STGOD 4 Game Thread

admiral_danielsben · Post by **admiral_danielsben** » 2004-06-25 03:02pm

frigidmagi wrote:
Ambassador Natrix of the Draconis Republic has arrived as per your request
"Ah, Mr. President, I don't suppose you like to meet Mr. Natrix?"

"That would be acceptable, thank you."

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » 2004-06-25 05:13pm

"Then by all means let us send him in." The Lord Protector said pressing a button on the underside of his desk.

Outside the office Brain looked over and saw the signal. Turning to the Ambassador he said.

"Looks like the wait is over, in you go."

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-06-25 08:53pm

Murazor wrote:
Rogue 9 wrote:"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."
"Correct guess, Praetor. We wouldn't be thrilled about being placed inside a foreign warship as I fear that as a result of past experiences with the Covenant and other unfriendly neighbours we are a bit paranoid concerning military security. We will wait for the escort and we would want to apologize for the inconveniences that our FTL technology might cause. We come from another star cluster and we don't need great speeds within it, and while we have faster ships they are cruiser-sized and our government decided that they would create a bad impression in a peaceful First Contact situation. Terextos out."

25 minutes later

"Praetor Control to Terextos. The destroyers Constellation, Chesapeake, and White Sun are standing by to escort you to the Nashtar. Please rendezvous with them at navigational beacon 14 for your departure. Safe journey to you, over."

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2004-06-25 09:02pm

frigidmagi wrote:"Then by all means let us send him in." The Lord Protector said pressing a button on the underside of his desk.

Outside the office Brain looked over and saw the signal. Turning to the Ambassador he said.

"Looks like the wait is over, in you go."

"Why thank you"

Ambassador Natrix strolled into the room

"Greetings and good day Mr. President, Lord Protector. I trust the day is pleasant for the both of you?"

Murazor · Post by **Murazor** » 2004-06-26 12:13pm

Rogue 9 wrote: 25 minutes later

"Praetor Control to Terextos. The destroyers Constellation, Chesapeake, and White Sun are standing by to escort you to the Nashtar. Please rendezvous with them at navigational beacon 14 for your departure. Safe journey to you, over."

"White Sun? A good name indeed. Heading for coordinates. Thank you, Praetor Control. You have been most helpful. Terextos out."

Soon, the White Sun vessel reached beacon 14, where they hailed the Nashtar destroyers.

"Good morning, gentlemen. Are you the unlucky people who will escort us in the trip to Nashtar? If so, we are ready to depart right now. The sooner we arrive at your capital planet, the better for all of us. Terextos out."

Murazor · Post by **Murazor** » 2004-06-26 12:32pm

Edean System
Ouster Occupation Zone, Former Covenant of God Territory

The day was over and the path out of the system was free. After many hours, the Ousters had stopped their search and the frigate that had worried so much the captain had left its position near the gas giant.

At the captain's command, the ship went to full impulse and left its position inside the magnetosphere. And after reaching a safe distance from the planet, without a single Ouster vessel in sensor range, the Silent class engaged warp and left the Edean system. Their departure would be picked by the probes and early warning systems of the outer system, but Sizartrax wasn't stupid enough to point the Elysians their destination by heading for the rendezvous point with the fleet.

Intelligence suspected that the Ousters limited experience with warp drive would prevent them from detecting a change in course without entering realspace. And the mission procedures had been written with that idea in mind.

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-06-26 12:45pm

Murazor wrote:
Rogue 9 wrote: 25 minutes later

"Praetor Control to Terextos. The destroyers Constellation, Chesapeake, and White Sun are standing by to escort you to the Nashtar. Please rendezvous with them at navigational beacon 14 for your departure. Safe journey to you, over."
"White Sun? A good name indeed. Heading for coordinates. Thank you, Praetor Control. You have been most helpful. Terextos out."

Soon, the White Sun vessel reached beacon 14, where they hailed the Nashtar destroyers.

"Good morning, gentlemen. Are you the unlucky people who will escort us in the trip to Nashtar? If so, we are ready to depart right now. The sooner we arrive at your capital planet, the better for all of us. Terextos out."

