STGOD: DAS: Coalition of Nations

[Rawtooth]

The Qiraji response was quick in coming, with the message being contained in a holographic signal. The speaker was a female Qiraji wearing deep purple robes with red trim. Before speaking, she spread her arms wide, palms facing to the ground, and bowed. Straightening, she began to talk.

"I am Lady Tiamat of the Empire of the Sun. We, the Qiraji people, are honored to be invited into the great interstellar community. There are two specific issues I would like to touch upon.

Firstly, is the matter of privacy for the Qiraji people. We do not appreciate any significant disruptions to our regular life style, so the Grand Concord politely requests that our home worlds be left in peace.

The second is the matter of the grand headquarters for our august body. While the Grand Concord would prefer a more neutral location, they would be willing to accept Earth as a site if I was allowed to visit the planet myself."

[Academia Nut]

The Straltoc Federation agrees that Earth, for historical and logistic reasons, is a natural meeting place for most of the human and human derived nations, and thus, despite concerns over the displacement of our non-human brothers, we too agree that the first choice of sites should be somewhere in the Sol system. The historical neutrality and survival of the Swiss people would offer a stable point, and the Straltoc will not say no to such a meeting place.

However, is there not some orbital platform already in place that could be used instead? Perhaps in an act of symbolism, an old military station ready to be decomissioned could instead be converted, at least temporarily, into a meeting site for all? So that we might beat our swords into ploughshares and turn bloodshed into prosperity.

[Thirdfain]

The Republic must express concern that an orbital facility would be more susceptible to sabotage or terrorism, and that a ground-based facility, perhaps on the Moon or one of the moons of Saturn, would be preferable.

[Thirdfain]

The second is the matter of the grand headquarters for our august body. While the Grand Concord would prefer a more neutral location, they would be willing to accept Earth as a site if I was allowed to visit the planet myself."

"It would please the Republic and myself personally greatly if you would accept an invitation to tour the homeworld, starting in our own grand capital of Vistula."

[nt01jones]

The second is the matter of the grand headquarters for our august body. While the Grand Concord would prefer a more neutral location, they would be willing to accept Earth as a site if I was allowed to visit the planet myself."

"It would please the Republic and myself personally greatly if you would accept an invitation to tour the homeworld, starting in our own grand capital of Vistula."

The dominion would be willing to Provide extra, security, for your visit during the Republic's grand tour of our glorious world. We would dedicate some of our more powerful 'Caretakers' to the ensure a safe journey.

[Redleader34]

"The Co-Operative would love to show you the Original lands of Humanity, in Ethiopia Region, and some of our first major works, in Egypt Region. Our Finest Guard will defend you on your journey to Our Region. "

^The Uche

[Starglider]

The joint early warning network indicates a cruiser-sized ship has suddenly appeared, most likely decloaked, just inside the Terra outer engagement perimeter. Beamed on several EM frequencies, subspace wave cast and hypercomm, in several human languages:

Code: Select all

>>> Permission To Approach Burst <<<
@from      'K.O.S.C. Elucidate' : Requiem Class : Special Diplomatic Envoy : Kiroter'nah Overflock
@designate Preferred communications medium/mode/encoding. 
@request   LEO clearance and flightplan authorisation.
@request   Temporary IFF designators as may be required.
@request   Meeting site grid co-ords and time index.
end transmission

[Crossroads Inc.]

Haurn, Shand system, Largest Moon of Trathalan and center of neutral UISC Headquarters.

Ever since the transmission from one of the larger Terrain powers, the central committee council of the UISC had been in a furious debate on how to proceed. For the past several decades the UISC had been content in its sector of space. Now however events we’re heating up, things we’re begin set into motion that would very quickly change the landscape of the Quadrant.

As usually the Delegates from Tajlan where in the thick of things and causing consternation amongst the other members.

“For 200 years we have barely kept this thin Alliance together, this council has always been bloated with bureaucracy and endless debates.. And now, now the Earth Hegemony wish for us to come and join yet another great Alliance… How much more bureaucracy must we deal with?” A great series of mummers and nods from the assembled joined in, some in agreement; some still open to the ideal.

