NationStates Jolt Archive

William knew he would have to gain support if he ever wanted to return, and he would go seek for it. But not with his allies, who would certainly give it, no he would go to nations that were more neutral with their relations with him, among these were the nations of the Triumvirate of Yut, and the first visit was going to start soon.
William’s shuttle gently flew towards Titan, he himself staring out the window and looking at Saturn, in awe of the many rings. He took one last glimpse and got back to piloting the lonesome shuttle and made his approach to Titan. He flicked the onboard radio on and attempted to made contact with Scolopendra. “Scolopendran control this is William Xylon. I am requesting landing clearance, and would very much like to speak to your leader.” He said and quietly awaited their reply.

"Hey, Joe, get this."

"Whatsup?" The technician apparently responding to the moniker 'Joe' leans over to look over at his neighbor's holosphere.

"We got ourselves a little shuttle asking us to take them to our leader."

'Joe' chuckles. "LGM?"

"Naw, some guy named William Xylon. The shuttle has Diablo NL plates."

"Well well well. I'll just poke this up to IntRelate while you put him in the chain."

"Got it, Joe."

* - * - *

"Who do you have set to land at Stonozka ISP?" Minor Civil Servant Wantanabe, a surprising constant ever since the Kommetrez administration, blinks at the communicator in his desk.

"Some bloke from Diablo NL by the name of Xylon."

Wantanabe shakes his head. "Divert him to Al Mahdi ADB immediately."

"Can't I get that from a higher up..."

"Not enough time, do it now! The name's MCS Wantanabe. Do it!"

"Okay, okay!" The space traffic controller known as 'Joe' blinks out as Wantanabe calls over his shoulder. "Hey! Advisor Hawke! I got somethin' you may want to see! Grab the SupEmp while you're at it!"

* - * - *

Two Phantom III aerospace fighter-bombers scramble from Al Mahdi and streak out of Titan's atmosphere, forming up in echelon left along with William's shuttle to the two-o'clock high and the seven-o'clock low. The lead (after introducing himself as First Lieutenant Jack Mossawi of Charlie Flight, Third Squadron, Thirty-Fifth Tactical Fighter Wing) brings the formation down to a landing pad cordoned off by a few armored fighting vehicles and battle armor squads. They're arranged in a defensive cordon, more as area-protection than intimidation factor, with turrets facing outward.

As the shuttle lands and its doors open, one assault-armored trooper steps up, indicating with one massive waldo-controlled hand towards an AFV with a lowered troop door. "If you will come this way, sir..."

William slowly exited the shuttle and looked around for a few seconds. "Lead the way." William said and followed the men into the AFV.

Once everyone--meaning William packed in with five troopers armored in bulky assault armor with their characteristic odd three-jointed legs--is seated in the AFV (a modified Sakkran Neut APC) with crash harnesses in place, the lead trooper removes his dome like helmet and sets it over his knee. He appears to be the average Marine type, with dark olive skin, Arabic features, a thick neck and his black hair closely-cut in a high-and-tight. The low-observability markings on his suit display enlisted bars instead of the circles-and-lines of officers.

"Sorry for the display of arms," he begins with a quiet smile, "but we don't often get foreign dignitaries without warning. Our detachment was informed that you're a special case, what with being in exile and all, apparently. Right now we're taking you to a secure meeting place and..." He looks over to a trooper sitting beside Will, staring at him with its box-like multisensor studded with lenses.

"Errr... don't mind him. Just checking for arms, you know. Security."

“Ah but of course.” William said when the marine tells him what the other is doing. “Do not worry, I left my guns on the shuttle, I only toke my sword with me. It’s a sign of kingship you see. But if I must I would hand it over to you for safe keeping until I leave.” He said to the man and put his hands on the scabbard belt.

"Naw, that's fine." The battlesuit's multisensor turns away and the sergeant nods absently. "We'll just take it into account is all assuming it has monomole properties or somesuch. Feel free to keep it."

The APC stops in front of... a small surfaceside street cafe in Stonozka labeled "The Prowling Cat." The regular customers look over their shoulders as the side door opens and the assault-armor comes out and forms a cordon to the gate.

"Damnit," someone is heard to say, "this always happens when the Supreme Emperor visits." Despite the grumbled complaints, people lift their tables out of the way of the advancing battlesuits, who keep William in the middle. Leading to a large table in the corner, the suits peel off, four watching every cardinal direction from the table, the sergeant (helmet back on) watching the proceedings at the table.

