Siesatia
03-07-2006, 00:54
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The Senate hall was high and vaulted, clearly meant to impress - or perhaps intimidate. The whole open-air hall was large enough to hold even one of the gigantic Sskiss subspecies with room for dozens more to spare. It was arranged like an enormous ring, with the delegates seated all around the perimeter, while the speaker was raised on a central podium. However, if that weren’t disconcerting enough for the poor speaker, the delegates were also raised up several feet, looking down upon the man (or in this case, woman), in the center from up on high.
There, surrounded by her peers, the newly reinstated President Jessica Crescent of the Unified Worlds of Siesatia stood in her traditionally red Dragon Knight uniform. She had after all been the one to call a meeting in the chambers and would be the first to address the Senate; summoning forth the various Extra Solar Union of System members to finally bring to the highest judicial process in the Alliance the issue which had been floating around all the nations: war with the GFFA. Something not to be taken lightly. A war such as this would require all nations to be on deck, for failure would not only mean loss of lives and ships - weakening the alliance physically - but its reputation was also at stake.
“Allies, new and old,” she began, bringing the light chattering in the chambers to a close.
“I have convened this council to discuss an issue of the utmost importance, an issue that cannot be decided by one or two of the militarily superior member-states, but must be decided by the Alliance as a whole. Should the Extra Solar Union of Systems go to war with the GFFA?”
With that, the chatter broke out again. The issue itself had been discussed several times in informal meetings between nations, but never on an Alliance-Wide scale, and such a meeting had not occured for many long years.
“Now, I bring to the floor the Senate Chairperson, Bernard Strauss of Central Facehuggeria, to lead this debate.”
And with that, she sat back down to listen.
In the opposite corner of the room, Bernard Strauss let out a heavy sigh as he collapsed back into his padded chair. Being the ambassador to the ESUS and chairperson of the entire council was not easy. While the alliance was outwardly isolationist; ‘inactive’ even, on the inside it was still as vibrant as ever. Which meant meeting after endless meeting about trivial matters, along with the requisite mountains of paperwork. In Freeman’s name, why couldn’t his secretary handle those? The only thing the damned woman was good for was fucking.
He had been sent to the council personally by the Emperor himself to represent his wishes… which were whether the GFFA were truly responsible for the attacks or not, and to to put forward a motion of war against the alliance in the ESUS senate. Truth be told, he had been considering ignoring the Emperor’s orders. Lucky for him, however, the Siesatian xeno leader had not only called the senate for him, but put forth the idea herself. He neither wanted nor needed more blood on his hands. He’d had enough of that in the ESUS Civil War so long ago. Yes. Back then, he was in the very prime of his career. Hell, back then he’d been burning with righteous indignation, his bloodthirst pulsing in time with his diplomacy. Now, though? Now he was just a tired old man with too little hope.
Physically, the Vitastim treatments had ensured his youth even to this day, yet he had seen things that no man of thirty years ought to have seen. After all, he had to at least appear young and energetic, for to do otherwise would be to appear weak: the bane of all diplomats since the beginning. True as it was since the beginning of time, it was doubly so here. Strauss wasn’t here to debate with mere humans. He was going to debate Xenos as well. And he knew that some (like the delegates from the reclusive Sskiss creche) could actually sense fear and unease.
For the third time since he stepped into the senate hall, Strauss thought about simply ending it all. But no. He wasn’t ready to die quite yet.
Strauss cleared his throat and stepped forward, moving into the center of the room.
“Fellow senators, delegates and friends all… I know you are all busy, and that this emergency senate meeting may have caught some of you by surprise, so I will get straight to the point.”
The side discussions died immediately.
“An ESUS member has been brutally attacked by warships representing the ‘Galactic Federation of Free Alliances’, an upstart group which obviously seeks to expand at our own expense. In response to the vicious and unprovoked attacks on Xenonieran and Balroggan holdings, I am invoking the ESUS constitution, article five, section one. I am calling for an immediate vote of war against the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances, effective immediately. Relevant information relating to the attack, and what intelligence we possess on the GFFA has been downloaded to your consoles, esteemed senators.“
The consoles activated with a faint buzz, and the senators were immersed with the relevant information in whichever way their consoles had been personalized to do so. Some were the standard displays created for human use, others were more exotic, and none were more so then the biologically grown computer that sat in front of the Sskiss representative, which gave off a gentle hum when it was ‘turned on’.
”Ultimately, fellow gentle… uh… beings, you must ask yourselves if an ally's sovereignty is worth war. But not only that, you must also consider the consequences if we ignore this rising foe. If we don’t stop these upstarts here and now, they may become a threat to all of us; the whole ESUS. I know that some of you are opposed to war on moral grounds, but think back to the Shivan wars. The ESUS was complacent. We allowed the Shivans to grow and expand practically unmolested. What was our reward? A desperate war which we only won through raw will to survive. If we have an opportunity to stop the next Shivans before they become a threat, how can we afford to ignore it?”
Strauss paused for a moment, to allow time to reflect upon what he was asking.
“But know that no matter the results of this vote, the Human Imperium has pledged to protect Xenonian and Balroggaan sovereignty. As of this moment, a full half of the Imperial Navy is mobilizing to meet - and crush - this threat. But while we are powerful, we cannot do it alone. Surely you will not force us to stand alone with the Xenonierans and Balroggans against this onslaught? Make no mistake, it will cost blood. But surely the butcher’s bill today will be less then tomorrow, before our enemies have had time to entrench? The decision is here, good gentlebeings. What say ye?”
Behind one of the senate desks, a metallic sphere rose up from the strange 'seat' it had been contained in, listening intently to the deliberations of the non-Maker-Mind creatures, or their 'allies'. A red glow fuzzed its edges slightly, seemingly a side effect of the floating effect it was utilizing.
They had been deliberating for some time, and they were, strangely enough, only finally getting to the point. As the Maker-Mind did not believe in diplomacy, the answer it gave would be short, and easily interpreted.
”We are intent on upon annihilation of enemies. Threats must be eliminated before they come to be. We know of Shivanrace. It was a danger not contained. Contain this danger before it contains us.“
The undulating red glow of the sphere ceased as it gently dropped back onto its mat. The Maker-Mind approved. Extermination of other species was desirable, and thus, it would be carried out.
War had been seen, and the Maker-Mind had begun preparations..
Until now, the Azahan delegate sat quietly, silently brooding within is ancient and putrid Space Marine armor. He sat almost completely still, if it wasn't for the utterly grotesque and rancid smell of decaying flesh the permeated the air around him, he probably wouldn’t have been noticed.
His armor was almost fused to his skin, and almost behaved like real, rotting flesh. It even smelled and looked it. Adorning his head was a great helmet. It was not the standard space marine helmet; this was much more ornate, with several long prongs protruding from the top of the head. Besides the look of rotting flesh, it was slightly colored (though extremely dull) with dark green, and faded burgundy highlights.
He was the Daemon Prince’s right-hand Sorcerer, and lead diplomat. Normally an ‘unblighted’ diplomat would have been sent, but this was a much more important occasion, that required a more direct means of communication. The future of Azaha would balance on this meeting.
Slowly, he stood up, but making sure that the jostling of his armor and the screech of his chair sliding backwards on the floor would make enough of a ruckus to draw attention. He was still for a few moments; dead still. Finally he drew in a deep breath, filled with wheezes and gurgles, then spoke in a long, drawling tone, again, filled with wheezes and gurgles.
“What begs to be seen is what ‘good’...” The sorcerer paused for a moment on amusement, “a galactic war could bring.”
The pitch black eye slits in his helmet scanned the large room, seeing if everyone’s attention was on his grotesque form.
“Many new enemies, resources wasted, lives of the alliances’ armed forces, for what? A few… pokes and prods at a couple of our member nations. Why is there a need to drag in the rest of us, when these powerful member nations can take these members of the ‘GFFA’ on their own? My nation, before the regime change, was a member of this pitiful alliance called the GFFA. Trust us when we say, it is not worth the time we are spending in this great hall, discussing it.”
