NationStates Jolt Archive

=()= C.N.S. Charger, Homeworld Orbit =()=

"... Excellent speech sir," the comm officer remarked in her soft voice, giving the captain pause for a moment before he continued on his way and gave her a stiff nod. His wariness towards her was evident: despite the unification of the colonies with the homeworld, there was still much distrust of the always-robed Solsthenor. It could have been their being perpetually covered in a white robe, with a prominent red cross on the front and back, plus glowing eyes and grey skin. To many it didn't feel natural.

Even if this was the 34th century, at a time when peace and prosperity were supposed to be mankind's driving motives.

The executive officer met him halfway across the bridge, his mask of evident tiredness conveying the effects of last night's reception and commissioning ceremony. Even the prime minister had attended, in what some had considered surprising. It made sense though: the Carlisle, Charger, and Centaur were the first heavy cruisers to be constructed domestically in the Commonwealth since the fall of the Solsthenor Confederation nearly four centuries before. For the citizens it was a tremendous sign of national prestige and power, looking up and knowing that the Admiralty was overseeing a new program for their safety. Already keel-laying ceremonies had been scheduled in the coming days for the Cairo, Calcutta, and Caledon.

"Sir, the Carlisle has gone to warp," a voice remarked, interrupting whatever the XO was about to say. "Admiralty signals it's a routine VIP transport." Whatever the reason, it prompted a snort from the captain as he eyed the view outside, seeing the craft still swarming over his ship. A mess of equipment littered the compartment, as it did with nearly every space from bow-to-stern, with personnel still swarming over his command to ready it for operational deployment. There were a mess of problems to be sorted out.

The HTS Omakanie and Terusa Treeships were two simple Tar`tut`nir Light Crusiers patrolling the vast spaces of the Milky Way Core Galaxy, keeping an eye on events going on in the galaxy of their original home.

Still despite all the Comm Orbs and fleet assets in the galaxy, most was not a word that meant 'all', only eighty-three percent of the galaxy was covered, with most Comm-Orb assets deployed to more major areas and startraffic routes of more major nations in the MWCG.

This would become one of those times, as the two Treeships under Star Commander Suka began to leap to the next randomly chosen Star System on their circular route around the galaxy, a third of the way from returning home to the Confederacy Alliance territories the Sphere held.

"Sure about this one ma`am?" ...Steel Angel Foxus asked her superior commander. The Treeship commander that had survived the battle of GT-772.33, after the Dark Eternal attacked that MWCG System. Suka didn't see this simple jump as anything to be really worried about. "Even if it's empty space, the chances of finding civilized life there is remote. Too much of the rest of the galaxy is so inhabited, it's crowding out almost all other chance for new galactic scale civilizations."

Foxus commented.. "Still it's not good to be so lax milady."

Suka only closed her asian ancestral eyes and then spoke.. "It's too much me these days. Go ahead with the jump."

Foxus looked at Suka, then redirected the order to both Treeships, the Terusa taking the Omakanie's lead.

Fold jumps were easily simple, as the Zero Point energy core charged up with subspace energy aid from the Tree core unit. even the two twin Tree cores were uneasy about this jump into uncertain mapped space, but did as commanded. Drive units on both vessels thrummed forth, and within a minute, achieved stable Fold threshold. At the one minute seventeen second mark, the Fold arrays kicked in full and punched the subspace tear through Hikari subspace where Fold vectors were directed these days, the two vessels collapsing into two dimensional, horizontal strings of blinding light. The coordinate vector of every know star in the MWCG cataloge directed the two ships to the theoretical position where they wanted to go.

All of six seconds later, the Fold of two-dimensional subspace was achieved, and the second tear with a decent gravitational burst accompanying them, was accessed, and the same two dimensional strings begin to expand back to three dimensional space off from powerful stabilization envelopes that maintained the integrity of the vessels just long enough for the short trip. The high energy discharge over such a sharply short amount of time was not something that was easily dismissed.

As the viewports of the two Treeships refocus from the white of subspace they momentarily were in, the stars return to view, in different patterns across the starscape they had reached.

Unfortunately, almost on arrival, they saw something 'too' artifical in obvious make to make them comfortable at 'all'.

As the sensors become fully active again, the eyes tell more than they wanted. Suka sees it off port view from an alien world beyond, with a growing chill of the uncomfortable.

"Oyah...." ...she only can whisper of her own bitten ego.

=()= Bautizar System, Commonwealth of Bautizar =()=

The arrival of the two unknown vessels prompted a wave of different emotions, thoughts, fears and reactions. For the pilots of a pair of freighters that had been unfortunately in close transit when they emerged, the immediate response was to roll and accelerate past recommended specifications. Wide-eyed civilians were the second group of people to glimpse the intruders before they were carried out of sight, engines on the old cargo ships burning with newfound intensity as they slowly crawled away. Farther in-system on Orbital One, the massive sprawl of platforms that had been reconstructed into one only a century before, a groundcar collided with a throng of civilians as the driver caught sight of the ships that had appeared from nowhere. Bodies rolled over the hood of the vehicle, still others hastily dodging out of the way as screams filled the air.

=()= Emergency Military Command Center, The Admiralty =()=

Sirens were wailing on all sides as bodies dodged everywhere, carrying the small computer storage and display devices affectionately known as 'CSDs' between terminals and the few important officers that were in the room now. One of them was occasionally lifting a hand to his headset, lips moving as he spoke to someone elsewhere on the planet, falling silent when he had to listen. The scene before him was one of complete bedlam: nobody knew if it was an attack underway, an invasion, or some sort of practical joke. To many here, the latter seemed unlikely, unless some alien species they'd never encountered before had a crude sense of humor.

"Copy that. Raven One you are cleared hot, airspace is green," a technician barked before turning slightly in his chair. His eyes would normally have been impressed at seeing that the Second Lord of the Admiralty was standing behind him, but now there was no time for any such concerns. "Sir, transport is on approach to Government House. Security detachment signals the P.M. is ready for evac -"

"- Fighters scrambling now from orbital platforms," another voice cut in, a young leftenant interrupting and thrusting a CSD into the admiral's hand. Alert eyes hastily scanned the report. "- assembling in defensive perimeter before executing approach. Planetary defense grid going to emergency alert status now sir -" He scrambled back to his duty station at a nod from the senior officer.

"Acknowledged," the captain quietly remarked at the admiral's elbow before leaning in, voice low. "Sir, we're going to DEFCON-2 with a full military alert for the entire system. The Charger and Centaur are executing emergency launch now. Civilian evacuation from Orbitals One and Two will commence in ten minutes."

=()= C.N.S. Charger, Homeworld Orbit =()=

"Don't know what they are, sir!" the operations officer barked at the captain as the harsh alert gong continued to boom out across the bridge. The ship's commanding officer had long since forgotten about the tugboats outside, which even now were burning deuterium in brilliant displays as they hauled tail back for their assigned hangars. A squadron of fighters screeched through the space outside, flying down the length of the ship as they fell into formation, a handful of the pilots still blinking sleep from their eyes. Nobody could recall the last time a system-wide emergency alert had been declared. Nobody wanted to remember.

"Sir, CRITIC signal from the surface," the communications officer stated into his ear, causing the commanding officer to straighten up as he listened to the voice in his headset. "Execute emergency launch."

"All right!" he barked out across the room, voice homing in on the navigation panel. "Crack open the safeguard codes and spin up the impulse drives. Tactical, bring us to condition-1 footing immediately and get me a weapons-status report as soon as you can. We're moving out people! Look sharp!"

And a lot of that came across the Gaian comm-recievers, and a collective big fat teardrop grew across the entire mutual bridge decks. They didn't understand the language yet, but from the kind of chatter and inflection over plain radio frequencies alone, it was too obvious how things were going.

Commander Suka for her part felt like vomitting. "Ooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh... I don't feel good."

"Warned ye I must..."

Suka didn't reply. If this got any worse, she 'actually' considered ancient seppaku, rather than face Lady Seto's, or even worse, His Excellency's wrath.

This was the WORST kind of First Contact scenario that was deeply harped against in the First Contact sector advisory. It was not only obvious unless a miracle could be salvaged from this, Suka's name would become synonomus with other names that equaled tragedy and the insufferable.

It actually got to her mind enough where she, a battle hardened warrior of several intergalactic wars, looking Infernals in the eye and shooting back, and all...

...fainted.

"MA`AM!!!"

As Foxus and another deck commander rushed to Suka, a Sensors Tech yells out. "Signals heading towards us, hard vectors from all readings."

Foxus just commented... "Maybe they'll shoot first and just kill us outright. Don't do anything. And I MEAN that!!" ..and turned back to wake Suka back up.

The two vessels suddenly drop all energy signals, even all but basic particle deflectors and life support. If they were fired upon, the Gaians probably deserved it.

=()= C.N.S. Charger, Homeworld System =()=

As the two newcomers cut power to their systems, the Commonwealth's two newest cruisers were sliding from their berths. Eyes watched them from all sides, conscious that the Charger and Centaur could be responsible for showing the rest of the sector why their construction had been so urgently needed. Electronic eyes swept across their armor, shipyard docking facilities and ground-based sensors recording this moment for the history books. Fighters were buzzing down their lengths even as the arbiter and flak cannons began to rotate, training onto a bearing that pointed barrels at the treeships.

On the bridge of the older vessel (older by a matter of six minutes, as if that made a difference), her commanding officer stood dead center as red lights flashed and swept on the ceiling and bulkheads. The sirens had long since been extinguished, furthering communication as the chaos had become restrained. Professionalism reigned at this moment: the personnel present were the very finest who'd ever graduated from the Fleet's High Water Training Academy, and this was their hour.

"Fighter groups Alpha through Charlie holding point-defense on the dorsal and ventral sides sir," tactical reported to him, causing a nod of acknowledgement. "Weapon systems online. Turrets Bravo and Charlie in local fire-control mode. Port shield grid is inoperative at this time. Torpedo mount two is in local fire-control mode with fluctuating secondary power relays -"

"- trouble holding course sir," navigation interrupted, adjusting his console again to preempt a threatening swing by the far-away bow. "Number three driveshaft running hot at one hundred five percent. Engineering, can you adjust -"

"- They've cut power!" a new voice barked out on the bridge, causing heads to turn and eye tactical, who was leaning forward on the blinking panel of switches and buttons. "Both ships are at a dead stop now." She looked at a flickering message that had appeared in midair, studying it for a moment before waving a broad hand across the base. That shut off the display. "Centaur confirms. Looks like they're at secondary power only."

"Get me the Admiralty," the commanding officer directed. He looked out the forward windows as his command continued to move along lively, turrets bracketing the unknown ships in their crosshairs.

=()= Emergency Military Command Center, The Admiralty =()=

"Centaur and Charger confirm sir," the captain informed the Second Lord, voice as low as before and showing no sign of the internal turmoil he was feeling. Alien ships of this unique design just didn't exist, or at least they hadn't been known to exist by the Commonwealth. It was a viewpoint shared by not only Bautizans but the Soldenors and Gorjens too, according to last week's opinion polls. But now ... everything had changed.

Elsewhere on the homeworld the panic was continuing, and would last for a longer period of time. Planetary defenses were being manned as civil defense sirens continued to wail, their screeching tones unmistakeable as traffic arteries became clogged with evacuees fleeing the major cities. Fighters were rumbling overhead, engines burning as they headed into the skies from across the surface of Bautizar VIII. Below them they left the sight of hundreds of transports, shuttlecraft, yachts, and a myriad of other small craft that were carrying thousands of evacuees to what was perceived as safety.

"Understood," the Second Lord remarked, even as an elevator behind him opened to reveal a new figure. The arrival was dressed in civilian clothing, but commanded immediate respect from everyone present. Even the Second Lord of the Admiralty, who answered only to the First Lord, stiffened his back unconsciously. "Prime Minister."

"Lord Halifax," he replied brusquely, ignoring the attention he was garnering as he slung his jacket over the back of an empty chair. "I've been briefed already, and told that they just cut power to their systems. Still looking like an invasion?" There was silence in response, a large gap filled with a handful of coughs from the senior military officers. Wonderful, the P.M. thought as he rubbed the bridge of his nose, thinking before he continued. "Very well. Here's what we'll do ..."

=()= C.N.S. Charger, Homeworld System =()=

"Acknowledged," the captain remarked into his headset, the voice in his ears disappearing into static. It cut out as he tapped the device, eyes flicking to the heads-up display as he unconsciously selected from a barrage of options that he'd been presented. His action powered an antenna array, the piece of metal ignoring the fighter squadron that flew by on afterburners as they moved into a defensive position on the cruiser. "This is the Commonwealth Naval Ship Charger, of the Commonwealth of Bautizar. Please identify yourselves at this time and state your intentions." The message repeated on all frequencies, cycling through all six languages known to the Commonwealth.

This was madness he told himself. Absolute madness. Two alien ships had just jumped in-system and triggered the first military alert in over four hundred years, and here he was on point in a first-contact situation with extraterrestrial ships.

A few moments before the reception of the signal, Suka finally regained consciousness. He even had a marvelous headache, a rarity to Sphere citizens these days since the medical comminuty had designed proper medications for such outbreaks, and then the very lifestyle most Sphere citizens enjoyed that took things like stress and migraines out of the equation for the most part.

Really foolish for a trans-dimensional civilization not to have dealt with such things these days. So when a headache cropped up, it meant something serious was at hand.

Case in point..... =^^=;;;

"Uhhhhhhhhhh... I feel bad."

Lady Foxus just sighed.. "Good, means you're still alive."

Suka sat up with help on the grassy bridge deck. "You mean..."

"Nay, we're not in a Gen-Refab Unit..... yet anyway."

After Suka heard what Foxus ordered. "Uh... I know we made a mistake, but being killed won't solve much." Foxus then stood up with Suka in a smooth motion. "Wish someone told me that before the first Dark Eternal invasion."

"Ma'am, we're getting a signal. Looks like through six language formats. None too hard to translate according to the matrix." ...a Comm-Tech informed.

Suka walked over to the vast single pane transparasteel viewport at the sight of two decent sized warships standing off nearby. She wiped her hand across her face in utter disgust at her own stupidity. "I am so monolithicaly idiotic."

A silent moment, a really silent moment, later, Lady Suka called out to both bridge comms. "As of this moment, I take formal responsibility for all of this. Tree cores note it in the Tree Memory Logs please." A mental ping from the Trees, and after Lady Suka waved off any response from Foxus, no matter how long as friends they were.

She then ordered. "Inform Command, tell them everything. Logs, sensory information, all of it. request orders and suggest my resignation upon extraction from all of this.

How long till we can communicate?"

The Comm-Tech looked at the readouts. "Another two minutes. At least they have a similiar derivative of English and Portugese from the basic looks of it."

"Two minutes. People have gotten impatient in less time. Tell it to hurry."

"What about the defenses. Do we keep them down?" ..the Tactica-Tech asked, Suka and Foxus exchanged looks. "I thought it best to play it passive as heck."

"Probably best. Keep them down, but put the Wings on automatic absportion spectrum if a volley comes in." ..Suka said to the Tactica, then at Foxus. "One volley should convince them that they can't get through. Maybe we can defuse everything from there."

"If they fire, it might be too late."

"Not much else we can do." Suka finished for Foxus.

The Comm-Tech announced. "Almost there..."

=()= C.N.S. Charger, Homeworld System =()=

"Anything?"

The officer at communications shook her head, a hand lifting up from her panel to readjust her headset. "Transmission is rotating through all six frequencies. Nothing yet sir."

Anxious and nervous now the captain looked away from her and towards the bow. Stars continued to wink out of his line of vision, the metal corners of the bridge windows eclipsing them as the cruiser continued to move forwards. His eyes admired the sight of the turrets trained out to starboard, barrels glinting in the light as inside them personnel waited tensely, standing and whispering to each other about whether someone had lost their nerve up on the bridge. "Tactical, keep a sharp eye on them. They so much as twitch we'll blow them away." Behind him there was a nod of understanding, the appropriate officer tapping his console and clearing a direct line to gunnery control centers throughout the vessel.

"Stand by. I repeat, stand by."

The fighter clouds continued to billow and eddy, comm channel messages fading as less-anxious personnel looked off at the distant vessels. It was odd to think that soon they might be strafing the new arrivals, whose motionless state seemed to convey either thinly-disguised hostile intent or a state of innocence. For now, all the men and women of the Commonwealth Navy could do was recheck their consoles and readjust in their seats, bodies tense and minds running through their ordinance loadouts as they waited for orders.

Both of the freighters that had nearly been run down by the arriving treeships shot underneath the Centaur, a terse command sending several squadrons of fighters peeling off from her escort. Glows of impulse engines faded as the old mercantile vessels reduced speed, old machinery nearly sighing in relief after its marathon workout. To either side reinforcements settled in for the long haul to Orbital One, fighter pilots exchanging thumbs-ups with the pilots and bridge crews. Far ahead of them marine transports launched into space, heading on an intercept course that would allow them to 'detain' the civilians for medical checkups. Nobody was taking any chances.

=()= Emergency Military Command Center, The Admiralty =()=

"I'm sorry sir," the captain reported to the P.M., who was now nursing a glass of ice water and watching the technicians going about their duties. There were more than a dozen camera views of the silent alien ships up on the monitors now, sensors and cameras probing and watching them with rapt attention. "No response yet from the alien ships."

They watched, and waited. Behind them the captain had his hand on the headset, maintaining a comm line on open status to the strategic national command. At the word, missiles would roar into space. But the prime minister wasn't quite ready to exercise that option, even as panic reigned up on the surface. He was content to see what happened, although there would be all sorts of analysis and reports done on this in the future.

:: ~ "This is the Commonwealth Naval Ship Charger, of the Commonwealth of Bautizar. Please identify yourselves at this time and state your intentions." ~ ::

The matrix finally got the basic lingustic anchors down, then ran the six message versions through the created anchor program. A moment later and a trillion calculations a microsecond, the basic message was translated.

it was then run through the Primary Matrix ten more times to fine tune the small details such as pronouns, adjectives and punctuation. It was as detail difficult as any Fold drive array schematic after all. Minor slip ups with grammar between languages tended to cause wars between parties, the implications of getting this right was tatamount.

Especially with the aggitation aimed at the two Treeships. Kinda important...

Lady Suka finally heard the completed message, and the inflections in the voice. "Good, they're mad at us. Tis a proper thing."

Lady Foxus just rolled her eyes, as Suka ordered the translation matrix to program a dynamic learning protocol into the language nanites that actually were fused into learning centers in their cerebrums. A few moments of strange stillness later and the hoped they got it right.

Suka took a deep breath... "Alright. Lets see if we don't start a war here. Goddesses Preserve the Light. Open a basic comm channel, make sure that matrix is on top of the translations."

The Comm-tech looked at the space beyond and sulped, and then flicked a holo-switch upon his glowing interface console. A beep-whistle opens as radio frequences across 'all' standard radio frequencies, and several subspace ones are opened along side. Hopefully one of them would be heard. It was voice only for the moment. Seeing a face might not be best just yet.

Lady Suka took a 'deep' breath, and spoke.

...or for a moment she didn't. What 'do' you say to appease a civilization you just interrupted rather rudely. This stuff wasn't standard fare, the Sphere avoided this kind of Contact situation like the plauge, this was actually new territory, the minefield filled kind.

She had to think for a moment, not realizing for a moment the channel was open. "How the heck do you say 'sorry'? I'm out of my league on this one."

Lady Foxus just commented (also openly heard..) "Maybe we try just from the 'word' sorry and work it from there. We didn't mean to do all this anyway."

"I still feel awful." ..Suka said for a moment, then cleared her throat. "Alright.."

:: ~ We appologize, little else can be said. We are not here on hostile intent, our purpose was never such. I cannot emphasise this enough, and trying further may cause further duress.

We are informing our superiors of my own foolishness, and requesting instruction. Until then we remain under your weapons, our own fall cold. Short of outright surrender, we remain passive to your actions. ~ ::"

After, Lady Suka and Foxus collectively cross their fingers.

