clicky-clicky!

Lady Amena approached the dropship alone. Her eyes widen slightly but otherwise her bearing remained dignified. She waited quietly for the doors to open. No one else was in sight.

Meanwhile, the Grand Duke and his court glanced up at the fighters passing overhead. The Duke, turning to the two human negotiators, said bluntly. "I will not negotiate while foreign militray forces are in my space without my leave."

Meanwhile, orders come from military command. "The forces present on Pyrtania have been identified as Aleosian and Menelmakari. All forces are to maintain maximum readiness but do not, I repeat, do not, engage the enemy under any circumstances."

The hatch and loading ramp of the dropship opened, and the Menelmacari emerged. First came several soldiers - ten of them - in shining golden body armor; there was no need for their active-camo to be on. Professionals all, calm and cool under pressure, they swept the area with their rifles, far more advanced even than the ones the Pyratanian elves had acquired from their mysterious suppliers who were likely but not yet ascertained to be Ravenspire.

Next came two fleet officers, one male, one female, wearing the standard uniform, black and red with flowing crimson capes, swords, pistols, and comms at their belts. Finally came Aphration himself, wearing a fine, elaborate, and probably rather expensive robe of blue and gold fabric, soft as silk. He was brown-haired, dark almost to black, his eyes shone like sapphires, and he was nearly seven feet tall.

"Elen sila lumenn'omentielvo," he greeted the female before him, whom he figured was likely Lady Amena. "The stars shine on the hour of our meeting. I am Gweithir (Warlord) Aphration, and this is my first officer, Ciryatari (Captain) Aerfaisel, and my tactical officer, Caun (Commander) Calisil. You are Lady Amena of Lar'Pos, yes?"

http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/nationstates/sirithil/sirithilnosfeanor.gifLady Sirithil nos Fëanor
Elentári of the Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar
Chancellor of CENNA
"If it is to be war between us, it shall be war to the knife and the knife to the hilt."
~Foreign Minister Duke Paolio, The Outlands
We Love the Iraqi Information Minister (http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com)
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Lady Amena bows to Aphration, holding it for a three count. "I am. It is the greatest of honors to meet you, Your Lordship, Ciryatari, Calisil. I thank you on behalf of all the elves...of all the people of all races on Pyrtania who wish justice and peace. May I have Your Lordship's permission to come aboard?"

OOC: 'Ciryatari', 'Caun', and 'Gweithir' are ranks... the Ciryatari's name is Aerfaisel.

IC:

Aphration smiled to Amena, and he'd be lying if he claimed not to enjoy being bowed to. Such respect was hard to find even in the military these days - though MIDF soldiers were professional to the last elf, and he got a bit more respect than some officers, being a noble. "Permission granted, my Lady," he replied, gesturing to the open dropship. "Find a seat and one of my soldiers will help you get buckled in. Then we'll return to Firestorm; I think you will be impressed."

http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/nationstates/sirithil/sirithilnosfeanor.gifLady Sirithil nos Fëanor
Elentári of the Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar
Chancellor of CENNA
"If it is to be war between us, it shall be war to the knife and the knife to the hilt."
~Foreign Minister Duke Paolio, The Outlands
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OOC: I know. She was giving the noble an honorific and calling the others by their titles.

Lady Amena nods. "Thank you, Your Lordship." She walks up the plank and enters the ship, finding a seat. She allows herself to be helped into it and have her buckles fastened. While maintaining her composure admirably, she looks horribly out of place and at a loss as to how to deal with this kind of technology.

OOC: Ahh... well, 'Calisil' was the other guy's name. ;)

IC: Aphration notices she looks out of place, but he actually finds her sorta cute. ;)

The soldiers and officers load up too, and there is a bit of a jolt as the vessel takes off. "The trip should only take a few minutes," Aphration says, and indeed it does; the sky fades from blue to navy to black speckled with the shining lights of distant stars, and high above can be seen shapes, thirty great shapes of varying sizes, wraithlike, all blood-red and void-black and sun-golden. The shapes turn out to be ships, ships of nearly unimaginable grace and elegance, yet bristling with weapons and sheer power. Thoron fighters arc everywhere, in neat patrol phalanxes, and shuttles and dropships move among the ships with regularity. The traffic is actually almost triple normal volume, but Aphration had arranged for this; all the more to impress (in a good way, this time, unlike with the fighter flybys) the envoy with Menelmacari strength and the trappings of empire. The dropship swerves towards the largest of the ships, a sinuous behemoth a kilometer and a third long.

"There she is, Amena, my ship: GDN-06, MIS Naralagos."

http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/nationstates/sirithil/sirithilnosfeanor.gifLady Sirithil nos Fëanor
Elentári of the Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar
Chancellor of CENNA
"If it is to be war between us, it shall be war to the knife and the knife to the hilt."
~Foreign Minister Duke Paolio, The Outlands
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Lady Amena looks out the window, examining all of this quietly. Her eyes are wide and for a moment her jaw even drops, obviously impressed. When she speaks, iher voice is very soft, not the bold voice designed to impress she used on the ground. "Until yesterday, elves on Pyrtania were never allowed to be anything but impoverished, illiterate masses, placed in conditions for atrocious that even the natural gentility of the elven heart was not enough to prevent a good number from being driven to depravity and crime. All my life, i never knew anything but want and despair. To see what elven civilization is when it is free..."

"Those days are over, my dear Lady," Aphration said softly. "And this is what we build for war... the most distasteful of pursuits... but oh, if you could see our cities, and what we build for peace...! Amena, it is our way to do whatever we can for our Kin. Thirty warships - a full battle-group - sent to help the downtrodden find freedom, forge a new life, a new society. You could join with us, if you liked. There are doors opening for your people now. Come to Menelmacar. Join Menelmacar but stay here. Forge your own nation with our help. All this and more. But whatever you choose, your oppressors will not dare strike at you while the Sixth Fleet watches from above. And whatever you choose, I promise... we will help you."

The ship's vastness is especially apparent when approaching... towards the hangar bay the Skywraith flew, and up close it was even more magnificent than before... endless expanses of shimmering painted mithril, carefully decorated with patterns both geometric and organic, in luminous golden paint. Expansive viewports with a warm glow issuing from within. Great turrets lining the hull, watching the skies, ever vigilant. The dropship took a sweep past the bridge tower, as well, and then across the bow, giving a view of the huge forward cannons, capable of coring just about anything smaller than a cruiser... or burning entire neighborhoods from orbit if the need truly came up. And carefully, so gently as to not even feel the impact of the touchdown, the dropship set down in the center of a hangar bay.

http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/nationstates/sirithil/sirithilnosfeanor.gifLady Sirithil nos Fëanor
Elentári of the Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar
Chancellor of CENNA
"If it is to be war between us, it shall be war to the knife and the knife to the hilt."
~Foreign Minister Duke Paolio, The Outlands
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Amena smiled softly at Aphration. "I don't know what I could give to such a mighty empire. But when Pyrtania is rebuilt, you will have our eternal thanks. I know that the alliance of a small world like Pyrtania isn't of much practical good to such a great empire as Menelmacar, but King Selak does intend to swear the friendship of himself and his house for all eternity so soon as he should regain his rightful throne. As for myself...I just don't know. This is a whole new world for me.

