STGOD: DAS: Coalition of Nations

[UCBooties]

Eddard let out an exasperated sigh, "You could have at least shown some curiosity. I would be delighted to join you for dinner."

[Thirdfain]

Eddard let out an exasperated sigh, "You could have at least shown some curiosity. I would be delighted to join you for dinner."

Sol System

As the follow-up transports arrived, along with the tugs and the vast and frightening bulks of the Fleet Carriers which had finally made it on-scene, Eddard watched with inward dejection. The dining room was on the outer edge of the Bialystock's hull, and it was blessed with two thick panels of armoured glass- the only decorative windows on the ship. Eddard knew that even at that moment, swarms of armored Poles were rounding his crew-members up and herding them into transports- except for some groups of technicians and officers, kept under tight guard by power-armoured Fleet Infantry.

"I hope you are enjoying the meal, sir." The Major General took a sip from her glass of wine.

The Duke grimaced slightly. "I wish I could say this was the most delicious roast I've tasted on a warship, but I must admit that the appetizer left a sour taste in my mouth."

The major general laughed politely. "You berated me earlier for not showing any curiousity, Kynes. Despite my orders I was curious as to what the Pirate King thought to accomplish here. Perhaps you could provide some satisfaction and tell me what you'd been sent to say?"

[Imperial Overlord]

Sol System
Terra

Speaker Nathan Hale rose to his feet, his robes rustling around him. He was a tall man, dressed in all black save for a silver and ruby broach on his robes. His skin was light brown and his hair was black. Technosorcery had greatly extended his life and maintained his vigor, but age still left a few marks on his face. The emissary of the Ruling Council spoke in a strong baritone.

"The Logos Centrality has endured through ages of war and barbarism and has no desire to see that suffering perpetuated. The Earth and the stars have seen too much violence and crime and we join with other beings in rejecting that path. Wars should be fought only when necessary and we endorse a forum where discussion and diplomacy can help resolve and minimize disputes. Furthermore, coordination in suppressing and bringing to justice pirates and other perpetrators of heinous crimes is in the interest of all. The Ruling Council endorses the proposal."

[UCBooties]

-Sol System-

"I would be pleased to tell you Madame, it is all I have wanted since my arrival. I have been sent by King Bootswellington as an envoy of peace. The Previous King had a vision of a Pirate Fleet, forever free and beyond the law. Towards the effort he created a nation of those unwanted souls who found themselves caught between the edge of civilization and the edge of space. But times have changed. Believe it or not, we have changed."

He paused to take a sip of water.

"The population of Blackmast is now 13 million. We have begun constructing our own infrastructure and industry, not to mention an economy which can not be supported with mere piracy. Our name may have been a joke to the previous King but today it is inching ever closer to reality. If we are to survive, and more importantly, if the growing world which depends on us is to survive, we must become a nation in our own right. King Natan decided we had better start acting like one."

Duke Eddard turned to consider the ships crowding about hhis beloved Balthier and his face turned somber.

"The King is beset, for now he is not merely leader of a reaving fleet, but a King in fact. He is constantly confounded by the traditions and policies set forth by his predecessor and he has dedicated himself to correcting the faults of a wasteful rule. That's why he sent the fresh crews. They're young me and women, fresh from Blackmast, meant to show what our kingdom has become."

[rhoenix]

Archon Prasad pursed his lips thoughtfully for a few moments, re-reading the Polish delegation's President Wiśniowiecki speech before beginning his own. He listened with thoughtful curiosity to the Straltoc delegate's speech, nodding in certain places to himself. It may all be an elaborate game of politics, but the people of the Golden Sun had been through something similar to the Straltoc, if not so directly.

Seeing no other delegates getting to their feet and speaking, Archon Prasad took the opportunity, secretly grateful to get out of the chair that was more than slightly too small.

His dark eyes missed nothing as he scanned the room one final time, to gauge mood, and tone before speaking.

"Gathered gentlebeings, my people left Earth at a time of evidently brief peace, when the people of the world gathered together their resources to look for something greater. Looking around me now, I see that mission has succeeded, as I see delegates here from powers both near and far, each with their own histories, triumphs, and tragedies."