The words of the alien visitors to the Commonwealth echoed with profound reverberations, piped through the frequencies of the pilots, to the Admiralty, through civilian frequencies, and to the waiting shapes of the cruisers. Upturned faces on the surface heard it being broadcast through the communications networks that served them in unappreciated ways. And across the surface of the planet, millions of bodies heaved a collective sigh of relief. The evacuation was not necessary, or so it seemed to some. So they began to return home. Others continued on their ways out of the cities and into the countryside, seeking shelter wherever it was to be found. Far above them on the metal hulks of the Charger and Centaur bridge personnel heaved collective sighs of relief, but did not relax their vigilance. Thoughts of an invasion were on the minds of many, and it made them wary and vigilant against threats that might or might not materialize.

The captain of the Charger, still feeling out of his depth in this most unique of situations, heard the inadvertently transmitted words and almost laughed, albeit nervously. Unknown to him the P.M. did, far away on the surface of Bautizar VIII and listening to what words were being said in the heavens over his head. At his side the Second Lord exhaled a deep breath, which he'd unconsciously been holding in his strained effort to discern any possible response. Only when he had taken several of them did he turn to the leader of the nation's government. "Sir, your orders?"

And now what? The thoughts hit half-a-dozen minds simultaneously, and left the treeships awaiting a response on an open communication frequency. First contact had never been a thought until now in the Commonwealth: unknown to them, the Carlisle was very much engaged in a similar procedure after receiving the invitation that had been sent via a freelance trader. There would be books written about this moment, lessons taught in classrooms for generations to come. Diplomats would have to receive specialized training, medical fields would open. All in the blink of an eye the entire Commonwealth had been turned upside down.

"I think ... Admiral, inform them to move to the edge of the system. I think a diplomatic face-to-face meeting might be in order, if their intentions are sincere."

The Admiral's face clearly conveyed his thoughts on the matter. Out of the question it seemed to say. "Sir, I must -"

"Relax Lord Halifax," the prime minister cut in, looking up from the table he was leaning on. "Not on the homeworld. Elsewhere ... how about here?" His finger tapped on the small station that orbited the ninth planet in-system, a small airless speck of rock that moved lively on an orbit that was halfway between the system's outer edge and the homeworld. It prompted some discussion amongst the military staff, but finally a unified consensus emerged.

Yes.

=()= C.N.S. Charger, Homeworld orbit =()=

The captain keyed open the communications channel, wondering how to phrase this diplomatically. "The Commonwealth of Bautizar invites you to attend a diplomatic meeting with representatives of our government on the supply station orbiting the ninth planet. Four representatives from each government will attend." Even as he spoke a transport was carrying the workers and staff away from the station, wondering what had prompted this disruption to their lives. Other than alien ships in the system. "In the meantime we ask that you withdraw your vessels from the inner system to the outlying part."

He let the channel fall silent, wondering what would happen next. Ball's in your court now he told himself, eyes watching the motionless ships that had wrecked his day.

*The White Diamond/Sapphire Star System*

The core of the immense Empire of Light, the gleaming white jewel of the crown that meant so many facets of good and heaven, far too much more to describe where words fail, it was also one that had a number of Council Advisors on a mutual train wreck meeting at the Holy Palace Tree, as soon as the Priority-One Comm signal was processed, in 'less' than twenty minutes.

A good number of the Orbs had been cycled into overdrive emergency mode, a number actually burning out under the supernatural strain and power use. It was as close to an old HPG-Class A signal boost mode as it had ever been since the old days as an actual member of the MWCG.

In other words, scuttle butt traveled FAST through the universe, through several Intracelic Dimensional Gates even to get the signal through. Lady Seto as soon as she got the signal and the situation, BLEW one big fat fuse.

The Council, a good number still on Homeworld, others away in other sectors of the Confederacy, none on the active Dark Eternal War front at present, gathered at the same trainwreck speed and learned exactly what happened in short, short order.

"Fubar on moldy rye." ...Utsutsumi commented.

"Any more word from them, the Commander on scene?" Lady Yurika asked quickly. Seto shook her shaking head. "No, I fear too much therefore."

Lady Tsunami took a quick, calming stance. "Okay guys, it's happened. Let's take it a step at a time and slowly defuse this brusefire."

"Brushfire."

Tsui just punched Aleaic in the right arm she was next to. Seto opinionated. "We should have them withdraw at least to the edge of the object System and make them stay there until we arrive."

As soon as Seto said that, Aleaic was aleady hitting the Priority Gold-One channel to the Treeships in question. "Works for me......." ...he said in an iron tone.

---------

Lady Suka heard the return transmission through the matrix from the Commonwealth of Bautizar local controller. She sighed. "Thank the eons. I think I aged one."

Lady Foxus didn't hesitate. "We'll respond after we move. Find where the last orbit in this System is and Fold us there fast. No sublight, let's move and get clear. DO IT!!"

However almost as soon as the Sensor-Tech began to run the System scan of orbital gravity rings, a process taking a minute or two for an unknown system, relying on ascertaining where the gravity points in a System were by basic gravitational echos within the local solar wind zone, and the magnetic fields that blocked them in varying strength, the Priority Gold signal was recieved. It acted DIRECTLY through the Hikari Network itself, bypassing the Comm-Orbs completely, more effective since it was two Treeships being accessed.

"Uh... um.... Homeworld is calling ma'am."

Suka felt her throat dry like a scortching desert planet in a sudden vaccum. She eeked out.... "Really........? So soon?"

A shaky nod, and a holoscreen POPS up... It's a simple...

":: ~ WHAT THE HECK IN HEAVEN DID YOU PEOPLE DO!!!!!!! ~ ::"

Suka felt the fine grown grass softly tickling the back of her neck. The slight breeze of the wind coming from the Dimensional Habitation Unit further back and down within the primary hull. The sight of space above the tree growths above, past the light reflected transparasteel surface.

She just wished there had been an explosive decompression from it just about now, what with Lady Seto's 'calm' query.

Lady Foxus got up first, the Steel Angel not quite as tormented at current. "Our appologies My Lady."

":: ~ Eternally DARNED straight you are. ~ ::" Lady Seto stabbed back quickly. Foxus actually wished for the 'same' decompression just after this.

Suka and Foxus were both standing when Seto next spoke. ":: ~ Congratulations on breaching Prime Directive One of the First Contact Corps, not to apparently mention went too far outside the Fold coordinate lanes for the MWCG. NEED I SAY MORE. ~ ::"

Suka and Foxus only drooped their heads. The holoscreen however shifted fast in viewpoint to another direction in the Council chambers. ":: ~ Enough please, like my wife said. ~ ::"

Suka and Foxus both kneel outright, but this time Aleaic stabs out. ":: ~ Oh get up by all light. No time for that crud. ~ ::" ..and is obeyed in split order. Asking the point directly... ":: ~ Are you both well? Under attack? Any status or transmissions? ~ ::"

Lady Suka informs... "We just were informed to move to the outer edge of this System. They're sending apparent representatives to meet us. I formally request proper assistance. We're not..."

":: ~ YOU will be handling this one properly, it's your mess to clean up after all. Experience is gained in such a manner anyway, and it 'will' reflect on the nature of us all in the locals eyes. At least all long enough for us to plan out a proper operation.

The merits of all this will reflect on my final considerations when all is finished. ~ ::"

Lady Suka shook. "I... I don't...."

She stopped when Aleaic's eyes grew more soft, more confident.

":: ~ I'm not kidding. I don't have reason to distrust you. We all make mistakes. We also rectify them ourselves. Mind proving that for me Lady Commander? ~ ::"

She didn't know how he did it. She felt just as confident just from that alone, and knew she could make it all right. Just then, the Sensor-Tech informed.. "We located the appropriate position we were informed."

Suka nods.. "Fold us there please. *turning to the screen* Acknowledged Excellency. I'll do my best."

":: ~ Good luck. ~ ::" ...and the screen snaps off.

---

Seto looks semi-incredulous at Aleaic, but puts back in reason, as he looks at Tsunami.

"Give them a day to make a good band-aid. Meanwhile prepare the Hikari for operational departure. Day two will be our turn."

Tsunami nods and turns to contact Emerald Fleet Hikari Grand Docks. Aleaic looks at Seto. "You're coming too. You can yell at them more in person."

Seto groans. "Kid, I 'hate' it when you do that." Utsutsumi just laughs. "But it works." Yurika comments.. "Any escort for the Flag-Treeship?"

"Nay, if they can defeat the Core Tree extensia, we're in no position to bother with more." Aleaic informed, of which Yurika then laughed. It's all how a Gaian deals with such situations, in disarming fashion. Meanwhile the Council made preparations for a one day trip.

---

Lady Suka just collapsed into a kneeling pile as soon as the vidscreen flicked off, while the Fold drive began to kick into short-charge. "I feel old. I actually do."

Lady Foxus just laughed, her own stress relief reaction, as the Fold began.

---

The two Treeships only gave an acknowledgement signal, and Folded out of sight, quickly a microsecond later at the appointed coordiantes, leaving behind their thin white horizontal lines of embarrasment.

After arrival, Suka asked for instructions from the local controllers for what they wanted to handle the coming inital contact. The Gaians began to treat this as if it was a ticking time bomb, and would only level off after they gained enough trust from the locals.

At worst, the Treeships would Fold away and the entire Sector placed under diplomatic quarantine until further notice. No one wanted that, history could progress poorly if such had to be enacted.

And so the Gaians waited. Lady Suka looked for something sharp to drink for the moment being.

Jaws dropped throughout the Admiralty and aboard the ships in orbit as the alien vessels simply winked out of existence, then reappeared on the outer edges of the system. It was as if someone had thrown a switch and moved millions of tons of whatever material they were made from in the blink of an eye, which for all extents and purposes, they had. It left behind perplexed officers and even-more-surprised pilots, all of whom were watching an empty patch of space.

When it became apparent that nothing was going to happen immediately, they began to relax, muscles easing as recall orders flashed out to the ships. Entire wings of fighters peeled off from orbital patrols and combat sweeps, grateful and anxious men and women bringing their small crafts around and heading back for the naval facilities from which they'd launched. Aboard the Charger and Centaur the stand-down orders came through as well, allowing personnel to sag at their stations and contemplate the new change that had occurred in their lives. For the short term, at least, it also allowed for momentary thoughts about the unready states of the vessels.

=()= Emergency Military Command Center, The Admiralty =()=

Collective sighs echoed throughout the room as a deep disembodied voice rang out. "Confirmed. Unidentified ships have withdrawn to the edge of the system. Colonial defense grid now tracking contacts Sierra-1 and -2 as holding position at designated coordinates." Throughout the orbiting military facilities cameras whirred and spun, zooming in on the shapes at their new location. Sensors continued to patiently watched and sweep through the skies, the days of relaxed vigiliance long since over now.

"Sir, they're requesting orders," the captain quietly informed the prime minister, who was noticing that Lord Halifax had surrendered his standing position for a chair, where he was sipping from a mug of coffee. There was at least a nod of acknowledgement given to the junior military officer present in the room. Someone closed the door separating the conference room from the duty center outside, even as the screens at the far end flared to life.

They showed several members of the cabinet, crucial personnel of the government ministries who'd been roused hastily and evacuated to continuity-of-government facilities scattered throughout the system. At least one, the secretary of state for foreign and commonwealth affairs, was rubbing his eyes as he and a few members of his staff settled into the few chairs available on their end of the connection. But the people began to snap out of it when the prime minister's deep bass voice rang out. "Good morning. Approximately forty minutes ago two alien vessels appeared in-system near the homeworld."

There was rapt attention on him now, even from the military staff. This was the kind of situations that diplomats feared, and military officers had pride in militaries about. "After a tense standoff, during which the nation's military forces were brought to maximum alert status, communications were established. The aliens have withdrawn to the edge of the system, and we have arraigned a meeting with representatives of their government, to take places in several hours. Sir Halifax, I believe you've been briefed on this situation. Your assessment."

Eyes turned to the monitor showing the elderly secretary of state for foreign and commonwealth affairs as he cleared his throat and rubbed his spectacles. It was his responsibility for diplomatic and foreign communications, and despite the extraordinary nature of the situation he seemed to be taking it in stride. "Yes, well ... my most immediate concern is that we seem to be maintaining a very warlike and hostile military attitude towards them. I'd like to appeal for some sort of response to match their evident willingness for cooperation. It -"

"Out of the question!" the Second Lord of the Admiralty interrupted with a grave shake of his head. "We have no idea if there are more of these ships coming to the system. For all we know -"

"For all we know they could have wandered here by accident!" the foreign secretary shot back at him. The career military officer bristled, cheeks flushing a deep red in anger at the notion of aliens wandering off-course. He was cut off by a sharp rap of a knuckle coming down on the tabletop. Turning, he saw that it had come from the prime minister, who was now standing and walking around the room.

Sir Baxter thought for a few minutes before speaking, retrieving a glass of water that was proffered to him. "This is pointless. Admiral, we will at least partially match their goodwill gesture. Strategic missile forces will maintain their current alert status. All other military forces will go to DEFCON-3 effective immediately, and will maintain that stance until the crisis is over." His tone brooked no argument, causing a mere nod but evident look of disagreement in response, but relaxed as he looked at the ministers responsible for domestic security and communications, respectively. "There will no doubt be confusion and fear reigning throughout the Commonwealth in response to this. Take the necessary precautions to restore order and security. Lady Grace I need you to return to the capital immediately: it's evident that some sort of public address will be necessary. We have a far more pressing matter now, and that is the question of diplomatic representation. Sir Watts, what is your location?"

There was an impromptu conference at the other end of the connection as the prime minister patiently waited. He saw the military officer appear in the room at someone's bidding, leaning over the table to talk in low tones to the foreign secretary, and then stand with a nod and leave the room. Sir Watts watched him exit before speaking, eyes looking from the closing door back to the government's leader. "Just north of High Water sir. I can be at the spaceport in ten minutes. At Orbital One in another fifteen."

"Make it happen. You'll be on point and representing the government: don't let me down." The connection was closed after another round of nods, allowing the prime minister to lean onto the table and look down at the polished wooden surface for a moment. Finally, when Lord Halifax was about to inquire if he was all right, he looked up at the military man. "I want to know everything there is to know about this species we've encountered. You know what that means, of course."

A nod came in reply: of course he did. "I'll issue orders making the Charger and Centaur ready for immediate missions. Your authorization is going to be needed for the emergency construction program sir, if we're to complete other units faster than we previously anticipated." The nod of acknowledgement and of approval immediately came back to him, even as the shuttle for the foreign secretary was lifting off from Facility 212: High Water, bearing him and his party to the spaceport.

Lady Suka and Lady Foxus meanwhile moved their considerations to the primary habitable zone, joined as they were by the Terusa Treeship Commander, Lord Erus`aii, the Avian Lord accompanying. It was common for operations of paired patrols to operate from a senior Treeship, the other commander essentially another bridge officer by extensia.

This time however, the Griffon Ascendant was called, because he had actual, if by the term, one mission, had experience diplomatically speaking. Of course it was only a simple attache foray during the long days and nights of the Long Calm, prior to Operation Harvest and the Fourth Great Expansion into the Corseria and Columbia Superclusters. System UUI-9275.32 was a simple world about 16th century in technology in Terran history comparison of such scales, that had been all too aware of the Dark Eternals, and their raping of much of the local galaxy there.

A simple message tube with a prepared scroll with instruction. He delivered by hand and in person to the local, and awed to be sure, populace chief. Last word was the populace had been relocated to a strong Sphere Confederacy world in the Eeetha Galaxy Zone.

Still, it was what the Commanders had to work with.

Meeting in the currently sunset scenery of the dimensional landscape of the Swiss like mountain area, a spot with a large overlook that had a thousand meter drop below, snowless, so barren to the eye.

It fit the mood, a baren naked feeling to it all.

"The heck and heaven do we do? We have to fix this? I'd rather fix a breached ZPC unit and get fried by it."

Lady Foxus just let Suka have her rant, while Lord Erus`aii began to gather all the data, and piece together some idea what to do. He commented.. "~ A moment this will be for our history holo-archives. ~"

"Oh can it birdy, I'm not proud of it all."

Lady Suka however is retorted back, "~ I did not mean it as such. I feel we may salvage a moment we can take pride in, if we hold true to form and honesty. ~"

"How do we do that? We made a civilization soil itself in one moment. I can't imagine how they must be reacting to us. We're like some bad dream they don't want."

The Avian craned his huge head over at the Steel Angel. "~ But then, it 'is' the dream of ours that may save all of this. ~"

Suka and Foxus exchange a glance. Foxus considered a more blunt response, but Suka suddenly cut in, something from that same glance giving an eery impart. "No, he could be right. Maybe that should be our aim. If we just show who we are, but do it from the point of the Dream of the Light, that one they teach in all the spiritual temples, it might put things at ease."

Lady Foxus however pointed out. "Not if we try to act like religious worshippers, that's 'not' the aim of all that. And it's not a good idea to show the inhabitants of one world, we control a huge part of the universe around them. They need to see things in a safer manner."

Suka retorted back... "Not if we come across as treating them too inferior, or we hide too much."

Lord Erus`aii however offered a middle road. "~ Then lets make a framework of standard proceedure, and those two options to avoid. Something in there along with sincerity should be enough. ~"

For the remainder of the time until the time came, the three hammered our something that would give decent representation of the Sphere Alliance. whatever it was, it would only be a rough framework. They had a lot to work with after two hundred years of diplomacy, so they could manage.

An hour later, another message was sent out, once all the details were straightened out on the Gaian's end. They still played to the end of the hosts timetable without fail.

:: ~ Please send a signal when your delegation has arrived at the mentioned orbital platform of note. We'll send our own delegation afterwards, only one guard with three (sorta) diplomats. We await your signal during our preparations. ~ ::

Meanwhile the three 'diplomats' were tearing hair and feather out trying to figure how to present themselves, without frightening them too much more. Truth here was difficult to accomplish such, with the vast reality the Sphere commanded.

The tight rope was as thin as a hair...

The signal passed the transport that was even now on approach to the orbital platform. It was a common civilian craft that had been hastily pressed into service for this assignment: ferrying VIPs had never been a designer concept. The pilot watched the station as his craft lumbered up next to it, losing sight of the flashing lights around the docking port. They shortly reappeared on the console between his seat and the copilot's. Thrusters fired in small eruptions of light, working against the solid mass of the freighter in order to gingerly ease it towards the station.

Two smaller shadows broke off at seeing this, wheeling away and banking into an orbit of the station as shadows began to cross through the docking ramp that had extended between the station and freighter. Insignia of the Commonwealth Navy flashed in the sunlight, glinting its rays back into space before the shadows obscured the design. The fighter pilot took a moment to survey the station for a moment longer, seeing nothing out of the ordinary before he keyed his comm system open. "Knight One to command. BISHOP is in position ... returning to base," he added, spotting the docking ramp detaching from the transport, which began to lumber away from the facility. Its shadow crossed over a far smaller shuttle that had detached from an aft compartment and now zipped in towards a docking bay.

As the fighters swung into escort positions on the civilian craft and escorted it away from the station, Sir Watts was busy descending farther into the facility. He walked over a cracking plant for minerals, across an exposed gangway that was eclipsed in steam and smoke from time-to-time. At another moment he surrendered his briefcase to an aide in order to climb a ladder, stepping off at the top and pulling a kerchief from his pocket to wipe the grease from his hands. Finally the group of three and one security officer arrived at the hangar that had been designated for the visitor's shuttle.

=()= Situation Room, Government House =()=

"Prime Minister, Sir Watts is aboard the station," came the report, the nervous civilian giving a short and terse nod to the officer who had delivered the report. He'd given up on the idea of circling around the table, seeing as how it had agitated the other civilians and military personnel present. Wringing one's hands while they waited was out of the question. All he could do now was sit and occasionally sip from a glass of water.

"Centaur has returned to her berth," he heard someone informing the First Lord of the Admiralty. Sir Cunningham had arrived just moments ago, out-of-breath and evidently winded from his near run through the halls of the government's headquarters. "Charger is in position and ready to intervene if something occurs."

"So now we wait," the prime minister quietly informed the new arrival as he took a seat. It was met with a nod.

The Sensors-Techs on both vessels tracked the arrival of the civilian starcraft, guessing that was probably the host diplomatic team. The way it's escort was orbiting around the platform, it was relatively safe to guess further in this vein.

