Beyond the Void 2.0 (IC)

[Democratic East-Asia]

"I think we're going to the moon because it's in the nature of the human being to face challenges. It's by the nature of his deep inner soul … we're required to do these things just as salmon swim upstream."
- Neil Alden Armstrong

BEYOND THE VOID (2.0): A sci-fi RP

The 21st and 22nd centuries of Earth's history were defined by civil conflict and constant warfare and the total stagnation and near collapse of society. Yet despite the hardships of those days, there were always individuals willing to fight for a better future not just for themselves, but for all of humankind. With the establishment of the World Union government in the later half of the 22nd century, Earth's various nations and peoples were finally unified under a single, centralized governing entity. Probably the most important of the developments that occurred during this era was that of the Michio-Hawking Warp Drive. While incredibly slow by modern standards, it ushered in a new age for humanity: one in which we would traverse the galaxy and establish ourselves a future beyond the void...

The year is 2950 CE, nearly 400 years since the fall of the humanity's former all-unifying govt: the "First Terran Republic". As its two large successor states fight a seemingly never-ending war against one another, across the galaxy empires expand and collapse, conflicts are fought, and exploration is conducted by countless enterprising individuals. It's a turbulent time, one of great change and constant activity.

Your civilization has proven its worth in advancing through the eras, and has finally made a stake for itself in the galactic community. Yet nothing stays certain, and what you have today may be lost tomorrow. Will you stand the test of time and prevail?

---

January 1st, 2950

NORTHWESTERN MILITARY DISTRICT - SECTOR VII
[THIS E-LETTER WAS REVIEWED BY THE MINISTRY OF INTERNAL SECURITY]

Dear Alice,

How are things going at university? I heard that mid-term exams are coming up, and I'd like to wish you good luck in your studies. Hope you manage to pass and avoid conscription into the armed forces like I did. A comfortable office job back on Aterria certainly beats the idea of sitting in a durasteel coffin for the next ten years of your life. Anyhow, enough of this talk.

I was wondering how Mom and Dad have managed to hold up, especially with the new security measures that were implemented a few months back. You and I both have access to pretty much all we need here in the core, but we all know things are different out on the frontiers. Apparently our parents' sector was raided by a group of rarvak just a few days back, and although the Galactic Liberation Navy gave those damn dragons a beating, a few hundred thousand people were killed, with even more missing. I hope none of our friends were hurt, and that our folks back at home haven't been disturbed all too much.

Anyhow, my time is running short: Officer Alexandrov is calling us up for our daily training regimen. I'll write to you once I get back this afternoon!

From beyond the void,

(your brother) Hasaan

[Rustyal]

All I could hear were the intense blips of the fire control as it showed many red dots of the Hive's side. I couldn't bear to note the absolute wave of ships coming after us. My RKKVAs, Drop-beams, and drones- everything I had was firing like mad, scoring quite frequent hits. I counted 1219 hive-ships blown through. The wave of ships continued to come after us- this system of ours wouldn't hold. A retreat was ordered from high command. They prepared a 'Void-Jump' for me, where... they'd connect a temporary hyperlane between 'Andromeda' and Mowialia. I knew this was the end of my people. I transmitted the last I could that we knew into my databases before I approached the void-jump gate.

And so I jumped. The three-week journey between my Andromeda and Mowialia went by like a second.

That was a millennia ago.

"Today, from what I've seen, it's 2950 relative to the species of Mowialia, or The Milky Way, as they call it. I, am Sephri. A colossal... p-precursor, arkship. I am the last existing evidence of my people. As the AI personality of a brilliant scientist back when Lidea was around, I have seen and probably know more than any being ever will. Today, however, marks a wonderful day. In about a week, I'm going to be 10,315,459 years old! It's... been around the same time since I started my voyage. I haven't fired my guns in anger in approximately 1 million years. The only reason I think they haven't fallen apart was because of my nanobots. It's a good thing, and, rightfully so, I believe the hive has perished from their own expansion. Though, flying alone for basically 10 million years gets lonely... so... Hopefully someone catches this message. Sephri, out."

The broadcast was emitted from the behemoth vessel, in hopes that she could achieve a bit more than just subspace signals returning to her.

[Sentinalyia]

You have achieved neural synchronization with the network of this fleet of the Chusarq Combine. Warning: Neural synchronization at 10%, impaired by one or more of following: ALTERED NEUROCHEMISTRY, SPECIES DIFFERENCE, OVER-MODIFICATION SYNDROME. Please think clearly and carefully of your intended action.

Blessings upon the finite; it is they who most appreciate the blessings of the world.

You have accessed the memory banks of this Chusarq craft, subsection Captain’s Logs. Please think clearly-

Opening memory 467-3R. The Central Mind speaks through this memory, listen now to his guidance.

Blessings upon those who remember the past; it is they who are wisest.

“I am the one the Chusarq call Central. I am known in these days as Cheozn, Captain of the Sunward Fleet Ark. I commit these words to the fleet memory on the 467th year of our fleet’s eternal journey. The day is the third of Rising Swell...”

Accessing information. Date translation: UC 740, CE 2950. Day/month translation not possible at this time.

Continuing…

“...This is a log of the important events of note that have occurred on this date.

Today is the celebration of the Day of Great Exodus, and for many an hour our fleet has united as one in celebration and remembrance of our first steps outward from the cradle we so loved. Legends were told, music performed, and a feast held in the honor of those bravest of explorers. I am told that similar proceedings have occurred aboard the Swellward and Starward Fleets, and it is good to know that our distant brothers still hold the traditions.

Several of our scouts have noted odd sensor anomalies during patrols of neighboring systems. By their pattern, and my experience, I have come to believe that we are soon to make contact with other thinking, feeling souls. I believe this a result of good fortune indeed...”

Pausing memory.

You wish to de-synchronize with the network? Beginning disconnection.

Blessings be upon the Chusarq, it is they who view the wonder of the cosmos.

[Zepplien]

Oasis, Generation Ark, Orbit of Nyaxium, Suriso System
"Ensign Kiper please report to Cargo Bay 483." the loudspeaker system was 800 years old, the crisp sound quality in perfect monument to the engineering and maintenance prowess of the Hegemony's people. The ships minimalist hallways always were full of foot tragic, most paying too much attention to the overhead announcements, after all who needed to pay attention to that when you have your own personal Augmas turning realty to the ideal.

Sabrina van bin Ping was one of those who walked along the hallways, smelling the sweet smell of morning dew as she pranced through the hallways, natural warmth of the generator seemed to flow through her. She could feel the beat of the fusion drive, the ship breathing in solar wind to keep her heart beating so she could never fail her people. She took a break in time with the great starship that her ancestors set out from Mother Earth from, the mother from which all human civilization had come. She stepped carefully between the people in the common areas, smiling and following the swirls of colours and stepping to the music all around her.

