The Greater Good

[jasondroth24]

Chapter 4: A gentle change of direction

Captain Namara:- Away-team base camp, Saldropis III, Saldropis System, 23.04.2203

Namara’s hood fell from her head as she raced across the camp, snow falling heavily from the sky, sirens rang out across the camp and the defence team could be heard shouting orders and manoeuvres over the radio, a few shots of rifle fire sounding toward the camps perimeter followed swiftly by monstrous bellows.

A pair of Tor came toward the Captain, carrying a wounded Fire Caste warrior in between them, neither of the bearers were soldiers, but right now the division between the Castes had melted away. More roars carried across the camp, vicious sounds that made Namaras blood curdled.

Reaching the edge of the basecamp, Namara stood stock still, a line of soldiers formed in a row before her, their sights set on the colossal beast that had crossed the camps perimeter in the early hours and set about damaging the teams’ facilities. It was huge, three times the height of a Tor and from head to tail, easily the length of six Tor. Covered in thick white fur and with talons the that could rip open cermo-steel, the beasts head was tipped with a savage beak. They had tracked the beast over the last few weeks, coming across half frozen left-overs of its prey, yet even still Namara had not thought to meet it face to face.

More guards poured past her, rifles raised, one dropped to his knee almost by her side and let loose a salvo off ammunition almost as soon as his knee hit the snow, “AIM FOR ITS HEAD AND EYES!” the commanding officer called out above the emergency sirens.

Saldropis III it seemed was not only unsuited for colonisation in terms of climate, but its fauna was also deadly built to withstand serious damage, life on this frozen mountainous planet had adapted to endure the very worst their planet could throw at them.

Vola Namata, The Private office of the Vola, The Palace of Light, Tor’vas, 26.04.2203

Hask’Ekalim’s report was exceptionally detailed, the officer having excelled himself in his mission to investigate the strange vessel located in the Hark system. It would seem the vessel was without a crew and for now it seemed its makers had long since vanished.

Initial reports suggested that the ships command systems had suffered heavily, from solar storms, damaging its communication relays and making it impossible for even the best Toran computer technicians to hack. Any attempt by long range scouts to hijack the ships controls had generated an aggressive response and forced multiple retreats.

“If we are to move into the Hark system Holiness, then we will need to take it by force” Admiral Torba’Vilins image flickered on the miniature holo-projector, “With your command I could take our fleet and launch a strike?”

“Ekalim suggests that the ship shows no sign of a deflector platform? Do we suppose then we have the firepower required to make such a move?” the Vola had been pouring over maps off the surveyed systems, what with the Hark system being adjacent to Olan’sha, she was keen to have any military threat these automated vessels possessed neutralised and quickly.

“The report seems reasoned enough Holiness” the Admiral sounding somewhat hesitant, “I would request we commission a number of new warships before we move against these drones, to ensure superiority and hopefully to eliminate the likelihood of losses!”

“Agreed, send me your analysis Admiral when you have time, and I will see what can be arranged!” she tapped the projector off without a goodbye. Having received a long-range communication in the night from her sister, Namara about the attack against the ISS Entrepids aways team, she was tired and eager to have breakfast and a wash. She rang the little gong at the side of her table, striking it gentle with its metal beater and a servant appeared at the door, “Will you fetch me some clothes my friend and summon, Governor Sornas when we have reached the eleventh hour!?”

“As you wish Vola” the servant replied instantly, bowing his head, and vanishing from the room. Sometimes she wondered if the Shroudwalkers had made the right choice in promoting her election and other times, she wished they had chosen someone else.

Vola Namata:- The Governors Offices, Government District, Tor’vas, 04.05.2203

The doors shot open and Namata strode through at pace, her robes flowing behind her, a team of secretaries and guards trying to keep pace just behind the High Chamberlain, Torba’Vala. Members of staff froze in their places, bowing low, some speaking in hushed tones, “Vola” and “Holiness” as they bowed, but Namata paid them no mind at all, her purpose set and her temper raised.

Elevator doors opened, and the shocked faces off those inside only had a moment to indulge their surprise before the Vola spoke, “Get out!” She was in no mood for pleasantries, no mood at all. The High Chamberlain entered the elevator with her charge, ordering to guards to watch the doors and summoning two more to join them in the elevator, which almost without pause had its doors closing, whizzing up the magnificent glass buildings heights, leaving the brilliant white marble lobbied quickly behind.

“Holiness, you may wish to rethink…” the Chamberlain moved to speak.

“Thank you Vala” Namata’s tone harsh and ordering silence without needing to say it, all the while the Vola looked out of the elevators glass exterior, seeing the floor they were heading for approaching at speed, minutes later the doors opened and a secretary off the Governors office stood waiting, she had not a single chance to speak as Namata moved past her without a word.

The doors to the Governors office scanned Namata’s face as she approached and instantly opened, not a single door on all off Tor’vas could refuse the Vola entry, Hask’Sornas was sitting at the end of a long office with a series of his senior advisors around him, utter astonishment registering on their faces as Namata and her people came through the doors, her feet hitting the marble floor so heavy they sounded over the babbling of the two interior water-features that lined the fine offices walkway, “LEAVE US!” she shouted, the advisors and aids suddenly scattering from the room.

Sornas rose to his feet, a look off amusement on his face, “Namata, it is a pleasure!”

“It is Vola Namata to you, Sornas!” She was in no mood for his arrogance, and she point blank ignored his gesture to be seated, “Five times I have sent for you and five times I have been informed you are busy on other matters” the Governor went to interrupt but the Vola raised her hand for silence, “I have done you great disservice Governor Sornas” she sounded sincere “in indulging your arrogance and bizarre belief you are my equal!” She halted abruptly at the desk, gazing at him for a long while, looking him up and down. “The error is mine I accept, but the responsibility to correct that error also lies with me!”

“With all due respect Holiness” he made a point off emphasising the title, suddenly aware of how far he may have over-reached himself, “I have a whole planet to run and the entire administratum, things get in the way!”

Namata did not answer for what seemed a long moment, gazing out of the huge window behind the Governor, through which high-rise buildings, sky-scrapers and the mighty tree’s unique to Tor’vas could be seen. Suddenly her eyes returned to the Governor, “I appreciate that, perhaps I have appreciated it to much” she turned to her Chamberlain, giving her an unspoken command, and the Chamberlain stepped up to Governor Sornas, handing him a data-slat.

He glanced down the screen, stunned to silence, his hands beginning to shake, “You are dismissing me?”

“I am dismissing your whole government, not you alone” Namata’s voice sounded hollow, “You have a villa in the south, perhaps an extended break would do you some good” she paused again, apparently pondering, “Spend some time with your family, you have worked very hard and served our people well, you deserve rest!”

Governor Hask’Kalass:- The Governor’s Office, The Government District, Tor’vas, 06.04.2203

Servants were busy moving the former Governors furnishings out of the office, Kalass was a believer in efficiency and modesty, the luxurious vases, inner fountains and lounge chairs were not at all necessary. Standing amid the current chaos, the new Governor had set up a temporary desk on one side of the room, skimming through various data-slats busy appointing new seniors ministers to their posts, each would receive an invitation to visit him over the next few days and discuss the appointment of their more junior team.

In his own private meeting with Vola Namata the previous day, it was clear they were of like-minds and there was much to do. Having spoke for hours, there was a huge agenda set down, social reforms, investments, plans for expansion and the establishment off new Toran colonies amid the stars.

 

[HistoryDude]

I wonder if Sornas will make Namata regret that decision.

Space is vast, and it seems that it is very dangerous...

 

[jasondroth24]

Chapter 5: Past, Present and future

Captain Torba’Keldi: Her office on the ISS Valiant, In Orbit of Zulei Cro, 16.03.2205

Looking through the strange papers, Keldi could not fathom how such a thing were possible, these documents were written in nearly perfect Toran, and yet there was no way they could have been produced on Tor’vas and if they had been she could not for the life in her fathom how they had ended up floating in a random pod, in orbit of Zulei Cro, when no Tor ships had ever ventured so far out from the home system before.

