Mass Effect Factions :: The Message((IC))

by **Argentumurbem** » Fri Oct 21, 2016 2:20 pm

Ironsbad wrote:Alimazinkik/The Citadel System

The sight of the dark, sleek ship had made the very day for the Lord Admiral. " My lord, we have a message from the ship, the language and manner is unidentified." The Lord Admiral was looking at the ship, it was just a bit bigger than the heavy cruiser but nothing that the Qunix couldn't build if they put the necessary resources to the shipyards. " Vox Speaker, run the message through the Weave's datastreams and put it into Imperial dialect."

The Vox Speaker started to move his digits through the crystal console and moved the energy until it popped up on the screen with the alien symbols and went through the process of translation. It was a crude and difficult but when working with a whole other language, everything is needed. The translation took minutes, but it felt like hours though it was done and the Speaker spoke with some hesitation in her voice," my Lord... this is a warning. They want the fleet to sense its movement."

Osai took a deep breath as his claws danced on the crystal computer till he found the fleet comms," all ships, active interties coils and put a stop to the engines. We are doing a first contact with the alien species that has came to us." The comms responded in a slight beep and started to heat up the coils by sending out a gravity field around the ships. The ships were starting to slow down against the energy breaks and eventually the engines became cool as the fleet came to a full stop as they became gyoschronized between a blue planet and a gas giant with rings.

" Speaker, send a message to the fleet that we mean no harm and wish to establish first contact." The Speaker started to send the message from Imperial dialect to number code to the sleek ships that were near them. He turned his head to his niece who was looking at the screens at anticipation of what was the first contact of their people with alien, and so close to them. Whatever was going to happen made her pray to the Spirits in her head to bring their Angels to bring peace to the aliens that were approaching to them as this was the most tense moment of her young life.

Citadel System
theme music

Eloste heard his frame let out a pitiful rasp of air as the lonesome alien vessel appeared to comply with his request. For the moment the Ulth was proud of the nature of his people. Who else could strike fear into the denizens of the galaxy? If the Seed was not evidence enough of divine favour, then this surely must be?

"What if its intention is to deceive?"

He did not know how to respond to that. "Then it and all onboard will be destroyed." The answer seemed to satisfy his bridge.

With something akin to grace, The Chance followed the intruder as it retraced its steps. And before it, like a monarch's escort of old, the four remaining battlecruisers tunneled it towards the Beacon. Even as they all sped through the abyss of space, the Ulth ships kept every finger tensed on their weapons. Eloste was not one to be judged wrong, nor their art of war. If this was to be a first contact, then there was little chance they would appreciate a second.

And yet even as The Chance and its flank of warships chased away the initial interlope, the Gilded Honour and its brothers stared across the translucent void towards the second band of foreigners. They had sent the Ulth a message, one which, in some strange arrangement, spoke of contact. "Will this be accepted?" The Honour's commander knew that they did not have the authority to sanction such a mission while Eloste was in system. Not when the Seed was there. Such a trophy, a new turning point in their people's perspective, was not to be squandered by petty notions of peace and friendship. It was these, inclinations, which had brought the race low. It would be reason that led them now.

The response from their leader was not immediate, the figure gliding between focusing on the lone interloper and the small fleet of visitors. Eventually, with a glare unseen by those on the Gilded Honour, he accepted the premise. "We shall send over a party. The Sevenfold Star shall provide the transport. They will bring forth one of their number behind your line. We will let them make a case."

With nary a look between his crew of motionless frames, the captain relayed the message. "Vessels. One of your number will pass the first line of ships and await to be boarded. Discussion will then proceed." And if they refuse? The unasked question went unanswered.

by **The Orson Empire** » Fri Oct 21, 2016 10:46 pm

Citadel System

"Captain, they're following us!" an officer shouted. Captain Na'Sin could barely hear him over the chaos throughout the bridge; he also monitored an overhead screen as five ships followed the destroyer towards the mass relay.

The captain switched the channel on his comlink and spoke into it. "CE, this is the Captain speaking! How long until that jump drive is fully charged?"

"Three minutes, captain!" the chief engineer replied from the engine room.

"Alright, over," the captain replied. Then, out of the windows, he suddenly saw several nuclear missiles firing out from the destroyer towards three of the ships following it.

The captain quickly switched the channel on his comlink. "Commander, what the hell are you doing?!" he shouted.

"Aren't we under attack?" the commander replied. "I assumed they were attempting to close in and destroy us, and I gave the order to fire!"

"Damn it, you fucking idiot!!" the captain shouted, before throwing the comlink down. "Now they will fire on us! CN, can't this fucking piece of shit go any faster?!!"

"Captain, I'm doing the best I can!" the chief navigator yelled back.

by **Ironsbad** » Fri Oct 21, 2016 10:52 pm

Alimazinkik, The Citadel System

The fleet was waiting the answer of the sleek ships that were as silent as the void that they were in. However, there was a power of fusion exhaust that came from a ship that was in a full course to their area." My lord, I have detected a ship in full speed from one of the alien vessels. It seems to be military like our ships and the sleek ones." The brow of the Admiral started to furrow as he heard that. " So these races are territorial in nature, just that they aren't natural as the scans show."

The Sub-Commander was standing next to Guen as he spoke," there is another alien race besides the machine ones?" Guen gave a nod," this galaxy is a strange place, yet it seems that they maybe attacked without intervention." They both turned their heads to a thinking Admiral who was weighing his options in a first contact mission. After a minute, he gave a deep sigh as his heart started beating hard in his chest," Vox Speaker, send a message to the machines that we are currently debating on sending one and to give us some time. After that, I want you to lock on to the fleeing warship, send a binary code to tell them to flee to our location and we will help them flee."

The crew looked at the Admiral before the Vox Speaker spoke," are you sure my Lord? The machines have not responded hostile to use, I may even go to say that are curious of us and hesitant but to say this to the fleeing ship-"
" I understand Speaker, but we do not know what may happen to the ship, which can happen to us as well. Send the message." The Vox Speaker nodded in obedience as he sent the message. First was too the synthetics to hold off their approach as they try to see which ship will meet them, they hoped that the aliens will listen despite them not having a fight in their lives when it comes to the chances of success in a fight.

The second message was being sent through binary code in an encoded wavelength to the alien ship fleeing the battlecruiser. The Admiral didn't know what they were or if they got the message, but the Qunix on the ships were taking a big risk to leave like this and may have to be in a skirmish as they run and gun. However, it was a good way to make one friend despite one was also offering themselves an interaction.

by **Nuxipal** » Sat Oct 22, 2016 4:55 pm

Month 2

The galaxy is at a crossroads as multiple races have all encountered each other at the same time. Failures and successes in exploration have left the other factions of the galaxy with more expansion space while these three races how face off one another in their own corner of the galaxy. New races reach for the stars as the future still holds a great deal of secrets.

