NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC:

Herein lie the pitiful remnants of my pre-purge material. Unfortunately, I only managed to back up 2 threads (themselves from a series of 6, of which no.6 still survives, but no. 3, 4 and 5 are gone forever) out of the several score that I had contributed to prior to the purge. If anyone else did back up any of the Elven Children Series, feel free to attach it on to this. I will have to do this over several posts. A lot of material here!

The commander of the Konanian ship Liberator looked up from his desk, where he had been considering what to do with the large numbers of elven refugees which had taken haven on board during the One Ring's attempt at a "final solution", to see a sight which nearly defied all comphrension. Coming towards him at an incredible speed were a large number of great golden barges. The ocean itself seemed to aid them in their progress as they swept onwards, each glowing like a miniature sun, and the air seemed to thin before them, so as to offer minimum resistance. The ornate decoration which covered them was of a quality of artistry which no being of this age could ever hope to match, yet it was as strange as it was beautiful, and those who looked at it felt repulsed by its alien nature as much as they were awed by its beauty. Over the crashing of the waves and the howling of the wind, both of which seemed to quiet at the serene approach of these vessels, the crew of the Liberator faintly heard the strains of music, though it was no music that any of them had heard the like of before, and those that strained to hear it could not quite focus on it, as if it were only a passing dream.

One of the barges came smoothly alongside the Liberator and several tall figures in blindingly bright, ornate, many-hued armour, their faces veiled, crossed over. The leader stepped up to the commander of the Liberator, and, introducing himself as Prince Drazyen al Vvishiak of the Empire of Kalessin, offered to solve the problem of the elven refugees by transporting them to a land which had been recently set aside within Imperial territory. He described this place as an area of unsurpassed beauty, where the skies were clear, the trees were tall and the lakes were clean. Here, he said, the elves would never need fear again, and would be able to live their lives in peace at last, safe from any who might wish to do them harm. His voice was itself musical and warm, and all who listened felt compelled to trust him.

Drennell looked at the man curiously, as if wondering whether to trust him or not. Deciding that he could, he finally spoke up. "Okay," he began. "You can take them. It's not like we had anywhere to put them on the ship."

McIntyre took him aside "You sure about that? That guy's got a bad aura about him..."

"Aura? Aura? Please, let me do my job..."

McIntyre sighed. It was best not to argue with your captain, and he was probably right anyway. When had he ever been wrong, in fact? "Yes sir." He turned to the sailor behind him. "Get the kids."

Several hours later, with all the elves having been transferred to the golden barges, they began to move away in the direction of the South Pacific at an ever-increasing speed. Yet even once they were moving as fast as a Menelmacarian frigate, they still left no perceptable wake. As they dissapeared over the horizon, the music faded into nothingness, and the crew and commander of the Liberator felt as it an oppressive weight had been lifted from their minds.

In orbit, Scolopendran spysats begin taking pictures of Kalessin sites, taking special care to track the golden barges containing refugees. With resolutions approaching 1 cm at sea level, very little escapes their eagle eye.

After much debate in the First Senate of the Borderlands, the vote came in at 79 percent in favour of admitting elven refugees to their nation. The Consul-General continues to push other nations of 8bit to move towards lending military and economic aid to his nation to help support any influx of elves. Consul-General Ierocis has already set aside tracks of the lush Glad-o-Sidh woodlands located in the heartland of 8bit region.

The 1st Army under General MacMullan returned home today after fighting in Ienotheisa's defense. The triumphant General recieved a hero's welcome from the people of the Borderlands but will recieve little rest in the following days as he prepares to establish aid camps to help relieve any elves that arrive in the coming weeks by sea.

The Scolopendran spysats lose sight of the barges when they enter the thick fog which seems to perpetually envelop the isle of Kalessin.

Several days later, this report is recieved by all interested nations from the Kalessin Ministry of Truth:

*Video of 5 elven children playing by the shores of a large lake. The water is peaceful, and the children are smiling happily (although are those smiles a little forced?). Panning out, the watchers see that the lake is in the middle of a huge forest of ancient fir trees. One of the children steps down towards the lake to feed some ducks from a pouch worn at his side*

"As you can see, the elven children from the Liberator have been successfully and happily resettled within the idyllic lands of south-western Kalessin. Feel free to send civilian observers if you wish, although we do not think that it is really necessary. Naturally, as a small and peaceful nation, we cannot accept any foreign military presence, however small, especially since it might remind the children of the horrors which they have recently endured."

High King Fingolfin requests that several of our observers be allowed into your country to observe the conditions of the Elves.

We are expanding our nation's immigration quotas for Elves to 250,000 per year in light of the recent attempts at Genocide by the One Ring.

