Expansion Plan Alpha (FT/FanT Semi-Open)

[Gaian Ascendancy]

MWCG-PsA (Perseus Arm)/45921-S64L-UO-761-P4+3S (Zone 5, Sector 1)

As the indicator said, fourth planet, with three lunars. This as a large exploration Fleet of sixty seven vessels, lead by a Trade Federation Style troop-Battleship, that had Droid Kushan flowing out from it, as a trio of Jedi-Arkarth zipped along, in OmniFighters, Veritech Valkyrie type. This as the three sorta f-14 reminiscent starfighters zing across a VAST expanse of a strange water-forest type world, below them.

"~ Are you seeing this? ~" ...an Angelic Jedi-Akarth fem whispered, as she led the trio of Jedi Angelic Sisters (yup,) on lead patrol.

"~ You. We. The Sensors. Command Core... ~" ...the second of the literal Angelic triplets quipped, the third more dead pan than the other three. Or just more level minded. "~ Be sure to check your magneto-descramblers. The planet has an unusual magnetic field. ~"

"Aye Aye Cree." ...the first quipped to the third Angel Jedi. (Yup yup.) The second, as the triad kept flying along. "~ Well we wouldn't want the Droid boys, or worse, the Valkyrium Commander in charge, to need to send a rescue party, for a non combat foray, Jesz. ~"

"~ Aye Aye Honlii. ~" ...just to get names out of the way, as the three literally glowing sisters (well they 'are' Angelics,) kept flying along, collecting scan data as they went, as their Veritech OmniFighters were fitted with sensor suite pods, for such duty. This as Jesz just egged once again... "~ And 'who' needed to be saved from that interlude, you and that 'friend' of yours were trying to have today. ~"

Honlii just rolls her pearlescent eyes, from within her Holo-HUD filled pilot helmet. "~ I only bumped into the guy. Sheesh. I'm still not allowed to date yet, at my current training rank. ~"

And because Cree was being so helpful... "~ Relationships aren't banned, just discouraged while under the tutelage as Padawans. They tend to cloud the mind too much, to see the truth of relationships. ~"

"~ Is that what Padawan Senkensy told you? ~" ...Honlii teased right back. Cree was silent on her end of Comms, for some reason. The trio then pass under the shadow of the rather nearby moon, probably closer than it should be, as a natural satellite. Something noted, as Jesz noted... "~ Magneto spike to sensors. That moon sure must have some iron in it. ~"

Just then, a command holoscreen pops up, as the three Angelic Padawans blinks... "~ Master Khar'sen. ~" ...ala all three over Comms. Their mutual Master nods. ": - Commander Herethas was you to pull back a bit. Flight Ops 'and' Sensors are detecting strong exotic particles, coming from the moon. All this may be a construct System. - :"

"~ Roger! ~" ...the three peel off, heading back towards the Fleet, where the Troop Battleship, a Victory Star Destroyer, and a mixed back of High-Mobiles, Warships, Starships and JumpShips, all plied about. scopres of patrolling starfighters A few Avian Crystalships were about as well, already taking deep scans of the System assets, including this unusual Star System find. Jesz remarks back... "~ So 'this' may be why the System didn't show up on deep scans, and only till we got close. ~"

Their Master nods. ": - It seems this Galaxy still holds quite a few surprises. Even makes us wana keep learning from it all. Fun tain't it. - :"

The three Jedi Padawans cringe a bit again. Honlii just rolls her eyes next. "~ Master, must you keep plying the old archaic slang of the Councilors? It doesn't... ~"

": - I do what I must. - : " ...Jedi-Akarth Master Khar'sen quips, before the screens pop off, from all three pilot's eyes. Jesz just sighs. "~ Oh Master... Master... Master... ~" ...this before Khar'sen's image pops up in front of Jesz, and raspberries her, before popping back out again. Jesz just GRINDS... "~ Really Master?!? ~" ...this before Cree's image pops up in front of her. "~ Calm your feelings, Sister. ~"

"~ Oh STUFF it with angel feathers! Let's just check out the other moon. ~" ...this in turn from the other two... "~ Roger. ~" ...this the trio shoots off past the fleet, towards the more nominally orbiting lunar, some 327,000 Kilometers away, and already being scanned by two Crystalships, with other smaller Fleet corvettes moving about. This as the six hour time table for the System, was already two hours in. This before they leapt to the next scan System. There were six planetary bodies, and a host of inner Kuiper Belt nodes to scan, so time was of essence here. Honlii just remarks... "~ I wonder what the next System on the list, will hold. ~"

"~ I wonder when the backlash will come. ~" ...Cree remarks, Jesz just quips back, as the brown and tan lunar, grows in doppler approaching size. "~ We've encountered no offending forces yet. I even heard we've had contact with three civilizations. What's the worry. ~"

As the trio start skimming along the approaching surface of the lunar, like most lunars, battered and cratered, with mountains and valleys, mostly carved by numerous meteorite impacts, and resultant lava flows, that cooled over time, untold ages ago. Probably before the known first Gaian Ascendancy, ever existed, Cree states... "~ The Declaration hasn't been made yet. That may be when things will change. ~"

"~ Way to kill the mood Sis. ~" Honlii just complains back. Jesz tries to reassure with a good confident tone... "~ If anything happens, we'll smooth it over as always, with our patented Diplomacy and Tact. ~"

A good silence is all that is returned, for a moment, as the trio pilots across the barren lunarscape, before Cree remarks... "~ I hope you're both right. ~"

"~ Might need to work on your dark side Balance exercises, when we get back Sis. ~" ...this Honlii mentions of the Akarth side of the Balance Training, since Jedi-Akarth used both sides of the Force, to make of Balance, in all things. It sure isn't easy training, and most usually 'fall' to the Light side Jedi, with no regrets from anyone. The few 'Dark' fallen, are carefully trained back, to accept the Balance better, and strangely tend to end up more resilient Balance Jedi-Akarth, though not as strong as the 'pure' souls that accept both sides of the equation, for what the Balance is. After all, anger and hate might not be fun to be had with, but they 'are' a natural part, if one realizes not to let emotions rule you. Again, not easy, and yet, it's been a part of the Gaian Way, for Eons upon Universal Ages now.

The patrol continues, until Jesz remarks... "~ Standard scans. Nothing too exciting. Not unlike that water planet, and all those floating tree 'continents'. ~"

"~ Strange indeed. Let's head back to Fleet. ~" ...Cree remarks, and the flight, heads back to their home base.

-----

Command Core was zany now. Operations over tens of thousands of Systems, then lent to more tens of thousands, and so on, and so forth, as the first days of Plan Alpha progressed.

Some flags were planted, but the required next step, an uneasy one in Gaian minds, was coming.

And Commander Serenity was on her way to the Council Room, to ask for permission, to begin just that...

[StellarGate]

Beta-Rhô
Royal Cresian Empire System
Classified Project:
The God Project
RCNS War Maiden

Gerhardt and his two subordinates looked very interested in the hologram. The Admiral himself waved his hand above his head and the lights dimmed automaticly. He leaned forward watching the data, not really understanding everything he could see, but not looking overwhelmed by it either.

"This is amazing." Daniel murmured. "We have some pretty advanced holographics and sensors, but nothing like this." The operations officer made a small gesture to the hologam. "Think of all the posibilities, we could coordinate battles across light-years!"

"Not that we would need to wage war at the moment." Mayson countered. The male Cresian turned his eyes from the hologram to Keiba. "If even half of these symbols belong to your forces, you have quite the nova hell of an operation here. Most of the time we end up warning any new contact of the various pirate ships which like to try to steal our merchantmen. We always have escorts and patrols and the likes but a few always slip through, though they never last long."

"However, considering how advanced your ships are, I doubt any pirate would attack you." Gerhardt finished for his flag captain. He ruffled his black wings. "And there are quite a few planets which are uninhabited or inhabitable in the area, though all fall under my Empire's control, for various political and historical reasons." He seemed unwilling to state what those 'reasons' were, however it was obvious that the admiral knew the reasons, just wouldn't tell.

Then Daniel spoke again, his voice smooth and calm. "Why do you need so much space?" he motioned to the map. "The Royal Cresian Empire has a growing population sure, especially with humans and they way they breed, but we don't really need as much space as you seem to have." He wasn't being critical, just curious, "I mean no offense, I just want to know."

[Gaian Ascendancy]

Keiba surmised 'that' last question would come up. Keiba traded a pensive look with her space rot rod of a wife. (Almost an official moniker for Megumi, really...) Then he leaned back into his seat thoughtfully with his right hand, and then he looks 'at' his hand...

"Yeah... why we're doing it..."

-----

- Thoughts at a operations meeting, prior to Isolation Ending, two Cyclons months ago... -

...and that same hand raised... "Why 'are' we doing this?"

It was a semi mixed meeting, in the abode home of the Morisatos, most of the Morisato family, with friendly familiars such as Otaki and Sayoko, Tamiya and Chihiro... a few guests such as a friendly, yet subdued Ifurita who needed all the friendship she could get, at the time, listened in, as Keiichi led the half planning meeting, half friendship evening brunch thang that would eventually turn into an all half party fest, as usual. This as Belldandy remarked over... "Yes Commander Morisato?" ...this Keiba wilted a bit, Megumi giggling at the formal title that Keiba wasn't used to. This before Keiba asks the same question, already asked tens of millions of times beforehand, across a Landsdrad preparing for a post Isolation universe. "Um... exactly... why are we doing this operation?"

"Six minutes..." Takano remarks, as Keiba suddenly 'feels' bets being exchanged over the Hikari Net financial grid, this Megumi pats Keiba's head. "Thanks for being a Guinea Pig hubby." ...this Keiba dumps his head. This before Keiichi, eldest of the Council present, if he exactly didn't look like it, like he was still only a year or so out of College, or something back on Motherworld Terra, remarks in general. "You mean, why are we making like we want to conquer the entire MotherGalaxy like it was our own playground, to do with we pleased?"

Keiba (and in fact about everyone else,) nodded their heads comically, almost in unison. Keima, Keiichi's Dad... (don't tell him that, to his face though... weirdo...) ...quipping... "Like ya said boy."

"We want to give life to what we being, from the ashes of what we left behind." ...yup, Belldandy says the right thing, at the right time. Keiichi just bows before his ancient, nigh goddess like wife of honey brown, long hair, and blue eyes that owned Keiichi's heart. "Ladies and gents, Belldandy the Sensei." ...this Belldandy giggles in turn, before looking at Keiba, (with a blush that Megumi sees on him, hence the possessive grab of Keiba's jacket, needlessly.) This as Belldandy explains it best... "I asked my son this, when Lord Imladris first considered the idea of this expansion. I challenged him to explain the aspect of his goals, and to find justification in what we would do here."

Belldandy holds her hands to her chest, a pose of a thoughtful kind, that almost made the others pay all but iconic heed. This as the Cultural Counselor, and essentially the accepted Mother Regent of the Lord Excellency, (despite the entire ancient Holy Council of the First Guardianship, having supplied the DNA and nanite bio-system formats, required for making a unique gene-born, even amongst Gaians that were utterly used to genetic tinkering. Belldandy had been the most motherly,) then explains in formal. "If we just wanted territory, then we could just do like most other star realms, and just take it. It would no doubt make the Valkyrium my son commands, happy, up to a point. The rest, is simply not our way. We are not conquerors in the ancient sense. My son told his understanding, that our former Inter-universal empire, couldn't be taken by formal force. There's no true reward in it.

