NationStates Jolt Archive

In the Sslaa system, ship traffic is frequent. Escorted freighters, luxury liners and military patrol ships make their rounds throughout the two asteroid belts, and outwards towards the system's edge. The orbital refinery continuously mines the asteroid belts for precious metals and minerals which are smelted and refined, and the orbital defense station and shipyard continues its production at an increased rate.

On Sslaa 5, Imperial System Seat of the Empire, Emperor Gorrm watches multiple screens at once. Some are text-based message displays, some ar A/V communications, and a couple have holo-cast displays of the news-feeds for all nations known. Several aids help him to filter out messages of import vs standard chatter. One series of messages garners interest.

"This Ming. He has the appearance of the humans, yet something tells me this is not the case. Fascinating. His empire is quite expansive, and control seems almost absolute. Governer Shuul, what is your assessment?"

The 7' tall figure of the Governor of Sslaa 5 keys into his datapad, and reads off his display. "The Empire of Mon-go is a very large, economically powerful nation, notable for its complete absence of social welfare. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population are ruled with an iron fist by the corrupt, dictatorship government, which oppresses anyone who isn't on the board of a Fortune 500 company. Large corporations tend to be above the law, and use their financial clout to gain ever-increasing government benefits at the expense of the poor and unemployed."

"The large, corrupt, moralistic, pro-business government juggles the competing demands of Defence, Law & Order, and Commerce. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 15%. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Gambling, Retail, and Automobile Manufacturing industries."

"Movies and computer games are strictly censored for violence, society and government have been organized according to a feudal hierarchy, citizens are frequently held up at gunpoint by their local pizza delivery boys, and torture is commonly used to extract information from suspected criminals. This may be worthwhile for your attentions. Should I dispatch a comm to the emperor, Ming?"

"Do so. Invite him here to our swampy planet for a summit meeting. But keep the Honor Guard on alert, and increase the number of ships patrolling the area. An Emperor of this nature tends to gather enemies. Let us see what this Ming is all about, as the humans like to say." With that, Emperor Gorrm rises up from his chair, and sweeps his purple cloak around him.

"I will be in the dining hall if a response comes."

The stoic golden mask of General Klytus reflected the blinking indicator lights of his secret police agents’ console. He watched the view-set with only peripheral interest. Ever since the impetuous earthling criminal Flash Gordon had been banished from Mongo, things had settled back to ‘business as usual’ for the head of Mongo’s Elite Secret Police Force.

His attention waned and he began to pace about the Control Centre. He noted the efficient performance of his agents at their consoles as they monitored the airwaves for communications, secretly listened in on various heads of state, and watched the SK system for additional signs of intelligence. His black robes made no noise upon the glossy surface of the marblite floor as he moved about. The silent monotony was finally broken by the voice of one of his agents.

“General,” the agent announced in the deadpan monotone that all secret police officers were conditioned to use, “Message received from the ruler of the Sslaa System.”

Klytus perked up his ear, “Yes?” he ordered, returning to that particular agent’s control panel.

“Emperor Ming’s presence has been formally requested for a summit meeting with Emperor Gorrm of Sslaa Five.” The ebon clad agent reported.

“Sslaa system? Is it indicated on our charts agent 2203?” Klytus wondered aloud.

The agent turned a silver knob on his console and a series of space charts began to wink by on the view-set before them. They eventually found the system in question.

“Ah, an unexplored region…” Klytus read from the grid-lined image, “500,000 Mingo Miles beyond the Sea of Fire.”

The golden-faced General straightened and made his way to the master console at the head of the control centre. Behind his master panels, a larger view-set was mounted in the wall itself. Klytus twisted the controls and dialed in the co-ordinates for the Sslaa System.

A tiny orb eventually hummed into focus in the middle of the circular set. With another deft turn of the focus knob, the planet shone even larger and clearer than before. It appeared muddy and brown from this distance, but there was a good deal of activity in the space surrounding the world. Klytus watched with the interest that one might express while watching fish in a bowl. Great rings of glimmering space rock spun in their orbital dance around the planet. Rocket ships darted in and out of view as they went obliviously about their business. And Klytus thought he detected a city hanging in the void above Sslaa, but his view was obscured by the rocks as the hurtled through space.

