STGOD 4 Game Thread

speaker-to-trolls · Post by **speaker-to-trolls** » 2004-06-20 04:23pm

Istreli hunting park
planet Iririn
Teskit system

The predator looked down on its prey from the top of the cliff, its green eyes seeing with amazing clarity the two hairy, bipedal beings far below. Its leathery wings unfolded and it dropped silently from the cliff, the small claws at the side of its head tensed in preparation to skewer its prey, its powerful legs ready to snap around and lift the corpse from the ground so as to bear it back to its eyrie.
It didn't notice, in its small, predatory mind, that one of the creatures had turned and was facing it without running, nor that it grasped in its feeble paws a long, strange metal stick. As it approached it saw that the second creature spun to face it, but saw nothing strange in this. It registered a flame forming on the end of the stick for only an instant, before a micro-missile exploded inside its brain.

"Good shot sir!"
"Thank you, senator gold-hand". The supreme minister of the confederacy looked at the corpse of the fanged black monster that lay lifeless on the ground, a hole blasted in the back of its skull. "I love hunting" he commented "look at this beast, it's so powerful, it could rip us apart in a second. But by working together we can overcome it as easily as that, we can even kill it at our leisure. It makes one proud to be sentient". He walked along beside the beasts corpse, senator gold-hand followed him. "That's what the confederacy's all about, of course, working together, to become more than the sum of our parts. Because indivdually, unlike beasts, we're not strong, that's why need to work together, us sentients". The senator nodded reverantly "yes, a noble ideal"
"a noble ideal, to be sure. It would be a shame to see it destroyed, wouldn't it?." The supreme minister came to rest at the foot of the cliff from which the creature he had killed had descended from. "No doubt you heard Ketsik red-ears news, that the United Protectorates wants us to give equal rights to the montezumans".
"Of course I did, I was there when you addressed us on the matter, as always". Supreme minister red-eye nodded "you recall why they suggested it?"
"indeed, the human nations of known space would not look favourably upon us treating their cousins as such. Is this why you brought me here, minister?, is this why you came here despite the fact that the scheduled holiday is two months away?". Red-eye seemed a little more irritated when he next spoke, "of course it is, do not ask questions to which you already know the answer. Now, the senate is still undecided on whether to pass this motion, correct?".
"Yes, sir. But frankly, the chances of them agreeing with it are slim".
"Indeed, and that is why I have decided to overule them, and go forward with the motion", he looked into gold-hands' eyes, something like shock was in them, "don't look so surprised, gold-hand, it is nessecary, for the greater good of the confederacy. And I will not let the nation I have loved so much and worked so hard for die because of our inability to adapt."
Gold-hand looked confused "but why tell me this, sir?". Red-eye smiled "because you are loyal to me, unlike some others in the senate. I have enemies, I'm sure you know, and I need allies if things get... unpleasant".
"Are you talking about civil war?"
"No. But if it does become, shall we say, more serious, dangerously so for me, I need to know I can count on your support".
"You can count on me sir, I know you would only do this for the greater good of the confederacy"
"for the greater good of the confederacy..."

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2004-06-20 05:13pm

Captain Vleshtariwalked into the interrogtion chambers as the pirate captain was being strapped into a chair.

"Greetings 'captain'"
The pirate spit on the varathraxian, who was clad in a uniform reminiscient of the British navy in the early 1800s

"Well then let begin.. Where is your base?" the pactain said, perfectly cool, calm and collected.

"I will tell you nothing you snake" the pirate sneered

"well then, I suppose we will just have to convince you. Corporal, could you lend me a fang..."

A lower level officer sank his fand into the pirates thigh, drawing prodigous amounts of blood... but that was not the point. The point was to inject a combined cytotoxin/neurotoxin.

Within seconds, the pirate started to have diifficulty breathing. His heart rate sped up, and he went into shock. His blood pressure plummeted. And the flesh around the wound started to inflame and swell. It was literally digesting his flesh.

He started to panic

....

