NationStates Jolt Archive

Two weeks passed after the events over Issus and the nation mourned the loss of an entire planet and the death of many of its best and brightest, including the Emperor himself. Even the candles themselves burned black as the country struggled to contain its unbearable loss.

Two weeks ago, a terrible war raged, most notably the twin battles of Tenetia and Issus. With the Cylons' aid, Tenetia was taken, but at the cost of the esteemed Jedi Master Lowbacca. Cause for celebration?

Not yet, for the nation soon learned that while Tenetia was liberated, Vorman had used the battle to swoop in and take Issus hostage, along with a little girl named Athena Agathon, sister to Hera Agathon. What resulted was the most horrible battle that Coredia would ever fight.

Casualties mounted, including several more members of the High Council, among them the GrandMaster of the Order, Armas Elendil, the Education Master of the Order, Harry Blayden, who fell to Vorman's clutches, the Healing Master of the Order, Emily Rydo, and then came the worst: the King of Dragons, the Emperor, his best friend and Hokage-to-be Naruto, his brothers Taylor and Jacob, many of young Travis Masaki's own Padawan Pack, including Travis himself, Hera Agathon, Hawkins, and 2.3 billion other people were killed when the Farstars did the worst deed imaginable: it destroyed Issus with a singularity missile in an attempt to get at Lord Vorman.

Even as it grieved, though, the corridors of power was already wondering:

Who is going to rule Coredia with so many dead, including heirs to the throne of Coredia?

=====

Sparta

"Mom...what's going to happen now?" Little Riley Masaki, one of the few Masakis left, asked quietly as they headed into an emergency meeting of the Kokkai.

Katrina had a faraway look about her. "I don't know. We need a new Hokage because Tsunade just resigned out of grief, and someone needs to run things. Leave it to your father to leave a mess that us girls have to clean up."

Riley nodded, but looked down at her prettied up black shoes. She missed her dad and big brother already, even though they've been gone two weeks. and then there was that meeting between her mom and that guy Danzo.

"Your Highness." Danzo's grave voice was full of sorrow. "My dearest condolences. Daniel was a man I respected as a leader and the boy...a bright star that burns short."

Katrina only glared, her red eyes making the glare fiercer than normal. "What do you want?"

"Tsunade will resign. I just learned of her decision today. The Kokkai will elect a new Hokage and a new Emperor or Empress soon. If I may be so bold, I would like your support for a strong new leader. One that would never allow this terrible incident to occur again." He said.

Katrina snorted. "Who, you? Tsunade never trusted you. I'm inclined to agree that we don't need someone like you."

Danzo's bandages seemed to sag. "It is true that Tsunade and I never saw eye to eye, seeing as she was the student of the Third and we were rivals as boys. But now it is truly time for someone to take a stand against all these threats to our nation. The time for mercy is over, my Empress. The time for vengeance is upon us now. Kill or be killed. The fate of the nation is at stake. You must see that!"

Katrina gave Danzo an ugly look. "You'll finish what Vorman started with that policy of yours. No...my support will go to Konohamaru Sarutobi instead. As the grandfather's grandson, he is a greater choice and he'd honor Naruto's memory as well."

Danzo looked sad, but inside his mind, he was calculating options and he was seething that she would dare speak the name of Sarutobi in front of him. "I see. I suppose I will have to seek others for support."

The predatory glare that he passed over Katrina and then little Riley gave Katrina pause.

Mother and daughter entered the Kokkai, which was abuzz with activity. Now was the time to choose a new leadership! It was an opportune time for Danzo to rize, as many of the Great Clans were grieving at the loss of so many of their best and brightest.

They just needed a push.

As several candidates were put forward for Hokage, Danzo used the time to collect his thoughts as to what he was going to say. Then he stood up and waved a bandaged hand to quiet the crowd.

