NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: Hello, if you are at all interested in joining this thread please go to
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=454311

That is the OOC thread for this thread.

Yotef snarled in his low voice, "Three danab for every pal of parwhat? Robbery I tell you Robbery!" The short stout, boar like, Kefnar poked the trader with a pointed finger; lowering his head to better show the pair of ivory tusks that pointed out of his nose. "Listen you Kefkar scum, I shall take no less that five, five danab for every pal of my parwhat…"

The Kefkar trader looked down at the farmer and scowled. "Listen you Kefkar twit there was a bumper crop in Netone to the south this year, parwhat is only trading at three denab and eight farthing in the Isles." The large ursine seemed unimpressed with the smaller creatures obvious threat.

"Pah, you Kefkar have always lorded over us, tricked us, you seem to think that the dark Masters shall return…I say four denab and no less…"

The Kefkar seemed to bristle at this comment. "You would refer to the Masters in such a manner and then demand more for your wheat! No wonder the Five Empires of the Kefkar are so poor…be gone palack I shall have nothing more to do with you." The Kefkar nodded his head and pointed back up the dark street away from the dock.

"And you Kefkar think that you rule us still. I shall go, because you try and cheat me. Not because you order it." The Yotef turned and stormed out into the evening light.

Batk'em av Prota watched him and silently cursed to himself The prices in the Isles are six deneb four fathering, but I can not afford to pay more than three and four fathering here The large brown fured creature adjusted his toga and leaned against a stone pillar. He looked down at the writing on his desk. His ship would only be half full. Prices were high here in Catheq, higher than normal anyway…[/i] his thoughts were interrupted by the loud roar of two powerful engines. It was a gunboat running into the harbor. Catheq had used to be a dumping ground for pirates before the Hetim Empire decided to station a squadron of those fast costal attack boats. Now pirates avoided the place.

If I go pirate, do you think I could earn my way as a full guild member…what was that?

In the darkening skies above, there had been a flash. Actually several flashes. I wonder what cause that? Batk'em pondered for a moment.

*********
The Masters had caused the flash. Or at least the system defenses that they had left behind a few thousand years ago had.

The system defenses for system 9056-102D were not even completely intact anymore. Anyone who could detect them would have noted that there was a fairly large hole in the defenses where a massive comet had penetrated. Large enough to drive 80,000 trucks through actually.

The problem of course was that you needed to be able to detect said defenses. This was fairly easy for anyone with a working understanding of Var weapons tech who knew to look for it.

The recent alien arrival into the system, apparently did not have a working understanding of Var technology. Or even to look for it. Let alone know that the second planet, with its thermal energy was the actual energy source for the defensive grid, and that those suddenly appearing, mega missiles had been likely stored in the gas giant.

The aliens shouldn't have been too upset really. Other people, the ones who supposedly owned the deed to this system, had been caught unaware too. Of course they had only suffered a large hole being put through a frigate. Not career ending for a ship launched sometime when Ur was the most advanced city on earth, but rather devastating on the personnel of said vessel.

Anyway the aliens appeared to have taken the whole matter the wrong way.

tag....i'll move my post from the ooc thread over here if it seems to fit in

OOC: I need to get the Navigators down first then send in the Klatchians and Merchs...see my post after yours.

Tyvor was shocked and suprised as he watched the receding fireball. He felt ice crystals forming in his hair and on his face, his breath puffed out in a hot fiery vapour. He rolled onto his side and 'swam' toward the nearest Dyan-XD Cruiser. He positioned himself at an airlock and ripped off the sealed control panel and pulled the emergency lever (keep in mind tearing off that panel takes tons of force) and waited impatiently as the door opened.

He stepped in and after pressurization stepped into the Cruiser and headed for the bridge, Thilite Marines nearly killed each other dashing out of his way in a mad panic, they avoided the sickening green light emitted from his eyes as if to stand in it was death!

"Lord Crasseus, I'm taking command of this ship." Tyvor stated as he moved to take the Commanders Chair vacated with alarming swiftness by Commander Crasseus.

"Of course my lord!" Crasseus hissed from behind a console.

"Computer, what happened to my Voltaug? Were we attacked? If so by whom, and what other assets have we lost?" Tyvor said offhandedly as he gazed over the pathetic Thilites.

The 'Head' of computer bobbed before him attacked to a serpentine neck and it deadpanned "My Lord Tyvor, there appaears to be a ring of defenses around this system, apparently they are hard to detect unless activated. We lost Voltaug and all five of his MOBAT Drones. Regrettable my Lord, The Autarch is being informed."

The 'Klatch System' Had been claimed by The Autarch, to be exploited. Of course The Commonwealth called the system something entirely different, but it mattered little, destroying The Autarch's ships was hearesy, and would be punished.

Tyvor rubbed his chin "That inhabited planet, these defences MUST be controlled from there. I assume that Voltaug's Huscarl's survived?"

Computer bobbed "Yes my Lord they assembled in bay 2."

Tyvor snarled "Good, good. Put together a Marine compliment and have them meet me and the Huscarl's in bay two! Crasseus! You sniveling toad, you are in command until someone with intelligence shows up."

Computer bobbed again "As you command. FCG-E is still in transit from Sol, I have requested that they join us here, with support, and the additional Varangian Lord."

Tyvor nodded as he walked out "Fine, fine!" Some one was going to pay.

Commander Crasseus snarled as the Varangian left, and slowly made his way back to the control chair.

*****

In Bay Two, Tyvor looked over the gathering marines and the fully armoured, statue like Huscarl's, they looked as though they were carved from solid Viridium steel, even their cloaks. The Thilite Marines gathered in several rows behind the Huscarls.

