STGOD 4 Game Thread

[frigidmagi]

Deep Space, bridge of the merchantmen Camelback

"Sir, we're being pinged. I cannot find the source however."

"And here I thought NID was losing it's mind. There is a listening post around here. No worries Commander, just keep heading, we'll broadcast has soon has we reach the edge of Etern space."



"below deck"

"So, what are you on this pleasure crusie for?" Asked a young nurse. Lt Mantrel wished he could tell her the truth, but how the hell do you tell a young lady that you didn't exist and you were a agent sent to gather data and lay groundwork...

"I'm a teacher, I used to teach basic science. I thought this would be an adventure." He answered with a small smile, everything he had said was true enough in it's own way afterall...

[Alyrium Denryle]

In the quite corner of the massive Asgard Ansi-Net* the Foriegn Office added a small update to it's official site. Along with this seemingly minor change came a warning to those with the particular travel papers or who would be issued them:

Code: Select all

Contrary to their prior claims the Draconis Republic, private information is routinely made available to law enforcement with out a warrant.  This is in contradiction to their public information campaign.  There is no evidence of gross abuse of the privilege but visitors would be wise to be discrete.

Code: Select all

The information spoken of by the Asgard are customs records.  What a visitor brought on world, or what a citizen imports

[Stormbringer]

In the quite corner of the massive Asgard Ansi-Net* the Foriegn Office added a small update to it's official site. Along with this seemingly minor change came a warning to those with the particular travel papers or who would be issued them:

Code: Select all

Contrary to their prior claims the Draconis Republic, private information is routinely made available to law enforcement with out a warrant.  This is in contradiction to their public information campaign.  There is no evidence of gross abuse of the privilege but visitors would be wise to be discrete.

Code: Select all

The information spoken of by the Asgard are customs records.  What a visitor brought on world, or what a citizen imports

To: Draconis Republic
From: Asgard Justice Ministry
RE: hackings

We will be filing extradition papers shortly regarding the attempted hacking of the Ansi-Net. Enclosed are the names and information of those who carried out the attack. We note that it could be traced back to a government source, it is our hope that this is merely the act of some bad apples.

We hope you will cooperate in this manner.

[Alyrium Denryle]

Are you alright in the head? That was posted to our own cite, not yours. No hacking was involved.

[Stormbringer]

To: Draconis Republic
From: Asgard Justice Ministry
RE: hackings

Are you alright in the head? That was posted to our own cite, not yours. No hacking was involved.

Quite. There was an unathourized breech of the Asgard government Net Site. Being as you do not have a site currently on our Ansible Network there is no way it should have been there.

[Alyrium Denryle]

To: Draconis Republic
From: Asgard Justice Ministry
RE: hackings

Are you alright in the head? That was posted to our own cite, not yours. No hacking was involved.

Quite. There was an unathourized breech of the Asgard government Net Site. Being as you do not have a site currently on our Ansible Network there is no way it should have been there.

...

"By all means, it seems someone hacked into our own government networks and routed through us. We never should have switched to windows we are securing a warrant for his arrest. It appears the youngling hacked into our own cite on our own network and posted the same thing... son of a bitch, if it isnt bombings it is disgruntled teens"

[Stormbringer]

"By all means, it seems someone hacked into our own government networks and routed through us. We never should have switched to windows we are securing a warrant for his arrest. It appears the youngling hacked into our own cite on our own network and posted the same thing... son of a bitch, if it isnt bombings it is disgruntled teens"

We would hope that you can supply proof of your allegations as well as turnning him over to our courts. And shut down your illegal connection to our networks; you may apply for a legal connection at any Office of Trade location.

[Alyrium Denryle]

"By all means, it seems someone hacked into our own government networks and routed through us. We never should have switched to windows we are securing a warrant for his arrest. It appears the youngling hacked into our own cite on our own network and posted the same thing... son of a bitch, if it isnt bombings it is disgruntled teens"

We would hope that you can supply proof of your allegations as well as turnning him over to our courts. And shut down your illegal connection to our networks; you may apply for a legal connection at any Office of Trade location.

"Of course, we have already pulled the plug and will apply for a connection once we can actually, you know, switch to an operating system with fewer holes.. . once he is arrested, he will be extradited"

[Straha]

To: The Draconis Republic
From: The Monacoran State Department
Subj: A meeting

Please send one of your Ambassadors to Andorra. We must talk.

