Amongst the Cold Stars(FT Nation IC)

[Theyra]

"No we are not but we are here to represent the Coalition", Captain Isoi said in a calm tone. "So your race can use Psionics and apparently so commonly". "That is interesting and perhaps we should talk someplace else besides this hanger". "Unless you want to talk in the hanger? Isoi said while Yoni looked curiosity at Genesis.

Master Yoni spoke into Genesis mind too and spoke in odd tone. "Hyotl? "I am sorry but I am not familiar with Hyotl". "Though I think we should talk someplace else and in not in our minds for the talks".

"Ok, that will work." He said to the master. To Isoi, "Not psionics...we call it alignment. We can talk in our meeting hall, the other Domos can join us for our conversation." He started leading them to the meeting hall.

The group followed Genesis to the meeting hall. The group would sit down in two of the seats and the marines stood nearby. "The two waited patiently for Genesis and his group to sit down and to began the talks". Master Yoni to Captain Isoi dismay, talked in his mind. "They seem to follow a god called Hyotl and we should have tact with talking about gods". "Just in case they are zealots though they seem friendly".

Federation of United Systems

(Image)

United Systems frontier
1730 A.R.

The Commander of the small United Systems fleet let out a sigh of relief. Thankfully, this wouldn't morph into the bloodbath they all had feared. Slowly, he turned to his co-pilot, who had broken out in a cold sweat. "...Explorers?..." mused the Commander, chuckling in disbelief. The co-pilot gave a shrug, grinning. The Commander peered back out the window of his ship. "Well, better safe than sorry..." He ordered for the fleet to deactivate their weapons, as he sent out another telegram to the Spirit of Voi, casually sipping from a cup of hot tea as he did so.

TRANSMISSION
FEDERATION OF UNITED SYSTEMS ARMED FORCES

To: CNED-Spirit of Voi

-Thank you very much for your cooperation, Captain Solia Kor. This is Commander Reymus of the 445th Squadron. Rest assured we shall no longer treat your vessel as a hostile object, so you may relax. And we officially welcome you to the Federation of United Systems! Since you mentioned that your vessel was on an exploratory, and presumably peaceful, mission, may we invite you and your crew back to our station for a quick spot of tea, and perhaps a brief game of Krummy? We do love learning from strangers.-

"Captain we have a message from the Federation and they are standing down". "And... have invited us to their station for tea and a game of Krummy". The comm specialist said confusedly after reading the message.

"Tea and a game of Krummy? "That seems like a unusually request for first contact meeting". "Though it is a better invitation then most and I guess we should take them at their offer". Solia got on her commlink and broadcasted throughout the ship. "Standdown, I repeat all hands stand down". "The aliens are friendly and their weapons are standing down". "Master Osuna meet me in the hanger along with a some marines". "We are heading to meet with the aliens and we will be back".

After some time the ship flew to the station and a shuttle left the hanger of the ship. The shuttle landed in the station's hanger and landing ramp opened up. Two marines left first and then followed by Captain Solia and Master Osuna. Solia was a female Vryr'yks and Master Osuna was a Ealir female.

[The United Tributational Territories]

"Ok, that will work." He said to the master. To Isoi, "Not psionics...we call it alignment. We can talk in our meeting hall, the other Domos can join us for our conversation." He started leading them to the meeting hall.

The group followed Genesis to the meeting hall. The group would sit down in two of the seats and the marines stood nearby. "The two waited patiently for Genesis and his group to sit down and to began the talks". Master Yoni to Captain Isoi dismay, talked in his mind. "They seem to follow a god called Hyotl and we should have tact with talking about gods". "Just in case they are zealots though they seem friendly".

Genesis sat in his chair, at the head of the table, and let the other Domos filter in slowly. He sent a message in his mind to every Domo, informing them of the situation. He was already trying to figure out how to let every single Zelia know of the Aliens.

[Turmenista]

Unmarked Merchant Vessel "Argus" SN-1837
Epsilon Iota System
UGC-Controlled Space

The singular Gek Astrofleet Cruiser appeared in normal space approximately an hour after it jumped systems from the neighboring Delta Octavius system and sped through space at an arbitrarily high velocity, where it would eventually come to a sudden and somewhat abrupt halt right in the middle of the Epsilon Iota System. In informal terms, it had essentially "speedhacked" its way into the system dominated by a large green gas giant, appearing as a blur for less than a millisecond before materializing completely as the solid ship it was, followed by an orange flash of light originating from its engines. The ship was nearly six kilometers in length, and boasted an impressive arsenal of cannons, namely two very large cannons situated inside the bow of the ship. These were the SHMACs, or Super Heavy Mass Accelerator Cannons, which essentially used magnets to fire a gigantic slug through space at insane speeds, devastating anything unable to either dodge or tank the hit.

But this ship wasn't here to start a fight, more or less, it was carrying a small, elite team of Gek soldiers onboard, all huddled up inside of the sealed, tubular boarding pod attached to the Phantasm dropship. The large hangar doors had opened up just as the ship exited its FTL state, letting a dull orange light fill the large hangar of the ship from the forcefields used to protect the hangar and allow ships to enter and exit. Its target: A medium-sized merchant vessel, unregistered on the master list of trading ships, and, better yet, home to a deadly group of Pirates with a healthy supply of slaves needing liberating. Although both ships were armed, neither began to engage one another, presumably because of the sensitiveness of the cargo onboard the ship, both living and nonliving.

-

The Gek soldiers inside of the boarding pod sat at attention as a larger soldier entered, his armor painted with the same digital "urban" style camouflage as his subordinates. As he entered his seat, the dropship began moving, gliding out of the primary hangar doors situated at the side of the Cruiser as it gradually increased in speed. Small space debris and ice particles from the icy moon nearby the Gas giant harmlessly bounced off the ship as its engines carried it all the way over to the larger ship, whose guns notably were tracking the dropship as it circled the ship.

"Pilot, how long does it take you to find us a good insertion point?" The larger soldier asked impatiently.

"As long as their guns don't fire, I'll have all the time in the world, Commander." The pilot answered over communications, steering the dropship over to the rear of the ship, housing two large greenhouses. "There." He said. "Make it quick, I don't know how long the jammer has until their weapons come back online."

As he said this, a message appeared on all of the soldiers' Heads up Displays (HUDs), presumably broadcasted to the sketchy dropship circling the merchant vessel.

TO: UGC VESSEL
FROM: MERCHANT VESSEL "ARGUS", SN1837
PRIORITY: VERY HIGH

ATTENTION UGC VESSEL

YOU HAVE VIOLATED THIS VESSEL'S AIRSPACE REPEATEDLY AND WITHOUT REASON. THIS SYSTEM IS OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE KEKK CARTEL, EPSILON IOTA BRANCH. TURN YOUR VESSEL AROUND IMMEDIATELY AND DEPART AT ONCE WITH YOUR MOTHER VESSEL.

YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN 1 MINUTE TO COMPLY, FAILURE TO FOLLOW WITHIN THE ALLOTTED TIME WILL RESULT IN THE ANNIHILATION OF YOUR VESSEL.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

"A bit of a scary message for a ship with guns the size of a rock, don't you think, Commander?" A Gek soldier chuckled.

"Depends on the size of rock." The Commander replied, placing his fingers to the side of his helmet as he opened up communications with the dropship's mother vessel. "Commander to Halberd, do we have authorization to begin mission?"

After a brief pause, a voice answered on the radio with a simple "Granted. You have 10 minutes to complete your mission - then we're sending that ship on a descent course to that moon, preferably in flames."

"Understood." The commander nodded to his soldiers, whom all sat up at unison, guns at the ready. As the ship's guns began to track the dropship hovering over the glass domes, it suddenly released the tubular pod, which, mistaken as some sort of munitions, began to be fired upon by the ship's defenses. Thankfully, the pod's speed allowed it to slam into the glass dome, shattering effortlessly through it. Alarms were already blaring onboard the ship as plants, dirt, glass, and pirates alike were sucked out of the large hole in the roof, where the Gek soldiers, protected in their boarding craft, waited until the ship automatically sealed the hole with its blast shields. All eight soldiers piled out and took defensive formations by the pod, as the Commander raised his wrist, bringing up a map of the ship to viewing position.

"Straight ahead. Looks like we got lucky and dropped in right by the holding cells." He said, pointing to a large iron door labeled "BLOCK B," a typical title for an area which held cargo. Only this time, the cargo wasn't the usual minerals or ore - it was slaves.