"Friends! Coredians! Countrymen! Lend me your ears! Our nation is dying! Our people are being murdered right before our eyes! Our very own Emperor has been killed, along with the Heir and an entire planet by those we called allies! Our enemies grow by the minute! Our allies flee at the sight of danger, and then when they propose to aid us, they do nothing more than stab us in the back, assisting the very enemies they have professed to fight against!

You have heard it said: forgive our enemies, for they know not what they do! I say we must destroy our enemies and wipe them from the face of the universe!

You have heard it said: blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the worlds! I say the meek has done nothing to protect Coredia and it is time for the strong to take the stand!

You have heard it said: Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted! I say, remember the slain! Remember Issus! Remember those who fell trying to save our planet and a very special little girl! Remember an Emperor who sacrificed far more than any man or woman here can ever imagine, and who died as he had lived: to put an end to the evils plaguing our nation!

To our allies, what's left of them: It is time to choose! Who will you stand? Will you stand with Coredia as it engages for the fight of it's very life?! Or will you be cowards and allow your ally...your FRIEND, to die because you were not able to send enough supplies, men and equipment to help us! You are our only hope, friends! Don't let Coredia fall because of inaction, I beg you!

To our enemies: Beware! Coredia will no longer be a nation of pushovers! Coredia will no longer roll over for you! We will fight on every world! We will fight in the forests and out in the belts! We will fight with every tool in our arsenal, with every drop of life that we have and should it come to pass that you somehow manage to destroy us, we will bring you down to HELL with us! This we swear until our enemies are vanquished!

To those who betray Coredia: You brood of vipers! You profess your friendship and yet you curse your friends! In doing so, you shall be accursed unto the seventh generation in turn! Should you conduct this most henious of sins, you will learn what happens to traitors!

Coredia! Remember Issus! Remember our fallen! And one day, we shall have our vengeance!"

Danzo stopped, but it was enough. The encore by the Kokkai ensured that he will now and henceforth become the Sixth Hokage of Konohagekure, the Rokudaime.

The Empress Katrina shed tears for what will become of her nation. She wondered who will Danzo trot out as the next Emperor, for surely it cannot be her. After all, though she had power through her late husband...but it would not last forever without assistance...

From: President Wilson Henry Zimmerman
To: Whom it may concern
Type: Public announcement

Let it be known that the Terran Federation will continue its support of coredia during this time of difficulty, we will pledge to stand by your nation and send what we can to ensure your Independence as a free and open power. We will not allow you to fall upon a sword of darkness or decent of any enemy you may have.

Sincerely President Wilson Henry Zimmerman

Tagged for great interest. Expect a reply from the United Colonies of Kobol sometime in the future

The announcement put the People's Navy units at Tenetia and Konoha on edge. Regime change was one thing, but a hardliner was quite another. Mac sighed and groaned once more, and only Carla kept him from reaching for the whisky. Mac himself knew that Coredia was about to go to hell in a handbasket. And, with plenty of good men down there, the Workers and Peasants were about to likely get sucked up in a storm that would make the Iranian Revolution seem like a dust storm. Not to mention, Mac just lost a good friend in Danny Masaki. Naive yes, but a damn good fighter.

Thus, an order was quietly sent from JRCCC sent over secret channels and marked Beyond Top Secret, and encoded thusly.


"Attention all People's Navy units in country. Due to the sudden and devastating events in Coredia, situation has become unstable. You are to be placed on high alert. Prepare for immediate action to evacuate any and all Dornalians in Coredian territory. Prepare additionally for any and all contingencies, including use of armed force if necessary, to protect Dornalian citizens and property in Coredia."

Admiral Nomura sighed and facepalmed. Did these people enjoy getting into no win brawls? He complied with the order, as did the men on Konoha.

The children of Konoha wouldn't see the usual smiling chocolatiers in the streets--they would see the New Dornalian Marine Corps in an unusually agitated and decidedly martial mood. Not overtly hostile to the populace, but decidedly unwilling to deviate from the order to not leave their posts and keep watch, as the Marines in both areas helped to evac any Dornalians that wished to leave before things got too hot.