[Stormbringer]

"Of course, we have already pulled the plug and will apply for a connection once we can actually, you know, switch to an operating system with fewer holes.. . once he is arrested, he will be extradited"

"We had recently upgraded to a new system for our civilian sites. Naturally the company has already plugged the securities holes and fixed several additional holes."

"And we hope that you will apprehend him promptly and turn him over to us."


(Opensource software. Microsith it ain't)

[Straha]

Drealaan fixed his suit before sitting down, "I’m glad you found the time in your busy schedule to meet with me,” he glanced around the room, “though I do hope you will attend the ceremony, the view is quite fantastic.” he paused momentarily to gather his thoughts.

“I’m going to be frank, the galaxy is rapidly becoming a dangerous place, at least when the machines were the threat there was some semblance of unity, but now? Who knows! Yet, there is safety in numbers, as I’m sure you are well aware. Unfortunately my sway in the senate is waning, the popular opinion is neutrality, ‘why fight someone else’s war when you can profit from it?’, as the businessmen say. Now I don’t want to exceed my authority, so let me just say this, the support goes wherever the money comes from.

"On another note," he continued, "I’ve been receiving some reports that baeloaren engineers are dissatisfied with the human engineers that are taking over maintaining the archologies. I have to admit, I understand the situation, it is alien technology, to learn it in a month or even a year is a bit of a lofty expectation. Needless to say, a couple advisors here and there would certainly improve things. I’ve also considered, with your approval of course, opening a school of engineering, so people can be properly trained to support and maintain Earth’s archologies."

"Ah, and one other thing; a number of Baeloaren corporations have contacted me; it seems there is a significant interest in being hired on as part of the clean-up process. They have significant labor pools to work off of, and I am certain the money," he emphasized, "they would ask for is more than competitive."

"Ah, you come right to a point that I thought I might have to dance around. Yes, we desperatley desire continued presense from your engineers. Ours... were very negligent in putting in certain recomended security devices, and now we fear that because of it we may be entering into something very bad because of it. I'll leave details to other people to work out though.
"I think I understand your statement on... monetary support. Might I ask hopw you think your government would respond to us offering a mutual protection alliance?
"As for clean-up crews... if their bid is competitive, they will be hired. Trust me, it will be a massive workforce, we can use anyone we can get our hands on."

[Alyrium Denryle]

To: The Draconis Republic
From: The Monacoran State Department
Subj: A meeting

Please send one of your Ambassadors to Andorra. We must talk.

"Our ambassador, Jardin Krevaris will be there in short order"

[Thirdfain]

Hudson
Hudson System
Ouster Occupation Zone, Rimwards Edge of Known Space

The Hudson Trade Fortress- Over seven miles in length, it was an amalgamation of asteroids and foamed-steel girders. Transports from a variety of Known Space powers went this way and that. The majority were Baelorean craft, bearing consumer goods, exotic foods, and various other light shipping. The rest were a blend of vessels from almost every nation in known space- the Hajr was an inexhaustible market, and it was hardly surprising how many people were willing to exploit that. It was a bustling hub of activity, in which foreign stevedores handed over their goods to grim Ouster customs agents. The cargoes were extensively, and expensively, scanned- security was tight at this major pipeline into the fortress-clusters of Eketrina.

A dozen such facilities orbited the world, but this one, positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the conquered world’s capital city. Vessels shuttled between Hudson and the fortress, bearing cargoes of raw materials from the strip mines that were blossoming out in the boonies, far from the current major population centers. New cities were forming on the planet below, as people migrated to take the jobs- the Ousters paid well, and were decent employers to those who helped them extract the heavy metals from the world’s crust.

It was a day like any other for the people of Hudson. Millions of men and women, from a hundred worlds, went about their work. Goods moved, money changed hands, and the Ousters presided over it all from their homes on high. It was an astonishingly normal state of affairs.

The blast was small in comparison to the bulk of the fortress- a fireball a mere kilometer in diameter. It was more than enough. A million men and women, both human and Ouster, were devoured by the ravening atomic flame. It had been set off in the primary loading docks, where a hundred freighters were locked on to the mouth of the Trade Fortress. Secondary explosions erupted as the fuel sources of the docked transports, Ouster and foreign, lit up.

