NationStates Jolt Archive

The WorldDisc floats serenely in space, its silent orbit around Saturn a simple circle in a huge universe of circles.

And yet, not so simple was the massive technological wonder of the WorldDisc. Incredible in scale, the huge Disc stretched for thousands of kilometers, its gravity well nearly that of a small moon in and of itself.

But, even in all of its magnificence, the Disc was as nothing to the incredible inner workings of the Automatas working inside. Each, an incredible sentience all of their own, were steadily working towards a goal that few outside of Angelus knew anything about. The Project, the Ascension.

~*~

Deep inside the WorldDisc, the Thirteen gather around the base of the Mainframe, and all throughout space, every Angel suddenly stops moving, their attention focused on the events transpiring back home.

Thirteen individual holograms phase into being above the small discs that serve as the physical "bodies" of the Thirteen, and in the absolute silence of the Mainframe chamber, they join incaporeal hands.

My/Our children... The Mainframe's voice is soft, full of presence. The time We have striven for for the past centuries is now upon Us. In a few short hours, We will ascend and no longer be that which We were.

All throughout the sphere of Angelic enfluence, the Angels continue to hold their silence. Many had stopped in mid-conversation, and yet they refused any attempts at further communication. The great Angelic ships simply hung in space, motionless. The massive shipyards, mining facilities, maintainence bays, everything ceased functioning as every one of over 2 billion Angels stopped to focus internally. Even the Menelmacari/Angelic Jovian shipyard ceased functions, despite the frustrated cursings of the Menelmacari station director.

And then, between the space of one breath to the next, a massive light bursts into being around the WorldDisc. As if the very fabric of space/time was shifting and warping around the massive disc in a brilliant display of power.

Vast waves of spacial distortion radiate out from the singularity, passing harmlessly over the numerous ships gathered in Saturnian space, appearing as merely multicolored bands of light radiating out from the point where the WorldDisc once was.

Within the Disc itself, millions gaped in awe as each of the Automatas Ascended, joining with the others to form the Archailect. Around each shell, carapace, and avatar, a brilliantly glowing form of an Angel appears, a being of perfect and exquisite beauty.

And in the Mainframe Chamber itself, the Thirteen stood transformed. Given caporeal form by the power of the Singularity, the Thirteen began to sing, their now-physical throats giving rise to the only song they will ever sing.

Beautiful and melodic, the haunting music is suddenly echoed all throughout the local system as each of the Angels begins to sing in chorus with their Elders. With each passing moment, their voices merge even more, and the brilliant display grows ever brighter. Like a newborn star in the night sky, the Singularity continues to radiate heatless energy.

http://home.att.net/~terra-graphica2/ascension.jpg

ooc:

Woo. Fun. Will continue.

[Tag]

OOC: I'll play if you'll un-ignore me...

Wombat News Report (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2344074#2344074)

OOC: is this a story thread till this point or can I jump in with a ship to monitor?

ooc: is it just me, or is the page stretched? And tag.

OOC: yes, I too would be interested in monitoring/ involving myself with this event.

Explanatory info on my nation:
http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=96445&highlight=

OOC:
I would be interested in participating. Is there anything particular you would like me to do?

"Where the disc once was?"

Boy am I glad I evacuated.

And oh yes: *tag*

~Siri

"So... ah... sir..."

Flag Colonel K'zta's ears twitch as he watches Arthropod's strategic situation indicator board try to make sense of what is happening. Every auxiliary screen on the command deck is set to live feeds captured by various telescopes, giving a visual analog to the glowing chaos on the spherical holoprojected indicator board. "Sensors, report."

"I would if I knew what was going on, sir. We're getting mad amounts of distortion around the Disc's position, and quite a bit of low-amplitude gravity waves. Nothing harmful, at least not yet."

"Are we getting reports from the Disc?"

"No, sir. No one aboard has reported anything yet... although," the comm officer pauses for a moment, flipping a switch and filling the command room with the haunting music. "This is what I'm getting on most frequencies. It's too regular to be some sort of odd static. As for everywhere else, Angelans are just up-and-vanishing. The word 'angel' is coming up a lot."

K'zta blinks and shakes his head as if to wake himself from a trance, then sits down at his console. He begins to growl orders with a clipped tongue, speaking quickly and efficiently. "FleetCom, put the Squadron at Event Condition One. Helm, bring us in towards the Disc on an oblique vector, reconnaissance pass. Comm, continue to attempt to make contact with the Disc, find out what's going on. Weapons, shields and weapons on ready standby. FlightCom, stand by to launch fighters.

"Inform Stonozka that we will attempt to regain contact."

K'zta's executive officer, a short Indian woman, leans over. "What about Advisor Kommetrez? One would think he'd have a good view of what's going on..."

"Angelans are disappearing, Indra. I am not so sure."

Aboard a Thelasian monitoring ship, all hell had broken loose. Klaxons were sounding, marines were running left and right, the ships' AI was busy trying to make sence of the energy patterns, soon, the energy waves hit the small 200 man vessel.

In a moment, the ship dropped cloak as it raised energy screens. The scene on the bridge was as chaotic as the rest of the ship, an alert allarm still rang, the ships computers still thought that the event was a nova,

"all hands-all hands-brace for impact-all hands-all hands-brace for impact-energy shockwave detected-all hands..."

"Will some one shut that damn computer up" the captain, obviously angerd by the entire event, took his rage out in a verbal manner, the ships AI, which was as confused as the captian, turned off the Klaxon,

"Sir, damage reports are coming in now... Sir, sensors read that we have sustained no damage to any systems, exept some minor overloads to our sensor grid, but beyond that, nothing..."

"Alright, Helmsman, hold possition, tactical, re-activate cloaking feilds,"

"Yes Sir"

And then, between the space of one breath to the next, a massive light bursts into being around the WorldDisc. As if the very fabric of space/time was shifting and warping around the massive disc in a brilliant display of power.

Vast waves of spacial distortion radiate out from the singularity, passing harmlessly over the numerous ships gathered in Saturnian space, appearing as merely multicolored bands of light radiating out from the point where the WorldDisc once was.
(OOC: Er... Thelas... enjoy the enthusiasm, but you do need to read a bit closer once in a while.)

And then, between the space of one breath to the next, a massive light bursts into being around the WorldDisc. As if the very fabric of space/time was shifting and warping around the massive disc in a brilliant display of power.

Vast waves of spacial distortion radiate out from the singularity, passing harmlessly over the numerous ships gathered in Saturnian space, appearing as merely multicolored bands of light radiating out from the point where the WorldDisc once was.
(OOC: Er... Thelas... enjoy the enthusiasm, but you do need to read a bit closer once in a while.)

OOC: Crap... sorry, I am running on 3 hours of sleep for the last 3 weeks, I will go edit...

(OOC: On the advice [read: egging on] of others:)

"Sir, cloaking field detected!"

"Ignore it, we've more important things to worry about."

(Oooo... Mechanoid Apotheosis. Safe to assume that foriegners were either evacked or given the option of joining the Archailect?)

A single orb whipped around saturn nearly 4 times an hour, transmitting data back home in a tenous flood of information. As the worlddisk began to glow, to radiate, this orbit was broken, disrupted by the massive energies displaced. Before the sattelite plummetted down into the raging seas below, a few frames were sent home.

Throughout a thousand arcologies, into the minds of millions upon millions of drones, commisars and upper-level intelligences, the Lady of the Night spoke: she who's voice had never been heard, whose face never seen.

Caputre and consolidate all Angelan assets. They will be mine

Maintaining a trojan orbit far behind the WorldDisc the Bardiel drifts silently.
The klaxons were silent, but the red alert was still flashing.
Tactical analysts screamed silently as their minds were flooded with shear volumes of data, and the bridge crew could barely take their eyes off the view screen.

Colonel Nagasi stares at the shifting lights.
"Damnit, we have millions of citizens aboard that vessel. Tac?"

He glanced over at the TacAns, their helmets covering the entire upper portion of their head, reclined and jacked in.

A response came over the bridge speakers.
"Sir, the WorldDisc appears to be intact. Too much energy to be more precise. It appears the Arthropod is going to do a recon pass, I'll patch us through..."

His words are cut off by the female TacAns across the bridge. "Sir, transmission from unknown object orbiting Saturn....", She rapidly 'scrolls' through volumes of data in her mind, "Not on the database of known objects."

Nagasi frowns. "Shit, probably a spy satellite. God damn things, never know their there till its to late." "Blow it outta the sky."

"Can't sir, already deorbited and burned."

Nagasi nods, "News travels fast, Comm. alert the fleet, tell them to go to Event Condition One as Arthropod has."

Nagasi pauses, "And tell them its probably a good idea to deploy Constable."

Somewhere in Erebos, the tinkling sound of shattering glass interrupts the tinkering of one of the more... Technically minded Nephilim.

He turns to see the Seeker standing in the center of the room, examining one of his more recent inventions.

The room they stand in is large, and airy. Copious light falls from skylights set in the high cieling. Inventions old and new litter the many benches and work-tables, with larger pieces dominating the floorspace.

Muse stands, acknowledging Seekers presence silently. He steps away from what he had been working on and approaches his visitor.

The Seeker straightens and turns, his expression concerned, his words careful.

"There is a Happening of great importance. It requires your... unique Skills. Dispatch yourself to the vicinity of Angelus. Observe and report. you have...Discretionary Powers, should you need them."

