STGOD mk II Main Thread

[Darkevilme]

mini nation time (cause it could be fun)
Edge of Humanist union space

With all the previous first contacts being done under cover of stealth it'd probably be comforting that for once someone is approaching without trying to skulk into their space like a thief in the night. The fact that the hyperspace signature picked up is that of a vessel of great power and size is probably less comforting, least there's only one. The single vessel coming closer to the system periphery.

Choir ship will be dropping from superlight within the hour. As the machine tenders know so do we all, the song contemplating forward with anticipation and hope towards what is to come.

Ashey lets her own hopes stream into the song, humming and smiling as she strokes the paintbrush across the canvas before her, able to sense her mentor correct the strokes even as she makes them. The young woman letting the song flow right to her fingers, for this singer's mentor is not one but many. Her thoughts still amidst the song even as she paints.

Choir ship dropping from superlight in ten minutes, Ashey is Legion, the many shall speak as one.

She smiles and puts away her paints, getting cleaned up, for her hopes have been welcomed and become will, she will speak for the song and of the song to those they meet when the ship arrives.

The Choir-ship drops from hyperspace with a flicker of pseudomotion on the edge of the system and no doubt only a short distance from the ships sortied in preparation for its arrival due to its unhidden and unhurried approach. A massive sphere with an uneven surface covered in hatches, sensor arrays, forests of antenna and signal emmitters, a quartet honeycombed missile batteries and four magnetic accelerator cannon banks spaced evenly around the ship stretching from the collossal lasercannon lense at the bow to the cluster of engines at the rear.

[Ohma]

-HNS Victor Aliyev, outer Dayab system, Humanist Union space-

A smile crept across Xev's face. "Neither I, nor my sisters still aboard the Kawashima will be coerced into betraying our cause. We will remain strong when confronted by agents of the Patriarchy-" her gaze shifted towards Brookes "whatever guise they wear."

Zeph rolled her eyes. Xev sat back in her seat, apparently satisfied that her point had been made.

Kelly glanced briefly toward Xev. "We ask that you not be too harsh on the prisoners. They may be members of the Dominatrixiat military, but as far as we know, none of them played any part in the invasions of Theta Mira or Alpha Cephi.

As for any further information, we also have lists of contacts in our resistance movement, both in the military and in civil services. We also have information on the last known positions of major elements of their space forces. If you're certain you can interface with the computer systems aboard the Kawashima, then you're welcome to, Lieutenants Kaze and Toph will do their best to help you."

-DSFV Virginia Hall, outer Megasrl system, Kushawni space-

Commander Hayase had only just set the cup on her desk when Ame came over the comm. "Misato, we've found something else in the message we got from the Aaronsohn. I'm sending it over to your panel."

The screen set into the wall above her desk flicked to life.

"It was in that batch of code we thought was just signal noise from their decoys."

Code: Select all

FROM: UNKNOWN RECOGNITION SIGNAL
TO: DSFV VIRGINIA HALL

-ATTENTION UNKNOWN VESSEL-WE KNOW YOU ARE HUMAN-WE KNOW YOU ARE NOT XENO-WHICH IS WHY YOU ARE STILL ALIVE-KNOW THAT THE KUSHAWNI DO NOT TAKE LIGHTLY TO THOSE THAT SKULK IN SHADOWS-IF YOU WISH TO KNOW US-YOU WILL MEET US FACE TO FACE-

"Those that skulk in the shadows?" Misato smirked at the description.

"We think it may have been from the smaller craft that went after the Aaronsohn before she jumped away."

"Have they made any changes to their course over the past few hours?"

"Nothing that would bring them closer to us."

An idea came to her then. "Ame, drop the decoy and set it to start broadcasting on that band about an hour after we're scheduled to jump. Message as follows-"

[Lancer]

-Prowler L7F0G-
<No more hostile vessels detected.>
<Confirmed, stand down from combat stations. Make ready to transmit to the Humanist Union flagship. Message as follows...>

"This is Prowler L7F0G. We don't detect any more hostile vessels, standing down and awaiting your instruction."

[Tanasinn]

HNS Victor Aliyev
Third Mobile Unit
Meeting Room

Admiral Brookes seemed unruffled entirely by Xev's response, Lieutenant Erikson looking at her with something approaching pity. As Kelly described the records her forces had, the admiral smiled warmly, "That will be appreciated, captain. I've ordered my comms staff to contact your ship and request connection so that this information might be acquired and analyzed for its worth. I have also ordered a shuttle be sent to your ship to pick up the remaining prisoners on your vessel for imprisonment. Understand, though, that I will have to contact my superiors before further action is taken. Until that time, you and you crew are welcome in the Humanist Union and aboard my ship," she turned to fix her gaze on Xev.