The Gek soldiers stacked up by one side of the door as a soldier crouched down, mounting the Type 3 MAAWS (Man Portable Anti Air/Armor Weapons System) on his shoulder. Taking aim at the iron door, he fired a single missile from the launcher which, flying true to its path, blew both of the huge iron doors off of their hinges as a flurry of glowing tracer rounds followed the missile soon after. The Gek troops pushed into the interior of the ship, clashing with the miscellaneous race of armored pirates onboard. Bright red lasers and glowing orange tracer rounds shot past The Commander, who rushed to a nearby wall, raising his MARS-M's barrel up to the ceiling as he narrowly dodged the energy beams, panting.

He looked to his left, nodding as one of his soldiers briefly popped out of cover, laying down covering fire for his superior as The Commander sprinted across the lower floor of the cargo bay, sliding over to an improvised prison cell, made from a large iron cargo crate. The hostiles his team were engaging were located at the end of the cargo bay along the balcony, and seemed to be focused on dealing with the Gek marines currently engaged in a fierce firefight. On his HUD, The Commander could see a specifically-marked figure marked with a red diamond opposed to a red box - this was the enemy's equivalent to him, or their leader. He barked an order to one of his pirates who dove down from the balcony, a battle cry exiting his mask as he charged for the nearest Gek soldier, before chunks were promptly blown off of him by the deployed MARS-SW gunner. The Commander quickly unscrewed the usual muzzle brake attachment on the front of his MARS-M, placing it in the protected pouch situated on his thigh.

He looked back at the soldier whom had provided covering fire for him, nodding as he attached a silencer to the end of the barrel. The soldier pushed forward to another crate with two fellow Gek supporting him from behind, just as The Commander began to clamber up to a better position. Once in a spot he felt fit, he deployed the MARS-M on the handlebars of the balcony, where he focused the targeting reticule of the scope in on the enemy commander's forehead.

Ca-THUNK

A hole the size of a baseball appeared on the side of the enemy commander's forehead, giving him at least two seconds of time to stumble around before falling off of the balcony completely, much to the horror of his men. The Commander quickly shifted his aim to a pirate rushing at him from the end of the balcony, squeezing the trigger soon after. Another round flew through the air and hit the pirate on his chestpiece - correction, the round dissolved into bright sparks as the pirate's energy shield shattered, prompting him to raise a large, black garrotted knife up to stab the Gek with. Rolling out of the way of the incoming melee attack, the Commander unsheathed his own knife, or rather, machete. The Class 2 sword lit up a threatening orange as it began to vibrate at intense speeds, producing a buzzing sound as it came down on the Pirate's knife, and, concurrently, his hand. The Commander spun back on his foot, slashing in a diagonal direction across the pirate's chest, before kicking him off the balcony altogether.

"CEASE FIRE! CEASE FIRE!"

The commander whipped his head towards the shouting as he sheathed his blade on its respective hilt, vaulting over the side of the balcony. The remaining hostiles all stumbled out of cover, their hands high above their heads as they were brought down onto the ground by the Gek soldiers, and held at gunpoint in front of the Gek commander.

"A commander?" One pirate asked, to which the Gek shook his head. "Consider me the leader of this team. You had some formidable firepower for a group of ruffians like you - black market, I presume?"

"These are all provided by the Kekk Cartel, which you have no authority over, merc." Another pirate spat, to which the Commander shook his head, sighing. "The Kekk Cartel is Gek, no? Are they just asking to be obliterated? The Corporation - the UGC, owns this area now. The Kekk Cartel, and whatever authority they had over this system, is now neutralized. You belong to The Corporation now, and its up to them what they do with you ruffians."

"There is no way on Delta Octavius that we're being held prisoners to some Corporation! the pirate struggled as he was cuffed, snarling at Gek as he shot the lock off of a distant crate, slashing the nearest one off with his blade. Both cargo crates both opened slowly, allowing a throng of malnourished Gek, young and old, to pile out into the cargo bay. The prisoners all huddled around The Commander, as if he were a God for breaking them out. "Thank you, Captain!" A prisoner praised the Commander, who shook his leg to get one of the smaller Gek to stop clinging to his leg. "Are you here to get us out?" he asked the Gek soldier, who turned to him in an almost robotic manner.

"No."

"W-what..?" The prisoner, although it couldn't be seen under his helmet, blinked in disbelief.

"You heard me." The Gek said, guiding the prisoner over to the rest. "I'm here to retake my prisoners." He walked away from the group and placed a finger to the side of his helmet, as he stowed his MARS on the magnetic lock located on the back of his suit. "Commander to Halberd, situation report. There's a lot more prisoners than the report stated," He said, not broadcasting his voice out of his helmet's speakers. "But we should be able to get all of them onboard. Requesting, at the most, two dropships. This is a large group."

"Halberd to Commander," came the voice again buzzing on the radio. "Retrieval unit is inbound. 60 seconds."

Zooming in on the Halberd situated outside, The Commander witnessed two blue spheres exit the craft - dropship, which sped towards the ship just as the marines' dropship did. The Commander motioned for his soldiers to rally up, to which they all stood up, guiding the Prisoners and captured pirates alike to their commander's position.

---

Six Hours Later

Situated at the end of the table, The CEO of The Corporation, the UGC's dominant corporation, clasped his hands together as he overlooked a holographic map of the Epsilon Iota system, which, unlike six hours before, did not have a wrecked ship on the surface of the Gas giant's lone icy moon. Shrouded by the shadows of his end of the meeting room, he raised his head, intimidating red lights from his helmet peering into the souls of his underlings, all taking up every seat of the long table.

"This.. Kekk cartel, has causes us trouble for quite some time now." He said. "Simply put, we need to cut this disease off from our "body", else it will spread. Does that make sense?"

"Are you saying we launch a planetary invasion of the Kekk Cartel's home planet?" One of The CEO's advisors said, in disbelief. "Do you know how expensive it is to deploy a single Bastion to the surface of a planet like that?"

"Are you doubting the capability of our Ground Forces?" The Boss's voice raised just high enough to cause the rest of his advisors to quiet down. "If we are capable of pulling off a mission like that which happened six hours ago, I believe we're capable of a ground invasion of the Kekk Cartel home planet. And, that is what we will do. I see no reason why we must gather like this and bicker just for me to simply say "we're going to war." At this point, I'm better off giving the authority to declare war on the Ground Forces and the Astrofleet."

"But... Boss-"

"I see no reason why this meeting should go on any longer." The Boss said. "You all should leave now, else I get infuriated even more than I am now."

[Tagali Federation]

Federation Council
Yorkuze Station, Capital of the Tagali System
Jakala Orbit, Todval Station
October 8, 3145 (Human Calendar) Month 1, Day 5, Year 4546 Federation Standard Calendar

---

"As of four hours ago, Operation Farnassa began with the pirate raid of the Pieck System." Said Yamal Fa-Jani, Lord of Intelligence of the Tagali Federation. He was a tall Tagali man, middle aged. His white hair was fading into a light grey due to his years, the process accelerated from the stresses of running the Federal Intelligence Society, or the FIS for short, the intelligence gathering and espionage arm of the Federation. Currently, he was in a meeting room with Councilor Mei Ming-Hua, Councilor of the Frontier Provinces of the Tagali Federation, speaking of a plot known to few outside of herself and the higher echelons FIS.

"Reports on the details of the attack are still coming in, but from what we know, the Starbase over the world of Eiskugel was destroyed along with multiple Ostian ships and smaller craft. We can assume that further damage to the Pieck System would have occurred if the pirates weren't recalled back by Mo Kang, or more widely known as the Flagrant King due to a new offensive by Fleet Master George Tartonovsky. We are currently trying to divert naval assets to more of a defensive role to give the pirates some breathing room to continue their operations in Ostian space. With that, along with our infiltrators within Mo Kang's ranks, we should have Phase 1 back in operation within a week, but from the information we've gathered so far, we have learned that we will have the technological advantage in space once we begin the invasion." Mei nodded in approval.

"Excellent, tell me, what of our operation to stir dissent among the second-class species in Ostia?"

"Our informants on Angelvolk tell us that Ms Neysa Mansoor has made her way to Angelvolk and still unaware of our involvement with her transfer to the planet. If the Ostian's catch wind of our actions there, she'll have deniability."

"Excellent. That will be all, Lord of Intelligence. Please keep me informed of anything that happens." The two of them departed out of the room. As they began to go their separate ways, a Tagali Female and a Khrysian Male approached Mei.

"Oh, Councilor Ming-Hua, what a surprise. We assumed you stayed home today since your were not at the first of year meeting." Said Councilor Yan Go'Khat, The Khyrsian Councilor of the Arkana Sector, the territories formerly apart of the Khyrsian Confederacy. Mei put on a fake smile. She cared little about her fellow Councilors.

