NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: First of all I am not looking for someone who is going to completely and utterly destroy me just for the hell of it, if that is your ultimate intent, don't even bother to ask for entry.

Secondly I'd rather like to see people that are respectable rp'ers only. Let's at least try to have not only understandable posts, but also ones of respectable length, clear?

Lastly, coming now are several ic posts by me which describe the history of the events leading up to the start of the actual rp. So until then, watch, and hopefully have a fun read.
-Carb

IC:
Background of the Macross-1 colony fleet

In the year 2130 the thirty first colony fleet, named Macross-1, departed Earth orbit, carrying just over two million civilians on board, as well as a large contingent of the UN spacey armed forces. It's destination was a largely unexplored area on the galactic rim, but it was sent there, rather than the galactic core, because there had been several cases of colony fleets disappearing without a trace near the core, and with this being the first of a new line of colony fleets, based around the brand new New Macross class colony ship, it was felt that taking a risk with the fleet was not what the UN spacey needed.

Certainly no one wanted to see a repeat of what happened to the very first colony fleet, Megaroad-1, which disappeared without a trace some fourteen years previously close to the galactic core.

Unfortunately, as is so often the case, history has a way of repeating itself.

Only two months after it was launched, the fleet simply disappeared, without a trace. UN spacey did investigate the disappearance thoroughly, but never found any sign of either of the ships, nor the more than two million inhabitants, both military, and non-military, assigned to it.

During the next decades, several conspiracy theories were put forward regarding what had happened to it, ranging from the bizarre, to the utterly absurd, at least one suggesting that the UN spacey destroyed it, itself, and covered it up by claiming that the fleet disappeared.

Not one of these conspiracy theories were true, however, the truth was something that nobody would have believed, even if they were told.

A truth that is now about to be told.

Deep space, close to the galactic rim, Milky Way galaxy, September 2130 (earth calendar)

The bridge of the New Macross class battle carrier felt new, which was hardly surprising, considering the 1510 meter long vessel had only completed her acceptance trials four months previously, her sistership, also present with the fleet, having only completed her trials two weeks before the fleet departed. The whole mission serving also as a shakedown for the two brand new ships, and their systems.

Mated to both of the ships was a massive city section, appearing in shape like a giant, open, clam, a full five km in diameter, this housed the vast majority of the fleet's colonists, the remainder being on board the various support ships, those being factory ships, resort ships, amusement ships (basically cinemas in space), casino ships, and, of course, the fleets compliment of three agriculture ships, a must for any colony fleet that was might not find a inhabitable planet immediately.

The fleet was far from being unescorted, too, a considerable military presence being around, consisting, apart from the two battle carriers, of one Nupetitiet Verngitz-biz class converted Zentran flagship, six Lion class light cruisers, fourteen Maizuru class carriers and twenty Sydney class frigates.

While this was a colony fleet, not an attack fleet, it was clearly far from defenseless if attacked. In fact, one could say that it was very heavily defended, indeed.

““Captain on the bridge!” a voice rang out as commodore Richard Hawkins walked onto the bridge, sitting himself in the captain's chair in the middle of it.

“All right, pre fold checks. Sensors?” he said, turning to look at the various members of his bridge crew.

“All of my contacts are the task force, and its associated fighter squadrons, sir.” replied the sensor operator.

“Navigation?”

The navigation officer, a young, attractive, woman by the name of Elaine Shimazu replied “Fold energy at 100%, and coordinates are locked into the navi-computer. We can fold at any time”

Richard nodded, and turned to the comm officer “Signal to all fighters: Return to ship, and prepare for a fold operation.”

“Sir” replied the woman at the comm station, Richard being the only male on the bridge.

ooc, again: Yes this is Macross based, and therefore not exactly "hard" sci fi, but it should be a interesting read. After all this whole thing is the results of a whole lot of work by yours truly.

(15 minutes later)

“Captain Hawkins, sir, all ships report that their fighters have successfully returned to ship and are locked down for the fold.”

“What about the Blue Devils?” asked the captain, referring to the squadron of VF-16 Starfighter2's that had been flying C.A.P the furthest away from the base ship, the reason for their longer ranged patrol being the fact that they were higher performance than the Starmirage's that comprised the majority of the fleet's Valkyrie contingent.

“Safely on board, and locked down, sir.” was the simple reply, just the way he wanted it.

“Final checks.” said Richard “Navigation?”

“Go.” replied Elaine

“Engineering?”

“Go.”

“Sensors?”

“Go”

“Very well. Signal to all ships, initiate hyperspace fold in preset order on my mark.” most of the crew tensed up as they heard this, after all a fold was not the most pleasant experience a ship's crew went through. “Five. Four. Three. Two. One.”

“Fold in!” with those simple words the fleet began to accelerate one after another. First to go where the frigates on the outskirts, then followed by the Maizuru's, then the cruisers, then the Colony ships themselves.


The Zentran flagship was the last ship to fold, as it was on the look out for a force shadowing them. A lesson dearly learned in the past. There was no sign of any such force.

It is ironic that the UN Spacey force that went looking for them later found both where they had folded, and, from the signature, where they had been going, but at it's destination was where things got strange.

There was no sign of the fleet ever having been in the system. Not even a hint of a trail. For all the high technology available to the UN Spacey when it came to tracking it's own vessels, this fleet may as well have departed this dimension.

Ironically enough at least one conspiracy theory claimed just that, which was closer to the truth than any of the others, even if it was not entirely accurate..

(Unnamed system, location unknown)

The system appeared at first to be a relatively unremarkable binary star system, although the presence of no fewer than three Earth like planets, one of which being a virtual clone of the Earth, was remarkable in itself.

The Colony fleet folded out, blissfully unaware, for the moment, at least, that they were far from their intended destination, in fact not even in the same galaxy as they had been in.

Shaking off the disorienting effects of the fold, captain Hawkings barked out “Situation report, and confirm our location”

“Sit rep coming in from all sections, and all ships, sir,” replied the comm officer “all systems, and personnel, report normal.”

“Launch the designated combat air patrol, what with this being unexplored space we do not want to be caught with a full deckload in case something hostile finds us.”

“Sir” replied the ops officer, soon variable fighters were launching from four of the Maizuru's, and a trio of VF-16's from the Macross-1 herself, fanning out to form a patrol around the fleet.

“Sir?” Elaine had been quiet, but from the way she was staring at her screen, Richard could tell something was very wrong

“What is it, lieutenant Shimazu?” he asked, knowing that whatever it was, it was not good.

“Sir, I've just gone through the entire navigational chart, and tried to match it to our current location...” she hesitated, and a feeling of dread settled over the bridge “without a single match”

“What?!” it was rare for the captain to loose his cool like that, but given the circumstances, this was perfectly understandable “Double check your findings”

“Double checking now, sir.” Elaine replied “Sir, could the Black Dragon have better navigational charts than we do?”, the Black Dragon being the name the crew had given to the converted Zentraedi Flagship

Richard shook his head “I made sure to have all the information in her databanks duplicated for this ship. The only way we could not find our current location on our star maps is if we are outside the territory she has gone through in her service.”

“But that is virtually the entire Milky Way, sir” replied Elaine without looking up from the readout

“Exactly.” replied Richard “I don't like the looks of this at all.”

Soon the response came from the navicomputer, and it was the one that they had all been dreading “No matches found”

“What do we do now, sir?” asked Elaine, looking up from the readout “It would appear that we are lost in space”

“What we do is to make the best of a bad situation, lieutenant. Order all ships to head in system. Let's take a closer look at this system we are in.”

“What do we tell the civvies?” asked the ops officer, who happened to double as the ships XO “We have, after all, over two million civilians on board”

Richard had to think about that for a while before replying “For now nothing. If we tell them we are lost in space without any idea where we are, or even how to get home, we will have pandemonium on our hands.”

Walking towards the bridge viewport, he paused, standing between Elaine and the ops officer “Let's at least get a clearer picture of our overall situation before we do that”

Two hours later the picture was starting to look more clearer, and maybe just a bit less gloomy.

“Well at least we have what appears to be a habitable planet in system. Three habitable planets, in fact” said captain Hawkins, having been on the bridge the whole time.

“Yes sir” replied the ops officer, the tension had settled just a bit with this knowledge, this would mean that they might possibly have a way to survive out here.

“Say again, Tiger lead?” the voice of the comm officer was showing surprise, and all eyes on the bridge turned to her station.

She looked up “Sir, Tiger squadron has visual contact with what appears to be a virtually intact factory satelite in orbit around the third planet.”

Richard looked surprised, as did the rest of the crew “A Zentran factory satelite? Here? Get me Tiger leader, my screen”

“Yes sir.” and the helmeted face of Narimasa Asano, Tiger leader, soon appeared on the captain's personal viewscreen.

“Captain Asano, are you sure of this?” Richard asked, this could be either very good news, or very bad news, depending on whether the original owners were around or not.

“Positive, sir. Gun camera feed coming up” replied the squadron commander.

The image was indeed unmistakable. There were few space stations known to the UN spacey that were that big, and of that configuration.

And as those things had been designed to handle all the needs of a entire fleet of spaceships, most of which dwarfed the Macross's battle section (ie the carrier part) this could be a great blessing to the fleet, assuming it was repairable.

“Any power readings?” asked Richard, those things were not exactly un armed, either, and could easily hide quite a large fleet inside them.

“None, sir. Not even life support.” replied Asano “Although they could be using some sort of ecm to make our sensors unable to detect a power buildup.”

“Possible, but unlikely. The Zentrans are not exactly known for resorting to such trickery. At least not until they joined forces with us.” Richard added with a wry smile

“Request permission to investigate further, sir”

Richard considered it. While the risks were considerable, so too were the possible rewards. Assuming the factory satelite could be brought back to operational condition. “Permission granted” he said, at length “but exercise extreme caution. We have no idea what might be in there.”

“Yes sir.” replied Asano, then opened a channel to the rest of his squadron “All right, boys, the commodore wants a better look at that factory satelite, so make sure your data feeds are running, and follow me.”

“What happens if she fires on us?” the voice was of that of Tiger-2, the youngest pilot

“If that happens, then HQ will know about it when the datafeeds go offline. It's not as if we will be able to do much about it, exept to try and run away. Even if we did have reflex missiles under our wings, those factory satelites can take a whole lot of beating before being destroyed.”

“Thank you, sir. I feel so much better now” from the sarcasm in the younger pilot's voice, it was clear that he clearly didn't feel relieved at all about this fact.

ooc: Just to make the imagening easier for those reading:

Macross class colony ship (http://unsd.macrossroleplay.org/newmacross.html)

factory satelite (yes, they're heruge) (http://unsd.macrossroleplay.org/factorysatellite.html)

There was no further communication between the pilots for the next few minutes as the slowly, varily, approached the factory satelite. Worried that at any time it might power up it's formidable weapon systems and blow them, or even the whole colony fleet, out of the stars, but there was no sign of life, and indeed as they came closer, they saw that it was not entirely intact at all.

“Looks like a large hole on the largest external pod” said Asano, the picture from his gun camera faithfully showing this fact as well. “Also it'd appear that a considerable portion of her armament is deployed, but damaged to one extent or another” he added, and one could feel the tension lower somewhat

“Any sign of life, Tiger lead?” asked Richard who was still watching the datascreens

“Nothing. And still no sign of any systems operating.” replied the other “I'm going to enter that hole to see what she looks like on the inside. Tiger-2, you're with me” the younger pilot muttered something no one caught, but it was probably a curse about having to be part of this whole exploratory mission.

