NationStates Jolt Archive

*a crackling signal comes in through space, originating from the planet Antares*

"This is Prime Minister Smith, and there has been a chain of unfortunate accidents on the planet of Antares. The two major nations of Matusi and Pulpingwood have fallen, due to weaponization experiments gone wrong. Before Pulpingwood's demise, we received a transmission that a project was being compromised by survivors from Matusi, which fell some time ago. These two sprawling neighbours of our great City State have ceased to exist, and those who remain are fanatical about taking over Gargantua. We seek asylum on a new world. We have enough space faring transports to leave, but we have no destination. Please respond. Our armed forces are small, and cannot hold off the crazed survivors for much longer."

*Another signal is sent out into space several hours later*

"Please... this is Prime Minister Smith. My people..."
*static*
"homeworld. Please, we are a peaceful people, and must reloc..."
*static*
"Twenty percent of our population are now aboard transports, but we have limited air and food sup..."
*static*
"Please. Our City State is doomed. If anyone has room on their planet/region, we desperately ne..."
*if any more is said, it is impossible to determine through the static*

"Sir, we're getting some odd comms. Seem to be coming from Antares, of all places."

"Well, set a course and let's hitch a Grav-Wave, we can be there in just a few hours."

"Aye ma'am. Should we bring in backup? It sounds bloody."

"There are 12 of us. Whatever they can field we can beat."

The 12 Saganami-C Cruisers took off into Hyper, they knew that by the tone of the messages it wouldn't be very long before some extremely bad things started happening. They had enough Marines to make up a sizable force, but it would be interesting to say the least.

The message was also intercepted by a recon probe headed out into the deeper regions of space, which dutifully transmitted the recording to the nearest Dominion listening post. The post transferred the message on to the nearest patrol squadron in the area, a five-ship formation led by the Spartan-class battlecruiser Perilous. The message revealed more then just the aid of others, it offered potential oppurtunity for more. Naval forces in such instances were required to "aid" parties in bad circumstances, so the fleet traced the origins of the message, found to have come from Antares, a world not well know by Dominion navigational charts. Nonetheless, the Dominion fleet was soon in hyperspace en route.

*Prime Minister Smith paces aboard one of hundreds of massive unnamed transports, which have recently left Antares, maintaining a standard orbit*

"Sir, 90% of the population is away. Most defensive forces were overrun, or retreated back to transports. A formal casualty list hasn't been created yet, but our losses are figured to be light, given the circumstances. Only two of our transports were shot out of the air with rockets. What remains of the city appears to have been taken over by the survivors of Matusi and Pulpingwood."

"That figures," Smith says to his advisor, turning away. "They destroy their own lands, so they move on to our pristine city. Did we save any of the holy Moose?"

"Yes sir, we have a transport filled with moose that we managed to save. However, many were left behind. No doubt they will be killed for meat by the rag-tag forces on the planet."

"Don't talk like that. It makes me sick," Smith stated softly. So many policies had been drafted to protect and encourage the peaceful wellbeing of the mighty moose. Now their city would become a barren wasteland of war. "Any response to our hails? We only have enough food for a couple days out here, correct? Hopefully someone will have room on their planet, or in their System for us. We will rebuild."

"So long as slavers don't intercept the message and capture all of our people in these defenseless craft."

A beacon of happy thoughts, the advisor was not. Smith frowned at him, "Well, we've done all we can for now. With any luck, someone will either come to escort us and resupply us, or send us coordinates for a planet within range that we can land on and begin negotiations for beginning a new settlement."

"With luck, sir."

Both Advisor Johnston and PM Smith are now pacing anxiously.

"24 hours?" Smith asks. "Perhaps our pleas have gone unheard. Some engineers analyzed the signal we sent out, and figure parts of it were lost as we were taking off from the planet."

"At any rate, it's too late to send a new message, sir," the advisor states in glum tones. "If we don't get help soon, our civilization is as doomed as Matusi and Pulpingwood. Perhaps we should have developed w..."

"Don't say it. We aren't a culture of war. I wouldn't have made weapons to kill other human beings. Have faith, Johnston. How are the people holding out?"

"They're nervous, sir," the advisor responds, beginning to pace again. "There's some talk of going back down to the planet and taking our chances."

"That would be suicide."

"So would staying up in these ships and suffocating to death."

"Point taken," Smith sighed in resignation. "If no one is here by tomorrow, we'll try landing... somewhere. Other than our old city state, there isn't much that was untouched by the destruction of our neighbours, though. It probably wouldn't be long before those survivors found us and killed us."

"We could always try to reason with them, and integrate."

Smith smirked. "You don't honestly believe that. No, the outcome of this looks grim, old friend. For now, we wait."

