The Tandish Assembly

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Seventy - Land of Opportunity. Or Msytery?

Sebakhir made the official announcement over the public channels of the tele-rooms.

There was now a new Edict for the Tandish Assembly. The Empire was going to be a new social frontier. Welcoming all to the civilization where new comers could thrive and have a fresh start!

On the Science side of the news the Scientists were waiting in the wings to get access to Spjunnht. Once the Mining Drones had been taken care of.

The "Broken Gates" on Ovastivum I was still under excavation. A dangerous site to be true. Though the military was very interested in any final results from the Scientists. Those who survived.

And of course there were the Monoliths on Trophry Star I's surface.

Then a Vultaum Satellite was found in orbit around Fevallion Va. It had been set up to repeat a transmission. Power had run out a LONG time ago and the Scientists on the ISS Yhlat were only able to recover a small part of the message. It seems to be sending out the Vultaum philosophy. Which seems to be 'embrace true existence' or 'disconnect'. There was a great debate among the crew what THAT meant.

Also Fevallion Va was a frozen world. So there was doubt it had been their home world or one of their coloies. Mikab ordered the crew to keep surveying the system.

The Monoliths were finally translated. Or at least what had been written on them. Kind of. The flowing lines found on them seemed to be a story, surely fictional, due to its fantastic nature. Maybe....

Copies were made for the Scientists back on Nest. Maybe they could figure it out.

Anyway the ISS Linntyl went back to mapping out the system of Torphry's Star. Even as the crew debated about the story found on the Monoliths. Some of it sounded....familiar somehow.

 

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Seventy-One - A One-Sided Battle

The Sebakhir's Armada, which was still only one Vithar Class Frigate, finally arrived in the Hassaleh system.

And it was time for a decision. A tele-room was opened between Commander Ghumm, the Minister of Peace, all the ship captains, and the First Thinker.

While this was happening the Starbase Ulm had been upgraded to a Starport. Kinf of. And it was decided to add a Shipyard to make it a proper Starport.

The military finally were given their marching orders. Engines turned on and the ships slowly formed up. Then as one they went forth.

All warships were ordered into Hauer to attack the Mining Drones. Even the Frigate.

But the Corvettes were the first to enter the system. And they opened up with their weapons once they were within range.

The Mining Drones were very aggrestive BUT didn't seem to be programmed to work together. And their mining lasers did NOTHING against the defense shields of the Corvettes. On the other hand the missiles the Corvettes launched at the Drones seemed to be able to hit them without a problem. No defenses at all?

Soon it was a running fight as the Drones tried to flee. If machines can flee? With the smart missiles trying to keep up.

And then one Drone became a ball of expanding light. Then another was overwhelmed and died. Can a macine die?

The last Drone became the target of all the warships and the remaining missles searching for something to slam into. It fired back, spinning and turning, trying to fight back.

Then the last Drone was gone. Even as some of the crew danced in victory many wondered. Had the Drones been out of control macines? Like wild aninals in the jungle who had become too dangerous and had to be put down?

Or had they been intelligent machines who had dreams and hopes? Who had died in despair and pain? Watching their friends die?

Either way it was over and their debris...bodies?...needed to be examined.

Therefore it was a good thing that the newest Science Ship had come out of the Shipyard at Dongar Starport as the battle had been going on. The First Thinker picked a Scientist named Jondru.

Before boarding the new ship Jondru said to the media, "Let's discover new worlds and expand our frontiers!"

Then they set course for the Hassaleh system. Where the ship would stay till the military had made sure the Hauer system was totally safe.

In the Hauer system the military was guarding the debris. Not that it needed guarding. The military was very pleased. And they had not lost a ship.

Back on Nest the populace were celebrating. And the First Thinker was wondering had the battle been too easy? It was also worrying most of the time now.

 

[Eurasia]

VOOOTE!

The 2024 Yearly AARland Year-End AwAARds

 

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Seventy-Two - Space Wreckage

The Mining Drones had been defeated. Can machines be defeated? Or killed? Or destroyed? Yes, destroyed sounded like a better term to use. At least the media preferred it.