At the airlock, the executions began. As his name was called Mr. Pile's bood drained from his face. Sweat poured from his body as he was allowed to confess his sins to his ships chaplain, then bodity shoved into the airlock. He begged for his life, cried, beat on the door as it was shut... Then the lock was blown and he was sucked into the vaccum of space. He didnt hold his breath so his death was slow. He tried to breath, but there was no oxygen. The lihg t from the local scar burned his skin, and the sweat on his skin boiled. Luckily for him he passed out in 30 seconds, and died a few minutes later. His body destroyed by a defense grid gun

Then the next was selected.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2004-06-20 05:58pm

Interrogation chambers

Horrible shrieks could be heard from the other rooms. It was like a symphony to Captain Vleshtari. He truy diid enjoy his work. Not that he had no sympathy for sentient suffering... but he didnt consider those operating outside of the law to be worthy of his pity.

He dangled the anti-venin for their toxin over the pirate captain. WHos leg had swollen to nearly double its original size, the skin was stretched to its limit and would soon tear. And the pirate captain knew it. As the poison began to spread, even with this normally non-lethal dose he would die. ANd he could not suffer the pain any longer.

"I'll talk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" he yelled at the top of his lungs. Soon after, discouraged by their captain surrendur, the other officers began to break as well. The screams stopped on by one.

A needle was stabbed into his flesh and the anti-venin was injected. This anti-venin was a nano-machine that attacked the venom itself. The swelling stopped spreading. Several other medications were administered to bring down the swelling.

ANd the captain gave the location of his base of operations. In writing.

"Now you will be executed" grinned captain Vleshtari
"WHAT!? "
"We had to torture you to give up information. So, like your crew, you will be executed"

The captain whimpered at the thought of spacing.

With that, the captain chomped down into the captains chest, easily piercing the rib cage and injected a massive dose of venom. WIth its last beats his heart sent the venom to the captaisn brain, where his nervous system was shut down, and his heart and most of his chest was liquified in seconds.

The rest of the officers were locked in the brig.

....

SOme of the crew, seeing their friends killed one at a time, decided to talk. They broke from their scared huddle and talked to the guards. Who kind heartedly gave them a blanket, and some anti-depressants and led them to nice comfy couches to be interviewed. Their lives were to be spared.

Captain tycho · Post by **Captain tycho** » 2004-06-20 08:29pm

Manticore, Grand chamber of the House of Commons

The situation in the Grand Chamber was tense, at best. On the floor were Barons Hesche and Kyles, engaged in a heated shouting match, while their aides looked on, flustered. First Speaker Queen Constatine was absent today. and in her place was the President of the Liberal party, who was letting Kyles and Hesche continue their slugging match unabated. "You ass-kissing blowhard, your just gonna let those bastards wander into OUR space whenever they feel like just to appease your VOTERS!?," Kyles was yelling. Hesche's temple started to throb dangerously. "I said, there is no reason to attack because of a minor vio-," Hesche was cut off when Kyles slugged him in the jaw, sending him spiraling to the floor. "Theres your fucking violation, Baron!" The aides and other House members gasped at Kyles's outburst, while a pair of guards ran in and apprehended him. President Arrondes rose from his seat and snarled at Kyles. "What the hell? Take him off the floor, guards!" Kyles was quickly dragged out and unceremoniously dumped outside the door. Hersche was climbing slowly to his feet, wiping his bleeding lip with a sleeve. Standing above the din was King Alvarez, watching through a one-way private window. He sighed heavily and collapsed into his seat. This latest 'incursion' had gotten the whole nation's nerves set on end. A violation of a treaty as important as the Sphinxian Treaty was going to cause an uproar no matter the circumstances of that violation, and Alvarez had no choice but to sit back and let the arguments ebb and flow. He, personally, thought this could be an indicator of growing UBT boldness, but with such a minor intrusion, war was simply out of the question. But the more militant-minded Representatives and Barons would grab onto any excuse for revenge, no matter how tiny it was. Alvarez could hardly blame them, swallowing a pill as bitter as the military occupation of Manticore and not being able to fight back even when freed must have been frustrating, at the least. Thankfully, at least the wargames were going well. His admirals and generals had reported a huge improvement in cohesion and unit performance in just this past half-month, which boded well for the future. And, the positive progress of the wargames would have the effect of calming the nerves of his vengeful underlings.

