NationStates Jolt Archive

The screen shows a grim faced reporter standing with his back to the setting sun.

"My friends, today the sun sets upon the empire for possibly the last time. The sun sets golden, but it did not rise as such. At about noon today, the sky shifted and all knew that an age was nearly at an end... For the sun shifted from its customary red to the golden brilliance that the rest of the world knows so well. Many, upon seeing this turned in horror to stare a rising cloud over the Capital... A mushroom cloud.”

The camera pans over the mountainous landscape while the reporter stands rigid.

“The symbol of the Empire, the blood red sun, has dis-appeared. Padmasa (The city) is now a memory. There is no official word from whatever members of the government remain. Though we have gathered from various sources what happened to the city: The final blow, intended to go off as soon as the city was irrevocably over-run, went off. The resulting explosions destroyed the city and much of the surrounding area. All above ground areas of the steppe have been closed down and the cities are sealed.”

Once again, the camera pans over the landscape.

“Mass suicides have been the most recent result; the number of deaths is expected to climb. We can only speculate as to what damage will result from the cloud of radiation that was released.”

More reports drift in from other sources, all reporting the same thing. The city of Padmasa is gone, along with the local leadership. Moreover several reports are stating that the Padmasan fleet his mostly dis-appeared, appearing to make random jumps away from earth to points unknown. It is not known whether this is because of orders received or because of the simple desire to get away from the planet.

OOC: Just out of curiousity, who was overrunning your nation?

(.... we would join this rp but im affrid ill get ignored like all the other space fun rps ive joined.. )

Who did this?, What made you?

:? ...? The Terran Allince wishes to assit you ....

OOC: This is an open RP and I will not ignore anyone without just cause, moreover I will explain why I am ignoring you and give you a chance to "fix" what caused an ignore.

We were not being over-run, there was no war going on.

IC: ... (There is no response as of yet. It seems that there is no official capable of responding as of yet.)

A Fedral Union air craft is currently flying over your nation wile a nexus class carrier is off the cost.

*A tight beam transmission to your carrier*

"This is Admiral Mind Sifter, of the Padmasan Imperial Fleet. By what right are you violating Padmasa's air-space? Normally this would be an act of war and would be treated as such, but under present conditions..."

Bump

General Perez
Government House
Revolution Square
Cayo City

In light of your situation I am willing to print a section from a classified Cayan document. See Below.

>>>>>>>>>CAYAN INTELLIGENCE AGENCY<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Official Document, for the eyes of Class A personell only, TOP SECRET.

Report on Nuclear Warhead NU2334M,

Warhead NU2334M reported missing on the _______________ this year. Reports indicate warhead went missing during transportation in the Cayan Outer Islands area. Official Military Ship CNS Engles was carrying the warhead and came under fire from an unknown fleet near Samos Island. CNS Engles was over-run and communications were lost at___________. The quick and well concealed nature of the attack suggests this was an advanced nation reposible, possibly one involved in the Samos Island/Cayo Island dispute.

No word on the warhead NU2334M has been recieved.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>END OF REPORT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<


This incident took place before my coming into power and much documentation on this and other incidents of great national importance have been lost due to the Babooska Regime. I hope this information proves usefull in your investigation

General Perez of The People's Republic of Cayo and the Outer Islands.

To: General Perez
From: Admiral Mind Sifter
Subject: Thank you

We thank your governemnt for bringing this information to our attention, and will take it into account. However we fear that our missing missle was not responsilbe. We will how-ever keep this in mind during our investigations.

"Mother of..." Lord Kentaka couldn't even finish his sentence before the phone started ringing. There were intelligence analyists that monitored the news 24 hours a day, and they wouldn't let something like this slip by.

Kentaka picked up the receiver. "Yes?... Yes, I've heard. Thank you. Have the Situation Room ready for me."

***********
Situation Room

Buried deep under Kentaka's fortess was the room where most of the major military decisions were made and monitored. General Ogana was already there with his report.

"My Lord," Ogana started, "we have been monitoring the news out of Padmasa. It seems that their capital has been completely destroyed, and that their nation is plunging into anarchy. Many are dead, and a lot more will be by the end of the day. There has been no word from the Padmasan government, and their military seems to have vanished."

"This is impossible! How could something like this happen?" Kentaka was shocked.

"Well, m'Lord, we have no indications that the nuke was missile-based. If that was so, our satellites would have caught it heading for Padmasa and we would have had a return trajectory on it already."

"Prepare to help the Padmasans in whatever way we can. Get all of our radiological teams on-line and keep them on high alert. Whatever hit Padmasa could hit us too."