And there was plenty of resources now available. So the ISS Ruthjara in Jezemei was ordered to build a Starbase in the system.

And in the Zarim system the ISS Donog was ordered to build a Mining Station around Q1778-863.

Soon there was also news from Ulm. The Starbase had finished building a Spaceyard!

There was also two Frigates waiting in Daystar for orders. They were given their 'marching orders' to head to Hauer.

Then the ISS Ruthjara had announced thay had finished the Starbase in Jezemei. They were then ordered to make the first Research Station in the system.

And so the map was expanded. And many students clicked in annoyance. And a few tele-room influencers pointed out the borders of the Empire was starting to look like a prehistoric river repitle, a ambush predator, known as a Grabber. It would use its enlongated snout to grab animals who came to drink from the rivers. It died off when climate change made the planet hotter, replacing most temperate forests with jungles and drying out many of the rivers.

 

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Seventy-Three - Expanding Knowledge!

It was reported that Torphy's Star was finally mapped out.

Falatir and the crew of the ISS Linntyl was ordered to explore the Vega system. Sensors detected a planet that may prove to be a future colony!

Also the ISS Rukimar was waiting for resources so it could make a Starbase in the Hemtares system. The crew were learning to knit while waiting.

And the ISS Donabb, the Science Ship under Jondru, was on the final leg of its journey to Hassaleh. Soon it would be able to enter Hauer to start scanning all the cool stuff. Like the dead Drones.

In the Zarim system the ISS Donog had finished building a Mining Station and was ordered to build a Research Station at L49-AT.

Then there was a data-package from the Grugmora syatem sent by the ISS Yllmassa. Seems some Strategic Resources had been found in the form of Volatile Moles. In other words a source of a huge amounts of energy.

Funny enough Grugmora I also seemed to have a crashed starship! All evidence suggests it happened eons ago. But the wreckage seems to be in good condition. No Scientists were available at the moment but a expedition should be sent as soon as possible. And the ISS Yllmassa continued to map out the system.

Could the wreckage and the Moles be related?

Then there was some very interesting news from Fevallion system. Which seemed to be taking forever to map out. Mikab and the ISS Yhlat had found signs of Precuror Activity at one of the asteroids. Mikab was given permission to study A-OR95.

The public was very happy with all the new information. All these reports suggested even more aliens out there! Mostly it caused the First Thinker to become more and more nervous.

 

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Seventy-Four - The Dome

The ISS Donabb the Resolute finally arrived in the Hassaleh system. The Science Ship was now ready to go to the Hauer system.

The military notified Jandru that is was all clear and it set a course for the Drone Wreckage.

In the Jezemei system the ISS Ruthjara, the Construction Ship, had completed the Research Station and had nothing left to build in the system.

So it, and its crew, was ordered to the Torphry's Star system to make a Starbase. If they could.

Then it was announced to the media that the Scientists had finally finished working on increasing Research Station output. Now what else would they work on?

There was a few projects they could have picked. But in the end it was decided to try to increase Research Speed.

The ISS Lomatik had finally finished mapping out the Siabaulia system. It was ordered to the Grugmore to check out Grugmora I. This would allow the ISS Yllmassa to continue to map the system.

A report from from the Ovastivum system, created by Darmug and the crew of the ISS Kodram the Suave, was somewhat a mixture of good and bad.

They accidently started a avalanche of junk. Nobody was harmed but they uncovered a tiny ratlike animal holding a bottle of mandiblewash from a brand common on Nest. How? Why? When did this happen? And that was the good news.

The bad news was when the gate to the third layer was finally open and the Scientists flooded into the region. At that point one crew member turned on another and killed them. The assailant was too crazed to get anything out of it. More bad news for somebody's family.

The layer, a wealthier area than the other two, was smaller and likely the last layer before the crew would reach the center of the dome. One gate remains.

Darmug was told to continue the dig.

 

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Seventy-Five - Election!

The Election for the New First Thinker was approaching. But Sebakhir wasn't worried.