Instead, why not make our own empire, in the best of ways."

Keiichi nods... and then he looks back at Keiba. "Yeah. Not one ounce of blood will we shed in conducting this. All of our target Systems are supposed to be uninhabited, and lifeless. This is why we will create a Core Galaxy, with more terraformed Star Systems, than the nominal inhabitants could have ever dreamed of. The same for the VLGG, when we are done." ...this Belldandy accents. "Yes, we will use all of our garnered knowledge to create the 'proper' empire, that once was standard in former Antara. Lord Imladris hence finally told me this, to achieve the wanted goal."

Keiba blinks... "You realize, that there are over two hundred billion stars in the Core Galaxy, and that many are still under the rule of the ancient empires, from the archives."

"And we won't take from them, what there is still too much more to create our art from." Keiichi replies back. "Yup dude, we 'are' going to literally create an empire. We got so much stuff to work with, dragged from Antara, it's a joke what to do with it all. We should just have a inter-universal garage sale with it all, but eh, Excellent Dude wants to put us on footing with the Juraians."

"Ahhhhhhhhh..." ...comes next from Sora, as Tora next to her (lots of marriages in the room,) "...so ego 'is' a part of it."

A good giggle, as Belldandy points out... "Well, 'Empire', and 'Ego', start with the same letter, after all."

"Meh..." ...Sayoko makes light of, as she finishes chomping on some Belldandy best, snack sushi. "...that Azusa bud needs to be challenged anyway. Did you see how he treated Lord Immy, back at that one Council meeting?" ...this a lot of exasperated sighs ply about, in the large abode. Belldandy just shrugs. "And we are learning of political intrigue as well. Worry not, my son can handle Lord Masaki, since Imladris genes 'are' from kings and diplomats alike here."

"And one awesome philosopher and cook." Megumi states. Yeah, Bell blushes at that one.

Megumi just then leans forward, trying to whisper her voice, 'and' usually echoed Hikari Link thoughts, that reflected along with usually, this towards the others... "Still, don't you think those elder Juraian gals could all off too?"

The front foyer slide door is SLAMMED open, almost off it's plas-steell brackets, (and off the planet,) this as everyone else FREAK-wince at the sight of... "WHO called me old?!?!" ...ala Keiichi... "Ah... La... Lady Misaki... how nice of you... wait... We're still in a MEETING HERE!!??!" ...as a lot of screams accompany Misaki suddenly RAMPAGING in, as outside, Tenchi, Ryoko, Ayeka, Mihoshi (like they leave their husband to go anywhere alone,) and Funaho, all look with pensive smirks and teardrops. Funaho just quips... "She didn't whisper-reflect quietly enough." ...this the other Masaki's just nod their heads.

So much for the meeting... what with the food fight that started from there.

-----

"So do you." ...comes suddenly from a 'present' tense Megumi, as Keiba realizes with a wide eyed blink, and realizes he 'broadcast' all of that, over Hikari-Psy, which was a catch-all of psychic frequencies, that... well... you do the connect the dots. Keiba realized, and looked at the Admiral, and realizes to offer of an answer finally... "Well... we 'do' just simple want to expand like this. We used to do this back in an entirely separate Dimension. Lots of Universes that we did operations like this, endlessly it seemed, for a long time."

This in turn Keiba stands, to make his point, for whatever it was worth, and offers... "For nearly every star that isn't claimed by another star power, such as yours, or isn't a simple hazard of true obvious note, we want to expand and place new worlds and inhabitable artifacts, around them all. It'll take a long time, but we don't mind that. War won't be our method to accomplish this. We've seen too much of that already, the kind that you espouse in glee..." ...a glance at Daniel, then back at Gerhardt... "...we've seen over vast battlegrounds of space, that encompassed tens of thousands of superclusters at once. It really gets old, and mind numbing, after too much of it, after a few dozen Universal Ages. Our formal intent instead, is to... well... create planets in our Planet Foundry Dimensional Fortress, and trans-locate them eventually, throughout nearly every Star System in this Galaxy, and I guess the Local Galactic Group as well."

"I bet they'll buy that one." Megumi prods Keiba with, as she leans on the table. Her hubby just balks back outright! "No more bets with you lady!" ...which nets a raspberry back again.

[StellarGate]

Beta-Rhô
Royal Cresian Empire System
Classified Project:
The God Project
RCNS War Maiden

The Admiral's wings fluffed up at the comment about war. "We do not, as you so call it, go about war as though it is some glorious thing, Commander." His voice could of frozen the air in the room. "War is one of the most ugly and disturbing things a person could ever go through, to loose soldiers in war is not something trival, like game peices on a board."

Daniel also seem offended, "Just because I said we could coordinate battles over light years doesn't mean we will. There are many other uses for such a sensor system, that was just the first thing that popped into my head, being a soldier and all."

Gerhardt then looked down at the table and pinched the bridge of his nose hard. He took a deep breath and looked back up. "I'm sorry I shouldn't of let my temper get a hold of me like that, but seriously, we only get into a war if their is a good reason for it, and Empire building is not one of them, despite our star nation's name."

The Cresians ignored the odd behavior of the Gaians, anything unprofessional was passed off as simple inexperience.

"Well I guess I can't fault your reasons." The Admiral siad after a few seconds of silence. "Sounds good, but, and I'm sorry if I sound cold or exploitive, but if you terraform a planet, wouldn't that planet's resources become just about unaccessable? Maybe my speices view on how to treat our planets are different from others, but we don't harvest any material from our own planets unless its a rare substance. I know space is just full of asteriods and other rocky bodies, but its just a question I feel I have to ask."

[Gaian Ascendancy]

Keiba just nods his head, and leaves the subject of war, with a simple... "Then we understand each other." ...literally leaving it all, at that.

However it was the Admiral's questioning of terraforming practices, that drew a good smirk from Keiba, now leaning on his hands, under his chin. His first response unto... "Terraforming 101. The question should include aspects of evolutionary bio-development, evolutionary tectonic processes... eh... " ...this he leans back and then thumbs... "...Palladium Ellie, if you would." ...this as the Bioform-Masu construct being nods back, and then begins projecting separate holograms, from her finger nails, aimed at the conference table, this while still keeping the galactic hologram up. This Ellie starts to explain... ": - Our understanding of Terrafoming primarily comes from our Gaian allied race, the Ascendant Avians... - :" ...this as a small image of a standard griffon type alien, rather bulky, covered in robes that look a cross of regal, and Shinto, along such lines. ": - ...also known as Griffionals, they preceded the first Gaian Ascendancy Guardianship, by approximately a Billion effective Solar Cyclons, or years, by Terran Motherworld standard. They are responsible for all terrafoming standard, that the First Council approved of, after lengthy discussions about ethics, evolutionary issues, resource consumption, and beyond. The discussions soon involved discussions about entire Star System effects, as our terraforming prowess began to encompass formal stellar assets. - :"

The Griffional image then switches to a semi-rounded, triangular structure, this Ellie explains... ": - Our resource demands are met by molecular manipulation, down at the atomic level. Energon requirements to reformat atomic and molecular bonds, are a given by our Hikari Seeds, that generate a subspace power field that essentially is Universal wide, set in place in the early days of the Ascendancy. Other subspace energy sources, such as so-labeled Holia and Foundation subspace layer energies, along with forms of ceramic and sound induction based fusion techniques, allow us the capability to reformat matter to whatever requirements are needed. Literally. Anything from polymers, material composites, metallic hybrids, and more. Bio-organic substances are derived from electrolysis and inter-fusion techniques that use multi-ray shielding / manipulator fields, in conjunction with a bio-organic form of our molecular foundry devices. This, such as this one here I am projecting. All resources are garnered to our industrial, military, and bio-organic foundries, via resource collections that our Resource Fleets conduct, in heavy matter regions in deep space, what since hydrogen and helium, are the two base components that 'all' matter derive form from, prior to stellar processes, that we replicate in our Foundries. - :"

...the holo-matrix from Ellie, then flickers to an image of Gaia-Ceii, the ringed M-class world, two lunars, all gleaming, surrounded by VAST orbital assets... ": - ...we as Gaians in this current galaxy, have only been in this Time-Space aspect, for less than half a Terran Motherworld century, this first planets we came across, we were forced to terraform for our own survival. All the prior aspects discussed, were applied to this endeavor, and six other worlds, and dozens of lunars, in this System, applied further to the Blue Core Nebula Systems we found, most in an uninhabitable condition. However no planet we occupy now, sees the need for direct resourcing, as extra-galactic sources are used instead. All non-biological resources, such as ores and the like, are generated by our terrafoming device, matrix fields... - :"

...the image switches to a GLOWING planet... ": - MWCG-NA 23413-HG-2-P3 is undergoing the process as we speak, in a different area of the galaxy. Dozes of previously uninhabitable worlds are doing so, via our Genesis-Holia Titans, as well as from artistic guild aid, of the Avians themselves. The aforementioned once more, are deft worldcrafters, treating planets with the style of a canvas, as only knowledge, time, and energy are required. The Titans are tightly programmed with all aspects to create inhabitable worlds, that 'do' also have the resources that are of question here, though so called 'petroleum' sources, are mainly an off shoot effect of our terrafoming, a kind only harvested in minute quantities for 'recreational' efforts, at most. We primarily as aforementioned also, directly avoid mining our own terraformed planets, and giving other allied civilizations to conduct molecular fabrication techniques, as to avoid damaging planets, that we have come to know, as sentient in their own regard. A hard aspect to realize at our scales of size, but still, such in there nonetheless. - :"

Keiba stops it there, since he alone realized that last bit, might be too much. "Suffice it to say, we find the same justification for terraforming, our own ways, and mainly just use our planets to live and operate from. Not to say some aren't paradises, all this before the Ascension Protocol, was applied to everything Palladium Ellie said, a good Cyclon decade ago now. And that is up to lesson 175.3, for your consumption. Ethics are another hundred chapters to go though, if you wana skip em for now."

[Gaian Ascendancy]

Arch-Commander Serenity took her literal sweet time, as she went from Command Core, to the Council Chambers. even though there were quantum Hikari powered teleporters, nevermind the fact that the Council Chambers were directly linked together, since Command Core, was the near entirety of the central Core Palace Tree, a tube of command structure and apparatus that linked in total height, the Empire State Building, for the imagination to munch numbers by, (below all that, of another Empire State Building zone of size, the off limits Hikari Tree Alcove. Off limits as in instant mind-wipes by the Trees, followed by teleportation to a holding area for pickup by Angel God/Valkyrium/Steel Angel/Droid-Synthetic Security, back on topic...,) all to the Council Chambers at the apex of the Palace Tree, that where Serenity was at, before she 'left', was about five sector levels below the Chambers anyway.

What it all meant, as Serenity float-walked along, was that she was in no rush. Not with the fact the Juraians were up there, and also the fact that it was all, a one hundred Solar Cyclon timetable. There was time to relax between moments of majesty and diplomatic uncertainty. As an Angelic Being that 'has' seen essentially it all, what with her Host, and five other Angelic Hosts under the leadership of an actual God, as far as Powers go, and the wonders conducted in sight as a result, Serenity really 'did' learn to take it all in stride. A floating stride, to be certain.

