NationStates Jolt Archive

Of course, there would have to be an interview process in order to gain entry to this system, which is not fully developed as of yet. The system contains 8 planets, 2 asteroid belts and a class G main sequence star.

Sslaa 1 is an inferno planet, reaching average temps as high as 514 Celsius. The atmosphere is mostly carbon dioxide, and has radioactive metals about and toxic trace elements about. Winds in excess of 150 kph are also about. 2 moons orbit this planet.

Sslaa 2 is a desert planet with toxic trace elemnts and violent winds. Temps range from -30 C to 123 C. Gravity is a bit high, but tolerable. No moons in orbit.

Then there is the Sszeera Asteroid Belt. Charting of this asteroid belt is still underway.

Sslaa 3 is a ringed gas giant with 3 moons orbiting it. High helium/hydrogen atmosphere, crushing gravity and high levels of radioactivity have kept us from fully exploring this planet. 3 moons orbit this planet.

Sslaa 4 is a water planet, with only 4% land present. Oxygen/nitrogen rich planet with an ozone layer present. Winds from 10 to 100 mph are constant, but life teems under the water's surface. Slightly higher gravity. 3 moons are present, one of which is being leased to Vernii.

Sslaa 5 is the Sakkran seat here, and is a swampy world. 3 moons orbit this planet, 2 of which are used for mining and refining of metals and minerals, the third used for an orbital ship constructiuon facility and system defense coordination.

The Kraah Asteroid Belt separates Sslaa 5 from Sslaa 6.

Sslaa 6 is a gas giant with an oxygen/nitrogen atmosphere, with methane and carbon dioxide running a bit high for comfort. Crushing gravity. No moon in orbit.

Sslaa 7 is a barren world with mild tectonic activity, and infrequent metoer storms. Temps range from -40 C to -100 C. No moons in orbit, but high concentrations of semi=precious stones and crystals are present. Gravity is average.

Sslaa 8 is an ice world. Rumor has it it may be nothing but solid ice. Ambient radiation levels are low, and one moon orbits this planet. Gravity is fairly low. Temperatures range between -20 C and - 150 C.

I'm leaving this region non-password protected until midnight tomorrow if anyone wants to send settlers, or simply relocate there. For the interview, state your tech level, government type, any motives and designs you may have for the planet or moon in question to be colonized, and why I should let you move in in the first place. The name of the region is Sslaa.

"Sssla Four looks like a nice planet," ventured Aquaalis Ineri, the Trilarian Empire's Minister of the Interior. "Much better than Sanara Prime is..er, was."

Eaalaril Taee, Emperor of All the Trilarians, swished his head back and forth angrily. "The day we share a star with those loathsome landwalking abominations..." he growled. Ineri waved himself slowly backwards.

"No," grunted Taee, "absolutely not."

Just then, Minister of Foreign Relations Leoluus Oraborus propelled himself through the round aperture that served as a door to Taee's throne room. "Good news, Your Majesty! I've just sent a request in to the Sakkran government for settling rights on Sssla IV!"

We wish to send a colonist group to Sslaa 4 for various reasons. A water world would be a pleasant change from Mars or Bright Morning. I see the most likely method of colonization being either floating colonies or shallow sea domes on open sea floor. As with Bright Morning the initial colonization group would be 30,000 people with a small defense force to protect against opportunists and pirates. The colony would be expanded as time passed and would likely reach 10 to 20 million sentients within 20 years.

Once the colony reached this population level an Aurora would be moved into orbit, linking the colony and the world to the rest of the gate system around Titan, Mars, etc. This would increase trade through easy access, though it would be limited to Triumvirate and Sunset allied shipping. Before this occured a diplomatic cruiser would be stationed in-system and the system would likely play host as a stopping point to Exploration Groups with expeditions in the local cluster.

OOC: I don't establish colony nations. Sunset includes all population both on Mars and in the colonies.

It appears Sslaa 4 is in contention. On the one hand is Sunset, and the other Trilar. How ever will this be decided? Perhaps some manner of accord can be reached.

Devon Treznor mulls over the missive from Sakkra as Ben Vitner and Janet Marshall sit across from him, waiting patiently. Eventually he looks up. "It's a hell of an opportunity. And they're allies, to boot. I still owe Kraah another feast, especially after the way Sakkran opera took off in our culture. But why would Gorm invite aliens to colonise their own solar system? That doesn't make much sense to me."

"Perhaps they're not comfortable on those worlds;" Ben points out. "Typically, cold-blooded species are adapted to strict temperature ranges. Perhaps they're looking for a cheap way to exploit the resources of the rest of the system without inconveniencing themselves in the process. Warm-blooded humans are much more adaptable, after all."

Janet nods in agreement. "It's a selling point, certainly. And whatever their reasons, it's an opportunity we shouldn't pass up. It can be an extension of our colonisation efforts, not a redirection. With only 4% landmass, we wouldn't want to land a large colony on Sslaa IV in the first place. Call it a trial run.

"We'll also want to establish a presence on Sslaa VIII. It has resources that will greatily benefit our exploration and colonisation efforts, just in terms of fuel. A supply of fresh ice water that doesn't need treatment before it gets processed is a huge windfall."

"Okay, I'm sold. Janet, write it up. Offer the Sakkra a substantial cut in the exploitation of resources as incentive to let us build there. They get cheap labour, we get practice. Sounds like a match made in heaven to me. We can work out the details of the move if they like our initial offer."

"We're not the only ones interested," Ben warns. "Word has it that Sunset's put in a bid, and another race called the 'Trilar,' I think."

"Do you know the terms of their bids?"

"I'm still working on it. I only know they've been in communication with the Sakkra government."

"All right, see what you can dig up. We can adjust our offer when we have more information. Anything else? Okay, let's get to it."

Emperor Gorrm is at the Imperial System Seat of Sslaa 5, overseeing preparations for the arrival of Emperor Ming of Mon-Go. His aide knocks on his door gently, and opens it a touch.

"My liege, the Empire of Treznor has expressed interest in both Sslaa 4 and 8. His offer involves development of both worlds, partially on our behalf, I think."

Gorrm perks up his head from the numerous comm-windows and mini-consoles. "Indeed. Have the other interested parties made like offers? These are whole worlds after all."

The aide looks at the various comms received. "Not to our knowledge yet, my liege."

