Expansion Plan Beta (FT/FAnT Semi-Open)

[Gaian Ascendancy]

"You know what I like about dreams?
You get to daydream and while the time away.
However it isn't making dreams come true.
Working to make them come true makes for new dreams.

I like making dreams come true.

~ Lady Goddess Tsunami Rose Kerensky

--- --- ---

": - Temporal Z-Axis is still 0.0872 chronotons off nominal. However CIC has given the go to resume Expansion and Exploration aspects. - :"

"Thanks Command." ...a spunky short haired Morisato babe of a Commander replied back over Hikari Net-holo, as her new command starship, Battlestar Angelius XVII made final preparations. This as her nerves were trying to be settled, as renewed anticipation began to beget at her once more. This as the replete crew of the Gaian starship were of vibes akin the same.

The holo-Command voice of Admiral Yurika Misamaru Tenkawa remarked back, given the personal nature of the matter of such personal import. ": - Be advised that this is only Phase One that's ending. Phase Two is still more than active. Try not to ascend any external entities upon any First Contact. - :"

The spunky lass replied back to the holo image of the long, blue maned lass, just as youthful in age as the speaker. (Give or take a few Universal Ages and all,) "The tell Washu to get the calculations right next time we have to use the Protocol Spheres. Fifty years is a divined long time you know!"

"I'll be only about five to the rest of the Core Galaxy." ...a near akin spunky male commented. Yurika adding... ": - Yeah. What's the big deal? - :"

"You want me to take another fifty to yell at you all about it?!?!" ...Megumi snapped back comically at Yurika and Keiba. Both held their hands up defensively, whether nominally, or holo-wise, as Megumi just threw a fit at them both. It made the amidst command crew nearby chuckle cutely at.

"Chill babe." ...Keiba commented studly to his ancient wife of Ages upon Eons, adding. "I'm sure Washu and Skuld will get it all right on the next round of Ascension Protocol."

Megumi just sighed and eyed sultry at Keiba, whom as ever as any proper Gaian male, looked as such my a Gaian female of about any racial profile, blushed at. "Well if you sound so sure about that." ...the adopted a more lay folded arm look. "...though I still hold judgment."

"No probs." ... ": - Eeyup. - :"

"~ Fold drive nearly charged. ~" ...a nearby Griffional Engineer-Tech announced, as several of the nearby Techs worked over their holo-screens, as well as Networks, to ensure a premature demise to two-dimensional compression, or Hikari Core rupture didn't occur, or all sorts of still all too real dangers an advanced intergalactic race has to conduct and deal with. Even after such said Universal Ages, all was 'still' by the book, when it came down to the miracle of Fold Space travel. Such Keiba returned back. "Thanks." ...such was Megumi's own blush in turn. (other such things didn't change either, when it came down to these Gaians.)

Megumi then smiled. "Time for the fun to begin again. Let's keep it more fun this time too."

": - I still envy you guys out there. - :" ...Admiral Yurika remarked, as both Morisatos smiled at the implication. Given the same was said just outside the vast viewport, as sight of Pretai-VII was seen, the peach colored Type III gas giant, with rings of silver white and bronze, ice and rocky metallic rings or such denote, shone of a chock full, of millions of Gaian vessels, shone in active or prepared splendor.

Of sight said denote, three terraformed lunars, full class M, two forest, one land-oceanic, plied light from Pretai A and B blue-green stars, (such the miracle of Avian Ascendant star sculpturing flair,) as wedged above and below the vast planetary rings of beauty, enormous planetary space docks that orbited as overhang of the mammoth gas giant, as if the docks were gargantuan lattices of frame for vines, of terrestrial note. Here, the seeded plants were of Emerald Fleet Section 748-A/P, Confederacy Exploration Arm 4753/8th Facet, and much of the Avian Crystal ship base of the Command Base Two Hundred Fleet Legions. Large numbers of several Kushan-Droid Fleet Facets were arrayed as well, giving numbers of over one million ships here alone. And this was just one planet. The scene was repetitive across the Pretai System, nevermind the near one million Star Systems the Gaians had managed to 'claim', during Plan Alpha, prior to the wee lil mistake that led to Interdiction.

Such that gave a Gaian aspect fifty years to Terraform and organize the frack out of their claimed territory, of whit, one one inhabited system was conquered. It was better in Gaian standard to claim dead star systems, terraform inert words via Genesis-Holia Titans, or naturalized Ascendant practiced aspects, reformat starts even to suit Climatized aspects for further acclimation of all well kinds, to create entire star systems that had hundreds of terraformed or artificially inhabitable worlds and lunars and planetoids and smaller. The short of it further, systems that didn't even have worlds, were either outright 'made', or Fold Transported in place.

In essence, the Gaians 'made' their own breathing room, at no one else's expense. The same couldn't be said for those within the Interdiction Zone, but that was another Avian Clutch to deal with.

All that relented to, during a fifty year 'absence', no thanks to... "Temporal Dimensional Mechanics, Ugh." ...Megumi groaned. Kinda cute to see an entire crew nod in anime simult like that. Keiba just laughed.

--- ---

Belldandy's Personal Log
April 5th, 517 year, Gaian MWCG Standard

- Well, as my beloved Keiichi would put it of ancient mode, and has, out oil spill is about cleaned up, as Temporal Mechanics goes. My Son tries to take much of the blame as usual, but not even Lord Azusa allows him much such personal 'leeway there. High Commander Lind assuredly sets Excellency Imladris straight, such I am walking over to report unto.

It all simply proves that we sure as heaven, are not perfect. This is good, we still need to learn, given of prior events from the Trial. I'll dissuade in favor of fruitful tidings, as the Ascension Protocol finally wanes, and we no longer threaten the Space-Time stability of the Alpha Dimension, in all so attached. And to be sure, Lady Washu still must say a 'sorry', to the Council, at each session, much to her constant chagrin, (what such after only fifty years, on upon our temporal aspect,) for her and my wonderful Sister Skuld's slight miscalculation that led to the Interdiction. I am more than sure both are eager to halt such trying absolution, in favor of their nominal behavior in Council sessions.

Such are becoming more alive of recent days, now that the other three Realms are able to send representatives to Sessions once more, which they grow more proud to see just how efficient Gaian ingenuity can be, Where formerly naturally discovered worlds were, or formatted into place of prior early days of the Alpha Plan, now entire worlds are renew of life as we once knew of our ancient ways, back in Antara. Worlds of many kinds, space filled with metropolis inter-star cities. Places where life and Hikari beam our shining light, in the trillions of souls, that prior were stranded survivors and refugees in cryo-stasis, or gene-sibiko storage, or plain as gene-samples from those that died in the days of the Dark Rip, all now exist anew in a renewed hope Gaians now have, in a format that I find hard not to shed tears of in joy.

And... -wiping sounds- ...did so again on my holo-tablet. Silly me.

The point of all such: We live. That is the Joy I walk to report to my Son of, as Interdiction is at an end. I am glad. We get to belong again. Hopefully this time for good. These myriad absences and Silences strain even my own cheerful mode. It'll be good to meet other cultures, renew ties, even discover and learn of those we do not as easily understand. And to find new cuisine. I need to treat my Keiichi well, after all.

And the other point: To impinge upon my Son's personal time of course. A mother's prerogative. What since there's another growing concern of immediate note. And... oh dear... ~

--- ---

...good thing Belldandy's personal umbrella shield, calibrated for 'exactly' this occurrence, was at ready mental activation, what given the deluge that was occurring, even if it was of literal 'sweet sea' akin. Such the akin of terraformed water that rather than of brine format, the version here on the Lunar of Gaia-Oricron, orbiting Gaia-Ceii, was of literal glowing sweet sea water. Fresh and sweet. Literally. It also made for nice sparkling effect, as said deluge made it's short downpour, as Lady Belldandy blinked her angelic blue in blue eyes, as the Cultural Advisor to the council, blinked cutely, if blankly on.

"She's still pissed at him." ...Lord Keiichi Morisato commented, as Belldandy looked aside to her right, with a cute smile.

And so the setting. A pristine beach of white sand, literal grinded down white diamond sand, that reflected the afar white light of the blue stars of the Gaia-Ceii Star System, Core of the Blue Core Nebula Complex, with a peaceful mix of blue-white light. The particulars, akin of relaxing beach goers, Keiichi nice and chiseled in black swim trunks, a standard looking Hawaiian looking beach shirt of white and black, Belldandy, a simple white one piece of slender note, approaching barefoot towards a futuristic tiki hut setup, where a few other attendant Gaians, and other beach goers, for the majority part, were huddled comically under the hut awning of meshed fibers that effectively made it all look as advertised, save for one citizen soul of white-in-white-in-white-in-white, such was her Bianco nature that she looked on under her own activated Hikari umbrella screen, as she chimes out... "Giocare duramente per ottenere, non ti aiuterà qui."

"Stop that!!" ...a panicky kingly voice yelps off screen, towards the somehow still filled ocean. Such Eihwa giggles unto, as she notes over... "Ahh, Signora Belldandy and Signore Keiichi." ...such both so said approach more of dry, than the beach around them. "Greetings Signora Eihwa." ...Belldandy puts Itallian flair tact unto Eihwa in turn. Such the so called 'White Goddess', gave a two finger salute back in kind, as she lain in her own white 'somehow' one piece swimsuit, as pure white as her elongated mane or purity. The eyes of white corneas smiled, as her Angelic Partner Test of Purity hovered, helping 'fan' Eihwa needlessly of her left angelic wing. Such done with her own eye on the oceanic fracas afar of all too near sight. (Such attested by said beach goers comically cowering.)

Keiichi denotes all this with usual simplicity. "Should she finally just elope the king-dude dope and all?" ...whit both akin goddesses (only 'not' so, since there were four 'real' Gaian goddesses of actual definition now,) just giggle back. Eihwa then imparted. "All may such be finally time and proper. The Interdiction will no longer be a proper excuse to engage a proper engagement. Especially what since Lady Misaki's last visit was of any indication."

"Surprised we still have a planet and all." ...Keiichi countered back, a look above/afar of Gaia-Ceii, the immaculately terraformed M-System of blue-grey-white rings, and a second glowing lunar of Gaia-Heavenus afar, gemmed of stellar sight and beauty. Star traffic afar of inter System traffic tubes and myriad Fold and Hyper-Warp Jumps, added further sparkles of replete activity. The inference was of unsettling mode, as Belldandy sighed. "I fear my Son weighs his concerns down to others, a tad too far."

"Come ho detto..." ...Eihwa tease-warned. Keiichi 'struck back', in kind with.. "And of you and Lind? And... well, actually all three of yah and all." ...this Eihwa teased a white finger-tipped same to her white lipstick caressed lips. "To my gli amori first, without fail. I know my turn of it."

"And of..." ...Keiichi starts, before a BELOW of angry Valkyrian mode, causes another BLAST of sweet blue-tea seawater to DELUGE about the lot, before... "...they..." ...and another BLAST/DELUGE... "...that..." ...two MORE... "...that they..." ...white TWO MORE... "...STOP THAT!!"

Belldandy even gulps a comical touch. "Perhaps this report will save him?" ....whit Eihwa takes custody of said report. "No no, I will partake. The Interdiction you sayeth?" ...as Test of Purity takes the holo-Tablet from Belldandy. As the Angelic Partner 'reads' for her mistress, Belldandy nods in kind. "Ascension Protocol is all but receded. All such function as intended. As much as a defence from Dark Ascendancy aspects, as well as any agents of theirs in Alpha Universe space. We already are beginning our first forays into local space, hence our presence here to inform.

But I see my Son is too busy for that."

An afar Excellency voice tries to 'use that' as an escape vector, echoed afar... too afar... "Oh good, we can start to then... wait... stop it Lind, it was just an mistake of..."

