NationStates Jolt Archive

The date was twenty-ninth of October, year 79 of the Universal Century, when the 608th Technical Evaluation Unit was given yet another new highly experimental gadget, as the Alfheim's captain had so aptly murmured to the officers present on the bridge of the ship as it had been on its way towards the location the experiment was to take place in. The Alfheim itself was an aging transport vessel, one that had been highly modified for the purpose of trying out these often originally scrapped experimental weapons and other experimental gear often in live battle conditions. Indeed, the Principality was feverishly searching for anything it could use against the Federation.

It was just another routine testing of a new defensive system, or so they had said right before saying that this system was the one that was supposed to turn the tides of the war to a more favorable direction. The ship had rendezvoused with a small patrol fleet, which was in a location closer to Mars than to Earth, which was to unload the earlier item they had evaluated and install the new one onto the vessel, and then the fleet would remain close by to guard the ship until the test is finished. The location had been chosen due to the importance of the experiment - there was very small a chance of any Federation interference this far out from Earth. The Headquarters did not want this to leak out.

As the system was being installed, the captain, who sat idly on his post in the bridge, had an odd nagging feeling. This was too good to be true. His feelings were caused at least partly due to the secrecy of the engineers, quite obviously. None of them wouldn't answer any of the questions asked. All of the crew, the captain himself included, knew that it was supposed to be some kind of do it all shield against anything that the Federation - or the Principality itself for that matter - could throw at each other. So, if it worked as it was intended, there'd be nothing at the time the Federation could use to penetrate it. It would make Zeonic forces practically invincible - in theory.

A few hours passed. The system had been successfully installed into the vessel, and the time of activation crept closer. Still, they were some twenty minutes behind schedule. The captain, a man closing his sixties and eventual retirement, his slowly greying, short black hair hidden under his captain's cap, who also wore one of the Zeonic space suits without his helmet on - much like everyone else in the bridge at the time - looked suspiciously at the engineer lieutenant, who was busy with the final checkups on the bridge-side of the installation. Did they really know what they were fiddling with this time?

The feeling the captain had had from the beginning, that something would go wrong once they begin the test, only became stronger as the time for it to take place came closer. But it was for the greater good of the Principality, for their war of independence against the Earth Federation. Not to mention that he was a soldier, and it wasn't his place to question orders. And they wouldn't place his crew, his ship into needless danger, right?

Or would they?

The engineer turned towards the captain and saluted.

"All systems are go, sir."

The captain grumbled something incoherent. He put his doubts in the backburner.

"... And the Jormungand?"

"Ready to fire, sir. They're waiting for us to activate."

"Very well," he said and stood up.

The captain sighed heavily. The Special Ops' captain was with the Jormungand, so it was up to him to give the order.

"Begin the testing!"

"Yes, sir!" shouted an excited the officer stationed at the console to which the shield's systems had been attached to and typed in the execution command. Klaxons began to vail, armored doors were automatically shut and all the lights in the ship turned red as to signify the beginning of the experiment.

And so it began.

At first, with a lot of crackling, a transparent white bubble began to surround the ship and it seemed to remained stable, but it was supposed to be kept up for at least half an hour until the experiment would continue to its next phase.

But just as everyone's anxiety began to lessen, and some began to feel triumphant even, something went horribly wrong.

The bubble began to crackle and expand uncontrollably, until it surrounded every single ship in the vicinity and then some. They couldn't evade it - it was expanding too quickly. At the same time, the device itself had begun to gradually break down. Any and all attempts to shut it down failed.

After several minutes of expansion the bubble seemed to stabilize - but it wasn't quite true. After just a few seconds it began to surge with blinding lightning and for a while, it turned opaque, and in quick succession, the device blew up, causing a(n easily controllable) hull breach, and the bubble dissipated.

The captain, still stunned, looked at the engineer lieutenant, who was in a state of utter shock.

"... Lieutenant. What just happened?"

"Uh... I'm not sure, sir... That wasn't supposed to happen!"

The captain nodded as he sat down. He knew that everyone and their dog would now know where they were. The white ball of light must've caught some attention.

"We can't afford getting attacked now. Increase the surveillance!"

"Captain!"

He turned his face towards one of the officers on deck - the one in control of the sensors, in fact. A woman in her thirties. Or so.

"What?!"

"There aren't any Minovsky particles present, sir. Although before..."

"What does that mean?"

The woman shrugged.

"As it is, we don't know."

"And what about our surroundings, then?"

"The fleet is still here, sir. Jormungand is, too. But... Beyond the Jormungand, closer to Mars, there seems to be a lot of some kind of interference."

"What do you mean, Lieutenant Commander?"

"Well, sir, there seems to be a massive amount of ships in orbit of Mars, but that can't be right..."

"Get me a visual on that," the captain said, interrupting the lieutenant commander again, "We can't afford dismissing anything as 'interference' right now."

"Roger," she said, and started typing something.

All he could think was, what the hell was going on.

Hm... That's odd... thought the bridge officer idly watching the screen at the sensor console. "Um, lieutenant? I think this thing might be bugging out."

"What? Nonsense. This ship isn't even five years old. How could the sensors be 'bugging out'? We haven't even seen combat yet." countered the lieutenant, who was currently the ranking officer on the ship's bridge.

"Well, I'm reading a ship quite a ways off the bow to port. It wasn't there a second ago, and I'm not reading any stray tachyons from FTL in the area." responded the condfused officer.

"I see. Maybe you just missed it. Take a look at the logs."

"...No, still nothing. It just showed up."