"Acknowledged, Terextos. This is Captain Orrunba of the Constellation. Follow my ship. White Sun and Chesapeake will trail the formation. Come to heading 543 and we'll start the first leg of our journey. We understand that your warp and our hyperdrive mean that we won't be able to keep track of you in transit, but should we be separated, our sensor nets will pick you up pretty quick. The journey will be made in two legs, to get around Gamma-427 and its nebula. Navigation is transmitting desired speeds and the ending point now. Constellation out."

[OOC: I honestly was not thinking about it when I named the White Sun.

Unless you plan on trying to lose your escorts for any funny business, we can just skip the details of the trip and get straight to Nashtar.]

Murazor · Post by **Murazor** » 2004-06-26 01:23pm

Rogue 9 wrote:"Acknowledged, Terextos. This is Captain Orrunba of the Constellation. Follow my ship. White Sun and Chesapeake will trail the formation. Come to heading 543 and we'll start the first leg of our journey. We understand that your warp and our hyperdrive mean that we won't be able to keep track of you in transit, but should we be separated, our sensor nets will pick you up pretty quick. The journey will be made in two legs, to get around Gamma-427 and its nebula. Navigation is transmitting desired speeds and the ending point now. Constellation out."

23 hours later.

Nashtar star system.
Republic of Nashtar core territory.

"Thanks for escorting us, captain Orrunba. You have shown remarkable patience for a human over this whole travel. The bridge crew of the Terextos would like to thank you for it. Terextos out."

When the Ethereal first officer closed the communication channel with the Nastharian destroyers, he felt the sheer anger of many of the Sixtra officers pointed at him. When he turned, the usually black panel hiding his features had turned white. Several of the courageous Sixtra moved back in fear. While it was a rarity, the fury of the Ethereals was well known as a powerful and usually lethal force every bit as hardly to appease as to awaken among the White Sun military.

"WE ARE HERE IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE SURVIVAL OF THE CONFEDERATION. WE KNOW THAT YOU DO NOT WANT THE DEAL WITH THE HUMANS, BUT THEY ARE OUR BEST HOPE AGAINST THE OUSTERS AND WE ARE HERE WITH THE BACKING OF THE COUNCIL. I DO NOT WANT THIS MISSION TO FAIL BECAUSE A SIXTRA DECIDED TO FORGOT HIS ORDERS AND WENT TRIGGER HAPPY TO SATISFY SOME HALF FORGOTTEN BLOOD FEUD IN A HUMAN WHOSE FAMILY NEVER TOUCHED YOUR HOMEWORLD" roared the Ethereal as the panel in his armour blackened. "Any transgresion will be dealt swiftly. Am I clear enough? Good!"

Ignorants of this scene, the Nashtar Space Control tracked the White Sun vessel in its approach to the planet Nashar.

"We are the Terextos, vessel from the White Sun confederation, in peaceful diplomatic mission. We will await instructions. Terextos out."

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-06-26 02:02pm

Murazor wrote:
Rogue 9 wrote:"Acknowledged, Terextos. This is Captain Orrunba of the Constellation. Follow my ship. White Sun and Chesapeake will trail the formation. Come to heading 543 and we'll start the first leg of our journey. We understand that your warp and our hyperdrive mean that we won't be able to keep track of you in transit, but should we be separated, our sensor nets will pick you up pretty quick. The journey will be made in two legs, to get around Gamma-427 and its nebula. Navigation is transmitting desired speeds and the ending point now. Constellation out."
23 hours later.

Nashtar star system.
Republic of Nashtar core territory.

"Thanks for escorting us, captain Orrunba. You have shown remarkable patience for a human over this whole travel. The bridge crew of the Terextos would like to thank you for it. Terextos out."

When the Ethereal first officer closed the communication channel with the Nastharian destroyers, he felt the sheer anger of many of the Sixtra officers pointed at him. When he turned, the usually black panel hiding his features had turned white. Several of the courageous Sixtra moved back in fear. While it was a rarity, the fury of the Ethereals was well known as a powerful and usually lethal force every bit as hardly to appease as to awaken among the White Sun military.

