NationStates Jolt Archive

Lord-President Jacius Barbarossa spun the pen across his long fingers, musing about something to do with something else in the vast sprawl of politics, just in his nation. His office still bore the marks of the explosion that had occurred here some six months earlier, in the midst of the civil war. He sighed as he saw the scorch marks, and turned in his chair to face the window. In the distance, the sun was rising over the rolling green hills that enclosed Snake City to the north, east and west. The Ceres Ocean, a glittering sapphire blue that winked at Barbarossa from such a great distance, met the southern edge. Winding its way through the city, the Cobrian River opened out into the bay, allowing bulkier trade to come into the city from other places on the capital world of Snake Eaters. Jacius could see it all… the docks, the suburbs, the financial district, the city centre… it all made perfect sense to him. He closed his eyes a second, and breathed in a deep breath, steadying his nerves. Even after almost twenty-five years in office, he still got nervous at these sorts of things.

Snake City was still scarred from the brutal civil war eight months previously, all brought about by Damien Constantine. He was now on trial for many crimes, and the evidence had been presented just over a month ago. The closing statements were expected within the next week or two, and then maybe a month until sentencing. Barbarossa knew the sentence would be life imprisonment… it kill the man would make them no better than the tyrant. He had ruled Snake Eaters with an iron fist for just over a year when the civil war broke out, the people uniting against him as he restricted their freedom to live life to the full. However, with the war long over, the nation had rallied to Barbarossa once more, and they were rebuilding, stronger than ever before. Thanks to Kaymirilian and No Endorse support, they were able to reopen the commercial space lanes much faster than had been anticipated, and trade had since boomed between the different worlds in the nation, and also with their current allies. But that was not what this day was about. Today was about making new friends, new alliances… Snake Eaters may still be suffering from the backlash of a civil war where millions had died for their country on either side, but they would not be subjugated. By anyone.

The date had been well chosen as well. Tomorrow was August 25th. Victory Day, the celebration of the victory of the Snake Eaters against the Helghast in their first conflict. The parade was almost ready… it was a great honour for a regiment to be chosen to lead the parade. This year, the Coldstream Guards would do so. Only regiments that had existed at the time of the conflict were allowed to lead the parade, but every one was represented by at least a company bearing the regiments colours. They were almost finished with the preparations. The flag of Snake Eaters moved gently in the wind, which came now from the south, bringing the warm equatorial air with it. It wasn’t hot, but moderate. The sun was shining, rising ever higher in a cloudless blue sky. Barbarossa turned once more, to look at the holographic screen floating a few inches off the desk. The list of possible delegates was fairly long… hopefully, Valsharess Kaymiril VII would be attending… the others he could only hope on. Delegates from No Endorse, Gronde, Sephrioth, and a host of other nations… all had been invited to attend this event. The parade was to be the highlight of the time they spent here… a symbol of how much they had recovered in such a short time. The Black Angels had also pledged that a company of Space Marines would be there…. it was all coming together. An aide knocked politely, “Lord-President?”

“Yes?”

“The first of the delegates are arriving soon.”

“Yes… thank you, Jason. When they do, inform me.”

"Yes, Lord-President"

The aide withdrew, and Jacius sighed, sipping at his lemon tea. Today would be a long day...

It was eight months since Snake Eaters had finished its war, and four since the Valsharess of Kaymiril, Kaymiril VII, had had her third child.

She'd been well in the time since last she'd visited Snake Eaters, though much had happened since then.

She was arriving at the Snake Eater capital in the Kaymiril flagship, Jusron d'lil Valsharess, and from there taking a Maelthra class shuttle down to the planet's surface.

A hail went down from the ship to the planet.

"The Valsharess of Kaymiril has arrived, and requests permission to come to the surface."

An extremely brief signal was sent to Lord-President Jacius Barbarossa.

This is Haven military command.

There is widespread unrest in several parts of the nation. Looks like we're about to feel what you just went through.

A delegate is en route, but don't be surprised if they come out with some not so friendlies on their tails.

A damaged ship pulled into realspace above Snake Eater Prime, one of its engines faltering as it pulled into a parking orbit. As it activated its repulsordrives, it transmitted a signal to local syatem control.

"Greetings system control. This is No Endorse diplomatic vessel NES Blizzard. We had a little scuffle on our way out here. Request landing clearance and medical personel and repairs when get down there."

ooc: Here's the civ. war thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=458076). The title sucks.

ic> The impressive, hulking form of the Imperial Fist made it's jump out of the Warp inside of the Snake Eaters system. They were a few minutes late. The Imperial Fist was not just a mighty Battle Barge, stretching about 4 Km in length; it was the flagship of the entire Gronde military. Aboard Gronde's most important ship was, arguably, one of the galaxy's most important figures, Lord-and-Master Kalgar.

"So why are you going to this meeting personally?" Lysander asked Kalgar.

"Why not?" returned Kalgar.

"There are plenty of representatives that could have gone in your place," explained Lysander. "There are other important things that you could be doing...there just isn't any reason for you to be here."

"Sure there is," said Kalgar as he began to walk away.

"Don't tell me that the queen from Kaymiril is going to be here," said Lysander, but Kalgar had already gone around a corner.

***Message from Gronde's Imperial Fist ***
We are nearing the destination and request landing coordinates.

**End message**

the sephrion battle crusier the wraith of ace sephrioth droped out of warp
they recieved the coms
the commander one lord xarius thoughty those fools they trust us liitle do they know we have brought a shadelord with us whose mission it is is to capture thier rulle end tought send them a mesagage requstin permison to land.
occ crapy i know but meh

~snip~
The Hydra saw the ship come in system, coming up alongside. Captain Gorbac smiled... it was good to see Kaymirilian ships of this high-class moving in again.

"This is Space Control, you are cleared all the way. Weather patterns are nominal, with light crosswinds."

~snip~
"Imperial Fist, we do not have the space to land a battlebarge of your size. However, we can accomadate a Thunderhawk. Be forewarned, the Wings of the Valkyries, a battlebarge of the Black Angels chapter, is also in system."

~snip~
"NES Blizzard, you are cleared to land. You are second in the pattern, behind the Kaymirilian delegate."

~snip~
"Scan that ship."

"Yes, Brother Captain."

"Ace of Sephrioth, you appear to be carrying a highly experimental biological weapon. This weapon is to remain onboard your ship. Should we perceive that it has left, we will destroy it, and you. Other than that, your delegates are permitted to go to the surface. The Black Angels are watching you."

The Hydra saw the ship come in system, coming up alongside. Captain Gorbac smiled... it was good to see Kaymirilian ships of this high-class moving in again.

"This is Space Control, you are cleared all the way. Weather patterns are nominal, with light crosswinds."
A message of confirmation was sent to the Hydra, and a small shuttle, intruiging in its shape, descended to the surface of the planet. It landed smoothly, like a swan coming in to rest.

A few moments later, the hatch slid open adn Valsharess Kaymiril VII stepped out.

She was accompanied by two guards, one tall with red eyes, and one shorter with green eyes, and a diplomat, the crest on her garments identifying her as a member of the noble house Kestal, and therefore a close relative of the Valsharess.

A message of confirmation was sent to the Hydra, and a small shuttle, intruiging in its shape, descended to the surface of the planet. It landed smoothly, like a swan coming in to rest.

A few moments later, the hatch slid open and Valsharess Kaymiril VII stepped out.

She was accompanied by two guards, one tall with red eyes, and one shorter with green eyes, and a diplomat, the crest on her garments identifying her as a member of the noble house Kestal, and therefore a close relative of the Valsharess.

As they descended, they were met by a group of Snake Eaters. The first of these was a diplomat, dressed in a dark blue pinstripe suit, with well trimmed brown hair and beard covering his chin. He bowed to the Valsharess,"Welcome to Snake Eaters, your Majesty. I apologise for not greeting you in your native tongue, but my Drow is not advanced enough to warrant it."

He looked at the two bodyguards, shuddering inwardly at their eyes... he couldn't help it. He wasn't racially intolerant.. but those eyes had something else behind them. He cleared his throat, and continued,"Lord-President Barbarossa has asked me to convey his greatest thanks for you coming personally to this meeting. It means a great deal to him that you are still willing to be friendly with a nation that was on the verge of open war with your own."

Behind him, the two guards stood stiffly at attention. They were dressed in ceremonial attire, which in Snake Eaters consisted of black trousers and jacket, with a Wedgewood blue shirt and a black tie. The cap's colour was different depending on regiment, and in this case was the royal blue of the Coldstream Guards, with the golden cap-badge clearly present on the front. The toecaps of their shoes were bulled, and glistened in the mid-morning sun. In their arms were pulse rifles, held at slope arms, the barrel resting on their shoulder, the buttpiece in their left hand. As the Valsharess walked past them, they moved into the present arms position, holding the weapon out in front of them, the barrel pointing straight up.

"If you and your party would care to step this way, we have arranged transport to the Adminstrium, where you will be accomadated during your stay."

"NES Blizzard, you are cleared to land. You are second in the pattern, behind the Kaymirilian delegate."
"Comfirmed control." The pilot de-activated the comm link. "Sit tight guys, we're second in the pattern. Let's let them get about halfway before we start hitting the gas."

After the Kaymirilian craft touched down, the NES Blizzard began its final descent, landing lightly despite the multiple scorch marks running down the sides of the craft.

The delegate walked deliberatly down the landing ramp, two guards in tow. Each had a ceremonial blade on their left hips. However, each of the guards also carried a gun in a sholder-holster, a type universally recognized as dangerous. Disrupters had long been outlawed for use by any group, but desperate times sometimes regrettably fudged the law.

As they approached the Snake Eaters delegation, the delegate made the two guards turned over their disrupters, far too dangerous to wield at a diplomatic confrence. The delegate held out his right hand to the man who appeared to be the head of the group. His left arm was bandaged tightly and in a sling, the slightest hint of crimson showing through.

"Hello, my name is Luke Hodges of what's left of the No Endorse you know."

ooc: 'hitting the gas' = going into the atmosphere

~snip~

The man who had met them was also dressed in a suit, along with two Coldstream Guards. However, it was a different delegation to that meeting the Kaymirilians,"Welcome to Snake Eaters, Mr. Hodges. Before we go to the Adminstrium, would you care to have your obvious wound seeing to?"

coms to snake eaters permision for my padawan and my self to come down in our person transport the imperial sword.
his padawan zax asked him mastar why do they send us to a diplomatic mission were warriors not diplomats.
xarus snaped at his padawan padawan be mindfull of your tone to me and they send us because it is the will of our lord and ruler josh.

~snip~
The Valsharess smiled warmly at the diplomat, and extended her hand in the human greeting. She was dressed in the formal red and black dress of her line. The frontpiece was stiff, and the Maril crest was embroidered into it, but the rest of it flowed easily. "Greetings, and thank you for your welcome into this country. We have always been allies with Snake Eaters...Constantine's threats were not Snake Eater threats."

As a matter of formality, the Valsharess's guards held out their blades to the Coldstream Guards, so they could take them for safekeeping or allow the Kaymirilian gaurds to keep.

When that was seen to, the Valsharess and her party followed the Snake Eaters diplomat.

"Yes please, if it's not too much of a bother. We had a run-in with some enemy forces on our way out. It's difficult to get in or out of No Endorse now that Tanis station is offline, and we got stuck running through a decent sized rebel fleet. Darn lucky to make it through."

Luke looked around, ensuring that no one else was close enough to be alarmed. "Especially lucky considering they had an Ajudicator with them. How they got their hands on one we don't know. It was toying with the small task force we set out with, turned the whole darn thing to dust in minutes. Only thing that kept us alive was its inability to sidejump as fast as we can. Those marks on the hull, those were point-defense guns that made those."

Coms to snake eaters: Permission for my padawan and myself to come down in our personal transport, The Imperial Sword.

His padawan, Zax, asked him,"Master why do they send us on a diplomatic mission? We're warriors, not diplomats."

Xarus snapped at his padawan,"Padawan, they send us because it is the will of our lord and ruler Josh."

Permission Granted. You are cleared into Snake International Airport

~snip~
"Your guards are permitted to retain their weapons... it is prudent to do so, we feel. However, it is unlikely you will come under threat."

He led the party to the armoured limo, powered by the customary hydrogen-fuel cells, and opened the door for them to enter. Once they were inside, he tapped on the window, and the car pulled smoothly away from the airport. As they drove through the city, the diplomat pointed out a number of features,"You can see how the rebuilding of the city has taken top priority in recent months. You can see the new public mass-transit system. It uses magnets to help propel the trains, and has proven to be most efficient since it's opening last month. We estimate that over a million people have travelled on it since then."

~snip~

The diplomat nodded,"I will arrange for you to see a doctor at Snake Eaters top medical facility, the Icarus Centre. It is on our route to the Adminstrium, so it is no problem."