Message to All Elves:

"If you really think it necessary to send observers, you may. We will send a dragon to your nation to pick up three civilians for transport to Kalessin. They are welcome to bring communications equipment, but we would like you to inform the dragonrider who will be collecting them of both the names of the observers, and the exact nature of any equipment carried."

The names of the observers are as following:

Haldir
Olwe
Bereg

They will all carry regular radiowaves transmission units as well as wireless phones. They may also request use of your telegram facilities. They carry no weapons, so if any harm befalls them, we will hold Kalessin responsible.

PseudoEmperor Hertzfeldt leans back into his chair at the Executive Apartment/Office on Titan. The Supreme Emperor was several million kilometers away on Space Station Valhalla, and now the PseudoEmperor, as vice-president, was in charge... and Hertzfeldt didn't like it a bit.

He began talking to no one in particular. "If I send observers, they have to be announced. Then we have Potemkin villages and things like Solzhenytzin's 'The Smile of the Buddha.' If I don't send observers, I'm morally negligent."

An idea struck him. Pushing down the comm button on the desk, he said "Get me contact with LaRhiannon. Her dragons may be... useful."

Message from Olwe, Bereg and Haldir to the government of All Elves:

"When we arrived in Kalessin it was night there, so we have not seen anything outside our hotel, which, in the two days since our arrival, we have not been permitted to leave. However, apart from that, our hosts, who for some reason all wear veils, have been most welcoming.

Yesterday afternoon we met five of the elven children from the Liberator. They seemed in good spirits, and never stopped smiling throughout our meeting, however Bereg thinks they answered our questions a little quickly, as if they had been told what to say, although he might just have been imagining it.

We were served an absolutely delicious meal last night, but while we were told that it was an elven dish, none of us could identify the meat used. We are trying to get the recipe, but it seems to be a secret of the chef! Tomorrow, a secretary from their Ministry of Truth is going to come and show us some photographs of the colony.

Do you have any furthur instructions for us?"

Message to Olwe, Haldir and Bereg from High King Fingolfin sent in code and by secret channels:

Assert yourself. Do not restrict yourself to the witnesses that Kalessin provide. Make sure witnesses you question are not allowed to be with anyone else before you commence questioning. Take plenty of pictures for evidence. Take samples of any food they provide to you for testing, as well as take samples of the Elves there. Finally, make sure that all interviees are hooked onto lie detectors. Destroy this message.

Signal Interception Station 14- Htair City, C'tan Confederacy

The building was quite old, and had stood for some time, The only thing that made it appear different, if only to a trained eye, from it's neighbours was the excessive amount of signal dishes and ariels that sat on it's roof.

Inside three men sat. They were currently relaxing, as they often did. For they were professionally patient. Their job was a rather complex one. They sorted the many radio signals that bounced around the world, selecting those that were of relevence to the C'tan.

The first man took the hard copy of the conversation as it emerged from the printer. he scanned it biefly, and then faxed it down a secure line to the capital city.

Something odd was afoot.

*In a far corner of Megatokyo on the shores of a great ocean.. a Dwarf and an Elf debate the issues of the day*

"Well, we could always send a few flamingos to cheer the children up."

"I don't trust Kalessin, its a police state, and a bloody inhospitable one at that. Pretty lakes and such indeed."

"Have patience my friend, we can do nothing with our economy in the state its in. Let us watch and wait. The foreign counsel representative has been making inquiries.. "

A short time later, a messenger appears at the borders of Kalessin, salutes, and offers a crate of six pink flamingos, marked "For the entertainment of the Elven children, care of the Fiefdom of Gimli and Legolas, Megatokyo." Approx. 12 hours later, a messenger appears at the border of All Elves with an ornately scripted letter which reads as thus:

To The High King Fingolfin,

We, the free peoples of the Fiefdom of Gimli and Legolas, newly arrived upon the continent of Megatokyo, greet you with great humility, and offer our services. We have been made aware of the situation regarding the Elven refugees in Kalessin. We have also see your interest in their well being. Therefore we offer a small nugget of information, gleened through sources we would rather not specify. Beware of the food, all is not as it seems. I would suggest twinkie rations.


Respectfully yours,

Iris Greenleaf
Representative of the Counsel on Foreign Relations, Interim Ambassador

Aboard the Gilthoniel, Sirithil was between state engagements, and currently in the middle of a meeting with her Prefect of Defense and Homeland Security, Serendis nos Fithurin.

Serendis: ...so the Fourth Fleet reports their refits are complete and they will be returning to homeland security duty shortly.

Sirithil: Excellent. *she shuffles through some datapads* Ah, here's something. What's the situation with all those elven refugees from Mordor?

