NationStates Jolt Archive

Long wars hard fought took their toll on everyone, there were no exceptions. For the Abh Empire, they looked to end one war before another began. Such were the dilemas for a nation given the current climate of the universe. The ESUS-GFFA war had dragged on for long enough by nearly everyone's standards. Citizens hated the waiting, the waiting for an enemy fleet to appear out of nowhere in the space above their planet and begin bombings. Military officials hated the fact that there was no clear victory. True that a great many lives had been lost on both sides of the conflict but nothing close enough to distinguishing a dominating side.

So now it became a holding game where neither side was willing to make a move without careful considerations. Everything seemed to becoming to a grinding hault but with the last fiasco of peace talks held by the Taledonians, no one was rushing back to the negotiating table which was perfectly understandable.

The Abh simply watched and waited now either for time to heal all wounds or simply for a breaking point to exploit. In any event, the strong arm of Star Forces was not out enforce around the universe. Instead, the eyes and ears of the Jade Throne were scouring space and time for any information that might be useful. Head of Intelligence and Diplomacy for the Galactic Federation, Commander Keirn've, wanted to end hostilities as soon as possible. As part of his other job as Information Bureau for the Abh Empire, there were other signs that worried him. Still he knew that there must be enough reason out there that had not been clouded over by the blood of dead loved ones and fellow soldiers to bring all this to an end.

So out probes went to allied and enemy nation alike looking for anything useful. Whispers in the dark here and there turned up little but a chance murmuring of a stranded New Dornalian research vessel coupled with the possibility of a Civil War in Traileric was most interesting. Everything was thrown into the finding of information on this event as well as who the insurgency was. Overthrowing a regime that was hostile to the Abh Empire while emplacing someone that would be more interested in peace was a worthwhile chance to take risking involvement.

It all had to be done carefully though. If word about their involvement reached the current administration, it might bring down Trailer allies from the ESUS on top of the Abh before they were ready to move. A secure message needed to be sent to the overthrowers as well as a war vessel being sent to the area waiting in Hyperspace. There it would be ready to act on any hostile action taken against the transport or Abh interests in the area. A fortress onto itself it was one of ten Paryunu destroyers built by Star Forces, this one was sent into the middle of civil war without support other than itself.

A small probe was sent out from the safety of the ship's haul and into the system. The message was expected to take some time to receive as it was not widely broadcasted but sent point-by-point to ensure that only the desired audience received it. The message beckoned the rebels to come to the Abh Empire's capitol, the floating space city Lakfakallae. It would be a trusting move by both parties.

bumped

Lakfakallae System, Abh Capital City.

It wasn't a large, flamboyant craft that exited the slipgate, rather a small corvette that could probably not fit more than eight people comfortably. Sleek curves and purposeless finlike protrusions dominated the craft's appearance (As was true with most small Traileric craft). Six protrusions that were apparently weapons were mounted in pairs upon swiveling turrets, giving the gunboat a significant advantage over smaller, faster vessels. The engines accelerated to full burn once it was safely away from the slipgate, which had by then closed. The craft angled toward the Abh capital city entering the into a holding patter at a shallow angle of attack due to the fact the thing didn't want to approach too quickly. Even as it made it's hasty approach, the little gunboat that could began honking out a very loud "DON'T SHOOT ME" message, as follows.


This is a Traileric diplomatic vessel, this is not an offensive gesture. A meeting has been previously arranged. We are carrying civilians on board. This is not an attack. Requesting landing coordinates. We repeat this is not an ag

The message continues in this rut for some time before repeating, you get the idea.

If there were any thoughts about the Abh being concerned about the sudden intrusion of a Traileric vessel in the midst of Imperial traffic, they would soon be quickly erased. All around the vessel were the teeming lights of small craft going to and from the Imperial stellar capitol on ordinary business that was completely oblivious to war or hostile threats. Diplomatic venues, status reports, military leave passengers, and visitors from allied nations all seemed to flow about this jewel that the Abh prized perhaps even greater than their military.

Like any sensible city in space, there was a wide variety of defense systems and a good number of them to boot. That was just what was visible detached from the city itself. Still, if the passengers would have cared to scan them there would have been no signs of powering up or targeting the foreign vessel.

What was there to greet them instead was a message with a pleasant voice and smile. The image of an Abh woman came into view if the ship was capable of supporting a visual transmission. She had the typical blue hair of an Abh along with a tiara covering her froch. Her violet eyes seemed to bounce with her smile.

Roger that. Greetings from the Abh Empire, TIC-315-0219. You have been expected for a closed session. Barring other orders from his Majesty, you and your crew have been granted a 24 hour diplomatic pass for your stay. Please merge with the nearest lane of traffic and report to docking bay entry 110331-7A. Indicator lights will show you the way as you get close. Thank you and enjoy your stay.

