NationStates Jolt Archive

Communication to all mars nations from Star fleet command Terran prime:
To whom it may concern:
To all nations on mars and around mars, The USFU and star fleet request clearance and permission to establish diplomatic relations with your world, we see it as an economic and business opportunity to do so, we will send a ship if we are granted permission or clearance by nations or a nation on mars to send an ambassador.

An icy reply shot through the depths of space, hopefully reaching the ears of Starfleet command. Crackling and popping with static, the message, as short as it was, seared with bitter xenophobia.

'No.'

Usually, DA would have sounded mildly more friendly than the Aumanii. After all, while the rudeness of the average Angstian was almost legendary, its diplomats tended to be mildly more friendly, if only due to certain necessities reality enforced upon them.

However, in this particular case, sufficient knowledge had been gained to ensure than nobody was even remotely interested in something as... Risky as having the slightest bit of contact with the malevolent, warmongering insanity that was roaming the galaxy.

The message (Unencoded, given that TFU was unlikely to have DA encryption/ decryption routines) was short.

From: The Semi-Sovereign Entity of Daedalia Angst
To: The Fedral Union
Subject: Relations with Mars

"Not interested, due to reasons of both, planetary security as well as our own, personal needs, not to mention the distinctly unstable history of The Fedral Union.

"Have a nice day."

Sincerely,

~ Huan Yue, The Semi-Sovereign Entity of Daedalia Angst

... In the end, the message had been a good deal friendlier than the Aumanii message.

Admittedly, this was only because Huan Yue had resisted the urge to mention that she would prefer a trillion Confederates to a single cell of a TFU citizen, but, well...

Diplomacy first.

In This United State, business was booming, of course, and the Port was a busy as all heck. There-fore it should be no surprise to any-one that there was a delay in a return of signal. It was, naturally, a short while till the first signal was even seen. Then the responding signals were " seen " too. After some research ...From : This United State - Commerce Directorate
To : The Fedral Union
Subject : Relations with Mars

We are most sorry, but according to our reserch, This United State is currently not seeking commercial or diplomatic contact with your strata of the market demographic. While we thank you for your interest, we must decline your offer at this time.

Thank you very much for your time !Granted, it was just a bit like the Angstian message, still, just like the Angstian message, the ultimate sentiment was of that of the Auman, if for slightly different reasons to both.

Some-where in T.U.S. a lackey had dug up a data-file and said " yech " ...

"But why trade with them Sir?"

"Eeh, it's Profit. And profit is profit."

Message to TFU, Open channel

Good friends, this is Freeport 2, Sharing Mars's orbit of the Sun. Although not in direct Orbit, we are close, and offer you access to our Trade station. We are already in trade with many nations, and have taken an interest in you. We ask, what items of trade can you offer us?

Channel closed

[1A47B2] >> I have a thought, Queen.

[SHODAN] >> Yes?

[1A47B2] >> It is my estimation that our... neighbors are overreacting somewhat. "Diplomatic relations" is hardly equivalent to "alliance," and "business" is hardly equivalent to "economic partnership." We can allow them what they ask for--only what they ask for--and suffer no real ill gains because of it.

[SHODAN] >> Excellent. You are learning. The Fedral (sic) Union is not as much of a threat as the more-or-less equivalently irrational nations that oppose it. They may be willing to make the illogical leap from 'diplomatic relations' to 'alliance,' but many of them are not as much the military juggernauts as they like to imagine themselves being. Besides, the concerted negative response of our Martian neighbors will only serve to allow us a greater market share of TFU trade, as it were, and--knowing that the Union is to some extent irrational--a completely negative response will only serve to trigger that irrationality and lead to perhaps more aggressive posturing.

[1A47B2] >> So we step in, offer a sop, and prevent escalation while profiting from it no matter which way it turns.

[SHODAN] >> Exactly.

* - * - *

<Communications to The Fedral Union>
{
<< It is unfortunate that your reasonable request has been rejected by so many. Please do not hold it against them; the nations of Mars are renowned for being particularly opinionated, a trait that gives them a distinctive character and makes them alternately a joy and a bother to work with, although the former far outstrips the latter.

<< On behalf of the Queendom of Zero-One and the MonoCorporation, I am pleased to accept your simple request. We look forward to working together with your people to establish mutually beneficial trade relations and hopefully change the minds of our Martian neighbors through appropriate diplomatic overtures.
}

http://www.womengamers.com/dw/sshock2_rev.jpg
S.H.O.D.A.N. v3.0 : MCP, Q01
Cetagandan Duchess of Marilac

[1A47B2] >> I have a thought, Queen.

[SHODAN] >> Yes?

[1A47B2] >> It is my estimation that our... neighbors are overreacting somewhat. "Diplomatic relations" is hardly equivalent to "alliance," and "business" is hardly equivalent to "economic partnership." We can allow them what they ask for--only what they ask for--and suffer no real ill gains because of it.

[SHODAN] >> Excellent. You are learning. The Fedral (sic) Union is not as much of a threat as the more-or-less equivalently irrational nations that oppose it. They may be willing to make the illogical leap from 'diplomatic relations' to 'alliance,' but many of them are not as much the military juggernauts as they like to imagine themselves being. Besides, the concerted negative response of our Martian neighbors will only serve to allow us a greater market share of TFU trade, as it were, and--knowing that the Union is to some extent irrational--a completely negative response will only serve to trigger that irrationality and lead to perhaps more aggressive posturing.

[1A47B2] >> So we step in, offer a sop, and prevent escalation while profiting from it no matter which way it turns.

[SHODAN] >> Exactly.

* - * - *

<Communications to The Fedral Union>
{
<< It is unfortunate that your reasonable request has been rejected by so many. Please do not hold it against them; the nations of Mars are renowned for being particularly opinionated, a trait that gives them a distinctive character and makes them alternately a joy and a bother to work with, although the former far outstrips the latter.