"Yes, m'Lord."

"In the meanwhile, draft this message to the Padmasans and play it on every frequency you can."

Official Message to All Padmasans

This is Lord Usuengi Kentaka of Crimson Sparta. As you may know, our two nations have been allied almost since our inceptions. Since we are so close, let me assure you that this is not the end of your nation. Crimson Sparta will always be here to defend you from your enemies. We will do whatever we can to assist.

End Transmission

Official Message to any Padmasan Government Official

This is Lord Usuengi Kentaka of Crimson Sparta. After learning the news of today, we are terribly grief-striken over the loss of your city. I offer my condolences and know that is not enough.

We are willing and standing by to assist you in this awful attack. Our NEST teams will survey the area if you wish. Our men will die in the name of your nation and its citizens. We will render whatever help we can in finding out the meaning of this and getting back at whoever took this action. Please know that Crimson Sparta will not stand idly by and let one of its allies be attacked like this.

I will meet with one of your government officials if you wish, and we can take care of these things face-to-face. Please let me know what we can do for you and your nation.

Your ally,
Lord Kentaka
Crimson Sparta

"They sent this on all frequencies?"

"Yes, admiral."

"Fine. Get what's left of the fleet into a tight formation and prepare the signal lasers. A tight beam transmission is a must at this point. If we are to succeeed than none can know."

"Yes, of course. I'll send the order now."

"Good."

[Start Transmission]
We thank you Lord Kentaka, but we can do nothing at this point. The cities are sealed and are protected from all further attacks, and the fleet is assembled. What little of it remains.

We do not know what triggered the over-run defenses but we will find out in time. It was not an attack in any conventional sense, my lord, Padmasan cities are all built with enough nuclear bombs in them to assure complete destruction in the even that they are over run. It is these defenses that caused the detonation. We are currently trying to move as many personnel into space as possible...

A meeting will not be necessary unless you desire it. I am free to speak to you at any time you wish, though I will need advance warning if you intend to join me aboard the Blade of Retribution.
[end transmission]

[Tight beam transmission to parts unknown in the Padmasan mountains]
We need everything done faster! If we are to move it will have to be soon!
[end transmission]

OOC: That last transmission was added just for affect and no one should know about it unless they TG me and we work out what is going on.

Bump

Fedral union planes respond we are getting weird readings in your sector like high burst of energy,

(End radio trassmtion)

Fedral union planes respond we are getting weird readings in your sector like high burst of energy,

(End radio trassmtion)

[Tight-beam transmission]
We will send out own craft down to double check your findings. We ask that you please check to see if your equipment is working properly as we should have detected such from orbit.
[End Transmission]

2 Wings of Magician Atmospheric Fighter/Bombers are readied and launched, dropping down from the blackness of space to follow the Federal Union craft, thier weapons readied to act on any order they are given.

a few beamns of light hit one of The avnger hyper sonic Fighter bombers and crash and an enourmus explotion falows the crash the other fighter bomber pulls off and munvers to Jump to hyper sonic speed . .

((OOC: Sorry for the late reply all, been kinda busy with **gasp** "real life"))

The last words of the report echoed around the room, then silence ensued. After several minutes, lady Jessica spoke.
"So, what are we going to do?" she asked.
"What they would do if this happened to us." was Andrew's reply.
Jessica nodded sagely, "Tell me when we're to be on air." Andrew then stood up and headed for the communications centre.
The doors slammed open, "Bring me the full council! NOW!" he spat, "A channel with whoever the hell is in control of Padmasa would be nice too!"
The officer replied, without emotion "Yes m'lord." and complied with his orders, after a short conversation with the head-of-the-watch the officer returned.
"The channel will take a few minutes to bring online, please wait m'lord, the council will be here shortly."
"Send a message to Commodore Woesmith, tell him to scramble all superiority fighters and patrol the empires borders we shall
tolerate no attacks on our sovreignity in Padmasa's hour of need!."

The vid-link came online, muted at first, at both ends, the officer told Andrew that it was Admiral Mind Sifter,
an Illithid, Andrew nodded and the mute was removed.

"Admiral, it is a sad day, what actually happened down there?" asked the Lord.

....Interecepts of some Diplomatic Chatter was heard on board the RES Helene, Heavy Cruiser and Flagship of the 24th Expeditionary Fleet.

