STGOD2 Main Story thread

[phongn]

Myrthallis, Aquarian Union

"Myrhallis Control this is IMV Tiger's Claw on final approach via Instrument Planetfall Approach. Sensors show green and we have clearence from outsystem traffic control."

"IMV Tiger's Claw this is Control, we read you. IPA handover shows green. VFR is in effect for your stated landing pad. Welcome to Myrhallis."

Life for the Myrthell who remained on their planet after Aquarian conquest some ten years ago could be described as decent. Certainly, the Aquarians had forcibly "re-educated" them in an attempt to wipe out their xenophonic tendancies. But ten years was not quite enough time in this galaxy, not when lifespans of many races measured a hundred years at minimum. Most of the Myrthell remembered the glory days of Empire and even their children - children educated by state Union schools - were told at night about their heritige.

They were still a proud people, even if they weren't so xenophobic anymore. Their society had also subtly been changed to accept some obedience. Subtle, but it was a chink in the armor the Union had to keep control of them. Useful idiots, as the ancient phrase went, for the Atlantean Resistance. A new cell could be started here - masked, of course, and under the outward appearence of being a radical nationalist group.

These movements couldn't do much, but they could tie down the Union's now-strained forces trying to retake their own nation. All the more weaker for the inevitable rule of the Dark Kingdom once it returned.

As the Myrthell representative sat across the table, the Drow representative from the Tiger's Claw inwardly smiled. This would be far too easy...

[Dahak]

-: Commonwealth News Network :-
...
"Alliance Leaders To Meet"
"President Von Braun called today for the first physical meeting of the leaders of the Alliance.
"We have worked together through back channels and agents for too long. Now is the time for the leadership of the alliance to meet face-to-face, and plan the future of the Azegart Empire. This shared experience with wartime has risen some important questions that must be answered. I propose a meeting of the leaders of the Allied powers a week from today on the Commonwealth world of Maralsartel in the former Aquarian Union."

This meeting is expected to tie up some major questions following the completion of the Azegart campaign.

-: ENTRANSMISSION :-

To: Three Suns Commonwealth
From: Stuart Corporation, Office of Hereditary CEO Gladstone
Subject: Meeting

We will attend such a meeting. But due to the security issues of a traveling half a galxy away, Hereditary CEO Gladstone will only attend in holographic form, transmitted from a Stuartian vessel in orbit around your world.

Yours Sincerely,

Chang Yeung,
Chief Assistant

[Thirdfain]

FROM: President Von Braun (LOCATION UNDISCLOSED)
TO: CEO Gladstone
SUBJ: Meeting

-::-

We are pleased you have accepted our invitation. Showing up by telepresence is, of course, the wise thing to do. Feel free to bring as large a force is necessary to ensure the security you want.

-: ENDTRANSMISSION :-

[Alyrium Denryle]

Unified News Network.

The newly reassembld Aquarian Union Senate today, approved funding for new shipyards, and the rebuilding of the Aquarian Union fleet by an astonishing 99% margin. We interviewed several senators and here is what they said

"These new ships are needed to solidify the defense of our systems, and to ensure that the horrible nightmare of occupation, never happens again"~Senator Re'le


Senator Kucinich(couldnt resist) on the other hand, disagrees

"The use of weapons is an unacceptable method for conflict resolution, and I had hoped my fellow senators would have seen that"

More on this story as it develops, from UNN your source for fair and balanced Aquarian news.

[Alyrium Denryle]

"Alliance Leaders To Meet"
"President Von Braun called today for the first physical meeting of the leaders of the Alliance.
"We have worked together through back channels and agents for too long. Now is the time for the leadership of the alliance to meet face-to-face, and plan the future of the Azegart Empire. This shared experience with wartime has risen some important questions that must be answered. I propose a meeting of the leaders of the Allied powers a week from today on the Commonwealth world of Maralsartel in the former Aquarian Union."

This meeting is expected to tie up some major questions following the completion of the Azegart campaign.

