NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: I can't start this RP, but I'm going tolaunch my FT version of my nation. What I'm looking for are ships to pass by my planet, prefereably fighting another nation. If I can get rivals to fight around my planet, someone's ship will miss, striking my planet, and we'll start to fire our Anti-Orbital Guns and make first contact. Just to somehow spice up your war for you, and to get me into FT. Any takers? I'd llike two of the participating fighters to say OK.

Non-combatants are welcome, too, as we could just fire at your passing ship or probes.

I can have a dark biomech fleet attack you planet.....

OOC: Nothing that can wipe out our civilization and something we can hurt. Nothing completely homocidal.

I can send a small one. They tend to infest a planet more then bomb it.

OOC: As long as we can get rid of it. But I was hoping for someone that I could retain contact with later on.

Or, better yet, would you mind us weaponizing it?

[ooc:How about one of my explorer ships stumbles across your civilisation, we can works out the specifics later, tell me, do you have MSN?

Better yet, Hobbeebia, does your "Dark Biomech Fleet" simply go round Borg/Tyranid/Zerg Style trying to take over/consume/etc. everyone else? If so, a Confederacy ship could be in the area, attacking you, you miss hit him and shit hits the fan.

I like the idea, if either or both of you have MSN we might be able to work it out better.]

((Sorry, no MSN.

I'm just going to go with the first people who come.))
IC
The planet, which was named Sch'Naggio after the ancient city that the Drow had spawned on in this world. It was once inhabited by a roachlike race that had been enslaved by the Drow when they arrived. They closed the clouds and used enough nukes to clean the Earth of all but its roaches and waited two centuries for teh harsher radiation to die down, and then colonized the planet. It was just like home. They were able to cast their spells without incident and the Queendom had stayed on this isolated planet. The radiation that was so much like the Underdark's stopped any scanners from finding them. The Drow were highly advanced, having devloped or stolen most of the technology. They had a huge Anti-Orbital gun system to stop any would-be colonizers. They never thought they would need these cannons, but soon these isolated people would have the galaxy drawn onto them.

OOC: Sounds like fun. An interesting idea, Valley.

While my nation would probably have one or more ships passing by and come to help you defend your world, I do know someone who might be interested in joining in with his dark and light nations (if I can pry him away from the game console and his new Twisted Metal game (TW: Black, IIRC)).

OOC: Since I'm dying to get a good FT RP going, I'd be willing to be one of the parties involved. I don't have any wars going on atm, but I'm sure I could make something up. Like those biomech fleets or something.

OOC: TBH, this may be a good chance to pull out my split-off 'pirate' nation. You know, now that I think about it, I think I may just use it.

Valley, you can count me in.

I might go with a few ships chasing pirates (pirates would more likely aim at you to try to get my naval ships to back down). Or my ships could just drop out of FTL between your defenders and some 'alien' invaders or something you RP as well, or get someone else to RP.

Or we could just go with the flow and see what develops when we all get in IC.

I'll start off some distance away with a fight between some pirates and naval ships, have the pirates flee into FTL, and then have them arrive in either the same post or more.

IC: Several terralight years distant from the star system containing the world known to its inhabitants as Sch'Naggio was quiet for the moment. In this area of space where naught much more than a few dead Class D planets, essentially hunks of rock in space that were just large enough to qualify for the title of planet and not space debris.

Near-by, a lone Zobak class (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b91/SeaQuest_Sim/Schematics/Planet%20Zi/heavyfactoryship_zobak.jpg) heavy factory ship cruised the void through the planetary detritus gathering material for her internal nano-forges. A dozen or so Oceana class (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b91/SeaQuest_Sim/Schematics/Planet%20Zi/freighter_oceania.jpg) freighters could be seen darting about bringing some choice bits for the leviathan factory vessel from farther than the great ship could reach.

Several uneventful days pass. Days stretch into weeks before long. Then, suddenly, the peaceful, boring lives of the crews of these ships as, as if as out of no where, two ships dropped to sublight next to the Zobak.

The Arcadia I class (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b91/SeaQuest_Sim/Schematics/Planet%20Zi/battleship_arcadia1.jpg) and Arcadia II class (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b91/SeaQuest_Sim/Schematics/Planet%20Zi/battleship_arcadia2.jpg) battleships had two things in common. They were both obviously extensively modified from the original specs, and they both bore the infamous Jolly Roger. With one on each side of the much more massive factory ship, they aimed their guns at the larger ship and opened fire.

Meanwhile, hidden inside a near-by large hunk of rock hollowed out for this specific purpose was the task force that had set this trap. Once the identities of the pirate ships had been confirmed, the five ships, led by the G.F.S. Karpathia, an Excalibur class (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b91/SeaQuest_Sim/Schematics/Planet%20Zi/battleship_excalibur.jpg) battleship, sped out with their engines glowing an intense blue-white as their guns tracked the pirate ships and opened fire with a salvo from various energy and projectile weapons.

The pirates were caught unawares as two Kojo class (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b91/SeaQuest_Sim/Schematics/Planet%20Zi/corvette_kojo.jpg) corvettes and two Dominator class (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b91/SeaQuest_Sim/Schematics/Planet%20Zi/destroyer_dominator.jpg) destroyers began closing in with the Karpathia close behind. Frightened, the pirates made a random, unplotted jump to superluminal speeds in the direction of uncharted territories.

Meanwhile, the factory ship and her freighter escorts, their jobs done here, began the lengthy voyage homewards as the naval task force jumped after the pirate duo.

OOC: The factory ship is huge, really huge (as if the descriptor 'leviathan' didn't give it away). And they only get bigger as they grow older. Similar to the World Devestators from the SW universe, no two are exactly alike, but they don't have the same mission profile as World Devestators and have a more benign purpose.
The freighters, while not as large, are still big as well.
Oh, and I'll just have them exit FTL in your system in my next post.

OOC: Just start making IC posts. I've already descriped the planet.

Oh, and it has one moon like hours, only worth even less.

OOC: Just start making IC posts. I've already descriped the planet.

Oh, and it has one moon like hours, only worth even less.

OOC: Sure. As I've got to go AFK for a bit, I'll leave my IC arrival at the planet for my next post.

OOC: Well, count me in as a battle group wandering by on patrol, if you don't mind. I'll post IC tomorrow. In the meantime, tagged.

OOC: Nice post. See you tomorrow (It's 11 here in Arizona.)

OOC: Thanks. As its 0242 GMT -5 (EST) hours here (meh, IMHO, a 24 hour clock is easier to work with), I'll save my next IC post for later.

The GEV Crossing the Line blasted through Gridspace, its main engines where cruising at about 100 Kilolights. A crawl, really, but its mission was exploration, not speed. It figured slow and steady. At the rate it was moving, it would be across the galaxy in a year. Mind you, that wasn’t the intention, it was on a long curve, which would eventually bring the craft to rest in the protected bays of the GPC Painful Memories, the trip totalled would be about 3 Months. Which mind you, left a very bored crew.

“Ship, make something happen” said Kofel Dinuthis said, sprawled on a couch watching the latest feeds. “I mean this is so boring!”

A drone simply floated there, if it could, would be looking at him with a “Your such an asshole” look. Unfortunately Kofel wasn’t looking at it, and since it was a remote drone, wouldn’t be able to tell that anyway. Several other crewmembers where watching, several around in one corner betting on who would be winning the next game of Genophobe. Kofel twisted, looking up at the remote. “Could you deary?”

“Contrary to your belief,” the drone grated. “I am not here to entertain you. Had you asked nicely, might have gotten a better result, but fact remains you decided I was your slave.”

“Bull!” Kofel shouted, jumping up. “I figured you would make something interesting to shut me up”

“Ahhh, so you where going for annoying dickhead then?” Lith said smiling. Kofel threw a cushion at the Felgin, who grabbed it with one of her three legs.

“Yes…I suppose I was” Kofel said, turning to the Drone. “Ship…could you forgive me?” the voice was slightly sincere, while the face was comedic Gold.

“System that shows promise about 3 hours out at present speed” the drone said, simply.

“Can we speed up?” Kofel said, his face brightening.

“Not unless I have reason, consider it punishment.” the drone said, which drew laughter from the rest.

"Status report?"
"Nothing, sir... Nothing on sensors except lifeless rocks."

Commander David McHenry stood at the central strategic table in the CIC, watching the forward viewscreen intently. All he could see was the endless sea of stars, and he was both glad and incredibly bored because of that. He frowned at his long range sensors operator.

"Well find something, damnit."
"Uh... Okay, then... Aye aye, sir..."

A few chuckles were heard among the bridge crew, but overall boredom had overcome the Opulence-class ship Atlas, and the rest of the combat group for that matter. They had been on patrol for three weeks straight, only stopping occasionally at planets friendly to the Empire for resupply and maintenance.

"Lieutenant?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Take my sidearm... And shoot me."
"Why do you want me to do that, sir...?"
"Because suicide is against my religion."

They found something, but it wasn't what they had expected. Drow probes on their moon had sent powerful relay messages to the surface, where a sleeping Drow Elf was startled to hear the alarms. She read the details of the scans. It was a threat all right. This ship's sensors could penetrate the weaker sections of their atmosphere, which would ultimately lead to their discovery. They had two choices: Leave them alone and hope they leave or blast them out of the sky and leave no survivors. She turned on the transmitter to her commander, who was enjoying company at the present time.
"Excuse me, Commander," she said. The startled woman pushed her mate away and pulled her pants back up, "We have someone orbiting us. They might have seen our probes and their scanners are powerful enough to get at us. What should we do?"
The commander thought.
"Blast 'em, it's about time we actually used these weapons."
The Drow did as she was told, starting up the weapons. Crews whop barely remembered how the machines worked scrambled to their posts, or what they thought were their posts. The cannons fired their ASPPC (Anti-Ship Particle Projector Cannons) which flew into orbit. Most of them missed, blowing up an asteroid or moving a few rocks on the moon. But others hit the Atlas strait-on as competent crews did their jobs. Several layers of force fields activated around the ASPPCs and the cannons slid to the right or left to prevent them from being damaged from return fire as it cooled off. Coolant filled the inside of the force fields, helping the cooling process. The Drow cleaned the cannons out and awaited orders to commence firing again.

Klaxons sounded as red light pulsated in the corridors of the Cravanian ships, crews scrambling to their stations.

"Status report!"
"Shields absorbed the majority of the blasts. Some outer damage, but nothing serious. Shields are regenerating as we speak."
"Contact Command and get some backup out here!"
"Aye, sir."

Commander McHenry looked to the sensor relay, noticing the planet where the fire had come from.

"Launch the alert fighters. I want a channel open on all frequencies."
"Aye, sir. Channel open."

McHenry cleared his throat, and straightened up as he began to speak.

"This is the INS-894 Atlas of the Cravanian Imperial Navy. Your people have initiated an act of war upon the Empire, and we will defend ourselves. Lay down your weapons immediately, or we will be forced to retaliate with extreme force. You have three miniutes to comply." (OOC: Time limit just for dramatic effect.)

He looked to his weapons officers.

"Tell the gunners to initiate orbital bombardment on targets on the surface, and inform the rest of the group to assume similiar positions. Assuming Command gets our message in time, we should have some backup within an hour or two. Inform the Alert fighters to begin assaults on key targets, as well. I want their military capabilities completely wiped from the surface if need be. Also... Avoid civilian casualties, but don't go out of your way. I don't want innocents dead, but I don't want my boys dead, either."
"Aye, sir. Targets transmitted to the gunners."

Weapons of all sorts rained down upon the planet, from rail gun slugs to turbolaser blasts. Fighters and bombers descended into the atmosphere, weapons ready for strikes against key targets.

The Falcon had been stirred from his slumber...

The message reached teh Probes, but not the planet. A flash of light could be seen from the moon as an earlier probe sent the message through light communication. WHile the Drow had created newer Probes to replace the old ones, which gave them away, they had missed a few. A voice communication was returned from the Orbital Gun commander.
"You have violated Drow space. If you wish to avoid another and more powerful bombardment, you will turn away or you will surrender to us. Turn off your sensors and make all haste out of our system or you will be fried."
It was no bluff-Even early sensors could find a slight buildup of energy on the surface of the planet, but the radiation and cloud cover distorted the positions, which made relying on sensors in striking back ineffective.

"You have fired upon us without provocation. The least you could have done was warn us before you fired. We didn't even know you were here!"
"Sir, the fighters are beginning their runs."
"Good. I want those cannons gone."
"We have detected shielding over the cannons, sir. It is faint, because their atmosphere is too thick, but it is there."
"Rapiers have ion cannons. Eat through them with ion cannons then bomb the shit out of them."
"Aye, sir."

McHenry looked back at the sensor readouts.

"Begin evasive maneuvers, and switch over to drone assaults. They aren't scoring another hit."
"Aye, sir."

The group began moving with surprising speed and agility, being sure to keep from having a lock on by the guns below. The orbital bombardment continued, though, with drones guiding themselves with incredible precision to their targets while moving to avoid obstacles. Of course, precision was relative when one could not see their enemy. Rail gun slugs continued to rain down and turbolasers continued to pour from their turrets. Ion cannons were also used to target the cannons on the surface, hoping to negate the force fields around them. It was a brilliant display of firepower, but the Cravanians knew it would not be enough if reinforcements did not arrive in time.

"Sir, incoming from Command. We have an assault group coming to assist. They should be here in a few hours."
"Well that's a relief... Hopefully they make better time, though."
"Aye, sir. Hopefully."

McHenry looked at the forward viewscreen and watched as a Dilligence-class light cruiser opened up with her own particle cannons, although their accuracy was questionable while moving constantly to avoid fire.

"We may have to deploy forces to the ground to neutralise these people.", he said somberly. "Prepare a few dropships of Elites. Hold them back, though, until need be."
"Aye, sir."

The bombardment continued, as the fighters in the atmosphere began to assault any targets they could find. One thing was certain in all this: Neither side was backing down without a fight.

The Ionic Cannons and the gunners fired at the positions of the orbital guns, but the sensor sweeps were wrong. Most of them missed, and severely. Only one was hit, and its shields protected the gun. By this time, the crews had cleaned the rust off and their aim was better. The sargeants of the cannons told their commanders that their next shot wouldn't miss. The Commaner sent a visual hail to the Cravanite ship. The commander waited for them to respond.

OOC: Dude... That is not only a godmod, but I haven't even launched my dropships yet!

That, and you should probably do some research on the Elites... They don't call 'em Elites for nothing. Clicky. (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10868426&postcount=3) Bottom of that post.

