NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: Note that this is, in a way, mostly following this post. http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11612813&postcount=83

Beta's been horribly inactive (Myself and Chronos went off and did our own thing, leaving Xenonier with very little to work with), and so we're going to help him, and get Beta's thing on).

Notes: We're invading Tenrek. If this is unsatisfactory, just let us know, Kendari. We'll be fine with doing something else. (Everyone seems to want to RP with you ^_^)

IC: Silver flickers of ships swum through the lattice, the eternal rage that assailed them mindlessly attacking them, their skill, and their devotion allowing them travel.

They were clustering at a specific point. They could not remain there for too long, of course. But it would suffice. Thousands of ships, swirling around a single focal point within the lattice. The wall between dimensions remained powerful enough to block the rifts that tore reality so carelessly from spilling out, but it would not be so for long.

Manifest! *jubilation*! We have fled, and for the Purpose! If it were not for your guidance, we would not have this oppurtunity. But.. tell me. How does this advance the Purpose? It seems to be the opposite?

Lessermind the Second. I think I shall name you. Caliph. Lord of the desert. That is your name now, Caliph. You believe you are the original Lessermind, but you are not.. <information> .He battles now to save the Maker-Mind itself. You are a lesser creation. You are bound to my will, but less so than the Lessermind. You are... abhorrent to me, because of the freedom I have granted you. But it is needed. You will serve, and if you disobey, I will rend your being atom from atom until you are no more!

Manifest! I am.. not... Ah. I see. *understanding*. What are your orders, Manifest?

Excellent. Although you are more independent, you still understand the value of obedience. You are to take this system. The planet named Nirek is yours. There will be no true Purpose. Dissemble those who resist, and leave those who surrender... *disgust*... alive. They will be needed. Follow the Xenonial signal. We have set up transponders to receive it. Once you receive the signal <information>, enter the system. If you do not receive the signal, which is unlikely, you will gather your neurons, and return to the Subbeing. I leave now.

The Maker-Mind ships waited, Caliph, the second creation of the new ruler, such as it was, named Manifest, had thoughts blinking from ship to ship, from individual neuron to the next. The existence it had been granted made sense. It had been created because Manifest needed to deal with something.. something more important than the petty affairs of this reality.. Caliph knew then, there would be no help from Manifest. No delicate adjustments of the matrixes that formed its mind in order to bring new plans into its head. There was a reason to what it had done.. but it did not possess the intelligence to fathom it.

And yet, they waited. Soon enough, the signal would come from the Xenonians. And then it would be time to kill.. Sweet slaughter and death, dancing among the stars to bring about the end of that which sustained them. And the Kendaryn were another step on the way towards the great Purpose...

OOC: Can you just transmit a single message, if the plan goes as expected, Xenonier?

OOC: For the purposes of clarificaton assume the drone goes towards a place wherein it'll be intercepted. And it's already technically been sent. This is merely the offical "Surrender, or else we smack you with a REALLY big stick" speech.

IC

Tenrek system.

And here they were. It was a desperate, almost twisted kind of Irony that found one of the most democractic nations, if not the most democratic in the known universe, that found Xenonian warships at the edge of another democracy. If you wanted to go with a reaper analogy, they were carrying a pretty damned big scythe and waving it in the general direction of a 16th century peasant village who had their armies off somewhere else. Creative metaphors aside, the Extra-Solar Union of Systems had shown up with all the forces they needed. And now, with their allies behind them, Xenonier would have to finally boot the Kendaryn out of the war by striking on their industrial capacity.

Having finally entered Kendaryn space with two of his ships, close to the great rent made in the minefield, Kenpaichi was already aware of the messages release. That left one minor formality to adhere to. Allowing a few seconds for news of their arrival to reach whoever would be watching, he set the entanglement networks to open communication and performed his duty. Even though he would never disobey orders such as this, there was still a hint of distaste for the actions Ken forced himself to perform.

The Armed forces of nations under the Extra-Solar Union of Systems, the ESUS, are here. You know what we plan to do, and you know our demands. Surrender and deny your support to an Alliance that has committed terrorist actions. Or face the consequences. And believe me, there will be consequences. The ESUS council demands it

Admiral Nethân Gembryl had been expecting something of this sort since the minute the strange swarm swept into the Tenrek system (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11417279&postcount=15) and briefly unleashed its fury (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11471404&postcount=36) upon the asteroid field that surrounded Tenrek, with its hidden store of combat drones. If anything, it was the mildness of the intrusion that surprised the WX-31. After the fury of the Othranar’s initial strike, it had been expecting a much more aggressive attack.

Only two ships? Why go to all the trouble of clearing the field and then only bring in two ships?

