STGOD2k6 Main Thread

[Dahak]

Demonstration of Defiance
Deep Space
Parliamentary Empire of Crobuzon

Whitherspoon nodded. "Most just, indeed. A simple heads-up: we've dispatched an aetherclipper to the distrubance, some simple surveying and evaluation, is all- such storms are marvelous for the natural philosophers to get their instruments on."

"Anyways, the Battle of Castervanae Bight stands ready to assist you. My squadron are all new birds, fresh out of Steelshatter. I eagerly await a little action."

An orderly entered the dining hall and whispered in the Commodore's ear.

"Ah, Enwyn, perhaps you've heard as well- the Luwaan have agreed to the Trans-Sphere Line plan! I presume this means we may be enjoying an even longer deployment once the corporate construction crews get out here."

"That is very good news, indeed," Grand Air-Mage Enwyn Frwen, House Frwen said with a smile on his face. He raised his glass. "The Council will be pleased. To a new future of peace and prosperity for both our nations. And may our enemies perish in a most bloody and terrible way!"
"To the future," the officers around the table echoed.
"Now, back to business," the Grand Air-Mage went on, "I just hope your aetherclipper will keep its distance. A space-shatter can be quite destructive to a ship." He took another sip from his glass. "I think, before we leave, we might want to conduct some joint maneuvres, to get to know how we each think and operate. Best to iron out any problems here than out there."

[Thirdfain]

"But of course. What sort of maneuvers do you have in mind?"

[Dahak]

"But of course. What sort of maneuvers do you have in mind?"

"For one," Frwen answered, "anti-piracy operations. We take part of the task force and tag them pirates. The rest should then try to defeat them. Your force poses as pirates. Then a group of us can do likewise. So we each get a feeling for the way we operate and plan. And, of course, a feeling for the other side'S technology." He smiled. "Also, joint boarding operations come to mind, and, if we have time, at least a simulated planetary assault against limited to medium resistance. Do you have anything in mind you'd like to do? I am all ears."

[Thirdfain]

"Gunnery drills, for small craft. We've a detachment of torpedo-boats and gunships on the Castervanae, we ought to run point defense co-ordination tests."

[Dahak]

"Gunnery drills, for small craft. We've a detachment of torpedo-boats and gunships on the Castervanae, we ought to run point defense co-ordination tests."

"Very well," Frwen said. "Have one of your staff create a schedule and send it over. I'll have my staff coordinate the maneuvres. Would you like to join me for observation aboard, or do you prefer to run the menuvres from your flagship? As for time-frame, I think we should begin as soon as possible. 1 hour preparation enough for you?"

[Thirdfain]

Kreshastan

And so it began- one night, the skies south of Talon's capital city were clear, lit only by the distant flashes from the capital's spaceport. Quelectin farmers managed the automated fields or worked in the small factories of the verge where the rural met the suburban.

The next night, the outsiders came.

On pillars of greasy flame, the transports landed. Fields were burned flat by directed exhaust, and the strangely tall, ungainly forms of the "humans" flooded the fallow ground.

At first, there were nothing but rammed-earth bunkers and the hull-down forms of fortified transports acting as temporary barracks for the workers and soldiers. As the warnings from above faded and the Mekidar departed, new ships started arriving. Aetherclippers emblazoned with corporate logos joined the olive drab Marine transports. Iron girders clutched at the sky, and smokestacks erupted from the dusty,. burned earth. The scorched, bare landing field was replaced with prefab metal grate, and then impregnated concrete. Booted feet, Human and scabmettler and khepri and even vegetable Cactacae, tramped across the fuel-cooked tarmac bearing objects of great value. The markets of the quelectin cities were full of the cheap produce: everything from machine-pressed industrial tools to powerful pre-calculated hexes of high power.

South-of-Talon's skies burned at night, the glowing infernos of the launching shuttles fading into a string of pearls across the starscape. From miles away, the quelectin of Talon, and of the Lesser Library and Shearwater as well, bore witness to the slowly rising clouds of smoke, pillars touching the sky born of the growing forest of smokestacks.

[Adrian Laguna]

"Thank you for attending." He spoke to the Mekidar in monotone, "What can you tell us about the Crobuzon?" He asked, clearly not one for extended pleasantries.

Two representatives of the Republic were in attendance. A Mekidar, wearing nothing but the orange markings of the Diplomatic Arm carved into his upper-right chest. The other a human male, dressed in a light brown suit with orange markings, and carrying a briefcase. Like the Ambassador, he had no apparent life-support system; unlike the Ambassador, there was something odd about him, probably that he wasn't breathing.

"Crobuzon?" The representative sounds confused. He turns to his assistant, "I thought we were going to discuss the Arisians. Who's Crobuzon?"

