NationStates Jolt Archive

There were still patrols sweeping Aiur, trying to eliminate the last of the Zerg Threat, and one such patrol, lead by a High Ranking Dark Templar named Zhiroket. They had unovered a small Hatchery, and destroyed a few Zerglings around it, but the importance of what they had done was lost on them for some time.

LATER THAT NIGHT:

One of the Templar roused himself to expel wastes, and, taking himself some diustance away from the encampment, discovered something that ws to change the course of their history...

OOC: This will surely be worth me keeping track of.

As the semi-luminous liquid lit up the area, the Templar noticed something glimmering in the small quantity of light. A green tank, and there was something in it... As he reached out to it with his mind, a pulse went out across the Galaxy:

Pulsed Transmission, to all Psionically Sensitive Races:

We are the Zeji, what are you?

The Eternals picked up the signal, but did not respond due to being a purely random signal. Yet they were concerned for the Protoss so in response they observed the entity using their own psionic powers to keep track of it.

The Zeji... They were simply a legend, a race that was old hen the Protoss were young. Most would have expected that any presence such as this one would have been detected long ago, but even at this short range the suits sensors were unable to detect the powersource that charged the obviously operative Chamber.

"What are you truly? And how do you come to be on Aiur?"

We are the Zeji. What are you?

"I am Protoss." The word was a Xel'Naga term, it meant Firstborn, if it truly was a Zeji, it would almost certainly know the words meaning.

Well then Protoss, we are the Zeji, and this is a Cloning Tank, in several hours this form will becompleted, and another will begin the process. There are several hundred Warriors scattered about this area in Stasis, and this will be their first Mechalisk Commander. Speak to us again when the Mechalisk is complete, and the Warriors are awakened.

(OOC: Heh. I'd always wanted to try that campaign series. Might go through with it now that I've found my Starcraft CDs. Tag for possible interference. ^_^)

tag.

ooc: Glorified tag. The firstborn enemies of the Xel'Naga should have fun with some of their playthingsIMEAN creations. Wonder if the 'toss'd know em.
IC:
We are the Zeji, what are you?

This simple message penetrated the deep. It overcame the trials of the endless wastes, dancing past the ruined hulks of a thousand nations, a million ships, countless remains across infinity.

And as it continued at it breakneck pace towards the outer dark, it reached the nation of No Endorse. The one-time Merchant Empire, home to many more than meets the eye. Even as the numerous masses teemed unawares, a select few stood and took notice.

For even though they possessed not such psionic power, they could detect it from the void. And Zeji was a name not unfamiliar to them. A single thread of thought raced through the entire mindnet.

<So, you have returned at last, children of the stars. You may have surprised us once, but never again.>

No Endorse was unaware, fighting a desperate civil war. The ancient foundations of the Merchant Empire, however, began to prepare.

ooc: well this will be different for me

IC:

A small lush planet was located on the edge of space away from the eye of the Abh Empire. There, a small organic palace was home to the Betterman Council that had come to stick its nose in the affairs of the Abh.

Whatever they did here was not really known to anyone except that they monitored the makings of the universe. It was on this day that Psionic impulses from a race called the Zeji.

The leader of the group was what appeared to be an old hunched man. His wrinkled brow rose and his eyes slid open.

We are the Betterman Coucnil and a remote planet where we have been monitoring the molding of the Universe. Who are you and what are your intentions?

ooc: well this will be different for me

IC:

A small lush planet was located on the edge of space away from the eye of the Abh Empire. There, a small organic palace was home to the Betterman Council that had come to stick its nose in the affairs of the Abh.

Whatever they did here was not really known to anyone except that they monitored the makings of the universe. It was on this day that Psionic impulses from a race called the Zeji.

The leader of the group was what appeared to be an old hunched man. His wrinkled brow rose and his eyes slid open.

We are the Betterman Coucnil and a remote planet where we have been monitoring the molding of the Universe. Who are you and what are your intentions?

We are the Zeji, for now we have no intentions. We simply wish to grow and return to power. What are your intentions?

ON AIUR:

The Mechalisk was complete, and across the planet nearly a legion of Zeji Warriors, Mechalisks, and Stormriders awoke from their long sleep.

