[STGOD 2] Story Thread

[Alyrium Denryle]

Good people of the Draconis Republic! The Federation of Shadow wishes to take from you, your right to due process. They wish to take the power you freely give to the republic, and they wish to take it by force. WILL YOU LET THEM!?

*The crowd cheers* Nessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Then so be it! The people have decided. However, war is not desired. We shall not shrin from it good people, to defend your intrests. But, there is a ring of smugglers within our great empire that takes children from their beds and sells them on the slave market! Will you allow them?

*cheers* Nessssssssssssssssssss

Then we must rely on you ur citizens to protect the people of the Draconis Republic. We must work together and secure not only our freedom, but our safety as well. Therefore we mst safegud our children. And the children of other star nations. Cooperate with the plice and militia, and please give them any information they need. And know where your younglings are at any moment.

That is all!

[Alyrium Denryle]

Police officers climbed the tree..the home of the last leader of the smuggling ring that had yet to be caught. Police issue pistols and rifles slung across their backs, or gripped in their tails as they climbed. The reached the overhang without incedent, and knocked on the meshwork of small bendable branches that served as a door.

" This is the police, we ave a warrant for your arrest"

With ne reply, they broke through the door, just as their suspect had lept from the tree.

They ran after and lept behind, spreading their wings(what else would you call them) they chaseed him from tree to tree. keeping constant note of his position. Several units were already waiting for him, and as he glided by, sprung their trap. A net burst from its launcher and caught him in mid air, plummeting toward the ground far below until the anchor became taught...he was done

[Brother-Captain Gaius]

It is strange human that the Federation finds that it has so much in common with a leftist predominately human nation. The Nerubian have had some interest in your star nation for some time, now we believe the Scythian population would as well. The Federation would like to propose a meeting between our diplomats to discuss matters of trade and alliance.

We of the UCS find this to be acceptable. Our KAK personnel are available for diplomatic dealings, or we can arrange a meeting with our nearest Fleet Admiral if you prefer something more formal.

[Sea Skimmer]

We of the UCS find this to be acceptable. Our KAK personnel are available for diplomatic dealings, or we can arrange a meeting with our nearest Fleet Admiral if you prefer something more formal.

The former will be sufficient

[Brother-Captain Gaius]

The two KAK officers entered the room, dressed in the simple gray uniforms of their profession.

"I am Colonel Ternekev of the United Communist KAK diplomatic corps, Federation division, and this is my aide, Junior Lieutenant Kehrnikov. I understand your great star nation is interested in extended international dealings. We speak for the UCS and wish to process this matter in an efficient manner. What exactly did you have in mind?"

[Sea Skimmer]

The two KAK officers entered the room, dressed in the simple gray uniforms of their profession.

"I am Colonel Ternekev of the United Communist KAK diplomatic corps, Federation division, and this is my aide, Junior Lieutenant Kehrnikov. I understand your great star nation is interested in extended international dealings. We speak for the UCS and wish to process this matter in an efficient manner. What exactly did you have in mind?"

A Nerubian brain sat before them. "I am general Swamp, retired, and the Federation of the Shadow is interested in an economic and military pact. You among the human nations have seen eye to eye with us upon matters of the sector. We believe such a pact could greatly strength our respective star nations.

[Brother-Captain Gaius]

A Nerubian brain sat before them. "I am general Swamp, retired, and the Federation of the Shadow is interested in an economic and military pact. You among the human nations have seen eye to eye with us upon matters of the sector. We believe such a pact could greatly strength our respective star nations.

"We would very much like to enter such an agreement. Chief among our exports are raw munitions and military hardware, agricultural products, and spacecraft components. We do not know if any of these would be of particular use to you however, as contact with other species en masse is only a recent happening within our nation. The UCS would also be pleased to enter a military alliance."

