NationStates Jolt Archive

Prologue…

Fatherland…


The planet known to it's inhabitants as Fatherland was colonized by human settlers many millennia ago was a barren a bleak place. The planet’s natural resources were used up thanks to the aggressive human advances in settlement and scientific discovery. The citizens of Fatherland had developed a well functioning and decent Senate and had formed a republic of sorts. This Republic however was overthrown by it’s own military. The leader of the military forces was a mysterious individual called the Patron. The Patron had gathered together all the local commanders of the old Star Republic and convinced them to take over the planet in a quick coup. The operation took several months to put together but the Commanders all agreed to the plan. The Republic was overthrown as thousands of Xharnian soldiers stormed the Senate building killing every one including the Prime Chancellor.


The Patron shortly afterward declared himself the supreme dictator of Fatherland. His first edict was to establish a presence within the star system. He order the construction of the first star fleets. The Patron’s Star Navy was eventually built with the most scientifically advanced shields and weapons available. The Patron then order his fleets to begin a mass expansion operation of conquest. The warships of Fatherland ended up invading the star systems of other earth colonies long forgotten by their home governments. This lead to an era of manifest destiny for the people of Fatherland.

This all came at a sudden end when a fleet of Fatherland warships ended fighting against a fleet of unidentified alien ships. These aliens had managed to hide their fleet in an invisible field and had managed to fire high energy yielding weapons which surprised the fleet of Fatherland. The Patron then gave a direct order to all his subjects to begin construction of ships upon their own worlds. This massive efforts is what lead him to solidify his rule and declare that all conquered and subject worlds were officially part of the United Star Union of Xharn.


The current year by Xharnian calendar is Star Cycle 8,000. The Patron has managed to conquer and subjugate the entire Xharn Star Cluster. The cluster is firmly controlled by the Union’s Star Navy. The populations of several worlds now are under the totalitarian rule of the almighty Patron and his innumerable Legions…


******************************************************************************************

The present…..


X.S.S. Dominator


The massive Xharnian Command Carrier was in the center of the 1st Xharnian Star Fleet. The Fleet was at the edge of Union space. The mighty war fleet had been here for several months waiting for the orders to advance outside of the Xharn Star Cluster. The fleet had only been held at bay thanks to one individual the almighty Patron. The Patron had been sitting in his hover throne watching the stars outside his wide window. His old fragile frame was supported by the machines of his throne. He looked out and saw more of his ships coming into formation. The almighty one smiled and he decided to send a message to rest of the Galaxy.

The aged old man said out loud, “Officer Elizabeth, I wish to send a message to the Galaxy. I want them to learn of our existence and meet us before we begin any sort of military action.”

The female officer at attendance replied in her usual business like tone, “Yes my Patron, The message shall be sent in as you have commanded.”


The almighty Patron smiled and began to speak into the recorder. The message would be sent out in a wide beam transmission making it able to be received by any major civilization outside of the Xharn Star Cluster.






Official United Star Union Transmission:


To: The Rest of the Galaxy
From: The United Star Union of Xharn
Subject: Starting Diplomatic Talks


Greetings to the rest of the Galaxy,


This is a direct message from the almighty Patron of the Union. The United Star Union of Xharn would like to establish diplomatic talks with any and all foreign civilizations. We have sent you all the coordinates on where to meet me and my senior members of the Xharnian government. We hope to see you here inside the Xharn Star Cluster.….

The extensive Comm-Orb network efficnently acquired and transmitted the new diplomatic signal along dynamic communication lines that directed the signal not as a blind signal as any other, but only down diplomatic established signal paths through the Great Hikari Network.

It reached the Ascendancy Sphere Foriegn Office a few days later, along the string of tens of millions of other communicaes, sorted digitally through various classification medium, all before it even ever was met by the eyes of any living or bionic being.

Running an empire and confederacy of thousands of republics through hundreds of galaxies enforced the needs of full detailed efficency.

The one that laid eyes on the communicae as a result, as being from a First Contact priority, came to the front of the Office.

Lady Peorth saw it first, and brought it to Lady Seto's demanding attention. Another chapter in the two hundred year saga was being written here and now.

"Always good to see the universe is full of new oppritunities. Good and ill alike." Seto commented, reading...

:: ~ Official United Star Union Transmission:



To: The Rest of the Galaxy
From: The United Star Union of Xharn
Subject: Starting Diplomatic Talks


Greetings to the rest of the Galaxy,


This is a direct message from the almighty Patron of the Union. The United Star Union of Xharn would like to establish diplomatic talks with any and all foreign civilizations. We have sent you all the coordinates on where to meet me and my senior members of the Xharnian government. We hope to see you here inside the Xharn Star Cluster.…. ~ ::

Seto perused it with a hawkish eye. "Didn't we see one of their vessels during the Gluttony-seventeen Operation vector? Hmmm..."

Peorth offered. "We could use a different avenue of intellegence in the Milky Way Core galaxy at the minor least. Shalt I prepare a signal as per usual?"

Seto appreciated the efficency of the Secondary Foriegn Advisor, but she offered instead. "Nay, I will do it. But I will send another in our stead. It's time she proved her station as Princess Excellenca."

Peorth blinked. "Pulling the trigger eh?"

Seto smiled evily. "Acid test...." Peorth nodded, and turned attention instead to the office of the Confederacy Offices.