"Sorry Sir," the assistant replies. "They said it was a meeting about the power that attacked the Silver Flame. It slipped my mind that perhaps they don't know it as Arisia."

"I see." The representative addresses the Guild delagation, "Since we do not know what they call themselves right now, we use 'Arisia', the name of the nation that inhabited the same territories back during the Great Wars."

He continues, "We can share everything we know, but not for free. While we could ask for a return favor sometime in the future, such deals do not foster closer relations between nations. Instead, the Republic would like an agreement to share information. Not free exchange, just a simple, ‘we will look into it if you ask’ type of deal. Perhaps simply sharing what we know about the Arisians would imply such an agreement, but we do not trust unspoken words. Laying it all on the table in plain view also removes unnecessary second-guessing.”



Sparse March near Gross Crobuzona, Parliamentary Empire of Crobuzon

In interstellar space, a Mekidar ship exited subspace, and looked around with the passive sensors for a while. After identifying several signal sources indicating the presence of advanced civilization, it set course for a system both nearby and with a high signals volume.

Outside a major Crobuzonian system, the same ship emerges out of FTL. While it does have a course heading going deeper into the system, at the current velocity it is far from threatening. The spacecraft sends a signal through all radio, hyperwave, and subspace (even though only the Mekidar seem to use it) bands. It is a simple pulsing tone, a way of advertising its presence to everyone in the system. A transmission follows the signal.

<<This is a diplomatic vessel of the Mekidar Republic. We come to establish formal relations with the nation that recently deployed forces in the region they call Kreshay.>>

[Spyder]

Silver Flame Territory

A message was dispatched to whoever within the Crobuzon it concerned.
"Now that matters are settled we trust that your operations are proceeding to your satisfaction. We wish you good fortune and good luck with whatever the future brings. Under the terms of our treaty we will resume normal operations. As promised, our markets are open."

The newcomers, former invaders, had more then a few hard sells ahead of them. The Federal Government had agreed to open the markets, removing any protection for local business against the might of the Imperial corporate machine. Many in industry know this and they will resist every step of the way.

There was however an interesting counter theory developing, it involved the smokestacks. Crobuzon business seemed to be investing a great deal in local manufacturing, potentially creating new jobs for Silver Flame citizens. Unless Crobuzon intends to flout local labour laws then this could actually be very beneficial.

It remained unclear, at least to many, would the Crobuzon be the Flame's benevolent benefactors or malevolent usurpers? There were a few that already knew the answer and were preparing accordingly.

As the trade ships descended upon Talon, questions about labour laws, accountability, business practices and ethics all circled around until someone asked "Is any of that even enforceable anymore?"

[Beowulf]

Drakon
Collective Territory

"Welcome to Drakon. You are here because you paid someone in the Mekidar Republic to take a safari to deepest darkest space, and see animals few get the chance to see live. A portion of those fees has gone to the Collective, to pay for inspection, escort, and a guide, me," spoke the raven haired woman. "You may note the following rules: No weapons are allowed on Drakon. All necessary weapons are included with the escort. No shooting at the dragons. Shooting at them makes them angry. Also, you shouldn't have anything to shoot at them anyway." The shuttle rocked a bit at this moment. "Transportation is waiting outside. Any questions? No? Then let's begin."

A few seconds after the party stepped outside, a dragon roared past spouting flame from its mouth.

"That yound male probably felt like showing off. Dragons are highly intelligent creatures. Because they're a flying creature, they're able to traverse very large amounts of territory." The truck started moving off down the trail. "They have therefore spread over most of this world, with exception of a few places where nothing large enough to sustain them lives. They've eliminated most predators on this planet, and those that remain don't prey on the large animals that the Dragons feed on. Consequently, there isn't much danger from the wildlife."

The truck rumbled to a stop. "Our first stop on the tour is the hatchery grounds. Now, you'll have to keep your distance. Top of the cliff should be fine. The female dragons are extremely protective. They'll try and broil anyone they don't know if you get close, and you probably won't be able to outrun all the jets of flame. That said, they've seen and smelled this Avatar enough times to be used to me. The dragon we've named Momo laid a egg almost a year ago. It's just about time for it to hatch. Both of it's parents are on the beach, waiting."

Kusanagi hopped out of the truck. She attached a line to a pair of bolts in the ground, then tossed the line over the cliff. She then proceeded to rappel down. Once down on the sand, she jogged over next to the dragons already on the beach, and quietly began talking to them, what she said couldn't be heard from the top of the cliff. She then walked over to the egg between them. At that point, the egg started cracking, and a snout could be seen. It let out a small spurt of flame, and the two dragons started helping crack away the eggshell.