((Drow usually live to 700 years, and every one of them has combat training to some extent. Trust me, your guys wouldn't stand much of a chance in a firefight, even if thry're elites. Most of my characters in my FT nation will be the same ones as the characters from my MT nation, especially the younger ones. I hadn't realized you didn't drop them yet, my bad. I'll remove the AAVSTs, but hitting those cannons will be next to impossible without compensating for the atmospheric distortion, and we use layers of force fields. Your bombers would get through the first one, but they would have several layers to go before actually hitting the cannons, even if they were atmospheric bombers. I know I mentioned the layers earlier, but I'll edit out the dropships.))

*Snip*
Several terralight years distant from the star system containing the world known to its inhabitants as Sch'Naggio was quiet for the moment. In this area of space where naught much more than a few dead Class D planets, essentially hunks of rock in space that were just large enough to qualify for the title of planet and not space debris.

Near-by, a lone Zobak class (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b91/SeaQuest_Sim/Schematics/Planet%20Zi/heavyfactoryship_zobak.jpg) heavy factory ship cruised the void through the planetary detritus gathering material for her internal nano-forges. A dozen or so Oceana class (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b91/SeaQuest_Sim/Schematics/Planet%20Zi/freighter_oceania.jpg) freighters could be seen darting about bringing some choice bits for the leviathan factory vessel from farther than the great ship could reach.

Several uneventful days pass. Days stretch into weeks before long. Then, suddenly, the peaceful, boring lives of the crews of these ships as, as if as out of no where, two ships dropped to sublight next to the Zobak.

The Arcadia I class (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b91/SeaQuest_Sim/Schematics/Planet%20Zi/battleship_arcadia1.jpg) and Arcadia II class (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b91/SeaQuest_Sim/Schematics/Planet%20Zi/battleship_arcadia2.jpg) battleships had two things in common. They were both obviously extensively modified from the original specs, and they both bore the infamous Jolly Roger. With one on each side of the much more massive factory ship, they aimed their guns at the larger ship and opened fire.

Meanwhile, hidden inside a near-by large hunk of rock hollowed out for this specific purpose was the task force that had set this trap. Once the identities of the pirate ships had been confirmed, the five ships, led by the G.F.S. Karpathia, an Excalibur class (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b91/SeaQuest_Sim/Schematics/Planet%20Zi/battleship_excalibur.jpg) battleship, sped out with their engines glowing an intense blue-white as their guns tracked the pirate ships and opened fire with a salvo from various energy and projectile weapons.

The pirates were caught unawares as two Kojo class (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b91/SeaQuest_Sim/Schematics/Planet%20Zi/corvette_kojo.jpg) corvettes and two Dominator class (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b91/SeaQuest_Sim/Schematics/Planet%20Zi/destroyer_dominator.jpg) destroyers began closing in with the Karpathia close behind. Frightened, the pirates made a random, unplotted jump to superluminal speeds in the direction of uncharted territories.

Meanwhile, the factory ship and her freighter escorts, their jobs done here, began the lengthy voyage homewards as the naval task force jumped after the pirate duo.
*Snip*

The pirate ships, ironically named Twister I and Twister II, dropped to sublight speeds almost directly on top of the Atlas. Only because their pilots reacted in time to cause both ships to veer to either side was what prevented a head-on collision with the Cravan ship. A few moments later, the naval task force dropped to sublight at a few light seconds of the starboard bow of the Atlas. As both groups of ships had jumped into the middle of things here, they where taking a few moments to get their bearings straight. In the meantime, the A.I.'s of the Karpathia and her fellow task force ships began training their guns on the pirate ships while those of the pirate vessels did the same towards the navy ships.

OOC: I have to agree with Cravan, Valley. That was a bit GMish.

((Then I may have to break out the Sentries... In any case, IC comes later.

And remember one thing: I control my own losses. ;) ))

((Then I may have to break out the Sentries... In any case, IC comes later.

And remember one thing: I control my own losses. ;) ))
OOC: Cool. I'll wait.
As for the loss thing, that's true no matter what tech level you're RPing at.

OOC: This is my third primary nation. I know what I'm doing. Every once in a while I slip up and make a post like that.

OOC: This is my third primary nation. I know what I'm doing. Every once in a while I slip up and make a post like that.
OOC: Meh, its all right. These things happen. Nothing to fret about.

The Drow sensor probes on the moon picked up the two Twisters. The Commander, believing them to be reinforcements for the Cravanite ship, cancelled the hail and sent another voice message to the captain.
"Too cowardly to fight your own battles, human? We'll see how well you fare when your two pets are little more than dust!"
She knew that the configurations were nothing alike, but she was a Drow; Why should she think otherwise? Besides, it was just an excuse to blow something else up. The orders went out to fire at the two new ships at 65% power. The crew sargeants wondered why she wanted such a powerfl setting, but obeyed nonetheless. 65% was enough to blast away most force fields with one shot, and two would be enough to cripple a ship. So far the highest setting they had used was 45% to save power. Enough hits would scare most ships away. Blue rays of light flew from the planet as the bombardment resumed, thsi time targeting the pirates.

The smaller and more agile Twister II managed to dodge out of the way of the Drow blasts, but the Twister I took a direct hit to her port wing. Due to her shields having been focused to handle the fire from the naval task force, the Drow blast ripped straight through from top to bottom through the structure causing the ship to begin spin wildly as her crew fought to bring her back under control.

The Twister II, using the confusion the Drow had caused, jumped to superluminal velocities and escaped while the naval task force closed in on the Twister I, which was slowly coming back under control.

"Cowardly humans."
The bombardment didn't stop. The Twister I continued to get pummeled by the high-energy blasts, although it was probably far more than the small ship could handle.
A third message was sent to the ships:
"Leave now in peace or there won't be anything left for you to leave in."

Having intercepted the latest Drow message, the Karpathia sent a response in standard:

We have no quarrel with you, nor do we wish one. We do thank you, however, for disabling the pirate vessel for us. Now, if you'll hold your fire, we'll go in and collect them.

OOC: Just an F.Y.I., but the ships I have in this RP aren't that small. As I work with pics and not stats, I can't give you specifics. Though, estimating from the pic, the Twister I, for example, is around VSD I size, maximum. Its true that the corvettes and destroyers are smaller, but the Excalibur class Karpathia is more around ISD III size, minimum. These are just guestimates and may change in the future.

"You're still here. If you have no quarrel with us, you will leave and forget you were ever here. And take your foes with you, unless you want us to salvage your crafts and use your own technology to enslave your planets and these pirates."
'However, if you wish to fight here, then you should know I get very little for my job, and if you want us to help you with your problem, we have little outside influence on our technology, and I wouldn't be surprised if our wizards and scientists would love to see your weapons. We need something to shoot at every ten years or so, anyway."

OOC: Indeed, nothing to worry about. We all mess up once in a while.

The Cravanian commander piped up once more.

"Why are you so xenophobic? We stumbled upon you by accident, and without provocation you attack us. It would have been nice if you simply hailed us, and we would have left. But we don't take kindly to being fired upon for no reason."

He motioned to his com officer.

"Tell the cruisers and destroyers to concentrate fire on the moon. I think that's how they get some information, since I could have sworn . Have them launch the second wave of fighters to scout out that moon, and fire on anything they find. I want impulse bombs in our bombers."
"Aye, sir."

Three cruisers and two destroyers moved towards the moon, using their agility to avoid any fire which would come from the planet or the moon. They opened up with a barrage, blanketing the moon in fire as fighters launched to scout out possible enemy positions there. Meanwhile, the first wave which had struck the planetary positions returned from their mission, having failed to do anything more than scratch their shielding.

"I may have to deploy forces to the surface if this keeps up..."
"Well let's hope it doesn't amount to that."
"Sir, reinforcements will arrive in one hour."
"Thank God..."

He had barely paid any attention to the groups which had arrived in system. And he decided to make contact while waiting.

"Attention unidentified ships, this is the INS Atlas. Quite the show you put on taking down those pirates. Nice work if I do say so myself."

The last thing he wanted to do was make another enemy today...

"We're xenophobic because humans have infested the Galaxy and we want no part of it. They can destroy themselves by hurling themselves against greater and darker powers for all we care and when the time is right, we will be tehre to replace them. Also, I would advice against the tactics you have chosen to take against our investments on our moon. The Dueregar have it well fortified and are more protective of their home than we are. And they've got ships. Somewhere."
'In the meantime, I would suggest to you that you shut down your sensors and leave, You know we're here, so don't come back, and don't tell anyone we are here. And if you do, the wrath of the Drow shall be apon you sooner than you think. There is no reason for you to continue this fight, and you cannot win it. Swallow your pride, turn away, and forget everything. Or should we turn the energy up on our cannons?"

McHenry showed displeasure for a moment, but he looked to his com officer.

"Call off the attack on the moon."
"Aye, sir."

The ships fell back, returning to formation with the Atlas.

"I know why you're so xenophobic, though. You're scared. You refuse to venture beyond your cosy little homeworld because you're afraid of what lies beyond. You're afraid of things that could quite possibly wipe you from the galaxy. And there are many things like that out there. But some day you'll have to accept your place among the stars. There won't be a time when you can step in to replace humans, because the galaxy will forever be in turmoil. It is more or less a now or never deal.

"I'm not here to make new enemies, but you have been considered a threat. Now, I'm sure once my reinforcements arrive my superiors will tell me the exact same thing as you have said. But until that time, I'm not leaving.

"And go ahead and up the power on your cannons. You destroy one of my vessels, we have an excuse to issue Base Delta Zero on your world."

His coms officer grabbed his attention as he finished his communique.

"Command reports reinforcements will arrive within the hour."

((Wrong move. Ever wanted to see a Drow up close?))
The commander smiled.
"Have it your way. You think we're afraid? We'll show you how 'afraid' we are."
But there was no bombardment. A clearing opened on the surface. Magnificeint cities could be seen on the surface, many of them spider-shaped. Transporter beams could be scanned moving through this postion. Hundreds of them were sent to the moon, it seemed, but in truth the Drow transporters only made it seem that way. There were only about two hundred Drow teleporting to the moon, but that was enough for any force to contend with. This time the bombardment came from the moon, with craters opening up and Dueregar fighters swarming out of them. They were unlike anything that any living human had ever seen, although they had been seen a-plenty before the Drow had colonized Sch'Naggio. Most were piloted by the native roachlike species, and so they were slow and poorly piloted, which was a tactic onto itself, while the other ships, piloted by Dueregar dwarves, blended with the roach fighters.
"Yeh've done yerself wrong, talkin' to the Matron Queen's daughter like that," a Scottish-sounding voice told the Captain. The Dueregar and Roach fighters began to fire on the Atlas and its fighters.

"You're still here. If you have no quarrel with us, you will leave and forget you were ever here. And take your foes with you, unless you want us to salvage your crafts and use your own technology to enslave your planets and these pirates."
'However, if you wish to fight here, then you should know I get very little for my job, and if you want us to help you with your problem, we have little outside influence on our technology, and I wouldn't be surprised if our wizards and scientists would love to see your weapons. We need something to shoot at every ten years or so, anyway."

"Then hold your fire!" came the reply, "We can't get close to retrieve the pirates and their ship with your weapons still in play!"

OOC: Indeed, nothing to worry about. We all mess up once in a while.

The Cravanian commander piped up once more.

"Why are you so xenophobic? We stumbled upon you by accident, and without provocation you attack us. It would have been nice if you simply hailed us, and we would have left. But we don't take kindly to being fired upon for no reason."

He motioned to his com officer.

"Tell the cruisers and destroyers to concentrate fire on the moon. I think that's how they get some information, since I could have sworn . Have them launch the second wave of fighters to scout out that moon, and fire on anything they find. I want impulse bombs in our bombers."
"Aye, sir."

Three cruisers and two destroyers moved towards the moon, using their agility to avoid any fire which would come from the planet or the moon. They opened up with a barrage, blanketing the moon in fire as fighters launched to scout out possible enemy positions there. Meanwhile, the first wave which had struck the planetary positions returned from their mission, having failed to do anything more than scratch their shielding.

"I may have to deploy forces to the surface if this keeps up..."
"Well let's hope it doesn't amount to that."
"Sir, reinforcements will arrive in one hour."
"Thank God..."

He had barely paid any attention to the groups which had arrived in system. And he decided to make contact while waiting.

"Attention unidentified ships, this is the INS Atlas. Quite the show you put on taking down those pirates. Nice work if I do say so myself."

The last thing he wanted to do was make another enemy today...

"This is the Zoidian vessel G.F.S. Karpathia," responded the task force's commanding officer over the channel, "I thank you for your compliment, but we did nothing. They escaped the trap we had set for them elsewhere before the snare was complete. Those of the planet below disabled this pirate vessel. True, they let the other one get away in the confusion, but the Backdraft Group took a serious blow today, never-the-less."

"We're xenophobic because humans have infested the Galaxy and we want no part of it. They can destroy themselves by hurling themselves against greater and darker powers for all we care and when the time is right, we will be tehre to replace them. Also, I would advice against the tactics you have chosen to take against our investments on our moon. The Dueregar have it well fortified and are more protective of their home than we are. And they've got ships. Somewhere."
'In the meantime, I would suggest to you that you shut down your sensors and leave, You know we're here, so don't come back, and don't tell anyone we are here. And if you do, the wrath of the Drow shall be apon you sooner than you think. There is no reason for you to continue this fight, and you cannot win it. Swallow your pride, turn away, and forget everything. Or should we turn the energy up on our cannons?"

"We'll be sure to pass your concerns on to these humans, as you call them, if we encounter them," sent the task force commander in response, "And you are the ones needing to swallow your pride and egos. You can't remain hidden forever. One day, perhaps soon, a group that you won't be able to deal with will discover you.

"Though, do note, you are not the only Drow out here. While we haven't encountered them yet ourselves, we know they ply the stars out here as well as several other species."

((Wrong move. Ever wanted to see a Drow up close?))
The commander smiled.
"Have it your way. You think we're afraid? We'll show you how 'afraid' we are."
But there was no bombardment. A clearing opened on the surface. Magnificeint cities could be seen on the surface, many of them spider-shaped. Transporter beams could be scanned moving through this postion. Hundreds of them were sent to the moon, it seemed, but in truth the Drow transporters only made it seem that way. There were only about two hundred Drow teleporting to the moon, but that was enough for any force to contend with. This time the bombardment came from the moon, with craters opening up and Dueregar fighters swarming out of them. They were unlike anything that any living human had ever seen, although they had been seen a-plenty before the Drow had colonized Sch'Naggio. Most were piloted by the native roachlike species, and so they were slow and poorly piloted, which was a tactic onto itself, while the other ships, piloted by Dueregar dwarves, blended with the roach fighters.
"Yeh've done yerself wrong, talkin' to the Matron Queen's daughter like that," a Scottish-sounding voice told the Captain. The Dueregar and Roach fighters began to fire on the Atlas and its fighters.

