The World Assembly Strangers' Bar

[Wrapper]

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."

ARI: Wait, if the Curia are underground, isn't there any way to, like, transport them out or--

AHUME: Ari, stop. The shock wave alone from such a planetary atmospheric reaction would.... They're gone, Ari.

[The Doomed Planet of Tollana]

Guys, I want to be left alone. Ari, please, see if Ilya can relay a message to her ships. The survivors need to know. Ambassador Markhov, is there any way Tinfect can assist in making runs to all the comm outposts and picking up the remaining Tollans? I believe there are about fifty outposts, with crews of twenty to fifty each, spread throughout this galaxy, so it would be... quite an undertaking at this point. Supplies are probably low already, especially for those in deep space, so time is... time is....

[Tinfect]

Ambassador Markhov, is there any way Tinfect can assist in making runs to all the comm outposts and picking up the remaining Tollans? I believe there are about fifty outposts, with crews of twenty to fifty each, spread throughout this galaxy, so it would be... quite an undertaking at this point. Supplies are probably low already, especially for those in deep space, so time is... time is....

"Yes, yes, of course. We will need their locations, but it can be done."

[The Doomed Planet of Tollana]

Ambassador Markhov, is there any way Tinfect can assist in making runs to all the comm outposts and picking up the remaining Tollans? I believe there are about fifty outposts, with crews of twenty to fifty each, spread throughout this galaxy, so it would be... quite an undertaking at this point. Supplies are probably low already, especially for those in deep space, so time is... time is....

"Yes, yes, of course. We will need their locations, but it can be done."

Thank you, Alexander, you've been nothing but kind and generous since this whole ordeal started. Here-- (she hands him her tablet, which still has all the locations displayed) --this is all the information you'll need.

[Bears Armed Mission]

Artorrius o Southwoods had been quietly listening to these discussions, and now joins in:

"My homeland itself doesn't have any spacefaring capabilities, but we have friendly relations with some other people who do, and I think that they might be willing to assist in this mission of mercy as well," he says, as he writes some details on as piece of paper. "Here is how to contact them, if you're interested."


___________________________________________

(I'm going to be away from NS for several days now, but if you RP in that period then feel free to mention relatively small-scale participation by that nation... including action, and perhaps even losses, in combat if the rescue missions are attacked. Their basic technology is something similar to that in the earlier 'Honor Harrington' books, although their fleet is distinctly smaller than either Manticore's or Haven's. Ship names tend to use the names of animal types, perhaps with preceding adjectives, or of virtues.

[The Doomed Planet of Tollana]

if the rescue missions are attacked.

OOC: I think I've put these poor people through enough already, but thanks.

[Tinfect]

Thank you, Alexander, you've been nothing but kind and generous since this whole ordeal started. Here-- (she hands him her tablet, which still has all the locations displayed) --this is all the information you'll need.

"Thank you. I will ensure that this reaches those who can make proper use of it."
With that, Markhov, once again, exits the Bar.

[Wrapper]

Guys, I want to be left alone. Ari, please, see if Ilya can relay a message to her ships. The survivors need to know.

(Ari and Ahume approach Ilya, who is still monitoring her AI for updates.)

ARI: Ilya... if you can, please... can you send a message to your captain, to be delivered to the Tollans?

AHUME: To Monte, direct to Monte alone, he'll handle it properly. The news should come from him.

ARI: To Monte, then.

(He types in a message in his tablet, knowing that Noel can easily retrieve it from there and pass it along.)

[The Imperial Frost Federation]

Guys, I want to be left alone. Ari, please, see if Ilya can relay a message to her ships. The survivors need to know.

(Ari and Ahume approach Ilya, who is still monitoring her AI for updates.)

ARI: Ilya... if you can, please... can you send a message to your captain, to be delivered to the Tollans?

AHUME: To Monte, direct to Monte alone, he'll handle it properly. The news should come from him.

ARI: To Monte, then.

(He types in a message in his tablet, knowing that Noel can easily retrieve it from there and pass it along.)

(Noel looks over at the Wads and changes her language from Frost to Universal basic)
Noel: Long Night of Solace's Slip space drive is disabled. Regal Heart's communication tower has been destroyed shield status at 62% estimated time of arrival of reinforcements is unknown. Sir I don't think Al's message or the Ambassador's is reaching Sir Helsing or the President.

(Ilya notices Wads and sighs)

Ilya: I can't, comms are offline. It pains me to say this but whoever these guys are, they're good. Really good. I'm going to have to personally go and assist at this rate and try to destroy their gravity well. Since I'm not sure when reinforcements will arrive.

