NationStates Jolt Archive

Fourteen parsecs from the Rhydin system laid the Omicron Chi IV star system. The dwarf star was close enough for regular traffic between Rhydin, yet deemed far enough away from the nexus world for chance exploration to not notice Rhydin's existence. TRIAD had chosen to establish a public port of call in this system because it created a 'buffer' of sorts between actual TRIAD space and potential hostiles. The system had only two jovian planets and three asteroid belts. There was little in the system to be worth a colonization effort.

TRIAD officially opened the station to trade two days before the announced Galactic Assembly ground breaking ceremony, and had given the delegates sent to that function datapads with the station's location. The hope was that interested parties would come to the TSS "Profitable Ventures" and see what the corporate state had to offer them.


Traffic Patterns and Controlled Space
Recently, TRIAD engineers had begun installing unmanned stations in various locations within the star system. Three roughly circular perimeter borders made up different defense zones. The innermost zone extended from immediately around the station, out to a distance of five light seconds. This was the Inner Sphere, and only authorized traffic was allowed in this zone. Any unauthorized traffic was subject to boarding or attack by the defense patrols, which normally consisted of three Cruiser task forces. Each cruiser was escorted by four destroyers and twenty-four frigates. These defense ships would respond to any emergencies, and also deal harshly with any regulation violators or hostile vessels. Standard procedure was that if a ship was already within the Inner Sphere when she began misbehaving, station C&C would attempt contact and give the vessel sixty seconds to respond or comply with orders. If the vessel became hostile or ignored comms for more than a minute, the defense fleet was authorized to open fire or board her.

From five light seconds out to twenty light minutes was the Traffic Sphere. This area of space was being seeded with all manner of FTLi devices, purchased from other nations both in this universe as well as other universes. The devices were small, hard to track, and spread in a pattern that provided overlapping FTLi fields throughout the area except two specified traffic corridors, one used for inbound traffic and one leading out. These traffic lanes were where two of the cruiser task forces normally patrolled. The FTLi did not restrict sublight drives in any way, but prevented ships from using subspace, hyperspace, and inter-dimensional forms of FTL drives to bypass the Traffic Sphere area of space. Technicaly it would be possible to plot a jump or warp path down either traffic lane, but if such a tactic was detected, additional FTLi devices had been set up all along the outer edge of the Inner Sphere. Normally these devices were unpowered, and even harder to detect and track. If these were activated, they formed a solid, overlapping FTLi field which prevented FTL drives from getting any closer than five light seconds. Any ship who strayed from the approved traffic lanes was warned by C&C to return to the traffic pattern or face penalties.

Past the Traffic Sphere lay the Outer Sphere. This started at twenty light minutes, and extended officially to the edge of the system. This area was monitored, but was not actively defended. Any vessel which appeared through whatever FTL method in the Outer Sphere was queried by station C&C as to their identity, affiliation, and purpose for entering the system. Ships just passing through are invited to approach the station and offered repairs, resupply and a chance for crew shore leave. Anyone asking to approach the station is directed to the inbound traffic lane and ordered to listen to orders from C&C or TraCon (Traffic Control).


Docking Procedures
Once a ship reaches the Inner Sphere, they are usually brought into the final traffic pattern, which sorts docking priority based on a number of factors, size of the ship being a main factor. Diplomatic vessels tend to get priority over civillians, and trade freighters tend to outrank military vessels just docking for supplies. Any ship in distress will take priority over all other concerns, and ships on approach may be asked to halt to allow these distressed vessels to arrive faster. Faking distress to gain access ahead of schedule carries steep penalties and fines, and if such fines are not paid, all future access to the station and it's controlled space may be revoked.

The internal docking facilities could handle anything up to frigate sized vessels of two hundred meters at most. Ships larger than two hundred meters in any dimension would be required to request docking on the outer docking ring. Just fifty meters outside the radius of the docking opening, six pressurized "tubes" extended a hundred meters out into space. Connected to the end of these passages was the inner docking ring. This ring measured two hundred fifty meters in diameter and served to allow ships of two hundred to five hundred meters dock externally. From this central ring, a further two, larger rings were connected by nine radial passageways, like spokes on a three-ringed wheel. Each successively larger docking ring served a particular size range of vessels. Once past the third, outermost ring, the nine "arms" continued for another five hundred meters, where ships as large as two kilometers could dock externally.

Any ship larger than two kilometers, or any ship which refused or was unable to surrender helm controls to station TraCon, was required to establish a parking orbit, where they would could either wait for station shuttles to arrive. The station had been equipped with a wide variety of control computers, and after a series of first contacts, was even upgraded to include both magical and psionic connection and control equipment.


Station Description
The station itself was constructed out of a large planetoid roughly two hundred kilometers long and one hundred eighty wide that had been towed into a stable orbit around one of the jovians, then hollowed out to make considerable habitation space inside. While gravitic systems were installed to make living easier for most, the asteroid was set to spin and provide simulated gravity in the event the gravitics failed or were disrupted. The interior was divided into eight color-coded sectors, each serving a different purpose and function. Each Sector was divided into six Sections, numbered radially along the direction of spin. Furthermore, there could be as many as ten to thirty Levels, each numbered from the center outward.



Black Sector - Docking, Embarkation, Quarrantine, Medbays
The first Sector is Black Sector, and housed the Docking bays and the entrance to the rock. Ships entered through the stationary opening and entered a system of airlocks and lifts which directed vessels to various pressurized bays along the circumference. Cargo vessels would be routed to bays the "lowest" levels, closer to the surface, while passengers would be offloaded in bays closer to the center. Black Sector also housed Embarkation, the station's version of both Immigration and Customs; as well as the MedBays and facilities for medical Quarrantine in an emergency. While other Sectors of the station also had their own MedBays, the ones located in Black Sector were the most extensive and held every piece of medical equipment TRIAD had ever developed or purchased.
Visitors to the station would go through a simple screening which registered their identity, national affiliation, previous port of call, and purpose for visiting. Once through initial screening, all guests are required to submit to a voluntary bioscan to screen for possible communicable pathogens. Any visitor who refuses bioscan is politely asked to remain in Black Sector for the duration of their stay. Diplomats and dignitaries are commonly ushered straight through to bioscan, which is still required for entry, and do not have to wait in line or answer the other questions.
All guests, diplomatic or otherwise, are issued two personal items: the first is a TRIAD cred-card, and the second is a comm-link. All transactions aboard the station are performed in TRIAD's credits, and numerous currency exchange outlets exist in all Sectors of the station. A guest's cred-card has a gene-sensor which registers the user on first activation, and from then on only that gene-code can use the card to access the associated account. Diplomats are offered a small gift of credits in their accounts already, enough to purchase gifts, meals, and some entertainment for their stay, while normal guests will need to visit an exchange and deposit credits before using their card. The comm-link is a small disc with three buttons, colored white, green, and red. The white button activates and deactivates the molecular adhesive on the flat surface, which would adhere to clothing or skin without any residue or damage to either Link or whatever surface it was adhered to. The green button accessed the station's comm network, where calls could be routed by link number, or guest name. The red button connected directly to station security, and was only to be used in emergencies; as outside the station, faking an emergency carried stiff penalties and fines.
Station security did not want any incidents of firefights occuring on the station, so station regulations required that any and all ranged weapons capable of penetrating common personal armor or starship hulls be surrendered to Embarkation security vaults before entry to the station was permitted. Even diplomatic envoys were subject to this requirement. Ranged weapons which were for whatever reason unable to be removed and surrendered, due to being integral to a guest's body, or for cultural reasons, would need to be examined and registered with station security. Probationary passes would be issued to that guest, and security would be watching that guest like a hawk at all times for any misconduct. Any incidents involving registered weapons, where the registered individual was the aggressor, would result in immediate and permanent expulsion from the station.



Grey Sector - Administration, C&C, Crew Quarters
((Description Pending))



White Sector - Embassy, Diplomat Quarters
((Description Pending))



Blue Sector - Guest Habitation, Commercial District
((Description Pending))



Green Sector - Agriculture, Greenscape, Recreation
((Description Pending))



Yellow Sector - Water Storage
((Description Pending))



Orange Sector - Fabrication, Maintanence, Waste Reclamation
((Description Pending))



Red Sector - Power, Support Systems
((Description Pending))

((OOC: This thread is to serve as a location for trade/economic based RP with TRIAD. Stay tuned for announcement of TRIAD's storefront, currently in development on NSWiki.))

A gateway to The Warp opened, ripping a new orifice into the Universe in the process.

From out of it emerged three armored Hive Ships. A small fleet, but then such was Kraken's nature.

"A psionic beacon called out to us, an entity wishing to know more of The perfect vehicle of Chaos known as The Eternal Swarm. Thus we come, to answer this person, or group's curiosity." Came a voice from the Hive Ships. It wasn't the Overmind, but it still held strong Psionic powers.

On the other side of the station, a similar gateway to the Warp opened, tearing a hole in the fabric of space, and the single ship was streamed through. On it's hull bore the insignia of Aresems Corporation, one of the largest and most successful private corporations in Angenteria, aside from Guild Hawkespur, and ALMALM Enterprises.

Greetings!
We at Aresems Corporation would like to express it's interest in opening a partnership with TRIAD Enterprises. It is our most sincere hope that both our firms can attain great profit through this venture.

**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - C&C
**********

"Sir, sensor net is registering two seperate Immaterium breaches at outer beacons. Three ships have emerged from the first, a single ship from the other breach." The Marduk sensor tech turned it's humanoid frame to face the station's commanding officer.

Commanding the station's personnel, Echani Nyeel Al Ritan was a career officer within TRIAD's space fleet, and had been chosen to command the station due to his experience with both trade and diplomacy in other 'verses. He was not a physically imposing specimen, standing at just five feet tall, average for a Reikoan. Unlike most of his kind, he usually wore a standard fleet uniform, colored in blues and greys, whatever fur was visible he shifted colors to match the uniform.

Before the commander could respond, the Gaian comms technician spoke up, "Sorry Sir, we're recieving a transmission from the second disturbance."

Greetings!
We at Aresems Corporation would like to express it's interest in opening a partnership with TRIAD Enterprises. It is our most sincere hope that both our firms can attain great profit through this vesture.

Today seemed the time for interruptions, because once again before the commander could respond, a Khyrolii watching the traffic control station blinked and turned to Echani, "I can hear them Sir. The ships from the first breach, they're telepathic. They say they are sent by The Eternal Swarm, that they were invited."

Echani blinked and looked among the bridge staff, waiting a few moments to see if he would be interrupted a third time. When no interruption was forthcoming, he turned to the comms tech. "Alright Jason, send a standard greeting to the Aresems ship. Give them clearance through the inner beacons and have TraCon fit them into the docking pattern. Did the engineers install the telepathic comms equipment like I asked?"

Jason started typing into his console, nodding over his shoulder as he worked, "Yes Sir. Do you want me to send a message to the Swarm ships as well?"

Chuckling softly and nodding, "Yes but ask them to leave two of their ships at the outer beacon. For now I'd prefer if we only had to deal with one of those behemoths docked to us. Oh, just in case, have station security step up presence in and around docking sector."

**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Local Space
**********

Outside the station, two frigates patrolled the area immediately near the station, called the inner beacon. Beyond this perimeter patrolled other ships, with a total of 87 ships in various locations and defense rings in the system. None of these warships were moving to intercept the new arrivals, though both guests were subjected to a variety of sensor scans.

The message to the Aresems ships was fairly traditional broadcast, while the one to the Swarm ships was sent out using a semi-organic fusion of living telepathic animals and cybernetic interfaces linked to the comms array.

