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A Storm is Coming (FT, CLOSED)

A staging-point for declarations of war and other major diplomatic events. [In character]
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A Storm is Coming (FT, CLOSED)

Postby Terra Reborn » Sat Apr 04, 2015 5:07 pm

Captain Sir Nathan Wright
Residence of the Wright Family
Karin, the Karin Star System
Monday 22nd January 2694


The Wright Family was well-off by Imperial standards, and had been for a fairly long time, even during the dark times before the Return of the Empire, not a mean feat on Karin. They owned a decently sized estate about fifty miles south of Karin where the snow was a lot less prevalent, albeit still a regular visitor. They had earned and maintained their fortune by operating a Private Security Company, which had held contracts with, amongst other bodies, the Government of the Duke of Karin, or at least what had passed for that before the Empire had returned. That same security force had served to protect the Wrights and the community that had grown up around the estate. The Wright’s were not of the nobility, not even after the return of the Empire, but they were wealthy and influential, and were the de facto leaders for the small town that had become known as Wrightsville. Sir Jonathan Wright was desperately looking for his family to become part of the nobility, to be fully recognized for their wealth and influence, but it was slow going, and he had become somewhat ruthless in his business dealings, especially before the return of the Empire.

Nathan Wright had wanted none of that. He had left home at the age of eighteen to find his own way in the world, spending two years going from odd job to odd job before he joined the Karin Star Guard, his grades from the Karin Education System, such as it was, being sufficient to earn him admission to the Star Guard Academy and his status as a commissioned officer. His father had not been best pleased with his eldest son’s choice, he had no doubt been expecting him to join the family business, and eventually replace him. They had, to a degree, made up after the resurgence of the Empire, especially after Nathan was in personal danger on a regular basis fighting on the frontlines of the Hegemony War. Even so Nathan had not exactly gone home all that often, even when he had been on leave, except maybe to catch up with his mum and sisters, but never just to see his father. His deployment to Andromeda had hardly helped matters, before today he had not seen any of his family in over three years.

Unfortunately it was a personal tragedy that had brought the family together again.

Haligonian Flu had spread across the Apilon Rift like wildfire, the Imperial Health Service had quickly gotten a handle on it and developed a vaccine, but not before Stephanie Wright had contracted and died from the disease. Nathan had been in the Andromeda Galaxy when he had received the news and had immediately been granted compassionate leave and passage home. This alone was unusual in the extreme, due to the threat posed by the Asgar in Andromeda it was the height of unusual for any extra leave to be granted to anyone in either of the Imperial or Cresian task forces stationed out on Unity Station, which explained why Lorana wasn’t here with him. Even now Nathan wasn’t sure why he had even bothered, his father was even more distant than normal and, aside from being able to comfort his younger sisters, there was very little that he could achieve out here. He was devastated by the loss of his mother, of course, but there was nothing he could do about it, whereas he was very much needed in Andromeda.

So much so that, after staying only the weekend, he was repacking his bag to leave. An vehicle was being provided by Fifth Fleet, which was responsible for Imperial Naval operations in the Apilon Rift, that would take him to Karin Starport where he would join the civilian ship that would take him as far as Haligonian, from there he would join a military transport heading out to Unity Colony. His sisters had already tried to convince him to stay but they had accepted that he had a duty to do and that his way of mourning their mother wasn’t to sit around here for days on end, indeed he had tried to encourage them to get out there and get on with their own lives, rather than allowing the full weight of what had happened to press down on their shoulders all day long.

“So you’re just fucking leaving,” Jonathan Wright said shortly, standing in his doorway. “Again.”

“That’s right,” Nathan nodded. “I’ve got a job to do.”

“A job that’s so damned important you can’t spare a few days to mourn your mother,” Jonathan scowled. “The woman who raised you and looked after you, even when I was too busy or away on business.”

“She wouldn’t want me to sit around in this house for days crying about it,” Nathan shot back. “Besides, I am a Captain in the Imperial Navy, I have a ship waiting for me and an important duty to fulfil.”

“Oh yes, a duty so important that you can’t even tell us what it is,” Jonathan spat. “The fucking Imperial Navy needs to pull its head out of its arse, the war is over, there isn’t monsters hiding behind every nebula.”

“You’d be surprised,” Nathan said darkly.

Jonathan Wright looked uncertain how to respond to the sudden dark tone in his son’s voice, clearly he had been expecting the same combative tone that Nathan had replied with the last time they had discussed his ‘classified’ mission, but then that was before they had even left for Andromeda… before the Battle of Epsilon Alpha and everything that had happened on Unity Colony at the same time. Nathan didn’t say anything further as he zipped up his holdall and pulled on his HMS Repulse sailing jacket and zipped that up as well, all the way to the neck to keep him warm, as it was in fact snowing outside.

“I’ve got to go, Dad,” Nathan said simply. “I don’t know when I’ll be able to get back.”

“Just make sure you do come back,” Jonathan said quietly.

“I will,” Nathan nodded. “Goodbye, Dad, give my love to Jenny and Anna.”

With that Nathan walked past his father, down the stairs and out the front door. Walking across the gravel drive he found himself facing a young naval rating holding the door open for him, saluting crisply as he approached. Not wearing his uniform as he was Nathan simply nodded his appreciation of the mark of courtesy and got into the back of the air car and settled down. It would be a very short trip to Karin Starport, all things considered. They were soon airborne and heading northwards, Karin City growing steadily in the distance, as did the mountain range against which it was nestled, into the slopes of which the Karin Fortress had been built. They were however heading for a location on totally the wrong side of the city.

“Have you lost your sense of direction, Able?” Nathan asked dryly.

