The World Assembly Strangers' Bar

[Sierra Lyricalia]

After recovering some of his hearing again to pick up the later points the conversation going on. Furettium looked around, seemed like everything was rather the same, he looked at Gerald, "Weren't you just dealing with a war, what happened in between to get from that to Helen being put up for removal from the job?"

Gerald answers Furettium, "Well, our forces inspired revolution in West Wallenburg, leading to the overthrow of the imperial government. West Wallenburg is now a republic. A conservative, moralistic one, to be sure, but a republic nonetheless. The Wallenburgian delegation was then transferred from representing East Wallenburg to representing the two republics as one great nation.

"It's there that this trouble began. You see, the West Wallenburgians don't like Helen's socially progressive stance, nor do they appreciate her animosity toward the West. Their wing of the Proletarian party has exerted such force on the political machine that her status as chief representative is at risk."

Steph takes the couple of steps necessary to join Furettium and Gerald, and puts her beer down on the bar nearby.

"A moralistic platform in a party calling itself 'Proletarian?' Interesting juxtaposition! Though I suppose any reunified country is replete with them... if we ever reunite with the so-called 'Republic' I wonder if something similar would play out."

[Wallenburg]

Kay listens to Gerald's words but after awhile she tunes him out.)

Helen, what... what are you going to do? Surely there's something....

"Well, I'll run one hell of a campaign, and I'll try to moderate my image, but I fear that I might not even become my party's nominee. The Democrats will certainly want someone who can honestly pander to social conservatives while still representing the bulk of its platform."

Steph takes the couple of steps necessary to join Furettium and Gerald, and puts her beer down on the bar nearby.

"A moralistic platform in a party calling itself 'Proletarian?' Interesting juxtaposition! Though I suppose any reunified country is replete with them... if we ever reunite with the so-called 'Republic' I wonder if something similar would play out."

Gerald laughs, "Yes, the Proletarians have clung on by their label as the party of the people and the party of the Revolution, and so they have adopted a populist stance on most issues."

[The Doomed Planet of Tollana]

"Well, I'll run one hell of a campaign, and I'll try to moderate my image, but I fear that I might not even become my party's nominee. The Democrats will certainly want someone who can honestly pander to social conservatives while still representing the bulk of its platform."

(Moderate her image... Honestly pander... holy crap, I can help her!)

Helen? You may not want to hear this, but I know exactly what you need: More acting lessons.

[Wallenburg]

"Well, I'll run one hell of a campaign, and I'll try to moderate my image, but I fear that I might not even become my party's nominee. The Democrats will certainly want someone who can honestly pander to social conservatives while still representing the bulk of its platform."

(Moderate her image... Honestly pander... holy crap, I can help her!)

Helen? You may not want to hear this, but I know exactly what you need: More acting lessons.

"No Arya--or do you prefer Kay?--I don't want to hear this. I pride myself on honesty toward my comrade citizens, and to put on an act would send the message that I know that the real me cannot succeed in a campaign for office."

[The Doomed Planet of Tollana]

Helen? You may not want to hear this, but I know exactly what you need: More acting lessons.

"No Arya--or do you prefer Kay?--I don't want to hear this. I pride myself on honesty toward my comrade citizens, and to put on an act would send the message that I know that the real me cannot succeed in a campaign for office."

(Kay sighs. She's right, so help me, she's horrible at acting. She even apologized when she fake-kidnapped me. They would see right through her.)

Helen, you can call me whatever you want to call me, you've earned that privilege for all you've done. And... yes. You're right. It's admirable that you won't compromise your principles.

(Like I did, Kay thinks.)

So... if you're going to be honest and be yourself, and it isn't what the political machine wants... then it really won't be much of a fight, will it? Unless... unless you can convince them that your honesty, your diplomacy, your ability to set aside differences to accomplish a task -- holy crap, I mean, you did that with me fairly quickly, didn't you? Helen, it's you, you can make that work, you can convince them that you're exactly what a united Wallenburg needs!

