NationStates Jolt Archive

Terivine.

The name still brought tears to the eyes of many in the Godulan populace. Lost family. Lost friends. The lost lives of every creature that existed on the verdant and teeming world, destroyed so blithely by what was then considered to be the paragon of all that was good and just. A wispy cloud of gas and dust was all that remained of the ghost-world of Terivine.

Or at least, it used to be.

Doubtless it would have seemed curious to trade vessels entering the system on their way to other Godulan sectors that a strange contact had seemingly emerged overnight. Doubtless, the sudden disappearance of that sign of ultimate betrayal would have been cause for concern.

In the place of the Terivine debris cloud, a new world, green and lush, with no overt signs of civilization. From orbit, one could see the world-spanning forests and lakes and seas... and the strange glowing crystalline veins that ran through all parts of the planetoid. It was a peaceful world. A true marvel of... something.

In the Talbott sector, the systems of Talbott, Aegis, and Algemron, the life-bearing worlds underwent curious transformations of their own.

Dewi, gem of the Talbott system, began to sparkle with crystalline veins as the atmosphere returned to its original consistency, inhospitable to human life but returning the world to the ecology it held before its settlement. A lush jungle world in its own right, its life forms had previously been forced to adapt to existence in closed habitats, while the rest of the world became an industrial war machine and its atmosphere removed of the caustic gases that made it harmful to humanity. Now the machines were gone. Now the atmosphere was back. The trees returned, the animals free to roam as they were meant to do, and the waters returned to serenity. shafts of green light poured into the sky from the crystalline ridges running across the length and breadth of the world.

Alitar, Throne world of the Godulan Union, became devoid of any and all signs of habitation or activity save the crystalline veins, returning the world to its former nature as an arctic world, filled with evergreens adapted to the cold weather and great ice flows running through the oceans that covered sixty percent of its surface.

Bluefall, an ocean world well-beyond even Dewi in the level of industrial power, erased all signs of manufacturing capacity. The great depths taking on a strange greenish hue as the light from world-spanning networks of crystal snaked about the seafloor and the few islands present on the world.

A curious thing indeed that such transformations would take place, seemingly removing all signs of Godulan presence save for the curious rise and prevalence of these Crystalline... entities, and yet orders would still be filled. Godulan Robotics and Mechanicals continued to produce despite the apparent disappearance of its factories. Where such things came from was hard to tell, but that trade still conducted was even more intriguing.

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And the world of Jurai. Jointly controlled by Coredian and Godulan. The most easily recognizable transformation simply because the Coredian citizens suddenly noticed that the Godulan territories were very suddenly overgrown with deciduous plant growth and rolling plains and teeming rivers. Where previously had existed great spires of crystal, were only crystalline veined forests and plains.

It would be the Coredians who noted the 'newcomers' first. For all intents and purposes they appeared human, more human than they had looked lately, anyway. Males were clothed in intricately patterned vests and trousers, while females dressed in skin-tight body suits under shawls of flowing fabric that seemed only to accentuate the... distracting curves of their bodies. In each case, they were perfectly formed and muscled, displaying an otherworldly beauty that would seem disconcerting to many were it not for the curious expressions of peace and serenity shown by every last one of them.

They gazed out upon the world with an almost awestruck glee, striking up conversations with Coredians with soft melodic voices and curious enthusiasm, even though they never opened their mouths to speak. They spoke in a strange language, lilting and rhythmic, that the listeners could not seem to translate but seemed to understand as if by instinct.

Still others simply walked around or sat on benches to look out upon the sky.

A curious thing indeed.

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The Balroggans, by virtue of being the second Kython strain, and their intrinsic link to the Godulans, experienced a similar difference in the nature of their brethren's apparent mindset.

What once was a simmering rage and wrathful hatred of all who had ever opposed them had quieted overnight, overtaken by... curiosity. It was as if something within the minds of the Godulans had clicked all at once, and booooooy did it click. The shift was quite fast. First there was the bubbling rage, then as if a balance had been tipped by some strange means, a wave of introspection washed over the Godulan Legion, followed swiftly by an almost disturbing degree of serenity.

It was the Balroggans who heard the proclamation first:

Then let it be recognized. Creatures are born and die. Civilizations are made and destroyed. Worlds form and disperse. Universes begin and end. These are the ways of nature and while we should mourn their passing, to dwell on our own loss is greedy, and self-centered.

Let it be recognized that from this day forth we shall expand our understanding of the universe, so that we might fully comprehend even the most miniscule or colossal of interactions. We have come far on our own. We have learned to warp the very fabric of existence to our will. We have delved into the basest depths of the biological and the chemical and even more fundamental aspects of the building blocks of life and created our own to match. Let us expand upon this knowledge. Let us learn. Let us understand. Let us expand our horizons. Let us master the forces of nature and reality so that we might finally understand ourselves and bring forth the natural order.