She made a series of notes on her report, to be sent back to Hask’Virik the Chief of the Institute of Physics, whom she hoped would be able to offer some better explanation than the one she currently had, for at the moment the only “logical” theory as to what they contained and how they had come to be here, was time travel.

Was it possible that somewhere in the far off future, her people would learn to master the twisting web of time, in order to place these documents here for her to discover? Or could it be that for some unknown reason, the Shroudwalkers had manifested the pod here, to help guide the Toran people on their mission to spread the Greater Good across the heavens.

The inter-comm sounded, “Bridge to Captain Keldi” her second in command spoke over the comms, Keldi giving permission to continue, “We are ready to leave orbit!”

“Very well Go’ta, take us out! Keldi out!” there was much work to be done in the Zulei Cro system, before they could return for shore leave on Tor’vas and Keldi was keen to leave the curiosities they had uncovered here behind.

Survey-Commander Hask’Simo:- Lombidos II, the Lombidos system, 24.06.2205

A huge cacophony of noise rank out across the scrub, overheard massive winged shapes whirled overhead trying to find a place to land amid a mass off mewling bodies and snapping jaws. The Calaca breeding colony, was located some three days travel by anti-grav vehicles from the sight currently designated by the Earth Caste, as the ideal spot too found the first off world colony.

Hask’Simo and his team were dispersed across Lombidos II, cataloguing and identifying the hundreds of species that lived across the savanna, sampling soil quality and monitoring weather patterns, in the hope of ensuring that when the colonists were dispatched in the coming year, they would have a in depth understanding of the planet, its ecosystems and ecology. Strict orders had been issued via a cross body of the Administratum, that when the colonists eventually arrived, they were to aim to make as little impact on the planets pre-existing life as possible.

“Do you not wish, sometimes that you had stayed with Keldi, on the Valiant?” Torba’low interrupted him whilst he was busy image capturing the breeding colony.

“Never” he looked back down the lenses of his scope, zooming in on a pair of adult males snapping at one another over a particular slope, they no doubt thought to be the best site to attract a mate, “It was my wish from infancy to explore the stars and sure I could do that on board the Valiant” he smiled off to the side, “But does floating up amid the void really compare to the beauty you find down here?”

“No I suppose not” she chuckled, “though it’s a lot quieter up there than it is down here” meaning the racket being made by the Calaca.

“What is noise to one, is music to another, nay?” Hask’Simo liked himself something to be something of a philosopher, “I find this place filled with music.”

Torba’low suddenly hit her commander on the arm, a brash move but meant in jest, “Do you know commander, I see how you look at those things” she paused, sincerity in her voice, “I see how your mood changes when you here we have orders from home and I think you may never return to Tor’vas” she paused again, packing her kit into her satchel, “I think you have fallen in love with this place!”

He did not bother to answer in words, for she was not wrong. His mind cast pack to standing beside the River Koma’tor, that came down from the mountains to the north and how its waters covered the plains during the rainy season, bring a flush off life to the land, and he knew she was right, he did love this place and when the colonists arrived, he would apply for a permanent posting.

Torba’Volasa:- The City of Handa’vasa, Tor’vas, Olan’Sha System, 11.10.2205

Weaving amid the crowd, Volasa tried in vain to ignore the market traders trying to sell their wares to any and all would be passers-by. Whilst in the capital all was ordered, civilised, and supervised, Handa’vasa, the most southerly city on the planet was like no other. It could never be claimed to be lawless, but it certainly had a different flavour too it. Its inhabitants had resisted the imposition of order and structures that the rest of the Tor had agreed too.

Spotting her target, Volasa, dipped under-neath an overhanging divider, trying to keep her target in site but without exposing herself. Across the street, the former Governor, Hask’Sornas was meeting with some unknown associates. She pointed a facial-recognition device in their direction, trying to establish who exactly he was meeting. Whilst he had been summerly dismissed by the Vola some two years back, nevertheless, Hask’Kalass had ordered the secret security forces to place a permanent tail on him, less he should ever conspire to have himself returned to office.

He was certainly corrupt, off that there was no doubt. Dozens off private contracts filtered considerable resources into false accounts, that were owned by Sornas, private estate, but it would seem this was off no interest to either the Vola or Governor Kalass, a little corruption a small concern so long as it prevented him from committing treason. Volosa had noted in recent weeks that Hask’Sornas still maintained contacts in the capital, but again the few officials brave enough to visit the home of the former Governor, were former ministers and secretaries, none of whom now held office.

Captain Torba’Keldi:- The Briefing Room of the ISS Valiant, Siyieuzuno III, 15.02.2207

A huge holo-projection of Siyiezuno III floated above the briefing table, a secondary projection laid down the outline of a vast alien energy network which criss-crossed the whole surface of the planet, built it would seem by a highly advanced precursor civilisation, who had clearly inhabited the world some millennia ago.

“Despite the age of the network, the most remarkable feature is that it still works!” the Valiant’s engineering chief refocused the projection with his hands, “As you can see, street lights and machines processes are still in perfect operation and the system is continuously drawing power from the planets core!”

“And you believe that we could hack into the system and turn it to our own use without much effort?” Captain Keldi new all to well, this discovery would be off keen interest to the Vola and members of the Administratum. For despite the planet’s climate being unsuited to major colonisation, if the network could be harnessed and its power supply properly stored, it could prove a vital component in the expansion of the empire.

“I most certainly do” the engineer answered, another holo-image shooting up onto the screen, displaying a storage capsule design. “My teams have worked hard on putting together these basic batteries that we believe can be plugged into the planets network and charged accordingly ready for export!”

Keldi leaned forward in her seat, suddenly very intrigued, “And how soon could we test these pods? Or how soon do you believe that tech could be widely harnessed?” this was exactly the discovery they needed to justify their own ships direction of travel, since it had been recently by the Administratum that the ISS Valiant would be better served, redeployed to the Galactic south to support the ISS Entrepid.

“With regards field testing them” the Chief Engineer paused, “with your authority, we could have these tests launched before the end of the week!” again he paused pondering his answer, “in terms of major practical application we are talking perhaps a year or two to refine the designs and produce enough batteries to make energy export viable!”

Survey-Commander Hask’Simo:- The Colony of Tor’sec, Lombidus II, 24.04.2208


His heart swelled with a joy he had not expected, looking down at the data-slats order confirmation, Hask’Simo had been granted the right to remain and resettle on Lombidus II amid the colony and the command, entitled him to draw resources from the colonial command. Striding through the first Tor settlement to be established off-world, he could hardly contain his pride, that his people had finally begun the long road of making a home for themselves amid the stars.

Having selected a sight along a wide river, in the shadow of Mount Xavos, already more than a thousand colonists had disembarked, tents and pre-fabricated dwellings had been raised to house them, short-range anti-grav vehicles were being disembarked along with equipment for mining, power generation and farming. The colonists had been sent with considerable supplies of food, alloys and building materials, but much off what the colony would need to thrive, would need to be gathered from Lombidus II itself, to subsides its citizens demands in between the supply ships being sent from Tor’vas.

Having been selected based principally on their skills sets, the majority of this first wave of colonists were made up of members of the Earth Caste, with only a small body of leading figures from the Water Caste and Farseer order, a Temple was already planned, to service the spiritual needs of the people and too house the priests who would naturally follow the expansion off the Greater Goods frontiers.

Named Tor’sec, the Second Light, given the right level of support from home and driven with the right level of effort and ambition, by the colonists, Hask’Simo only hoped this beautiful world, would become a shining jewel in the crown of the Toran expanse.

 

[HistoryDude]

It looks like some people like other worlds, and a colony emerges from them...

If time travel's on the table... is this the Worm, or am I just paranoid?

 

[jasondroth24]

It looks like some people like other worlds, and a colony emerges from them...

If time travel's on the table... is this the Worm, or am I just paranoid?

There is an event coming that has Gaullifrey, but no clue how thats going to turn out

 

[jasondroth24]

Chapter 6: The beginnings of a new agenda

Governor Hask’Kalass:-, The Government Offices Tor’vas, 12.12.2208

A full meeting of the Administratum had been called, Ministers and representatives off every major body within the government, the Institutes of Science and the various Castes had been summoned, to discuss the serious reforms requested by the Vola and the Farseer Council, designed to strengthen the Greater Good from within and without.