“Very interesting.” Klytus purred through his mask as he turned to his master panel. He thumbed the activation lever and the glass viewing-orb buzzed to life on the pedestal next to him.

Meanwhile, in the pinnacle of the royal palace in Mingo City, the capital of the Empire of Mongo, The figure known as Ming the Merciless took his dinner in his opulent bedchamber.

Ming reclined in luxury, his crimson nightgowns spread beneath him, a covey of his jewel-clad concubines and servants presented the golden trays of food and wine. Ming lounged with his brides as the bounty sprawled out before him in all of its splendor.

The brides of Ming represented nearly every breed of Mongo, several Hawk-women, a lion-woman from Ardentia daughter to that nation’s king, a tree-girl from Arboria, and two Nordic beauties from the icy realm of Phigia. Yet, his mind still wandered to the recent unpleasantness with the earthlings, and to the raven haired Dale Arden.

As his brides took portions of the evening meal to feed their master, Ming schemed as to how to get the earth-woman into his bedchamber. No matter how his imagined scenarios played in his mind, they all involved the public execution of Flash Gordon. The idea made him smile as one of the blonde Phigiaians kneeled to serve him his goblet of green Arborian wine.

In the center of the room, Ming’s viewing-orb began to glow softly as it warmed up. The new light in the chamber caught the attention of all, but the brides of Ming made no attempt to conceal themselves. After a moment the face of General Klytus appeared in the center of the globe itself.

“HAIL MING!” the loyal Klytus intoned from the orb.

Ming waved off the formal salutation as the red-headed hawk woman massaged his bald scalp, “Good evening Klytus,” the emperor spoke around a large mouthful of food, “What news have you for me that warrants interrupting my meal?”

“Forgive me your highness. There are several items of business this evening. Our forces, aided by the kingdom of Blue-Magic and additional troops from Phigia have taken control of the region of Sparta my lord, they will be relaying your demands shortly… and the ray-bombings of the capital of Kumanaptra continue. My agents inform me that they’re still harboring the earthlings Gordon, Arden and Zarkov.” The General paused as one of the jeweled servants passed in front of the viewing-orb, briefly blocking his view of the emperor. He waited for her to pass before he continued.

“Also my lord, a message of some import has arrived from a sector that was previously believed not to contain life.” The image of Klytus looked outside the orb for his information, then looked again at the visage of his emperor. “A distant system known by the locals as Sslaa. You have received an invitation to attend a summit on their world.”

“A summit?” Ming queried with amusement, “A summit about what?”

“I’m certain I would not know my lord.” Klytus mused with his emperor, “I would suppose that they might like to align themselves in some manner with the greatness of your vast empire.”

Ming thought for a moment as his brides and servants tended to him, he chewed his food slowly before replying.

“Contact the leaders of this Sslaa,” he ordered with a casual wave of his hand, almost as if to drive off a pest, “Inform them that we accept their generous invitation and that they should prepare to entertain us in royal fashion. Inform them that we’ll arrive in 5 standard Mongo days time at 29:00 Mingo Mean Time. Ready our imperial rockets as usual, assign a detachment from the 82nd Legion of Terror to the war rocket ‘Ajax’…oh, and Klytus?”

“Yes your highness?”

“Gather a unit of your best agents for the voyage.” Ming said in an ominous tone. “I wouldn’t want to go in…under prepared.”

Governer Shuul paces about in his office as aides come and go at a frenetic pace. "By the Pits, we should have gotten a response by now. The Emperor will be most displeased if this goes awry." His clawed feet make a *clack clack* sound on the hard Resin floor as he paces.

His personal assistant comes into his office, tail held high. "Governor, we have a response. Emperor's eyes only. I had the comm transferred to a holo-display unit." Governor Shuul's eyes close slightly, and nictitating membranes slide over them. "Very good. I'll see to it the Emperor receives it." He takes the small display unit, and carries it football style to the Imperial Dining hall.

