STGOD: DAS: Coalition of Nations

[Crossroads Inc.]

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Earth High Orbit.
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All night long the main computers of the five UISC Corvettes had been downloading information to each other at alarming speed, much to the consternation of their captains. The unknown “Hacker” attack had mystified the technicians abored as they still had not found its source, nor what was happening.

All of the stopped immediately when sensors registered Fire exchange between Earth forces and a Kiroter'nah ship.

“What the blue hells was that about?” Shouted the Captain of the Aknot as he opened comms to the other four ships in his group.

“Unknown sir, but, it DOES seem like shots were fired… No, multiple shots fired! Confirm! Sensors indicate the Kiroter'nah ship Elucidate was about to be tractored for unknown reasons… I’m afraid that’s all I can make out from the logs thus far.”

“Tractor them? Did they even think how the Kiroter'nah would respond to such a proposal? Of course they would attempt to run! This is just what I need, we show up for a diplomatic meeting and war breaks out. This is why meetings should not be rushed. We have so many different races in one spot, there is bound to be trouble.. Blasted Humans.” He swore as he barked orders to the other ships.

“Contact the delegates, send an encoded message to our droid down there and have him let our people know what’s going on up here.” The captain paused as the technician looked up.

“Sir, and just what IS going on?” he asked… The lanky Tejlini captain swished his tail for a moment before gritting his teeth.

“We’ve just singed a defense treaty, haven’t we? I say we pay these forces a visit… Fire up all engines! We will Not allow any hostile acts to take place.” He shouted before quickly adding.

“And that goes for BOTH sides.”

[Dark Hellion]

A single small FTL courier ship exited hyperspace just outside the Solar System. A unencrypted message blinked from its FTL com array towards Polish communications. The ship hung in orbit waiting for response.

We have arrived. We see that many events have transpired, although We admit We do not understand the significance of most. We wish to meet, and discuss The Future with the other races. We dislike this confusion. If the Poles wish it We can send a fleet, suppress chaos, create order, allow Ourselves to meet with the assembled races. We will negotiate and discuss. Allow Us entry, We will await reply. We can wait 'til the stars burn out. We await.

[Hawkwings]

The ship's computer recognized the weapons discharge and absorption from the diplomatic shuttle before any of the humans on board realized anything had happened. Warning lights flashed on again, informing the bridge crew that they had been fired upon, but the attack had been stopped.

Captain Stratton took in the information in an instant, and ordered "Shields to full, pull us away, and fire up the grav arrays to max power. Open a channel to them."

The orders were swiftly carried out. As the comm channel opened, Stratton said "League of Thought ship, why have you fired on us? Be aware that any further aggressive actions will force us to take you into custody."

Stratton closed the channel, then pondered the puzzle of the strange diplomats on the strange ship. Moving without engine power and the four voices being the most puzzling things. He was getting irritated, all the other escort runs had been fine and peaceful, but this one was getting on his nerves, and the situation around Earth was not helping at all.

---

Outside in space, the other destroyers also pulled away from the transport as the cruisers took up prime firing positions behind the transport, and the Grav-battleship moved in closer.

[White Haven]

Exhasperation fairly oozes in the voice that replies, and the second. The third sounds sullenly contrite, and the ones following it represent a mixture of annoyance and amusement. "Oh, stop complaining, nothing even reached you. Someone got irritated at being half-ignored, that's all."

The ship ignores the movement around it overtly, continuing inwards towards Earth. Even as the conversation continues in the technological bands, a mental 'shout' with all the subtlety of an EMP bomb reciprocates along the tentative contact from the surface, /Terribly sorry for that noisy probe, hope we didn't bruise anyone's minds. Who would this be, now?\

[SirNitram]

The Gestalt's reply was equally curious. Your minds... So small, yet so similar... We are Wanderers, lost to this world once, bred and used as tools by the Humans... Your minds echo our own, yet so... Small.

The Polish were unlikely to be pleased about the conversation their prisoners were having, but there was little to stop it.

[Academia Nut]

Seriously agitated by the day's events, when it is Ambassador Felsith's turn to speak he comes forward and says his mind.

"Gentlebeings, recent events have seriously shaken the foundation of my confidence, and moreso the confidence of my people. When my report returns to my Federation, know that there will be a firestorm of controversy that could take weeks to settle down. Politicians that gave their support for this coalition will withdraw it and the certainty I had going here has vanished. Thus, until my people have once again reached consensus I am afraid that I cannot ratify the coalition, for fear of committing my people to a course of action they will no longer support. While I feel the earnesty of the Poles for this coalition and the ideals it represents, it will take time to convince my people that you are as competent as I know you truly are. I am deeply sorry for this."