"WE ARE HERE IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE SURVIVAL OF THE CONFEDERATION. WE KNOW THAT YOU DO NOT WANT THE DEAL WITH THE HUMANS, BUT THEY ARE OUR BEST HOPE AGAINST THE OUSTERS AND WE ARE HERE WITH THE BACKING OF THE COUNCIL. I DO NOT WANT THIS MISSION TO FAIL BECAUSE A SIXTRA DECIDED TO FORGOT HIS ORDERS AND WENT TRIGGER HAPPY TO SATISFY SOME HALF FORGOTTEN BLOOD FEUD IN A HUMAN WHOSE FAMILY NEVER TOUCHED YOUR HOMEWORLD" roared the Ethereal as the panel in his armour blackened. "Any transgresion will be dealt swiftly. Am I clear enough? Good!"

Ignorants of this scene, the Nashtar Space Control tracked the White Sun vessel in its approach to the planet Nashar.

"We are the Terextos, vessel from the White Sun confederation, in peaceful diplomatic mission. We will await instructions. Terextos out."

The fleet around Nashtar was impressive. Two battleships and a heavy space station were in view in planetary orbit, with a heavy carrier and multiple cruiser and escort weight vessels in attendance. A third battleship rounded the planet shortly as one of the others orbited out of sight. Any Sixtra would have to be insane to try anything here, justified or not, as anyone with a window or sensor display available could see. The three destroyers broke off to return to Praetor as two new destroyers and a cruiser sidled over to shadow the diplomatic-flagged destroyer at a discreet distance.

"Acknowledged, Terextos. You are cleared for polar orbit vector 7, between the cruiser Carnegie and battleship Claymore. How and when will you be sending your diplomatic party to the surface?"

admiral_danielsben · Post by **admiral_danielsben** » 2004-06-26 02:31pm

Alyrium Denryle wrote:
frigidmagi wrote:"Then by all means let us send him in." The Lord Protector said pressing a button on the underside of his desk.

Outside the office Brain looked over and saw the signal. Turning to the Ambassador he said.

"Looks like the wait is over, in you go."
"Why thank you"

Ambassador Natrix strolled into the room

"Greetings and good day Mr. President, Lord Protector. I trust the day is pleasant for the both of you?"

"Yes it is, thank you." The president said.

consequences · Post by **consequences** » 2004-06-26 02:58pm

frigidmagi wrote:To: Shi Combine
From: United Protectrates State Office

We would like to arrange a meeting with your representive to discuss a pirate and sentive matter. We hope you can find the time to speak. We must request that your representive be of the noblity.
Thank you.

United Protectrates State Office, in the name of Lord Protector Sir Joshua Mattews.

To: United Protectorates State Office
From: Shi Combine

Will the noble that we have in place at our embassy be sufficient, or do you wish a higher level contact?

Murazor · Post by **Murazor** » 2004-06-26 03:11pm

"Acknowledged, Terextos. You are cleared for polar orbit vector 7, between the cruiser Carnegie and battleship Claymore. How and when will you be sending your diplomatic party to the surface?"

"We will be sending our diplomatic party as soon as it suits you. We will be sending them via shuttle if it is possible" replied the destroyer.

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-06-26 03:18pm

Murazor wrote:
"Acknowledged, Terextos. You are cleared for polar orbit vector 7, between the cruiser Carnegie and battleship Claymore. How and when will you be sending your diplomatic party to the surface?"
"We will be sending our diplomatic party as soon as it suits you. We will be sending them via shuttle if it is possible" replied the destroyer.

"Acknowledged, Terextos. You may launch your shuttle at any time. A fighter escort has been arranged for you and the diplomatic representative is waiting."

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2004-06-26 03:19pm

admiral_danielsben wrote:
Alyrium Denryle wrote:
frigidmagi wrote:"Then by all means let us send him in." The Lord Protector said pressing a button on the underside of his desk.

Outside the office Brain looked over and saw the signal. Turning to the Ambassador he said.

"Looks like the wait is over, in you go."
"Why thank you"

Ambassador Natrix strolled into the room

"Greetings and good day Mr. President, Lord Protector. I trust the day is pleasant for the both of you?"
"Yes it is, thank you." The president said.

