Melkor Unchained
24-04-2004, 20:17
The Aelosian transport descended through the murky black skies of the Imperium, accompanied by three military frigates. The crewmen were understandably tense, and few of them knew just what in the hell they were doing in Arda, of all places. Surprisingly, these craft were not fired upon as they entered Ardan airspace, and instead were met by an Imperail Executive Escort Team; consisting of half a dozen gunship squadrons; and a good deal of fightercraft.
The formation descended lazily on the riverfront metropolis of Ali'Staan: a bustling Haradrim settlement not far from Nova Rhûn, the Easterling province of Lord Melkor's Imperium. The fighters and gunships pulled up from their escort positions and began to wheel above the city, still in rigid formation, as the Aelosian frigates slowed to a stop, a large personal transport descending towards a large, gravitic landing pad in the heart of Ali'Staan's diplomatic quarter.
The transport touched down and there was a hiss and a rush of coolant as the main hatch for the craft slid open, and a pair of Craftworld guards peered out into the reddened sky.They took a quick look around and descended down the ramp as it extended, their ward following close behind.
Aliria was dressed in one of her usual celestial blue dresses which flowed dramatically behind her as the wind kicked up suddenly. Her dancing sandals afforded a small degree of comfort from the sweltering heat of Near Harad; though the Elf secretly hoped she wouldn't have to reamin outside long. Like any good Sindar, she was endlessly appreciative of her environment, but the climate of Harad was a bit different than what she was used to.
"Where's Lord Alkanphel?, I want to see him at once. I don't want to spend time in this place more than the strictly necessary," she stated defiantly, half to herself, as a half dozen crimson-clad Southron Guardsmen Captians strode out from a hut on the other side of the landing pad, and approached the Elf. One of the men strode forward, tilted his chin and sneered at the party. "This way," he said sternly, with a nod of his head towards a waiting gravcar some distance away. The other men looked over their counterparts with disdain. "He's been waiting for some time."
"Then you should tell your port controller to be more efficient, he delayed the shuttle" retorted Aliria as she followed the captain and his men across the tarmac and away from the transport. The Southrons ignored the comment and trodded on in silence, leading the party inexorably to the waiting gravcar. As they approached the vehicle, two guardsmen split off and circled it, as another man clad in black opened the hatch.
Aliria gasped and shot a look at her own guards, who at once become visibly tense, clutching their rifles, though aiming at nothing.
Lord Alkanphel stepped slowly from the opening, and tugged at his sleeves absently as he bowed his head in acknowledgement. "Greetings." His voice seemed to dominate all other sound, and had a quieting power. "I understand you've come on a matter of great importance."
Aliria turns to see Alkanphel, and she calms down a little. The guards lowers their rifles, although they still seem to be a bit nervous. Aliria nods at the Maia Lord, and took a step towards him. "Yes, I have, regarding your allies, the so-called High Orcs."
Alkanphel stepped aside, and gestured towards the open hatch. With a flash of his eyes, he speaks agin. "Don't speak of that here, aloud. Come, step inside."
Aliria arched a brow and followed Alkanphel's command tentatively, followed by her guards inside the hatch.
Alkanphel appears vaguely perturbed by the guards. "I... I am not sure I can adequately discuss an issue of this gravity with anyone but yourself present. I don't want any of what's said getting around. I've kept all of my men outside for that very reason," he said with a nod and a gesture to his Honor Guard--the very men who saw Aliria from her transport to the waiting gravcar.
"So, only you and me, eh?," pondered Aliria. "I suppose I don't have other choice but to trust you." With but a gesture from the Princess, both guards nod and leave the car, standing outside yet at distance from the Alkanphel's men.
"Now then, Fallen Maia. Should we start?"
Alkanphel's eye's flashed again. His voice came out almost as a hiss. "Indeed. Let's hear what you've got to say," he said, sliding the hatch shut behind her. He tapped his finger on the thick glass partition between their compartment and the driver's, and the car began to ascend.
"Our people want to exact vengueance and retribution upon those who came to our home and insulted our name, our kin, and our people," stated the Princess flatly. "And those are your allies, those greenskins known as High Orcs, and dwell in your land," she continued, a fire growing in her eyes.