Traveling the lanes to the Imperial capitol was much like driving on the interstate. There were multiple lanes heading in one direction while little buoys held holographic signs as exits for docks and other parts of the city. The different languages extensive going from Galactic Standard to Mirfak and of course, Baronh. Hopefully the envoys would be able to read some of them.

The only vessels not following this flow of traffic were the military vessels in the area that seemed to come and go as they pleased. A destroyer glides lazily over several lanes casting its long shadow before disappearing into Hyperspace while other military vessels utilitze the Sord glowing a brilliant neon yellow in the distance. None of them showing hostile signs to the Traileric transport.

Upon receiving the Abh communication, the Traileric corvette ceased to honk out the "don't shoot me" message. This was replaced with a reply to what could only be assumed was a receptionist.


Many thanks of great. We are en route of coming to hangarlander. Await further instructions will of make.

The grizzled old pilot was too stubborn to use the translation AI apparently..But the message was clear. The Corvette angled its way through the dense traffic of the Abh capital city, working its way to the indicated landing pad. Once it was within visual range, the Traileric pilot angled his craft down towards the blinking indicator lights, finally settling the stubby landing gear on the pads surface. The side of the craft slid aside to reveal a circular door, which promptly rolled aside to allow a man in grandiose blue robes of some fabric indigenous to Trailers to step forth onto the cities surface..

Once the shuttle landed in its appropriate hangar, great pressurized doors sealed shut and the pressure was stabilized around the ship. Lights came in along with a quick scan that checked for anything explosive or hazardous to city residents, a routine check afforded to all ships regardless of their origins.

As soon as everything had been cleared by docking control, a small set of pressurized doors in the back of the hangar slid open. Upon the ship's arrival, a message had been sent straight away to the Imperial Admiral of Star Forces. Imperial Admiral Gaf'ton strode out into the hangar to greet these new guests. The Abriel stood out with his pointed ears, short blue hair and full military regalia. A double winged golden tiara wrapped around his forehead while a pressurized suit formed around his body which was slightly more muscular than was typical of the Abh. His uniform was topped off with a long blue cape, command saber tucked behind his back and Imperial emblem of Gastonoshu the eight headed dragon.

Gaf'ton stopped short of the man and saluted. "Imperial Admiral Gaf'ton."

Imperial Hand Herodotus of Laestriopolis looked the Abh eye to eye for a moment before returning the unfamiliar salute. Blue robes were draped across his shoulders, strange language and insignia emblazoned across the visual portion. The left eye of the man had multiple pupils, remnants of his military implants from several hundred years before. Around his bald head rested what appeared to be a strip of some common element that fused neatly with the flesh, quite likely a sophisticated neural interface of some form. As for features, Trailarii appeared to be human but not quite. Many eons of living upon a harsh new planet with imperfect survival technology had weeded out the weak and unadaptive in a few scant generations. Hair had been shed due to less need for shielding from solar radiation, skin had thickened to survive the cold, and a few peculiar organs had developed along the side of the face where sideburns used to be, appearing to be a series of scales. What evolution had begun, gene therapy finished thousands of years later, completing and refining the improvements to form the modern Trailarii.

The Imperial Hand appraised his Abh counterpart for a moment before speaking.

"I am named Herodotus, born of the civil Hiveship Laestriopolis. I was formerly of the Archangel rank, but under the New Order, I am Emperor Hadriel's own hand in foreign affairs; given full authority in all of our matters both civil and military. I am pleased to make your acquaintance Admiral."

It sounded a bit recited, and less than warm, but was this not a city they had planned to lay siege to not many cycles before?

The differences between the two were not lost on the one-eyed Abriel but whatever he thought about the difference in appearance was no where to be seen on their typical emotionless faces of the Abriels. Gaf'ton only gave a slight nod, satisfied with the introductions. With one hand he swept his long cape aside and gestured towards a turbolift in the background.

"Come. There is much to discuss."

Abh had been given the identity of arrogant, cold, and overly confident by many of the Landers within the Empire and it appeared that this notion was growing outside Imperial realms as well. There was not even a single guard accompany the Imperial Admiral and heir to the Jade Throne. In truth, the Abh were simply a blunt people that did not concern themselves with the possibility of defeat or death.

The elevator ride itself would mostly be quiet unless Herodotus himself sparked any conversations. Their destination was an offshoot of the city that afforded them a panoramic view of the stars and universe around the captitol as well as an interior garden accompanied with fountains for a more decorative flare. That was their destination where tables and chairs had already been setup for Gaf'ton's use.

Herodotus grinned inwardly as he strode next to the Abh, following him to their destination. Short, and to the point this one.