"I would also assume that you are here for the same reason I am? If so, you are among friends. We have had nothing but excellent relations with the United Protectorates. And I hope that we can become friends as nations independant of our treaties."

admiral_danielsben · Post by **admiral_danielsben** » 2004-06-26 08:23pm

Alyrium Denryle wrote:
admiral_danielsben wrote:
Alyrium Denryle wrote: "Why thank you"

Ambassador Natrix strolled into the room

"Greetings and good day Mr. President, Lord Protector. I trust the day is pleasant for the both of you?"
"Yes it is, thank you." The president said.
"I would also assume that you are here for the same reason I am? If so, you are among friends. We have had nothing but excellent relations with the United Protectorates. And I hope that we can become friends as nations independant of our treaties."

"Indeed. Our relations have been amiable since first contact with them."

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » 2004-06-26 08:57pm

Alyrium wrote:"I would also assume that you are here for the same reason I am? If so, you are among friends. We have had nothing but excellent relations with the United Protectorates. And I hope that we can become friends as nations independant of our treaties."

Admiral Danielsben wrote:"Indeed. Our relations have been amiable since first contact with them."

"On that note, Ambassador Natrix, I am perpared to formally invite you into the alliance, given that the other members do not object. Will your nation accept?"

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » 2004-06-26 10:30pm

Consequences wrote:To: United Protectorates State Office
From: Shi Combine

Will the noble that we have in place at our embassy be sufficient, or do you wish a higher level contact?

Name the place and time for the meeting that would suit you best.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2004-06-26 11:25pm

frigidmagi wrote:
Alyrium wrote:"I would also assume that you are here for the same reason I am? If so, you are among friends. We have had nothing but excellent relations with the United Protectorates. And I hope that we can become friends as nations independant of our treaties."

Admiral Danielsben wrote:"Indeed. Our relations have been amiable since first contact with them."

"On that note, Ambassador Natrix, I am perpared to formally invite you into the alliance, given that the other members do not object. Will your nation accept?"

"Had you not invited me Lord Protector, I was prepared to ask" Said Ambassador Natrix, his vice filled with unfathomable joy.

"May this signal an age of coperation between our peoples."

admiral_danielsben · Post by **admiral_danielsben** » 2004-06-27 03:13pm

Alyrium Denryle wrote:
frigidmagi wrote:
Alyrium wrote:"I would also assume that you are here for the same reason I am? If so, you are among friends. We have had nothing but excellent relations with the United Protectorates. And I hope that we can become friends as nations independant of our treaties."

Admiral Danielsben wrote:"Indeed. Our relations have been amiable since first contact with them."

"On that note, Ambassador Natrix, I am perpared to formally invite you into the alliance, given that the other members do not object. Will your nation accept?"
"Had you not invited me Lord Protector, I was prepared to ask" Said Ambassador Natrix, his vice filled with unfathomable joy.

"May this signal an age of coperation between our peoples."

"Likewise, the Union is interested in joining the Alliance. I am prepared to take home a treaty to that effect. If the Senate ratifys it - which seems likely but is not guaranteed - the Union would most gladly join the Alliance."

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2004-06-27 03:15pm

admiral_danielsben wrote:
Alyrium Denryle wrote:
frigidmagi wrote:

"On that note, Ambassador Natrix, I am perpared to formally invite you into the alliance, given that the other members do not object. Will your nation accept?"
"Had you not invited me Lord Protector, I was prepared to ask" Said Ambassador Natrix, his vice filled with unfathomable joy.

"May this signal an age of coperation between our peoples."
"Likewise, the Union is interested in joining the Alliance. I am prepared to take home a treaty to that effect. If the Senate ratifys it - which seems likely but is not guaranteed - the Union would most gladly join the Alliance."

"My home legistlature has ordered me to seek this alliance, it has already been ratified for all intents and purposes"

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » 2004-06-27 03:32pm

Alyrium wrote:"My home legistlature has ordered me to seek this alliance, it has already been ratified for all intents and purposes"

"Excellant. Unless anyone else has something they wish to discuss I'm afraid there is yet another specis that requires a meeting with me."