Once Luke had finished with his speech about the battle, the diplomat made a mental note to arrange a personal meeting with Lord Barbarossa for this man... it was obvious that No endorse might need some help.

"If you would follow me to the car, we shall leave this place."

they walked to the raptor ok xarus thought as he powered the raptors shiels up computer said open launch bay.
lone raptor space fighter droped awy from the battlecrusier and begain to desend in to snake eaters air space. they touched down lord xarus got out and his padawan followed.

"Your guards are permitted to retain their weapons... it is prudent to do so, we feel. However, it is unlikely you will come under threat."

He led the party to the armoured limo, powered by the customary hydrogen-fuel cells, and opened the door for them to enter. Once they were inside, he tapped on the window, and the car pulled smoothly away from the airport. As they drove through the city, the diplomat pointed out a number of features,"You can see how the rebuilding of the city has taken top priority in recent months. You can see the new public mass-transit system. It uses magnets to help propel the trains, and has proven to be most efficient since it's opening last month. We estimate that over a million people have travelled on it since then."
"Our Silver Class has forseen that Snake Eaters will be even more powerful after its reconstruction than it was before. From the way things are going, I have no doubts that they will be right."

They walked to the raptor. 'Ok,' xarus thought as he powered the raptors shields. The computer said 'open launch bay.'

The lone raptor space fighter dropped away from the battlecrusier and began to descend in to snake eaters air space. They touched down, and Lord Xarus got out, followed by his padawan.

"Welcome to Snake Eaters," said the diplomat meeting them at the foot of the ramp. Behind him, another two guards stood stiffly to attention, noticing instantly that they were dealing with a Sith... these guys had a bad reputation. They were now on edge, but they maintained their discipline, the weapons remaining steady.

The man's eyes flew to the lightsabers at the belts of the two men,"Gentlemen, it is my duty to inform you that, whilst you may retain your weapons, you must not draw them in anger here. To do so would contravene international conventions... believe me when I say, you will be well looked after here."

~snip~
"Don't congratulate us just yet, your Majesty. We still have some way to go before we can truly build on what we once were. I do not know your program for the next few days, but it is of my understanding that you will be given VIP seats to the Victory Day parade tomorrow, along with a tour of the latest star cruiser to be built in Snake Eaters. There will, of course, also be a meeting with all other representatives at some stage."

xarus waived his hand and said do not fear us for we will hand over our blaster rifles but we demand to keep our lightsabers. my correct title would be darth xarus this is my padawan learner zax sephrioth son of the emperor he asked the carid to come forward.

~snip~
"I'm sure Barbarossa is out to impress. One does not invite foreign rulers this soon after a major civil war without some sort of plan. Do you know, by any chance, what other delegates will be attending?"

Xarus waved his hand and said,"Do not fear us, for we will hand over our blaster rifles but we demand to keep our lightsabers. My correct title would be Darth Xarus, and this is my padawan learner, Zax Sephrioth, the son of the emperor."

With that, he asked the guard to come forward and collect their blaster rifles.
The push of the force on the minds of the guards was unwelcome, but they tolerated it, for the good of their country. The more senior of the two, still uncomfortable with this whole situation, moved forward to take the blasters,"They will be placed under secure guard, my Lord."

The diplomat cleared his throat,"My Lord, I will ask you only once to refrain from use of the Force whilst you are staying here, with regard to influencing the minds of others."

His tone suggested that he was serious about what he said.

sorry the fear was unnerving my padawanso i had to do something a frightened sith is a dangerous sith as we say he said
he bowed to the gaurds and said forgive me for that but the fear was spooking my padawn.

~snip~
"I'm sure that Lord-President Barbarossa has a plan of some sort. He aims to get Snake Eaters back up to speed within another eighteen months at the maximum. As for other delegates, the only confirmed ones are yourself, No Endorse, Gronde, and also Sephrioth"

-snip-

"Excellent." Luke and the two guards followed the man to the indicated car. The guards were visibly on edge here. It was foolish, but they still feared the possibility of a rebel trying to assasinate the diplomat they were protecting.

~snip~
The Valsharess and her diplomat-cousin nodded.

Kaymiril had alliances with both Gronde and No Endorse, although the No Endorsian one had been more hurried and was currently not as strong as the more recent one with Gronde.

The guards looked at each other warily at the mention of Sephiroth. They had heard things about that nation...none of them good.

"Sorry, the fear was unnerving my padawan. I had to do something. 'A frightened Sith is a dangerous Sith', as we say," he said.

He bowed to the guards and said,"Forgive me for that, but the fear was spooking my padawan."
They both nodded slightly, the best they could do whilst standing at attention.

The diplomat smiled graciously,"That is good to know. However, you should refrain from doing so again. Drow are well known for reacting in unforseen ways to being pressured, and Space Marines are unlikely to be affected."

He turned, and motioned to the guards to fall in behind the two Sith,"If you will follow me, I will escort you to the Adminstrium, to meet Lord-President Barbarossa."

~snip~
Once they were in the car, it pulled smoothly away, heading for the Icarus Centre. As they progressed, the diplomat come tour guide pointed out the same things the others would in other cars. Soon enough, they were outside the Icarus Centre. The diplomat opened the door, and then said,"I'm afraid your guards must leave all weapons in the car if they wish to accompany you. It is the centre's policy in peace-time, I'm afriad. You are perfectly safe here."

~snip~
The diplomat noticed this, and said,"I assure you, they will not cause trouble whilst they are here. Indeed, they will be warned specifically with regard to their usage of the Force. We want this to be a peaceful time... not one of conflict."

The diplomat noticed this, and said,"I assure you, they will not cause trouble whilst they are here. Indeed, they will be warned specifically with regard to their usage of the Force. We want this to be a peaceful time... not one of conflict."
The Valsharess nodded.

"Of this we have no doubt."

they followed them and sat down in the limmo.
xarus began to meditate as did zax they were alowing the force to wash over them. xarus quite enjoyed meditating
then he was most intune with everything.

They followed them and sat down in the limo.

Xarus began to meditate, as did Zax. They were allowing the Force to wash over them. Xarus quite enjoyed meditating

Then he was most intune with everything.
The guards and the diplomat exchanged glances, and then shrugged, settling back into their seats until they arrived.

~snip~
The diplomat nodded, settling into a comfortable silence as they sped through the city, allowing the Drow to take it all in... if they wanted to.

xarus stoped meditating thats better he thought erm gaurd how long until i meet your ruller? he asked

~snip~
They did. They wanted to see everything, and no detail missed their sharp, trained eyes.

Xarus stoped meditating, thinking,'thats better'.

"Erm, guard? How long until i meet your ruler?" he asked.
The guard looked at him,"My name is Lance Corporal Fisher, my Lord. I would estimate it will be ten minutes before we arrive at our destination."

~snip~
Soon enough, they were outside the Adminstrium, and the diplomat opened the door. At the top of the steps was Lord-President Jacius Barbarossa, waiting for the first of his guests to arrive.

thank you fisher he said

he cometicated with zax other thier bond zax stop meditating we are allmost thier.

The Valsharess ascended the stairs, with the diplomat beside and a step behind her, and her guards three steps behind her. She smiled as she reached the top.

"Ol zhah bwael ulu ragar dos al, Jacius."

"thank you Fisher," he said.
He communicated with Zax over their bond 'Zax stop meditating we are almost there.'
The diplomat nodded as they sped through the city,"You might like to take a moment to look outside at Snake City. It is currently in a massive phase of rebuilding, following our recent civil war."

~snip~
"And it is good to see you too, Anna. It has been a long time."

xarus looked out of the window looking good but i prefer the sith temple on sephrion prime. he said
zax said i think i will pass.

~snip~
"Years." She guestured to the diplomat beside her who stepped forward. "My cousin, Talraena d' Kestal."

The diplomat, who wore her family's colors of blue and black, made the slight bow customary to her people. "Gre'as'anto lu' verve dro. Good things are spoken of you and your nation among our people."

Xarus looked out of the window,"Looking good but I prefer the Sith temple on sephrion prime," he said.

Zax said,"I think I will pass."
"I can understand why you would prefer your own enviroment. There are a few Jedi in Snake Eaters, but no Sith."

~snip~
Barbarossa bowed,"Gre'as'anto lu' verve dro. I am glad to hear that these things are spoken of me and my nation. I trust your trip was plesant? How do you percieve we are doing?"

the most ancient temple of the sith is beautiful first thing in the morning with th sun rising in the background i often rise early to see the sun rise. xarus said all though here is not with out its charms xarus said.

Barbarossa bowed,"Gre'as'anto lu' verve dro. I am glad to hear that these things are spoken of me and my nation. I trust your trip was pleasant? How do you percieve we are doing?"
The Valsharess allowed her cousin to speak, and Talraena nodded. "We percieve that while Snake Eaters has much repair to do before she has recovered, in the end she will be a stronger nation than she was before."

The Valsharess allowed her cousin to speak, and Talraena nodded. "We percieve that while Snake Eaters has much repair to do before she has recovered, in the end she will be a stronger nation than she was before."

"That is what I had expected... rebuilding takes time and money. But we will persevere. I'm afriad I cannot stay, I have more delegates to greet. My aide, the one who brought you here, will show you to your quaters. I hope to see you at dinner."

~snip~
"Well, I am certain that it is beautiful. However, I will never see it."

one can never be sure who knows what the future brings he said. even i am blinded to the desgeins of the future abit.

~snip~
The Valsharess nodded. "We will be there. Until then." They made slight guestured of farewell, and followed the aide to their quarters.

~snip~
The diplomat remained silent as the car drew up to the steps, opening the door for Darth Xarus to get out. Lord-President Barbarossa stood at the top of the stairs, waiting for them.

~snip~
"These will serve as your quaters whilst you are staying here. Guards are posted at the ends of the corridor. SHould you require anything, you can ask them. You will be called for when dinner is to be served."

"Thank you."

The Valsharess and her cousin retired to their quarters.

The Valsharess's guards, Rildorath and Haldosir, went to join the Snake Eater guards at the end of the hall.

darth xarus walked up the stairs hello most hounored ruler of snake eaters my ruller sent me to offer you a gift of ten battle crusiers his padawan followed him.

Barbarossa offered his hand to Darth Xarus,"Welcome to Snake Eaters... now is not the time to talk of gifts. There will be plenty of time for that later. For now, let me welcome you to our centre of government."

*Upstairs*
The aide bowed to the Valsharess, and left them to themselves. The guards stood at attention at the ends of the corridors, weapons in hand.... it was, of course, a common precaution.

he accepted it i am sorry my orders were clea i was to offer you the battle crusiers he bowed
* bond comnication master i have lost my focusing cyrstal*
*sigh*
he asked the ruler of se to ask his aid if he found adeep green crystal.

"We can discuss this later. Mr. Fango, will you check the car for a lightsaber focusing crystal?"

"Yes, Lord-President."

Fango went back, and emerged from the car,"I have found what you lost."

xarus said padawan we are going to have a long talk about bieng more mindfull about you crystal
thank you my padawan is an idiot.

Barbarossa smiled,"My aide will show you to your quaters. I hope you find your stay here enlightening."

we will i hope you find the sith to your liking we are not like the acursed jedi

They were led to their rooms, which were spartan but servicable. The details were the same as for the Kaymirilians, on the same floor.

Following Snake Eater's instructions, Kalgar, Lysander, and about 20 Space marines boarded Kalgar's personal Thunderhawk. The last passenger was Kalgar's oldest advisor.

"I'm glad you decided to come along, Conrad," said Kalgar to the grey-haired advisor.

"I wouldn't dream of leaving you to take on a major diplomatic event such as this by yourself," the old man replied. Kalgar laughed.

"Well," said kalgar. "It is good to have you on my ship again."

"Don't get too used to it, kid," snapped Conrad. "I'm getting to old for space travel." The Thunderhawk left the Battle Barge and arrived at the landing zone not long after. Kalgar and Conrad walked down the craft's ramp first, followed by Lysander and his marines.

Once they were in the car, it pulled smoothly away, heading for the Icarus Centre. As they progressed, the diplomat come tour guide pointed out the same things the others would in other cars. Soon enough, they were outside the Icarus Centre. The diplomat opened the door, and then said,"I'm afraid your guards must leave all weapons in the car if they wish to accompany you. It is the centre's policy in peace-time, I'm afriad. You are perfectly safe here."
ooc: apologies for the late post, family dragged me away from the keyboard.

IC:
The No Endorse delegation had been staring out the windows, lost in the megatropolis around them. However, the diplomat's voice jolted them back to their senses. "Jace. William." Luke nodded at the two guards. They did not want to hand over their blades too, but it was important to respect their host. "Better yet, would you wait in the car?"

"But-"

"-you'd be-"

"-without guards? This is Snake Eaters, not some Laski hotspot. I'll be fine. Stay here and keep the driver company, tell jokes or something. I won't be but a minute. I'm sure that this facility is one-hundred percent safe. A lot safer than we could ever be back home at any rate. If you really get desperate, then go back to the shuttle. I can handle myself."