The opulent hall is bedecked with precious gems set into the translucent Resin walls, which allow a measure of sunlight to penetrate them. The effect is that of several prisms casting multi-colored light into the chambers. Gorrm sits with his Imperial Mantle and Crown off and hanging jauntily on his chair. His table is laid out like a feast fit for ten, but he alone sits and eats. Two full sets of serrated teeth dig into a massive haunch of some manner of beast. Two quick chomps, and then a swallow, and the Emperor speaks.

"Shuul, you have news I assume?" The Emperor wipes his mouth, and sits straight up as the Governor of Sslaa 5 approaches.

"I do, my liege. A holo-display comm for your eyes only." He places the display unit on the table as he offers a low bow.

The Emperor takes hold of the unit, and brings it closer to himself. "Thank you, Governor. You may leave now. I'll call when I need you. Everyone else, you may leave as well." The assembled servitors of various geno-types bow, and leave through various exits. Gorrm hits the key for the display unit, and gets a textual message. Hrrmmm...I had hoped for a closer look at these beings, but this is the most secure method of transmission known.

After reading the message, The Emperor shuts off the unit and pockets the data crystal, and then leaves the dining chamber. "Prepare an official Ceremonial Honor Procession. The time-table is 5 days time. Inform Admiral Shaar that I request her presence here, with Fleets Epsilon and Zeta. Also, contact General Gaarm, and have him allocate the 13th and 23rd Armor Cavalry groups, and a detachment of Skeen Agents. Do this with all due speed."

"At once, my liege!" Shuul bows low, then turns swiftly and races to his office to send the appropo comms to their desired estinations.

Meanwhile, Gorrm returns to his meal. Let's see what manner of beings we deal with here.

The war rocket “Ajax” cut through the void as it exited the Imperial Vortex just outside of the Sslaa system. Four slightly smaller escort rockets fell into place behind the Ajax as they flew from the vortex in turn. The trip had taken quite some time given the great spatial distances between the Sslaa region of the universe and that of Mongo.

And travel from the planet Mongo was perilous given the nature of the space that surrounded it. The scientists of Mongo had named the phenomenon the “Sea of Fire”, a violent storm in space that destroyed early space-going vessels from the planet’s surface. It had been impossible to traverse until the invention of the lightning field. Now the Sea of Fire served to keep other ships out of Mongo space.

The captain of the Mongo flagship contacted the escort rockets and ordered them to report.

“Diamond reporting in captain.” Crackled the voice across the speaker.
“Dover reporting in sir.”
“Quarrel reporting in cap’n.”
“Sheng reporting in sir.” Answered the final commander.

“All vessels are ordered to drop lightning fields and to proceed in formation to Sslaa 5 with engines at half.” Ordered the captain of the Ajax. He turned to his communications officer behind him and spoke again.

“Contact the planetary authorities on Sslaa 5, inform them that the Mongo envoy has arrived in their space and that they should make ready to receive the Emperor Ming. File the landing co-ordinates with the pilot.”

“Aye cap’n.” the young officer had already begun tuning the communications set for maximum reception.

The captain of the Ajax stepped behind the command console and twisted a knob on the panel. The view-set hummed to life on the wall and the masked face of General Klytus appeared on the screen.

“Report.” The General ordered crisply.

“We have reached the Sslaa system sir, all ships reporting in. We are establishing communications with planetary officials now general.” The captain reported.

“Very well,” Klytus intoned, “I shall inform his majesty.”

The view-set went blank and the captain turned his attention again to the business of leading the five finest rockets in the Imperial Fleet.

Within the moon-sized facility known as Vubz System Defense Coordination, early warning systems announce the arrival of War Rocket Ajax, and its escort. Holographic displays show the location of the five ships in reference to their location in the system.

Commander Chhar checks the manifest for departing crafts and readied ships. The Dock Master cues up a screen. "Warship group 13 is crewed and ready. Shall I give the order?"

"Do so." The Commander lifts up his chin a tad at seeing the warship group. Three of the Empire's finest war vessels, made at this very moon. He turns to the communications officer, and gives his orders. "Send an advance comm to the incoming crafts to expect an escort. Update automated defense grid to identify those ship's insignias as non-hostile. For now."

"Acting, Sir." The comm officer sends the message.