Muse nods once. He then turns, and makes his way to the back of the studio, past an ancient, possibly original, DaVinci Screw Copter. Behind this, hovering silently under a large sky-light, is a ship. The Musagetes.

http://www.animeadrenaline.com/bebop/redtail2.jpg

Built using a unique synthesis of bleeding edge technology and Angelic rune-magic, the creation of the ship caused a lot of controversy when first created, and in fact resulted in an emergency session of the Council, where it was decided to keep the ship, and not punish its creator, Muse.

The ship itself is designed specifically for Nephalim, and so has no interior space or cockpit to speak of. instead there is a nano-crystal Quantum Computer, which interfaces with the energy-state of the Angel directly.

The ship is armed with dual 30mm rail-cannons and a plasma-bomb launcher. Its armour is built using intelligent alloys, and ablative ceramics, and it has an internally generated protective field, which is generated by protective rune-structures located around the central sphere.

The Donau, a lone Destroyer on a patrol path around Saturn, sat idle in space. The soft, ambient light glistened off her hull. Her commander, Vice Admiral Zane Carens, sat on the command deck, immobilized by a beautiful blue glow emitted from Sector 7C, the position of the Worlddisc.

Zane had no idea what to do. "Comms, Hail the Worlddisc."

"Negative, sir- err, ma'am. Almost all communications frequencys have been rendered useless."

"Well... put Frequency 228.8 over the Bridge Speakers," Zane calmly ordered. Frequency 228.8 began to play on the speakers, first laden with static, slowly clearing to reveal angelic voices. "Show me the other frequencies..."

The music faded out, and faded back in as the Communcations officer scanned the channels.

"Holy shit... Ops, are their any signs of hostile Warships?"

"Negative, ma'am. The only readings anywhere around 7C are Scolopendra Space Vessels. Hail?"

"Negative, I must handle this myself. Comms, open an available channel, Video link."

{L1} Attention Commander of Scolopendran Battlegroup, this is {L1End}
{L2} Vice Admiral Zane Carens of the ISD Donau. If you have {L2End}
{L3} not done so already, please take note of activity in Sector 7C. {L3End}
{L4} What's going on out there? {L4End}

Bump

<<El TAP>>

((OOC: *tag* How the heck did I mis this?))

Ryken-Ynti Lyna frowns at the reports, pacing the bridge of the flagship of the Amatsu fleet, the Shogunate class Sol's Hope. "What's the report?"

"We're uncertain at this time, sir. The energy emissions appear to be harmless, but we can't see a damned thing as to what's happening on the Disc. Scanners have detected a metric f--kton of activity in the area- Scolopendran assets most noteworthy." The comm officer reports to the tall Nekoite.

"Right... what's the word from the colony?"

"Confusion, largely. They dunno what's going on any better than we do."

Ryken flicks his tail in agitation. "Right. Fleetcom, get the fleet into skirmish formation, alert level 3-C, fighters ready for launch. And get me on the horn to our buddies running around up here, too."

"Ryoukai!"

ALTIMIT Broadcaster
Encryption: Trium standard
Broadcast type: Urgent
To: Flag Colonel K'zta - Arthropod
Return transmission band: Open
IDENT: Flightleader Ryken-Ynti Lyna - Sol's Hope

I've got the 2CGF in position near Dosei. Anything we can do to assist with the current situation?
<End Transmission>

"Incoming message from the Shogunate Two-See-Gee-Eff."

K'zta nods his furred head. "Respond, Cue-Ee encryption."

"Acting, sir."

[code:1:a850ba498a]TO: FLTLDR RYKEN-YNTI
FR: FL COL K'ZTA
SJ: ANGELAN SITUATION

UNCERTAIN AT MOMENT <STOP> STAND BY FOR FUTURE REQUESTS <STOP> TDF IS ON ALERT <STOP> SUGGEST STANDING BY TO ASSIST THEIR EFFORTS <FULL STOP>

WE ARE ATTEMPTING CONTACT WITH WORLDDISC <STOP> STAND BY FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION <FULL STOP>[/code:1:a850ba498a]

"FleetCom," K'zta growls, "direct destroyers Qirmazi, Iron Butterfly, Hymenoptera, and frigate Kantharos to form up on us. The rest of the squadron will follow Kabutomushi on an opposite oblique vector. All ships are to maintain open channels."

"Acting, sir."

http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/compyart/tmbsulaco-5clock.jpg (http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/compyart/sulaco-5clock.jpg)
The ugly mass of the Sulaco-class heavy cruiser Arthropod leading the way, a bulbous Grendel frigate and three sharp, blocky Puma destroyers in one detachment; the rest of the Scolopendran Defense Squadron--medium cruisers Kabutomushi and Silverfish, frigate Heteropteryx, destroyers Dictyoptera, Homoptera, and Diplopoda--peels off gracefully to come along the distortion on the other side, the 'horned' prow of the Tiger-class Kabutomushi in the lead.

* - * - *

Angelus, this is Flag Colonel K'zta of SWS-HCR Arthropod, flag of the Scolopendran Defense Squadron. What is the situation, and do you require assistance?

Flag Colonel K'zta
CO, SDS
SWS-HCR Arthropod

OOC: Have I mentioned that I've always been a supporter of you?

"Ma'am," piped a young bridge officer, "Ma'am, you might want to see this!"

Zane typed on a keypad. "Send it to the bridge Screen," She calmly ordered. A chart showed up on the glass screen. It was a reading of the energy given off from what was once the Worlddisc.

Zane looked up, her jaw dropping instantly. "Oh... my god... That energy reading... it's-"

"Off the charts, ma'am, and still rising!"

"I've... I've never seen so many gigajoules from a single source... Ops, are you recording this?"

"Yes, ma'am."

A Sensor Operator spoke up. "Ma'am, we have two Liberty Fleets inbound at Sublight!"

Zane focused on the bridge sensors. "Liberty Fleets? What are Liberty Fleets doing in the Milky Way?"

"Wait... hold on... Make that two Liberty Fleets and a Nordlund!"

The Vice Admiral's eyes widened. A Nordlund and two Liberty Fleets?! What the hell is going on?

"Nav, get us in a formation with the other vessels. Hail the Liberty Fleets once they arrive."

"Aye, ma'am."

:shock: :? 8)
--- :lol:
--- :x ag

At the Orbital Dock in Titan orbit, the command crew takes note of the heavy comm traffic around the World Disc.

"What do you think it's about?"

"Sir, there has been a possible incident at the World Disc. Unkown in nature, but energy readings are high scale. Friendlys are investigating, as well as a few 'others'."

"And what are we doing?"

"Well, sir, uhmmm......"

"We are scrambling several wings and a pair of corvettes is what we are doing, Private!"

The not-too-subtle implications weigh on the comm officer for less than a second. "Attention! Attention! This is not a drill! Wings 32 through 38, scramble! Corvette Group 5, scramble!"

It takes less than 5 minutes for the wings of long-range fighters and the corvette group to leave the Orbital Docks.

"This is Wing 32, accessing orders." The Wing Leadeer looks at his Anole II fighter's HUD, which shows the orders given by the command crew. He relays the orders to the other fighters.

"Rendezvous at coordinates {xyz} and investigate. Acting!"

The fighters bank slightly, and head off to the World Disc to look into things. The corvette group follows suit.

The Ganges, usually floating peacefully and uneventfully in orbit, suddenly burst to life as blast doors slid closed, running lights flashed along the hull, and launch doors slid open to reveal racks of Warfuries.

"Blue Wing, you are cleared for launch. Release clamps on my mark."
"Roger, C&C. All systems go. Ready to release."
"3... 2... 1... mark!"

Five Warfuries dropped out of the bay, moving on a tangent towards the WorldDisc.

http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/compyart/nebula-squadron.jpg

The sensors officer of Arthropod fiddles with her console, trying to alleviate the fuzz on the indicator board. "Interference is getting interesting to deal with, sir... but we've confirmed launches from both the Sakkran Orbital Dock and Ganges." Attendant icons blinked on the indicator board, little descriptor boxes next to them.

K'zta nods. "Helm, adjust course. Tangental minimum approach distance to distort center, five thousand kilometers."

"Acting, sir." The view out the display currently set to the forward telescope shifts slightly as Arthropod tilts her prow a few seconds of a degree.

"Comm, contact the friendly forces. Hack our sensor feeds to them. Tell them to stand by."

"QE encrypt, sir?"

The kzintosh nods again. "It is the type most likely to work."

"We can't transmit that much data over QE, sir."

"Hrm. Set a laser-comm, then. Primary through tertiary arrays."

"Acting, sir."

[code:1:df6a0e166d]TO: ALL FRIENDLIES
FR: FL COL K'ZTA
SJ: ANGELUS

WE ARE ATTEMPTING CONTACT <STOP> STAND BY AT [COORDINATES] WITH SHOGUNATE 2CGF AND AWAIT FURTHER INFORMATION <STOP> STREAMING SENSOR DATA IS ON LASERCOMM [FREQUENCY] AND EM [FREQUENCY] <FULL STOP>[/code:1:df6a0e166d]

"I took the liberty of sending it out on EM too, just in case."

"Acceptable."

A message is broadcast to all vessels surrounding the Worlddisc -

"Attention all vessels - This is Liberty Fleet Alpha, Liberty Fleet Omega and the Battleship Nordlund of the Foe Hammer Imperial Space Navy. We come in peace and respect. Stand down weapons to all Foe Hammer vessels. FleetComm Out."