"You used 0.00375% too much lotion!" ...and afar supposed to be Second Lady Excellency growled out.

"...I said I was... wait... ACK!! Help! Lemme get my.... WACK!!" ...before ANOTHER large blast of seawater makes for both murmured groans from the various Gaian beachgoers, and the nanites within the Tiki hut trying in vain to keep it dry, nevermind the Forran 'workers' within the energon conduits that kept having to 'retreat', to keep from electrocuting the other guests. (Energon beings and water, well... you know...)

The umbrella shields at least were up to snuff, as Belldandy continued on, cutely regardless. "The first waves are states for continued exploration of MWCG space, as well as begin forays for expansion into the surrounding Local Superclusters for new worlds and resources."

"As per the Hundred Year Plan, tis aye." ...Eihwa nods. This before a further BLAST/DELUGE, adds in icy sparkles that denote Spell P:rogram energon. Such Keiichi adds in. "I suppose we better finish the wedding planet too, for everyone else's sake."

"I heard that!!" ...this before a Diamond Axe unto Blue Diamond Sword 'screech' is added. This as venting turns into another Spar! "Heed this instead!" ...Lind-afar hollers, to more water based carnage. This in turn however turns the afar crowd into a cheering throng, that Keiichi sees and comically teardrops at. "Gimme a break."

Belldandy then offers off ancient change of tact. "Would you like a drink Keiichi?"

"Sure."

"-giggle-" ....Eihwa adds, before they both leave Imladris; to his fate. Eihwa meanwhile cheers... "Have what for at thee, my Lind amore!"

"Don't help her!! ACK!!" ...CLASH/BLAST/DELUGE!!

--- ---

One loverly thing to denote of the Hikari Net, you can be entertained by such afar sights, for the mere bare of looking for. Such Megumi chuckles. "Poor King-dude. Not."

": - Let's get er all going. - :" ...an Admiral Commanded.

"AYE!" ...came from a lot Gaian vocals. From a lot of vessels, and more. Said such as afar Pretai Docks seemed to flare alive more, same for closer in Starbases, of vessels of numerable Classes, began their own formal Fold and Hyper-Warp traffic. Already busy enough with star-traffic tubes meshing past the awaiting fleet, all such suddenly erupted of engorged amounts of exit traffic.

Megumi, one of the Fleet high Commanders now, informed off trained doctrine, hammered in, and chiseled fine of fifty years of study, of prior intra-galactic events from Alpha operations, informed over Hikari-Comms... "Remember to report all anew Contact through Fleet. CIC will attend to Council off any findings. Remember F.C. procedures, and good luck to all."

Cascading calls and cheers, were the send off, as Plan Beta began formally.

Keiba of his impart, orders... "Let's check in on Orion Arm space."

"Localizing fold: Sector 109.475/A-172.33. Beginning Fold." ...A Glassian Navi-Tech echoed. Such the shivers really cascaded from there. The same of brilliant points of light, as Fold space contracted vessels into brilliant thin lines, denoting entry into Hikari two-dimension Foldspace, off the energon of the Hiakri Seed Core applying and supplying the same, before the Angelus added its own star, to the exiting Gaian fold.

Activity, and opportunity such began from there.

-------

(Direct all OCC here purty please. =^^= )

[Gaian Ascendancy]

"Who do you think we'll encounter first?" ...a raven haired youthful lass commented, her white-pink sleeves of her nominal 'uniform', over her slimsuit, wrapped behind her head.

"Hopefully ones that don't shoot first, then ask pointless questions." ...a dry toned fem version in a NIAS science uniform skirt suit quipped, ever as lay as her barely kempt, straight as stiff blond hair.

"If that was all we'd ever encounter..." ...a spiky crab haired version in a dark lavender, jacket accouterment of bronzed in golds of personal taste, remarked... "...we'd not need an armada filled with weapons."

"History would be more boring if that were the case Washu." ...the lay one out in her own dry humored tone. The raven cocky version just remarked I witticism... "Yup, entire Ages filled with nothing but talk. Wonder what kind of consequences that would have all had."

"Too much talk, not enough action Skuld." Washu remarked to Skuld. Inez, the third of the Gaian 'Genius Trio', so infamously labeled at some point no one really cared about now. (Washu: "Actually, it was Mihoshi.") Er... as the lay, dry one imparted... "Now is that action of a specific variety here? Or 'not' as so."

Washu's whimsical hum just made Skuld roll her eyes. This as the said Trio walked along the main concourse of MWCG-NAIS on Gaia-Serenity A lunar, amidst a large civilized Gaian conglomeration of souls that took to the open air with a truly positive vibe. Thousands of souls wandered about, of direction, directive, or at whim, just as many so done in singular, as much pairs, teams, even random gatherings, of same such countless racial profiles that only saw themselves as Gaian alone. Ideas, stories, small talk abound and replete. Such was the 'music' here, that sonneted under a gorgeous, Climatized sky.

The surroundings of hybridized white superstructure, highly advanced to eye and imagination, artistic flair 'sculptures' of buildings that were melded with local fauna, flora, and horticulture that meshed art, greenery, and practicality all together. The sight of a rising StarLadder pillar in the distance, large enough to seem all too near, along with fountains that beheld late Generation Hikari Trees and Seeds, that authored Avatars that attended as attendants here, gave both technological, and ascended flair here as well.

"Too much here to describe in mere words." Inez commented out generally. Washu just snickered as Skuld lightly cracked back. "And that stops you because..."

"...you not get to take Sentaro on that trip you planned tomorrow." Inez 'countered'. Skuld just forgoed her ancient defensive retorts, in favor of... "Well the High-G Slide Park is about open on Erentus Prime... the System actually. I wanted him to get first shot at it." ...even put with a wink. "Council prerogative even."

Washu sees Inez chuckle, as the red head remarks, her own arms behind her head. "All those G forces will just drain the blood out of your head again, you know."

"I like giving my brain a challenge like that. Makes me think harder." Skuld puts huffy proud.

"You mean you think?" ...both other fems crack in simult. That made Skuld retort to nominal, childish behavior! "You mean you both can stop drinking!?" ...before stomping off. Washu blinks over at Inez, as the latter remarks. "Such is my own version of her exercise."

"Surprised none of the Excellencies ever put us on prohibition for it all either." ...Washu comically bemoaned out. Inez simply shrugged, and both walked forth to catch up to their slowed down compatriot. Such was their current routine, as mere enjoyment of company was all was of current import here.

Inez simply changed subject, as they passed by... "Perhaps now with Interdiction all well and gone the ancient Dodo, we can study the lasting effects on Alpha local space time..." ...a growingly large throng of gathered... "...verses the kinds we used back in Antara. The study would actually be fascinating against Dimensional frequency particle waveform backdrops." ...before an immense holo-screen, of a size that Texas stadium couldn't pull off. (Not without major skyscrapers holding it up, if of ancient Motherworld standard.)

"We can test it in new simulation Comptrollers I can cook up tomorrow." Skuld offered. Washu nodded... "I'll get the okay from Lady Eihwa later today when they all get back." ...before they stop and look at the said holoscreen the size of Kansas (or such really seemed like,) as it shone of the same relative time frame as the beach party on the Gaian lunar was, a few orbits away were. Such the 'same' pasting taking place, there of hence, they 'oohing' and 'ahhing' gaggled lot were witnessing of.

The Trio saw, and such Inez remarked... "At least she will be available. Alive anyway." ..dryly. They then just moved on. Washu changed subject again, heedless of the carnage taking place aside them, for the next kilometer. (All says more than a few things about Gaian entertainment mindset values, some of them unsettling.) "I hear Lord Ackronus is ready to sire another hatchling ceremony, in the coming month."

"Kewl, more cute Griffional chicks." ...Skuld put in a 'aww' tone. That lent to giggles that plied the Trio, as they moved on this resplendent day.

And to be sure, holoscreen clarity was of 1024TK clarity, clarity to live for. Sound to match.

It made the suplexes Lind utilized, that much more cheerable. (More on all dat lator.)

--- ---

-Gaia-Ceii Palace Tree Command Core-

"Over a billion Fold Jumps so far... no incidents." ...Yurika remarked off a holo-tablet, given to her about an hour after the Interdiction was lifted. She looked up past her cobalt locks and smiled. "Good slow I say."

"You were expecting less?"

"I'm expecting a date night, two nights from now." ...Yurika shot back to a suddenly jittery Akito Tenkawa. Arch-Angel Serenity simply commented over in kind. "~ Such would be of wisdom. ~"

"Don’t encourage her!" ...Akito yelped back. Yurika counted all as another point in her favor, of their ancient game, one as old as time as only as they looked. Yurika then began to walk past a console corner, past innumerable Commander Center Gaians that were as energetic biologically, as other were of energon formatting. Even others of holoscreen versions, zipping off as speedily, as others flew, or ran, or stamped. Lots of activity. Those not of foot peds, were of speed at their holo-consoles, as the multilateral, mutli-tiered Central Hub for 'all' Gaian Fleet Operations took place. If a Gaian sneezed... "- Bless you Sacron Eris. -" ...Yurika knew about it. Literally. Tera-Kiolquads of holo-data sped through the Hub by the nanosecond. (The Comptroller sentient A.I.s were having a Joy of it.)

"Busy times.' Akito commented of the mood here, professional to a tritanium point. Camaraderie of teamwork reigned. For the pride of it all, there was a purpose. One taken with these first steps.

"We'll continue off the old last stopping points of the exploration, prior to Interdiction, and further exploration from there." Yurika forwarded, as the three progressed. Serenity imparted. "~ Permission to presume primary core defense priority will allude to the Valkyrium, seeing as most Fleet Facets are attending to the new Centralized doctrine of deployment. ~"

"Indeed good Arch, though word is Angel Gods from Jurai and Twilight Realms are soon to arrive to assist duties."

Akito gulped a tic. "Might want to remind them Both of Orders that Trials should be kept... civil?" ...such Yurika just commented. "Tell Ifurita yourself, she right beside you." ...such made Akito looks over and FREAK OUT... "DANG IT... er... hello."

"Hello to you too." Ifurita smirked over past her platinum locks. Serenity just giggled, as Yurika remarked, keeping professional tone. "Your speed hasn't slowed any, these Eras."

Ifurita smirked back over, "And you manage to keep your mind off Akito for the moment." ...such Yurika broke her demeanor to crane her head back coyly. "How have you, from Mokoto in kind, eh?"

The sly chuckles from both fems, as they all walked, made Akito teardrop. "Wonder if I should warn Moko..." ... "Way ahead of ya bud." ...whit Mokoto's sudden presence as much as out of nowhere as Iffurita's own suddenly was, made for another Akito sponsored IRK-FREAK, ala... "Don’t you start too!"

Ifurita simply remarks in prior kind. "I assure you my Sisters will not damage your Excellency's own precious harem any, this I swear on Code of Trial of Annihilation if otherwise be so."

"If you can say that to him alive that is." Yurika remarked back, as 'all' of Network mode, were too dang well aware of the show going on, upon Gaia-Oricron's watery sweet-shores. Ifurita just shrugged. "He was more effective against Lord Azusa in comparison. However love ever a battlefield where the weak are heeled under the strong."

That comment, made for the two other fems nod amicably. (And the two males along with, glare dryly in turn.)

Yurika rounded it out, as they rounded near the main Palace Tree, sculpted catwalk sideway, towards the Council Chambers. "The first week will be concerning simple anchoring of cartography and relations where begotten. It'll set the standard for future conduct henceforth."