“Switching to gerwalk mode” Asano's voice was quiet, showing no sign of stress, but there was little doubt there was some present, given that they still had no idea what could be in there.

The two Starmirages changed modes to their hybrid form and slowly entered the hole. While it was, easily, large enough for them to fly through, Asano felt that the extra maneuverability of the gerwalk mode might be usefull inside.

“Place is quiet as a tomb.” Tiger-2 said “Why do we even need to investigate this place?”

“Because,” replied Asano “this “tomb” as you put it could be a great thing to have for us. Have you never seen the one in Earth orbit?”

“Of course. I trained at it before launching with the fleet.” the younger pilot still hadn't grasped his co's meaning

“Think about it. If we can get this one up and running again we have a better base of operatons, and better source of spare parts, then what we have now. After all those factory ships only have a limited production capability” Asano replied, trying not to sound too patronizing

While this talk was going the two of them passed by two spaceships, or at least the remnants of them, one being easily recognizable as a Zentran destroyer, the other a ship of a design they hadn't seen before, both looked in pretty poor shape, but perhaps salvagable.

“Command, you seeing this?” asked Asano “Seems we have a unknown here.”

“We see it, Tiger lead, and we concur that it's not in our databanks” replied Richard, having asked the bridge crew to do a quick check of the ship's databanks with the same results. “Any sign of any crew, alive, or otherwise?”

“So far that's a negative, command.” Asano replied “And correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that strange? These things should have a large crew compliment”

Richard nodded “In the tens' of thousands, in fact. And this is not only puzzling, but also worrying” indeed, Richard was puzzled about this fact: where was the crew?

Suddenly the sensor operator spoke up, alarm evident in her voice “Captain! Multiple contacts inbound, they must have been hiding in the planet's sensor shadow.”

“Any configuration the warbook recognizes?” asked Richard, turning to look at her

“Yes sir. The vessels are Zentran in origin, no question about it” was the answer.

“Sound general quarters.” considering the situation Richard's voice was eerily calm, and alarms soon started sounding throughout the entire ship “It would appear that we have found the owners.”

ooc:
For those that haven't seen Macross/Robotech
Zentran Destroyer (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/macross/macross.htm)

“General quarters, general quarters. All hands man your battlestations.” the voice was eerily calm as the alarms started ringing, including in the city section, warning the nearly a million personell on board, both military and civilian, that battle was imminent.

The bridge was a hive of activity, especially on it's lower levels as the ship, and indeed the whole fleet, made ready for combat “Recall Tiger squadron from that satelite, immediately.” said Richard “We may need every valkyrie we have”

“Sir, I have numbers and classification” said the sensor operator, looking over her shoulder at him.

“Let's hear it” replied Richard

“One flagship, one commandship, five carriers, eleven destroyers, seventeen cruisers and six monitors. A total number of fifty one ships, sir”

Richard nodded “Range?”

“400 thousand k's and closing, sir.” suddenly a beep was heard from the sensors and after looking at them she turned back, this time a lot more flustered “Second group of vessels spotted, coming from the other side.”

Richard cursed “Numbers and classification?”

“Fifty three seperate contacts, sir. Classification..” she hesitated, making everyone on the bridge wonder if they were some of those unknown ships “They appear Meltran in origin, sir. Classification of vessel types will be coming as soon as I can get it to you.”

“Pretty much a moot point. Even if they are all frigates, we are in serios trouble.” Richard replied, cursing under his breath. They had been caught with their panths down.

“Try to fold out of here?” asked Elaine, even though she really knew the answer without even having to ask

“Without effective navigational charts? We don't have a clue what's out there, so it'd be suicidal” replied Richard and shook his head “No, we will have to take our chances with them”

“Meltran ship classifications are as follows: five battleships, eight troop ships, fifteen frigates and twenty three gunships, sir.” the sensor operator spoke up, indeed their situation was not good, not good at all

ooc: the plot doth thicken:D

The two fleets had fanned out to surround the badly out numbered colony fleet but so far they had taken no offensive action

“What are they waiting for?” asked Richard, watching the tactical display “They could blow us out of the stars at any time if they wanted to.”

No one could answer that question, as no one knew the answer to it, but the sensor officer spoke up “There's something strange about those vessels. Not one of them has all of it's weapon's powered up.”

Richard came over to look over her shoulder at the sensor readings himself “Are you sure?”

“Positive. And from these readings it would appear that all of them are damaged to one degree, or another, some severly” she looked up “Sir, it's almost as if they are bluffing.”

“Hell of a bluff.” replied Richard “Or, maybe,” he added, a thoughtfull tone in his voice now “they're worried about something. Something other than us, that is.”

“Sir?” the question was from the ops officer, although everybody on the bridge was wondering the same thing

Sitting himself back in the captain's chair, Richard ordered “Open a broadband hailing frequency, and make sure that the Zentraedi translator is turned on. We might know more about the situation here by doing so, and in particular who those unknowns are.”

“Begging the captain's pardon, sir, but what makes you think they are willing to talk?” asked the ops officer

“Because if they weren't, they would have fired already.” replied Richard “They haven't seen our ship types before, and do not know if we are friends, or foes, so they are waiting for us to make the first move, it'd appear.”

“The channel is open, sir” said the comm officer

“This is commodore Richard Hawkins, commanding the UN spacey colony fleet Macross-1. We have no hostile intent, in fact we are lost in space after what appears to have been a mis fold. Given what our current situations are, I belive we could be of some help to each other.” the waiting that followed that transmission was full of tension. While the Zentraedi vessels hadn't fired, they could change their mind at any time.

“Any reply?” Richard asked, although he was trying not to show it, he was just as nevous as the rest of the bridge crew

“Nothing” replied the comm officer “Hold on..” just as she said this a reply finally did come

“We have no knowledge of this so called “UN spacey” you are referring to, but you are in considerable danger here. A large hostile fleet is coming, and it comes to destroy everyone in this system” the voice was unmistakably female, which made sense when they thought about it, given the fact that the Meltran's were the more thoughfull of the two species, generally, and also the more inclined to talk

“Could it be true, could they really have no knowledge of the UN spacey?” whispered Elaine to the ops officer beside her

“I suppose it is possible, given the large size of the Zentran and Meltran fleets, and even more so given how far we are from home..” whispered the latter back

Richard cleared his throat, which was more aimed a the two of them than the person on the other end of the communication, and the bridge went quiet again “Who is this foe you are referring to? And can we aid you in any way?”

“This is not your battle, micronian.” the voice sounded more resigned than idignant “We can not ask you to fight it with us.”

“I am going to have to respectfully disagree, commander.” Richard replied “We are stuck here, without any way of going home, as we do not even know which direction home is in. And if this foe you are referring to is coming to destroy every ship in the system, then what would stop them from destroying us when they are done with you?”

A uncomfortable silence settled in after Richard asked this question, and one could see the drops of nervous sweat start to form on the faces of the entire bridge crew as they waited for a answer “Then what do you suggest?” the answer, while short, was a start, at least

“That we fight, together.” answered Richard “After all when working together, as a single, unified force, we are far more formidable than our individual parts would be, each on their own.”

“You intruige me, micronian.” the screen in front of Richard changed, showing the face of the Meltran he had been talking to for the first time, a tall attractive woman with long silver hair and green eyes “Very well. We shall fight alongside you, for both our future, and your own.”

The entire bridge crew let out a sigh of relief, virtually as one person as she said the last. It would appear that they had hope now.

Richard looked up to the ops officer “Initiate seperation sequence, and order Battle-2 to do the same. Once seperated, both city sections, and all other civilian ships, are to land on the nearest planet. It will give them a measure of safety. Certainly they are safer down there than they would be in open space combat.”

“Initiate seperation sequence, aye, sir.” replied the ops officer “Sir, do we have a plan?”

Richard nodded, and removed a key he was wearing around his neck “Yes, we do. Even though it's a plan that the UN spacey would not like one bit if they knew of it.” he looked up “Open a frequency to the entire fleet”

“It's open, sir” replied the comm officer.

“Gentlemen, I will not lie to you, we are in serious trouble.” Richard began “But, we do have one advantage that our new allies do not. One weapon that may change the situation in our, and our allies's, favour” he hesitated, and everyone on the bridge suspected they knew what he was about to deploy, even though they were forbidden by treaty “Gentlemen, I see no choice exept for us to deploy the fleet's compliment of reflex missiles to help defend ourselves”

ooc: and thickens some more (I can't show images of the unknowns without tossing a major hint as to who and what they are, sorry)

The warships were soon a hive of actvity, as the crews ran to prepare the fleet's compliment of reflex warheads, both fighter mounted versions, and the larger, capital ship missle sized ones.

“So what is it those foes are after, and what are they called?” asked Richard, still talking to the Meltran commander

“We know not what they are called, as they have never made any attempt to communicate with us, but we know that they are after. That being the remnants of the Protoculture civilazation on the this world.” she indicated a holographic display beside her. The world that was being displayed was the one that bore such a resemblance to Earth

“Interesting.” said Richard “And I assume that they are the ones who have done such damage to both your ships, and the factory satelite. Am I correct in that assumption?”

“Your assumption is indeed correct. We had planned this two pronged ambush in a attempt to gain a advantage over them in what we were sure was going to be the last battle we would fight with them, but instead we sprung it on you.” she sounded almost apologetic as she said this

Richard shook his head “The past is the past. We can not change it, so we might as well make the best of the present.”

“All ships report that reflex missles are armed and ready, sir” stated the comm officer “and they furthermore ask how large a percentage of the valkyries should be armed with them as well.”

Richard paused, thinking, then replied “All of them. We may need the extra firepower.”

“Aye sir.” replied the comm officer, relaying his orders to the rest of the fleet

“So what can we expect to face?” Richard asked of the Meltran commander

“As many as three to four hundred vessels, of about cruiser size and above. If you have been inside the factory satelite as our recon probes showed, you will have seen the smallest of their ship classes.” she replied

“The unknown ship.” Richard said. It wasn't a question, but the Meltran nodded nevertheless

“All ships report battlestations manned and ready, sir. Furthermore the civilian ships have sucessfully landed on the planet and are powering down so they don't look like a target.” the comm officer reported

“What about the reflex warheads?” asked Richard

“All available reflex warheads are ready, captain. Some valkyries will have to fly without, but we still have 90% of the valkyrie force equipped with them.” was the answer

“It will have to do.” Richard replied, sounding almost resigned “After all there is no time to make more”

“Captain!” the sensor operator's voice was exited “Multiple de folds detected near the sixth planet. Identification..sir, they match the profile of the enemy ships.”

“So it begins.” said Richard, turning back to the picture of the Meltran commander on his personal screen

She nodded “Fight well, micronian. And die with honour” she added, closing the channel

“I would rather not die, if I have a choice in the matter.” Richard said to no one in particular.

The two fleets squared off against each other, and the situation soon became clearer as the enemy's numbers became known

“Enemy numbers are as follows:” said the sensor officer, frowning at her screen in concentration “two flagship sized vessels, fifty vessels similar in size to our Lion class cruisers, fourty vessels of a similar size but different configuration, and the remainder, numbering two hundred, match the configuration of the wrecked ship we found in the factory satelite. Total number of the enemy two hundred and ninety two ships, sir.”