"Move aside and let me see..." snapped the lieutenant as he sat down at the console, skimming the logs. Satisfied, he stepped back and allowed the sensors operator to sit back down. "Well, I suppose that we'd ought to take a look. Helm, change to course two seven zero."

"Aye..." muttered the helmsman as he turned the ship's archaic wheel.

To Alfheim, the frigate (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Kusanagi_class_frigate) closing in on them was of no class that they had ever seen. Her large guns, gun arrangement, hull lines, and dark blue paint implied a Federation origin, though the red, black, and white insignia painted in several prominent places on the hull was hardly a Federation emblem.

"Captain! We have visual contact! Putting on screen!"

A live feed of the ship coming towards them came upon the largish "main" screen in the ship's bridge, and the captain watched it in a state of slight bewilderment.

"Is that a new Federation model?! ... Its insignia is different... But better not risk it."

He turned to the comms officer.

"Tell the fleet to gather around us. And get that Jormungand here, too! We're like sitting ducks out here if it turns out there's a Federation presence around Mars now!"

"Yes, sir!"

But a lone ship? Why would the Federation send one ship to engage a fleet, even if it's a small one? And the insignia... Just what the hell is going on here?

"Entering visual range, Lieutenant." announced the sensors officer as the Zeonic ships came into view. "It looks like there's a grou..."

"...What? Am I seeing this correctly?" interrupted the lieutenant. "Are those... Musai?"

"I think so, Sir. And a Chivvay. Size and power readings indicate that those are models from the Zeonic War of Independance, not the upgraded units we used until the Generation Two rearmament..."

"But what could they possibly be doing here? It's been hundreds of years since the war ended." questioned the lieutenant.

"I think I may have the answer to that, Sir." said the man working the communications console. "I think that those may be the Zeonic test group that dissapeared late in the war. I remember reading a magazine article on it. Nobody ever found any debris or survivors, and they never met up with Axis or the Oldmobiles."

"But how could they be here -now-?" snapped the lieutenant.

"Well, time is a fickle mistress. Maybe they were playing dice with physics and lost. The only way we can find out for sure is to ask them." proposed the comms officer.

"Very well. Hail them, or whatever it is you do..."

On the two 'ears' that extended from the side of the bridge tower, a pair of powerful signal lamps flashed a message in plain morse code.

"ATTENTION ZEONIC SHIPS.
...WHAT IS THE CURRENT DATE?"

"Morse code, huh," uttered the captain almost silently as he watched the blinking on the incoming ship.

The communications officer turned towards him.

"What, captain?"

"You can see what they're doing, am I right?"

"Yes."

"And you can read it just as well as I can, am I right?"

"Yes..."

The captain sighed.

"It's obvious they know who we are, so we're at a disadvantage here. But why are they asking about the date? I wonder..."

The officer spoke up, interrupting the captain.

"Could that mean...?"

"I DON'T KNOW. It could mean anything."

He turned towards the Lieutenant Commander.

"Any new data on the interference around Mars?"

"Yes, captain. They're unidentifiable classes of ships, battle platforms, satellites, debris and so on. I don't know how it's possible, though."

The Lieutenant Engineer seemed to perk up, as though it was his cue.

"Uh... I might know what we're experiencing."

Everyone turned to look at him.

"And what might that be?" asked the captain.

"Well... It's all theoretical, of course, but it's possible that we were dislodged from our timeline. Or forced into the future or in the past. Or a combination of those."

The captain shook his head in dismay.

"... So in other words, nobody had any idea if the system worked or not, but it was brought up for live testing anyway?"

The Lieutenant nodded shallowly and said, "Yes, that's about it."

"So that's why they're asking," the captain murmured.

"Anyway," he turned towards the comms officer, "Tell them to identify themselves. If the answer's satisfactory..."

"Yes, sir!"

And so, the Alfheim's own signal lamps flashed in reply:

"TO UNIDENTIFIED VESSEL - IDENTIFY YOURSELF."

"Hm. They didn't answer the question. Shall we answer theirs?" questioned the comms officer.

"Do what you will. They're of no threat to us."

"THIS IS FF-1734 'BALANCE POINT' OF THE BRYN SHANDERAN SPACE FORCE.
REPEAT: WHAT IS THE CURRENT DATE?"

"Never heard of any 'Bryn Shanderan' space forces," said the captain as he turned his head to face the Lieutenant Engineer, "I guess that theory of yours might be closer to truth than I'd want it to be."

The Lieutenant stayed silent.

"Captain," the comms officer spoke out, "Shall we answer to them?"

The captain scratched his head. Well, his cap, more like.

"Sure. Can't see what harm it could do."

The comms officer nodded and turned back to the console.

"ZERO ZERO SEVENTY NINE UNIVERSAL CENTURY, NOVEMBER, EIGHTH."

"...November eighth? Wasn't that during Odessa?"

"I think so. Sir? We're comimg into the range of any Minovsky Particles. Density is at... Zero."

"Lieutenant, I've found the data on the missing ships in the database. There isn't much, since it was one of Zeon's black projects, but the ship in charge of the mission was the support ship 'Alfheim'. They were testing a shield or something. The data isn't specific. I suspect that much of the data was destroyed before the end of the war to prevent it from falling into Federation hands."

"I see. Without M particle interference, the radios should work. Hail them."

"Hailing."



Balance Point calling Alfheim.
This is Lieutenant Cordell, executive officer of Balance Point.
I believe I may have some bad news.
Do you copy?

"Captain, they're hailing us."

"With what?"

"They're using radiowaves. The lack of Minovsky particles..."

"Yes, yes, I understand, patch them through," the captain said and listened.