The two guards nodded and handed their blades over. To them it felt strange to be both without blades and without the disrupters they'd already handed over. They had worn them for several days now, but understood that it was safe.

~snip~

They were met at the foot of the ramp by another Space Marine, his helmet removed and under one arm. His armour was jet-black, the Imperial Eagle in starkest white on his chest. His armour was well cared for, the laquer shining in the mid-morning sun. On the right shoulder he bore his rank, on the left, his chapter symbol. An inverted Omega sign, with the winged tear of blood interesecting it. It was a unique symbol, for a unique chapter. Around the edge of the shoulder pads, the rim of enchanted blue matched the colour of his helmets eye pieces. The powerpack on his cak bore similar markings of colour. At his waist, the handle of his ornately-craft power sword was clearly visible, along with a host of pouches for grenades, clips, and other such things. On the other sat, a bolt pistol sat in it's holster. His hair was short, and black, but his skin was not pale like that of Corax of the Raven Guard. This was Grand Master Jerim, of the Black Angels Chapter.

Behind him stood a Chaplin, his armour a stark comparision, the colours of the armour white instead of black, but stearing bearing one black shoulder on which the chapters symbol was to be found. Around his neck, the mark of the Ecclesiarchy of Terra, the rosarius, was clearly visible. He carried a crozius strapped to his waist, this one in the form of a sword, as well as the ornate plasma pistol that sat in his holster. His armour glistened as well, but in a different way to that of the man in front of him. Behind him stood a squad of five Marines, their markings showing them to be Veterans of many battles. They all carried bolters, bar one, who carried a plasma gun in his hands, but each one of them also carried a chainsword and bolt pistol, for those times when bolters were too powerful and a plasma gun too unwieldly.

As Kalgar stepped off the ramp, Jerim stepped forward,"Hail Brethern. I am Jerim, Grand Master of the Black Angels. We are honoured to have members of the Imperial Fists vist this nation. Lord-President Barbarossa asks to me to convey his apologies for not being here in person, but he was otherwise occupied."

His voice was rich and deep, years of expierence showing themselves. He continued to speak,"Behind me, you can see Brother-Chaplin Hanst, of the 1st Company, and also a squad of our finest veterans from that same company. We have prepared a Land Raider to convey you to the meeting with Lord Barbarossa..."

He paused for a second, having noticed the large number of Marines that they had brought with them,"I do not understand why you deem it neccesery to bring twenty battle-brothers with you from the battlebarge. I can assure you, no harm would come to you whilst you are here... a guard of this size is unrequired. Snake Eaters is more than capable of protecting it's guests."

~snip~
The diplomat smiled slightly, and took Hodges inside. They emerged ten minutes later, the wound completely healed. AS they sat down inside and the car pulled away for the last stage of the trip, the man said,"The nanites are ones designed for medical procedures. WE know that not all nations use machines on this scale, and fear what they can do. They dissolve in your bloodstream with no ill effects after their task is complete. They are dilligent indeed."

-snip-
The guards relaxed as the two got into the car.
Luke flexed his fingers, checking his arm out after the procedure. "Ah nanites, very useful. In addition to medical applications, we sometimes use them in our shipyards to weave the armor on our vessels. Bloody expensive, but well worth it. Haven't lost a woven vessel in a long time."

He tapped the location where his bone had splintered, making sure it was mending well. "Still a little sore, but a lot better than it was. Thank you for that."

"It is our pleasure. I suggest you give the nanites up to six hours to complete the task to a standard whereby you will regain normal functions in your arms. Now, we must go to the Adminstrium."

*Upper levels of the Adminstrium*
Barbarossa had taken a break from greeting delegates from across Snake Eaters, to come and see Anna, his friend of old now. He nodded to the guards, and knocked politely on the door.

The door swung open, and the two Drow looked towards it.

Talraena had been speaking with her cousin regarding the job she was about to take, but she stood and left.

Anna smiled. "Come in, Jacius. It's been a long time since we could sit and talk."

"I thought it best to come and talk to you in person before the others arrive."

He closed the door behind him,"It is indeed good to see you again, Anna. I heard of the birth of your third child... congratulations."

She smiled. "A daughter, Alaunbryn...and I am finally rid of that man."

The story behind that was not so good...but what had happened had happened, and there was no going back.

Jacius sat down opposite her,"I was deeply saddened to hear about your mother... but we must move forward. Given that both our nations are rebuilding, in a manner, I believe now would also be a good time to actually have a formal ambassador program between our two nations."

He paused, and then said,"I'd rather get buisness out the way first, and then we can talk about other things."

"It is our pleasure. I suggest you give the nanites up to six hours to complete the task to a standard whereby you will regain normal functions in your arms. Now, we must go to the Adminstrium."

"Excellent." Luke sat in silence for the rest of the trip to the Adminstrium, looking out the windows at the city around him. It was obvious that there had been a comflict here recently, but it was looking great. Tons of people, living out their lives as normal once again. If only home were like this... Oh well, we'll have our chance soon enough.

"Excellent." Luke sat in silence for the rest of the trip to the Adminstrium, looking out the windows at the city around him. It was obvious that there had been a comflict here recently, but it was looking great. Tons of people, living out their lives as normal once again. If only home were like this... Oh well, we'll have our chance soon enough.
As they arrived at the steps of the Adminstrium, they were met by Vice-President Norman Soth, who shook Hodges hand warmly,"Lord-President Barbarossa has been called away on other duties. You will, however, meet him at the reception tonight. Let me show you to your room."

He was shown to the same floor, which had been converted into accomadation for convience, as the others. The room was moderatly comfortable,"I'm sorry it's not five-star, but given the situation, we think it's best you all stay here for now."

She nodded.

"I was actually going to speak with you about exchanging ambassadors after the election...but the plans fell through."

She nodded.

"I was actually going to speak with you about exchanging ambassadors after the election...but the plans fell through."
"Yes... I can see why. However, we are now both here... so now is a good time to discuss this."

"Yes... I can see why. However, we are now both here... so now is a good time to discuss this."
She nodded.

"I have someone in mind for our ambassador to you...someone who has some experience with Snake customs and cultural nuances."

"Oh? Can you share that information?"

She pulled a little piece of paper out of her sleeve.

"Here is some information on her. She will require some small amount of training, but it will only take a matter of months, as opposed to a year or more."

Jacius glanced at the paper, read it and smiled, before he looked at Anna,"IS this the mage I think it is?"

"None other."

He smiled,"That kills two birds with one stone, so to speak. He hasn't been going on many missions, ever since he left your nation."

"He has children to care for. That's one of the reasons I picked this particular candidate over one that has been trained almost from birth to be a diplomat."

"Yes... I can see why. A good choice, I believe."

"As do I. I can begin setting up for a Snake Eaters embassy when I return to Kaymiril, if you like."

"That would be perfect. I have a building that can be renovated for Kaymirilians needs."

"Then it appears that all is settled."

"Indeed... how are your children, by the way? The last time I saw the oldest, she was but a baby."

"They're doing well...Aris reminds me of my sister...and Iral reminds me of my brother."

He smiled,"It is good to hear that... I trust they will grow up well."

"I hope. My mother managed to raise all of us...but I am not my mother, so I can only do my best."

"You will do fine, Anna. Do not doubt yourself."

"I don't. But it's difficult being a mother and a ruler at the same time. Sometimes, I think it's easier to run the country than it is to take care of my children, and that's with all the help I get."

"You're doing a great job. All you can do is your best."

"And that is what I do."

He nodded,"Ah well, that is all anyone can ask at you. Now, I must ask this as well: Is there anything specific you would like for tonights reception? OUr chefs are capable of creating almost any Drow dish you want."

She smiled and shook her head.

"No. While we are here, we will be quite content to eat human food. After all...we eat Kaymirilian food every day. This will be a change."

He nodded,"I will have an aide run up a menu before the reception, to allow you to peruse it beforehand. We find it useful."

"Very well...it does seem like it would be useful."

He nodded, standing up and straightening his suit,"Very good. We shall have to talk at least once more before you leave. According to the schedule drawn up, you will all be accompanying me on a tour of the new ship we're building... first since the war."

"I had heard something along those lines, yes."

She stood as well, to see him to the door.

"It is good to see how swiftly your nation is rebuilding itself."

"A good economy and a desire to do so are all we need to succeed."

"Then succeed you shall."

"That we will. I shall see you later, Anna. I am looking forward to the reception."

"As am I. Until then, Jacius."

He nodded, closing the door behind him, and moving off to wait for Kalgar to arrive.

As they arrived at the steps of the Adminstrium, they were met by Vice-President Norman Soth, who shook Hodges hand warmly,"Lord-President Barbarossa has been called away on other duties. You will, however, meet him at the reception tonight. Let me show you to your room."

He was shown to the same floor, which had been converted into accomadation for convience, as the others. The room was moderatly comfortable,"I'm sorry it's not five-star, but given the situation, we think it's best you all stay here for now."

"It's excellent. I understand why he might want us here, it seems much more convenient and allows for tighter security since we're less spread out. I'm eager to meet Barbarossa, he is spoken quite highly of.

Luke Hodges placed what few belongings he had brought with him on his bed, and proceded to try to clean most of the blood off his suit. Only the most perceptive eyes would be able to see the stains when he was done with it.

"If you'll excuse me, I need to get this and myself cleaned up for the reception tonight. Could you tell me when it is?"

Snippage.


Kalgar spoke up first.

"These space marines will remain behind with the Thunderhawk and Lysander during my stay," Kalgar explained. "It is mearly customary for them to see us off." He took a step forward with Conrad and Lysander and the rest of the Marines headed back inside the Thunderhawk. He soluted the Space Marines and turned back to face Jerim.

"I am Lord-and-Master Kalgar of Gronde," he said formally. "This is Conrad, my senior advisor--"

"I'm not that senior," Conrad cut in sharply. Kalgar laughed.

"No, not that senior," he replied. "Anyways, it is a pleasure to meet you."

~snip@~[QUOTE]

"As well he might."

Norman waited until Luke was finished, and then said,"You will be sent for, and escorted to, the reception tonight. The leaders, or representatives of a number of other nations will be there, including the Valsharess of Kaymiril, and also Lord-and-Master Kalgar of Gronde. We also have two Sith representatives, Darth Xarus and his apprentice. I will have a menu sent up for you to view before hand."

[QUOTE=Gronde]~snip~
AS the Marines paraded back onto the Thunderhawk, Jerim spoke,"Indeed. Our Land Raider will take us directly to the Adminstrium... we cannot afford loss of time."

The Land Raider pulled up, the Machine-Spirit keeping the weapons at the ready, just in case. It was a standard pattern, again daubed in the colours of the Black Angels. The rear ramp extended downwards, allowing them access, and Jerim led the way into the lit-interior. Hanst was not a pace behind him, and they settled at the front end of the vehicle, their Marines sitting down nearest the exit.

ic> Kalgar stepped onto the Land Raider, followed my his advisor. It was not unlike the Land Raiders that his own nation produced; though he would never use them to transport diplomats.

-snip-

Luke Hodges almost dropped the small stain-remover kit he was holding. "Sith? Here? This makes things interesting... very interesting. Umm... about that menu, that will be lovely. I eagerly await this reception."

Eagerly. This will prove to be quite a night.

OOC: Is it too late to join in?

OOC: Is it too late to join in?
OOC: Not at all, opening post is welcome. Just be quick... dinner is soon. I'm sure you can enter in the middle of dinner if you want though.

the sith lord readied himself for the little show they would put on for the other guests.
zax went through his light saber katas
darth xarus walked out into the hall and went up to the gaurd and asked if it was posible for sephrion dishes to be served

~snip~
Jerim ignored anything Kalgar might have to say about using Land Raiders (http://www.minivault.com/images/Land%20Raider.jpg) to transport diplomats... they had no real choice. The cars in Snake Eaters were not built to take Space Marines, by any stretch of the imagination. In any case, Kalgar and his advisor would have known what the inside of a Land Raider was like... this would be comfortable to them, or so Jerim hoped.

The tank was well-lit, and comfortable in comparision to the ones on the battlefield. It moved through the city with grace and power combined into one single package. Eventually, it pulled to a halt outside the Adminstrium, the two Guardsmen (Coldstream Guards once more) snapping to attention as Jerim and Hanst moved down the ramp. Barbarossa was already waiting at the top of the stairs for Kalgar and his advisor, his knee-length grey coat meshing well with his grey Armani. The wind ruffled his hair slightly, and gave his cheeks a weather-beaten appearance... as well they might. He might be nearing sixty years old, but he looked about fourty. An ex-solider, since retired and gone into politics, he was a dynamic leader, not afriad to get his hands dirty in the process. As Kalgar and his advisor approached, he smiled slightly, extending his hand,"Welcome to Snake Eaters. Grand Master Jerim, you and your men may depart."

