NationStates Jolt Archive

(OOC: This thread is open, so if anyone wants to RP establishing diplomatic relations with my nation, I'd be happy to oblige.)

Hakeka - Factbook

Hakeka is a large socialistic nation located on a lush island off the coast of Senegal. It was founded by Jose Martinez in 3121, the leader of a group of refugees escaping from their own government on another world. The government has been very protective of the environment and has enacted many (often restrictive) measures to keep down pollution and environmental destruction. The economy is weak, though currently the government is trying to remedy this. The nation is known for its advanced information technology, space travel technology, and extensive knowledge of nanotech. Hakeka is the second largest nation state on Datema.

Geography

Location: Planet Datema, in the Kikri Ocean; off the eastern coast of the Senegal continent

Area: 3,121,042,678 sq km

Terrain: Vast coastal plains, rugged central mountains and broad river valleys

Climate: Temperate in the northern regions, but tropical in the southern plains, low winter temperatures in the central region

Elevation extremes: highest point: Mount Resurgam (6,214 m), lowest point: Bird Valley (-54 m)

Natural resources: iron, copper, bauxite, gold, quartz, silver, diamond, tungsten, molybdenum, timber, coal, petrol, natural gas

Land use: arable land: 23%, permanent crops: 5%, other: 77%

Natural hazards: tsumanis, hurricanes, earthquakes near the Ariana valley, mud slides in the central mountains


People

Population: 275,000,000 (November 3306 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.3%
15-64 years: 53.2%
65+ years: 21.5%

Growth rate: 3.16% (3306 est.)

Life expectancy: average: 88 years
male: 86 years
female: 90 years

Fertility rate: 2.11 children born/woman

Nationality: noun: Hakekan(s)
adjective: Hakekan

Literacy: definition: age 10 and over can read and write, total population: 99%, male: 99%, female: 99%, other: 99%

Ethnic groups: white 31.2%, Hispanic 25%, black 17.5%, native Hakekan 15.4%, Asian 11.1%

Religions: Roman Catholic 5%, Protestant 3%, Buddhist 2%, Mormon 2%, Jewish 2%, Muslim 1%, other 13%, none 72% (3306 est.)


Government

Country name: conventional long form: The People's Republic of Hakeka, conventional short form: Hakeka, local long form: The People's Republic of Hakeka, local short form: Hakeka

Government type: Democracy

Capital: name: Ket Ata

Administrative divisions: 5 provinces and 1 district*: District of Martinez*, New Arkansas, New Louisiana, Monterrey, Santa Fe, New Albany

Formation: July 16, 3121

National holiday: Landing Day, June 22

Legal system: Federal legal system based on community service/rehab; each province has its own legal system, all of which are based on this principle

Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Roberto Cortez (since 14 March 3302), Vice President Andrew Luong (since 14 March 3302), note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; head of government: President Roberto Cortez (since 14 March 3302), Vice President Andrew Luong (since 14 March 3302); cabinet: Cabinet appointed by President and Vice President with people's approval and Senate approval; elections: president, vice president, and cabinet are voted by people - election last held January 24, 3302

Political parties: Democratic Socialist Party, Conjoiner Party, Green Party, Libertarian Party, Independent Party, Conservative Party

OOC: Mind if I post my Eternal contacting your nation on this thread?

OOC: Mind if I post my Eternal contacting your nation on this thread?

OOC: Nope, no prob. In fact, I'd be delighted.

[Snip]
Growth rate: 2.12% (3306 est.)

[Snip]

Fertility rate: 1.91 children born/woman

[Snip]

OOC: Lots of nice detail there - nice work. I have one question, though: don't you need an average of more than 2 children born/woman to have a positive population growth rate?

OOC: Lots of nice detail there - nice work. I have one question, though: don't you need an average of more than 2 children born/woman to have a positive population growth rate?

OOC: Thanks. I try to be realistic, but most of the time I'm just makin' stuff up. I'll fix that.

OOC: Glad to help. I could tell you'd put a fair amount of work into that. I may contact you with my FT version at some point.
(If you don't mind dealing with talking gophers and a bit of magic, that is.)

OOC: Glad to help. I could tell you'd put a fair amount of work into that. I may contact you with my FT version at some point.
(If you don't mind dealing with talking gophers and a bit of magic, that is.)

OOC: Talking gophers shouldn't be a problem. I don't know about magic, though, unless you can provide some explanation on how it works. :P

OOC: Thank you for allowing me to do this and also might I say good detailed interesting fact book.

IC: From the times of space undisturbed the Eternals had long monitored the evolution of man as they had been the ones responsible for the gaining of sentience of man through environmental and genetic persuasion did they do this. As well, they had given a select few human ancestors the genetic potential to become great and the leaders of humanity.’

So for millions of years the Eternals watched man evolve and protected man from both disease and natural disasters. This was how man was able to survive a number near extinction events and the superior genes in a number of allowed them to flourish even during the darkest years. For that humanity was left to their own devices for a number of years and while the Eternals watched waiting for the time that humanity would be ready for the return of the Eternals to their world...

Now humanity had progressed enough so that now the Eternals had decided to come back to Earth and bring them the truth of their origins. Then they sent this message from beyond the solar system to humanity on a hyperspace sequence that would still be able to picked up the humans of Datena which read,” You have now come to a point where that you are now worthy to meet with the Eternals, the creators of your race. Are you willing to meet with us?”

OOC: If I could explain it, it would hardly be magic, yes? ;) I can keep it out of the way, far in the background, though. No turning people into frogs or anything. What there is, you can interpret as 'primitive superstitions' left in the history books.

OOC: Thank you for allowing me to do this and also might I say good detailed interesting fact book.

IC: From the times of space undisturbed the Eternals had long monitored the evolution of man as they had been the ones responsible for the gaining of sentience of man through environmental and genetic persuasion did they do this. As well, they had given a select few human ancestors the genetic potential to become great and the leaders of humanity.’

So for millions of years the Eternals watched man evolve and protected man from both disease and natural disasters. This was how man was able to survive a number near extinction events and the superior genes in a number of allowed them to flourish even during the darkest years. For that humanity was left to their own devices for a number of years and while the Eternals watched waiting for the time that humanity would be ready for the return of the Eternals to their world...

Now humanity had progressed enough so that now the Eternals had decided to come back to Earth and bring them the truth of their origins. Then they sent this message from beyond the solar system to humanity on a hyperspace sequence that would still be able to picked up the humans of Datena which read,” You have now come to a point where that you are now worthy to meet with the Eternals, the creators of your race. Are you willing to meet with us?”

President Cortez sat down in his chair. As his head sank into the fabric of the back, his implants immediately began interfacing with the chair, and a stream of data began to flow in. News reports, PMs, government communiques, and whatever else he chose to access were downloaded into his short-term memory and/or his long-term memory, if he so desired.

Scanning through his messages, he found little of interest until he stumbled upon a missive from "The Eternals". Apparently, it had been picked by one of the government hyperspace channels, which were still monitored (despite having been replaced several years previous by casual channels, which required less power though they could not be used during an jump). He opened the message, read the contents, then closed it and saved it to his long-term memory. It was definitely of interest, and it was in fact quite wondrous. The Hakekans had not encountered a single sentient race in their time that they could compare to, save for the native Hakekans, whom had been incorporated the introduced culture, so this was definitely news. Treating it as such, he forwarded it to every government office and news station in the nation.

Afterward, the President contacted the Director of the HSA (Hakeka Space Administration), Brian Green, via his neural net. Setting up an audio feed, he spoke.
Hey, Brian. How're things?
{Going well, sir. Our workers in the factory in the Oort Cloud have reported back. They've gotten the new vessel mostly finished; should be done in a week or two. Any news?}
Yes, in fact. I've just recieved a message from a group that calls themselves "The Eternals" - aliens, I believe - and they'd like us to meet them, on Earth. I'd like you to tell your workers to speed up production. At the moment, I'll be sending a reply, if you don't mind. And by the way, don't call me 'sir'. I go by many names, but 'sir' isn't one of them. Call me Robert.
{Got it, s- Robert. I'll notify them immediately. Is that all?}
Yes, thanks.
{Good day, then?}
Good day. Cortez terminated the channel, then thought up a reply to the Eternals' message:

Hello, Eternals (if that is your name),
We have recieved your message. Currently, we do not have a large enough functioning vessel with which to carry our envoys to travel to Sol; however, we are manufacturing one which should be completed soon. In any case, I will contact my nation's Senate about this matter, though rest assured we will arrive.

