NationStates Jolt Archive

The clanging sound of metal striking metal and the sparks of hundreds of welders filled the darkness of the morning. The sun was barely a thin red slit on the horizon and a hazy fog covered everything it touched with an icy layer but none paid any attention to this menace. In fact most of the workers had been functioning throughout the night to finish the task laid before them – a mighty gift to the protectorate of Xirnium – and had ceased to be aware of their environment.
Emperor Balor himself had come down to see the final stage of the project finished. He surveyed the shipyards of Eädhan from top floor of the nearby administration building, though even here the ice cold of the morning chewed threw the walls and consumed the structure.
Balor turned at the sound of footsteps echoing in the corridor outside. He watched as the door slowly opened and a woman quietly entered the small room.

Balor returned his view to the window and the construction below.

“Why on earth are you up so early?”

The woman walked across to the window and stopped next to the Emperor. “Well, obviously I didn’t come for the company.”

A slight smiled crept onto Balor’s face at the sad attempt at a joke, and slowly grew larger as he thought of a most cruel punishment for the stab. I’m glad you feel that way Lady Saroir, you won’t mind overseeing our gifts delivery to Xirnium then. You leave in half an hour.”

She threw him a glare that could have easily been mistaking for treason, and Balor had to retrain himself from laughing. Besides, you’ve been to Xirnium before and almost all the rest of the High Council is preoccupied or in other nations.

OOC: It's like 3:30 am so any spelling mistakes or sentences that don't make sense are so not my fault.

The office window granted Balor an excellent view of the massive ship below slowly sliding off its giant berth and into the deep waters of the shipyards. As it did so it opened up a gap that gave a view of the waterway running further into the heart of the Empire. Coming down the channel was a convoy of transport craft, each one large in it own right and yet dwarfed in the presence of the newly commissioned ship before him.
Balor looked down at his watch. 6:30 Am – everything was proceeding to schedule. Lady Saroir had long left to board the giant ship he now watched charging out of the port. Waves splashed off the vessels bow as the current flowing into the channel made futile attempts to halt its exit.
He turned from the window and walked out of the office. The Empire didn’t run by itself and Stoddenia was still awaiting a permanent ambassador. There was much to be done.

Imperial Karak-class Battleship C2-51

Saroir look down at the tactical display in the ships bridge. A bright dotted red line showed the intended course for her trip to Xirnium. Standing next to her, Lieutenant Remas pointed at a gathering of vessels at the exit to the channel they were now steaming out of.

“Our escort. Two cruisers, five destroyers, eight frigates and even a Khorland-class Battleship.”
“And what of the transports, Lieutenant?”
“Twelve Hauler-class Heavy Transports. Loaded to the max. This will however reduce our speed to about 25 knots, so the trips will take just under three days instead of two.”
“A shame but never mind – I’ll be in my quarters – you have the bridge Lieutenant. Alert me though if there are any problems.”
“As you wish my Lady.”

OOC: Sorry to barge in like this, guys, but I've a question to ask. Technically, shouldn't Xirnium's official prefix be 'Protectorate' since it is an empire overshadowed by an even bigger empire?

OOC: Sorry to barge in like this, guys, but I've a question to ask. Technically, shouldn't Xirnium's official prefix be 'Protectorate' since it is an empire overshadowed by an even bigger empire?

Although "protectorate" is a valid description of Holy Xirnium in relation to the Infinite Empire, "Empire" is likewise a valid description of Xirnium itself (since Xirnium remains a constitutional monarchy, with overseas holdings). I see no reason to alter the nation's official name, besides it would be misleading as Xirnium is more accurately an autonomous commonwealth of the Infinite Empire.

Maybe I should change it from "Empire" to "Commonwealth" to reflect it's increasingly democratic nature, I'll think about it.

OOC: Empire sounds better anyway.

IC: On the horizon the first glimpse of coastline appeared, a thin green blur in the distance. Lieutenant Remas turned away from the window, pressing a button on the console before him. “Lady Saroir to the Bridge please”

Saroir, passing two soldiers working on a large control panel, entered the bridge a few minutes later. She moved over towards the Lieutenant, who once again stood before the ships tactical display. The map now showed the Imperial ships only 50 km from the coast.

“My Lady. We are approaching our destination.”
“Finally. I will make contact then.”
“Use that”, said Remas pointing towards a screen near the bridges window. Saroir walked across the device and after a moment of adjusting the controls began broadcasting an encoded message.

“Attention Holy Xirnium. This is Lady Saroir, State Commander of the Infinite Empire. I have a delivery for you from Emperor Balor.”

‘Sir, we’ve received a transmission from the Yallakian naval convoy, just over 5.5km outside our contiguous zone,’ announced Lieutenant Kalor of the Xirnium Coast Guard.

The Commander of the installation, Captain Tania Aglaea, scanned the message quickly, instantly intrigued at the mention of this “gift”. ‘Very well,’ the Captain began slowly, ‘dispatch the HMW Athena and HMW Nike frigates to guide the Imperial fleet to Iathern naval port.

‘Also, inform the High Ecclesiarchy and all the other relevant authorities so that they can arrange a suitable reception,’ she added.

‘Yes sir,’ answered the Lieutenant.

The Captain thought quietly for a moment. ‘I wonder what it might be?’ she asked.