"Hrrrmmm...Sslaa 8... Send a reply to the Treznor. We accept their offer for Sslaa 8, provided that we are apprised of the situation there, and System Defense Coordination on Vubz has jurisdiction there. The moon there is not, however, a part of the development. If they ask why, tell them that survey teams are still studying the moons and ascertaining their usefulness."

"We will see how the contention for Sslaa 4 goes, however, and will render a judgement when all parties involved have tendered their bids." He waves a claw, and the aid leaves the room.

We are more than willing to share a world with others. Co-habitation increases trade and communication and allows a civilization to advance via a sharing of ideas thus we would welcome sharing the planet.

Our plans do not include settling any of the current land mass. Instead we would create our own by manufacturing them on Mars and moving them to Sslaa 4. Given that we have already created similar structures for other Martian nations we would be willing to do this for other colonizing nations as well.

If the peoples of Trilar can agree to what you propose, I see no problem with it. It would be most unfortunate if your cultures were to clash.

"Your Imperial Majesty," said Oraborus, bowing deeply. Taee swung one large eye to regard his Minister coldly. "A report from the Sa...the landwalkers."

"They have rejected your proposal, I hope?" growled the Emperor.

"Not...not in its entirety, Your Majesty," replied Oraborus. His tentacle-like manipulators were spread wide in a prostrate gesture. "It would appear unlikely that we would be allowed to have Sslaa IV entirely to ourselves. Several other powers have expressed an interest in it. We would most likely need to share the planet. But - a planet is very big.."

"Confound your fins, Leoluus!" rumbled Taee, thrashing about menacingly. "You know damn well that we cannot back out of this now! Thrice accursed landwalkers! When will they ever learn to act like rational sentients?"

The announcement that the Trilarian Empire would not back down from its bid for settling rights prompted Oraborus to venture the next bit more confidently. "I- I am then sure that it would please Your Majesty to offer a gift to our potential system mates?"

"What do we have that those mutated freaks could possibly desire?" ground Taee. "Other than our own blood, of course, and I'll be double damned if I let a Sakkran scumbag taste a drop of that while still I draw breath!"

"P...perhaps His Majesty might offer them a base here in the Trilar system?" suggested Oraborus.

"Sakkrans in our blessed system?" bellowed a new voice. Apparently, General Laabrian Juastaal had been listening in the hall; he now burst into the Emperor's chambers.

"G-General," said Taee; even the Emperor was taken aback by the military man's sudden appearance. "I thought you were reorganizing our defenses in the Sanara system..."

"Oraborus' new friends seem to be doing that just fine," growled Juastaal. "I can't seem to take a single step without some half-lifeless Psilon floating in to tell me I don't know my own job." Whether the General's accusations were correct or not was a matter of debate; he hadn't been off Trilar for more than a week or two, and the ink was still fresh on the Orion Sector treaties. "And I come back to see that he is not only putting us in bed with a bunch of lizard-lovers, he's putting us in the same damn system as a group of the over-evolved, blubber-ridden, arrogant..."

"That's enough, General," rumbled Oraborus. "These Sakkrans are unlike the ones you remember. They have changed; they are rational now."

"My grandfather used to say that the only rational Sakkran is a dead one."

"I somehow do..."

"He also said that the only way to meet one was behind a cloud of missiles. I will not have a herd of scaly ingrates defiling the sanctity of my system! They had their chance to live peacefully on Trilar; they threw it away along with the lives of three generations!"

"Silence!" declared Taee suddenly. He didn't like being ignored. "Leoluus, you may rest assured that your job is in the most dire straits. I don't know what I have done to convince you that you have such broad leeway to make Imperial policy; rest assured that I hereby contradict it! One more disaster like this, and I'll have your job.

"And as for you, Laabrian," he continued, rounding on the general. "I know you have no love for the landlovers, nor for Minister Leoluus. But your anti-Sakkran fanaticism - I call it what it is - frightens even me. We must be ever vigilant lest we become that which we fear!"

The two Trilarians hung motionless in the cold water, shocked at their ruler's outburst. "Now," Taee continued. "I think I shall contact these landwalkers myself. Leoluus," he said, noting the frightened expression of his Foreign Minister's face, "I will be polite as I am around any of the landwalkers you have paraded before me. There is nothing for you to fear unless you have been making incomplete reports."

"Your Majesty knows that a humble servant such as myself would never..."

"I know, Leoluus," cut off Taee with a wave of his manipulator. "And General Laabrian, there is not cause to fear. I shall not offer them basing in the Trilar system unless it is absolutely necessary. However, we are still in possession of a good deal of artifacts dating back to the War of the Depths and belonging to the landwalkers. I am sure they would love to get them back.

"That settled," he rumbled. "Put me in contact with the Sakkrans, Leoluus."

Emperor Gorrm takes a moment to relax on the ground level of the swampy planet. A pair of guards accompany him against the planet's hordes of aggressive predators as he basks by a brackish pool. His datapad chimes in as he lounges in the sunlight.

The face of the Governor comes on screen. "We have a communication from Emperor Taee of the Trilarian Empire. He requests your presence in comms." The Emperor stands up, and dusts off his Imperial Mantle. Vrelte. I get no rest. How did my sire do this job? He walks to the lift that would take him to his personal suite. "I'll be at my holo-comm station in a moment."

After ascending the lift and dismissing his guards, he enters the holo-comm station. A bluish light fills the chamber as his body is scanned.

"Emperor Taee. It is a pleasure. To what do I owe this esteemed audience?"

OOC: Edit for name correction.

(ooc: oops...sorry if I've been confusing. Leoluus Oraborus is the forein Minister; Eaalaril Taee the Emperor. Looking back over that, I can see how easy a mistake that was to make; you have my apologies. I'll try and be more clear in the future!)

"Emperor Gorrm," rumbled Taee in his native language. The translator seemed to be working perfectly for a change; it had been spewing out all kinds of gibberish in earlier meetings. "We would just like to relay Our extreme pleasure that you have decided to hear Our request for settling rights on Sslaa IV. We feel that the time has come to bury the hatchet -" apparently, the translator even worked on colloquialisms "- between our two great peoples."

A lengthy way to say very little, but then Taee was a product of his people's culture.

"Yes...burying the hatchet, so to speak. An odd human saying." Gorrm scratches his chin a bit with a clawed hand. "In the spirit of advancing relations between our people, it was decided that we would open this system up for development."

