"It's boneheads." said Vera deftly manipulating the transport's sensor station.
Marxis swore. He had been on a small courier ship inspecting the new colony world Earthdome had granted him. Where the fuck was Earthforce?
"Do we have any ships that can intercept them?"
"No. The starfuries aren't ready yet and the new destroyers have just started production."
"Well, at least it's a scout," said Marxis relieved as he looked at the sensor readings. "And, it might not be warriors. Although..." Marxis grinned. "A Minbari scout would fetch a good price on the black market."
"I know that look and I don't like it. We're legit now."
"Legit or not, that scout is obviously deep in Earth Alliance territory. Did Earthdome tell us about the boneheads? Not really. We could claim salvage rights, take the ship. The boneheads can't do anything to us as long as Earth's backing us."
"Earthforce could come after you," said Vera. "They and the Minbari are on good terms now from our contacts in Geneva."
"They'll be no proof. We'll take the ship, take the prisoners, then say it was automated defenses. We'll tell them we're going to return the ship, and throw so much red tape and fine print at them it'll be years before they sort through it."
Marxis pressed a button. "Sammy, prep one of your breaching pods. They'll be a scout entering the Maroth system soon. When it does, I want the scout to have an accident. Make it look like automated defenses. And goddamn remember to jam, we don't want the boneheads sending off a distress signal."
"What'd you want me to do with the prisoners?"
Marxis pursed his lips. "Bring them to me. I haven't seen boneheads in a long time. Alive."
Vera grunted. "Kill them all I say."
"No, they could be good hostages. And if it backfires and Earthforce does come after us... well we can give them back their people and nobody will be the wiser." Marxis sat back in his chair. "How much Minbari technology is on the black market?"
"Last I checked with my contacts it wasn't."
Marxis smiled.
Brian
SE:IV B5 RP
Moderator: Thanas
"There's the alien ship," said Vera. "Strange, I've never seen anything like it... it doesn't even show up on our sensors."
Marxis grunted. "Must be some kind of jamming or stealth technology. And you thought I was an idiot for wanting to keep ironsights and electronic telescopes on our starfuries."
"Well, optical targeting has no trouble picking up the bugger. It's moving fast, but not fast enough."
"Pull alongside her," said Marxis leaning forward. Marxis pressed a button bringing up the command console. "Alien vessel, you have encroached on private property. Prepare to be boarded and searched."
"It's moving faster... it's getting away."
"Full speed. Sammy, your men suited up?"
"Ready and able boss, just give the word and we'll swarm them."
"I'm coming with you."
Vera turned to Marxis. "You always have to be a hothead don't you. Jennifer will kill me if I let you go out there."
"Well she won't find out will she," said Marxis winking. He followed Sammy into the rear of the ship. It was lined with men suited up and checking weapons, all in their own improvised space suits each carrying their personalized weapons and gear. "Okay boys, you know what to do. Extra hazard pay for the first one to capture a live alien. And, remember, fire discipline. Don't shoot anything until it shoots at you. Every alien you kill means I dock everybody's pay a hundred credits, and you won't be too popular for that." The men eyed Marxis with derison and respect at the same time, each saying nothing. "Use your stun batons, don't hit anybody who doesn't ask for it. These alien are roughly humanoid, but they're a lot tougher than they look, at least three times as tough as each of you."
"We're in range," said Vera from the ceiling.
"Suit up gentlemen," said Marxis. He and the men pulled down their visors. Marxis entered the cannon first and activated it. It shot him out at a hundred meters per second with a tether. "Yeeeeeeeeehaaaww!" he said in his space suit. It would be close... a few fractions of a second later he would impact with the skin of the alien vessel or miss it wide. Marxis adjusted his maneuvering thrusters and he landed perfectly vertical on the hull of the ship. He immediately fired his grappling piston and it sunk deep into the alien ship's hull.
Marxis started cutting with his laser. He was so engrossed with the work he didn't notice five or six others land on the alien ship. Sammy had made it, and a couple others, but most had shot wide and would be picked up later. What was inside this pandora's box and what would the aliens inside think? Would they put up a fight? Or surrender?
The rectangular hole was cut and Marxis plunged into the ship his PPG rifle unslung and shouting "Dorothy's home!" through his external microphone.
Brian
Marxis grunted. "Must be some kind of jamming or stealth technology. And you thought I was an idiot for wanting to keep ironsights and electronic telescopes on our starfuries."
"Well, optical targeting has no trouble picking up the bugger. It's moving fast, but not fast enough."
"Pull alongside her," said Marxis leaning forward. Marxis pressed a button bringing up the command console. "Alien vessel, you have encroached on private property. Prepare to be boarded and searched."
"It's moving faster... it's getting away."
"Full speed. Sammy, your men suited up?"
"Ready and able boss, just give the word and we'll swarm them."
"I'm coming with you."
Vera turned to Marxis. "You always have to be a hothead don't you. Jennifer will kill me if I let you go out there."
"Well she won't find out will she," said Marxis winking. He followed Sammy into the rear of the ship. It was lined with men suited up and checking weapons, all in their own improvised space suits each carrying their personalized weapons and gear. "Okay boys, you know what to do. Extra hazard pay for the first one to capture a live alien. And, remember, fire discipline. Don't shoot anything until it shoots at you. Every alien you kill means I dock everybody's pay a hundred credits, and you won't be too popular for that." The men eyed Marxis with derison and respect at the same time, each saying nothing. "Use your stun batons, don't hit anybody who doesn't ask for it. These alien are roughly humanoid, but they're a lot tougher than they look, at least three times as tough as each of you."
"We're in range," said Vera from the ceiling.
"Suit up gentlemen," said Marxis. He and the men pulled down their visors. Marxis entered the cannon first and activated it. It shot him out at a hundred meters per second with a tether. "Yeeeeeeeeehaaaww!" he said in his space suit. It would be close... a few fractions of a second later he would impact with the skin of the alien vessel or miss it wide. Marxis adjusted his maneuvering thrusters and he landed perfectly vertical on the hull of the ship. He immediately fired his grappling piston and it sunk deep into the alien ship's hull.
Marxis started cutting with his laser. He was so engrossed with the work he didn't notice five or six others land on the alien ship. Sammy had made it, and a couple others, but most had shot wide and would be picked up later. What was inside this pandora's box and what would the aliens inside think? Would they put up a fight? Or surrender?
The rectangular hole was cut and Marxis plunged into the ship his PPG rifle unslung and shouting "Dorothy's home!" through his external microphone.
Brian
-OOC-
HI there, this is the introduction for my race, the Dilgar. Its not meant to be complete in that more of the details surrounding her past and the reformation of the dilagr confederacy will become apparent over the weeks. SOrry if its a little disjointed. Hope you enjoy it.
-IC-
Jha'dur lay there panting. Her chest heaved with the exertion, her brow beading with sweat, eyes rolling back as the sensation enveloped her. As she calmed her mind her mind began to clear and she slipped towards relaxation. This one was good, perhaps she might even use him again! Smiling, she thought to herself, the benefits of eternal youth and vigour. The Vorlons, they were so vain, so arrogant and sure of their cause yet look where it had gotten them, exiled, little better than her own beloved people.
But nothing was the same anymore. Sheridan’s legacy was as dead as he, and both the Vorlons and shadows had returned. The interstellar alliance had crumbled, it was as if the whole thing were merely a cult of personality. Nothing more now than a shattered dream…
Basking in the afterglow of recreation, coupled with the nostalgia of political history took her mind further back. Back to her triumph over death itself, a day that for her changed everything. That fool Sinclair, another lost soul doomed to oblivion, so devout in his belief, the fairytale that was ‘humanity’. It was to be her finest hour, the Coup de Grace her vengeance against the younger races that stood banded against her world. And yet all stood in her path Sinclair, the league, another joke of interstellar politics thought they could stop the wheels of her legacy.
Yet her saviours, the oh so noble Minbari the very people whom she had perfected a thousand ways to destroy life, but her baby, the anti-agapic serum was her magnum opus. The serum prevented molecular degeneration, prevented ageing and disease. The primary ingredient, however, must be milked from the synaptic pathways of sentient life forms. Completely unable to be replicated, and completely lethal…
The Wind Swords, as they had taken her in before the Earth Minbari war came to her. The changeling net she had helped develop for them with their superior training had allowed them to pass un noticed through the earther security. They revealed that A deep range space yard had intercepted a message on a tight beam transmission for Vorlon Space. Dubious and suspicious of ability for a race as mysterious as the Vorlons to be so easily intercepted they revealed to her the nature of the ancients and that the only reason the message had been picked up at all was due to a prototype ship they were currently developing as a contingency against ‘legends’.
Much more interested now she listened as they explained her predicament. That the Vorlons jealous of their power and place within the galaxy would never permit the younger races such a quantum leap in technology.
Thy continued to explain that the planet around which Babylon 5 orbited housed something known only as the great machine and that its current host, might be roused and utilise the fabled temporal weapons of the great machine to engage the Vorlon cruiser that was surely bound to attempt to blockade her. Agreeing to go back into hiding as a member of the Wind Sword clan Jha’dur spent the night in preparation for the gambit that would either see her vengeance complete, or in ruins.
Morning came and as expected Security chief Garibaldi was there to escort her to her shuttle. As she was given clearance to leave her heart began to pound and the first glimmer of doubt about this plan hit her.
The warp portal burst into life and she saw the hole carved through the fabric of space, the same as she’d witnessed thousands of times before, yet this time there was something she had never seen. The Green squid like vessel surged through the portal, lightening cracked around its edges and her hair began to stand on end. This surely is the end she thought, the wind swords have betrayed me, but they will surely suffer for this, somehow, someway…
The Minbari flyers were advanced, much more so than anything the humans or Dilgar themselves had ever created, and so it was with surprise in those final instants that the vessel would sing out in its melodic even tones “Tachyon levels approaching critical!!” There was a surge of light and the brief sensation of electrical discharge, but her craft was still here, only everything else was now gone!
A sharp ring brought Jha’dur out of her reminiscing and back to the present. Slowly she raised herself up away from the comfort of her bed. Wordlessly a servant appeared with her robe only to disappear just as seamlessly after draping it over her mistress. Accessing the coms device for speech only she was disappointed to hear the voice of Bi’lar at the other end. Officially Bi’lar was her minister for commerce and trade, but unofficially he served a much more interesting purpose for her. His message was delivered in the adroit and natural fashion becoming a senior minister yet the content was most displeasing.
