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Post by Bubble Wrap on Apr 20, 2010 18:41:25 GMT
The Intruder watched the debate between the Hive and the Remnant, before interjecting its own opinions.
"The Domain will continue to investigate this anomaly. As and when our fleets penetrate the nebula and survive whatever hostile fleets they encounter, we will share relevant information. Until we succeed at this, however, further information is unavailable."
There was a pause before the Intruder continued.
"We would agree to a ceasefire, though we do not expect any outside our own alliance to honour it. The Domain is willing to agree to a total cessation of hostilities provided our allies are not attacked again. However, while we are prepared to keep our fleets within our space, we are also prepared to keep your fleets out. We will not allow potentially hostile fleets into our space, unless you can provide us with an unbreakable guarantee that we will not find ourselves attacked."
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ww2jacob
Junior Member
Qui audet vincit.
Posts: 67
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Post by ww2jacob on Apr 20, 2010 18:45:27 GMT
Jason, the Talosian representative, reached the end of the last recording available on his room's workstation. Face schooled to perfect non-expression, he rose, taking his briefcase off the desk. The room he was staying in was small and well-lit, almost completely lacking any sort of decor. He had originally been moved into the suite set aside for his nation's representative, but had firmly declined the room after seeing it. The Republic's greeter had been shocked when he had requested to stay here, perhaps the simplest room on the station, but of course would never have imagined refusing him.
He strode silently to the heavy door and opened it, stepping into the empty corridor beyond. He was in an entirely different section of the station: the area reserved for the crew of the diplomatic craft as opposed to the diplomats themselves. Jason, of course, flew the diplomatic craft himself.
The marines who had bunked with him were across the hall, but Jason didn't bother alerting them to his activities. Their only purpose on this visit was to intimidate and impress at official gatherings with their ornate dress uniforms. Every other duty belonged to Jason, and Jason alone.
He moved swiftly through the all-but-abandoned corridors, reaching the docking slip for his ship in only a few short minutes. He passed through the tube and shut the airlock behind him, keying in a complex code to do so.
He proceeded to his own quarters aboard the ship, which he locked himself into as well. He set down the briefcase and booted his personal workstation. Then he snapped open the briefcase, pulling forth a small emitter which plugged into his station. Immediately the screen changed.
Flash Secure Priority Protocol, v.9.7 Initializing... Input Key: ************** Connecting... APPROVED
Initializing Access Mirage... DONE
/VST-FSPP Mirage *********
The screen blanked for a moment, then came back up as a direct mirror, showing Jason's face. He began to speak to the workstation directly:
"Your Majesty, I have arrived here in Omega Ceti as ordered. As anticipated, the others had already begun initial discussions and there are some... unfortunately 'interesting' developments already. First of all, there was a message from Planet Valii "demanding" that we make full reparations. This was, of course, expected, and I still intend to follow your instructions in that regard.
"However, the second development is far more intriguing. The machines and the "Hive", who have been confirmed to actually exist, by the way, have found something... enjoyably destructive in their space. They of course, view it as a threat to everyone, calling for us to band together, et cetera et cetera. However, if I may be so bold, I would suggest a slightly adapted usage of Case Epsilon in the situation. Regardless, it is certainly an opportunity.
"Your humble servant awaits your pleasure, Your Majesty."
Jason tapped a key and the screen blanked. Then, characters flashed down the screen, too fast to read, as the message encrypted so strongly that even a super-dreadnought's computer system would be unprepared to even begin to decrypt it without a key. The message was fired into space at several dozen times the speed of light, where it connected with a comms buoy and integrated itself into the comm net with care.
Jason shut off the workstation and made his way back to his room.
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Post by Shard on Apr 21, 2010 14:39:59 GMT
Apart from occasional transmissions towards Sirenhold, and the Remnant and Kingdom envoys on the station, the Imperium group has been silent. In the pause after the Intruder's words, the link to the main station network activates, showing the blank, glowing double-helix set into the silvery helmet. Setra Angel-Shaper, the Imperium representative, speaks in the harsh tones of the Children.
"Even if we did not have other concerns with the matter, I do not imagine the Valii will be keen to allow an Imperium battlefleet to pass through their space.
As an addendum and to forestall any suggestions to the contrary, the Imperium will under no circumstances provide any reparations to the Valii. If anything, they owe us.