President Carcarocles will be attending via Holotransmission from the world of Aquarius.

Natrally, we wuld wish for our worlds in your control to be returned to our posssesion in due time, but there really is no rush. You have helped liberate the homeworld, and treat the people well. But we will bring ths up at the meeting.

[Alyrium Denryle]

We have discussed this mater with the Neoxenomorphs, and while i is sad that we must, all of us agree hat these new Type III Xenomorphs, if they trul do exist, are a continuing threat to galactic security, and must not be allowed to pose a hreat to the sentient people of the galaxy.

"It was the Aquarian Union's direct incompetence and malice that allowed this to occur. The matter is now out of the Union's control. Pray to whatever Gods you may believe in that the infestation may be controlled, because now it may well be impossible to eradicate. "

Director Dr Sir Janus McGwiree, CS, MVU, KCAO, MD
Royal Institute of Disease Control

Our medical data shows that before our deployment of Neoxenomorphs, there were approximatly 14 reported incedents of xenomorph infestation per day. This is due to a number of factors, chiefly the xenomorphs hive like nature.

However, since our attack, the average number of daily incedentts of infestation is the same, at 14.

In the last few years, the number of attacks has gone up that is for certain, but it has only been a few weeks since we introduced Neoxenomorphs into the Valeth system, and we pulled every last one out.

Any "Rouges" that did leave that world, could not have been used as genetic stock, not only because the chances that they came in contact with a queen over the course of the last few weeks, is almost nil, but because we have genetic safeguards in place against that happening.
We are not incompetent, we fully recognized the dangers inherent in them interbreeding. As such, if you check Section 8 paragraph 17 clause 47 of our report on Neoxenomorphs, you will notice a difference in the chromosome counts to Xenomorphs and Neoxenomorphs. The two are incapable of interbreeding, due to genetic differences. The changes we made were not in existing genes, but rather, we had to insert whole new chromosomes to fit the information.

Now, it is possible that these "type III" xenomorphs came into being naturally, as a result of the rapid evolution inherent in any species with such a fast life cycle, and we are just as concerned about them as you.

Our statistics indicate that infestations involving xenomorphs that fit this description appeared roughly 20 years ago. THis would preclude s from havng any involvment in their development.

Frankly, if you want to talk about malice, I would direct you to the Azgert's unprovoked attack on our home system,s and the subjugation of our people. THAT is malice.

Dr. Heronis Director of Xenomorph Affairs, Aquarius.

[Rye]

The Aegis fleets that were in Azegart space regroup, cloak and return to Aegis space to be repaired and the like.

[Pablo Sanchez]

The changes we made were not in existing genes, but rather, we had to insert whole new chromosomes to fit the information.

Our statistics indicate that infestations involving xenomorphs that fit this description appeared roughly 20 years ago. THis would preclude s from havng any involvment in their development.

For release to the Commonwealth New Network

I remind the obnoxiously ignorant Fishmeat gene-butchers of the conclusions presented by the York-Haruhara research at the Royal Surgical University of Enigma. The major result of their research was the discover of the xenomorph's unusual genetic tendencies; primarily their extremely rapid mutation (often in as little as a single generation!), and the unusual assimilation of genetic information either from prey consumed by the queen or from hosts which produced queens.

The conclusion reached by the York-Haruhara team was that the xenomorphs are, in fact, an artificially created species which was designed specifically to be resilient and rapidly changing, probably as a bioweapon which could change with extreme rapidity to frustrate attempts to combat it (or as Kzin scientists proposed in a correspondence with York and Haruhara, to continually represent a highly challenging recreational prey-animal).

Briefly, the xenomorphs are capable of incorporating the genetic information of their victims into their own chromosomes within the first generation--or even into the current generation by the same process of chrysalis which turns ordinary drones into praetorians or other specialized castes.

The alleged previous appearances of Type III xenomorphs are very poorly documented and conform best to an urban legend or smugglers' myth, and the Atlanteans use of these thin reeds to beat back criticism only reveals the weakness and irresponsibility of their actions.