Returning to his place, Felsith represses the urge to groan. What had started of as an dream come true had somehow dissolved into a nightmare. The Patriarch and Sensate factions would go nuts over this incident and possibly start pushing for wars against other groups 'for their own good' again.

Turning to his apprentice, Felsith asks, "Please ask the representative of the Logos Centrality where he would like to meet for dinner in light of these... security breaches."

We're going to need all the allies we can get if the coming storm doesn't break soon Felsith thinks darkly.

[HSRTG]

The NHSF Fires of Purgation

"Defense alert, defense alert. Prior-Commander to the bridge, repeat Prior-Commander to the Bridge"

The Prior-Commander had woken upon the first message, and the ensuing bell, but the second message cinched it. He hadn't been pious enough lately. Taking the time to strap on his sidearm, rank insignia, and to grab a bottle of water, he ran down the short stretch to the bridge.

"Captain, report"

"Sir, a Heavens Hegemony vessel has tractored a Kiro Flock vessel, ordering it to stand down for boarding and inspection"

"So? The Polish did the same to some pirates"

"Yes, sir, it's just that the Kiro ship is putting out some odd interference --" The sensor officer interrupted his superior, "Kiro ship has broken tractors and...shots fired from Heavens ship, multiple shots"

The Prior-Commander toggled his private screen, and watched the initial moves, "Bring the squadron to defense alert, and spread for imminent combat. If the Kiro ship comes our way, I don't want to play backdrop"

"Kiro ship deploying drones, sir. Wait, Heavens ship was just fired on from their own satellites. Ship disabled"

The Prior-Commander thought for a short moment. "Keep the squadron on defense alert for the next two hours, and order them to stay away from Heavens forces. Lonas only knows what those idiots will come up with next. I will be in my quarters reviewing comm/sensor logs, preparing a message for our delegation, summing up events"

In the Coalition Building, ten minutes later

President Wisniowiecki's message caused a kerfluffle in the Nianan delegation, and the Priest-Diplomat awaited a report from their own forces. "Message from you sir, from the squadron commander"

"Thank you Norakt"

Code: Select all

To: Priest-Diplomat Clicknikket
From: Prior-Commander Bornakt

Incident report as follows:

Prelim: Kiro ship had apparently not sent down part of delegation, upon reaching E-O teleported rest down. Heavens ship took exception.

Actions: Heavens ship ordered Kiro ship to not resist tractor and boarding. Tractored Kiro ship. Kiro ship began subtly jamming sensors, used unknown distortion creator to disrupt tractor beam. Promptly evasive, cloaked, launched decoy drones. Heavens ship opened fire, didn't use mains, repeat didn't use main guns. Heavens system defense satellites disabled Heavens ship, intercepted comms indicate Heavens ship CO dead

Thoughts: Probably overzealous captain. Could be covert operation which blew up in their faces. Unknown. Will monitor comm channels for clues. Good luck.

Lonas Bless,
Prior-Commander Bornakt

The ambassador sighed to himself. The conservative part of the Council would jump on this faster than a wild Noghri on a meal-rat. Then he chastised himself for the thought. Oh, the "Heavens" ambassador is getting up. Hmm, that's quite an apology. This should prove interesting. The reactions of the heretics would be useful for Internal's Psyche office. Clicknikket glanced at his assistants, who were taking copious notes upon the reactions of the assorted delegations. Orders, "watch & wait as possible, take minimal action, sign up if deal looks good". The possibility of telepathic races disturbed him, and he made a note to recommend specimens be taken by Covert Ops if possible. Methods to detect psions would be needed, and probably soon.

"Any word from that group escorted off the concourse?" he asked the pertinent assistant.

"Nope. Fleet has nothing either. The Poles are being very tight-lipped about it"

"Carry on. If anything comes up, I'd like to know"

[Hawkwings]

The response was hardly satisfying, and reinforced Stratton's negative opinion of the foreign diplomats. It also added another layer to the mystery surrounding them. He chose to not respond, they were almost at Earth anyways, and there were things that needed to be done.

As the ships approached the Katowica elevator, he opened a comm channel with the station control and said "Attention Katowica, this is the USS Yukon, escorting diplomats from the League of Thought, to attend the conference. Please send docking coordinates."

The controller, the same one Stratton had dealt with for the past three runs, quickly sent the information to both the League ship and the Yukon. Stratton opened a text-comm with the controller and wrote "Advise caution with these ones, they don't appear to be entirely serious, or sane."