The Narn had been sending attack ships disguised as merchant scouting vessels. It was obfuscation at its lowest. A pitiful tactic employed by lower races. The Narn were animals, barely even sentient. They couldn’t even produce their own telepaths whether due to their lack of genes or the short-sightedness of their ancestors it didn’t matter it all pointed to flawed genetic makeup. Perhaps she could teach them. The humans once had a great scientist of the name skinner, maybe she could employ some of his methods, succeed where the Centauri failed, then again perhaps she would have more success tapping directly into their inferior genetic code. Her experiments during the war were starting to bear fruit. Perhaps it was time to begin anew.
The thought of playing god had its usual effect upon her. She looked about the chamber for her toy, picking up the neural blade from her dresser as she did.
HI there, this is the introduction for my race, the Dilgar. Its not meant to be complete in that more of the details surrounding her past and the reformation of the dilagr confederacy will become apparent over the weeks. SOrry if its a little disjointed. Hope you enjoy it.
-IC-
Jha'dur lay there panting. Her chest heaved with the exertion, her brow beading with sweat, eyes rolling back as the sensation enveloped her. As she calmed her mind her mind began to clear and she slipped towards relaxation. This one was good, perhaps she might even use him again! Smiling, she thought to herself, the benefits of eternal youth and vigour. The Vorlons, they were so vain, so arrogant and sure of their cause yet look where it had gotten them, exiled, little better than her own beloved people.
But nothing was the same anymore. Sheridan’s legacy was as dead as he, and both the Vorlons and shadows had returned. The interstellar alliance had crumbled, it was as if the whole thing were merely a cult of personality. Nothing more now than a shattered dream…
Basking in the afterglow of recreation, coupled with the nostalgia of political history took her mind further back. Back to her triumph over death itself, a day that for her changed everything. That fool Sinclair, another lost soul doomed to oblivion, so devout in his belief, the fairytale that was ‘humanity’. It was to be her finest hour, the Coup de Grace her vengeance against the younger races that stood banded against her world. And yet all stood in her path Sinclair, the league, another joke of interstellar politics thought they could stop the wheels of her legacy.
Yet her saviours, the oh so noble Minbari the very people whom she had perfected a thousand ways to destroy life, but her baby, the anti-agapic serum was her magnum opus. The serum prevented molecular degeneration, prevented ageing and disease. The primary ingredient, however, must be milked from the synaptic pathways of sentient life forms. Completely unable to be replicated, and completely lethal…
The Wind Swords, as they had taken her in before the Earth Minbari war came to her. The changeling net she had helped develop for them with their superior training had allowed them to pass un noticed through the earther security. They revealed that A deep range space yard had intercepted a message on a tight beam transmission for Vorlon Space. Dubious and suspicious of ability for a race as mysterious as the Vorlons to be so easily intercepted they revealed to her the nature of the ancients and that the only reason the message had been picked up at all was due to a prototype ship they were currently developing as a contingency against ‘legends’.
Much more interested now she listened as they explained her predicament. That the Vorlons jealous of their power and place within the galaxy would never permit the younger races such a quantum leap in technology.
Thy continued to explain that the planet around which Babylon 5 orbited housed something known only as the great machine and that its current host, might be roused and utilise the fabled temporal weapons of the great machine to engage the Vorlon cruiser that was surely bound to attempt to blockade her. Agreeing to go back into hiding as a member of the Wind Sword clan Jha’dur spent the night in preparation for the gambit that would either see her vengeance complete, or in ruins.
Morning came and as expected Security chief Garibaldi was there to escort her to her shuttle. As she was given clearance to leave her heart began to pound and the first glimmer of doubt about this plan hit her.
The warp portal burst into life and she saw the hole carved through the fabric of space, the same as she’d witnessed thousands of times before, yet this time there was something she had never seen. The Green squid like vessel surged through the portal, lightening cracked around its edges and her hair began to stand on end. This surely is the end she thought, the wind swords have betrayed me, but they will surely suffer for this, somehow, someway…
The Minbari flyers were advanced, much more so than anything the humans or Dilgar themselves had ever created, and so it was with surprise in those final instants that the vessel would sing out in its melodic even tones “Tachyon levels approaching critical!!” There was a surge of light and the brief sensation of electrical discharge, but her craft was still here, only everything else was now gone!
A sharp ring brought Jha’dur out of her reminiscing and back to the present. Slowly she raised herself up away from the comfort of her bed. Wordlessly a servant appeared with her robe only to disappear just as seamlessly after draping it over her mistress. Accessing the coms device for speech only she was disappointed to hear the voice of Bi’lar at the other end. Officially Bi’lar was her minister for commerce and trade, but unofficially he served a much more interesting purpose for her. His message was delivered in the adroit and natural fashion becoming a senior minister yet the content was most displeasing.
The Narn had been sending attack ships disguised as merchant scouting vessels. It was obfuscation at its lowest. A pitiful tactic employed by lower races. The Narn were animals, barely even sentient. They couldn’t even produce their own telepaths whether due to their lack of genes or the short-sightedness of their ancestors it didn’t matter it all pointed to flawed genetic makeup. Perhaps she could teach them. The humans once had a great scientist of the name skinner, maybe she could employ some of his methods, succeed where the Centauri failed, then again perhaps she would have more success tapping directly into their inferior genetic code. Her experiments during the war were starting to bear fruit. Perhaps it was time to begin anew.
The thought of playing god had its usual effect upon her. She looked about the chamber for her toy, picking up the neural blade from her dresser as she did.
-
Nephtys
- Sith Acolyte
- Posts: 6227
- Joined: 2005-04-02 10:54pm
- Location: South Cali... where life is cheap!
Nimune Starrider kicked back with her sparring mate, taking a brief moment to relax from her duties. Narol Firewing was not the strongest or best of fighters, but was an enjoyable match for the commander. They exchanged swift blows, ducking and kicking on the practice mat before interruption came.
"Fleet Commander, I have news from the frontier with the Humans!" came a hooded adjutant of the Religious Caste. "One of our Worker-Caste Scouts has been captured by Human rebels. Our crew purged their computer banks, but they have been captured!" he exclaimed, out of breath.
Nimune and Narol stopped their fight immediately, in mid-swing. "How many?" Nimune asked quickly after.
"Three, Fleet Commander." he replied. "And another of our ships has.. encountered The Great Enemy. They move again now... it was destroyed, crippling the Shadow ship in reply."
Commander Starrider swore softly. "Isil'zha veni... So the Vorlons were right. Narol! Return to your ships. Deploy a Bluestar squadron to destroy the human rogues..." she thought slowly. "Perhaps now is not the time to alert The Enemy about what we know... inform the Anla'Shok to tread lightly." she says, moving away now. The assistant bowed briefly, walking off to drop off more messages.
She had to speak with Dukhat.
"Fleet Commander, I have news from the frontier with the Humans!" came a hooded adjutant of the Religious Caste. "One of our Worker-Caste Scouts has been captured by Human rebels. Our crew purged their computer banks, but they have been captured!" he exclaimed, out of breath.
Nimune and Narol stopped their fight immediately, in mid-swing. "How many?" Nimune asked quickly after.
"Three, Fleet Commander." he replied. "And another of our ships has.. encountered The Great Enemy. They move again now... it was destroyed, crippling the Shadow ship in reply."
Commander Starrider swore softly. "Isil'zha veni... So the Vorlons were right. Narol! Return to your ships. Deploy a Bluestar squadron to destroy the human rogues..." she thought slowly. "Perhaps now is not the time to alert The Enemy about what we know... inform the Anla'Shok to tread lightly." she says, moving away now. The assistant bowed briefly, walking off to drop off more messages.
She had to speak with Dukhat.
"They're saying nothing," said Vera. "Quieter than feathers. We could try more intrusive interrogation, some drugs maybe..."
"No," said Marxis. "We don't know what the drugs will do to them."
"The aliens used some kind of metallic quarterstaff, gave several of our men concussions."
"Well, make sure you try and strip whatever you can from the databanks."
"That's the thing... there's nothing there. Even the best data recovery experts money can buy say they can't do anything with their foreign technology. Instead of hard drives they use some sort of crystalline structure. Not even a trace of any data, not even their ship's maintainence programs are left. The ship's dead in the water, it's useless."
"Put it in mothball. Maybe we'll find a use for it."
"Earthdome called. They're demanding to send observers to talk to the boneheads themselves."
"Tell them there's a problem, delay them. The law's on our side right?"
"Yeah legal says we're in the clear, the aliens violated our space and there's not a damn thing Earthdome can throw at us. Legally, of course. If they wanted to they could send Earthforce over here and pry the aliens from us, but this new President's a little left of center. He's not going to do something that draconian to a private corporation."
"Excellent," said Marxis. "Maybe the aliens will want their hostages back." Marxis paused. "On second thought, take them out of their cells. Tell them it was one big misunderstanding, give them the royal treatment. Don't let them contact their people, but make sure they're happy and give them whatever they want."
"Okay boss. Oh yeah there's another thing... another alien ship's coming." Vera pressed her console and up came a picture of a black squid-like creature. For some reason Marxis shivered. He'd seen Dilgars and Narns aplenty but this squid thing, it felt wrong. "The Mavolence is repaired?"
"Yeah."
"Well two's the charm. When it enters our space, capture it like before."
"You're not going this time?"
"No." Marxis pursed his lips. "Jennifer found out and made me promise to leave the gruntwork to the mercenaries. You wouldn't have anything to do with that would you?"
Vera smiled. "Not telling."
Brian
"No," said Marxis. "We don't know what the drugs will do to them."
"The aliens used some kind of metallic quarterstaff, gave several of our men concussions."
"Well, make sure you try and strip whatever you can from the databanks."
"That's the thing... there's nothing there. Even the best data recovery experts money can buy say they can't do anything with their foreign technology. Instead of hard drives they use some sort of crystalline structure. Not even a trace of any data, not even their ship's maintainence programs are left. The ship's dead in the water, it's useless."
"Put it in mothball. Maybe we'll find a use for it."
"Earthdome called. They're demanding to send observers to talk to the boneheads themselves."
"Tell them there's a problem, delay them. The law's on our side right?"
"Yeah legal says we're in the clear, the aliens violated our space and there's not a damn thing Earthdome can throw at us. Legally, of course. If they wanted to they could send Earthforce over here and pry the aliens from us, but this new President's a little left of center. He's not going to do something that draconian to a private corporation."
"Excellent," said Marxis. "Maybe the aliens will want their hostages back." Marxis paused. "On second thought, take them out of their cells. Tell them it was one big misunderstanding, give them the royal treatment. Don't let them contact their people, but make sure they're happy and give them whatever they want."