The Quorum, meanwhile, issued its own statement.

"We of the United Colonies of Kobol issue our condolences for all those lost. However, we cannot overlook the dangerous turn of events in Coredia, and urge caution and reason from the new government. We are especially angered by the inadvertent praise of the Cylon, whose record of violence and genocidal ambition make them a dangerous bedfellow to align oneself with, and remind the new regime of the litany of woes perpetrated upon the universe by these fiends.

Especially, despite our past differences with Earth, we are unanimous in our support of Delegate Kung's condemnation of the new stances taken by Coredia, which were made in concordance with the Comrade Premier of New Dornalia. Our past differences do not prevent us from concurring with Earth's stance that the present reckless course constitutes ingratitude, betrayal, and utterly ignores the "contributions made presently to the health of Coredia through vast sums of Dornalian treasure and troops, including the present Revolutionary Armed Forces contingents in Konoha and Tenetia," to quote Dr. Kung. It is one thing to declare a new course of action--it is quite another to make it by chest thumping and spewing violent rhetoric that reads more like an aggressive challenge than domestic and foreign policy.

It is with these jihadist elements in mind that the whole of the United Colonies, Workers State included, must express their severe disapproval."

SIC:

In the meantime, Admiral De Bruyn was met with a sudden request from the Quorum and JRCCC. The simple request--plan for a regime change. De Bruyn nodded--it was a contingency, but one that was likely to occur.

Shana Mitchell rubbed her temples and took a deep breath. The Office of Naval Intelligence had been running in overdrive mode ever since the current situation with the Fedrals and the Red Talon-Terran War had begun. Then came the TEC Intervention Fleet Crisis, when the Fedrals had threatened to unlawfully disband the alliance and had made moves towards war by mobilizing their fleet and sending fleets to the borders with Romandeos and Coredia. Their operatives were doing what they could, but they were spread thin, especially with their operations in the Huntaerian Empire and Coredia.

It was in Coredia that things were beginning to go bad. She had just been given a report, with a copy of the speech given by one known as Danzo. From all sources, which wasn't many, he appeared to be a hardliner and would take Coredia down a path that would lead it to even more disaster. He was going to be a conservative and not accept allies like the Dornalians, and possibly even the Dominion. She looked up from the report with a grim set to her jaw. She didn't like what she was going to have to order, but she knew she had to, just in case. If Danzo was going to do what she felt in her gut and what the reports led her to believe, she couldn't let it happen. Turning to the operative who handed her this information, she began to speak. "Panther, this situation is very serious. This is now an Obsidian level operation. All information is to be delivered to me as soon as we get it. I will inform the First on everything he needs to know. You are to take the cells you have in Coredia and expand them with three new cells that I have specified in the notes of the report. You will take the budget I have given you and use it to drum up support. I care not how you do it, as long as you do it carefully and with attention to detail. Danzo is not a fool; I do not want him leading Coredia and the Dominion to war if this fucks up. Bribery, extortion, threats, do what you need to see Katrina or someone amenable comes to the throne."

She paused and hung her head for second, before looking up again, a blank stare coming from her eyes. "However, you are to set the cells into positions where they can assassinate Danzo. We have procured Huntaerian Empire weapons to be used, to make it look like that they have done it. If we must kill Danzo, you are to use the support network you have gained to call for Katrina to either become Empress or select an heir. That is the goal. Do not lose sight of it. But if worse comes to worse, the Dominion will go to war. We won't like it, but we will. We cannot let the Coredian's fall into darkness, they are a beacon of hope, as stained as their light may be, and we cannot let it fall."

Panther nodded. "I understand perfectly, ma'am. I will not fail you." She got up to leave when the Director grabbed her arm. She turned to see her holding out a folder.

"There is one last thing for you to do."

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

The Dominion, upon hearing Danzo's speech, decided to reply with a wary but firm speech. A message was sent from the First, who had been briefed by ONI Director Mitchell and knew what the stakes were.