"What about colony expansion." Ifurita brought up next, as they entered the closest thing to a holy shrine within Gaian space, short of the Alcoves of the Palace Trees themselves.(Such prevue were beyond nominal Gaian life as of current. Even despite Hikari Partner Bonding.) The cascading light from towing window arches were far too reminiscent of Siladrin architecture here, the styling and mood of the chamber, even down to the gossamer curtains of resplendent length of translucence, all fit well, the current bearer of the Excellency Seat of current. By name alone attested. Such Yurika alluded to. "Session will deal with that, soon enough. You heard His Call, why you are here already of."

Ifurita, Akito, and Mokoto all traded a rather unexpectantly reverent look so traded. Serenity saw and grew a rare want for what the others felt. Such only true Family could attest. Ifurita then nodded back. "It would seem the Father's Son, is akin." ...before she then walks away, only to approach the position of where her Old Seat of Tactics Councilor is, given that despite there were Four such Chambers now, all were essentially sisters of each other. Each Seat, as if time kept such for Old Councilors, without dare of fail.

Serenity watched bemused, as the other three took their own Seats in reflective concert. Such Ifurita saw... "Such is good."

Mokoto then asked within the echoed chamber that could hold a Timber Wolf Battlemech easily. "So, do tell us what has become of your time, of your fifty years, while we awaited of our five."

"Oh, just sorts of all sordid tales" Akito chimed back. Laughter beckoned soon enough. A few cups of sake to soothe nerves that were still too raw of excited nerves. Such whiled the time, before Others soon to come.

But first. "~ So, how's the daughter. ~" ...such made Yurika and Akito cough a little. (Made for raised eyebrows too.)

--- ---

"Emerald Facet taskforce 4217/A.135 on schedule. Sending new telemetry."

"Got it." ...Sora Hasegawa responded, as her command bridge crew of her VSD-I kept its own pace of operations. System 732487.834/A-U.942 within Sector SAG-846/CAL. Her brother Tora looked and shrugged. "Only six planets and thirty seven smaller bodies to go. Got any other plans Sis?"

"Nope." ...Sora chuckled, as a few starfighters flew off in guardian formation, as holoscreen telemetry of five other Gaian vessels conducted comprehensive scans. Two Nebula cruisers, an Avian Nac'dfa Light Cruiser, and an Intracellic Chemlaa Cathedral-I Destroyer, all apread around the system for initial triangulation and base system scans.

Sora just called out, being far more commanding than her nominal character usually was. Such the impart of fifty years of exploration and diplomacy command training. At least as long as... "Command Tamiya is hailing from the Constance. ...Tora didn't mention 'that'. Sora just whined a little, but quickly asserted. "Put em through."

": - Bouts time lil commander ma'am. - :"

"You in position." ...Sora managed past her jitters with dealing with a Nipponese base Gaian, despite even ascension and enhancements, still maintained demeanor that intimidated, as well as size that rivaled a Avian pre-teen youth. However Tamiya knew decorum as well, despite tone and grammar that remarked as... ": - Wes gots scanz going full throttle lil Miss. Waiting on Otaki ta make senzor contact. - :"

"That'll be about a few microcyclons." Tora inferred. Sora just smirked, folding her arms as her slimsuit electrolines gleamed akin to mood. "As long as it's not hanky panky. We 'are' on a schedule."

": - Oh hold your equines Sora. - :" ...another holo popped up beside Tamiya's, as a separate soul responded for a mate. ": - We have to account for trans-lunar object drift as well. Or are Oorclouds not of worth. - :"

Sora smirked. "Understood Satoko." ...before adding... "And to your honey poo as well."

": - Hey! - :" ...came from off screen of Satoko's viewpoint, such making Tamiya chuckle in a humored babble... ": - Nevar fails. Whahahaha... - :"

": - I'll be sure to tell Chihiro that, when we get back. - :" ...Satoko struck in turn. It made Tamiya shut up quick. Sora just giggled. "Never fails, indeed."

": - ~ If ye be all done such joshing, Our telemetry triangulation is prepared near the Binary Solars. ~ - "" ...a blue-black Avian Ascendant plugged in sudden next with.

": - What if we don't want to be done, Shren'tan.- :" ...Satoko 'struck back at the 'offender'. The cock of the large, feathered head made for further amusement around. The Avian just corkily banters back in turn. ": - ~ Then our endeavors will fail to bring natural stellar beauty to light. Such would be our failure. ~ - :"

"Can't have that." Sora puts a cap on, as Tora informs. Triangulation ready. Starfighter patrols ready to aid in shorter range scans to concert.

"We can have that instead."

": - Gots'chas. - :" ...Tamiya agreed. Such became a tune to begin said before scans, as resolution quickly begins to paint a literal holo picture of, upon the nearby holo-table, such was shared across such holo-technology across the small flotilla.

": - ~ Billions of years, for a simple scan shot. ~ - :"

"Save room in the album for plenty more." ...Tora remarked, as Sora ordered. "Get a good pic, folks at home are waitin' on these."

Their work such continued. Moreso such, across millions of external star systems, across the MWCG Galactic disc.

[Gaian Ascendancy]

-Planet Pahii-Crann II-

A towering forest of akin Redwood sized trees, with a large arcade of intermeshed structures, that all comprised an outdoor mall, hued in the blues of the Blue Core Nebula. (All local refracted light from local stars were affected as so, in this literal pillar of Heaven's slice.) Sight however was ocular nominal, that lent to the colors of falling multichromatic leaves from said trees, another of the wonders of Avian horticultural bioengineering. Leaves would fall across his face, in literal all colors of the rainbow. Some had a UV glow to them even.

The leaves would fall, and many creating a messy, lent carpet across both constructed boardwalk of advanced composites, and upon the also quite literal 'grass' of green algae sand. Such the latter was the result of still recent enough terraforming in the past twenty Interdicted years, that a former dead ice world, had been wrenched into habitability, such the sight below was one of the methods to slowly turn said former lifeless material, into sand that the algae, with the said leaves help even, into a fertile soil down the eventual road. This as the planet still was settling its magnetosphere from core and mantle settling. At least the planetary crust was more than solid. Tectonics handled by the sight of several massive orbital gravimetric arrays, one seen above the towering tree line in partial gargantuan proportions.

Yet all such somehow still lent to a large, healthy throng of Gaians that conducted their usual behest, of one that was missing the fact that a leave was hanging precariously off his fore melon, as a serene sight of a starship, a Corellian YT-3200 freighter class, blasted into orbit. This past a further sight of a star traffic tube that split apart into smaller versions that went to several cities across Crann II, literally as so as fifty years was nothing to construction nanites, prefabricated building sections, (even skyscraper sized,) and a can do attitude that could make night portfolio Angel Partners cringe a tic. As such even sections of a rising, towering StarLadder was seen now only so rising, due to said stabilizing magnetosphere.

And the same said Gaian mood and presence, still in the initial throes of renewed activity, many, many around were conducting affairs either unto the Operation at hand, or assisting, or in preparation. Little was in the way of relaxation here, as fifty years of Interdiction allayed to that, though much of 'that' was spent in terraforming, fortifying, and stabilizing a nigh million worlds into myriad forms of habitability. Same for starbases, and all sorts of technological marvels, that also took station across strategic and interlaced locations in the interstellar medium.

So many words to describe poorly, how busy MWCG-Gaian space was now.

Not that it all didn't lent to chances of the sort here, such stolen of a random Gaian, with a not so random chance about to be partaken in. One begotten off an idea that an entire Fleet Facet Command was now utilizing across the Milky Way Core Galaxy.

Of absent minded, yet of poignant moment here, a simple Sibiko kith of sixteen Gaian summers (or winters, depending on what planet, said local location, a myriad other of blah blahdeeblah...) that was captivated with such a sight.

That was until.. "Don't go off to space just yet." ...a separate Gaian soul, one Glassian, that then plucked the blue leaf off his said melon. The lad just looked back with... "Eh?"

": - And we're off to Gaia-Ceii already. - :"

The joshed at lad cracked snarky back at the Forran entity, that has an 'amused' pink hue to its Energon ball format. (The containment ring even had a light, flashy, blink flair affair to it.) "I was just measuring the ascent coefficient against the local gravity well, off my Net-calculation!" ...said with more emotion than obviously needed.

"Uhuh. /: - Sure. - :"

Eranii, Gauiss, and Waven, in speaking order. The souls obviously didn't need to name themselves. Said such was frazzled done such by Eranii whom did so such off the needless comedic.

Eranii just relented quickly enough from there. "Okay. Okay, I was... where am I? Oh yeah..." ...even spinning about, remember where he was. Waven just 'shrugged', energon motions effective as such. ": - We were supposed to be celebrating passing of Net-Exams, don't bio-forms get drunk in such times? - :"

"I'm still a kid you know." Eranii blanched back, Gauiss 'objected' to that with his own clear canister of local brew that pleased even translucent calcium-silica quartz bioformat being palates. Such he downs said container with, after a proud heft. The fact Waven did likewise made for interesting questions of the same type container in Eranii's left hand. Didn't stop him from taking a swig. (And either the nanites from proving getting drunk as a Gaian was far tougher than it seemed.)

"~ Fellows! ~" ...a new sudden voice injected, the trio making ready cheer! "Draan!" ...such Eranii came up and high fived the growing girth of an Griffional. Looked cute and comical, with such a large wingspan.

"~ I made fourth class for formal technical journeyman training! ~" ...which made for renewed 'woots' from the group. Gauiss offered... "Still shooting for the Artistic Clan?" ...Draan nodding his bronze polished beak of dark brown, light brown and white feathers. "~ Still have to follow the ancient tradition. Plus I truly do find lunar sculpting soothing, even in the simulator Comptrollers. I'm all a feather. ~"

"Looks like things are on the up and up." ...Eranii noted, 'pointing' his drink at his friends. "One heading for Clannship, and you..." ...at Waven... "Slated for Communications Section, we'll be hearing from you before long. Everyone at that. And ye..." ...at a smirking Gauiss, the drunk blush hazing off his silica skin... "...hitting track for a FACAF posting, still hitting the 'mechs?"

"I'm trying to get High Commander Ryoko's attention, so sue me." ...with a another down of his container.

"And then you." ...Draan put in, wings behind his already enlarged back. Eranii coughed a tic, as he was actively trying to eye away from other groups of Gaians that recognized him. The hazard of a Net-minded civilization. Eranii just shrugged. "I only came up with a suggestion... didn't... think, well... um..."

"Being the one with the idea that the entire fleet is using right friggen now..."

"Why?" ...Eranii tried to deflect. Not that it helped with... "~ Why indeed. ~"

Eranii sure spun around his spiky brown head, and the rest of him, as Waven 'waved' with a energon tendril. "Ello, Lady Rose McKenna!" ...such at an ascended sight, of an angelic sight of a long red haired Angelic, the usual 'actual' iconic wings retracted out of sight, the added sight of an official FACAF Republic Starfleet slimsuit, white-blue-silver with a matching jacket, slacks and boot setup, glowing blue-green electro-thin lines, along all clothing, and a head band clasp of thematic same that had multilateral usage.

The piercing, glowing pink-red eyes sure didn't take eye off of someone present, as she gave a thumbs up at the Energon personage. She then outright ordered... "Common, you're with me."

"Eh?" ...from more citizen souls around, than just Eranii alone, as the focus looked back with a start. "You? M-me? W-where?!"

"To our ship, Command assigned us to the Candraium. High-Mobile Class."

Eranii blinked rapid fire teardroppy... "You? M-me...? Where-what?!"

"Didn't know you two were married." ...Gauiss quipped, Rose just smirked. "If only he'd ask."

"You? M-me?! Wha-where-HUH!?" ...the cyform Gaian lad wasn't getting 'better' with. Rose just snapped too much off gene-form from the McKenna BloodHouse line she had 'more' than earned. "Get a grip yutz! Command took notice of your idea and assigned us to Diamond Fleet Facet. Common..." ...she walked right over and yanked Eranii along! She even added aloud. "You three can come if you like. I need a good crew."

