"And So It Begins" [Archive]

Ma-tek

24-04-2003, 00:21

Si Ling I was sweating profusely. The Great Palace of Ma-Nenya - over two thousand years old, the site was - was a great building, to be true. Thousands of acres of land spread aroundabout... yes, indeed. A great building.

A great Palace, indeed. But... Si Ling did not find it thus today. No. Rather, he found the corridors dark... dank... foreboding. Today he went Beneath.

It was said, and had been said, that every Emperor recieved the Summons at some stage. Yet there had been no report of it in the last five centuries of the Old Empire-

Si Ling cursed under his breath. Who knew what lurked under the Palace?

A twist, a turn, and the corridor ended with a giant, blackened door. Si Ling tapped on it, twice, as tradition demanded.

Some things are never forgotten.

The door swung wide; no creak, no whistle. Just like new, as if it had only been fitted hours before...

...which was unlikely, considering the thickness of the dust coating the floor and the walls. Years and years of grime, building up...

Si Ling took a breath, and stepped inside.

"You were Summoned," the Voice intoned, its tones silky-smooth, yet hard and sharp... like honey spread over a knife.

"Yes," Si Ling replied, his voice trembling just a little.

And then came the question: "You know your Path?"

"My Path is yours to give," came the traditional response.

A leathery hand clamped on Si Ling's shoulder; he started, hand reaching for his sword hilt...

...only to find it was no longer there. He screamed, but could find no noise-

-and blackness descended.

* * *

Some hours later...

Si Ling I was sweating profusely. He... was elsewhere? A moment ago? Si Ling scowled, tossed himself over on the feathery-smooth spider-silk sheet, and went back to sleep, muttering, "Damned dreams..."

[OOC: Yay. Storyline thread.]

Ma-tek

24-04-2003, 00:23

Rialla ux-Rihad a-woke with a start. A dream...

She snatched at the details - which naturally skittered away, finding some dark and quiet corner of her mind in which to hide. It'll come back, if it's important, she reasoned.

Something... something about a hand. On her shoulder... Rialla struggled to stay awake, fighting the impulse to roll over and sleep, a tickling at her mind trying to tell her something...

Rialla slipped back into a slumber, snoring gently.

24-04-2003, 00:26

Whats going on here?

Its cool!!!!!

Ma-tek

24-04-2003, 00:33

'And he looked unto the land, and he said, "Yes. This we shall call home; we shall live herein, and thus we shall find our new Path. We shall call it Ma-Nenya; the First City."

'And he walked upon the land barefoot, and came to know it by the soles of his feet; and thusly he became strong, and a leader of men, for the land rewards those who treasure it, and love it as their own body.

'And he said: 'Yea, the land is good. It is fertile; the harvest shall be long, and plentiful, for as long as Nenyan feet tread upon this soil." And so it was.

'And he swam out into the Lake, and he tickled the bellies of the creatures therein, and befriended them; and they gave unto him gifts, and swore fealty to him; and forevermore the Lake was full of fish to eat, and the stocks would never run dry.

'And he said: "Yea, the water is good. It is fresh; and full of goodness. The light doth shine well through its murky depths; far the eye can see, and far the eye can range. For as long as Nenyan hands shall skip the waves, this Lake shall remain so, for it has sworn its oath, and we have sworn ours.

'And he wandered far and wide; and he spoke to the people therein, and gathered around-about a flock of like-minded not-Elves; and unto Nenya they were cast, forever linked to the soil and the Lake; for their Guardian they shall be; and in turn, the Lake and the Land shall be our Guardian, underfoot and underhand.

'And he looked up to the Sky, and he declared, "Yea, the Stars are good; for they have given us Nenya, the City, and we shall Eternally herein dwell.

'And so they did.'

~ Excerpted from The Book of The Stars, 51st Edition (abridged)

Ma-tek

24-04-2003, 00:42

Whats going on here?

Its cool!!!!!

[OOC: This a Storyline thread. :D I'll be running a plotline herein over the next week or so.... if you want to know what's going on, you'll have to read it! ;)]

Konania

24-04-2003, 00:45

[ ooc:

<--- enjoys storyline threads

<--- Thinks Ma-tek should be invited to Lodoss' storyline board

:ooc ]

Ma-tek

24-04-2003, 00:53

Bao Ling I was not asleep. Nay. She rarely sleeped, if truth be told - the whole concept was somehow... lazy.

Instead, she paced her lab, considering options. She was pouring over a display - of a promising new weapon, based upon directed sound. A glorious device to behold - it would set up a special sonic waveform inside any object that happened to be in a vacuum. The sonic wave would reverberate ceaselessly, shifting back and forth. The effects were supposedely devastating - with nowhere to go, the sonic wave would crack the hull of the ship asunder from the inside, splitting it open... and naturally, destroying said ship in the process.

In theory, at least. Not a blasted model built yet, she thought to herself with an internal scowl -

- and thats when she felt it. A surge - more sure than anything she had ever felt. Her brain screamed as the white-hot light lanced through it - Pain!

...and then darkness, blissful, silent darkness fell.

Yet it was not silent. Bao could hear... something... in the darkness. A muffled, quiet voice... and then another. Si Ling! she shouted - or thought she did - wildly, reaching out with hands that she suddenly did not possess to grab at a man that was not there -

- and she was back in the lab, in the most undignified position of laying flat on her back. Thank the Stars that nobody walked in, some part of her disturbed mind murmoured, even as she ran for the door and the mag-lev train that would carry her to Si Ling, her love - who surely was in pain...

Ma-tek

24-04-2003, 19:31

...but he wasn't, it would seem, as she darted into the Imperial Bedchamber, her slippered feet slapping against the floor as she runs.

Nonetheless, she calls, "Si Ling!"

And there is no response. She halts, her head cocking. Si Ling never sleeps deeply...

Minutes later, doctors surround the Imperial bedside. "A coma," one of them was explaining to the Queen, "but we don't know what's causing it, exactly-"

She barely heard the rest. It was all medical jargon, anyway - most of it information she could call up in an instant, from Sarah... But it made no sense. The Emperor was Nenyan; with all the good health that came with it.

Time flew as she stood, silent, statue-like by the Emperors bedside. Diagnostic equipment had been and gone; the results would come back with the doctor, she knew. Semi Ran had visited, she thought - she vaguely recalled his voice in her ear, begging that she issue some statement or other, or at least properly authorize him to do so. She thought she had waved him off - although she couldn't be sure. Her eyes rested on her husbands rising and falling chest, and she sighed, finally moving. Quietly, she dragged a chair to his bedside, and sat, silently still; her hand moves to cup his head, while the other gently squeezes the Emperor's own limp hand.

She sighs again, capping it with a deep, worried breath in... leaning forward to gaze upon Si Ling's unmoving face.

And so she sits, and waits, silently.

* * *

The Emperor must regretfully call off all public meetings until further notice.

~ High Lord Commodore Semi Ran

Menelmacar

24-04-2003, 19:44

OOC: Ooooh, mysterious plotline-ness. And a remarkably alive Rialla. This is all very very good... want more, yessss, precccioussss... :mrgreen:

http://image1ex.villagephotos.com/1431815.jpgLady Sirithil nos Fëanor
Elentári of the Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar
"If it is to be war between us, it shall be war to the knife and the knife to the hilt."
~Foreign Minister Duke Paolio, The Outlands
Clicky-clicky! We Love The Iraqi Information Minister (www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com)

Ma-tek

24-04-2003, 19:52

Menelmacar

24-04-2003, 19:56

OOC: He hasssss more... and weeee wantssss it! :mrgreen:

http://image1ex.villagephotos.com/1431815.jpgLady Sirithil nos Fëanor
Elentári of the Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar
"If it is to be war between us, it shall be war to the knife and the knife to the hilt."
~Foreign Minister Duke Paolio, The Outlands
Clicky-clicky! We Love The Iraqi Information Minister (www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com)

Ma-tek

24-04-2003, 20:39

So many Paths! Leading everywhere and nowhere, through the labrynthine corridors of a mans mind - where to go, Consciousness buzzed to itself. It had no idea - there were too many ways, too many decisions to make -

- downwards, underneath, it shrank, frightened into a shell by the input of a thousand voices wailing in unison -

- a thousand voices which were not there, and never had been.

Consciousness expressed its confusion at this, but it was no good; the voices ignored him - since when was he a he? - and remained as silent as they always had been.

Another contradiction; and Si Ling - yes! that was his name - railed against it, crying, this place makes no sense!

The Voice responded, sending shivers down a spine that Si Ling could not feel:

Nothing does.

Jondera

24-04-2003, 20:48

this is interesting. Would you mind if I copied it all into a Microsoft word file and kept it?

The Territory

24-04-2003, 20:53

The Territory

24-04-2003, 20:54

OOC: He hasssss more... and weeee wantssss it! :mrgreen:

The Mammut 4 shock tanks and power-armored Guards surround the treehouse.

"You are surrounded! Take that ring off and come out with your hands in the air!"

"Uh, Baas, Ma-tek storyline on the telly."

"Ah, OK. Get me some coffee and make sure the crazy Elf's telly stays functional. No way is she leaving the set."

"But Baas..."

"Shut up. Watching Ma-tek plotline thread now. Get coffee. And a bagel."

The Territory

24-04-2003, 20:54

Ma-tek

24-04-2003, 20:54

this is interesting. Would you mind if I copied it all into a Microsoft word file and kept it?

[OOC: Sure.]

Ma-tek

27-04-2003, 15:30

Si Ling wandered through the desert of his own desolation; nothing, but nothing made sense here; the Voice had confirmed that much. Corridors stretched off to he left, his right, and before him. Yet none led backwards. A curious state of affairs; but Si Ling was calmer than before, now, and so he chose one at random.

His legs-that-were-not carrying him surprisingly well, considering their lack of existance, Si Ling wandered onwards, and noticed to his shock that the corridors - twisted, oddly shaped things that they were - appeared to have images on the walls...

...hundred of faces, screaming, writhing in agony...

Your future, the Voice informs.

Si Ling stumbled at that; his future? Impossible! Yelling: No!

Si Ling 'runs' for it, stumbling down the - screaming, agonistic faces whirling around him - corridor, barely able to see for the eyes that lock onto his, boring into his - the pain! - soul, shearing into his spirit and bearing it to... to...

...whatever this place was.

Mercifully, the unconscious Si Ling loses 'consciousness' amongst the maelstrom - a state that no doubt will arise to yet more confusion when he awakes.

* * *

Si Ling, in the real world, twitches slightly. Bao Ling's breathe catches in her throat for an instant - is he awaking?; she still stays by his bedside, despite the invasion. Or perhaps because of it. She clutches his hand with one hand, holds his head with the other; gently, she leans down and whispers reassurances in his ear, her cheek brushing his and letting loose a single tear that just moments before had escaped her eye.

The tear rolls, unimpeded, down Si Ling's silent, unmoving face.

Ma-tek

01-05-2003, 00:30

Si Ling 'awoke' to the maelstrom much as he had 'left' it; the voices still screamed their anger at him, from aroundabout - but somehow, it was all more tolerable, now.

The Voice remained; its presence, now, was almost tangible; drawing him inexorably onwards, to wherever the twisted and insanely angled corridors lead.

His footsteps, oddly, echoed louder than the voices of the angry screams; yet his clothes did not rustle, or make a single sound. This slowly ate away at him, undermining the calmness that had built during his 'rest'; threatening to turn him into a quivering, sobbing wreck...

...but the feeling subsided; now, at the end of the corridor, the end was in sight. Through the opening, a stone wall surrounding a pale white light; the wall appeared to be opening, slowly - but fluidly, as if it were made of water.

Si Lings eyes stared at the sight incredulously, despite the oddness of his surroundings, and yet forward he forged, quietly gaining confidence with each step.

And as he approached, the wall opened; and the Light of the Voice was revealed; inside the semi-circle stone wall that remained were three white orbs, reminiscent of the old Three Star Sigil of the defunct Nenyan Empire, each pulsing with a quiet yet intense life of their own...

Ma-tek

01-05-2003, 00:35

'And so, after the fullness of time, it came to be that the Stars did fulfil their pact with Arda, and they did enter the ground by the way in which they had came; as the Purity, and the Valour, and the Fury. And the Fury supplied vitality to the Empire, and made it strong; and the Purity gave it honour; and the Valour gave it the strength to endure. And endurance, strength, and honour became the centrepiece of the Empire.

'And from their Holy Home within Arda, the Three Stars did live their days, and did look upon the Nenyan Empire; and they did decree that it was good.

'And unto each and every Emperor their judgement, and their guidance, they did bestow, as it was promised they ought for ten thousand years...'

~ Excerpted from The Book of The Stars, 51st Edition (abridged)

Osutoria-Hangarii

01-05-2003, 00:39

'And so, after the fullness of time, it came to be that the Stars did fulfil their pact with Arda, and they did enter the ground by the way in which they had came; as the Purity, and the Valour, and the Fury. And the Fury supplied energy to the Empire, and made it strong; and the Purity gave it honour; and the Valour gave it the strength to endure. And endurance, strength, and honour became the centrepiece of the Empire.

'And from their Holy Home within Arda, the Three Stars did live their days, and did look upon the Nenyan Empire; and they did decree that it was good.

'And unto each and every Emperor their judgement, and their guidance, they did bestow, as it was promised they ought for ten thousand years...'

~ Excerpted from The Book of The Stars, 51st Edition (abridged)

LOL you got the abridged version! You cheap loser! :lol:

Ma-tek

01-05-2003, 01:10

'And so, after the fullness of time, it came to be that the Stars did fulfil their pact with Arda, and they did enter the ground by the way in which they had came; as the Purity, and the Valour, and the Fury. And the Fury supplied energy to the Empire, and made it strong; and the Purity gave it honour; and the Valour gave it the strength to endure. And endurance, strength, and honour became the centrepiece of the Empire.

'And from their Holy Home within Arda, the Three Stars did live their days, and did look upon the Nenyan Empire; and they did decree that it was good.

'And unto each and every Emperor their judgement, and their guidance, they did bestow, as it was promised they ought for ten thousand years...'

~ Excerpted from The Book of The Stars, 51st Edition (abridged)

LOL you got the abridged version! You cheap loser! :lol:

[OOC: Yes. That was too funny for words.

Or... are you really that ignorant?]

Ma-tek

02-05-2003, 00:41

The Three Stars swirled around Si Ling I, and for the first time since he had entered this place of insanity, he felt calmness. Vitality. Strength. It grew within him, like a flame fanned by careful gusts of air from a doting tornado; softly, gently, the Stars reassure him in their odd little way.

Finally, they settle before him - well, not exactly settle, so much as stop moving. Quietly, they hang in the air before him; and now they are still, it becomes clear that they are three different colours: a soft, vibrant blue that does not appear to know exactly which blue it is - but then, the exact shade of all of them is shifting, in a similar manner. The second is a pale green, most of the time; the third is yet another shade of green, but with bronze and blue gently shining through beneath the shimmering veneer of...

...Si Ling jumped with a start. That hurt. His hand had reached out (I have a hand?, part of him wondered in an abstract way), unbeknownst to him, and had come into contact with the First Star.

It was clearly the first; it was slightly higher than the others. And it was it that said;

You shall not touch us. But we shall touch you, if you will it.

It was the Voice; but it lacked something; an edge, a variance in tone...

You will this? - the second asked.

Why should I?, Si Ling questioned dubiously, a hand moving (instinctivley) to a sword hilt that does not exist.

Do you wish to live?, the third requests.

Without hesitation, Si Ling cries, "Yes!"

With his voice. The world swirls; a voice in his head vaguely states, 'Then it is so...'

...but this place is slipping away, even as the Stars swirl into Si Ling, suffusing him (but not subsuming him) - yet his mind loses the thread, and the thread unravels - and in the real world -

* * *

Si Ling I awakes with a start. And immediatley demands, "By the Stars, what am I doing here?"

Ma-tek

03-05-2003, 01:00

<bump>

Ma-tek

07-05-2003, 23:17

Si Ling sat quietly, reflecting. He didn't exactly feel different, after his... experience... but he didn't exactly feel the same, either. And apparently, he didn't look the same; he had gained about an inch in height, but had a more compact look about him; older, somehow. And he had definitley gained grey hairs, and additional wrinkles.

But that was all secondary. He felt suffused; but not so. It was somewhat like he had been stabbed with a knife that did not exist; the pain was there, but when looked at, it scuttled away to some other place, and hid.

Very strange.

