[Space Myth, IC] The Jumpgates Open
Scooter
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Your proud people have just about finished construction on your first Jumpgate, preparing for when your deep space expeditions report back with news of a habitable colony. Spurred on by the sense of adventure, surveyers have begun exploring the space around your home for hidden treasures, while your scientists deconstruct every bit of the mysterious broadcast to see what more can be learned.
But it's never that easy, is it. If there was one race out there to send that broadcast, there must be more. Maybe they'll share in the riches of the galaxy with you...maybe this windfall of a scientific breakthrough might just mean the end of your kind.
Here is for all things IC-Space Myth. When you discover and name a new system, a great scientist makes a breakthrough, diplomats sign trade pacts or start wars, this is where it shall be chronicled. Go nuts, but if something 'real' has been done then post a short summary in the main thread (renamed system 187 to 'Funkytown', gave the bugs some bling bling, declared war on rocks, etc).
Space Myth Wiki
But it's never that easy, is it. If there was one race out there to send that broadcast, there must be more. Maybe they'll share in the riches of the galaxy with you...maybe this windfall of a scientific breakthrough might just mean the end of your kind.
Here is for all things IC-Space Myth. When you discover and name a new system, a great scientist makes a breakthrough, diplomats sign trade pacts or start wars, this is where it shall be chronicled. Go nuts, but if something 'real' has been done then post a short summary in the main thread (renamed system 187 to 'Funkytown', gave the bugs some bling bling, declared war on rocks, etc).
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Roiling voids with mouths that led away to other 3rd/4thplaces. Explorers gone in and gone Away. Forever? Or as close to it as was possible for the Hshshsahsha. A danger to the people. Another 3rdplace. Empty of stars, empty of people, cold to thought.
The people thought on these things and reached consensus. There would be other 3rdplaces and other 4thplaces to explore.
Patience.
A vision spread among the Hshshsahsha like spring rains -- pattering and coursing, gentle but persistent.
Others who were not cold to thought were moving through 3rd and 4th places to come to the Hshshsahsha. Others who knew of the gates. Others who would share their thoughts with the people, and with whom the people would share their thoughts. Patience. It was the way.
The Hshshsahshans' thoughts turned to more important matters. The play of light on a trefoil leaf. The sound of wind in the trees of the forest of the world.
A shining dome blends with the contours of the brightly coloured, checkered hills that stretch into the distance, occasionally curling into loops or jutting into flowered spires.
Inside the dome, one of the Builders stands before a nearly translucent monitor, scanning a series of symbols as they fly past his eyes. Suddenly the symbols on the screen come to a halt and the screen flashes white. Nodding, the creature pushes some symbols on the screen with a long, curved digit and the screen blinks into nothingness, "only 47654603095680000 cycles. A new record. " He picks up a yellow flowered plant with prominent thorns on its stalk, talking to it, "it seems your place is to be well-remembered."
Somewhere near the edge of the System, a lone ship floats through the blackness...
An aged looking Finder stares out into the starry pit through the ship's viewport as a young looking creature approaches him from behind, "we've detected something. Another jumpgate, and..." the creature pauses, touching some buttons on a pad he's carrying and an image of an alien spaceship pops up on the viewport.
The older one studies the picture before turning back to the youth, "well, have you tried hailing them yet? Send out the greeter those Builders made up for us. Don't see a chance of them speaking our language, but if they're out here then I'm gonna say they know math." He turns back to the image, a look of deep satisfaction on his face.
This would be the first of many.
We have finally breached the greatest barried! Mankind thrives among the stars! REJOICE AND PRAISE THE XENOCIDE!
We have discovered life beyond the Martian Combine! REJOICE AND PRAISE THE XENOCIDE!"
The military has been preparing for this day, and already the newly discovered Fusion Warheads are being ferried across the great void to eradicate the slimey beasts who they have titled "The Wave", named for their appearance when they swarm across the fields of planets and through the emptiness of space.
The first such weapons ever launched against a Xenomorph species are televised across the Solar planets, mandatory viewing for every Civilian human (and most Citizens, as well.) The Fusion missiles take off from the broken hull of Earth, great streams of flame propelling them ever upward, ever onward.
Mankind has made it's mark on the universe, not in good faith and friendliness as the Earthlings centuries before may have believed, but in bloodshed and violence. In destruction.
In movies, the Aliens are always the greater force that Mankind must rally against. Under the leadership of the Council of Xenocides, the Combine will prove that Humanity is the greater force that the universe must rally against.
The Combine fires volleys of assault missiles at sectors EIGHT and FIFTY TWO.
Sector 8: 24
Sector 52: 24
http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=782677
The Combine is too busy revelling to be efficient.
Research: 14/30
Survey: 29/25
Expansion: 10/12
http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=782673
"Captain," he said, opening his eyes. Tido turned around to regard the Master, hands clasped tightly behind his back. "Notify the Fleet that the Collective stretches even to here. The Masters yet in the Rift are with us all, no matter how far we journey."
"The Kelari prevail," said Tido.
"The Collective endures," finished Odey. "Deploy your ships, Captain. Let us see what we have found. I think we shall call this star Unity, after that which gives us strength." Tido nodded curtly and turned back to his crew, barking out orders. He was a soldier, and a good one; Odey had personally chosen him to command the Amanar-darro. His mind was small, however; Odey turned his thoughts back to far-off Aki, sitting in her meditation room at Darrevo.
She took his thoughts by the hand, guiding him to the eyes and minds of her finest engineers. He saw a test chamber, a heavy ion cannon at one end, a plate of some strange metal at the other. As he watched the engineers engaged the cannon, a pulse of devastating energy blazing against the surface of the metal. When the weapon was deactivated, the metal remained intact, displaying only surface scarring. Odey gleaned from the engineers' minds that it was a terribly impressive feat.
"How soon can it be fit to the fleet?" he asked Aki.
"There are challenges to overcome in its production. Perhaps within the next five to ten years, we may see it in widespread use." Odey nodded. It would take longer than he had hoped, but less time than he had feared.
"The Kelari prevail."