"Thank you, Lord-President. Brother Hanst, stay here... you will be leading the parade tomorrow I believe. Make sure you are ready."

"Yes, Grand Master."

With that, Jerim left in the Land Raider, which pulled away smoothly. Barbarossa smiled,"We've evolved the Land Raider past the basic Imperial design. The Godhammers are now 50% more efficent, with 20% less heat emissions. Also, it's engines were replaced with hydrogen fuel cells... they can last for many years, far in excess of petrol. The one you just rode in was specially customised for your vist... normally, it serves as any other Raider."

~snip~
"Rest assured, they will be kept under control."

Soth (http://www.planetrainbowsix.com/games/pandoratomorrow/images/norman.jpg) closed the door behind him, leaning his head on the far wall, feeling the cold marble soothe his aching forehead. He'd thought this was a bad idea from the start... Marines and humans he had no qualms with, Drow less so. But Sith... that was dangerous. What with at least one Jedi in the delegation tonight (they had requested it, as their movement, whilst small in Snake Eaters, still merited attention), things could get ugly. Lucky, the Jedi in question, Jedi Knight Seriph Tallia (http://www.zmms.tu-berlin.de/modys/team/sandro/martial/big-Sandro%20-%20Jedi%20Knight.jpg), a native of Snake Eater Prime gifted in the ways of the force, was renowned for being able to keep control over the situation if it developed. He pulled his head away from the marble, and left the corridor to the watchful eyes of the guards and the cameras hidden in the alcoves. All in the name of security... Jacius had insisted on it.

I think I'm going to need a very stiff drink when this is all over...

~snip~
The guard, wearing the mark of a Trooper on his rank slides (which are on the front in Snake Eaters, except for dress uniform, in which case they are displayed on the shoulder and the arm), looked at the Sith Lord,"I can see if it is possible... however, given the short notice, it might not be."

OOC: Cool. Going to make a stop by your border to let you know my ships are coming (don't want to just have them pop out in orbit of your panet, might have antsy gunners after that Civil War of yours).

IC: The I.S.S. Windchaser (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/Kvess/Schematics/Eleanorspacecruser.png), a Eleanor class exploratory cruiser, slid from a Jump Point to Real Space. Her escort ship remained in Hyperspace. The Windchaser transmitted a message to Snake Eater Prime before opening another Jump Point and returning to Hyperspace.

This is the SeaQuestian exploratory cruiser I.S.S. Windchaser. This message is to inform you that we are carrying the diplomats who will be attending your diplomatic dinner. Our E.T.A. is in a few hours.

A few hours later...

The Windchaser and her escorting Sharlin class (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/Kvess/Ships/sharlin.jpg) war-cruiser emerged from a Jump Gate near the Snake Eater Prime star system. The two ships had jumped to Real Space below the solar ecliptic and were now slowly approaching Snake Eater Prime orbit.

Few minutes later...

The Windchaser and her Sharlin escort slid into orbit around Snake Eater Prime. The Winchaser sent down a message requesting co-ordinates to send the diplomatic shuttle.

OOC: Just to let you know, I'm using the Babylon 5 style Hyperspace here.

OOC: I use Star Trek ideas when it comes to warp travel, but it doesn't matter a great deal. Good to have you aboard.

IC: The Winchaser, being over seen by the Wings of the Valkyries (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a6/SnakeEaters/Naval%20Flagships/SMBattlebarge.jpg) (the battlebarge of the Black Angels Chapter) was given clearance to launch a small shuttle to carry it's diplomats into Snake International. As the shuttle left, a Snake Airlines vessel slid from the atmosphere in a very statley manner, it's ion engines pushing it smoothly into space. It moved past the Winchaser and accelerated into the warp. The space lines weren't crowded, as many were still being cleared. In fact, the clean up operations could be watched if some desired, as an Akira-class warship dragged yet another Vulcan-type defence platform out of the war. This one had been struck by four ships at once, heavy phaser fire tearing great gorges into the hull of the small, but deadly, automated platform. The S.E.N Blackbird pulled it away, moving towards the sun in order to drop the irredemable platform into it's corona, and letting it burn up of it's own accord.

When they cleared the clouds, they would see a sprawling hub of an spaceport. Equipped with two runways, and a large number of landing pads, the facility was the only one of it's kind in Snake Eaters. Everywhere else, the passenger ships docked at Gamma (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a6/SnakeEaters/Space%20Stations/sb99-planet.jpg)-class stations, disgorging their passengers who were then transported down to the surface.

"SeaQuest diplomatic transport, you are cleared to Landing Pad 045, please notice crosswinds have picked up and could cause problems."

OOC: I combine Star Trek, Babylon 5, Stargate, and a few other shows for my techs.

IC: The hanger on the aft end of the one kilometer long Eleanor class ship slid open and a Styx class (http://www.startrekaustralia.com/startrek/federation/styx/prev.gif) runabout came sliding out into space. The runabout slid down on her gravimetric engines towards the designated landing co-ordinates. The one point six kilometer long Sharlin kept watch on the entire performance.

Few minutes later...

The SeaQuestian runabout touched down on the landing platform that had been designated for her use. The airlock on the port side, located just behind the cockpit, slid open. Ambassador Lenir (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/Kvess/Character%20Pics/minbari.jpg), General Amon (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/Kvess/Character%20Pics/amon.jpg), a young women dressed in the black robes of a Technomage, and Captain Drogin (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/Kvess/Character%20Pics/Bronze_Dragon_by_jaxxblackfox.jpg) stepped out.

~^Snipage^~

ooc> Lol, Kalgar wasn't complaining about the Land Raider.

ic> Kalgar took Barbarossa's hand firmly and shook it.

"Gronde's Land Raiders are similar, though they do use a different power source," said Kalgar. "I am Kalgar, it is good to meet you. I've never transported diplomats in a Land Raider, however. It's a shame, too, they make wonderful transport vehicles."

OOC: I combine Star Trek, Babylon 5, Stargate, and a few other shows for my techs.

IC: The hanger on the aft end of the one kilometer long Eleanor class ship slid open and a Styx class (http://www.startrekaustralia.com/startrek/federation/styx/prev.gif) runabout came sliding out into space. The runabout slid down on her gravimetric engines towards the designated landing co-ordinates. The one point six kilometer long Sharlin kept watch on the entire performance.

Few minutes later...

The SeaQuestian runabout touched down on the landing platform that had been designated for her use. The airlock on the port side, located just behind the cockpit, slid open. Ambassador Lenir (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/Kvess/Character%20Pics/minbari.jpg), General Amon (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/Kvess/Character%20Pics/amon.jpg), a young women dressed in the black robes of a Technomage, and Captain Drogin (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/Kvess/Character%20Pics/Bronze_Dragon_by_jaxxblackfox.jpg) stepped out.

They were met by yet another diplomat, this one spoke in an odd way to normal ears,"Welcome to Ssnake Eaterss."

This man was one of the native people of the planet. Although closely related to humans, they had some snake-like characteristics, such as heat sensing pits under the eyes, and the ability to 'smell' via their tongue. Their vocal chords were also more suited to Snakesse, and as such, when they spoke Basic, they tended to add extra 's' to words containing them.

~snip~
OOC: But he was going to, I suspect.

IC:"Like you might have suspected, we had no choice in the matter. Chaplin Hanst will show you to your quaters. A menu for tonights dinner will be delievered to you as well."

"Follow me, please."

The white-armoured Chaplin led them to the same floor as the other representatives,"The guards are in place for everyone's protection. They are well-trained, and are more than capable of doing their job."

They were met by yet another diplomat, this one spoke in an odd way to normal ears,"Welcome to Ssnake Eaterss."

This man was one of the native people of the planet. Although closely related to humans, they had some snake-like characteristics, such as heat sensing pits under the eyes, and the ability to 'smell' via their tongue. Their vocal chords were also more suited to Snakesse, and as such, when they spoke Basic, they tended to add extra 's' to words containing them.
*Snip*

"Greetingss," Drogin hissed back. While not their native language, a few Draconians were able to speak Galactic Standard, with varying reptilian accents.

Drogin then popped a scoop of dried fruit from a bag he was carrying into his mouth and started to chew.

Lenir gave the customary Minbari bow in greating and said, "Glad to be here. We tried to send a group that would best give a cross-section of SeaQuest. I'm Lenir, and I represent the diplomatic side of things."

Lenir then gestured at Amon and Drogin and introduced them.

When it came the young female Techomage's turn to be introduced, Lenir said, "And her name is Susan. She is here to represent the intrests of the Technomages."

"Lord-President Barbarossa has asked me to convey his regrets that he was not here to greet you all himself, but he is busy with other matters. I'm sure you understand."

He listened in as they described 'Technomages'...Technomages... similar to Techpriests maybe... oh well, it is of no consequence

He led them to the car, and once they were seated, tapped on the drivers window, the car pulling smoothly away. As they drove, he pointed out various points that were being rebuilt, or renovated or entirely new additions to the cityscape. Snake City was similar in respect to many large cities in that the central area was large skyscrapers, representing multi-nationals, banks and other such things. They passed by the Stock Exchange (http://eetd.lbl.gov/images/Bldgs.jpg) and the Icarus Centre (http://www.phidgetsusa.com/g/misc/buildings.jpg), the leading medical centre and experts in the field of nanotechnology, something that Snake Eaters prided itself upon.

Eventually, they came to the steps at the front of the Adminstrium, in Central Square. The square also bore hallmarks of the battle in the war, but these had been repaired. The fountains were spraying into their pools, the shimmering hue of the water catching the light and showing small rainbows. A child, a young Drow girl, with paler skin than most Drow, was giggling at the sparkling water. Close by, her brother, also Drow but again with the paler skin, seemed to be trying to reach in and grab the shiny coin at the bottom of the pool. Their father, a blond Caucasian man who looked in his late twenties, picked up his son, smiling as he watched his daughter be entertained by the fountain. He glanced sideways at the car, and if one looked carefully, his eyes tracked every movement with precision. The moment was fleeting, and then he was playing with his children again. At the top of the steps stood Jacius Barbarossa, waiting for the SeaQuest representatives. When they arrived, he held out his hand to each of them in turn,"Welcome to my nation."

Lenir once again bowed in greeting before he took Barbarossa's hand.

He said, "Glad to be here."

Amon and Susan both shook his hand. Amon's shake was perhaps a litle more firm than the others. When it came to be Drogin's turn, he hesititated for a moment while trying to figure out how to shake Barbarossa's hand without scratching the man with his Draconian talons. Eventually, he just offered his flexible tail for Barbarossa to shake.

OOC: But he was going to, I suspect.

IC:"Like you might have suspected, we had no choice in the matter. Chaplin Hanst will show you to your quaters. A menu for tonights dinner will be delievered to you as well."

"Follow me, please."

The white-armoured Chaplin led them to the same floor as the other representatives,"The guards are in place for everyone's protection. They are well-trained, and are more than capable of doing their job."


ooc> No, actually, he wasn't. Lol. I'm not really worried about it.

ic> Kalgar chuckled.

"It is quite alright," he said. "I prefer military transport anyways." Kalgar followed along as his host spoke.

"I have no doubts in your men," assured Kalgar. "Though I must ask, what do you expect will happen?"

~snip~

Another nation who bows as greeting... they seem to be all over the place.

Barbarossa shook their hands, and then the tail. Once that was done, he beckoned to the diplomat who had brought them here,"Make sure they are accomadated on the same floor as everyone else."

"Yes, Lord-President. If you would care to step this way please."

He led them to an elevator, which took them up to the correct floor. Once they were there, he moved deftly, making sure they had rooms suited to their needs,"These rooms are interconnected, but the doors can be closed for privacy. Each also has an en-suite bathroom. A menu for tonights reception will be brought up to you post haste."

~snip~
"We hope nothing does happen, but since the war, there have been a number of attempts on the Lord-President's life. Protocal dictates that one representative offers a promising target, but to have so many in one place at one time increases the chance of an attack. Thus, we have taken every precaution."

With that, he opened the door into the rooms set aside for Kalgar and his advisor,"A menu will be delivered soon. I must depart and attend to other buisness."

Another nation who bows as greeting... they seem to be all over the place.

Barbarossa shook their hands, and then the tail. Once that was done, he beckoned to the diplomat who had brought them here,"Make sure they are accomadated on the same floor as everyone else."

"Yes, Lord-President. If you would care to step this way please."

He led them to an elevator, which took them up to the correct floor. Once they were there, he moved deftly, making sure they had rooms suited to their needs,"These rooms are interconnected, but the doors can be closed for privacy. Each also has an en-suite bathroom. A menu for tonights reception will be brought up to you post haste."
*Snip*

"Thank-you," replied Amon.

Susan muttered, "Good thing we didn't meet anyone else on the way up here. Lenir was starting to get bow happy. Man, I don't think I'll ever understand the Minbari."