Si Ling sat quietly, reflecting.

* * *

She tapped twice on the old oak door that lead into the Imperial Bedchamber. Rapped might be a better word; Rialla glances in annoyance at her (now bruised) knuckles as the door swung open.

Bao Ling motioned her in quietly, a worried crease formed in her forehead.

"You spoke to him?"

The Queen's eyebrow raises slightly, in a manner almost-tic-like, as she asks that question.

Rialla nodded her head slowly as she replied; overnodding, they call it in Nenya. "He was," she searches for the word for a few moments, before finally settling on, "different."

The Queen nods her head, once. "Yes. We should do it. Tonight. With the coma..." Her voice trails off.

"Yes," Rialla replied tonelessly, her pale amber eyes slightly widened with... alarm? Or fear? Or some combination of both, more likely...

Ma-tek

20-07-2003, 19:21

Some time later... (now)

"The Empire announces that it is restarting the old digs that once took place under the Palace in Nenya. We are most interested in what might be found there (after the last expedition was sadly cut short by the opening of Nenya to the public), and ask our allies to send geologists, archeologists, and xeno-biologists/biologists to aid us in this great endeavour."

~ Queen Bao Ling I

imported_Sentient Peoples

20-07-2003, 19:39

We will of course send a team to assist our allies. When would you like them arrive?

The Federation of Sentient Peoples.

Ma-tek

20-07-2003, 20:03

We will of course send a team to assist our allies. When would you like them arrive?

The Federation of Sentient Peoples.

As soon as possible, please. They will be cleared for landing at Nenya International Airport - we have prepared one of those 'runway' things for conventional aircraft.

~ Queen Bao Ling I

[OOC: NOTE: This will be GM'd by myself. Rawr: my word is law.]

imported_Sentient Peoples

20-07-2003, 20:07

[OOC: K. I'll have to come up with some names and such.... So it'll take me a while.]

Ma-tek

20-07-2003, 20:17

[OOC: K. I'll have to come up with some names and such.... So it'll take me a while.]

[OOC: Coolness.]

imported_Sentient Peoples

20-07-2003, 21:11

The Territory

21-07-2003, 16:57

OOC: Placeholder.

imported_Sentient Peoples

21-07-2003, 23:11

GnOoLoCoPeLep

21-07-2003, 23:19

OOC: I thought elves didn't sleep...

imported_Sentient Peoples

21-07-2003, 23:21

OOC: I thought elves didn't sleep...

OOC: *wonders about the stupidity of this statement...*

EOTED IS NOT elves......!!

Ma-tek

21-07-2003, 23:31

A brief transmission arrive in Nenya. "The Federation scientific team will be arriving shortly."

**************

Quite the opposite of what the EOTED flight controllers might have been expecting, the flight did not come from the southwest.

Instead, it came from directly above.

Apparently, unlike the President, this team had no difficultly with space travel.

An unarmed 'Big Buffalo' dropship fell from the sky, purchased lightly on its anti-grav abilities.

The seemingly uncontrolled descent stopped a meter above the tarmac, as the dropship settled lightly to the ground with barely a sound.

The rear hatch opened.

And fifteen people walked out, followed by a number of pallets carrying equipment. The pallets appeared to follow on their own.

As soon as the final peice of baggage had been removed, the dropship's hatch closed, and it staggered back into the sky.

The people waited, trying to figure out who they were meeting....

They are met, perhaps surprisingly, by six people in what appear to be IDF Intelligence uniforms. Bronze in colour; ornate blue sash running right shoulder to left hip, three blazing Stars upon the right chest segment of the sash, and two eyes above each Star.

The lead officer - denoted by the fact that he stands in the lead, at the most - bows slightly and speaks in a low, trilling Nenyan accent. Shelbattanic accent, actually, but it's doubtful that the Sentient Peoples persons would be aware of that fact.

"Greetings. Impressive landing. If you'll come this way, we have a Fancy waiting to take you on to the Palace. Small variety, I'm afraid - the Palace is just a hop and a skip from here. Figurativley speaking, of course.

"However, I'll need to see identification - normal passports will do, if you brought them. If not, you'll need to remain here until we can verify things correctly. Security is tight. Our reasons remain our own, for now. No offense intended."

He also speaks very curtly, very concisely, and in a very no-nonsense manner.

[OOC: PAUSE. Let's wait a few beats (well, days) and see if any other interest is expressed. Then, onwards. Others will be able to join mid-way, as it were, as there will be other threads (linked to from here) blaring news about the dig, as it will be BIG news in the Empire. Without giving too much info away, of course.]

GnOoLoCoPeLep

21-07-2003, 23:35

OOC: I thought elves didn't sleep...EOTED IS NOT elves......!!

I have to start paying better attention.

imported_Sentient Peoples

21-07-2003, 23:44

[OOC: umkay...I'll just post who they are then, i.e. hand-over ID. But later.]

imported_Sentient Peoples

22-07-2003, 03:28

An older man in a gray business suit steps forward to greet the agent.

"I am Professor Daniel Croft, from Vanderbilt Univeristy, in the Federation of Sentient Peoples. These are my associates."

He extends his hand, and in it, a small folder containing each team members' ID chip.

The chip contains personal identification records, such as genetic map, retinal prints, and finger prints, and identifying features. A holo is included, along with a brief record of the person.

These chips are probably the most valuable thing a Federation citizen will ever own, since without them, they cannot do anything.

Some of the information included is thus:

Senior Professor Daniel Croft, Ph.D.
Age: 58
Physical Description: Slightly taller than the average, fit for his age, dark brown hair slightly graying around the temples, gray eyes. Wears lightweight glasses as a matter of course - refused to have corrective surgery.
Notes: Team Leader. Head of Archeology and Anthropology Departments at Vanderbilt University. Also holds a Ph.D. in general history. Primary fields of study, Ancient and Primative Cultures.

Professor Lara Jackson, Ph.D.
Age: 31
Physical Description: Taller than average, attractive and fit, long black hair, blue eyes.
Notes: Member of the Archeology Department at Vadnerbilt University. Specializes in Ancient Civilizations.

Associate Professor Jason Jones, Jr., Ph.D.
Age: 28
Physical Description: Shorter than average, thin build, blond hair and green eyes.
Notes: Newest Member of Archeology Department at Vanderbilt Univeristy. Studies post-Roman Civilizations. Has Master's Degree in palentology as well.

Brady Thomas
Age: 20
Physical Description: Average height, average build, brown hair and brown eyes. Fades into a crowd.
Notes: Top student in Archeology at Vanderbilt University. Earned position on team through enthuiasm and grades.

Chris Farneti
Age: 19
Physical Description: Shorter than average, slightly overwieght, longish brown hair, blue eyes. Scar on right cheek.
Notes: Student partner of Thomas. Somewhat lacking in the grades department, but seems to have real skills.

Professor Lisa Hyrtec, Ph.D.
Age: 41
Physical Description: Average height and build, shoulder length red hair, green eyes.
Notes: Senior member of Geology department at Vanderbilt University. She developed a special 'look-down' radar system that can show geologic levels, without digging.

Professor Gemort Day, Ph.D.
Age: 37
Physical Description: Average height, slightly underfed look, thin dirty blond hair, brown eyes.
Notes: The other member of the Geology department.

Frank Daniels
Age: 18
Physical Description: Average height and well muscled appearance, dirty blond hair, freckles, green flecked eyes
Notes: The Geology Student. It's not of big interest in the Federation.

Professor Hillary Thompson, Ph.D.
Age: 34
Physical Description: Slightly taller than the average, considered to be attractive, blond hair, blue eyes
Notes: Experimental Genetic Biologist. Also specializes in palentology.

Professor Jack Hardy, Ph.D.
Age: 47
Physical Description: Average height, slightly overweight, bald with dark eyes, possibly black.
Notes: Loves all plants, especially dangerous ones.

Jason Lee
Age: 19
Physical Description: Average height and build, black hair and eyes.
Notes: Biology Student with excellent grades. Few social skills.

Jessica Bourne
Age: 20
Physical Description: Tall and thin, attractive, curly shoulder length brown hair and blue eyes
Notes: Biology Student with minors in History and Quenya, Cheerleader, Over achiever.

Indiana
Age: N/A (1)
Physical Description: Tall. Medium Build. Brown hair and eyes.
Notes: With the recent explosion of the Alpha-level AI, or EI, population in the Federation, they have had to find work. Indiana chose to work with the Historical Departments of Vanderbilt University.

Matthew Mayhew
Age: 25
Physical Description: Tall, heavy build. Well muscled. Short Brown hair and blue eyes.
Notes: Part of the VUPD. Ex-military.

Mark Harris
Age: 26
Physical Description: Taller then Average. Well Muscled. Short Blond hair and brown eyes.
Notes: Part of VUPD. Ex-military.

S-14

23-07-2003, 02:16

Ma-tek

23-07-2003, 23:23

"The Empire announces that it is restarting the old digs that once took place under the Palace in Nenya. We are most interested in what might be found there (after the last expedition was sadly cut short by the opening of Nenya to the public), and ask our allies to send geologists, archeologists, and xeno-biologists/biologists to aid us in this great endeavour."

~ Queen Bao Ling I
Aboard the bridge of the massive S-14 colony vessel, life continued as usual ever since the end of the Norm War. The OverCoordinators crouched on their ellipsoid couches, reading situation reports from across the vessel and keeping a compound eye or two on situations that may require attention.

"Fascinating," SciCoordinator 50945 mused, thoughtfully preening her blue antennae, "an archeological dig."

WarCoordinator 73102 buzzed her red maxillae in a scoff. "I know how ancient history interests you, but we have bigger threats than holes in the ground right now."

"I think you misunderstand," SciCoordinator chuckles, "as this may be a very interesting hole in the ground. Remember the reports from our crew who visited the EOTED vessel Retribution?"

"Vaguely. They dropped off an amputee, a robot, a near-cripple, and a basket case. So?"

"They have an entire culture based around an image very close to our captain's rank insignia. An insignia that has lost all meaning to us except as a simple picture."

"I think I see where this is going," tiny TechCoordinator 41383 chirps from her pod, "if we share the same picture, then they may have the same source."

EngCoordinator 86597 taps her red antennae together. "That simple little picture was passed down to us by the Norm. So if they got it from the Norm..."

"How could they, though?" TechCoordninator clicks quietly. "We were the colonization force, leaving the rest of the Norm behind to die."

"We invented an FTL drive during our <time period approximate to six million years> flight with our limited resources," the EngCoordinator clacks proudly, "and with the resources of the Home Cloud at their disposal the Norm could have invented it long before we did."

The Mini ponders for a moment. "Then why is there no record of the Norm either visiting us or the third-world?"

"A great deal of time, my small friend. We've lost all record of any true Norm culture, and the indigenous population of this system may be the same."

"Not only that," the Blue adds, "but if I were running a theoretical Norm FTL colony mission I would establish a colony on third-world first and then visit Alpha. There is no point in making contact with Alpha if there is no room to house it."

"True... true." The EngCoordinator nods. "This gives us a chance to not only possibly find relics of Norm technology."

WarCoordinator adds on to her Red sister's statement. "It would also ingratiate us with a third-world nation already on friendly terms. The less friends, the more enemies."

"Indeed, Red friends," AdminCoordinator 67321 clicks, "a bit too much emphasis on defense and technology and not enough on pure diplomacy, perhaps, but an accurate appraisal nonetheless."

"So, shall I open a link for you?" SciCoordinator leans forward to pull a small lever that will bring down the communications console in front of the AdminCoordinator.

"Wait a moment--they know our culture is segmented. If I contact, it will appear to be a diplomatic endeavour. You would be much better suited to ask about a mission of pure science." AdminCoordinator clacks her mandibles together in a chuckle.

"Well," the science-minded Blue pouts, "I am interested in the pure science."

"All the better reason for you to make the call," chimes in the Red WarCoordinator, "the easiest way to feint is to get someone who thinks it is the true push to make it."

AdminCoordinator clacks her mandibles again. "I do believe you're learning the finer points of diplomacy, WarCoordinator."

"Who said anything about diplomacy? It's good strategy."

***

#ComRelay : [S-14 Science Command] > [EOTED Science/Diplomatic Channels] OPEN#

We are interested in forming an investigative team to assist in your archaeological efforts. We must take advantage of any opportunity to acquire new data.

Also, given our particular physiology, we should be quite suited to investigating tunnels.

http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/nationstates/s14/blue2.jpg
SciCoordinator 50945 of the Blue Mother of Us All
Speaking on behalf of the Mothers of Us All
Alpha Colony Vessel (S-14)

#ComRelay CLOSED#

***

"Do you think they will find the last portion amusing? The comparison of our appearance to third-world social insects?"

"Our Most Ancient Mother only knows--I honestly think it's overly humbling. Select a team and make sure they get third-world xenocultural training."

Dejure hmmm'd quietly. He pecked at his keyboard, bringing up data on the S-14 mission - interesting name, considering the leading RISE officer involved, really, he mused - and grinned. It was, really, the closest he had ever come to laughing.

He nodded to himself. He had the authorization. He had the will.

And these... beings... had almost made him laugh. Sure. It would be worth it. Anyone who could make he, Dejure, Third Ambassador of the Great Empire of the Eternal Dawn grin - well. They surely had a great amount to contribute.

Yet-

He pecked at a contact with his little finger. "Highness," he greeted.

The - slightly tired looking - image of Bao Ling nods slightly. "What is it, Dejure?"

Very friendly, yes, Dejure pondered. Probably caught her sleeping. Old lady doesn't want to admit it, though, I'll bet.

Dejure emits calmly, "Did I catch you at a bad time, Highness?"

"No," the image informs him coolly, "I know what you're thinking. I wasn't asleeping. I do not sleep. You know that."

Sure. And I'm from Venus. "But of course, Highness."

He moves on. "I have a communique here from..."

Dejure makes a show of reading the communique transcript over; he doesn't need to. He knows full well who it was from and why it was from who it was from, and who relayed it from who it was from and when. Dejure blinks mildly at his passage of thought. "SciCoordinator 50945 of the Blue Mother of Us All, Speaking on behalf of the Mothers of Us All
Alpha Colony Vessel S-14. Or so the message says. Very long-winded. I sense a kindred spirit to the Empire."

This actually draws a smile from the Queen, which somewhat confuses Dejure. How was that funny? he wonders. Humour, as always, completely eludes the distinguished Ambassador.

Bao Ling, through white teeth, returns, "So?"

"Highness. They wish to involve themselves in the dig. Now, I know you said allies only, but-"

"It's fine. Agree, Dejure."

"Highness?"

Dejure, internally, was utterly bemused. Spacedy-ants, he had heard the S-14 bunch called - hence the grin at the remark at tunneling. Spacedy ants. Spacedy ants in the Empire. Spacedy ants in the Empire, who's ship had born a rather suspicious looking star. Things suddenly made sense.

The world - no, not the world - the universe, as Dejure had long suspected, was insane. Utterly insane.

Bao Ling's image sighed. "Just do it, Dejure. The Council would have no objections." The silent implication is: not if I tell them not to.

Dejure nodded. The image dissipated.

* * *

SciCoordinator 50945 of the Blue Mother of You All, Speaking on behalf of the Mothers of You All, Alpha Colony Vessel S-14, your application is accepted. We will enclose a set of co-ordinates for Nenya International Airport.

Uh. Do you have any special requirements? For landing, for example. Or will the temporary runway do? And, of course, for food and lodging? We, of course, would wish to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

~ Ambassador Dejure

S-14

24-07-2003, 01:07

SciCoordinator 50945 of the Blue Mother of You All, Speaking on behalf of the Mothers of You All, Alpha Colony Vessel S-14, your application is accepted. We will enclose a set of co-ordinates for Nenya International Airport.

Uh. Do you have any special requirements? For landing, for example. Or will the temporary runway do? And, of course, for food and lodging? We, of course, would wish to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

~ Ambassador Dejure
"Oh, thank the Most Ancient Mother, an endoskeletal with a short title."

"That's a first for us, isn't it?"

#ComRelay : [S-14 Science Command] > [Ambassador Dejure] OPEN#

Thank you, Ambassador Dejure. The EngCoordinator assures me that our standard transport should be able to land successfully. The EcoCoordinator says that there is no appreciable difference in the sustenance provided by our differing foods, so we will be able to accept whatever you provide. We can bring some inflatable temporary habitats if you don't have housing for us. Dealing with local customs is part of the adventure.