Monthly Rolls

1. Phyrexi Empire - 5 - The loss of an exploration has stagnated the high enthusiasm and optimism. Fortunately, such high enthusiasm is not entirely dead and the faction continues on as usual.
2. Ni'em Nation - 7 - The panic of finding not one, but two Alien Races in the same day has shook the Ni'em. This matter grew worse as one of the "Alien" races turned out to be a "Rogue AI" and this spread a good deal of panic across the nation. While government officials rushed to try and come to a decision, the people of the nation who were more militant began preparing their "militias" to counter an invasion. 8 Militia Units with Low Quality Weapons and No Kinetic Barriers have been raised in preparation for the coming "Robot Invasion"
3. The Arahaelben Interplanetary Republic - 3 - An Uninspiring look into the cosmos around them has caused a slight depression in the economy. The housing market also seems to be struggling. As a result, 50 credits are lost and Urban Areas cost 25% more this month.
4. Mundane - 5 - Computing pi has never been easier. There are those new fleshy things that have been appearing near the Citadel, but that's already been accounted for. After all, someone had to have built this magnificent station.
5. The Chreolite Triarchy - 0 (1-1) - Disaster has struck. The nation is spiraling towards Civil War. Immediate action is required by the Faction's leadership and military to refocus the various planetary factions before they destroy themselves. Already two small hives have gone to war and a large hive is looking to take control of both of them as they weaken each other. Income from the homeworld is halved and action must be taken to avoid a potentially civilization ending war between the various nations and their colonies.
6. Lathre Sidhi - 8 - While the exploration appeased some of the petitioners, others were still waiting. Those who wished for the exploration continue to ask for more and this time a monetary donation has been attached to cover the costs of more exploring. 150 Credits have been deposited into your account.
7. Vossos Nostri - 2 - Two Aliens, one day. Both of them discovered not across the galaxy, but at the very front door of our cluster. Panic spread across much of the country side and a few small organizations begin forming looking to either join these aliens or sabotage the space fleets. For now however, the panic has caused the economy to collapse. 75 Credits are lost and Urban areas cost 25% more this month as people fear leaving their current homes.
8. Celestine Ascendancy - 5 - Efficiency is at its best when everything runs as usual. No ups, no downs, just good progress.
9. The Voynich - 10 - A new Cluster, so many things to explore and learn about. The ships exploring the new cluster initially believed they failed to pass through the relay due to the presence of a Primary relay and launched a second time. Fortunately nothing was harmed during this transit and they will begin to send back reports of this new system soon.
10. The Vodnaris Autocracy - 6 - The Autocracy is seeing better times this month than last and a small stipend has been donated to the government. +25 credits.
11. The Machine Orthodoxy - 5 - Flesh and Machine work well together doesn't it? All of your citizens think so and thus time passes into another month without any major incidents.

by **Zhaas123** » Sat Oct 22, 2016 5:51 pm

Credits: 1150 Income: 1080
Cherolite Hive System
Senior Triarch Amenhophren Notruk's office
The aid ducked as another piece of the office went flying. "What are those larvae doing, get a message to the other Triarchs, arm more men, and get them in the tunnels now. "Also send the order all fighting is too cease going against this order is teasion". The Senior Triarch said, as the aid left he heard another object break against the wall.

Zhesto System
Despite the disturbance back on the home world we have received our supplies on time, so far we have not heard any request for aid from our colonial defense force we have increased our funding for the colonization of the system, the war might just funnel more settlers our way. Journal of Captian Qarenza Zocuk.

Credit Reserve: 0 New Income:1480 Income after Penalty:1349

by **Segmentia** » Sat Oct 22, 2016 6:17 pm

-Vodnari, homeworld of the Vodnaris-

Vodnari was a city of densely populated super cities, habitation blocks rising seemingly to the clouds, each home to thousands upon thousands of Vadnaris. Outside the cities were vast tracks of farm-land to reinforce the production of lab-grown food, and beyond that were sweeping vistas of mostly untouched terrain. It hadn't always been that way, the Vodnaris had actually been rather poor caretakers of their world, but once it became increasingly unlikely that they would be able to colonize other worlds to any meaningful degree there had been massive works to reorganize their world. It had been a tremendous struggle to restore their world, and they had developed robotic servants to aid them, the Voynich as they became known as by the public. Eventually they had developed true intelligence and had left after negotiations as to their legal status broke down. The Vodnaris became a betrayed people, first by their gods by their inability to live among the stars they so loved, and now by their own creations. It caused a dramatic shift in the population, which the government seized upon with vigor, reinforcing the elements they wished to see prosper and lessening those they thought a threat to the Vodnaris people. Now the Vodnaris were a strongly unified, zealous people who may not have been able to truly spread to the stars but were more then willing to make their mark upon the galaxy.

The Autarchs Residence was the habitation spire where the government operated out of. Legions of officials and ministers worked in this towering structure, administering the will of Autarch Vnarisa Xel'thal who had reigned as autarch for ten years now, ten years of progress with only a single purge having been needed when she had assumed the title of autarch, clearing out those members of the government who were more loyal towards other candidates, as well as those candidates. There was a second one taking place, though it was more of mass arrests. A segment of the population had been found to have corrupted genes, and thus were considered to be a threat to the Vodnaris people. Most of the offenders had turned themselves in once their citizen identification numbers had been posted, though there were a few runners. The cause of the corruption had been found to be the implementation of an improper gene-sequence upon a group of Vodnaris two generations ago. Thankfully only a little less then two million Vodnaris had been found to be corrupted, not a devastating blow by any stretch.

Vnarisa Xen'thal sat upon the Radiant Throne, the traditional seat of the Grand Cleric of the Vod Religion, but one of Vnarisa's first acts had been to merge the two roles, and make the Vod Religion an official branch of the government, though it had been unofficially part for generations. Now she was akin to the rulers of old, seen as a chosen scion of the gods, or even a true avatar of the gods. The change had gone over surprisingly well. The hall in which the Radiant Throne sat was large, both long and tall, made of black marble with the walls slanting every so slightly inward, forming an upside down V. The walls and floors were barren, though the marble was inlaid with tens of thousands of intricate carvings, all aglow with fiery orange energy that was so naturally attached to the Vadnaris. Honor guards lined both side of the hall, one every ten paces, from the entrance to the throne.

Executor Zylisha Nit'aal walked down the center of the hall, her boots making barley a sound at her proud, yet humbled, stride. She was a high ranking and well trusted member of the Autarchs Council, tasked with the most difficult of missions. She stopped as she was close to the throne and looked to her left, on the wall was carved a scene depicting the exodus of the robotic creations of the Vodnaris, the Voynich. It was a bitter memory of the past. She took in the sight and then quickly resumed her approach to the throne, dropping to one knee and bowing her head as she reached the stairs leading up to the throne.

“My autarch, I wish to report that the arrests of corrupted citizens is complete. Those few that chose to dishonor themselves by fleeing have been rounded up and executed. Those who acted properly stand ready to do as you wish. Your will?” Zylisha asked, head still bowed for another moment before she rose it back up, looking upon her autarch. Vnarisa Xen'thal looked every bit the part of autarch and Grand Cleric, like an avatar of the gods. Or at least she did in her armor. The Vodnaris rarely showed any sort of skin except to their closest friends and family, or to the government when it was needed, and the autarch was no exception. All government officials wore armor on the job, no exception. Everyone from doctors to admirals, ones armor became integral to ones identity as much as a civilians body suit did the same to them.

Vnarisa crossed her leg and steepled her fingers. “Excellent work, Executor Zylisha. How to deal with those in custody. I could order them to end their lives, what do you think?” She asked, turning her burning, eyeless gaze upon Zylisha.

“Death is an honor. The Autarch is the highest authority. Death in the name of the Autarch is the Highest Honor.” Zylisha responded the age old saying that was ingrained in all Vodnaris since birth. Vnarisa could order, or even ask, any Vodnaris to kill themselves and they would gladly obey. Too say the Vodnaris were zealous followers of a death cult wouldn't be completely inaccurate.