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » 2004-06-21 12:33pm

Murazor wrote:"I apologize, Fleet Admiral. I only wanted to be sure that you had been filled about the subject of the conversations we want to have with your nation. Something that we have learned about mankind in the past is that you like keeping secrets from yourselves. Now that I know that I was wrong, we can talk about the Ousters.
"We would want to avoid war with the Hajr, but we believe that they will invade us. Soon. They haven't threatened us... yet. For all we know they still haven't found about our existence, but our small nation is currently almost sorrounded by their holdings and... My species has something that you lack. The closest translation would be intuition, I think. However our... ability is something beyond "gut feeling", as I think you call it. It is our strong belief that a conflict with the Hajr will arise sooner of later. And we lack the power to face them alone.
"While some of our partners in the Confederation believe that dealing with humans is a mistake, you are our best hope. After the fall of the Covenant of God, we decided to break our long isolation from Outside. We sent scout missions to neighbouring systems. We realized the power of the Hajr and we learned of your... devotion to limit their threat. Now, that the Machine is no longer a threat, I-we believe that they will soon show a more agressive behaviour"

"The Hajr have found ways to profit from every war in recent times. As it stands, no single power can stand alone against him. The Lord Protector however formed the alliance in order to safeguard it's members against any outside threat. I believe we can reach an agreement between our powers, but you understand that it's not my call. I also believe that if you wish that we can arrange your joining the alliance. You should be aware that it is not a short term coalition, but a long term organization. If we do come to an agreement, the United Protectrats will aide in your defense to the best of our ability."

Murazor · Post by **Murazor** » 2004-06-21 03:11pm

frigidmagi wrote:"The Hajr have found ways to profit from every war in recent times. As it stands, no single power can stand alone against him. The Lord Protector however formed the alliance in order to safeguard it's members against any outside threat. I believe we can reach an agreement between our powers, but you understand that it's not my call. I also believe that if you wish that we can arrange your joining the alliance. You should be aware that it is not a short term coalition, but a long term organization. If we do come to an agreement, the United Protectrats will aide in your defense to the best of our ability."

"We are willing to pay a high prize in order to ensure the safety of our nation. It doesn't matter how high the prize, we are willing to pay it. For as long as you honour your part of the agreement we will honour ours. If joining your alliance is the way, we will join it. As a gesture of our good will, my nation is willing to provide military technology for the fight against the Hajr to those accepting to help us. We can provide among other things FTL missiles with AM/M warheads. Working models and technical schematics. Would such a thing interest you?" asked the Councilor.

Murazor · Post by **Murazor** » 2004-06-21 03:23pm

Outer Praetor system.
Nashtar Republic Territory.

After being informed by the group sent to Ix'agal about the Nashtar position, the Council had decided to dispatch an embassy to the coordinates provided by the Nashtarian occupation forces.

From the secret meeting point of the 6th fleet, near the borders of the United Protectorates, a Grabia class frigate had been sent. From a galactic point of view, Nashtar and the United Protectorates were next door neighbours, but using the slow warp of the Confederation it was a long travel.

After reaching the limits of the Praetor system, the frigate broadcasted its message.

From: WSN frigate Terextos.
To: Local Nashtar Republic authorities.
Re: Diplomatic relations.

We are here in a peaceful diplomatic mission. Your forces in Ix'agal told us to ask for clearance here before heading for your capital planet of Nashtar. We will wait for further instructions. Terextos out.

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » 2004-06-21 03:25pm

Murazor wrote:"We are willing to pay a high prize in order to ensure the safety of our nation. It doesn't matter how high the prize, we are willing to pay it. For as long as you honour your part of the agreement we will honour ours. If joining your alliance is the way, we will join it. As a gesture of our good will, my nation is willing to provide military technology for the fight against the Hajr to those accepting to help us. We can provide among other things FTL missiles with AM/M warheads. Working models and technical schematics. Would such a thing interest you?" asked the Councilor.

"I imagine you would find some interest to an FTL missles yes. Military technology would be most welcome. The alliance should be open to you unless you have a conflict with one of the other members nations. However I am sure that we can come to an understanding between our two nations. As allies. We will not demand prices from you. One does not demand a price from an ally."

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-06-21 03:27pm

Praetor

"Acknowledged, Terextos. Stand by while we..." The traffic controller checked his scheduling chart, and his face went white. "Terextos, come to heading 270 sun relative at once and make your best speed along that course, now! That area of space is about to get very busy."

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2004-06-21 03:47pm

Captain Vleshtari looked at the coordinates, and cross checked it with a star map. He liked what he saw. A habitable world, and if it was the base of operations for a pirate group.., it may be a reasonably well populated and somewhat prosperous port. That speculation was confirmed when consistent accounts from the interoggated enlisted got placed on his desk.