[Ferret Civilization]

Gerald answers Furettium, "Well, our forces inspired revolution in West Wallenburg, leading to the overthrow of the imperial government. West Wallenburg is now a republic. A conservative, moralistic one, to be sure, but a republic nonetheless. The Wallenburgian delegation was then transferred from representing East Wallenburg to representing the two republics as one great nation.

"It's there that this trouble began. You see, the West Wallenburgians don't like Helen's socially progressive stance, nor do they appreciate her animosity toward the West. Their wing of the Proletarian party has exerted such force on the political machine that her status as chief representative is at risk."

"Oh, that doesn't sound good for anybody."

Steph takes the couple of steps necessary to join Furettium and Gerald, and puts her beer down on the bar nearby.

"A moralistic platform in a party calling itself 'Proletarian?' Interesting juxtaposition! Though I suppose any reunified country is replete with them... if we ever reunite with the so-called 'Republic' I wonder if something similar would play out."

Gerald laughs, "Yes, the Proletarians have clung on by their label as the party of the people and the party of the Revolution, and so they have adopted a populist stance on most issues."

"Well, good luck with dealing with them then. You seem to have a very interesting home place."

[The Imperial Frost Federation]

Albert Bursts into the room clutching a Manila envelope. His eyes wide with a mix of emotion ranging from shock to worry. Spotting Ilya, Albert roars, "Commander! The Regal Heart is under Attack!"

Ilya almost spits out her drink as she looks at Albert and forcefully swallows her drink and gags," WHAT?!"

Noel disappears and reappears with a map of the sector, "The Regal Heart and her escort ship the Long night of Solace have engaged an unknown hostile fleet of warships. Normally our vessels can by pass war zones but it appears that the enemy is using a gravity well. The FARA hasn't lost contact with them so we can assume that both ships are still alright."

Albert nods, "Yes but more importantly the captain of the Regal Heart, Commander Amelia R. Cardinal, has asked that I deliver this message to a Kay Haces as well as a separate message to the Wrapperians."

Ilya grimaces as she shakes her head and sighs. Extending her arm out Ilya says, "hand me the message to the Wads. I'll deliver it to them. Ambassador Albert Nakiri, you are to deliver the message to Kay Haces, unfortunately we can't deliver the messages together since she is a wanted fugitive of Wrapper."

Albert nods and hands Ilya her copy and briskly walks over to Arya and extends his hand to give Arya the Manila envelope while Ilya does the same by walking over to Ari and Ahume.

Looking over at Helen, Furrettium, Gerald and Arya, Albert says, "Commander Cardinal asked me to deliver this message to you. I don't know who asked the commander to send it but according to Amelia the fellow said Kay Haces will know."

Meanwhile Ilya said to Ari and Ahume, "I'll be brief since I don't have time place an AD. The Regal Hearts under attack by an unknown foe with a gravity well. I'm not sure how it happened but the enemy seemed to know the IFFS slip space route and. Placed an ambush right after we picked up the Tollans. Anyways (she hands Ari the other message) this is a message from a Tollan survivor."

[Wrapper]

(Ahume walks into the bar and approaches Ari, who has given up trying to convince anyone who would listen of an assassination plot.)

AHUME: New ZPM is in place, all diagnostics passed, the Stargate's up and running.

Albert Bursts into the room clutching a Manila envelope. His eyes wide with a mix of emotion ranging from shock to worry. Spotting Ilya, Albert roars, "Commander! The Regal Heart is under Attack!"

Ilya almost spits out her drink as she looks at Albert and forcefully swallows her drink and gags," WHAT?!"

ARI and AHUME: WHAT?

"hand me the message to the Wads. I'll deliver it to them. Ambassador Albert Nakiri, you are to deliver the message to Kay Haces, unfortunately we can't deliver the messages together since she is a wanted fugitive of Wrapper."

ARI: For the record, no, she isn't anymore, it's complicated. What happened?

