Voyage into the Stars (FT, INTRO, OPEN)

[Jeraddo]

On the Capital world of the United Stellar States of Jeraddo, in the First City of Betreka, The President of the United Stellar States woke. Like the several million other people across the beautiful city, she woke to blue skies and a cool breeze through her window. Like the rest of the Planet, Betreka was a tranquil vista. The Primary planet of the Stellar States, the most important planet in the Stellar States, is all but untouched by the technology that allows the Jeraddoian people to colonies four systems, including their home world. Slipping of bed she walked across to the bathroom and getting into the shower. After allowing the hot water to massage her skin, she headed back and picked out some clothing for the days business. She opened the door, and the two Secret Service agents nodded and led the way along the corridor, they both knew her first destination; The Presidents Office, her days work would begin.

United Stellar States Starfleet Command

The Starfleet Command building shone as the sun began setting over the city of Liberty, one of the most densely packed cities in the entire United Stellar states. The Starfleet command building was the headquarters of the Entire Starfleet, from there the Starfleet Command controlled the fleet. Whilst the President and Congress controlled Starfleet overall, it has large oversight on its actions on a day-to-day basis. Giving it much more freedom.

Walking into the building, was the Starfleet chief of Staff; Fleet Admiral Nick Richardson. Wearing the standard duty Admiral’s uniform, he received numerous salutes from officers as he passed and made his way up into the Command room. This room held a veritable treasure trove of computer systems, rivaled only by the Secure Starfleet Bunker, several miles beneath the city, where the Command, as well as the President and much of the Congress would be taken to it the planet was threatened. It was estimated, that the Bunker could survive whilst the rest of the planet around it took heavy damage, and as a result had the necessary parts to allow it to take Interstellar travel if it so needed to, or was able to. He sat down at his desk overlooking the room and got to work.

Jeraddo Orbit

Sitting in Orbit, was a Pathfinder Class Heavy Cruiser, christened the USSS Odyssey, and was about to set out on a mission to explore the stars. Specially adapted the Odyssey was captained by James Smith, long-standing Starfleet Officer, and widely considered one of the best Captains in the fleet. He smiled as he sat down on the bridge, which also brimmed with computers and personnel to man the. On his order, the ship detached from the Star-station and moved away from the planet. Setting a course out of Jeraddo Space, the ship jumped to light speed and sped away

[Groko]

OCC: Hope you don't mind. I styled this post different then my other ones, (( I'm testing something)).


The UKS Breaton zoomed through space at Warp 4.5, scanning the systems it passed for new life. Having been commissioned only 5 weeks earlier, the ship was virtually brand new. The ship, despite having been painted a rusty brown color, was beautiful. It housed 6 Autocannons, and 2 Missile Launchers, both of which could be activated at a moment's notice, showing the enemy with it's powerful, but crude, projectile arsenal and various missiles. The ship also housed a drone bay which, even though drone tech was still new to the Grokoans, could launch 2 speedy fighter drones, and 2 energy/warp scrambler drones. It's Captain, Jonathan Waqora was also relatively new as well since this he was only 29. He was a gifted captain, who had burned through the ranks at home and gotten command of his own ship 2 years eariler then most. As the ship propelled itself through space, he sat in the bridge, playing cards with a few crewmen. The ship had been searching for weeks, and had only managed to find a few inhabitable planets with no intelligent life on them. The crew was relaxed, bored even, and had long since realized that it could be a month or even longer before they found something exciting. Unknown to the crew, however, the ship was speeding towards it's first contact.

"Captain! We have a new contact, bearing 128. It appears to be a ship of unknown origin. The Contact is moving at light-speed. " The First/Armory Officer reported with a excited tone.

Captian Waqora jumped to his feet. "Really? I wasn't expecting this so soon. What luck has befallen us. Drop out of warp ASAP, bring us 200K Nautical Miles ((or nm)) away from the contact. Hopefully, they will see us dropout and drop in for a visit."

"200K nm?" The helmsan asked, looking up. "That's quite far," "and it's definitely out of weapons range for us, and the limit of our scanners." The First Officer added.