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2004-06-27 03:47pm

frigidmagi wrote:
Alyrium wrote:"My home legistlature has ordered me to seek this alliance, it has already been ratified for all intents and purposes"
"Excellant. Unless anyone else has something they wish to discuss I'm afraid there is yet another specis that requires a meeting with me."

"My my you are popular today, I will go and relay the news to my government.

It was a pleasure meeting you Mr. President, I look forward to speking with you in the future"

He took a bow and left the room, beaming with happiness.

admiral_danielsben · Post by **admiral_danielsben** » 2004-06-27 05:23pm

Alyrium Denryle wrote:
frigidmagi wrote:
Alyrium wrote:"My home legistlature has ordered me to seek this alliance, it has already been ratified for all intents and purposes"
"Excellant. Unless anyone else has something they wish to discuss I'm afraid there is yet another specis that requires a meeting with me."
"My my you are popular today, I will go and relay the news to my government.

It was a pleasure meeting you Mr. President, I look forward to speking with you in the future"

He took a bow and left the room, beaming with happiness.

"Likewise, I will go. I intend to return to Avea as soon as possible. It was nice meeting you, Mr. Lord Protector and Mr. President."

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2004-06-27 05:43pm

Veitha System
Veitha III

Dachlan awoke from a very deep sleep. Blinking his eyes open, he was greeted by the goofy grin of a certain blond god lying besides him. He felt a soft kiss on his cheek.
"Morning, sunshine," he said softly.
"Why is it that you're always awake when I open my eyes, huh?" He was wondering that for a while now. He never seemed to be tired, never slowed down. It's like he was under constant power...
He still wasn't sure if he should believe the last two weeks to be reality. It was simply too good. Bad things reared their ugly heads when things went to perfect. He knew it. But he was happy enough to let the illusion last a bit longer.
"You know, sweetie, I'm an early riser," he chuckled. But behind those perfect blue-grey eyes an...uncertainty lingered.
Dachlan crawled out of the bad and tumbled to the bathroom. He wass definitely no morning person...

After careful restoration efforts, barely looking human, he stumbled into the kitchen, luredd mostly by the smell of a rich breakfast. Yet another thing that always stunned him. How does he manage to get that all done, and still not look overslept?
But again, he stuffed that thought back into the deepest recesses of his mind. He wasn't to ruin this. He felt too good for it...
"What do we do today, hm?" he asked in between two bites of his eggs.
"I've gotta do something, so I'll be gone 'till 6," he managed to say without looking him in the eyes.
"What you doing?"
"I can't tell you, really," he squirmed in his chair. "Just trust me, please?"
"You always, always, give me this crap!" he raised his voice.
"I...I can't," he stuttered.
"Fine," he said icily. "Whatever. See if I have time for you tonight, will ya?"
"Please?" Roald begged, but he faced a wall of ice. "Ok... I'll better be going then..."
Tears welled up in Dachlan's eyes as he heard the door close. Why is he doing that to me?

***

He felt the tears running down his cheeks. Here he was, the heir to a large and powerful Empire, and for the first time in his life, confused, afraid. Things like that simply don't happen at home!
He wasn't prepared for...this.
With a deep sigh, he switched off his tears, and composed himself.
<<Your Highness,>> Colonel Trylings 'vised, <<You can't keep it like that forever. Sooner, or later, he will find out. And the Maker knows what he'll do then!>>
<<He won't find out. He hasn't for the last two weeks...>>
<<That's only pure luck on your part and the fact that he seems to ignore all gossip and celebrity news. But one day he'll find out. You either leave him, or tell him. That's my suggestion.>>
<<I..I just can't>>
<<Well, it's your decision, but mark my words. Nothing good will come out of it...>>

He managed to get one of his minds clear of any thoughts for Dachlan, so he got through the meeting with the Veithan officials like a composed and concentrated Crown Prince. Asked for Gladsheim help in the harnessing of their own gas giants, the Empire was only pleased to lend any help they could give to the Veithans, and his mother expected him to function according to standard.
But his other minds were still thinking endlessly about this one man. It was driving him insane.