Impossibly, the massive facility began to fall. It’s lights died as it’s reactor core vented, and the giant stone began to tumble and lose altitude.

Cameras and sensor logs from a thousand vessels caught what happened next. Ouster tenders tried to halt the vessel’s tumbling, but there wasn’t enough time- not nearly enough time. Cameras caught their last moments as the Ouster tugs hit the atmosphere, many of them exploding.

The Hudson Trade Fortress hit the atmosphere, and began to burn up as it accelerated. It broke apart, becoming a half-dozen distinct pieces far too large to be shot down by the defense guns. They tried, though- how they tried. Beams, projectiles, and missiles pounded tthe debris, but they would have been better off attemptingg to fend off death or taxes than the inevitability of the impact.

Incomprehensible fury erupted over the capital, and for over a million men and women, both Ouster and Human, life was cut short by a blast that made Hiroshima seem like a firecracker.

Hudson burned. The Ousters raged.

[Stormbringer]

To: Tortugan Government
From: Asgard Foreign Office
RE: Offer

We do hope to know soon what your answer is. It is understandable that you wish to take your time. However we wish to hear from you soon so that we might make our plans.

[Straha]

To: The Draconis Republic
From: The Monacoran State Department
Subj: A meeting

Please send one of your Ambassadors to Andorra. We must talk.

"Our ambassador, Jardin Krevaris will be there in short order"

(OOC: Innocent, I hope you don't mind me retconning our meeting, I hope it's not over yet)

It was an office, the same office that he'd met the Director in just last week. As the ambassador was lead in he was offered a seat, a Draconian seat out of kindness. There were four armed soldiers around the room, carrying Assault rifles but being careful not to point it anywhere threatening.

The Prince looked up from papers on his desk, never standing.

"Close the door."

After one of the soldiers closed the door the prince stared at the Ambassador.

"I assume you know what this is about. Do you want to say anything?"

[Bugsby]

Hudson

The freighter Medusa was approaching Hudson on a trade run. It was out of Gorgon, one of the Client Worlds, yet unallied with the Combine. It was a simple run. Over the last several months, the Ousters had become a huge feature in the galaxy. Trade had opened up all over the place. The Ousters seemed to expand endlessly, and they paid well to anyone who could provide the goods they would need in that expansion. Those that they couldn't produce themselves at any rate. Medusa was loaded with stasis-frozen supplies of vegetables. Not the most delicate cargo, but anything was better than the CHON that Ousters lived off, and while not on the level with Baelorean beef, was still a welcome to the Ouster diet. A full hold would bring 2 grand in Combine Creds, easy.

"Say, Toram, what's it look like out there?"

"Smooth sailing. Just got clearance from the cluster to dock us up. Easy transfer, and we get out of here."

"Then back to farming, eh?"

"Come on, we don't have to do that shit. We just pull the tractor."

"Still, veggies?"

"Fuck, man. If they'll buy it, we'll tow it. Now shove it, we're almost at dock." The Medusa was rotating to put its docking port next to the corresponding seal on the Ouster station. Another few seconds and they would be hooked up.

Then everything went to hell. A huge jet of fire blossomed out of the side of the cluster, a massive explosion from within. "What the hell was that?" Toram leaned forward, shocked.

"Fuck that, man. We're out of here. Engines full." Explosions were blowing across the area of the station where the loading docks were. "Mayday, mayday. This is shuttle Medusa reporting some big-ass fuckin explosions on the Hudson Ouster cluster. May- fuck, this is still set to Gorgon stations." The pilot leaned down and began to fiddle with the comm to get it on a local channel, when a huge explosion from the fuel storage area tore apart an entire section of the cluster. A wave of debris and energy blasted out into space, engulfing Medusa, cargo and passengers both.
_____________________________________________________________
Gorgon

"FTL transmission coming in. From far away."

"Another damn freighter forget to switch channels?"

"Looks like. I'll just scrub it. Wait-" the comm officer bent over his station. "You should hear this."

<<-ck, this is set to Gorgon stations.>> Then explosions and screaming. Then silence.

