STGOD2k6 Diplomacy

[Dahak]

The Khar steepled his fingers in deep thought.

"I am not an apologist-philosopher, but this seems at odds with what I would consider reasonable. If you are dead, you are dead and the universe is over from your perspective. At best, your spirit recycles into a new being. At worst, it splits into several completely different ones. I have met very few people that are instinctively resistant to fear of mortality. Killing yourself for glory is a noble endeavor, but there is no glory in defeat or a hopeless defensive. What lunacy that would be! A blasted ash plain filled with corpses is no victory for a defender as much as it is no victory for a conquerer.

The Nemrybya once thought it was. They rebelled within my lifetime, and declared that they would rather be dead than serve us. We liquidated a Nemrybyan Ghetto at sunrise every planetary rotation, and they could not stomach the contest of ideologies. A dead race and a molten globe, monuments to eternity? What use has anyone of being dead? What use have we of a ball of molten glass? They are now a true monument to eternity, as they shall be a Nevari-Clan forever in an Empire that shall last until the End Times, and perhaps even transcend the Qedti, the Little Death Where All Becomes Nothing At The End Of The Universe.

So it is written, and thus it is true."

The Air-Mage turned towards the Khar and smiled at him for a while, obviously in thought.
"A victory is a victory is a victory. There is no second winner. If the victory is not total, it is no victory at all but a shale and sad compromise of a victory. If an opponent accepts this and his own fate, it is 'glorious' if you will. If fate should be harsh to the Falau'un, we shall look our death into the eye and gladly embrace it.
"Our home planet is littered with monuments of such. In the House Wars or any other conflict within, millions died, cities reduced to molten slag We know they died brave, proud, and to this day, serve as a monument to ourself. To always remain true to oneself, to always resist, fight back, and if need be, die for your beliefs and core concepts. Anything else would be to betray yourself - and that is worse than death."

[Dahak]

"Why shouldn't it be complete when you destroyed the civilisation and their planet? Surely that is enough. And they certainly will appreciate the totality of their defeat when the last entity dies. Why should one put up with species rising up again after defeat and try to attack you again? That would be wasteful. And our conceptions of eternity and the Universe as such seem to...diverge somewhat. The Universe will always exist and remember, even if this incarnation of it may wither away into Cold Death."

"A dead entity appreciates nothing. It is dead, destroyed. This is simple enough for any being to comprehend, why does it escape you? As for rising again.. You seem to have hearing problems." The Hekartes said simply, not repeating himself on the subject. "The universe does not remember. It lacks a brain; one would certainly notice such in something so large. The universe simply is there, as the trivial posts of those arrogant enough to beleive their death legendary erode away into nothing, until only sands remain of great cities, and no one knows the name or cares to find it."

"We remember it. And they appreciate it in the moment of their deaths, and when their inner core gets embraced by the Universe. The dead are always there and observe. Or aren't you able to communicate with people long gone?" He cocked his head. "How...strange." He chuckled before he went on. "Your limited concept of the Universe is very quaint indeed. You will not be able to explain a colour to a blind, yet you are able to see it yourself. Just because you seem to lack the proper understanding of the Universe does not mean we do not. We pity you for that..."

[Duckie]

"Your poetic words disguise the fact that you are saying that you would rather accept the slaughter of every woman, man, and child in your entire race than a defeat resulting in enslavement." Captain Uqlutik gave a small sigh. "However, I believe that I must just accept that the Falau'Un position on Nevarycham Nycyeleriz (?Slavery) as illogical but abandon the argument for lack of capacity to make progress. Agree to disagree, so to speak, as neither of us seems to be making much of a dent in eachother's 'righteous correctness'."

The Khar cocked his head slightly, just hearing the words as the Falau'Un diplomat fended off two opponents at once.

"Speak with the Dead? How is that even possible? When a Khar dies, their spirit is recycled into a new being. If that does not happen, they are split into pieces and each new being becomes one. The unrighteous are anihiliated utterly, as are all Nevar-Spirits. Speaking with the Dead would be quite boring, as we are all amnesiac ancestors."