"Attention Aresems vessel, you have entered TRIAD Enterprises territory. The TSS Profitable Ventures welcomes you as a guest and potential customer. You are cleared to approach the station, but please hold position at one point five light seconds while we schedule your vessel into the docking pattern. You will be given further docking instructions from station Traffic Control at a later time. Welcome to TRIAD space."

"Attention Swarm vessels, you have entered TRIAD Enterprises territory. The TSS Profitable Ventures welcomes you as a guest and potential customer. At this time the station commander requests that only one of your vessels approach the station, while the other two vessels in your group are requested to maintain their current positions. You are cleared to approach the station, but please hold position at one point five light seconds while we schedule your vessel into the docking pattern. You will be given further docking instructions from station Traffic Control at a later time. Welcome to TRIAD space."

The Sutufinai Admiralty had decided that with the appearance of this new station it would be unwise to deploy Gato K Classes or Snoop boats. Stations usually had much more acute sensors. As such, the Admiralty had decided for a much less... secret approach.

SSN Daring

The SSN, Sutfen Space Navy, Daring was a "Escort Carrier" class Escort Carrier. The Escort Carrier class was named so simply because it had been determined the small and mass-produced ships would quickly outnumber the number of names that could be thought up on a single subject. As such they simply named the class "Escort Carrier".

Escort Carrier Art (Mine): http://img27.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lightcarrier.png

The SSN Daring had a complement of 30 "Avenger" class fighters. The Avenger class was unique in that it had a single hard point akin to the much more stable "Dauntless" class bomber. That Hard point was capable of carrying a High-Yield anti-shipping Torpedo. The Avenger class Fighter Torpedo Bomber also was notable for it's forward facing weaponry as well as it's single Dorsal turret.

Avenger Class Fighter Torpedo Bomber Art (Mine) (Topview): http://img23.imageshack.us/my.php?image=avenger.png

The Daring like most escort carriers in the Suften Space Navy was built like a Destroyer with Heavy Cruiser guns. The 40 Centimeter mass drivers were enough to make it a match for any vessel able to get through it's fighter screen. However, the Escort Carrier class of vessels also carried a rather impressive array of Torpedoes which were mounted on the Gato Class vessel. This gave the carrier the ability to reach out of it's Median range guns' range and support it's fighters without putting itself at risk.

Anyway, back on topic.

The SSN Daring slipped into the system smoothly, it's 65,000 ton form relaying a rather interesting sensor return from it's Slipspace transition. The transition gave enough of an unmasked signature it would definitely be seen by every ship in-system within minutes. The Daring however only launched four Avengers to cover it's advance. The Avengers spread out, not acting in tight battle ready formations but rather as Pickets in front of the vessel akin to an honour guard. Other than the four Avengers however, the Daring kept it's torpedo bays closed as well as it's main turrets locked into place via barrel cradles.

Cruising in system the Daring's captain who was a Black, silver, and brown colored Sutfen padded quietly over to the Communications officer. The Escort Carrier class was not outfitted for espionage roles so it did not have an espionage station. The Captain, one Tobias Verrick, patted his Communication tech's back and leaned over. "Can you patch me through to the station to announce our peaceful arrival, Simmons?"

"Aye sir, I'm challenging their communcation's array as we speak for permission to transmit." Stated the Communication's tech as he worked at his station. As Verrick watched the Communication's tech work he noticed again how the communications station had both 'arm' and foreleg controls. This allowed a much easier use of the station as one could get things done quicker.

Soon enough the Communications tech got permission and nodded to Verrick, who took a deep breath to steady himself and called out into the communications network;

This is the Sutfen Space Navy Daring, We have arrived in system to perhaps see what the TRIAD space station has to offer and to have a short Furlough for our crew. If the Space Station Profitable Ventures does not have anything against having a warship dock, I would like to request docking clearance.

**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Local Space
**********

The arrival of the SSN Daring went somewhat more smoothly than the Swarm and Aresems arrivals. This time the ships were tracked as they exited slipspace, several sensor drones washing the newcomer with various scan spectra, then moving on.

Shortly after broadcasting it's message, a return signal was aimed by tightbeam microwave back at the SSN Daring,

"SSN Daring, you have entered TRIAD Enterprises territory. The TSS Profitable Ventures welcomes you as a guest and potential customer. You are cleared to approach the station, but please hold position at one point five light seconds while we schedule your vessel into the docking pattern. You will be given further docking instructions from station Traffic Control at a later time. Welcome to TRIAD space."

OOC: So. I hate arrival posts, so my arrival post will be OOC.

I'm sending a small delegation of six people. One is a representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Another is a rep from the Ministry of Finance. Two others are their aides, and the last two are token guards. They came on a diplomatic vessel that has only defensive weaponry, with no escorts.

SSN Daring

The Escort Carrier cruised in system at a leisurely pace. It didn't even use localized ECM to stop any scans it just cruised in doing nothing. It's rather odd design might catch glances. The main bays were situated on the sides, almost alike to a battlestar. However these bays were not on fully self contained "Hangar Pods" alongside the ship. On top of this, the main bays were completely Zero gravity and were in fact depressurized. The carrier cruised in, heck it even turned on it's main running lights, ranging from the starship running lights to the bright guidance lights across it's hull for fighters to even the big spotlights which illuminated her name and class number.

Of the four fighters, two of them remained on the Honour Guard while the other two started playfully chasing one another around and zipping back and fourth the way a fighter should. While it wasn't a show of how their fighters could handle or how bad ass their pilots are... (Considering in multiple spots the pilots in their Hijinxs would have easily been destroyed.) Heck it was even against regulations. But the pilots were looking forward to shore leave, and that station was it.

Onboard the Daring's bridge, Captain Verrick rubbed his chin lightly on the Main sensor returns on the station. Sensor arrays had also spotted on passives that an interesting number of starships had arrived at the edge of the system as well. But such things were sidenotes for now as he stood on the main bridge and "Tower" of his starship. Instead he wandered over, around the circumference of the round bridge rather, to the Communications tech when he heard the signal of the Incoming message.

Verrick listened quietly before looking to Navigation, "You heard control. Hold position at One point Five light seconds, pull in the fighter screen to right off the bow." He then looked to Commo again and smiled,

"Send confirmation to the Profitable Ventures, inform them we are standing by." He simply stated.

TSS Profitable Ventures, Be advised, SSN Daring is holding position at station's request and is awaiting further instruction. Good to be here Profitable Ventures.

**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Local Space
**********

C&C worked quickly to try and clear the TraCon schedules of local traffic, so that the three larger ships: Aresems, Swarm, and SSN Daring could all finally dock on one of the exterior arms. From the outside, the large rock seemed to resemble a long potato, with a docking opening at one end. Also at this end was the docking ring, itself a misnomer. In fact the docking ring was three concentric rings loosly tethered to the opening in the asteroid. The diameter of the rings ran parallel to the spin axis of the rock, and nine arms extended from the opening in the rock outward, past the outermost ring and into open space. It was on these long arms that the three larger ships would eventually dock.

As soon as traffic cleared enough to allow it, station TraCon contacted the Dersconi transport and directed that small craft into the interior docking bays. As the vessel approached the station, TraCon announced they would require all ships to turn over helm control to the stations automated systems. Any ships which could or would not be able to do so were directed to enter a holding orbit and await station shuttles to disembark passengers.

Starting with the Dersconi transport, followed by the Aresems vessel, the Swarm hiveship, and the SSN Daring were each given permission to approach, and if they turned over helm control, to dock with the station.


**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section
**********

Two of the stations Ambassadors awaited the incoming visitors, Amanthe Sheral and Jaden Ennan El Siddou, a biped Khyrolii and a Reikoan respectively. This portion of Embarkation had been cleared of all other traffic, and the trams that ran the length of the docking ring would bring everyone to this location. Once formal introductions were out of the way, Medbay would screen any disembarking crews to check for any transmissible diseases, then they would be allowed to enter the station proper. Guest lodging was available to normal crewmembers in Blue Sector.

The actual ambassadors or trade representatives would be offered acommodations in White Sector for the duration of their stay. Meetings could be called at the guests convenience to discuss any political or economic issues they had come to discuss.

The only part of this process that was anything but standard was what awaited the Swarm ship when and if it finally docked. A platoon of fifty station security troopers has been dispatched to the docking arm assigned to the Swarm ship. This was a precautionary measure ordered by the station commander in the event that when the Swarm ship docked, the hatch didn't disgorge a legion of ravenous alien life forms. The soldiers were ordered to remain on defensive alert only, and not to open fire unless there was obvious signs of aggression or attack. Should whatever delegates the Swarm ship sent prove to be non-hostile, the soldiers would stand down and the delegates would be shown to Embarkation. While such measures could be misconstrued, the station commander did not want his first week on the job to end with half the station's personnel eaten by aliens.

((OOC: From here on in, we can advance in fluid time at whatever pace the rest of you wish. Feel free to start separate scenes or come in one big group. As stated ICly, meetings can be held at each representative's convenience. As for actual trade, I prefer to handle details via PMs, VMs, TGs, or MSN/IRC. Since I am still working on TRIAD's storefront, bear with me as I try to figure out what you may be interested in buying. If you have any areas of tech or products you are especially wanting, ask and I will be happy to let you know what we have in those fields. Thanks for bearing with me here!))

After a brief acknowledgment from the Aresems vessel and waiting for several minutes for word from the TRIAD station, they were finally given permission to dock by station control. Moving towards a the vessel at a low velocity, and eventually turned helm over control to allow them to dock at what looked like an exterior arm. Just inside the vessel, the two human representatives, both male, were preparing to disembark. Both were clad in formal business attire.

"So." The first one, a man named Oren Rowland, said. "Tell me again what we know about these aliens."

"Not much, actually. First contact with them was made by the Navy not too long ago. Some damaged ship came stumbling into Imperial space. They seem to be run by the private sector. Aside from that, the government's kept just about everything else secret."

"Figures." He replied. He was slightly intrigued on the fact that the private sector was actually the alien's form of government. It must run real smoothly, if that was the case. "A real capitalist paradise, huh?"

"It certainly seems that way."

There was as sudden shudder as the ship was locked into place by the docking clamps.

"Well, Janus." Oren said, looking over to his associate. "Here goes nothing."

The small diplomatic vessel followed the proper procedures and entered into the holding orbit. The Dersconi shuttle was psionically driven and controlled, so it was impossible to hand over control. Once the shuttle came, though, the six-person team boarded and travelled to the main docking facilities.

The two guards departed first, wearing black and gold compressed spider-silk cassocks, just barely sweeping the floor, with a Kavashar sword hanging off to each side. Next came the two aides, the same telepathic cyborg Homachs that are engineered to aid whomever they are deployed to. Both appeared to be 14 year old girls with salt and pepper hair that fell down to their shoulders and observant, bright sky blue eyes.

Then finally, the ambassadors themselves. The man from the Ministry of Finance wore a three piece black spider-silk suit with gold waistcoat and crimson tie. He looked fit and no older than 32, but was, in fact, 173 years old. The woman - who looked about 25, but was also 173 years old - from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wore a tightly-fitted black tunic to emphasise her model-like figure, a long, flowing black and gold skirt, with a crimson tabard and black cloak with gold embroidering, the Dersconi Imperial Seal stitched into the back. Both carried ceremonial Kavashar swords

"Amanthe Sheral and Jaden Ennan El Siddou?" The woman spoke in a soft mezzo-soprano. "I am Narayi Tosharviova, Crown Ambassador for the Dersconi Amaranthine Imperium. This is Torjiv Atorinnyi, Deputy Minister of Finance of the Dersconi Amaranthine Imperium. On behalf of the One Who Is Because He Is, Adonnai, And Master of the Universe, we bring greetings from the God Emperor and His Holy desire to open further trade and diplomatic relations with the TRIAD."