"Holy shit. That's no joke. What's going on here? Sounds like something's going down at Hudson. Wire this to the Gorgon Council at once, and send a request to the Hudson Cluster asking if they are having any problems. And copy this to the Krell!"

[Alyrium Denryle]

"Um... not particularly'

[SirNitram]

Unknown Etern Shrine.

"Hudson burns. We will begin as it always was to begin. Our foes will taste the fury of the Four Faces. LET NONE ESCAPE!"

The chant was taken up...

[Bugsby]

To: Tortugan Fleet

Events move quicker than anticipated. New orders are to move to the Edean system with all haste. Coordinate with local defense fleets and stay on high alert. More orders as necessary.

-Leego Diama

[Straha]

"Um... not particularly'

"Ah... the silent game. Well, here are pictures of a dead citizen of ours, here are pictures of one of our dead police officers. This is a picture of the weapon used to kill them, you will note that the electronic and physical serial codes are... missing.
"These are pictures of the escape route that we think the killer took, you will notice here that the routes are cramped for humans, often very steep, and here at the exit almost impossible for a human to climb out of.
"These are pictures of a dead Draconian that we found about three hours walking away from the New York arcology. Just so you know, he died of radition poisining, something that happens when you pick bomb craters to sleep in. These are pictures of a transmitter we found on him, one capable of reaching ships in orbit. These are files we gathered from your nation, through a third party, on this person. You will note that he is a member of your Army. Further more, he is also a member of a unit that was destroyed, or officially, 'rendered inactive' during your assault on Tortuga.
"These are official charges brought against our dead citizen, by your government. Note the word espionage.
"Now, I may be paranoid but I think we can put two and two together and we have come to what seems to us to be a reasonable conclusion. What do you think our conclusion was, and what do you want to say about it?"

[Thirdfain]

Hudson System
System's Edge

The explosion on the primary Trade Fortress had caused a massive number of reactions. Some ships, in stunned silence, had listened to the sudden freecasts , warning all vessels to hold position and had fired their station-keepers, holding position while Hajr customs vessels began sweeping them, one by one. Others, caught in the blast of debris, listed and began to fall towards the planeet below. Overstressed tugs raced about attempting to catch and save those unlucky few.

Then there were those who ran. Out of the thousands of freighters, large and small, in the area, there were a few who were skittish or foolish enough to ignore the Hajr's warning beacons. Mostly smaller tramp freighters with something to hide anyways, they were immediatly targetted by the third force at work that night over Hudson- the Hajr fighter patrol squadrons. Explosions errupted as vessels were targetted and engaged, in brief and furious dogfights which ended with the tramps hanging in space, engines dead.

One such vessel was the Foolish Pride, a tramp frigate out of Catalonia. She was already outbound when the explosion erupted, and had responded to the explosion by kicking her engine into high gear, breaking the traffic control laws.

A Claw of Nachtjagers sprung affter her, their afterburners painting the void with trails of plasma. Their pilots, cyborged into their vessels and suspended in thick G-resistant gel, communicated with tightbeam lasers and brief freecaster pulseses.

<< VESSEL FOOLISH PRIDE. CEASE AND DESIST ACCELERATION. ACTIVATE WEAPONS AND YOU WILL BE FIRED UPON. CHARGE JUMPDRIVES AND YOU WILL BE FIRED UPON. PREPARE TO BE BOARDED.>>

The vessel's maser turrets spun and opened fire. The ranges were short, and the light intercpetors were caught by surprise. Two of the swift attack craft expolded, their pilot's digital screams fading into the night.

The coutnerattack was furious. Each of the fighters opened fire, streams off high-energy coherent light carving into the Foolish Pride's shields. EMP missiles lashed out, and detonated. In a second, the tramp was dead in space.

Three vessels escaped, disappearing into the stygian depths of Hyperspace. They would be the targets of a different kind of pursuit at a later date.

The disabled vessels soon found themselves playing host to the grey-armored demons that were Ouster marines. None of their crew would enjoy the next few days.

[InnocentBystander]

Drealaan fixed his suit before sitting down, "I’m glad you found the time in your busy schedule to meet with me,” he glanced around the room, “though I do hope you will attend the ceremony, the view is quite fantastic.” he paused momentarily to gather his thoughts.