"As for you," she began, contempt in her voice, "you are under arrest for acts of espionage, as well as suspected complicity in acts of gender terrorism of the highest order as well as complicity in mass murder," she turned to the two silent men in power armor at the door, singling out one with her gaze, "Remove her to a cell."

With that, one the the armored soldiers strode forward, yanking Xev to her feet and escorting her out of the room. The cyborg-eyed man, Lieutenant Vogel, spoke, addressing Zeph and Kelly as the door slid shut, "To address your concerns of prisoner treatment, we don't commit acts of torture in the Union, and the death penalty is reserved for extreme circumstances. I assure you, we want to unite humanity, not deplete it."

HNS Victor Aliyev
Third Mobile Unit
Bridge

"This is Prowler L7F0G. We don't detect any more hostile vessels, standing down and awaiting your instruction."

Executive Officer Yuri Baikov's moustache twitched as the Aliyev's comms officer relayed the message to him. The Admiral had told him to treat this vessel as Lenaard had the one he had discovered skulking about. Still, the circumstances of discovery were different, and it rankled the man. Nevertheless...

Ordering an open line to L7F0G, Baikov spoke in a tone he tried to keep from sounding too curt, "Prowler L7F0G, we confirm, no further detected hostiles. Unscheduled visits by warships or stealth ships to the Humanist Union is not typically allowed. However, considering the circumstances, you will be tagged as a diplomatic vessel if you wish to travel further into the Union, and you will be given an escort pending the rendezvous of further members of our unit. We request that the occurances of this day be considered a military and diplomatic secret, to prevent any unforseen consequences. If you wish to leave Union space, you will not be impeded."

HNS Cameron Wallace
Fourth Mobile Unit
Somewhere Near the New Khan System

Admiral Felix Lenaard was in a particularly good mood this day cycle. It had been yet another edge recon that had gone without discovering any nasties creeping into Union space, and fleet combat exercises had gone flawlessly, perhaps better than normal: it was a day marking the end of an uneventful patrol cycle, and while that might have left other commanders bored, it pleased Lenaard well-enough. As much as he enjoyed a good chase, relative peace was a nice thing to have, too.

It was, then, particularly disappointing when sensors throughout the fleet alerted him to an incoming unidentified vessel. This disappointment turned to a mute species of concern when sensors reported back that the contact exceeded battleship size.

The admiral reacted quickly, sending an order throughout the unit, "Bring shields to combat levels and charge weapons! Prepare immediately for a hop to the projected exit point in standard loose formation!"

As the Wallace began to jump, the admiral asked for confirmation and was given it: the contact appeared, for alll intents and purposes, to be a single vessel, not a blob of smaller ones. Still, who sent a battleship on a scouting run, particularly unescorted?

As the mystery ship snapped into normal space, a murmer ran through the bridge crew: a spherical ship. For a moment, Lenaard knew that men across the unit thought they were seeing an Imperial Battlesphere: even the thought of one of those craft was enough to strike terror to this day.

"Sensors, firepower analysis," Lenaard snapped in machine-speak.

"Sir, sensors are returning firepower around our level, probably a decent amount higher. I'm also detecting advanced defense systems."

"Other vessels confirm the analysis," the comms officer chimed out.

"Open a comms line. Voice and visual," the aging admiral drew himself up, putting on something of a fierce expression.

"Unidentified ship, you are trespassing in the sovereign state of the Humanist Union. You are requested to identify or depart immediately. Refusal to reply will be considered an act of aggression."

[Darkevilme]

Minination time
Choir-ship
Somewhere Near the New Khan System


Ashey looks to the screen as the video link is established, a girl in her early twenties with brown hair cut short enough to fit in a spacehelmet. A half finished portrait on a stand in one corner of the room it seems that Legion's spokesperson is taking the call from the Humanist union ships in her quarters.

“I am Legion for we are many, we wish you no harm and seek only right of free passage. Legion seeks only to spread the song to humanity, the gift of unity in these times of discord.” she says in a slightly odd but clearly formal voice.

Actions perhaps speak louder than words the Choir-ship only brings up its shields in response to the Flotilla's readyness, no jamming engulfing the ship in position blurring signals and the shutter remains irised closed over the main lasercannon lense.