**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section
**********

The region of the station known as Black Sector encompassed not only the internal docking areas, but also the exterior docking arms. Thanks to gravitic technology, which direction was 'down' was largely a matter of design choice. In the case of the docking arms, down was back towards the planetoid. What awaited those who exited into the docking arms was something some might find either spectacular, or perhaps merely interesting. The arms were composed of a superstructure of case-hardened ceramal and woven buckycables, with large panes of translucent ceramal spanning the supports. This provided a nearly unobstructed view of space 'up' and to the sides of the arm, leaving the station itself spinning in place below.

A system of high-capacity, high-speed trams ran throughout the docking arms, for ferrying passengers and cargo to and from the station and docked ships. The trams were simple in design, a flat bottom with a cage-like canopy and semi-transparant 'windows' to keep out the wind. Gravitics were again employed to both levitate the tram, and to cancel the sensation of motion, save for a mild rocking at start and end of the trip. Total travel time from the furthest docking arm to Embarkation was two minutes.

Embarkation itself passingly resembled an immigration checkpoint found at most worlds' air and spaceports. Aisles swept up to the multiple checkpoints, however the area that the delegates were escorted to was free of other traffic. As diplomatic and economic envoys, they were given first class treatment and rushed to the head of the 'lines', or more accurately, the lines has simply been pushed to another terminal.

Amanthe was dressed in a Khyrolii-designed white and grey diplomatic uniform, the shape resembling a wetsuit with the sleeves cut off at mid bicep and mid thigh. Jaden was dressed in a similar uniform, only tailored to fit Reikoan physiology.
The Khyrolii and Reikoan ambassadors waited for the Dersconi, who would arrive first. The envoys were directed to Embarkation by station personnel, themselves of various TRIAD species dressed in brown and grey dockworkers uniforms. Amanthe and Jaden bowed in unison as the Dersconi approached, but it was Jaden who spoke first, his voice measured and crisp Instella, "Greetings Ambassador, Deputy Minister. Welcome to the Profitable Ventures, and as the station's name suggests, may this encounter be such a profitable venture to both our peoples. Please, if you will follow us, we will get the formalities of Embarkation out of the way. The process requires a simple bioscan, merely a precaution against communicable diseases spreading into the station's biosphere. You and your escorts will be permitted to keep any ceremonial weapons, however station regulations require you to deposit any ordinance capable of penetrating armor with station security. I trust you understand these precautions?"

Amanthe had stayed silent during the introductions, however she was anything but passive. She was included in the welcoming party due to her nature as a telepath. She'd known from the dossier compiled by the Galactic Assembly team that the Dersconi were likely telepathic, and this was possibly confirmed when the Dersconi stated they were unable to transfer helm control for docking. Amanthe reached out with her mind, passively examining the mental auras of the Dersconi envoys, then offering a contact that was the equivalent of a telepathic handshake. Her own mind was carefully segmented into multiple layers of privacy, with the outermost layer open to contact. If her 'handshake' was accepted by any of the Dersconi group, her public mind filled only with thoughts of welcome and curiosity, ~Greetings and welcome, friends. It is refreshing and a pleasure to meet another telepathic species.~


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TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section - Several Minutes Later
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The Aresems envoy arrived shortly after the Dersconi were escorted on through the Embarkation process. Amanthe had accompanied the Dersconi while Jaden stayed behind to welcome the Aresems envoys. When the latter persons arrived, Jaden again bowed formally to greet them, "Greetings and welcome to the Profitable Ventures, and as the station's name suggests, may this encounter be such a profitable venture to both our peoples. Please, if you will follow me, we will get the formalities of Embarkation out of the way. The process requires a simple bioscan, merely a precaution against communicable diseases spreading into the station's biosphere. You will be permitted to keep any ceremonial weapons, however station regulations require you to deposit any ordinance capable of penetrating armor with station security. I trust you understand these precautions?"


((OOC: Descriptions of both Khyrolii and Reikoan species can be found HERE (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14731826&postcount=25). I currently do not have any up to date concept or reference art for the Khyrolii, however very close concept art for the Reikoans is HERE (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/TracerFox/Shattered%20Prism/Reikoan_concept_by_Fleetwolf.jpg), while in-exact but close reference art is HERE (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v258/TracerFox/Species%20Concept%20Art/). Caution: The secont art page contains images which, while not explicit, may be considered suggestive, view at your own risk to sanity. Please, if you've questions about any of my alien creations, don't hesitate to ask. =^.^=))

One Hive ship ventured forward slowly, holding at the requested coordinates. Its armor plating slid back as what appeared to be a mouth opened for docking.

Embarkation - SSN Daring

One might -think- this would have gone the same as the other groups. Sadly, however, it didn't.

As the doors from the Daring's exterior arm, it became clearly aware that the Sutfen has docked for Diplomacy -and- shore leave. The SNN Daring was currently now only crewed by a skeleton "Dock" crew, just enough crewmen to get the ship underway incase of an emergency. From a layman's view one could almost balk at the psuedo-Zerg-rush of Sutfen crewmembers. While that is a definitive overstatement, the Sutfen's mass of crewmemebers was actually walking not charging as they happily gabbed in their basic language, which raised a rather loud ruckus of barks, gowls, 'woofs', and other canid sounds as the Sutfen conversed.

In all, 200 Sutfen Enlisted, 35 Aviation Technitions, and 35 Pilots were let loose on shore-leave onboard the Profitable Ventures. On top of this, 40 Commissioned officers were released for shore-leave as well. They were all ordered to be on their best behavior of course. But the ruckus they all made grouped together was quite impressive. You see, the Daring had been on the back-end of a 2 year patrol stint in deep space and was about to head home when she was ordered to check out the Profitable Ventures.

They all, not wanting to risk their shore-passes made no trouble so far for the TRIAD security and lined up carefully for their Bio-Scan. Of note, none of the Sutfen seemed to be wearing 'clothes'. Enlisted personnel (Obvious because of the amount.) wore a simple Collar with rank tabs and such on it. Aviation Technitions on the otherhand wore the collar aswell as what could be considered a strapped "Blanket" across their back, they were of multiple colors and denoted their specific job on the flight deck of the carrier. This was akin to Humanity's 21st century aircraft carrier "Shirts". Officers could be denoted by their different coloured collars. Instead of Enlisted's black collars, Officers wore blue collars. Pilots on the otherhand, wore "Snoopy" flight-caps as well as blue collars.

When it seemed like the Ambassadors were staring down their doom of course, two officers seemed to have taken charge. Captain Verrick got his second in command, Commander Belkan, to take charge of the crew and get them through security and onto the station in an orderly fashion as well as make sure they acted correctly and in a acceptable manner.

Verrick also seemed to hand out various "Saddle blanket"-like back covers that denoted "Shore Patrol". This was Abreviated in Galactic Standard as "S.P." while written in Sutfen underneath. Sadly he couldn't give the Shore Patrol sticks, he doubted there would be any problems. As such, the older Chief Petty Officers were to keep order.

Verrick would wander over to where the Ambassadors were and smiled lightly, "Hello, Captain Joshua Verrick. Sutufinai Space Navy."

((OOC: Normally I wouldn't be a prig about this, but Swarm, is there any chance you could provide a little more than a single sentence to your response? I don't mind skimming over details of events and just outlining them, but I literally have no idea what to do with your post. I don't know if the hiveship is going to dock, or has already docked. I don't know who/what is coming out of your ship, so I don't know what to do with the soldiers on standby. Following me here? I'll respond do your ship when I have more than one sentence to go off of.))

**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Docking Arm 3
**********

Thankfully there were no station personnel normally stationed in the outer docking arms, so there was no one to be shocked or horrified by the veritable 'wave' of Sutfen that came 'tumbling' out of the SSN Daring. The trams were totally automated, and the station's shipmind had already identified the ranking officer. That one Sutfen, and any immediately with him on the tram, would be routed to the cleared section of Embarkation. All the other Sutfen who boarded the trams would be brought to the other sections, spread out so that the lines did not become overwhelmed at any one section.


**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section
**********

Jaden was still in Embarkation, escorting the Aresems delegates through customs when the Sutfen captain arrived. Jaden excused himself with the Aresems envoys to send a request to C&C to have another diplomat sent down immediately.

It wasn't very long at all before Sun Speaker arrived. A male Irukan, Sun Speaker wore only his encounter harness, which was simply a series of straps running over his aquatic body which had gravitic impellers attached. Since he was out in the air, he didn't need the breathing pack, but a thin film of water was stuck to his skin by use of another gravitic field. Sun Speaker looked around, spotting the Sutfen in short order and 'swimming' through the air as effortlessly as he would water. A slight buzzing could be felt as Sun Speaker sounded the guests with a pulse of sonar to better view them.

As the Irukan swam up beside the Sutfen captain, Sun Speaker rolled slightly to his side to be able to wave one of his flukes in a friendly manner, "Hello! My name is Sun Speaker and I am here to welcome you to the TSS Profitable Ventures! If you will follow me, I can help get you through Embarkation, then we can get you settled with diplomatic quarters in White Sector. Your ship's crew can rent lodgings down in Blue Sector, and there is plenty of things to do in the other station sectors."
The Irukan's voice came from an implanted vocorder, and held not a trace of the cliched whistling or high pitch one might expect from a cetacean.

TSS Profitable Ventures - Black Sector - Embarkation Section

Joshua had let Jaden go and had grabbed an Aviation Technition and was busy rattling off orders on what the tech was to look into while on the station. Such things were of course always around. In this section roughly twenty eight of the Daring's crew were moving through Embarkation. When the Irukan 'swam' up Joshua looked over and patted the Tech's odd 'dual shoulder' and barked off a few more words before looking up...

Infact, it most definitely was 'up'. Joshua looked like a slightly deformed German Shepherd with arms, he was none taller. Smiling lightly he nodded as Sun Speaker made his greeting. While normal 'animals' made play-bows, it was infact an actual greeting style of the Sutfen. Joshua of course bowed to the larger Cetacean , "Greetings, Captain Joshua Verrick of the Sutufinai Aligned Worlds Starship Daring. I am glad to meet you."

At the Irukan's suggestion to move through Embarkation, Verrick nodded and padded after. "I have to say, I have never met a water-dwelling being in space. How did you come to being a.... Diplomat, if I am correct, in space?" Verrick's voice on the otherhand was rather higher pitched than human voices and his words were usually sharp and cut off, or ended in a rolling grating sounding 'growl'. It was of course nothing threatening, but Sutfen rarely engaged in Galactic Standard and most of their worlds didn't even understand Galactic Standard. So Captains rarely used it. Luckily, the crew knew atleast passing galatic Standard to get them by.

It was sufficient to remember that this was an Escort Carrier, not a Gato or a Snoop boat. So the crew and officers rarely had use for other species languages.

OOC: What's not to understand? It moved to position and prepared itself for docking. Now to wait until it's been shuffled into docking, and then, to dock once it's been told where. Obviously no one came out, or I would've said so, and no one can go in because it's not docked. You have not yet told me where to dock, or when to dock, and I will not assume such things, ever.

((OOC: In THIS (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14739185&postcount=9) post I stated that C&C was clearing the way to the docking arms for the three larger ships (You, Angenteria, and Sutfinai). I explained what the docking process was, and what waited for the Swarm ship after it docked. I did not use any 'dialogue' to explain this with a character, but I had hoped that by explaining things in advance, people could take what they wanted and move along at their own pace.
Alright, if you still want I'll try and put together an addition to this post to address the swarm ship. Consider this OOC note a placeholder for now.))

