NationStates Jolt Archive

Jaram Byar stood at his desk, smiling grimly. Today was the day. Here, he would forge a new order, or shatter what was into less than dust. It all hinged on K'tieth, now...

Nine days earlier...

It was a good week. Myyria production was up 15%, and the pilots had managed to destroy over fifty incoming frigates. The tiny community of Jarvin's Landing, who, incidentally, were pirates, had made their living by ambushing freighters full of Myyria, one of the most valuable substances in the galaxy, and selling it to rogue groups, such as the Valyrian Order.

Only seventy-two people lived on Jarvin's Landing, a large, hollowed-out asteroid, with a set of buildings large enough to house thousands, but abandoned, for the most part. The grey-and-brown, rusty buildings stood like silent accusers, casting shadows over what small light emitted from the gloworbs.

Each person was a hardened fighter, and owned their own fighter, and, together, owned a large frigate, perfect for conducting raids on ships with.

Jaram had lived here, and had slowly met other rogues, or entrepeneurs, as they preferred to be called, and had slowly, ever-so-slowly, began to unify them into something that was not constantly in a struggle to destroy itself, began to levy taxes for safety, and began to create laws. Of course, he only ruled six worlds, and three systems, and not so much as 'ruled', as 'no one else felt like doing it', but it was a start. However, it was on this day he had made the decision to unify his chosen people, weld them into a far more cohesive force, and rule this part of the cosmos. It was on this day, that fate began to take its course...

You see, a total of five million space pirates lived among the various asteriods and derelict stations of the stars, and Jaram ruled some four thousand. However, Jaram was smart. He had taken control of the three most vital routes, and now controlled over six hundred megalitres of the Myyrian Essence, the hub on which the entire pirate nation turned...

Present Time, Neui-Link

Jaram's voice rang out, destroying other transmissions, and into the home, ship, or helmet of every pirate in what was soon to become his Affiliate.

"Greetings, friends, businessmen. I come here today to offer a proposition! Simply put, you are now under my dominion!"

Thousands of people laughed, some were nervous, but most dismissed it as a mere power-hungry idiot...

Jaram continued "You see, I control some eighty-seven percent of the Myyrian Essence. As you know, without the Essence, your reactions will be slowed, and piloting will become much more expensive. You will lose the ability to combat Unified, League, and other ships, and will die out. I do not lie.

At this point, the people became apprehensive, wondering what was to become of them, although still somewhat dubious

Jaram smiled, a grin, which you would probably see on the face of a tiger, just before it tore out your throat. "As such, I am declaring this the Space Pirate Affiliate. You will pay a fifth of your profits in tithe to the ruling body, the Council, and Myyrian Essence will be regulated by governers set by me.
You will not damage one another's goods beyond repair, nor will you destroy Essence, but murder is permitted, assuming there is reason. You will live as before, but, instead of having to fight others off for your prey, we will assign routes to certain people, who have earned them. I certainly hope you don't flee my realm, as information on your ships, DNA, and race has already been compiled, and, of course I will feel obliged to send this information out, if anyone flees. Goodnight."

The screen shut off, leaving bewildered and angered people, but, for the most part, frightened ones. Jaram Byar had managed to pull of an easy coup, and he could control this set of star systems beyond belief, of course, many would be angered, but Jaram didn't care. As a human, he had managed to rule a conglomerate of aliens, non-sentients, parasites and a few AIs alike, and had managed to do it easily.

He had already compiled the Affiliate Constitution, and was hoping for more people to join. He had his plans for the next fifty years already laid out, but it would take more people, and more technology...

The Space Pirate Affiliate Constitution, and Laws

Laws

Firstly, no man shall kill another, unless the other man has offended him, or stole from him. To kill without reason incurs a millilitre fine of Essence, or twelve months of hard labour.

Secondly, thievery is disallowed, except on those who do not sign the Constitution, and join the Affiliate. Those who do not are considered non-sentient, and have 'open season' declared upon them.

Thirdly, Myyrian Essence is the hub of all trade. Except in agreed-upon situations, pay is to be in Myyrian Essence, if only in a solidified form.

Lastly, punishments are to be conducted in the presence of a respected community member, and twelve others. They must vote, according the evidence, and majority rules.

Tithing

Firstly, a fifth of all wealth acquired is to be given to the government, who will then use, and sell it, in order to supply the Raid Cruisers, and Battlestations to be built, to make independent business easier to conduct.

The government will sell Myyrian Essence in return for parts, valuable materials, and technology. However, only sixteen hours worth of combat-time will be sold to any one person.

Secondly, the Essence Worlds have been raided, and all the processors recovered. Anyone raiding these worlds from now on is suspectible to a death sentence, enforceable anywhere within the multiverse.

Raiding

Raiding will be conducted in a fair fashion, those who have paid their tithes, and bought large amounts of Essence given the first oppurtunity, those who have not will be delegated to lesser worlds, and must raid lesser ships.

End

This ends the basic Constitution for the Affiliate.

Jaram smiled. Of course, it was very basic, but it was a start. A few laws, not to constrictive, yet exceedingly strong, enough to restrain them when they don't notice, but also enough to let them roam free, was a start. He would introduce more laws later...

Of course, it was time for him to meet the intergalactic community. He could see it now. Agreements in return for no raiding, alliances, ah, yes. He felt power was there, and so he must be, as well.

Message to the Intergalactic Community

The Affiliate bids you welcome, and wishes to meet with any representatives of any nation, in order to cement trade and other alliances.

- End Message

OOC: I love this idea. Very interesting. I have a character that I'd like to roleplay in this Affiliate, if you'd let me. I've had the character developed for some time, but I haven't found a good way to bring him forward, and I think this would be the perfect opportunity.

OOC: Oh, and something I haven't explained. Myyria is a substance gained from a plant, named Myyrn, (Which is near-impossible to cultivate), which increases reaction time a hundred-fold. Normal reflexes cannot deal with space combat, and so this is the way 99% of the Affiliate gains the ability to attack, and anticipate even moves at the speed of light. Of course, it takes a huge toll on the body, but, without it, automated defenses on freighters would easily destroy the manned fighters. Once gained, it must be distilled into Myrrian Essence, and can be taken orally, rubbed on the skin, or otherwise, depending on how fast, and how efficient you want the reaction times. Also, the Riftspace engines are only enabled by a neuralink, a basic affair, in which the Essence allows you to see 'through' the strands of reality, to a very basic degree, and move into Riftspace. So yeah, without Essence, it's a hugely expensive and inefficient affair to build an empire.