“I’m going to be frank, the galaxy is rapidly becoming a dangerous place, at least when the machines were the threat there was some semblance of unity, but now? Who knows! Yet, there is safety in numbers, as I’m sure you are well aware. Unfortunately my sway in the senate is waning, the popular opinion is neutrality, ‘why fight someone else’s war when you can profit from it?’, as the businessmen say. Now I don’t want to exceed my authority, so let me just say this, the support goes wherever the money comes from.

"On another note," he continued, "I’ve been receiving some reports that baeloaren engineers are dissatisfied with the human engineers that are taking over maintaining the archologies. I have to admit, I understand the situation, it is alien technology, to learn it in a month or even a year is a bit of a lofty expectation. Needless to say, a couple advisors here and there would certainly improve things. I’ve also considered, with your approval of course, opening a school of engineering, so people can be properly trained to support and maintain Earth’s archologies."

"Ah, and one other thing; a number of Baeloaren corporations have contacted me; it seems there is a significant interest in being hired on as part of the clean-up process. They have significant labor pools to work off of, and I am certain the money," he emphasized, "they would ask for is more than competitive."

"Ah, you come right to a point that I thought I might have to dance around. Yes, we desperatley desire continued presense from your engineers. Ours... were very negligent in putting in certain recomended security devices, and now we fear that because of it we may be entering into something very bad because of it. I'll leave details to other people to work out though.
"I think I understand your statement on... monetary support. Might I ask hopw you think your government would respond to us offering a mutual protection alliance?
"As for clean-up crews... if their bid is competitive, they will be hired. Trust me, it will be a massive workforce, we can use anyone we can get our hands on."

/ooc: Not at all, as I recall this meeting "technically" happened a few days ago, heh

"I'd be more than happy to make a few calls and get the proper equipment and personnel here to solve any security problems, a normally an archology would have a sentry floating around, discretely, in every hallway, street, and corridor, scanning for "illegal activity" or medical emergencies." He replied to the first subject.

"Mutual Protection, ah yes. I would love to tell you that I can muster the support to accept such a treaty, but truly, I cannot. The senate and its supporters are not interested in being dragged into what they call the human wars. I have serious doubts it would be met with any enthusiasm. To be honest, I would recommend against that proposition at this time." he heaved a sigh.

"Believe me when I say this, my government is not yet ready for a solid treaty, a true commitment. The Baeloaren fleets will fight for Baeloaren interests and if the survival of Monacora is in the best interests of Bael, I can say, without a doubt, it will find the Commonwealth by its side when the worst happens." his normally light appearance had changed, and he now had an air of seriousness about him, "I will put your government in contact with several of corporations interested in committing to long term projects surrounding the Reconstruction." he winked, his serious demeanor seemed to fade, “I hope you understand why I can’t recommend a treaty at this time. Is there anything else you desire to discuss? They should be activating the holographic sky in an hour or so, we wouldn’t want to miss it."

[Straha]

/ooc: Not at all, as I recall this meeting "technically" happened a few days ago, heh

"I'd be more than happy to make a few calls and get the proper equipment and personnel here to solve any security problems, a normally an archology would have a sentry floating around, discretely, in every hallway, street, and corridor, scanning for "illegal activity" or medical emergencies." He replied to the first subject.

"Mutual Protection, ah yes. I would love to tell you that I can muster the support to accept such a treaty, but truly, I cannot. The senate and its supporters are not interested in being dragged into what they call the human wars. I have serious doubts it would be met with any enthusiasm. To be honest, I would recommend against that proposition at this time." he heaved a sigh.

"Believe me when I say this, my government is not yet ready for a solid treaty, a true commitment. The Baeloaren fleets will fight for Baeloaren interests and if the survival of Monacora is in the best interests of Bael, I can say, without a doubt, it will find the Commonwealth by its side when the worst happens." his normally light appearance had changed, and he now had an air of seriousness about him, "I will put your government in contact with several of corporations interested in committing to long term projects surrounding the Reconstruction." he winked, his serious demeanor seemed to fade, “I hope you understand why I can’t recommend a treaty at this time. Is there anything else you desire to discuss? They should be activating the holographic sky in an hour or so, we wouldn’t want to miss it."

"I understand, trust me I think that in a few days we shall have much at stake between us. Though I enjoy your company, sadly I think we must depart. This is something I would not miss."