Krirg-Scientist
Director of Poison-War Research, Five Fangs

[SirNitram]

Andrews flicked off the pirated band. More babble from scientists with political agendas. Type III Xenomorphs indeed. Yet it was true, the number of infestations were growing...

"And we know why, don't we, my pretty." Andrews murmured to the creature within a shield. It was an Alien Queen, a full fledged Xenomorph, with all of the Aquarian alterations. One of the new, sentient.. And supposedly docile Xenos. The way the creature struggled against the Fields holding it in belied the frenzy within. "Yes, yes." Andrew replied to unspoken words. "Your brood are doing well, aren't they? Your ungrateful masters suffer loss of face. Don't worry. We have more for your Facehuggers to infest."

Livestock. No one else would think of such; they obsessed over how Xenos injected into humans. But the bigger the host of the initial shape, the stronger the resulting Soldier. Loads of captured livestock were used to breed more of the Xenomorphs, the Black Alliance's small Psi-Elite group controlling them in the place of the trapped Queen.

A Queen who could still feel her children being sent to slaughter. A telepathic screech was directed at Andrews, who smiled. "Don't worry. Your fish friends will get to see their own handiwork up close soon. Very soon. Don't worry, though; they'll never find you."

[Alyrium Denryle]

We would remind our firnds in the galactic community that the odds of one of our neoxenomorphs coming into contct with a xenomorph queen, and then being consumed(research has shown that they cannot use each other as hosts) are several hundred million to one. And the odds of the specific genes for intelligence being assimilated is sevaral billion to one on top of that.

To be perfectly honest wth you, even if such had happened, it would be akin to blaiming the government of a human state, if a xenomorph queen were to to gain massive intelligence from its mother using a human as a host. It simply doesnt fly.

The fact of the matter is, we are being unfairly scapegoated for the standard and "normal" rate of xenomorph infestation.

[Alyrium Denryle]

For Immediate Release

All Star nations beware. A vessell carrying a neoxenomorph queen to the Union Homeworld of Aquarius, has been waylaid and captured by unknown pirate forces.

This is a dastardly deed, and we will be doing our best to locate and rescue our captured queen. Not only is this dastarly, but also highly dangerous. If they could somehow force her to breed, and exert control over the sentient offspring somehow... BY the great mother void we do not wish to even think of the harm that could be brought against all civilization

((OOC: Nitram, the young are sentient, and only have genetic memories, and the queens requests to guide their actions. You will need to do something better than using a mimic of the queens telepathic control, when such control does not exist... She has a mother/CO relationship with them, they arent really puppets... Just thought I would let you know))

[SirNitram]

For Immediate Release

All Star nations beware. A vessell carrying a neoxenomorph queen to the Union Homeworld of Aquarius, has been waylaid and captured by unknown pirate forces.

This is a dastardly deed, and we will be doing our best to locate and rescue our captured queen. Not only is this dastarly, but also highly dangerous. If they could somehow force her to breed, and exert control over the sentient offspring somehow... BY the great mother void we do not wish to even think of the harm that could be brought against all civilization

The Black Alliance formally requests all data recoverable on this vessel, it's location, and anything that may lead to the capture and execution of it's attackers. If they are within our borders, you can rest assured they will meet a death most painful.

((OOC: Nitram, the young are sentient, and only have genetic memories, and the queens requests to guide their actions. You will need to do something better than using a mimic of the queens telepathic control, when such control does not exist... She has a mother/CO relationship with them, they arent really puppets... Just thought I would let you know))

OOC: My Psi-Elite will be controlling these Xenos directly, as they would a human or animal.

[Beowulf]

From: PRC Dept. of State
PRC is willing to offer asylum to any remaining Azegart nationals.

---
Desjardins

"Hi, I represent Akodo Heavy Industries. We're looking to rent a warehouse somewhere near the capital, to act as a transshipping point for our products."

