NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: Im a newb, not a n00b, just to make this clear.. Terran Republic, yes, From Earth? No.. who's to say there arnt aliens out there who's homeworld is called Terra?

IC:

The Warpgate flickered and pulsed, its blue energy forming into a stable exit, before it, home, behind it, a colony, the first ever stable warpgate constructed by the republic, had finally worked.

The gate pulsed one more time, and a ship approached it, the TTRSV Sundiverand Hyuga were to be the first through it, the warpgate had found multiple other warpgates of foreign construction, and had linked into them, the Sundiver would be the first through, but both were new colony ships that was more than capable of defending itself.

The gate pulsed once more, beckoning the Sundiver and Hyuga in, their new Ion Drives powered up, and they were sucked into the swirling energy of the gate.

OOC: Anyone want a visitor?

Another gate in another place, it activated, and out came the Sundiver...

A premature.. bump.

OOC: If you don't accept things like jedi, mages, and various technology that has no scientific base behind it, then ignore this post (tell me that you're ignoring it)

"Visitors?"

"Yep, plateDefender is in position,"

"Let's see who we have.."

A few years ago Regent Victoria commissioned a warp gate at Paradigm, to be placed on the outskirts of the system, in order to expand trade. There were navBeacons for translation, warp, slipstream, and hyperspace travel in the Paradigm System, so a warp gate was not a very controversial idea. Still, a plateDefender was built and moved into position in front of the warpGate, just in case someone hostile decided to access it. Paradigm system handled tens of thousands of interstellar lighters and billions of Weyrs in trade every day; an interruption because of someone's foolish ambitions was not what anyone wanted.

The plateDefender looked exactly like a plate, several kilometers in radius, with five point-singularty cannon facing the warp gate. WMC turrets pivoted towards the inbound craft. At a distance of two hundred thousand kilometers from the warpGate, every anti-Ship weapon on the plateDefender was within firing range of anything that would come out.

"Unidentified craft, this is warpPlateDefender, Defender-class, classification Defense Heavy Cannon Missile Parasite Platform No.D, please halt and state your intentions," the message flashed out on all bands.

The Frigate "Harrigan" was out on manuvers with the rest of the Charon Defense Fleet when they had passed by the vessel which had just unexpectantly entered the system. Warning lights went off on the bridge of the "Harrigan" as the young Ensign who commanded the Patrol vessel rushed to the bridge wearing an anachronism of equipment which dated back to the ocean going navy. Flak jackets and helmets could be seen on the bridge crew of the space going Frigate.

"What do we got?"

"Unknown vessel entering the system out of one of the edge system warpgates."

"Are you sure they arent in the system?"

"Positive sir. Charon Tracking Station Charlie confirms that no vessel of this designation has left the system. We've got a brand new contact."

"Contact the Flagship, inform them of our situation."

After several moments of silence the communications officer let out a frustrated sigh. "Captain I cant get ahold of the Columbia. She must be out of range. The nearest assistance is the Cruiser Jacksonville...."

The young Ensign thought about how he wanted to handle this situation, typical Ensigns were assigned to Frigates to give them command experiece before being moved up the rank ladder to the larger warships. He wanted to prove his skill and so he waved a hand at the Com Officer. "Tell the Jacksonville we'll handle it. Send Commodore Masters my apologies for bothering him with the matter. We'll take care of this ourselves. Helm, bring us about to face our new guests..comm..open a channel, and transmit in every plausable language in our databanks..."

"To the unknown vessel entering the Sol System, this is Captain Joseph Greene of the Federal Stellar Navy warship Harrigan, state your intentions on entering this area. Over." Ensign Greene sounded confident and thought to himself, "There....lets just hope they're friendly.."

OOC: I dont ignore anything, yet. heh. Have AIM?

IC: The Alarms flashed and beeped, the message came through, but all a garble to the occupants of the Sundiver.

"On Screen! Get the Translation device online, Transmit anything and everything.. Maps.. Maths or something, you know the drill, Helm, Full Stop! Ready for full Reverse! Lets keep them occupied whilst the Translator is fixed" The Captain spewed out orders in quick succession.

"Aye aye sir" Came Unanimous replies, The Sundiver's thrusters burst out their blue flame, coming to a stop.

"And.. Scan the system." The Captain added.

OOC: Edited first post for two ships leaving :).

IC:

The Hyuga was luckier than her counterpart, her translator turning the speech into a native language.

Captain Haelan Stared at the View Screen, interesting system, but he could look later.

"At least their friendly, acknowledge receival of message, Hmm.. our intentions, We didnt intend to come here, purely chance, exploration and colonization matters, Power up the Ablative armour, just incase."

"Aye aye sir" Came back, almost in unison with that of the crew of the Sundiver.

2 Ships, 2 Discoveries.

OOC: homer2101v1

OOC: I dont ignore anything, yet. heh. Have AIM?

IC: The Alarms flashed and beeped, the message came through, but all a garble to the occupants of the Sundiver.