Drogin asked, holding up the empty bag, "Could I get some dried fruit? I'm out."

"You've had enough, you glutten," Susan answered him fondly.

~snip~
"If he requires more dried fruit, it's not that much of a problem."

Susan snorted with amusement, "It's not that, its just that he has already eaten five kilos of the stuff already on the trip to this planet. I thought he was going to wear the Windchaser's replicators out with all the dried fruit he was eating."

Lenir nodded in confirmation.

Drogin affectionately said, at Susan, "Now, now, munchkin, play nice."

Susan, though she was the shortest one in the group, bristled visibly at being called 'munchkin'. She knew Drogin meant it affectionately, but it still bugged her.

"You know how much I don't like it when you call me that, Drogin," she responded.

Amon said, towards the Snake Eater diplomat, "Ignore them. For such close friends as those two are, you could never tell just by watching them. As for the dried fruit, we won't be needing it. Drogin's sweet tooth has to take a back seet, and I'm sure even he would want to save room for the dinner later."

ic> Kalgar an Conrad were left in their room. They had gone to countless diplomatic events together, so nothing was new to them. Kalgar dropped the small number of items he brought and headed back for the door.

"Where are you going off to now, Kalgar?" asked Conrad, seeing his master heading back for the entrence.

"I don't want to sit here," Kalgar answered. "I'm going to walk around for a while. When the menu arrives, place an order for me."

"Very well," said Conrad, taking a seat at one of the chairs. Kalgar stopped right before walking out.

"And Conrad," Kalgar said with a sly smile. "If you pull that stunt you did last time you ordered food for me, you will be scrubbing the floors of my ship for the rest of your life." Conrad laughed.

"Get going, you fool," he said. With that, Kalgar turned the corner and headed down the hall. He wasn't sure where he was going, but as he wandered about, Kalgar spotted a familiar face.

"Ah, Haldosir," said Kalgar as he neared the Drow. "It's good to see you again."

"And you, sir. The Valsharess will be pleased to hear that you are the representative of your nation."

Haldosir was in ceremonial attire...but it would still function like armor, due to its material and the enchantments woven into the cloth.

"Thank you. You look well," replied Kalgar pleasantly. "And the Valsharess, how is she doing?"

"She is in the third room to the left. I doubt it would disturb her if you were to go and ask her in person, instead of relying on a humble guard to know the mind of his sovreign."

"Well said," replied Kalgar as he began to turn away. "It was good speaking with you again." Kalgar headed towards the room Haldosir indicatated, knocking three times when he arrived.

The Valsharess registered the knocks. She was sitting at the desk, using her Oreb to regard the more urgent matters that her uncle, taking care of her nation while she was out, had transmitted. It seemed there was yet some turbulence remaining from the coup...but it should be cleared up within the next few weeks.

Without looking up, she guestured for the door to open.

"Yes?"

"Greatings again," said Kalgar as the door opened before him. "Your gaurd, Haldosir, told me where to find you. How are you?"

She looked up, somewhat surprised at the voice.

"Hello again," she said with a smile. "I've been well." She guestured at a chair, and it pulled itself forward, to just across from her desk, and then she motioned for him to sit.

"What of you?"

Kalgar nodded and moved towards the chair offered to him. He was wearing his standard black attire featuring a trench coat. The particular coat he wore was lined with the very silk that he recieved as a gift while in Kaymiril.

"I am doing alright," replied Kalgar, taking a seat. "It seems to be one of the few times when something isn't going wrong in Gronde. You look well. How are your children?"

"They are in good health, although Aris is learning that gf\rowing up a Qu'essan is a difficult thing."

"That's good to hear that they are well," said Kalgar. "I am glad that you are the representative for you nation here."

"I've considered Barbarossa a friend since before I was crowned. It is an event that I could not very well send anyone else to."

She regarded him a moment. He looks well.

"I see you have put our silk to good use. I hope you find it adequate for your needs."

"Ah yes," replied Kalgar. "This silk is a fine material. It was very difficult for me to work with, though. I spent a good deal of time making sure that I cut it properly."

"It can be difficult to work with, yes. It's even harder to spin and enchant properly. Spider silk is strong, but the individual strands are so thin that working with them requires a very delicate touch to not break the strands while combining them into threads, and not breaking the threads while weaving them into cloth."

Kalgar nodded.

"I can imagine it would be for such a fine material." he said. "And I must say, the glider you sent me with has saved me from being late to more meetings than I would care to remember...even though I as rather suprised when it started talking to me."

"Yes, they do talk...my own more often than not. Your katana has proven useful, as well...a human assassin recently made his way into my office, through some means or other that has not been entirely determined."

They actually had reason to believe that a member of her husband's direct family had survived...his much younger brother had not been found during the roundup of conspirators.

"I see, so it would seem that your life has been a fair bit more interesting than mine of late," said Kalgar. "I am glad that your sword has come proven useful."

All right...the sword that you gave me, then.

"It was really the only noteworthy event since Alaunbryn reached her naming day. In any event, would you like to meet the new ambassador to your nation?"

"Ambassador?" asked Kalgar, before realizing that he had been informed of it. "Ah yes, that would be wonderful. I didn't expect that the ambassador would be here."

"We arranged that we'd be in Gronde not long after this meeting ends. Depending on how long that is, we may or may not have been punctual, if we had to travel back to pick up the ambassador and her staff."

She turned her head toward the door adjoining the rooms.

"Talraena!"

The door opened a moment later, revealing a woman dressed very similarly to the Valsharess, save that her clothing was sky blue, instead of red, and the family crest was that of a soaring bird, instead of a spider.

"Lord-and-Master Kalgar of Gronde, I present to you l'Jalil Talraena d' Kestal, newly-assigned Kaymirilian Ambassador to Gronde."

The blue-clad Drow made the slight bow that the Valsharess had greeted him with not too long ago.

"Gre'as'anto lu' verve dro, lu' xal l' draeval Usstan zexen'uma wun dosst thac'zil tlu verve lu' bwael."

"Thank you," said Kalgar, nodding towards the new arrival. "I am sure that you will perform admirably."

"Such was the intent of both my father and my Valsharess."

The ambassador made the same slight bow again, and left, closing the door behind her.

"Talraena is one of the most promising diplomats in the history of our nation," stated the Valsharess. "We have little knowledge of customs in your nation, so I would ask that you be patient with her a while, until she should pick them up."

"It is quite alright," assured Kalgar. "My nation, especially my capital, hosts countless cultures. If she is even half as good as you say, she will do fine." He paused for a moment before speaking again.

"Oh yes, you could travel to my capital with me after this meeting is over. I would be able to get through our security much faster."

The Valsharess tok a moment to think about this, before smiling.

"I would be glad to accept your invitation."

Kalgar smiled at her answer.

"I am pleased to hear it," he said. He slid his chair back and stood up. "It has been good to see you again. Unfortunately, I should be getting back to my room before Conrad finishes whatever prank he going to pull on me this time."

"Very well. I will see you again at dinner, I trust?"

the two sith shruged
dartg xarus said zax what do you think of the seaqestian delegates?
tge dragon is intresting other then that ok

~snip~
The man smiled a thin smile,"I understand. A menu will be delivered post haste, as I have said before."

With that, he walked out, closing the door behind him. He leaned against the oak, and closed his eyes a moment, still holding the door handles tight in his palms.Sometimes foreigners can be a very strange and taxing lot...

With that thought, he released the handles, and made his way down to the kitchen to pick up a few menus. The kitchens of the Adminstrium had been made spotless for this affair, and the cooks were currently working overtime to get the basic meals prepared. However, without knowing what each person would want, it made their job very difficult. He picked up the menus, and headed back upstairs, sweating from the heat in the kitchen. He knocked on the doors in turn, delivering the menus. First was the SeaQuest delegates, followed by the Sith of Sephrioth, then No Endorse, Gronde and finally Kaymiril. The menu was printed in small writing, with an array of courses, and a series of boxes down the side to say how many of each thing you wished for. Any boxes left blank would be taken as zero, and thus would not be served to you:

Adminstrium Reception Dinner
Starters:
Minestrone alla Capucina (soup containing Capucina lettace)
Tiger Prawns
Goats Cheese Salad
Kreren (flavoured to your requirements, please specify)

Main Course:
Cashew Chicken served with rice.
Crab Quesadillas with Mango Salsa
Clam Chowder
Potato & Chickpea Curry

Dessert:
Fruit Salad
Crème Brûlée
Tiramisu
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie.

After Dinner Refreshments:
Coffee (all types)
Tea
Mints (After Eights)

Avaliable Drinks:
Red or White Wine
Beer (Bitter or Lager)
Spring Water (Still)

All drinks can be ordered at any time during the first three courses and do not need to be selected now.

*Snip*
Adminstrium Reception Dinner
Starters:
Minestrone alla Capucina (soup containing Capucina lettace)
Tiger Prawns (4)
Goats Cheese Salad
Kreren (flavoured to your requirements, please specify)

Main Course:
Cashew Chicken served with rice. (2)
Crab Quesadillas with Mango Salsa (1)
Clam Chowder (3)
Potato & Chickpea Curry

Dessert:
Fruit Salad (3)
Crème Brûlée (1)
Tiramisu (1)
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie. (1)

After Dinner Refreshments:
Coffee (all types) (4 (1 Vanilla Frapicino(sp?), 1 Mocha Latte, 1 Black, and 1 Vanilla Bean Frapicinio(SP?)
Tea (2)
Mints (After Eights)

Avaliable Drinks:
Red or White Wine
Beer (Bitter or Lager)
Spring Water (Still)

All drinks can be ordered at any time during the first three courses and do not need to be selected now.

The group had tallied up the list. Drogin wanted to try at least one of everything, but the others managed to convince him to limit himself. They all agreed to start with the Tiger Prawns and take it from there. Drogin and Susan were both getting a Clam Chowder and a Cashew Chicken served with rice. Amon was just getting a Clam Chowder. Lenir was getting the Crab Quesadillas with Mango Salsa. For desert, Amon was having the Tiramisu, Lenir was getting a Fruit Salad, and Susan and Drogin were having two Fruit Salads (one each) and were splitting a Crème Brûlée and a Strawberry Rhubarb Pie. They had all picked their preferred coffee, and both Susan and Drogin had also gotten tea.

The group had tallied up the list. Drogin wanted to try at least one of everything, but the others managed to convince him to limit himself. They all agreed to start with the Tiger Prawns and take it from there. Drogin and Susan were both getting a Clam Chowder and a Cashew Chicken served with rice. Amon was just getting a Clam Chowder. Lenir was getting the Crab Quesadillas with Mango Salsa. For desert, Amon was having the Tiramisu, Lenir was getting a Fruit Salad, and Susan and Drogin were having two Fruit Salads (one each) and were splitting a Crème Brûlée and a Strawberry Rhubarb Pie. They had all picked their preferred coffee, and both Susan and Drogin had also gotten tea.

The order was taken back to the kitchens by another man, who pinned it the wheel. The head chef tore it off, and stared at it,"Bloody hell! They like their food. Alright guys and gals, we've got a job on our hands! Get to work!"

Adminstrium Reception Dinner
Starters:
Minestrone alla Capucina (soup containing Capucina lettace) (1)
Tiger Prawns
Goats Cheese Salad (1)
Kreren (flavoured to your requirements, please specify)

Main Course:
Cashew Chicken served with rice. (1)
Crab Quesadillas with Mango Salsa (1)
Clam Chowder
Potato & Chickpea Curry

Dessert:
Fruit Salad (1)
Crème Brûlée
Tiramisu (1)
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie.

After Dinner Refreshments:
Coffee (all types)
Tea (2)
Mints (After Eights)

Avaliable Drinks:
Red or White Wine
Beer (Bitter or Lager)
Spring Water (Still)

All drinks can be ordered at any time during the first three courses and do not need to be selected now.
The Valsharess called her cousin back in to look over the menu with her.

Talraena took a seat beside the Valsharess. "Kreren before the meal? At a formal reception?"

The Valsharess smiled. "They are human, Talraena. Kreren is familiar to us, therefore we only serve it when not entertaining guests or when entertaining dignitaries we deem below our standards."

"You --"

"Barbarossa was an unexpected arrival...and the dignitary during that particular circumstance was very poorly mannered indeed."

The Valsharess's tone had taken a slight edge to it, so her cousin backed down.

"In any event," the Kaymirilian sovereign continued, "they put it there for us to feel comfortable with. However, I feel that this meeting is not for us to merely step into what is comfortable, it is to meet new people and learn new things...and make new friends. Order what intrigues you."

They made their orders, and the Valsharess sent the menu back down.