"Unfortunately, I had a meeting to attend with the Lord of Intelligence. I felt the matter was more important than discussing the agriculture yields of Apri worlds which have stayed steady for the past 400 years. The excuse seemed to work, at least for the Tagali Councilor, Lahira Ol-Togara.

"Well, that explains his absence, as well. Tell me, what was the meeting about?"

"Nothing special, simply going over the current pirate crisis in the Frontier. Most of the Frontier is stable, but areas near the Ostian border are pirate strongholds with massive civilian support." Yan scoffed.

"Typical Frontiersmen, supporting those that would bring chaos and destruction around. My biggest question is how these pirates have been so successful against the might of the Federation navy?"

"Well, it will be dealt with in time. From what the Lady of Fleet Masters has told me, we will be liberating the occupied systems with in the year. Now if you excuse us, Councilor Ming-Hua, we must be on our way."
Ostian Imperium
Chebshuka System
Bewaidroa
9th of October, 3145

---

As the Inquisition ship was over Bewaidroa, a message was sent to them from deep in the jungles of the planet. Attached to the message was a set of coordinates for the meeting.

Greetings, Here are the coordinates to my location. I'll be seeing you soon.

[Anowa]

Scout Frigate, Spear of Faith

The two giant tentacled monstrosities resumed their attack moments after the frigate had exited the tactical jump. Shields were dropping dramatically as parts of the hull began to glow a violent shade of orange. They'd be bored through by the thermic heat alone if this continued. Commander Varen was about to order all weapons to fire, when suddenly, dozens of blips appeared on the ships navigational array. Lord Marshal Zaekarius had arrived. Indeed, the blips kept coming in as shields went down to 10% with structural damage beginning to quickly manifest throughout the frigate. The outer armor layer beginning to literally atomize away. Yet Varen could only watch as the number of contacts kept coming, of various classes and sizes, Zaekarius had received their data docket. Having been waiting patiently in a nearby system ready to commence the jump to this system to resume their pre-charted route into these new star systems previously untouched by the Nycraetyr.

A transmission was broadcast,

This is Lord Marshal Zaekarius, cease your assault on my ships, and we will discuss matters pertaining to our coming here. You are welcome to send representatives to my ship and be treated like sanctioned diplomats. The deep voice of the Lord Marshal picked up by the Frigates receivers blared throughout the bridge as Varen read that temperature spikes where leading to crew evacuations from outer decks.

Indeed, the Unyielding Fury, a battleship by all classifications. At 6.5km long and 1km at it's widest it was certainly imposing. Bristled with spinal mounted turrets, casemates, and launch tubes. Lateral batteries, hangers, drop ship hangers, dorsal bombardment cannons, and prow mantled lance weaponry interspersed with torpedo tubes. It's weapons where already primed, its Void Cannon already calculating trajectory, gunnery already running figures. It's defenses already raised.

But the ship did not fire, it did not turn to give a broadside, did not launch strike squadrons. No it held a course that gave the two Old One's a wide birth, leading the Crusade Fleet in a wide arc, like a shark circling prey.

The moment the rest of the fleet jumped into the system, Amber Clad and Unending Dawn ceased their assault on the small craft. There was no need for bloodshed, seeing as the message was already out. And killing members of the species they were now in first contact with, although this would require a very drastic change of plans. Both Old One's then proceeded to pump out an absurd amount of data to a small beacon orbiting first of three garden planets within the system. Within a moment the thousands of yottabytes of data collected within the battle were passed along and would be distributed to the other Old Ones. No matter the outcome here, the rest of the Awoken would know of first contact within hours.

Though despite the immediate cessation of hostilities, the weapons on both the Old Ones stood fast, still giving out an incandescent glow that split the void, like two stars contained within the two ancient beings. Unending Dawn spoke, "Emissaries will be ready to arrive within fifteen standard minutes." Data was sent directly to the Nycraetyr flagship, pertaining data on several individuals, representatives from each species within the Awoken's protectorate. Down to height, weight, and allergies, obviously a sign of trust that things would not escalate further. "We reach the consensus that weapons are not required from this point on. Our transgressions against your ship were simply in response to containment protocols, which have now been breached. We are open to negotiations."

[Theyra]

Genesis sat in his chair, at the head of the table, and let the other Domos filter in slowly. He sent a message in his mind to every Domo, informing them of the situation. He was already trying to figure out how to let every single Zelia know of the Aliens.

After letting the table being fill, Yryln started the talks. "As you know you, we are from the Vryr'yks Coalition and we were exploring this region of space". "The Coalition is made up of four different species that are working together". Yryln takes a deep breath, "Since you have not noticed and it is hard to tell the difference". "Master Yoni despite him looking like a Vryr'yks is actually a different species". "Master Yoni you can change now" and then Master Yoni seemly changed into a Zelaic.

"I how that this does not alarm you to this form". "Just we feel you should know about who I really am before we continue the talks". "I can change back into my Vryr'yks form if that is more appealing for you".

[The United Tributational Territories]

Genesis sat in his chair, at the head of the table, and let the other Domos filter in slowly. He sent a message in his mind to every Domo, informing them of the situation. He was already trying to figure out how to let every single Zelia know of the Aliens.

After letting the table being fill, Yryln started the talks. "As you know you, we are from the Vryr'yks Coalition and we were exploring this region of space". "The Coalition is made up of four different species that are working together". Yryln takes a deep breath, "Since you have not noticed and it is hard to tell the difference". "Master Yoni despite him looking like a Vryr'yks is actually a different species". "Master Yoni you can change now" and then Master Yoni seemly changed into a Zelaic.

"I how that this does not alarm you to this form". "Just we feel you should know about who I really am before we continue the talks". "I can change back into my Vryr'yks form if that is more appealing for you".

At hearing the news that there are multiple species, Genesis's face brights up. This means there are multiple aliens, and maybe this Coalition is more powerful that he thought. This could be a very good ally for his nation. As Yoni changes forms, Genesis and the Domos gasp, but then start clapping.
"This is interesting more than alarming! I would love to know about the races in your Coalition, if possible? We would be willing to release information about not too far away systems we have been watching, and our own race."

[Theyra]

At hearing the news that there are multiple species, Genesis's face brights up. This means there are multiple aliens, and maybe this Coalition is more powerful that he thought. This could be a very good ally for his nation. As Yoni changes forms, Genesis and the Domos gasp, but then start clapping.
"This is interesting more than alarming! I would love to know about the races in your Coalition, if possible? We would be willing to release information about not too far away systems we have been watching, and our own race."

Yryln was surprised by the clapping after Master Yoni had changed his form. He would have not have guess that this would be their response to Master Yoni. He wondered how Master Yoni thought of his since while he was a Xeo. He understood the nature of the Vryr'yks and why they would go to some extremes to protect themselves.

Master Yoni in his Zelaic form, continued to talk. "I am a Xeo, a crystal-based race that can manifest themselves using different forms using the gift". "Or the alignment as you call it and I can talk you of the other two races in the Coalition". "The other two are the Avorx and the Ealir. The Avorx are a Ursine-like race with crystals that cover it back and the Ealir are a tall, skinny mammal race. Master Yoni changed to each race as he talked about them and changed back to his Vryr'yks form. Both of them evolved on the same homeworld and have learn to live together in peace coexistence like all of the races in the Coalition. "If you wish to then you can release information about nearby system if you wish and information about you own race". "Is there any more questions you have for us?

[The United Tributational Territories]

At hearing the news that there are multiple species, Genesis's face brights up. This means there are multiple aliens, and maybe this Coalition is more powerful that he thought. This could be a very good ally for his nation. As Yoni changes forms, Genesis and the Domos gasp, but then start clapping.
"This is interesting more than alarming! I would love to know about the races in your Coalition, if possible? We would be willing to release information about not too far away systems we have been watching, and our own race."

Yryln was surprised by the clapping after Master Yoni had changed his form. He would have not have guess that this would be their response to Master Yoni. He wondered how Master Yoni thought of his since while he was a Xeo. He understood the nature of the Vryr'yks and why they would go to some extremes to protect themselves.

Master Yoni in his Zelaic form, continued to talk. "I am a Xeo, a crystal-based race that can manifest themselves using different forms using the gift". "Or the alignment as you call it and I can talk you of the other two races in the Coalition". "The other two are the Avorx and the Ealir. The Avorx are a Ursine-like race with crystals that cover it back and the Ealir are a tall, skinny mammal race. Master Yoni changed to each race as he talked about them and changed back to his Vryr'yks form. Both of them evolved on the same homeworld and have learn to live together in peace coexistence like all of the races in the Coalition. "If you wish to then you can release information about nearby system if you wish and information about you own race". "Is there any more questions you have for us?