**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section
**********

Sun Speaker's lower jaw dropped in a delphine grin and the Irukan clicked softly to itself. That the Sutfen turned out even shorter than other species he'd encountered was amusing. To try and bring himself more down to their level, Sun Speaker circled and swam closer to the deck, tilting his head to focus one eye on Verrick as he spoke, "It's a pleasure to meet you Captain Verrick! Yes, aquatic species in the Great Black seem to be extrememly rare. So far I have only heard about two others, the Liir and the Theline, the latter of which we only recently met among these stars."

Sun Speaker turned and began leading the Sutfen captain over to customs, nodding to the security personnel, who waved them through to the bioscan booths. "Well the short version of that story is that for quite a while my species had no idea that there was sapient life on land, much less in the Great Black. We were fortunate to be contacted by the Taerren a long time ago, and they eventually sold us the tools and technology to move freely as I do now. I wanted to be a ship's pilot, but unfortunately I failed the fleet's entrance exams; I kept getting too distracted by the Black to focus on my work."

At the admission Sun Speaker chittered and looked away, embarrassed. Finally though he turned back to Verrick, "My pod-family told me that I had the right kind of temperment for the Diplomatic Corps, so I decided to join on for the new colonial effort. Now I find myself assigned to the Profitable Ventures."

When the line cleared, Sun Speaker gestured with his beak for the Sutfen to enter. The bioscan process was simple, fast, and painless. Various biosensors scanned for any viral, bacterial, parasitic, or symbiotic life forms, then ran the results against a very large biological database. When nothing alarming was discovered, Verrick was let out the other side where the Irukan was waiting.

A robotic arm had unfolded from his harness and now held a small crystal 'card' and a small disc of metal. "This is your cred-card. As a diplomat you've automaticly been given an account with station records. You have a small line of credit, and you may visit the monetary exchange to deposit or withdraw from your account. All goods and services available directly aboard the station will be purched with TRIAD credits. The card will be gene-coded when you activate your account. This is your comm-link. The flat surface has a molecular adhesive surface so it won't fall off accidentally. Just press the white button to attach or remove the link. The red button will connect you with station security, while the green button will patch you into the station communications network where you can route your call."

Sun Speaker waited for Verrick to take the items, then grinned again, "So, any questions?"

Stepping through the airlock that connected the Aresems vessel and the TRIAD station, Rowland and Janus looked down around at the strange-looking aliens. Over the years, Rowland had dealt with several alien species from the shrewd Tau to the cryptic Eldar, and a few of 'those' species, whose names are incomprehensible to the human mind. And oh Emperor, did Rowland hate those. Janus Burke, however, was an absolute newbie to world of alien contact, communicating only with those in the company, and only then just barely. The young Janus, barely in his thirties, was quite the contrast the older and wiser Oren Rowland. In his late-forties, his hair was already beginning to gray from the stress from his non-stop job, but stood tall and proud, like nothing bothered him. They descended to the metal grating of the station, and looked up to see one of the alien representatives coming towards them.

"Greetings and welcome to the Profitable Ventures, and as the station's name suggests, may this encounter be such a profitable venture to both our peoples. Please, if you will follow me, we will get the formalities of Embarkation out of the way. The process requires a simple bioscan, merely a precaution against communicable diseases spreading into the station's biosphere. You will be permitted to keep any ceremonial weapons, however station regulations require you to deposit any ordinance capable of penetrating armor with station security. I trust you understand these precautions?"


Rowland nodded as he listened to the alien explain, beginning to follow him.

"Of course." He replied. "My associate and I are unarmed."

Amanthe and Jaden bowed in unison as the Dersconi approached, but it was Jaden who spoke first, his voice measured and crisp Instella, "Greetings Ambassador, Deputy Minister. Welcome to the Profitable Ventures, and as the station's name suggests, may this encounter be such a profitable venture to both our peoples. Please, if you will follow us, we will get the formalities of Embarkation out of the way. The process requires a simple bioscan, merely a precaution against communicable diseases spreading into the station's biosphere. You and your escorts will be permitted to keep any ceremonial weapons, however station regulations require you to deposit any ordinance capable of penetrating armor with station security. I trust you understand these precautions?"

Amanthe had stayed silent during the introductions, however she was anything but passive. She was included in the welcoming party due to her nature as a telepath. She'd known from the dossier compiled by the Galactic Assembly team that the Dersconi were likely telepathic, and this was possibly confirmed when the Dersconi stated they were unable to transfer helm control for docking. Amanthe reached out with her mind, passively examining the mental auras of the Dersconi envoys, then offering a contact that was the equivalent of a telepathic handshake. Her own mind was carefully segmented into multiple layers of privacy, with the outermost layer open to contact. If her 'handshake' was accepted by any of the Dersconi group, her public mind filled only with thoughts of welcome and curiosity, ~Greetings and welcome, friends. It is refreshing and a pleasure to meet another telepathic species.~

Ambassador Narayi smiled and nodded. The ban on projectile weaponry was expected, and totally unnecessary in the Dersconi's eyes. If they intended on killing anyone, the Dersconi would have just bombarded the facility into oblivion. "That won't be necessary, no one here is carrying any projectile weapons."

The Dersconi submitted to the bioscan in order to speed things up. When they scanned the guards, they would find them to be psionic, naturally, and appearing to be on some sort of unknown narcotic. They would find nothing unusual about the ambassadors, other than their psionic nature, which was expected. The Homach children, though, upon scanning, would be found to be psionic, half machine and crawling with nanites under their skin, even though they looked perfectly human on the outside.

When Amanthe "reached out" to the Dersconi, she found only Narayi responsive, telepathically embracing her in greeting. Of course, it was only the surface, but it was cordial and friendly. Torjiu, though, seemed as if he did not exist. As she tried to reach out to him, Amanthe would simply not be able to find Torjiu's "mental signal," if you will. Torjiu - and, apparently, the Dersconi as a whole - were far more complex and mysterious than first thought.

Captain Verrick looked over the items before taking them. He then promptly slapped the Comm-Link was put on his collar like a medallion. He looked over the card and then around across his body before finally deciding to slip it into his collar. When that was done he'd chuckle, "I must say, you fellows are lucky. Here I am with but a collar and your in that suit with who knows how much storage."

Verrick continued slowly padding along shaking himself to get the tingly out of his furr from the Bio-scan. While it was painless it had made him tingle slightly. "So, When you say 'colonial effort'. Do you mean expansionist, imperialistic, or something else? You seem like a good bunch of species. I couldn't see you doing anything heavy-handed like. You know? It's always nice to meet a group of species who isn't prone to shooting first and asking questions later."

Verrick looked about the station as they... floated and walked... "And you flunked the entrance exams? Goodness, you seemed like a rather intelligent being to me, is your fleet only excepting child prodigies? That'd make it small wouldn't it?"

((Placeholder. Sorry I haven't responded yet guys. Muse has taken a sick day today and I have been almost totally unable to muster the creative energies required to write a post. *sigh* I will however get to posting as soon as I can. Again, sorry for the hold-up.))

((Quick! Get the Baer Asprin and the Defibrillator! We can save TRIAD's Muse! We can rebuild it! We can make it better, stronger, fa- *is punched* .... Owww....))

OOC: As a benefit to your muse, I shall do something I normally wouldn't, and make assumptions to docking procedures. Perhaps the sight of an actual swarmling will jar your muse into action.

IC:
The Armored Hive Ship was eventually directed to it's designated port, a long prehensile tongue whipping out to connect the ship with the station. A gigantic monster made its way to the station. Scanners would reveal the following interesting bits of information:
It's body was one massive highly contagious Disease, that, if released into the air would quickly kill all life aboard the station. Of course, they also showed that this only happened if the thing was injured, which thank the Chaos Gods, it wasn't. In fact, it was in a perfect state of health for being only one hour old.
It's body chemistry was not composed of Bacteria chains like humans and similar creatures were, its body, as well as the entire ship, was composed of tightly packed super-dense virus clusters. This gave it an incredibly dense cell structure capable of stopping most mundane forms of weaponry. In fact, only military issue weaponry stood a chance against it, unless one had a lightsaber handy. Civilian weaponry stood little to no chance.

It's body was one weapon after another, for instance it's claws were capable of penetrating most forms of armor, unless it was really good. It had internal acid sacs that seemed capable of dissolving most material. At its side were two guns that seemed to actually be symbiotic life forms. It's tail doubled as a whip, and its wings seemed capable of sustained flight in space. But most troubling of all, was the immense Chaos energy running through it. If it's organic weaponry failed, it was clearly capable of weaponizing Chaos energy and shooting it. A powerfully immense Psionic energy emanated from it that was clearly its link to The Overmind.

Databanks would match this one creature arsenal with intergalactic public records indicating it to be a species of Swarmling known as a Hive Tyrant, the second deadliest of the swarm breeds. This then meant it may have been only one of two known Swarm Hive Tyrants, Zasz, and Dangaloth. Only the other leader, Irene, was deadlier, but she was her own unique breed.

"Greetings, I am Zasz, and though I seem quite ferocious, I am not hungry, and so am as tame as a kitten. I refuse to sit in security all day, so you will simply have to trust me that I am not going to harm anyone, and won't, provided you don't harm me first. If you allow me a moment though, I shall put my guns in a protective Chrysalis and leave them with security." Zasz said.

A small five foot green roach looking creature scurried forward. Scans revealed it to be only capable of releasing a small cloud of toxin if killed. It was completely non harmful, and unintelligent. It was matched with records and indicated as a Drone. It took the guns and covered them with slime it emitted from its mouth, putting both guns in a large egg. Then, holding the Chrysalis, it crawled over to Security and sat in a corner, still holding the Crysalis.

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TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section - Amanthe & Dersconi
**********

Even within Khyrolii society, it was considered simple polite manners to only touch another person's most surface mind, and then only after "knocking" first. This appeared to be the same for the Dersconi, and Amanthe savored the "feeling" of the alien's telepathic contact. Even this limited contact conveyed more information and nuances than verbal or physical forms of communication. A smile spread across the Khyrolii's muzzle at the warmth she felt from Narayi. The smile stayed, but the emotion became confusion as she seemed totally unable to even sense Torjiu. As Jaden moved to go welcome the Aresems delegates, Amanthe remained and took charge of the six Dersconi after they finished the bioscans.

"Again, welcome to the Profitable Ventures, we hope your stay with us is a pleasant one. Please Ambassador, I am curious. I can feel that you, Ambassador Tosharviova are telepathic, but I cannot feel anything of your mind Minister Atorinnyi. Are you not telepathic?" Her curiousity on the subject had overruled her diplomatic training, and with a blink she held a hand up to her muzzle in a rather humanoid gesture, "My apologies! If that was too personal a question, again I apologize. It has been some time since I have encountered a species other than my own with the same degree of telepathic potential, I was curious beyond caution and courtesy."

Reaching into a satchel she had obtained while the scans had been done, Amanthe began handing out the cred-cards and comm-links to each member of the delegation, even the Homachs and the guards. Then began a speech on the devices purposes and operation, similar to the explainations given to the other diplomatic groups that had arrived.
Cocking her head to the side, ears splaying slightly, Amanthe continued to speak instead of 'path, just in case Torjiv *was* a psi-mute, "Are there any questions I can answer?"


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TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section - Jaden & Aresems
**********

Jaden nodded to Rowland when the human indicated they were both unarmed, "Of course. As I said, it is merely a precaution for the safety of all guests, diplomats, and staff of the station. If you will please step into the bioscan booths, we will get this part of the process over with as soon as possible."