He sat back down into his chair, but took another lungful of air, then hacked out a few coughs before speaking again.
“While we know this inactive alliance is itching for a chance to show, and prove itself once again, and will probably vote in favor of this war anyway. What is in it for those of us, who do not like the idea of a war, but will be peer-pressured into joining anyway? No amount of spoils, or territory could satiate the payment required to engage in this, galactic war.”
“It is required. We agreed.”
The voice, seemingly from nowhere, rang towards the Azahan diplomat, if he could be called such. The sphere rose once more, spinning gently, spreading red light across the chambers as the perfect form 'spoke', waves of sound translated into a shimmering voice, one that was low and high at the same time, loud and soft, powerful and weak.
”The alliance was formed to defend against such. Should we allow such attacks to continue? Should we voluntarily weaken our power in the universe for a short peace? If they are so weak, why not strike? Why make a peace with weaklings?”
“Order!” Shouted Strauss, trying to keep the Senate chambers from disintegrating into infighting. “You do not have the floor, another is already standing. Now, please!”
The strange spinning abruptly ceased, without the indication of gravity affecting it all, nor inertia, as it gently sank back into the pedestal it had sat upon.
It was obviously for war, although for somewhat different reasons to most. The urge to exterminate all other life, in every form, was the one defining factor of the Maker-Mind, and this was merely a façade, a front of reason in order to satisfy the infinite urge to slaughter that was the Maker-Mind.
Sayre realized his turn was next as the delegates were still shuffling in or determining their stance, and had stood, drawing attention to himself, only to wait as the Chairman reprimanded the Mettalinautian delegate for speaking out of turn.
“Peoples of the ESUS! The Torontonians, though a small military power when they chose to join the original ESUS, determined that from that day onward, no nation or alliance would be allowed to push around any other nation without fear of reprisal. Throughout its existence, the ESUS has fought to provide charter nations, as well as smaller nations that right of protection and security. As we all know, business cannot exist in an unstable environment, and there is no environment more unstable than war. However, in war, innovation and creativity flourish, and through war, power and influence can be gained.”
“However, the people of Torontonias are not war-like. We will not stand idle as member nations are assaulted without warning or reason by other entities, especially those who believe that the greater numbers of their alliance offer them some semblance of protection. We will not stand by as our brothers in this alliance are slapped around like an uncertified whore, simply for the right to claim superiority.. If you saw your brother on a street get punched in the face by a much larger man, only to realize that he was being cheered on by a group of onlookers, would you shrug and continue walking, content to console and support him later? Or do you find your other siblings and relatives and find that man and his friends, and show them what happens when they mess with one of your own? My Grandfather fought for the Stability and continued existence and freedom of this alliance. He fought for the right to rule oneself and not take directions as some nations would otherwise have had it. This confrontation got violent, which resulted in the destruction of Yonder! We were told if we conceded our independence and joined with a new, centralized alliance, an attack would be repelled easily, however, that attack never came. However, that attack has come today, and we need to band together and unanimously pass this motion as a show of solidarity to our enemies, and then go forth and show that united spirit to all who would oppose this grand alliance!”
He paused, briefly.
“Therefore, I am only too happy to vouch that the Corporate Autocracy of Torontonias is fully willing to support this war against the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances and can only urge our close allies to also do so. Perhaps this will usher in a new age of unity with old wounds being sealed through brotherhood and teamwork. If anything, it will provide change, and I am a proponent of change, especially to banish these stagnant times.”
His speech over, he hoped that he had positioned his nation well in the eyes of old allies and enemies, as well as possible new ones. The media would have a frenzy no doubt, but he was sure that this would be a remarkable new age of the alliance, and he sat down, allowing the next delegate to stand.
There came a loud thud noise from the doors.
They were large, curious things - ancient and withered by the ravages of time. Perhaps as a crude and somewhat disparaging reference to the past, they had an oak veneer over their semi-metallic interior. The designers had argued that grandeur required frivolous expenses such as this. Similarly, while being electronically locked, a heavy tungsten brace had been lowered across its breadth. Another archaic tradition that served little save face. The doors themselves were over twenty meters high – reaching far into the vaulted, cathedral-like interior. The brace had been lowered prior to the opening speech, and it had fallen with a graceful thud.
The delegates were watching intently, some curious, when an even louder thud echoed around the hall. They paused, trying to figure out the source, and when it did not immediately repeat, continued unabated. A few minutes passed, and once again the only sound was the rambling of the delegates. But then, once again, a loud thud was heard, swiftly followed by a long and screeching crack. This time there was no denying it. Someone was at the door.
The delegates stood as one to face the offending spectacle. Some drew weapons or contacted security forces. Meanwhile, the heavy tungsten brace had begun to buckle in the middle, bulging outwards ominously. Another thud – much louder this time – echoed around the chamber. Some of the delegates exchanged looks of alarm.
“A terrorist attack? Surely not, this deep into protected ESUS space?”
The door began to inexorably swell outwards. Several delegates seated close to it ran for cover, and with good reason, because one further thud later, and the whole thing exploded outwards. As the dust settled, and the shrapnel ceased flying, the delegates were left awestruck by what now stood at the entrance.
He straightened his cuffs, made as if to dust off some of the rubble from his expensive, pinstripe semi-organic suit, then stepped delicately over the twisted metal shards. He walked, unhurriedly, towards the central podium. As he reached it, he bowed his head as if in prayer. Then, he began to speak.
“Hello.”
He grinned maniacally.
“Have you missed me?”
He raised his head, revealing, for the first time, that he was Prime Nurik Dancos. The delegates were taken aback, and drew a collective breath.
“I have been busy, these past years. But now, I am not. I am bored, you see. I get wind of a plot to destroy us, and I just had to get involved. What can I say? I'm the adventurous type. A little bit of gung-ho action never hurt anyone. Except the people you kill, naturally.”
He stepped down from the podium and made his way to the Mindsetti delegate seat.
“Sorry about the mess.”
Almost always silent during the majority of ESUS proceedings but ever-present, the human-looking androgynous construct that called itself an Avatar crossed its arms and smiled to itself, showing emotion being a liberty it did not often take. Not even during the civil war, where the Dominion had turned inward, letting the other members of the alliance fight it out; either the ESUS would shatter or it would be forged anew of stronger stuff.
This was a special occasion. This would show which would be the end result of the civil war, despite what was said on paper - stagnation or strength. Lard or steel. Nonplussed by the dramatic entrance, perhaps... but then, with the Avatar being an entity that exists to serve and knows it is both artificial and expendable has no fear of death or injury. That would require that it be made to feel pain or fear, and beyond rudimentary emotions required for its occupation, it had no such capabilities.
It spoke, its voice sounding not unlike a musical chorus, words as if spoken by many at once.
“The particulars of this attack are irrelevant. We have turned inward upon ourselves for too long, and have seen the results. If for no other reason than to test our technologies and abilities on those who are not us, such a war is inevitable. Better to direct such aggression on a target that is worthy of it than simply subjugate other races who have no capability of fighting back. Conflict is, after all, a catalyst, and one that many of the members of the ESUS could benefit from. The Dominion will be a party to this war. However, we will withhold information on what forces will be used until a future time.”
Brief and to the point, as ever, the Avatar inclined its head slightly toward the rest of the members and returned to its seat, resuming its position. And if one didn't know better, it could be sworn that the Avatar was smirking. But it had never been designed to be smug... had it?
Then there came a familiar voice…
“War? Is this how you plan to dominate this galaxy?" The Azahan delegate's voice changed from calm and drawling, to loud and aggressive. “You wish to prove yourselves by picking on what are basically children to us? You wish to waste thousands, of not millions of lives to prove who has the bigger testicles?”
He paused.
“While my kind, and the great Grand Father Nurgle would love for us to sacrifice thousands in his name, must we do it in such a belligerent, and illogical manner? When we have so much to lose, and victory is not certain?" He stood up, and slammed his armored gauntlets into the table, not enough to break it, but enough to make sure it made a loud clatter. “There must be another way than this!”