[Alyrium Denryle]

ATTN: Genengineer Protectorate
FROM: Draconis Republic
RE: Federation aggression

:Heavily encoded into a living organisms DNA...the Genengineers will know how to decode it::

As it is well known. The Federation of Shadow has become more and more aggressive as of late, and even though we may not see eye to eye on many things, both our nations have one thing in common, and that is our loathing for their actions. It is because of this, and because they are quickly gathering allies that we ask that we join forces, both militarily and economically to stand up to them if need be. What say you?

[Sea Skimmer]

"We would very much like to enter such an agreement. Chief among our exports are raw munitions and military hardware, agricultural products, and spacecraft components. We do not know if any of these would be of particular use to you however, as contact with other species en masse is only a recent happening within our nation. The UCS would also be pleased to enter a military alliance."

Our own military industry can currently meet our needs. We may however purchase some bulk food supplies for the rapidly expanding Hive. Spacecraft components will be an item of real interest. The most recent amendment to the naval law calls for the construction of many new 21-week Aster corvettes. These are built in prefabricated sections across our worlds and require a dedicated shipyard only for final assembly. Your shipyards could no doubt speed the process by building some parts. We may place a contract for that soon.

In exchange the Federation can offer its considerable construction resources and expertise, industrially technologies, a wide range of very cheep if not always top of the sector line consumer goods and other manufactured items.

For the terms of the alliance we propose one of mutual defence, with each side coming to the aid of the other if it is attacked and assisting in the protection of the others interests and shipping.

[Brother-Captain Gaius]

In exchange the Federation can offer its considerable construction resources and expertise, industrially technologies, a wide range of very cheep if not top of the sector line consumer goods and other manufactured items.

We would be most interested in industrial technology. While we have heavy industries on many of our worlds, the technology powering it is not as advanced as we would like.

For the terms of the alliance we propose one of mutual defence, with each side coming to the aid of the other if it is attacked and assisting in the protection of the others interests and shipping.

We agree to these terms.

[Sea Skimmer]

We would be most interested in industrial technology. While we have heavy industries on many of our worlds, the technology powering it is not as advanced as we would like.

The Todt Organization, a private firm that dose much work for the Federation government, could easily sell advanced industrial automation and other technologies to you and assist in upgrading your facilities to utilize the technologies. They have successfully automated many government arsenals, improving output and cutting the workforces needed back to skeleton levels.

We agree to these terms.

Then let our great nations make them binding.

[Spyder]

Certain elements within the Hive are launching an expedition to the Sol system.
Our records indicate that Sol is not in the posession of any major powers, possibly do to the fact that most of the resources within Sol have been strip mined and facilities abandoned long ago. Earth is reported to be little more then a barely breathable desolate wasteland.

The vessel is to depart from the border worlds of the Hive cluster and the flight path takes the ship through one waypoint at E4e5* before proceeding directly through Sol.

This is a measure to ensure that vessel remains at a safe distance from any territory claimed by another power.

*(using 0-6 as the elevation scale as opposed to 1-7, so on the old scale the waypoint coordinate would be E4e6)

This expedition is being privately funded and remains unsupported by the Hive Nexus.

[Spyder]

Downtown Capital City
Planet: Arseius

The square was alive with activty, people moving in every direction, many in vehicles, many more on foot. There was an odd chill in the air. Everyone moved as though they had a purpose. The towering skyscrappers of innumerable corporations broke the dark grey sky. After various layers of vehicle traffic, structures and burning exhaust very little natural light made it to the lower levels. The lighting on the ground was almost entirely provided by streetlights.

It was down here that those who wished to have certain aspects about themselves remain hidden from public view revelled in the places where local mercenary law enforcement aren't payed to look. The fact that places like this exist is no suprise, the general population of the Hive after all was spawned from Anarchy. What is suprising though is that there are not more of them.

Your average Hive citizen goes to work each day, comes home, has a roof over their head, food and running water. They have social interactions and function the way anyone would expect them to in a normal society. What still remained unclear was how it was all held together. Apart from the occasional uniform standing guard near a building there was little sign of any authority. What is it that keeps the Hive from becoming a dystopia? How could their society function without any form of government discipline?