Genesis continues, "I guess another question that would interest us would be if there were any other nations that have the gift, as you call it? Or any others in general. As for our race, our race is amphibious, and we had many wars between us until the teachings of Hylotl. He, the longest living Zeliac ever, was a master of this gift, and eventually became one with the universe itself. We follow his teachings of peace, and we strive to bring this peace to other nations. We feel life would be much easier without war. That's our philosophy. The nearby systems have been reading for signs of non intelligent life, though we haven't had much of a chance to explore them in further detail. We just colonized another planet, and we are trying to prepare to meet any other nations, just so we can receive them more formally."

[Durmatagno]

Edge of Uesugi Confederation Space

Commodore Vern drummed his fingers in his chair, watching readouts, and reports from his fleet as they prepared to drop out of FTL, right on a pre-established slaver route that the Uesugi used. The plan was simple, hit them fast, hit them hard, get the slaves, and get back out. A planet in the Southern part of the Union was ready to receive any who did not have a world to go to outside of Uesugi space. Honestly, the size of the fleet was a bit overkill, but the parliament viewed them as overstepping their bounds, and had decided to flex it's muscles a little bit, try to intimidate the Uesugi, or go into full war mode. The border was already being prepared for that possibility, ships were moved into place, troops posted, defensive systems reinforced.

Vern stopped drumming as his fleet, 1x Battlecruiser, 2x Light Cruisers, 8x Frigates, 4x Escort Ships, 6x Pulse Destroyers, 8x Escort Corvettes, and their accompanying wings, decelerated into STL speeds. There, they lay in wait, deploying pulse mines, designed mmay be the staostly to force any ships in FTL to slow to a speed where they could be raided. From there, they waited, fighter wings, interceptors, and boarding crews all on standby for the moment the fireworks started. Weapons were hot, this was to be a quick strike, get the people, and get out.

"This may be the start of a new war of the Aurora Union, be ready for the hell that awaits us. If this is best case scenario, we free some slaves, and force the Uesugi to back away from our space. If this is worst case scenario, it's full scale war, let's do everything we can to insure it's the first, not the second. Good luck everyone, may your ships serve you well."

Vern cut off the fleet wide transmission, ordering radio silence, making it far less likely they'd get discovered before the trap was sprung, regardless, they were larger, and had more resources then the Uesugi, and preliminary reports suggested most of their ships outclassed the Uesugi in space, but the Uesugi did transport far, far more soldiers all at once.

[Newne Carriebean7]

Confederation of the Uesugi
The rocky asteroid world of Vesos II
luggerhulk class battleship Andromedaus
10.3.645TG ( 10.2.3145)

Kantai no daimyō Dumma Ein sipped the hot beverage from the cup of hot sludge the Bakedaisti had fetched him without spilling it again. the taste was invigorating, something that was stronger than he had anticipated, and so made a twisted face from his top position on the bridge of the Andromedaus as the Testa took another sip and looked at the boring surroundings, he decided to read up on the history of the rocky world. Apparently it's the remnants of a planet that was obliterated by several asteroid strikes millions of years prior, and was found to be one of the rumored point zero locations for the Bake species, or the Isonse, the accounts had been orally transmitted by generation, so the details varied on who was telling the tale for propaganda reasons. As he put the small tablet down, he stared out at the hundreds of small cramped containers used to transfer the millions of slaves needed for this deal, he had second thoughts about doing this so close to some godforsaken planet of an old empire, but the high command assured him the spot was picked out by a top level congressman that wanted to secure re-election by fudging some numbers about pirate raids. chuckling, he uttered
"What a ship of fools."
The Teste heard this and laughed with them, as jokes were contagious these days, and laughter was the best medicine. turning his attention to the fleet layout, he stared at the several altered shapes on the glowing table, moving them with his hands.The Luggerhulk class battleships were arranged with one on each flank of the fleet, with himself guarding the middle of the formation, with 15 malevolent frigates sprinkled in every handful of groups to see what could be placed there, behind them were the 100 transports, each carrying nearly a thousand slaves, making the force contain a total of 300,000 unskilled and short assed laborers to do the highest bidder's dirty work. It must have been a beautiful day out in space, as the weather report said that the clouds of fighters had not been seen yet, much to his ire. pressing a button on his chair, a menu came up and he selected hangar, soon being connected to a Teste who was working there.
"Yes sir?"
"Ah, Hangar trisun commander, you are to prepare half a thousand fighters and a quarter of a that same number of bombers for launch in fifteen minutes, if you can take it shorter than that, consider a promotion to Hangar wing commander."
"You really want all of those fighters to be launched ,why?"
"is it time for their daily routine patrols?"
"isn't that why we have patrol craft?"
the hangar commander snarled before a glare from Ein silenced the smug look on his face.
"No, and I hate to deal with idiots all day long, so just prepare those fighters for launch, and when are the last transports arriving?"
"They should be here in three hours give or take a few, captain Gensho is to lead five patrol craft on a small ring around the asteroid base when he arrives, I don't plan on anything being there, but it's always good for them to be on their toes, right?"
with a smirk on his face, Ein sat back in his chair and sighed.
"It was just another boring day doing slave sitting work for the major companies..."

Confederation of the Uesugi
Vicarius
10.10.645TG ( 10.9.3145)
Shogun President Taigo Nagato 's feet touched the soft, malleable ground of Vicarius as he left theUshio class patrol vessel he had used to transport himself to the legislative world, a good 3 weeks travel that had made his everything ache all over from the cramped conditions on the ship. He wanted to use the flagship, but the captains made up the excuse that it was not ready yet. The sheer logistics in transferring 103,000 members in a massive circular shaped structure for the Congress. What made him a bit upset was that it was nothing more than a figurehead, as the majority party, the Eternal Rising Sun controlled over half of all the seats in the big building. 55,000 seats to be exact. The remaining other opposition parties were out for the interests of the other species, except the Bakedaisti, who had been forbidden congressional representation,regardless of if the planet was 99% Bakedaisti, the remaining 1% was allowed to represent the system. The legislature was incredibility undemocratic, or unrepresentative as the combined 103,000 members represented only 0.0000337% of the population. If that wasn't democratic, he didn't know what was.

Laughing at that statement, he proceeded down one of the long hallways to the vast area with hundreds of thousands of seats arranged in a Colosseum like fashion, only roofed in and more high tech. Walking to a small elevator like entrance, he pressed a button and put his eye up to a small cable that scanned his eye. a robotic voice greeted the President as the quiet room became a bustling center of nearly a hundred thousand different voices that apparently followed him into the Congressional legislature.
Taking a deep breath as everyone settled into their seats after an hour, he began his speech.

"Welcome to the 650th annual meeting of the Confederation of Uesugi's congressional Systemic representatives to hear the annual plans I have for this nation, and my lack of zeal and or passion to follow them through."
A roar of laughter interrupted and drowned out the next few words, and so he took another breath and began again.
"Now, as you all are aware for the plans for war, and and all shipyard worlds are to be maximized into production, food is to go to the politicians, the rich, the slaves and the soldiers, but no one else for a fear of wasting it. This policy would cause an estimated 15 to 20 billion unwanted and unneeded individuals to part this galaxy, Martial Law is to be implemented all across the galaxy, and the Congress of the Uesugi is to coordinate the war effort along with the generals of the army, with each representative of the System overtaking the authority of any and all military officers, except in the case of invasion in that sector. Key political, economical and military targets are to be fortified and a campaign against our enemies is to be planned by the High Hattori Command, High Teste Command and High Isone Command. The three species will be in charge of their respective sectors and wage war on their own accord based on what was best for their species. A Coordinated war effort, in a sense, will not be possible with these conditions, that is why we must better plan ahead in the future in case it happens. We are planning on expanding the republic's borders in both an Eastern and south Eastern direction, Operation Balfour is a planned operation that will involved 4 systems, a total of 30 million troops, 20,000 ships and 50,000 transports will be involved, it will be in two groups, labeled Groups A and B. Group A will strike east, capturing whatever is involved there, Group B will strike southeast, capturing,enslaving and killing off those that resist. I know many of you will be nervous at this assault, we must have vigilance and strength. The Proposed Meeting of the three High commands are to take place in early month 11 of 12. I urge the system representatives of Eien no sekutā (eternal sector) Vu~iantosekutā (valliant sector) and Taisetsuna sekutā (cherished sector) to make the nessecary requirements and outfit the needed expositions at once, I thank you for coming."
with that, the meeting ended and Nagato stared at the sight of nearly a hundred thousand people try to leave at the same time.

[Durmatagno]

Edge of Uesugi Confederation Space

"Commodore, ships detected in system, but they have paused short of the predicted route. Passive scans indicate small scouting craft, no details other then that they would be to small for self-contained FTL."