"The Collective endures." He turned his attention from her; he had a new star, and entirely new collection of worlds at his fingertips. He quietly swore to do his race proud.
The Qen, with a sizable force, land on the sixteen odd moons spread between the three planets inside System 187. Because of the massive red giant here, the Qen begin to refer to this system as Behemoth. Quickly the colonization efforts pay off as the Qen discover a new material to manufacture that seems to empower psychic energies. The Son Qen take special care to study their new miraculous material while making efforts to preserve the beauty of these moons. The Qen build deep into the earth with great crystal chasms and underground forests of crystal, searching for some sign of their progenitors while continuing to contemplate the meaning of the universe.
Elsewhere in the galaxy, the Qen make contact with the Hajak. On what apparently is a massive asteroid, the Hajak will discover a massive gem the size of a forearm. Speaking directly into their mind, they speak with the leader of the Hajak vessel picking them up, explaining that there exists others like themselves, and that they are on a mission of peace. They seek to know more about the universe, and wish to know if the Hajak wish to both learn and teach.
Thus it was that the godheads were formed and the K'iithid were brought to life. Kharak populated Valar with servants as Tiida filled Nidaguk. The K'iithid gods fractured, each seeking to serve Valar or Nidaguk. And into this the Grace of Existence formed from the Light and Dark the Duasmarks, the Twin Worlds. From the soil of the two worlds she made clay and formed the first Domän Kwiets. The Grace of Fate breathed into life the plane of Aesho.
And thus it was began.
And thus it shall be.
The Immortal Ka knelt on the thick cushion beneath the Shrine of Tuatha Dè, the three ancestral lords. The symbol of the Aldaera, the ancestors, was clutched in his hand. It was three interlocking circles that symbolized the Tuatha Dè with the interweaving twin bars that represented the Duasmarks. The Immortal Ka recited lines from the Aldaera Creed.
"Those of descending, hear that which has descended. Blood for blood, treachery for treachery, soul for soul. Those who die shall be remembered by those who live. Be with me, Aldaera, so I may strive to be with you.
May Fate be done. May Balance be achieved. May Existence be sought. Guide the hand of your servant, so that Aesho will be filled. Soul for soul, we send to you. The Aldaera will be served, honor will be brought.
Soul for soul.
Soul for soul."
The door creaked open behind the Immortal Ka, he hated to be disturbed in the middle of his rituals. It bothered him. His guards knew that no one was to be let in, so it meant it was important. Thus it must be a matter that had to be dealt with, so the Immortal Ka flushed anger from his body and prepared himself to fully deal with whatever the Graces had brought him. His hands closed around the symbol and he rose.
"The Seeing Ka, we have word from the jumpgate."
The Immortal Ka turned his bulk around, the massive regalia impeding the action. His red eyes burned into the assistance's face. "And."
"It is successful, Balanced One. It is opened. The Tribunal Council awaits you."
The Immortal Ka drew a hand forward and smashed incense in his hand. He tossed the powder into his face and took a breath. Cleansing, purifying. "And the Temple."
The attendant bowed low. "The Nine Oracles are in agreement, Immortal Grace. We shall proceed. The Tribes of Eleven have called forth the tribal armies, the Tribunal Navy is standing by. The hal'Draal Disciples are loading onto ships now."
Blood for blood.
"We believe we will be ready to venture forth soon."
Soul for soul.
"The Tribune will flow forth, as you have said, Knowing One."
May Fate be done.
The Immortal Ka swept forward out of the room, as he had been doing for the past two thousand years. This time was different. This time he stepped towards a different Tribune. This time, the Tribune was ready. Ready to prepare itself. Ready for the great Haz-Valar k’win.
The Aldaera will be served, honor will be brought.
Soul for soul.
This seemed almost too good to be true. The first Cilid exploration craft had landed on the sole planet of this new system and the eager explorers had immediately been greeted by a world that bore many similarities to their familiar homeworld of Larakat. Somewhat dusty earth with greenish blue shoots of grass. Jagged rock formations in the distance and pale yellow clouds floating overhead.
"We're getting an air reading through just now, sir... bears many similarities to Larakat. Adjustment shouldn't be too difficult if we get to work."
Back on Larakat a crowded room of Cilids listened eagerly to the transmission, a somewhat fuzzy visual feed appearing on a large screen above them. Grabbing the transmitter a neon green Sun Cilid spoke excitedly.
"Well Commander, do you have a name yet?"
After a short pause the explorer answered.
"In honour of the great ancient musician of legend, sir, I would suggest Mukarna, let us hope that our time on this gift of a planet will be as peaceful and soothing as one of his great works as well as being able to stand throughout the ages, as has his legacy."
Back on Larakat the green Cilid smiled. "Most excellent, Commander."
"Sir I..."
The transmission was suddenly interrupted by a high pitched scream. The listeners covered their ears quickly.
"Watch that feedback, Commander! We enjoy being able to hear down here"
The Cilids laughed amongst themselves.
"Sir, I don't think that was..."
A shadow creeped its way across the ground infront of the explorers' craft and looking up they soon realised the truth behind those pale yellow clouds. A swarm of tiny creatures swept down upon the exploration team like a sudden downpour. The deafening screams came with them. In a panic the crew slapped at eachother in an attempt to swat the swarm one by one but this was soon found out to be futile. The screaming was unbearable, even through the crew's helmets.
"What's happening up there, Commander?"
The screams drowned out any chance of the commander hearing the transmission. Suddenly, as quickly as they had decended the swarm dispersed and the screaming stopped. One of the crew pulled himself to his feet.
"What in the name of sanity was that??"
Brushing himself off the Commander suddenly looked towards the exploration craft. "Check the supplies!"
After a moment one of the crew ran out.
"Sir, we've lost all rations and they seem to have eaten anything we had in there made out of cloth. Looks like we're stuck in our suits until the colonists get here."
The Commander shook his head and sighed.
"Get onto the colony ships and tell them to keep the ship locked down when they land. Perhaps I chose the wrong name for this place..."
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On the other side of the wall two Telomere scientists stood visibly uneasy by their fellow virus' self destruction.