"That won't be necessary" said a shrill voice as a short stout bipedal green alien walked into the room flanked by 2 IFF military police officers and Albert. Just behind them 2 men wearing a mask and hood over their head masking their features entered and sat nearby.

" Speaking of the Devil..." Ilya mutters as she turned around and salutes the General, "General, what a pleasant surprise. I take it this a surprise inspection... Ahem let me introduce you to Ambassador of Wrapper. Ari this is my immediate superior General Thard Axe. General, this is Ambassador Ari Alaz of Wrapper. Now If you'll excuse me sir, I have a ship to catch, Noel do you have the message?" "Aye ma'am" replied the AI as the two headed for the door before being blocked by the 2 soldiers

Axe: Yes the pacifists from the report... Wait, wait, Wait! Valkyrie, I'm not here in this festering snake pit for an inspection, I'm here to detain you for the reckless endangerment of IFF personnel for your pet project. The Ambassadors transcripts show that you redirected the Regal Heart and her Escort illegally to pick up these so called survivors of Tollana. (Brandishing a copy of the conversations between Regal Heart and Albert) What do these survivors have to offer to the IFF? Their planet is ruined so we won't be able to trade resources and they're too few of them to even purchase arms for a counteroffensive.

[Wrapper]

Axe: Yes the pacifists from the report... Wait, wait, Wait! Valkyrie, I'm not here in this festering snake pit for an inspection, I'm here to detain you for the reckless endangerment of IFF personnel for your pet project. The Ambassadors transcripts show that you redirected the Regal Heart and her Escort illegally to pick up these so called survivors of Tollana. (Brandishing a copy of the conversations between Regal Heart and Albert) What do these survivors have to offer to the IFF? Their planet is ruined so we won't be able to trade resources and they're too few of them to even purchase arms for a counteroffensive.

(Heh heh, thinks Ari. Piece of cake.)

Yes, excuse me, sir, Ambassador Wad Ari Alaz, from the nation of Wrapper. See, introduced properly, there's supposed to be a "Wad" in there, sort of like when you're introduced there's a "General", correct? Isn't it true, when you are addressed, it would be disrespectful to leave out such an honorific? Anyway, we've learned not to take offense at such, erm, such faux pas, but to answer your question, we've been studying the Tollans for some time now, and one thing we have noticed is that the Tollans are quite skilled in two things, concentration and stoicism, two traits that it seems that both of us may be wanting, wouldn't you say? To say nothing of their style of formal dress, with those dreary robes -- oh, no offense, please, to you folks in the back, you wear it well, but our president tried on one of those robes and she just could not wait to get out of them! Heh heh, it was fortunate she was wearing something underneath, I mean could you imagine the scene if she weren't? Although come to think of it, a strange bit of trivia involving our president and nudity comes to mind....

(Ahume catches the attention of Ilya, nodding his head toward the doorway, hoping she'll take advantage of the distraction.)

[The Doomed Planet of Tollana]

(Kay's cheeseburger arrives, but she sits and stares at it. They're gone. They're all gone. What could I have done differently? No, I shouldn't think that way, I should think, what can I do now? We must start over. It isn't the first time, there was that time a generation ago when the first Tollan homeworld was wiped out by a cataclysmic volcanic reaction. If there's a nation that knows how to start over again....)

What do these survivors have to offer to the IFF? Their planet is ruined so we won't be able to trade resources and they're too few of them to even purchase arms for a counteroffensive.

(The anger rises within Kay. What do they have to offer? Pretty much word-for-word what she heard when she first started seeking out defensive weapons, when she was merely a third-year law student at the academy. How many times had she heard, what's in it for us? Markhov didn't ask that. Ilya didn't ask that. Gods, even Mother didn't ask that, when it came to humanitarian aid. Someone was in dire need, you helped, because you never knew if someday....)

To say nothing of their style of formal dress, with those dreary robes

(She looks down at her own "dreary robe" and thinks... these are my people. I must stand up for them.)

Ari, SHUT UP!

(She stands and approaches the General.)

You want to know what's in it for you? I'll tell you what's in it for you. NOTHING. Nothing is in it for you. Is that all we are to you, a drain on your resources? Or hands you can put more weapons in so we can fight your battles? People like you don't deserve the friendship of the Tollans. Your ambassador has been more than willing to help my people, as have the ambassadors of Wrapper, of Tinfect, of Wallenburg, of Herby, of a dozen other nations whose representatives here have put their reputations on the line, to do anything to help someone in need, and in some cases, they suffered their own losses. So what did they get out of it? People like you would say they got nothing. The cynics would say they got leverage for future endeavors. I say that, even if their efforts were in vain, those who helped the Tollans will get exactly what they deserve. Respect. Love. Honor. And the gratitude of a dying race that SO HELP ME will rebuild, as it has before. Is that good enough for you, General? Respect? Love? Honor? Gratitude? If so then stop standing there and start lifting a finger to help us. If not, then GET THE FUCK OUT OF OUR WAY NOW!