[SirNitram]

"We remember it. And they appreciate it in the moment of their deaths, and when their inner core gets embraced by the Universe. The dead are always there and observe. Or aren't you able to communicate with people long gone?" He cocked his head. "How...strange." He chuckled before he went on. "Your limited concept of the Universe is very quaint indeed. You will not be able to explain a colour to a blind, yet you are able to see it yourself. Just because you seem to lack the proper understanding of the Universe does not mean we do not. We pity you for that..."

The robed figure drew back cloth enough to reveal burned skin, possibly from plasma, and spat in the eye of the chuckling, insulting man.

"Insult me again, and I will remove your entrails and wrap them around a fork." The Hekartes said with a cold finality. "You are an arrogant child, boasting and thumping your chest, and I see no reason to entertain such ridiculous notions. I do not need to hear insults from a spoiled brat who has never soulbounded, has never risked their life for their tribe."

The man shook his head. "You will not remember it when you are dead too. Your souls, when they merge with the universe, lose all singularity, they become one with the infinity. With each passing century, less is remembered. Of course, you will just act like a child and declare you know best, insulting others for daring not to agree and lap at your heels."

[Dahak]

"We remember it. And they appreciate it in the moment of their deaths, and when their inner core gets embraced by the Universe. The dead are always there and observe. Or aren't you able to communicate with people long gone?" He cocked his head. "How...strange." He chuckled before he went on. "Your limited concept of the Universe is very quaint indeed. You will not be able to explain a colour to a blind, yet you are able to see it yourself. Just because you seem to lack the proper understanding of the Universe does not mean we do not. We pity you for that..."

The robed figure drew back cloth enough to reveal burned skin, possibly from plasma, and spat in the eye of the chuckling, insulting man.

"Insult me again, and I will remove your entrails and wrap them around a fork." The Hekartes said with a cold finality. "You are an arrogant child, boasting and thumping your chest, and I see no reason to entertain such ridiculous notions. I do not need to hear insults from a spoiled brat who has never soulbounded, has never risked their life for their tribe."

The man shook his head. "You will not remember it when you are dead too. Your souls, when they merge with the universe, lose all singularity, they become one with the infinity. With each passing century, less is remembered. Of course, you will just act like a child and declare you know best, insulting others for daring not to agree and lap at your heels."

The Air-Mage simply flicked his wrist and cleaned his face instantly with his magic. "I did not want to insult you," and he truly meant it, "but I think our understandings of the way the Universe works clearly differ. You may have your proof, and we have ours. Both may be right, or none at all. We have fought bitter wars over this and I rather not have a new one, so we should let this topic rest I think."

[SirNitram]

"Speak with the Dead? How is that even possible? When a Khar dies, their spirit is recycled into a new being. If that does not happen, they are split into pieces and each new being becomes one. The unrighteous are anihiliated utterly, as are all Nevar-Spirits. Speaking with the Dead would be quite boring, as we are all amnesiac ancestors."

"One cannot truly destroy a soul." The Hekartes spoke after the Air-Mage backed down from their blatant insults. "Some recycle, due to clarity of purpose and desire to return. Some simply remain, seeking to console others. Still others divide, fuse, or go on journeys. One can speak with souls, but they rarely are the best conversationalists."

[Dahak]

"Your poetic words disguise the fact that you are saying that you would rather accept the slaughter of every woman, man, and child in your entire race than a defeat resulting in enslavement." Captain Uqlutik gave a small sigh. "However, I believe that I must just accept that the Falau'Un position on Nevarycham Nycyeleriz (?Slavery) as illogical but abandon the argument for lack of capacity to make progress. Agree to disagree, so to speak, as neither of us seems to be making much of a dent in eachother's 'righteous correctness'."

The Khar cocked his head slightly, just hearing the words as the Falau'Un diplomat fended off two opponents at once.

"Speak with the Dead? How is that even possible? When a Khar dies, their spirit is recycled into a new being. If that does not happen, they are split into pieces and each new being becomes one. The unrighteous are anihiliated utterly, as are all Nevar-Spirits. Speaking with the Dead would be quite boring, as we are all amnesiac ancestors."