With the Empires borders finally beginning to expand and new mining, energy gathering and research facilitates being erected across numerous systems and the establishment of the first Tor colony on Lombidus II, a key priority had been to secure the territorial integrity of the Greater Good. Thus, border registries had been implemented through Tor space, tying the Air and Fire Castes to ensuring that no unauthorised vessels were permitted to leave or enter a Tor system, without the direction consent of the Air Caste’s overseers. The only thing that could cross the border without an immediate military response being the Tiyanki, who migrated in their small pods, constantly in and out of Tor space.

“I would like to thank you on behalf of myself and Vola Namata, Hask’Talo for your efforts at drawing up this legislation with such speed and efficiency” Kalass directed his comments to the Defence Minister and current Head of the Fire Caste, “we have looked over your teams reports and they are exactly what we had hoped for!”

The Minister nodded, and smiled vaguely but did not bother to make a big deal off the praise offered, a modest Tor always.

Such as it was considerable reforms had been initiated by the Ministry of Defence, alongside a considerable increase in the resources allocated to the training of troops and crews. Whilst the new training standard would add considerable cost to the Ministries budget, it was hoped it would significantly raise the quality of training.

“Our plans to reward those who do military service are also being finalised and we should be in a position to implement the directive within the next few weeks” the newly appointed Colonial Minister, a member of the Earth Caste spoke up.

A decision had been made to strengthen the colonies and their ideological make-up, by rewarding military personal with grants of land on colonial worlds when their time in the various forces was over. It was believed that the often heavily institutionalised personnel would assure the loyalty off future colonies.

Governor Hask’Kalass:- The Main Audience Chamber in Palace of Light, Tor’vas, 14.12.2208

Cameras whirled all around the chamber, lighting fitments being pointed at the main dais which had been set up specifically for todays event. Torba’Vala was busy at the bottom of the dais steps, giving one of the film crews a very firm ticking off for taking up a position she had not personally designated them.

The Governor smoothed out a piece the piece of parchment on the table and carefully adjusted the pens that had been laid out for their use, normally these things would simply go through electronically with bio-metric signatures, but such with the significance of todays legislation, the Vola had ordered it to be made as a physical document to be signed in front of all of Tor’vas and its mass media, before being transmitted off-world to the colonies.

Kalass looked across the dais where her Holiness, was currently giving a lengthy address about the importance of freedom and equality amongst all Toran citizens, today was the day that all forms of slavery and indentured service were to be formally abolished for all time. Whilst slavery was unheard off in the capital it was not completely abandoned across the planet, and to the south and east some still were forced into labour against their wishes and their movements limited by their overseers. Today though that would become a thing of the past, hopefully forever and always, in the hope of improving the quality of life for all citizens and strengthening the Greater Good in all its reaches.

Vola Namata:- Her private office in the Palace of Light, Tor’vas, Olan’sha System, 08.06.2209


The figures on the data-slat certainly looked promising, even if they were simply projections off what could be achieved with the right input and a proper shift in the make-up of the economy. For years the Tor economy, had been driven by military expenditure, a focus on the productions of the materials of war, munitions and supplies being the base line of economic output. But in recent months Namata and her Ministers in the treasury had been probing new avenues of investment and encouraging the diversification of the economy into a more consumer market.

With the foundation of a new colony and with the hope of more colonies to come, a war-footing and military based production line could only encourage a limited amount of growth without an actual war to make it worthwhile. Thus, it was the desire of the Government to allow the development of an internal market. The abolition of slavery and the changing practises within the military all extensions of the same policy, to drive economic security.

Captain Torba’Keldi:- Away-team of the ISS Valiant, Tiakia II, 21.08.2209

Keldi checked her breathing apparatus, they had about an hour or so left before they would need to return to the shuttle, “Be sure to take images off all of this, and how it is laid out before packing it away” she pointed to the carapace of a peculiar alien life-form sprawled in the dust, with a spear protruding out of its back, suggesting during its final moments it had been impaled, most likely by the last inhabitants of Tiakia II.

The whole planet had been stripped to the bone, all water and most organic matter stripped, its atmosphere had burnt away and few remaining signs of life were left, other than the ruins of scattered settlements across the planet’s surface. Whilst was unclear exactly what befell the inhabitants nevertheless one hypothesis seemed to hold considerable weight, that being the invasion of a foreign species to this primitive world, which the natives had been unable to see off. Most of the settlements they had investigated showed signs of conflict, complete corpses of the native species had not been found, though a few bones and artefacts had been recovered but there were however, a few left-over husks of the apparent invaders, all seemingly killed in acts of violence. DNA testing of the remains had been conducted and there were no genetic similarities between the two species, suggesting at least one of the two had evolved off world.

Captain Torba’Keldi, The Bio-labs of the ISS Valiant, Tiaka III, 17.10.2209

“The samples match almost identically those found in the settlements on Tiaka II, with only a few mutations” Hask’Ras and his team, stood behind the internal deflector, in order to minimise any potential contamination to the samples but most importantly the ship. The Chief Xenologist turned to the captain, safe behind the shield, “If I was to make an educated assumption, the fossils found down on Tiaka III and those samples retrieved from Tiaka II come from the same species, though those found here are both older and younger!”

“Younger and older? How do you suppose that has occurred?” Keldi was a little confused, as a projection suddenly appeared on the screen beside her, a series of markers suddenly appearing linking the holo-image of the two planets.

“I think this species” he referred to the one on the table, “evolved here on Tiaka III sometimes before the inhabitants of Tiaka II, obviously achieving space flight, shortly before the other species entered their iron age!” He pressed several keys, engaging a holo-sequence, “They developed here as a predatory hive world, consuming all life on their own planet, to become the soul life-form, before they then looked across the star system, for further prey!”

Keldi watched the projection closely, somewhat alarmed, “So the inhabitants of Tiaka II were overwhelmed and consumed?” she watched as the holo-image adjusted to show the now barren, lifeless world of Tiaka II.

“It would appear so” another series of projections, this time showing the variations of the Hive worlds drone species on the screen, “Samples taken from the Hive, suggest a sudden influx of new genetic material around the same time we estimate that the other species met their extinction!”

“And the Hive?” Keldi was curious if such a highly adapted species had existed, why was it now dead.

“I dare say it preyed on other nearby worlds, perhaps even nearby systems and when eventually the food ran out, the Hive had grown too large to sustain itself and collapsed!” if this was true one needed to prey to the divine mind, that they had not branched out far enough to reach Olan’sha and the primitive Tor, who by this time scale were still dwelling beneath the bows of their mighty tree’s when the Hive was prowling the stars consuming worlds.

Captain Torba’Keldi, The Bio-labs of the ISS Valiant, Tiaka VII, 17.10.2211

Debris crashed against the deflectors, burning up as it made contact, bright sparks of light flashing across the view screen, huge pieces of metal floating far above Tiaka VII from a now defunct and heavily damaged space station. The ISS Valiant had been in orbit for two weeks and its away teams scoured the planets surface, mapping out huge segments of the cities found below. A highly advanced species had evolved on the planet, clearly capable of space flight, but now nothing but the ghostly remains of their cities was left.

The Hive World of Tiaka III seemed to be ever more deadly than had originally been thought, for even here traces of their drone warriors could be found and whilst it was not assumed they were the sole causes of the inhabitants doom, judging from the serious damage inflicted on their space port and from the large number of alien corpses found amid the city streets below, clearly the attack had come only shortly before the eventual collapse of the species whole empire; perhaps just one more calamity to befall them amid a general sense of impending doom.

 

[HistoryDude]

I wonder what happened to that hive...

It seems like the Tor are becoming more militarist, although abolishing slavery was a good move. That should help diplomacy a bit...

 

[jasondroth24]

Chapter 7:- Space is a very dangerous place

Admiral Torba’Vilin:- ISS Trum’Hariss, The Hark System, 25.11.2211

“Diverting secondary power systems to the forward deflector!” came the call from the defence station, the ship rocking as another blast hit. Sparks flew from the sensor station, as power relays began to fail.