Citizens of Coredia, hear me. I am First Jonathan Spring of the Telrosian Dominion. This is a dangerous and frightening time. We all know this. But do not be afraid; you are a beacon in the darkness that threatens to engulf this galaxy. Mistakes have been made, lives have been lost, trust torn asunder. But every nation, every people, every leader....makes mistakes. However, I honestly believe Daniel Masaki had every intention on protecting Coredia and its people, seeing them to a new age where remnants of the Empire and its evil do not seek to wrap its claws around the war-weary heart of Coredia. The Dominion stands firm in its stance on supporting Coredia, and as we have been for some months now, we are supplying food, weapons, clothing, construction materials, money, and other essentials. And we have pledged military aid against Vorman and his allies. However, we must give you a word of caution.

I understand the man known as Danzo's view; I really do. After all Coredia has suffered, why should we not take a hard stance on things? Why should we continue to suffer? Those are very good questions, and your will to harden yourselves is natural. But to do so is to fall into Vorman's trap once more. Your wise, open policy towards others has its flaws, but it has also brought you allies like New Dornalia, the Abh Empire, and recently, the Dominion. We came to you because of your energy, your conviction, your crusade to show that good, light, and freedom CAN prosper in this galaxy. That it can stand against the darkness. To offer such a harsh ultimatum to allies and enemies alike, to throw away all pretense at peace and become an utterly war-like people is not only what you are not. You will fall into Vorman's trap; he will gleefully face a warlike and conservative Coredia; he will say you have abandoned your principles, that you have become just like him. Do not do this, I beg of you. We will aid you in every way that we possibly can, but do not fall into the trap of Vorman first. For what one does affects us all. This is not on pre-space Earth, where the nations could go into isolation and be safe. That is impossible with current technology, trade and communication networks and alliances. To do so is to weaken yourselves.

So please, I ask that you choose a leader who, while taking a firm hand against your foes and safeguarding Coredia, has the wisdom to see when a gentle hand is needed and not keep his/her fist closed all the time. I ask this as First of the Dominion. Finally, I have one final announcement. For good or ill, I would like to open negotiations with the Coredian government, and its current leader, about signing a possible treaty of mutual defense and non aggression between the Coredian Empire and the Telrosian Dominion. I look forward to your response.

Please, think on what I have said and make the right choice."

************
As all this went on, Katrina would suddenly find a message on her private datapad, seemingly coming from nowhere. It was simply titled "URGENT: DANZO". When she opened it, she would find two things inside the file. One was a request to meet her at a secret location in the Palace to discuss how they could help her against Danzo, the other was obviously a comm frequency, and the code to encrypt it. It was a way to contact whoever this was to have the meeting. It was signed from "A friend known as Alpha".

**********
Nexus 3746 Branch - MACE Operational Command (SIC)
**********

Reports had been flowing into OpCom for days now, ever since what was almost galacticly known as the "Haven Massacre". Operatives were being stretched to their breaking points ferrying data on various nations to and from the local outposts and OpCom. Some of the latest reports were on the events in the Coredian nation, and the resulting imminent change in leadership. Predictions and analysis was done what the new leadership might do, and most simulations seemed to indicate an aggressive retaliation against Coredian enemies, as well as previous allies. Further, the involvement of Cylon activity in the past conflict pushed indicators of tension between Coredia and both the United Colonies of Kobol and New Dornalia.

All indicators were that this was an excellent opprtunity to increase revenue from sales of civillian supplies, as well as military munitions and equipment to the new Coredia. In particular, MACE OpCom felt that sales of Marduk Drones, so similar to Cylons, might further increase tensions between Coredia and the Colonies. Recommendations were passed back through the chain to the Board of Directors in Nexus 0, which in turn made their decisions and issued orders through public channels back to the public face of TRIAD Enterprises.