Meanwhile, the Grand Duke retires without a word to his chambers. Not even his closest advisors are admitted.

"Give?" Aphration chuckles softly. "Nay, we demand nothing. The joy is in the very act of giving. The joy of seeing our Kinsfolk blossom and grow, into something greater than they were. To stand up, to stand alongside us in unity and friendship and strength. Pyrtania is a small world with illiterate masses now, Amena... but someday it will be so much more. You are Elves, my Lady, and in that alone there is limitless potential."

The loading ramp lowered once again, for the ship had landed, and the soldiers saluted - a clenched fist held over the heart - and filed out. Aphration stood, returned their salute, then offered Amena his hand. "Now come, and I will show you my ship, and the things that will someday too be yours, and we will talk of many things."

http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/nationstates/sirithil/sirithilnosfeanor.gifLady Sirithil nos Fëanor
Elentári of the Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar
Chancellor of CENNA
"If it is to be war between us, it shall be war to the knife and the knife to the hilt."
~Foreign Minister Duke Paolio, The Outlands
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Amena smiles softly, not sure exactly what to say and takes his hand, rising. "Yes, Your Lordship, we are elves." She says simply. As he escorts her from the shuttle she looks around curiously. "The Grand Duke can do nothing against such greatness."

While the fact that several non-human "Fey" races live on Pyrtania has come up once or twice, the current conflict has been almost entirely between humans and elves. Thus the human soldiers in an obsolete, wheeled military jeep didn't expect any trouble driving through a small area of woods inhabited primarily by the puck, mischievous and childlike bestial spirits, known to be superficially self-absorbed and irresponsible but with hearts of gold in all true tests and the most loyal friends one could want. One of the troopers sighed when the tires went flat, stopping the vehicle and climbing out. "Damn..." He said looking at the road. "...those little beasts put nails on the road."

His partner frowned as giggling came from the trees. Then frowned more as he began to be obnoxiously pelted with berries. "Non-human beasts have been getting uppity ever since the elves rose up."

The other grunted. "Yeah, but whatcha gonna do? We can't fight Menelmacar."

But the soldier in the vehicle had an idea. "Well, it ain't like there's a puck version of Menelmacar. Here might be are chance to put the fear of humanity back in these soulless beast." And at that he opened fire into the brush, his partner following suite. The childlike laughter was swiftly replaced by the screams of terror and death which faded to a meek desperate whimpering before all was silent. The two soldiers drove away. Rumor spread quickly.

OOC: Do you people EVER sleep?!

IC:

The CSS Crossbow:

The captain sighed, looking at the fleet. "Well, at least it isn't an Arda fleet..." he says idly. "That would trash everything and we'd be in trouble."

On the surface, Laroona looked at the man and thought. "I believe there is still time to salvage this situation. We," she motioned to the others, "Wish to speak with the rebel leaders. I hope that it isn't too late to stop a civil war."

"So Menelmacar has intervened," Alaric mused. "Predictable, but somewhat unfortunate."

Hotaru frowned. "Are you sure?"

"Sirithil possesses many admirable qualities, but she is one of those who wields the hammer too often. The elves of Pyrtania will hardly be able to develop a truly independent state with a gravship fleet looming overhead, and the humans will, rather than slowly becoming accustomed to a more equal state of existence, simply harbor resentment toward Menelmacar and the elves, and perhaps turn that anger elsewhere..." He glanced at a report just in. "...Ah. I see they already have."

"So the gambit has failed?"

"A setback, rather. But it will fail, if events stand. And it may look like an imperialist move on Siri's part."

"We can't ask her to move. She'd probably see it as abandoning them."

Alaric shook his head. "We're not going to. Send her a secure message over YutLink, though. Make sure she's got all of the information. Maybe she'll change her approach. Or maybe not."

The man nods to Laroona and runs off. He is gone for some time. When he returns he approaches Laroona. "His Majesty says that he will not insult the nation of Crimmond by first receiving her representative in any place other than his right throneroom in the capital. His Majesty says that he will send to you a Knight Emmissary, to meet with you here. His Majesty says that he longs for peace, but that men such as conducted the recent slaughter among the puck are not soldiers, but criminals and His Majesty requests that the interplanetary community regard them as such."

Ranar looked up as another ship appeared, a smaller shuttle. It was quieter than the one behind him, using a diferent powercore. After it landed, a Beta Cygnian woman stepped out and walked over as the shutte departed again. When he saw who it was, he almost fell over.

Larea dinAthos nodded at the group. "I will be taking overas leader Ranar. This issue is far too complicated to let anyone else hande it." She says.

Ranar nods. "Yes, I understand."

Larea turns to the elvin man. "I am Larea dinAthos, Head of Interspecies Relations for the Empire and Council to the Coalition of Universal Rights. I have had a full report of what's been happeneing and there is only one way to proceed. I need to see your ruler in person."

http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:dT0iin-wOIAC:daisydownunder.com/images/motion-picture45.jpg
Larea dinAthos
Head of Interspecies Relations
Represenitive Council to the Coalition of Universal Rights
Quote: "Wars are not started by the military. They are started by bad diplomacy."

The elf repeats to Larea. "His Majesty would insult the great nation of Crimmond to first receive your envoy anywhere but in his right throne room in the capital." It is unclear from his tone whether he is trying to show resolve with the great powers or whether he honestly simply has no clue just how powerful the woman he's talking to is.

She shakes her head. "It would not be an insult. If I do not meet with him now, there may be no way to stop all out war."

The ld elf paused, looking at the delegation from Crimmond before speaking slowly. "No one outside our organization may know His Majesty's whereabouts or description. If you went to him, you would have to be taken alone and blindfolded on horseback by a circuisous route."

She nodded. "I accept."

None of the others objected and she knew why. The three Crimmond ships in orbit had a lock on her lifesigns and transponder. No matter where she went, they would know.

--------------

In orbit: the CSS Vladius II, a heavy battle cruiser of the same make as it's predecessor, sat in orbit. The Empire didn't send their officials without sending a large deterent to hostilities.

OOC: Gotta go for a few hours.

Several elves surround Larra. The tie a blindfold over her eyes and help her onto a horse. The horse is trotted through the jungle, turning constantly, for a good five or more hours, likely a rather sour five or so hours. She is then helped down. Voices are heard. "Why is she blindfolded?" "You said..." "Do you have any idea who that is?" "But your orders..." "Were meant for nosey press reporters." "So I should...?" "By the gods, take it off her!" The blindfold is removed and Lara is in an a small clearing surrounded by two or three shoddily clad and heavily armed elves.

A man in slightly finer clothes strides into view, nodding deeply. "It is a great honor, Larea dinAthos. My sincerest apologies for how you were treated. It was a mistake of the worst kind, I assure you. I am King Segok."

Larea stretches and smiles. "It is alright, I have endured worse ways of travel." She looks around. "It has caused no big delay. I need to talk to you of a cease fire."

Segok frowns. "Madame, you do need to be aware that we ordered all in our loyal service to cease hostility some time ago. The violence on the part of elves since them is the work of fringe terrorists and rampaging mobs. We are seeking to bring them under controld but...it is more difficult than we thought."