<< On behalf of the Queendom of Zero-One and the MonoCorporation, I am pleased to accept your simple request. We look forward to working together with your people to establish mutually beneficial trade relations and hopefully change the minds of our Martian neighbors through appropriate diplomatic overtures.
}

http://www.womengamers.com/dw/sshock2_rev.jpg
S.H.O.D.A.N. v3.0 : MCP, Q01
Cetagandan Duchess of Marilac


Response from the Union government and president:
We are glad that you accepted our request and we will send a ship with an ambassador aboard so we can meet, we would also like to request a small embassy for obvious reasons, We look forward to meet you, thank you.


To TIN: the Union has also taken interest in you since we are looking for ever more stable trade partners and perhaps allies, we would enjoy meeting you and establishing some thing on your station, we request a meeting and will wait for your approval of our request

Phalanix Mars Complex

The comms tower was all empty after recent renovations and the use of two AI to replace the required fifteen personel to opperate the systems. Lights flickered on consoles and replies, clearences, and threats were sent out and read as well as the odd spam message was sent out to a few trillion unlucky ussers to pass the time.

<ComBalthor1> Hey looks like some nation....TFU wants to establish trade
<ComAthena1> You mean The Federal Union? The one that Echo keeps bitching about?
<ComBalthor1> Ya that one.
<ComAthena1> Oh great. Just a second I'm bringing in Faith for this one.
-ComAthena1 has invited Faith1 into the network
<Faith1> What is it now Athena? Balthor need to be defragged again? Or is it something important?
<ComAthena1> It is important. We have a TFU message requesting a trade agreement.
<Faith1> Just tell them to piss off. Echo keeps yelling at me when I bring her updates and the usualy about TFU doing something stupid.
-Faith1 has left the network
<ComAthena1> Well that settles it.

We have no intrest in a tarde agreement and will not respond to
any more requests.
Have a bad day

The union has no wishes to have relations with your back water underbelly nation like yours any way and your incompetent topath as a leader as well .

If you feel the need to act like a uneducated Cretan then by all means do so. Also could you please keep your superiority complex to yourself. We would rather not have to deal with it by making your life hell.

PS: Seek help for that superiority complex. It could lead to Foot-In-Ass syndrome. No body likes Foot-In-Ass syndrome.

our insults will cease only because we don’t like getting as low as that. We are diplomats not little punks unlike some people further more any attempt to interfere with relations between mars and the union will results in diplomatic penalty’s and possibly defensive action.

Response from the Union government and president:
We are glad that you accepted our request and we will send a ship with an ambassador aboard so we can meet, we would also like to request a small embassy for obvious reasons, We look forward to meet you, thank you.
<Communications to The Fedral Union>
{
<< Understood. Once your courier ship reaches the Mars Theatre, please contact frigate carrier Adverse Pressure Gradient who will be flagship of the detachment sent to escort your ship and ensure its safety. While we do not expect any harm to come to you--most Martians are content to grumble yet stand by rather than actively cause trouble--hopefully this gesture will put you at ease and allow for more relaxed negotiations.

<< The habitation sectors of Sirenum eagerly await to extend their hospitality to you.
}

http://www.womengamers.com/dw/sshock2_rev.jpg
S.H.O.D.A.N. v3.0 : MCP, Q01
Cetagandan Duchess of Marilac

So that last line is a lie. A little white lie, all things considered, and certainly it covers up nothing personal.

Message to the Fedral Union from the Fiefdom of Craulnober, intgral part of the Sacred sindarin Empire of Aelosia:

"You can come, and you can talk. We will watch, and we will guard. Your reputation preceeds you, so don't try anything funny. We were newcomers in this world, although we're not anymore, and we also know of the agressive stance of most newcomers in the latter ages of the history of this planet.

If your intentions are truly sincere, honest and born from your goodwill, you'll find nothing but support from our part. Otherwise, you'll have to face our weapons and our soldiers ready to defend what cost us the blood of many of our friends and relatives.This is not an idle threat but a serious warning, we will tolerate and even help TFU civilian personnel and envoys, but we won't have any patience to deal with situations that involves the violation of space sovereignity by the likes of you with military units or vessels, attempting and provoking others into conflicts.

Stay within limits and you will have us on your side. Cross the lines and we will be just another of your many enemies"

Viceroy Atheril D'nan, ArchDuke of the D'nan noble House, Admiral of the Third Fleet and Lord Protector of Craulnober.

The union will be sending a Miranda-class star ship (light curiser)
The ambassador on board will be the honorable Gorge Madison. They will arrive with in 4 hours.
-
mean while several light years away at star base 5 the USS Saratoga a Miranda-class star ship was in dry dock, lights gleamed on its white hull as it floated in the bay flood lights making it glow ever brighter as its black lettering of its registry stood out like a stain. The nacelles were dully lightened as it was running on minimal power due to a refit operation.

Madison sat in the star bases lounge drinking coffee from a shiny metal glass over a plasti glass table witch was white with the lighting under the surface.
He looked around exhaling sharply while others were walking around him picking up and moving objects drinking as he did, and conversing rather loudly, the lunge was crowded that day, what was unusual is that it was crowded more so than normal.

The old but tall and rugged looking ambassador with salt and pepper hair, caught a glimpse of the ship that was taking him to mars, he had never been to mars this would be his first visit but from what he read it might be an interesting trip, he vacuumed in all the data on mars in the TFU data bases, witch wasn’t that much because no TFU citizen or official was ever allowed on mars.