He looked down for a second, after which he closed his eyes and sighed. Then he opened his eyes and raised his head up again.

"... I'll reply to them now."

This is captain Messner of the ship Alfheim.
Reading you loud and clear.
What news would you be talking about?

"Well, Captain Messner, the Zeonic war of independance ended some four hundred and fifty years ago. I'm afraid that everyone that you've ever known and loved is dead and gone. Worse, the Principality lost the war."

Several decks below, the ship's two Zaku were hastily readied in the ship's cramped hangar.

Hmm... Uh oh.

The captain hastily stood up.

"Tell the fleet to ready its Mobile Suits! If we lost, it's possible that they're what came after the Federation AND that they might turn hostile! We can't take any chances!"

He turned his face towards the Lieutenant.

"Looks like you were right. We're in the future! Any ideas on how we could get back?"

"Uh... Not at the moment," the Lieutenant muttered, "The system broke down. It can't be repaired."

"Well, if we live through this, we'll find a way. Some day."

He sat down to his seat.

So we lost? Well... Can't let it get to me. Can't let anyone fall into despair just because of that. We need to get back... Maybe we can change things.

"Patch me through again."

Well, well. We figured as much, although the Principality losing is indeed news. Does that mean that you are the follow-up of the Earth Federation? The big question is, do you intend to fight us?

"No, we're not allied with the Federation, or even descendants of it. Nor do we intend to fight. In fact, a few years after the war ended, our king became the leader of the then pacified Republic of Zeon. As the decades passed, the Federation eventually fell to entropy and other powers began to rise on the Earth, as well as Mars and the other planets. Though Side Three is very much intact, it and Sol are nothing like when you dissapeared."

The lieutenant took a moment to pause and assess the situation.

"However, the past few hundred years are far more complicated than I can explain here. Perhaps it would be best if you went with us to our Martian colonies where it would be easier to explain."

A small, cylindrical object, roughly two meters in length, flitted towards these new arrivals from Mars. It bore a (barely) visible emblem of the Federal Intelligence Office, subsection DEIMOS.

The probe in particular, was nothing special. At one end was a miniaturized gravitic drive, the result of several decades of work and recent collaboration with allies, and at the other was the bulk of the probe's sensory equipment.

All the methods with which to observe an object were present, and if the probe's little reactor, which sat in between the sensor array and the gravydrive, were to supply enough power, it might even be able to take snapshots of cross sections of the craft it was currently tasked with observing.

Of course, being all of two meters in length, the reactor was a standard minifusion stack, and though not particularly powerful, it was efficient.

And since the probe is the size of perhaps a missile, it is not exactly the same scenario when it goes into high-distort flight to approach an object.

Upon ceasing near-relativistic flight (which was all too brief), the probe begins to observe these new arrivals, and the all too well known craft that has deigned to greet them as "Martians", even though the most Shandii have ever done is fall over the horizon.

"Lieutenant, incoming contact. It's coming fast, and it's small. Could be a missile, but the trajectory indicates that it's probably a probe."

"Oh? Well, given that anyone friendly would have called and asked what was up, I'd say it's a safe bet that it's from one of those belligerent bastards on the surface. Lock onto the contact and take it out. If anyone really wants to see a period Musai, they can tour the 'Kaolla Su' at Mathilde."

Outside, the frigate's #3 turret, just forward of the bridge tower rotated quickly into position and took a single, computer aimed shot at the probe.

The destruction of the two meter long probe was recorded and logged, as the last bit of telemetry was pulsed back through a local satellite. The initial device had revealed, in detail far better than that available to satellites in geosynchronous orbit on the other side of the planet, what exactly had just popped into this particular existence.

There were larger probes available for use, though most were specialized for specific operations, and would not be of much use in this situation.

The largest probes in the Kajali arsenal, of course, weren't probes so much as starships themselves, and at over a hundred meters long, their slim forms were quite visible over Mars most of the time.

The new arrivals could probably see three to four of these automated scout ships in orbit at the moment!

One Alar-type scout ship, resembling, for all intents and purposes, a needle, dropped out of high distort flight in the same space as the probe. It was completely unarmed, the majority of it's systems devoted to the same purposes as the small device before it, though with some key differences.

This ship, unlike the probe, was a she, and she was also armored. Her entire body was, of course, a weapon, since the Alar-types had originally been conceived performing in the same role as Sunset ram-ships.

TRANSMIT:Widebeam
SRC: FKSS Shala

This is the Federated Kajali Scout Ship Shala to the unidentified vessels that recently appeared. Please respond.

To the Shandii vessel, a different hail went out.

TRANSMIT:Tightbeam
SRC: FKSS Shala
DST: BSS Balance Point

I respectfully remind you that firing upon Kajali assets is not an approved course of action. If I am fired upon I will be forced to call for support. Please understand that I would rather we just "all get along."

To: FKSS Shala
Sod off. This does not concern you. If you want to see these ships so badly, visit the naval museum at Mathilde.



Not too far away, the new battleships Tempus and Torm were participating in training excersizes, pitting their boarding crews against eachother in mock combat while a small fleet of escorts kept watch.

Shala held position, sending repeated messages on available bands while waiting for a response.

As she did that, a frigate, carrying diplomatic personnel, among others, approached. It was one of the Nightingale variants, and took up station with Shala and waited for a response from the vessels that were, apparently, Shandii assets.

The last transmission from the Balance Point would have almost been believable, if the ships hadn't appeared so oddly, and, for all intents and purposes, appeared to be the same age (or younger!) as the Balance Point, despite being purportedly discountinued for a long enough period of time to be museum pieces.