When would you like us to arrive, and what is the maximum party size?

http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/nationstates/s14/blue2.jpg
SciCoordinator 50945 of the Blue Mother of Us All

Speaking on behalf of the Mothers of Us All
Alpha Colony Vessel (S-14)

#ComRelay CLOSED#

"Here's the op," the Red WarCoordinator puts out her hands, "we get one of our TJE-equipped transports without the hypervelocity railguns, load it up with our teams and equipment, and jump into third-world orbit. Drop down on chemicals, insert the teams and offload the equipment, and pull back out to orbit, then a jump back to Alpha. Extraction runs the same way."

"This is an exploration mission," the SciCoordinator clicks, "not a raid."

"No, our cousin has a point"--the AdminCoordinator raises a clawed manipulator--"we want to limit outside exposure to our jump technology. How are the teams coming along?"

"They've been assembled... I'm still unsure how many to send. I asked for clarification."

"Excellent."

Xikuang

24-07-2003, 02:01

*bump*

(this is very good; I'll read it thoroughly when I'm not so bloody tired! Watched/bookmarked)

S-14

24-07-2003, 23:38

(OOC: Got it worked out over IRC)

Blue Coordinator 30834 promptly pasted the decal to her carapace, not bothering to try and read the alien characters printed on it. "So, what's this?"

The Red passing out the decals twirled its antennae in an analog of a smile. "Your new name."

#ComRelay : [S-14 Science Command] > [EOTED Diplomatic Channels] OPEN#

Following as broadcast.

http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/nationstates/s14/blue2.jpg
SciCoordinator 50945 of the Blue Mother of Us All
Speaking on behalf of the Mothers of Us All
Alpha Colony Vessel (S-14)

#ComRelay CLOSED#

An hour later, a wormhole opened for slightly more than an instant snaps shut, producing not only a prodigious amount of residual EM but also a tesseract-jump equipped S-14 aerodyne transport, looking like a cross between the standard segmented transport and a flying wing. Coasting into Earth orbit, it fires its forward chemical retros to lose orbital velocity, then turns around and fires its fusion drive to both decelerate and push the atmosphere out of the way during space/atmosphere interface transition. The craft levels up over EOTED and follows navigational data to the appointed landing area.

The wheels touch down and the wings blossom in a panalopy of air-brakes as three drogue chutes pop out of the tail-less aft. Rolling to the side to keep the runway clear, cargo doors open and Reds begin ferrying equipment out of the sides of the craft. Meanwhile, the aforementioned Blue Coordinator skitters around trying to find someone official. When she does, she bows her head and hands the official a slim hexagonal plastic folder. On the front, typed in both Nenyan and English, is a small card that reads "ROSTER."

"This is for you to become acquainted with my teams." The light gleams off her mirror-like compound eyes as a softly modulated voice flows from the cubical translator she holds between her mandibles. "I am Coordinator 30834 of the Blue Mother of Us All... but for ease, may be referred to as 'Ilrixxee.'" The translator lets out a sort of laugh as the blue insectoid taps the black-letters-on-yellow-strip decal on its thorax and it clicks its mandibles against the casing. "The names were randomly generated from syllabic data and mean nothing. We do not wish to accidentally offend."

***

ROSTER

Head Section - Command Group
Coordinator 30834 "Ilrixxee" - Blue - Overall administrative and scientific director. Knowledge/experience base: Administration and leadership.
Coordinator 15656 "Aydooz" - Red - Overall defensive and maintenance director. Knowledge/experience base: Strategy and maintenance organization.
Coordinator 93098 "Ouffio" - Mini - Overall technical director. Knowledge/experience base: Technical administration and systems integration.

Thorax Section - Operations Group
Each team consists of:
One Blue exobiologist (i.e. trained in third-world biology)
Two Blue scientists with archaeological training
One Blue geologist
One Red engineer and equipment specialist
One Red warrior, who also carries
One mobile Mini lab, consisting of six Minis in charge of small-component analysis
Teams:
Team One - Scientist 40696 "Oeyfo" - Blue
Team Two - Scientist 56996 "Yuhiubo" - Blue
Team Three - Scientist 52185 "Iebb" - Blue

Abdomen Section - Support Group
Security Detachment - Warrior 72033 "Ihockix" - Red
Twenty-four warriors armed with ultrasonic stunners deployable in six-drone teams.
Component Repair Detachment - Technician Los 99635 "Qyeelior" - Mini
Seventy-two Minis with microcomponent repair materials and equipment.
Engineering Detachment - Engineer 57172 "Exse" - Red
Twenty-four warriors with dedicated tunneling and habitation equipment.
Analysis Detachment - Scientist 81798 "Eukkoz" - Blue
Twenty-four scientists with portable computation and data collation equipment.

***

"We apologize for the size of our operation," Ilrixxee tones as an inflatable shelter begins to expand behind her, "but we are... how you say... nearly eight hundred billion kilometers from home and cannot necessarily call back for data analysis. We had to bring everything we need."

imported_Sentient Peoples

24-07-2003, 23:51

[OOC: Wish I knew how to make IRC work..... :( ]

Ma-tek

25-07-2003, 00:21

[OOC: Wish I knew how to make IRC work..... :( ]

[OOC: SP... you have mIRC? If not, go download it at www.mirc.com

Then, once ya put in all ya details in the menu thingy screen that opens when you open it (after you install it, obviously), just enter the command

'/server irc.freenode.net'

And join #nationstates.

If you don't know how to, I'll tell ya how to add the network to the list of networks in the connect dialogue box. Simple as that. :)]

The Territory

25-07-2003, 01:03

Breakfast table

A lot of decisions get made over tables in the Teritory. It comes with the rampant nepotism. Observe Senior Advisor von Saucken and (retired) General of Commandos Croft, both members of the First Family, sitting next to the shadows of fellow spouses Erwin Kavalier and Edward Cornell.

In all four's personal mindspaces, data and shadows flicker in a leisurely manner. Some data gets tossed between them.

<Croft: I'm pulling Wilkins off black ops and requesting Hanif Reynolds from TSA RD. Erwin, I want that Inca Manco fellow.>

<von Saucken: Lara, you had better not be trying to get him killed.>

Drinking and eating continues over the machine communication.

<Croft: No. I want his skills. Wouldn't mind his horrible death but this is about needs. Erwin?>

Kavalier's shadow slides a foot up Cornell's shadow's leg.

<Kavalier: Provided Tigra liaison gives us an alternate cover, yes.>

<Croft: Good. Also, I want a xenodiplomat from the Black. Ask Marie?>

<von Saucken: I am.>

<Croft: I'm sitting this one out if I can. There's a probable alternate relative of mine coming in from SP, and after that library incident I'd rather not risk meeting even a relative.>

"Damned headcases," says von Saucken empathically. "Especially that Greek nutjob."

The Mail

{Private diplomatic transmission}
x Renate von Saucken (Senior Advisor)
o Bao Ling I (Queen)

After conferring with my closest associates I believe that the Territory can send a team capable of providing worthwhile aid. Do I have your permission to order their dispatch?

Ma-tek

25-07-2003, 21:48

[OOC: UNPAUSE!

LET THE GAMES BEGIN! RAWR! And so on. ;)]

IC:

Nenya International Airport, Sentient Peoples Party: Arrival

An older man in a gray business suit steps forward to greet the agent.

"I am Professor Daniel Croft, from Vanderbilt Univeristy, in the Federation of Sentient Peoples. These are my associates."

He extends his hand, and in it, a small folder containing each team members' ID chip.

The chip contains personal identification records, such as genetic map, retinal prints, and finger prints, and identifying features. A holo is included, along with a brief record of the person.

These chips are probably the most valuable thing a Federation citizen will ever own, since without them, they cannot do anything.

Some of the information included is thus:

Senior Professor Daniel Croft, Ph.D.
Age: 58
Physical Description: Slightly taller than the average, fit for his age, dark brown hair slightly graying around the temples, gray eyes. Wears lightweight glasses as a matter of course - refused to have corrective surgery.
Notes: Team Leader. Head of Archeology and Anthropology Departments at Vanderbilt University. Also holds a Ph.D. in general history. Primary fields of study, Ancient and Primative Cultures.

Professor Lara Jackson, Ph.D.
Age: 31
Physical Description: Taller than average, attractive and fit, long black hair, blue eyes.
Notes: Member of the Archeology Department at Vadnerbilt University. Specializes in Ancient Civilizations.

Associate Professor Jason Jones, Jr., Ph.D.
Age: 28
Physical Description: Shorter than average, thin build, blond hair and green eyes.
Notes: Newest Member of Archeology Department at Vanderbilt Univeristy. Studies post-Roman Civilizations. Has Master's Degree in palentology as well.

Brady Thomas
Age: 20
Physical Description: Average height, average build, brown hair and brown eyes. Fades into a crowd.
Notes: Top student in Archeology at Vanderbilt University. Earned position on team through enthuiasm and grades.

Chris Farneti
Age: 19
Physical Description: Shorter than average, slightly overwieght, longish brown hair, blue eyes. Scar on right cheek.
Notes: Student partner of Thomas. Somewhat lacking in the grades department, but seems to have real skills.

Professor Lisa Hyrtec, Ph.D.
Age: 41
Physical Description: Average height and build, shoulder length red hair, green eyes.
Notes: Senior member of Geology department at Vanderbilt University. She developed a special 'look-down' radar system that can show geologic levels, without digging.

Professor Gemort Day, Ph.D.
Age: 37
Physical Description: Average height, slightly underfed look, thin dirty blond hair, brown eyes.
Notes: The other member of the Geology department.

Frank Daniels
Age: 18
Physical Description: Average height and well muscled appearance, dirty blond hair, freckles, green flecked eyes
Notes: The Geology Student. It's not of big interest in the Federation.

Professor Hillary Thompson, Ph.D.
Age: 34
Physical Description: Slightly taller than the average, considered to be attractive, blond hair, blue eyes
Notes: Experimental Genetic Biologist. Also specializes in palentology.

Professor Jack Hardy, Ph.D.
Age: 47
Physical Description: Average height, slightly overweight, bald with dark eyes, possibly black.
Notes: Loves all plants, especially dangerous ones.

Jason Lee
Age: 19
Physical Description: Average height and build, black hair and eyes.
Notes: Biology Student with excellent grades. Few social skills.

Jessica Bourne
Age: 20
Physical Description: Tall and thin, attractive, curly shoulder length brown hair and blue eyes
Notes: Biology Student with minors in History and Quenya, Cheerleader, Over achiever.

Indiana
Age: N/A (1)
Physical Description: Tall. Medium Build. Brown hair and eyes.
Notes: With the recent explosion of the Alpha-level AI, or EI, population in the Federation, they have had to find work. Indiana chose to work with the Historical Departments of Vanderbilt University.

Matthew Mayhew
Age: 25
Physical Description: Tall, heavy build. Well muscled. Short Brown hair and blue eyes.
Notes: Part of the VUPD. Ex-military.

Mark Harris
Age: 26
Physical Description: Taller then Average. Well Muscled. Short Blond hair and brown eyes.
Notes: Part of VUPD. Ex-military.

The agent nods, replying quietly: "Pleasure to meet you, I'm certain." Diplomacy may not be his strength, but he can be pleasant. Which, probably, was why he was chosen.

The intelligence agent slips a small, sleek device - surprisingly, it has touch buttons - with a tiny LCD display and pecks at it a moment before carefully holding the chip(s) (one by one, if necessary) just to the front of the end of the device.

"The device," he motions with a hand after handing back the chip(s), "extracts data from a variety of data mediums in just a few short instants. Quite efficient, and very new. And invented by Sarah." He most definitley sounds proud.

Nenya International Airport, S-14 Party: Arrival

An hour later, a wormhole opened for slightly more than an instant snaps shut, producing not only a prodigious amount of residual EM but also a tesseract-jump equipped S-14 aerodyne transport, looking like a cross between the standard segmented transport and a flying wing. Coasting into Earth orbit, it fires its forward chemical retros to lose orbital velocity, then turns around and fires its fusion drive to both decelerate and push the atmosphere out of the way during space/atmosphere interface transition. The craft levels up over EOTED and follows navigational data to the appointed landing area.

The wheels touch down and the wings blossom in a panalopy of air-brakes as three drogue chutes pop out of the tail-less aft. Rolling to the side to keep the runway clear, cargo doors open and Reds begin ferrying equipment out of the sides of the craft. Meanwhile, the aforementioned Blue Coordinator skitters around trying to find someone official. When she does, she bows her head and hands the official a slim hexagonal plastic folder. On the front, typed in both Nenyan and English, is a small card that reads "ROSTER."

Perhaps surprisingly, Ambassador Dejure is at the airport to meet the S-14 team. Perhaps not surprisingly, he is not smiling. Nor is he frowning. His face is, as usual, neutrally bored. 'Bored', of course, is relative. The man is always bored. He does, however, smile a tiny greeting smile that lasts not an instant longer than the 2 seconds prescribed by the Commonwealth Ambassadorial College professor he studied under - many, many years ago, it should be noted.

"This is for you to become acquainted with my teams." The light gleams off her mirror-like compound eyes as a softly modulated voice flows from the cubical translator she holds between her mandibles. "I am Coordinator 30834 of the Blue Mother of Us All... but for ease, may be referred to as 'Ilrixxee.'" The translator lets out a sort of laugh as the blue insectoid taps the black-letters-on-yellow-strip decal on its thorax and it clicks its mandibles against the casing. "The names were randomly generated from syllabic data and mean nothing. We do not wish to accidentally offend."

Dejure bows slightly, in addition to the previous smile. "Very well chosen names, if I may so say."

His face suggests otherwise; but the mans voice is so unendingly dull to listen to - which it isn't via the comms transmissions he fields, thanks to a combination of LSR and voice synthesis technology - that one might well assume (correctly) that his face is absolutely nothing to go by.

"If you'll forgive my demeanour," he waffles - even a small sentence seems like waffle, with Dejure, "I'm afraid I was born without a sense of humour." Blunt, to the point...

...and thoroughly boring. The mans voice might well grate on the Co-ordinator, in fact. It does on everyone else - except Bao Ling, it ought to be noted.

Comms Transmissions: TCPS ---> EOTED, EOTED ---> TCPS

{Private diplomatic transmission}
x Renate von Saucken (Senior Advisor)
o Bao Ling I (Queen)

After conferring with my closest associates I believe that the Territory can send a team capable of providing worthwhile aid. Do I have your permission to order their dispatch?

{EOTED Imperial Non-tightbeam Transmission 230143}
{TO: Renate von Saucken (Senior Advisor)}
{FROM: Queen Bao Ling I}
{SUBJECT: RE: 'The Dig'}
{TIMESTAMP: ERROR, TIMESTAMP MISSING}
{ENCRYPTION: N/A}

{MESSAGE BODY FOLLOWS}

You most certainly do, Senior Advisor. We would be most pleased to welcome the TCPS team; please have them land at Nenya International Airport. We have laid on a temporary runway, if it is required. If not, they will be advised as to an appropriate patch of grass to land on upon arrival.

{MESSAGE ENDS HERE}

S-14

25-07-2003, 22:26

Ma-tek

25-07-2003, 22:46

Dejure bows slightly, in addition to the previous smile. "Very well chosen names, if I may so say."
"Thank you," 'Ilrixxee' hums, "but no choice went into the matter."

"If you'll forgive my demeanour," he waffles - even a small sentence seems like waffle, with Dejure, "I'm afraid I was born without a sense of humour." Blunt, to the point...
"A psychological congenital defect?" The blue insectoid cants its head.

...and thoroughly boring. The mans voice might well grate on the Co-ordinator, in fact. It does on everyone else - except Bao Ling, it ought to be noted.
Actually, the man's appearance grates just as much, if not more, as he is of course a fleshy, flabby exoskeletal. She alternately tries not to stare and yet not avert her eyes too much. "When can we begin work?"

Nenya International Airport, S-14 Party: Arrival

Dejure blinks at the 'congenital psychological defect' remark, after shrugging at the 'no choice was made' comment.

In fact, the remark would be considered by virtually any Nenyan to be an insult of the highest degree - but Dejure is, after all, an Ambassador. Thankfully, he is used to such remarks being made in well-thought intent - and is also rather thick skinned.

"No, no," he replies, mono-tone, "not at all defective. And, by the way, I wouldn't make any remark like that in front of any Nenyan. We're rather... touchy... about genetics. - No, I was merely making a remark that others have made of me. Of course, it is meant humourously. Of course, I don't get it at all. But really, it's more through old personal choice. I just do not see the point in humour. Unless, of course, it's sarcasm."

