NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: Alright. This is Telros, and for those of you who know me, yes I changed my nation again. *waits for laughter to die down* Anyways, I am making yet another intro thread and I have some rules about it so we have good rp, mmk? This rp is basically my nation claiming five systems and basically building a nation in the dimension that all NS nations reside in, for the most part. Now, there will only be five, but they will all be heavily controlled with a large fleet and troop presence. Arrivals are fine but if you spam me with attack fleets, try to attack me in any way, or just generally do noobish/wanky things, I will not hesitate to have those fleets come in and crush you into tiny particles and then make them into a sandwich.

You can attack if you wish, but note I will have a heavy presence here and the way my nation goes, retaliation is but a simple misspoke word away. Just remember that. If you have any rp ideas, plots, etc etc, you want to discuss, simply throw me a telegram or catch me at my messengers:

MSN: calaelen90@hotmail.com
AIM: calaelen90

So, anyways, don't go crazy on me, rp well and lets get going. I have no major plot idea, so its a 'we develop as we go' kind of deal. And here we go:






IC:

Sresca. Fertzus. Parathis. Orithion. Yamark.

These five systems were the once mighty and proud core systems of the Telrosian Dominion, a strong nation of genetically and nanonically advanced beings that had access to incredible technologies. They had joined the ESUS many centuries ago and enjoyed years of prosperity with trade with many of the advanced, immense, and powerful nations that made up the Extra-Solar Union of Systems. One of the key trades was the acquisition and development of technologies that allowed them to break dimensional boundaries and venture into the realm of dimensional technology. This was to lead to their inevitable disappearance from this dimension.

A series of years passed where they gained more and more knowledge, testing new inventions, technologies, and weapons, furthering their skill with this technology. Then, one day, a ship sent to investigate why one of their raw material shipments had not arrived one time, and was stunned to find that the Dominion was....gone. Vanished completely. Every sign of their existence wiped away as if some universal eraser came back and removed them, and then drew in nature back in its original place. Searches were frequently made, especially on the dimensional planes, but eventually the cost of doing so and the little evidence found forced them to go back to their lives and merely documents the incident and leave it unsolved. Which it stayed, with the occasional impetuous explorer going out to find the “Lost Civilization” or the military expedition taken for appearances. They remained forever lost.

....Until now.


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

All over the five systems, ships shimmered into existence as phase drives loosened their hold on the ships, letting them ease down into this dimension. The only ships who appeared, however, were large dreadnaughts (http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/5462/2h/images.gamezone.com/screens/27/7/89/s27789_pc_87.jpg), and plenty of them. There were upwards of fifteen to twenty dreadnaughts per system. And, unseen by the universe, were countless more Ascendant warships; phased out so as to remain hidden until they were needed. They did not colonize until the Xel'athi had finished taking control of a planet, building their cities and military bases, economic and military infrastructure. Only then, did they move in and establish their own buildings, completely out of phase with this universe.

The ships, silently and with no communications sent between them detectable by sensors, moved to their duties. The hidden Ascendant ships moved out to patrol the systems they were taking, with a properly divided and equally given duties so as to keep the borders of the system safe, as well as the planets they were planning on retaking. Not all the worlds in the systems were habitable. Some were gas giants, others molten/freezing pieces of rock. All were to be used; gases refineries made in orbits of the gas giants, mining and waste disposal facilities on the molten/freezing worlds, while the habitable ones would be fully colonized. Their purpose for their return from self-imposed, centuries-long exile was unknown but one thing was sure. They were here to stay and the activity in the systems showed this.

Some dreadnaughts remained on patrol, their cargoes of troops, supplies, and people not ready to be used until the phase they were supposed to be called in for, and they all had deployed their Manthis-class Interceptors (http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/5462/2h/images.gamezone.com/screens/27/7/89/s27789_pc_105.jpg), which buzzed around in large wings to aid in the patrol, their insect-like appearance making them look like swarms of the exoskeletal creatures seen on many planets. The remainder each picked up a planet and unloaded their massive stocks of Xel'athi soldiers, armor, along with the civilian, if they could be called that, populations, building tools and materials, as well as pre-made and fabbed buildings, so as to provide instant cities to build upon around the dreadnaughts. The dreadnaughts were designed to descend on a planet and land, providing an instant military base and large area of control due to its weaponry, and with their immense amounts of troops, supplies, armor, and weapons, they could instantly mount campaigns upon landing. But for now, they were focused on colonizing and defense. Due to their previous time here, they knew the best places to build, thanks to the Ascendants, and began building.

Although the Ascendants would be hidden from any newcomers, the Xel'athi dreadnaughts were bound to have attracted some attention and interested nations would probably soon be paying a visit to the Xel'athi and the Ascendants.....

OOC: Telros, can I discover this, and match it with my previous brief scan of the dimensional energy of the Ascendants in that other RP we were in, and use that as an excuse to enter?

OOC: Seeing as in the other thread you were devoted to scanning, and this is some time after that so you could do research and the fact that I know the Realm has major dimensional technology, I'd say thats fine.

*bump*

OOC: Can I enter so as to find where the fuck one of my staple trade harbors went?

OOC: Of course.

The Realm is a culture revived only by its own luck, and the foresight of a few great men. For centuries, it was a corpse, nothing more than a warning to those who would let their vanity supercede their sense. Now, it had returned, and, in true fashion, no longer interacted so much with the galaxy. It had learnt a lesson it would be slow to forget, if it ever did - interaction was dangerous.

Yet there was something about the Telrosians that perenially intrigued the reborn Realm. Perhaps it was because that they had vanished, not so catastrophically, but that they had vanished, and had, since then, not once been seen again.

Although the missions to the Telrosian worlds had not been officially sanctioned by the government, there had been over fifty in previous years, some making pilgrimages of sorts, visiting long-lost worlds of all sorts, others curious about their disappearance. Two had visited the worlds because of slight dimensional fluctuations, and those had been paid for by the Realm.