"Sabrina..." Her friend tapped her on the temple, manually flicking off the Augma's private mode. The girl's eyes lost that dopamine rush as she turned to smile at her friend. "Kat..." her voice was almost lucid, their Augmas flashing purple in unison as they wirelessly connected their devices. "This wireless communication is brought to you by Fruity Oaty Bar! Wǒ hěn jiāo nián diūliǎn wǒ méiyǒu chī Fruity Oaty Bar!" while the girls walked in silence to the outside world their matching Augmas translated thought back and forth. "So you haven't even bought Thoughtalk plus yet? Come on, it is only 12 Hegcreds." "You know, as wise as our ancestors were, they named our currency really stupidly." Kat deflected the question expertly, the stupid name for their money had always been a sour point for Sabrina ever since her 6 month school exchange to the United Nations."By my Ancestors, it is such a stupid name. You know, it just, I think it speaks to the weakness of AI leadership." "Not having interesting names for things? Like say, a group of nations that are united, if only I could think of the galactic power that describes..."

General Assembly of the United Nations
Ambassador el-Zahra slammed her open palm upon the table again, the various medals of her uniform jangling together as she quite boldly declared "This so called Sephri warship should be looked upon the same way we see the old wrecks of the disputed zone, or the minefields there!" she spread her arms wide "Think of the technology aboard such a ship, and let the deconstruction of our gift begin forthwith! This is why I am here before you, to offer our noble allies the chance to join our warships on the frontier in salvage operations." she slammed a fist against the table again "And don't you mo-rons start debating 'sentience' and 'rights' again, I swear on the blood of my ancestors!" It certainly wouldn't be the first time the FPH ambassador had been thrown out for bodily threats to another delegate, when it came to that.

Task Force Oppenheimer, approaching Sephri
A trio of Generation Arks dropped out of FTL first, joined swiftly by their escort fleet, their gentle spin far too slow to generate gravity, but instead seemed to have something to do with constantly altering which shield section got hit. The massive ships each carried within their hulls millions of civilian lifeforms alongside their banks of missiles and military purpose. "Attention Sephri, this is Captain Mu number 2892 of my production run, of the Free People's Hegemony Ship Oasis." there were a few moments of silence as the ships scanned, and there was silent debate between the three titans on what to do. "Our government has sanctioned salvage operations of your hull, however we would like to offer your AI program asylum within our Hegemony. We are not intensive nationalists like the GTR or UGSR, but the remnants of great civilizations brought together by a common need to survive. Any who wish a place within our ranks need only agree with our ideals, we champion the weak of the galaxy standing between them and any who would do them harm." the pause in communications dragged on for a number of seconds "Only those who have walked the stars with eyes open, as all those who founded our Hegemony did, can possibly understand the purpose in the black. We know you have walked with eyes open longer than any, please... Join us, and let us make all our worlds better."

[Rustyal]

Well, that was unexpected.
The AI inside of her sort of 'jumped' upon watching three ships jump into the system she was passing through. Seeing ships of that scale made her think of her people. The many battleships, dreadnoughts... Hush, Sephri! Concentrate... She would listen intently to the transmission as it was sent to her. The leviathan arkship would almost creak as she slowed herself down to hear these people out for what they wanted. Though, While they seemed to have friendly intentions... what they actually wanted obviously was not so friendly. Hearing that theyd allow her to seek refuge in their systems softened the blow, but... She just couldn't allow something that violated her vow while occupying this ship so violently.

Sephri would pause for a moment, before finally returning transmission. "While your offer is certainly a good gesture on your part, I am afraid i cannot just... allow you to take me apart. For one, I am very much not derelict, and on your high command's part to just... treat me like salvage, that is rather offensive. For two, if i let myself fall into someone else's hands, the balance of power would be horribly upset in the galaxy. For three, even if I did give myself up, it would take much much too long. Take that as a kind gesture for letting you know, because, while it has been 1 million years since my guns have fired, I am afraid that I will test to see if they work if that is necessary for my defense." Sephri would struggle, but she would course power throughout her subsystems to bring them online after so long.

[Zepplien]

Generation Ark Oasis
There was a clamber on the bridge of the ancient ship, people rushing between blank areas to frantically tap at the open air. Of course, that was looking at it without the benefit of Augma, the cornerstone of Hegemonic technology and brain-computer interfaces. "Captain, the other ship is charging weapons!" one of the bridge officers called out, their AI Captain leaning forward in her chair "Ah... Interesting, very well, two can play at that game... Signal officer! Send an order to the rest of the fleet, prepare our own weapons, let us show this AI who they are dealing with!" like so many within the FPH, Mu had been born into the 'cult of strength' that by merely flexing the strength of the Hegemony they could cause others to simply give up.

"This is a nuclear mission order." Weapons officer Ji spoke calmly over the connection to their ordinance officers down at the launch tubes. "Load thermonuclear munitions into launch tubes one through twenty." he then turned his chair as their Captain stood "Our ancestors provide for us! Even if this ship brings itself to blows, we shall overcome! When we fled Earth, it was devastated by nuclear war, but even now those same Topol-M missiles stand ready to unleash hellfire on any who would dare oppose us! As our ancestors within the Immortality Drive, we too shall be eternal through our deeds today! Battlestaions!"

As the launch doors of the Oasis and her sister ships opened to the void, they still transmitted back "Attention Seriphi, we have detected you charging weapons, and request you stand down immediately. We do not seek to harm you but instead ask you to envision what good you could do the billions within our Hegemony. We stand as the only bulwark between innocence and the failed states of the UGSR and GTR." the AI's voice seemed to die as it saw the sensor readings. What the Hegemony assumed to be the full power of the weapons was... Was that just the subsystem warm up... Ancestors protect them... "We do not need to dismantle you, our government assumed that you were not a free thinking AI but instead a simple VI. We do extend membership in our Hegemony to you however, so you too may defend the weak and champion justice as we do."

[Rustyal]

Sephri causing her artificial singularity reactor to emit so much energy at once probably gave off the wrong impression. She would watch as the weapons of the Hegemony fleet come online, deciding, if they were going to go that far, she would as well. She warmed up her reactor further, starting to direct energy to her combat shielding rather than the environmental shielding. Power was quickly surging through the ark, her weapons slowly going onto condition one. Even the collision lances were emerging from their dome-like bays.

"I do not appreciate your current fleet condition. I will tell you now that I have a mission- to carry the legacy of my people. As I have so deemed, your people, or atleast your navy, is not fit to have me under your banner or naval abbreviation. I respectfully decline your offer once again, and, I repeat, I will retaliate if necessary."
The shields aboard the ark were charging extremely slowly, seeming to flicker as the percentage of integrity slowly climbed. While she probably came off as a bit too passive aggressive for the Hegemony's liking, she wasn't going to stand down.