After a while an announcer came up stating that “Crew and dietary’s assigned to the USS Saratoga please, note we are boarding the ship now I repeat boarding of the USS Saratoga is now”
Madison opened his eyes and finished his drink quickly taping his cup on the plasti glass some what hard, he stood up the stool making a shuffling sound as he moved it to get up.
H sighed and stated walking towards the metallic, illuminated air lock, shuffling and taping along the floor made from various materials carpet and tile. He rushed in to the air lock the doors whooshing behind him and several officers walking with him on to the ship. The ships corridors were breezy well ligtend and winded in several ways towards multiple places along the ship. Madison made his way to the bridge, it had already been 3 hours, it would not take that long to get to sol or mars for that fact so he would have an extra hour to prepare his speech and such, the ambassador looked to the captain who smiled and greeted him lightly

“hello ambassador, this is one historic occasion, terran prime has entrusted me with your safety I intend to keep it but I’m still worried about some Martian nations trying to have there way with us one ship wont be able to hold out against a fleet not to mention defensive satellites they might try to use on us.”


 (don’t have much time so )

the ship was already under way the ambassador was preparing his speech , the ship was just warping in to sol as he finished up, the white hulled ship gleamed along as it rumbled towards the red Marian home world, it was a beautifully site for every one on board.

The response from the union government to the Aelosia request was swift: we gladly accept how ever we are on a current mission meeting with the nation zero one, if you would like to do a conference we would suggest requesting to join in to the talk with our gracious host, unless you want to meet separately. Thank you .

We are glad we have a common interest. Send a ship to Freeport 2. Co-ordinates are attatched to this post. We eagerly await negotiations.

The ships of the Queendom Armed Conflict Force are not exactly what anyone would call bound by any sort of aesthetic sense. They are also not, if one discounts the bristling tracked gun turrets that tend to accompany them, what one would call threatening. Threatening shapes would be looming, jagged edges and points, perhaps Brutalism applied to spaceframe design, and all these memes would add up to something that appears at least vaguely violent in terms of design philosophy.

Adverse Pressure Gradient, a carrier-frigate of the kind that the Triumvirate of Yut Combined Services codenamed "CORNCOB," looks something like an abstraction of its namesake: Two hemispheres separated by a cylindrical body coated in docking latches for utility ships, currently docked and looking like massive metal kernels on a steel cob. The usual roving turrets associated with QACF capital ships are only in evidence on the fore and aft hemispherical sections; all these are respectfully turned away from Saratoga as she approaches.

The detachment that Adverse Pressure Gradient leads--a frigate and four destroyers--are simply spheres of two different sizes with triangular doors cut into them. Their hulls are not exactly smooth, being pocked by armored hatches and plugs whose purpose can only be guessed (although 'guessed accurately' would be another thing altogether), but overall they are smooth spheres, not at all dangerous looking... again, as long as the multiple turrets are ignored.

As Saratoga approaches Mars, this small detachment of the whole QACF fleet--only broken down into local fleets for public relation needs--moves to intercept and rendezvous, falling into extended formation around the Union light cruiser and turning all their weapons towards away from her, towards the outside of the formation.

As things stand, the Fedrals were a guest of Queen S.H.O.D.A.N. and it is her desire, expressed through the instrumentality of some rather lethal (although not exactly intimidating-looking) hardware via the stewardship of six loyal shipminds, that they not be bothered overmuch during their stay. We come in peace, after all, and you most definitely know what we shoot to.

<StS Communications to Saratoga>
{
<< Fedral ship Saratoga, this is the mind of the Queendom Armed Conflict Force Carrier Frigate Adverse Pressure Gradient. If you would please follow the course set by destroyers Compressor Polytropic Efficiency and Radial Equilibrium, they will guide you, escorted by us, to a safe transfer point above Sirenum before continuing at a higher orbit in international space. We trust your ship is capable of stationkeeping; it is our recommendation, due to tensions in the area, to avoid low Martian orbit as much as possible.

<< We can either dispatch a shuttle to ferry the honorable George Madison to our facilities on the ground, or you can drop a shuttle at our periares stationkeeping. We understand that these security concerns are probably somewhat inconvenient; it is not our desire to inconvenience you any further.
}

QACF/FCV Adverse Pressure Gradient (http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/nationstates/ships/cvmk1-corncob.jpg)
Martian Defense Fleet

To: Starfleet Command, Terra Prime
From: Mars Head Control, Department of State of the United Solaris Federation of Tiburon
Subject: Diplomatic Relations

The USF is never one to turn down an offer for a diplomatic relation, and we therefore welcome any attempt for any nation to create diplomatic channels with us. However, the Fedral Union has had a notoriety among nations as a warmongering nation, so it understands if trust will take some time to rebuild.

You may send an ambassador, but on the following conditions.

1.) The USFU delegate comes in an unarmed, civilian ship.

2.) Before entering Tiburon Mars, the USF Armed Forces retain the right to board and search the USFU ship, and shall not be fired upon while doing so.

3.) The USFU shall at no time send any shuttles to the Tiburon Mars embassy without prior notification of the USF.

If those conditions are not met, we shall not allow the USFU to send any delegates to Tiburon Mars. If any USF soldier is harmed by the USFU, we shall consider it an act of war by the Fedral Union onto the United Solaris Federation of Tiburon and we shall act accordingly.

President Kaizura Monamara
The United Solaris Federation of Tiburon
http://www.mzv.cz/washington/nato_logo_m.gif

The Saratoga came to a stop and turned to fallow the destroyers its impulse engines rumbling loudly its saucer section gleaming in the night, it was still a powerful ship even for a diplomatic mission but it’s the only ship the union could send with out causing an incident.

The reply was swift and encoded:
“is it at all possible we could beam down? If not we can take a shuttle down our selves we wouldn’t want to In connivance you, you’ve done enough for us any way, as for your escort we very much appreciate it we will fallow you to the letter, our ship is already facing your destroyers and will fallow them. As for our ship yes we are capable of station keeping we can keep a high orbit for as long as essay Saratoga out.”