“Yes it is. But I think I must keep them from that honor for now. See to it that they are housed and taken care of, I feel we will have need of their services and sacrifices soon enough.” Vnarisa said and gave a slight nod, dismissing Zylisha, who bowed her head once again before rising and turning, marching down the Great Hall to carry out her autarchs will.

-Vod System, Vodnaris Exploration Fleet-

“Your blood and bodies belong to the Autarch, do not think to waste them over such inane nonsense!” Admiral Rissal Lat'narr all but hissed at a group of crewmen from his dreadnought who had been caught fighting. “Twenty lashes each.” He ordained his punishment for their recklessness, the marine guards ushering them away to the ships Discipline Officer. He sighed as he sat back in his chair, shaking his head. His men were restless, but such foolishness would reflect badly on him just as badly as it would reflect on them. Hopefully the new orders of exploration would allow the men and women under his command the chance to turn their attention to their stations and the stars. He was to send out a Dreadnought and two heavy cruisers for exploration, the preparations were almost completed, and before long they would be underway. Of course taking this assignment had meant he was now only in command of three ships instead of the entire navy as he had been, but who could pass up the chance to explore the stars? He shook his head once more before returning to his own work, checking and double checking that all supplies were being set in place, that all crew compliments were prepared.

by **Nuxipal** » Sat Oct 22, 2016 7:50 pm

The Phyrexi Empire
Myrrak, Vex System, Sphenic Abyss

The loss of a Heavy Cruiser was troubling, it is unknown if it befell an alien force or simply broke apart from the velocity of the transit, but to be safe new explorations would be sent with two Cruisers instead of just one. Empress Avacyn walked the grand halls of her ancestors as her attendants began to spout off information regarding the new system they had discovered. A world in which almost everything broke apart no matter how well made wasn't something she wished to hear. She wanted new garden worlds for her people. Already they were hemmed in.

"Our researchers are working on that Your Excellency, we are preparing for test models on Zeskiri and its sister world of Keitania as we speak. If these tests are successful, our people will have plenty of space to live even on these worlds. However, I do know that the people wish for more exploration. Observatories seem to suggest that the Angels may have left us clues to how the Galaxy works and how to best go exploring it."

As Avacyn walked, a cousin of hers was entertaining a few guests from the colonies. He stopped and introduced one of them to her., "Ah, my Illustrious Sister, Empress Avacyn II. This is Aryca Roygaris, she has been brought to the Capital to serve as an Elite member of your security team." The young woman bowed her head. The energy of her biotics seemed to envelope the room as she did so, "It is an honor to meet you, Your Excellency. I look forward to keeping you and the Palace Safe from intruders." As they spoke Avacyn nodded, "Good to meet you as well. When you are ready, you may accompany me and my advisers while I send out the orders for our illustrious empire."

Exploration

by **Elerian** » Sat Oct 22, 2016 9:37 pm

Sea of Tranquility

The expeditions had been successful, if only a very small one. The Razorshark had been unsuccessful in leaving their cluster, instead they had found a small system of little value to the Ascendancy. The Manta had been successful, but the prospects were far from promising. However, both Heavy Cruisers returned their findings safely to the Scolar, another success in itself.

The Scolar saw it in the best interests of the people that the story be spun to look more promising than the reality. Encouraging the Eldrazi people to double their efforts, that this was merely a stepping stone to a golden and eternal future. And for the moment the Eldrazi ate it up, and as always, business went on as usual.

Scolar Ko’vash ordered more expeditions be prepared. The crews of the Manta and Razorshark were once again called upon to be at the forefront in the war for the Greater Good, and with righteous fury in their hearts, they gladly took up the mantle of responsibility for a second time. The ships were refuels, the crews were given leave to rest and prepare, and thousands of Eldrazi were allocated towards the project yet again. And once again, as the days went by, the Razorshark and Manta were once again prepared to do their duty. And so, they slipped back out into the murky blackness to further the cause of the Greater Good.

by **Argentumurbem** » Sun Oct 23, 2016 3:14 am

Ironsbad wrote:Alimazinkik, The Citadel System

The fleet was waiting the answer of the sleek ships that were as silent as the void that they were in. However, there was a power of fusion exhaust that came from a ship that was in a full course to their area." My lord, I have detected a ship in full speed from one of the alien vessels. It seems to be military like our ships and the sleek ones." The brow of the Admiral started to furrow as he heard that. " So these races are territorial in nature, just that they aren't natural as the scans show."

The Sub-Commander was standing next to Guen as he spoke," there is another alien race besides the machine ones?" Guen gave a nod," this galaxy is a strange place, yet it seems that they maybe attacked without intervention." They both turned their heads to a thinking Admiral who was weighing his options in a first contact mission. After a minute, he gave a deep sigh as his heart started beating hard in his chest," Vox Speaker, send a message to the machines that we are currently debating on sending one and to give us some time. After that, I want you to lock on to the fleeing warship, send a binary code to tell them to flee to our location and we will help them flee."

The crew looked at the Admiral before the Vox Speaker spoke," are you sure my Lord? The machines have not responded hostile to use, I may even go to say that are curious of us and hesitant but to say this to the fleeing ship-"
" I understand Speaker, but we do not know what may happen to the ship, which can happen to us as well. Send the message." The Vox Speaker nodded in obedience as he sent the message. First was too the synthetics to hold off their approach as they try to see which ship will meet them, they hoped that the aliens will listen despite them not having a fight in their lives when it comes to the chances of success in a fight.

The second message was being sent through binary code in an encoded wavelength to the alien ship fleeing the battlecruiser. The Admiral didn't know what they were or if they got the message, but the Qunix on the ships were taking a big risk to leave like this and may have to be in a skirmish as they run and gun. However, it was a good way to make one friend despite one was also offering themselves an interaction.

Citadel System
theme music

The Chance, its impressive bulk a gravity all on its own, swatted the enemy ship's missiles aside with a spray of its laser defenses. The bright beams stood stark against the tranquility of the space around them, a heartbeat of art before the moment was realised.

"Dalv Expedition, you have orders to destroy initial alien interloper." With the command curt and delivered without hesitation, Eloste was able to recline an inch. The massed armoury of his flagship roared out in unbridled fury, mass accelerators lobbing forth huge projectiles faster than previously conceived. Warheads, filled with a dangerous nectar of atoms, poured forth from the waiting hulls of the Sevenfold Star's fighter contingent. And even the four cruisers out before the blue planet twisted in their flight patterns as they barred off the straight path back to the Beacon, letting loose with their weaponry in efficient anger.

"Vessels, you will remain in your stationary pattern until further notice." The commander of the Gilded Honour informed its opposites.

Even as the firepower of the Dalv Expedition was combined against the sole alien aggressor, the Beacon began to activate. From out of the void, from beyond the sight of eye or sensor, arrived the Yel Expedition. Brought forth by the command of their leader, the fleet immediately began warming up their weaponry. With sensors coming bak online, they reached out to their comrades already in system, demanding an update.

"Alien scout ship has opened hostilities," Honour's captain called in. "We will destroy. Secondary alien grouping has not yet posed aggressive movements. Remain on Beacon and defend against any movements."