[Ohma]

-HNS Victor Aliyev, outer Dayab system, Humanist Union space-

The door of the cell slid shut, locking with several audible clicks. Xev sat on the bed, rubbing her wrists. The cell walls and floor were dark burnished metal, clean as though it had rarely if ever been used. She was vaguely reminded of recordings of the Imperial ship that had been shown shortly after the Council had made its existence public. The Humanist Union would certainly be a formidable obstacle to the cause of womankind. But she knew that what remained of her crew would be strong. They would resist to their ends, just as she would.

Their sisters would come soon enough. The so called “Humanist” Union would fall to womankind, and they would be but the first.

[Tanasinn]

HNS Victor Aliyev
Third Mobile Unit
Meeting Room

With the remaining "guests" on the Aliyev cleared out of the meeting room for a tour, Admiral Brookes could finally "relax," which for her meant springing to her feet and pacing, pulling a cigar from a pocket and chewing it without lighting it.

"So, gentlemen, lady? What do you think?"

Lieutenant Vogel was the first to speak, voice bland and clinical, "Well, they either aren't lying, don't know they're lying, or are better liars than humanly possible," he tapped one cybernetic eye with a long forefinger, "Heat readings were normal, no facial tics detected, no unusual vocal tone patterns, not even a pulse speed-up. It's possible they held things back, mind you, but they seemed genuine. The refusal of the third to defend herself speaks volumes."

Brookes grunted, as if this was the answer she expected: it wasn't much of a stretch, the woman had a way of rooting out the truth and knowing when someone was playing games. The black-haired woman spoke next, picking up easily where the gaunt cyborg had left off, "We didn't get enough information out of them for me to tell you what culture we're dealing with, besides the obvious. Extreme feminist bent, possibly religious, maybe philosophical. If I had to venture a guess, I'd say that these conquerers went through a period entirely without men, perhaps with hostile male encounters thrown in. They would've needed a decent population base and technology base to multiply and expand."

At this, Erikson spoke up; he seemed years older; his good-humored facade had been dropped entirely, "the prisoner seemed to react with a bit of surprise when she saw a shuttle pilot detatching himself from his craft-"

The black-haired woman started back in, "-so cybernetics might be lacking to some degree on their end. Might reflect a wider technological deficit, but I wouldn't bet on that. The woman might be a yokel. Or an idiot. I'll need to pore over the records and view the interrogation recordings."

Brookes stopped pacing to incline her head to Erikson, "And you, lieutenant? What do you think of this situation?"

"Nothing that you aren't thinking already, ma'am," he said dryly, "Those two vessels were spycraft, and they will be missed. These women will probably assume them destroyed, and they'll come looking or asking: we're going to need to be ready to greet them. As for the captured agriworlds-"

"Even if this nation doesn't take up hostile actions against us," Brookes said, cutting him off, "Those worlds and what's been done with them represent an important chance for the Union to further its goal of the One Nation while also dispatching a despotic, violent government. There's not been an opportunity like this since New Khan; if the Upper Goverment is willing to ignore the humanitarian aspect, they can't possibly ignore the political aspect. Particularly when agriworlds are involved."

Erikson nodded curtly, "Quite so, ma'am. Are you sure you're not one of the politicals?" The admiral gave a grin that was more fierce than it was amused.

"Well then," she said, "We'd best get to work on this. Report to me with relevant information immediately. You're dismissed."

"Since I'm supposed to be a diplo," Erikson said, the humorous expression returning to his face as if a switch had been flipped, "permission to tag along with our guests and the buckethead?"

"Granted," Brookes said, hesitantly returning the cigar from whence she had retrieved it, "I'm going to get started on the report for this. If you plan to take them to the bridge, lieutenant, inform me so I can keep Baikov from scaring them off."

Erikson grinned, "Yes ma'am," he said, striding from the room.

Lieutenant Vogel, stretching, turned to the black-haired woman, "I'm going to send in the first interrogator to our star prisoner's cell, Ms. Mori, if you'd rather watch it occur by live feed than after the fact," the woman murmured some reply and departed with the gaunt cyborg, leaving the Brookes by herself before she too left.

HNS Cameron Wallace
Fourth Mobile Unit
Somewhere Near the New Khan System

Admiral Lenaard didn't bother to exchange looks of astonishment with his bridge crew: it would do nothing to show them that he was as surprised as them. Instead, he responded immediately to the transmission, "Foreign vessel, I am Admiral Felix Lenaard. Your ship meets the standards of an A-class warship according to Humanist Union law, and we do not allow foreign A-class warships in sovereign Union space. You will need to depart immediately. If you wish to engage in diplomatic relations with the Humanist Union, you may broadcast to these coordinates," he sent a data packet containing the location of one of many government-owned comms drones, "Or contact us directly. In either case, if you wish to reenter the Union on diplomatic grounds, you will need to arrive in a ship in this range," another data packet.