[Ferret Civilization]

After he informed Agent Dressler of everything that had been going on, Furettium figured Herby might have taken another nap. Or worse needed to be, something, to get him going again after all the stuff that had been happening. Once that part was done he shuddered a bit, putting some things together and waited by. He heard the ending of the speech Kay had given, and put a little more together. Seemed like most nations here had a large space force capable of helping or a strong enough nation to grant asylum, which his nation really didn't have either of. He really wanted to help out more just then, since it was kind of odd that someone like the person Kay was yelling at didn't want to have their nation help.

[Wallenburg]

"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."

Gerald's heart collapses into his stomach as the worst possible reality hits him like a mighty storm front. He looks down at his drink, shocked, unsure what to do. Powerless, he muses over and over again. His fingers curl around the edge of the table and his eyes pulse with a dull blue light. Even the greatest empires could do nothing. What is this ant when even the giants crumble? What of the Tollans, far stronger than us and yet so much more fragile? And of Arya...dear Notch, I would wish this on no one.

He listens to the aftermath, the calm echoes of action, resonating but dissipating, trailing off as total hopelessness consumes the bar. He watches as Arya struggles, suffering even beyond Gerald's comprehension. Arya snaps at Ari, but Gerald still says nothing.

Helen now enters the bar, having learned that Markhov has been made aware of the developments around Tollana.

You want to know what's in it for you? I'll tell you what's in it for you. NOTHING. Nothing is in it for you. Is that all we are to you, a drain on your resources? Or hands you can put more weapons in so we can fight your battles? People like you don't deserve the friendship of the Tollans. Your ambassador has been more than willing to help my people, as have the ambassadors of Wrapper, of Tinfect, of Wallenburg, of Herby, of a dozen other nations whose representatives here have put their reputations on the line, to do anything to help someone in need, and in some cases, they suffered their own losses. So what did they get out of it? People like you would say they got nothing. The cynics would say they got leverage for future endeavors. I say that, even if their efforts were in vain, those who helped the Tollans will get exactly what they deserve. Respect. Love. Honor. And the gratitude of a dying race that SO HELP ME will rebuild, as it has before. Is that good enough for you, General? Respect? Love? Honor? Gratitude? If so then stop standing there and start lifting a finger to help us. If not, then GET THE FUCK OUT OF OUR WAY NOW!

Trevanyika stares at Arya, surprised. She almost sounds Wallenburgian. Helen walks to Arya and asks, "Arya, has something happened? I don't understand this. What has happened to Tollana?"

Gerald answers, "It has been destroyed."

Helen turns her head and furrows her brow in confusion.

"The barbarians attacking them somehow burned off the planet's atmosphere. I doubt that kind of destruction leaves many survivors."

Helen looks back at Arya, stunned. "I--I--dear lord, Arya, I'm so sorry."

[The Doomed Planet of Tollana]

Trevanyika stares at Arya, surprised. She almost sounds Wallenburgian. Helen walks to Arya and asks, "Arya, has something happened? I don't understand this. What has happened to Tollana?"

Gerald answers, "It has been destroyed."

Helen turns her head and furrows her brow in confusion.

"The barbarians attacking them somehow burned off the planet's atmosphere. I doubt that kind of destruction leaves many survivors."

Helen looks back at Arya, stunned. "I--I--dear lord, Arya, I'm so sorry."

(For the moment, Kay ignores Gerald and Helen, her eyes fixed on the IFF General's eyes, her face red with rage, her fists clenched with fury. Go ahead, asshole, say something stupid to an angry, fed-up, pregnant woman whose people have been wiped out.)

[The Imperial Frost Federation]

The IFF MP continues to block Ilya's way while the General grinned maliciously after Kay finished her speech, "Such rubbish, Respect, Love Honor? Those ideals are useless, wench. What the IFF requires is tangible things that reap a profit! Perhaps these Tollans deserve to be exterminated like Vermin." Said the General as he sneered. He then turns over to Ilya who was blocked by the guard and says, "The loss of the Regal Heart and her escort will provide ample excuse to lock you and that Traitor's nephew away for a long time. Not even your status as heiress to the Noble Valkyrie family will stop this! So for the greater good I say these Tollans shall die and become Martyrs for the purge of traitorous scum!" Cackling while the 2 Military police officers fidget uncomfortably while an additional 2 officers enter the bar holding several documents of "evidence"

Will break off the post here since I'm at work and my 15 min breaks almost over. I'll respond a bit later after work

[Sierra Lyricalia]

Steph quietly walks over to Wad Ahume, he seeming to be unoccupied at the moment, and talks to him in low tones.