Waqora glanced at them, already thinking of what to say to the newfound aliens. " Yeah. I know, but if they are hostile, I want to be out of weapons range for them, but be close enough to scan them. If they are hostile, and I hope they aren't I want us to gather as much Intel as possible and warp out before we get dragged into a battle we may not win. "

The helmsman nodded, punching a few buttons on the control panel in front of him. "We are dropping out of warp, sir." He announced as the ship slowed to a stop.




The UKS Breaton as it dropped out of warp

[Jeraddo]

USSS Odyssey

The Bridge of the Odyssey was quite as the men and women got about their work with professionalism.
There were two Chairs in the centre of the Bridge, one for Captain and one for XO. On the bulkhead at the front of the Bridge were two large viewscreens, one could show whatever the Bridge crew wanted it to, the other which was above the main screen showed a power readout, which was currently High, a Radar-like sensor display and a ship damage/weapons readout. Directly in front of the Viewscreen was the Helm Officers station. To the Left of the Helm station was the Tactical station, the Station consisted of consoles on the bulkhead, as well as a console that resembled a desk and a chair that moved so the officer could use all the stations. There was a similar set up on the other side of the bridge, those consoles made up the Science and Communications station, Rachel walked over and sat at the station. Behind the Command chairs was a console that could be used to control Engineering systems from the Bridge. A line of consoles lined the back wall which could be used by officers from any department.

James looked up as a soft beeping filled the Bridge.
"Report"

"Unidentified ship on Sensors" Leiutenant Commander Alex Roebuck reported as he ran his hands across the console as the ship appeared on the Viewscreen display "200 Thousand Nautical Miles"

"Interesting, Commence scans and take us a bit closer, keep the weapons deactivated, but on hot stand-by, I don't want our first contact to be our last contact" James said as he took a drink from his yeoman and leant forwards to look at the Viewscreen more "Comms"

"Open Skipper"

"Unidentified Starship, this is the United Stellar States Ship Odyssey, Please Identify yourselves"

[Groko]

"Captain, they're hailing us." The Com Officer remarked, as slightly surprised yet happy tone in her voice.

"Interesting," Waqora remarked as he sank into his chair. " Bring it-" "Captain, the Unidentified Vessel seems to be moving closer to us." The Armory Officer broke in. Turning to the officer, the Captain sighed and ordered the image on screen. Glancing at the the Image, now plastered on the bridges forward window, which doubled as a screen for images and video, he realized the Armory Officer's words were true.
He looked at the helmsman, and ordered the ship to hold steady. Nodding at his Armory Officer, he then had the ships shields brought online, and ordered him to prepare the weapons. They weren't armed, but could be activated within 5 seconds if needed. He then returned his attention to his com officer, who then relayed the message via the ships com system.

"Unidentified Starship, this is the United Stellar States Ship Odyssey, Please Identify yourselves"

Waqora smiled. The message's tone didn't seem hostile, only curious. Whew, and to think. I almost called GQ. Ah well, it woulda been great to have some target practice. He walked over to his com officer, still watching the alien ship on screen. "Send them this, 'Untied Stellar States Ship Odyssey, this is the United Kingdom Ship Breaton. We hail from a species known as the Grokoans. We are a peaceful race, but will defend ourselves with vengeance if needed. Are you friends, or enemies? '" Still looking at the screen, he collapsed into his chair. He felt relieved he had made it without incident, so far.

[Jeraddo]

USSS Odyssey

"Captain, the Alien ship has raised it's shields" Roebuck reported as a Solid circle surrounded the blip on the viewscreen.
"Match them, raise the shields, I don't want us to be caught out here with our trousers down" James ordered as he turned in his chair to look back at the helm station "That's enough Bill, all stop"
"Answering all stop" Bill Wright on helm reported as the ship slowed to a stop.
"They're responding" Ensign Jenny Baker on Comms reported.
"Lets hear it" James ordered.
Untied Stellar States Ship Odyssey, this is the United Kingdom Ship Breaton. We hail from a species known as the Grokoans. We are a peaceful race, but will defend ourselves with vengeance if needed. Are you friends, or enemies? '"
James raised an eyebrow before replying.
"This is Captain James Smith, and...well we aren't enemies"

[Groko]

Waqora raised a eyebrow at the transmission, having caught the pause before "well we aren't enemies." He sighed, thinking to himself, "What was with that pause. He's trying to make it sound like there peaceful intentions are obvious. He's the one who started to approach me with out even giving a name, much less a reason." He paused, trying to think of a reply. He had already been informed that they had raised they're shields too, but they had stopped there advance. He thought about his situation in a tactical way. Judging from his scans, the ships were basically evenly matched in combat and a fight would cause heavy losses for both sides, so it was good they were peaceful. But something about their meeting felt off, as if one wrong move could trigger a war. Calming down, he shrugged his feelings off. First Conacts were always delicate, no reason to be nervous about this one. Nodding at his com officer, he sent a reply.