Over Mars, a task force was put on standby in the event that the Shandii opened fire.

This task force did include a Titan class vessel.

For a moment, captain Messner just watched the situation that was unfolding before his eyes in disbelief. But he could let himself do thus only for a moment - he was the captain, and the lives of the crew on his hands. He couldn't afford spacing out. He barked out commands to bring things back under control.

So, what had happened? Some unidentified missile-like item - although it was readily obvious for him and his crew that it wasn't an explosive device - had slipped in the middle of them, but these "Bryn Shanderese" space forces had still seen it as a big enough threat to go forth and eliminate it, causing mostly cosmetic damage to the Alfheim itself and one of the Musais. Damage control teams were sent forth to assess the situation practically at the moment the debris hit.

Plus now there were two Martian factions to worry about.

Once everything else was done or under way, they would first respond to the newer contact.

Transmission: Laser
To: FKSS Shala
This is the Experimental support vessel, Alfheim, of the Principality of Zeon, responding as requested. We have no ill will towards the peoples of Mars.

And then, to the "Bryn Shanderese" space force.

Good to hear. But your attack on the probe caused some damage this ship. We're currently checking the situation, but it shouldn't be that bad. But as such, at least until we have everything under control again, I cannot leave the ship.

I apologise, and offer to render any assistance that may be needed. If need be, repairs can be found at our asteroid base Mathilde in orbit of Mars.

Meanwhile, a junior officer was sent to wake the ship's captain.

Shala responded quite quickly, after conversing briefly with the mind of the small frigate that had arrived to accompany her.

TRANSMIT:Laser
SRC: FKSS Shala
DST: ESV Alfheim
ATT: mars.gdb

I have no doubt that, in the coming days, you will find that the peoples of Mars are just as varied, if not more, than those of Earth.

If it is permissible, a diplomatic team from the frigate Mirel wishes to meet aboard your vessel to discuss possible relations, and to possibly attempt to unravel the mystery of what has brought your group to Mars.

I am also transmitting the general database on Mars to you now. It covers, though not in great detail, the current nations of Mars, an abridged history of colonization efforts, and recent areopolitical events. Perhaps it will provide answers to some of your questions. If not, I can delve into specifics in areas that remain unclear.

Transmitters align.

SNDR: Augmented Technocracy Factory, Mars
DEST: Experimental support vessel Alfheim
MODE: RADIO (UNICODE)
SUBJ: Welcome to Mars!
MESG:

The Augmented Technocracy would like to welcome you to Mars orbit. We hope that you will find Sol a new and interesting place to live.

We would like you to know, for purposes of your own safety, that Mars is not named for a god of war without reason. Due to the frequent local conflicts - one of which you have already experienced - you may find yourself caught in the line of fire.

Our long-range sensors show your ships to be of an antiquated model and design. In the interest of fair play, we would like to offer a full suite of modern Quantum Dream Corporation shielding and power supplies as well as the latest Ajax Armaments sensors and ECM equipment to all your vessels, free of charge. We think that you will find modern equipment very helpful in your dealings with Martians and the Solar sphere in general.

Good luck, and please remember - if you need anything, just ask.

-Fido

The New Havenic Trondheim-class Destroyer INHV Pompona City and the Kusanagi-class Frigates INHV Kusanagi, Excalibur, Lancea Longini and the Fragarach emerged from hyperspace close by to the Tempus and Torm. Their orders, officially, were to monitor the exercise and to learn from the Bryn Shanderese battleships.

From the Pompona City, a FTL carrierwave was translated to radio and relayed to the Zeonic vessels via tightbeam radio communications.


TO: Zeonic Vessels
FROM: The Imperium of New Haven; Imperial Fleet Command

This is Commander Trotsky of New Havenic Imperial Fleet Command. Welcome to the future, and our utmost condolences for this incident which has brought you so far from your own time period.

We would like to warn you about dealing with the Kajali. We have dealt with them in the past and have found them to be... dishonorable. While we are not necessarily ordering you not to conduct talks with them, we are advising caution.

Good luck and may the gods be with you.

Sometimes knowledge just did not make unfavorable situations any better. Now there were four factions to worry about, some of which seemed to have some level of animosity between each other. Not to mention that the information, which was currently under review, given by one of the three suggested that there would be a great number more of them lurking on the planet. Clearly there was very little doubt left as to if the engineer's theory had been right or wrong.

Unless, of course, they were being lied to. But there was very little they could do even if it was thus - they were outnumbered and outgunned, not to mention outclassed by the ships in the region.

The captain had to take these things and many more into consideration. But if he was to keep his crew alive, and the crews of the ships that had been forced there with them... They wouldn't fare well if they were to defy the locals. They would do well to at least attempt to remain civil with each and every single one of the factions.

The shot fired at the unidentified unmanned craft by the Bryn Shanderian vessel had made him a bit weary of them. It had been in the middle of their formation... What if they had missed and destroyed one of the Musais instead? Luckily, though, so far it seemed that the damage was mostly just superficial. Some minor leaks had been found and taken care of with haste.

Then came the tedious time of responding again to whatever transmissions they had received. And they were more than aware that they would have to tread lightly.

TO: New Haven's Imperial Fleet Command
FROM: The Experimental Support Vessel Alfheim

This is captain Messner of the ship Alfheim. I thank you for your kind words and will take your caution into consideration - but as we have very little knowledge of the situation here, for the time being, we will do our best to remain neutral in any conflicts that are transpiring in the Mars sphere.