As for our foes... the Imperials... the Chronotheurge... those who seek to challenge our friends... let it be recognized that they will be made to understand that we are stronger now. Not because of our rage, but because we shall show them Reality. We shall show them Nature. And the revelation... will destroy them.

But for now, let us learn.

*tag*

((Its always interesting when I come back after the summer to see what has changed in FT politics. Usually I come back to NS right before another galactic war between sith and jedi or empire and republic. I'll tag this because this seems quite significant and interestingly different. - Formerly Rea Dan))

And the world of Jurai. Jointly controlled by Coredian and Godulan. The most easily recognizable transformation simply because the Coredian citizens suddenly noticed that the Godulan territories were very suddenly overgrown with deciduous plant growth and rolling plains and teeming rivers. Where previously had existed great spires of crystal, were only crystalline veined forests and plains.

It would be the Coredians who noted the 'newcomers' first. For all intents and purposes they appeared human, more human than they had looked lately, anyway. Males were clothed in intricately patterned vests and trousers, while females dressed in skin-tight body suits under shawls of flowing fabric that seemed only to accentuate the... distracting curves of their bodies. In each case, they were perfectly formed and muscled, displaying an otherworldly beauty that would seem disconcerting to many were it not for the curious expressions of peace and serenity shown by every last one of them.

They gazed out upon the world with an almost awestruck glee, striking up conversations with Coredians with soft melodic voices and curious enthusiasm, even though they never opened their mouths to speak. They spoke in a strange language, lilting and rhythmic, that the listeners could not seem to translate but seemed to understand as if by instinct.

Still others simply walked around or sat on benches to look out upon the sky.

A curious thing indeed.
It was the strangest day, ever.

For the past several weeks, Coredians worked to pick up the pieces of the war, surviving the current sudden Ice Age through sheer grit and determination. Many packed up and left for the relatively untouched Haven. Now Haven was mysteriously missed by the Empire's goons but early indications was that it was behind the sun during the time of war, so the industrial planet was left untouched by the war. So far, that is.

The Sun shone on the planet once again now that the Imperials fled and the Masaki Clan laid claim to Jurai once more. The work the government had to delegate didn't even come close to beginning, especially in light of the shattered ecosystem. Dinosaurs will have to be imported from Issus and other systems and plants will have to be regrown from scratch.

At least the planet itself survived the seige. The Death Star came, but it did not attack with its main weapon, a lucky thing indeed with the eccentricity of the Emperor well known. Perhaps he wanted to gloat, which wouldn't be a bad guess.

Then one day, the planet of Jurai was found in full bloom. The snow melted, plants regrew rapidly, far more rapidly than biologically possible, and the world literally became green overnight. And to top it all...the Godulans had a very profound, very obvious change amongs them.

Gone were the unsettling Kython forms. Gone were the aura of eternal mourning and anger and rage the Godulans possessed. In their place, to the speculation of the Coredian media, was none other than the Sith's worst nightmare:

An entire race of Jedi.

At least that was the vibe, the temperament the people of Jurai were getting off the Godulans. The whole light-side, serenity, peaceful schtick with a kick-ass-when-need-to attitude of the Jedi Order.

And that was good.

That was very good.

The Force responded positively, even though for some odd reason it could never touch the Godulans directly. Drawing on the power of the light side, the Coredian lands that still laid bare were also starting to recover. Slower, because of their biological nature, but it would be noticed over the next several months and even more noticable over the years to come. First moss and hardy grass began to sprout, then saplings of the hardy trees, then those creatures that survived the extinction-level event of -100 degree weather. It will take a long time to fully recover, but the Force was patient, it could take its time healing the planet of Jurai.

It is clear now that if anyone could restore an entire planet from snowy, icy wasteland to vibrant, green life-filled lands in a matter of weeks or months, it was the Godulans.

And that was something new. And something new was always interesting to the Jedi Order...

Indeed, the sudden alteration in temperament and general appearance of the Godulans was striking. Their forms had shifted from those meant to inspire fear and dread, into more aesthetically pleasing forms and a general aura of peace and serenity to make them seem almost parental in nature. Coredians, Balroggan Kythons, and even the Woodians, recovering from their own tragedies at the hands of Darth Ebolus, could see that they approached the world with a newfound inquisitiveness and enthusiasm.

Even small talk and generalized chatter was embraced by the Godulans with a strange diligence. Friendly in all interactions, laughing at jokes, even taking part in various games they came upon. Of course, parks also became sites of gathering crowds as Godulans found a particular spot and ran through martial combat routines, accelerating their moves until they roared along at speeds defying belief, each series of moves like a sequence of snapshots existing only as afterimages in the minds of the spectators.

In truth, each Godulan was in fact several in one, each body playing host to multiple minds that sought different things from every interaction, every motion, and every experience. Simple conversations became analyses of psychology, sociology, etymology, and even biological principles. Participation in a game, even one as rudimentary as marbles, were subject to analysis in terms of physics and probability. Even a Godulan sitting on a rock with its eyes apparently closed in meditation was taking in volumes of information from its surroundings.