**********
Nexus 3746 Branch - Branch Offices
**********

"So this is the course that the Home Office wants us to take is it?" Karadesh frowned slightly as she read the report which was received just this morning. Setting the pad down she shrugged and turned to her aide, "Very well, have the necessary press releases drafted. I would like to review them before publication however. After that, issue orders to the Diplomatic Corps to dispatch a trade envoy to Coredian space."


**********

In a suprise press release, TRIAD Enterprises announced that it would be supporting the new regime now taking place within the Coredian Empire. Concurrent to this statement was the pledge of offers of humanitarian supplies at no cost to Coredia, while a special trade envoy would be dispatched with the first shipment of food and medicines. The envoy, according to the release, will be there to negotiate sales of military supplies and hardware to the new Coredian leadership. There are unconfirmed rumors that these sales, if they take place, will be made at rates considerably lower than normal TRIAD markets. If this rumor proves true, this will mean that Coredia will be able to purchase considerably military assets in a very short span of time.

Sparta
The Coredian Empire, or what was left of it.

Sparta was the last virgin world of Coredia. It was the last of the Coredian worlds free of the cylon presence, the last of their worlds untouched by war and death. It’s beauty was beyond compare. It’s only rival, Kohona was long ago reduced to cinders and ashes by the cylon bombs in the very brief Cylon-Coredian war.

Alone Sparta was the last bastion of freedom for the Coredians. So it was of little wonder why the newly crowned Hokage convened at this beautiful gem to pass on the crown to the next Emperor of Coredia.

Corperal Haisley of Aeralon sat in the raptor, as the jump sequence was complete. Nervous, he felt he had a personal stake in this mission. A mission to insure that Coredia would never fall, that the legacy of the Masaki’s were held in high esteem. Strange, considering in Katrina’s long period of incarceration, he was one of her guards onboard the Battlestar Gorgan.

He was nervous, nervous for his old charge that he held withing the brig of the Mercury class battlestar. He remembered her well. She was nothing like he expected. Katrina was very down to earth, much more so than anyone would have guessed.

He remembered her smile, even in the brig. Held at bay by the Admiral of the Fleet who wanted nothing but her death, over a planet who tried to have her executed for her crimes, she was still a kind soul. At least to him.

He remembered the long hours spent at night talking with her, as he brought her the food and wine for her evening meal. Now withing weeks of her release, new tension was rising.

The Dornies and Colonials were becoming resolute to dispose of the new Coredian Hokage. Corperal Haisley hoped it wouldn’t come to war, but with the hard liner messages being broadcast to all allies, he knew that it probably would. Caprica was calling for Coredia’s death, and even Earth SSR seemed to join in the fight.

So with the one raptor, he and his crew of volunteers descended towards the planet below.

Sparta Actual. This is Raptor 214, Battlestar Gorgan. Our mission is to meet with Empress Katrina Masaki, for urgent matters of United Colonial - Coredian Empire Relations. Request landing permit, and to meet with Coredia Actual.

Danzo smiled as he read the statements from the other parties...including the one from the Dornalians. All was as expected from the allies. He was no fool, though. He would not rush into conflict before he was ready. For now, he will let the rhetoric run on the network news and let people draw their conclusions from the white horse. Right now, though, it was time to reply to the statements.

Our esteemed friends in the United Colonies of Kobol! We have had many differences in the past, with the Cylon question being only the latest. However, in the interest of reducing tensions, we offer to prepare a summit meeting with the aim of reconciling the differences of our two nations. There is much that I would like to speak of.

And soon.

We will be pleased to open new negotiations and restore relations with our staunch ally. We would like to thank you for your gifts and will assure you that we will do our best to carry on the alliances we've made in the past. We are in mourning and yes, we are angry that evil things have occurred to us, but anger shall pass, as will our sadness. Rest assured that we will still be the Coredia you knew.

For the time being, anyway.

We thank you for your pledge of support. In return, Coredia pledges to reaffirm its alliance with the UTF as well. We would like to offer talks of how to strengthen this alliance.