Strauss gave a low sigh and stepped back onto the podium, not even a hint of emotion on his face.
“What other recourse do we have? If this 'GFFA' wished to speak with us, surely they would have done so before now. What do you propose we do? Will we sit on our haunches and... what? Just ignore the threat at our gates? Will we sit in our stagnation and watch as our foes grow more and more powerful?”
Then, he paused for a moment before removing a small book from his pocket. It appeared to be a journal, blackened by fire and bound in thick leather. Or, perhaps, human flesh.
“Azahans, I have done research upon your people, as is my interest. Your culture is most interesting. I know that you worship Nurgle. He who glories in stagnation... amongst other things. Or at least, that is what excerpts from the Liber Chaotica have told me. So I can certainly understand why you would argue for our continued stagnation. However, I know that Nurgle also takes glory in despair, in a lack of hope. Surely, we will cause enough of this to please Papa Nurgle? Perhaps your trepidation does not stem from religion... but if not that, then what? Surely the mighty legions of Chaos are not fearful of losses? Of loss itself? Nay, I refuse to believe that. Such a thing is more befitting the lackeys of the false Emperor, is it not?"
Strauss, realizing he might have overplayed his hand, quickly added, "I am not questioning your power, or your devotion to Grandfather Nurgle. However, such reluctance to make war seems out of place for the Plague-Marines. Indeed, I'd expect a people such as yourselves to leap at the prospect of war, as we have.”
Slowly, the sorcerer turned to Strauss, and gave an icy stare through the black slits of his helmet.
“You dare call us cowards? We are not Khornates, we do not belligerently jump into fights to simply revel in its blood and gore. Excuse us for trying to be logical.”
He seemed to calm down some, just then figuring he might be losing his composure.
“While you are... slightly... right of what the Great Plague Bearer enjoys. Fighting a war of this scale has too many variables, that all cannot be controlled.”
"In the days of roaming chapters, and complete devotion to our god, we would not have taken a second thought as to fighting an open war. But now, my master has to lead an entire system. We have worked too hard, to simply let our crowning achievement to the Great Grandfather, fall to waste. Some might think that is weakness, but maintaining an empire, and striking at more fitting times, is strength unto itself.”
"So, once again, forgive us for being logical on the matter, and seeking alternate ways to solution."
As Strauss relinquished the podium there came a quiet buzz for several minutes where delegates discussed amongst themselves and their neighbors about the war and what it could mean. Yet the Metallinautsi delegates were quiet and faced forward. It was a strange sight to behold. As anyone who would look into the vast annals of the ESUS would see that since day one in the ESUS, when the Metallinautsi empire was only a few million strong, they played a massive role in ESUS affairs. Their voices rang among the leaders of the pack; yet now they lay dormant.
Now their silence was broken. A man of a wiry build stood. He was clothed in a black outfit with a black cape with a red trim. Atop his head was a simple crown of a silvery compound with a medium sized red jewel on top.
The man walked with an air of extreme confidence and importance to the podium. He gave a wide gaze to the crowd and began to say his piece.
To anyone with out a translator or who did not speak Metallinautsi would only hear an angry sound combination of russo/germanesaue language.
Through the translator the man said, "greetings to all of my allies, I am Emporer Zelantine Larius I, leader of the children of Metallinauts. I am here before you now because this matter is of great importance that as individual nations we cannot quite comprehend the sheer gravity of this situation.”
Just as he'd got going, recess was called. As was usual during these long meetings, there was a minor break, where diplomats and leaders alike congregated, it seemed this meeting had brought every high level diplomat and/or leader standing beside her. Others were congregating around the Mindsetti representative, and still yet others were pointedly attempting to avoid the gazes of the Sskiss.
“Madam President?” Came a voice behind Crescent. She turned, expecting to see some Ensign on courier duty, when she came nose to snout with Ulayla Syphera, the Supreme Admiral of the Siesatian Navy.
“Admiral, it’s good to see you again, acting the messenger today?”
“Well, I hate sending that Ensign in my office to run all over the universe for me, and today he’s getting ready for some leave with his family, so I decided to deliver the news personally, the First, Second, and Fourth Fleets are prepared, and massed at Gaia, and we’ve got the news stations ready to deliver the news, the Dragon Knights are efficient as always, and the entire Temporal Fleet is ready for Incursion duty, we are almost fully committed, we’ve also got the recorders in the chambers ready to broadcast the final verdict live to all available stations… Almost every other ESUS nation is doing the same, we’ve seen massive fleet deployments from Sol to the Creche Worlds.”
“Excellent, care to watch the last of the meeting? We’re due to start again momentarily, just allowing a few more arguments and then we have the final vote.”
“Why not, I left the Admirals council in charge today.”
They departed to retake their seats.
“We bring this session back to order with the final arguments from the last few ESUS Member states willing to stand.”
Strauss then hastily vacated the podium, anxious for the pantomime to end.
Allowing himself a couple of cautionary gazes across the field of the senate, he took his place after the chairman had finished his discussion. Drey opened with his canine growl and began enunciating ... the facts.
“What we have here today, is more than just a just an argument of necessity to the stagnation of our alliance. It is true we are slumbering, despite our power, but beyond that there is a greater implication we have overlooked. The symbolism of this moment in our Alliance's history cannot be overlooked. We have been challenged as a sovereign body and as a mutual defensive alliance.”
Drey allowed his voice to slowly grow louder, as if capturing the rising moment and need for action. His voice remained cold, calculated, logical and undeniably Xenonian by its very nature, but the very timbre and context of it implied the necessary action.
“The Extra-Solar-Union of Systems has been challenged. Not by internal strife, or by our own prejudices, but by a foreign power that has committed the most cowardly and banal of actions. We can argue the vagaries of such an implication all century, but the simple, strident, constant fact remains: an attack upon the ESUS, as abominable as an attack upon my own people, has occurred. This is a clear act of war. It does not matter how strong this foe may become, although this is a valid concern to some nations. What matters is the GFFA have attacked us, for no justifiable reason and that demands action. We have been attacked and given the blatant nature in which the GFFA logo was displayed, I believe it is a fair statement to say that the very ESUS has been attacked, should we take both the implications of what this and our investigations have found. I believe all delegates have that information already and have arrived to the same conclusions my own government has.”
“I wish to be no more a harbinger of war than anyone else, yet the facts remain, no matter how much we may wish to ignore them. What the Azahan delegate has neglected to overlook is that this is not about the fact we may be able to crush them ourselves, however much that statement may have merit. What this possible war exemplifies is that the ESUS would continue to lurch around aimlessly, picked, prodded and baited into an eternal cesspool of nothingness no matter what the catalyst. The greater image here is an ESUS that will not defend itself from an outright attack by a foreign party. We must show we are ready, willing and able to defend ourselves from a blatant challenge upon our sovereignty, our right to exist under a state of peace, and our very existence as a body. Otherwise I believe the Central Facehuggerians have enunciated the alternatives which continued to face us with very real and palpable threats.”
“You ask what is to be gained from action. I counter this statement with, what is to be lost from inaction? What do we stand to lose if the world sees a weak, apathetic alliance unable to commit itself to the most basic of all instincts and a defining clause of the ESUS articles we announce to the world as being important to our existence? We stand to lose everything. In our own cold, calculated way, with diktat and strategy, we suggest the ESUS make a clear statement this shall never be allowed to happen so long as the tenants of the alliance still stand.”
With this Drey allowed his voice to drop, and taking care to eye each representative, he allowed himself to finish his own speech in a more underrated, understated manner.
“More than any nation, the Xenonian Protectorate would prefer to avoid the casualties and costs of unnecessary war, given the way our nation and our military forces have been known to work. We have fought many wars without ever informing the alliance, or asking for help, many of which were defensive. This is saber rattling from the GFFA on a whole new level and given they have not approached us to resolve this peacefully in any way, I doubt any other solution can be found.”