Richard nodded, although it was better than they were expecting, they were still outnumbered two to one, and from the sensor readings, their ships were fresh, while their allies ships were not “Any signs of them launching mecha as of yet?”

“None, sir.” replied the sensor operator

“Launch ours.” ordered Richard “If any of our ships gets hit, I don't want to loose the pilots on board with it.”

“Sir.” replied the comm officer, relaying the order to the rest of the fleet, which soon started launching it's valkyrie fighters

Richard sighed, the next order that he was about to give was something that no ship of the class had done in actuality, yet, although computer tests had implied there would not be any trouble “As soon as all our fighters are away, then we will commence transformation, so we can use the main gun.”

“But sir, not one of us has ever done that before.” the ops officer clearly felt she had to make a protest, even though deep down she knew he was right to risk the move

“If the situation was different, I would agree with you, lieutenant, but it isn't. Simply put, we have no choice.” Richard answered “Contact all relevant personel as soon as possible.” he sighed, then added “I know damned well that we haven't had the chance to test the ship's tranformation during our shakedown cruise, but the situation is such that we do not have the luxury of choice. We need the main gun, and since we can not fire it in cruiser mode, we must perform the transformation. Do I like it any more than the rest of you? Of course not. But that still does not change the facts.”

Instead of replying out loud, the ops officer went to prepare the ship for the transformation, a answer in itself

“Range to the enemy” asked Richard, watching the tactical display, but wanting to double check

“Two hundred and fifty thousand k's, sir” replied the sensor operator “At their current approach rate, they will be within firing range of our long range weapons in thirty seconds.”

“All fighters are away, sir.” said the ops officer “And department heads report ready for the transformation, sir.”

Richard closed his eyes for what seemed like a minute, but must have been only a second or two “Commence full ship tranformation.” he said

“Commence full ship transformation, aye, sir.” replied the ops officer

“Range to enemy front line vessels now two hundred thousand k's, sir. Within range of the fleet's long range weapons.” said the sensor operator

“To all ships: commence firing” the order was simple, but with those simple words, what would be later known as the battle of Neo Terra began in earnest.

ooc: The flagships are around 4km long, each, the cruisers around 600m, while the smallest of the unknowns is around 350m long.

While the Zentran, and Meltran, ships are far larger than all but the flagships, they are actually, even at 100% capability, less powerfull, as much of their size is due to the size of ther individual crew members. (more details to follow)

More than one historian would, in the years that followed, compare the battle of Neo Terra to the final battle of Earth during the first space war, fought some twenty Earth years previously, and there were certainly plenty of similarities present.

Not the least of them being a out numbered, and out gunned, fleet somehow emerging victorious against a foe that was out to do nothing less than completely annhialate them.

Also there was the ironic fact that the flagship of the defending fleet, in both cases, was named Macross.

The early exchanges of fire had been about equal, although the defenders were slightly getting the better of it, due to their pin point barriers.

Or, at least, the UN spacey ships were. Their allies were, quite frankly, getting hammered. Thankfully the Zentran and Meltran ships could take a lot of punishment before succumbing, but it was clear that something needed to be done to relive pressure off them, and soon.

There were two pieces of good news, however. First there was the fact that the enemy still showed no sign of having any mecha of their own. Second was the fact that they didn't show any sign of having reflex weapons of their own, nor of having noticed the deadly ace that the UN ships had up their sleeve.

“Sir, our allies are in trouble.” said the ops officer, although one could accuse her of stating the obvios

Richard nodded “We have to get the enemy's attention off them. Time until we can fire the main gun?” he asked

“60 seconds, sir.” replied the ops officer “It'll take that long to complete the power build up, and finish the transformation.”

Richard cursed “Not fast enough. Are the reflex missiles ready for firing?”

“Yes sir. But, we only have enough reloads for three volleys, total.” replied the ops officer

“I know.” answered Richard “But if we don't use some now, we might have waited too long. Order all ships to fire off one volley of full size reflex missiles. And order the fighters to fire theirs as well. Try to target the larger ships, when possible.”

“First volley of reflex warheads is ready,” said the ops officer “and away.”

As she made that statement the entire fleet volleyed the missiles it had ready in it's missile tubes. While these were longer ranged ones than the ones the fighters carried, and carried larger warheads, they were easier to intercept, for the same reason, their size.

The fighters, closer in, fired theirs as well, making for well over a thousand of those powerfull warheads inbound.

The enemy anti missile fire was nothing less than pityfull, as it was clear that either their ships had very limited anti missile weapons, or, had their crews busy with other matters.

Either way it was a mistake that they would soon have reason to regret.

ooc: final post for now, going to post the remainder tomorrow, and leave this as currently is to gather interest. Trust me, this is not over yet.

ooc: apologies about the delay, been nursing a sore tooth that's been giving me trouble, hopefully it will improve now after today's dentist visit. *fingers crossed*

ic:
The missile volley struck the fleet with devastating force. Out of the hundred and twenty vessels hit, only one, that being one of the flagships, emerged from the nuclear fireball even remotely intact. And the fifty of the smallest ship type that had been hit simply vanished. Not even wreckage was left after the explosion of the warheads, as well as their own reactors going off.

Richard vinced at the sight, they certainly had gotten their enemy's attention, but he hadn't expected the volley to be this devastating

“One hundred and twenty seperate ships hit. Eighty destroyed outright, thirty nine appear crippled, and the flagship just looks pissed off.” the sensor operator added the last bit with a small grimace

“We certainly got their attention, all right. They are targeting us as we speak.” said the ops officer

Richard nodded “But they are also making another crucial mistake. Look at the formation they are moving into.”

Indeed, the enemy was making a second, just as deadly error. Rather than spreading out, they were moving in closer to each other. While this would make them able to protect themselves better, by coordinating their anti missile fire, this made them that more vunerable to the Macross cannon.

And they, unknowingly, were facing down the barrel of at least three such weapons.

“Transformation completed, sir.” the ops officer reported

“And Battle-2 reports that it has finished it's transformation as well” added the comm officer “In addition, the Black Dragon awaits only your approval to fire her main gun.”

“Three Macross cannons.” said Richard, now grinning outright “They will barely even know what hit them. Targeting procedures. We, and the Black Dragon shall target the flagship that was not hit by a reflex warhead, while the Battle-2 targets the one that was. Set the targeting so that we catch the largest possible number of smaller vessels in the area of effect.”

“Targets set, sir.” replied the ops officer “Ready to fire.”

“Fire” ordered Richard, after all it was a chance too good to pass up

Although they had not been informed of the Macross's intentions, the four monitors which still had functioning heavy particle (aka Macross) cannons fired at virtually the same time.

It was almost a pretty sight, if it wasn't for the sheer destructive firepower of it.

The result, largely due to the enemy's changed formation, was nothing less than pandemonium.

No fewer than another fourty ships simply vanished outright, and this time it did include both of the flagships, as two of the monitors teamed up with Battle-2 to target the one that didn't get double teamed by Battle-1 and the Black Dragon. And the remainder of the enemy's fleet, some one hundred vessels, were now caught seriosly spread out, and poorly coordinated.

In other words, the battle had been effectively won by the combined fleets. But their enemies certainly did not see it that way.

The battle would continue on for another three hours, and cost the many more lives, on both sides, as each vessel fought until it was so badly cripped as to be unable to power it's weapons, or destroyed outright.

As the last vessel was finally finished off, Richard finally allowed himself to relax in his chair, and rubbed his temples “Situation report.”

He clearly wasn't the only member of the bridge crew to be half dead on his feet either “All enemy ships are either destroyed, or disabled.” said the ops officer “I am not certain of our losses, let alone our allies losses yet, but I know that they were heavy.”

Richard nodded, after they used their two trump cards, the battle had, after all, turned into a ugly slugging match “Did we suffer any serious damage, ourselves?”

“Nothing we can't repair.” replied the ops officer “Although the chief said he was going to personally chew your ass off for performing a transformation in combat without having allowed him to check if it was even possible first.” she added with a van smile

Richard laughed, and one could literally see the tension drop in the room at the sound “As long as he waits until I have had a chance to rest, then he can chew on me to his heart's content.”

“Captain, incoming transmission.” said the comm officer “It's the same Meltran ship that talked to us before.”

Richard nodded “On screen.”

“It'd appear that we have won.” the Meltran commander's voice betrayed her own tiredness, and the view behind her showed that her ship had not been as fortunate as the Battle-1 in escaping damage

Richard nodded “Indeed. So now what?”

“I would like a face to face meeting, if that is possible.” she answered “I would like to meet the man who saved what most likely is the last remnants of the Protoculture species from extinction, not to mention the lives in my fleet.”

Richard looked surprised at that statement, but nodded “Given the difference in size, I would suggest it being on your ship, rather than mine.”

The Meltran commander nodded “We shall await your arrival.”

A few moments later, a single, two seater, Starmirage, flew over from the Battle-1 to the Meltran battleship.

In the front seat, piloting the aircraft, was Narimasa Asano, Tiger lead, while Richard sat in the back “With all due respect, sir, I am not sure this is such a good idea.” Asano spoke up, without taking his eyes off his approach

“Perhaps, perhaps not.” answered Richard “But we won't know till we try it. And you know as well as I do that they could have destroyed us earlier if they really wanted to.”

“True enough.” replied Asano, and the rest of the flight over passed without another word between them

Just before landing, Asano switched modes to gerwalk, this way the fighter had some semblance of a humanoid form, without hiding the two aircrew out of sight.

They were led, not to the bridge, as they had expected, but to a cabin, which appeared, from the outside, at least, no different to the others on the ship, and the Meltran that had escorted them there knocked on the door “The micronians are here, commander.”

“Enter” was the reply from inside, and the door opened

“Stay outside, captain,” ordered Richard “while having a valkyrie with me might be handy, I don't think we need to intimidate her, now do we?”

“Guess not, sir.” replied Asano, and lowered the cockpit so that Richard could exit it and walk into the cabin on his own “Not as if she can't easily do that herself, what with being a giant..” he said under his breath, eyeing what Meltran crew he saw, but not one of them was paying him much attention

Richard walked in, and couldn't help but feel like a dwarf caught in giant land, which was hardly surprising, given the fact that the battleship had been built with full size Meltran's in mind “Commander?” he asked, looking around, and he hoped the translator he was wearing was working properly, as his knowledge of the Zentran language was iffy at best.

A tall, even for a Meltran, figure walked out of the shadows. Standing nearly fifty three feet tall, the commander cut a intimidating figure indeed. “I am here. You are commander Hawkins, are you not?”

Richard nodded, trying to put the, quite natural instinct to run, out of his mind “I am. As the captain of the Macross-1, I also command the whole colony fleet, by extension.”

The commander nodded, and offered Richard her open palm. Not to shake hands, as the size difference made that all but impossible, but so he could move on to the table set in her office, that way they could hear each other better, and she also had something to show him

Richard took her up on the offer, and as he found himself standing on the table, he saw star charts, although because of their size he had problems reading the individual stars properly “Star charts?” he asked

She nodded “Given the fact that you mentioned being lost in space, and we having done considerable exploration of the nearby space before settling in this system, I thought that perhaps we could help you find home again. Given how you helped us defend ourselves, it is only fair that we try to help you in return.”

ooc: Yup, that's why their ships are so big, the Zentran, and Meltran (effectively the same race, just male and female, respectively) are giants themselves.