They are fickle, but for the time being, their usefulness cannot be emphasized enough.

We are most pleased to accept your offers of humanitarian aid and we stand by to receive your trade envoy as soon as possible. We hope this will be the beginning of a wonderful relationship with each other.

As Danzo looked for other congratulations and messages, a shinobi popped into being and kneeled before him. "Hokage-sama. A message from a Colonial Raptor proclaiming to be from the Battlestar Gorgon to the Empress! Shall we intercept it?"

The new Hokage thought it intruging that the United Colonies would send an envoy to the Empress. "Very well. Allow it to land, but keep watch on its occupants...and the Empress for that matter. I want to know what they intend to do with her."

"Yes, my Lord!" The shinobi bowed his head and teleported away.

To: The Kokkai of Cordia and Hokage Danzo

From: Daneh Ghorbani, Speaker of the House, Confederacy of the Farstars

Subject: Current Situation.

Body: On behalf of the Confederacy I would like to express our deepest sorrow at the grave events that occurred in the Issus system. War is a horrible thing and it brings terrible consequences to those afflicted by it. No pain is greater then losing a heavily populated planet while trying to liberate it, and for our part in that battle, I can at least say the Huntarians suffered great losses as well, and the death of Vorman would have been the only thing that could make such loss palatable, as it stands now though with his apparent survival, our victory tastes like ash and we have all lost too much.

The future that lies before is fraught with dangerous choices and hard decisions. It is the hope of my government that the knew Hokage will recognize the inherent threat poised by the Cylon race and will deal with them more cautiously then the previous administration. It is also the hope of my government that relations between our nations can be stabilized. And finally it is the great hope of my nation that Katrina Masaki remain Empress, it is believed that her voice speaks truth and reason, and that the wise and capable hand of a Maski should always remain to guide the actions of Cordia.

[/end message]

First Jonathan Spring sat in a secret meeting chamber, locked away underground, with a Faraday cage built around it, ECM emitters, frequency scramblers, everything a hidden fortress would need to keep hidden and defend itself in an emergency. Across from him was Director Mitchell, who was handing him reports of the Coredian situation. The First's face was grim. After reading another one, he set down the holopads and gazed at the ONI Director. "So you are telling me that not only has the Coredian regime changed for the worse, but it has already suffered a defeat at the hands of a single cruiser?"

She nodded. "Yes sir. It was a Vascilian ship, from what we can tell, and through the use of a sneaky trick, it forced the fleet to stand down and the planet to be taken over. We are not sure what the situation there is; we have no agents on the ground there, and even if we did, we are sure the Vascilians would get wind of any transmissions and hunt them down. So keep this in mind with your meeting on Coredia." Jonathan nodded.

"Very well. What is the status on Operation: REBIRTH?"

Shana's taut expression tightened even further. "We have only just begun, sir. Rearming the Dominion, reorganizing our military and changing how we fight war....it's going to take some time. Less if we can get others to aid us, but still a lot of time is going to be needed sir."

He nodded, grim determination on his face. "Understood. Do whatever you can to hurry up the process, buy weapons and services from any nation you deem necessary to help us get to speed. Vorman and this Danzo may not wait for us to be prepared." She nodded and he left, flanked by two slight shimmers in the air. Assassins, also known as Blades, were one of the three products of operations within ONI and were deadly and stealthy assassins, warriors, and commanders. She hoped none would have to be sent to ensure that the regime situation didn't flare out of control.

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

Three hours later, a diplomatic cruiser slipped into the Coredia system and a message was sent to the planet, indicating a request for a place to land and the information that First Jonathan Spring was aboard, wishing to meet with the Hokage.

Anbu walked next to the tall Colonial Marines decked out in the best materials the Colonies had to offer. Corperal Haisley sighed as he walked next to the masked men, the guards most loyal to the Hokage.