That is all the Imperium has to say on the matter until the Republic opens these talks officially."
The connection severs.
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Post by Abdiel on Apr 21, 2010 21:05:30 GMT
Over the last few days, Republic technicians were in FTL contact with the New Eden Corporation and have estabilished a permament commlink to the House Immara Stellar Council. The council officials have transmitted the recording of all the talks at the station so far. The Second Shahis Sulena Immara speaks again.First, I would like to thank your Council for providing us help in estabilishing direct contact with our House. Please understand that our position is still very tight, and we can not afford to dispatch a diplomatic team right now. I have talked to my brother, the First Shah, and as soon as he recovers, I will travel to Omega Ceti myself to join the council as Immara representative. For now though, video communication will have to suffice. You have mine and my House's gratitude for making this possible. Unfortunately, the Savaaik FTL relay has been too damaged and will need to be completely replaced. We have contacted them and we are currently discussing means by which they can join the talks. Now, regarding our current situation. We have reviewed the data on the entities your factions have encountered in the East. Unfortunately, we have had little success as we have not met such a force ever before. But there is a piece we could add to this puzzle. It is a widely known fact that we are not the first people to live on Valii. Thousands of years ago, way before humans have crossed the Nodes, when the human civilization on Earth was still in its beginnings, Valii was inhabited by an alien civilization. We call them the Patriarchs. But they live no more, their civilization and their cities lay in ruins under Valii deserts for over 3,500 years. There is still very little we know about them, but one thing we know, their technology was highly advanced, much beyond our current knowledge. Some of our scientists do not dismiss the possibility that the Patriarchs might have survived and they are the force behind these attacks. We can not be sure of this though, as there is so little data both on the attacks and on Patriarch space technology. But we are willing to share what we know. However, there is a much more pressing matter for us right now. We are concerned by the recent massive buildup of Deathspire Imperium forces in the Talos system. As not so long ago, our house has followed the Savaaik in their war against the Imperium, we are worried about this fleet. I am asking the Deathspire ambassador to explain this buildup. Until we can guarantee the safety of our House and all Valiaas, we do not wish to provide any information that could be misused against us.
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Post by Shard on Apr 21, 2010 21:46:04 GMT
The Deathspire frequency opens almost immediately, the faceless, imposing visage betraying no expression. Nor does the carefully neutral voice.
"I shouldn't have to remind you that we have a military alliance with the Kingdom of Talos, Second Shahis. Not long ago, there was considered to be a very real threat to their home territory from a combined Valii and Domain battlefleet, assaulting from the system of Slumberhold."
A brief schematic is brought up, showing a series of icons, representing Talos, Valii (or technically Savaaik, although the Imperium never seemed to care about the distinction) and Domain fleets, and the movements leading to the abortive Battle of Exaakon.
"It was our duty and our responsibility to deploy what forces we deemed necessary to protect those who fought, if not alongside us, then with our cause. Given the continued buildup of Domain forces in Slumberhold and their proximity to Talos, we see no reason to desist in building up our garrison there. While we may not practice cowardly tactics in warfare, we have learned something about defending ourselves from them. As far as I'm aware, the Western Coalition is still in a state of war with the Valii and the Domain, even if there is a temporary cease-fire for the duration of the talks. Correct me if I'm wrong."
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Post by Omega Chief on Apr 22, 2010 16:28:43 GMT
The Logo of the Republic flashes on the screen, and the familair face of the woman who sent out the call for everone to gather here appears, behind a neat desk in her sharp blue business suit, with a surprisngly undecorated miltiary officer seaed in the background
With the Valii now in contact with us via FTL comms, and thier envoy on its way, I belive it's finally time to offically open these talks.
First, I would like to thank you all for attending, and for putting into place a temporary cease-fire.
An image appears on screen, of the Republics best guess recreation of SYS-17
Secondly, I thank the Domain and the Hive for sharing details on this system and the dangers it poses, I propose we devise a taskforce consisting of at least one ship from every nation, in order to find out which designs work best in the nebula, ina ddition the advanced sensor arrays equipped to most of the ships of the Western Powers may have better luck at identifying this mysterious enemy or thier jump in points.
I would as such like to ask the Domain to relay to us a fleet they would feel comfortable with letting through thier space, in terms of numbers and individual ship tonnage so we may explore this Nebula at last.
