Ties of Royalty (FT; ATTN Vipra)

[Telros]

The galaxy continued to be an ever-changing place, with goals, ideologies, nations, and information ever in flux and proving a challenge to any who wish for some form of stability. Many who strive for order manage to achieve it, but only those who learned to live with the chaos would be able to maintain it. The Telrosian Empire was one such nation, they had imposed as much order as possible, whilst growing attuned to the chaos that served as the galaxy's lifeblood. They had learned to interpret information, judge situations and alter their goals accordingly.

And this new tidbit of information they had received from the intelligence network was nothing new, just with new players in the seats of power, and new choices to be made. "Of course, I have to do the choosing." Kaiser William Kennen smiled tiredly as he set down the last of the papers explaining the news regarding the Vipran Imperium and leaned back, choosing to let his mind wander and close his eyes to rest for a bit.

The Vipran Imperium was not a target high on the list of the Telrosian intelligence network; it didn't represent much of a threat due to distance and they were not some form of slime that pollute the galaxy and were thus targeted by the Empire. They simply were militaristic and expansionist, another way of saying 'pragmatic' in this day and age. They had been fighting many other enemies, due to said expansion, and thus another tale of war in the endless sea of blood was told.

That is, until the Coalition got involved.

The Coalition was an alliance of nations that had members such as the Tocrowkian Reich, the Bavinese Republic, and the Talythian Kingdom. The Empire was firmly against the Coalition due to their obvious place in succeeding Hermes place as alliance in galactic politics, and for their human-centric beliefs. In addition to the Talythian anti-alien stance, it was obvious that their policies would carry anti-alien bias and the galaxy had enough shit to worry about than to introduce xenophobia into the mix.

The Vipran Imperium was drawn into this because, by some form of economic backstabbing, diplomatic deal, internal coup, what have you, Talyth was absorbed into the Imperium and served as its puppet. Due to its domination of Coalition, the other member nations could not let this remain. As such, military buildups were starting, meetings were called, and intelligence agents were being sent into Talyth and the Imperium. The Viprans were going to have a lot on their hands and no mistake.

This culminated in news reports from within the Imperium, indicating what they had found out was true and the Viprans were going to resist with all their might. Ordinarily, the Empire would not lift a finger, but this situation was special. The Coalition was an enemy that had to be opposed, as could be seen by Telrosian Ajax units that had joined the Huerdaen fighting aggressively against the Coalition in the on-going Gate War. Also, increasing tension with the Imperial Colonies of Kobol superstate was making them consider who they could trust for allies. Legion was going to be the main source, but it was getting tied up in various wars at the moment, and the Rethast were not an ally they wished to use in anything other than fighting for their very existence.

The Imperium seemed to be a very reasonable and respectable nation, rampant conquering aside. And it, too, had a royal leader, something the Telrosians could use to their advantage as most monarchies were relieved to see others of their existing in a galaxy of inefficient democracy and oppressive dictatorships.

The Kaiser opened his eyes, his mind made up. '

The Viprans would receive the aid they required, and the Telrosians would gain an ally they required to pursue their goals.

****

Valethus, Vipran Capital
Two Days later

After the appropriate first contact was made, the Empire explained their intentions and requested a meeting between their heads of state regarding the Coalition issue. Surprised to see such a promising opportunity arrive in a moment of need, the Imperium accepted and now the Wraith-class Dreadnought, Renewed Vigilance shot into the system, with an escort of five Spirit-class Frigates. They opened a channel to the orbital defenses, identified themselves, and ran through the checks that allowed them to send the Kaiser down. The shuttle was escorted by fighters until it reached the orbital defenses and was left to Vipran escort until it landed.

The ramp descended and a young man in his early 20's descended, flanked by two Telrosian Legionnaires. He walked up to meet the welcome committee and nodded his head.

"I am Kaiser William Kennen I, ruler of the Telrosian Empire. These are my guards, they will carry no weapons beyond their own hands and feet for the duration of the negotiations." He glanced around a bit and smiled. "A very impressive city you have here, you certainly know how to impress."

[Vipra]

All the galaxy seemed aligned against the Imperium, even the unaligned mobilizing and preparing for what seemed an inevitable brewing storm. This was to be expected though, one doesn’t go around expanding, conquering, and annexing with impunity forever. For years the Imperium of Vipra had conquered and united portions of the galaxy under its banner, settling and colonizing the Radaitan systems early in its expansions and unifying with the Razon Star Empire to gain a foothold in the Delta quadrant. This had led to the wealth, power, and ultimately jingoism of Vipra increasing exponentially.

These factors were aided by the rapid infrastructural advancement of the Imperium along with a heavily nationalistic education. War with powerful neighbours was inevitable, and so the incorporation of Talyth came only as a surprise because it was so sudden. Since the annexation the attitude of Manifest Destiny only grew, advocates demanding further wars to bring all of Coalition under the Imperial banner as a first step to bringing the galaxy to heel. Of course this was blind patriotism and foolishness, one could no more rule the galaxy then hold an ocean in the palm of their hand.