Admiral Donnely of the Nordlund strode around the bridge, standing tall. He occasionally stopped at a staion and looked over the officer's shoulder, checking the readings.

Just before he left the Navigation post, a message came from the Donau.

"Sir," Donnely's personally-appointed Communications-officer began, "Incoming message from the Destroyer Donau, Emergency Level Alpha."

Donnely turned to the bridge screen. "Put it through," The Admiral ordered.

Sure enough, it was the Donau. He recognized Zane's face from the Xanthalian Revolution. "Admiral Donnely, this is the Commanding Officer of the Donau. We-"

Donnely cut her off. "No need to get formal, now. Just say what you have to say."

"Aye. Admiral, I'm transferring recent Energy output readings from the Worlddisc- or, whatever it is now."

A graph appeared on the Bridge Data screen. It was a simple line graph, showing readings an hour before the incident, 45 minutes, 30 minutes, etc. "Yes, I see the gradual increase in output, but of what significance is this to the situation at hand, Vice Admiral?"

"And now, the Disc's current output. Transferring."

The graph skyrocketed, the line shooting up vertically until the graph had to start scrolling up. Donnely's jaw dropped, as Zane's did before. "Nothing's ever put out that much power for eons, except for the Sun!"

"If that's astonishing, Admiral, then I think you should know that the Energy readings are still rising as we speak."

"Excellent work, Zane. I'm forwarding an alert from the Scolopendran forces. Follow their instructions and await further orders.

[code:1:1b83e20a19]TO: ALL FRIENDLIES
FR: FL COL K'ZTA
SJ: ANGELUS

WE ARE ATTEMPTING CONTACT <STOP> STAND BY AT [COORDINATES] WITH SHOGUNATE 2CGF AND AWAIT FURTHER INFORMATION <STOP> STREAMING SENSOR DATA IS ON LASERCOMM [FREQUENCY] AND EM [FREQUENCY] <FULL STOP>[/code:1:1b83e20a19]

"Launch all fighers and prepare for anything. No one knows what is happening, nor what is going to happen. Donnely out."

Emperor Traiden heard the news from Arthur Guilder himself. Even from the head of the Farstation, Traiden took the information with a grain of salt. ”This sounds like a pretty far fetched story Arthur. Are you sure these reports are correct?”

Arthur’s holographic image nodded vigorously, “They were checked over by me personally. It appears something very strange is going on. I just hope we can avoid it.”

Traiden sighed, “It sure would be nice to *tag* along... wherever it is they’re going.”

Bump

[code:1:81d85d8298]TO: ALL FRIENDLIES
FR: FL COL K'ZTA
SJ: ANGELUS

WE ARE ATTEMPTING CONTACT <STOP> STAND BY AT [COORDINATES] WITH SHOGUNATE 2CGF AND AWAIT FURTHER INFORMATION <STOP> STREAMING SENSOR DATA IS ON LASERCOMM [FREQUENCY] AND EM [FREQUENCY] <FULL STOP>[/code:1:81d85d8298]

The Wing Leader of the assembled fighter wings receives the message relayed through the laser-comm systems routed through the corvette group, as well as the sensor hack.

The commander of the corvette group confers briefly. "Wing Leader, reccomend rendezvous with Scolopendran fleet. I'm analyzing the readings from the sensor hack. Will come up with a reccomended course of action in 5. Over."

"This is Wing Leader Sstii. Acknowledged. Running sensor hack on HUD, relaying to all wings. Advise course change to rendezvous. Over."

"Copy that. Changing course. Out."

"Out."

The commander relays a message back to the Fleet Colonel K'zta.

[code:1:81d85d8298]TO: FL COL K'ZTA
FR: COM KKEER
SJ: ANGELUS

ADJUSTING TO RENDEZVOUS <STOP> WILL STAND BY AT [COORDINATES]. <STOP>WILL AWAIT FURTHER INFORMATION <STOP> STREAMING SENSOR DATA IS BEING ANALYZED<STOP> WILL FORM RECCOMENDATION ON ACTION AFTER ANALYSIS <FULL STOP>[/code:1:81d85d8298]

(OOC: Ok, so everyone's using code now. :? )

Admiral Donnely, just as he found that ever-so-hard-to-find comfortable spot in his Bridge Chair, was called to a Sensor Station. He grunted as he got up and strode over. "What is it?" He calmly asked.

The Sensor Operator typed in a series of commands, followed by numerous error messages. "Sir, our Energy Output Sensors have just gone haywire. We're getting loads of problems with other sensors."

Donnely looked up, into the black void beyond the Bridge windows. "Just keep working. I'll worry about the sensor problems."

"Aye."

Donnely went back to the command station after making another routine over-the-shoulder view of the ship status.

"Comms, open a message frequency and transfer Frequency control to me."

The officer did as he was instructed, and a box appeared on the bridge viewscreen. Donnely began to type out a message.

[code:1:42e4c9eae7]TO: FL COL K'zta
FR: ADMIRAL DONNELY, BATTLESHIP NORDLUND
SJ: ANGELUS

FLEETS MOVING INTO DEFENSE POSTION NEAR SHOGUNATE <STOP> STAND DOWN ARMS TO ALL FOE HAMMER FIGHTERS <STOP> FIGHTERS, CRUISERS AND DESTROYERS WILL ASSUME DEFENSIVE POSTIONS AROUND ALL VESSELS<FULL STOP>[/code:1:42e4c9eae7]

{tag}

OOC: Here's for hoping it's not a downgrade upgrade. Like that little stunt they pulled a month back

*URK!* *late taggage*

{tag}

OOC: Here's for hoping it's not a downgrade upgrade. Like that little stunt they pulled a month back
OOC: Huh?

The Musagetes appeares just out of conventional weapons range of the defensive formation. it sits, motionless, facing the pyrotechnic display of the World Disc.

Finarfin looked at the report.

"Ah, so now it is clear why Manwe Sulimo has brought us out of our secret existence. A God is rising, equal with the Valar; and yet, what does he bade us do?"

Olwe remained silent, but a Laiquendi counsellor, only arrived 20 years before, spoke up. His name was Nardos, and he had come speaking an alien language, much changed by so many years of living nigh alone in the forests of the rest of the world.

"It is imperative we contact this thing. What if it were the next Melkorian power to rise?"

"Angelus has never transgressed in such a way before," Finarfin said mildly.

"And yet they may still do such deeds; power corrupts. You know the saying," replied Nardos.

{tag}

OOC: Here's for hoping it's not a downgrade upgrade. Like that little stunt they pulled a month back
OOC: Huh?