"It won't be easy for the older variants to accept this..." The first scientist said as he entered something into his hand held. "It's barely possible for us to accept it..." he finished.
"It is necessary though. The stars are an unknown. Telomere survival relies on our accurately predicting worst case scenarios. Prediction, Preparation and proliferation" He took a step back, barely dodging a shiv of flying glass. Within the cage it's beast still raged. "That, they will understand."
"Extremity begets Extremity. We should foc-" The scientist never finished because at that moment 3 tons of plexiglass shattered beneath the rage of a single enhanced Tchang/Telomere's might. The beast stared at the two scientists snarling and still.
"Do you wish to destroy us?" The first Scientist asked.
"We are who did this to you. Soon you will die."
"If we were to be destroyed. The Variant would be labeled hazardous and destroyed. None of our brothers would have to endure what you did."
Silence settled on the room. The two scientists, the beast, and the future of the Telomere empire all hinged on the next 10 seconds.
"...GlORy to THE telOMeRE!" the beast collapsed at the feet of the two scientists. The gravity of it's self destruction finally acknowledged by it's nervous system.
The scientists typed into their handheld - "Variant XT-T - success"
Meanwhile, the Telomere Government was convening.
"...climate control, settled. I believe W has the results of the recent exploratory mission." The head speaker droned.
"Indeed, the exploratory team returned without event. They report the system having a single habitable planet, with 1,754,000 variants of indigenous species. Though perhaps only 230,000 of which are eukaryote. The science caste has launched a detachment explore the possibities of colonization and infection."
"Very good. The system will be named Proto-Encephalon, it will be our prototype for future interstellar colonization. Now the issue of variant RZ-A..."
And onward the gears of the Telomere did grind...
- Psychic broadcast from Sarrolleamnissiallissan (The Old One Who Dances on Moonlight and Sings Songs of Wonders Past), first Llerroammenna of the Starfarers, to all celessin in Missannelassillionarramea.
You are our leader and we trust you Old One we will follow your course to the stars and it will be wonderous the universe is grand and full of potential which we shall unlock in time and we will sing songs to honour you we sing them even now for there is no leader we would have in your place until your time is up but it is not up so have no fear we will follow you and work and sing and rejoice at the successes of the future come join us Old One lend us your vision your voice and show us the way
- Response from all celessin, led by The Council.
The system's red star glows chaotically. Radiation bursts make the four planets in this system unlikely to support most forms of life. The first world, a planet just smaller then Jupiter, and several times denser, orbits erratically and close to the sun, speeding around in weeks, dragging hundreds of tiny moons in its wake. This swirling mass of hydrogen could have easily spawned into a binary system if fate had gone another way. The probes ignore it, focusing their attention on the three smaller rock planets.
On the next world, a water covered rock rotates once with each orbit. Glaciers cover its dark side, and on the other, oceans boil. From space you can see the evaporating wisps blowing from the light towards the dark side, where they freeze into torrential ice storms.
The third planet lies half formed in an asteroid belt. In orbit its surface gives a smooth reflection, but closer you can see waves of iron lava constantly changing and shifting.
From the surface of the final orb, YX-1385 glows like a small red light bulb. This ice giant, made of frozen methane and water, is better off being called a comet, but the robots make no distinction. Here the probes build rows upon rows of satellites.
Waiting for a signal in the darkness.
=
On Blockhead:1 a pool of carbon plastic and silicon begins to rise, taking a humanoid shape. Intense lasers burn into the figure, carving out facial features and digits. The lasers carve eyes, lips, nose, mouth, slowly melt into a woman's figure. The figure jolts with electricity.
Downloading Personality Matrix 31415
The lips part, nostrils breath in air for the first time, and its eyes open to the world. She smiles. To the race she is emulating she would be beautiful, practically perfect.
Analyzing 31415 for defects
A bright blue laser overcomes the person, slowly moving up. It stops midway.
ERROR!
Anomaly detected!
Melanocytic naevus formed in birthing process.
Project Failure
Within seconds the android is flushed into the recycling bins. Her remains will be used to build processors. To the machines, nothing short of perfection is tolerated, and nothing is wasted.
"Then to this Thurian we go," growled Groth to his henchman, "Tell Clanboss Durg to assemble his armada and claim it."
"There is more, General. It seems that when the Ziencers move their equipment to the far end of the system, further from the Ion Storm, that other transmissions are coming through... more systems!"
"Tell him to double his Resource Squaghs. They will need to be busy."
"Yes, General."
Soon, the mighty Wargh Armada sweeps down upon the Thurian System. It contains one habitable planet, Thurion Prime, that is in the middle of its industrial revolution. However, all that has been built the thousands of years of progress on that planet is swiftly extinguished by the fury of the Wargh assault. The Wargh sweep across the planet, their wave of devastation leaving no survivors in their wake. A colony is established without haste, and already the Wargh have begun surveying the outlying lifeless systems for mineral and fuel resources to provide for their new colony, and the military forces that will be needed to defend it.
The Supreme General on the homeworld of Rhok'Tal bares his yellow fangs in a savage grin... for the Wargh Empire has been born.
"Friends, shareholders, fellow reasource attainers, today is a great day for Ferrous Polyglobal and its affiliates! Having consulted with the board and after careful negotiations with the aboriginal species of the affected systems, the merger between Ferrous and unnamed system number 22, has been successful! System 22, now known as Dystech Amalgamated, is home to four inhabitable and resource rich ecosystems as well as a great quantity of minable moons! I hope you all realize what a monumentous time this is to be part of such and exciting venture! Profits are projected as reaching reocrd levels this quarter, all thanks to you. Now friends, utilize effiency, and return to work."
Working as proxy spokesmen for the non-sentient species of system 22, Ferrous PR telepaths have merged the planet with the Board of Directors mind. Brood mothers, and members from the security and middle-management creches have been dispatched to merge the species fully with the hive mind, and the new markets opened up have led to a huge upswell in stock value and profits. Great Ferrous Titan class plant ships have been sent to strip the resources off the barren planets and build continent sized manufacturing buildings. Huge organic resource facilities have been constructed to facilitate better communication with the Board. The planet furthest from the systems yellow sun has been converted into a fusion power-plant and R&D facility. Beaches have been set up as labor-camps/resorts as part of any mandatory vacation or imprisonment periods for species that fail to fully join the Board-mind.