The three warships of the Sakkran I.S.N. leave their berths slowly, leaving the moon Vubz, and making their way towards the incoming crafts from Mongo.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Sslaa 5, Emperor Gorrm oversees the Honor Guard, armed with EM Mass Driver Cannons loaded with pyrotechnic rounds. He walks before the 100 soldiers, inspecting each one personally. Admiral Shaar accompanies him, making corrections and observations along the line..

"That emblem is not regulation standard."

"Chin up, soldier."

"Your fetlock guards are scuffed. Put some shine on it."

"Belay that fidgeting. It's unbecoming for a GroPo."

"Are you shedding? Get some oil on that skin AT ONCE!"

After it is done, the Honor Guard is sent off to assume their positions at the shuttlepad. "We're all ready here, Emperor." Gorrm looks about at the city of Pakaa, seeing the resin walls gleaming with polishing, and grins. "Good good. Is the banquet hall in readiness?"

"It is. Caterers are preparing the foods as we speak. Staff will be on at all times. Dancers are dressing, and actors are rehearsing their roles."

The Emperor nods. "Excellent. All is in readiness."

All creatures of Planet Mongo shall make merry! This bulletin is to announce the creation of Mongo's Imperial Information Network. It was created and will be maintained by Emperor Ming's Minister of Information, the Kingdom of Blue-Magic.

http://planetmongo.netfirms.com/

ALL HAIL MING THE MERCILESS!

The five war-rockets from Mongo, escorted by the three recently arrived Sakkran ships entered into the space surrounding Sslaa 5 in good time.

General Klytus was in the control room of the ‘Ajax’ when they came within range of the shuttle pad that had been signaled for them to use by the Sakkran authorities.

“Landing zone in range general.” The captain reported.

“Order the other rockets to fall back into a stationary position 10 Mongo miles above the shuttle pad.” Klytus ordered, “Have your men board the landers to proceed the Imperial lander.”

The Ajax came in close enough to be viewed by the citizenry of Sslaa 5 from the ground. The giant red and gold craft was a marvel of Mongo engineering and style, sleek swooped fins seemed to cut through the air. The radium-powered engines gave a final report as the Ajax settled into its position above the landing area.

Two doors opened on the belly of the rocket and three smaller craft exited and made their way downward toward the city below. The two smaller landers flanked the larger craft as they descended. A final puff of radium filled exhaust announced the touchdown of the three landers on the surface of Sslaa 5.

The hatches of the three vessels opened slowly as the Sakkran present looked on in fascination. Two long rows of forty of Mongo’s finest soldiers exited the two small ships and formed a corridor for their emperor, their weapons shouldered. They wore their dress uniforms, rich crimson silk adorned by golden chest and shoulder plates. Their Golden helmets and faceplates glistened in the Sslaa sunlight.

The hatch to the Imperial lander opened to reveal the black robed General Klytus as he stepped onto the shuttle pad. Klytus looked at the surroundings and signaled to his men to follow. Ten men in sharp black uniforms exited on either side of their General and took up positions at the head of the human corridor formed for the arrival of the emperor of Planet Mongo. The black clad agents were the ten finest officers in the Imperial Secret Police force, each hand picked by Klytus himself for this summit. Each agent wore a set of imaging goggles over his eyes, their faces blank of any emotion.

Klytus raised his voice for maximum effect, “PRESENTING, HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY THE EMPEROR, MING THE MERCILESS! HAIL MING!”

The procession from Mongo chimed in on the golden masked generals’ cue, “HAIL MING, EMPEROR OF MONGO!” they cried in perfect, practiced unison, “HAIL MING, RULER OF THE UNIVERSE!”

From the Imperial lander appeared Ming himself, wrapped in the finest red silks of Mongo. His red uniform was trimmed in silver and gold and at his side hung a beautiful, jewel encrusted ceremonial sword. His normally bald head was covered with an ebon metal skullcap. He looked like a mighty general ready to lead his subjects into battle. Ming strolled down onto the shuttle pad flanked by five of the most exotic women from the various nations of Planet Mongo.

Ming and his covey of brides made their way down the corridor of Mongo troops followed by General Klytus at their side.