SNDR: Experimental support vessel Alfheim
DEST: Augmented Technocracy Factory, Mars
MODE: RADIO (UNICODE)
SUBJ: RE: Welcome to Mars!
MESG:

Indeed. On the behalf of this fleet of the Principality of Zeon, I, Heinrich Messner, as the captain of this vessel and the standing commander of the fleet, would like to thank you for your kindness.

Of course, we accept your gracious offer to upgrade our vessels.

Obviously the captain found the willingness of a country that has never even had any kind of relations with the Principality before to give them any gear for free was, well, strange to say the least, but no matter if it was just lies or not, it didn't hurt to be receptive to such offers. Anything that would raise their survivability...

And then it was turn for the Kajali. While they had been nice enough to give them an update on current and historic, at which he chuckled slightly, happenings on the planet, the captain felt reluctant to let anyone inside. At the moment, anyway.

Transmission: Laser
To: FKSS Shala

Thank you for the database. We are currently going through its contents. I'm sure it will prove useful.

As for your request for a diplomatic mission into this ship, Alfheim, I must regretfully decline, for the time being. The situation seems rather volatile and... Well. To be quite blunt, I do not know how these others in the vicinity would react to seeing them come to us. I hope you understand that we simply can not risk it. Once this initial confusion has gone past, I'm sure it'd be easier for us to discuss matters, with you and everyone else.

He sighed. Just one more. Just one.

Apology accepted. But as I said, the damage seems rather superficial. It'll take some time to patch everything up, but it's nothing we can't handle on our own.

Finally. Finally he was done.

At least, for the moment.

Super-power's Energy fleet was returning from Jupiter after successfully "mining" more Helium-3 to power the nations' Minovsky reactors, when the radar picked up ships in the vicinity of Mars. To avoid a potential collision the carriers and escorts disabled their Minovsky Drives which allowed them to travel at relativistic speeds.

The captain aboard the lead escort ship, the Reinforce Junior-class Athena, immediately recognized the Kusanagi-class frigate as one of Bryn Shander's ships, from a previous encounter during one of Super-power's show-of-force exercises. It took him another moment to recognize the ships from the aged Zeonic fleet, however.

"What are these Zeonic ships doing here? That war ended centuries ago...and it appears that along with Bryn Shander, ther are additional factions involved here."
"Captain, one of the Zeonic ships appears damaged, though it looks like Bryn Shander is offering them supplies," reported one of the Athena's technicians.
"We should extend a hand to the Zeonic vessel, since we still have to clear past these ships if we want to engage the Minovsky Drive again," the captain replied.

From the ship's bridge, the captain out a transmission to the damaged Zeon frigate:
Attention damaged Zeonic frigate:
This is Captain Asher of the Athena, an escort ship for Super-power's energy fleet. Do you require further assistance?

"There's just no end to this," grumbled the captain silently, after which he turned to look at the engineer and said outloud, "This situation is turning ever stranger from our point of view. By every passing moment your theory becomes more and more plausible. I had my doubts, but considering the sheer amount of ships detected in orbit of the planet, the contents of the database we received and this growing number of contacts..."

The engineer nodded, shortly after which the captain sighed deeply once more and turned his head towards the comms officer.

"Well, guess I'll need to talk some more."

Attention Athena:
This is captain Messner of the vessel Alfheim. We have the situation under control. You needn't worry about us. Well, unless you could supply us with some fuel. Our Papuas' tanks are almost empty. We can't offer much in payment, though.

Imperial Fleet Command transmitted another message quickly, unaware of the current communications regarding resupply.


This is New Havenic Imperial Fleet Command. We are inquiring as to your fuel status and supply status. We are prepared to dispatch an emergency refueling vessel with Helium-3, as well as ship fresh fruit and vegetables as well as meat and dairy products to supplement your supplies, should you choose to accept. We await your reply.

The captain scratched his cap again in slight bewilderment. That was awfully well timed. But the willingness of these Martians to help them was making him a bit paranoid. People just aren't usually all that altruistic. Quite the opposite, actually. What was going on?

But considering the situation they were in, he knew that they weren't in any position to decline any offers to help, even if they'd turn out to be flat out lies. Declining would lower their chances of survival. Time for another reply, then.

Our resupply vessels are nigh empty of any supplies at the moment, and since we have no source for them as it is, we accept your offer to help.

Reponding to Zeonic Detachment's request, one of the Jupritis (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/gundam/seed/tsiolkovsky.jpg)-class Helium-3 carriers moved into position to resupply the Paupa-class vessels. The engineers then detached the fuel tanks which they would transfer over to Zeonic Detachment for refueling. For expediency's sake, the energy fleet would use Super-power's mobile suits to carry the fuel tanks.

Before deploying the mobile suits, Super-power sent an additional communication to Zeonic Detachment, to assure them that the mobile suits would be deployed with a peaceful intent:
To speed up this fuel resupply, we're going to send out three of our mobile suits to carry the tanks over to you. Understand that we mean you no harm, and that the mobile suits we are sending are specifically for noncombat purposes
The M1a Astray, despite their growing age and now outclassment by Super-power's line of transformable Z Plus MS, still found use throughout all of Super-power. They started making their way over to the fuel tanks.

"Hmh. I still don't understand why these people are so readily helping us. It makes no sense... Unless..."

The comms officer turned towards him.

"Unless what, captain?"

"Nothing," said the captain and shook his head, "Let's just play along until we actually have gotten somewhere and secured our position. Even if their 'altruism' is worrying, I don't know why they would want to sabotage us, either."

He raised his head and looked at the monitors.