With that final delivery, Charless Dreyfuss sat back down to both murmurs, and in a few cases outright applause from the assembled diplomats.
The representative of Megas, foreign affairs director Tracy Telasnor had kept to herself for most of the proceedings. She had taken in the speeches from the other delegates, examining thoroughly every point which was made. For a moment, she was stunned by the entrance of the Mindsetti Prime; soon after regaining composure she began to consider herself honored to be in his very presence. No Megan had ever seen him before. Shortly thereafter, she had listened intently to the brief spectacle between the Facehuggerian representative and the newcomer from Azaha. She could appreciate the point the Azahan had made, but whether she agreed with him or not was irrelevant. Megas had already decided its position in this matter, and she was here for one purpose alone, to communicate that decision to the ESUS.
The representative from Xenonier had finished. Tracy decided that now it was her turn. She stood, her long, faded-green hair cascading down her back, its color showing her age. Her uniform was crisp and clean, mostly white with trimmings of blue and green; the uniform of a government official. She walked briskly to the podium, an air of confidence about her. Her deep purple eyes widened ever so slightly as she took in the diversity of the representatives seated in the chamber before her. Only in this hall could such be possible. Clearing her throat, she began her address.
“Representatives of the nations of the ESUS, I am not here to make a grand speech. I am not here to persuade any of you which side is right. I am not here to claim that a certain choice of action is correct. I am here only to tell you this, the Supreme Imperial Entente of Megas fully supports a declaration of war against the GFFA, whose actions must not go unpunished. I leave you with this question; if we remain complacent and inactive amidst the atrocities which have befallen us, what indication would it send to other nations and alliances? Would it please you to be seen as an alliance of pushovers?”
With that, Tracy quickly left the podium and returned to her seat, confident in her message and solidified in her personal support for war.
Finally, as if by some unseen cue, one of the Sskiss, as if reluctant to fulfil the task set before it, lurched to its feet from a standard prone position, which for the Sskiss passed as "sitting" and moved forward toward the end of their personal quarters. Liss'Ssaakk, a male of late middle age pressed his head gently against the force field that always existed at such meetings to mark where it was, took two steps backward, and after a brief pause, finally spoke. His voice was like muted thunder mixed with a smouldering volcanic vent and perhaps a bit of screeching railway car thrown in.
“Crechemates/Packmates....Our enemies steal our flesh, our life..... To ignore it is death" Liss'Ssaakk then signaled "surety of facts and words. I am a simple 'Speaker to Other' and as such I see and sense simply... I see our enemies pick at our carcass when once we were young and of great strength/vigor!”
His thick tail thrashed and slammed the force field with immense force, resulting in a crackling surge of energy.
“We have slumbered for too long/have grown weak, and our enemies see and sense this!" His dire head loomed slightly closer and he continued, “do you, my packmates not see this, not know this? It is plain for all to see and sense.”
He bellowed, “are we stupid egglings ignorant of great truths?", adding modifiers of 'frustration'. “If we do not fight and slaughter our enemies, feed upon them..." He let this sink in for a short while, and continued, "they will feed upon us! Our flesh shall feed them... Is this what we wish or desire?”
Modifiers of 'rage/truth' radiated from his solid body.
“We are ancient....We are survivors of the egg of death.”
The asteroid that almost destroyed the Sskiss sixty-five million years ago still haunted their ancient memories.
“We will survive this, we will feed and grow strong. It is the way of Sskiss. What is your way?”
He signalled 'query', then moved back to his own kind.
Sitting at his place, Councilman Ruhn listened to the proceedings with a growing sense of awe. Even after his experience aboard the Ragor with some of the people present, he was still intimidated by the mass of power assembled here. He quickly read over the notes of why this had all come to happen. Quickly making up his mind, he stood up. The last thought through his head before he spoke was simple.
“What would Galeel do?”
He continued, “esteemed representatives. I know that I am here after my nation’s long absence, and most of you do not put much weight in the words or actions of my small nation. However, we pledge our loyalty to this course of action fully. We will be at the ready, and as soon as we are done here, I will give the word for my men to prepare to defend all that is good and holy in this universe.”
Sitting down, he knew that what he had said would cost countless lives, as well as innumerable hardships. But what cost was that compared to being free?
A peculiar figure sat in the Jordaxian seat, hooded, hunched, and robed. There was no movement of breath, or even signs of consciousness beneath the heavy clothes that obscured the face and body of whoever sat there. It waited for speech to stop, and, lifting one hand to indicate that it was its time to make whatever statement was necessary, stood.
Its metal face glinted against the lights of the room, humanoid yet alien. It had no nose, or mouth, yet its face did not appear to be missing them either. High cheeks accentuated sunken, glowing eyes, dimly shown beneath the hood. Skeletal, clawed hands poked out from the robes, perfectly still as well as the rest of the machine, a Talosian member of the religious/bureaucratic caste of Jordaxia.
With a deep, grating metallic voice, it spoke to the assembled body.
“The fractured peoples of my nation have sent me to listen. And I have. Once more the weighty words of war have been laid before us. We are challenged to rise up and face them by members of this alliance, or be faced with being cast down. These words do not stir us, invigorate us. However, the message behind them, unadorned, is what must be discussed. I have a responsibility to decide the immediate destiny of our people, trusted of both castes. We shall defend the alliance to the best of our capability, whatever the cost. The price of our refusal is yet higher.
That is all I have to say on the matter.”
With that, the machine being sat, and was once more consumed by the still dark of its robes.
Jessica Crescent stood, taking in the entire council, the foreboding atmosphere of the room phased her not, it was no worse then sitting in front of the appropriations committee.
“Fellow delegates, esteemed representatives, we shan’t keep any of you much longer. I will say my piece, and we shall begin the vote.”
She paused, making sure she had the attention of all
“We have come upon an impasse, another difficult choice… we’ve been making a choice this entire time, the past 400 years, to NOT make a choice, for we allowed ourselves to fall into a pit, desperately clinging to our golden throne of power which even now threatens to sink into the sand, and we have done nothing, not even to save ourselves. We have come upon times of peril, once again the galaxy threatens to fall to chaos, our inactivity, and our stagnation has caused this attack on our alliance…”
She paused to emphasise her words.
“Putting aside political, religious, and racial differences, we all signed the ESUS Constitution pledging to protect one another, and now, for the first time in many a year, it is my honor to call upon a vote, a vote to uphold the constitution of the Extra Solar Union of Systems; a vote which will decide our future, prosperity with the destruction of those who seek to topple us. When the bombs begin to drop and the cities fall, we will not be able to escape this, not a single one of us if we decide to stay this course. Now, we place our fate before this council, in a moment, the computer terminals in front of you will pull up 3 choices. Yes. No. Abstain. I will announce the results in due course.”
She left the podium, returning to her seat, waiting as a tiny progress bar filled up as the delegates placed their votes. At 100% she stood, the apprehension in the room was thick; she didn’t know why, all knew the outcome, the overwhelming support.
“It is my last official act as mediator of this meeting to announce the results. St a landslide of 22 to 3, it is my honor to announce that the ESUS has officially declared war on the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances.”
Applause and even cheers from a few delegates swept through the room, decorum all to hell, Crescent motioned Syphera to follow her out the chamber door, which was already being tended to by a few of the maintenance staff.
“Listen. Convene the Command Staff, the entire council, and tell them they are in charge until I get back.”
She walked faster to avoid the throng of representatives and bodyguards coming out of the door, a few calling after her.
“Mam?”
But before crescent could respond, two Dragon Knights rounded the corner, Special Operations badges in full view.
“I can’t explain, not right now, just mobilize the forces, and I promise I’ll be back to write my memoirs, and remember, keep things at home safe for when I get back.”
She was gone, elsewhere; important figureheads were disappearing, sometimes not even leaving a note explaining their absence; Siesatia, Xenonier, Northrop Grumman, Arizona Nova and many others, it seemed strange things were happening everywhere and anywhere as the ESUS war machine’s long silent and still cogs began turning again as if they had never stopped.