Sincerely,
Roberto Martinez, President of the People's Republic of Hakeka


OOC: If I could explain it, it would hardly be magic, yes? I can keep it out of the way, far in the background, though. No turning people into frogs or anything. What there is, you can interpret as 'primitive superstitions' left in the history books.

OOC: Ah, 'kay.

President Cortez sat down in his chair. As his head sank into the fabric of the back, his implants immediately began interfacing with the chair, and a stream of data began to flow in. News reports, PMs, government communiques, and whatever else he chose to access were downloaded into his short-term memory and/or his long-term memory, if he so desired.

Scanning through his messages, he found little of interest until he stumbled upon a missive from "The Eternals". Apparently, it had been picked by one of the government hyperspace channels, which were still monitored (despite having been replaced several years previous by casual channels, which required less power though they could not be used during an jump). He opened the message, read the contents, then closed it and saved it to his long-term memory. It was definitely of interest, and it was in fact quite wondrous. The Hakekans had not encountered a single sentient race in their time that they could compare to, save for the native Hakekans, whom had been incorporated the introduced culture, so this was definitely news. Treating it as such, he forwarded it to every government office and news station in the nation.

Afterward, the President contacted the Director of the HSA (Hakeka Space Administration), Brian Green, via his neural net. Setting up an audio feed, he spoke.
Hey, Brian. How're things?
{Going well, sir. Our workers in the factory in the Oort Cloud have reported back. They've gotten the new vessel mostly finished; should be done in a week or two. Any news?}
Yes, in fact. I've just recieved a message from a group that calls themselves "The Eternals" - aliens, I believe - and they'd like us to meet them, on Earth. I'd like you to tell your workers to speed up production. At the moment, I'll be sending a reply, if you don't mind. And by the way, don't call me 'sir'. I go by many names, but 'sir' isn't one of them. Call me Robert.
{Got it, s- Robert. I'll notify them immediately. Is that all?}
Yes, thanks.
{Good day, then?}
Good day. Cortez terminated the channel, then thought up a reply to the Eternals' message:

Hello, Eternals (if that is your name),
We have recieved your message. Currently, we do not have a large enough functioning vessel with which to carry our envoys to travel to Sol; however, we are manufacturing one which should be completed soon. In any case, I will contact my nation's Senate about this matter, though rest assured we will arrive.

Sincerely,
Roberto Martinez, President of the People's Republic of HakekaThe Eternal vessel picked up the message as soon as it was sent by the Hakekans and its was decided that the Eternals should go their home planet as it would probably be the best and most convenient for both of their parties for them to meet above the planet Dameta. So they used a short burst of their extra-dimensional warp engine which resulted in them departing into a series of portals that would bring them to the world quicker.

Soon within ten minutes of the message being sent the Eternals had now arrived in the outskirts of the home Dameta system and would be Dameta itself in about fifteen minutes. Yet before they would come to the planet their gold ships which appeared to be stars that projected a glorious light that you could look at and be exposed directly to without being burn. With that done as they went forward the ships brought seemed let out a rain of light, but in reality it was dropping numberless amounts of precious stones.

Then they sent this message to the planet Dameta bearing this message on a standard communication line,” We have come to your system to save you the effort of sending a ship to the Sol system and we are willing to meet you at any time you desire.”

The Eternal vessel picked up the message as soon as it was sent by the Hakekans and its was decided that the Eternals should go their home planet as it would probably be the best and most convenient for both of their parties for them to meet above the planet Dameta. So they used a short burst of their extra-dimensional warp engine which resulted in them departing into a series of portals that would bring them to the world quicker.

Soon within ten minutes of the message being sent the Eternals had now arrived in the outskirts of the home Dameta system and would be Dameta itself in about fifteen minutes. Yet before they would come to the planet their gold ships which appeared to be stars that projected a glorious light that you could look at and be exposed directly to without being burn. With that done as they went forward the ships brought seemed let out a rain of light, but in reality it was dropping numberless amounts of precious stones.

Then they sent this message to the planet Dameta bearing this message on a standard communication line,” We have come to your system to save you the effort of sending a ship to the Sol system and we are willing to meet you at any time you desire.”

OOC: Really, really sorry I haven't been posting for this long. RL has really been screwing around with my life.

Eyebrows rose across the planet as the dramatic light show unfolded in the sky. Roberto rose from his chair and walked outside to watch the meteor shower.
This time, he took out his PDA. Although he was augmented, the medichines were limited in signal strength so as not to fry the brain, and thus could only transcieve across a range of about two meters before the signal became too weak. He needed either a medichine-compatible transciever or a phone, and the former was not so readily available as the latter. He dialed one of his politicos, Senator Monty Meddick.

Senate Building, Ariana, Hakeka, 2100 hours
As he walked through the halls of the Senate Building, Senator Meddick admired the murals on its walls. It had been painted by some of Hakeka's greatest artists, depicting scenes of the Altotan Engagement and First Landing.
Suddenly his phone rang. He fished it out of his pocket and flipped it open. "Hello?" he said.
"Senator Monty... this is President Cortez. I'm calling on a matter of national security."
"Sir. And with all due respect, sir..."
"It's not 'sir'."
"Cortez, then. With all due respect, I don't see what there could possibly be that would be a matter of national security."
"Look out the window."
"What?"
"Look out the window. Just do it."
Meddick opened the door to his side and gazed up out the window. "My God..."
"See what I mean?"
"Well, sir... I mean, Cortez... it's... what is that?"
"An alien race - well, we think they're alien, since that's what they told us. They call themselves the Eternals."
"And these... Eternals... do they want anything of us?"
"They want us to come aboard their ship. That's all I know."
"I see. Well... I'll see if I can string a meeting together. Hold up... how did you know who they are?"
"They've been sending us text messages. So far, I've kept them hidden away... but I suppose that won't be required anymore, will it? See if you can get your hands on a few shuttles."
"I will. Goodbye, President."
"'Bye, Senator. I hope we meet soon." Roberto clicked the phone shut. He walked back into his office. Sitting down in his chair, he opened a drawer and pulled out a small touchpad. He tapped in a keycode and the device glowed green, indicating that the casual channel was transmitting. He subvocalised a message.

I have recieved your transmission and contacted the Senate. They will discuss the matter.
Though, in any case, I believe my people should like to know exactly who you are; to be quite honest, I would like that myself. Thusly, I invite you to establish a casual channel so that we may become acquainted with your people, if that is possible.
I would not advise that your ships land, however; the Altotans are "friskier" than us, for lack of a better term, about such things, and undoubtably their defenses are trained on your vessels at this moment.

OOC: Sorry for the bump, but, um... Scandinvans?

The Eternal ship took up a steady orbit around the planet using their engines to keep in a signaler place without moving much and keeping in line with a standard position on the planet’s surface. Keeping this up the ship then began to shine the sun’s rays so as to appear as star itself in orbit projecting a non harmful light.

The Eternals then replied,” We shall tell that we are the Eternals, a elder race of the universe, that have existed since before even your sun was born with our people living for untold lengths of time not subject to death, aging, or disease in your sense of the world. The purpose behind us calling ourselves Eternals is based from the first mortals we meet who called us in their tongue ‘eternal’ and thus we took on the name and now we speak our true name only to those who are our friends.

Further, we are ourselves are energy beings that reside in a physical body of our choosing which is mostly the one we are born with. As well, we are beings capable of bending any substance in the universal thus granting us power beyond your humans. Also, as you might have guessed we are extremely advanced technologically as well.

As for the other people on your planet any attack will most likely be ineffective as we have defenses hidden, but will not use to do anything but defend ourselves.

Yet, we only desire to establish relations with your people so we hope nothing of anger transpires here."

Cortez was sitting in the communications room now, alongside many others. As the reply came in, he shouted to one of the officers behind him: "Set up a relay! I want this broadcast on all frequencies."
"Aye, Cortez." The officer tapped a code into his console and it was. Suddenly, TV programs across Datema were interrupted by the message from space. Those who were not outside watching the light show were equally surprised when their favorite show was interrupted by the broadcast.

Roberto's phone rang. He picked it up and opened it.
"Cortez? The Senate's still talking about it, sort of, but we've got the shuttles. Everything ready to go?"
"Yes; I just had one of my officers relay the Eternals' latest message worldwide."
"Great. I'll get... uh, you want to pick the team?"
"Nah, I think you'd do a better job than me. I'm not one to judge people," Cortez said jokingly.
"Well, then, I must go. See you at the landing pad." The line terminated.