Finally, the captain opened the comm to the League ship for hopefully the final time, and said "We have arrived at the Katowica Elevator, please proceed on the course the station controller has assigned to you. The Conference has already started, but your party has been cleared for entry. Enjoy your stay on Earth."

Cutting off the transmission, Captain Stratton signaled his ships to pull away, and thanked the reinforcements for their presence.

[Thirdfain]

"Gentlebeings, recent events have seriously shaken the foundation of my confidence, and moreso the confidence of my people. When my report returns to my Federation, know that there will be a firestorm of controversy that could take weeks to settle down. Politicians that gave their support for this coalition will withdraw it and the certainty I had going here has vanished. Thus, until my people have once again reached consensus I am afraid that I cannot ratify the coalition, for fear of committing my people to a course of action they will no longer support. While I feel the earnesty of the Poles for this coalition and the ideals it represents, it will take time to convince my people that you are as competent as I know you truly are. I am deeply sorry for this."

Wisniewieki slammed a fist into the table.

"This is exactly the problem. This is precisely why events have continued today in such a way. The simple fact is that right now, there IS no Coalition. The chaos taking place is the result of actions such as the one YOU are proposing- withdrawal, removal, and diplomatic silence. I have presented a solution to this problem; you want only to wander home, emptyhanded. The Hegemony's actions will go unpunished, a diplomatic incident will likely ensue, and the cycle of violence will begin again. For shame. By walking out of this chamber, you will solve nothing. How can such events be called the fault of a Coalition which hasn't even agreed on a founding document yet? Show some backbone."

[White Haven]

A door opens in the side of the transport. This would not be a notable event, except that the door isn't half of an airlock, it's simply a door. Padded armchairs can be seen through it, the interior of the transport more reminiscent of a living room than a spacecraft. The strange image is further compounded when the crew files out into Earth orbit clad only in loose-fitted outfits that vary from tunics and slacks to simple dresses. The last one out closes the door behind her, and the entire group begins to descend towards the planet below in a ragged order.

[Thirdfain]

Sant Tomas Spaceport
Earth

The diplomatic reception committee stared in frank disbelief as the figures descended towards the landing-pad looking for all the world like a small family out for a stroll- through kilometer after kilometer of reentry-hot atmosphere.

As the League of Thought representitives literally touched down, the honor guard snapped to attention and the diplomats walked forwards, extending polite greetings.

"This way to the conference hall, if you please."

[UCBooties]

Post deleted for implausibility. Sorry.

[Academia Nut]

Bristling at the accusation of moral cowardice, Felsith rears up slightly on instinct before settling down and saying, "And I support you. But because I have been charged with speaking for my people, I know what they will say. Many will agree with your sentiments, but many will also call you juveniles running around playing Settlers and Indigs with real guns. Push the hawks too hard and they could push back, resulting in the election of a leader not as open to the concept of peace as the current one. And unless you want me to go into a days long explaination of the internal politics of the Straltoc Federation, you will have to be content with the fact that I am honestly trying to get this Coalition off the ground but because of recent events it will be a damn sight harder selling this to my people than it was before."

And then, because he's pissed, Felsith adds in the jab, "And you will kindly note that I do not in fact have a backbone."

[Imperial Overlord]

Sol System
Terra
Polish Republic
Sant Tomas

"The Logos Centrality is forced to concur with Polish Republic on this matter," said Nathan Hale. "The agreement under discussion is that of a set of diplomatic protocols between nations and the creation of body for meetings and discussion. It is incidents like that which is occurring right now that it hopes to prevent. To withdraw now before we have even settled on the language of the document, let alone ratified it, merely increases the likelihood of similar incidents happening in the future."

Not to mention what it would do to trade, a not unimportant consideration for the Logos Centrality. Greater Hungary alone held the population of all of Mars. The wealth produced by trade had allowed the Centrality to come into existence and secure their own future. As sure as the Beyond wasn't he wasn't going to be the one to tell the First Councilor that he stood silent while this agreement that could have poured an almost endless stream of wealth and resources into the Centrality tanked.

[Thirdfain]

Bristling at the accusation of moral cowardice, Felsith rears up slightly on instinct before settling down and saying, "And I support you. But because I have been charged with speaking for my people, I know what they will say. Many will agree with your sentiments, but many will also call you juveniles running around playing Settlers and Indigs with real guns. Push the hawks too hard and they could push back, resulting in the election of a leader not as open to the concept of peace as the current one. And unless you want me to go into a days long explaination of the internal politics of the Straltoc Federation, you will have to be content with the fact that I am honestly trying to get this Coalition off the ground but because of recent events it will be a damn sight harder selling this to my people than it was before."

And then, because he's pissed, Felsith adds in the jab, "And you will kindly note that I do not in fact have a backbone."