Each of the Godulan Avatars -- the term they used to describe themselves as nominal individuals as there was no other means to relate what EXACTLY they were -- seeing as no specific mind held control, decided to call themselves by mutually agreed upon names, using names either of ancient and mythological origin, or stylized names that seemed aesthetically pleasing to all concerned.

More curiosity would come out as three Godulan Avatars would approach both the Coredian Jedi Academy and the Ninja Academy on Konoha, hands clasped before their chests as if in some form of prayer, and asking to speak with 'The Headmaster' of both establishments.

In another system, namely the Woodian system of White Diamond, a curious ship materialized with no warning and even less fanfare. Those who had experience with any form of the Godulan military would have recognized the crystalline disc-shape of a Kython Slaughterking now approaching the Woodian capitol world.

A transmission went out to whatever counted for air-traffic-control nowadays:

This is the Kython Destroyer Nal'Shaxis seeking coordinates for landing. We bear the means of delivery for the GR&M requisition order that was filled out some time ago.

Space the Final Frontier...

*Sound of Chime*

Captain Victor Hughes sat in his quarters recording a log when he was interrupted by the noise of a call coming in for him.

"Yes?"

"Sir, we have dropped out of warp and are nearing Hazseria Shipyards."

"Very well, keep me informed."

"Aye sir."

The Captain sat back in his chair and went to continue his recording. He let out a slight growl and deleted the recording. He just couldn’t get it right. Starfleet had commanded him to take commanded of a new Starship, the USS-Federation a "Khitomer" Class Federation Starship. He has taken a ride on the USS-Sul'vor to the Hazseria Shipyards were he would meet his new crew and begin there shakedown cruise. This was his first command, and he couldn't even get a recording right. He sighed and gave up on it. "I guess I’m just no James Kirk."

Nhur-Galladu was meditating, attempting to sort through the details of recient activities reported by the sensors of one of the Empire's colony worlds about a nearby planet experiencing some diffaculties with their citizens becomming enslaved within mechanical constructs. So far it had attracted the attention of other local nations but since they have not taken any step toward Kala Keim, they were not yet classified a threat.

Suddenly he felt a presence waiting to speak to him. He immediately recognized the feel of Overmind, the sum consciousness of the Kythons he put Grand Admiral Ga'Ton in charge of creating long ago. Since then, the success of the artificial life forms were so celebrated they had become an intergal part of the Empire, both socially and physically in the infrastructure of the Empire.

He allowed the contact through his sheilds.

Greetings Overmind, what can I do for our brother?

We feel concern. Our cousins, the Godular Kythons, have been acting unusual and the Link has a different flavor to it. We feel unusual eminations through the Link and wanted to warn you of the change.

I thank you for this timely warning and I will send an inquirery to Baron Skye to see what is going on. Our two nations are too intertwined to ignore anything that might affect the other. I will keep you informed as to my findings.

Nhur-Galladu frowned to himself. This was something he probably look into himself. If something was affecting Godular, the would also be affected, the price of having such a close association through the Kython Link.

He reached out with his mind and sent a psionic missive to Skye.

Greetings Baron Skye

There is a matter we need to discuss. Prepare for my arrival.

Nhur-Galladu waited for a reply before willing himself to Skye's location.

Baron Skye drifted through the massive expanse of thought and energy that was the Godulan Legion, basking in the power and knowledge surging throughout the link. It truly was glorious in all respects, with both Kythons and Godulans in constant contact, learning from each other and experiencing each other at the most basic level, and Skye could not understand why no others from the great Chamber had ever achieved this state of sheer... serenity.

It truly was a conundrum.

A familiar voice brought the Baron out of his reverie and back to his grove on the newly reformed Terivine. He sat cross-legged in the center of the large clearing, and upon his return immediately recognized the strange droning hum of the multiple Avatars standing at the edge of the grove, spaced equally around the perimeter. They cast their gazes upwards, arms held upraised towards the sky, unseen through the miles of jungle canopy above them. Great shafts of light emanated from glowing arcane circles at their feet, and illuminated the clearing in a strange aquamarine haze.

Greetings Baron Skye

There is a matter we need to discuss. Prepare for my arrival.

He immediately recognized the voice as that of the Balroggan emperor, and smiled slightly to himself.

Come then. See that which has taken hold.

Space the Final Frontier...

*Sound of Chime*

Captain Victor Hughes sat in his quarters recording a log when he was interrupted by the noise of a call coming in for him.

"Yes?"

"Sir, we have dropped out of warp and are nearing Hazseria Shipyards."

"Very well, keep me informed."

"Aye sir."