“No sir,” Able Crewman Rogers replied promptly. “I have orders to take you to Fifth Fleet headquarters first.”

“Nice of you to tell me,” Nathan said pointedly.

“Sorry sir, I’ve only just found out myself,” Able Crewman Rogers answered apologetically. “We’ll be touching down in a moment.”

Sure enough it was only maybe a minute more before they were coming in for an approach to the street outside the Headquarters of the Imperial Fifth Fleet. It had once been the home of the Imperial Admiralty for the duration of the Hegemony War, but with the recapture of Earth it had been relegated to housing the Fifth Fleet, as well as the headquarters for the theatre level commands of the other branches of the armed forces. Nathan grimaced as he stepped out into the cold, he was hardly properly attired for a meeting at a place like this, but if they weren’t going to give him any warning they’d damn well have to make do with whatever he turned up in. Thanking the Able Crewman, who told him that he would wait there to take him to the Spaceport, he headed inside and was almost immediately intercepted by a female officer wearing the insignia of a full Commander.

“Captain Wright?” The Commander asked.

“That’s right,” Nathan nodded. “Commander?”

“Whisper,” The Commander replied.

“I beg your pardon,” Nathan said, raising an eyebrow.

“Whisper… my name is Whisper,” Commander ‘Whisper’ replied.

“What kind of name is Whisper?” Nathan frowned. “Wait… are you the…”

“The AI from the Whisper Amongst Stars,” Commander Whisper nodded. “Yes sir, or at least I was.”

The Whisper Amongst Stars had been an Imperial Dreadnought. She had been heavily damaged during the last days of the first Empire and had been abandoned by her crew. The ship itself had continued on through the void for over three hundred years before it had stumbled upon an inhabited system, which had reactivated the AI: Whisper. Faced with the prospect of an Imperial Warship falling into foreign hand Whisper had taken it upon herself to pretend that her ship was fully operational and manned, initially with holograms but as the need to personally interact with the natives became more and more immediate she had made full use of the ship’s fabrication systems and constructed herself a near perfect recreation of the human body, into which she had transferred most of her program. After returning the ship to the Empire she had commanded… well… herself during the Hegemony War, with a minimal crew, and that was where Nathan had thought that she would still be.

“Well, what can I do for you, Commander?” Nathan asked. “And when did you get a commission?”

“When the Whisper Amongst Stars was decommissioned,” Commander Whisper replied. “Seemingly the Navy decided that I had done well enough to be able to operate as a full officer in the Imperial Navy.”

“As a Commander?”

“It seems that commanding myself and commanding a ‘normal’ warship is different, so the Navy decided that I needed to serve as stint as a line officer, an XO, before I get promoted,” Whisper replied. “I’ve been assigned to serve as your executive officer for the next twelve months, I was originally going to head out there myself, but given that you were on Karin… I’m sorry about your mother by the way.”

“Um, thanks,” Nathan nodded. “Well, I think that we should be getting out there, shouldn’t we?”

Captain Sir Nathan Wright
Unity Station
Unity IV Orbit, Epsilon Alpha Star System
Wednesday 24th January 2694


Captain Sir Nathan Wright stepped through the airlock from the Naval Auxiliary transport ship that had brought him out here and onto Unity Station, alongside him was Commander Whisper, with whom he had been discussing the state of affairs in Andromeda for the majority of the two-day trip out from Karin. They were both in No.3 Service Uniform of the Imperial Navy, long-sleeved white shirts worn with black trousers and a black tie, and both returned the salute of the Imperial Marines standing post on either side of the airlock. They made their way through the bustling corridors of the Imperial Space Station. They were due to report in to the newly promoted Vice Admiral West, who commanded Task Force 81, the Imperial naval force that had been stationed out here to provide a mobile strike force against any potential Asgar aggression, with Unity Station itself providing the bulk of the defensive firepower for Unity Colony.

“I’ll meet you in the Command Centre, Commander,” Nathan said to Commander Whisper once they reached the Station Promenade, its social centre. “I have another appointment to make first.”

Commander Whisper nodded and saluted crisply, a gesture that Nathan returned before taking his leave. He was heading for the station observation deck, at this time of the day it was usually empty as most people were on duty, but he knew that one person in particular would be there.
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Postby StellarGate » Sat Apr 04, 2015 5:49 pm

Andromeda Galaxy
Unity Station, Unity Colony
Captain Lorana Varcern


Captain Lorana Varcern of the Royal Cresian walked slowly towards the station observation deck. Given that she'd had some free time after finishing her shift of watching the crew do a simulation, she had taken her pinnace over to Unity Station in time to see Wright. Well, she'd planned for this really, but she had to keep up appearances.

She had of course given her condolences to her bondmate for the loss of his mother, it was never easy losing a family member, and she had watched him leave to go home. She had wished she could go with him, but given that her entire ship would of had to come with her, she was even more restricted than usual in her amount of leave. Her ship was needed here, one of the most, in fact probably the most, powerful ship Unity had to its fleet not to mention that Tharon and her captain were still pretty much foremost experts in facing the Asgar along side Nathan's Repulse.

As she stepped into the observation deck she was pleased to find it empty. ANd she smiled a bit as she felt the distinct approach of Nathan through her bond.

Wait he's back? Oh this is good! Why didn't you tell me? Tharon accused telepathically to his captain. The living ship missed Wright almost as much as she did, given that he was bonded to the Terran cpatain as well this shouldn't be surprising, but Lorana could take a guess that most people wouldn't think a warship would miss one human being.