Anyone can join the Affiliate, as it's a rather loose-knit affair. Basically Jaram taking the lion's share of the treasure, but reinvesting it to keep power. You can join as a rival to power, whatever, but be aware that Jaram takes a rather dim view of anyone opposing him.

IC: "Hmm... So, we have seventy-four frigates, six cruisers, nineteen destroyers, and some sixty thousand FTL-capable fighters? We need more. Sources tell me there is an average of 1.2 fighters per person in the soon-to-be Affiliate, and some 0.03 frigate or larger ships per person. Begin denying all sources of Essence to anyone who does not join, immediately!"

Jaram smiled. He would weld an empire together, and rule the stars, whatever these pitiful fools chose to do. He had but to wait...

OOC: I'm just going to whip up a quick list of Affiliate ships, and a few characters, for OOC reference.

Ships -

Tarngleon Fighter -

The Tarngleon is the basic fighter for any starting pirate, worth a mere 50 ml of Essence. It carries a single Tayvon Cannon, a cannon which disables enemy systems, and a Slicer. The Slicer can, well, slice through armour, allowing an intrepid businessman to obtain... extra goods easily.

Yamadia Fighter - The Yamidia is the first fighter to require large amounts of Essence, as it can easily move at near-c speeds. Without Essence to mind-nullify the time distortion, it would be near-worthless. Like all fighters, it has a Rifter, a simple drive for making tiny Rifts into Riftspace, but requires Essence to see the 'holes in the lattice', and move at FTL+ speeds.

Tyrchon Freighter - The main freighter of the prey of the intrepid businessmen, this Freighter is optimised for carrying Essence, as well as metals, parts, but not people. Only four people can be onboard, and the Freighter is easy to ambush, by simply moving up from underneath.

Illusio Frigate - The only standardised frigate 'base', this ship carries no weapons, nor shields, as standard, but can fit just about anything on it. It is slow-ish, but can house twelve fighters, and has strong armour. Generally used as a fighter and troop transport, as opposed to combat purposes.

Tarain Cruiser - The last of the few standardised, non-personalised craft, the Tarain is a ship manufactured by the old Allied Provinces, and is equipped with fifteen energy cannons, six missile-units, and twelve torpedo launchers. Only two are 'in service', although the new Affiliate is going to modify these, and use them as orbital enforcer stations.

- - - - - - - - - -

Characters -

Marna Illusio - Daughter of a rich 'businessman', she designs ships, and has a dangerous Essence gland, which produces Essence slowly, and allows her to have heightened reactions.

Ikkan - A six-limbed alien, Ikkan seeks fortune, to buy a cloning device, and restore his race. He is addicted to Essence, however, and has permanently heightened reactions, although his once ten thousand-year lifespan has been shortened to a mere two hundred.

Tyadora Tian - A half-robot, half-parasite construct, TT1XY is dangerous in the extreme, and actual pirates entire stations, by himself. He is immune to Essence, and is one of the few pirates in the Affiliate unaffected by the new edict.

Jaiir - Jaiir is a human, and the guardian of Jaram's stockpiles of Essence. He's unremarkable, and unassuming, although deadly with a energy pistol, and has an installed Essence pocket, allowing him to defeat many enemies with but a thought. He commands sixty elite guards, in order to prevent anyone from claiming his lord's power.

((OOC: Very well done, and very interesting as well, good show. I'll keep my eye on this one.))

IC:

Lt. Commander Bransin sat behind his desk in his office, located on the boarder outpost planet of Zel'tie. The Lt. Commander thought to himself "I can not believe I was asigned to this dump. I commanded a destroyer during the wars I should have better then this." hanging his head slightly.

The door buzzer sounded and Bransin looked to his door monitor only to notice a nervious Crewman waiting outside.Pressing a button on his consol he spoke in a disappointed tone. "Enter... Enter."

The door slid open and the Crewman entered the office. "What is it?!" Bransin yelled.

"Sir, we have received a message from a newly formed nation. It seems to be located far from here. We only detected the signal from one of our deep space comm relays. I transfered the message to your consol sir." replyed the crewman.

Looking over the Messege he seem intreged. "Well thats interesting...'The Affiliate'. Well, transmit the messege to Command."

"Yes sir!" and with that response the crewman left to prepair a report to be sent with the messege to Command.

Bransin again thinking to himself. "Well just another exciting day. That report will lay on someones crowded desk for days, weeks, or months before it ever gets to someone who matters. There have been so many nations stepping up to the Universal stage. It was hard for Command to keep them all seperated and organized. This one seems different though. My gut tells me it would be a good idea to keep our eyes on these people."

((OOC: Mostly a tag post.))

OOC: You wouldn't have happened to have gotten this idea from Dune, did you? One world with extremely valuable essence, (Arrakis and the spice melange) which allows you to see and move into Riftspace(Navigators rely on the Spice melange to be able to safely plot their Heighliner's course through Foldspace) etc. I'll probably join. :)

Riven pushed his comm unit back up against the ceiling of his cramped fighter. So, he thought to himself. This guy thinks he can rule me? We'll see, Jaram. Pressing a few buttons, his ship turned and slowed. With precision, Riven flew his small pirate ship into a small landing bay carved from an asteroid.


OOC Stats:

Name: Riven Deunarin
Height: 6' 7"
Weight: 176 lbs.
Hair: Short, brown
Eyes: Light blue, greyish

Fighter: A Vulcan 1 ZIG-class fighter, painted black. with orange stripes going the length of the craft.
Special Modifications: Cargo hold and docking hatches. Life support system. Wings for atmospheric flight.

OOC: You wouldn't have happened to have gotten this idea from Dune, did you? One world with extremely valuable essence, (Arrakis and the spice melange) which allows you to see and move into Riftspace(Navigators rely on the Spice melange to be able to safely plot their Heighliner's course through Foldspace) etc. I'll probably join. :)

OOC: Yup. I just finished House Corrino, and decided that copying straight off Dune would be boring, but something akin to it would be awesome. Of course, Essence isn't addictive, it just heightens your reactions and shortens your lifespan, both dramatically.

OOC: I would like to join as a Pirate from Starenell in your area. He pilots a Staric ship, and will join the rebels. He may have a teensy bit of support from the Staric government.

OOC Nothing wrong with copying from dune ((Glares at you)) IS THERE! Na, its all good, consider this a tag for involvement later.

OOC:
Nifty, tho not something any Kanuckistani are likly to join - Kanuckistani pirates are generally thought of as extreamly bad luck on account of the fact that Adventurers' Guild admadas tend to spontaniously apear within weapons range of them, amoung other things(like anti-capitalship missiles stored in your armoury 'accidently' detonating); something about that band of mercenaries, adventurers, and vigilanties already having enough PR problems. :D

'course, I wouldn't mind playing a victim(well, if your people will go after a Kanuckistani freighter), and ye'd be perfect fer having the ocasional run-in with lower-tier 'Guild members, if yer up for it.

