NationStates Jolt Archive

[[Just something to help me idle away time, extracts from an Onarrán space station captain's log]]

Years surrounding the "Space Wolf" incidents along the Spinward Edge (along the same spiral arm, from the direct of the galactic spin) of the Directed Democratic Empire

…log initiated…
…voice recording active…
…Overseer Kosavainillion vos-C'vyniosdural kaj-Snowdrop vail’n-Onarrusai…
…Space Station Silent Vision, Vio’Lainjusaan system, secondary asteroid belt…
…second of Ju’tasimei, seven hundred and seventh year of the ninth Hyrathi’ket aeon…

…It has been several days since my previous log entry, and it seems unusual to me to break routine even in such a minor manner. I suppose that it must seem strange to whomever might read this – not that anyone could be bothered, I am sure – that a violation of routine this minor could be worth mentioning, but it seems so to me…

…After all, I have been commanding this space station for the past three Onarrán-standard decades, maintaining the same basic routine that changes only when emergences occur. I suppose that to most other races three decades upon a single craft might seem wasted, but I do not see them as such – dull certainly, but the Collective teaches that anything done for the greater good of our society cannot be a waste. Our mining tasks go as scheduled; our quota is being properly maintained. In addition, we have been celebrating mightily as Liutherian and Iosterrainialle kri-Poppy have received their first child, a beautiful child that they are naming Kosavaituilliath – I am most honoured that they chose their son’s first three syllables from my name! It is startling also that such a young couple have succeeded, why; Liuther is barely six hundred, and Iosterrain a fully half-century younger than her husband. Perhaps they will be blessed with more children. In these sparse years a little youth can only aid us…

…Besides, unless I am unfortunate, I shall live for well above a thousand more years, although in these times who can tell? The Directed Democratic Armada has been having difficulties along the fringes lately, with much increased pirate activity…

…Fortunately we are well out of the way here in Vio’Lainjusaan, just us, our mining operations and the Reaver Pack stationed here. Commander Jerysderian kos-Orchid has informed me that we have actually lost two of our systems to the encroaching barbarians, but that these latest foes, who call themselves the “Space Wolves” – ridiculous name – have only primitive faster-than-light travel – they are certainly a long way from discovering the True Astra, and thankfully their minds do not possess the genetic mutations that would enable access to Allnet…truly that would be a thing to fear. Our greatest ally, our greatest weapon and greatest instrument of scientific discovery in the hands of barbarians? Ludicrous!..

…Regardless, I must bid Jerys good luck in his endeavours, as he is being replaced for the next year by a younger Commander in this system. It would appear that the veterans are being gathered together once more at the Loath Mar, it has been centuries since the last Grand Muster and a sign that whatever the High Conclave might say, we are facing a very real threat. They are very primitive, with apparently no sign of talented art or grace, but their weapons are none the less potent for that. Perhaps their weaponry is their sole art? Something to ponder...

...Regardless of their primitive natures, they are vastly more numerous than we – they swarm like rats sensing a weakened prey and the latest estimates are that they outnumber us by some four hundred to one, and although their ships require much larger crews, their conquests of outlying systems making them ever more confident. They have not encountered anything beyond a few outdated Firestrike Hunting Packs using the old Battlelance warships, the newer Warcraft should find them much easier to deal with…

…Well, it is time for next mining rotation. Kosavainillion out…

Taggy

…log initiated…
…voice recording active…
…Overseer Kosavainillion vos-C'vyniosdural kaj-Snowdrop vail’n-Onarrusai…
…Space Station Silent Vision, Vio’Lainjusaan system, secondary asteroid belt…
…eighth of Ju’valkuusen, seven hundred and eighth year of the ninth Hyrathi’ket aeon…

…the Space Wolf (I still think it a foolish name, despite recent events) warships continue to harass our shipping and mining endeavours along the Spinward rim of the Empire, but things are beginning to look up. Despite their early victories in Gheryam’t’kolannial and Rethaniole’lamelionn their forays into the Directed Territories have been less frequent of late, although there are concerns that they may be massing for a full-scale assault upon some of our major systems – notably Kherian’sotain and Naivolosh. I am most concerned about Naivolosh as my son commands the Watchful Gaze mining space station in that system, but I am reassured by the increasing Reaver presence there. The Warden of Naivolosh has called up some of his House’s re-enforcements and, as a Scion of Orchid, he can call upon a large number of personal forces…

…I have been informed that there is some concern over supply routes for the Grand Host, although I am certain that Adaryn lor-Rose will manage to deal with them – he was elected Warmaster for the present Grand Muster and thus far has managed to hold off the vast numerical advantage the barbarians possess…the Directed Democracy contains many systems, but most contain no more Onarrán presence than a couple of drone-based mining stations and a Reaver Pack, if that – many simply have automated mining platforms to keep an eye on things. There are only two heavily populated systems, and only a few more properly settled, we simply do not have the manpower to do more. All the same, the sheer size of the Empire is useful to us – we can easily give up ground to manipulate the enemy. The subject peoples of course are another matter, many of them seem to swarm over a system like parasites, but they are useful for a number of things…