The two commanders had been going through the maps for at least twenty minutes, with so far no luck of finding any stars that Richard could recognize, until..

“Hang on.” Richard said, frowning, the stars being shown looked distictinctly familiar “Where is this?”

“This starmap is one of the oldest we have” replied the Meltran commander “It actually doesn't even depict the galaxy we are in, but the one we originally came from.”

Richard had to do a double take, himself, but after taking a harder look there was no doubt “My god” he said “that's the Milky Way. Our home.”

“Then you, and indeed we as well, are far away from home.” the Meltran said, sighing “Getting here took us a full seventy cycles, and would have been impossible without a functioning factory satelite with us.”

“Seventy cycles” Richard replied, doing some quick calculating “ninety Earth years.” he sighed “A impossible task for us to perform, given our current situation. Even the reactor lifespan isn't that long, and even with the agriculture ships, we would run out of supplies well before reaching home.”

She nodded, having figured out as much “So what are you going to do, then?”

“I do not know yet.” replied Richard “Do you think that your people and the other residents of this system would mind having around two million more inhabitants?”

She shrugged “Probably not. I would guess that you made a good impression, given the fact you fought on our side.”

Richard nodded “The problem is going to be to how to sell it to the civvies. We still haven't informed them that we were lost.”

“I am sorry to say that I have no advice to give in that regard.” was the reply “After all we Zentran's and Meltran's all serve in the armed forces. It is so much easier to tell people what they are supposed to do when they don't have a luxury of choice.”

Richard had to agree “True enough. But given our current situation we don't exactly have a awfull lot of choice ourselves.”

“I'll contact our people below and ask if they will accept your people into their society.” the commander said

“And I will contact my people, and let them decide what to do. I'm going to return to the Macross to do so.” Richard replied

Arriving back on the bridge, some twenty minutes later, Richard turned to the comm officer “Open a frequency to all of our ships, including the civilian ones.”

“Channel open, sir.” replied the comm officer, who still had no more idea what was happening than the rest of the crews

“People, we have a situation on our hands.” Richard began “Somehow we have been transported to another galaxy, perhaps Andromeda, perhaps even further away, but it either way the point is moot.”

Gasps greeted Richard's statement, but he continued “As things stand we have a choice. Either we try to make a run back to our own galaxy, which from all we can gather would take at least ninety years, which we have neither the food, nor fuel, for.” he hesitated, taking in the bridge crew, who were all watching him

“The other choice is to stay where we are, and try to continue living here. The people who currently live here, a mixture of Zentran, Meltran, and Protoculture have offered us to do so, and are willing to render us whatever assistance they can give, within reason, to help us make our new home here.”

“And here we come to the reason for this transmission. I hereby ask everyone, both military, and civilian to go and vote on this issue. If you feel we should try to return to our own galaxy, as uncertain a voyage as it is, then you should vote so. If, on the other hand, you feel that we should try to make our own way out here, then you should vote for that option.” after a short pause Richard concluded “I know this is no easy choice, not for any of us. But, things are not hopeless. With the help of our new allies we may have a future here. Do not mistake my meaning, making a new colony will not be easy, but we all knew that when we signed on to the colony fleet. I await your decision.”

Richard sat himself back in the captain's chair with a sigh as he finished his speech

“You all right, sir?” asked Elaine, who was still watching him

Richard nodded “Just utterly exhausted, both mentally and physically. That was the hardest speech I have ever had to make, by far.”

“Considering the situation, sir, you did well, if I may say so.” Elaine said, partly to comfort her skipper, but she also meant every word

“Thank you, Elaine.” Richard replied “It means a lot.” he slowly got to his feet again “If it is all right I am going to retire to my quarters for a while. Make sure that the relief watch comes in when it should.”

“Sir.” replied Elaine, the ops officer having excused herself while Richard was onboard the Meltran vessel “I will also, assuming that I am still on duty, get you the results of the vote when they come in.”

Richard nodded his thanks, and left the bridge

((Sooo...anyone's allowed to jump in?))

Thankfully, for his peace of mind, Richard got four hours of much needed sleep, before a polite knock came on the door “Captain? May I come in?”

Richard rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, and straightened his uniform, as he had been too tired to even undress “Enter” he replied, knowing it was probably the results of the elections

The young officer, like the entire day duty bridgecrew, was female, she saluted Richard “Ensign Dawn, sir. I was asked to give you this.” she said, handing him a datapad

Richard nodded, taking the datapad “The election results?” he asked

“Yes sir.”

Richard turned on the desk lamp, only now noticing Dawn was not fully human, she clearly had at least some Meltran blood in her, as her slightly pointed ears showed “Just out of curiosity, ensign, what did you vote?” he asked

“To stay, sir.” she replied, looking nervous “In my view you were absolutely correct in that we don't really have much choice. And certainly we have a better chance to survive here than we would all on our own.”

Richard smiled, he still hadn't checked the results “Thank you for the vote of confidence, ensign”

“Sir, no thanks are needed.” she replied, her nervousness lifting a little “After all I voted for what I felt was the right decision to make.”

Richard nodded, and looked back down to the pad to check the results

“If there is nothing else, captain, may I be excused?” asked Dawn, still standing at ease just by the doorway

Richard shook his head “Sorry, ensign. Yes, you are excused.”

“Sir.” she replied, tapping her heels together in a form of salute, even though it wasn't strictly required by regulations, and walked out, closing the door behind her

Richard slowly scrolled down the screen on the pad. The results had first been rated by vessel, but the bottom line surprised him.

The result of the vote was, not just by a overwhelming majority, but unaminously, to stay.

Indeed the next two years would not be easy for anyone. Building the colony, as well as helping the Protoculture, and the others, rebuild theirs, was no easy task. Not made any easier by the fact that the humans were the only one of the four species to have practical engineering knowledge, as neither the Zentrans, nor Meltrans, had been bred with such knowledge in mind, originally, and the Protoculture had lost most of their knowledge in the eons since they ruled the galaxy.

After considerable discussion between ranking members of the four races, it was decided that a single, unified, nation would be formed, and after a popular vote, involving the planet's entire population, then numbering some seven million, the name of The Stellar Republic of Neo Terra was chosen.

A hundred years have passed, and the Stellar Republic has grown to be a nation of a little over two billion inhabitants. The early decision to clone, using genes from two seperate people, more inhabitants having helped a lot with population growth early on. Furthermore, as they required huge crew numbers to function when not crewed with full size Zentrans or Meltrans, those ships have virtually disapeared from the navy's inventory. Instead modified, and updated, versions of the ships the Macross-1 colony fleet consisted of now make up the navy.

The culture of the Republic is a strange amalgam of that of the four founding races. Sometimes termed by outsiders as a militocracy, this is not a entirely accurate description, as the Republic's civilians do, in fact, have a lot of say in how things are done in the Republic, but since most of the first contacts are done by the military, one can understand this misconception.

Having hid from view behind the system's strange magnetic field, which made long range communication impossible, and long distance ftl extremely hazardous, for so long, the Stellar Republic is only now starting to explore nearby space.

No one in the Republic knows, in reality, what is out there. But given their history, they have little doubt that the Republic will prevail.

ooc: That's the introductory story done. If it's ok I'm going to post the first actual ic post to start the rp tomorrow. As before tg me to confirm interest, in case the location hasn't made that impossible somehow.

ooc: *mutter, grumble* Internet's been acting screwy, could access some sites, but not others, and guess which one was at the top of the latter list? Yup, this one.

ic:
The area around the Neo Terran factory satelite was now a hive of activity, as four vessels were being prepared for long distance travel.

The Kawanakajima and her three cohorts (the Kenshin Uesugi, the Takeda Shingen, and the Kansuke Yamamoto) were the first, and first three, vessels of their respective classes, and therefore their crews were the most expirienced in handling their ships, which was felt to be needed now, as they would be the first Neo Terran vessels in a hundred years to leave the system.

Although it was hoped that any first contact would be friendly, all the ships would be carrying their full loadouts of fighters and other armaments, in case it would be needed.

The bridge of the Kawanakajima was a hive of activity as the ship prepared for her first real mission, as while she had been in commision for nearly a decade, this was going to be very different from before as they would be on their own, as direct communication with home would be impossible.

Slowly the massive arrowhead shaped ship slipped her moorings, heading along with her cohorts to a safe distance away from the inhabited planets to fold, after all the lessons of what could happen if you folded while too close to a planetary body were now well known.

After traveling the needed distance on their sublight drives, the four ships lit up their fold drives and headed out, heading ot towards the edge of the area of ftl interference which had protected the republic for so long.

ooc: Apologies that I haven't named any chars on the ships yet, going to be working on that now.:)

It was late on fourth shift for the TIER-EGCV Wanderfarer ( Tanaran Interstellar Empire Registry - Explorers Guild Contract Vessel ) and the bridge was mostly deserted save for the minimally staffed mandatory stations.

That was normal as they really weren't gouing anywhere specific at the moment, just allowing the converted VPC to go with the local star-streaming, while they compiled and reviewd the lastest batch of data on the potentially useful but entirely unexciting star system they had just surveyed. It was a rather disasppointing survey, the system being being uninhabited. And further it contained no planets that were more than marginally inhabitable. This was far more common than not, so it hadn't been unexpected, but still.

"Here we are as far from nowhere as has been explored and I'm bored" Tash, the Astrometrics apprentice, currently acting Helm, yawned and stretched.

"Want to play a game of Rumple?" Lashima (http://www.atddm.com/thecrew.jpg), the senior officer on the Bridge for the shift, and the head of the Communications department, asked in her soft, lightly accented voice. The face paced card game was a favorite of hers.

'Naw, actually its going into endgame down in Hells Half Acre and it looks like Loki's about to trigguer that ambush he's spent most of the time setting up." Tash demured. Besides, 'shima is just too damn good at any card game, I'd lose my shirt...again. I haven't had dessert in three weeks cause she's won them all. It wasn't as if deserts or treats were rationed, but it was a point of honor, if you were using them as betting goods, to forgeo dialing them up.And I have lost that spare pound I was carrying, so it's not all bad, but she doesn't even try to make it look hard Tash grumped internally.

Lashima, or 'shima, as her freinds called her, looked at way with a hidden grin as she read the thoughts showing clearly on Tash's face. Tash was terrible at any betting game, she hadn't yet learned to develope a 'poker face'. "Oh okay, maybe next week." She replied as she clicked up a gods eye view for herself of what was going on down in the gaming suite.

Some thirty odd of the crew was engaged in an elaborate sceneario of Lazer Tag. The bright flashes of their old fashioned laser pistols- dialed down to no more than 'paint' setting - showed up well in the very low light conditions of the holosuite.

And indeed ..."Oh nasty" 'shima winced as Loki used his trap to score kills on fully half of the others in one fell swoop. The ex Cadre officer, now the Wanderfar's senior Tactical Officer, was still in fighting prime obviously.

"Hey!" Tash grinned "Loki even got Papa Jango." That was the use name of the head of Exploration. Papa Jango was an Elder Yautja, an Arbitrator, and usually he was the victor. No one other than another Yautja, or a C.S's avatar, could produce his real name but he was content being called papa jango. He also ran the Cannibal Amrory, being the 'in house' creator of unusual and definiety lethal weapons.

