The Tandish Assembly

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Forty-One - Upgrading The Tandish Assembly

The Minister of Talking, Ghuumi, decided it was time to upgrade many of the colonies AND the Nest.

First off it needed to pick a General for the Six Ground Shields - the ground units defending the homeworld.

It was decided to pick Commander Tirran. A Leader who was known for worrying about avoiding unnecessary deaths among soldiers and the citizens.

The media and people loved the new General. When interviewed it was quoted as saying, "Understanding the enemy is the first step to victory."

In a civilization that lived on information and debate this was a brilliant quote to give the public.

It was noticed that growth of the population had slowed down due to citizens moving to the colonies.

Then the Minister then decided to focus on the colonies. First was Dongar Prime. It decided to build a Agriculture District. People needed food after all. More so if new colonists were arriving from Nest.

The next colony was Toiubos Prime. There it was decided to build a City District AND a Temple. Of course both would be linked to nature and the Dream.

The third colony was Syrma Prime. It would be working on a City District and a Industrial District.

Hassaleh Prime was still in the process of setting up its colony and the Sector Governor left it alone. They needed to focus on getting the basics together.

Nothing exciting really. Nothing to catch the media's interest. But necessary to help the colonies develop into proper living spaces for future citizens.

 

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Chapter Forty-Two - The Mammals!

The Sol III Observation Post was finally finished by the ISS Rukimar. This allowed the Assembly to start gathering all kinds of information about the mammals on Sol III.

The reason for this was simple. The Post, a mixture of computer hardware and organic systems, were able to eavesdrop on the populace of the planet without being detected.

Many of the remotes sent to scout out the planet looked like bugs or birds.

As the data poured into the communcation network the scientists tried to make sense of it before passing it on to the government and the media.

The mammals were broken up into many cultures and civilizations. The world, in other words, was splintered among many Feudal Realms. They were in what one would call the Iron Age. They were adaptive, nomadic, but also somewhat wasteful.

On the other hand they seemed to have a grasp of metallurgy and somebody had just invented a printing press.

But much of the information overheard was hard to translate due to being more than one language being used by the species. So the following must be taken with a pinch of seasoning.

The governments were very much of the authoritarian nature. Land owning Nobles seemed to run the governments and lived in palaces or castles. In other words they were a Oligarchic system. Something the Tandi understood.

The living standards for much of the rest of the people was very low and they mostly lived in small villages or on farms. The populace also seemed more than willing to enslave those of other cultures.

In other words the mammals were Xenophobes. They killed, or enslaved, other mammals of their species they thought of as the 'other'. They even saw members of their own species as other races depending on what part of their world they came from. They seemed to be in unending wars trying to absorb or destroy the other Kingdoms or Empires.

They WERE Spiritualists. At least according to some of the information. It was hard to notice what with all the crusades against other religions and burning their own people at the stake for using magic. It reminded some of the Tandi of the bad old days before Nest was united.

The mammals also believed their world was FLAT. Even though all evidence would suggest otherwise. In fact they were totally unaware of the rest of the universe and assumed they were alone in it. It was no wonder they attacked each other with iron weapons and over 90 percent of them still farming or herding cattle.

In other words anything happening outside their gravity well was beyond their understanding or even interest. Contact would be a problem. Even spying on them might have issues.

And, wow, were they ugly. There was a debate among the media that the mammals of Sol III might prove the new idea that being ugly protected you from larger predators.

 

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Chapter Forty-Three - The Next Few Steps

When the ISS Rukimar The Renowned finished the Post in orbit around Sol III, or Dirt as some of the natives called it, it was ordered to Sol VI.

There it would build a Mining Station. The Empire was always hungry for more minerals, more profits, and more jobs.

Sebakhir, while overall happy with the condition of the Tandish Assembly, was still a tad tense. It was waiting in the mediation chamber, trying to relax, as it had a meeting with its fellow Leaders. They would have to make a few decisions. Not hard ones, to be honest, but even small decisions could have long lasting impacts.

It tried to let the warmth and sounds of the jungle remove its anxiety. But soon the beeping could be heard over the natural noises. It unfolded from the chair and exited the chamber.

It passed the artwork, the light filled windows, and the hidden machinery that keep its private chambers warm and bright and comfortable.

It entered the tele-room and settled into the chair that awaited it. It tried to project a sense of calm.

Soon three images slowly formed before it. Ghuumi, the Minister of Talking, was so real looking it could have been right in the same room.

Commander Mannobak, the Minister of Peace, looked less realistic. It was in space, traveling, and the image seemed to freeze ever once and awhile. Like time and space were not on talking terms.

And then there was Darmug, the Head of Thiniing, who was so far away that the image seemed to be falling apart, like it was made up of dust that kept being taken away by a strong wind. It was kind of bad for the eyes to look at.