Seto prepared the following, sent along the same Comm-Orb Network in a few short days.

---

:: ~ To the Attention of the realm of the Star Cluster.

I, Lady Seto Kamiki of the Advisory Council seat to his Lord Excellency's concerns, offer to send one from our Sphere to your chosen meeting coordiantes, to show in part the might and trust we wish to engender to a new contact amongst the diamond heavens.

Please inform in reply whether you are prepared, and whence we may arrive. I, in my stead, will send a representative of the Family Core as proof of our goodwill and engenderments, in so much as it is experience for one on our end of the spectrum.

Lady Second Princess Excellenca Sirrana Kerensky, the Confederacy Alliance Advisory of the Republic Sphere, will be our choice. Please expect her in short order after we recieve confirmation of this message of regard.

We look forward to this new era, of another chapter being written.

Regards,

Lady Seto Kamiki
Gaian Ascendancy Prime Foreign Advisor ~ ::

Officer Elizabeth looked and received the message from the Gaian Ascendancy. The female confidante to the almighty Patron was not to surprise to receive a reply. The Union had practically advertised it self to the entire galaxy by using a wide beam transmission. She forwarded the message to her boss the almighty Patron himself. The Patron read the computer generated message via his visor. The visor was connected to his throne and made it easier for the old man to access information. He read it over and order that another message be sent immediately.


The recorder was once again activated and another message was sent this time in tight beam to avoid being intercepted by the wrong people.



Official United Star Union Transmission:


To: The Rest of the Galaxy
From: The United Star Union of Xharn
Subject: Starting Diplomatic Talks


Greetings to the rest of the Galaxy,


The United Star Union of Xharn has received your message. The Patron has acknowledge your message and hopes to see Lady Second Princess Excellenca Sirrana Kerensky real soon to start diplomatic exchange between our two governments ….

OOC: Why not? Been a while since the Empire's done anything diplomatic...
Time for some fun.

IC:

The room was all dark, except for the center of it which was lit up with red and yellow flames, forming a circle. In the center of this circle was a woman, she had long flowing red hair. Her brown eyes were closed for the moment as she sat in her meditation position, hovering amungst the flames which erupted beneath her providing her her warmth. Her anger, and lust for power. However her "peacefull" meditation time was about to end rather abruptly and people just don't upset the likes of Lord (or Lady if you like) Shelintiave, the Kirtir Lord of Martial Arts.


An Communication's Liutenant opened the doors to Shelintiaves private chambers where she was meditating onboard the H.S.S. Warhammer, carying a message from their leader Darth Trilkan. However, even if carying orders from Shelintiaves Master, just don't disturb her. "My Lord, we're receiving a transmission from --aahh--"

While most people would be extending their hands at this point while using Force Crush on their victims, Shelintiave has adapted to just being able to do it at her will if she really wanted to. She remained in her meditation position, hovering above the circle of flames, "do... Do not disturb me Lieutenant... During my meditation period," she replied cold heartedly

"The---oh---ack---Emperor---Wishes for us to--Take part o--of negotiations--My Lord---Let go of my throat! Mercy!" Shelintiave nudged her head ever so slightly and the officer was released from her cold, deathly grip.

"The Emperor wishes it hmmm?" She question in an innocent, sweet voice. Messing with weak minded fools was one of Shelintiaves favorite pass times, "I'll see about this 'message' dear Lieutenant. Tell me, officer, what does the message say?"

"It-it-it-it's in-n-n-n-n... The datapad... Here..." The officer was beginning to shake at this point, as he held out the datapad of the recorded message. It floated out of his hand and hovered to Shelintiave's back, where she slowly turned around in mid air and read the recording.

"They say they're providing coordinates to meet with the leader and the senior staff? And negotiations of what?"

"I.. I-I-I-I don't know, my Lord. It would appear that it would be military though. It appears from our... L-L-Long range scans that they've been attacked by unknown forces. Obviously superior to them."

"And yet they call their leader 'the almighty Patron of the Union.' How quaint," she said in a mocking voice, "Why does Trilkan have an interest in this particular group?"

"It... Would appear he wants to test the... New Towerless Star Destroyer class the Empire's designing. The Prototype, if you will. He thinks... That... This is a good test for the ship."

"Ahh..." Shelintiave lowered her legs from the folding position and placed them directly in the center of the cicle of fire, and slowly walked out. "It would appear that the best way to test a prototype... Would be in battle, now wouldn't it Lieutenant?"

"*Gulp* Yes my Lord."

"We're moving in then. Have the Captain ready the Warhammer and jump into the Necrominus. We will meet a fleet enroute where they will stay in there, untill called for. I want the Nosferatu to be towed right behind the Warhammer, and make sure they're using their Phase Cloak and not their Interphasic Cloak."

None of this made sense to the Lieutenant. He noted it anyways since he valued not only his job as an officer of the Empire, but his life as well. "Yes ma'am. How shall we reply?"

"I'll write it up shortly officer, now leave." She turned around and stood back in the flames, untouched by the fire. The officer staired at her, puzzled by this strange event as he is unfamiliar with the force in general. "Why are you still here? GO!" The officer jumped, startled by Shelintiave's sudden bark, and ran out of her chambers. Idiot...