As with the Sutfen, the bioscan was a quick and painless (though potentially "tingly") experience. When the Aresems were through, Jaden was waiting with two comm-links and cred-cards. "These are your comm-links and cred-cards for your stay aboard the station. All transactions which take place onboard are conducted in TRIAD credits. As foreign dignitaries, your accounts have been supplied with a small stipend of credits. Consider this a gift to you. The amount should be sufficient for you to purchase souvenirs, enjoy the top end dining, or else experience the leisure activities aboard the station. While you stay with us in an official capacity, any basic meals you require will be provided free of charge, however due to TRIAD corporate bylaws, individual dining establishments are not required to offer you meals for free. That said, you will find most of the local establishments are willing to show you great hospitality, since they hope you will spread the word about their businesses."

After laughing at his own joke, Jaden went on to explain how the comm-links worked and how to adhere them to either skin or clothing. That done, the Reikoan bowed slightly and canted his ears, "So, are there any questions I can answer before I show you to your quarters? Or perhaps you would like a brief tour of the station?"


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TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section - Sun Speaker & Sutfen
**********

"I must say, you fellows are lucky. Here I am with but a collar and your in that suit with who knows how much storage."

Sun Speaker watched in amusement as the Sutfen fiddled with where to put his link and credcard, causing the Irukan to giggle softly, a slight ratcheting sound accompanying the smooth laughter. "If you like we can stop by the market district and purchase a cloak or saddlebags. There is a species in my home universe called Fokkoran. They are six-limbed quadrupeds, similar to your species. They often wear cloaks across their lower backs, and often use such saddlebags for the pockets. I am certain we can find a tailor to fashion either for your physiology."

"So, When you say 'colonial effort'. Do you mean expansionist, imperialistic, or something else? You seem like a good bunch of species. I couldn't see you doing anything heavy-handed like. You know? It's always nice to meet a group of species who isn't prone to shooting first and asking questions later."

Sun Speaker shook his head and clicked emphaticly, "Oh! Nothing like that. I was referring to the Branch Office of TRIAD Enterprises we've set up here in this universe. Ever since the gateway with the nexus world of Rhydin reopened, TRIAD has been establishing outpost colonies, called Branch Offices, all over the multiverse. This is just one of dozens."

"And you flunked the entrance exams? Goodness, you seemed like a rather intelligent being to me, is your fleet only excepting child prodigies? That'd make it small wouldn't it?"

The last question caused the Irukan to squee softly and turn away slightly, once again embarrassed. "Piloting for an Irukan is quite a bit different than for most species. You see, all Irukan pilots have neural interface cyberware. When we pilot a vessel, it is like the ship becomes an extension of our bodies. We 'wear' starships like you land-people wear clothing... Well, like most land-people wear clothing anyways." Another soft giggle as he looked the Sutfen over, then continued, "I didn't pass because when I dived a ship, I tended to become too absorbed and distracted by the Great Black. What my people call deep space. Being a Black Swimmer is an amazing experience, and being able to use senses your body can only dream of. It is almost physical pleasure."


**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section - Troops & Swarm
**********

Lt. Chiss, a female Tejhiik (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14731826&postcount=25) waited as the Hive ship latched onto the docking port and attached it's mouth, before allowing the Swarm delegate to exit the bioship. The creature closely resembled some of the creatures she used to hunt back on Rhydin, and part of her more base instincts wanted to attack, but years of harsh training and discipline forced her to lower her weapon.

"Stand down. Return to your posts.", ordered the lieutenant, and the massed soldiers began packing up the portable defenses and boarding the waiting tram. Another tram arrived shortly after the troopers left, and the Lt turned back to the hive tyrant and gestured to the drone holding the chrysalis. "Leaving that with security won't be necessary, just as long as you don't bring your weapons into the station itself, we don't care if you leave that here on the docks, or even back on your ship. Now, if you will follow me, I will escort you to Embarkation and we'll have an ambassador waiting."
With that, Chiss stepped up into the waiting tram, turning and watching the tyrant follow. The Tejhiik stayed silent through the couple minutes required to reach Embarkation.

C&C had already dispatched another ambassador, this time a Marduk wearing an insectoid frame. It was hoped that the shape of the sapient machine's body might be more familliar and comfortable for the Swarm delegate to interact with. This Marduk had chosen a frame patterned after a seven foot tall praying mantis, colored with blue-black chitin. Like most Marduk frames, the design followed biological lines, using artificial materials: ceramal skeleton, synthetic muscles, inorganic nerve fibers, nano-gel circulatory system.

The ambassador stepped forwards on silent limbs, with only sound the faint click of it's pointed legs tapping the deck. When the machine spoke, it's voice came from somewhere on the thorax and held an artificial quality, #Greetings. I am designated KV-516-N, however my organic companions have named me KVN. You may use whichever title you prefer. It is hoped that you are capable of comprehending verbal communication, and surveilance records from your arrival on the docking arm suggests you are capable of communicating by non-telepathic means. If however this is in error, I will request a psionic translator be dispatched to facilitate our communicating.#

As the Marduk introduced itself, Lt. Chiss saluted the ambassador, then returned to her normal duties. KVN turned and gestured to the bioscan booths, and explained the process as well as the reason for it's requirement prior to entry. Once the bioscan was complete, KVN waited on the other side with the Tyrant's cred-card and comm-link, explaining their use and purpose. Finally the triangular head tilted slightly to the side, #Are there any questions you have? I will attempt to answer them to the best of my ability.

**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section - Troops & Swarm
**********

Lt. Chiss, a female Tejhiik waited as the Hive ship latched onto the docking port and attached it's mouth, before allowing the Swarm delegate to exit the bioship. The creature closely resembled some of the creatures she used to hunt back on Rhydin, and part of her more base instincts wanted to attack, but years of harsh training and discipline forced her to lower her weapon.

"Stand down. Return to your posts.", ordered the lieutenant, and the massed soldiers began packing up the portable defenses and boarding the waiting tram. Another tram arrived shortly after the troopers left, and the Lt turned back to the hive tyrant and gestured to the drone holding the chrysalis. "Leaving that with security won't be necessary, just as long as you don't bring your weapons into the station itself, we don't care if you leave that here on the docks, or even back on your ship. Now, if you will follow me, I will escort you to Embarkation and we'll have an ambassador waiting."
With that, Chiss stepped up into the waiting tram, turning and watching the tyrant follow. The Tejhiik stayed silent through the couple minutes required to reach Embarkation.

C&C had already dispatched another ambassador, this time a Marduk wearing an insectoid frame. It was hoped that the shape of the sapient machine's body might be more familliar and comfortable for the Swarm delegate to interact with. This Marduk had chosen a frame patterned after a seven foot tall praying mantis, colored with blue-black chitin. Like most Marduk frames, the design followed biological lines, using artificial materials: ceramal skeleton, synthetic muscles, inorganic nerve fibers, nano-gel circulatory system.

The ambassador stepped forwards on silent limbs, with only sound the faint click of it's pointed legs tapping the deck. When the machine spoke, it's voice came from somewhere on the thorax and held an artificial quality, #Greetings. I am designated KV-516-N, however my organic companions have named me KVN. You may use whichever title you prefer. It is hoped that you are capable of comprehending verbal communication, and surveilance records from your arrival on the docking arm suggests you are capable of communicating by non-telepathic means. If however this is in error, I will request a psionic translator be dispatched to facilitate our communicating.#

As the Marduk introduced itself, Lt. Chiss saluted the ambassador, then returned to her normal duties. KVN turned and gestured to the bioscan booths, and explained the process as well as the reason for it's requirement prior to entry. Once the bioscan was complete, KVN waited on the other side with the Tyrant's cred-card and comm-link, explaining their use and purpose. Finally the triangular head tilted slightly to the side, #Are there any questions you have? I will attempt to answer them to the best of my ability.

As it was mentioned the guns could be left aboard the ship, the drone quickly scurried off with the chrysalis to the ship.

"I shall call you KVN. My designation is Hive Tyrant, and leader of The Swarm, yet there is more than one Hive Tyrant, so to call me by what I am would be confusing for Daggoth and I. Thus, even though KV-516-N may in fact be a serial number and thus unique enough to qualify as a name, that your organic companions refer to you as KVN is proof of what your name is. Infact, it could be taken a step further, and we could all call you Kevin, for Kevin is remarkably similar to KVN, and spelled with three of the same letters. I might be reading far too much into something as simple as Nomenclature though. Irene, the Queen of the swarm, read us a quote by an ancient man named Shakespear that says "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet" which I take to mean that names are in fact pointless, and it is the object itself the name refers to that has the actual meaning.

Moving on, I am able to communicate with your thoughts directly, should the need arise. The fact you are a machine is meaningless. The Swarm has immense psionic power, and one of those branches is a form known as Cyberpsy. Essentially, it's using one's mind to communicate with and control, a machine. True we have no use for technology, everyone else does, so it behooves us to learn a universal method of control, not that I shall seek to control you at the moment."

After the scan that revealed Zasz was dangerous enough to be an army of one...

"Interesting, I shall put them in my upper sac for safe keeping." Zasz said, then he promptly ate them.
"They are still in one piece and unharmed, and should I need them, I can have them back dry as you please in an instant. As for questions, how much Biomass comes through here and how can we get in on the movement of it to purchase some for ourselves. Biomass includes all Organic matter, sentient or not, vegetable or not, and all elements conducive to the existence of life, such as air and water, though we have encountered life that requires neither. Thus, since I doubt it is all rolled up into one single thing, for us to trade in Biomass involves a great range of trade indeed. This isn't just a one way purchase either. Sometimes we have, excess, of one form or another. We can trade these excesses to spheres with shortages of that same type. Low in potatoes? We'll send over a few billion tons right away. Need some fish? We've got plenty. Why, if we put our collective mind to it, we could probably create a habitable world." Zasz said, getting to the very sort of trade the swarm was interested in.

"Greetings, I am Nasagal, director of Foreign Trade under High Judicator Artanis. I seek permission to come aboard."

The transmission came from an area of space that was by all accounts empty, yet next to a beautiful ship made of an exotic crystal and even more exotic gold metal. Clearly, the ship was emitting a massive and powerful cloaking field around it, for everything that entered a certain area was suddenly lost to sensors, until it reappeared out the backside.

The ship moved away, taking its cloaking field with it, leaving behind another ship, different in shape, yet constructed of the same materials.

After being shuffled into dock rotation and reaching its port, the ship erected a powerful forcefield where the dock ended, and it hovered. Its crystal lattice glowed in a rainbow pattern of colors, and filled the area immediatly around it. It Coalesced on the end of the dock as an alien, remarkably similar to humans, but different in design. It had no mouth of any kind what so ever, and its eyes were glowing with powerful energies.

"I am Nasagal, it is a pleasure to meet you. As this is most likely our first meeting, let me assure you that if you speak as you normally would, I shall hear you just fine." the creature said, its words seeming to come from the air around it. It was very finely dressed in black and purple silk made into a suit.

((OOC Note: Bad news I'm afraid. Least bad news for me. I and my housemates have just been served with an eviction notice this morning. The notice states that we have till the end of the month to vacate. The landlord is being an ass and kicking us out because on of the roomies received a service dog. Technically, it is illegal to refuse a tenant to own and house a service animal, as it is an ADA violation. Our landlord however is ignoring that and looking for any excuse to evict us anyways.
We are going to be fighting this, however I don't know what is going to happen at this stage in time. I am going to *try* and keep up with things here on the forums, but consider this a heads up if I suddenly stop responding. Even if I can watch, I may not have the time to write replies in a timely fashion. For those who care, please bear with me and be patient. I will return actively as soon as I know what is going to happen.
Thanks in advance for any prayers or well-wishes.))