The First Thinker greeted them all and pointed out that the next Agenda was really to be launched. A Evolving Society. The idea was ideas and theories for new ways to improve society had to be discussed and pursued with fervor. All the other Leaders agreed with this and the new Agenda was put into action.

The next Agenda to work on DID have some debate. The Minister of Talking suggested Open Arms. In other words all people of the same galaxy should be treated like citizens and feel welcome within the Empire. The Minister of Peace did not like it at all but was outvoted.

On the other hand everybody agreed on the next Edicts to work on. A Education Campaign would spend more resources to promote higher education programs among the Leaders. Hopefully the improve their skills at a faster rate.

As the meeting ended the First Thinker relaxed a tad in its chair. At least the others had gotten along. But it was staring to feel...alone. They were so spread out. It use to enjoy meeting them in the flesh, enjoying a walk with the other Leaders in one of the parks, or sharing a drink in one of the public houses.

As few days later a data packet came from the ISS Linntyl The Sharp. Falatir and its crew had finally entered normal space and were ready to map out the Cervantes system. It was kind of boring. Three planets and one moon. Around a Class A star. In other words a young white or bluish-white main sequence star. Nothing interesting so far.

As Falatir was known as a 'Roamer', who loved to be among the stars, the survey would go much faster than with most Scientists. So if there was something special or strange the crew would find it sooner than later.

There was no news of contact with another alien culture. The First Thinker was releived at that. It had enough alien civilizations to worry about at the moment.

 

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Chapter Forty-Four - The Armada

Commander Monnobak soon reported that the Armada had finally entered the Hassaleh system.

They would soon be ready to protect any Science Ships surveying the system of Hauer.

The Daystar A Station back in the home system was ordered to start building a Corvette. The First Thinker figured more warships would be needed. To either make a new Armada. Or to expand on the current fleet. Or, if things went badly, supply replacements.

To be honest the First Thinker felt the list of known aliens would likely to grow. And while the Empire seemed to grow the militay was still pretty small. Like it or not Sebakhir felt the military had to be built up. This seemed reasonable to it. But would it backfire?

 

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Forty-Five - Advances!

There was a few announcements during the end of one planetary cycle and through most of the next.

A new Corvette, the ISS Roktar the Brave, was now part of the Hissnak's Armada. It was brand new and testing its system even as the Daystation A Station was ordered to make another.

The new planetary cycle brought on a very weird event. It seems the public has started protests over such issues as what colors to paint the defense platforms to the right to dance in finanical markets.

They are not violent but they are noisy. Some of the civic services, such as public transportation, were being overwhelmed and the city governments are upset. But the public seemed to find the protests interesting. And even seemed to enjoy it. Some of the protests were artistic.

The First Thinker pondered what had started it all and asked for agents to start researching the cause. What was influencing these events? A tele-room channel? Something in the data from the Science Ships? A media caster? Alien spies? A sickness? A rogue Hive Mind?

While this was happening ISS Rukimar had finished the Mining Station at Sol VI. And was ordered to the Cervantes system to build a Starbase. When it could.

At this point Monnobak and the Suthnar's Armada were waiting in the Hassaleh system. Waiting for a Science Ship to escort into the neighboring system. Would the drones put up a fight? Could the Tandi colonize the system? What would they gain?

The agents came back to the First Thinker. They had detected a organization behind the protests. The Manifesti. They seemed to be the reason for a number of art projects over the last few planetary cycles. Art projects that were, also, either forms of protest or part of some protest.

It decided they were harmless for now. And maybe a useful tool in the future. But if they caused trouble...

Well, the First Thinker decided to watch them.

It was also decided that Leaders needed to have a proper Polytechnic education. In other words a good schooling in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and how to deal with depressed organic computers.

Then there was a report from the researchers. Space Torpedoes had been completed. This had unlocked all kinds of choices among the military scientists and engineers. Including a new ship design.

It was decided to send the available researchers to work on Zero-G Refineries.

Then there was news from Cervantes. The system survey had been finished. The ISS Rukimar arrived shortly afterwards and was ordered to build a Starbase. Soon the system would be messing up students' maps of the Empire. Much to their annoyance.

 

[Eurasia]

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Chapter Forty-Six - Death And Weirdness

The ISS Linntyl the Sciene Ship finally had completed mapping out the Cervantes system.

Falatir and its crew were told to explore the unknown system with a Class G star near the border. Close to the Sol system.

The ISS Rukimar the Renowned was ordered to make a Starbase in the freshly surveyed system.

The ISS Kodranm, in the Ovastivum system, sent a data package to the government on Nest.

They had broken into the Second Layer at the "Broken Gates". It looked like, to the scientists, to be a properly planned out urban center. What may have been marketplaces were found. Though what was being sold had decayed into nothing long ago. Then they started to find bodies. Lots of bodies. Seems the rich folks had died in the same way as the poor folks in the first layer.

