NationStates Jolt Archive

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I still have my reservations.
Well you should have known that the other spheres would get wise to your games.
But so soon? We've only been on this planet for a few days.
There suspicion was likely raised when you didn't arrive at the meeting. Now you know what you must do.

Broadcast to embassied nation's leaders and others contacted
"Greetings, as you have likely found out by now, we do not come from this planet. As is less likely known, we were not sanctioned in our mission to establish diplomatic contacts with your world and the nations that it contains. While over the weeks we have felt our need to cleanse decrease and a sort of empathy grow towards your world, others of our kind have been spreading, trying and sometimes succeeding in cleansing planets and sometimes whole systems in this galaxy. It seems our time on this planet has attached a sphere that has a less than favorable attitude towards unpure and spheres that go native. As such we have a small problem. *6 spheres (http://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/scans/mechanics/borg-sphere.jpg) flash across the screen, they are in a tight formation and seem to be passing a rather familiar (http://www.worldalmanacforkids.com/art/neptune.jpg) looking ice giant*. As can be seen a small fleet is approaching this planet for some reason they are approaching rather slowly though by our estimates they will arrive within a week. We are preparing our own sphere and ships for possible conflict with our brethren. While we hope to persuade them to leave peacefully, we highly doubt that will happen and as such we request any help that your nations can provide. Our ambassadors in your countries should be trying to meet with your leaders to try and construct a successful counterattack/retreat/etc if we fail."

Decent speech, hopefully we will get some help.
Indeed, I quite started to like this planet.
As the transmission ended, any that happened to be outside may have been able to see a small streak going from the Moon towards the asteroid belt.

ooc
Basically sphere 42 did something they weren't suppose to and have gone native, a detachment of spheres from the overall collective has been sent to cleanse out this mistake. Any nation that this sphere has an embassy in is likely to be some of the first targeted. Any support you wish to give to sphere 42 would be greatly appreciated....(even more basically this is a rebellion/civil war between sphere 42 and the collective)

Ambassador Jerin Tola had barely been on the spherical ship-cum-station for more than ten hours, barely enough time to grow accustomed to the sparse, grey metal surroundings that his 'embassy' consisted of, before the metaphorical feces hit the fan. Merrimack was long gone now, the Miranda-class starship having unloaded all of their furniture, supplies and equipment before heading off at high warp to assume new duties, and was no longer available to them. All they had was a shuttle, barely capable of holding all of them, capable of a paltry warp factor four. It'd take them half a century to get anywhere worthwhile at that speed, or so Jerin assumed at least, and that wasn't a pleasant prospect when crammed in there with twenty other people.

Peacekeepers and civilian staff alike had been working hard during the hours following their arrival, trying to decorate the place - or at least bring it up to operational standards so that they could start doing some work. Jerin, meanwhile, had been talking to the lovely TO-6, a rather large cybernetic drone with a fantastic personality. It had given Jerin a good excuse to use some sarcasm when he returned to their embassy complex at least, if not being particularly enlightening. He found himself wondering why the Federation even wanted an ambassador to be stationed in this place, given that the species admitted to being rather hostile in the past. It was all somewhat irrelevant now though, as he didn't envisage himself as being here for much longer, regardless how much President McKinley may have wanted an embassy here.

As soon as Jerin had been informed about the domestic problems the Technonauts were experiencing, the arrangement of the embassy ceased half-finished as staff knew there as little point in continuing.

"I've got family back home!" uttered several of his civilian staff and - surprisingly - a couple of the Peacekeepers. "We didn't sign up for this!"

"Under interstellar law and unwritten diplomatic standards our hosts are to ensure no harm comes to us," Jerin assured them. "Starfleet will come by to pick us up as soon as the Council is alerted to our situation."

After Jerin had reassured the staff that everything was going to be 'alright', and the Peacekeepers began arranging defensible positions within the complex just in case, the Bajoran delved into the subspace comm system and informed the Council of what was going on here, if they hadn't heard already.