Alkanphel takes his seat and folds his arms over his chest. He appeared unimpressed. "And what is it you wish us to do?"
"We want you to stay away from it. I know they despise your master, and maybe they're planning something against you and us..." She trailed off. The car was quiet for a moment as Alkanphel keenly observed the Elf.
"After we finish our job, you can keep the land and the resources. We don't want to conquer them, just punish them." Aliria peers back at Alkanphel, sinking her stare directly in the Maia's eyes
Alkanphel taps a gloved finger against his chin as he ponders Aliria's words. "Perhaps you don't realise exactly how the High Orcs exist in Arda. They don't really have their own claimed body of land; they wander from place to place. They have a capital, but the problem seems to be it's located in Dor Daedoloth, rather technically."
"That Capital would be our main objetive," replied the Princess.
Alkanphel shook his head and drew his jaw tight. "We've grown a bit suspicious of them as of late, however they're one of out oldest and closest allies. They have done us no harm and we will not sell them out so easily. From what, exactly, does this greivance stem?"
"They insulted us, and invaded our halls without permission, just to hurl insults in our face. Would you like that some elves do exactly the same thing in your Master's throne room?"
Alkanphel laughed. "I doubt many have the courage anymore. At any rate isn't it a bit rash to go to war over a semantic spat?"
"You have marched to war for lesser reasons. Our pride is not just a 'semantic spat,'" Aliria countered.
Alkanphel pursed his lips. "We're enot about to let Elves in the middle of Arda to uproot the Thirteen Clans. It's lunacy. We'd have rampaging elementals to deal with, and the Orcs would turn on us as well. Even if it went relatively 'painlessly' even in that sense, there's the issue of Aelosia getting quite a fine view of our regional defenses."
"Then I suppose you're siding with them, of course, you wouldn't let your enemy since millenia land in your land, even if you suspect that you could extract benefits from it." Aliria paused. "Then now's the moment of negotiation. What can we offer you to ensure your neutrality?"
Alkanphel winked. "You're catching on. Dissent is growing; indeed we've sensed animosity from Kalessin regarding the Thirteen Clans as well."
"I can stay here until everything is over, to guarantee that the entire Aelosian army and fleet will move out from Arda once we have finished our issues," offered the Princess.
Alkanphel raised his chin slowly as he contemplated her question. "I'm not sure, you tell me? Surely you had to have come here with some sort of idea?"
"Of course we would love to see that you and your minions, including Kalessin, could deal with the issue, but I don't think that's possible. Ask, Maia. I can't offer you nothing in principle, but ask, and I'll decide if we can give you what you want."
Alkanphel sighs. "Frankly, Aelosia is an old enemy of the Imperium. To trust any Elf, particularly over our closest allies, will require a powerful political display on your part. I'm not sure I can think of any one request I could make that would even begin to atone for the wrongs suffered by Lord Melkor and his followers by your kind."
"You have no reasons to not trust in us," Aliria stamered. "And we will atack, with your consent, or not. And if you support us, you have nothing to lose."
Alkanphel raised his brow at that. "Interesting. That's a...rather bold statement."
"We're bold people. Lord Maia," countered Aliria, without missing a beat. "The rage of our people is like a bow and arrow. It takes time to accumulate strenghth, but once released, it flies until it reaches its target. We're going to atack, even if we have no hope of winning or survival. You know it. You never attacked Doriath meanwhile the pity Noldor tried to assault your walls. You can win benefits from our actions or suffer losses. It's up to you to decide which path you will walk."
Aliria looked at the Maia's eyes with detemination, standing in front of the powerful being as tears of pure rage appeared in her eyes. "Even if you kill to the last Aelosian in the fight, you'll suffer heavy losses, you can bet on it. To what end? To defend uneasy and untrustworthy allies? We're removing a thron in your side, Lord Maia, and you know it. All I'm asking for is to be left alone"
Alkanphel laughed heartily at this. "Oh, is that so? Do you happen to remember what befell the last army that set foot on Ardan soil?" Alkanphel leaned forward, his eyes flashing bright amidst the relative darkness. "Not a one of them made it home."
