NationStates Jolt Archive

All things must have a start, even the beginnings themselves. The universe has gone on indefinitely in a cycle of events triggering future events. Thus, no event can be traced back to one beginning except in the start of time. Everything is a constant chain of events. Often things do not have just one cause, but many, just as one cause often has many effects.

There are infinite chains of events leading up to the Journey and only a relatively small number of causes can be covered in one story. Thus, there are many prequels to just one story. Each person, place, and object each have a unique story to it that would take more space than can fit in all of the world’s libraries combined.

However, a prequel of the Journey would follow the events most affecting the Journey as a whole. Some would think that this would be the events following the second Stalker incident, but that is not so. There is one chain of events that affects the Journey more than anything else. That chain of events is chronicled in this writing.

Nanakaland Proudly Presents
A Dramatic NationStates Future-Tech Miniseries
A JOURNEY TO THE EDGE OF THE UNIVERSE
Journey 0: Prequel

High Admiral Thomas Johnson of the Nanakaland Space Command (NSC) had just returned from successfully reclaiming the United Grand Celestial Glory from the rogue Nelson Clark who had fled the NSC with the super capital ship when he was forced to give up his leadership position. However, that is another story.

Admiral Johnson’s fleet returned to NSC’s space station above earth’s moon triumphant, but there was one problem. Johnson’s prized ship, the NSS Celestia was destroyed in the battle. Admiral Johnson could not have his main capital ship as the United Glory because that ship was actually not just Nanakan property. He thus had to settle with Clark’s old ship, the Empyreal.

While on a transport shuttle between the United Glory and the Empyreal, he received news that Nanakaland needed a fifth fleet. This was because the Admiral Space Fleet was taken by Clark and then was fought. The remnants of the First Nanakaland Space Fleet and the Admiral Space Fleet had merged after the previous battle, so Nanakaland was technically short one fleet. On his way to the NSS Empyreal he was able to think.

Suddenly, an idea hit him and Johnson told the pilot of the shuttle, “Turn around, please. I need to go back to NSC for something.”

“But we are so close!” objected the pilot.

“I am the High Admiral of the Nanakaland Space Command,” Johnson replied. “I think I outrank you.”

“Fine,” the pilot said reluctantly. “Turning around now.”

Once at the NSC headquarters, High Admiral Johnson sent out a message to certain allies of Nanakaland. The message read as follows:

To: Leaders of Euroslavia, Super American VX Man, and Witzgall
From: High Admiral Thomas Johnson of Nanakaland
Subject: Fifth Nanakaland Space Fleet

Greetings. It has come to my attention that Nanakaland is short one space fleet. While normally, one would simply replace the old fleet with a several dozen state-of-the-art ships, I have realized that I could do something more unique. I am planning on making the ships of the fifth fleet a new class of ships, specializing in different functions for an expidition. The fleet itself shall go exploring throughout the known universe and beyond.

It shall be an international expidition, though run primarilly by Nanakans. You are invited to help us get prepared for the grand mission and help with the design of the fleet. When preparations are complete, the plans shall be announced to the world. Then, two people from each selected nation shall go on the expidition. The rest of the crew of course will be from Nanakaland. However, you get to send your select two first when we are done - if you help with the preparations.

He sent the message and waited for replies....

Nanakaland Space Command (NSC)
Commodore Zachary Peterson was summoned to the offices of High Admiral Thomas Johnson. He was nervous because he assumed that being summoned to the offices of the most powerful person in the NSC and assumed that it could only mean that he was in trouble. He opened the door to Johnson's office.

"Take a seat," the admiral said. It was more like a command than a suggestion. Commodore Peterson did take a seat in front of Johnson's desk. Thomas stated, "I understand that you have done many careless actions while being in charge of the Third Nanakaland Space Fleet."

"But it all turned out okay," objected Peterson.

"Do you question my authority?"

"No sir."

"Those careless actions all turned out to save hundreds of lives."

"Yessir."

"You risked everything and won."

"Yessir. Are you here to demote me for those actions?"

"No," replied Johnson. Peterson grew more nervous. If he wasn't there to be demoted, he assumed that he was going to be dishonorably discharged.