A massive advertising campaign is being shot out in all broadcast formats in all directions, and all known languages, with the hope of establishing brand-name recognition in as yet unknown market sectors in the galaxy.
Or, perhaps that was it! A subtle alteration of the modulation could theoretically cause the screen to deflect the incoming particle instead of the ship! Maybe she wouldn't have to change direction that much after all! Of course, the theory would only become practice after many exhaustive trials and several prototypes would have to be built...
Sh'kalesh threw the PADD at the wall in rage. Of all the rotten luck! Her brother, Sh'lakesh had gotten herself assigned to the team sent to survey the new system for useful materials and he had already personally been responsible for the discovery of an asteroid made of almost pure kevacite!
Determined to outdo his sister, Sh'kalesh vowed to redouble her efforts on the Ring...
Es'lanash was in trouble. After the momentous discovery of the unbelievably resource-rich system in which he was now stuck, her ship's experimental drive had failed on the very edge of the system and if he couldn't get the engines working again, she would be certain to arrive in the next system very late. In both senses of the word...
Fervently wishing that he had paid more attention when the inner workings of the nuclear drive were being explained, Lanash deployed her last hope, his ship's only remaining message drone, programmed to seek out the nearest mining ship and request immediate help if at all possible...
Nintendo Network ID: AzraelRose
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What shall we call it?
The question pulsed through the people and was answered at nearly the speed of light.
Newhome-that-glitters.
What shall it be Named?
Such were the conversations of the Hshshsahsha. The sacred Name of the system known as Newhome-that-glitters was discussed, approved, and locked away in the deepest reaches of the labyrinthine minds of the people.
Soon, the name had been transmitted to other 4thplaces, and every Hshshsahsha ever born had known the Name of Newhome-that-glitters almost from its birth.
Stories of Newhome-that-glitters were Shared.
A beautiful planet, although smaller than Hshshsahshahome. No trees but a strong sun that hits the ground which shines back in answer. The winds blow well and help us swirl and spin and race around the world-that-glitters. Metal that dances with us in the air.
Scouts brought Home samples of this metal that dances. Unobtanium.
A word from? Another 4thplace.
Shared by Hshshsahsha who had met others who knew of this substance.
The Hshshsahsha celebrated their new home and their new toy, and danced across the surface of two worlds.
"We must make our best effort to understand the unknown. Though contrary to all logic we must assume any Sentient race we encounter are as irrational as the Tchang. We are likely unique phenomena in this universe." Zayin explained, though everyone present knew.
"Indeed, in our zeal for proliferation we have abandoned many of the facets of society. Our very survival will require the most unorthodox of maneuvering." Lamed finished the thought. The table was furnished with what was once the finest of table wares. Time has long since ravaged their beauty after years of neglect.
"Which brings us here." Vet loudly proclaimed. "Call in the project." At Vet's signal the furthest door cracked open spilling waves of artificial light into the dusty cloister. Herald to 13 servants with 13 plates. Leaking from each plate a divine odour. Each servant set down a plate in front of each leader.
"Telomere, Enjoy." Alef commanded. Mechanically each Telomere cut into the smoking haunch of meat poorly prepared by a race with no flair for the culinary. At that moment the 13 Telomere leaders may have tasted a dish finer then any species in any galaxy could have ever dreamed of acquiring.
"I would say..." Yod stopped to take another bite. "This is a success." He was not answered until the lost bite of meat was consumed.
"If we can not compete with a superior race we must make ourselves indispensable. We must make our strength our armor. Today, I believe we have succeeded in that pursuit." Alef intoned, and the Telomere agreed.
Meanwhile in the Science Caste HQ the scientist BV finalized his report on the latest genetic development.
"Telomere Model WE-F Non Contagious - The Telomere infiltrates only the Native Shing Bovines and limits calcium production to only the spinal column. Bile from the liver and all other bitter produce is eliminated. The development of muscles is hindered such that beyond initial formation no more development is possible. Fat is catalyzed to marble thinly and completely throughout muscle formation. Mild Venoms that numbs bitterness sector of tongue and stimulates pleasure sectors of brain is secreted throughout organism. Yielding the theoretical finest veal in the galaxy. Ready for mass export."
"Master Nohr." He grimaced.
"Master Odey."
"I understand you have crossed to the star the astronomers discovered."
"I did, Master. I trust you have seen it."
"I have perused your crew's findings. Good work, my young friend. Show more caution next time."
"Of course. Do I have your permission to claim this place for the Collective?" From across three systems he felt Odey smile.
"Do you need it? For the Kelari, my friend." Odey vanished back to his own mind, and Nohr opened his eyes; he never remembered closing them, but no matter. He had a system to colonize.
****
Master Yil stepped off his shuttle and was immediately struck by the thinness of the world known as Tuhr's atmosphere; the explorers had not been lying. The sun was small and in the sky, and the wind was chill. He quickly crossed to the prefabricated structure the science team was using as a laboratory.
"Master," said one, bowing low. "We have been expecting you."
"I am glad to be here," replied Yil. "Tell me of what you found."
"We have been very lucky," said the scientist, rubbing his hands together in excitement. "The recent discoveries in armor plating of Master Aki and the Darrevo scientists call for a large number of ores which are rare in the Rift. All of them are found in this system, and most are abundant."
"Very good, very good," said Yil. "Very good indeed. Gentlemen," he clapped the scientist on the shoulder as the others crowded close, "I bring good news. Master Aki has decided that it would be prudent to set up a science facility on this world to more efficiently examine these materials. We are standing in the very first structure of the Darrevo Beta labs." He felt the excitement ripple out from the scientists, sending a shiver up his spine.
It was a great day for the collective.