"Tell one of the Musais to send its Mobile Suits to rendezvous with the ones bringing us supplies. No need for them to come all the way to us. Preferably the one closest to them."

"Roger," replied the comms officer and turned back to the console.

"And now I'll..."

Attention Athena:
Very well. Note that we're sending a few Zakus to meet with your Mobile Suits, so that they can take the fuel tanks from yours and continue to carry them to our resupply vessels. I hope this is satisfactory.

Soon after the transmission had been sent, three Zaku IIs emerged from one of the Musais, with two more coming out a while later.

"So it looks like Zeonic Detachment is going to send out their mobile suits to rendezvous with ours...not a problem," said one of the Astray pilots. Zaku IIs? Wow, I've only seen them in museums and history books, she thought to herself.

Carrying the fuel tanks, the three M1a Astrays made their way over to the rendezvous point and waited to hand the tanks off to the Zaku team.

OOC: Still without a permanent network connection, so I may not be able to reply to this for a while yet still.

IC:

The Superfreighters Laborer and Worker's Pride emerged from hyperspace in proximity to the Zeonic Detachment, broadcasting civilian IFF codes and transmitting a message. The large 5km long superfreighters were throwbacks to before the current New Havenic calendar, just before the Second Interregnum.


FROM: I.N.H.V. Laborer
TO: Zeonic Vessels

Imperial Fleet Command has authorized us to conduct resupply on your vessels. We're transmitting our flight plan and information on our current stocks. Due to our size, we recommend that you dock with us. If you are currently performing refueling, we ask that you complete your refuel before docking with us. Do you copy?

SNDR: Augmented Technocracy Factory, Mars
DEST: Experimental support vessel Alfheim
MODE: RADIO (UNICODE)
SUBJ: A note
MESG:

A few of our officers have pointed out that you might be (rightly) suspicious of our motives in offering you such a substantial gift.

Simply put, we are motivated by advertising. Our products are, at the moment, not widely bought through the Martian sphere, and we think that, after seeing our products in action, Martians will be more motivated to buy them. Also, altruism is generally percieved as being good for buisness.

-Fido

end

Among the many features of Mars that may have been new to arrivals from several centuries past was a ring system.
It was wholly unnatural of course, as could be determined simply from the fact that it existed in high orbit, far beyond the Martian moons and out of the way of the majority of traffic related to the surface nations.

It was from this ring that another radio message originated:
To the commander of the ship Alfheim, we represent Guild Phoenicia of the Intrasolar Republic of Spacer Guilds. We see that you have already had contact with several other Martian nations, and are undoubtedly aware of the fragile and complex military-political environment, especially with regards the obtaining of land should you wish to settle on the surface. As a generally neutral party in Martian politics, we are interested in meeting with you to discuss the possibility of trade for our mutual benefit. Assuming suitable payment can be arranged, we will be able to provide you with temporary living space for your crew, some measure of raw materials and fuel supplies, and assistance in the construction of your own orbital habitats should you wish to retain independence from other polities.
Several of our ring cities are available to recieve a delegation should you wish to accept our offer. Please indicate whether you would prefer to provide you own transportation or have one of our transports retrieve you.
~Peisenor of Tarsus

Not much after the Astrays had stopped, the group of Zakus reached them, and as had been agreed, took the fuel tanks off them and then began to move back to the Musai they had been launched from, right after the lead of the group of Zakus had thanked them in morse code.

On Alfheim, the captain only had the choice to resume his replying of the multitude of transmissions they were receiving from a growing number of Martian factions. Massive ships had appeared right next to them as well. It was painfully obvious that they would do well to remain neutral in this situation.

And so, he started once again. Sure, it was tiresome, but it had to be done.

FROM: The Experimental Support Vessel Alfheim
TO: I.N.H.V. Laborer

Yes, we hear you loud and clear. We are in the process of retrieving some fuel from another faction, but we can send our own resupply vessels, as it is, to dock with you whenever possible.

SNDR: Experimental support vessel Alfheim
DEST: Augmented Technocracy Factory, Mars
MODE: RADIO (UNICODE)
SUBJ: RE: A note
MESG:

And that is indeed a good point, and as I stated earlier, we accept your gracious offer. But, if I may be so bold, I would wish to inquire as to how do we execute this? Could we send in a few of our vessels with as many of our engineers in them as possible, whom you would teach how to install and operate this new equipment, and then they would continue on to install the same equipment onto the other ships?

As for the newest transmission... It came forth from the rings of Mars, which had not been there back during UC0079, when they had come to the location, and he hadn't noticed them until now.

The fleet, having been stranded the way it was, had very little to offer in ways of payment. The captain knew this, and he thought it was quite readily obvious that they were all military, so the only thing they might have is, well, military gear. And he wondered, what on Earth might these spacers want from them?

And so, he once again replied.

This is the captain of the vessel Alfheim. We have gone through some of the database on the Martian sphere we received earlier from another faction, and yes, we understand that the situation is... Complex. While we do accept your invitation, I must stress that we are strictly a military contingent and as such... Well, I'm sure if the payment you spoke of is within reason, we shouldn't have a problem with it.

As for the issue of transportation... We would do it ourselves.

~ Captain Messner

SNDR: Augmented Technocracy Factory, Mars
DEST: Experimental support vessel Alfheim
MODE: RADIO (UNICODE)
SUBJ: RE: RE: A note
MESG:

That method should work. Attached are the coordinates of our installation on the surface. If you'll send us some basic data (fitting space available, power requirements for your equipment, comm protocols, etc), we can begin fabbing parts for you right away for you to pick up once you can get down to the surface.