OOC Nothing wrong with copying from dune ((Glares at you)) IS THERE! Na, its all good, consider this a tag for involvement later.

OOC: Yar. *hits with stick*
I shall continue

IC: Jaram was annoyed, slightly. Of course, nearly everything was going to plan, his strategy of denying dissident planets any Essence working well, but there was... one thing. A tiny coalition of planets, which had, apparently, a large stockpile of Essence, led by a woman, of all things. Her name was Marna Illusio. Jaram had, at the time, sent a single assassin to kill her. She sent his head back, served delicately on a platter, with a rosy red apple in his mouth.

After that, he sent twelve. Armoured men, full to the brim of Essence, men who would otherwise be elite combat troops, men who had killed sixty armed raiders with their bare hands. He had not heard from them since.

He had cursed, and swore, and, finally, had come to a conclusion. That woman owned a controlling interest in the last shipyard in the sector, Illusio Shipyards. Without those shipyards, she could bleed him to death. Essence was of little use, without ships.

She had six worlds under her sway, controlling a little under a million people, he controlled thirty-two, and controlled three-and-a-bit million people, and approximately a million were, as yet, to give into any demands.

He needed those shipyards, if he were to rule. He had a mere sixty-billion credits worth of Essence, and, simply put, that was not enough to buy her out. He needed help.... And he knew just where to get it. A shabby building, on Marnis...

Message to Marnian Businessman's Guild

Both your attempts have failed. No Essence will be released. However, if manage to cut off the managers and programmers at the shipyards in Taii'fer and Illak, I will pay you half of the original statement.

- Ramaj

...Jaram smiled. Soon enough, he'd be able to cut off ship production. All he needed now was some kind of powerful frigate, or a ship able to rip apart any fighter defenses they might have...

Contract, sent to independent shipyards.

Greetings. My name is Jaram Byar, and I wish to purchase a frigate, for a private enterprise, with a few changes premade.

Firstly, if possible, I would like the frigate to have the engine able to be replaced. I prefer to use my own system of FTL. Secondly, as many as anti-fighter guns as possible to be fitted onto the ship, and at least one high-yield torpedo. Also, in-ship defensive systems, such as indoor retractable turrets, and detatchable parts, without damaging the ship's ability to move.

I am willing to pay a sum of some 50 billion Galactic Standard Credits, or in the valuable, speed-enhancing Myyrian Essence.

- Jaram Byar

To: Jaram Byar

From: Douglas McDonald, Sales Rep, Uniphase Armouries Interversal, Kanuckistan

Subject: Frigate Contract


Salutations;

We hear you're in the market for a ship. The following is a modification of a stock model; a solid, time tested design with roots stretching back centuries, recently updated with more modern systems and high-grade Delstar armour. Shields aren't standard, but they're easily intigrated.

As per your requerst, it has also been fitted with concealed internal turrets, heavy blast doors sealing armoured bulkheads, anti-intruder grav plating, ejectible compartments, controled explosive-decompresion systems, and a comprehensive multi-redundant internal sensor grid.

All security systems also utalise Contextual Thermal Entanglment-based networking to eliminate the risk of boarders comprimising the control runs.

Should this proposal prove unsatisfactory, please specify your issues and I'll take them to our design department.

Signed:
Douglas McDonald
Douglas McDonald, Sales Rep,
Uniphase Armouries Interversal,
Kanuckistan

------------------------------------------------

Modified Pyrite IV-Class Frigate

Price: $42 Billion Universal Standard Dollars

Legnth:
-135m
Crew:
-26(crew; 3 for minimal operation)
-42(marines; optional)
Powerplant:
-2x Standard Civilian-Grade Hawking Matter-Annilation Plant w/ Nuetronium superfluid fuel system(can effectivly use any matter for fuel)
Endurance:
-1 years(food stores)
-16 years(signifigant maintaince)
-50 years(fuel; max non-combat output)
-45 Hours(max combat output)
Drive:
-High-End Civilian-grade Reactionless Inertial Direct-Drive
-Internal Rotary-Control Gyros(rated 145 deg/sec)
-Basic Gravitic Hyperspace Induction Field Drive(holds ship in near-hyperspace while powered); modular and easily replaced.
Armament:
-2x Light CryoAtomic Lased Particle Beam Pulse Cannon(limited traverse, forward); 5 second cycle rate
-2x 850mm Multi-Purpose Inertial Launch Tubes(fixed, forward)
-2x External Multi-Cell Box-Launch Missile System Hardpoints
-14x Pulse Lasers(Fast-Tracking Turrets, Point-Defence); .5 sec cycle rate
Carriage:
-1x 25x15x10m modular Internal Smallcraft Bay
Armour:
-0.75m First Generation Delstar Composit
Stealth/ECM:
-RADAR/LiDAR absorbant/refractant coating
-Zero-Emmision Drive & Reactor
-Zero Thermal-Emmisions
-Basic RADAR/LiDAR jamming package
-Basic EM Comms jamming package
-ECM/Chaff Flare Launchers
Sensors:
-Broad-band EM Active/Passive(RADAR/LiDAR/Optical/etc)
-mass detector
Comms:
-Standard Multi-Band EM transciever package(broadcast, tightbeam, laser)
-Subspace Transciever
-Hyperwave Transciever

- Reply -

This is more than acceptable. If possible, could you leave it in orbit of [co-ordinates transmitted], where a group of pilots will be waiting with both the money, and the ship.

I thank you, and offer you a $2 billion deposit

- Jaram Byar, First of the Affiliate

To: Jaram Byar, First of the Affiliate

From: Douglas McDonald, Sales Rep, Uniphase Armouries Interversal, Kanuckistan

Subject: Re: Re: Frigate Contract


Salutations;

I'm glad to hear you're satisfied with our offer, and have already seen to it that, as of typing this, one of our stock Pyrite IV frigates has been passed to yard hands for your requested modifications. It should be ready within two weeks, at which point I'll contact you with a delivery time.

Additionally, I have been authorised to request ten percent payment in your Myyrian Essence. A battlecruiser has also been requisitioned from corperate security to oversee the safe transfer of both the frigate and it's payment.


Signed:
Douglas McDonald
Douglas McDonald, Sales Rep,
Uniphase Armouries Interversal,
Kanuckistan




OOC:
Would you like to RP the actual exchange?