----------

Martinez Spaceport Complex, Ket Ata, Hakeka 0030 hours
Monty walked into the spaceport, admiring the building's design. It was a work of art; multiplexiglass mended with silvery metal to create a sleek, rounded building with wide open spaces and bright sunlight streaming down into its concourses and terminal in the day, and a wide-angle view of the stars at night. Still, it was not incredibly active; it was still primarily under construction, as the shuttles were only temporary. Soon, they would be replaced by a space elevator (or "beanstalk", as it was more commonly referred to).
Monty stepped into one doorway. A retina scanner identified him, and the door slid open with a hiss. He walked into the concourse.
Suddenly he heard footsteps behind him. He jumped.
"Scared you, did I?"
He turned around to face the President. "Ah," he said, "um, no."
"Hell yes I did!" Cortez slapped him in the back, laughing. "So, where's the team?"
"They're already aboard."
"They're what?"
Monty rolled his eyes.
They arrived at another doorway. This one irised open for them, leading them straight through their shuttle's hatchway. It closed abruptly behind them.
Their crew saluted them. "Welcome aboard, President. And Senator," they said. Monty scanned over them. Three men and four women. Suddenly he wondered: Where's the other man?
{What?} Cortez looked at him.
Monty cursed at himself silently for forgetting that Cortez was a mindreader. I called for four men. There are only three.
{So? All the better. Then we can have a threesome with the one girl.} Cortez grinned.
Suddenly, Monty felt as though he was being pushed down into his seat. It wasn't a painful feeling, but he could definitely feel it. {Well, we're taking off. No sense worrying about it now.}
Monty scowled. Well, whatever.

The shuttle cleared the atmosphere and entered low orbit. It fired its tokamak engines to fly to the Eternal flotilla. Its pilot transmitted a docking request to the lead Eternal vessel: "This is the Hakekan shuttle Kikri, requesting permission to dock with your ship."

Bump. Scandinvans?

Location: Sector 224732
File type: Data
File summary: New strain of humanity discovered
To: High Commander Farsight
From: Shas'El'Vior'La'Shi

My lord, During a routine inspection of the area close to the Damocles gulf we picked up a serise of transmissions from a yet uncharted planet. when we discovering said planet we immediatly sent an Orca class ship to investigate and found a yet un catagorised subspecice of humanity. Since these humans have not made contact with the Aun following empire I believe that they show potential as allies/clients. As such I have sent a Manta missle destroyer with a Por caste deligation to the planet and have transmitted a simple first contact message. If you have no objection to making first contact with these humans then the Manta should arrive within a day, maybe less.
Ever faithful to the true cause
El'Shi
OCC: Hope you don't mind me just jumping in but my mercs need contracts :D.

Cortez was sitting in the communications room now, alongside many others. As the reply came in, he shouted to one of the officers behind him: "Set up a relay! I want this broadcast on all frequencies."
"Aye, Cortez." The officer tapped a code into his console and it was. Suddenly, TV programs across Datema were interrupted by the message from space. Those who were not outside watching the light show were equally surprised when their favorite show was interrupted by the broadcast.

Roberto's phone rang. He picked it up and opened it.
"Cortez? The Senate's still talking about it, sort of, but we've got the shuttles. Everything ready to go?"
"Yes; I just had one of my officers relay the Eternals' latest message worldwide."
"Great. I'll get... uh, you want to pick the team?"
"Nah, I think you'd do a better job than me. I'm not one to judge people," Cortez said jokingly.
"Well, then, I must go. See you at the landing pad." The line terminated.

----------

Martinez Spaceport Complex, Ket Ata, Hakeka 0030 hours
Monty walked into the spaceport, admiring the building's design. It was a work of art; multiplexiglass mended with silvery metal to create a sleek, rounded building with wide open spaces and bright sunlight streaming down into its concourses and terminal in the day, and a wide-angle view of the stars at night. Still, it was not incredibly active; it was still primarily under construction, as the shuttles were only temporary. Soon, they would be replaced by a space elevator (or "beanstalk", as it was more commonly referred to).
Monty stepped into one doorway. A retina scanner identified him, and the door slid open with a hiss. He walked into the concourse.
Suddenly he heard footsteps behind him. He jumped.
"Scared you, did I?"
He turned around to face the President. "Ah," he said, "um, no."
"Hell yes I did!" Cortez slapped him in the back, laughing. "So, where's the team?"
"They're already aboard."
"They're what?"
Monty rolled his eyes.
They arrived at another doorway. This one irised open for them, leading them straight through their shuttle's hatchway. It closed abruptly behind them.
Their crew saluted them. "Welcome aboard, President. And Senator," they said. Monty scanned over them. Three men and four women. Suddenly he wondered: Where's the other man?
{What?} Cortez looked at him.
Monty cursed at himself silently for forgetting that Cortez was a mindreader. I called for four men. There are only three.
{So? All the better. Then we can have a threesome with the one girl.} Cortez grinned.
Suddenly, Monty felt as though he was being pushed down into his seat. It wasn't a painful feeling, but he could definitely feel it. {Well, we're taking off. No sense worrying about it now.}
Monty scowled. Well, whatever.

The shuttle cleared the atmosphere and entered low orbit. It fired its tokamak engines to fly to the Eternal flotilla. Its pilot transmitted a docking request to the lead Eternal vessel: "This is the Hakekan shuttle Kikri, requesting permission to dock with your ship."The liquid steal of the ship molded into an opening to a docking bay where everything was made of solid platinum and diamonds. As well, the Eternals replied,” Please come aboard our ship at your own discretion.’

In an attempt to placate the people of the world below the Eternals sent a shower of slow falling diamonds and gold nuggets which would not damage anything and also they bore with them a number of crystals of an unknown purpose which were far rarer in the shower then anything else.

As well, the Eternals began to play a enchanting music as a sing they came in peace to this world and also to calm the people of the world and attempt to bring no attacks from the people below who had different response to their arrival.


OOC: Sorry, for the wait I am have been rather busy.

OOC: Fucking hell! I hate RLS.

IC: The Kikri flew into the Eternal dock. Monty and the others disembarked from the shuttle.
The entire ship must be made of precious metals, Monty thought. He said aloud, "Damn."

-------------

"M'lady, long-range sensors are picking up a new energy signature," comm officer Roger Penn said.
"What is it?" inquired Commander Amera Tran.
"A ship, I believe. Quite large; could be some sort of cruiser, or perhaps a battleship. Or it might be a trade vessel. I'll see if scanners can register anything." He tapped on the console, then waited for a minute. Data streamed onto the display. "Hmm..."
"It isn't one of ours, correct?"
"No, it isn't... not ours, and it probably isn't Eternal, either."
Amera examined the outline of the ship that the outpost's scanners had been able to piece together. "Lots of little protrusions scattered across the hull... could be weapons."
Suddenly the comm's console beeped. "They're transmitting," he said. "Should I put it on-screen?"
"Go ahead."
The comm tapped another pad. A projector displayed the message in the air, before the two. Amera listened to it. "They're called what?"
"I'm not quite sure; I think it was 'Aun' or something like that."
"How fast are they going?"
"At their current rate, they'll be here in a day or two."
Amera considered for a moment. "Good, officer. Now inform Datema: We have more visitors." She walked out of the room.
"Yes, m'lady," the comm said as she did.
She poked her head back in the door. "Oh, and get me a team."

Amera ran through the corridors of the station - Outpost Perseus, it had been named by the Altotans.
She reached the dock. By this time, a group of Altotan soldiers, diplomats, scientists, and numerous others had gathered together. They saluted her. "Good day, Commander," said the leader.
"Captain Judy." She nodded. She and Judy had been close friends for several years now. He had proposed to her once, but she had turned him down. She wasn't so much into men as much as other women, as far as her romantic interests were concerned. Still, they had maintained a relationship of sorts. "Good morning, men.
"Today one of our communications officers detected a ship outside our solar system." She paused, letting the troops converse among themselves for a moment. Then she started again. "It's large - several kilometers long, and from what we can tell, it's well-armed.
"They also want to make contact. That is why you are here - to meet them and, if it turns out their intentions are true, perhaps align ourselves with them." She looked at the soldiers. "In the case that they aren't... troops, feel free to blow them out of the sky."
Amused laughter came from some parts of the crowd. One soldier shouted "Yeah!" and raised his weapon in the air.
DONG. An alert message was broadcast to their implants. Their lift had arrived.