"Hello Captain Smith, I am Captain Jonathan Waqora. Since we both seem to have peaceful motives, would you be interested in meeting, perhaps aboard your ship, to discuss relations? Or, if you prefer you could come aboard my ship."

[Jeraddo]

James decided quite quickly that he would prefer a meeting on his terms, on his ship. He nodded to Roebuck who nodded and got about making the arrangements for the upcoming visit. James nodded his thanks before turning to comms and catching the young womans eyes who nodded and re-opened the channel.
"It would be our honour to have you visit us aboard the Odyssey" James replied as he read the Data Pad that he had just been handed, it contained a sensor read-out of the Grokoian Vessel. He nodded and the Science officer got about transmitting it to the rest of the ships company who needed it.

[Groko]

Interesting, Waqora thought to himself, He has invited me. This will be a excellent opportunity to see their tech level first hand. He nodded at his first officer, "Your in charge, while I'm gone."

He then headed over to his com officer, "Inform them, that I will be bringing 5 escorts."

"Yes, sir." The com officer replied, as she sent the message.

Waqora nodded, and left the bridge. He headed for the ships pod bay, meeting up with his escorts as he walked. I wonder if I should bring some food. Oh, that reminds me. I'll stop by the mess and grab a copy of the data on our food. Hopefully, these people will have a protein synthesizer.

[Jeraddo]

James sat comfortably in his chair as his crew made the ship ready for their guests. The ships Primary areas, such as the Engine room, Medical bay and Bridge, as well as all teh weapons sections would be off-limits, Marines would secure said areas.
"Captain, They're informing us that five escorts will be with their captain" Comms reported.
"Red Alert" James muttered "Have Major Anderson and two of his boys meet them, disarm them, I'm not having armed foreigners on my ship"
The Comms officer nodded and relayed the orders.

[Groko]

After collecting the data, Waqora calmly walked to the shuttle bay, and was soon sinking into the shuttles luxurious interior. He looked around to check on his escorts, almost laughing as he did so. They had never been in such comfort before, that most of them looked uncomfortable. Returning his attention the the lit up control panel in front of him, he undocked and headed for the Stellar States Ship. From the view port in the shuttle, he marveled at the alien ships design. Wow, I'd sure love to meet the people who designed that baby. He tilted the shuttle gently to avoid a asteroid, then radioed the alien ship to request landing clearance. While he waited for a response, it occurred to him that he hadn't gotten a view of the aliens. Hopefully, they're humanoid. Or at least, not too ugly. I need to be able to maintain a pleasant manor when I look at them.



Shuttle

[Jeraddo]

It had been deceided that Major Anderson and her two Marines would form the welcoming party, Captain Smith figured that he could meet them in the conference lounge that was just off the bridge. Anderson stood a few metres away from the shuttle-landing point that was dedicated to visiting shuttlecraft from alien races. She looked up at the Deck Officers box and nodded, the Deck Officer cleared the incoming shuttle for landing.

[Spredronia]

(OoC: Here we go... time to enter with a crippled ship.)

Suddenly, a yellow gate appeared out of nowhere. What looked like a flying wreck of a frigate flew out. A safe distance from the two ships assembled, a few escape pods jutted out before the ship exploded into pieces.

The escape pods put on distress signals and waited. Then they saw two ships there... Good. Rescue should come. The pods put on bright lights as well. They were impossible to miss at this point. They all joined up.

(OoC: Sorry to interrupt your diplomatic conference for a bit of explodey stuff, but people have to RP.)

[Jeraddo]

USSS Odyssey

On the Bridge, James watched with Interest as the Frigate appeared and promptly exploded.
"Well that was interesting" He commented dryly "Commence scans for survivors, and what might have caused that"
"Aye sir, we're picking up several Escape Pods" Roebuck reported.
James nodded.
"Activate Tractor Beams, pull them into Shuttlebay Two, have medical teams standing by"
Roebuck nodded and the Escape pods were promptly taken into the Odyssey.