“HARD TO PORT!” Admiral Vilin, yelled, the enemy vessel closing in fast, “Divert all power to the starboard shields” she tapped in a series of commands, relaying her orders across the bridge comms. Glancing across at the fleet command station, she noted a few the fleet’s vessels taking heavy fire, though only her own ship was experiencing full deflector failure, allowing the enemies weapons to impact into the hull and armour.

“Structural integrity compromised at 40% Admiral!” came another call from amid the crew. “We cannot hope to take much more off this, the deflectors need to be restored or we will be torn apart!”

Vilin looked back to the defence stations staff, as they busied themselves trying to stabilize the failing deflector, it did not appear promising from the ships data.

According to their intel the mining drones had been judged to have no proper defence systems, but on entry into the system, they had suddenly shifted to battle patterns and hidden shield banks had emerged, which far outclassed the Toran capabilities, the lasers they would use for their mining operations proving lethal! After but a few moments of closing fire as they had swooped in, their mining lasers had shredded through the Tor’s shields and was scorching through the ships armour.

The Admiral leapt out of her chair, gripping the back of her ensigns seat, “We need to get out off here, engage evasive manoeuvres” she turned her attention to the comm-station, “send word to the rest of the fleet, we need to disengage and regroup, prepare emergency jump procedures!”

Hask’Virik:- The Institute of Physics, Tor’vas, Olan’sha system, 17.12.2211

A brilliant beam of blue light focussed on its target, the gentle hum of it charging up filling the room and tension building. For months the Institute of Physics had been working on refining the current laser weapon platforms used by its light war vessels, to be not only more accurate but more devastating in their fire! It was hoped this new, more highly focussed system could be deployed and fitted to their ships before the end of the next year.

Having suffered a mauling in the Hark System at the end of the mining drones’ weapons, Admiral Vilin had used her own authority to have resources and finances released to Institute to speed up their research programs. Fortunately for the Administratum, the confidentiality act signed by all its members in both the Fire and Air Caste, meant the citizenry at large did not know that the Tor’s first military engagement had ended in failure, thankfully with no fatalities but there had been considerable casualties. With this new grade weapon, it was hoped the Tor’s second attempt to clear the Hark system would be easy enough, since the new grade had been refined specially to deal with the drones’ defence systems.

Torba’Shana:- The farming districts of Nem’tor, Tor’vas, 02.10.2212

She stood at the door of her habitation, the bright afternoon sun ever so slowly passing its zenith, the house was full of activity, with bags being loaded onto the back of the light vehicle, Shana’s feeling her heart twinge slightly and her eyes fill with water, pride and worry filling her in equal measure.

“You will let me know you have arrived safely at the capital?” she took her son’s face between her hands, pressing her forehead against his, in a sign off affection.

“Leave him be!” her life-partner quipped helping their offspring to load his belongings onto the vehicle, “He is one off a thousand and more will be making the same journey!” A few weeks ago, their eldest had informed them that he had been granted permission to leave Tor’vas, destined for the new colony on Lombidus II.

“I shall not leave him be, he is my muct’tai, I want him to be safe!” she stepped back gazing into his eyes, “It is one thing to farm the land of our birth, it will be quiet another to farm on an alien world, you must be careful.

Her son took her hand, smiling at her warmly, embracing her and pressing his own brow to her’s, “I promise I will keep you posted Morda, there is nothing to fear, this is for the Greater Good of our people, it is the will of the Farseers and I will play my part!”

Captain Torba’Keldi:- The ISS Valiant, Izval system, 29.05.2213

The ship shuddered and its hull creaked, its propulsion systems were failing and its deflectors seemingly incapable of breaking the energy lock being emitted from the colossal, alien machine! Again, and again the whole ship creaked and croaked as the engines tried to break free, ship wide system failure had already begun to ensue.

On the view screen a giant cyclopean machine sat directly ahead off them amid a dense cloud of debris, no doubt the result of hundreds if not thousands of similar lethal encounters.

“ENSIGN ENGAGE FULL REVERSE!” Keldi shouted, nearly thrown to the deck as the ship lurched from one side to the other, it jerked violently as the engines repeatedly fire themselves up and failed, the ensign turning to the captain, clearly distraught that none of her attempts to engage the engines was meeting with success.

Red alert sirens and warning lights suddenly engaged, the bridges main lighting system failing, plunging them into a red gloom. The command-comm showed signs of hull breaches and cracks in the ISS Valiants armour, its deflectors having now completely failed.

“Do we have long range communications?” she ran across the bridge, to the communication command, “We must send a warning to Tor’vas, they can not enter this system again!” The communication chief, nodded emphatically, instantly keying in an launching a distress signal, with a warning to not approach fixed into it.

Keldi turned to her second in command, whose face was stricken with abject horror as the ISS Valiant slowly, but surely was dragged closer and closer to the monstrous machine, “Commander Korvas, you will report to the emergency hangers” her second in command looked confused, “GO NOW! TO THE EMERGANCY HANGER!” she suddenly tapped the ship-wide inter-comm “ALL HANDS ABANDON SHIP! THIS IS CAPTAIN TORBA’KELDI, I REPEAT ALL HANDS, ABANDON SHIP!”

Korvas jumped from his chair, direct others off the bridge crew to initiate automatic controls before abandoning their posts, he turned noting Keldi busying herself at the helm, “Captain you have given the order, let’s go!”

The Captain sat down at the helm, she had been trained in almost every system onboard the vessel, there was not a task aboard she could not do herself, “Get of my bridge commander” her voice low, “That is an order!” she looked at him, her expression plane to read, she would keep the ISS Valiant, fighting against the colossus deadly pull as long as she could, hopefully buying her crew enough time to abandon the vessel and reach the hyper-lane, many she was sure would die with her.

Farseer Torba’Patar:- The ISS Valiant Mark II, The Star Gate Space Port, 22.10.2213

Patar let her mind drift for a moment, focussing on her second in command, Hask’Korvas, formally second officer of the ISS Valiant Mark One, she could sense in his mind the worry and apprehension at leaving space dock once more, only a short time after the disastrous encounter in the Izval system. He had requested specifically to be reposted at the earliest opportunity, but nevertheless the Farseers telepathic abilities allowed her so sense is unease, perhaps even a little sorrow!

“Be at ease commander, your mind is agitated, it will serve you none to dwell on things that can not be changed!” she smiled at him, resting her hand for a moment on his, she heard his mental reply almost instantly, “Rest assured I am every bit as capable as Keldi” she withdrew her hand, looking dead ahead as the ships view screen engaged, revealing the bright light of Olan’sha, “I will promise you this now” she fell into silence, allowing her mind to take over, projecting her thoughts out to the commander ‘trust me and allow yourself to be at peace, and I shall have no need to read your mind, your face says enough!’

Previous commanders had been selected from the scientific institutes and the Air Caste, but given the recent dangers they had encounter not just in the Izval system, but also the defeat inflicted upon the Tor fleet in the Hark system, Vola Namata had decided that her next appointment would be a member of the Farseer Council; One of her own order and a gifted telepath. Indeed, the power of the Farseers and their ability was to be utilised much more, than in previous times. Psychic communication relays where to be established at every star-base, technological advancements strengthening the distance over which powerful telepathies could be conducted and allowing a secondary communication system, off mind-to-mind relays to be set up.

Farseer Torba’Patar:- The ISS Valiant Mark II, Iccni System, 20.04.2214

Listening in to the voices coming in over the comm’s it didn’t need a telepath to sense the excitement and anxiety clearly gripping the opposite ship. On the view screen a alien vessel moved gently through the void, green lights glowing along its surface, an strange fin-like perhaps glass sails protruded along its length.

History was being made this very moment, as for the very first time the Tor species came into contact with another “civilised” and technologically advanced alien species, albeit it they had yet to see their new neighbours. Patar was somewhat surprised to find an alien vessel here in the, Iccni system, only two hyper-lane jumps from Olan’sha itself, and judging by the ships speed and estimated propulsion power, the Chief Engineer suggested their own home-world could not be far away.