We are the Zeji, who are you?

"I am Kabala, a Templar of the Protoss. What are your intentions?"

We have no commander, you are suitable. Enter the Cloning Vat and we will change you, amke you more powerful...

As we said before, to monitor the universe and maintain balance. Power does not interest us as we have our own.

As we said before, to monitor the universe and maintain balance. Power does not interest us as we have our own.

Then you are no threat to us. Will you meet with our new commander when the change is complete?

ON AIUR, or more specifically, ABOVE AIUR:

As Kabala enetered the Cloning Vat, a small, but powerful taskforce in orbit activated. It was headed by a ship like none ever seen before, the Black Dream...

Quiet communication through the Lipid Channel passed among the council members. The silence between Zeji and the Bettermen lasted a few minutes.

We will meet your commander in the spirit of peace and balance. We shall be waiting and watching.

The earth outside the palace shook as ships that resembled nothing within the Empire rose and shook the dirt loose and hovered several hundred feet above the planet's surface.

Tagtagtag

Quiet communication through the Lipid Channel passed among the council members. The silence between Zeji and the Bettermen lasted a few minutes.

We will meet your commander in the spirit of peace and balance. We shall be waiting and watching.

The earth outside the palace shook as ships that resembled nothing within the Empire rose and shook the dirt loose and hovered several hundred feet above the planet's surface.

He will be ready soon, by the time you arrive he will be fully changed.

ON AIUR:

Kabala would spend several hours in the Cloning Vat, and emerge a very different being. Embodied with the elements revered by the Zeji, he could command Earth, Lightning, Fire, and Air, and he was physically changed as well... Taller, with 4 arms, and new, different armor...

No crews were needed for these ships as a single Betterman could control every function of the ship, could feel everything around it even more so than an Abh.

Two were chosen to go and make this contact. Lord Bodayichu and Lumay boarded one of the ships and took to space along with five escorts controlled by them as well. A void in space was opened and the group of ships slipped in to travel faster than Hyperspace.

Kabal emerged. He was massive., more so than Protoss normally were, a combination of the genetics of several Zeji warriors, and his own Protoss strength. He detected something that he had not been sensitive enough to notice before. A MASSIVE collective mind. They woiuld either make powerful allies, or deadly new foes...

The tear in space was insignificant compared to the vastness of the region. Still, it was large enough for six ships to glide out and hover in orbit over the planet from wence the psionic messages originated.

They stood there poised on the brink of a new horizon until one ship darted down to the face of the planet. The ship was immune to atmospheric interference and the belly of the beast hardly glowed. It's decent was silent and swift while the ground came racing up to meet them. The ship stopped abruptly a few feet from the ground without even a notice to the passengers. The two members had arrived and would now seek out this new being.

The tear in space was insignificant compared to the vastness of the region. Still, it was large enough for six ships to glide out and hover in orbit over the planet from wence the psionic messages originated.

They stood there poised on the brink of a new horizon until one ship darted down to the face of the planet. The ship was immune to atmospheric interference and the belly of the beast hardly glowed. It's decent was silent and swift while the ground came racing up to meet them. The ship stopped abruptly a few feet from the ground without even a notice to the passengers. The two members had arrived and would now seek out this new being.

All around the Abh ships sensors were screaming. UNKNOWNS! In the AIUR SYSTEM!!! It was madness! But, the madness multiplied many times overwhen the Zeji armada appeared around the 6 ships, mostly fighters, but a few carriers and Battlecruisers as well, and, flagship of the small but powerful Armada, there loomed the Black Dream, a bastard ship from a Templars nightmare. It had been recently created when an old Leviathan and a Gantrithor had disappeared during testing of a new Gate Technology. They had assumed that the collaborative effort had failed. Instead they had been snatched by the Armada, and now they were powerfull upgunned and fused into one mighty weapon of war, that, while low on toughness, mnore than made up for it in sheer firepower.

Kabala went to confront the members ofhis team, who were still slightly stunned by the massive call so near to them.

"Wake up my friends. The Xel'Nagas Firstborn are changed, and you are to be the first of my Lieutenants.... There are envoys from another race nearby, go to them, and greet them in the name of the Zeji..."