"Sure. We have this very nice 20000 sq ft 3 story warehouse about 22 miles from the center of the capital, as well as another 15000 sq ft place about 15 miles away, for rent at the moment."

"I'd like to look at them."

"Sure, If you'll follow me, we can ride in my aircar to the two different locations."

--

"And how much did you say this was going to cost a month?"

"About 20,000 creds a month."

"Perfect. This place is great."

"If you'd like to go back to my office, we can sign the paper work there."

The "businessman" was glad this was almost over. Why the Daidoji Free Mercenary Fleet was doing this, he had no clue, but it would keep the fleet in parts, and money, for the next couple months.

[Pablo Sanchez]

We would remind our firnds in the galactic community that the odds of one of our neoxenomorphs coming into contct with a xenomorph queen, and then being consumed(research has shown that they cannot use each other as hosts) are several hundred million to one.

One wonders how the Aquarians are able to calculate probability when only two variables (the number of type II xenomorphs and the length of their deployment) of a highly multifaceted equation can even be estimated. Perhaps they have consulted youma fortune tellers, or are using astrology?

And the odds of the specific genes for intelligence being assimilated is sevaral billion to one on top of that.

By all indications the process of assimilation is selective and directed by genes encoded during the creation of the xenomorphs, rather than simply being random (even a casual reading of the York-Haruhara report can turn out this fact). The ill-considered "uplifting" procedure obviously had a role in greatly simplifying the incorporation of intelligent genes into the general xenomorph population.

This discussion has revealed an egregious lack of research and preparation on the part of the Fishmeat gene-butchers. Under such conditions a disaster of this sort was probably inevitable.

Krirg Scientist
Director of Poison-War Research, Five Fangs

[Alyrium Denryle]

The Black Alliance formally requests all data recoverable on this vessel, it's location, and anything that may lead to the capture and execution of it's attackers. If they are within our borders, you can rest assured they will meet a death most painful.

Such shall be give to you.*Broacast to all nations*

The vessell was an old Corellian Gunship the Alistar, converted to armed cargo and personall transport. She was attacked en route from the Aquarius Oort Cloud, to Aquarius proper, when she was caught in an interdictor field, and captured before our ships could reach her. The only information we have, is that the ship was BIG... bigger than most pirate gunships. She lost comms before we could get anything more than that, and the crew's memories were wiped by someone over P12 status.

We cannot axpress how dangerous this could be. Our telepaths have tried to locate her, but they are being blocked by a much more powerful telepathic force... A force capable, by our estimates, of controling a sentient life form like a puppet.

It wil take us weeks, maybe even months before we can genetically modify our existing P10s to a level that they can use that sort of power, and even longer to train them to manipulate it... This is very bad

[Alyrium Denryle]

One wonders how the Aquarians are able to calculate probability when only two variables (the number of type II xenomorphs and the length of their deployment) of a highly multifaceted equation can even be estimated. Perhaps they have consulted youma fortune tellers, or are using astrology?

We have used not only thos two varibles, but also the statistical probability of those vessels being infested by standard xenomophs.

Considering the number of ships in the gallaxy, and the mumber of daily attacks multiplied by the length of deployment.

By all indications the process of assimilation is selective and directed by genes encoded during the creation of the xenomorphs, rather than simply being random (even a casual reading of the York-Haruhara report can turn out this fact). The ill-considered "uplifting" procedure obviously had a role in greatly simplifying the incorporation of intelligent genes into the general xenomorph population.

Our studies have shown that genetic mutations, are not selective, until the creature possesing the mutations breeds, in which case, natural selection takes over. We have done numerous experiments on wild xenomorphs and have seen a variety of non-benificial mutations to occur when introduced to a new food source. Everything from taking the lteral line of a fish, to switching over to chemosynthesis in an environment not suited for the method of feeding. The results of the York-Haruhara report on that mater were inconclusive at best, and contradicted by our own findings.

