STGOD 4 Game Thread

[Hotfoot]

Known Space
Ark Sector - Ravenlock Controlled Region
Trade Fair

There was a reason very few people brought warships to the Trade Fair. Two Ravenlock fleets were in the Ark Sector already, focused on keeping the Trade Fair safe. The Consortium was a Corporate State, and as such, trade was very important. Anyone attempting to disrupt trade was considered hostile, an enemy of the state. The active scans and reports from other ships had been picked up by the assembled Consortium fleets, and Fleet Admiral Radim had just recently returned from his excursion to Far Point.

It was hunting season.

Delta Fleet remained where it was, as did Alpha Fleet’s second Battlegroup. Radim and the First Battlegroup of Alpha Fleet began to move. The area of space where the active scans had been coming from. The sensor net that had been slowly building in the sector for the last month was now being put to use. Scouts from the First Battlegroup made way to the area of sensor activity, supported by the local sensor net. Whoever was looking at the Ravenlock out there in the void was about to get a stick in their eye for their trouble.

[Beowulf]

"Ah, right. Well, regardless, it still helps to know who it is we're selling to. It's a bad way to run a business if all of a sudden it turns out you're selling weapons to terrorists, you know?" The booth manager smiled, biting back the urge to laugh at the man. He was told that religion had survived, but blasmphemy? Soulcatcher? It was only a name, after all, and who really believed in souls anyway?

"Ah, but these aren't weapons, are they? It's merely that we need something that we don't have. Regardless... If you aren't willing to sell, I'm sure there are others that will... good day, sir."

Known Space
Ark Sector - Ravenlock Controlled Region
Trade Fair

There was a reason very few people brought warships to the Trade Fair. Two Ravenlock fleets were in the Ark Sector already, focused on keeping the Trade Fair safe. The Consortium was a Corporate State, and as such, trade was very important. Anyone attempting to disrupt trade was considered hostile, an enemy of the state. The active scans and reports from other ships had been picked up by the assembled Consortium fleets, and Fleet Admiral Radim had just recently returned from his excursion to Far Point.

It was hunting season.

Delta Fleet remained where it was, as did Alpha Fleet’s second Battlegroup. Radim and the First Battlegroup of Alpha Fleet began to move. The area of space where the active scans had been coming from. The sensor net that had been slowly building in the sector for the last month was now being put to use. Scouts from the First Battlegroup made way to the area of sensor activity, supported by the local sensor net. Whoever was looking at the Ravenlock out there in the void was about to get a stick in their eye for their trouble.

They soon found it, in the midst of the crowd of ships that were visiting the trade fair. It appeared to be a somewhat small and heavily armed for its type freighter. It would be able to stand against a small pirate ship, but certainly nothing more.

[Hotfoot]

Ravenlock Space
Ravenlock Sector
Aequitas

“Copy that, Demonstration of Supremacy. Welcome to the system. We have workers putting the finishing touches on your quarters in the Diplomatic Station. I hope you don’t mind, but we put you next to the Veithans.”

Monacoran Space
Sol Sector
Sol

The Interesting Times exited hyperspace out beyond the Oort cloud of Sol for the second time. The Director sighed heavily as he reviewed his reports again, wishing he could just remember what Earth was like before the attack. The courier ship opened a channel with Sol STC and made its way to Earth, back to the place Jon Cameron had died just a few months prior.

[Hotfoot]

Known Space
Ark Sector - Ravenlock Controlled Region
Trade Fair

"Ah, but these aren't weapons, are they? It's merely that we need something that we don't have. Regardless... If you aren't willing to sell, I'm sure there are others that will... good day, sir."

"Interesting philosophy you have there..." The booth Manager waited for the man to turn and leave before checking in with security via a subdermal radio link. This guy wasn't an immediate threat, but he would now be tracked throughout the fair. Security cameras were watching him as he made his way through the ship. If he tried anything suspicious, security would be on him in a matter of seconds.

They soon found it, in the midst of the crowd of ships that were visiting the trade fair. It appeared to be a somewhat small and heavily armed for its type freighter. It would be able to stand against a small pirate ship, but certainly nothing more.