"Does that mean..."

"Yes," Johnson interrupted. "It means that you're promoted to admiral of the Fifth Nanakaland Fleet."

"What!?"

"You heard me. You're promoted to admiral. Your careless actions have saved your mission countless times. I wouldn't know anyone more qualified to lead the most dangerous mission ever. But if you don't want to take a position that will probably lead to certain death, I could always pick someone else."

"No sir," said Peterson. It was his chance to prove himself. "I'll lead the mission. When do I start?"

"When the Fifth Nanakaland Fleet is completed."

"When is that?"

"That I do not know, but because you are going to be in charge of the expidition, you need to supervise the construction."

"Yessir."

Admiral Johannes Messer nearly jumped up at the idea. This could finally be his chance to really do something with his life. However, he would need one other person to go with...and he knew just who. Karen Kowalskyj, daughter of the famous Olena Kowalskyj. Messer had a...thing for her, and this would be the perfect opportunity to get to know her and, if everything went well, court her. She would be lured by the potential of scientific research. There was no question.

He forwarded the message to her, with a request for her to join him. He then sent a message to the Führer asking permission to join this task force. There was no question in his mind that he would be allowed to join.

Just a few hours later, he had recieved replies from both: confirmation! He was ecstatic. He quickly formulated his response to the Nanakan Admiral.

--Transmission from SAVX Admiral Johannes Messer--
To: High Admiral Thomas Johnson of Nanakaland
Regarding: Expedition Fleet

Admiral Johnson, I would be honored to join this task force. With my membership, access would be granted to technologies from the following prototype SAVX ship designs.


VXGNS-426 "Pitcher" Railgun Cruiser

As SAVX specializes more in long-range space warfare, this design follows perfectly our speciality. Utilizing the newest in electrical, material, and kinetic technology, this ship has the ability to launch massive (10m) rounds at speeds well over 500 km/s in slow succession or up to 200 km/s in relatively rapid succession. It holds six main guns with one fusion reactor powering each. Smaller 10mm railgun turrets act as limited close-range support, but since the ship puts so much power into its main guns, it's forced to rely on other ships for support.

VXGNS-428 "Charged Bastard" Particle Weapon Cruiser

All SAVX particle weapon cruisers have a particular type of main weapon, such as lasers, plasma cannons, radiation guns, and more experimental antimatter guns. The Charged Bastard utilizes a massive Ion Cannon. Much like a laser, it fires particles at a continuous rate. However, unlike a laser, it does not fire photons; it fires high-energy electrons. In the large quantities that this particular cannon can expend, explosive results are easily obtained due to the massive energy transfer between particles. The added electrons are particularly devastating to electrical targets due to the input of extra electrons, which can easily ravage any circuitry and overload power systems. It has extremely long range, but most of its power must be diverted to the gun, so support vessels are highly suggested.

VXGNS-503 "Magellan" Research Vessel

Development of scientific research ships has been limited up to now since the majority of funds have had to go into terraformation and defense projects. This ship, however, is the peak of what SAVX has to offer in the way of such vessels. It can be loaded with decades' worth of research materials and contains enough technology to properly test and examine virtually anything.


I can acquire the assistance from virtually any construction contractor in SAVX, including Syntech or Krimson. Should this be desirable, a reasonable contract can be worked out rapidly.

If my offer is accepted, joining me will be lead SAVX scientist Karen Kowalskyj.

I thank you for your consideration and I hope to hear back from you soon.

--Transmission End--

Admiral Johnson recieved the message from Admiral Messer and quickly sent another message.

To: Admiral Johannes Messer of Super American VX Man
From: High Admiral Thomas Johnson of Nanakaland
Subject: Fleet Design

I am glad that you have decided to help us. You can come to the NSC as soon as you want. The plan now is to have eight capital ships of a new and powerful class. There would be one flagship, one science vessel/medical ship, three military ships, two support ships, and one scoutship.

The flagship would have a larger bridge and more weapons, the science/medical ship would have larger labs and medical facilities, the two support ships would have large cargo areas, vital for the expidition's surival, the scoutship would be faster, with extra engines and sensors, and the military ships would be your specialty. One would be modified to be a carrier (and of course still have some extra weapons), one would have your heavy weapons, and one would be fairly normal (but with some modifications to make it a military ship).

