NationStates Jolt Archive

Ulkesh’s transport ship exploded from the characteristic blue bloom of a jump point from hyperspace. It stopped and began scanning the system. It almost had a nervous breakdown, only averted by the mental strength of its bonded occupant, at the horrifically fractured and distorted space around the third planet, but it had to go there. It accelerated smoothly towards Earth, there was much to be learnt.

All the data they had said that this world was a chaotic mess. It was also important to the coming war. Besides, they would be remiss if they weren’t to do certain things to that world’s occupants; it was part of their mission after all. He turned quietly to his passengers, and began to communicate with them.

High above the Earth, an orbiting tower trained its dishes at the object that 'appeared', and started collecting signals reflected from it.

"Damn, that's a big ship."
"Do we know what nation owns it?"
"No. It's not like any Earth-based nation."
"May as well hail it."

Greetings, travellers. The planet you are currently orbiting is called Earth; and is densely populated by humans. We are divided into many thousands of nations. Our nation is called Moontian. Please respond by stating where you have come from, and your intentions in this solar system.

The ship was not all that large, on the order of one hundred meters long, and it did not like being bothered. It sent back a deliberately confusing and evasive message. This could complicate things.

We have always been here. In its own time the truth will emerge.

Shortly later, it acellerated away, surrupisiously chasing a shuttle from Knootoss, one leaving the system. After a moment, it opened the yellow-orange blossom of a jump point in front of the vehicle, and followed it through, dissapearing into hyperspace.

Without hesitation, Ulkesh had the pilot ejected into hyperspace. He was of no possible use.

It was an interesting time... And a dangerous time.

They had already touched the very heart of life in the galaxy... In its present condition.

And while they had retreated, retreated quickly...

It was concerning.

As they talked to each other, in the catacombs of New Delhi, on Mars, at Uranus, they decided that it was time to find the ressources... The people strong enough to take them out, again...

For they were on the rise, again.

At the Titan O.D.S. Commander Ghoou notes the sensor logs registering a new contact. He turns towards the sensors officer. "Get me some info on this craft. The design is unfamiliar." The sensor suites turn their attention to the Vorlon craft, and feel about it.

"Sir, sensors show bio-organic in nature. Similar design specs to our own ships, but I can't get a solid enough trace from here." The Commander looks up at the sensor reaouts, and ponders a moment. "Have a small SEACTO ship journey out and take a closer look. Orders are to keep weapons sytems off-line. Let's get one of those pesky diplomats on there. Are any on-board the station?"

"Yes, sir. We have Ambassador Khrell on level 5b. Should I comm?"

"Do so."
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On level 5b, Ambassador Khrell is in the midst of his meditations. Since taking up the practice from one of the foreign sufi, he finds it puts him in touch with his body, and relaxes his mind against the pressures of his job. A soft *bweep* comes from his mobile messenger, which rouses him. Looking at the screen, he reads the message from Commander Ghoou.

"Hrrr....first contact diplomacy, eh? Reserved passenger status on the cruiser Imperious Hhoular. SEACTO charter mission..ahhh, I haven't had to perform these duties in some time. Very well." He unfolds his scaley legs, and stands using his tail as a balance. An overnight bag is packed with a change of robes and some oils, as well as other items just in case.

Boarding the sentient cyber-organic ship, he settles into his quarters as the craft leaves its berth. The lieutenant-commander of the ship apprises him of the situation. "We have a contact bearing at coordinates <X>, and holding. Energy readouts are along the lines of a hyper-spacial disturbance. Ship is bio-organic in nature, but details were fuzzy on long-range sensors, so we're going in for a look. It has been suggested that you try to make first contact with this new entity per SEACTO charter."

"Bio-organic ship? I thought we were the only one in the five systems to use that technology?" The ambassador cocks his head slightly.

"Command believes this ship is not from any of the five systems."

Realization dawns on Khrell. "From the Uncharted Regions, then? Interesting." he heads toward the bridge located deep in the center of the ship. On entering, the ship itself addresses him. "Good cycle to you, Ambassador."

"Good cycle to you Imperious. Do you know the nature of this craft we are investigating?"

"They are still far off from my finer senses, but the Winds tell of a power-source unavailable to us at this time. I'm going to attempt dialogue with the ship-entity. Perhaps you could speak with the pilot?"

"A viable plan. You may proceed, and notify me when we're in range for chem-axon comms."

The Imperious Hhoular sends a pulsed laser-comm, which carries a protien-strain code within it, to the Vorlon vessel.

Greetings, ship-entity. I am I.S.N. designate Imperious Hhoular. It has been suggested that perhaps yourself and I may hold dialogue to the nature of your wanderings. Do you confirm reception?

The ship had been about to leave the system. It powered up its jump engine, and turned, casually, to face this interloper, the small abducted shuttle hidden from view, inside it.

It was being... tickled... with communications systems.

It returned the compliment, and scanned the SEACTO vessel. Interesting, it and its owner thought, as one, and shot a return message.

"Unfortunately, this vessel is not equipped for such dialogue. We must depart according to a strict schedule, but we shall send another vessel to <X> co-ordinates to make contact with you."

With that, it passed through into hyperspace, and shot away from the Sol system, its errand completed.