Lashima was about to reply when the display on her main monitor chirped and changed. The Rihansu's face went serious as she read the the new data their remote sensors had suddenly forwarded on to the starcraft (http://www.atddm.com/wanderfar.jpg). She was silent as she took in the unusual readings. Then she mashed the All Call buttons, her voice firm "Sound General Quarters"

Near the space of the four vessels sat a warship of Alversian design. She was not a vast ship. Merely a Cruiser, nothing more than an escort in the Alversian system, yet she and her kin were the workhorses of the Alversian Deep Space Fleet, the force designed to explore and chart the regions of space unknown the Alversians. That was what the APS Immaculate was doing now.

Aboard, Lieutenant Commander Natasha Reid stretched and sighed as another shift stretched out in front of her. She was the Communications Officer aboard the vessel, but she was also a Lieutenant Commander and that, like it or not, placed her as third highest ranked Officer on the ship, behind the Captain and First Officer. Hence, she was tasked with taking one of the three 8 hour shifts and play the role of Captain. She hated it. Already, she could think of a dozen other things that had to be done with regards to the Communications Staff only. She was unusual in that, as soon as she got off the 3rd Shift and handed control back to the Captain, she would be back at her own station.

However, now she was frowning. She had four unidentified vessels on her scanners and they were not of any race the Alversians had encountered before. She knew the rules of First Contact. They had been driven into her skull at a special series of Lectures to convert them from a frontline warship to a vessel of peace and diplomacy.

"Ensign," She called to the young woman manning the Communications console, HER console, "Send a message to the unidentified ships. Standard greeting if you will"

"Yes Ma'am" The Ensign typed the commands into the console and so a message was broadcast to the vessels:

TO: Unidentified Vessels

Greetings. This is the Alversian People's Starship Immaculate.
We are on a mission of exploration into this area of the universe
and were wondering who you may be?

Lieutenant Commander Natasha Reid
APS Immaculate

The Kawanakajima and her escorts dropped out of warp, for now seemingly oblivios of the presence of the Wanderfarer, due to the disorientating effects of the fold, on both crew and sensors.

"Captain, the Kenshin reports that she has sensor contact with a unidentified ship at extreme sensor range", the Kawanakajima's comm officer spoke up, a woman of mixed Human and Protocran (Protoculture) origin.

"What does the warbook say?" asked captain Shakov, the spoken language on the bridge being the Zentraedi tongue, which had in the preceding years become the Republic's primary language

"Warbook confirms her as unknown, sir" said the sensor operator, another female "doesn't match any Neo Terran, or UN Spacey ship we know of" she left unsaid the fact that the warbook was severly out of date in the latter case.

"Open a hailing frequency." Shakov ordered "After all we have orders to at least try to communicate with the outside world"

To: the Unidentified ship
From: NTS Kawanakajima
Please identify yourselves, we have no hostile intent
(that would be in the Zentraedi tongue, to start out with)

ooc: Note that the Kawanakajima is not a Star Destroyer, she just bears a slight resemblance to the Imperator class, although the lack of any bridge tower is a dead giveaway that she's a different class all together.

ooc: Alversia, bit of a dumb question, but what language was that in? All my guys understand is terran english and Zentraedi.

Communications involving the Kawanakajima and APS Immaculate

The Wanderfar had known of the Alversian ship, the APS Immaculate was in the region, they'd said 'hello' several days earlier, but the two ships hadn't exchanged much communications sinces, both ships yet being busy with their own work.

The Captain had been deeply asleep when General Quarters was sounded, and thus was still intransuit to the bridge when the four ships had appeared out of a tidy but previously unknown type of space fold opening. That meant her ability to translate any tongue instantly was unavailable, and thus while

Lashima's communications array caught the APS Immaculate's broadcast of :

TO: Unidentified Vessels

Greetings. This is the Alversian People's Starship Immaculate.
We are on a mission of exploration into this area of the universe
and were wondering who you may be?

Lieutenant Commander Natasha Reid
APS Immaculate

and knew what it said...

and the reply of, in an unfamiliar tongue:

To: the Unidentified ship
From: NTS Kawanakajima
Please identify yourselves, we have no hostile intent

She did not know what the newcomers said in reply so she agreed with the actions of the Wanderfar's C.E. when he, Dion, brought up the shields, but did not begin spooling up the Vest Pocket Battle Cruisers weapons.

However she did rely, in Basic English, as was standard protocol along the smae hailing frequency as the new comer had used. She also fired it off to the Alversians, so they would know what Wanderfar wsa doing. Better to coordinate, than end up in a potential friendly fire situation.

This is the Exploratory Starcraft Wanderfar. We are sendinge a mathamatical symbol and formulary data base for initating contact." With that she triggered the standard First Contact protocall data dump.

As she finished doing that Loki sprinted out of the lift shaft and was at the Tactical station as fast as his feel could carry him. If he could have teleported he would have but then he was retired Cadre and they seemed to live at lightspeed. But just heart beats later the Captain entered from her dedicated lift her lips working silently as she translated what had been sent by the new comers.

"No hositle intent" the small Xas advised the rapidly filling bridge, as other department heads sped to their bridge stations, or reported in from other such duty stations. The Exec was on the second bridge, the oversized tactical holo up and running...

OOC: Terran English

ooc: last post today, as it's 3 am around here, sorry guys.

ic:
TO: Unidentified Vessels

Greetings. This is the Alversian People's Starship Immaculate.
We are on a mission of exploration into this area of the universe
and were wondering who you may be?

Lieutenant Commander Natasha Reid
APS Immaculate

"English?" captain Shakov said, clearly looking surprised.

"Yes sir", replied the comms officer "the sub dialect used by both ships is unfamiliar to us, but it is very definetly english"

To: APS Immaculate, Wanderfar
We are ourselves from a long lost UN Spacey colony fleet, but have been out of contact with the outside world for over a century.
We did not expect to find english speakers, let alone humans, out here, as we don't even know where here is exactly.

Captain Shakov let out a sigh as he nodded to the comms officer to send the message out, while he hoped that the unknowns might know what the UN Spacey was, no one would really be surprised if they did not.

To: APS Immaculate, Wanderfar
We are ourselves from a long lost UN Spacey colony fleet, but have
been out of contact with the outside world for over a century.
We did not expect to find english speakers, let alone humans, out
here, as we don't even know where here is exactly.

"The what?" Natasha asked, non-plussed. She had never heard of a UN Spacey in any of the many courses she did at University. 'Must have been a former power in this region' She concluded to herself. The man operating the Flight Console directly in front of her turned and grinned,
"Well, Nat? What do you think?" He asked.
"I've told you a thousand times, Lieutenant, on duty I am Lieutenant Commander Reid, not Nat" She shuddered, the name was not one she had chosen but one chosen for her. Now it clung to her like glue, "As for what to do, I'm not sure, I guess send another message.

TO: Kawanakajima

There are many English speakers across the galaxy and Humans are
equally as common. As for this UN, we are unsure of what you refer
to. We are delighted to be the first to welcome you back into the
Interstellar community after a century's absence.

Lieutenant Commander Natasha Reid
APS Immaculate

To: APS Immaculate, Wanderfar
We are ourselves from a long lost UN Spacey colony fleet, but have been out of contact with the outside world for over a century.
We did not expect to find english speakers, let alone humans, out here, as we don't even know where here is exactly.

TO: Kawanakajima

There are many English speakers across the galaxy and Humans are
equally as common. As for this UN, we are unsure of what you refer
to. We are delighted to be the first to welcome you back into the
Interstellar community after a century's absence.

Lieutenant Commander Natasha Reid
APS Immaculate

Lashima took it from voice only to view, letting both the Alversians - who already knew what they looked like as well as the Spaciens get their first view of those that made up the bridge crew.

"UN Spacey? Not one I'm familiar with" The Lady Scholar Irdris said under her breath as she and Dion searched all available memory concerning a nation or culture that ws identified as U.N. Spacey, and at firest found nothing...

"Wait, Lashima could you aske for a expansion querry- aks if U.N. means United Nations, though it's still comeing up blank on Spacey.." the Anubolian added, just as low.

'That may be a variation on Space navy?" Dion offered, just as softly from the speaker neawrest her Sciences station

Shima replied as requested

TO: Kawanakajima,

"Pleased to note you speak vairation of Basic English. We have a querry - is it possible that U.N. refers to 'United Nations'. Also please be advised that APS Immaculate is correct. There are many English speakers across the galaxy and Humans are equally as common However as you can see there are many other species. Welcome back to the wider Universe indeed. The young Rihansu sitting at the communications console grinned for those watching "And the Tanarans will have utter sympathy for you not knowing exactly where here is, We they first arrived they didn't either."

Formality among exploreers, or at leasst not Tanaran explorers, wasn't common, the general feeling was that it was better to make a connection fast than be all stuffy. Besides the Capain was nodding.

Lashima might have been Rihansu species-wise, but culturally she was much closer to Tanaran cultural norms than Rihansu - but that was only natural as the Rihansu that had fled to the Tanaran Empire had left their 'native' empire out of utter digust at what that Empire's society had become.

No my crew is a weell done cross section of the wide variety we have to offer Cym smiled and added her own greetings to the communications "I'm Captain Cym'mirrya of the Xa'Cz'inni' but also of the Interstellar Empire of Tanara. Wecome out!"

Captain Shakov frowned, if anything the mystery of who these ships belonged to was only getting deeper, instead of the picture getting clearer.

Yes, the UN is short hand for the United Nations, as we are from Earth originally.
Well, at least some of us.
Should we meet fact to face to discuss this further?

After sending the message he wished inwardly that the high ups had thought of sending a real diplomat with the Kawanakajima on her mission, but since wishing wouldn't get him anywhere, and sending a message to HQ for a one was impossible, he just had to manage without.

OOC: Since you were polite, and explained yourself, I will gladly comply. I sincerely find you to be a class act, and appreciate your candor.

After sending the message he wished inwardly that the high ups had thought of sending a real diplomat with the Kawanakajima on her mission, but since wishing wouldn't get him anywhere, and sending a message to HQ for a one was impossible, he just had to manage without.

"Well?" The Lieutenant asked, "Should we accept their invitation, Nat it not?"

"Lieutenant Commander," She corrected patiently, "We are on a mission of exploration, Lieutenant. Sometimes, that mission demands that we met people and discuss things. Hence, exploration"
"Should I wake the Captain? I think he'd be interested in this development..."
"...no," Natasha got up from the chair "I am Bridge Commander for this shift and I am sure the Captain need not be disturbed with so trivial a matter."

A message was sent back to the Kawanakajima:

TO: Kawanakajima

We would be delighted to meet and exchange information that will
be of benefit to both our peoples. Shall we transport over or would
a shuttle be preferable?

Lieutenant Commander Natasha Reid
APS Immaculate

Shakov had to raise a eyebrow at that, as after all the bit about transporting over implied some other method of going between ships, and the only place he'd heard of that was quite frankly from anchient science fiction movies.