The three other Gaians saw Eranii look well off blank as he's dragged off akin of a mate only missing a club for effect. (Or a mallet.)

Waven just remarked. ": - I think we just got assigned. - :"

"~ Kewl. ~" ...Draan chimed, as Gauiss remarked... "Lemme at those combat mecha!" ...and SHOT off after. The other two traded a 'shrug', and then walked off after.

--- ---

"About fifty-two percent of the Fleet is in ascertained position sir."

"Thank you good Tech." ...Admiral Utsutsumi remarked back, as he looked out from the Hikari Class A-SSD dominating it's forward bulk from his Command Core Platform spot. Vessels with hundreds of multi-kilometers to them, had such effect. Such the same for the Journey Sar'nor that has just finished it's immense gravitational disturbance of Fold Jumping into place, to act as 'anchor' for Pearl Fleet Facet. The ancient Juraian elder remarked as he saw incredible numbers of vessels disgorging, many arraying to act as refueling and Comptroller relay vessels, for the smaller swarms of Gaian vessels that were making Fold jumps to enter the exploration fray. "To think a single Gaian could come up with something this effective. I thought we knew ourselves better."

"We learn every day." ...a separate Twilight Gaian remarked, as Utsutsumi nodded over to Commander Afuru Mann. The light blue semi-pony-tailed long maned lass remarking, as the suffused twilight kimono cloth adorned her well. The male elder of cream-blond hair in Juraian Yakuta official version, indeed nodded. "Such the youth would earn the Kerensky Name, if simply asked for. As all were." ...he looks over at a (bout ever friggen holoscreen of Gaian note was massive, when called for,) gargantuan holoscreen, that beheld local tactical data for the Northwest Sector of the MWCG, encompassing much of the Arms of Scutum-Centarius, Norma, and Sagittarius Galactic Arms. Hence where the bulk of Pearl Facet would concentrate its Exploration forays, with more organization that the prior hodge-podge version prior to Interdiction had begotten.

"Be sure to catalog down to the atom, we have much to relearn in this new reality of ours."

"Trying to garner your wife's attention, or avoid her again?" ...Afuru cutely remarked over. Utsutsumi just 'coughed' and 'looked away'. "When's the new Starbase to be Jumped in?"

A separate holoscreen just popped up... ": - I'll remember that when you get back. - :" ...a sudden holoscreen of bedeviled format warned in, before popping back out. Utsutsumi just about facevaulted, as Afuru cheered out excitedly, with finger pointed up even... "Score another one!"

"NAY YOU ARE HELPING!" ...Utsut just wacked back, to Afuru's fit of giggling. (Good thing all those crew teardrops were at least a kilometer away, for most parts. Such was the bridge size.)

Just then, another holoscreen popped up, as a silver haired fem Commander imparted. ": - We're ready to depart Admiral. - :" ...such professional tact ready came back from Utsutsumi... "And to you as well Admiral Goat Hory. Good hunting."

": - Indeed. - :" ...the rather enlarged human Gaian remarked. Though the slick black haired soul added in. ": - I'll be sure to find some alien flowers to help save your marriage too. - :" ...so 'put' in, before the screen popped off, such was Utsutsumi's sudden miffed stated.

Not that... "Wonder if he can find alien exotic chocolates too." ...Afuru helps, cutely mindful, and nay looking at the Admirals dry glare.

... ...

...such was the next scheduled Fold Jump from Pearl Lagrange Point, from its gaterhing point for Pearl Fleet Facet near a simple, single, empty otherwise binary star system that acted also as a hydrogen fuel cooping point, as well as solar collection, where a few hundred collectors were already deployed,

Fleet Section 89354.36/LK-17 such, four High Mobiles, two destroyers, a Battleship and an SDF type, began their foray.

Admiral Hory looked out past holoscreens about his command seat, as Foldspace commenced. "Steady as all goes."

"Aye Admiral." ...a Synthetic-Droid Navi-Tech inferred. This as the viewscape turned from nominal space, unto the gleam of a two dimensional state, the Gaian vessels using the replete Hikarispace medium, of literal Gaian make off the Hikari Trees, underneath even Subspace, to puncture ala wormhole fashion to its initial destination. The whole traveling without moving, didn't need wormy dung either, as the aged admiral awaited the short enough travel trip of tens of thousands of light years in a literal nigh instant. (Give or take about a minute. Not exactly battle speed or such.)

At such, their arrival was just as serene, though their entry was of gravitational disturbance and all.

Hory then leaned forward for a halted second, before an Assat Gaian Navi-Tech informed. "Fold complete."

Hory ordered. "Send out the escorts, and deploy starfighter sensor assist screens. Spread out other vessels off triangulation coordinates from standard operation procedure. Let's begin the good work souls."

"Aye!" ...came from several bridge comms, the local version as well.

The first view of denote, a simple orange-yellow star. Hory saw and as on ancient guard. "Also scan for any local emissions. Report findings." ...as the two High-Mobile destroyers began to spread out quickly, as did disgorged corvette escorts, that began to vector in opposing vectors of assignment off Cartography Ops, of whom were the Techs of most import here now.

The High-Mobile Battleship however popped up a holoscreen, as a blond haired Glassian captain reported. ": - There may be local emission readings. We're ascertaining if it's anything of note. - :"

"Understood." ...Hory then looks at Comms... "We might have something. Update Command."

"Aye." ...a Katath Gaian of yellow tattoo skin and feline format remarked to do just such/

Hory just thumbed his chin, as high-mobile mecha shot off in small triad squads, across rhe System at speed.

[Legatia]

Federation of Corundum
Federal Armed Forces Combined Installation "Triestum"
Planet Nestreus, Omega Raetii system

Triestum was what was considered a "Forward Force Projection" area. A military hub. While its sized paled in comparison to the bases on Vestum, it was by no means a small base. Home to a couple hundred thousand men and personnel on permanent attachment alone, perhaps a million or two more resided in the form of transiting Federal Army deployments and occupying Federal Navy assets. A few dozen heavy capital ships sat in the aegis of its sizable amount of orbital-based defensive platforms, rigid black peaks pointing dautingly out into the night.

While the complexes upon the ground were the most sprawling and complicated, important work was conducted above the lush forests and winding rivers of Nestreus. From a titanium-walled room, monitors that relayed reports from screening arrays beyond Nestreus and about the planet itself sent information and data to the command and control centers above the orbiting space stations. Gravitational fluctuations, light abnormalities, energy pulses and other disturbances would be noted and sent here.

The arrival of the fleet was not reported for the first thirty-two minutes.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Taila Amarine did not wish to be assigned here. This was a busy place, and events here weren't boring, but this is certainly not what the woman had planned. She figured, though, that every job in the Federal Republic needed filling. The colonial native wanted to get out and explore. She, unfortunately, was not doing much of that in this job.

The reading came up in an instant, and she immediately suspected a malfunction. These readings were inane. Unprecedented and impossible. "Calibrate system. Run checks against prior known energy readings."

The display read nil. These readings were absolutely unique and did not match to any known source of energy- hypernuclear meltdown simulations, pulse readings from Delta-class reactors, nothing matched. The gravity pulse would be felt rather soon. Too soon, as the station experienced a light but noticeable tremor.

Further reports came in. Optical reports- a few AU away, noted the size of the fleet and the displacement luminosity in exuded. LIDAR had triangulated its range and speed, masses and lengths were approximated. They were huge.

Checks ran through. Once, twice, fourteen times in a millisecond. The Lieutenant turned her head and let cry.

---

Corundan Federal Navy
Scapus-class carrier Aegis
In orbit about Nestreus

The ready room for Squadron Echo 6 was similar to the ready rooms of the rest of the squadrons aboard Aegis. The compartmentalization allowed for them to comprise as comfortable and as relaxed an atmosphere as they could, with arrangeable seating providing room for briefings and rest inbetween missions. The crew had been on standby for the past few weeks- Aegis' battlegroup was currently awaiting supplies and additional destroyers and two heavy cruisers before it would be deployed to reinforce a flank of the expanding front to the southeast.

26 Sparrowhawk dominance fighters belonged to this wing. 26 fighter pilots sat here, as the youngest about them, the spunky Lieutenant Edgar Marquis, brought a pot of fresh-brewed coffee.

"Thanks, Marker." The squadron lead, Commander Alarea Lancaster, gave him a grin as her cup was refilled, the man doing the same for those about them who were drinkers as he set the pot down. "You know, I heard that Sistine won the Cordelia games. Ain't that something, huh?" He glanced at the Sistine native who gave him a grin.

"First time our city's won the Cordelia games." He grins. "There's probably a festival still going on. God, wish I was on leave right now-"

Three quick, neutral beeps. Every single person in that room snapped to attention, instantly dropping anything they had been preoccupied with. Silence absolutely took a hold of the room as a message proceeded.

"Alert, alert, alert, scramble, scramble, scramble immediately, Echo Six, Alpha 9, Charlie 4.."

The doors slammed open as alarms blared through the ship. The pilots, already in flight suits, stormed through the hallways.

"Decker, get the lift, the lift!" The man sprinted ahead, clearing a path through passing personnel and slamming the lift button. The elevator came and they stormed about it, rocketing down and across the superstructure of the massive carrier.

"What the hell do you think it is this time, rogue pirate vessel?" The ponytailed Commander shook her head. "I heard five squadrons being scrambled, at least. It's not anything small." The lift jammed to a stop, and their run continued as they shot towards the Sparrowhawk fighters. Flight crew were already about them, ladders ready, as the pilots took them by storm, launching into the cockpit and immediately starting the engines. The onboard computers came to life as they donned their helmets, sliding flight interface gear onto their lower arms as the craft's readouts became live. Cannon, rocket, missile, flare, fuel, thruster. The /ALL NOMINAL/ sign flashed in five seconds. The cockpit slid forward, locked.

"We read all positive. Deck, clear to maneuver?"

"Deck cleared, go for maneuver." The Aegis, in addition to another carrier, three Coriolanus-class capital ships, fiveHasta-class heavy cruisers and about 12 Halberd-class destroyers had sortied to respond, and were closing rapidly to their main formation.

"Standby to launch." The hand gripped the stick tensely, as the forward launch ramp opened. Two lights shone, one..

"Squadron launch!" The afterburners shot arcs of plasma as they tore at incredulous speeds out of the carriers, immediately arcing out as the distance between the two fleets closed to a minimum. The fighters remained defensively positioned around the capital ships, as the fleet began to screen in a wide arc to prevent movement closer to the system without encounter.

An unencoded transmission was sent in the direction, transmitted in English, Latin and French.

Code: Select all

=OFFICIAL TRANSMISSION=
RECIPIENT- UNKNOWN
SENDER- CFN OCS-044 ATHENA

UNIDENTIFIED VESSEL GROUP, YOU ARE BEING HAILED BY THE CORIOLANUS CLASS CRUISER OCS-044 ATHENA, FLAGSHIP OF ACTING TASK GROUP 040/OR ON BEHALF OF THE NAVAL FORCES OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF CORUNDUM..
YOU ARE INTRUDING UPON SOVEREIGN TERRITORY OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF CORUNDUM..
YOU ARE HEREBY DIRECTED TO IDENTIFY YOUR ORIGINS AND INTENTIONS IMMEDIATELY.
FAILURE TO COMPLY OR RESPOND WILL RESULT IN THE UTILIZATION OF FORCE.

The entirety of the task group's ship to ship weaponry was already leveled at the numerically inferior fleet. The commander had a feeling that she didn't want to find out if they had a technological one at their throats.

[Gaian Ascendancy]

Thirty-two minutes might have been a bit much time. Mainly that by the first ten, a slight mix of surprise cam over Hory's facade alone. "Repeat all that?"

The first from the Katath Tech. "Detection of high grade transmission, datastream reflection off spectrum subspace also reported. Onrack and Pishreen are triangulation confirming."