There would, of course, be smaller ships in the fleet. My plan is to have a blend of Nanakan and SAVXian ships, with a specialized frigate with hyperspace capabilities (as another scout or as an emergency escape ship). Come as soon as you can to NSC and we can discuss our plans in person. Once we are done planning, we can begin construction.

Just as Johannes finished reading the reply from Admiral Johnson, his door zipped open. In walked a rather attractive Karen Kowalskyj. Johannes quickly stuffed away his surprise.

"K-Karen! How wonderful to see you again! It's been a long time, hasn't it?"

"Yes, it has. A year. I'm glad to be along for an expidition like the one you proposed, but remember that I still have no interest in getting in bed with you. I'd rather screw a Death Trooper. They have more muscle mass than your entire body's mass. Helluva lot sexier."

"Ouch. Harsh."

"I know. When are we departing?"

"A few hours, it looks like."

"That fast?"

"I have no reason to stick around. Do you?"

"I guess not."

Johannes nodded. He pressed a button on his desk and told one of his aides to prepare his belongings.

"I assume you're ready, Karen?"

"Yes."

"Good."

They left the office and headed towards the transport that would take them to Nanakaland.

A Day Later...

A stiff pair of SAVXians exited their transport ship and met up with an escort team who led them to High Admiral Thomas Johnson's office. Upon arrival, Johannes stepped forward to great the man responsible for the expedition first. He saluted, then offered his hand.

"Admiral Johannes Messer and High Scientist Karen Kowalskyj reporting for duty."

"Take a seat," said High Admiral Johnson. "The others from Euroslavia and Witzgall have not yet arrived from earth." The SAVXian representatives sat down. Afterwards, another man entered. Johnson told the SAVXian representatives, "This is Admiral Peterson. He will be supervising the construction and shall be a leader of the expidition."

"Indeed," replied Peterson. "Obviously as we leave the galaxy we will be leaving range of the NSC and even NSC remote probes. I have been studying the rules because in this expidition, I shall be the NSC away from the NSC."

"So," Johnson stated, "I think it's about time to start our plans of the fleet. The others are only needed in the construction phase."

"I've got an idea," added Peterson. "The main capital ship is modual, right?"

"Right."

"Well, if we finish the core of the flagship first, then we can have a test flight. Once it all works, then we can bring the flagship back to the NSC to add the additional components that make it a flagship and build the rest of the fleet. A test flight of one ship instead of testing the entire fleet when everything is done."

"Interesting," Johnson replied. He turned to the SAVXian admiral. "Your thoughts?"

Johannes had no hesitation in his reply. He had his ideas fully prepared in his head, and he intended to get them sold with little difficulty.

"I think that sounds like a good idea. It would save us a lot of time and money, giving us much more leeway in other areas of development. We can supply some of our most advanced scanners and AI programs, among other things.

As for our other contributions to the fleet, I can easily get clearance for a large quantity of long-range and heavy-weapons cruisers, much like the ones I already showed you. With some effort, I could...now, this is confidential, so you can't go telling everyone, otherwise the deal's off...aquiesce one of our experimental Class 2 Anti-Matter Cannons. It would be a great way for some field-testing if we ever needed it, and if it worked, it would pack a harder punch than anything else we have in our inventory.

As for other additions, we'll supply a few battle-groups of the Railgun, Ion Cannon, Plasma cannon, and Apocalypse Cruisers."

Johnson quickly piped in.

"Apocalypse?"

"Oh, of course. They're basically silo platforms with thousands upon thousands of thermonuclear warheads packed away. If we ever need to glass anything...well, there's the tool for it. We don't make it a very well-known since the international community typically doesn't react well to them."

"Ah, I see."

"I can easily get us any reasonable quantity of drones, be they attack or construction/repair drones, and pretty much any carrier-launched vessel that we need. How does that sound?"

"It sounds fine," replied Johnson. "Our facilities above the moon are very capable of manufactering ships. Of course, Nanakaland would be able to provide many fighters, corvettes, and frigates. The building will be easy now that we have the basics down. The problem will be manning and getting the supplies for such a massive expidition.