And so, the tall, lithe, gorgeous Angelic of a woman, glowing with all command and grace, floated along, emerging outside past a titanic archway, where a vast, rounding walkway, that was more like a roadway fit for a hovertraffic zoneway, rounded about in branched off walkways, all about the thick branches, with unseen replete dozens of tertiary walkways, that lent to all sorts of futuristic, serene, and infrastructure areas and places. All of it covered in the melded scape, of the Palace Tree leave clusters, essentially everything one would think of a tree leaf structure, but expanded several thousand times, and 'all' leaves, glowing and white, with most of em set in everlasting cherry tree blossoms, ala the usual petals in the air effect. Nevermind that many spots of the lay far eye, were actually lens flaring and sparkling, from the vast effects of Hikari Energy, that all combined, would give a vampire a one way ticket to vampire-afterlife, even at midnight Gaia-Ceii standard.

Yeah, a nice, heavenly place to float along with, as one mulls details in mind, and off the 'cloud' of the sentient Hikari Network, this as Serenity is fully aware of all necessary developments, of the operation. Of course, she wasn't the only one walking along, as the branch area zoneway Serenity was on, was chalk Holia full of citizen souls. Gaians (humanoid,) mixed with Gaians of Angelic, Synthetic-Droid Machiner, Avian Ascendant Griffional, Illuminaran (ascended humanoids from Antara-D,) Glassian (glass beings, of humanoid and more type formats than one could imagine easily,) Katath (humanoid cat species,) Wau, (humanoid kitsune species,) Furban (humanoid simian of usually a bulky bioformat,) and far, far, far many more racial profiles, that 'all' took the name Gaian, and all respected the same for it, all across the Second Guardianship. And all of that, a part of the reason why, there was such hustle and bustle to the Angelic Arch-eye, as Serenity only floated past groupings of Gaians discussing, others zipping along, heed of rank only taken, when needed of given. It was considered waste to Gaians to overindulge on propriety of command, unless in presence of the direct Councilors, and only if needs of duty weren't in the way first.

And the air of more than open enough air space, in the zoneway area, saw some traffic too. Afar, some three kilometers away, was one of the Palace Tree shuttle and cargo ports, busy enough with departing shuttles, and incoming general goods cargo pods. Floating Droid pod units helped distribute stuff, teleporters at the cargo-zone center afar, helping with larger bundles. Unseen, some cargoes were fed to infrastructure that handled fluid matter for replicators and such, others power lines, such service lines and more, long melded into the vast trunks of the Palace Tree. And there were technological doodads everywhere, as holoscreens of many sizes and needs, were displayed, all dynamic of use and operation, when needed or wanted, many following other busy Gaians when needed, just as dynamic of the imaging systems, that were everywhere, of taken for granted measure.

Serenity just stopped at one point, looking around, again, and smiles a good sigh of comfort.

"~ It's good to be a Gaian. ~" ...this as thoughts of being in a Tree-city, easily encompassing as an Acropolis by itself, was surrounded by a city on below, and numerous other cities and townships, all across Gaia-Ceii, this long with the two other Palace Trees, and then the air floating citadel assets, the space needles and StarLadders, and all 'it's' endless hustle and bustle, before one even begot to the reason the Gaians exist as they are now, all their toys and accomplishments, in space.

The Gaian Angelic looked up, past the canopy of the Palace Tree, up at the puffy cloud, yet blue in blue sky, (mostly due to nebula refraction light reaching the planet atmosphere. There was a reason it was 'all' called the Blue Core Nebula Expanse,) and enjoyed the moment, for what it was. It made a few other Gaians stop what they were doing too, and look up. Serenity realized this, and gave a smile to her compatriots, that lived in a nigh perfect world.

"~ WHAT DO YOU MEAN THAT WHELP IS IN ORBIT!!??! ~" ...this a voice that didn't even need comm speakers, or Net Link to hear. This Serenity just sighs and shakes her long, glowing tressed head. "~ Oh Lord Azusa... ~"

"~ WHAT OF IT ARCH-COMMANDER!? ~" ...this Serenity just BELTS back into the Hikari Net, for all who cared, to heed. "~ What I said 'young' Lord Excellency. "~ ...before the Net-ping of Washu quips back... "~ Good one Arch Lady. Still waitin on ya Report. ~" ...this Serenity appreciated. This in turn, the Arch-Commander nods to her chance compatriots nearby, a Glassian remarking back openly... "Good luck Arch-Commander." ...this the Arch-Angel just laughs, and then heads off, still taking her long swell time, a good half hour before she even thought of heading to the actual Chambers.

-----

Meanwhile, connected inter-System Foundry Stations were being setup, Folded in like other Starbase class Assets, preparing for work on the first Ringworld sections, in the terraforming Systems already being worked on. Others for the 'unpacking' of three Dyson Spheres, that the MWCG Gaians managed to bring with them, stored in their single Dimensional Fortress, the same that was doubling as Brian Cache and Planetary / Star Foundry.

All other operations, were now in repetitive mode. Monotonous, as much as monstrous in galactic scale.

However at this point, despite only the inner core defense zone having formally Claimed planets, nothing else was 'officially' claimed yet, in the direct Plan Alpha Zone.

And everyone was still waiting on the Declaration. And wait, they would still a have...

[StellarGate]

Beta-Rhô
Royal Cresian Empire System
Classified Project:
The God Project
RCNS War Maiden

Gerhardt nodded and tapped something into the terminal in the table in front of him. "I'm not even going to pretend that I understood all of that. Parts of it, yes, all of it, no."

The Admiral knew that the recording of this First Contact would probably be attacked the minute he had time to get a recording of it home. These people were so advanced and large that Cresa could barely be compared to the Gaians. He wasn't all that surpised, which was odd considering that this wasn't the 'dime a dozen' human contacts which his Empire had been so consistantly having over the last couple of years. They were bound to meet a race/star nation which blew their tech out of the war. So far the Cresians had only met other nations which were about the same tech level, maybe a little higher, maybe a littler lower, but never one which such a large gap existed.

It was something he would definitely would like to talk about with NIBS when he got back to Cresa. He also wondered what his leader would do or say, hell even think, about this. Would she be nervous, glad, maybe fearful? He doubted his leader would overreact, but she was just mortal and she made mistakes, though not many.

"I don't really have any more questions." Gerhardt finally looked up and gave a small smirk. "As advanced as you are, this is First Contact, do you have any questions for me or my subordinates?"

Both Mayson and Daniel turned their gazes to the Gaians, the somewhat bland looking flag captain was in sharp contrast to the almost flamboyant looking operations officer. Gerhardt's gaze flicked between the two, owndering if the two ever noticed that their appearences were about as contrasty as their secondary jobs. (Mayson was an accountant for an arms manufacturer, while Daniel was a famous, and very flamboyant, singer.)

The Admiral mentally shook his head, wondering why they hadn't asked why he was here, this may be his Empire's territory, but in reality there was nothing in this system which was of worth yet. Even while the mining tugs hulling asteriods around, it couldn't be terribly clear what they were doing, especially with a bunch of science ships crawling around the system. But if they wern't asking, that was fine with him. It was a classified project, after all.

[Gaian Ascendancy]

...and of course Megumi was one to start asking that in turn. She remarks out, as she starts stretching a bit, muddling the mood, before setting it up for otherwise. She looks at Keiba and asks.. "So Commander hon, shall we ask some of the obvious, for our side of learning thangs?" ...this Keiba just blinks over at... "Meg my sweet and dear, we 'are' on a diplomatic venture here." ...this Megumi just shrugs. "So I'm loose. I just never was one to be stuffy. Deal with it." ...this Keiba rolls his eyes, before he indeed makes for a change of subject, looking back at the Cresians. "Well, I guess the obvious first question would be..." ...this he points at the wings the three hosts are beholden with.

"Are you related to the Angelics? In fact, we'd just simply like to get to know you. As you see by our behavior, we're for only being really serious, when called for. Ya see, my wife and I are actually hover racers normally, Palladium Ellie runs a pastry and beverage kiosk, and our guards... um..." ...this he looks at both guards, this Keiba asks a bit too confused sounding. "...ahhh... what do you two do?"

The Angel God just sniff-huffs out... "I train my fellow Sisters and warriors." ...this the Valkyrium she-babe-warrior rather, comes out with... "I draw holo-manga in my spare time." ...this getting an aghast glare from the Angel God, as Megumi and Ellie just 'ooohh' in response, while Keiba just blinks. "Huh... who woulda guessed." ...this he turns back formally to the Admiral. "And... that's our kind of M.O. there. So, unless you mind telling us about yourselves and all..." ...this Keiba trails off, all the while Meg is actually asking the Valkyrium guard, for holo-manga order information.

Yeah, a serious bunch and all here. It was all obviously more than just being about a bloated star empire, with these folks.

-----

...speaking of which... er... kinda pointless to be technical about repetitive details, even when Plan Alpha was showing Fleet after seemingly endless Fleet, exploring the dickens out of the Milky Way Galaxy. Of course now, the same seemed to be repetitive, all across the VLGG, more and more, and more and more.

And yet we're still waiting for that Declaration... oh when oh when... wait... Azusa did what to Imladris?

[StellarGate]

Beta-Rhô
Royal Cresian Empire System
Classified Project:
The God Project
RCNS War Maiden

The Admiral raised his eyebrow, feeling like he was interveiwing MiddleSchoolers for a some sort of security-critical job. He didn't know where he was older than these people or not, right now, he felt way older given that these people were acting like children. But he rolled his eyes, sighed, then made a hand motion.

"First off, no we are not realted to your 'Angelics.' We evolved, or mutated depending on one's veiws, from humans that orginially colonized our homeworld. A virus changed around their DNA structures to the very first Cresians, we evolved further from that point. So Cresians are related to humans closely enough to interbreed with them."

"Second off, my own personal life isn't much of one." Gerhardt brushed his hand over the rank symbols on his skinsuit. "From the age of 20 Earth years, I've been inovolved in the military. Started off as a communications officer, went tactical and climbed my way up the rank ladder. I have a bondmate, a female Cresian, back on the homeplanet and currently courting a male Cresian from one of the science ships in system." He paused. "I'm a dedicated military officer, I have no second job, though I do sometimes write short stories in my free time. Unlike my two subordinates here." he motioned to Mayson, who shrugged his gray wings.

"I havn't been involved in the military as long as my CO. I started military training back when I was 300 earth years old. Currently I am an accountant for an arms manufacturer on one of the colonies. When I get off from the military, usually when I'm switched into the reserves, I go work there. I have 2 children, the youngest one is 56 earth years old, the other is 203 years. " Mayson finished and looked up at Daniel, who gave him a confident smirk and the flag captain imediately looked away, his hair streaks brightening in color again.

Daniel gave his wings a small ruffle and a small laugh, and giving his long black hair a small shake as well. "Well for me the military is more or less a job which is equal to my other job. I am the lead singer of the band called Exstortium, which is a famous band back on Cresa. I have written 50 songs, sung 24 remixs and redones, and published 6 albums. So far I've had two of my albums go platumium, meaning they have sold 25,000,000 million copies, which includes my most recently released album 'Outsubordination.'" The Cresian shrugged I've also stared in a couple of holomovies and in my valuable free time, I also am also a pin-up boy." Then he grinned, looking quite evil. "My pin ups are some of the most popular, I know one Cresian who has quite a collection of them aboard this ship, he's quite a fan of me, really nice guy too. Though I don't really know if I'd want to captain a superdreadnought like he does." His voice was practically dripping with innocence.