"~ Acknowledging transmission formats. ~" ...came a phasing in sight of a glowing Hikari Avatar Aeolii. The onboard Hikari Core Seed that off ascension reflective effects, had become incumbent of their own avatar formats, such a lithe feminine sight of a ten year old-esc being came forth, such was Hory's Partner Seed. The Admiral nodded over at the lass. "The we got our first. A rather bit soon, but..."

"Command is updated. Comm-Orbs in local ancient space is acknowledging as well."

Hory looked over at the efficient as heck Forran Comm-Tech and nodded. Gaian trust was such of unilateral mode, that Hory was as easy to allude to it, such he asked. "Get Utsutsumi on the horn."

": - Way ahead of ya. - :" ...the Overall Pearl Facet Admiral popped up a holoscreen, Hory nodded. "Standard procedure we trained for then? It's why we're out here."

": - Your call. Your show. - :" ...Commander Afuru's face leaned over into the same holoscreen image. Hory then asked... "I need a Strategic holo." ...such nearby Navi-Techs correlated with what little Stellar Cartography Section had going, as Hory walked over to a large holo-table, the holo-image 'walking' alongside him. The ext image that appeared, projected out from the table, into a large open forward area of the bridge, as said bridge had a triad catwalk, seating and compliment console arrangement. Taking cues from the Ahb, the forward view-ports of the bridge were mammoth in viewscape domination, a near all encompassing forward arc of 180 degrees, where only twin structural beams wrapped from nadir to zenith superstructure. The aft of the bridge could be holo-projected on need, to allow full 360 unrestricted views, though such not required here. Such all of projection game ample space of the fore of the SDF warship in 'base' format, not of humanoid format mode, also gave a good swath of the 'NW' Galactic Zone, such was the 'pie shape, of the Pearl Facet Command responsibility.

The frighteningly clear projection, gave image of about four hundred in progress (and increasing,) exploration groups, such the image... "Local data, if there is much." ...as the image contracts quickly into a dynamic zone view of the local Parsec. Given the lack of data, the image was mainly only ancient star data that had to be updated over time, between fleets, and Comm-Orb cross-referencing, as well as in place fleet assets that were only just beginning their own operations. Admiral Hory however noted off the Network of two more fleet groups that were in relative proximity. "Fleet Group 9883467.734/HQ-91. They got something too."

A separate holo-image pops up, one Hory recognizes. "Commander Jun."

": - We got something out here too. I... hey! Not again Yukina! - :" ...as the young, short, black haired lad that was supposed to be commanding, is suddenly 'brushed' aside the 'girlfriend aspect', such comprised the young lithe lass of young tanned blond hair. ": - We just picked up similar signals within this system. Looks like only thirty-seven light years away. And... oh hush Jun! I'm still mad at you for last night! - :"

": - I won the game fair and square last night, and you know it! Er... WAIT! Get back on topic. - :"

Hory for one just groaned out. "I wish you both would." ...whit both souls in the holo-image from the Ikuzoni straightening up back right quick! Utsutsumi then reports in turn. ": - Reports are coming in from Fleet Group 28563.HGQ-845 are compiling off Kushan-Droid groups near them. We got a theater of some kind going in the local area. - :"

At that point, a further separate holoscreen popped up, one from Command Core itself a good quarter plus galaxy distance away. ": - We read it too. - :" ...As CIC Yurika injects into the conmms. Utsutsumi remarked in. ": - If it's a battle theater, we might want to pull back. - :" ...though Hory injects in counter. "We need to know how large an are we are dealing with however. Recommend Stage Three for reduced emmision scans, and one group makes contact."

Hory kinda teardropped as all three images just remarked. ": - You're up then! - :" ...such Hory just sighed out. "Great."

"~ Calculating resolution of our position in about thirteen more minutes. ~" ...Aeolii reported off Comptroller recommendations, such the holo-calculations by the nanosecond were compiling. Admiral Goat Hory then ordered. "If we Fold now, we won't learn anything. Onrack and Pishreen respectively will head to the Nadir and Zenith System nodes, battleship Toran stays with us. Scan fighter screens and corvettes will return and take up screening positions. Prepare the metaphasic shielding in case we need to enter the local star for additional protection. Otherwise, let's stay put and see what they do. Whoever they are."

": - We'll stay put, we'll go off your doctrine. - :" ...Jun calls over. Utsutsumi then adds... ": - Fleet Group 28563.HGQ-845 is about done with their scans already, not much of a System there. They'll be your reserve backup, but response level is set to diplomatic only from here. No combat as per Council edict. - :"

": - Going off your show then... - :" ...CIC Yurika adds... ": - ...we'll keep appraised. - :" ...and snaps off her image. Hory then nodded. "Let them come to us. We need to let the Translation Comptroller do it's job too."

"Aye!" ...came from Comms Section Techs. Hory then saw the return trajectory of fighter screens, coming back from nearby planet detailed scans, unto force projection orders. Hory then sighed again. "Time to be passive."

And such the time wait endured, until local system activity became too denoted of the obvious. Tactica-Section then reported at the alluded time. "Several vessels and support approaching. Dimensional Shields at standby."

"No open weapon ports. Period." Hory steeled out. This right before Comms reported... "Unfiltered signal detected! Translation commencing!"

Hory saw the holo-tactica of... "Might be a defensive formation."

": Datawalls are confirming no invasive packets. :" ...the Forran remarked, before a Synthetic unit right next informs. "/ Signal translated off relative English base Standard."

"Play it."

Code: Select all

=OFFICIAL TRANSMISSION=
RECIPIENT- UNKNOWN
SENDER- CFN OCS-044 ATHENA

UNIDENTIFIED VESSEL GROUP, YOU ARE BEING HAILED BY THE CORIOLANUS CLASS CRUISER OCS-044 ATHENA, FLAGSHIP OF ACTING TASK GROUP 040/OR ON BEHALF OF THE NAVAL FORCES OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF CORUNDUM..
YOU ARE INTRUDING UPON SOVEREIGN TERRITORY OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF CORUNDUM..
YOU ARE HEREBY DIRECTED TO IDENTIFY YOUR ORIGINS AND INTENTIONS IMMEDIATELY.
FAILURE TO COMPLY OR RESPOND WILL RESULT IN THE UTILIZATION OF FORCE.

Jun's and Yukina's image was listening in... the latter... ": - Friendly. - :"

Hory just coughed and asked over... "How accurate will our translation be?"

The Forran responded back. ": Ninety-seven percentile exceeded. Just no cussing. :" ...such made Hory 'irk' a bit. "One drunken party, I swear... or not here. Anyway, respond in relative communication format, with channel open. Hory then made a gruff clear of his throat.

Code: Select all

: - Greetings, this is the Gaian Ascendancy MWCG Realm Starship Aeolii.
We apologize for our unexpected intrusion, as we are on our initial exploration foray from home space, and are 'not' here on hostile actions.

If requested, we will depart at once, with no ill will. This is Admiral Goat Hory, we await your response. - :

": - Not bad. - :" ...Yukina/Jun both remark back. Hory just waved his hand stiffly to keep to decorum.

--- --- ---

-Gaia-Ceii-

Meanwhile, Yurika also denoted, leaving First Contact details to their particulars. "Are they here?"

Serenity nodded, off Holo-Net traffic. "~ The other Excellencies are arriving. ~" ...such Yurika shivered a little. "For once..." ...she kept to herself, as she then blinked, over another sudden Net detail to hit off Medical Section. "Oh dear, we might be delayed in the Council Meeting."

Serenity 'saw' as well, and denoted... "~ Not since they died in the Civil War. The resurrection technology, ever our effective. ~"

Yurika nodded, as Lady Peorth Morisato, of said BloodHouse entered, her nominal risque attire adorned of more black gown adorned under her nominal leather 'bikini setup, such was the mood becoming incumbent, her flair of French dialect... "Salutations Amiral, the Council is being updated expedite."

"...for the 'real' first time." Yurika added. Peorth smirked at the inference. Ifurita commented afar, in the growing of light Council chamber. "Will 'all' be attending, I wonder."

That rose the mood amongst, considerably.

--- --- ---

None of this stopped a seemingly endless stream of more Gaian forays, out into the Galaxy.

Not that it wasn't noticed in 'one' arm of the galactic void...

[Gaian Ascendancy]

(OC- A lil 'side' deal I decided to play with. )

--- ---

-Nearly 500 million light years away, Perseus-Pisces Supercluster, Abel 262, NGC 873,089, Star System PPSA2-NGC9-SS573,847-P3.

A 'quiet' corner of the universe.-

"WHO'S STUPID IDEA WAS ALL THIS ASHAR!?!"

": - BLAME THE TRANSLATION MATRIX, SIS!! - :"

To prove not everything in Gaian space was all peachy rosy, peaceful keen, there's this lil example of what happens when a translation matrix 'misses its mark'. I.e.: A small Twilight squadron of seventeen ships, that encountered a space borne race of literal space squid. Formal racial relations taking a 'down turn', as attempts to make contact, lent to a mistranslated signal.

Hence why plasim fire and Ionic bolts were flying like angry hornets of some planet sized nest that was going all haywire to heck! Such the result as large swarm pods of various sized greenish squid beings, were blasting powered electro-bio blasts, against Dimensional Shields that were trying all heck to keep said blasts from frying holo-electronics and Iso-bus lines. So such forth against all such apparent... "I don't feel like being absorbed today! EEK!!"

": - Then get back to the ship already! We're not supposed to even BE here Alu! - :" ...this Alusair was 'interrupted' from responding, as she CAREENED her star mecha from a p;air of electro-blasts from chasing fighter grade bioformat squdies! Such was the ridiculous furball of tentacle blasts that traded with Ionic batteries and vulcan blasts that, of the latter, were trying all heck to stun 'calm' the agitated calamari. Not that the sight of two HUGE Squid-being-things that were trying to wrap their firggen huge tentacles around a forty-three approximate kilometer Star Armor A-SSD, their attempts rebuffed nigh endlessly by the Dimensional Shields! Such was the wisdom of such shielding that prevented needless tragedies of iffy diplomacy!

Not that it all stopped one set of smaller squids that managed past the shields of a Titan Battlestar, the comical screams from over comms, just making Alusair yelp... "Mom's gonna kill us for this! Get that translator fixed already, we're late for Brother-akin's Ascension ceremony!"

": - Stop yelling at me, we're trying over here! I... JEEZE that a bloody big mouth! - :" ...as Alusair JERKS her head over at the sight of one of the monolithic squid, STAB at the A-SSD bridge Sector at a speed that made for soiled garments! Alusair ever so calmly... "SHUT YA ANUS AND FIX IT ALREADY!!! I... WHOA!!" ...as a bio-blast caused her mecha to jerk about wickedly, her suit stasis fields keeping her brains from going literally all over! Alusair just SNORTED in response... "Oh yeah you tentacle FREAK!!" ...as she dynamically SWUNG her unit about three-sixty and shot off a scattering Ionic burst!

All around her, large furballs of fighters seemed to forget Gaian standard doctrine, in the favor of the panicked! The only reason the situation wasn't tragic, in favor of the simply comical, if admittedly epic all the same, was advanced Gaian tech, and the fact this wasn't such the first rodeo to end up like this. All such was plain buying time, as Ashar yelped. ": - Just get back to a ship! Any ship! We're bout ready to try again! Got me why it's all messing with our Fold jumps! - :"

"You know..." ...Alusair starts, as she chases after one of the squiddies that had been chasing after her, the thing flailing it's arms about almost comically doing so... "...I'm gonna remember this day for one reason. One reason only."

