Re: SDNW5 Prologue Thread
Posted: 2012-04-15 07:18am
Prologue:
Outer Arm of the Galaxy, some 1900 years before current era
It was the edge of a small yet crowded area of space that an immense city ship came to stop. The ship was, as far as its occupants were concerned, all that remained of their race. They had spent over a thousand years traveling between the void and now they saw fit that their fate should never visit any other race ever again.
Deep within the massive ship, two figures looked upon a large representation of the sector.
"It would seem the data from the probes is confirmed. The concentration of habitable worlds and sapient life in this one region makes it ideal for our purpose." A large hulking creature spoke, his voice rumbling like cracking stone and mountains. A voice of ancient age.
"My Lord, we have spent almost ten years searching this galaxy, there are countless races that stand a high chance of suiting our needs. Will not such a crowded location complicate our tests?" Another voice spoke now, far younger then the first, perhaps only 400 or 500 years old. It spoke with a voice of grinding pebbles and soft stone. The other looked down to him, regarding his youth.
"There are other systems, this is truth young Macon. But none shall offer such an opportunity as this one. The proximity of so many sapient races shall greatly expedite our tests. See here, most in this galaxy shall take hundreds of years before they will meet another race. With the artifacts we shall leave behind, our simulations show these races to come in contact within only a few decades. What is more, the split between these worlds shall make the chance for war between them all but certain. We would have to wait hundreds of years or more for such observations in any other system...
This is a blessing my student, a true blessing for The Plan and us. Do not doubt this, and do not doubt your faith." The elder voice said in a tone that made any dissent unthinkable.
"Of course my Lord, it is our roll to obey in all thing. Our lives to The Plan. Our Deaths to The Plan." He said timidly.
"Send word to the expeditionary templar’s to begin seeding the 'artifacts' in the appointed designations. Simulations show that each race shall discover them at roughly the same industrial rate to utilize them as we desire."
"Of course my Lord, I shall carry out your holy orders at once" The pebble said to the mountain.
In the silence that followed, the elder, already ancient by the numbers of his people, regarded it's purpose, and its Plan. For over a thousand years they had wondered in the emptiness of the stars. Seeking an answer to the question of how to prevent what happened to his own race from happening to others.
The answer had eventually presented itself as such things do in time. It seemed so simple, so clear and so perfect... And he knew it would damn his race.
1700 years later.
The races of the small, crowded sector did grow together. They made pacts, grew strong, and in time went to war.
But war passes, and the promise of peace brings old enemies together.
In an area of space mid way between the two power blocks that had developed, the leaders and warriors of those races held conference abored a massive and ancient ship.
The ship and its people had been instrumental in bringing them together, they had save countless millions of lives by brokering the peace accords. And now, as their ambassador finished his speech, those assemble held him in a shared sense of awe and wonder.
"-As such, Life in all its forms is sacred. Regardless of shape, or name or color or creed. The union of you here is but a small start for something far greater. So many different races and species casting aside differences to become as one. For it is only when all are one, that peace may be forever." The ambassador paused here, the applause from the several thousand in attendance roaring down from around him. He waited for the time he was told it would merit before continuing.
"Under this new union, all shall be shared and help to unite. Ideas to be shared, culture to be shared, music, art, beliefs and Science to be melded as one.
And, as a physical symbol and a beginning of such sharing between this new Union, the construction of a facility upon this space shall begin. Built by all races and using all a mix of all technologies as well!" This last statement, met with a far more muted reaction. Both sides had been working on what they considered to be hyper advanced computers that would keep them ahead of the other...
The thought of mingling such secrets did not appeal. Yet, who would dare speak out against the Skothians?"
Two Years Later
The immense cityship Skothotintot Meaning "Legacy of Skoth" hung over the newly finished, and newly activated station. It sat like a proud parent who has just watched its child perform a very clever trick.
On bored the station, an elder figure sat in a large control room as reports flooded from sensors all across the Sector, coming it at hyperspacial speeds.
"My Lord, initial estimates are showing casualties at lower then expected numbers, only about 68% of our predictions. So far the responses by the UISC members have been to lock the station down, as predicted the decision to destroy the station was vetoed. Also, our operatives were able to ensure that the anticipated rogue general was unable to reach self destruct on his own."
"Excellent work, this is a blessed day, and it is the first true step toward The Plan"
"Our lives to The Plan. Our Deaths to The Plan" the room instantly chorused.
"Sub Deacon, I want you to send the preplanned response to the UISC. Offer our help and assistance in their moment of chaos and uncertainty. Begin to send out forces in the measured times to follow the illusion of our sensors discovering the activation at the same time as theirs."
"Of course my Lord."
"Now, our next step--" A voice cut in quickly.