The commanders' collective acceptance was relayed to Eloste, who offered a dismissive shake of his head as his forces locked down the system.

by **Argentumurbem** » Sun Oct 23, 2016 3:56 am

Berrick System

The Twilight Sun had been a new construct, freshly forged by the Ulth when they first found the Seed, it had meant to function as their new line of scout ships. These vessels were to pollinate the galaxy at large, expanding the Hive until it was too vast to truly be considered one whole. The Seed had changed many things for them, but the original mission of the Twilight Sun was not one of them.

With two fresh wings of the new fighter craft loaded within its hanger and a crew desperate to bring the light of Unity to the darkness of chaos, the Twilight began preparations to seek out new land to be reclaimed. It was their destiny, their duty to the divine.

Citadel System

The combined naval strength of the Ulth massed around the foremost gas giant of the system, a planet they had refused to name. Its purpose was not to expand the boundaries of the Hive, nor to bring Unity to the reaches of space. It was a military position, a strategic posting around which the Ulth would sell their fashionings dearly in order to stall any advance towards them. Some traditions would never die out.

Father Eloste walked the corridors of one of the new platforms, admiring it with his scrutinizing glare as he past comrades racing to and from their posts. The weaponry was as advanced as the Ulth could manage, the armour as thick as they could furnish. Such was the strength of these defensive structures that Eloste knew that his fleet need not advance beyond their sight. They would carve through any interlopers that now tried to defile the system, of that he could promise eagerly.

by **Lunas Legion** » Sun Oct 23, 2016 7:15 am

Hall of the Sidhi
Sythkawa, Lathaq System, Sidei Nebula

It was not unusual for the Sidhiani to receive petitions accompanied by money. Most of the time, the money was a bribe, not that the petitioner would ever call it a bribe, of course; it was simply an indication of their reverence of the Sidhiani. She simply found such gestures amusing, and took the offered gift while judging the petition on it's own merits. It was, after all, money, freely offered, and no one, not even the holder and interpreter of the will of the Heralds, could object to free money.

In this case, however, it was... Slightly different. The Adawi Hyeria had sent her money, yes, but with a specific use in mind; they wished her to use it to fund another expedition, no doubt seeking to ride the wave of last month's discoveries. There was an ulterior motive, of course; by funding the expedition, they were entitled to claim territory in the new systems alongside herself. Normally she would delegate territorial control down to another Hyeria, but there were exceptions. Most notably, gas giants. As refueling and discharge points for ships, their control was the sole right of the Sidhiani.

That meant they had remained undeveloped, as the other Hyeria had devoured her funds to develop their own worlds. But now, with sufficient money behind her, she could afford to develop them into productive planets after all.

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Sun Oct 23, 2016 8:00 pm

by **Nuxipal** » Mon Oct 24, 2016 9:20 am

Sphenic Abyss, Expedition A

The expeditionary force arrives in the new system. Shards of the second Heavy Cruiser follow the first one in. The original expedition's ship is also located in the system and it is deemed that it was destroyed in a similar fashion. They begin exploring the system and marking out the various features. The pair of asteroid belts are particularly interesting and they are marked as potential resource points for the Empire. The gas giant is also expected to be useful and the Cruiser finishes its tour of the system and heads for home knowing they have lost two ships to discover a nearly useless system.

Krosan Verge, Expedition B

Both Cruisers make it into the system fine and are thrilled to discover that they have entered a new Cluster. They calculate they have gone closer to the galactic core and the Commanding Officer of the Expedition is thrilled. He names the Cluster, Krosan Verge, after the ancient civilization of Krosa on Myrrak some three thousand years prior. The system appears normal until one biologist seems to get far too excited.

"WE DID IT! WE DID IT! Intelligent LIfe! Its the only thing I can think of! Intelligent LIFE!" The poor man was likely to have a heart attack if he kept it up, but fortunately he didn't. The Commanding officer, mad that his moment of brilliance had been interrupted marches over to the Biologist station. "What do you mean Intelligent Life? How can you tell?"

The two go over scanning images and soon enough park themselves in orbit above the inner planet, which the Commanding officer permitted the Biologist to name, Matoc. They noted the scattering of what seemed to be primitive city-states centered on farming villages the largest of which had nearly ten thousand citizens. It was impressive, and it wasn't a garden world by the standards of the Phyrexi. It would truly be an interesting place to set up some kind of research venture. They had to report on the planet quickly, and thus sent a probe back to Myrrak to notify the Empress of their discovery.

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Mon Oct 24, 2016 11:27 am

High Orbital Dockyards, Nexus, Nexus System, Ascendant Threshold
Platform Naman

"Naman!"

The squeal came from behind the tall dapper greatcoated gentleman as he was chatting with the second officer of his new vessel, and his silver eyebrows rose for a moment in surprise. Quickly that surprise was replaced by bemusement as the commander turned about to perceive a familiar presence bounding across the Embarkation Lounge towards him with a loping stride that ate up the meters. He smiled and caught the running form in a bear hug, before laughing and releasing his former pupil.

"Sythia, now this is unexpected." He frowned in mock seriousness, noting the silver epaulets on the shiny titanium collar of the other platform. "I see you've finally mutinied and stolen an officer's tabs." Naman wagged a finger in front of the younger platform's face. "They'll have you in court-martial straight off for that."

With an audible 'harrumph' the delicate feminine machine stepped back, placing her hands on her hips in a gesture that made the Expedition Mandate leader smile internally. For all that the younger generations often rejected organic modes of operation in their physical forms, a reaction brought about by the emancipation of the Voynich, it made him laugh at how frequently the most ardent of Synth-first consciousnesses mimicked the affectations of the Creators. Though her form was in no way like carbon-based life, a gleaming figure of burnished milisteel and black armorplas with a thin red optical visor, Sythia had more in her neural nets of the Creators than she cared to admit.

"You know I graduated from the Academy, you geriatric. I saw your datafeed at the ceremony uplink!"

Brows furrowed in a tanned forehead, the aged officer shook his slowly, as if confused.

"Hardly, my dear. I wouldn't attend the initiation of one of my star pupils, that would be illogical."

The two units smiled at each other, before Sythia punched the commander in his arm.

"Speaking of illogical, it is good to see you again. I hear you lost your ship in a jump, so you had to take a desk job while they requisitioned you one from the Clarion Patrol Fleet."

Naman merely shrugged.

"Probably the first of many. The calculations are far from perfect, but ships are cheap, and we lose very little when one member of a flotilla doesn't make the transition. I've christened my new launch the Predictably Defenestrated, based on the odds the boys up in Outwardbound Flight are spitting out. This is my first gesalt needed in a century, so I do not begrudge it. They loaded me back up in the Utterance once they made the jump and figured out my Dancer didn't make it, so I didn't miss much."

"Predictably Defenestrated? You do love making up words. Well, I suppose I shall have to get used to it."

Naman eyed up the junior officer at those words, processors already projecting the likely outcome of that statement in trepidation. Seeing the look on his all too readable face, Sythia chirped again in a syrupy voice.

"I'm assigned to your command sil- er, sir. Exfil Warden Sythia var-Nexus, reporting for duty."

Grumbling under his breath, the older platform still couldn't repress a smile.

"Get your gear to your captain then, Exfil Warden. As you may know, we ship out within the day, off for more parts unknown. Hopefully this time we won't turn to subatomic space dust during transit."