**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section - Hive Tyrant
**********

KVN waited and listened patiently to the Hive Tyrant's speech. It was true, many of the organics KVN dealt with on a frequent basis had tried calling it "Kevin" an many occasions, and for the same reasons, however KVN had politely refused and asked to be called by it's full designation, or failing that just KVN. This did not stop many from slurring the label slightly and pronouncing it "Kevin" anyway, and KVN had come to simply accept the fact and ignore the useage when possible. When Zasz mentioned it's ability of cyberpathy, KVN held up a forelimb, #Apologies for the interruption, however I would caution you. I personally would prefer you refrain from using any form of cyberpathy on my person without invitation, and many other Marduk will ask the same, as will most other forms of digital entities. This is a similar tradition of respect for privacy encouraged by organic telepaths within TRIAD.#

#Regarding trade; I am not personally familliar with mass values for this station, as we are only recently operational. Projected estimates from recently concluded trade contracts indicate that this station will be recieving an average of twenty five thousand metric tons of various edible cargos per week. Other contracts will be shipping various gases, including oxygen and hydrogen, at a rate of fifteen megaliters per week. Another category of contracts will be shipping ten megaliters of purified water. While I do not have direct authority to negotiate trade contracts at this moment, I can advise you that an optimistic estimate of ten percent of those shipping values would be considered for resale to your Swarm. This is based on previous trade contracts using similar variables.#


**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section - Rotan
**********

The newcomer had been passed through TraCon using diplomatic protocols, and so another diplomat was dispatched to meet with the new arrival. Klesk Vadragaar was a Drahkanid, but since their Imperium did not permit emmigration, Klesk was on indefinite work contract to TRIAD Enterprises. The truth was, Klesk enjoyed living in TRIAD's borders, and enjoyed the opportunity to meet new species with the corporate state's exploration into other universes than back home. Since he was next on the diplomatic rotation, he rode a tram car down to Embarkation to meet with... looking down at his PDA for a moment. Ahh yes, one Director Nasagal.

Drahkanid were not normal sights within TRIAD's borders, and only the fact that multi-species ships and stations were designed for beings as tall as four meters allowed Klesk to get around much at all. Upright, Klesk stood almost three meters tall, not counting his long tail or neck, and most closely resembled an unusual dragon in shape. His wings were currently folded tight to the bones of his forward arms, bent forwards to act as rudimentary legs when he ducked a low hatchway. His dorsal crest rose up in suprise as he sighted his charge, turning his head to one side to get a better view, then blinking three pairs of eyes in sequence. Rising back upright, he walked forwards and performed a deep bow, the two shorter arms below his wing-arms folded across his broad chest, "Greetings Director Nasagal, and welcome to the TRIAD Enterprises trade station, the TSS Profitable Ventures. I hope you did not find the embarkation process uncomfortable? The bioscan is simply to screen out potentially infectious pathogens. Were you showed how to use your cred-card and commlink?"


((OOC Note: HERE (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/TracerFox/Shattered%20Prism/Current%20Official%20Images/Drahkanid_Sketch_By_Sid.jpg) is a sample picture of a Drahkanid. This is not a finished piece though, there are some differences from this picture and the official design for the species.
Alright guys, I'm back. Feel free to resume replies to the various diplomats. For the moment let's assume everyone is in different locations, but if you wish to re-join groups feel free to do so. I'll do my best to keep up where I can.))

A burnt, battered, and generally damaged vessel was limping under impulse power toward the station, off the traffic patterns of the area. A message was continuing to be transmitted towards the station, but it was barely audible.

This is the Mewsland starship Voyager (MCC-1701). We dropped out of warp space in the last star system, and fell into that star's atmosphere. We were lucky to get out of the heat before our warp drive failed just a million miles from your Traffic Sphere.

Mew) I hope it got through. Continue on course toward the Profitable Ventures.

(OOC: Profitable Ventures was recorded in a previous mission here, prior to this thread's timeline.)

**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section - Hive Tyrant
**********

KVN waited and listened patiently to the Hive Tyrant's speech. It was true, many of the organics KVN dealt with on a frequent basis had tried calling it "Kevin" an many occasions, and for the same reasons, however KVN had politely refused and asked to be called by it's full designation, or failing that just KVN. This did not stop many from slurring the label slightly and pronouncing it "Kevin" anyway, and KVN had come to simply accept the fact and ignore the useage when possible. When Zasz mentioned it's ability of cyberpathy, KVN held up a forelimb, #Apologies for the interruption, however I would caution you. I personally would prefer you refrain from using any form of cyberpathy on my person without invitation, and many other Marduk will ask the same, as will most other forms of digital entities. This is a similar tradition of respect for privacy encouraged by organic telepaths within TRIAD.#

#Regarding trade; I am not personally familliar with mass values for this station, as we are only recently operational. Projected estimates from recently concluded trade contracts indicate that this station will be recieving an average of twenty five thousand metric tons of various edible cargos per week. Other contracts will be shipping various gases, including oxygen and hydrogen, at a rate of fifteen megaliters per week. Another category of contracts will be shipping ten megaliters of purified water. While I do not have direct authority to negotiate trade contracts at this moment, I can advise you that an optimistic estimate of ten percent of those shipping values would be considered for resale to your Swarm. This is based on previous trade contracts using similar variables.#

"I predict a similar volume of trade coming to the station from the swarm. Of course, any one knows the real values will fluctuate and differ from month to month, sometimes matching, sometimes exceeding, and sometimes failing to meet expectations.

Now, on the subject of shipping containers, what is the expected standard?"

**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section - Rotan
**********

The newcomer had been passed through TraCon using diplomatic protocols, and so another diplomat was dispatched to meet with the new arrival. Klesk Vadragaar was a Drahkanid, but since their Imperium did not permit emmigration, Klesk was on indefinite work contract to TRIAD Enterprises. The truth was, Klesk enjoyed living in TRIAD's borders, and enjoyed the opportunity to meet new species with the corporate state's exploration into other universes than back home. Since he was next on the diplomatic rotation, he rode a tram car down to Embarkation to meet with... looking down at his PDA for a moment. Ahh yes, one Director Nasagal.

Drahkanid were not normal sights within TRIAD's borders, and only the fact that multi-species ships and stations were designed for beings as tall as four meters allowed Klesk to get around much at all. Upright, Klesk stood almost three meters tall, not counting his long tail or neck, and most closely resembled an unusual dragon in shape. His wings were currently folded tight to the bones of his forward arms, bent forwards to act as rudimentary legs when he ducked a low hatchway. His dorsal crest rose up in suprise as he sighted his charge, turning his head to one side to get a better view, then blinking three pairs of eyes in sequence. Rising back upright, he walked forwards and performed a deep bow, the two shorter arms below his wing-arms folded across his broad chest, "Greetings Director Nasagal, and welcome to the TRIAD Enterprises trade station, the TSS Profitable Ventures. I hope you did not find the embarkation process uncomfortable? The bioscan is simply to screen out potentially infectious pathogens. Were you showed how to use your cred-card and commlink?"


((OOC Note: HERE (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/TracerFox/Shattered%20Prism/Current%20Official%20Images/Drahkanid_Sketch_By_Sid.jpg) is a sample picture of a Drahkanid. This is not a finished piece though, there are some differences from this picture and the official design for the species.
Alright guys, I'm back. Feel free to resume replies to the various diplomats. For the moment let's assume everyone is in different locations, but if you wish to re-join groups feel free to do so. I'll do my best to keep up where I can.))

"Yes, I was shown the process, simple and easy to understand. As for the bioscan, who could blame you? I certainly wouldn't want to let a horrible virus in among my people, I could hardly blame you for the same, especially in a place such as this. I am afraid you have me at the advantage, you know who I am, but I do not know who you are." Director Nasagal

((OOC Placeholder. I am trying to not let things here suck up all my time.
Rotan, Swarm: I have seen your posts and will work on another reply later today.
Mewsland: I am going to respond to your ship as if it were in distress, however I would like to warn you, there are no recordings of the station prior to one week before the start of the thread's timeline. Prior to that time, the station did not exist, and was constructed and brought to operation status within that week before the thread. I have already established that this system was unclaimed prior to TRIAD arriving, there are no useful planets, just two gas giants and an asteroid belt. You may have had a mission in this system before, but there would have been little of interest.))

(OOC: It was hardly three days before the start of this thread.)

**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section - Hive Tyrant
**********

KVN swayed slightly as it listened to Zasz predict the Swarm's trade contribution, #Then it appears we may be able to reach mutually beneficial terms. TRIAD Enterprises internally uses a metric measurement of mass for inter-stellar shipping. The smallest container has a mass limit of ten metric tons, with graduated containers increasing at exponential rates for three progressions.#

((OOC Note: For the math impaired, that means start at 10 tons, and add another 0 to the end for the next largest container. 10, 100, 1000, and 10000mt.))

**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section - Rotan
**********

Klesk's normally crimson scales paled with a slight yellow tint for a brief moment as the Rotan diplomat reminded him that he'd neglected to introduce himself. The Drahkanid dipped his head and made another deep bow, "Ah yes, forgive me. My name is Klesk Vadragaar of Clan Turanis, my species is called Drahkanid, and I am an employee of TRIAD Enterprises. I will be serving as your diplomatic liason for the duration of your stay aboard the Profitable Ventures, so do not hesitate to notify me if you have any questions or requirements."


**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Open Space
**********

The ship was tracked from the moment it entered the system. Immediately the automated beacons began warning the ship it was entering an unauthorized flight zone, and to divert to standard shipping lanes. A squadron of corvettes was dispatched to investigate, and when the eighty meter long craft came within comms range, they relayed the Mewsland ship's distress transmission to the station. Immediately the corvettes fell into an escort formation, attempting to open radio contact with the damaged ship.

"Attention Mewsland vessel. You have entered TRIAD Enterprises sovreign space, if you are able, please respond on this frequency. We are diverting traffic patterns to allow you to approach, and are dispatching search and rescue craft to dock with your vessel. This message will repeat every sixty seconds unless you reply."

Two tug frigates were launched on intercept courses for the Voyager to attempt to dock and tow the damaged ship into port.

Comms) Receiving a very garbled message, sir. The antenna is almost fried.

Mew) Try and sort it out.

Comms) Aye.

Attention Mewsland vessel. You have entered TRIAD Enterprises <fuzz> space, if you are able, please <fuzz> on this frequency. We are diverting traffic <fuzz> to allow you to approach, and are dispatching <fuzz> and rescue craft to dock with your vessel. This message will repeat every sixty seconds unless you reply. <fuzzzz>

Mew) Open a channel.

Comms) Transmitting.

Mew) This is Mew of Voyager. We are standing by for search and rescue vessels. Do be warned, we have many injured, myself included, so be prepared. Sending stats on our vessel right now.

Class: Voyager Class (Refit II) Heavy Cruiser
Length: 843 Yards (770.8392 m)
Width: 281 Yards (256.9464 m)
Height: 140 Yards (128.016 m)
Crew: 1600
Passengers: 3000

"Helpful, but leaves out one important piece of data. The Swarm puts its materials in egg like Chrysalises, bladders, and on occasion, entire Hive Ships whose sole purpose in life is to serve as transport. Is this an acceptable container type, so long as it meets size expectations?"

"It is a pleasure to meet you Klesk. Now, onto questions with more pressing curiosity. How will it work, will we have our own little section to work out the details with, or will we be forced to go through middlemen when working out trade deals?"

RLS Gannet

Commander Arlene Constant had been born on the planet Farland in the Lynx System, in what was now the Republic of Lynx. When she had first joined the Dominion of Farland Navy, war with the Lynxans had seemed likely, and she had spent countless hours monitoring ships from the “Commonwealth of Lynx” on her scopes. Now, according to the new system-wide Constitution, she -was- a Lynxan, and now held a commission in the Republic of Lynx Navy. Well, at least she had managed to get a promotion in the process. She now had her own ship, a Pelican-class frigate, one of the most powerful warships that her new nation currently possessed, though if her current mission succeeded, that would soon change. Her mission statement had made it plain this contact with the TRIAD leadership was considered as being highly important to the Republic’s national security, which meant that success here was to be achieved at almost any expense. Failure would no doubt be harshly punished, even if that had not been said aloud in the orders. Constant had no doubt what would become of the person who screwed the pooch if the mission went downhill.