Tyvor nodded to the Huscarl Chief "Target a landing site near the largest concentration of habitation, the defensive controls should be somewhere nearby."

The Navigator Huscarl simply nodded, they had no voice actualizers, and could not talk, in a way that any other than a Navigator would hear. The Five hundred Thilite Marines closed their helmets and locked their railguns in the 'up' position on their gyro harnessess and waited as the Huscarl's located a destination to fold in.

The Destruction of the Voltaug had taken with it the main compliment of 2,000 Thilite Marines, so the 500 here would have to do until FCG-E arrived.

The Huscarl Chief looked up from the device on his arm and looked back, there was a flash, and the bay was empty. Tyvor, the Marines and the Huscarls would be on the planets surface in milli seconds.

******

The Voltaug dipped it's head near the dozing Varangian "My Lady, we have orders from the Lagpunkt, we are to rendezvous with and support Lord Tyvor and what is left of FCG-H."

Algiers blinked and frowned "What do you mean 'what's left'?"

Voltaug shrugged "Voltaug-H and it's MOBAT body guard have been destroyed, by alien defenses at the Talaan System."

Algiers looked a bit more alert "Well, carry on then, I'm sure you are anxious to avenge your fallen brother!"

Voltaug turned "I am not programmed for revenge, I will instruct the pilots to get us underway."

Algiers chuckled "Tally-ho."

The Huscarl Chief looked up from the device on his arm and looked back, there was a flash, and the bay was empty. Tyvor, the Marines and the Huscarls would be on the planets surface in milli seconds.

Bathnar, Southern Hemisphere

Bathnar was either the third(by population), second, (by total volume), or first (by area) largest city on the planet.

Tutu av Bathnar'de was a small creature, even by Kafnar standards at only a few centimeters over three feet. He looked more like an oversized basketball with tusks than anything else. But Tutu was both a happy soul and a content soul. At that early morning he walked through the snow, almost as deep as he was and hummed to himself.

As he walked back to the temple from his lunch at the tavern, he passed through the sacred grove of zepa trees and paused. He considered for a moment that even here, the sound of the water falling over the cities damns and the racket of it's textile mills could be heard; where Opni av Bathnar'zu, Opni the Great, first killed No'path the Overseerer in the great southern revolt.

Really, the dreaded Masters had started Bathnar when they built several processing plants here fulled by the falls of the Bathnar river. When the Revolution came, there was but five thousand souls who lived in Bathnar and the surrounding farms. Now the city had a population of almost three million.
Ah, but only if we did not make the snow so grey... Tutu's eyes watched the vast plumes of smoke and soot as they lifted from the stacks of Bathnar's industry along the river.

He continued to the temple of the Eternal Flame. Where the ancestors of the Kafnar, and the Home They Never Knew, were honored each day.

As Tutu crossed into the temple portico something seemed to change. There in the garden of rememberance that streached down from the temple to the river were odd, alien shapes. Tutu had never seen any of them before. But one figure did stand out.

Dear Ancestors Protect Me! screamed through Tutu's brain. There, amoungst the metalic creatures, was the Kafnar equivilant of the Devil himself. A creature that looked exactly like a Master. The Masters had returned as the damned Kafkar had always proclaimed. Tutu realized that to run was to die a death worse than death, the Life Without Life would be his mortal sentence. That thought brought out his courage, Ancestors I greet you soon!

Tutu stepped out of the portico and began to ring the massive bell that stood before the temple. His voice crying out in his old squeeling tounge, "The Demon Masters are here...The Masters have returned...to arms to arms...the Masters have returned...."

On the other side of the river, a plant whistle went off, and then another, and another...Bathnar had heard the dying peels of the temple bell.

Tyvor looked around as his vision cleared, at the grove he was now standing in , he looked around at the snow, this was warm compared to the depths of space he had most recently taken an unscheduled swim in , he turned back to the Chief Huscarl.

"Focus in on any energy signatures, anything that may be a source of energy for a command base or such. I was lead to believe.............."

He paused and looked towards the temple as a bell began to ring, he jerked his head in that direction and the Thilite Marines were off like a pack of dogs, their rail guns leveled and helmets opened to expose their mouth and chin, they relished hand to hand combat and biting their enemy, eating their flesh, Tyvor strode at their head towards the temple, his easy gait keeping pace with the running Thilites.

The Huscarls, stood where they were, and dissolved as they engaged their spectral masking, and raised their disruption shields, they were cautious and would hide until they gauged the nature of any threat, if necessary, they would abandon those they had brought.

Tyvor caught sight of the roly-poly ringer of the bell and laughed, raising his hand, the Thilites stood motionless at his signal. He bathed the small creature in the green headlights of his eyes, drawing from the creatures mind the knowledge of it's langauge, and transfixing the poor creature, unless it's mind was developed enough to fight his.

"Well there " he addressed Tutu, his breath a green steam as he spoke "What is that bell for? That's an awful lot of commotion, it sounds like an alarm of some sort. Why don't you explain?"

He waved his hand as he talked, the Thilite Marines spread out and began to take up defensive postions.

The Temple of Eternal Flame of Opni

Tryvor is probe into the mind of Tutu was quite revealing in some regards. There blazing in Tutu's mind was an image of Tryvor, but with the red outline of a dragon around him. As though Tutu had inherantly thought 'dragon' when he saw Tryvor.

It was obvioius that Tutu had some extra-sensory preception of some kind. And between the panic going on his mind and his natural defenses, Tutu was a bit of a hard nut to just crack open.

Tutu's mind was like a large metal box with a small opening. As one shook the box small puzzle peices fell out onto the ground. However they did not all go to the same puzzle. Which explained why Tryvor actually said

"Well there...What is that bell for? That's an awful lot of commotion, it sounds like an alarm of some sort. Why don't you explain?"

in two alternating languages, and used a curse in place of the word you.