"I didn't tell you because you knew already, you scrap pile." She sniped back at him, unable to hold back her grin and Tharon gave his best mental impression of being highly offended.

Why when you get back aboard I aught to.... Tharon started before pausing his attention shifting slightly as someone else entered the observation deck.

Lorana turned to face Nathan with a smile. "Welcome back Sir Nathan" She teased slightly, "you just about missed Tharon trying to think a way to scare me."

Welcome back Nathan! Tharon said with a cheerful tone in his telepathic voice, heard by only Lorana and Nathan. Oh I am so glad you are back.

"As am I." Lorana said with a softer smile. "How are you doing?"
FT nation- Royal Cresian Empire
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Skunkylon wrote:There are only 2 genders

3 genders for the Drag Queens, under the sky
7 for the Gay Lords, in their Hall of Techno
9 for Lesbians, doomed to own cats
1 for the Incel Lord on his internet throne.
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Postby Terra Reborn » Sun Apr 05, 2015 2:19 pm

Captain Sir Nathan Wright
Unity Station
Unity IV Orbit, Epsilon Alpha Star System
Wednesday 24th January 2694


Nathan smiled as he stepped into the Observation Deck, there, stood against the backdrop of Task Force 81 silhouetted against the planet, was the woman he loved. As much as he knew that he had had to go home, missing her had been one of the things to bring her back. The entire affair was a shame really, he would have loved to have introduced Lorana to his mother, she’d have liked her, he felt, even if his father, a borderline xenophobe (for non Imperial species anyway), probably wouldn’t have. Now he would never get the chance, his mother would never get to meet the grandchildren that he hoped to one day have with Lorana. The fragility, and fleetingness, of life was very real for Nathan right now.

“I’d bloody well hope you’d be glad that I’m back,” Nathan commented wryly as he stepped forwards. “I’ve been a way for over a week and that is how you two greet me? Thanks a bunch!”

There was no anger in his face, he knew when he was being teased and when he had been truly missed. There was a hint of sadness in the back of his eyes, but considering the reason for his inter-galaxy trip that was perhaps understandable.

“As well as can be expected,” Nathan replied with a shrug, as he stepped up to, and put his hands on the sides of, Lorana. “Not something I thought I’d have to do for a while.”
Last edited by Terra Reborn on Sun Apr 05, 2015 2:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby StellarGate » Sun Apr 05, 2015 3:32 pm

Andromeda Galaxy
Unity Station, Unity Colony
Captain Lorana Varcern


"Well I was planning on doing a real big show, lights, streamers, confetti, fancy drinks, the works.... THEN I realized this wasn't for anyone important so I decided to cancel everything." She said, feeling Tharon's laughter at the friendly banter that had become the norm between the two of them.

*I* wanted to do a flyby of the transport, but Lorana said I couldn't and that the captain of the ship would of been mad at me. Tharon explained.

But even though through the joking mannerisms both Tharon and Lorana had missed Nathan. No bondmate liked to be separated from their partner, especially by so many light years. Tharon of course was pretty much a reflection of his captain and while he did miss Nathan on his own terms, he missed seeing his Captain happily spending time with the person she loved.

Lorana could feel that bit of sadness in her partner, knowing she'd never be able to meet his parents while keeping this secret and now his mother had passed. She knew that, at least when the time came, her own parents would be around to meet Nathan, as while both were starting to get up there in age, both were civilians and not subject to the dangers of war.

"Yeah, not something anyone wants to do." She replies quietly, glancing up for a second to confirm they were still alone and using her wings to draw Nathan into a hug. "All joking aside, I missed you. Unity isn't the same without you."
FT nation- Royal Cresian Empire
Dogmeat wrote:
Skunkylon wrote:There are only 2 genders

3 genders for the Drag Queens, under the sky
7 for the Gay Lords, in their Hall of Techno
9 for Lesbians, doomed to own cats
1 for the Incel Lord on his internet throne.
New Aerios wrote:If Atheism is a religion, off is a TV channel.
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Postby Terra Reborn » Sun Apr 05, 2015 5:35 pm

Captain Sir Nathan Wright
Unity Station
Unity IV Orbit, Epsilon Alpha Star System
Wednesday 24th January 2694


Nathan took the moment to enjoy the embrace, knowing that it would only be able to last a minute. In a public place like this they had to be careful about anyone seeing them together, their relationship having to be kept a secret. The Imperial Code of Military Justice was very particular on this matter, they were in the same chain of command and that meant that their relationship was ‘inappropriate’ and if they if they were found out he would be lucky to retain command of his ship, and would almost certainly be ‘grounded’ if not reassigned to an entirely different command, regardless of his experience with the Asgar. He didn’t know what the situation would be for Lorana, but they had both agreed to keep their relationship a secret so he figured that it would be equally as unpleasant, and as a result, as difficult as it was for both of them, keeping it a secret, for now at least, was the best, only way forwards.

“I missed you too,” Nathan said softly. “I’m glad to be back, despite everything, despite the danger out here, it means I’m back with you.”

Nathan sighed heavily.

“It also seems that whilst the cat is away the mice will play, or at least the Bureau of Naval Personnel,” Nathan commented wryly as he held Lorana at arm’s length. “It seems that both my Tactical Officer and my Operations Officer have been re-assigned, to their own commands so I don’t begrudge them, but I’ll miss Munro and Langley.”
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Postby StellarGate » Sun Apr 05, 2015 7:52 pm

Andromeda Galaxy
Unity Station, Unity Colony
Captain Lorana Varcern


She ruffled her feathers as she pulled away from the hug, settling her wings on her back. She really wished she was in her cabin right now, the private time they got to spend together seemed few and far between for the two ship captains.