The Gloriana was a massive vessel - an Altotan weapons carrier and sometimes freighter, it was at least ten kilometers long. Its surface was bristling with weaponry: Beam cannons, missile racks, and railguns. It also had several fighter bays on each side, and a military-grade fabricator in every one - a cornucopia machine, it could produce weapons and machinery almost as fast as they could be dreamt up until the supply of raw material ran out.
Overkill, Don Judy thought. But it would do. Especially in the case that the aliens turned out to be hostile: If they tried anything (and he doubted they would), they wouldn't stand a chance.
He stared out the picture window into the void. Despite its dangers, space was a beautiful place - blackness lit by clumps and banners of stars, dust, and gas. Here in Datema, several dozen light-years from the Eagle Nebula, that void was strung with clouds of bright yellow and wisps of hazy orange lit by the eyes of eternity - stars and protostars, balls of luminous hydrogen gas whose fusion candles were not yet lit.
He pushed that aside. He was on a business mission, not a pleasure trip. Pulling himself away from the void, he returned to his post to check the ship status. They were jumping in 3 minutes.
The jump drive was housed in a large space in the back of the ship. It consisted of three parts - the control center (the "brain"), the generator, and the bulge, which housed a naked singularity: A space-time anomaly around which the laws of physics broke down, thus making it possible to violate casuality and travel faster than the speed of light.
Don was bored - he didn't have much to do, since his main duties were aboard the alien vessel, assuming they got on it. He waited three minutes, staring off into space. After what seemed like an eternity to his blank mind, the singularity drive came online, and the ship's engines fired, accelerating it to superluminal speed.
Then the ship dropped out of tachyon-space back into realspace. The singularity drive shut down, and as it did it collapsed the singularity down to nothing. They had arrived. The message was sent to the alien ship: "Hello, hello, newcomers. What may we do for you?"

OOC:Just to let you know, please do a little research on the Tau from war hammer 40K, a manta misstle destroyer holds 40 Tau, 10 battlesuits and 4 vericles, its not even half a click long. Hero class battle ships are 6 KM long and Explorore class colany/command ships are 12 KM long.

"This is the Tau Manta missle destroyer "Waters message" We are carrying a delagation of Por caste diplomates. We mean you no harm but be advised, any form of agression towards this transport will bring the full force of 3 Hero class battleships to bear on the agressor.

However, our ship is not equipt with an FTL drive and it would take at least 2 days to reach your planet with out help. Therefore we are requesting permission to land on your large carrier so that we can reach your planet faster" Said Por'Vre'Voir'La as the missle destroyer approched the battle carrier.

OOC: Whoops. =P

IC: Amera watched the message, then replied. "This is Gloriana; I'm Commander Amera Tran, leader of our little party. You're cleared to dock, Waters Message. Proceed to Bay-Bel 3, marked A3." She amused the thought of a ship named Message. Wonder who thought of that?

mind a sephrion rescearch team of 20 battle brothers and sientiests contacting you

a acendant class warship exted slip steam on the bridge could be seen 50 space marines of the adaptus astres and the regualer crew


coms to local rxenos thgis is ussi virtous coming in weapons armed said the tac ops oficer sheilds up

OOc: The Por caste, or water caste are the messangers and diplomates of the Tau. Hence the name Waters message.

IC:Silently, and with all the grace and skill of a butterfly the Manta floated into the docking bay. As the bay preasurised The team of Por delagates collected the papers and recording equiptment, mean while a team of Shas'Vre in Chrisis battlesuits jumped the two story gap between the main exit of the manta and the bay floor, firing there booster's meer seconds before hitting the floor. Each was accompanied by two gun drones and after looking around to check of threats they signaled for the delagates to leave the Manta. With a hiss a ramp extended from the Manta and the delagates left, keeping close to the Chrisis suits at all times.

OOC: Just to let you know, a chrisis suit is about 8 or 10 feet tall and can carry up to three heavy wepons, and although these ones are armed its only a standard procidure, don't worry about them shooting up the place XD.

OOC: Sorry I haven't been RP'ing lately. I've been lying in bed with a cold, or flu, or something. Still have it, too.

Don and his crew scurried into the bay to greet the arrivals. "Keep your weapons hidden," he instructed the men. They did as told.
He wore a pair of glasses that housed an amplifier for his neural implants' transcievers to broadcast and recieve information. He kept it on most of the time, usually for personal calls. Of course, when he had time, he hung around forums, chatrooms, whatever - all part of a normal modern life.
He scanned over the newcomers. They were definitely not human; that much was clear, and there is a universal expression that says "diplomat". Well, maybe not. Still, that was how it seemed to him.
Ignoring the three armed-to-the-teeth-contraptions beside them, he voiced a command to seemingly no one in particular. "Leo, translator." Leo was Gloriana's AI.
"I shall try," Leo replied.
"Hello," he spoke to the aliens. "Might I inquire your business here?"

OOC: BTW, um, Scandinvans?

EDIT: Whoops, I overlooked a reply. Sorry!

IC: On the bridge, Amera was standing by the door, about to fetch herself a glass of water, when Leo materialised in front of her. "M'lady, we have more visitors."
Amera sighed. "Hostile?"
"Armed, but not seemingly threatening. Should we greet them?"
"Send them a message, yes."
Leo dissapeared. The ship sent a message to the incoming vessel, granting them permission to dock in the same hangar with the Tau.

a strike shuutle was scrambeled on boared 20 fully armed space marines and 5 tech preists they aproached fast

As the delagates exitted the hanger bay they noticed the marine shuttle land in the bay. Ah, so the marine's have come to meet these people a well. This could be intresting Thought the leader of the escort, then turning around to face the disembarking marines said "Hail Adaptus, how fair's the Emporore?" he asked in good will.

hail tau the adptus growled botlers in hand we were sent by the god emepeor to ascort the tech priests the god emepor is the same entomed in the golden throne

as the tech priests desmarked one said cut the chater tothe batle brothers

a battle brother muttered by the god emepeor why do we have to baby sit the tech priests id rather be killing tau
ooc tau and space marines dont get on

OOC: Actualy the marine's and Farsight mercenary Tau do get along, they have been hired by them lots of time. Plus I thought we had a better relationship after the incident on the station.

As such it would be nce if you treated me with some respect. I have respected your Emporor XD.

im on about reguaalar tau

ic batle brother control your temper snarled the brother captain the farsight are our friends

OOC: Whoa, whoa, settle down there, boys. =p

IC: Don watched the shuttle land, and he pulled his flak jacket over his gun as the heavily armed troops walked out and down the boarding ramp.
He activated his link. Amera, did you authorize these people?
Yeah, I did. Problem?
No, no, not at all, he thought sarcastically, struggling to keep it out of his mental tone.
Just humor them for a little while. There was a brief flash of - what was it? He couldn't quite place the color, nor the feeling that seemed to have been transmitted over the link. Oh well.
The Tau seemed to have become engaged in some conversation with "the new people", as he thought of them. "Ahem," he spoke again. He wondered if that would get the message over. Leo's translator couldn't convey feelings - could it? "Might I inquire your business? You are the Tau, I believe... and you?" He pointed to the marines.

OOC: Scandinvans?

"Correct we are Tau from the break away mercenary faction of the Farsight enclaves. We have been sent to add your race to our existing racial database and to see if a contract can be negotiated" Said the Crisis team leader.

we said the brother sargent are the adptus astates aslo known as the space marines we serve the fod emepeor

he grined like shooting tryinds in a barrel this missions easy

Glancing between the two parties, Don said, "Ah." So I'm a rat to these people, he thought. Oh joy. "A contract? In that case, you might wish to speak with some higher officer... perhaps the commander of this vessel? I can most likely get you a meeting with her." He looked at the Tau, then at the Marines. "Come." He directed his team to follow him, flanking the newcomers.
Luckily for him, Amera was standing in the doorway. "I hear I'm scheduled for an appointment?"

he noded batle brothers 1 to 20 come tech preists come

the 2o soldiers escorted thier package

Amera led the group into a small room. She turned to face the Tau first. "Mercenaries, are you? What is it, exactly, that you seek to gain from a deal with us?"
Don engaged the Marines in conversation. "May I ask - how did you happen to come across us?"

------

OOC: Scandinvans!

OOC: Fucking hell! I hate RLS.

IC: The Kikri flew into the Eternal dock. Monty and the others disembarked from the shuttle.
The entire ship must be made of precious metals, Monty thought. He said aloud, "Damn."From out of a beam of pure light came a magnificent angelic been of shimmering silver light, wearing clothes and hair of radiant golden light, and glowing piercing sapphire eyes which seemed to read a persons very soul.