Lady Suka was informed even as a decent argument was flaring on how to still proceed. The Hidden Veil argument verses the Honest Ploy one kept running into the same wall. Something in any description ended up hiding something, or saying too dang much. Even Suka and Foxus were frazzled hairs at each other at one point.

Finally the two Ladies sighed... "One thing is certain, we need more encompasing Comm-Orbs, this is a serious pain to deal with."

Lord Erus`aii finally comments.. "~ In anycase, they 'are' waiting for us now. I suggest we prepare into formality. We only need explain the basics in the end. ~"

Lady Suka looked like a beaming halolamp just at that moment. "THAT'S IT!!"

After a simple explanation, they really felt like amatuers for not just going with that all along. They had much to learn about diplomacy.

----

*:: ~ GANN Sphere Core Service Press Release

Interesting news today. Apparently a routine patrol run in the MWCG ended up Fold jumping into the midst of a developing Star System, most likely due to both commander error and lack of proper coordinate data. This rare event is causing a decent uproar among the various Fleet Commands and First Contact Advisory.

Council is already sending word formal precense of the Excellency will be joining the at the scene commander to smooth out tensions, though some worry this could only exacerbate matters. Timetable has been set for a day from now Local System Time, and the situation is being monitored by High Command, though the interfered System in question poses apparently minimal threat to Fleet technological level.

The Council however stressed there would be no concern for such a possibility, invoking the Isolation directive as last resort operational doctrine. Many are hoping that will not be required.

Again, the main headlines are the current Sphere operations in GLK-4431 Galaxy Sector, and the Incident in the MWCG of two Treeships, other stories include.......... ~ ::*

---

It took another short while, and the three Gaian commanders dressed in formal kimonos and robes of standard Sphere flag colors. Their one guard, a recent Angel God crew guard addition prior to the beginning of the entire patrol originally, Ifurita Sassrii, arrvied in standard blue-white jumpsuit attire. Her glowing Keystaff was the only weapon they all would need. Something that had the kick of a Medium Naval WarShip Turbocannon was more than enough, for sure.

The four met together at the Omakanie teleporter chamber, the living wood and superstructure woven with more grassy and leafy deck accounterments, that also acted as power conduits to the teleporter pads and controlling consoles.

"Alright, better tell them we're acoming." Lady Suka commented to the air, the internal-comms piping it to the command deck. Comms send a quick 'ready' message ping to the hosts, with also to expect a quick arrival.

After this, the four placed themselves unto the pads. Lady Foxus just quips as the subspace displacement envelope is forming, the shimmer hum of the capacitors keying up. "Hope my hair looks nice at least. My mood might not in a moment."

Suka just quips as the teleport field begins forming around them. "Hate to ask if they have cameras that worry about that much." ...and then the field glows brightly, as the teleport occurs.

---

Unlike standard transporters or such devices that disassemble atoms from a main body and reassembles it at the other end of the destination end, the Sphere simply created a mass subspace tunneling effect that simply moved the entire main body without any dangerous dissasembly degredation problems. A larger amount of energy used, but much safer when artifical dismemberment was removed from the equation. With celestial technological based focusing arrays and energy recyclers that regained the massive use of energy, the four simply 'mini-folded' their bodies over to the destination.

Doing so created a good amount of light as the tunnel passed through the Hikari Subspace field. Add in celestial sparkles and effects and it was another signature of a two hundred year old alliance of great progress.

It was faster than using a shuttle, where they didn't feel like risking have any assets left behind this time. They didn't know hopw bad a cultural mess they were making already, so pushing it with a 'show' of high tech presence beyond already seen was unwise at present, the commanders agreed to that much.

Everything else was up in the literal air.

BREAKING NEWS: Sources within Government House and the Admiralty have confirmed that diplomatic negotiations are now ongoing aboard Mining Outpost Sierra-14. While there has been no official comment on the nature of the Commonwealth's alien visitors, military officials appear willing to concede that their arrival was not the invasion that was originally feared. Nevertheless, reports from throughout the system indicate that Naval and Marine forces are remaining at a high state of alert, pending further developments. We will keep you up-to-date as this story develops.

* * * * *

Transporter technology in the Commonwealth was still in design stages only: no practical working model had ever been created, and the only prototype was in military hands. When the guests materialized before the hosts, who had been expecting a more conventional shuttle approach, it therefore generated a degree of shock among the otherwise-veteran diplomats. The only one who seemed unaffected was Sir Watts: his staff had privately nicknamed him 'Old Ironsides' because of his reputation for never becoming flustered.

Rather boldly he cleared his throat and raised his chin, bright and alert eyes scrutinizing them over his crisp three-piece suit and spectacles. He was very much conscious of the blank looks that his staff was displaying towards them, which started to dissipate as the attached security officer coughed and subtly nudged one of them. "Welcome to Mining Station Sierra-14. I am Sir Edwin Watts, Secretary of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for the Commonwealth of Bautizar. May I ask whom I have the privilege of addressing?"

The more spartan interior of the destination met the eyes, as well as the guests, who didn't look all too alien to the inital eye. Lady Suka had once surmised in an Academy thesis Padd, that the Virgo Supercluster was primarily seeded with humanoid DNA at some point in the ancient past. It didn't seem to be disuaded here this day, she thought.

After Sir Edwin Watts of Bautizar addressed himself, it was returned by... "I am Lady Suka Kerensky of the Sphere Alliances, Core Gaian Ascendancy Republic-Empire. This is Lord Erus`aii.. *guesturing to the eleven meter tall griffonade being.* ...of our Ascendant Avian Lord Alliance representative. This is Lady Foxus, my Executive Officer and close friend. Behind us is our guard, Angel God Ifurita Sassrii."

The three looked probably stark in eye to the Bautizar delegation. for one, their long exposure to quasi-ascendance gave them a slight aura-glow all on it's own. Nothing about them looked plain at all. More, Suka dressed in a formal silken kimono smock with pant leggings of plain blue and white made stark color contrast to her raven black asisn ancestry mane, held in a ponytail with a Key-Unit jewelpiece. The glowing beige-white and green gemmed device was her Keylink to the Treeships. everything was being recorded through her eyes.

Lady Foxus meanwhile, dressed in a kimono 'jacket' style with same smock pant leggings, could be more noted for the blue electro-ethereal schematic like lines that looked like it tattooed all over her arms and face in thin blue lines. Not too obtrusive, but sharp in detail enough as it was to the eye, they were the angelic 'conduits' that linked the genetically engineered body with the angelic souls that had been infused into the infant body form seventeen year prior. Her long white hair made for her detail impart...

The green maned female Angel God guard behind the commander-diplomats, was a much more upscale model of the same essence and genetic construction parameters, except the Angel God didn't sport 'tattoos', but instead had a glowing 'interface-headband' that contained a powerful concert CPU unit that worked with the natural brain grown within. The other main difference was that the AG model, verses the SA model, had a full powered Angelic Warrior essence, instead of the lesser 'Seraphmic' essence of (timeline wise in celestial protocols..) of those that had only recently becometh of the Intracelic Host. Angel Warriors were far far more powerful, and it was yet to be shown why at that same moment, millions of Angel Gods were operating as powerful Infantry on tens of millions of worlds across all known Universal space, the Dark Eternals continuously being shown this in harsh measure.

However, despite that, it was still all very human looking, aside from the slightly glowing eyes and already mentioned details. The three humanoid forms however were outright shown in stark contrast to the Ascendant Avian Lord. An average eleven meters tall, the large griffon like being looked all too consciously down at the hosts, the ceiling pressing on the Avian's head a bit when the Avian moved his head in certain angles and heights. Dressed in Gaian style robes that looked as much yakuta like, as it was royal robe of a priest, the cloth covered the body and wings enough, ankle coverings at the leg stalks of gray looking fur lined, and color accented to match the gray and brown fethering, with white feather tips all about. The bronze beak and leg stalk claw tips made it look as it probably did to the imagination within looking eyes.

Which if any of it considered a beast of mindless burden, would be sharply cut short, as the Eons old ascended being was in fact far far more intellegent and wise than anyone else present in the entire Parsec-quadrant. If not for the Ascendants, the Sphere Alliance was nothing.

Still, despite the extravagant look, Lady Suka did note to remain humble at this moment. If anything else of immediate note, the looks on 'all' their faces was that of genuine regret, some pride etched within due to decades of being a justly proud civilization, but the sadness was palitable to be not noticed.

If that wasn't enough, Lady Suka remarks plainly. "We truly did not mean to intrude on your territorral sovereignty. We were only on standard patrol through this Galaxy, as we normally do. Our data concerning this sector of space was inaccurate, and made a foolish jump before realizing better of such.

I pray none of your citizens were hurt by our carlessness." ...she put with a deep bow.

Stiffly and living up to his name, the Foreign Secretary nodded gravely in reply to her bow, a wrinkled and etched hand sweeping out to gesture to his companions as he temporarily overlooked her apology. "May I introduce my aides, Lord Philip Rheinholdt of Solstheim VI, and Taylor Buxley of Bautizar VIII. Our security officer is Captain Sir Thomas Vian of the Commonwealth Navy."

He paused for a moment before continuing.

"As far as your arrival is concerned, I am informed that even now proper measures are being taken now for the restoration of order and security on the homeworld. In fact it was only by the greatest of good fortunes that the situation did not come to blows and result in a terrible loss of life." He resisted the urge to look more closely at the avian, who was very short of towering over the humans. Even Captain Vian was visible occasionally shooting a discreet look at the winged visitor.

How to continue? The Secretary wrestled with the question for a moment, wondering how exactly one handled a first contact situation. He'd represented the capitol sector at the First and Second Treaties of the Dominion, had won numerous awards and accolades for his role in mediating the ceasefire that paved the way for the formation of the Dominion (now the Commonwealth), and here he was. Flummoxed by a situation that nobody had anticipated.

"Did you come very far?" he eventually inquired, wondering in his mind how much of this Captain Vian was recording on his neural interface. Sir Watts decided to record this on his own, regretting having not thought of it sooner as he focused and activated the grain-sized piece of equipment that long-ago surgery had implanted into his mind. The wonders of technology he thought to himself, listening.

Lady Suka offered openly, since to do so by now would only bring suspicion of their part, of the current situation in addition to the question. "We were on Fold jump seven into our patrol through this galaxy, another fourteen left before we arrived home later tomorrow upon our standard timetable.

The last Fold covered about seventeen Parsecs from a system we had already charted prior. Again we assumed too much with the latest jump. Our communication and sensory assets in this galaxy, while covers much, does not see 'all' of this galaxy as yet." ...she put with a meek smile. Lady Foxus looked more worried too much was being said, as was 'discussed' prior before boarding.

Lord Erus`aii however remarked quickly, his voice rather deep to the ears. "~ Care we must take in imparting too much information as yet. Forgive if we do not answer all queries at present. we are informed our Excellency will be arriving to consider more sensitive matters. We are, as in plain a term as put, a band-aid to our own mistakes made.

Forgive the mortal terminology inferred. ~" ..said with a bow his his large head.

=()= Situation Room, Government House =()=

A what? Heads snapped around to the speaker mounted in the center of the room's sole long table, attention caught from half-a-dozen different tasks by the precise wording. The words from the Gaian delegation succeeded in dropping the biggest bombshell yet. "Admiral, did I hear correctly?" The prime minister inquired in the silence, eyes not deviating from the speaker. "Did they refer to an 'excellency'?"

There was a slow nod in response to the question, even as Sir Cunningham's lips moved. "I believe so sir. Leftenant! Put the deep-space network on alert: there might be another one of these ships coming in!" he barked, suddenly rising and striding away from the table. The military officer was fired up now as he barked rapid-fire commands, disappearing into the world of moving bodies that suddenly erupted. In the wake of his passage Sir Baxter sighed and sat heavily in the chair at the head of the table.

"So what do we know of them?" he inquired rhetorically to the room. Of course nobody knew a thing about their visitors. The prospect of a more senior government minister arriving was a suddenly disconcerting notion. [[Sir Watts, see if you can determine what exactly they're referring to. Is the 'excellency' a more senior government official or their leader?]]

=()= Mining Station Sierra-114, Homeworld system =()=

[[... or their leader?]] The words reverberated through the neurocomm in the Foreign Secretary's mind, a private channel connection that he knew would not have been activated except in case of grave need. Ironically enough, the question had been on his mind, and he'd been halfway through asking it before he was interrupted. Coughing to cover his momentary distraction, he spoke again.

"Excuse me ... Yes, that certainly is quite a distance you seem to have traveled. But when you referred to your Excellency, was this a more senior government minister who will arrive soon?" [[Lord Rheinholdt, contact the Prime Minister. Handle communications from here to their until further notice. I don't want another slip-up like that.]]

[[Of course sir]] he heard in response, his deputy minister's eyes glancing to his back without giving any other sign of communication between the two. To his right, Captain Sir Vian's hands flexed for a moment before falling back to his sides. Diplomatic niceties had never been his forte.

Lady Suka realized as soon as the question was uttered, something was amiss. While they couldn't hear the telepathic communications occuring, they 'could' feel the tension in the air tighten enough.

Of their part, Suka mentally pinged through Hikari Net, their own version of what their hosts were using. "(~ Is it me, or are they suddenly fxated on that single word? ~)"

Lord Erus`aii pinged back... "(~ This impass may be misinterpreted. I dare say they may be reading too much unless we give a more replete description of just more than simply his Lord Excellency. If I remember correctly, he detests such singular attention anyway.

History all but infered the entire beginning of the history of the Sphere was dragged out by the aid and comitment of his close family. Otherwise, there was little else that held key to even taking those first steps.

I fear we may be seen as an overbearing realm instead of what we intend to impart. We must tread roots carefully of our next words my fellow kin. ~)"

Lady Suka mentally nodded, their converse taking place in a micro 'bubble' that held a minor suspension of time to slow things down enough. Otherwise it'd look like they were just standing there too long. When they did finally openly respond, it would be only a moment of realtime after.

As Lady Suka and in fact the rest of the Sphere citizenry knew, the very moments of Foundation prior to the Revealing twnety years after, was pinned to a moment that even mystic tales had trouble divulging reality from. If such was a time of magic and uncertainty, the formulative time of the Council and it's leader incarinte were incredible times that make for religions.

She even wondered in a fashion, why true religon didn't exist as such. Everything of belief was spiritual, not religous. Sphere citizens knew a deliniation between the two. Power didn't have place in the discussion, saving the mind for more soul searching pursuits. Fullfilment was rather rewarding and constructive for the trillions of souls that learned to live such lives.

Suka was amazed by the complexity of all they took for grantied, of such scale, or such cooperation, when taken into context of the Foundation. If that wasn't magic in the pure sense, what the Light was?

"(~ They deserve a respectful answer. One that tries to make light, we have died and ressurected for his goals, of all he believes in 'us' for. Wish words could describe such things.

Maybe this is why we take diplomacy so carefuly. Why we're such interlopers and idealists in other civilization's eyes. It's hard to have others see what we do, where we do so with no blindness at all. ~)"

Lady Foxus put in... "(~ Quite a quandry for just one word isn't it. The Academies are going to have a field eon with this philosophy. ~)"

"(~ Every day is a new challenge. ~)"

Finally, in that split moment later after the question was asked, Lady Suka offered. "Yes, His Excellency has been our cherished leader for two hundred years. We do not speak of him but in great respect. He does not come to make other than to clarify who we are.

Yes we are of an empire, but also a republic, a confederacy of many worlds, and a great alliance of many civilizations that act in cooperation, not in oppression under any aspect of our existence as an intergalactic civilization.

I would ask, to reserve jugdement until he and his family arrives. I 'assure' you as best we can he certainly will not come to overtake anything. To be blunt, if all else fails, if we fail here, and if even asked, we will leave and never return. There is no invasion to come. We are not here to scout for new territories.

To be fully honest, we have little need to take another's worlds, when we already have garnered countless millions of others through acts of peace and trust. I say here and fully impart, our Excellency is a great man. But he is also a 'good' man. If you give us time and patience, we assure you education in the matter will not be of ill to your minds."

Lady Foxus suddenly stops Lady Suka. "Hold milady, that may be too much for ears to learn. There too much to be said than what can be truly told here. We're 'not' here to bluster ourselves in the shadow of our mistakes.

*Looking at the Bautizaran delegates.* It would be best to take us not with mind to fear us. Not bec ause of threat, but because we have too much to 'show' than what you all may be ready for. Know that, though you may know enough of this already, that the rest of even the local cosmos of this galaxy is well inhabited. Normally we would have come at the whim of a sent message, after careful planning of a diplomatic envoy much better capable than ourselves.

Such is because we respect the fact that a new civilization should be protected enough not to be stumbling into the maws of far more omnious forces that see your worlds, in the light you feared we were here for in the first place.

Patience and careful steps are seriously recommended to avoid anything both sides may regret. History is being written here. We want it to be a good history, not one of ill."

Suka just pointed back to the original question. "So yes, he is our leader, and yes he is coming to ensure everything remains stable. *Begging tone* Please don't overreact."

Emergency Action Message: Attn: All Fleet Units. Vessel reportedly inbound to homeworld system, reportedly bearing leader and/or senior government representative of alien species. Maintain alert status. Charger and Charger to prepare for launch.

=()= Main Bridge, C.N.S. Charger =()=

The news fell with predicatable reverberations across the senior staff meeting, hurriedly disrupted by the arrival of a breathless leftenant relaying the information from the conn. Neucomm activity was still judged to be too risky aboard naval units: simulations had shown a clear disorentation in the heat of battle when the technology was in use. So headsets and voices ruled aboard ships-of-the-line, and in this case the stunned junior officer was treated to a string of choice expletives from his commanding officer. The CDS was slapped down onto the table as his senior staff looked at each other, wondering what new piece of information had come to their attention. Sighing, the captain settled himself into a chair, finally looking at them. "We've just learned that another of these alien ships may be entering the system soon. We've been put on alert for launch. Engineering, our status?" Please have some good news he silently willed the officer.

She coughed and leaned forward in her chair. "I can give you ninety percent of power on the driveshafts now sir. Weapons and shield problems seem to be largely resolved. There's over a thousand dockyard laborers on the ship now racing to get the last repairs and modifications completed. Same for the Centaur," she added. It didn't need to be said that this was an all-hands evolution. Even marines were being pressed into service for the frantic loading of munitions, spare parts, stores, provisions, shuttlecraft, surveillance drones, probes, and everything else that could be needed. Ourside a series of metallic pipes were running between the ship and the base, deuterium flowing in rivers into the vessel's previously-dry fuel tanks. Across the berth, a slew of drones and other small repair craft were buzzing all over the surface of the Centaur as still more launched from hangars across the base, bearing a myriad of repair materials, armor pieces, microfillaments for shield grids, and everything else that had to be added to the heavy cruiser's surface.

=()= Mining Station Sierra-114, Homeworld system =()=

The Foreign Secretary took note of the surprising trace of emotions, things which he normally found distasteful and reserved for closed-door meetings with his wife and grandchildren. [[Guess they've never heard of a 'poker face']] he informed Lord Rheinholdt, whose facial muscles twitched as he worked to suppress a chuckle of amusement. Captain Vian's head tilted slightly as his eyes monitored the senior government official, then looked back at the 'visitors'.

"I will convey your requests to my government," the secretary said, having no further mandate to work within. Although he didn't necessarily trust them a hundred percent, their intentions did seem honorable at least. The sudden barrage of information that had emerged was enough to suffice for now, and caused him to pray that it was being analyzed at Government House. There was no doubt of it in his mind, having worked alongside the methodical Prime Minister even before he came to power.

[[Sir Watts, this is the Prime Minister. We have agreed that the Core Gaian Ascendancy vessels may remain in their current position. They should confine activity to the immediate space around them.]] Logic had prevailed over the military's naturally-paranoid state, even the First Lord swinging his support behind the P.M.'s argument for calm and a diplomatic gesture. They had been good enough to give the Commonwealth something to work with, after all.

The Foreign Secretary didn't even bat an eye, although there was a momentary pause, during which he rubbed a speck of dirt off one lens of his spectacles before replacing them. "... In turn, I invite you to remain on the edge of our system, although I would ask that you confine your activities to the space that immediately surrounds your vessels. For now, I suggest that we adjourn until the arrival of His Excellency."