After all, the government was a Theocratic Oligarchy. Which meant the Council of Hive Thinkers and those in the upper class, the rich and powerful, would be doing everything to make sure it was reelected.

So when it came time to vote Sebakhir was the top pick. The rich and powerful paid for the media to really bring Sebakhir into the spotlight for the voters. The minions of the Council did their best to make the other choices look bad.

And it was reelected. And there was much rejoicing. Though Sebakhir would likely become old and die before the next Election.

 

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Seventy-Six - Space Carriers?

First Thinker Sebakhir was recovering from its reelection party where it had eaten way too many honey grubs when its tele-room started beeping. An important data package had arrived.

As it stumbled over to the tele-room it wondered why there was two of everything? Stupid honey grubs!

Seems the Research on increasing station's mining output had finished. Wonderful!

And out of all the new projects that could be studied the military were REALLY pushing tiny crewed strike craft. The idea was warships, planetary bases, and even stations, could release swarms of small fighter craft. Being small and fast they could survive long enough to deliver a missile or bomb through enemy defenses. Before they were turned into atoms, of course.

The First Thinker let the military have their way and picked it. Also it sounded kind of a good idea for the price.

Also the ISS Donog the Apogee, the Construction Ship in the Zarim system, had finished building a Research Station at L49-AT. And there was nothing left to build in the system. So it was ordered to the Fevallion system. Where it could build a Starbase. If it had the material...

Also the ISS Donabb the Resolute was finally scanning the Drones' debris in Hauer. And once done there they could check the ring-thingie. Or the rest of the system.

Things were looking up. Or maybe it was just the honey grubs? Either way the First Thinker was pleased.

 

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Seventy-Seven - A Ghost Ring?

The First Thinker, looking over the information filled map of the Assembly in the tele-room, realized it was time to pass on some orders to the stations and colonies. Some of them needed to be expanded on.

For example the Dothon Station, still an Outpost, was ordered to upgrade to a Starport.

It also ordered the Hassaleh Prime colonym which directly under Ghuumi's control, to build a City District and a Agriculture District.

While the Tenecca Prime colony, the ice world which was also under Ghuum's control, was told to make a Agriculture District. No doubt the result would be a bunch of massive greenhouses.

Then it was announced that the Grugmore system had been mapped out. The Science Ship, the ISS Yllmassa, was ordered to go into orbit around Grugmora I. Once the system was part of the Empire they could start research on the crashed ship.

In the Hauer system the debris of Drones had been analyzed. The information was passed on to the government and the ISS Donabb was ordered to check out the ring-thingie. Its official name was the Tannhauser Gate. But most folks called it the ring-thingie.

But when the ship approached the Gate there was a problem.

-------------------​

"What do you mean we CAN'T detect it?" demanded Jondru as it leaned over the flickering image of the Gate. The bridge was loud with clicking crew and ticking computers. All somewhat irritated.

"We can't seem to scan it," remarked one of the crew. "Even the AI is having problems with the sensors. It is like it isn't there."

"But we can SEE it!" pointed out Jondru. It gestured with its arms towards the image which hovered before it.

"Outside of visible light nothing else is bouncing off it," repored another member of the crew. "Maybe our equipment isn't good enough to scan it properly?"

Jondru twitched in displeaure. "Well, I'll pass that on. Then we're plot out the best course to make a survey."

And so the ISS Donabb started surveying the Hauer system as Jobdru sent a data package to the First Thinker and the government.

Around the same time the Hissnak's Armada entered the Hauer system. It WASN'T really a Aramada. It was just two new Frigates. Sent to join up with the Sebakhir's Armada. Now Ghuum had THREE slow moving Vithar-Class Frigates.

Also the ISS Ruthjara had entered normal space in the Torphry's Star system. But, while it was there to build a Starbase, it didn't have the resources needed.

The Assembly was having issues again with fulfilling the needs of its industry and construction ships.

 

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Seventy-Eight - Enforcers!

The First Thinker received some interesting news from the Tenecca system. Some very interesting and maybe dangerous news?