": - Don't order the calamari back home? - :"

"DON'T GO OUTSIDE WITH MY BROTHER!!!" -BLAST-

To be sure, they got the matrix right, the second try around. The Ouinlarin are actually a friendly mind-pack species, when you don't insult their Overmother. (Sheesh.)

[Gaian Ascendancy]

~ Musings-1 from the Alpha Expanse. ~

--- ---

-New Serenity; Agri-world Type II-MWCG Expanse Space-

A literal golden sky, high nitrogen content that meshed well with meshes of ascendance energon, technological improvement, and clouds of white and puffy H2O, that saw flocks of small birds flit and fro at whim, over a colony world of vast agri-domes, genetic protein Silos, and step-tier fields of all sorts of bio-grain and bio-corn. Some recognizable to the lay eye, others genetically advanced for use in meal replication, that made gourmet chefs work hard to both keep ahead of, and even advance their own craft with. Even made near, the end of need of meat cultivation even. Bio-engineering at it's finest of humane. Course there were gene-grown meat complexes for that as well. Further complexities for chicken, fish, exotic so forth... planet classification is wondrous like that.

An male Illuminaran-Gaian Nergal company farmer-coordinator floated along on a hover-skiff, over fields that lent to afar kilometers of tiers of various colors of grain, making for multi-chromatic carpets of such. Such even afar of white capped mountains that acted as water reserves, apparatuses for aquifers and storage caverns unseen beneath, had forests afar that were actually designed to aid the planet's core function, with vista slopes full of both more tier-fields, but also large interspersed cities that were equally as environmentally meshed unto the world they also were 'grown' upon.

A large bio-container hauler lifts off nearby, a few kilometers off, taking in the long light of twin star morning, that was casting the chill off the Climatized air, as the glowing blue shirt haired Illuminaran saw some of the nearby hover-thresher Synthetics, as large and as obviously shaped, kempt at their tasks of gentile cultivation, via large span arms of bio-generation fields, and mist sprays of ever miraculous water. A few (literal) cows of such animals, with birds and even deer, interspersed, both for 'natural' fertilization, as well as plain accent of biodiversity and 'scenery', lent to the euphemistic theme of apparent. The said large Synthetics, with small teams of various other Gaians that flitted in places, attended also the the 'damage' that such scenery caused.

The coordinator saw another, a female Steel Angel type of auburn hair, flit over with a comm-orb catalog unit, as she called out... "Field 698-LK looking good again today sir!"

"Good to hear." ...the coordinator called, the latter joining up, as they turned towards the sight of mammoth Acropolis domes that were cities of their own akin. A StarLadder with a enormous rising pallet of docked bio-container haulers, one in the hundreds. The engineering of anti-grav technology, another advancement miracle. The detail sight to the coordinator. "That one should be off to T'Supra City world today."

The Steel Angel remarked over.. "They're not growing that world too fast, are they?"

"Hey..." ...the coordinator just bade off... "...I don't get into Grifional creation politics. I just grow the stuff they eat."

"'You' do...?" ...the Steel Angel teased over. The coordinator just blanching back. "Quit it." ...to some bemused giggling.

Another turn to the east, towards a large forest, just as multi-chromatic as gene-splicing commanded, bade the Steel Angel to remark. "The next shipment of beehives should be in place next week. Can't wait for the next apple blossom bloom."

The coordinator corrected... "Those, are for the peach orchard blooms. Get it right grrl." ...the tease back, making the Steel Angel 'grr' in turn.

The comm-orb then projected a sudden holo-projection of a Griffional Agri-overseer. ": ~ Are you both having fun again? ~ :"

"Every day! ...both chime back, truly positive in tone. The Avian then reported. ": ~ Check the southern field section of 713-LO, there's a weed sprout problem. ~ :"

"We'll see if we can use it." ...the coordinator toned out strong. The Avian then 'eyed' in. ": ~ A bonus day at the Century Fun Park if ye do. ~ :"

Weird to see two grown adult Gaians (of one such grown format or another,) cheer like kiths. The Steel Angel even rips out. "Race yah to it!" ... "Ye are on!" ...whit skiffs are proven to be good racer units suddenly, to the cheer of a few Thresher teams, as they race by.

This under a (deliberately) rainbowed effect of the eastern rising New Serenity-B lunar reflection of a sun reflected rainbow, off it's close in orbit rings, rings ans lunar alike.

Such was another eclectic day on a planetary farm-world.

[Legatia]

OCS-044 Athena
Coriolanus-class capital ship
Heliocentric SOI, in proximity to Raetium-7

"Sir, those ships are not in any state of readiness. Their weapons are locked, but their shields are up." These ships had already been scanned, computers meticulously running through calculations determining armor thickness, potential speeds and the possibility of the volume of fire they could produce. The lack of information and foreignness of the designs resulted in a wide range, but accurate enough readings were obtained on their shields. Athena's prow mounted MAC would certainly be capable of penetrating it in short order, and missile barrages would make short order of the fleet. This, given they put out weapons.

"..Transmission received. English standard, running it through the system now." As Communications called off, a number of destroyers edged closer, though the entirety of their guns were still trained on the ships. The incredible broadside-mounted weaponry of the Coriolanus-class were not brought to bear, their decidedly more powerful MAC guns pointed at the group.

The message was received, the CO of the Athena going over it. "..What a surprise. We'd have debris field usually by now, who are these people?"

"Gaian Ascendancy- can't say I've heard of that name." The XO shook her head, glancing at the cluster. "Regardless, those are military escorts, not a battlegroup. What do we do with them?"

Code: Select all

=OFFICIAL TRANSMISSION=
RECIPIENT- "MSCG REALM STARSHIP AEOLII" CC "ADM. GOAT HORY"
SENDER- CFN OCS-044 ATHENA

YOUR TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED. YOU ARE CURRENTLY CONSIDERED WELL WITHIN THE TERRITORY OF THE FEDERATION OF CORUNDUM.
IF YOU HAVE NO DIPLOMATIC INTENTIONS AT THIS TIME YOU ARE REQUESTED TO DEPART HEADING GALACTIC NORTHEAST TO EXIT SOVEREIGN TERRITORY.
IF YOU HAVE DIPLOMATIC INTENTIONS ANNOUNCE THEM NOW AND THEY WILL BE TRANSMITTED THROUGH PROPER VENUES.

[Gaian Ascendancy]

OCS-044 Athena
Coriolanus-class capital ship
Heliocentric SOI, in proximity to Raetium-7

Code: Select all

=OFFICIAL TRANSMISSION=
RECIPIENT- "MSCG REALM STARSHIP AEOLII" CC "ADM. GOAT HORY"
SENDER- CFN OCS-044 ATHENA

YOUR TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED. YOU ARE CURRENTLY CONSIDERED WELL WITHIN THE TERRITORY OF THE FEDERATION OF CORUNDUM.
IF YOU HAVE NO DIPLOMATIC INTENTIONS AT THIS TIME YOU ARE REQUESTED TO DEPART HEADING GALACTIC NORTHEAST TO EXIT SOVEREIGN TERRITORY.
IF YOU HAVE DIPLOMATIC INTENTIONS ANNOUNCE THEM NOW AND THEY WILL BE TRANSMITTED THROUGH PROPER VENUES.

--- ---

Admiral Hory shrugged at the message. "Well, at least we know their name."

"Comptrollers are suggesting targeting solutions are being directed at us." ...a nominal human/huyr/hume/such male Gaian Tactica-Tech remarked. Hory simply imparted back. "We did come in the door, uninvited." ...he then considered. "Halt all operations. Commander Jun."

Jun's image came up. ": - Sir? - :" ...in turn... "I'm having the other vessels in the fleet, join you. There should be a nearby Pulsar to fall that entire Fleet Point, back towards, if your end becomes problematic as well. At all costs, avoid any entanglements, it is not why we are here.

Why we are, this vessel will remain to ascertain."

Jun's facade engorges into the holoscreen. ": - Y-y-you're staying alone?! - :"

Hory just gruffed out in stern manner. "We have our own Fold solution plotted already. Plus, if we do give them cause of reason to fire on us, and we do not escape in expedite, we deserve to die. Conduct to orders now please."

Somehow, Jun's anime exhale ejected 'from' the holoscreen. ": - But we just 'started'. And aye. - :"

Hory nodded, as Jun's image popped off, such he looked at Tactica-Holo again and saw each Gaian vessel had an discordant ratio arrayed against each. Not that all such, was the utter point of all this anyway. Hory then considered off training off the ancient Universal Diplomacy Doctrine, that the entire Facet Fleet had fuse-welded into their craniums. (Or: well beaten in knowledge, off the old annal.) He then ordered. "Prepare the following."

---

Within a minute, whether the Corundum cared for it or not, each Gaian vessel left as gleamingly as they arrived. Vessels turned into 'bright' gleaming lines that contracted into single artificial stars for short lived moments, as the vessels exited into the two dimensional realm of Hikari Subspace, to join their adjacent (relative) Gaian brethren.

All save one Gaian vessel: The SDF Aeolii.

Code: Select all

: - Greetings again, this is the Gaian Ascendancy MWCG Realm Starship Aeolii. Again.

Your message is received.  Our arrival is unwarranted. I apologize. Travel over thousands of light-years into the unknown, leave us bereft of knowledge, we are such lacking of. Hence why we were here, not to meet you, but see this star system, for what it is. Celestial calculation and artistry at it's finest. Call it what you will, such we call it anyway.

However, here we are, and here, we shall leave within five minutes, microcyclons as we put it, unless we have reason to remain. We cannot offer more than this, unless warranted. Assured our presence is peaceful, despite by eye seen as seemingly otherwise. Call all this, what you will, I am no trained diplomat, simply a curious Gaian, going off of orders, half a galaxy away.

Such all, despite 'and' with, I greet again, as Admiral Goat Hory, of the Gaian Ascendancy, here 'only' on a mission of peace. - :

Hory just sighed as he finished, as he waved off a few clapping hands around. He just offered back. "Don't be so agreeable. We might still get fired upon." ...he then looked at Tactia Section. "Tell me the Absorption Shields are on standby, and that the Palladium are 'not' in their tubes."

"Yes. And yes." ...Tactica responded, "However the Palladium are antsy about being under the gun."

"Them and me both." Hory bit back at that, as he eyed the alien vessels arrayed against his single (if rather large,) ship.

[Gaian Ascendancy]

-In orbit over Planet Pahii-Crann II; Orbital Stardock-

The bridge deck hatch to the Candraium snapped open, with... "And here we are..." ...a bit too suddenly beet happy Angelic, dragging along a hume Gaian that's barely keeping he feet, whit his 'collar' is doing the walking drag for him. "Nice to... I can WALK ya know!" ...Eranii yelped, as Rose 'snipped', "Just how you stumbled through our date, too hmm?" ...whit again Eranii proves... "You.. but we... what?!" ...as rose just releases his grip, as behind Wavern, Gauiss, and Draan wedge in on behind. Rose then walked up over the central bridge platform tier, the side wing operations stations all seeing their various Gaian Tech souls stand at attention. An Assat Tactica-Tech snaps... "Star Captain on deck!" ... "At ease." ...whit the crew snap back to duty. Eranii blinks as he comes up to Rose's left. "I see you took to command training, darn well."

Rose folds her arms behind herself, and looks back with a blush inducing smirk. "You did always say I should command my own ship." ...which Eranii blinks. "I... said you were bossy." ...which from her jerking glare, he had to be grabbed by her at the collar again, as he about dove over the side of the platform tier. Rose just quipped lay... "Do take a mind to 'not' go through my lower viewpane screen."

Eranii looks over, and sees the bridge, is surrounded from far below, to wrapped forward dome unto high above, of a near seamless transparasteel 'dome, that gives both dominating views of the dock station they are docked into, the High-Mobile destroyer fore hull superstructure, as well as space and planet beyond, along with another busy operation zone arena, as well as space traffic beyond, ship, civilian, and transport alike.