Serendis: Well, about eighty percent of them have been placed somewhere in Menelmacar. Five percent are still aboard the Valhalla Station receiving medical treatment and should be transferred planetside within a week or two. The remaining have been basically scattered between-- wait a minute... *looks at a report* ...apparently a Konanian transport was intercepted by a Kalessin battle-barge.

Sirithil: Aren't they the ones who were transmitting to Sauron throughout much of the last war?

Serendis: Yes, milady. We intercepted transmissions from Kalessin to Mordor announcing they wanted to help 'purge the elven menace'... milady, those refugees are almost certainly in grave danger.

Sirithil: Agreed... is all quiet in Mordor?

Serendis: Right now, yes... I think I know what you're thinking.

Sirithil: Then you won't have a problem transferring some of our reconsats to geostationary orbits over Kalessin. We have to find those refugees, and soon. Now, there are also some other things I need you to do...

***

In low earth orbit, the Menelmacari reconnaissance satellite Palantir Osto (Farseer Eight) fired a fusion thruster, shifting into a different orbit. Over the next twenty minutes, it executed three more burns, bouncing from one orbit to another until it had a stable position over Kalessin, from which it could watch the entire country. It would take several days, but the satellite would be capable of mapping all of Kalessin down to the finest detail of terrain and structures, and through careful scanning by magic-sensitive sensors, would be able to locate the Elves within the country.

***

The Menelmacari Seventh Fleet was on escort duty for Lavenrunzian supply lines to the Channel Islands; the fleets had been harassed for some time by, ironically (or perhaps not), 'rogue elements' of Kalessin. Yet not all the Thoron fighter craft attached to that fleet were required for the mission; therefore, a squadron was dispatched to fly high-speed, low-altitude recon runs over Kalessin's territory. Every six hours another squadron was launched; the return journey was twenty-four hours, and so there would be four in the air at any given time. Over the next several days these flights would crisscross the country, but would only observe, they would not attack anything unless in dire threat of being destroyed; even if engaged by ground fire they would merely evade.

***

Sixteen hours after the first recon flights were launched, in the darkest hour of night, a Menelmacari dropship approached the Kalessin border. They were flying NOE (nape of earth) in order to avoid radar detection; the dropship cruised low between mountain peaks. Locating a clearing within the forests of the mountains, the ship set down, and a squadron of elite Menelmacari special forces, the Mornahossë (Shadow Force), disembarked from the vessel. The insertion took perhaps a minute; just as quickly the ship took off again and returned the way it had come. The Elven soldiers it had dropped, the very best of the best of a military force which overall was dreaded the world over for its prowess, professionalism, and experience, rushed for the treeline; their armored suits shimmered as the magical camouflage system engaged. If one could see them in the darkness, they would seem little more than heat waves moving through the trees in the shape of humanoids. They had a very important mission, passed down from Lady Serendis herself: to determine the nature of these mysterious Kalessin people.

Lady Sirithil nos Fëanor
Elentári of the Empire of Menelmacar
"Free peoples will chart the course of history." ~US President George W. Bush, 2003 State of the Union address

The pilots of the Thoron Fighters were somewhat disconcerted to find that upon entering the skies over Kalessin, they were enveloped by a cloud, which continued to surround them, blocking their view of the ground, until they left Kalessin aerospace. The satellite likewise found itself blocked by cloud, which did not seem quite natural.

Meanwhile, the 20-man Mornahosse team ran silently through the woods, inhumanly swift and near-invisible, towards the area of the island where the Kalessin Ministry of Truth had reported the colony to be based.

Suddenly, the sound of marching boomed through the forest, and several hundred yards ahead, the bright glow of Kalessin war-armour could be seen. As the Kalessin troops approached, the elves melted noiselessly into the shadows of the trees, and stood there, motionless, their armour blending in to the night woods.

Eventually, the column of some 100 Kalessin infantry arrived, all veiled and heavily armoured, led by a Kalessin noble in full battle-dress, who shone like a beacon through the trees. As they approached where the elves were hiding, the leader looked up, staring straight at where the Mornahosse team leader was standing, and called a halt.
In a cold, yet melodious voice, he called out to the elves, saying:

"You can all come out now, all 19 of you!"

A transmission is sent to Gimli and Legolas from the Kalessin Ministry of Truth:

*video of 5 elven children playing with a pink flamingo by a lake*

"We would like to thank the people of Gimli and Legolas, on behalf of the refugees, for their gift. The children seem to have really taken to the birds, and much joy has been added to their lives!"

Report from Haldir, Bereg and Olwe to All Elves:
"We have still not been allowed to leave our hotel. As such, we intend to attempt to sneak out to take a look at the colony during the changing of the guard this evening."

Message from Fingolfin to observers:

"Good. Do not use violence unless it is vitally necessary. Open negotiations for the transport of the refugees to All Elves."