And lastly, I would like to propose we draw up a treaty, outlining our rights as interstellar nations and formally recoggnising the terratory that belongs to which nation and make this cease fire into a more formal and hopefully lasting affair.
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Post by Bubble Wrap on Apr 22, 2010 18:28:00 GMT
The Intruder projects a data display over the Republic's depiction of Sys-17. Images and technical data on all the empires CL4 and CL5 class ships are shown, with levels of detail ranging from the most minute analysis of the Domain's own ships, through to incomplete scans and poor quality visuals of ships seen only briefly by the Domain. "Given the nature of the nebula, we believe that ships of these classes would be the only viable options. Any smaller ships, especially strike craft, would merely be a waste of resources."((The image of the Deathspire Incarnate, taken from Republic scans just before the battle of Omega Ceti, appears over the top of the other images)) "In particular, this vessel holds our interest. Our hounds have been unable to locate it since our initial contact, however given its size and capabilities, we believe it would be most able to survive whatever the nebula were to throw at it."A secondary image is shown, indicating the Domain's current understanding of territorial claims, and highlighting a route through Domain space. "If we were to allow vessels into our space, we would accept fleets of no more than one hundred vessels. Our own exploration fleet will contain approximately this number of vessels. Inbound fleets would assemble at Exaakon, travel to the forge, and from there join our own fleet to enter Sys-17 itself. We remind you, however, that Domain space currently remains closed to non-allies."There is a pause before the Intruder finishes. "With regards to the treaty, we will await input from our counterparts before making a decision."
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ww2jacob
Junior Member
Qui audet vincit.
Posts: 67
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Post by ww2jacob on Apr 23, 2010 18:22:19 GMT
At this point, Jason claims the floor and speaks into his feed.
"Talos places great value in the qualities and abilities of our naval units, and we would see it as grossly irresponsible to simply throw lives away in a suicide mission into this... hellhole. It doesn't matter what kind of threat this is, until we know exactly what it is we face, Talos will play no role in this whatsoever."
He pauses for a moment, face still expressionless, then moves on.
"Furthermore, should more be found out about this threat, it is entirely possible that it will remain a localized threat. Nothing that has been shown here is any indication that this is actually a danger to anyone besides the nations directly bordering the system. I don't see much incentive offered for anyone else, Talos included, to risk lives and ships to stop it. Furthermore, any action on our part would require passing through Domain space, which is not going to be possible at any point soon. The Domain has destroyed our ships, plotted to attack our allies in Deathspire, and, together with the Hive, completely destroyed our allies the Remnant. Threat or no threat, we are not prepared to turn around and offer aid to machines which have done such things."
He pauses again, moving on to a new subject.
"Finally, in response to the Valii's 'concerns'," he shows the hint of a mocking smile, "regarding our deployments in Talos, we wish to remind them of two things. First, that we have a right to do whatever we please in our own home system, regardless of what petty schemers such as they might think. Second, we have to consider our own protection against the combined Valii/Domain fleet which attacked us in Exaakon mere weeks ago. I wish to remind the rest of the delegates that the Valii have already been caught double-dealing and it would appear that the slap on the wrist we gave them has failed to turn them from their ways."
He surrenders the floor to the next delegate.
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Kane
Junior Member
Posts: 87
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Post by Kane on Apr 23, 2010 18:37:48 GMT
"A minor interruption..." The mechanoid representative of the Remnant spoke, oddly enough never having left the video screen or the meeting on the whole. "Just a point of clarification. With all due respect to the Talosian ambassador, it was the Union that was destroyed, not the Remnant. While we are related to the Union on the whole as our progenitors, we are not the Union. Everything they stood for, everything they believed in, and everything they have done, is gone. The Union is dead, and remains only in history recordings now. We are, wholly, different."
"On the more immediate note, if your data is correct then our ships will be of no use to you. Since we have pledged our assistance to the Republic, however, should they call upon us to aid in funding their own expedition, we will gladly lend assistance."
It would take someone who had spent much of their lifetime understanding voices to pick up on the very subtle hints left in the machine's speech. Another AI might detect them easier; the slight pauses as the envoy chose its words, edited what it would say. The barest of pauses between sentences, not even full seconds or pauses for breath. Either the envoy was being overly cautious with its words, or was choosing not to say something.