"Comms!" hey barked at the communications officer.

"Scan this in and send it to the homeworld. I think I found a morsel worth the fleets attention."

...

Severl minutes later, a very excited Xak Bickari lept from wall to wall in a corridor leading to the office of his superior. Secretary of the Military, Jax Kreton

"Sir, I think we found a pirate baseworld!"

"How?! "

"Captain Vleshtari of the Strkiller captured and interrogated the entire command crew of a pirate frigate. The captain gave the location, the crew... much more. "

"Promote that man to commadore, and put him in command of the Monolith. Her captain retires tomorrow, and she needs a new CO. Then... Assemble the first and 2nd fleet. We are having a little party."

Tasoth · Post by **Tasoth** » 2004-06-21 05:54pm

11 hours pass and the small diplomatic vessel pops into orbit, systems offline for several seconds afterwards. As they come on, a signal of Identification and intent comes on. It is the ambassador coming to MirroredMirage's signal.

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » 2004-06-21 10:30pm

Admiral Daniels_ben wrote:"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."

The President was given water from the bar on the side of the office. After seeing to his guest the Lord Protector Sie Joshua Mattews sat in his seat. His cousin retired to guard the door outside.

"For citizens of the UP it is Lord Protector. For citizens of forgein powers, we haven't really worked out anything yet. So feel free. However my knighthood is seperate from my office has Lord Protector, so no need to call me Sir." The Lord Protector leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath.

"Now the Overseer... The Overseer was a self aware computer, the god-king of an empire of robots and super computers. After a brief period of peaceful contact... The razed Terra, burning everything, killing everything they could. I was there... They burned and destoried... Everything, whole cities, billions of people... Gone. After severel probing campaigns by the majority of powers in known space. The Krell threw everything they could and fought their way to the Overseer and killed it, recently. So he is no longer a going concern. However in the aftermath, the Hajr got stronger, the Arcane empire was... supected of dealing with the Overseer. A lot of evidence was fake, but there was a whole planet of machines in the Arcane empire. So a number of powers attacked them and seized their territory. The Arcane withdrew from this plane of exisitance completly. In fact has far has I know, there's only one Arcane Mage left in the Universe left alive, in a Monocoran jail. I wouldn't want to his enemies when he gets out.
We did as much as we could to blunt Hajr advances after the fact, but it still remains that they and their allies, the Vampires, gained in the aftermath. The alliance is now focused on protecting it's members from the threat the Hajr and others like them represent. It also exist to protect it's members against anything like the Overseer if such a threat arrises again."

"I'll have to pass on the cutters. We really dislike diverting personal for such task when distoryers and light crusier groups with figther support work just has well. However if you like to start trade relations we be happy to."

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » 2004-06-21 11:57pm

Amarr System

Major Franks looked around the small basement. Around him was a group of younger free men and slaves. The smarter and more trustworthy of his recuits. In addition to operations training, he had started political indoctrintation.

"Any questions?" He asked.

"The poeple vote for their legistivlators but not for the executive?" Asked one.

"Correct. Given the responiblity of the executive carrys it is best if he is allowed to carry out long term plans without having to worry about election. Has long has there is laws he must obey and a metheod of unseating him. This ensures the rights of the people are followed."

Other questions followed, this might be a long night.

Bugsby · Post by **Bugsby** » 2004-06-22 03:04am

Nexus
Trilla Nor was summoned to Adar Krell's office without warning in the middle of an experiment. It was a huge annoyance. The new accelerator would be working today, and the unified theoreticians needed to collect some more data to verify their findings. She was on the verge of a breakthrough, and Adar wanted to talk over simple beauracratic matters, like as not. But as long as he was the boss, she had to come when he called.

Trilla strode birskly into Krell's office, despite the stiffness in her leg nd the slight limp. Her leg had never fully healed after the Rape, but it was certainly better than the alternative. Krell was gazing in her direction eagerly, his eyes with that same manic gleam that she had noticed more and more of late, that same gleam that had her warning Faran and avoiding Adar. That same gleam that made her want to end this meeting as soon as possible.

"What do you need now, Adar? Make it quick, if at all possible."

"Only a moment, Trilla. But a moment. I almost seem to have forgotten that half of the Combine is its scientists, and I fear that is doing you a grave injustice."