They had not found anything, but, in recent times, a cruiser had been sent out to investigate strong FTL signals in a system formerly owned by the Realm, and, in more worrisome fashion, had seen the destruction of two ships there within seconds. Ships had phased in, attacked, and phased out, quickly enough so that they could not be identified.

Now, a single ship, the Cicero, found itself jumping to Parathis, a jump the ship's captain made often. He had been one of the original inhabitants, one of those who had fled the Realm when the Maker-Mind's hordes prepared to deliver their final, deadly blow.

Every few years, when he made runs out to other ESUS nations, he found himself perennially drawn back to Parathis. He could not bear to go where he had once lived - there was too much pain there. Too many people who had died, and the deaths of whom he could not reconcile himself with.

The Cicero, a vast cargo-freighter carrying thousands of megatonnes of antimatter, finished its long dimensional jump, and, as the sensors came online, Captain Kal took a deep, sharp breath.

"Hell. What in Jad's name is that?"

Indeed, there was indeed much to be confused about. As the Cicero, whom had just jumped in, had found itself only a mere hundred kilometers or so from a vast Xel'athi dreadnought. This mass of steel, shielding, and weaponry that was arranged in an almost organic way, was in orbit of the nearby gas giant, and the beginnings of what could be seen as a collecting and processing station. These were used to collect the gases naturally made by the planets and then process them into the various materials the Xel'athi used to maintain their civilization. Then freighters, on schedule, would drop by and pick up their loads of the various gases. The stations could also be used to refuel the Xel'athi dreadnoughts, in an emergency, and send them on their way.

Almost immediately a wave of scans came from the dreadnought and washed over the freighter. They scurried around the ship, detecting what they could and relaying back information. They could detect that the dreadnought was checking its transponder, to see who it was and where they were from. Once their sensors noted they had received their name and nation, the scans suddenly froze. But before the Realm ship could gather its wits to understand what was going on, something began to appear in front of them. A rift of wavering colors shifted and changed in smooth motions in front of them, gliding slowly towards them. The colors strengthened and smoothed and in front of them appeared a single ship (http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/5462/2h/images.gamezone.com/screens/27/7/89/s27789_pc_115.jpg), it's silver hull and red lines glowing softly in the light of their drives. Once they registered on the Realm's scan, having come out of wherever, the power scales detected would be enormous but under control. A single message was broadcasted directly to their minds.

Although they normally pretended their communications were actually coming from their ships systems, they knew the Realm would see straight through it and simply dropped all pretense. After all, they were still allies...somewhat. The touch on their minds were light but they would be able to detect the vast aura of otherworldliness that was the Ascendants and the voice spoke as if many were talking at the same time.

"Greetings. It is good to see the Phoenix has arisen once more and the Realm restored. We have watched your progress in your rebuilding and are quite satisfied to know a wise and strong nation has come out of the chaos and horror that dominates this universe. We ask that you stay there while we arrange for an escort. We don't want visitors but for old friends, we can make exceptions."

They would detect a wing of the insect-like interceptors flying towards them; their 'escort'. The voice returned, this time without the sense of vastness and it was only one voice. "I must say, I am surprised to have seen you returning again and again to this system, even after we had been gone so long. What kept bringing you here, sons of the Realm?"

Sresca, Former Telrosian Dominion

Many cycles ago, a people had lived here. They had been born, grown, loved, and died. They had sown their crops here, built mighty monuments and monolithic cities. They had multiplied and developed, shaped themselves with unique and incredible technologies. When they had clawed their way to the stars taken root, rising to dominance in their region of space.

And in an instant, disappeared without a trace.

This was the former location of a Traileric trade post with the Telrosian dominion, a system called Sresca. From the farthest reaches of the Traileric Empire, goods had flown to this place like a torrent: Exotic spices, alien alloys, strange and wonderful goods of vice and villainy. Nearly 6% of Traileric exports were destined for Telrosian harbors. This was quite a bit of interest, considering that the Empire's coffers are filled by the revenue of it's exports. Needless to say the disappearance of all foreign Telrosian elements, be they planet or vessel, turned a few heads. Since that time, the various Traileric trade conglomerates had expended incredible amounts of money and time to discover what happened in this place. Unfortunately, the searches yielded little, the trade partners cut their losses, rerouting trade to other growing ports. Nonetheless, a few still remained stationed at Sresca. A jumbled assortment of Helots (those races conquered by the Empire, but spared extinction) for the most part; many of them to poor or too heavily invested in the Search to leave when funding stopped. Those who remained had managed to scrape together a small city numbering a few hundred thousand, and begun mining the few veins of usable material that the Telrosii had not themselves exploited.

In this fashion they made their existence. Though their government never claimed the lands left by the Telrosians, these hardy few made it theres all the same. A mysterious Helot planet of a forgotten people, on the fringes of the Confederated Empire.

By Traileric Imperial law, lesser races who defer control to the Trailarii rather than make a futile resistance-at-arms receive the benefit of unquestioning protection of Traileric military elements. For this reason, a tiny contingent of Legica XIV Ar'Repeta Mavroi (The Serpent Black) was stationed in the mining town to keep the peace of the melting pot of subjected residents (and the dozen or so proper Traileric citizens among them). To be specific, sixteen Traileric Hoplites and their families, and a few hundred Helot auxilia. Suffice it to say that when the old, outdated URCIT-IFF unit sputtered out a legible reading to the one man who even tended the thing, few men forsook that nights prayers to Apollo..

Who could fathom what had happened here? Perhaps, connected to the vast neural networks of the Realm, in cohesion with thousands of minds, some artificial, others not, it would have been possible. As it stood, Kal was unable to do so. Who were these people? More importantly, why was he near such a large warship?

An urge came over him to jump, to jump away now, to scurry into a hole and hope to Jad that they didn't follow him home, but, transfixed at the sight of the klaxon on the ceiling of the bridge flashing red, he did not.

Thankfully, they did not fire. The freighter had sensors comparable to most Realm military ships - for it had been used in the Great War, and, to avoid the enemies that seemed to predict their every move, the grandest of sensors were required. Thus, the Xel'athi scan was detected, and, of course, followed back to the dreadnought. The ship initiated a scan of its own - there was no point in maintaining passive status once they were detected, and so it was best to find out what they could.