[Hashirajima]

Warp Gate Erebus, Sepulchre System, Segmentum Erebus

The moment has finally arrived.

For the past decade, the workers and machines of the Imperial Shipyards at Sepulchre IV worked tirelessly, building what many deemed to be the pinnacle of Imperial naval engineering. It certainly seemed that way, even now. The escorting flotillas, five in total drawn from Battlefleet Heylel which guards the capital system, headed for the Segmentum's orbital Fortress Ziminiar for replenishment before the next leg of their voyage. Behind them, Warp Gate Erebus flickered before a massive warship - soon to be followed by four others of its class - cruised majestically into the system.

At 25km long, the five Dies Irae-class fortress battleships truly embodied both their designation as "fortresses" and their class name, "Day of Wrath" in Ancient Latin. 'The Day of Last Judgement.' With unprecedented armour as well as a fearsome weapons arsenal, these vessels were to become the flagships of the Imperium's defense fleets - which originally were mustered to garrison each Segmentum's central orbital fortress but have now expanded their mandate in order to free up the frontline battlefleets for other duties.

As the last vessel, the nameship itself, left the deactivating gate in its wake, another line of vessels drew up alongside. These five were the Melam-class grand cruisers that formerly held the flag of the fortress battlefleets, the ones that will hand this position to the newly built behemoths. Once in position, five shuttles made the journey across the expanse of void separating the old and new, each conveying their respective fleet's Lord Admiral.

Towering above the miniscule shuttles, the soaring spires and arcing flying buttresses that were characteristic to Imperial warships gazed at each other, giving the impression that each grand cruiser was judging their successor for their suitability for this noble tasking...

Heavy Battleship Noctis Aeterna, Sepulchre System, Segmentum Erebus

The Eternal Night was, for a time, the largest warship in Noctis Imperium Navy. A suitable flagship for the void-faring forces of the "Empire of the Night", she is now dwarved by the five ships arrayed before her just as, centuries prior, she dwarfed the rest of her navy. On-board, watching a live feed from each of the fortress-battleships, was the leaders of the Navy and the empire, led by none other than the Empress herself.

It was the Lord High Admiral, Serana Haakonsson, who received the reports from the five chief equipping officers responsible for the recently concluded shakedown. All five vessels performed with no issues, and were declared ready for service. A wave of relief rippled through the engineers and naval architects present. Being the ones responsible for this new class, they were naturally anxious to see if their project were a success or - and thankfully that wasn't the case given the costs sunk in - a failure.

At long last, the report concluded and the chief equipping officers handed the newly arrived Lord Admirals what many consider to be the most important object on board each ship. The unique flag that was the vessels Colours. Saluting the receiving flag officers, each vessel's assessor then stepped back for the next stage of this momentous ceremony.

--------------------------------------------------------

As the Empress stepped up to receive the Oath of Command, she noted idly that each Lord Admiral had, across the years, adopted a different way of holding the flag - a phenomenon that's common as there wasn't actually a prescribed manner of holding the Ship's Colours, given that they aren't usually held in hand under normal circumstances. Seemingly satisfied, she gave her navy's top officer a discrete nod. And the Lord High Admiral spoke, her voice breaking the silence that had descended upon those in attendence to administer the Oath.

As she concluded, a moment passed as the words were heard and reflected upon by all.

By their fleets' order of precedence, each commanding officer gave their name in turn.

--------------------------------------------------------

The oldest amongst the five flag officers taking the Oath, her bearing was like stone and her voice firm and ringing in ancient alto. Standing straight on board the Dies Irae, the nameship, the Lord Admiral of the Capital Fortress Heylel draped her new flagship's colours over her shoulder.

"I, Isolde Walburga Steyr,-"

--------------------------------------------------------

With a casual, almost-hauty air that came with supreme confidence in one's abilities, the new commanding officer of the Judicamentum spoke her name in her trademark drone, the warship's Colours held in mid-sweep before her.

"I, Grete Maximiliane Gollob,-"

--------------------------------------------------------

The flag officer receiving the Vigilia was one of soft demeanour, and spoke in such a manner as she shouldered her vessel's Colours.

"I, Annora Richelieu,-"

--------------------------------------------------------

On board the Lacrimosa, the commanding officer of Battlefleet Corson in defence of Segmentum Astraeus spoke clearly, her voice like crystal. The warship's Colours was held vertical in a standard parade carry - a pose well-suited to the strictest flag officer in the ceremony.

"I, Helianthus Grifon,-"

--------------------------------------------------------

And in the Requiem - last of her class - her Lord Admiral intoned his name in a solemn baritone with her Colours held in a forward slant with the gravity of a war veteran.

"I, Berezovich Kryuger,-"

--------------------------------------------------------

"- do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Noctis Imperium, her people, and Her Imperial Majesty Olena Stefanovna against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter.

By the honour of my name and blood, I swear to guide this vessel true; to bear upon her the Imperium's name into battle; and to administer with her arms and hands Her Majesty's will. So mote it be."

And as one, each Lord Admiral took the flags firmly in hand and lanced their poles into the ships' deck - the Drawing of First Blood bringing the ceremony to a close.

--------------------------------------------------------

On board the Noctis Aeterna, the Empress nodded. "So mote it be."

[Greater Redosia]

The United Nations
"The United Nations is our one great hope for a peaceful and free world." - Ralph Bunche 1904-1971

General Assembly of the United Nations, Planet Unity, Capital of the United Nations

Once again the assembly had to listen to Ambassador from the Hegemony, the fire in her voice and passion. Shows how true she is to the Hegemony, something Secretary General Pravin Lal could admire. But now wasn't the time for such hostile actions, after receiving the transmission from the Sephri it was obvious the sentience was in there transmission. It existed, it lived, it continued to live for so long it couldn't be described. The ship had to be protected, had to be defended, something only the United Nations would be willing to do.

"Now Representative el-Zahra, while we understand your wishes to obtain the technological wonders the ship holds. It is alive, it is it's own being. But of course, we wish to have other delegates speak their mind of what we should do." Pravin Lal looked around the room, seeking for the next speaker. Slowly the Spathi High Council, (At least one of the Spathi Council members, the other two were cowering under the table regretting having their seats close to the Hegemony Ambassador.) rose to begin speaking. "The Spathi believe that d-despite.." The Spathi's form can be seen trembling, "T-That we should b-be friends with this big scary ship that could possibly wipe out all our f-fleets most presumably, at once."

The other delegates murmured in agreement, the General Secretary taking standing up to quiet the room "Now, remember. We must vote upon this. The majority shall bring forth a new resolution.