Vern grunted, and pondered the array of screens before him, different symbols representing the many ships under his command, as well as the carefully placed mines.

"Switch the mines from proximity to remote detonation, most scans will see them as debris scattered in the asteroid field, so we have to sit and wait. We can't waste them on such small craft, we need to wait for the bigger ships, Have two of the corvettes send out some of their duds so that if they are found, they might appear the be remnants of some long forgotten battle."

Vern got out of his chair and tapped two of the corvettes, a laser pulse transmission could only be intercepted by someone in it's direct path, making it a delayed, but safe form of communication for ambushes such as this. As he waited for them to do what they were told, he tapped on several interceptor squadrons, 10 wings, 300 ships in total, and planted them on different asteroids where they could power off, and flank any enemy fighters.

"It's still a waiting game, we have to be patient for the right time to strike. Remember everyone, avoid hitting the transports. The goal here is to rescue the slaves, not kill them."

Of course, Vern was only talking to his bridge crew, they were still operating on radio silence, and a pulse needed a clear line, they didn't have that with all the ships. Once the fighting had begun though, they wouldn't need to worry about radio silence.

[Ithalian Empire]

Ni'ish City Municipal Spaceport
7th of October, 3145

"How sad. It reminds me of the time when the Ostian Imperium used to think that Communism was a religion. Historically, we trace our origins to an old human nation called the German Democratic Republic due to our founder of the Imperium, Emperor Karl Engels the First. Yes, that is right, we used to think that an economic theory was a religion. Of course once we realized the mistranslations in the sacred texts, the faith quickly diminished. Perhaps because of this, most of my kin are not very spiritual or religious in any sense." Prince Xaiver responded to Relia's statement. He glanced over to his retainer and said, "Of course the Emperor's Law guarantees protection of practice of religion, but it is something that isn't discussed publicly often."

Xaiver had wondered that if Communism was first thought of as a religion, why did the first Emperor call himself Karl Engels? Was it to perhaps establish himself as a religious leader? From what he could remember, the Communist Religion only appeared after the death of the first emperor. But he did find it funny how back in those days, the Ostians thought themselves as the people of the Proletariat who are the chosen people and were meant to create a larger community.

Antivarians never had a large communist mindset in their history, in fact most of the old nations were some form of democracy of monarchy. It was but one of the many thing that other species went through that both confused and caused Antivarians to wonder about. Which is why Relia chose to study the cultures of other races.

"Religion is something that is very different between our people. Nearly all Antivarians are followers of the traditional Antivarian religion, in fact it rare to find an Antivarian who admits to be an atheist. Not that being so is illegal."

The motorcade raced through the Antivarian capital on it's way to the first city built by Antivarian hands. Passing the business districts and the industrial parks the found them selves in the nice, clean, suburbs of the capital were the majority of the populace lived, in a half an hour they would come to the edge of the city and the start of the countryside, the rolling sea of long grass undulating with every hill, cut by the large six laned highway that connected the cities of the Antivarian home world together.

Uesugi Confederation-United Antivarian Republic Boarder

Out here, on the frontiers of the Republic, was pirate country. As such it was patrolled by the Anti-Piracy Task Force. Considered to be the elitist in terms of experience, these were troops hardened by battle, the cream of the Antivarian military.

Three Stalwart Class corvettes and a single Freedom Class destroyer formed this particular Anti-Piracy sweep. They had been scanning for three months and in a few days they would be entering hyperspace to go back to base for some relaxation and rest.

The Freedom Class of this patrol was acting as the flagship for the small flotilla of ships, with the two smaller vessels moving behind her roughly 100km and 150km each. Each ship had finished it sensor sweep and were spinning up there drives to jump to the next patrol point.

"Sir, scans have shown us nothing wh didn't pick up last patrol." said the senior watch officer on board the bridge of the Swift Fire.

"Good, inform the rest of the patrol to go to Designated Patrol Route 178-alpha." For the captain of the ship these constant patrols had become boring, something that should be given to a lesser captain than him.

As the ships began to start up the jump sequences something caught the attention of the sensors. Immediately all three ships made an intercept course, warming up there coilguns and focusing laser's for optimal focus and energy output. The two corvettes took position to intercept form the left and right while the Freedom Class came up form behind. A warning was given.

Unidentified vessel, halt and prepare to be boarded, failure to comply will result in the use of deadly force.

[Newne Carriebean7]

Confederation of the Uesugi
The rocky asteroid world of Vesos II
luggerhulk class battleship Andromedaus
10.3.645TG ( 10.2.3145)

Kantai no daimyō Dumma Ein swallowed the cup of hot joe as he watched several hundred tiny sliver like objects leave the Luggerhulk class battleships while the malevolent frigates turned and moved around in a rotational pattern. It was a typical pattern of habit, not strategy that the frigate captains would retire to a second line of defense, while fresh ones took their place. He was a bit iffed that there was no need for it, and it was probably some inbred noble wanting to take all the glory from their shit filled shoes and egotistical head. several flashes were seen and a few dozen more ugly looking boxes with engines on the back arrived. As Ein stared intently at the new arrivals, a Teste approached him.
"Sir, Baron of Tyrme reports 23 more transports in our ranks, they're the last arrivals for another few weeks, what are your orders?"
"Well then, every head's accounted for, excluding the rich. alright, all ships head to the exit of the Vesos II, we'll jump south to the planet of Ithanini where the local Isone will buy these off of our hands."
"yes sir."
With that being said, the Andromedaus rocketed forwards, forcing Ein's head back in the comfy seat as the ships began to move as a group, with the exception of the Tyrme's ships, who lagged behind in the back, forcing a malevolent frigate to babysit them,reducing the amount of ships at the front of the formation.

Near the Uesugi Confederation-United Antivarian Republics boarder
Ushio mark I class patrol frigate IPV (Independent Patrol Vessel)-33245
Hattori Diplomat Asai Nampo was busy looking over some last minute information he had read up about the UAR, staring at the dates and other information was his specialty, too bad it wasn't needed now. With that, he stared out at the bridge, the several Teste officials were staring at screens,several of them worried about a few blimps on the radar getting closer with every sweep and beep. Nampo turned to the captain who was slouched down in the chair, "a disgusting and undignified display for the Uesugi navy," he thought, "what would president Taigo think?" Then smirking back, he tapped Farris on the shoulder, who yawned and revealed his many cavity fillings and confectionery plagued nights.
"Captain. We've sighted several unidentified shapes 180 degrees behind the bow. orders?"
"What?! have the main cannons charged and readied for firing, all hands to general quarters,have they hailed us?"
"Yes, with this message."
With that, the small message scrolled back from the green lettered black backgrounded screen that appeared.

Unidentified vessel, halt and prepare to be boarded, failure to comply will result in the use of deadly force.

As his eyes scanned the message, a yellow light dimmed the ship's bridge, followed by a small layout of the ship with green circles on each gun position. a sailor gave the military salute
"All cannons are readied and manned captain,awaiting your orders."
Farris paused for a minute and then asked.
"Is the engine room manned?"
The sailor was confused by this, but replied with a concerned yet answering voice when he spoke again.
"Yes, all positions are manned, why?"
"Order them to halt this vessel, we are to comply with the UAR patrol. and send out a reply to them, tell them we are stopping our vessel and we have a Representative of the Uesugi Confederation to meet with UAR top ranking officials, and would like an escort."
"Yes sir."
with that, a reply was sent out to the other UAR ships.

This is the Ushio mark I class patrol frigate IPV-33245, We are Complying with your message, expect our halting of movement momentarily. we have a diplomatic representative of the Uesugi Confederation to meet with your government officials and would like an escort to the capital world of the UAR.

[Durmatagno]

Edge of Uesugi Confederation Space

"Commodore, the ships have begun moving, remote detonators are ready."


"Very Good, wait for the first line of escorts to pass, then detonate on the second line. Destroying them doesn't matter, we want to send them into disarray, then open up with a full barrage on the survivors, and that first line."

Pulses moved from ship to ship, informing them of the plan, seconds before the mines would detonate, the ships would leave their hiding places, revealing themselves so that they would have a clear first shot. The waiting interceptors continued to drift, as they were to pin enemy fighters, or bombers between themselves and the fleets PD.

Vern finally took his seat again, and watched as a few ships made micro-adjustments to their positions, readying for the coming battle. The boarding would be the most dangerous parts, the Uesugi packed far more soldiers onto their ships then the Union, and it would put them at a disadvantage once the escorts were destroyed, but for the time being, Vern considered his fleet to have the upper hand, especially considering it's size.