A shuttle is fine, we'll roll out the red carpet for you.
Our hangar bay is located toward the rear, and "bottom" of the ship from the way we are currently facing

ooc note: If you haven't already guessed my nation has no knowledge of the following: the Warp (as in Warhammer style), the Force, or such tech..Apart from maybe having seen the movies they've been borrowed from

"I don't think they've seen transporter technology yet, Nat," The Lieutenant reported from his station at the front of the bridge,
"Lieutenant Commander," She corrected again, "So a Shuttle will have to do. Very well, Lieutenant, you're with me."
The Lieutenant seemed hesitant so Natasha turned to face him,
"Problem, Lieutenant?" She asked.
"I really think the Captain should be informed of this meeting, at least the Commander. You're going to abandon the bridge for the duration of this meeting"
"I am Bridge Commander of this shift, Lieutenant, thus I can do what I want, when I want"
'Plus it's a chance to show that bugger I'm not for this whole duty thing' She thought to herself as she left the bridge, the reluctant Lieutenant in tow with her.

Within moments, they had departed their orbiting cruiser and were heading for the new contacts. Inside the two Officers were silent. They were about to be the first Alversians to interact with this people and the characteristics of their entire people would have to be carried by them.
"Tell you what Nat, this is gonna be an interesting mission," The Lieutenant broke the silence as they approached,
"Lieutenant Commander" She replied patiently,

The Pilot broadcast a message as they approached the ship
This is Shuttle I2613C requesting permission to land

Yes, the UN is short hand for the United Nations, as we are from Earth originally. Well, at least some of us. Should we meet fact to face to discuss this further?
TO: Kawanakajima
We would be delighted to meet and exchange information that will be of benefit to both our peoples. Shall we transport over or would
a shuttle be preferable?
Lieutenant Commander Natasha Reid
APS Immaculate
A shuttle is fine, we'll roll out the red carpet for you. Our hangar bay is located toward the rear, and "bottom" of the ship from the way we are currently facing

"Captain, it looks like no transporter technology available to them. So I've readied a shuttle" The Wanderfar's Executive Officer, Hiro Tanaka, commed from his post on the Flag Bridge

"Thank you Hiro...Lashima, let them know we're coming." Captain Cym'mirrya ordered as she stood to head to the shuttle bay "Idris, Loki you're with me. Let Brianna know I want her to come along as well."

'shima nodded and sent a message down to the main Medbay, as Dr. Brianna Carson was the Wanderfar's Chief Medical Officer. Then she sent a message to the

TO: Kawanakajima

Our captain and three representative officers will be taking a shuttle over shortly.

And in short order a small shuttle slid from it's hanger bay and headed over to the Kawanakajima, Loki at the helm. All were eager to meet the newly reemerging Spaceys, but not especially nervous over it. Almost all of the crew were veterans in the Guild, with the four officers aboard the shuttle craft having a combined experience of well over five hundred years between them.

This is Shuttle I2613C requesting permission to land

The Wanderfar had been closer to the Kawanakajima, but slower to get a shuttle off. So they waited patiently in line until the Alversian shuttle had docked and the landing facilities were clear. Though Loki too transmitted a landing request.

As they waited a communications came in from the Wanderfar. The data on what U.N. Spacey possibly was made Scholar Lady Idris blink and cock one elegantly tall ear. Then she passed it along to the other three.

“It is Helmsman Fen that figured it out. He collects old ...Cinne replicas, apparently, and says that back on historical Earth of the Home Universe there was a fictional tale of such. Apparently, in novels and Cinemas, a science fiction Earth was attacked by giants, called Mutrans, and nearly conquered. That the tales centered on transforming Metalics, somewhat like the Autochones we know, who helped the humans save their planet after they fled from the Mutrans who had just conquered the Metalic’s home galaxy. The Robots called themselves Autocans and wanted to protect a power source called Prologon… The human group that worked with them was called the United Nations Spacey.”

“Interesting.” Was the Captains comment as she considered this.

Some seventeen hundred years ago the Tanarans had come out of their travels though naturally occurring wormholes to find themselves not where they were supposed to be. And eventually they realized that they weren’t even in the same Universe they’d originated in. There was an Earth where theirs had been, but it’s history and make up was greatly different.

But as the Tanaran Empire lay some 600 million LY from the Earth of this Universe, it didn’t seem to matter.

Now it seemed that much the same might have befallen these people. There was no mention of a U.N. Spacey in This Earths history, or if there was it was a very minor matter, and their database simply didn’t have mention of it.

A fairly large armour panel slid open to reveal the hangar bay, which since it was intended for three squadrons (54 total) of fighters, plus varios support craft, was easily large enough to accomodate the two extra shuttles as well.

What would be a surprising fact to both the Alverians and the Tanarians is the fact that the ground crew wore full enviromental suits, clearly the Neo Terrans did not have access to to atmospheric shielding.

Two berths were specially lit, side by side, in a clear invitation for them to use them, the panel would be closed so the bay could be re pressurized after they landed.

ooc: A little headache there, but there's no on screen evidence of the UN Spacey ever having that technology, not even in Macross-F, which is set nearly thirty years after this colony fleet originally departed Earth.

After the shuttle had settled down on the ground with a sigh, the door slide back to reveal three Alversians. Although Alversians were humanoid, there were differences, the key one being height. Most Alversians are over 6 feet tall and these three were no exception to the rule, Natasha was 6'1'', her Lieutenant was 6'4'' and the other Ensign was 6'5''. As they walked down the ramp to the ground, they noticed the ground crew had been wearing Pressure Suits. Strange for a space faring nation they thought.

Still, this was a diplomatic mission and so Natasha decided to be diplomatic, they decided to wait until someone from the crew approached them, instead of wondering around the ship like blithering idiots.

Loki set the drop shuttle down as light as a feather, though he seldom had time to pilot a drop ship any more. "No atmospheric shielding has been his only comment as the drop ship had entered the hanger bay, and he observed the crew in suits.

Accordingly the four had waited for repressurization - using the time to make sure they all looked their best. While none of them wore anything resembling a required uniform - when the crew numbered less than six hundred, every one know everyone else on sight and, after a year or so their entire life story as well- to say nothing of exactly what their duties were. So badges and rank markers were unnecessary.

However, like most ships, they had over time adopted what amounted to a uniform. Their choice of clothing style done in star silk, that incredibly tough shimmering cloth, in a hue of 'semi-iridescent deep space blue with a pattern inset into the fabrics weave, thus being tiny stars of gold in the double helix and the Ascendant phoenix glyph' (http://www.atddm.com/wfpat.jpg)- the hue, the pattern of the weave, and the embellishments had been registered to the Wanderfar long ago.

The delicately built Captain had hers as her small bolero vest-top and her short kilt- once the crew had given her a quilted tube of the fabric as a tail warmer. It went well against the amber and charcoal hues of her fur. Lady Scholar Idris's longer tunic top with its crisp, delicate pleats and ankle length pleated kilt was also most elegant against her flat ebon with a blue tinge fur. Though this was more than she usually wore. Both the Anubians and the Xa, both races being furred, had built in clothes to speak. Both wore thick-soled padd sandals on their feet.

Loki looked more like a pirate in his dark leathers and the well worm but still potent double blasters at his hips. He wore a Novan wrap top of matte black spun silk with a haori of the fabric over it. Preferring an appearance as disreputable as possible he also carried a sheathed Novan Honor Blade (http://www.atddm.com/mystlong.jpg) over one shoulder. He'd earned it the hard way.

He covered the Captains back, having long ago become her unofficial bodyguard. Though no Xa’ Cz’inni' really needed one. But it made Loki more comfortable and that to the whole of the ship was an important benefit. Very few Cadre ever retired from the Cadre and his signing on greatly enhanced the status of the Wanderfar. His soft soled knee high boots made no sound on the drop ship's ramp.

Lastly, but certainly not leastly, Brianna, the Wanfderfar's (http://www.atddm.co,wanderfar.jpg) Physician and Healer came down the ramp in sensible black trousers over ankle boots and a loose tunic top of the fabric. Her tunic was as belted in tight around a trim waist and that wide belt carried numerous pouches. She never went anywhere with out as full a medi-kit as possible. The good doctor believed in being prepared as possible.

The Captain was only some five and a half foot tall, being somewhat short for her gens, while Lady Idris's elegant ears reached nearly seven foot. Loki made a fine back drop for the Captain as he stood a well muscled but not bulky six and a half foot. Brianna was just short of six foot.

They watched the pair of tall Alversians stop at the end of their shuttles ramp and with a small gesture from Captain Cym' they fell into the pattern of long habit, a lose diamond shape and headed that way - no need to make the Spacey's send out two groups to greet them all.

"Lieutenant Commander Natasha Reid?" The Captain asked as she held out a paw for a shake. The Xas long ago had adopted the human greeting ritual of shaking 'hands'. She'd never personally met any Alversians, but the Tanaran Empire had lately formed a very cordial friendship with the People Republic.

OOC: Didn't realize until now one of my link was broken in an earlier post. Now the link is fixed and you can see what the Wanderfar looks like.

"The very same" Natasha took the hand that was offered to her by the Tanaran and smiled at the same time. She knew that the Tanarans adapted their own uniforms depending on the ship they crewed. Unlike the Alversian Navy which wore a deep blue tunic as standard with a peaked cap. The uniform also included a single white crossbelt along with white trousers. The uniform itself was quite pleasing to look at and when in perfect condition, such as Natasha's, it looked quite impressive.

Natasha herself was tall, thinly built and had a nose for authority. She was the Officer's Officer, a stiff, robotic and rather monotonous character with a sharp wit and wicked sense of humour. She didn't seem to connect with anyone although they did their best not to reciprocate the effort. Her long, black, silky hair ran down to her waist and looked rather peculiar stuffed into the peaked cap. She had pale, delicate features and a set of rather determined eyes. Like all officers, she had a long cutlass suspended from her black belt.

"My adjacent," She said, indicating to the much more scruffy and amicable looking Lieutenant beside her, "Lieutenant Kyle Toal, the Incalculable's Chief Flight Officer."

The younger man gave a smile and offered his hand,
"Nice to meet you," he said politely.

OOC: I hate bbc code, but now all the links in the post above work.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The very same"

Captain Cym’mirrya was careful to keep her razor sharp claws deeply retracted as she shook hands

"Very pleased to meet you Lieutenant Commander. I am Captain Cym’mirrya of the independent exploration craft Wanderfar, under contract to the Tanaran Explorer's Guild." her voice was a warn like molten chocolate, purring alto, and her whiskers twitched forward as the edges of her lips curled up but not open. Her tail, nearly as long as she was tall- and that, to another Xa’ Cz’inni, would say much, it never having been clipped...

While most of her crew had started out in the Empire's military, most of them had served a few five year terms then opted out to the far less regimented life - and as well paid as the Tanaran's Navy and Marines were - Exploring still paid better. And there was an immense ( unreal but believed in never the less ) romance about being part of First Contact.

Why no one ever believed those who knew there was darn little romance and immense danger in being a First Contact explorer was an eternal mystery to those in the Guild. Most of the Guild just shrugged their shoulder and gave up trying to disabuse the adoring 'groupies'. Some took advantage of it, certainly, but the Captain wouldn't ship any of that sort.

"My adjacent, "Lieutenant Kyle Toal, the Incalculable's Chief Flight Officer." "

"Nice to meet you,"

The trim Xa, who carried no other obvious weapon - but then again no Xas needed to - than a family heirloom dirk at her waist took the pro-offered hand with another of her careful smiles. Her's were a predator's teeth, and she knew that baring fangs tended to make humans nervous. "Pleased to meet you.".