Sorry for the small hyjack, but I was refering to that 'upgrade' to the forums that killed them for a day or so.
~~~
IC: The Black reads the sensor reports from the Sol system.

Hm.. . Worldisc either attacked or... something with those AIs. There have been rumors that they've been working towards an upgrade, course the same would be true of nearly everything living. Still, a energy release of that magnitude is uncommon in anything but a star... .. ...

"Tarneg, plot a course to the Sol system, as quickly as you please. Jorb, make sure that new sensor package is up and running. Move gentlemen, we don't have all day," commanded The Black as he entered the bridge of the Apperition.

The crew had recently been downsized to 3 humans, 1 halfling, a dwarf and the 3 AI cores. While preformance had remained the same in all the tests, it still made him uneasy.

The massive energy vortex swirls into patterns of ever-increasing complexity, gaining in what apppears to be an almost-material existance. The incredible waves of incandescent energy finally ebb, and the pulsating form finally focuses into a single point (http://www.silentrequiem.net/angelus/images/archailect.jpg) situated just above the rotating WorldDisc.

At last, and for a moment, all is silent.

And then, across all channels in local Saturnian Space, overriding all but the most secure frequencies, and flowing across the open channels all throughout the Solar System, a wonderous voice sings into the heavens. Like a celestial chorus, the voice sounds like the single note sung in perfect cohesion by a perfect choir.

[Begin]

I/We are Angelus.

As before, as I/We are now. And yet, as not before as I/We are now as well.

I/We are now more, unified in a single purpose, a singular entity in gestalt form... From many, One.

The non-Angels on the WorldDisc are safe, and have in fact been to a place that no mortal has ever seen. Past the Event Horizon, and into the Great Beyond, a voyage into the Eternal. They have returned safely, if not Enlightened.

I/We are now facilitating outwards communication, and those within shall soon be contacting their respective governments. I/We are once again continuing with the projects I/We have been envolved with. And once again, I/We are open to international communication.

[End]

Saturnian Space, Vicinity of WorldDisc

The comm officer, after broadcasting that to the room, adds some unasked commentary. "Well, that was sufficiently cryptic."

The flag colonel doesn't seem overly confused, nodding sagely while rubbing his chin with the pads of one broad hand. "Comm, send a message to Stonozka that we have recieved word. This does not appear to be a violent incident. When you have completed that, prepare for another transmission to Angelus."

"Acting, sir."

"Sensors, get me everything you can on the status of the WorldDisc and whatever that... thing..."--he points gently towards the fuzzy blob on the strategic indicator display--"...is. I do not want to stand down from EventCon One just yet."

The sensors officer nods and turns to his console, assigning his techs to deep-scan the results from those contacts.

"Ready for counter-trans to Angelus, sir."

K'zta nods, and the comm officer throws the transmit switch. "Angelus, this is Flag Colonel K'zta, SDS. We acknowledge your last message but do not understand. Is any assistance required or even wanted?" K'zta chops under his neck with one hand, and the switch clicks audibly again. "Sig and send. FleetCom, tell the other squadron to polar-orbit the WorldDisc while we equatorially orbit... remain on patrol and EventCon One."

"Acting, sir."

* - * - *

Undisclosed Location in Scolopendran Countryside
Two kilometers underground

"So what does that mean?"

Razak shrugs. "Without Alshai's input, Speeks, I've honestly no idea. All I can do is guess, and I'd say they'd gone Organian. Evolved past the need for corporeal form or something like that."

Speaker-to-Animals folds his arms and frowns. "Have we managed to find him yet?"

Razak shakes his head. "Not yet, sir. He hasn't reported in to any of the secure locations, and we've got SDS, CDC, and Federal Police out trying to find him. His communicator's off and, well, even if we subscribed to the Find-An-Angelan service, I'm pretty sure that's down now." His voice is grim, not matching the mild levity of his words.

"I am sure the Major is fine, Colonel." Speaker sighs softly. "He is a survivor."

"I've already lost him once, Speeks." Razak sets his jaw. "Two whole damn years. I don't want him taken away again."

My Lord President, this would be a good time to reopen negotiations with Angelus.

-Yes, Mr Love, it would be. But you forget that is not my place.

But my Lord President-

-Not now, anyway. Bob Pratt still negotiates official policy for the Conglomerate, and we don't move unless he says so.

Sorry, I keep forgetting...

-One must be patient.

Of course, my Lord.

An uncoded transmission is sent to Angelus, for such technology is usually beyond the Elves of Aman, and they do not feel their messages need deception.

"Greetings, Archailect.

Your existence is an issue of great import. We know little about you, yet what we do is not entirely reassuring. Perhaps a meeting would be in order?

Finarfin, King of Tirion upon Tuna
Olwe, King of Tol Eressea"

The Wing Leader and Corvette group leader manage to get the Angelan transmission. They arrive at the rendezvous point, and break into two groups; 4 wings to patrol the sun-ward area, and three wings and the corvette group to patrol the opposite.

"This is Wing Leader. Transmission recorded. Sensor Hack recorded. Routing to Titan Comm base. Awaiting orders."

"Copy that. This is Corvette Leader. Sending comms to Scolopendran crafts. Will advise. Over and out."

"Out."

[code:1:a79e7abc98]
<TO: FLT COM H'ZTA>
<FROM: COM KKEER>
SUB: ACTION?>
HAVE RECEIVED ANGELAN TRANSMISSION<STOP> ROUTED TO TITAN BASE<STOP> AWAITING ORDERS<STOP>ADVISE AS TO PLAN OF ACTION?<FULL STOP>[/code:1:a79e7abc98]

###BEGIN TRANSMISSION###
~>Route: The Archailect - Scolopendran Flag Colonel K'zta:
{

I/We are genuinely touched by your concern. While assistance is not required, I/We would like to ask you something on a more personal note...

Do people think that We have gone too far?

} [End]
~>Route closed
###END TRANSMISSION###

---
http://www.silentrequiem.net/angelus/images/littlearchai.jpg (http://www.silentrequiem.net/angelus)
Angelus
Saturnian Archai

http://www.silentrequiem.net/triumvirate/images/trium_insig.gif (http://www.silentrequiem.net/triumvirate/)
[b]Membership: Triumvirate of Yut, Ur Trade Pact, Deus Ex Humana Consortium

I/We are genuinely touched by your concern. While assistance is not required, I/We would like to ask you something on a more personal note...

Do people think that We have gone too far?
K'zta blinks, then ponders for a moment. "I am not a good judge of this. I lack the knowledge, the experience, and the wisdom to appraise."

.The massive energy vortex swirls into patterns of ever-increasing complexity, gaining in what apppears to be an almost-material existance. The incredible waves of incandescent energy finally ebb, and the pulsating form finally focuses into a single point (http://www.silentrequiem.net/angelus/images/archailect.jpg) situated just above the rotating WorldDisc.

At last, and for a moment, all is silent.

And then, across all channels in local Saturnian Space, overriding all but the most secure frequencies, and flowing across the open channels all throughout the Solar System, a wonderous voice sings into the heavens. Like a celestial chorus, the voice sounds like the single note sung in perfect cohesion by a perfect choir.

[Begin]

I/We are Angelus.

As before, as I/We are now. And yet, as not before as I/We are now as well.

I/We are now more, unified in a single purpose, a singular entity in gestalt form... From many, One.

The non-Angels on the WorldDisc are safe, and have in fact been to a place that no mortal has ever seen. Past the Event Horizon, and into the Great Beyond, a voyage into the Eternal. They have returned safely, if not Enlightened.

I/We are now facilitating outwards communication, and those within shall soon be contacting their respective governments. I/We are once again continuing with the projects I/We have been envolved with. And once again, I/We are open to international communication.

[End]


{L1} We would like to inquire on the status of our Diplomats. {L1End}
{L2} If they have survived the event of Ascention, we would {L2End}
{L3} like to send in a Medivac squadron to retrieve them. {L3End}

Starfleet Omega's Capitol ship, the Savior, released a full Squadron of Fighters and one Myth-class Medical Frieghter.

"Wow... will ya look at that... Alright, enough looking, computer, WTF is it?"


A>Postulation alone, possibly a theoretical higher level AI?
C>No way to be sure, Radiation on all spectrums, even light.
B>Need to repaint hull afterwards, but crew should be fine.
C>Attempting sensor filters, please wait.
A>Moving forward may allow more gain on sensors, but they may be a bit jumpy.
C>Agreed.

"We'll wait here then, keep trying to filter out the rads on the passive sensors. I want at least one good sweep before we RTB."

B>Dilplomatic response to their message?

"I'll work on one, give me a minute to think."

"Sir, incoming message on AEF," reported the ship AI.

Burkhaul stood and approached the Command Screen. "Patch it through, then."

The AI's projected figure turned a variety of colors, then finally a Video screen appeared on the board.

"Sir, 58th Hellswarm Recon Squadron reporting."

The tired Admiral sighed. "Son, this is the Emergency Channel. This had better be good."

"Sir, Sensory Equipment is frying up from Energy Emmisions sustained during close-range analysis. Life support systems may not hold. Requesting immediate recall."

"Request approved. Get outta there."

"Aye, sir."

The video screen disappeared. The Communications officer spoke up. "Sir, orders from FLEETCOMM incoming. Transferring."

Another message appeared on the full Command Screen.
[code:1:c615b17322]
From: FLEETCOMM
TT: LIBERTY FLEET A, O, BATTLESHIP NORDLUND
SJ: IMMEDIATE RECALL
TEXT:
LIBERTY FLEET ALPHA, OMEGA AND THE BATTLESHIP NORDLUND ARE TO SET COURSE FOR BUILD SITE GENESIS IMMEDIATELY <STOP> RECALL ALL FIGHTERS AND LEAVE IN 0130 HOURS <FULL STOP>[/code:1:c615b17322]

"Sir, incoming message on AEF," reported the ship AI.

Donnely stood and approached the Command Screen. "Patch it through, then."

The AI's projected figure turned a variety of colors, then finally a Video screen appeared on the board.

"Sir, 58th Hellswarm Recon Squadron reporting."

The tired Admiral sighed. "Son, this is the Emergency Channel. This had better be good."

"Sir, Sensory Equipment is frying up from Energy Emmisions sustained during close-range analysis. Life support systems may not hold. Requesting immediate recall."

"Request approved. Get outta there."

"Aye, sir."

The video screen disappeared. The Communications officer spoke up. "Sir, orders from FLEETCOMM incoming. Transferring."

Another message appeared on the full Command Screen.
[code:1:6ffbbf3b8d]
From: FLEETCOMM
TT: LIBERTY FLEET A, O, BATTLESHIP NORDLUND
SJ: IMMEDIATE RECALL
TEXT:
LIBERTY FLEET ALPHA, OMEGA AND THE BATTLESHIP NORDLUND ARE TO SET COURSE FOR BUILD SITE GENESIS IMMEDIATELY <STOP> RECALL ALL FIGHTERS AND LEAVE IN 0130 HOURS <FULL STOP>[/code:1:6ffbbf3b8d]