To:The United Star Union of Xharn
From: The Huntarian Empire
Subject: Starting Diplomatic Talks

We're willing to go to these... Talks. To help you out with this event we will be sending Lord Shelintiave on board one of our Flag Ships, the R.S.S. Warhammer. We will be arriving shortly, and we don't like to be kept waiting.

Signed,
~Darth Trilkan~

On a more lighter front, of sorts, the return communicae expected was intercepted by a waiting Comm-Orb, positioned in a deft manner. The end result, some four days later resulted in the clearing of the Princess Excellecna's schedule, and a suddenly trip upon her Treeship Yar`shresh, with a small Angel God guard and little else.

For her part, the Second daughter of the Excellency was a mix of light anxiety from being commanded with her first formal First Contact mission, and annoyance from having to put off some important Confederacy world matters, that were in preparation for coming events.

She looked out from the clear viewport afar at the stars over the Homeworld, as she waited for the crew to finish Fold procedures.

She rummaged the thoughts of Lady Seto in her mind, as she waited.

---

"Xharn? New one I see." Sirrana commented, reading a basic dossier on the aforementioned nation.

Seto just replied. "And all yours. Time to show me what you can do on the big stage."

Sirrana smirked, and then looked back at Arashi, attending after hearing this new situation. After a confident set of exchanged nods, Sirrana looks back and asks. "Will I be back in time for..."

Seto waves a hand. "Worry not, essentially everything is about set in motion anyway. All the gears no not need too much maintenance now.

Take the time to just take in something new for us all. No pressure."

Sirrana smirked. "Sure... course not."

Arashi beams. "All first steps start somewhere. Just follow all the advice you've learned." Seto adds across her large office table. "Just play tourist and learn what you can. Just make sure nothing immediately binding occurs just yet. We need to take this one a bit slow, since we're about to start major operations here. Resources will be a tad stretched for a few months."

Sirrana nods. "Information...."

---

..and nods again to herself. "...just information."

":: ~ Engines ready milady. ~ ::"

Sirrana looks over at Ifurt Fralas. The Angel God commander in charge nods back, and she simply lets it start.

"Take us there folks."

The coordinates of from and unto were easy enough. The gleaming Treeship cruiser vanishes and arrives at the expected location in ease of short order. In about a minute after arrival, Sirrana has the IFF transponder send out the Gaian standard hail codes.

The Huntarian Empire’s message was received by Officer Elizabeth. This message seemed odd to her it seemed to be hesitant to come like these people were up to something. She kept her thoughts to herself but sent the message to her master the Patron. He read it through his visor and practically growled.

The old man hated Empires these governments were always the hardest to bring to heel. He started thinking back to his Statos Campaign where the local Empress refused to surrender her world. The damn dirt ball held out for fifteen weeks under the worst orbital bombing the Union could give at the time. The planet was ultimately destroyed by the Command Carrier’s Stellar Converter. The planet’s surface was reduce to molten lava which killed all life on the planet.

The cost in human life was high and bothered the Patron immensely. They could have been vital resources but the Empire refused to surrender. He could see this negotiations with this Empire. The talks would not be pleasant for both sides…

IC:

The Ascendancy’s ship ended up in the edge of Union Space. The coordinates lead right at the location of the 1st Xharnian Star Fleet. The fleet had two thousand ships at ready with weapon’s and shields power up and online. They did not target the Ascendancy cruiser but instead sent a hail:


"We welcome you to Union space. The Almighty Patron is eager to meet you all. He is currently located in the Command Carrier at the center of this fleet your ship has been given clearance to dock. We shall have an esscort party ready to take you to the Command Bridge where the almighty one will see you.”



OOC: Sorry for the double post.

Being outmatched 2000 to 1 only made the Lady Princessa... to be honest... giggle a little. It was obvious what this was meant for. She had to only shrug.

Ifurt Fralas commented. "To hold a meeting within a strange, unknown fleet isn't what I would call the most wise course of action."

Sirrana replied to this with.. "We're not here to intimidate, just talk." she speaks into the open air, activating the standard comm array. ":: Myself and my personal guard will arrive a few moments. ::"

Ifurt Fralas was the insistent guard to the Princessa, the Lady being the insistent one to pilot the small shuttle from the Treeship after it entered the fleet 'bubble', and drew just close enough.

Arrival was an uneventful one, to be honest. =^^=

The Xharnian Command Carrier’s shields were lowered to allow the Gaian ship to dock . The rest of the fleet trained their weapons upon the Gaian vessel to ensure they did not take advantage of this moment of weakness. The almighty Patron was onboard the Dominator and they could not afford to lose him in a suicide attack.



The Dominator’s docking equipment came out to latch onto the Gaian vessel. The docking crew waited for the Gaians to get in close before they began the process to hold their vessel and allow the decompression chamber to move up to the nearest Gaian airlock.

As soon as the docking latches hooked on, the Treeship, the light glowing off it's gleaming, living whitewood superstructure onto the Xharn command ship like a lightbulb halo, the arriving party prepared to disembark.

Lady Sirrana, much like her mother, dressed in an oriental hinted royal kimono of soft whites and hinted pinkish hues, whitestem flowers flowing in sash patterns upon the robes, with silken cloth accenting about. It made her very long raven black hair stand out, a haircomb of diamond clear crystal and swirl glassworked white diamond, kept the left of her royal melon resplendent.