"My Lord! A message comes, from the High One himself!" The room grew quiet in an instant, no sound made as all eyes went to the elder figure.
"He calls for you Lord. He says, it is time."
Not a sound was made as Lord Macon left the room, moving slowly on the walkway he was escorted by the elite honor guard of the High One. His mentor.
In the deepest most secure part of the great cityship, a chamber opened up, the blast doors opening up slowly to allow entrance. Inside a fortress guarded more securely the even the great vaults of the ships. At it's center was a figure, surrounded by doctors, attendants and guards. He could be called living in only the most technically sense as a river of cords, machines and tubes flowed from its ancient and shriveled body.
The room grew quiet and a withered hand was raised slowly. Instantly the room emptied, all attendants leaving save for Lord Macon and his teacher.
It's voice had long ago left it and it spoke now only through electronic aid.
"I have received word of the success of the activation, it is a good sign that it seems to go so smoothly. This day, shall indeed mark the start of The Plan, young one" it said, giving a cracked and strained smile as Macon nodded.
"Yes my Master, It is a blessed day indeed for our purpose. Our Holy order shall carry forth the will of the Prophet" he says, making a deep bow.
"Come now, at this time, at this place, let us dispense with such archaic and redundant doctrine. You have long known that the institution of our "holy cause" was simply a means to an end. A zealous religious society is far easier to control then any other form of governance."
Macon said nothing, even now he would not admit such words. Yet he knew them to be true.
"And you know the end result of our Plan, what it shall mean to bring to its end point? The suffering it may cause? The deaths? That it may forever doom our race as despots, manipulators and Tyrant. And yet you still with such fervor, agree to take up my Mantle?"
"It is because of such an outcome that I do my Master. Such an end to our people shall only come if The Plan fails. Victors and those who triumph create history. As long as I ensure The Plan succeeds, our place in history shall forever be remembered as it should be. As the saviors to all sapient Life."
Again there was the faintest hint of a laugh, like the whispers of ancient tombs...
"Ah.. Then indeed you have learned from me, you are Student no more, and you are ready to fully take on my Legacy. The body gave a shudder and monitors flashed and began to pulsate, the robotic voice wavered as Mac leaned forward, clasping his hands to the High One. For almost 3000 years I have counted the lives of others, and now my own is utterly spent. Carry on our work, carryon the Plan and always remember, whatever it takes, however long it takes, time is not important only Life. Life must forever endure...
Outer Arm of the Galaxy, some 1900 years before current era
It was the edge of a small yet crowded area of space that an immense city ship came to stop. The ship was, as far as its occupants were concerned, all that remained of their race. They had spent over a thousand years traveling between the void and now they saw fit that their fate should never visit any other race ever again.
Deep within the massive ship, two figures looked upon a large representation of the sector.
"It would seem the data from the probes is confirmed. The concentration of habitable worlds and sapient life in this one region makes it ideal for our purpose." A large hulking creature spoke, his voice rumbling like cracking stone and mountains. A voice of ancient age.
"My Lord, we have spent almost ten years searching this galaxy, there are countless races that stand a high chance of suiting our needs. Will not such a crowded location complicate our tests?" Another voice spoke now, far younger then the first, perhaps only 400 or 500 years old. It spoke with a voice of grinding pebbles and soft stone. The other looked down to him, regarding his youth.
"There are other systems, this is truth young Macon. But none shall offer such an opportunity as this one. The proximity of so many sapient races shall greatly expedite our tests. See here, most in this galaxy shall take hundreds of years before they will meet another race. With the artifacts we shall leave behind, our simulations show these races to come in contact within only a few decades. What is more, the split between these worlds shall make the chance for war between them all but certain. We would have to wait hundreds of years or more for such observations in any other system...
This is a blessing my student, a true blessing for The Plan and us. Do not doubt this, and do not doubt your faith." The elder voice said in a tone that made any dissent unthinkable.
"Of course my Lord, it is our roll to obey in all thing. Our lives to The Plan. Our Deaths to The Plan." He said timidly.
"Send word to the expeditionary templar’s to begin seeding the 'artifacts' in the appointed designations. Simulations show that each race shall discover them at roughly the same industrial rate to utilize them as we desire."
"Of course my Lord, I shall carry out your holy orders at once" The pebble said to the mountain.
In the silence that followed, the elder, already ancient by the numbers of his people, regarded it's purpose, and its Plan. For over a thousand years they had wondered in the emptiness of the stars. Seeking an answer to the question of how to prevent what happened to his own race from happening to others.
The answer had eventually presented itself as such things do in time. It seemed so simple, so clear and so perfect... And he knew it would damn his race.
1700 years later.
The races of the small, crowded sector did grow together. They made pacts, grew strong, and in time went to war.