The frieghter's communications were being tracked, and the First Battlegroup made way to that location at best speed (assuming you're not using your ansibles. If you are, well, all the better for me). Meanwhile, at the fair, Delta Fleet locked on to the Freighter, and a Voidform boarding ship was prepped. If the ship so much as powered up an FTL drive, its reactor would be forcibly removed from the rest of the ship. Tractor beams slowly removed it from the cluster it was in.

<<Attention Frieghter, this is Ravenlock Command. You will power down immediately and be boarded for questioning.>> It was perhaps an excessive show of force, but an effective one, and would almost certainly make the other attendees feel safer knowing that the Consortium was on the ball.

[Beowulf]

Known Space
Ark Sector - Ravenlock Controlled Region
Trade Fair

"Ah, but these aren't weapons, are they? It's merely that we need something that we don't have. Regardless... If you aren't willing to sell, I'm sure there are others that will... good day, sir."

"Interesting philosophy you have there..." The booth Manager waited for the man to turn and leave before checking in with security via a subdermal radio link. This guy wasn't an immediate threat, but he would now be tracked throughout the fair. Security cameras were watching him as he made his way through the ship. If he tried anything suspicious, security would be on him in a matter of seconds.

The man walked into the restroom. He did not come out.

They soon found it, in the midst of the crowd of ships that were visiting the trade fair. It appeared to be a somewhat small and heavily armed for its type freighter. It would be able to stand against a small pirate ship, but certainly nothing more.

The frieghter's communications were being tracked, and the First Battlegroup made way to that location at best speed (assuming you're not using your ansibles. If you are, well, all the better for me). Meanwhile, at the fair, Delta Fleet locked on to the Freighter, and a Voidform boarding ship was prepped. If the ship so much as powered up an FTL drive, its reactor would be forcibly removed from the rest of the ship. Tractor beams slowly removed it from the cluster it was in.

<<Attention Frieghter, this is Ravenlock Command. You will power down immediately and be boarded for questioning.>> It was perhaps an excessive show of force, but an effective one, and would almost certainly make the other attendees feel safer knowing that the Consortium was on the ball.

On board the freighter, a small module was removed from the computer system, and dumped into a hidden compartment, where it was destroyed.

"Roger Ravenlock Command. This is the Auspicous Star, powering down. Out."

ooc- I'm pretty sure it's impossible to determine the end point of an ansible, even if you have the other end.

[Thirdfain]

Hall of Revels
Eketrina
Hudson System
Diaspora, Rimwards Edge of Known Space

Few non-Ousters have ever seen a revel. It is an event like no other- an affirmation of life, a feast, a sight of debauchery above and beyond the needs, and abilities, of mere humans to emulate.

The 3rd War Cluster was returning to Eketrina. Her ships were scarred from battle, her crews decreased in size by the long campaign. For six months, half a year, they had been out amongst the stars. Twelve million groundforce soldiers of various callings. Twenty million assorted support crews, supply officers, foundry managers, and construction workers. Two million warship crewmembers. Two hundred agents of various capabilities and duties. Fifteen Blackeyes of assorted skill-levels and mission specialties. One woman, place of origin unknown, and a blank spot in the ship's records.

All of them, certainly, were not packed into the Hall of Revels. A mere kilometer in diameter, the huge circular room could not fit all of them- the rest were dispersed across Eketrina, in a thousand venues, wildly enjoying their first real leave in half a year. The Cluster itself was hard at work- the ships needed refitting and rearming, and the Fleet Tender Glorious Return had to have her vast, kilometer-long supply holds re-filled, an effort that took the labor of tens of thousands.

The Hall was dominated by over a hundred buffets of various types. Baelorean imported beef was the most prominent, with over fifty huge animals being slaughtered to feed the mass of high-ranking officers, decorated soldiers, and officials who had been invited into the Speaker's presence for the Revel. She, herself, was situated at the far end of the hall, near the bank of massive windows which looked out over Eketrina's military yards. The soldiers could watch the majestic beauty of their vessels as they were delicately enfolded in gossamer webs of scaffolding, as they feasted wildly, stray peices of ripped meat and fruit being contained in the eating area by low-grade forcefields, to be sucked up by the automated cleaning systems. Two Groundforce soldiers who had participated in the conquest of Ja'del with great bravery were devouring a haunch of meat, peices of gristle and bubbles of blood filling the air around them- after months of troop-rations, it was a rare delicacy.

