NationStates Jolt Archive

The arrival of a Universal Engagement Unit into ones system rarely was something that pleased the locals. These machines of war where massive, size alone caused problems for any flight-paths that had been established sometimes days in advance, and could cause logistical nightmare for anyone trying to find somewhere to put the thing. All this of corse assumed that the vessel was merely coming in peace, for if it wasn’t the locals would be more worried about the thousands of missiles able to fire in moments, the rows of Energy Weapon Banks and even the few kinetic Rail guns.

But in this case there was no war. The ANV Socially Acceptable Massacre appeared in the Keluaun system at the pre-arranged spot, no flight paths should have been disrupted. Deep within the ship, representatives of the Authority Armed Forces where sitting, waiting for the Keluaun representatives to arrive.

“Massacre, what’s their ee-tee-aye?” Reyana asked, looking at silvery skinned Avatar.

“I am unsure,” it replied, frowning slightly “I am not sure which ship will be bringing them. I shall inform you when they try to contact us.”

“Thank you Sam.” She said back, sitting back and throwing her legs up onto the table. Turning her head she considered the figure beside her.

“You guys know the Keluaun better then me.” She said “How long you reckon their gonna make us wait?”

Oh, he's such a character. That's what they said L'vesne Arcturan Ellesmore - a name he'd chosen himself, for his birth name had been too simple. He'd met the Keluaun before a few times. He'd actually been aboard the Victorian Architecture when it'd handily decimated the Arl'skich, as an engineer. He'd joined Negotiation and Diplomacy when it'd opened, and had been then assigned to the Keluaun mission. It was probably because the Authority wasn't really sure how to handle a lot of its old allies - which was why the Massacre had been dispatched. Give those who hadn't encountered the Keluaun before a chance to meet them.

He nodded. "They're generally very punctual, but keep in mind we didn't give them as much warning as we could've done. Not many ships in the galaxy can keep up with a UEU.

He closed his eyes briefly. "I imagine they'll be here between four minutes, and four minutes and.. seventeen seconds. I'm just guessing, of course."

A sudden grin appeared on his face as he began to wait.

He was right, of course. They arrived in about four minutes, a single frigate that shot into view from Jump Space. The Kelauans would have come earlier, but they had to form a quick diplomatic team and honor guard to accompany the Praetor. He was in demand a lot these days, but they attributed it to their increasing power and wealth due to their booming economy and growing political power in the Travellian Empire. They were slightly worried, as the neural nets they had malfunctioned for a time, and they weren't able to access the worldmind of Hypatia. But then it came back, and a strange new voice had replied to their queries. In shock and suspicion, they had closed it off in order to find out what happened. So when a message came that they wished to meet with them on something, they had decided to go to find out what had happened to their beloved ally. That and with two of the seven Warfleets being sent to aid the Sornei in their civil war, they had to shuffle some duties to cover the lost frigate.

So it was that Kalthir, in his armor yet again, stood on the bridge of the frigate, gazing at the screen which revealed a strange and awe-inspiring sight. The massive form of a ship was seen, with sensors detecting a massive array of weaponry which could annihilate them instantly. However, they had come in peace, and Kalthir knew they were aware of the Kelauan code of honor. They would not be betrayed. Nodding to his A.I., Ashana, a channel was opened.

"Greetings to our Travellian allies. I am shocked at the new form your ships have taken, I thought the only ships that were this size were your battleplates. Now, before we get underway with the purpose you will undoubtedly reveal to me in a moment, I wish to know. What has happened with our Travellian friends? We know that something has occurred, as your worldmind has...changed, it is no longer the massive chorus of voices, but a single quiet one. Something has happened, and we wish to know what it is before we continue."

We are... changed. In an event that shook the foundations of our being, the neural networks that made us what we were.. they were linked to those of the Solarian people. Let it suffice to say that this was catastrophic for the normal cohesion of the Realm. In time, we found a new identity. A new people. We are.. different. Let it be known we still consider you our allies. Here we affirm this, if you believe it should still be so.