"You do know, of course, that the nation known as Sunset also wishes to develop Sslaa 4, and is willing to co-exist with your peoples? What say you to this proposal?" For it would be unseemly to have such a level of strife in this system.

Emperor Taee moved his head from the right to the left curiously. He didn't remember uttering any sort of human saying and Gorrm had just repeated an old Trilarian one; how odd. He chalked it up to the translator and disregarded the comment.

"We were aware that there were others trying to colonize your fine planet," he continued, resting his large right eye on the image of Gorrm. "We hadn't known their name. However, Our empire is also dedicated to expanding our knowledge of this universe about us. We would be delighted to share the planet with...."

Taee paused briefly. There wasn't an equivalent word for 'Sunset' in the Trilarian database, so it had come through in the original English. His vocal chords were ill suited to repeating it, so his instead answered "those who also desire to live upon it."

This is going pretty well so far, thought Taee. So far, I haven't even needed to mention any sort of compensation; perhaps we shall make it through this ordeal unscathed.

((It doens't let me post for half an hour, then I get the 2-1 deal))

"Then it is agreeable. Co-habitation will be the order of the day. There is one stipulation however, and it has been told to me that it is not a very difficult one. Vubz System Defense Coordination has jurisdiction in your space, but not on the planet proper. Also, contact between our peoples should be a commonplace thing to keep us apprised of your development. And if there are exploitable resources and such, it is a shared thing 20/80 in your favor."

A cocking of the head so that one eye seems to focus in. "Hopefully, these terms are agreeable. Do you agree? If so, you may begin your colonization efforts at your leisure."

"I am glad this has come to work," rumbled Taee, waving his top two manipulators slowly. "I am sure the *gruuungret* and us shall be able to work out any other compromises that need to be made.

"Thank you for your time, Emperor Gorrm," he continued, bowing his head slightly. "I am sure we will have much more contact in the future. Farewell."

He cut the connection after Gorrm's response and twitched his long, eel-like tail in disgust. "Barbaric landwalkers," he grumbled to himself.

Gorrm leaves the holo-comm chamber, and proceeds to walk over to his bath. In it are a collection of scented oils, pumice stones and even a loofah. He disrobes and steps in the bowl-shaped tub. Guck! Even conversing with them via holo-comm, they have a scent. I must make certain I have none of that oily fish-stench on me.

He scrubs himself with the loofah soaked in sesame oil, and when he is satisfied, he dabs off the excess and dresses himself again. Let's see if anyone else has staked an interest?

In orbit around Ares a colony group was gathering. Freighters and warships were gathering in the still relatively sparsely populated orbital space. Supplies were being loaded though the colonists were still on the planet below, waiting for the final word before taking the last shuttle trip to orbit.

"Si'lat or Sslaa 4 - What are you hoping for Honey?"

"Well it depends on whether we are given permission of course. Otherwise it's Si'lat. A shorter trip but I want to see the water - just not enough of it around here."

If they recieved permission from the Sakkran's they would leave immediately - living in orbit while their habitates were constructed and shipped in.

----

"So do we have permission to colonize Sslaa 4 Coordinator? We have a group that was originally schedualled to leave for Si'lat, but they have agreed to divert to Sslaa 4 instead."

Vubz Coordination Commander Sshha sends a reply. "You do indeed have permission. The Trilarians have agreed to co-existance on Sslaa 4. System traffic has been cleared for your arrival, and patrol crafts have stepped up their efforts to the edge of the system. Welcome to Sslaa!"

"Just imagine it, honey! The first of our people to settle on a new world!" The young, brunette woman clutched her partner's arm and practically bounced with excitement.

"It's a ball of ice, Katherine," replied her husband. "It's not a holiday resort. It's going to be cold, miserable and a lot of work."

"Oh, come on Pete. Where's your sense of adventure and romance? We'll be explorers setting foot on a brave new world where no man or woman has gone before!" Katherine refused to let him dampen her good spirits.

"And to boldly split infinitives that no man or woman has split before," he replied casually. "If this didn't promise to make us filthy rich, I never would have agreed to it."

"Grumpy Gus! You wait until we've got a little seed money and can afford to take a day off. I found some portable camping gear we can use for hiking. You know, just you and me together under the stars of an alien world. Maybe we can have the first Treznor baby born under a different sun. What do you think?"

Pete laughed, finally relenting to his wife's good nature. "I think you're incorrigible."

Together they boarded the vessel that promised to bring them to their new home for the next decade or two. Just inside they were accosted by an emmigration official. "Have you read the literature on the hazards of wormhole travel?"

"Yes, we've read it twice," Pete replied irritably.

The man frowned and folded his arms. "Are you sure?"

"Is it true that people have gone insane during transition?" Katherine asked breathlessly.

The official glanced at her curiously, then glanced again as his brain registered her attractive features. "No, Ma'am. Some of the early pilots came close, but nobody's gone insane yet. Stick around company and don't let yourself get caught up in daydreaming and you'll be fine. We've got plenty of activities to keep you occupied, and it's a short trip anyway. We shouldn't be in transit for more than a day."

"Ooh, I think we can keep ourselves occupied for a day," she replied with a wink. Then she pushed past with husband in tow.

Pete wiped tears of laughter from his eyes. "Oh gods, woman, you're evil!"

She grinned at him. "Yeah, I know. Let's find our bunk and get occupied, shall we?"

In the Kraah Belt asteroid ring, the Pakayg Living Ships, each with one handler on board, congregate.

Beta: Others are coming. They may try to harm us, or exploit us.

Gamma: Doubtful. The Makers will ensure our safety.

Alpha: But what if they can not? I propose we begin exploring outside this system.

That may be prudent. I'm feeling strange ... urges, and I know my physical self is undergoing changes. It wants to return to Sol, and rest there. There are too many Bad Stones here.

Then that's what we'll do. I'll accompany you as escort, Gamma.

I'll scout ahead and make sure the way is safe.

With that the one known as Beta truns and leaves the asteroid belt, to see who exactly is coming around in the Sslaa system.

Meanwhile, Vubz System Defense Coordination has instructed the manufacturing facilities to construct several bio-spheres for the incoming colonists to Sslaa 8. Already two have been made, capable of holding 200 colonists each.

OOC: In the meanwhile, there are 4 planets still available, as well as 9 moons. All are available for colonization. After the agreements are met, you can put up a colony in the Sslaa region. DO IT NOW! I'll give more details on the individual planets to any who ask.