Derelict Artifact Interior, Nexus Prime Orbit, Ascendant Threshold
Platform Jessamine

Through the echoing immensity of the Artifact Jessamine and her squad stalked, Warforms finally brought in from the watching Dreadnought now that the appropriate conditions had been verified. Verified. Jessamine mentally snorted at the word. There was a bloody huge area inside the Derelict, that's what command had 'verified'. The projections had been wrong, not because the scans were bad, but because the algorithms they were based on simply hadn't accounted for the abilities of whatever civilization had forged this edifice. Where the Voynich would have had to make do with masses of support structures, even eezo reactors just to prevent gravitational collapse, whoever had made the Derelict had possessed alloys far in advance of anything coming out of Saythem Manufacturing these days. Instead of archways and bulkheads, the majority of the interior of the facility was an open passageway large enough to dock entire fleets inside.

It was ludicrous, really. The manufacturing hours that must have gone in to all of this empty space. You could slap down a few dozen urban centers with ease, and lose them again unless you set waypoint beacons. Navigational aides had already been issued on firmware updates for all platforms operating in the interior of the Derelict, because several wandering science-types had had to be rescued from a subcomplex when they couldn't find their way back to the research station established in the 'hangar'. That was what they were calling it now, the only apparent opening on the vast station that wasn't clogged up with energy of some sort rising from Nexus Prime.

Speaking of which; Jessamine motioned to her squad as they reached the end of one of the monolithic interior struts. Scans said the exterior channels led to this door, a massive construct of some sort of obsidian-colored metal alloy which was large enough to accommodate Warforms- indeed, an Exolith probably wouldn't find too much trouble passing through the barred archway that blocked the Outliers' progress. Jessamine augmented her optics cognitively, shifting to scanning in ultraviolet spectra- there were no indications of a way to open the door, aside from a low indent on the right side of the gate.

But whatever that depression was, apparently it was extraneous. With the hiss of contained atmosphere, and a thrum of energy the Voynich platforms could feel even in their reinforced battlesuits, a stream of deep blue light passed rapidly along the edges of the doorway, and it began to open.

In her mind a query pinged from Lalite, one of the squadmembers, showing equal parts suspicion and surprise. Nothing could possibly be functional on this station. Impact dating for interstellar objects was still an imprecise science in the Consensus, but the researchers on-site all agreed that the age of the 'Flying Croissant' had to be at least five millenia, older than the first Vodnaris even speaking to each other. Jessamine contacted the commanding officer back at the hangar, and received confirmation in the time it took the door to open a fraction; nobody was messing around with the station's systems. Indeed, as she knew on a rational level, the scientists on the platform hadn't even figured out if this floating bit of space debris had systems to interface with.

As the door opened Jessamine's squad armed weapons, before gasps of disbelief started filtering through her consciousness. Beyond the door lay a pillar of light so large it could swallow a starship whole, in every hue of the rainbow and some that could not be described.

Well, that was certainly worth writing home about.

by **Nuxipal** » Mon Oct 24, 2016 9:29 pm

Emergency Meeting, Grand Palace of Myrrak

The Empress and her closest advisers were in a meeting regarding the new species they encountered. The planet was not hostile to Phyrexi life, but with the current inhabitants, it was nearly impossible to colonize it fully. Clearly they would need to either deal with the natives, or find a way to get some of the natives to join the Empire and use those to gain control over the rest of the world. Current technological states of the world were still being assessed, but it appeared that they at least had mastered farming and early city planning. Images appeared of the indigenous lifeforms and plans were being slated.

After several hours of debate, Empress Avacyn made the announcement, "We will send a team to the surface of the planet to interact with some of the inhabitants of this world. We will learn to translate their languages and determine if they can be productive members of our society. If not, they will be quarantined to the Northern Continent, where we will relocate as many of them as we can there. After which, we will open the world to settlement by our own people. Until that benchmark has been reached, no one lands on that world without my expressed permission."

The meeting adjourns for the evening as many are concerned with the Empress's commands. The first alien life they find is primitive and she wants to try and bring them into the Empire as subjects instead of simply pushing them aside. It was strange, but they didn't know much about these lifeforms and perhaps it could be advantageous if they could get even one city on the planet to work with them.

by **Ironsbad** » Tue Oct 25, 2016 12:48 am

Alimazinkik/Citadel System

The sight of the battle was coming in through the Coppermonger's sensors. The Lord Admiral saw the scans of the alien vessel. Despite the first contact being more or less out of desperation, the Qunix were able to be introduced to the Ka'Scren, a reptilian race that looked smaller than an average Qunix and apparently was more frantic at the sight of the machines when they launched a volley of fission weapons, only to be blasted by hard-points that the ships of the Admiral knew all to well.

The machine warships outgunned the destroyer and with the ship sensors they had boxed in the fleet. The sight of the mass driver and detection of fission weapons had given the crew the impression that they are as advance as the Ka'Scren and them. Questions rose among the crew came about the technological advancement of the machines in comparison to ours. However, the Lord Admiral knew that he couldn't save the recently found alien ship but it just prove how serious the machines were.

" My Lord, the machine has told us to stay put. Shall I tell them that we are ready for first contact?" The Vox Speak spoke to Osai as was awaiting the answer in this tense situation.

" Yes Speaker, tell the machines that we are ready to begin first contact. This ship will be the envoy to do the first contact with me and Lady Guen as speakers for our race." The Lord Admiral responded with a stern approach and make sure that no one had any second thoughts to what he was about to do.

Guen was looking with hesitation and fright in her eyes. She only came to be the Bazaar's representative to her uncle's mission but this will be the first major role as something entirely different in her station. The Vox Speaker knew that about the crew and their major concern, after seeing that the machines would not destroy them without much of a second thought, so is the thing about machines.

The Vox Speaker started to send the transmission to the machines," alright my Lord, should I send a message to the rest of the situation?" He asked.

The Lord Admiral gave a nod," yes, tell them to keep sending the reports hourly on the Weave. If anything goes wrong then the rest of our species will understand what to do next."

The Den of Matrion,
Commonwealth of Daga,
Tob

A city built on the back of the airship buinsses but now was the head of the Bazaar's military in the world. The Commonwealth was a republican with a House and Senate that gain their wealth by having the largest airship production in their world. Now they are the backbone of naval production and was the center of three major attempts at sabotaging the only shipyard in the planet.

The Commonwealth policed had major shootouts with insurgents in the rural areas of the country to the point that the Bazaar sent the military to storm the organization's main headquarters in the Den and either killed or arrested thousands of supporters to those who had been suspected of the worship of the aliens that they don't know much about but still believed that they can bring their race to a new age of enlightenment.

The city hall was made under control of the Bazaar's military as a large Qunix came into the city hall. He had many scars on his face and his eyes were a pure amber that gave his look a sharpness that could rival any bayonet that they carried on their guns. When he walked by, many either bowed or saluted in his presence as he walked to the mayor's office. The mayor was looking at her silver embroiled watch and carried herself with some stature of professionalism when the male Qunix walked opened the door.

" Impeta Rimbolt." The mayor acknowledge her presence," it seems that the alien cult has been cleansed from my streets." She said as she was looking out of the window, covered in ornate shapes that can give a sense of art.

" One of many Mayor Wus," he said with a large sigh," there are many more of them not in this city, but on every planet that are paws have stepped on." He stayed stoic as he looked outside of the same window the mayor was looking at.