"We know from our own past, and our mistakes, that a variety of minds can succeed where many similar minds might fail. Having a central place for our variety of minds and territories to discuss matters at hand would only be a boon. It is for this reason that we will support this Alliance."

With that, he sat down, the wind of his movement rustling his long, flowing clothes a bit more than normal.

[Cincinnatus]

Slightly Earlier, Sol System

Spacedwarf Tosid Balkadol entered the bride of the ISF cruiser Bitzokugar, standing at attention before his captain, waiting to be recognized before he gave his report.

"What is it, Spacedwarf Tosid Balkadol?"

"Captain Stodir Totasitis, Envoy Zegular Kesreg wishes to lodge a complaint over his accommodations."

The captain had to restrain himself from swearing in front of the entire bridge crew. As therapeutic as it might be, it would not be giving due deference to the envoy’s authority.

When Envoy Zegular Kesreg had first arrived on the Bitzokugar right before it had departed from Isdenestilom to the gathering of diplomats on Earth, he had insisted, against the captain's advice, on giving a speech to the crew. The envoy commended the dwarves on the fine service they were giving to the King, explained to them the importance of establishing ties with foreign powers, and then, continuing on despite the fact that most of the crew was not paying any attention at all, explained that he was eliminating the ale ration for the period of his stay on board.

It turned out that Envoy Zegular Kesreg was one of those odd nobles who had embraced the temperance movement, and believed strongly that all spirits were evil, and sapped a dwarf of his moral and physical strength. In a meeting in his cabin immediately after his speech, Captain Stodir Totasitis had calmly listened to these reasons, politely agreed with them, and explained, with remarkable restraint, that despite this, the crew was likely to mutiny if they did not get their ale.

Eventually, the captain did get the noble to rescind his order, and a revolt was avoided. However, ever since then, the envoy had constantly complained about his living arrangements, often blaming the "drunkenness and debauchery of the crew" for his lack of comfort. As much as the captain wished he could instead throw the other dwarf out the airlock, he did his best to address the problems the envoy brought to his attention. The fact that the fearsome dwarves of the Royal Guard were accompanying Envoy Zegular Kesreg may have had something to do with that decision.

So, instead of cursing the earth for ever spitting out such an idiot of a dwarf, the captain instead asked, "What does Envoy Zegular Kesreg wish to register a complaint over, exactly?"

"Envoy Zegular Kesreg feels that his quarters are too small. He demands that you provide him with a larger living area."

Envoy Zegular Kesreg already occupied the dining hall, the largest room on the entire ship. It had been converted for his use after the second time he had given this exact same complaint.

Before the captain could worry about how to fulfill this request, the Helmsdwarf spoke up.

"Captain Stodir Totasitis, we have reached the edge of the Sol System."

"Excellent. Comsdwarf Mosal Ingshik, open a channel. Space Dwarf Tosid Balkadol, please inform Envoy Zegular Kesreg that we have arrived at the Sol System, and that his complaint will have to be addressed at a later time."

This is Captain Stodir Totasis of the ISF Cruiser Bitzokugar. We are here escorting an envoy to take part in the negotiations happening on Earth. We request an appropriate approach vector and permission to enter Earth orbit.

[Crossroads Inc.]

The five represenatives of The UISC had been scheduled to speak earlier... But it had taken them almost an hour to decied which of them would speak for the other four.

Finally it was decieded that Kentara Lontimanolla, a Trathalan, would speak, by viture of being the most neutral among the five.

"Fellow Sapients, Organics and Inorganics, it has come to pass that for far too long many of us have expanded without ryme or reason. Without giving thought to the future between us. It is indeed important that this conferance be called between us at such a time.

The need to create an organized set of rules and guidlines for the exchange of trade, information, and goods is wlecomed among the UISC as it is amongst all space fareing worlds." She spoke, speaking quickly to finish before quickly with drawling. It was times such as this that she longed for her homeworld... But someone had to speak for her people...

Behind them, A single, seemingly harmless protacal Droid watched the events.