[Rustika]

RUSS Falco

The Aquila Class Medium Battle Ship traveled through space, it went faster than most of the other commissioned battle ships at warp 6 with the main gauss cannon under the tip, and 6 torpedo tubes that can either launch guided explosive torpedos, or limpet mines that can be guided turning an area into a perpetual mine field, or just shot at the enemy. It was also armed with 2 drone hatches. Captain Nikolai sat in a comfortable chair in the navigation room. 10 other officers were walking around the room keeping the ship on track. An officer walked up to Nikolai and tapped him on the shoulder. "Sir, Officer Ford wants to talk to you at the radar." Nikolai stood, he sighed and walked to the radar. Officer Ford pointed at the screen, "You need to look at that." Nikolai looked at the screen curios. "I wondered what just happened? Have the navigator get the ship a bit closer and turn the shields on, two of them and one of us. Then make video contact." He looked out the window and saw the shields go up and the two ships starting to barely coming into sight.

[The Xzarian Union]

((OoC: Hope you don't mind me dropping in, and for some info; Dumari is equivalent to ensign, Worf is the Xzarian rank of Tactical Commander, and Commander is the captain of the vessel, vermi is a leather-type material made from Zelenet, which is a type of Xzarian water-cow, skin. Sorry for the short post BTW, I promise they will get longer and more interesting with time.))

Imperator rushed through the empty and dark vastness of space. The stars twinkled in harmony in the distance from the massive battlecruiser. As the ship scanned neighboring systems in synchronous speed, it identified unknown ships. As the reading circumvented the scanning relays, the report sprang unto the screen. Dumari Bermonri Derka, spinning his black vermi chair in excitement to the Commander;

'Commander, we have unidentified ships in the vicinity, armed and near one of our science colonies. Approximately point-eight-five light-years.'

Commander Xelev, turned to the young Dumari and responded in his typical booming and half-terrifying speak; 'Drop out of hyperspeed and cloak immediately. Is it known if we have been detected Dumari?

The massive ship thunderously clunked as it dropped suddenly out of hyperspeed. It's hull soon began to disappear and blend into the dark, vast vacuum that was space, with tiny sparkling light, gleaming from the spectacles that were stars, showing through it, to ensure that the cloaking system looked complete and real.

'No sir, however I believe they have not.'

'Good, now Worf, power weapons and go in close, track all communications, and ensure that these two species are of honorable intent. The Republic must keep this science post especially.'

Imperator did exactly as the taps by the Worf told it to. The relays lighted with the flowing technologically encoded orders, to the proper systems, and the ship moved in closer at fast-impulse. It rose to scan the alien vessels more closely, when the cloaking system sparked in the engineering section, disabling it with a simple malfunction. The ship suddenly appeared as the system failed...

[Jeraddo]

USSS Odyssey

Roebuck frowned as another ship appeared on the ships Sensors, a corrisponding blip appeared on the viewscreen.
"Captain, Anther ship, just dropped to Sub-light" He reported.
"Full Sensors, send an encrypyed message back to Command, recomment another ship be dispatched, as our back-up recommend that they cloak as well" James ordered.
"Aye sir, Sensors working, their shields are raised skipper" Roebuck reported slightly later.
"Yellow Alert, Raise shields" James ordered suspicous as he sat in his command chair, "Comms"
"Open sir"
"Unidentified Starship, this is the United Stellar States Ship Odyssey, please identify yourselves and your bussiness in this sector" James said evenly.

"Sir, another ship, It's weapons are charged!" Roebuck butted in.
James felt the tention on the bridge immeiatly hike, when a Starship appeared, with it's weapons at ready-status, it could only mean something bad. He allowed himself a slight smile, before he even gave the order, he could see his bridge crew begin to get to their battlestations. Two security officers were already heading to the weapons locker on the bridge, and the bridge computer consoles were already being put into combat mode. The Odyssey had already switched into combat mode as James opened his mouth to give the order.

"General Quarters, Red Alert, All hands man your battlestations, power our weapons and load all bays" James ordered "Lock weapons and stand-by to fire"
"Aye sir, weapons on-line and locked"
"Hail them"
"Open"
"Unidentified Starship, this is the USSS Odyssey, State your Identity and your Reason for decloaking with your weapons charged immediatly!"