There was the only one ship that contained any passengers and it made itself by spreading the ship's fins as it grew in stature. What appeared to be four tentacles at the front of the ship, spread and a beacon of light shot out an invitation and acknowledgement to the newly arrived.

"We greet you in the name of the Zeji. Kabala is temporarily indisposed, but if you will follow us we will take you to him." The Protoss gestured in the direction of their encampment.

We are the Zeji. What are you?

The call was directed to the obviously massive hive that Kabala had detected.

We are the Zeji. What are you?

The mindnet detected this blunt signal with relative ease. It was used to needing to strain to detect weak signals, but this was almost too easy. Thousands of sentients combined their psyches, reinforcing the array for a possible attack.

Within the net, a reply was forming. It could not be heard by this external foe, but it was reassuring to the net, which had gained a level of sentience itself. It would be short lived, as it was artificially generated by its members, but it could hold its own.

<I/we am/are a race you once subjugated. You once desecrated. I/we once held vast cities, massive empires, incredible grandure and beauty. I/we was/were peaceful, living out my/our life/lives without harming any others. Then you came. And you undid that which I/we strove so hard to build.

But I/we survived you, as I/we have survived everything. I/we am/are ready for you. If you embrace warfare against me/us again, you embrace your doom.>

The mindnet detected this blunt signal with relative ease. It was used to needing to strain to detect weak signals, but this was almost too easy. Thousands of sentients combined their psyches, reinforcing the array for a possible attack.

Within the net, a reply was forming. It could not be heard by this external foe, but it was reassuring to the net, which had gained a level of sentience itself. It would be short lived, as it was artificially generated by its members, but it could hold its own.

<I/we am/are a race you once subjugated. You once desecrated. I/we once held vast cities, massive empires, incredible grandure and beauty. I/we was/were peaceful, living out my/our life/lives without harming any others. Then you came. And you undid that which I/we strove so hard to build.

But I/we survived you, as I/we have survived everything. I/we am/are ready for you. If you embrace warfare against me/us again, you embrace your doom.>

They are not responding...

Kabala linked directly to the minds of the iunknown hive:

We are the Zeji. What are you?

A tremor of surprise, but quick action and control.

<I/we feel you.>

The mindnet grabbed the psi incursion, cementing a tight connection and building massive security around it.

<I/we have been expecting you for some time.>

The bond was cemented further, shutting out the roar of unconscious energy, focusing the connection between the mindnet sentience and the interloper. It was only now that the thread of thought that had been circulating was made known to Kabala. It was transmitted in its entirety, showing the struggles and triumphs that had befallen them since the Zeji left.

<So, my/our old foes. Have you changed since that day above the homeworld? Or have you returned to be my/our bane once more?>

A tremor of surprise, but quick action and control.

<I/we feel you.>

The mindnet grabbed the psi incursion, cementing a tight connection and building massive security around it.

<I/we have been expecting you for some time.>

The bond was cemented further, shutting out the roar of unconscious energy, focusing the connection between the mindnet sentience and the interloper. It was only now that the thread of thought that had been circulating was made known to Kabala. It was transmitted in its entirety, showing the struggles and triumphs that had befallen them since the Zeji left.

<So, my/our old foes. Have you changed since that day above the homeworld? Or have you returned to be my/our bane once more?>

We are the Zeji, and we are not. We know not what you refer to. Much was lost in the long sleep, and we have changed much in that time. We are now 2 in 1. Protoss and Zeji are now joined.

"We greet you in the name of the Zeji. Kabala is temporarily indisposed, but if you will follow us we will take you to him." The Protoss gestured in the direction of their encampment.

We are the Zeji. What are you?

The call was directed to the obviously massive hive that Kabala had detected.

The light went out quickly. From that way out stepped a dark complected man who would appear of Indian heritage on Earth along with a strange yellow bird perched on its shoulder. The man wore a disk like straw hat that was brought down to cover his eyes. He adorned an open red robe and his chest displayed displayed a small jewel set in the middle with red marking leading up to it.

The bird had large pink eyes with no irises and had a small gem between its eyes.