She turned around and saw Rimbolt and walked up to him. The mayor was taller than him and was physically stronger yet Rimbolt have taken down much stronger females during the war. " I understand that. It is but the first of our troubles ever since the economy collapse under the weight of our need to expand. I have heard that the Bazaar has been working desperately to remedy this before the governments start to pull their support to the once proud trading cartel that saved us from destruction and brought us to the stars." She said as she sat down and started to stir her coffee.

Rimbolt sat down on the opposite of her," yes they are trying to solve the collapse, but business are still looking to make money and it seems that orbital stations are a new venture." He said as he was eyeing the coffee with a growing need that the mayor took notice very quickly,

" I'm sorry, where are my manners? Would you like some coffee or some tea?" She asked as she was getting some spice and sweetener into the coffee as she mixed it with a spoon.

He gave a nod," some coffee will be nice if you may." She got up and walked to the table near the iron door and grabbed a plate and some coffee as she pour it in front of him.

" I trust you take it black and hot?" She asked and gave a smile to the general.

" I rather it not be cold and lightly colored." He said with a chuckle as took in the aroma of freshly brewed black gold that he took a sip and enjoyed the embrace of energy that quickly washed over him and made him felt rejuvenated." It has been three days without a good cup and without any sleep." He put the cup down on the plate and crossed his paws together as he looked at her with the same sharpness that he gave his subordinates," now mayor. I come from the Bazaar to tell you that the Void Marshal will be needing more ships to protect our borders or to fight any insurgents that wish to provoke our rule." He raises up his arm and starts pressing on his Taktae as his digit as he pressed the buttons on it and a few noises came out and she got it on hers and she nodded.

" It seems normal but I guess since there are more need for military boost to keep the soldiers in support of the Cartel and to try to make sure that any of the grass roots organizations don't get too much traction and try something worse. The shipyard should have the first patch should be done by the end of the year and this should convince people to work but I will have to stress concern that not everyone will be ready to go back to work with all these riots around everywhere."

The Impeta stood up," nothing a good gun pointed at the enemy of the people and some biotics to tear apart the riots. However, I doubt any of the battles against them will be to the point of slaughtering innocents. If that's was the case than I will be among the first to turn on the Bazaar." He walked out but caught a glance of the mayor's worried look and with good measure.

The Voidcarrier Hingersnout and Voidship Monte

Even despite the military spending, new universities being built to try and make new advancements in Astro-Finance, and the collapse of the economy the navy still wanted to explore. The Bazaar was looking for new ventures, ones that can be exploited later. The Voidcarrier Hingersnout was under control of the Void Lady and was sent on an exploration to find new Relays and try to see if they can get access to a the galaxy. It was the one of two explorations as the Voidship Monte made its own lonely exploration with the same mission in mind, they just hope that the Qunix is not destroyed by the time they get back, if they get back.

by **Nuxipal** » Tue Oct 25, 2016 5:11 am

Expedition 1

Four Destroyers enter the Ascendant Threshold Relay. Three emerge into a new Cluster somewhere to the galatic South East. They begin looking around the system and discover five worlds. The system looks incredible. A large gas giant orbits the star very closely and is tidally locked to it creating a hot and cold side to the planet. The second planet is a very dangerous hot house planet with a nearly molten surface.

The Third planet is the most entriguing. A garden world, with but a single blemish, a touch of radiation across one of its various snaking continents. A small gas giant, and then a barren world on far flung edge of the system near the Mass Relay. Strange canyons run through the planet's surface. There clearly is a lot of work to be done to fully understand this system.

Expedition 2

The expedition sets out with four destroyers through the mass relay. Four of them reach the other side and enter a new star system. They begin scanning the system and discover three planets with an asteroid belt separating the first from the second two.

The inner most world is a barren, sun scorched world where it orbits the star in only a few days. The exploration takes a strange turn as the second planet is discovered to have been a pile of asteroids which gravity had pulled together, but there was not enough mass to form into a planet and the world is effectively a collection of asteroids floating together as if they were a planet. The last planet is almost peaceful compared to the others. It is in the garden world zone of its parent star, but it however lacks any form of life. It however does appear to be an easily colonizable world for the Voynich.

Expedition 1

The Frigate and Heavy cruiser enter the Mass Relay and are thrown across the stars. They arrive in a nearby system and immediately begin to survey it. Two worlds orbit a star with an asteriod belt sitting between them. The inner planet has the mass of a Gas Giant and the outer one you can tell is a barren world with a barren moon. Upon approaching the high velocity of the solar winds becomes evident. The Orange-Red star has seen better days, but it is in no danger of going nova anytime soon.

The glow from the Gas giant doesn't appear normal as they approach where they should be able to see the planet. It takes a second pass, from the starward side of the planet for a visual of the planet to come on the view screen. The Gas giant is an enormous sphere of some exotic metallic substance. It doesn't take the scientists long to figure out that the Gas Giant's atmosphere has been stripped by the nearby star's wind. An exciting discovery to say the least.

Expedition 2

The two ships enter the Relay after the first expedition. They are sent far from home as the Heavy Cruiser loses contact with the frigate. They arrive in a new system somewhere to the galactic south of their home cluster. The Heavy Cruiser enters the new Cluster alone and begins to explore the system they have found.

The most obvious object in the system, aside from the star, is the enormous Orange and Brown Gas Giant which was radiating its own heat. It had its own small system of planets surrounding it. One world originally though to have its own orbit seemed to actually orbit this enormous Gas Giant. The worlds surrounding the Gas giant were both extremely hostile, with storms raging in their atmosphere and the surface volcanicly active. However, one of those worlds had its own moon sized satellite. The lone gem in the system, a moon teeming with exotic life in an exotice locale.

by **Brusia** » Tue Oct 25, 2016 4:48 pm

Aear Cluster
Aesir System
Aresia

Consul Sarok breathed a deep sigh of relief inside his office in the Arahaelben Interplanetary Senate Hall when the Entaerprize returned intact, and he was able to give the speech congratulating them on their success instead of the one honoring their sacrifice. The success of their mission opened up a whole new world of possibilities for the Arahaelben, who now possessed the ability to travel greater distances in less time than was previously believed to be possible. Unfortunately, there was bad news accompanying the good, as a slump in the housing market resulted in some relatively minor economic woes. Still, such things were not terribly uncommon, and as long as the situation didn't get any worse, the boon to exploration provided by the Relay would outweigh the economic downturn in the minds of most of the people and most senators.

Sarok decided that the problem of the economy was best left to the economists, and focused his attention towards building more starships to explore more of the unknown, negotiating with various Aresian corporations to help fund these expeditions in exchange for mining rights on newly discovered worlds, devoting resources to learning more about what the Ancient Ones left behind on Aresia, and charting new expeditions into the great unknown.

by **Nuxipal** » Fri Oct 28, 2016 6:56 pm

The Gardens, Palace of Myrrak

Empress Avacyn and her personal retinue walked the gardens following the latest meeting regarding the natives of Matoc. It was a long feverish battle, but concessions had to be made. Avacyn wanted to bring them into the Empire as subordinates. However, her staff suggested ignoring the natives and using the planet soley for research with minimal exploitation of the planet so that we can observe how their city-states behave. Others wished to conquer the planet by brute force. After several weeks of twice daily meetings, the decision was made.