Trilla was surprised. Krell was a genius, the former leader of these scientists, but he had not done any of his own research in the last 50 years, at least. His mind had been cast more towards politics and military, and it was something of a relief to hear him bring up the scientists.

"We have some very interesting things going on. Some of our men think they had discovered the truth behind the unified theory. And with the new accelerator finally complete, we can test some of their ideas. I was just in the middle of..."

"Yes, yes. Very good. What about military technologies?" Trilla was miffed. So this was all he cared about? Granted, it was the Krell technology that had kept the mercenary fleets strong, made it possibly the most powerful in the galaxy. But she had hoped Krell had set his mind to loftier.... never mind. To business.

"We have some new toys to show you, too, of course. A new coolant system, derived from a better heat sink. As you know, cooling is the only limitation to rates of fire on energy weapons, and with this, we can increase the rate of fire, and thus the effectiveness, of some of our energy weapons by nearly 30 percent."

Krell was pleased. "Very good. What about the shield depletion rays you were telling me about several months back?" This was not a subject Trilla had wanted to get onto. Early tests had been good, but the prototype failed in its later stages. It did what it was supposed to, but with a level of effectiveness equal to that of a normal laser. And seeing as how the laser hurt armor, whereas the depleter didn't, this made the technology all but useless. There was a good upshot, though. Using the same technology that had been used to deplete shields, the techs had been able to make a shield buffering system. It was only effective against energy weapons, but it was still very useful. She told Krell all this.

"Excellent. Successful prototypes for all of these, I expect? Good, good. Send the blueprints to manufacturers on Sirius. I want all of our new ships fully equipped. Also, make a move to retrofit as many of our ships currently in the field as possible. They will all be in orbit around the client worlds now. Faran tells me they need to stay there to maintain the puplic's support of us. Might as well make the best of a bad situation by having them upgraded, right?"

Trilla agreed. "But Adar, where are we going to get the money for this? These upgrades arent cheap, you know."

"Of course not. We have plenty left from the Overseer raids, even when he have spent so much on the newly building fleets."

"Adar, we are taking scrap metal, right? How does that give us the money to retrofit?"

"Do you really think that every component we take will be of use to us in ship construction?"

"Of course not. Ah, I see. We sell to scrap metal dealers." Krell nodded. "Very well. If we have the money, I will see to it that I get the proper schematics to the techs. Now, if I may?" Krell waved her away, and Trilla headed back to her experiments.

As she left, she reflected on the conversation. It was odd. Krell had seemed more like his old self than she had seen before, yet at the same time less. Much of his old demeanor had returned, but his priorities were all backward. He talked about different things, wanted different things, expected different things. And that light in his eyes... She told herself to stop being silly. The light in peoples eyes was caused by reflection of ambient illumination. But still, there was something. Her train of thought ended suddenly as she returned to the new wing, where the acclerator and her research team waited. She hoped they hadn't started without her.

admiral_danielsben · Post by **admiral_danielsben** » 2004-06-22 08:38am

frigidmagi wrote:
Admiral Daniels_ben wrote:"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."
The President was given water from the bar on the side of the office. After seeing to his guest the Lord Protector Sie Joshua Mattews sat in his seat. His cousin retired to guard the door outside.

"For citizens of the UP it is Lord Protector. For citizens of forgein powers, we haven't really worked out anything yet. So feel free. However my knighthood is seperate from my office has Lord Protector, so no need to call me Sir." The Lord Protector leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath.

"Now the Overseer... The Overseer was a self aware computer, the god-king of an empire of robots and super computers. After a brief period of peaceful contact... The razed Terra, burning everything, killing everything they could. I was there... They burned and destoried... Everything, whole cities, billions of people... Gone. After severel probing campaigns by the majority of powers in known space. The Krell threw everything they could and fought their way to the Overseer and killed it, recently. So he is no longer a going concern. However in the aftermath, the Hajr got stronger, the Arcane empire was... supected of dealing with the Overseer. A lot of evidence was fake, but there was a whole planet of machines in the Arcane empire. So a number of powers attacked them and seized their territory. The Arcane withdrew from this plane of exisitance completly. In fact has far has I know, there's only one Arcane Mage left in the Universe left alive, in a Monocoran jail. I wouldn't want to his enemies when he gets out.
We did as much as we could to blunt Hajr advances after the fact, but it still remains that they and their allies, the Vampires, gained in the aftermath. The alliance is now focused on protecting it's members from the threat the Hajr and others like them represent. It also exist to protect it's members against anything like the Overseer if such a threat arrises again."