Good luck with the swarming groupies in the meantime.

-Fido_

(OOC: Apparently, the forum software won't allow you to post a message entirely surrounded by square brackets. How strange.)
Tarsus to Alfheim, we recommend you approach Tarsus or Baalbeck, position of the latter to be transmitted shortly. You are clear to approach either target at your earliest convenience.

Payment for whatever goods or services you require is completely negotiable. It is our belief that everyone has something to trade.

~Peisenor of Tarsus

As the captain reviewed the transmission from the Augmented factory, he immediately ordered the Engineer Lieutenant to leave with his people - and every other engineer-type in the fleet - for several of the Musais, and to use their Komusais to take the people to the coordinates given in the transmission.

And so they did. Slowly, but steadily, people in normal suits began to flow from Alfheim and in lesser numbers from the other vessels to the designated Musais, which, as soon as crew members no longer moved to and from them and the Mobile Suits in the Komusais had been launched to escort the ships, began to advance towards a point in orbit which would be optimal for sending the Komusais from.

But there was one slight problem, one that needed to be addressed before anyone could be sent onto the planet.

SNDR: Experimental support vessel Alfheim
DEST: Augmented Technocracy Factory, Mars
MODE: RADIO (UNICODE)
SUBJ: RE: RE: RE: A note
MESG:

We now have several ships in approach vector, and the information you requested is being sent as a laser transmission to you as we speak... But, there is something we must speak of before our people can come down to Mars. You see, there is one problem with our Komusais, the shuttles our engineers will be using. They require some kind of boosters to be able to leave the planet's gravitational pull again, and since we weren't exactly expecting to find ourselves out here, we aren't equipped with such. Would you happen to have anything that could help alleviate the situation?

And then he needed to respond to the Spacer Guilds.

Alfheim to Tarsus, roger. Once everything is in order, we will come to the designated coordinates. There are still some other issues to take care of. I hope you understand - the situation we are in isn't exactly optimal.

~ Captain Messner

SNDR: Augmented Technocracy Factory, Mars
DEST: Experimental support vessel Alfheim
MODE: RADIO (UNICODE)
SUBJ: RE: RE: RE: RE: A note
MESG:

We should have something in our database that would make a suitable booster for your shuttles. If you have the specifications for the original booster on hand, they would be helpful in determining a suitable solution.
_

The captain laid his head on his left hand, his elbow resting on the armrest of his seat. Specifications for the booster? It's not like they had schematics or anything lying around... It's proven technology and everything.

He thought about the issue for a few minutes, until it occured to him. For a moment he rose his head and then put it back in his hand.

"Comms officer," he said.

"Yes, captain?", was the reply.

"Send a laser transmission to one of the Musais. We need some scans of the Komusai's pilot manual. Everything that might look like specifications on the booster and its connecting mechanism, the works."

"Yes, sir."

And so the comms officer did.

After a few minutes, the officer spoke out again.

"Sir, I now have the scans. Ready to transmit whenever."

"Good, good. Let's get to it, then."

SNDR: Experimental support vessel Alfheim
DEST: Augmented Technocracy Factory, Mars
MODE: RADIO (UNICODE)
SUBJ: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: A note
MESG:

Since we lack any kinds of blueprints of the Komusai and its peripherals, we're sending certain parts of the Komusai's pilot's manual in hopes that it'd help you manufacture the needed parts in some way as a laser transmission as we sent the earlier information.

SNDR: Augmented Technocracy Factory, Mars
DEST: Experimental support vessel Alfheim
MODE: RADIO (UNICODE)
SUBJ: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: A note
MESG:

Excellent. We're checking the database for an engine with a stuitable thrust and size right now. The first copy should be fabbed and ready to go within the hour. How many shuttles do you need them for?
_

As the captain once again was about to reply to the Augmented transmission, the Musais which had been sent forth were already beginning to launch the Komusais, and anyone watching would notice that the bow of the Musai was actually the shuttle.

SNDR: Experimental support vessel Alfheim
DEST: Augmented Technocracy Factory, Mars
MODE: RADIO (UNICODE)
SUBJ: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: A note
MESG:

Ah, for five. They will probably have to return for more equipment later on, since they aren't exactly spoiled with size. I guess that's it for... Oh yes. Right. The techies sent us a question when they heard that you would give the Komusai something that would act like the booster... Would yours happen to be reusable? ... If so, they requested if you could build a dozen of them, for every Komusai we have in this fleet. If it's not too much to ask.

SNDR: Augmented Technocracy Factory, Mars
DEST: Experimental support vessel Alfheim
MODE: RADIO (UNICODE)
SUBJ: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: A note
MESG:

Aye, we can make them for all your shuttles. Five units, twelve units... Not much difference really. Yes, they are reusable- they need recharging every 4-5 lifts however.

ATTACHMENT: ENGINE SPEC

Engine Type: KYRUU GRAVRAM VIII
Engine Fuel Primary: STORED ELECTRICITY (40x CLOSED LOOP SUPERCONDUCTOR CELL TYPE F)
Engine Fuel Secondary: SCOOPED ATMOSPHERIC GAS (3x RAMSCOOP INTAKE)
Engine Fuel Tertiary: COMPRESSED HYDROGEN (6x PRESSURE CANISTER TYPE D)
Engine Method: SCOOPED ATMOSPHERIC GAS IS ACCELERATED AND EXPELLED BY SMALL GRAVITIC GENERATOR
Note: scooped gas can be replaced by compressed gas canisters connected to intakes, reduces cargo capacity by up to 1/4
Warning Labels:
CAUTION: HIGH ENERGY EXHAUST WHEN IN USE
CAUTION: HIGH ENERGY SUPERCONDUCTOR BATTERY INSIDE
CAUTION: ACTIVE GRAVITY FIELD WHEN IN USE
_

The captain was stroking his not-too-imposing beard bemusedly.