Her crew compliment had been temporarily boosted for this mission, a small packet of Foreign Office officials led by none other than Secretary of State Mitzi Betz herself, the Republic’s top serving diplomat right now, and while Constant did not like having useless passengers aboard, she was relieved to know somebody whose diplomatic skills exceeded hers would be managing the negotiations.

It was with this in mind that Arlene Constant eased her way onto the frigate’s slightly cramped bridge station within just minutes of the projected entry into the Outer Sphere area. She had taken a few minutes more than usual fussing about how she looked before leaving her quarters this morning, but she would not miss the actual arrival. That would not be good form. Her timing was almost perfect. She had just sat into her command station after being announced by the OOD and relieving him when the man on the helm station announced the imminent exit from hyperspace. As he said that, the frigate shuddered lightly as hyperspace engines wound down, and the outside view projected to the bridge monitors changed once more to a murky black void filled with stars.

“We have exited hyperspace, Captain,” the helmsman said, stating the obvious. “We are presently holding station twenty light minutes from the TRIAD station Profitable Ventures.”

“Very good, Helm,” Constant said with a smile. Twenty light minutes out was right on target. Damn, but she had a good crew. Now, she thought as she fingered the lock ring on the neck of her skin suit, there remained little to do but hope Secretary Betz and her people were just as talented. “Communications, give them a hail.”

“TSS Profitable Ventures, this is the frigate RLS Gannet, holding station twenty light minutes out from your position. We request permission to approach and dock.”

((Placeholder till I get some RL time to write.))

The Telrosian Dominion had gotten to know a bit about the TRIAD Enterprises and had been interested at their invitation they were given at the Galactic Assembly celebration in Aumanii space. Once that was finished, the representatives sent there gave the information to the First and the High Council to consider before returning. A quick meeting was held, with the Council, as well as the Office of Naval Intelligence, advising him on the situation and what he should do. After a couple hours of discussion, it was settled. Investing in this new company would be an ideal thing to do and discussions had been started with them on this idea. It was soon discovered that TRIAD Enterprises had plenty of stuff they wanted and so a trade dispatch was sent to the newly discovered station.

So the ships already there, as well as the Station Control, would detect a large burst of energy coming from a single point. A burst of purplish-pink light burst forth, coalescing into a large rip in the galaxy. The nations of Angenteria and Eternal Swarm would realize this was a portal to the Warp, and recognize the screams of temptation and torture coming from within. Three ships exited the portal and then it swiftly closed, cutting off the sounds of hell itself. They would soon detected that only one ship was armed, although they were not primed. The Dominion Lance-class Cruiser, along with two Dominion freighters, came into the system under the command of Commander Steel. He stood on the bridge of the DTS Insurrection and began to speak.

"Status report."

"All ships are green, sir. Transition into realspace confirmed. We are reading sensor pings from the station and other ships in the system, sir. There are several unknowns, although sensors detect a Dersconi ship docked on the station."

Steel nodded. "Understood. Open a channel to the station, encryption code 0."

There was a pause, the sound of keys being hit and then a reply. "Open, sir."

"This is Commander Steel of the DTS Insurrection, here with a trading convoy. On behalf of the Telrosian Dominion, I request permission to approach the station and dock, so we can begin trading. I await your response."

**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section - Hive Tyrant
**********

KVN's triangular head dipped slightly in a nod, #Affirmative, however the primary limitation is mass, not volume. Cargos can be transferred to more appropriate containers should your own prove incompatible with our facilities.#


**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section - Rotan
**********

Klesk smiled at the straightforward way these beings dealt with business arrangements. Canting his head to the side, he considered Nasagal's question for a moment, "If you represent simply yourself, then transactions will be very simple, between you and another individual businessperson. Should you represent a group or nation however, then a small amount of overhead is to be expected. Particularly when making trade deals involving vast quantities of merchandise. The station has facilities in the commercial district which may be rented out to visitors and foreign interests, and it is here you are free to establish points of sale or negotiation for any goods or services you wish. Please note that there are small transaction fees for services aboard the station, representing a tenth of a percent tariff on total transaction value. Does this answer your question sufficiently?"


**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Approach Lanes
**********

Traffic patterns were temporarily disrupted when TraCon closed down several of the approach and departure lanes as the Mewsland vessel drifted into relative range. Automated perimeter defenses had to be switched to manual remote so they did not open fire on the stricken ship, and three Search And Rescue frigates were launched from the station. Following the previously dispatched tugs, the SAR craft maneuvered into position surrounding the Voyager. The tugs latched on using magnetic grapples to steady themselves, then attached the forward prow to the hull of the Voyager. The three SAR vessels used active scans to identify airlocks and latched onto those points using nano-adhesive molecular bonding seals, forming bridges. Marines in vac-armor crossed the two meter long bridges and hammered on the hatches to get the attention of anyone inside. At the same time, the lead corvette in the escort transmitted instructions to the Voyager to power down any independant propulsion so they could be safely towed into parking orbit, and to open the indicated airlocks to let the SAR teams aboard. Each frigate held sophisticated medical facilities that could stabilize up to fifty critical patients for transport to the station's facilities.


**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Approach Lanes
**********

Station TraCon monitored the arrival and approach of the RLS Gannet, however the visiting ship beat TraCon to the punch and communicated with the station before they could do so themselves. A soft chuckle of amusement came over the open comm line as a result, the tech had been reaching for the controls at the instant the Gannet identified herself. The Reikoan on duty at the time stilled her amusement and resumed in a more professional tone, "RLS Gannet, this is station Traffic Control. I am transmitting approach data on a sideband channel. Please mantain a velocity of no more than twenty percentage speed of light while in approach lanes. Automated communications will follow advising of any further docking procedures. Welcome to TRIAD Enterprises space. TraCon out."

The Lynx ship would be brought in under normal procedures, as the rescue of the Voyager prevented the use of the diplomatic 'express lane' for the moment. The Gannet would either be docked with the station or one of the arms, depending on her size, and any crew or representatives passed through to Embarkation where another TRIAD delegate would be on hand to welcome them.

Next up on the diplomatic corps duty roster was another Khyrolii, one Geshen Evant. Unlike most of the Khyrolii employed in outworld positions within TRIAD, Geshen was not a member of the bipedal, biomodified Khyrolii. Geshen stood at only four feet at the shoulder, possessing a thin, wiry build as he sat on his haunched, waiting for the newcomers. At his shoulder floated the small orb of his translation vocoder, allowing the psionic being to communicate easily with the non-psionic.


**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Approach Lanes
**********

Shortly after the arrival of the RLS Gannet, another newcomer ship was welcomed in a similar manner, only this time without the chuckling Reikoan on the lines. The DTS Insurrection and her attendant freighters were similarly brought in using the standard approach lanes. The Insurrection itself would be allowed diplomatic priority to dock on one of the ring arms, while the freighters were set into cargo lanes in line behind other vessels already waiting.

As with the Lynx vessel, a diplomat was waiting for any boarding party to arrive in Embarkation. Night Whisperer was a female Irukan, somewhat larger than average for her species. She floated a half meter above the deck in Embarkation while she waited for the newest arrivals to the station.

"Understood. Not then, are we to do business in this hall, or do you have more suitable facilities in mind? Realize we will have to infest the facilities with a Hive in order to fully access The Biomass and its many components. Worry not for your station, you won't notice any ill effects. Unless of course they can come aboard our Hive ship."

Mew) Open airlocks 1, 3, 5, 8, and 11, and get all the injured there. Disengage all main drive systems and engine/navigation relays.

Helm) Done, sir. Vessel is slowing.

Mew) Good.

Helm) We have stopped.

Science) Confirmed. Vessel is floating free, no forward momentum.

Voyager (MCC-1701) ground to a halt, and the airlocks opened with a bang as the engines opened them at a super-fast rate, revealing 25 critically-injured at each airlock, along with six Mewsland doctors for each airlock.

"Quite. No actual goods will be housed here, all shipments will originate from Ruia. Though I will require some space for samples of the, ehh, safer products. Either place suits me fine, but I do not represent an individual, but The Conclave itself that governs all Rotans everywhere. Although, if the rentable facilities are in a more central location, then perhaps they would be more suited.

Just one more question in addition to the unasked one above. Are the taxes taken out automatically, or do we need to calculate them ourselves at the end of each designated transaction period?"

RLS Gannet began moving towards the station as ordered, gliding slowly in-system. As they did so, Secretary Betz and her diplomats engaged in frantic last-minute checks. Translators, data pads and all the kit they were to have with them were checked and checked again, appearances, everything. This meeting was regarded as especially important, and so no precaution was too extreme. As the ship moved, the high-level diplomatic party completed its preparations and moved to the correct airlock as docking finished.

Secretary of State Mitzi Betz had to suppress an urge to pause and stare at the TRIAD diplomat once she caught sight of him. She had been told to expect this in the briefings. With a curt wave her entourage kept pace and fell in as she walked.

“Good evening, sir,” she began. “I am Secretary of State Mitzi Betz of the Republic of Lynx. To whom do I have the honor of speaking?”

<Shbump.>

As the TRIAD crew helped evacuate the injured from the crippled Voyager, they noticed the extraordinary mental abilities of the Mews.

((Sorry folks, placeholder till I can get a proper post up today.))

**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section - Amanthe & Dersconi
**********
((OOC Note: Poke! You're it Derscon!))


**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section - Jaden & Aresems
**********
((OOC Note: Poke! You're it Angenteria!))


**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section - Sun Speaker & Sutfen
**********
((OOC Note: Poke! You're it Sutufinai!))


**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section - KVN & Hive Tyrant Zasz
**********
KVN considered the hive tyrant's request, accessing the local datanet to consult with other Marduk and the digital entities installed into the station.

#Can they be permitted to 'infest' part of the station for trade purposes?#
"Absolutely not! We may be willing to deal with them, however we cannot simply allow them to establish a hive inside the station!"
"I am afraid Archaedes is correct. Inform them they will be required to dock their vessels as others do, and accept cargo onto their ships."
#Understood.#

The whole conversation, short as it was, took place in perhaps a second and a half. Finally the Marduk's insectoid head shook slowly, #I am afraid that will not be permitted by my superiors Zasz. I am instructed to inform you your hive ships must dock on the arms as other ships do to recieve and offload cargo.#


**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section - Klesk & Rotan
**********
Klesk listened as they worked on details, so far it looked like the Rotan might make good customers. He'd have to request a more specific catalog from Advertising when he got the opportunity. "Yes, I suppose a few more details are in order. Aboard the station, if you wish to conduct trade between yourselves and another visitor, there is a two percent taxation for goods and a five percent tax for services. This is to defray station upkeep costs. You may make such transactions in whatever currency you wish. However, if you trade directly with TRIAD, we only deal in a form of barter, goods for goods. All goods and services are assessed by a trade representative, and assigned a credit value. When you sell something to TRIAD, you are given that credit value in your account, however that is only good within TRIAD borders, so you must then purchase something of value to you. The same thing applies in reverse. In order to purchase from TRIAD, you need to bring something with equal credit value for us to buy. Does that make things more clear?"

"As for facilities, all rented trade spaces are in Blue Sector, in the commercial district." With that, Klesk began ushering the Rotan delegation into the station proper. "Would you like me to show you to your assigned guest quarters, or would you care to tour the station first?"