The light went out quickly. From that way out stepped a dark complected man who would appear of Indian heritage on Earth along with a strange yellow bird perched on its shoulder. The man wore a disk like straw hat that was brought down to cover his eyes. He adorned an open red robe and his chest displayed displayed a small jewel set in the middle with red marking leading up to it.

The bird had large pink eyes with no irises and had a small gem between its eyes.

"Follow us. Kabala is having a discussion with someone, but he will see you when he is done,"

We are the Zeji, and we are not. We know not what you refer to. Much was lost in the long sleep, and we have changed much in that time. We are now 2 in 1. Protoss and Zeji are now joined.

<Joined in body and mind. But do you retain your previous lust for conquest, your hate, and your disdain for the works of the forgemasters? I/we do not trust you right now, I/we still remember the pain and bloodshed you once inflicted on me/us. I/we will watch your actions. I/we, the lidless eye, shall monitor you as we once did o so long ago. I/we shall then decide.>

<Until then, I/we congradulate you on your return, and hope that you are better than you once were.>

The science ship Weizmann entered the Aiur system. Strange energy readings had been detected here, so the Weizmann was sent to investigate.

The Weizmann approached Aiur, and they saw that great destruction had been wreaked upon its surface. Navigation officer Ezra Bar-El began to say Kaddish for whoever had died. "Yitgadal v'yitkadash sh'mei raba..." May His name be magnified and exalted...

Meanwhile, the radar operator, Yusuf Khomen, was analyzing some readings from the surface. There was alien life here definitely, but he could wait 30 seconds to tell the crew.
Just as Bar-El finished, Khomen noticed something else.
"Captain! Spaceship detected in orbit!"

<Joined in body and mind. But do you retain your previous lust for conquest, your hate, and your disdain for the works of the forgemasters? I/we do not trust you right now, I/we still remember the pain and bloodshed you once inflicted on me/us. I/we will watch your actions. I/we, the lidless eye, shall monitor you as we once did o so long ago. I/we shall then decide.>

<Until then, I/we congradulate you on your return, and hope that you are better than you once were.>

The Protoss are our commanders. The Zeji Armada is bound to the Khala.

The science ship Weizmann entered the Aiur system. Strange energy readings had been detected here, so the Weizmann was sent to investigate.

The Weizmann approached Aiur, and they saw that great destruction had been wreaked upon its surface. Navigation officer Ezra Bar-El began to say Kaddish for whoever had died. "Yitgadal v'yitkadash sh'mei raba..." May His name be magnified and exalted...

Meanwhile, the radar operator, Yusuf Khomen, was analyzing some readings from the surface. There was alien life here definitely, but he could wait 30 seconds to tell the crew.
Just as Bar-El finished, Khomen noticed something else.
"Captain! Spaceship detected in orbit!"

ASDF Command:

"Lord, a ship has entered the system."

"Who would be so foolish as to challenge the Templar upon their doorstep?"

"The ship is unknown sir. There also seems to be a small fleet around one of the moons, but it doesn not have ANYTHING similar to a Protoss signature in most of the ships. They are broadcasting friendly codes though..."

"Well then, challenge the unknown ship."

Transmission to unidentifien vessel:

This is the Aiur Space Defense Force, state your intentions, and nationality. If you do not, then you will heave to, and prepare to recieve boarders.

"Follow us. Kabala is having a discussion with someone, but he will see you when he is done,"


The tall man nodded and followed.

Both could sense that something was amiss in space near their ships. As a safety precaution, each kept one ship under their control in the event of hostilites.

The tall man nodded and followed.

Both could sense that something was amiss in space near their ships. As a safety precaution, each kept one ship under their control in the event of hostilites.

The Templar led them to where Kabala sat, surrounded by a guard of Zeji Warriors, Stormriders, and a pair of Mechalisks.

We are the Zeji. What are you?

Tiny flashes of light could be seen through the straw hat. We are of the Betterman Council to which you spoke earlier. I am Lord Bodayichu and this is Lumay.

Tiny flashes of light could be seen through the straw hat. We are of the Betterman Council to which you spoke earlier. I am Lord Bodayichu and this is Lumay.