"Damn!" yelled the task force commander over the air ways, "you guys are very touchy. Far too touchy if you want to surive in the modern intergalactic community! We may not be of the same nation and more than likely not of the same species as the crew of the Atlas, but we will defend them from your continued unprovoked attacks! If you want us to leave, fine, but continue to provoke both of our nations, and you'll have a full blown, two-way war on your hands! If you want to keep your location secret, that is something you shouldn't want, yet here you are trying to provoke one.

"NOW HOLD YOUR DAMN FIRE!!"

((OOC: I'm trying to make wrong moves, so that when the admiral shows up he relieves the guy due to incompetence and tries to get the Drow to submit to negotiations. :p Thereby opening relations, yadda yadda yadda...))

"Sir, fighters from the moon!"
"Are our own fighters away?"
"Aye, sir, they're leaving the hangars now."
"Good. Keep them away from the group, and try to support them with drone fire."
"Aye, sir."

R56 Talons launched from the hangar pods of the Atlas by the wing, moving to intercept the oncoming horde. They deftly maneuvered in and out of enemy fighters and fire, using the Talon's maneuverability to their advantage. Red bolts of plasma erupted from the three cannons on the Talon, while some let loose with concussion missiles.

At that moment, however, the cavalry arrived. With countless bright flashes, an assault group arrived to bolster the Atlas and her escorts. A twenty-one ship task force, headed by none other than the Legacy-class dreadnought Hraesvelgr, entered the system.

"Oh thank God...", McHenry whispered to himself. The sight of a seven kilometer long dreadnought raised his spirits somewhat... Until he recieved a transmission from them.

"Attention Commander McHenry, this is Admiral Cain. What the hell do you think you're doing? Are you trying to start a fucking war here?"

Many of the bridge crew were taken aback by the admiral's choice of words, which many would consider unbecoming of an officer of his rank. However, many brushed this aside as they watched the dogfight developing outside.

"Well... Uh, sir... I... Uh... I..."
"You are hereby relieved of command of the Atlas pending further investigation of your actions here today and a possible court marshal. You are to hand over command of the group to your XO immediately, and return to formation with the rest of the force. Recall your fighters immediately."

McHenry felt defeated... But what he didn't realise was he had left the com open this entire time. The residents on the planet below had heard every word.

"Aye, sir.", he said in an empty tone. He turned to his executive officer, and saluted him. "Colonel Mayborne, you are hereby in command of the INS Atlas."

Sad eyes greeted him as the colonel returned the salute.

"Thank you, sir."

He looked back out on the raging dogfight, wondering when he should recall the fighters.

One of the Zoidian corvettes dove between the Drow fighters and Cravan fighters while their was still several kilometers between them. Both flights of fighters would find themselves staring down the barrels of the ships turrets.

The commander of the Zoidian task force gave a simple message that was broadcast on all frequencies, on all channels, in standard:

Stand down now! If you force us, we will disable both groups of fighter craft.

You Drow who call this world home claim to want to be left alone. But if you continue to draw attention to yourselves like this, you'll draw all sorts of eyes towards you. Some friendly, most hostile.

As for you fighters from the Atlas, you are giving them exactly what they want. For a group that seemed to be as advanced as you are, I'm surprised you allowed them to provoke you like that!

All fighters will stand down and return to their launch points NOW!

Almost in sync with the ending of the broadcast, the Karpathia began swinging her turrets from the wounded pirate ship to point at the pre-determined points as they prepared to fire a warning salvo at the fighters if hostilies didn't cease.

"Recall the fighters now.", the newly appointed commander of the Atlas said in a choked voice.
"Aye, sir.", the com officer said. "All fighters, come on home. You've done yourselves proud."

Colonel Mayborne looked to his com officer.

"Open a channel with the Zoidians."
"Right away."

He cleared his throat, and straightened up.

"That won't be necessarry, friends. We're standing down, as per orders from my superiors. Hopefully these Drow will follow suit. If not... I fear the situation will escalate. Command won't allow a hostile government to continue to exist and have us just leave here empty handed..."

"Recall the fighters now.", the newly appointed commander of the Atlas said in a choked voice.
"Aye, sir.", the com officer said. "All fighters, come on home. You've done yourselves proud."

Colonel Mayborne looked to his com officer.

"Open a channel with the Zoidians."
"Right away."

He cleared his throat, and straightened up.

"That won't be necessarry, friends. We're standing down, as per orders from my superiors. Hopefully these Drow will follow suit. If not... I fear the situation will escalate. Command won't allow a hostile government to continue to exist and have us just leave here empty handed..."

Response:

"Understandable, but the youth are often irrational. Youngsters need time to grow and mature. They can't do that if a major battle is faught here that ends up attracting the attention of the undesiarables(sp?) that roam the space lanes, and I'm not talking about more pirates."

The fighters weren't as manuverable as they thought against teh more experienced Dueregar. Tehy did little flying, but before they had colonized teh planet, teh Drow had burned trails through the galaxy with the massive Drow ships and the Dueregar fighter pilots. Every Dueregar and Roach had to perform sims every week to prevent themselves from being rusted, as well, which usually led to magnificeint free-for-all Holo sims or team sims. But then the orders arrived. The Dueregar fighters withdrew, and quickly, but the Roach fighters were too stupid to realize their Dueregar commanders were leaving, as their orders were. It wasn't until threats to their genitals were made that they pulled back. The Drow commander hailed the Admiral's ship.

"It seems we have someone with some brains to deal with here now. I was almost lookign foreward to capturing the Captain, though, our warriors need some sport. And it seems like the lizard is out of the stall, now that you know we're here, and I would suspect simply telling you all to go away, never come back, and forget we were here wouldn't work anymore, now would it?"

"No, I doubt it would. The upper echelons of the Imperial government know about you now. Only time until some politician leaks this to the public.

"Now I know why we delegated Commander McHenry to this patrol route... We didn't expect him to run into anyone.

"In any case... Your own actions were not very commendable today. As I'm sure Commander McHenry said multiple times, a warning would have been enough to keep us away. But... The shit has pretty much hit the fan. And it hit hard."

He made sure that the fighters had all been withdrawn to the Atlas before continuing.

"Anyway, I have no intention of continuing this unnecessary bloodshed, since all it will lead to is more deaths for the both of us. But... I'm under orders to not leave here until we have confirmed a cease-fire, and they want me to pursue diplomatic relations. Your call on how we meet or where we meet. But I'm afraid it'll be awfully hard to get rid of me now after all this. Just tell me where to send these diplomats they stuck with me, and we should be fine..."

"We will not leave. It's too bright on your human ships. We will open a window for someone to come down to the planet and they can meet with my mother. And just so you know, I would have warned him had I recieved orders earlier to do so. Just following protocol. Be sure to tell my mother that."
Teh clouds opened up on the nighttime part of the planet. It caused a lot of pain for the people down below, but they knew what was going on. When anything happened, such as a murder, everyone knew about it on the Drow planet. It was hard to keep such secrets in a planet full of ambition. The legs of a city could be seen, along with thousands of farms all around it. One of teh Anti-Orbital Guns could be seen through the opening.

Continuing to monitor the back-and-foth banter between the Drow and the Cravan, the Zoidian task force commander made a decision. Having done so, he had a message broadcast to both sides.

The idea of diplomacy is good. We offer our survices as a neutral third-party mediator. We make this offer in hopes of preventing more gun-boat diplomacy as was almost demonstrated here today.

As for your fighter pilot's itchy trigger fingers, we are fine with launching practice drones for them to work their pent up stress out on. All you have but do is ask. This second offer also applies to both sides.

We also make a third offer. We can use the Karpathia as neutral ground to host the diplomatic negotiations. We can alter the lighting and other enviromental settings to accomadate(sp?) representatives from both sides. Of course, it will make matters easier on us if both of you are of species that are warm blooded oxygen breathers.

"No," the commander said, "You may be allowed as a mediator, if my mother permits it, but we cannot come aboard your ship. We would have to destroy it the moment the Matron Queen left, for your safety. She has many demons, all of which she can control in her own home. She cannot leave the Planet and only she can discuss such deals. To leave the planet would mean unleashing demons more powerful than you can imagine. I will relay your request to the Matron Queen, but I cannot garuntee she will say yes."
There was a silence until the commander informed them.
"She does not care for a third party. If the Cravan admiral wishes a third party, taht is his decision, She is neutral in this thought. Which means watch your step, else your heads will leave your necks while you on Sch'Naggio. Aliens are hard to find these days, and alien heads will go well on the street."

"You can mediate if you like. All I'm glad about is those diplomats are out of my hair."

He watched as a shuttle descended towards the planet, listening over the com as it requested permission to land and landing coordinates.

They were told to land in what seemed to be underground coordinates, but they followed them nonetheless. They landed in an underground hangar, where they were ordered to shut off all their lights. It was pitch black in the hangar, but two Drow Elves with dim flashlights were there to meet them.
"Wear these. They'll help you see like we do."
The diplomats were handed purple bracelets to wear.
"They won't tear your hand off or anything. Last human that came here we did give him one. He's on my wall now, so watch what you do here. Even the most inexperienced Drow warriors are more than a match for any human 'warrior'."
The bracelets let them see in the dark, and very well. Instead of red blurs like infravision on animals, details could be seen, even in the coldest of objects. The Drow Elves lit up like lightbulbs. They could see Drow Elves they wouldn't see if it were well-lit, and teh technology they had was impressive. They had a variety of Gauss technology, but they also had laser, Dracon, and Shredder beam weapons, each nasty enough to rip apart most kinds of personal armor and even armored vehicles. Many of the weapons couldn't be identified by any of them, and they could only guess that they caused a slow and otherwise painful death.

Or at least painful.

((OOC: Actually, my diplomats were a trio of my equivalent of Jedi Knights. ^_^ The admiral is still up in orbit, where he plans to stay.))

((Oh...Okay. Yeah, they might be able to contend with the warriors...They still wouldn't make it far. I'll edit.))

Response message:

Then we'll send our own represenatives down to you as well. We were involved here today and may be able to help you Drow remain hidden from other less benign outsiders.

We apologize, but this ship doesn't have any shuttles aboard and they must take one of our fighters down. We give you our word it won't be armed.

In the meantime, our destroyers and corvettes can take the pirates into custody.

As the four smaller Zoidian capital ships moved to intercept the drifting Twister I (OOC: I'm assuming you ceased fire, Valley), a ventral bay slid open on the Karpathia. As she was designed for combat, and not exploration, she was equipped with a fighter hanger. Thus, the Zoidian delegates were taking one of her FSA-040 Thunderstar class (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b91/SeaQuest_Sim/Schematics/Planet%20Zi/strikassltcraft_thunderstar.jpg) strike/assault crafts down.

As the small craft departed the bay, her wings slid foward and into cruise position. Equipped with the new reactionless engines, this fighter's engines created a soft blue glow that was easy on the eyes, even if they had evolved in darkness.

Approaching the atmosphere, landing clearance and co-ordinates were requested from the Drow flight control. If the Drow bothered to initiate a scan, they would note that her external mounts had been loaded with extra fuel pods and cargo pods instead of weapons and her internal ammo bays were empty.

"Did you know I hate you?" The Ship said through the remote Drone, which regarded Kofel (Who was laying on the lounge quite lazily.

"Yet you lodged a request to keep me on your ship," Kofel said, laughing. "Funny way to show hate."

"Nothing was ment to happen," Came the simple reply. "Ment to be compleat and utter bordem for you"

"Well that failed!" Lith growled as she shoved Kofel off the couch. "Can we go greet them now?"

"Fine..." Kofel said, considering his nails. "But I gotta go down onto the planet."

"Sure thing, I got a uniform for you ready."

=-=-=

"Not a hope!" Kofel said, looking in a section of mirror field at his reflection. He had adjusted himself a bit, he was taller, but his skin was darker and his hair lighter. If done right, he could pass himself off as a drow (Minus the evil sunlight stuff). Well, he could pass himself off as drowish anyway, his skin was still to light, and his hair was still blond. But, it would pass. But the problem was his clothing, which was a bright lilac.

"Ship...this is going to hurt them!" he said, looking at the outfit.

"Fine," there was a slight glow, and Kofel was wearing the loose fitting pants, knee high boots, a deep red coat and a broad brimmed hat.

"Now...thats cool!" Kofel said, admiring himself, he sort of looked at himself with an expression of how you doin?.

"I would like to point out now your not the ambassador," the ship said simply. "Your his guard."

"Even better, that means I get a gun!" Kofel said. "What we going for here? Low tech I suppose?"

"Yes, selection is on your right." Kofel immidietly turned, studying each weapon before choosing an impressive looking sword and a large pistol. He hoisted the two, before checking them.

"So what are these ones?" Kofel said, looking up and Lith and winking. "A piece of metal and a projectile pistol?"

"Meat, what do you take me for?" the Ship said, feigning shock. "I am sending you to a god damn society of warriors. The Sword has an energy field it can activate, and the gun is a Plasma Gun"

"Fun, so who am I protecting?"

"Him..." the ship said, pointing to a humanoid Machine.

"Holy shi...is that you Maris?" Lith said, looking at him. A static crackle, and the machine spoke.

"Is this low tech enough you bastard?" a simple response, directed at the ship.

"Perfect..."

=-=-=

The ship hit the system, speeding up before slowing right down. Any sensors would show a vessel comming in very slowly, which dropped out of Grid-Space letting loose all kind of emmitions. It would be immidietly visable to anyone in the system, if not for that, then for the message it was broadcasting, on several bands, in several forms.

*Open_Transmission/Identity_Info*
*Encoding=N/A*
*Origin_Point=GEV_Crossing_the_Line*
*Delivery_Point=In_System_People*
*Subject=Dont_Shoot*
*Body_Begins:~Hi!
~I am the General Exploration Vessel Crossing the Line, from the Confederacy of Naggeroth. We where in the area and noticed a fight, so decided to see what was happening here.
~The Fight seems to be over, but something intresting, hows diplomacy got for an idea here? If so, where's the best place to meet? If we are having some sort of gathering, then I would be happy to send my representatives.
~Please don't shoot though, I would prefere to stay macrosopic please.*
*Transmission Closed*

"Could you have made yourself seem any more gay?" Kofel said, Lith nodded in agreement.