Imperatrix Thanalli Alataryx realized this, but she would take every measure to ensure the safety and superiority of the Imperium and all its citizens. Thus war was inevitable with the human supremacist Coalition, it was only a matter of when and how many fleets each side could bring to bear. To that end the monarch of Vipra had taken measures to secure meetings with powerful nations that shared her mutual enemies. The Telrosian Empire, a militant and aggressive nation with a hatred for the Hermes alliance and therefore the Coalition, entered the scene at that time.

---

The Imperatrix strode down the halls in half a fluster, three human servants rushing to keep up with her long stride. The Imperatrix was a model atoran, at seven and a half feet tall a bit short for a woman though. She was of a lascivious atoran build, with wide shoulders, a full chest, and curvaceous form held underneath near form fitting black robe cinched tight at her waist with a blue silk sash. The Razon Cross was upon the robe’s chest, and down each arm flowed the Imperial Serpent. Her face was hidden though, a golden ancestral mask only allowing her bright blue eyes to be seen behind it. To finish the image she wore a short regal crown, five thin chains of gold hanging down the back of the five light blue head-stalks which flowed down from her head and over her back to end just above her thighs.

“Your Majesty surely we could afford,” the servant panted as he rushed to a near run alongside the Imperatrix, holding a stack of papers in his arms as his fine purple regalia flowed behind him in a manner that must have made jogging much harder, “To slow down a little, if it pleases your grace.” He tacked on the words with more than a little nervousness as he looked up at the Imperatrix for some sign of an answer. She took another few strides before letting up and slowing her pace, the servants letting out a collective sigh as they took what reprieve they could.

“I keep on forgetting how short and slow humans are,” The Imperatrix’s voice flowed smoothly, almost musically, thanks to her Farthii accent, “I will accommodate your speed but we must make haste to the meeting hall, Zaranni will be accompanying the Telrosian Kaiser to it as we speak and I do not want to leave the impression that I am late or consider this meeting unimportant.”

The servant nodded as he walked, “Of course your Majesty, we will be there before them I am sure, there is no need to hurry and arrive winded.” Thanalli simply strode onward without reaction, her mind on other matters.

Outside the palace yet connected to the palace was one of the royal landing pads, cleared for the Kaiser’s arrival. A small group of three waited for the Telrosians as their shuttle touched down, a small Balu Princess and her two Traditionalist Guard. The Princess was Zaranni Etemipha, a mere four feet and ten inches tall, and wearing the same black and white robe with blue sash as the Imperatrix. She was small and slight, her face dainty and pointed with large almond shaped amber eyes with black sclera. Zaranni’s skin was a bright cherry pink, natural sparkling tattoos of dark blue splayed across her face in a crescent across each cheek. Her guards on the other hand were each nearly eight feet tall atoran women. They were clad in the dark grey artificial carbon muscle and light grey fullerene plating of standard powered armour of the IAF, the pair holding their Karatok battle rifles pointing towards the ground as the Kaiser stepped off of his transport.

"I am Kaiser William Kennen I, ruler of the Telrosian Empire. These are my guards, they will carry no weapons beyond their own hands and feet for the duration of the negotiations." He glanced around a bit and smiled. "A very impressive city you have here, you certainly know how to impress."

Zaranni smiled, practically beaming, “I am glad you like it Kaiser, Allurus is the pride of the Imperium,” her voice was soft and slightly deeper than one would expect from someone so small as she bowed her head to the foreign monarch, “I am Zaranni Etemipha, Princess of the Balish people and advisor to Her Imperial Majesty Thanalli Alataryx. I would regal you with her full title, but frankly it is unreasonably long. Now if you wouldn’t mind I will lead you to her.”

With the Kaiser in tow the small Balu woman led him, along with the four assembled guards, into the palace. The walk took them past outdoor gardens of bright blue and red flowers, azure blossoms falling from a gargantuan tree to coat the path they walked upon before entering the palace itself. Once inside they walked a fair ways, the marble busts of old rulers from several atoran and human nations interspersed down the halls they walked. Perhaps the most eye drawing feature of the palace though were the murals, the ancient works of art depicting acts incredibly violent and explicitly erotic in equal measure.

Another moment within the winding and twisting halls of the palace and Zaranni’s guards threw open the doors to the meeting hall, letting the others walk in before entering themselves and closing the doors behind them. The meeting hall was just as luxurious as the rest of the palace, a golden chandelier illuminating a circular mahogany table at which sat several chairs. Food and drink had already been prepared, dishes of molluscs in butter sauces and bottles of blood wine sitting in the center of the table. Numerous sheaves of papers also sat on the table, each containing general information on the Coalition and their known associates. Three servants with their backs against the wall, heads bowed as they awaited any commands.

The Imperatrix had been sitting at the table and rose as the Kaiser entered, bowing her head briefly, “I am glad you were so curt and quick about this meeting William, we have much to discuss,” As the Imperatrix motioned to a chair Zaranni took a seat between the Imperatrix and where she assumed the Kaiser would be sitting, the Balu princess quickly grabbing some muscles to ease her growling stomach, “The Telrosian Empire enjoys a reputation of honour and pragmatism among all the sources I have been able to peruse, and I like to think that the Imperium does as well, so I hold no doubt that we can agree upon the threat the Coalition poses and jointly move against it.” She took her seat again, waiting upon Kaiser William as she meshed her hands into a finger-pyramid.