“Your majesty,” Klytus intoned as they approached the delegation from Sslaa 5, “You will be pleased to know that I’ve just gotten word that our forces have subdued The Imperialist Army. We await their reply to your demands my lord.”

“Excellent,” came Ming’s response as the approached the leaders of the planet of Sslaa 5 with a smile…

The Emperor, Gorrm, watches from a short distance as Ming's Imperial Lander touches down, and disgorges its passengers. He watches with interest as Ming and his brides make their exit. A finger is raised, and the 100 Honor Guard raise their Chunk projecters aloft in front of them. The finger is lowered, and as one the Honor Guard fire their personal cannons.

Pyrotechnics light up the sky briefly as the rounds fired explode in an air-burst. The national anthem is played, sounding much like a heavy rhythmic banging of drums, with baritone voice accompaniment in a language not easily understood or mimicked by humans..

Flanked by two Deep Ones as guards, and a lithe Grass-Walker, the Emperor walks down the row of Guardsmen. A soft clacking sound is heard as his claws hit the pavement, and a slight jingling from his scaled head-dress. As he comes close to Ming, he makes a mental note to get smaller chairs for the Human guests.

A few feet away from the Emperor of Mongo, he bows and meets eye-level with Ming. His guards and his escort do likewise. "Emperor Ming. It is good of you to come. We have prepared a banquet for you and your guests."

“We bring you greetings from Planet Mongo your Excellency.” General Klytus bowed to the leader of Sslaa 5 as he spoke. The assembled brides and servants of Ming followed suit.

“Your world is quite…lovely.” Ming intoned, “We appreciate this opportunity to meet with you and to visit your system. Let this gesture of good-will not be forgotten by the subjects of Planet Mongo.”

OOC: I’m not exactly sure what you have planned here as far as entertainment etc. goes, so feel free to lead me through this a bit…Just assume that Ming & company follow you wherever you go.

OOC: Gotcha. And here's something I was informed may pertain to your "dilemma". Lookie (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=138361)!

Gorrm chuckled to himself. It was sound like WHIFF that came from the nostrils atop his head. "Yes, most hominids don't see Sslaa 5 as we do. It is perfect for us, after we terraformed a bit." The hooting sound of some of the local wildlife, perched in the higher tiers of the tree-like city, sounded low and long, drawing agaze from Gorrm. "Ah. A good omen. Come, let us adjourn to the dining hall." He turns and his guards salute him.

As they enter the hall, the walls are noticeably translucent with a smoky amber hue to them. Insects with 2 meter wing-spans immediately appear, and hover 6 feet over the incoming guests, casting a soft yellowish light from their abdomens. Gorrm procures a smooth peice of igneous rock from his mantle, and tosses it into the air at the beetle over his head.

This is grabbed up by the beetle, and munched on slowly. The spread before them is of all manner of meats and root vegetables on silver trays. Roasted, broiled or even raw. Fruit trays are borne palanquin-style by Servitors, and displayed before Ming, Klytus and their retinue. Translator necklaces around their necks sound a bit tinny, but pleasant enough. The voice coming from their throats sounds like coughing mixed with rumbling sounds.

"Would the visiting Emperor care to sample the local fruits?" Large egg-shaped yellow fruits with black specks are on the tray, as well as small green ones that look like mangoes.

Reptilian dancers in the center of the hall twine theirselves around each other in a sinuous snake-like fashion, tails wrapping around their waists as they move and gyrate. Their costume of scaled wraps and head-dresses in platinum jingle softly as they step.

“You flatter us with your hospitality.” Emperor Ming spoke as he gazed at the unusual fruits offered to him. Ming took one of the yellow orbs and passed it back to General Klytus to taste. Satisfied that it was fit for the lips of his emperor, the golden masked general returned it to Ming who took a large bite.

“Hmmm,” Ming thought about the taste for a moment, “Interesting flavor.”

Ming relaxed a bit to eat, watch the dancers and take in the scenery. These creatures of Sslaa, they were not unlike the Lizardmen on Planet Mongo. Granted, the lizardmen of Mongo were smaller and significantly less…evolved. The lizardmen of his homeworld had been easy to dominate and to rule, their tiny brains acted more out of pure instinct than anything resembling true reason.