Fiddles skirled from what could only be a band-pit, and couples danced energetically in the complex, frentic movements of Unbound mating rituals. It was a truly dizzying display of packed, wild humanity.

The Speaker sat above it all, watching with mild enjoyment as the soldiers enjoyed the fruits of their long deployment. They would be back out in the wilderness of Fallow Space soon enough, but until then, they would enjoy their breif respite at home. Such things were fine for morale, and the soldiers threw themselves into it with reckless abandon- after all, they could die tomorrow to the guns of the degenerates.

She raised an eyebrow- two members of the council, well-marinated in alchohol, were coupling energetically in one of the many alcoves set aside for the very purpose. Curious- they always opposed one another at meetings. She'd watch that- they may have been working together all that time.

She yawned, and stretched. It was getting late, and the revel would do well without her. She was not one for such displays, and prefered a quite night in her study, with books of local culture.

Nodding, she took Sayus' hand and began the walk back to her chambers, her sextet of Blackeyes guards settling behind her quietly and efficiently.

Celicia su Elysium bid Sayus a good-nightshift, and entered her opulent chambers, her guards taking up their positions outside.

She stretched, feeling her tendons pop under the pressure, and her muscles begin to relax. It had been a long day.

"Celicia."

It was a tribute to the Speaker's wisdom that, rather than ask the dark room who was there, she instead lunged for the alarm button. It was only a few feet away, and even with her advancing years, she was still spry.

It was all for naught.

A grip like bands of steel settled over her wrists and throat, and her eyes widened as she tried to scream, knowing that the thickly armored walls would never allow her voice out to her guards.

"Celicia, Speaker..."

The Speaker knew that voice from somewhere. It was naggingly familiar...

"We are going to have a little talk."


***

[Hotfoot]

Known Space
Ark Sector - Ravenlock Controlled Region
Trade Fair

The moment that the mysterious agent attempted to beam out from a bathroom on the Dream Forge, the automatic security systems responded. The bathroom was locked down, force fields containing the area, doors deadbolting into place, preventing any physical exit. With the transporter jamming still in place, the agent was trapped. Security teams moved into position, waiting for the word to go. Major Hodge's SENTINEL team was called in to put on a little show for any onlookers that could see over the guards around the perimeter. Four LT-Carbines were trained on the door, and then on the agent, as the SENTINEL team got security feed from the bathroom itself. The doors snapped open and the force wall between SENTINEL and the agent deactivated, and Major Hodge's team opened fire. Four distinct pulses of coherant high energy photons streamed out of the Carbines, igniting the air around them, ionizing the gas. The clothing of the agent offered little protection against the fury of the laser blasts, and layers of flesh melted under the withering glare of the SENTINEL LT-Carbines. Before the stench of his own burning flesh could reach his nose, electrical shocks shivered down the recently ionized gas, seeking release, wanting to restore balance to the charges of atoms. Along the way, they found the Agent, and cheerfully transmitted their energy into him, rendering him blissfully unconcious before he even hit the floor. He would be taken to a room away from the Fair itself and questioned by the Consortium's specialists.

Meanwhile, in space, records were being cross checked, and the disturbance on board the Dream Forge had not gone unnoticed. The Freighter currently being boarded by Voidform troops was indicated as the ship that had brought the agent to the fair. Any other ships in the registry were similarly singled out and boarded. The crews were removed from the ships and brought to holding areas for questioning, the ships seized as evidence. Computers, communication systems, everything was scanned in detail, and any secrets on board the ship or ships would be uncovered. Whoever was foolish enough to try and disrupt the trade fair would be found, and they would pay.

A notice went out to the assembled guests, assuring them that the situation was under control, and that the Trade Fair was to proceed without any further interruption. The speed and efficiency with which the situation was handled was sure to be a positive sign, and would no doubt increase sales of Ravenlock goods.