But she smiled a little at the news he gave her. "Good for them, I hope you'll be able to forward reports on their progress to me if I can't get them myself. Those two are brilliant officers to work with." Lorana said. "But that means there are two new people on your command crew I'm probably going to get to know well... who are they?"

Yeah, I'd love to know too. Tharon's attention seemed to turn to Nathan. Do you think they'll understand that I'm a living ship?

Lorana rolled her eyes a little at the question. While back home in the Milky Way there was still a bit of misunderstanding about the Living Ships, most people out here at Unity tended to at least greet the ship with a bit of respect even if it kind of freaked them out. New arrivals were always interesting and an officer of Repulse had to understand that the ship was likely to want to but in on any dinners or meeting his captain was at.
FT nation- Royal Cresian Empire
Dogmeat wrote:
Skunkylon wrote:There are only 2 genders

3 genders for the Drag Queens, under the sky
7 for the Gay Lords, in their Hall of Techno
9 for Lesbians, doomed to own cats
1 for the Incel Lord on his internet throne.
New Aerios wrote:If Atheism is a religion, off is a TV channel.
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Postby Terra Reborn » Mon Apr 06, 2015 3:29 am

Captain Sir Nathan Wright
Unity Station
Unity IV Orbit, Epsilon Alpha Star System
Wednesday 24th January 2694


“I’ll be sure to do that, although knowing those two you’ll probably hear it through the Imperial News Service sooner or later,” Nathan commented with a slight smile, he had personally recommended the pair for a command each which, combined with patronage from Highlady Harrington herself, had been more than enough. “They’ve both got command of a Defiant-Class Frigate, both straight out of space trials, and assigned to the protective squadron at New Providence Colony.”

Nathan smiled slightly, the Defiant-Class Frigate was a highly advanced new frigate to enter service with the Imperial Navy, replacing the Long Night-Class Corvette with a larger, more powerful and more versatile design which had proven to be very successful in very short order, in fact Nathan was hopeful that, in time, they’d get some of the small but hardy ships assigned out here to Andromeda where they would be very effective.

“I don’t know yet, Repulse is still in a self-maintenance period so there hasn’t been much speed at NAVPER at getting me replacement officers, I’ve got my Gunnery Officer and Navigator covering the department head roles at the moment,” Nathan replied dryly. “Now that I’m back I can start putting pressure on NAVPER, should have my replacements before the end of the SMP.”
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Postby StellarGate » Mon Apr 06, 2015 4:09 am

Andromeda Galaxy
Unity Station, Unity Colony
Captain Lorana Varcern


Lorana smiled. "Another good reason for you to be out here. Gotta kick those people in your NAVPER into shape Captain Wright!"

However, I have the feeling that there is something else new aboard your ship. What is it? Tharon questioned and Lorana glanced out the observation viewport in Tharon's general direction before back at Nathan. The ship must of sensed something she had missed, even though they were bonded didn't mean she could, or did, feel all of his thoughts and emotions unless they were passively felt. She tried not to actively feel his thoughts anymore because it really was kind of rude in Cresian society to do so and Nathan would be able to feel her doing so anyways with his own, much weaker telepathy.
FT nation- Royal Cresian Empire
Dogmeat wrote:
Skunkylon wrote:There are only 2 genders

3 genders for the Drag Queens, under the sky
7 for the Gay Lords, in their Hall of Techno
9 for Lesbians, doomed to own cats
1 for the Incel Lord on his internet throne.
New Aerios wrote:If Atheism is a religion, off is a TV channel.
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Postby Terra Reborn » Mon Apr 06, 2015 5:21 am

Captain Sir Nathan Wright
Unity Station
Unity IV Orbit, Epsilon Alpha Star System
Wednesday 24th January 2694


Nathan nodded.

“During the Hegemony War a lone Imperial Dreadnought arrived at Sentinel Station, totally without a crew except for an android that carried the artificial intelligence from aboard the ship, seemingly the ship had been operating without its crew for the entire length of the Dark Times, and its AI had become very advanced and independent,” Nathan replied. “The AI, with a caretaker crew, fought alongside the Empire throughout the Hegemony War, however the ship itself is not being decommissioned but the AI, in its artificial body, is being allowed to continue its service, in the biggest leap forwards in AI development in centuries, she, Whisper, is to serve as my XO.”

Nathan shrugged.

“If this goes well it could harken in an entire new era for artificial intelligence in the Empire, they were never exactly subjugated or mistreated, but if there is an option for them to live proper lives, with artificial bodies, after their ship is decommissioned, or without even being a naval AI, a lot of things might change,” Nathan added. “And I’m the one that gets to deal with it, yippie for me, although I’m sure having an AI as an executive officer will have its advantages, I just hope that they outweigh any downsides that it might have.”
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Postby StellarGate » Mon Apr 06, 2015 5:42 am

Andromeda Galaxy
Unity Station, Unity Colony
Captain Lorana Varcern


"Sounds like you are going to have quite an interesting time seeing how this all works out." Lorana said. "I know our AIs have been granted a lot of rights, even getting to choose where they work if military service isn't for them, but the android bodies the RCE created have only just started their 'normal wear and tear' tests. One male and one female. The only problem we seem to have is the bodies can't hold the whole code and memory of the AI core, and as such it limits the body to whatever planet the AI core is near." She said. "But I'm sure she'll do fine, and I'm sure you will be just fine as well, just treat her like a normal human being."