Not too long ago there was a man from South Arseius who took note of his surroundings and managed to connect the dots and for the first time in his life his purpose became clear. His name was Quan.

[Stravo]

ATTN: Genengineer Protectorate
FROM: Draconis Republic
RE: Federation aggression

:Heavily encoded into a living organisms DNA...the Genengineers will know how to decode it::

As it is well known. The Federation of Shadow has become more and more aggressive as of late, and even though we may not see eye to eye on many things, both our nations have one thing in common, and that is our loathing for their actions. It is because of this, and because they are quickly gathering allies that we ask that we join forces, both militarily and economically to stand up to them if need be. What say you?

TO: Draconis Republic
From: Genegineer Protectorate
Re: Federation Aggression

We are as concerned by Federation aggression as you are and will endeavor to begin building military ties with your empire. The growing influence of the Federation must be checked immedaitely and we cannot allow their unilateral moves to continue unopposed. We fear that a conflict between our powers may be inevitable should the Federation continue on this course. We are also concerned by the aggressive moves of the Hive and may in the near future consider extending our military alliance against them should they prove our statisticians correct regarding their final intentions.

*The molecular chain containing the message quickly dissolves to nothing.*

[Pablo Sanchez]

This expedition is being privately funded and remains unsupported by the Hive Nexus.

This expedition proceeds against the protests of the Caliph. Sol is the lost homeland of the human race and this holy site should remain untouched.

[Brother-Captain Gaius]

This expedition is being privately funded and remains unsupported by the Hive Nexus.

This expedition proceeds against the protests of the Caliph. Sol is the lost homeland of the human race and this holy site should remain untouched.

The UCS agrees with the Caliphate, in principle. So long as we stand we will not allow any vessel, expedition, or probe into the Sol system, and the Molotov carrier group is being moved to ensure that. Any spacecraft attempting to enter the Sol system, be it inert, derelict, manned or anything, will be destroyed. The Molotov group will remain at the fringes of the system until such a time as we no longer perceive a threat to humanity's homeworld.

[Alyrium Denryle]

ATTN: Genengineer Protectorate
FROM: Draconis Republic
RE: Federation aggression

:Heavily encoded into a living organisms DNA...the Genengineers will know how to decode it::

As it is well known. The Federation of Shadow has become more and more aggressive as of late, and even though we may not see eye to eye on many things, both our nations have one thing in common, and that is our loathing for their actions. It is because of this, and because they are quickly gathering allies that we ask that we join forces, both militarily and economically to stand up to them if need be. What say you?

TO: Draconis Republic
From: Genegineer Protectorate
Re: Federation Aggression

We are as concerned by Federation aggression as you are and will endeavor to begin building military ties with your empire. The growing influence of the Federation must be checked immedaitely and we cannot allow their unilateral moves to continue unopposed. We fear that a conflict between our powers may be inevitable should the Federation continue on this course. We are also concerned by the aggressive moves of the Hive and may in the near future consider extending our military alliance against them should they prove our statisticians correct regarding their final intentions.

*The molecular chain containing the message quickly dissolves to nothing.*

:Normal transmission:

We shall be sending an ambassador post haste unless you object.

[Spyder]

This expedition is being privately funded and remains unsupported by the Hive Nexus.

This expedition proceeds against the protests of the Caliph. Sol is the lost homeland of the human race and this holy site should remain untouched.

The UCS agrees with the Caliphate, in principle. So long as we stand we will not allow any vessel, expedition, or probe into the Sol system, and the Molotov carrier group is being moved to ensure that. Any spacecraft attempting to enter the Sol system, be it inert, derelict, manned or anything, will be destroyed. The Molotov group will remain at the fringes of the system until such a time as we no longer perceive a threat to humanity's homeworld.

And how exactly do you hope to accomplish that without entering the Sol system anyway? You couldn't possibly patrol all the nearby jump nodes.