Tutu was of course transfixed, barely. Parts of his mind were trying to do a remedial course in anti-transfixation, while wired on pure adreniline.

Tutu's mind of course barely comprehended what had just been said. (Like me stuck in a opera where the program is in German and their singing italian)
Somehow the mind studdered out..."Begone foul creature...we shall not live the Life that is Not Life again...Master not are...you?"

Bethnar had gone from steam whistles to sirens and then silence. The vast furnaces continued to eat coal and make steam while the cities eight hydro-electric powerplants continued to produce electricity for the mills and the city. Of course some of those generators were obviously quite a bit more advanced than their counterparts, and gave off a far smaller magnetic flux due to their higher efficency.

**********
Sixth Floor, Mar'pa Cloth Mill

Four Kafnar in dark gray, wool like uniforms stood on the railing and looked out the large window down to the garden and the temple on the other side of the river. The taller one, with more gold braid and metals humphed, while the younger one looked through a small spyglass at the aliens.

"None of them look like a Master..." the junior said quietly.

"Agreed, even with my eyesight none of them appear to have a tail or a snout but..."

"What?"

"That one, the one who seems to be addressing the preist has green breath..."

"The Master's breath could be a weapon, did not the ancient tales say that the First King was felled by the breath of..."

"Yes, quite right...and sometimes preists see what can not be seen..."

"Your saying that is a master?"

"Or perhaps a new Overseerer. Whatever they are, they are decidely odd, and we should consider them a possible threat until we know more..."

"Yes General, shall I order the tanks to cross the river?"

"No, send an armored car out to see who they are and what they want..."

"Who should I send to treat with them sir..."

"Why you, Averak...why you..."

Tyvor released Tutu's mind, after gleaning what he could about language, shaking the box for little bits of information was too hard for a lazy Varangian, better to find weaker more susceptible minds to tear apart.

"Begone foul creature...we shall not live the Life that is Not Life again...Master not are...you?"

Tyvor smiled as this came across before he let Tutu go, he answered him outloud "Foul creature? Is that how you treat strangers around here, guests? As for living the life that is not life again, I'm afraid you have to explain that one."

He turned to look back as the Chief Huscarl 'appeared' again and floated up to his side, holding out his arm, showing the display screen to Tyvor. Tyvor looked over the energy signatures, and the blips that indicated approaching vehicles and creatures.

He looked back to Tutu and snorted "You can call me Master if you like, but I prefer Lord Tyvor. I haven't quite mastered anything yet, that I know of."

Tyvor was of course unaware that he perhaps wasn't speaking Tutu's language as correctly as could be expected.

Tyvor turned, in the direction of those gathering to meet him, and looked for them, using his powerful eyes to get a look at them, before they got closer.

Tyvor turned, in the direction of those gathering to meet him, and looked for them, using his powerful eyes to get a look at them, before they got closer.

Tutu blinked for a moment and tried to understand. "Guest, you call yourself a Guest who would violate this sanctuary with your...your..." Tutu paused, something in his mind said master but the creature with the green eyes didn't look like a master. Confusion filled his voice as he tried to parse the odd mix of language. There was something foul about switching from the language of freedom to the lanquange of oppression mid sentance like that.

"What are you, if not the Masters, or their servants returned?"

The Bridge

The only vehicle that appeared, crossing a long stone bridge, was a large armored car. It looked like a stretched metal pyrimid with a box at the rear. (Terrans would name it the little Virginia for it's similarity to a historic warship) At the front was a large slit with some kind of barrel, (a water cooled machine gun) pointing out. Along the sides were several small portholes that would be useful for Kafnar riflemen to shoot from. A plume of steam rose from a low stack the back. There were no other vehicles visible.

The local toll road and bridge were clear of any Kafnar. Thousands of faces were pressed up against the dirty windows of the factories. In spaces between the factories, one could make out Kafnar, armed and in grey uniforms, running to hide behind brick walls or piles of slag. Their weapons appeared to be rifles or primitive machine guns. Some appeared to have long metal tubes that they were setting up. Obviously the bell had been a warning and the locals were peparing a defense.

The armored car continued puffing steam as it rolled across the bridge, past the tavern, and the few houses that lined the toll road. Oddly the vehicle appeared not to have a firebox but was propelled by a tank of pressurized steam. As the vehicle drew even with the footsteps of Tutu through the snow and the gate to the grove it came to a sudden stop.

A hatch on the slanted side of the vehicle opened and three Kafkar in grey uniforms appeared. Two, wearing helmets and carrying rifles ran to the protection of the tall stone pillars of the gate.

The third boar-like Kafnar didn't have a rifle but a pole. On the end of the pole was a red flag with a black slash across it. The young officer walked forward with a steady rate. He stopped just inside the gate; waiting for the aliens to begin parley.


The Mill
The General stood there quietly, his long tusks revealing his years. A junior officer sat on the metal walkway with a black phone in his hands answering calls. "Sir, they've gotten trough to the areodrone? Shall we call out the airships?"

"Put them on alert, tell them to check in every fifteen minutes. If they can't raise me or the fort, tell them they are to assume the worst."

"Yes sir..."

Tyvor looks down at Tutu briefly "I am one of The Autarch's Own Varangian Guard. I serve only The Autarch."

He then turned towards the armored car, the Chief Huscarl dissolved again as he moved back and away from Tyvor. Tyvor turned and walked right up to the car as the three Kafnar stepped out. He gazed over them, making eye contact with each, to get a quick reading of their immediate intentions and fears, not attempting to transfix them as he had Tutu. He spoke to them as best he could in their own language.