Seems the colony there had become the focus of a few movements. Both established and fledgling. Seems that the second the colony on this moon had been founded every political entity in the Tandish Assembly had something to say about it. And had become very interested in the piece of VERY cold territory.

There was nothing suggesting anything radical but many of the government's officials advised caution.

The First Think took this seriously.

The colony on the frozen moon of Tenecca Prime was ordered to build Precinct Houses. The Houses were Monuments to Law and Order. But also they acted as bases for Enforcers who could keep crime down.

And it gave the military permission to build a Defense Platform at Tenecca A Station. Just in case. Even the station staff seemed happy for the protection. They had heard rumors about the colony's many political movements and didn't wish to take chances.

The First Thinker hoped force would not be needed in the Tenecca system. The idea that a colony might start a revolt was...a strange one. Seemed impossible to it to be honest.

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Author's Notes: Space Cops!

Space Cops by Dian Duane & Peter Morwood was only a three books series but damn good one. I have the books somewhere. Looks kind of like a space opera but the science was pretty sound. Once the game talked about enforcers it was either make a title photo from the books or the British sci-fi series. Wow, I am old.

 

[Nikolai]

Pluralism is well and good, as long as it doesn’t result in…..problems.

 

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Seventy-Nine - Upgrades

Due to an error both the ISS Yllmassa the Reformer and the ISS Lomatik the Butcher were positioned in the system of Grugmora.

As TWO Science Ships were not needed in the system the ISS Lomatik was ordered to Chergamore to map out the system.

The system proved to have a lot of planets and moons to scan. Not that any of them looked interesting. Though the Class M Red Giant looked impressive.

Then there was the announcement that the Dothon was now a proper Starport. Now it needed to have modules added to it. It was ordered to add a Trade Hub, a Shipyard, and Crew Quarters. Not that the station staff didn't have quarters. But the quarters were small and crowded. And a tad smelly.

It was also decided to build a Trade Hub in the Dongar Station. It already had a Shipyard Module.

The Research Department also reported that they had created something called Adaptive Bureaucracy. In other words ways to change the current form of administration into something leaner, faster, and more effective.

It was decided the best next thing to work on was Climate Control Network. To help transform planets.

So more of the stations would soon be centers of trade and more profits would pour into the coffers of the companies. And maybe in the future more land could be made available on the colonies. For mining or farming or just space to live on. The future looked bright.

As long as the aliens kept to themselves...

 

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Eighty - MIA

Ghuumi, Minister of Talking, noticed that the Empire's Capital was also having issues with high crime rates.

So it ordered the building of Precinct Houes on Nest.

In the Fevallion system the ISS Yhlat was still mapping it out. So much to scan and investigate and poke at.

While in the Hemtares system the ISS Rukimar had been ordered to make a Starbase. And many a student shivered in horror.

At Dongar Station they had finally finished building the Trade Hub. Now with a Trade Hub and Spaceyard it was decided to give the Station Crew Quarters. Once again, it wasn't that the Starbase staff didn't have quarters. They just wanted nice ones.

In the survey of the Vega system Vega VI was found to be a future Terraforming Candidate. The ISS Linntyl reported that the Barren World, while looking dead, had water in frozen form and may, in the past, had a ecosystem. With the right technoloy it could be brought back to life!

As this was the last planet that was scanned in the Vega system the ISS Linntyl was ordered to the Hauer System.

In the Chergamore system the ISS Lomatik had detected a strange emission from Chergamore I. Was it a signal? Was there intelligence behind it?

The crew was ordered to research the emissions.

Then there was bad news. Seems one of the scientists working at the Observation Post orbiting Sol III had gone missing. Seems a group had been collecting plant samples during a covert misson and one had not returned to the shuttle. A search had been carried out but there wasn't much the Post staff could do. They didn't wish to alert the Solians.

 

[Historywhiz]

Then there was bad news. Seems one of the scientists working at the Observation Post orbiting Sol III had gone missing. Seems a group had been collecting plant samples during a covert misson and one had not returned to the shuttle. A search had been carried out but there wasn't much the Post staff could do. They didn't wish to alert the Solians.