Starters:
Minestrone alla Capucina (soup containing Capucina lettace) Tiger Prawns 2
Goats Cheese Salad
Kreren (flavoured to your requirements, please specify)

Main Course:
Cashew Chicken served with rice.
Crab Quesadillas with Mango Salsa
Clam Chowder 1
Potato & Chickpea Curry 1

Dessert:
Fruit Salad
Crème Brûlée
Tiramisu (1)
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie.1

After Dinner Refreshments:
Coffee (all types) 2
Tea Mints (After Eights)

Avaliable Drinks:
Red or White Wine 2 red
Beer (Bitter or Lager)
Spring Water (Still)

sith will have this

-snip the menu-
ooc: apologies for lack of postage, ice storm took the power out.

Wow, they don't intend to half do anything...

Luke Hodges jotted down his choices. He had finished with his suit, few would be able to tell that hours before, it was drenched in blood. Yet still, there was still a maddening little hint... Too bad he hadn't been able to find a second suit before he came.

But the menu looked great. He choose what looked excellent but safe, you never know what you might run into if you're too excited... Ugh... that 'es-car-got' junk from a meeting with the mayor of Haven...

And he handed the waiting man his choices. Red Wine and some Spring Water, Crab Quesadillas, and even some Crème Brûlée and Coffe. He was stuck on the starters though. Motioning to the man who delivered the menu, Luke pointed to the starters. "What exactlly is Kreren? And what do they mean by flavored to my requirements?"

~snip
"Kreren is a common Drow dish... similar to our potatoes in that respect. However, there is a mis-print on this menu... Kreren is actually more suited to a main course. In it's normal state, it is very bland, and can therefore be altered to specific tastes using spices, herbs, and other such things. If you like, I can put you down for a dish with your main course, and we can edit it on the spot."

Down in the kitchen, all the orders were confirmed, with the Sith seeming not to understand the very simple menu system. The orders ran thus:

Kaymiril: x1 Minestrone alla Capucina, x1 Goats Cheese Salad, x1 Cashew Chicken served with rice, x1 Crab Quesadillas with Mango Salsa, x1 Fruit Salad, x1 Tiramisu, x2 Tea.

Sephrioth: x2 Tiger Prawns, x1 Clam Chowder, x1 Potato & Chickpea Curry, x1 Fruit Salad, x1 Tiramisu, x1 Strawberry Rhubarb Pie, x2 Coffee.

NE: Tiger Prawns X1,Goat Cheese Salad X2, Crab Quesadillas with Mango Salsa X2, Clam Chowder X1, traditionally seasoned Kreren X1, Crème Brûlée X1, Tiramisu X1, Coffee X1, Tea X1


Gronde:x1 Minestrone alla Capucina,x1 Tiger Prawns, x1 Cashew Chicken served with rice, x1 Potato & Chickpea Curry, x2 Crème Brûlée, x1 Coffee, x1 Tea, x2 Mints (After Eights)

-snippity-

"Hmm... I'd like a small portion on the side then. Not a full sized order, just a bit. Is there a house seasoning for it? Or any traditional way for it to be flavored? And what should my two guards do?"

"Hmm... I'd like a small portion on the side then. Not a full sized order, just a bit. Is there a house seasoning for it? Or any traditional way for it to be flavored? And what should my two guards do?"

"I shall arrange for a traditionally flavoured dish of Kreren to be delievered as well. Your guards may attend if you wish, but they must be dressed in a manner befitting this occassion."

Luke looked at his two guards. "Knowing you two, you'll probably rather watch the room and make sure nothing tries to infiltrate or something." His statement was replied to with a hearty laugh and nods all around.

The guard named Jace stepped forewards. "I was able to grab some quite formal wear before we hopped on the ship. Better than the dress uniform anyways. William can hang-"

"-Aye, that I can-"

Jace cut his eyes at William for the interruption. "-and watch the room."

"Then its settled. Jace and Will, come here and take a look at this menu. Can I have food sent up for Will here?" The two pointed out their selections. Jace felt compelled to order one of each category since it would be a formal reception like that. "If you can send it up, here's our order." Luke Hodges handed the waiting man a sheet of paper with the order jotted down.

Starters:
Tiger Prawns X1 (Luke)
Goat Cheese Salad X2 (the two guards, one to be sent up to William if possible)

Main Course:
Crab Quesadillas with Mango Salsa X2 (Luke and William)
Clam Chowder X1 (Jace)
traditionally seasoned Kreren X1 (Luke, small portion)

Dessert:
Crème Brûlée X1 (Luke)
Tiramisu X1 (Jace)

After Dinner Refreshments:
Coffee (all types) X1 (Jace)
Tea X1 (Luke)

Avaliable Drinks:
House Red Wine (Luke)
Spring Water (Still) X3 (Jace, Luke, William)

Adminstrium Reception Dinner

Starters:
Minestrone alla Capucina (soup containing Capucina lettace) (1)
Tiger Prawns (1)

Main Course:
Cashew Chicken served with rice. (1)
Potato & Chickpea Curry (1)

Dessert:
Crème Brûlée (2)

After Dinner Refreshments:
Coffee (all types) (1)
Tea (1)
Mints (After Eights) (2)

Avaliable Drinks:
Red or White Wine (1) [red]
Beer (Bitter or Lager) (1)



Kalgar returned to his room to find Conrad sitting at a table with some papers in front of him.

"Welcome back," said Conrad without looking up. "The menus arrived, I filled them out for you. Where did you go off to all this time anyways?"

"I was just wandering around," replied Kalgar taking a seat across from his advisor. "More or less amelessly, as I always do." Conrad let out a short laugh.

"Why do you still think that you can lie to me?" Conrad asked with a smirk, finally looking at Kalgar. "I've known you for too long." ...

ooc my meesup sorry
ic tgier formal robes of deepest black and greu were immacaly turned out

The afternoon turned into evening, and the sun slipped below the horizon. The stars twinkled in the night sky, and the lights of the city stretched out in various directions. The sea could be seen, a vast black void where the lights abruptly stopped, with only the occassional pinprick to show boats out there. The lights of aircraft passing overhead also shone in the sky.

Downstairs, in the main conference hall, the table had been set out, the flags of all nations attending had been draped on the walls. The lights were lit, given the entire room a nice feel to it. All manner of Snake Eater dignitaries, the representatives of every system under Snake control, the Assembly, and of course, Lord-President Jacius Barbarossa were in attendence. However, they were not seated yet, nor were they completley ready.

Barbarossa straightened his bow-tie once more, making sure his formal evening wear was well done. Once he was satisfied, he beckoned to a man outside,"Tell the foriegn representatives that they are to come to the main conference room at once. We will meet them there."

"Yes Lord-President."

The Valsharess and her cousin had changed. Their dresses, while still silken and in the colors of their respective Houses, were less stiff and more form-fitting than the others had been.

The Valsharess's House Crest was embroidered upon her sleeves, while the Ambassador d' Kestal wore a pin with the soaring bird upon it.

They came down...looked like they were the first of the foreigners.

Drogin, as usual, came as he was. The Draconian scales weren't that friendly to clothing and weren't to kind to metals either. Though, he had buffed himself to a dull gleam.

As for the others, they had changed into their dress outfits. Amon was in his dress uniform instead of his usual black coat. Susan was wearing a fancier version of the Technomage robes she had worn on arrival. Lenir had put on his diplomatic robes.

Susan snorted when they had all had assembled in the common room.

"Looks like the circus rolled into town," she giggled.

Drogin hissed, "Looks can be decieving, my dear. You, of all people, as a Technomage should know this."

Susan stuck her tounge out at him. While she acted mature in public situations, at nineteen-years-old, one of the younger generation of Technomages, she was still just a kid. But, she and Drogin had become such fast friends over the fifteen years they had known each other. Drogin had been the one to rescue her from an orphanage and introduce her to the Technomages.

Luke and Jace descended to the reception hall, impressed with the sight before them. Jace had changed into a black coat and a navy tie. There was little to distinguish his clothing from Luke's, except the pants. Jace had two thin red lines running down the sides of his black pants, Luke had one blue one about a centimeter wide.

Bloodstripes, the red lines were called. And unlike in other places, only awarded for service above and beyod. The blue was a symbol for the captain of a ship frigate or larger. And once you earned these symbols, they stayed with you forever.

Luke came down first, scanning the hall with a quick glance. He noticed the small group from SeaQuest, but didn't know what nation they hailed from. He assumed that the Drow were from Kaymiril.

They needed to brief me better. Oh well, they do what they can.

Kalgar and Conrad sat quietly in their room, not speaking again until it was time to get ready for dinner. Kalgar kept his black trench coat, but wore dress pants and a shirt, both of which were black as well, and a scarlet tie which matched the lining of his coat. Conrad wore a Naval dress uniform, adorn with some of his medals that he recieved during his service in the Colonial Navy. They arrived at the dinning hall to find a several of the other guests had already arrived.

"At least we're not late," commented Conrad. "For once."

"Watch it," replied Kalgar, sharply.

Talraena looked at the Grondian officials as they entered, and then looked back to her cousin.

"L' ofil'nisha d'lil ventash'ma d' Gronde guy'ya l' toha kluchud'ssussunen dossta xun. Zhah nindol mayar? Xor mzild?"

The Valsharess sighed.

"Mayar, Talraena. Usstan h'ros inth ulu ouhyll kluchud'ssussunen ulu dormagyn ussta dro."

As the two men entered, both of them inconspicuously examined all of the other guests. When Conrad's eyes reached Kaymiril's Valsharess, he immediately darted to Kalgar, though his head didn't move.

"I never comented on your choice of colors you made tonight," said Conrad, with a clever smile. "An interesting selection, indeed. It's not your normal color preference." Kalgar didn't stop walking or turn his head.

"I needed a tie that matched the lining of my coat," Kalgar replied casually.

"You know what I mean," said Conrad, motioning in the direction of Kaymiril's diplomats. "That's a pretty accurate color coordination. I'm impressed."

"The fact which you observed actually is a coincidence, Conrad," explained Kalgar.

"If you say so," said Conrad, not convinced, as they neared the table.

Talraena started laughing, her ears picking up the conversation and her eyes catching the guesture towards her and her cousin.

"Ussta Valsharess...I am not the only one to notice that both you and he are wearing Black and the Royal Scarlet. The silk of his coat also seems to be of Kaymirilian in origin...a rare gift indeed."

"Talraena..." was the only thing the Valsharess said...the tone carried an undertone of caution.

Talraena made no further comments.

When the Snake Eaters messenger came to inform them it was time, the SeaQuestian four were already waiting. They departed for the designated place immediately.

As he walked, the fire silk in Lenir's robes glistened in the light as he seemed to float along the ground.

Susan's jet black dress Technomage robes seemed to absorb light. The Technomages were a secret group and did their best work from the shadows.

Amon's dress uniform (http://www.ussmiranda.com/images/uniforms/2278/dress_admiral.jpg) was pressed flat and had nary a wrinkle. As was the norm with dress uniforms, it wasn't that comfortable to wear and was meant for special occasions only and not normal duty.

OOC: Fire Silk comes from a really nasty little bug found on Draconis III (better known as Draconia and home to the reptilian Draconians). This bug is carniverous and can quite easily remove a limb if one isn't careful.

the nsith looked my lord the aperentice says lunch is served . darth xarus said soon they will see our mastery of the light saber.

The pair observed the sith with a certain level of caution. They didn't trust them one bit, and subduing an armed sith was no small matter, but it could be done. Since Jace had changed out of his military uniform, he did not carry his ceremonial sword, which was just as well. A blade like that could never stand up to a lightsaber if troubles occured.

Luke thought to the 3-shot stunner he carried in a thigh-holster under his pants. It was required that all international diplomats carry one, and all ambassadors prayed that they never had to be used.

As Jace and Luke neared the table, they noticed the Gronde delegation. Luke stepped towards them. "Hello. I am Luke Hodges of the Galactic Inferno of No Endorse."

As Jace and Luke neared the table, they noticed the Gronde delegation. Luke stepped towards them. "Hello. I am Luke Hodges of the Galactic Inferno of No Endorse." He

Kalgar turned to the diplomat from No Endorce.

"Greatings, Luke Hodges," replied Kalgar, bowing slightly. "I am Lord-and-Master of the Great Forge of Gronde. It is good to meet you."

Kalgar turned to the diplomat from No Endorce.

"Greatings, Luke Hodges," replied Kalgar, bowing slightly. "I am Lord-and-Master of the Great Forge of Gronde. It is good to meet you."

Luke bowed deeply. "It is an honor to meet you sir. I apologize for my forthrightness, I meant no offense. I didn't realize that there would be national leaders attending, I thought it was only diplomats like myself.

Prime Minister Talon mentioned you on several occasions. He had a very high opinion of you sir."

The SeaQuestian party entered at the tail end of the No Endorse represenative's greeting of the Gronde representative.

As the four entered, Amon scanned the room. His experienced eyes and mind judging and calculating.

Lenir bowed in greeting, as was Minbari Religious Caste custom, to the others in the room.

Lord-President of Snake Eaters, Jacius Barbarossa, stepped into the common room, happy to hear the lively chatter of conversation permeating the room. He too noticed the colour coordination of Kalgar and the Valsharess, and he smiled... Far too great to be a mere coincidence. I sense something...