"Wad Ahume." She nods a greeting. "She obviously needs to take some time to vent after such an atrocity. Especially if there's a pompous upper-brass officer type available to get it right in his upturned nose."

She pauses a moment.

"When she's able to hear it, I wonder if you'd let Arya know that S.L. has pledged humanitarian aid to the survivors. I'll have to coordinate the deployment and distribution through the WA headquarters building itself, since we don't have any sort of FTL propulsion technology. I'll need to be in my office for a time, helping to set that up. Would Wrapper be willing to accept and hold the various supplies until the military situation is worked out? I approached you first because the other powers would have their hands full with that, I'd think, but once they've made the area secure or gotten the survivors evacuated to a more peaceful zone, you would then be equipped to deliver the various containers."

She places her unfinished beer on a nearby table, ready to leave the bar once she's confirmed where the aid packages need to go.

[Wrapper]

"When she's able to hear it, I wonder if you'd let Arya know that S.L. has pledged humanitarian aid to the survivors. I'll have to coordinate the deployment and distribution through the WA headquarters building itself, since we don't have any sort of FTL propulsion technology. I'll need to be in my office for a time, helping to set that up. Would Wrapper be willing to accept and hold the various supplies until the military situation is worked out? I approached you first because the other powers would have their hands full with that, I'd think, but once they've made the area secure or gotten the survivors evacuated to a more peaceful zone, you would then be equipped to deliver the various containers."

She places her unfinished beer on a nearby table, ready to leave the bar once she's confirmed where the aid packages need to go.

(Ahume nods and watches as Steph drops her beer on the table... next to Arya's cheeseburger, "one of those stinky ones piled high with onions and bacon" just as she had requested. He raises an eyebrow as the general spews his warmonger rhetoric.)

So for the greater good I say these Tollans shall die and become Martyrs for the purge of traitorous scum!"

(Ahume casually picks up the burger and holds it up in front of Arya.)

AHUME: Your order's ready.

[The Doomed Planet of Tollana]

AHUME: Your order's ready.

(Kay grabs the burger and splooshes it in the general's face, onions and grease splattering everywhere.)

No thank you, Wad Ahume, I've lost my appetite.

(Still enraged, she continues to stare into the eyes of the general. Go ahead, hot shot, take a shot at me. Hit a pregnant woman. I dare you.)

[Ferret Civilization]

Furettium listened to the General figure talk, along with the others. He came from a strong Capitalistic nation himself, he knew what the General was talking about. Didn't stop them from having morals though, there was always a way to get to those sorts of Ferrets that disagreed with the principles, hopefully these people were not different.

The IFF MP continues to block Ilya's way while the General grinned maliciously after Kay finished her speech, "Such rubbish, Respect, Love Honor? Those ideals are useless, wench. What the IFF requires is tangible things that reap a profit! Perhaps these Tollans deserve to be exterminated like Vermin." Said the General as he sneered.

"Then how much would it take to guarantee that you would be able to make a profit in order to help those people get out of there alive?"

"When she's able to hear it, I wonder if you'd let Arya know that S.L. has pledged humanitarian aid to the survivors. I'll have to coordinate the deployment and distribution through the WA headquarters building itself, since we don't have any sort of FTL propulsion technology. I'll need to be in my office for a time, helping to set that up. Would Wrapper be willing to accept and hold the various supplies until the military situation is worked out? I approached you first because the other powers would have their hands full with that, I'd think, but once they've made the area secure or gotten the survivors evacuated to a more peaceful zone, you would then be equipped to deliver the various containers."

He decided he would do the same for them, he had stood by long enough given the fact that he didn't have to ask or go through any legal trouble himself in order to get some help. The only problem he faced was the same one Steph faced, logistics. Though since he couldn't help the ambassadors with their legal trouble, he could offer their people a lot more than words too.

[Wallenburg]

AHUME: Your order's ready.

(Kay grabs the burger and splooshes it in the general's face, onions and grease splattering everywhere.)

Helen smiles, barely holding back laughter. "Arya, I'm sorry, but I must ask whether you want fries with that."