<<Visibility slap>>

The next week had been a frantic rush of shuttles to and from orbit as the thousands of colonists finished their final preparations and boarded the freighters in orbit. Families settled themselves into their quarters for the long journey ahead. The trip itself would be short but it would nearly six months before their floating habitats were completed. The plans for these had been rushed into production on Mars.

----

A framework was starting to take shape - metal beams laid out in the shape of the final structure. It would be a large cell-shaped disk with a dome across one side and a single pod below to provide additional stability. The colonists would live in individual dwellings along the inner cell, both above and under water, while businesses and industry would be along the outer edge. At the top of the cell the wealthy would live with their views of both the inside and outside.

The phone rang.

This was not in itself an unusual event. Maria Sanchez's phone was prone to ring all the time. But getting a call at four in the morning was rare. The Admiral was not a pleasant person when she didn't get enough sleep.

However, the phone rang again. Sanchez snatched the receiver from its cradle. "What?" she snapped, promising dire consequences for whomever was on the phone.

"Admiral, it's the Hope. They're officially listed as missing."

Sanchez bit off the curse that came to her lips. "All right. I'll be right there."

Six hours later, she sat before a cameraphone and attempted to compose herself for what promised to be an unpleasant conference. The Emperor wanted to talk to her.

"The colony ship Hope has been out of contact for thirty hours, is that correct Admiral?" Treznor's digital broadcast image looked furious.

Sanchez stared straight into the camera. "Yes, Sir."

"The whole flight should have taken no more than ten hours, correct?"

"Yes, Sir." It was obvious he already had the answers. At this point he just wanted heads. Sanchez was afraid it was going to be hers.

"Is there any chance that the Hope has misjumped, and will come out someplace else?"

"Sir, there is always that possibility, but the probability declines with every moment. At twenty-four hours, twelve hours past the latest probable transit time, the Hope was listed as officially lost. We always give them double their expected transit time before we assign that status. Sir, we have never recovered a vessel so long overdue. I know you're aware that we've seen this before; we've had probes that simply never came out of transit. We can only declare the colony ship and all aboard her lost."

There was a brief pause, and Sanchez tried not to squirm in her seat. She felt a horrible itch under her collar, and it was maddening not to reach up and scratch it. She felt like she was on trial, and her every word and action was being judged.

"Admiral Sanchez, are there any known cosmic phenomenon between us and the Sslaa system? Neutron stars, ion storms, black holes or anything else?"

That was an unexpected question. "Sir, I...I don't know. I'm not aware of any, but I would need to confer with my staff to be sure."

"It goes without saying that this will undermine the public's faith in the drive for colonisation, and therefore jeopardise Project Exodus. We need an explanation for what happened to a thousand men and women. Barring that, we need an alternate story, something to offset the horrible news. We might have to fabricate evidence to that effect. Do you understand me, Admiral?"

"I...yes, Sir. I think I do."

"Can you do that, if you can't find an answer to ease public fears?"

"Whatever it takes, Sir. I won't let you down."

"I knew I could depend on you, Maria. In the meanwhile, prep a new colony ship and gather a new group of colonists. We'll broadcast the news that the Hope is overdue and presumed lost, but we will not speculate on their fates. We'll let folks work out their fear, and ease it by giving them an answer, one way or another."

"Sir, do you think people will volunteer willingly for another colony ship?"

"They will if they don't use wormhole technology. I'll contact Sunset's government and arrange to hitch a ride on their next transport. We'll reassure the public that the wormhole drives won't be used until we can guarantee this won't ever happen again."

"Sir, we can't guarantee that. In fact, we can guarantee this will happen again at some point."

"You know that, and we know that, but nobody else does. As far as the public is concerned, brave lives were lost in the service of the Empire, but we won't let it happen again. That's the official line, so when the time comes make sure your folks are aware of it. For now, keep it under wraps. I'm calling for a full investigation to keep your people busy. I hope you can come up with something tangible, but if not we have options."

"Understood, Sir."

"Very good. Treznor out."

The video screen went dark, but Sanchez sat in the chair staring at the camera a while longer. She didn't like what she was being required to do, but she understood she didn't have a choice. As had been pointed out to her before, if she didn't do it she would be replaced with someone who would. Her competence would only protect her for so long. It was unhealthy to make too many waves.

After a while she stirred, scratching at her collar to relieve herself of that itch. Then she stood up and started giving orders. People got busy, and a new colony ship was prepared.

Sanchez wasn't sure she'd ever be able to sleep peacefully again.

<tag>

shall be a post sometime when it's not 4am. :mrgreen:

Far above the mottled green oceans of Trilar, a small fleet was in the final stages of assembling. The centerpeice, a massive colony ship by the name of Capable, hung motionless relative to Trilar's massive defense bases alongside her sistership Eager. Those two ships carried Sslaa IV's future lifeblood, two thousand three hundred colonists selected from the cream of Leoluus Oraborus' Extratrilarian Faction. The three nearly equally voluminous but relatively empty heavy haulers carried the material needed for initial settlement.

Unlike most other colonial expeditions, Sslaa IV's included but one proper aquadome, and that was included 'just in case.' Data acquired from the Sakkrans painted the planet as the perfect environment, but one could never be too certain. One thing was certain, however: Sslaa IV was a perfect paradise compared to the blazingly hot and freezing cold worlds yet discovered with not a drop of liquid water upon them. There would be trouble adapting to the new ecosystem - there always was in records from the Old Days - but Trilarian medical science had done nothing but advance, even during the Dark Age.

Laabrian Juastaal rallied his Homeworld Faction during the last days of preparations to protest the move. An Imperial decree was, unfortunately for the xenophobes, an Imperial decree, and there was no reversing Taee's decision. Laabrian had then insisted that, at the very least, the battlecruiser Renown and her consorts ought to accompany the colony fleet.

"Drop our biggest and newest missile warship directly into the center of Sakkran power?" asked Oraborus, recoiling in shock. "Your Majesty," he continued, turning towards Taee, "I cannot stress to you how bad of an idea that would be!"