He pauses but a moment. "We can begin work once the Queen has addressed those parties that are arriving as we speak. And, in fact, the Fancy that will transport us to the Palace - just a few moments from here - should be arriving any-"

Dejure is drowned out by the roar of the Fancy falling out of the sky a few hundred metres away. The sleek, high-end model bears the Three Star Sigil blazing on its side, with a two swords - rapiers - on either side of the Sigil. The Fancy is bulbous at the rear - yet sleekly so, with no corners visible anywhere - and almost pointy at the front, with a triangular nose cone. The nose cone, however, is composed of thousands - perhaps more than thousands - of angles; each angle is in opposition with the next, and lends a generally flowing aspect to the front of the vehicle - and lends an almost artistic element to the shape of the Fancy.

The 'aircraft' - which has no wings - had simply, to all intents and purposes, literally 'fell out of the sky'. There was no visible change of angle; it apparently came down belly-down, all the way. And it had stopped - if the visitors had been watching closely - bare inches from the ground before descending gently the last little bit.

"-moment," Dejure finishes once the roar ends.

S-14

25-07-2003, 23:01

Dejure blinks at the 'congenital psychological defect' remark, after shrugging at the 'no choice was made' comment.

In fact, the remark would be considered by virtually any Nenyan to be an insult of the highest degree - but Dejure is, after all, an Ambassador. Thankfully, he is used to such remarks being made in well-thought intent - and is also rather thick skinned.

"No, no," he replies, mono-tone, "not at all defective. And, by the way, I wouldn't make any remark like that in front of any Nenyan. We're rather... touchy... about genetics. - No, I was merely making a remark that others have made of me. Of course, it is meant humourously. Of course, I don't get it at all. But really, it's more through old personal choice. I just do not see the point in humour. Unless, of course, it's sarcasm."
"I see." Ilrixxee nods. "A joke. My apologies--xenological humor is not my specialty. I shall advise my teams appropriately."

He pauses but a moment. "We can begin work once the Queen has addressed those parties that are arriving as we speak. And, in fact, the Fancy that will transport us to the Palace - just a few moments from here - should be arriving any-"

<ship lands>

"-moment," Dejure finishes once the roar ends.
Ilrixee tilts her head. "Prompt."

The Territory

26-07-2003, 01:00

Travel

A Territory dropship - the vehicle of choice for low-volume, high-priority transport - enters a glidepath for NIA. Slowing to subsonic, it quietly moves teard the coastline, it and its excorts exchenging coded squirts with the EOTED defense nets. Near the coast, the four fightercraft execute a brutal turn and stand on their tails, boosting for orbit. Much like Empire craft, the new generation of Territorial vehicles don't ride plasma trails but proceed in a more environmentally friendly fashion. Quite a different environmentally friendly fasion, though.

The dropship lands on the offered runway - no need to tear up the grass with landing pads designed for combat drops - and the rear ramp drops.

Out stride three men and a woman. All are short, only the woman does not have the stocky build of a Territorial posthuman.

Declarations

(by secure transmission)

Primary mission team to consist of:

Hanif REYNOLDS, TSA Reality Department. Hypermathematics, prehuman and alternate religion studies. Image: A severe, Egyptian-European man in his twenties. Quite beautiful in the Territory manner.

Ernesto INCA MANCO of the Tigra Blanca tribe. Intuitive understanding of matters supernatural. Schooled in prehuman mythoi. Nanotechnologist. Image: An Indio in his twenties, with dead eyes. Attractive in spite of a repeatedly smashed nose, but there is something wrong.

Faith WILKINS, Guards Corporal (actually Black Ops and probably the most valued team member, even if she doesn't know that last bit. -RvS). Schooled and intuitive understanding of matters supernatural. Image: A slim human female of assorted European extraction, in her twenties. Quite beautiful ina harsh-featured way.

Michel LIBERTÉ, Guards Major (seconded from the Black). Intelligence and diplomatic services. Experience in first contact. Experienced with various technological bases. Image: An Arabic-African-European man, more androgynous than is common even for Territorials, and definitely beating Wilkins for attractiveness.

Reynolds and to some extent Wilkins have formal arcaeological qualifications. They will be accompanied by a support team headhunted from diverse organizations. [OOC: I'll detail the fun people and leave the mooks for if they become necessary if that's OK. Call it 20 people in all.]

Edits: Typos and more typos.

imported_Sentient Peoples

26-07-2003, 15:14

Nenya International Airport, Sentient Peoples Party: Arrival

The agent nods, replying quietly: "Pleasure to meet you, I'm certain." Diplomacy may not be his strength, but he can be pleasant. Which, probably, was why he was chosen.

The intelligence agent slips a small, sleek device - surprisingly, it has touch buttons - with a tiny LCD display and pecks at it a moment before carefully holding the chip(s) (one by one, if necessary) just to the front of the end of the device.

"The device," he motions with a hand after handing back the chip(s), "extracts data from a variety of data mediums in just a few short instants. Quite efficient, and very new. And invented by Sarah." He most definitley sounds proud.

"Very impressive," says Professor Croft, though he briefly wonders what other mediums the device extracts information from. He has heard horror stories about EOTED Intelligence, after all. But his face doesn't show his thoughts at all.

As the Fancy lands, he asks, "Is that the transportation you mentioned earlier, or something else?"

The two officers from the VUPD start tossing a small ball back and forth between them, but behind their backs.

It's obvious this is something they worked on for a while.

Ma-tek

26-07-2003, 22:30

Nenya International Airport, S-14 Party: Departure to The Palace

Dejure, were he the average Nenya, would grin at the 'prompt'. He, however, is Dejure. He doesn't grin. He simply nods. "Yes. If you'll follow me - do you require any help getting the equipment into the Fancy? - then we can get to the Palace for the briefing, if you please."

Nenya International Airport, The Territory Party: Arrival

An IDF Intelligence agent, as with the Sentient Peoples party, is on hand to greet TCPS party. "Gentlemen, lady. I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you all for identification; security is tight in the Empire at the moment, I'm afraid. No insult, of course, is intended." The agent, however, eyes the party with suspicion. Since the loss of the Orbital Battlegroup, security in the Empire has tightened considerably.

Nenya International Airport, Sentient Peoples Party: Arrival

"That's the transportation for another party, sir. Our transportation should be arriving-"

The same rattling boom and style of arrival interrupts him.

"-now, sir."

It's strange. It's as if these Fancy's are dropping in under verbal command...

...either that, or EOTED has masterful timing.

S-14

27-07-2003, 01:57

Nenya International Airport, S-14 Party: Departure to The Palace

Dejure, were he the average Nenya, would grin at the 'prompt'. He, however, is Dejure. He doesn't grin. He simply nods. "Yes. If you'll follow me - do you require any help getting the equipment into the Fancy? - then we can get to the Palace for the briefing, if you please."
Ilrixxee pulls the translator down from her mandibles--it's set up on a series of elastic straps that go around her bulbous blue head and neck--turns, and lets off a series of two-tone staccato clicks to a group of nineteen bugs of both Blue and Red disposition. They quickly jog up, and appear to correlate with the 'head' and 'thorax' groups listed in the roster. Each one is wearing a large vest-like harness covered in pockets with all sorts of tools hanging off rings and clasps as well as large backpacks with more gear. They have to be carrying at least a 50kg kit each, and they're doing it easily.

"We've done our best to achieve self-sufficiency. This is all we need on-site. The rest is support personnel who are best placed elsewhere."

The Territory

27-07-2003, 03:48

Nenya International Airport, The Territory Party: Arrival

An IDF Intelligence agent, as with the Sentient Peoples party, is on hand to greet TCPS party. "Gentlemen, lady. I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you all for identification; security is tight in the Empire at the moment, I'm afraid. No insult, of course, is intended." The agent, however, eyes the party with suspicion. Since the loss of the Orbital Battlegroup, security in the Empire has tightened considerably.

Reynolds concentrates briefly. "You should find image and biometric data on the full team available in a few seconds, Agent, as well as genetic identification. I believe Empire-constructed physical identification would be the most useful. Meanwile, I am Fadil Reynolds. With me are Ernesto Inca Manco, Faith Wilkins and Michel Liberté of the primary mission team."

[OOC: If you don't want a bunch of redshirts along I can axe them retroactively.]

imported_Sentient Peoples

27-07-2003, 07:39

Nenya International Airport, Sentient Peoples Party: Arrival

"That's the transportation for another party, sir. Our transportation should be arriving-"

The same rattling boom and style of arrival interrupts him.

"-now, sir."

It's strange. It's as if these Fancy's are dropping in under verbal command...

...either that, or EOTED has masterful timing.

"Well, then. Shall we?" Croft turns a beckons to his group, who begin to form a loose line behind him, ready to move out....

Chellis

27-07-2003, 08:18

imported_Sentient Peoples

27-07-2003, 13:28

[OOC: wonders how weapons got past the border guards....]

Ma-tek

27-07-2003, 14:14

As the "fancy" begins to land, two cars(quite expensive, by the look of them), pull up to the airport, as far as they can get without running out of road. 8 men get out of the cars(Gotta remember my automobile manufacturing), 6 in black shirts, and two men carrying holstered pistols, which are quite evidentally seen by anyone looking. The men begin to make their way towards where the fancy's are landing.

[OOC: WARNING! This thread is, as you know, GM'd by myself. As such, I have decided that no punches will be pulled, as it were. I will not kill any characters - unless they do stupid things. Absolutely idiotic things, that is. There will be times of extreme peril; but there will always be ways out. And in keeping with that...]

Nenya International Airport, Chellis Party: Arrival

The Chellian party are greeted by several massive US cannon emplacements lifting up out of the ground - brushing aside the astro turf that sits atop them, which revolves around on a metal plate. The US cannons swivel, and most decisivley point their excessivley large - and ornate - barrels at the men with guns.

A metallic, grating voice booms out, "Chellian nationals, you are in violation of the EOTED Anti-Lethal Arms Law. Drop your weapons immediatley, or face the prescribed penalty."

Anyone who has ever heard Sarah's voice will instantly recognize it; anyone who hasn't would probably assume it was a recording.

It isn't.

Nenya International Airport, S-14 Party: Departure for The Palace

Dejure nods approvingly. Efficiency is, after all, something every Nenyan dearly loves. "Excellent," he intones, as the Fancy's doors drop down to the ground in a similar fashion to a gangplank. 'Drop down', of course, is relative; in fact, the metal itself appears to unfold. Folding metal is, after all, an EOTED speciality. Dejure motions grandiously to the Fancy, in a way indicative of, "After you."

Dejure belatedly adds in bland fashion, "That's the cargo section. You can either enter the passenger compartment via the cargo hold, or we can open up the passenger area and you can all alight that way."

Hopefully.

Nenya International Airport, Sentient Peoples Party: Arrival

The Fancy's doors unfold, revealing the cargo section of the bird; the front segment remains closed, however - and if there is a door to the personnel section, it isn't evident yet.

The agent notes, "That's the cargo section; you can stow your equipment there, if you wish. Either enter the passenger section via the cargo bay entrance, or we can open up the passenger section. Do you require help with stowing your equipment, friends?"

Nenya International Airport, The Territory Party: Arrival

The agent nods crisply, and then blinks, looking mildly confused about something. "Uhhh, thanks. But, uh. How are you forwarding the data?"

[OOC: Redshirts welcome. The more the merrier. ;)]

S-14

27-07-2003, 14:45

Nenya International Airport, S-14 Party: Departure for The Palace

Dejure nods approvingly. Efficiency is, after all, something every Nenyan dearly loves. "Excellent," he intones, as the Fancy's doors drop down to the ground in a similar fashion to a gangplank. 'Drop down', of course, is relative; in fact, the metal itself appears to unfold. Folding metal is, after all, an EOTED speciality. Dejure motions grandiously to the Fancy, in a way indicative of, "After you."

Dejure belatedly adds in bland fashion, "That's the cargo section. You can either enter the passenger compartment via the cargo hold, or we can open up the passenger area and you can all alight that way."

Hopefully.
Ilrixxee nods, then clicks more to her teams. When they respond, she places the translator back between her mandibles. "We will stow our packframes in the cargo hold, if you allow."

As the eighteen insectoids with full kit board the Fancy, a Red steps forward, carrying a relatively small brown insect seven centimeters long on its shoulder. The Blue continues speaking. "This is Coordinator 15656, or 'Aydooz,'" she indicates the Red using one clawed manipulator, "and the small one is Coordinator 93098, or 'Ouffio.' They are resoposible for maintenance and technical direction respectively. Together, we three are the command element of the expedition."

At their contact's discretion, they enter the Fancy and enter the cabin.

(OOC: We have red-carapaces...)

Ma-tek

27-07-2003, 14:55

[OOC: I'd just like to say I'm glad to have such a great group of RPers on board for this. :D ]

IC:

Nenya International Airport, S-14 Party: Departure for The Palace

Dejure bobs his head at each of the 'command team'. Quietly, he replies - without even attempting to pronounce those names (no need to embarress himself, after all), "A pleasure," ...yeah, right... "to meet you all."

The inside of the Fancy is lushly furnished with a ridiculously thick pile carpet; it appears to be covered with some form of extremely soft but pliable protestic plastic, however. Although... the seats appear to have been hurridly ripped out, as they were entirely the wrong shape for these particular guests. Remnants of the mountings are just about visible as dark spots on the carpet, indicating the carpet there is newer - probably only relaid just a few hours ago. Instead, cushions adorn the floor. Tapestries line the 'walls', generally with images of the Three Star Sigil. On one side of the cabin, the wall reads in Nenyan script,

'Royal L-type Fancy: Model 434'

The cabin is entirely spotless.

The cargo bay is bland, however; simple webbing and harnesses make up the furnishing. It is a fairly large space, considering, and could probably hold a full-sized battle tank - with a bit of canoodling to fit it in through the door, that is.

imported_Sentient Peoples

27-07-2003, 16:39

Nenya International Airport, Sentient Peoples Party: Arrival

The Fancy's doors unfold, revealing the cargo section of the bird; the front segment remains closed, however - and if there is a door to the personnel section, it isn't evident yet.

The agent notes, "That's the cargo section; you can stow your equipment there, if you wish. Either enter the passenger section via the cargo bay entrance, or we can open up the passenger section. Do you require help with stowing your equipment, friends?"

"No, thank you. It will 'stow' itself, as it were. Indiana?"

"Of course, sir." Indiana walks forward, and the hovering platforms follow behind him. The rest of the party follows making sure to strap everything down once it is inside. Then all fifteen members of the team wander into the passenger compartment, to find seats.

S-14

27-07-2003, 17:25

(OOC: Thanks for the compliment)

Nenya International Airport, S-14 Party: Departure for The Palace

Dejure bobs his head at each of the 'command team'. Quietly, he replies - without even attempting to pronounce those names (no need to embarress himself, after all), "A pleasure," ...yeah, right... "to meet you all."

The inside of the Fancy is lushly furnished with a ridiculously thick pile carpet; it appears to be covered with some form of extremely soft but pliable protestic plastic, however. Although... the seats appear to have been hurridly ripped out, as they were entirely the wrong shape for these particular guests. Remnants of the mountings are just about visible as dark spots on the carpet, indicating the carpet there is newer - probably only relaid just a few hours ago. Instead, cushions adorn the floor. Tapestries line the 'walls', generally with images of the Three Star Sigil. On one side of the cabin, the wall reads in Nenyan script,

'Royal L-type Fancy: Model 434'

The cabin is entirely spotless.

The cargo bay is bland, however; simple webbing and harnesses make up the furnishing. It is a fairly large space, considering, and could probably hold a full-sized battle tank - with a bit of canoodling to fit it in through the door, that is.
"You exerted yourself greatly for our comfort. Thank you." Ilrixxee pulls down her translator and directs her teams to seats.

The Red coordinator 'kneels' (more like 'hunches') down and draws a manipulator across the plastic-wrapped carpet and starts clicking. Do you think they provided traction for us, as we do on Alpha?

The Mini on her shoulder taps her antennae together. I do not think so, she chirrup-clicks in response, or it would be on the walls. Those hanging rugs are too dense to serve the purpose. Also, if it is covered in plastic, then they want to protect it.

Then what purpose does it serve if not to climb on? If not to hold on to when the ship moves?

Ilrixxee begins clacking at this point. The endoskeletals seem to prefer crash-webbing for that.