[Alyrium Denryle]

<Tightbeam tranmission>

Ravenlock command. We applaud your capitalist spirit and your efficiency in taking those scumbags out. we have been asked by our government to request that we open up formal diplomatic ties and offer the services of our venom in interrogation of prisoners. Non-lethal doses of a combined neurotixin/cytotoxin will make them talk

[Hotfoot]

<Tightbeam tranmission>

Ravenlock command. We applaud your capitalist spirit and your efficiency in taking those scumbags out. we have been asked by our government to request that we open up formal diplomatic ties and offer the services of our venom in interrogation of prisoners. Non-lethal doses of a combined neurotixin/cytotoxin will make them talk

{{Thank you. If you have diplomats present, we are willing to accept them on board the Serial Peacemaker, either now or after the fair. The offer for assistance in questioning is appreciated, and we will take it into consideration. Thank you for your concern.}}

[Alyrium Denryle]

<Tightbeam tranmission>

Ravenlock command. We applaud your capitalist spirit and your efficiency in taking those scumbags out. we have been asked by our government to request that we open up formal diplomatic ties and offer the services of our venom in interrogation of prisoners. Non-lethal doses of a combined neurotixin/cytotoxin will make them talk

{{Thank you. If you have diplomats present, we are willing to accept them on board the Serial Peacemaker, either now or after the fair. The offer for assistance in questioning is appreciated, and we will take it into consideration. Thank you for your concern.}}

<Unfortunatly, we have no diplomats with us. However a transport is en' route. The offer of course, stands as long as they are in your custody. May the money flow on this glorious day! >

[Hotfoot]

<Unfortunatly, we have no diplomats with us. However a transport is en' route. The offer of course, stands as long as they are in your custody. May the money flow on this glorious day! >

When they are cleared at the secondary meeting point, we will gladly accept them.

[Rogue 9]

NRS Polaris, Ravenlock Trade Fair

The Polaris floated near her three sister ships and their civilian charges. Captain Zzrinka looked at the large viewscreen, his four arms all folded behind his back as he observed the ships coming and going.

"Conn, Sensors. Military activity from the Ravenlock vessels, sir. Looks like they're seizing a freighter. Probably to do with all the active scans we've been undergoing, sir."

"Alert level yellow. Don't spin up the guns yet, but I want to have power ready at a moment's notice."

"Sir, someone would have to be either crazy or in command of a gigantic fleet to even consider pirating this fair," the executive officer pointed out.

"Yes, that's what worries me," said Zzrinka, running his secondary right hand through the fine fur on his cheek. "Just see to it that we're ready to protect our charges should it become necessary."

"Aye, sir."

[Dahak]

Ravenlock Space
Ravenlock Sector
Aequitas

“Copy that, Demonstration of Supremacy. Welcome to the system. We have workers putting the finishing touches on your quarters in the Diplomatic Station. I hope you don’t mind, but we put you next to the Veithans.”

"Acknowledged. We have no problems being stationed next to our Veithan friends. We'll begin docking as soon as we arrive. Supremacy out."

She, and her escorts, powered up their sublight engines and with a slight ripple of space time moved towards the diplomatic station.

As they reached it, the Supremacy slowly moved closer to the station. Heir hull began to morph and extended her docking arm to the station.

[Darksider]

"Acknowledged."

The small diplomatic convoy moved along the transmitted path, and landed on Trondheim.

Ambassador Toorth walked out and greeted the Asgard diplomatic personell.

"Hello."

"Welcome, Ambassador Toorth. I am Special Secretay Friedland." The man gave a wave in the direction of a waiting car. "Would you like me to see you to your quarters or to the meeting straight away?"

"I would like to proceed to the meeting right away. We have much to discuss."