"I am Lord Tyvor, Commander of Fleet Control Group-H of The Commonwealth Marine. I am the emissary of The Autarch Of The Commonwealth of Navigator Guilds, and a member of The Autarch's Own Varangian Guard.

I am not here to hurt anyone."

He smiled as he said it, and looked over the armored car.

"I am one of The Emperor's Own ???Var Guard. I serve only The Emperor."


Tutu didn't know what Emperor the strange creature served but the word Var sounded familiar. Tutu stepped back under the colonade of the temple and watched the unfolding scene.

*****
Squad Commander Averak av Bathnar'ne just blinked for a moment as the large, well creature, walked up to him with its green eyes.

Obviously the two common grunts were scared almost witless. But training, and an even greater fear of someone inside the armored car, was taking over. They both stopped and flanked Averak.

Averak was trying not to go to his happy place as the odd creature before him began to speak. Unfortunatly, Averak did not have a 'classical' education. This left his low Var to a few obvious well phrased curses, one phrase to ask where the bathroom was, and one to ask if you wanted to go f***; the perfect vocabulatry for a squad commander in the army.


"I am ??? Tyvor, ???? of Fleet ???? ???? of The One Wealth All Wealth ????. I am the Overseerer of The Emperor Of The One Wealth All Wealth of Navigator Guild, and a member of The Emperor's Own ???????.

I am ??? here to hurt everyone."

Averak just blinked for a moment, his mind trying to parse the statement Tyvor just said. Emperor? Overseerer? Navigator Guild? He looked at the metal suited creatures about the grounds of the temple and he pondered for a moment. I suppose they could be Kafkar in some sort of new armor whatever gibberish this thing is spouting at me is. God the Navigation Guild of the Isles must be getting desperate to send such an imbacile this far south...Unless, of course the Navigator's Guild has declared themselves Emperors of the Overseers. And their here to force us to capitulate...nah...why come here...not Kemptu the capital?

Averak placed the pole into the snow on the toll road and said, in simple terms. "I am the army of Bathnar..." He pointed to the city. "If Kafkar Navigation Guild wish to talk, we may listen. But why send Kafkar warriors? Why warriors stand in Kafnar holy place? Emperor of Overseers insult Bethnar and all Kafnar greatly... If you here to hurt us, we shall hurt you...war shall we have?"

Averak hoped that this creature, whatever he was would understand simple statments.

Tyvor looked confused for second and then blinked. He suddenly realized that whatever he had said to them wasn't wholly understood, and that for the first time ever, he wished a Naigator was there with him. Their vocal actualizers would have made quick work of this creatures bumbling language. He sighed and locked eyes with Averak, transfixing him and focusing the full power of his gaze (not as powerful as most other Varangians) and replayed his message in Averak's mind.

"I am Lord Tyvor, Commander of Fleet Control Group-H of The Commonwealth Marine. I am the emissary of The Autarch Of The Commonwealth of Navigator Guilds, and a member of The Autarch's Own Varangian Guard.

I am not here to hurt anyone."

The message was complete with images of his Fleet, The Autarch encased in his faceless golden armor, and the ranks of The Varangian Guard standing before an endless sea of Thilite Marines. Then Images of this very planet from space and of other worlds under the Autarch's control. He hoped the visualizations would convey the message sufficently.

He also tried to pull more language information from Averak's mind, hoping that it was softer than Tutu's locked box. He also did his best to implant feelings of goodwill, friendship and loyalty in Averak's mind, towards Tyvor.

He stood there and kept Averak transfixed, waiting to see if he understood.

The Thilite Marines were a bit uncomfortable, they had weak minds and it caused them discomfort to even see what they experienced if they even accidentally caught a Varangian's gaze. They fidgeted, but remained in place.

Averak's mind was more than just softer. It was an open book with illustrations of various places, words, names, dates. And easily turned to see Tyvor in awe. Awe of the power that he held. Pure and utter awe filled him and made him putty in the dragon's hands.

Inside the little virgina, Eppo (Sargent) Guthe wondered about the officer. He watched out of the small glass porthole and wondered seriously what was going on. When Averak answered he seemed to go cold inside.

"Yes My Lord, I shall inform the Council of your arrival, we are hummbled by your presence."

The Temple
Tutu watched the Varagaian and the sub commander queitly from under the shadow of a column and tried to put together his mind. What was so disquieting about that creature? He looked at the others standing about the way they seemd unhappy about the dealings between their leader and the officer.

Tutu turned and walked into the sacred building for a moment. He pondered the question of what had happened to his mind. He walked around the pool with the rising flame in the center quietly. His mind picked at what had occured when those eyes...those awful awful eyes.

Tutu stopped and walked over to a stone panel and pushed it open. The secret door revealed a small study with a high window in the outside wall. He picked up the black phone and rolled the small crank on the side. A voice said, "I am sorry only offical govern..."

Tutu cut the operator off. "This is Tutu the preist, put me through to the Monke immediatly."

Tyvor was pleased, and just before letting Averak go he pulled as full a catalog of Kafnar language that could be gleaned from Averak. He then released Averak.

"Very good. I see you understand. Bring me to your leaders that they may understand, The Autarch is the answer to all of your peoples problems."

He then turned and nodded to the Thilite Marines, who then placed their rail guns in a resting position and moved from their defensive positions into loose lines behing Tyvor. The Navigator Huscarls, stayed out of sight.

Tyvor smiled, reflecting on why good military officers had such weak minds. Military conditioning was good for strong bodies, but made the mind weak, he surmised, same problem the Thilite Marines suffered.