Close behind him, dressed in the cream and brown robes of the Jedi, was Jedi Knight Seriph Tallia (http://www.zmms.tu-berlin.de/modys/team/sandro/martial/big-Sandro%20-%20Jedi%20Knight.jpg) stepped into the room, sensing the prescense of the Sith before he even opened his eyes. His lightsaber hung, inactive, at his hip, and he would not be drawing it tonight. He was on the left of Barbarossa, and carried himself with the grace of a Jedi Guardian.

On the right of Barbarossa came Chaplin Hanst, still dressed in white, but having forgone his armour in favour of more flowing robes. These robes were of the starkest white, and carried the symbol of the Black Angels on the front section. The flag of Snake Eaters was stiched into one of the shoulders, allowing him to function as a representative. He still wore his rosarius, but his bolt pistol was nowhere to be seen.

He smiled as he entered, spying the delegates from SeaQuest, and despatched the two other men to go about as they wished. Barbarossa approached the delegation, and held out his hand,"It's good to see that some wish to form ties anew. Many here have previous dealings with my nation."

Lenir started to bow again, but Amon stopped him by stepping foward and taking Barbarossa's hand and saying, while firmly shaking it, "Even though the Empire controls a large area of space, that's mainly for security reasons seeing as to how small we are population wise."

Lenir started to bow again, but Amon stopped him by stepping foward and taking Barbarossa's hand and saying, while firmly shaking it, "Even though the Empire controls a large area of space, that's mainly for security reasons seeing as to how small we are population wise."

"That seems paradoxical to us. We control a tightly packed area of space, despite out moderate population. By throwing your borders wide, you cannot possibly patrol the entire length of the border."

"Automated stations provide most of the border defense," Amon replied, "while we may have a small population, we have enough engineers to develop our defensive and offensive technology. But, even so, we still need all the allies we can get."

"Ah, a fair statement. To ease the pressure on the Navy, automated defence platforms and space stations are littered across the nation. You might have seen one of the damaged defence platforms being removed when you arrived."

Amon nodded in confirmation before saying, "Useful tools that they are, a small, easy to mass produce ship is still needed in the empire for patrol in regions of space that have anomolies harmful to the computers used in the automated stations."

Lenir broke in, "Perhaps a technology exchange could be something worked out between our two nations, eventually."

"Ah, we have a patrol ship that can be adapted to your needs. A technology eschange does sound like a promising idea, to be sure."

Luke bowed deeply. "It is an honor to meet you sir. I apologize for my forthrightness, I meant no offense. I didn't realize that there would be national leaders attending, I thought it was only diplomats like myself.

Prime Minister Talon mentioned you on several occasions. He had a very high opinion of you sir."

"That is quite alright, my friend," assured Kalgar with a smile. "Gronde has few designated diplomats. We normally send members of the heirarchy--to put an accurate face on the nation, if you will. And do send Prime Minister Talon my greetings." Conrad stepped closer to Kalgar.

"I am going to leave you for a little while," whispered Conrad. "I think that I will mingle with some of the other guests." Kalgar nodded.

"Go ahead," he replied. Conrad bowed slightly and left for the other side of the room. He hadn't planned on "mingling" with the guests, though. There were two specific guests that he felt the need to pay a visit to. Walking casually, Conrad made his way to the guests from Kaymiril.

"Good evening," he said once he reached them. He removed his barret style hat and bowed modestly. "My name is Conrad, head advisor from Gronde."

The Valsharess and her cousin had been conversing softly in their native tongue...Talraena had wanted to check over some few things before they had to actually deal with foreigners.

As Conrad approached them, they turned to face him, and allowed him to introduce himself, before Talraena, the blue-clad noble, made a slight bow and the Valsharess, clad in scarlet, gave him a graceful nod.

"Gre'as'anto lu' verve dro, Conrad. I am Valsharess Kaymiril VII of Kaymiril, and this is the soon to be Kaymirilian Ambassador to Gronde, Talraena d' Kestal."

"That is quite alright, my friend," assured Kalgar with a smile. "Gronde has few designated diplomats. We normally send members of the heirarchy--to put an accurate face on the nation, if you will. And do send Prime Minister Talon my greetings." Conrad stepped closer to Kalgar.

"That is an interesting way to do things sir.

Unfortionatly, however, it is impossible to send Ex-Minister Talon your greetings. There is a... situation in No Endorse, a bit of a civil war. He was trapped on Sanctuary by rebel forces, I honestly don't know if he still lives. Knowing Clan Laski, they would murder a sick old man retiring from office for the fun of it. They certainly had no trouble with my family."

Luke eyes hardened apon saying the hated clan name. Laski, the butcher clan. Red was the color of their hands and shields in ancient times, and that legacy has never left them. Xenophobic at levels that might have even startled Hitler and Stalin, they fought for their religion with such tenacity, they would turn on thier own brothers.

"Sorry about that. This is an occasion celebrating Snake Eaters and the sucessful conclusion of their war."

"It is good to meet you both," said Conrad. He conducted himself with a sophistication not unlike Kalgar's, only even more refined. "I have been Kalgar's advisor for countless years. I trust in his judgement of character, if nothing else." Conrad laughed softly.

"He seemed like a good man, although I didn't spend much time with him when he came to Kaymiril."

"I am sorry to hear that," said Kalgar somberly. "If there is anything I can do..."

Meanwhile, Conrad was talking with the guests from Kaymiril. He wasn't even sure of what he wanted to find out yet.

"He's a good man and a formidable leader," said Conrad. "I have been his advisor since he was a child. He wont admit it, but he still needs my council every now and then."

"What leader of a large nation does not, from time to time, require advice? One person cannot keep track of everything, and cannot understand all matters that need to be fully understood."

The Valsharess had several advisors...men and women that she listened to in most matters.

"Ah, we have a patrol ship that can be adapted to your needs. A technology eschange does sound like a promising idea, to be sure."

"That sounds like a good plan," agreed Amon, "as it would be a proven design and not one that needs to be tested before it can even hit the construction floor and then be tested even more."

"Of coarse, good leaders are those who take advise," agreed Conrad. "So tell me about yourself."

"Of coarse, good leaders are those who take advise," agreed Conrad. "So tell me about yourself."
"There's not much to tell, really. I'm the seventh Maril to claim the throne, and felt that it was time to open up to the rest of the world. That will probably be what history remembers me for. Whether it's seen as a good idea or a bad one will be decided by future generations."

"There's not much to tell, really. I'm the seventh Maril to claim the throne, and felt that it was time to open up to the rest of the world. That will probably be what history remembers me for. Whether it's seen as a good idea or a bad one will be decided by future generations."

"I see," said Conrad. "That's not a small thing to be able to boast. At least you will be remembered."

"History tends to remember those who make great changes."

"That sounds like a good plan," agreed Amon, "as it would be a proven design and not one that needs to be tested before it can even hit the construction floor and then be tested even more."

"The design is combat-proven. Space piracy is rare in Snake Eater spacelanes, but you can never vouch for anything. We should discuss this further whilst you are seeing the latest addition to the fleet, and a redesign of our Warfare-class."

"The design is combat-proven. Space piracy is rare in Snake Eater spacelanes, but you can never vouch for anything. We should discuss this further whilst you are seeing the latest addition to the fleet, and a redesign of our Warfare-class."

Amon nodded in agreement, "Yes, perhaps now isn't the best time to talk of such things."

"Yes," said Drogin, "the food's going to get cold."

Amon nodded in agreement, "Yes, perhaps now isn't the best time to talk of such things."

"Yes," said Drogin, "the food's going to get cold."
"Actually, dinner hasn't been served yet. That's why we are still here... they will call for us soon enough."

"History tends to remember those who make great changes."

"Very true," said Conrad. He them bowed again. "It was a pleasure meeting you both."

The Valsharess and her cousin both nodded.

"Xal gre'as'anto flohlu dos."

"I am sorry to hear that," said Kalgar somberly. "If there is anything I can do..."

"No, it's alright. We're doing all we can right now. I'm extremely loathe to ask you, or anyone for that matter, for direct intervention. If we asked another for help, and some of their troops were captured by the enemy, death would be a blessing. Our enemy has incited the population, stirred up fear against anyone not one-hundred percent human born in our nation. At least when we use ourr own people, they get prisoner-of-war status.

And I'm afraid I'm talking your ears off."

"Actually, dinner hasn't been served yet. That's why we are still here... they will call for us soon enough."

Susan laughed, "Don't mind him. He is always hungry."

Amon ignored her and asked, "Is there anything else you would like to know about the SeaQuestian Empire?"

"No, it's alright. We're doing all we can right now. I'm extremely loathe to ask you, or anyone for that matter, for direct intervention. If we asked another for help, and some of their troops were captured by the enemy, death would be a blessing. Our enemy has incited the population, stirred up fear against anyone not one-hundred percent human born in our nation. At least when we use ourr own people, they get prisoner-of-war status.

And I'm afraid I'm talking your ears off."

"That's alright," assured Kalgar for a second time. "I am not stranger to war, civil war included. I do hope that things work out, and if there is anything less direct that I could do, I would be happy to."



Conrad nodded and walked back towards Kalgar. He hadn't learned much, though he really didn't expect to.

The Valsharess and her cousin went back to talking. That had been an odd meeting.

Susan laughed, "Don't mind him. He is always hungry."

Amon ignored her and asked, "Is there anything else you would like to know about the SeaQuestian Empire?"
"I'm sure we can talk more about your Empire later, and I do look forward to it. At the same time, is there anything you wish to know of us?"

OOC: TO ALL

Going away until the 27th. Might not be on. Just in case, Merry Christmas to you all!

"I'm sure we can talk more about your Empire later, and I do look forward to it. At the same time, is there anything you wish to know of us?"

OOC: TO ALL

Going away until the 27th. Might not be on. Just in case, Merry Christmas to you all!

Amon opens his mouth to start his response when Susan starts chiming. She pulls a PADD out from one of the many internal pockets in her Technomage dress robes and reads it.

"Just an update on the Babylon Project," she says.

Amon scowls briefly at the interruption before turning back to the Snake Eaters President.

"Judging from the damge I saw on the way in," he says, "I would infer that a massive battle took place in this city recently. Am I correct?"

OOC: Have a great time, dude.

"That would be right. Civil war will do that to a place... not only that, but it was largely caused by the elements still loyal to the previous Lord-President. To call the man a tyrant would not be too harsh at all."

As he was talking, the door opened, revealing a man in a white waiters outfit. He cleared his throat, causing the room to go silent,"Dinner is served."

OOC: Considering interest kinda waned after Christmas, mostly my fault I'll freely admit, I'm gonna put the parade up now. If you still want to continue, then feel free to continue posting. If not, then consider the thread closed.

IC: Dinner had been a great success all round, with many of the Snake Eater delegates introducing themselves to the others from around the galaxy. The only ones who didn't were the Belkan members, who were soundly chastised the next morning for their unsocial behaviour by Lord Barbarossa. Whilst not xenophobic or racist, their world was at the cusp of Snake Eater space, and as such had suffered at the hands of aliens, pirates and enemy invasions. Although these had been beaten back, it gave them a slightly more hard-bitten view of the world and galaxy, along with others from different nations, even those within their own country.

The next day dawned bright and early, the yellow sun rising in the east, the light dancing off the Bay of Kurana, around which the port of Snake City was based. A small number of ships, mostly fishing trawlers but the occassional container ship, were present in the bay, the calm waters lapping against their bows. On the bridge of the largest ship in the bay, the Yakuzan Freedom, Captain Anderson tipped the whiskey bottle into the pot of coffee, draining away the last rememants of the drink,"I was saving this for a special occassion... Victory Day seems good enough, wouldn't you agree?"

His XO, a fair-haired Lieutenant in the Merchant Navy named David Smith, smiled a broad smile over his tanned face, holding his hands up and splaying the fingers,"Why not? It's only once a year, right?"

The two men poured themselves coffee, and looked out at the flag hoisted on the fore-deck. The black and blue flag rustled slightly in the wind, which was coming in from the South, bringing the warmer equatorial air with it. They raised their mugs, and then drank deeply to victory...

*Adminstrium*
The stage was set, ready for the delegates to be seated. On the front row would sit Lord-President Barbarossa, and the foreign representatives. On his right would sit the Drow of Kaymiril including the Valsharess, and also Kalgar, of Gronde. On his left would sit those from No endorse, SeaQuest and Sephiroth. Behind would sit the Assembly, the primary governing body of Snake Eaters, and behind them would sit the delegates from each system within the Empire. Behind them, even more people; some rich, some poor, some military, some civilian. All walks of life, all manner of people.