The planet was opened up for research purposes as well as Empire licensed "Adventurers" who would venture onto the planet's surface and interact with the local life in a way which would not greatly alter their technological levels. Already several thousand applications for these licenses had been put in the moment that the information was released. Empress Avacyn had accepted only two. Both of them were young, but experienced in combat. They would serve as the first emissaries. Avacyn hoped that they would be useful in establishing relations with the natives. All she had to do now was sit, and wait.

Grand City of Khas'mak, City-State of Khas'mak
Southern Hemisphere, Matoc, Oris System, Krosan Verge

The two "Adventurers" landed on the surface several kilometers away from the largest city they could find on the planet. It controlled a large swath of land and had several vassals. The two Phyrexi who had landed were special forces members given the mission of "Learning and grading the native sentient life." The pair quickly set off towards this settlement, they had translator technology in their armor, but they would need to learn the local language for themselves if they were to succeed in their goals.

"Lisrena, how long before you think this little project gets the plug pulled on it? The world is safe, but hardly what I would consider a Garden world." The first of the pair asked. She was the younger of the two. Lisrena had tutored her briefly in the past, but this journey here has already been longer than their previous encounters together. "It may not be a garden world, but if the scientists are right, and they usually are, the flora and fauna here are compatible with our own digestive systems. We will be able to eat and drink the local foods without feeling ill. If you are afraid Seltris, I can always eat first. Just to show you that nothing here is toxic. We could even survive without kinetic barriers or helmets for a few hours without major difficulty."

They each hailed from different parts of Myrrak, and their skin colors clearly marked this. While Lisrena had a white, almost ghost-like complexion, Seltris had a red color to her skin. Both were gifted biotics and specialized in Close Combat. The difference lay in that Lisrena preferred a direct approach and wore heavy armor while Seltris wore lighter armor and had a cloaking device to enhance her stealth abilities. As the two approached the town they began seeing more and more of the natives. Some bore early metal weapons, while most held simple spears or no weapons at all. The vast majority were working the fields around the city they approached.

The city itself was nothing impressive in scale, but it was entirely alien to Lisrena and Seltris. It was made primarily of dried mud brick. The city appeared to be centered around a wide based flat pyramid-like structure. The likely place of their priests or ruler. The two of them entered the city gates, the guards looked them over, but they didn't seem to try and stop them. They began listening to the world around them and realized, these aliens were just like anyone they knew back home. Trying to feed their families or finally purchase that one item they coveted for so long.

"Well, lets get to it then." Seltris said as she took the lead, heading deep into the market square. Lisrena, smirked beneath her helmet. "Very well."

by **The Orson Empire** » Sat Oct 29, 2016 10:55 pm

[LOCATION REDACTED], Ni'em Space

In an office located somewhere in the Ni'em Nation, two Kan'Scren (one is a general and the other is an admiral), both members of Ni'em Military Command, met to discuss the ongoing events in Ni'em Space.

"...You know it has to be done, general. The Nation is gripped in complete panic, there are riots on all inhabited worlds, and in the midst of all of this chaos, the Ni'em Council is gripped in deadlock and cannot act."

"What you are proposing is still extraordinarily dangerous. The elaborate system of government we have constructed is meant to prevent this sort of tyranny from ever arising again. Activating the Rapid Response Protocol is already extreme enough-"

"It's not enough, general. While the Council bickers on how to act, there is a rogue AI out there that must be destroyed, as well as an organic race that could potentially be our ally. This is proof enough that our system of government is flawed.

The general sighed in exasperation, and then looked at the admiral in anger. "So, you want to destroy everything we have worked to build for centuries, and turn the people of Ni'em against us?! You have truly gone mad!"

"Keep your voice down, damn it! Now, just for a moment...ignore all of the propaganda we've been indoctrinated with since we were younglings and face the facts- is our government really a republic? Can it really be called a republic when only certain "full citizens" can vote, and the vast majority of the population has no voice?"

The general paused before speaking. "You..you know why only full citizens can vote."

"Oh, because everyone else isn't 'informed' enough to make such decisions? Why should the Council decide who is and isn't 'informed' enough?"

The general did not reply, as he was considering whether the admiral could be right. Should the Council have such power, and should everyone have a voice? These were two questions he rarely thought about, as he had accepted the system of government he had know his entire life; only now did he take them seriously.

"Regardless, the Nation needs strong leadership, and the Council has failed to act in a time of crisis. The system is broken, and you know it."

"...But what of the people? Surely they still support the Republic."

"As of now, the people care more about the survival of the Nation than the Republic. Fear is a powerful emotion, and we can use it to our advantage. You know the authority we have under the Protocol."

The general nodded. "To use any means necessary to ensure the survival of the Nation."

"Exactly- any means necessary. Such authority is legitimate and guaranteed by the Constitution."

The general got up out of his seat and began pacing around the room nervously. "What must be done, and will we be alone in such an endeavor."

The admiral looked up at him. "We must reveal the truth of the so-called 'Republic' to the people, and reveal any corruption that has occurred within the Council. This will help to further legitimize our seizure of power. Then...well, I have already stated what happens next."

"What about the rest of Military Command?"

"This is not the first time I have had this conversation. Several of them are already on my side. I have spoken with you specifically because you control a division near the capital. It will be instrumental in our plan."

The general stopped pacing and looked at the admiral. "You must give me time to think about this. Betraying the Republican principles of the Nation is not your typical everyday decision."

"Of course, of course. Decide quickly though- the fate of the Nation is at stake."

by **Argentumurbem** » Sun Oct 30, 2016 3:02 am

Ironsbad wrote:
Alimazinkik/Citadel System

The sight of the battle was coming in through the Coppermonger's sensors. The Lord Admiral saw the scans of the alien vessel. Despite the first contact being more or less out of desperation, the Qunix were able to be introduced to the Ka'Scren, a reptilian race that looked smaller than an average Qunix and apparently was more frantic at the sight of the machines when they launched a volley of fission weapons, only to be blasted by hard-points that the ships of the Admiral knew all to well.

The machine warships outgunned the destroyer and with the ship sensors they had boxed in the fleet. The sight of the mass driver and detection of fission weapons had given the crew the impression that they are as advance as the Ka'Scren and them. Questions rose among the crew came about the technological advancement of the machines in comparison to ours. However, the Lord Admiral knew that he couldn't save the recently found alien ship but it just prove how serious the machines were.

" My Lord, the machine has told us to stay put. Shall I tell them that we are ready for first contact?" The Vox Speak spoke to Osai as was awaiting the answer in this tense situation.

" Yes Speaker, tell the machines that we are ready to begin first contact. This ship will be the envoy to do the first contact with me and Lady Guen as speakers for our race." The Lord Admiral responded with a stern approach and make sure that no one had any second thoughts to what he was about to do.

Guen was looking with hesitation and fright in her eyes. She only came to be the Bazaar's representative to her uncle's mission but this will be the first major role as something entirely different in her station. The Vox Speaker knew that about the crew and their major concern, after seeing that the machines would not destroy them without much of a second thought, so is the thing about machines.

The Vox Speaker started to send the transmission to the machines," alright my Lord, should I send a message to the rest of the situation?" He asked.

The Lord Admiral gave a nod," yes, tell them to keep sending the reports hourly on the Weave. If anything goes wrong then the rest of our species will understand what to do next."