Oh boy, this event… on Earth no less…

 

[Eurasia]

Oh boy, this event… on Earth no less…

They will burn the poor thing at the stake and then serve it with butter. You know they would!

 

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Eighty-One - RELEASE ME!

There was some more news from the frontier. A reptilian species on Straeng, in the Hauer system, were noticed by the crew of the ISS Donabb as it was scanning the planet.

Seems they were showing a form of intelligence and had evolved to dominate their world. Jondru has run tests that suggested the pre-sapient species COULD have their evolution sped up. It was a option if the right technology could be developed.

Then there was a report from the Dome. Of mixed results. Very mixed results. The crew, when they opened the last gate, were hit by waves of intense psionic energy. Many collapsed in agony and only a few made it into the last layer.

It seemed the crew of the ISS Kodram found what they think was a large temple. There seemed to be a massive altar in the middle of it. The walls were covered with different star systems and a repeated diagram focused on Ovastivum.

As they approached the altar the Scientists realize they were looking at some kind of machine. And they decided to tinker with it.

As they pushed buttons, pulled levers, and turned wheels they were hit with a shared auditory hallucination. A screaming command by something powerful to be let out. Visions of a creature ripping the system apart repeated in their heads. Was it a promise? A warning? The past? The future? Many Scientist and crew members fell to the floor. They were unable to deal with the pain.

But something happened. From the depths of the minds of the Scientists and the crew members still standing came an ancient power. It came screaming out of the darkness and beat back the Elder One. The Hive Mind, for one shining moment, had returned. (1)

Maybe it was instinct? Maybe a old defense mechanism? But under control of the Hive Mind the many moved as one. And ripped the machine into pieces. Then, like a whisper captured by the wind, it went away.

Even Monnobak, the Minister of Peace, wasn't too upset about this. The idea of releasing some kind of monster that could destroy whole star systems wasn't something even it wanted to deal with at the moment.

The ISS Kodram, and its recovering crew, was sent off to help in the Fevallion system. The First Thinker felt that might be a more relaxing assignment. Or safer anyway.

The Hemtares Station was finally finished in the Hemtares system. So the ISS Rukimar was ordered to build a Research Station around the star.

Back on Nest the government started a public Recycling Campaign. The people had to be taught to make less waste. The universe wasn't made up of limitless resources after all!

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Author's Notes:

1. Was trying to think of a in-story reason for them being able to overcome a monster's overwhelming power. And I remembered the Hive Mind.

 

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Eighty-Two - Expanding The Empire

The Empire was still having issues with resources. The stations and colonies had to work harder. And smarter. And they needed more Construction Ships out there.

So the Daystar A Station was ordered to make a new Construction Ship.

Also Dongar Station finished making their Crew Quarters. Which made the station staff very happy.

The ISS Rukimar, the Construction Ship in the Hemtares system, had finished making the Research Station about the sun. The ship and its crew was sent to Hemtares IIa to build a Mining Station there.

Jondru and the ISS Donabb were waiting in orbit around Spjuuht. They were waiting because they could not study the dig until the Hauer system was part of the Empire. It was a unclaimed system and would be wrong to start a dig in a unclaimed system.

So the ISS Bemalon was ordered to Hauer. Hopefully by the time it arrived there would be enough material to make a Starbase.

 

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Eighty-Three - Science!

The First Thinker got a interesting report from the ISS Lomatik in the orbit of Chergamore I. Seems below the surface of the planet was some kind of spores. They were massive spores when compared to those of the homeworld.

And the strangest thing about them was they seemed to form a network that generated a signal. A very weak signal to be honest but the crew felt they could found out the signal's destination. They were given the okay to study the spores and they named the Special Project The Fungal Trail. Elemano, the Commander of the Science Ship, was happy to study the spores. It liked spores.

Then the ISS Rukimar in Hemtares finished the Mining Station around Hemtares IIa. The crew was then ordered to Hemtares V where they would ordered to build another Mining Station.