A moderately-sized cargo shuttle touches down just outside of Kalessin airspace, unloading a dragon and a Triumvirate of Yut Special Services agent before lifting off again.

"Alright, Coranth, you know the plan?"

The dragon adjusted its headphones and throat mic as best it could with its clawed hands. "Fly around and look around. Maintain LOS contact with our satellites so you can get streaming data. Find the elves and take as many pictures as possible. Avoid contact."

"Good. I'll set up camp here. See you in a week."

The dragon threw itself into the air as the human agent began covering up a well-placed ditch with ground-tarp.

Timed exactly right to get everyone to not notice the new dragon-blip on their radars, a Scolopendran diplomatic shuttle deorbits over Kalessin airspace--the ionization has a radar signature several miles long. "Kalessin air control, this is Scolopendran Diplomatic Shuttle Sierra Delta Sierra Five-Zero-Niner. Request permission to land and directions to nearest landing vector. Over."

The Scolopendran shuttle, having touched down briefly just outside a large city on the coast of Kalessin, was escorted out of Kalessin airspace by a pair of rather large dragons. The ambassador was then swiftly rushed to a hotel in the outskirts of the city, the streets of which were completely empty, and shown to his room, the decor of which was quite as sumptuous as that of the All Elves observers. Here, he was served with a meal which his veiled hosts described as an elven delicacy, introduced to them by the children from the Liberator.

Meanwhile, Coranth succeeded in entering Kalessin undetected, and began to fly unerringly towards where the new colony was reportedly located.

Kalessin wrote:
The ambassador was then swiftly rushed to a hotel in the outskirts of the city, the streets of which were completely empty, and shown to his room, the decor of which was quite as sumptuous as that of the All Elves observers. Here, he was served with a meal which his veiled hosts described as an elven delicacy, introduced to them by the children from the Liberator.


Inside Diplomatic Officer Tobie's head: "Why can't I get Sweeny Todd lyrics out of my head?"

Coded message from Haldir to Fingolfin (22:00 hours):
"We seem to have succeeded in leaving the hotel undetected. And we are now proceeding towards the colony."

Coded message from Haldir to Fingolfin (24:00 hours):
"We have arrived at the stated location of the colony. The terrain is indeed beautiful, but we have seen no sign of either buildings or elves."

Coded message from Bereg to Fingolfin (01:00 hours):
"Something strange is going on here, I cannot find any sign of an elven colony. Haldir thinks.......wait a minute, where's Haldir....?"

Coded message from Bereg to Fingolfin (02:00 hours):
"Haldir and Olwe have both dissapeared, I think someone must have followed us from the hotel. I am attempting to reach the coast and escape."

Message from Haldir, Olwe and Bereg to All Elves (08:00 hours):

*The three observers are all standing by a lake, in the middle of a forest, they seem not to be physically harmed, and they are all smiling happily. However, their eyes do seem a tiny bit unfocused, and their faces are slightly flushed, Haldir speaks:*

"We have learnt that the kind people of Kalessin were not trying to hide anything from us by not bringing us here earlier. In fact, they were merely worried that our suspicious temperaments might disrupt the harmony of the colony. The colony is more beautiful than anything we could ever have imagined. The coolness of the wind, the ancient trees, the calm waters of the lake, all combine to make it the very embodiment of all that is good in nature. In fact, we find ourselves unable to leave this peaceful place, and have decided to remain here, so that we can help to teach the children of their elven heritage. This is a place of laughter and joy, and beauty, without the hatred and war which marrs so much of the outside world. We call for all peaceful elves to come and join us here, to share in the joys of nature."

*A small elven child runs across the screen, laughing happily, and leaps into Haldir's arms, the screen fades to darkness.*

Message from Coranth to base camp:
"This is very strange, I am now exactly over where the map said that the centre of the colony should be.."

Message from base camp to Coranth:
"And, can you see anything wrong?"

Message from Coranth to base camp:
"No, I can't see anything!"

Message from base camp to Coranth:
"What? There's nothing wrong? Don't tell me that Kalessin is actually honest!"

Message from Coranth to base camp:
"No, I mean I can't see anything, at all! There is no elven colony!"

Coranth looked up, to see a trio of rather large dragons flying about a mile away. They called out, in a language which he didn't understand, and began to fly towards him.

From Fingolfin to Kalessin:

Dear Sir,

We request that we be allowed to question our own observers in neutral territory. Do not claim that they refuse to leave your country. They have sworn fealty to All Elves and are willing to finish their mission unto the ending of the world.

High King Fingolfin

(Private conversation)

Fingolfin: What the hell?!

Trias: Sire..

Fingolfin: What the ******* hell?!! Three of my best men!

