Chapter II
In the brightest of times, we prospered. In the darkest of times, we persevered. Vulkraks are nothing if not resilient. We survived millennia of warfare and internal strife. We survived unimaginable atrocities. The egos of petty warlords have caused the death of untold millions throughout our history. But now, we stand at the dawn of a glorious new age. Our childhood is behind us.
- Archon Torba'Keldi
Hask’Birim, Torba’Patar, and Hask’Sornas were the three leaders of the FTL project. Now that it has been completed, each received their own research department, in accordance to their talents. They have all began new research projects, though it will be some time before they are complete.
How many can properly say they are truly part of history? The crews of the ships comprising the First Battle Group certainly are among them. The first Vulkraki interstellar flight, to the Xel Madak star system, has been successfully completed.
An Ikara-like planet has been discovered in the Jhapp star system! Finally, the Vulkraki people have another home. May it be the first of many.
Even more wondrous, for the first time, life has been discovered outside of Ikara! All throughout the planet, our people are taking to the streets. We are not alone in the universe. Torba’Patar, head of the Sociology department, has devoted himself to researching these creatures. Are they intelligent? Can we communicate with them? Torba’Patar intends to find out.
Today, a more sobering discovery was made. Astronomers believed Irim III’s distance from its star made it a prime candidate for habitability; however, these hopes have been dashed. Irim III is blanketed in radioactive fallout, choking the life out of anything that might exist beneath the dense cloud cover. Perhaps Irim III was once a beautiful desert, like Ikara. How many planets like this exist out in the void? How many civilizations have chosen self-annihilation over unity?
More alien life has been discovered. All evidence points to a galaxy teeming with life. One of these life forms appears to be biological; however, the other appears to be mechanical. Who created them? Torba’Patar has started research projects to uncover the mysteries surrounding our latest discoveries.
I have ordered planetary survey efforts to focus on systems with habitable worlds. Such surveys open the door for future settlement of the cosmos.
We discovered another Ikara-like planet, this time in the Cajubus system. Hopefully, it will soon be settled by brave pioneers. Many of our people are reluctant to leave their homes, yet there is still no shortage of volunteers for our future colony ships.
Two more habitable words have been discovered, though they are unlike Ikara. Neetris 1c has a few regions, mostly near its poles, densely populated with forests and other vegetation. Sociologist Torba’Patar believes Vulkraks would be comfortable enough living on it; however, it is certainly not a high priority for colonization. Still worse is its sister, Neetris 1d. While having a hospitable atmosphere, most of the surface is covered in a truly sickening amount of water. In theory, Vulkraks could live on it. However, no one deserves such a cruel fate.
Sociologist Torba’Patar has handed in his report on the first aliens we encountered, which his team named the “Tiyanki”. They concluded the Tiyanki are far from sapient, and it is impossible to communicate with them. Fortunately, the Tiyanki are docile, and can be ignored. It’s rather underwhelming for our first alien encounter to be with mere beasts.
The First Battle Group’s most recent discovery has sparked massive debate on Ikara; an alien civilization! Finally, decisive proof of intelligent alien life currently living has been found, and so close to us too! The inhabitants of this world are behind us technologically, though not by much. Torba’Patar believes we should extend a hand of friendship to these aliens, and enlighten them, in order to eventually bring them into the Dominion peacefully. Others believe that the aliens should be observed and studied from a distance, though there is even debate within this group as to the extent of this observation. A considerable number believe the aliens should be left to their own devices, and that we should deal with them when we need to. In addition, a small but vocal faction believe the aliens should be conquered and forcibly incorporated into the empire. I am unsure of my own position, but I have to decide soon.
Yet another habitable world has been found. While this world’s temperature is fit for Vulkraks, the entire planet is covered in a rainforest. Vulkraks could live here, as Torba’Patar assures me, but they wouldn’t be very comfortable, at least at first.
The reports on the Beta and Gamma aliens have been completed. Both Space Amoebas and the Mining Drones occupy potentially valuable systems, which are desperately needed to accelerate the Dominion’s expansion. They cannot stand in our way. Seeing as these creatures and machines are known to be aggressive, we must be as well. We must do what needs to be done, and eliminate those who stand in our way.
Another world with a Vulkrak-friendly atmosphere has been discovered, though everything else about the planet is unappealing.
And so ends the first year of Vulkrak interstellar exploration. It has been a momentous year, one that will be remembered for the rest of history.
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In an amazing coincidence, a year on Ikara takes the same amount of time as a year on Earth.