Lady Suka nodded.. "Know that it will not yet be for one standard day by our chonometer, 24.6 hours by our standard, as I imagine we too are preparing in detail to respond carefully to all of this.

Know we are working hard to fix this mess. I'm sorry again for all of this."

The Gaians simply prepared to finish this much of the meeting by bowing respectfully. Lady Foxus and Lord Erus`aii exchanged a worried glance. Lady Suka then concentrated, and the Trees automatically relayed the obvious request to the command deck, then to the same teleporter chamber.

Their departure was essentially a blue-white vertical tube swirl-circling around them, and teleporting them back to their own version of paranoia.

Almost as soon as they returned, Lady Suka moaned. "I'm going to find a torpedo and shoot myself into their primary star. I told them we're not good enough."

Lord Erus`aii commented.. "~ I thought it went well. ~"

The other two just groaned and went to change into less formal attire. Just doing this much was a draining affair.

"That went interestingly," the Foreign Secretary remarked aloud after the Commonwealth's guests had vanished. Now he indulged himself by removing the kerchief from his pocket, mopping his brow with it as he looked around the hangar. "Is it just me, or is this compartment particularly warm?"

"Not a good place to hold a full-on diplomatic meeting," Lord Reinholdt agreed with a nod, fanning himself with a hand. Right on cue, a shuttlecraft swooped in, door opening as the outstanding piece of Commonwealth machinery hovered in place. The head of a marine emerged and scanned from side-to-side, as if suspecting a possible trap. Finding none, he dismounted and assisted the VIPs with getting on board the ship. The door closed behind them as Sir Watts settled into a seat, letting his back rest against the material that cushioned him and allowed him to relax slightly.

=()= Situation Room, Government House =()=

"Confirmed," a disembodied voice rang out through the speakers. "Sensors aboard Mining Station Sierra-114 confirm that the aliens have departed."

The prime minister unknowingly copied his foreign secretary by slumping in his chair, eyes drifting up to the screen that was being continuously updated. On it he could clearly see the icons for the Gaian Ascendancy vessels, the two ships holding station on the edge of the system as they had been doing for the past few hours. "Lord Halifax," he inquired of the Admiralty officer, glancing to the side at the subtly-rocking chair. "Your assessment?"

A frown emerged on the man's face as he eyed the tactical plot that was being religiously updated and attended to. "I don't like this, sir," he finally conceded, eyes not budging. "Two ships out there, a third one or more on the way. Recommend we maintain this current state of alert until further notice."

It met with a nod of approval, even as the doors behind them rumbled ajar to admit another person entrance. The figure of Lady Grace, Minister of Communications for the Commonwealth, settled itself into a chair as a CDS was slid to the prime minister. A sharp look of concentration appeared on his face as soon as he eyed the first line. Then his eyes darted to her. "Widespread panic reported throughout the colonies. Hoarding of supplies and impromptu evacuations underway from major population centers. This is confirmed?" He straightened up in his chair, conscious of other eyes scrutinizing him from around the room, even as he received a nod.

"Very well. Lady Grace, I think a statement by the government is in order," he conceded, knowing full well where this was going as he stood and headed for the door. He felt tired, but somewhere in his mind there was something telling him he wouldn't be getting much sleep in the coming days. And there was a growing feeling that that thought was right.

It wasn't too long before communication was reestablished between the Treeship Patrol, and Homeworld. Lady Funaho was on the end, not Seto this time. It wasn't so much relief as someone of the Council to speak to.

Lady Suka explained as best she could what occured, and the apparent interest in Lord Aleaic's title. Funaho acutally had to cover her mouth of a laugh, 'knowing' the channel was being actively monitored by High Council. ":: ~ Oh my, that will not set well with the ol boy will it. ~ ::"

Suddenly the image of Lady Arashi pops up, next to Funaho's, the viewscreens actually angling to face each other as if they were their heads. ":: ~ He's reacting as expected. He's however focused on studying the matter to talk directly for the moment. There's an update from the warfront against the Dark Eternals coming up as well. ~ ::"

Lady Suka asked to her light hazard, brushing her hair as she spoke nervously. "Is it a good idea for his majesty to come? I was under the impression it would only add to the fear the local dizens here are enduring. We're still hearing local radio reports of civil unrest. I worry nothing we do will solve this of immediate note."

Funaho 'looked' back at Suka. ":: ~ I am told he is considering the only way we can convince them, given the state of their technology. We're presuming from the data we're dealing with a nascent-hyperspace/warp capable civilization. Social aspects for such realms are being cross referenced from others we've already dealt with. Albeit mostly from the Superclusters we had diplomatic activity with, but a number including Evil Woody Thoughts come to bear as examples.

His wives, Arashi here included, are offering a number of options. The best course may be to invite a delegation to the Flag Treeship and tell the whole truth. Another is to accept damage done and withdraw with little more contact. ~ ::"

Suka cocks an eye. "But.... we have arguments 'exactly' like that before we visited them to appologize. What if...."

Funaho says directly as Arashi, the Second Lady Excellency looked on. ":: ~ We have to face facts that they know of us. It won't take much imagination of what else they 'can' imagine. Worse if types like the GE nations find out and make more of a mess of things.

It would be best at this point to show them what they are really up against out here in the universe proper. They have a right to know the truth, and grow from it. Sooner or later someone would have noticed them and caused this anyway. At least we can deal with this constructively and without requiring anything of them. Another realm might take a more expected approach, to no improvement socially for them. No need for an arms dealer to be their only contact. Such would be obvious in results. ~ ::"

The three held breath for a moment, but then something caught Lady Funaho's attention offscreen, one that appeared a moment later. Lady Suka wilted a tic as Lady Seto 'did' appear this time, holding a data Padd she read from intently.

":: ~ Excuse my abruptness, but we found interesting data. That alliance we agreed to join with Asflatum and other nations. One of the signatories is our current contact. One of their vessels arrived at the Asfaltum Homeworld soon after Lady Alusair and Lady Ayeka departed.

We have a common thead 'after' all. ~ ::"

The bunch of them over Hikari subspace looked bewildered for a few moments. After Seto started hitting buttons on her end of a console looking for the League of Free Worlds meeting minutes. She at least saw a chance to have a common anchor to work with. Lady Suka just prayed it was enough on her end of things.

Just then, a more commanding voice piped in amidst them. ":: ~ I don't hear enough chatter. This problem isn't solving itself anytime soon. ~ ::"

Lady Seto just jibed back at the 'kingly' voice. ":: ~ Oh pipe down king-boy, we're having a moment. ~ ::" ..with Funaho laughing hand covered again next to Seto.

Suka just felt something between amusement at the moment, and smallness in the presence of these beings. She asked next... "Any orders or recommendations?"

":: ~ Just stay put. Take rest too. A mind needs to relax before the next act after this much. ~ ::"

Lady Suka and the others in her vessel nodded. Suka responded. "Thank you Excellency."

":: ~ Just don't drink too much. ~ ::" ..Arashi quipped in. A number of acknowledging nods and screens flicked off. Suka sighed greatly. "Nothing we can do now but stay put.

Where's that sake at." ..Suka turned with, looking to just wind down while she could.

----

For the next seventeen hours, the two Treeships didn't budge a centimeter out of place. They couldn't do anything more about the mess they created, so they let time be the maker of calm. emotion always eroded in the face of time, so that's the only weapon they used.

Come time for the next step, hopefully clearer minds would prevail. At least the Gaians hoped so.

=()= Government House, Homeworld =()=

"Sir." The body was unmoving from its spot on the couch, content to remain in place amidst the organized chaos that was going on in the next room. Just let me sleep its mind grumbled, shoulders stirring against the cushions. That damned hand just wasn't about to let go and stop its insistent shaking, however, as the voice came to him again. "Sir, you're needed in the situation room."

Looks like more sleep just isn't a happening thought the prime minister told himself, stifling a groan and shifting on the couch until he nearly fell off and hit the floor. Catching himself in time, he straightened up and headed for the bathroom, leaving his aide standing out there in the middle of his office, looking around at the organized stacks of paperworks and CDS's. Light was starting to come over the trees outside, shadows bolstered by the lack of automotive traffic on the streets of Bautizar VIII today.

"Sir, did you even sleep last night?" The question came hot on the heels of the discovery of a bottle with some sort of tablets in the middle of the P.M.'s desk. It wasn't exactly shocking or alarming: pills had been in use in the Commonwealth for several hundred years now for a variety of medications. But when one found the leader of a nation with a container of unmarked pills sitting in the center of his desk, it caused some questions and concerns.

"I believe so. Very fitful though, not too efficient," the voice in the bathroom replied to him over the sound of running water. Sir Baxter eyed himself in the mirror, then leaned over to splash some more cold water on his face, trying in vain to chase the last traces of sleep from his mind. Sometimes being the prime minister could be a problem: Her Majesty calling for an update at 1:00 a.m. local time had been less-than-impressive. "Had to use a pair of damned sleeping pills to knock myself out. Only got ... about four hours. It'll have to do. How are we coming with the cabinet?"

"Majority of it is here now, sir. Ministers of Education and Labor will arrive on the next transport from Gorjen, in ... eighteen hours," his aide reported, checking the device in his hand. It shook slightly before he caught himself: the majority of the staff around here were still a bit on the shocked side by yesterday's events. When he looked up, it was in time to see the P.M. re-entering the room, pulling the custom-tailored vest from the back of a chair.

[[Heading for the situation room]] he unconsciously informed the security officer waiting for him in the foyer to his office via neurocomm. The notification was received gratefully by his escort, who passed it along to his comrades even as he stood and followed by the prime minister and his aide. Another door opened in front of Sir Baxter, exposing the waiting form of the First Lord, who stood and readjusted his uniform jacket. "Good morning sir. Excellent speech last night to the nation."

"I owe a point to the speechwriters," the gruff voice replied, eyeing the commonwealth data storage unit that he'd been handed. The speech had been very hastily written, the product of about forty minutes hard debate between them before a consensus had been hammered out on the back of a napkin. At least the finished product had been typed, albeit with scribbles and other markings from last-minute editing. "How soon can we have the navy's chief assets ready to sail in?"

Footsteps clicked on the marble stairs, staff and military officers alike clearing a path as the three men descended. In the wake of their passage a few glances were exchanged, but nothing out of the ordinary. Incredible as it seemed, life for some was already returning to normal. "If by 'chief assets' you're referring to the Charger and Centaur, I've been informed that both are ready to sail. Provision loading was completed twenty minutes ago," the admiral reported, scanning a device that he pulled from inside his jacket. He looked up in time to dodge around an ensign who'd hastily pressed herself against a wall to avoid a collision with the more senior officer. "There's been no change in disposition of the Gaian Ascendancy vessels. If anything, I'd say that they're being cooperative with us thus far."

The P.M. was impressed, although he tried not to show it on the outside as they turned a corner. One of his hands reached out for the door, but was beaten to it by a military officer who swooped in out of nowhere. It parted to reveal the length of the situation room, the bodies of the cabinet already shifting and beginning to stand as their nation's leader swept in, heading for his chair as Sir Cunningham headed for his. "Ladies and gentlemen, sit down," he urged the cabinet, or what part of it had gotten here in time. "We have a diplomatic crisis on our hands. Sir Watts has briefed you all, I presume?" There were nods throughout the room, causing the P.M. to sigh with relief and ease his still-tired body into a chair at the head of the table. "Sir Watts, has there been any progress on the diplomatic front?"

"Yes sir," the elderly gentleman replied in the grave and serious tone that he was famed for. Turning, he retrieved a CDS from an aide and passed it to the prime minister. "Our best guess, based on the information we gained at the last meeting, is that another diplomatic meeting will be held once their government's leader arrives. Likely venues are lacking, however: we seem deadlocked over whether or not to invite them onto the Homeworld -"

"Absolutely out of the question," Sir Cunningham strongly interrupted with a stern shake of his head, jowls and sideburns shifting slightly. "I strongly urge against such a move. We have not established the credentials of the Gaian Ascendancy yet. Nor have we been able to rule out the possibility of an invasion." Sir Baxter frowned at this, rubbing his jaw and leaning back in the chair as his eyes turned onto the foreign secretary.

"In a pinch, we'll invite them onto Orbital One. I believe, based on your report Sir Watts, that the mining station is out of the question as a future locale. Now, what about a team of representation?" Again, he was gestured to the device in his hands. The list of names he was given was what he was expecting: the foreign secretary of course, the third lord of the admiralty, and the minister of communication. Plus several security officers. After several long minutes of silence he looked up from the device, studying the faces around the table. "You're aware that this is not an obligation, correct? Nobody will force you to go on this."

Eyes looked around the table for a minute, silence and nods reaffirming commitments. When it was clear that nobody was going to be budging from their stated positions, Sir Watts looked back at the prime minister. His words were more drawn-out and enunciated. "We're aware sir. Representing the Commonwealth in this matter would be the honor of a lifetime."

The sun rose over the mountain peaks, slowly filling the sleeping quarters with sunlight not of truly natural note, but essentially real all the same. The light reflected off small floating crystals and others attached to furniture scattered through the larger than should be chambers, making for a more serene 'alarm tone' than a blunt alarm. It made eyes also harder to keep closed, as the light played across ever more.

Lady Suka opened her eyes calmly to this, a clean and refreshed feeling thanks to her Partner Tree, since a refreshed body was a sharp one. A few moments after awakening, she remembered why she would need it so.

She turned to bury her head into the lush pillows of her queen sized bed, trying to stave it all off anyway, but her Tree 'nudged' her mentally over and over. After a few moans of protest, she finally rose up in her bed, her bed-yakuta well sleep worn. She wiped black strands of hair from her forehead and eyes. She then saw and reached down to pet a small tabby kitten that was a Treeship commonsight, at the end of her bed.

She then sighed...

"Body is refreshed, the spirit isn't as quite." ..she then got up to vibroshower and dress for the formal event coming in four hours.

---

After breakfast, fresh and replete in compliment to each species pallate, Lady Foxus taking the same human version as did Suka. Lord Erus`aii had a feast of savory nuts, berries, ferrit steak-meat and fresh apple juice. Others had wide pallates, all of usual common tastes to each species. A Krysallian glassian had a liquid concoction of different colored 'glass-liquids', but also had a taste for human foods as well.

The Angelics present, while not requiring more nourishment than pure sunlight to function, took to the same human Gaian pallate as well. It was interesting how much the human Gaian pallate appealed to the other races, while the Gaian taste for other species pallates was a bit more difficult due to biological makeups. Humans can't drink 'glass' that's for sure.

During, Erus`aii commented... "~ Are we to send the progenetor signal before His Excellency's arrival? ~"

Lady Suka nodded. "Yes, Lady Seto wanted to show them what they would be dealing with. At least as much as we can, and have the citizens here dissiminate it while the King discusses with the local leaders. Wonder how they'll like visiting the core Flagship of the Treeship Fleet."

"Probably better for that, instead of the Eternal Destiny instead at the moment. That kind of vessel makes me woozy to look at."

Lord Erus`aii laughed in a bird-chipper way. "~ Hard actually to ping any one single major item as a focal symbol of the Sphere. There's so many of them now. ~"

Lady Suka however took that in a different light. She was trying to palce herself in the host System's shoes, in considering what Erus`aii just said. She didn't feel comfortable about what Lady Seto was intending such a vein.

---

At 0800 Hours LST, unknown hour in the Bautizar System, a single message packet was suddenly sent into the open, radio frequencies with an attached data stream packet with protocols for accessing the Treeship's databank archives. All Treeships that connected to the Hikari Net was part of the Archive network, so all that was needed was translation protocols, and then the visiting connection to choose a protocol for themselves to use. The Tree core would accomidate within a few attempts at access. The Trees were very user friendly and adapted well to foreign connections.

Why was of very important a reason as any, as the message sent entailed.

:: ~ Good morning depending on your solar position. We are informed that his Majesty has entered the Milky Way Core Galaxy proper as of one hour ago. In four hours he will arrive at the edge of the System of import ownership here. He will take up position at the Oort Cloud boundry of your system, then await acknowledging of signal sent in greeting, and then confirm for a second micro-jump to the position being held by our two Treeships already in postion. The Flag Treeship will 'not' enter the System futher from there.

Until arrival, we are given permission to allow your computers access to our computer archives, where our primary data, history and support archives detail much of our data that the rest of our empire-republic enjoys. All that is needed is a few attempts by a computer link, and our core will connect from there.

Rest assure there will be NO attempt of hostile hacking of any format while there is a connection. The Trees will not access your networks without prior approval from your end. As such, please rest assure this is an attempt to know us before formal talks begin.

Again, good morning...

Gaian Ascendancy Information Portal Downlink (http://www.freewebs.com/gaianknight/index.htm) ~ ::

=()= Situation Room, Government House =()=

[[Excuse me sir, but we have an incoming transmission from the Gaian ships]] an officer informed the prime minister, interrupting a speculative conversation with the Minister of International Development. Sir Baxter's sudden attentiveness to the moment caught everyone's attention, even as he stood from his chair and walked over to a nearby panel. At a nod the message was suddenly duplicated, only it was floating in midair and wavering slightly from the projector underneath it. A whistle rang out in the room, half-a-dozen eyes glaring at the source.

"Sir Watts, part of this is clearly your department," the prime minister finally said, receiving a part of the data that had been copied for him. He passed the Commonwealth Data System device to the foreign secretary, who immediately turned his chair to conference with an aide that had arrived. In the meantime Sir Baxter glanced at the First Lord, who had moved to stand at the bank of consoles nearest the projector. "Admiral, I want Naval Intelligence reviewing this as well with the utmost care."

"Of course sir. If you'll excuse me," he remarked as he headed for the door. At a nod one of his aides followed him out into the hallway, the two falling into hurried whispers and remarks even before the door closed.

The prime minister's eyes were looking elsewhere, scanning the table and noting the restless bodies of his cabinet. "Sir Blaine, Lady Cothrough, I'll need the opinions of your ministries as soon as possible." The Minister of Trade and Industry was joined by his counterpart from the Treasury in their nods, the two of them rising and heading quickly for the door. On their way out they passed the incoming First Lord of the Admiralty, who steered directly for Sir Baxter.

"Naval Intelligence is reviewing the files now sir," he quietly informed the prime minister, who received the news with a nod of satisfaction. Of course they were reviewing it: the remark was purely rhetorical. It was like saying that a Solstheim sojen-hawk couldn't fly to twenty thousand feet. "Their initial opinion is that this is a goldmine. Assuming, of course, that we're not being snowed by them." Neither could that be discounted at this point, but the remark caused Sir Watts to look up and over at the P.M. with something evidently on his mind.

"Sir Watts?"

He coughed and reached for a glass of water, sipping for it before speaking his mind. A great many eyes in the room were on the elderly statesman, whose opinion counted very much in this room. "I believe this information is genuine, sir, or at least my snap opinion is saying so. This reads and feels like a genuine document, and without meaning disrespect to my distinguished colleague from the Admiralty, I fail to see at this point why the Gaian Ascendancy would be actively engaged in giving us false information. Nevertheless, I do advise caution in how we tread on this matter."

As usual it was sound advice, and it was so commended with a nod from the prime minister even as Sir Watts rose and gave a nod in reply. "I have to get to the ministry sir. From there the delegation will depart to the spaceport, and then to our rendezvous."

"Of course," the prime minister firmly replied, stepping aside to let the man and his aide pass. It suddenly seemed that after hours of waiting in slow motion, events were moving at warp speed. The thought made him chuckle with a passing moment of amusement, before he turned his mind back to more pressing matters of state. Just in time too, because an aide glanced up and over at him from a set of set-apart consoles.

[[Sir, Her Majesty is on the communicator. She's requesting an update on the situation with the Gaian Ascendancy vessels.]] It was the annoying this about living in a society that embraced a monarch as its figurative head-of-state, the prime minister reminded himself as he sighed and headed for the designated panel. From time-to-time they actually took an interest in things.

*Confederacy Territory Capital System*

The busy hub of the MWCG sector of the Sphere posessions, as mostly commerce traffic passed through, both internal and allied trade vessels from other nations, regardless of alliance affiliation, was 'all' of it interrupted as a single powerful Fold signature arrived on the scene.