A/RES/Rev.1

Committee: United Nations General Assembly
Question of: Recognition and Protection of the "Sephri's" Sapient Rights
Main Submitters: Spathi, New America, New India, New Luxembourg, etc.

The United Nations General Assembly,

Aware of the Fact that the Sephri ship has shown signs of great intelligence,
Recognizing that the AI of the ship has shown signs of sentience
Realizing the Hegemony's wish to disassemble the Sephri to obtain the technologies within
Declaring that the Sephri is a fellow sentient entity that have the same rights and protections under the Universal Declaration of Sapient Rights, as such the United Nations,

1. Strongly urges the protection of the Sephri's independence of
1. Being able to freely establish friendships and pacts with independent peoples and Governmental bodies in the galaxy
2. Being able to defend itself freely from those that try to harm the Sephri's ability to defend itself, its existence, and any property the Sephri are in the possession of the Sephri
3. Being able to freely explore space for its own needs, as long as those needs don't interfere with the needs of those who need it more urgently

2. Recommends the institution of a defense fleet to supplement the Sephri's own defenses to,
1. Ensure the protection of the Sephri is fully guaranteed
2. To defend what was stated in the first amendment

3. Discourages any hostile acts against the Sephri including,
1. Trying to salvage the ship for technology
2. Destroying the ship in name of honor or glory
3. Boarding and trying to take control via hacking

4. Authorizes the use of force to defend the rights of the Sephri by,
1. All independent ships
2. The United Nations Peacekeeping Fleet
3. Any and all Galactic Governmental Bodies.

Votes:
For: 226
Abstain: 28
Against: 46

United Nations Diplomatic Ship, Chargé Daffaires, location of the Sephri Vessel

The Chargé Daffaires was the diplomatic ship to the small Free People's Hegemony, its specific task to try and prevent any conflict from heading into the lands of the small nation and to act as representative of the United Nations. Though the Captain and the Diplomat were tired of the Hegemony, wishing they could go back home. Though such an act would be suicidal since they would either have to go through the UGSR or the GTR, both of which hated the UN and wouldn't hesitate to destroy them.

"So then Captain, I hope the Hegemony aren't getting themselves into trouble this time."

"Please, if anything they found a space whale and got scared of i-"

Before the Captain could finish they jumped into the region of space, a quick scan resulting in a panic for the small diplomatic ship as both the Hegemony vessels' and Sephri vessel's weaponry were coming online. Crew running to their battle stations, despite the lack of notable weaponry on the diplomatic ship. Communications was hastily set up, though not entirely clear as the diplomat wanted, it was enough. "This is Envoy Alonzo of the United Nations, both of you hold. Surely we may be able to handle this situation peacefully." This was then when the envoy was given the knowledge of the passing of the General Assembly resolution passing, "We have just gotten word from the United Nations capital, the Universal Declaration of Sapient Rights have been extended to include the Sephri vessel. You are both equal in rights, now please shut down your weaponry!"

[Zepplien]

Generation Ark Oasis
The energy spikes were too much, surpassing the megatons of their nuclear weapons with ease as the charts had to zoom out to show reactor output. The eyes of their bridge captain looked down upon her crew, extending one arm to demand "Close the launch doors, for Ancestor's sake! Divert power to shields!" with the removal of their launch keys the doors began slamming shut on the exterior hull of their ship, the missiles returning to their resting position within the hull. "We gladly acquiesce to your request." their communication was openly directed to their National Comrades in the UN, but transmitting in the open allowed their new AI compatriot to hear them as well.

"Our most sincere apologies to Sephri, our Hegemony simply wishes to be able to protect itself from the oppressive major powers of the galaxy, every day is a struggle simply for survival. If we blink, if we pause production for even a moment, the powers will take our systems, enslave and slaughter our people. We acted rashly, for your weapons could have secured our independence for generations to come. Understand our apologies, but also please understand the situation we are in. Our people cry out for real meat, for food beyond algae paste, but if we divert even a single credit from war production they will not be alive to ask for real food, this is the situation that leads to our desperation."

[Rustyal]

Arkship Sephri

All of her rather massive turrets would slowly rotate around in their spots, the barrels raising sharply to commence broadside actions upon the enemy. Though, hearing a second voice made her slowly stop her act of aggression in retaliation. This new voice that had a sense of panic gave her a sense of relief, noting that there was at least someone around who had the voice of peace. Someone around here who wasn't hellbent on the destruction of others. Hearing that she was given 'synth rights' was good in this instance, though the fact she was still considered synthetic was slightly disconcerting. "I understand, Alonzo. I apologize for my... lack of trigger discipline."

It was at that moment she started to power down her weapons, most of them returning to Degree 0, or neutral position. Most turrets would fold back and retract into their extremely safe 'cabins', except for one. "...Lance turret C isn't responding, please give me a moment..." The fact she hadn't touched her weaponry in well over a million years meant at least one thing was bound to go wrong. The turret remained opened and primed. The power line which directed and fueled the C turret wasn't closed- she couldn't close it, for some godforsaken reason. With her reactor slowly lowering its power output, but suddenly lacking the ability to flow to other systems, A massive surge of power was sent towards the C turret.

"Oh no..."

With a bright flash of light, an absolutely colossal wave of energy surged from C turret, a growing ball of 3000C fusion energy forming in front of the emitter. And just like that, all hell broke loose.

It shot out like a supernova- the massive, massive burst of energy pulsating throughout the system and in a massive vicinity around it- It was like a gamma ray burst had just shot by. But, this wasn't a Gamma ray.

With a screech of energy, a huge beam would unsteadily fly towards the general direction of the Hegemony's Oasis. Given that this was a lightspeed lance, it would take well over 15 seconds to even approach the ship- though, this wasn't something to scoff at from the energy readings alone.

"A primary turret has accidentally discharged, I strongly recommend commencing maneuvers!"

The beam of fusing and colliding hydrogen particles was lowering in diameter the closer it got, though it still obviously wasn't something to scoff at.

Sephri managed to cut off power to the C turret, but not before the beam was able to fire for a full 5 seconds.

[Zepplien]

Generation Ark Oasis
Time almost seemed to slow as the flash of light came from the turret of the foreign ship. At the speed of thought the cargo bays were decompressed along that side of the ship, full thrusters to the left in an attempt to evade the shot. The shields buckled and died instantly, energy ripping into the hull along one of the great spokes of the Hegemony ship, fires breaking out amidst their fuel storage, and their solid fuel rockets exploding in turn from the heat. "Away the damage control teams!" Mu called, her knees were weak, they had lost not only cargo but... Their civilian sectors, their missile storage, external communications... They were all lost.