Trias: Sire...

Base camp to Coranth: "Situation?"
Coranth (while taking pictures): "Dragons, 1.5 klicks. Mission compromised."
Base camp: "Return jump immediately. Calling in evac."
Coranth: "Wilco. Going between..."
Base camp to orbiting shuttle: "Mission compromised, need immediate evac. Sending tight-band intel, relay to Valhalla."

Signal Interception Station 14- Htair City, C'tan Confederacy

The building was quite old, and had stood for some time, The only thing that made it appear different, if only to a trained eye, from it's neighbours was the excessive amount of signal dishes and ariels that sat on it's roof.

Inside three men sat. They were currently relaxing, as they often did. For they were professionally patient. Their job was a rather complex one. They sorted the many radio signals that bounced around the world, selecting those that were of relevence to the C'tan.

The first man took the hard copy of the conversation as it emerged from the printer. he scanned it biefly, and then faxed it down a secure line to the capital city.

Something odd was afoot.


Humm... Forgotten about that place.

Aboard the Titanus:

::Powerful Space-based MADAR arrays continuously scan Kalessin, peering through the cloud cover.::

Sensors: Sir, we have inbounds to Coranth.

"Notify the Scolopendrans, ask them if they need assistance."

The agent begins packing up the field base into a very large satchel as Coranth suddenly appears overhead (OOC: Thank you, Dragonriders of Pern series!). "We've got a shuttle ETA ten minutes and the Titanus on standby if this gets hot."

Coranth landed and slung the satchel over his shoulder. "Where's the extraction point?"

"Shuttle can only fly through friendly airspace, so extraction is ten klicks bearing 182."

"Hop on. Time to do some fancy-fast NOE flying."

"Did I ever tell you I've never been good at riding?"

"Shut up and hop on."

Meanwhile, a small shuttle lands in Kalessin. Of steps a rather razzled looking messanger who with a signature pad. "Compliments of the Principality" he says, "some Welsh Corgies for the elvish peoples, and some for the Kalessins (OOC:?)"
the guard looks puzzled
"Welsh Corgies, you know, dogs, cool ones at that"
"They'll make anyone smile"
With that, the guard gets his commander to sign off, and Kalessin now has a good stock of Welsh Corgies


The people of Oshati are pleased to see that the elven children have found a good home. We request permission to send an historian to interview a few of the children so that this wonderful event may be properly chronicled as we are an elvish nation in part (the other part is numeronean). Thank you for your time
Rafe - Chief of the Oshati, Head of the Grand Council and Speaker for the House of Durk

*end formal transmission*
*quitely in a side conversation*
Do you think that will work?
Cale - Vice-chief of the Oshati, Second on the Grand Council and Speaker for the House of Hauk

I hope so, something wierd is going on and I want to know what!
Rafe - Chief of the Oshati, Head of the Grand Council and Speaker for the House of Durk

Message from the Kalessin Ministry of Truth to Oshati:

"You are welcome to send a historian if you wish. We have nothing to hide, and will aid him in his researches as far as possible."

An international message is sent to all concerned from Alkanphel Ancalagon, Melkor's right hand man:

"We the people of Melkor's glorious Fatherland condemn the actions taken to protect the Elves from their oppressors. The Elves, as a race, so clearly depend on the aid of Men and others that Melkor will now openly question their strength as a people. What kind of race lacks the facilities to defend itself from harm? Granted, Elves were a rare minority in Sauron's Dominion, and thus at a distinct disadvantage to defend themselves. But should not nations of Elves; not Men, have come to their aid in time of dire need? It took nearly half a dozen global superpowers to contend with the will of Melkor, and they failed. The Elves are safe, yes, but their destruction was not Our ultimate goal. We have acheived our objective. This meddling coalition of mongrel states has paid dearly with their blood for every step they took into Mordor. And you will pay tenfold for any attempt on the Fatherland itself. Be warned. "



Message to All Elves from Kalessin:

"We will not take Haldir, Olwe and Bereg away from the colony unless they wish to, and as it stands, they do not. You are of course fully welcome to send more civilian observers, who will be allowed to meet with them inside the colony."

The agent vaulted onto Coranth's back, and the pair took off towards the coast, even as a trio of ominous black specs appeared on the horizon. Looking back, the agent took out a small pair of binoculars, and peered towards them. To his horror, they were being chased by three great red dragons, each more than twice Coranth's size. Urging Coranth on, he flattened himself against the rough hide of the dragon, hoping that the tiny reduction in wind-resistance might somehow allow them to escape!

Suddenly, he heard a roar in front of them, as the familiar atmospheric-entry pattern of a Scolopendran shuttle lit up the sky. Even as his eyes lit up in hope, he glanced back, only to see the following dragons look straight at him, and vanish!