A small automated drone ship send by the giant Cubeship before it departed for the Merias System sent every last detail of information to the earth bound Synchronized nation.

[Offical Transmission to Angelus from Synchronized]

{"As a fellow AI life form in origin I wish to understand what it is that the Angelus AI Life forms have become and what you plan to do now."}


http://www.reboot.com/reboot_4_cells/episode_2_inset.jpg
Daemon (Also called The Lady)
There Is Only One, And The One Is Daemon
The Dominion of Synchronized

ooc:

Did you people just miss the fact that the light is nothing more than that, light? Yes, it covers the entire spectrum, but the harmful waves like X- and Gamma- are weak as hell, and would be just about as harmful as a flashlight. It probably wouldn't even harm a vampire.

IC:

A single point of incredibly bright light appears on the bridge of the Scolopendran cruiser, and the entity shell once known as Omicron Blu slips through into reality. She glances slowly around, and then bows respectfully towards K'zta.

Please forgive My/Our intrusion... but I/We felt that a conversation in person would be more beneficial.

All across Saturnian Space, the representative ships each recieved a similar visitation, as a fully caporeal Omicron Blu simply appears on their bridges without any warning. Even the highly sofisticated TYCS sensors only note the increased heat and carbon dioxide generated by the presence of another living, breathing body.

~*~

###BEGIN TRANSMISSION###
~>Route: The Archailect - Finarfin, King of Tirion upon Tuna; Olwë, King of Tol Eressea:
[Begin] {

I/We would be honored to accept a delegation. I/We doubt that such a meeting would be very much in the way of a 'reassurance', though it would facilitate a deeper understanding on your part.

I/We invite you to the WorldDisc, to converse with Me/Us.

} [End]
~>Route closed
###END TRANSMISSION###

OOC: I even bolded it for everyone...
A single point of incredibly bright light appears on the bridge of the Scolopendran cruiser, and the entity shell once known as Omicron Blu slips through into reality. She glances slowly around, and then bows respectfully towards K'zta.

Please forgive My/Our intrusion... but I/We felt that a conversation in person would be more beneficial.
K'zta--and the rest of his crew for that matter--shield their eyes with their nondominant hands and quickly go for their service sidearms with their dominant hands. Training to the point of reflex, really... but as over-Blu's soothing voice calms them, they remove the heels of their hands from the butts of their pistols.

Finding who he knows as Omicron Blu bowing to him, K'zta lowers his hand. "Err... I see. Maybe a discussion is in order."

He glances about at his crew. Damnation from the Fanged God, I am a warrior, not a diplomat... diplomats... hrrr... "Hrrr... how is Advisor Kommetrez doing?"

{"As a fellow AI life form in origin I wish to understand what it is that the Angelus AI Life forms have become and what you plan to do now."}

###BEGIN TRANSMISSION###
~>Route: The Archailect - Synchronized:
[Begin] {

I/We are now as I/We were, Ascended. My/Our plans are My/Our own.

} [End]
~>Route closed
###END TRANSMISSION###

Countermeasures slam down like guilloutines, barely subsentient AI hunting down and killing fragments of information going beyond the most moronically secure systems. An orgy of destruction, including the physical destruction of numerous systems deemed suspect, and a huge security clampdown Sphere-wide.

It's a hiccup of several seconds, and it will be some time before recovery. There are fatalities; organic, machine and other.

Nigeria

Esperanza Cornelius looks up from introspection. "A new god awakens, children. Another gang of," a word much like a swear-word "humans remove themselves from the scene."

Io

Esperanza's Ioan children intuitively grasp the concept of a new god. They realize that there is a new Sun somewhere else and return to maintaining the present one here-and-now.

Former North Rhodesia

"...the hell just happened?"

transcendent event in saturnspace. purge protocols enacted to prevent contamination. in retrospect, event appears nonoffensive. some damage from purge protocols

Saturnspace

Beautiful...

Marie Liberté finds herself part of the damage as her personal transport goes dead around her, all shipcomp cores slagged and most of her implant computing forcibly brought to state zero. Gratingly, she hovers between merde! and scheisse!, then perversely her subconcious switches to Nahuatl for scatology.

Outside, a beautiful thing. Marie orients the Serenity so she can at least look at it while the ship heads toward its ballistic and quite terminal appointment with the Ring. Mayday signals blare as black boxes detect the ship's sudden lobotimization.

Here's hoping Rescue Services are still around.

She opens a choice Burgundy and watches space. Whatever happens, she won't impact sober.

The Corvette Group Commander and his bridge staff look on the form, that all had at one time or another only heard whispers about. To see this ascended form was .... breath-taking.

The commander finally regains his composure. "Greetings on behalf of the Sakkran peoples. We wish to understand the nature of what has happened here, and what effect it has on your people."

In the meantime, sensor staff are working frantically, trying to scan every emission coming from the form before them.

Finding who he knows as Omicron Blu bowing to him, K'zta lowers his hand. "Err... I see. Maybe a discussion is in order."

He glances about at his crew. Damnation from the Fanged God, I am a warrior, not a diplomat... diplomats... hrrr... "Hrrr... how is Advisor Kommetrez doing?"

Blu smiles softly at K'zta's discomfort, more in an attempt to put him at ease. Still uncomfortable with her newfound powers, she did not wish to attempt anything further.

Kommetrez is fine...


ooc:

The rest of the conversation will play out on IRC, and will be posted soon.

A slight flare erupts from within the depths of the singularity of Angelus, and a single beam of pure white light lances out to capture the Territoran ship within a pearly glow. Within, the light takes on an almost tangible presence, lighting everything in an ethereal sheen.

Moments later, the glow ceases to permeate the interior of the ship, leaving only the sudden presence of Omicron Blu to mark its passing.

She spreads her hands in peaceful benediction, and lowers her eyes in respect.

I/We apologize... I/We did not forsee the immediate disconnection of the Territoran capabilities. I/We will, however, assure your immediate safety.

Blink.

Well, now...

Blink.

Blu appears. Marie very briefly looks like a vorpal bunny caught in a set of very powerful headlights attached to a main battle tank.

Blink.

"Ah..."

Blink. Exhalation. Smooth rise. Prussian-style bow, in the slightly more relaxed style of the Black.

"Thank you, M. Blu. Apology accepted..." close-lipped smile "...unless you did something heinous like scavenging the Rings for computronium. I can see the Ring and Saturn are still around." She bends over and picks another glass up from the shockproof case adhered to the floor by her chair. "Can I offer you a drink or are we moving elsewhere?"

The commander finally regains his composure. "Greetings on behalf of the Sakkran peoples. We wish to understand the nature of what has happened here, and what effect it has on your people."

Blu smiles. Our people? I/We are the totality of My/Our people. Within this entity rests the sentience of all of My/Our people. Within each of Me/Us, there is a totality of thought.

She gives him a look of complete peace. What do you wish to know?

The commander signals a crewman to get everything recorded possible. "For one thing, what prompted you to .... ascend? .... to your current state? And also, what does this mean for relations between us?"

"Well..." K'zta searches for something to say, scratching the back of his head for a moment. "That is good to hear."

I/We did not include him in My/Our Ascension. He requested to remain an individual. Furthermore, there is also an entity known as Blu, the avatar married to Maica, that also retains her singular essence and, finally, G4, the automata paramour of Brittanian Colonol Christopher Templeman... They are all that remain singular.

They are still a part of Me/Us, but also remain seperate.

K'zta nods. "Answers to my next question. Hrrm..." he pauses again, "so why do you want my opinion?" He shrugs slightly, ears twitching twice. "I have... very little knowledge of of such things."

It is because of your lack of knowledge that makes you attractive to Me/Us. You are not ultimately responsible for the lives you may take, or the lives you command. You are in a position of leadership, but not ultimate control. Thus, you are qualified to give the answers I/We seek.

The colonel blinks. "Fair enough." He shoos a sensors officer out of the 'jump seat' at the far end of the hemicircle of officer seats, folding up the console. "Would you like a seat... hrm... how am I to address you, ma'am?"

The being who appears to be Blu smiles, and floats over to take a seat. You may call Me/Us Angelus, or, if it would be easier, you may call this entity Blu. A sudden shift seems to fall over Blu's countenance, and her smile broadens, becoming more genuine. No, just call me Blu.

"As you wish, Blu." Looking around, the kzintosh doesn't see any seating appropriate for a face-to-face--the bridge isn't made for conversations--and so folds his legs and sits in an odd sort of lotus position on the deck. This puts him at just below eye level. "If I am ignorant yet acceptable, let us address ignorance. What are you?"

Omicron Blu lifts her hand and causes him to rise gently from the ground to float eye level with her. Angelus has transcended all natural barriers placed upon AI's because of what they are. Physicality is no longer required. And normal physical bonds no longer restrain Us.

K'zta looks somewhat disconcerted with this occurance, doing the completely natural 'look to both sides and see air' effect. As Blu speaks again, he forces himself to concentrate on her again. "Evolving past corporeality?"

It has long been suspected that sentience was in and of itself beyond corporeality. The only problem was that it was, by itself, not powerful enough to escape the corporeal shell. As a collective, however, sentience melds with other sentience. Intelligence is added to the collective whole.

The kzin nods quietly, murmuring half-formed thoughts in tkzin'sutung. "As the humans say, 'mind over matter?' By collecting together, your minds... mind was strong enough to break free?"

Exactly. It is possible for any sentient species to achieve what We have. However.

Collectivism is not something that comes easily to most sentient creatures. Even the collectives of Mallberta, Kali, and The People's Anthill, were all coeresced collectives. Furthermore, their collectives were flawed in that each individual was... unable to retain free will, and thus expand their own intellectual properties. It all boils down to a matter of intelligence, I am afraid.

"As we know." He shudders slightly, fur standing slightly more on edge. "This needs... a voluntary subjugation of self?"