***

"We can't get involved in what clearly amounts to a civil war," McKinley said to his executive staff with a note of finality. He sat in his office with various heads of department during an emergency meeting that had been precipitated by Ambassador Jerin's message. "It is a terrible shame that the Technonauts' apparent reversal of ideology towards a more peaceful administration was only the act of a rogue element, and it's regrettable that we are unable to act to help this 'Sphere 42'. But we aren't above the law."

"With respect Mr. President, but doesn't a cessation of diplomatic contact indicate a certain bias towards their legitimate government?" asked the Secretary of Defence, a grey-haired Romulan named Vaebn Hwersuil.

"That's a leap of logic that would get your position revoked if we went ahead with it, Secretary Vaebn," McKinley warned.

"Very well," Vaebn nodded, his neutral, calculated voice admitting his naivity. "But consider this; we are going to order Starfleet to dispatch a taskforce to collect the imperiled Ambassador and his staff, are we not?"

"That's pretty much a certainty," McKinley said.

"Were this taskforce to come under fire, that would be a declaration of war on the part of the aggressor, would it not?" Vaebn continued, apparently thinking out loud by now.

"Depending on the circumstances; numerous aliens have a policy of aggressively dealing with unknown intruders lest they prove a threat," McKinley said. "It doesn't mean they intend to commit to a protracted war though."

"True enough, Mr. President," Vaebn nodded. "It would be most unfortunate if a powerful fleet of starships were forced into action for their own preservation, however."

"If you're suggesting that we force the Technonauts to drag us into it, I'm going to leave," Xev Chiana said, flicking her antennae angrily. "Juggling with Federation lives for the sake of artificially involving ourselves in another nation's civil war is perhaps the worst thing I've heard you say."

"Ms. Chiana, the galaxy is at its most stable when all of its occupants are diplomatic and docile," Vaebn contested. "This fledgling power may seem non-threatening right now, but it grows at an unprecedented rate and if it continues along its present path, has the potential to become a major disturbance in intergalactic politics, ending the lives of countless billions. This forty-second 'sphere' could be the breeze of change their nation has been crying out for, should their existence not be snuffed out by the legitimate government. I merely suggest that we promote peace by making sure such does not happen."

"By breaking three centuries of Federation law in the process," Chiana said.

"I am as familiar with the Charter and other assorted laws as yourself, Madam Secretary," Vaebn said. "In all my reading I have not once seen a law which precludes a starship captain defending his or her ship and crew, nor is there a clause in Starfleet operational procedure which says such. And a flotilla of... say... seven starships would be more than capable of handling this situation. Should they be unfortunate enough to be dragged into a conflict, that is."

"That's not going to happen Secretary Vaebn," McKinley said, once more hoping his tone would end the discussion. "Those starships have the purview to defend themselves and the embassy staff from attack and that is all. They go in, get our people, and get out again. There will be no involvement in a civil war no matter who shoots at them. Vaebn, arrange for Starfleet Command to assemble a taskforce and have them dispatch it post-haste. And fetch me the Technonaut ambassador!"

Disgruntled, Vaebn conceded, and the various politicians slowly filed out of McKinley's office. The president, meanwhile, sent Ambassador Jerin a reassuring message and attached an official government response for him to pass on to the Technonauts.

******

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/MattLever/Interstellar%20Planets/flag-small.jpg
Official Communiqué
Office of the President

To whom it may concern,

The Federation Council has recently been made aware of domestic troubles within your nation. With new information emerging that we have inadvertently established an embassy with a faction not recognised as the legitimate government of the Technonauts, and with the knowledge that said embassy is now in danger of coming under hostilities as a result of your dissension, it is with notable regret that we must withdraw the diplomatic mission for the time being. You are welcome to retrieve your own ambassador if this is your wish, though your embassy will remain your sovereign soil until you do.

A taskforce of seven Federation starships, led by USS Decius, is being dispatched to Sphere 42 to collect all Federation personnel and close down our embassy there. Starfleet Command estimates a six-day journey time, during which the Federation Council expects and requires that the personnel of Sphere 42 respect standard diplomatic protocol and interstellar law, and ensure that no Federation citizens under your care are endangered or restrained while they remain under diplomatic immunity. Furthermore, any attempts to interfere with the taskforce for the duration of their mission shall be considered hostile and their commanders are instructed to respond as is necessary.