It had begun.
The Senate hall was high and vaulted, clearly meant to impress - or perhaps intimidate. The whole open-air hall was large enough to hold even one of the gigantic Sskiss subspecies with room for dozens more to spare. It was arranged like an enormous ring, with the delegates seated all around the perimeter, while the speaker was raised on a central podium. However, if that weren’t disconcerting enough for the poor speaker, the delegates were also raised up several feet, looking down upon the man (or in this case, woman), in the center from up on high.
There, surrounded by her peers, the newly reinstated President Jessica Crescent of the Unified Worlds of Siesatia stood in her traditionally red Dragon Knight uniform. She had after all been the one to call a meeting in the chambers and would be the first to address the Senate; summoning forth the various Extra Solar Union of System members to finally bring to the highest judicial process in the Alliance the issue which had been floating around all the nations: war with the GFFA. Something not to be taken lightly. A war such as this would require all nations to be on deck, for failure would not only mean loss of lives and ships - weakening the alliance physically - but its reputation was also at stake.
“Allies, new and old,” she began, bringing the light chattering in the chambers to a close.
“I have convened this council to discuss an issue of the utmost importance, an issue that cannot be decided by one or two of the militarily superior member-states, but must be decided by the Alliance as a whole. Should the Extra Solar Union of Systems go to war with the GFFA?”
With that, the chatter broke out again. The issue itself had been discussed several times in informal meetings between nations, but never on an Alliance-Wide scale, and such a meeting had not occured for many long years.
“Now, I bring to the floor the Senate Chairperson, Bernard Strauss of Central Facehuggeria, to lead this debate.”
And with that, she sat back down to listen.
In the opposite corner of the room, Bernard Strauss let out a heavy sigh as he collapsed back into his padded chair. Being the ambassador to the ESUS and chairperson of the entire council was not easy. While the alliance was outwardly isolationist; ‘inactive’ even, on the inside it was still as vibrant as ever. Which meant meeting after endless meeting about trivial matters, along with the requisite mountains of paperwork. In Freeman’s name, why couldn’t his secretary handle those? The only thing the damned woman was good for was fucking.
He had been sent to the council personally by the Emperor himself to represent his wishes… which were whether the GFFA were truly responsible for the attacks or not, and to to put forward a motion of war against the alliance in the ESUS senate. Truth be told, he had been considering ignoring the Emperor’s orders. Lucky for him, however, the Siesatian xeno leader had not only called the senate for him, but put forth the idea herself. He neither wanted nor needed more blood on his hands. He’d had enough of that in the ESUS Civil War so long ago. Yes. Back then, he was in the very prime of his career. Hell, back then he’d been burning with righteous indignation, his bloodthirst pulsing in time with his diplomacy. Now, though? Now he was just a tired old man with too little hope.
Physically, the Vitastim treatments had ensured his youth even to this day, yet he had seen things that no man of thirty years ought to have seen. After all, he had to at least appear young and energetic, for to do otherwise would be to appear weak: the bane of all diplomats since the beginning. True as it was since the beginning of time, it was doubly so here. Strauss wasn’t here to debate with mere humans. He was going to debate Xenos as well. And he knew that some (like the delegates from the reclusive Sskiss creche) could actually sense fear and unease.
For the third time since he stepped into the senate hall, Strauss thought about simply ending it all. But no. He wasn’t ready to die quite yet.
Strauss cleared his throat and stepped forward, moving into the center of the room.
“Fellow senators, delegates and friends all… I know you are all busy, and that this emergency senate meeting may have caught some of you by surprise, so I will get straight to the point.”
The side discussions died immediately.
“An ESUS member has been brutally attacked by warships representing the ‘Galactic Federation of Free Alliances’, an upstart group which obviously seeks to expand at our own expense. In response to the vicious and unprovoked attacks on Xenonieran and Balroggan holdings, I am invoking the ESUS constitution, article five, section one. I am calling for an immediate vote of war against the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances, effective immediately. Relevant information relating to the attack, and what intelligence we possess on the GFFA has been downloaded to your consoles, esteemed senators.“
The consoles activated with a faint buzz, and the senators were immersed with the relevant information in whichever way their consoles had been personalized to do so. Some were the standard displays created for human use, others were more exotic, and none were more so then the biologically grown computer that sat in front of the Sskiss representative, which gave off a gentle hum when it was ‘turned on’.
”Ultimately, fellow gentle… uh… beings, you must ask yourselves if an ally's sovereignty is worth war. But not only that, you must also consider the consequences if we ignore this rising foe. If we don’t stop these upstarts here and now, they may become a threat to all of us; the whole ESUS. I know that some of you are opposed to war on moral grounds, but think back to the Shivan wars. The ESUS was complacent. We allowed the Shivans to grow and expand practically unmolested. What was our reward? A desperate war which we only won through raw will to survive. If we have an opportunity to stop the next Shivans before they become a threat, how can we afford to ignore it?”
Strauss paused for a moment, to allow time to reflect upon what he was asking.
“But know that no matter the results of this vote, the Human Imperium has pledged to protect Xenonian and Balroggaan sovereignty. As of this moment, a full half of the Imperial Navy is mobilizing to meet - and crush - this threat. But while we are powerful, we cannot do it alone. Surely you will not force us to stand alone with the Xenonierans and Balroggans against this onslaught? Make no mistake, it will cost blood. But surely the butcher’s bill today will be less then tomorrow, before our enemies have had time to entrench? The decision is here, good gentlebeings. What say ye?”
Behind one of the senate desks, a metallic sphere rose up from the strange 'seat' it had been contained in, listening intently to the deliberations of the non-Maker-Mind creatures, or their 'allies'. A red glow fuzzed its edges slightly, seemingly a side effect of the floating effect it was utilizing.
They had been deliberating for some time, and they were, strangely enough, only finally getting to the point. As the Maker-Mind did not believe in diplomacy, the answer it gave would be short, and easily interpreted.
”We are intent on upon annihilation of enemies. Threats must be eliminated before they come to be. We know of Shivanrace. It was a danger not contained. Contain this danger before it contains us.“
The undulating red glow of the sphere ceased as it gently dropped back onto its mat. The Maker-Mind approved. Extermination of other species was desirable, and thus, it would be carried out.
War had been seen, and the Maker-Mind had begun preparations..
Until now, the Azahan delegate sat quietly, silently brooding within is ancient and putrid Space Marine armor. He sat almost completely still, if it wasn't for the utterly grotesque and rancid smell of decaying flesh the permeated the air around him, he probably wouldn’t have been noticed.
His armor was almost fused to his skin, and almost behaved like real, rotting flesh. It even smelled and looked it. Adorning his head was a great helmet. It was not the standard space marine helmet; this was much more ornate, with several long prongs protruding from the top of the head. Besides the look of rotting flesh, it was slightly colored (though extremely dull) with dark green, and faded burgundy highlights.
He was the Daemon Prince’s right-hand Sorcerer, and lead diplomat. Normally an ‘unblighted’ diplomat would have been sent, but this was a much more important occasion, that required a more direct means of communication. The future of Azaha would balance on this meeting.
Slowly, he stood up, but making sure that the jostling of his armor and the screech of his chair sliding backwards on the floor would make enough of a ruckus to draw attention. He was still for a few moments; dead still. Finally he drew in a deep breath, filled with wheezes and gurgles, then spoke in a long, drawling tone, again, filled with wheezes and gurgles.
“What begs to be seen is what ‘good’...” The sorcerer paused for a moment on amusement, “a galactic war could bring.”
The pitch black eye slits in his helmet scanned the large room, seeing if everyone’s attention was on his grotesque form.
“Many new enemies, resources wasted, lives of the alliances’ armed forces, for what? A few… pokes and prods at a couple of our member nations. Why is there a need to drag in the rest of us, when these powerful member nations can take these members of the ‘GFFA’ on their own? My nation, before the regime change, was a member of this pitiful alliance called the GFFA. Trust us when we say, it is not worth the time we are spending in this great hall, discussing it.”