"This is the 'Far's Chief Helm, Captain Loki Cadre, retired" She tilted her head slightly to indicate the human who towered fully a foot over her "Scholar Lady Idris Thoth Anu' Moun, Professor of Xeno Cultures, Double U" She gestured to the sleek furred Anubi to her right " and our Chief Medical Officer Brianna Carson." She stood to the Captains left.

Scholar Lady Idris bowed slightly her hands coming together in a soft clap of greeting. She too carried no obvious weapons. Loki just nodded, his observant eyes never ceasing their sweep, and evaluation, of their current surroundings. Dr. Carson gave an easy smile and shook hands with both Alversians, with a soft murmur of "good to meet you all"

ooc: Sorry, guys, was half dead on my feet by 10pm last night, and could barely think straight, let alone write a proper ic post.

Thankfully I feel much better now so we can go back to the rp.

ic:
After a short wait two figures were seen walking towards them, one male, one female, wearing similar uniforms, white jackets over a close fitting jumpsuits.

Just about the only thing different between the two uniforms were the rank insignias, in Kanj, the male's reading "Kan-sho" (naval captain), while the woman's read "Dai-i" (lt. commader)

The captain saluted, a combination of heel click, followed by him raising his right hand horizontal at chest level, and then down again to the side.

"Captain Rudolf Shakov, of the NTS Kawanakajima", he said in greeting "This is my ops officer Dai-i Tomoe Sakade"

They both looked pretty normal enough for terran humans, although a closer look would reveal they both had slightly pointed ears, pointing to a more mixed heritage, which was after all becoming more and more common in the Republic each year.

ooc: Humans, Zentrans, Meltrans, and yes, even Protocrans, have no problems breeding with each other. It is suspected by all involved that we have the same genetic base, but if this is the case, the proof is long lost in the mists of the 500 odd thousand years since the Protoculture were at their peak.

Once the introductions were over and the two Officials had entered, Natasha and Lieutenant Toal gave a perfect naval salute.
"Greetings Captain, I am Lieutenant Commander Reid and this is Lieutenant Toal. We are the Alversian People's Starship Incalculable" She said stiffly, Natasha wasn't really equipped to deal with this sort of meeting. She was a Communication's Officer not a diplomat. If it hadn't been for the Deep Space Fleet's destruction by the SASM, she wouldn't be here at all.
Once all 74 ships had been destroyed, the APN was offering double salary to anyone who would pick up the baton and carry on where they had left off.

The result had been a new fleet of ships and crew, inexperienced in the forms of firs contact. Natasha was here to pay for her Art Course at the University of Illesia, the course she hoped to return to once her five years in the Navy were up.She had only joined the Navy in the first place as the good pay, coupled with the short compulsory service term meant it was her best option. Now she was three years into that five and already a Lieutenant Commander, although the lack of an Officer's corps may have contributed to that.

Toal was three years her junior and had found himself an Officer in much the same way as her. Unlike her, however, he was planning on rejoining the Navy once his five years were up and staying until his dying days. The Navy offered good prospects for the Academically weak Toal and he would look forward to the day he could retire an Officer.

"I assume this is your first foray outside your own space?" Natasha asked the Captain politely.

"Captain Rudolf Shakov, of the NTS Kawanakajima. This is my ops officer Dai-i Tomoe Sakade"

"Greetings Captain, I am Lieutenant Commander Reid and this is Lieutenant Toal. We are the Alversian People's Starship Incalculable"

"I assume this is your first foray outside your own space?"

The Tanarans had listened quietly, willing to let the Alversians go first. On the whole while Tanarans could be down right pushy if the need arose, on the whole they were confident enough in themselves and their culture to be very laid back, patient sorts. Besides they were also taking the mettle of the Alversians as well.

With her whiskers and ears pricked forward, her tail barely waving the Captain waited to hear what the Spacesy reply would be. The Xas was fairly certain - that if they were counting themselves unsure as to where they were - that it was their first venture out of what was their new Home System. But snap judgements were ofter just wags as any explorer learned very early on.

Shakov nodded "It is indeed. To be frank there was some worry initially what we might find out here, as we were so far from home."

After a short pause, probably to think he added "And some of us don't even have a home outside Neo Terra any more."

His moud seemed to change after saying that "Where are my manners. Shall we move to a place where we can talk together more comfortably instead of standing around on the flight deck?"

"Where are my manners. Shall we move to a place where we can talk together more comfortably instead of standing around on the flight deck?"

The Captain found it unsettling that she and her crew had been ignored, left out of the introductions. That did not bode well. Over the internal link- bounced through the dropship - she advised Dion she wanted the link **on and recording in real time and a transporter set for an emergency grab and 'port should things go south.**

They had met people with intolerant mindsets before and were under no illusions that they might well be walking into a trap. But it wasn't every day that one met what looked like intelligent, talking cats and dogs, though most claimed the Anubi looked far more like the jackals of earth not dogs. Cym hadn't bee able to see the differences muchly in the holos she'd seen. Canines tended to vary so widely. But people also kept saying that the Xa ‘Cz’inni looked feline evolved. They weren't, they were a created race.

She'd give Captain Rudolf Shakov the benefit of the doubt for the moment. But she was well aware that the three with her had noticed the rudeness as well, especially Loki. His subtle moves told her that he had gone from just general alertness to higher readiness. As long as he didn't call up Tick from his pharmacope she knew she could handle him if he went active. However with the battle drug in his system, all bets were off.

**Dion, set us up for a no run up Deessit, if you please** she sent through the link. Nothing the Spacey's had could decipher it, even if they some who managed to intercept the communication.

The C.S. mentally winced at that, he hated those, most every sensible C.S. did. The chance of coming out in an Universe other than your own was substancial. But better wrong way than trapped in a ambush and reduced to component atoms.

"Where are my manners. Shall we move to a place where we can talk together more comfortably instead of standing around on the flight deck?"

"I think it would be preferable yes," Natasha looked around at the Tanarans, "Although I feel that our introductions have yet to be complete. It is usually bad form to invite only one of group of two yes?"

The Tanarans had little to show Natalie, they were not of the Tanaran Armed Forces and thus their discipline and rules could not be studied. Instead, she would see how their equivalent of the Deep Space Fleet, apparently an independent force rather than a branch of the Navy, operated under First Contact.

Shakov actually was not deliberately ignoring the Tanarans, the breach of hospitality had been more to do with him being unused to this sort of thing than a deliberately intended insult, anyone able to read human facial expressions would now have read this instantly from his face as he gave the Tanarans a bow

"My apologies, truly. It was not that I did not want to talk to you as well, it was more that the fact you did not speak up yourselves caused my mistake."

He followed this by offering his hand to them in greeting, still looking somewhat red with embarrasment from his mistake.

"Although I feel that our introductions have yet to be complete. It is usually bad form to invite only one of group of two yes?"

The Captain's whiskers might have twitched, just the barest fraction of a millimeter, maybe, perhaps. And Loki, if later pressed, would admit that his minimal yet very crisp acknowledging nod definitely indicated a point for the Alversians. Brianna's eyes certainly took on a twinkle and Lady Scholar Idris’s serene inscrutability became even more serene.

But that was their only outward responses to the Alversians calling the Spacey's up short. The only thing that might have been more...interesting, was had there had been a Grendel or a Novan with them; both of those races were notoriously formal, and tended to be very unforgiving in that aspect. But happily there wasn’t; those races didn't tend to join the Explorers Guild. Both of their Empires had their own First Contact variants, both part of their respective military.

However the Tanarans felt that First Contact was not necessarily the providence of the military, that it should be done by specialists. Well trained and practiced specialists, not simply ivory tower theorists. So every Guild registered Officer not only had the equivalent of doctorates, but years of practical apprenticeship. And every Captain, or the craft’s official Scholar, was accredited by the Empire as an Ambassador.

That notion had served them well in their seventeen hundred years of exploring 'outback of the farther shores'; and since their 'farther shores' stretched some 600 million light years in most directions, the Guild had been there, done that, and offered those they met their own souvineer tee's...

"My apologies, truly. It was not that I did not want to talk to you as well, it was more that the fact you did not speak up yourselves caused my mistake."

The Captain's whisker twitch became one of her closed lipped smiles, and she promptly shook the pro-offered hand as her tail looped in silent laughter "No offense taken Captain Shakov. There is reason we often get called the Silent Service beyond our reluctance to issue statements until we feel we have adequately interperted the data." Her wry tone tried to make it clear she really had Not taken offense.

The two Alversian Officers watched as the two other groups were formally introduced. Natasha permitted herself a small smile,
"Now that we are all fully acquainted," She said, "Shall we now take this conversation to a more comfortable part of this vessel? I am sure this is not the best your people can offer" She indicated to the hangar.

Shakov smiled at that, and motioned to the doorway he and Tomoe had come out of "Indeed it is not, although our funiture might not be as comfortable as it perhaps should be, as our designers didn't, at the time, expect to have guests with tails."

"As hosts, however, we shall see what we can do to help with that, however", he added "after all anything less would not be proper hospitality."

Shall we now take this conversation to a more comfortable part of this vessel? I am sure this is not the best your people can offer" She indicated to the hangar.

That earned a microscopic shake of the head from Loki. Once wad fine but twice in less than a day? Overboard and did not make senoir officers inclined to be forgiving. And Loki knew well the interactions between senior and junior officers. He'd started out like every Cadre, a basic Tanaran Marine private, and then was shanghied into the Cadre when he proved to have the rare combination of abilities that they looked for. Out of well over six billion Humans in the Empire, less than 60,000 - far less than .001%, had the necessary natual abilities not just desired, but absolutely required to be a Cadre prospect.

He'd ended up a Captain before going inactive - no Cadre ever actually retired, they were just allowed to go inactive, though most never left. He'd spent over thrity years active, and given the extended lifespan of a prolong reciepent, might chose to go active again in another thirty years or so.

"As hosts, however, we shall see what we can do to help with that, however after all anything less would not be proper hospitality."

"Actually chairs designed for humans generally suffice, unless an extended 'sit'
is involved. Both we Xa' Cz'inni and the Anubi have very flexible tails." The Captain reassured him as she walked beside him, taking in the details of the ship as they passed though various parts.

"Captain Shakov, by any chance did your people have a war with a race of larger than average hominids that involved multiform metalic sentinents, and a power source called Protocon? I see what appears to be indications that your vessel has multiple configurations."

With the group walked, Natasha was taking note of the vessel and how it compared to her own humble Destroyer. For the moment, she was content to let the Tanarans and their hosts talk while she continued to look over the vessel itself.

"While the ship itself isn't transformable, our fighters are, and we could arrange a show of that later, if you would like." Shakov seemed to be mulling over the first question while answering the second

"Back on Earth, over 20 years before our colony fleet set out, we did fight a war against a species of giants, yes, but "Protoculture" was not the name of their powersource, but instead their long lost masters." looking back towards Loki he asked "If you don't mind my asking, where have you heard of this? Have you met the UN Spacey yourselves?" it was after all a understandable question to ask given the circumstances.

If you don't mind my asking, where have you heard of this? Have you met the UN Spacey yourselves?"