The Red stands back up, then settles on some cushions. Then for what purpose?

The Mini responds with a distictive higher-pitched chirping clicking. Maybe it has none.

We shall ask, but later. Ilrixxee waves her antennae. For now, we do not wish to offend. I nearly did earlier with genetics. We must not suggest that they do things pointlessly. Putting the cubical translator back in front of her maxillae, she turns back to Dejure. "Excellent work. We will be most comfortable."

Of course, the Red clicks in a rapid staccato, but what if there are violent maneuvers? What do we cling to?

"My Red cousin thanks you as well." Ilrixxee wished she could do that thing that endoskeletals did with the flab-sphincters on their faces... 'smile,' she remembers it's called... that gesture seems to disarm them.

Ma-tek

28-07-2003, 01:04

Take-off, S-14 Party: On the ground?

Dejure joins the S-14 party on the Fancy, of course, but stands. In fact, he would have stood whether or not there were chairs. Not one for sitting on flights, is Dejure.

Taking on the tone of a tour guide - a job that Dejure had many times fulfilled as a Junior Ambassador, quite a few years ago, for foreign dignitaries (how little things change, he mused) - Dejure speaks softly, "Firstly, we have taken pains to be sure that you will be comfortable. The plastic sheeting is standard, however; it is designed to protect the carpet. The wall-hangings have been chosen as they are our national flag, and we understand that one of your kind expressed some curiousity about the Three Star Sigil. We apologize for any discomfort, and please feel free to inform us of any, so that we may be sure in the future that it does not recur in the even of a future visit by your kind. - I am not sure if you have ever flown on a null-momentum aircraft before - I am certain you have never flown on a magnetic impetus aircraft, at any rate - but there are a few things one ought to be aware of. Firstly, there will be no discomfort on take off. In fact, we may have taken off already."

All the portholes are already blacked out, naturally, as is standard on EOTED aircraft either in-transit or preparing to be in-transit.

"However, the journey will be brief. We will be making a short trip to the ionosphere and back - that will take about thirteen seconds. Then we will drop - quite literally, I'm afraid - back to the ground, to land in the Imperial Palace Grounds. Do not be alarmed by the soft green light that will flash through the aircraft at that point; it is merely a security laser, and has been thoroughly tested to be sure it is medically safe. I'm quite certain it will be harmless, as I'm informed that during the recent excursion to your ship by some of our people, some of your kind were subjected to a similar style laser scan. There will be no turbulence and no feeling of motion; we are currently being held in place by a very sophisticated magnetic-based field. The craft is propelled by a similar magnetic field; there is no thrust involved. We call it 'magnetic impetus'. You will doubtless wonder whether this is a common method of travel here on Arda; it is not. It is unique to the Empire."

For the first time, Dejure expresses an emotion in his tone: pride.

He cocks his head. "Ah. And the pilot informs me that we are here."

A soft green light flashes through the Fancy as the portholes - all but one hidden behind wall hangings - de-polarize. A forest, green and lush, is just about visible outside via the porthole.

Nenya International Airport, Sentient Peoples: Departure

"Ah," the agent replies simply.

The inside of the Fancy is, of course, lavishly furnished - plush upholstery and softly coloured wall hangings depicting great scientists of the Empire's history; here is Bao Ling, inventor of magnetic impetus and semantic intelligence; here is Commander Rilleti Jup Rihad, inventor of the kinetic gun tube, and so on. The carpet is thickly piled, and covered with a thin veneer of a special variety of plastic designed to protect the carpet from scuffs and the like. The carpet is a soft, light blue shade that appears to have slightly green patches here and there; red lines the lower portion of the 'walls', giving the illusion of a larger craft than it actually is, in contrast with the blue carpet.

On the 'wall' can be read:

'Royal L-type Fancy: Model 218'

The agent follows.

Chellis

28-07-2003, 04:07

The two chellian men look at the turrets."Ugh."Is all one of them say, as they toss their guns in the car(the window of one of them was open). The men, hoping the guns were satisfied, began walking closer to their origional destination.

ooc:I assumed there wouldnt be danger, but it was an IC thing...Just acting like my country would. They got guns past, because simply, I share a border with EOTED. It wasnt some big feat, as they were officials, I assumed they werent searched for weapons. All the men(And women) have Identification...

The Territory

28-07-2003, 05:02

The agent nods crisply, and then blinks, looking mildly confused about something. "Uhhh, thanks. But, uh. How are you forwarding the data?"

[OOC: Redshirts welcome. The more the merrier. ;)]

"Territory systems to Empire counterparts by secure transmission I would expect, Agent. Depending on Empire procedures I'd expect you to recieve it either to a remote terminal or by courier any moment."

Reynolds looks around for any harried aides with portable computers approaching. Situation normal... just because these people are allies someone expected their procedures to be identical...

imported_Sentient Peoples

28-07-2003, 06:22

Nenya International Airport, Sentient Peoples: Departure

"Ah," the agent replies simply.

The inside of the Fancy is, of course, lavishly furnished - plush upholstery and softly coloured wall hangings depicting great scientists of the Empire's history; here is Bao Ling, inventor of magnetic impetus and semantic intelligence; here is Commander Rilleti Jup Rihad, inventor of the kinetic gun tube, and so on. The carpet is thickly piled, and covered with a thin veneer of a special variety of plastic designed to protect the carpet from scuffs and the like. The carpet is a soft, light blue shade that appears to have slightly green patches here and there; red lines the lower portion of the 'walls', giving the illusion of a larger craft than it actually is, in contrast with the blue carpet.

On the 'wall' can be read:

'Royal L-type Fancy: Model 218'

The agent follows.

Professor Jackson lets out a small exclamation of surprise at the rich furnishings, and the students merely gawk.

The others appear to be impressed, to varying degrees, as well. They begin to find comfortable seats.

Once everyone is strapped in, Croft looks at the agent. "Shall we depart then?"

S-14

28-07-2003, 12:11

Dejure joins the S-14 party on the Fancy, of course, but stands. In fact, he would have stood whether or not there were chairs. Not one for sitting on flights, is Dejure.

Blah blah blah blah
The Red coordinator labeled 'Aydooz' taps her antennae together, clicking at a slower rate that can only be described as careful. He can understand our language?

If he responds to our statements, the Mini on her shoulder chirrups, then he can understand us.

He cocks his head. "Ah. And the pilot informs me that we are here."

A soft green light flashes through the Fancy as the portholes - all but one hidden behind wall hangings - de-polarize. A forest, green and lush, is just about visible outside via the porthole.
Ilrixxee looks out the porthole. "So, is this the site?" She turns to her teams. "Prepare to disembark."

Ma-tek

28-07-2003, 23:11

Nenya International Airport, Sentient Peoples Party: Take-off?

The agent, not exactly thrilled at this 'babysitting assignment', merely nods.

"Yes," he intones.

Beat.

A dull clank is heard as the cargo door shuts.

Beat.

The portholes polarize.

Beat.

"And now we're in the air. We shall be going ionospheric in..."

He calculates it. "...eight seconds."

Nenya Palace, S-14 Party: Arrival

Dejure, of course, cannot understand the S-14-dwellers language. However, he is, amongst boring and humourless, very thorough.

He shakes his head at Ilrixxee. "No. Well, yes, actually. But this is the Palace. Firstly, we will go to meet the Queen Bao Ling I (may she live forever!), and she will brief you all on exactly what the aims - and existing theories are - behind this 'dig'. I should warn you, however, that the Queen is... unusual."

He doesn't say anything more; this borders on the disrespectful alone, after all.

A dull clank reverberates through the cabin as the side door drops down and forms a gangway, revealing a bright - tropical - sky and a lush green landscape.

Thirty-metre tall towers, cylindrical, shine green lasers across the forest land. The Palace is either not in the direct vicinity, or it is not visible from the direction in which the door faces.

Nenya International Airport, The Territory Party: Arrival

The agent nods. His mouth moves briefly. If the visitors can lip-read Nenyan, he says,

"Ah, I see. Satisfactory. Bring in the Fancy, now. Mirelli out."

The agent motions with a hand behind him, just in time for a Fancy - identical to the other two already having landed - to drop out of the sky with a faint roar.

"Our chariot awaits," he states flatly.

Nenya International Airport, Chellis Party: Arrival

The US cannons seamlessly - and fluidly - drop down and back into their hidden positions under the astro turf.

But not before a dull green light plays over the visitors.

Within a few moments, the IDF Intelligence agent assigned to the Chellian's arrived, and greets them tersely, "Chellis."

And that's all. It would seem that certain people inside the Empire do not forget things lightly.

As if one couldn't guess that.

[OOC: Well, I'll let that pass this once; I'll assume that they flew in, then took the car over to the meeting point, in order that it still makes sense. But: no lethal arms can get past the border - especially not since the uprising, now that security is even tighter. At border terminals (and it's illegal to enter anywhere but border terminals, resulting in incapacitation by the nearest Sentinel and then arrest by an IDF GF officer), there are a multitude of scanners to detect lethal arms. See the "Trespassers Will Be Split" thread for details on Sentinel border protection against lethal arms entry.]

imported_Sentient Peoples

28-07-2003, 23:15

Ma-tek

28-07-2003, 23:36

Chellis

28-07-2003, 23:40

Nenya International Airport, Chellis Party: Arrival

The US cannons seamlessly - and fluidly - drop down and back into their hidden positions under the astro turf.

But not before a dull green light plays over the visitors.

Within a few moments, the IDF Intelligence agent assigned to the Chellian's arrived, and greets them tersely, "Chellis."

And that's all. It would seem that certain people inside the Empire do not forget things lightly.

As if one couldn't guess that.

[OOC: Well, I'll let that pass this once; I'll assume that they flew in, then took the car over to the meeting point, in order that it still makes sense. But: no lethal arms can get past the border - especially not since the uprising, now that security is even tighter. At border terminals (and it's illegal to enter anywhere but border terminals, resulting in incapacitation by the nearest Sentinel and then arrest by an IDF GF officer), there are a multitude of scanners to detect lethal arms. See the "Trespassers Will Be Split" thread for details on Sentinel border protection against lethal arms entry.]

OOC:Ack...Alright, I guess I wont assume that we both have one border line, and instead we both have seperate ones ;)

IC:One of the (two)girls looks at the IDF agent, and whispers to one of the younger men "Whats his problem?"She said, being 20 and not knowing fully what happened between the two countries. The two agents started joking around about the cannons, while all of them followed the agent.

OOC:The agents are still, of course, trained in various melee arts...But like you said, wont need that ;)

The Territory

29-07-2003, 00:43

The agent nods. His mouth moves briefly. If the visitors can lip-read Nenyan, he says,

"Ah, I see. Satisfactory. Bring in the Fancy, now. Mirelli out."

The agent motions with a hand behind him, just in time for a Fancy - identical to the other two already having landed - to drop out of the sky with a faint roar.

"Our chariot awaits," he states flatly.

The people might know Nenyan, or maybe it's just their computers. Three of them might know how to read lips, and the fourth - who does not have the ease of direct machine enterface - easily hears the agent subvocalize.

All but Inca Manco nod gravely at what sounds very much like a dry joke. Inca Manco does not understand.

imported_Sentient Peoples

29-07-2003, 00:48

Nenya International Airport, Sentient Peoples Party: In the air?

The agent smiles proudly. "Yes, isn't it? And you shall be meeting the inventor quite shortly, too. A great privelige." He nods, to add weight to the comment.

"By now, we should be on a downwards path to the Palace. A Fancy is, of course, like all MI aircraft, VTOL-based. In fact, they cannot land any other way. And, ah, our aircraft tend to land rapidly. You might have heard of this. - And here we are."

The portholes depolarize, the only visible one revealing the side of yet another Fancy a few metres away. A portion of the Three Star Sigil, blazing upon its side, is visible. A faint green light flashes through the cabin.

"That was a laser scanner," he informs the visitors.

"Scanning for what?" Croft enquires.

[OOC: If for weapons, the two policemen will be identified as having stunners on their persons.]

Croft continues, "We're going to meet the Queen?" He sounds slightly awed by the possibility. The other passengers look at each other nervously.

Croft stands. The information so far provided had been cryptic, but if the Queen was involved, this was much more interesting than he had ever dreamed it might be.

The other members of the team begin to stand as well.

Ma-tek

29-07-2003, 20:42

Nenya International Airport, Chellis Party: Arrival

The agent swiftly strides over to an unremarkable patch of grass - a predesignated position, in fact - and motions with one hand to stop. Still gruff, "The Fancy that will take us to the Palace should arrive any moment now."

A dull roar announces the arrival of said Fancy, on a completely vertical drop into position on the grass behind the agent - at a safe distance, of course.

Nenya International Airport, The Territory Party: Departure

The agent, oblivious to the fact that he may have been 'overheard' - and thus the whole effect of the seemingly split-second timing ruined - merely motions to the Fancy. The cargo doors open.

"Do you require aid with stowing your equipment?"

Nenya Palace, Sentient Peoples Party: Arrival

The agent raises an eyebrow slightly, as if surprised that the scanning system isn't familiar. "You don't utilize a similar scanning system at high-security installations? That particular variant is for detection of biotoxins. Not that we don't trust you, of course," ...which we don't, the agent mused internally, "but protocol is protocol."

He motions at the open door. "If you'll wait, please, the Imperial Guard assigned to you will arrive shortly. I'm afraid I don't know the Palace at all well enough to take you to the Queen." He smiles at that, for reasons perhaps unknown as yet.

Chellis

29-07-2003, 22:26

"Ohh, Fancy..heehee"Said the (same) girl. No one else laughed, they just waited for instruction.

S-14

29-07-2003, 23:31

Nenya Palace, S-14 Party: Arrival

Dejure, of course, cannot understand the S-14-dwellers language. However, he is, amongst boring and humourless, very thorough.

He shakes his head at Ilrixxee. "No. Well, yes, actually. But this is the Palace. Firstly, we will go to meet the Queen Bao Ling I (may she live forever!), and she will brief you all on exactly what the aims - and existing theories are - behind this 'dig'. I should warn you, however, that the Queen is... unusual."

He doesn't say anything more; this borders on the disrespectful alone, after all.

A dull clank reverberates through the cabin as the side door drops down and forms a gangway, revealing a bright - tropical - sky and a lush green landscape.

Thirty-metre tall towers, cylindrical, shine green lasers across the forest land. The Palace is either not in the direct vicinity, or it is not visible from the direction in which the door faces.
The twenty insectoids quickly grab their gear, get set up to move, and disembark the Fancy, looking around in sharply quick moments. All right, keep following the endoskeletal.

I wonder what those towers are. They appear to be equipped with laser scanners.

Defensive emplacements, possibly? A Red taps a slung ultrasonic stunner.

We are among friends, I think. Stay calm.

Other than looking about like spacedy-ant tourists, they follow their guide efficiently.

Ma-tek

29-07-2003, 23:46

Nenya Palace, S-14 Party: Arrival

A Nenyan appears at the entrance to the Fancy. He doesn't walk over. He appears. There was something of a faint shadow there beforehand, but not noticable enough to be of note.

The Nenyan pipes up, "Ambassador. This way, please."

And walks away.

Dejure motions towards the S-14 party, and moves to follow the Nenyan - who wears the uniform of the Imperial Guard, the elite protection force for the Palace.

And the Palace shortly comes into view. It is, put simply, huge. Tree's surround it - which explains the huge tower defense systems doing constant sweeps - and, indeed, it appears to be built into the tree's rather than having had the tree's grow up around it. The building is, at least, several miles long. And not level, either. The ground slopes in at least two different directions, and apparently, no effort was made upon construction to grade the land.

The Palace is, of course, bronze in colour. The roof, which has the appearance of being flat but in fact softly slopes outwards, is, however, green. And extremely hard to spot from the air - just like the city itself is.

There are three towers in all. Dejure realizes there might be some worry about the fact that three massive towers are conducting laser sweeps, and, in an effort to reassure, informs the party, "The towers are called 'Sentinels'. They protect the Palace and all of our borders, including the coastline. They use a mixture of lethal and non-lethal arms, of course. And they have protected the Empire quite soundly in the past. As long as they function, we're quite possibly in one of the safest places on the whole planet. Except Menelmacar, probably. They actually have rather similar defensive emplacements on their border - but theirs are older, and are quite differently constructed, I believe. Also... we had no idea they existed until after the Sentinel network was constructed. Menelmacar is to the north, over those mountains."

The mountains aren't actually visible, but they are to the north - and a mild haze is visible in that direction in the sky.

