NationStates Jolt Archive

The changes coursing through the Godulan people had increased exponentially since the last meeting. Massive crystalline edifices reached towards the sky in full view of the Coredian population, and the number of Godulan citizens roaming the streets swiftly dwindled to nothing, replaced by... Kythons. They still appeared as their original human forms, but their bearing and demeanor changed almost overnight.

One thing that seemed to be dominating their attention as they roamed the streets and avenues of the Coredian settlements was the ongoing siege by the Imperials. The Godulans could be seen looking up at the darkened sun, scowling, and shaking their heads.

Then it came, direct to Daniel Masaki. A single psionic missive...

We Require an Immediate Audience.

*TAG for participation*

When I recieved the message, I was actually on Konoha, the secondary capital and the HQ from where I plan my campaigns. Sitting on my desk was a readout of the current status of the invasion of Mationbuds, which just began. Nevertheless, the message was as clear as if it was from a courier standing in front of my desk. And since it was from Godular, I knew it was important. I reached out into the Force and fired back a reply.

I shall grant an audience.

The response was very nearly instantaneous, and very nearly cut off Masaki's acceptance of the audience request.

Be ready.

At the outset of a single minute, they arrived. Not in the system. Not on the planet of Konoha. Not even in the planetary capitol. They formed from nothingness in Masaki's very office. One moment there was nothing, the next moment they stood there, little fanfare heralding their arrival, beyond a puff of displaced air and a slight resulting breeze, and even less mirth.

Both of them were easily recognizable. On one side stood Baron Skye, in his typical pinstripe suit and standard cougar-headed cane. The Kython shift had affected him as well, however, and one could see quite easily the veins of green crystal running through his skin and pulsating with unfathomable energies.

On the other side stood something of an anomalous figure. Standing before Masaki, wearing a ceremonial Balroggan military uniform, was what appeared to be an exact clone of Daniel Masaki displaying a somewhat twisted expression.

The warped mirror image notwithstanding, it was Baron Skye who spoke first, in a relatively smooth tone of voice.

"Mister Masaki, we have an issue."

I was a bit amused by Baron's choice of address. It wasn't much different than when a ninja is summoned to the Hokage's office down the street. Eyeing the twisted doppleganger of myself with some concern, I had an inkling what he was talking about. "Xanthal, right?"

"No, though it does enter in as a factor in the equation. As does --"

Skye stepped forward and inspected the tactical readout of the Mationbuds battle plan, then pointed at it with his free hand. "--This."

I raised an eyebrow, my signature of interest and nodded. "Go on."

Skye leaned back slightly and crossed his arms.

"We trusted you, Mister Masaki. You have known me long enough to understand that such is not given lightly. The only others who we offer the same level of trust to are the Balroggans, who stand with us on this. We have discussed it, and we have both come to the same conclusion.

"We trusted you, Mister Masaki, to rectify the situation at Jurai."

I frowned. Godular is our ally, but I didn't like the tone the Baron indicated. I know about Jurai after all, and are making plans to rectify it as we speak.

"I will rectify the situation at Jurai." I said. "There's nothing more important to me, to any Coredian than that."

"Really? Nothing more important than pushing the Imperial Dogs from your capitol system? Nothing more important to you than the defense of your homeland?"

Skye leaned forward and loomed over the Mationbuds invasion plans like a monolith.

"Then what is this? Correct me if I am wrong, but this tactical readout does not look representative of the Jurai system. In fact, I do believe it details what amounts to initiating a second front in your... our... war against the Imperials. And at the same time you have forces in the Xanthalian system of Mirfak, dueling with the forces representative of my compatriot who arrived with me," Skye indicated the Masaki-Clone standing at his side.

"The Sith are in your capitol system, Mister Masaki. They have forces bearing down on your capitol city, Mister Masaki. They threaten you with hostages taken from your own populace, Mister Masaki. One would think that in such a dire circumstance all forces would be dedicated to driving the aforementioned imperial dogs away.

"Yet this is not the case. You have seen fit to initiate a second front against the Imperials, and a third front against a completely unrelated aggressor whom we assured you would allow you to defend your system unmolested. In your attack at Xanthal you have breached this covenant, hence why my Balroggan associate, who happens to enjoy mind-games, in this chamber at my side.