Overhead comms on traffic control stations ringed in security tones as.. ":: ~ All local traffic note, presence of EX-1 IFF signal now confirmed in the territory. His Excellency is welcomed into back the Motherworld galaxy. ~ ::"

Across the monolithic command deck, the interior dimensionalized to represent a landscape below the command decks, similar to most Treeships, but the distances and viewports were kilometers away from the edge of the tiered decks, of which there were many. Water fountains and additional Tree cores that worked in conjunction with Aeo, Gulwenia, and Shanto the three mutual trunks of the Pime Tree Core Hikari, the Main core of the entire of the Power of Hikari, lined large pools of crystal water, trees of great size that were no more than extended 'branches' of the main Tree of which was the entire vessel, a good eight kilometers in length, all of it, framed the very darkness of space and the view of the territorial capital world beyond.

Almost nothing was missing from view, down to the horizon, bordered with 'actual' mountain rises. The blue-brown of the capital planet glowed across the landscape, with internal lighting glowing enough to operate by in operational areas.

Upon the gleaming whitewood deck, Aleaic paced past his three wives Tsunami, Arashi and Jennifer, as he looked up instinctively.

"Thank you. Pleased to be back in the Mother galaxy womb. Keep up the great work people."

After a few comm replies in the same tone, Aleaic looked over to his right, near where Lady Seto was standing, where two new territorial govenors waited patiently. It was a coming home ceremony for them both as it was. Aleaic smiled and commented.. "Ready for the new task at hand? This territory needs to become as strong as the Core Worlds from this point forward."

Lady Ruri and Lord Hori, formerly remarried extensia after death and ressurection, both nodded, the new formal govenors for all activity in the MWCG from this moment forth. "Yes Excellency. We are ready." ...Lady Ruri informed, Lord Hori nodded in kind.

Aleaic smiled. "Never doubted that."

---

After a short farewell ceremony where Lady Yurika had to be pulled away from her long friends, the two new govenors departed on a shuttle for the capital surface.

Lady Tsunami next to Aleaic in the large dock portalway as they watched the Lambada shuttle depart, through large viewports, asked... "Are they ready to be back here after their deaths in that battle last year?"

Aleaic nodded. "Yes. They're stronger than they look. They'll be perfect."

Lady Arashi turned from the dock, commenting... "I thought we didn't do 'perfect'." Aleaic just sighed, and then focused on the task at hand. He iron toned out... "Today we 'will' do as such. No fail. None."

At that he turned and strode for the nearby teleporter chamber to return to the command deck, the others of the family in tow.

Today would be a momentous day for Sphere diplomacy. They 'all' knew what was at stake. Taking confidence from the Excellency, even Lady Seto's pragmatic mood took stride from it.

Minus two hours to fulfill just that.

=()= Situation Room, Government House =()=

"The data appears very much complete, from an economical standpoint," Lady Cothrough stated from her end of the multiple-part connection that had been established. As the Lord Treasurer, it fell upon her ministry to review the economical data of not only the Commonwealth, but of its trading partners. She hadn't fought tooth-and-nail to retain a specific intelligence unit for just that purpose, despite misgivings from within the Admiralty. "A very sophisticated and well-developed species with holdings in multiple galaxies, with particular specialties in mechanized automated machinery and a solid economical base."

The prime minister was about to open his mouth to comment, but Sir Watts cut him off from the Foreign Office building. "There's something of great importance here that we should keep in mind. One of my aides brought to my attention that the Gaian Ascendancy is currently engaged in a war with a group known as the 'Dark Eternals'. Now according to what we have on-hand the war is well in favor of the Gaian Ascendancy for now, but we know how quickly fortunes change on the battlefield." That caused a few people around the table to perk up.

"What do we know about these Dark Eternals? Admiral?" There was a very firm shake of the head from the bass-toned First Lord of the Admiralty.

"Very little sir: this is the first reference we've heard to them, in fact," he stated as he folded his hands on the table. "Naval Intelligence plans to deploy a number of probes beyond our borders in the coming weeks for information-gathering purposes. Followups will be executed by our ships when they become available for deployment." The statement generated some head-nodding of agreement around the table, even as he continued. "The information suggests that the 'Dark Eternals' are not native to this galaxy, so it could well be that we have nothing to fear with an invasion front being opened near us."

"Still ..." the prime minister's voice trailed off as he looked up at the Minister of Trade and Industry. "Sir Blaine, your assessment?"

The younger and more buoyous man pulled a CDS from beyond camera range, tapping nimbly on the screen before looking up at the camera. "I agree with Lady Cothrough. The Gaian Ascendancy is a very well-developed species with numerous economical advantages over the Commonwealth. We could benefit greatly from a long-term diplomatic and/or economic relationship with them."

"Sir Watts, I hope you're keeping notes," the prime minister shrewdly remarked, noting that the attention of the Foreign Secretary was on something offscreen. In response all he received was a nod of acknowledgement, the sound of muffled beeps coming from the other end of the connection. "So we have excellent notes for this meeting then?" There were nods from around the table, which caused him to stand. Everyone followed suit, of course.

"Good luck to you then. We'll be monitoring it from here, of course."

A certain tense excitement began to fill personnel on all three Treeships, on both ends of the final Fold point. For Lady Suka and her crew, the wait was anxious to be least noted. Seeing the Council members up close should have been an honor, but she was very much mindful of her part in this fiasco.

The best result here would be simply avoiding leaving a condition of chaos in their wake. forget even a good pat on the back with the end of all of this. Lady Suka just wondered how she could avoid getting her friends punished for this affair.

She had been pacing the deck so much, Suka was leaving a set of circles in the living grass.

Foxus had well given up trying to calm Suka, and just waited, sitting lithely on the edge of a console as the chonometer counted down to less than a minute.

---

On the Flag Treeship end, the tension was more focused on the bigger picture. No pacing here, rather meandering walking as Aleaic considered words that could be used, without being too overbearing.

He was split between agreement and nor of the information portal message sent, mianly because he didn't know how rational the recipients would take it all. He hoped that he was dealing with a civilization mature enough to accept what they saw, and not more than it all wasn't.

He hoped that it just came down to the Bautizar (or whoever else comprised the nation inherit,) just taking it all at the value intended, to break the veil of ignorance that could blind progress of many things. Their chonometer counted down past thirty seconds, with him having to steel his mind away from concerns, and turn it to calm and collected action.

An overhead comm helped snap minds to the reality at hand, as it echoed all over the forward deck landscape. ":: ~ Fold envelope forming. Twenty seconds. ~ ::"

"Here we go."

Aleaic looked over at Arashi, who just waved back, the sound of the energizers chiming up thickly in the background. Aleiac just turned back and took a deep breath before the plunge.

The plunge began as the entire vast area of open space beyond the vast landscape suddenly began to contract into a heavy two dimensional beam of light as the ship entered two dimensional Hikari controlled subspace for the short trip. The only thing for it all by now was the sight alone they would see as they arrived.

Aleaic just wondered quickly as the vessel made it's swift discourse, what it would seem like to the hosts.

---

Lady Suka got the word of just that, as the same powerful Fold signature arrived exactly as it said it would, at the Oort cloud line at the edge of the system. Not one centimeter out of place, only drifting a few after as it's original momentium from gravity of the territorial capital, is replaced by gravity from the nearby space debri from the star system's original matter, left over from it's formation untold billions of years prior.

"They're here.." ..a Sensor-Tech needlessly offered. Lady Suka however just nodded anyway. "So they are. So they 'are'." ..she stresses the last, almost purely suprised in tone.

---

"Now what."

Aleaic looked over the other shoulder at Lord Tenchi. Quite in fact, he had many of the Council with him. It bode little ill for new teachings when the chance came. The war was stable as such was, a year from Phase Four and all. Nothing much other than time for the new holdings to slowly be worked with and molded.

Aleaic just remarked.. "First we just let them get their fill of first sight, then we'll speak. Nice slow steps." ..he said with a look towards Lady Seto. "...slow and steady."

=()= Situation Room, Government House =()=

"All units, this is fleet command: t minus five minutes and counting. Orbitals One and Two, commence launch of fighter squadrons. All military personnel man your duty stations. Charger and Centaur are cleared for immediate launch." Camera angles on the monitors showed flashes of activity, ranging from bodies moving quickly through hangar facilities, to fighters whipping out into space. A flare of light on one screen caught most everyone's attention, the picture changing to a new angle in time to catch the metal on one of the two cruisers beginning to move. On another the hatch could be seen opening on a missile silo, the lethal contents inside primed and listening to the electronic chatter that was taking place between itself and the unseen control bunker.

00:04:57 ... 00:04:56 ... 00:04:55

The chronometer was counting down soundlessly to what someone had jokingly called "zero hour." Soon the Commonwealth would know if this had really been the prelude to an invasion, or if it was a true diplomatic meeting. Technicians in the situation room eyed their consoles and attended to their duties as the cabinet sat in silence, looking at each other and the table while they waited. To the prime minister's right, the First Lord of the Admiralty reappeared and leaned over, speaking in a low tone rather than using his neurocomm.

"Strategic missile command has gone to DEFCON-2, as have all military forces. Solstheim and Gorjen military commands have declared martial law on the colonies until further notice. We're as ready as we're ever going to be sir." The report was met with a nod, the prime minister choosing to defer on this matter of military authority rather than getting into a potential turf war between the Minister of Home Affairs and the Admiralty. It could be addressed later ... if there was a later.

00:03:21 ... 00:03:20 ... 00:03:19

In a flash of sudden thought Sir Baxter wondered what his long-deceased wife would be doing if she were alive at this moment. Baking her favorite bread upstairs in the stove? Heading out into the country to be with her relatives when the time came? He entertained a brief notion of her possibly seeking entrance to the classified and off-limits Situation Room, wondering if there was ever a moment when she tried to do it. He didn't know. Now wasn't the time to ask. His eyes glanced at the chronometer again.

00:02:55 ... 00:02:54 ... 00:02:53

His head turned at hearing sound to his right. "All military units, we are t minus 2:50. Stand by." Finished with his report, the leftenant manning a console released the transmit key and leaned over to talk with an ensign in the neighboring chair. The prime minister watched in rapt fascination, undistracted as the door hissed open and then closed behind him. Only when the voice started speaking in his ear did he give a slight start and look.

"Orbital tracking has confirmed that both cruisers departed about three hours ago, sir. There's been no further sign of them. Looks -"

"All military units, we are t minus thirty seconds. Stand by."

=()= Main Bridge, C.N.S. Charger =()=

The captain's eyes narrowed into the nothingness of space, looking for something that he willed to appear. At the same time he dreaded what might be seen, fearing like all good soldiers the sight of thousands of fighters and transport craft swarming towards the homeworld. It was a feeling shared by a number of those aboard, including the gunners in the turrets that even now were slowly tracking back at forth across the heavens.

From time-to-time they chanced a look at the Centaur, which was purring along in a flanking position to their own vessel. Both ships were ready to challenge whatever might emerge at the coordinates, whether it be fighters or a command ship of some sort. Well, the gunners hoped they would be ready. Occasional thoughts prompted them to check, check and recheck data and commands that had been hastily input. Screwing up at a time like this was not a good move.

Fighters roared past both ships, streaming between the hulls and warp engines. They wrapped around the bulky sterns and flew down the elongated upper superstructures, waggling their wings and causing impromptu salutes and cheers from the men and women looking up at them. It was a reassuring sight that bolstered their spirits before they turned back to their own duties. Occasionally a marine fire team tramped through, making another patrol as the red lights continued to flash in the ceiling.

"All hands, this is the captain," they finally heard over the 1-MC, solemn words that made them stop and look upwards at the corridor ceilings. "We are at t minus ten seconds ... nine ... eight ... seven ... six ... five ... four ... three ... two ... one ....." There was a sudden pause from bow-to-stern as everyone aboard took a collective breath. Those privileged to be working in forward sections saw it first, a tremendous flash of light as all three vessels reappeared. Everyone else heard "what the hell is that?" from the commanding officer, a statement that chilled their blood.

"Fleet Command," he finally reported, mind recovering from the shock of just how massive the newcomer was. "I believe our guests have arrived." A hand tapped on the center command console, looking at the shadowed underside of what definitely appeared to be the command ship. It dwarfed the Charger and Centaur easily, making him feel like a minnow in its presence. After some time of this, he stirred and looked over at the communications officer. "Hail them. Inform them that a delegation from the Commonwealth of Bautizar is aboard this vessel. Signal fighter squadrons to fall back to Orbitals One and Two."

As the ensign tapped open the channel the stream of fighters reversed, the small shapes changing direction and heading back towards the hovering and waiting Centaur. Their part in this affair had ended. Another was beginning, even as a small shuttlecraft in the hangar of the heavy cruiser warmed up its engines, pilots reviewing their instruments as the VIPs in the back settled into their seats.

On the Gaian's end, the host vessels were displayed on a couple of huge holoscreens that hovered over the forward deck landscape. A few other screens displayed inital scan data of the surrounding area.

The two original offending Treeships, Omakanie and Terusa, micro-Folded and met up with their command vessel. After a quick IFF signal burst, the three Folded back to where the two Treeships originally had been directed. That is where they met their guests, near the same mining station platform of note.

Lady Yurika noted the makeup of the two vessels greeting them. "How come they look like terrestrial naval vessels with engine pods? Is it me?" Lady Belldandy acompanying spoke... "All elegance is gained from the rough edges of previous works.

Give them time. They have much to offer."

Aleaic looked over at Bell.. "Not trying to prohesise anything are we?"

"Only if they want it all bad enough." Lord Keiichi comments. Lady Seto however retorts.. "Let's hope that desire is focused in healthy vectors. Such can lead to greed, and avarice."

Aleaic mulled this over, as an aide came over from the left, where some of the control sectors were located amid the sculpted living wood. "We recieved a message Emperor."

Aleaic waved a hand and had it played over overcomms. "Alright."

---

:: ~ Acknowledge signal of presence of the delegation from the Commonwealth of Bautizar. We will meet your delegation first on the same station you met our commanders upon. This will facilitate looking each other in the eye, and exchange of messages.

We request a second meeting to be discussed after our delegation is present on the station. Details will follow at that time.

To the commanders of Threeships Omakanie and Terusa, link up with the Flag Treeship until further notice, and meet with Lady Seto to give your report.

The Flag delegation will arrive in one hour. ~ ::

---

Lady Suka shook a bit when their ships were ordered to dock with the Flag Treeship. "Man this may not be well a meeting."

"Let's dispense with the self admonishments until 'they' say what they are. It not doing any good anymore."

Suka didn't turn to look at Foxus, instead just sighing. "Aye, that it is. Go ahead and dock up. At least seeing one ship instead of three is a passive ploy to play diplomatically."

"~ It also links Three major Tree Cores together, incase anyone renegade as any ideas. I imagine mere nucleonic fission devices will have negligable effect on Angelhawk Wings of that kind of power. ~"

Lady Suka retorted over with a head shift at Lord Erus`aii.. "There will be no battle. I sense that much already. We're not to plan for that anymore."

The Avian was taken aback a bit, it was clear Suka was a determined as anyone to make a peaceful resolution out of all of this.

--------

After the signal is sent, the sight of the two smaller Tar`tut`nir Light Crusiers linking up with the far larger Omain`car Flag Treeship was strange enough a sight, before noting that the two Treeships take station to both sides of the Flagship, and actual branch tentacles extend from both ends of both ships on both sides, meld and tighten to form main access tunnels and holding struts, making it look like the large Flagship gained two large engine blocks.

This protected the charges, as well as ensured anything launched at the Treeships would find only one target. One that could leave with few complications at a moment's notice.

Before the meeting would begin however, the offenders and the leaders would finally meet eye to eye. Some major things would come to pass before the next step was taken.

=()= Main Bridge, C.N.S. Charger =()=

The upturned eyes watched the sight of the treeships linking up, gun turrets still and unmoving as the process worked its way to completion. It was as if a big collective breath had been taken and held aboard the Commonwealth ships, everyone from enlisted crew to officers watching to see what would happen. Farther in-system aboard the milling fighters the pilots saw the image relayed through comm panels and heads-up displays. To some it resembled tentacles snaking across the distance. Others saw it as a delicate display of controlled power.

Aboard the fleet vessel that was on point Captain Sir Ramsey had no such luxury. His sight told him that there had been no massive energy discharge. No beam of light striking out towards the homeworld. No fighters or transports swarming out of the vessel. Not a thing out of the ordinary had occurred, save for what had appeared to resemble a docking connection being established. Odd really, considering that the evident flagship dwarfed even its escorts. From the Commonwealth vessel it seemed that everyone was looking up at the prow of the newcomer. His brows furrowed at seeing the display, eyes turning on tactical when the process seemed about completed.

The officer at the station as usual had the answer ready. "No change in disposition or power levels. It appears that they have initiated a docking connection with their consorts." Sir Ramsey nodded and glanced away from the station, eyes turning back onto the docked ships that were a bit forward of being over his head.

"Navigation, back us off slowly. Give 'em some breathing room. Tactical, send out two passive reconnaissance drones to take a look at her." Outside the vessel the impulse drives flared with subdued energy, forward and side thrusters firing to adjust the ship's heading when it was called for. Those crewmembers privy enough to see the sight were able to watch as their ship began to crawl backwards, the angle of their watching the Gaian Ascendancy ships changing. Very few saw the hangar door on the front superstructure of the aft secondary hull opening, allowing two far smaller shapes to flit out and puff their engines to life. Each one went its separate way, sensors categorizing the vessels that had come into the homeworld system, studying them in minute detail as cameras and passive sensors mapped and scrutinized them for the records.

"They're beautiful."

The captain's eyes shot from the sight of the receding ships overhead to the sound of the unidentified crewman. It took a moment before he made the association, and it caused his back to stiffen at recognizing who was on his bridge. Oblivious to the attention he had caused, the foreign secretary adjusted his spectacles and continued to look up through the holoprojection on the bridge ceiling. There wasn't a single window truthfully in the entire bridge compartment for combat reasons. After all, who wanted to risk a lucky shot penetrating the shields and finding a window that would destroy the ship's brain? Certainly not the Commonwealth ship designers who had laid down her lines.

"Sir Watts. Welcome to the bridge. The shuttlecraft was too crowded?"

Before the prime minister's key representative could respond he was cut off by the tactical station. "Message coming in sir ... they've requested a meeting in one hour's time aboard Mining Station Sierra-114. They've also requested a second meeting, details to be discussed at the first." It caused some eyebrows to be raised on the bridge, the captain looking from the foreign secretary to his executive officer before he reclaimed his chair.

"Going to be one of those days sir," the leftenant commander whispered to him. It caused a nod of faint amusement.

"TARGET THOSE SHIPS!! I WANT THEM OUT OF THE WAY AND THIS SYSTEM TAKEN OVER FAST!!!!"

Klaxons were blaring as Treeships and Warships of six major command fleets of the 509th Host began to slam forward at their target, sending hundreds of waves of wrath in various sizes at their target, a simple M-Type star system that had otherwise pitiful offerings. It would not have seen worth the effort, except for the enemy that occupied it.

After breaching the Oort Cloud boundry, the Foundation torpedoes slammed towards waves of the enemy, great dark fleets that stood as another vanguard to the stiffening presence the enemy represented.

The three worlds the System contained, would not take long to capture, depending on how stiff the enemy resitance was. As of late, they were harder and harder to push back, as more of them kept being mushed together essentially in tightening sectors.

As the Gaian led assault on GOJ-6328 began, the Dark Eternals would be continuosly pursued nonetheless this day.

---

Aleaic had just been updated on the latest battle of the passing day, every day filled with them for the past two years. It was both a source of stress and strangely placed pride, for each their own obvious reasons.

Not long after, Lady Suka and her accompaniment arrive, escorted all sullen faced by Lady Seto, who finally got her good licks in, so much to defuse her own fuse, as much to remind the younger Gaians on proper procedures. Lady Yurika and the King had finished with the report upon their arrival, and commented on their moods displayed. "I see you got the wringer effect."

"Yes your Excellency. Our appologies for our part in all of this."

Lady Suka finished this, then endured a good long moment, as Foxus and Erus`aii are circled around at least three times by the King. Lady Suka grew more anxious as this continued, and didn't try to ask of anything, knowing Seto would snap back in kind before the King spoke.