But war passes, and the promise of peace brings old enemies together.
In an area of space mid way between the two power blocks that had developed, the leaders and warriors of those races held conference abored a massive and ancient ship.
The ship and its people had been instrumental in bringing them together, they had save countless millions of lives by brokering the peace accords. And now, as their ambassador finished his speech, those assemble held him in a shared sense of awe and wonder.
"-As such, Life in all its forms is sacred. Regardless of shape, or name or color or creed. The union of you here is but a small start for something far greater. So many different races and species casting aside differences to become as one. For it is only when all are one, that peace may be forever." The ambassador paused here, the applause from the several thousand in attendance roaring down from around him. He waited for the time he was told it would merit before continuing.
"Under this new union, all shall be shared and help to unite. Ideas to be shared, culture to be shared, music, art, beliefs and Science to be melded as one.
And, as a physical symbol and a beginning of such sharing between this new Union, the construction of a facility upon this space shall begin. Built by all races and using all a mix of all technologies as well!" This last statement, met with a far more muted reaction. Both sides had been working on what they considered to be hyper advanced computers that would keep them ahead of the other...
The thought of mingling such secrets did not appeal. Yet, who would dare speak out against the Skothians?"
Two Years Later
The immense cityship Skothotintot Meaning "Legacy of Skoth" hung over the newly finished, and newly activated station. It sat like a proud parent who has just watched its child perform a very clever trick.
On bored the station, an elder figure sat in a large control room as reports flooded from sensors all across the Sector, coming it at hyperspacial speeds.
"My Lord, initial estimates are showing casualties at lower then expected numbers, only about 68% of our predictions. So far the responses by the UISC members have been to lock the station down, as predicted the decision to destroy the station was vetoed. Also, our operatives were able to ensure that the anticipated rogue general was unable to reach self destruct on his own."
"Excellent work, this is a blessed day, and it is the first true step toward The Plan"
"Our lives to The Plan. Our Deaths to The Plan" the room instantly chorused.
"Sub Deacon, I want you to send the preplanned response to the UISC. Offer our help and assistance in their moment of chaos and uncertainty. Begin to send out forces in the measured times to follow the illusion of our sensors discovering the activation at the same time as theirs."
"Of course my Lord."
"Now, our next step--" A voice cut in quickly.
"My Lord! A message comes, from the High One himself!" The room grew quiet in an instant, no sound made as all eyes went to the elder figure.
"He calls for you Lord. He says, it is time."
Not a sound was made as Lord Macon left the room, moving slowly on the walkway he was escorted by the elite honor guard of the High One. His mentor.
In the deepest most secure part of the great cityship, a chamber opened up, the blast doors opening up slowly to allow entrance. Inside a fortress guarded more securely the even the great vaults of the ships. At it's center was a figure, surrounded by doctors, attendants and guards. He could be called living in only the most technically sense as a river of cords, machines and tubes flowed from its ancient and shriveled body.
The room grew quiet and a withered hand was raised slowly. Instantly the room emptied, all attendants leaving save for Lord Macon and his teacher.
It's voice had long ago left it and it spoke now only through electronic aid.
"I have received word of the success of the activation, it is a good sign that it seems to go so smoothly. This day, shall indeed mark the start of The Plan, young one" it said, giving a cracked and strained smile as Macon nodded.
"Yes my Master, It is a blessed day indeed for our purpose. Our Holy order shall carry forth the will of the Prophet" he says, making a deep bow.
"Come now, at this time, at this place, let us dispense with such archaic and redundant doctrine. You have long known that the institution of our "holy cause" was simply a means to an end. A zealous religious society is far easier to control then any other form of governance."
Macon said nothing, even now he would not admit such words. Yet he knew them to be true.
"And you know the end result of our Plan, what it shall mean to bring to its end point? The suffering it may cause? The deaths? That it may forever doom our race as despots, manipulators and Tyrant. And yet you still with such fervor, agree to take up my Mantle?"
"It is because of such an outcome that I do my Master. Such an end to our people shall only come if The Plan fails. Victors and those who triumph create history. As long as I ensure The Plan succeeds, our place in history shall forever be remembered as it should be. As the saviors to all sapient Life."
Again there was the faintest hint of a laugh, like the whispers of ancient tombs...
"Ah.. Then indeed you have learned from me, you are Student no more, and you are ready to fully take on my Legacy. The body gave a shudder and monitors flashed and began to pulsate, the robotic voice wavered as Mac leaned forward, clasping his hands to the High One. For almost 3000 years I have counted the lives of others, and now my own is utterly spent. Carry on our work, carryon the Plan and always remember, whatever it takes, however long it takes, time is not important only Life. Life must forever endure...