She nods. "I know, but things are becoming much more complicated with the Menelmacari fleet. If fighting does not stop on both sides, it may escalate and may draw undue attantion from above."

The Holy Empire of Istar (which has begun to enter the Solar System) condemns the policies of Pyrtania, if Istar has the technology to traverse solar systems fast enough I would personally lead the liberation of my kin on your Paladine-Forsaken world.

~Kingpriest Velorn X

Segok shrugs. "We are grateful to the Menelmacari for their aid."

Larea nods. "I'm sure you are, but you can be sure the humans aren't. This could goad them into all out war with you, to spite the Menelmacarians."(OOC: weird word)

Meanwhile the human ambassadors aproach the leader. "With the Menelmacari fleet above, we would suggest ordering all your troops not to start altercations or to finish them in a non-leathel way." One says.

Segok nods non-ommittally and says nothing else for the moment.

The Grand Duke is not approachable. He retired to his private quarters and is seeing no one.

These elves can meet my storm troopes bullets!

Segok nods non-ommittally and says nothing else for the moment.

The Grand Duke is not approachable. He retired to his private quarters and is seeing no one.Okay... then they approached someone else in charge and told them that.

The Minister of Defense nods. "Yes, I know."

The Duchess sees the people kneeled before her and says "Please stand up, that's not necessary. I came here to help you, but I need to talk with your leaders. Can you take me with them please?".

Ths guards lowered their weapons. Everything was looking ok. They were just their own kind, peaceful and good people.

The Duchess speaks again, in her most soft and warm tone of voice "I just want to help you. Do you need something?, Food, medicines?. Just say what do you need and I will find it for you. Who are your leader?, I really need to talk with him".

The elves slowly rise. One of them runs off a moment. He returns after a long while. "His Majesty offers to send a Knight Emmissary to you. We need food and medicines."

TO:Pyrtania
From:NGEN HQ

The Corporation would like to assist in rebuilding your economy. Allow us to set operations within your nation, and we shall provide hundreds of thousands of jobs and the fine products that will come out of it. We will also assist in building any community centers.

Larea looks around. "The humans state that they give you everything you need to survive... land, food, water... they do not seem to understand why you would rebel." She pauses and watches his reaction. "What is your response?"

Segok frowns a little. "This is our country. The fact that we can technically survive on the standard of living the racist minority allows us does not mean we have no cause for complaint."

The Duchess turns to the captain of her guard "Call the Nimloth, tell the admiral to send a dropship with humanitarian aid. I also want doctors in that dropship. The directives are sending food and medicines". The captain turned on the communicator on his wrist, sending the order to the Aelosian ship in the orbit of the planet.

"I will wait for the emissary of His Majesty. Do you need something more?. What's the name of your town anyway?. Looks like a very nice and quiet place. Can I visit your town?".

The Duchess Celesstrianna Paelisi was known for two things. She was the most beautiful elven maiden of the Craftworld, except maybe for the Princess Aliria, but without any doubt she was the sweetest one, a true humanist and caretaking person.

She nods. "I understand this. What... requests do you have?"

Segok shook his head. "It is beyond requests now. Gregory's illegitimate rule of Pyrtania can no longer be acknowledged."

The elf speaking with Celestrianna smiles tenderly. "It is called Seg'Del, m'lady. Of course you may visit." Then he frowns slightly. "We cannot guarantee your safety."

Meanwhile, the Grand Duke's image appears on television. "Greetings, loyal people of Pyrtania. Pyrtania is a land of many people, a fact we sometimes fail to appreciate. To help us become a better and more open society, I am declaring that at least one hour of programming controlled by our non-human fellow Pyrtanians will be shown on tv. The first broadcast will be in one hour. Thank you and good night."

"That's why I brought the guards, don't worry, I can take care of myself." she says, smiling at the elf who was talking to her. "And you have some nice place to stay, in Seg'Del?, from here looks like a very beautiful place. You should turn it into a turistic paradise"

She starts to walk to the town, followed by her guards. The captain was now aware of the surroudings, he didn't know what the elf meant with "we cannot guarantee your safety", but that could be a problem, a very nasty problem.

SHe frowned... "There is a possibility. Moving of the Elves to another part of the planet.... or off world, if needed. I don't want to move your people. But if it comes to relocation or civil war... I think we both know what would be the better choice."

Amena smiles softly, not sure exactly what to say and takes his hand, rising. "Yes, Your Lordship, we are elves." She says simply. As he escorts her from the shuttle she looks around curiously. "The Grand Duke can do nothing against such greatness."
Aphration gently took Amena's hand and led her down the ramp.

The vast chamber in which the dropship lay was itself absolutely massive. It was open, and well-appointed; everything was painted in light and airy colors. The few support pillars were made to resemble the trunks of trees, branches extending from their tops to spread across the ceiling. The doors to other rooms and corridors were, it seemed, crafted of oak, and carved in great detail; they slid noiselessly open for crew members as they approached. Occasionally a female voice could be heard over an intercom, making announcements of various sorts that would be appropriate on a flight deck. There were light fixtures high on the walls, which appeared almost as crystalline spheres of light, casting an invitingly warm glow throughout the room spectrally identical to the daylight of Sol. And even the deck had been painted with swirling decorative patterns, cleverly devised to also provide markings for landing areas, storage areas, traffic patterns, etc. This vessel felt to be larger inside than even than its massive size should suggest, and Naralagos seemed just as much a work of art as a weapon of war, lovingly crafted by a race seeking beauty in all things.

"Shall I give you the grand tour?" he offered.

http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/nationstates/sirithil/sirithilnosfeanor.gifLady Sirithil nos Fëanor
Elentári of the Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar
Chancellor of CENNA
"We have known freedom's price. We have shown freedom's power. We will see freedom's victory."
~US President George W. Bush
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Soluk, as the previously nameless elf talking to the Duchess is called, smiles. "Thank you, m'lady. It is a lovely area. Unfortunately, all the houses are hovels still." He leads her into the town.

Segok just blinked. "I beg your pardon? You are seriously going to engage in the forced relocation of the bulk of the peopleon Pyrtania to leave the country in the hands of a tiny minority? No. Absolutely not."

Amena took Aphration's hand, a soft blush touching her fair skin. "Please..."

OOC: I just noted the major diference between Menelmacari ships and Thelasian ships, Thelasian designers do decorate the warships, but ina more menacing way, the Grav-ships still have the gracefull design that details elven ships, but they are much more menacing, much darker in their appearance. And Thelas does not spend so much money on decor.

In all, we are much more uilitarian than Menelmacar, must come from having a very millitary based culture.

The Duchess makes a tour around the town, admiring the simple, yet beautiful houses, remembering the time before the Aelosian traveled to the stars, when they lived in quiet, simple towns as this one.

The dropship arrived in time, landing in the main square of the town. More guards exited the transport, carrying boxes of medicines and lembas. The lieutenant, a young elven battle maiden, approaches a little kid playing in the square and says "Hey kid, catch this!", throwing a little candy bar to the child. "Have you seen a pretty, strange lady?, one with a huge, beautiful and uncomfortable dress around here?".