Some artifacts were found among the bodies. Not a lot. But enough to please Darmug. Every artifact was another piece of the puzzle.

Then the ISS Linntyle the Sharp entered normal space and started to scan the system of Hemtares.

Falatir realized this system was going to take awhile to map out. There were many planets and many moons. The Class G star was known as a yellow dwarf. While having a shorter life span than Class K stars their habitable zones are more stable. Untill they become red giants after 10 billion years. Than everybody dies.

Then there was news of the "Moon Bump" from the Sol system. For the Leaders' eyes only. Seems Kashnak was somewhat horrified about what the scientists had found.

There had been a city where the "Bump" was. And something, or someone, had dropped a celestial object on top of it. RIGHT, dead center, on it. Accident? Or design?

Some artifacts had been found. But, of course, most of the city was just a flattened ruin.

The Rukimar, the Construction Ship, was finally finished the Starbase in the Cervantes system. And was ordered to build a Mining Station around the star.

There was also news about the Ancient Mining Drones. Still known as the Omega Aliens. Even if there was a debate about them having intelligence or not.

It is judged the mining operations that they have been carrying out is about a millennia old. At least judging by long ranage scans of the processing equipment. Unmanned Tandish sciene probes and vessels are threatened by the drones if they get a little too close. Maybe the drones could fight with their mining lasers?

The investigation would continue. If from a safe distance. Even unmanned ships had the right not to be blown up.

The Cervantes system was added to the Home Sector. The educators and students all groaned as the maps were all updated.

And around this time the crew at Cervantes' Starbase noticed something in the system next door. Their computers had reported that it had detected something VERY special.

The system named Jezemei seemed to have a wormhole in it. A natural one. The media, the people, the government were all shocked. In theory the scientists had known of such things. But to find one in real life was not something they thought would ever happen. Was it a false reading? A REAL wormhole? A relec of a ancient civilization?

Then, with the start of the new planetary cycle, the Uv-Xantt Forerunners offered the Tandish Assembly something somewhat weird. They said that they were willing to save the Tendish Assembly, who was doomed, by taking a part of the population for their "Endangers Species Preserve".

Seems they were huge into the study and conservation of all forms of life. And they decided that the Assembly had only a few centuries. At best. So why not send them some of the people to be kept in a special reservation? They could build tourist traps, sell blankets, and be pointed at by school children.

The government refused. If their people didn't like being relocated to new colonies it was unlikely they would like being zoo animals.

The Forerunners were NOT pleased.

 

[Eurasia]

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Chapter Forty-Seven - Nest

The Minister of Talking, Ghuumi, was not just in charge of the Home Sector but was Planetary Governor of the Empire's Capital. Nest.

It was in its office, recovering from the New planetary cycle's week long feast, looking over reports from the many departments of the government. On one claw the biggest issues seemed to be all caused by a lack of materials. That was due to the growing demands for resources across the Empire.

On the other claw Nest was doing pretty well. There was no unemployed citizens. Likely due to many being 'moved' to the colonies. There was, in fact, jobs that needed workers. Lots of them. Mostly a need for more farmers.

Also crime was, pretty much, zero. And there was plenty of free housing available. Once again likely to all the colonists who went to settle on other planets and the relocated citizens.

There was also a good planetary infrastructure and many employed taking care of the daily needs of the population. In other words people were very happy with how clean and well run the urban centers were.

It was pleased on how Nest was turning out. But there was still the issue of a need to increase raw materials. Maybe if it required the colonies to suppy the Empire with the raw resources needed? In other words make them start up mining operations?

 

[Eurasia]

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Chapter Forty-Eight - A Stronghold, New Ships, And The Forerunners

Ghuumi also decided that Nest needed to increase its military forces.

It ordered that Nest build a Stronghold. This would help the garrison fight off invasion or deal with rebellion.

The Home System also had two new Corettes in the Hissnak's Armada. But it was decided to use a new design now that new military tech was available.

The new design the machines came up with was a Torpedo Boat. Called a Vithar-Class Frigate. The systems were all brand new or upgraded. Many of the public complained it looked like a shelled sea reptile.

Still Daystar A Station was ordered to make a Frigate. No matter what it looked like.

It was also agreed on by everyone that a NEW Science Ship was needed. Dongar Station was told to get started on that.

Then the Forerunners, upset by not having Tandi for their zoos, closed their borders.

While there was some outraged tele-room influencers among the media, and a few alien cults were upset, most of the population cared nothing about this news. No tourist ships had been traveling into Forerunners' space anyway. And the Science Ships were exploring towards the galaxy's edge. Who cared?

The anicent aliens seemed so grumpy. There were still the mammals on Sol III to work with and learn about. They just needed a real name. Solians?

 

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Forty-Nine - Alien Threats?