“Any joy commander Aroo?” the Farseer turned to the communications and sensor chief, who looked baffled, a quick push of Patars telepathy, making it immediately apparent that the commander was stumped.

“None Captain, their linguistic structure does not seem to be triggering any of the currently studied dialects” she skimmed along her screens display, “No primitive dialects, no precursor information etc, their language is completely unique!” she turned suddenly, the computer she was at seemingly completing one of its task, swivelling in her chair, “There is one thing I can not fathom captain” she paused for permission, “the signals we have picked up and the internal comms we have managed to attain, they are in three almost completely separate languages!”

“And you take that to mean?” she was impatient to get to grips with this situation, conscious of its delicacy.

“Well either they speak three completely different languages amongst one species, or that ship has three completely different species aboard and is running systems in accordance with their crews linguistic needs!” she was startled, for in her experience the second option was the more likely, implying they had not just stumbled upon one inter-galactic space-faring race, but three at the same time.

 

[HistoryDude]

A new first contact has been made. Will these new aliens be friendly?

It looks like the Tor Fleet was having some trouble earlier. Let's hope that this is a temporary thing...

 

[jasondroth24]

Chapter 8: A Rowdy Neighbourhood

Farseer Torba’Patar:- The ISS Valiant Mark II, Iccni System, 02.05.2215

“And your confidant Ekalim that this will be enough?” Torba’Patar paused the recording they had been listening to, obtained over the last few days from one of the alien vessels on a repeat frequency.

The envoy was busy typing and adding commands to the computer, the Farseer stood behind him, she was dressed impeccably for a dinner of the ships command team, being held shortly, “I am not only confidant it is enough, I am certain” he pressed a few more keys, highlighting a key line on the viewer, “They have sent us this deliberately, it has been structured to assist us in translation!”

“You want my authorisation then I take it to return a similar signal?” she knew his answer already, he had been thinking it over in his surface thoughts throughout their meeting, he fidgeted slightly, suddenly uncomfortable. “Forgive me, your emotions are high, it makes your thoughts more open to me!”

He stood up, directing her to sit, since she could read his thoughts he had no need to speak, so he pointed, to another line of highlighted text, “These words repeat themselves over and over” a sudden series of references began flying across the screen, “I have already determined they are reference to the three species we believe we have detected and the name of at least one of the worlds!”

“Getraxia? That’s the most common word!” she turned, “You have determined what it means?”

“I have!” pride swelled in his thoughts, his whole energy blossoming with it, “I think it’s the name of their home world!”

Hask’Vugir Chief of the Engineering Institute: - Field Testing, The Mines of Malo, Tor’vas, 03.06.2215

The pilot swung the two huge mechanical arms around with apparent ease, a third arm with an automatic drill attached, hitting the rock face and boring into the surface, chips and sparks flying as its own dense metal, cut away the surrounding rock. A burst off applause came from several onlookers, sent from the Governor to observe the proceedings.

“And these are ready for deployment now?” a member of the Earth Castes delegation stepped forward, looking down at her data-slat to review the mechanised suits performance.

“I have several factories prepared and ready for production orders if you agree!” Hask’Vugir was confidant of their approval, these new mining suits were off substantial sizes and production would be costly at first, but the rewards would be considerable.

Another Tor stepped forward, his armour and cloak marking him out as a member of the Fire Caste’s delegation, “Do you suppose they could be refined?” he turned to the creaking, hissing machines, its pilot shielded from the flying debris by a minor deflector field protecting the cockpit, “We would be interested in their military application?”

Vugir turned to one of his students, Torba’Das who in turn stepped forward, offering a data-slat to the officer which contained a series of schematics, “With a few alterations and adjustments to the mechanics, refitting the arms and drills with weapons, we certainly could make these battle worthy, yes!”

The commander twisted the image with his fingers, pivoting it carefully, “You have a deadly imagination, young one” he pivoted it further, zooming in, “I see you envision fitting jet-packs and long-barrelled weapons?”

“I can custom them to what ever you desire commander” she paused, turning to the current model, “I designed them with peaceful applications foremost in my mind, but I am aware, their military usage is what will earn them the financial backing we need!”

The Earth Caste commander interrupted, “We will give you the finances you require from our own budget and instruct the relevant ministers accordingly, if the Fire Caste wishes for these to be weaponised, they will I am afraid have to finances those changes themselves!”

Farseer Torba’Patar:- The ISS Valiant Mark II, Ready-room, Iccni System, 20.12.2215

The image of Vola Namata, flickered momentarily on the screen, no doubt the signal distorted by solar weather, but thanks to recent advances in the comm-relays and psychic webs, open channels with Tor’vas were now becoming increasingly more reliable.

On the holo-projector a brief map of the surrounding stars systems was displayed, curious markers hanging over a scattered body of systems, Hask’Ekalim, adding more co-ordinates that began flashing up, the Puzno system and the Oscum system, joining the dazzling display, the system known as Getraxia taking the central position.

“As you can see” Ekalim continued, “these systems it would appear are divided between three key species, whom all border with the Saldropis system, one single hyper-lane linking us to them!” the hyper-lane suddenly adding to the image and flashing up, to draw attention to it.

“And they show no signs off aggression when our ships encounter one another?” Namata’s image flickered again, her voice a little behind the movement of her projection, not surprising with the distance it was crossing, light after all travelling faster than sound.

“At this moment Holiness” Farseer Patar spoke, “none that we have detected, or interpreted” she paused a moment, pressing a few keys to bring Saldropis to the fore of the projection, “We have claimed the system and none of their ships seem to show aggression toward our taking off it, but it would certainly prove a valuable defensive point!”

Captain Torba’Namara:- Away Team of the ISS Entrepid, Hark V, Hark System, 06.04.2216

Namara stood in utter awe of the scene before her, standing upon a thin ledge at the end of a major opening a cavern extended nearly fifty miles down, so far below that darkness swallowed its depth. Ahead of her mighty, flying grey tendrils moved in a constant current, down into the darkness and up again, passing them by a whirling off to a distant ceiling. Other tendrils swarmed and swirled out of other openings, joining the main flow, and breaking away from it at various intervals.

Samples had been found in the tunnels on the way down, even here on the floor tiny little square machines, almost akin to insects lay lifeless, no doubt having run out of power or being damaged over the centuries. The whole complex was one massive mining operation, its previous inhabitants long since gone, but the tireless work of this ever-flowing metal miasma did not stop.

“I would like to send these samples back to Tor’vas” she held out her hand, a few of the lifeless bots, in her glove, “Perhaps some of the functioning ones would also be useful?”

“May I suggest the Institute of Engineers contents itself for the time being with video-recordings and the sample you have here” a junior officer of the engineering team offered, “who knows if the samples will even function outside of the mine?” she moved aside one moment, as a small tendril extended from the main column and flew up the passage behind them, perhaps venturing down one of the dozen tunnels they had encountered on the decent, “Moreover, they seem to self-replicate and repair” she pointed a patch on the floor were they stood, an a dozen of the bots were busy at work, trying to repair another, like insects helping other insects caught in water, “Taking them back to Tor’vas could prove a serious mistake until we know more!”

Captain Torba’Namara:- ISS Entrepid, Hark Va, Hark System, 25.07.2216

“Poor fellow!” Namara, gently stroked her gloved hand along the alien’s jaw, “what a way to die, amid the darkness and gloom off such a lifeless world!” Hair was still visible on the face and hands, a short snout and a mouth full of fangs, visible behind lips which had pulled back in a grim expression.

“The spirits will have been kind” the biologist, pressed on the holo-image being constructed above the mummified alien, zooming in on the remains of its breathing system, “He will have asphyxiated in moments, a few short seconds off pain and then the peace of death will have taken him!”

“Nevertheless, to be alone and without hope, is a sad state for anyone at the end of their life!” she traced her hands carefully along his suited body, noting the insignia on his breast, perhaps indicating his ship, or his people or even his name?

“We are all alone at the end Namara” the biologist gave a gloomy smile, “As sure as anything we join the unseen world led only by those who are already there, and what hope do any off us have, to chase death away?”