The kid grins. "She's touring the town." They munch down the candybar. Then the kid blinks and scurries into a house as do most of the elves. A human hover vehicle, a large truck type thing, floats through the village.

The houses, if small but beautiful, are ridiculously overcrowded. Each tiny house holds two or three families.

Segok just blinked. "I beg your pardon? You are seriously going to engage in the forced relocation of the bulk of the peopleon Pyrtania to leave the country in the hands of a tiny minority? No. Absolutely not."Larea smiles grimly. "That minority, when it has the power these humans have over your people... relocation is not an acceptable option at this time anyway, but I thought I should bring it up."

She speaks into a commlink and minutes later an Imperial shuttle drops down. She smiles. "They knew where I was the whole time." she says befor getting in. "I will pass along what you have said."

The shuttle lifts off and climbs through the atmosphere, heading for the human capital on an eliptical course to make it seem they are coming from another point.

The lieutenant looks at the hover vehicle. "And now what?. I should suppose those are the bad guys, no?" she says pointing at the strange vehicle. Her men gathered arouund her, preparing for retaliate any hostile actions.

The Duchess was in the outer edges of the town, talking with Soluk. "Why are the houses so overcrowded?. Why don't you build more houses so your families could live more comfortable?" she says, when suddenly she sees the hover vehicle "What's that?, a military vehicle?", she asks to the elf.

Soluk shakes his head. "No, that's a transport vehicle. It means that there must be trouble with the puck...that or the humans are simply raiding for the sake of doing so. That's the vehicle they use to take them to...to market. As for hours, before the rebellion, the humans worked us 15 hours a day. We were too tired to build homes."

The pilot looked at his sensors. "Madame, there's an elven town up ahead that we'll be passing over.... most of what I'm seeing is what I expected, but..." He shakes his head.

Larea frowns. "But what?"

The pilot looks up for a moment. "There's a dropship in the square... military type. Should we divert?"

Larea shook her head. "No, all the nation that have shown up are not hostile to us, continue on course."

Soon the small shuttle would come into earshot of the townspeople and whoever was in the square. "Squawk the IFF code, just in case let the dropship know we're a diplomat."

The hover vehicle pulls to a stop, seeing the Aleosian dropship. A human can be seen talking on the comm through the window. A short while later, several military hover vehicles glide into the town. A man in officers uniform carrying an energy pistol hops from the door of one of the vehicles and approaches the Lieutenant. "Excuse me, you don't have permission to land here."

"I have orders, stand aside and put that weapon away" says the lieutenant, her hand over the handle of her lightsaber. "We came here to investigate about acts of brutality commited by elves, and to bring humanitarian aid. The only permission that I need is the permission of the officer in charge of my mission. Your goverment is not recognized by the Holy Elven Empire of Aelosia, so we don't need your permission. We will land wherever we want". The guards put their hands on their rifles, turning on their striking scorpion power armors.

"Madam, we need you out of here, sorry, orders from the Admiral", says the captain to the Duchess, worried about the military ships closing into the square. The elven noble looks to the officer and answer "Wait, I will not leave until I finish my job here. 15 hours of labor?, that's slavery!. We can't allow that. Elves must not be mistreated in that way. My goverment will help you, believe me, I will do everything in my hands to help you".

The small shuttle streaks over the town, engines making a distinct high pitched whine as it makes a course correction. It passes over the dropship and continues on it's way to the capital.

The officer snarls. "If the sub-human filth from Aleosia does not acknowledge our sovereign govenment, that hardly means we won't defend it." At this point roughly 250 soldiers with energy rifles pour out of the military vehicles.

Another officer looks meekly to the commander. "Sir, you're not really going to open fire on Aleosia. They're one of the greatest mili..."

The commander just snarls at the other man, shutting him up. "Expel the invaders!" At this point the Pyrtanians open fire upon the Aleosians.

Soluk looks up at the Duchess. "Thank you, m'lady." He smiles. Then he blinks as he hears weapons fire. "What's going on?"

Larea's shuttle arrives at the capital in time to get a report of weapons fire. "Idiots! This entire venture is going to be killed if these people keep shooting at ea- What... those fools are taking on that dropship?" She gets out of the shuttle and ignores the human gaurds, walking right past them, heading to have a talk with the Grand Duke.

"Sub human filth, I will teach about that!" says the lieutenant, reaching for her lightsaber and charging against the human formation. Her men opened fire instantly, in response to the humans attack. The Aelosians were better equipped, but badly outnumbered. The lieutenant severed the head of the sergeant who insulted her with one stroke of her lightsaber, deflecting the incoming fire, then she cut in half another man. But the humans were too many. A shot pierced through her forehead, killing her instantly.

The rest of the Aelosian guards were better protected under the striking scorpion armors, but soon the firepower of the more numerous humans brought them down. The last guardsman entered to the dropship and sealed the deck, activating the ShadowDragon Combat Droids, yelling at the pilot. "Let's get the hell out of here!".

The Captain approaches the Duchess one more time, after hearing the gunfire "That's it. Let's get the hell out of here, Duchess". The woman looked at the officer with a proud look "I will stay here, it's my duty to help this...". The captain interrumpted her "Orders from the Admiral, Duchess. We need you out of this town. We have a military situation here!, for Isha's sake. This is dangerous, and you don't have any military training"

As soon as the guards retreat into the guardship, the guards open fire on the elven civilians who begin to flee into the woods. Gunfire bursts out from the woods as elven guerillas attack, the ceasefire broken. They make no move to retake the village, simply covering the flight of the civilians. A small group of a dozen fighters take up defensive formation around the Duchess. "We don't intend to let you be harmed, m'lady." The leader calls out. Then he turns to a couple elves that are moving into the village. "Fall back. We're just defending our people so they can get out."

The other elf shakes his head. "We have to get to that puck transport. There's sentient beings in there, even if they aren't elves." The captain nods and the two rush for cover, firing on the humans from behind a hut, trying to fight their way to the transport.

The guards don't try to keep Larea out of the Grand Dukes chambers but the Grand Duke is nowhere to be seen. A few pages are standing around, looking scared and confused.

Larea looks around and sighs. "Where is he?"

The pages look at her nervously. They're each about 12 years old. One of them opens his mouth as though to talk. Then he simply runs away. The other looks after him, looks to Larea, and then follows suit.

Larea wlks up to one of the gaurds. "Your in charge of the Grand Duke's safety?"

The guard simply glares at her, fingering his weapon, an old fashioned, automatic projectile rifle. "His Grace made clear that he would not meet with you while foreign troops were on Pyrtania. Now those troops have invaded, opening fire unprovoked upon the brave soldiers defending out nation. My only orders regarding you are to inform you that your diplomatic immunity expires in six hours. That should be a reasonable time to vacate our world...whatever you are."

Darth Thanatos smiled. It was a vision totally devoid of any humor, more like the scowl of a wolf before going for the prey's neck.

"And now, we spread more chaos."

Joining the word to the action, he accessed his computer and opened an encoded hyper-secure channel with Crimmond.