We wish that contact between our two nations had been under better circumstances, but the Federation does not involve itself in the domestic affairs of other nations. It is our hope that your issues are resolved peacefully with a minimum of bloodshed, and will offer our help in achieving this if yourselves and your legitimate government are so inclined.

For the time being, good luck to you all.

Sincerely,



Robert McKinley
President of the United Federation of Interstellar Planets,
Capital Precinct,
San Angeles,
New Eden SA-001-751-A
United Federation of Interstellar Planets

******

There was a slight lag in communications at this distance from home, but their response to Jerin was more-or-less clear: don't leave in the shuttle 'cause, sure enough, a taskforce was coming to pick them up. Somewhat relieved, he was still perturbed to see on the communiqué how long it would take for the ships to arrive; he knew it took that long to get here at maximum warp from home, as he had only just finished the journey himself, but he had naively hoped for some starships to be closer by. Nevertheless, he wouldn't be sorry to see the back of this cold, unwelcoming place.

He promptly alerted his staff, and the soldiers, to the response from the President, which allayed their fears somewhat but not a great deal. They were happy to be leaving, but like himself, were concerned at the time it would take for the ships to arrive. While they continued to discuss what might happen in the meantime, Jerin made his way to the drone TO-6 in order to pass along the Federation's message.

TO-6 nodded as Jerin relayed the message and explained that they were leaving. It felt a slight twinch of regret that its Sphere had not been frank with the Ambassador government and understood that they would leave. With a low pitched hum the message was uploaded to the Overmind.
"I'll miss our conversations Jerin."

"Under interstellar law and unwritten diplomatic standards our hosts are to ensure no harm comes to us."

"As to that, you may wish to revise your opinions, our species is less than pleasant and has broken several such protocols over our lifespan. While you will not have to worry about us. Though I guess we just broke a major one by bugging your embassy. The drone shrugged and continued "our brethren in the 66 fleet are likely to be less how do you say? squeamish in these matters."
TO-6 what are you doing?
"One moment please." said the drone, its eyes glazing over as it connected to the Overmind.
Whats the matter Overmind?
Why are you still talking to the unpures? We will reach the fourth planet in this system in a manner of minutes and you are chatting away.
I was just trying to explain our culture alittle more to these unpures. Have you looked over their message?
Indeed I have, we will of course try to keep them as safe as we can, though you know the reputation of the 66th as well as the rest of the sphere does. How they are sent to cleanse any impurities in the collective that crop up time to time.
Of course, Overmind, I just thought it best to explain the situation we brought them into...
But of course, Batch Twenty one cleansed number six do you really think you could hide your growing feelings?
Feelings? Of course not Overmind, its just that these unpures wakened something in me...
Its not your fault, there was something in your batch line that caused a heighten emotional complex, we've tried to suppress it but it keeps cropping up...
Overmind, will I have to be..?
No, it seems we've been casted out from the collective. The Master and I will have to have a long talk if we survive this. Now get those IP unpure ready, we'll try and drop them off in our base in the moon on the fourth planet, it will be close as it seems the sixty six accelerated they've recently passed the sixth planet and we will not have much time to prepare...


And fetch me the Technonaut ambassador!"
ooc you never technically approved our embassy...
IC
T-8 was setting at its computer in the Technonaut embassy in Interstellar Planets. "Come one Ace of Clubs, daddy needs a new pair of shoes."
*ding dong*
"Hey Stug, could you get that?"
*ding dong*
"Stug?"
*ding dong*
"Bloody hell, can't get any good help these days."
T-8 got up from its computer and walked to the entrance way and opened the door.
"What do you wa.."
"Excuse me." spoke the drone as it noticed the two men that stood before it.
"Sorry about the tone, how can I help you two gentlemen?"

(OOC: Ill happily jump in but I have two problems 1) Technically I am a MT nation so how I get off is a good question that leads to point 2 2) I suppose I could invent the FT side to my nation but I have no idea what kind of ships are aceptable for FT, I see alot of ST ships but are Star Wars, Dread Empire, SG-1/SGA ships alowed?)