"Okay boss. Oh yeah there's another thing... another alien ship's coming." Vera pressed her console and up came a picture of a black squid-like creature. For some reason Marxis shivered. He'd seen Dilgars and Narns aplenty but this squid thing, it felt wrong. "The Mavolence is repaired?"
"Yeah."
"Well two's the charm. When it enters our space, capture it like before."
"You're not going this time?"
"No." Marxis pursed his lips. "Jennifer found out and made me promise to leave the gruntwork to the mercenaries. You wouldn't have anything to do with that would you?"
Vera smiled. "Not telling."
Brian
"Vir!" Londo shouted. "Vir!"
Vir Cotto, Londo's long suffering assistant and friend, rushed into his office. "Yes, Londo?"
"What's the latest news on foreign relations?" Londo asked.
It had seemed as if aliens were practically breaking down the jumpgates to Centauri space in their exploration efforts over the past few months and it made Londo nervous. The Centauri industrial complex was currently geared toward expansion, and Londo did not want a war on his hands. Not yet, at least. He had not had nearly enough time to strengthen the Republic.
"The Dilgar have offered us a trade alliance," Vir answered. "The Vorlons have sent us a message with a single question: 'Who are you?'"
"Good!" Londo said, laughing with relief. "Accept the treaty!"
He'd been worried about the neighbooring Dilgar. A war would be bad, a war with a power that the Republic had no buffer zone with would be worse. The revenue from trade would be of little use to the Republic; Centauri Prime and the more well developed colonies were producing well in excess of what the Republic could use. Still, the opportunity to ensure peace was most welcome.
"And the Vorlons?" Vir asked.
"I will compose the reply to them myself," Londo said.
Vir Cotto, Londo's long suffering assistant and friend, rushed into his office. "Yes, Londo?"
"What's the latest news on foreign relations?" Londo asked.
It had seemed as if aliens were practically breaking down the jumpgates to Centauri space in their exploration efforts over the past few months and it made Londo nervous. The Centauri industrial complex was currently geared toward expansion, and Londo did not want a war on his hands. Not yet, at least. He had not had nearly enough time to strengthen the Republic.
"The Dilgar have offered us a trade alliance," Vir answered. "The Vorlons have sent us a message with a single question: 'Who are you?'"
"Good!" Londo said, laughing with relief. "Accept the treaty!"
He'd been worried about the neighbooring Dilgar. A war would be bad, a war with a power that the Republic had no buffer zone with would be worse. The revenue from trade would be of little use to the Republic; Centauri Prime and the more well developed colonies were producing well in excess of what the Republic could use. Still, the opportunity to ensure peace was most welcome.
"And the Vorlons?" Vir asked.
"I will compose the reply to them myself," Londo said.
"I want to mow down a bunch of motherfuckers with absurdly large weapons and relative impunity - preferably in and around a skyscraper. Then I want to fight a grim battle against the unlikely duo of the Terminator and Robocop. The last level should involve (but not be limited to) multiple robo-Hitlers and a gorillasaurus rex."--Uraniun235 on his ideal FPS game
"The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant compared to the power of the Force."--Darth Vader
"The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant compared to the power of the Force."--Darth Vader
-
Uraniun235
- Emperor's Hand
- Posts: 13772
- Joined: 2002-09-12 12:47am
- Location: OREGON
- Contact:
"What the hell is this?" remarked Alshain as an aide unceremoniously dropped a bundle of reports on the Presidential desk.
"Combat reports, sir."
Good lord, have we been invaded? thought Alshain. He then frowned. "These are all rather..."
"Yes, sir. It seems the alien scout vessels repeatedly played chicken with our scout ship. The captain duly filed reports for each incident."
"It would be bad form to reprimand him for following regs... still, this is rather intolerable."
"Their representative contacted us recently with an offer of non-aggression... as our deep-range scouts have yet to locate their homeworld, it seems a safe enough venture."
Alshain pondered that one. So far, these aliens seemed rather eager to find out what it was he wanted. Not what Earth Alliance wanted, not what humanity wanted, but what he wanted. The focus on the president's wants rubbed him the wrong way. That, and the silhouettes included in the reports were just creepy.
But the paperwork was intolerable.
"Alright. We'll agree to it for now while we try and get a better bearing on them. Anything from the corporate sector?"
"They want to check the security clearance on our observers."
"They can't seriously think we'd send people who couldn't be trusted to what might well become a diplomatic firestorm if things went wrong."
"They're also asking for 'maintenance and delivery fees'."
"Excuse me? Did you just say they want us to pay for their seizure of a foreign starship?"
"Seems like it."
"Incredible. No, worse than incredible; ridiculous. They can ask the Minbari for the money. Speaking of which, any reply from them?"
"Just came off the hyperlink. It's... in the middle of that pile, between..."
"Ah, here it is. I... ah."
"Sir?"
Alshain handed the paper to the aide. "Make sure the Joint Chiefs see this. And be sure they're the only ones that see it."
The aide took the paper and folded it. "While we're on that subject, the head of EarthForce R&D called again. He wanted to know -"
"Yes, yes, I agree. I'll propose the revised treaty this afternoon."
"Anything else, sir?"
"That will be all."
"Combat reports, sir."
Good lord, have we been invaded? thought Alshain. He then frowned. "These are all rather..."
"Yes, sir. It seems the alien scout vessels repeatedly played chicken with our scout ship. The captain duly filed reports for each incident."
"It would be bad form to reprimand him for following regs... still, this is rather intolerable."
"Their representative contacted us recently with an offer of non-aggression... as our deep-range scouts have yet to locate their homeworld, it seems a safe enough venture."
Alshain pondered that one. So far, these aliens seemed rather eager to find out what it was he wanted. Not what Earth Alliance wanted, not what humanity wanted, but what he wanted. The focus on the president's wants rubbed him the wrong way. That, and the silhouettes included in the reports were just creepy.
But the paperwork was intolerable.
"Alright. We'll agree to it for now while we try and get a better bearing on them. Anything from the corporate sector?"
"They want to check the security clearance on our observers."
"They can't seriously think we'd send people who couldn't be trusted to what might well become a diplomatic firestorm if things went wrong."
"They're also asking for 'maintenance and delivery fees'."
"Excuse me? Did you just say they want us to pay for their seizure of a foreign starship?"
"Seems like it."
"Incredible. No, worse than incredible; ridiculous. They can ask the Minbari for the money. Speaking of which, any reply from them?"
"Just came off the hyperlink. It's... in the middle of that pile, between..."
"Ah, here it is. I... ah."
"Sir?"
Alshain handed the paper to the aide. "Make sure the Joint Chiefs see this. And be sure they're the only ones that see it."
The aide took the paper and folded it. "While we're on that subject, the head of EarthForce R&D called again. He wanted to know -"
"Yes, yes, I agree. I'll propose the revised treaty this afternoon."
"Anything else, sir?"
"That will be all."
-
GuppyShark
- Sith Devotee
- Posts: 2830
- Joined: 2005-03-13 06:52am
- Location: South Australia
Mellitra System
Narn Space
Spectre was damaged.
Ionic torpedoes from a Narn escort squadron had overloaded the Shadow corvette's defences and damaged its Bio-Drive. The attack group was now scattering debris.
Spectre instinctively wished to rush home, to lick its wounds. A firm command from afar settled its fear, and gave it new direction.
The Narn were not Spectre's target. It had a more important mission to accomplish. The pain it had endured would not stop it.
Six more G'Lan-class escorts waited in ambush at a hyperspace node that the Spectre needed to pass through.
Stripping the Narn of their defences would not serve the Shadows, who sought to strengthen the younger races, but it would be done if necessary.
They would stand aside, or they would perish.
Narn Space
Spectre was damaged.
Ionic torpedoes from a Narn escort squadron had overloaded the Shadow corvette's defences and damaged its Bio-Drive. The attack group was now scattering debris.
Spectre instinctively wished to rush home, to lick its wounds. A firm command from afar settled its fear, and gave it new direction.
The Narn were not Spectre's target. It had a more important mission to accomplish. The pain it had endured would not stop it.
Six more G'Lan-class escorts waited in ambush at a hyperspace node that the Spectre needed to pass through.
Stripping the Narn of their defences would not serve the Shadows, who sought to strengthen the younger races, but it would be done if necessary.
They would stand aside, or they would perish.
"Earthdome said no," said Vera. Marxis grunted. "I thought they'd be happy to get their hands on an alien ship."
"Sammy can't make heads or tails of the technology."
"Sammy doesn't have a twenty trillion dollar budget and a million eggheads working for him." Marxis laughed. "So the new President's a little stingy. It looks like we'll have to contact the aliens ourselves and talk to them."
"Earthdome won't like us going over their heads. We're not supposed to have a foreign affairs policy separate from the Earth Alliance. Officially we're just a privately owned corporation leasing land."
"See any Earth ships around here," said Marxis. "There's not a single warship for sectors according to scanners. We can do what we want, when we want to. It's time to make our own rules."
"You're talking about ceding from the Earth Alliance?"
"Well, not officially," said Marxis. "But what can they do to us? We've been stockpiling starfuries and automated defense platforms for a year now. They'd need a fucking army to uproot us. Not likely with this pacifist as President."
"I'll convene the board of directors."
"Okay Vera... and any word on the Malevolence?"
"It's still hunting that squid thing. They're in alien territory but we've managed to negotiate a permit."
"Keep me informed. Oh, and keep stalling those Earth Alliance observers. Tell them the aliens have the flu, or something. But let them see they're alright, through our security cameras. The less Earth Alliance deals with these aliens, the better."
Vera nodded and left Marxis listening to Beethoven Symphony Number Three.
Brian
"Sammy can't make heads or tails of the technology."
"Sammy doesn't have a twenty trillion dollar budget and a million eggheads working for him." Marxis laughed. "So the new President's a little stingy. It looks like we'll have to contact the aliens ourselves and talk to them."
"Earthdome won't like us going over their heads. We're not supposed to have a foreign affairs policy separate from the Earth Alliance. Officially we're just a privately owned corporation leasing land."
"See any Earth ships around here," said Marxis. "There's not a single warship for sectors according to scanners. We can do what we want, when we want to. It's time to make our own rules."
"You're talking about ceding from the Earth Alliance?"
"Well, not officially," said Marxis. "But what can they do to us? We've been stockpiling starfuries and automated defense platforms for a year now. They'd need a fucking army to uproot us. Not likely with this pacifist as President."