"Hello. I am Darth Thanatos, Emperor of DarkSith. Surely you might remember my recently opened little toy shop. At least, I seem to recall that some comment came from your country. Well, this is to inform you that an undefined number of neural stimulators have been sold to someone in the Pyrtania country. As I didn't knew of the purchase until now, I couldn't avoid its delivery. Due to the total anonimity of the shop, I cannot guarantee that the purchasers are not elves. Or any other race present there. Good bye."

The wait for the change of guard was mercilessly long for the sentinels stationed outside the Imperial Office, as the glee and sense of self-evilness spread out.

(OOC: Mwahahahaha!)

The tall bald woman smiles disturbingly, the double canines showing. "I am a human. Simply geneticly engineered to survive on a hostile world. Thank you for informing me of the expiration and... tell the Grand Duke the Empire will be responding if hostilities do not cease."

She turns around and walks out, getting into the shuttle and inforiming the rest of the Imperials the diplomatic portion of the mission was over.

The Duchess looks at the Captain for the last time. "Ít's our duty to protect this civilians. We will stay here. Call the Nimloth again, ask for reinforcements". The officer was amazed "But Duchess, this is a diplomatic mission, we're not here to invade this country, our directives were to maintain a low profile".

The Duchess loses her composture "Do as I say now!, this is an order from the Duchess, I'm in charge of this mission, that decision will be taken by the Admiral, not by you, god damned".

In the bridge of the Nimloth, the Admiral was looking through the pressurized glass, into the void of the outer space. He reads the message from his ground operatives.

We are under attack by troops of the human goverment. The Duchess refused to leave the zone. We need reinforcements, more enemy troops are pouring in the town

This was a tough decision. Leaving the Duchess to a certain death at the hands of the humans wasn't an option, that would be inmediately followed by a declaration of war by the ShadowPrince. He knows that she wasn't going to leave the country, she was too stubborn.

"Well, it looks like anything I do, will end in war. Let's seize the opportunity and take the initiative". He pushes the buttom for general communications. "To all stations. All regiments of corsairs, assume your positions. All dropships crew, ready to take off. We will invade Pyrtania"

He turns to an assistant "Sends a message to the Aelosian High Command. We're in war again, and we'll going to need more ships. I request the support of the Third and the Fourth fleets"

The elven guerilla captain glances to the Duchess. "M'lady, we appreciate your courage in staying but please at least let us get you to a base area. You can meet with the Knight Emmissary there."

meanwhile, the first of the elves going for the puck transport falls with a scream, hit in the shoulder. The seond takes cover behind a hut, clutching his weapon and not moving.

"Take me there, Captain, you're coming with me. The rest of you, help them to retake that transport, meet with us when you have achieved your mission". The soldier nodded, they were outraged of how the human soldiers opened fire against innocent and unarmed civilians, and were eager to avenge their fallen comrades. They charged against the puck transport, covering the elven rebels.

In the orbit, hundreds of Aelosian elite forces and standard corsairs were boarding the dropships. Several heavy gunships were ready to cover the invasion, and the heavy transport loaded Falcon Gravtanks and heavy Vyper jetbikes. Soon the invasion begins, a cloud of dropships leaving the Nimloth.

The CSS Vladius II
Crimmond Heavy Battlecruiser

Captain Varn looked over the intercepted communication. "Good. We won't be the first to strike. Launch the marines."

The Assault Marines, already in the landing craft, ready to go since they saw negotiations had stagnated, felt the ship lift up and shoot out of the Vladius's main bay.

It dove toward the planet, passing the shuttles coming from the surface, and heads towards the village where the Duchess was.

The elf nods and moves back into the woods. He guides the Duchess to a small camp, the dozen elves keeping defensive formation around her the entire time. A single young elf is standing in the middle of the camp and bows to the Duchess. "I am Sir Sowek, Your Grace, His Majesty's representative."

Meanwhile,the human troops surround the transport. One of them swung the back door open and pointed his gun inside. "Listen, you pointy-eared freaks! Fire another shot and I shoot every rug in here!"

Meanwhile, the Pyrtanian space fleet takes off. Given Pyrtania's size and economy, it's actually a small fleet. Most of their military budget goes to repressing their own people. There are five ships, only one of which has interstellar capability, a small, sleak red cruiser. The other four, large hulks of steel and iron, looking clumsy and bulky, are built only for combat in orbit. And that is exactly what they do. The four head towards the Aleosian fleet, opening fire with energy weapons, as the fast cruiser simply flees.

The ground troops deployed as fast as they could, marking a perimeter near the town. Several squads were dispatched to secure the town and secure the position of the Duchess. The tanks exited the trnasport, roaring as the Gravtech devices were turned on.

The Pyrtanian troops attack the Aelosian's perimeter fiercely in one or two arbitrary points. Leaping from their transports already shooting as they run for whatever cover they can find.

The Dark Matter shields of the Nimloth easily withstanded the barrage of fire launched by the cruisers of Pyrtania. The Admiral was amused "And they want to attack us with that. Those weapons aren't going to harm this ship!. Fire just the laser batteries, the Dark Matter cannons are overkill against those Pyrtanians ships. We don't want to destroy them outright, just to scare them".

In the town, the commandos of the honor guard surrounds the remaining soldier pointing his gun to the interior of the transport. The commander turns to the squad marksman, a girl holding her sniper rifle aimed at the head of the human, "Do you have him?". "Yes, I have him", answers the girl in a very calm voice. Without any warning she fires her silenced rifle, putting a bullet in the soldier's forehead. "Job's done" says the girl.

The Duchess was amazed, the elves of Pyrtania lived as her people lived thousands of years ago. Looking at them was like living history itself. She says to the elf greeting her "I'm Duchess Celesstrianna Paelisi of the Aelosian High Nobility. It's a pleasure to meet you. We need to talk", she makes a very polite bow, looking into the elf's eyes.

The shields of the battleships flicker and fizzle at the laser fire, not actually falling yet however. The fire keeps up but starts to diminish, as one weapons battery after another goes silent with no visible relationship to the elves' firing pattern.

The last soldier in the village goes down. His gun goes off for a brief moment as he falls. His hand jerks and the shot wasn't aimed but it does go into the transport, possibly harming someone. No one emerges from the transport.

Sowek meets Celestrianna's gaze. His eyes are strong and determined, yet saddened and aged beyong his years. "Yes, Your Grace. We do."

"They looks dumb and bulky, but they aren't fragile", says the assistant on the bridge. "Certainly they aren't, and they don't look scared of our weapons. Let's give them a lesson. Fire the Dark Cannon batteries. Concentrate the fire in one of the ships. When it implodes, switch to the another one. Do it fast, their continous fire is starting to reduce our shields" answers the Admiral.

In the town's square, the commander nods to one of his men. The commando steps forward, then stops in the frame of the transport's door, inspecting the inside with the flashlight of his rifle.

Around the town in the Aelosian landing position, the grounds troops were barely able of maintaining the perimeter. Several ShadowDragon Combat Droids attacked the human lines with their black napalm flamethrowers, trying to hold them, waiting for the last dropships to land.

In the forest glare, the Duchess says "I care about your people. We can invade this country, even depose the goverment, but elves aren't the mayority of the population. Don't they?"