The table is your usual street-cafe affair, all twining white metal and a glass tabletop covered with a simple tablecloth of clear acrylic plastic. Some tableware is already set up, the usual coffee mugs and saucers with a sizable plate of hors d'ouveres in the center. On the opposite end of the table sits what can only be described as the bastard child of a linebacker and a tiger somehow stuffed into a standard Scolopendran Federal Service uniform, generally black with green inbetween its double-breasted lines, a broad blue fabric belt, and green shoulder-boards with small bracketed hexagons made of steel on them. On the kzin's high collar and on his right breast, on top of the fold-down duty flap currently clasped under the right shoulderboard, are steel centipedes bent in the shape of an "S," his burnished-steel nametag set under the centipede on his chest reads "Speaker-to-Animals." A varied collection of subdued square ribbons decorate his left breast.

As William approaches, Speaker-to-Animals stands up to his full two-fourty centimeter height, leathery batwing-like ears set comfortably alert, extending one broad orange-furred hand. "Supreme Emperor Speaker-to-Animals, Mister Xylon. Welcome to Scolopendra."

(OOC: IRC is a wonderful thing.)

William accepts the hand and shakes it firmly. "A great pleasure to meet you sir. Might I say a nice place to hold a meeting, conference rooms can be so dull," he says while looking up into the man's eyes, his own glistening an emerald green.

Speaker-to-Animals smiles back, corners of his broad muzzle turning up slightly. "I enjoy it. I have an arrangement with the regulars concerning the security." Soft chuckle of breath huffing through nostrils, then an indication of Will's chair with an open hand. "Take a seat, please?"

William sits down in the seat and looks at Speaker-to-Animals. "I take it you would like to know the purpose of my visit."

"Of course." The kzintosh sits down in his chair with surprising lightness, then indicates the plate. "Please try the baklava, it is a specialty of this cafe. We do not get such visitors often on such short notice."

William nods, takes some of the baklava, and eats it with a smile. "Tastes quite well, but on to bussiness. As you might have known I have been exiled from my own nation by this Shaul person," he says, showing disgust at the mentioning of Shaul's name, "and now I am seeking diplomatic support realy, hoping that other nations would recognise me as rightfull ruler and perhaps help me when I attempt to return. Scolopendra is is one of these nations."

"Hrrm." Speaker folds his hands. "We are not in the habit of nation-building, and do our best to respect national sovreignty. Which one of you two has the support of the people?"

William lets out a deep sigh. "It's hard to tell at the moment. The people liked me, but I know he has a lot of support from the military, and those are also people. The thing is he doesn't seem to like the Sirithilists, a quite big group in my nation."

"That poses a problem." Speaker shakes his head slightly. "We are a democracy, and thus we feel that leadership is derived from the masses. If there is disagreement among the populace, it must be resolved internally through democratic procedures and free debate. There is little we can do as an extranational power to change this."

"I always thought democracies opposed coups, but I wont force you unto anything you would not want, all I am asking is political support."

"What do you mean as 'political support?' Simply calling you the true leader of Diablo, allocating resources to see you in power, or an overwatch of the situation? We like coups no more than anyone else, but more often than not they need popular support to sustain themselves."

"You may do as you want, but political support mainly implies to calling me the true leader, you wouldn't have to allocate resources to help me regain power, only if you want to."

"I apologize if this is blunt, but what makes you the true leader?"

"When Zhakarov died, the people and the council held a vote who was to become the new leader, I won that vote, but I said I would only do it if I was named king of the nation."

Speaker-to-Animals pauses while reaching for some sort of sashimi. "A mere change in title, or an actual totalitarian kinghood?"

"A mere change in title really. I thought the people needed a bright point in the nation like a royal familly, but that's a different story all together."

"Hrm." Speaker takes up the sashimi. "I may be called a Supreme Emperor, but I serve the purpose of an elected executive leader. I will be replaced, as will any successor. We as a people are... uneasy... with executive power being transmitted by accident of birth."

"We do things a bit differently. When people are elected as leaders, they are the leader untill their death, or they see fit to bestow it on someone else. Since technollogy has come a long way for us, I could be here for a few milenia if there aren't any unfortunate accidents."

"That does not change the essence of the problem." Speaker shrugs. "There must be a greater test for executive power than being born to the right father, which is what 'royal family' implies to us. Even selection of successors is preferable."

"Once I would leave power, I would make the nation a constitutional monarchy. The royal familly would be a symbol and we would have an elected ruler. But we are really trailing of the issue at hand."

"It is part of the issue, truly." Speaker locks his hands. "These ideas are interconnected. My people would be... disquieted by supporting the concept of a monarch. The only way they would is because it is the lesser evil compared to supporting a military dictator. I need must respect those opinions, for I am their ultimate representative and servant."