The diminutive representatives from Quatonia stood next, squeaking in their high-pitched voices.
“This Alliance has only survived by expanding, and that is what we must do, expand to grow and thrive, we cannot set shut up in The Sector forever, we most have, breathing room.” He said to much more howls and murmurs from the assembled…

The lead Tajlan representative, a haggard and imposing Qwintoni eyed the small but stout Quatoni from across the great hall. “On that I agree, we do need to, expand” he said with a smirk.
After a few more tense words, a Quorum was called to vote.

“Quatonia, how do you vote?”
“Three votes to join, Quatonia votes Yes”

“Octona how do you vote?”
“One vote no, two yes, Octona votes Yes”

“Conearaza how do you vote?”
“Three votes to join, Conearazra votes Yes”

“Trathala how do you vote?”
“Three votes no, Trathala votes no”

“Tajlan how do you vote?”
“Two votes no, one abstain, Tajlan votes no”

“Two Votes to three, as of now the UISC shall participate in the Terrain diplomatic envoy.”

[Noble Ire]

Rampart VII, System A-0060

Buried beneath twenty meters of rock and reinforced metallic composite, Cote Jacesin calmly assessed the flat-panel display that dominated one side of the large drone coordination center, heart of one of the small facilities scattered across Rampart VII’s inhospitable surface. A dozen Brimafel officers worked at computer terminals arrayed behind her, regulating the operation of automated drone carrier platform fixed high above them in a constant geosynchronous orbit. The station, which carried a complement of ten mobile constructs specialized for covert observation and stellar mapping, periodically shot one of the shuttle-sized devices from its magnetic accelerator port and accepted a returning probe through an oppositely-charge gate.

As the newly-dispatched drone oriented itself towards a distant star system, charged its miniaturized VID system, and vanished into the extra-dimensional Void, the returning device latched itself into a waiting maintenance cubicle and disgorged a fresh load of sensor data from the interstellar locale it had just spent the last few weeks subtly probing into an adjacent data socket. The station’s transmitter then relayed the new information to analysts, organic and artificial, ensconced within the groundside bunker. The loop, along with the two other bunker/station networks positioned on the planet’s opposite hemisphere, continued on without hesitation or respite; the Archon of the First Expansionary Armada was at last preparing to act, and her eyes and ears in the alien frontier of this new galaxy were being put to full use.

“Elevated.”

Jacesin turned at the customary honorific, and found one of her subordinates waiting nearby at attention.

“What do you have to report?”

“Cote, the drone assigned to system C-0205 has returned,” the adjunct replied.

Jacesin’s tan completion brightened with a measured smile. “Ah, yes. Earth. Was the probe able to tap into their primary communications channels?”

“Yes, Elevated. Some lines and frequencies were too heavily encrypted for remote access, but the sheer volume of transmissions too and from the system’s primary world allowed the probe to easily locate a channel it could exploit. It collected five days of audio, visual, and point-stream communications before leaving its observation orbital.”

“Did it record anything of particular note?”

“The data is still being processed, and will be prepared for your perusal by the end of the next operations cycle, but I did isolate one file that may be of particular significance.” The officer offered her superior a small datapad. “These are frequency tags for a syndicate communiqué dispatched from one of the world’s densest population centers. As far as the translators have been able to discern, the message details the formation of some sort of international compact.”

The cote took the datapad and scanned the brief list. Her eyes paused on several of the names. Before assuming command of the outpost nearly half a standard year previous, she had been briefed on several of the more unusual and dangerous civilizations native to the galaxy. Her drones were generally assigned to more mundane targets, but she still distinctly remembered their names and the mystical source of their infamy. Before departing the home galaxy with the FEA, Jacesin had often doubted the existence of the gods; no more. In some of these sapients, their malevolent and arcane magic was manifest.

“Prepare a signal probe and give it a priority transponder,” she said at last. “The Archon must be notified of this new alliance.”