"Well," he nodded, "we agree. Agreeing to disagree would be the wisest option." He notioned for his second-in-command to continue, while he talked with the other being. It grew stressful on his nerves...
"We do not often talk to those long gone," the Lesser Air-Mage said then. "But sometimes they offer insight and are restless and like to talk. Those are the worst, I tell you. As for the how... It's magic is, I suppose, the best way to put it for you. When dying, the core self gets integrated into the Universal Strata, and can interface with those still physically alive. It is said to be a nice place, but I'll see myself when my time comes."

[Pablo Sanchez]

"Beast," Erek addressed the AI, suddenly adopting a clean and concise accent, "for all that you claim remorse it is clear to anyone that the intent of your statement was to overawe us with the age and power of your people. That video, even if it were not a forgery, only shows a people mired in ignorance. Your solution was murder on a grand scale, even after they had killed your masters and rendered moot any reason you might have had to destroy them... except for revenge."

Erek's eyes darted down the table to the argument involving the Hekartes, and he now scowled distastefully at the AI. "Now, I believe I am done with you."

He turned toward the Hekartes.

[Nephtys]

Makina also was rather surprised by the casualness of such a claim. It was almost offensive. She looks to the hologram, watching with shock. "There are certainly alternatives between 'surrender' and 'annhiliated civilization'!" she proclaims loudly. "What were the circumstances around this? Were they truely a threat, or merely an inconvenience?"

As she spoke, she knew who else would be listening. How would her planet and it's people react to such a race of machines close to her borders?

[phongn]

Colonel Rachel Autumn and her small party ate quietly, soaking in the information. It sounded like petty squabbling over philosophy and politics, things she'd heard a thousand times when she watched the Legislature in session aboard Trantor 5. But this meeting was dangerous. While she doubted that anyone would actually be killed or injured, the information told here was perhaps given too freely. She would certainly try to divulge as little data about her home as possible.

[Glimmervoid]

The Quelectin Captain entered the Room quietly and took a seat and the end of the table; his two aids followed behind him and clambered in to chairs to either side. The chairs had clearly been designed for much bigger races, the Captain though, he at 3 feet was barely able to seat him self with any dignity.

He looked around at the assembled guests, and made a mental note to him self, it would be almost impossible for most of the dignitary’s here to stand erect any were but in grand hall on a Silver Flame vessel. Such a fact could cause diplomatic problems in the future.

Not wanting to draw attention to him self yet, he sat and listened, maybe some thing useful would be important tonight.

[Beowulf]

Erek's eyes darted down the table to the argument involving the Hekartes, and he now scowled distastefully at the AI. "Now, I believe I am done with you."

He turned toward the Hekartes.

"We seek forgiveness, though you are not the one to grant it," Tizona whispered. She turned away.

[Spyder]

"Great party boss." One of the Ganymede staff whispered to Jonas.

"Okay then," Jonas took a swig from his cup, this was going to be a long millenium, "it's good that we're all getting this out in the open." Jonas didn't really buy that line himself and would have been very suprised if anyone else at the table did. This wasn't really the first time he'd witnessed interspecies politics at work, although this is the first time he's witnessed this sort of discussion at an event he'd organised. At some primal level, the whole thing was just wrong.

"If there's one thing I learned in my years as a Concord officer it's that when we put our minds to anything we can accomplish good things. But when we work together towards mutual goals we can accomplish great...crewman?"

A single Ganymede crewman had entered the room, sweat was dripping down his face, his eyes were twiching and his whole body shaked with fear.
"Do you have something to report?" Lt Callen asked.

Without warning, the man's arm was outstretched, holding a small sidearm. The silver skinned alien by the Captain's side leapt to his feat only to catch one of the rounds directly in his cranium, scattering its semi-liquid contents over the back wall. A few milliseconds of suprise and panic before the weapon was brought on the Captain. Before the moment had passed a single round passed through Jonas' chest and then a second through his head. The moment was almost passed, someone shouted freeze, more weapons were drawn. The first weapon clanged as it fell to the floor.