They posed for a couple pictures, then Kusanagi climbed back up the cliff. "The next stop on the tour is the plains, where we'll hopefully see a Dragon make a kill."

[Spyder]

Talon

The businessman looked over the reports laid in his desk. A myriad stack of incomprehensible charts and business jargon. He scowled as he flicked through the information. Some important figure was too low or too high, another was getting closer to goal but still needed improvement. He smiled when he discovered the next number, whatever relevance it had.

At that moment he looked out the office window on to his own little corner of industry. Vehicles loaded various materials into one area where they were unloaded and moved to the machines on the factory floor where they were shaped, moulded, fused, spun, twisted, filled or otherwise altered into whatever state the next phase of the production cycle required before being carryed back out again.

It was going well, transports were moving, workers were busy at their stations, product was arriving and being taken away like clockwork, a new row of factory machines was about to come online making the process that extra percent faster, a random Quelectin was wondering around with a clipboard taking notes... That last one would perhaps require further investigation.

" 'ello there! Pardon the interruption, but are you in charge here?" He asked in a common tounge as he entered the office. He certainly seemed to move fast, was this the same Quelectin that the man had seen outside a moment before? They all looked so alike it was difficult to tell.

After an abrupt confirmation, the explaination was then presented.
"I'm from Talon Environmental," He seemed jovial enough, "got some bad news for ya I'm afraid. This plant just failed an emissions test so I'm afraid I have to issue a wee bit of a fine there. As it stands the ministry cannot grant this facility a code of compliance so this will need to be rectified within 30 days or there will be additional consequences. My appologies that I have to bare the bad news and run but I have a rather busy day ahead of me. You should receive this notice in writing before the end of the week. Bye bye."

Coldrock opened his eyes, what a bizzare dream.

[Adrian Laguna]

A few months ago

A civilian survey vessel had spotted signals coming from a nearby system. They were very faint, as if they had originated from much farther away, but there could be no doubt about their origin. The composition hinted advanced civilization, so the faintness indicated someone trying to stay hidden. Nevertheless, it was their job to investigate. After contacting nearby military units to be on standby, just in case, the ship jumped into the system.

CLASSIFIED STAR SYSTEM, outside the Republic

“We are reading a settlement in one of the planets, various orbital stations, possible outposts in some of the other planetary bodies.” The ship had come-in very quietly, they remained unspotted as the sensors carefully probed the system.

“There doesn’t appear to be enough infrastructure to sustain the level of technology visible here. Perhaps they-“

“We’ve got incoming!” a voice interrupted. “Several warships and strike-craft coming toward us at high velocity!”

“What? Have they spotted us?”

“We’re reading negative sir, they must have been staring at us all along.”

“Damn, call the Spacy, tell them to get here right now. Forward all our data.”

“Yes sir!”

Little more could be done but to wait and hope for the best. There had been no signal from the attackers, nothing at all. The lack of call for surrender probably meant that they were not planning on accepting one.

The onrushing motley group of transports with attached guns, armed shuttles, and some dilapidated light warships, was more than a match for a group of armed civilian vessels, let alone a single unarmed survey ship. That is, assuming the survey ship did not suddenly have a very angry Light Missile Cruiser arriving to help as soon as the attackers entered firing range.

The cruiser had jumped-in next to the survey ship, and immediately activated its sensors, lighting-up the oncoming fleet like a Christmas tree. A criminal must always be on the lookout for the Law. It can be very unnerving to be in the middle of something very illegal when the Feds pull-up outside, and they are both heavily armed, and totally covering all the exits. This was worse. A more apt analogy is to be in the middle of mugging someone, when suddenly one of your eyeballs is staring at an Officer of the Law with an unforgiving look on his face, and the other eyeball is staring down the barrel of said Officer’s weapon. Then, as if you weren’t scared shitless already, the Officer audibly cocks the hammer to drive home the point of just how screwed you really are.

Even then, the analogy is somewhat inadequate. The cruiser sent a single cold message.

<<You will cease your attack and adopt a stationary position relative to this vessel in the coordinates specified. Deviation from this will result in death, your death.>>

The small fleet hardly had anytime to decide whether to comply or not, when a Mekidar capital ship, its two escorting frigates, and a Carrier Cruiser, appeared next to the inhabited planet.

The settlement, it turns out after its leaders surrendered and apologized for trying to eliminate all witnesses to their existence, was a pirate enclave. It was ruled in a semi-anarchic manner, sort of like a microscopic Raveners. After much deliberation, the Republic’s leadership made the system an unofficial protectorate and the whole affair a state secret. In simple terms, everyone who knew about it was kindly informed that a number of government agencies would fall on ‘em like a ton of bricks if they so much as made an allusion to the event. At least one person had to make significant changes to the plot of a screenplay she was writing. Luckily for her, said changes actually improved it, or so said the agent she couldn’t afford and the advertising campaign she couldn’t possibly had paid for.