Just as Suka was growing into the need 'to' risk just that, Aleiac spoke directly. "Time to go ambassador."

Suka gave a wide eyed anime look at him. "Uh....." Aleaic walked past by. "Come on, you, me and Seto will be on this one. You already were in their eyes, so you can keep doing the good job you're doing."

Lady Suka was stuttering and looking around confused. Lady Seto however prodded at her. "Come on. You didn't think you'd be off the hook that easily. Since you got the honor of First Contact, you're now best qualified to become ambassador to this civilization.

And there's no discussion of the matter." ..she finished with a hand guesture to have Suka follow Aleaic. Suka just did as told for the moment, too stunned to respond as yet. Aleaic meanwhile passes Tsunami, whom quips at him.. "Direct as always."

"We'll chisel the pieces in place with time. Might need a bit of glue though." Tsunami just laughed at Al's remark.

By the time Aleaic emerged in a basic robe smock of white and gray trim, looking like an Ahb uniform mainly, Suka and Seto were waiting in standard formal Gaian garb. Suka wearing the same kimono set as before.

"It's pointless to look too deeply into a matter, nor to seriously punish to the point of losing a resource in the end, when it can simply be tought a lesson and trained to deal with the very thing that got them in trouble in the first place.

You met them, they saw you in the eye. There's little reason to seperate that at the present time. I'll expect formal training and contact indoctrination prior to a formal diplomatic envoy when the time comes. Get the picture?"

Suka was rubbing her hands on her kimono blouse. "If i may infer of my own ineptitude that...."

"No. Your punishment is essentially your learning lesson. From that you will grow. The long term meaning of it all will become your own truth, once you realize it.

Forget the crud that I'm going to demote you or something. If that were the case, I'd be down from King to a janitor by now in some feeces collector center. Just get used to your new title and forget the rest, except reminding yourself of how to take things more cautiously."

Suka listened and nodded. "Yes Excellency."

Lady Seto comments next. "Lady Ruri and Lord Hori are territorial govenors in the MWCG territory now, and will be your primary contact for all help from now on, once formal agreements are one day reached.

Start taking notes here, you'll be learning from it all. We know our hosts are going to." Suka nodded to the elder Prime Foreign Advisor. Aleaic then emerges ready to go. "Alright, let's do it. We have fifteen minutes."

Suka however comments.. "Um, that platform was rather dingy, you sure about wearing such clothing there majesty?"

Aleaic looks at his white clothing and shrugs. "Can't be afraid of a little grime, if it happens." ..he then walks out from the chamber, and with the two ladies in tow, out of the massive Dimensional Habitation Zone, to the nearest teleporter chamber.

The others were already waiting there. This would be a momentous moment. Aleaic had a few suprises waiting in store to give.

=()= Mining Station Sierra-114, Homeworld system =()=

[[The Admiralty reports an energy buildup within the Gaian flagship]] the Third Lord of the Admiralty reported, relaying the neurocomm message to the other two delegates. Diplomatic and first-contact missions of a decidedly military anture were supposed to be his forte and area of responsibility. But how exactly did one prepare when there was no precedent to go on? It was rather vexing, at best. [[Consistent with the signatures of the matter transport device from the last face-to-face encounter we had with the Gaians.]]

To his front and right, the foreign secretary finished rubbing the rims of his spectacles and replaced them on his head, sliding them perfectly into position before running his hands down the front of his jacket. They readjusted the cloth of the finely tailed three-piece suit, settling it into a far more comfortable position as he buttoned up the front. Lady Grace, Minister of Communications for Her Majesty's Commonwealth, also straightened out her jacket as her heels clicked on the deck. She could have looked around at the settings, but decided against it.

[[Remember the notations]] Sir Watt's transmission reminded everyone present. [[Strong militarily and politically. Currently engaged in a war with the 'Dark Elders.' This meeting may not cover substantiative topics, but be prepared to be flexible.]] Finished with the last-minute prep speech, he concluded his message and let his hands fall to his sides.

Behind them the shuttlecraft assigned for their use purred softly on the deck, engines turning over at a very low rate of power. Inside the pilot was visible sitting behind his console and surveying the deck to his front. Waiting for something to happen. It was an opinion shared with other personnel elsewhere in the system; some waiting anxiously, others nervously, and still more with a cautious air about them.

At the teleporter station, the entire crew gathered like the event at hand was a moment of singular importance, almost like the ceremony after the weddings (long story.. no divorce btw...) and the old graduation ceremony back on Motherworld Terra piror to the six month build up to the Foundation period.

Lady Suka was given good spirits by her friends Foxus and Erus`aii, while Aleaic and Seto got a good bevy of good luck chimes from their large family. It was hard to not see it as such, the way they all wished the three luck. Lady Suka blushed (even Foxus did..) as Aleaic got the full kiss version from Lady Jennifer, beating the other two to the literal...

The three stepped unto the glowing teleport pads, the chamber more like a forest atrium, the way the branch vines made like wall beams, spaced equaldistant about five meters away from each other, a blue energy field lattice between them, the pads were white focusing crystals of large size, the runs between actual grass and carved wood of the vessel hull with small white power conduit lines wedged within. The chamber looked more garden than technological, with leaves protruding from the wall struts and even flowers from the floor deck.

"Remember love, we're already at war, so bad form getting us into another."

Aleaic dryly eyed Tsunami, and laughed mockingly... "Gee thanks beloved." ..which even Lady Suka laughed to. Lady Seto leaned over. "Good, try to relax where you can."

Suka, standing on the center pad instead of Aleaic for diplomatic reasons, managed out a dragged sigh. "Not yet." Seto just shrugged, and looked over as Aleaic nodded to the Teleport-Tech. At that, the flick of a few holobuttons begins the teleport cyclers charging sequence. The teleport tunnel forms and as before transports the three as previous.

At the destination end, it was the same as before. At least for the Gaians it wasn't too much of a deal. Around one hundred and seventy years of being used to such does that.

=()= Mining Station Sierra-114, Homeworld system =()=

The two respective groups stood there for a moment in utter silence. If the Commonwealth representatives were to be referred to as the 'home team,' they appeared content to watch the transport effects disappearing. Which was in turn followed by eyeing up their visitors. There was no response from among the Gaian delegation. [[Well this is awkward]] Lady Grace sent to the foreign secretary, something which he didn't respond to.

When there was nothing else to be gained from waiting in complete silence, he cleared his throat. His words came out in his deep bass voice, as opposed to the thin and reedy words that the Third Lord of the Admiralty no doubt had prepared. "On behalf of Her Majesty's Commonwealth of Bautizar, I welcome you to Mining Station Sierra-114. I am Sir Philip Watts, Secretary of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. This is Lady Grace, Minister of Communications, and Fleet Space Marshal Lord Reginald Terrence, Third Lord of the Admiralty."

Introductions made, the hand with which he'd been gesturing returned to his side. On the homeworld the gathered personnel in the Situation Room waited for some sign that the meeting was going well.

Lady Suka felt awkward in the silence at first, but her more formal charges standing to each side of her did not move, barely even breathed much. She realized that they were waiting for the hosts to speak first, being it was proper for such, to avoid undue pomp and circumstance on the Gaians part.

As soon as Sir Watts introduced Lady Grace, Lord Reginald and himself, she bowed. "Greetings. I bring with me his Lord Excellency Aleaic Kerensky, and our Prime Foreign Advisor of the Sphere Alliance, Lady Seto."

She had turned her head from greeting for Lady Seto, whom nodded simply, to Aleaic, to then see him apparently half turned to a nearby edge of metal, one she was suprised to see as Aleaic rubs a bare finger to deliberately smear some grease film upon it. She stuttered in internal horror that he might offend the hosts. however Aleaic turned back towards the others combined, and rubed the slimy film upon his right forefinger and thumb. Given his white cloth of note, it seemed like he was going to easily smudge a decent mar into it.

Lady Seto saw this but didn't seem anywhere near as suprised. What she saw instead was a face full of rememberance, memories of different times upon Aleaic's brow.

Finally, a kings voice offers with no real vector... "I've forgotten somewhat, where things begin." Aleaic stares at his gathered grime with a soft look. "We keep things so clean anymore, I've forgotten the days on Terra, when I had to touch such things myself. That Space Agency seemed once all that was important for a future.

Once anyway..." Aleaic looks up and finishes with a slight chuckle. "And here we are at that doorstep again. Only it's another's we fear to tread."

Lady Seto marks in after with.. "Our deepest appologies of the entire Sphere Alliance on our part. I presume the rest our new ambassador here already informed in enough measure to prevent mincing similar words. I presume the datalink we ordered sent has been useful in understanding the basic tennants of who we are. I assure you 'none' of the assets indicated will be used here, unless it is to defend your realm at request."

Aleaic informs just then... "Know that every word of effect will hold true with us as of this moment. We are here to ensure better tidings come from all of this.

I give you my word, such as it is."

=()= Mining Station Sierra-114, Homeworld system =()=

To Sir Watts the words and somewhat-erratic actions of the Gaian Ascendancy's leader were accepted at face value. First contact situations in the future probably won't be so rough he told himself, noting that this could very well set the benchmark for future exchanges and interactions. With no prior long-running history with the guests of the Commonwealth, all he could do was nod and steer the diplomatically-correct path. "On behalf of Her Majesty's Government I am pleased to accept your words in the spirit with which they were offered. My government has also instructed me to inform you that the data previously sent was most beneficial in reaching a better understanding of your people. In time we hope to provide you with a similar repository of information to better understand the Commonwealth."

The Third Lord in the meantime had narrowed his eyes slightly, zeroing in on a specific set of words that set off a red warning light in his mind. An ambassador? More permanent diplomatic representation would surely raise some concerns within the Admiralty. And what would HMG tell the people when it was revealed that the very same species who had prompted so many problems within the Commonwealth would be opening an embassy on the homeworld? He forced himself to relax for the moment, studying and taking in the words that were being said around him. The neurocomm had already put the situation room on standby for a possible development.

Lady Seto seemed to be on top of that as well. It was unnerving if taken out of context with Seto's two centuries of experience with diplomacy, the poker faced ply of pretty words to get what one wants most.

In this case, it was to ensure simply that the hosts here understood, and little else. She noted Lord Reginald's facial experessions and considered that the note about Lady Suka's appointment would be a cause. It wasn't the grease Aleaic picked up for certain. She pointed out after Sir Watts spoke... "We would be most appreciative of such garnering of knowledge. Few other things are as important to us as learning, to the core of it's meaning.

Lady Suka here will handle such matters when formal agreements are reached eventually, after she is more properly trained for her station. This should allow much time for all parties to become accustomed with each other in the meantime. There will be no rush as such."

Lady Suka and Aleaic for their parts didn't speak for this round, Aleaic was waiting for the proper moment to make a true offer the hosts were not expecting.

=()= Mining Station Sierra-114, Homeworld system =()=

"I am sure the matter will be dealt with and arraigned in due time," the foreign secretary smoothly stated as he gave a sharp peripheral look to the admiral. The military man seemed to accept the warning as what it was intended as, and as such held his tongue and refrained from making any statements in reply. "Our military has a long and proud history of vigilance. Please excuse any perceived rebukes from the admiral."

Lady Grace for her part was also as equally silent as Aleaic and Lady Suka, content for now to sweep her eyes over the visitors and see what the first alien visitors to the Commonwealth looked like. They weren't the first, if one considered the appearance of the ethnically minority Soldenor tribes of Solsthiem VI. But at least their diplomatic manners were first-rate, as opposed to an ethnic group that constituted setting foot into a religious gravesite as an act of war.

Both she and the admiral continued to listen to the diplomatic exchange, biding their time until their services were needed.

=()= C.N.S. Charger, Homeworld system =()=

"Anything?"

"Nothing yet sir," the ensign reported after another glance at his consoles. The lightbars around the bridge compartment were pulsing with the alert indicators, personnel from bow-to-stern standing at their stations and nervously looking around. Waiting games were never fun for participants, and being in such close proximity to an obvious dreadnought was slightly unnerving. Even if there were several hundred kilometers separating the two ships.

The executive officer materialized as the CO's elbow, glancing at the man from his own look at the still-impressive Gaian Ascendancy ship that was very much in sight. "Maybe the meeting is going well." It caused a glance from the captain out the portside holographic windows, his eyes centering on the very faint outline of the mining station as it swept around the planet on yet another orbit.

"I hope so number one. Inform fleet command that there's been no activity here."

Of the first part of the response, Aleaic commented in a light hearted manner. "I would expect none otherwise. Actually you should meet our two Strategic Advisors Azusa and Utsutsumi, considering their usual moods." ..this made Seto cover her mouth with a cuped right hand to hide a light giggle. Lady Suka just grimmaced a bit, not anywhere near as open in manners as her seniors.

However Aleaic decided the opening pleasantries were done with, and what he intentioned next, was not meant for the spartan accomidations the two parties were coexisting in as of current.

He looked over at Seto first, and got a plain stare, not reading anything from Hikari Link or facial expressions to the nay of, so he looked back at the hosts and began..

"I realize this is forward of what I am offering next, but it's proper to give to the eyes what we did with the informaton portal we sent. We can't force this or otherwise, it's simply an open invitation.

I'm formally inviting your leaders, those willing to do so at least, to come to our Treeship to take a look at our way of life. If you simply look and nothing more, you should gain enough understanding of what we truly are.

Those that attend will be protected with the full ability of our responsiblity and assets capability present. There is little reason for us to kidnap or other such nonsense, only to demonstrate trust and to give what can be possible for those that believe they can do great things. If you agree to come, we'll wait on your timeline, within a standard week. We do still have to run our empire beyond that timeframe, as it is.

Our intention is to give an insight, next to coming to our own Homeworld, which can be still done later. I can't see any other way to begin engendering trust otherwise. At the time if at arrival, further details can be discussed then."

Lady Seto angled her head towards Aleaic as he spoke, she looked back up as he finished. She only made sure it all sounded right, not that it wouldn't be interpreted any less by the hosts now.

=()= Situation Room, Government House =()=

Eyes exchanged looks in the wake of the prouncement by the Gaian Ascendancy leader, warning looks from the first lord and a mixture of concern and awe from the remainder of the cabinet. There was clearly some apprehension over the offer, or so the prime minister was able to summarize from what he was seeing around the table. For once, he too shared in the assessments, but to better clarify what he was seeing he did speak. "Any comments on this offer?"

"Out of the question," Sir Cunningham immediately stated, voice nearly growling across the room. "If their intentions are genuine then this could happen at some point in the future. Risking the vice head-of-state in a situation that was rushed from the very start is reckless."

The Minister of Trade and Industry piped up from farther down the table, his rarely-heard voice causing some degree of surprise as heads turned to look at him. "On the other hand this could be the diplomatic breakthrough that we need. Until now suspicion and paranoia has been driving our diplomatic policies. It -"

"Putting the prime minister out there compromises the entire government!" someone spoke up. Sir Baxter wasn't able to see who was speaking. "If they want better understanding then we can set up an embassy. They certainly seem willing enough to put diplomatic representation in place on our end."

"What do you mean by compromising the government?" the prime minister inquired, finally seeing that the Minister of Home Affairs had been the one doing the speaking. The man in charge of immigration, internal security, and the policies enacted on both Gorjen IV and Solstheim VI blinked as he evidently collected his thoughts. When he looked up to respond, he found the prime minister deep in conversation on a handset, which could only cause him to look at his fellow ministers and naval officers.

"Of course ... the cabinet has expressed some deep reservations about their offer ... I wouldn't characterize the remarks as paranoid, no, but there are some legitimate concerns being raised ... yes ... yes, of course your majesty." Finished with the question-and-answer session he hung up the handset, leaning on the table for a moment and looking at its polished surface. When people began to shift in their seats he looked up, looking wearily at them. "Her Majesty has indicated that the decision is to be made at the cabinet level. Those for sending a more senior delegation to the Gaian Ascendancy vessel? ..... Those for? ....." He gave a slight nod at seeing the results.

By a vote of four to three, the cabinet of the Her Majesty's Commonwealth Government of Bautizar had accepted the Gaian Ascendancy offer. There also some less-than-choice words on the matter from the First Lord of the Admiralty, who had left the room in disgust.

=()= Situation Room, Government House =()=

"I thank you for the offer," Sir Watts stated in response, holding his tone remarkably well despite the nature of his surprise. His neurocomm remained silent and unyielding of anything from the situation room. The foreign secretary could only imagine the vehement discussions that were now raging over this proposal in the situation room. Having served alongside the prime minister for many years, he was well aware that the man was nothing if not practical and conservative. As a result he could at least make an educated guess as to what his government's official response was going to be, but -

[[Government House to Sir Watts. The Cabinet has voted to accept the Gaian Ascendancy offer. Proper representation is being decided upon now. Message ends 11.47 local time.]]

"My government has directed me to inform you that several of our nation's representatives will be attending the meeting you have offered. We should be in a position to better clarify the exact time and date relatively soon."

Aleaic nodded. He fully realized what he offered and stated further. "Forgive the rashness of my offer. But it would be proper to do so away from this place.." ..waving a hand about the surroundings.. "..and discuss certain things better saved in more formal surroundings.

I would gather coming to your planet would be unwanted at this time, but I insist on my end, because leaving things in limbo without solid information would lead to misinformation in the coming short term. Given that, one last iota I wish to have conccured, is that along with a formal leadership contingent, I would also have added that a small civilian contingent attend as well, one more of the lay type to represent the populace at large."

Lady Seto took over quickly. "The wish is as such, because our own citizenry has very few things withheld in the vein of information, and less so of falsehoods. Our citizens are given the right over privelige to know what goes on in the entire Sphere, so as to never allow distrust to foster.

Even if it seems like a lack of security on our part, we've maintained this state for our entire two hundred and twenty-two year history. To hold back any information would engender said distrust, and compromise the views the citizenry have for all around them. Such small things 'do' determine even things like economic and even military capability fior our realm."

Lady Suka listened and felt very glad to be in such presence. She never realized how much she took for granted the very things the Sphere did normally. She never felt she had to distrust anything the leadership ever did, not once, even with the kinds of wars and activities the Sphere conducted on so many levels.

The history holos of old Terra, told that the reality of the Sphere Alliance could never happen in an environment where the kind of paranoia and power mongering that continues to occur there even to this day. You don't create a stable empire with territories in thousands of galaxies, billions of Star Systems, and expect it to hold together with out concrete trust in place. The small grains of sand 'do' compose the mountains that reaches to the heavens.

Suka always loved that saying her instructor at pre-education school once said. It stuck with her even as a young kinseth, to this very day. She just hoped the sand grains were holding together this day like granite, and not soft lyme, in this rain.

=()= Main Bridge, C.N.S. Centaur =()

Sir Watts gave something of a slight nod, although contemplation of their request chilled his blood. Solstheim VI and Gorjen IV were out of the question of course. Commonwealth policy had abolished slavery a long time ago, but the citizens from those worlds were still the equivalent of second-class citizens. Especially the more religious Gorjen tribes, whose administration had always been shaky at best. The best option he could think of would be other members of the cabinet, but the government would only send so many representatives before it deemed the matter a national security risk.

"I will convey your request to my government," he finally replied, albeit slightly clipped and chilled, "although your request is very much extraordinary and unusual. It will have to be evaluated in light of the impact your arrival has had on the homeworld."

In other words, or as diplomatically as he could muster, there was very little chance of it happening. Years of Commonwealth diplomatic doctrine had emphasized representation on behalf of the citizens, not the citizens having their own say in a direct manner. In fact it formed the basis of the very government's existence and manner of operation. There were newscasts, press conferences, scientific studies and reports, and countless other ways available to educate the citizens. But the government drew certain lines on matters in the realm of national security: this was one of those occasions, or so the shoulders-squared Third Lord of the Admiralty seemed to be conveying through his silence.

=()= Situation Room, Government House =()=

The extraordinary request from the Gaian Ascendancy's 'Excellency' had caused the prime minister to nearly drop his coffee mug. Someone elsewhere in the room had dropped theirs however, scattering ceramics and coffee all over the floor. There had been some curses of course as the brownish liquid splattered pants and shoes alike, irking some on what was turning into the most unusual of days.