The moment was over, the weapon was secured and the crewman was pinned to the table by five men from the security team, facedown with a rifle pointed at his head. There was a rasping click as his hands were restrained behind has back.

"What just happened?" The crewman cried as he was dragged off.

"Medics!" The Lt cried. "Medical emergency in forward observation!" She shouted. "The Captain and the XO have been shot!" Within moments the pair were loaded onto stretchers and rushed to the medical bay.

The Lieutenant wanted to follow but her inhibitions came into play. There was blood on her face and over the table. The food had been scattered everywhere and the delegation displayed a suitable mixture of suprise and shock.

Callen turned and looked around the room, everyone was looking at her, including the security teams. What did they want from her? It suddenly felt as though the whole world had turned to her and was demanding an answer. She began to understand why; the Captain and the XO had been killed and she was the next senior officer aboard.

She had to think, what was she supposed to do now? First thing's first. They were all standing in the middle of a crime scene. The diplomats would have to be moved.

"Seargent. Tell the crew to clear the cafetaria, we just need it for a little while."
"Yes ma'am."

"Everybody," She breathed heavily, "we're going to need to move." She paused, "we're going to move into the cafetaria, we can continue this in there." Callen was a place were she wanted to either throw up or pass out but her body wasn't letting her do either. "Alternatively the docking ring is open, the crew can see you out."

Meanwhile, nearby.

"Damn it, I need suction!"
"Pulse him!"
"Zero brain activity, his nerves have been completely cauterized."
"Again! Come on damn it!"...

[Duckie]

The Khar Captain leapt up in suprise at the weapons fire, screeching loudly. He screamed a word in the Holy Tongue, but there was no need to translate.

"Treachery!"

*fzzzt*

XO to Armory, XO to Armory, I want Skinsuits and Pistols down to the docking airlock immediately. We'll meet you there.

I want the Ship at Battle Alert. This is not a drill. I am speaking for the Captain. Leave the weapons powered down as low as you can, but get ready to have them operational within 3 minutes as per procedure.

Failure to comply will result in maximum enforcement of the Imperial Edict's Laws for Desertion of Duty in the Face of the Enemy.

The Khar Captain was nudged in the ribs by his quiet XO, and then jumped into action.

"Crewman of the Ganymede, we are going to go to the airlock of our vessel to check in with our ship and then we'll go to the cafeteria. You can escort us if you want, but this is a matter of my crew's welfare and life- who knows how many agents are out there plotting.... whatever they are plotting. I will not endanger my people."

He drew himself up to his six foot one height and stared down with unblinking eyes. And also grab weapons so that we can execute anyone who tries something like that too, but let's not draw attention to that.

It is said in times of crisis the brain makes very little sense in transitions between thoughts or the thoughts themselves.

"Syituiba," he said, looking at the other Khar as if it were the first time, now blissfully unaware of the commotion about. "If something happens... I...-"

But he trailed off, unable to accept that he might die in the next few minutes. And then, just then, the pieces started to click. "What Just Happened?" The look of shock. "What Just Happened?". The tone. "What Just Happened?". That sounded like... sounded...

Oh, no.

Empress Save Me From Darkness. It sounded like Yasi-Kina work here. It had a smell of magic about it, a Yasi violating someone's holy spirit and forcing them to do things. The Captain shuddered. He hoped he was wrong. If something diabolical like psionics was at work here, the best he could hope for was for his crew to commit mass suicide rather than become pa-

Getting ahead of yourself. You don't know it's a Psi. You don't- What if it is? Can I detonate the ship before it notices and stops me from wanting to? It isn't. Have faith. Please, Oh Gods. Make It Not So.

[Nephtys]

Makina was quietly murmuring to herself about how this meeting was going, while trying to remain attentive. All about her were primatives, barbarians and children. Although some displayed certain civility, most noteworthy in her Fulun contact and their hosts, the officer found herself resting upon her suited hand.

With the sound of a weapon discharge, she jumped quickly. To her sides, one of her companions hit the deck and another stood up. The three carried no weapons with them, and Makina called to her group as Security swarmed in. Her personal barrier engaged quickly with a flash of green, then nothing. Was this an attack by one of the delegations? Perhaps for affairs she was unware of?