*****

In deep space there was a flash as a Supremor Orbotal Strike Ship and it's two Aggressor Warship escort came out of Hyper-Space Fold. Thilite Warlord Nebo waited as the heavy blast doors to the Supremor's observation deck opened, revealing a room with huge windows facing out onto open space, crystal panels lined the walls, and a single seat sat in the middle of the deck. A figure in heavy black cloak sat while a tall, elven looking man with strangely triple lobed eyes stood behind the chair. Warlord Nebo cleared his throat.

"My Lord Irzon, we are just at the edge of sensor range to pick up the Talaan System. We have been able to intercept communications between CFG-H and the Lagpunkt, indeed a Voltaug Warship has been destroyed, we do not how, we cannot fully crack the Varangain encryption.............are we close enough my Lord?"

The Man nodded and the cloaked figure stood and removed her hood, her glassy white eyes staring straight ahead as she walked to the Observation windows, putting her hand on the window. She stood for several long seconds, reaching out with her mind, the crystal panels in the room lit up with images of the Voltaug being destroyed, Lord Tyvor's escape, everything that had and was transpiring.

Lord Irzon looked at one of the panels "There, those are the weapons, mere missles? Why was the Voltaug not ready for them."

Thetis smiled and Tyvor's voice rang out from the past:

I don't care what you are picking up Voltaug, Charge Razer batteries and begin selecting surface targets. The sooner this planet is pacified the sooner I will be Over-Governor of this system.

Thetis turned and returned to her seat "Lord Tyvor ignored the Voltaug's Construct, The Autarch will punsh him. Arrogant things, Varangians."

Warlod Nebo frowned "Then how can we take advantage of this? There is no new weapon here?"

Thetis "Nodded that is true, Wralord Nebo, but I also sense other minds bent on this system, they are gathering as we speak. Stay here, hidden, we will wait until these others arrive. There still may be an advantage to be gained against The Autarch."

The Akarion Sorceress pulled her hood back up as Warlord Nebo bowed and left.

Averak shook his head saying, "Yes My Lord." He then turned and re-entered the armored car. The two guards turned to follow. There was a sudden clang from within the vehicle and then an order from a gruff voice.

"Corporal, you entertain the visitors for a moment. We need to er discuss things..."

The corporal looked up at the alien creature and back through the hatch. " Sir?"

"Take them to the tavern and get them some food and drink..."

The corporal looked confused, looking to someone inside the small hatch and then bay at Tyvor. The hatch slammed shut and armored car pulled back, down the toll road.

The corporal looked on as the vehicle drove off. "Er...well...Sir um...they...seem...to...wanted to er clear the road...um...I'm supposed to offer you any warming drinks or food while we wait...you know how...er...problematic...unexpected visitors...can be...sir."

The corporal was now crossing the road to the tavern that stood near the end of the bridge.

The armored car was at the far side waiting as the massive gates were opened. There was something odd about the color of the gates. Metalic grey, but not steel, a tint alternating between blue and red seemed to be within the material.

The Gate
The armored car stopped, and the Epo jumped out. "Damn it get me the General. And someone pull the damn sub-commander from the car, he had an accident."

The Mill
The General watched the armored car return as he listened into a conversation over the phone. An aide ran up and whispred into the General's ear. "Damn it...fine...hmm...your eminance I am afraid your concern was correct...." The guff creature nodded a moment longer. "Mad Parkie your eminence...yes well....he does have a signular advantage...."

Tyvor watched with some amusement as Averak was apparently subdued by his comrades who had become concerned about his sudden respect and possible allegiance to him. He turned back and grinned at the Thilites, and then turned back towards the armored car as another 'host' was proferred and the armored car retreated.

He grinned at the Corporal as he stuttered through his explanation "Food and drink? I suppose we could do that. Lead on Corporal."

He turned and waved to the Thilites who quivkly formed up in lines behind him. He then turned back to the Corporal.

"Lead on then. Mind you, keeping perhaps one of the most important visitors in the history of your people waiting, can't possibly be good. It may anger The Autarch, he's not quite so friendly and agreeable as I am."

As the Thilites and Tyvor followed the Corporal the Huscarl Chief launched into the air above the armored car and invisibly and silently followed the car, the rest of the Huscarls began silently mapping the area and keeping an eye on the gathering forces, one of them fell in behind the Thilites, sensing that some order would be necessary and that Tyvor may not be the one to instigate it.

The Huscarls kept in constant contant. The vibrations of their 'hunes'* could carry for miles and they could 'talk' without any communications devices.

*Hune-Navigator organ that allows the Navigators to see 'dark matter' and exploit it for energy to power the devices in their armour , they communicate through it's vibrations on dark matter.

The corporal said nothing, just continued to walk down the road. He approached a stone building built at the end of the bridge abutment. He tried to open the wooden plank door. It didn't budge. The corporal, looking like he wanted to melt into the snow began to pound on the door.

A moment later, one of the nearby windows slightly opened. "What do you want?" was called out.

"Bring out hot cider and enthro for these visitors." The corporal called back.

"What! those demons..."

"Are to be given food and drink until the Council will see them."

"And who is going to pay for it...you corporal...I bet you don't even have two fathings to rub together..."

"Obviously the council will pay fool now get your asses moving..."

"Aye..Aye...fine...but may the ancestors howl at you through the afterlife if you've betrayed me."

A moment later the door opened and three Kafnar females appeared carrying trays of mugs with hot, hard cider. Another two men appeared carrying a large table. They set it down and then fetched a large roast of meat, and several large rolls of bread.

The tavern keeper sliced the meat thinly and piled some on to a peice of bread in a small bowl. He then poured some type of gravy over it and held out the bowl to Tyvor. "He're ye go Master..."