He sat back down into his chair, but took another lungful of air, then hacked out a few coughs before speaking again.
“While we know this inactive alliance is itching for a chance to show, and prove itself once again, and will probably vote in favor of this war anyway. What is in it for those of us, who do not like the idea of a war, but will be peer-pressured into joining anyway? No amount of spoils, or territory could satiate the payment required to engage in this, galactic war.”
“It is required. We agreed.”
The voice, seemingly from nowhere, rang towards the Azahan diplomat, if he could be called such. The sphere rose once more, spinning gently, spreading red light across the chambers as the perfect form 'spoke', waves of sound translated into a shimmering voice, one that was low and high at the same time, loud and soft, powerful and weak.
”The alliance was formed to defend against such. Should we allow such attacks to continue? Should we voluntarily weaken our power in the universe for a short peace? If they are so weak, why not strike? Why make a peace with weaklings?”
“Order!” Shouted Strauss, trying to keep the Senate chambers from disintegrating into infighting. “You do not have the floor, another is already standing. Now, please!”
The strange spinning abruptly ceased, without the indication of gravity affecting it all, nor inertia, as it gently sank back into the pedestal it had sat upon.
It was obviously for war, although for somewhat different reasons to most. The urge to exterminate all other life, in every form, was the one defining factor of the Maker-Mind, and this was merely a façade, a front of reason in order to satisfy the infinite urge to slaughter that was the Maker-Mind.
Sayre realized his turn was next as the delegates were still shuffling in or determining their stance, and had stood, drawing attention to himself, only to wait as the Chairman reprimanded the Mettalinautian delegate for speaking out of turn.
“Peoples of the ESUS! The Torontonians, though a small military power when they chose to join the original ESUS, determined that from that day onward, no nation or alliance would be allowed to push around any other nation without fear of reprisal. Throughout its existence, the ESUS has fought to provide charter nations, as well as smaller nations that right of protection and security. As we all know, business cannot exist in an unstable environment, and there is no environment more unstable than war. However, in war, innovation and creativity flourish, and through war, power and influence can be gained.”
“However, the people of Torontonias are not war-like. We will not stand idle as member nations are assaulted without warning or reason by other entities, especially those who believe that the greater numbers of their alliance offer them some semblance of protection. We will not stand by as our brothers in this alliance are slapped around like an uncertified whore, simply for the right to claim superiority.. If you saw your brother on a street get punched in the face by a much larger man, only to realize that he was being cheered on by a group of onlookers, would you shrug and continue walking, content to console and support him later? Or do you find your other siblings and relatives and find that man and his friends, and show them what happens when they mess with one of your own? My Grandfather fought for the Stability and continued existence and freedom of this alliance. He fought for the right to rule oneself and not take directions as some nations would otherwise have had it. This confrontation got violent, which resulted in the destruction of Yonder! We were told if we conceded our independence and joined with a new, centralized alliance, an attack would be repelled easily, however, that attack never came. However, that attack has come today, and we need to band together and unanimously pass this motion as a show of solidarity to our enemies, and then go forth and show that united spirit to all who would oppose this grand alliance!”
He paused, briefly.
“Therefore, I am only too happy to vouch that the Corporate Autocracy of Torontonias is fully willing to support this war against the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances and can only urge our close allies to also do so. Perhaps this will usher in a new age of unity with old wounds being sealed through brotherhood and teamwork. If anything, it will provide change, and I am a proponent of change, especially to banish these stagnant times.”
His speech over, he hoped that he had positioned his nation well in the eyes of old allies and enemies, as well as possible new ones. The media would have a frenzy no doubt, but he was sure that this would be a remarkable new age of the alliance, and he sat down, allowing the next delegate to stand.
There came a loud thud noise from the doors.
They were large, curious things - ancient and withered by the ravages of time. Perhaps as a crude and somewhat disparaging reference to the past, they had an oak veneer over their semi-metallic interior. The designers had argued that grandeur required frivolous expenses such as this. Similarly, while being electronically locked, a heavy tungsten brace had been lowered across its breadth. Another archaic tradition that served little save face. The doors themselves were over twenty meters high – reaching far into the vaulted, cathedral-like interior. The brace had been lowered prior to the opening speech, and it had fallen with a graceful thud.
The delegates were watching intently, some curious, when an even louder thud echoed around the hall. They paused, trying to figure out the source, and when it did not immediately repeat, continued unabated. A few minutes passed, and once again the only sound was the rambling of the delegates. But then, once again, a loud thud was heard, swiftly followed by a long and screeching crack. This time there was no denying it. Someone was at the door.
The delegates stood as one to face the offending spectacle. Some drew weapons or contacted security forces. Meanwhile, the heavy tungsten brace had begun to buckle in the middle, bulging outwards ominously. Another thud – much louder this time – echoed around the chamber. Some of the delegates exchanged looks of alarm.
“A terrorist attack? Surely not, this deep into protected ESUS space?”
The door began to inexorably swell outwards. Several delegates seated close to it ran for cover, and with good reason, because one further thud later, and the whole thing exploded outwards. As the dust settled, and the shrapnel ceased flying, the delegates were left awestruck by what now stood at the entrance.
He straightened his cuffs, made as if to dust off some of the rubble from his expensive, pinstripe semi-organic suit, then stepped delicately over the twisted metal shards. He walked, unhurriedly, towards the central podium. As he reached it, he bowed his head as if in prayer. Then, he began to speak.
“Hello.”
He grinned maniacally.
“Have you missed me?”
He raised his head, revealing, for the first time, that he was Prime Nurik Dancos. The delegates were taken aback, and drew a collective breath.
“I have been busy, these past years. But now, I am not. I am bored, you see. I get wind of a plot to destroy us, and I just had to get involved. What can I say? I'm the adventurous type. A little bit of gung-ho action never hurt anyone. Except the people you kill, naturally.”
He stepped down from the podium and made his way to the Mindsetti delegate seat.
“Sorry about the mess.”
Almost always silent during the majority of ESUS proceedings but ever-present, the human-looking androgynous construct that called itself an Avatar crossed its arms and smiled to itself, showing emotion being a liberty it did not often take. Not even during the civil war, where the Dominion had turned inward, letting the other members of the alliance fight it out; either the ESUS would shatter or it would be forged anew of stronger stuff.
This was a special occasion. This would show which would be the end result of the civil war, despite what was said on paper - stagnation or strength. Lard or steel. Nonplussed by the dramatic entrance, perhaps... but then, with the Avatar being an entity that exists to serve and knows it is both artificial and expendable has no fear of death or injury. That would require that it be made to feel pain or fear, and beyond rudimentary emotions required for its occupation, it had no such capabilities.
It spoke, its voice sounding not unlike a musical chorus, words as if spoken by many at once.
“The particulars of this attack are irrelevant. We have turned inward upon ourselves for too long, and have seen the results. If for no other reason than to test our technologies and abilities on those who are not us, such a war is inevitable. Better to direct such aggression on a target that is worthy of it than simply subjugate other races who have no capability of fighting back. Conflict is, after all, a catalyst, and one that many of the members of the ESUS could benefit from. The Dominion will be a party to this war. However, we will withhold information on what forces will be used until a future time.”
Brief and to the point, as ever, the Avatar inclined its head slightly toward the rest of the members and returned to its seat, resuming its position. And if one didn't know better, it could be sworn that the Avatar was smirking. But it had never been designed to be smug... had it?
Then there came a familiar voice…
“War? Is this how you plan to dominate this galaxy?" The Azahan delegate's voice changed from calm and drawling, to loud and aggressive. “You wish to prove yourselves by picking on what are basically children to us? You wish to waste thousands, of not millions of lives to prove who has the bigger testicles?”
He paused.
“While my kind, and the great Grand Father Nurgle would love for us to sacrifice thousands in his name, must we do it in such a belligerent, and illogical manner? When we have so much to lose, and victory is not certain?" He stood up, and slammed his armored gauntlets into the table, not enough to break it, but enough to make sure it made a loud clatter. “There must be another way than this!”