"Yes, If we take Mars as Imperial soil, we set them back running to their little castle, overcame with fear and defeat," replies the Princess, in her eyes a flame of rage appearing. "We have faced, and destroyed, Imperium's forces in the past. Nothing tell us that we can't do it again We were the ones that knocked in Minas Morion's huge gates, and our people must not be understimated. We'll fight with ten times the force and the determination this time, because we're not fighting for land, we're fighting for retribution."
Alkanphel looks unimpressed. "Coalition forces 'won' that battle due to a strenuous circumstance that hindered our defense. That circumstance no longer exists."
"And what tells you that these situations won't happen again? You enemies could take advantage of the little distraction we're bringing to attack you. Your situation is not exactly comfortable. And we willl attack without fear of our own destruction or death. "ou know what that means, right? We will attack using lethal and massive weapons, the most deadly of all, even if that means we have to kill our soldiers and face total annihilation."
"Tch tch tch." Alkanphel wagged a finger. "This conversation was going so much better a few moments ago. Let's back up to that bit before your rant about boldness. Have you not come with a single thought as to how Aelosia can atone for the sins of its kin and redeem themselves to Lord Melkor? Surely you would not forsake Arda's blessing?"
"We want to leave Melkor alone, not stand with him, nor stand against him As we did in the first age. That's our policy, and we can even reach the point of giving you favors."
Aliria paused briefly and inhaled sharply. "We can return to you the land we seized in the last Mars conflict, and give you even our first colony there." She nodded, apparently pleased with herself. "In exchange for your neutrality, of course."
Alkanphel laughed. "Would Mars then simply not just unite against us? We don't need that headache again. But even then you realise that many of your allies will see you as treacherous in having deat with us in the first place?"
"I think you should have realized that we don't give a damn thing about what our allies think, Lord Maia. We just don't care. If they're not willing to help us then we'll face whatever we must face alone, to the death, even if that includes you." She drew in another breath. "Our conviction is absolute"
Alkanphel sat silent in thought for a moment, his hands folded on his lap. Finally, he met Aliria's gaze once again, and his eyes pulsed faintly with bluish white light. "I must seek an audience with Lord Melkor concerning this matter. I would also surmise the Emperor of Kalessin would like to have a say in the matter, because he is not as you claimed, a 'minion' of Melkor."
"So be it, I'll wait your answer about that, then."
Alkanphel bowed his head slightly. "We will now escort you and your guards to a suite where you can stay until we can contact our allies on this matter. Frankly, I'm not sure what answer we will bring you. Much must be deliberated."
The formation descended lazily on the riverfront metropolis of Ali'Staan: a bustling Haradrim settlement not far from Nova Rhûn, the Easterling province of Lord Melkor's Imperium. The fighters and gunships pulled up from their escort positions and began to wheel above the city, still in rigid formation, as the Aelosian frigates slowed to a stop, a large personal transport descending towards a large, gravitic landing pad in the heart of Ali'Staan's diplomatic quarter.
The transport touched down and there was a hiss and a rush of coolant as the main hatch for the craft slid open, and a pair of Craftworld guards peered out into the reddened sky.They took a quick look around and descended down the ramp as it extended, their ward following close behind.
Aliria was dressed in one of her usual celestial blue dresses which flowed dramatically behind her as the wind kicked up suddenly. Her dancing sandals afforded a small degree of comfort from the sweltering heat of Near Harad; though the Elf secretly hoped she wouldn't have to reamin outside long. Like any good Sindar, she was endlessly appreciative of her environment, but the climate of Harad was a bit different than what she was used to.
"Where's Lord Alkanphel?, I want to see him at once. I don't want to spend time in this place more than the strictly necessary," she stated defiantly, half to herself, as a half dozen crimson-clad Southron Guardsmen Captians strode out from a hut on the other side of the landing pad, and approached the Elf. One of the men strode forward, tilted his chin and sneered at the party. "This way," he said sternly, with a nod of his head towards a waiting gravcar some distance away. The other men looked over their counterparts with disdain. "He's been waiting for some time."
"Then you should tell your port controller to be more efficient, he delayed the shuttle" retorted Aliria as she followed the captain and his men across the tarmac and away from the transport. The Southrons ignored the comment and trodded on in silence, leading the party inexorably to the waiting gravcar. As they approached the vehicle, two guardsmen split off and circled it, as another man clad in black opened the hatch.
Aliria gasped and shot a look at her own guards, who at once become visibly tense, clutching their rifles, though aiming at nothing.