"I'll convene the board of directors."
"Okay Vera... and any word on the Malevolence?"
"It's still hunting that squid thing. They're in alien territory but we've managed to negotiate a permit."
"Keep me informed. Oh, and keep stalling those Earth Alliance observers. Tell them the aliens have the flu, or something. But let them see they're alright, through our security cameras. The less Earth Alliance deals with these aliens, the better."
Vera nodded and left Marxis listening to Beethoven Symphony Number Three.
Brian
-
Dalton
- For Those About to Rock We Salute You
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- Location: New York, the Fuck You State
- Contact:
The Shadows...they were everywhere. And the Dilgar...to the galactic north. The Centauri too. G'Kar felt trapped. But he did not feel fear.
Perhaps it would be best to avoid antagonizing the Shadows until the Army of Light could be rebuilt. And for that to happen, the Narn scout currently remapping the gate system in this region would have to make contact with the Earthers or the Minbari.
The odds didn't look good, but G'Kar was used to that. The Narn were used to that.
Perhaps it would be best to avoid antagonizing the Shadows until the Army of Light could be rebuilt. And for that to happen, the Narn scout currently remapping the gate system in this region would have to make contact with the Earthers or the Minbari.
The odds didn't look good, but G'Kar was used to that. The Narn were used to that.
To Absent Friends
"y = mx + bro" - Surlethe
"You try THAT shit again, kid, and I will mod you. I will
mod you so hard, you'll wish I were Dalton." - Lagmonster
May the way of the Hero lead to the Triforce.
-
Uraniun235
- Emperor's Hand
- Posts: 13772
- Joined: 2002-09-12 12:47am
- Location: OREGON
- Contact:
Today was not a good day for Alshain. After stubbing his toe on the desk, and having a stack of combat reports dumped on his desk, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was all damned familiar. Friggin deja vu.
He pondered the brewing diplomatic incident between the Corporate Sector and the Minbari, and found he was quite thoroughly annoyed by it all. He drafted a message to Marxis.
He pondered the brewing diplomatic incident between the Corporate Sector and the Minbari, and found he was quite thoroughly annoyed by it all. He drafted a message to Marxis.
Code: Select all
Compensation is a matter between your corporation and the Minbari Federation.
We will accede to your requests for time to establish additional clearance on the observers... this time. Please contact the Corps Diplomatique Terrestrienne so that we can streamline this process in the event of future incidents.
I am not pleased at all with this incident. The Minbari have *not* taken kindly to this and you will be lucky if this does not erupt into a shooting war.
Long-range scouts have successfully approached other star nations without being seized. I suggest you adjust the A.I. routines on your automated defenses.
President AlshainMarxis saw the note from Ashlain and laughed. So he had annoyed the independent President. He would annoy him further. It would make him no enemies--all of his contacts with the established political parties hated Ashlain and moreover would cheer the scuffle. Only Ashlain would be his enemy at worst, and that wouldn't be a problem. Marxis was wealthier than whole nations.
"Mr. Marxis, Mr. Edgars is here to see you," said a Marxis' secretary through the intercom.
"Send him in, and bring in a couple glasses of orange juice," said Marxis. He had much to speak to Edgars about, and he needed the advice of his old mentor.
Brian
Code: Select all
Mr. President,
May I remind you that there are millions of citizens of the Earth Alliance in our sector. Our agents have discovered nearly a third of the alien population is devoted to warfare. Should these warlike Minbari attempt to invade our space, it is the duty of you and Earthforce to protect us.
Unfortunately our automated defenses are old and antiquated and are undergoing upgrades--we do not have Earthforce's state-of-the-art equipment. Of course if you could fast track our application for military grade parts with Earth's military industrial complex, I will see what I can do.
Our fees would have been reasonable, it is disappointing that you do not wish to see the alien technology first-hand.
CEO Marxis
"Send him in, and bring in a couple glasses of orange juice," said Marxis. He had much to speak to Edgars about, and he needed the advice of his old mentor.
Brian
Londo was annoyed, and, secretly, a little afraid. Shadow ships were casually flying through some of the most important systems in the Republic. They weren't even mere scouts any longer, but corvettes, small warships, probably.
He had never expected that the Shadows would go from being hidden and silent to as active as they'd become in a year and a half.
Meanwhile, the Centaurum, which was currently a rather passive group, had actually started to make rumblings about their disapproval of the pact with the Shadows. It was the first time they hadn't simply gone along with what he wanted yet.
But he dared not antagonize the Shadows. He was not yet exactly sure how close to the core of the Republic the Shadow's stars were, but he wouldn't be surprised if they were nearly as close to him as the Dilgar. If that were true, it meant he'd have to go along with whatever the Shadows wanted whether it was the right thing to do or not. Londo had little faith in the possibility of a new Army of Light that could defeat the Shadows.
And yet, he thought, it was always wise to keep one's options open.
He had never expected that the Shadows would go from being hidden and silent to as active as they'd become in a year and a half.
Meanwhile, the Centaurum, which was currently a rather passive group, had actually started to make rumblings about their disapproval of the pact with the Shadows. It was the first time they hadn't simply gone along with what he wanted yet.
But he dared not antagonize the Shadows. He was not yet exactly sure how close to the core of the Republic the Shadow's stars were, but he wouldn't be surprised if they were nearly as close to him as the Dilgar. If that were true, it meant he'd have to go along with whatever the Shadows wanted whether it was the right thing to do or not. Londo had little faith in the possibility of a new Army of Light that could defeat the Shadows.
And yet, he thought, it was always wise to keep one's options open.
"I want to mow down a bunch of motherfuckers with absurdly large weapons and relative impunity - preferably in and around a skyscraper. Then I want to fight a grim battle against the unlikely duo of the Terminator and Robocop. The last level should involve (but not be limited to) multiple robo-Hitlers and a gorillasaurus rex."--Uraniun235 on his ideal FPS game
"The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant compared to the power of the Force."--Darth Vader
"The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant compared to the power of the Force."--Darth Vader
Code: Select all
Message from the Minbari Federation:
"Your terms are accepted. Our leaders anticipate our crew's swift return, and will... send a cultural exchange, to a neutral location. "
Vera pursed his lips. "They're fucking with us."
"I thought so." Marxis pressed a button. "Cancel my five o'clock. Bring in the entire board, we'll have to prepare a public statement. And tell the media, we're having a press conference at eight."
"What are you going to do? Alshain's a pacifist. He won't help us without a reason, even if public opinion polls are all for it. Our PR department is good but not good enough to force his hand."
"I'll give him one billion seven hundred and seventy seven million reasons to go to war." Marxis clasped his hands. "These aliens, are we a match for them?"
"Probably not. We've been hiring every merc and security company we can get our hands on and still can't police Lotna III properly. If it comes to a shooting war these aliens probably have us outgunned and outnumbered."
"You have little faith in Earthforce Vera." Marxis paused. "Alshain might be the Commander-in-Chief but Earthforce is its own beast. If we're threatened they and their xenophobic asses will be over here so fast these aliens will wish they hadn't met us."
"I hope so," said Vera.
"What about the Malvolence, did it capture that squid thing?"
"It was intercepted by a Hurr Republic frigate. They had to board them but their breaching pods are damaged. We took the frigate."
"Good, bring the frigate back home and make sure PR spins it as them attacking us."
"Don't need to. An ISN ship was close, saw the whole thing, they hit our ship first."
"Good, make sure ISN gets to interview the crew," said Marxis.
Several hours later,
"I would like to thank ISN and all other media outlets for coming on such short notice." Marxis stood at a podium errected in front of the logo of the Marxis Corporation beside the emblem of the Earth Alliance. "As you all know, we captured an alien ship entering our territory. We were well within our rights to capture the vessel as it was approaching restricted space."
"Now, we at the Marxis Corporation have received an... ultimatum. These aliens who call themselves Minbari devote more than a third of their population to warfare. Their scouts have saturated Earth Alliance space and President Alshain has done nothing to restrict their movements. Now with this ultimatum, we know what their purpose was. To spy, to gather intelligence on our weaknesses and strengths and military deployments."
"Now the Minbari are preparing a massive attack on the holdings of the Marxis Corporation. We have contacted Earthdome for assistance but they have rejected our pleas for help as fearmongering. Well Mr. President, are the lives of one billion seven hundred and seventy seven men and women on Lotna III so irrelevant to you that you consider adequate protection in face of an alien threat fearmongering?"
"The Marxis Corporation is asking... no, pleading that mankind be united against the alien threat. If President Alshain will not stand up to the aliens, my meager assets will. The aliens will burn the planet to the ground without the help of Earthforce, and you will have only yourself to blame Mr. President."
"Thank you, and I will take your questions now..."
Brian
"Why haven't any Dilgar merchants arrived this month?" Londo asked.
"I don't know," Vir said. "But they recently sent you a message. It just said 'As you wish, emperor.' I wasn't aware you'd sent them a message recently."
"I didn't," Londo said. "Vir, call up the security tapes of my office!"
Vir did so, and the two men watched the fast motion video until someone entered during the middle of the night and accessed Londo's computer.
"Who is that?" Londo demanded.
"I know him!" Vir said. "He is a member of the Centaurum, known for little except his xenophobic views."
Londo growled. "Have him arrested for treason, Vir. I will write an apology to the Dilgar and try to re-establish the treaty."
"I don't know," Vir said. "But they recently sent you a message. It just said 'As you wish, emperor.' I wasn't aware you'd sent them a message recently."
"I didn't," Londo said. "Vir, call up the security tapes of my office!"
Vir did so, and the two men watched the fast motion video until someone entered during the middle of the night and accessed Londo's computer.
"Who is that?" Londo demanded.
"I know him!" Vir said. "He is a member of the Centaurum, known for little except his xenophobic views."
Londo growled. "Have him arrested for treason, Vir. I will write an apology to the Dilgar and try to re-establish the treaty."
"I want to mow down a bunch of motherfuckers with absurdly large weapons and relative impunity - preferably in and around a skyscraper. Then I want to fight a grim battle against the unlikely duo of the Terminator and Robocop. The last level should involve (but not be limited to) multiple robo-Hitlers and a gorillasaurus rex."--Uraniun235 on his ideal FPS game
"The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant compared to the power of the Force."--Darth Vader
"The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant compared to the power of the Force."--Darth Vader
-
Dalton
- For Those About to Rock We Salute You
- Posts: 22637
- Joined: 2002-07-03 06:16pm
- Location: New York, the Fuck You State
- Contact:
G'Kar breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, contact with someone else besides the warmongers and the Centauri. He composed a brief welcome message to President Alshain. The loss of the Earth Alliance ship was regrettable, but G'Kar was sure he'd be able to soothe that particular bruise, especially with the Dilgar threat so close at hand.