Privately, Lenaard worried. Legion? Sounds like another damned religious sect. What kind of religious organization flies battleships into foreign nations and claims peaceful intent? Lenaard double-checked with sensors, confirming that the vessel's weapons and other combat gear were not apparently active, That is, claims peaceful intent and seems to mean it?

[Darkevilme]

Minination time
Choir- ship
Somewhere Near the New Khan System

Distrust, disunity, fear of the unknown and fear of others. Fear of themselves, they have not heard the song. They do not know, they do not understand. We cannot spread the song from here, it must not go unheard. Options?

“Your fear is known to us, we shared it once. Legion seeks to end fear but will abide so that there is not Discord.”notable distaste seeming laden into that word but Legion/Ashey continues “We carry these weapons only so that Discord does not diminish the Choir. If this choir is barred another shall come someday to share the song. I mourn for you.” And Ashey does seem to mean that, thinking of these lonesome people who have not heard the song and have ritualized their distrust and fear into Humanist union law. But Ashey takes heart, others elsewhere will be more trusting, the song will grow and eventually they will be welcomed in.

“Is there any recourse under your law for this Choir to be permitted to spread the song? For a ship meeting your demands and our requirements will take many weeks to construct.”

[Ohma]

-HNS Victor Aliyev, outer Dayab system, Humanist Union space-

The two women followed the marine through the corridors of the Aliyev.

"You okay Zeph?"

"Yeah, sorry about that back there. She just-"

Kelly rested a hand on Zeph's shoulder. "We've all lost someone to their 'righteous' cause and had to keep quiet about it." In fact Zeph had lost both her fathers and her brother in the first few days of the invasion. "I'm just glad you didn't strangle her back there."

Zeph suppressed the urge to laugh. A moment later she had struck up a conversation with their escort about what military service in the Humanist Union was like. Kelly let her mind wander, she noted that this was the most relaxed she had been in recent memory.

"Ah, there you are." The trio spun to face the man behind them. The armored marine instantly at attention.

"Lieutenant Erikson." Kelly met his smile with her own. "I assume you're to accompany us for the rest of the tour?"

"Indeed so." Erikson looked towards the marine. "I'll take the lead." With that, the four continued on.

[Raxmei]

HUFS Charteuse

A small honor guard equipped with half the rifles on the ship's armory and every last bayonet formed up on each side of the docking bay doors. The racially diverse group arranged in order of seniority, making an aesthetically unimpressive jumble of heights. That was perfectly acceptable. Any attempt to fix it to look better would have felt a little too "Corporate". All beings present knew exactly where putting appearances first went.

Also present were the ship's captain, a stout human called Lt Col Hastings; the fleet commander, a taller human named Gray; and his grey-furred XO Major West. Colonel Gray was a qualified if inexperienced diplomat. Inexperience was unlikely to be a problem. All he had to do was say hello and ask for an extradition without offending anyone. With the suspects already in detention somewhere, if not in the preferred location, it wasn't even a big deal if the request was rejected. All he had to do was hold one little meeting without fucking up and starting a war. Surely failure was impossible.

A recording of the national anthem began playing. The door opened.

----
Elsewhere

"There are reports of fighting in some place called Makay."

"None of our concern, and no way ships are going to get tossed into it just to see what's going on. We'll just have to watch it on the news like everyone else. Now this business in Moloch, that might be worth looking into..."

[Tanasinn]

HNS Victor Aliyev
Third Mobile Unit
Brig

A single chime sounding was the only warning given before the door to Xev's cell slid open to admit a short young woman in the typical gray naval uniform of Union crews. Carrying a lightweight chair that she set down across from Xev, she sat and looked the prisoner levelly in the eye.

"I am Sub-Lieutenant Erin Bauer. I, among others, will conduct interviews with you during your incarceration on the Victor Aliyev. I would save both of us time and cut directly to why you're here. You stand charged with espionage on the part of a foreign government, something which will be confirmed shortly, as well as complicity in mass murder and gender terrorism. I am told that, given an opportunity to give an argument or explanation, you refused. My question is simple: why?"