…we are only in the second year of this war, but it seems like it has been maintained for significantly more, the Directed Democracy, already a highly militarised state, has had to make numerous sacrifices due to the sheer scale of the attacks. Although the number of forays has dropped, there are still dozens of skirmishes per week, with barbarian warships penetrating deep into our territory to attack isolated outposts of no real value to them, but damaging to our moral. Fortunately most of these are automated and lacking in Onarrán lives to be lost, although several crewed stations have been destroyed…a terrible loss, but one to be expected in war…

…there have been a number of skirmishes over the last week, as I have already mentioned, and the number of Onarrán victories are increasing as the foe attempts to bring the Grand Host to a single battle, sending out search parties to find our main military force and send back the co-ordinates. Naturally this is not working, as the Reaver Packs are simply targeting and annihilating the search parties, only rarely taking casualties. Nonetheless, this war is far from being over, and predictions are for a major barbarian offensive some time in the next few months…

…Kosavainillion out…

|| This is not a "diary entry" as such, but rather some notes on something else concerning the Onarráns, kind of like a factbook for the 'net systems. More will be added as I find the time/can be bothered ||

The 'net systems of Onarr



Allnet


Access

Access to Allnet is via the K'laisaynvossaran glandular network, more commonly known as the Allnet Gland as its primary function is quite simply to provide access to Allnet. The glandular network is a genetic mutation stimulated by the first of the Divine Collective to arrive in Onarr, which occurred approxomately one century prior to the Laidien Invasion that left the First Colonies of Onarr in ruins.

There are several implants available that most of the populace have inserted at some point that allow far more controlled access to the Allnet, which drastically reduces the risks of side effects.

Benefits

The primary benefit of Allnet is...knowledge. I allows one to see truly astonishing things with a dazzling complexity - individual electrons travelling through circuitry, xylem and phloem travelling through plants, the atomic makeup of an item, and millions of other things.

At its different levels of concentration, Alllnet can allow vast input of knowledge and comprehension about things both small and vast, the individual atoms of, say, a weapon, and the general functions of the device as a whole - whether it functions or not, and similar. However, such access requires a dangerously high exposure to Allnet, and is rarely used even by those who are trained specifically for Allnet usage.

Knowledge of something already known and understood on the other hand, requires signifcantly less Allnet exposure. The typically accepted levels are 4 and 5 percent of Allnet's full known capacity (known capacity explored under heavy limiting chemicals, controls and guidance from the Divine Collective - the only known entities who can survive full exposure to the Allnet), with six percent being the popular figure among the nobility who are almost all trained in the correct use of Allnet. The single percentage increase provices significantly greater analysis and consideration of one's own equipment but also heightens the risks inherant in Allnet usage due to over-exposure to knowledge.

A typical Onarrán will have Allnet running at one-half percentage at most times, which is believed to account at least in part for many of the great achievements of the Directed Democratic Empire since Allnet's inception. The typical figure for the nobility is one-percent whilst using artificial intelligence inhibitors, such as when using a Hunting Rig.

Hazards/Drawbacks

Allnet provides vast exposure to knowledge which can (and does, especially when combined with the Allnet itself) cause insanity. Prolonged use of Allnet at relatively high levels is extremely hazardous and an individual using the Allnet at fifteen percent when not in a Hunting Rig and without training is committing a crime. Even then, use of Allnet at such levels is very, very dangerous and is undertaken only in times of great need - the standard running levels of Allnet for a Warcraft (standard ship-of-the-line) is 15% for the Bridge as a whole (plus individual access), which uses extensive automotive limitations and controls - enhancing ship sensors and cloaks, but preventing excessive risk to the crew.

Individual usage limitations:

Onarrán, without implants or special training: 4% for maximum 10 minutes
Onarrán, without implants, with training: 4%, for maximum 15 minutes
Onarrán, with implants, without training: 5%, for maximum 10 minutes
Onarrán, with implants, with training: 6%, for maximum 5 minutes (or 5%, maximum 25 minutes)
Onarrán, with implants, training and H-Rig: 6% for maximum 15 minutes

Non-Onarrán of non-elfin descent: 2.7% for maximum 5 minutes (lack of controlling glandular network makes Allnet usage extremely hazardous)
Non-Onarrán of non-elfin descent with extensive Psionic or Mage training: 3.5% for maximum 5 minutes
Non-Onarrán of elfin descent: 4% for maximum 5 minutes
Non-Onarrán of elfin descent with extensive Psionic or Mage training: 4% for maximum 10 minutes

After period of maximum safe exposure Non-Onarrán survival rates drop at a significantly faster rate than Onarrán. This is believed to be strongly linked to the Allnet Glandular Network.

Distance of usage for Non-Onarrán also appears to be important in determining survival ratios. The knowledge exposure is vastly reduced, extending survival time and levels significantly. The longest survivor was the case of Ellian Jherthirian, a hostile being of elfin descent captured during the Dyrnai Conquest, who survived a contact of 23% for twenty-one minutes before he lost sanity, although migraine set in after two minutes. The distance was 700,000 kilometres.

Allnet is the only major Psionic "weapon" the Onarráns use, and even that only rarely.