"I'll be brief since I don't have time place an AD. The Regal Hearts under attack by an unknown foe with a gravity well. I'm not sure how it happened but the enemy seemed to know the IFFS slip space route and. Placed an ambush right after we picked up the Tollans. Anyways (she hands Ari the other message) this is a message from a Tollan survivor."

(Ari and Ahume read the message: FEZ -- WHITE HORSES, ES UN MILAGRO. ET NO PHONE HOME, LAST TRAIN DIRE, FEAR WORST. -- IM)

AHUME: It's coded, it's from Monte. You saved them. But Tollana, they don't know what's happened to Tollana, their last communications with them indicated they were in grave danger.

ARI: You got all that from just a few letters? Wow. Wait, Ilya, you said a gravity well? What's--

AHUME: Think Stargate to a black hole, like P3W-451, that would be a kind of gravity well.

ARI: Oh, shit, really? But who would attack you, Ilya? Can't be the Eurondans, they wouldn't come all the way out here and they certainly don't have that kind of--

AHUME: The Asurans? They do.

[The Doomed Planet of Tollana]

Albert Bursts into the room clutching a Manila envelope. His eyes wide with a mix of emotion ranging from shock to worry. Spotting Ilya, Albert roars, "Commander! The Regal Heart is under Attack!"

Ilya almost spits out her drink as she looks at Albert and forcefully swallows her drink and gags," WHAT?!"

WHAT?

Albert nods, "Yes but more importantly the captain of the Regal Heart, Commander Amelia R. Cardinal, has asked that I deliver this message to a Kay Haces as well as a separate message to the Wrapperians."

(Kay's voice trembles.)

It's from Narim, the buyer who was here. No more weapons made it to Tollana since the Bright Darkness was attacked; the Eurondans turned the tide when they poisoned the atmosphere and the Curia tried to head underground, but... but....

(She sits and stares at the message. Her eyes well up but she can't seem to cry.)

Ilya... are they going to make it? The Tollans on the Regal Heart, they're among the last of our kind. Are they going to make it?

[Wallenburg]

(Kay sighs. She's right, so help me, she's horrible at acting. She even apologized when she fake-kidnapped me. They would see right through her.)

Helen, you can call me whatever you want to call me, you've earned that privilege for all you've done. And... yes. You're right. It's admirable that you won't compromise your principles.

(Like I did, Kay thinks.)

So... if you're going to be honest and be yourself, and it isn't what the political machine wants... then it really won't be much of a fight, will it? Unless... unless you can convince them that your honesty, your diplomacy, your ability to set aside differences to accomplish a task -- holy crap, I mean, you did that with me fairly quickly, didn't you? Helen, it's you, you can make that work, you can convince them that you're exactly what a united Wallenburg needs!

Helen smiles, a brief glimmer of hope passing through her eyes. "I sure hope that will be enough. At least to retain a position here. Notch knows that Wallenburg is blessed with unusually honest politicians."

She raises her hand to get the attention of one of Neville's staff. "Wallenburgian whiskey please. Wallenburgian."

Albert Bursts into the room clutching a Manila envelope. His eyes wide with a mix of emotion ranging from shock to worry. Spotting Ilya, Albert roars, "Commander! The Regal Heart is under Attack!"

Ilya almost spits out her drink as she looks at Albert and forcefully swallows her drink and gags," WHAT?!"

Noel disappears and reappears with a map of the sector, "The Regal Heart and her escort ship the Long night of Solace have engaged an unknown hostile fleet of warships. Normally our vessels can by pass war zones but it appears that the enemy is using a gravity well. The FARA hasn't lost contact with them so we can assume that both ships are still alright."

"Dear Notch, the brutality! Why would they attack a peaceful mission like that?"

It's from Narim, the buyer who was here. No more weapons made it to Tollana since the Bright Darkness was attacked; the Eurondans turned the tide when they poisoned the atmosphere and the Curia tried to head underground, but... but....