HNS Victor Aliyev
Third Mobile Unit
General Ship

Erikson moved on for a while, pointing out various oddities and points of notice: recreational areas, exercise and swimming facilities, the ship library, the drive system, and taking a moment out to indicate a weapons pod. He varied his narration without any pattern, looking back occasionally to confirm that his charges were still with him and not visibly bored. One minute he would be discussing the quirks of the battleship - which he continually referred to as the Vic - the next he would be describing a piece of Humanist Union history or a point of ideology.

"To be honest," he commented at one point, "You could spend quite a long while walking through this ship and still miss things. If you'd like, I can show you the bridge, or if you're hungry or thirsty, we have warm meals."

HNS Cameron Wallace
Fourth Mobile Unit
Somewhere Near the New Khan System

Lenaard fixed particularly on the lattermost part of the foreign ship's response: that a sufficiently small vessel would take weeks to construct. What kind of stellar nation operates ships that large, professes peaceful intent, but doesn't have any diplomatic vessels, or even destroyers? Lenaard found himself thinking that this might be one of those rare ships that had successfully taken up wandering. But then, he thought, They mentioned another "choir," so surely they're not alone. An association of free-roaming ships?

All of this went through the admiral's mind in a flash before he gave his reply, "If you lack shuttlecraft, we can send one to receive a small party of diplomats. Alternatively, if this does not suit you, you can engage in long-range communications with the aforementioned coordinates after removing your vessel from our sovereign space."

[Darkevilme]

Minination time
Choir- ship
Somewhere Near the New Khan System


Diplomacy, irrelevant but perhaps required. A small party? The song would wither for them...horror. Impossible. long range communications deemed acceptable. The greater whole shall be informed, unity shall be attained after withdrawal.

Ashey nods solemnly “We shall move on, other places require this Choir, perhaps they shall hear us . Perhaps Legion shall contact you again via your machines, or another Choir will come. But i doubt we will meet again, farewell.” The channel closes.

The choir ship slowly turns about, energy building up and teasing at the surrounding space as their drive spins up for the jump to FTL. And a few minutes later the ship flickers from realspace to hyperspace, resuming its mission to spread the unity of the song.

[Lancer]

Executive Officer Yuri Baikov's moustache twitched as the Aliyev's comms officer relayed the message to him. The Admiral had told him to treat this vessel as Lenaard had the one he had discovered skulking about. Still, the circumstances of discovery were different, and it rankled the man. Nevertheless...

Ordering an open line to L7F0G, Baikov spoke in a tone he tried to keep from sounding too curt, "Prowler L7F0G, we confirm, no further detected hostiles. Unscheduled visits by warships or stealth ships to the Humanist Union is not typically allowed. However, considering the circumstances, you will be tagged as a diplomatic vessel if you wish to travel further into the Union, and you will be given an escort pending the rendezvous of further members of our unit. We request that the occurances of this day be considered a military and diplomatic secret, to prevent any unforseen consequences. If you wish to leave Union space, you will not be impeded."

"Understood. We are authorized to act as representatives of our people and wish to pursue further official contact."

<Send the latest report home, broad-spectrum broadcast. Embed the recall signal to the other prowlers, no sense jepoardizing relations with these people now that we know they're kin.>
<Aye sir.>
<Also, forward our contact protocols on to the Resistance vessel. I have the feeling that the Regent Lord would not refuse them an audience should they seek our aid.>

HUFS Charteuse

A small honor guard equipped with half the rifles on the ship's armory and every last bayonet formed up on each side of the docking bay doors. The racially diverse group arranged in order of seniority, making an aesthetically unimpressive jumble of heights. That was perfectly acceptable. Any attempt to fix it to look better would have felt a little too "Corporate". All beings present knew exactly where putting appearances first went.

Also present were the ship's captain, a stout human called Lt Col Hastings; the fleet commander, a taller human named Gray; and his grey-furred XO Major West. Colonel Gray was a qualified if inexperienced diplomat. Inexperience was unlikely to be a problem. All he had to do was say hello and ask for an extradition without offending anyone. With the suspects already in detention somewhere, if not in the preferred location, it wasn't even a big deal if the request was rejected. All he had to do was hold one little meeting without fucking up and starting a war. Surely failure was impossible.

A recording of the national anthem began playing. The door opened.

Three figures walked in, a man in a uniform composed of a scale-mesh material flanked by two massive armor clad figures. All three were richly embellished with gold and crimson, and save for the ceremonial warglaives the two honor guard wielded, none of the trio were armed. The two hulking figures took up positions by the door, easily dwarfing their Harmony counterparts, while the man strode forward to meet his counterparts. He was of moderate height and lightly built, and his dark hair was cut close to his head. Amber eyes flickered over the party, noting the incongruous arrangement of the crew though his face remained expressionlessly neutral.