One should wonder why a nation would tolerate pirates, let alone make them a protectorate. The first reason is very obvious, protectorates pay taxes. The second not as much, but makes perfect sense. It is implied by the answer to a simple question, “How many nations see pirate attacks and think someone is spying on them?”

[Beowulf]

"Looks like there won't be a battle there. Damn."

"I suppose we should recall the fleet, stick them back in hiding."

"Yeah. They're just burning fuel out there."

"We should attempt to make it difficult for the Raveners to colonize that area though."

"Agreed. Let's use cruisers to keep them to sabotage their efforts."

"Sounds like a plan."

Kurak Space

The Collective battle fleet lept into hyper, and headed back to it's home space. The cruisers stayed behind, to be joined by a number of extra light cruisers. Also staying behind were a couple oilers and other supply ships.

[Oseng]

Earl Rhodes strode down the recently constructed rock pathway, looking around at the new colony that he was soon to become the Imperial Governor of.

Everywhere he glanced people were rushing about, some using magic to carry out various duties, others directing numerous golems in construction.

The Emperor and his advisors had snapped at the chance to get their hands on an uninhabited word, and in less than a week after Kurak had taken control of the planet colonists were already on there way.

At the moment though the newly formed colony, already being called Narut, was under the control of the System Admiral and the Planetary General. Until such time as the world was deemed secure, with a well established and easy to defend base settlement was built they would be in control.

Rhodes smiled as he stepped around a small magic class of teenagers, who seemed to be getting a lesson while with the constuction. He could feel the magic they were pulling from the leylines and sending to those military mages who were formshaping the walls and towers that would soon hold various defenses.

Stepping briskly down the path he passed through an archway coming into what was rapidly developing into the main marketplace. Shops and lean to's were scattered around the path, stopping only to let a small stream meander on it's way.

A few minutes walk brought him to the center of the new settlement, where the heart and blood of the settlement was.

The center was a large open plaza with multiple layers of shielding around it, and already the first defensive weapons had already been placed. As this was the heart of any Kurakian settlement.

Around the plaza large oval distortions glitterd, giving off a glow of power. People and golems streamed through these portals to the ships in orbit, almost always loaded down with something for the colony.

In the center of the plaza though a large circular pool seemed to give off a faint errie glow. In the very center of this pool a large, white, runed obelisk stood glowing with mage light that was visible even to non-mages. This was the very first thing constructed for the settlement after landing, and it was the most important.

Powerful mages had taken the deepest leylines in the area and ran them into the obelisk, giving them no exit. This created a huge pool of power that would serve as the foundation for the defenses, even as it did back on the home planets.

With a sigh, Rhodes began to walk again making a not to make sure signs were posted reminding people not to use Othersight around the Heart Plaza. Unless they wished to have their magical sight blinded of course!

[Stormin]

Burst Communications. Hull 340 -> Hull 544. Secured Encoding

x <compressed datafile>

Burst Communications. Hull 544 -> Hull 340. Secured Encoding

o Interesting. Didn't think that one was still alive. Confirmed it's the species that these Mekidar warned us about?
x Yes. A probe is being modified for second, official, contact. Threat level 2 precautions are being taken.
o We are dancing too close to two blades. The Mekidar basing a fleet at the trading post is obviously a threat and rather unsubtle. If the Mekidar genuinely are at war, we are also in position to be crushed. I have built a few ark ships with full sets of genebanks and set them at sublight into interstellar space but I don't want to have to rely on that for species survival.
x Agreed. Things are out of our control though. I hope that the probe does not take long in discovering the intentions of our newly discovered neighbors.

[Spyder]

He continues, "We can share everything we know, but not for free. While we could ask for a return favor sometime in the future, such deals do not foster closer relations between nations. Instead, the Republic would like an agreement to share information. Not free exchange, just a simple, ‘we will look into it if you ask’ type of deal. Perhaps simply sharing what we know about the Arisians would imply such an agreement, but we do not trust unspoken words. Laying it all on the table in plain view also removes unnecessary second-guessing.”

"Agreed." He answered without hesitation. "Cooperation is to everyone's benefit."

Though the response sounded normal, that last word seemed to linger a little longer then it should have.

[Thirdfain]

"Potent rockmilk seams discovered on the Lesser Library- Salacus Street Northwest and the Kreshayan Biologyris/Military Historic Clan Combine strike multi-trillion shekel deal for exploitation."