***

"Hi honey," a familiar voice murmurred from behind Dachlan made him jump.
"You freak!" he cried to Roald, as he stepped out of the shadows that had hidden him. "I don't know how you do it, but STOP it!" Before he could continue, he was silenced by a deep kiss that took his breath away. Breaking away, he said, "You just vanish for the day, and then step back into my life like a ghost..."
"Don't you just love me for it," he smirked.
Whatever doubt he had, they were blown away by that killer smile.
"Come, I'm taking you out for dinner!" Roald happily piped.

It was a smallish restaurant. Nothing fancy, but good food. No upper-class would get seen here, but for the 'normal' people, it was enough. He still had to chuckle when he saw Roald. He was wearing a cap and dark sunglasses. He didn't know why, but it was one of these excentric quirks he seemed to surround himself with.

It was a nice dinner. They had fun and laughed a lot. Definitely one of the better nights he had. Suddenly, a bright flash blinded him. He heard an excited cry, and then a hard grip as Roald dragged him through the restaurant to the back exit.
"Shit, shit, shit," he heard Roald cuss.
"What the-" he tried to say but was silenced by Roalds hand.
"Please, don't ask," his eyes were pleading. "I had to tell you that for along time, but..." he harrumphed. "But I was afraid. I'll answer your every question soon, but I have to know: Do you love me? I mean, really love me?"
He looked into his eyes, and his mind started swirling.
"Yes," he simply said.
"Then come with me. And hurry!"

They raced through the streets and alleys, and Roald always made sure there were not followed.
After what seemed like hours of running, they closed in on a huge estate. This one clearly belonged to a super-rich family... Why was he going there?
He saw powerful looking guards guarding the entrance, and before it several press teams. Roald simply plowed through them, hiding Dachlan's face below his jacket. The guards snapped to attention and threw open the doors. A very stern lookng military type cam rushing to them and stood before them.

***

<<Why, oh why...>> Colonel Trylings sighed.
<<I had to. They've found us.>>
<<So I heard. But why did you have to bring him along?" he looked at Dachlan standing besides Crown Prince Jorm. He looked quite frightened.
<<Do you know what this press would've done to him? He wouldn't have liked it...>>
<<So you went all protector-ish on him?>>
<<Yes. I love him. I want him to stay.>>
A real sigh escaped Colonel Trylings throat. Dachlan kept yelling for his attention, ripping at his jacket.
<<Give me a minute alone,>> he said and led the resisting Dachlan into his rooms.

***
"What the HELL is happening here?" Dachlan yelled at the top of his lungs.
"Just calm down. Please!"
"Not before you tell me what's going on!"
"I'll tell you, but please, sit," he plead. After a very reluctant Dachlan sat down, he sighed heavily.
Suddenly standing ramrod straight, he looked Dachlan into the eyes.
"I'm not Roald. Or rather, not in the way you think..."
"Wha-" he squealed.
"My real name, my official name, is His Imperial Highness Crown Prine Jorm Roald Daffyd Ronalsson, Heir Primary to the Throne of Gladsheim, Grand Duke of Alfheim, Duke of Gold Cloud."
"You're...You're a bloody prince? YOu lied to me the whole time? I never lied to you!" he yelled.
"Please..." he smiled shyly. "Trust me, I didn't want this to happen... But I never felt somethign like that before. Not at home, not here... You were so special, you make me feel so happy. I didn't want to destroy it..."
"You lied to me because you wanted to..to live in thisdream world of yours? Didn't it occur to you it might hurt me?"
"I just wanted to protect you... As I want now."
"Protect? From what?"
"Your press. They'll be all over you once they know who you are. They'll invade your privacy, looking for tidbits they can use in their articles."
"Then you shouldn't have approached me in the first place!"
"I couldn't. I wanted to be close to you... Please, believe me." Roald, or Jorm, looked into his eyes, and sighed.
"Well, I better leave you alone. You might need time to think. If you have come to a decision, just call my name..." he said and left the room. He wasn't sure, but it seemed he was starting to cry.