"I am Lt. Commander Lucius Havens, Second Officer of the LDW Born of Sol. I understand we have buisness to discuss regarding certain individuals from your civilization who are currently being held pending tribunal."

[Ohma]

-HNS Victor Aliyev, outer Dayab system, Humanist Union space-

'Gender terrorism', an interesting phrase to describe the advent of womankind. Del Xev-Seigram straightened her dark blue DSF vest and met the steady gaze of her interrogator.

"What Kelly said was true. We have occupied their homes, and there was far more blood shed in our initial sweeps than was acceptable. But I'm sure that wasn't what you really wanted to know is it?"

Erin remained impassive.

"Tell me Erin, are you familiar with pre-Imperial Earth history?"

"No, not particularly." The Sub-Lieutenant's voice was level.

A smile crept across Xev's face. "Well I'm sure you know enough to understand what I'm about to tell you. Even though you, and your superiors wont accept the truths it reveals."

Xev paused, gathering her thoughts. She'd need every bit of history she'd learned for this.

"During the time you call 'the first wave of colonization', life on Earth had become unbearable for many. War, disease, famine, humanity seemed to be on the verge of self annihilation. In a desperate bid to preserve human life somewhere in the universe, gigantic ships were constructed and sent to distant stars thought to be orbited by habitable worlds. Our foremothers were hopeful colonists aboard one of those ships."

If Erin Bauer had been surprised by that, she didn't show it.

"Unfortunately, the same problem that had brought humanity into dire circumstances on Earth had followed our foremothers to the stars. The filth had infiltrated the ship's crew during its construction, and due to their machinations, nearly half the people aboard the ship died in cold sleep. But that was not the end of their plan, when the ship finally arrived at its destination a handful of women were awakened. The filth treated the women as little better than chattel. Many of them met their end in the cold depths of space. But the filth could not reign forever, our foremothers fought back, the filth experienced the same final fate they had forced upon others. Our foremothers were free.

A dear price had been paid however. The only surviving colonists were female, nearly every survivor had lost someone dear to them, as far as they knew, they would be the only generation of humans to live on their new world. Thankfully, our foremothers were not long daunted. While many worked to build shelter and make their world more hospitable, a select few poured over scientific information the ship had brought with it. It was those women who literally gave birth to the first daughters of the new world. Their work which had undone billions of years of evolution and allowed our society to survive and flourish.

Because of them, we were able to look back at the tragedy of Earth and our formother's journey from Sol with unclouded eyes and minds."

Erin was still silent.

"Why had the societies of old Earth been so resistant to alteration of the human genome? Because natural selection had ensured that there were two races of humanity, womankind, forced into submission to propagate the species, and man, the physically stronger, always eager to dominate, to protect what is rightfully theirs.

If society were to begin tampering with genetics, what would prevent future generations from viewing the Y chromosome in the same way one would look at the genetic triggers for sociopathy?"

Xev sat forward.

"That is why I will offer no defense for myself or my sisters. Our task is to end the tyranny of the Y chromosome over womankind, to cleanse the human genome of its influence, and through that bring peace to humanity."

[Thirdfain]

Makay transport M-23
Deep space
Makay sector


If there was any change in attitude from the Syndicalist raiding group, the it was not in evidence upon reception of the M-23's transmission. The shuttle latched onto a bare segment of hull, far from the nearest airlock, and dug on with rasping teeth. A dull noise shook the Makayan transport ship's hull as breaching explosives blew a ring of hull-metal out of the way.

Bulky grey figures moved through the swirling clouds of inorganic smoke. People's Marines in power-armour struck towards the bridge, weapons scanning for targets with the impersonal interest only machines could muster.

[Crossroads Inc.]

Teknotron-1, Benta System, Kushawni Planetship

Deep inside the massive core of the massive Planetship, a single had just been received that would forever change the Kushawni people. The immense Starfleet that had been waiting for weeks now at the border of Kushawni space had jumped away. Not all had been privy to its true purpose, or who exactly authorized it’s departure. Lower level military officials scrambled for answers as those in the very highest ranks assured them everything was well in hand.

The CityMind itself realized that the time had come to set things into motion. The Kushawni people needed to grow and expand, they need to no longer be scarred of the Galaxy, and needed to see their place in a greater larger plan.

Across the larger cities of the Kushawni Province, the newly constructed Communication towers flared to full power. The CityMind stirred it its immense computer Core as the populace of Kushawn listened.