The first ship implodes in short order. The other three ships send out signals, seeking to hail. Two of the three remaining ships cease fire. The fast cruiser is now out of the system.

Inside the transport are several dozen beings. They look mostly human, except they are only five feet tall at full growth. They have furry, tufted, bestial ears and long fuzzy tails. They are dressed in bright clothes in all the colors of the rainbow. They have their hands bound behind their back, collars like those one would use on a dog around their necks, and gags in their mouths.

Sowek nods. "No, but there are more elves than their are of any other race. The other races won't be discriminated against in His Majesty's government, not even the humans."

After the remaining ships cease fire, the Admiral sends a message to all stations. "Cease fire now. But reload the Dark Matter batteries. If they fire against us again, send them to oblivion". Then he sends a message to the Pyrtanian ships "We're not interested in engaging you again. Retreat and we will forgive you for your transgression. Keep firing at us and we will erase your puny presence from the stars".

The commando was surprised. They weren't elves, or humans...he had heard rumors about the catpeople of Kecha and about foxpeople, but..."Commander, come here, you have to see this". He puts his rifle away and approaches one of the prisoners, drawing his knife. "Are you OK?, let me help you. I'm a friend" he says.

Celesstrianna says to the Royal representative "So, if we help you to overthrow the current goverment, Can you raise a new goverment based in liberty and equality?. That's our main interest, and defend you and your people".

The Pyrtanian spacefleet retreats, moving off some distance from the planet.

The puck nestles slightly into the commando as though seeking protection. She sniffled slightly. "Mmmpphhmm." She murmurs.

Sowek nods without hesitation. "Yes, Your Grace, we can."

Meanwhile, the lines fighteing the Aelosians near the village start to thin. A number of transports speed back towards the capital.

The troop transport that was heading for the village pursus the retreating human transports and calls for fighters to assist.

The transport opens fire with ion cannons, designed only to shut down electronics.

The first ship implodes in short order. The other three ships send out signals, seeking to hail. Two of the three remaining ships cease fire. The fast cruiser is now out of the system.

Inside the transport are several dozen beings. They look mostly human, except they are only five feet tall at full growth. They have furry, tufted, bestial ears and long fuzzy tails. They are dressed in bright clothes in all the colors of the rainbow. They have their hands bound behind their back, collars like those one would use on a dog around their necks, and gags in their mouths.

Sowek nods. "No, but there are more elves than their are of any other race. The other races won't be discriminated against in His Majesty's government, not even the humans."
Klaxons went off throughout the Menelmacari vessels... they sounded aboard Naralagos as well, including where Aphration was about to conduct his beautiful guest on a tour of the dreadnought.

"Damn... Amena, it sounds like there's trouble... I might have to give you a raincheck on that tour." He pulled out his comm. "Aphration to bridge. Report."

"Five Pyrtanian vessels have risen from the surface. Four have opened fire on the Aelosian ships and the fifth is fleeing the system. It's the only one with interstellar capability."

"Understood... have the rest of the fleet remain here. Take us out of orbit and pursue the fleeing Pyrtanian. I'll be up in a few moments."

"Understood, milord. Aerfaisel out."

He smiled to Amena. "Looks like you might get to see some action... come with me." And he led her from the hangar. The corridors of the ship were much like the landing bay, in that they were wide and spacious, and well-appointed. Intricate scrollwork and carvings lined the bulkheads, everything was done in light and natural colors, the floors covered in swirling multicolored patterns and the halls lit by the same sort of crystalline light fixtures as the hangar. Where the corridor neared the outer hull, there were wide windows, set in from the outer surface so that retractable hull plates could move into position to cover and protect them in combat. Outside could be seen a very impressive view of the fleet and the planet below; Naralagos seemed to be turning and moving away, though the vessel's movements could not be felt under their feet.

Shortly they reached a small side-room with what looked like a circle set into a dais on the floor, with a small control panel near it.

"Step onto here with me," Aphration said, "And try to relax." When she did, he simply said, "Bridge," and the world around them flashed red. When the light faded again, they were elsewhere on the ship... at the back of the Firestorm's bridge.

Aphration moved to a chair in the center of the room from which he could see the stations of the entire crew, and he gestured to a chair at his right for Amena. The bridge was... large... most of the front end was taken up by an expansive window, overlooking the forward section of the ship. There was a massive holoprojector in the center of the room showing an image of Pyrtania, with the various fleets that had come orbiting it in exquisite detail. Everything else in the room was well-appointed as the rest of the ship, and the crew went about their duties with efficiency and professionalism.

Ciryatari Aerfaisel stepped forward. "All systems are at peak efficiency; all weapons are fully racked and charged. Milord, the bridge is yours. We are pursuing the Pyrtanian FTL cruiser now, as ordered. The Aelosians destroyed one ship, the others are moving off."

"Excellent," he replied. "Keep up the good work."

http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/nationstates/sirithil/sirithilnosfeanor.gifLady Sirithil nos Fëanor
Elentári of the Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar
Chancellor of CENNA
"We have known freedom's price. We have shown freedom's power. We will see freedom's victory."
~US President George W. Bush
We Love the Iraqi Information Minister (http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com)
Clicky-clicky!

Under ion fire, several of the troop transports come to a halt. Troops hop out and head on foot towards the capital, apparently finding something quite urgent.

The three surviving battleships move between the Menelmacari and the fleeing cruiser, opening up with their full batteries.

Amena walked with Aphration, looking appreciatively at the walls. When she is suddenly transported to the bridge, she blinks once. "Amazing..." She follows Aphration and sits where directed, smirking faintly. "I am sure that cruiser is Gregory's."

The transport continues to pursue, easily outpacing the soldiers and opening the rear loading hatch to let a few of the larger marines lean out the back and laugh at them. They then start taking potshots into the group with thier wrist blasters, just to see how eager they are to keep running down the road.

A few of the soldiers fall, struck. The rest open fire on the marines hanging out of the vehicle, still moving forward.

"Gregory's?" Aphration asks. "Who's that?"

The ship rumbled and faintly vibrated as weapons fire impacted the shields.

"We're under fire, Gweithir," Calisil reported.

"Very well," Aphration said, hardly caring; there was little risk to Naralagos from the three remaining hulks. "Target the lead hulk with the spinal mounts and fire. Do not slow our pursuit."

Calisil nodded, and reached for the appropriate control. Outside, the Naralagos' largest cannons spoke... eight of them arranged in four pairs, each capable of burning entire neighborhoods from a planet's surface... from their emitters streamed vast quantities of harnessed plasma, compressed and directed by electromagnetic force towards a single point on the hull of the lead Pyrtanian ship. From afar, it would seem like the ship blazed forth with a lance of deadly red light, certain to do unspeakably hideous damage to the Pyrtanian vessel (if it hit).

http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/nationstates/sirithil/sirithilnosfeanor.gifLady Sirithil nos Fëanor
Elentári of the Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar
Chancellor of CENNA
"We have known freedom's price. We have shown freedom's power. We will see freedom's victory."
~US President George W. Bush
We Love the Iraqi Information Minister (http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com)
Clicky-clicky!