The Captain sat back in his chair and went to continue his recording. He let out a slight growl and deleted the recording. He just couldn’t get it right. Starfleet had commanded him to take commanded of a new Starship, the USS-Federation a "Khitomer" Class Federation Starship. He has taken a ride on the USS-Sul'vor to the Hazseria Shipyards were he would meet his new crew and begin there shakedown cruise. This was his first command, and he couldn't even get a recording right. He sighed and gave up on it. "I guess I’m just no James Kirk."

"Sul'vor to Hazseria space dock 2234, Send signal to transport Captain Hughes. Over."

"Sul'vor permission granted to Transport Captain Hughes. Hazseria space dock 2234 out."

Captain Hughes stepped up to the Transporter pad. After saying a few farewells the crew he dematerialized into a flash of transporter beam. He rematerialized in the transporter room of the dry dock. He stepped down from the pad. He was greeted by the head of Construction of the USS-Federation.

"Welcome Captain Hughes, I'm Charles Bess Head of construction. I will be giving you a personnel walk through of your ship. Would you like to see it?"

"Would I, Of course."

"Come this way."

Mr. Bess scattered the Captain to the observation deck of the Dock. There a big window over looked the USS-Federation. The ship was fully completed. All it need was its crew. The crew was being shipped from all over. Some new officers fresh from the academy and some veterans.

Dweledelfia Prime: Might I ask what it is you are doing? At the present time I see no indication of relevance to the story.

Dweledelfia Prime: Might I ask what it is you are doing? At the present time I see no indication of relevance to the story.

Well when the ship is launched it will meet up with your ships.

Ahhh... that's right, you hald folks on White Diamond too, correct? Alright, but keep in mind the ship's gonna be landing. EWT's just working on a rather enormously long post.

More curiosity would come out as three Godulan Avatars would approach both the Coredian Jedi Academy and the Ninja Academy on Konoha, hands clasped before their chests as if in some form of prayer, and asking to speak with 'The Headmaster' of both establishments.
When the Godulans came, looking and feeling for all the world like monks, the headmasters of their respective academys had naught but to scratch their heads and ask for the reasoning for their presence.

Umino Iruka heads the Ninja Academy and Master Harry Blayden likewise is the Jedi Headmaster.

Ninja Academy:

The trio of Avatars stood in a triangular formation, two females and one male on point, all three staring directly forward though giving off a sense of being acutely aware of their surroundings. As Iruka approached, all three of the Avatars executed a bow with mechanical precision and surprising speed.

The male spoke first.

"Iruka Sensei... that is the proper appelation, correct? We are Naberius," he indicated himself, then indicated the two female Avatars behind him, "Nereid, and Vitalia. We apologize for the imposition, but we come here to seek tutelage and to further our understanding of the universe through immersion in the methods utilized by others to alter it."

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Jedi Academy:

Two males and one female stood in a straight line, the two males on either side of the females as though they were bodyguards. As Blayden approached they executed a bow similar to that as their compatriots at the Ninja Academy.

The female spoke in this case:

"Greetings, Master Blayden. We seek to further our understanding of the 'nature' of what you call the Force, a path that has been blocked to us by a fundamental aspect of our nature. We wish to understand the energies applied in its use, and in order to do so we would like to conduct some number of experiments..."

Ahhh... that's right, you hald folks on White Diamond too, correct? Alright, but keep in mind the ship's gonna be landing. EWT's just working on a rather enormously long post.

OOC: An enormously long post that I lost when my computer decided to freeze and I had to ctrl/alt/delete Firefox...:(

Hang on, it's coming.

Ninja Academy:

The trio of Avatars stood in a triangular formation, two females and one male on point, all three staring directly forward though giving off a sense of being acutely aware of their surroundings. As Iruka approached, all three of the Avatars executed a bow with mechanical precision and surprising speed.

The male spoke first.

"Iruka Sensei... that is the proper appelation, correct? We are Naberius," he indicated himself, then indicated the two female Avatars behind him, "Nereid, and Vitalia. We apologize for the imposition, but we come here to seek tutelage and to further our understanding of the universe through immersion in the methods utilized by others to alter it."
"So in other words, you seek understanding in how we Shinobi work our abilities." Iruka rubbed his head. "Ahh. How odd. There's a reason we train children rather than adults, but I suppose we can make an exception for you."

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Jedi Academy:

Two males and one female stood in a straight line, the two males on either side of the females as though they were bodyguards. As Blayden approached they executed a bow similar to that as their compatriots at the Ninja Academy.

The female spoke in this case:

"Greetings, Master Blayden. We seek to further our understanding of the 'nature' of what you call the Force, a path that has been blocked to us by a fundamental aspect of our nature. We wish to understand the energies applied in its use, and in order to do so we would like to conduct some number of experiments..."
Master Blayden seemed a bit pertubed. "What kind of experiments?"