When he had recovered sufficiently Sir Baxter turned to his cabinet, finding some visibly-stunned members confronting him. Sir Cunningham had not yet returned to the room; his swears and grumbles could be heard from outside as the doors to the prime minister's left opened and closed while someone passed into the room. A handful of the more liberal-minded members had fallen into conferencing down the table in hushed tones, but they were very much the minority in this cabinet.

"This is absurd," the Minister of Home Affairs whispered to the prime minister in low undertones, face visibly flushed and turning a shade of red in outrage. "Common citizens involved in sensitive diplomatic negotiations and representation? It's utterly preposterous."

There was a vehement shake of disagreement from the Minister of Trade and Industry, who sat across the table from Home Affairs. "This is precisely what we need. For years Trade and Industry has advocated a more open policy, especially on the colonies. Only by showing the citizens exactly what occurs will we -"

"I don't care what you say," the voice of Fleet Space Marshal Sir Cunningham barked from behind the prime minister, stopping the minister in his tracks. There was a very-much-evident tone of sarcasm in his voice as he openly mocked the senior cabinet member. "I am not going to reveal our next generation of military starships to our citizens until the time comes for them to know. Nor am I inviting them to go touring our production facilities." There was no reply from Trade and Industry, who sat back in his seat and merely frowned as his face turned a shade of red, conscious now of the glares that were settling onto him from around the table. Openly advocating a radical policy, such as the one he had just floated, in this somewhat-conservative administration was tantamount to committing political suicide.

"I expect the request is unusual, it's not one where we'd simply ask to show how we think, how we should tell others to think, or cause simple uproar. This is how we think. Not only do our citizens have the same right to the information the hierarchy has, but many of the lay citizenry are 'also' Tree Users, or have many of these same vessels of their own." ..Aleaic waited as he spoke again, to let that sit in.

"But to know more of why, you'll have to come over and see with the eye. Word can't describe enough in the end."

Just before they decided the meeting had ended, Lady Seto jingled in.. "By the way, so you know, apparently we both have a common thread after all, if you consider that Free Worlds alliance the nation of Asfaltum came up with. We entered it because two of our allies, The Fedral Union and Empire Ahb already did so, though we usually don't enter such far reaching alliances nominally.

We understand from our two ambassadors, Lady Ayeka Misaki and Sister Excellenca Alusair Kerensky, that one of your vessels arrived in Asfalutm space shortly after our ambassadors left. If this is confirmed, we have formal accord for permanent relations, which can lead to many things.

Depending on the outcome of this next meeting. We will be waiting for your next transmission when you are ready."

Lady Suka then finished. "We'd offer you keep looking through the archives we sent, and this time send a similar data stream with basic information of your star nation, so we understand your citizens better."

They waited a moment after nodding to each other Hikari Net-wise to see if the hosts offered anything more, before returning to their Treeship to wait out the aftereffects of their latest meddling. From the Gaian point of view, the Bautizar and it's allies had the right to know what they were up against in the rest of the universe. The full truth would be revealed, so the citizens and goverment alike could better prepare for the years to come.

=()= Military Spaceport New Thames, Bautizar VIII =()=

The foreign secretary hurriedly descended from the orbital shuttlecraft, feet thumping on the stairwell that had been rolled up against the craft. Outside the hangar it was a typical day on the homeworld; cloudly, raining and with a stiff breeze. It rattled a loose metal shutter somewhere in the cavernous building and whipped against pant legs. Yet he strode purposefully across the short distance to the waiting executive shuttlecraft and ascended the few steps to disappear into the interior. He was quickly followed by Lady Grace and Lord Terrance, the latter of whom stepped inside even as the craft started to ascend.

As it whipped out of the hangar it was quickly flanked by several Gryphon class military fighters, a full squadron roaring along overhead in an alert vigilance as sirens began to blare through the local communication channels. Red-and-blue lights began rotating on the wingtips as the group accelerated and skimmed over the 30-meter-tall solid durasteel wall of the spaceport perimeter, the massive arbiter and flak cannons on the perimeter panning back-and-forth as they continued to watch the outline of the distant city. By the time that the shuttlecraft crossed the silos that held the planetary defense missiles the three VIPs were in their seats and listening to the voice of the prime minister.

"- isn't budging on refusal of the Gaian Ascendancy 'request'. They feel very firmly that this is very much the territory of the diplomatic corps and the government, not the citizens. General sentiment seems to be that the Her Majesty's citizens can be educated about our visitors through the appropriate forums, of which firsthand contact is not one of them."

As Lord Terrance nodded Sir Watts cleared his throat and spoke up, eyeing the face of Sir Baxter that was on the forward bulkhead. "I would normally be inclined to agree sir, but they appeared very firm and unyielding on this point. The general impression I was left with was that this was a non-negotiable point."

"Could it be a clash of government philosophies?" the face inquired, an eyebrow raising as the lips moved. "You said that they prefer a more open style of government with their citizens. Whereas if we did that here the government would surely collapse. Are they aware of this?"

It caused some glances between the three VIPs, along with some slight shakes of the head and drawn faces. Outside a fighter skimmed past the shuttlecraft as the caravan skimmed over a forest and river. Sirens continued to blare across the airwaves as other craft ahead of them cleared a direct path for Government House. Nobody was taking any chances today, but the situation was starting to relax from its previously-tense nature. In this atmosphere Lady Grace finally cleared her throat, her Kensington-accented voice creating something akin to a soft lilt in the plush compartment. "I daresay not sir. The impression I received was that they were very much looking for more information about the Commonwealth before proceeding farther. There was also a hint about our participation in the League of Free Worlds - we can certainly establish proper diplomatic contact with them through that forum, I would image."

The prime minister finally nodded to someone offscreen, evidently conferencing with a person that was not in the field of view. After a moment of impatient waiting he turned his attention back to them. "I've given the order for the military to stand down another alert level; I think we can relax now and not worry so much about an invasion. A data transmission with further information about the Commonwealth is being sent to the ships as we speak. We'll see you when you reach Government House."

Far above their heads on Orbital One, a transmission antennae began to transmit into the darkness of space. It was uncaring of the activity that was continuing to occur far below, and was equally ignorant of the citizens who walked past the station's viewports and occasionally snuck a look into space. The Gaian vessels were visible in the extreme distance, although to the personnel of the still-watching Charger they appeared much larger. They were also the recipients of a datapacket (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=511257).

The three were welcomed back with some question about the hosts that met them, as well as questions of the latter part of Aleaic's offer of invitation. They all eventually regathered on the main deck in view of the same artifice landscape of note, Lady Suka took note to mention her feelings on the matter.

"If I must infer with serious regard, we may have pushed too hard on the matter of having their citizens come aboard this vessel. It does seem like were trying to dictate policy for them on a level, no matter how we may feel about it all.

I would suggest a more conservative viewpoint from the host point of view."

Aleaic walked over and slumped into the well laiden throne seat carved into the culvert of a huge overreaching tree that was both titanic and reached with it's canopy of leaves and branches for what seemed like a good kilometer overhead in all directions. He sighed then chuckled. "You're probably right. But it seems poor form to hide anything, and the more that see what we show, the less magical it becomes, and from that acceptance can be worked with instead of ignorant rumors.

Still, if they don't bring civilians, or just manicured hand select ones that don't represent the true majoity of the populace, it'll give us a clue of the mindset of the goverment we are dealing with."

Lady Seto next to Lady Belldandy, the latter looking at the datafeed link information just sent to the Gaians from the Bautizaran goverment, commented. "They aren't anywhere near as open as we are. They seem to hold to power like the old goverments of Terra did before the Foundation of our civilization. We're sort of looking at a goverment that could have been if Terra did it as a singular world nation.

We have to consider that nothing we do will change that, nor should we try."

Aleaic nodded as Lady Tsunami came with a glass of juice to sooth the king with. "We won't, we truly will not. I just wanted to hopefully give someone an idea what can be done, like I was on the day I was shown how to open that Portal Gate through Lady Creation's pushy insistence, and then shown our capital world as it was, before all our works.

A world left pristine a billion years after the departure of it's creators from mortality for ascendancy, something you can only see as magic the first time you see it all." ..Aleaic mused as the others listened. He tilted his head towards Seto, as he rested his head on his left hand, elbow on a thick armrest cushion of deep blue and silver lining. "I still remember my reaction when that goddess actually was showing my sight to everyone of ya back on Earth, as I was walking the hills of Minas lain below the crystal cty, like it was Minas Tirith of an ancient future, buttressed up to the mountain chain we take for granted today in sight.

Lain bare my innocence for all to see, of reaction walking on an alien world for the first time, knowing that it changed all things to do it. Then learning of that Ascendant computer core still working after a billion years, and learning so many tools were seemingly left in magical place. It would never have been seen as reality if I didn't take that still working shuttle and saw those docks and platforms in space for myself. Nevermind the sight of White Diamond/Sapphire in the eye the first time in orbit. Those rings glinted in the light of those two blue suns.

It's that kind of moment that really dictates the course of history, more than any weapon or ship of make in any fashion. Isn't that what any person deserves to learn and see? Who knows what can be determined from such things.

I only want to give that chance back to those that will know such reality one way or the other. At least thats the intent."

A moment of quiet thought comes after, the soft wind within the Treeship landscape playing across as a few leaves blow through, as if the place was an elven city, comes with a comment a moment later.

"Still that way after two centuries of all this huh?" Aleaic looks over fully at Yurika to his fore. "Compared to my GrandFather, two hundred years is a young amount of time, so we are still young in all truth.

Maybe after fifty thousand years at this we might be able to consider ourselves old in a fashion. Until then, we play the young mortals game with all of this."

Seto holds her head after this and moans.. "You can say that easily, us elder buggers had a decade on ya you know before all this."

The lot of em started laughing to cheer up the mood. Lady Suka and her two friends enjoyed this environment for however it lasted.

With a week to wait with, the Gaians settled down for the moment with a small dinner party, while Lady Suka got her first lesson in true diplomacy from Lady Seto, in between bottles of sake. The Council acted more like a roudy family than a formal governance for the time being, the stress melting away as a result.

The Sphere didn't expect a response of any kind for at least a day, maybe two. They were pertinently patient, not worrying too much for the time being. When the time came, the seriousness would return.

=()= Office of the Prime Minister, Government House =()=

"Prime Minister?"

The voice pulled his attention away from the sight outside, his body shifting on the high-backed chair and turning away from the sight of the tall skyscrapers and industrialized city. New Gibraltar had gone from an agricultural settlement and farming community to a city of lights, sounds, and bustling activity virtually overnight. Despite all the problems this had caused, there were moments when the Prime Minister actually enjoyed looking out the window. Unfortunately they didn't last very long, as the aide across his desk had now reaffirmed to him. "Yes Elizabeth, what is it?"

"Sir, it's decision time," the chief of staff informed him, tapping the stylus against the size of her data system device. "You've been putting off this decision for the last twenty-four hours. The cabinet needs a decision soon."

He sighed and rubbed a thumb and forefinger across the bridge of his nose. For all the perks that this job offered, such as the unrivaled view of New Gibraltar, it also had its bad moments. This was one that he wasn't looking particularly forward to, even after the earlier advice that Her Majesty Queen Serena II had been able to offer in a holoconference session. "Are they on the line?" he finally asked, releasing his nose and looking over the desk at her. It received a nod in response.

"Line two."

Sir Samuel Baxter, recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Victorian Order and twice the recipient of the White Tree Knight's Cross for meritous service, stifled a grumble of frustration as he tapped a control on his desk. Instantaneously the sound of miscellaneous shuffling of devices and paperwork filled his office. Yet it cleared quickly as the other listeners realized that the prime minister was a part of these proceedings.

"I'll make this very quick," he stated to them, narrowing his eyes on the speaker mounted on the front corner of his desk. "After careful consultations with Her Majesty and the Admiralty, I have come to the decision that the Gaian Ascendancy request for a delegation of ordinary citizens will not be honored. If they're serious about establishing permanent diplomatic representation - and from what Sir Watts said to us it sounds like they are - then their ambassador will be free to leave the embassy as she wishes to tour the capital and outlying settlements."

He couldn't see it, but there were nods of agreement being made in the rooms where the other cabinet members were. It had only taken a mere twenty-four hours, but the representation of HMG at the next conference had been settled. And with it came the defining moment for Commonwealth diplomacy for the next several generations.

Morning on a Treeship was a strange thing. All Sphere vessels were on standard Local System Time, the core time frame that the Capital World used. All other worlds in the Sphere used the dual clock system, the military the LST method for all operations.

It however wasn't just for time alone. The quasi-ascendant types here had made keeping time an artform, to the effect that the holoscreens, holoprojection decks, and most especially the Treeship habitation zones, actually could give visual representation of the twin suns of the System Core, upon the landscape within. In other words, the morning of the clock on Gaian chonometers, hd a real effect sunrise upon the Flag Treeship habitation zone, the largest subspace unit befitting the vessel station.

It's zone was as large as an entire planet within, enourmous power required to maintain subspace stability, but the Hikari Power utilized and projected from the mutual Tree cores across the Great Link, made energy for this a thousand fold. All of it for an 'art form', at present.

The morning however was not remarked upon the brows of the waking, the night before of revelry still giving hangover a good name of ilk even in this day and space age.

While the habitation zone of a vast mountain scape, reminiscent of the read works of Gondor and Rohan of the well respected works inherit, since it was a form of flattery of not only said works, but the times when the faimly were younger, a holoplay done in full measure. It came down to rememberance and chosen comfort of his Excellency.

The zone that connected via several hallways through the center to fore of the vast vessel gleaming in the far sunlight in deep space, led to the fore command deck, where the light was weaned of the same morning haze and mute of to the rear. Here a waking Excellency shakes off the sake and 'long night's fun' that came with, as he walks calmly upon the smooth deck of wood and soft grass, carpet and chromed metals, marble and warm wind. Other than morning skeleton crew keeping night watch at the sector stations, the formal deck was deserted, all along it's great length.

It made for quiet moments where a king could walk, wake up and remember in seremity, of the day past. They still didn't have word from the hosts yet, the holoscreens floated above mostly silent and empty, a couple with miscellaneous feeds from the Comm-Orb network. If something needed mentioning, it would present itself.

This was a quiet time.

Aleaic enjoyed the quiet moments before dawn brought it's restitution of chaos.

((OC- Bump since the server is acting wierd again... ))

=()= Government One, Approaching C.N.S. Charger =()=

The prime minister was sitting in relative silence as the emergency command post transport continued on its way, leaving behind the atmosphere and stormy turbulence of Bautizar VIII. He had been sitting in silence since departure from Government House, and there were a few of the cabinet ministers who had mistaken it for a temper tantrum, not unlike an unruly child who sulked after losing an argument. Those that knew him better, among them the Secretary of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the First Lord of the Admiralty, were well aware that he was sitting in silent contemplation.

"Six minutes to the Charger sir," the pilot informed the delegation over the speaker system before the connection fell silent. In the rear of the compartment the four security officers of the prime minister's detail rechecked their weapons before holstering them, content now to wait and see what happened. Across from the P.M., Sir Watts was quietly conferring with Lady Grace about the information that was still being gleaned from the Gaian Ascendancy database. To their rear Sir Cunningham was still in his dress uniform, the gold embroidery around his shoulder fitting well with the white cloth that his jacket and dress trousers were made from. A red stripe running down the seam of the pants showed that he was a Fleet Admiral.

Shadows blotting out the starlight of the compartment caught Sir Baxter's eye, causing him to turn and look out the window for the source. He didn't need to look very far: the converted former troop transport was passing underneath the scaffolding and girders of the Clydebank Fleet Yards. Its escorting fighters could have cared less about the sight; to many of the pilots it was a second-nature sight that caused about as much comment as a security officer strolling down the street on Gorjen IV. Behind him, the P.M. heard Sir Cunningham crossing the aisle to look out the window at the half-completed shape in one of the docks. Smaller workbees and other yard craft were swarming around it.

"The Berwick sir," the admiral finally remarked, drawing not only the attention of the prime minister but that of Sir Watts and Lady Grace as well. Even the security officers in the rear looked out through the windows at the shape. It was a boxy affair, long and thick with an engine compartment flipped to the vertical axis. There was something sticking out from the starboard side of the uncompleted heavy cruiser, a swept-back pod of some sort that was held seeming at arms'-length from the ship. Sir Cunningham pointed to it. "Flight pod. Another one on the port side when completed. They'll be larger, faster, and better-armed than the Carlisles; over a hundred weapons in the secondary armament, about forty primary." There was a whistle of admiration from one of the security officers.

"Diplomacy will be a cautious affair with our neighbors if we complete vessels of this sort," Sir Watts warned in an ominous tone. This was the first he'd heard of the class, and it was evident that he was not pleased with what he was hearing. "I understand the military's drive for heavier and better-armed ships, but we must temper the ability to defend ourselves against the prudency of diplomatic relations."

The prime minister remained silent, although the raised eyebrow and tented fingers showed that he was paying attention to the discussion unfolding in front of him.

"We have almost no ability to defend ourselves," the admiral retorted with a stern look on his face. His tone was not unlike the parent scolding an unruly child with a patronizing manner. "Unless one counts the several hundred fighter squadrons available on the homeworld. We have no capability to project military forces to a longer range, little support assets in the outer system, and almost no defense assets present in the Solstheim or Gorjen systems. And I would personally prefer a vigorous defense and deterrent rather than relying on a last-ditch defense in homeworld orbit, blindly ignoring what goes on beyond our borders."

If the foreign secretary was being baited by these remarks he was restraining himself admirably, even as he shook his head. "That was -"

"Forty seconds to the Charger" the pilot interrupted. The debate was quickly put aside, but not forgotten about, as the prime minister and his staff stood and prepared for disembarkation. Already the square and box-shape aft hull of the Commonwealth vessel was coming into sight. Up front the pilot and his flight crew were eyeing the hangar that was opening up ahead of them, a small affair that clearly showed that these ships weren't at all suited for handling small government vessels.

By early afternoon, the deck was scrawling with personnel again, as the Treeship in presence of the Council was the defacto hub for central operations of the entire empire at present. Unlike many royal ships that think having a royal court means something for pomp and such ilk, this royal ship only has effective personnel on duty. No one, including the Royal Family, is present that isn't doing something, especially with the coming visitation at hand by the Bautizarian hosts, at least the nation name the Gaians called them for now. (Saved on speech of syllables.

The Lady Prime Foreign Advisor was towing along Lady Misaki, the CIC Republic Bodyguard, Lady Suka and several aides that would attend the hosting event.

"We'll bring them up here from the hatchway, towards the walkway past the pool and simply to his king-boyship, from there we'll probably discuss and tour within the zone for the hosts to gawk at endlessly while king-boyship gets his full tenure across.

We should expect smaller escorts, since we'll be hosting the Bautizar delegation for a full day, including sleepover so they can get full exposure to our way of life."

Misaki asked Seto quickly as they walked up a natural-carve stairway that looked like huge wood plates were extended from a full deck section of living wood, lit with edge lighting. "What if any of them, or even if all, decide to leave early?"

Seto shrugs. "More leftovers for the crew from the dinner then I suppose. But I doubt it very likely. If this ship can't get the most jaded of them curious, then they shouldn't be in space, in a terminal opinion of the matter."

The group walks on, as an Angelic zings by from above into the far distance. Seto continues. "We shouldn't expect hostility, but if so, Ifurita's Angel God contingent will handle anything."

"Weapons stun only if forced." Misaki jibed in, Seto nods. Lady Suka just watches, learning from the entire experience.

This continues, as an astromech droid passes by slowly in the other direction.

The crew is rife with anticipation and slight tension as the hours passed.

=()= Commonwealth delegation shuttlecraft, On Approach to Gaian Ascendancy Vessel=()=

The shuttlecraft moved on slowly, long since dwarfed by the shadows and mammoth sight of the vessel that ranged around it to all sides. It was preceded by two fighters that moved at equal speed, and was followed by two more. Navigational running lights winked out in what was hoped to be seen as a friendly gesture. There was no ordinance on the wings, no weapon systems armed and ready to fire.