[The Xzarian Union]

'Sir they are haling us' the young Darmi responded, turning to the Commander. As he taped the pads to bring the message on-screen Commander Xelev raised his eyebrow in discontent.

'Worf, status!' Commanded Xelev.

'They have weapons and shields fully powered and pointed at us, they appear to be recently space capable.'

'You can't be serious dear sir, they would threaten a species, and Republic that has withstood for over two thousand years? Hail them in response, and bring the secondary weapons online.'

The message sent in response to the so-called "Odyssey" was as usual for the Xzarian military, cryptic, threatening, and curious all in the same;

"This is the Xzarian Republican Military Vessel Imperator, Commander Xelev speaking on behalf of the Federated Stellar Republic. Alien vessel 'Odyssey', you are maintaining a vector close to a Xzarian-controlled stationed, the location of which will not be revealed. State your intentions for maintaining such a tight vector. Power down your weapons, or we will assume a position that you are hostile. As such, you will be destroyed, or we can settle this civilly."

[Jeraddo]

James scowled as he listened to the message that was returned, he had been a Starfleet Captain for nearly thirty years, and had been reading the logs of Starfleet Captains from the past two centuries that the Starfleet had been traveling outside USS Space, and he had never come across reports of this species having such a close assest, or being so aggresive. Clearly this was about to cause problems, and he was glad that he had requested additional ships, he just hoped that Command decieed to err on the side of caution and send enough ships for a proper show of force.

"Commander Xelev, we are within a light Year of the Stellar States border, and we are well within our rights to be running a patrol in this sector, any act of war against this vessel will be replied to with extreme prejudice" James said as a Polite, but firm warning that his ship would not be in any way shape or form easy pickings "So the answer is no, we will not power down our weapons until you do, as you are the ones who are bringing aggresion to this area of space, now if you want to speak to me as a represenative of the United Stellar States, you are more than welcome to, however I was speaking to another ships Captain when you decided to grace this area of space with your presense, so if you'll excuse me"

James nodded to comms who cut the line, he expected them to hail back immediatly and demand an apology, which he wouldn't give, or fire upon his vessel, which would have happened anyway, as he was un-willing to lower his ships defenses. Besides he had confidence in his ship, and Starfleet Constructions expertise, gathered over a long time.

OOC: For the record, The USS is in no way new to the Space bussiness, just because it's my intro, doesn't mean it's my first interstellar ship.

Also;

[The Xzarian Union]

James scowled as he listened to the message that was returned, he had been a Starfleet Captain for nearly thirty years, and had been reading the logs of Starfleet Captains from the past two centuries that the Starfleet had been traveling outside USS Space, and he had never come across reports of this species having such a close assest, or being so aggresive. Clearly this was about to cause problems, and he was glad that he had requested additional ships, he just hoped that Command decieed to err on the side of caution and send enough ships for a proper show of force.

"Commander Xelev, we are within a light Year of the Stellar States border, and we are well within our rights to be running a patrol in this sector, any act of war against this vessel will be replied to with extreme prejudice" James said as a Polite, but firm warning that his ship would not be in any way shape or form easy pickings "So the answer is no, we will not power down our weapons until you do, as you are the ones who are bringing aggresion to this area of space, now if you want to speak to me as a represenative of the United Stellar States, you are more than welcome to, however I was speaking to another ships Captain when you decided to grace this area of space with your presense, so if you'll excuse me"

James nodded to comms who cut the line, he expected them to hail back immediatly and demand an apology, which he wouldn't give, or fire upon his vessel, which would have happened anyway, as he was un-willing to lower his ships defenses. Besides he had confidence in his ship, and Starfleet Constructions expertise, gathered over a long time.

OOC: For the record, The USS is in no way new to the Space bussiness, just because it's my intro, doesn't mean it's my first interstellar ship.

((OoC: My bad, sorry, I was under the assumption you had recently become new to space. I'll replace that.

Xelev listened to the returned communique, irritated slightly by the refusal to heed the Xzarian ship. No species near the Republic would have ever made such a refusal. Though a man who would under most circumstances fire upon the aliens without giving it a second thought, he admired the other captain's courage to stand up to the ship.