****
Master Obi strode slowly down the corridors in the company of a dozen Kelari soldiers, frowning at the smooth walls of the station. As far as anyone could tell, the walls were solid, pierced by neither conduit nor power line. The station had no living quarters, no engineering bays, no reactor cores, no recreation areas; only one large hanger bay, an endless labyrinth of unmarked corridors, and the great chamber toward which they made their slow way.
The facility, dubbed the Oracle Station by the first landing party to board it, was in high orbit over the gas giant Nur at the edge of the system, dancing in and out of the complex orbits of the world's many moons. Its purpose had eluded every mind which had tried to decipher it; had it not, Master Obi would never have left his long meditation to investigate it. Such a puzzle, however, was far too tempting for him to remain on Koros Prime.
Master Nohr awaited them with another company of soldiers. The chamber was empty save for one wall dominated by a mighty view screen. Currently it displayed a dying red star, its surface churning and boiling against a field of black. The screen had neither wavered nor changed since the first marines had set eyes upon it.
"Master Obi," said Nohr, bowing. Obi returned the courtesy.
"Master Nohr. Has there been any change?"
"None."
"Very good. You may leave, then. My scientists and I will see what there is to see here." He smiled. "I am sure you are eager to be off into the black to find another star system."
"The Kelari Prevail, Master Obi," answered Nohr with a grin.
"And the Collective endures, Master Nohr," said Obi. The younger Master led his bodyguard out of the room, leaving Obi alone with the screen. The old Master settled himself into a cross-legged position on the floor and leaned his chin on his palm, pondering.
- Hyperwave psychic broadcast from Sarrolleamnissiallissan, first Llerroammenna of the Starfarers, to all celessin.
It is with great pride that I take up the role of Llerroammenna and I can only hope that my successes match those of my predecessor so I must ask that you all keep working keep searching and keep believing in our great dream of finding the beauty that is all around us
- Hyperwave psychic broadcast from Rillanniammossilliamm, second Starfarer Llerroammenna, to all celessin.
We shall work we shall search we believe we will find the beauty that is all around us and you will lead the way Old One
- Celessin response.
The Council Chamber itself was a gigantic circular domed building, about 150 yards in diameter. There were thirty dais, thirty banners hanging from the thirty ribs of the dome, two-fifteens of doors, three-tens of flickering plasma globes, and 30 guards. (And that's terrible.) Other than the banners and lights, the chamber was almost painfully bare. Seeing as the council was not officially in session, groups of younger (To him, anyway) Council members congregated at different random spots in the Chambers, discussing the news of the day, and of the arrival of a diplomat from another race. How exciting.
Iatham fiddled with the controls of the plasma globe, which became a brilliant orange yellow. The groups of Sakamet dispersed: Twenty-nine sat down at twenty-nine dais, and thirty took guard at the thirty doors. The Council was now in session. The first command?
We have kept the ambassador waiting long enough. Let him enter the Chambers, so that we may speak with him.
"I am Epsilon, most knowledged of Telomere Diplomats. I am sent well intentioned by the Telomere Dictatorship. What might we call your mighty people?" Epsilon dispelled her feelings of uneasiness and stood firm as she waited for the response.
Scurrying over to the display the Cilids of the External Intelligence Survey Team's eyes widened at the prospect of finding what they had been searching for after all these years.
"We can't decode their signal, sir. Shall we transmit the..."
"Of course!" Interrupted the tall, orange Cilid. "This is what it was made for!"
After tapping away at the interface for a moment the engineer paused and then gave the command to send the transmission. Understanding that their language would be meaningless to other lifeforms the Cilids had long had a transmission prepared for this situation. Consisting of a sequence of flowing and shifting colours as well as a soothing piece by the great Cilid composer Ikarant. The intention of this was to display to any lifeforms found in the galaxy that they had found the great Cilid Empire and that there was nothing to fear. Countless tests had been carried out and great music was found to be able to affect the thought patterns of even the simplest animals on Larakat, it was the perfect means to get through to the truly alien species they might find in the frontier of space.
"The transmission's going through, sir. Now we just wait."
Edit: [ooc: ok, so I don't have contact with the Damocles yet. Let's just say this is me picking up a faint something or is a false alarm and that when we do make contact this is the transmission that'll be getting put out there.]
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The fires burn bright, and their lights move round. Another everyplace to witness.
Thought moves in. From out we experience. Time reveals.
Study of new types of material have yielded vast results - a new type of superdense film that promises far greater protection for our infrastructure and our Security creche brethren.
Our most talented telepaths from the PR creche are currently in negotiations with the tree peoples of the newly discovered Ter'is'kar market, working to set up a trade agreement to aquire their fascinating Crystals. By giving up our surplus of the new film, we can promise a great expansion of our R&D departments. Ferrous technologies are already far superior, just imagine what even greater commodities we can bring to bear!
Most exciting of all, two new corporations have been succesfully bought out and merged with the Board. I would like you all to welcome the mind patterns of Hotfix Netware and Overarch Industries. Their super high and super low gravities respectively promise to present new and exciting avenues for research and market offerings in future Ferrous ventures.
Now, return to productivity, and remember - Profit is happiness, Success is life.
Groth should know better, he thought, He should know that our departure to other systems is long overdue! Perhaps he is growing weak...
As mutinous thoughts began to form in Durg's head, he was interrupted by one of his henchmen.
"Boss Durg!" shouted his underling with a crude salute, "News from Rhok'Tal!"
"It had better be good."
"Yah, Boss! Ziencers finished the Fu-zun Rockets, Groth says take them and move Armada!"
"Did he say where to move it?" growled Durg.
"Yah, Boss! Said move out!"
"Ha! It's about time! Go to the Harmbo's... tell them we leave as soon as they have the Armada ready!"
Durg's lips curled in a toothy smile. He could already hear the booming of the war-drums, the ignition of the rockets, the smell of burning metal... Soon, he thought, Very soon!
((Wargh IC Posts Wiki Page))
Iatham bowed his head to Epsilon. "We, the people seated on the thirty dais(es?) are the Grand Council, rulers of the Sakamet Republic, though to ourselves, we are something different. We wish only pea-"
He was interrupted by one of the younger members of the council. "Iatham, you fool! We could conquer these people easily! Why bother to make falsehoods and fake alliances with things we will backstab anyway!"