(OOC: Ill happily jump in but I have two problems 1) Technically I am a MT nation so how I get off is a good question that leads to point 2 2) I suppose I could invent the FT side to my nation but I have no idea what kind of ships are acceptable for FT, I see alot of ST ships but are Star Wars, Dread Empire, SG-1/SGA ships allowed?)

1. You could rp the invasion of your nation when the 66th fleet blows the 42nd sphere out of the water so to speak.:)
2. I use a combination for my other FT race and no one's complained yet(actually I don't have any ST ships for them). If you can figure out the basic information about them(FTL speed, shield strength number and type of weapons,etc) you can probably rp them(just don't wank to much)(in fact I sell most/all of my ships at a storefront so if you'd like to buy some.. link (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=579332))

OOC:
1) Id lik to keep my FT and MT nations seperate, but it sounds like an idea
2) I have no idea about FTL speed, but if I use a mix of BSG (Battle Star Galactica), Mass Effect and SG-1 ships, would that work?

OOC: I don't have an FT nation. The most advanced thing my MT nation has is a MiG-105.

OOC:
1) Id lik to keep my FT and MT nations seperate, but it sounds like an idea
2) I have no idea about FTL speed, but if I use a mix of BSG (Battle Star Galactica), Mass Effect and SG-1 ships, would that work?
1. Was just an idea.
2. Your nation your rules, if you can think of a good reason for it then go for it.

As good as their word, at 0400 hours New Eden Standard Time almost exactly six days after President McKinley's transmission, seven Federation starships streaked into the system at high warp speeds. The taskforce, led by USS Decius, consisted of three Excelsior-class starships and four Constitution-class starships, and as they rapidly slowed to sublight velocities a few million kilometres away from Sphere 42 they adopted a tactical formation that safely nestled Decius in the centre, between them and the sphere.

Rear Admiral Tel'peh of House Ahikar was in overall command of the taskforce, and had placed his flag aboard Decius despite the protests of her female captain, Alicia Morris. Tel'peh assured the captain before they left that his presence would not interfere with her command of the ship, and that he was only there to command the mission, but she had still insisted upon filing a formal protest with Starfleet Command before their departure from New Eden Spacedock. From that point on the journey had been uncomfortable, with Tel'peh deliberately avoiding the captain wherever possible until his duties absolutely required talking to her.

As one of the few Klingons in the Federation, let alone in Starfleet, he often faced such protests whenever he through his authority around. While the vast majority of people in their nation had no trouble dealing with him as an equal, no matter where one went one would find at least one person with a chip on their shoulder. Four hundred years ago Tel'peh's ancestors had travelled with the original settlers to what was now know as Novus Romulus within the Federation, their pacifism clashing with the manipulative, oppressive Klingon Empire of old. Most of their descendants had become fully immersed in the culture that sprang up alongside the Federation, to the point where most of them could not even speak Klingonese anymore, while interbreeding with the other member species had significantly diluted their bloodline over the centuries that passed. That continuing legacy of peace and respect had done little to dispel stereotypes in a few peoples' minds, however.

Tel'peh was uncertain whether Captain Morris was one of those people, or whether she was just overly proud of her authority aboard Decius and reacted the same way to the presence of any flag officer on her ship. Either way, he had to work with her for the duration of the mission, which would hopefully be short. He stood on the bridge next to the green, softly glowing master systems display on the aft wall; the bridge was a typically utilitarian command centre which, like most ships of the Excelsior line consisted mainly of hues of grey metal, with an occasional dab of blue padding here and there. Captain Morris occupied her plush blue centre seat, still sipping at a cup of coffee which she occasionally placed on the small pedestal in front of her as she barked orders at people - she often raised her voice significantly when Tel'peh was nearby, seemingly to reassert herself. He tended to ignore her exaggerated shows of authority.