**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Station Orbit - Mewsland
**********
The marines aboard the SAR frigates attached to the Voyager went about their duties with a minimum of conversation, speaking only to ask pertinent questions or direct the Mewsland crew as the teams hurried the wounded aboard the frigates and to the medbays. Soon enough, the wounded vessel was towed into a parking orbit around the station, and a rescue gantry was attached to another airlock. The gantry itself was a pressurized wheel which held multiple docking points. Shuttles from the station would dock with the gantry, allowing the Voyager's crew to move from the damaged ship to the shuttles, and thereby board the station.

Instructions were transmitted to the Mewsland officers that any of their crew who wished to board the station were premitted. Additionally, the station offered basic repair serives at no charge, to get the Voyager back to basic a spaceworthy state. Further repairs however would need to be contracted and paid for, and a shuttle was standing by to recieve any envoy the Voyager wished to send for negotiations.

Sahran Toman El Sidduth, a female Reikoan, was assigned to meet with any delegation the Mewsland ship chose to send to the station. She waited in a small cafe just past Embarkation to see if the injured ship actually sent anyone.


**********
TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section - Geshen & Lynx
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Geshen stood up on all fours as the Lynx delegation were pointed in the right direction. Padding forwards to meet them, Mitzi spoke first. The Khyrolii's response came from the small orb hovering at his shoulder, a smoothly modulated voice of deep tenor, "Greetings Secretary Betz, I am Geshen Evant, of the Khyrolii species. Welcome to the TRIAD Enterprises trade station "Profitable Ventures". I hope the bioscan process was not uncomfortable?"

Geshen looked over the humans curiously, his mind drifting out to 'listen' to anything their minds might be leaking. It was common for non-psionic species to think almost at the top of their mental voices, and a skilled telepath could simply eavesdrop without ever actually 'touching' them and intruding. Geshen was curious if these humans were of that sort, or if they possessed any mental abilities at all, in which case he would only 'hear' silence.


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TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section - Night Whisperer & Telros
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((OOC Note: Poke! You're it Telros!))

A younger Mew, perhaps thirty, approached the person who was assigned to meet her.

Carina) Greetings. I am Carina Mæow V, First Officer of the Voyager. You are the one that is supposed to meet with me, correct?

Carina herself did not look like she was doing very well, with a few scratches to her face and arms due to flying debris. However, she was well enough to wait for treatment.

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TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section - KVN & Hive Tyrant Zasz
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KVN considered the hive tyrant's request, accessing the local datanet to consult with other Marduk and the digital entities installed into the station.



The whole conversation, short as it was, took place in perhaps a second and a half. Finally the Marduk's insectoid head shook slowly, #I am afraid that will not be permitted by my superiors Zasz. I am instructed to inform you your hive ships must dock on the arms as other ships do to recieve and offload cargo.#

"Drat. Okay, we'll stay here then." Zasz said.

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TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section - Klesk & Rotan
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Klesk listened as they worked on details, so far it looked like the Rotan might make good customers. He'd have to request a more specific catalog from Advertising when he got the opportunity. "Yes, I suppose a few more details are in order. Aboard the station, if you wish to conduct trade between yourselves and another visitor, there is a two percent taxation for goods and a five percent tax for services. This is to defray station upkeep costs. You may make such transactions in whatever currency you wish. However, if you trade directly with TRIAD, we only deal in a form of barter, goods for goods. All goods and services are assessed by a trade representative, and assigned a credit value. When you sell something to TRIAD, you are given that credit value in your account, however that is only good within TRIAD borders, so you must then purchase something of value to you. The same thing applies in reverse. In order to purchase from TRIAD, you need to bring something with equal credit value for us to buy. Does that make things more clear?"

"As for facilities, all rented trade spaces are in Blue Sector, in the commercial district." With that, Klesk began ushering the Rotan delegation into the station proper. "Would you like me to show you to your assigned guest quarters, or would you care to tour the station first?"


"No, that didn't even answer my question in the first place, not anywhere near it. I know how the concept works. The question was, is Taxes automatically taken out at each transaction or will we be assesed taxes at the end of each fiscal period.

For example: Let us assume the tax rate is five percent, and we have just sold something for one hundred credits. Well, at the five percent tax rate, that's five credits we owe you. As all transactions and payments will happen via computer, will the computers automatically route your taxes to your coffers, or will we have to hold onto it until the end of the fiscal period and then send it over. Its a very simple question on how the taxes themselves are handled, not on what they are." Nasagal said clearly growing irritated as indicated by his now glowing eyes.

((Placeholder post for now. Mewsland, are your crew human or what? I have no idea what a Mew citizen looks like. Incidentally, anyone here who isn't human, could you let me know in your posts somehow... Swarm, you're an exception as I already know what a Hive Tyrant looks like.))

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TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section - KVN & Hive Tyrant Zasz
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The mechanical mantis dipped it's head to Zasz, it's body lowering down towards the ground as the Marduk settled in to wait on the hive tyrant's wishes.

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TSS "Profitable Ventures" - Black Sector - Embarkation Section - Klesk & Rotan
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Klesk's scales again shifted hue from embarassment, and the Drahkanid dipped his head low, staring at the floor in shame. "My apologies sir. Taxes are applied as additional credit value to all transactions processed electronically through the station's datanets. Any transactions using non-electronic currency will require the vendor calculate and assess required taxes on their own. Bulk transactions as normally found between TRIAD and foreign nations may have taxes negotiated on a fiscal basis if that is your preference."

"So, what next then? Maybe a listing on the station's directory?" Zasz asked.

The Hive Tyrant could think of nothing more to ask, or do.

<Mews are shapeshifters, but mostly take human form>

"Much better, now then, how about we go see those rentable spaces?"

OOC: Rotan = Protoss under a different name.

<Bump>

((Yes, another placeholder. I'm trying to get a hold of the older inactive players to see if they want to continue. So far Derscon is out, so we're going to pass his characters offscreen and say their stay went well and they've eventually left. As for the others, they're all offscreen until their players resurface.

As for you three, Rotan, Swarm, and Mewsland. I'll do my best to kickstart things again, but I'll need to figure out something to do. Rotan and Swarm both seem to be here just to trade... This alone can't keep the story going forever. Rotan has asked to move on and examine commercial space, I will work on this asap. Swarm, I suggest Zasz either accept the offer for a tour I made a while back, move on someplace else, or return to it's ship.

Everyone. This thread is partly a roleplayed storefront, partly diplomatic site. That said, not every deal and transaction needs to take place on screen. I will be having folks here to pick up merchandise which was 'purchased' through TGs or IMs. Feel free to do the same. Yes, I'm looking at you Swarm. You won't be getting much in the way of trade biomass right this moment, as it takes time to assemble and ship.

Anyone else... Questions, comments, suggestions are welcome! And now, hopefully on with the show!))

The Insurrection, followed by the two freighters, obeyed the instructions given to them by the station and moved into the lanes that led to the station. They endured the relatively long wait of the ships in front of them and then moved into position where they could dock and then enter the holding area in the station. Steel turned to his second in command. "Lieutenant, you are in command in my absence. Notify me of any problems as soon as you encounter them." The officer nodded and said he would as he moved into the chair the commander vacated. Along with two Dominion Marines, Steel was accompanied by a Trader's Guild representative. A leading force of trade in the Dominion and support by the government, they would be the ones dealing out the goods and such at this station.

When they arrived on the station, a representative was waiting for them. Aria, the Guild representative smiled. They were definitely a economic people; they had efficiency down pat just like any corporation. Steel walked up and bowed a little, followed by Aria. "I am Commander Steel of the Insurrection, from the Telrosian Dominion. With me is the representative of the Trader's Guilds, the primary corporation and trading force in the Dominion. We are here to discuss your items and show our own, opening trading ties while also possible getting some goodies for both sides." He smiled a bit at the last part and waited for her reply.

Anyone else... Questions, comments, suggestions are welcome! And now, hopefully on with the show!))

Comment:

The Eternal Swarm = The Rotan = The Eternal Swarm = The Rotan = Both are controlled by a single maniac in RL.

Jaden nodded to Rowland when the human indicated they were both unarmed, "Of course. As I said, it is merely a precaution for the safety of all guests, diplomats, and staff of the station. If you will please step into the bioscan booths, we will get this part of the process over with as soon as possible."

As with the Sutfen, the bioscan was a quick and painless (though potentially "tingly") experience. When the Aresems were through, Jaden was waiting with two comm-links and cred-cards. "These are your comm-links and cred-cards for your stay aboard the station. All transactions which take place onboard are conducted in TRIAD credits. As foreign dignitaries, your accounts have been supplied with a small stipend of credits. Consider this a gift to you. The amount should be sufficient for you to purchase souvenirs, enjoy the top end dining, or else experience the leisure activities aboard the station. While you stay with us in an official capacity, any basic meals you require will be provided free of charge, however due to TRIAD corporate bylaws, individual dining establishments are not required to offer you meals for free. That said, you will find most of the local establishments are willing to show you great hospitality, since they hope you will spread the word about their businesses."

After laughing at his own joke, Jaden went on to explain how the comm-links worked and how to adhere them to either skin or clothing. That done, the Reikoan bowed slightly and canted his ears, "So, are there any questions I can answer before I show you to your quarters? Or perhaps you would like a brief tour of the station?"

The two officials took their prospective turns through the alien bioscan, Janus jumping slightly afterward, feeling a little uneasy.

"Trouble?" Oren asked, perking an eyebrow.

Janus looked up at his boss, shaking his hands. "It tingles. Like I've been drinking some Otherium Ale, but not too much, you know?"

Oren stifled a laugh, intent on keeping his cool in front of a potential business deal, and subsequent raise. And boy, did Oren like raises. Turning away from his partner, he made his way towards where the one who had greeted them was waiting for them, holding a pair of credit slips, and what seemed like comm-links. Soon, he was joined by Janus, who had decided to fold his arms to conceal the fact that his hands were still twitching.

Oren and Janus gazed silently at their greeter, only half-listening as it explained how things were going to be done when they were on the station in terms of money. Well, they didn't really need to anyway. They've both been though this sort of thing many times before, and only broke their silence to give a halfhearted chuckle at Jaden's small attempt at a joke. He shouldn't quit his day job. After both securing their comm-links securely to their clothing, Oren spoke up.

"I have a question, actually." He cleared his throat. "Would we be able to exchange currency? My associate and I have a number of Imperial Credits on hand, and would certainly wouldn't mind using them." At that mention, Janus held back a chuckle, picturing him having to drag the old man's drunk self out of a nearby cantina for offending some brawny alien before it could kill him.

((OOC Note: Alright folks, good news and so-so news. If any of you were keeping tabs on me back on Jolt, you'd have noticed that recently we had troubles with our landlord, and he wanted to try and kick us out. Well, now we're in the clear. We just found a new house, and the owners want someone who can move in immediately, so it's ours for the asking.
What this means however, is that we're going to be attempting to pack, move, and unpack... All over the weekend. Wish us luck on that one.
I'm posting this because while in this transition phase, I probably won't be able to get online often, if at all, until we're settled into the new house. So until we're unpacked and have our net connection set up again, I won't be around to post or even read anything. I'll be leaving this announcement up on all threads I'm actively involved in, so when you see it come down, expect to see me back. ETA is roughly one week from now... Hopefully. Catch ya flipside!))

<okay>

<TRIAD should be back soon.>

((OOC Note: Good prediction Mews. We're moved, and now onto the long process of Unpacking. Thankfully we managed to get wireless internet connection up the second day after moving.
Anyways, I'm going to still need some time to catch up on both forums, refresh my memory, and work on post notes before things get moving again here. Further, I'm considering moving this thread over to the new NS forums. If I do that, look for a link here.
Meantime, placeholder!))

<Thanks TRIAD. Standing by for more News.>

<Bump for TRIAD.>

<Hello. Anyone here?>