You do a pretty good job with me and I don't even HAVE a holographic form, let alone a real body, to address. Tharon said. Though I'd be really interested to see if I would have to talk to her with my actual 'voice' since she is not a biological being. Not terribly sure Repulse would like me requisitioning his equipment all the time to be able to talk during any dinners we hold over on your ship.
FT nation- Royal Cresian Empire
Dogmeat wrote:
Skunkylon wrote:There are only 2 genders

3 genders for the Drag Queens, under the sky
7 for the Gay Lords, in their Hall of Techno
9 for Lesbians, doomed to own cats
1 for the Incel Lord on his internet throne.
New Aerios wrote:If Atheism is a religion, off is a TV channel.
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Postby Terra Reborn » Mon Apr 06, 2015 5:56 am

Captain Sir Nathan Wright
Unity Station
Unity IV Orbit, Epsilon Alpha Star System
Wednesday 24th January 2694


“Hopefully that shouldn’t be a problem, when she was manufacturing her own body Whisper was able to install a significant amount of processing power, and that was only increased once Naval R&D got their hands on her, which is a good thing given that the Whisper Amongst Stars is being broken up even now,” Nathan commented. “It’s a shame really, but she was an old ship even by the standard of the ships we were using at the start of the war, and her three hundred years drifting in deep space didn’t do her any good, so unlike many other old Intimidator-Class ships she wasn’t fit for serve in a House Defence Fleet.”

Nathan shrugged.

“That is probably the best way to proceed, we’re quite used to dealing with AIs all things considered, so it shouldn’t be too big a step for the rest of us to adapt to the idea that AIs have real bodies now, not just holographic,” Nathan nodded. “I’m sure it’d be something interesting to work out, although perhaps you could just link to her directly? In any event I need to explain to the AI of Repulse that Whisper is going to be there as one of the ship’s officers, not a replacement for him!”
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Postby StellarGate » Mon Apr 06, 2015 6:15 am

Andromeda Galaxy
Unity Station, Unity Colony
Captain Lorana Varcern


I'm not sure. I'd have to ask her first. I can't really avoid the telepathic talking with humans, especially when Lorana is off ship, but accessing an actual piece of equipment controlled by another AI seems kind of wrong... I'll have to talk to her to see what she is comfortable with. Tharon explained. Lorana smiled. What a ship he was. sometimes he was a bit childish but a lot of times he was really a smart and considerate ship. Given that Whisper was Wright's XO now she'd be subject to the living ship a lot more often than the rest of the officers, espeically if Nathan was busy and Tharon didn't want to bother him.

"I am sure Repulse will be fine after you explain it to him. I can't imagine having two AIs aboard a ship though, I can barely keep a handle on Tharon." Lorana said.

Hey I heard that.

"Anyways," She said, "Don't you have go meet up with West to report in? I'm not terribly sure its a good idea to keep a man of that rank waiting"
FT nation- Royal Cresian Empire
Dogmeat wrote:
Skunkylon wrote:There are only 2 genders

3 genders for the Drag Queens, under the sky
7 for the Gay Lords, in their Hall of Techno
9 for Lesbians, doomed to own cats
1 for the Incel Lord on his internet throne.
New Aerios wrote:If Atheism is a religion, off is a TV channel.
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Postby Terra Reborn » Mon Apr 06, 2015 6:29 am

Captain Sir Nathan Wright
Unity Station
Unity IV Orbit, Epsilon Alpha Star System
Wednesday 24th January 2694


“Indeed I do, god knows why, I’m a Starship Captain I should be able to just return to my ship, and you are right of course, especially when you consider what happened the last time I disobeyed an order from that man,” Nathan commented wryly, referring of course to his Court-Martial. “However he can’t court-martial me, again, for being a little late, although he could if he knew the reason why I was late, which would be bad.”

Nathan sighed and looked down at the planet.

“I’ll have to check in aboard Repulse, but do you want to meet down on the colony after that?” He asked.
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Postby StellarGate » Mon Apr 06, 2015 7:09 am

Andromeda Galaxy
Unity Station, Unity Colony
Captain Lorana Varcern


"You got held up for a bit, nothing more, nothing less." Lorana replied. "And yes, I'll meet you down on Unity."

Tell Commander Whisper I'd like to talk to her sometime. Really need to settle how I can talk to her so I don't surprise her when I do need to talk to her. Tharon said.
FT nation- Royal Cresian Empire
Dogmeat wrote:
Skunkylon wrote:There are only 2 genders

3 genders for the Drag Queens, under the sky
7 for the Gay Lords, in their Hall of Techno
9 for Lesbians, doomed to own cats
1 for the Incel Lord on his internet throne.
New Aerios wrote:If Atheism is a religion, off is a TV channel.
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Postby Terra Reborn » Tue Apr 07, 2015 8:23 am

Captain Sir Nathan Wright
Unity Station
Unity IV Orbit, Epsilon Alpha Star System
Wednesday 24th January 2694


“Good, I’ll see you then then,” Nathan nodded, leaning forward to gently kiss her on the lips. “And yes, Tharon, I’ll tell the Commander.”

With that Nathan took his leave of Lorana and headed back out into the station, returning his peaked cap as he did so. It didn’t take him long to get where he was going, his rank was sufficient for him to cut a swath through any crowds, at the expense of a tired arm from returning innumerable salutes, and he was soon stepping off a turbolift into the stations Operations Centre. As with the command post for any Imperial space station or warship it was busy, but in an organised and professional way, after all Unity Station also served as traffic control for all traffic over Unity. Nathan nodded to the Imperial Navy Captain who was the current CO of Unity Station, although it was an Imperial space station there was word of, eventually, a Cresian officer being allowed to command it, before continuing up to one of the two officers which were set aside from the commanders of the two component task forces stationed out of Epsilon Alpha. There was a third, currently vacant, office for the to-be-appointed four-star officer that would command the combined force. It was to the left hand office, that of Vice Admiral Simon West, Commanding Officer, Task Force 81, that Nathan was now headed.