The Commander pointed to the Damari to open a new communication line;

'I must admire your courage captain, naive, yet or admirable. We will not lower our weapons until you, however we are indeed curious, what exactly is this ''Stellar States" that you speak of? The Xzarian Union is not aware of such a being.'

[The Xzarian Union]

((OoC: My bad, sorry, I was under the assumption you had recently become new to space. I'll replace that.

Xelev listened to the returned communique, irritated slightly by the refusal to heed the Xzarian ship. No species near the Republic would have ever made such a refusal. Though a man who would under most circumstances fire upon the aliens without giving it a second thought, he admired the other captain's courage to stand up to the ship.

The Commander pointed to the Damari to open a new communication line;

'I must admire your courage captain, naive, yet or admirable. We will not lower our weapons until you, however we are indeed curious, what exactly is this ''Stellar States" that you speak of? The Xzarian Union is not aware of such a being.'

[Jeraddo]

James smiled as the communications console beeped, announcing that a new communication line had been opened to them. He nodded to the young female ensign at the Station, who nodded in return and brough the message up. He listened to the message, and figured that some history wouldn't go amis, and couldn't really be used against them.
"THe United Stellar States Of Jeraddo, our people originally came from a Planet named Earth, many centuries ago, our nation then developed Faster than Life technology, and we left the troubles of our planet behind, en-massse our people relocated across the galaxy, to a star system nearby, in the centuries since we've consolodated our system, as well as colonised several neighbouring systems" James replied "The United Stellar States an interstellar federal republic, composed of planetary governments of our colonies that agree to exist semi-autonomously under a single central government based on the principles of universal liberty, rights, and equality"

[Groko]

OCC: This thread moves fast (lol) to save time, I gonna OCC what I was doing while this happened. The shuttle returned and my guy and his crew are back aboard. When the ship exploded and left the pods behind, my guys armed there weapons and raised their shields. We addressed all ships in the area with our purpose (friendly explorers, but ready to defend ourselves) and name (UKS Breaton- Captain Waqora from The United Kingdom of Groko (Grokoans). We also requested they identify themselves. We have targeted the The Xzarian Union ship and are preparing to launch our drones should a fight break out.

[The Xzarian Union]

James smiled as the communications console beeped, announcing that a new communication line had been opened to them. He nodded to the young female ensign at the Station, who nodded in return and brough the message up. He listened to the message, and figured that some history wouldn't go amis, and couldn't really be used against them.
"THe United Stellar States Of Jeraddo, our people originally came from a Planet named Earth, many centuries ago, our nation then developed Faster than Life technology, and we left the troubles of our planet behind, en-massse our people relocated across the galaxy, to a star system nearby, in the centuries since we've consolodated our system, as well as colonised several neighbouring systems" James replied "The United Stellar States an interstellar federal republic, composed of planetary governments of our colonies that agree to exist semi-autonomously under a single central government based on the principles of universal liberty, rights, and equality"

The Dumari was now becoming accustomed to tapping the pad to allow for a response. Xelev, having been intrigued and slightly relieved began speaking immediately;

'Intriguing system, somewhat like The Xzarian Union, though quite different. We are intrigued to learn more of this... Jeraddo. If possibly, it would be indeed more.... comprehensive to step off on the proper good footing this time no? So, while not a purpose of this vessel, we will.... work on a diplomatic approach. The Xzrian Union is interstellar federated republic which seeks to expand it's borders for knowledge, science, military and commercial gains. We operate diplomatic, military and commercial quests quite often. Further information can be found by some diplomatic men. All vessels are sent with one universal ambassador, we can... if you wish.... send Ambassador Nouvor over to your vessel if you wish?'

[Jeraddo]

James nodded thoughtfully, the sitution had, thankfully, de-escalated a degree and things were proceeding normally once more. He ordered his yeoman to bring him a strong Coffee as he nodded to the Comms Officer.
"That would be acceptable, we'll prepare for your ambassadors arrival"

[Groko]

Waqora paced back and forth. No One has responded yet. But, it seems that the alien ships haven't fired or anything. I wonder. He procceded to walk to his com officer, moving his hands through his long hair as he did so. "Open up a com link with the USSS Odyssey. Send this ' Have you detected the new ships? If so, have you had any contact with them? They haven't responded to our hails, and we were wondering if you knew wither they were friendly or not.'"