Iatham was not pleased. The number of warmongers in the Council grew year by year. Soon, even he would be gone, and what little sense remained in the Council would be gone. "Kelmak, you did NOT ask to be recognized by this Council, you DID interrupt the Council Master, and you DID just insult our guest. Any further transgressions and you WILL be challenged... by me... to the death. Do you understand?"
The smoother-scaled one was appalled by his elder's response. A duel to the death? Unheard of! But, he knew he couldn't beat Iatham in anything. Tactics, swordsmanship, civics... All of which Iatham mastered. Though the old bastard was excellent at fighting mentally and physically, he wasn't invulnerable. Gears began to turn in Kelmak's mind...
The Council Master continued: "Before I was interrupted by Kelmak, I was expressing my wishes that there be only peace between us. I ask that you pardon my younger brethren's comments: he is foolish and does not know an ally when he sees one."
Casting his gaze about his fellow Councilmembers, he noticed the output screen on his plasma globe was flashing a message: "Communique received.", it said. He touched his hand to the control panel, and the small screen gave off the following text:
TRANSMISSION FOR COUNCIL MASTER:
SYSTEM ANALYSIS COMPLETED.
CHOSEN NAME: UNIAAL
PLANETS: NONE
ASTEROID BELTS: 10 (PLANETS BEGINNING TO FORM)
STAR TYPE: EARLY MAIN-SEQUENCE
HABITABILITY: UNINHABITABLE NATURALLY, SPACE STATIONS CAN BE BUILT
RESOURCES: RICH IN RESOURCES, RESOURCES EASILY MINED
ASSESSMENT: VALUABLE SYSTEM, RECOMMEND IMMEDIATE MINING EXPEDITIONS
Iatham cleared the message, and returned to other matters of state. Well, he would have, if he had not heard a knife being drawn and thrown. Near instantly, he drew one of his own from a scabbard on his pauldron, and hurled it in Kelmak's direction. Soon, Kelmak had an extra appendage coming out of his neck. Only, this appendage was metal. Kelmak fell off the dais he was seated at, and hit the floor. Two guards quickly dragged the corpse out of the room, leaving a trail of yellowish-green gore on the floor. A third had retrieved the foot-long dagger, and had returned it to Iatham after wiping the failed assassin's blood off the elegant blade.
"My apologies. I do not wish to delay." After waiting a few moments, he continued. "Due to the earlier interruptions, I was unable to explain what we could bring to the negotiating table. In short, we can provide assistance with your enemies, and provide you with... a strange curiosity that we have found most useless. With any luck, we will find more useful items and resources as we begin mining the system we have just analyzed."
With that, he folded his hands, and waited for the ambassador to begin.
Throughout it all Epsilon maintained her composure. Only the greater fear of extinction stopped her from fleeing the chaos that surrounded her. The entire episode flew in the face of Telomere society. Dissension was anathema to a Telomere's very DNA. Yet it was not all disaster. The events, she hoped, had granted her a better understanding of Alhen Sakamet culture. She would adjust her proposal accordingly.
"Members of the Alhen Sakamet Grand Council. I represent the will of the Telomere. My voice speaks Telomere law." Iathan at least would not deal with a Sycophant. He would prefer to speak to a race with a strong will. To treat as equals... Epsilon hoped. "We have come into an unprecedented period of development in the history of both our peoples. We have both come into a new frontier uncharted and unknown. It is the will of the Telomere that we do not bare the fangs of Telomere might at would be friends. The universe holds much to be discovered. Better that we discover it together as allies then have it fall upon us as we lock horns in a fruitless war." The words fell one after another. Epsilon felt as though she was gaining momentum. She hoped she was. "Earlier you spoke of negotiations. The Telomere to have much to bring to the table. Our scientists have recently created a meat that is rival to any in the galaxy in taste, texture, appearance, and smell. Further, we have recently unearthed a form of solid state fuel in Proto-Encephalon. We have found a great deal of success incorporating it into our space vessels. We have no reason to believe that they should not yield the same results for your people." Epsilon finished. There it was. The best the Telomere could produce laid before the infinitely strange race of the Alhen Sakamet.
She waited.
Analyzing Gamma Source, distance 15000 units Rotation 6001
Warning: 13 Gigatesla spike
ER..setROR Protocol...ssssssssssssssssssssssss
...
....
.....
Lost signal Probe 19491416. Rotation 6005
====
SGR-162 is a neutron star with a super-strong magnetic field a thousand trillion times stronger than any terrestrial planet. Its surface is a plasma of iron and other materials. It spins rapidly and emits bursts of X-Rays and Gamma radiation. Its magnetic field is so strong it can tear apart cells from a thousand miles away. It could blank a credit card from the distance of the moon.
It is here the robots have come to, (after sending several hundred probes to measure an acceptable distance). All sorts of exotic elements are ejected daily from the Magnetar, and the robots have begun to mine these eruptions. These rare materials are used in the construction of warheads and weapons. A massive robot fleet begins to be built and organized, masked from the rest of the universe by the bursts of the star.
Beyond the Flags of the Noble quarter layed the endless reaches of the peasant segment of the city. In stark contrast to the cutting edge technology and elegant architechture of the Noble area the Peasant's homes were barely above Industrial revolution levels. Black iron boilers spewed huge plumes of steam and black smoke into the air, every building is covered in a thick layer of soot from the burning coal.
Ratilum looked over this area with a feeling of disdain for the filthy sprawling masses. He turned back to his palatial office and the feeling passed. Looking over the papers strewn across his desk with a new sense of purpose he pushed a stack of communiques with the Neighbouring nations of the Soratius and Harvannus families aside, these had been made irrelevant after recent developments. He stopped and stared at a single document. It was the Council's decisions on the reaction to the signal. The document was now oudated, but he paused on it's significance. A new era of cooperation with the other families had begun that day. How long it would last only time will tell...