He stepped into the outer part of the office where the VADM West’s flag Lieutenant, John Rodney, was sat behind his desk.

“Captain Wright to see the Admiral,” Nathan said simply.

“One moment sir,” Lieutenant Rodney replied and pressed a button on his computer console. “The Admiral will see you now.”

Nathan nodded and headed inside, coming to attention once past the threshold and rendering a salute, one that VADM West returned before gesturing to a seat, next to an occupied seat in which Commander Whisper was already sat.

“Captain Wright, it’s good to have you back… my condolences on the loss of your mother,” VADM West said formerly.

“Thank You, Sir,” Nathan said stiffly, relations between the two men had been chilly since the Court-Martial. “You’ve met Commander Whisper, Sir.”

“Indeed I have,” VADM West nodded. “It’s good to have an officer of your… unique skills, out here with us, we need every advantage we can get.”

“Glad I can help, Sir,” Whisper said with a nod.

“Good,” VADM West said simply. “I won’t keep you long but I wanted to bring you up to speed.”

“Up to speed on what, Sir?” Nathan frowned.

“You probably don’t know given that you were away, but we’ve been given a squadron of Vigilant-Class Scouts, and we’ve sent them out to scope out the Asgar presence within a hundred lightyears,” VADM West replied. “We’re looking for any sign they are going to attack, or any sort of staging point, in short we’re looking for a pre-emptive strike.”

“We’re going to attack?” Nathan frowned. “I wasn’t aware that the Highlord Council, or the Cresian Government for that matter, had authorised offensive operations against the Asgar.”

“They haven’t,” VADM West replied flatly. “However if I get concrete evidence that the Asgar are about to launch an attack, I don’t intend to sit by and do nothing.”

“Understood, Sir,” Nathan nodded, not quite agreeing with that, but he knew that, given the warlike nature of the Asgar Sovereignty that there was little other choice. “I’ll ensure that Repulse is ready, if she is needed.”

“Very good,” VADM West nodded. “Unless there is anything else… dismissed.”

Nathan and Whisper stood to attention and saluted before departing.

“Well, that is an unusual change for West, he’s usually a lot more cautious,” Nathan commented as they made their way over to the turbolift. “Oh, by the way Commander, the Cresian Ship Tharon wants to speak to you at some point.”

Commander Whisper nodded.

“I’ve read about it,” She replied. “I need to settle in aboard Repulse, but after that perhaps.”

“I’ll pass that on,” Nathan nodded. “I’m going to head down to the colony, you have the ship one you get there.”

“Aye-Aye, Sir.”
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Postby StellarGate » Tue Apr 07, 2015 11:34 am

Andromeda Galaxy
Unity Colony
Captain Lorana Varcern


Thankfully it hadn't taken long for Lorana to get to the surface. It was about midday and instead of standing around she had paid a visit to McCarthy and Iris a visit. The young child was very energetic and McCarthy was a great farther for a man who said he never expected to do so. She had stayed with them for a few minutes before leaving to go to her house.

Her house had really nice local tree in the front yard and she flew up to a sturdy branch settling neatly, leaning against another branch with a balance only a Cresian could really have and waited patiently for Nathan to arrive.



RCNS Tharon

Tharon looked around the orbit of Unity, his 'sight' settling on Repulse with a small mental smile. The ship he fought and rested beside for so long. Sometimes it made him a little sad that such a powerful ship was not alive. Seeing all these ships so lifeless seemed wrong, but Repulse was special. That was the ship his back up Captain (his captain's mate) commanded, the ship he had fought beside, the ship he had almost died for.

But he waited patiently for Commander Whisper to contact him. He was a little curious, he had talked often to Repulse and he had found the the AI was good company, but still a little too foreign for him to interact with everyday. The RCE AIs, were a little too... interesting for him to want to talk to daily. Maybe Whisper would be different since she has commanded her own ship for quite a while. He would find out.
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Postby Terra Reborn » Tue Apr 07, 2015 4:57 pm

Captain Sir Nathan Wright
Unity Colony
Unity IV, Epsilon Alpha Star System
Wednesday 24th January 2694


The Unity Colony Starport was a relatively new addition to the rapidly expanding colony. Located to the east of the settlement it was located on the plateau above the mines, with a road leading down to the settlement proper. Although the Colony was still, mostly a secret, full disclosure was becoming increasingly closer and when that happened the amount of traffic coming through the colony would increase dramatically. As such the decision had been made to establish a full, if small, starport with sufficient space to expand, both to support this eventual expansion but also the current population of the Colony, who increasingly needed easy access to the Colony. The Colony was well established by this point, the priority now was settling the ground work for ensuring that, in the long run it would be profitable and successful, which would be essential for the long-term existence of Unity Colony and the success of the joint program. The whole future of the joint Terran-Cresian expedition to Andromeda was hanging by a thread, there were many that felt that, with the Asgar threat, it would be smarter to withdraw behind the wormhole and garrison it with a Battle Station and give up the entire thing as a stupid idea.

Captain Sir Nathan Wright wasn’t one of those people.