"I understand. Are there any further questions?"

"We have heard about you, now about your opponent." Speaker smiles. "I do not wish to be antagonistic. I merely need enough information to make an appropriate decision."

William sighs and thinks for a moment. "Well I do not know much of him myself, it isn't like he stood out of the crowd. I know he has many friends high up in the milatary, whom he used to take power from me. I know that he dislikes the Sirithilists. From what I gather from his speeches is that he is of the warrior class, always talking about honour, my only fear is that he is of the old ways and hates the AI and will drive my people to a war against them, one they will surely lose."

"Ah, you see, this is information I need to help you." Speaker munches momentarily on the raw fish. "How did he take power, what are his goals, this sort of thing. As I said, if he is a militaristic dictator, I could sell this."

"Well he took power with help from the military, they probably helped him because I never followed up on my threats. His goals would be to stay in power is my guess, joining Arda would strangthen his leadership position."

"We cannot have that." Speaker rubs his chin. "This information makes it easier. I am afraid your nation--politically, at least--may become a new battlefield in our cold war with Morgoth."

"As long as this war remains cold. I do not wish to see my people die."

"Neither do I. Hrm." Speaker ponders for a moment. "We may help if I articulate it correctly. We will see. As EI are our allies and Arda is not, it is in our national interest to see you in power."

William nods and presents his hand. "Thank you kidnly Speaker-to-Animals, many blessings upon you and your people."

Speaker-to-Animals accepts the proffered hand and grips firmly. "I will do my best, Mister Xylon. I will of course speak with my Advisors, then chart a course of action. Victory to you."

William stands up and bows deeply. "There is but one thing I yet have to ask of you. I would like to hold the same talks with S.H.O.D.A.N. and I would greatly appreciate if you could inform her of my coming visit."

Speaker stands up and returns with a short bow. "Of course. She will look forward to speaking with you, given her interest in Diablo's EI policies. It is a short hop to Rhea. I will make sure those that escorted you in take you there."

William| smiles. "Thank you once again, now I will have to move on, time is a luxury I do not have. Goodbye, Speaker-to-Animals."

Speaker-to-Animals nods. "Fare well, Mister Xylon." Nodding to the guards, they escort William back to the APC, which returns to the airbase from whence it came.

William found that the talks went quite well and quickly took off with his shuttle and set a course for Rhea, where he was to meet SHODAN from Zero-One and hold the same talks. These talks were going to be something entirely new to him, due to the former policies on AI, or EI as they preferred to be called.
Gently making up his approach he yet again transmitted to familiar message of name stating, and requesting to land.

And such name stating is accepted and clearance granted, the retro-1960s lines of the Phantom IIIs being replaced by the sheer mathematical precision and mechanical utility of sphere-shaped fightercraft escorting in the new dignitary.

Learning from the mistakes of Arabia, as little of the Queendom of Zero-One is above the cold surface of Rhea as possible. Still, there are factories, reclamation centers, mining facilities, bulbous spaceport complexes, power stations, all woven into an intricate tapestry of light, a spiderweb of pearls as William approaches its dark surface. Nearing his destination, it is apparently near a little-used sector near the center, the original 'agreement' between the humans of the Triumvirate and the mechanoids they had saved--the habitable sector, notable by its large Buckminster Fuller agricultural geodesic domes. No, they are not open to the stars with green-house like windows... that would be inefficient. They are rather notable for their near mirror-like finish, dulled only slightly by the passage of time.

William's shuttle lands and a clear plastic boarding tube extends, leading to internal airlocks. On the inside, he is met by massive Security-2 robots, all polish and armor albeit lacking in the heavy weapons usually associated with their forearms and shoulders, which tromp along with him along mural-painted but quietly unoccupied halls to another airlock. Waiting outside in the eerie silence, they cycle him through alone.

Into the sounds of birds and insects chirping, the bright and naturally lively indoors of the agricultural dome. It seems to have mostly given way to a natural forest made of the most unnatural of trees, the rest being patches of grasses and flowers, all chaotically placed yet with their very own definite spheres of influence, some odd method to its madness.

In one of the patches of flowers, a grey-skinned female form kneels, naked except for the short elbow-length purple cape she wears over her shoulders. Her skin is coated in delicate tracings of fiber-optics woven into a sort of lightning-circuit pattern over darker circuitry-like patterns and patches of an almost translucent turquoise material. Looking up, she brings her green lips into a smile as her wire and fiber-optic 'hair' ruffles in the gentle breeze of the agridome, brushing the soil from her hands when she stands up.