In the rear of the passenger craft the prime minister sat as still as he could, resisting the urge to get up and move forward to better scrutinize the alien vessel. From where he was his eyes could see some of the ship, noting that the image was flanked by the two bodies in the slightly-elevated front control chairs of the pilot and co-pilot. Behind the flight crew sat the remainder of the delegation, as silent as Sir Baxter. Some of them were showing signs of nervousness; Lady Grace kept turning and craning her neck to catch more of a glimpse of the Gaian vessel. One of the security officers was evidently tempted to follow suit, but the detachment commander stilled the urge with a look.

"Big vessel," the copilot muttered under her breath, glancing peripherally at the major who was flying the craft. He gave a slight nod in response as his eyes flicked up from the controls and instrumentation to his front, glancing at the hull of the vessel. It seemed to shimmer in the starlight. Or was it his eyes? He blinked them and looked again, seeing that it was still there. But something else caught his attention before he could comment on it.

He nodded again, but with more purpose this time as it indicated a newly-lit section of the hull. "There ... right as their transmission said it would be. We're on approach sir," he remarked over his shoulder, ignoring the movement that it caused in the aft passenger compartment. On the shuttlecraft's exterior maneuvering jets softly puffed and erupted into small jets of propellant, tilting the ship and aligning it with the flashing lights that surrounded the hatchway. The fighter escort pulled away, banking and accelerating away from the Gaian vessel. Farther off in the distance, the running and navigational lights of the Charger continued to both wink and maintain their steady illumination, a subtle reminder of the ship's presence.

A soft thump and bump marked the docking procedure's completion, followed by a hiss of air as the soft seal was replaced by a hard one. The pilot checked his instruments, reading something from the panel between himself and the co-pilot before turning in his chair. "Sensors show breathable atmosphere, and what looks like lifesigns just through the airlock. Looks like they're waiting."

With a nod from the prime minister, one of the security officers tapped a control panel that flanked the until-now-closed hatch. It hissed and whined slightly in protest before cracking open, sliding to the side and allowing the officer to step outside ...

One the other end of the docking latch, Lady Suka and Lady Misaki waited, not certain how many guests would be coming through the tunnel. A dual row of at attention Angel God Infantry troops waited in parade formation for the welcome ceremony.

The interior of the inital area was warm and cozy, a soft breeze hinted here and there as they all waited. The wide greeting area could, once the latch area was exited, could fit half a stadium field just in deck size, the welcome procession hardly taking up much room. Behind them several tiers of the upper decks merged with the main landscape deck of the forward section, a nearby riverlette passing by some regular looking Earth type trees.

No words were exchanged, everything in prepratory mention had been spoken by now, small talk wasn;t for moments like this, so only the sound of real enough nature echoed through the ship.

As for the docking latch itself, it was far far less like swamp vines had connected, and instead like real solid branches, with saplings protuding. It was hard to believe this was all technological.

Befitting the hosts by far. The lit floorway ramp however demonstrated better for the guests.

A security officer was the first to appear, stepping cautiously onto the underlit floor. His olive-green military uniform shifted as wary eyes sized up the waiting delegates, a hand on his belt where a sidearm normally would be. Instead there was a baton hanging there, a replacement weapon that had been fitted at the insistent urging of the Foreign Secretary. It was very clear that the officer was less-than-pleased with the arraignment, but like a good soldier he was bearing with it. After a moment of careful scrutiny he stepped to the side, knee-high boots thumping lightly on the ramp.

A second officer emerged, quickly followed by a third. Yet another moment passed before one of them turned and nodded to someone inside the craft. The Prime Minister of Her Majesty's Commonwealth Government of Bautizar emerged, looking slightly more distinguished than he had over the course of the previous days. An elegant three-piece charcoal-grey suit, alert eyes peering out from underneath his trademark hat that had once in his civilization's distant past been called a "fedora," a coat-of-arms of the Royal Family on the left lapel of the jacket. Behind him came the First Lord of the Admiralty, then Lady Grace, and finally Sir Watts, who had insisted most vehemently on coming for this event.

The landscape was surprising, given how all of the visitors had come from a civilization that prided itself on technological prowess and economic might. As a result the homeworld bore the scars from unending years of economical activities that had devastated the landscape. Gorjen IV was considered by many to be the last real paradise in the Commonwealth, which had led to conservation activities and groups springing up like wildfires. Despite this very few of the visitors had been there, and so it was that they found themselves surprised at their surroundings, which bordered on being an open-air forest in itself.

Conscious of the eyes on him, the prime minister stepped forward as he scrutinized the crisp soldiers that were at attention. So this is the military of the future his mind said to him, a distracting notion that he quickly suppressed as he looked at their hosts. "Prime Minister Sir Samuel Baxter, of Her Majesty's Commonwealth Government of Bautizar."

Lady Suka nodded, remembering faces more than names at the present, and offered. "Welcome to the Hikari, his Excellency's Treeship extensia of the Partern Tree Core on our Homeworld. This is Lady Misaki Masaki, our Council Advisor CIC of the Republic Bodyguard. His Excellency and the Council are awaiting us, if you'll please follow me."

..she waited till everyone was ready to go, and began slowly proceeding through the vast interior of the forward deck, towards the Throne Deck.

Suka would entertain any questions as they proceeded, but lent mostly to the changing elevation of view as they continued on.

<< OOC: Apologies on the delay: I haven't been able to access the forums for the last couple of days. IE kept telling me that there was some sort of error in the database. >>

[[Sir Watts, there are ... fourteen members on the Gaian council?]] The prime minister's eyes turned briefly on the Foreign Secretary, noting the slight shake of the head that he was offered in response.

[[Nineteen, according to the data we were sent sir. Makes me wish we'd sent a more formal diplomatic contingent.]]

[[We'll have time for those regrets later. Right now we should be worrying more about motives and reasons]] Sir Cunningham stated over the frequency. The cautious and formal words measured up to his reputation as a prudent thinker, but unfortunately one who was boxed in by years of military experience.

"I hope it wasn't an inconvenience to assemble the council here," the prime minister finally remarked to the Gaians. It wasn't exactly the best of statements to be said on the eve of greater cultural understanding and awareness. But it did serve to clear the air of the silence that seemed to have dropped into place.

Lady Misaki answered instead of Suka, to avoid the obvious of the answer. "The Council decided that in light of the situation, the correct thing to do was to attend most of the Council that was present. The Treeship here has direct feeds from the Homeworld for any immediate needs to conduct, as well as can Fold to any spot in the Inner Universe if we need to leave at a moments notice."

Lady Suka puts in quickly. "That won't happen here. If we 'do' need to leave quickly, you will be given quick escort offship, since I doubt you would want to be involved in our external affairs so quickly. At least as long as nothing deadly dire occurs.

Not likely as far as we are expecting."

Misaki put in. "The 'won't happen here' was enough." Suka meekly smiled. "Sorry."

..the group reaches the main council deck, and get their first view of everything that has been described in the last several pages of the grand Hikari Flag Treeship. The vast landscape looks as huge as described, an entire river it looks like runs through from the fore of the ship, well below then, leading to the Habitation Zone to be seen later.

"It sounds very similar to our own jump-drive technology," the prime minister replied with a slight nod, "although we abandoned that decades ago in favor of warp flight. It ..."

The view was breathtaking, and it stopped his words for a moment as he admired the immense view and picturesque landscape. It was a far cry from the highly-industrialized homeworld of the Commonwealth, with its towering buildings and Victorian-like architecture. No smaller craft buzzing around over these lands either the prime minister told himself, realizing that he was so used to the sounds of thousands of small freighters and shuttles throughout the atmosphere of the capital.

It took a subtle nudge over the neurocomm from the First Lord of the Admiralty to refocus the prime minister. Catching himself, Sir Baxter glanced at the Gaian Ascendancy representatives. "Well, I suppose we had better not leave your council waiting."

Misaki knew it was proper time as well, explanations were at formal hand anyway. She replied.. "Of course, this way."

The began a longer walk than expected, mainly because of the length of the Council deck, framed between two sections where the major ship functionaries were situated, looking like two five story buildings were slant melded into the huge Tree towards the direction they were heading.

The large reflecting pool, equal in effect, and almost length, of the one in Washington D.C., with the trees and light runs framing the pool and gleaming floor of polished wood and hyperadvanced metals and synthetics. It took a good few minutes for the guests to pass through this guantlet of beauty and power.

It was enough for the hosts to mentally prepare as the guests in two approached.

Aleaic whispered over to his three wives framing him on both sides, Tsunami alone on the left, Arashi and Jennifer in order the right.. "Hope we didn't miss anything."

"Oh gee... so many things, no more time. Did I leave the replicator on full power? Hmmm..."

Aleaic rolled his eyes as Jennifer joked, the others of the Council arrayed around taking note with tension relieving humor. It managed to float towards the coming guests, the air seemed to carry the calming effect with it.

[[Well this makes for an interesting situation]] the prime minister quietly remarked to Sir Watts on a private channel as he caught sight of the waiting Gaian Council. Granted, the pool had caught his attention for a moment or two, but the sight of the waiting figures had caught more of his attention. [[Notation for future diplomatic encounters: more aides to flush out the delegation.]]

It brought a quiet chuckle of amusement from the foreign secretary, who seemed like the majority of the Commonwealth delegation to have forgotten about what the future would bring. Right now, here in the year 3391 on the week of first contact, this was all that mattered. Surprisingly, the personnel seemed to be taking it in stride and without undue stress, especially considering the abrupt and unusual nature of this situation.

As the two delegations drew up, facing each other the prime minister received a reply from his foreign secretary. [[Center of the delegation, flanked by the three women. That would be Lord Aleaic Kerensky.]] Sir Baxter associated the name with the face almost immediately, courtesy of the Gaian information that had been sent to the homeworld earlier in the week. But for a moment, nobody on either side moved or spoke ...

By now the Gaians were very much in formal mode. The cheerful mood tilted more serious of immediate note. It was the first time the two leaderships met each other. Misaki and Suka bowed to Aleiac and he nodded them to step away, as he took over.

"Welcome to Sphere Alliance territory. I hope your trip was safe and the views enlightening up to this moment."

Lady Tsunami spoke in stride with her husband. "We hope you will find many answers while you are here. We intend to leave you ready to face the challenges that await in the greater cosmos, from lessons we have learned hard from."

Sir Baxter inclined his head politely in response to their statements. "The trip here was very pleasant; I found it refreshing to have reason to step off the homeworld for this meeting. And on behalf of Her Majesty's Commonwealth Government of Bautizar I would be happy to accept your wisdom in the spirit in which it is offered," he added, directing his remarks towards Lady Tsunami. Peripherally he noted that Sir Cunningham was being very attentive to this matter; the reference to challenges in the cosmos seemed to have caused him to perk up slightly from his normally-contemplative nature.

At the same time the prime minister was very much conscious of the eyes watching him from all sides as he spoke. It wasn't too dissimilar from the sensitive negotiations that had surrounded the First and Second Treaties of the Dominion; everyone from the now-dissolved Dominion of Bautizar had been looking to him, as senior representative, for on-the-spot decisions. On these were slightly more important in nature. Not that ending years of unending strife and warfare for a planetary-wide union hadn't been a groundbreaking event.

Tsunami smiled openly to Sir Baxter, as Aleaic offered with a light sweep of a hand about him. "Well. This is it. The reason I asked you to come.

We are not here for truly serious negotiations. We are here instead, to show what of the universe await for you beyond these borders you know. We here to show also of us, the nature of what we are.

No ill tidings will come from us. Only knowledge and trust if given time. I wanted to give you both realization, and then familiarity, as we simply talk, discuss, and later on, dine on a simple feast to show we have little need to threaten you.

Far more, it is better for you to learn where you may wish to go for your next coming years and decades. It was also what I wanted to show the choice of citizens if you had brought any, what to expect as well. As it is, time and I hope open information will tell of this day to them, to prepare them as well.

All of a civilization stands as one entity when steps are taken. A learned and fully realized and considering one can make proper strides, with lack of distrust.

In the end, all of you will make great strides from this day forth. Your first new steps are now beginning, do make replete notes."

Aleaic first started with introductions of his entire Council Advisory, giving note of detail of their history of the Council, then history of their beforehand history before the Foundation, when they 'all' were alive two hundred years and twenty three years ago, on Motherworld Terra, as infants before the cosmos in their own right.

It was the start of many tales and lessons to be told.

A subtle nudge of irritation came from the prime minister's right, causing his eyes to momentarily shift in that direction as Lord Aleaic launched into his discussion of the history of the Dimensional Grand Republica. It didn't surprise Sir Baxter that the First Lord of the Admiralty was standing there, as externally impassive as always yet annoyed at some interior level. For emotions to traverse the neurocomm took quite a loss of self-control, something which citizens formerly of the Dominion of Bautizar from a very young age were trained in how to suppress and avoid.

It was probably why citizens from that now-dissolved state made up the majority of the foreign service and military. They were able to hide their emotions better and with far more efficiency than the average person of the Commonwealth. [[Something wrong Sir Cunningham?]]

None of the delegation had seemed to sense the momentary loss of control. The prime minister considered it a plus. [[Apologies prime minister. It's nothing.]]

Sir Baxter gave a slight nod at this, a faint gesture that the fleet admiral saw with his eyes before they turned their attention back to their hosts. It was clear to the government's elected leader that whatever had been grating on the nerves of the senior military officer was still there. But at this moment he thought it wise not to press the subject.

((OC- Dang wind here is kicking the ass out of my town's power grid tonight. Hope I can post this... and past this... ))

---

As soon as Aleaic, Belldandy and Peorth finished their inital offering of anchor information, Lady Seto quickly asked. "Is there anything you all wish to ask? We can take all manner of questions."

Meanwhile, around the group, normal crew duties seemed to pick up again, now that the inital formal greeting was out of the way. Many different civilized race and celestial types began passing between the two control sector decks. Many of them seemed actually ordinary, a few looking as they pass by, though none approach too close, out of total respect for the gathering, and comfort of the guests.

<< OOC: Hey, you think you have it bad? I have to go for a U.S. Navy physical tomorrow, all part of the joining-up part of enlisting. And to make it even better I'm 1% over the weight limit. >>

The Commonwealth citizens seemed intrigued as they glanced around, although the security officers took a more protective stance to the sides and rear of the ground, hands on their stun batons as eyes scanned for any sign of hostile intent. Seeing nothing, they nevertheless remained vigilant as the foreign secretary spoke up at a nod of approval from the prime minister.

"Our attention is at the moment more focused on the space around us, especially on its dangers yet at the same time on its more peaceful and coexisting inhabitants. Is there anything you can tell us of our surroundings that would better assist our own development into the stars?"

((OC- Hmm.. five years in the Civil Air Patrol, four in the USAF, another year and a half in the Montana Army Guard, so a Navy base encampment done twice, regular USAF Boot Camp, two MEPS physicals, Chem-Warfare training, all that military training and brass enduring..

...think I get the gist somehow.

Germany was fun though. =^^= ))

---

Aleaic looked over and nodded to Lady Yurika, and a short set of orders has a huge holoprojection of the entire Milky Way Core Galaxy. Positions of all the known major galactic powers is shown with relative detail, despite there not being an official galactic census map.

The Sphere Confederacy Territory is shown next to the far larger Empire Ahb territory, all last known Comm-Orb data put in in various areas, worlds where nations had croped up and ect, ect.. faded away ect, ect..

A large series of telemetry data outlays pop in and out around the slowly orbiting galactic plane, showing in fact, positions of Gaian patrol vessels, exactly similar as the one that accidentally entered Bautizar space. Some areas of the galaxy are phasic from the more solid known areas, gray-red striped lines running through them. In one is where the Bautizar home system, the only one they actually have scanned out of the three indicated from their records so far, the system indicated in a yellow pip point with it's own scroll of data below an indication line.

Lady Arashi offers... "You see what we know of this galaxy after two hundred years of exploration, scanning, interrupted by our removal from this galaxy at one point, and continued after we regained territory from the old United Mankind after a war against them, allied with our Empire Ahb allies over a century ago, in all as much detail as we have. All of the galaxy has been basically scanned, but only seventy percent is formally detailed in intellegence Advisories, as considered officially known.

The Orion Arm is where your system lies, around twenty-seven light-years distant from the closest M-Class star system. It's over seventy to the nearest, the territory ruled by the allied nations of the Galactic Emprie. However we're already preparing measures for ensuring this sector is formally sovereign to your goverment."

Lady Seto off the right imparts. "This will ensure that any other nation that attempts to approach your nation will have to deal with our forces as well. In other words we're taking temporarily responsibility for defending a sphere of ten light-years around each of your systems, once formal approval from your goverment is agreed upon."

Aleaic ensures... "This will allow you to evolve your civilization without outside aggression, until certain standard of self-sufficicy is attained. We've done this before with a number of other nations, in better ability of those nations to take care of themselves later on after we leave well enough alone.

Since we interfered by mistake from the fact of our arrival, it's eventual other nations will take notice because of this. We have to make certain no outside aggressive force causes more damage."

Sir Baxter studied the image, seeing the collage of rotating stars and systems that were on the display. It made for quite the display of a sight, far better of one than the Royal Academy of Sciences could have ever shown him. Maybe in time we'll know this space as well he thought to himself, unsure of what the future could might hold for the Commonwealth.

The foreign secretary handled this as smoothly as ever, his years of diplomatic service on behalf of the crown coming to the forefront. "Her Majesty's Government is interested in establishing diplomatic relations with the Dimensional Grand Republica. Of course the maintenance of sovereignty could well be maintained through the League of Free Worlds, but we certainly would not object to a permanent and long-term arraignment of security with the Dimensional Grand Republica."

Seto offered back.. "Lady Suka, as mentioned, will be our primary ambassador for future affairs, within a year after training for such duties. Within that time, it is suggested that you prepare your own diplomatic team for permanent residence on our Homeworld, at the Embassy City-Core there.

Eventually we would like to see slowly growing trade with your nation, which would most likely benefit your worlds. More than likely we can help locate further worlds nearby for colonization."

Lady Jennifer remarked to assure the Bautizar guests.. "We assure, that nothing we do will infringe on sovereignty of your realm." ...Aleaic impresses upon this by then asking for the hologlobe projection to suddenly expand away from the MWCG, seemingly expanding forever as the image shows the known mapped universe up to one point five billion light-years, showing the known galaxies the Sphere Alliance has scanned in at least basic detail via it's prolific deep universe field telescopic arrays.

Some of the small points of light were slightly colored, a spectrum of blue-white for the actual true domain of the Guardianship, the Archonis, Columiba and Corseria Superclusters. A very wide and large section of the map display glowed with more variable colored reds. Other areas were white for unaffected superclusters, and a decent area in green for the known expanse of the Eternal Empire. Each area was dotted with information lines with data scrolling by.

"We don't need to, since we already govern a vast expanse of space, and our military as mentioned in the portal data we sent to you, is tied up mostly in the Counterattack War and defense of our other assets. The Virgo Supercluster where the MWCG lies is very far removed from our normal operational areas anyway. The Confederacy Territory shown before is more an anchor to our past from before the days when a seperate war against old enemies we no longer see as such, forced us to.... well... move our old domain to the Archonis.

I would describe what this all means, but a healthy amount of logic would have to be thrown to the wayside to accept the story told. It can be discussed later if truly desired."

Tsunami quips.. "Like doing a root canal.." ..which to Aleaic sighs before continuing.

"The Sphere Alliance is an alliance of millions of civilizations outside of our original own, all with billions of worlds of their own right, and celestial constructs of all types and beauty that defies simple imagination to describe. All of it is well entrenched in the ideals of the Guardianship, where all beings are truly equal, resources are nigh infinite, removing all hardships from all sentient civilizations, giving full measure to conduct affairs that better the worlds and universe around them.

As we are engaged in the Counterattack War in seven major Supercluster theaters as it is, and operations in the MWCG is mostly seen by the Sphere as looking at, well, childern in a womb, and attacking three simple worlds does very little gain in any aspect, we honestly have 'no' need to infringe in your soverignty, and all need to gain a friend instead, one we hope that will grow into a powerful ally in the MWCG for us to call a true ally.

We are teachers here, not conquistators. We'll ourselves gain nothing from making an enemy of your civilization. I imagine you would gain far greater more in establishing formal relations with us. What indeed can come from a simple mistake of..." ...looking at a slightly wincing Lady Suka.. "...presumption."