[The Moscow Metro Red Line]

Bewaidroa - Chebshuka System - Karl Engels Sector - Ostian Imperium
9th of October, 3145

The coordinates given to them was in a peculiar but understandable location. The area that they would be meeting is part of a larger area which was designated for hunting grounds. To be specific, hunting for the nocturnal predators known only as the Ventar. The Ventarare dangerous and peculiar creature on the planet. They are humanoid in shape and walk on two legs. They are completely black in color with the only other color being their small orange glowing eyes. Their feet and their hands have long sharp claws and they have hardened hide around their legs and shoulders. They live in caves and underground during the day and come out in night. They are very sensitive to light and can easily be startled by a simple wave of a torch or even moonlight. However due to the dense foliage, there are many parts of the Jungle that do not receive light and are therefore prime hunting grounds for Ventar. Due to these things, hunters of Ventar require a special license and special training for these creatures. Luckily this chosen location was very well-lit and was in an artificial clearing, so the possibility of an Ventar attack was very low.

Moreover their meeting took place on the planet's equivalent of noon time, so there even less of a risk of a Ventar attack. The small ship landed on the clearing and a door on its side opened. Out of this door came four disguised Obsidian Guardsmen unloaded crates, a male Krastikan wearing a jet black jumpsuit and a black forage cap, and a human female with silver hair and blue eyes wearing the same disguise as the Obsidian Guardsmen. These individuals waited for whomever to show up.

---

Imperial Communications Network
9th of October, 3145

The Imperial Communications Network was the official news network of the Ostian Imperium. It was a public institution and thus did not have to run any advertisements. The holo-channel was broadcasted to the rest of the Ostian Imperium and outside of it for any other viewer.

"Hello and welcome to this segment of the news." Spoke the female human newscaster. "In recent events, the Emperor has ordered the deployment of more fleets to the northern borders of the Ostian Imperium and the Tagali Federation due to the atrocious attack by Pirates in the Pieck System. The Emperor hopes that with this show of force, Pirates would pay heavily for intruding in Ostian territory. Admiral Joro Sarom, Commander of the 35th Fleet and Battlefleet Oder, had this to say about this latest deployment."

The image changed to an Kreigschen male wearing ornate white armor with Ostian Naval officers standing behind him with their arms crossed behind their backs. This Kreigschen was no other than Admiral Joro Sarom, a renown Ostian Military Theoretician and recipient of the highest military/civilian honor in the Ostian Imperium, the Hero of the Ostian Imperium. He is known for his effective yet questionable tactics. Due to his military ampltiude he was promoted quickly through the ranks and was given command of Battlefleet Oder, one of the most prestigious commands in the Ostian Navy. "Let me remind you all that these pirates do not come from our borders. Rather they are the result of the laxity of the Tagali's Navy. Our frontier systems respect the chain of command and allows the protection of their systems by the countless fleets of the Ostian Navy. I do not think that the Tagali would take this troop build up near the border as a threat to their own sovereignty. Rather it will be a sign that we will no longer tolerate their laxity. Any pirate vessel that crosses the border will be intercepted with extreme haste and precision. And if the Tagali Federation wishes our aid in their insurgency problem, we shall help them by securing our side of the border. As a sign of this strength, the High Command of the Ostian Military will deploy the I.O.S. Emperor Karl Engels the Second, our second Emperor Class Dreadnought, to the border as a sign of our renewed vigor."

---

Ni'ish City Municipal Spaceport
7th of October, 3145

Prince Xaiver looked out of the window and gazed at the surroundings they were passing by. "Impressive, this almost reminds me of Ostia but with less water and more foliage. However I presume that this look did not come naturally. What kind of environmental policies are instituted on this planet to make it look like this?" While Xaiver did not really care much about this, he asked this with a passing curiosity. After all, the current environment on Ostia was created by strict emigration and immigration quotas, precise environmental engineering, and constant monitoring of the environment. Without these measures, Ostia would just be another overpopulated and industrialized world with dark skies and little nature remaining on the planet.

[Zjaum]

The halls of the Didaskalarchy were deafening with chatter. The members of the Didaskalarchy were to decide the continuation of state-funded exploration.
"We must invest in our people, Didaskalarch Tak! We are wasting thousands of kyims stretching out into the stars, to find nothing productive, to the detriment of our people! If we could only give some of that to our people, we would increase our quality of life tenfold!"
"Nay, Elek. This project invests in our people. We dig deep into the galaxy; the more we dig, the more we get! The two are inextricably linked; it is for our glorious nation that we expand!"
"There is nothing for us out there! Nothing to gain! Nothing to conquer!"
"And NOTHING for us here!"
"What say you, o king?"
The king arose from the background and approached the center. "You all know well my desires to expand across the galaxy. As far as we know, our race, in addition to the remnants of our two Elmazjt neighbors, are alone in the universe. It is our duty to fill the loneliness as best possible.
"However, I see the point of the opposition. I will put it to the rare vote."

To: Most Sovereign Imperial Headquarters, Elmazjt
From: Exploration Unit 257

Glory to the King!

As you well know, we are in search of another planet, on which we may expand our glorious Sovereignty. On our way, we discovered an object, clearly not made by any of our factions. We, the peoples of the Elmazjt System, are not alone in the universe.

We attempted communication with the object, but that was clearly futile; we couldn't speak each other's language. The object seemed clunky and poorly made, so we expect this new faction to be of inferior intellect or younger age. I dare not say anything further in this memorandum; you will receive the entire report in the attached documents.

Obviously, this implies a lot. For decades, we had thought that the species of the Elmazjt System were alone in the universe, and that the galaxy was ours to conquer and rule at our whim. Apparently, it is not. Whether or not our limit to expansion has been met, we leave that to you. We await your response, and will, in the meantime, continue our exploration.

The hall was silent. Elek was the first to break the silence. "I rescind everything! We must expand! We must make every effort for contact! We have a purpose as a nation once more!"
The Didaskalarchy cheered at this news. The king, seeing unanimous approval, quietly retracted his offer for a vote. Mustn't give them too much power, after all.
"Dispatch the Grand Imperial Fleet of the Turna in the direction of the last-known location of this memorandum!" cried the king. "Send our bravest linguists and our finest diplomats! We shall meet these newcomers!"

[Tagali Federation]

Bewaidroa - Chebshuka System - Karl Engels Sector - Ostian Imperium
9th of October, 3145

The coordinates given to them was in a peculiar but understandable location. The area that they would be meeting is part of a larger area which was designated for hunting grounds. To be specific, hunting for the nocturnal predators known only as the Ventar. The Ventarare dangerous and peculiar creature on the planet. They are humanoid in shape and walk on two legs. They are completely black in color with the only other color being their small orange glowing eyes. Their feet and their hands have long sharp claws and they have hardened hide around their legs and shoulders. They live in caves and underground during the day and come out in night. They are very sensitive to light and can easily be startled by a simple wave of a torch or even moonlight. However due to the dense foliage, there are many parts of the Jungle that do not receive light and are therefore prime hunting grounds for Ventar. Due to these things, hunters of Ventar require a special license and special training for these creatures. Luckily this chosen location was very well-lit and was in an artificial clearing, so the possibility of an Ventar attack was very low.

Moreover their meeting took place on the planet's equivalent of noon time, so there even less of a risk of a Ventar attack. The small ship landed on the clearing and a door on its side opened. Out of this door came four disguised Obsidian Guardsmen unloaded crates, a male Krastikan wearing a jet black jumpsuit and a black forage cap, and a human female with silver hair and blue eyes wearing the same disguise as the Obsidian Guardsmen. These individuals waited for whomever to show up.

A shadowy figure watched from the trees as the ship landed in the clearing. the figure jumped from the branch they were perched on towards the jungle floor. As the Inquisition Soldiers unloaded their supplies, the figure stepped out revealing themselves. They were wearing armor of Tagali design, but a set few see and live to tell the tale. Whoever they were, they were a Head Hunter, a member of the almost mythical group of soldiers under the control of the FIS.

Very little is known about the Head Hunters, even by those in not in the higher ranks of the Head Hunters. Those that are from more superstitious cultures believe they are the product a deal with the occult. Demons bound to the will of the Federation and tasked with killing all that oppose them. Those more grounded in reality suggest that the Head Hunters are made up of the children of Tagali Houses of the Assassin caste either kidnapped from their families or traded in exchange for favors. All that is truly known is that they are incredibly powerful psionic individuals.

The Head Hunter stepped out, their weapon holstered as to show that they were friendly. Even through the helmet, it was clear that the individual was not Human, Tagali, or any similar species by the way they spoke. Their voice seemed to vibrate with each word.

"Before I speak, have you made sure all of your equipment has been 'cleaned'? I am committing High Treason right now just speaking with you."