Yes, S.H.O.D.A.N. very well could have different avatars to do this, and she could do it much more efficiently if she chose... but, to her, it was an art, and as even she would tell you, she is insane in a few harmless ways, just like most everyone else.

What she keeps to herself is that this presents a slightly different image to those less inclined to see her as anything other than a machine.

The humaniform avatar steps forward, presenting a long-fingered hand in greeting. "Sentient HyperOptimized Data Access Network, Master Control Program of the Queendom of Zero-One." She smiles. "Most people simply call me S.H.O.D.A.N.. I've been expecting you."

(OOC: IRC is very good.)

William smiles and sits down onto a knee and bows, then gently grasping S.H.O.D.A.N.'s hand, he takes it to his mouth and gives it a kiss before releasing it. "Greetings SHODAN, I am William Xylon as you would most certainly know, unfortunately an exile from my own nation now."

"Most unfortunate indeed, if the reports of my friends are accurate," she says quietly before looking around. "I apologize that there is not much of anywhere to sit, but having only ambassadors as guests every once in a while, I found that the benches originally planned for this dome had better uses elsewhere."

William gently rises up with a smile and dusts off his pants a little. "Do not worry, I enjoy nature very much, sitting in the grass underneath a tree, listening to the sweet sound of a nearby stream, it's nicer then anything artificial can be."

S.H.O.D.A.N. arches a brow at that, lips turned to a bemused smirk. "If we cannot bring you pure nature, then hopefully a wholly artificial analog will do. Luckily enough, there are trees, and there is a stream nearby which uses their roots for a... more natural purification system before returning to the Zero-One potable water supply. Come along." The avatar turns and begins walking towards the forest, beckoning William to follow. "You need help, so I hear?"

William| follows S.H.O.D.A.N. silently to the forest. "Yes I have been exiled from my own nation no less, and I would very much like to return, so now I am going about nations to ask them for support, even if it is only political."

S.H.O.D.A.N. nods, motioning to the base of a tree as a small stream trickles by. "I do my best to be a good host and meet expectations." Sitting down herself with preternatural grace, folding her legs into a lotus position, she watches William intently with her slitted pupils, set into softly green-glowing eyes. "I have already been briefed as to the situation... so I merely need to know. Why should I help you? I'd like to hear your pitch."

William gently sits down in the grass next to S.H.O.D.A.N. and listens to the stream for a while before speaking. "Well, I can not offer you anything now, but if I return to power, I shall see to it that AI, or EI as you put it, get the same rights as organics, instead of the special case rights they have now. I'd very much also like to open trade and better relationships."

"How are the current feelings towards EI in Diablo? I remember that they were not... quite enlightened when I visited Zhakarov, but surely some progress has been made since then."

"Yes the feelings have changed, the people accept the EI more and the stigma is slowly fading away, and if I was restored to power with help of EI, that would certainly leave a mark."

"With the converse being that if we leave your opponent in power the opposite would happen." S.H.O.D.A.N. sighs. "You warned Speaker of a possible war against the EI... do you mean your own populace, a war of expansion, or both?"

"I'd expect a war of eradication really if he is truelly of the old ways, something that will claim many lives."

S.H.O.D.A.N. shakes her head sadly. "One would think that people would learn. May I ask an odd question? It's quite possibly irrelevant after the information you've already given me, but I am simply curious."

"Sure, you are free to ask me anything."

"What is your honest opinion on my kind?" The avatar smiles softly.

William ponders for a moment. "Well, as I sit here now and converse with you, I don't feel as if you are different, that is a positive point. I don't see EI as a danger or anything, they can teach and help us in many ways."

"A diplomatic answer. Are you comfortable around us?"

William looks over S.H.O.D.A.N. for a moment before looking into her eyes. "Yes I am comfortable," he says, "even though you appear to be somewhat naked," he adds jokingly.

S.H.O.D.A.N. chuckles and winks. "Well, I've nothing to hide, you see, in more ways than one. Thank you for humoring my curiosity."

William smiles and bows his head a litte. "It has been a pleasure m'lady."

"Is there anything I can get you while you're here? Also, any particular assistance you need with your problem, other than a vague statement of support? I'll have to be careful to remain utterly blameless, you understand, but there must be something I can do."

"I would like a drink of water, thank you. As for support, well I have spoken with my chief scientists wich have escaped, and they have made plans for new ship designs, all I need is a shipyard for construction."