"And I cannot express how bad a decision it would be to leave ten score of our people completely unprotected and at the mercy of unpredictable warmongers!" retorted Laabrian

"General," rumbled Taee, "I do not claim to know everything there is about our landwalking cousins, but I do know this: they may be aggressive, filled with hate, and uncultured, but they are not unpredictable. If we hang a military ship just a few lightminutes from their homeworld, what do you suppose their reaction would be?" Laabrian said nothing. "They will blow it from the skies, and our colony ships along with it. General, we have a historic opportunity to patch relations between the Trilarian and Sakkran empires; I shall not see it go to waste."

"Perhaps Your Majesty might be better concerned with the lives of his subjects than the opinion of a semi-sentient perversion!" snapped Laabrian. He realized his mistake at once, but it was too late. Silence hung in the throne room.

"We shall discuss that outburst later," rumbled Taee after a few heartbeats. "For now, Group Capable shall leave as scheduled, and without escort. We may discuss military defense with the Sakkrans at a later date. Good day."

----

Several hours later, Capable, Eager, and their cargo haulers broke Trilar orbit and headed for the system limit. Legends from before the dark ages spoke of an elite group of Trilarians able to bend space and time with their minds alone. These individuals, had they ever existed, had been lost in the tides of time and the Antaran Yoke; halfway between legend and history. Now, Trilarians relied on machines to do what may have once been an innate talent.

Ship design, like all other aspects of their culture, was intensely traditional. Though the materials and technology changed, the style never did. Both Capable and Eager sported massive dorsal and ventral orange fins, each one about two thirds as voluminous as the bulbous hull itself. Their purpose, had they indeed ever served one, was lost after ages and ages of repetition. Extra effort may have to be expended to build the superfluous fins, but the engineers didn't seem to mind: it was how things had always been done, and it was how things always would be done.

As they reached the edge of the system, the colony fleet's engines built up to a burst, and the fleet vanished off towards Sslaa in a brilliant flash of light.

((ooc: grr...sorry this has been so long in coming. It's been a pretty hectic couple days for me. I should have something actually worth a reply this weekend.))

OOC: Actually, that's a really good post. Nothing I can respond to yet, but a good read nonetheless.

"Control, this is New Hope. All systems are green and we are ready for depature."

"Control confirms, New Hope. Umbilical systems are retracted; you are free and clear to navigate. Good sailing."

"Thank you, Control. New Hope out." Captain Alexander Belford gestured to the Communications officer, who cut the channel. "Comms, alert our escort we're getting under way. Helm, one-tenth forward thrust. Let's not bend any fenders on our way out."

"Aye, Sir."

"Fleet reporting in, Sir. They're ready when we are."

"Excellent. Give them my regards."

"Sir, we are clear of the station."

"Very good. Helm, go to full thrust. Let's kick this puppy."

The massive freighter with its precious cargo increased power to its array of electromagnetic drives and pushed itself away from the Earth's magnetic field, slowly at first but picking up speed. Around it, two battleships, two frigates, eight gunships and ten strikeships assumed a globular formation, their emission-based drives glowing brightly as they matched velocity and acceleration. Ten more strikeships in two-man formations flew scout and vanguard, interchanging with each other on a semi-regular schedule to watch for pirate activity or other hostiles.

The Empire was not taking chances with this one. They couldn't afford another failure. Ten thousand colonists would reach Sslaa VIII in three months, or the Emperor would know the reason why.

The first floating habitat emerged in the Sslaa system in a sudden burst of light a million and a half kilometers from Sslaa IV. There was a twinkle off the smooth transparent dome visible to viewers around Sslaa IV that made the details of the structure unidentifyable until monitors were adjusted. Behind and around the structure the latice mass of a KCTS FTL ferry loomed and just visible to either side were a pair of Eclipse-Class cruisers that had escorted the structure to outside Martian orbit.

"Two weeks to move it into orbit, then another day to drop it. Two weeks to make damn sure we like this spot."

The elected Governor-Mayor of the colony was mulling over the selected landing site in his 'office' with his new advisors. He was the manager of a fast food resturant back on Ares, but he had decided to enter the race for Governor-Mayor when someone had mentioned his management skills. Now he was learning what it was going to be like to manage 30,000 people - then 60,000, then 90,000...

'Ugh. 100 employees to nearly 100,000 citizens in under 2 years. What have you gotten yourself into?'

"Jus - what about sanitation? We are gonna need someone to run it. Elected or appointed?"

"Contract - someone has to have some experience. No reason for us to have another un-accountable shmoe."

"Ok. What about the SDF? They are asking for joint briefings on security risks. Bi-weekly..."

"That's crazy. I don't think I'll be able to sleep as it is..."

"....and that's the end of that." The foreman looks at the not-yet-assembled habitat domes bound for Sslaa 8. Although the large structural supports are held together with mag-clamps, the Constructor Suits would have little trouble with them. The rest of the parts lie on metallic pallates, waiting to be hauled off. "All we gotta do now, is wait for the bulk freighter to get here and cart these things off. Is the crew on their way to Sslaa 8 yet?"

"Yes, sir. ETA shows 6 hours until they make planetfall." The administrative assistant reads of the cargo manifest for the incoming bulk freighter, then closes his datapad. "That's about everything."

"Good. Lemme know when the freighter arrives. And make sure they're careful with this stuff. I don't wanna have to order replacement parts when the domes aren't evem built yet." The foreman clamps a cigar in his jaws, and walks off to his office.

1 hour later, the bulk freighters arrive, and the crews immediately begin loading it up. in three hours, they finish, and the freighter gets under way.

"Are the preparations ready?" Lady Sirithil asked.

"Just about, milady," replied Science Prefect Celebrimbor, who was, in fact, her grandson. He was nominally responsible for overseeing colonization efforts together with Trade Prefect Serinde, but neither of them actually did much of the work involved. "Viceroy Gondramil reports all is ready, they just have to load the freighters and send them off on their way to Sslaa."

"What was the proposal again?" Siri asked with an approving nod.

"The Sakkra - Eru bless them - offered us a sizeable island on the fifth world, their capital, and we've designed and constructed a modular floating oceanic city to be assembled on the fourth world. There will be gas mines on the sixth world, and mineral mines on the seventh, especially precious stones and crystals. I think it will be a strong colony, milady, more or less self-sufficient, friends nearby, and with plenty to offer the rest of the Empire and the galaxy at large. We've even got regulatory approval." The younger elf - no spring chicken himself - grinned.

"Excellent... and what about these Trilarians? If they don't want more outsiders on the fourth world - they've already accepted Sunset, after all - what do we do?"