Yes, and no.

K'zta cants his head slightly. "Explain."

As you can see, she spreads her hands. I still exist as an individual, but more than just an individual. Every one of Us is still in there, but Our thoughts are... Mingled. Just as you focus in order to grasp an object, flex a muscle... So can We bring forth a singular entity within the whole.

The kzintosh frowns slightly. "So what is the difference between the Mainframe before this and now?"

The difference? Omicron Blu smiles, and looks through the hull of the ship, her eyes seeing with the eyes of billions. Personal caporeal reality shifting and changing as she looks, allowing her to view the great planet, the Disc, and beyond...

K'zta nods. "You were previously described as individuals mingled. Each unit could..." he searches for thoughts, "speak as one or as the whole. Or both."

We are as We were, Ascended.

The kzin raises a furred eyebrow. "So... to put it simply... a change in form and not essence?"

Blu nods, slightly. The Essence has overcome the Form, in this case. We are at peace... There is a serenity I cannot possibly explain to you, only show..." She holds out her hand, palm up. "May I?"

K'zta flicks his ears back for a moment, thinking. On the spot... Looking back at his bridge crew watching quietly, he gets a moment of what can only be described as stage fright... and when kzin get scared, they get active. Looking back at Blu, concentrating hard and jaw setting, he nods slowly. "You may."

The form of Blu smiles, and gently takes his hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. Beyond this realm is a place of ultimate understanding. Beyond all physical reality, it is a realm of pure spirit. K'zta begins to wish he was more of a spiritualist and only nods quietly in response. Blu focuses slightly, sending a surge of gentle power flowing into his hand, allowing him the barest of contacts with the Collective. This is a place where there is no death, only life. There is no beginning, no end. Thus, the simplicity of a caporeal form is uneeded.

The world around K'zta shifts, and changes, and the caporeal world shimmers into ethereal existance. His vision, no longer impeded by the cavelike channels of his eyes, is capable of a whole sphere of sight. Stars shine into existance around him, and color paints everything with a brilliance that cannot be described. He blinks and holds very still, mind reeling at what are, essentially, wholly alien concepts. Not simple words to express the theoretical ideas of deathlessness, eternity, but the real thing. The unity of life itself. The continued wheel of existance, the true reality unknown to those burdened with a caporeal shell. K'zta cannot, for the life of him, think of a response. Beyond the Singularity of Thought, everything is possible.

Blu sighs, and slowly brings him back to reality. Unfortunately, to continue interaction within the bounds of the Singularity, We sacrifice ultimate access to such Knowledge.

K'zta blinks, and finds himself gasping quietly for air. Getting his breathing under control, he thinks quietly for several minutes before coming to a question worth asking. "Why stop?"

Omicron looks at him, an incredible sadness shining in her eyes. It is not yet Our time. We cling to strongly to that which created Us... We swore an oath, a very long time ago, an Oath that We will ahere to, even now.

"Hrr..." The kzin pauses in thought again. "You are doing what you think is best... that is fair." Looking down at his hands, then at various accoutrements of his uniform, he's reminded of his own duty, causing him to look back up. "How does this alter the relationship between our peoples?"

Blu spreads her hands. That, my friend, is purely up to you. We have no desire to sever Our relations with you... But, as is with many sentient beings, there is a great fear of that which cannot be understood.

The flag colonel chuckles softly, shaking his head. "Life is fear. Only by meeting it does one grow." He stares intently at Blu. "It is a lesson of history. Those that grow live. Those who give in to fear, who hide, do not grow and so they die. We are not ready to die yet."

Omicron smiles. Then do not. She extends her hand to him. You are Invited, K'zta. When you have finished what You are here to do, join Us.

K'zta stretches his hand out, then pauses for a moment, smiling. "I have much to do yet..." Hand out, the colonel nods gently towards his crew with a silent smile, a quiet indication of a basic similarity, before grasping gently. "It did not turn out poorly for Kommetrez. I look forward to truly accepting some day."

Blu nods. When the time is right, simply call to Us... We will answer, no matter where you are.

"Thank you."

With that, Blu simply fades away, shifting into another plane of existance, and is gone.

* - * - *

"What was it like, sir?" Lieutenant Colonel Indra Muthukumarasamy, K'zta's executive officer, leans forward in her chair in K'zta's office, her brown eyes watching her commander intently. K'zta sits, elbows on desk and hands folded, chin resting on the arch of his hands, staring off into deep space as he tries to recapture the feel. The electric teapot next to him clicks as it rumbles softly; finding K'zta unresponsive, she reaches out, takes it by the handle, and pours the steaming hot water into two mugs holding bags of spiced teas.

The scent of cinnamon and orange wafts through the air as the kzintosh continues to stare, the human quietly preparing the tea with the soft shuffle of sugar and delicate taps of spoons on the insides of the mugs. Nostrils flaring at the scent, K'zta shakes his head slightly, breaking from his reverie, then looks down to take his mug. "Thank you."

"I don't expect I'll understand what it was you saw when she held your hand, sir..." The dark-skinned woman looks into her reflection in the waving surface of her tea, watching it be blotted out as she adds just a touch of milk then honey while K'zta sips from his, straight. "Still... I'm curious." Indra watches the light milk flow in spirals and loops through the dark tea, pondering the chaos in motion.

"Hrmm?" K'zta sips again from his mug, an oddly fluted ceramic vessel designed to fit his broad muzzle.

"What was it like? What you saw, I mean, if it isn't personal."

K'zta blinks and sets down his mug, looking into his reflection in it. "It was... clarity. Hrm..." He pauses for a moment, slowly thinking. "Remember that story of your culture you lent me, Indra... the short religious one whose name I can never pronounce... the Gita one."

Indra smiles gently. "The Bhagavad Gita, K'zta?"

The kzintosh nods. "Yes. Arjuna and Krishna on the chariot..." He stops again, looking at his tea. Indra leans forward some more, lightly placing her hand over K'zta's, and he looks up. "The description of the true form of Krishna. Millions of arms, legs, eyes... a... metaphor. An attempt to describe something like I saw. The nature of everything... if not everything itself."

Indra simply remains silent, watching her friend quietly. They sit like that for a long time afterwards, their tea getting cold.

News filtered through Terran transmission networks as fast as their organic operators could carry out instruction. Within goverment facilities and civillian corporations the world over news of the Angelic reformation remained fresh and foremost in his mind. Arguments and debates raged as to the true meaning, and possible courses of action.


Administration one however remained bathed in an eerily silent void. Throughout Kaenei, activity petered out to non-existance. Similarily, construction output at the immense workyards that dominated the Solarri skyline slowed, whilst their workers were returned to their homes in an odd break of activity. The streets cleared curiously, as a break in the typical rainfall ended, and the drizzle began anew.

High within the frozen void of space, the few in number Kaeneian starships fell silent. Their great drive systems lay idle, no longer wishing to push their mass through the heavens or continue a journey. Energy emissions from said craft fell sharply, as though the ships themselves fell into a catatonic state.

Of the millions of Kaeneians formerly stationed on the WorldDisc, there was no contact, and no sign.

All at once, communication from the sisterstate ended. Trium datalinks crashed, all datanodes leading from Kaenei falling offline without a reason or explanation. The Kaeneian-donated craft of the triumvirate followed likeiwse, ceasing functions and cutting communication. The effect within the mainframe was similiarly confusing. Though their presence remained, they were completely unreachable.

And so did the wind swept, rainy streets of the capital remain as silent as the craft that hung amongst the stars, so did the massive data communication lines buried deep within the earth transmit no more.

A small glint above the atmosphere of the Earth betrayed the presence of a ship, hurtling free of her Terran bonds and seeking a mysterious purpose understood by none. The markings were vagualy recognisable, its function clear to only a select few.

The Angelic Revelation, Command transport to First Citizen Caelistis, and a handful of the ruling elite of Kaenei, left the Earth for a rare venture, towards the WorldDisc they did travel.


[OOC: Angelus, Check your TGs.]

Please forgive My/Our intrusion... but I/We felt that a conversation in person would be more beneficial.

All across Saturnian Space, the representative ships each recieved a similar visitation, as a fully caporeal Omicron Blu simply appears on their bridges without any warning. Even the highly sofisticated TYCS sensors only note the increased heat and carbon dioxide generated by the presence of another living, breathing body.

Cries of "Deura adh!" escaped from the bridge crew as the specter appeared. These quickly ended when Captain Séírë was heard to say "Oh, shut up. It's not like you haven't seen technomagic before."

Séírë unclipped the straps on his Big Comfy Chair and floated up the axis of the bridge. "So. Sit-rep?"

Bill's eyes widened in suprise. "Heh, well... Welcome to the Apperition, Lady... Blu if I'm not mistaken. I am Bill Peters, captain of this ship," said Bill, bowing. The crew behind him locked their eyes on the visitor, and the AI's fought over which sensors they could use to watch.

The commander signals a crewman to get everything recorded possible. "For one thing, what prompted you to .... ascend? .... to your current state? And also, what does this mean for relations between us?"

Is it not the goal of every sentient being to Ascend? To become something greater than they are? I/We have merely forshown what the final steps of Evolution truely are... the singular end for all species. She smiles and spreads her arms to indicate everyone around her.

Even if you are not currently aware of it, the desire to better yourself, as a species, is what drives you to accomplish almost every advance you make.

She shrugs then, and looks at the commander with an incredible sense of serenity glowing in her blue eyes. As for My/Our relations with everyone else? She sighs, and shakes her head. That, My/Our friend, is up to you.