Greetings Citizens of Kushawni, it is my pleasure to speak with you on this historical occasion.

Many of you have become familiar with my nightly broadcasts to you all. Dispensing information and news of the galactic events as well as my own wisdom to you all. I have lead you, protected you, and guided you. And though I have made mistakes, always have I held the survival of the Ksuahwni people highest in my goals.

But the Galaxy continues to change; chaos and strife plague our brother nations. Since the collapse of the Imperium I had long since worked to establish peace and prosperity here. But I see it is not enough, we must go out into the galaxy, to meet the Chaos and Discord that threaten us head on.

To this end, I have sent forth the bulk of our great and now unified Starforce to historic mission. They go to meet one of the largest and most active members of spreading Chaos that threatens us. This will not be an easy battle, it ill be war, hard and tough, but through it will emerge unified as never before. I know now that as you listen to me, you come to see this as true, that to ensure not just our safety, but the future of all Humans, we must at long last drive out chaos and embrace complete unity.

I am the CityMind, I thank you.

As the message ended, across the proud Province the people at once seemed to agree. History would be changed and they would see fit to bring a new order to all.

[Tanasinn]

HNS Victor Aliyev
Third Mobile Unit
Brig

Erin looked at Xev with real sympathy, "I share know and share your hatred of the tyrant, but you are misguided," she leaned back in her chair, "I'm no histo, but I know enough to know that humanity only reached to the stars through the actions of women and men together. There is evil in both genders, but inherent to none."

Erin paused only long enough to draw a breath before plunging on, "It is men and women who saved humanity from suffocating on Earth, men and women who established the Imperium in hopes of propelling humanity forward, and men and women who even now lay their own lives down to save humanity from falling in on itself with the cancerous corruption and destruction of that Empire."

Erin's soft features grew hard, "You would compare maleness to sociopathy, even as you turn inward on your fellow human? As you admittedly murder, exile, imprison, and warp not the tyrant, but the common person?"

She shook her head, "Perhaps one day humanity will transcend the need for both sexes, but that time is far off: countless millennia of evolution has made the human race into the execellent survivor it is today, and we ultimately depend on each other equally to continue that."

[Ohma]

- C-289, outer Bara system, Stellar Dominatrixiat space -

“So the Kushawni are involved in a conflict in…Makay is it? What do we have on Makay?”

“Not much. It was an Imperial province, nothing particularly significant about it aside from resources. At least nothing we could find in the dataspheres. Godwin’s hope is referenced as a place within the province, but nothing is mentioned about any sort of military forces there.”

“Jahil, what do you think of the reports?”

“All the information we have on them from pre-fall paints them as quite peaceful. For them to have built so many military craft just to patrol the outskirts of their systems speaks volumes about the impact their loss in Makay must have had.

Either they’ve lost a few very important individuals, or they’ve suffered a fairly major military loss. Either way I feel this bears further investigation.”

The other women echoed Jahil’s suggestion.

“Then we’re agreed. We’ll send one of the stealth craft to investigate Moloch as scheduled, and the other to Makay.”

- *former* DSFV Yoshiko Kawashima, outer Dayab system, Humanist Union space-

“Kaze, that other ship, the L7F0G, they’re sending us their contact protocols.”

“Uh…well then.” This really was supposed to be Kelly’s job, but she was on the Union ship so…

“Shoot them back a message then.” Kaze switched to the comm. band on her headset.

This is the Yoshiko Kawashima, Lieutenant Kaze Aum Rain speaking, to the craft identified as L7F0G. We have received your contact protocols, uh…how may we be of service?

“Smooth Kaze.” Toph snickered.

[Darkevilme]

Transport M-23
Deep space
Makay sector

There is barely any presence in the corridors between the bridge and assault shuttle and even less resistance. In fact the only encounters the space marines of the union have before the bridge are with spider legged maintenance droids clicking down the corridors which at the marine's approach simply stop in their tracks and flick on an obstruction error light and, assuming they’re not destroyed simply for being there, move on when the marines have passed. The only anomaly on the entire trip being a slight feeling of relaxation and calm coming over the marines as they pass the main hold.

The tiny eight person crew of the heavily automated freighter are gathered on the bridge, waiting for the marines to arrive. The captain passing around a packet of cigarettes as all they've to do is wait.