The being said in a mighty, yet not overwhelmingly, voice,” Greetings and welcome to my ship. I am the Eternal Lord Ekoita who has been sent by the Highest One to your world to gauge your development and see if you are advanced enough to be contacted further by my people. And I have already deemed it yes, but for the time do you wish to discuss any lighter topics or ask about my people?”

OOC: Sorry, lost this thread.:(

OOC: Don't feel bad. I usually post when you aren't on. =p

IC: Cortez was briefly blinded, but quickly regained vision as his implants adjusted to the light level. "Yes, I believe those would be some subjects of interest. Uherm... might we converse somewhere else?"
Monty was speechless. Still, he regained himself quickly, as well as the others, and said, "Yes, um... there are others aboard this ship, I believe?"

The Eternal answering their request lowered his head and they were brought to a marble room with a large silver table inlaid with sapphires. On the outside of the room was a garden of the highest quality (I still most of these ideas from god knows how many sources) which was quite vast for the size of the ship. Then as they were only a second in the room golden chairs appeared beneath them and seated the people standing above them. Then the Eternal took a seat when another two Eternal appeared near the head of the table where they were all sitting. Then the Eternal answered,” Well, that is done and a number of my kind have come. What now do you wish to desire?”

The party, still trying to familiarise themselves with the advanced technology (or whatever it was - they weren't entirely certain any more) of the Eternals, controlled their reactions to the sudden transport. Cortez said, "Might we inquire the history of your people?"

The Eternal answered rather sternly and said," The history of the Eternals dates back over seven billion years and to address it all to its full extent would take more then the life times of all you combined. Yet, I will tell a generalized statement that for time untold we have sought to keep peace and order in the universe and to spread the light to the ends of all things."

"That's older than most stars," Monty thought aloud.
Cortez said, "Interesting. Our own aim has been somewhat similar. The first settlers of our world founded the two nations - Hakeka, my own, and Altota, the other - in the interests of peace and freedom. Of course, I am probably sounding a bit nationalistic."

simple were trackin the movements of the farsight we space marines hate the tau but we tolerate the farsight

"That's older than most stars," Monty thought aloud.

Cortez said, "Interesting. Our own aim has been somewhat similar. The first settlers of our world founded the two nations - Hakeka, my own, and Altota, the other - in the interests of peace and freedom. Of course, I am probably sounding a bit nationalistic."The Eternal replied,” What you did was rather wise as it takes two things in order for any form of balance to exist. Yet, a world working together would be far stronger in this hostile universe.”

"Well, there have been proposals to merge the two nations," Cortez replied. "They are still being considered, though that would be a complicated process." He looked out at the garden, which seemed bathed in ethereal light. "It amazes myself, actually, that we would be found first, out here. This is the edge of the galaxy. When you first contacted us, we had had no intentions of returning to Sol, indeed. Still, empires rise and fall... I would imagine that the tyranny that ruled over the people of our founding fathers would have fallen by now, after 900 years. But that is not my concern." He paused for a second.
Then he continued. "Might I inquire further - what, exactly, might you be contacting us about in the future should the need arise?"

--------

"Tracking them... do you know much of these Farsight people?" Don inquired of the Marines.

enoung said the brother captian

"We located your planet some time ago, when a routine scout drone detected one of your ships. Since then we have been studying your race. When you were contacted by a yet unknown race we believed that now was the time for us to offer you our services as mercenarys as the said race could be hostile or an invading force. However, we are also intrested in trade, especially in AI to lifeform connections such as your many implants." Said one of the Water caste as they sat down.

Amera looked at the diplomat. "So you are interested in medichines," she said. "The technology comes from the Hakekans, the other nation in this system.
"One of their main nanotech manufacturers resides on a satellite of our innermost gas giant, Heut. With the approval of the Marines, we might be able to take you there - or, if your ship is fast enough, you might make it on your own.
"The... race unknown call themselves the Eternals. I was briefed about them not long before I shipped off on this vessel, although there isn't much to know - yet. The Hakekans have sent a diplomatic mission to meet them."

On the other side of the room, Don looked at the Marines. "Okay," he said.

one of them cocked thier boltors

Upon hearing the sound of a readied gun, Don quickly thought to disarm the situation. "Since we have already met," he began, "might it be possible for our government to establish trade relations with your own?"

we are here for your technogly said the kill team

"Umm, I see. Well, I believe that it would be possible to negotiate the terms of a deal... peacefully," he said. He was becoming nervous. He sent a message to his team: Keep an eye on the Marines. I'm not liking the signs they're giving me.

"Well, there have been proposals to merge the two nations," Cortez replied. "They are still being considered, though that would be a complicated process." He looked out at the garden, which seemed bathed in ethereal light. "It amazes myself, actually, that we would be found first, out here. This is the edge of the galaxy. When you first contacted us, we had had no intentions of returning to Sol, indeed. Still, empires rise and fall... I would imagine that the tyranny that ruled over the people of our founding fathers would have fallen by now, after 900 years. But that is not my concern." He paused for a second.
Then he continued. "Might I inquire further - what, exactly, might you be contacting us about in the future should the need arise?"The Eternal replied,” We have observed the development of much of human civilization is at a decent level. We also have noticed that although your people are doing quite well for yourselves when comparing your social and technological stand point at this time, though there are a number with far more advanced technology. Yet, we also wish to tell you in the home system of humanity there currently is a chance for you to make contact with again as the civilization there will not attack you and if they do we will you support your defense. As for your own planet’s government unification will help, but if you do not want it will be best to make a permanent alliance between your two nations and for your colonies not be run by nations, but a governing council made up of a even number of representatives from each nation of your planet.”

"That is a possibility. It may be considered by the Senate - of our people, and theirs.
"Sol - ha ha," he laughed. "I would never be too certain that they will be completely friendly - the homeworld has been ravaged by centuries of greed... the old conflicts still remain, the old divisions, prejudices. But give a man the chance to start anew, far from the war and strife that would have befallen his own home..." he sighed, thinking of himself and his own childhood. "Well, that is what we have done.
"I cannot argue that our level of technology may not be as advanced as that of some other factions of humanity - traveling aboard sleeper ships, we were several hundred years removed from life and still are.
"In any case, we cannot simply talk forever. Would your race be interested in forging diplomatic relations between our two... governing bodies? Or rather, three?"

The Eternal replied,” That would be more then acceptable for us as we wish to help you maintain a sense of order throughout the universe and the means of alliances is a means by which we achieve that aim. Yet, as for your world we will easily agree to an alliance with both of the nations, but we must tell you that we will not take sides or involve ourselves if there is fighting between your two nations as we do not like to involve ourselves in internal planetary disputes.”

"Such will be the terms of our relations, then," stated Cortez. "And as such, our government will keep it in mind. Our people, as well, hopefully." He paused. "On that note, I ought to report to the people. They must know that we have forged an alliance."

The Eternal responded by bringing them all back to the hanger where their ship was docked and then replied,” Well, that would be in the best interests of us both as we do not want this to turn into a incident by us keeping you to long. Yet, I wish to ask do you want us to go to the surface with you to ratify the treaty?”

OOC: Actually, Cortez didn't say anything about that. =p

IC: "I think that our people would be interested in meeting yours, and having yourself or another along might be a ratification in itself."

The Eternal responded,” Me and my kin shall go down to the planet then if that would help. As well, how would you prefer to go down by the means of teleportation or in your own ship?”

Cortez said, "Either way goes - but if by teleport, don't forget the shuttle."

OOC: Sephrioth, Farsight - where are you?

The Water caste negotiator looked over at the Marines while shaking his head. The Imperium always resorted to force when it came to negotiations, especialy with the Marines. Not for the first time he thanked his caste that his race has those who were civil, as well as those who were as aggressive as Marines. He then turned his gaze towards the new strand of humanitys negotiator and began to sow the first seeds of cooperation by saying "We would be greatful if we could begin negotiating a trade treaty, we are especialy intrested in your Nanotech as we have yet to produce such machines. In exchange we can offer FTL drive's so that you can make contact with more race's."

five seconds the marine snarled and we opon fire

ooc i had tech probs

The fuck are they thinking? Don subvocalised in a panicked tone to no one in particular.
His team got the message. The armored guards raised their weapons to the Marines. "Don't shoot him," the lead guard ordered the Marines as Don scrambled out of his chair.
"An ill-gotten camel gathers no gain," Don said, quoting an old Earth proverb. "Lower your weapons. You will get nothing out of me - or us - by annhilating us."