Lord Alkanphel stepped slowly from the opening, and tugged at his sleeves absently as he bowed his head in acknowledgement. "Greetings." His voice seemed to dominate all other sound, and had a quieting power. "I understand you've come on a matter of great importance."
Aliria turns to see Alkanphel, and she calms down a little. The guards lowers their rifles, although they still seem to be a bit nervous. Aliria nods at the Maia Lord, and took a step towards him. "Yes, I have, regarding your allies, the so-called High Orcs."
Alkanphel stepped aside, and gestured towards the open hatch. With a flash of his eyes, he speaks agin. "Don't speak of that here, aloud. Come, step inside."
Aliria arched a brow and followed Alkanphel's command tentatively, followed by her guards inside the hatch.
Alkanphel appears vaguely perturbed by the guards. "I... I am not sure I can adequately discuss an issue of this gravity with anyone but yourself present. I don't want any of what's said getting around. I've kept all of my men outside for that very reason," he said with a nod and a gesture to his Honor Guard--the very men who saw Aliria from her transport to the waiting gravcar.
"So, only you and me, eh?," pondered Aliria. "I suppose I don't have other choice but to trust you." With but a gesture from the Princess, both guards nod and leave the car, standing outside yet at distance from the Alkanphel's men.
"Now then, Fallen Maia. Should we start?"
Alkanphel's eye's flashed again. His voice came out almost as a hiss. "Indeed. Let's hear what you've got to say," he said, sliding the hatch shut behind her. He tapped his finger on the thick glass partition between their compartment and the driver's, and the car began to ascend.
"Our people want to exact vengueance and retribution upon those who came to our home and insulted our name, our kin, and our people," stated the Princess flatly. "And those are your allies, those greenskins known as High Orcs, and dwell in your land," she continued, a fire growing in her eyes.
Alkanphel takes his seat and folds his arms over his chest. He appeared unimpressed. "And what is it you wish us to do?"
"We want you to stay away from it. I know they despise your master, and maybe they're planning something against you and us..." She trailed off. The car was quiet for a moment as Alkanphel keenly observed the Elf.
"After we finish our job, you can keep the land and the resources. We don't want to conquer them, just punish them." Aliria peers back at Alkanphel, sinking her stare directly in the Maia's eyes
Alkanphel taps a gloved finger against his chin as he ponders Aliria's words. "Perhaps you don't realise exactly how the High Orcs exist in Arda. They don't really have their own claimed body of land; they wander from place to place. They have a capital, but the problem seems to be it's located in Dor Daedoloth, rather technically."
"That Capital would be our main objetive," replied the Princess.
Alkanphel shook his head and drew his jaw tight. "We've grown a bit suspicious of them as of late, however they're one of out oldest and closest allies. They have done us no harm and we will not sell them out so easily. From what, exactly, does this greivance stem?"
"They insulted us, and invaded our halls without permission, just to hurl insults in our face. Would you like that some elves do exactly the same thing in your Master's throne room?"
Alkanphel laughed. "I doubt many have the courage anymore. At any rate isn't it a bit rash to go to war over a semantic spat?"
"You have marched to war for lesser reasons. Our pride is not just a 'semantic spat,'" Aliria countered.
Alkanphel pursed his lips. "We're enot about to let Elves in the middle of Arda to uproot the Thirteen Clans. It's lunacy. We'd have rampaging elementals to deal with, and the Orcs would turn on us as well. Even if it went relatively 'painlessly' even in that sense, there's the issue of Aelosia getting quite a fine view of our regional defenses."
"Then I suppose you're siding with them, of course, you wouldn't let your enemy since millenia land in your land, even if you suspect that you could extract benefits from it." Aliria paused. "Then now's the moment of negotiation. What can we offer you to ensure your neutrality?"
Alkanphel winked. "You're catching on. Dissent is growing; indeed we've sensed animosity from Kalessin regarding the Thirteen Clans as well."
"I can stay here until everything is over, to guarantee that the entire Aelosian army and fleet will move out from Arda once we have finished our issues," offered the Princess.
Alkanphel raised his chin slowly as he contemplated her question. "I'm not sure, you tell me? Surely you had to have come here with some sort of idea?"