Amidst the music and frivolity, Ming turned to address Emperor Gorrm.

“So, what is it that we should discuss your highness? Trade, commerce, an alliance the likes of which the universe has never seen before?” Ming caught the lizard’s eye and gave an evil grin, “Or perhaps you wish to become a part of the mighty Empire of Mongo? I’ve even picked out the perfect spot to fly the colors of Mongo…I could plant the flag right over there.”

Ming’s entourage laughed as their emperor gestured to a spot to place the banner of Planet Mongo.

Just then, one of Klytus’ black clad secret police rushed to his general’s side and gave him a report in hushed tones. Klytus dismissed the agent hurredly and went to his emperor’s side.

“My lord, an urgent report…” Klytus stopped so as not to issue secrets before the Emperor Gorrm.

“Go ahead Klytus,” Ming assured his paranoid subject.

“We’ve just received news that The Imperialist Army has been defeated. But that our forces in the Land of Saido have been destroyed. Millions of soldiers from Mon-go and Phigia were killed.”

“And what of this ‘Saido’?” Ming raised a single inquisitive eyebrow.

“It was completely destroyed your majesty.”

“Excellent. I would hate to lose my reputation of being…’merciless’.” Ming smiled and turned his attention back to Gorrm, “Please forgive Klytus, now, where were we? Oh yes, I was planting the flag…”

"It is the duty of an Emperor's Hand to inform one of events of import, after all, yes?" Gorrm approaches the table of food, and is served a hunk of leg from the beast prepared. He listens in with patience as Ming discusses where to plant the Mongo flag, his eye facing Ming keeping on him, while his other eye glances at his Honor guard.

He bites into the leg, crunching bone in his mouth. Finishing his snack, he wipes his mouth gingerly. "Perhaps a trade aggreement should be discussed first. We are reticent to enter into alliances as they tend to be used to our ill. Time will tell if the Pantheon wishes it to be so." He makes a quick gesture over his chest and bows to a small statue behind the table. "Sarreazarr Guanarr watches over all" he mutters beneath his breath.

"But let us sit and feast a bit, There is time for talk of this nature tonight. An empty stomach can make poor decisions for the brain." He claps his hands twice, and the dancers disperse. They are replaced by what one can only think of as monstrosities. 3 and a half meters tall, with armored skin covered in bony protruberances, massive lobster claws at the ends of the arms with a pair of small fingers on them. Grinding plates on their tooth-filled mouths. They almost look like Sakkrans, but at the same time look like some deep-sea creature. They bear a palanquin with a single bejeweled item.

Emperor Gorrm waves his hand, and one of the monstrous beings picks up the object, and holds it before Gorrm for approval. A nod of the head, and it is then presented to Ming. "A gift from my people to you. It is the ceremonial dueling weapon of our people. The Maar Gaan."

It looks like a sledgehammer with a pick at the end of one of its heads. Precious stones live the shaft, which looks to be made of platinum. the head itself is of titanium, with engravings of a mysterious nature on it.

Two more claps of his hands, and a row of servitors bring trays laden with drinks. Some are clear, but have a strong smell of anise. Others are green, yet have a scent like a breeze blown in from a lake. The last tray contains a blueish liquid, and smells quite strong of fermentation. Gorrm takes a goblet full of the blueish liquid, and sips it slowly. "Hrrr...a fine cogniac from Titan."

:evil:

frustration over double posts

"Again you honor us with your hospitality!" Ming's eyes widened at the gift of the cerimonial weapon.

"Perhaps while I am here, I might have the opportunity to be given some instruction as to its use?" he turned the Maar Gaan over and over in his hands.

"We have a gift for you as well your majesty." Ming motioned to General Klytus who had the doors of the great hall opened to reveal two Mongo soldiers escorting the gifts. Two beautiful young women from Planet Mongo entered with the guards. The two women made their way through the room, all eyes silently upon them. They came to rest on either side of their reclining Emperor.

"Emperor Gorrm, this lovely is Namora." Ming gestured to the first young woman to his right, "She hails from the frozen northern region of Mongo called Frrigia. That kingdom is known throughout the sector for producing the most fiercely beautiful women imaginable."