Her Angel god escort in a standard blue and white guard jumpsuit, the blond 10,457th generational genetic construct of hyperadvanced Gaian sciences, kept in pace with the Princessa as they strode calmly through the opening dock tunnel.

With only the power staff in his hand, and her own confidence as the only needed tool, they made way to the new ground of a new nation (by their standard at least..)

"May the goddess preserve." Sirrana whispered as they arrived.

As soon as the docking latches hooked on, the Treeship, the light glowing off it's gleaming, living whitewood superstructure onto the Xharn command ship like a lightbulb halo, the arriving party prepared to disembark.

Lady Sirrana, much like her mother, dressed in an oriental hinted royal kimono of soft whites and hinted pinkish hues, whitestem flowers flowing in sash patterns upon the robes, with silken cloth accenting about. It made her very long raven black hair stand out, a haircomb of diamond clear crystal and swirl glassworked white diamond, kept the left of her royal melon resplendent.

Her Angel god escort in a standard blue and white guard jumpsuit, the blond 10,457th generational genetic construct of hyperadvanced Gaian sciences, kept in pace with the Princessa as they strode calmly through the opening dock tunnel.

With only the power staff in his hand, and her own confidence as the only needed tool, they made way to the new ground of a new nation (by their standard at least..)

"May the goddess preserve." Sirrana whispered as they arrived.

The Gaian delegation was meet by ten Cyborg Shock Troopers (http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/Xharnia/DeathKorpsLegionaries.jpg). These massive soldiers were armed with their standard issued phase guns. The phase guns were drawn and they seemed like they were ready to attack until the Gaian were within ten feet of them. They all lowered their weapons and the lead shock trooper said in a robotic like voice, “Welcome to the Dominator. The Flagship of the Union’s Star Navy. We have been given orders to escort you all to see the almighty Patron.”

They all formed a single file line and marched down the closet corridor. They moved in a robotic rhythm and they seemed intent on getting to their destination…

They spring up everywhere, don't they? It seems that advantage must be gained - and I will gain it.

Flicker. A single flicker, a hand being passed before the eyes - where there was not a ship previously, there was now a ship. There was little more to say - the spheroid there was unremarkable, tiny, and seemingly massless.

I/I am Courtier, lesser mind among many. I have come to talk with you. Shall we engage in conversation?

The tiny sphere spun as it moved towards the larger ships - an ambassador, a fighter, and a cupholder for the mind, all in one. Ships that did not traverse the ever-dangerous lattice to arrive at their destination; such ships were well-worth the sacrifices in firepower, and in durability that had to be made.

After all, the Purpose had to be fulfilled. The tiny ship was merely the first step on such a path - and it carefully noted the existence of other beings, flickers of unease running across its silvery surface as it whirled towards the Xharnian ships, lightly touching the wall between dimensions as it moved.

It spoke again. To where would you have me speak to you, if you wish to speak at all?

They spring up everywhere, don't they? It seems that advantage must be gained - and I will gain it.

Flicker. A single flicker, a hand being passed before the eyes - where there was not a ship previously, there was now a ship. There was little more to say - the spheroid there was unremarkable, tiny, and seemingly massless.

I/I am Courtier, lesser mind among many. I have come to talk with you. Shall we engage in conversation?

The tiny sphere spun as it moved towards the larger ships - an ambassador, a fighter, and a cupholder for the mind, all in one. Ships that did not traverse the ever-dangerous lattice to arrive at their destination; such ships were well-worth the sacrifices in firepower, and in durability that had to be made.

After all, the Purpose had to be fulfilled. The tiny ship was merely the first step on such a path - and it carefully noted the existence of other beings, flickers of unease running across its silvery surface as it whirled towards the Xharnian ships, lightly touching the wall between dimensions as it moved.

It spoke again. To where would you have me speak to you, if you wish to speak at all?


The Dominator suddenly detected the strange dimensional ship. The ship’s AI system took charge and followed standard defense procedure. The Dominator had already raised her shields and her weapons were trained on the strange vessel. The rest of the fleet followed the flagship and targeted the strange vessel. The Dominator then sent a general hail to reply to the strange ship’s message:

“You have come to speak to the Almighty Patron of the Union? If you have the Patron is inside my Command Bridge. He is waiting for all comers to arrive and speak to him directly.”

The fleet kept their weapons trained on the strange vessel. If it tried anything that seemed hostile the vessels would fire their phase cannons and a nice salvo of Xinitium Strike missiles…

We have come to speak with the leader of your species, as facile as that may sound. Would you be worried if I were to D-jump to the inside of your bridge? Or shall I enter by more conventional methods?

Either way, the tiny ship simply cruised closer to the other ship. If it received the go-ahead on the first proposition.. it would enter, make contact, and all without a hitch. On the other hand.. it would most likely simply have to enter d-jumpless, and that would take far, far longer.

The spinning increased, the form swirling and shifting as the sphere spun on one axis, and then another. Space acrobatics were a way of testing this newest of forms - as well as passing the time whilst waiting for a reply.

The Dominator replied her A.I. system calculated the risks of allowing this being to enter by dimensional jump. The shields would have to be lowered and that would expose her control area and her creator to possible attack. The Dominator replied with another responding hail:

“Negative on the D-jump, I shall provide proper landing space for your vessel. We can not afford to expose our leader to inter-dimensional attack. I will lower my shields and allow you to latch on to my side keep in mind my weapons are still targeting you and so are the rest of the fleet.”