"What happened? What happened?!" she calls out, stepping back from the chair and looking amongst the delegation. She only mutters softly, being lead out with the Midshipwoman and Lieutenant. Admitted genocide may seriously sour a diplomatic banquet, but this topped it quite easilly.

"Emberwind, There's been a murder." she begins to speak to herself apparently, holograph screens lighting up about her...

[Companion Cube]

The diplomatic team formed a protective barrier around the mediator as the room erupted into utter chaos. The team leader turned to J'wro.

"With respect, we are returning to the airlock. Further communications can be conducted over the comms."

"I defer to you in this." As swiftly as was seemly, the Pfhor delegation moved towards the exit, J'wro chattering into this comm-link.

Intership tightbeam
origin: Mediator J'wro (Complected)
destin: LPGNN Khrve
ref: unexpected termination of host
stamp: urgency

The Ganymede's captain and XO have just been assassinated by one of their own crewmen. The man appeared to have been drugged, and it is possible that further attackers are waiting aboard. The crypto team and myself are returning to the shuttle.

Intership tightbeam
milencrypt 7RQ
origin: LPGNN Khrve
destin: LPGEF cruiser task force (detached)
ref: deployment order
stamp: imperative

I'meq, U'qnn, Antipathy, Thorn of Heaven, and To'pk'zl are hereby ordered to make best speed towards our position and assume defensive formation. Missile tubes are to remain unloaded and ships within diplomatic engagement are not to be scanned.

[Dahak]

The Air-Mage and his officers didn't so much as flinch as the shots came. Instinctively, shields established themselves around the Falau'un.
"I think," he said flatly, "that this meeting is over. My condolences to the late Captain."
He slightly bowed, then followed the Concord officers to the cantina.
<<Weapons, how quaint,>> he muttered telepathically to his officers.
<<Thunder,>> he told his ship, <<if you'd be so kind and be ready to leave this debacle at any time. I think it would be prudent.>>
The ship positioned itself so it could follow a course unimpeded and prepared its systems for the event.

[Glimmervoid]

Shock rushed through the captain as he heard the unexpected shot, but this only lasted half a second before his two aids grabbed him and pushed him to the floor. They quickly shielded him with there bodies. There fur seemed to ripple, a shore sine of anger as one said “Sir, we are getting you out of hear. It is far too dangerous.”

The captain by this time recovered from his shock, shook his head, “No, this event changes nothing. We are already in incredible danger, our ship is half a cluster away from home and I can’t even get an ORC transition through. If the risks we have taken are to pay off we must stay and learn all we can. Our report will add more information to the Lesser Library than had been added since we first journeyed back to the stars, that is worth the risk alone”.

Slightly mollified by his speech the aids pulled them selves of the Captain, who then proceeded to get up him self. His fur was slightly compressed along the side that had been pushed to the ground but apart from that he was fine.

“We are going to this Cafeteria come on” the Captain said as he and his aids filed out the room.

[Spyder]

"Call it."
The surgon read the time off a nearby wall clock, his own heart nearly skipping a beat. "Time of death, 2108."

As the visitors moved into the cafetaria, Callen had returned to operations, as per protocol. News of the Captain's demise moved quickly among the staff.

Callen looked over all the officers in the room. She felt the piercing look in their eyes. They were lost, searching for an answer, the next course of action. Callen never wanted a command, she never though of herself as a leader. There were other lieutenants, but her grade made her the next in line.

"I'm assuming command of the Ganymede. All security forces on station, the cafetaria and docking corridor is off limits to all unauthorized personell. Any crewman found in those areas are to be escorted out immediately."

"Lietenant, we have a situation. Heavy lifesign activity detected through the Khar airlock. It could be a boarding party."

Callen put her hands to her forehead. Her mind had jumped well beyond lightspeed with a series of thought and emotion.

"Marine team assemble and stand by, do not deploy. Security team, see that the delegation make it to their ship, and if they choose, safetly back. Do not enter the docking corridor, I repeat Security team is not to enter docking corridor."