Namara turned suddenly, smiling openly, “Torba’Zem rest assured, when my own end comes, I shall ask for you specifically to be with me!” she made for the door chuckle, “what an absolute beacon of joy you will be, making me face my own lonely, hopeless doom!” the door opened and she exited the door.

“Better be lonely and hopeless than blown to pieces or eaten by some unknown monster!” Zem muttered to herself, picking up a small scalpel, ready to begin an internal examination of the corpse. “Lonely though you may have been my friend” she patted the mummy on the shoulder, “You have been now, and I will get to know you inside and out!”

Captain Torba’Namara:- Hark III, Hark System, 06.08.2216

At least a dozen species moved across the prairie below, running ahead of the light-jet as it skimmed across the surface, descending smoothly from orbit, Namara leaning carefully out of the port-side opening to peer down at the moving herds.

“ Gently does it Shano” she called to the pilot, urging him to slow his decent, “Your meant to be doing an impression of a pilot not an asteroid!” she laughed allowed, reaching for her binoculars, noting a group of strange beasts moving at speed, kicking up clouds of dust behind them.

“You never lose it do you Captain” a junior officer beamed at her, one of the few crew members who had made frequent planet falls, she went to explain herself, “that rush of excitement, the wonder off it! I feel blessed every day!”

Namara smiled at her, “My sister is the Vola, as you know” she paused, peering down her binocular lens, “and I do wonder which off us it the most blessed” she handed them to the junior officer, pointing her in the direction of the animals that had caught her attention. “Her Holiness commands all of Tor’vas and every system we claim” she paused for but a moment, “everyone off us is her responsibility she can see the unseen worlds and yet here I am, with you now, seeing the wonders of the universe made flesh!”

A large individual broke free of the racing herd, its feet striding a considerable pace, its long neck and hooked beak giving it an strange elegance, even if elegance and grace where not the first thoughts one had when seeing such a peculiarity.

Wing-Commander Hask’Naro:- Scout-jet squadron, Saldropis System, 08.09.2217

“Stand down primary weapons systems” Wing-commander Naro was the head of an scout-jet squadron which had been on long range training manoeuvres, when they had come across a similar group of vessels sent into our territory from across the currently fluid border with the Omicron aliens. “Set in a pursuit course, but maintain a reasonable distance, lets escort them out of our space!”
His team of scout-jets adjusted their course, forming a defensive formation, tailing the alien ship, their “guests” had tried to seize a cargo-vessel, before realising that the Tor jets were in the area. Realising their error, a modest stand-off had ensued, weapons platforms locking, defence systems engaged, and a long stream of alien chatter followed before, they abandoned their mission and turned back toward the hyper-lane entry point.

“We should blow them out of the sky, if you ask me!” a scout-jet pilot, called over the squadron-comms.

“Fortunately then for us” Hask’Naro’s voice was hard, long years of training kicking in, “I didn’t ask you lieutenant, you have your orders!”

 

[HistoryDude]

The nanobots could prove useful, but they could also be harmful. Testing them on a world other than Tor'vas is wise.

Let's hope that the Omicron Aliens are easily defeated...

 

[jasondroth24]

Subchapter: Natfankan Civilisation, Anastasia III (2217)

The Natfankan Home-world: Located to the Galactic North East of Olan’sha, this warm and arid planet, is a jewel in the sky and cradle for civilisation, not to unlike our own. Covered largely in rocky stretches of land, deserts, and arid scrub, it does possess in places huge inland sea’s, fed by long winding river systems pouring down from the mountains or fed by coastal rains. In the most part it is along the edges of these bodies of water, on small, dotted islands, Istamus’ and fertile rivers and flood plains that the ancient Natfankan civilisations first emerged. This is especially noticeable around what is called the Mera Natfana, the body of water around which a huge majority of Natafankan tribes wandered in their genesis.

The Natfankan Species: An Arthropod, they have a hard skull which they shed every few years along with their whole body covering. Possessing eight limbs, off which two have become legs, they hold aloft a body that stands nearly six feet in height, their front two limbs being often shaped as claws, hooks and spikes, no doubt evolutionary hangovers off an early state of evolution.

Their shells, which cover the whole body allow considerable boons for adaptability, since no doubt they evolved from a much earlier aquatic or semi-aquatic species, their shells however, allow them to traverse the planet in relative comfort, since it retains moisture exceptionally well and can withstand rapid changes in temperature or solar exposure. It is assumed that their shells are one of the major reasons some sub-cultures of the ancient Natfankan, were able to escape the confines of the inland sea’s following rivers and estuaries up into the much drier interior, where they settled safe from the competition of the growing naval empires and city states.

Natfankan Early History: Whilst the Natfankan have reached the space age and are now beginning to place satellites in orbit off their world, they have a long an detailed history; the history of their early past remarkably well preserved. This high level of preservation is thanks mainly to the establishment of a long lasting and rapidly developing empire that emerged around the Mera Natfana some two thousand years earlier than the present day and though diminished still has a strong influence, politically and religiously to this very day.

This Empire called themselves the Natfankan, due to the great inland sea across which their empire spread and it is obviously from these people the whole civilisation in the end determined its name. The earliest records we have been able to download suggest there were many different words for “the people” but over-time, Natfankan has become the commonly accepted term, harking back to this earlier empire.

Unlike our own species, looking through the Natfankan historic archive, it would appear that they are a species prone to pacifism, and “democracy” though that has been altered through the years. The most successful civilisations that have arisen on Anastasia III have done so through political manoeuvring, economic power, and isolationist policy. When wars did break out between city states in the early classical period, rather than forming alliances and coalitions, most neighbouring states simply chose to sit these conflicts out, preferring neutrality over conflict. The deep and complex spiritualist beliefs of the Natfankan, established early in their development, ensuring that victorious powers would satisfy themselves with negotiated peace, rather than the destruction of their enemies.

In the one instance we have found were a victorious state set about a genocidal policy against its defeated neighbour, the results were profound and destructive in the extreme, though they only served to strengthen the development of global politics. When the City State of Gatarkan, established itself as a tyranny, under one sole ruler and its armies decided to decimate the territories of the Latakands, the surrounding Cities instituted heavy economic sanctions on the state., barring it from religious sites, closing their ports and trade roots, and in some rare instances actively taking military intervention to bring the state into line, until its own people overthrow their tyrant and reinstalled a sovereign democracy.

As the years have gone on and the planet become more conjoined and global forces took over, more and more cities become democracies or oligarchies, tyrannies and monarchies vanishing over the space of several decades almost entirely.

In this way the development of the Natfankan followed a rather steady trajectory, with communal and international politics being used heavily to deter wide conflicts and increasing the population rapidly. Off course plagues and natural disasters have culled that population at times, but the pace has only ever been slightly diminished. The most devastating population drop arriving during the industrial era, when a fungal infection spread through several western city states, rotting away the shells of millions of individuals and forcing the cities to be cut off from outside support. To realise that the Natfankan instituted a near planet wide quarantine on themselves in their very early industrial era, to protect their species survival is a testimony to the maturity of their society and its desire to survive, which in some ways far outstrips our own, since our own salvation was induced by the Shroud-walkers and not our own desires.

Current Period, Government and Society:-

The Natfankan have at this point in time now formed a clear planetary government, a series of federation having formed together from amid the nations and city states, with but a handful of parties maintaining a very limited independence. Much like our own species, they have followed a Theocratic government type, but unlike our own which is dictatorial, they have formed a planetary oligarchy made up of the leading religious leaders of their varying cults and sects.

There is huge diversity of religious belief and no single cult can claim dominance over the others, an Ecclesiastic Council sit in the capital city of Erak-mo, led by what is referred to as the “Chief Precentor” who is elected by majority vote. Unlike some of the earlier democracies we have been able to study, the current system seeks a majority, but this majority is achieved by a system known as Alternative Choice, whereby rather than the most popular candidate winning the election, the winner is the candidate who is the least unpopular candidate. If one candidate during the election does not achieve a majority vote, then the tally carries over to secondary and third choices until a candidate acquires the necessary quota.

The Anastasia is abuzz with activity, probes and short-range crafts have made their way up from the planets surface and an international space program has been formed. Countless missions have been dispatched to explore the nearby planetoids within the system, whilst long range sensors have also detected the tell-tale signs of inter-stellar engine tests.