He shouted a warning, even as the great beasts emerged from between almost right on top of Coranth. Who spun in the air to put his strong body between the agent and the searing heat of the flames gouting forth from the jaws of the Kalessin dragons, even as he put on an extra burst of speed, straining his body beyond all reasonable endurance to reach the shuttle before those terrible claws could shred his hide and scatter his innards to the four winds.

Even as the jaws of the largest of the pursuers closed upon his tail, and the claws of another closed upon his lightly-armoured chest, Coranth opened his eyes and saw the open mouth of the shuttle's cargo bay, and, gathering his final reserves of strength, went between. The three roared in rage at being cheated of their prey, and, turning, swept back towards their lairs in the darkest depths of the great dragon caves of Kalessin, while the shuttle carried the agent, and the terribly, perhaps mortally, injured Coranth towards Scolopendra.

Message from High King Fingolfin to Kalessin:

Dear Sir,

Please communicate to our three observers that they are ordered to proceed to a neutral state immediately for questioning. They will be allowed to return to your country afterwards.

High King Fingolfin

Today Melkor, perceiving Kalessin's ultimate plans, dispatched a garrison of 300,000 Men and Orcs; as well as the 4th Mechanized Infantry Division, and the 17th Air Defense battalion to Kalessin in case of armed conflict. It is rumored that a number of Balrogs are accompanying the initiative, and leading his armies in the field.

This statement accompanied his deployment, as spoken by Alkanphel Ancalagon, Melkor's right hand man:

"We have dispatched a large military force to deal with the situation, and to intervene of behalf of my interests should I see it necessary. Too long have the Elves and their allies gone unchecked, but this shall be no more. Menelmacar and her coalition of mongrel states has chosen to oppose me, and they will come to realize that was a grave mistake, for they will be pursued to the ends of the earth and hunted one by one. None shall survive teh wrath of Melkor."

"Dammit, we need medics!" the agent yelled.
"Dammit, we need air support!" the shuttle pilot yelled.

The shuttle swerved into the sky as a LaRhiannon medic versed in dragonlore stumbled into the back. "Yeah, this is bad. Multiple puncture wounds"--he began spraying foamy coagulant agents into the claw punctures--"I can stabilize him by reduciing blood loss but I'm not sure if he'll survive for long."

"We need his testimony," the agent mused, "even though we have all the footage he shot." The agent made his way to the cockpit. "Pilot, are we heading to the Titanus?"

"Yes, sir."

"Call ahead, tell them to get an intelligence officer on deck when we arrive for immediate debriefing. Also get them to patch into Valhalla so they can get live feed of our debriefing."

"Yes, sir."

*Under a dull gray sky, an elf and a dwarf take a morning walk through their fiefdom*

"It seems that things have taken a turn for the worse out in Kalessin. Did we do the right thing?"

"I am uncertain.. all our communication has been cut off for the last few days due to storms. I haven't been able to make contact with All Elves, and our messenger returned empty-handed."

"Will they contact us?"

"That will be their decision to make, my friend."

After a long series of preperations the historian Elac heads off to the new elven colony, not knowing exactally what to expect, but he was told that something was fishy, and he should try to figure out what. After all the strange things that have gone on recently it was a bit timidly that he stepped ashore in Kalessin to be greeted just like everybody else had, and shown to a hotel room by a veiled host.

Aboard the Titanus:

Flight Ops: "Deck 3, emergency recovery, shuttle 12-4A coming in hot with wounded. Medical teams to the flight deck. Intel debrief team to the flight deck. Intel Processing team to the flight deck. This is not a drill. All hands, prepare for flight ops."


::The cavernous flight deck doors open seconds before the Sleipnir class shuttle burst through the atmospheric retention field and set down by the awaiting medical and intel teams. The cargo doors opened and Coranth and the LaRhiannon medic stubled out. The agent followed with the camera.::

Medic: "A DRAGON??!?!? Ive never worked onna dragon before!!

LaRhiannon medic: "Shut up and do what I tell you. DONT do anything I don't tell you!"

::Another medic walks up to the agent.::

"Sir you OK?"

Agent: "Im fine, just some scrapes and such. I need to get this to intel, then I will let you check me out."

::The agent walks out with the intel processing team and the camera to begin the uplink to the Valhalla, as the debrief team begins to question the dragon.::

(OOC: Oh yeah, the diplomat...)

Diplomatic Officer Tobie looked at the "elven" dish as cogs turned in his brains. He suddenly yearned for good old centipede casserole back home. Inside his head, his train of thought went thusly: "Hmm... Ministry of 'Truth...' elven 'delicacy...' 'Mrs. Lovitt's meat pies / savory and sweet pies...' 'Have a little priest...' damned Demon Barber of Fleet Street lyrics... 'Soylent Green is made of people...'"