Scientists within the Hive send a scientific expedition, the UCS sends warships. Is the Caliphate going to stand by as the UCS prepares to desecrate the sanctity of the motherworld with armed conflict?

[Alyrium Denryle]

That part of space is no stranger to armed conflict. You could do no worse to that once beautiful world than what has already been done.

However, it would not be prudent to intrude on their homeworld.

[Brother-Captain Gaius]

And how exactly do you hope to accomplish that without entering the Sol system anyway? You couldn't possibly patrol all the nearby jump nodes.

Perhaps you are right. As such, the United Communist Sector moves for the creation of a Joint Earth Defense Fleet. The JEDF would consist of one battle group of each human power interested in preserving the sanctity of our lost homeworld. We, for one, will not sit idly by watching researchers and explorers desecrate and capitalize off of the Sol system. It stands as a memorial for what humanity once was and is now, and the UCS will not allow any tampering with its preserved condition. Any human star nations interested in joining the JEDF need only dispatch whatever forces they can to the Sol system, where further details can be arranged.

Scientists within the Hive send a scientific expedition, the UCS sends warships. Is the Caliphate going to stand by as the UCS prepares to desecrate the sanctity of the motherworld with armed conflict?

If armed conflict is what it takes to preserve our homeworld, then that is what it shall take. We no more crave bloodshed then the next empire, and hopefully any would-be interlopers will be deterred by military force. If not, then we have little choice.

[Sea Skimmer]

While only a fraction of the Federations population has descended from earth, and it far longer ago then the predominantly human star nations we consider the world key to discovering how the Scythian arrived on Erat and how our humans arrived on Middle Earth. However we do not believe research on its surface can bring us any clues for the foreseeable future. Until new methods can be developed and new information gathered we must insist nothing further is done to disrupt the world. The gateway we seek may already be lost and the Hive is rather unlikely to improve the situation.

First scouting group will be dispatched to the Sol system.

[Brother-Captain Gaius]

We thank our allies the Federation for their support in this matter.

[Stormbringer]

{Tower of the Holy Ones - Sota' Ran System}

"The Draconis have proved remarkably intractible. There desire to stand upon the absolute and unbending letter of the law with out regards to morality or greater consequence is making this matter most difficult to resolve." said the adjunctant High Priest

"We have noticed this trend on several ocassions. A dangerous and foolish idea. Idealism has it's place but one must be mindful of the consequences."

"So what do we do?"

"Try to moderate both sides. But stay out of it for now."

[Alyrium Denryle]

Draconis Republic Government Freecast

People of the galaxy. We have been criticized as of late for strict adherane for the law, and for a lack of morals. What your government is telling you...is a lie. The only laws in which we are unbending, are the rights of our people. Speech, petition, press, religion, due process, freedom to arm themselves...the pursuit of life, liberty, and property. The right to be treated equally by the government and business. The right to privacy, and freeom of searches and information. The right to freedom is the essence of morality. And crimes such as murder, kidnapping or slavery...crimes that deny freedom are heinous crimes, and we find them truly repugnant.

But to stop these crimes, we will not stoop so low as those that commit them. We will never shred the rihts of our people in order to catch a criminal. We would rather ten criminals go free than one innocent be imprisoned. Thankfully or justice system is such that we need not worry about that.

What is safety without freedom? We could wipe out civil rights, and destroy all crime, but such safety would be a guilded prison.

We have gone through proper channels. ANd have captued the alledged leaders of this smuggling/slaving ring. They will be tried and if found guilty, will be extradited to federation space. But we will not allow an innocent to be punished.

[Brother-Captain Gaius]

In the interest of ceasing this petty bickering, the UCS will concede that as long as the Republic gets the job done it really doesn't matter where and when who's rights were "violated". We are somewhat perturbed, however, by their blunt disregard for law and order. Imprisoning a single innocent being is a small price to pay for the heads of ten guilty ones.