Loki blushed ever so slightly and hmmmed just a little bit before answering "Personally I've never heard of you before today." He floundered for an answer under Lady Idriss's raised eyebrow and hidden smile...


"None of us have, but apparently..." He chose the short form "Our ancestors are not native to this universe, but ended up here some seventeen hundred years ago. In our Home Universe there were old fictional tales of an organization named the same as yours. Back when these tales were written, people didn't believe there was life on other planets, much less a myriad of dimentions, other universes. Now we know better, and it also seems as if bits and pieces of knowledge can cross those barriers, perhaps easier than people can. But then again our ancestors for the most part did not believe in reincarnation either, something we have the ability to prove now days." He shrugged apologeticaly.

"It may be that some how the minds of your people have touched the minds of our ancestors and the message, a warning or plea for aid, was mangled. Or perhaps it is merely coincidence."

Lady Idris took up "In their Home Universe, there was, in vastly ancent times a deity that looked greatly like my species, and their name for him was even similar. However my people have never had contact with that planet, even in this Universe. It lies too far away and not in a direction we'd bothered to explore. We Anubians aren't naturally explorative. We were fortunate that we evolved on a planet that had several solar systems quite close by that had habitable planets and thus not much need to look further."

"But the expanse of Humans, homo sapiens sapiens, and all the variations found across the width and breath of not only this Universe but all the others does lead to a good foundation of the Forerunner- Seedsower theory. I still say there was cross contamination." Cym' protested softly then riased a forestalling hand "Later, again, Idris, later"

Then she apologised to Captain Shakov "An old and wide spread bone of contention, one so well chewed that even a new born kit might gum it to death. And if you need to contact Earth, the Wanderfar can be of assisstance with that."

Shakov shook his head "No need to apologize for curiosity. It is truly one of those traits that seems almost universal."

Arriving at a doorway, he punched a eight digit key code into the doorlock, and the door opened, revealing a small conference room, probably either used as a wing level (4 pilots) briefing room, or for departement meetings "Here we are, this should serve our needs pretty well. Both for comfort, and privacy"

The fact he hadn't answered the offer to contact Earth yet seemed to imply there was a reason for this, more than just this Earth potentially never having heard of them.

Natasha and Toal stared around the small room and gave a nodding approval. It was true that the Conference Room of their own Destroyer was much large and could hold two dozen seats in comfort. That was not why they were here, they were here to try and find out as much about this race as possible.
"So," Natasha asked, "Can you give me a brief overview of your people? I can do the same for the Republic once I have heard about your race from yourself"

(ooc:note that this is one of the smaller conference rooms on board. Just as he said, currently they don't need anything much larger, and also it is private)

OOC: Fair enough, carry on

Here we are, this should serve our needs pretty well. Both for comfort, and privacy"

The Tanarans entered with no demure, and made themselves comfortable. They had a wide variety of variously sized and themed conference rooms aboard the Wanderfar from small intimately configured ones such as this to the vast ampitheater style space that could hold the entire crew and guests.

Can you give me a brief overview of your people? I can do the same for the Republic once I have heard about your race from yourself"

"And then we can summarize the Empire as well, and we also have in-depth data, on various forms of information storage." The Captain added. They were well prepared for passing along information through a wide variety of media formats.

"All right," Shakov said "guess I better start out at the beginning." smiling a little at the cornyness of that choice of words

"Originally we were the 31st colony fleet to set out from Earth, the first of a new class of colony ships, named New Macross class, after the ship that had pretty much on it's own saved Earth twenty years before."

Pausing to let that sink in, he then continued "While exploring close to the edge of the Milky Way galaxy we, or rather our ancestors, seem to have somehow mis folded, which caused them to end up here."

"I see," Natasha nodded, "Fascinating, and how is your planet run? Is it a democracy? Do you have a King? or an Emperor?" She asked politely probing for information.

"We have a democratically elected goverment, but what you may not be aware of is the fact that there are effectively three seperate species in the Republic, four if you count those of mixed heritage."

He paused for a short while then continued "While Earth humans, Zentraedi, and the Protoculture are genetically similar enough to strongly hint at a commmon ancestor, and clearly able to interbreed without any undue difficulty, further proof of this is currently lacking."

"A potential problem is that the UN Spacey has standing orders to avoid Zentraedi who are not affiliated with the UN like the plague, and also report immediately any contact with remnants of the Protoculture civilization, which our ancestors didn't just find, but actual living members of said civilization."

The races that were mentioned sounded completely alien to Natasha, she had never heard of any of them. Humans, yes, the rest, no. But she was here on a mission of exploration and discovery. Doubtless, she would discover more as the two races got to know each other,
"What are relations like within your planet?" Natasha asked cautiously, sometimes this subject could be incredibly sensitive and the last thing she wanted to do was offend her new friends...

ooc: Apologies guys, but concerns over a growing situation for my mt nation kept me from posting more often last night. *intends to try to rp in both ft and mt (effectively seperate nations, though)*

ic:
"Overall the relations are excellent, as we have a single unified goverment open for all, but we have had some problems with human extremists in the past" Shakov winced, said "problems" had been a sixteen month long war between the Republic and one of it's colony worlds

"Actually "planets" would be more applicable, as we have colonized all six of the planets in the system, to one extent or another."

"I am delighted to hear it" Natasha replied stiffly, the Alversians had conquered nothing bigger than a large moon, but that was because if there were inhabitants already on the planet, the Alversians would leave them alone. They had colonized a few areas but nothing extreme. Alversians mostly existed outside their own system in garrisons to protect weaker species.

"What of your economy?" Natasha kept driving the conversation forward, "Would you say the people are wealthy? Or just scraping by?"

"Economically I would say we are pretty well off, overall. Society will always have it's unfortunates, but we have always tried to take good care of them." Shakov was clearly glad to not have to, for now at least, talk more about that war, after all it was a sore spot in the Republic's history

"Actually there's something you might assist us with. Just after arriving here we, and our hosts, were attacked by a force we could not identify. While we have not encountered them since, our complete and utter lack of information on them is somewhat disconcerting."

"A random attack eh?" Natasha looked thoughtful, then she shrugged, "Most of this area of space is a mystery to us but we could try and help you identify your attackers. Can you describe them?" She asked politely, running through all the species in her mind. There were hundreds to chose from.

"The only bodies we recovered were, strangely enough, Zentraedi, but the ships were something else entirely." sliding a panel open on the table, Shakov punched in a few commands into what was clearly a computer, and a hologram of a ship appeared above the table.

While unusual in design, what was more surprising was the size as after giving a few more commands to the computer, a Kawanakajima class ship appeared beside it to give a sense of the scale. Whatever this ship was, she was more than twice the size of the Kawanakajima

"This ship was the largest they fielded against us, and we suspect she was their flagship."

ooc: the ship in question (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/Lafeel/unknownflagship.jpg)

Natasha looked at the model, in her head, she was running through sizes and ratios to compare it to an Alversian warship. When she was done, she was satisfied that the enemy battleship was only marginally bigger than a C-Class Dreadnought and she suspected that the Alversians would outgun it easily. But the Deep Space Fleet's biggest ship was a Heavy Cruiser and they were a LONG way off, scattered all over the universe. And she knew her small Destroyer, designed for nothing more than escort and screening duties, had no chance against it.
She shook her head,
"I'm afraid the design and layout does not ring a bell. We have not come across this ship before." She thought for another moment, "Is it possible that the Zentraedi may have been from another planet? Outside your control?" She suggested.

"Very possible." Shakov admitted "But" he added almost immediately "the Zentraedi have always used the same ship designs, as their designs, and indeed all of their technology, comes from the ones that used to be their masters, some five hundred thousand years ago, the Protoculture."

After a short pause to let this sink in "If this design originates from that era, we lack the information in our databanks. A lot of knowledge has been lost since the Protoculture were at their peak, after all they used to pretty much rule the entire Milky Way back then."

"I see," She shook her head again, "What about rebels?" She asked carefully, "Any chance that these attackers could be extremists seeking independence?" There were always some in every culture, even Alversia. The topic was sensitive but it needed to be asked if they were going to find an answer.

The Tanaran's kept quiet, listening intently. They were a multi species and multi culture Empire, and had colonized over two hundred worlds in over eighty systems. However they had not run across such a ship or species before, either Zentradi or Protoculture.

But the young Alversian officers questions were good ones.

However Lady Scholar Idriss did comment logically "If this is not your home Universe, as we suspect, then it might well be that the Zentradi of this Universe just use a different design than you are accustomed to and would not have in your databases."

Shakov nodded "Very possible, I'll agree. In any case hopefully we will know more if we encounter them. The ships we fought were in hardly any shape to give much information, be it technical, or on the owners after we were done with them."

Changing the subject he asked "So, what can you tell me about your own homes?"

"So, what can you tell me about your own homes?"

"First off let me give you all some information you greatly need." Captain Cym' spoke up as she brought a slender PADD from it's place on her wide belt. Laying it on the table she keyed up it's holographic display. "Namely where you are in the Universe."

The holo thats sprang up was roughly a meter tall by about one and a half wide and very clear and detailed.

"You're here" She said as the image of ESO 593-IG 008 (http://www.dailygalaxy.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/12/23/giant_eso_bird_3.jpg) also dubbed The Bird (http://www.eso.org/public/outreach/press-rel/pr-2007/pr-55-07.html). Some 650 million LY from Earth, about a third that much "west and south " of the Celestial Ring as we call our home galaxy. You all might know it as Hoags Object."

"A very interesting region of the Universe, and not one we've explored before. What with three galaxies intermingling and one of them having what some would call frequent bith pangs, it makes FTL communications difficult at best." Lady Idris commented.

"So, what can you tell me about your own homes?"

Natasha frowned lightly for a second, as if trying to think of where to start,
"Well, I can go back to the very basics" She decided, then took a breath,
"In short, Alversia is a People's Republic of about 8 billion people focused on a single planet. Alversia has three moons and they are also densely populated while we share a certain number of colonies with a race known as the Xiscapians. We champion freedom and equality above all other traits."

ooc: sorry about the long delay guys, been kept away by various other matters.(non ns related)

ic:
Shakov nodded "And it means we are very far away indeed from what we used to call home. Too far, indeed, to make the journey using our current technology successfully, in fact."

After a pause he continued "Well at least we have friendly neighbours." adding a small smile after saying this.

Captain Cym' nodded as the Alversian gave some details about her home world. "The Alversians are among the small group of nations we have diplomatic relations with- exchanges of Ambsassadors with - and I have heard it said that Her Imperial Majesty thinks highly of your Ambassador, a Mister Smith if I remember correctly" She spoke to Lieutenant Commander Reid before turning to Captain Shakov.

Cocking her head slightly the Captain listened intently to Captain Shakov's explaination why they would not be able to reach Earth.

"Well at least we have friendly neighbours."

"Actually we generate a large enough Gate space with our Desitter Translation Drive to take at least one of your ships with us on a jump to Sol system."

OOC:
Alversia, Tanara, I am truly sorry, but I am going to call a, hopefully only temporary, halt to the thread.

I am currently at a loss where to go to from here, both in mt and ft, so if it is all right by you I am going to take a break to sort it out.

I would just like to say that this does not have anything to do with the quality of your posts, which have been superb. Hopefully we can resume this when I manage to drag myself out of this slump I find myself in.
-Carb