[Beowulf]

Known Space
Ark Sector - Ravenlock Controlled Region
Trade Fair

The moment that the mysterious agent attempted to beam out from a bathroom on the Dream Forge, the automatic security systems responded. The bathroom was locked down, force fields containing the area, doors deadbolting into place, preventing any physical exit. With the transporter jamming still in place, the agent was trapped. Security teams moved into position, waiting for the word to go. Major Hodge's SENTINEL team was called in to put on a little show for any onlookers that could see over the guards around the perimeter. Four LT-Carbines were trained on the door, and then on the agent, as the SENTINEL team got security feed from the bathroom itself. The doors snapped open and the force wall between SENTINEL and the agent deactivated, and Major Hodge's team opened fire. Four distinct pulses of coherant high energy photons streamed out of the Carbines, igniting the air around them, ionizing the gas. The clothing of the agent offered little protection against the fury of the laser blasts, and layers of flesh melted under the withering glare of the SENTINEL LT-Carbines. Before the stench of his own burning flesh could reach his nose, electrical shocks shivered down the recently ionized gas, seeking release, wanting to restore balance to the charges of atoms. Along the way, they found the Agent, and cheerfully transmitted their energy into him, rendering him blissfully unconcious before he even hit the floor. He would be taken to a room away from the Fair itself and questioned by the Consortium's specialists.

Meanwhile, in space, records were being cross checked, and the disturbance on board the Dream Forge had not gone unnoticed. The Freighter currently being boarded by Voidform troops was indicated as the ship that had brought the agent to the fair. Any other ships in the registry were similarly singled out and boarded. The crews were removed from the ships and brought to holding areas for questioning, the ships seized as evidence. Computers, communication systems, everything was scanned in detail, and any secrets on board the ship or ships would be uncovered. Whoever was foolish enough to try and disrupt the trade fair would be found, and they would pay.

A notice went out to the assembled guests, assuring them that the situation was under control, and that the Trade Fair was to proceed without any further interruption. The speed and efficiency with which the situation was handled was sure to be a positive sign, and would no doubt increase sales of Ravenlock goods.

Unfortunately for the SENTINEL team, the man they captured was about 3 inches shorter, 5 pounds lighter, and had completely different facial features from the man they were tracking. As soon as the man woke up, he began complaining loudely that this was a violation of his rights as an Asgard citizen, that he demanded to see a lawyer, and to see a consul. On him, they found no electronics devices of any sort, no even a diode. They also found a Asgard Passport, matching his description exactly. Minus the fresh wounds, of course.

In space, the freighter they had captured they soon found was owned by an Asgard defense contractor. They fairly quickly found the hidden material destruction device. When they looked into the computer the found reams of mostly useless information, along with the standard operating procedure for that ship, which includes order to leave active sensors on in possibly hostile space. The did find an ansible, which was not especially surprising considering that the Asgard do make use of that technology.

The Ravenlock began questioning the crew, and again, found that they were Asgard citizens.

ooc- Hotfoot, wiring up the restroom completely would more likely weird the other patrons out, rather than provide the feeling of security... And honestly, do you think I would be so stupid as to try teleporting out, when I can merely have my man change his identity?

[Hotfoot]

Known Space
Ark Sector - Ravenlock Controlled Region
Trade Fair

The protests of the crew had not gone unnoticed. The spy wasn’t saying much, he was still unconscious, and would stay that way for a while. Being stripped naked and put into stasis would keep the shapeshifting spy out of trouble for a while. The Veithans had been consulted, and they had agreed to send a Prime, one of their most powerful telepaths. Whatever information the spy had, it would be theirs very shortly.

Meanwhile, the Consortium sent out encrypted traffic to Monacora, a known ally of the Asgard, in an effort to verify the story of the freighter crew. Any official representatives of the Asgard at the fair would be consulted as well, and an official notification of the situation was sent to the Asgard government. However, protesting one’s nationality was of little use in a situation such as this. Any sane nation would let criminals rot, unless they had a very good reason for wanting extradition.

Files were checked and cross-checked in the security offices. No matches were found of Asgard ansible use, or the existence of magical shapeshifters in the Asgard. Something was fishy here, very fishy indeed. The Consortium’s own dealings with the Dra’kol made them intimately aware of the possible uses of shapeshifters in intelligence, espionage, and black ops. Whoever had planned this operation had been foolish or just plain unlucky to choose the Consortium as opponents.