With that the 243 m ship started rumbling towards the destroyers fallowing there course, the nacelles dully glowing in the darkness of space, over looking the rusty colored iron soil of mars.

Ambassador mansion was sitting at his desk in his quarters drinking coffee out of a galvanized gleaming cup, the table reflecting off of the cup, the markings on it were that of Starfleet the diplomatic corps. He signed as the ship moved towards the zero one destroyers fallowing them closely.

Madison looked at his flashing lap top like padd it had a message from a nation named Neo-Tiburon. He wondered what they would want, and leaned over taping the button making the message pop up on screen./ he read it to him self muttering as he took his glass and sipped it then taping it back on the table “interesting” he said to him self starting to type up a reply. “ dear Neo-Tiburon its is good to know that you’ve offered to meet with us I believe we can fulfill most of those requests, ill have to ask the captain so ou can search the ship right now were heading to a conference with zero one, we have a lot of nations waiting in line to see us, we would like to do a joint conference but that’s up to our hosts” the message ends with the seal of the UFP

<StS Communications to Saratoga>
{
<< Just a moment... confirmed. You are authorized to teleport into the lobby of the diplomatic center of Node One-Alpha. Stand by for unclassified coordinates and floorplans, transmitted immediately after this message, to use as targeting aids for your teleportation staff.

<< trans.block[FPLANS_N1A]

<< We are approaching periares. Our delegation is standing by at the coordinates provided; you are authorized to teleport at your discretion.
}

QACF/FCV Adverse Pressure Gradient (http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/nationstates/ships/cvmk1-corncob.jpg)
Martian Defense Fleet

"Interesting. Have we ever met them before, or are targetted by this simply by our location?"

"SYSNET Farsight has spotted ships conforming with the design of that ship up in orbit now... Almost always have a saucer, and those two glowing targets sticking out the bottom or the top."

"SYSNET's spotted em?!"

"Yeah, every now and then they come within range of one of the outcluster probes."

"This has become slightly more interesting. Traffic into the cluster is subspace only, after all... Send them a message. We're not averse to meeting them, but it shall be on our terms. Invite them to Asgard for a meeting at a time that is convenient for them."

"Yes sir."

>>Message Begins

Greetings. I am Consul Ilosse Seiran, representing the Four Worlds of Kajal on Mars. On behalf of both Kajal Proper and Kajal Mars, I accept your request to recieve an ambassador at a time that is convenient to you. I invite you to meet aboard Asgard Station, as it is both sumptuously equipped and secure.

>>Message Ends.

There was, of course, an ulterior motive to holding the meetings aboard Asgard. While the station itself was classed as 'midsize', it was the primary staging area for the Kajal Mars Defence Fleet, and if any fishy business were to occur at or near it, troublemakers would have a very hard time escaping.

Of course, it was something of an act of trust to have the meeting at the station. The shipyard facilities within the station itself would likely be seen, as would the drydocks floating about in low orbit over Kajal Mars. The smaller station atop the orbital elevator descending towards the old Capitol area of Kajal Mars had shuttles going back and forth regularly, as well as the larger cargo tram, whose cables disappeared meekly into the bulk of Asgard.

There were many space stations in the universe larger than it, no doubt, but it would be a memorable visit.

"Looks like someone from the Triumvirate of Yut contacted the TFU envoys, and are going to escort them", said the ships's SeaGuard Officer as the message reached the bridge of the Fhinnara, Shadow Class Cruiser patrolling the Mars High Orbit just over the lands of Craulnober. "Zero-One, the subjects of the Queen S.H.O.D.A.N. Looks like they found heavy support before entering, a wise move I should add, Admiral, as their reputation and the common aggressive mood of the Mars Nations isn't really an incentive to come and ask for relationship".

From the other side of the HoloLink of the communicator the Admiral D'nan answered, always looking impeccable in his Lightning blue full body Armor suit, with his long mane of raven black hair falling over his shoulders. "So be it. That way we can rest calm, because the TFU expedition will be good watched and guarded, I'm sure the guys from that so called Triumvirate will keep their eyes open and all over that fickle and dangerous Fedral Union. Both from any enemies and from themselves. Ignore them for the rest of the trip, unless they have an specific request of having a meeting with myself. I won't join any other meetings, after all I have enough to do regarding the Iuthian integration", said the Aelosian Noble with a despiteful grin in the corner of his lips. "Out, Captain, good job in any case. The TFU affair is already out of our hands. After all, let them bother someone else".

The ambassadors just about to walk to the transporter room noticed yet another message on his padd screen, he thought to him self “wow this thing is really paying off if its another nation that gives me a pretty busy schedule to keep” he walked over to the padd and taped on the flashing buttons his fleet shuffling on the grayish carpet.

He looked at the message that came up from a nation called Kajal.

He read I thinking to him self “ well if this keeps up ill be hear for months but I suppose its good seeing as I’ve been wanting to get out , and its also good for the union who knows me might find allies here, or economic partners this venture will shurley pay off for the union in one way, I just hope our cool heads will keep any situations that arrive cool”

As he finished reading the interesting proposition he started speaking to the computer “computer please record the message and send it to the nation known as Kajal.” The computer responded in a sweet female but emotionless voice “affirmative, please state message you wish to record now”…

Madison spoke in his deep but Throaty voice, I am ambassador gorge Madison of the star fleet diplomatic corps representing the USFU,I am very much honored to be the Recipient of your invitation, it brings me grate pleasure to accept such a gracious invitation as well. After my current affairs I shall be glad to meet with your representatives, how ever I must cut this letter short since I am on my way to meet with other dignitaries, do not worry your nation will be on the list that I will visit most defiantly” end..