Central Plaza was decked in the colours of Snake Eaters, the flag of the nation flying high, and draped from the windows of the larger buildings around the square. This place was steeped in history, and as such it made sense that it was here the parade would end. It was still bright, with the mid-morning sun shining down through a thin, wispy layer of cloud, the wind ruffling the clothing of the assembled crowds ever so slightly. As Barbarossa made his entrance, there came an almighty roar of approval from the crowd. This man was, to many of them, the symbol of hope, freedom and liberty for the entire nation. Recent polls placed him as the most popular President in the history of Snake Eaters… no mean feat in any mans eyes. He stood, allowing the other delegates to sit down, before stepping up to the microphone and clearing his throat, “My fellow citizens. Today is 25th of August, 2368. It has been many, many years since we first beat back the Helghast invaders who sought to destroy our lands, our homes, and our very beings. Since then, they have been back, to attempt to complete their first assault, but we have never fallen. We have been struck time and time again, and each time we have forced them to fall back. Today, we celebrate those victories, and we honour those who have fallen in the defence of our nation. I ask you now to join with me, in a two minute silence, as we toll the bell of St. Marks Cathedral twelve times. Thank you.”

The speech had been short, and to the point. He stepped back, and everyone rose behind him. At the foot of the Adminstrium steps, a solider, resplendent in his dress uniform, raised a bugle to his lips, playing the Last Post. It would not be the last of the day. Silence fell across the square, as many thought back to the most recent invasion, the devastation it had wrought across the nation, and on this planet, this city in particular. As the two minutes came to an end, the main bell of St. Marks, not one mile down the road, the tower in which is was housed raising high above the surrounding area, stabbing at the skyline, began to ring, its peals rolling across the city, echoing down the windswept caverns formed in the Financial district, reverberating around the suburbs towards the edge. Everyone could hear it, and no-one forget those who had given everything for their country.

As the final toll of the mighty bell finished, Major-General Michael Thomas stood at the head of the parade, the men behind him strung out along a stretch of the Falls Road. The banner party, carrying various flags, representing the nations, the colonies, the regiments. Everyone represented someone. At the head, carrying the flag of Snake Eaters, his hand clasped around the polished wooden handle of the flag-pole, was Staff Sergeant Adam Bacon. During the closing days of the war, he had been given the Leviathan Medal for his bravery under fire. With the lieutenant of his platoon killed by a mortar shell, Bacon had taken control of the platoon, going out himself into heavy fire to rescue wounded men. It was on his sixth trip that he received a wound to the leg, but the medics were forced to restrain him to prevent him going back out. Even whilst he was strapped to the stretcher, he had his rifle in his hand, firing out a window at the enemy. His actions had brought him to attention at national levels, and he had been granted the honour of leading this historical event. A blond man, sat behind Barbarossa in a plain dark suit, shirt and tie, was also watching him all of which were either black or grey. Despite the moderate heat, he showed no outward discomfort, his eyes hidden behind the polarised sunglasses he was wearing. Close to his body, in a pancake holster, sat a 9mm pistol, ready for action at a moments notice. However, for now, he sat quietly, waiting for the start.

“Parade! Quick… march!”

The band began to play, the bass drum beating out the step for the men and women of the armed forces marching down the Falls Road. Sunlight glinted off highly polished toe-caps, belt buckles, and bayonets. Weapons were on shoulder, held in the left hand, the right arm swinging as the left leg stepped. They marched steadily up the Falls Road, moving towards Central Plaza. They could be seen coming towards the assembled delegates steadily, the cheering of the crowds gradually growing in strength and volume as they came ever closer, the music of the band reaching the ears of all the humans present (no doubt having been heard by the Drow, and possible Kalgar, when it had started). Barbarossa couldn’t suppress a smile of fierce pride. His nation was back on top-form… and it was doing so with a vengeance. As the parade closed on the square, the men and women marching into the open area, the flags flying proudly, Major-General Thomas called for the halt, before turning to salute the assembled delegates,"Victory Parade commander, requesting permission to continue in column of route, Lord-President."

"Continue, General."

"Thank you, Sir."

As the parade continued to move past, their head and eyes turning to face the delegation, Barbarossa smiled, and said to everyone else present,"I'm interested to hear reactions from each of you."

Luke Hodges was quite impressed by this show of might. "You would find it impossible to find an army unit in No Endorse capable of such dicipline. Our Army is... ah... neglected?"

The Kaymiril Valsharess nodded.

"A most impressive display, Lord Barbarossa."

It was, really...there were few occasions that Kaymiril had reason to put on such a display...seven to ten times per reign of each Valsharess. The fact that so many soldiers would march for a display.

Perhaps it would be a good thing to have more of these...the people seem to enjoy it here.

Luke Hodges was quite impressed by this show of might. "You would find it impossible to find an army unit in No Endorse capable of such dicipline. Our Army is... ah... neglected?"

"Discipline is not the thing here. This parade, although laced with somber undertones, is meant as a celebration. We are still here."

~snip~
The blond man leaned forward,"You're too kind to say so, your Highness."

The blond man leaned forward,"You're too kind to say so, your Highness."
The Valsharess turned to look at this blond man...the only human thus far to earn Kaymirilian citizenship.

"Ol zhah bwael ulu kyorl dos al, Cougar. I trust your family is well?"

"Discipline is not the thing here. This parade, although laced with somber undertones, is meant as a celebration. We are still here."

Luke smiled a little, supressing the urge to laugh. "Well... heh heh... all of your men appear to have weapons in good conditions..."

Luke smiled a little, supressing the urge to laugh. "Well... heh heh... all of your men appear to have weapons in good conditions..."

"That's just tradition."

~snip~
The man bowed his head, and smiled slightly,"The children are well, your Highness."

The man bowed his head, and smiled slightly,"The children are well, your Highness."
"That is good to hear." She turned back to watch the parade.

ic> Kalgar sat and watched the parade. He was unusually silent, his posture not fading and his gaze not wavering. His mind was definitely not on the spectacle before him.

ic> Kalgar sat and watched the parade. He was unusually silent, his posture not fading and his gaze not wavering. His mind was definitely not on the spectacle before him.

Defence Secretary Ramon Maschio had been known to have some form of empathy, and leaned forward to tap Kalgar on the shoulder,"Something wrong?"

Defence Secretary Ramon Maschio had been known to have some form of empathy, and leaned forward to tap Kalgar on the shoulder,"Something wrong?"

Kalgar's thoughts were interupted as soon as Maschio's hand moved towards him shoulder. By the time the tap and the question came, Kalgar was already composed and ready to reply.

"Nothing is wrong," answered Kalgar casually. "I was simply enjoying the display."

Kalgar's thoughts were interupted as soon as Maschio's hand moved towards him shoulder. By the time the tap and the question came, Kalgar was already composed and ready to reply.

"Nothing is wrong," answered Kalgar casually. "I was simply enjoying the display."
OOC: Sorry everyone, but Jolt has been playing me up in recent days. I've had real trouble getting on.

IC: Maschio seemed to frown at him, as if he didn't believe what he was hearing, then he nodded,"What do you make of our military?"

Kalgar finally made eye contact with the man.

"It looks impressive enough," said Kalgar with a very mild degree of indifference. "But I can't judge a military by only seeing how well they can parade." Conrad looked over and decided to occupy the talkative mood of the Defence Secretary.

"I noticed that your military includes Space marines," said Conrad. "How many do you have?"

"A full Chapter, 1000 in all, divided as the Codex Astartes deems it."

darth xaruis scrathed his head he turned to kalgar
hi sorry for being a bit quit last night and not intro ing my self and my aperentice darth xarius sith adviseor to the emperor of sephioth

ooc> I took the liberty of fixing your post for the reader's convenience.

Darth Xaruis scratched his head, turning to Kalgar.

"Hello. Sorry for being a bit quiet last night and not introducing myself and my apprentice," said the Sith. "I am Darth Xarius, Sith advisor to the Emperor of Sephrioth

ic> Kalgar turned his head to face Darth Xarius. He had never cared much for the Sith, but he put his feelings aside and put a smile on his face, as he always did.

"That's quite alright," replied Kalgar, nodding his head. "I am Lord-and-Master Kalgar of Gronde."

***
Meanwhile, Conrad continued his conversation.

"Interesting," he said. "The Great Forge has 5 Chapters; each one numbers about one million Space marines. Our program is one of the finest in the galaxy."

"These Marines are forged from the remains of geneseed recovered from fallen warriors. It incorporates many, including samples from the Blood Angels, Space Wolves and the Black Templars. The resulting geneseed is completley unique, and it cannot be replicated anywhere else. Only the Apothcaries (sp) of the Chapter understand how it works these days. The only reason we were able to construct the vehicles, armour and weapons is thanks to the discovery of STC's on a number of our own worlds... and now, the Black Angels are completley self-sufficient. Although they do serve Snake Eaters, they are only called upon rarely, and do not serve the leader in such that they serve the nation as a whole. In other times, they are deployed throughout the galaxy, as ambassadors for Snake Eaters and also to aid others."

Maschio allowed a small smile to tug at his latino features,"They are mainly recruited from the natives of Snake Eater Prime, but they do recruit from every world within our control. We obtained a copy of the Codex Astartes for them to study, and adapt as they saw fit. Altogether, they have stuck with it, except they place a much higher emphasis on strikes, as opposed to attrition warfare."

xarius said they parade like the sephrion armed forces perfect formations welll ordered ranks and may i be so bold barbarossa as to ask how long do you train your forces

zax butted in but master they are not as organised as our ranks
zax what do you expect our men are trained from birth and augmented

Xarius said,"They parade like the sephrion armed forces; perfect formations, well ordered ranks, and may I be so bold, Barbarossa, as to ask how long do you train your forces?"

Zax butted in,"But master, they are not as organised as our ranks."

"Zax, what do you expect? Our men are trained from birth and augmented."

Barbarossa bristled silently as Xarius ignored his title,"Standard trooper training takes twelve weeks, with specialists taking longer, up to thirty weeks in some professions. Officer training is a full standard year of 52 weeks."

Maschio, and the military representatives, chose to ignore the comment that they didn't appear organised as others. Snake Eater troops had a reputation for being staunch warriors, but not so stupid that they didn't know when to fall back and not press a bad position. Also, the policy of training men from birth and augmenting them was not held in high regard in Snake Eaters, who held the belief that soliders should not be mindless drones, but men with feelings, individual thoughts, and the like. Taking them from birth essentially dehumanised them, and it was a terrible thing for that to happen. Whilst it was true that Snake Eaters did make extensive use of nanotechnology to help their soliders in battle, they were not augmented by it.

xarius let out a low whistle and explained high command wished to send the emeeperor him self with 34 of the shadow legion but i sugested that myself and zax came being the trainers of the shadow legoin in sword combat.

ooc shadow legion my space marrines the show no fear the fear no pain or death

"These Marines are forged from the remains of geneseed recovered from fallen warriors. It incorporates many, including samples from the Blood Angels, Space Wolves and the Black Templars. The resulting geneseed is completley unique, and it cannot be replicated anywhere else. Only the Apothcaries (sp) of the Chapter understand how it works these days. The only reason we were able to construct the vehicles, armour and weapons is thanks to the discovery of STC's on a number of our own worlds... and now, the Black Angels are completley self-sufficient. Although they do serve Snake Eaters, they are only called upon rarely, and do not serve the leader in such that they serve the nation as a whole. In other times, they are deployed throughout the galaxy, as ambassadors for Snake Eaters and also to aid others."

Maschio allowed a small smile to tug at his latino features,"They are mainly recruited from the natives of Snake Eater Prime, but they do recruit from every world within our control. We obtained a copy of the Codex Astartes for them to study, and adapt as they saw fit. Altogether, they have stuck with it, except they place a much higher emphasis on strikes, as opposed to attrition warfare."

"Gronde maintains 5 chapters of Space marines, each a full million strong," explained Conrad. "We've been running the Space marine research program for hundreds of years. Our scientists possess a full understanding of all the technology we use, even the most ancient and seemingly arcane machines. We recruit our marines directly from our military, mainly from the young recruits fulfilling their compulsery service."

"Gronde maintains 5 chapters of Space marines, each a full million strong," explained Conrad. "We've been running the Space marine research program for hundreds of years. Our scientists possess a full understanding of all the technology we use, even the most ancient and seemingly arcane machines. We recruit our marines directly from our military, mainly from the young recruits fulfilling their compulsery service."

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the Codex specify that a Chapter be 1000 strong? What you are describing sounds more like Legions to me."

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the Codex specify that a Chapter be 1000 strong? What you are describing sounds more like Legions to me."

Conrad supressed a soft laugh.

"Our nations has never followed the Codex," said Conrad, matter-of-factly. "Our technology is also very different from the ancient Imperium. Gronde does what is most effective and efficient, rather than heeding ancient texts."

Maschio shrugged,"No matter. You already know that Snake Eaters fuses both the old and the new in all our Space Marine vehicles... indeed, in many things. You have seen the designs of our buildings: they could be twentieth century, or older, and yet they are completley up to date."