And wham bam thank'ya ma'am a transmission came through to the survivors.
Greetings,

We have heard your pleas and invite you to our great Empire. There you can re-supply, and we can discuss matters of state. Should things go right, we may be able to supply you with a planet and membership into our great Republic. Co-ordinates have been sent and the FTLi fields have been ordered to allow you to pass through untouched.

As the transmission from Taledonia came in, the force from the Dominion exited hyperspace, someways out from the transport fleet. From the Perilous was launched two interceptor squadrons, the twenty-four fighters regrouping then heading out to secure the situation. The position of the ships was quickly triangulated, the fighters unable to detect any other presences. Once returned to the cruiser group, the capital ships began moving, heading towards the transports to close into visual contact range.

Smith looks out the viewport of his room, at the shrinking planet he has called home his entire life. "Johnston, we're moving. What's going on?"

Listening on his earpiece, the advisor cocks his head to the side curiously. "It appears we have received a transmission, sir! There's a planet nearby. It'll be close, but we should be able to make it."

"Order rationing of food, and tell everyone to stay calm to reserve our air supplies. Send a message of thanks to our saviours. I told you all we needed was faith," Smith said with a grin; the first for a couple of days.

"They may want something in return for space in their Republic, sir," Johnston said cautiously.

"At this point, I'm willing to offer some concessions for the survival of our citizens and animals. At the very least, we will have a place to resupply, if we need to move on."

"Very good, sir. I'll send our message of thanks immediately."

On behalf of the survivors of Antares, Prime Minister Smith would like to thank you for your open hospitality. We are enroute to the coordinates you sent us. If you have supply ships in the area, we would appreciate a little air as we approach your space. Reserves will be running dangerously low by the time our transports reach their destination. Again, thank you, and we will see you soon.

The transmission had barely been sent, when one transport reported possible incoming.

"Situation?" asked Smith.

"Unsure. These things weren't equipped with much. Best guess is anywhere from three to two dozen ships of unknown size."

"That's a pretty vague best guess. Raiders?"

"We have no way of knowing, sir. All of the scanning technology we had developed was on the planet, to watch the stars. Our budget for high tech ships was minimal, at best."

"Thanks for the reminder, Johnston. Well, we'll maintain our present course. I'll remain near a comm station, for when they get within range, if they're the chatty type."

The Miehmish Cruisers ripped free from Hyperspace in a flash of Gravitic Energy, visible for a few flickering moments was the glory of their Warshawski Sails, before they folded themselves into the Impeller Wedge that was necessary for Real Space movement. They started accelerating hard for the planet, it wouldn't take them long to get there, and when they did, they could drop their Marines in moments.

Transmission:

This is the Miehmish Task Force Hexapuma, we recieved a distress signal indicating some need for military assistance. We're not sure if we're too late, but the proverbial cavalry has arrived.

A ship was dispatched to meet up with the convoy on their journey to the Empire, and another message was transmitted.

We shall send a support frigate to meet you half way. Upon your arrival, his Imperial Majesty Emperor Julianus Augustus Kellerman would request an audience with your Prime Minister.

A transmission is sent to the task force:


I would like to extend my thanks to the Miehmish task force. Most of our people managed to escape the planet. We would not ask you to risk your lives by facing the anarchist surviving forces still on the planet to look for any further survivors. We are currently on course to the Taledonian Empire seeking refuge. If you could spare some supplies for our journey, we would be most grateful.

Moments later, another transmission is sent to Taledonia:


I, Prime Minister Smith, would be most pleased to meet with your Emperor to thank him in person. Thank you for your continued support.

Turning away from the communications center, PM Smith stands and looks to his advisor. "Johnston, remind me once we've set up a new home to put more funding towards space travel research. The speed which those ships came to our aid was impressive. Also, these transports could use some sort of showers."

"No weapons research, sir? Are we leaving Antares forever?"

"I hate the idea of creating weapons... but if those survivors should somehow create a civilization again, I have no doubt their militaristic minds would leave the planet with thoughts of conquest. Perhaps we can look into defensive weaponry, and see how the citizenry handles that."

The fleet, finally closing into comms distance, sent out a hail to the transport flotilla.

Greetings from the Dominion. We have heard your call for aid, and are willing to sanction off a few systems on the fringes of the Empire for which you may call your own to begin reconstruction. If you wish, we can attack those who forced you off your world, so you may return to your homeworld.

A transmission is sent to the task force:



Moments later, another transmission is sent to Taledonia:



Turning away from the communications center, PM Smith stands and looks to his advisor. "Johnston, remind me once we've set up a new home to put more funding towards space travel research. The speed which those ships came to our aid was impressive. Also, these transports could use some sort of showers."

"No weapons research, sir? Are we leaving Antares forever?"

"I hate the idea of creating weapons... but if those survivors should somehow create a civilization again, I have no doubt their militaristic minds would leave the planet with thoughts of conquest. Perhaps we can look into defensive weaponry, and see how the citizenry handles that."