The Gate
The General nodded in a vauge fasion as his aide bubbled. "The Au...Aut...Autreich...Autarch...has no eyes but is a creature of gold."

"Yes, yes but what of this endless sea of warriors at his beck and call?"
The General was getting impatient with Averak.

"Endless I tell you...millions...thousands of millions..."

"Yet he only sends a mere fifty here?" The general growled back.

"He is here to solve our problems."

The General snorted at this. "Take him away, to the Old Palace. The Council wishes to discuss things with him...." The old Kafnar turned and said quietly..."Epo...take this to my temporary headquarters...and when your done return to me at the Hall of the Overseers.

"Yes sir..." The Epo saluted and started to walk away. "But first make sure you change to an officer's uniform Commander..."

"Sir?" The other boar turned and blinked for a moment. "You've gone to far this time. An Epo shall not strike a sub-commander. Even if it is for the good of the country. No an Epo would be drawn and quartered, but a commander can strike a sub-commander with no fear of death."

"Sir...I'm not..."

"You are wise enough to know what not to do...other officers shall not respect you true...but the men shall."

"Sir...what are we going to do about those...eyes..."

"The council has decided to elect a new Meppo, to speak for the council with one voice..."

"I don't see how that is going to do much sir..."

"They have elected Parkie to the post..."

The sargent looked confused for a moment, and then shook his head. "Yes Sir, it may not be enough. But I think it'll give the green eyed bastard a pause at least."

OOC:

"Yet he only sends a mere fifty here?" The general growled back.



I thought i posted 500? plus the 10 Huscarls.

IC:

Tyvor frowned at all of these goings on, the door not being opened the delay in bringing things out. Of course the whole 'out' had rubbed him the wrong way. He paused and looked at the innkeeper.

"I much prefer to take meals inside. Is this what passes for hospitality here? A soup line in the snow?"

His voice grew deeper and more resonant as he talked.

"It seems as though you would prefer it if me and my men left? Should I inform The Autarch that you are an unfriendly people?"

As he talked a Huscarl appeared back with the bulk of the Thilite Marines. The Thilite Major left a few dozen men around Tyvor and went back to the Huscarl and bulk of the Marines, taking a knee beside him, like a loyal pet.

"My master, I don't think that these creatures control the defences we encountered."

The Huscarl nodded and held out his arm, a thin beam of light alighted onto the snow and quickly expanded into a 3D holographic map of the surrounding area, the map grew as the other Huscarls mapped the territory. The map was just not of geographical points but also showed life signs and vehicle and creature movements.

The map quickly zoomed in on the Mill and it's immediate surroundings.The Thilite Major nodded.

"If Lord Tybalt is forced to wait any longer................?"

He paused and looked up at the Huscarl. The Huscarl silently nodded. The map panned back shwoing five routes to the Mill and the various expected resistance, the main body of Thilites were now gathered around closely.


*red denotes Thilite language

The innkeeper looked at the corporal for a moment. "Ah well, sir you can go in if ya like. But ya see sir..." he pointed to the ground floor with its thick stone walls..."There is only about four pathie between the floor and cealing in there and you look to be about six pathie."

He paused for a moment looking up at the creature," When I saw what tall group of fella's ya be well then I just brought out the food and drink ta ya."

The corporal was watching the armsmen walk away and start discussing something. "Quite sir, that's sort of the problem. Your so much larger then us that we need to get appropriate quarters for you and your...er...men ready. Obviously we need to get spaces that are not used in this time of year heated for your visit."

"I am sure your...er...autoreich will understand that we are working under the constraints of not expecting anyone so tall to arrive."

Considering the height diffrence between the Varagian and the Karnaf. Expecting the 7' tall creature to fit into the normal habitation of a 4' creature was a bit like asking a wolf to go down a rabbit's hole.

As the corporal attempted to keep the aliens from going balistic over unintended slights. There was a sound of the gates across the river being unlocked and opening.

The City
By now the city of Bathnar was a buzz with rumors of varying types. Along Greybeard Avenue that went from the old western gate vehicles were being pulled to the side, tanks were being lined up, and the windows over the street were being filled with people.

Of course the Thelites could likely see this occuring. There appeared to be a few slow moving vehicles that needed to be shifted out of the way, but there was obviously a clear avenue to a large building up on the top of the ridge overlooking the river.

As for attacking the mill that was being used as an observation post, the easiest route was right across the top of the dam and into the building's basement. Of course there was a great deal of heat signiture comming from that area as it had a boiler. The second easiest route went right around the bottom of the dam across some large boulders in the river. The other three routes would mean crossing a bridge and fighting down the streets of the city against whatever weapons the locals may have.

Tyvor looked over the Corporal and the innkeeper with obvious displeasure. He took the food from the innkeeper and sniffed at it suspiciously before trying it.

"It still would have been polite to offer. " He said with some displeasure.

The Thilites on the otjer began to look more upbeat as the posibility of combat appeared to increase. The Huscarl with the group had outlined the main attack route, with four 'decoy' routes to the mill to draw the defenders away from the mill. The Thilites began to divide up into groups of ninety to a hundred, and began lowering their railguns into firing position. Tyvor seemed oblivious to the Thilites organizing behind them.

They now stood at attention behind the Huscarl. Meanwhile another one of the Huscarls took to scouting out the mill in more detail. Landing on the roof the Huscarl began looking for an obvious entrance, if none could be found he began scanning the building in depth , to find a place to 'fold' into the building, that was free of obstructions.

The corporal pretty much judged this to be one of those 'no right way' situations. If they had tried invited the tall creature he would have complained about being invited into somplace he couldn't go.

The corporal turned as both gates swung open at the other end of the bridge. "I think they are ready to recieve you sir..." He stated quietly.