***

<<So, all this for yet another of your infatuations?>> Empress Elana asked her son.
<<It's no infatuation. I love him. I need him.>>
<<Just like Duke Heraldsford's daughter last year? Or That Lieutenant last summer?>>
<<No,>> he protested. <<It's not like that. I love him. With all my heart. I haven't felt like that before. He's special.>>
<<Surely,>> his mother snorted. <<He's no Gladsheim.>>
<<Precisely. I had to learn to know him. I mean, really. Not just looking him up in an index. I had to do it step by step.>>
<<Barbaric, really. But I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt.>>
<<Thanks, mother.>>
<<But if it is as you say, if you want to spend the life with him and all this romantic foolings, I want to meet him.>>
<<Meet?>>
<<Yes. Incidentally, we were already planning on a diplomatic ball and meeting in the next weeks for the Veithan Accord, and you'd have come home anyway. We'll just speed it up a bit. I have already had a squadron dispatched. It will arrive soon, and you'll bring this man with you.>>
Knowing that type of voice, he didn't even try to veto it.
<<As you wish, mother.>>

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-06-27 05:45pm

Pinnacle spacelanes, route 7, SS Branagho

"Outbound convoy, this is Pinnacle Control. We show your ships are Ronoghan registry. What is your destination?"

"Pinnacle Control this is Captain Hrothnab of the SS Branagho, registered with Roantor Shipping. Our convoy is composed of six cargo ships with two escorting destroyers. We are bound for Stormhold in the United Protectorates with a shipment of electronics and machine tools, over." The reddish skinned Ronoghan cargo captain leaned back and checked the ship's status board on his command panel. He was a nervous sort, but everything checked out, as always.

"Acknowledged, Branagho. Hey Hrothnab, Sergeant Beckman on this end. Long time no see, eh? What've you been up to?"

Hrothnab grinned, a behavior acquired through frequent dealings with humans (his race normally expressed emotions through the positioning of their overly long ears). "Yes it has been a while, hasn't it? I've been shipping out through Praetor mostly, and doing in-cluster runs. Good to hear you again. How is your family?"

"Oh, they're just fine. Katie's grown like you wouldn't believe. Okay, we'd best get to business. A Customs picket is heading out to your position now to visually confirm your registry and whatnot, but you already know the drill there, and what I've gotta ask. Have you stopped in any Republic ports of call to trade goods since leaving Ronogho?"

"No, we haven't."

"Any hazardous materials?"

"No."

"Any unusual shipping activity you've noticed, smugglers and such?"

"Not to my knowledge."

"And finally, any citizens of the Republic aboard?"

"Not yet, my friend. Not yet," said the alien, chuckling a bit.

Beckman laughed aloud. "Roger that. Well, pending visual ID, looks like you're good to go. What do you think about your referendum anyway?"

"Well, it would cut down on our little chats," said Hrothnab with a half-smile. "I personally think it's a good idea. Our current government, reformers in the Senate notwithstanding, is a bit too gouging on the export duties for my tastes, and it would make things easier on the in-system runs. Some in my crew disagree, though. Say we'd have to pay Republic export taxes then, and then where would we be here?" Another chuckle.

"In the tax inspection line, instead of the outgoing shipment lanes."

"Indeed. But in all seriousness, I don't think most of us in the shipping business grumble about our independence. We've got a lot of it already in the spacer business, and that wouldn't change. Would get us a bigger escort pool, too," he added, referring to the two destroyers with his convoy.

"Yeah, about that, there's been some pirate activity lately. Be careful out there." Beckman looked down at his monitor. "Okay, Customs confirms that you are who you say you are. Your jump time is in five minutes, nav buoy 17. Come port to vector 249. You know the rest of the way."

"Acknowledged, Control, and thank you. Will do. Branagho out." The convoy came around twenty degrees to port and drew in to the nav buoy slowly. A Nashtari frigate jumped out from the buoy ahead of them, its vector taking it out towards Verlion Station. Then it was the convoy's turn. The eight ships jumped to hyperspace a minute later, clearing the way for an ore hauler heading out to Barrier as the Pinnacle traffic went on.