EDIT: And that's two weeks, IC time; or, just under an hour iRL, if you want.

OOC: I would like to join as a Pirate from Starenell in your area. He pilots a Staric ship, and will join the rebels. He may have a teensy bit of support from the Staric government.
Can I? He will be with Marna Illusio.

Can I? He will be with Marna Illusio.

OOC: Sure. Marna is essentially selling ships for loyalty, whereas Jaram uses Essence.


OOC:
Would you like to RP the actual exchange?

EDIT: And that's two weeks, IC time; or, just under an hour iRL, if you want.

OOC: Yar. I would. There'll probably be an insurgent-type who tries to blow it up, however.


IC:
From: Jaram Byar
[b]To: Douglas McDonald, Sales Rep, Uniphase Armouries Interversal
[b]Re: Re: Re: Frigate Contract[b]

[co-ordinates transmitted]

We are most glad to pay the deposit in Essence, but must warn you that Essence can take a terrible toll on the body if used for too long, or if used overmuch. Reaction time is heightened a fivehundredfold,(In humanoids, in several special is varies from a hundredfold to fifty-thousand fold) but, for every second of your life when using Essence, almost a minute will pass, and the 'effective time' will increase, the longer you stay in an Essence-heightened state. Furthermore, time will 'slow down' for someone in an Essence-heightened state, and they will be able to perceive time somewhat differently. After coming out of an Essence-heightened state, extreme fatigue or unconciousness are normal reactions.

Approximately 1 ml of Essence is worth 500k Galactic Standard Credits, but, be warned, taking an entire ten mls will inevitably be deadly, as it lasts for some 45 minutes, and will reduce your lifespan by over 24 years, as using Essence for more than twenty minutes takes an unimaginable toll on the body.

Some 40 litres of Essence will be sent, in four thousand seperate containers, however, do not mix the essence with any other substance (Especially the compound H20, it explodes with nearly a megaton's worth of power, per tenth of millilitre. Radioactive substances near Essence will corrupt it, and most other materials are untested.)

- [b]Jaram Byar, First of the Affiliate

Jaram frowned. Although he had megalitres of Essence, as he'd virtually taken the entire nation's wealth in a single stroke, giving up Essence... bothered him. Right now, his few troops were virtually invincible, dodging bullets, killing enemies without Essence with ease. If these.... others gained Essence, and managed to supply themselves with it... Yes, it was a risk. Nonetheless, an advanced frigate such as the one they were offering him was worthwhile, as it would allow him to crush those damned rebellions once and for all!

Douglas frowned again as he reviewed the letter some time later, the frigate by now already enroute, under escort, to a staging area in the depths of interstellar space; somewhere not too far from the delivery point, yet still remote, obscure, and lightyears distant.

This Myyrian Essence held interesting promise, both of itself and in ecconomic potential, once the Company's experts managed to reproduce it. The side effect upon life span would likly prove of little consiquence to those with access to modern Kanuckistani medical technology, and even if it fell short of the latest CTE/Optronic neural augmentations, it may still prove a more ecconomical alternative to simplier augmentations.

And there were always those beyond the nation's borders willing to poison themselves for profit and pleasure; the file being compiled on this 'Affiliate' comfirmed as much beyond doubt.

The claims were, of course, exagerated - of this Douglas had little doubt. If nothing else, a megaton's explosion took a matter-energy conversion bomb some fourty-five grams of reaction mass to manage such a feat; this stuff would have to be denser than lead for even that; MEC fuel! Impossible, he'd decided upon first reading it weeks ago.

Ah, but still, if even a fraction of what was told held true, it would be a bonanza for R&D; a tool, a weapon, and who knew what derivitives might be developed with it's insperation? Doug could taste the inevitible bonus.

Not that he planed on telling any of that to Mister Byar.


-----------------------------


To: Jaram Byar, First of the Affiliate

From: Douglas McDonald, Sales Rep, Uniphase Armouries Interversal, Kanuckistan

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Frigate Contract


Salutations;

I am happy to report that your vessel is already enroute to a staging ground near the coordinates provided, from where it will proceed after short delay to the coordinates you have provided. It is expected to arrive in aproximatly twelve hours from now; if this is inconvienent for you, reply any time befor then and alternate arrangments can be arranged.

The exchange will proceed under standard delivery procedure; your frigate will hold formation within the shield bubble of it's escort, and payment will take place onboard a shuttle stationed between the craft. Once payment has been confirmed, the Corperate Gaurd personel aboard the frigate will transfer to the escort, and your own people will then be allowed to take posession of her; at this point, transfer will be considered offical, and your personel who delivered payment will disembard the shuttle, which will then proceed back to the escort. Finally, once your people have secured your new ship, it's crew shall transmit a request to the escort for the retraction of it's shield bubble to allow their departure, after which our vessel will withdraw, concluding the exchange.

In order to prevent opertunistic parties from attempting deception, a confirmation code will be provided in an attachment to identify your representitive to the escort. Simply have it transmited it when requested.


Again, if you have any issue with these arrangments, please contact me within twelve hours so that I can send the recall order and abort the exchange until alternative arrangments can be made.


Signed:
Douglas McDonald
Douglas McDonald, Sales Rep,
Uniphase Armouries Interversal,
Kanuckistan




OOC:
Insurgent, eh? Sounds fun.

What're the destination and it's suroundings like? Unless your guy's going to object to Doug's proposed exchange details, I'll post their arival after you tell me what they'll be jumping into.

The giant nomad fleet sped through space, stripping planets and peoples and leaving nothing but charred rock behind them. Now, they were going through a certain asteroid field. The fleet was led by a ship of enormous proportions, the Gunship. On the expansive bridge, the Goguathak writhed as it's many eyes rolled in their sockets. The thing was supported by many wires, tubes, and other pharaphernalia. These things were used by the Coilean nomads as navigators, thousands of them captured from the world of Yugog (Now probably a large asteroid) when it had been discovered that they had the power of prescience.
The thing hissed.
The asteroid field is mostly normal. However, there do seem to be several hollowed out asteroids that are sparsely inhabited, the translation came over the loudspeakers. On a high platform, a man twirled his Hexashooter. He was tall, with a medium build, and uncannily pale. His eyes were hidden by a pair of shades, and several small tubes were sticking out of his neck. He smiled, revealing white teeth with sharpened canines.
"Good," he intoned. The man's name was Melc, of the Coilean nomads.
"Gunners! Get to your posts, and as oon as we are in good range of the inhabited asteroids..." Melc paused for effect.
"Blast them."