"Wow." Eranii remarked, Rose giving over a far warmer smile, as Draan strides up. "~ Pardon my asking... ~"

Rose remarked outright. "You, I want working with Candraium Hikari Seed..." ...which jerked Eranii's head over, Rose further... "...for the obvious." ...before she then looks back at... "Wavern will work Comms. Gauiss, assignment Mecha Flight Section."

Eranii made slight objection to... "Er... maybe they had other stuff to..." ... "OH YEAH!!!" ...a certain mecha freak SHOT off with. Wavern just 'shrugged' and opinionated... "- Each of us their their Journeyman own. -" ...whit he headed over to the right wing Section, Draan spinning his huge turkey sized girth about, musing... "~ I do hope Candraium is a singing sort. ~" ...which Eranii is head jerking about, as in short order, Wavern sure is greeted wonderfully by his small Section.

For a good moment, as Rose commands... "Departure protocols?" ... ": - Final Section checks underway, seven minutes. - :"

"That fast?" ...Eranii gets a 'umhum' in turn. He then asks... "Er...?"

"You get to come to Diamond Facet Command with me."

Eranii lost is tongue there. (Lotta frozen sweat too.) Captain Rose continues... "I'd make you my XO, but you don't have the training. The Facet Commander wants to meet a Gaian hero first anyway."

"H--h-h-h... m-me?" ...Eranii feels his head spinning. Rose nods professionally. "Yup. The honeycomb categorization method is a 'real' hit with Command. Plan Beta is using it to better control operations now."

Eranii blinks a 'bit' much, the fingers his chin... "Uhmm... wait... I can't... who's commanding the Facet?" ...as his attempt to access 'that' bit of information his an unexpected 'block'. Rose just amuses over... "You'll see. It's a part of the apparent reward coming to ya. You'll just have to suffer such for another little bit."

Eranii just sighs... "Great. Secrets." ...whit he just walks up, and then eyes around.

Eranii then thinks...

"Tonight hon." ...Rose 'reads' his mind 'all' too friggen well. Eranii just sighs... "Dinner ahoy." ...whit Rose 'tones' another 'hmmhm', making Eranii gulp a little.

--- ---

-Gaia-Ceii-

Another tube tube door opens.

Three personages: One bianco haired and beet happy. One austere and... well... austere. One, wincing and holding at his right arm, as his healing nanites 'complain' at him again.

"Eccoci qui." ...Eihwa chippers out. Lind just walks off behind as Eihwa starts off. Imladris warily remarks... "Well... that was relaxing." ...a 'not' on his lips. Lind stops and side glances back, Imladris stiffening on guard again. A 'bianco' laugh is next heard, Imlade just comically snarling. "Not funny!"

The trio walks forth a bit, before they come up upon a random Gaian grouping, the Ladies greeting with easy aplomb. When Imladris however draws near, the looks turn 'awe struck'. Imlade just smiles. "It's okay to say ello to moi too."

"And once again..." Lind starts, Imlade blurt cutting her off.. "...no hero worship, blank it!" ...which earns more bemused giggles/chuckles around. Imlade just looks back over, and smirks. This before he then 'feels' a Net ping of... "Ah... more Twilight personages about." ...whit behind. "For this Day indeed, Son." ...whit Imlade looks back and sees... "Not so obvious Lady Belldandy." ...whit Keiichi in side-by-side, 'corrects'... "Hey! You call her Mother!" ..as a strange tryst of 'rebellion' against his own fa... er... Keima, allowing the same, rattles forth. Imladris notes even that, and 'warns'... "Don't make me go 'Keima on you."

"Son." ...Belldandy cutely 'warns' back. "Yes Mother." ...Imlade sighs back in defeat. (See the Ladies behind, giggling in usual turn at this? Much of the crowd too.)

Imladris however 'does' make light of, of what he Feels within the Network. A good smile in turn... "Tis to be a True Day indeed." ...he starts, a quick well of pride from around. That however stops when what Imladris feels next, makes 'him' make a sudden gasp at. "I-it... it can't... can... they..." ...he jerks in disbelief at all three 'groups', as Net minded also suddenly 'look', and whit... "!-GASP-!" ...Eihwa seen next with hands to her mouth. Lind's mood was suddenly sure no less amazed.

Imladris flat outright... "IrealizeweweregonningtotheCouncilcChamberand..."

"~ !!JUST GET TO MEDICAL ALREADY SON!! ~" ...Belldandy 'gently' prods her son forth, as such he... they, bout ALL of them about suddenly BOLT for another nearby Teleport Pad!

And within said suddenly anime crowded Pad.

K1: "-Wheeze-" ...with a blushing Bell wedged 'over' his head, blinking.

Immy: "We gotta lay off the Treats. -GLAH-"

L/E: "Are you calling us fat!" ...whit further groans and moans from the other squished in Gaians that 'didn't' need to tag along, just all fade with the snap-quick teleport beam.

[Gaian Ascendancy]

- Musings-2 from the Alpha Expanse -

---

-About... oh... 72,000 Light-years 'above' Galactic Apogee.-

"~ Give or take a few light seconds ~"

"~ Whom are you talking to? ~"

"~ Why ye, my endless mate of beauty. ~"

One Avian Griffional fem, just tweet-snorted back at her aged-ageless belove of ageless love. (Ascension helped such iotas. Resurrections too, but anywho...) Such she even flustered her white-pink-red feathers at her green-red-white mates. It was felt. Haii'lee then remarked over at... "~ Are ye more focused on your task, nonetheless Kraan? ~"

The male Elder of the Cystralship Clutch in presence, only looked out with his engorged in miracles incumbent, at the Crystal-HUD operation display, overlain upon a viewscreen of their closing in upon target. Kraan just shrugged his enormous avian shoulders. "~ Ye mean I was meant to forget the approaching factoid, afar yonder, and only appeal my senses to your gorgeous own? ~"

Han'lee just smirked her pink-white polished beak, before a avain clutch kith float-flew past her vision. Her eyes trailed more as three more clutch Avians of youth, chases after in endless play. Such was the juxtaposition here, that made up a typical crystalship, upon peaceful enough maneuvers.

Ala within: A 'bridge', that was more a crystal-tree lattice, with nesting alcoves of various shapes and sized and uses, that beheld a vessel of some three hundred and twenty-eight Griffional citizen-souls. The age differential was extraordinary, as a professional bridge was also of a nursery, educational center, and all else a living space was of utilization, while also acting of a Starship of mode operable of comparable to nigh any other. The interior was of serene sculpture, with the hull translucent enough to also act as omni-viewports to the miracle of the stellar workings afar. A white hazed hue encompassed upon all such. Light within was akin of jewelers display akin, with melded white electro-lighting, gave effectual construct to the artistry. Same said of the alcoves that where needed, was of vessel operations on bidden holo-cue. Such 'also' were 'stations' for various Clutch upkeep of shared breeding mate activities, ala shared kith of numerous generations within the Clutch. Areas were of nesting of new generations to come, of eggs to come, to those borne to feeding, then playing and teaching, then those later on of education or assistance of younger generations. Youths of progressive age, that had more than a few youngins of interest, were of the Journeyman Sects, that were learning of their place in the Gaian Way. Such either of Clutch within, of where to go of interest noted, of place beyond to come. Past those of the Artist Sect, was the endless iota of herein and now.

The elders of those that were of quite in true mating pairs, were the ones that either taught, caretaker primary, or 'here', of purpose in a small celestial sand grain, of the working of 'next' to come, in the long planned out Cogs of Plan Beta.

Ala without-out: That next ever so wee minor Cog, was of a flotilla of Sixteen various Crystalships, all akin to serene avian shapes of size, that denoted several Classes within Bre`reth`ereth Fleet Legion; 126,183,983rd Facet Sect; Eren'phrraii Element 983,349,152,958. Such were of escorts to six IMMENSE vessels of akin A-SSD size, if not of actual Class. Those comprised of why the Fleet was moving at speed, at the near limit of Sublight Photonic speed, the limit where Einstein laid the rules of Physics by. A place where bullets dreamed of speeding uptowards.

The reason for that, was the target they were nearing, 'only' through another miracle of Gaian understanding of bending physics to one's own will, and the energon to help pull of the nigh impossible: Gravity curvature of Space-Time. That fact, was drizzled down to a simple iota. Merge one's space-time node, to a larger one, and allow 'it' to take over as the primary inertia force. Course all 'that' was pointless, without a goal.

Of such Kraan heard from the Space-Time Controller Tech. "~ Approaching within one hundred and seventy-two light seconds of the planetary node. We're beginning the next merge into the local gravity well. ~"

"~ Verily. ~" ...as the Avian Elder that led the Clutch, 'of' the same Facet in presence here. About only twentieth in overall population, many of the rest were awaiting receipt of the 'package' being chased after.

The next the Avian beheld, 'wasn't' Avian in source. "~ Are we there yet? ~"

"~ Soon enough. ~" ...the Avian Lord turned, to a glowing akin humanoid Avatar lass of the Hikari. The lead actor of the 'reason' all of what was occurring, was even possible. Of one such., that was both glowing of white akin energon beauty, and also, one that was sweaty. The Hikari Lass Heenee complained for the 'other' clutch in mutual presence... "~ Just saying, you know, since we're been like this for some sixteen overcyclons now, since we Folded in and all, and you know... my Sisters and I... ARE TIRED!! ~"

"~ Okay. ~ / ~ Okay. ~" ...both Avians just tweeted, making for a comical fit from a being that was all sweaty as heck, despite all of standing still and all. The Hikari Seed lass however struck back with... "~ Of 'course' of you both want to head off and make you next Kith and all, while we all here rest do the actual work. ~" ...which was of comical embarrassment allusion obvious to the rest about, of mixed facades avian of either more matured chuckles and chickles, to those of blanching youth-kith versions. The added were of Han'lee's 'huff', feathered arms folded, and of Kraan's version of spinning about, BLASTING multichromatic feathers about in objection! "~ Do YE mind Lass!! ~"

"~ Every day of every Eon. ~" ...Heenee cutely smiled back. Kraan just spun back around with a flustered... "~ Are we there yet? ~"

"~ We get there when we get there. ~" ...came a strange retort from about 'all' the kith Griffionals. This before a Celestial Mechanics Avian-Tech, with some seventeen Avian chicks covering him, remarks off holo-data... "~ End Point 72 is reporting the Lagrange Point of the Fold is 0.172 within accurate calculation. ~"

"~ Steady as all goes. ~" ...Han'lee replies cool, as Kraan turns and brings up (again) a transpose holo-display of both the target, and the end point of where the target was going to end up. Kraan smirked proudly.

"~ In about seven more overcyclons, alignment will be achieved, and we will garner another lost soul upon our Fields of Black. ~"

The main point, when space-time Null was achieved, the accompanying Desta`litha Commandships, would deploy in a unfurl akin of a crystal flower, and in six set points, would begin to retard the speed of the space-time local field of the Target. Once a 'slow' enough pace was achieved, the energy of inertia would be funnel into the Hikarispace Subspace Layer, all the while the Target would be Fold Jumped into place of the calculated Lagrange Point, of System MWCG-OAT 7247/LAP-4. The Sapphire Fleet Operational Sector would receive this next batch, as the Starbase Gravity node there, would see the emplacement of the Target node: One dead frozen world that had long since been ejected from the Milky Way Core Galaxy, by calculated tidal forces of supernova slingshot ejection that 'somehow' the Target world survived at all in the first friggen place, (if Comptroller calculations were relative correct enough.)