Reply:

Whatever a bunch of anarchists can field, we can match it. If you like we have the ability to drop on the planet and retake the entire thing for you.

"Sir," Johnston said softly, noting the pained expression on PM Smith's face. "You have to respond. Think about it! We can have our world back! We don't have to leave!"

Smith growled, "At what cost? What gives me the right to order the deaths of those survivors from Matusi and Pulpingwood? They were our neighbours at one point, don't forget. I can't simply order these strangers to kill them."

"They would have done it to us, if we hadn't had these old transports."

"Maybe so," Smith replied, looking down at the comm station. "But I will not sink to their level. If they kill themselves with the weapons they create, then so be it, but ... I could not live with the blood of so many on my hands."


Dominion and Miehmish fleets. Please, enough blood has been spilled lately. The Taledonians have offered us refuge, which we have already accepted. Although violence may be the way those from Matusi and Pulpingwood lived, that is not the Gargantua way. Generations ago, our people moved to Antares. Now, our people will leave her for a new home where we can live peacefully, without such violence.
Thank you both for coming to our aid, but right now we need simple necessities, more than war and bloodshed.
I will not request the deaths of thousands, for the simple comforts of our people. I only hope one day they realize the error of their ways, and may once again live as our neighbours in peace.

(OOC: Just to speed things along, go ahead and say that you came to the Empire, met my support ship en route, and are pretty much near the home system of Taledonia.)

OOC: Sorry, I was really not in too much of a hurry to speed things up, because I've got a killer day today at the university. Presentations and tests and work, oh my.

"Johnston, inform their Emperor that I will meet with them as soon as all my people have safely landed and accounted for. Make sure the moose are comfortable. My first order of business is to make myself look presentable for this meeting of heads of state. In the meantime, I would appreciate it if you could start asking some questions, such as what sort of Empire this is that we're potentially joining. You know, the basics."

"Yes, sir. I'll start talking to the citizenry, and whatever political leaders I can find who want to talk as soon as possible."

(OOC: Sorry for the late response, was gone for a bit.)

IC:

This new fleet, it seemed, was very curious and asked alot of questions. The operators of Taledonian command tried their best to answer them all, but no doubt there would be some left un-answered.

If you accept our offer, we will provide you with a habitable planet outside of our main Empire, where you will be given ressources and protection to help rebuild your nation. However, if you choose to accept, you must swear that you will join the Republic. The Republic is an alliance of many nations, that holds all our citizens dear, and it will help you developpe, prosper, and become a great power within the galaxy. We'll transmit some information about us.
The Republic (http://s10.invisionfree.com/Republic_Forum/index.php?)

(OOC: That's fine. I've had a hellish three days this week, so didn't have much time for this anyway)

IC: I thank you for your generous offer of land for our people. There are some minor points of clarification I need, after perusing the details of The Republic. First, from what I read about members, citizens, and senators, I am wondering what role I, as Prime Minister duly elected by my people, might play in this scheme. I see that members have no political power in this system, and that has sent waves of trepidation through my administration. There has been some fear that our people might be run by some other official of the Republic.
Also, although your list of technological achievements in the lines of war are impressive, we are generally a peaceful people, focusing our efforts on having the very best educational systems and environmental conditions. Indeed, I would expect that the land you have set aside for us will prosper, and be a gem amongst the Republic once we have had adequate time to adapt. Our military was cut down considerably in our flight from Antares, so we do not have many soldiers we could offer up to defend the Republic. And as you've seen, our ships are limited to transport vessels with no armament, although we have been putting some scientists to work on upgrading the air and water recycling systems onboard.
The people of GCS are fiercely patriotic, and I'm certain they will carry that patriotism to the Republic. I have no doubt those who have signed up for military training would enjoy training with the Republic forces, but as I have mentioned, they will be few.
If you can ensure that our government will be allowed to function within the Republic, I'm certain that our people would be eager to begin setting up a new home here alongside your citizens.

But of course, all our member nations keep their current forms of government, along with their current rulers, that is no big deal to us. What we meant was that, member nations have no say in the Republic as a whole, meaning when the Senate or Peoples Assembly is doing anything, simple members can have no say in that. But the Senate and Peoples Assembly only pass large legislations, such as universal laws that all our members must follow, or to ensure that all nations are putting forth what they owe to the great Republic. You should fit right in, and your few recruits as you say would be great additions to the glorious legions of the Republic.

(OOC: If you want to join us, you need to move to our region, it's just so we can better manage all our nations.)

Excellent news. I agree that we should not be dictating the course of the Republic we have just joined. We shall begin setting up our colony immediately, and look forward to opening trade with the members of the Republic.

(OOC: That's what I was really looking forward to with this RP. Can you give me the information for your region, so I can leave Antares and join yours?)

(OOC: Just go to World, and search for "The Republic".)