They were silent as they walked towards the Empresses quarters. Fourteen Marines, decked out in the newest power armor invented on Tauron, with Dornie expertise and aid, held their gauss rifles tight. However one thing was missing from these men.... a battlestar insignia.

Suddenly they came to the door. One of the Anbu opened the door. Corperal Haisley looked at the men who didn’t remain behind with the Raptor. “Wait out here.” he told them. Salutes quickly followed.

As he entered he saw the Empress. Taking off his helmet, he smiled. “Empress.” he told her. Handing her a stack of papers, asking her if she was alright, he looked at her. He knew the room was probably bugged, and scanners of all sorts would be tracking his movements.

“Ma’am.” he said. “Me and my men have recently been discharged from the service, and thought with the recent break down of United Colonial relations, and Coredian that our services would be best set to protect you ma’am.” he said to her.

On the paper was an official set of discharge papers, with the most BS reason there was: “Discharged for Personality disorder.” Under it on a post it note, was simply, “Are you safe?” She was handed a pen.

“My men and I would like to as we had sworn to do on the Gorgon to continue our job as protectors of the Empress. In such dangerous times, we never can tell if Caprica would be foolish enough to send assassins to take care of her majesty.” The underlining tone however made it clear Caprica was most likely not the threat but someone else would be. “It is my duty ma’am to protect you and the rightful heir to Coredia. How is Riley?”

(OOC: Crappy post I know.)

Anbu walked next to the tall Colonial Marines decked out in the best materials the Colonies had to offer. Corperal Haisley sighed as he walked next to the masked men, the guards most loyal to the Hokage.

They were silent as they walked towards the Empresses quarters. Fourteen Marines, decked out in the newest power armor invented on Tauron, with Dornie expertise and aid, held their gauss rifles tight. However one thing was missing from these men.... a battlestar insignia.

Suddenly they came to the door. One of the Anbu opened the door. Corperal Haisley looked at the men who didn’t remain behind with the Raptor. “Wait out here.” he told them. Salutes quickly followed.

As he entered he saw the Empress. Taking off his helmet, he smiled. “Empress.” he told her. Handing her a stack of papers, asking her if she was alright, he looked at her. He knew the room was probably bugged, and scanners of all sorts would be tracking his movements.

“Ma’am.” he said. “Me and my men have recently been discharged from the service, and thought with the recent break down of United Colonial relations, and Coredian that our services would be best set to protect you ma’am.” he said to her.

On the paper was an official set of discharge papers, with the most BS reason there was: “Discharged for Personality disorder.” Under it on a post it note, was simply, “Are you safe?” She was handed a pen.

“My men and I would like to as we had sworn to do on the Gorgon to continue our job as protectors of the Empress. In such dangerous times, we never can tell if Caprica would be foolish enough to send assassins to take care of her majesty.” The underlining tone however made it clear Caprica was most likely not the threat but someone else would be. “It is my duty ma’am to protect you and the rightful heir to Coredia. How is Riley?”

(OOC: Crappy post I know.)
"She's fine...as well as can be expected." The Empress' eyes flickered to the small words under the discharge notice. Her eyes then flickered to the ANBU that stood outside the closed doors. "Your services are welcome, though I assure you we are quite safe."

She discreetly wrote 'for the time being. Trust no one.'

"The funeral will be in two days." She spoke sadly and got up, moving towards a small flower basket in the window to tend to them. "It would be nice if you would attend, but I won't force you either way."

As all this went on, Katrina would suddenly find a message on her private datapad, seemingly coming from nowhere. It was simply titled "URGENT: DANZO". When she opened it, she would find two things inside the file. One was a request to meet her at a secret location in the Palace to discuss how they could help her against Danzo, the other was obviously a comm frequency, and the code to encrypt it. It was a way to contact whoever this was to have the meeting. It was signed from "A friend known as Alpha".
The Empress couldn't help but note the secret message as she spoke with the Colonials. It seems that the Colonials weren't alone in their concerns about Danzo. Well, perhaps she would listen...