"Of course we would love to see that you and your minions, including Kalessin, could deal with the issue, but I don't think that's possible. Ask, Maia. I can't offer you nothing in principle, but ask, and I'll decide if we can give you what you want."
Alkanphel sighs. "Frankly, Aelosia is an old enemy of the Imperium. To trust any Elf, particularly over our closest allies, will require a powerful political display on your part. I'm not sure I can think of any one request I could make that would even begin to atone for the wrongs suffered by Lord Melkor and his followers by your kind."
"You have no reasons to not trust in us," Aliria stamered. "And we will atack, with your consent, or not. And if you support us, you have nothing to lose."
Alkanphel raised his brow at that. "Interesting. That's a...rather bold statement."
"We're bold people. Lord Maia," countered Aliria, without missing a beat. "The rage of our people is like a bow and arrow. It takes time to accumulate strenghth, but once released, it flies until it reaches its target. We're going to atack, even if we have no hope of winning or survival. You know it. You never attacked Doriath meanwhile the pity Noldor tried to assault your walls. You can win benefits from our actions or suffer losses. It's up to you to decide which path you will walk."
Aliria looked at the Maia's eyes with detemination, standing in front of the powerful being as tears of pure rage appeared in her eyes. "Even if you kill to the last Aelosian in the fight, you'll suffer heavy losses, you can bet on it. To what end? To defend uneasy and untrustworthy allies? We're removing a thron in your side, Lord Maia, and you know it. All I'm asking for is to be left alone"
Alkanphel laughed heartily at this. "Oh, is that so? Do you happen to remember what befell the last army that set foot on Ardan soil?" Alkanphel leaned forward, his eyes flashing bright amidst the relative darkness. "Not a one of them made it home."
"Yes, If we take Mars as Imperial soil, we set them back running to their little castle, overcame with fear and defeat," replies the Princess, in her eyes a flame of rage appearing. "We have faced, and destroyed, Imperium's forces in the past. Nothing tell us that we can't do it again We were the ones that knocked in Minas Morion's huge gates, and our people must not be understimated. We'll fight with ten times the force and the determination this time, because we're not fighting for land, we're fighting for retribution."
Alkanphel looks unimpressed. "Coalition forces 'won' that battle due to a strenuous circumstance that hindered our defense. That circumstance no longer exists."
"And what tells you that these situations won't happen again? You enemies could take advantage of the little distraction we're bringing to attack you. Your situation is not exactly comfortable. And we willl attack without fear of our own destruction or death. "ou know what that means, right? We will attack using lethal and massive weapons, the most deadly of all, even if that means we have to kill our soldiers and face total annihilation."
"Tch tch tch." Alkanphel wagged a finger. "This conversation was going so much better a few moments ago. Let's back up to that bit before your rant about boldness. Have you not come with a single thought as to how Aelosia can atone for the sins of its kin and redeem themselves to Lord Melkor? Surely you would not forsake Arda's blessing?"
"We want to leave Melkor alone, not stand with him, nor stand against him As we did in the first age. That's our policy, and we can even reach the point of giving you favors."
Aliria paused briefly and inhaled sharply. "We can return to you the land we seized in the last Mars conflict, and give you even our first colony there." She nodded, apparently pleased with herself. "In exchange for your neutrality, of course."
Alkanphel laughed. "Would Mars then simply not just unite against us? We don't need that headache again. But even then you realise that many of your allies will see you as treacherous in having deat with us in the first place?"
"I think you should have realized that we don't give a damn thing about what our allies think, Lord Maia. We just don't care. If they're not willing to help us then we'll face whatever we must face alone, to the death, even if that includes you." She drew in another breath. "Our conviction is absolute"
Alkanphel sat silent in thought for a moment, his hands folded on his lap. Finally, he met Aliria's gaze once again, and his eyes pulsed faintly with bluish white light. "I must seek an audience with Lord Melkor concerning this matter. I would also surmise the Emperor of Kalessin would like to have a say in the matter, because he is not as you claimed, a 'minion' of Melkor."
"So be it, I'll wait your answer about that, then."
Alkanphel bowed his head slightly. "We will now escort you and your guards to a suite where you can stay until we can contact our allies on this matter. Frankly, I'm not sure what answer we will bring you. Much must be deliberated."