The fleet steamed towards the asteroid field at full speed, point defences shattering any asteroids that came too close to pose a harm to the ships. Soon, they were close to one of the asteroids. Very close.
Melc, smiled devilishly.
"Fire!" He barked. And fire the gunners did, as a brown mass of fighters and bombers descended onto the asteroid. It was over in a matter of seconds. The asteroid cracked under the force of the high-yield bombs the bombers had dropped, and the thousands upon thousands of laser bolts pouring from the fighters and capitol ships only speeded up the effect.
It cracked...Splintered, and then collapsed upon itself.
Melc nodded happily. "Salvage anything you can, and send all of it to the shipyards."
There were maybe a few thousand people on the asteroid, not a big loss. Melc shrugged as he thought this.


..Who were these people, who recklessly destroyed anything they came across? Were they to be fought or was peace possible? It would remain to be found out...

The claims were, of course, exagerated - of this Douglas had little doubt. If nothing else, a megaton's explosion took a matter-energy conversion bomb some fourty-five grams of reaction mass to manage such a feat; this stuff would have to be denser than lead for even that; MEC fuel! Impossible, he'd decided upon first reading it weeks ago.


OOC:
Insurgent, eh? Sounds fun.

What're the destination and it's suroundings like? Unless your guy's going to object to Doug's proposed exchange details, I'll post their arival after you tell me what they'll be jumping into.


OOC: Yar. Marna is a rather... less direct person than Jaram, and is, inevitably, going to try and take the ship. At the very least, it'd be worth billions in design and technology, and it would guarantee her success over Jaram. The Essence itself is extremely volatile when mixed with any other material, and doesn't actually explode on its own, but ignites energy nearby, as well as unleashing a huge amount (about a tenth of what was originally stated) of explosive energy.

IC: Mktera's eyes skittered from left to right. He was one of the forty-odd people handpicked by Jaram to go with the man who was to conduct the trade, Pyerii Ka'han. He was afraid, he had to admit. Marna had recently captured the supply of Uuva, the mind-relaxing drug he was addicted to, and the withdrawal, unless he got some more, would kill him, horribly, within a few weeks. He had to take the frigate to the planet in which Marna and her fleet would be hiding, if he could lower the shields, she would help him live.

Of course, he had to go through Pyerii Ka'han. And, quite simply put, Pyerii Ka'han was a cold-blooded killer, controlled only through the use of an artificial spine, giving him both pain, and relieving him from it, and forcing him to obey Jaram. Pyerii was the most deadly killer in the Affiliate, and that was saying a lot. He had supposedly killed six hundred elite troops of the Conglomerate, a former company, by himself, over a period of two days, without Essence. Mktera didn't want to die of withdrawal, but he had no doubt that whatever Pyerii did to him, he knew it'd be infinitely more painful.

He winced, and holstered his FireKan Blaster. If the worst came the worst, he could damage the shields, and say it was an accident.

- - - - -

Meanwhile, Jaram smiled. He had already ordered the corruption of the Essence, which would fully degrade it into unstudieable parts within 72 hours. Of course, at that time, it would become dangerously volatile, and the Kanuckistani would have to assume it was their particular form of engine or FTL. Could he be blamed for not knowing the nuances of Kanuckistani FTL?
He thought not. The tampering was unnoticeable, especially to someone who had no other example of Essence to study.

He would, of course, offer his apologies, but he could hardly be expected to have to pay for their fault. His lips curved upwards in a sneer. He gestured, and his door sealed itself. He needed to think.

Seven hours later, [co-ordinates provided], transmission code at the ready.

The shuttle arrived, two large vaccuum cargo storage areas containing the superbly sealed Essence and its container. The small shuttle was escorted by six fighters, and a single gunship, four fighters and the gunship hanging back, hidden inside various asteroids, and the like. Of course, the Kanuckistani would easily detect them, seeing the Affiliate possessed no cloaking devices, except for a few very primitive ones, but that wasn't what they were waiting for.

Jaram had good reason to suspect Marna would try and ambush his shuttle, and take his Essence, or try and steal his frigate. The former would be disastrous, broadcasting to the galaxy he had no power, and giving Marna and her ilk a large amount of Essence, even if it was corrupted, and the latter would spell the end of his Affiliate, and quite probably kill him.

He was waiting for the Kanuckistani arrivals, when he noticed something strange. The tribute from Illeka hadn't arrived, and it was almost seventeen hours late. He groaned, and quickly opened a com-channel to a few of his pilots.

"Allright, boys, we have a situation. I want two of the Wormwood-modded Tarngleons to go check it out, take yourselves a two-day Standard supply of Essence, you might need it. I want you to requisition a shuttle, and take fifty-odd killers with you, check out the situation. If they've been raided, track down the raiders and kill them, otherwise, eliminate the three hospitals, and the two unshielded spaceports, to teach them the price of rebellion.

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

Marna Illusio grinned. An exceptionally beautiful woman, she was a mere 22 years of age, and already designing her own ships. The Resistance, as she termed her movement, encompassed approximately 1/6 of the people in the area the Affiliate wished to claim, although it only had 4/6ths.

She had finally pulled off an excellent raid, taking over six thousand slaves, virtually depopulating the hardened criminal population of Illeka, and put the fear of... well, her, into the rest of the population, not to mention literally stripping six spaceports, and taking their shields. As soon as she could figure out a way to make shields work without the deadly distortion for movement, her ships, Essence, or no, would be invincible. Of course, the cruisers could carry shields, but the personnel on them didn't use Essence-enhanced FTL, which was exceedingly sluggish. She frowned. Her disastrous raid on Jaram's Essence supplies with seven hundred men resulted in them all dead, or captures, and two worlds defecting from her cause.

She needed[i/] that frigate, indeed, it would change her cause from needing brute force and fear to simply inspire loyalty, as well as heady bribes. Jaram, however, was a politicial genius, making speech after speech, inspiring more and more to join him. She could continue raiding his new-formed raider government, but she much preferred to rule by herself. It was a near-hopeless cause. She frowned, and thought, carefully. She had heard that the Kanuckistani had been in contact with Jaram, through her contact. She hoped against hopes that he hadn't made any type of alliance, as such...
And they seemed such a .... nice.... people..
She smiled. Maybe there [i]was a dim ray of hope shining in the darkness.