The Dominator lowered her shielding, She personally would have preferred to be fight in another space campaign rather than being used as an ambassador transport. She only had the satisfaction that at least she was carrying the most powerful human in the Xharn Star Cluster. She also had to watch out for possible hostiles. This strange vessel was no exception…

Very well. It is good to see caution, at the very least. But this is a vessel of the Purpose - to destroy it would serve only to anger us. You would be well-advised to know such.

The tiny craft spun faster - it seemed, the more often it rotated, the more quickly it could move. And, within a mere few moments, it began slowing, reaching the expotentially larger craft a few seconds later.

It moved rapidly towards the Gaian ship, gracefully landing beside it. The ship did not have any passengers to disembark - it merely changed form, legs and arms forming out of a formerly perfect sphere. The humanoid formed seemed unaffected by the vacuum, and walked inside, behind the other delegation.

"Hello. I am Courtier, least among greats. I have come to converse with your leader, and to see what made be eked out for the Purpose in this sector of space. Would you care to oblige me, and take me to him?"

The Cyborg Shock Troopers halted and the lead shock trooper asked out loud in his typical robotic voice, “Dominator, is this newest life form to be exterminated?” The Ship responded in a booming voice that sounded like it was everywhere, “Negative the newest arrival is not to be harmed. To harm him is an act of treason against the almighty Patron.”

The whole troop of Shock Troopers and said in unison, “Acknowledged!” They continued to advance to the Command Bridge. The lead trooper put his massive armored hand on a pad near the door and the entrance opened for everyone. The Cyborg soldiers marched into the entrance and formed two lines of five.

They acted as an honor guard for the delegates. Inside this chamber was the dictator of the Union, The Almighty Patron himself. He was guarded by several Cyborg guardians (http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/Xharnia/AlstorianStarPaladin.jpg). They were wielding close combat weapons and had much more powerful armor. They looked at the delegates and seemed to be ready to target them with their deadly spear halberds.

bump...

The Princessa party meanwhile were well deep inside the bowels of the Xharn flagship, with Sirrana and Fralas simply following, remaining calm. Sirrana's key unit in her right ear ring, apprised her of the latest new arrival.

"We may have more to learn from this trip my friend." ..she calmly states to her guardian. Fralas only eyes her briefly and then to the rest of his surroundings till they arrive.

The Huntarian Empire’s message was received by Officer Elizabeth. This message seemed odd to her it seemed to be hesitant to come like these people were up to something. She kept her thoughts to herself but sent the message to her master the Patron. He read it through his visor and practically growled.

The old man hated Empires these governments were always the hardest to bring to heel. He started thinking back to his Statos Campaign where the local Empress refused to surrender her world. The damn dirt ball held out for fifteen weeks under the worst orbital bombing the Union could give at the time. The planet was ultimately destroyed by the Command Carrier’s Stellar Converter. The planet’s surface was reduce to molten lava which killed all life on the planet.

The cost in human life was high and bothered the Patron immensely. They could have been vital resources but the Empire refused to surrender. He could see this negotiations with this Empire. The talks would not be pleasant for both sides…

The Empire's fleet traveled through the Necrominus for quite some time before coming to Union Space. The Warhammer soon dropped out of the 'minus, and then came to full impulse speed. Shelintiave stood upon the bridge with her arms folded across her chest. It was diplomacy time. However, diplomacy of what is what she didn't know. She secretly hoped it would end up becomming aggressive negotiations. But if it could end up in the way the Empire gains a new ally, or at least a shady ally, then by all means she would be satisfied. They'd probably end up testing their new design anyways in either senario.

"Ma'am... We're coming upon the designated coordinates. The Fleet is standing by in the Necrominus ready for orders."

"And the Nosferatu?"

"Towed away underneath us just as ordered ma'am. Phasic Cloak is armed, they couldn't detect it unless they have a powerful mind reader with them. Or another force wielder like yourself."

"Indeed. It'll take someone experienced to detect that ship. All right. Open a channel and request for visual communications."

"Ma'am?"

Shelintiave pointed her finger at a button at the other side of the room and flicked it on with the force. A giant, 350" flat pannel began to climb on down from the ceiling. The view screen was then turned on and the open emptiness of space could be seen. "Request visual communications."

"Aye ma'am. Sending out request now..."

"This is Lord Shelintiave of the Huntarian Empire. We're requesting to send a shuttle to dock with you and begin negotiations. Please respond."

"Interesting. The Patron, as you term yourself. We have come here, as is our wont, to investigate those empires among the stars which have newly revealed themselves. Won't you tell me about your little domain?"

The speech was liquid, just as the form was - rolling, soft, and with just a hint of danger behind the seemingly harmless ambassador..

OOC: Huntaer: Officer Elizabeth is a powerful psychic that can read people’s minds. She has been ordered to keep her mind to herself by order of the Patron himself. She will not be able to detect your vessel unless it makes a first strike and tries to escape…


IC:

The Patron was seated on his hover throne. The massive floating construction was not only the ancient man’s life support. It was his center of power and it provided him a nice personal energy shield that would protect him from hostile attack. The old man looked upon the delegate that spoke the strange soft and rolling looking man. The Patron was old but even he could feel a sudden threat from this strange individual.