The Marines battle armor absorbs the hits without failing, but one of the Marines slips when a shot his one of the transports thrusters, causing it to go off for a second. He rolls to a kneeling position and opens fire with a heavy blaster. "That was embarrasing..."

Seeing they aren't stopping their advance he starts walking backwards and hopes his armor holds as other marines pour out of the transport and one lifts up a missile launcher, firing into the soldiers.

The Aelosians corsairs roars with the arrival of the Crimmond marines supporting them. Several squads left to pursue the enemy, while the rest stays, building a camp inside the perimeter. The Baron General Thelise approaches the commander of the Crimmond marines "Thank you, commander. This favor won't be forgotten".

In the bridge of the Nimloth, the Admiral was seeing the thermal map of the orbit. He issues the final orders for the day "The Menelmacari are leaving, I suppose they want to pursue the another Pyrtanian ship. Send the rest of the ground forces, with humanitarian aid to the surface. The fleet can rest, today we have achieved victory and helped elvenkind. This is a good day"

In the ground the commando breaks open the lock of the collar of the puck using his knife. He remembered something about catpeople...maybe the pucks were similar?. "I can't understand you, buddy, Can you understand me?", says the soldier, putting his hand in his heart "I want to be your friend, you don't have to be afraid of me".

The Duchess raised his head and says "So be it. We will help you to depose this goverment and to build a new one. Also I promise you that Aelosia will give you aid to rebuild your country, both socially and economically, so never again your people have to live in small unconfortable houses, working 15 hours in a day".

The Colonel nods, removing his helmet. His face is half covered with a green and blue circut like pattern , the dissappears into the armor. A quick look at the others with him would show they have the same type of subdermal tattoo. "We knew that negotiation would fail when all the other nations showed up and the humans felt pressured. Seeing that one of your dropships was under attack, it seemed a good chance to enter the fight."

Aelosia: We're not leaving, only the flagship broke off to pursue. The other 29 ships remain in orbit.

~Siri

"Grand Duke Gregory, or so he calls himself." Amena said. "He obviously thought that no one would be willing to actually go into battle. Now that he's in a war he knows he can't win, the coward likely seeks to flee the solar system."

A massive explosion blows forth from the point of the Pyrtanian ship struck by the spinal mounts. The ship ceases fire, seemingly dead in space. However, it and the other ships are directly in the path of pursuit after the cruiser.

The Pyrtanian troops finally break before the superior forces from Crimmond. A few of them raise white flags to surrender. More simply flee.

OOC: What's Amena think of all this ordnance flying about? ^_^

IC:

"Don't worry, my Lady, we'll get him." He glanced to the helmsquende. "Move around them," Aphration ordered coolly... it was practically the signature style of a Menelmacari officer of his rank that even if the world were going to hell and back around them, they would maintain the utmost calm under fire; like a rock in the ocean, even as waves break around it.

Naralagos shifted a bit to starboard to go behind the pair of remaining Pyrtanian system-ships, which were moving across the course in a general portside direction. It was the helmsquende's theory that while passing in front of them, to port, would allow them the chance to ram Firestorm, passing behind would allow the dreadnought to slip past before the hulks could turn.

"Give them a taste of our broadside as we pass."

"Firing," Calisil confirmed, and the order was sent; medium and heavy cannons down the full 1.35 km length of Naralagos' hull blazed now, surrounding the Pyrtanians in a hail of deadly star-fire.

http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/nationstates/sirithil/sirithilnosfeanor.gifLady Sirithil nos Fëanor
Elentári of the Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar
Chancellor of CENNA
"We have known freedom's price. We have shown freedom's power. We will see freedom's victory."
~US President George W. Bush
We Love the Iraqi Information Minister (http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com)
Clicky-clicky!

OOC: Sorry about that.

IC:

"Was a good chance indeed" says the general "Aelosia and me owes you a big favor. You know something?, I thought that your forces were coming to help the loyalist. I suppose that lady luck was in our side today".

from the Nimloth a message was sent to the Menelmacari Flagship. "Naralagos, here the Nimloth, please proceed with the pursuit, we will take care of cleaning your way."

The Admiral sent a message to the remaining enemy ships. "Surrender now. Unless you want to taste our Dark Matter Batteries again". The assistant says to the Admiral. "Why we don't join the pursuit?"

The Admiral smiles, "The Menelmacari are faster, anyway that ship is doomed, there's no way they could escape the firepower of a Menelmacari fleet. Do you remember what happened in the civil war?. One of our fleets was almost completely obliterated by just several of those Noldorin vessels"

The marines cease fire and the one that fell out looks at his armor. It looked like the ones he had seen in the tests done on the type, they said it could withstand it and it had, barely.

OOC: GG gonna watch the Blue Angels practice for the airshow out my window.

Sewok smiles slightly. "Thank you, Your Grace. We appreciate the kindness of your empire."

The puck are also gagged with filthy rags and heavy tape, with their hands bound behind their back with thin, sharp metal wire that bruises the skin, tightly enough to turn their hands blue. That's why she can't talk yet.

Meanwhile, weapons fire breaks out in the streets of the capital. The elven guerrillas have snuck into the city in force.

Amena's eyes widen a little at the explosions. "It's odd that the colors themselves can be so beautiful, yet be things of death.

Only one of the Pyrtanian ships sends out a message. "We surrender." The others float inactive, having taken severe damage in the battle. Unable to even open a hailing frequency.

The elven guerrillas move rapidly through the capital. Most of the Pyrtanian soldiers are either at another front or have desserted though a few try to resist. One of the first stops they make is the puck kennels, markets, and other places where they are kept in captivity. Confused crowds of newly liberated pucks engage in a wave of petty mischief throughout the capital, egging human houses, slashing human tires, and otherwise revenging themselve on their oppressors in childish ways.

Firing is finally heard around the palace itself. There is heavy fire and bodies, both human and elven, litter the streets before the palace gates are finally forced open.

The queendom of Elyji has finally heard what is happening to the elves. Elyji offers their world as a home for the elves if they want it.

Duchess Paelisi says to Sewok. "I'm always honored of doing what is right and helping my own kin, you have nothing to thank me. Hadn't you done the same thing for was the situation different?"

The soldier cuts the tape and the wire "Sometimes I think that humans are possesed by demons, Who else could think about doing this to such a lovely creature?". He hugs the puck, then starts helping the rest of them. The commander sees the scene through the door of the transport and says "Damn, this is bad. Find some blankets and bring some food!". The soldiers pick up the rest of the cargo (most of it was destroyed in the firefight) and bring it in front of the transport.

In the orbit the Nimloth approaches to the remaining Pyrtanian ships. The bridge sends a message "We will board your ships to secure the area and land the ship in the surface. Thank you for being reasonable, and avoiding more bloodshed"

Sewok nods. "I certainly like to think so, yes."

The puck nestles into the hug, whimpering a little and pulling the filthy rag out of her mouth. She rubs her lips, hurt a little from the removal of the tape. "Thanks. You're really nice and stuff. What's your name? Ooh! Food? Make sure it's vegetarian. Thanks. So we don't have to be collared anymore?"

The reply from the one ship with working communications is simple. "Acknowledged."