Nathan nodded to two officers of the Imperial Star Patrol’s Starport Division as he held out his Naval ID in their direction for them to scan before letting him through. The Imperial Star Patrol, as part of the larger Imperial Security Force (the ISF or, less commonly IMPSEC) was responsible for maintaining detachments at every star port. As a general rule a local police is not responsible for the policing of Starports, with the ISF taking on that role. In addition the ISF is responsible for tracking, preventing and investigating unauthorised landings on a planet not at a local Starport, with the local starport division being responsible for authorising such landing.. As a result the Starport Division of a system command works closely with a given worlds planetary traffic control service. His ID and uniform was sufficient to get him fast-tracked to the front of the line and soon enough he was walking through the main concourse towards the exit. He was nearly at the door when he bumped into a woman wearing, essentially, a fully black version of his own uniform.

“Dame Jennifer, I didn’t expect to see you here,” Nathan said with a warm smile.

“I didn’t expect to be here,” Superintendent Dame Jennifer Fox, commanding the Cutter Division of the Imperial Star Patrol in the Epsilon Alpha Star System, replied wryly. “However one of my Cutters had an altercation with a civilian ship, the civvies are alleging that we bunt out their systems with our shields, so I’m having to meet with the Consuls.”

“I’m glad I don’t have to deal with that kind of shit,” Nathan commented with a grin.

“Yes, well, I’m sure from that bloody great Battlecruiser of yours all the affairs of us little people must look trivial,” Superintendent Fox replied with a matching grin. “However people like to take shots, often lawsuits, at the ISF, and the Star Patrol in particular, because no one has the balls to try and get away with doing the same to the Navy.”

“True,” Nathan grinned. “Well, this is my ride, it was good seeing you again Super.”

“You to, Captain,” Fox nodded, shaking his hand firmly.

Nathan smiled and got into the back of the taxi and they were soon speeding off down the road towards the settlement. It wasn’t long before he was getting out again in the residential zone and making the short walk towards the house.

Commander Whisper
HMS Repulse
Unity IV, Epsilon Alpha Star System
Wednesday 24th January 2694


Whisper settled down into the seat behind her desk in her office aboard the Repulse. Captain Wright had said something about the Tharon wanting to speak to her after getting settled in. As an AI it had taken here mere minutes to organise herself, he cabin and her belongings as she wanted them, without getting distracted, so she was now ready to investigate what he wanted. She didn’t know how to communicate with him, the word was that he spoke telepathically to most people, which wouldn’t work with her given that she was artificial and not biological.

So she simply opened a communications channel to see if that would work.
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Postby StellarGate » Tue Apr 07, 2015 8:41 pm

Andromeda Galaxy
Unity Colony
Captain Lorana Varcern


Lorana was still waiting in the tree when Nathan arrived. She had thought about trying to pounce him, but quickly decided against it. She jumped down from the branch with a shake of her wings. If there was one thing she was glad for is that her distant cousin had helped her buy this house. They couldn't always have 'discussions about tactics' aboard ship or someone might report that to their higher ups. Sure some already knew. Nathan's steward knew... at least as far they just being a thing, her steward knew the two were a couple. He never said anything and was a quiet calming presence who was there to help her stay sane, but he was getting close to retirement age, his hair starting to turn silver (which was a rare occurrence to say the least) and he was too knowledgeable about bonds to miss the one that had formed between. Lorana was sure her XO suspected something but she was too polite to snoop around on her superior officer. But this house gave both of them a retreat from their commands, a haven in which they could be a couple, not just two naval captains.

"Hello again Nathan." She purred. "What shall we do today? go for a walk, watch a movie, 'discuss tactics?'" She teased him slightly.



Andromeda Galaxy
Unity
RCNS Tharon


This was a little nerve wracking. He wasn't use to not being about to feel when someone was looking for him. He couldn't feel Whisper the same way he felt Nathan or any other living breathing human. Sure he could sense her like he could any mechanical/electrical device, but he had no grasp of her feelings or her attention. But at least he'd always be able to pick her out of a crowd, as the signature of her body was very different from anything he had ever felt.

He was pulled from his thoughts as he felt a com channel open and he stopped the communications officer from trying to answer it, taking the channel and using it himself.

He took a few milliseconds to gather himself before speaking.

"Commander Whisper?" Tharon's voice actually spoke through the com. He wasn't terribly comfortable using the voice even though it sounded exactly the same as his mental voice, pleasant, not terribly deep but definitely masculine, it carried a note that sounded nothing like any accent in this universe.

Then again Tharon wasn't from this universe.

"I just wanted to contact you and make sure to settle this before its actually needed, since as the XO of the Repulse you will probably have more interactions with me than most of your crew... how should I speak to you? I could technically transmit my voice into your brain or core, sorry I am not terribly sure which term is proper for," He sounded a bit embarrassed at that. "But I did not wish to think I was trying to do anything Untowards to you."
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Postby Terra Reborn » Wed Apr 08, 2015 9:41 am

Captain Sir Nathan Wright KCS DSO
Unity Colony
Unity IV, Epsilon Alpha Star System
Wednesday 24th January 2694


Nathan smiled as Lorana jumped down from the tree, she had that odd habit of sitting on one of the branches whenever she was waiting for him, the reason he knew not. She also had the habit of, trying, to pounce on him, however whilst his telepathic senses were minimal by comparison they, combined with the speed of his artificial limbs, meant that, more often than not, he was able to avoid her attacks. Never the less he was, of course, happy to see her and smiled broadly as he approached.

“Well, a discussion of tactics would be most appropriate,” Nathan commented. “You need to bring me up to date on what I missed whilst I was away.”

Commander Whisper IN
HMS Repulse
Unity IV, Epsilon Alpha Star System
Wednesday 24th January 2694


Commander Whisper leant back in her chair.