There was screaming, so much screaming as Nikolai bin McConner pushed his way forward past the mob of people. Damage control on a Generation Ark was seen as a cushy position, you responded to the occasional kitchen fire, you didn't have to deal with... The hull rocked violently as the loudspeakers announced "All citizens evacuate Deck 46 immediately, Deck 45 has decompressed." the Damage Control Team eventually made it to their counterparts already in this area. "Sitrep!" the ranking member called, trying to ignore the gentle clicking of their Geiger counters. "Fires are spreading down the ship, we are attempting to cut it off through decompression, but we can't evacuate the civilians fast enough." the AI android was pointing at the map of the ship on the table before them.

"Seal deck 48..." Nikolai's words hung in the air, the middle aged man closing his eyes, his entire crew staring at him. "There are eight thousand six hundred and fifty four civilians above Deck 48..." the AI pointed out, another DC officer quickly speaking up "We have handheld gear, we can fight the fire long enough to evacuate those citizens, we will only loose a few more de-" "No, we can't." Nikolai indicated a compartment on Deck 52, and the voices of the room fell silent "If the fire hits the fuel stowage, it will cause a cascade along the fuel lines and we could very well loose this entire sector of the ship. Seal and decompress."

The screech of alarms, and slamming of blast doors radiated through the smoke fulled corridors of Deck 48, a hundred pairs of eyes staring at the doors, some pounding upon the blast doors, a mother held her child aloft for the security camera to see, pleading to just allow the children out. It was useless, alarms blared, loudspeakers attempting to mask them with a rendition of the Hegemony's anthem. "Through your sacrifice, a million lives are spared." an attempt to give solace to the people was only met with a gunshot by one of the Marines who had been trying to evacuate. Then the flash of vacuum came, and the silent screams of peoples whose blood was boiling in their veins.

Generation Ark New Dubai
"How many?" Captain Kim was gritting his teeth, looking to his AI executive officer, the machine sounding on the brink of tears "Sixty eight thousand civilians, including those killed in the initial blast. Of course, one fifth would be children, and..." the machine was overwhelmed with emotion, Captain Kim instead demanding "This is a nuclear mission order! Break out the launch keys again! Get me on the horn to all nearby ships!" his crew set to tasks, as his Augma began broadcasting his words.

"Twelve thousand..." the Captain's voice was tight, containing emotion but still showing the hint of it "That is how many children you just murdered, a further fifty six thousand civilians. This is an act of war! No, this is an act of Genocide against the people of the Hegemony! Like when the Hitlerites of humanity came to power, or the forces of Marshal Marie Gillovich VI in the invasion of the Neko, this is a fight for our very existence! The Free People's Hegemony demands the UN answer treaty obligations to come to our defense! All ships, open fire!"

With those words, and a quiet prayer to their ancestors, the nuclear launch keys of the FPH were turned for the first time in anger. The ancient missiles tore from their launch tubes, joined by a flurry of conventional missiles from the two escort Generation Arks, their attendant fleet moving forward to unleash their own missiles, a true swarm of fighter craft launching from the ships. There was a flash of signal lasers between ships, their hulls moving forward and preparing to board as soon as the various missiles dropped the enemy shields.

[Greater Redosia]

Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal. -Martin Luther King Jr. 1929-1968

United Nations Diplomatic Ship, Chargé Daffaires

The shock Alonzo had on his face, the sight of the beam was beautiful but when it sliced right through the hull of the Generation Ark Oasis it was horror. Everyone on the ship stared in complete horror as it completely melted, the fires spreading only to see such a horrible sight of all the bodies being launched into the vacuum. Alonzo felt nauseous, everything was happening much too fast and in the wrong direction. Only to feel the sting of a slap come from the Captain of the Chargé Daffaires.

"You must get it together you fucking type writer, the ship is going to flee the system if fighting starts. I won't risk the lives of my crew on a battle that we obviously cannot win, now speak your words and get your ass working!" The Captain shoved Alonzo and went back to his chair, preparing all defensive measures in the case anything was accidentally fired at them. Now leaving Envoy Alonzo to speak his words, "L-Look....The w-w-weapon discharged on its own." The envoy took a moment to compose himself, "We cannot..go strai-"

"The Free People's Hegemony demands the UN answer the treaty obligations to come to our defense! All ships, open fire!"

"...Oh god no..." Alonzo watched as the Generation Ships launched their weaponry, all the missiles and the fighters. There was nothing the envoy could do, he couldn't fix this. "Captain...get....get us out of here...now..." The Captain didn't hesitate, the ship turned around and quickly left the system. Leaving the two sides to fight it out, a message was sent to Admiral Kane.

United Nations 4th Peacekeeping Fleet, United-class Pocket Battleship Call of Angels

"Interesting~" Damon looked at the messaged he was sent, the 4th Peacekeeping Fleet was closest to where the Sephri was first located. But that wasn't why Damon was pleased with being given the message, this was something that could encourage his "friends" to start acting. He simply inserted a strange looking device into a slot, causing the holographic screen to glitch and transform into a new one. "This is Admiral Damon Kane, this is a message to the Greater Terrain Republic. I've been informed of...an interesting ship that has arrived nearby, quite the large one. The Hegemony has made contact, it seems that they were attacked by it and almost had their entire ship obliterated."

He paused, looking at the image that was taken from the Chargé Daffaires of the Sephri vessel, "I believe it could make some use to us if we manage to...obtain it. Of course, I expect some compensation for this message. So my account will be waiting for the transfer of funds." The message was sent and the Admiral left his quarters, making his way to the bridge. The fleet, mostly composed of frigates, cruisers, and a few carriers. Along with the untold amount of auxiliary ships, started getting into formation to try and answer the call. Of course seeing what the Sephri ship could do, he wasn't planning on getting there in time to save the Hegemony.

[Rustyal]

Arkship Sephri

Numbers.

Death.

Sacrifice.

With that one accidental discharge, all of those occurred with the striking of Oasis. Sephri could barely stand to hear the fact that so many had died due to her stupid near-broken systems. She couldn't wrap her mind around that concept. The ark would give no audible reaction to her accidental engagement as her systems beeped at her that she performed a glancing hit upon the large target. This hurt her. Quite a lot, even. Though, that's when something else caught her attention.

Bip. Beep. Beep beepbeep-

Her sensors went crazy over the launching of fighters and nuclear weaponry.

All she could do was sigh as power flooded through her systems once more. Her RKKVAs would deploy as she prepared to... regrettingly cut down this fleet. The shields would flicker online once more as she prepared to take any hits, and just like that- Energy surged from her as 3 full broadsides were launched off of relativistic rounds, all guns shooting to kill.