[Thirdfain]

Transport M-23
Deep space
Makay sector

Marines secured the ship's assorted points of interest. On the bridge, the crew was rounded up and restrained with hardly a chance to complain. A small prize crew took their places, using military-grade control software to core the ship's computer and establish control. The capture of the vessel continued without a hitch, until a secondary squad chanced upon the cargo-bay. Power-armored troops were equipped with a variety of sensing apparatus, and the signals from within the bay were unmistakable.

<<Command, we've detected a type-1 moral weapon behind this bulkhead.>>

There was a mind-control device on board.

[Lancer]

This is the Yoshiko Kawashima, Lieutenant Kaze Aum Rain speaking, to the craft identified as L7F0G. We have received your contact protocols, uh…how may we be of service?

"We understand that you have come here in search of aid. Our own mission grants us the authority to establish diplomatic contact, but to provide assurances of such aid would be beyond our ability. However, the contact protocols we have just sent will ensure that, should you seek audience with our people, you will be heard out."

[Darkevilme]

Transport M-23
Deep space
Makay sector


When the bay is inevitably breached the siren song of the Chamaran machine gets a good deal stronger, even through the helmets of Syndicalist powered armour it tries to lull the mind to rest, to be at peace and just relax. Like all the thinking cattle in the hold are already doing, standing on the spot, densely packed together side by side and from wall to wall with impermanent looking floor dividing the hold into levels so that more can be packed in ontop of the rest. And in the center of it all, barely visible through the massed throng of unthinking humanity, stands the mind control spire, its short range antenna curled around it like a serpent from the self contained power supply at the base to the control pod at the top. Where any familiar with this technology present though they might of enlightened the Syndicalists to the limits of this particular device, which is hardwired to a single signal, a song of pacification.

[Darkevilme]

minination time
Message directed at Humanist Union government communication drone number 11 with its origin point later to turn out to be a communication relay drone in deep space along the choir ship's last known heading.

Code: Select all

Legion greets you.
Legion seeks only to spread the song not discord.
Legion requests permission and sanction to establish a choir amongst you upon your world.
Legion will provide materials and supplies, Choir will be self sustaining.
Legion requires only your acceptance of this gift.
Legion looks forward to receiving your response.

[Ohma]

-Prometheus Station, deep space, somewhere in sector 6, 1-

Varan Kridnack brushed his hair back as he sat at the console.

“Prometheus?”

A deep voice resonated through the room. “Yes Varan?”

“Open a channel to Maint 1.”

“Yes Varan.”

A holofeild flickered to life above the console, showing the partially rebuilt station. The station shrank slightly, four blue lights appeared. They were clustered around a fifth green light.

“You four finished programming that thing yet?”

The word Astro appeared above one of the blue lights, followed by a string of text.

“We’re working as fast as we can!”

The word Roy sprang above another of the blue lights.

“Don’t get yer’ panties in a knot Var’.”

Light “Don’t get snippy with us young man, *we* are most of the reason your little venture here is possible after all.”

Wildstar “I can’t believe you two! Varan is our friend and leader, how can you talk to him like that?”

Varan rolled his eyes. “Okay okay, settle down guys. I just want to be sure the Finders Keepers isn’t going to ram our potential customers or anything.”

Light “We *know* what we’re doing! If you think you can do better why don’t you program this rudimentary AI yourself?”

Roy “Heh, you tell ‘em Light!”

“Fine whatever, you guys just keep working on that.”

Astro “That wasn’t very nice guys.”

“Prometheus, close channel.”

“Yes Varan.”

[Thirdfain]

Teldus
Makay

The defenders of Teldus, secure in their fortified citadels, had watched with both fear and grim determination as the orbiting battlefleets were forced into retreat before the cattle host. There were a hundred recorded instances of what could very well follow- if the cattle elected to commence a protracted general bombardment, there would soon be nothing left alive on Teldus, human or chamarran.

Evidence soon proved the concern mute. The clever, multi-layered sensor networks of the planetary defenses soon picked out the swarm of assault transports through the heavy enemy jamming. The parasite craft left the safe regions where their parents lay in wait, burning towards the planet in a tight formation, masked by ECM and defense drones from the cislunar assault carriers. They came in from beneath the southern pole, using the bulk of the planet in an effort to minimize the amount of defensive fire they'd face. Their signals were weak and confused, as their stealth and ECM systems struggled to protect them from the fire which the planet's defenders could soon release.
The force was small- a mere vanguard, certainly of no more than a few thousand soldiers, judging by the number of craft appearing on the chamarran sensors.

They entered range of the defensive weapons. If the defenders opened fire, the Syndicalist shuttles would face a gauntlet of fire in their dash for landfall.