Aufklärungsstation G-9980
August 26, 2265
Dr. Heinrich von Kessel, Head of the Deep Space Reconnaissance Station G-9980
"BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRT!" Yelled the alarm in the room. It was a normal alarm, dated from about 2056. It resided on a desk that itself resided in a large room. The room was painted a light shade of grey, and had a white carpet covering all but the bathroom. At the far right of the room is a large window, with red drapes on either side; and looking through the window is the blackness of space. Dr. Heinrich von Kessel laid in the large bed in the center of the room, with his only bedmate being a small tablet. From 2253-2257, von Kessel was the lead scientist in the Englean Kaiserreich for research and development of FTL engines. One specific creation of von Kessel's was the ERFFP Sonderbarkeit, a vessel capable of "jumping" from one location to another at any distance; rather than standard FTL travel. His work had earned him praise from the entirety of the Englean government, and especially Kaiser Albrecht I. He was promoted to the honorary rank of "Reichsgeneral" in the Raumkriegsmarine, and was promoted to Head of the Englean FTL Research and Development. The Sonderbarkeit was a magnificent vessel, being larger than most ships of other nations' navies. Her captain and crew were originally those of an Imperial Merchant Vessel, but were transferred and trained for this new type of vessel. Her existence was heavily classified, to prevent any knowledge of her engine from reaching other nations. She was ordered to reach Alpha Centauri, and then return to Germania - the Englean homeworld. In 2257, she vanished from all radar and recon outposts. After 3 years of searching, the ship's existence and disappearance was immediately covered-up by the Raumkriegsmarine. Dr. von Kessel was stripped of all of his awards and titles that were given with the Sonderbarkeit build, except for those that were given from the creation of the "gravity drive." He was ordered by the Kaiser to never speak of the mission to anyone, and the High Command of the Raumkriegsmarine had stationed him to the farthest Englean Recon Outpost; near the Englean-Commonwealth Border. Since 2260, he has resided there alone; often attempting to create new inventions and improve on the technology in the station.
After the alarm sounded, Dr. von Kessel nearly broke it by smashing his hand against the top. He slowly rose out of the bed, and headed to the bathroom. He stared into the mirror, and a man of 35 years with a very "Germanic" face stared back. He finished his morning routine, and went to his closet. Inside was his ceremonial uniform, his daily uniform, and various "casual" shirts and bottoms. He chose the daily uniform, which was dark blue and had yellow trims - signifying his position in the "scientific" division of the Raumkriegsmarine. As he was walking out of the door; the onboard computer screen in his room began to flash red. He walked leisurely towards the screen, and investigated the problem. The computer brought up a holographic map of the universe; and slowly zoomed into a specific area far in the unknown areas of the final frontier. He thought to himself, "Why would it be showing me the far reaches of the universe? What could possibly be happening out there?" As he thought, the hologram continued to zoom into the area. Soon after, a star and surrounding area appeared. Near the third planet from the star, ULAS J0744+25, he noticed red lettering. He then realized what he was seeing. For about 2 minutes, he was frozen in place; unable to grasp the situation. After 8 years, the name "ERFFP Sonderbarkeit" appeared.
Hauptstation Germania
January 2, 2267
Kapitän zur See Karl Schlieffet, Captain of the ERKS Walkyr
Hauptstation Germania was the "capital" space port of the Englean Kaiserreich, orbiting Germania. Although colony planets had attempted to win over the Englean Government with their space ports, this had been the largest of them all for 45 years. Karl Schlieffet had been a member of the Raumkriegsmarine for most of his life, joining at 15 years old and being 30 now. He shared the same color uniform, but with red stripes and trim for being a commanding officer. His visor cap had a two gold wings in the center, and the peak having a black, red, and white "dot." His executive officer, Kommandant Johanna Pieckert, walked next to him through the crowds populating the main terminal of the station. As they walked, four men dressed in white uniforms stopped them. A man stepped forward to the two officers, and obviously appeared to be the commander. This man was obviously from Germania, for he had the obvious "homeworld" accent. "Kapitän zur See Karl Schlieffet and Kommandant Johanna Pieckert, I am Reichsoberst Konrad Heinstmann. My squad and I are here to escort you to your vessel, for the mission that you were briefed on before arriving. Please follow us, we are expecting the other members of the crew to arrive soon." These men were part of the Kaiserliche-Garde, who have become practically a seperate military from the Wehrmacht, and Kolonialwehr.
Traveling three levels up to the top of the station, the group reached the ERKS Walkyr. She was a long vessel, and was painted glossy white. She was one of the fastest ships in the fleet, and was chosen for the mission because of this. The Kaiserliche-Garde left the two officers in the bridge, and went off to greet and escort other crewmembers from other nations. Schlieffet learned never to act out against the Kaiserliche-Garde, and always watch what one was saying near them. He and Pieckert unpacked into their bunks and awaited the rest of the crew.
Hauptstation Germania
January 2, 2267
Kaiserliche-Garde "Greeter" Squad, Awaiting the New Crewmembers at Gate "8"
(Each of your characters, or group of characters, will be arriving at Gate 8; so you know for your first post. I will write my squad greeting your character(s), and you can continue from there in your posts.)
All four men stuck out of the crowd as easily as a sore thumb, dressed in their white uniforms. Nobody dared to speak to them, or even walk near them as they stood in the middle of Gate "8," waiting for the foreign crew. As the foreigners entered the gate, they could see many tricolor flags (black, white, and red), many people, and propaganda posters stating the glory of the Empire. As they walked from the shuttle they arrived in, the four men dressed in white walked towards them. The commander greeted them, "Guten Tag, und willkommen zu der Englean Kaiserreich. I am Reichsoberst Konrad Heinstmann, and my squad and I are here to escort you to the ERKS Walkyr. Please follow us, and step in the hovercart. I will explain everything as we travel to the top."