His surprise was broken only by another. The klaxon, installed to roust the crew to action should newer methods failed, wailed in horror, as a rift appeared in front of them. However, thankfully, it was not a rift. Had it been, there was no doubting he would have already been dead.

His heart thumping furiously, he began to slow down his breathing, calm himself. It was not the Maker-Mind.

Yes, but is this much better?, a pessimistic voice in his head asked. He silenced it, and looked in awe at the scanners.

"Readout.".

The single word echoed through the bridge. The rest of the crew was presently in stasis, as you were wont to do in long space voyages. The computer complied quickly, and a readout of the ship's properties appeared on screen. Lines of meaningless text whizzed past him, but one stood out.

Probable Function: Fleet-killer

He gulped.

And then, routed through the ship's computers, directly into his mind, the message came. It was all clear. So very, very clear.

The Realm had considered a dimensional existence at one point, and, indeed, the Maker-Mind had been an experiment along this possibly fruitful path. The results had dissuaded them from ever going any further, and, indeed, though they travelled through dimensions in order to make it from one world to the next, anything dwelling in a dimension was seen as obscene, a horror to the world, something akin to the Chaos Gods, to the Enemy, the nefarious Maker-Mind.

Yet the Telrosians were allies. As his mind grappled with these two obviously discrete yet incompatible concepts, the message sunk in.

A sense of calm came over him, and he smiled.

"Ah. It makes sense now.", he said, looking at the computer. For a race bred so carefully to be able to ignore the abilities of others, to have none of their own, the only method through which the Ascendants could penetrate his mind would be through the nodal device through which the neural networks were transmittted - for some were designed to pick up psionic chatter, although this could be turned off at need.

Thinking into the node, he sent a return message.

I have come to this place for many years, a lonely pilgrimage, for some I assumed had suffered the own fate as my own. Though there were military observers, there is a.. fascination with extermination in the Realm, a rather morbid one, for some feel brotherhood only with those who have suffered destruction, or nigh-destruction, as we believe none other know what has happened to us. I am curious, though. Assuming that my sensors tell me rightly, you are dimensional creatures, now. What precipitated this transformation?

@Trailers:

The Ascendants were rather surprised to see that some people have moved in on their territory. It had been made that they had left behind a subtle mental suggestion, that any and all who entered, after finding absolutely nothing, would have their frustration enhanced and be instilled with an eagerness to leave. To go out and do much more exciting things than picking apart planets. They had forgotten those whose nations had set trading posts on their planets and as such, when they came upon the Traileric outpost, surprise filled them. It soon dulled to curiosity, sure enough, and they sent an envoy to go speak with them. If nothing else, they sought to reopen ties with the Traileric Empire.

The Helots, and their garrison, would see several shots of fire streaking through the sky. Immense jets that appeared to be massive asteroids that would wipe out their planet hundreds of times over. However, this was not the case; they were moving far too slowly to do such things and they were not coming in to crash into the planet. These were the Xel'athi dreadnoughts, which were going to reinstate civilization back on their newly reclaimed world....except it would be the Xel'athi civilization; not the Telrosians. They would begin to appear as they pierced through the largest portion of the atmosphere and they put out the fire which covered their shields and their large, organic-looking hulls. Sure enough, they reached the immensely large expanses that were the former locations of the vast, beautiful, and advanced cities of the former Telrosians. Strangely, no life, planet or animal, had taken residence in these large patches. They had not grown into those areas at all, as if they had been prevented from doing so....


The ships landed on the outermost edges of these areas, so as to save room, and then they began to open. Parts of the hull extended and opened up, revealing vast replicator arrays, sized for different tasks for construction, along with the housing for the Xel'athi workers, the containers of food, building materials, weapons, and essentially everything needed for starting up their civilization. Xel'athi warriors, wearing shining, powerfully advanced power-armor, various shades of green shining in the sunlight, streamed out of the ships and began immediately on their work. They began establishing work camps, laying out the plans for how they wanted their vast hive cities to be built, and began placing materials, replicator arrays, and the tools they would be using to shape their cities at the proper points. This hive of activity would be seen even in the area with the Traileric outpost, except the dreadnought being at the far other end and they ignored them as they worked. However, something else appeared. Almost as if it just suddenly came into existence, a single fighter (http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/5462/2h/images.gamezone.com/screens/27/7/89/s27789_pc_116.jpg) appeared in the air and on their sensors. A message was sent to their outpost, quiet but exuding power and authority.

"This is Zakaris of the Ascendancy, Overlord of the Reclaiming. I have come to reopen ties with our allies, the Traileric Empire, and to just stop by and explain what is going on. May I land? I do have a lot of work ahead of me."



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


I have come to this place for many years, a lonely pilgrimage, for some I assumed had suffered the own fate as my own. Though there were military observers, there is a.. fascination with extermination in the Realm, a rather morbid one, for some feel brotherhood only with those who have suffered destruction, or nigh-destruction, as we believe none other know what has happened to us. I am curious, though. Assuming that my sensors tell me rightly, you are dimensional creatures, now. What precipitated this transformation?




@HT:


There was a pause before the message was replied to.

"I am surprised to see that came, believing we had been destroyed by such means as that of your great enemy, the Maker-Mind. We eradicated all traces of ourselves and for a dimensional enemy such as even that nefarious being to destroy us, it would leave a trace, no matter how small. We made ourselves vanish as we did as sort of a goodbye message. A hint that we left of our own will."

There was a sigh over the psionic link, before the voice returned. "The reason for our...departure was that we had lots of potential for psionic abilities; our ascension and return merely opened the door to the abilities we have now, including the one that allows me to speak to you right now. However light they were back then, we had some warning of an enemy coming from another place; a strong one. That and we detected an immense rise in evils plaguing the universe, and to ensure that our research and furthering of our race did not get interrupted by one of these evil powers, we removed ourselves to a dimension we came across during our studies into the realm of dimensional technology.