++To: Lady Saroir of the Imperial Naval Taskforce off Holy Xirnium++

Message Begins

Greetings Lady Saroir. Citizens of the Infinite Empire are always most welcome in Holy Xirnium, and even more so when carrying out a mission from the noble Lord Emperor Balor. We look forward to meeting with you, and welcome you back to Holy Xirnium once more. Several Xirnium naval vessels are being dispatched to your location with all possible haste to guide you to dock in Iathern.

Message Ends

As the message finished, Saroir turned to Remas. “Do you have them?”

“That’s affirmative, my Lady”, replied Lieutenant Remas, “two frigate class vessels approaching off the port side.”
“Send a reply and follow them in.”

Standard Transmission
Thank you. It is always a pleasure to visit the Holy Empire.

The Imperial ships quickly closed distance with the incoming Xirnium vessels, followed by the giant transports and traveled in behind them to the Iathern Naval port.

As the group arrived at the port the two battleships dropped anchor outside, their size preventing them from docking normally. A small motorboat launched from the aft side of the C2-51, weaving through the transport craft entering the port, carrying its occupants into Iathern.

From the boat, a mere speck next to the escort cruiser it tied up next to, Lady Saroir emerged dressed in the formal gown of her office and flanked by several officers of the Imperial Navy.

The Yallakian envoy was greeted by a fairly large party, comprising many senior High Ecclesiarchy members including Lady High Grand Cardinal Heather Gilda (the foreign minister) Lord High Grand Cardinal Baldor Wallach (the interior minister) and Lady High Grand Cardinal Monique Kalisna (the science and technology minister). In the background a full military orchestra played while the dignitaries were flanked by the smartly dressed Zealot paramilitary troops of the High Ecclesiarchy.

The Inquisition had also sent its representatives, as had the military, and they stood in the background smiling politely at the Yallakian delegation while of course hiding their various inner, brooding thoughts behind their impassive faces. Xirniumites did not "proudly display their emotions on their sleaves" as people from other nations often did, and they generally tended to guard and moderate their responses (though, of course, not nearly as much as Inquisitors could).

Iathern, despite having been ravaged by war, was already vastly improved from the state it had been in following the end of the war several months ago. The great port was a bustle of activity, with scaffolding and equipment everywhere, as huge construction programs were being constantly undertaken. In the background, a light cruiser that had been heavily damaged and almost sunk during the Xirnium-Kraven War was almost completely repaired, and ready to leave dry dock. Morale was high as the greater part of the debris had already been cleared away and the Xirniumites now worked at a feverish pace to revitalise the commercial and strategic centre.

‘Weclome to Holy Xirnium, Lady Saroir,’ spoke Grand Cardinal Gilda graciously, inclining her head towards her Yallakian guest slightly. A slight breeze had picked up, causing her cloak to billow and her hair to blow about in the wind. The Grand Cardinal regarded the Yallakians thoughtfully, like most here a little intrigued as to what this "gift" might be. ‘What brings the august Infinite Empire here on such short notice?’ she asked plesantly.

“Thank you Grand Cardinal.”

Saroir returned the nod, follows by the officers standing next to her. Off to the right one of the massive transport ships, capable of carrying over one hundred thousand tonnes of supplies, lowered a wide ramp onto the wharf next to which it had settled. Seconds later an SA-12 ‘Bloodhowler’ rolled out of the hold and down the ramp. As it cleared a second came out behind it, followed by another.
Saroir moved her hand to the right, indicating for the Grand Cardinals to observe the unloading.

“No nation on earth, save one, has ever been given Yallakian weapons Technology, and even then it was only small arms. However, as promised by the Emperor, we have begun production to upgrade your forces and refill that lost in war to the foul Kraven Corporation.”

To the left, a second transport ships was lifting large crates from its depths with a pair of cranes and placing them down on the dock. Behind it another transport ship was tying up to a wharf and preparing to offload its cargo. The other nine ships waited just inside the port for their chance to unload.

“I have brought vehicles, small arms, munitions and even planes.” She paused for a moment, and then stepped to the side giving the Xirnium Grand Cardinals a clear view out to where the Karak-class C2-51 sat at anchor. “And of course, the ships on which we came. They are all yours - the naval vessels are straight off the dry docks and have yet to be named. And with your permission we are to remain here to instruct you in the operation of this equipment.”

‘The Infinite Empire is surely great indeed,’ exclaimed the Lady High Grand Cardinal Kalisna, awed by the sight of the armoured beast.

‘We thank the Infinite Empire for this kind gesture,’ said the Lady High Grand Cardinal Gilda. ‘These weapons will prove invaluable in the defence of Holy Xirnium. They well also ensure that the High Ecclesiarchy is an even more worthy ally of the Infinite Empire.’

‘They appear to be wonderful machines,’ noted Brigadier Dagoth, a veteran commander of the Iathern battles who had lost his left arm in the war, ‘I’d very much like to inspect them now.’

‘Lady Saroir,’ interrupted Grand Cardinal Wallach, ‘perhaps you and your delegation will join the Grand Cardinals for lunch?’

Saroir inclined her head towards Cardinal Wallach in a slight bow.

“It would be an honour.”

Raising her head she glanced at the Brigadier, almost smiling as she saw what looked more like a little boy eager to play with his new presents after a birthday, than a hardened military officer.

“If any of your commanders wish to be given a run-through of their new equipment, my staff would be more than happy to accommodate them.”