Cortez said, "Either way goes - but if by teleport, don't forget the shuttle."

OOC: Sephrioth, Farsight - where are you?The Eternal snapped his finger and they were all brought down to the surface near a government landing pad. The Eternal then said,” Well, we are all now all down and with the shuttle to. Also, we have arrived at a landing pad in the capital controlled by your government and we have sent a message to your leaders telling them where we are.”

"Impressive," Cortez said. He looked down from the landing pad. TV crews were already swarming the landing pad, camera crews hopping out of the hovercars, and he sighted two government transports in the distance.
OOC note: The landing pads are suspended in mid-air between buildings - think Coruscant.
IC: Monty walked across the landing pad to the edge, bent down, and buried his face in the grass - to check if it was real. Cortez and the others, who had been silent throughout the stay on the Eternal vessel, stared at him. Then one laughed, and the others joined in.
They queited down as the government vessels touched down. Two Senators walked out, representatives of the Monterrey province, one male, one female. They greeted the shuttle party, then turned to the other. "Are you a representative of the Eternals?" asked the female Senator.

"Impressive," Cortez said. He looked down from the landing pad. TV crews were already swarming the landing pad, camera crews hopping out of the hovercars, and he sighted two government transports in the distance.
OOC note: The landing pads are suspended in mid-air between buildings - think Coruscant.
IC: Monty walked across the landing pad to the edge, bent down, and buried his face in the grass - to check if it was real. Cortez and the others, who had been silent throughout the stay on the Eternal vessel, stared at him. Then one laughed, and the others joined in.
They queited down as the government vessels touched down. Two Senators walked out, representatives of the Monterrey province, one male, one female. They greeted the shuttle party, then turned to the other. "Are you a representative of the Eternals?" asked the female Senator.The same Eternal who had been talking earlier on the ship replied in a rather cordial voice said,” Yes, I am a ambassador of the Eldest One of the Eternal Empire who has sent me here to make peaceful relations with your people so as to help you as you expand further into space and to also make a friendship with your people for the greater benefit of both of our parties.”

The man stepped forward. "Please come with us. We are taking you and the President's party to Government Hall, where we may discuss this further." The camera crews were focused on himself and the Eternal. Cortez stood by him, waiting for the Eternal to decide "yes" or "no". Monty and the party, meanwhile, piled into the government transport with the female Senator.

Bump. Scandinvans? Farsight? Sephrioth?
Where are you? :(

Bump.

The man stepped forward. "Please come with us. We are taking you and the President's party to Government Hall, where we may discuss this further." The camera crews were focused on himself and the Eternal. Cortez stood by him, waiting for the Eternal to decide "yes" or "no". Monty and the party, meanwhile, piled into the government transport with the female Senator.The Eternal shook his head yes and then said,” Very well then, let us head to engage in diplomatic changes so as to further the negotiations and to establish official relations between our two nations.”

So he and the two other Eternals boarded the vessel.

bump

The Senator jumped in the cockpit of the vehicle. Using his implants, he directed the ship's repulsors, then throttled up and flew off.

---

The ship landed on one of the landing pads protruding from the sprawling 300-story tower that housed Government Hall. Surrounding the entrance were parks and plazas, as well as benches and tables, prevented from snapping off the tower by its ultralight composition and repulsors on the bottom of the platform. All around the building, vehicles zoomed past at speeds ranging from 50-400 kilometres per second.
Now it was nighttime, and a bright glow radiated as an aura from the vast metropolis that spanned nearly the entire Hakekan coastline, and extended inward into the mountain range. There the skyscrapers stopped, and a network of undergrounds and maglevs took people into a vast maze of tunnels. There were at least 50 networks of tunnels at different subterranean elevations in the mountains, each one like a city in itself.
The Senators stepped out. They opened the passenger's compartment, then gestured at the Eternals toward the doors into the building.

The three Eternals followed their hosts towards of the building while they were talking in their own strange alien language which in many cases if any human tried to repeat the sounds they would fail utterly.

Once inside, the Senators led the party down a hall and into a room with a large table surrounded by chairs. "Please, sit down," said the female Senator. The party sat. Then they looked at Cortez.
The female Senator inquired, "President Cortez. Would you be so kind as to dictate your meeting to us, for the record?"
"Gladly." Cortez stood up. "The Eternals - or rather, their ambassador here-" he guestured to the being he had been conversing with - "stated that they would like to establish diplomatic relations with our own nation and Altota. According to... it, they will take no stance favouring either side regarding intranational issues.
"Also according to the ambassador, they wish to help us attain and maintain a sense of... order among our colonies."
The female Senator said, "Thank you, President." She looked at the Eternals. "And might you have anything to add?"

Bump.

Bump.
I swear, if this keeps up, there'll be more bump than post.

Bump.

Bump.

OOC: Mind if I make contact? I am FT, but primarily use magic. If its an explaination you want, I can provide you with more explaination that is really neccessary, but be warned, I take a lot of liberty with science.

Once inside, the Senators led the party down a hall and into a room with a large table surrounded by chairs. "Please, sit down," said the female Senator. The party sat. Then they looked at Cortez.
The female Senator inquired, "President Cortez. Would you be so kind as to dictate your meeting to us, for the record?"
"Gladly." Cortez stood up. "The Eternals - or rather, their ambassador here-" he guestured to the being he had been conversing with - "stated that they would like to establish diplomatic relations with our own nation and Altota. According to... it, they will take no stance favouring either side regarding intranational issues.
"Also according to the ambassador, they wish to help us attain and maintain a sense of... order among our colonies."
The female Senator said, "Thank you, President." She looked at the Eternals. "And might you have anything to add?"The Eternal simply replied with this statement,” That is all which I would have told as to our designs and those are our general attentions, so I have nothing to add.”

OOC: Mind if I make contact? I am FT, but primarily use magic. If its an explaination you want, I can provide you with more explaination that is really neccessary, but be warned, I take a lot of liberty with science.

OOC: Go ahead; I just prefer hard sci-fi. But I suppose I can let it go.
For that matter, I ought to talk to Demonic Gophers sometime.

IC: The female Senator nodded her head, then turned and walked out the door, followed by Cortez, Monty, and the other Senator. They came back with an entourage of politicos, led by Cortez, who carried a single document. He and the others sat down before the Eternals, and Monty held out the paper. "I have prepared for us the terms of our alliance. If you will... for formalities' sake," he said, holding out a pen.

The Eternal quickly reading the paper then pressed his bare finger against it and formed his signature which left a blood red ink in its wake. Then he said,” That should do I hope then.”

Some of the politicians stared. Others held back convulsions, thinking that the Eternal had cut his finger and spilled blood on the paper. Still others, being more mature, simply accepted it as a normal alien custom. Cortez was one. "Then I suppose you ought to return to your ships, for your sake." He bowed his head slightly.

With that said the Eternal replied," If that is what you recommend then we shall leave for the time, but will remain in orbit awaiting a communication from you."

After he said the Eternals teleported out of their back to their ship to await any response.

OOC: Scandinvans, I'll be starting another thread soon; as for this one, Eternal business is done, but others can still RP diplomacies. The next thread shall detail expansion into space.

OOC: Alright then, I shall keep an out and on those threads.

OOC: Now that Eternals is finished, I'll come in.

IC:

It came from outside the system. It was the only ship traveling. It was highly unusual, in that it was alone, but especially, in that it was shaped exactly like a gigantic octopus. It was Red.

It cruised along slowly, as though it were just simply exploring.

A Hakekan scout wandered the borders of the Datema system. It was on a survey mission, scouting out minable rocks in the field of water-ice. So far, it had mapped out only three anomalies in the Oort Cloud; the first, a patch of iron-rich rock, then a small planetoid, and farther out a field of hydrogen asteroids.
The ship slowed down and prepared to launch a slew of probe-bots to profile another section of the Cloud, when the skeleton crew aboard were awoken from cryo-sleep. The crew had been sent along only as a safeguard. However, realising the possible importance of its discovery, the AI had decided to go against regulation.
In a small room at the back of the ship, near the life support systems, fourteen coffins glowed with warmth. Inside them, a layer of solid nitrogen slowly heated, melting into liquid nitrogen, then evaporating as the temperature rose further, from -200ºC to -100 to 0 to normal room temperature. The coffins slid open. Clouds of nitrogen gas drifted out of the chambers.
Then, breathing began. Oxygen-rich air rushed in to greet the sleepers. Someone took their first breath, then another, and another. Hearts beat, slowly at first, increasing in pace. Someone rose. Others followed. They led each other onto the bridge.