[Dahak]

The Republic must express concern that an orbital facility would be more susceptible to sabotage or terrorism, and that a ground-based facility, perhaps on the Moon or one of the moons of Saturn, would be preferable.

The Hegemony is also of the opinion that basing such an august meeting directly on Earth would put much more meaning into it, especially for non-Humans, even if this additional meaning was just imaginative.
The Hegemony of Heavens would humbly offer location on either our Moon-based territory or a location in our Jovian facilities.

[Rawtooth]

"Since it appears that there is continued dissent about the proposed location of our summit, I shall merely travel to the Sol system. I greatly appreciate the various offers for protection and shall consider each in kind.

I will arrive at Earth with a small escort fleet along with my personal ship, as Qiraji space is located so far away from your system."

At this, Lady Tiamat nodded to one side and the holographic signal ended as it was ceased being broadcasted.

The Qiraji were coming to Earth.

[Dahak]

The sensor grid detected the ship decloaking in Terran space. Klaxons began to sound. A whole cluster of sensors looked at the newcomer.
THe light cruiser Tendo, already out on patrol, was dispatched to take a closer look.
After the message was received, the threat level was stepped down one level, but the newcomer was observed nonetheless.
"K.O.S.C. Eludicate," a reply went out, "please refrain from using cloaking technology inside Hegemony space again. As do from surprise visits. We nonetheless allow your ship to approach Earth for a lunar orbit insertion. Please do not deviate from your course or suddenly change course. Hegemony Astro Control, out."

[Academia Nut]

As it seems that there is a meeting gathering in Sol space, the Straltoc Federation is dispatching a diplomatic team aboard a Helzi class light cruiser, escorted by two Silbas class frigates. Do the august bodies of Sol space have an preferred area where our ships should re-enter real space so as to keep the guards trigger fingers from becoming twitchy?

[InnocentBystander]

As it seems that there is a meeting gathering in Sol space, the Straltoc Federation is dispatching a diplomatic team aboard a Helzi class light cruiser, escorted by two Silbas class frigates. Do the august bodies of Sol space have an preferred area where our ships should re-enter real space so as to keep the guards trigger fingers from becoming twitchy?

All non-terran military vessels should slow to sub-luminal speeds at the edge of the sol sytem to announce their presence and approach vector before proceeding in system.

[Academia Nut]

Such conditions are acceptable, the ships will arrive shortly and comply with all reasonable demands with regards to their course.

---

About a day after the message is sent, space-time begins to ripple strangely out beyond the orbit of Pluto. Shining with colours that defy classfication in any standard spectrum, a hole suddenly opens up, definable only by the coruscating light show along its edges and the absence of any stars visible on the other side of the hole. Sliding cleanly through this breach in the space-time continuum come three ships. Once all are back in normal space the hole collapses back into an eddy of unstable reality before healing itself completely, as if it were never there.

All of the ships share a common aesthetic background, looking like rays from Earth's seas sculpted out of viridescent red and purple metals. Swelling, seemingly organic and solidified liquid bumps on the surface of the larger craft give rise to the suspicion of numerous weapons mounts, while clusters of long, jellyfish like tendrils hang down from all craft, gently swaying and undulating in impossible vacuum currents. None of the ships shows any sign of having a standard reaction drive, but rather look like they swim through the void.

From the larger ship comes a hail, announcing, "Greetings representatives of the Sol system, this is the Straltoc Federation ship Ariklu, escorted by Zorbax and Hizla, carrying a diplomatic team for the inner system. Please advise on course and destination."

[Redleader34]

A patrol cruiser, a medium frigate, and a flight of bombers were all flying near the Kuiper belt belt, the squadron all focused on peacefully escorting the group to Cooperative space. This leader of the flight would speak up, and say "This is the CPC Yanaic fleet. We are going to escort you to New Mombasa for talks with the Uche. We will have our diplomats over if you request them." The man would stop the transmission, but before he did, he would say "Thank you for your patience"

[Academia Nut]

Hailing the patrol cruiser, the Ariklu responds, "Thank you for the invitation, we would be glad to accompany you in system and meet with your diplomats. Please lead the way."