"On Screen! Get the Translation device online, Transmit anything and everything.. Maps.. Maths or something, you know the drill, Helm, Full Stop! Ready for full Reverse! Lets keep them occupied whilst the Translator is fixed" The Captain spewed out orders in quick succession.

"Aye aye sir" Came Unanimous replies, The Sundiver's thrusters burst out their blue flame, coming to a stop.

"And.. Scan the system." The Captain added.

"Ah...ser. They're sending us a list of prime numbers..." the comm tech laughed.

"You sent the message in Weyrik, didn't you?" Rear Admiral Horatio Gates sighed, smiling. Such moments were what made months of outsystem garrison duty bearable. "Resend in all languages, starting with anglorat OOC: english," he commanded. The messages were voice only, as always, and terminated with 'if you understand this message, please respond.'

"System scan in proress," tactical stated.

The various scanner systems around the plateDefender obtained the position of the unknown vessel simply by calculating the source of their scanner emissions. Private ships from a nearby space column OOC: space lane responded with obscenities in a dozen different languages. It was considered bad form to scan everything in a system, especially when one could simply access a public navBeacon and get the latest news and navigation updates for free.

The Translator finally clicked, and bingo, their was understanding.

"Ok, send the following.. In a language they understand."

"This is the TTRSV Sundiver - Registration 00186, Exploration and colonization duties, not hostile, Requesting location"

The Sattellite on the top of the Sundiver whirled, and transmitted.

"You are in the Imperial First Distributed Kingdom of Weyr, Paradigm system. Stand by for position coordinates," admiral Gates responded.

The Kingdom of Weyr was located on the outskirts of the galaxy, occuping a small cluster of stars with the Paradigm system at its center. Translation travel did not care about distances, but about mass, so the distance was an asset rather than a hinderance for Weyreans.

"Captain, were clear across the galaxy..." The Science officer informed.

"My god.. now what?" The Captain asked

"Your the Captain.." Someone said, laughing slightly

True, he was, but he was young, just an exploration mission Kyle, just a colonization trip, Kyle.. bah.

"Ask them if theres anything we have to do.."

"Aye sir.."

"Have to do? You don't have to do anything, really," Gates responded. "Since you're a colony ship, you can meet with Regent Victoria and she might set you up with a planoformed planet. I believe she's already offered one to some colonists..."

There was a reason behind the Weyrean offers of planets and systems to other nations -- Weyr was creating buffer states, which would slow an attack against the Kingdom, in return for mutual-defense pacts. There were several planets that were nearly planoformed, products of a colonization project that died when Weyr was attacked by the Empire. Weyr was now a part of the Empire, but in name rather than in fact, since the Imperial governor was firmly in the pocket of Regent Victoria.

"Inform them we'd be most interested in Colonizing, and request if their Gate has recorded our co-ordinates, and if its interfaced and linked into the network.." Captain Haern Ordered.

Kyle Haern, first to Meet this new race, something for the history books.

OOC: Races. Not Race. About a dozen or so races......

"Yes, our warpGate has recorded your origin. I don't think you should be worried about an invasion from us, though. They're too expensive," Gates responded.

It took perhaps ten minutes to get in contact with the Regent, and find out when she would be free.

"The regent is staying at Starhavven station, and will see you when you are ready. We can escort you to Starhavven, or you can wait here for her to arrive"

"Very good, we will be escorted to this .. place." The Sundiver Transmitted back.

Its engines flared back into life, and it powered forward, its lumbering hulk being propelled forward.

"Artur, please escort the Sundiver into Starhavven berth No.1-4D," the comm tech flashed.

The small, two-hundred-meter form of the WSGS Artur was dwarfed by both the colony ship and the plateDefender. Its six primary gun turrets were the first thing one saw on visial scanners.

"Sundiver, welcome to the Paradigm Prefecture," the captain of the Artur sent.

At eight hundred kilometers across, Starhavven station was one of the largest largest artificial structures ever built, handling most of Paradigm's interstellar traffic. A hundred million persons lived and worked inside its walls. Thousands of craft docked inside it every day. Openings in the station's spherical hull allowed all but the largest craft easy access to its extensive docking and maintenance facilities.

The Sundiver was given access to an outer berth, designed for vessels too big to easily fit into Starhavevn's interior. Berth 1-4D was reserved for military craft. The WSGS Diligent, a Storm-class dreadnaught, was stationed next to it, in berth 1-4C.

Docking clamps extended, halted two meters away from the hull of the Sundiver, activated holding fields. A docking boom extended towards the craft.

The Ship shuddered and jolted as it was locked into place, the boom clicked gently onto a airlock.

"You have the Bridge, Lieutenant, Ensign Ortega, Commander Farow with me to the airlock, please" Kyle ordered, beginning his trip to the Elevator and then its quick descent to the airlock.

Four Star Guard marines stood at the docking boom's connection with the ship, weapons held in a ready but not a threatening position. Their black power armor was not impressive. It did not have to be, since even the thinnest arachnoweave could stop conventional bullets, and since nothing known to Weyreans could really stop a blaster pulse.