"Hm...oh well," he said, smiling. "shall put it down to random file mutation,and get better in the next transmission, hows that?"

"Run it through us before you send it," Lith said.

"Maybe I can go down without looking like I am working for a feminit." Kofel said, smiling.

"Shut up you."

Naggeroth-
"MORE? There's MORE of these people out there in our system? Ugh, whatever. One more wouldn't hurt..."
Explorer ship:
You have permission to send ONE representitive to our planet. We will leave the window open for you. Don't cause trouble and watch your step. You will land at [coordinates].
Zi-
The Drow didn't care if it was armed. If the fighter tried anything, it would simply be shot down by the AAVST system. The fighter landed in the same underground hangar, where they were given the same kind of purple bracelets to wear, unless they had some other natural way of seeing in the dark.
"Do what you will with the pirates, they're not our concern. Should they try to land on our planet, I'm sure some warrior will find theirheads on his wall."

"I will not need it, but thank you.", the lead man said, covered by his cloaks. All of the diplomats were fully covered, anything on their person concealed. "There are more ways to see than visually. I appreciate the gesture, though."

((You said tehy were effectively Jedi, right? If so, they can sense the Force.))
"Suit yourself," the Drow told the diplomat, "But there are things here that even the most powerful people can't spot, many of them being our own warriors. But the Royal Gaurd is enough to protect you."
He smiled.
"Of course, you can't exactly trust them, either."
He led them to the Throne room, where he was stopped by a Drow with peculiar markings on his face. The diplomats could sense that the Dark Side was strong with him. They spoke in their native tongue, and the man leading them smiled.
"The Matron Queen is dead. She was very old, and took after many of the older ideas. Which effectively makes me the Matron King. My legal Patron is the next in line, and she's got a more...Open mind than her predecessor. I don't know how long everything will take, it could be hours, it could be weeks. You may stay here in the palace, if you'd like, where the Royal Gaurd will keep watch on you, or you may choose to venture into the city. I wouldn't advise that. Be careful while you're here, you're always in danger here. If you wish you may come to see Alyae's coronation. You would be the first humans to ever see it. Feel lucky you have the chance."

((OOC: Yep, they are Jedi. Only difference is the name, since they aren't official members of the Jedi Order, and instead are the Imperial Knights. Name is the only difference between them and Jedi.))

"We would be most delighted to attend the coronation.", the lead one said. "We may venture into the city from time to time, though. We are a curious type after all.", he said with a smirk. He did, however, give a serious look to both of his companions. They had felt it, too.

"In any case, I believe I was too rude to give myself a formal introduction. I am Master John Nachille, and my companions are Knights Garret Kalson and Carson Diggs.", he said, motioning to those accompanying him. They bowed slightly out of respect when he mentioned their name.

*Snip*
Zi-
The Drow didn't care if it was armed. If the fighter tried anything, it would simply be shot down by the AAVST system. The fighter landed in the same underground hangar, where they were given the same kind of purple bracelets to wear, unless they had some other natural way of seeing in the dark.
"Do what you will with the pirates, they're not our concern. Should they try to land on our planet, I'm sure some warrior will find theirheads on his wall."

Upon landing, the the Zoidians first did a quick scan to make sure the local atmosphere was compatable with their physiologies and biologies. Also, to prevent cross-contamination of the microscopic kind, they activated personel shields before exiting the craft. If this had been a ship-to-ship transfer, such procedures wouldn't have been needed as it would have been a more sterile affair.

Once their feet touched the ground, the accepted the purple bracelets, as a sign of respect to their hosts, even though they were superfluous. One didn't exactly sit around doing nothing when you've been as isolated from the universe proper as the Zoidians have, and thus the glints of metal on their temple weren't fashion statements but a device that linked directly to their neural network and provided a whole host of features and functions. One of which was a pretty decent low-light vision mode that kept things in true color instead of the green hue everything got in the night vision mode.

Noting the Craven party (OOC: Assuming you put us down near each other (and it doesn't sound like they traveled that far from their craft), but if I'm wrong, let me know and I'll edit this post), the Zoidian trio, their sidearms, the only identifiable item they carried as per standard protocal along with a few other items it was doubtful either the Drow or the Craven would recognize, swinging in their holsters, strode over to join the party.

They got there in time to hear the Craven introductions. Patiently, they waited for their turn to speak.

OOC: Adding a touch of what would happen in RL if species native to different planets met on the same planet, well, at least what is predicted to happen (the bit about cross contamination of possible diseases (unless you follow the school of one specie's bugs can't 'stomach' it in another species not native to the world), for example).

Response Message:

Acknowledge and understood. We'll make sure that none descend to bother you.

The Zoidian task force finished forming up around the Twister I. While the Karpathia stood guard in case the pirates tried something, the corvettes and destroyers slid alongside and docked with the damaged battleship.

"I am Hatchavin Melith, Patron and lover of the Matron Queen, Alyae Arkenep. And welcome to the Drow City-Planet of Sch'Naggio. Mind the roaches, we've got REALLY big ones," he said with a laugh, leading them to their rooms, "But if any of them bother you, don't be afraid to cut their heads off. They breed more than Goblins."
Hatchavin noticed the Zoidians.
"Of course, you are welcome to join, as well. But you should be extra careful, we've never met your kind before, so your heads will be worth even more. Some of our wizards and scientists will want to study you, but I'll have them refrain from dissecting you or the more gruesome tests."
He shuddered at bad memories.

"Lieutenant Colonel Evan Periz at your service," replied the leader of the Zoidian trio, "This is Lieutenant Jules Mason and Commander Rachel Sampson," he continued as he introduced the others.

Looking around, he added, "As I'm sure you would probably like us to leave your in peace as soon as possible, the sooner we get things done the faster we can leave you alone then."

OOC: Sorry about the short post, but I couldn't think of what else to put.

Hatchavin smiled.
"Alyae is much different than Jhaelaste. I'm sure that she will welcome your ships to stay as long as you need to. We've been planning for Jhaelaste's death to open a new era for teh Drow. One in which we're not so secretive. Like I said to Master Nachnille, Jhaeleste's death makes your job easier."
Of course, it was easy to suspect that Hatchavin and his wife had something to do with the Queen's death, but such an investigation would prove fruitless. Jhaeleste was old, and her body had become frail from fighting back disease and greater powers, not to mention the stress of running a planet. Nonetheless, Hatchavin's ambition in this situation was all too evident.

"Indeed it does.", he said with a chuckle.

One would notice his eyes would never stop moving, and although seemingly calm and relaxed, it was obvious he was on edge and ready for anything.

"If you need anything, call for Mournrar. He's the lad I had assigned to you. He won't look you in the eyes, but he's also my son, so he can easily defeat any attackers you might have. Don't be afraid to use his services or give him a good kick every once in a while. In fact, if you don't you'll spoil him. He's used to getting whipped by his sister and suddenly having no punishment would be too much for his little brain. But tell him a good story or two, he'll like that," he told the Cravan delegates. He turned to the Zoidian moderators.
"As for you, you'll have double gaurds, as you're more at risk than they. Ril-Avayas is my sister's son. She's got him pretty broken, so be careful with him. As I said, don't be afraid to use his services, but he needs a break, the poor kid."

"We are far more capable than looks would imply," responded Evan while holding a quick, relatively speaking, conversation with the two other Zoidians over the Links (OOC: Those little, curved bits of medal on their temples that also let them see in the dark. Just another one of the many neat functions it can do), "Though, if the guards will put your mind at ease, then assign them as you will."

"Ril-Avayas will find we are far more intersting than his sister," added Rachel.

"And less violent," chimed in Jules, "at least when not provoked.

"Now, would you mind if I accessed your computer systems? I would like to learn about your culture so we can be prepared when the meeting takes place and not make any mistakes that could prove harmful to relations between our nations."

((They're both males.))
"Our books are much more detailed, but if you wish, I'll have a computer moved to your room. Your implants should work with our VR system. Of course, you're bound to find a Mage more interested in your own, so expect to spend more time doing that than researching ours. Just don't give them your location, else he might send powers against you that no being should encounter," he told them.

"If he asks for a good story, I have a couple left over. I do appreciate the hospitality. Most worlds I'm sent to involve running through miles of underground tunnels or sewers and fighting God knows what on the way... Although I hope I don't speak too soon."

"In my experience as a Drow, you probably are," Hatchavin said, his smile growing even larger.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, if I crack any more jokes I'm going to explode."
And he did, bursting into laughter as he left. Two Drow boys, one at a slight hunch, appeared, their eyes firmly stuck on the ground. Mournrar walked up to the Cravanite delegates and said something in his own tongue, which was, in fact, a curse aimed towards humans.

"Well you don't have to be so rude. You could at least insult me to my face.", Nachille said with a wide smirk on his face. He didn't know exactly what the Drow had said, but he could sense through the Force it had been an insult of some sort.

"I didn't whisper it," the boy said, and then he flinched, as if expecting to be beaten, but it didn't happen. He spoke again, still flinched, "And I don't know how to say it in human."
Which, of course, was a lie.

"You don't have to lie around me. It won't work. And don't flinch. I'm not going to hit you."

He looked upon the Drow with sympathetic eyes, but then decided against such a thing. The last thing this drow needed was to be pitied.

Mournrar grumbled. He knew he would get soft from this assignment...
"Whatever you wish," he said, as he was told to do by his older sister.

"Well... I believe I'd like to see some of the city. How about you boys?"

His companions nodded in agreement, and Nachille looked to the Drow before him.

"Would you mind taking us around the city for a bit?"

"I'm not allowed to leave the House or the Palace without my weanmother," he told them, "Or, in this case, you. I don't know the city very well, but I know someone who does. He's old, but capable. I would suspect he's in his house. I know the way."
Mournrar led them to a balcony, followed by the Royal Gaurds, where several disks descended for them. Mournrar and the gaurds stepped onto them, except one. He turned and kneeled as the Drow with teh strange markings on his face approached them.
"I never thought I'd see another Force-user for another decade at least, save for my apprentices. I hear you are in search of a guide. May I join you?" he said. Mournrar took a deep breath.
"I am Houndril, legal patron of the late Matron Queen. Would you mind a Dark Jedi showing you the city? I assure you, you're quite safe with me."

Master Nachille's eyes widened, along with his companions.

"I knew I felt the Dark Side in you when we arrived... I will allow you to accompany us. But I will be watching you. And closely."

He and his companions followed along as they waited to venture out into the city.

"Only because that's the only form of the Force that can survive here," Houndril explained, stepping onto a disk. As they floated upwards, he explained everything.
"The Drow are ambitious. I was trained to be a wizard when I was young, but then we encountered Jedi. I am a Noble of one of the lesser houses, and my sister was a wealthy merchant. We booked passage aboard a passenger liner, where a Jedi and his padawan were on the ship, as well. A classic tale, really. the ship is attacked by Pirates and the Jedi cut them down after the surprise attack. But for teh first time in five years I looking up and watched them fight, not caring about the beatings I would recieve or the pain from the lights. But then they were approached by the leader of the pirates and the Jedi used his Mind Trick. I was intruiged. That's what got me interested. I tried to join the Jedi Order, but my heritage and the enviroment I grew up in made me too dark, but I still wanted to learn the Force. Later, a Dark Jedi visited the city on Earth before it was raided. He took me in as his apprentice. I learned everything he could teach me."
He smiled.
"The ways of the Dark Jedi would flourish here. But I still wish I could have taken the path of light. The Dark Jedi are paranoid and hate the Jedi. I know better than to follow such fear and paranoia."

"I see... Quite interesting, actually. I must say... You are the first one who follows the dark path who is open minded like this... I am impressed."

He was silent for a few miniutes, but then looked back to him with another question.

"If you do not mind me asking, do you and your apprentices use lightsabers?"

He nodded and held up a lightsaber.
"We're not always accepted by the warriors because we don't use ranged weapons like other modern warriors, but my apprentices and I have proven ourselves on numerous occasions."
The disks arrived at the surface, which was lighter than below, but still too dark to see with the naked eye.
"I must ask: What was it like training as a Jedi? I never had the chance to meet one after I was rejected, and it's always been a dream to have an idea on what it was like. Tell me, what was the Academy like?"

"Well... Officially I am not of the Jedi Order. I am an Imperial Knight, which is an order of Knights Cravanian Jedi created when Cravan went into deep isolation after the Great Exodus from Earth over two-hundred years ago. They did replicate the training as closely as possible, so I did feel what it was like. And I believe they created the Enclave in the image of the Temple, but I've never been in the Temple itself.", he replied, hoping to satisfy the Drow's questions. "The training, though? A long and very difficult process. But it is very rewarding as well."

As he followed the Drow Dark Jedi, he had thoughts of making a proposition to him. But he decided to keep it in his head for the moment.

((I'm going to take a shower at 8:00 Arizona time, in about 7 minutes.))
"Ah, I understand. I was hoping you could describe it to me so it would entice me to find it. But no, by not telling me you have made my wish to see it that much greater by putting me so close to it, and yet so far. Thank you," Houndril said. They passed by a very tall tower, taller than any skyscraper ever built on Earth.
"The Great Wizarding Tower. If you thought our Orbital Guns were powerful, this tower is even greater. The Lich Xun'ree Arkenep, the wizard who was once the Matron Queen's father, dwells up there. He is what keeps the sky eternally dark for us. His powers are endless and there are hundreds of wizards working under him in that tower, probably thousands. He blessed my studies of the Force whe I convinced my master to come here and see what the Drow are like. He thoroughly enjoyed the trip, I must say."

The trio of Jedi marvelled at the tower, but Nachille seemed distracted. After a while of walking, he asked Houndril a simple question.

"Would you like to accompany myself and my companions on a trip back to the Enclave? It'd at least give you a taste of the Jedi ways."

He knew that Houndril was not truly evil... He could feel it. Tainted, yes, but evil? No... Nachille had seen many forms of evil in his life. And this was not one.

((In DnD I would have made him Chaotic Evil, but only 'cause he's a Drow.))
"You truely came at a good time," Houndril said, smiling. Suddenly, he sensed something eminating from the tower. It was an evil power, but not a manevolent one.
"The Lich is celebrating this day," he explained. A giant demonlike form sprouted from the tower, spreading spiders all over the city as its wings unfolded. The spiders landed and grew to a gigantic size and the scurried off. Houndril shuddered.
"I don't really like spiders very much."