Message from Marna Illusio, leader of the Resistance against the Affiliate, Classified

Greetings, friends. I have recently received news that you intend on selling Jaram Byar, a violent, heavy-handed dictator, a ship of some description. For those of us who wish for peace, democracy, and prosperity in the Comarius Sector, this will deal a deathblow to our dreams. As I cannot ask you not to sell a ship to him, I must ask you, will you lend aid in the form of ships and weapons to us? We have little money, but, if we can win this war, we will obtain Jaram's stockpiled Essence, and be able to pay you back double. We would be most willing to pay in the form of trade agreements, alliances, and other diplomatic ties, in order to retain our hope that we may one day live in peace, without fear

- Marna Illusio

End Message

IC:

To: Marna Illusio, leader of the Resistance against the Affiliate

From: Luke Jackson, Corperate Affairs, Uniphase Armouries Interversal, Kanuckistan

Subject: Your Request


Salutations;

Uniphase Armouries Interversal is not a charity. Credit is also not avalible to those of unknown reliability. If you wish to purchase arms and supplies, we would be happy to provide whatever you can pay for.

Additionally, it is company policy not to comment on our business with other clients. Should you have issues with persons whom you belive are dealing with us, however, you would be well advised to keep those issues in check when around our vessels and personel; UCG personel will not hesitate to use lethal force in the protection of their charges.


Signed:
Luke Jackson
Luke Jackson, Corperate Affairs,
Uniphase Armouries Interversal,
Kanuckistan

------------------------



Some time later, several minutes after the twelve hour ETA provided, a small object apeared some hundred-thousand kilometers from the exchange coordinates; little larger than a baseball, it was soon joined by another as a distant Displacer Platform continued to deploy Forerunner probes - a dozen, total, soon englobing the rendezvous location, their sensors sweeping surrounding space.

A dozen seconds passed, then, befor another object arrived; a subtle waver of probibilities, a rippling of chance, the only sign emmited as a kilometer and a half of unnatural silver simply... apeared - the frigate, dwarfed, tucked against it's hull, within the battlecruiser's drive field.

It's shields - barrier fields - were already online, her weapons warm yet inactive, as powerful sensors swept the surrounding space and the forerunners that preceeded her returned to her, passing unhindered through her shields.

Another fistfull of seconds passed as she took in her surroundings, befor the behemoth finally opened with short range comms.

"This is Captain Toy of the Uniphase Corperate Gaurd Vessel Running With Scissors," the female voice began in light, casual tones, "We are here to conclude the sale of one modified Pyrite IV-Class frigate, and await the identification of the purchaser's representitive. Toy out."





OOC:
After the Essence blows up/goes bad/whatever, Jaram is going to earn the ire of UAI. This is generally considered unhealthy, and I'm sure Marna will like the results.