Having tapped into a series of databanks held on Anastasia III, our hackers have been able to thoroughly decode the Natfankan language allowing us to monitor transmissions and broadcasts. Via these means we have also become aware, that the existence of alien life is not only theorised by their civilisation, it is a widely accepted certainty, with some heavily encrypted communications suggesting they have specimens of alien visitors held in secure locations, perhaps the result of accidental landings or falling space debris. They do not welcome the notion off aliens watching them from above, but they seek amid their scientific studies to encourage a peaceful emergence into the inter-galactic community, such as they believe exists.

 

[HistoryDude]

The Natfankan look interesting. I wonder if they can receive our help in entering the Interstellar Age?

These guys sound very religious. I wonder if they'll discover the Shroud?

 

[jasondroth24]

The Natfankan look interesting. I wonder if they can receive our help in entering the Interstellar Age?

These guys sound very religious. I wonder if they'll discover the Shroud?

At the moment the Anastasia system belong in the Omicron aliens space, so we shall have to see what happens when they attain interstellar travel

 

[Nikolai]

Fascinating history on the Natfankan.

 

[jasondroth24]

After a very busy February and March, I am back and will be returning to the stroy of the Greater Good, and its rise to glory.

 

[jasondroth24]

Chapter 9: Meeting the Neighbours

Captain Namarra:-Away-team Aazrof II, the Aazrof System, 30.04.2219

Her footsteps echoed far off into the distance, huge rows of shelves running for a mile and more in either direction, in miniature stasis blocks strange artefacts where held in place, books, manuscripts in thousands of languages, suits of alien-armour, jewels, technological devices and more. Inside the Collection, the cultural identity of thousands of civilisations had been hoarded, whether by a group of aliens or an individual collector few could tell, the only indication being that the landing bay at the entrance to the Vault, was large enough to hold but one single vessel.

“The Sociological Institute will have a field day in this place” Namarra peered up, the huge wrack of shelving, “Hask’Tibak will feint away, stone cold when he sees what we have uncovered!”

“What concerns me” a senior officer turned to Namarra, waving her scanner ahead off her, “some of these objects are giving readings implying they are millennia old” she handed the scanner to her commander, pointing to one reading in particular, “And some like this one” her expression puzzled, “Isn’t even registering a single reading” her commander, Namarra looked puzzled, “our scans suggest it hasn’t even been made yet according to the readings, its from the future!”


Envoy Hask’ Ekalim:- The ISS Valiant II, the Saldropis System, the Toran Border, 07.05.2219

The atmosphere on the ships bridge was tense with excitement, many of the crew sat in stunned silence, their eyes fixed on the main view screen, an alien voice, its words translated into perfect Toran on display. A reptilian looking being, tall, lithe, dressed in an elegant robe, its head topped with an exquisite crest, stood amid a mob of individuals on its own ship, apparently equally shocked.

“The Emperor salutes you ambassador, you and your people” the alien captain continued, “He hopes you will pass on his welcome to your leader, the…” he paused, clearly looking for the right word, “the Vola?”

“Her Holiness I know extends her own welcome, Captain to your Emperor and his subjects, this day will go down in the history of our two nations as a momentous occasion!” Ekalim had read up on every detail they possessed before this scheduled meeting. It was hoped this would be the first of many such meetings, with the aim of establishing peaceful relations with their new neighbours in the Getraxian Hegemony.

The Saldropis system, formed the one and only hyper-lane linking Toran space and to that of the Gunga and their allies. Extensive study and translations had been conducted, which had shown the Imperium of Getraxia’As, was the dominate partner in a Federation that contained two other members; the Fire Tribes of Emasdouhi and the United Sidimatan Autocracy.

“We should make haste” the Gungan captain nodded to an officer of screen, “Our escort is waiting in the Iccini system to take us to Getraxia where the Emperor is planning a most warm welcome!” Months of planning had gone into this first meeting and an invitation had been extended to the Tor Government, to send an envoy to the Gunga home-world to meet with its ruler and dignitaries of the two allied states.

Ekalim turned to the helmsmen, “Take us out ensign” as a appointment of the Vola herself, Ekalim outranked every officer on board the captain included, “We shall follow you through, friend!”


Envoy Hask’Ekalim:- The Imperial Capital, Getraxia (Gunga Home-world) 26.05.2219

Having travelled across the length of the Federations Space, Ekalim and his delegation stood in awe at the sight before them. Having made planet-fall only hours earlier, the delegation had been ferried buy amphibious vehicles across the vast ocean surface of Getraxia, before their carrier, descended beneath the waves, plunging down over a massive oceanic ledge and descending through the darkness into a huge trench, which stretched for hundreds of miles.

Now amid the gloom, looking out of the front viewer, thousands of dim lights could be seen glowing some miles below. Other vessels both military and civilian flanked their own craft, descending alongside them, to hat Ekalim had been informed was the Imperial city, heart of the whole Federation and residence of the Gungan Emperor and his family.

To think a whole city had been built at such colossal depth, stretched the limits of credulity but from what they had been told by their escorts, the decision to resettle the majority of Getraxia’s cities below the ocean waves had been taken more than two centuries ago and very few of the planets inhabitants now lived upon the surface, those rare few being out-casts, misfits and evolutionary throw-backs allegedly.

As they descended ever deeper, Ekalim could just begin to make out the magnificent domes and bubble-shaped habitations, fastened to the ocean bed, great spotlights shining in the dark, lighting up the trenches floor and marking safe passage down amid the trenches cliff-faces. Mighty cables and tubes criss-crossed the space below, some so the envoy was told bringing power down from the wave and wind collectors up on the surface, others bringing a substituted air supply down into the city in case its internal systems failed.

“Can all passengers please retaken their seats” a voice rang out over the inter-comm, “safety procedures are advised due to adverse currents, we will be docking shortly.”

All passengers returned to their seats and belts automatically strapped them in, braces descending from above to secure them in as the vessel dipped down sharply, a slight bump gripping the ship as it passed through a deep current, before the ship seemed to suddenly swing upward, bright lights shining from above cascading over the windows as the amphibious craft raised itself up through one of the docking pools, in the cities port.


Envoy Hask’Ekalim:- The Imperial Palace, Getraxia (Gunga Home-world) 26.05.2219

The great artificial waterfall that acted as a curtain to the Imperial throne room, gently withdrew, its torrent slowly drawn back to the walls of the chamber entrance, revealing a coral encrusted, black marble floor, riven through with golden cracks. A beautiful avenue stretching on ahead, flanked on either side by pools open to the ocean floor, at its head, the throne of the Gungan Emperor, with its occupant sat resplendent, surrounded by his courtiers.

Ekalim stepped forward and begun along the processional way, gazing up at the domed ceiling, through which shoals of fish, sea-creatures and passing underwater craft could be just about made out. Conch shells blared out by a team of heralds and the whole processional way was flanked by imperial guards, dressed in fine turquoise ropes and brass-breastplates, tridents in hand and stern, suspicious expressions on all their faces.

It took nearly five minutes to walk the entire length of the causeway, the whole while members of the Imperial court looking onward at the Tor delegation. Ekalim and his team were not the only “aliens” present at the Imperial palace that day, as the permanent ambassadors of both the Mirovandian and Sidimatus’ were to be present.

As they approached the throne, a courtier stepped forward, a male Gunga bedecked in exquisite fabric and jewellery stepped forward, according to ceremonial briefing, this was the Emperors, soon to be retiring Seneschal Gogxrat, a role fulfilled by Torba’Vala back on Tor’vas.

“His Imperial Majesty, Lord of the Deep, Mighty Draxs, Defender of the Summer Tides, Emperor of all Getraxia” the titles went on and on for some time, “ Emperor Koxurem, welcomes you Ambassador Ekalim, to his audience on behalf of the Toran people! He hopes we may find you to be most agreeable to our desires!”

Ekalim bowed as he had been instructed, as did the rest of the delegation, though he noted the curious ending of that welcome, and realised it would need a robust response.