"Admiral Henderson, We have Intercepts, DIPLO" The Senior Communications Watch Officer informed him

"Whats it now?" the Admiral asked

"We have a Major Crisis in Padmasa. They just lost their government and capitol"

"Advise Elizabeth's town, immedately" as the Admiral stood up and walked to the Bridge Communcations Station

"Get me the fleet" as a junior officer handed him the mic and turned the frequency to fleet comms

"Fleet, this is Admiral Henderson, Go to Normal Quarters, but sick bay be prepared to go to Full Alert. WE are moving to Padmasa to help them recover. Engineering, make your speed 30 Knots, Destination, Padmasa

Monolith:

What the hell is it now! Mind Sifter made a concious effort not to project his anger to the rest of the command deck, though there were enough flinches from the command deck staff to know tht he failed.

"Who the hell is this?" He growled tentacles lashing the air.
"Ah, sir. That is Lord Andrew Steelbane the ruler of our ally, The Monolithian Empire." The comm officer hissed in reply.
"Very good. Greetings, Andrew. Yes, I am well aware you heard my exchange with the officer to my left, so you can stop looking shocked."
*One tentacle jabs at the screen*
"Padmasa's over-run defenses were triggered, we do not know how or why. However we are dealing with the problem and have set up a temporary chain of command."

"I take it you have been placed at the head of this new chain?" sneered Andrew "Have you any idea what caused the triggering? It had a failsafe, did it not?"
The communications officer recieved the reply message from Commodore Woesmith and projected it onto the small display placed at the top of the vid-ref screen, it was simply confirmation that the orders had been complied. It relieved Andrew slightly, but he knew that there were more matters to attend to.

He muted the conversation, "Send out the command for all border stations to increase security, no-one leaves, thorough searches for all entering."
He then unmuted the conversation.

"I am the only senior official left, it is only logical that I should head the temporary government until we can re-establish a base planetside."
Mind sifter turned around and gestured for something with a sweep of his arm
"Yes, there were fail-safes, and as I have made clear we do not know why they went off. Of course, we are now running extensive checks of the systems in our other cities... You can stop muting the screen I am quite adapt at lip-reading."
There is a bit of loud talk behind Mind Sifter and he lashes the air furiously causing the comm officer to wince
"As I have done for our allies in Crimson Sparta I will say you are welcome to join me aboard the Blade of Retribution. If you feel the urge not to speak in front of your own people."

Elizabetshire:
OOC: Not to be cruel or anything but a few questions:
Padmasa is at least 2 nations distant from the sea on all sides, how do you plan on arriving?
What diplomatic chatter? I haven't heard about any that a ship could get a-hold of other than that by Crimson Sparta which isn't much.
What tech level are you, the rest of us are far future and have given up on ocean based travel for the most part?

Andrew smiled "It's not what I say that we don't want you to hear. It's what I hear. As for your invitation for me to join you aboard the Blade of Retribution, I still have to meet with the council and decide upon a course of action, which was one of the points to my call. Is there anything Padamasa needs at this moment? A defensive perimeter, supplies, military patrols in the cities? I know you would be able to do these things by yourselves, but it would allow you to concentrate your efforts on more pressing matters."

"Padmasa is yet strong and is more than capable of caring for itself. No, we do not need anything, and our cities are completely sealed..."
*Mind sifter leans foward over the control panel and looks down.*
"If that is all, Andrew, you are free to contact me when-ever you desire. I hope your council meeting runs well."
*The comm suddenly goes dead as a tentacle slaps a key.*

"Get back work, up the time-table by 2 weeks!"

OOC: This last bit is just there for effect, no one heard it really.

Kentaka thought about Mind Sifter's request. He would have to take it up, of course, to find out what was going on. With Crimson Sparta's major military developments during the last few years, the nation was poised to start an offensive, but Kentaka needed more information.

He boarded his private transport craft. It wasn't anything glorious; a 12-person shuttle that was refitted for the purposes of command. General Ogana met him onboard and they lifted off and out of the atmosphere.

"There's certainly not a lot of stuff we know about the Padmasans, m'lord. It worries me a little."

"Yes, General, but there are some things we probably shouldn't know, for our own good."

Once in space, Kentaka opened a channel to the Blade of Retribution

"Admiral Mind Sifter, this is Lord Kentaka of Crimson Sparta. I have thought over your request and have decided to meet you on your ship. For security purposes, I assume that you would want to pick me up. If that is so, you can meet me at the coordinates that will follow this transmission. If not, please transmit your coordinates and we will rendezvous with your ship."

Mind sifter glowered but quickly changed his expression. Just one thing after another to-day

"Send 2 wings of fighters to escort his ship in, also see to it that an honour guard is ready to escort him to my state-room. Have the cooks whip up something suitable for a human and have it ready for him!"