(She sits and stares at the message. Her eyes well up but she can't seem to cry.)

Ilya... are they going to make it? The Tollans on the Regal Heart, they're among the last of our kind. Are they going to make it?

Helen stands and circles around the table to stand next to Arya. "I cannot begin to express my sympathy for you and your people. This...this genocidal warfare is unthinkable."

[The Imperial Frost Federation]

[i](Ari and Ahume read the message: FEZ -- WHITE HORSES, ES UN MILAGRO. ET NO PHONE HOME, LAST TRAIN DIRE, FEAR WORST. -- IM)

AHUME: It's coded, it's from Monte. You saved them. But Tollana, they don't know what's happened to Tollana, their last communications with them indicated they were in grave danger.

ARI: You got all that from just a few letters? Wow. Wait, Ilya, you said a gravity well? What's--

AHUME: Think Stargate to a black hole, like P3W-451, that would be a kind of gravity well.

ARI: Oh, shit, really? But who would attack you, Ilya? Can't be the Eurondans, they wouldn't come all the way out here and they certainly don't have that kind of--

AHUME: The Asurans? They do.

Ilya shakes her head as Noel reappears and says, "At this point in time the Regal Heart and Long Night of Solace are unable to identify the enemy fleet since they've removed any insignia or any other sort of marking that identifies their allegiance. My assumption is that they are a black ops fleet tasked with hit and run missions."

(Kay's voice trembles.)

It's from Narim, the buyer who was here. No more weapons made it to Tollana since the Bright Darkness was attacked; the Eurondans turned the tide when they poisoned the atmosphere and the Curia tried to head underground, but... but....

(She sits and stares at the message. Her eyes well up but she can't seem to cry.)

Ilya... are they going to make it? The Tollans on the Regal Heart, they're among the last of our kind. Are they going to make it?

Al looks over at Ilya who now appeared extremely grim. Looking over at Noel and Albert, Ilya barks, "Noel, I want frequent updates on the ships status. Albert tell the President we have a situation. Tell him I want the nearest IFF military fleet sent to relieve the Long night of Solace and Regal Heart ASAP! I will not tolerate no for an answer Lieutenant, even if you have to enter a legal gray zone, I want that ship safe! Do you hear me, Safe!" "Aye ma'am, (turns to Kay) Don't worry Kay, We'll get them to safety" said Albert as he dashed out of the bar.

Ilya sighed as she rubbed her eyes looking over at the Wads and Kay as she said, "By the force I swear I'll get that ship to safety, even if I'm branded a fugitive like Sir Dai Invein (Alberts uncle) before me!"

[Ferret Civilization]

Furettium just looked at the others as the news continued to get more grim. Things for the others just seemed to get worse and worse slowly going downhill. He wondered if it would ever end for them, but with war, genocide, and crime it would be a long time now. He couldn't say anything, he didn't know what it was like for them, he didn't get involved, he had only stood by while things went bad for the others. What could he have done to help, nothing, and that was a shame, because in the end he really wanted to have been able to provide something to and for any of them.

[Wrapper]

(Ari drums his fingers on a table as he contemplates.)

Okay folks, priorities. We need to get the IFF ships and the Tollans to safety, we have to try to find out what happened to Tollana, and we should try to find out if this is a coordinated attack on Tollana communication outposts or just a random attack, wrong place wrong time.

Arya, you worked comms with the Tollans, work with Ahume, see if we can locate a Tollan comm outpost close enough to a Stargate address we can dial, and try to establish communications. I probably don't need to say this but I will anyway, Arya, our office and our Stargate are off-limits to you, don't make Ahume have to apprehend you. Find out if there have been any other attacks, or any further communications with Tollana.

Ilya, I'll work with you on some rhetoric to send up your chain of command. When they understand this was a rescue mission of refugees from a potential genocide attack, and that you have the backing of a humanitarian nation like ours, not to mention they'll be saving their own ships and their own citizens, they will understand the urgency. Your ships aren't far from here, let's see if we can bring them here, it will make communications with all parties easier.