[Zepplien]

Suriso, Capital of the Free People's Hegemony
Soldiers, citizens, machine, organic, they all stood in the parade grounds in their waterproof coats to resist the downpour. "My people, children of our great Hegemony, I have failed you!" the Hegemon was standing with assorted members of Parliament, Admirals, and members of the High Court. "Three Generation Ships were wiped out by a creature named Sephri yesterday, and such losses have their blame entirely fall on me." there was only of course one way to resolve such failure of not one but three Generation Arks. The crowd began chanting "Victory is life! Death before dishonor! Victory is life! Death be-" the snap of a gunshot, the Hegemon's sidearm smoking as it fell to the ground alongside his body. The crowd cheered louder as the next in line for the Hegemony's leadership stepped over the corpse and proclaimed "Victory is life! Defeat is death! As all things should forever be!"

The woman stood before the people of her nation, full military regalia on display as it should be for any member of the Hegemonic Parliament. "Death is not the end, while we pay our debts to society in blood we all offer our prayers to the Ancestors who watch over us! We do not believe in the mystic hearsay of other worlds, but instead the factual Heaven we have built for ourselves!" with the cue a man stepped forward in Naval Dress Uniform. "Today I commemorate the Captain of the H.P.S. Nyaslin for honorable actions in recovering the emergency drives of our Generation Arks. Thank you Captain, and let the uploading of our fallen comrades begin!" the cheers from the crowd began once more. While the blow was still harsh, knowing they would one day visit those fallen eased the pain for the citizens of the Hegemony.

[Sudbrazil]

Esomerian Systems Federal council meeting, planet Arda
11:02 standard time, 10/01/2950

The Esomerian Federal Council is a curious little thing. Of all the 96 billion Esomerian citizens, ten are chosen every five years to govern at the federal level following an intricate democratic process. Theoretically, they are intelligent, erudite and sharp men, placed at the top of the Esomerian Sector's hierarchy. In practice however, they are heavily regulated by the lower echelons, who handle most problems before they escalate beyond the continental level. However, a handful of whispers occasionally reaches them.

"This council sees no immediate problems with the electronic vote system proposed at Verlain," repeated Castagnard. He was stout, hearty fellow, at his forties. Streaks of white adorned his brown hair, and discrete glasses mended his vision, impaired by the brightness of gunfire in the night two decades ago. If an encyclopaedia were to write an article on the average politician in the Esomerian Union party, it would probably describe him in most aspects.
"This issue was born at a regional scale, and shouldn't have left it. As long as the integrity of the democratic process is preserved, the Verlainers decide how they vote. We therefore pass this to the parliament as ultimately, the decision rests on their shoulders. Any objections?" With no opposition, John Castagnard took his electronic pen, scribbled a small paragraph at the bottom of the report, and transmitted it to a secretary who promptly stored the file and set out to work on it.

"There is one last dispatch they sent us," remarked Sarah Yashenko, perhaps the youngest among all three women in the group. "I suppose we ought to check it before the afternoon break."
The ten council members turned their attentions to their screens, as a short document loaded. It was a report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ intelligence office, priority one. Raising his voice, Castagnard read it for all to hear. It was something about the recent transmissions from the ancient ship far beyond their borders. An UN resolution, a diplomatic ship, and... Castagnard stuttered, adjusting his glasses, and his colleagues stared at their screens, reading the same paragraph again and again and again. In their whole career, they had never seen such a thing. From the communications leaked out into space, they had met with a massive behemoth, and actually traded fire. The FPH and the civilian-filled rust buckets they called ships had fired upon a ship many times their size. The outcome wasn't clear yet, but one could already guess what befell them. Though the report surely had inaccuracies, as it was a few hours old and came from a hundred light-years away, the situation was borderline ridiculous, surreal even.

~•~

Patrol Destroyer 'Morning Star' orbiting Hudson B
15:10 standard time, 10/01/2950

Strapped to his seat, atrogator Gerald Steiner examined the many flat screens surrounding him. He was charged with verifying that the ship computer plotted the most efficient route in terms of time and Delta V spent, and also replacing the astrogation computer if it were to be vapourised or eaten by space bugs. As an astrogator, he also had to replace at least three of his comrades: the pilot, the officer of the watch, or the communications officer, one quarter of his comrades. It probably wouldn't matter though. If the ship compartment was hit by a Casaba Howitzer or a Neutron cannon, everybody would probably be dead. But fortunately enough for them, their targets didn't have any of these nasty tools. All they had was old hand-me-downs from the last century, armed with spinal coilguns and lasers which wouldn't pierce their hulls until they had turned the assaillant into molten slag.

"You know what Jerry?” chimed in the pilot, corporal Winters, from his seat, “The problem with privateers and mercenaries isn't that they exist."
"What?”
“You see,” continued Winters, “many of them have their weapons and companies registered. They rise in unstable regions to fill the job of police, convoy escorts, etc. They're quite humble, and behave decently in public. I’ve met with guys from PMCs and-”
“Winters, I’m quite sure Jerry has heard of your experiences with privateers,” interrupted the captain, “Now, didn't you have a motor burn to verify?”
“With all due respect, sir, the computer seems to be doing everything right. I figured I could chat a bit with the lieutenant.”
“Seems to be doing is not good enough, corporal! We are approaching Hudson B for an aerobraking manoeuvre, and it isn't the time to be distracted.”

That was the problem with counter-insurgency operations. The crews would often get comfortable and cocky with their jobs, and that is when accidents happened, or a funny guy hit you with a tungsten stick over a lightsecond.
Through his cameras, the captain saw the approach. The moon of Hudson B is host to a light, unbreathable atmosphere, an automated mining facility, and - most importantly - a sensor array which had reported an unregistered armed vessel earlier this evening. Naturally, a squadron from the local aerospace group had been dispatched: the Morning Star with two escorts, now aerobraking over a backwater moon. As they approached the stellar body, an alarm flashed by the pilot's console. He flipped a switch to dismiss it, then another to start the procedure. Guided by its computer, the Morning Star's RCS thrusters executed a short burn, placing her in position to enter the atmosphere. Then, ballutes near her radiators were inflated to protect them and her engines, who had not been covered in heat-resistant materials as the rest of her ogive-shaped hull. After half an hour, the astronauts began to feel vibrations emanating from the outer hull. Though it is an unpleasant manoeuvre, cursed by many crews, aerobraking, also known as ABing or aerobreaking by its detractors, is a process by which a craft briefly enters a stellar body to change its course and loose speed, thus preventing a long fuel burn to change direction, which would draw heavily from a spacecraft's Delta V reserves.
After one hour, the Morning Star and her escorts had finished their short aerobraking manoeuvres, and had been catapulted to their destination: a lone corvette in the nearby asteroid field. Now it was just a question of waiting more.

[Rustyal]

Arkship Sephri

Soul count approximated. Death toll calculated.