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ww2jacob
Junior Member
Qui audet vincit.
Posts: 67
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Post by ww2jacob on Apr 23, 2010 18:55:59 GMT
Jason nods to the Remnant representative.
"A minor clarification indeed, but it was my mistake, and I apologize."
With the hint of a thoughtful frown, Jason was silent again.
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Post by Omega Chief on Apr 23, 2010 19:14:18 GMT
"I'd like to thank everyone for thier opinions thus far, but I felt the need to speak up again, as I've recived words from our shipyards that the expeditonry force is nearing completion, it consists of seven ships, all heavy or super heavy captials as was advised."
There's a pause as wireframe models of a Hades flanked by six Orions rotate before shrinking down to labled dots and moving across a map
"We intend to move this force down to Exaakon shortly, where it will await additional ships from any other western powers who wish to investigate this anomoly, which while it could be a local threat, we don't think it deserves ignoring."
"Hopefully once the Domain sees the peacful intentions of this joint fleet, we will be allowed to embark on our exploration of this nebula, the scientific possibilities alone of advanced sensor readouts of whatever is in there should be taken into consideration as well."
"And, as the ceasefire seems to be approved so far, I would motion that we begin to formally recognise terratories and settle any terratorial disputes at this point"
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Post by Shard on Apr 23, 2010 21:13:30 GMT
The Imperium connection activates, and there's an edge in the grating voice when it comes.
"Not so fast, Ambassador. While we have agreed to hold fire while we attend these talks, we have yet to see any convincing reason to maintain that restraint afterwards. We have grievances with the Valii that are not yet resolved. More extreme voices are calling for glassing their homeworld, and while Ghost-Seer Pahra has declared that out of the question, concensus is for the annexation of their territory and the dissolution of the Valii as an independent spacefaring nation until such time as we and our allies have deemed them worthy of that independence."
A series of datafiles, regarding transmissions between the Imperium and the Valii, along with time indexes cross referenced to Valii assaults - the treaty-breaking assault on Sirenhold and the surprise attack on Deathspire in particular - are transmitted.
"Unless the Valii can give us some evidence, some sacrifice to indicate that they have changed their ways, or they somehow become low priority, there will be no peace."
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Post by Abdiel on Apr 24, 2010 0:38:52 GMT
The First Circle of House Immara is displayed on the screen. More chairs are filled up now, but the First Shah is still missing. Shahis Sulena speaks.- House Immara has three Akamarah class dreadnoughts under our command, which we could spare. But, just as Jason... Jason of No House from the Kingdom of Talos speaks, we see little incentive in this strife. Whoever lives in SYS-17, they will see our ships only as invaders. While silent now, if we launch a frontal assault they might retaliate in full strenght. A better option would be to find a way to communicate with them and to estabilish contact.The council members look at each other, some nod, some shake their heads.- We are also concerned about using the Exaakon system as the staging point. The Valiaas are still struck by the aftermath of the war, and our people would be greatly concerned about another fleet buildup so close to their homes. Even now, people are protesting, asking for peace. Meanwhile, House Savaaik and their allied Houses demand revenge. The Valiaas in general are known to act swiftly without concerning themselves with the consequences, the Savaaik even more so. We are very concerned about the safety of the fleet, were it to stage in our space. We are willing to grant ships passage from Talos to Slumberhold, provided that...Another video link is activated, showing Eris Savaaik, third in the Savaaik bloodline. He is wearing a Savaaik black and red leather uniform with the symbol of a spaceship and three stars prominently displayed on his chest and sleeves. His rich black hair blends with the uniform, almost as if it was a part of it. He is accompanied by two guards in completely black power armors and helmets, wielding intimidatingly looking laser rifles. Two more guard the door to the room he is in. All five also carry traditional Savaaik long daggers attached to their belts, their blades reflecting the lights almost like mirrors. As soon as he appears, he speaks in an angry voice, looking at the projection of the Immara First Circle members, who are evidently surprised, some even looking frightened.- There will be no ships entering Savaaik space before the traitors pay for their sins. Our stations might be destroyed, our people dead, but our will is unbroken! No enemy ship will be granted passage until the last Savaaik lost station, ship and life has been paid for, in Eskaron or in blood!An older Immara, named Venedan, finally interrupts him.