"I didn't mind them until my experiences in the crystal caves on some fringe world I can't even remember. They are some nasty beasts out there."

Nachille shuddered as well, having felt the evil from the tower. He tried to keep his mind off of it, continuing on with Houndril.

"Come, there is more to see," Houndril said. He noticed a particular woman and he kneeled before her, as the other Drow did. She looked at them and recognized Houndril and nodded and went on her way.
"Courtesy to kneel before important nobles," he explained, "That is T'rissal Melith, one of the most powerful Nobles on the planet. A hero of the Burning Trail. Also a mass murderer of several colonies when humans were leaving Earth. But even humans should acknowledge her deeds. If it weren't for her we would all be slaves to the human race. And Hatchavin. Both of them will be returning to their positions as Admiral once we have our fleets ready, and I assure you, we will."
They continued and stopped at a great crashed ship.
"The Spider Web. There was once a great battle around Sch'Naggio. The Final Battle, as many call it. Others call it the Great Battle, the Great Failure, or simply the Battle. Its history is complicated. It was a wonderful manuver by Hatchavin. We had made a treaty with the humans and part of it stated that whatever planet we landed on would be ours and never to be touched by the human coalition. The coalition is long gone, so we can't hit you with it in the meeting," he said with a smile, "But in a battle between a coalition fleet and the Second Fleet over this planet, Hatchavin crashed-landed his ship in that very spot. He lost most of the crew and nearly died himself. But the treaty was clear and the Coalition could do nothing. Soon, the rest of our fleets arrived. We pounded the planet with nuclear weapons and created a radioactive blanket after Hatchavin adn the survivors had created teh proper shelter. It created the radiation that is maintained today which allows us to cast our spells without them blowing up in our face."

"I've heard ramblings about such things. I imagine we left before you really became mighty, though, since we have no official records of your existence. Then again, that might just be someone who doesn't want us to know."

Nachille and his apprentices continued to follow along, taking in the sights of the world. So far they had had a pleasant stay...

((They're both males.))
"Our books are much more detailed, but if you wish, I'll have a computer moved to your room. Your implants should work with our VR system. Of course, you're bound to find a Mage more interested in your own, so expect to spend more time doing that than researching ours. Just don't give them your location, else he might send powers against you that no being should encounter," he told them.

OOC: My bad. The violent sister was with the one assigned to the Craven's as guide. Should I edit that post, or leave it as is?

IC: "Technically," Rachel said removing her Link, "They aren't implants," brushing her hair to the side and putting it back in place, "I'm not an engineer, so I don't know the technobabble on how they work. I do know, however, that its part of a system that also includes nanites and our own neural system."

"With the Links," Jules added, "we no longer have the need for hard displays.

"Though this," he cranes his neck and moves some hair to the side revealing a data port, "is an implant. That and my Link come in handy in my line of work."

"Why not just bring a computer for Jules and some books for Rachel and myself," suggested Evan, "Jules can hook-up with the computer and create a translation patch we can use to be able to understand your written language.

"As for this Mage thing, you'll have to explain that in more detail, if you don't mind."

"You know," Rachel said, "if its all right you you," she looks at Hatchavin in inquiry, "I could show your nephew some self defense moves."

OOC: Assume that Rachel's question was asked before he left. Don't you just love Fluid Time, lol.
Oh, and sorry about the delay, I've been a little busy today.

[ooc: Phew, this is getting hard to keep up, ah well, Not to matter]

The ship didn't send a return message, just let loose the Cylinder shaped shuttle. Muttering about the drow being so rude ("...One person indeed,") The ship had needed to modify its plan, it needed to let Kofel down,("We will never hear the end of it Ship," Lith had said) but it also didn't trust him to handle negotiations. In the end, it had ended with simply attaching the small drone to part of Kofel's outfit.

The ship could direct Kofel what to say via the Neural network, but there was no security then. With the small Drone (Personal Defence Device: Knife Missile to be exact) so close to his major organs, he would think twice before fuckng up relations. The drone rated about .5 on the Intelligence Scale, so it wasn't aware of its existane in any true form.

Didn't stop Kofel from trying to talk to it.

"So...got any friends?" Kofel asked the little missile attached to its neck.

"Answer: Negative" came a curt reply.

"Can I fire the gun in here?" he asked, looking at the Plasma Gun in his hand.

"Sure, if you want to die," the ship burst through the communications. Kofel jumped.

"Shit ship don't do that," he said simply.

"Then don't think about firing that god damned gun," the annoyed reply. "I like SC-3, its been around for a while."

"Its also no more then a limb." Lith's voice came over.

"I knew giving you access to this channel was a bad idea," The Ship said.

"Yes Ship, it was" Kofel said. "Now she can still talk to me,"

"hey!" Lith said, shocked. "I am not that bad"

"No, your not," Kofel said. "But after sharing a bunk with you for a month and a half..."

"Point taken, I am shutting up." she said apologetically.

"How long till I get there?" Kofel said.

"About now."

=-=-=

The Cylindrical ship had meanwhile slowly been decending into the atmosphere, it came to rest in the same hanger as the other two [ooc: Hopefully this is fine, if not I will edit]. it landed on one of the flat surfaces, and a door like object appeared half way up, which would have been 25 meters off the ground, and began to decend on nothing. (Incorrect, he was walking down on a field intended to appear he was walking on nothing.) It looked impressive.

"Hello!" he said in basic. He could have checked the air, but he was wearing a Gel-Suit, 1-mili-meter thick. He looked rather like a really tall Drowish guy, he could probably pass himself off as something...

-Naggeroth-
"What the HELL are you wearing?" the gaurd asked, "You look stupid as an orc, take that thing off. No, you look dumber than a Roach. I hope you can breathe OXYGEN?"
((Sorry, that was just too hard to resist.))
-Zi-
"Sure. All the books you want, just don't wake up the librarian. He may use a sword, but he's still a Drider, so you don't want to screw with him. It's down this hall. As for your computer, it'll be here shortly."
-Cravan-
"Probably the latter. The war was an embarrasment on both sides. Many lives were lost. We were chipped down to a thousandth of our size after the war. A mighty empire with over five billion Drow was chopped down to a mere five million. We've grown since then."
They went only a bit farther and then he stopped again. The Drow could see this building, but the humans couldn't.
"This is the Council Chamber. It was made invisible to non-Drow, Roach, or Dueregar for security purposes, so most humans and most aliens can't see it. I assure you, though, it's magnificeint, don't doubt that."
They went along further and Houndril explained the presence of teh Roaches.
"They're actually called Skrit Na. They have a small degree of intelligence and were on the verge of learning to blow themselves up when we nuked the planet. They've got a higher resistance to radiation than even we do, and our underground caverns were filled with it. We've figured out how to simulate and prolong the radiation here on the planet, so long visits by species who don't have our resistance isn't a good idea. Anyway, the Skrit, as you've seen, are huge, many-armed bugs. They're the dumber of the two, which is an accomplishment on their part. After about twenty years the Skrit makes a cocoon and produces a smarter, stronger, faster, and less ugly Na. Both Skrit and Na can reproduce, but we control both through selective breeding and *other* methods. After we colonized the planet we enslaved them. they make good meat shields in battle and are more than willing to do what we tell them to. We're not sure if they mind their enslavement or not."

The Gel-Suit (Worn under the clothes) peeled off into a small glob and floated off, ("...eed to be rude..." it muttered as it did.)

"Of corse I can," he said, smiling. "The Gel suit is simply a precaution, while I could scan inside your city to see if your cities are sealed, but thats rude correct?

Anyway, ignoring my now departed counter-part, lets get a move on, we got things to see, people to defend against, fun to be had in the slums." he smiled. "Who is up for going into the slums and insulting someones mother."

He looked at the blank faces and sighed. "I am of corse joking, so tell me, got anyone I can test my steel against? Corse its not steel...but you know what I mean. Makes no sense if I say "Can I test my Peroxide Magnesium or Carbon Chloride..."

=-=-=

"Remind me why we sent him" the ship said, watching the screens.

"I am simply trying to work out how he called your message gay..." Lith said, before bursting out laughing.

"Well... No enslaved species I know of enjoys being enslaved. But then again, insect species tend to not be the smartest species around. They may not even realise they're enslaved."

*Snip*
-Zi-
"Sure. All the books you want, just don't wake up the librarian. He may use a sword, but he's still a Drider, so you don't want to screw with him. It's down this hall. As for your computer, it'll be here shortly."
*Snip*

OOC: Excluding what I've read in this thread, I know nothing about the 'canon' Drow, so you'll have to do some explaining of some things when I ask. All right?
Though, I am aware of the origin of the Skrit Na species and where its canon from. If you wish to confirm that I'm correct, TG me and I'll TG you back with my suspected answer.
Oh, and I'm waiting for a response to Rachel's inquiry about showing Ril-Avayas some self-defense moves.

IC: "English, while a popular language in the universe, so much that's it become the Universal Standard, pretty much, is still an ineffecient language," said Jules, "that I'm surprised you Drow still use it. Of course, the fact you do simplifies matters of translation, but most species I know of prefer to use their own language."

Rachel stood quietly awaiting an answer to her inquiry. Evan snorted and rolled his eyes at Jules little knowledge gathering bend. Jules was one who tended to state his mind on things and the other two Zoidians knew it. It was one of the reasons he had been assigned to the group, so as to round out the trio.

-Zi-
"Our entire population was once on Earth," Hatchavin reminded Jules, "So we had to learn human tongues. We still teach them to our young ones. I, personally, am flunet in over three hundred human dialects and numerous alien languages, not to mention races from our own plane of exsistance."
-Naggeroth-
"Even if any of us here held back in a practice fight, you would probably wind up dead anyways," the gaurd told him, "And insulting anyone's mother here will probably wind up getting you killed. Or lynched."
He smiled.
"Of course I'd like to see you tortured and stuffed. But then I'd lose my job. And my essence of being."
-Cravan-
"We're pretty sure they know they're slaves, but we've found evidence that their ancestors didn't come from this planet, so many scholars would argue taht they thought they've been slaves even before we came here, and we're just the physical beings that reap the rewards of their labors. Skrit don;t have many nerve endings, anyway."

((I'll just wait until I get to the meeting or some fighting or something, since I'm running out of conversation ideas for our guys. :p ))

((Houndril hasn't talked to another Force-User for the last two hundred years other than his own apprentices. He'll show you to a bar and they can talk about the Force. He knows a few good bars, owning several of them.))

-Zi-
"Our entire population was once on Earth," Hatchavin reminded Jules, "So we had to learn human tongues. We still teach them to our young ones. I, personally, am flunet in over three hundred human dialects and numerous alien languages, not to mention races from our own plane of exsistance."
*Snip*
OOC: I'm with Craven. Kind of at a dead end for IC stuff at the moment. Still, I'll do my best with what I've got.
Though, I can offer a modified version of the Link technology to allow your Drow to see normally in any light (kind of like the way I'm having my characters use it to see in the dark), Valley.

IC: "These humans," said Rachel, "must be quite prolific to have so many different dialects.

"Earth, I've heard of, as its the homeworld, or the world of origin, for many nations we know of. Though, we Zoidians have never set foot on Earth's soil or in the star system its located in."

"Bit over-confident arn't we?" Kofel said, smiling. "You don't even know what I am, so please don't go judging a book by its cover." He bowed, looking up and smiling. "It so happens, I am probably a better swordsman then you my dear boy"

There was likely no joke in that statement, Kofel wasn't anything of a true warrior, (Unlike someone like say...Zekazal or Aminstrov, the former humanoid, the other Drone). But he had done a self defence corse, as all Exploration Section members where forced. There was also the hidden fact of the Drug-Glands, which where able to provide various stimulants or mixtures.

"It probably wouldn't do to kill a man in my first few moments, want to go to first blood?" he smiled. "Or even first tag, or would you not wish to loose to a mear human? Its fine, I should probably be moving on anyway, correct? Where too for the treaties and such?"

=-=-=

"Did he even read those reports?" the ship almost screamed. "Their not fucking having the talks yet!"

"I am not pointing out why you should have sent me" Lith said, looking over, Manis on the other side shifted slightly in the air, a shrug.

"Your too Alien," the drone said simply. "He is humanoid, and he set himself up to look more like them."

"But he is doing so...badly," She said, looking on in almost shock.

"Not for long," the ship mentioned.

=-=-=

~Cut it out, now! came the voice in Kofel's head, sharp and painful

-Aw Come on...this is fun, he sent bad pleding. There was no appeal. He felt a press on his chest.

~"The Fastest way to a Man's Heart is through his chest" the ship quoted. ~look where my Knife Missile is. Shape up, at least try to be serious about this.

-Fine...I will as soon as they reply, but if they offer can I duel them?

~If you wish, you can offer, just please don't force me to use the Missile's fields...

-Deal.

"You know," Kofel said, looking at those before him. "Perhaps we could go for a little bout, first blood, just for fun, since your waiting for someone to be crowned." he laughed, looking at the other ships. "Invite the other guests...we could make a little show out of it. "Human beaten by Loyal Drow!" or something similar." he laughed some more. "Unless your scared."

((A self-defense class versus centuries of experience...Hm...))
The Drow smiled.
"Right here and now."
Another gaurd, hwo kept an ancient but deadly blade on his person at all times, let him make use of his blade.
"By the way, this blade is enchanted. Should I strike you, spiders will spawn from the wound. I've seen him kill with it. It's thoroughly nasty," he said with a grin, "You made the challenge, so you get to make the first move."
OOC: Zi, we would probably kill you for making that offer.
IC
"That's good. Humans have sent their planet to hell after we left from what we've heard before the Battle. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a lot to do for the coronation."
Hatchavin left the Zoidians with the Royal Gaurds standing bored but attentive.
OOC: Until the coronation, we'll just have the Zoidians read up on the Drow and Houndril will just discuss teh Forrce with Cravan's diplomats and we'll ahve teh coronation after the fight ends.

((A self-defense class versus centuries of experience...Hm...))
*Snip*
OOC: Zi, we would probably kill you for making that offer.
IC
"That's good. Humans have sent their planet to hell after we left from what we've heard before the Battle. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a lot to do for the coronation."
Hatchavin left the Zoidians with the Royal Gaurds standing bored but attentive.
OOC: Until the coronation, we'll just have the Zoidians read up on the Drow and Houndril will just discuss teh Forrce with Cravan's diplomats and we'll ahve teh coronation after the fight ends.