An ally would be most welcome at this juncture. As much as G'Kar had changed his view on the universe, there were still some things that were universal, like the needs of his people. The defense of the Narn had to come first, and G'Kar was pleased at the speed with which defense ships and stations were constructed.
The Coming of Shadows. G'Kar shuddered. They stomped through his systems with impunity, blowing away his first wave of escort vessels like so much tissue paper. And they did not play coy like the last time; they were bold and up-front.
The Vorlons kept mostly to themselves, however, which was a shame; an ally with the power of the Vorlons would be most welcome, but their messages had the typical vagueness that was the hallmark of the Narn. They had sent him an ambiguous message about the Dilgar that he could not exactly interpret, but he assumed that he and Ambassador Kosh shared views on that particular blight. He sent a brief reply to the Vorlons.
An ally would be most welcome at this juncture. As much as G'Kar had changed his view on the universe, there were still some things that were universal, like the needs of his people. The defense of the Narn had to come first, and G'Kar was pleased at the speed with which defense ships and stations were constructed.
The Coming of Shadows. G'Kar shuddered. They stomped through his systems with impunity, blowing away his first wave of escort vessels like so much tissue paper. And they did not play coy like the last time; they were bold and up-front.
The Vorlons kept mostly to themselves, however, which was a shame; an ally with the power of the Vorlons would be most welcome, but their messages had the typical vagueness that was the hallmark of the Narn. They had sent him an ambiguous message about the Dilgar that he could not exactly interpret, but he assumed that he and Ambassador Kosh shared views on that particular blight. He sent a brief reply to the Vorlons.
Code: Select all
The Dilgar must not be allowed to start more wars.To Absent Friends
"y = mx + bro" - Surlethe
"You try THAT shit again, kid, and I will mod you. I will
mod you so hard, you'll wish I were Dalton." - Lagmonster
May the way of the Hero lead to the Triforce.
-
Uraniun235
- Emperor's Hand
- Posts: 13772
- Joined: 2002-09-12 12:47am
- Location: OREGON
- Contact:
President Alshain watched the ISN feed. Marxis was shrewd. Manipulative.
And disturbingly aggressive. Every move Wilhelm had made to try and play this down was like throwing oil at a kitchen fire.
Enough was enough. It was time to counter-attack. He hadn't become President without learning how to manipulate the media in his own way. He called his contact at ISN.
"Hello?"
"Jane?"
"Willy! About time you called. For a moment I thought you were going to let Marxis walk all over you."
"I'd hoped-"
"Yeah, yeah, you'd hoped he'd listen to reason, you wanted to resolve things amicably, and now you're forced to distasteful measures. Right?"
Wilhelm smiled. "You forgot the part where I come crawling back to you again."
"Well, we all make mistakes. And yours was not coming to me sooner. Lucky for you I've still got a soft spot for you. Lemme guess, you want the usual: press conference with a side of hand-picked reporters?"
"Let's hope this doesn't become a regular."
"Suuure, keep telling yourself that. We'll be ready in an hour if you are."
"Damn straight."
--- sixty-five minutes later ---
"To answer your question, those scouts posed no appreciable risk to the Earth Alliance. Any weapons they might carry would be too few to threaten Earth Alliance citizens or infrastructure. Furthermore, we've established a deep-space colony which will give us advance warning of impending Minbari fleet actions."
"What about allegations from Mr. Marxis that the Minbari are "dedicated to warfare""?
"Our deep-range scouts entered Minbari territory earlier this year, and intelligence gathered while they were in proximity - primarily by monitoring radio transmissions - did indicate that a sizable portion of the Minbari population is indeed a member of a "warrior caste".
However, we must not jump to conclusions because of one number. For starters, it is highly unlikely that every member of the "warrior caste" is in fact a front-line warrior. Consider the millions of people who, every day, put on a police uniform and patrol our streets, armed with martial knowledge and equipment. Consider the vast numbers of civilians currently employed by EarthForce, and the billions of credits which we pour into expanding the fleet, training starship crews, and developing advanced weapons technologies. Consider the fact that, for most of the 22nd century, despite the fact that there were no significant military conflicts on Earth, military spending for some nations remained as high as 60% of their discretionary budget! Yet we are not a people dedicated to war. And neither are the Minbari. We've been in frequent diplomatic contact. Through trade we have had considerable informal contact with them. There has been no indication that we should distrust them, and no indication that they pose a threat to us, now or in the foreseeable future.
I ran on a campaign of establishing good relations with our galactic neighbors, and of strengthening our economy by establishing trade agreements with them. With a strong economy comes a prosperous people, and a secure people! And we will be secure!"
The assembled reporters broke into applause. Alshain suddenly realized that he had grown rather animated with that last response. Like the campaign all over again... least I'm not too rusty.
After the applause died down, another reporter raised his hand.
"Mr. President, what about the Corporate Sector's claims that their seizure of a Minbari starship was legal, and that EarthDome has abandoned them in the face of alien aggressors?"
"First, as provided for by the Felgercarb Act of 2250 - a law I strongly opposed in my youth," and at this, the reporters chuckled, "and which I would still oppose - the Corporate Sector does have the legal right to provide for their own defense, and to conduct that defense as they see fit. As such, by the laws of the Earth Alliance, the seizure was technically legal.
Furthermore, we have recieved no such pleas for military assistance or defense, and the dishonest allegation that we have abandoned the Corporate Sector to military invasion is both shameful and offensive.
However, the Corporate Sector must assume responsibility for their actions. When Earth Alliance unknowingly violated the borders of foreign powers, they chose to request - through diplomatic, civilized channels - that we withdraw from their territory. And we complied. One of our scout ships was tragically, unwittingly destroyed by Narn automated defenses recently. They immediately issued an apology and expressed deep regret at the misunderstanding, as well as offered to reimburse EarthForce for the loss.
The Corporate Sector's response has, of all the known galactic races, been the most aggressive, and the most unrepentant. Were their positions reversed, I would be willing to bet a month's pay that Mr. Marxis would at this moment be using nearly the exact same rhetoric he has used today to attempt to sway public opinion against the Minbari. It is precisely this rhetoric that threatens to destroy all of the progress we have made, and to undermine my mandate from the voters.
Fortunately, there is still time to resolve the situation diplomatically. The Minbari are a reasonable and honorable people, and I am sure they view the use of force to secure the return of their people as a regrettable last resort which they would dearly love to avoid. I therefore call on the Corporate Sector to do what's right, and return to the Minbari their property and their people!"
--- later, in the Presidential Library ---
"Thanks for joining me, Cal. How are things at the Corps Diplomatique Terrestrienne?"
"It's been quite a week at the CDT, Mr. President. Between this business with the Minbari, and all of the new languages we've had to decode and get our people trained in, it's a wonder we haven't all been committed to an asylum!"
"Preposterous. Who would I fob off all the boring legalese to if I let you guys go?"
"Heh, well played, Mr. President. I was most concerned about one aspect of your press conference... the Narn didn't really offer to reimburse you, did they?"
"Well, Cal, I'm quite sure I heard one of your people tell one of my people that one of the Narn's people made that offer. And maybe it could have been a mistaken statement from a junior Narn diplomat... or maybe it was an error at the CDT... but the important thing is I'm sure someone told me that little tidbit at some point in time. And I'm sure that, with a little effort, one of your people would find documentation saying as much."
Cal touched his nose. "Ahh... I do believe we understand each other, Mr. President."
"I should bloody well hope so, the way you've been beating me at poker for the past ten years!" Both men chortled. "Seriously, Cal, when are you going to lighten up and drop the 'Mr. President' shtick? We're buddies!"
"The Corps has taught me many things, Mr. President, including a keen sense of propriety. Don't worry. I'm sure you were right all along about the Narn. I must admit, it was a bold move openly taking on the Corporate Sector."
"I let that simmer for too long. Hell, I should have just bought them off and handed the ship back to the Minbari myself."
"A trillion credits for defense, not one for tribute, eh, Mr. President."
Alshain smiled. "Precisely. You're right, of course. We couldn't reward such behavior; they've become far too aggressive as is."
"You know, there's still a sizable chunk of the public that didn't vote for you, and doesn't trust anyone with different colored skin, let alone with a bony head."
"I know. I'm meeting with my old campaign staff first thing tomorrow morning. They'll get to work on the grassroots angles."
"Angles... plural?"
"Right! We'll tell the voters that what we're doing is good for the economy, good for planetary security, and good for the soul. Just like we did for the election campaign. And just like the election, we'll lick this one. Hopefully then we can focus on the real work ahead of us."
And disturbingly aggressive. Every move Wilhelm had made to try and play this down was like throwing oil at a kitchen fire.
Enough was enough. It was time to counter-attack. He hadn't become President without learning how to manipulate the media in his own way. He called his contact at ISN.
"Hello?"
"Jane?"
"Willy! About time you called. For a moment I thought you were going to let Marxis walk all over you."
"I'd hoped-"
"Yeah, yeah, you'd hoped he'd listen to reason, you wanted to resolve things amicably, and now you're forced to distasteful measures. Right?"
Wilhelm smiled. "You forgot the part where I come crawling back to you again."
"Well, we all make mistakes. And yours was not coming to me sooner. Lucky for you I've still got a soft spot for you. Lemme guess, you want the usual: press conference with a side of hand-picked reporters?"
"Let's hope this doesn't become a regular."
"Suuure, keep telling yourself that. We'll be ready in an hour if you are."
"Damn straight."
--- sixty-five minutes later ---
"To answer your question, those scouts posed no appreciable risk to the Earth Alliance. Any weapons they might carry would be too few to threaten Earth Alliance citizens or infrastructure. Furthermore, we've established a deep-space colony which will give us advance warning of impending Minbari fleet actions."
"What about allegations from Mr. Marxis that the Minbari are "dedicated to warfare""?
"Our deep-range scouts entered Minbari territory earlier this year, and intelligence gathered while they were in proximity - primarily by monitoring radio transmissions - did indicate that a sizable portion of the Minbari population is indeed a member of a "warrior caste".