After speaking, L'vesne sat down, waiting for the Keluaun to come aboard.

“Oh very good.” She muttered to Ellesmore as the Frigate began its approach. “Why can’t you have that kind of accuracy Sam?” she said, her boots still up on the table. “I expected better from you.”

“Sorry ma’am.” The Avatar said, bowing its head in a mocking shame. “I am afraid I did not know which vessel we where dealing with, and unlike the good L’vesne here I am not well versed in Keluaun culture or practices.” The Avatar considered the man sitting next to his Captain. “Though I am sure that it was merely a guess on the good man’s part.”

While the conversation had been going on, and following L’vesne’s words Massacre had initiated a few words of his own.

(secure-tightbeam/e032/se343)
(s: Socially Acceptable Massacre)
(r: Praetor Kalthir)
(link-established)
(Massacre: You are beginning the final approach, please disengage your drives and allow me to guide you to one of my bays.)

When the Keluauns complied, their ship was caught in the grav-drive of the Massacre and guided perfectly into one of the Universal Engagement Units large Bays. Atmosphere was flooded into the room, and where the frigates doors opened, a single Silver skinned Avatar wearing a black suit stood with its hands Clasped behind its back.

“Praetor,” it said, nodding its head in respect. “My Captain and Negotiator L’vesne are waiting in one of the rooms deeper within my core. If you have no issues I can displace us there momentarily, or if you would prefer we can take the transport systems.”

"We are... changed. In an event that shook the foundations of our being, the neural networks that made us what we were.. they were linked to those of the Solarian people. Let it suffice to say that this was catastrophic for the normal cohesion of the Realm. In time, we found a new identity. A new people. We are.. different. Let it be known we still consider you our allies. Here we affirm this, if you believe it should still be so."


Kalthir turned to gaze at Ashana. <"Well?> She turned to him, looking like a deer caught in headlights.

"Well what, sir?"

<"I'd like your opinion on this."> She was floored; he had never done this before. She stammered a bit, before getting herself together.

"Well, sir....I think they are still our staunch allies, and still have memories of us and our loyalty."

Kalthir nodded. <"I was thinking the same, but I wanted to know from you, since the Realm had a world mind and many A.I.'s, you would be able to recognize if something wasn't right. Open a channel.">

I understand. I reaffirm our bonds of friendship and alliance as well.

"Another message, must be from the Solarians." He nodded for her to put it through and he looked at the main message.

(secure-tightbeam/e032/se343)
(s: Socially Acceptable Massacre)
(r: Praetor Kalthir)
(link-established)
(Massacre: You are beginning the final approach, please disengage your drives and allow me to guide you to one of my bays.)

"Understood. Coming in now." The frigate moved into position and shut down its drives. It was brought in, and the Praetor, cloaked with his silver and black cape, and wearing his gold armor. Seeing the Avatar, he nodded his head, as he walked down the ramp, followed by four Warbringers, the personal guard of the Praetor.

<"Displacing is fine, I have no qualms with it.">

OOC: Sucky reply but my muse is dead right now.

The Praetor would feel a strong pressure on all sides momentarily, and see nothing but a deep blackness, before he appeared into the room with the others with a faint pop. Reyana swung her legs off the table and stood, rocking on her feet once before standing up stably. She hesitated, unsure of what to do next, so she gave him a salute before sitting down again.

“Praetor,” she said smiling. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Forgive me, but I am unsure of the proper protocols for greeting someone in your position.”

“The Good Captain is here to represent the Military.” The Avatar said, smirking slightly. “I think her representation is fairly good, unsure how to greet someone without superior firepower.”