Three hours later, a diplomatic cruiser slipped into the Coredia system and a message was sent to the planet, indicating a request for a place to land and the information that First Jonathan Spring was aboard, wishing to meet with the Hokage.
Sparta

The cruiser was given a place to land and First Jonathan Spring would be escorted to the new Hokage's Mansion in short order. Long story short, he was finally before the Hokage.

And what a sight the man was. His right eye and forehead was covered in a bandage, and one side appeared to be permanently disabled. Clearly, something has happened to him in the deep past. A war, perhaps, or maybe a vicious duel. Who knows?

"Welcome, First of the Telrosians." The Hokage said, in a cultured, respectful voice. "I trust your trip went well?"

Despite the respectful demeanor, the First wouldn't help but note that his one working eye was looking over him like a hawk, silently asking the question of whether he was useful...or whether he was prey.

The First walked into the room and he was an awe-inspiring sight. Wearing a might suit of power armor that rivaled even the legendary Space Marines, he was an intimidating sight with his stature. He normally had his might power sword on his back, but he had left that in the shuttle, as a measure of goodwill to the Coredians. He radiated power, determination, and danger, and the scars on his face bore witness to a man who had seen battle and war. As he walked into the room to meet Danzo, he knew that this would be more like a confrontation than a meeting between equals. And so he took in the sight of the legendary Danzo, who actually seemed to have a very weak image to himself, with a body covered in bandages and a side of his body obviously damaged. However, his eyes showed a fierce determination, a ruthlessness on a level few ever achieved and a calculating mind. Already, Jeremiah could see he was being looked over as a possible friend....or enemy.

And Danzo himself got the very same look, although he could see the cool look and slight mistrust in the First's eye, which would make sense seeing the speech he had given after Danzo's own speech, asking for the Coredian government to keep to its old ways, minus the mistakes. Obviously, Danzo could see that the First didn't take the reassurances they were given very seriously. After a long tense moment between the two warriors, the First nodded and held out a hand towards the man. Once he shook it, gently due to his strength, the armor, and Danzo's injuries, he began to speak.

"The trip was uneventful. Hardly even any turbulence. I trust you have been well, all things considered? I imagine you have been quite busy, seeing the situation you have been thrust into and Coredia's problems as of late. I hope the Dominion can help a bit to ease those problems."

Jeremiah knew this talk was going to be a subtle game of hunters, with two great warriors circling each other and prodding the other's defenses. And the fact that he knew this worried him; Coredia was already turning out far different than it used to be. He desperately hoped he didn't have to resort to certain....options he had prepared.

**********

Meanwhile at the palace, as the Empress met with the "discharged" Colonials, a servant walked up with a stack of datapads that Katrina had requested to read. They were minor things from novels to bits on the news going around. On the top was a normal blank one, but on the screen it held a small symbol on the bottom right, which was the Telrosian flag. When she opened it, she would find the following message.

"To Empress Katrina,

I'm afraid I must be brief. As you know, the situation is Coredia is going very badly. The Dominion is going to try and see if it keep the damage as low as possible but we doubt Danzo will allow that. We are prepared to protect you, the Masaki family, and the dream you fought for as best we can. However, for the moment, you can only call upon us in dire emergencies. Aside from myself, I will remain close by to see you are safe....but don't bother looking for me, it will not make it harder for me.

For the meeting I mentioned, I will come and see you late at night. I trust you are smart enough to avoid being monitored, so I will visit you. Do not worry, I will be there. Be strong, Katrina Masaki, the Dominion is behind you. Keep this datapad, for if you are in dire danger, you can input the code 321, and everyone who can will come to protect you. Do not do this lightly; it will put many of us in danger and much, much more.

By the way, this message will delete. Can't have that Danzo ruining things this early in the game, now can we? :-D

-Alpha"

As promised, the message faded away and the icon vanished. It was now a datapad on the latest fashions in Coredia.

Alpha had sent her message.