"So in other words, you seek understanding in how we Shinobi work our abilities." Iruka rubbed his head. "Ahh. How odd. There's a reason we train children rather than adults, but I suppose we can make an exception for you."

"Physical form is not a hindrance for us," Naberius replied with an accomodating grin. "If such is your worry we can... assuage the potential discrepancies."

In unison, the three avatars hummed with activity for but a moment, before their forms collapsed slightly, altering the bodies of each avatar into pre-adolescent versions of themselves.

"After all, it would be discourteous of us to take on a form that would make you or the other students uncomfortable. We wish to be as little of a disruption as possible, as we would like to witness the learning process for others as much as ourselves."

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Master Blayden seemed a bit pertubed. "What kind of experiments?"

The female bowed her head slightly. "Ah but I have been remiss. We must introduce ourselves." Indicating herself, she continued, "We are Requiem, and the two beside me are Erathaol and Kir-Shissar."

Erathaol continued from where Requiem left off. "The experiments we seek to conduct are in regards to the energies channeled by Jedi such as yourself in order to achieve the feats that you do. In order to do so we must first perform something of a control sampling..."

"Ysalamiri," Requiem broke in, leading off from Erathaol's explanation. "We know they generate some form of field that prevents those within from utilizing the force in any way or form, or those outside from directly affecting those within. Long ago we sought to duplicate this effect, and were successful largely in part to our creation of mechanical equivalents of Ysalamiri. We know not how it operates, simply that it does."

Kir-Shissar brought an arm out, and a very familiar lizard form emerged from his forearm, clinging to it as though it had been doing so its entire life. Blayden would feel no change in his own abilities, however...

"In such a situation, being able to turn them on and off is an exceptional boon."

Captain Hughes sat in his command chair on the bridge of the Federation. The Captain and crew were preparing for there maiden voyage. On the captains right hand sat his 1st officer, Commander Jonathan Dike. On the captains left sat the ship counselor. Lt. Junior Grade Lizzy Essex. Behind him at the Security tactical station stood Commander Seth Wilson. At the Helm was Lt. Robert Bethany. At a station in the back of the bridge sat Operations Officer Commander Timothy Edens. In the station on the left side of the bridge is Science Officer Lt. Elizabeth Wilson. Next to the Science officer sat Medical Officer Lt. Bethany Kendrick. At the engineering station was Lt. Commander Ullisses Nixon.

The captain sat forward in his chair. "Engineering are we ready to head out?"

"Aye Sir, Warp Drive and Impulse Drive is online."

"Security Tactical?"

"Shields, Phases, and Torpedoes all check in."

"Medical?"

"Ready."

"Science?"

"Confirmed."

"Operations?"

"Rocking and Rollin."

"Helm?"

"Ready to move out."

"Good, Helm take us out of dock. Once we are clear go to full impulse."

"Aye Sir, Confirmed."

The Federation moved out of the dry dock. Light from the stars glittered off its hull. The ship was now clear from the dock. The impulse engines roared to life.

"Sir we are clear from the planet."

"Helm, set a course for the Terivine system. Warp Factor 8."

The Ships warp nacelle glowed blue and the ship disappeared into the blackness of space.

"Physical form is not a hindrance for us," Naberius replied with an accomodating grin. "If such is your worry we can... assuage the potential discrepancies."

In unison, the three avatars hummed with activity for but a moment, before their forms collapsed slightly, altering the bodies of each avatar into pre-adolescent versions of themselves.

"After all, it would be discourteous of us to take on a form that would make you or the other students uncomfortable. We wish to be as little of a disruption as possible, as we would like to witness the learning process for others as much as ourselves."
"Well, if that's what you want, I'll set you guys up. Come on in." Iruka said, curious about the abilities these Avatars already displaced. Looks like a Henge. They'll breeze through rather quickly.

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The female bowed her head slightly. "Ah but I have been remiss. We must introduce ourselves." Indicating herself, she continued, "We are Requiem, and the two beside me are Erathaol and Kir-Shissar."

Erathaol continued from where Requiem left off. "The experiments we seek to conduct are in regards to the energies channeled by Jedi such as yourself in order to achieve the feats that you do. In order to do so we must first perform something of a control sampling..."

"Ysalamiri," Requiem broke in, leading off from Erathaol's explanation. "We know they generate some form of field that prevents those within from utilizing the force in any way or form, or those outside from directly affecting those within. Long ago we sought to duplicate this effect, and were successful largely in part to our creation of mechanical equivalents of Ysalamiri. We know not how it operates, simply that it does."

Kir-Shissar brought an arm out, and a very familiar lizard form emerged from his forearm, clinging to it as though it had been doing so its entire life. Blayden would feel no change in his own abilities, however...

"In such a situation, being able to turn them on and off is an exceptional boon."
"Well...it's quite an unusual request." Blayden was surprised when the ysalimari appeared and yet his powers seemed to stay. "I'll have to take it up with the rest of the Council, but as the Headmaster, I will allow you this in the meantime. But let me say that as far as we know, ysalimari work against Force-users because they use the Force themselves. It will take some time for you to duplicate the abilities if what you say about your not being able to use the Force on the fundamental level is true."