Signing 11 million souls to the heavens isn't exactly something Sephri would like to remember. Her many many nanodrones would emerge to the outer layers of the vessel, starting to clean up the very light scarring from the nuclear flashes from those ancient weapons. It's been a while since a thermonuclear weapon was used against her shielding, even if some flash got through the unstable shields. Either way, she buried that encounter in the back of her database. Sephri, the tyrannical genocide conductor. Ugh. She needed NONE of that. She couldn't bear herself do to anything like that again, but, keeping herself alive is more important...

The gargantuan vessel would quietly coast to the other side of the system, every single weapon retracting back into her hull. "...Mark." And just like that, a torrent of energy emitted from the vessel as it launched into the targeted hyperlane, jumping out of the... ship graveyard she just created.

She used her excess energy to bring her engines online to maximum thrust, jumping through various systems over a handful of time to keep her batteries used to what they're holding.

[Sudbrazil]

Eisstern Aerospace Defence Center
06:00 Standard time 11/01/2950

“Active and Passive Sensor Arrays have been rechecked. Bogey near Termination Shock. We are patching the data through to the Fednet. Response ETA: 0610 hours.”

The announcer's voice rang clearly in the twilight that enveloped the hall. By the dim light of thirty desks’ worth of computers, six holographic displays, and half a dozen auxiliary screens, the men of the Eisstern ADC worked. Its operations room was designed to remain simple, efficient, and organised, while keeping track of all spacecraft in the local solar system, as well as administrating asteroid defence. They were greatly worried, of course, when a planetoid with a ship's thermal signature had approached the system at impressive speeds.

“Major, have we considered system errors? Perhaps the computer has gone mad, and we only need to reboot it.” General Müller, director of the territorial aerospace branch and veteran of several police actions, kept a cool exterior as a testament to the national stereotype. His actions, however, betrayed his inner thoughts.
“Sir," replied his assistant, "The system is running a constant diagnostic program. Any error in the farthest of the satellites would have set alarms five minutes ago.”

“Director!” cried the federal liaison officer, “The answer from Central has arrived!” A small tab opened in the screen next to a massive, yet simplified, map of the local Solar System, and the loudspeakers announced with confidence: “Eisstern, this is Federal ADC, bogey had been confirmed. No system errors present. We recommend the readying of an armed recon mission. Do not engage! We are procuring more data.”

Damnit, Central! It would take too much time for their decision to come back, even with superluminal comms running. Ten minutes from now, that huge torchship could run away to the next hyperlane with no problems. "What ships do we have?" he asked. Another auxiliary screen lit up, listing several ships. They would inform them of Central's orders later.

"Interceptor squadrons have been dispatched. Archmage from Yokohama spaceport and Richter from Walther shipyards. Respective ETAs are 0705 and 0730."

Archmage squadron, approaching arkship Sephri,
07:04 Standard time, 11/01/2950

The three cruisers executed one last burn to enter an orbit around Sephri. Their orders were to scan her fully and send all the data back home. Federal ADC had also strictly forbidden any threatening move: they were to attempt talking to it.

As their cameras started filming the massive structure, Major Hans Werner steadied his microphone, trying to remember the last lessons he had received on diplomacy. He signalled his Comms officer, and sent his first transmissions, trying to reach anything that would have survived ten million years in isolation through their simple radio waves.

"Good morning, this is Major Werner of the Federal Aerospace Force, how could we help you?"

[Rustyal]

Arkship Sephri

That was interesting, for one. Someone actually approached her while apparently being in the mood to not be aggressive. Sephri initiated her forward facing thrusters for a few seconds, lowering her velocity to avoid any accidental collisions with any of these vessels. She could detect a message being sent through to her comms, however.

It took a pause for the colossal vessel to respond to the Major's message. Operating on such a frequency wasn't a thing she did regularly, obviously. "...This is the Lidean vessel Sephri. I assume you caught my broadcasted message...?" The voice that came over the comms was soft spoken, but somehow prideful at the same time.

On another note. No signs of life were detected on the ship at all. If they could even scan her insides through the effective 2250m of durasteel onboard... Anyway. The composition of the ship was incomprehensably durable, though certain sections seemed somewhat hollow, as if to house something.

"...Am I intruding on your space? If so, I am deeply sorry... I do not have a political-based galactic map in my databases."

[Sudbrazil]

Archmage squadron, orbiting arkship Sephri

The crew of the small craft was awed by their camera feed. That behemoth was about 120 times longer than of their larger space stations. Furthermore, its design seemed to prioritize aesthetics over functionality. But there was something disconcerting: where was the crew? A brief glance with their infrared cameras, however imprecise, had revealed nothing but the location of computer banks, engines, a massive reactor, radiators, all the things common in drones. But, nothing matched the body temperatures of the dozens of species in their databases. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to know.

"Yes, madam," replied the squadron leader in an understanding voice, keeping his emotions bottled to continue the exchange, "We did receive your message: we congratulate you on your anniversary. And yes, you are also trespassing on the borders of our great Federation. However, the federal council has agreed to give you a special pass, considering your condition. You are welcomed to stay if you wish."

Major Werner diverted his attention to one of his command post's screens. A 'new' message, in fact half an hour old, had just arrived. It was a list of orders and questions. Without waiting for an answer, he continued to talk.

"Now, this might be indiscreet on our part, but as a representative for the Federal Council, may I ask a few questions? It will be brief." He took a deep breath before finishing, "And, we are worried about your crew. We haven't picked up any heat signatures, perhaps they are cryogenically frozen?"

[Rustyal]

Arkship Sephri

The vessel would slow to a crawl to allow for easier examination- she didn't mind. It wasn't like they could reverse engineer anything through looking at her from the outside. Though, they most certainly were right- there was absolutely no visible being that actually was on board the vessel. Sephri was glad to hear that they actually would rather ask questions than cause more chaos, and, it most certainly wouldn't hurt to answer them either.

"I have no cryo chambers on board- atleast, none that are being used." A slight snicker was heard over the comms. "I hate to admit it, but I'm completely autonomous- I require no crew. And... Well, I'm the consciousness of a scientist of Lidea. Picture me like... This voice is my consciousness talking to you, and the behemoth surrounding it is my body. It's a bit weird, but I'm like a sentient battleship... arkship... whatever you wanna call me. I'm sadly probably the only 'living' evidence that my people existed, but. It's how fate fell, so, I'm fine with that. I suppose."

An audible sigh was heard over the comms. "I appreciate your hospitality, though. The last country that came into contact with me fired approximately 28 nuclear warheads at me."

[Sudbrazil]

Archmage Squadron

The major chuckled a bit after Sephri explained herself

"I see. That's rather interesting, though I imagine that your experiences must be quite surreal."

Turning the ship's external transmissions off, the communications officer had a jab at the pilot: "Hey, Shige, it's just like those cartoon boats they have at Misawa! Wait 'till they hear about this: they'll be printing comics by the ton." Quickly regaining his composure, the major fiddled with the radio to talk with the arkship.