*****

The B+M Mill Building was a multi-story complex at the river's edge. Only large windows overlooked the river, although most were about 20 feet above the surface of the dam pond to help keep out flood waters.

The structure too the shape of a b from above. The opening in the b was a large courtyyard that sloped down towards a gateway under the cross section of the b. It was filled with loading docks, small shacks and barrels of chemicals. It was however, the most open spot on the factory besides the coal yard.
the courtyard was surrounded on three sides, forming the bottom of the b, by a series of wide, three story tall brick buildings. The bottom floor of these buildings were used to warehouse either large baskets of wool like material or finished dyed fabric. The floors above these were full of various machines set in long rows.

The upper crossarm of the 'b' was a six story wing of brick and stone. This was the 'dye house' where large vats of color dye were mixed in the two story tall mixing room at the top of the building. The dye in these deep vats were sent to the floors below where they were used to stain the local equivilant of wool. At the far end of the mixing room was a control platform which had been used as the temporary command post. (Of course the General had not returned here.)

The upper stem was the powerhouse of the mill, Three boilers burned coal to produce steam and power four massive steam engines. Three of these engines were connected by belts to the belt and pully system that ran throughout the building. The fourth engine appeared to be connected a generator producing d.c. current electricity.

The space between the stem of the b and the river was filled with another building (connected to another mill), a coal yard, and an inlined ramp down to a dock some 300 to 400 yards downstream.

Tyvor nodded as the Corporal announced that they were ready "Lead on then." he told the Corporal with a smile, or a snarl, it was hard to tell.

As he walked towards the gate the Thilite Marines led by the Huscarl stepped in line behind Tyvor, weapons still at the ready. The fell in and marched behind him with great precision. While the Thilites hated and feared Tyvor, they saw The Navigators themselves as protectors, and were loyal to them as dog, always striving to be as pefect as possible when a Navigator was nearby and watching.

*****

The Huscarl at the Mill quickly assessed what remaining forces were inside (if any) and simply began to track their actions as compared with Tyvor and his party, also watching for any sign that someone was in charge, too keep an extra close eye on those that were issuing the orders. If appeared the threat in the mill had passed the Huscarl simply returned and followed Tyvor's procession from above. All of the Huscarls remained alert and tracked the movements of everything they could detect, whether it seemed immediately relevant or not.

There were military personel still in the Mill. But they were primarily watching Tyvor and his marines cross the bridge.

The corporal swallowed for a moment, turned and started across the bridge, following one of the tracks of the armored car. He walked over the long stone bridge looking through the gates and into the city street beyond.

Inside the city, the area to walk narrowed as tanks stood on both sides of the roadway with soilgers standing at attention as Tyvor passed. In the brick buildings that lined the street, people were watching from the windows. It looked like a military parade, except there was no waving and cheering. Just an almost dead silence where the murmers of onlookers was buried in the sound of the cold wind blowing over the city.

After four or five blocks, the road opened up onto a square. The square sat at the bottom of a steep hill. And built into this hill was a structure that constrasted dramatically with the surrounding buildings.

First it looked like a collection of tall, red stone cylinders. These cylinders, of varing diameter and height, were decorated with carved freizes at various levels and peirced with small carved window openings. The very top of the cylinders had small windows running all the way around and were capped with low, eight sided domes of similar red stone.

The entrance to this structure was at street level, a huge circular arch with a radius of twelve feet that was built into a short cylinder. The arch was filled with a door of odd, bronze colored metal. As Tvyor and his party arrived the door began to open. The large slab of metal vanished up itno the gatehouse.

As it did this, a small Kafnar appeared dressed in some sort of robe, similar to that of the preist at the temple. He stopped in the arch opening and made some sign saying, "The Speaker awaits you Lord Tyvor"

Tyvor noded to the Kafnar "Lead on then." he then followed him inside. Most of the Thilites set up defensively in the buildings courtyard, under the direction of the Huscarl, a pair of them followed Tyvor inside.

OOC: forecourt would be a better description.

The Kafnar turned and walked down the passage. The tunnel was lit by blue indirect lighting from some alien led concept. Along the passage were several laser emitters pointed towards the floor. There presently was no power to them, but they were there.

The passage opened into a large domed space. A set of square blocks of stone, pushed out from the wall, acted as stairs back around the space. At the center of the room was a pool of blue liquid that seemed to be water with some severe caustics in it.

The Kafnar went up the stairs a bit akwardly, the building had been built for creatures larger than the Kafnar obviously. At the top of the steps was a doorway that opened into another domed room.

This space was wider, and lower with small windows peircing the rim of the dome. At the center of the space was a raging fire. It illuminated the carvings of bear like creatures that adorned the walls, and the bench that ran the circumfrence of the room, in bright reds and oranges. On the far side of the fire was a single Kafnar. "Lord Tyvor I present the Speaker, Your eminenance I present Lord Tyvor," the guide introduced the two and then vanished through a doorway.

The Kafnar called "the Speaker" sat on the bench. He wore a pair of dark glasses over his eyes, a simple red toga, and had a long staff across his lap. "Welcome Lord Tyvor, I appologize for any delay in our meeting, but your arrival was unannouced."

Tyvor nodded to the speaker. "Fully understandable, I'm sure that my arrival was unexpected , to say the least."

Tyvor looks over 'The Speaker' carefully and has a seat as he continues "Well, I'll be as blunt as possible so that you can make an informed decision on what my be about to transpire.

The system which your planet resides in was surveyed and claimed some thousand years ago by agents of The Autarch. He has sent me to be Over Governor of this system and to assert Commonwealth control and law.

We did not realize that your planet was inhabited, after, non space faring races tend to go unnoticed from a distance. This however, works out well for you.