Strauss gave a low sigh and stepped back onto the podium, not even a hint of emotion on his face.
“What other recourse do we have? If this 'GFFA' wished to speak with us, surely they would have done so before now. What do you propose we do? Will we sit on our haunches and... what? Just ignore the threat at our gates? Will we sit in our stagnation and watch as our foes grow more and more powerful?”
Then, he paused for a moment before removing a small book from his pocket. It appeared to be a journal, blackened by fire and bound in thick leather. Or, perhaps, human flesh.
“Azahans, I have done research upon your people, as is my interest. Your culture is most interesting. I know that you worship Nurgle. He who glories in stagnation... amongst other things. Or at least, that is what excerpts from the Liber Chaotica have told me. So I can certainly understand why you would argue for our continued stagnation. However, I know that Nurgle also takes glory in despair, in a lack of hope. Surely, we will cause enough of this to please Papa Nurgle? Perhaps your trepidation does not stem from religion... but if not that, then what? Surely the mighty legions of Chaos are not fearful of losses? Of loss itself? Nay, I refuse to believe that. Such a thing is more befitting the lackeys of the false Emperor, is it not?"
Strauss, realizing he might have overplayed his hand, quickly added, "I am not questioning your power, or your devotion to Grandfather Nurgle. However, such reluctance to make war seems out of place for the Plague-Marines. Indeed, I'd expect a people such as yourselves to leap at the prospect of war, as we have.”
Slowly, the sorcerer turned to Strauss, and gave an icy stare through the black slits of his helmet.
“You dare call us cowards? We are not Khornates, we do not belligerently jump into fights to simply revel in its blood and gore. Excuse us for trying to be logical.”
He seemed to calm down some, just then figuring he might be losing his composure.
“While you are... slightly... right of what the Great Plague Bearer enjoys. Fighting a war of this scale has too many variables, that all cannot be controlled.”
"In the days of roaming chapters, and complete devotion to our god, we would not have taken a second thought as to fighting an open war. But now, my master has to lead an entire system. We have worked too hard, to simply let our crowning achievement to the Great Grandfather, fall to waste. Some might think that is weakness, but maintaining an empire, and striking at more fitting times, is strength unto itself.”
"So, once again, forgive us for being logical on the matter, and seeking alternate ways to solution."
As Strauss relinquished the podium there came a quiet buzz for several minutes where delegates discussed amongst themselves and their neighbors about the war and what it could mean. Yet the Metallinautsi delegates were quiet and faced forward. It was a strange sight to behold. As anyone who would look into the vast annals of the ESUS would see that since day one in the ESUS, when the Metallinautsi empire was only a few million strong, they played a massive role in ESUS affairs. Their voices rang among the leaders of the pack; yet now they lay dormant.
Now their silence was broken. A man of a wiry build stood. He was clothed in a black outfit with a black cape with a red trim. Atop his head was a simple crown of a silvery compound with a medium sized red jewel on top.
The man walked with an air of extreme confidence and importance to the podium. He gave a wide gaze to the crowd and began to say his piece.
To anyone with out a translator or who did not speak Metallinautsi would only hear an angry sound combination of russo/germanesaue language.
Through the translator the man said, "greetings to all of my allies, I am Emporer Zelantine Larius I, leader of the children of Metallinauts. I am here before you now because this matter is of great importance that as individual nations we cannot quite comprehend the sheer gravity of this situation.”
Just as he'd got going, recess was called. As was usual during these long meetings, there was a minor break, where diplomats and leaders alike congregated, it seemed this meeting had brought every high level diplomat and/or leader standing beside her. Others were congregating around the Mindsetti representative, and still yet others were pointedly attempting to avoid the gazes of the Sskiss.
“Madam President?” Came a voice behind Crescent. She turned, expecting to see some Ensign on courier duty, when she came nose to snout with Ulayla Syphera, the Supreme Admiral of the Siesatian Navy.
“Admiral, it’s good to see you again, acting the messenger today?”
“Well, I hate sending that Ensign in my office to run all over the universe for me, and today he’s getting ready for some leave with his family, so I decided to deliver the news personally, the First, Second, and Fourth Fleets are prepared, and massed at Gaia, and we’ve got the news stations ready to deliver the news, the Dragon Knights are efficient as always, and the entire Temporal Fleet is ready for Incursion duty, we are almost fully committed, we’ve also got the recorders in the chambers ready to broadcast the final verdict live to all available stations… Almost every other ESUS nation is doing the same, we’ve seen massive fleet deployments from Sol to the Creche Worlds.”
“Excellent, care to watch the last of the meeting? We’re due to start again momentarily, just allowing a few more arguments and then we have the final vote.”
“Why not, I left the Admirals council in charge today.”
They departed to retake their seats.
“We bring this session back to order with the final arguments from the last few ESUS Member states willing to stand.”
Strauss then hastily vacated the podium, anxious for the pantomime to end.
Allowing himself a couple of cautionary gazes across the field of the senate, he took his place after the chairman had finished his discussion. Drey opened with his canine growl and began enunciating ... the facts.
“What we have here today, is more than just a just an argument of necessity to the stagnation of our alliance. It is true we are slumbering, despite our power, but beyond that there is a greater implication we have overlooked. The symbolism of this moment in our Alliance's history cannot be overlooked. We have been challenged as a sovereign body and as a mutual defensive alliance.”
Drey allowed his voice to slowly grow louder, as if capturing the rising moment and need for action. His voice remained cold, calculated, logical and undeniably Xenonian by its very nature, but the very timbre and context of it implied the necessary action.
“The Extra-Solar-Union of Systems has been challenged. Not by internal strife, or by our own prejudices, but by a foreign power that has committed the most cowardly and banal of actions. We can argue the vagaries of such an implication all century, but the simple, strident, constant fact remains: an attack upon the ESUS, as abominable as an attack upon my own people, has occurred. This is a clear act of war. It does not matter how strong this foe may become, although this is a valid concern to some nations. What matters is the GFFA have attacked us, for no justifiable reason and that demands action. We have been attacked and given the blatant nature in which the GFFA logo was displayed, I believe it is a fair statement to say that the very ESUS has been attacked, should we take both the implications of what this and our investigations have found. I believe all delegates have that information already and have arrived to the same conclusions my own government has.”
“I wish to be no more a harbinger of war than anyone else, yet the facts remain, no matter how much we may wish to ignore them. What the Azahan delegate has neglected to overlook is that this is not about the fact we may be able to crush them ourselves, however much that statement may have merit. What this possible war exemplifies is that the ESUS would continue to lurch around aimlessly, picked, prodded and baited into an eternal cesspool of nothingness no matter what the catalyst. The greater image here is an ESUS that will not defend itself from an outright attack by a foreign party. We must show we are ready, willing and able to defend ourselves from a blatant challenge upon our sovereignty, our right to exist under a state of peace, and our very existence as a body. Otherwise I believe the Central Facehuggerians have enunciated the alternatives which continued to face us with very real and palpable threats.”
“You ask what is to be gained from action. I counter this statement with, what is to be lost from inaction? What do we stand to lose if the world sees a weak, apathetic alliance unable to commit itself to the most basic of all instincts and a defining clause of the ESUS articles we announce to the world as being important to our existence? We stand to lose everything. In our own cold, calculated way, with diktat and strategy, we suggest the ESUS make a clear statement this shall never be allowed to happen so long as the tenants of the alliance still stand.”
With this Drey allowed his voice to drop, and taking care to eye each representative, he allowed himself to finish his own speech in a more underrated, understated manner.
“More than any nation, the Xenonian Protectorate would prefer to avoid the casualties and costs of unnecessary war, given the way our nation and our military forces have been known to work. We have fought many wars without ever informing the alliance, or asking for help, many of which were defensive. This is saber rattling from the GFFA on a whole new level and given they have not approached us to resolve this peacefully in any way, I doubt any other solution can be found.”