The ancient man after a few seconds of thought replied in a surprisingly healthy voice, “What do you want to know about the Union?” The Patron wanted to see how this one would respond before giving a answer. It was a way to figure if this man was a threat to the Union.


Officer Elizabeth was standing to the right of her master in a stance of attention. Her black military uniform covered her body and revealed her to be a Psychic Enforcer a member of the Union’s secret police. She eyed the Gaian delegation and the strange man. She was tempted to try and infiltrate their minds and find out their secrets. The Patron however had forbidden her to read the minds of the foreign delegations. The fear of insulting a another foriegn power did not appeal to the Patron and he decided courtesy would be best at these talks for now…

She eyed them all suspiciously and clearly showed that she did not trust them near her master. The Cyborg Guardians also eyed the strange delegate carefully. If he tried anything they would give him a nice blast of phased particles to melt his body into a to a nice liquid goo.


******************************************************************************************


The Dominator and her fleet all targeted the R.S.S Warhammer. The Phase Cannons aimed directly at the Huntarian ship with the intent of blasting her if she made a hostile move. The Dominator’s A.I. system immediately sent a general hail back to the Huntarian vessel.

"Your request has been granted. We shall await your shuttle and give you a set of docking coordinates. The meeting is to take place on my Command Bridge. The almighty Patron will meet you there along with the other delegates that have already arrived."

The Dominator allowed gathered more docking equipment and prepared her hanger bay. She was ready to take on another delegation party. They would be greeted by another escort party of ten Cyborg Shock troopers fully armed and ready escort them to see the almighty one…

Courtier's brief form shifted again, lips and facial features taking true form within moments. It found that others found the transformation uncomfortable, but it was easier to converse with humanoids whilst in near-identical shape.

"Perhaps the extent of your sway across the stars? The numbers of your populance? The means by which you rule? Whether your citizens have a talent for holographic art? I feel it is best that you inform me of that which you deem both necessary and allowed. If you seek questions, I will give them to you. But I am Courtier, lesser mind among the great, as I style myself."

There was no breath between words, merely cursory pauses to give respect that some beings used breath - and the constant reformating of the mouth. Courtier found lips the hardest of all pieces to form; after all, if one could not read the lips properly, the sound was often indecipherable.

"We come to seek aids to the Purpose. The Purpose is what binds the beings of my race, and each fledgling empire may be useful. We do not uplift those too weak to do it by themselves, however, once an empire attains interstellar abilities, you will find many races come to flock, like vultures above a dead body - or a newborn child. I/I do not say this to threaten you. But I come with offers that you may find useful. Once I know of your empire, there may be those that are.. suitable."

Courtier's brief form shifted again, lips and facial features taking true form within moments. It found that others found the transformation uncomfortable, but it was easier to converse with humanoids whilst in near-identical shape.

"Perhaps the extent of your sway across the stars? The numbers of your populance? The means by which you rule? Whether your citizens have a talent for holographic art? I feel it is best that you inform me of that which you deem both necessary and allowed. If you seek questions, I will give them to you. But I am Courtier, lesser mind among the great, as I style myself."

There was no breath between words, merely cursory pauses to give respect that some beings used breath - and the constant reformating of the mouth. Courtier found lips the hardest of all pieces to form; after all, if one could not read the lips properly, the sound was often indecipherable.

"We come to seek aids to the Purpose. The Purpose is what binds the beings of my race, and each fledgling empire may be useful. We do not uplift those too weak to do it by themselves, however, once an empire attains interstellar abilities, you will find many races come to flock, like vultures above a dead body - or a newborn child. I/I do not say this to threaten you. But I come with offers that you may find useful. Once I know of your empire, there may be those that are.. suitable."


The Patron has seen people being melted in front of him. The strange person’s transformation merely reminded him of several executions. The Patron listened to the strange beings response and was slightly confused. It did not ask about military strength or plans of expansion or anything that most delegates usually sweated about. It was kind of refreshing to the old man and he decided to indulge this diplomat.

He sighed and said in a quiet reply, “The Union is a militarized government that controls the entire Xharn Star Cluster. The cluster is made up of thirty star systems. We have currently colonized about five of them. The rest is empty space where our war fleets patrol. The goals of the Union have been to unite the human colonies from the Earth and force them under the will of the Union.” The old man smiled like a cat that had cornered a mouse and added, “My will..”

The old man looks to Elizabeth and said, “The Union has been trying to maintain a sufficient military dictatorship in these parts for several centuries. I have made sure that the Union has stayed strong by forcing all new worlds to succumb to my will. I have made it mandatory for all citizens to be implanted with slave chips. These chips are surgically implanted into the brain and ensure that all citizens follow all the Union’s edicts. This has worked rather well human freedom is no longer necessary only my will which is now law.”

The Cyborg guardians all repeated in a united robotic voice, “The word of the Patron is law! The word of the Patron is law! The word of the Patron is law!”

The Patron smiled as his children repeated his first edict to them. This was the truth about the Union it took totally control of it’s citizens mind, body, and soul…


Elizabeth shuddered, this chip was also implanted in her head as well. She was a slave to the Union like the rest of the masses of Xharn. It frightened her at times to think this old man to order her to commit suicide and she would be forced to perform it. She merely said, “The word of the Patron is law.”