[phongn]

"It is most unfortunate the Aquarian scientists and statiticians are unable to keep their heads out of their asses! Despite the Aquarian protestations, the genetic crossover ability of Xenomorphs has been well demonstrated (York, Haruhara, et al. 6312). It is furthmore unfortunate that the Aquarians continue to insist that Type I Xenomorph Queens cannot use their own species as hosts!

Krirg and Venrirr decidedly proved as far back as 6294 that such crossover could and did happen in nature! Furthermore, the chances of insertion of the genese governing intelligence was much higher than the Aquarians postulated. The genes and their resulting amino acids are certainly within 99.3% similarity; the neccessary changes are relatively trivial. Finally, scout teams are still picking up all sorts of dead nests from non-successful attempts at crossover! The odds are against them, yes, but the sheer number of attempts finally scored success!

As for the assertation that only 14 infestations occurred before and after the strike on the Azgert, this is a hash of statistical sophistry. Pre-infection numbers were 14 total infestations - and many of those were unable to reproduce. Those numbers included destroyed infestations. The current numbers represent infestations that were found after they had spread. Actual total infestation numbers are far higher.

Perhaps if the Aquarian scientists would deign themselves to think below their haughty pride, they would understand what a mess they've caused."

Director Dr Sir Janus McGwiree, CS, MVU, KCAO, MD
Royal Institute of Disease Control

(Excerpted from a lecture to the Royal Surgical University of Enigma (RSUE))

[phongn]

A Queen who could still feel her children being sent to slaughter. A telepathic screech was directed at Andrews, who smiled. "Don't worry. Your fish friends will get to see their own handiwork up close soon. Very soon. Don't worry, though; they'll never find you."

"Bridge to Andrews. That Corellian transport is back, sir."

Andrews scowled. He was a bit busy and was not really in the mood to deal with mysterious negotiators. Certainly not ones like that man; subtle probes by his own telepaths the last time he cam around were blocked as if someone slammed a steel bulkhead in front of them. But business was business.

The man was, as usual, dressed impeccably in an expensive business suit. He had a single briefcase; hard and leather with gold trim. Quite understated and undoubtedly worth a small fortune. "My benefactors request that you send more arms to some selected groups in belligerant powers. We are willing to pay 110% for this as with the prior contract. Here is the list."

He slid over a small binder. Inside were hardcopies listed by importance and geopolitical areas. As Andrews skimmed it, the information had detailed listings on what each group wanted and what each group probably needed. This was first-rate information, and the man was giving him it for free? Who was this man? And how the Hell did he have that access to that much data?

"An interesting group. The Galactic Trans-Nationalist Socialist Worker's Party. The Worker's Revolutionary Front. The Cult of Halite, the Neo-Serenite Evanglical League. The Conservative Bushido and the Radical Bushido. And more? This is an interesting list."

[Alyrium Denryle]

The aquarians are right in their figures. In the weeks before the Valeth insertion, I have checked the statistics myself, and it is 14 on average, xenomorph infestations per day, for the last year throuought the galaxy proper. Now, we dont hear about the majority of these infestations, as they are quickly eradicated. As a source, I refernce the easily aqired and hihly accuate Almanac(sp) Galactica for this year. The number of daily attacks, yes, has increased over the last several years. And this very well may be the result of a so-called "type III" Xenomorph, but it does not support necessarily that they came in to being as a result of the introduction of the Neoxenomorphs.

The probability they gave of a rouge Neoxeno coming into contact with an alien queen is also accurate. The chances that anyone ship containing one of the 200 documented rouges is several hndred thousand to one against. The chances of any one of those ships also coming into contact with another xenomorph, is several million to one against. And the probability of that xenomorph being a queen is, well, again rather small.

It is possible, but statistically improbable.

Now the Aquarians may have missed the few isolated incedents of xenomorphs being used as hosts, but those incedents are somewhat rare, and only occur when the hive is in danger of dying out. MY reference for this is the Krirg and Venrirr study itself.

(Exerpt from a lecture at the Xenomorph Syposium)

[phongn]

All Star nations beware. A vessell carrying a neoxenomorph queen to the Union Homeworld of Aquarius, has been waylaid and captured by unknown pirate forces.