Helen, Gerald, see if either of you can find Ambassador Markhov, if he's here; I'm sure Tinfect is interested in trying to find out all they can about the attack on the Bright Darkness, they may be able to send a ship close enough to Tollana to stay out of any further conflict yet assess the conditions of the planet. Remember, Arya is your responsibility now, and part of that is getting her home to Tollana, if possible.

Furettium, let Agent Dressler know what's going on. I really hate to say this, because the man is my friend, but Bell will have to wait for the moment. And while you're at it, see what's up with Herby, he's been way too quiet for too long.

Anyone else willing to help, just, I don't know, help keep us fed and help quench our thirst.

[Ferret Civilization]

Furettium, let Agent Dressler know what's going on. I really hate to say this, because the man is my friend, but Bell will have to wait for the moment. And while you're at it, see what's up with Herby, he's been way too quiet for too long.

"Can do." Furettium went to do such a simple task, but it gave him a reason to kick his tail into gear and be a little more helpful than last time.

[Wallenburg]

Helen, Gerald, see if either of you can find Ambassador Markhov, if he's here; I'm sure Tinfect is interested in trying to find out all they can about the attack on the Bright Darkness, they may be able to send a ship close enough to Tollana to stay out of any further conflict yet assess the conditions of the planet. Remember, Arya is your responsibility now, and part of that is getting her home to Tollana, if possible.

Helen nods confidently, "I swear it will be done."

Gerald stands up and follows Helen to the exit. "I shall stay here in the bar in case he comes here, and in case Arya needs further assistance."

"Certainly, Gerald," Helen says. "Good luck."

"And to you as well, my darling."

Helen disappears into the corridor while Gerald returns, scanning the bar for Ambassador Marhkov. He goes to the bar phone and asks one of Neville's assistants to give him the Tinfectian office's number.

[Tinfect]

Helen, Gerald, see if either of you can find Ambassador Markhov, if he's here; I'm sure Tinfect is interested in trying to find out all they can about the attack on the Bright Darkness, they may be able to send a ship close enough to Tollana to stay out of any further conflict yet assess the conditions of the planet.

Markhov looks up from the document he received earlier, and moves towards the assembled group,

"Ah, yes, sorry, I am still here, I've been going over the details of the report. Erm, what, exactly, did you need of me? I'm afraid I wasn't listening."

[Wallenburg]

Helen, Gerald, see if either of you can find Ambassador Markhov, if he's here; I'm sure Tinfect is interested in trying to find out all they can about the attack on the Bright Darkness, they may be able to send a ship close enough to Tollana to stay out of any further conflict yet assess the conditions of the planet.

Markhov looks up from the document he received earlier, and moves towards the assembled group,

"Ah, yes, sorry, I am still here, I've been going over the details of the report. Erm, what, exactly, did you need of me? I'm afraid I wasn't listening."

"Ah, there you are!" Gerald waves to the ambassador just as someone from his office answers the phone. "Sorry, wrong number," he says, resting the phone back into its cradle.

He then walks over to the Imperial and bows slightly. "Hello, Ambassador. I am afraid to inform you that the Regal Heart has joined the Bright Darkness among those vessels snatched up into the Tollan conflict. Miss Duen wonders if your government could send another ship to assess the conditions of Tollana without prompting further conflict."

[The Doomed Planet of Tollana]

(Ari drums his fingers on a table as he contemplates.)
Arya, you worked comms with the Tollans, work with Ahume, see if we can locate a Tollan comm outpost close enough to a Stargate address we can dial, and try to establish communications. I probably don't need to say this but I will anyway, Arya, our office and our Stargate are off-limits to you, don't make Ahume have to apprehend you. Find out if there have been any other attacks, or any further communications with Tollana.

(Ahume brings out Kay's recently confiscated tablet. Within moments, Kay overlaps a map of Tollan outposts with a map of Stargates. She points.)