OOC: TBH, IMHO, one is never to old to learn.
Oh, and just thought I should let you know a little tid-bit on my guys. Zoidians may look human-ish, but evolved on an entirely sepearte planet and thus have some genetic based differences (like some abnormal, for humans, nautural hair colors (like a Zoidian with natural green hair, for example)). Telepathy is also common (more powerful in some) and is only enhanced by the Links, and other mental abilities also show up. Thats only a slight sample of the differences.

IC: The Zoidans watched Hatchavin's back for a few moments as he walked off. When the books and computer arrived, Rachel helps Jules plug into the computer so he could start work on the text translation program for the books. Evan, in the meanwhile, got to work keeping in shape with some Jolan practice.

OOC: I'm assuming they are in their 'rooms', but correct me if I'm wrong, Valley.

OOC: Alright by me.

"I must say, Houndril, for a Dark Jedi, you aren't very... Well, Dark. I know you said you don't hate the Jedi and understand them... But usually those tainted by the Darkness are inherently, well, evil... You seem more of a Gray Jedi to me... You may use the Dark, but you are not selfish and greedy. At least from what I can see. You may be tainted, but not truly Dark.

"Then again I've known you for a few hours. I've been wrong many times before.", he said with a slight smile.

When dealing with someone who had been through a Confederacy Self Defence corse, one would have to realise that those who trained did not do so lightly. When the Confederacy says "We are going to teach you to defend yourself", they actually mean something to the effect of...

"We are going to teach you how to defend against every alien we have ever seen, including fully aware AI. We are then going to make up a few bigger, badder nastier ones to throw you against, and once you can defend yourself against them, you passed the corse."

Hence, while Kofel may not have had the experiance the drow had, he had ability, and touching in on the subject of skill, a standard fighter had several more objects avalible to him then your standard humaniod.

Such as Drug Glands.

Which was what Kofel was using while the drow talked about the weapon. He secreated a dose of Shit Quick, and as the drow mumbled on, reality seemed to slow.

Hence, when he attacked, the human eye might see a blur, before they felt the punch in the stomach (several moments after they where actually wounded). Not to say a Drow couldn't keep up, but the man who was already as good as a humanoid could be after genetic tampering was being Beefed up by a Drug Dose.

"You Know," he said as his blade flashed out, aiming for the stomach. "I wasn't planning for this to be to the Death, but if you really want it to be."

=-=-=

~Ship...your going to stop that thing from hitting me right?

-Yes Kofel, it comes near you I will do the work with the field myself, you will look like it cut you, but it will be me.

~Damn bastard not understanding First blood fights.

-You know...I did tell you not to start anything, but you wouldn't listen.

~Ok, fight time.

((This work for you?))
But teh Drow was smarter than that. He could smell the drug being used as he was talking about the blade, as Drow senses are much better than most races. As his opponent moved into deliver his series of punches to his stomach, the Drow warior was a blur, as well. The Drow was incredibly fast, but he wasn't faster than Kofel. He took a hit to the side, but the pain or the hit was insuffecient inough to cause any damage or pain, as he was fully armored, as well. He struck down with the enchanted blade and with his otehr hand, a small dagger was hidden inside his palm. Kofel was able to dodge the enchanted blade, but the dagger struck his shoulder (Or the Ship.)
"I told you whjat might and what I want to happen. I did not tell you what would happen. I believe the deal was first blood, and I see my dagger thoroughly stuck in your shoulder. You are indeed a formidable fighter. Against a lesser drow you might have stood a chance, even off of your little drug trip."
He handed the enchanted sword back to its owner.
"I will show you to your room. You are, of course, invited to teh coronation, as well as the others."
He winced briefly. He did not realize that he, in fact, lost teh fight. He was bleeding, but not externally. The hit had been harder than he thought: His kidney was bleeding profusely.
-Cravan-
"I am a male Drow. I have to put up with such hatred and distrust every moment of my life. I understand and accept this both as a fact of life and as a weakness of my people. I never grasped the hatred my master told be to use to enhance my power. At first I hated the Jedi for rejecting me. I wanted to destroy them. But then I convinced my master to visit the planet. I rediscovered the bigotry that I would face apon my return. I realized taht it was pointless and was not a strength at all but a weakness. I accepted the fact I would never be a Jedi and embraced some of my deeper urges. I live a sinful life as many humans would put it."
Houndril raised his hand and ordered a glass of Drow Wine.
"You must try Drow Wine. It isn;t as alcaholic than any human or surface Elvin drinks, so it's mostly safe, but it's the aftertaste that's what gets to you. You feel a tingling sensation like a hundred tiny spiders on your tongue, probably intentional when we breeded the grapes, and each taste bud that feels it also recieves a burst of sweet like nothing you would imagine. Teh grapes are hard to grow, however, as we need the light of the Glowing Mychonid, and we had none when the city changed Planes, so we have to grow them through other means, so we don't have a lot of them, and sunlight just turns them into dry raisins in a matter of seconds and causes teh seeds to burst into flames in the ground."
He poured a glass for himself and the Royal Gaurds. Several Drow elves looked at them suspisiously, but knew of Houndril and knew not to screw with him. Drunken duregar Dwarves began a fist figh with one another in teh corner of teh bar, which was quickly ended when a third Duregar bought another round of drinks and they promised to hold the fight off long enough to drink, but they soon forgot they were at each other's throats and resumed drinking and laughing with one another, screaming at the Barbutler ((For lack of a better word)) to replace the mysteriously broken table that the second Dwarf had broken over the first one's hip, which ended in the removal of a Skrit's leg as the sharpened helmet of the first dwarf severed its leg. The first dwarf saw the leg and picked it up, biting down on it, and then tossing it aside, which started another fight after it hit a fairly large female Drow warrior.
"It seems we have trouble in our midst," Houndril said, "Such fights happen all the time, and usually a small display of the Force will stop them, but seeing as a Skrit leg is involved, we may have to make use of our, as teh Gray Dwarves will inevitably call them, our 'Shiny lightsword thingy that hurts just by looking at it.'"
One of the Dwarves caught this and looked at him, and then laughed, raising his mug of ale at him and then chugging it gleefully, followed by the smashing of the mug on the warrior's companion's head. The Dwarf, naturally, ordered another ale.
"Drink up. I've a feeling you won't be seeing that wine glass again."
((I was just going to leave it at the fight between the dwarves and then they forgetting about it, turning it into background descriptions, but this seemed funnier. Just kind of flowed off of my fingertips, you understand.))
-Zi-
((Drow don't use a lot of space in their rooms, save for a Weapons Master or a Wizard, but they know how humans tend to enjoy larger rooms and you have larger quarters than most Drow Elves, but they're not much bigger than a two-person Queen Bed-Size hotel room. I'm also presuming you're plugging in. Our VR system leaves the user consious during the whole thing, because having total immersions would leave the user too open for an assasination.))
They were surprised to learn that the Drow computers already had translators in them, and sofistcated ones, too. Instead of translating Drow into another language, they scanned the user's mind and determined what language or dialect they spoke. This information was then sent back to a larger computer system, where it was then translated into Drow and stored. The entire process was gracefully shown to the Zoidians and they were instructed to plug in and scan each page with the hand-scanner and it would be automatically translated for them.

((I understand perfectly, as it is pretty friggin' funny. :p ))

Nachille watched the fight with a smirk on his face as he drank from his glass, his companions laughing and placing bets amongst themselves of who they thought would win.

"They do get quite violent.", Nachille observed as the brawl continued to rage.

*Snip*
-Zi-
((Drow don't use a lot of space in their rooms, save for a Weapons Master or a Wizard, but they know how humans tend to enjoy larger rooms and you have larger quarters than most Drow Elves, but they're not much bigger than a two-person Queen Bed-Size hotel room. I'm also presuming you're plugging in. Our VR system leaves the user consious during the whole thing, because having total immersions would leave the user too open for an assasination.))
They were surprised to learn that the Drow computers already had translators in them, and sofistcated ones, too. Instead of translating Drow into another language, they scanned the user's mind and determined what language or dialect they spoke. This information was then sent back to a larger computer system, where it was then translated into Drow and stored. The entire process was gracefully shown to the Zoidians and they were instructed to plug in and scan each page with the hand-scanner and it would be automatically translated for them.

OOC: If you've seen the size of the rooms aboard the ship, you would find that's more than enough, far more actually (as its pretty much around four bunks per quarters aboard a standard Zoidian ship (I'm basing my ship interiors on a mix of Gundam and RL naval vessels with my own twists thrown in)).
As for Jules 'plugging in', I meant that litterally. Remember his Data Port? Basically, he's using a wire he brought to plug into the input/output ports of the computer. Both Rachel and Evan are there to provide cover if anyone tries something.
Speaking of Evan, he's not doing the big moves that need a ton of room (he saves those for the gym). Right now, they have more of a Tai Chi feel to it (Jolan is a mix of several RL martial arts styles).

IC: Jules noted the computer's built in translation feature. But, as it wasn't what they wanted, he worked with it and around it to forge a program that would allow their own Links to do all the work. Once it was completed, he sent it over the Links to the other two. While Evan continued his practice, Rachel picked up one of the books and nodded confirmation that her Link was showing it to her in English.

OOC: @Valley: Hope you don't mind, but ICly and OOCly, I and my characters are a little hesitant to allow the Zoidian language out so easily like that for the benefit of a people they just met and don't know that much about.

-Cravan-
"Indeed they do. But the thing is, this is my bar, and if any of these Drow get seriously hurt or killed, my employees will wind up getting hurt, as they are both regulars and Nobles of one of the Greater Houses, and these three Dureagar are more than capable of killing them, and seeing as my employees are well-connected, it will get traced back to me, so I have to intervene."
Suddenly there was a smash and an explosion of glass on Houndril's head.
"Say that again!" the large female shouted, holding up one of the Dwarves by his collar. The Dwarf grabbed her arm and bit down. With a single wave fo his hand, all of the combatants found themselves being lifted into the air and seperated from their opponents. Houndril walked up to the Dwarves and cut their gold bags.
"The table...The chairs...Several broken glasses...Medical bills for the Skrit...Here you go. That ought to be enough payment," he said, pocketing several of the coins, which was obviously far more than what was needed to fix the bar, but the Dwarves didn;t complain, they were held up in the air, they had no position to complain. The Drow Eves, however, were much more fiesty, but Houndril was able to acquire a large sum of money from them, as well. The combatants were let down.
"Just wanted to get my due before someonbe gets hurt. Carry on."
As if nothing had happened, the three Dwarves continued to fight the five Drow Elves, which ended when one of the Drow summoned a fireball that burned everything in the room. Houndril was able to extinguish teh flames in time.
"THAT'S another THREE HUNDRED PIECES and an ARM, a LEG, and SOMEONE'S HEAD!" Houndril shouted. He turned on his lightsaber, which glowed a light pink that almost matched his skin color. ((Drows can also be pink, I think I mentioned that.)) The Drow Elves soon rushed out of the bar, leaving behind their wallets. He looked at the Dwarves and said,
"Next round's on the house. Don't be afraid to bite down harder next time."
This was returned with a loud cheer from the Dwarves, who whistled and more Duregar came in. Houndril pocketed the money left behind by the Drow.
"I have a feeling that large amounts of ale will be drunk, which will lead to a bigger brawl, followed by more ale consumption. It would be unwise to stay."
He grabbed his bottle of wine, which he was able to save, and led them out of the bar.
-Zi-
Only fractions of their language were recorded as they read on their history and culture, but most of it was from their ancient history when they lived in their native Plane. A few books told of their more recent history, the last half millenia or so, but they were more or less children's textbooks and gave few details except propaganda against Humans and other races. It was fortuneate, however, that Hatchavin Melith had published many of his logs during the Burning Trail, which gave a very detailed timeline of the bloody event, and the hardships they had to face as a race. Hatchavin said in his logs that he noticed a difference in the people under his command. His female officers usually treated him with disrespect, disobeying his orders and at one time he mentioned the sounds of a mutiny, but after a ferocious battle, he had truely gained their respect and saw new behavior patterns. Hatchavin had realized that Drow Elves could change for the better, as his logs suggested that he had done so, as well.

*Snip*
-Zi-
Only fractions of their language were recorded as they read on their history and culture, but most of it was from their ancient history when they lived in their native Plane. A few books told of their more recent history, the last half millenia or so, but they were more or less children's textbooks and gave few details except propaganda against Humans and other races. It was fortuneate, however, that Hatchavin Melith had published many of his logs during the Burning Trail, which gave a very detailed timeline of the bloody event, and the hardships they had to face as a race. Hatchavin said in his logs that he noticed a difference in the people under his command. His female officers usually treated him with disrespect, disobeying his orders and at one time he mentioned the sounds of a mutiny, but after a ferocious battle, he had truely gained their respect and saw new behavior patterns. Hatchavin had realized that Drow Elves could change for the better, as his logs suggested that he had done so, as well.

Jules continued working with the computer, Rachel continued to peruse the books, and Evan continued their practice. To any outsiders, the fact they were all aware of their surroundings and were in constant communication with each other as they discussed and rediscussed various items found in the books and on the computer while all three maintained the external facade of being fully engrossed in what they were doing. For Zoidians, this manner of doing things, complete with division of labor, while natural for many, others had to achieve through practice.

((Fluid-Timing))
Three days passed before the foreigners were told it was time. Houndril had spent much of his time speaking with Master Nachille and the others, introducing his apprentices to them. He had a total of five apprentices, two of whom had completed their training and were full Dark Jedi. They had grasped the Dark Side much more than their master, although this could not be said for the younger ones still in training. Houndril still had a grand time discussing teh Force with other users, which was a chance he hadn't had for the last two centuries.

Kofel had been informed of his opponent's injury and was congradulated. Using the drug was a tactic worthy of a Drow and he ammassed several contacts because of it. The Drow were able to heal the dagger wound quickly, and the gaurd that he had fought was also back doing his rounds.

They were led to the Council Chambers, which was now visible to the aliens.
"They seem to have lifted the barrier," Houndril observed, passing the alien delegates and their gaurds, "Feel lucky. We're taking a huge securty risk."

Teh Council Chamber was much like the Senate Chamber of the Galactic Senate, but with legs sticking out from the center two rooms, which were other rooms and secret entrances to the buildings of the other Houses and the Temples. Each of the hover-seats were engraved with the symbols of their respective House. Members of the Senate, both Drow and Duregar, sat in their hover-chairs. Alyae was standing in the center on a platform, accompanied by her sons, daughters, anbd Hatchavin. Three hover chairs engraved with a symbol associated with their respective nation or people descended for them. Houndril was floating at the top of the chamber with his apprentices and their apprentices and Houndril's apprentices' apprentices' apprentices, which numbered to be about fifty-three memebers. He had quite the organization on the planet. Talk flew about the chamber as the bottom filled up with commonfolk and Skrit Na creatures sold foods to the masses.