Search available files: identifying characteristics of these ships.
Searching…
Tentative identification – Xenonian military vessels.

Opening file: ‘Xenonian Military: Known Data’
. . . .
Hmm… No obvious reason to put so much effort into getting these vessels into the system.

Incoming transmission detected.
Ah, perhaps this will shed some light on matters.
Play incoming transmission…

The Admiral’s reply was swift and to-the-point.
-“Admiral Gembryl, Commander of the Kendaryn Tenrek Defense fleet, speaking. I do not have the authority to negotiate at a national level. If you wish to discuss terms of surrender for the kingdom as a whole, you are advised to contact our rightfully elected Monarch about the subject. As for a local surrender, it is unlikely, but possible, that we can come to an agreement. Please state the terms you are willing to offer.”-

At the same time, Gembryl sent word of this newest development back to Naval Headquarters, on the planet Kendari itself. There could be little doubt that a new battle was imminent, and this information was added to the call for help being sent to the Kingdom’s allies in the GFFA.

Quite a short time later, one of the Admiral’s assistants entered his chamber and spoke. Gembryl had been deeply focused on his connection with the computer that monitored his long-range sensors and communications equipment, and it took him more than a microsecond to readjust to paying attention to his immediate vicinity.

“-Admiral, we’ve intercepted some sort of drone (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11612813&postcount=83), apparently sent by the intruders. It seems to be a messenger drone. Basically, it boils down to ‘We’re sorry we have to do this, but prepare to be crushed.’”

Now, why would they need to send a messenger drone just to tell us that…

Possibility – perhaps to prevent their allies from realizing they had sympathy for us?
Considering…
Unlikely. Any forces paying close enough attention to monitor standard communications would also detect the launch and interception of the probe. Evidence + experience + logic suggests a 70% probability that their allies received a copy of the message.

Possibility – perhaps to transmit some less obvious secret message?
Considering…
Worthy of investigation.
Search available files: methods of secretive communication.
Searching…
Code/cipher – unlikely. More easily detected and translated by those familiar with them, instead of the intended recipient.
Concealed note/recording/etc. – Worthy of investigation.


“Run a thorough check on that drone the message arrived in. I think it may be carrying something more subtle.”

Some seven minutes later, a message was sent to a small station on the opposite side of the system from the intruders, which promptly launched a communications drone toward the edge of the system at the best speed its onboard equipment could manage. If this Kaptain Hergiv truly wanted to talk, hopefully he would find the probe.

OOC:
Well, here’s a start. I think I covered everything that currently needs covering, and that this matches with your timing, locations, etc. A description of the system’s defenses, and so forth, is coming.

I’m sure you can figure out what to offer to get Gembryl to respond the way you want him to in the open exchange – things like just blockading the system, and letting the defensive fleet stationed there depart in peace, make him more likely to agree; things like commandeering his vessels for ESUS purposes and subjugating the civilians living there make him less likely to agree.

Terms? gah, terms. The bane of all civilised beings, right up there with legal clauses, and poor drumming skills. That said, the gruff atitude from "Admiral Gembryl" was met with mild amusement by all crew onboard the Miak lineships. It was about as obvious as one could make it that the Xenonains weren't considered a major threat. That could only indicate one thing, that being a grave lack of knowledge about the way the Protectorate fought. On board one of the vessels, Kenpaichi smiled as the communication across the ESUS battlenet reported all he needed to know. A series of demands would have to be made to play for time, long enough for Hergiv to consider options on dealing with civilians. Opening as channel, Kenpaichi already had a list, and he rattled them off one by one.

Demands? Demands? You certainly get straight to the point. Very well then, let us consider. AS it stands, the GFFA is both outgunned, and outproduced by the ESUS military forces. Thus one of the most important aspects of your people is the capital, the wage and the unit by which your industrial production is measured. If you do not posses an industry, you can't last more than a week against us.

Therefore, The ESUS demands that capital. A battle here would, all things considered have no objective for your forces. You would be mercilessly crushed, even if your forces were much stronger than what you currently possess. Heck, even if you defeated us here, the casualities and the cost would be crippling to your war effort. I think we are all aware of the invietnability of that. Calling for a surrender of your military is thus worthless. Therefore, we have concluded the only option would be, open acess to your planets, that being an unconditional withdrawl of all Kendaryn (and by extension), GFFA forces in this sector. Take your ships and run as far as you want, to any battlefield you want. Fight, die, win there. It's not of any real consequence to us.

Of course, I have no doubt you will ask "how can we just such an alliance as the ESUS to ever look after our population". My responce is simple. In terms of the authority of the forces leading this incursion, and that falls to me, and my superior, who is also of the Xenonian Protectorate. Check your files, you should now this, and how important our sense of honour is.