The Prince stood up, and lead the Baelorean, blindfolded again, back to the party. Where a good time was had by all.

Afterwards things were set in motion, things very favorable for the Baelorean Emploment rate.

[frigidmagi]

Lastport meeting room

"So in conclusion we agree to begin designing the Alliance Class SuperDreadnought, with a combination of techonogly from all our powers. Next is the suggestion of a perament combined command structure for Allaince Operations..."

Outside the room
A squad of black armored men blocked the door from the out of breath messenger.

"You can't go in there. What the hell is your rank anyways sailor?"

"Get out of the way!" The messenger snarled.

"Make me. Orders are clear no one interupts the meeting." At that the messenger pulled a small card out of his tunic and handed to the guards, they placed it in a card reader and saw the symbol of NID appear, a sheild with a dripping dagger upon it.

"My rank is classified, but at this time, I am not outranked. Move." The NID man said. The guards parted like the Bibical Red Sea and he marched in, handing a message to the Lord Protector.

The Lord Protector read it and his face went pale. It was time already, no matter who did this the Hajr would march to war and quickly, it had begun.

"Gentlebeings and Ladies, The Hudson Trade Station has been destoryed by unknown agencies. I am putting the United Protectrates Navy on full alert and suggest you do the same with your fleets. I also suggest we appoint Fleet Admiral Andersen to Alliance Military Commander for the duration of this... event."

[Marcao]

Known Space

Lilandra watched.

She had been drawn to the heart of the disturbance much like a moth attracted to flames, her union with the other members of the tower allowing her feats that many would have considered impossible. She did not cross the lines which linked all space time together. She simply willed herself to be where she needed to be, her psionic prowess did all the rest, bending space around her as her mind sought to do as she commanded. It was fortunate that she had been searching the threads of fate when the massive ripple occurred, a disturbance unlike any in recent memory. She had immediately understood that this event threatened to encompass many others in its wake, altering the futures she had foreseen and predicted much like the hand of god re-arranging the landscape of creation.

She had arrived at the scene just in time to watch, her mental senses piercing the veils of time and space. She existed and yet she did not, her presence causing a familiar ripple in the astral. She watched as the massive Ouster construct groaned, a tiny sun a mere one kilometer in diameter birthing itself among the structure. She felt the passing of life more than saw it, a million minds ceasing with sudden finality. There was no emotion at the realization, no tears shed for those that had moved to the beyond. She continued to watch, for that was all that her power allowed.

Secondary explosions flared as fires which seemed to writhe and dance among the loading docks of the structure. Transports were consumed, sacrifices for the fires which at the moment seemed to have a life of their own. The Ouster structure seemed to shiver, trembling much like a living being realizing that its end was near. The structure began to fall, unable to fight off the gravity of the planet below. To Lilandra’s eyes time seemed to slow, the structure tumbling as it fell deeper and deeper towards the world below.

The Ouster structure hit the atmosphere of the world below, and Lilandra understood what would occur. It was too late, far too late. The structure broke apart and the Ouster effort valiant or not was not enough. It was doubtful that at that point any effort could be enough to change what was to be. Lilandra followed the structure as it penetrated deeper into the planet, defense guns striking the intruding object in dozens of places, hundreds, but gravity had firmly taking its hold and it would not be denied its prize. The moment of impact displayed untold fury, and once again the psionic mass which was Lilandra in this state could feel the loss of hundreds of thousands of minds. Hudson burned…

She did not linger, the Ouster anger at the event while justified was nearly palpable. It lay there, just past the reach of her senses past the veil which separate real space from the domain in which she currently resided. There would be repercussions from this event, already events were shaping, probabilities gathering. Lilandra sighed, forcing herself away from the burning world and sped away back towards the Empire proper. As she did so, her mind widened strands of mental might expertly woven as thoughts were sent to various members of the Empire. She had not used this method of communication in over a decade, but felt that this time was as good as any to get back in the habit.

All over the Empire, key personnel were informed of what had occurred, the president first of all. He took the intrusion well, the news not so well. It seemed that someone had made a move against the Ousters, and the Ousters would almost certainly seek to lash out in turn. An emergency meeting of the Veithan government began to take place a mere ten minutes after the impact of the structure upon the Ouster world. Come what may, the Empire would be ready…