"Aye lord"

Mind Sifter walked quickly to his stateroom, a desk made of bone dominated the room with a file cabinet in either corner and a suit of powered armour standing between them resting behind the desk, the chairs were also made of bone. He looked about and quickly changed the screens that covered the side walls to show images of space and the fleet that drifed around the blade of Retribution.

As soon as he had finished a panel on his desk flashed and he pressed the button to open the door and to allow Lord Kentaka and General Ogana to enter.

Kentaka and Ogana enjoyed their trip to the Blade, discussing exactly what to talk to Mind Sifter about. Once their shuttle docked, they were brought to Mind Sifter's stateroom.

Kentaka and Ogana walked in and Kentaka started.

"Admiral, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am sorry to take time out of your day, as you are probably consumed with your nation's problems. However, there are some questions we have."

Ogana spoke up at this time. "Padmasa has been our closest ally since the dawn of The Crimson Order, yet we are completely baffled on how to proceed with this matter. We have almost no information, and what little information we do have makes things more confusing.

"Where is the Padmasan army? In an event like this surely security would be beefed up, but we have actually seen less troops around. Our borders have been secured, yet none of our forces have met with Padmasan soldiers guarding their border."

Kentaka added to Ogana's questions, "Yes, and there is still the manner of the rogue ships from the Padmasan fleet."

Ogana continued. "That is an interesting point. But what of the civilians? Do we know how many casualties occurred in the blast?"

Mind sifter nodded slowly and steepeled his fingers.

"Legitimate concerns all, so I shall do my best to adress them all to your satisfaction. Starting in the order you listed them: The Padmasan army is aboard the fleet, sealed within the cities, manning our border forts, or conducting limited patrols. We have esentially pulled all our forces into strong points, counting on orbital recon and limited patrols of areas we cannot scan to maintain our borders.

"Ah, yes. We are working to establish communication with these ships but simply have no idea where they are. They made random and probably blind warp jumps and have since then dis-appeared. The rest of the fleet is more than able to handel any threat they pose, of course.

"Aye, civilians. We have calmed the populace and have seen the end of the suicides caused by the disaster. As to casualties, we are estimating that some 1 million were lost in total, we cannot get an accurate count but that is our best guess."

*Mind Sifter touched a panel on his desk*

"Would you care to join me in a bite?"

"Yes, I would love to join you in some food. It's been a long trip, and General Ogana and I are starved."

"Yes," Ogana confirmed. "For your answers, I am truely sorry for thos people. They have lost their lives due to some unknown error, and we have no way of avenging their deaths until we know the source of the problem. We will beef up our patrols alond the Padmasan-Spartan border, to make up for the lack of troops present. If you need any help in your cities, we can make accomodations for that as well."

"Excellent! I'm sure our cooks have managed something suitable for humans."

Mind sifter touched a panel on his desk and within moments another panel flashed. He quickly pressed it and an Illithid walked in pushing a small cart laden with several platters. The "cook" removed the top of the first platter, a large bowel of cocktail sauce sat atop a bed of lettice sorrounded by lobster tails.

"Cook's Magick, I see... I won't bother asking how you managed to get those."

The Illithid cook flashed a quick hand signal. before removing the covers of two other trays: A tray of various leaves, spices and such was placed infront of both Kentaka and Organa.

"Hah! I see I will have to explain how to eat that. Okay, spoon a tiny bit of plum sauce onto a leaf, add a minute quantity of dried kethna, a morsel of diced leek, a piece of lime, a slice of bitterwort, a sliver of ginger, and a dusting of dried red pepper. Roll it up and pop it into your mouth, they're rather good though everyone makes theirs differently."

The cook next placed a platter infront of mind sifter, lifting the lid he revealed a skull that had been bleached but apparently still held a brain some how.

"Thank you, you may go now, we will call when you are to pick up the trays. Hmmmmm, I see I will be forced to give you drinks."

Mind sifter reached down and pulled forth 2 crystal goblets, into which he poured a honey coloured nectar.

"There, I hope you will enjoy."

Andrew turned and stalked out of the communications chamber. The communications officer had reported to him that the council had assembled and was awaiting his arrival before they began. He felt tempted to ask a guard to sucker-punch him, because that is exactly what he felt had happened, without the physical affects, but it would not be a very good image to prowl into the meeting covering a sore gut.

He arrived at the council room; the two guards performed a 3-point ID test before opening the blast-doors, revealing a pair of large oaken doors. He quickened his pace and slammed the doors open. “Arobar! Bring me up everything you have on this ‘Mind Sifter’, he has taken charge of Padmasa and doesn’t seem as friendly as Haruat, Dragan or Xok for that matter. Bring me up a movement log of all three as well, I wonder if they took my advice and visited our theatre, that could save us a lot of hassle dealing with Mind Sifter.”