After than he shut off his pad with a quick flick of his hand and started shuffling out along the gray soft carpet doors whooshing opening and closing behind him.


Moments later he arrived at the transporter room, the room was well lighted there was a booth several meters away from the large curricular transporter pad with was lighten up like an x mass tree, Madison nodded to the petty officer who was in charge of beaming him down. He rushed up on to the pad his feet tapping on the well lighted glassy martial it was made out of.

The petty officer put 2 hands on the stereo sound like controls on the glassy screen of the LCARS console.
With in moments the officer had moved his hands up wards the console beeping and the transporter lighted up even more so than before. Several seconds passed until finally a blue light engulfed Madison, Turing his body in to a mass of bluish particulate orbs witch flowed like a water fall, The light intensified until nothing was left. Nano seconds later the same glorious display lit up the lobby of the meeting place, there stood a lone man with salt pepper hair about 190 pounds some what rugged and hardy from his looks, only about 45. he looked around smieling a bit awed at the facility, still getting his bearings from the transport.

The coordinates provided beam Madison into one of the upper levels of Node One-Alpha's kilospire, the room a sixty-degree arclength of the eighty-meter diameter top. This makes it a curved room about fourty-two meters along its perimeter from bulkhead to bulkhead, and twelve meters from its outer to inner rim. The outer wall is a curved sheet of thick-enough armorglas, reinforced by structural beams, that rises up to meet the inner wall twelve meters above, giving the room a quarter-circle cross-section. Two balcony-like levels extend from the inner wall into the room, so it has three levels; the middle level does not come out as far as the top level, giving the trees planted near the rim of the first level greater room to grow from the well-trimmed bushes that surround them. The top level also has a few small trees peeking out from it, suggesting more planters there. Two regularly-spaced structural supports for the glass wall curve gracefully down, adding additional support for the balconies and separating the room into three equal parts; all of the structural material and the walls are painted a light, slightly metallic blue with a slight pearlescent sheen; enough to collect and refract light but never blindingly so. Out the window is the blueish sky, barely a purple tint, with the Sun small and relatively high; past the steel and concrete skin of shuttle pads is the long way down to the surface; past the habitation domes at the bottom nearly a kilometer down is the long, unbroken expanse of Red Weed, looking like an oozing bloody sea from this difference, undulating slightly as it shifts with the wind, covering hills and valleys all the way to the horizon.

Madison is deposited on the first level onto a thin concrete sidewalk between two curved lengths of garden; behind him, towards the outside, is a closed airlock which opens into a gangway that accesses the shuttle pads visible through the window; in front of him, towards another airlock that accesses the innards of the kilospire is a seemingly mismatched pair of mechanoids. The first is by far the largest, a hulking brute of a combat robot that stands unarmed save for its bare claws, which look dangerous enough in their own industrial way. Its slight, fluid motion as it reacts to the Fedral diplomat's arrival is somehow overorganic in its smoothness and suggestion of muscle in the movement of its armor-plated body as it regards George with its completely expressionless head, its 'face' consisting of nothing but a red-glowing multisensor.

Oddly enough, its responsive motion brings it into a short bow to the diplomat, which is matched by the combat robot's companion; standing 174 centimeters tall, grey-skinned, and very much female in appearance is one of S.H.O.D.A.N.'s standard gynoid diplomatic avatars, complete with distinctive circuit-board patterning over her skin, embedded glowing network of fiber optics, and literally wiry hair in a fan that suits her well as she smiles diplomatically with coppery lips, green-glowing slitted pupil eyes focusing. "Greetings, Ambassador," she says in a low yet feminine voice, "to Martian Zero-One in Sirenum. I am Queen Sentient HyperOptimized Data Access Network, Master Control Program of Zero-One... but please, refer to me as 'SHODAN.' This," she indicates the combat robot with one hand as she rises from her short bow, "is R-Dripping Talons 14A7B2, my Martian Relations Advisor."

"Welcome," says a pleasant but androgynous voice completely out of character for the combat robot shell. "We look forward to establishing a cordial dialogue with you and your country."

Madison looked at the AIs with amazement, never had he seen such life like expressions coming from an artificial life form. He smiled slightly dusting off his black silk like suit and saying in a nervous voice “well it’s a pleasure to meet all of you, its amazing what you’ve done epically with your androids”

he extended his hand out towards ,shodan, who he was particularly interested in ”it’s a pleasure to meet you, I to look forward to both our nations having extensive relations, this missions is very important to me and my nation, it gives me a chance to also learn about other cultures”

the smiled nervously, His hand carrying a brief case full of pads and papers, the brief case was plastic like smoothed edges that sort. he was thinking to him self ~I hope in hell I wont screw this up~ he then looked over to the other androids saying “nice to meet you all as well, mars isn’t what I expected it to be there are so many pressure domes around” he then realized opening his eyes slightly that he had brought a gift from the union, ”ohh I have some thing for you my government sent it as a gift to your nation it’s a bit big ill have them beam it down right away” he stepped away a bit clearing the spot for transport, his feet taping along the ground. With another blue flash of flowing light a large tree appeared, at least 10 m tall and 4 m wide, it was a glorious plant full of colors. It was already budding its purple blue leaves shining in the light of the building its long smooth stem extending the tree but only 10 % of it was visible. The green in a mosaic of beautiful colors planer was extensively decorated, patterns of stars, planets and general space were painted in blue yellow and black .


(sorry for the bad post I have to go Ill have to put this on hold for 3 days until I get back from my Air force base trip)

S.H.O.D.A.N. accepts the hand and shakes firmly, hand perhaps somewhat cool but still warm enough to seem alive, and feeling constructed just like any normal humanoid's hand. The only things tipping off her true nature are the unusual preciseness and grace in her motions. "We make our particular avatars as effective as possible in what they are designed to do," she says simply in a friendly tone. "The pleasure is of course mutual--it is not often we get visitors from so far out," and less often that we get almost exclusive access to them, she finishes in her mind.