"Regent Victoria is waiting," the marine captain stated, pivoted on his heel, and led the way throuigh the docking boom. His second fell in behind the group. The docking arm was a tube wide enough for four people to easily walk abreast. Large viewports showed the exterior of the massive station, looking at the WSGS Diligent one side and the Sundiver's hull on the other.

The military entrance hall was kidney-shaped, and rather empry. Gray eternastone walls gave off a faint sheen of warm light. Sunlamps high above drove away shadows, but did not cast the hall into an unnatural shadowless fluorescent light. The insignia of The Tower: the ouroborous encircling a mountain, beneath which stood a thin spire; of the Kingdom: three stars above the rising sun and mountain; and of the Star Guard: the teardrop flame speckled with stars; all traced their way on the gray eternastone floor of the hall in silver and in gold. Trees, plants, and other growing things were spaced around the hall, because Star Guard psychologists learned somewhere that trees and images of home planets made crews go insane somewhat slower.

Beneath this hall were the more functional facilities, with weapons, supply, and engineering sections that would make returning warships ready for duty when their crews would return after two months' time of leave. There were separate docking booms for such operations, and the captain of the Sundiver would be given acces to them on request.

Four Star Guard stood at the accessways to each docking boom, their faces concealed behind black faceplates. On the inner arc opposite the docks, many high-ceilinged passageways led to station shuttles and the other parts of Starhavven.

There were several hundred Star Guard crewmembers in the hall, returning from or going on leave. The two Star Guard marines and the three representatives from the Sundiver went through it quickly, through a passageway, and into a sort of conference room, whose portal whooshed open, then slid shut.

********

Regent Victoria came off the Net before the party of the captain of the Sundiver entered. Foreigners were put off by finding their host sitting motionless with glazed eyes. Just as well, it was bad etiquette to be on the Net while meeting with a dignitary.

The Regent stood up and bowed as the captain, the lieutenant, and the commanded entered. Their escorts halted outside. The room was still of the same eternastone, with no viewports or mediatrons apparent. An oval desk of some sort of wood was placed at its center, surounded by several comfortable-looking chairs, which were made for standard humans but could accomodate everything up to a groll by expanding and contracting as necessary.

The Captain Sat, the chair adjusting itself to the heavier skeletal frame of a Terran. He signaled for his 2 comrades to seat themselves.

He Turned his attention to the Regent. (OOC: I trust you have translation devices in the rooms or something, at least till i make my race learn english or something :P)

"Thank you for having us, Regent. Now, i beleive we were offered a place for colonization, of course, i trust you will want something in return, and other things amongst it all." He said, taking a breath and awaiting a response.

OOC: ten second time lag before her nanites pick up the words, reference them to a few thousand languages and dialects, and come up with a more or less exact translation. English isn't a standard language, but she knows it.Just because I can say it, every chair has a translation device built in.

Right to the point, Victoria thought, sitting down. "Offered? No. Being offered? Yes. We have thirten planets in terminal planoform stages on our borders, which can be fully habitable in under a decade. You will have full rights to settle and exploit the systems we give you, in return for a mutual-defense pact. That is the only thing we ask."

"Interesting, to say the least, of course, we would have to confer with the corp.. er, Senate over such a matter, and you are likely to be approached by numerous different orginisations that will wish to speak to yourself, of course." The Captain Said. Trying to forget his almost dissentful statement, the Lieutenant eyed him cautiously.

"That, is up to you," Victoria responded coolly, having not missed the slip, if that is what is was. "I can have the planetary data forwarded to your craft, if that would help. One of the planets is a gas giant with two habitable moons, I believe. A limitless source of energy combined with more space than exists on Old Terra, and with no natives to subdue." Her face remained impassive as she spoke, as though talking of giving away an asteroid and not an entire solar system.

Weyr needed buffer states, just in case the Empire decided to consolidate its hold on the Kingdom. It was not something anyone, Victoria included, really expected, but it was a posibility.

"Commander, relay all the necessary information to Terra, then get back to me, thank you" The Captain said, the commander nodded, bowed, and made his way out.

"Old Terra? You know of our homeworld? Is there anything else we need to discuss?" He said, in a flurry of questions.

OOC: bump?

"I know of four planets reffered to either as Terra or Earth," Victoria shrugged, "each located in a system called Sol, each believing itself to be the original human planet. They are all, strangely enough, identical in terms of geography. You may be the fifth Terra. Aside from that, no. Once you choose a planetary system, or systems, we will forward you the access coordinates and assume that a Mutual-Defense Pact has been agreed to."

"Earth? I know of no such place, Terra is Located in the Teran System, which you will be provided the co-ordinates for, for whatever purpose you may use them for.. providing its a friendly purpose, of course. Thank you for your offer, I will be sure to contact you when i am told of what the senate deems is acceptable." Kyle poured out his words, but not slipping up again.

"As you wish," Victoia nodded. "The Quartermaster has been ordered to provide you with whatever you need. These are the data files for the systems being offered. You may visit them, if you choose. If there will not be anything else..." there was a sense of finality in her tone. She was not really telling anone to get out, but the termination of this conference was implied.

He took the hint, rose, Thanked her and left.

They would know by tommorow.