"Ah. A most convinient form of government. It brings to mind something that we have not offered before, simply because we are unaware of many races, and their hostility towards us."

This time, the being took a breath. Of course, it was merely ingesting air, and slowly pushing the same molecules out through tiny, newly-made pores in its 'skin'.

"Tell me. Do you possess genetic rejuvenation treatment? Or clinical immortality, as it is named?"

The Patron coughed a sort of ancient man wheezing cough and replied, “The throne has kept me alive for over four thousand years. I have had my scientists look for the secrets of immortality. We have resorted to cloning body parts and organs. We have used nano-bot technology to fight off possible illness but sadly, We have never found a way to stop the slow effects of decay and old age. I have fought this condition for centuries and wish to preserve my life to expand my Union farther than just this lowly cluster of systems."

The Patron coughed again and added, "I have never heard about genetic rejuvenation treatment. It sounds like it could be useful.."

OOC: Four MILLION? I'm not sure that we're that far in the future as of yet..

"It is simplistic, in theory. A human body is designed to rejuvenate itself every seven years, slowly, and part-by-part. However, the genetic code which makes up a human body is easily corrupted. Thus, the body is simply not able to regenerate itself into a new form. This is primarily an evolutionary trait, a long lifespan does not lend itself to a powerful species, as it leads to the older, and presumably less adapated beings using up resources which better-adapted beings could be using to reproduce."

A tiny globe appeared on the figure's hand, showing a holographic image of human DNA, a double-helix.

"Thus, it is a simple matter to reconfigure DNA not to decay, a constant manipulation of the body to make sure that old age does not take hold on said body. Body parts, and the like, may be easily rejuvenated, and, although recreating the brain is even more difficult, it may be, over time. However, of course, we would not be able to restore you to the flower of youth within the first treatment. But removing the genetic decay which marks the ageing of humanity would remove the tiresome cloning, and allow you to regain a large measure of youth, and health."

Another pause, and tiny figures manipulated the helix, turning a slowly decaying helix into a flourishing one once more.

"All we would ask in return would be a treaty we wish to extract from as many others as possible. A non-interference one. We would not interfere with your expansion, and you would not intefere with the many affairs of the Purpose. If your ships happened to come upon ours, or vice versa.. they would not interact, unless, of course, in such a situation an outward enemy should attack one or the other. Your means and ours do not coincide. But they are not close enough to make interference inevitable, and nor are they far enough away to make you irrelevent."

The being paused, and amused itself for a moment by speaking with the main consciousness of Courtier, the tiny body ablaze with invisible mental capacity. The control this being exacted over the servants it had was useful. The Maker-Mind had no use for democracy, for freedom, for it was through those things that came rebellion and resistance, that came.. interference. A treaty signed, along with the ability to let the enforcer live for a massive amount of time.. it would suit the Purpose.

And, besides. Good standing with those who stood to gain power was hardly a foolish thing to wish for. Alliances and friends now meant less of the meddling that so pestered Manifest..

Lady Sirrana, for her part, did not partake in the exchange of impressments, and i9nstead took a tenant of Lady seto to heart when meeting anyone for the firs time.

Too many want to be the top of the pyramid, most golden. Forget not that the foundation is far stronger. Listen to others to lear why, first and foremost.

The Princess Excellenca let the two parties exchange their dark bluster. her face showed very little reaction other than the shifting of eyes to whomever was speaking.

She had time aplenty......

OOC: Sorry meant four millennia. Or four thousand years. I got them confused again… (sheepish laugh)…

IC:


The Patron smiled a rather greedy smile. It was everything the old man could hope for a chance to preserve himself and keep his Union together. He could possibly even see his dream of a galaxy under his Pax Patronica. His age of enlightenment and control could be within his grasp with this technological advancement and best of all he could live to see it. The Almighty one thought about what exactly the strange diplomat had said, “all he needed for this was a treaty of non interference". He leaves them alone and they stay away from his Union’s goals of expanding into the rest of this sector of the Galaxy. It was a offer he could not afford to refuse.

The Patron said in his most diplomatic voice, “It seems like a reasonable deal. This technology could further expand my life and keep my Union strong in it’s leadership and all this would cost me is to merely leave your “purpose” alone. I think that is a deal I can easily accept.”

Officer Elizabeth shuddered, this creature was going to give her master some sort of technology that would increase his life span. “The old man has lived for far to long and now he is going to live forever?” thought the young psychic woman dressed in black. She tried to hide her emotions and stayed silent like the rest of the servants of the Patron. They continued to stare at the diplomats and ambassadors but they did not make any threatening movements.

OOC: Ah, ok.

IC: "Indeed. Unfortunately, I possess no vessel to which I will be able to transfer the data. Do you use a traditional human binary system of programming, or other, more.. interesting methods?"


It was amusing, how one thing balanced another out, Courtier knew. Life eternal meant arrogance eternal, and it meant a supreme belief in one's power. The old man would grow young again, and he would conquer. And, of course, others would arise to oppose him. Perhaps he would overcome them, or perhaps he would be overcome himself.

But it would lengthen the life of his domain, nonetheless. Freedom corroded law, weakened the structure of the universe. A single free-trader, exploring a world that would be cleansed, could be a greater thorn in the side of the Maker-Mind, than the most unified, the most powerful empire of the stars in existence.