[Straha]

To: The Ravenlocke Consortium
From: Monacoran Customs Division et Monacoran State Department


We are currently checking the veracity and background of the passport data you have supplied us with and are double checking all files we might have on the freighter. We hope to have as much information as possible available for you in, at most, twelve hours. We will also consult with the Asgard Empire to see if they could use any of our help with their investigation as well.

If you need anything we hope you feel no hesitation to ask us for help, we will be more than willing to help you by any and every means available to us.

[Pablo Sanchez]

Aber-Toril

"You're finally back," Alexander greeted him at the landing pad, "just in time to receive some bad news."

Basil guessed at random, "Something to do with the girl?"

"She... well, we weren't precisely holding her here, so I can't say that she 'escaped,' can I? You were only supposed to be gone a few weeks," the younger explained.

"Plans changed. The buildup to that matter on Estevan was very long, I had to consider my next move now that such a long-term plan came to fruition, and I was reading Earth-books," Basil replied, "and at any rate, I can hardly be surprised at her movements. Elanie su Madrighala was an extremely capable woman, is a very dangerous vampire, and will be extremely useful to me, no matter what she does."

"And what do you think she's going to do?" Alexander asked, "you're the devious one."

"I don't have to think about it, I know. There were three full days between when I took her blood and when I freed her of what bound her to me. She doesn't know about the period of control. Everything she knew she told me, and I read her soul as I might read a book," the Grand Prince waved a hand dismissively, "I understand her motives. I want you to send some of my people--from my own personal retinue--to our Ouster embassy. No... don't send them... you will go with them personally. As their leader."

"And what are we going to do, precisely?" Alexander asked.

"First you'll wait. But when the time comes you'll know to take action or not. You'll need no orders from me."

Alexander nodded, "Alright, then," conversationally, "and what did you read, precisely?"

"Many books," Basil replied, "this one was my favorite."

The Grand Prince produced a book from inside his cloak and handed it to the other as he walked past into his newly completed estate. Alexander looked down at the title.

<The Count of Monte Cristo,> he thought, <a promising title.>

[Rogue 9]

He already had his mark picked, a captain in what looked to be Nashtari uniform waving him on up he brought him to center stage.

"Here ye go sir, come here. This, this is the finest ground assault weapon you'll ever find, Army standard issue, Marine too, come on over now the dummy over there. Pick the four weakest points and fire a shot into each one of them. Come on, don't be shy!"

The soldier dropped to one knee, took careful aim, shouted out the warning that he was about to fire, and fired.

Captain Henry Russell was impressed by the suit's resilience as he pumped the clip into it. He'd really like to judge it against his AR-57 assault rifle, but he didn't have it on him at the fair and doubted that the Monacoran salesman would appreciate having that much punishment inflicted on his wares pre-sale anyway. It was easy to see why the Monacoran had picked him. Captain Russell was big, burly, and moved with the fluidity and confidence of a professional warrior. He was an instructor on Korrigal, and like most of the instructors there, he was a member of one of the Special Operations Groups, which didn't officially exist but, like the Navy SEALs of old, were fairly well known anyway. He had been sent to evaluate infantry equipment for sale, and liked what he was shooting at. The Monacoran had picked the right man; Russell knew what he would recommend devoting the infantry's portion of the money given them by the government to spend. He went to talk to Major Hanover, his superior and the man in charge of making bids right after he was through helping with the test.

[frigidmagi]

"Intruiging. Only *one* family per name? your initial settlement base must have been small."

"9500 surviviors from the crash. Lucky 90% of the surviviors were of breeding age. Given that the wars didn't start until 35 years after the crash and mostly followed a code of law we were able to avoid genetic depletion. But, ah, we're here."

The walls had been blank since the exited the elevator, armed guards and drones at everycorner. Sensors scanned constantly. At the end of all the security was a simple corrider and a wooden nearoak door. Brain Mattews opened it and inside sat the Lord Protector behind a craved desk. A matching chair and desk had been set up in front of him.

The Lord Protector rose and spread his arms.

"Mr. President, welcome. I trust the trip was uneventful? Do you require refreshment?"

[frigidmagi]

What matter are you talking about, Admiral?" asked the Councilor with a voice full of perplexity.