There. P3X-774, near the Nox homeworld. Go!

(Ahume runs out of the office, stumbling on his way out. Kay laughs for a moment, but abruptly stops. Please be okay, my friends. We'll find a new home, together.)

[Tinfect]

["Hello, Ambassador. I am afraid to inform you that the Regal Heart has joined the Bright Darkness among those vessels snatched up into the Tollan conflict. Miss Duen wonders if your government could send another ship to assess the conditions of Tollana without prompting further conflict."

"Regal Heart? The Frost vessel? That's quite unfortunate. As for the request..."
Markhov briefly glances at the report,
"We have very few ships in the system at this moment. With the loss of the Bright Darkness, the Tollan Support forces were forced to withdraw, due to lacking Naval support. With losses as they are, it will be no simple matter to authorize the deployment of any more vessels. However, if this report is accurate, there is a, largely functional, if lacking in crew, Frigate still in orbit. It should be possible to send a sufficiently advanced Artificial Intelligence to take control of the vessel through Hyperpulse transmission. Intelligence is usually eager to test such constructs, and If this is successful, it can be used to assess the condition of the Planet.

I will see about having this done immediately."

Markhov then exits the Bar.

[Wrapper]

(Ari types in a few commands on his tablet.)

There you go, Ilya, give that a shot. They would have to be criminally insane to brand you a fugitive. Let me know how it turns out.

(Ari spies Arya sitting alone at a table, contemplating. He approaches her and sits.)

You know... with everything going on, we really have not had the opportunity to talk. I just... I wish I could understand what happened to you at Tollana, that turned you ag... that... that changed who you were.

[The Doomed Planet of Tollana]

You know... with everything going on, we really have not had the opportunity to talk. I just... I wish I could understand what happened to you at Tollana, that turned you ag... that... that changed who you were.

Ari. Please. Not now. And my Tollan brethren call me Kay. And don't scoff at me, I'm....

(She looks him straight in the eyes. You wouldn't understand. But... yes, I guess you of all people deserve an explanation.)

We will talk later, Ari, I promise. Right now, I could really use a cheeseburger. One of those stinky ones piled high with onions and bacon. I am eating for two, you know. Would you mind?

[The Imperial Frost Federation]

(Ari types in a few commands on his tablet.)

There you go, Ilya, give that a shot. They would have to be criminally insane to brand you a fugitive. Let me know how it turns out.

"Thank you, but I hope this bypasses my immediate superior and is read by Sir Helsing or President Kensei, they'll respond a lot more quickly than my conniving superior." Ilya said. She then watches Wad Ari go to Arya and resumes watching the little holo disk as Noel continues to update her on the status of the ships.

[Etoarmaapitm]

-drinks some of the vodka, as I just watch what is going on-

[Wrapper]

(Ahume joins Ari and Arya.)

AHUME: Good news and bad. No indication of attacks on any other communication outposts, so this seems to be a localized attack. Extremely unlikely it's the Asurans. But, the news is indeed grim from Tollana, last communication was that the Tollan leaders, the Curia, had gone underground to avoid a planet-wide gas attack. There are likely survivors, but all indications are their numbers are relatively small. The Eurondans apparently have no plans to take over the planet. It's an extermination.

ARI: Arya-- Kay. I am so sorry.

[Tinfect]

Hardly a few minutes from when he left, Markhov reenters the Bar, his expression grim, and makes his way towards the Wads and Kay,
"Ambassadors, Kay, I am afraid I must bear unfortunate news. We were successful in regaining control of the Frigate lost in Orbit..."
Markhov pauses just for a second before continuing,
"You mentioned a Gas attack, yes? It seems to have been somewhat... more, than a poison. The gas was ignited. The Planet burned. There is no longer any atmosphere to speak of, and the surface is little more than scorched ruins."

He then turns to face Kay directly,
"For what it's worth, I am sorry we could not save them."