[Hawkwings]

This is Captain Stodir Totasis of the ISF Cruiser Bitzokugar. We are here escorting an envoy to take part in the negotiations happening on Earth. We request an appropriate approach vector and permission to enter Earth orbit.

A nearby United States patrol picked up the transmission, and quickly sent a reply. Several US destroyers had been assigned to escort and honor guard duty, and they quickly vectored towards the new arrival.

This is Captain James Stratton of the USS Kestrel. Welcome to the Sol system. We are transmitting a diplomatic IFF transponder code for your use, please ensure that you are broadcasting that code. The Kestrel, Dover, and Salem will be escorting you to Earth. Do not deviate from the course they will provide. Please enjoy your stay on Earth, and feel free to ask if you have any questions.

After a few minutes, the three destroyers settled into flanking positions around the diplomatic cruiser and transmitted a course to Earth.

[Dahak]

Duke Ando Ruzhkov listened and read the proposal very carefully. He has been a close adviser of her Highness, the Daughter of Heavens, over most of her reign and has been sent to this august meeting of various nations on Earth. It was alright with him if it was hosted in the Polish Republic. It seemed to him that the Republic had a greater need for representation than he deemed necessary. The Hegemony let its power and might speak for itself, even the Imperial palace in Kyoto was a modest (but very expensively and equisitelydecorated) place. The Forbidden City was another matter, but that was down to its age, mostly.

He nodded towards one of his underlings, who in turn notified the assembly of the acceptance of the treaty by the Hegemony. Most of it seemed reasonable, and it did not legislate anything, only offer a forum. Such things could always be swung one way or the other, given the right incentives...

[GuppyShark]

Android Colony
Zapf Prime

DFL-1A watched carefully as Poland's President Wiśniowiecki delivered his proposal for the Coalition of Nations. The speech had been widely broadcast.

It considered his words. Such an organisation could do much to ensure the survival of the Android Colony. The resources expended in maintaining their involvement would be minimal.

A directive was issued. Elsewhere in the colony, an android answered, and a spacecraft began to power up.

The Aggressive Deterrence-class Battlecruiser Neuromancer left Zapf orbit and engaged its FTL drive, headed for Earth.

[White Haven]

"What the hell?" he staggered, "Comm's officer, Local transmission: 'I don't know who you are, or what your game is, but I'm not playing. Contact the Interstellar Patent Union or the information center of any trade station within 50 lightyears if you need information on patents. Oh, and stop broadcasting on restricted channels.'" The captain sighed heavily, wishing he could just blow the stupid thing up and get on with the day.

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Your response is noted. This system contains numerous governmental bodies. Please detail the government which you represent.

[Redleader34]

This is Re-erc -Daren of the Co-Operative Frigate Howling Fury. I represent the Co-operative and I want to know what are you doing broadcasting on all these spectrum. If you are here for the conferences, I shall have a Harmony Sphere escort you in. Now, please stop blasting your frequencies. That is all, May you have a good *untranslated*."

The Com Channel would close, and then a Transhuman would walk in, and start to call the Harmony sphere to escort the ship in.

[White Haven]

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The general recalcitrance of this group of political entities to acknowledge established patent law has been noted.

With that simple transmission, the bouy ceases broadcasting and then subsequently existing.

[Rawtooth]

Lady Tiamat stepped forward and bowed low to the assembly, spreading her arms wide in the traditional manner of the Qiraji. Straightening herself, she was still as she began to speak.

"The Qiraji people find these terms acceptable. However, we propose two admendments. The first is that the Coalition of Nations shall respect the inherent sovereignty of each government and shall not interfere in internal matters under any circumstances."

Lady Tiamat clicked her throat once, before continuing.

"We also ask that the Coalition of Nations respect any trade agreements between two governments, whether they are within the Coalition or not."

Her robes shifted once as she finished, her eyes glittering as she looked at each other diplomatic party in turn.

