As what was happening across so many other worlds, both sharing and not sharing the same cosmos, a lone Drechan Starcruiser quietly slipped into a system.
It very quickly ascertained that the typical method of entry would not work.
The system was swarming with spacecraft, the shine of countless fusion torches like moving stars all on their own. The great stellar body at the center of the system was partly smothered by hovering plates of solar collectors, and the immense energies they harvested were beamed across the system by immense laser arrays. The worlds of this system, five in total, were of the same ilk, albeit of varying size. All were terrestrial, with an atmosphere of primarily inert gasses. Temperatures were incredibly low on these planets, as the thin atmospheres and active geo-engineering cooled them to frankly unreasonable points. On the surface of these worlds, immense geysers of molten nickel indicated the location of underground industry, but the most notable feature was the oceans.
Each planet was coated in an ocean of blackness. Occasionally, a mountain or towering monolith of unknown purpose would extrude from the uniform surface, but the oceans were immense, and eerily still. The Starcruiser could detect no life signs on any of these structures. A mechanical race, perhaps? Or merely automatons tottering about on half-forgotten orders from long-dead masters?
This question was answered when the Starcruiser was hailed.
The message was simple. A series of pictographs, depicting what appeared to be a description of the beings of this system, followed by an inquiry as to who the Starcruiser was.
The description stated that the inhabitants were the oceans. That they pursued the secret of perfection. That they were seekers of knowledge-and would give freely if the Starcruiser had any of its own.
They called themselves the Arkiv.
The Starcruiser over the world of The Arkiv was not expecting this. A message, sure, but what the message contained was a complete and total shock throughout the hivemind that controlled all of Drecha's dominions. Even the sovereign of the hivemind, Drecha the Eternal himself, was slightly baffled by the message, however, he concluded, this was to be expected, as life took many forms through the multiverse. The Starcruiser was instructed not to invade, but to study. A message was broadcast in return, but a vague one, merely stating that the ship was from a visiting universe, and a species of warriors that was curious about this world.
HORDE SPACE- OVER THE WORLD OF VEGA III
From: Horde of One
To: Drechan sovereignLong live to the Cosmos, Mother of All Life, Bringer of All Death. We hope that the ritual combat that took place is enough for you to be convinced of the benefits your polity will get should our alliance be ratified. It certainly convinced us. The Drechan fighting prowess is worthy of respect, without doubt, and together we will bring the Cosmic Scythe to a great many unworthy civilizations. Because of your victory, we will give you the honour of directing the Horde. Do tell, Drecha, who will be the first to feel the wrath of our fleet?
The exercise was complete. The ritual concluded. The victory belonged to Drecha. The war, however, had only just begin. Conquest was near. The storm was about to rain destruction upon the nations who resisted. Drecha had found a new ally, one which was more than worthy, in their eyes, of sharing the Eternal Conquest. The Starcruiser prepared to return to The Hive, but before it did, it broadcast a final message to the Horde of One.
From: Drecha the Eternal
To: Horde of OneHorde Allies- I have analyzed the ritual conflict with precision. I have watched every moment of it, from every perspective of my loyal soldiers. I must say, I am impressed with your performance, tactics, and precision. This is something that has not been done in over half a millennia. You have come closer to victory than any other faction has in that time- especially of one of your size and power. I am genuinely impressed. You are most certainly worthy in partaking in our Eternal Conquest- an honor not bestowed on any outsider before now. You should be proud of your actions and your choice. Let us continue our Conquest. The first under our blade shall be those who wish to resist. Those who organize rebellion. The nations of Valentine Z, Mirum, and The Empire of Amenria will be those first three. They are conspiring together to fight back- a noble effort which will ultimately fail. I doubt they are capable of fighting back at all- one of our Starcruisers will accompany an equivalent from your nation to each destination for a total of six vessels to three destinations- and will fall within the first months of arrival. Let the Conquest continue, and may The Stars be ever at your side.
ABOVE THE WORLD MACHINE- SHIRNIJING REGION
- Code: Select all
This is a test radio message. Please respond to this signal with an affirmative message if it can be received.
The Starcruiser received and understood this message- but sent no reply- other than increasing its altitude by another mile. The ship would remain on the defensive- for now- not firing unless fired upon- and even then- would only destroy the unit that attacked it.
OOC Section:
Notes:
-New IC format!
-New OOC format!
-Valentine Z, A m e n r i a, nothing personal in you two being (a part of) the first targets. It's just that, in the eyes of Drecha, you two (and my alt account of Mirum) are the biggest threats for agreeing to form a coalition. I'm thinking, as of RN, Drecha (as in the leader) seriously underestimates all of your nations' power, meaning he is going to get a nasty surprise. That should show that I am not going to be metagaming/godmodding, nor will I be encouraging it.
Summary of post:
-Alliance officially formed between Drecha and the Horde of One.
-Starcruiser over the world hosting the Arkiv ordered not to attack, out of curiosity (which was an IC and OOC decision, as I could not find a full reason to attack both OOC and IC).
-Starcruiser over the World Machine moves higher up, does not reply to sent message.