The three now-smaller Avatars followed Iruka without question or hesitation.

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Kir-Shissar responded first.

"It does work. We duplicated everything in the Ysalamiri down to the last molecule. They are genetically compatible with their organic forebears and the efficacy was confirmed by Kelvin Majestatus before his unfortunate severence from his powers."

"As for our lack of force capability," Requiem continued, "We know that it appears to be a side effect of the manifold precautions we took to protect ourselves from the Protospace Abominations that would surely be drawn every time we utilized a Voidshield or even our dimensional travels."

"The Force is anathema to them, a personal insult in their unfathomable minds, from what we are told by the M'Lekk'Torr, and they would notice any incursion of a force user from exceptionally great distances. Were we to open a protospace portal in close proximity to a Jedi or Sith, we can only dread what would respond."

"However," Erathaol cautioned, "That we might have lost any semblance of force sensitivity as a result of our defense measures does not mean we might yet be capable of recognizing the force through technological means. Every organic function can be reproduced into a mechanical form, it is only a matter of finding out exactly what it is that we are duplicating."

The three now-smaller Avatars followed Iruka without question or hesitation.
Iruka headed to a classroom where some students were learning the very basics. "Class, these are new transfer students from Godular, who will learn the ways of the ninja with us." He turned to the Avatars. "If you'll introduce yourselves and pick a seat, we can get started."

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Kir-Shissar responded first.

"It does work. We duplicated everything in the Ysalamiri down to the last molecule. They are genetically compatible with their organic forebears and the efficacy was confirmed by Kelvin Majestatus before his unfortunate severence from his powers."

"As for our lack of force capability," Requiem continued, "We know that it appears to be a side effect of the manifold precautions we took to protect ourselves from the Protospace Abominations that would surely be drawn every time we utilized a Voidshield or even our dimensional travels."

"The Force is anathema to them, a personal insult in their unfathomable minds, from what we are told by the M'Lekk'Torr, and they would notice any incursion of a force user from exceptionally great distances. Were we to open a protospace portal in close proximity to a Jedi or Sith, we can only dread what would respond."

"However," Erathaol cautioned, "That we might have lost any semblance of force sensitivity as a result of our defense measures does not mean we might yet be capable of recognizing the force through technological means. Every organic function can be reproduced into a mechanical form, it is only a matter of finding out exactly what it is that we are duplicating."
"Ah. In that case..." Master Blayden felt unsettled by the fact that the Godulans might be able to duplicate the Force with technological means. Perhaps the Emperor should be notified. But he was also intruged by their prowess and perhaps it could be useful. "Welcome to the Jedi Academy. I'll get you set up and we can get started."

Naberius, Nereid, and Vitalia repeated their names to the class with an indicative bow and moved to seats spaced randomly about the room, keeping track of every other student's responses to the rather abrupt entrance of the Godulan 'newcomers' on multiple levels but appearing as nothing more than heading to their selected seats.

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The Ysalamiri merged back into Kir-Shissar's arm, and Requiem smiled happily. "Thank you, Master Blayden. Do lead on."

Upon getting the location from the receipt of the message he sent Skye, Nhur-Galladu where his old friend was. He could get a fix, almost could imagine him there. He concentrated on the memory of the baron’s mind, the familiarity of its quarks and idiosyncrasies. They marked that particular mind as unique to the rest of the multiverse. Even a clone or a copied personality would possess enough differences to be easily recognized.

He concentrated upon his friend and willed himself to travel there. He accessed a hidden part of the mind of the Ta’Nar, a conduit connecting them with the multiverse itself. The connection allowed them to manipulate the energies forming the universes achieving results that could only be called magical by the superstitious, psionic by the educated, and other things in between. The pure unadulterated truth was the Ta’Nar were beings of pure thought and as an energy being, they were naturally able to shape energies to a high degree, abilities learned over the millennia of the span of their racial history.

Gathering enough power to accomplish the task, he used it to open a momentary rupture between his current location and that of Baron Skye. The illusion he projected disappeared as his mind slipped through the miniscule aperture he created.

As he arrived, he could feel the accumulation of energy surrounding him and Sky. The individuals encircling them were undergoing some sort of eldritch ceremony. He could see the energy of their chanting rippling outwards from their mouths, throats, and chest. The patterning was unfamiliar to him so it had to be in some sort of language he was unaware of. They were building up an immense amount of power so whatever it was, there would be one hell of a pretty light show unless they were really skilled at directing all that energy exactly where it was needed perfectly. With the reputed Godular skill, anything was possible.