As it stood, genetic manipulation was not exotic. It did not indebt the Patron needlessly to the Maker-Mind, which would push him to dangerous acts. It would not inspire greed in others, and it would not give him enough power to challenge the Maker-Mind without fear.

The diplomat would have to contact the main personality, the larger nodality of thoughts that made up Courtier, in order to retrieve the information. It waited briefly, and prepared to do so, after the Patron had answered it..

The Patron looked over to his confidante and commanded, “Officer Elizabeth, I want a data pad here as soon as possible.” The female officer saluted and replied in a submissive tone, “Yes my Patron.” She sprints out the metallic door that opens up at her presence.

The Patron sits patiently waiting for her to get back to him with the data pad. He did not fear that she might run away or disobey him. The slave chip would ensure her compliance like everyone else in the ship except, for the delegates and their personal guards.


In a few minutes…..

Elizabeth runs back into the bridge completely out of breath. The data pad was in her hand and she handed it to the Patron. The old man smiled as he took the computerized pad that could easily contain the information and save it to the Union’s computers. The Patron extends his hand with the data pad extended out to the polymorphic ambassador.

"One of the disadvantages of control, few as they may be. Stifling creativity may be good for peace, and expansion, but it does slow the improvement rate of technology."

The form slid into complete ambuigity, moving from one shape to another within seconds, whirling and shifting, flickers of red insidiously displaying themselves among the chaotic form. And, slowly, it resolved into a single shape once more. The shape of a sphere. A perfect, flawless, silver sphere.

A single stream of particles extended quickly from the sphere, and shimmered across the surface of the datapad, aligning fields to store data with as they did. It took merely seconds. And then it was done.

"Genetic manipulation. The information to build such devices as you will need to manipulate DNA, and do so safely, and with ease. The information on the resources you will need, how to obtain them. The information on how to construct the parts in such a device, and the underlying principles in each. Enough information to allow you to utilize it as much as you wish within your Empire as you long for. I will assume the agreement we spoke of is in effect? We do not hold stock in paper treaties. If you keep your side of the bargain, so shall we keep ours."

And, with that, the sphere floated serenely off, down the corridor, preparing to leave. As it did, the tiniest of psychic messages flickered towards Elizabeth.

Your master does not appear to be even a suboperant in the many metafaculties you possess. Thus it is I will have to pass this message onto you. If you wish to speak to us further, you will be the key to discovering where we are, and how to do so.

It made its way back to the docking bay, and there it waited, for the doors to open. Perhaps the Patron wished it to stay. It mattered not. He had a genetic rejuvenation device to construct. Or, at least, a device he would command his minions to construct..

The Patron had what he wanted, the chance to restore his youth and gain immortally. It was all coming together perfectly. He would bring his grand age of peace, and universal unification and he would not have to fear the grim reaper for ageing. The old man started downloading the data pad’s information contents to the computers in his throne. The throne’s advanced computers would screen for any signs of computer generated viruses and tracker information and terminate them.


The Patron smiled as he waited for the information to completely download. The information would be converted and saved to the Union’s most advanced and secured medical files. These files were meant to treat the Patron and all high level figures in the Union’s government.


Officer Elizabeth smiled at the message she telepathically received from the strange flying entity. She decided to sent it a reply before letting the strange liquidly ambassador leave. The Patron had said not to probe people’s minds. He never said not to exchange in a telepathic conversation…

~The Patron, knows about my superior abilities. He just likes lording over the fact that his slave chip keeps me as obedient as the rest of the Union’s populace.~

Elizabeth began hitting several buttons that opened up the hangers doors. The strange entity would soon be able to leave the Dominator…

A virus was not beyond Courtier's ability to replicate, but damage to a computer system was easily remedied. No, the data was clean, in, and of itself. The datapad, however, was not. The silvery particles still covered it, tiny, invisible spies. If they were discovered.. they were easily destroyed, a mere pulse of energy could sear them into nothingness.. but it paid to be cautious. On the off-chance that the Patron's servants were careless enough to leave the datapad lying around after they transferred the data off it, they would soon have information on the Patron's ships. The method was almost worthless in small amounts, only a mass of nanites could give any reliable data, but it was reciprocally detectable. The chance of detection was utterly minimal, and the chance that the Union would understand the tiny machines, dissect them, and discover their origins was so infinitesimal as to be nonexistent.

Another, brief message went out to Elizabeth.

Of course. But you, possessing the metafunction to communicate using telepathy, will more easily be able to contact us. We have, on occasion, artifically constructed devices to allow us to access such metafunctions, although they are not quite as quick with their powers as humans might be.

In any case. An agreement that the foremost mind desires has been achieved. And that is all I am bound to do. Understand, though, that metafunction is harder to control than normal thought...

And, with that, the ambassador was gone, silvery particles whirling away, slipping easily through the walls that seperated reality from unreality once more, as if it had never been there..

The two Gaians meanwhile, learned enough apparently. It was clear what was really going on here. Sirrana only sighed as the scene played itself out.

"We will be departing as well. We did not come to participate in convulted plans. Power is too fleeting for such nonsense.

Excuse us..." ..she said in a less than impressed manner. She had no intention of participating in giving anything for a darker purpose. The Sphere no longer would allow such nonsense when it did not wish to do so..

..besides, being essentially ignored was rude. They began to leave as well.