Commander Mannobak checked to make sure the cabin's door was sealed and the sound cancellers were on. The latter were not standard military equipment for the officers' cabins in warships of the Suthnar's Armada. But it had brought it aboard out of a need for privacy.

The Minister of Peace didn't believe that it was being spied on by enemies of the state. Not out here in the Hassaleh system. It doubted there were aliens watching it. But some of the crew might be on the pay of the Cults. Or working for one of those media corporations or mining firms who would sell their own parents for a hot piece of news from the frontier.

It turned on its cabin computers and the holograms came on. As they warmed up and became more focused it opened one of the files it had received from Nest. The file on the aliens.

The Uv-Xanntt Forerunners had closed the borders and were unavailable when it came to trade. Or anything else for that matter. They were dismissive of the Tandi after the Assembly had refused to send them citizens to live in 'preserves'.

They were still on the friendly side but the Assembly would have to keep an eye or two on making sure relations with the Forerunners didn't decay even more.

The Avallonian Remnant on the other claw were pretty much dangerous to everybody. They were totally militant and the Commander worried that, at any second, they would make up an excuse to invade the Empire. And the military were in no way ready for such a threat.

Being isolationsts meant that, funny enough, they were more likely to strike out what they saw as threats to their society and way of life.

It was unknown how much military might the Rek'Thalaran Braves had. It could be, due to their warrior culture, they were very powerful. On the other hand, as they were always fighing each other, they could be on the verge of collapse.

Their threats to destroy anything that entered their space might be just empty threats. Or not.

Then there were the Solians. They were....harmless. Maybe one day they would become members of the Empire. Maybe even join the military.

Mannobak wasn't sure how THAT would work. They didn't even have claws to fight in close combat. How would they operate imperial equipment with such stubby digits? With only two arms? And no natural exoskeleton. They were so...squishy.

On the other hand they had developed armour on their own. Maybe they were not as stupid and big slow moving targets as they looked? They were KIND of big. Maybe that would help in battle? Maybe if they fell on the enemy....

The Commander was going to suggest that the two Corvettes of the Hissnak's Armada join its Armada. It was also going to suggest more Corvettes be made so that the Suthnar's Armada had a total of twenty warships.

It also was going to suggest a total of twenty Frigates be made to fill another, second, Aramada.

The Commander doubted anybody would argue against these suggestions. It was just common sense.

 

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Chapter Fifty - More Mining!

The system of Tenecca had finally been fully surveyed by the Science Ship the ISS Yhlat the Savior. In fact Mikab was impatient to continue with mapping out the universe. The system of Fevallion was just waiting to be scanned. But there was a problem.

The problem was the Colony Ship, the ISS Veldik, was waiting for the Starbase to be built before they could land on Tenecca IVa. And the Construction Ship, the ISS Ruthjara the Icon, was waiting for resources. Until it had enough material it could not build a Starbase in the system. And without a Starbase the system would not become part of the Empire.

It was decided to send the Science Ship to map out the system of Fevallion. At least the Scientist Mikab was going to be happy.

Then there was some new information about the Manifesti. Seems that things are happening in the centers of art AND education.

It seems that the Manifesti had invented a language, called Uslurp-Speak, in which all words relating to the economy had been replaced with grunts. Also the insults in the language seem to be based on military figures. Commander Mannobak wasn't happy with that piece of knowledge. Nor were some of the more powerful families within the Oligarchy pleased with their names being curse words just because some of their members were within the military.

The First Thinker agreed that a close eye, or two, should be kept on the Manifesti.

In the system of Cervantes the Mining Station around the star had been finished. The ISS Rukimar was told to build another Mining Station around Cervantes III. More raw materials were needed by the Empire. MORE!

Not only did the Empire need more resources. They were also using up the Consumer Goods faster then they could produce them. More factories would be needed...

The Colony of Syrma Prime, which is already working on one Industrial District, was ordered to build two more Industrial Districts. What was the point of a massive amount of material flowing into the empure if you didn't have the factories to turn the raw resources INTO something?

The Colony of Toiubos Prime, which was building a Temple, was ordered to create a Mining District. The Mines would feed the Factories on the planet itself without all the moving about in hyper-space. Once the also built some factories...

Then the ISS Yhlat entered the system of Fevallion. Mikab was pleased to see so much to explore as the computer's holograms started to weave a system map. So many locations to set up Mining Stations! Even the bridge crew seemed happy.

 

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Fifty-One - Plain Tandi Sense

The Hissnak's Armada in Daystar was now two Corvettes and a Frigate strong.

At this point it was ordered to the Hassaleh system. It was going to join the Suthnar's Armada at the Commander's request. At least the Corvettes would.

The Daystar A Station is ordered to work on a Corvette. The First Thinker planned to follow the Commander's suggestion to full out two full fleets.