“The Vola has given me authority to discuss numerous issues of interest to us” he paused, thinking briefly, “it is our hope we can come to a mutually beneficial agreement on a wide range of topics!” he stood straight, smiling gently. Indeed, Namata had given him an incredibly wide scope for negotiations, but with a firm understanding that the Tor were not to play the subservient role, any negotiations were to be done from a place of equanimity, firmness, and balance.

A tall, lithe, insect like creature slithered forward, a garbled slurry of sounds being sent to the officer in charge of translating, it took a moment to comprehend, “Our Federation has no need to negotiate from an equal footing, there are three of us and one of you!”

“We seek no conflict here my friend” Ekalim retorted, “there are I am sure many things upon which we will be able to agree.” The translators did their duty as other attendees spoke amongst themselves.

The Seneschal momentarily looked back at his Emperor, receiving a knowing nod from his master, “Your intrusion into our Federations borders have not gone unnoticed” he pulled his robes about him in a protective gesture, “My Emperor and his opposite heads of state are not impressed by your intrusion into the Anastasia system as you call it” he paused as a rumble off irritation spread between the dignitaries, “The primitives of Anastasia III are off no concern to the Toran and yet you have included them in your proposed agenda, why?”

The ambassador did not even flinch nor seek reassurance from his team, “The Natfankan are not so primitive from what we have seen for ourselves” he dodged the obvious accusations of trespassing, “they have developed space flight for themselves and it is the desire of my Vola, that their civilisation is allowed to emerge in its own right, without interference.”

The Mirovandian envoy butted in suddenly, a thin, toothed and horned creature, with sharp colouration, “Their home-world lies within our borders, their future and direction is our concern not yours!”

Ekalim bowed gently, putting a hand to his breast in an modest act of humility, “They are put one topic on a lengthy agenda we would like to discuss, common ground I am sure can be found on many off this topic and many off the others.”

Envoy Hask’Ekalim:- His private apartments in the Imperial City, Getraxia, 21.07.2219

“Enter” the chamber door bleeped a strange sound, like gurgling water, a lone Toran male entered, Hask’Endek one of the delegation, Ekalim put down his data-slat on the couch beside him, pleased to see a friendly face, after weeks of intense negotiations and ceremonies.

“Ambassador, I trust you are well!” the delegate took up a seat as offered, tugging his jacket straight as he sat, “I have been requesting an audience with you for a number of days, but it would seem you have been to busy?” he sounded quizzical and curious.

“Forgive me, Endek” he smiled half-heartedly, reaching out to the table for the jug of drink, akin to wine set out for him by his Gungan attendants, “These last few days have been delicate and I had not wanted to be distracted, but we seem to be making headway at last” he paused, offering his guest a cup. “How has your own mission been going?” The delegate took a deep breath, looking around the room gently, obviously cautious, “Do not fear, I have had my security team sweep the room, it is quite secure.”

“My mission has been making headway” he lowered his voice, still cautious, “I have made several contacts I believe we can trust within the court and among a handful of officials!” He reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a small data-core, “Here are the names of those whom appear at present to be willing to lend us some information!”

Ekalim raised a frown, extending his hand and taking the data-device, waiting for his colleague to continue.

“Dissidents mainly, opponents of the ruling house and those whom Emperor Koxurem has cast aside” he was a spy, sent by the Vola to establish a tight network of informants within the Imperium.

“Good work my friend, the Vola will be pleased and your leaders within the Water Caste will no doubt be grateful for your efforts.”

 

[Rensslaer]

That last contact seems to be a very interesting relationship. Interesting times ahead, surely.

Rensslaer

 

[HistoryDude]

If negotiations fail, a war could prove quite interesting - especially with the new spies within Getraxia...

I wonder what's up with those artifacts? Are they forgeries or something more mysterious?

 

[jasondroth24]

Sub-Chapter:- The Gungan Star Hegemony

To recount the long histories of the Gunga, the Mirovandia and the Sidimatus would take many weeks and we do not have the time to cover all off that here, but let us briefly touch, in as much detail as we can spare on our three immediate neighbours and the Federation they have formed together along our most northern border, with a modest look at them individually where we can, for the sake of context.

The Formation and current organisation of the Hegemony:
Now made up of more than 30+ star systems, the Hegemony was formed and is made up of three founding members; the Imperium of Getraxia’As, the United Sidimatan Autocracy and the Fire Tribes of Emasdouhi. In the not so distant past these three star-nations competed for dominance in the northern region of the galaxy, running constant skirmishes against one another and engaging in a few set piece space battles which cost thousands of lives and expended vast amounts of resources, stretching out for nearly three decades, with intermittent but short-lived periods of peace.

Realising that no side could claim absolute victory, but with the Gunga beginning to claim military dominance, the other two nations joined forces both militarily and diplomatically, forcing the Imperium of Getraxia’As to come to the table or face a two fronted invasion. Refusing to be cowed but aware of its predicament, the then Emperor, Torkarum agreed to a peace deal in which the Gungan Star Hegemony was formed. It would form the dominant power, holding the presidency of the Federation based on its superior, singular military might, but with the understanding that could be amended in future, were one of the other two signatories deemed the more capable.

Moderately centralised, the Hegemonies HQ was established on Getraxia and permanent ambassadors were sent to the court of the Emperor, many legal matters, economic institutions and foreign policies issues were to be centralised and ran from the Federations centre and thus it has largely remained until the present day.

The Imperium of Getraxia’As:- A militaristic and authoritarian government, sole power within the Imperium lies in the hands of the Emperor or Empress, whose ruling house has been in power now for the better part of three centuries in one form or another.

A amphibious, reptilian species, the Gunga stand at nearly six foot tall, lithe, web-footed and capable of diving to considerable depth for extended periods of time without a need for air, they are a proud and noble species, easy to anger and slow to forgive. Their home-planet of Getraxia is covered in wide stretching oceans and sea’s, though there are a few modest landmasses and large islands, the majority of the Gunga population now live far beneath the surface in deep oceanic canyons and hallows, some of their most magnificent structures clinging to ocean shelves and drop-offs delving down into the dark, most of these powered by wind turbines and wave-generators who feed their energy down sweeping forests of algae and coral covered cables.

The United Sidimatan Autocracy:- Hailing from the Pozuno system, on a planet named Nectar of Hope, in their own language the Sidimatus are a planetoid species, perfectly adapted to their arid home-world. A warrior people, they had long been engaged with internal divisions and inter-state warfare, up until a military coup launched simultaneously across several of the major nation states brought a planetary government into life.

Ruled over by a Grand Marshal, their government structure is highly militarised and all key positions within their administration are occupied by members of the military elite and tightly controlled by them. Religious freedoms and questionable social practises have been rigorously stamped out, freedom of movement is tightly controlled, birth rates are monitored by government agencies and there is next to no freedom of the press. Elections in the few democracies that existed prior to the coup have been terminated and most democratic institutions not only hollowed out but out-right abolished along with the independence of the judiciary.

The Fire Tribes of Emasdouhi:- Based around the system of Emasdouhi, the Mirovandian Empire is the one part of the Hegemony with whom the Greater Good shares an tangible border and it is within their space that the Natfankan civilisation currently exists. Their home-worlds name is near impossiable for a Tor to pronounce, but in our language, it translates roughly as “New Light”, perhaps in reference to the brilliant star that illumines their home system.

Like the Sidimatus, they are a planetoid species, though they look nothing alike, possessing horns, sharp teeth, multiple limbs and covered in bright skin tones. They like their neighbours are highly militaristic in their society, a collection of previously warring tribes who have formed one singular planetary government, though unlike their two neighbours, they have chosen the path of democracy.

The Clan Speaker is elected by majority nomination from among the Clan leaders who gather every four years in the nations capital and the contest to elect them usually takes several weeks of wrangling and negotiation. It is worth noting that the Mirovandian style of democracy is limited to full members of the tribal systems, those not members of the largest clans do not have a right to vote, and even then those tribes and clans elect delegates to attend the General Election, and it is they rather than the whole body who elect the new Speaker of their “Parliament”.

One curious fact to note, in Mirovandian society there is no such thing as male or female gender, procreation is largely asexual as all individual Mirovandian possess both male and female reproductve systems.