Most of Commonwealth law has to do with interplanetary and intra-governmental relations with other, outside space faring nations. Defacto control wil reside with whatever governing body on the planet that will guarantee Commonwealth control. Such governments that assist The Autarch and his agents will receive whatever is needed to assure Comonwealth control.

This system is, for better or for worse, part of the Commonwealth of Navigator Guilds. You can be a functioning part of the Commonwealth, and be a recipient of The Autarch's favour and technological largesse, or be on the short end of the deal, when I make the same offer to your planetary rivals.

I'm afraid I can't put it much simpler than that. So, do you have any questions?"

The Speaker looked towards Tyvor. "There occurs to me three questions. First if you offer us such generous terms why so many knights? Second, if you have owned this planet for so long, why have you come now, rather than before? And if I told you where there was three thousand garba's of processed La'path would you like to have it?"

Tyvor looked thoughtful "I only brought five hundred marines with me, it is merely the very tip of the iceberg, invasion is so costly and messy. Second, even a thousand years is but a second in the life time of The Autarch, in his eyes it is but an instant since his agents first claimed this system for him. Third I have no clue what a La'path is, so until I saw a La'path, I'd have to wait."

He paused and looked over the Kafnar "Are you blind by any chance?"

The Speaker shook his head, "Yes I am blind in my eyes, but not my mind." He paused for a moment, "Your offer is quite intriguing Lord Tyvor, and since the Autarch sees a thousand years a but a mere blip of time, he shall have no problem in allowing me a few moments to confir with my advisors before making a decision."

Tyvor nodded and looked a bit disappointed "But of course. I am certain The Autarch would have no issue in giving you a reasonable amount of time to consider your options."

"I thank you for your understanding Lord Tyvor...the building staff will be along shortly to see to your needs while you wait." The speaker stood gave an absent minded nod and then vanished through a door in the circular wall behind him.


The Council Chamber
The Council sat around their table, waiting for any news from the great hall on the other side of the building. The various members sat and looked across at each other, saying nothing. The door opened and the blind 'madman' stepped into the room.

"Well?" Someone asked.

"He wants us to throw our lot in with him on taking the planet, not some pirate but also not a true diciple of the Masters, no mention of the Overlords or of the Emperor just some Autruch or something."

The General nodded, "Quite, well we don't know how much firepower he has but..."

"but he has large powerful marines...and supposedly more available..." The 'Speaker' said standing at the door.

"So..."

"I recommend to inform Parliament that we should ally ourselves with creature..." The General began.

"What...I will not be one who does not live..."
The head preist began

"Yes quite....but to be an overseer or the walking dead?" The General asked with bitterness.

"Council, I give you this warning...the signs have fortold of a return of the Masters, not these new upstarts, but the old Masters..." The blind man said quietly but passionately.

"hmph, we know that old Kafkar wives tale, they have been saying it since we threw them out of the lands and forced them onto the Islands..."

"The signs are not Kafkar, the objects in the sky that fly higher than any airship"

"Which only a few farmers and childern have seen..."

"The flashes in the night sky..."

"Which occured years ago...who knows what happened in the great beyond..."

"I say the Masters, the true Masters are returning..."

"Then the better to be allied with these New Masters..."

*****
The blind Kafnar walked back into the Great Hall. "Well Lord Tyvor, it would seem that the city has decided to throw its lot in with you. And soon perhaps the entire Vacval Confederation."

Tyvor stands and smiles as The Speaker reports back to him.

"You and your people shall not regret this. You will prosper under the leadership of The Autarch. Imagine all of your cities powered by a single Resonance Generator, trade with distant stars, your armed forces augmented with weapons and armour from the Guild of Engineers. Your Council has chosen wisely.

This is truly a historic day for your people. All Hail The Autarch and his Varangian Guard."

Tyvor was truly pleased, he did not enjoy the prospect of losing any more forces in pacification of this world, it would seem that his Over Governorship was secure.

The Speaker paused, not really hailing anyone. "Quite, well I suppose I should go an arange for you to broadcast your decleration of being the new Objalord of this planet. Or perhaps we should attempt to make treaties with our neighboors first, before we attempt to take over the plantary surface. Really you should discuss that more indepth with the Council I suppose...but how many airships do you have?"

OOC: I haven't been in a Klatchian RP with you guys for quite a bit. Let me read this over.

Tyvor nods to the speaker. although he can't see it, so why he would nod is anyone's guess.

"I should discuss it with the council, I could also give a demonstration of The Autarch's power and the power of his servants. That should impress upon the council and this Vacval Confederation the veracity of my claims."

He pauses as the speaker asks about air-ships.

"No air-ships, but The Autarch has many,many fleets of star-ships, and their number is growing daily."

"Ah, no I worry about the Be'ta Empire or the Island States reacting badly to a new Objalord. The Kafkar will not likely take kindly to a new group of Masters and the Be'ta Empire will consider the surrender of this city sacriliage against their ancestors. A demonstration of the Autoarch's power may make them both pause."

"Ah yes, vault-ships, I heard an ancient story once that the old Masters destroyed a Horde of Kafkar warriors with a single stone thrown from one of their vault-ships. With that kind of power we will no longer need the air-ships to destroy those who would oppose you."

But in the back of the Kafnar's mind was growing a very big worry. If the other Kafnar states and Kafkar united against a false Objalord, the Vacval Confederation would quickly be dependent on what power the Objalord could bring on their side.

Tyvor smiled "I am certain that when they see The Autarch's might that they too will understand that fighting is a poor option. I will simply show them what a single one of The Autarch's Huscarl's can do."

He pauses "Will the Council see me now? Or do they need more time to speak with this Vacval Confederation?"