"This international expidition will be open to two representatives from each willing nation to be involved. Anywhere from two to two hundred extra expidition members could come that way. And fifity ground troops for both of our nations, which makes fifty. As well as scientists and officers, I'll be sending four ranking officers. When including you two, that's approximately one hundred fifty six. We will also need crews for those ships and we need to take into consideration those from other nations that would join.

"We need to load the supply ships with enough supplies for this whole journey for probably somewhere between two hundred and five hundred people. We also need to get these final details in planning before we can start recruiting and making the next steps in preparation for the greatest journey of all time."

"Sounds like most of it's worked out on your end," replied Johannes. "We have the ability to obtain massive quantities of basic essentials like food, water, fuel, etc. For our fifty soldiers, we'll most likely field two squads of Shock Troopers for forty and an Elite Shock Trooper command squad with light armored vehicles for the other ten. I can get scientists, crewmen, whatever you need. SAVX is prepared to put its full weight into this project. The Führer was rather pleased at the idea.

I might bring along my personal guard of four Elite Galactic Shadows. I hope that's not a problem. I just want to have decent protection for Karen and myself. No offense, of course. Just that touch of home, you know?"

"Yep," Johnson stated. "It appears as if things are starting to work out. Our basic planning is done and all of the lesser details can be worked out by people of lesser rank. If a problem arises, we can always come back to that stage. For now, we must move on to the construction phase. The capital ships need to be built in order for this mission. They will be, of course, modular to prevent having to design so many unique ships. Thus, if we were to build the basic functional ship and then test it, we will be able to have a test run.

"Eight core ships will be made and then the moduals will be added for customization. The first one done will be tested extensively first on a test flight and then added with the modifications to turn it into the flagship. Then the fleet will be ready without having to test all eight. We send extra workers to the main capital ship so we can get it done and tested first."

"Alright, then, it's settled. Send the design specs to Syntec and the first part will be underway."

Johnson typed a few keys on a nearby panel, waited a moment, then typed again. He looked back up at Johannes.

"Done."

Johannes grinned.

"I like your efficiency."

"It's a useful tool, I've found."

The monitor above the panel beeped. Johnson clicked a button and looked at it for a moment.

"Looks like I'm not the only efficient one. They'll ship out the necessary supplies ASAP. Arrival time should be within a total of three weeks, but basic workers and supplies will arrive within a few days."

Johannes just nodded, his eyebrows raised in a degree of surprise. That was fast.

"You get your Führer's explicit clearance for your high-tech gadgets and we'll be settled for now."

"You got it. I'm very optimistic about this, High Admiral."

Johannes stretched out his hand. Johnson took it.

"As am I, Admiral."

Both of their slightly age-worn faces cracked into grins.

"Now we start summoning the crew for the test journey," explained Johnson. He typed on his consol. "That's settled now. They'll probably arrive at the NSC just when the first ship is constructed. With everything worked out feel free to sit back and relax. You can return back to your nation while you await the construction, you could feel free to explore around the NSC, or we could talk. However, now that the first phase is over, you have an opportunity to take a little break."

Admiral Johnson leaned back in his seat, saying, "It's been constant work since the idea has come to my head and it will be even more work soon. Relaxation is a good method to end stress. A little break will help you think clearer, which will be good for the mission."

Nanakaland, Earth
Lieutenant Samuel Wilson had left the cities. The violence of the civil war had hit much of urbanized Nanakaland, but the rural areas remained almost untouched. Wilson didn't desert the army - he was a reservist and he didn't want to get invloved. The military was not going to waste valuable resources to track down a few reservists living outside of the cities to - or so he thought. However, a group of soldiers knocked on Lieutenant Wilson's door.

"Hello," said the leader of the group when Wilson opened his door. "You've just been promoted to Colonel. Probably because all of the higher ranking reservists are unavailable in this civil war, but that is of no importance. Pack your bags. We're going to the NSC Headquarters - in space."

"The NSC? What do they want from me?" asked Wilson, baffled.