Tobie's mouth opened. "Um... I'm a vegan. Have any... er... salad?"

A little white lie never hurt anyone.

Liberator, First Officer's Quarters

The Liberator arrivied in Nannis in early in the morning, giving McIntyre some time to go to his quarters and take a nap. He'd begun to have second thoughts about the little "exchange", and whether or not it was the right thing to do. With this on his mind, he went to sleep.

~*~

Liberator, Sailor's Quarters

Kyle Davis was not pleased. His plan wasn't going too well; Drennell wasn't as dead as he would have wanted. Sitting there, he fumed as and wondered what to do next. Just kill Drennell, he thought. It was so easy. But he still had a chance. He loaded his gun with two bullets and began to make his way to the bridge.

(OOC: Valhalla is the Trojan-point station operated by the Triumvirate of Yut [i.e. Titan] 400K km behind Earth in its orbit around the sun. It is a multi-purpose station, with its primary concerns being diplomacy, commerce, immigration, tourism, and, more recently, refugee support.)

Aboard Space Station Valhalla:

A rushed technician runs up to Supreme Emperor Kommetrez, salutes, and offers a printout. Kommetrez returns the salute and reads the printout. "The Kalessin elf colony doesn't exist? Open communications on all known diplomatic channels, then transmit this data. On the bounce, trooper."

"Acting!"

Liberator, Island Hallway

Davis walked through the ships narrow hallways, trying his best to look normal with a concealed weapon. Sweat was breaking out on his forehead. I'll do this, he thought. I'll--

"Hey there, Kyle!" Alders exclaimed. He then stopped. "Yow alright? You look a little nervous."

"Fine, I'm fine," Davis said. "Still a little shaken, ya know? The heat of battle and all..."

Alders blinked. "You weren't flying that night."

Think of something quick... "Oh, no, of course not! I was helping out on deck!"

"I see. Well, I'll catch you later, then." He turned and left. Davis, relieved, continued down the hallway.

--

Liberator, First Officer's Quarters

McIntyre sat up and blinked, his head hurting. He needed to get some asprin. He rolled over and pulled out the locker drawer below the bed, and pulled out the bottle of medicine. Shaking it, he found that it was empty. The bridge would have some, and he needed to give Drennell back his weapon anyway. Picking up the gun, he left his quarters and went proceeded to the bridge.

[ooc: ok I made another country for Alkanphel, mainly so I won't have to distinguish between the two of them every time I post. It gets old fast, and because it seems logical that he'd control some land at least.
But that aside: this thread is greatly confusing to me. My deployment went largely ignored, am I too late to really do anything? Whats going on?]

OOC: Everyone please note that Kalessin doesn't have a land border! Therefore....Melkor's army is unable to enter! btw, while Melkor might well end up sending aid to the Empire of Kalessin, one would expect some negotiations to take place before the government of Kalessin would allow an orcish army to set foot in its territory!

Davis turned down the walkway, stood outside the door to the command room and loaded his gun. He pushed it open quietly. Drennell looked up. "Who are--" was all he said before he was shot twice in the head.

McIntyre looked down the hallway to see Davis standing outside Drennell's door. Hearing the gun go off, he took Drennell's loaded weapon and fired as well: Twice in the right side of the chest as Davis turned, and twice in the head. Davis crumpled to the ground, an expression of shock and hate on his face. McIntyre ran inside and found his commander dead. Picking up the phone, he called Nannis Port Security.

McIntyre was later givin the Konanian Navy Cross and Drennell given the High Navy Cross, the highest award given by the Konanina Navy. The nations newest carrier was named the Drennell in his honor. McIntyre later became commander of that ship, saying he knew "no higher honor."

[ooc: two things..
one: troop transports
two: I made a statement declaring myself in the previous thread, and seeing no response, decided to act. Melkor isn't big on diplomacy anyway. But if I were you Kalessin, I wouldn't shoot at them because then you'll have made enemies on both sides.]

{Public Diplomatic Transmission}
x Lord Lewis Alton (First Envoy, Union Foreign Affairs)
o All Involveds

We wish to know what has happened to the elven refugees who were sent to Kallesin. We didn't watch good men, women, and AIs give their lives to help them escape just to see some 'disappear'

Warcheif Orgrim Doomhammer fined his mighty Maul. The Elves would never have been a problem to the Horde had they not allied themselves to those filthy humans.

Ner'zhul, the Cheiftan of Orcish magi and powerful Necromancer, stood outside the tent. "We have visitors Warcheif." said the Orc.