Minar Arobar, Minister of Information, stood up and the lights dimmed, the holo-projecter turned on with a click and showed an Illithid wearing black robes decorated with silver skulls, some ornate, others obviously real. The Illithid held a staff in one hand and a sword hung at his side. “Gentlemen, this is Mind Sifter, Admiral of the Padmasan Fleet. He is the most arrogant, conceited, meglo-manic, and dangerous Illithid alive. From what we can gather, when our allies announced the construction of a fleet Mind Sifter announced his candidacy. Several others did too, within days they were all killed. Make no mistake his is brilliant, and commands with a cunning that is unheard of, he can plan an entire theater in his head, planning and anticipating multiple outcomes… He has never lost an engagement. Moreover, he has built up a personality cult of sorts, such that he always has at least seven Illithids bodyguards with him, all of them ready to die for him. Furthermore, several Illithids have been trained to imitate him both mentally and physically, so as to mislead assassins.” The image then changed to that of Xok, dressed in his menacing power-armour. “Xok, was at home at the time of the accident, within 45 meters of the nukes covering his portion of the city.” The image then changed to Haruat, The image morphed into a tall, slim man with sharp, angular features wearing a military dress uniform. “Haruat was also at home, but we have had unconfirmed reports that he was at a diplomatic party. There is a miniscule chance that he is still alive, but the odds are stacked against him, finally, we have Dragan.” The holo-projected image morphed into a question mark. “We have absolutely nothing on him, according to Padmasan records, he doesn’t exist.”

“Well, I guess our only choice is to work with Mind Sifter, unless one of the others turns up miraculously,” said Andrew “Imperatrix Galatea Stingray, what are your suggestions of our military approach to this situation.”

A beautiful, slender woman stood at the far end of the table, her deep-blue-purple skin shining gray in the dim lights. “Sir, the best we can do is tighten security on our borders, Padmasa has already denied needing our help, militarily or diplomatically.”

“So all we can do is watch?” asked Andrew.

“I’m afraid so,” Was Galatea’s reply.

“ALMSIVI help Padmasa.”

“Oh, I don’t know about this ALMSIVI, but there are other forms that help can come in.” Everyone whirled to look at the doors, they stood open and a menacing figure stood between the still open doors, cloaked in darkness except for two glowing slits where his eyes would be.”

((OOC: This post has been authorized by Padmasa))

Dragan stalked forward past the two fallen gaurds whose blood was pooling on the granite. The silken robes he wore over his armour swished as he walked toward the table, though everyone still had to strain to hear it. He seemed nearly predatory, as he drew forth the Glaive that had been strapped to his back and used it as a sort of staff, its blade glimmering in the light of the holo-projector. Ministor Arobar, reached for his comm and froze just before tapping the alert button.

“I’m sorry to do this, m’lord, but all lines are currently severed.”

Dragan smiled wolfishly and struck the ground with the butt of his Glaive, Arobar started moving agian with a gasp.

“So this is the Monolithian high council, leaders of our esteemed allies and currently the most vulnerable people alive. Oh stop reaching for weapons; if I were there to kill you, you would all have just had your brains liquefied! Not only am I not that crude, but I am a friend.”

Dragan arrived at the edge of the table, two ministers hastily moved to the sides, and pulled his legs up. He sat there on thin air, and floated down so that he was level with everyone’s eyes.

“At this point, I do not know what is going on in my lands, but I am not in control. You may speak at this point.”

Lord Kentaka grunted a "thank you" at the cook, and then did as Mind Sifter said. He placed the items on the leaf and then rolled it up. He looked at it, then at Ogana, and then put it in his mouth.

"It is very good." Kentaka said after finishing the bite. "Usually we're not into greens-- we like red meat-- but this is very good."

Ogana nodded and ate another one of his leaf "sandwiches".

They also enjoyed their drinks, and praised Mind Sifter on his wonderful kitchen staff. "Whatever problems you're having at home, you certainly still know how to eat."

Mind Sifter nodded with an absent minded wave of his hand. He had leaned back after "sucking" up his meal. He waited until kentaka and Ogana had finished before summoning a servant to take away the dishes. A soon as the man had left the room Mind Sifter turned to Kentaka.

"I have come into knowledge that you are beginning the construction of a space fleet. May I ask how you are faring, and what sort of weaponry you have at this point? I would very much like to help you with some Padmasan tech, but need to know where to begin."