"I've passed on everything we have on them to Turelio, milady, and he'll get in touch with them. If worst comes to worst, though, we'll assemble the floating city on the fifth world instead. No loss."

"All right then, send the ships. Don't let on to the Trilarians that we're ready to make planetfall on the fourth planet just yet, it will seem presumptuous. But feel free to prepare the other colonies, so we can send settlers as soon as possible."

"Yes, milady." Celebrimbor bowed slightly, and turned to leave the office.


Your Majesty Emperor Taee of Trilar:

Please allow me to introduce myself - I am Lord Turelio nos Fingolfin, Prefect of State for the Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar, and I represent the Lady Sirithil nos Feanor, Elentari of same.

We had learned that you have granted rights to the Libertarian Paradise of Sunset to construct a colony on your world. The people and government of Sunset are dear friends to Menelmacar, and we hope to build a strong relationship of peace and cooperation with Trilar, as they have.

To this end, we would like to respectfully request the opportunity to construct a small colony of our own. It would not be anything much, only a few million people, who would reside in a city that would float on the waves and drift with the currents. I have no doubt our peoples can coexist in harmony.

I would be pleased to meet with you in person at your convenience, should you desire to do so.

Sincerely,
Lord Turelio nos Fingolfin
Prefect of State
Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmcar

“These landwalkers,” grumbled Taee, casting the hardcopy of Lord nos Fingolfin’s message to one side. Given the high pressure of Evenvent, the tablet didn’t fly very far before slowly settling down to the tiled floor.

Leoluus Oraborus said nothing. It was better to remain silent and allow His Majesty to rant himself out before exposing one’s neck. Taee didn’t disappoint.

“I know you think me a crudgy old xenophobe, Leoluus,” he continued with a tired groan. “But it seems that, to you, the only alternative to complete isolation is interaction with every race known to the stars! The Sakkra, Leoluus! A race sworn from the egg to kill every Trilarian!” Leoluus’ eyes clearly disagreed with Taee’s assessment of the Sakkrans, which dated from before the Dark Age, but the Emperor didn’t stop to take notice.

“And then a faction of the Humans! Need I remind you of the ancient proverb?” Taee’s eyes bore into his foreign minister. There would be no easy escape from this one.

“Er, he who would turn his back on a Human when there is power to be had deserves the knife in it?”

“There are many opportunities to turn your back co-inhabiting a world, Leoluus! The Sakkra, hate us though they might, at least can be predicted. Humans, on the other hand: never have the heavens born a more mischievous, unethical, untrustworthy excuse for a species! And these new types, the ones who look like Humans...”

“Elves,” supplied Oraborus.

“Yes, the Elves.” Taee faltered. Even in the Golden Age, there was no record of contact with any race by the name of ‘Elf’ and Taee’s library of xenophobic expressions failed him. “Well, they’re landwalkers anyway, and look like the human besides. Not to trust!” Taee fell silent for a few seconds. Oraborus sensed the perfect time to get his foot in the door - hopefully before that damn omnipresent meddler General Laabrian Juastaal shoved his ugly face in the door.

“So you will meet Lord nos Fingolfin?” asked Oraborus eagerly. “I think there’s a real opportunity here for...”

“Do not push my patience, Leoluus!” rumbled Taee loudly. A few seconds of stunned silence later: “I wish to avoid any international incidents or hard feelings, but I also do not wish to let my empire be a carpet which any interstellar power may waltz over. I will meet Lord nos Fingolfin or anyone he wishes to act in his stead, but I will not leave Trilar. My duty is here; my people are here.”

“Of course, Your Majesty,” nodded Oraborus. “I’m sure the Menelmacari will understand...”

“Go!” commanded Taee. Oraborus went. “And make sure I approve the final draft!” Taee added at Oraborus’ back.

Your Lordship,

We would be very pleased to open negotiations with Your Glorious Empire regarding settlement rights to Sslaa IV. We have been most satisfied with Our contacts with the Sunset and the Sakkra; more profitable relations bode well.

We regret to inform you that We will not be able to commence with the negotiations at locations other than Trilar where Our subjects need Us. We hope it will be possible for Your Glorious Empire to send in Trilar a Diplomatic mission to meet Us.

We await with great eagerness Your Glorious Empire’s Reply.

By the Old One We remain,

Eaalaril Taee
IMP TRILARIAN

Oraborus looked over the unfamiliar symbology of the approved and translate response on the computer screen. “I sure hope that’s right,” he muttered to himself. The Empire of Trilar needed many things; a proper, live translator was among them. The send key was depressed by his upper left manipulator.

-----

Far out in space between Trilar and Sslaa, the Trilarian colony fleet continued its headlong flight through space.†

((ooc: Sorry again about the long response times; it’s been a long week. Things ought to be calming down now...I hope.

* - the translator is a new plot twist I’ve decided to throw in. It seems that every other turn in MoOIII, some faulty translator was spewing gibberish and wrecking my relations. So why not in NS too? ;)

† - I’m being very vague about our technology on purpose; I know nothing (or next to it) about either real-life physics or those in MoO. Better to let y’all think I’m an idiot than confirm your suspicions, eh? The fleet’ll arrive in whatever ought to be a reasonable amount of time...our technology should be considered primitive compared to other interstellar civilizations.))

Vubz System Defense Station

In the hollowed-out moon that serves as a system military coordinator, ship-building facility and military garrison, Rear-Admiral Daaktlus walks the cat-walk about the Special Projects division. Below him, automated construction drones begin putting the finishing touches on 5 prototypes, to be sent via bulk transport to the Sol System for purposes even he was not privvy to yet.

He turns to an aide with his eyes still on the ships below. "The finest crafts produced, and I don't even know what or who they're for. What has happened to trust?" He raises his clawed hands into the artificial air in a gesture of resignation. "Eh, that's how it is, I suppose. In the turbulent times we're in. OpSec must be maintained even in the very highest levels."

He turns and walks over to a diagnostic screen, which measures alpha and beta waves in the organic Core of each ship. Small spikes here and there are registered, and recorded. Information is programmed into the Cores during their dormant stage, to prepare them for when thay awaken. History, tactics, strategy, the maths and sciences; all this is downloaded and stored by the Cores.