[Duckie]

The Captain heard the alert. He gave a quick curse that perhaps could be best expressed as "You've got to be fucking kidding me".

XO to Ship, is the heavy lifesign reading reported you placing the equipment for us?

Ship?

The Captain was now thoroughly alarmed. Maybe it was just a comms malfunction. They took up defensive positions in the area leading up to the corridor, for all the good it would do an unarmed and unarmored party.

I don't want to die like a hero.

He turned to the security detachment following him.

"What the hell is going on? Boarding party?"

[consequences]

A flash download of all that had transpired was dumped to the shuttle, whiuch transmitted a tight-beam squeal to King Trachnor VII waiting outside system boundaries. For its part, the task force waited for further development, this was part of what contact teams were there for.

The delegation leader's eyestalks swiveled about, before stating: "Most unfortunate/if potential future hosilities/recommend Delnathan delegation be isolated/suit atmospheric mix lethal human-forms in confined spaces/event of breach."

[Thirdfain]

Shearwater, The Silver Flame

The quelectin libraries were incredibly diverse, holding within them a great deal of ancient knowledge, much of which had been lost on Bas-Lag. Articles on the long-lost empire known as the Ghosthead to the citizens of Crobuzon were there, as were articles on the lost tongues which formed to basis for modern Ragamoll as spoken by the Crobuzoner spacers.

However, the transmissions of these vast language stores elicited no response from the onrushing aetherclipper. It continued it's course, barrelling towards the transmitter on the planet below.

Inside the planetary defense co-ordination center, images on tracking screens came steadily closer together. The base commander's eyes narrowed. He'd have to make a decision, and he'd have to make it now.

[Glimmervoid]

Shearwater, The Silver Flame

OOC: Feel free to describe the attack of the fighters in your post if you want.

Marshal-General Coldrock took a deep breath, “Tell the Guardian Class fighters squadron to being an attack run, however if that ship starts to slow down or turn away I want them to brake of there attack”.

“Yes, commander, order sent, fighter beginning attack run”

The holo screens showed the squadron of fighters beginning to accelerating towards the oncoming ship, there weapons powering up to pre-fire level and a few blips of light as some of the pilots test fired there weapons.

The entire control room held there breath, they new that the fighters may be destroyed by the oncoming ship and if that happened they would be next.

[Thirdfain]

Shearwater, The Silver Flame

The onrushing vessel's retros had been burning brightly for some time, the vessel's speed and course indicated it was braking- though whether this was due to caution at the approach of the fighters or merely to avoid burn-up during re-entry into the atmosphere was anyone's guess in the planetary control center.

The aetherclipper's weaponry remained silent, arcane and mundane power-sources inactive. However, the sensors groundside read massive and shifting power expenditures by the incoming starship.

"Sir! the object will reach our fighters in five- four- three... We have no fire, but it's course towards us is constant, repeat, it's heading right for us..."

[Spyder]

"The Captain and his XO are dead and the diplomats are still on board. I need further instructions."

At first the system lay silent, then the message came through.

"Lieutenant, you are to retain command of the Ganymede until Captain Treia's replacement is onboard. It is the Assembly's opinion that you posess the neccessary skills and are therefore promoted to the rank of Commander. Your current orders are to remove all foreign diplomats from the Ganymede and return to Thalysene, the body of the late Captain Treia and Commander V'xiotz will be collected at port Arakk, along with the prisoner."

"Yes sir, I understand." The, now, Commander Callen spoke with a hint of reservation. She did have other plans for her career path and it didn't involve command. However, her own qualifications betrayed her and now she was a Commander, a roll her duty now required her to fill, at least until the end of her tour.

Later, in the cafetaria...

"Ladies and Gentlemen." Callen appeared through a doorway to the rear of the compartment. Her rank insignia was gone, though she had not replaced it yet. "I've been instructed by my superriors to return to our nearest port. In light of recent events," she paused to regain composure, "in light of recent events" she repeated, "we have to close this meeting. In the near future some of our associates may be interested in establishing diplomatic relations. They will be in touch if this is the case. In the meantime, the staff will escort you back to our docking corridor. Thank you for your patience."