- Savaaik, how dare you say such words in this place? We are here to discuss peace, not war!- We are here? Why was House Savaaik not invited to this council? Or is Immara now siding with the traitors too? Where is your Shah hiding, why is there a girl speaking in his name?- The First Shah has been heavily wounded in the invasion of Talos, and is now lying in his bed. I am in contact with him daily and...- Nonsense! There has never been any fighting anywhere near Irraniel* ! Tell this council what really happened!((* House Immara royal city, where the Stellar Council resides.))- The Second Shahis speaks the truth. At the time of the invasion, the First Shah Aevan Immara was not at the Stellar Circle, he was inspecting an Immara space facility. Now please calm down, and do stop looking for even more enemies for your House.- More enemies? Let me tell you, Immara, and let me tell you all: The Savaaik has not started our wars. It was the Deathspire who burned Neo-Terra. It was the Talos who destroyed fifty industrial stations in Zviast without even asking for surrender. And now they stand side by side, building massive fleets to combat this "new threat". What assurance we have that they won't backstab this alliance too? While our fleets are fighting, who will guard our homes?- Savaaik CALM DOWN! You act like you are the messiah, remember that it was House Immara who saved Valii, and has held peace until now!- Immara? With the battleships built by New Eden and financed by House Savaaik? With the help of the Domain, who Immara shrugged off, but House Savaaik gained their trust? Were it not for Savaaik...- We would never have gotten into this. It was the Savaaik exploration parties who brought the war upon us.- And it will be us who will end it. Even you Immara should understand this: Both the Deathspire, the Kingdom of Talos, and the Shattered Remnant have attacked our ships, is that correct?- Yes.- And they have done nothing since that to appologise, or to redeem themselves, or to show that they are not only bloodthirsty less killers, correct?- I would not say...- And they are now all allied and obviously working together, is that correct?- It is. What does...- I am the one asking questions now. Do you see any obvious reason for this strange alliance?The Immara First Circle members look at each other, puzzled. After several seconds of silence, Eris speaks again.- Neither do I. Do you genuinly believe that people sworn to destroy each other suddenly become allies, and one betrays their former ally while that ally's forces are fighting the other one? Is there anyone left at your Stellar Council who can still see?Sulena is obviously losing her ground, finding it hard to find words to say. Venedan Immara joins the conversation again, his calm and slow voice contrasting Eris, who is almost shouting now.- And the Savaaik, can any of you still think? Have you forgotten the Last Valii War? It was your agression, your illusions of power you did not have, your desire to show off your force which brought doom upon you two hundred years ago. Eris is it, right? Eris Savaaik, third in the Savaaik bloodline, do you want to be known as the second Lachariel Savaaik* ? But this time, not only bringing destruction to your House, but to all Valiaas?((* See the description of Valii CL5))- The Valiaas will not let themselves be destroyed. We are still strong, and we have allies on our side.- You are wrong again. Even now, many Houses are rising up against the Savaaik. Not everyone wants to fight to their deaths like the High Command does.- So what? Do you want to surrender to the traitors? Do you want to give up simply because you do not want to risk?- Risk? There is no risk. If you provoke another war, the whole Western front will ally against you. "It is better to be a running coward than a dead hero." Isn't that what your Chancellor's father used to say?Before Eris can answer, the Neo-Terran Republic diplomat, chairman of the talks, finally breaks up their argument.- This session is recessed! We will continue again in two hours. I hope you will have settled your dispute until then!Eris says, now in a much calmer voice:- Do NOT enter Savaaik territory. If you so wish to hunt after the unknown, take the northern route.Two or three people look back at him, but nobody says a word. The attendants of the conference hesitantly look at each other, and one by one turn their screens off. Eris stares at the Deathspire, the Remnant and the Talosian ambassadors, and his hand grabbs the handle of his dagger, but he makes no further moves. One of the guards cuts his connection.
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Post by Omega Chief on Apr 24, 2010 1:03:22 GMT
((Minor note, as per the description of the station, all talks take place via video link, keeping the amabassaodrs nice and comfortable and safe in thier own aprts of the station, for comfort and making sure no one assasinates anyone ))
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Post by Bubble Wrap on Apr 24, 2010 12:31:55 GMT
The Intruder briefly addresses Jason:
"You condemn us for the destruction of the Union, and yet ally yourselves with those who destroyed the Republic? Truly the people have short or selective memories."
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