The Lesser Library
3rd Skullday, Melluary

"Earlier today, executives of the Salacus Street Northwest Company finished negotiations, undertaken at the new Tripartite Office in the Kreshayan capital itself, for the conversion of thousands of square miles of land on the Lesser Library for rockmilk excavation and pumping. Recent dowsing expeditions have revealed that the farmland, rendered unprofitable by a recent glut of cheaper Crobuzoner foodstuffs, is home to quintillions of thaums worth of raw Potential.

'This deal is going to mark a turning point for the Silver Flame,' said Clan Leader Waterflow of the Biologyris clan. 'Finally, our clan can benefit directly from commerce with Crobuzon.'

'The prices of local labour are just to high for agriculture, natural or engineered, to be profitable any more. It's time for Clan Biologyris to start moving with the times, and this joint exploitation agreement is just what is needed.'

Initially opposing the deal, following meetings with SSNW representatives Clan Military Historic lauded the movement in the Seeker's Council yesterday, citing the agreement as one of 'Co-operation and unity, which will not only make us equal partners with the Crobuzoners, but also save the government billions in agricultural subsides.' When questioned about the effect on those Quelectin employed in the agricultural sector, Clan Leader Weldstrong replied 'The tenets of Beneficum Aevum will not be interrupted. Ample employment opportunity will offered for all quelectin in this venture.'

[Companion Cube]

Tfenn Zero-G Assemblies had no small amount of kleptocrat backing within the Plenum, and various corporate interests had sent supplicants to their headquarters in Lh'owon orbit as soon as (or rather, a few hours before) news of the major construction contracts they had been awarded surfaced on the public datanet. Trillions of credits stood to be made as various deep-space maintenance and defence facilities were set down along the LPG's length of the Phoenix Line, and deals were hastily being cut across the Lh'owon system. Already, work had been delayed on the fifth and last station as contractors were reshuffled and designs were amended as late as possible.

The other four stations were not quite as subject to such inefficiencies. Under the watchful gaze of Rear Admiral Tfenn- whose brood coincidentally controlled the primary construction contracts- the first four stations had been essentially completed, multi-hundred-kilometer long amalgamations of asteroid and Pfhor technology; virtually unarmed but formidably protected.

[Thirdfain]

-2 part post- 1 for the Diem-Noiy and of course Adrian, the second for Adrian alone.

ICNS Commodore Ghalchrist
Near Diem-Noiy/Mekidar Trade Fortress
Diem-Noiy Space[/b]

Captain Christiania Hind, of the Mayor's Imperial Crobuzon Navy, was enjoying the view. The observation bridge at the pinnacle of the sleek battlecruiser's mast-citadel was of little use in combat- the command bridge was buried deep in the hull, near the ship's cramped Flag Commandatorium- but it offered one hell of a view. Over half a mile of matte-grey hull stretched into the distance, a slice of armoured lethality which seemed unimportant in comparison to the vast vault of stars. The deep cough of the engines was muted this far out from the main hull, and there was none of the warm, smokey oppressiveness that one could not help but feel among the tight cooridors of the vessel's main body.

In was here that Christiania felt free- odd, seeing that she had more freedom on the ship than anyone (with the exception of Commodore Saxe.) However, Christiania had grown up on Bas-Lag past the Spinal Mountains, in a wealthy family's country estate far from crammed industrial mass that was New Crobuzon. Broad, green fields and un-tainted skies were her friend, and as a result, she'd had more trouble adapting to shipboard life than, say, the slum-born ratings stoking the logical engine's rapidly-blackening boiler.

Adapt she had. Scandal meant that the Hind family name meant less than it used too. She'd gotten through the Academy without any friends in the Admirality, a task difficult for a young lady even in the age of lady's suffrage and the liberated gentlewoman, and moved through the ranks like a meteor. She'd been captain of the glorious new ship of war for little over a week. It was moments like this, with her accomplishment laid before her for all to see, that the cramped discomfort of a navy woman's life seemed worth it. The other ships in the 3rd Battlecruiser Squadron were distant points of light, orbited by their escorts like planets. It was on her vessel that the Commodore had hung his flag for the historic mission.

Her reverie was broken by the clamour of a whistle. She snatched the speak-tube from the bulkhead.

"Mm. Captain, you asked to be notified when we were approaching the station."

The moment had come. Christiania straightened her uniform almost unconsciously, grey and navy and brass, topped with an officer's peaked cap. Not a single strand of her auburn hair escaped from a tight bun.