That realm had its own races, to be sure, but we swiftly established control and over some time, along with a few wars, we had Ascended, and our technology made us supreme. Those who tried to annihilate us, were annihilated in stead, and the rest agreed to a peace treaty. Our return is caused as we see many enemies in this dimension whom we do not want to come to our home, which has become that dimension. But...I did not answer your question. Why did we Ascend? It is rather simple....every race seeks eternal life, seeks another way to increase their lives and advance to the next step in their evolution. We found one way by researching that dimension, and after years of testing and decision-making, as a race, we decided to change ourselves. And so here we are today. It was done, also, as this form gives us much more control over our technology, preventing anyone from stealing or hacking to steal information and technology, and it allows us to fight our enemies, old or new, with much more efficiency and chance of success.

Now, tell me, do you want to meet face to face, or shall we continue as we are? I'd invite you to our planets, but the Xel'athi are still busy starting the reconstruction, so there is not much room down there."

All while they were talking, the interceptors took up positions around the freighter, doing small patrol routes so as to provide maximum protection.

"I am surprised to see that came, believing we had been destroyed by such means as that of your great enemy, the Maker-Mind. We eradicated all traces of ourselves and for a dimensional enemy such as even that nefarious being to destroy us, it would leave a trace, no matter how small. We made ourselves vanish as we did as sort of a goodbye message. A hint that we left of our own will."

Hypatia was in disarray. The neural networks which linked them all were suddenly connected to the Cicero, and Kal felt his very being submerged in the nigh-infinite conference of minds, both living and dead, that made up these networks. It was hardly a voluntary process, but a necessary one, if he was to speak with the wisdom and care that was required here. Though his eyes did not glow with unearthly knowledge, nor did his voice change into a chorus of thousands, he relaxed, and his voice became more comfortable, more certain with itself. Routed through the psionic link, especially, the changes in the tone were more than noticeable. There were few times the minds were brought to conference, yet, when mere individuals, or even artificial intelligences were incapable of dealing with an entity, the full intellect of the Realm was brought to bear on a single point. Truespace corridors of impossible complexity, and impossibly tiny size mazed around him, dimensional disturbances barely perceptible to even the Ascendants, yet altering the nature of reality around him as he spoke, to make this connection possible.

"You are still as idealistic as ever, Telrosia. Though you have found ability, -we- doubt you have suffered the depredations which allow you to appreciate weakness. To "ascend" is to find power, it is true, to some degree, but you, like so many others, have not yet found what is required. You believe in evil and good, without regard for the vagaries of humanity, the elemental purposes which define all things, which, in turn, allow you to disregard petty human moral nature. Though we are friends now, the Realm has more understanding than most of those beings disconnected from the affairs of true reality. When you combine former morality with new power, you may be a danger to us all. And should you, at any time, endanger the Realm, or threaten to find the madness that once annihilated us, we will see you burnt from the multiverse rather than risk such a thing again."

The mindvoice ceased for a moment, and, in that moment, the true nature of the Realm was obvious. Though a vast network of minds, that was merely the building blocks for something more, something that could be brought to bear with massive power and purpose should the need arise.

"I am Exarchos, and, as the instigator of this -mind-, I am speaking to you. I mean you no harm, and nor does the Realm, yet I have warned you."

The sheer, overwhelming purpose of his mind was overbearing, even through second-hand psionic channels. Kal could feel his body moving, yet there was none of his will there. He had been rudely shunted to the back of his own mind, and, scrabbling at his own thoughts, his own arms and legs, he could not regain control. A blast of information quietened him, and left him in contemplation, whilst the Exarchos spoke.

"You are changed, and you consider yourselves immortal. To undertake such a change for your species merely to gain an advantage is something I cannot approve of, although I understand it. This captain is a good man, yet he cannot discuss such concepts with you. He now wishes to return to Hypatia, report your existence, and allow a diplomatic craft to be sent out. If you desire to find me, I will show you the way. However, I cannot come to you. There is much I must do, and, although the Realm is greatly concerned and interested by you, I do not yet know you well enough to entrust myself to you."

The mindlink went dead, and Kal felt a vague, fuzzy feeling in his mind, rather carefully wiping the slate clean, individual neurons being reassigned to new purposes, ensuring that he would return to Hypatia immediately, not wishing to talk to the Ascendants any longer. Indeed, if they tried to relay the communications that had just transpired back to him, he would forget them all over again.

The Exarchos, for the first time, had called upon the grand mindlink that was the least of his purposes, to practice against what he saw as a benign species, a possible threat, yet a threat that would surely never materialize.

Opening his eyes a thousand lightyears away, he slumped into his chair, his body demanding sleep from the collossal effort he had just given.

"You are still as idealistic as ever, Telrosia. Though you have found ability, -we- doubt you have suffered the depredations which allow you to appreciate weakness. To "ascend" is to find power, it is true, to some degree, but you, like so many others, have not yet found what is required. You believe in evil and good, without regard for the vagaries of humanity, the elemental purposes which define all things, which, in turn, allow you to disregard petty human moral nature. Though we are friends now, the Realm has more understanding than most of those beings disconnected from the affairs of true reality. When you combine former morality with new power, you may be a danger to us all. And should you, at any time, endanger the Realm, or threaten to find the madness that once annihilated us, we will see you burnt from the multiverse rather than risk such a thing again."


The voice was quiet for a moment, before replying, it's tone rather strange as if affected by a multitude of emotions. "Idealistic? Hardly. We returned as we saw enemies whom could come and attack our home, and we have come to do a....pre-emptive strike, if you will. You may be right about humanity. And as for your warning....we send that back at you. If you ever become a threat to the Ascendancy, we will not hesitate to take action and ensure the continued survival of our species."


They listened to his next words and as he withdrew from his mind, he would find a single message following along with him. "Send us a sign to find you and we will walk the path." Then, the escort interceptors broke off and the ship vanished once more, the dreadnought returning to its patrol route. The Realm ship would be allowed to leave freely, not hindered in the least.