However, we must not jump to conclusions because of one number. For starters, it is highly unlikely that every member of the "warrior caste" is in fact a front-line warrior. Consider the millions of people who, every day, put on a police uniform and patrol our streets, armed with martial knowledge and equipment. Consider the vast numbers of civilians currently employed by EarthForce, and the billions of credits which we pour into expanding the fleet, training starship crews, and developing advanced weapons technologies. Consider the fact that, for most of the 22nd century, despite the fact that there were no significant military conflicts on Earth, military spending for some nations remained as high as 60% of their discretionary budget! Yet we are not a people dedicated to war. And neither are the Minbari. We've been in frequent diplomatic contact. Through trade we have had considerable informal contact with them. There has been no indication that we should distrust them, and no indication that they pose a threat to us, now or in the foreseeable future.
I ran on a campaign of establishing good relations with our galactic neighbors, and of strengthening our economy by establishing trade agreements with them. With a strong economy comes a prosperous people, and a secure people! And we will be secure!"
The assembled reporters broke into applause. Alshain suddenly realized that he had grown rather animated with that last response. Like the campaign all over again... least I'm not too rusty.
After the applause died down, another reporter raised his hand.
"Mr. President, what about the Corporate Sector's claims that their seizure of a Minbari starship was legal, and that EarthDome has abandoned them in the face of alien aggressors?"
"First, as provided for by the Felgercarb Act of 2250 - a law I strongly opposed in my youth," and at this, the reporters chuckled, "and which I would still oppose - the Corporate Sector does have the legal right to provide for their own defense, and to conduct that defense as they see fit. As such, by the laws of the Earth Alliance, the seizure was technically legal.
Furthermore, we have recieved no such pleas for military assistance or defense, and the dishonest allegation that we have abandoned the Corporate Sector to military invasion is both shameful and offensive.
However, the Corporate Sector must assume responsibility for their actions. When Earth Alliance unknowingly violated the borders of foreign powers, they chose to request - through diplomatic, civilized channels - that we withdraw from their territory. And we complied. One of our scout ships was tragically, unwittingly destroyed by Narn automated defenses recently. They immediately issued an apology and expressed deep regret at the misunderstanding, as well as offered to reimburse EarthForce for the loss.
The Corporate Sector's response has, of all the known galactic races, been the most aggressive, and the most unrepentant. Were their positions reversed, I would be willing to bet a month's pay that Mr. Marxis would at this moment be using nearly the exact same rhetoric he has used today to attempt to sway public opinion against the Minbari. It is precisely this rhetoric that threatens to destroy all of the progress we have made, and to undermine my mandate from the voters.
Fortunately, there is still time to resolve the situation diplomatically. The Minbari are a reasonable and honorable people, and I am sure they view the use of force to secure the return of their people as a regrettable last resort which they would dearly love to avoid. I therefore call on the Corporate Sector to do what's right, and return to the Minbari their property and their people!"
--- later, in the Presidential Library ---
"Thanks for joining me, Cal. How are things at the Corps Diplomatique Terrestrienne?"
"It's been quite a week at the CDT, Mr. President. Between this business with the Minbari, and all of the new languages we've had to decode and get our people trained in, it's a wonder we haven't all been committed to an asylum!"
"Preposterous. Who would I fob off all the boring legalese to if I let you guys go?"
"Heh, well played, Mr. President. I was most concerned about one aspect of your press conference... the Narn didn't really offer to reimburse you, did they?"
"Well, Cal, I'm quite sure I heard one of your people tell one of my people that one of the Narn's people made that offer. And maybe it could have been a mistaken statement from a junior Narn diplomat... or maybe it was an error at the CDT... but the important thing is I'm sure someone told me that little tidbit at some point in time. And I'm sure that, with a little effort, one of your people would find documentation saying as much."
Cal touched his nose. "Ahh... I do believe we understand each other, Mr. President."
"I should bloody well hope so, the way you've been beating me at poker for the past ten years!" Both men chortled. "Seriously, Cal, when are you going to lighten up and drop the 'Mr. President' shtick? We're buddies!"
"The Corps has taught me many things, Mr. President, including a keen sense of propriety. Don't worry. I'm sure you were right all along about the Narn. I must admit, it was a bold move openly taking on the Corporate Sector."
"I let that simmer for too long. Hell, I should have just bought them off and handed the ship back to the Minbari myself."
"A trillion credits for defense, not one for tribute, eh, Mr. President."
Alshain smiled. "Precisely. You're right, of course. We couldn't reward such behavior; they've become far too aggressive as is."
"You know, there's still a sizable chunk of the public that didn't vote for you, and doesn't trust anyone with different colored skin, let alone with a bony head."
"I know. I'm meeting with my old campaign staff first thing tomorrow morning. They'll get to work on the grassroots angles."
"Angles... plural?"
"Right! We'll tell the voters that what we're doing is good for the economy, good for planetary security, and good for the soul. Just like we did for the election campaign. And just like the election, we'll lick this one. Hopefully then we can focus on the real work ahead of us."
The two vorlons looked at each other knowingly.
"The Brakiri send another scout."
"They must not be allowed to disobey again."
"Warn them again. Destroy the scout."
With a thought the commander issued the order. The other heard and added some strategic advice.
"The Minbari wish to discuss terms...we will accept their proposal."
"The Shadows move too."
"Let them, as long as they honour the agreement."
There was a hint of doubt between them, a hint of...fear?
"Then we will wait."
"Until we are needed. It is not our time."
The two vorlons parted. In the private depths of it's own mind, one thought to itself.
"Not yet."
"The Brakiri send another scout."
"They must not be allowed to disobey again."
"Warn them again. Destroy the scout."
With a thought the commander issued the order. The other heard and added some strategic advice.
"The Minbari wish to discuss terms...we will accept their proposal."
"The Shadows move too."
"Let them, as long as they honour the agreement."
There was a hint of doubt between them, a hint of...fear?
"Then we will wait."
"Until we are needed. It is not our time."
The two vorlons parted. In the private depths of it's own mind, one thought to itself.
"Not yet."
Dragon Clan Veritech
-
Nephtys
- Sith Acolyte
- Posts: 6227
- Joined: 2005-04-02 10:54pm
- Location: South Cali... where life is cheap!
"The humans have accepted our offer." A young warrior officer reported, as Nimune lay on her slanted bed, looking up. She smiled. Such a small spacecraft was hardly the best suited for a commander of her seniority, but she wanted to be in the field. The MF Ashinta was the latest of their heavy destroyers, and a new picket of their fleet, supplanting many older designs that supported the powerful Sharlin cruisers.
"They have returned our crews to the ship, but she is disabled. Adrift over an uninhabited planet." the officer said to her. Nimune sweeps her fingers slowly. "Retrieve them. The Bluestar squadron is assigned such a task. I will deal with the humans for their actions properly later." she sighed.
"We must continue our mission nonetheless." Nimune adds, closing her eyes to sleep. "The ship was of little value anyway. Retrieve those workers and leave me be.." she turned in place, as the officer left.
"They have returned our crews to the ship, but she is disabled. Adrift over an uninhabited planet." the officer said to her. Nimune sweeps her fingers slowly. "Retrieve them. The Bluestar squadron is assigned such a task. I will deal with the humans for their actions properly later." she sighed.
"We must continue our mission nonetheless." Nimune adds, closing her eyes to sleep. "The ship was of little value anyway. Retrieve those workers and leave me be.." she turned in place, as the officer left.
As Marxis left his corporate tower, he was surrounded by reporters from every corner of human civilization. The ravenous throng crushed Marxis as he strode confidently down the red carpet.
"What do you think of the latest speech by the President Mr. Marxis?" screamed woman with blond hair.
"First, let me say that I am a law abiding citizen of the Earth Alliance," said Marxis. He stopped in front of his limosuine surrounded by reporters and his bodyguards. "The President said, and I quote, 'a law that I have opposed since my own youth and which I would still oppose'. Well Mr. President, we law abiding human beings do not oppose laws. We obey them."
"What are you doing with the alien prisoners?" shouted a man in a fedora.
"We are treating them with the utmost respect and dignity. Earthforce has sent observers. Unfortunately we cannot allow them to interview the aliens due to biological hazards. Members of the Interstellar Red Cross have seen the aliens and can vouch for our treatment of them."
"What do you say of the President's accusations that you're distorting the facts about the Minbari?"
"We'll be having another press conference shortly about that. Let me say though that the President's continual refusal to check the alien's charting of our solar systems is a betrayal of humankind. Why didn't the aliens just ask us for star charts rather than send their own vessels? Because, they do not trust us. And, we should not trust them. The President is a naive fool."
The questions multiplied exponentially as Marxis entered his limosuine and the bodyguards formed a circle allowing the vehicle to exit the mob.
Later in the day...
"Mr. Bester, it is a pleasure having you here," said Marxis on guard. He had been trained to resist telepaths, but no doubt Bester could read him like an open book. No matter. His and Bester's goals were the same as far as he could tell--the betterment of humanity. Bester's ideology for the superiority of telepaths was disturbing, but he was a man he could deal with. And besides, he couldn't find anything out without a deep scan.
"The pleasure is... all mine," smiled the Psi Cop.
"We can talk freely. This room is bugproof."
"Excellent," said Bester. "We have the centrifuges and enriched uranium ready to deliver to your men. Of course, it is only a matter of time before Earthdome finds out."
"Everything is legal?"
"Yes," said the Psi Cop. "We had to take some... liberties. But as long as you use the warheads for self-defense, I forsee absolutely no problems."
"I'll have the credits transferred--"
"No," said Bester. "The aliens. I want them."
"We had an agreement."
"I want those aliens Marxis. No aliens, no reactors."
"I see," said Marxis. "I'll have to think about it. I'm a rather busy man. Stay in town awhile, you'll get your decision by the end of the week."
Bester smiled, and left flanked by his aide. No doubt they had scanned him, but probably found out nothing. There really wasn't anything to find out anyway. Bester's agents probably had as much information on the aliens as he did.
So why did he want the aliens?
That evening...
"We welcome Mr. Benjamin Marxis, Chief Executive Officer of the Marxis Corporation and head of the Corporate Sector's five hundred independently owned businesses. He was also Time Magazine's first Man of the Galaxy. From his humble beginnings in New Jersey, America to his military career in Earthforce to his meteoric rise in business and a net worth of several trillion dollars, he has always been an avid defender of human interests. Thank you Mr. Marxis for joining us."
"A pleasure to be here Jane."
...a few minutes later Marxis is showing holograms and explaining graphics...
"...through our seizure of an alien frigate which clearly attacked us in an unprovoked assault, we have learned more about these aliens. The alien frigate is of a different species than the aliens who invaded our space, but they have intimate knowledge of the invaders which suggests collusion."