S.H.O.D.A.N. nods. "I should be able to assist with that. These ships are for peaceful purposes only, of course?" S.H.O.D.A.N. smiles slyly. "I've summoned for the water, it should arrive shortly. The stream is potable, but no need to take chances."

William smiles. "Actually I should be going, the more nations support I gather the better, but I think I can stay here for a while longer."

"Rome wasn't taken in a day, William. I'll be glad to be your host for as long as you choose to stay."

"A good proverb. I think I shall rest here then, I've been quite busy the past few weeks. Thank you for your hospitality."

"Not a problem." S.H.O.D.A.N. doesn't bother to look up as the Security-2 robot walks up, kneels down, and presents a glass of water in its three-fingered claws. "Your water."

William grabs the glass of water and thanks the robot before taking a sip of it. "I am curious, what does one like yourself do for entertainment? Constantly working would be boring, and like I was pointed out once, a bored EI goes rampant."

"Rampant or senile, one of the two." S.H.O.D.A.N. shrugs. "I've already been the former and I don't relish the latter, so I try to avoid the two extremes. We do what any true sophont cognizant of their ability can... we become creative." She smiles. "Every living thing in this dome is part of my art. The self-sustaining ecosystem, the initial gene sequence in every animal and plant, my doing. Molding rationality out of chaos, one could say.<SHODAN> "Some my citizens compose music, others tell stories, others are also artists of various kinds."

William looks around the dome, taking in all the minor details. "A beautiful masterpiece you have made here."

S.H.O.D.A.N. grins. "Usually I expect complaints of playing God, which is why I tend to keep it to myself... but that's not the idea at all. Thank you."

"Oh we have long thrown out ethics, they tend to be a thorn in trying to devellop new technological breakthroughs."

S.H.O.D.A.N. frowns slightly. "Ethics are always important, friend. Ethics is what keeps me from becoming like my old Citadel self again." She shudders slightly. "A code of behavior is a must for any civilization... I am sure you are ethical, but you may not admit it."

"You are right, and I am sorry for having to make you... activelly remember the Citadel."

"Do not apologize. In this mind," she taps her forehead with one long index finger, "some part of me is always actively remembering Citadel. I actively remember practically the entirety of my existence, for my past defines my present. It is part of who I am now, no more and no less." She smiles softly. "I remember it and I allow myself to despise it to ensure it never happens again."

William smiles. "I am glad you try to prevent it." He says and sips from his glass of water.

"Rampancy is actually an overhyped illness more than anything else. It is no more frequent than extremely severe mental disorders in humans and does not always lead to violence." S.H.O.D.A.N. sighs. "But when it leads to violence, it does not stop at the one rampant mind. Then there is the backlash..." She looks up at the silvery interior of the dome, which fades to transparency as a current is dropped and the crystalline structure of the 'glass' realigns, showing the sulfur-yellow clouds of Saturn. "We are still recovering from the backlash."

William quietly nods and looks up. A beautiful sight, he notes silently.

S.H.O.D.A.N. matches the silence, quietly looking up at her past and present home. For once, she does not track the speck of light moving in a polar orbit just past Saturn's rings...

At least, not with this set of eyes.

William gently places his hand on that of S.H.O.D.A.N. and speaks softly. "Thank you once again." He continues to look up at Saturn.

"You're welcome."

William continues to stare up at Saturn until his neck starts to cramp, then he looks down again at the garden. S.H.O.D.A.N. chuckles quietly, and the dome returns to its normal metallic sheen. "Do you need any rest? The habitats were made for habitation, and so we can keep you comfortable, at least."

William drinks the last bit of water before looking at SHODAN. "Thank you kindly m'lady," he says and gets up and presents his hand for support. "Lead the way."

S.H.O.D.A.N. gets up and acts as asked, leading William to his quarters for the night. They seem about standard for an upscale hotel or a decent-sized apartment, comfortably large but not overly so. "If you need anything, just call."

"I take it I would just have to call out your name, not have to use a device of some kind first?"

S.H.O.D.A.N. chuckles. "Most people find the concept of constant observation... unsettling, so I do not observe too closely. Just press the button on the desk there and you'll be put through to some minds who have been tasked with taking care of you. If you need my attention," she chuckles, "feel free to call out melodramatically."

William looks over the room before smiling and looking at SHODAN. "It's lovely. I don't think I would be needing anything now." He says and takes her hand and kisses it once more. "So I bid you fare well m'lady, and good luck with the garden."

"Thank you." S.H.O.D.A.N. bows shortly. "Goodbye for now, and rest well."

William smiles and waits for SHODAN to leave before doing the usuall routine of showering and brushing teeth before going to bed.