When a nation suddenly ceases to exist it's almost like that nation never existed at all, only perhaps a shared hallucination of any people that had encountered them, an anomoly in databanks throughout the the galaxy data that has no purpose except in the vague hope that one day they may, somehow, return to the world.

However for a group such as The Garbage Men, they know better, they know that no matter how a nation vanishs or ceases to exist it still leaves some part of itself behind something more than rumours and defunct databanks. They call this floatsam. Things with no home, no owners a drift in the universe without meaning. Sometimes, very rarely though, they pick up items that are of use.

While the Telrosians had been away a TGM sweep through the area had located some of this floatsam. After sometime else where filling up the hold the ship returned to base where all this garbage would be sorted and analysed. Coming across an item of interest in this debris the ship was instructed to return to where it found it and attempt to find more.

And so as it had been ordered to, so it did, expecting to find the area uninhabited. However to their surprise when they arrived, they saw something completely different. The Telrosians where back.

Indeed, they were. And after being visited by the Realm, they were better prepared for the TGM ship. They were not bothered this time, as the Ascendants knew the ESUS would never attack one of its own; after all, they could be back, bringing even greater amounts of trade. And trade was one of the founding principles for the alliance in the first place. A single frigate merely appeared in front of it and broadcasted a message.

"Hello, The Garbage Men, it is good to see former ally of ours back once again. We have recently been visited by the Realm, whom have offered to reopen ties. We understand that you have been scavenging the remnants of our old civilization after we left. Do not be alarmed; we do not mind. We only ask you return only some, you may choose what, as we like to keep mementos of our past. If you want to reestablish ties, we can send a representative to your ship. If not, then feel free to peruse the system as you like.

Just, this time around, ask before taking. Thank you."

The ship just stood their confused... not so lonhg ago this system was for all intensive purposes.... dead.

A potential gold mine for those willing to go the extra mile and abuse the resources of the planet but now there where billions of people crawling all over the area, a frigate, the frigate seemed to know of what they had been doing and what they were here for. That's scary particularly to the captain of this ship.

After some time of working out what to say they replied

"Greetings, We are surprised to see you back with us, we thought you had left forever, though we are glad for this chance to re-establish whatever ties we may have had in the past. As for the various remnants, alas we do not have them on board however what we can do is organise the repatriation of a number of such articles. This and other such matters can be more properly discussed once your representative comes aboard."

"Understood. We will be arriving soon." The link vanished and after some quiet minutes rushing by, a single fighter left the frigate and shot towards the TGM ship. After a quick exchange of information and questions, it docked with the ship and landed in the hangar. The cockpit opened and the welcoming escort would find a robed figure (http://fc05.deviantart.com/fs7/i/2005/193/9/2/magicks_by_50401.jpg) who step out and landed on the floor, the cockpit closing. Turning to the escort, it bowed.

"Greetings; I am ready to be escorted to wherever we are to commence the talks."

A slight shimmer in the blackness of the void and they were there. Thirteen kilometers of unadulterated power and and solid metal. A minor pulse of radiation, and the vessel disappeared into the surrounding space, watching the gathered ships, noting those that had been previously logged, and opening files on those they had never seen before. They did this everywhere they went, not interacting unless forced, and doing as much as they could to secure themselves, no matter the cost to those they happened to encounter.

The flash in radiation did not go unnoticed and three frigates were sent to investigate. More ships were being prepared in case this turned out to be an invasion. The worst time to invade them would be now, as they were prepared for an attack and as such, they had plenty of resources ready to fight and rip apart enemy fleets.

The three frigates neared the spot of the Andermanii ship, sensors of every type and manner, dimensional, gravitic, etc etc, washing over the space around them multiple times. Searching for any clue that someone had arrived.

<Milord, I believe they've seen us coming.>

<Remove our stealth then. I will speak with them.>

<Yes Lord, dropping stealth now.>

For a time it had attempted to hide from the other vessels in the system, but it was apparently to no avail. There were simply too many ships for them to avoid detection.

Your display of force is unwarranted. We are not here as hostiles. Stand down your warships. Let us...talk.

OOC: Let's spice things up...

IC:

Shadow of Light, a Spartan-class battlecruiser that had previously been on patrol, burst out of hyperspace in a system that was in the databanks, but barely known. It had once held a civilization some time ago, but supposedly now was a bit of a mystery-it hadn't been visited in quite some time. Little was even remembered about the previous civilization that had been in the area; they had been space-faring was known, however. Yet, this time, the Dominion military vessel entered in somewhat different fashion than the usual pathfinding exploration into lost space.

As Shadow blew out of hyperspace, plasma vented from its starboard engine port. Acrid smoke followed an atmosphere vent, and another hyperspace exit bubble emerged from behind the Shadow. It was a Vorok-class raider, used commonly by pirate and rogue factions in the Shroud and Dominion space. Also venting gas, the raider fired again on the damaged Shadow with double particle beams, two red strikes zipping into the failing aft shield banks of the battlecruiser. The Shadow responded quickly, pumping out a burst of positron torpedoes from rear-facing launchers directly into the half-drained fore shields of the raider.

"Other ships in-system, Captain!"

Steam vented from a burst conduit on the bridge as Captain Arrelious Tabbith, the human commander of the Shadow, braced himself during another impact of the raider's energy weapons. The human navigational officer, Canto Steltz, was busy pinging up the ships in-system easily visible to the pinging battle sensors.

"Shall I order fighters, Captain?" the Skrawl weapons officer, Vis'anth Katar, asked somewhat lustfully. Like a race they were somewhat similar to in attitude-the Klingons-the Skrawl were eager for warfare and quick to fight, and Katar was no exception.

"Launch full squadrons of support vessels; target their targeting arrays," Tabbith ordered quickly and calmly. He'd been in worse situations before.

Shadow veered starboard, evading a missile burst by the raider as its starboard cannons ripped open a plasma driver volley into the raider's side. Three squads of fighters and four squads of gunships emptied from the battlecruiser's port hanger bay, reforming just past the Dominion vessel's engine cluster.