With those, they wouldn't have to think how they would enter and exit planets for now. The regular boosters had been of the discardable variety, so these were immensely better. But where would they have the space for these new ones, though? Well, they'd have to think of something. They were too great of an asset to be just thrown away. They had sent a laser transmission to the Musai, which were supposed to relay it to the Komusai. He wasn't sure if they managed to do it, but they would find everything out on their own anyway. Probably.

He figured he'd better reply once more.

SNDR: Experimental support vessel Alfheim
DEST: Augmented Technocracy Factory, Mars
MODE: RADIO (UNICODE)
SUBJ: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: A note
MESG:

Roger. That is good to hear. The techies will be ecstatic about that, I'm sure.

And with that, the Komusai had begun to land at the given coordinates.

"Captain, there's a laser transmission coming in."

"Put it through, then."

The slightly bored captain perked up a little. The transmission was coming from one of the Musais.

"Sir," the man on the screen said, clad in a normal suit. The only way to tell it really was a man was his voice.

"What is it?"

"The Komusai have landed, everything's running on schedule."

The captain grinned widely.

"Good news. Feel free to tell us again when the Komusai have returned."

"Roger and out."

With that, the transmission was cut.

Finally things were looking up.

This, of course, would have been the truth if there actually had been anything waiting for them down on the coordinates given to them on the planet. Now, it seemed, that instead of receiving any kind of equipment, they had several Komusai stranded with no way of defending themselves. Added to that, it was obvious that war was breaking out within the Martian sphere.

To say that it made the captain of Alfheim nervous is a gross understatement.

"It seems the situation here is worsening," he said to those on the bridge with him, "I hope we'll get out of here ASAP."

"Sir," uttered the comms officer.

The captain turned his head towards said officer.

"What is it?"

"... The Komusai are reporting that there's no one there."

"... What?"

"There was no one waiting them down on Mars."

A distinct sense of panic crept into the consciousness of the captain.

"... Oh my God. Order the Musai to come back to the fleet! We have no time to lose! If they target us, we're doomed!"

"But what about our people on...?"

"We can't do anything for them now! ..."

He took a moment to take a deep breath and to regain his composure.

"... Once the Musai have returned we'll start asking for help."

"Yes, sir."

There's a war and we're caught right in the middle... I knew there was something wrong with the whole deal, but we couldn't just say no, even if it had been the right thing to do...

He sighed.

Can't do anything about it now. Survival takes priority.

"Sir, the Musai have joined the rest of the fleet."

"Good, good..."

The captain looked at the floor momentarily in thought. He sighed, and then glanced around the bridge.

"But I think we'll restrain ourselves from trying to get help from these Martians. We're in this position because of them to begin with."

He looked around, and the crewmen seemed to agree. Shallow nods here and there.

"So, what we'll do instead is..."

"Captain!"

He looked at the monitor. The face of an overly excited and young ensign filled it from side to side. As it happened, he was also one of the few engineers left behind due to his juniority.Not to mention his obvious habit of disregarding his position.

The captain was obviously irritated by this kind of behavior.

"What now?"

"Sir," said the man, "We've found a way to get our people back!"

"Oh?"

"Yes," he said, nodding, "We managed to find some of our boosters lying around here in the back."

The man's face disappeared from the monitor momentarily, during which time the captain could see live feed of the cargo hold of the Alfheim.

"Hmm."

The captain seemed to obviously perk up.

"Yes, of course! We DID have some of them. Some were brought over a few months ago and we never used them."

"So, what..."

"We'll get them to the people stranded planet-side, of course," said the captain as he cut the connection.

"Comms."

"Yes, Sir?"

"Send an order to the Musais which came back. They are to transport the newly found boosters to the Komusai on the ground. I don't care how they do it, only that they do it, ASAP."

"Very well, Sir."

"Oh yes, and tell our Mobile Suits to transport those boosters to the Musais."

The comms officer nodded and continued typing.

This better work.

When the high command had sent him, his crew and the small patrol fleet to escort them, they probably hadn't foreseen what was to happen. Indeed, they were all military, none of them were, in any way, trained in first contact situations. None of them were diplomats, they were career military. But they had been trained to adapt, and luckily enough for them, the elderly captain did have enough common sense and courtesy when it came to responding to these totally unknown powers.

So far, at the very least, they all still had their lives, which was certainly a positive side in the issue.

But, as it were, as far as the Principality of Zeon knew, there weren't any other sentient species around here... Or anywhere, than the human species. But in this time, this place this relatively small group of people had been thrusted into, there indeed were others - even if they weren't fully aware of this as of yet. Indeed, it had not been a human mind which had found it necessary to trick them to send their people onto the planet to be stranded there, even if only momentarily, and cause even more problems for them.

But one thing they had managed to do was that the captain no longer saw any reason to trust the word of these Martians. He had come to the conclusion that the fleet would return to Earth.

There was no reason for them to stay at Mars.

And just then, his train of thought was disrupted.

"Sir."

"Yes?", he muttered, with his eyes on the floor.

"The operation was successful. They are saying that of the Musai was slightly damaged, but other than that everything went well."

His gaze rose up and he began looking at the comms officer.

"This is good news. Tell them to rejoin the fleet again. I'll give more orders then."

"Aye, sir."

Soon enough they would be able to leave this place behind.