On the command bridge, Commodore Saxe was waiting. The elderly commander had been a cruiser officer for longer than there had been battlecruisers in the Empire's fleet. He'd made a name for himself hunting pirates and renegades after the Venomfleet's scuttling. A diplomatic mission like this would not be a problem for a gentleman of his accomplished nature, Chrisitiania reassured herself, but she wondered privately if the fellow's attitude would be proper considering the nature of their mission. At least he had those four Parliamentary representatives to keep things civil.

He saluted shortly at her entrance, as the rest of the crew on the bridge snapped suddenly to attention. No matter the differences in seniority, everyone saluted the captain of a ship on that ship's bridge, with the exception of the Mayor himself or holders of a few certain Civic and Imperial medals of valour. The bridge was a captain's castle, on anything from a fast destroyer to a ship of the wall.

She responded with a short salute of her own, as was also the custom when addressing a superior officer.
"Sir."

"My kind handlers from the legislature have taken the liberty of commandeering your comm officer, Christiania. I do believe it's time to let those awfully curious Diem fellows why we're here. They've just started asking us."

She rested her arms over the plotting table's railing, watching the scurrying lights which represented the various craft filling the system her ship had just entered. The trade fortress hung there, indicated by automatic messages in a number of tongues. The Diem-Noiy certainly intended this new station to make an impact on the region.

"Well, then, Frederich, my officer and equipment are yours. Let's greet these strange folk."

"Capital. Thank you kindly, Christiania."

The battlecruiser's antennae, corporeal and otherwise began the broadcast over a variety of levels. Brief contact had been made with the Diem-Noiy on the Spiralsworn March, and there had been some small contact between the two governments. This stop, the first in a series the 3rd Battlecruiser Squadron would be making, was going to be the first step in cementing the relationship.

<<Diem-Noiy: This is the Mayor's Imperial Crobuzon Navy Ship 'Commodore Ghalchrist'. I am Commodore Fredrich Saxe, and we've come to bring news and extend the hand of friendship, as well as commence an official exchange of ambassadors. We request permission to approach port.>>

-----------------------------------------------

Bas-Lag

The Mekidar were shown to the capital, landing outside the Old City on a broad spaceport field. In moderate luxury, they were transported to Perdido Street Station, where they were met with a small group of ambassadors.

[Beowulf]

Collective Space

The over a hundred ships that made up the Outbound Flight expedition had been completed, and were making final system checks. The destroyers were different in significant ways from previous destroyer designs. They were designed with dual purpose guns, impossible with Thunderhead Lances. These guns fired medium-yield fusion warheads, similar to the guns that formed the main armament of the battleships they escorted. Each destroyer had 30 of these guns in 15 dual turrets.The missile armament was different as well, with an entirely different drive system (shared by all the components of the Outbound Flight project). It used very large quantities of 0 rest mass tachyons to produce thrust.

The battleships have 24 main guns in 8 triple turrets, as well as many more DP guns. They were also fitted with fighter bays to permit carriage of the fighters, 2 fighter wings per battleship. The Electronic Warfare frigates were the R-1 class taken to the extreme, with all the weaponry having been removed, to make space and power available for electronics. The F-6B had been modified as well, to utilize the new engines, as well as a new gun and integration with the new missiles.

The mobile shipyard was equipped to carry the rest of the fighter squadrons, as well as support the warships' maintanence needs. The AIs that actually ran all of this were not copies of the existing Collective AIs, but new AIs, programmed mostly from scratch, for the task.

BB-51 Basroil
Boat Bay

Kusanagi stood on the deck. On the wall in front of her was the ship's crest: a hornet on a green field. "Baskobraj Caliburn: Tenth space force is hearby activated under your command. Your are ordered to take it outside the confines of the cluster, and setup a permanant base. You are authorized to take any measures you deem fit to accomplish this, using only material under your command. Good luck, and good hunting." Caliburn saluted Kusanagi, and had the salute returned. With that, she strode back to the shuttle, and left the ship.

[Stormin]

<<Diem-Noiy: This is the Mayor's Imperial Crobuzon Navy Ship 'Commodore Ghalchrist'. I am Commodore Fredrich Saxe, and we've come to bring news and extend the hand of friendship, as well as commence an official exchange of ambassadors. We request permission to approach port.>>


Hull 16 readied combat reflexes but did not open missile tubes or aim any of its weapons. The human ship's posture was not hostile, it was not powered up for energy advantage going into a high-energy battle. Before opening for communications, the warship readied to destroy its files at the first sign of attempted subversion, every other Diem AI in the system made to do the same.
Ship design, communication methods and language were all the same as the Seeker had reported so it was no effort to reply to the message.