[rhoenix]

At the very edge of the Sol system's Oort cloud, a small pinprick of light appeared. After a moment, the tiny dot of light seemed to explode outward like a nova, though curiously resolving itself after a second into two distinct shapes. The light began to fade, leaving the two ships behind. One was a larger, spearpoint-shaped craft, the other a smaller, and less concern-causing design, shaped more like a larger shuttle.

The larger had smooth, sharp lines sloping smartly to the point at the stem, with some strange and circular discolorations regularly appearing on the hull. The smaller had softer, more curving lines, and had no strange, suspicious spots.

Settling back in his chair, Archon Kergan Prasad took a slow, deep breath to calm himself. He and the rest of the crews of the Longshot and his smaller ship, the Silent Eye, were the first of their people to see the fabled Homeworld of Earth for more than four centuries. He stared at the image on the holographic monitor, the small, blue-green world appearing almost too small to their eyes to have been responsible for so much history.

Even so, they were here now on business, not sightseeing - that could come later.

"All stop, and power down all weapons," the Archon ordered crisply. He took a few moments to flourishingly write out a brief note on his lightpad, before sending it across the bridge with a small gust of wind to his Comm officer. "Miss Ghedren, please send that message unencrypted to Earth."

His Communications officer, Ensign Ghedren, smartly grabbed the pad out of the air, and began to transmit through the ship's array.

Though the High Archon had severe misgivings about having the headquarters of this budding alliance on the fabled Homeworld, the High Council did agree that cordial communications must begin, and it fell upon his particular shoulders to try. He straightened his back as he sat. He would to the best of his ability, for honor, if nothing else.

The message swiftly shot through the void, in a direct path to Earth.

From: kprasad@silent_eye.terran_envoy.gscf.navy.mil
To: Earth Delegation, ATTN: Polish Republic
Subject: Arrival
Message: We have decided to send a small envoy to meet with you, and the other leaders of this budding alliance at this time. We wait at the edge of the Sol system, until given permission to enter the system. Please transmit proper authorization to enter.

Thank you for your attention,

- Archon Kergan Prasad, aboard the Silent Eye, escorted by the Longshot.

[Thirdfain]

Katowica Station
Earth Orbit

A dozen Fleet Infantry troops in full power-armour stood at attention around the airlock, smart-camo set to parade colors. Their bulky forms were statue-still, and they dwarfed the two waiting Polish dignitaries. The display of power sent an obvious message, while acting as a display of respect.

The dignitary on the left, a short and slightly paunchy man in an impeccable suit and waistcoat stepped towards the tall Archon without hesitation. He extended a stubby hand at a slightly raised angle.

"Welcome to Katowica, Archon Prasad. I'm Anton Warshawski, Minister of State." The Archon took the grip, surprised at the unassuming Pole's firm shake. Anton stepped back, smiling. "This is Brigadier General Krystyna Petrapalow, commander of Katowica." The Fleet officer was tall, with a fencer's broad shoulders and an athletic build beneath her tan dress uniform. "A pleasure, Archon," said the officer as she took the man's hand as well.

"Now, would you please follow me? A private elevator is waiting to take us planetside. You can join negotiations promptly."

[Redleader34]

The Yanaic flew towards The Earth, the other ships in the fleet flying around the visitors, and guiding them safely through the outer, and then to the Inner Solar System, They would fly towards the station at New Mombasa high orbit, a O'Neil Cylinder locked with the space Elevator to the planet's surface. The Commander would send a message to the Ariklu which was heavy with docking information, and specifications of the docking tube units, as well as a bay to land in, if there were incompatible with the docking bridges.

Inside, a man dressed in a traditional Agbada and Sokoto, was waiting, while a taller, almost 8 foot half human, half dog it would appear were both waiting for the guests to arrive...