"Aquarian Naval forces: Are you telling us that you seriously transported something so dangerous as a Xenomorph Queen, however loyal, on a mere Corellian Gunship? If so, your Navy must have been begging for that ... thing to be captured."

SCPT George E. Halsey
Royal Space Guard

[Alyrium Denryle]

All Star nations beware. A vessell carrying a neoxenomorph queen to the Union Homeworld of Aquarius, has been waylaid and captured by unknown pirate forces.

"Aquarian Naval forces: Are you telling us that you seriously transported something so dangerous as a Xenomorph Queen, however loyal, on a mere Corellian Gunship? If so, your Navy must have been begging for that ... thing to be captured."

SCPT George E. Halsey
Royal Space Guard

It was in hypersace in our own territory, in transit for what would have been, at our FTL speeds, an in-system flight of less than a second. We had no reason to suspect she would be pulled out by a ship capable of carrying a gravity well generator.

[Alyrium Denryle]

Rechecking relevant data, we will conceed that it is possible, however unlikely, that a crossover between the two distinct xenomorph species is POSSIBLE, due to the propensity for the xenomorphs to mutate.

[phongn]

It was in hypersace in our own territory, in transit for what would have been, at our FTL speeds, an in-system flight of less than a second. We had no reason to suspect she would be pulled out by a ship capable of carrying a gravity well generator.

"And your insystem sensors were unable to pick up a gravity well large enough to throw a gunship out of hyperspace? Thanks for the information, you're going to make our blockade and neutrality patrols really easy.

SCPT George E. Halsey
Royal Space Guard"

Halsey knew he shouldn't be taunting the Aquarians ... but it was so damnably hard to resist! But the information they had inadvertedly sent out was quite interesting. It was little wonder the Azgert were able to subjugate them so quickly and easily. Most of the nations he went to had in-system scanners running full-time to prevent something like that from happening - and certainly, if they were transporting something so dangerous they wouldn't use a mere Corellian Gunship! That design was literally centuries old and by their accounts had hardly been updated!

Idiots, he thought.

[phongn]

Rechecking relevant data, we will conceed that it is possible, however unlikely, that a crossover between the two distinct xenomorph species is POSSIBLE, due to the propensity for the xenomorphs to mutate.

"This is the internal sensor recording off of the AMS Narwhal. Needless to say, it was a merchant freighter flying the flag of the Aquarian Union. They somehow had been hit with a Type I infestation in their foodstock holds; they later picked up a rogue Type II when they visited the victim planet of your biowarfare strike.

"We here quite clearly see the Queen Xenomorph using the Type II as breeding stock. Over the next week the Queen managed to capture the ship, though not before a crewer forced her out of hyperspace and broadcasted warnings to stay away. A Kzinti poison-warfare ship investigated and sent drones onboard. They found numerous eggs that had failed, but some that had not. Most importantly, the drones retreived nucleic acid from them.

"That evidence proves without a doubt that such crossover is possible and that it in fact happened. Your continued denials over the subject show what little the Aquarians apparently know about Xenomorph biology despite your nation's claim of genetic excellence. At this rate, the Kingdom will be forced to revoke recognition of accreditation for your universities in the biological fields. The information from the sensors and genetics are attached. In addition, extra genetic mapping has been attached from known-pure Type I and Type II Xenomorphs for comparison. "

[Alyrium Denryle]

You are joking right? Yes, we have in-system sensor webs, granted, they were not functioning very well considering the damage they took in that little war a few days ago. And there is that problem of reaction time inherent in hmanoid organisms... BY the time the disturbance ws seen, and a warning transmitted, it was already to late. The attack was timed perfectly.

A ships design, may be old, but functional.. It was armed, more heavily than the original design... With heavy turbolasers, and anti-fighter missiles... As well as heavy particle beam cannons. It was heavily armed, and modified, but it cant really fight back when the crew is telepathical put to sleep with their memories erased.