Zul'jin the Troll and Cho'Gall the Ogre steppep inside the tent. Zul'jin carried a distinct carribean accent. "We'sa here for ya' Doomhamma."

Orgrim turned around, holding onto the Maul tightly. "We shall aid our breathren and the rest of the 'lower races' from Melkor Unchained and Morgoth, as well as Mordor. The Elves have for long used Troll, Ogre, and Orc alike as their cannon fodder ever since the Elf-Dwarf Wars. We will make them know the meaning of CHumras Orka."

The two-headed Ogre-Magi grinned, using a piece of tree-trunk and swinging it high. "We Ogres shall rally behind you Warcheif Doomhammer."

Zul'jin spinnined both of his jhuge battle axes in each hand. "I shall train my men with their axes as well. The Trolls shall also join thee, Doomhammer"

The Horde was beginning. Draenor's children marched on.

Message from the Kalessin Ministry of Truth to all Nations:

"Despite what Melkor may say, we of Kalessin still hold no grudge against the Elven people. We wish only to make the elven children from the Liberator happy, and secure in the knowledge that the Empire of Kalessin will protect them from harm."

Message to Cetaganda from the Kalessin Ministry of Truth:

"You are welcome to send a small group of civilian observers if you really think it necessary. We are sure that they will find that the elven children have most certainly not "vanished", but are alive and well, playing happily in the bountiful lands of Kalessin."

Coded message to Melkor from the Kalessin Ministry of Peace:

"We are sending a flight of our best dragons to guide your fleet through the treacherous approaches to Kalessin. We have a port prepared in the far North of the island. Try to be discreet! Send one of your more trustworthy emissaries to the Shining City, our capital, which is in the far South of the island. Once we have explained what we plan with the elves, you may understand our need for secrecy, and time!"

Message sent from All Elves to Olwe, Haldir and Bereg, via Kalessin:

Dear Sirs,

In recognition of your work for our great nation, we have, after due consideration, have decided to give you leave to live your life out in Kalessin until you should wish to return.

High King Fingolfin


Uncoded, it read:

Dear Sirs,

What the hell happened? Get out of there soon, send answer in code. Helis ready if needed.

High King Fingolfin

Some time later, a small bird arrives outside Fingolfin's office window, what looks like a small lump of steak in its talons!

High King Fingolfin requests that Kalessin send All Elves a video of Olwe, Bereg and Haldir, speaking, and in good health, so that we may be assured that they are fine in your country.

Alkanphel Alncalagon left Udûn today at the request of Kalessin, who have asked Melkor to send a diplomat to the Shining City. He should be arriving before nightfall.

"Humm" thought senator Haye as she watched the coastline through binouculars. The ship was dangerously close to national waters of kaelessin. It was a joint operations command ship, reather small and not very heavily armed. Putting the binouculars down she headed back into the ship.

She walked slowly down several flights of stairs into a windowless room. Above the door were stencilled the words "Intel Analisis and Process Room" Inside several people were talking loudly.

"All the balrogs were destroyed in the war of wrath. The only survivers hid deep undreground, everyone knows that" said the first voice
"Yeah well he's sent one." Said another
"He's bluffing"
"We have intel-sat photos of it debarking"
"It could be a big brazier, we can't tell what it is through the smoke"

She closed the door.

[Hm.. well we can assume that since Melkor is no longer Chained in the Void , that he's had some time to either find the ones that fled or corrupt new ones. They're there.

oh yeah: and theres more than one. theres about half a dozen]

Aboard the Valhalla:

"Sir, spysats are detecting a large Melkor fleet with Kalessin dragon support moving towards Kalessin. Also, the Orcish Horde seems to be on the march."

"Hmmm. Forward all data to Intel."

Back wherever Diplomatic Officer Tobie is:

Whenever no one is looking, Tobie scrapes a small meaty portion of the "elven delicacy" into a small plastic bag and writes a note on a scrap of napkin. He hands these two things to his shuttle pilot, who reads the coded note. It translates to: "Make up an excuse and get back to Titanus. Get an analysis on this stuff."

The shuttle pilot thanks his hosts, stating that now that the Diplomatic Officer is settled in there's no point in staying, and promptly leaves.

Video message from the Kalessin Ministry of Truth to all elven nations:

*The three observers are all standing by a lake, in the middle of a forest, they seem not to be physically harmed, and they are all smiling happily. However, their eyes do seem a tiny bit unfocused, and their faces are slightly flushed, Olwe speaks:*

"This is the most peaceful place I have ever been. For some reason, the sun always seems brighter here, the sky clearer, the water sweeter, and the air more soothing, as its gentle breath caresses our skin. Here, we are truly happy, and the government of Kalessin has asked us to invite all elves, from all nations, to come here and share in the peace and joy of this most perfect land."