UAI is also not directly connected to the Kanuckistani government, save the fact that they're the nation's the largest military contracter.

~~~Elsewhere, but rapidly approaching~~~
A small freighter drifts through space. It looks much like any other traders' vessel... easy prey. Behind it, hidden by the best cloaking technology of over a dozen civilizations, moves a small fleet of around a dozen small and medium sized military vessels, plus a Superfortress carrying 100,000,000 assorted sentients. The Droell Zapar had decided to give this new "Star Pirate Affiliate" a little test...

OOC: Basically just a TAG at the moment, because I won't be able to post for a few days. Most of the 100,000,000 aren't military, of course, to the extent that such designations apply to the Droell Zapar. Coilean, feel free to have your fleet encounter the bait if you wish.

It's possible, but unlikely, that someone might detect the other ships at long range. In close proximity, of course, such stealth technology is less effective.

The Jacta Alea Est floated peacefully in the void interstellar space. Its systems were dark, and its skeletal master dreamt blissfully in its stasis pod. Still, the sensor pods were active, and monitoring comms traffic from a thousand nations, each message processed and fed to QUETZAL in turn, and discarded as irrelevant to the Jacta and its pilot. However, this new message was an exception.

With a sudden flurry of activity, the Jacta came to life. Systems unused in years activated, the stasis pod of the disembodied Necroscope brain deactived, coordinates being fed into its enslaved mind. The stasis of the skeletal pilot dimmed, allowing his FTL thought-processes to begin anew. In a blink of an eye, the ship was fully aware, and was en route to Jarvin's Landing.

OOC: Basically just a TAG at the moment, because I won't be able to post for a few days. Most of the 100,000,000 aren't military, of course, to the extent that such designations apply to the Droell Zapar. Coilean, feel free to have your fleet encounter the bait if you wish.

It's possible, but unlikely, that someone might detect the other ships at long range. In close proximity, of course, such stealth technology is less effective.

OOC: Ya know, I have two other people's intros in my intro! Oh, and the SPA isn't really a cohesive movement, and most people live in ships, temporarily refueling at planets after raids. Oh, and the co-ordinates of the SPA are mostly unknown, with a few worlds here and there broadcasting their message to join.

Oh, and Kanuck. Y'see, Jaram intends that it'd be the radiation/whatever from your ship, that in some way affected the Essence. He'd simply reply with "I'm not a scientist, I didn't know about your ships, I didn't know it'd do that", and then apologise profusely. He's a politician, what do you expect?

IC: "This is the Evening Star, we are here to pick up the frigate, and deliver the Essence [code transmitted]. As you are probably aware, we have several fighters and gunships in nearby positions, waiting in what probably appears to be an ambush. However, we do not plan to attack you, even if we were suicidal. It is simply we have had suspicions about an informat in our midst, and seek to safeguard ourself, so we do not lose the frigate to any enemy before we are fully proficient with its systems."

(OOC: The crew of the Evening Star have no idea about the corrupted Essence, by the way. Mainly because Jaram doesn't want you either reading their minds or torturing them to make sure it's real stuff. Oh, and the 10% deposit is also corrupted Essence, but only slightly so. It'll slowly degenerate over a period of 15 days, becoming more volatile all the while.)

IC: Pyerii sat back, glad that the voice synthesizer had done its work. He couldn't, for the life of him, understand what language was going out, but he was pretty sure it wasn't his. He ran his hand along a jagged scar on his cheek, musingly. He was, of course, loyal to Jaram, but not by choice. If he could get the artificial spine either replaced, or the paingiver deactivated, he could take this frigate, kill Jaram, and rule by himself. It was a thought...

No, not now. He frowned, and began to release the seals on the holding bays of the Essence, waiting for the strange ship to come foward and take them.

He spoke again: "We are releasing the holding seals on the Essence containers, if you would care to come and get them, or should we bring them to you?"

He tensed, waiting for an answer, his head swivelling from side to side. He loathed having his life risked, going up against something he had no chance to challenge. He brushed his hand against his leg, and felt the comforting length of the energy pistol nestled there...

It was 13:00 QST (Qa'kar Standard Time)
and the Comannder of the United Council fleet that was exploreing this part of space...

The Commader of the Fleet was in his room when he got a call on the ship internal comlink he said "What is it.". the second in command responed "Sir, a transmission form about 30 parsecs from here I will show it to you." The transmission played then he said "Get the fleet on high alert."Yes,Sir" he responed automaticly. The fleet commander walked up to the bridge then walked in. "Tell the collectors to get in the middle of the fleet." the second in command said "Why Jhion they are fine were they are." he said in a rebel voice.
Jhion said in a commanding voice "That stuff we found on the planet is what those people want and I am taking this stuff back to our homeworld." Balkar who was second in command sent the transmission in there native tounge.
Transmission on not encripted singal

occ:The words are backwards the words that are not in () is what who ever get this transmission get to read.
IC:
TO:lla rotcelloc
( all collectors)
teg ni eht elddim fo eht teelf rof noitectorp
(get in the middle of the fleet for protection)
End transmission
ALL the ships in the fleet go on high alert

the fleet (ship from homeworld the game)
4 Heavy cruisers
Mass: 800,000 Maneuverability: very low Firepower:19,000 Max speed: 190m/s Armor: 70,000 coverage 80%
http://paperstarships.tengun.net/pvpics/HW/taiidan/heavycruiser.jpg
3 missile destroyers
Mass 200,000 Maneuverabillity low Firepower:8500 Max.Speed:295 m/s
armor:42,000
http://paperstarships.tengun.net/pics/HW/taiidan/missiledestroyer.jpg
4 Destroyers
Mass:185,000 Man:Low Firepower 10,500 Max speed 315 m/s
http://prefabs.gamedesign.net/data/images/Half-Life/Home7663.gif
80 Scouts
http://well-of-souls.com/homeworld/hws/taiidan/scout1.gif
5 collectors with 400,000 of this new stuff

OOC: another fleet of the same type of ships are only 90 parsecs away and have a mothership

OOC:
The thing is that there is nothing it would be exposed to that could plausibly currupt it that UAI knows about. That, and they'd consider it his job to inform them of anything that could currupt it.

So, basicly, they'd demand that he pay the lost Essence's value in cash, pay for any damage done if it did something like blow up on its own, and that he also provide an equal amount of replacment Essence - all this backed by implied threats.

And they'd also look into independently aquioring samples from several seperate sources for comparison; it shouldn't be hard to realise what they got was corrupted once they have something to compair it to.

IC:

"Your identity has been verified," the UCGV Running With Scissors' captain came back after a moment's silence, "Now, we will be proceeding in accordance with the exchange procedures our company provided to your employer. If you were not porvided with a copy, I can transmit one to you now; otherwise, your shuttle may proceed through our shields momentarily - we will open a gap for you once we are in position."


-----------

Samuel Crane steped past the small conference table, aproachng the Tin Can's small navigration alcove as one of his bodygaurds sat down, bringing the simple craft's systems online.

Gauntlet idly rubbing an armoured thigh, his sidearm concealed within, he watched with idle interest as the hangar doors opened; thick slabs of composite armour, unimagnibly tough, sliding apart with a speed and grace that belied their mass - the Pyrite IV's flank beyond a receeding wall in space as it's temporary crew nudged it away from the battlecruiser.

From the sides, within the bay, other craft were in motion now; a dozen infamous KA-75 High-Agility Heavy Fighters sliping into space befor angling off, setting up a parimiter. The Tin Can, this one little more than a squat, armoured box with a modest sublight drive and universal docking port, followed them out.

Frigate now holding a quarter-kilometer off the battlecruiser's port flank, the 'can itself set course for a position midway between them. It would take only moments, after which Captain Toy order a gap opened in their shields for the [i]Evening Star.

OOC:
The thing is that there is nothing it would be exposed to that could plausibly currupt it that UAI knows about. That, and they'd consider it his job to inform them of anything that could currupt it.

So, basicly, they'd demand that he pay the lost Essence's value in cash, pay for any damage done if it did something like blow up on its own, and that he also provide an equal amount of replacment Essence - all this backed by implied threats.
[\QUOTE]

OOC: Yes, but when you get down to it, Jaram doesn't really have a choice. If he gives up Essence, and you make it mass-produceable, and far cheaper, his government collapses. Besides, he's a pirate, what do you expect?

[QUOTE=Kanuckistan]
And they'd also look into independently aquioring samples from several seperate sources for comparison; it shouldn't be hard to realise what they got was corrupted once they have something to compair it to.

OOC: Jaram owns all the Essence, with the exception of the tiny amount Marna can spare for her troops. It's a very limited resource, and he intends to keep it that way. Basically a 'if I can't have it, nobody can' attitude. Oh, and very few people know the location of the worlds. Essentially, Essence-enhanced FTL travel travels anywhere in a rather short time period, so distance and relative location don't mean anything. Co-ordinates literally do not exist, Jaram only knows what 'co-ordinates' are in the basest sense of the word.