Then it was announced that Dongar's Station had finished building the Science Ship the ISS Lomatik The Butcher. (1)

Of course it needed a Science Officer. The one picked was Elemnao. A Scientists known for being Eqalitiarian and a Scout. In other words it was a expert at reconnaissance. And had the skill to slip by even the most dangerous entities. Not a bad skill in the galaxy that was proving to be crowded with more and more aliens.

This new Scientists told the media that "The dream of the scientist is to benefit society". The new Science Ship was ordered to explore the Jerzemi system. Really, the government wanted to know about the worm hole. Where it go? Why was it red? Was there a worm in it?

In the end Monnobak, the Minster of Peace, and Darmug, Head of Thinking, were very pleased with the new ships.

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1. Lomatik The Butcher is a mythical creature who visited the nesting chambers of bad little nymphs once a year and murdered them in their sleep. It was a tale to keep littles ones under the control of their parent units. And helped employ many therapists.

 

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Fifty-Two - Ice Moon

Hassaleh Prime finally announced it was ready to go! The ship had been pulled apart. The reactors now part of the power grid of the colony. The hull and structure having been turned into shelters. The populace was now ready get down to making the world into a paradise.

No governor was selected. Ghuumi would control the colony as the Sector Governor.

Elsewhere, at the Tenecca system, there was finally enough materials to build a Starbase. And so ISS Ruthjara the Icon was ordered to construct one in orbit of the Tenecca A. Which was good as the colonists were becoming impatient.

At this point it was also decided to make a Spy Network on Sol III to watch the Solians. But who would run such a operation? They needed a Envoy. One named Hannakon was picked and told to get to work. Mostly trying to decide how to move among the Solians without being found out and burned at the stake.

As this was happening the Manifesti had openned a new interactive public exhibition. It was interesting BUT pretty obviously political in nature. Critics stated the pieces cast a harsh, but needed, light on the people's sense of self. It seemed to have started a debate among the social researchers. It was decided to leave the exhibition alone as the First Thinker had no issue with Deep Reflection. After all debate was part of culture and in understanding the Dream.

Hannakon had no problem setting up a spy network among the Solians. Seems they were pretty stupid. Still, it had to be carefully. If the mammals fould out about alien lifeforms from beyond the stars it might damage their society.

In the system of Cervantes the ISS Rukimar the Renowned had finally finished building the last Mining Station and was ordered to the Hemtares system.

And in the Tenecca system the Tennecca A Station had been finished. The system was now part of the Empire and the ISS Ruthjara The Icon was ordered to make a Mining Station around Tenecca A.

At this point the colonists of ISS Veldik The Merry asked if, maybe, they could go settle another world and not the hellish ice moon? They would need to deal with the cold climate, the lack of resources, and the harsh weather. Maybe wait till another planet was available? One not covered in snow and ice?

And they were told to suck it up and go settle the moon. Were they not adventurers? Brave and bold families who wanted to live on the frontier? They were told to think outside the box, invent portable heaters, and wear thick clothing or something. Now go and land on the damn moon!

So the Colony Ship turned on the engines and headed towards Tenecca IVa.

 

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Chapter Fifty-Three - That's A Lot Of Ships!

"Oh CRAP!"​

The First Thinker received a data package from the Fevallion System. Seems Mikab, and the crew of the ISS Yhlat the Savior, had found something on Fevallion Va.(1)

There seemed to be signs of activity, or something, of an ancient precursor civilization. Of course they were told to research the heck out of it.

Then Elemano and the ISS Lomatik the Butcher entered the Jezemei system. And their computer had a field day between mapping out the planets and trying to understand the nature of the wormhole.

Jezemei's star was a M Class. A red dwarf, one of the common stars in the universe, and a few world. None of the planets were worth trying to colonize. Not with all the UV light the red star was pouring out. But that wasn't the most important factor in the system. IT was the wormhole.

While the wormhole was a amazing phenomenon it was also very dangerous. It was unstable and anything that entered it would be turned into tiny pieces. And what if the second wormhole, the other end of the rift, was near a star or blackhole? Even if they could stabilize it there could be death on the other end.

Back at the Starbase in the Tenecca system the station Manager, and its crew, were testing out all the equipment. They knew that the next few work cycles would be important. Power grids would be pushed to their limits, computers would have their outputs checked, double checked, and triple checked. And the space food would be complained about.

They knew what would happen and were ready for anything. What they were not ready for was the alarms going off.

I don't mean the com systems soft beeping because of a incoming data package. Nor do I mean the computer alerting them to a fault in the hull with a anoyying voice. Not even a detector sensing a virus being released, somehow, into the air vents and forcing them all into their spacesuits.