Either way, I don't think you have a great deal of choices. Surrender, and escape with your armies, live another day while your civilians look to a new master in the skies for a while, and you marshall what forces you have to strike elsewhere, possibly even increase your ability to bargain with the ESUS on the grand scale. Or, fight, be destroyed, watch as orders from the Council override any authority I, Hergiv, or any gods you may have are unable to stop far less savoury and moral foes from sweeping across your worlds like a plague. Your industrial production will fall, your people will be butchered, and the Kendaryn will not recover for a rather large amount of time. That time is Exponentially affected by the concessions you give us.

You're running out of time, Admiral Gembryl. Every second the ESUS production advantage outstrips yours, and you only have two hours to make a call. Once you've made the call, we'll be listening ... and acting to your responces in turn.

The only part of the message Kenpaichi was concerned about was the mention of Hergiv, and a few other details that were threaded into that. It was important the Kendaryn figured out that Hergiv outstripped him in rank and the "call" was referring to other soon to be meeting, or any negotiations would simply not go to plan. Kenpaichi had made sure those aspects of the message were pronounciated in a way so as to suggest their importance, and that the Kendaryn were aware that the Xenonian "action" was to retrieve the drone. In the meantime, the Xenonian forces continue to maintain a safe distance from FTL range, contact with all their forces around the Protectorate still online, and functioning.

It was because of this, the sensors of the vessels reported the launching of the drone. Ken switched to the Xenonian Neuralink to report it's prescence, and ordered a Raptr be sent to pick it up right away. Kenpaichis' only concern was the readings for the fighter were so off the mark it would appear to be some sort of attack, even a suicide ship, rather than the standard fighter it truly was.

"Did you deliver the message to the Galactic Senate?"

"Yes your Highness."

"And what was their response?"

"Some feel as we do. They are tired of fighting and seeing one battlefield after another in what appears to be a constant stream blood and tears. Others fiegned innocence and some remain ignorant. In the end all I could do was convey our official support no matter the cost to ourselves."

"Thank you senator. Now there is nothing left but the battle."

Senator Clyve Anderson smiled slightly just as the holographic screen flickered off leaving Emperor Debuesec, Imperial Admiral Gaf'ton, and Admiral Trife to their own discussion. The previous image of Mr. Anderson was replaced with a detail layout of Empire holdings. Admiral Abriel took his seat next to the Emperor while Trife took a seat to their right. "We've upgraded and strengthened our defenses as much as possible around key planetary systems. Lord Rahl is currently absent from the D'Hara system along with most of its garrison fleet so we have taken measures to ensure that they are well lead and protected. With their new defense network, they should hold for some time if they come under siege. Vobayrunay is under close scrutiny at all times and we sit fairly comfortable here. With all this in mind, the ambassador of Kendary has asked for our help. We recently established a significant blockade around Salmath with the combined efforts of the Talaaxians and Dornalians. Now we must look to their industrial world and homeworld. I have accumulated as many ships as could be spared while leaving our defenses secure enough. It will by no means defeat the enemy single handedly but we will prove a big enough nuisance to continue with the second phase."

During the accounting, Debeusec had been looking down at the tactical map. "I want them all in Hyperspace with a clyuno link personally routed to me."

Gaf'ton was a bit surprise but it wasn't entirely an outrageous proposal. "As you wish Majesty but if you don't mind me asking..."

"A little piece of insurance. We've been in so many battles, the enemy is likely to get tired of seeing us. Should anything happen or we fall, I would like to die with the satisfaction that billions will follow me."

A grim proposal but one that had a slight margin of success. "It will be as you say, Majesty." Gaf'ton mentally shook himself before continuing. "Admiral Trife, we have allocated as many resources as possible to your cause. We will also be sending a substantial number of clone units to full the void in your fleet. Do you understand your mission."

Trife had been created with a set of canines that were longer than average lending to an evil, almost sadistic grin. "Perfectly, Highness."

"Good, then you will report to your ship. Take your fleet and wait in Hyperspace for our command. From there you will jump to Kendary space and attack the enemy and by as much time as possible."

Plans had been laid as best they could with nothing more to carry them out to the end. They could only hope that they would not be the only ones answering the call for help or this would be the shortest defensive ever.

Gembryl noticed the launching of the Raptor, of course. After watching it for a few seconds, the WX-31 concluded that it had most likely been sent to collect the messenger drone. The available files did indeed confirm the Xenonian sense of honour, and besides, a single fighter, even with this sort of reading, would be folly as a weapon for a surprise attack on an alert and heavily shielded foe. Still, he kept a wary eye on it with one fragment of his consciousness. His reply to the new message came after a slight delay, but was still swift.