[InnocentBystander]

"What the hell?" he staggered, "Comm's officer, Local transmission: 'I don't know who you are, or what your game is, but I'm not playing. Contact the Interstellar Patent Union or the information center of any trade station within 50 lightyears if you need information on patents. Oh, and stop broadcasting on restricted channels.'" The captain sighed heavily, wishing he could just blow the stupid thing up and get on with the day.

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Your response is noted. This system contains numerous governmental bodies. Please detail the government which you represent.

The captain took a moment to think, "The Imperial State of Portugal will not tolerate this foolery, who are you?!" the small probe exploded into a fine powder about halfway through the message.
"Good riddance. Lieutenant, file a mission report, helmsman put us back on our normal patrol."

Records of the encounter were filed, but no one took particular notice.

[Starglider]

Honush-Co'sota#36-Serenaas waited restlessly in the command space, moving from one perch to another, watching the co-ordinators at their holo-stations. They had already monitored one apparent capture and boarding operation, one human taskforce overpowering another, while on the edge of the system a probe had transmitted an inexplicable message before being destroyed by the humans. Direct cybernetic links would be on average 34% more efficient than holo-stations and would require only straightforward enhancement of existing shell interface but we want to be people we are the children being pets of machines worse than death However self-identity reinforcement would be compromised. Serenaas tried to remain calm, he had argued for this, he had pushed through the mission and maneuvered the notoriously Survivalist and Xenephobe special operations group into releasing this ship. hard but worth it we may have to run at any time Intentions of system inhabitants unknown, force concentration extreme, cloaking device confirmed as only way of leaving if challenged with non-trivial chance of success. all these ships and weapons and aliens more than we ever dreamed so claustrophobic should fly but no must not look weak here now must try to make something good of this Concerted use of timeline disruption on earth before FTL technology was developed would have a .87 probability of preventing any free causal path to human dominance constraining Kiroter'nah totality. no we will not be the killers of worlds the destroyers of hope we must not not if there is another way it is good that we never though of such actions when we had the power More information about human motivations must be provided for useful further simulation. More information about the motivations of other alien powers present would aid all further simulations. Expected utility of monitoring dialog is high. Expected utility of obtaining single-vote-level influence over decisionmaking in proposed body unknown our voting sometimes direct sometimes just signals maybe this same Insufficient information to simulate tactical voting senarios. we shall soon see we are here we must learn what we can

Serenaas assumed a striking pose in the middle of the command space, his white wings half spread, their diamond patterning rippling. "We must be a part of this dialog to learn all we can about its purpose, its methods and its participants. But we cannot commit ourselves or the overflock to anything without a much greater understanding of the game and the players. That includes accepting a role in making decisions that could reflect on the overflock in ways we as cannot yet predict. We must not lose the support of the Supremacists or further antagonise the Survivalists the project at Telos will be doomed."

Taxaani-Rokain#7-Kari'naha, the Elucidate's combat co-ordinator and normal general co-ordinator, took a moment to respond. Her dark grey face was framed by jet black hair while her fur bore camouflage dappling with discrete gold symbols, almost the stereotype of a special operations flock leader. "Displace down. Show strength. We are the Kiroter'nah, we have power and secrets they cannot imagine, you must make this clear."

"We must not provoke them."

"You are the xeno experts, can you not convey confidence without threats?'"

Serenaas's flock-mate Cahaan'nol, who had been on many of the original expeditions to earth and had continued to spend much of his three lives since then studying their culture, answered; "I am confident that we can. If we rely on the speech and posture programming I have developed."

Kari'naha wasted no more time. "The co-ordinates have been received. Do not fear. We will be here for you."

"Despite our differences of opinion, that I am glad of. Keep monitoring all activity. Be ready to burst transmit, cloak and fly if the worst happens." responded Serenaas "Cahaan'nol, Tara'shaani, please accompany me to the main displacer platform. Activate primary and backup tracers. Target for atmospheric insertion 256 units above the specified ground location. We are going down.".

[Thirdfain]

Terra

"Lady Tiamat, it is the Republic's stance that the Coalition of Nations should emphasize strongly the ability of member nations to respect trade agreementts, as well as the inherent rights of sovereign states to conduct their internal affairs as they will. However, the Coalition must have some teeth- it must be capable of, via democratic vote, mobilizing the resources of member states, even if they vote against a measure."