It was obvious that Daniel Von Hinden's 'fan' was actually Captain Mayson. Judging by Mayson's reaction, he had flushed, his cheeks turning lightly darker with a puprle hue, and his hair streaks were very vividly colored, Daniel had hit the nail right on the head.

"You're going to pay for that later." Mayson half-growled. His voice sounded dead serious, but Daniel waved it off.

"I look forward to your punishment Captain." The operation's officer gave a chuckle. "I bet it will be very interesting and engaging." At that Mayson gave a grin, giving lie to his earlier seriousness.

[Gaian Ascendancy]

Keiba listened intently to the Cresian dialogues of personal details. The noting of 'details' was...well... detailed, before Keiba then asks... "Forgive my earlier question. We first saw your wings, we made a presumption we shouldn't have. Our own versions are off the evolutionary course, of what we have become of ourselves. In any case..." ...this he then looks at Ellie, whom then wordlessly teleports in shimmering style, a multi-port storage device. Ellie... "- Here you go Commander. -" ...off of sentiment-waves, off the Hikari Net, this Keiba reaches over, to take, and then proceed to offer it to Admiral Gerhardt. A pearlescent case, essentially as offered by Keiba... "...to you, we offer our historical archive, as a gift of our choosing, so you can understand us better. Mistakes and all. Triumphs too. The holo-technology is also yours to study, since it's a standard ten generation behind, gift architecture, such we use in all diplomatic functions like this.

We'd like to know more about your civilization in return. Cultural aspects primarily and all the like."

Megumi then points out to... "We should have you Lord Daniel, do some concerts in our areas of space... well... once we can allow non-Gaians in. That whole enforced ascension deal, not good on the unprepared souls bit, and all."

"Thanks for that last bit." Keiba quips back, and gets raspberried back for it.

[StellarGate]

Beta-Rhô
Royal Cresian Empire System
Classified Project:
The God Project
RCNS War Maiden

The admiral took the object from Keiba and studied it for a long moment.

Do you have the diplomatic download, Daniel? He asked over his link with the operations officer and the captain gave a small nod.

Daniel ruffled his feathers turning a little more serious. "Thank you for the technology and the information within it. I reget to inform you that Cresa's history is not something which we carry around with us all the time. We can only shove so much data into our computers." Daniel looked down at the terminal he was sitting at and rapidly started to call up historical files from with the database. The hologrpahic projectors hummed to life and started to show a rapid collection of different files collsessing. Words flashed and changed fast, some of them looking as though they were written in a differnet language before they were translated into English.

After about 3 minutes the hologrpahic projectors shut down and Daniel produced three differnet data chips. "I have here three different collections data." The first was black with a blue triangle on it. "This chip is the standard diplomatic download we give to all friendly First Contacts. It contains data about the Empire, our stars and territories, some warnings about different systems and how to contact us again without being mistaken for an enemy task force."

"The second," he held up a chip which was slightly larger with a yellow four pointed star on it."Is what I could collect of our history from all the ships in the fleet. There is much, much more, but getting would take a visit the Royal Media Center of Telegett on our captial planet of Cresa."

And then Daniel held up the last chip, with a white circle on it. "This is a collection of my band's music. Its not all of it, just a sampling, but I'll warn you that a lot of it is not exactly child friendly."

"In other words." Gerhardt said wryly, "Listen to it at your own risk. Some of his band's songs are great, others are just downright werid."

The operations officer gave a grin at that. "Thank you sir for the compliment." Then he handed the chips to Keiba. "Hopefully you can download the data off of them. If you can't we can always just send the data via our communcations system."

[Gaian Ascendancy]

Keiba nodded. "We'll likely manage on our own. The catch with encountering many foreign star nations in our time, is that you come across more technological mediums, than one can easily count. However there are a usual set of standards that all species employ, that we can garner data from. If however you wish to send a download of any added information, our standard interlink data-ports are listed on the holo-packet there, for merely the asking."

From there, Keiba just imparts... "Well, unless you wish to do anything further, I guess we can call this meeting a success. Unless you wanted anything more of us..." ...Keiba left as an opening.

-----

Things were turning really serious now, as full scale Boson JumpSystem Stations were being pieced together, as large, mutli-kilometer sections were Folded in, along with support vessels and mecha, Machiners and nanite 'battery' vessels, providing all the needs to construct the massive Stations, short of the ZPC-Hikari Core, which would be Folded in at the last, for security. Within days, much of the entire Plan Alpha zone grid, would have a working Jump Grid, as another was being prepared for Sol System, all which would 'then' be linked to the Four Realms Compact grid, which would link together MWCG to multiple galaxies outside the VLGG. Intra-VLGG Jump girds would need longer, as most expansion focus was still on the MWCG. Within the allotted one hundred year time span, as few as fifty, a standard grid would be interlinked with MWCG as well, far as the VLGG was concerned.

[Gaian Ascendancy]

There were many sights to see, along the way, on the path to returning to galactic sized prominence. Entire Fleet Groups and Facets ended up pairing down to Vessel Stars of five ships, down to vessel pairs, some even solo, as scans of more minor star systems progressed, over the following weeks. Star colors of all kinds were encountered, in orbiting pairs... others trinaries... ever see ten stars orbiting each other? Another ten around a singularity?

And there was Nebula MWCG-NE7592/5E.22, a thick pea soup pocket of interstellar gas, that one vessel picket binary came across, and only made their way about ten light years within it, before encountering the outskirts of a massive star nursery, scans indicating that a near fifty light year expanse of the nebula nursery was full of star births, nestled within Zone 5, Sector 1. About another six light years in, and three more Systems, scattered in the sector, had planetary systems, another six in the Proto-system stage.

MWCG-GC/SN9221/75L.76 (Zone 9. Sector 1) however, was nigh the opposite of the spectrum, as a singularity in the center of the globular cluster there, the nebula mass in the center, that had some fifty stars in it's sway, the nebula apparently an ejection variety that had to be nearly a hyper-nova type, in scale comparison, to scans that Fleet 670th FACAF Warship Fleet, 1,843rd element encountered. Radiation particle emissions enforced Dimensional absorption shielding to even get close enough to witness this interstellar effect. Some Star Systems with planets, were found in the surrounding interstellar field of the nebula, but warning markers were placed to ensure any local traffic knew what was really inside the nebula.

Angelic Host Fleet Group 543,231st Section 8,843rd got a wondrous view of a star birth, in another discovered nursery nebula, in Zone Six, Sector Three, MWCG-DN/PN559/1193.533P-1-906, as elements of the still absorbing Virgo Stellar Stream, was causing star-birth in the Zone, and in the surrounding MWCG Norma Arm (and the galaxy as a whole even,) and with it, a lot of planet forming activity. Some civilized areas were discovered, and vectored away from, leaving scans for the Comm Orbs and Folding in place, Intergalactic TelescopeStations, that would study the area after the Gaians moved on. Some of the inner Systems were difficult to navigate normally, due to thick gas clouds that enforced sensor navigation of primary mode. All that nebula matter, however, made for a LOT of planet forming. It also tended to color everything, in greens, reds, and browns. A lot. Replete.

Droid Kushan 7,422,853rd Fleet Group, spread it's sensor suites to a stretched point, as they scanned through a multi-sector of over one hundred thousand Star Systems, from planetary types, to simple Star multiples. This only a tenth of a fraction of Zone 10, Sector 2, this as support stations were situated in strategic areas of the Zone 10, not unlike what was happening time and again, across the Operations area. However Stations outside the operations area, like the ones slated for Sol Sector, were not occurring as of yet. Only within the Operations area, were stations appearing via one way Fold Jump station apparatuses.

A double star merger about to go hyper-nova in the next few hundred Solar Cyclons, within Zone Six, Sector Three, as MWCG-NA-8766327-DS7932 was marked to be steered clear of, and Comm-Orb nets prepped for an inevitable gravity wave that could disrupt graviton based communication mediums. (There were a few, an interstellar form of Shortwave-subspace comms. Not a common used medium, but...)

Terrafoming operations were already going ahead with Titans and Crystal Ships expanding terraforming operations, over a thousand worlds, within the zone. The next big act that would be coming, was Ascendant vessels finalizing their measurements of effective gravity triangulation, where natural planet orbits would be effectual for 'Goldilocks' zones, to place the first finished planets from the Foundries, of several types that any other highly organized civilization could recognize. Places like MWCG-NA-4482384.G752 that had only an double star pair of orange type luminosity, was one of the first to soon see this effect.

A System like MWCG-SC-A-8235.876/GH6732-P1-7 however, would have another result in mind, as the System in Zone 9, Sector 1, was of such matter density, that the system created seven Jovian type planets, all almost capable of stellar fusion reactions, if not for the fact that the Star Triad that they orbited, stole too much matter, and held enough gravitational sway, that the result were of engorged planets around the Triad instead. And yet there were lunars, many of them large enough for supporting atmospheres, that were replete in the System. A Farming System Complex was planned for this system.

But sometimes the simplest example, was in the mere backyard, as an SD Warship Fleet, led by A-SSD Tuatha De Danaan - Unity Class, led a secondary scouting foray back into the Core Defense Territory Sector, into MWCG-NA-312/77.S22, as some marked planets in the first days, were being rescouted now for formal colonization.

Admiral Teletha Tessa Testarossa, sat in her Command Platform seat, as a literal crew of tens of thousands, did their duty all about her. However her forward view was on the rubicon view, of a small, by celestial standards, planetary nebula of silvery rubicon, a refraction effect of the single star, only a couple million Solar Cyclons in age. This as one of the six planets in the system, in view now to the fore of the Command Platform, the Overbridge Transparasteel viewports, almost the size of entire ships in their own right. A planet of focus here, clearly an M-Class planet, that initial scans detected, and left for follow up exploration, as the Mithril StarFleet Command Facet was now conducting.

"This is far more peaceful to conduct." ...the silver tressed Admiral of a Gaian organization, that was the 'black ops' of the Ascendancy, since all civilizations had one, though in this case, being mere explorers was just as fine a job. However this one was conducted below the interstellar sensor grid, since 'any' inhabitable System discovered in the Core Defense Zone was outright Gaian territory, no matter what the consequences here. This was already direct Council decree, prior to Isolation ending, and here a detected M-class world where not detected previously in the first days, was an example of the next step of detailed explorations of further examined Systems. Tessa just smiled, even if her mind was in awe of discoveries that was already commonplace to her. After being a part of the Ascendancy from Foundation, the same for her reorganized Organization, one that had conducted all errands to the betterment of a Realm that 'did' see Justice for what it was, (more than misplaced idealism,) and hence her loyalty had been well rewarded to this point.

"Time stamp until colony vessels arrive?" ...Tessa asked, as one of her ever present Aides, General Andrei Kalinin of Mithril's Terrestrial Touman remarked back... "The first vessels should arrive within the day. This presuming no complications arise."

"Depends on what you would call a complication." ...Tessa quips, as she feathers her braided hair, across her face. A sign of her usual contemplations, as a Glassian Tech from Operations informs over Overcomms... ": Survey team shuttles enroute to Planet Two. Other shuttles and Omni-StarFighters beginning detailed operations of the rest of the System. :" ...this Tessa concentrates on the former relayed iota. She just sighs, not even bothering to open Comms. "I'd hate to have our ears assaulted again, by that group."