[A-Wing_Slash]

The two destroyers reverted to sub-light speeds far beyond the furthermost planet of humanity's home system, the two small ships mere pinpricks against the vastness of space. The lead vessel began broadcasting a message:

This is the Grand Republic starship McFarlane, bearing diplomats for Earth. We request clearence for our aproach on the inner system.

[nt01jones]

The two destroyers reverted to sub-light speeds far beyond the furthermost planet of humanity's home system, the two small ships mere pinpricks against the vastness of space. The lead vessel began broadcasting a message:

This is the Grand Republic starship McFarlane, bearing diplomats for Earth. We request clearence for our aproach on the inner system.

A Cruiser escorted by two Destroyers from the Stellar Dominion Brodcast a message to the McFarlane as they approch the new arrivals.

"This is the Cruiser Newfoundland, We are transmitting a flightpath to Katowica Station. We will Escort you to the station"

[Academia Nut]

Processing the data burst, the Ariklu responds, "Please stand by, we are sending the delegation over to the designated location now."

In the designated bay, there is a cracking sound like the air tearing and a flash of impossible light, and where once there was nothing, now stand what can only be assumed to be the diplomatic party.

Around the perimeter are eight beings that are mostly human in appearance, dressed in ceremonial gear consisting of beaten brass breastplates with silver filigree, red robes with golden thread and fur trim, and oddly sculpted steel helmets. Held crisply at their sides are ornate partisans, clearly more ceremonial than practical. By far the most overwhelming aspect of their appearance though is the strange, eldritch geometric patterns that adorns their clothing, equipment, and most of all their flesh as tattoos and scars.

Inside the perimeter formed by the human types are two blobs of some strange tar like substance, coloured a deep black-violet, almost like a fresh bruise. Seething and bubbling, these blobs occasionally form eyes or even mouths, and sometimes eerily enough the appearance of faces.

By far the strangest though is the being at the centre of the formation. At least twelve feet tall and probably capable of rearing up higher, the creature's lower body is like that of some enormous snake, but with hundreds of millipede like limbs jutting out of the sides, occasionally idly tapping or twitching on the floor. The torso is humanoid, but at least an order of magnitude larger than any human. Pressed into the torso and belly are the appearance of dozens of half melted faces, all staring out at the world independently. The arms are human shaped, but the size of tree trunks and the hands appear more like modified starfish attached onto the end than human limbs. Instead of a head, there is a set of large, red glowing eyes set roughly along where the clavicle would be on a human, and at least a dozen, long, squid-like tentacles jut out from where the head would be, draped languidly down the back like braids or dreadlocks.

As one, all of the parties bow, including the blobs, and the enormous creature at the centre says, all of its mouths speaking at once to create a strange stereo effect, "Greetings, I am Felsith, Ambassador from the Straltoc Federation, and this is my diplomatic party."

[Redleader34]

The Dog and the man both looked and blinked, as the Guard looked in shock at the matter transportation, instinctively raising their weapons, they pointed them at the newcomers, but the dog appeared to stop them with several words. "I am sorry for our Guard's overzealousness but I would like to be the first one to welcome you to the Earth Sphere, specifically the New Mombasa Heights station, in geosynchronous orbit of New Mombasa. Would you like any food units while on your stay, or should we go down to business, and introduce you to the Uche?"

Meanwhile, a bomber modified to be an shuttle was flying towards the Katowica Station, the craft carrying a team of diplomats, and stating an diplomatic request to land, and meet the fellow beings from beyond the Sol System.

[Academia Nut]

Bowing slightly again, Felsith says in his echoing stereo voice, "No need to apologize, they were simply doing their job and no harm was done. In fact, if anything we should apologize for not giving you a full report of what exactly we were attempting. I was otherwise occupied at the time preparing for the teleportation and I think our captain wanted to try and wow you with that little, inconsequential trick. I shall have to have another discussion with him on the finer points of diplomacy later." The various faces then twist into what are probably supposed to be wry smiles.

"In any case, no, only my apprentices require sustenance and they should have already had a meal before departing. Although if you require any sustenance or time yourself, we are more than accomodating to your needs."