With that final delivery, Charless Dreyfuss sat back down to both murmurs, and in a few cases outright applause from the assembled diplomats.
The representative of Megas, foreign affairs director Tracy Telasnor had kept to herself for most of the proceedings. She had taken in the speeches from the other delegates, examining thoroughly every point which was made. For a moment, she was stunned by the entrance of the Mindsetti Prime; soon after regaining composure she began to consider herself honored to be in his very presence. No Megan had ever seen him before. Shortly thereafter, she had listened intently to the brief spectacle between the Facehuggerian representative and the newcomer from Azaha. She could appreciate the point the Azahan had made, but whether she agreed with him or not was irrelevant. Megas had already decided its position in this matter, and she was here for one purpose alone, to communicate that decision to the ESUS.
The representative from Xenonier had finished. Tracy decided that now it was her turn. She stood, her long, faded-green hair cascading down her back, its color showing her age. Her uniform was crisp and clean, mostly white with trimmings of blue and green; the uniform of a government official. She walked briskly to the podium, an air of confidence about her. Her deep purple eyes widened ever so slightly as she took in the diversity of the representatives seated in the chamber before her. Only in this hall could such be possible. Clearing her throat, she began her address.
“Representatives of the nations of the ESUS, I am not here to make a grand speech. I am not here to persuade any of you which side is right. I am not here to claim that a certain choice of action is correct. I am here only to tell you this, the Supreme Imperial Entente of Megas fully supports a declaration of war against the GFFA, whose actions must not go unpunished. I leave you with this question; if we remain complacent and inactive amidst the atrocities which have befallen us, what indication would it send to other nations and alliances? Would it please you to be seen as an alliance of pushovers?”
With that, Tracy quickly left the podium and returned to her seat, confident in her message and solidified in her personal support for war.
Finally, as if by some unseen cue, one of the Sskiss, as if reluctant to fulfil the task set before it, lurched to its feet from a standard prone position, which for the Sskiss passed as "sitting" and moved forward toward the end of their personal quarters. Liss'Ssaakk, a male of late middle age pressed his head gently against the force field that always existed at such meetings to mark where it was, took two steps backward, and after a brief pause, finally spoke. His voice was like muted thunder mixed with a smouldering volcanic vent and perhaps a bit of screeching railway car thrown in.
“Crechemates/Packmates....Our enemies steal our flesh, our life..... To ignore it is death" Liss'Ssaakk then signaled "surety of facts and words. I am a simple 'Speaker to Other' and as such I see and sense simply... I see our enemies pick at our carcass when once we were young and of great strength/vigor!”
His thick tail thrashed and slammed the force field with immense force, resulting in a crackling surge of energy.
“We have slumbered for too long/have grown weak, and our enemies see and sense this!" His dire head loomed slightly closer and he continued, “do you, my packmates not see this, not know this? It is plain for all to see and sense.”
He bellowed, “are we stupid egglings ignorant of great truths?", adding modifiers of 'frustration'. “If we do not fight and slaughter our enemies, feed upon them..." He let this sink in for a short while, and continued, "they will feed upon us! Our flesh shall feed them... Is this what we wish or desire?”
Modifiers of 'rage/truth' radiated from his solid body.
“We are ancient....We are survivors of the egg of death.”
The asteroid that almost destroyed the Sskiss sixty-five million years ago still haunted their ancient memories.
“We will survive this, we will feed and grow strong. It is the way of Sskiss. What is your way?”
He signalled 'query', then moved back to his own kind.
Sitting at his place, Councilman Ruhn listened to the proceedings with a growing sense of awe. Even after his experience aboard the Ragor with some of the people present, he was still intimidated by the mass of power assembled here. He quickly read over the notes of why this had all come to happen. Quickly making up his mind, he stood up. The last thought through his head before he spoke was simple.
“What would Galeel do?”
He continued, “esteemed representatives. I know that I am here after my nation’s long absence, and most of you do not put much weight in the words or actions of my small nation. However, we pledge our loyalty to this course of action fully. We will be at the ready, and as soon as we are done here, I will give the word for my men to prepare to defend all that is good and holy in this universe.”
Sitting down, he knew that what he had said would cost countless lives, as well as innumerable hardships. But what cost was that compared to being free?
A peculiar figure sat in the Jordaxian seat, hooded, hunched, and robed. There was no movement of breath, or even signs of consciousness beneath the heavy clothes that obscured the face and body of whoever sat there. It waited for speech to stop, and, lifting one hand to indicate that it was its time to make whatever statement was necessary, stood.
Its metal face glinted against the lights of the room, humanoid yet alien. It had no nose, or mouth, yet its face did not appear to be missing them either. High cheeks accentuated sunken, glowing eyes, dimly shown beneath the hood. Skeletal, clawed hands poked out from the robes, perfectly still as well as the rest of the machine, a Talosian member of the religious/bureaucratic caste of Jordaxia.
With a deep, grating metallic voice, it spoke to the assembled body.
“The fractured peoples of my nation have sent me to listen. And I have. Once more the weighty words of war have been laid before us. We are challenged to rise up and face them by members of this alliance, or be faced with being cast down. These words do not stir us, invigorate us. However, the message behind them, unadorned, is what must be discussed. I have a responsibility to decide the immediate destiny of our people, trusted of both castes. We shall defend the alliance to the best of our capability, whatever the cost. The price of our refusal is yet higher.
That is all I have to say on the matter.”
With that, the machine being sat, and was once more consumed by the still dark of its robes.
Jessica Crescent stood, taking in the entire council, the foreboding atmosphere of the room phased her not, it was no worse then sitting in front of the appropriations committee.
“Fellow delegates, esteemed representatives, we shan’t keep any of you much longer. I will say my piece, and we shall begin the vote.”
She paused, making sure she had the attention of all
“We have come upon an impasse, another difficult choice… we’ve been making a choice this entire time, the past 400 years, to NOT make a choice, for we allowed ourselves to fall into a pit, desperately clinging to our golden throne of power which even now threatens to sink into the sand, and we have done nothing, not even to save ourselves. We have come upon times of peril, once again the galaxy threatens to fall to chaos, our inactivity, and our stagnation has caused this attack on our alliance…”
She paused to emphasise her words.
“Putting aside political, religious, and racial differences, we all signed the ESUS Constitution pledging to protect one another, and now, for the first time in many a year, it is my honor to call upon a vote, a vote to uphold the constitution of the Extra Solar Union of Systems; a vote which will decide our future, prosperity with the destruction of those who seek to topple us. When the bombs begin to drop and the cities fall, we will not be able to escape this, not a single one of us if we decide to stay this course. Now, we place our fate before this council, in a moment, the computer terminals in front of you will pull up 3 choices. Yes. No. Abstain. I will announce the results in due course.”
She left the podium, returning to her seat, waiting as a tiny progress bar filled up as the delegates placed their votes. At 100% she stood, the apprehension in the room was thick; she didn’t know why, all knew the outcome, the overwhelming support.
“It is my last official act as mediator of this meeting to announce the results. St a landslide of 22 to 3, it is my honor to announce that the ESUS has officially declared war on the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances.”
Applause and even cheers from a few delegates swept through the room, decorum all to hell, Crescent motioned Syphera to follow her out the chamber door, which was already being tended to by a few of the maintenance staff.
“Listen. Convene the Command Staff, the entire council, and tell them they are in charge until I get back.”
She walked faster to avoid the throng of representatives and bodyguards coming out of the door, a few calling after her.
“Mam?”
But before crescent could respond, two Dragon Knights rounded the corner, Special Operations badges in full view.
“I can’t explain, not right now, just mobilize the forces, and I promise I’ll be back to write my memoirs, and remember, keep things at home safe for when I get back.”
She was gone, elsewhere; important figureheads were disappearing, sometimes not even leaving a note explaining their absence; Siesatia, Xenonier, Northrop Grumman, Arizona Nova and many others, it seemed strange things were happening everywhere and anywhere as the ESUS war machine’s long silent and still cogs began turning again as if they had never stopped.
It had begun.