No, this was the blinding flashing red lights and the loud sound of crackling. Alarms, the alarms that were designed to say "Wake up or we're ALL going to die!" were based on forest fires. As the Tandi had evoluted on a jungle planet an alarm that sounded like a fire and filled the chambers with angry red flashing light was enough to wake up any crew member and cause those who were already awake to shake in horror. It triggered their flight, flight, or flight response. Those who tried to fight forest fires rarely produced offspring.

This alarm, number 345B, was the alarm when there were a shit load of warships nearby.

The Manager and the crew checked and double checked their scanners, after calming down, and to their relief there were no enemy ships in system.

On the other hand in Braves' space there were whole fleets of warships. Seems the Starbase's sensors, when they went online and linked with the sensors of other Stations, were allowing the Assembly to peek into the alien's systems. And the picture wasn't good.

The Eptraban system was full of red. Each a Fleet or a Station.

And in the Obleon system....the Manager started to shake again. Horror filled it. There were Fleets, single Fleets, that the computers suggested had more firepower than the whole Tandi military.

And both of these alien systems had a Hyper-Lane link right to the Tenecca system.

On the other hand there was one benefit. It also showed the Fleet of Ancient Mining Drones in the Hauer system. There were only three units.

So some good news. And some VERY bad news. The information was sent to Nest right away. Heavily encoded, of course, but sent as quickly as the computers and crew could collect the data.

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1. Yhlat the Savior was a being out of myth who had died for the Tandi's sins.

 

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Chapter Fifty-Four - News From The Colonies

The colonists on Tenecca Prime sent back images and information to Next. Much to the happiness of the media and many tele-room channels. Seems not only did the arcitic world had massive glaciers, bubbling swamps, hot springs, frozen lakes, and lichen fields BUT being of lower density than other moons of its size it meant it also had low gravity.

Which meant building stuff, like, well, buildings, might be cheaper and require less material. On the other hand it might cause medical issues for many of the settlers. Future generations might have issues with the stresses of space travel or visiting other colonies.

There was also the giant ice spiders but they went down after a few blasts from a hunting rifle and tasted good with a side of roasted tubers and some hot sauce. Yeah, between the low gravity, and the cold oceans which could hold more dissolved oxygen, many of the creatures were somewhat larger than normal. (1)

In the same system the ISS Ruthjara The Icon was sent to build a Mining Station around Tenecca IIa.

Then the Manifesti finally pushed the First Thinker too far. Seems a new faction might be forming based on 'Manifestism'. They had a very weird platform. Such as free movement of rivers and rights for muntitions? And they were upsetting the other factions. Sebakhir ordered that the movement be stomped out. But it was too late...

For the Manifesti had grown so powerful they were able to form their own Faction within the political landscape. They had formed the Manifesti Weave. They wanted a more expressive and egalitarian society. And they wanted it now!

The First Thinker found itself wishing it had never been picked as the Leader of the Tandish Assembly. Maybe it should have been a simple gain farmer? Or a herder of milk worms? Or maybe a cook at one of the rest stops that dotted the great transportation tunnels that moved cargo and people under the surface of Nest?

Oh for a simpler life!

Back in the colonies there was some more growth. Toiubos Prime was working on a Mining District. The Governor, Lathira, decided to also start working on Civilian Industries AND another Mining District.

Dongar Prime's Governor, Campramar, also decided to work on a Mining District. Feeding the planet's production was a must. A ocean world needed all the resources they could dig up. Or filter out of the seas.

The colonies seemed to be doing well. Sol III on the other hand....

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1. Author's Note - the game said nothing about animal life on the ice moon but I decided to add some flavor. Also with lichen fields, low gravity, and cold oceans I assume some larger creatures might live in the oceans and some live on the land. Something eats the lichen and something eats those animals. Why not some giant spiders? Everybody loves spiders. I hear bird spiders taste like shrimp! I am just saying, think about it McDonalds. McSpiders!

 

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Fifty-Five - Rock Or Spaceship?

There was good news from the researchers. They had invented modulated fields.

The fields would increase production and improve energy yeild. Always a good thing.

It was decided to work on Zero-G Laboratories next. It would help station researchers and scientists increase their output.

In the Tenecca system the ISS Ruthjara The Icon had finished the Mining Station around the moon of Tenecca IIa and was ordered to Tennecca I to build a Mining Station there.

Then there was horrible news from the Sol system. Which was also somewhat confusing. Seems the Observation Post around Sol III has detected a Class-4 asteroid heading towards the planet. Unless something was done it would likely hit the eastern hemisphere and cause a extinction level event.

Should the scientists do nothing or try to help the Solians?

There seemed to be some confusion. Was it a rock or a spaceship? For the ISS Yllmassa The Reformer was fleeing the system. Its sensors said it had encountered hostile alien ships. Was its computers mistaken? Or was the asteroid really a alien invasion force pretending to be a space rock?

Maybe it was time to bring out the military and have them do something?