"If you support us, Mr. Ambassador, then perhaps you should make an actual effort."

[Acidburns]

Sol System, 140 million miles sol-ward from Jupiter

Space rippled and distorted; a brilliant flash of light heralded the return of a ship to realspace. A cloud of gas dispersed around the ship, dragged with it on it's journey. The ship was stationary for the tiniest fraction of a second as it's pilot orientated verself. Then the ship began it's journey towards Earth.

+++Incoming Message+++
+++Received on all open frequencies+++
+++Message Begins+++

I am Adrastos, chosen representative of the Nephilim and Oraphim. I request permission to attend your congregation of entities. I have matters of import to present to present, that we believe will be to the benefit of all life, both organic and inorganic.

I shall approach within 20,000 of your miles and await further instructions.

+++Message Ends+++

[Academia Nut]

Sighing, Felsith seems to deflate and says, "I know all of that and I am making an effort, but despite all the talk of being higher beings some of the more fanatical elements of my people spout, we're just as full of bickering idiots as anyone. You will however note that I am not leaving, merely withdrawing my people's stamp for the moment. In a few hours I will have a response from my superiors as to how to procede. I am unhopeful at this point as there is a very real risk that if we join this coalition that the hotheads in my people will see this as our leader signing up with a bunch of incompetents. If we do not cool these firebrands down before signing up with the coalition then there is a real risk that within a year my people will withdraw to go off on some sort of suicidal crusade to bring 'enlightenment' to the galaxy. As I said, I support the Poles in their endeavour, but I am not my people, as much as I speak for them."

[Thirdfain]

Sighing, Felsith seems to deflate and says, "I know all of that and I am making an effort, but despite all the talk of being higher beings some of the more fanatical elements of my people spout, we're just as full of bickering idiots as anyone. You will however note that I am not leaving, merely withdrawing my people's stamp for the moment. In a few hours I will have a response from my superiors as to how to procede. I am unhopeful at this point as there is a very real risk that if we join this coalition that the hotheads in my people will see this as our leader signing up with a bunch of incompetents. If we do not cool these firebrands down before signing up with the coalition then there is a real risk that within a year my people will withdraw to go off on some sort of suicidal crusade to bring 'enlightenment' to the galaxy. As I said, I support the Poles in their endeavour, but I am not my people, as much as I speak for them."

"I can only wish you the best of luck with whatever internal dissonant elements you need to handle, but I can only reiterate that the Coalition of Nations would be a forum for discussion between the nations of Known Space, nothing more and nothing less."

[White Haven]

Most of the League party actually lands. Two younger men hang overhead for a short while, before an older woman turns, looks up at them, and then jerks them down onto the tarmac. Turning back towards the group of waiting humans, she opens her mouth, and then a much younger woman to her left begins to speak. "Hello th--." The older woman shoots a glare across at her counterpart, then furrows her brow in concentration. Those of a psychic bent would feel a number of interconnections between the group splintering away, and all of the members look somewhat dazed for a short while as a result. That done, the figure opens her mouth again and speaks for herself this time.

"Terribly sorry about that. I'm...aaah..." She stops speaking again for a short pause, then resumes with an uncomfortable expression, "I don't suppose you're telepathic, are you? No, probably baseline. Bother, introductions are so difficult this way. Anyway, yes, to the conference hall."

[Academia Nut]

"Yes, which is why I and my superiors will be doing our damnedest to convince the idiots amongst our nation that this is not some binding alliance but a forum for discussing trade and peace. Surely you know how motivated groups with an agenda and the resources to influence the media can twist innocent things into the end of civilization as we know it? I know that once news of this incident gets back, and the longer it takes the worse it will sound, there will be politicians in the opposition screaming their heads off and all the consensus that had to be built before we left for Earth will go up in a puff of smoke. Until the smoke clears, my hands are, unfortunately, tied. My mouths and ears are, however, not. Who knows? Perhaps my superiors will decide to forge on in any case."

[Redleader34]

On the Conference, the Co-operative Senators were unusually silent. There were many races, and they all seemed intent on blasting Each other. One of the Senators moved over towards one of the American representatives, and asked them "What is the United States of America's policy on Amnesty for Desertion from Armed forces, out of curiosity..."

Another Diplomat would push his way to the Overflock representatives and ask them "Would you like a ride, as a fellow NGTO member, we owe you that much to help you return back to your home."