"Eta flight to command-we're forming up for preliminary attack runs. Squad of buggers from the raider."

"Confirmed Eta, attack formation Delta 2-6," keyed back the bridge's comms officer, Ezrael Tanh.

"Copy command."

The squadrons moved into attack formation, the assault fighters forward and flanked by the two squads of superiority craft, backed up by the gunships. The squadron of raider fighters, Goroth interceptors, moved to pick up the inbound support craft, launching an opening volley of ion rockets. The fighters dodged to evade, two taking direct hits to critical areas.

"Two losses in the first wave, command. We are pursuing assault."

One of the superiority squadrons moved to intercept, firing a torrent of laser fire on the raider fighters as they got in a squall. The rest of the fighters closed as the raider opened up with another torpedo barrage on the recharging gun stations of the Shadow. A volley of static bursts and torpedoes impacted the raider.

"Shields down, commander."

"Let us finish the heathens!"

"Go ahead and pursue full batteries," Tannith instructed to Katar's enthusiastic request.

"Ha! I like that..."

The 12' muscular reptilian punched several command codes as the Shadow rocked from a full volley from its starboard cannons. Energy and mass fire slammed into the raider, fire and plasma spewing from the ship's unprotected side as the raider struggled to get shields back up.

"Eta flight again. We are making a run on the generator."

The fighters, now free of the now-destroyed raider fighter group, launched a full complement of torpedoes at the exposed reactor conduit of the damaged raider as Shadow limped out of range of the close-range weapons of the raider. Point-defense cannons ripped at the small support vessels as they closed, scoring numerous kills. A giant explosion responded to the fighter attack, the raider limping.

"Now we beast them!" Katar nearly yelled on the bridge, caught up in the fight. "All weapon stations!"

Local space lit up in a cataclysm of weapons fire as the Shadow emptied all ports at the raider, plasma still venting from the starboard engine nacelle. Fire rocked from the raider as it went into a death spiral, the fighters and gunships still alive scrambling out of the way of the ensuing explosion of hot yellows and white.

"Victory is mine!" Katar exclaimed, punching his armor-scaled chest with one appendage.

"Canto, figure out where we are," Tannith said, regaining composure as damage reports came in. Now they'd have to figure out what to do in virtually unknown territory with reports of more ships in the vicinity after a grand entrance, their own vessel alone and damaged.

The link was silent, and the Realm ship disappaered quietly and simply. The Exarchos had more to attend to for now. Though the Ascendants were a point of interest, they were friendly, at least. There were those that were not.

"Understood. We will be arriving soon." The link vanished and after some quiet minutes rushing by, a single fighter left the frigate and shot towards the TGM ship. After a quick exchange of information and questions, it docked with the ship and landed in the hangar. The cockpit opened and the welcoming escort would find a robed figure who step out and landed on the floor, the cockpit closing. Turning to the escort, it bowed.

"Greetings; I am ready to be escorted to wherever we are to commence the talks."

"Good, let's go somewhere more comfortable then we shall talk." The welcoming escort would lead the way. He was trained in mirroring the protocols and mannerisms of those he'd meet having only seconds to size someone up in any language is difficult. Perhaps this is why he didn't introduce himself or give any real information, because his guest didn't.

Either way, with the bow preceding the previous statement the escort lead the way to where someone else would be waiting but before they arrived. I have been instructed to inform you that from our scavenging a number of artifacts are being collected together, to represent normal everyday life. Once completed they will be transported here. I hope that is satisfactory."

It was just a few moments later that they arrived. "Please enter, I can go no further." He the escort stood on the other side of the door, waiting for the unseen figure under the robes to enter the room. And indeed the room looked totally different to the rest of the ship. It at least attempted to give a homely atmosphere, things placed seemingly at random but would have purpose to the person that lived there. Softened lighting, a bit yellow. With furnishings and decorations to match. Though modest in it's design and not flamboyant. The aim was to get those that visited comfortable and at ease.

Sitting on a couch in the room was an older man, a pipe in his hand. However it wasn't lit, it seemed to add to the character of the place, it seemed that you were a welcomed guest in this mans home. One that could be almost any where.

Reply @ Telros

"..and you know Corporate is just gonna shit itself. All at once, the entire damn Hive. Just, all at once.."

Pythecles of Sythica, top-lahk (top sergeant) of the pure-bred Trailarii soldiers watching the settlement, had been listening to his Helot assistant talk in this vein for some time now. The Helot was a quadraped, some crime against the Gods that looked like a large scaly dog. He had long forgotten what the race called themselves before they bowed to the Green and Grey..Something that made you taste phlegm when you spoke it. At any rate, they were an excitable breed, prone to get a little overstimulated with too much excitement.

"..Probably gonna smell like sin.."

Pythecles tuned off the universal translator in his helm, causing the steady stream of audio input to be reduced to small chirps, chuffs and barks. He did have a response to make. He leaned foreward over the control hub, his neural lace wirelessly connecting him to the communications array. In this fashion he sent forth a message to the Ascendent delegate.

I'm the closest thing we've got to leadership of these parts. Name of Pythecles, and you can certainly land anywhere you wish. Hell, what are we gonna stop you with? Gravel?

@Andermani:

Your display of force is unwarranted. We are not here as hostiles. Stand down your warships. Let us...talk.

The three frigates paused for a moment, as scans washed over the ship and they found the designation, along with the psionic imprint, realizing it was the Andermanii. The reply that came was calm but curt.

"Actually, it is warranted. When one comes out and begins to colonize on a massive scale, especially with such nations as Chronosia, there tends to be nations who try to jump in and take advantage. We are patrolling this fiercely for the purpose of protection. Without you coming out and saying who you were, how could we tell you weren't an enemy ship, coming to attack us? Also, it is rather suspicious to slip into someone's space and try to hide. We WILL be asking about that.