"I am Hull Sixteen, warship and current representative in this sytem for the Diem-Noiy. I greet you, Commodore Fredrich Saxe, in the hopes that the reported tensions between your empire and those with which my people have agreements will not mar any possible co-existant future." The human term was ass-kissing. A threat level 2B+ race was not to be treated lightly or overly agressively though. "Unfortunatly our station is not equipped to be occupied by more than one individual for any length of time and there has not yet been a volunteer to serve as a long term representative here. An ambasador can be found shortly and will be able to meet with yourselves as quickly as possible and until then I am willing to offer you the fullest hospitality Diem facilities in this system can offer, military vessels are exempted and travel to the Star-Tap must be pre-arranged regrettably.

"A seperate agreement will have to be made between yourselves and the Mekidar station and other facilities in this system."

[Thirdfain]

<<"Those with whom you have agreements?" I'm not sure I follow, Hull 16. In any case, we'll follow whatever path you deem proper. We'd be honored to meet any merchants or traders in the system, to display the goods Crobuzon can offer, and examine the goods you might have in exchange. I appreciate your hospitality.>>

As the transmission ended, Captain Hind passed the Commodore a report. He skimmed it briefly.

"Well, then, Christiania. It seems that the Mekidar are here as well. This will make an interesting report for the ladies and gentlemen of influence back in the New City."

"It certainly doesn't bode well. That's a military base, not a doubt in my mind about it, and new too." She frowned. "Perhaps they'll not allow us access to the Diem-Noiy at all?"

The commodore shrugged.

"We'll find out, won't we?"

"I'll keep the gun-crews ready and the men organized. I'd not let my guard down quite yet."

"Very good, Captain."

[Dahak]

Demonstration of Defiance
Deep Space
Parliamentary Empire of Crobuzon

Grand Air-Mage Frwen, House Frwen looked at the intricate glass and light sculpture that changed and moved, smiling. Commodore Whitherspoon stood next to him and was looking intently into the plot, as well. He had adjusted to Falau’un ‘displays’ and VisuaPorts quite well. Though he was not smiling. After several manoeuvres, this was about the last one of normal inter-ship battle. The Crobuzon were performing as a pirate force intent on attacking the group of Falau’un ships. Air-Mage Meth’shun, House Del’Shu was eager to win this time, after the Crobuzons had delivered a brutal smack-down the last time around.
“I told him time and again,” Frwen commented, “to not ignore this torpedo boats and fighters of yours. He still suffers from that, well, cultural blindness when it comes down to small craft. I hope he learned his lesson.”
“I think he did,” Witherspoon answered drily.
This time, he didn’t let the Crobuzon into their energy range as the last time. The Crobuzons were fast ships, maybe even faster than many Falau’un ships of comparable size and class; but they made it up with slightly thicker defences and armour. Sending ahead the destroyers and few fighters they had, they kept the screen a bit busy. The losses were high, but while the Crobuzon might have considered other options, for the Falau’un it were just acceptable losses. The larger Falau’un ships kept distance, and pelted the Crobuzon with their preferred long-range weaponry.
“I think your Air-Mage takes this,” Witherspoon commented. “But the price is high, to say the least.
“Oh well,” Frwen snorted, “victory is victory. Even if we have to limp home. Granted, I rather have total destruction, but we have to make do with it.” He turned towards the communication station. “Send the fleets my compliment. Debriefing in one hour.”
Turning back to the Commodore, he said, “I think we are about ready. We seem to work well together. After the debriefing, we should begin with the operation as soon as possible.”

[Lancer]

The return of the Eversor, Conservator, and Tutelator to Clarush from Custodial space was uneventful. The task force had detected and approached several inhabited worlds, only to be gently turned away by automated messages at each.

The region to the east of Avalon and its colonies was more active. Several vessels were scouting out the space beyond Nox and Turris, identifying locations suitable for the next wave of Avalonian expansion. Such places of interest were surveyed, then a monitoring satellite was positioned to watch over the world until proper observation posts could be established and fitted with the appropriate sensor platforms. Once complete, they would provide invaluable telemetry across a region far greater than any individual ships sensors could hope to reliably cover.

[Adrian Laguna]

"Agreed." He answered without hesitation. "Cooperation is to everyone's benefit."

"Glad to hear that! We could start by you reciprocating with what you know about them. Less than we do, I expect, but you might have something useful nevertheless."

The representative gave a nod, and his assistant placed the briefcase on the table. It landed with a surprisingly heavy thud. The assistant let go of the handle, but let his hand linger for a few seconds near it, then he removed his hand. "It's safe to touch now," the assistant said.

The Mekidar grabbed hold of the case, and layed it horizontally on the table. He seemed to be about to hold his hands over it when he suddenly stopped as if remembering something. "Not full security for this one," he mutters as he opens the case. The guilders can see that much of he case is armour with complicated locking mechanisms all over it. They can't see the extent of the armour or the size of the interior cavity.