In Deep Space, the Massive Dreadnought Fuzzy Leader would be refueling from the Jovian planet, when the Nephilim covey arrived. The Dreadnought would send over a message from the Co-Operative Representative Alus Mann, which would state "This is the Co-Operative Dreadnought Fuzzy Leader. We will escort you to the Polish Space Elevator. Please use the IFF code provided here

Code: Select all

IFF Diplomat Code Co-Operative tagged at 15:20 hours local planet time 9-2-2220229 Class Ship

Thank you for following these orders, and have a good day."

The Co-Operative would alert the Poles, as the two ships headed towards the earth, fighters forming up in an honor guard position around both ships.

The Massive Mothership would fly over Beijing, staying in the orbit for 5 minuets, and using obviously powerful scanners, and then it would fly above populated cities in China, Japan, the Indonesian Islands and Australia, stopping for several minuets at a time before going to its next destination.

[rhoenix]

Appearing with a nova of light at the edge of the Sol system, Archon Prasad's ship Silent Eye had returned - this time, with a heavy escort. His smaller and unassuming-looking small transport ship was surrounded in formation by four other ships: three Gungnir-class fast-attack cruisers - the Relentless, the Dauntless, the Cutlass, and an intimidating-looking Mjolnir-class battleship, the Immolator.

A wide-band unencrypted signal was sent from Archon Prasad's ship Silent Eye, sent directly to the Polish contingent on Earth.

President Wiśniowiecki and Polish Hegemony:

It was the wish of our people to attempt reaching an accord, but due to security concerns, I have returned with an escort I am satisfied would protect our interests. I hereby request that my ship, the Silent Eye, be allowed to return to spacedock in the hopes of reclaiming some sense of peace. We patiently await your reply.

Thank you for your attention,

Archon Prasad, Golden Sky Combine

Another message was sent to the Hegemony of Heavens, though considerably more terse.

To whom it may concern amongst the Hegemony of Heavens:

I and my escort will be crossing your space. If fired upon, we are fully capable of ending a war with you. It is our wish we proceed peacefully, that both our peoples may life free from fear or threat. However, if you do not share this wish, we are quite capable of enforcing our wish.

Archon Prasad, Golden Sky Combine

[Thirdfain]

President Wiśniowiecki and Polish Hegemony:

It was the wish of our people to attempt reaching an accord, but due to security concerns, I have returned with an escort I am satisfied would protect our interests. I hereby request that my ship, the Silent Eye, be allowed to return to spacedock in the hopes of reclaiming some sense of peace. We patiently await your reply.

Thank you for your attention,

Archon Prasad, Golden Sky Combine

"Silent Eye, welcome back. You are cleared for docking once more at Katowica. I should inform you that with the recent and unprecedented attack on the Kiro Flock diplomatic vessel, the Republic fleet has launched a space patrol; positions of fighter and bomber units follow, along with the co-ordinates of regions secured by Fleet escorts.

The President sends his personal regards, and asks if you would not be willing to send some diplomatic personelle to Poland itself as well as the diplomatic congress at Sant Tomas."

[Spyder]

"Silent Eye, welcome back. You are cleared for docking once more at Katowica. I should inform you that with the recent and unprecedented attack on the Kiro Flock diplomatic vessel, the Republic fleet has launched a space patrol; positions of fighter and bomber units follow, along with the co-ordinates of regions secured by Fleet escorts.

A small vessel of unknown origin is encountered by the patrol. It isn't intruding on any national boundaries and seems to be minding its own business.

[rhoenix]

"Silent Eye, welcome back. You are cleared for docking once more at Katowica. I should inform you that with the recent and unprecedented attack on the Kiro Flock diplomatic vessel, the Republic fleet has launched a space patrol; positions of fighter and bomber units follow, along with the co-ordinates of regions secured by Fleet escorts.

The President sends his personal regards, and asks if you would not be willing to send some diplomatic personelle to Poland itself as well as the diplomatic congress at Sant Tomas."

Archon Prasad allowed himself a small smile. At least this was going well. He sent a reply message without delay, he and his escort already en-route to Earth, under orders from the Archon to have their systems of war only a simple alert and a few seconds away from being fully active at all times.

We are pleased at the hospitality, and would like to express gratitude for it. I will dispatch two of my escort, the ships Relentless and Dauntless to assist in your patrol if you wish, the ships in question designed for first-detection and first-strike, should the need arise. I will arrive at the designated coordinates, after which the Immolator will break off escort of my envoy and return to our space.

In accordance with your request, my closest assistant will visit Poland to meet with you in person, in the hopes of reaching harmony with your people. I shall return to my place in the space station, awaiting and working toward stricter consideration for other peoples' ships by certain powers.

Thank you again, and we shall see you soon. Please let us know if our offer of assistance with your system patrol would be of use to you.

With blessings,

Archon Kergan Prasad