"Here is what the aliens call a 'fighting pike'. All warrior caste members train with this from infancy and are proficient with it. We have reason to believe that as part of their initiation into adulthood, they are required to kill a living sentient being with this pike. Each alien is at least five times stronger than the average physically healthy adult human male."
"Here is a demonstration of their advanced technology. Their stealth technology makes them invisible to even the most powerful scanning systems. Fortunately for mankind the Marxis corporation is working on a countermeasure. As well their fighters have technology which defies gravity. We have decided to call these inertial dampners since they function similar to their science fiction namesake. These inertial dampners allow their fighters to run circles around ours."
"Also, their society is rigidly split between three different groups. Religious, Warrior and Worker. There is no choice--you are born into your caste. Nor is there a media or alternate religious viewpoints. There is only one dominant religion, the worship of one called Valen. We believe this Valen is their warrior god. The workers, from what we know, are opressed. Not only do they toil for the benefit of the other two groups, but they have no say in political decisions because the zealots and warmongers outnumber them on their ruling council six to one."
"There you have it, beings bred for war from childhood, technology a century in advance of ours, and a society which supresses even basic rights like freedom of the press and religion. They even have slaves. These aliens are a threat to all of mankind and the President allows them to romp freely in our space. The Marxis Corporation will protect its territorial integrity. Starting this month vessels are to be stationed on every jumpgate leading into our space and will board any alien invaders. We hope the President will come to his senses and halt the alien's spying operations through Earth Alliance territory..."
Brian
"What do you think of the latest speech by the President Mr. Marxis?" screamed woman with blond hair.
"First, let me say that I am a law abiding citizen of the Earth Alliance," said Marxis. He stopped in front of his limosuine surrounded by reporters and his bodyguards. "The President said, and I quote, 'a law that I have opposed since my own youth and which I would still oppose'. Well Mr. President, we law abiding human beings do not oppose laws. We obey them."
"What are you doing with the alien prisoners?" shouted a man in a fedora.
"We are treating them with the utmost respect and dignity. Earthforce has sent observers. Unfortunately we cannot allow them to interview the aliens due to biological hazards. Members of the Interstellar Red Cross have seen the aliens and can vouch for our treatment of them."
"What do you say of the President's accusations that you're distorting the facts about the Minbari?"
"We'll be having another press conference shortly about that. Let me say though that the President's continual refusal to check the alien's charting of our solar systems is a betrayal of humankind. Why didn't the aliens just ask us for star charts rather than send their own vessels? Because, they do not trust us. And, we should not trust them. The President is a naive fool."
The questions multiplied exponentially as Marxis entered his limosuine and the bodyguards formed a circle allowing the vehicle to exit the mob.
Later in the day...
"Mr. Bester, it is a pleasure having you here," said Marxis on guard. He had been trained to resist telepaths, but no doubt Bester could read him like an open book. No matter. His and Bester's goals were the same as far as he could tell--the betterment of humanity. Bester's ideology for the superiority of telepaths was disturbing, but he was a man he could deal with. And besides, he couldn't find anything out without a deep scan.
"The pleasure is... all mine," smiled the Psi Cop.
"We can talk freely. This room is bugproof."
"Excellent," said Bester. "We have the centrifuges and enriched uranium ready to deliver to your men. Of course, it is only a matter of time before Earthdome finds out."
"Everything is legal?"
"Yes," said the Psi Cop. "We had to take some... liberties. But as long as you use the warheads for self-defense, I forsee absolutely no problems."
"I'll have the credits transferred--"
"No," said Bester. "The aliens. I want them."
"We had an agreement."
"I want those aliens Marxis. No aliens, no reactors."
"I see," said Marxis. "I'll have to think about it. I'm a rather busy man. Stay in town awhile, you'll get your decision by the end of the week."
Bester smiled, and left flanked by his aide. No doubt they had scanned him, but probably found out nothing. There really wasn't anything to find out anyway. Bester's agents probably had as much information on the aliens as he did.
So why did he want the aliens?
That evening...
"We welcome Mr. Benjamin Marxis, Chief Executive Officer of the Marxis Corporation and head of the Corporate Sector's five hundred independently owned businesses. He was also Time Magazine's first Man of the Galaxy. From his humble beginnings in New Jersey, America to his military career in Earthforce to his meteoric rise in business and a net worth of several trillion dollars, he has always been an avid defender of human interests. Thank you Mr. Marxis for joining us."
"A pleasure to be here Jane."
...a few minutes later Marxis is showing holograms and explaining graphics...
"...through our seizure of an alien frigate which clearly attacked us in an unprovoked assault, we have learned more about these aliens. The alien frigate is of a different species than the aliens who invaded our space, but they have intimate knowledge of the invaders which suggests collusion."
"Here is what the aliens call a 'fighting pike'. All warrior caste members train with this from infancy and are proficient with it. We have reason to believe that as part of their initiation into adulthood, they are required to kill a living sentient being with this pike. Each alien is at least five times stronger than the average physically healthy adult human male."
"Here is a demonstration of their advanced technology. Their stealth technology makes them invisible to even the most powerful scanning systems. Fortunately for mankind the Marxis corporation is working on a countermeasure. As well their fighters have technology which defies gravity. We have decided to call these inertial dampners since they function similar to their science fiction namesake. These inertial dampners allow their fighters to run circles around ours."
"Also, their society is rigidly split between three different groups. Religious, Warrior and Worker. There is no choice--you are born into your caste. Nor is there a media or alternate religious viewpoints. There is only one dominant religion, the worship of one called Valen. We believe this Valen is their warrior god. The workers, from what we know, are opressed. Not only do they toil for the benefit of the other two groups, but they have no say in political decisions because the zealots and warmongers outnumber them on their ruling council six to one."
"There you have it, beings bred for war from childhood, technology a century in advance of ours, and a society which supresses even basic rights like freedom of the press and religion. They even have slaves. These aliens are a threat to all of mankind and the President allows them to romp freely in our space. The Marxis Corporation will protect its territorial integrity. Starting this month vessels are to be stationed on every jumpgate leading into our space and will board any alien invaders. We hope the President will come to his senses and halt the alien's spying operations through Earth Alliance territory..."
Brian
-
Uraniun235
- Emperor's Hand
- Posts: 13772
- Joined: 2002-09-12 12:47am
- Location: OREGON
- Contact:
"...The Minbari diplomats have given us enough material on their culture and society to know that Mr. Marxis was lying through his teeth. There have been documented examples of persons switching castes, their religion is much closer to pantheism than monotheism, and we're quite certain there's no such homicidal rite-of-passage as Marxis described." Calvin Ross shrugged. "Before, it was just spirited self-interest... but this... He's crossed the line into outright racism, Mr. President."
Alshain looked out the window of his office in EarthDome. A fake window, a projection taken from a camera on the roof of EarthDome, but the best fake that money could buy. Even the "sunlight" felt warm.
His hands were tented and his brow quite furrowed.
"I completely agree, Cal."
"You could argue that his sentiments threaten planetary security given his attempt to destabilize Earth-Minbar relations, have him squelched under the..."
*snort* "That would be a catastrophic blunder. No, we can't use force against Marxis. Not unless he starts something first. And certainly not while we have viable alternatives. Has the Minbari Embassy been completed yet?"
"Not quite yet. It's mostly done, just needs some finishing touches and furnishings. And an ambassador... last I heard the Minbari hadn't appointed one yet. There's a minimal staff there, though."
"Well, Cal, I think there's been far too much talk from humans about the Minbari so far. The people need to start hearing about the Minbari from Minbari voices. And they need to be seeing Minbari faces in a positive light. Make them sympathetic. Get people asking what the big deal is over folks who just happen to have different shaped heads."
"That's a tall order, Mr. President."
"You can start by talking to the Minbari embassy staff and explain the situation to them. Maybe ask them if they could send some folks over to talk about their people and their culture, and clear up those damn lies Marxis has been spewing."
"That covers the 'minds', but the 'hearts'..."
Alshain pondered it briefly.
"You know, Cal... this thing doesn't stop with the Minbari. Even if this mess resolved itself tomorrow, there's probably a dozen more races out there we've yet to encounter, and Marxis could kick off this shitstorm with any one of them! We need to get people to think of things less in terms of 'humans' and 'aliens' and more in terms of 'sentient beings'. Especially the Narn." Alshain picked up a paper, the latest message from the Narn leader G'Kar. "Intelligence suggests they are - or will be - a major power in the area. The Hurr, the Ingyo... they've turned inwards, they're not so much a problem. But we can't afford ill will with the power players of the galaxy. We definitely need to follow-up on my election campaigning and get the people straightened out."
"How do you propose to do that, Mr. President."
Frown. "I don't know. Put your best people on it. And Cal, make sure you can trust them."
"Of course, Mr. President. If that's all...?"
Wilhelm dismissed Cal with a smile and a wave. But before Cal could leave...
"Hey, Cal. How about this: Euphrates 3. A space-opera that takes place on a space station where humans and aliens have to learn to work together."
Cal grinned. "Needs a little work, Mr. President."
Alshain chuckled and set to work on writing his next speech.
Alshain looked out the window of his office in EarthDome. A fake window, a projection taken from a camera on the roof of EarthDome, but the best fake that money could buy. Even the "sunlight" felt warm.
His hands were tented and his brow quite furrowed.
"I completely agree, Cal."
"You could argue that his sentiments threaten planetary security given his attempt to destabilize Earth-Minbar relations, have him squelched under the..."
*snort* "That would be a catastrophic blunder. No, we can't use force against Marxis. Not unless he starts something first. And certainly not while we have viable alternatives. Has the Minbari Embassy been completed yet?"
"Not quite yet. It's mostly done, just needs some finishing touches and furnishings. And an ambassador... last I heard the Minbari hadn't appointed one yet. There's a minimal staff there, though."
"Well, Cal, I think there's been far too much talk from humans about the Minbari so far. The people need to start hearing about the Minbari from Minbari voices. And they need to be seeing Minbari faces in a positive light. Make them sympathetic. Get people asking what the big deal is over folks who just happen to have different shaped heads."
"That's a tall order, Mr. President."
"You can start by talking to the Minbari embassy staff and explain the situation to them. Maybe ask them if they could send some folks over to talk about their people and their culture, and clear up those damn lies Marxis has been spewing."
"That covers the 'minds', but the 'hearts'..."
Alshain pondered it briefly.