[The Moscow Metro Red Line]

Bewaidroa - Chebshuka System - Karl Engels Sector - Ostian Imperium
9th of October, 3145

"Depends on the meaning of cleaned." Responded the Krastikan who adjusted his black forage back. "If cleaned means completely cut off, I am afraid that luxury is something that cannot be afforded. If something were to happen to me or the people with me, my boss would like to now immediately. If cleaned means isolated and jammed communications, then yes we are clean. All the equipment has been provided by the Inquisition Quartermasters and each piece of equipment from ship to personnel items are scrubbed and blasted each mission." He grinned and stepped forward, "I am Stril Trutcix, Agent of the Ostian Inquisition."

"Are you our contact or a representative of our contact?" Stril was not informed nor aware of the existence of the Head Hunters. He presumed that this person was some sort of assassin or bounty hunter by the way they looked. He could sense that this person was a trained killer but something else was special about him. Erica Zero-Four or Faustian Twenty-Five, was probing the mind of this peculiar individual. She was more of a telekinetic than a telepath, but was chosen for this mission to hone her telepathy skills.

[Ithalian Empire]

Ni'ish City Municipal Spaceport
7th of October, 3145

Prince Xaiver looked out of the window and gazed at the surroundings they were passing by. "Impressive, this almost reminds me of Ostia but with less water and more foliage. However I presume that this look did not come naturally. What kind of environmental policies are instituted on this planet to make it look like this?" While Xaiver did not really care much about this, he asked this with a passing curiosity. After all, the current environment on Ostia was created by strict emigration and immigration quotas, precise environmental engineering, and constant monitoring of the environment. Without these measures, Ostia would just be another overpopulated and industrialized world with dark skies and little nature remaining on the planet.

"The Legislature has never made any policies directly relating to the environment per say, just some guidelines on how much pollutants can be emitted by personnel vehicles and quotes on industrial emission on Antivar. Most Antivarians that live around Ni'Ish use the public transportation system, so that's not a problem and most of the industry in the system has moved to the other planets around our star. For the most part we let the planet do what the planet has done as the Creator designed it." Relia didn't grow up on the homeworld, her home was in the Amilia System, an entire world devoted to industry. She hadn't seen real natural beauty till she moved to the Capital.

The motorcade rolled on through the lush field of grass, in the distance the first signs of the ruins were coming up. A preserved section of the old cobble highway built during the early part of the 2nd Age of Antivarian history, some of the old nuclear missle installations of the old superpower that dominated the homeworld till the planet united. Finally, the came up to the entrance of the ancient city, the birth on Antivarian culture and civilization. A stone wall, roughly 40 feet high and pocked marcked form battles long forgotten greeted them.

"Well your majesty, welcome to the birthplace of the Antivarian civilization."

Near the Uesugi Confederation-United Antivarian Republics boarder
Ushio mark I class patrol frigate IPV (Independent Patrol Vessel)-33245
Hattori Diplomat Asai Nampo was busy looking over some last minute information he had read up about the UAR, staring at the dates and other information was his specialty, too bad it wasn't needed now. With that, he stared out at the bridge, the several Teste officials were staring at screens,several of them worried about a few blimps on the radar getting closer with every sweep and beep. Nampo turned to the captain who was slouched down in the chair, "a disgusting and undignified display for the Uesugi navy," he thought, "what would president Taigo think?" Then smirking back, he tapped Farris on the shoulder, who yawned and revealed his many cavity fillings and confectionery plagued nights.
"Captain. We've sighted several unidentified shapes 180 degrees behind the bow. orders?"
"What?! have the main cannons charged and readied for firing, all hands to general quarters,have they hailed us?"
"Yes, with this message."
With that, the small message scrolled back from the green lettered black backgrounded screen that appeared.

Unidentified vessel, halt and prepare to be boarded, failure to comply will result in the use of deadly force.

As his eyes scanned the message, a yellow light dimmed the ship's bridge, followed by a small layout of the ship with green circles on each gun position. a sailor gave the military salute
"All cannons are readied and manned captain,awaiting your orders."
Farris paused for a minute and then asked.
"Is the engine room manned?"
The sailor was confused by this, but replied with a concerned yet answering voice when he spoke again.
"Yes, all positions are manned, why?"
"Order them to halt this vessel, we are to comply with the UAR patrol. and send out a reply to them, tell them we are stopping our vessel and we have a Representative of the Uesugi Confederation to meet with UAR top ranking officials, and would like an escort."
"Yes sir."
with that, a reply was sent out to the other UAR ships.

This is the Ushio mark I class patrol frigate IPV-33245, We are Complying with your message, expect our halting of movement momentarily. we have a diplomatic representative of the Uesugi Confederation to meet with your government officials and would like an escort to the capital world of the UAR.

For the captain of the patrol squadron this just turned a boring and routine day into something more exciting, if just a little bit annoying. As far as he knew, this would not be a first contact situation and as such there should have been some sort of official channel between the government of the Uesugi Confederation and the Republic. But the Captain was not a statesman, just another servant in the cause of protecting liberty and the citizenry.

"Diplomats, eh? Tell the to be readied for boarding, could never be to safe when dealing with unknowns out the frontier." He had seen many things in his five years of patrol duty. The thing that his pirate enemies had tried would make anyone wary about supposed diplomatic missions.

"Aye sir, messaging the Uesugi ship."

Frigate IPV-33245, prepare to be boarded for inspection. These are pirate infested areas and we can not be too careful. After inspection we will escort you to the nearest Military Station to be further transported to the capital.

[Theyra]

Genesis continues, "I guess another question that would interest us would be if there were any other nations that have the gift, as you call it? Or any others in general. As for our race, our race is amphibious, and we had many wars between us until the teachings of Hylotl. He, the longest living Zeliac ever, was a master of this gift, and eventually became one with the universe itself. We follow his teachings of peace, and we strive to bring this peace to other nations. We feel life would be much easier without war. That's our philosophy. The nearby systems have been reading for signs of non intelligent life, though we haven't had much of a chance to explore them in further detail. We just colonized another planet, and we are trying to prepare to meet any other nations, just so we can receive them more formally."

"I believe that other nations have the gift and there are other nations in the galaxy". "We have met some of them and have heard of others throughout our travels". "Though most do not live in the Outer Arm of the galaxy". "I can compile of known races that we know of but, that will take time". "So how long has Hylotl lived to earned such a title? "Plus it sounds like you are processing well to colorize another world". "The Coalition knows about the cost of war and we can please that you are a peacefully nation like us".

[Tagali Federation]

Bewaidroa - Chebshuka System - Karl Engels Sector - Ostian Imperium
9th of October, 3145

"Depends on the meaning of cleaned." Responded the Krastikan who adjusted his black forage back. "If cleaned means completely cut off, I am afraid that luxury is something that cannot be afforded. If something were to happen to me or the people with me, my boss would like to now immediately. If cleaned means isolated and jammed communications, then yes we are clean. All the equipment has been provided by the Inquisition Quartermasters and each piece of equipment from ship to personnel items are scrubbed and blasted each mission." He grinned and stepped forward, "I am Stril Trutcix, Agent of the Ostian Inquisition."

"Are you our contact or a representative of our contact?" Stril was not informed nor aware of the existence of the Head Hunters. He presumed that this person was some sort of assassin or bounty hunter by the way they looked. He could sense that this person was a trained killer but something else was special about him. Erica Zero-Four or Faustian Twenty-Five, was probing the mind of this peculiar individual. She was more of a telekinetic than a telepath, but was chosen for this mission to hone her telepathy skills.

The Head Hunter took off their helmet, revealing that he was a male Valonian.

"Yes I am. I've gone by many names. I am Hactus, Head Hunter-084 'Steel Pelgos'. Whatever you decide to call me, it doesn't matter." suddenly, the electronics around them were beginning to go hay-wire as massive amounts of Psionic energy began to radiate from the Head Hunter. Erica would soon get a massive migraine as Hactus countered her probing of his mind.

"Before we begin. Tell your Psionic that we in the Federation find it rude to violate someone's privacy with telepathy."

[Imperialisium]

Contact
The Unyielding Fury

Lord Marshal Zaekarius, short blonde hair, blue eyes and standing at 6ft 3 was what one could describe as imperious. He wore ornate grey armor with bronze etchings and embellishments. Detailing two dragons intertwined with one another. A black cape hung from cinching's on his pauldrons, the tough but soft fabric reaching almost to the floor, a dark grey hem providing a border on the ends. He looked at the information coming and going from across the Fleet. The two enigmatic giants out in the void of space intrigued him. Indeed they seemed rather archaic. Out of the ordinary perhaps? Out of place? Whatever they are Zaekarius had a firm interest.