In the back of the chamber, ushers helped more delegates in- Kari'naha, and the others who had only just arrived.

[R.O.A]

Earth

Two Ghost class vessels of the distant Confederacy of Kietal dropped out of warp speed and entered high orbit over earth. They carried diplomats from there home country hoping to enter the Confederacy into the new Coalition of Nations.

[Crossroads Inc.]

UISC Delagate Booth, A snapshot of "What are they thinking?"

Conearazon Delagate, Chooper.
"More Xenos glanced in one moment than I've seen all me life, Oy! look at that one! Thats a funny look'en one!"

Octona Delagate, Hercule.
"It seems more and more apparent the orghanizer of this affair did not fully think things through. There should be at least five times redundant seating and accomidatios for unknown species types, the plan of the commities should have been checked six times at least by two groups to be sure of procedures..."

Quatonian Delagate, Andrew.
"Even at my advanced age, I would bet 20 Wernicks I could clear the Polish Humans Booth in this feeble gravity..."

Tajlan Delagate, Quincy, Tejlini.
"I wonder what the average pay is among these ambassadors... It can't be that much, it would be interesting to see how fast we could buy them off..."

Trathalan Delagate, Kentara.
"Even the thoughts of these aliens are like shouts! I shall have a headache for days trying to eliminate all these minds from my memory.":

[SirNitram]

The Ghost-class construct allowed itself to slowly fade from being as it finally drifted through the atmosphere to the surface of Earth. The infiltrators aboard had been trained and equipped carefully with clothing in the 'Terran Style' for the region of the tropics, and their accents were careful mimics. Indeed, as they moved towards the audience chamber of the meeting, the only off thing about them would be that they never looked nor spoke to one another. The Gestalt of their minds linked together provided that well enough, and a comforting sense of safety against billions of human minds.

The Wanderers were admittably curious, and they would have their curiousity sated on the subject of this little gathering of so many.

[Spyder]

A tired looking man with scruffy blond hair briefly glanced at the small group making its way to the audience chamber. They didn't really stand out that much, there were a lot of odd looking people there that day.

[GuppyShark]

[img=left]http://members.optusnet.com.au/~bcarletti/Android.jpg[/img]

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At this time, the Android Colony of Zapf must decline the offer of membership in the Coalition of Nations. We are not willing to allow an external body to mandate control of our assets. The Android Colony would join if carrying out the decisions of this forum was voluntary. We see the value in cooperative efforts to promote trade and reduce piracy.

[Academia Nut]

While listening carefully to the other speakers, one of Felsith's head tentacles twitches slightly before settling down. Leaning in, one of his faces discretely whispers something to one of the human-appearance apprentices. Nodding, the apprentice quietly slips away while Felsith goes back to listening to the statements and discussions.

Gone is the armour and partisan, replaced by a simple black and white suit trimmed with gold and silver patterns similar to the ones on the man's face. To those watching, his destination is clear, the Logos Centrality's delegation. For the mages of the Centrality, the patterns on the man's skin and clothes bear eerie similarity to certain forms of binding circles and wards.

Stopping discretely near the back, the apprentice bows and says in broken English, "Me... master... wishes to axe... ask, if you using... mojo? Magic! Yes, magic. You see, something irritate us, something metal... mental, yes mental. Something mental irritate us, and we have wondered if you magic react... badly... with our... stuff."

[Imperial Overlord]

Hale regarded the creature with a guarded expression. "I am not directing any sorcery at your master," he responded. Someone with sufficient sensitivity or employing the correct technologies would be able to detect the skin wards that protected arcanist, but he was not inclined to discuss the intricacies of the art with strangers or the Unilluminated.

[Academia Nut]

Bowing apologetically, the apprentice says, "Beg forgiveness. My master say dust... disturbance not directed at us. Say it like... two stations using too similar channel. Inter... interference. Yes... interference. He merely want to know if you using... translator? Yes translator charm. He say he hear whispers from another, want to know if that you. He not want hear your conversation inivited."