As he arrived, he again projected himself a body. He formed it out of energy from both the visual spectrum and out of telekinetic energies. The result was a body that looked and felt pretty damn realistic, even to most medical scans. Once they went below the cellular structure level, it would be discovered there were just empty bubbles forming the substructures. This was something the Ta’Nar have been doing for centuries and they were quite good at it. They were teaching their Childer the method but they only have had a couple hundred years to learn and were quite a ways from mastering it to the slightest degree the Ta’Nar have.

The elderly body of Nhur-Galladu formed shrouded in the gold and white robes of office before Skye. He nodded in respect to his equal and waited for his guest to speak first, as was the custom when visiting others in their own homes.

"Our last act of defiance against Sojun," Skye said, waving to indicate the surrounding Avatars as they chanted and danced in perfect synchronicity. "The ultimate means of telling him he has no power over us. We are mending what once was destroyed. Restoring the damage and making it stronger and better than what once went before."

He stood up and walked towards Nhur-Galladu. "The Shirassi, the long dead race from which we acquired the morphic crystal that so effectively composes our Kythons, and even the Godulans themselves now, were quite accomplished at the arcane arts. Far greater than the wards and disjunction effects we learned from our own arcane texts, analysis of the Shirassi Archives has proven most enlightening.

"You see, they were a long-lived but slow breeding race, but also quite warlike in nature. They relied on machines and weapons and massive firepower in general to conduct their conquest campaigns against nearby systems. The spell you see being worked now was one of their greatest arcane achievements, being utilized in order to remove any troublesome prospects of occupation.

"The specific name for the most basic form of this spell, translated from Elder Shirassi, is 'Origin of Species'. It is essentially a conjuration spell that spawns a custom tailored race according to the casters' specifications. The Shirassi preferred to wipe a planet clean of Sentients and then utilize this spell to bring the race back to existence with some modifications that made them useful to the shirassi. Notably, faster propagation rates and unswerving loyalty. It is somewhat difficult to challenge a creature that can legitimately claim that it both made AND broke you and would not have qualms about doing it again.

"Of course, every rule having an exception, they had no such luck when they crafted Sivv'Nakh, which shortly after was given the name of Death Angel when it killed them. All of them. Not one Shirass lived out the onslaught of the Death Angel and in all honesty I suspect the Galaxy is better for it.

"Now, we are casting 'Origin of Species' not to craft a new race from scratch, but to directly restore the old one. We have DNA samples and organic matter of the 'Reglia' that made this place their home in harmony with the Godulan newcomers. We do not wish to make anew, but to restore what was lost. There are circles like this all over the planet, chanting in perfect simultaneity with those you see around us at this very moment. We are bringing them back. A massive scale resurrection of a race, mind, body, and soul. To do this would remove the last wound that the Chronotheurge inflicted upon us, so that we can shake our fists at him and say without falsehood 'You FAILED.'

"And with Orion's invasion of the Forges underway, working off the capitalization on Sojun's distraction, I believe it can also be said that what he did hurt him far more than it did us. No doubt Sojun will be able to beat The Hunter back, as it is his own realm, but it will cost him much to do so."

Nhur-Galladu looked around at the chanting Avatars. He was observing them carefully, understanding their purpose much better. He also noticed the others Skye mentioned once he was able to tune out the surround ring which was overpowering his immediate perception, like the way a loud sound would drown out a distant one.

“I see what you mean. I didn’t notice the other rings because of this one’s proximity.”

He again looked at the levels of power being thrown about, the brilliant arcs of energy unseen by the others. The complete saturation of the area in Power. The energy levels were quite impressive for a species still tied to a physical existence.

“Your advancements are truly impressive. You must demonstrate them for me some day when you are less busy and have more time available.”

Nhur-Galladu gave a mental sigh he knew Skye would pick up on.

“Overmind contacted me with concerns about the “taste” of your Kythons. They said the Link tasted different and they were concerned for their cousins. I promised them I would find out what was going on and let them know.”

“I can understand Overmind’s concern and so far this has been the first time They have come to me about something. Usually They take care of it themselves but apparently Overmind was at a loss and didn’t know how to go about it.”

"I suppose Overmind would have reason to be worried with such a drastic shift in how we look at things," Skye replied, nodding. "The loss of Terivine hit us very hard, and there was much wrath held within the hearts of the Godulans towards reality in general. They wanted to kill. To destroy. To lash out at SOMETHING. I cannot say that I did not feel swept along with them.

"The Godulans are a strange people. They operate as if in some form of communal effort, throwing themselves wholly towards that which they believe is important. For the longest time I believed that I could control such a unified strength of will, but instead I fear that I have merely been incorporated into the greater whole. I feel no ill will about it, in fact I feel better than I have in ages. These people do not do these things because they have to, they do it because they want to, they do it because they are free to do so and they do not care what others say. One would think that such a thing would lead to inevitable and speedy collapse, but somehow this controlled anarchy plods on by the force of its own willpower. It is refreshing. It is... liberating. I cannot say the same for Xenith and Maximillian though, they seem disappointed that the Godulans have elected to reverse their previous incentive to strike out with increased intensity at those who dare to challenge them."