[The Imperial Frost Federation]

AHUME: Your order's ready.

(Kay grabs the burger and splooshes it in the general's face, onions and grease splattering everywhere.)

No thank you, Wad Ahume, I've lost my appetite.

(Still enraged, she continues to stare into the eyes of the general. Go ahead, hot shot, take a shot at me. Hit a pregnant woman. I dare you.)

The General shrugged off the splattered burger as he took out a handkerchief from his left pocket and wipes it off. His demeanor shifted as he swiftly drew a fist before lowering and smiled as he said, "I take it you're the Tollan operative... (Stifling a laugh) Taking offense at mere verbal insults, I take it then that the Tollans willed their own demise then with their over inflated ego! Still, I will let your offense go since you are in the custody of Wallenburg, but First I'm going to make sure you hear the Tollans and their dying screams as they fall with Regal Heart!"

sorry about that. I was trying to post on my main country but the phone kept logging in the Puppet

[Ferret Civilization]

The General shrugged off the splattered burger as he took out a handkerchief from his left pocket and wipes it off. His demeanor shifted as he swiftly drew a fist before lowering and smiled as and said, "I take it you're the Tollan operative... (Stifling a laugh) Taking offense at mere verbal insults, I take it then that the Tollans willed their own demise then with their over inflated ego! Still, I will let your offense go since you are in the custody of Wallenburg, but First I'm going to make sure you hear the Tollans and their dying screams as they fall with Regal Heart!"

Furettium spoke up even louder, "Don't do that! You said it yourself, your nation wants a profit, how much!?"

[Imperium Anglorum]

Parsons: Sorry. Couldn't respond, been off holidaying in Key West (OOC: in real life too). I hear a planet has been destroyed or something? Could someone fill me in?

[Wrapper]

The General shrugged off the splattered burger as he took out a handkerchief from his left pocket and wipes it off. His demeanor shifted as he swiftly drew a fist before lowering and smiled as he said, "I take it you're the Tollan operative... (Stifling a laugh) Taking offense at mere verbal insults, I take it then that the Tollans willed their own demise then with their over inflated ego! Still, I will let your offense go since you are in the custody of Wallenburg, but First I'm going to make sure you hear the Tollans and their dying screams as they fall with Regal Heart!"

ARI: Wait a moment, are you galactically insane or just the wrong kind of stupid? You would let your own people die just to prove a point? What kind of ignoramus put you in charge?

[The Imperial Frost Federation]

The General shrugged off the splattered burger as he took out a handkerchief from his left pocket and wipes it off. His demeanor shifted as he swiftly drew a fist before lowering and smiled as he said, "I take it you're the Tollan operative... (Stifling a laugh) Taking offense at mere verbal insults, I take it then that the Tollans willed their own demise then with their over inflated ego! Still, I will let your offense go since you are in the custody of Wallenburg, but First I'm going to make sure you hear the Tollans and their dying screams as they fall with Regal Heart!"

ARI: Wait a moment, are you galactically insane or just the wrong kind of stupid? You would let your own people die just to prove a point? What kind of ignoramus put you in charge?

"People die in war all the time, Wad. What makes this time special?" Snapped the General as he glared at the Tollan, besides if I can get rid of the Traitor's nephew and this thorn in my side then it will be well worth the cost, and nothing little furry creature. Nothing is equal to the cost of their downfall. Now Apprehend Valkyrie."

Meanwhile Ilya thought of her options while the Wads and Kay kept the General busy. Should I allow them to apprehend me? No then the ship'll be destroyed, but do I want to be branded a traitor? Aaah, screw it if I'm killed like Albert's uncle so be it! I will not disgrace the IFF with such tactless warmongering! Now to-

The IFF MP mutters "Sorry commander, General's Orders." Interrupting her thoughts as he approaches Ilya. "Right back at you trooper" Ilya replied as she kicked the unsuspecting soldier squarely in the crotch and swiftly dashes to the General and punches the small alien right in the jaw with enough force to send him flying into a table. Glaring at the General Ilya shouts, "To bloody Hell with your greedy bull you nerf-herder! The IFF does not need a reason to act to assist sapients who face persecution and Genocide! Nor are we some profit driven Empire that neglects our morals. (She then takes a deep breath) You may have the immunity granted by the Former President, but you, you slimy pencil pushing coward are a disgrace the Imperial Frost Military. A disgrace, Hang me if you want but do it after I save my men and the Tollans!"

She then glares at the Military police officers who draw their weapons, "Out of my way" she demanded while the MP responds, "Please ma'am don't make this any worse than it has to be. Turn yourself in."