"One can already tell, from the Hikari Net alone." Kalinin remarks in kind, as a standard Gaian operations shuttle, Lambada type, zips off with a squad of six other shuttles, along with a DropShip in support, heading towards the planet afar, the silhouette framed by the star flaring far in front of it, the nebula clouds hiding the lower portions of the planet from direct line of sight. Aboard the lead shuttle, one Commander Sagara, along with Commander Chidori, and a cloister of familiar characters, that were all along for the same Gaian ride. Their aspect was of the Twilight. And the comical yelling was as ear piercing as ever. Hence a Command Core of the A-SSD was glad for channels silent for once.

Admiral Tessa just snickered, and then asked... "We should inform Operations Command of our contact."

Kalinin looked over to Comms Sector... "You heard the Admiral." ...this making Tessa giggle in reflex as always. Somehow the ancient command title still made her fidget a little. Even after tens of thousands of Universal Ages. Being near immortal in effective age, also meant mannerisms and personal effects tended to remain the same as well. Even despite dying twice in battle, and ressurection and reteachings of the brain afterwards. Hence such alluded to 'one' impart that Tessa has, as the viewscape starts to change, with the A-SSD entering effective high orbit around the planet. "It's good to be alive these days."

A crew needed to hear that one. They all hoped it would stay that way, for awhile at least.

[The Humankind Abh]

OOC: Don't mind, do you? Nothing like good ole times.

IC:

It was a common understanding with any that were familiar with the Abh Empire that they made their home in the vastness of space. Some even went so far as to murmur that the Abh considered all of space their home. Not such a stretch when considering that the Abh called themselves the "Kin of the stars". Regardless of the high or low opinion of the Abh, there were few that could rival their dominance of the stars. In their great life span, the Abh explored countless stars and conquered just as many systems under the banner of the eight headed dragon.

The Milky Way Kingdom was the tip of imperial might positioning itself in some of the most contest regions of the galaxy embroiled in constant warfare. Most sane nations avoided the beta region of the galaxy. The stupid ones never get a chance to visit a second time. The galaxy's way of survival of the fittest.

Amidst the sortied history of the Empire, one such note includes a war which burned worlds and blackened stars. The Dark Ascendancy had been a pestilence on the universe for generations. Whenever they reared their ugly heads, the Empire was there with the Gaian Ascendancy to smack them back into their extra-dimensional cesspool from which they crawled out of. After a number of wars against them, it seemed that the Dark Ascendancy was tired of being sent running by pointy eared space elves.

Even with a lull in Ascendant presence, the Abh never allow something to simply fade to memory. Seeded throughout the galaxy encircling a great expanse of territory around their borders, beacons were long ago placed on distant worlds and moons to monitor for the return of the Ascendants in case they ever wished to exact vengeance on the Empire. These beacons did not look for anything that other nations may have had to offer or even attempted to spy on them. The Abh rarely bothered with other nations nor considered them a concern enough to try and spy on them. If information was needed, there were more effective methods of obtaining such intelligence.

Most of the beacons had long since been forgotten until time had hidden them beneath the surface of worlds. It wasn't until an old familiar signature disturbed the beacons long slumber as the planet's surface was shaken through terra farming.

About as much dust was blown of the beacon as was the communication network that was used to alert the capital at Lakfakallae that something was amiss in the galaxy. Either old friends had returned or some people were just slow learners. Regardless of which, Star Forces would have to be sent in to investigate.

A lone Rue-class patrol ship navigated the darkness of space between two systems engaging in a training exercise. The captain of the vessel had his mesh of Abh and Colonial crew running through fire emergencies and pressure leaks. Empress Abriel Nei Dobrusk Lafiel had passed creed that made any Colonial citizen participating in Star Forces to be given the status of Abh. It didn't matter what the Empress wanted to call the new citizens, if they couldn't work alongside the Star Forces regulars then captain Lokesh wouldn't have them under his command.

"Fire has now spread from sector 13 to 26. Fire suppressant systems are down. Get a fire team ahead to sector 27 to prevent the fire from spreading and get it contained." The Abh commander clicked off the comm from his chair and reclined back as holographic screens marking the progress of his crew floated around his light blue haired head.

"Captain, the fire chief has requested to vent the outer compartments to put out the fire. It would sacrifice some of the crew but put out the fire." His young chief of staff placed her hands behind her back and stood neatly in her fitted Star Forces uniform. Her blond hair touched just past her shoulders though she wore the insignia of the Empire proudly on her breast, she still carried a spark of Colony in her.

Lokesh clicked the comm from his chair again. "Fire chief, when fire suppressant systems are down that means 'all' systems are down. Trying to vent has triggered an electrical fire in sector 10."

"Don't you think you are being a little harsh, captain?"

Lokesh looked up lazily at his chief officer. "Not every problem is solved by simply blasting the doors open and letting a vacuum do the rest of the work. That seems to be their standard operating procedure. Enlisting in Star Forces requires a little more creative thinking than that."

The chief of staff and captain of the ship watched on as the crew struggled with a mounting fire problem while the other half of the crew worked on repairing pressure leaks to the hull of the ship. When engaged in a firefight, often both would be a problem for a ship which only reinforced the captain's decision to continue running simultaneous drills until the crew became more efficient at their tasks.

"Captain, message from head quarters."

Lokesh perked slightly at the distraction from the drill. "What is it communications?"

The communication officer patched the message to the captain's personal glass screen in front of his chair. "One of our long range beacons has been triggered. Head quarters is requesting that we the source of the disturbance and report back."

Lokesh rose for the first time from his chair and allowed it to retract back into the floor. His long blue cape floated behind him as he reached the railing of the command bridge. "To all crew, all exercises are hereby suspended. Everyone is to report back to their stations. Engineering, fire up the space-time generator and plot a sord for the source of the beacon."

"Yes captain."

The patrol ship from Star Forces navigated itself towards a swirling blue aura of energy where it disappeared into the extra dimensional realm of space and time.

[Gaian Ascendancy]

MWCG-PER8423/H753.J66... as dead a doorknob Star System that you can get. A barely flaring yellow star that was along about half of it's two billion long life-cycle, a scattering of proto-planets that didn't have enough further matter to create anything bigger. A brown smattering of nebulous star dust... comets... all spread out somehow, over a same space and span, of MotherSystem Sol itself. Space came up with stuff like this in places...

"We came to scan... this?" ...a Kamiki-Msaki tone spouted in dismay, after three hours of pulse scans. Her friend next to her, another 'loan' from the Juraian Ascendancy to the MWCG Gaians just rubber her even darker hair, compared to her friends more lighter teal shade. This as one Commander imparted back to the prior version that spoke in annoyance... "Well... not every Star System can be lush paradises with advanced tropical resorts upon them, with fruit-candy fizzy concoctions to lose one's mind and nanites unto."

The first just smirked in kind back. "Not unless we make these here so, Airi."

"Oh hush Noike." ...Airi just teased back. This as the two looked out past the Juraian-Gaian Treeship Kyoko's seamless transparasteel/spider-glass viewports, with some of the primary Hikari(?) Tree itself, framing it's branches at edges of sight. At least the branches were more vibrant, than the viewscape apparent. This as Noike rubbed at her own melon, as Airi plucked a little at her slimsuit accompanying jacket. Kinda pointless there, as the white and blue/silver trimmed Gaian life-support gear, was self rectifying with nanites 'meshed' into the suit. (Hence why they usually tended to sparkle under direct light. At least 'this' version didn't hurt the skin. ) It was all just a sign that... "I need a drink." ...this Noike moaned out, a bit pouty sounding, Airi snickering, Noike complaining, despite it being heard by a replete crew of Gaian citizen souls around. "It 'is' all here only for another three hours? Right?"

Suddenly, a holoscreen POPS up in front of the two Juraian-Gaian Commanders... ": - Are you Juraian types, always this lazy? - :" ...this from a pink haired facade. Noike sure freaked out, as Airi just snaps back comically... "Who ever said that 'doll'!" ...and then pointing ala a stab... "And don't you know to signal to acknowledge to open a channel!? Rude Steel Angel series types, I tell you!"

Yeah, the image of Kurumi just raspberries back, as a separate voice just eggs in the holo-background... ": - Oh don't mind her. She's gone a week now, without some lovin. - :" ...this Kurumi's image hears, to then jerk her head to her 'left', to... ": - Shut it Karinka! - :" ...yeah.

Behind the holo-image, a red colored Valkyrium Battlecruiser zips from port to starboard, off of fore noticed view. Not that it really is, as Airi Masaki is looking further past the holoscreen, with her jittering eye. "We don't need to hear this again."

Kurumi hears this, and looks back plainly. ": - What? You guys over there don't like to loosen up a lil? - :" ...this Airi blinks, Noike asking back... "What does 'that' mean?" ...which causes Airi to make rough SHUSHING noises at her friend. (Technically related, though all those loverly BloodHouse lines, and all.) This as a brown haired Steel Angel Valkyrium's melon poke on in, from the right of the image, beside Kurumi. ": - I heard there was a rumor of some 'action' going on back on Jurai Prime Ascended and... - :" ...this Airi LOOKS back with akin of a billowing fusion core, as Noike just shrugs... (and the rest of the crew of the Treeship, taking heed.) "Oh, everyone in the Jurai Realm knows about Yosho and all. What else is new." ...this Airi LOOKS back at Noike now. "Hey! You wana find out what it's like to be resurrected after being spaced?"

"Will it get me outta this boring scan duty?" Noike amends with another bored whine. "At least a little action by now, would be different. Or another panorama like three Systems ago." ...this Kurumi just shrugs. ": - Well. We are getting pretty far out from the Operations area now. - :" ...with Saki accenting, both images sporting their usual Valkyrium jumpsuits of the Order. And some bruises on each, after sparring earlier in the day. (They were bored by now too. Go fig.) ": - Well we 'are' concentrating on Star Systems that are supposed to be devoid of life. The Comm-Orbs and emplaced SensorStations are handling signals analysis from detected star nation assets and territories, that we are directly avoiding contact with, for now. - :"

Airi nods, returning to a Commander's usual decorum. "Hence why we are stuck with places like this." ...this Noike just sighs, accepting logic for what it is... course... "Still boring... rather would be home with..." ...this she instantly regrets, as Airi 'and' the holoscreen lean in with... ": - Hmmm...? - : ... Ohhh?" ...this Noike just hides her face a lil, and whisper-balks back... "...oh shut up." ...cutely.

it's all saved from, as even Karinka's blond head was on top of Saki's and Kurumi's melons (mostly Kurumi's, whom shoves Karinka off soon after,) as then strides up, a proud Avian Ascendant in brown and green feathers, beak and talons of polished silver, a demeanor the nigh same as the rest of his Clutch, covered in white and brown Avian robes, regal and Shinto like, holding a standard white in white Padd-Tablet, as Airi notes over... "Greetings Lord Soly'nus, once again for again." ...this the Avian of a standard average species height of 11.2 meters, nods. "~ Indeed. The first overlay scans of this System are complete. ~" ...a strong voice reverberates back. The Tablet is handed over, Noike taking heed, and inspecting it, as Airi readily offers... "Nice work. maybe not worth our time here and all, but..."

A gruff cough from the Avian third Class Master of Clan Terraforming Arts, just makes for glued eyes, as the Avian infers instead. "~ Every last particle that has come from this Universe's Creation Point, is worth our replete time. Even the most mundane place, and hold treasures that the mind will wonder about, when time comes past 'after' one does not heed, at a time when one should know better to. ~"

Yup, they all nod. Of Kurumi's squealing impart... ":- OhhHHHhhh! You guys are still so cool after all these Universal Ages. - :" ...this making for chuckles from all around. All that stop, as a part of the Avian's wisdom, comes of impart, when a Glassian Sensor Tech suddenly announces. "Commander!!"