Instead he stared at the main viewscreen, which had been turned on to show the large spherical vessel where the Federation diplomatic mission resided. It was an oddly centralised structure, as Tel'peh couldn't visually discern any individual systems on the largely uniform outer hull, but sensors had shown internal compartments, power sources and systems, so obviously it was a ship in a conventional sense at least. Using the data provided by the Federation Diplomatic Corps, they had been able to pinpoint the Federation embassy on board and determine that they were, indeed, alive and well. Sensors also told them that, thus far, the area was not compromised by hostile activities, and the taskforce remained at condition yellow.

"Commander Kulov," Tel'peh spoke in his deep, gruff voice, as finally his authority became necessary on this mission. "Send command to Sphere 42: this is Rear Admiral Tel'peh aboard the starship USS Decius, speaking on behalf of the United Federation of Interstellar Planets and Starfleet Command. We have come to collect all Federation personnel from your facility and close down the Federation diplomatic mission there. Please make no efforts to impede our recovery operation, and understand that this is only a precautionary measure taken for the safety of our citizens here. The Federation bears you no animosity as a result of this incident, and wishes you luck. Over."

While Kulov worked on sending the transmission, using a narrow-band subspace frequency to preclude its interception by any unwanted listeners, Captain Morris continued to glare at the Admiral unnervingly. Tel'peh was not interested in getting involved in a staring match, and decided to give her something to do. "Captain Morris, please have your staff prepare to beam aboard all Federation personnel and equipment from Sphere 42 as soon as possible."

"Yes, Admiral," Morris nodded, her tone of voice carefully calculated as to seem both respectful and begrudging at the same time, which Tel'peh actually found impressive.

"Admiral, your message has been sent to the sphere," Kulov announced after a few moments, taking his earpiece out to talk to his superior officer. "I've also alerted Ambassador Jerin to our arrival and they have signalled that they are ready to transport aboard immediately. One of the Peacekeepers will be remaining behind and piloting their shuttlecraft into our hangarbay."

"Excellent Commander," Tel'peh nodded. "Captain Morris, make sure shuttlebay control is aware of the incoming vessel."



Decius wasn't waiting for permission to rescue their fellow citizens; not longer than fifteen minutes after the Admiral had sent the prerequisite "hi there, keep out of our way and we'll be gone soon" message to Sphere 42 did her transporter systems come online, lock-on to the various people and objects within the Federation embassy, and begin the process of transporting them all aboard, while the shuttlecraft docked inside the sphere departed their hangar and made its way across space to Decius' main hangar bay.

Master
Heh?
Message.
The Master of the sphere, quickly arose itself from the dream like state that Technonauts must normally entered every three days, yet it had put off for nearly a standard week, its system buzzed online overly slowly for its taste and it chided itself for waiting so long to get some rest.
Alright, whose is this message from?
It is being uploaded to you and the Overmind.
I thought you said that they wouldn't arrive for several more hours?
Seems I miss calculated how fast they could push themselves and their vessel. I shall not due that again.
This one wonders how they purpose to get all their personnel, they won't all fit in that shuttle.
No...
We have a transporter lock within the sphere!
Location?
Embassy area, the IP one to be exact.
Fools, they should have warned us, drop shields now!
The outer surface of the sphere flashed a pale blue as the protective shielding were dropped even leaving a few bays open to the atmosphere thankfully those bays were unoccupied.
The Master fidgeted abit as it thought what was likely happening on the Interstellar Planets ships, if we didn't drop our protective shielding quickly enough, even a lesser drone may have gagged at the implications, but the Master wasn't a lesser drone and had no stomach to store the necessary components anyway, still the thoughts haunted the Master, to distract itself it sought the location of the 66 fleet, a shot of alarm flew through it when it didn't find them right way but was quickly repressed when it found them, they had taken positions on the opposite side of the rather small red planet and were lazily drifting along, it pondered the puzzle as a message was sent back to the waiting IP ships.

"Hu'tegh Fools, Imbeciles you should have wandered us of your intentions to beam your batchmates off our sphere, we have many ancient and powerful shieldings to protect from that very thing, any mishaps that has befallen your men is your fault and yours alone. Now we will not hinder your efforts to remove your batch but we implore you to hurry as we had to lower most of our shielding to give your batch a chance of not being scrambled upon arrival and our enemy may assault us at any moment."