Nenya International Airport, Chellis Party: Tense Arrival

The agent eyes the lady for a moment, not-so-clearly wondering how someone so... unusual... would get a commission to be involved in such a high-profile dig as this was likely to be.

Must be an absolute bloody genius, he decided after a moment or two.

"If you'll put your equipment into the cargo area, then we can get loaded up and away," the agent informs the party.

S-14

30-07-2003, 00:04

Nenya Palace, S-14 Party: Arrival

A Nenyan appears at the entrance to the Fancy. He doesn't walk over. He appears. There was something of a faint shadow there beforehand, but not noticable enough to be of note.
There are audible tapping noises as all four Reds in the group move for their ultrasonic stunner staffs... but they realize in mid-motion that unslinging them and firing on a friendly is not a wise idea.

Ease, cousins. Ease and calm. Clickity clackclackityclick.

Click clackityclickclack. Shouldn't sneak up like that.

It's their country, they can do as they want. Clacking and clicking.

Dejure motions towards the S-14 party, and moves to follow the Nenyan - who wears the uniform of the Imperial Guard, the elite protection force for the Palace.
Having naught better to do, they grab their gear and follow, gawking at the palace sufficiently (although gargantuan engineering is nothing new to them) and nodding at the explanation of defensive systems.

I wonder if we could visit this 'Menelmacar' country.

Make contact with those allowing us to live on second-world?

Quite.

Ma-tek

30-07-2003, 00:27

Nenya Palace, S-14 Party: Inside

Dejure - and the Imperial Guard, who refuses to leave, despite Dejure's hushed protestations about 'protocol' - leads the S-14 party along a tree-shielded path...

...and quite suddenly, a large arched (and open) door is before them. Dejure leads them through the door, into a vast hall; tapestries line the hall, all of them depicting bloody battles or war heroes. Semi Ran is represented by a huge tapestry weaved in his likeness, his amber eyes blazing as he stands before a shimmering whitish-blue lake - a massive tower is just visible off to the right, in the tapestry.

No less than thirty doors, all locked, none signed, line the walls of the hall.

imported_Sentient Peoples

30-07-2003, 06:17

Nenya Palace, Sentient Peoples Party: Arrival

The agent raises an eyebrow slightly, as if surprised that the scanning system isn't familiar. "You don't utilize a similar scanning system at high-security installations? That particular variant is for detection of biotoxins. Not that we don't trust you, of course," ...which we don't, the agent mused internally, "but protocol is protocol."

He motions at the open door. "If you'll wait, please, the Imperial Guard assigned to you will arrive shortly. I'm afraid I don't know the Palace at all well enough to take you to the Queen." He smiles at that, for reasons perhaps unknown as yet.

Croft blinks at the agent. "High security? Biotoxins? My dear man, I work in the Archeology Department at a University. There is no such thing. I have no idea what the military uses of course." He frowns slightly, then smiles at his associates. He makes a shooing gesture, and all but the EI, Indiana, who was smiling broadly, leave.

"And our equipment? Shall it follow us around the palace, or stay here?" Croft asks the agent.

Indiana continues to smile. He seems to have found the agent's last comment highly amusing. Of course, he'd studied Cortana's not very detailed report on her visit to EOTED in detail.

Chellis

30-07-2003, 06:25

"Aight."Says one of the guards, as they were pulling the majority of the luggage. The two put their stuff in the area, heading back, and quit erelieved to be unburdened of their load. One of the older men looks at another man."Tom, you've been here the most of us. Is it always like this around here?"He asked, scratching his face. "Nah, I only come up here to meet with my relatives, I wouldn't know if giant spiders walked the streets...wouldn't surpise me though, heh" Tom said, chuckling.

S-14

30-07-2003, 18:24

Nenya Palace, S-14 Party: Inside

Dejure - and the Imperial Guard, who refuses to leave, despite Dejure's hushed protestations about 'protocol' - leads the S-14 party along a tree-shielded path...
The Red coordinator leans over to Ilrixxee, clicking as softly as possible. Are you sure we're amongst friends?

Of course we are. Just cautious ones.

...and quite suddenly, a large arched (and open) door is before them. Dejure leads them through the door, into a vast hall; tapestries line the hall, all of them depicting bloody battles or war heroes. Semi Ran is represented by a huge tapestry weaved in his likeness, his amber eyes blazing as he stands before a shimmering whitish-blue lake - a massive tower is just visible off to the right, in the tapestry.
These endoskeletals sure like their wall rugs when they cannot walk across them. They spend far too much effort in useless decoration.

Hush. A different culture, is all, and a seemingly successful one with a long and violent history. Such cultures are not wise to antagonize, if Alpha's data of this world is correct.

If they expend the effort, then there has to be some purpose.

Sometimes enjoyment is its own reward?

Possible.

No less than thirty doors, all locked, none signed, line the walls of the hall.
They've seen bigger.

Chellis

30-07-2003, 21:13

Bomp

Chellis

30-07-2003, 21:13

Bomp

The Territory

31-07-2003, 00:34

Nenya International Airport, The Territory Party: Departure

The agent, oblivious to the fact that he may have been 'overheard' - and thus the whole effect of the seemingly split-second timing ruined - merely motions to the Fancy. The cargo doors open.

"Do you require aid with stowing your equipment?"

Reynolds replies, as activity continues around the dropship. "There are a number of larger items that are being unloaded. I would suggest that a mission tech specialist help your people in going over the equipment and transfer it, and that the remaining team only bring personal kit for now."

Ma-tek

31-07-2003, 20:36

Nenya Palace, Sentient Peoples Party: Arrival

The agent blinks in surprise. "You don't? The Empire has quite strong security systems in place almost everywhere, including civilian installations. Especially the universities. - You can leave the equipment here, if you so wish. Or you can lug it around the Palace. I wouldn't, were I you. It's quite a walk. The Palace is rather vast."

Again, the small, proud smile.

Nenya Palace, Chellis Party: Departure

The agent motions slightly impatiently with one hand. Then his lips move slightly, and if the Chellians can read lips speaking Nenyan, he says,

"Really? We're running that late? I'll tell the pilot to hot-tail it, then. Ha, yeah. Scare the hell out of these Chellians, I'll bet. Uh, yeah. Understood. Out."

If the Chellians can't read lips, but do pay attention, they might note a small smudge on each of the agent's cheeks.

He motions again, with one hand. "We're running a little late," he informs them, "and a couple of the parties are already at the Palace. It's best not to keep the Queen waiting."

Nenya Palace, S-14 Party: Inside

Dejure pauses only a few moments in the Hall, murmouring, "This is the so-called Diplomatic Entrance. The Prime Auditorium is about thirty metres away."

Dejure passes a hand in front of one of the doors, on the eastern side of the hall, which obediantly swings open. Probably DNA keyed. It gives way to a short, well-lit corridor. There are no doors, and no marks on the wall; the corridor is absolutely spotless. The light, although fairly bright, appears to emanate from lights in the ceiling - although the light isn't brighter there, the shadows do sit that way.

The corridor curves sharply about 5 metres down it's length, and then again, and again, each time to the right. Then it takes a sharp left, a sharp right, and a sharp left again. Each stretch of corridor is identical to the last, and absolutely without adornment. A door rests at the end of the final stretch, already open, and the room beyond appears dark.

Nenya International Airport, The Territory Party: Prelude to Departure

The agent bobs his head. "I'll have the pilot come back for the goods."

His lips move rapidly, 'speaking' silently in Nenyan, "We'll need a tech type down here to go over the Territory party's equipment, and do the usual transfer protocol for suchlike. Yes. Understood. I'll have the Fancy pilot swing back for the goods in the allotted. And, Lieutenant... it had all better be perfect when it arrives. If it isn't, I'll have your head."

He nods again. "If we can embark... we're running a little late, but it shouldn't be a problem."

Chellis

31-07-2003, 20:45

OOC:Nope. These chellians cant understand nenyan...mostly english, although some understand german, and all speak chellian dilect(chellian dilect is mostly english, with "strange" german in it....).

IC:"That would be our faults...We got lost on our way here, and somebody doesn't like asking for directions.."Said the youngest man, mouthing jake to the others.

"Anyways, heh, lets hurry up..."Jake said, the group getting in the fancy.

imported_Sentient Peoples

31-07-2003, 21:48

The Territory

01-08-2003, 00:43

...
He nods again. "If we can embark... we're running a little late, but it shouldn't be a problem."

"Very well, Agent." The Territory party files into the Fancy with military efficiency.

S-14

01-08-2003, 16:11

Nenya Palace, S-14 Party: Inside

Dejure pauses only a few moments in the Hall, murmouring, "This is the so-called Diplomatic Entrance. The Prime Auditorium is about thirty metres away."
The Red coordinator, Aydooz, taps her antennae together and buzzes her maxillae in an analog of a scoffing laugh. So this is their showoff entrance. She cants her head at the Blue coordinator. I think your Mother has one...?

If ants can glare, Ilrixxee glared at the Red. Hush, you. Just because our Mother doesn't live in dirt tunnels...

Please, please, you two, chattered Ouffio, the Mini coordinator, now is not the time or place. United front to outsiders, remember.

Aydooz looks to the small insect on her shoulder. True. My mistake.

Maybe we should ask more questions and debate less?

Ilrixxee waves her antennae in a circle. Good point, small cousin. She lifts her translator cube back to her mandibles. "Excuse me, Ambassador Dejure, but who was that mammal in the wall-rug, the one with the amber eyes?"

Dejure passes a hand in front of one of the doors, on the eastern side of the hall, which obediantly swings open. Probably DNA keyed. It gives way to a short, well-lit corridor. There are no doors, and no marks on the wall; the corridor is absolutely spotless. The light, although fairly bright, appears to emanate from lights in the ceiling - although the light isn't brighter there, the shadows do sit that way.

The corridor curves sharply about 5 metres down it's length, and then again, and again, each time to the right. Then it takes a sharp left, a sharp right, and a sharp left again. Each stretch of corridor is identical to the last, and absolutely without adornment. A door rests at the end of the final stretch, already open, and the room beyond appears dark.
One of the Red troopers looks around, clacking more to itself than anyone else. Going from straight to crooked. What odd architecture. Where are the volume-efficient hexagons?

A Blue scientist next to her rolls her shoulders in a shrug. Note that they constructed the building to match the grade of the land. Maybe they put a higher value on asthetics than engineering necessity.

But engineering necessity is asthetic.

Do our ships absolutely have to be segmented?

No...

There you go.

The teams obviously follow Dejure into the room. What, you think they're scared of the dark?

Ma-tek

07-08-2003, 20:52

Nenya International Airport, Chellis Party: Departure

The agent scowls slightly, but does not speak the words that come to mind. Clearly... this is why Chellis felt the need to align itself with the Imperium. Weakness. Lack of discipline. Absolutely disgusting.

The scowl does not last more than a moment, however. A sickly-sweet smile takes its place.

He follows them onto the Fancy. The portholes immediatley polarize; this Fancy is quite plush, like the others. The upholstery is, of course, of excellent quality - and all bronze in colour. There are no greys. Tapestries, depicting war scenes - but not the Imperium invasion, obviously - cover all but one of the portholes.

The agent states flatly, "Hold on tight - we're taking this a little... faster than usual."

He smiles wider. It's not entirely pleasant. "Enjoy the ride."

And the Fancy vaults into the air, g-force lightly pressing the occupants into their seats - but it is a gentle force, far less than 0.1g.

The agent, for his part, remains standing, but slightly crookedly - legs wide apart, feet carefully planted.

Nenya Palace, Sentient Peoples Party: Arrival

"No bioscanners? Really? How strange. We have them in virtually every high profile building in the Empire. But then-"

The agent cuts himself off with a small self-deriding scowl. "Never mind," he finishes, the scowl wiped off his face with as much rapidity as it had arrived.

The agent leads them into the large entry chamber, not pausing even for an instant. Of course, the image of the High Lord Commodore dominates - as it did just moments ago.

He leads them through the same door, down the same corridor, at pace - and not pausing to make sure they're keeping up...

Nenya Palace, S-14 Party: Briefing?

Dejure, only visible by the glint of his eyes in the low light of the room, barks a command in Nenyan. Translated: "On!"

The lights flare into existance, revealing a vast room - which, judging by the vaguely hexagonal design, should be pleasing to the S-14 bunch. And, judging by the speakers set into every row, hould have excellent acoustics - if tech-aided.

The entire front row has been carefully removed, replaced with the same style of plush cushions found in the Fancy that the S-14 party had arrived in. Dejure, with unusual grace, grandly waves a hand at the cushions. "If you'll take a seat, the Queen will be along once all have arrived."

Ma-tek

07-08-2003, 21:00

[OOC: Apologies for the delay - both with this post and the others - but I've had a tough week, and have mostly been posting 'maintanence' posts, with the exception of the new Commonwealth Charter. I'm now back to full speed (yay), and will be posting more quickly.

Also... apologies for the brevity of this, but, we're running behind schedule due to my slowness.]

Nenya Palace, The Territory Party: Arrival

The Fancy roars into the sky, rapidly going ionospheric - well, in a matter of seconds, anyway - before falling back down to earth alongside the other Fancy's already on the ground outside the Palace.

A soft green light passes through the cabin.

Chellis

07-08-2003, 21:00

The younger girl looks at the paintings with fascination. "Excuse me, what are these pictures of? They look to be drawn marvelously..."She said, wide-eyed.

S-14

07-08-2003, 21:05

Nenya Palace, S-14 Party: Briefing?

Dejure, only visible by the glint of his eyes in the low light of the room, barks a command in Nenyan. Translated: "On!"

The lights flare into existance, revealing a vast room - which, judging by the vaguely hexagonal design, should be pleasing to the S-14 bunch. And, judging by the speakers set into every row, hould have excellent acoustics - if tech-aided.

The entire front row has been carefully removed, replaced with the same style of plush cushions found in the Fancy that the S-14 party had arrived in. Dejure, with unusual grace, grandly waves a hand at the cushions. "If you'll take a seat, the Queen will be along once all have arrived."
Ilrixxee bows her head slightly. "Thank you, Ambassador Dejure. We shall wait." The insectoids quickly and orderly take their seats in the front row.

One of the Reds clicks softly to itself. We don't have much choice, do we? Well, at least this room has six sides like a decent one should. So much more efficient than the rectangular boxes these endoskeletals seem to like so much.

I have an idea. Aydooz taps a claw on her couch. Let's wave at the other parties as they come in.

Ilrixxee waves her antennae as she clacks a response. Ah, diplomacy. Trying to become friendly with our comrades-in-science.

Well... maybe. Either that or we'll startle them. It'll be fun.

Buzzing her maxillae in a laugh-analog, Ilrixxee shakes her head--a result of the xenocultural training. You're incorrigible.

Ma-tek

08-08-2003, 23:18

[OOC: Holding off next S-14 response post til' everyone has arrived in the ampitheatre.]

In The Air, Chellis Party: Arrival?

The agent smiles slightly, proudly. "They may look like paintings, but they are tapestries. Weaved by hand, of course. And by the best of the best. The Imperial Tapestry Guild, to be specific. There are no finer makers of tapestries anywhere in the world; except, perhaps, in Menelmacar."

The Fancy shudders slightly as it executes a faster-than-normal drop from the ionosphere.

A green light flushes through the cabin as the single visible viewport depolarizes.

"Ah. We appear to have arrived," the agent informs the Chellis party.

The Territory

09-08-2003, 04:20

Nenya Palace, The Territory Party: Arrival

The Fancy roars into the sky, rapidly going ionospheric - well, in a matter of seconds, anyway - before falling back down to earth alongside the other Fancy's already on the ground outside the Palace.

A soft green light passes through the cabin.

There is little reaction... the Fancy's internal gravity varies a lot less than that of a dropship-configured Firefly-class.

The green light is noted. And by some who carry more extensive sensor suites in or on their persons analyzed.

OOC: No problems here.

Ma-tek

09-08-2003, 10:31

Nenya Palace, The Territory Party: Arrival, Transit

With little speaking - actually, virtually none, except the odd, "Come this way," the Territory party are lead from the Fancy and along the path through the trees into the Palace. With nary a pause, they are taken through the corridor and to the ampitheatre - no fancy descriptions, unfortunatley. The agent appears to be in a hurry.

Chellis

09-08-2003, 17:32

"Alright guys. Lets go..."Said jake, not wanting to be late, rushing the people out of the fancy.