"You tell me Councilor, after all you're the one said he wished to talk of the threat of the Hajr. Are you at war with them? Or have they merely threathen you? I cannot make promises for my government, but I can tell you that my Lord Protector is quite devoted to limiting Hajr power and the threat it carries. You may also wish to know that the machine was destoried. So we may concern ourselves solely with the matters at hand." The Fleet Admiral said.

OOC: Man, don't stick words in my mouth.

[frigidmagi]

RavenLock Trade Fair

Ambassador Sir Franklin Fairworth had had fun wandering the fair, but it was time for business. He had an appoint to keep with a RavenLock rep.

He headed over to the Serial Peacemaker.

[Hotfoot]

Known Space
Ark Sector - Ravenlock Controlled Region
Trade Fair
Serial Peacemaker

The Serial Peacemaker was not quite as busy as the Dream Forge, but it had a fair amount of activity going on, at a much more relaxed pace. Visitors on board the Diplomatic Flagship of the Consortium would notice that had a much more military feel to it than the luxury liner where the fair was taking place, something which was explained by the Ravenlock representatives. The Serial Peacemaker had been the flagship of Admiral A.J. Radim during the changing of the tides in the Ravenlock-Dra’kol War, and had recently been retired from active service to be refitted for diplomatic use.

Guests were treated to informational holoreels showing selected historical and society data, so that prospective allies would have a good idea about who they were dealing with. The Dra’kol physiology was left somewhat nebulous, but if anyone pressed, more detailed information could be made available.

Visiting ambassadors had their choice of Mundane, Human Psi-Gifted, and Dra’kol representatives to talk to. If anyone felt uncomfortable talking to one type, another would be offered.

[admiral_danielsben]

"Intruiging. Only *one* family per name? your initial settlement base must have been small."

"9500 surviviors from the crash. Lucky 90% of the surviviors were of breeding age. Given that the wars didn't start until 35 years after the crash and mostly followed a code of law we were able to avoid genetic depletion. But, ah, we're here."

The walls had been blank since the exited the elevator, armed guards and drones at everycorner. Sensors scanned constantly. At the end of all the security was a simple corrider and a wooden nearoak door. Brain Mattews opened it and inside sat the Lord Protector behind a craved desk. A matching chair and desk had been set up in front of him.

The Lord Protector rose and spread his arms.

"Mr. President, welcome. I trust the trip was uneventful? Do you require refreshment?"

"Just a glass of water, thank you. The trip was, thankfully, conducted without incident."

"I apologize for not knowing your specific negotiating procedure, but it seems prudent to get down to business. Officially, I am here to conduct trade negotiations, so those are one item for discussion. The real reason, Mr. Lord Protector (or is it 'Sir Lord Protector' or simply 'Lord Protector'?), concerns some rather... disconcerting information we discovered. It concerns a race known as the Overseer. Our signal intelligence - and yes, we admit to monitoring transmissions - indicated a high level of hostility between the Overseer and the Alliance. Three weeks ago, a Union vessel encoountered an apparently automated installation identifying itself as part of the Overseer's domain - and was given frankly neutral treatment (basically, 'don't shoot us or we'll shoot you back'). We have little further knowledge of the Overseer -except the location and sensor data of the installation and the destroyers defending it. An exchange of information seems like a good idea - although we are also willing to trade other materials, and engage in further deals.... we are even liquidating a large number of small, short-range cutters which are more than adequate for policing actions and defense."

[frigidmagi]

Ambassador Sir Franklin chose to talk to a Human Psi. After all it was one of the things that he was here for.

He sat back in the private conference room, it was rather sparse but tastful really, quite different from the wall craving and such that he had grew up with. He swirled his tea, it was an earth blend which was hard to get anywhere in the UP. He smiled slightly at that, when he had left beef was hard to get, never mind tea. Native ainmals were ediable for terrans, but still Earth foods were something spoken about like amborsia in the Greek Myths.

He looked over at the lady he was meeting with. She was average hieght with neat, short auburn and a average build. She seemed young but that was nothing to go on with prolong. The UP haven't had it long enough to be used to it. She sat neatly with her hands folded in her lap.

"My Lady, are you sure you won't have something to drink?"