Ambassador Edihf-vin-Sadaq watched the birds flock over the bright spires and arcades of the Suspend, their multiple sets of wings flickering through the gases, spiralling and converging in pursuit of some unseen prey. Hovering above was a gigantic white ship, easily as large as the city; the hawks seemed unbothered, and watching the spectacle Edihf felt a kind of guilty pride. This was the great fleet, the protector, veteran of a hundred wars and product of a hundred different colonies and cultures, each at once unique and part of the whole. And finally those cultures would be scattered to the stars.
"I find your glee a little morbid in light of recent events, Edihf."
Edihf turned and smiled. The Basqui was standing at the edge of the courtyard, twitching and unfolding one of his three heavy, insectoid legs. His entire upper body was encased in a suit that was probably entirely unnecessary and almost certainly more decorative than functional; Chesouinne had always had a practically neurotic desire not to intimidate with his bulk, and could have lived comfortably with just an oxygen mask. Edihf had long stopped trying to calculate exactly how easily the giant could crush him.
"Well, it's a good day. Why morbid, exactly?" he asked.
"I have news that may be a little startling." Chesouinne floated closer and planted his feet into the stone directly next to Edihf. No matter how many times the Basqui pulled that trick, it never failed to unnerve him, and he moved ever so slightly away.
"Ghezhinne-vin-Addhive is planning to send his embassy with the Great White to the two new systems. He already has preliminary support among pretty much all the guilds." Chesouinne was staring at him intently; his five compound eyes were utterly unreadable.
"Gaihve? An entire fucking embassy?"
"They've built a Tower Station big enough to harvest all the basic materials the Unbound needs. I doubt anyone is going to oppose them. Even the other Suspends on Addhive are keeping completely neutral about this."
"Still, this is unprecedented." Edihf looked at the looming starship. Suddenly the universe seemed a little larger and scarier.
"Times are changing, Edihf. The Great White is no longer a single peacekeeping vessel; it is a colonisation fleet, a foundry, a beacon of hope-"
"And a political weapon for the zealots."
Chesouinne remained silent, and watched the shuttles trail across the sky.
"Open a channel, Captain Tido." The Captain nodded, and a moment later the cyclopean Na'ar leader filled Master Odey's monitor.
"My friend, in the name of the Kelari Collective I greet you in peace and friendship," said the aged Master. "I speak for us all when I extend the hand of friendship to you." He tapped his fingers on his arm rest; there was no use in secrecy. "I have been led to understand that you are in contact with a number of other species around distant stars. By your leave, we will send emissaries to them through your territories."
***
Master Jur was astonished by the sheer size of the Calessin starship; it was larger even than Master Odey's Amanar-darro. He licked his lips and leaned on his staff as the first of the whale-like beings emerged. He closed his eyes; Jur had spent most of his life training his psionic powers, and thus had been selected as the Kelari emissary to the strange race. He hoped it would be enoug,
"Illustrious Starfarers, I greet you in the name of the Kelari Collective. I speak for my people and extend the hand of friendship to you. We hope that our relationship will be one of cooperation and friendship, and that together we will be stronger than ever we could apart."
It was a fair speech. Master Jur hoped the titanic creature, many times the size of his small shuttle, would think the same. He did have one final order from the Council, however, though he was unsure if it was appropriate as an opening overture. The Collective was more important than any individual's worries, however, especially if what Nohr had reported from Bhoro was true.
"We understand," he said carefully, "that you are in possession of a certain defensive technology, a film of extremely durable atoms. As a token of our new friendship and alliance, we wish to exchange a recent discovery of ours for these films, a series of ores which have become linked at a quantum level with deposits of their fellows across the galaxy. We hope that you will see the wisdom of this agreement, and that the flow of trade can soon commence."
He fell silent and waited for the Starfarer to reply, wondering idly if the huge creature had even heard his thoughts.
***
Sirens were sounding across the bridge of Master Nohr's ship as the fleet of scout vessels belonging to a race calling itself the Wargh hurtled recklessly toward them. He hadn't wanted to raise shields and charge the guns, but there was distinct hostility in the Wargh's approach.
"Hail them." The fifth time he had given the order; Nohr did not expect a response. This time, however, the monitor flickered and a battered, yellow-fanged face appeared.
"Greetings in the name of the Collective," said Nohr. "I am Master Nohr, and I speak for my people in extending the hand of friendship to you." The rest of his speech died on his lips as the Wargh growled low in its throat. He awaited its response.
(OOC: I'm assuming that the Wargh are going to attack me and that the Na'ar will allow my diplomats to the Starfarers. The others are a little far away at this point; I await their diplomats.)
ATTENTION, KELARI COLLECTIVE. YOUR PRESENCE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE EMPIRE IS NOT WELCOME. YOU WILL NOT BROADCAST ANY MESSAGES NOR SEND ANY SHIPS TOWARD OUR POSITION UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS ORDER SHALL BE CONSIDERED AND ACT OF WAR AND THE EMPIRE SHALL RESPOND WITH SWIFT PUNISHMENT.
"Master Nohr." It was Aki, at Darrevo. "What has happened? Have you made contact with these... Wargh yet?"
"Yes," said Nohr sadly. He felt the rest of the Masters' minds prick up at the despair in his thoughts, and he relayed the aliens' message to them.
"This is a bleak day for the Kelari," said Odey even as he negotiated with the Na'ar. "Master Nohr will remain in Bhoro, along with his fleet. Do nothing to antagonize them, but make it absolutely clear that our wishes are the same as there's."
"As you command, Master Odey," said Nohr. He opened his mind and turned to Captain Dield. "Captain, contact the rest of the fleet and order them back into orbit around Nur. It appears that we will be here for some time."
ATTENTION, KELARI COLLECTIVE. WE DEMAND THAT YOU SEND US ONE OF YOUR PEOPLE WHO HAS AUTHORITY TO PARLEY WITH THE WARGH EMPIRE. YOU WILL SEND THIS REPRESENTATIVE TO OUR FLAGSHIP WITHIN ONE HOUR OF THIS TRANSMISSION, AND YOU WILL MAINTAIN RADIO SILENCE.