We are the Zeji, and we are not. This one is called Kabala, Commander of the Zeji Armada.

You have called us here. Speak. What is it that our two races can do to prosper from one another?

You have called us here. Speak. What is it that our two races can do to prosper from one another?

I do not know. Simply having amiable relations with you and those you represent would be sufficient.

The two there looked at each other for a moment both bird and man. They finally looked back to the Zeji. That is possible. A sharing of knowledge and intentions would also be of interest.

"This is the science vessel Weizmann of the Holy Republic of Shalaam. We have detected strange readings from this system, and have come to investigate. We are explorers."
After sending off the transmission, the Weizmann began to plot a jump course back home, in case the locals were hostile.

The Protoss are our commanders. The Zeji Armada is bound to the Khala.

<I/we know not of the Khala. But I/we will continue to watch you from afar. And if I/we decide that you are indeed changed, I/we will embrace you as lost friends, who have now found themselves. Our locations should remain secret from each other for a time. There may be those among both of our peoples who will not like to meet old foes. Until then, I/we bid you good fortune.>

The link began to receed, gently pushing the Zeji's mind away.

The two there looked at each other for a moment both bird and man. They finally looked back to the Zeji. That is possible. A sharing of knowledge and intentions would also be of interest.

What we know is not to be trusted with many younger races. What we intend is simple. Peaceful cohabitation would be our preference. If that is impossible, then we will eliminate all threats to our survival.


OOC: You can tell when I get on the Mac. I can't do italics on here...

"This is the science vessel Weizmann of the Holy Republic of Shalaam. We have detected strange readings from this system, and have come to investigate. We are explorers."
After sending off the transmission, the Weizmann began to plot a jump course back home, in case the locals were hostile.


ASDF Command:

"I think they're talking about the "Zeji Hoax"."

"Probably."

Transmision:

When you say strange energy readings, do you mean the call by the so-called "Zeji."

A fang creeped out over the man's lips at the thought of being called young. He didn't bother making the correction since knowledge is pleasure.

Peace also interests us.

We don't know what the energy readings are, but you could be right.

We will be sending a landing party to the surface to investigate

A fang creeped out over the man's lips at the thought of being called young. He didn't bother making the correction since knowledge is pleasure.

Peace also interests us.

Then let us speak of peace. We have no interest in fighting you.

That is agreed. A battle now would not be....pleasant.

We don't know what the energy readings are, but you could be right.

We will be sending a landing party to the surface to investigate

We have a team of Templar in the area, please meet up with them if you intend to roam the planet, it's generally unsafe. There are still Zerg about...

KABALA:

[I]It would be very unpleasant for both of us. The Armada must depoart from here soon, but we have time to finish our talks.[\I]

"Zerg? What in the blazes is Zerg?" asked Captain Alim.
"Sir," Khomen responded, "we are detecting several clusters of alien lifeforms across the planet. They are similar to each other, but different from the aliens we are communicating with."
"I see." The Captain thought for a moment. Then he turned to his first officer, Vered Kehimkar. Back on Earth, Vered had served in the Israeli Space Force. She was a veteran soldier, and was also responsible for operating what weapons the Weizmann carried.
"Vered, select your team and head down to the planet. Wear battle armor, and take particle rifles. Use your instincts."

As Kehimkar loaded the shuttle with the scientific equipment and supplies, she also added a small supply of food. If something should happen to the Weizmann, they could be stuck on the surface for a while. She didn't know much about those aliens on the surface, but she doubted they were kosher.

Later, on the surface...
A small shuttlecraft landed on the surface of Aiur. Four figures in black armor stepped out.

OOC: I assume you are using translators. My people are speaking Arabic and Hebrew.

I believe our talks are finished unless you have something more to add. If not then we leave you in peace.

I believe our talks are finished unless you have something more to add. If not then we leave you in peace.

I believe that is adequate. Go in peace then.

@Shalaam:

A pair of Templar left the meeting with the Betermans, and went to greet the arriving people from t5he science craft. Such a ship would normally have never been allowed on Aiur, but with the Templar in the area, they would be perfectly safe.