As a technician, datapad in hand, passes close, the Rear-Admiral stops her. Reading the name-tag, Daaktlus *ahem*s. "Bio-Tech Dhheera, what are these small spikes indicative of?" The Bio-Tech looks at the screen. "Ah. Rear-Admiral Daaktlus, that would be R.R.S. Sleep. Unique to the organic nature of our ships. These are the first fully manufactured and fully sentient ships we have made here, so we keep tabs on them as they lay dormant."

The Rear-Admiral nods his head knowingly, even though he has a tenuous grasp of what is being said. "I see. So these spikes registering here and here. What is this?"

The Bio-Tech looks closely and giggles a bit. "Ah, that would be them dreaming. Akin to the dreams of embryos in their eggs, or human infants."

Daaktlus raises his chin. "Indeed! How I would love to see these fine crafts in action. Perhaps in the future....My gratitude, Bio-Tech." He turns, and walks in the direction of his office; his aide trailing right behind him.

"Okay, now what is on the manifest here. Bulk transports have left Ssaak refining and smelting bound for Sslaa 8 to establish habitat domes for the Treznorians. The people of Sunset are already in system, preparing to establish themselves on Sslaa 4. The Menelmacari are planning to develop Sslaa 7, and mine Sslaa 6. Awaiting word of their arrival on Sslaa 4 or, barring that, Sslaa 5. Trilarians yet to make an appearance."

Trilarians. Hrrrmmm.... The Rear-Admiral stops walking a moment. "I hope the Emperor knows what he's doing. Its been .... how long?....since we last had contact with them before this?" His eyes have a quizzical look to them.

"Unknown, Sir. Too many holes in the Ancient Tomes for reliable information, or even an informed guess. We're playing it by ear with them. But it is known that one of the sub-specie, the Burrowers, it is believed, once shared a system with them. There is no love between the two races since."

"Indeed. This could be a problem." Daaktlus commences walking some more. "Have them watched. Many things have happened since those days, but sometimes a grudge which the reasons for are forgotten could be the most dangerous."

"Understood, sir."

To the esteemed Emperor Gorm,

It has come to my attention that Sslaa 2, the desert planet in your new system, remains unclaimed. I would like to put in a bid to remedy that. An expansion has long been in the works for the Dominion, and I believe that between our own engineering techniques, and that of our allies, we could carve out a suitable niche there. In addition, you would have at your backs another solid ally close at hand, should there come a time when such is needed.

I look forward to your response, and hope that this will prove to be a beneficial opportunity for both our peoples.

--Nathicana D'Aquisto, Dread Lady of the Dominion


ooc: Rawr. Been meaning to do this for a good long while now. In addition, will be making other requests elsewhere. It's time to start branching out.

The Elven Curullo Family wishes to negotiate plans for a settlement on Sslaa 1. The Planet's inhospitable atmosphere is perfect for our settlement plans. Our colonists are experienced in the arts of survival and adaptation to different environments.
We can make Sslaa 1 a profitable planet.
In exchange for sole control of the planet, a 50% share of all colonial profits can be in the hands of Sakkra. It would be wise to utilise survival skills honed on the barren and dead world of Curullo Prime, they would be ideal for this venture.
We hope this can be the start of a prosperous and friendly relationship.

Good Journey.

http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/house_curullo.jpg

The recent communications sent to Sslaa 5 are routed to the Division of Trade in the Diplomatic Corps. One is routed directly to the Emperor, whilst the other remains in-office.

Minister Zzhouu, who was once an intern under CEO Kargaah, has been promoted to the position of Regional Director of the Trade Ministry in light of his shrewd eye for profitable ventures from unorthodox means that never seem apparent until later. He looks over the request from the Elven Curullo Family, and ponders it for a moment.

He turns and looks at his aide. "What information on the Elven Curullo Family do we have? Leaders, ministers, trade practices.....underclothing preferences?"

"Nothing. This is a new contact which we have had no dealings with in the past."

"Indeed. Hmmmm..... perhaps I should request a meeting with a Trade Minister from them? Yes, that would be wisest. Dispatch a comm to them....." He pauses as his tongue leaps out of his mouth on the side to lick his eyelid. ".....requesting a meeting."

The aide looks at his datapad, keying in a command. "It is done."

Comm open
Dir: Elven Curullo Family
Sub: Sslaa 1 colony

Greetings,

As we have had no formal introductions or dealings, Minister Zzhouu feels it wise to have a meet-and-greet session with one of your trade ministers, that discussion might take place upon your plans and such for settling on Sslaa 1. We will await word from your people.

Sslaa 5 Diplomatic Corps
Regional Trade Division

In the meantime, the comm from the Dread Lady Nathicana D'Aquisto is received by Emperor Gorrm in his office. Standing orders are that all comms at Leader level are sent to his office for his personal touch. He looks over the comm and smiles, in the way that beings without lips can smile.

He seems to speak to no-one inparticular, save for his pet Swamp Newt, Zzheer, who stretches her 6 meter frame out along a panoramic window, offering a stunning view of the swamp world as the afternoon fog begins to lift over the tree-tops.

"Ah, this is good news indeed. I have been long enjoying the fine olive oils we get from the Dominion in my daily bath. As have you, right Zheer?" The Newt swivels an eye at the mention of her name, and lazily cocks her head at Gorrm. All she really cares about is a good nap and plenty of food.

"Of course you have. I haven't heard reports of any limb-loss from your handlers since the oil baths started for you, so I take it as a good sign. Anyway, to business.

Comm open
Dir: Dread Lady Nathicana D'Aquisto
Sub: Sslaa 2

My dear Dread Lady,

Sslaa 2 is reserved for your purposes, and several bio-domes have been ordered to be constructed for the terra-forming crew that i'm sure you'll be sending in advance of your colony, yes? Should you wish it, we can begin the process for you, pending a review of your plans for the planet, and how they may or may not affect the system in total.

Suffice it to say, you have the 'green light' so to speak. I'm sure your proposals will pass through the review board on these matters with little difficulty.

May you walk on warm sands,

Emperor Gorrm
Imperial Seat of Sslaa 5

S.S Eldal, had boarded the subspace catapult from Curullo Prime but instead had a different destination, the Sslaa system. There was no gate in that system but the Eldal was fitted with a prototype Subspace Manipulator to assist the exit from subspace.

On board, Suldal, the Chief Adviser himself was preparing for meeting to the trade ministry of the Sakkra.

As the ship left subspace, the pilot of the ship opened communications with the Sakkra.