Ma-tek

13-08-2003, 00:18

Nenya Palace, Chellis Party: Arrival

The Chellis party are rushed to the ampitheatre by the agent, passing through the hall as fast as they'll follow - and through the brief, curving corridors.

imported_Sentient Peoples

14-08-2003, 05:26

Nenya Palace, Sentient Peoples Party: Arrival

"No bioscanners? Really? How strange. We have them in virtually every high profile building in the Empire. But then-"

The agent cuts himself off with a small self-deriding scowl. "Never mind," he finishes, the scowl wiped off his face with as much rapidity as it had arrived.

The agent leads them into the large entry chamber, not pausing even for an instant. Of course, the image of the High Lord Commodore dominates - as it did just moments ago.

He leads them through the same door, down the same corridor, at pace - and not pausing to make sure they're keeping up...

Croft chuckles internally at the thought of the archeology department as being "high profile."

No one in the party makes a comment on the image of Semi Ran, but they are, as a whole, used to such devices and images, in government buildings. And some of them might even recognize whom the image was of.

They walk briskly, but have no difficultly keeping up with the agent.

Ma-tek

14-08-2003, 21:37

Nenya Palace, The Territory Party: Hurried Passage

The Territory group are hurried along to the ampitheatre.

Nenya Palace, All Parties: The Ampitheatre

With the arrival of the last party - the Territory group - the Queen arrives.

As one might expect, however, she arrives in style. She doesn't walk in the door. She doesn't walk in through a door that wasn't previously seen before.

As calm as you like, she walks in through a wall.

The wall ripples mildly as she passes through it. "Greetings, ladies, gentleman... others present," she states, quite at a loss for what would be appropriate for the resident spacedy beings. "Sorry about the entrance." She chucks a rather informal thumb over her shoulder as she moves to the podium. "But someone thought it would be interesting to see your reactions to seeing me walk through a wall like that. You know how the psy techs are; I'm not naming any names, but... Ryjar is certainly one of the main culprits." She grins, openly.

"Anyway. Moving on... we all know why we're here, to some level or other. Have any of you any questions before I explain further?"

imported_Sentient Peoples

14-08-2003, 21:51

Croft, knowing the EOTED penchant for showmanship, is suitably impressed, but unsurprised by the display.

He leans over to Indiana and whispers, "How?"

Indiana whispers back. "Nanites." Croft nods. The Federation was experimenting with Nano-tech, as far as he knew, but he didn't think they gotten anywhere significant.

He was wrong. Well, partly. Civilian uses had gone 'nowhere,' yet. But they would soon.

He sent a questioning gaze over his party, wondering if anyone had questions. Some of the students looked like they had questions but they knew better than to ask before a presentation.

He sat calmly in the chair, waiting, to see if anyone in the other parties had questions.

The Territory

14-08-2003, 23:11

The Queen actually does score a reaction. Call it tactical surprise. Quick looks, quick reevaluation of what is a wall and what is a door.

And one person levelly looking at the Queen as she enters, quite unsurprised. Wilkins, the Guards noncom.

Hanif Reynolds rises, and so does the Territory crew. Heel click, shallow bow. Royalty on deck behavior.

15-08-2003, 02:02

Guy steps up, not at all abashed that this is the queen of EOTED." First off, let me thank you for allowing us to come to EOTED, and assist you with this dig. I am sure this will be a great experiance for us all, and will further the relations of our nations. My question is, however, what do you expect to discover, exactly?"He says, not wanting to take too much time.

Jake whispers to Tom "This place gets wierder by the moment..." He said, not wanting to offend anybody, as if they had heard him.

EDIT:Posted by chellis.

S-14

15-08-2003, 08:59

The insectoids look at each other suddenly. Walls weren't supposed to do that, and neither were endoskeletals. They click to each other in staccato pulses.

How?

Unknown. Possibilities are a more effective form of magnetic manipulation of matter or some sort of holographic projection.

Well, she has asked for questions.

If she were going to explain it, she would have already.

It's worth a try at least.

Well, we can't ask questions about the mission yet... don't know what won't be covered in the briefing.

The Blue coordinator labeled 'Ilrixxee' stands up and hums softly through the translator held in her mandibles. "If it is not a secret... how did that just work?"

Ma-tek

15-08-2003, 23:03

[OOC: Suspension of normal post format for the duration of this scene. Namely, I shan't assign specific parts of each of my posts to a party.

Easier this way.]

IC:

Bao Ling doesn't show any irritation at the method of speech employed by the Chellian. If she is irritated, she's far too polite to allow it to be noticed.

"One moment, friend," she directs at Guy.

She turns to face the S-14 contingent, inclining her head slightly. "Nanotech. Simply put, the wall parted at the atomic level in response to this," she reaches into her pocket and draws out a small disc-shaped object, and pops it back into her pocket it again, "which gives off a tiny, but fairly intense, electromagnetic field. The nanobugs respond to the EM field in a pre-programmed manner - in this case, they 'open' the wall for me to pass through. Once the EM field is withdrawn, they snap back into place again. Is that a satisfactory explanation, friends?"

S-14

16-08-2003, 06:00

"Of course." Ilrixxee bows her head slightly. "Thank you." Hunkering back down, on her cushion, she listens to the soft clickclacking chatter of her teams.

Nanotech? Nanobugs?

Obviously it's technology on a small scale. Related to insects?

'Bugs' is also used for listening devices... or anything small, if I remember Alpha's information correctly.

So... technology that can move single atoms? Enzymes do that... artificial enzymes?

Do enzymes act with that much coordination? A Blue shakes a manipulator at the wall where Bao Ling stepped through.

She said they were controlled... robot enzymes?

But the power supply, the sheer scale! One can't build robots out of gluons. They must be larger than the atoms... most of that wall would have to be robots.

Maybe it is. We'll have to look into this in the future.

To the assorted humanoids, it would sound (http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/nationstates/s14/bugspeak.wav) like a collection of Geiger counters softly playing, not loud enough to disturb.

Ma-tek

16-08-2003, 16:04

[OOC: The forum ate my post. I'll repost soon. Have to go off and post elsewhere, however, as I said I would. Grr. Post forthcoming.]

Chellis

16-08-2003, 20:04

ooc:bump

Ma-tek

17-08-2003, 00:06

The Queen bows her head a degree. "My pleasure to be able to answer your question, friends."

She turns her gaze to the Chellian who asked the question. "Friend, I was about to answer that question anyway... so if there are no further questions...?"

She lets the question hang.

imported_Sentient Peoples

17-08-2003, 03:52

Croft was suprised that the 'spacedy ants' did not know of nanotech, or at least could not identify it when they saw it.

He had heard rumors of quite impressive technology that they possessed.

When the queen gave the Chellian his comeuppance, but nicely, it was all he could do to refrain from laughing.

But he had no questions, and shook his head slightly.

Chellis

17-08-2003, 03:53

"Then my apologies..."Said guy, stepping back.

S-14

20-08-2003, 11:31

(OOC: Nanowank is not the spacedy-ant way. Not yet, at least.)

The space ants continue to converse, mostly throwing around theories for the potential design, construction, and uses for nanotechnology. After a bit of discussion, they come to the conclusion that given current power generation capabilities and maintenance capabilities, they're really only useful in targeted enzymatic applications--extremely useful--but using them to say, lathe an entire starship fully formed or open-and-close walls when a simple door would work well is just a waste of valuable energy resources.

Ma-tek

20-08-2003, 13:06

"No apology necessary," the Queen remarks with a smooth smile, "I should imagine you're extremely eager to find out about this expedition, eh? Well, I'll get right to the point, then. I'm as eager as any of you, and I'll be accompanying you. I should warn you, however: it may be dangerous. The area we will be... examining... is a completely unknown quantity. We haven't been down there in many, many years. Centuries.

"And so, without further ado, I can inform you just what we'll be doing."

She taps a button on the console set into the podium, and a laser-projected image springs to life on the wall behind her. It is full-colour, of course; and hardly new technology - EOTED has long used so-called laser-viewing, and Si Ling even 'signed' a treaty when only present via a laser-image. Some in the Empire call it 'trimensional viewing', but they probably just read too much Asimov.

The image is an outlay of the underground area of the Palace, with vast swathes blacked out.

"This is, as you can probably tell by the markings, the underground area of the Palace. This area here," she taps another key, "is the area we will be starting in. Everything else you see here is redundant; it is merely used for food storage. However..."

She taps another button, and an image of a huge cavernous chamber with a wall in focus appears. The wall has the faint outlines indicitave of a door.

"...this wall is something of an enigma. As you can probably see, it has a door in it. The door, as you probably noticed, isn't marked on the plans. And we can't open it. It appears to have a mini-Barrier field erected in front of it. However... a few weeks ago, we managed to deactivate the field. We have been scanning beyond the door; and we found this."

Another map appears - well, a scan image, in false colour. It's just blobs of colour, really, and unless you know what you're looking at, it's utterly meaningless.

"These blue patches are energy signatures. As you can see, there are several hundred of them to be found beyond the door - about fifty metres. This, however, is the surprise. The EM signatures," the image vanishes, "match the same frequency to be found on these, almost identically."

An image appears on-screen.

An image of a Menelmacari TRX-41.

"This isn't what the EM signature actually is, of course. It's highly unlikely, in fact - the probability figure is too vast for me to know what the number is... there are too many noughts, as it were. As I mentioned... nobody has been down there in many years. Centuries. Three, maybe four centuries. It is, of course, impossible that these signatures are TRX-41s. However... they may be plasma weapons. Or they may be something else. We can't get a detailed scan beyond that point, however. The area behind the door... the total size of the area we hope to investigate... could well be vast. It might not be more than a fifty metre square area. We have no idea.

"What we do know, however..."

The Queen flashes a rare grin.

"...is that it will be... extremely interesting. With a capital T."

She clicks the image off. "Questions? I'm sure you have many."

imported_Sentient Peoples

21-08-2003, 09:25

After no one speaks up immediately, Croft glances down at his e-pad. The team had agreed to let him do the talking until they got started on their work.

Does anyone have any questions? he subvocalized. The words appeared on all the other e-pads.

After a couple seconds, his screen flashed.

Jackson: The Queen mentioned a Barrier-device. What is that?

Hyrtec: That cavern looks impressive, do we know if it natural or not?

Farneti: The Queen stated that a few days ago, they got the Barrier device to de-activate. Have they even attempted to open the door since then? Or have they just let it sit waiting?

Mayhew: The Queen stated that the energy signatures matched those of energy weapons used by the Menelmacari Elves. Is it possible that the energy signatures are some sort of automated defenses?

Croft stood. "Your Majesty, you mentioned that the door was in a cavern. Is this cavern a natural development, or an artificial construction, or do you know?"

"Also, you mentioned a barrier device on the doorway. We have two questions concerning that. What is the barrier device, and how did you turn it off? Also, has there been any attempt to open the doorway now that the barrier is down?"

"And lastly, one of my collegues is concerned that the energy signatures, since they are so close to those of Menelmacari energy weapons, might be automated defenses. Is this possible? Or would we know if they were?"

Croft paused between each group of questions to allow the queen to answer.

When she had finished he inclined his head briefly, said, "Thank you, Your Majesty," and sat back down in his chair.

Ma-tek

21-08-2003, 14:29

Croft stood. "Your Majesty, you mentioned that the door was in a cavern. Is this cavern a natural development, or an artificial construction, or do you know?"

The Queen bobs her head at both, and then smiles. "It was a natural excavation. An original cavern, extended with the use of currently unknown tools. The walls are fairly smooth, though - so either it took some time to excavate, or our ancestors hid more than current history teaches. The Imperial Family was, at that time, far more secretive than it is today. - So... to be truthful? Anything is conceivably possible."

"Also, you mentioned a barrier device on the doorway. We have two questions concerning that. What is the barrier device, and how did you turn it off? Also, has there been any attempt to open the doorway now that the barrier is down?"

The Queen's eyebrows flit upwards. "You did not hear of the Barrier deployed by the original IDS Vanguard during the Nargothrond Incident? - Well, to be brief... Barrier technology is essentially a wall of energy. I can't be more specific; the technology is classified 'Noble Eyes Only'. And we no longer have the ability to produce anything more than small, limited models."

"And lastly, one of my collegues is concerned that the energy signatures, since they are so close to those of Menelmacari energy weapons, might be automated defenses. Is this possible? Or would we know if they were?"

The Queen frowns, and nods uncomfortably. "That is, of course, a likely scenario. As I said... the energy signatures are being considered 'unknown quantities'. We will be distributing... helpful... defense units to all members of each party, however. That ought to increase safety."

When she had finished he inclined his head briefly, said, "Thank you, Your Majesty," and sat back down in his chair.

The Queen smiles again. "You are, of course, most welcome, friend. However... please do not call me 'Your Majesty'. 'Highness' or 'Queen Bao' or even 'Doctor' will quite suffice. I intend coming with you all on this... excavation... so it would be quite irritating for all involved to have to stand on formality all the while, eh?"

imported_Sentient Peoples

21-08-2003, 16:21

Croft doesn't think formality to be irratating, but no matter. Whatever the queen wished to be called, she was still the queen. They had their own method of dealing with defenses, but it did not matter. He would be happy to take whatever EOTED thought needed.

"As you wish, Highness."

Indiana's eyes have gone dim as he query's all relavant information on the Barrier-device he can find.

Also, he begins to cross reference everything he knows about the Nenyans, the Quendi, and ancient cultures in this part of the world, looking for some clues.

S-14

22-08-2003, 07:32

The extragalactic insectoids chatter amongst each other some more before 'Ilrixxee' stands again. "Doctor," she begins, as the other forms of address almost put her on a level with the Mothers of Us All, "we have a few questions.

"Assuming the energy signatures to not be weapons--although a possibility, as you said, probability seems to deny it--what else could they possibly be? Do their numbers change? Does their strength fluctuate independent of the inherent instability of scanning through varying densities of rock? Do they move?

"If they do move--or even if they do not--have you attempted to map the potential tunnel network based on their distribution and location? You suggested the area might be just over thirty-three body lengths square, but the number of signatures seems to preclude that.

"Has contact via ultrasound or any other method been attempted? If so, I presume no success.

"The fact that this door had 'Barrier technology' in front of it indicates a high level of energy-manipulation technology--pardon, instrumentality rather--which may explain the existence of the plasma signatures. Is there any unclassfied information pertaining to the origins of said technology? If so, are there any unclassified data pertaining to languages, cultures, histories, and archaeology of the originating peoples?

"Finally--what precautions have been taken to assure secure and effective communications between the teams and any centralized rear-echelon command posts?" She removes her translator and, turning her bulbous head, looks back at the Red coordinator. Just had to ask, didn't you?

Ma-tek

22-08-2003, 13:03

Bao Ling smiles. She loves thoroughness. And she much prefers 'Doctor' to 'Queen' or 'Highness'.

"Good questions. - We have no idea what they could be. The EM signatures are consistent with plasma weapons - specifically, with the annular confinement devices used on them. They could be defensive systems; this seems more likely than anything else. They could also potentially be something we've never seen before, such as multiple high-end Barrier signatures (although there are no similarities with the Barrier devices we have today, or the ones our ancestors built) - or they could be something utterly mundane.

"The numbers remain consistent. The EM signatures fluctuate marginally, but the fluctuation is quite close to the threshold of our detection capabilities. Perhaps the systems controlling the EMFs are degrading; that would account for the fluctuations. Or perhaps they are meant to fluctuate mildly for some reason.

"They do not move. They are absolutely static. As I said, we can only penetrate fifty metres inside the area behind the doors, in every direction. We ought to be able to penetrate further - perhaps these devices prevent deeper scans. It's difficult to tell, however.

"As to your question about culture, history, archeology... we have thorough records dating back two thousand years. Things begin to get sketchy beyond that point. However... they are only thorough in certain areas, you understand. As I said, the Imperial Family was very secretive. And this is most assuredly a Nenyan facility; before we came here, this land was utterly void of sentient life. Nobody lived here before us. At least... we've never found any indication that anyone did. To the north, some miles, there was a pre-First Empire civilization - pocket civilization, you might say - but they ceased to exist during the Two Thousand Year Conquest Wars. The First Empire enacted genocide upon them, unfortunatley, when they refused to surrender. Unintentional genocide, I might add, over several hundred years - but genocide nontheless. We have records of theirs, however - and they never lived here. The first feet to tread this land - Nenya - were the feet of ancient Nenyans, a little over two thousand years ago.

"As for culture; all of our cultural records are at your disposal via the Mesh. Any information you desire that is unclassified is available.