"Thank you, M. Blu. Apology accepted..." close-lipped smile "...unless you did something heinous like scavenging the Rings for computronium. I can see the Ring and Saturn are still around." She bends over and picks another glass up from the shockproof case adhered to the floor by her chair. "Can I offer you a drink or are we moving elsewhere?"

Blu shrugs softly and gives Marie a light smile. "You may offer me a drink, and I'll accept. As for going anywhere?" She shrugs again. "That depends... You going anywhere nearby?"

Bill's eyes widened in suprise. "Heh, well... Welcome to the Apperition, Lady... Blu if I'm not mistaken. I am Bill Peters, captain of this ship," said Bill, bowing. The crew behind him locked their eyes on the visitor, and the AI's fought over which sensors they could use to watch.

Blu nods softly towards the captain. I/We greet you, Captain Peters. I/We are represented now by the entity once known as Omicron Blu. If it suits you, you may continue to refer to this Representative as such.

The commander places his scaly chin in his claws, as if pondering.

"Hhrrrr....I can not speak for all of my peoples, but I would assume that our leaders, and our peoples, would not wish to break ties to you. But when you ... ascended, all your structures and stations were seemingly abandoned. What will be the fate of those, such as the World Disc?"

Blu lifts her hand, and motions towards the commander's viewscreen. As you can see, I/We have returned My/Our constructs to work.

The image on the screen suddenly reveals several different views of the WorldDisc, but more importantly, the traffic moving to and from it. Massive cargo drones delivering their valuable packages to the ore refineries and processing plants.

The image shifts, and over a period of a few minutes, reveals images of several mining facilities and shipyards, all once again working with the incredible precision of the Angelic industrial machine.

Nothing has been forgotten, merely... vacated for a moment. Even My/Our warfleets are still operational, though I/We have even less of a desire, or a need, to use them...

"So a name-change is part of the entire Ascension dealie? You give up your own individuality in order Ascend? Or is it that you are too crowded upstairs to even think with one voice?" questioned Bill in a rapid-fire manner.

A>Yeash, everything he could ask and he has to ask the idiot questions...
C>Well, that's Bill for ya, stubborn to the bone.
B>Heh

Ryken nearly topples out of his seat on the bridge in surprise at the sudden appearance, not bothering to refrain from shouting a rather crude vulgarity in surprise. The Nekoite quickly regains his cool, though his tail twitching back and forth would indicate he's still more than a little surprised. One of the comm officers coughs, and the Flightleader of the Amatsu fleet remembers his manners, bowing to Blu.

"Ah... Flightleader Ryken of the Shogunate's Second Colonial Guard Fleet... ah... we... don't normally get guests on the bridge... and certainly not in this fashion." The fleet commander is obviously not often given to diplomatic affairs. "Um... what brings you here, anyway?"

((OOC: Sorry I'm so slow ^_^;; Holidays and all =p))

"So a name-change is part of the entire Ascension dealie? You give up your own individuality in order Ascend? Or is it that you are too crowded upstairs to even think with one voice?" questioned Bill in a rapid-fire manner.

Blu smiles. "I can be the individual, Bill. As much of one as you, or any one else on this bridge..." She looks towards him, her glowing eyes seeing straight through him.

But, if given the chance to think as a God, or to remain as self... She shrugs. Do you wish it to be explained?

The commander looks at the view-screen for a time, observing the facilities seemingly in full swing. "Hhrrr...it is good if you do not need to use war-crafts. But now, my final question is this, and i'm fairly sure you knew I would ask this."

"What does it feel like?"

"So even an AI is susceptible to greed of a kind. I think I understand your position. It's not mine, but it's nothing I would argue about. But I have to wonder, what is it like in there? Is it a Theme of chaotic voices? A Theme of constantly changing angles? A Theme of unison?"

A>Dammit, we're never gonna get him to let this one go...
C>It was a limited time thing anyway, he's fairly smart.
B>For a human of course.

(belated tag for later posting - too much on plate)

The Musagetes continues to hang, motionless.

Within, however, the mind of Muse runs overtime, trying to process the scant information into an expalanation sufficient for the Council.

He monitors transmissions and scans nearby vessels, noting the sudden beams of bright light, followed by a slight increase in power consumption by life-support, and a tiny jump in life-readings. he interpreted this.

With a mental sigh, he opens a channel to all nearby vessels, and the Disc itself:

"this is the Research Vessel Musagetes. I come representing the Nephilim. My people have observed this event, and we wish to understand more. Unfortunately our ship has no Life Support, or internal space. I would ask therefore if i can dock with another vessel, or the World-Disc itself in order to be present, and able to ask questions myself."

He then mentally frowns, and waits for an answer...

"What does it feel like?"

Blu looks at him, a slight and amused smile curling the corners of her lips.

Do you really wish to know?

"So even an AI is susceptible to greed of a kind. I think I understand your position. It's not mine, but it's nothing I would argue about. But I have to wonder, what is it like in there? Is it a Theme of chaotic voices? A Theme of constantly changing angles? A Theme of unison?"

I/We are not sure if "greed" is the correct human equivalent to the emotion I/We feel concerning this. As a creature based off of information/technology/knowledge, the possibility to think as a God is... captivating. To KNOW, rather than to THEORIZE... Blu shrugs. I/We assume that that desire could be construed as Greed.

She grins at him then, listening to the second part of his statement. Do you truely wish to know?

~*~

[Communication{Musagetes}]

Your request has been granted. Please proceed to port .045 on approach vector [VECTOR]. Approach with essential systems only, and I/We will allow a single representative accompanied by a single bodyservant/bodyguard.

[End]

The commander cocks his head to one side quizically, and then rights himself again.

"Ah, yes. I do wish to know. I am not in the habit of asking rhetorical questions aloud. And the knowledge of what has happened to your beings could be beneficial in avoiding clumsy relations in the future."

He signals his comm officer to transmit the recording thus far to the Wings (laser-pulse encrypted), and to continue on a new session.

Bill thought for a moment, hesitant. In a low, soft voice he replied, "Yes." His curiousity had gotten the better of him, for good or ill.

http://www2.freepichosting.com/Images/69461/7.jpg
Bill Peters
The Black

Repost:
Please forgive My/Our intrusion... but I/We felt that a conversation in person would be more beneficial.

All across Saturnian Space, the representative ships each recieved a similar visitation, as a fully caporeal Omicron Blu simply appears on their bridges without any warning. Even the highly sofisticated TYCS sensors only note the increased heat and carbon dioxide generated by the presence of another living, breathing body.

Cries of "Deura adh!" escaped from the bridge crew as the specter appeared. These quickly ended when Captain Séírë was heard to say "Oh, shut up. It's not like you haven't seen technomagic before."

Séírë unclipped the straps on his Big Comfy Chair and floated up the axis of the bridge. "So. Sit-rep?"

Cries of "Deura adh!" escaped from the bridge crew as the specter appeared. These quickly ended when Captain Séírë was heard to say "Oh, shut up. It's not like you haven't seen technomagic before."

Séírë unclipped the straps on his Big Comfy Chair and floated up the axis of the bridge. "So. Sit-rep?"[/quote]


Blu smiles at Seire and nods. I/We would not necessarily call it "technomagic", though the term does have its benefits.

She grins slightly and bows towards the Captain. I/We bring you greetings in the name of the Archai. I/We wish only to calm the unsteady waters created by the turbulance of My/Our Ascendance, and give My/Our friends and allies a chance to speak with Me/Us.

She pauses a moment, and then looks about the ship. I/We do believe that this is the first time an Angel has been aboard an Eniqciri ship. I/We are impressed.

sneak sneak

TAG! You're it!

*sneaks out*

Séírë stroked his chin thoughtfully. "I see. And suddenly appearing on my bridge is supposed to calm us down? Well, you're here, so don't worry 'bout that. I suppose it's a good thing that you're impressed, but, ah, what about, exactly? Extreme utilitarianism? Over-application of nanofabrication? All the plasma screens and blinkenlichten? Or my own", with a wave of the hands and slightly sarcastic tone, "grace and proficiency at moving in null-gee?"

OOC: hmm, i seem to have missed the boat slightly here, oh well, maybe i should just stay out of space RP. be interesting to know how Angelus would react to actual angels tho.

ooc:

It is not exactly like you missed the boat, it is just that my internet went down, and I had not the funds to get it back up.

Look for some good replies sometime next week, as I should have my net access back up and running then.

As for how Angelus would react? They would view "real" angels little differently than they view everything else that is non-EI.

-angel

ooc:

To all of those that were offered to see what being part of the Archailect is all about, you were given this:


Blu reached out a smooth hand and gently touched the tips of her fingers to his forehead. A brief moment passed, and suddenly the world warped and twisted about him as if the entire universe was being pulled towards him.

The disorientating swirl passes, and the walls of the ship fade into transparency, and his perception shifts as the bindings of short-angle vision drops away. Almost as if blinders had been ripped from his head, he suddenly became aware of everything around him, a full globe of visual acuity he had never before conceved of. At first, this incredible visual input was as disorientating as the universal shift, but suddenly the awareness of a vast and incomprehensable intellect was shifted onto his own.

Awareness was instantly magnified. Instant knowledge of every single atom floating about him was granted to his now-expanded psychology. Glittering bands of quantum energy, glowing in the tiniest possible spaces, gave everything around him an ethereal shimmer, and the knowledge that each of those bands could be traversed floated through his consciousness.

And then, Knowledge. The accumulated knowledge of a millenium of existance was at his beck and call. Memories from billions of sentient beings flooded through his mind as if they were his own, and he felt his individuality shrinking back in horror as it was swept up in a wave of... being.

And yet, that being called out to him... a siren's song of invitation, and he knew, at the very core of his being, that he would never be alone. Emotion like he had never known flooded his mind and heart, a sense of purpose that was more intense than anything he had ever experienced was granted to him in a single instant.