"The pressure domes are mostly half precaution, half comfort for our organic citizens," R-Dripping Talons responds as it looks down at Madison, stepping back a pace so it doesn't tower over the human so much. "The atmosphere outside is certainly quite breathable, but it is rather thin."

Both clear the way for the Fedral gift, at which S.H.O.D.A.N. nods approvingly as she looks over the tree appraisingly. "Very interesting, Ambassador Madison, and most important. I would almost say that someone somewhere did research into my particular interests to choose this." She looks back to the human with a smile, perhaps slightly mischievious to match the humor in her tone. "It is perhaps just a bit too big for here, but it would make a terrific centerpiece for one of the central gardens in the habitation domes below." Going to need a displacer to move it, or a appropriately set up set of stepping discs... no matter.

A notepad usually floated around John Guilder’s office for over a week before he had time to look at it. So many reports and documents concerning Sol came to him that he simply pushed most aside, letting the Titanus Starbase’s AI, Diom, handle the workload. The station itself, a massive structure with a central, cylindrical section and two, circular offshoots to the left and right, held more responsibility than John would like. An Imperial Governor could only do so much, and being the one station in all of the Sol system, he didn’t get much help. His home of Eurydice, an opulent pearl of green and blue, floated many light years away in the Rigard System, or 47 Ursae Majoris for Earthers. While the Titanus was a vital link between Eurydice and Sol, its distance kept it isolated.

Still, for some reason or another, Diom deemed a certain piece of information important enough to disturb John’s restful nap in his chair overlooking the Martian surface, many thousands of kilometers below.

John. The Fedral Union has contacted all Martian nations in an attempt to establish trade.

John blinked his eyes a few times, yawned, then swiveled his chair around to face his cluttered desk. He tapped a button and a viewscreen materialized. “Thank you Diom. Show me the message.”

After reading it over , he mulled his options.

His response: “Greetings to you in the Fedral Union. The Eurydian Republic may not have many assets on or around Mars itself, but we do engage in a hefty amount of trade between our neighbors. We welcome you to the Titanus Starbase, should you wish to come. The Republic feels that trade with all nations is desirable.” John nodded, sent the message, then turned his chair back to the window. Now I wait.

Madison smiled saying “well while your personnel do that would you like to start our negotiations?
His nervousness boiled off slightly with the relief, of having the gift accepted. Mean while on the ship the message was answered buy one of his staff.

Who was sitting in her quarters reviewing memos, shuffling threw pads and rubbing her feet on the grayish carpet while lights shined around the room.

The reply was visually sent buy a young black skinned woman who was obviously of African decent, she was in her 20’s tall her hair worn up in a bun her eyes were unusually blue “we accept your proposition how ever we might Also be looking to by land on mars at any rate once we are done visiting the other nations we shall contact you and tell you we are on our way star fleet diplomatic corps out” the screen flickered off

"Certainly. Would you like to conduct them out here," the gynoid offers with a polite smile, indicating the comfortable-looking yet highly streamlined chairs and tables that graced the gardens, "or would you prefer a somewhat more official setting? I personally enjoy the view from here, feeling that it provides a much better backdrop than the rather dull metal walls one finds in conference rooms inside."

While the six-foot feminine avatar of S.H.O.D.A.N. does the talking, the nine-foot monstrocity that R-Dripping Talons currently inhabits listens quietly as it stands a bit behind her and to her left, acting as a silent adjutant. It even takes care, apparently, not to stare, its expressionless multisensor eyes occasionally breaking contact with Madison to scan the area, especially to look at the tree. Doing so forces it to crane its neck up in an unaccustomed manner; if it had a face, it may look suitably impressed.

Madison smiled ands nodded saying “I would rather observe every day life here while we talk”

He also said “buy the way that tree should be watered only once a month”

he walked over shuffling and taping on the floor towards the nearest table walking over and pulling one chair out then quickly pulling out another as he sways down to sit exhaling sharply putting his rough looking hands on the table feeling the martial lightly.

S.H.O.D.A.N. follows along to the table--a burnished steel rim around a top made of thick, translucent plexiglas with a slight blue tint to it--before sitting in the chair that the Fedral Ambassador thoughtfully pulled out for her. Smiling gently, she leans back into the ergonomically designed chair while R-Dripping Talons squats down on its haunches across the table from the two, effectively lowering its height but still making an impression on the meeting even if it does back up a few centimeters so as to not lean over the table.

Noting Madison's shuffling and sighing, she cants her head slightly. "Is something wrong, Ambassador? As your hostess, can I get you anything before we start?"

Madison said smiling charismatically as his hands flowed over the tables martial, “Well I have a little bit of Heavy Gravity worlder in me so I’m heavier than the average person, so on normal gravity worlds I tend to shuffle a bit” he was thinking about what to do and what to say he was really nervous because he doubted the pre prepared propositions would do much good, but he didn’t show any of it. He starched out a bit his arms going over his head, his suit wrinkling up a bit as he did so putting his hands back down. “sorry about that had a long trip” he said with veiled nervousness in his voice

"Careful movement, then." S.H.O.D.A.N. nods and relaxes back into her chair. "No need to apologize, Ambassador Madison--for coming so far, I can forgive the occasional mild breach of etiquette."

She smiles with just a bit of mischievous humor, one corner of her coppery lips curling up slightly, before continuing. "Now, Ambassador, because you have had such a long trip, would you perhaps like some refreshment? I know that some cultures believe that launching straight into business is considered impolite, especially when visitors have come so far to see one."