"Make ready to receive their delegation." spoke Zaekarius to a nearby aide who walked off to delegate the new orders. The portside fore hangar was made open to receive the alien representatives. Zaekarius himself positioning himself between the ordered ranks of warriors and hangar crew offering a parade reception. He was flanked by two androids in the form of purple haired females wearing black body gloves. As a sign of good faith the ships weapons had powered down as well. Along with the seradite lattice around the hangar to prevent it messing with any electronics. The EMP pulse the crystals made often became problematic with other devices not created with their integration in mind.

The Crusade Fleet carried on in their slow semi-circular course. Having slowed down to a crawl as a sign of passive respect.

[Newne Carriebean7]

Confederation of the Uesugi
The rocky asteroid world of Vesos II
luggerhulk class battleship Andromedaus
10.3.645TG ( 10.2.3145)

Kantai no daimyō Dumma Ein watched the hundreds of fighters swirl around in a blur as the first line of ships begin to move forwards, the malevolent frigates being split into two smaller groups, the plan being that either group would guard the flanks of the formation, while some frigates would hang back in a second line. He had decided to move his ship to the second line, the big bulky battleship moving forwards with the rest of the small escort of frigates.
"Sir, the first line reports nothing on scanners yet."
"Good, continue our advance thr-"
he stopped speaking as the frigate in front of his eyes exploded in two, the wings soaring at the battleship, only narrowing missing the donut shaped vessel's shield generator.
"Sir, we're under attack, communication with first line has been severed!"
"What?! all hands to battlestations, hard to port at once!"
As the ships confusedly received the orders, the Andromedaus's veiwports were filled with a heavily damaged munificent frigate as it's prow cannons activated, blasting the ship with a salvo of heavy turbolazer fire.
"sir, incoming debris to port side!"
"Dammit, reverse course at once, all ships hard to starboard!"
As the orders were barked out, the Andromedaus received the brunt of the friendly fire, shattering a hangar bay and causing heavy losses, the pilots of the fighter craft not realizing it was a friendly fire incident, and so perished while prepping their ships to launch. a shot had even smashed up the bridge, causing Ein's nose to smash into a forward consul, the blood oozing from his nasal cavity as he noticed the river of red between his nose.
"Signal all available vessels to withdraw at once to the capital!"
"S-sir?"
"Now! and prepare this ship to conduct rearguard actions, we will withdraw with each ship on his own accord, and prepare proximity mines to be dropped by the patrol craft in the area, we're going to close this area off before we retreat. evacuate as many slavers as we can, the slave ships we can't fit, destroy them, we can't allow these many people to be used as a rival labour force by our enemies."
"Yes sir."
as the aide ran off to inform the others, Ein collapsed on the ground, the last thing he saw before he blacked out was two medics that entered through the door as an aide pointed in his general direction.

Near the Uesugi Confederation-United Antivarian Republics boarder
Ushio mark I class patrol frigate IPV (Independent Patrol Vessel)-33245
Hattori Diplomat Asai Nampo felt the ship slow down,the quickly rotating thousands of dots that were individual stars and galaxies miles away soon ended their dance with the stoppage of the tiny vessel, all the while as the UAV patrol frigate inched closer to the now stopped Ushio ship. he took note of Captain Farris, clutching something shiny in his hands,invoking the diplomat's unusual curiosity with the small object.
"Excuse me captain Farris, but what is that item you hold inbetween your hands?"
"Pocketwatch, it's for telling time. really old invention,but it can keep a picture of my family in there, so I don't care about time, it's a reminder of them. do you have family at home?"
Nampo once feeling satisfied about the answer farris gave, was caught off gaurd by the question, drawing a blank and thinking for a moment.
"I have no need for a familiar being of a host wife, the only purpose of the union of males and females in the Hattori specices is to continue the lineage and purity of the next generation."
Farris looked with a disappointed look.
"Oh, I see, so you don't want those feelings in your life? I.. I see,you're fairly young for a Hattori, only 160 something, you're going to need to repopulate your specices as you put it."
Nampo was about to speak when a sailor that saluted interrupted the conversation.
"Captain.Reply from UAR commander."
The man said, passing a paper in between Farris's hands.
Frigate IPV-33245, prepare to be boarded for inspection. These are pirate infested areas and we can not be too careful. After inspection we will escort you to the nearest Military Station to be further transported to the capital.
"Well,there level of concern on our behaf is touching, but I'm not trusting of these UAR, say what you will on that subject, I'm just the driver of the car, you're the guy that shits rainbows and smiles creepily from the corner.Tell all hands to scrub this ship from top to bottom, I want this vessle to be spotless for the UAR captains who will board our vessle, and get me some lunch, dammit!"
"Yes sir."
With that, the distant and low level humming of the engine room ceased as the ship jerked akwardly trying to halt, causing some of the less skilled Teste onboard to go flying and break something in a comedic fashion, drawing laughs from everyone, including the usually stone faced Nampo, who let out a cackuling giggle that stopped the laughing at that unholy demonic sound.

[The Moscow Metro Red Line]

Ni'ish City Municipal Spaceport
7th of October, 3145

"Impressive." Prince Xavier commented when he saw the tall walls of the Capital. While he was intrigued with the foliage and the architecture around him, he was more interested in the military-related structures. "Why did your people need such high walls in your history? Was there a reason for this design beside for sieges?" When Prince Xaiver asked his question, Y'era rolled his eyes in disappoint. How sad that he failed to notice how these structures have faded into nature rather than be maintained, he thought to himself. Such attention to these details could suggest that these Antivarians aren't as militant as other nations. That or they fail to recycle old military installations and cannot maintain historical landmarks.

"Also I would like to correct you. I am to be referred to as your Highness." Prince Xaiver added suddenly and abruptly. "The addressing of your Majesty is reserved for the Emperor or the Empress. All the male members of the Royal Family are to be addressed as your Highness and all the female members of the Royal Family are to addressed as your Grace. If you are the husband to the Empress or wife to the Emperor, they are addressed as your Lordship or your Ladyship respectively." For a member of the Royal Family and Ostian society, these titles were important to distinguish one's status as a member of the Royal Family. While there were nobility in the Ostian Imperium, their titles did not hold as much weight as those from the Royal Family.

A Guide to Titles of Honor and Nobility in the Ostian Imperium

• (Title Name) - (Who it refers to)
• Your Majesty - The Emperor/The Emperess of Ostia.
• Your Lordship/Ladyship - Spouse to the Monarch of Ostia.
• Your Highness - A male member of the Ostian Royal Family.
• Your Grace - A female member of the Ostian Royal Family.
• Ser - The designated retainer (Personal Bodyguard) to a member of the Ostian Royal Family.
• Grand Duke/Duchess - Head of an Ostian noble house.
• Lord/Lady - A member of an Ostian noble house.

---

Bewaidroa - Chebshuka System - Karl Engels Sector - Ostian Imperium
9th of October, 3145

The moment electronics began to go haywire, the Obsidian Guardsmen drew out their pistols and pointed them at the Valonian. Obsidian Guardsmen are chosen from orphanages across the Ostian Imperium. The "best" recruits are infants while the "passable" recruits are young children. It is because of this and the training and the indoctrination from a young age that the Obsidian Guardsmen are extremely reliable and loyal to the Inquisition. If a battalion of Obsidian Guardsmen were ordered on a suicide mission, none of them would complain and fulfill their orders to the fullest. If an Inquisitor ordered one of them to commit suicide,he or she would quickly oblige. However this also makes them close to mindless drones, and they heavily rely on their Inquisitional handlers for direction and orders. Perhaps it is because of this recruitment that the number of abandoned children in the Ostian Imperium is comparatively lower to other equal nations.

The Faustian who felt the psionic backlash from the Head Hunter, immediately held her head and began reaching for her own hidden weapons. In response to these actions, Stril raised one of his hands. The Obsidian Guardsmen lowered their pistols and holstered them in their jackets. However for the Faustian, Stril walked over to her and grabbed her by her chin. He turned her head to face him and gazed into her blue eyes. "Erica. Behave." He chided and then let go of her chin. He then walked closer to the Head Hunter. "I'm sorry for this misunderstanding. If you remember anything about the Ostian Imperium, it is that psionic research is considered a pseudo science and any public institution that researches it will lose its funding. Such talk about the mind and its powers is nothing more than fiction." While he knew the truth of psionic research in the Ostian Imperium due to his briefing about the Faust Project and obviously lied to the Head Hunter, he would like to remind him that such laws in the Federation did not exist here. "Now that you have destroyed my method of communication to my boss. I suggest we get this conversation going. Because in a few minutes, my boss will send in some people to check on my situation. So what is your information?"