Airi looking back behind, at the meshed control deck, of nature and supremely advanced technology... "Call it!"

And the same Tech... "Comm Orb grid is detecting... a beacon... triangulating source and frequency spectrum, at this time Commander!"

Airi fingers her chin in hearing, as the others look... "I bet we have been detected by someone."

Kurumi on her end... ": - How do we proceed? Scans aren't complete yet. - :" ...this Saki infers, her head looking at Kurumi's, in the holoimage... ": - Well we 'are' supposed to make new contacts, when we encounter them. I'd say we inform Command Core and wait out for whoever it is. - :" ...this Noike nods. "We got nothing to hide. I think." ...this Airi looks up at her, Noike just reacting defensively, with hands waving... "I said, I think! I'm not prodding there now!"

Kurumi just eyes back dryly. ": - Jeeze. You girls need to get some action already. - :" ...this Soly'nus just chuckles in response. And ala at them both... "OH CAN IT!!" ...from both Juraian lasses.

Airi then rubs at her aching temple, her migraine being taken care of, by her nanites. "Okay. Inform Command Core of a probably First Contact. Otherwise, keep us conducting pulse scans, and keep all stations on alert." ...this Noike nods. "Will do." ...and turns to relay the order to Comm-Station.

Meanwhile, the in-System flotilla of three Valkyrium Cruisers and the Treeship Kyoko, Noike's specialized cruiser vessel, continue on with their mop up scans. And to wait and see who comes for them.

By the time the beacon frequency is decoded however......

[The Humankind Abh]

"Reaching sord termination point in three minutes."

Lokesh simply nodded at the report on their transit time. In space-time, time itself was a fluid matter. The reference to sord termination was three minutes standard time outside the extra dimension. Lokesh had all the time he needed before poking the ship out to see who had disturbed the old beacon system. Only thing truly worrying the captain's mind was holding an eager crew back from simply charging in.

"Chief, bring up the charts we have on this system."

The chief of staff grabbed a glass data pad and thumbed for the files until catching on to a grouping marking the beacon system. After some negotiating, she eventually pulled up the system that was their target destination and blew it up on the main holographic screen. A small system but spatial standards and nothing labelled remarkable.

"Looks like nothing of any real repute here. Could be a mining expedition just triggered something the Empire put in place a long time ago."

Lokesh stroked the underside of his chin as he studied the system map for a moment. "No, not likely. These beacons were designed to detect specific energy signatures. Seismic activity would have to be on the level of planetary destruction."

"What are the captain's instructions then?"

The Abh captain highlighted a small moon several clicks from the source of the disturbed beacon. "This is purely a scouting operation. We'll come out on the dark side of the moon and scan the system for any anomalies. There will be about a five minute delay until the space-time bubble can recharge."

"As you wish." The chief turned to the bridge crew to relay the captain's orders. "Prepare to return to plane space at the captain's coordinates. All crew report to their stations."

A small flash of light appeared on the dark side of the moon where a swirling vortex of energy pulled back on itself. A lone Rue-class patrol ship emulating the traditional sleek design of Abh ships. Scans activated sending light pulses throughout the system. What turned up was a bit surprising to the Abh captain though the chief was a little confused.

"What is it? Communications, can we identify the vessel?"

A moment lapsed while the communications officer ran the ship configuration and signatures through the data crystal's database. "I can't get anything back on three of them but one ship is classified as a Gaian Treeship. Though our records on them is a little dated ma'am."

"Gaian? Never heard of them."

The Abh captain raised an eyebrow slightly. "Nor would I expect you to. Our last contact with them is beyond your years and the naval academy lumped the Gaians and Ascendancy under one category during the lessons. Easier for everyone to grasp all at once instead of trying to keep track of one time allies and someone never we quite got along with."

The chief didn't look to be pleased at being kept out of information she thought might actually be critical. "Why study tactics against allies?"

Lokesh shrugged his shoulders. "The emotions of the galaxy are fickle. You never know who you may be going to war with the next day."

"Well do we shoot first or pretend to be pleasant?"

"No reason to shoot yet until we have a reason. Besides, we are supposed to be just scouting. Might as well gleam as much information as possible. Open a communication channel to the Treeship."

The chief blew a long strand of hair away from her face. "As you wish."

This is Star Forces captain Lokesh of the patrol ship Gilmarue from the Abh Empire. Please identify yourself and what you're doing in this sector.

[Gaian Ascendancy]

-One minute and thirty seven sect Cyclons till Sord contact...-

"I... I don't believe it." ...this turning heads on two ships, as Airi asks... "What is it Strat-Tech?" ...as a male Gaian of youth, looks, dark hair, the whole shebang, and a blush from Noike to be sure, just responded with an amazed tone. "The beacon frequency and code pitch were decoded.

It's Ahb."

Hence why he current generations of Comm-Orbs, billions of years ahead of current Milky Way Core Galaxy standards, was too dang efficient. As was the amazed reactions it shook, from the Gaian crews! Noike just held her mouth... "Now 'that' is a name... in... well..."

Airi just smirked, as she folded her arms. "The 'better' version of the Eshi'rosh, of those that we had to utterly destroy in the Antaran Wars. Too many damn mirrors from that place. In any case, check to..." ...this the Strat-Tech responds in anticipation. "Their Gold List status is still valid. Same as the Dornalian allies and several others. Command Core is being notified as we speak."

Airi just blinks... "Good work... er..." ...she makes a quick check of the Crew Log, off the Hikari Net.... "Hideki Motosuwa, Tech class." ...this the said looker just rubs at his head, while holding a large Padd-Tablet. "Aye ma'am."

"...might be a Commander soon at that." Noike winks at the bloke, not helping Hideki's facial pores any, all the while in turn, comes next from... ": - Pardon... but.... Ahb?" - :" ...comes from Commander Kurumi's viewpoint. Airi looks and realizes... "I see. You weren't around back in those days, before the Valkyrium Order existed." ...this Kurumi corrects... ": - Actually I was around back in the days prior to that order. My memory must have been messed up from that Time replay stuff that happened, before the Order got here. That and Karinka's dirty play in spars. - :" ...this a blond 'telling' grumble plies back.

Airi just gets to the point. "My own memory id outdated here. The Ahb... Humankind Ahb... are genetically bred citizen souls that prefer space, over terrestrial planets, as their primary home. They are quite powerful, at least last I know of, and they helped us through some hard times, even before the First Exodus. We've however had no contact with them obviously, since we left Alpha Dimension, nor up to... well... now, since we came back."

Noike realizes... "Are we in their territory?" ...this Airi just sighs... "Well... we 'did' want to know where all the players are. At least one of the old standards is still active in this galaxy. How much beyond that however..."

Airi then 'remembers' off the Hikari sentient comptroller-cloud, and looks over to Sensors Station... "Adjust sensors for scanning any active Yuanon particles... that is if they still use..."

...literally stamping on that though, a Griffional Sensors tech snaps out... "~ Active archetypical Ahb gate detected! Vessel emerging via gravity node P2-L3! ~" ...which makes Airi gulp on her words... "Yeah... they still use them."

"~ Scans directed at us! ~"

Noike just orders... "Round up the cruisers to our position! Re-inform Command Core of first Contact with the Ahb imminent!" ...this Hideki just BOLTS to Comm Station! "You heard her!"

In that moment of stress, then came the next question of... ": - Who wants to be the chatty one, with them? - :" ...from a pensive looking Kurumi, quite suddenly. Noike just blanches back a little at that. "Hey! It's 'your' Gaians that are leading this Operation here." ...this Saki just warbles back, over holo... ": - I don't remember taking too many First Contact seminars, prior to this operation. - :" ...this Karinka just adds in... ": - Yeah. We're used to blowing stuff up. Not talking with peeps. - :" ...not helping any. Kurumi just eyes over blandly... ": - That didn't help you know, Karinka. - :" ...which made the blond haired Steel Angel-Valkyrium about start a fight with her pink haired Sister.

Airi just holds her face. "I didn't sign up for this." ...speaking more to dealing with petulant warrior babes that wanted the Joy of Battle, over talking. Noike just then pegs in... "So... who..." ...and is interrupted by Comm Station reporting... "Communication incoming!"

Airi just snaps... "Play it." ...as Noike droops again.

: - This is Star Forces captain Lokesh of the patrol ship Gilmarue from the Abh Empire. Please identify yourself and what you're doing in this sector. - :

Noike straightened up, as she hard whispers... "Now what?!"

A quick chain of hard whispers and near shouting match whispers then ply out, before it nearly turns into a rock-paper-scissors contest, between two ships.

It's all saved as a far calmer Griffional returns to the bridge, more than aware of the situation, (luv that evolved beyond reason, Hikari Net,) as a simple tone responds, as the first rock-paper-scissors round, has Airi, Kurumi and Saki remaining. "~ Perhaps I can give it a good Avian Sibiko try. ~" ...that freaked out Noike, since she was actually 'relieved' she lost the first round. (Don't think too hard on it.) This as Airi looks and nods. "Oh... oh sure, go for it good sir."

Soly'nus just nods...

...a holoscreen with decoded frequency of the Ahb initial transmission, returns, with the Ahb crew getting their first taste (in who knows actually how long,) of a Gaian facade. In this case, a large Griffional melon is displayed, with Airi's and Noike's melons off to the 'left' of the image. And with it...

": ~ Greetings Patrol Ship Gilmarue, representative of the honored Ahb Empire of Humankind. I am Griffional Ascendant Soly'nus, second order of the Guild of Terraformer Artisans, speaking for the Milky Way Core Galaxy, Gaian Aspect of the Four Ascended Realms Compact. Allied to the Aspect, is the Juraian Ascendancy aspect, that this Treeship lends it's assistance to, unto our fellow Aspect citizen souls. Our combined small flotilla are engaged in operations concerning operations that fully encompass the entire Milky Way Core Galaxy, as of this time mark, both forward, and preceded by some four Geth'Cyclons now. Weeks, as to the ancient Motherworld calender standard.

If you wish our immediate departure, we will acquiesce without hesitation. We apologize for entering sovereign territory, and await your response. ~ :"

Off to the said left, Noike leans over to whisper... ": - Hope that's good enough. - :" ...which Airi reacts to, by elbowing Noike quickly, with a jab, to the obvious there, saying zilch herself.

----------

Meanwhile... oh boy... word of the new First Contact, might as well have Fold Jumps all on it's own, given how much word spread through an Operations Landsdrad of billions, all across the galaxy, as much as back to Gaia-Ceii itself.

[Gaian Ascendancy]

There was certainly a few interesting incidents, during the opening phase of Operation Alpha. Not all operations could be as peaceful as the prior First Contacts were. Case in point...

MWCG-S-CA8672.U63-P7: The Gaian 5723rd Warship Survey Expeditionary Facet ran into... yay... pirates! Details of the pirate group weren't well documented, since the Victory III Star Destroyer that was doing the scan survey, was attacked outright by a mixed squadron of pirate fighters, with a carrier and cruiser. Needless to say, Star Commander Reece McKenna gave a stern warning, which after being ignored, declared a Trial of Possession of the Pirate assets, on top of a Trial of Grievance. This resulted in the VSD II unleashing a squadron of OmniFighters, and a Star of Palladium Type II Cruisers, that routed the pirates within minutes. The pirates are being incorporated into the Gaian 5723rd via nanite reeducation and such standard Gaian techniques over the conquered. And all this despite three other Gaian vessels in the System vicinity. The Gaians also claimed the pirate base, and vessels, as their own, and are being nanite retrofitted for patrol duty in System. All Gaian Commands are on alert for these Traquis Collective pirates. Allies will be alerted as well.