Then the Dothan Starbase finished its Crew Quarters. Which made the station staff happy. Nice big sleeping rooms, working tele-rooms, warm greenhouses, and, of course, a proper kitchen area. The space food was still made by auto-chefs programmed by food preparers overseen by the Chief but at least it was now prepared in nice shiny clean dining area. With free refills on drinks! FREE REFILLS!

After studying the Vultaum Satellite in the Fevallion system the crew of the ISS Yhlat found the machinery had nothing of interest. On the other claw the software used might improve their understanding of Vultaum programmg language. Which would help decipher the Vultaum data in the future!

The ISS Rukimar finished the Mining Station around Hemtares V. The Construction Ship was sent to Hemtares X to make another Mining Station. Can never have too many Mining Stations.

Then the Research Department announced that they had developed Administrative AI.

It was decided to work on AI-Controlled Colony Ships. The AIs would, once the ship landed, help develop the colony.

It was also decided to Adopt a NEW Tradition. To Boldly Go! There is a galaxy full of stuff and the Tandi wanted it! Well, not ALL of it. Just the important stuff.

 

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Eighty-Four - Agri-Worlds

The First Thinker received some good news. The ISS Bemalon the Distrustful had finally come out of Hyper-Space and arrived in the Hauer system. It also found pre-delivered material waiting for it.

Which allowed it to start on making a Starbase. Which was wonderful news that would allow other operations to be carried out in the system. Research and colonization for example.

But the First Thinker noticed a few other things. One, that the Empire needed more alloys. And second, many of the colonies were now, what the media called, Agri-Worlds. Worlds where crops could flourish. He ordered the colonies, those that could, to try to increase the output of both alloys and food.

The Dongar Prime was told to build Alloy Foundries. But not to make another Agriculture District. Not yet. Dry land, on a ocean world, needed to be carefully used.

The settlers on Toiubos Prime were told to work on Alloy Foundries then to make another Agriculture District. They needed food.

While the settlers on Syrma Prime were told to build a Agriculture District first and then the Alloy Foundries next. They also needed food.

The First Thinker was pleased. Soon the Empire would have more of both Alloys and Food.

 

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Eighty-Five - Too Many Mysteries?

As the Empire found more and more planets available for turning into colonies the First Thinker ordered the Daystar A Station to start working on the next Colony Ship.

The Fevallion system was still being mapped out. How long does it take to explore one system?

Then there was a data package for First Thinker and the government from Elemano of the ISS Lomatik who had detected a energy readings on Chergamore III. Which was weird. The First Thinker was sure the Science Ship, and its crew, had been to told to stay in orbit around Chergamore I to study the spores? What about the giant spores? Or maybe the spores needed a proper research project?

Once they had finished studying the energy readings they would continue mapping out the system. And maybe get back to the spores?

While this was going on the ISS Rukimar completed the Mining Station in orbit of Hemtares X. It was then ordered to move onto Grugmora. There was nothing left in Hemtares to mine or study. While Grugmora needed a Starbase to join the Empire.

Also the ISS Bemalon had finished the Au'Reyon Starbase in orbit of Au'Reyon in the Hauer system. Though nobody knew WHO had named the sun Au'Reyon. The name of a well known fast food chain back on Nest. Famous for its deep fried prawns. (1)

Then there was news from the ISS Donabb and Jondru about Spjuuht. Seems the strange reading detected there was giving...off a strange reading? Well, everybody knew about the strange reading even BEFORE the Drones had been destroyed. At least the crew could start working on finding out what it was all about.

In Hauer the ISS Bemalon, having finished making the Starbase, was now making a Mining Station around the star.

Also the crew of the ISS Linntyl decided to have a go at the Ring Thingie. And totally failed to detect it. They were just as annoyed as the crew of the ISS Donabb had been.

Then the Hauer system was added to the Home Sector and all the maps changed.

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Author's Notes:

1. I found it funny that, as mankind goes into space, one space station might be called McDonalds. So why not the Tandi?