The representative took out a data-slate and handed it over. It was somewhat shorter than an flat human hand, about as wide, and a wee bit thicker. It seems to be a heavily protected version of the sheet that the Mekidar presented during the meeting in Loch.

"The security is a bit exessive for this, but it minimizes errors to keep a certain minimum at all times," the assistant commented offhand.

The slate, if the guilders were to take a look inside, is actually a bit empty, since the more advanced safeties were not installed. There is extensive information contained in its files. Historical archives on the Arisians, labled 'Potentially of little or no relevance'; a report of what Boulder detected when it buzzed the Iron Fleet, but no raw data from which the abilities of Mekidar sensors could be reconstructed or even guessed at; details of what was observed in the Lesser Library and Talon; some message transcrips; and a few of the analyses done by the military and civilian government.

"All we know is in there," the representative says.



Diem-Mekidar Trading Post
The transmissions between the Crobuzonian ship and the Hull 16 had been over open comms, so the Mekidar heard all of it. The Diem also helpfully forwarded a transcript.

The post transmitted over the same open channel.

<<This is the person in charge of the Mekidar part of the trade station. Couldn't help listening in. This station is open for business, we don't have any merchants here at the moment, just some of the folks that run it. You can feel free to dock any non-military ships you have, or unarmed military shuttles.>>

The voice was female, and sounded very jovial and good humoured, almost as if she were joking.

<<I hope you heard that the confrontation over at the Silver Flame... Kreshay it seems that you call it, did not end with us annahilating your forces, so we are not a war. That is why the ships docked in the military base, which you must surely have noticed, are not pointing their guns at you right now. We'd like to keep it that way, so please keep you distance.>>

It was impossible to tell if the implication that armed conflict would have resulted in a crushing Mekidar victory was a joke or completely serious.

<<We sent a delegation to your government, they should have arrived by now. You might want to know that a sizable fleet will be arriving to occupy the base fairly soon. We'll inform you if there is reason to panic, like if the arriving fleet is not ours.>>

Everything after the next three words was cold and business-like, she sounded like an entirely different person.

<<That reminds me: In my capacity as Trademaster of this station, I wish to inform Hull 16 that the 8th Fleet, which the Diem were told will be based here, shall arrive in exactly 28 minutes.>>

[Spyder]

Feelings, experiences, memories, he remembered how he felt when he first brushed his hand across the ethereal air, his fingertips pulsing with energy that travelled back up his arm and through his central nervous system.

"You can feel it," The old one spoke, "I told you, you would." He watched as the young man extended his senses beyond his world for the first time.
"It's," the young one took a moment to find the right word, "incredible! They said this is impossible."
"This is, of course, only the beginning young Khaled."

The lesson was taking place inside an old dark building, part of a chemical factory on the outskirts of a small town in a relatively unimportant part of space within the guild's sphere of influence. There was a vague smell of sulphur and other burnt chemicals in the air.

"From now we will focus your talents into more useful manifestations. You must continue to hide your progress as no one can ever know what we're doing here. Not even your parents." The old one grimaced.
"My father," Khaled looked a little dissapointed, "he hit me again yesterday."
"I know. You should reflect on how that makes you feel."
"I feel," The young Khaled furled and bared his teeth in a juvanile showing of anger, "like I could..."

A bolt of energy arked over Khaled's body before he could finish. He doubled over in pain, then it was over. Hastilly disguised bruises from an earlier encounter came to the surface.

"You attempted to strike out." The old man spoke, instantly knowing what had happened. "Good. Next time, focus on something other then the gifts from your father."

Present Day

The floor was covered in shards of metallic debris amidst large pools of turquoise liquid. An older and more experienced Khaled, in pain and disoriantated from recent events clamored to his feet, his body drenched in the same solution, he was trembling from the cold. There was a large broken cyllinder behind him, freely hanging were various tubes for air supply and feeding. The memories started to come back, this was his prison.

He could hear running in the other direction, away from him. The beep of the security door,
"Help! He's loose!" A man screamed before presenting a weapon as Khaled riushed him. Khaled touched the man's neck, breaking it with a thought and seizing the weapon.

No one answered the call, there was an alarm sounding but it seemed to be in relation to someone else. Khaled wasn't in any condition to think this through rationally, his strength was depleted and his senses dulled by whatever concoction these people had put in his bloodstream.

For a moment, the ground seemed to shake from under him, he could hear gunfire in the distance. One thing became clear, he couldn't stay.

Later...

Priority Enforcement Alert
Escaped Fugitive: Khaled Yashiim
Apprehend and detain
Code 6 Civil Violation

-Concord Civil Protection Division