Namora was a true nordic beauty, her blonde hair braided tightly in small knots all over her head, her skin fair and delicate, her eyes a deep blue. Her simple white gown was elegant and understated, a traditional costume of her homeland. It shimmered like flakes of snow on a newly fallen drift.

"And this little jewel," Ming gestured to the young woman at his other side, "is Aerie. She hails from the Imperial capital of Planet Mongo, Mingo City. The true blooded imperial races of Mongo are strong and intelligent, cunning and excellent fighters. Young Aerie will serve you well."

Aerie was dark olive in complection with straight black hair that glistened in the light of the great hall. Her eyes were dark and smokey her features sharp and noble in appearance. Her crimson gown flowed over her curves...

Namora and Aerie passed in front of Emperor Ming and took their new place at Gorrm's side. They were his now, and they would serve him faithfully without question in the years to come.

Ming took a goblet of the blue fluid from the passing tray as per Gorrm's example. This time, he decided not to have Klytus taste it for him...General Klytus wasn't pleased.

The azure liquor went down smoothly, Ming was delighted with the taste though it was a bit strong.

"A toast perhaps Emperor Gorrm?" Ming raised his glass to honor his new co-hort.

"To all the breeds of the Sslaa system and their Emperor! May the gods look favourably upon the union of Planet Mongo and Sslaa 5, now, and in all our future endeavours! HAIL EMPEROR GORRM, LONG LIFE AND PROSPERITY TO THE CITIZENS OF SSLAA!"

ooc: Sorry for the delay...

And your enemies closer...

This has been an Official TAG by the Five Civilized Nations

And your friends enemies friends even closer...

This has been an Official TAG by Trixia

And your friends enemies friends even closer...

This has been an Official Humerous TAG by Trixia

Eye have got my I on you.

Blink..Blink..Blink...

Eye have got my I on you.

Blink..Blink..Blink...

"A fine toast, Emperor Ming." He lifts his goblet of Titan cogniac, and quaffs it, leveling his goblet out for a refill. One of his eyes looks over the homonid females, debating what to do with them. They will have to be given citizenship, of course. No slaves are held in the Empire per my sire's decree. He would throttle me if I tried to change that. The goblet is refilled, and he swirls the blue liquid, breathing in the heady scent. I could give them employ in the Skeen agency, or train them as guards for my person. They certainly are no use to me as consorts. Totally different organ make-up there, and incompatible genetics I am certain.

An aid comes up to the table which holds Ming , Klytus and Gorrm. He leans in a bit to whisper. "My liege, the delegates of Imperial Peoples has arrived."

Gorrm waves a hand. "Show them in." He turns to Ming, and leans back a touch. "Now the summit may begin. The assorted peoples of the Sakkran Empire are here to discuss trade treaties, defense contracts and the like. We export armored combat suits and personal weaponry to our protectorates to aid them in self-defense. For a reasonable profit, of course."

The delegation enters; "Hunt-Master Aar-eem." A cat-like Hrubban, standing at 5 feet tall in long, flowing robes. His mane tied into a dread-lock style do, he approaches the table, bows to both emperors and takes a seat near Gorrm. A pair of elvish peoples enters next, a male and a female with stark-white hair. Silver headbands adorn their fore-heads as their silk cloaks wave behind them. "The lord Fesan Rasingen and the Lady Nisingach Lislem." They also bow, and take their seats near Klytus. A pair of human males enters next. They wear black leather mantles over their tailored suits with small caps on their heads. "Sol Representative Marcus Balch and Titan Representative James Polk." They bow, and sit near the Hrubbans.

Finally, a pair of reptilian Grass-Walkers enters, their irisdecent scales changing colors in the light. They wear simple robes of blue silk. When they walk, their lithe forms move deliberately and with grace. It is like watching liquid in motion. "Titan Parliamentary Leaders Ghouaa Zheerd and Sslaagh Kkhreel." They bow slowly, and take their seats near the Elvish delegation.

Gorrm greets all in turn, and stands. The Summit at Sslaa is now in session. Let there be no interruptions." The massive entry doors swing closed with a soft *thuk*, and Gorrm takes his seat again.