The 'point' was to establish several planetary nodes for terraforming into local Super-Comptroller nodes, that would assist-compile of a Sever Network at planetary scales. Basically engineered Comm-Tech Worlds that had all the Synthetic glory, without the pointless resistance of Borgification annoyances. Such the latter, Gaians had begotten 'far' more effectual and elegant solutions for achieving Gaian needs that once had 'mechanics' in achieving Multi-universal dominance. (Of one note, such places were 'perfect' nurseries for Energon based electro-life. Examples replete from there.)

Course all that was akin to operations such as this, now taking place, in such frightening concert. Han'lee strode up, her Clan Clutch elder kimono-esc robs swaying of elegant electro-lined silks, patterns of hue amending colors to her natural own. (Cherry Blossom trees were a Avian favorite, begotten from Gaian humanoid kin, of ages past.) "~ Stellar recycling at it's finest. ~"

"~ Good. ~" ...Kraan simply denoted, as Network confirmation, that about ten thousand similar operations were taking place, as Gaians attended to one of their 'means' to acquire anew land, of a sort, by reclaiming for the vastly greater part, of 'so' many available of such lost, across the Alpha Universe alone, celestial objects of the lost. Location mainly done off Space-Time graviton wakes, calculated upon in advance by triangulation from the other Three Realms Comm-Orb Networks, before the current in action harvest would take place. In all... "~ One hundred and twelve new anew Stellar Fortifications for the MWCG-Gamma Endeavor after Beta completes, as well as another two thousand or so anew further systems within the Alpha Expanse Zone. At least as long as enough Stellars survive the Fold process. ~"

"~ You doubt 'my' kin? ~" Han'lee made steel clad challenge of that denote. Kraan just smirked. It almost made the Elder fly about in a chased panic, more nominal of the kiths flying about him. One blue in blue lad kith mix landed upon his far larger melon, as the Elder remarked. "~ Then be sure 'all' our anew Stellar kin are so saved. From there... ~" ...he turns in motion, and tone that Han'lee married him for... "~ ...we can begin the next step of funneling in Entropic matter to be reformatted for Nebula Sculpting for the Stellar Matter Reserves. I expect the Contest for the submissions for the Artistic Workings are 'soon' incoming? ~"

"~ Soon enough. ~" ...Han'lee tuned back, before turning, causing her replete hair in feather braided tail feathers to brush 'across' Kraan's beaked facade. Good thing feathers hide blushes well. Not so much feathers afluster.

All such lent to (despite the sleeping kith nestled within his melon feathers,) Kraan then hearing... "~ Might need a bigger vessel Class again soon 'there'. ~" ..whit... "~ Nay so obvious!! ~" ...with Heenee simply busting a gut. (Actually across the entire local Facet at that.)

From there and then, Kraan then took a look 'back' past the upper 'view' of the upper hull, at the white ice-akin frosted haze of the glory of the Milky Way Core Galaxy itself. A light-spiel view of some few hundred thousand light-years old. Sagittarius Spiral still making it's 'way' into the Galaxy's gravitation embrace, so stretched of gravitational elongation and ye all. All such sudden gave Kraan anew of artistic idea.

"~ Hmmm... ~" ...the Elder mused, as the kith atop nuzzled in deeper for a good nap.

[Gaian Ascendancy]

-Sol, Saturn orbit, Sol-Saturn Starbase Complex-

"Wow." ...Captain Rose heard, and had to fight down her blush in sake of command propriety, as Eranii allayed typical Gaian awe, as GSS HM-Candraium exits Fold, to a sight that was 'far' more appeasing of local area, than it once originally was. Eranii then heard, as sight replete filled the forward viewscape, from the Star Captain, "A far better sight these days here, than they were here once, some... decade ago hence? The Gaian Civil War..."

"...ended here. Yeah." Eranii left all such. the details were enough in the Network, not needing reliving here of. All such in favor of the life of activity, as Gaian vessels began popping in more and more, to begin reassuring custodianship of the complex, off of Dornalian and Gaian Synthetic stewardship. The sight of three A-SSDs, and a Journey Sar'nor, was the initial anchoring details, of the presence of no less... "Uh..." ...ala Eranii noting... "...is... is that Eternal Destiny itself? Th-then this is..."

"Diamond Fleet Facet." Captain Rose remarked with a smirk over. Eranii looks all good well and awe-lost, as she informs... "Your idea and all. You have an audience incumbent here, good sir."

Words were lost in his ice throat filled gulp, as Captain Rose calls out... "Begin docking protocol with Valkyrie Station. We'll be taking a Palladium to the Flag."

"- Aye Captain. -" ...the Forran Comm-Tech calls back, as Eranii trades a look with nodding Wavern. Captain Rose then makes about face. "Let's go Hero." ...and anime drags a mind blank Eranii by the collar, before he can respond. Not that a moment later... "Stop dragging me blank it!" ...allays that at zilch all.

Wavern then looks at his new Section compatriots. "- Tis was always one to be so commanded. -" ...the other Gaians near, all smiling knowingly.

---

Meanwhile, the Diamond Fleet Facet had serious work to do. Such one of the Facet Commanders, Synthetic High General Scetu remarks, overseeing operations from the Eternal Destiny Overdeck Bridge. "- : First Wave Sections are sending first holo-data from initial scan vectors. Begin compiling. : -"

"Understood." ...Admiral Ruri Hoshino responded, her eyes lain in several enormous holoscreens, as her ever as youthful husband, and equal Facet Admiral Hari Makibi Hoshino remarks in kind. "Is the Sol-Luna detachment unit prepared?"

"- : Awaiting authorization on that aspect Admiral. : -" ...General Scetu remarks, as a Katath Ops-Tech floats over on a hover-console chair platform, to hand over a data-Padd over too, before float-zipping off. Admiral Ruri remarks off such... "Such is the purvue of Councilor Peorth to attend. Simply concentrate on arrival vessels for vector orders. "

"- : Aye Admiral. : -" ...the General then snap teleports over to a 'nearby' Section, of the Stadium sized Overbridge. Such leaves the two Admirals to gloss over the majesty of the awescape before them. Saturn, it's glorious rings cast in expansive view, as the Complex orbited above the ringscape. Eternal Destiny floated with the Hikari Class A-SSD off to it's port, it's own expansive breadth, lending it's own detail, as far, seen Starbases Archon, Home One and Valhalla lend partial detail of each, in set orbital distances of several hundred kilometers off from each other, still 'more' than seeable of detail for each. in-between, orbital and support docks and Starbases, that comprised the Complex, as various vessels of the Fleet of assignment, began receiving theirs in preparation, as well as support vessels to 'stock up', for the long support haul, conducted. A few patrol vessel, mecha, or starfighter such, added to the bearing of military view, one otherwise quite peaceful, in comparison to the history of the area incumbent, as far as Gaian minds were so such mindful.

One detail missing, Hori made comment of, in asking back. "Is the Commerce plan a part of all this?"

Ruri nodded. "Yes. However diplomacy reigns first. We'll leave that to such betters than us here."

"Not that it'd stop us, if we were asked to." ...Hori commented, Ruri cocking an eye over... "Or you?"

Hori shrugged, such a youthful wife saw. "We've been at this martial side of the coin for awhile." ...and then he looks back with a mindful smile. "I wouldn't mind if such peaceful endeavors put us out of the business."

"If only our Enemy was appeasing there. Plus I'm not preferred to be a Nergal representative."

"Pourquoi pas?" ...a Councilor's voice injected, such was Ruri's comment so absconded. The Admiral (Hori) just snickered, as the Admiral (RuriRuri) made defeated anime comment off... "Cause I still think of Erina as an idiot." ...even spinning back around more emotional than usual of the 'Cy-form Fairy'. "I mean she didn't come across as professional to the Allanean's when they conducted the Númerrámar vessel trade deal. Made us look like a bunch of idiots."

Peorth, her 'nominal' bikini-in-leather accouterments, melded-meshed over with Intracellic diplomatic robes that only 'alluded' to her shapely curvatures where artfully 'displayed' within down the center, just shrugs. "And yet, the first vessels are slated to arrive soon, to the Expanse Border complexes as agreed. Such still alludes to how we do business, quite Littéralement." ...such the Councilor floated forth past the duo, to the Sol alit fore of the stadium sized transparasteel-holo-inlay viewport, where the Over-platform floated near. She then heard Hori remark... "All such despite Admiral Yurika then having an A-SSD try to blast their shuttle with Ionics? What about 'that'?"

Peorth hid her teardrop well, as she just quipped... "Such your Lady RuriRuri remarked, they are a bunch of crétins."

Both admirals just sighed comically.

And then a 'special' Fold flash, denoted for Peorth to denote... "Ah, our héros tis arrived." ...such she spins around all chipper. "Do see to their arrival all posthaste. The same when the Dornalian contingent arrives. Our busy day hath begun."

"Indeed." Admiral Ruri agrees.

[New Dornalia]

The old Sol-Saturn Complex had indeed been one of the interesting wonders of the UCK era. Born from one of the Ascendancy Realms’ many wars, the complex, for the longest time, was a simple, jointly administered place. Not even the ravages of the Dornalian Civil War had touched this place--the Loyalists and the Mahdists alike respected it as a kind of neutral zone, where personnel from both factions had some beer and stared at each other gamely across various tables.

Of course, this facility continued to operate into the Colonial Republic era. In the Dornalian Defense Department’s nomenclature, the Dornie side of the complex was technically known as Joint Forces Activity Sol-Saturn, with the attendant Navy, Marine, Army and even Immigration and Common Border Authority personnel using the area as a transit point and occasionally getting stationed there. Of course, the Joint Forces Activity’s base commander--an ICBA man, oddly enough, named Captain Tim Spaulding--had to consult with his Gaian Synthetic counterpart, and made sure to do so.

Generally, if a Dornalian was assigned here, it was considered a pretty cushy posting. Not much happened here, frankly, save for the odd Immigration and Common Border Authority ship going after miscreants that didn’t obey the posted speed limits, and the odd Dornalian Navy vessel moving back and forth, refueling and letting the men onboard experience shore leave, with proper supervision of course. Also, the rumor had it that the food here was some of the best anywhere--it had to be when one of the other do-tenants was from a civilization that made Clarke’s Third Law valid.

Things were looking relatively sedate, until the day the Diamond Fleet Facet came to town. And come they did, with a lot of men, and a lot of materiel. And they began docking at Valkyrie Station….

***

Captain Spaulding’s message came to Los Angeles as quickly as possible. It spoke of “a sudden visit by the Gaians,” who were deploying a large contingent--much larger than anything deployed in a long, long time at Sol-Saturn--and how they “wanted something rather urgent.”

And soon, a contingent of one of the Republic’s mightiest, most elite forces came to pay a visit. Not because the Gaians posed a threat--no, the Gaians were old friends, because of their quirks and great shared struggles. But frankly, it was sheer coincidence. After all, the Red Banner Fleet--formally the Earth Defense Force--was the formation to be a part of in Dornieland. Its purview was the Solar System, and it was staffed with every Marine, Navy, and Army person of considerable aptitude who got themselves PCS’d over here to work long hours, remain on constant alert, and work with the Congressionals and the Menelmacari to defend Earth if some jackwagon decided to invade it.

So, without further ado, several ships would drop out of warp near the Complex, a fairly good mixture of vessels which would be familiar to the Gaians (but slightly shinier--that’s what the distance of time will do, given technological upgrades), and some new ones as well. None of them would have their weapons up, and all of them had their shields down for the moment.

Leading them would be a familiar vessel--a Mercury-Cain class Battlestar. The Mercury-Cain would identify itself as the CRS Chakri Naruebet. And, if the Gaian databanks cared to remember the management’s appearance/voice patterns, they would hear a very familiar Polish accented voice, and the visage of one who was surprisingly youthful, but still quite aged and someone who had seen a lot.

The voice would say simply:

“Hello, old friends from the Gaian realms. This is Supreme Commander Katarzyna Wachowski. What brings you back here like this? Is something the matter?”