 

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Fifty-Six - Save Or Not To Save?

Commander Monnobak stared at the information flowing across the holographic screens in its private cabin. The data on the asteriod in the Sol system was a mess. The object had come out of nowhere, scared the scientists off, and was now heading towards Sol III.

Was the fate of the Solians that they would die on their planet before reaching out into space and joining the Dream?

Even the Commander felt that dying to a space rock seemed...well..unfair. A race that became intelligent SURELY had a destiny to go out and find their own way. To weave their own ideas and meaning into the Dream. To make the universe a richer and better place.

It felt...like it needed to save the Solians. If not for Solians' future than for the rest of the galaxy's future.

It had waited and watched as warships had entered the system and joined the Suthnar's Armada. By late into the two thousand sixteenth planetary cycle, since Nest was united, it had eight Corvettes in its Armada. The Hissnak's Armada had joined its Armada.

And the newly named Sebakhir's Armada, with Commader Ghuum, had been formed. It only had one Frigate. But more were on their way.

Then there was a beeping. The com station. A data packet for its eyes only.

The Commander opened it with the proper code. It had one order from the First Thinker. Save the Solians.

 

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Fifty-Seven - Waiting Is The Hardest Part

Manager Thissix had been called to the algae vats at the request of the Chief algaeist. There it had listened to the Chief complaining for FAR too long about a misfunctioning valve.

The Chief was correct in this matter. For a, mostly, brand new Starbase built in the Hassaleh system the equipment should not be showing problems so early.

The algae helped with keeping the air fresh and even added to the taste of the station's locally produced food. If what came out of the station's kitchens could be called food. Even the food preparers sometimes seemed to worry about the results that came out of the auto-chefs.

The Manager would have to pass on this information to the government. Maybe new valve maufacturers would have to be selected when the old contracts ran out?

As it tried to calm the Chief down a nearby com unit beeped and then announced, "Command Center to Manager Thissix. Paging Manager Thissix. Please pick up!"

The Manager promised to the Chief that a spare valve would be issued from storage before moving to the com unit in the wall and flicking it on. "I'm here. What's the trouble Tech Bleth?"

Belth, its voice sounding a tad on the nervous side, said via the com, "The warships are on the move. They're leaving the system."

The Manager stood silent for a few seconds and then said into the com, "They must be heading for the drones in the Hauer system."

"No," was the reply, "both Armadas are heading towards the Ovastivum hyper-lane."

"WHAT?!?!"

-------------------​

The First Thinker ran to the tele-room when the unit's alarm went off. But the news wasn't what it had been waiting for.

ISS Ruthjara the Icon had finished building the Mining Station around Tenecca I and now was sent to Tenecca IXa to build a Mining Station there.

The First Thinker turned off the tele-room and went back to worrying. It wanted news from the Armadas. And it wanted to hear that Sol III had been saved.

Then the alarm went off again. Seems Elemano, and its crew, had found something weird on Jezemei VII. Something that looked like buildings made up out of crystals. It was given permission to study the objects. Relics? Lifeforms?

Elemano happily followed orders and was soon scanning the artifacts. Cities? Computers? Crystal artwork?

It was also decided to do a study on the Anicent Mining Drones. Though this would pull the Engineering Department from whatever they working on at the moment. It was decided that a long distance collecting and collating of data would not be a bad idea. After all the military were elsewhere.

And the ISS Ruthjara The Icon had finished in the Tenecca system. There was nothing else left to build there. It was told to head towards the Jezemei system. The path it had to take, because of Sol system being off limits, was somewhat a long one.

A detailed data package was received from Elemano and the crew of the ISS Lomatik the Butcher by the next planetary cycle. Seems the oversized crystals on Jezemei VII were trillions and trillions of deactivated nanites. But their purpose and designers were unknown. While they looked like buildings they were not buildings. But what they did....?

ISS Rukimar the Renowned was entering orbit around the star of Hemtares. The system had been mapped out by the ISS Linntyl the Sharp but there were not enough resources to build a Starbase yet.

As the Construction Ship went into orbit to wait, and the crew got overtime while they waited, the Science Ship was sent to the unknown system on the edge of the galaxy. A system out in the middle of nowhere. Falatir was so happy to be the first to reach the edge. Seems it had made bets with the other Scientists about who would get there first.

To Be Continued...(1)

-------------------​

1. Author's Note - HAHA!

 

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Fifty-Eight - Battle Of Sol

Commander Monnobak was on the bridge of the ISS Ratalla The Red when the Suthnar's Armada entered normal space. As the wartships appeared on bridge map the crew named them off. Nine Corvettes, including the Flagship, came out of H-space and returned to reality. One warship, fresh from a space dock, had joined the Aramada at the last moment.

"All ships," the Commander announced over the Aramda's network, "treat this rock like a enemy ship. First, let us try to overwhelm its defenses. GO! Tactic Rush!"