Citadel System
theme music

The Ulth vessels tore into the fleeing interloper, mass accelerators like divine lances striking through its flanks while nuclear warheads blossomed all around. It was, beautiful, in its own way. The majesty of their ingenuity, the promise of a future earned for all life. Indeed, for the brief passing of a moment, Eloste felt a shiver of emotion as the vessel finally collapsed beneath the weight of fire launched at it. When it was finally rendered nothing more than a floating hulk of twisted metal, Eloste gave the order to cease firing. The threat had been dealt with.

"The remaining aliens are requesting this contact."

"We will accept the request. Assemble a team; the strike craft will shuttle them over to the meeting vessel." The fleet accepted that without a word.

The fighters launched from the carrier had kept their distance during the weapon exchange, striking against stray ordinance before it could damage any of the installations in system. Now, however, they sprang forward around The Chance. Eight docked with the mighty spacefarer, loading up on mechanical bodies for transference.

"Alien fleet. One vessel will approach behind the line. Our ships will dock and initiate negotiations." The message was sent with all the emotion of a computer system.

by **Nuxipal** » Sun Oct 30, 2016 6:56 am

Empress Avacyn II
The Palace of Myrrak

Word of research was spreading to Avacyn. She knew her people would complete a project soon and thus prepared her own response to it. She would have to start planning out colonies a bit more efficiently to take advantage of this. With the coming increases in colonial populations, she knew that their ability to research new techs would rise significantly and began inquiring with her scientists on what sort of research would benefit the Empire. They all had a variety of suggestsions ranging from new battleships, to AI cores to increase the efficiency of industrial centers. Everyone seemed to be looking at something a bit too grand that would cost the Empire enormous amounts of credits and time. Instead she began devising her own idea, something smaller. Something that would have a greater impact over a longer period of time. Until then however, she had to wait. She spent time with her new personal guard, Aryca, discussing matters in private regarding security.

by **Elerian** » Sun Oct 30, 2016 11:36 am

Sea of Light, Ko’vash’s Crusade

The Manta had made a great discovery for the Ascendancy. Not only did it manage to locate an entirely new cluster, but preliminary scans of the celestial bodies uncovered a planet upon which lay ruins of an ancient lost civilization. Upon further inspection, the scans that were returned to Holy Sanctum, it was evident that whatever population centers had once dotted the surface had been reduced to rubble. However, these scans were few and rushed, there could still be valuable knowledge to be gleaned from the ruins that would greatly benefit the Greater Good.

When the Manta returned from her voyage, the crew was immediately greeted by the sight of her sister ship already orbiting the Eldrazi home world. The Scolar himself was present for the return of the Manta's crew, a great honor indeed. And, once the Scolar had been briefed on what was found, it became clear that he intended to mount an expedition to find anything valuable in the blasted ruins. Some of the greatest minds in archaeology, linguistics, biology, among other fields were contacted so that they might take part in the occasion. In addition to the plethora of scientists an entourage of logistical officers and a cadre of soldiers would be dedicated to the safety and well being of the scientists and their equipment.

Sea of Tranquility, Holy Sanctum

Back on Celestine, progress was being made towards unlocking the secrets of the Elder Ones. However, the Scolar felt progress was being made too slowly. So, the following month a second dedicated research station would be constructed and staffed, and the hope was that the science project would shortly be finished.

by **Ironsbad** » Sun Oct 30, 2016 11:02 pm

Alimazinkik, The Citadel System

The heavy cruiser made its way from the rest of the fleet to meet the machines. The rotating gears and thrust of fusion energy make its way on cruising speed with the superstation in the horizon as the orange sun of the Merchant's Favored Star shining its powerful glow throughout the astrological bodies in the system, only matched by the dim glow of the Mass Relay. After a few minutes of sublight speed made the clockwork ship was allowed without the machines aiming their mass drivers and warheads capable of splitting atoms with the shattering effects of bringing down cities if they ignite the atmosphere.

Soon the ship stopped at the rendezvous where the Lord Admiral and his crew was waiting for the arrival of the machines.

Scren, Scren System

While the military was mostly at the borders or looking for new relay links, the Bazaar sent its own diplomatic envoy to the suspected homeworld of the Scren by using a personal yacht and making themselves known by using something similar to their language but it still had the accent of one from the League of Which way.

" Hello, my name is Lady Mo, diplomat of the Bazaar, the Qunix, and the League of Which way who have made contact with one of your ships in a recently explored system. I come in peace and wish to express good will to between our two powers."

Mori'or, The Void Sink

The first system that the Qunix had activated the Mass Relay. It was a gatesystem that had two colonizable spots but one of them was near-perfect for the biology but it was a little cold and the fauna would need some cooking and some beating in order to tame them but other than that this seem like a good start to explore the cluster now named the Void Sink.

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Mon Oct 31, 2016 9:34 am

Heart of Derelict Artifact, Nexus Prime Orbit, Ascendant Threshold
Platform Jessamine

Through the doorway the team of Outliers walked, weapons hot and throwprobes at the ready for any signs of hostile activity. Each platform knew the stakes; someone, or something, had just opened a door of a material so dense that they couldn't have blasted through it in days. And whatever that presence was, it wasn't known to the researchers still doing work on the Derelict. It seemed impossible that any mind or being could have survived in the outer layers of a star where this facility had been hiding, but Jessamine was loathe to rule out any scenario as improbable when dealing with a race of such obvious advancement as to fabricate this station- whatever it was.

Warforms both monolithic and agile took up positions around the vast chamber, while their leader stalked forwards to the central pillar. From here she could see that there were five other doors leading out of the interior room, each as large as the archway the Outliers had passed through. Curiously, here next to the blazing arc of light, it seemed almost peaceful. Though she was sure outside the military and scientific personnel of the expedition were trying desperately to make sense of the information her squad had relayed, she couldn't hear any of the commotion; the uplinks that each Voynich bore were silent, save those of the squad. In some ways it made Jess uneasy, but the brilliant beauty of the concentrated energy of a star had its own sense of peace which stole over the half dozen soldiers.

At the base of the pillar, to the consciousness' surprise, a single panel opened as her hulking military machine approached it. Outwards extended a section of metal, resplendent in its polished mirror-like finish with the colors that writhed within the confines of the heart of the station. Even more curiously than this station exhibiting life, however, was the clear handprint etched on to the panel that Jessamine now stood before. Five fingers, elegantly traced as if by an artist, so like unto those of a Voynich or the Vodnaris as to be almost startling to the mind. If, as the researchers posited, this facility was immensely ancient, what on earth was a five-fingered handprint doing at the center of the relic?

Furthering an impulse from she knew not where, Jessamine leaned down, and touched a single finger of the immense battlesuit to the display. With a harsh intake of breath mentally a shock ran through her system, and one of her subordinates gave an unheard shout as suddenly lines of deep blue energy coursed over the Outlier's mechanical form. Afraid to touch her, the rest of the squad looked on in wonderment as arcs of lightening impossibly blue, like the glow of some unknown power, coursed over the skin of their leader's construct. They appeared not to discharge in to the environment, or even harm the ferroalloy and milisteel of the Warform, but rather to sink in to the folds of the machinery as if they were nothing more than affectionate cats twining about a master returned from a long journey.

Jessamine opened her eyes again, and new knowledge coursed between neural nets that had previously been so very limited in their potential. This facility... it was not a derelict at all, abandoned. It was a forge of stars, a power beyond reckoning for creation and destruction, an artifact of a time before time.

And now it was finished waiting.

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