"We gave you the opportunity to defend yourself from the imperials without threat of interference by Extrasolar Union Forces. We gave you the option to dedicate yourself WHOLLY to that end. Yet you send your forces on frivolous errands even in the face of occupation. You will have to pardon my bluntness, but I find it difficult to believe you when you assure me that you have your priorities straight."

Ouch. I couldn't help but sting at the comments. I could make an excuse. I could mumble something about keeping my allies happy. But I'm not a politician. I'm not even sure there is an excuse. I sighed and leaned back on my chair, looking at the readouts again. The first and second fleets still need some weeks to heal, the third fleet is assisting Xanthal and GFFA forces and the sixth fleet is about to assault Mationbuds. Then I realized how stupid I look not using all the remaining naval power I have to remove the Sith from Jurai...

I looked at Skye again. "You're right. Again. Do you have anything else to say?"

"You have assisted us on many a count, Mister Masaki, for which the Godulan people and I still thank you, despite everything that has happened recently. We still look upon you as allies, even though we are on opposing sides of the present conflict.

"Recall, however, that there are Godulans on Jurai, and as such we have as much of a stake in its defense as you and the Coredians as a whole. We trusted you to defend the system effectively against the Sith forces impinging on the system while we recovered from the loss of Terivine and enacted the most recent changes.

"Our strength is returned, and we look upon Jurai to find... failure. The Sith scum are still in the system. Even more egregious is the fact that they have breached portions of the planetary shield and are even now on the planet itself.

"Mister Masaki, I and my compatriot are resolved. The declaration is as follows: If you do not take steps to reliably drive the Sith forces from the system post-haste... we will. I can assure you, Mister Masaki, that while such is but us repaying our debt to you, there will be others involved, such as my compatriot here, who will demand compensation for destroying the Sith invasion. There is no set timetable for the fulfillment of the primary condition, but you can rest assured that no matter what such time-limit may prove to be, you had better get your ass in gear."

I simply nodded like a schoolboy before the headmaster. "Yes, Baron. I understand completely."

Well, scratch fighting the ESUS. The GFFA will have to deal with it themselves. Xanthal's important, but not as important as Jurai itself. Besides, I believe they should start trading space for time. Retreat to more defensible positions. The way they are going now...it's not going to win much.

Right, time to make amends...big time.

The parody turned its head and looked Masaki straight into his eyes. Suddenly Daniel felt as if he were in an euphoric rush as a multitude of voices filled his very thoughts. A distant whisper, barely heard was joined by first a couple voices and then grew as others took up the message. The whispering took on a new identity as a single voice rose out of the multitude. The background voices continued to speak in whispering tones simultaneously what the single voice said.

“Daniel, your forces at Mirfak are suffering… ”

Flashes of scenes depicting swarms of darkness settling on the flagship and several other star destroyers, placements being literally torn from their housing, blackened hulls of the large ships, thousands of Kythons, Energy weapons failing, Marines having to go out on the hull and fight, dragons taking to the void, Kythons striking back, and finally without reason the Kythons ascending into the darkness of space leaving the crew puzzled.

The multitude returned as the images faded from his inner eye.

“I have given you a chance to pull your fleet back before they are destroyed. Do not waste it…"

"I won't. If there's nothing else, I would like to thank you two for bringing this to my attention." I said. Being the Lightning Master, I noticed in that little flashback that the Kythons have an advantage over energy weapons. I knew the fleet tried everything they could, but a little gremlin entered my mind and wouldn't let go with that little information. But in order to debrief the commanders and crew, what's left of them, they would have to come home. Then they will gain some downtime for their trouble and get orders to fight a far more familiar enemy...

I began typing up a Recall order for the Third Fleet, which will be sent within the hour. Within the next three or four hours, the Fleet should be home and the dead will be mourned...

"Then our business here is completed," Baron Skye replied as he turned to the Balroggan envoy, but still speaking to Masaki. "We shall leave you in peace, as was promised. We will also be watching the Jurai war. We apologize for the unfortunate inconvenience, but just remember..."

Skye looked over his shoulder at Masaki, and for a moment, blue eyes flashed with electricity, small arcs coursing over his body for but a moment. "... Get it done."

And with that, they vanished, a resounding *PWUMMMM* accompanying their departure.