As for the talks, we would like that. However, we have no spaces for talking. We can enter your ships or do it like we are right now. Your choice." It was rather obvious the Ascendants were NOT amused by the hiding tactic the Andermanii just used. They knew they were trying to hide from them for some reason and it wasn't a good one. So they were rather irritated as it was.



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


@AB

The battle between the raider, its fighters and gunships, and the Dominion battlecruiser. After Shadow of Light had managed to kill the raider, scattering the fighters and gunships, they acted. It was obvious they were pirates of some kind, these...raiders, and they had forced the Dominion into their space. They were still debating the Dominion as a nation; it was a rather strong and active nation, but it had the Sith, whom they had already seen with the Galactic Empire, so they weren't trustworthy. They did have their good elements and the possibility for good was there. However, they were uneasy on it. The raiders now were going to force the issue. So, now not only were they tense due to their hatred of hostilities in their space and in the systems they claimed, but they were now irritated at being forced to make a decision they didn't want to yet.

This showed itself rather quickly. Barely twenty kilometers away, an Ascendant cruiser (http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/5462/2h/images.gamezone.com/screens/27/7/89/s27789_pc_118.jpg) appeared, unable to have been detected until that moment, and it immediately opened up on the gunships. Small, powerful, and silver fighters (]http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/5462/2h/images.gamezone.com/screens/27/7/89/s27789_pc_116.jpg), which shot at incredible speeds from the ship and quickly launched a salvo of missiles that tracked the gunships. Then, once they were in range, they unloaded a hail of bright, bluish-white bursts of energy, moving to engage the enemy fighters. The raiders would soon realize they were outmatched in numbers and technology as the fighters kept pouring out and the weapons, being of the 6th dimension which instantly annihilates any matter it touches, began to cut its way through their armor. To add the finality and futility of their battle, the cruiser began to move in, its ADS point defense system firing huge blasts of the energy, designed to take out swarms of projectile fire and fighters. A curt message was sent to the Shadow of Light

"Stay still and don't move. We'll help you as soon as we clean up the scum that come after you."



@TGM:


"Agreed," He followed the man who had welcomed him, not saying a word to bother him. He was here on a mission, and besides, he was not that talkative for an Ascendant as it was. Soon enough, his escort was forced to leave him and he entered a room that reeked of homeliness. Designed to comfort the guests who came into this room. He hid a smirk of respect under his hood; these guys were good. Then again, they were ESUS; they HAD to be good. Bowing, he spoke to the old man.

"Greetings. I am Scrais. I am the representative for the Ascendants. What do you wish to talk to us about?"

@Andermani:



The three frigates paused for a moment, as scans washed over the ship and they found the designation, along with the psionic imprint, realizing it was the Andermanii. The reply that came was calm but curt.

"Actually, it is warranted. When one comes out and begins to colonize on a massive scale, especially with such nations as Chronosia, there tends to be nations who try to jump in and take advantage. We are patrolling this fiercely for the purpose of protection. Without you coming out and saying who you were, how could we tell you weren't an enemy ship, coming to attack us? Also, it is rather suspicious to slip into someone's space and try to hide. We WILL be asking about that.

As for the talks, we would like that. However, we have no spaces for talking. We can enter your ships or do it like we are right now. Your choice." It was rather obvious the Ascendants were NOT amused by the hiding tactic the Andermanii just used. They knew they were trying to hide from them for some reason and it wasn't a good one. So they were rather irritated as it was.

It is unwise to enter in a blaze of light and fury. Many might take it amiss. We would welcome you aboard gladly. We are merely following standard operating procedure. We are few in number, and have notengaged in battle before. It is better to hide than to stand and risk battle with little experience...yes?

The vessel powered down its defenses, and its weapons went dark and cold, though its powerful passive sensors remained fully active, watching and recording everything.

OOC: Apologies but I'm currently moving house and probabvly won't have net for a number of days. I'll try to respond when I can but... yeah. Don't hold your breath waiting on a response.

When the Traileric commander responded to the fighter, there was a noticeable pause in the comm channel, and to their astonishment, they would see the fighter turn and head back towards the ship. A quick message was sent, along with the coordinates to the Parathis system.

"I have been given new orders; we are establishing a conference for all the nations to come and discuss relations with us all at once. The number of nations arriving is straining our invasion response, patrol routes and construction efforts. We will be rerouting the negotiations to the Parathis system, our newly claimed capital system. We will be conducting it aboard the dreadnought we have there. I look forward to your arrival"


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

"That may be, but it is still very suspicious....Hold on, I am getting new orders...." There was a noticeable pause, with two of the frigates easing into their phase dimension. "We have been given new orders; we are consolidating the negotiations to one large meeting in Parathis, our main system. We have sent you the coordinates along with this message. We look forward to seeing you there."

The ship vanished and returned to its patrol.

<Take us there, activate the Boson Gate and let us depart.>

<Aye Lord, coordinates locked in, Gate formation confirmed, transition in 15 seconds.>

The Battlecruiser shimmered for a moment, slipped through the gate, and let the multi-megaton detonator they left behind shatter the gate once they had passed through, and emerged into the Parathis System, waiting for their sensors and nav systems to reboot after the jump.

When the Traileric commander responded to the fighter, there was a noticeable pause in the comm channel, and to their astonishment, they would see the fighter turn and head back towards the ship. A quick message was sent, along with the coordinates to the Parathis system.

"I have been given new orders; we are establishing a conference for all the nations to come and discuss relations with us all at once. The number of nations arriving is straining our invasion response, patrol routes and construction efforts. We will be rerouting the negotiations to the Parathis system, our newly claimed capital system. We will be conducting it aboard the dreadnought we have there. I look forward to your arrival"


"Well you're not gonna believe this, but our space worthy craft are..get this..in the shop for repairs. And by 'in the shop' I mean four hundred and something light years away in the underbelly of some Hiveship or other (You guys remember those things, right?..The big green..nevermind). And I'm not exactly on authority to speak for this place. Our government never really got into your disappearance, and Corporate always publicly postulated that once you got back, the lands were yours. Militarily, this system and surrounding areas are the responsibility of the Fourteenth Legica (Who better be goddamn en route by now..), so if anyone up there gets grumpy about giving back what's yours, The Fourteenth will be more than happy to lend a returning ally some muscle. I don't know much about mass tactics, but homecoming's probably left ya kinda stretched thin with the gunships. Anyway..my point is, if you want Traileric or Extra-Solar Union presence in that little meeting up there.."