The warships approached the rock and increased their distance from each other. Once past the belt they opened up with energy weapons and missiles.

As the ships got closer they spread out more. Hitting the target from all directions. The Commander waited for the right moment and then said, "Tactic Ring Of Fire!"

The ships peeled off and formed a ring about the rock. Flying about it in a huge circle the warships fired inwards. Hitting the target from all sides. Missiles slammed into the rock along with the red beams of death. Dust and half melted rocks poured out into the void as explosions rocked the asteroid.

"Perfect!" exclaimed the Commander. "But be careful there. Don't get so close to Sol III."

"Commader," proclaimed one of the crew members, "Commander Ghuum has entered the system."

"About time," said Monnobak. "We need to remember that the Frigates are bigger and, therefore, slower. Invite the Sebakhir's Armada to the dance."

And the Frigate charged right in while unleasing all weapons. In fact it got a little TOO close. There was a danger its own hull might be damaged by debris. But its slow moving missiles did a LOT of damage to the target.

The lone Frigate buzzed about the target for a few more volleys before joining the other warships in the Ring of Fire.

Then it ended. The asteroid died. A few pieces of it still headed for Sol III but burned up in the atmosphere.

Commander Monnobak pondered what the Solians thought about the whole show. The flashes of lights in their sky. Was it noticed? Would they tell stories about it? Or would they go back to plowing their fields, building their castles, killing their enemies?

 

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Fifty-Nine - Clean Up

With the danger gone the Assembly slowly went back to normal. The interplanetary tele-network between the machine/organic computers of the planets, space stations, and space crafts went back to exchanging news reports, finance data, private mail, and science packets.

The ISS Yilmassa the Reformer was called back to the Excavating archaeological site in the Sol system. Kashnak was eager to get back to work.

Both Armadas were sent into orbit around Sol. Neither seemed to have received any damage. Which was good. Nobody had accidently fired on each other.

Soon the ISS Yilmassa was back at Sol VIIIa happily scanning away.

The ISS Yhlat the Savior was still studying Fevallion Va. There was plenty to survey in the system and Mikab was looking forward to researching every planet, every moon, ever piece of space rock.

Falatir and the ISS Linntyl had finally reached the unknown system and named it Torphry's Star. They had started surveying the system. The star was a K Class. In other words a orange dwarf. Fairy common and stable for up to 30 billion years.

And in the system of Zarim the ISS Donog finally had enough resources to build a Starbase. Only problem was....how would the Avallonian Remnant react to the Assembly expanding towards its space? How would the grumpy old aliens react to finding the Assembly finally claiming Zarim?

 

[Eurasia]

Stellaris Play & Learn
Chapter Sixty - Status Report - 2217.10.03

The First Thinker Sebakhir sat down in its tele-room and waited for the computer to download all the information from the Assembly's government data network. It wanted a up-to-date report on the condition of the Tandish Assembly. It had a herbal drink while it waited.

By the time the machinery had warmed up and the information was ready the First Thinker had finished its drink and started to absorb the reports.

First the two Armadas had been ordered back to the Hassaleh system. So they could, soon, deal with the Ancient Mining Drones.

The Science Department was also still working on studying the Ancient Mining Drones. From a safe distance.

There was also good news from the Civilian Industries. Consumer Goods were back in the positive. All the new industrial districts had helped increase the outflow of luxury goods.

In the Sol system the ISS Yilmassa the Reformer was almost finished with excavating the site. Or at least the first stage of the operation.

And the Spy Network on Sol III was slowly being built up. Very slowly as the Tandi really didn't look anything like the Solians.

In the Jezemei system the ISS Lomatik the Butcher was still mapping out the planets and moons.

In the Hemtares system the ISS Rukimar the Renowned was waiting for orders. Likely it would have to wait for resources before it could build a Starbase.

The ISS Linntyl the Sharp was also mapping out the Torphry's Star system. The system at the edge of the galaxy. Which had a lot of planets and moons to survey.

The ISS Yhlat the Savior was in the Fevallion system which it was also mapping out at the same time.

In the Ovastivum system the ISS Kodram the Suave was carrying out its own archaeological dig.

The ISS Donog the Apogee was finally started building a Starbase around the Zarim's sun. Soon the system would be claimed by the Assembly.

The ISS Ruthjara the Icon was ordered from Toiubos to the Jezemei system. Where it would construct a Starbase. If it had the resources.

The Dothon Station had started building a Salaas-Class Defense Platform while the Ulm Starbase was being upgraded to a true Station. In other words it would have a shipyard.

The First Thinker turned off the tele-room and sat for a few moments in thought. Most of the news was good news. Still...it felt worried. Maybe that was just the nature of being the Assembly's Leader? It was always worried about what it didn't know.