"You've been chosen to be a leader of the greatest space expidition of all time," explained the soldier. "It is going to be an international effort of many nations using a special class of ships to go beyond where mankind has ever gone before. I'm not saying there's going to be no perils. There probably are going to be perils. However, whatever happens to you - you will be a hero."

"And if I say no?" asked Wilson.

"You cannot say no," the soldier responded.

"But if I do?"

"If you do," the soldier replied, "then you lose your one chance at being recognized and I point out to the Senate that there is a reservist living here ready to be called into duty."

"I get the point," Wilson said.

"So are you coming?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"Yes. Just not a very good one."

"Very well. I'll pack," Lieutenant Wilson said reluctantly.

"Do you have any friends, family, relationships?" asked one of the soldiers.

"No."

"Good. Less people to notify if you die."

"If I die? I think I might not want to go, then."

"Come on," said the lead soldier, handing Wilson ten five hundred Nanakan bills. "If you don't go for glory, to escape being called for certain death in the civil war, or for power, go for money."

"Only 5,000 Nanakans? That's low."

"10,000 Nanakans then."

"20,000 Nanakans."

"15,000 Nanakans."

"Deal," said Wilson. He walked to he room and started packing for the journey.

Johannes was in his office/room on his transport ship. He was sending requests to various people he wanted on this mission. Karen was off sleeping in her own room, so he had little else to do. Better to get it done now.

--Transmission from Admiral Johannes Messer--
To: EST Master Sergeant Jim Raynor

Sergeant, I am requesting your indefinite leave for a quest that is, in short, something of a barely imaginable magnitude. A fleet is being formed with Nanakaland which will explore into the infinite reaches of the universe. I know that, in the event of trouble, you would be one of the few men most fit to lead others into combat. You will be armed and accomodated no less than you are now.

Should you accept, you shall choose the other men you want in your command/armored squad of 10, and two normal ST squads of 20. I know you will leave it an open option for those whom you ask, but I must reiterate that point. This is a voyage from which there is almost no return. All members must be fully willing.

Please reply ASAP.

--Transmission End--

Next on the list...

--Transmission from Admiral Johannes Messer--
To: Paul Widlowsky

I want you, Madlaus, Yarrick, and Normik to embark immediately for my current position. You will be joining me on a voyage of no return. Bring anything you want, as you will not have a second chance. I want you to accompany as you always have, for I know that no one could possible serve better protection than yourselves.

I await.

--Transmission End--

Johannes knew nobody would turn down the offer. This is something that SAVX military men and women dreamt of. It was just a matter of time now.

[Continued from this (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=8551254&postcount=89) post (from A Second Scream in Space (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=379415)).]

And thus Major Rachel Davis was recruited to the expedition after her success in finishing off the Stalker threat. She left the NSC and took a transport to Nanakaland where she would be until called when the mission started. Until then, it was a slight break and a moment of relaxation between missions of great danger.

[OOC: Sorry for this short post, but I used all of my creative energy in the post linked to at the start of this post.]

[OOC: Sorry for the late post but the forums were down yesterday and I was busy over the past week.]

High Admiral Johnson watched as Colonel Samuel Wilson, Lieutenant Andrew Jacobs, Admiral Zachary Peterson, Major Rachel Davis and other expidition members started arriving again. The flagship was completely constructed and now the crew for that one ship was arriving and getting ready for the test flight. The expidition was coming soon and the people could hardly wait.

"I have orders to be the head of the expidition," Admiral Peterson told Colonel Wilson. "If there is any chance that I might die on this expidition, however, you are to be promoted to general and become the new leader. You are second in command and when we leave communications range of the NSC that will be an important rank. Though these joint missions between the NSF and the NSN are always very confusing in the area of who's in charge."

"Though this isn't the expidition yet," replied Wilson. "It's only a test flight."

"You never know what could go wrong on a test flight," Peterson explained. "It's better to be safe and go over that than something to happen to me and there be a conflict about who would be in charge."

"Fine. Let's prepare for the test flight. After this, the other ships will be complete and we will have a week break before the expidition starts."

"We are awaiting the SAVXian representatives on this test flight before we start."

[OOC: Forgot about this RP but need to finish it before starting Journey. Expect it to finish within the next week or so...]