[ooc: Nice response, the Drug Gland isn't quite how that works, but it matters not, I can work with it, good work]

Kofel's "Dagger wound" (The ship didn't want the metal to touch his flesh, so had let the dagger in, tearing through the flesh with the Knife Missile's Fields forming a shield around the dagger) had healed fairly well over the three days, a side effect of the many advancements he had recived.

Him and the ship had an argument, over the fact that the ship saw fit to let the Drow know he was Glanding something. Kofel thought that was cheating, the ship considered Kofel's glanding was also cheating so he should get over it and live. Kofel was most angry, but when the contacts started rolling in he got the last laugh.

He after all had been right about having the fight. The Glanding had worked, and now he had several people who where quite impressed with him (He and the ship spoke about that at length)

He now sat with the others, considering the hall before him.

"This building is impressive," he said, considering. "You know, once your lady is crowned, I must speak with her, I know several groups that would love to be a help around here..."

[ooc: Nice response, the Drug Gland isn't quite how that works, but it matters not, I can work with it, good work]

Kofel's "Dagger wound" (The ship didn't want the metal to touch his flesh, so had let the dagger in, tearing through the flesh with the Knife Missile's Fields forming a shield around the dagger) had healed fairly well over the three days, a side effect of the many advancements he had recived.

Him and the ship had an argument, over the fact that the ship saw fit to let the Drow know he was Glanding something. Kofel thought that was cheating, the ship considered Kofel's glanding was also cheating so he should get over it and live. Kofel was most angry, but when the contacts started rolling in he got the last laugh.

He after all had been right about having the fight. The Glanding had worked, and now he had several people who where quite impressed with him (He and the ship spoke about that at length)

He now sat with the others, considering the hall before him.

"This building is impressive," he said, considering. "You know, once your lady is crowned, I must speak with her, I know several groups that would love to be a help around here..."

"All of the intru-newcomers will have a chance to speak withg the Queen," his gaurd told him, "Don't worry."

The trio of Jedi sat with the other guests, marvelling at the interior of the chamber.

"The Imperial Senate Chambers aren't nearly the size of this... Then again, all the seats are on the floor.", one of the Knights remarked. For the most part they kept to themselves, watching the events unfold in the chambers intently.

The whole ceremony was done in Drow. The aliens were given translators into whatever language they preferred.
"The time has come for us to pass on the Throne to our Third Matron Queen," a Drow woman began. She was the Matron Mother of House Orlytyl, as the computer in their seats told them. It was a sign of respect for the new Queen and a sign of acceptance for the new Queen to be coronated by an unaffiliated Matron Mother and as Alyae was the Matron Mother of both Melith and Arkenep and was being succeeded by her own daughters, it was unfitting for them to perform teh ceremony.
"We perform this ceremony in the memory of the late Matron Queen Jhaelaste. For one-hundred thirty-one years she has led our people with progresses in culture, science, medicine, technology, and foreign relations. She reminded us of the treachery that the Humans are bound to show us. She led our people through the Burning Trail and through severe hardships, but under her rule we have progressed further than any Human faction ever shall. We have reached a higher state of being. We are better than Drow. Jhaelaste has led us through the point of our evolution, the Jhaelaste Drow. And now she has opened a new door: The Alyae Drow. Hand-picked by both the Founding Queen, Vasryn Melith and her son, Hatchavin Melith, the hero of no less than four hundred battles throughout his life. Alyae has led not one but two Houses through over three hundred years of hardships and is our youngest Queen yet at the age of four-hundred twenty-two. Alyae is bound to lead us another three hundred years and has many more children to bring into this world. Jhaelaste has led us through a time taht we used to find ourselves. Alyae will continue her work, but in a different way. She has promised to spread our thoughts and our interests across the Stars, where we rightfully belong!"
There was a loud cheer from the Council, which was silenced by Matron Orlytyl.
"And so now, I accept Matron Alyae Arkenep now as my Queen!"
She pulled out a dagger, as did all the Drow in the room, and carved a spider in her palm, as did everyone else. Matron Orlytyl held up her hand. Alyae grabbed it with her own bloody palm. Hatchavin touched over their hands, followed by their children. The whole room held their bloody palms toward the new Queen. Suddenly, there was a flash of light, and a giant face appeared, accompanied by two others: Vasryn and Jhaelaste.
"The Spider Queen!" Alyae gasped.
The whole room went silent. Every Drow in the room bowed before her.
"It has taken me almost three hundred years to find my lost city. Teh local dieties are a pain to get through. I have made many sacrifices to find my lost children. When I finally did, their home was abandoned. You have done your Goddess well finding this place."
She looked to the foreigners.
"And WHO are they?"
Houndril was quick to intervene.
"My Goddess, they are emissaries from foreign civilizations. Humans as some of they are-"
"And who are YOU to speak to me such as this? You are not of any power I am aware of!"
"This new Plane has powers beyond our mortal imaginations, and I am the pioneer for our people."
Lloth smiled.
"You have all done well. Continue."
"Well, one has extensive experience in my own profession, another is a race of scholars whow ould prove to be an excellent source of information, and teh third has many technologies that could prove useful for our conquests."
Lloth studied Houndril.
"I am pleased, my daughters."
Hatchavin made himself taller.
"Is that supposed to suggest something?" Lloth asked him. Hatchavin hesitated, but then stepped foreward.
"You know who I am. You know what I think. You know why I have stepped foreward. You are our Goddess. There are more males on this planet than females. Over the years, we males have been disrespected and looked down apon. We have worshipped you blindedly, but I believe it's time that we get something for it. I am the most celebrated warrior here, and yet do I get no praise from my Goddess? All the things I have done I have done in your name. I ask on thing."
Lloth looked as if she were about to rip the planet in two, but then calmed.
"You're right."
The faces of everyone in the room was priceless. Two males had stood up to our Goddess! Two! And won!
"It seems the females control over the males have weakened, but I see were credit is due. I am pleased with the Drow of Sch'Naggio: Both the males and the females."
There was nothing but silence.
"My time is limited here. The local Gods of Chaos want me out, so I leave emmissaries of my own in my wake. Your queens, your priestess, and your dead. They aren't much, but they're enough. No longer will your priestesses go without their spells!"
This was met by cheers.
"It is good to know how my people have progressed. You will not fail me. Spread the word and power of Lloth everywhere you go! Spread my name to a power that no other diety can match!"
Lloth disappeared, as did the faces of the two queens.
"We have been blessed. We have gone too long without our spells! And now Lloth has been graceful-nay, merciful-enough to spend the last three hundred years to find us!"
The whole room erupted with cheers, much louder than any one previously. Spells were already being cast as old Priestesses had acces to old spells, but the casting did not last as the power of their dead could not handle it, but this was a success nonetheless. The room did not empty, save for the Queen and her family, and the emissaries were instructed to do so, as well. Their gaurds were completely stunned at what had happened. They were led back to the palace, where Hatchavin led them to a throne room. Alyae sat on the throne next to her husband, children, and Houndril and there was one spiderlike chair for each of them. For four hundred-thirty years and several children, she still looked sexy. She had a long, red robe with a spider-shaped headdress and all sorts of enchanted jewelries.
"Sit," she told them, "And let us put this misunderstanding behind us."

The trio did as told, taking their seats. It had been a long road to this moment, and many events had taken place over the past several days. One thought spread through Nachille's mind, though.

It had been worth it.

"It's hard to imagine this whole thing happened when we didn't put enough firepower in our cannons, now isn't it? Now, I believe your are aware of my new policies to be more open to the interstellar communities, and as the fight happened during the previous Queen's reign, we are no longer responsible for the damages to your ship, but at the same time you are not responsible for the damages to our fighters and our fighter-pilots. Not that we lost any of use to us anyway. Should any of the Cravan ships ahve anything to trade, I would be thrilled to open the discussions with trade deals."
((Irony is teh best humor of all, isn't it? WE finally get down to discussions and we no longer claim responsibility or hold your responsible for how the whole thing started. Gawd, I'm a genius.))

((Irony pwns all other forms of humor.))

"Well... What exactly would you be interested in trading? We have numerous products which we export to our allies and trading partners, such as various metals and other such resources. We also have our computer systems and technologies which we could share. All depends on what you need."

"It's less about what we need, it's more of what we don't have and what we can send in return. Houndril informs me you enjoyed a small glass of Drow Wine. We don't sell lots of it, but we've ammassed huge stashed over the years, and we've had a breakthrough on growing the grapes this last year."
Houndril looked at her, surprised. He had no news of this, and he owned the largest string of bars on the planet!
"We also have numerous computer technologies. The Ziodians have had experience with our translation system, and to our knowledge it's unique. We have FTL technology, but we haven't the facilities to build the ships for it. Building a fleet is our number one priority. Allow use use of your shipyards, and you may name your price. I suggest some of our computer programs. The translator is just one of many useful programs we use to run the Web. Our VR systems are very advanced, as they've probably have had more attention than other VR Web systems over the last few hundred years. I know of one that was experiemental during the Burning Trail that could control an entire ship full of droids with just the Captain. Advances in AI systems can make the captain obsolete, making way for a fleet that can be mass-produced and act completely loyal to your nation. Or, as Houndril suggests, you may look at less...militaristic technologies we can trade you for acces to your shipyards."

"We're currently content with our own military technologies. However, we have numerous shipyards. I don't know what ones are being used or anything, but I can confirm our shipyards are more than capable of building a good-sized fleet in a relaitvely short time.

"If you'd like, we could even probably supply you with shipyards. Transport them here for you to build at your own leisure. I'd have to clear this with my government, but I'm sure something can be arranged.

"In the meantime, I am sure we can find suitable technologies to trade in exchange for use of the shipyards. We've come a long way in AI ourseleves, but we've had incidents in the past with AI that was a little too smart... Way before my time, even thousands of years before the Exodus when FTL travel was little more than a fantasy. Bad memories die slowly, eh?"

((Screw it, let's go Red Dwarf here.))
"When you live to be close to a thousand years old, or even if you are immortal like my father, compared to the memories you have, they are a blink."
'I have heard of such rampant AIs before and if you are too cautious to make us of our own, that is fine. As for your offer for use of your shipyards, I believe a closer relationship would be made between our people if we build them together. However, in the future, we will take you up on your latter offer of moving shipyards to here, but I wouldn;t be surprised if the Duregar will already be busy upgrading ones we would have built by that time anyways. Effecient people, the Gray Dwarves. Vasryn did well in securing their loyalty. We have numerous technologies we could offer you. Have you heard of Rev-Viri?"

Kofel followed, looking at the image of the Spider Goddess with Suspicion and Sceptisim. He was told however, in very stern words, not to argue it. So he didn't, he glanded some Clear [ooc: no smelling dear] as he walked, before getting into contact with the ship while the Knights and the Queen Spoke.

-Yo ship, he sent quickly. -Can you tell me where we stand with what I can tell them?

~You may give the Queen any infomation she has, the ship said. ~we will decide on the rest of society later, keep it quite for now.

-Yes Sir! an overly formal reply came.

"Sorry to interupt Dear Queen," he said, "For very Quick starters, please allow me to Introduce my little friend." instantly, the Knife Missile on his chest undid the chain and floated over to the queen. "This is a standard issue Personal Protection Drone, Grade Point-Five intelligence I believe. That means its not self aware but is a little bundle of programming, smart programming, but still only Programming.'

"This is my gift to your reign," He said, as the chain twisted and waited for the woman to accept or decline the invitation.

"The one thing I will offer though, as a major contribution, is a Full Contract Or Treaty that will detail you an alliance,
(-Ship can I offer them uplift?
~Yes, make sure the deal is good though)
And class (~try three) three level Upliftment, which will be a technological and resorce assistance."

He smiled, extending his hand. "Do you take the offer?"

She was intruiged by this technology. These Naggeroths were unusual and possibly a threat to their power in the future with teh technology they held, and all the Drow in the room knew this. Better to befriend them now and deal with them some otehr day, if at all. The galaxy was vast, after all...
"How could I refuse, Kofel? But before I sign any treaty, I would need to know more of your people, as you will undoubtly need to know more of mine. We've made alliances in the past that have blown up in our faces, and we'll not make those mistakes again."

((Screw it, let's go Red Dwarf here.))
"When you live to be close to a thousand years old, or even if you are immortal like my father, compared to the memories you have, they are a blink."
'I have heard of such rampant AIs before and if you are too cautious to make us of our own, that is fine. As for your offer for use of your shipyards, I believe a closer relationship would be made between our people if we build them together. However, in the future, we will take you up on your latter offer of moving shipyards to here, but I wouldn;t be surprised if the Duregar will already be busy upgrading ones we would have built by that time anyways. Effecient people, the Gray Dwarves. Vasryn did well in securing their loyalty. We have numerous technologies we could offer you. Have you heard of Rev-Viri?"

"I'm afraid we haven't. What exactly is this... 'Rev-Viri'?"

((Neh, forget it.))

OOC: Sorry about the delay. I've been busy.

IC: The Zoidian trio noted the almost ritulistic self-mutilation Truth be told, however, if it wasn't considered wasteful and against basic Zoidian principles, they might have joined in the act in honor of the new Droa Queen Mother(?).

When they were led to the throne room, they politely took their seats and awaited there turn to speak. While Rachel and Evan kept their expressions neutral, they did allow slight glimmers to show in their eyes when topics that interested them came up.

Jules, however, decided to take a proactive role.

"Interesting how you've proposed the concept of unmanned ships. Now, I'm not trying to give anyone an inferiority complex or anything in any way, but we already posses a few such designs," he said with a hint of pride, "As for rouge A.I.s, I've never heard of any such made in the Zoidian nation, though, I admit, the possibility is present."

Rachel groaned softly and Evan rolled his eyes at this. They both knew that while Jules was an excellent engineer, they knew he knew this and his ego, as a result, had expanded and tended to present itself at inopportune times. Rachel was supposed to be the one technically doing the diplomacy stuff, but Jules had beaten her to the punch, so to speak.

"Though, truth be told," he added, "our shipyards would probably enjoy your business. The workers are already starting to go tired of pumping more ships than we can use of the designs our engineers create."