Trent Regent stared out the viewport at the thing that seemed to hang over their heads. Banking the ship, he maneuvered in for a better look.
It was artificial, no doubt about it. It looked like an oversized mollusk. However, it didn't look an agressive type. He wondered if it would be worth contacting it.
"Sir?"
The voice startled him. He turned around to face the person. "Hamad."
"Captain Regent." The Arabic-descended man - teenager? - said. "The AI has reported to Hakeka. They've ordered us to make contact."
Regent smiled. Perhaps it would be worth it. "I see." He thought for a moment. "Have the shuttle ready. Then see that a team is sent to dock with the ship."
"Aye, sir." Hamad ran off to give orders and make the necessary preparations.

A small craft, shaped like a projectile, emerged from the bay of the ship. It ignited its chemical rockets and broadcast a message to the alien vessel. When it was within 100 metres of the other craft, it slowed to a stop.
There, it waited.

The ship turned, and came closer.

It turned, until a certain Tenticle was close to the craft. It snaked out, but stopped short of the craft.

"This is Ri-anese Exploration Vessal 6, from The sacred Empire of Ri-an. We come in peace, seekling only to expand our knowledge of creation. Who, if we may ask, are you?"

Startled by the sudden movement of the giant mollusk, the crew of the shuttle tensed in their seats. After a few moments, the crew had evaluated the ship as posing no serious threat. Hamad, the shuttle's captain, responded: "Copy Vessel Six, this is Shuttle Delta-1. We are part of a mining expedition, scouting out this area for resources. Our team works for the government of Hakeka." He thought for a moment. He'd never heard of Ri-an; they probably hadn't heard of Hakeka either, then. But they sounded human, or somewhat human, and they could speak the language. He made them an offer. "If you're interested, we can take you to a habitat near here. You'll be able to stock up on supplies and food, and we can talk more there." Suddenly he felt a pang of nervousness. What if the Captain didn't want to take them? What would he say? What would they do?

Startled by the sudden movement of the giant mollusk, the crew of the shuttle tensed in their seats. After a few moments, the crew had evaluated the ship as posing no serious threat. Hamad, the shuttle's captain, responded: "Copy Vessel Six, this is Shuttle Delta-1. We are part of a mining expedition, scouting out this area for resources. Our team works for the government of Hakeka." He thought for a moment. He'd never heard of Ri-an; they probably hadn't heard of Hakeka either, then. But they sounded human, or somewhat human, and they could speak the language. He made them an offer. "If you're interested, we can take you to a habitat near here. You'll be able to stock up on supplies and food, and we can talk more there." Suddenly he felt a pang of nervousness. What if the Captain didn't want to take them? What would he say? What would they do?

"By that same token, we could take you to Fluidic space, and show you an entire asteroid field whose mining perspectives would probably intrest you greatly.

But, we shall go with you, to this other place you feel comfortable in, or you could come aboard your choice."

The end of the tenticle opened to reveal a docking port.

Regent had been waiting aboard ship, tensing. He wondered why Fate had chosen his crew to make contact. Why not another?
He shook his head. He didn't believe in all that.
Then again...
A crackle on the radio interrupted his thoughts. "Captain Regent, sir."
"Hamad. Report."
"It is, indeed, a ship, sir. 'Exploration Vessel Six.' They say they come from a nation called Ri-an."
Whatever that is...
"We - I offered to take them to a nearby habitat. They gave us a choice; take them, or they'd take us. To their home, or something. They call it Fluidic space, I think."
Regent considered for a moment. This was the last leg of the mission, from what the AI had told him. They only had to deploy one more package. And this was an invitation - a very, very... special one, in fact. "Very well," he said. "Ask if there's room for two in one of those tentacles. I'll get busy launching the last package, and inform Hakeka."
"Yes sir." And with that, the link clicked off.

As the shuttle maneuvered in to the docking bay, Hamad broadcast to the Ri-anese vessel: "We're coming aboard. And keep the doors open. There's another one on its way."

Regent had been waiting aboard ship, tensing. He wondered why Fate had chosen his crew to make contact. Why not another?
He shook his head. He didn't believe in all that.
Then again...
A crackle on the radio interrupted his thoughts. "Captain Regent, sir."
"Hamad. Report."
"It is, indeed, a ship, sir. 'Exploration Vessel Six.' They say they come from a nation called Ri-an."
Whatever that is...
"We - I offered to take them to a nearby habitat. They gave us a choice; take them, or they'd take us. To their home, or something. They call it Fluidic space, I think."
Regent considered for a moment. This was the last leg of the mission, from what the AI had told him. They only had to deploy one more package. And this was an invitation - a very, very... special one, in fact. "Very well," he said. "Ask if there's room for two in one of those tentacles. I'll get busy launching the last package, and inform Hakeka."
"Yes sir." And with that, the link clicked off.

As the shuttle maneuvered in to the docking bay, Hamad broadcast to the Ri-anese vessel: "We're coming aboard. And keep the doors open. There's another one on its way."

Another tenticle swung over to open a second docking bay.

"Then, welcome aboard. Tell us, do you require oxygen to breath?" The tone was one of seriousness. They were not joking. The creatures on that ship, were aquatic life forms, but could easily supply oxygen.

"Um... yes," Hamad replied. Now he began to see what they meant by Fluid space.

The Tenticles closed around both ships after docking.

Then, and only then, the security doors opened.

The thing that greeted both ships, looked exactly the same.

It was a giant 6 foot octopus creature. Its skin was dark grey, its eyes were blue. It was upright, and had a mouth just above its tenticles.

"Greetings. We are Ri-anese, our species is known as Aquamarinian." It said from the remarkably dry hallway.

At the captain's ship.

"My name, you could not possibly pronounce, but there is a mike sound in it, so call me mike. Come, the extremities of the tenticle sections are not safe when traveling at the high speeds we can achieve. Your craft will be safe, but you must come further inside." Mike said.

At Delta one.

"My name, you could not possibly pronounce, but there is an Al sound in it, so call me Al. Come, the extremities of the tenticle sections are not safe when traveling at the high speeds we can achieve. Your craft will be safe, but you must come further inside" Al said.

Both led the Hakekans inside the ship to the internal section. The ship was filled with water, everywhere, except around the Hakekans. They each had their own private bubble of air.

They were led to a room, that was kept dry for visitors.

Mike and Al joined them in the dry room.

"So, do you wish to visit Fluidic space, or do you wish to go to that place you mentioned? We can assist you with getting to the asteroids. Their too far outside our waters to be of any use to us." Mike said.

Mike and Al looked and sounded completly identicle in every sense of the word.

The two talking squidlike creatures before them seemed almost comical, speaking a human language. Then again, it was possible. Hamad reminded himself that one could not simply assume when one did not know everything about what he was seeing.
Regent thought the same. "We are your guests. Would a trip to your world be asking very much... Mike?" he inquired, politely.

The two talking squidlike creatures before them seemed almost comical, speaking a human language. Then again, it was possible. Hamad reminded himself that one could not simply assume when one did not know everything about what he was seeing.
Regent thought the same. "We are your guests. Would a trip to your world be asking very much... Mike?" he inquired, politely.

"Our world? we must first ask King Aqua, hold on." They said.

Using their extensive network of minds, they contacted The central Hive Mind. Mike and Al got a response of a positive nature.

"It is deemed acceptable. A building shall be aerated and dried for your pleasure." Mike said.

A viewing screen opened.

A vortex of energy flashed open not too far away. The Ship entered.

Energy swirled all around them. Then it vanished.

"This section, we call The Great Ocean." Mike said.

And one could see why. Life was EVERYWHERE. Big fish small fish some bigger than the ship all swam about. Reef worlds Dirt worlds Magma worlds They were everywhere. There were no stars, in the normal sense, but some Reefs glowed very brightly. Some fish glowed very brightly.

A great Eel swam past the ship. It was very long.

"That's the Chono Eel. We have no clue how old it is. Its very touch is death, and it naturaly interupts engines and reflects energy. It was a factor in the evolution of our technology." Al said.

They approached the Aquamarinian homeworld There were other Octopus ships. Smaller and weaker were ships like clamshells. They were no more than shuttles. Much bigger and stronger than the octopus ships, were the great white whale ships.