The commando raises the first puck and takes the hand of another. He turns and says to the rest "My name is Astaris, follow me, please. And no, you don't have to wear those awful collars again". Outside the rest of the soldiers were pulling out boxes of conserved lembas and medicines.
The soldier approaches the commander. "We should call a doctor, I don't know if they are in bad health". The officer turns to the pucks and says "Be our guest, eat that food, is a gift from the elves to you".

The corsairs boarded the ships, entering the bridge of the one that has still communications...

The Colonel's marines return with the captured humans, now with their hands shackled.

The leader of the group, the one that fell out of the transport, removes his helmet. "Colonel, these are the ones that surrendered and the wounded are coming. Most fled, but we didn't have enough men to make sure the prisoners didn't flee as well."

The Colonel nods and stares at the severely battered armor. "How many hits are in that chestplate Corporal?"

The corporal shrugs and smiles. "Not enough to get through."

The soldiers load back into the transport after the wounded are offloaded and it rises slowly into the air, then climbing quickly towards the awaiting ships.

A message is sent from the Vladius to the fleets. "It seems you have everything under control, we are returning to Earth, confident that the situation is in good hands."

Several minutes after the transport enters the Vladius, the three ships jump to hyperspace.

"The shooting war is all but over," Alaric mused, frowning. "Now the difficult part begins. The forces arrayed nearby are..." His lips pressed together, and he nodded to Hotaru, coming to a decision. "Contact Kyria. Have her go. We'll need people on the surface. And I doubt she'll need to be told, but her retinue should include at least one foxgirl or other nonhuman from the diplomatic corps."

"The shooting war is all but over," Alaric mused, frowning. "Now the difficult part begins. The forces arrayed nearby are..." His lips pressed together, and he nodded to Hotaru, coming to a decision. "Contact Kyria. Have her go. We'll need people on the surface. And I doubt she'll need to be told, but her retinue should include at least one foxgirl or other nonhuman from the diplomatic corps."

The pucks nestle into the contact, murring softly. They peer wide eyed at the food. One of them asks. "Is there any meat in it?" Another sniffs it a little. They peer out at the soldiers and some of them wave.

"Its just elvish bread, and don't have meat. But has some very special recovering properties", says Astaris. "Why were you inside that transport?, Why the humans treated you like garbage?" he asks, visibly disturbed.

The puck shrugs as they all begin hungrily munching the bread. "They think it's cute, I think. They always say stuff like that. They're nice when they're bored. They don't care about us though, unless they're in a scritchy mood. Do you like me?" She wrinkles her nose cutely. "My wrists really hurt now."

*TAG*

The puck rubs her wrists with a faint, thoughtful frown. "How'd you get guns and stuff? I thought only humans had those."

"Uh?, did you say cute. I can't understand how someone can think of that as cute. I will get you something for your wrists". He starts to look in the medicine box. Where the hell is the doctor, he should have arrived already.

She shrugs. "They think it's cute when we whimper and pout and cry and stuff. it's just how humans are. There's other stuff they like to do to us too. They used to use silk rope though. THis new cord is horrible." She chews some lembas. "They're going to notice when we don't show up at the kennel, probably. That's when they get really mad and use heat and electricity and stuff."

"Not anymore. Now everybody will have the same freedoms. We created this guns and....stuff" says the officer in charge. "The human forced you to forced labor?"

She shrugs. "No way. Labor's for elves and giants and things. We were pets. We always had to wear collars and stay in cages and boxes and kennels and stuff. They'd make us do tricks and sometimes use us as ashtrays and footstools and hatrests and other stuff like that, you know?" She takes another bite. "Sometimes they'd get nice and pet and wash and clean us or get bored and torture us for fun and...ummm...other stuff I'm not ready to talk about, you know?"

The commander and Astaris looked each other. There was an extraordinary evil working in Pyrtania. "I will send a message to the Nimloth, this is the worst things that I have heard in all my life. And I fought in the wars against the drow slavers...", says the Captain.

A few minutes later a message was sent from the Nimloth to the Naralagos. "I know you don't know me, Captain. But I'm asking this as a personal favor, please don't let that cruiser escape. That Gregory is the worst criminal I have heard about. The human society in Pyrtania is tainted to the roots. Don't let Gregory escape, no matter what"

The little puck peers up at them, still gulping down lembas. "So we're going to get to sleep in beds and eat at table with utensils and talk when we want to and use our hands and go by names and stuff now?" She grins and claps a little. "Ow!" She stares at her wrist, which she'd apparently hurt more.

"Of course. You're people now, not pets, and you will be treated as such. You will have the same rights as the elves and the humans. Let me see that wrist of yours..." says a new arrived lady, with cute glasses, dressed in white.

"Yay!" She yells and holds her wrists out to the lady.

Kyria's vessel folded out several thousand kilometers from Pyrtania -- it was rarely a good idea to appear in the middle of a recent warzone unannounced. The ship, a relatively-small diplomatic vessel, was gleaming, apparently-seamless silver, and teardrop-shaped. It was escorted by a pair of patrol vessels -- crescent-shaped ships similar to, but larger and more heavily-armed than, Ravenspire starfighters.

IFF was broadcast as an identifier, and the three ships continued to approach orbit.

The puck peers up at the woman asking for her wrists. "So you're a vet? They always told me I was too naughty to deserve trips to the vet."

Broadcast on All Stations:

Attention all citizens of Pyrtania. This is Segok, by the right of ineheitance and the will of the people, King of Pyrtania. We would like to thank all of our brothers and sisters from other worlds who were of immeasurable assistance in our struggle for freedom. What could otherwise have taken years was accomplished in days. Yes, we have been at war. But that war is now over. It is time to lay down our arms. We have a far greater struggle ahead. The struggle to build a new Pyrtania in which all of her people may live in freedom and peace. We would like to invite all of our allies to meet with us and receive a proper greeting in the throne room of the Great Palace of Pyrtania. May the gods bless you all.

"A vet?. I'm a doctor, little cute one. A doctor of people, not animals", says the woman in a very sweet voice. She pulls out a injector and says to the puck "You will feel a little pain".

"I'm so happy" says the Duchess, present in the coronation of Segok. "We achieved peace. I will tell my goverment to withdraw our troops from here as soon as possible. However, you will need help to rebuild your country. Tell me what you need and I will talk to the ShadowPrince".

The ouck blinked twice. "Wow. A doctor? Really? For me?" She blushed bright red.

Segok shakes his head in his throne room. "You have done more than enough, Your Grace. Pyrtania has a strong economy, her people have just never gotten to enjoy it before. All we seek from Aeleosia is friendship and diplomatic relations."

"Soon you will have a house, a vehicle and a family too. And you could visit a Doctor anytime you want to", says the Doctor smiling. She gave the puck a shot of tranquilizers, then she prepares to stitch the wounds of the little being.

"Then you will have it, consider it done", says the Duchess. "I will stay here as a provisional ambassador, if you don't have trouble with it".

The puck smiles. "Really? I don't know how to drive a vehicle and...Like, I think I have a family somewhere." She jerks away as she gets an injection. "Hey! You said no more pain!"

Segok smiles warmly. "We would consider it an honor, Your Grace."

Fin?

Eso es todo amigos...FIN