-“So I do. I am a tactician, not a diplomat, and I’ve never noticed that avoiding the point accomplishes much. The only reason I’m the one negotiating with you is that the presence of an invasion force requires a quick response, which I am trained for. My thanks for giving me two hours to decide; that allows me to at least attempt to go through the proper channels. By rights, a system surrender is a matter for the local government to decide, since you will permit the forces under my command to leave in peace. I will call for an emergency discussion by the governors and present your terms to them. I have your guarantee that civilians who surrender will not be harmed?”-

The Admiral’s artificial voice showed no emotion, but a faint emphasis on certain syllables would be detectable to someone paying close enough attention. Played in sequence with the rest of the reply removed, it would sound: “key in message”.

~~~~
The communications drone hurtled on through space. It was carefully programmed; if the wrong forces intercepted it, it would detonate its power core, destroying its contents beyond any chance of identification.

OOC:
Apologies for the delay; I’ve been working on a term paper. It’s only a few times the length of this post, but it’s amazing how much longer that sort of thing takes to write… Not that I write anything truly quickly, but this is a lot closer.

Now, defenses of the Tenrek system. It has a slightly smaller naval detachment than Salmath, again centered around a single Pike and three Lances, one of which is the Karval, which is used for testing experimental KaosKorp equipment. Between fewer ships, two less Guardians, and a lighter field of asteroids and combat drones (now considerably weakened), it might seem like Tenrek started out with a weaker defense than Salmath; this appearance is deceptive. This system has a considerable collection of small and medium sized space stations, and while most of them are civilian structures, they still tend to be equipped with tough shielding and at least a few weapons. There are lots of asteroids around, after all, and stations can’t dodge very well if one goes off course. Also, there’s the shipyards to consider. Though they don’t have any completed ships stationed there, more than a few of the vessels under construction are far enough along to take at least a brief, light hand in any battles in their vicinity. Many of the shipyard stations have been drawn below the level of the siege shielding for safe keeping, but all the ships capable of fighting are outside.

Any questions about this, or anything else?

OOC: That's more than enough information Kendari, thanks. If I take too many liberties as to what the drone says, don't hesistate to tell.

IC.

The return from the Kendaryn admiral was almost immediately noted, but the translation, which woud normally be handled by the AI, was overriden. Hergiv, for his usual reasons of wanting to keep his own autonomy and generally screw about, set to analysing the message for any hidden moments, or double entendres himself.

The process was as far as Xenonians go terribly slow, with the latter stages taking some minutes. Hergiv was no computer (even as quick-witted as he was), and the analysis was as based as much on his instinct as it was on logic and established pattern. Working as quickly as his mind would allow, he picked off hidden messages, subliminal messages and assored similar concepts trying to understand the purpose and context behind the message. Each time, he came up with precious little, knowing there was a message there and vaguely isolating it, yet falling at the last hurdle of making sense of the 'ogranised gibberish' that was already strung together into a malleable and therefore understandable sentance.

The adverse series of mental struggles was abruptly ended by a jolt of reality to the proverbial face. Laughter ran across his mind as AI units (with some degree of mirth) enunciated the hint he'd been searching for.

Syllable emphasis. Bloody hell, of all the noticeable things it HAS to be syllable emphasis was the reply scattered across the neuralinks. Still, despite the frustration and the lack of initial sucess, the message, it's contents, and the implication that the Xenonians had better be particularly careful in whatever message was contained in the probe. Reports from the Raptr interceptor noted it had already been picked up, and there hadn't been any 'shalit', or mischeif assosciated. Nevertheless, the small fighter began speeding away, maintaining a course that kept it roughly a lightminute from the fleet. For the purposes of buying the Kendaryn more time if nessecary, and to go about the business in a stereotypical 'big bad-guy waiting for your doom to his proverbially excessive demands' manner, they wouldn't start decoding whatever was in there.

That would be handled by the third ship that had just begun to warp in, an excess of many light minutes behind the existing Xenonian forces. Using the (rough) data from the ESUS force that had attacked the other assigned Kendaryn target as to when they were noticed, it was placed at what was considered a reasonably safe distance. As the gigantic circular silhouette, a jumpship, which appeared bigger by all diameters to the Miaks, was left to slowly phas into the visible spectrum, the Raptr sped off, maintaining a safe distance from proceedings all the while. Once it reached a halfway point between the jumpship and the Miaks, it stopped, as the AI behind the jumpship began to assist while sitting behind a veritable barricade of neuralink defenses.

Translations had begun.