"Language hasn't changed here in these lands for some time. Nenyan, our language, was devised just over 1,000 years ago - it is a Quenya derivative language. Very few differences in words, but grammar is significantly altered - a more structured, disciplined variety, our linguists argue. Quenya is... more beautiful, however, and many still speak the language we gained from our Quendi cousins to the 'far' north.

"Historically, Nenya is the ancient Imperial capital. This city - and surrounding lands - have seen the rise of two seperate Empires dominated by my people, the Nenyans. The First Empire, named then the Empire of The Eternal Flame - and this one, the Empire of the Eternal Dawn. The First Empire fell just over one hundred years ago - I was there to see the fall, in fact. I was just a girl, then, but I'm sure I can answer any questions you have about that period. If I cannot, then Semir-randil, the High Lord Commodore of Ma-tek, can undoubtably answer them. And any others, I have no doubt. He is quite probably the most learned historian in the Empire today - although he is a diplomat and leader by profession, these days.

"Lastly, communications will be ensured by a combination of LSRs for the humanoid organics. I'm afraid we do not know if an LSR would work for you, however. But you can use your own comms units, routed through our systems, just as easily, I'm sure. - Sarah will handle any routing required, and ensure that the comms systems are not interrupted via any potential ECM units to be found below; she is the Empire's resident sentient artificial semantic intelligence unit. The communications will be routed through Menelmacari communication units - standard issue IDF gear. The units are modified, slightly, and contain line-of-sight laser communication systems - in case mid-range comms becomes difficult."

S-14

22-08-2003, 17:05

Ilxrixxee nods. "Thank you, Doctor." After emulating a bow at the waist (basically tilting the thorax by shifting the two pairs of legs), she settles down on her cushion and removes her translator. I don't know about anyone else, but I think the endoskeletals have some amusing gestures.

The Red coordinator labeled 'Aydooz' buzzes her maxillae softly in a laugh, sounding something like a quiet paper curl-out party favor. Well, they do have to make up for the lack of antennae.

The Territory

23-08-2003, 11:03

Exchange of looks and murmurs in the Territory team - it appears Inca Manco has opinions.

MIchel Liberté raises an elegant hand. "Highness, I am quite confident in the ability of the investigative teams to gain physical access. However, I would like to know more about the people responsible. Who they were, why they acted as they did. Even if there is only myth and legend, I would appreciate hearing of your feelings on the matter. Especially what we'd call gut feelings, from a contemporary scholar."

Ma-tek

23-08-2003, 14:26

"Very well. The Imperial Family at that time was of one mind: to expand the Empire at all costs. The Nenyans of the day were convinced that, in order for our culture - our species - to survive, we needed to subdue humanity. Wherever we found humans, we invaded. We were constantly at war from around two thousand years ago to just before the Fall - and the resulting Long Night.

"In order to achieve this aim, the Imperial Family exorted whatever pressure it could on the loyal humans - which were, even then, numerous. Seduction, bribery... these were common. At the time, there was a feared organisation known as the Nenyan Command Authority - later renamed Nenyan General Security, at some point over the last three hundred years of the First Empire. This organisation killed thousands; 'pressure' was applied to attain comfort for the Empire.

"Slowly, however, things changed. We do not know how the Two Thousand Year Conquest Wars began - but after five hundred years or so, each successive Emperor became less aggressive, and more focused on making the Empire a good place to live. This isn't to say that things got better for anyone with insurgent thoughts - it got considerably worse, in fact. Oppression and control were catchphrases; if you spoke out against the Emperor, it was an instant death penalty. Rumours flew around that Nenyans were telepathic, and any stray thought of insurgency would earn a death penalty - these rumours were fostered by the sheer efficiency of the Nenyan Command Authority.

"Slowly, the Imperial Family wrested control of the lands the Second Empire - the Empire of The Eternal Dawn - holds today. The Last Emperor - we do not name Him - changed things considerably. He enacted the free-speech laws; the freedom of movement laws; and much other such socially progressive legislation. However... He was was as aggressive and violent as any other. He merely saw new methods of control - at first. Slowly, the First Minister of the day wrested overall control from him - and worked towards a better Empire. We do not know the name of that man - First Ministerial records were purged in late BE 97, by the Ma-tekian Commonwealth.

"However, at the time that these vaults were constructed, the First Empire was at its military - and technological - height. There were rumours of magic in the hands of the Imperials - the Nenyan Forces seemed impossible to defeat in conflict, and there were no battles lost for some one hundred years. We have no idea why, but this state of affairs ended when that Emperor left the throne - but... I surmise that he ordered the sealing of the chambers we are here to investigate.

"One possible explanation is that the Barrier Devices were constructed around that time. Or rediscovered. There are many theories; some say that the Barrier Device was originally a Menelmacari design, and was stolen by Nenyan Command Authority agents - I doubt that. There is no record of contact between the First Empire and Menelmacar - we do not believe Menelmacar paid much attention to our lands, in that time. We were, after all, primitive in comparison to them.

"Another explanation is that the generals of the day were simply brilliant. This doesn't seem likely - a common historical theory states that no particular period of history is remarkable, as you may well know... and that if it is, it is evidence that the very things that lead us to think such a period to be so are incorrect. Thus, this theory is largely rejected in favour of the first... and one other.

"The other is that the Nenyans of that day were born with superior empathic abilities - this is the so-called 'genetic upsurge theory' - and is not entirely popular with modern historians. However, the theory states that the Nenyans of that day were capable of so-called 'psionic warfare' - something that very few Nenyans are actually capable of, in a meaningful manner. Put simply... they could not lose, because their enemies were crushed into the dirt by psionic assaults. I do not believe this was the case, but there is no evidence one way or the other.

"Essentially, the First Empire was highly secretive, highly aggressive, and extremely warlike. They kept secrets within secrets, and hid things even from themselves - memory erasion technology was devised then, for example. Whole eras of history were destroyed in the last five hundred years of that Empire - erased to make murky the errors of the past. Past genocides were forgotten; tales better days in the Old Kingdom were crushed.

"The Old Kingdom was the small civilization that preceded the Empire, to the North. The Nenyan species, as you may be aware, originated in Menelmacar, but for some reason departed those lands and moved south into the Northern Mountain Ranges - the Southern ones, from their perspective, I suppose. Virtually nothing is known about the Old Kingdom today - virtually all memories of it have been destroyed.

"But I personally believe that it was them - the Ancient Nenyans - who developed Barrier Devices, to hide themselves from the outside world... and the land they had departed. This is just a personal theory, however.

"As I said... Semi Ran could probably tell you more, but he is... elsewhere... at the moment. He is expected back soon, however."

imported_Sentient Peoples

23-08-2003, 14:36

Hmm. That was interesting. I know very little about the past of EOTED and the Nenyans, so these details were of great importance. For that matter, I wonder who outside the Empire knows much about its past.

"Highness," Croft stood again. "According to your theory, why would the Ancient Nenyans wished to hide themselves from the outside world, and from Menelmacar?"

Ma-tek

23-08-2003, 20:31

Bao shrugs. "Simple deduction. They not only left Menelmacar - there is no record of them leaving, nor of Nenyans living inside Menelmacar... at least, Lady Sirithil was unable to find any such record... and so it is only logical that they did not want to be found."

imported_Sentient Peoples

23-08-2003, 21:21

Croft sees some glaring holes in the logic, but says nothing. He sits back down, wondering if anyone else has anymore questions.

23-08-2003, 22:21

Me want aliens!!!

Ma-tek

24-08-2003, 12:47

enland"]Me want aliens!!!

Don't be silly, please. If you aren't involved - which you aren't - then don't post. Read-only, for those who aren't involved. And no commenting, either - you don't know what's happening here if you aren't involved, yet.]

S-14

25-08-2003, 01:01

Clicking and clacking in an undecipherable mix of pheromones, waggling antennae, hand gestures, and tapping mandibles and maxillae.

Curiouser and curiouser.

They also have some sort of original forebears that are nearly a complete mystery to them.

Not the Norm, however.

Obviously. But they say their Three-Star Sigil comes from their First Empire, if I remember correctly, and our own insignia come from the Norm originally. The time frame seems appropriate--what if the home Norm launched a second series of generation ships with only marginally more effective drives? They could have arrived several thousand years before we did, and worked with these early Nenyans.

Well, a defensive tunnel system does resemble Our Mother's hive, complete with defensive energy weapon emplacements.

Not plasma rifles, however.

No, but we invented a hyperspace drive by concentrating on propulsion. What if this 'marginally more effective' colony ship concentrated on energy field manipulation?

True, but all speculation. We need more evidence.

Ma-tek

03-09-2003, 20:28

[OOC: A hop and a skip later...]

{!
It/us/I breathed. It/us/I had left Him; He/Them/They had rejected them/us/me. They/we/I felt the anger bubble up through my/our self/centre/energy. It galvanised us/our/the whole; singular/plural felt unity in anger, in fear, in dread, in lust...

Self spoke. Fresh. It/us/I can smell them. It/us/I desire. Do we have unity?

Responses ripple through my/our selves; we moan...

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Self sighs, shivering at the sensation.... these might taste different. Be easier to corrupt. Self spoke...

Careful. Do not let them suspect.

Self/we/I thrum with anticipation, a tidal wave of emotion shattering on a fluidic cliff - the waves beating each other down and falling into a gentle, heathing plataeu... underside roiling with intensity, Self/we/I distracted theirselves with...

...feeling. !}

* * *

"The Three Stars, you see," Bao Ling was telling the attending groups as they walked from the Tertiary Armoury down a short flight of stairs.

Inside the Armoury, they had been given low powered EF wands - nothing spectacular, really. The EF wands happen to be quite impossible to scan; they're simply too 'hot' for any useful readings to be made. And X-rays won't work either; there's too much metal to make any sense of it.

They'd also been given LSRs, if they wanted them; little objects that clip unobtrusively onto the chin and cheek (opposing sides) and read the lip movements of the wearer. A small PDA comes with them, to decode the movements and seperate non-speech motions. A small speaker for the ear has also been provided; it isn't audible to anyone but the wearer.

Furthermore, the Queen is now wearing a rather strange bulge on her right hip. And she carries a rather suspiciously Menelmacari-looking plasma rifle - in fact, it's a TRX-41.

And unbeknownst to all, two RISE agents are now following - also with TRX-41s.... and shock-swords - and a host of gadgets designed to make things easy in the field, tucked away into their multiple-level combat jackets honeycombed with pockets for utensils.

"The Three Stars," the Queen was saying, finishing with, "are rumoured to actually exist - something about an ancient group of rulers, when the Empire was ruled by the Tri-Emperors - I don't recall, exactly."

It's just conversational stuff, really. And, at any rate, the stairs do something quite strange...

...they collapse. Apparently, they aren't normal stairs. They're specially fitted - and run along a similar line as the wall the Queen walked through. They are, in fact, composed of nanobugs - there are only twelve stairs, in truth, and the rest were laser projections for aesthetic purposes.

It takes several seconds, and really, it's absolutely unnoticeable to a human. There's no difference in movement - just that the person thinks they've walked down fifteen stairs, when in fact they've walked nearly two hundred metres. Well, been carried.

A huge metal door at the end of the stairway beckons; the lighting is soft, almost dinghy. But the door spirals open - another iris-style door, that seem so popular in the Empire - and reveals a brightness of light, and after a few seconds, a cavernous cave. Upon entry, the parties will discover an identical visage to the one that greeted them in the image of this place that they were shown; outline of the doorway, however, was clearly amplified in the image.

Only the kloodges spilling away from a strange contraption pointed at a section of the unnaturally smooth cave wall suggests that this is where the door might well be; and perhaps the motions of some of the technicians, pointing to the same area, as they mill around in preperation for... something.

A good guess would be the opening of the doorway.

imported_Sentient Peoples

03-09-2003, 20:53

Croft approached the Queen. "Highness, it appears that you are preparing to open the door. Could we get our equipment from the surface before that time?"

Ma-tek

03-09-2003, 21:34

The Queen smiles. "Of course, you need not worry. The equipment is being brought down as we speak; our timing was not quite perfect in arriving, it seems. - Even we make mistakes," she adds with a small, sincere chuckle.

The technicians, strangely, have no reaction to the fact that their Queen is amongst them.

imported_Sentient Peoples

04-09-2003, 17:14

When the Federation's pallets arrive, they seem huge in the confined underground space, large though it may be.

Croft spots a blank wall and says, "Stack them up over there, Indiana."

Indiana nods and the pallets drift over and stack, five across, three high.

The boxes mounted on the pallets unseal, revealing a multitude of different equipment types.

Out of a box on the top row springs an eight legged robot, about the size of a dog, but resembling a spider, but for its bright gleaming metal surface. It appears to have no external markings, except for the seal of Vanderbilt University. It scuttles over to Indiana.

"Alright people, gear up." The expedition begins collecting equipment in addition to the devices they had borrowed from the Nenyans. The security guards had each taken an EF wand, and all the team members had taken the LSR setups.

Each of the scientists disappeared into one of the boxes for a moment, then reemerged, wearing different clothing, appropriate to field work, light colored for better visability while underground. Baggy cargo pants, long sleeve t-shirts, multipocketed vests, and hats of differing varieties. They are also wearing wrist comms, very high powered, but off, for now, wrist lights, also off for now, and utility belts, with a multitude of items on them. It looks like they could be carrying anything they could ever need, between the belts and the pants, which also appear heavily loaded.

The two guards, having been wearing more sensible clothing to start with, reach into another box and extract their own belts, wrist comms, wrist lights, and heavy stunners. The heavy stunners look for all the world like LAR's (Laser Assault Rifles), but aren't, if one knows the differences to look for, which any competent security officer should. These have more powerful lights mounted on them. Each of them is wearing a backpack with who knows what in it.

But no weapons. They'd be detectable, of course.

Ma-tek

07-09-2003, 15:26

Whilst the equipment is stacked and the SP group are gearing up, the Queen wanders in amongst the techs and carries out a hushed conversation in Nenyan.

Once the stacking and gearing up is completed, she raises her voice and asks the groups, "Ready?"

She doesn't wait, though. "Panta," she informs the nearest tech, who relays the order.

And the door groans...

But doesn't budge.

"It will take a few moments," Bao informs everybody.

imported_Sentient Peoples

07-09-2003, 16:18

The little eight-legged robot skitters towards the door. It appears that it wants to be the first through.

Which is it designed function of course. To check for traps.

S-14

07-09-2003, 20:38

Being a few billion kilometers from home and a few hundred kilometers from base camp, the insectoids carry everything they intended to bring on oddly shaped packframes and in the pockets of their strange utility vests and harnesses. Mostly standing off to the sides, they take readings of the room, the Reds checking their tublular ultrasound weapons.

07-09-2003, 20:44

Greetings from planet Earth.

Ma-tek

17-09-2003, 18:40

He walked, fascinated by the echo of his own solitary footsteps. Each hollow thud rippled up from the ground beneath him, and each one felt wonderful.

It had been so long.

The passage passed around him subtly, and its details were lost on his wondering eyes...

It had been so long.

Eyes that saw, feet that felt... a body that lived. It was... miraculous. And perfect. Absolutely perfect. He halted, bounced on his heels. Leapt, touched the ceiling.

He was... powerful. His body ebbed with strength, with suppleness - and his skin was cool to the touch. He had, clearly, been changed - into what?, some dark corner of his mind wondered.

It didn't matter. He would find him. Find him... and destroy him, and everything and everyone he loved.

It didn't matter how many lives it cost. It didn't matter how much pain, how much suffering - no matter the cost...

...Semir-randil would die at his hand - and not him alone. After all; the death of his kin - and the deaths of all else he loved - was a small price to pay for immortality.

Not to mention the forty thousand years of purgatory that the naked Nenyan that padded through the depths of the underground segments of the Palace had suffered.

No... fair was fair.

* * *

The parties find nothing. Strange as it may seem, the door - once opened in a sparkling show of dissolving wall - does not yield onto anything like what the sensor scans had dictated.

There is no cavern.

There are no plasma rifles; no point defence emplacements; no warrior robots waiting to attack the first thing that steps through the door, either, for that matter...

Well, none visible, anyway.

Instead of any of this, there is a simple - and apparently vastly long corridor - that stretches as far as any eye present can see, and vanishes into obscure darkness in the far distance.

Bao Ling's only reaction is a faintly irritated sounding, "Eh."

NationStates Jolt Archive

"And So It Begins"