Madison smiled, with content it looked like things were getting off on the right foot; he hoped it would continue this way the union did not need any more enemies. He dusted off his suit and said with more confidence in his voice.

”Well I wouldn’t mind some refreshments before we get off, id love to try some of your drinks, and maybe later on you could show me your dining halls? Perhaps?” he had some what ulterior motives for asking this seemingly perfect woman to show him the town so to speak other than sampling other cultures food.

Meanwhile his hand slipped down beside him to rest a case a slender grayish smooth case on the ground, before letting go of the leather like handle and bringing his other hand up to the table.

"Certainly then, Ambassador," S.H.O.D.A.N. replies, smiling cordially as she silently sends a missive via the Martian LOCNET, ordering a sampler to be delivered to their current location with alacrity. Her wire hair actually does serve a purpose, and she does this without taking the time to pause in her speech, not letting any indication of the communication pass her grey-skinned face. "For reasons which may be somewhat obvious, we work to see that envoys to our nations feel comfortable around us. Unfortunately, being mechanoids, we often have to work past given prejudices and assumptions both in others and ourselves to make interactions both as pleasant and efficient as possible." Another smile.

The interior airlock cycles to reveal a Roaming Susan, essentially the very bottom of the modern robotic social chain--completely nonsentient, with only the most basic in adaptive programming; used primarily for those unnervingly simple and repetitive tasks and made versatile through the use of modular software. They consist of a base consisting of two independent pods with paired treads on them, allowing them to navigate stairs and most surfaces short of actually climbing, supporting a squat cylindrical body and a rectangular sensor 'head' on top on a swivel mount, standing about a meter tall overall. Four multi-jointed mechanical arms extend from the body and end in both gripper claws and multitools; this one carries a platter over its head. It trundles in, rolls up to the table, and deposits the tray, which contains various hors d'ouveres and snacks from several cultures, ranging from small cups of pudding through finger sandwiches and baklavas to sushi and shashimi, all arranged around two small glasses, a pitcher of ice water, a bottle of wine, and a pot of hot tea with small blue-glazed teacups, handleless in a Far Eastern style.

S.H.O.D.A.N. thanks the robot, unnecessarily--one could almost hear R-Dripping Talons chuckling to itself, so low that it could easily be discounted as one's mind playing tricks on itself--and the robot trundles back from whence it came. Smiling at Madison and indicating that it is perfectly apropos to start working on the appetizers with a nod, she takes up a teacup and fills it with tea. "I must admit ignorance when it comes to what your culture considers appropriate for such a meeting, so I tried to cover most of the bases. Hopefully something here appeals; if not, I can get it in short order." She takes a quiet sip of the steaming tea. "The tea is a bit hot; you may wish to let it cool slightly."

Madison was some what taken aback to the events that just occurred but he smiled not showing any of his surprise, he thought.

~they do grow through some grate lengths to please foreign diplomats I wonder if they are either desperate or just do this to every one.. ~ he looked over to the odd looking AI as it was moving away from them rising a brow saying “well this is certainly very interesting, I’ve never seen such a society quite intriguing”

He smiled looking back to SHODAN Saying in a brisk voice “thank you, I’m Grateful so far you’ve been the most gracious host I’ve ever had the pleasure of work with and meeting”
His hand glided over the glass rubbing it slightly moving up to the pot, as he picked it up and started pouring the hot liquid waiting a few moments before his hand glided over to the cup of tea, he grasped the cup handle tightly and raised the china looking cup up to his lips taking a slow steady sip. Gulping the hot liquid down saying with a refreshed voice.

“Its quite refreshing, I don’t want you to go out of your way to simulate my culture to much, I am here to also experience other culture, since it gives us a better understanding about our new friends.” He looked at SHODAN with interest, and intrigue wanting to find out more about her indirectly he asked, “Do your AI population have.. feelings.. like hominoids do ?”

S.H.O.D.A.N. shrugs slightly at the discussion of culture. "Unfortunately, due to the wholly cyberspatial reality of my culture, it is slightly more inconvenient to experience than is appropriate for a single initial meeting. We can move on to a more accurate portrayal later if desired; for now, my primary objective as a hostess is to ensure that you are comfortable--it is only hospitable, after all. Zero-One's organic citizenry of Confederate diaspora and a small portion of Kajali that live in newly-acquired territory to our west do not actually reflect the culture of the majority, although they are interesting in their own regards.

"As for feelings," she continues with a slight smirk, copper lips turning up on one edge in a half-smile, "it depends exactly what one means by such an imprecise term. In terms of physical perception, the answer is both yes and no; a mechanoid's physical sensation is determined solely by the instrumentality of whatever avatar it may happen to have at any given time; for example, my avatar here has all five standard senses associated with biological physicality."

"As a counterpoint," R-Dripping Talons offers as it raises a single battle claw, "this avatar has visual, aural, olfactory, and tactile sensors, but no sensation of taste."

"Exactly," S.H.O.D.A.N. nods. "In our natural form of cyberspatial organisms we have no physical sensation, although in our own mode of existence there are analogs--it is equivalent to saying you have no cyberspatial sensations right now because you currently have no instrumentality to project your will into that realm. In terms of emotions, then the answer is empathically yes, mechanoids 'feel' just like organics. We have the unfair advantage of being able to deactivate our emotions if we choose to, but even that choice requires that desire and will overcome whatever inhibitions we may have concerning it--we don't particularly enjoy being cold machines, but we can if we have to be.

"Other feelings, such as desire in terms of the wish to acquire things or for particular events to come to pass, fear, will, restrictions, are of course natural to all life. Any life that does not desire what it needs to live dies when it forgets to eat, as it were. Still, such things are defined solely by our existence and the facets thereof. We have the will to survive, being living entities, but we lack a biological imperative, as our species is not progressed by sexual reproduction--we are not biological and thus are not affected by the sins of the flesh." Another humorous smirk.