“Tharon, whilst I appreciate your forethought, I am trying to operate as a member of this ship’s company, as an officer of the Imperial Navy, rather than ‘merely’ an artificial intelligence,” Whisper replied. “As such I would prefer if you spoke to me as you would anyone else, via standard communication protocols.”
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Postby StellarGate » Wed Apr 08, 2015 10:26 am

Andromeda Galaxy
Unity Colony
Captain Lorana Varcern


Lorana's smile couldn't of been anymore innocent. "Then I suggest we go inside, you have missed a lot while you were away." With that she turned with a quick ruffle of her feathers to lead Nathan inside her house.



Andromeda Galaxy
Unity
RCNS Tharon


Tharon seemed a bit relieved that he would not to use his actual voice. "i am sorry if I offended you Commander. I just have to make sure. I know some AIs do not appriecate my... Interesting way lf speaking." The communication link closed and for a second there was silence.

So I will just talk to you in the same way I've done all of Repulse's officers. Just like this. He said directly to her, Replies can thought or spoken I will be able to hear you. Though if you need to actually to contact me, you probably will need to do something to get my attention. However I am glad to have you here, Repulse is a great ship to serve beside.
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Skunkylon wrote:There are only 2 genders

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9 for Lesbians, doomed to own cats
1 for the Incel Lord on his internet throne.
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Postby Terra Reborn » Wed Apr 08, 2015 10:37 am

Commander Whisper IN
HMS Repulse
Unity IV, Epsilon Alpha Star System
Wednesday 24th January 2694


"They told me that it is interesting to serve out here, what with the joint nature of everything, the threat posed by the Asgar and, of course, the living Cresian warship," Whisper commented smilingslightly. "And indeed she is, I served alongside a number of her class mates during the war, and what little chance I've had to speak to the AI is enough to know that he is a good, hard working sort"

Whisper smiled again.

"That being said I do hope that, in time, the AIs of Imperial Warships can gain some of the autonomy and independance that I have, even an android body whilst still aboard ship would be a great advancement for them," Whisper added. "Of course change like this takes time, and its not like we've ever been oppressed, but it is humbling to know that I am the first Imperial AI to gain an Imperial Comission."
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Postby StellarGate » Wed Apr 08, 2015 11:52 am

Andromeda Galaxy
Unity
RCNS Tharon


It took Tharon a few seconds to process what the Commander had said, slightly tripping of referencing Repulse as a she. He always referred to the ship by the AI gender because... well that what he did for his own kind. The AIs might not exactly be the ship since they can be removed and placed in different places. He didn't really like that practice of calling all ships 'she' but then again none of them were actually alive, the AIs were.

I'm sure your fellow AIs will have the same freedom as you do. I know your holograms just as impressive as our own. I guess I real body doesn't beat a hologram. He replied, of course he would never want a human body, he liked being a warship. a bit boring at times but its the hull he had lived in for his whole life and he wouldn't have it any other way. But congratulations on your commission, though it must of been a big change to go from just being a ship to being.... Tharon paused for a moment to try and find the right word. human.
Last edited by StellarGate on Fri Apr 17, 2015 5:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
FT nation- Royal Cresian Empire
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Skunkylon wrote:There are only 2 genders

3 genders for the Drag Queens, under the sky
7 for the Gay Lords, in their Hall of Techno
9 for Lesbians, doomed to own cats
1 for the Incel Lord on his internet throne.
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Postby Terra Reborn » Wed Apr 08, 2015 5:28 pm

Commander Whisper IN
HMS Repulse
Unity IV, Epsilon Alpha Star System
Wednesday 24th January 2694


“It definitely was, although I didn’t have much time to think about it as it was happening, I was deactivated for most of the time in the void, and when I was reactivated a suddenly discovered my crew gone and unknown aliens in danger of capturing the ship,” Commander Whisper agreed. “I didn’t take much time to think, I was just copying what I had seen Captain Baker do, and all my crew, and what the regulations in my database had told me to do, it seemed to work out well and I made it back to the Empire, and given that by that point I was so automated it would have been more trouble than it was worth to re-man me with a biological crew.”

Whisper smiled slightly.

“Hopefully my comrades own journey’s to a wider life won’t be quite so dramatic, but is something I hope to further over the coming years, and if I can succeed out here, or in whatever role the Imperial Navy wants me in, so much the better,” She said simply. “I just want to do good by everyone who has believed in me, I didn’t think so many people would be so support of an AI Officer in the Imperial Navy, but even Highlady Harrington was supportive.”
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Postby StellarGate » Wed Apr 08, 2015 5:39 pm

Andromeda Galaxy
Unity
RCNS Tharon


Sounds like your former ship was about as 'automated' as I can be when I need it. Tharon pointed out. Though I was built, formed this way for maximum efficiency and power during the Ensnarer War. You had to take over an entire ship built to be used by humans. That still must of been a great change for a Terran AI.
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Dogmeat wrote:
Skunkylon wrote:There are only 2 genders

3 genders for the Drag Queens, under the sky
7 for the Gay Lords, in their Hall of Techno
9 for Lesbians, doomed to own cats
1 for the Incel Lord on his internet throne.
New Aerios wrote:If Atheism is a religion, off is a TV channel.
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Postby Terra Reborn » Thu Apr 09, 2015 2:50 am

Commander Whisper IN
HMS Repulse
Unity IV, Epsilon Alpha Star System
Wednesday 24th January 2694


“You could say that, although I was lucky that I was a Dreadnought, with all the manufacturing systems aboard, normally designed for repairs and munitions construction, I was able to use them for my own ends,” Whisper nodded. “If I had been a Cruiser or smaller, I probably wouldn’t be here, and I would have fallen into the hands of an unknown alien force.”
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