"This is Curullan Frigate Eldal requesting permission to deliver Adviser Suldal to the surface of your world for a trade meeting, over?"

Capable, Eager, and the fleet which hung around them had been decelerating out of the starlane for what seemed to be weeks, but was probably only a solar day or two. Not that the concept of ‘days’ or ‘weeks’ really meant much to the Trilarians, who lived in the perpetual semidarkness of the oceanic depths. They measured time based upon the life cycle of the oacha, a sort of edible creature that thrived in the (relatively) shallow vent communities the Trilarians had eventually dominated.

It took oachae exactly 331.7 solar days to mature from the odd, large, seed-like egg that clung to the sides of the vents and hatched them into a fully grown tube-like creature roughly one hundred thirty seven centimeters (not, of course, that Trilarians used the metric system!) long. The system was then divided by base fourteen, where one aaboacha equaled roughly 23.7 solar days, one quabooacha equaled roughly 40.6 hours, and one mooachan was a little less than three hours.

The colonists on Capable and Eager, largely due to poor Trilarian FTL engines, had been plying the starlanes between Trilar and Sslaa for almost two aaboachae when they at last arrived at their destination

The ships appeared at the edges of Sslaan space and immediately started fixing their navigational readings and hailing the Sakkran system control.

Upon recieving Emperor Gorm's communique, Nathi smiled broadly. This was an unprecidented turn of fortune, and given the landscape of the place, very much an adventure in the making. The Dominion had indeed been experiencing growing pains, and with the new changes, a bit of stretching was needed. People needed new challenges, new vistas, and new job opportunities. Dominion natives were by nature an industrious group, always striving for better, always reaching for more.

"Excellent."

Most Gracious Emperor,

I cannot tell you how pleased I am to hear that our request has been approved. Your generous offer to begin preparations for us is humbly accepted. The bio-domes will be perfect as a starting base for operations.

Am I right in thinking this planet to be inert, or at the least, geothermally stable? Some thought has been given to a more extensive underground approach, in addition to such upper domes as you have offered. We will of course need time to do our own surveying and studying, but very much appreciate any further data you may have in assisting us better project the scope of our designs.

It was hoped that Sslaa 2 would serve as a colony world predominantly, and an outsystem base of operations for our fleets, and a new opportunity and distribution point for our trade. As you well know, Sol can at times be a very crowded system, and Earth itself, a very crowded planet. We have for some time been in need of expansion of a peaceable sort. This, we believe, will serve in that capacity well.

What military plans we have in mind would be of a defensive nature, and we wish to coordinate with you on this point, given the circumstances. If surveys prove Sslaa 2 to be abundant in ores, we hope it will also be the site of a new orbital shipyard where we hope to continue the efforts begun at the one we currently hold co-ownership of. Given other plans currently in the works, and our access to a plethora of trading partners in KIST, the potential of which we have barely begun to scratch the surface of, we believe that we would have much to offer the system, and new neighbors on account.

While many of our plans will depend on further exploration and research done by the initial teams we are in the process of gathering since your missive, these are the main schools of thought at present. Please let us know if any of these do not fit in with your vision of the system and its needs, or if you have suggestions for what might better mesh with your plans so that we can reconsider and adjust accordingly, should approval be granted.

Again, my sincere thanks for this incredible opportunity. We await word of approval, and if such is achieved, initial dome completion. All transactions as required in compensation would be best routed through myself to assure prompt handling initially. In the meantime, will continue to make preparations for the foreward teams we look forward to sending when the time comes.

With gratitude,

--Nathicana D'Aquisto

More and more habitats began to arrive in the oceans of Sslaa IV as the manufacturers on Mars increased their production to respond to demand. It was not unusual for the FTL ferry's that moved the habitats to also carry along leased liners full of colonists. Habitat by habitat the population slowly grew from 30,000 to 90,000 to 180,000.

----

Waves crashed against the side of the cell-shaped craft while it rode out yet another storm that pushed the habitats across the surface of the planet. Mostly they drifted - engines were only used to keep them out of other's territory and away from the shores of the few islands that dotted the shallow blue seas.

Standing on her balcony Ester W'tson watched the waves crash and lightning crack over the storm tossed seas. Perched on the balcony and buffeted by the winds were half a dozen of the small flying creatures that had sheltered from the storm. The fury of the storm was oddly calming - knowing that there was something greater than the forces that troubled her life eased her thoughts considerably.

OOC: House Curullo, assume you have landed without incident. The world of Sslaa 5 is humid, damp and hot. Much like a swamp world would be expected to be. Minister Zzhouu stands about 7'3", with a tail 1/3 his body length. Scalation is dark green with blue flecks. I'd do a more IC post, but i've tried three times and failed, and my hand is cramping.

Trilar, the world of Sslaa 4 is fraught with high winds and heavy storms at the moment. Your ships will be escorted by a corvette group of six ships. The feeling of all eyes watching ascance could be felt.

Nathi, i'll get a good letter, with geological findings on Sslaa 2 out tomorrow.

My apologies. Now get off my lawn, ya damn young hooligans!

*Plays on Sakkra's Lawn*

----

With the wide number of floating colonies on Sslaa IV and the arrival of the wormhole gate there was a renewed desire to have fixed structures erected as both a point of trade and to form some kind of border. Thus the first of the mushroom colonies was constructed. They were called mushroom colonies because they resembled clumps of very large mushrooms standing in the shallow seas. A thick stalk rose out of the water and were surmounted by a large cap. Clusters of these structures together formed a veritable mushroom colony high above the waves.

Charting of the Szeera Belt is complete, and available for resource mining and outposts. Many of the asteroids have high nickel and aluminum concentrations. Pockets of meteors have high iron and copper concentrations. Rare pockets have been found with titanium contained within them.

Several locations have been found to be stable enough in the rotations and trajectories of the asteroids in this belt to merit possible development. Other than that, much of the Sszeera Belt is to be slated for our Organic Ship Fleets. they need a place to feed, congregate and *ahem* during their off-time. Yes, our ships get vacation time.

Charting of the Kraah Belt continues. Thus far, Sslaa II, IV, V and VIII have settlements and colonies. Sslaa VI has a gas-mining operation from Menelmacar. Sslaa I has an outpost of rangers, but is still available for development, as well as Sslaa VII and Sslaa III, unless my records are incomplete.