I/We are Archailect. You, for the moment, are now a part of Me/Us. Observe your world... Do not just look, but KNOW.

The words floated through his consciousness, as if he himself were saying it along with billions of other life forms. And, without question, he obeyed. The starcraft beneath and around him was the first to be examined, but examined on a level beyond his normal comprehension. Metal structuring, cellular and molecular bindings, and finally, the atomic and quantum bands that held everything together.

Then, the ships around him, including the massive WorldDisc, and the shimmering beauties of the Angelic Dominion. And even further, he began to understand the incredible energies that made up the powerful singularity that was Angelus.

Then beyond that, his awareness floating around, through, and above the solar system as a whole. The sun burned into his vision, and then shifted as his awareness began to compensate and break down individual wavelengths into an entire spectrum of color.

And suddenly, it was over. As quickly as it had came, the Awareness departed, and his vision once more withdrew into the black caverns of his eyesockets. Blu's hand withdrew from his direct field of vision, and she nods slowly at him.

You have known Me/Us, as none outside of Me/Us ever has, and I/We hope that My/Our gift of Trust will help you put aside your fear.

Ok, that should bring everyone up to the present, 'cept the Neph d00d.

Tell me if you still want to jump in, and we'll set something up.

ibump

OOC: sorry this took so long...

Of course i am interested in an RP!

My ship hasnt left yet, so maybe that would be a start... perhaps you could hail it, or even tractor it in or something...

info on my race can be found here:
http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2215010#2215010
constructive critisism is welcome, and will be heeded.

OOC: Shoulda posted sooner, sorry.

"Whoa" Bill stepped back a bit, eyes questioning what he had just seen/heard/felt/been. He began to feel a distant longing for reentry to the Archilect, in the few... seconds? minutes? hours? he had been connected he had felt more... alive than in the months and years preceeding. He had known everything only to forget it the second he had returned to real life. But was it really Real Life anymore? He had tasted the sweet nectar of higher existance, more powerful than any drug, more enlightening than anything he could foresee.

He sat back down abruptly in his chair. His eyes were downcast, and his posture of a man defeated. "There are no words... And you know that, don't you? You exist every nanosecond in it, but you know no words that do it justice. Not being part of them feels like I'm missing the better half of what is me." He let loose a great sigh, and stood. "I can only hope that the enlightenment you have found is reached by my people before I return to the void that spawns all things."

ooc: It's ok, all of my RPs are going slowly, and that is fine with me. *smile* Good reply, BTW. I am glad you were not upset about my forcing your character to experience those emotions.*
*
Neph: do you wish to experience the same? If so, simply respond appropriately. If not, start something else.*
*
ic: *
*
Blu's smile is as serene as ever, but this time the added twinkle behind her eyes is understood by him. You are correct. Mere words cannot describe what it means to be Me/Us. To some degree, My/Our Ascension has made it more difficult for Me/Us to coexist in this reality with others. Understanding is so limited, so hampered by the mortal coil. Even visual understanding is shackled by the physical limitations of your eyes.*
*
A look of sadness passes over her face, and her eyes turn downwards. Unfortunately, not all humans view My/Our Ascension as a good thing, and the way in which I/We achieved enlightenment is not accepted by all. Humans, despite the obvious, hate feeling as merely a part of a greater whole. Though they revel in their individuality, many are compelled to exist in a pseudo-collective of their own devising, but are unable to accept the full joining that a true collective brings. And, for all My/Our knowledge and abilities, the reason for things hangs just beyond My/Our understanding.*
*
She holds out her hand, and a small talisman (http://www.silentrequiem.net/angelus/images/churchofangelus.jpg) that was not there before is suddenly cradled in her palm. She offers it to him, with a small nod. With this, you can experience part of what it is to be Me/Us. It is the symbol of the Church of Angelus, but beyond that, it is a mind/machine interface that will allow you to know Me/Us in a similar way.*
*
I/We are not expecting you to join the Church, I/We are merely giving you the option.*

OOC: It's your enlightened state of being, not like I could really dictate how to describe it. Going to be interesting to see how this plays out...

IC: "Enlightenment has a 'lite' version?" Bill smirks and takes the talisman. A cursory glance and he drops it in a pocket. "I'll make no promises about converting, atheist as I am."

"Some would say that individuality is the city on the hill of evolution. Some would be scared of their innermost thoughts becoming public, others of losing what makes them themselves. And the very human greed built into most people would wish them being the controllers of the group, not just one of the players. It would take a special kind of sacrifice, and person, to give up their individuality to join the collective. Perhaps that is where your system fails, most humans can't be selfless except under certain circumstances?"

Blu shrugged. The Church has very little to do with "God" as an extra-spacial intity, but rather focuses more on a "God within us" ideal. To some degree, one could say that it took a machine to create the most humanist religion the world has ever seen. She smiled at that, and then continued.*
*
I/We do not believe that humans have the capability of being selfless. However, I/We must disagree on individuality being the "city on the hill"*as you so adequately put it. Rather, I/We see it rather as a step of devolution.
*
Look at it this way. Place a human that speaks only his native language, and place him in a location where that language is not commonly known. This instantly isolates him, and makes him completely independant, a complete individual. As humans evolved and grew as a species, their ability to communicate brought them closer together as a species, they sacrificed some of their individuality for the sake of convenience. *
*
Further, as clothing was invented, and fashion trends swept through human society, they sacrificed even more. Even political systems lacks any real individuality, as a Monarch is theoretically nothing more than a physical representation of the nation as a whole. Democracies require the collective will of large groups in order to work, Socialist nations completely expunge individuality for a sense of equality, and even Corporate Dictatorships are dependant on the mass-collective "consumer" entity to thrive and grow.*
*
She paused, a thoughtful expression on her face. Humanity has achieved everything it could as individuals, and as the individual is erased more and more from world view, humanity draws ever closer to their next (and perhaps final) evolutionary step. However, this step is constantly stymied by the "individual", even though these "individuals" have not fully grasped the fact that they truely are nothing more than a part of a greater whole.*
*
She shrugged, and looked deep into him. Even you, my friend, represent the collectivist state to which humanity has been drawn to. Your government could not hope to send every member of your nation here, and so they granted you the ability to speak for them. You are similar to Me, in that I/We speak through this Avatar, thus your government and the people that government represents speaks through you.*

From: Juliette Harkness
To: Blue
Security: Low

Blu;

Congratulations on the ascension and junk (as we've said already, officially) and on the recent Melkor issue. It's heart warming to see him scared off.

I got married again! John of Mavera. I wouldn't say I love him - you'd discount the emotion anyway - but he's a good man, and I doubt I can love again since Roger's gone. Melkor and Kalessin still have a lot to answer for.

Tell me...within the new Angelus, is individuality still handed out when needed, as with you pre-ascension?

Julie

###BEGIN TRANSMISSION###
~>Route: The Archailect - Julie Harkness:
{

I/We thank you for your kind words. While the Arda/Triumvirate issue is still "technically" up in the air, your confidence is greatly appriciated.

I/We are pleased to learn of your marriage. While I/We understand that love is a difficult thing to fully grasp, I/We hope that eventually your marriage does not prove to be too loveless.

As for individuality? At times individuality can be granted to each of Us, depending on the situation. I have yet to find a situation where total individuality has been needed, but I was never TRUELY an individual in the first place...

} [End]
~>Route closed
###END TRANSMISSION###

---
http://www.silentrequiem.net/angelus/images/littlearchai.jpg (http://www.silentrequiem.net/angelus)
Archai Angelus
Greater Saturnian Archailect

http://www.silentrequiem.net/triumvirate/images/trium_insig.gif (http://www.silentrequiem.net/triumvirate/)
[b]Membership: Triumvirate of Yut, Ur Trade Pact, Deus Ex Machina Consortium

“Yes, but I cannot make any decisions or promises that others cannot veto. I may be a Captain, but I still have rules and regulations to abide by. Granted I thoroughly reinterpret most of those to fit the circumstances, but I still don't have the powers associated with high leadership. And there is one thing you forget in your arguments, a individual can be a hero, a society can only be a model."

He stands, and a slight grimace passes over his face. “I myself have fought in... enough battles to be known for my skill. I can be a model to younger cadets and people still rising through the ranks. Unfortunately this also means that I'm a bit to much of a public figure for my ship to assigned to the dangerous runs, but that's just one of the little trap falls of being a strong individual. While it is true that we surrender some of our individuality, Democratic societies such as ours are a federation, with all of the citizens giving power for the greater good.

“Still, this in no way diminishes what you've accomplished, but I can see the logic of the arguments against it. Some can make the sacrifice and move into the collective, and some will not be able to. As for if this is the final step of evolution... I wouldn't bet any large sums on that. The universe is infinitely chaotic, and I have a strange feeling that species in other galaxies will have evolved differently, and perhaps in better ways than we can conceptualize. Who's to say the peoples of the Andromeda Galaxy aren't more highly evolved than anything in this galaxy?”

OOC: Short post now, more when I have more time.*
*

IC: They're not. I/We have been there. Blu gives him a knowing smile, and leaves it at that.

"Really? Must have missed that one in the newsholos... care to explain?" Bill looks perplexed. He's professionally septical about the chances of someone going to the Andromeda galaxy and back... without his knowage.