IC: "We're prepared to enter your shields, retroboosters activated. We're not an exceptionally maneuverable craft, so, if you have any kind of tractor beam, we'd appreciate it for easy maneuvering when we get closer. Otherwise, we'll just detach the Essence compartments when we get to the hole in your shields, wouldn't want to crumple up against that hangar you got there."

Pyerii watched in satisfaction as the Evening Star, what a ridiculous name that was, of course, it was better than calling it by it's real name, the Slatternly Elephant, but still... no matter. He guided the craft in, and waited just before the gap in the shields for conformation of his question, or at least an answer...

However, he turned around, and looked at that little, shaking man... what was his name again? Ah, he couldn't remember. He grinned evilly at the man, and turned around, and looked again at the frigate...

OOC: He is just letting a fleet of ships that might have found some of the stuff and he is going to let them leave and have you played homeworld?
IC: the captin was up all that night trying to find the DNA in his database and it didn't match anything.Then one of the researcher walked into his room he said "Sir this stuff is unknow to us but we think it is deadly one of our researches died when he drank it." The captin said "Add the stuff into are DNA database ok." He responed "Yes,sir."

OOC: I guess you are not going to respone to my post.

OOC: He is just letting a fleet of ships that might have found some of the stuff and he is going to let them leave and have you played homeworld?
IC: the captin was up all that night trying to find the DNA in his database and it didn't match anything.Then one of the researcher walked into his room he said "Sir this stuff is unknow to us but we think it is deadly one of our researches died when he drank it." The captin said "Add the stuff into are DNA database ok." He responed "Yes,sir."

OOC: Just to clarify, Essence is grown, and harvested from a plant called Myrrha. I can't really respond to you finding stuff in space, because there isn't any. And no, I haven't played Homeworld, as I've only had a PC capable of doing so for a few months, and I just haven't had the time.

EDIT: If I don't respond two minutes after you make a post, it's not because I'm 'not responding'. I'm not on NS 24/7, and, when I am, I've generally copied down the post, and written my reply offline, as I'm not very good at replying on the spot.

Many of the pirates would have heard rumors of, or seen the horror of the Reavers; and so it must have come as a shock, when a lone Reaver ship tore into Affiliate space; great trails of smoke behind it; bodies and skeletons adorning the vessel in grisly parade of trophies. None knew why it had come; perhaps to join them? But how much could these savages think? Enough to mantain their ships; enough to perpetuate their insatiable hunger for blood and war and flesh....Perhaps.

For now, it stood idle; alone, awaiting the attentions of others. The red painted hull seemed to gleam in starlight, to shimmer in the light of the suns; and to crackle with internal conflicts. The engines sputtered out, dieing; as the ship lay silent.

OOC:
Well, I can't see how he could really know that UAI would plan on producing it - that it would even be able to do so from samples alone. They could easily be looking into it with the prospects of internal use, or investigating the viability of possibly reselling it, and using Jaram as their supplier.

Either way, it was rather foolish of him to offer it as payment if he was so worried about it getting out; even if he wasn't until it was UAI that answered his request, he could have backed out of it with some excuse about unexpected supply problems or the ilk.

As it stands, he's about to double cross one of the largest private military contractors in the galaxy.


As for the rest, well, I'm sure Marna could be persuaded to assist through a suitibly generous offer; she's already contacted them, afterall, and has no love for Jaram - who cares about a friagte when someone's willing to deploy a couple battlecruisers in support of your forces? ;)




Oh, and prehaps I wasn't clear about the arrangment of my ships; the FF is sitting 250 meters off the BC's port, and the tincan that's to be used as the exchange point is sitting square between them, with a dozen fighters on patrol. The BC's shields are extended around the entire group in a giant bubble, protecting the exchange from interlopers; there should be plenty of room in there for the "Evening Star" to maneuver - heck, you could probally cram another few dozen frigates in there befor things got really tight.

OOC: *cough* some recognition would be nice....*pout*

OOC: ok the fleet is carrying food and other things
IC: "Sir do you think going through this part of space is safe." jhion said
the captain said " The people in this area are weak they will not be able to defeat this mighty fleet."

OOC2: I think you can respond to this.

OOC: This is, indeed, a new nation by the name of United Slovakia that I'm posting for. It's a puppet of mine (country I made after this one) and it's FT. However for some reason, the account on Jolt for it refuses to be authenticated, so I'm going to be posting on this account for a bit. This is just to reduce confusion.

IC:
Admiral Ivanov sat down in the cockpit seat of the USFS Osiris, curiously looking out at this star system. The Osiris was a scouting Carrier, not too much on onboard weaponry of the thing itself, but it had plenty of fighters and, in this case, settlers and data collection probes.

"Corporal, whats the life reading on the surround?" Commanded Ivanov.
"Not much, however our sensors pick up a lot of ships per capita. This is apparently a well defended sector we've gone into sir."

Ivanov checked his visuals, no signs of any life or even any space debris of a former one we're around his immediate area...

"Admiral, were picking up a idle signal, I'm not sure where it's coming from but it mentions something about star pirates... I'm not too sure if this place is the best place to start colonizing."

Ivanov shaked his head slightly "Unbelievable... out of all the places I've been assigned to spread this empire too... I get a galaxy full of scum bags. Is there any other planetary affiliations around here?"

"There seems to be... yes, there is a group full of resisters of this affiliate. Shall we see if I can't patch you through?"

"Do it corporal."
"Yes sir."

Ivanov worked on a message for the dissenters.

"Greetings people of this galaxy. This is Admiral Ivanov of the Federation of United Slovakians. We are here to spread our people into seperate galaxies, and wish to know that we come in peace. We see that you are being rather ruthlessly ruled by a space pirate. If you pledge your loyalty to us, we will protect you, and take out this menace to society. While we are not a perfect military power, this being one of our few capital class ships, we consider ourselves excellent fighter aces. If you would also give us any information about this galaxy it would be greatly appreciated.

Signed,
Admiral Ivanov of the USFS Osiris

[QUOTE=Kanuckistan]OOC:
Well, I can't see how he could really know that UAI would plan on producing it - that it would even be able to do so from samples alone. They could easily be looking into it with the prospects of internal use, or investigating the viability of possibly reselling it, and using Jaram as their supplier.



As it stands, he's about to double cross one of the largest private military contractors in the galaxy.

[QUOTE]

OOC: Yeah, well, I'm going to have to put this RP on hold, as I'm sorta banned from the internet for a week. Resume in 7 days. Oh, and I don't think he cares. He's not expecting any consequences to his actions, mainly because
1 - All resistance will be crushed by the time any aid is offered.
2 - Most of his territory is unmapped, and they don't use long-range transmissions.
3 - He's essentially establishing a power base, he doesn't want any foreign influences from now on, and will fight not to have them. If you interfere, he'll fight you, although not in a very nice way.

OOC: Ya know, I have two other people's intros in my intro! Oh, and the SPA isn't really a cohesive movement, and most people live in ships, temporarily refueling at planets after raids. Oh, and the co-ordinates of the SPA are mostly unknown, with a few worlds here and there broadcasting their message to join.

OOC: You started an interesting thread, one that's prompting people to post with nations they haven't used before.

The Droell Zapar don't know much about the Affiliate beyond its name, hence the test. They're attempting to find the group by tracing the recruitment messages.

The bait should be entering the general area of the SPA's territory around the time you get back online.

OOC: I'm baaaaaack! Oh, since you want to find the transmission, it's transmitted to a probe in the middle of nowhere, which then transmits the message in all directions, leaving no trails, except for the probe.

The flett moved 10 more parsecs closer and no sign of any life forms so they were about to make a hyperspace jump across the astroid field

OOC: There must be something there... What use is a recruitment message if nobody can follow it to join?

Any established trade routes in the general area?

OOC: Not really. You see, Essence reflects the wishes of the mindl; so, if the recruitment message says "Go to World 1", you simply need to get the name in your head, and you'll be there. It's not that the Essence can tell, but the words "World 1" are sort of floating around in everybody who lives there, so it works that way.

OOC: So the message gives a destination? All the Droell Zapar need is a general area where their ship is likely to encounter a member of the Affiliate.

OOC:

That's not going to help those who want to join but who don't have handy access to Essence.

Tho your FTL drive's going to have issues with multipule locations with the same name.


*waits for SPA to post sense I've clarified that there's plenty of room for the Affiliate's ship to enter the shield-bubble*