There was one ship bigger than all the others. A ship The marine life practicly avoided. It was Gigantic, enormous even. It matched the description of the Legendary Jormangundr from Norse legend, except it was metal, not alive, and didn't have its tail in its mouth.

"The pinnacle of Aquamarinian enginering, The Jorgan." Mike said.

The Jorgan was all curled up.

Then they landed.

Mike and Al escorted them through the city. They rode on a giant seahorse drawn chariot. not that the Chariot was giant, the seahorses were.

They arrived at a palace made out of Coral Reef. Not that a coral reef was destroyed in its making, rather its growth was influenced into the shape of a palace.

From there, they walked, except Mike and al, who swam.

They were escorted to a seperate building inside the Reef Palace.

Merpeople swam about. They were the servants in the Aquamarinian palace.

The Building on the outside was made of gold.
Inside, it was made of Black and white Bricks. There was a seperate room for each of them.

"I assume you'll want to rest, relax, possibly get comfortable. Tailors are availible if you need them, as are professional chefs. We have fine cuisine from all over Fluidic space, as well as the Dry Space, aka, your universe." Mike said.

"In approximatly three hours, King aqua will meet with you personally." Al said.

They closed the doors, leaving the Hakekans to themselves.

Regent looked around. Nice quarters, he thought. He wondered why it seemed so.
Then he realised. The place had a feeling about it, a relaxed tone. Back in Hakeka, in his apartment, something was always happening. It was lively back home, lively and swinging.
Here, though, was something better. Peace. Quiet. Calm. Maybe it was the constant overtone of the ocean; he didn't know. He didn't care. Until the King, or whatever it was, called them forth, he was going to sit back and enjoy this. And he'd start by not enjoying it. He fell asleep.

---

Hamad sat up, pondering what he wanted to do. Did he want to eat? Shop? Sleep? Where was he, for that matter? How far from home? Unlike Regent's, his mind was young, and it was filled with noise and chatter.
He began to wonder what Fluidic food would taste like. What would they serve?
He might as well find out. He walked out of his room, out into the hall, and went on to find a restaurant.

Regent looked around. Nice quarters, he thought. He wondered why it seemed so.
Then he realised. The place had a feeling about it, a relaxed tone. Back in Hakeka, in his apartment, something was always happening. It was lively back home, lively and swinging.
Here, though, was something better. Peace. Quiet. Calm. Maybe it was the constant overtone of the ocean; he didn't know. He didn't care. Until the King, or whatever it was, called them forth, he was going to sit back and enjoy this. And he'd start by not enjoying it. He fell asleep.

---

Hamad sat up, pondering what he wanted to do. Did he want to eat? Shop? Sleep? Where was he, for that matter? How far from home? Unlike Regent's, his mind was young, and it was filled with noise and chatter.
He began to wonder what Fluidic food would taste like. What would they serve?
He might as well find out. He walked out of his room, out into the hall, and went on to find a restaurant.

Hamad's own private air bubble kept him dry, and was maintained at a comfortable temperature.

There wasn't a restaurant in the palace, but the kitchens weren't hard to find.

Hamad found a bunch of brightly colored Aquamarinians in many diffrent patterns in the kitchen. No to were alike. These were the Female Aquamarinians, but the disturbing thing about them, was that other than a few internal diffrences, and their skin, there was no other diffrence. They even sounded like the males, with only a negligable lighter tone.

"What can I get for you?" one of them asked.

Hamad's own private air bubble kept him dry, and was maintained at a comfortable temperature.

There wasn't a restaurant in the palace, but the kitchens weren't hard to find.

Hamad found a bunch of brightly colored Aquamarinians in many diffrent patterns in the kitchen. No to were alike. These were the Female Aquamarinians, but the disturbing thing about them, was that other than a few internal diffrences, and their skin, there was no other diffrence. They even sounded like the males, with only a negligable lighter tone.

"What can I get for you?" one of them asked.

"What's available?" he asked, curiously.

"What's available?" he asked, curiously.

"oh, there's alot to list, but we have dishes from all over Dry Space.

We also have fine dining from Fluidic Space, mostly fish based, but we have nice seaweed salads, Shark, Lower species of Squid and Octopus, Dolphin, Whale, Eel, all sorts of fish. There's the Rhugard, a relative of Rhubarb, native to Fluidic space. We have a few pies based off that. Really, it depends on what your hungry for, or thirsty for.

He considered. "What sorts of fish are there? What tastes good?"

He considered. "What sorts of fish are there? What tastes good?"

"Well, we like to think it all tastes good. As for the kinds of fish, I'd be here several days listing all 3,000 known species of fish. Though, I do recomend chargrilled Reef Mambo. A Reef Mambo is a relitive of The Ri-anese Space Mambo, except it has more of a natural hickory flavor. That's my favorite.

brothers the brother captain said defenive formation omega 2 if they twitch shower them with bolt shells

ooc my acees kiis limited atm

Fluidspace
"I'll go with that, see what it's like," Hamad told the cook.

---

The Altotan soldiers were silent. They did not shout orders at each other, like the Marines did. They thought them.
They could join as something of a group mind and combine their skills to become a killing machine. It was a weapon the Altotan military had developed out of the prodigious nanotechnology that was provided to them by the Hakekans.
The Marines wanted Dateman technology; the way they acted, they probably wanted Datema as well, to add to their stellar empire, however big that might already be.
Don stood where he was, unmoving. He knew Leo could simply download his mind into the ship's computer, and with his DNA having been sequenced several years ago at a hospital, he could have a new body prepared for him. He wouldn't have to worry about his family missing him, either. He had none.
So he raised his gun and waited to die.
But then, he felt himself being drawn in to something - well, greater than him. It wasn't omnipotent, but it gave him a new feeling. He now had fourteen pairs of eyes and ears, and that many pairs of arms, each pair cradling an assault rifle or some other weapon, and all eyes trained on the Marines.
He - they - it - spoke. It was no use negotiating. "Drop your guns. Now." The group mind knew the Marines would never follow their orders, though. So they waited for them to fire the first shot.

OOC: Say again? No offense, but I couldn't read that OOC part.

Fluidspace
"I'll go with that, see what it's like," Hamad told the cook.

OOC: What he said was, his access is limited At the Moment.

IC:

The cooks said nothing, yet they all seemed to know just what was needed for the dish. Magic? hardly. The Borg had a hive mind and they were as unmagic as a species could get.

Yet, the Aquamarinians also had a Hive mind. Perhaps it was just they way their minds were built.

Soon, a dish in a little air bubble was brought to Hamad. the reef Mambo smelled good. It was garnished with Lemon Juice, and a sprig of parsley. Appearently, Reef Mambo were large fish.

"What would you like to drink? we have water. But not the water we're in. the common air breather consenus is that its taste is only slightly better than seawater from your dry space oceans. We do have fresh bottled water though from the aerated world of X60. We also have dry space milk, Carbonated beverages, Juices, alcoholic beverages, and we also have in stock a supply of Melon Juice from the reef world of Teanthal, on the far side of this system." asked the aquamarinian woman.

OOC: Glad to know I'm not the only one that sees the advantages of a group mind.

I didn't know you could raise cows underwater, Hamad thought to himself amusedly. He imagined an underwater cow pasture, with each cow having their own separate air bubble and grazing seaweed. He took the fish, and said "How 'bout one of those melon-juice, um, drinks?"

OOC: Indeed. :)

I didn't know you could raise cows underwater, Hamad thought to himself amusedly. He imagined an underwater cow pasture, with each cow having their own separate air bubble and grazing seaweed. He took the fish, and said "How 'bout one of those melon-juice, um, drinks?"

OOC: Indeed. :)

A glass of Melon Juice in a little air bubble of its own came sliding his way. It stopped on its own just inside of Hamad's air bubble.

OOC: Actually, the milk comes from Dry space, from the Ri-an pastures.

---

The Altotan soldiers were silent. They did not shout orders at each other, like the Marines did. They thought them.
They could join as something of a group mind and combine their skills to become a killing machine. It was a weapon the Altotan military had developed out of the prodigious nanotechnology that was provided to them by the Hakekans.
The Marines wanted Dateman technology; the way they acted, they probably wanted Datema as well, to add to their stellar empire, however big that might already be.


ooc my web conetction is limted at the momoment

ic defencive formetion omega2 snapped the brother captian if they twitch shower them with bolt shells from your boltors the broth captian smirked and said now this is a stand off 20 heavily armed space marines veruses only the god emepeoer knows how many enemy soldierrs he shouted for the god emperoer