Rachel broke in, "Ma'am, I don't know if your people still wish to remain isolated, but we can provide you with a way to accomplish this. Of course, if you want to interact with the universe at large, may I at least recommend keeping your homeworld secure."

OOC: If you've ever seen Stargate: Atlantis, Jules has a personality similar to McKay(sp?). TBH, I think I actually have Jules as one of my characters based on McKay(sp?).
Oh, and just so you know, the Zoidian people are pretty much whizzes at the technological and mechanical departments. Let them have just one of something to take apart and they'll probably be able to not only figure out how it does what it does and put it back together just like new, but upgrade it and find a way to mass produce it.

OOC: Is he fatally allergic to citrus, too? :D

IC comes later as soon as the creative juices start a'flowin'.

"Your knoweledge of teh universe seems vast," she told teh Zoidians, "And I was hoping that we couuld more or less trade information than trade products. We have detailed histories and records of almost everything that's happened on Earth for about three hundred years, from the twenty-first century to the twenty-fifth, not to mention records of our home Plane. Our history books are...Outdated, and I was hoping your government would be kind enough to help us fill them."

OOC: Is he fatally allergic to citrus, too? :D
*Snip*
OCC: *Shrugs* Haven't decided yet.

"Your knoweledge of teh universe seems vast," she told teh Zoidians, "And I was hoping that we couuld more or less trade information than trade products. We have detailed histories and records of almost everything that's happened on Earth for about three hundred years, from the twenty-first century to the twenty-fifth, not to mention records of our home Plane. Our history books are...Outdated, and I was hoping your government would be kind enough to help us fill them."

IC: "That could be arranged," replied Jules, "I don't know about the other two," he indicates Evan and Rachel, "but I know of a group that collects information. I don't recall what they call themselves off the top of my head, but I'm sure I can use my contacts to work something out."

OOC: TBH, the group of collectors he's talking about is something I've been cooking up with some other NSers.

"See what you can do. In the meantime, I suppose we should simply sign a trading treaty and allow us access to your spaceports. Taht way our companies can iron out the details. Does that sound fair?"

"See what you can do. In the meantime, I suppose we should simply sign a trading treaty and allow us access to your spaceports. Taht way our companies can iron out the details. Does that sound fair?"

Jules nodded to affirm he would talk to his contacts.

Rachel said, "Outside of our star cluster, we only have one facility and its located at the only way in or out of the cluster that we know of. Though, for now, your proposal sounds acceptable. However, if its all right with you, I would like to propose we add an exchange of civilian star charts, minus the necessary areas due to security, of course."

Alyae nodded in agreement.
"Although I doubt your star charts will gain anything from the trade."

Alyae nodded in agreement.
"Although I doubt your star charts will gain anything from the trade."

Rachel shrugged and replied, "Blinding jumping into the unknown may be fun for some, but it can be risky at times. While exploring the unknown, some measure of safety must be maintained. Thus, why many nations have armed their exploration ships on par with warships or use a modified warship for the purpose.

"Our charts contain mostly the area around the doorway into our cluster as well as a few stray locations where we've managed to gain access to the charts of other nations. Our info of this region is mostly from scuttlebut, rumor, and second-hand or third-hand, if not more, information.

"For example, we know of several nations that worship the Chaos gods, as they call them. While we can only provide you with the name of one, we know more exist.

"We've also have had info provided by our first allies, now evolved into a race known as the Paradine, which provides their first-hand experience with the one primary nation of Chaos in this universe as well as their knowledge of current and recent political and military events and circumstances."

She paused for breath before continuing.

"Most, if not all," she added, "of the larger and older nations are either in one of the major alliances or another. Most of which seem to be for the sole purpose of what is known as dick-measuring contests, if you'll pardon the expression, ma'am. Out of all the multi-national alliances I know of, I only know of one that is formed from like-minded nations that would rather not use gunboat diplomacy as the first resort."

Alyae's face became rather solemn.
"We know of such nations. We would be happy to exchange star charts, in that case. It will at least give us a knowledge of what is out there. Let us draw up that treaty, shall we?"
((Fluid-time again))
Section 1
Sch'Naggio

The Drow Empire will trade to the nations Zi, Cravan, and Naggeroth scientific data and technologies, medical data and technologies, civilian technologies, and other civilian goods, free of the other nations' taxes. Should any new military technology developed by teh Drow Empire be desired by another party, the Drow must release at least the blueprints of teh technology, unless it is proven that the nation in question is planning to use the technology against the Drow Empire, its allies, the other partcipants of this treaty, or their allies. Should the Drow Empire go to war with one or more of the other participants, this treaty is null until the end of the declaration of war. Cravan and the Drow Empire are hereby under a Mutual Defense Pact, and neither shall allow the other's home system to go undefended in the event of an invasion.

Section 2
Zi

The Zoidian Government will give the Drow Empire access to its spaceports to create a fleet large enough to defend its territories and until the Drow Empire has built enough spaceports of its own to sustain their fleet. The Drow and the Zoidian Scientific and Historic communities will exchange Star Charts and historical data. The Drow Empire and the Zoidian people will trade goods and new technologies, free of the other's taxes.

Section 3
Cravan

The Democratic Republic Cravan will allow the Drow access to its spaceports and will help in the aid of the construction of the Drow Military Fleet until it is large enough to defend the Drow territories or until teh Drow construct enough Spaceports to sustain its own fleets and a Civilian Fleet until the Drow Empire constructs enough Spaceports to sustain one. Cravan and teh Drow Empire will trade goods and technologies. Cravan and the Drow Empire are hereby under a Mutual Defense Pact, and neither shall allow the other's home systems to go undefended in the event of an invasion.

Section 4
Naggeroth

The Imperial Hedgemony of Naggeroth and the Drow Empire will trade technologies and goods, free of the other's taxes. Both nations will send information on their own culture to the other.
((Is this good?))

Alyae's face became rather solemn.
"We know of such nations. We would be happy to exchange star charts, in that case. It will at least give us a knowledge of what is out there. Let us draw up that treaty, shall we?"
((Fluid-time again))
Section 1
Sch'Naggio

The Drow Empire will trade to the nations Zi, Cravan, and Naggeroth scientific data and technologies, medical data and technologies, civilian technologies, and other civilian goods, free of the other nations' taxes. Should any new military technology developed by teh Drow Empire be desired by another party, the Drow must release at least the blueprints of teh technology, unless it is proven that the nation in question is planning to use the technology against the Drow Empire, its allies, the other partcipants of this treaty, or their allies. Should the Drow Empire go to war with one or more of the other participants, this treaty is null until the end of the declaration of war. Cravan and the Drow Empire are hereby under a Mutual Defense Pact, and neither shall allow the other's home system to go undefended in the event of an invasion.

Section 2
Zi

The Zoidian Government will give the Drow Empire access to its spaceports to create a fleet large enough to defend its territories and until the Drow Empire has built enough spaceports of its own to sustain their fleet. The Drow and the Zoidian Scientific and Historic communities will exchange Star Charts and historical data. The Drow Empire and the Zoidian people will trade goods and new technologies, free of the other's taxes.

Section 3
Cravan

The Democratic Republic Cravan will allow the Drow access to its spaceports and will help in the aid of the construction of the Drow Military Fleet until it is large enough to defend the Drow territories or until teh Drow construct enough Spaceports to sustain its own fleets and a Civilian Fleet until the Drow Empire constructs enough Spaceports to sustain one. Cravan and teh Drow Empire will trade goods and technologies. Cravan and the Drow Empire are hereby under a Mutual Defense Pact, and neither shall allow the other's home systems to go undefended in the event of an invasion.

Section 4
Naggeroth

The Imperial Hedgemony of Naggeroth and the Drow Empire will trade technologies and goods, free of the other's taxes. Both nations will send information on their own culture to the other.
((Is this good?))

OOC: Seems all right to me. Short and to the point.

IC: Having been granted authority of representation, Rachel, Evan, and Jules perused the Drow treaty. The Zoidians informed the Drow that they gave the document their support, but would hold of signing it until after the other parties involved had given their opinions on it.

OOC: Sorry for the short post, but not much else to write.

((Democratic Empire ;) ))

"I see no problems with this agreement. I'll wire it back home for ratification. It has been a pleasure here, Your Majesty."

Kofel made several adjustments, mostly in the wording, something to the tune of "The Imperial Hedgemony of Naggeroth will begin an Uplifting Program of the Drow Empire to Level three Civilian Technology and Level 2 Military. Infomation will be traded, and a Schar-Class Embassy shall be used for extended contact and continued relations."

He looked it over and nodded. "Should be fine, basically means the same thing, adding us having an Embassy somewhere in your system. Hows that for you?"

Kofel made several adjustments, mostly in the wording, something to the tune of "The Imperial Hedgemony of Naggeroth will begin an Uplifting Program of the Drow Empire to Level three Civilian Technology and Level 2 Military. Infomation will be traded, and a Schar-Class Embassy shall be used for extended contact and continued relations."

He looked it over and nodded. "Should be fine, basically means the same thing, adding us having an Embassy somewhere in your system. Hows that for you?"
"Embassies are usually implied, I've discovered," Alyae told them, "We thank you for your visit. It has been a truely great experience for all of us to finally establish contact with the outside world, despite our suspicsions of the other races. You will be escorted back to your rooms to sink in everything that's occured, as I garuntee that's exactly what has happened to each of you. You are among the first non-Drow to look apon the face of our Goddess, and while this would not be a blessing in a Holy sense to most religions, it is a blessing in other aspects, I'm sure. But personally, I am tired and we must all rest."
She made a salute, which is simply holding out her palm and closing the fingers, and dismissed the delegates.

She was truely tired and while Drow required little sleep, she knew that this day she would need more than usual. She felt she at earned that right anyways. She looked at her room. This would be her first night in this room, well, save for a few parties she had attended. She had made sure that the mattress had been changed before the coronation. She undressed and decided to shower. When she was finished, she found Hatchavin sitting on the bed. His expression wasn't exactly one that bore good news.
"What's happened?" she asked Hatchavin. Hatchavin shook his head.
"Nothing. Just thoughts I've held for too long. Dangerous thoughts."
This worried Alyae. Hatchavin was not violent, and was not one for enjoying the kill, only the safety of his comrades, which is why he was more known as the best commander in the Drow Empire, and not as his equally earned best fighter.
"To whom are they ganerous?" Alyae pressed, drying her hair.
"Myself. Not suicidal, just dangerous if leaked."
Alyae nodded and sat next to her husband.
"Even the strongest of Drow have dangerous thoughts that could be used against him. Come, tell me, you know I can't read your mind."
Which was true. High Priestesses such as Alyae could read thoughts, but since they had changed Planes they did not have this ability and while they could now read the thoughts of lesser beings, Alyae couldn't read his mind.
"Ever since I first saw you when I was six, I had always tried to come up with ways to be in your company. Needless to say, they didn't work. My Weanmother...Yes, T'rissual...figured out my little crush and squeezed it out me. I never thought of it again."
Alyae was a bit surprsed. Hatchavin turned to her.
"But then all of this happened...The severed connection to the Spider Queen...The revolution...It came back when I was told the plan. I knew this was perfect for me. I knew it wasn;t possible, but I still had hope. I never knew that I was wrong, that our union would be possible. When I approached you that day with my idea, I wasn't thinking of being the Patron of my house...I was...I was thinking of you..."
Alyae was speechless. She knew where this was headed, but she was still surprised. Hatchavin was the strongest Drow in the city, but he always had one weakness: Her.
"I knew that it would cost me my life if it slipped out, so I didn't allow it to. I hid it for four hundred years. And during the Burning Trail, I finally admitted it to myself after that first major battle in which I lost the Mage-Crusher. I knew that I couldn't die without admitting this to myself. I still hid it, however, and today...Today I realized that I've gone too long. Too many things could happen from this point. I can't let it go untold. Alyae, I know this is never a thing one would expect from a Drow, especially from one Drow to another, but...I love you."
Alyae just stared at her feet.
"I think it would be best if you stayed somewhere else this night," she told him. Hatchavin nodded and left. She had read about this human concept of love. The Drow had words that described teh Drow equivelent, but the only way Hatchavin had told this to her was actually with the human word,w hich was incredibly powerful to Drow Elves. It wasn't used unless it was meant. Alyae had never thought of Hatchavin that way. She thought of him as a political partner. He ruled the city as much as she did. As with all Drow couplings, it had been for political or sexual reasons. But on Hatchavin's part, it was emotional, not political. Alyae left her room and chased after Hatchvin, still naked.
"Hatchavin," she said to him. He turned.
"I changed my mind. Come, I desire your company tonight."
With a smile like he never had before, he obeyed and followed. In more ways than one for him, it had been a night to remember for this couple.

The Zoidian trio politely returned to their assigned quarters as they had been requested. As the first part of the information exchange, the three uploaded everything they currently knew about the local Chaos nations, such as Chronosia, the only one whose name was known, rumors of another nation of Drow, and other miscellanious(sp?) tidbits to the computer they had been provided with earlier. Of course, it wasn't as fully detailed as the Drow of Sch'Naggio would be getting later, but it was a start, for now.

The Zoidian trio politely returned to their assigned quarters as they had been requested. As the first part of the information exchange, the three uploaded everything they currently knew about the local Chaos nations, such as Chronosia, the only one whose name was known, rumors of another nation of Drow, and other miscellanious(sp?) tidbits to the computer they had been provided with earlier. Of course, it wasn't as fully detailed as the Drow of Sch'Naggio would be getting later, but it was a start, for now.
To their surprise, the Drow already knew of Chronosia. In their records, they had made contact with them a few centuries earlier, the length of which was not specified, and during the Burning Trail, it tells of many Drow splitting off to join the Chaos ranks of Chronosia.
((Another nation of Drow? Please, expand.))

OOC: This is OOC info, but Kaymiril RPs as Drow, IIRC. IC'ly, Zi has only heard rumors and skuttlebut of her nation. Now, as I've not RPed with her yet, but only read what she's posted, I'm not sure they are the same as your Drow (as I don't recall anything about needing a special type of radiation for their magick or an aversion to light).

OOC: This is OOC info, but Kaymiril RPs as Drow, IIRC. IC'ly, Zi has only heard rumors and skuttlebut of her nation. Now, as I've not RPed with her yet, but only read what she's posted, I'm not sure they are the same as your Drow (as I don't recall anything about needing a special type of radiation for their magick or an aversion to light).
((She might be playing modified Drow, but all Drow I've heard of, save for hers, are incredibly sensitive to light. The radiation is something I read on and implemented as a detail of my RPs. It's vital to Drow wizardry.))