"Indeed" He replied after an appropriately long mulling, just before they stepped into the lift. As they entered the scenic wing of the Abh capital, Herodotus took a moment to glance around but little more. You could only see so many stars gardens and skylines before it all ran together..

At any rate, once he spotted a table and chairs, the Traileric diplomat took the liberty of seating himself.

"Enemy of my enemy." These four words seemed to sum up every point and counter point Herodotus had previously prepared. "As you may or may not know, good sir, over the past few days a certain amount of..factionalization I guess is the politest way to say it..has occured. Without the sugar coating: my lord Hadriel is in a state of insurrection against the former Traileric government; Hadriel holds a quarter of the navy and our capital system, but the wretch Themistocles, having fled like a frightened goat during the coup, holds all the rest. We would last two days..perhaps three..were Themistocles to muster all he safely could against us from wherever he is hiding. And we do not have nearly enough manpower to sally forth and hunt him. The ESUS is loathe to take action on interior matters, for they assume that whichever side wins will still join them. They assume correctly, and I would do the same if I ran an alliance of..what..fifty? Fifty something different civilizations. The point I am trying to make, kind sir, is that I have come here to emplore you for military aid against your enemy Themistocles. Eliminate him, and by Traileric Law and tradition, the rule of the land will pass to Hadriel, who of course will be most endebted to you. He would gladly pave the path to peace between the Extra Solar Union and your own lot, in fact. This stagnant sitzkrieg is doing nothing for either of our respective alliance but cause supply line stress and senseless skirmishes."

He then sat back and waited for the Heir to the Jade Throne to mull that mouthful over.

"Quite." Gaf'ton took a seat across from Herodotus. "Wars such as these are nothing more than a drain on the citizens and coffers. We Abh typically do not like to end wars until there is a clear victor. However, it seems there will be an exception in this case."

The Abriel waved over a servant which brought him a glass of clear wine. Gaf'ton took the long stemmed glass and took a drink. The servant remained to the side in case Herodotus required anything.

"While Star Forces is willing and able to give immediate aid to your cause, there is still the concern that some of the members within the Extra Solar Union might view Abh interferrance as a possible threat to their interests. Even though we would only have prosperous interests at heart, we could very well be overwhelmed and all of our efforts would be for naught and your rebellion would be crushed."

Gaf'ton took another drink from his glass. "It sounds like a challenge and I have always enjoyed a good challenge. You may tell your Lord Hadriel that he will have our support in this fight in return for being a voice of peace between the GFFA and ESUS. If a peace agreement is reached between our two alliances, then he may consider his debt paid in full. Then perhaps, one day when this has all settled, he may visit this star city himself."

Herodotus listened in silence to the Heir's reply. He appeared weary, responding first to Gaf'ton's thoughts on Extra Solar Union interference.

"Our fellows in the ESUS are..er..odd. They rarely interfere in civil wars, and we have already assured them that the New Order has every intention of remaining in the Union if they do in fact succeed. I thank you for your support, we are, as I have said before, grotesquely outnumbered. I cannot even guarantee the that my side will still control the system upon my return. As I have previously stated, destroy Themistocles and the rest will instantly defect. All we need is to even the sides, so that my lord Hadriel's Colossus can close with and board the Titan. It is not a tactic that Colossi have ever employed before. Themistocles is ancient and frail, if the Emperor can close with him, the battle is ours. Unfortunately, there will be thousands of ships between us and the Titan. This is where we need you. Tactics are not my strong point, I am more for logistics. I am sure that you will want to see what we have planned and give counter-points accordingly. In the mean time..we do not have nearly enough manpower to repair the damage we have done to our Homeworld, and the home system. Perhaps..civil assistance is not also out of the question?"

"No, of course not. We are fortunate enough to control many agriculturally rich worlds, so much so that food supplies are often traded with allied nations or left to rot. I believe enough can be redirected to your people to ensure that they do not starve or thirst to death.

With regards to rebuilding your cities, those problems can be directed at our engineers and the Emperor himself when the time comes."

Gaf'ton drained the remnants of his glass and placed it back on the tray that the servant was holding. "I will need as much information as possible on the number and capabilities of these ships. Our aid will be sent but first I must see what we will be up against in order to properly plan an effective strategy. Did you by chance come with this information or must I wait for it later?"

OOC: Okay. I typed up a giant post, and the forums wrecked.

I'll TG you or MSN you the damn details.

Hate when that happens.

Not a problem though. I'll reply to it when I get it.

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=12979858#post12979858


Final battle thread, I'll message you ship details. Eventually.

Thanks.

Anything specific I should wait for before jumping into the thread?

OOC: No. I more or less left that first hasty post a little open ended so that the rest of you guys could jump in. I'm about to turn up the planetfire, beyond that I haven't really planned it. :D TG me your MSN again, or AIM.

Sent the TG.

Done with this thread then?