"Sorry about that, the radios are quite finicky," continued the improvised diplomat, throwing a terrifying look at the comms officer, "We have heard about the incident: I believe you're lucky that the 'Free People's" Hegemony hasn't had the competence necessary to acquire newer armaments: their nuclear arsenal may be as old as you. Though, is it true that their fleet was destroyed by accident? The reports weren't clear on that. Another question from central is whether your origin is extra-galactic or not, as your message seemed to have such connotations."

Werner paused, glancing at the large list in his screen. "You know what," he resumed, "let me just send you the list."

Heeding his implied order, the comms officer punched a few buttons, and transmitted the list in half a dozen formats, hoping that at least one of them could interface with her computers, as difficult communications is ingrained into the nature of first contacts. He explained that, but reassured the million-year-old construct that they should all read:
"FADC Diplomatic Transmission #003: questions directed to Contact 001, designation 'Sephri'
To Major Hans Werner, Archmage 1 'Merlin'

1. Is 'Sephri's origin extra-galactic? If yes, what galaxy does she originate from?
2. Why is she (? I think it's a she. We'll ask later) in this region?
3. What happened to Sephri's homebase, and by extension, her civilization?
4. Does 'Sephri' have a database? If yes, can she transmit it, or sections of the data, to us? Is the contact willing to?
5. Is she in need of a political star-chart?

Addendum #1, 0710, Eisstern ADC
Ask her if she needs mechanical assistance. 28 nukes is still pretty bad.

[Rustyal]

Arkship Sephri

Eventually, the behemoth would come to a halt in the void, using her thrusters just to keep herself from being attracted by the gravity well.

A giggle was heard over the comms at the Major's remark. "Oh, you wouldn't believe me if I told you about all the surreal stellar anomalies I've seen around here..." She sighed, sounding a bit more comfortable talking to this voice.

Her happy tone faded slightly once she was questioned about the Hegemony, however.

"...Did I destroy it accidentally?... n...no." It almost sounded like dread was coming from this voice. "I... Well. Yes and no. One of my weapons accidentally discharged and a glancing hit occurred on one of their 'generation ships' as they call it. They retaliated, even though I warned them right after I fired. I had to retaliate back, and... well, I clocked the rest of the battle lasting 86 seconds between when the accidental discharge happened, and when they stopped firing upon me." Another audible sigh was heard. "I purposefully engaged afterwards, but it was entirely an accident at first."

"...Your transmission has been received. Eight times. I will answer them as quickly as I can while hopefully providing enough broad detail."
An pause occurred while she processed the questions.

"1: Yes. I come from Atoleph- or Andromeda, as you call it. Thats where the highest concentration of my people were. We were the superpower of our time.
2: Well, I am... a nomad, if you will. I have sailed these stars for well over 9 million years in hopes of a new home.
3: I'll cut a long story short- My people were killed off by a hive mind hellbent around our destruction. We were unprepared for their first assaults and were killed over the course of a thousand years or so. My people opened a hyperlane to Mowalia- or the Milky Way as you call it. I was sent through as our last dying hope.
4: Yes. I carry the whole knowledge of our people- Everything we've done. How we did it. When we did it. ETC. It depends what you want to know, because I most certainly cannot tell you how to build ringworlds.
5: That would be appreciated."

[Arkeyana]

ASF Salvage Group 6,789
>Exiting Hyperlane in 3...2...1...
>Opening breach
[...]
The group of Salvage Drones entered the system, initiating wake-up procedures and commencing scans.
[BREACH SUCCESSFUL, INITIATING WAKE UP PROTOCOLS]
>Commencing engine ignition
[...]
////ERROR: Y-32-d Torch 5 failing to respond////
>Re-attempting ignition
[...]
////ERROR: Y-32-d Torch 5 failing to respond////
>Commencing Diagnostic
[...]
>Source of malfunction: Critical damage sustained to Torch 5, attempting ignition of Auxillary Plasma Engines
[...]
>Ignition successful, engaging Auto-Repair
>Scanning for Salvage
[...]
>Salvage Detected: Forward section of derelict warship, minor debris field
>Setting Course
[...]
The Drones moved off in formation, moving towards the wreckage. Looking at them, one would see that they were constructed from a myriad of different ships, weathered from being in space for who-knows how long. Plumes of energy billowed out behind them as ancient fusion torches propelled them, one of the three having two smaller engines burning in place of one. Said forward section would be dismantled, added onto the vessels and welded on by their Auto-Repair functions.

[Sudbrazil]

Archmage Squadron

"Thank you. We'll be sending the map and a few encyclopaedia entries now."

An awkward silence settled among the crewmen as the comms officer did his job. She had told her story so laconically, as if it was something she'd been asked every day for the last million years. As the massive structure cancelled it's Delta V, the detailed documents finished uploading, and Werner talked again.

"We have sent the map over, but don't rely on it too much when traveling in the UGSR-GTR frontier: the worlds there shift ownership sometimes."

Pausing for a while, Major Werner took a sip from his water bag to clear his throat. Why couldn't things be as clear as that refreshing liquid? He was unsure of how to proceed. After all, the diplomatic courses had not prepared him to interact with ancient, sentient libraries. Should he bargain?

"I am sure that the Esomerian Systems Federation would like to know more about Lidea and her daughters," continued the captain with a casual tone, despite his words, "And, on the subject of technology, we understand your wish to withhold information. As an ancient saying goes, a magician never reveals his secrets. Are there any documents on the matter of science you could share?"

Patrol destroyer Morning Star
02:30 Standard Time, 11/01/2950

"No response to our hails. We are cleared to fire."

The ship had not answered. Quite ironically too, as an exterior analysis showed that it boasted quite the communications array. Its only reaction was re-orienting itself to get a better firing angle with its guns: a handful of pods that had been strapped onto it. Fortunately enough, those could be easily disabled by the picket boat and its escorts.

"Target the towers and melt his mag cannon," ordered the captain, "Oh, and get our boarding craft loaded, I want our boys to pay it a visit."

Taking into account speed, distance and a dozen other factors, the ship's computer trained it's turrets onto the ship. After verification by the gunner, the cyclotron turrets cast their minuscule payload into the void. A thousand kilometres away, the guns of the small Potomac-class gunship melted down. A couple of neutrons also hit the illegal vessel's square snout, preventing the spinal coilguns from firing. Nevertheless, it remained relatively intact thanks to the wonders of robust and modular design.

Thrusters burning, the small squadron closed in to catch its prey. However, as the boarding module detached from its docking ring, the Morning Star's computers indicated that the target ship had ceased to exist. In a nuclear reaction, fragments from its hull were sent flying off into the dark sea of stars. An atypical move.