"You know, Cal... this thing doesn't stop with the Minbari. Even if this mess resolved itself tomorrow, there's probably a dozen more races out there we've yet to encounter, and Marxis could kick off this shitstorm with any one of them! We need to get people to think of things less in terms of 'humans' and 'aliens' and more in terms of 'sentient beings'. Especially the Narn." Alshain picked up a paper, the latest message from the Narn leader G'Kar. "Intelligence suggests they are - or will be - a major power in the area. The Hurr, the Ingyo... they've turned inwards, they're not so much a problem. But we can't afford ill will with the power players of the galaxy. We definitely need to follow-up on my election campaigning and get the people straightened out."
"How do you propose to do that, Mr. President."
Frown. "I don't know. Put your best people on it. And Cal, make sure you can trust them."
"Of course, Mr. President. If that's all...?"
Wilhelm dismissed Cal with a smile and a wave. But before Cal could leave...
"Hey, Cal. How about this: Euphrates 3. A space-opera that takes place on a space station where humans and aliens have to learn to work together."
Cal grinned. "Needs a little work, Mr. President."
Alshain chuckled and set to work on writing his next speech.
"Excellent," Londo said approvingly. "This is the kind of world that will make us the Lion of the Galaxy again!"
Londo and Vir were looking at a holographic model of a planet in the Shra-Bal system.
"Londo, this world is poor in minerals, arable land, and radioactive elements," Vir warned. "And the conditions aren't too pleasant."
Londo waved his assistant's objections away. "But it has an oxygen atmosphere and it's huge. That's worth more than anything. Let the bubble colonies and the home world provide resources. Shra-Bal V will be a center of industry and research for the Republic beyond even Centauri Prime when I'm done with it."
"If you say so Londo," Vir said. "As you requested, one of our fastest colony ships is en route to the planet to plant the Republic's flag, and one of our scout ships is holding its position in orbit around it, just in case."
"Good!" Londo declared. "Any other new buisness?"
"We've made contact with the Llort, Londo," Vir said. "Also, one of our new colonies found ruins on the planet they settled on."
"Any technology?" Londo asked eagerly.
"Yes," Vir answered. "Incredibly advanced medical tech."
"I see," Londo said, disappointed. Medicine was nice, but he'd rather been hoping for something a bit more...potent. "Make sure that any world that looks to have artifacts from the First Ones remains a high priority."
"Yes, Londo." Vir said. "Oh, and the Vorlons contacted us again. They asked the same question again."
Londo sighed, "I will answer it."
Londo and Vir were looking at a holographic model of a planet in the Shra-Bal system.
"Londo, this world is poor in minerals, arable land, and radioactive elements," Vir warned. "And the conditions aren't too pleasant."
Londo waved his assistant's objections away. "But it has an oxygen atmosphere and it's huge. That's worth more than anything. Let the bubble colonies and the home world provide resources. Shra-Bal V will be a center of industry and research for the Republic beyond even Centauri Prime when I'm done with it."
"If you say so Londo," Vir said. "As you requested, one of our fastest colony ships is en route to the planet to plant the Republic's flag, and one of our scout ships is holding its position in orbit around it, just in case."
"Good!" Londo declared. "Any other new buisness?"
"We've made contact with the Llort, Londo," Vir said. "Also, one of our new colonies found ruins on the planet they settled on."
"Any technology?" Londo asked eagerly.
"Yes," Vir answered. "Incredibly advanced medical tech."
"I see," Londo said, disappointed. Medicine was nice, but he'd rather been hoping for something a bit more...potent. "Make sure that any world that looks to have artifacts from the First Ones remains a high priority."
"Yes, Londo." Vir said. "Oh, and the Vorlons contacted us again. They asked the same question again."
Londo sighed, "I will answer it."
"I want to mow down a bunch of motherfuckers with absurdly large weapons and relative impunity - preferably in and around a skyscraper. Then I want to fight a grim battle against the unlikely duo of the Terminator and Robocop. The last level should involve (but not be limited to) multiple robo-Hitlers and a gorillasaurus rex."--Uraniun235 on his ideal FPS game
"The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant compared to the power of the Force."--Darth Vader
"The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant compared to the power of the Force."--Darth Vader
"This might be the wrong way about it," said Vera. "Alshain's still incredibly popular. And some of the things you said at the PR conference might come and bite you in the ass."
"Did you vote for him? I sure didn't. People fell for Alshain because they liked his dream. Once they wake up to the reality of the galaxy, they'll change their minds. Particularly if these aliens turn out to be our conquerers. It might not be these ones, but it might be the next, or the ones after that. Humanity has to be prepared and fools like Alshain will have us under an alien boot." They were in an armored limosuine and Marxis was sitting across from Vera with enough space to extend his legs. There was a small redwood coffee table with chips, mixers and liquor between them. The leather seats and carpeted floor absorbed Marxis' crumbs.
"Alshain's people are going to fight back," said Vera.
"They wouldn't dare. They'd turn me into a martyr," said Marxis.
"No, I mean, they'll start an advertising campaign."
"We'll start our own. Make it a shell company... call it Citizens for Galactic Peace. Make sure nobody can trace the money back to us. Grassroots level, find a good puppet."
"Already got one in mind. The captured frigate's encountered another one of those squid things. One of them crippled apparently."
"Take it."
"That's going to be difficult. From what we can tell the squid things don't have a crew or a point of entry and their hulls are resistant to cutting lasers."
"Well tell Sammy's department to work on something." Marxis took a sip out of his cappichino. "How're the defensive preparations coming along?"
"The boarding ships are ready in case any more alien vessels surprise us. As for planetary security... we're getting the warheads in place. And security's finally getting a handle on the riots on Lotna III. We had to impose a curfew but nothing too drastic. Orbital shipyards are in full production."
"Everything's going alright so far," said Marxis quietly to himself. "Driver, take us home, my kids are getting off school early."
Brian
"Did you vote for him? I sure didn't. People fell for Alshain because they liked his dream. Once they wake up to the reality of the galaxy, they'll change their minds. Particularly if these aliens turn out to be our conquerers. It might not be these ones, but it might be the next, or the ones after that. Humanity has to be prepared and fools like Alshain will have us under an alien boot." They were in an armored limosuine and Marxis was sitting across from Vera with enough space to extend his legs. There was a small redwood coffee table with chips, mixers and liquor between them. The leather seats and carpeted floor absorbed Marxis' crumbs.
"Alshain's people are going to fight back," said Vera.
"They wouldn't dare. They'd turn me into a martyr," said Marxis.
"No, I mean, they'll start an advertising campaign."
"We'll start our own. Make it a shell company... call it Citizens for Galactic Peace. Make sure nobody can trace the money back to us. Grassroots level, find a good puppet."
"Already got one in mind. The captured frigate's encountered another one of those squid things. One of them crippled apparently."
"Take it."
"That's going to be difficult. From what we can tell the squid things don't have a crew or a point of entry and their hulls are resistant to cutting lasers."
"Well tell Sammy's department to work on something." Marxis took a sip out of his cappichino. "How're the defensive preparations coming along?"
"The boarding ships are ready in case any more alien vessels surprise us. As for planetary security... we're getting the warheads in place. And security's finally getting a handle on the riots on Lotna III. We had to impose a curfew but nothing too drastic. Orbital shipyards are in full production."
"Everything's going alright so far," said Marxis quietly to himself. "Driver, take us home, my kids are getting off school early."
Brian
Jha'Dur smiled to herself. Things were advancing much as planned. The Markab ambassador practically begged to be allowed to sign her treaty. Trade, it was almost laughable. Laughable to think that a race as... stunted, as the Markab could possibly offer anything to the federation. All in good time she thought, soon, soon they would be trading for their very lives.
quietly she mused to herself
"For one to live forever, another must die! And die they shall, for the glory of... hmm, me."
She remembered the way Sinclair had looked at her when she first revealed her 'secret'. THat was a long time ago, even more so now that she thoguht about it. That time was a perilous one for her. After the great machine had saved her the only reasonable option was to set course for Minbar.
When Jha'DUr finally made contact with her allies in the Wind Swords it would turn out to be the greatest surprise she had come across in her now long life!!
The great machine through some lost or unique temporal phenominon had managed to transport her back through time to the final days of the Dilgar war.
The opportunities, the endless possibilities. Armed with the fore knoweledge that her sun would explode Jha'Dur set a course for the Dilgar home system. Hypothesising that any contact with her then self could prove disasterous, if only because of what she knew she would have done should a clone come up and tell her the truth of the matter. Jha'Dur set about gathering a core oof faithful followers, in the beggining only enough to fill several large transports. It wasn't much but given secrecy of the uncharted teritories, it might just be enough to restart her great confederacy, to ensure the goal of ultimate vengeance on the universe that would thwart her.
In the beggining it was hard, but she was the greatest medical mind of her age! The few colonists she had quickly became a home world , and with her ability for splitting and recombinig genes the colonists were safe from any genetic degredation. In thirty five years, the space of a single generation she had increased the number of Dilgar faithful eightfold. The next twenty five years saw an even greater degree of growth to the point where she now had three colony worlds. Secret, safe from prying eyes...
quietly she mused to herself
"For one to live forever, another must die! And die they shall, for the glory of... hmm, me."
She remembered the way Sinclair had looked at her when she first revealed her 'secret'. THat was a long time ago, even more so now that she thoguht about it. That time was a perilous one for her. After the great machine had saved her the only reasonable option was to set course for Minbar.
When Jha'DUr finally made contact with her allies in the Wind Swords it would turn out to be the greatest surprise she had come across in her now long life!!
The great machine through some lost or unique temporal phenominon had managed to transport her back through time to the final days of the Dilgar war.
The opportunities, the endless possibilities. Armed with the fore knoweledge that her sun would explode Jha'Dur set a course for the Dilgar home system. Hypothesising that any contact with her then self could prove disasterous, if only because of what she knew she would have done should a clone come up and tell her the truth of the matter. Jha'Dur set about gathering a core oof faithful followers, in the beggining only enough to fill several large transports. It wasn't much but given secrecy of the uncharted teritories, it might just be enough to restart her great confederacy, to ensure the goal of ultimate vengeance on the universe that would thwart her.
In the beggining it was hard, but she was the greatest medical mind of her age! The few colonists she had quickly became a home world , and with her ability for splitting and recombinig genes the colonists were safe from any genetic degredation. In thirty five years, the space of a single generation she had increased the number of Dilgar faithful eightfold. The next twenty five years saw an even greater degree of growth to the point where she now had three colony worlds. Secret, safe from prying eyes...