NCG3190-643275/8976UH.754LF: During a survey by 84,279th High-Mobile Survey Expeditionary Fleet, the system of six stars with dozens of planets orbiting amongst, and traded between the mixed orbiting stars, as Lagrange points mixed with uncanny regularity, there came an unexpected visit by some Trans-dimensional Whales. Schrodinger's Whales, of ancient term. A pod of six whales (maybe coincidental of the number of stars apparent,) arrived via trans-phase 'jumping', and simply passed by the flotilla of four High-Mobiles, as they apparently fed on 'something' in the System. They were tagged with sensors to their skins, to help track them, if/when. they passed through Alpha Universe again. Comm-Orbs in the minor Galaxy, are attuned to detect them. Meanwhile, the 84,279th went on their way, to the next system...

NCG3190-643275/8976UH.766J: ...a system of three stars with sixteen proto-planet nodes, in unstable orbits due to the triad of stars reacting to each other gravitationally. (Nevermind some wicked radiation readings.) Yet somehow, a colony of energy feeders were hiding in a planetoid field, apparently feeding on the stellar energy. They quickly found the Innamatsu High-Mobile Destroyer more appealing, and attempted to latch on. The High-Mobile dropped standard Energon Capacitors that distracted the creatures (something Octopi akin, as a best descriptor,) long enough for the Fleet to join back up, complete a quick scan, and Fold before an entire swarm of the creatures approached them. A warning buoy was sown into the nearby Oort Cloud barrier, before the Fleet moved on.

ANDRO893435/K223781.IJ643D: 67,893rd Combined Survey Expeditionary Fleet stumbles across the Dinnamari Empire, while scanning the supposedly lifeless System. It's quickly discovered, that they are one of the 'allied' factions from Antara Dimension, as the empire was established over a thousand Solar Cyclons ago, off of one of the refugee Sar'nors given over, by the First Guardianship, when Antaran Universe Construct Eleven was consumed by the Dark Rip. Given the event happened a billion and six hundred thousand Solar Cyclons prior to the final acts of the Second Exodus, this is the 'earliest' of the apparent refugees, and gives hope that there may be other similar 'refugee realms', evolved into star empires, out amongst Alpha Dimension. Literally trillions of such civilizations, were evacuated from Antara, as the Dark Rip progressed. Not all of them are accounted for, in the Representia Realm archives. Given that hundreds of trillions more civilizations, didn't survive, just reminds the Gaians of their hubris against their worst enemy's excess. Meanwhile, the Dinnamari are a race of... well... bunny humanoids. Akin of the Wau kitsune and Katath neko-kitsune racial profiles, the Dinnamari are more bunny-neko, and are experts in communications methods, and tend to breed as fast as the Avian Ascendants do. Obviously, a proper Gaian First Contact Diplomacy Advisory team was soon sent after. The Dinnamari Empire has sixty-seven Systems under their control, and are beset by their own pirate problems. The Gaian Starfleet and especially the Valkyrium Order, will fix all of that.

FORMAXD7593/UY98564.F532X: The 926,647rd Combined Four Realms Fleet, led by the Treeship Mystara, under the Command of Sora and Tora Hasegawa-Crow, lead an intense operation across a thousand Systems at once, mostly of Ascendant Crystalship class, as a formal attempt to find proper colony nodes, are in progress. One such candidate System, is quite an unlikely find. A 'Gem' Class Star System. Four terrestrial planets, three Jovian types, and three proto-planets, with a central three star Triad, and orbited by a white dwarf star (somehow,) and further, by a double star-Triad helix setup, at the outer edges of the System. It is presumed this setup was caused by the compact nature of the dwarf galaxy itself, and the long story of it short, intense heat and pressures caused most of the worlds, to undergo gemminite reformation processes. The planets have scanned crusts and sub-mantles of massive formations of gem and diamond compounds, including swaths of heavy metals, likely due to the central star Triad, apparently once, a Quintet that had one of the Stars go supernova, and somehow the Star System result, having reformed with some wicked effects, including (apparently,) one of the lunars of the System, sheer 'fracture-melted' into the fourth planet, and three other lunars orbiting the fifth Jovian, looking like a piece meant for playing Jacks or such. (Freaky.) The Fleet is attempting to lock down the radiation vectors, for the deployment of Solar Collectors, that can then reduce System environ hazards enough, for a ColonyBase Complex, to further study and harness the System resources apparent. Gem Class Star Systems are rare enough, as it is.

MWCG-NA74232/U87345.O742H: Meanwhile, closer to home, has the first settled colonists on a planet, outside the Blue Core Nebula, marking the dawn of the new era. A massive Star-Fortress Defense Base is working in concert, as the dense jungle planet is being cataloged of it's lifeforms, for later incorporation into the terraform process, to eventually turn the planet into a Habitat Planet, essentially a planetary Zoo. The other six planets in the System, are already seeing StarBase assets and resource structure setup processes, for both habitability and Agri-complex setup, to support other Colony Systems, now taking shape. At least a thousand such Systems, are seeing the initial phases of Agri-complex establishment, that will form the anchor for the rest of the forming MWCG Gaian Empire-Republic.

MWCG-GB/PER93132/KJ7564.F3421-P1-8: 822nd Warship SEF under command of Keima Morisato, came across an unexpected find, just outside the Zone Three area, as the System had eight planets, all apparently belonging to a long defunct civilization, that left behind (literally) Glass City-Worlds. Four of the terrestrial bodies, and sixteen of the lunars, were set as glass mode format city-worlds, all having lost their ability to hold enough of their atmospheres to be sustainable. Ascendant Guild Masters are being sent to ascertain their ability to be re-infused with heavy metals and tectonic activity, to reestablish electromagnetic atmospheric shielding. The central star, now in dwarf mode, is being studied for possible swapping with a healthy standard yellow star, from elsewhere in Alpha Universe, (or Dimension,) to reestablish a needed Solar Wind field, that the planets can interact with again. Scans and studies are being taken by surface teams, for signs where the civilization went to. It is uncertain if the Glassians had an off shoot civilization, from the ones that inhabited here once. Scans are ongoing. However the proximity to the Galactic Core zone, means further study of nearby stars for hazards, are inherit as well.

Six other Systems are to have been of similar City Hive mode, also abandoned, across the Operations Area. Similar studies are being undertaken, though none of the Systems are apparently (directly,( related to each other. Signs of internecine warfare are apparent, a sign of the sad, yet obvious note.

Meanwhile, countless Megastructures are formally appearing in security cordon zones, being further established in deep space, as some of the first Ringworld segments, are already being colonized, while still under construction. Massive O'Neil colonies, called StarSpoke Colonies, due to their shape, and intended thousand kilometer scope of size, are appearing amongst these setup security zones. Boson JumpStations are appearing there, alongside StarBase assets meant for setting up the next requirement of security demands for the operation. The Galactic Police Service Advisory. The defunct organization, rendered so due to the Second Exodus consequences, will become fully activated again, like they once operated back in Antara Dimension. This will free up Republic StarFleet assets, for further Operations, and ensure interstellar domestic tranquility, for the Landsdrad. Similar operations are planned as Ark Tube Colonies, Rough Planet Colonies, Dimensional Fortress Gate Colonies, Sar'nor Colonies, Interstellar Star Harness Colonies, Dyson Sphere Colonies (of any one of sixty types available,) Citadel Colonies, Planetary/Star Foundry Colonies, and far far far far more, begin appearing all across the deep space areas of the Operations Area.

Possibly the most consequential however, is a Heaven's Gate of Angelic mode, appearing in a 'very' secretive location, somewhere in the Operations Area, that will finally allow contact between the Gaian Angelic Six Hosts, and their ancient brethren within the Eternal Dimension. The plans for this, are still in process of being determined of finality, as everything is still in the infant stage, as far as Expansion Plan Alpha, all truly goes here.

[The Humankind Abh]

The emergence of three holographic figure heads in the midst of the bridge of the Abh vessel was a little startling, especially for the Colonials who were accustomed to cyber warfare from their years in dealing with the Cylons. Many unconsciously began looking for security breaches in the system and analyzing means to flush the intruders from the ship's systems. The Abh were a little more familiar with the Ascendancy's methods though they viewed the intrusion a little more as "rude" than any over threat.

Thankfully for the Gaians, Lokesh's constant drilling had not only helped to acclimate his crew to the way of the imperial Star Forces but also allowed the Abh to get to know his crew. A calming hand raised by Lokesh kept his chief of staff from spinning the axial electromagnetic rifles and targeting solutions painted over the biggest target that the Ascendeds had. She looked back at the captain with questioning stare just before the figure heads began speaking.

The crew seemed to calm slightly as they listened to the message which rambled on for a bit. No longer suspecting an attack though fuming from the rush, the chief of staff crossed her arms under her chest and stood near the captain. "Sure do take a long time in saying something as simple as 'hello'."

Lokesh smiled just ever so slightly as he leaned closer to his chief. "It is a tad boring when someone does try too hard to make a good impression."

The captain turned his attention back to the floating heads over his bridge. "At the moment the Empress has no designs on this region as far as I am aware. We do however monitor a large region of space for the purpose of imperial security as you can understand. We were simply dispatched to ascertain the identity and intent of the disturbance here. You have said everything that I require for my mission. Everything here will be reported to the king at the capital where he will relay the information to the Empress.

Before we depart, is there anything that a long time ally requests so that it may be reported?"

[Gaian Ascendancy]

Noike and Airi just looked interested, as Soly'nus looked back and asked, with the holo-channel open... "~ Do we have any further need of our hosts? ~" ...such is at first, Noike just shrugs. "None I can think of." ...and looks at the holo return image of Captain Lokesh and his CoS, and remarks... "We're not here to claim this space either. Just scan everything and move on to do a lot of the same thing, over this entire galaxy. I imagine we can send you detailed scans if you wish, if you require them. Of course you're probably more knowledgeable of this galaxy more, than we are, at this time, honored Captain."

Airi just remarks simply herself in kind. "You'll have to forgive us, we've been out of practice since... um..." ...this she looks at Soly'nus matter of factly. "Actually it wasn't our Civil War and Isolation that led to this operation. I'm not sure I can speak for our relative brethren..."

Kurumi's holoimage pops up, which on the Ahb vessel, looks like it's a pink haired female, remarking at Airi's and Noike's images. ": - That would probably be our end of things. - :"

Noike just eyes back... "Is that a good idea Commander?" ...this Kurumi balks back... ": - What's that supposed to mean? - :"

Before anything further could break out from a break down in Gaian decorum, (the lot were too comfortable with themselves, a long multi-billion year long evolution behind all of that,) the overcomm aboard 'all' present Gaian vessels, snaps a BREEP to garner attention by. Kurumi quips aloud... ": - What's that... ut oh... - :" ...as her own image reactively looks at her vessel's comm station, at the same time that Airi, Soly'nus and Noike look at theirs. A Comm-Tech suddenly reports... "Ahhh! We have a Quantum direct Teleport incoming from Gaia-Ceii! High power bandwidth pulse along with!"