"I'll have to pass on the cutters. We really dislike diverting personal for such task when distoryers and light crusier groups with figther support work just has well. However if you like to start trade relations we be happy to."

"I see. This has been most... informative. Although there are many who would be saddened by the fate of Terra."

"Trade relations are a go. But at what terms?"

"... and did you mention 'vampires'? As far as I were aware, those bloodsuckers were only myth and legend."

Murazor · Post by **Murazor** » 2004-06-22 11:13am

HemlockGrey wrote: Edges of White Sun Confederation Space.

In the distance a White Sun planet burned brightly against the void.

The Swift Resolution hailed the planet with a simple message - one suggesting friendship and requesting a diplomatic audience.

And after long minutes of wait, an answer arrived from the planet.

"We have received your message, Swift Resolution. It will be sent to the Council for study and it will be the Councilors who will decide about your proposal. Until this decision is made, we must request you and your escorts to leave our space at once. Space control out."

Murazor · Post by **Murazor** » 2004-06-22 11:23am

Rogue 9 wrote:Praetor

"Acknowledged, Terextos. Stand by while we..." The traffic controller checked his scheduling chart, and his face went white. "Terextos, come to heading 270 sun relative at once and make your best speed along that course, now! That area of space is about to get very busy."

The transmission from the traffic controller was enough to make the slightly paranoid Sixtra captain of the Terextos.

"They lie. Humans are treacherous bastards. They want to see how fast our ships are."

"It might be so. Or they may be telling the truth" replied his Ethereal first officer. "I suggest engaging warp and following that course. They already know about warp technology and it will prevent them from gaining any useful information."

The captain nodded in aproval and he ordered his helm officer to follow the course at slow warp. In a blur of pseudomovement, the Terextos started to move faster than light.

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-06-22 11:33am

Murazor wrote:
Rogue 9 wrote:Praetor

"Acknowledged, Terextos. Stand by while we..." The traffic controller checked his scheduling chart, and his face went white. "Terextos, come to heading 270 sun relative at once and make your best speed along that course, now! That area of space is about to get very busy."
The transmission from the traffic controller was enough to make the slightly paranoid Sixtra captain of the Terextos.

"They lie. Humans are treacherous bastards. They want to see how fast our ships are."

"It might be so. Or they may be telling the truth" replied his Ethereal first officer. "I suggest engaging warp and following that course. They already know about warp technology and it will prevent them from gaining any useful information."

The captain nodded in aproval and he ordered his helm officer to follow the course at slow warp. In a blur of pseudomovement, the Terextos started to move faster than light.

The Terextos moved just in time. As it cleared the corridor, a large mass of ships seemed to pop into existence where the destroyer had just been, the First Battle Group, Third Fleet exiting hyperspace having just completed the last leg of the trip from Earth. The leftmost frigate blurred past the Terextos's stern at a bare 800 meters.

Praetor Control

The controller slumped back in his seat, sighing in relief. First he quickly sent off a message to the Excelsior, informing the fleet that the destroyer was a neutral diplomatic craft. Then he dialed back to the frequency the Terextos was using. "Terextos, you're clear now. Apologies for that, our battle group was just coming off of a defensive deployment at Earth. Please stand by while we arrange for an escort for you into the inner systems. Nashtar Command will be expecting you."

Murazor · Post by **Murazor** » 2004-06-22 11:59am

Rogue 9 wrote: The Terextos moved just in time. As it cleared the corridor, a large mass of ships seemed to pop into existence where the destroyer had just been, the First Battle Group, Third Fleet exiting hyperspace having just completed the last leg of the trip from Earth. The leftmost frigate blurred past the Terextos's stern at a bare 800 meters.
"They were telling the truth, it would seem" muttered the Ethereal while feeling the relief emanating from the bridge crew. The Terextos had been about to be destroyed. "Captain. We have managed to get a good scan of the hyper-realspace transit of those ships. I think that we should sent the data to the fleet. Our knowledge of hyperspace technology is extremely poor.

The controller slumped back in his seat, sighing in relief. First he quickly sent off a message to the Excelsior, informing the fleet that the destroyer was a neutral diplomatic craft. Then he dialed back to the frequency the Terextos was using. "Terextos, you're clear now. Apologies for that, our battle group was just coming off of a defensive deployment at Earth. Please stand by while we arrange for an escort for you into the inner systems. Nashtar Command will be expecting you."