Pythecles wiggled his fingers in the general direction of the sky.

"..you're gonna have to wait about a day for 'ole Repeta's intel branch to figger out what exactally the hell they're gonna do."

the emperor sat deep in thought on sephrion prime so the telrosians had returned he would great them warmly like a brother
he said outlud to the tech priests with in the hallowed halls of the pallace prepare the wrath and her honour guard i wish to greet these brothers of the stars

"Agreed," He followed the man who had welcomed him, not saying a word to bother him. He was here on a mission, and besides, he was not that talkative for an Ascendant as it was. Soon enough, his escort was forced to leave him and he entered a room that reeked of homeliness. Designed to comfort the guests who came into this room. He hid a smirk of respect under his hood; these guys were good. Then again, they were ESUS; they HAD to be good. Bowing, he spoke to the old man.

"Greetings. I am Scrais. I am the representative for the Ascendants. What do you wish to talk to us about?"


"Please, let's get to spend some time together first, before business." He said puffing on his pipe. The smoke curling around before dissapating relatively quickly. "Can I off you a drink, something alcoholic perhaps?" He said managing to somehow gently slide out of the chair into an upright position making his way to a small cabinet along the wall, opening it up he took out two glasses, Scrais could perhaps see a glint from inside the cabinet, a large number of various bottles could be barely seen.

OOC: I'm back.

@Trailers:

Scrais shook his head. "No thank you, I'm not much of a-" His eyes glazed for a moment, as he received new orders and then he face-palmed. "You have to be KIDDING me...." He turned to the old man and bowed.

"I must apologize; I have been given orders to invite you to a conference of nations at a station in our home system. We are getting too many to handle individually and keep our defense parameters up. I have the coordinates right here, if you need them.""

He slid over a datapad with the coordinates of the system. "I don't mean to slight you, but orders come up from much higher than myself; orders I can't deny."


***********


When all the ships arrived at Parathis, they would find a massive station (http://files.turbosquid.com/Preview/Content_on_4_26_2003_07_30_53/sp-06-01.jpgFED8B8A5-E1C1-497F-8DC4343BD8FAC40E.jpgLarge.jpg) greeting them, green lights glowing from every light in a soft, eerie glow. Surrounding it where several types of Ascendant ships, running the gamut of classes; they were obviously not screwing around with the security of this system, or of this station. As they arrived, a message greeted them.

"Greetings, we apologize for the inconvenience, but by the number of you, we were forced to this course of action if we sought to maintain maximum protection. Feel free to teleport, portal, or come over with small ships. We have our fields down, so it is safe to use more....exotic methods. We await your arrival."

OOC: Short but I want to move this along. >->

@Trailers:

Scrais shook his head. "No thank you, I'm not much of a-" His eyes glazed for a moment, as he received new orders and then he face-palmed. "You have to be KIDDING me...." He turned to the old man and bowed.

"I must apologize; I have been given orders to invite you to a conference of nations at a station in our home system. We are getting too many to handle individually and keep our defense parameters up. I have the coordinates right here, if you need them.""

He slid over a datapad with the coordinates of the system. "I don't mean to slight you, but orders come up from much higher than myself; orders I can't deny."


***********


When all the ships arrived at Parathis, they would find a massive station (http://files.turbosquid.com/Preview/Content_on_4_26_2003_07_30_53/sp-06-01.jpgFED8B8A5-E1C1-497F-8DC4343BD8FAC40E.jpgLarge.jpg) greeting them, green lights glowing from every light in a soft, eerie glow. Surrounding it where several types of Ascendant ships, running the gamut of classes; they were obviously not screwing around with the security of this system, or of this station. As they arrived, a message greeted them.

"Greetings, we apologize for the inconvenience, but by the number of you, we were forced to this course of action if we sought to maintain maximum protection. Feel free to teleport, portal, or come over with small ships. We have our fields down, so it is safe to use more....exotic methods. We await your arrival."

OOC: Short but I want to move this along. >->

<Open the Boson Gate. I will transfer aboard momentarily.>

Staging Deck Battlecruiser Penetration

<I will take two Marines with me. They will return when I deem it safe for myself to stay on alone.>

The gate forms, a glassy mirror, and through steps a copper Wyvern, flanked by a pair of 11 foot tall suits seemingly made of stainless steel. <I am Ferrik, the Bone Dragon, third of the order and ship master of the first Battlecruiser Squadron. Let us begin.>

@Trailers:

Scrais shook his head. "No thank you, I'm not much of a-" His eyes glazed for a moment, as he received new orders and then he face-palmed. "You have to be KIDDING me...." He turned to the old man and bowed.

"I must apologize; I have been given orders to invite you to a conference of nations at a station in our home system. We are getting too many to handle individually and keep our defense parameters up. I have the coordinates right here, if you need them.""

He slid over a datapad with the coordinates of the system. "I don't mean to slight you, but orders come up from much higher than myself; orders I can't deny."

OOC: Assuming by Trailers you mean me :p

IC: "ah, that's alright no problem, thank you for coming. I'll be along momentarily. I'm sure you know the exit." The as yet unnamed man said with a smile, as he reached down to put away the second glass and get some brandy for himself. Pouring himself a glass while Scrais would take the time to get himself ready. "Oh, I suppose I should write down those co-ordinates too."

He went over to the datapad and pulled out a pen a paper from somewhere on his body and scribbled down the co-ordinates, picking it up he handed it back to Scrais. "I'll be over soon." he finished before returning back to his brandy.

Outside the escourt was still there waiting, ready to take Scrais back to his ship.

"Wow, that was quick..." obviously surprised that it had only been what perhaps a minute inside, "I presume you want to go back to your ship?"