Noike gulps... "Command Core must know about this meeting, but..." ...she trails off confused, as Airi realizes the open comm channel, and quickly relays to the Ahb vessel... "We have an incoming teleport, from... where are we? Wha... a teleport from 47,000 plus Light-Cyclons away!? But... but who would..." ...as there were no other truly active teleporters yet fully active, except via Warships and... all those vessels scattered throughout the... "...someone is using our own ships to chain..." ...this Noike hears, right before a Navi-Tech, coordinating with Sensors Station, announces... "Teleport node matrix inbound now!" ...and then a site-to-site Teleport activates, not even bothering to stop at the nominal Teleporter station, just to the back of the Treeship control deck, instead just FLARING an pulsed into appearance... "...Teleport. Oh dear Aleaic our God." ...Airi finally completes, as the figure that emerges, makes Airi and Noike want to Teleport away for dear life!

In effect summary, before everyone's eyes... "Oh dear..." ...as two figures emerge. One... ": - C... Commander Jora!! - :" ...as a white, spiky haired Commander in a standard Valkyrium Jumpsuit, arrives to act as guard 'and'... well, as guard for the second personage, that Airi and Noike are less than enthused in seeing. This as the Gaian equivalent of a Devil appears, such that the cream green tressed colored power behind the Juraian Ascendancy Throne, remarks... "Nice to see you two, grand daughters..." ...as Noike just remarks rather intimidated. "Ah... Lady Seto grandmother..." ...this Seto reminds back... "Adopted to you. Probably the same for Airi here."

And Airi about bursts a vein. "Greetings back to ye Lady Seto." ...she manages out with decorum, through the skin of her mashing teeth. Jora meanwhile quickly snaps to her own Commanders... "All Valkyrium stand down from operations! Prepare for new orders!!"

": - Aye! - :" ...thunders in the hundreds, of all the Valkyrium aboard all four Gaian craft.

Seto then looks at, after scary swift receiving the 'update' over the local Hikari Net cloud, and then in a stiff voice... "Captain Lokesh, pardon my sudden appearance. I'm Lady Seto Kamiki Masaki of the Jurai Ascendancy. We need to talk, quickly."

[The Humankind Abh]

From the reports on the Gaians dating back to the first Ascended wars, everything Lokesh had studied on naval tactics against their kind seemed to resonate within the display he was seeing now. Everything the Ascendeds did was pretty much coined "flashy". While the Abh captain handled everything much as the Abh generally did, calm and emotionless, his younger crew was not holding together as well. Too many more surprises from new beings in one day, and Lokesh was likely to have to call the medical staff out and sedate some of the more jumpy crew members.

"Sir, this has gone on long enough. We should be rid of these aliens. Let me release the safety on the nukes and shove one up their exhaust ports."

Lokesh grinned slightly at the idea. More just that her aggressiveness amused the Abh. "Tempting. But not right now."

The Abh captain looked up to the new floating figure that stepped out onto the stage. "Well good Lady, I would recommend that you speak quickly. My crew is young and many of them are developing itchy trigger fingers with all this bouncing around. I trust this is something important if you decided to contact us directly."

[Gaian Ascendancy]

Lady Seto got directly to the point. "I'll be blunt. Our realm that once was, likely according to your own records, a singular Realm, led by Lord Aleaic Kerensky, now exists as four distinct Realms, we now classify as the Four Realms Compact. From our perspective, we left this Dimension a couple centuries ago, and the proceeded to conduct our multi-universal spanning empire, that lasted five some billion Solar Cyclons. After... events... occurred, time from our perspective then restarted, and some two billion Solar Cyclons passed, the time-space line then interfered further, by our mutual worst enemy, as the Dark Ascendancy then proceeded to annihilate our entire empire, in the Entropic weaponized act, we deride in our History, as the Dark Rip Event. The event, an acceleration of the natural effects that will destroy 'this' universe one day, off Dark Energy and Matter Entropic expansion, after some another billion Solar Cyclons, give or take, went unchecked beyond even our effects to prevent. The Second Exodus, synonymous with the First that led us to Antara Dimension in the first place, was chaos at times, as entire billions upon trillions died by Entropic annihilation, with as many survivors that could be mustered, sent 'back' to Alpha Dimension, the only other place we knew of. The consequences of scattered one way Dimensional Jumps, with Dark Rip effects even affecting time apparently, after our final calculations, led to Alpha Dimension having Gaian survivors scattered all across this said Dimension.

As a result, two 'versions' of the Ascendancy existed at the same time as the original First Guardianship, existed at the same time as the three of the four scattered Realms, other details being... complicated, all protected of causality itself, up to this 'modern' point."

Seto then smirks, as the other Gaians hear on, no sign of frivolity here now. They 'all' knew what had occurred moments earlier on Gaia-Ceii. And further... "Now the actual blunt point of my speech. Where one Lord Excellency once reigned with our love, Two Lords, and two Ladies reign as part of the Compact. However the 'youngest' of the four sovereigns, faces a new challenge, from the 'other' Lord, one I fear I lay relation and dismay upon, all the same. Lord Azusa Masaki of the Jurai Ascendancy, challenged the 'younger' Lord Excellency Imladris Kerensky, son of the entire Council of the former First mode, gene-created and tested to his Station, is held to Trial for his Throne, from the Juraian Lord himself."

Seto then sighs, and imparts out, as Jora looks on, quite confused by all of this too. "I realize this has nothing to do with Ahb interests, except for the fact that... due to our communication methods of the Hikari Network, as... expedient, as it is efficient, that Lord Azusa found of your empire's auspice, and has declared your territory, the site for the Trial. It was attempted to be refuted by the challenged Imladris, but was forced to accept, due in severe part to our chosen Clan political ways of inter-strife conflict resolution. One based on a level of Honor, that has persisted, for our entire History. As mentioned, it is a long one to hold Honor at such high regards. Given the allied Realm of the Gaians residing in this Womb Galaxy, Silver River or Milky Way Galaxy as also termed, only recently emerged from Isolation, after a bloody Civil War, started by the 'same' Dark Ascendancy enemy, that took dire toll on them, I speak on their behalf, as the Dowager Princessa of the Jurai Ascendancy, to speak on both behalves of two Thrones under challenge.

Of that behalf, again, despite my personal objections to the matter of 'where' the Trial will be held, that Azusa informed me that your Capital itself, would be the potential place of this Trial. Because of this, I speak as the Catalyst, for our actual... well... God... to speak further for me, as Lord Aleaic in his... Representia Empowered role, as I am described of his own Station of evolution, seeks an audience with your leaders, once your own Command has informed of them, of this development. The Trial is slated to commence in three Solar Cyclons, where Batchall will commence, and the final parameters of the Trial established, prior to actual combat. I am understood... despite my... relation's mindset on the matter, that a place of Neutrality is of preferred Site, as justification for this declaration of usage of your Auspices."

"What a...." ...Noike whispers over, and Airi elbows again to 'hush' her with.

Seto then rubs at her temple, and offers... "Despite all this, it would be my personal recommendation, that your communique with your leadership, be that of an express regard, to Abstain from this endeavor, this as the Representia listening in now, and awaiting, informs... me... of his agreement...?" ...this Seto realizes and despite how odd an reaction is looks, then looks 'up', as Seto causes the other Gaians to 'look' as well, in the same direction... for Seto's part... "...and now I'm hearing gods in my own head. Thanks for causing 'that' reaction kid." ...this Seto 'speaks' up towards, before looking back at the Abh holo image, and finishes... "And I will leave all, as such, until further words is given."

From there, the fate of Gaian succession... or something else... was in Ahb hands now, at this point.

---------

Meanwhile... Operation Alpha ground to a halt...

The message was terse... ": ~ Alert Notification Primary One. This is Arch-Commander Serenity. Within the hour, resume Operations, but prepare for immediate cessation of further Operations, save for Titan terraforming operations, as word of the Trial is clarified.

And may the Light of His Hand, guide us through.... this....

Command Core sends acknowledge, all operational Commands comply. ~ :"

The wave of responses back, didn't have a lot of Hope, with them. Just acknowledgements.... and a LOT of unanswered questions.

[The Humankind Abh]

It is true that many Abh commanders within Star Forces held titles and territories of their own. Such was the path of increasing a family's prestige within the Empire thus increasing one's own prominence. Lokesh though was not from one of the fabled families with the name Spoor, Bebaus, Trife, or any Abriel family name beside his own. The captain's only real claim was a modest standing in the imperial court within the kingdom and the occasional trip to the Empire's capital.

His status and the parameters of his mission did not allow him diplomatic leeway in this situation. All he was capable of at the time was assessing the source of the disturbance and the threat ranking of the source. Given that it was Ascended in nature, and on the right side of the aisle, it put some ease into the Abh stance. Though now this was no longer truly a military mission.

"My Lady, I am afraid I cannot do anything else but relay your message to the king where he can then in turn decide if your request should be past along to the Empress. With your permission, I will send along a recording of this conversation to allow the king some time to review. If you wish, you may then in turn accompany us to the main city in this kingdom. A word of caution though that you may wish to pass along to the rest of your clans. The empire is not appreciative of foreign war vessels spontaneously appearing within its realm of space.

You may accompany us aboard this ship and put your case before the throne or come at your own time aboard a transport. However it will be our honor to transport you or an appointed dignitary safely to Lakfakallae."

[Gaian Ascendancy]

Seto only nodded back. ": - I will come, along with my chosen bodyguard, Commander Jora Endomiel here... - :" ...the holo shifts to show the short spiky whiote haired Valyrium Commander, whom nods in turn, this prior to the holo image of Noike then objecting... ": - My Lady! Without your own vessel, or even ours... - :" ...which quickly in turn, Seto just had her image flutter out her favorite bento fan, and taps it on her chin. ": - Oh, I am sure when all is said and done, I will have a choice of transport to return home with. I sense all trust with out friends inherit. - :" ...the last Seto embellished a bit, uncertain which way it would be taken, but stressed further when Noike objects further... ": - But Seto...! - :" ...a tone of genuine worry on her tounge.

Which Seto quickly STAMPS back silent with... ": - Trust I said! This 'is' an ancient ally that I will be travelling with. Plus I will not be alone, when I arrive. All the better to ensure everything is settled, prior to this moronic Trial taking place. And I hope the 'boy' is set in his proper place, by all Heavens. - :" ...the last hidden under her opened paper fan. ": - In the end, it will be that Trust that engenders all that we hope to accomplish, plus demonstrate whom we all as Gaians, truly are. Without fail, this I expect, and... well... that is subjective frivolity at the moment. - :"

Lady Seto's image then addresses Lokesh directly... ": - I will join you aboard your ship, under Safcon, with my guard, by Teleporter in moments, with your final permission. As a former Councilor of the First Holy Council, of the Foreign Advisory, I can make my own permissions, in such regards. With your approval then. - :"

[The Humankind Abh]

"Granted." Lokesh nodded solemnly. "I will have accommodations set aside for you so that you will have a place to stay through the duration of our voyage back. Apologies ahead of time for the simple arrangements on a warship."

The captain clicked off the communication device and looked towards his chief of staff. "We have a couple of crew quarters vacant at this time. Get them ready to receive guests then restrict access to the sector once they've arrived and settled."

"As you wish captain. I'll get two nuggets on the job. That should keep them busy for a while."