"It is folly. Your death will do nothing to serve the Collective."
"We know nothing of these people. Perhaps we merely misunderstand them."
"Did we misunderstand the Miir?"
"The Wargh have done nothing to harm us as of yet." Silence. "Together, with them, the Collective will be stronger, our survival more secure."
"Let him go." Odey's voice; the other Masters would not gainsay him. "Even if he maintains radio silence he will be in contact with us. Go with the strength of all Kelari, Master Nohr. The Kelari prevail."
"The Collective endures." Nohr took a deep, shuddering breath, and began to draft his response to the Wargh.
***
The following message is recieved by the Wargh leadership.
"Esteemed lords of the Wargh Empire, I will respect your wishes and personally come to your vessel, in the spirit of trust and brotherhood. I hope that this is the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship between our peoples. Together, we are stronger than we ever are apart. Yours most respectfully, Master Nohr."
One hour later, Nohr's one-man shuttle lands in the hangar of the Wargh flagship...
Surprise contined to be encountered by the Ter'is'kar when they discovered another species, or rather a Hic of species known as Unbound. Again a species attempted communication, and this time was no different as hostility was not encountered. This Hic was very interesting to the Ter'is'kar, and so they again sent language samples to be studied.
Since the initial encounters, the expansion of the Ter'is'kar has brought them in contact with those of FerP once more as their expansion seems to border that of the Ter'is'kar. Although hesitant with these Aer, a dialog has begun with them, linguistic instructions sent with several Ul'is'kar that now accompany each surveying Arr'ma.
To each Aer the following message was sent upon the discovery of non-hostility:
Aer sal Ter'is'kar is Kard'Pir Jin'a Bic'om'wid Ter'is'kar Kis'Arr'a Yat'Tect us'om'wid Ter'Gal
"Attention, Kelari Collective! Your ambassador has represented you well. He was a worthy opponent. The Wargh Empire accepts your declaration of war."
The Supreme General cut off the transmission and opened the intercom channel for his fleet.
"All forward batteries fire upon that ship. Maximum Firepower."
As a massive barrage of Fu-zun rockets careened toward the Kelari ship, Groth turned, walking back to his chambers, barking orders over his shoulder.
"Tell the Harmbo'z to prepare the Armada. Full System Assault on Sector 93 as soon as possible. And bring me the biggest barrel of Grog on this ship."
As the savage cheers of his men filled his aging ears, Groth solemnly retired to his throne room. He was feeling something in his heart that had never troubled him before... something he hoped to dull with strong drink.
A message was prepared, emissaries carrying it as far and as fast as they could. To the Starfarers, Na'ar, Combine, Wave, and Civilization One, the message was the same.
"People of the stars, we are the Kelari and we extend to you the hand of friendship and brotherhood. We pray that you will, in time, come to know us as friends, but for now we seek allies, for war has been thrust upon us. The Wargh Empire snaps at our outer colonies, and if unchecked shall rampage across the galaxy, an eternal threat to all peace-loving people. If you value your continued existence, if you value life itself, we beg you to send fleets and weapons to us, that we might stem this terrible tide.
"If your hearts are not moved to aid us, we who stand against this swarm, we seek, then, an exchange of resources. Our military is strong, yes, but there are many secrets in the stars. We possess a certain stone which is linked through quantum fluctuations to other ores across space, a great boon to any race. We offer these stones in exchange for weapons and technologies for the waging of war. Please, if you wish to see these Wargh halted before they stand on your worlds and butcher your people, send your emissaries to the Collective with all speed, that some agreement may be worked out."
The message is accompanied by imaged of the Wharg Armada descending upon Bhoro.
Bargain
Truce
Peace
...Bargain
A scuttling mass of scythe and axe limbed armored warrior bugs eased forth in a torrent as the shuttle settled onto the earth. They were amongst the oldest in the Hive. Eyes milky with age, their bright markings faded and brown, they climbed awkwardly into the Combine hold, and gazed intensely towards the non-plussed Combine Bug-Handlers.
Bargain.
- Hyperwave psychic broadcast from Rillanniammossilliamm, second Llerroammenna of the Starfarers, to all celessin.
While we are surprised to see that you are so small barely bigger than iatro and we wonder if other are so small too the Starfarers are happy to meet the Kelari Collective we hope to be able to share the beauty of our home The Jewel That Casts its Brightness Across The Galaxy as well as our other systems in time but now it seems you have more pressing issues and we would be honoured to help your efforts against the violent destructive forces set against they have no appreciation for beauty and must be stopped before they do any more damage so yes we will give to you some of our orra weave which holds the atoms you speak of and gladly accept your offer of the quantum linked particles they will surely be of use to us and we would like to go further still we would offer you our knowledge of engine technology which helps us race the starlight and the knowledge of our iatro herders which has taught us how to extract resources from solitary rocks floating through space but this is still not all we Starfarers are willing to offer safe haven to any kelari who cannot or will not fight we appreciate your sacrifice and will do what we can to keep your species alive you have much beauty that can be shared and we wish to see it all
- Response from Lissarroammessirra, the Starfarer ambassador to the Kelari Collective, to Master Jur.
To all other creatures who share this galaxy with us we Starfarers send greetings and an offer of peace freindship and unity to all those committed to preserving the beauty around us please share with us and let us share with you there are so many wonders around to enjoy so let us all enjoy them together
- Hyperwave psychic broadcast over all channels, to anyone who is listening. A chorus from the Starfarers.
The creatures atop the pyramid speak, their words echoing through the whole system. Travelling instantly to every Hajak, the words are spoken in a haunting unison, "just as the prophecies spoke of, we are finally united. As we, the leaders, are bonded to each other, this new technology has bonded our race, for now and forever." The broadcast stops, and a moment of silence resounds throughout the System.
An Attendant switches off the receiver and the Oracles sit in silent communion, their thoughts passing seamlessly between them, "remnants of the ancients guide you into the light of a new...unity...discovery... power." An eerie harmonic 'laugh' escapes from the Great Oracle that resounds through the temple's stone halls.