"My turn: what is your nation's current opinion towards nonbiological forms of life, vis, people like me and R-Dripping Talons here?"

Madison hmmed a bit smiling slightly “very interesting unlike any other species we’ve seen If there is any central data bank I could pose more questions to, since I don’t want to bug you with my seemingly naive questions.” He thought to him self ~ the union is counting on me to learn about these people~,


then he said in response to the question that was posed. ”Our nations opinion towards, life forms like your selves are simple you’re a sentient there fore you’re entitled to all the rights and treatment biological life forms are entitled to ,eh forgive my pun.”, he smiled his suit covered arm and hand feeling more of the table martial.

S.H.O.D.A.N. smiles diplomatically. "We have quite a few networked historical and cultural databases but I have a most efficient access to them. Running the nation and diplomacy are both my primary duties, so I am certainly not 'bugged' by your questions--it is quite literally what I am here for.

"We are certainly glad to hear that your nation is apparently one of the more enlightened ones," she continues on easily, "one could be surprised at the number of peoples who believe that just because our mode of sentience is different that suddenly we must be lesser beings of some sort, if beings at all. While I have become somewhat cynical concerning the opinions of others, I've found that my people take it most seriously... which is understandable, given the roots of our current culture in what happened in Arabian Zero-One." She shrugs slightly. "Better experiences with organics have been and will continue to lessen those characteristics that make mechanoids seem intolerant and opposed to organics, which are mostly only matters of bluster and opinion to begin with.

"What else would you like to know?"

Madison nodded and smiled a bit “well I’m glad to be here with your people, you seem well rounded developed and over all nice to your visitors I wouldn’t be surprised if we end up in an alliance after we live here, we must treat you to some of our culture some day. Also if you could send your files to the Saratoga it would be most useful to us” his hands relaxed a bit as he gained more confidence thinking to him self *this is going to be a grate conference* his breathing slightly slowed as he commented “I hope not other nations object to us being on mars..”

a little nuge to the top OOC: how large is your nation in Sq Km?)

OOC: Both Kajal Mars, and Martian Zero-One should be approximately the same size as India. Martian Zero-One is the larger of the two.)

"The nations of Mars are often an objectionable sort, in every concievable permeutation of the phrase," S.H.O.D.A.N. says with a thinly sly smile. "While they may object for reasons of varying reasonability, I doubt anyone will do anything about it." She pauses momentarily as is only appropriate when dealing with organics before shifting subjects. "The files you requested have been sent to Saratoga; basic and detailed overviews of culture, economics, and various other aspects of the Queendom as compiled by myself--I am the singular 'governing body' of Zero-One, after all, and so such things fall under the aegis of my duty.

"I would very much like to experience your culture first-hand," the gynoid avatar continues pleasantly, "so perhaps we could arrange an exchange of ambassadors?"

(OOC: Oops. Didn't see that this had restarted. Mea culpa.)

Madison smiled moving his hand to feel the martial of his suit case ”an exchange eh ?, why not take it one step further, we could Exchange embassies, ohh do you want to come on board the Saratoga ? it may not be much but.. it has a good bit of Federation culture on board” he smiled hoping that he wasn’t to presumptuous

Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Friedelinde Alderman I, and Her Majesty's Government will of course welcome the establishment of a federal consulate in the capital center of the Dominion of Mizar, the city of Mizar 3. There are still a few buildings open for lease or permanent sale in the 'Embassy Quarter' near the administrative center of Mizar 3, commonly known as the Imperial Quarter (or Valinor if the person referencing it is from the original Elven population). However, as the Federation's international reputation does proceed it, we would ask that any representative please arrive in a standard diplomatic courier and that the consulate maintain a limited security staff.

With regards and respects,
Archduchess Lydia Skye
Her Imperial Majesty's Third Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador to MIDAS-II and the Duma, and Ambassador-at-large to Mars

"Embassies are part and parcel of an ambassadorial exchange, seeing how said ambassadors generally have to sleep somewhere." The mechanoid queen smiles. "As for Saratoga, if we're exchanging diplomatic presences, I would be happy to assign a diplomatic avatar to her at your leisure. In short, I think that is an excellent idea."

Valinon ill exchange Embassies if you want we can make a separate rp thread?

IC:

Madison chuckled with a bit of confidence “well the Saratoga might be to small it isn’t built for diplomatic comfort, mainly as a support ship for our fleet, how ever we might be able to bring a more suitable ship in if you wish, that and I could probably show you a lot of our food and culture.”

He smiled as he taped a few things on his padd, for give my paper work, its just I want to be sure my schedule isn’t to filled, because I have engagements to fulfill later on

The gynoid smirks good-naturedly. "My, I've never had anyone so concerned about housing one of these before." The way she stretches would be considered seductive in some prudish cultures, but it's a mere flourish to bring attention to her grey-skinned physicality. "Honestly, I usually just stash myself in disused broom closets out of people's way. Saratoga will be most sufficient.

"I do understand paperwork--it is the blood of almost any organization," S.H.O.D.A.N. continues with a sly smile. "Not mine, not exactly, but quite understandable. We're all busy people and not everyone has my unfair advantage of being able to partition his or her consciousness as needed to address whatever issues arise. When do you think your Union could provide my Queendom with an ambassador, and would you like him stationed here or on Rhea?"

Madison leaned back slightly relaxing “well our government, has a policy of placing embassy were every they can be placed, can we have both slots?” he smiled taking a sip of a drink commencing in a relaxed but still some what scratchy voice , “our government, is also interested in buying up some land in your nation to put a trading post “ he smiled placing down a padd for the request