"Thank you Praetor control. We will stand by and don't worry about us. We can wait and your soldiers have arrived home after a long stay away. We won't mind if you give them full priority. There is yet another thing that you might need to know. Our FTL technology prevents this ship from reaching speeds above three hundred times the speed of light so the trip to the inner systems will be a rather long one even if we run our ship at full speed. Terextos out." replied the Grabia class.

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-06-22 12:11pm

"Its not all that far in interstellar terms, Terextos. After all, we are in a star cluster. Or if you're really in a hurry, one of our Venture class carriers could probably fit your entire ship into its forward landing bay, but I don't think either party would be too thrilled about doing that. We'll arrange an escort for you in about thirty standard minutes. Praetor Control out."

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » 2004-06-22 02:42pm

Admiral_Danielsben wrote:Trade relations are a go. But at what terms?"
"... and did you mention 'vampires'? As far as I were aware, those bloodsuckers were only myth and legend."

"Free trade relations between us. If you join the alliance you'll have to extent that to the other members has well. I'm afraid the Vampires are very real and very powerful. Some of our allies passed us videos if you like to look. As for myself I meet one at the Ball at Terra. They keep most of their human citizens living like cattle. There's not much we can do at the moment aboout it I'm afraid. They're also amoung the Hajr's closiest allies. That should give you some idea of the character of enemy we're dealing with.
We got some idea of the Vampires military abilities in the fall of the Arcanes. See their solders are somewhat human, there are not many vampires or their children, so they use human troops or I think they're human... They call them, orcs and they don't care if they live or die, has long has they win. They overran a machine planet, almost drowning the computer mind ruling it with their own blood.
So, yes the vampires are real. And the Realm of the BloodKing, has they call it, is a terrorifing place." The Lord Protector leaned forward, his face shadowed.

"Welcome to the galaxy Mr. President, I wish it was a friendlier place. But I promise to do what I can, if you'll help me." He finished.

admiral_danielsben · Post by **admiral_danielsben** » 2004-06-22 04:18pm

frigidmagi wrote:
Admiral_Danielsben wrote:Trade relations are a go. But at what terms?"
"... and did you mention 'vampires'? As far as I were aware, those bloodsuckers were only myth and legend."
"Free trade relations between us. If you join the alliance you'll have to extent that to the other members has well. I'm afraid the Vampires are very real and very powerful. Some of our allies passed us videos if you like to look. As for myself I meet one at the Ball at Terra. They keep most of their human citizens living like cattle. There's not much we can do at the moment aboout it I'm afraid. They're also amoung the Hajr's closiest allies. That should give you some idea of the character of enemy we're dealing with.
We got some idea of the Vampires military abilities in the fall of the Arcanes. See their solders are somewhat human, there are not many vampires or their children, so they use human troops or I think they're human... They call them, orcs and they don't care if they live or die, has long has they win. They overran a machine planet, almost drowning the computer mind ruling it with their own blood.
So, yes the vampires are real. And the Realm of the BloodKing, has they call it, is a terrorifing place." The Lord Protector leaned forward, his face shadowed.

"Welcome to the galaxy Mr. President, I wish it was a friendlier place. But I promise to do what I can, if you'll help me." He finished.

The President was visibly cowed by the news. He knew that there were less-than-nice people out there (historical data about tyrants such as Hitler, Stalin, Yum Nect, Therazor, and Molor). But literal bloodsucking vampires controlling a powerful interstellar empire? No wonder everyone seemed to join an alliance fast!

"Concerning alliance membership: I shall pass forth such a proposal to the Senate immediately. If they ratify the proposal, then the Union shall join the alliance. Considering the news about the rapid changes of power and the depths of evil in the galaxy, it seems only prudent to ally with those who are willing to do so."