Kalthir smiled as he bowed to the woman who began speaking to him. He took a deep breath and began to speak his practiced Basic. He had a translator, but he prided himself on having many talents and being able to adapt to any situation, so he wanted to be able to speak a language that wasn't Kelauan. One his allies could understand, in time a crisis came and a translator was not available. "Do not worry, my lady, I have been so busy within the Travellian Empire, going this way and that, that I haven't really focused on procedure. As long as you are honorable and follow the codes of comradeship all warriors have, we'll do just fine."

He heard the Avatar speak her rank, as Captain, and he bowed in respect to a warrior of that rank. When it mentioned the representation and a little joke about superior firepower, he laughed. "I do not think she needs it; I am sure the good Captain has some tricks to use to attain her objective without such things as superior firepower." He gazed around a bit. "So, I was told there was to be a meeting, but not the purpose. Why did you call for me?"

L'vesne stood near Reyana, bowed, and spoke. "I am Negotiator L'vesne, Praetor Kalthir. I was aboard the superfortress Victorian Architecture when our people first met yours. I understand your desire for brevity, so, we may well keep this short. In such times as these, the old levies of the Realm are no longer possible to raise."

He shook his head, somewhat sadly. "The inclusion of our new friends into our neural networks has meant that the once all-encompassing militant desire that held every mind in its thrall has been broken, and, while many still join, there is no longer such a power for war as there once was. In particular, we lack dedicated ground forces."

"In truth, we do not have such grand need for ground forces when it comes to such niceties as planetary invasion - a unit such as this one can demolish any resistance, and automated drones can occupy a planet quite safely. Rather, it is the more dangerous type of mission, the raids, the captures, the more specialized parts of the army that we now lack, we no longer have the particular forces for. With the breaking of our worldmind, you see, the programs within, created by the minds of our people, and thus creating the minds of our people, which forced us within a certain set of parameters for our genetic makeup, is gone. Rather than a race of supersoldiers who desire nothing more than to fight, only a few have retained their old forms."

"Therefore, today, I wish to discuss the possibility of enlisting Keluaun into the Cyprian armies, something which, in all truth, we offer you not because we are incapable of filling it on our own. With sufficient time, and effort, we could create automated drones capable of filling those shoes, if a tad more expensive, and somewhat less effectual. Rather, we understand the Keluaun love of war has not died, nor have we forgotten our promise to lead keep you from eternal peace, and thus self-destruction."

Kalthir heard L'vesne speak and nodded in respect as he mentioned he was on the superfortress that ended the Great War. He was still grateful for that. The Praetor heard the sad tone in his voice as he spoke of how the lust for war had abated and there was a lack of dedication to fight. That was such a loss, as the Kelauan had such a kinship with the Realm warriors in that way. They had to be in desperate straits, for them not to have dedicated ground forces, especially with two nations combining into one.

He listened as he finished, talking of the Kelauan love of war and the promise made so long ago. The Praetor smiled and crossed his arms. This was an interesting proposition, indeed. Taking a breath, he replied. "That is an interesting idea, and one I am willing to go with. However, do you mean you will enlist portions of our military at times into your military, to be called upon, or do you want to have a portion of our new recruits to go into your forces?"

"I am not entirely sure. I believe, to be honest, we would take volunteers. The parts of our military we run without drones are the most risky. Special forces, those who spearhead attacks which need sentients operate them. I would, to be honest, perhaps prefer veterans to volunteer for such a service in the same way they might volunteer for any such branch of your military. Even among the few missions we've run so far against pirates and whatnot, casualty rates are inordinately high - one in fifty dies every mission, among the more elite Realm types. We can upload most of them, luckily, but I'd rather have ten of the best Keluaun than a thousand rookies."

Kalthir nodded. He could see the Realm being's point. The Kelauan, say what you want about them, but they knew war. Nodding, he bowed his head a little in respect. "I understand your cause. I think I will be able to devote one Legion to this. Ask the 34th Death's Head Legion for aid in this endeavor, they are best capable for stealth, but are tough and gritty fighters. They are some of the best we have."