Skye smiled slightly, laying his lion-headed cane over his lap as he sat back down on the tree stump at the middle of the clearing.

"They do not seek to destroy anymore, but to learn. To understand. To comprehend. Above all else, the Godulans, and the Godulan-Strain Kythons, seek to 'Recognize' the Universe in all ways and forms. They have thrown themselves into this with awe-inspiring enthusiasm, and the sheer volumes of information coming in is simply astounding.

"Worry you not, though, of any belief that we have become weak. In fact I suspect we are stronger now, in many ways, than our previously enraged form. We shall simply approach fighting differently, bringing the enemy under our power with Kython infection and Psionic domination. Though, think not also that it consumes us just as we consume others. The drive to propagate is no longer our highest priority. It is no longer... as important."

“Honestly, I cannot imagine you ever being weak.”

Nhur-Galladu walked, or rather floated around the clearing, his image performing the necessary actions to simulate the act of walking being controlled by an automatic subroutine of his mind. He was instead looking at the intricate weaving of energy surrounding the two leaders.

“Ah, they really did know how to weave magic in the ancient days. It is beautiful beyond words and even I cannot truly describe what I am seeing. Your Avatars are doing a wondrous act of Energy Manipulation. You should be proud of them if you had anything to do with their instruction.”

Nhur-Galladu turned to Skye, his eyes glowing a faint turquoise.

“I don’t know if you see the world the same as the Ta’Nar. If not, I would like to give you a glimpse of what you are crafting. Just agree and you will see through my eyes and you will behold what you are truly crafting here.”

Nhur-Galladu waited for Sky to answer.



OOC:

If you agree, you can describe what the different forms of interacting energy looks like. That is including sound, light, and whatever other forces are there.

"Indeed it is quite pleasing to watch for those attuned to such forces," Skye replied, bringing his gaze up to the massive canopies overhead, and the swirling energies slowly shaping themselves into some form of meaninful pattern.

At first glance the mystical energies seemed to be weaving about themselves without a discernible rhyme or reason, but the longer one took to examine the shifting energies, the more apparent the circles became. There were three of them, one at ground height, another some distance above Skye and Nhur-Galladu's heads, and the last just shy of the lowest levels of canopy above. Both circles, still weaving into shape, bore hugely complex internal patterns and symbols, as if providing a direct pathway for the mystical energies to follow in order to achieve whatever effect the circles were meant to produce. Like an ethereal circuitboard, the pathways were being etched into reality from the fabric of space itself, shining upon them all with a great prismatic display of light.

Below the droning chant of the Avatars thrummed a low bass of enormous power, such that one could feel it as much as hear it. It rose and fell in a rhythmic serenade that struck all as though the magic itself was breathing in and out with exertion, and with each descent of the tone, the air seemed to crackle alive with energy, and the patterns above and below weaved just a little more into themselves and gained more stability.

"Even the most mundane Godulan can witness such spectacles, as we have expanded our senses to acquire all forms of information. We can shape these energies to our whim as one would stir a spice into a stew. The Shirassi were a marvelous people, despite their hateful and destructive ways. Very advanced. Very strong. Had they not been annihilated by their own weapon they could very well have gone on to conquer the galaxy."

"A pity, that, but I suspect their rule would have been no better than the current... administration. But aggravations with the Imperials can be handled in their own time. They are weak now. More weak than we could have imagined. So confident in their presumption of power are they that they cannot see it. Hiding behind their Death Stars and their Galaxy guns...

"No... this is our weapon against even those devices. We will bring back the worlds they destroy. We will bring back the lives they end. We will make their guns useless, as we do now against the weapons of Sojun Majestatus, the Chronotheurge, the Hypocrite.

"No longer shall we brood and sulk about the fate that befell this world. Now we are working to rectify the situation. We are administering the remedy. And in this, do we recognize true power. Any fool can take a life, but how many can profess the capability to bring one back? There can be no greater achievement than mending as new that which was destroyed."

“I agree. Using rebirth to counter the destruction of worlds would make their weapons of destruction less fearful. It is a good way to fight the tyranny you so much despise.”

He gazed at the chanting Avatars in the circle for a few seconds.

“Although they can fire those weapons a lot faster than you can remake their targets I bet. It takes great skill in Eldritch Energy Manipulation to accomplish this, meaning you are limited in your capacity by your numbers.”

“I sincerely hope they will not blatantly disregard Life just to try taxing your Creators.”

“Would you like me to contact Overmind so we can ease their concerns? It would get that out of the way so we can continue our discussion.”

"I believe it has already been made aware to the reasons for the apparent shift. It is a hard entity to read, however, very mechanical in its actions, so we cannot confirm the extent of its knowledge on the matter."