Hotfoot · Post by **Hotfoot** » 2004-06-22 04:56pm

Known Space
Ark Sector - Ravenlock Controlled Region
Trade Fair

Gabriel Karise sighed deeply once the scanning of the prisoner had finished. The process had been intensive, and once it was over, the prisoner was returned to stasis, once again rendered unconscious, this time by the immense ordeal he had just undergone. There had been a taint in the prisoner's mind, permeating every thought. Even the disturbed minds he had seen from within were not the same. This was no creation of unbalanced chemical states inside of a mind, no trauma that twisted the very essence of the man, it was a corruption, influencing his every thought, and empowering him with his strange ability. For a moment, old legends of demon possessions ran through his mind. Selling one's soul for the promise of power or wealth, or slow corruption of one’s being through their vices, but they were stories. Perhaps indicative of some truth, somewhere, but by now so twisted by the centuries of retellings so as to be worthless for concerns in reality. What mattered was that there was something here that was emanating from nearly every aspect of the prisoner’s mind. Would that he had the time, he might see what could be done to help the prisoner, if he could even be helped at all. However, time was something that Gabriel did not have in prodigious amounts.

“His confederates from the freighter, we have them in holding as well?” His soft voice broke the silence inside the room, the power of his mind coiling up once more. The Ravenlock telepaths that he had joined with for the scanning were still recovering from the experience. Never before had they ever been witness to such unparalleled psionic power, nor in such close proximity.

“Y-yes..being questioned…” the first of the Ravenlock telepaths managed to snap out of the dazed state she was in.

“We should oversee those sessions. There are more like him there, but I could not tell how many from his memories, only his direct superior.”

“Of course…I…I’m arranging for transportation right now,” she tried to reach out with her mind to a contact in the viewing booth, to confirm the shuttle request, but it was as if everything felt so very far away now, and what was nothing more than a telepathic conversation across the room now seemed like attempting to scream at someone from another solar system. The telepath began to lose her balance and fall when something came to steady her.

“You should take some time to recover. Reorient yourself with your surroundings. When you are ready, meet me on the holding ship,” Gabriel’s mind had caught the Ravenlock telepath’s faltering, and he had telekinetically steadied her when he noticed that she was losing her balance. Psychic disorientation was something that was possible when less potent telepaths linked with those more capable, but the training techniques of the Veithan Empire made such occurrences quite rare. Apparently, no such techniques yet existed inside of the Ravenlock Consortium, or if they did, they were not quite adjusted to deal with the leap in power that a Prime such as himself represented. The Ravenlock telepath simply nodded, motioned to her partners, and the Ravenlock telepaths left the room, Gabriel shortly behind them. A security officer was waiting outside.

“The shuttle is on the way. The other prisoners are being held separately and we are denying them contact with each other. The first round of questioning just ended. They’re being pretty tight-lipped and sticking to their story. They claim the computer part that was destroyed was defective, but we’re skeptical about that. Turns out the Asgard do have Ansibles, so that story checks out, but we still don’t know where those transmissions were going. Current theory is that they were communicating with pirates, since the only other ansible signals we’re picking up are coming from the Gladsheim.”

“Seems to make sense. I think I may be able to better determine whom we need to question more…thoroughly. When I arrive, we should begin the second round of questioning. I will determine who is more directly associated with this prisoner and who is just a lackey.”

“Great. Let’s get going.”

The process took several hours, but eventually the entire crew of the freighter was divided into two groups, those infected by the darkness, and those who were not. Any uninfected humans were given further questioning with mild telepathic probes, while those with the Darkness were given full scans courtesy of Gabriel. Much was learned by the scans, but several questions remained unanswered. The truth was that these were citizens of the Asgard Empire, but subverted by some force. They acted as spies, agents, for something beyond known space, towards the rim. Where was not known, nor was how far.

What was known in some detail was who they were communicating with, a raiding force of ships, hanging outside of what they thought was the sensor range of Ark Sector. Had they simply done some initial recon work, tested the defenses of the sector beforehand, they would have known just how wrong they were. The FTL sensor drones recovered from the search for the Overseer had already detected the ships, and two groups were already barreling down on their location, Alpha Fleet’s First Battlegroup, and a Battlegroup from the Gladsheim.

The final key to this puzzle lay aboard those ships. If the Consortium managed to capture even one crewmember on board any of the Ghost Fleet of the Darkness, they would know virtually everything. The way to their homeworlds, their strengths, their weaknesses.

Everything.

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » 2004-06-22 07:37pm

To: Ambassador Natrix, Draconis Republic
From: United Protectrates State Office

We request a meeting for discussion of a political and military nature.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2004-06-22 07:43pm

RE: <Encrypted>

"I will be in your building in 5 min"

5 min later, on the second, Ambassador Natrix had arrived at the State Office