Finding the Path Back Unto... (FT Open)

[Gaian Ascendancy]

"Confirm our position." Imladris demanded as Lind BARKED... "STATUS!!" ...which about blew some eardrums out, all around the Ascendancy A-SSD bridge, which told just how LOUD Lind was. It took a few moments, but Ackronus confirms over comm, aboard a Unity A-SSD... ": ~ We are confirmed receiving telemetry within the Core System. We're back home. ~ :" ...which by sight alone familiar, to the Gaians, was still shivering to comprehend.

"Did... did we just get teleported across the galaxy, like some transporter function?" Imladris asked, going off the sensations he felt. None of the others dared try to answer that one... yet... The implications were too fathomless to comprehend.

And then over Comms... ": - LORD EXCELLENCY!!! EX-1 PLEASE RESPOND!!! - :" ...came a rather panicked voice, as Eihwa quips... "I suspect we surprised a few folks with that one." ...this as Akito's voice pops up on a separate holoscreen. This before the rather pleading voice pops up, as the face of a Steel Angel... Imladris blinks as... ": - EX-1!! Please...!!! - :" ...before Imladris raises a calming hand at... "Steel Angel Commander Kaori, is it not?" ...this as Imladris confirms direct contact with the core Hikari network archives, to be certain. The blue-teal haired Steel Angel Commander, just slumps a sigh suddenly... ": - Oh thank the Hikari you're alright. - :"

Imladris just blushes and blinks all the while, as Yurika's image then pops up. ": - Someone sure is popular with the ladies. - :"

"Hey!" Imladris complains, before Lind... "How cute..." ...responds with a grinding tone, one that Imladris COMPLAINS at... "HEY!!!"

": - We have extra company guys! - :" ...now Tenchi's image pops up, before a good DOZEN more pop up, in reaction. Imladris... "It's a bit crowded here."

Then came over the sound of Synthetic-Machiner General Scetu, (ala a standard Grievous type model, all shiny and iRobot like, with angelic monikering out the ying yang. Standard fare on Synthetics, of all kinds, from terrestrial form, up to the Droid-Machiner Warship fleets, even up to the Mothership classes. Hey, Gaian treat Synthetics right man,) as he informs from the A-SSD Command Core Communications Sector. ": - Receiving a transmission from standard logged Dornalian frequency spectrums. - :"

"Play it." Immy responded, and...

": - Anyone out there? This is CRS Chakri Naruebet, Supreme Commander Wachowski speaking. We'd like to know what's going on, over? - :"

...and Immy, sounding like some annoyed New York cabbie, or something... "I got it." ...before he clears his throat, and a chime sound in the Command Core, informs that Comms are open. "Well... ah... sorry about that. But I welcome you to Gaian Core Space, Gaia-Ceii."

-----

All around... ...for a start...

...Gaians have developed a standardized system of pattern traffic control, despite even now, with ACTIVITY going on everywhere, thanks to Plan Alpha in formal operation, this of the following...

Before everyone, a blue in blue world, with a couple of natural satellites, orbiting close to Gaia-Ceii, the large natural orbiting ring, arcing around the planet. The deep blue in blue coloration, a direct effect of both, natural effects of being in a refraction nebula, along with reflective elements introduced, by the Avian Ascendants, as a dual purpose diffusion crystalline dust field, was added to the natural Nebula Cloud, both for the color, and to diffuse natural radiation, this before other processes were added further, to eliminate radiation waveforms, from causing undue harm to Gaians that at the time of arrival, were struggling to exist, as it was. This all even meant starlight, and there was a LOT of it, from the surrounding active star forming factory, of the natural nebula, was refracted in blue hues, for the most part. Eyesight had to adjust a little, but the glimmering aspects of it all, was preserved. One certainly didn't feel 'blue' here, as other glimmering lights, were from the Core Place Tree, that blazed on like it's own Star, planetside, this as actual ablaze forests of Hikari Trees, were scattered amongst the planetscape, seen from orbit. Otherwise, it was a standard M-Class planet, with Climateizer effects applied, that wouldn't feel too off, from any other inhabitable, earth like planet.

And then came the artificial effects, besides the blue in blue spacescape being displayed. Nevermind the satellites natural, were crawling with Hikari Trees, melded with lunar wide artificial structures, that seemed like the moons were like Planet Coruscant, sorta, except Trees did most of the lighting. (Plenty of planet-city lighting, to go with them.) Then came the sight of the StarBases. The ones shown to the Dornalians, to become part of the intended Saturn StarBase Complex, was puny.

The entire southern hemisphere, was like it was in a glimmering cage, that orbited above the planet. It was fitted 'within' the orbit of the natural rings. Gaia-Ceii FleetDocks.

A second, LARGER DockBase, essentially the same mode, orbited 'behind' line of sight of Gaia-Ceii, which was The Primary Republic StarFleet Docks. And there were Starbases of ALL kinds, all over the place. Some of the bases were glimmering AT the Dornalians, since it was habit to train Dimensional CannonStations at unfamiliar craft. Don't worry, the Juraians had a host of these Stations, aimed at 'them' as well, the Juraian Fleet seen off to the lower right, in high orbit around Gaia-Ceii, along with a host guard of six Gaian A-SSDs, keeping an eye on em. You don't wana know what other defenses were habitually aimed at both 'unfamiliar' forces. It was all habit, with a formal Operation, now taking place. Plus, these Gaians, of the four different Realms, had seen War the most recently, of temporal note. (The Dornalians know that 'that' means.)

And there was the outgoing Fold Jump startraffic, still occurring in the hundreds by the second. Others were Folding in from both inner Core Gaian space, as well as from locales of the MWCG and VLGG. Oh, and not to remiss the sight of the one Journey Sar'nor, the 500,000 kilometer monolith, holding Lagrange station keeping, off towards where the twin suns, casting a strange pall of blue shadow, across part of the System. it was strange with all that gleaming light, with all those strange looking blue shadows of celestial make. Oh, quite a few Fold Jumps were taking place over towards the Sar'nor, and some unseen StarAssets, far off in the gleaming starlight distance.

And don't look behind... and above... below... everywhere space touches... more of the same of such startraffic, from even more ENOURMOUS docks and ancillary StarBases. More Fold Jumps, a Boson JumpGate, with more standard large Cargo and Supportship traffic, coming through them, from other worlds and deep Nebula Space assets, that were scattered around the Blue Core Nebula region. And to be sure, some patrolling FACAF Warships, and Valkyrium cruisers and support BattleStars, along with a few other Warship patrols, now all focused of eye on the Dornalian guests. (Like they had much else to look at. Seen a few trillion Fold Jumps, ya seen em all.) To be sure, the Stations were quite far away from where the adhoc fleet for dumped, and yet, they were HUGE nonetheless.

And then there were the standard traffic control patterns. Lines of glittering star-traffic of shuttle-car and such civilian mode, swooped about, in serene, curving traffic control tubes. Vehicles the sizes of simple cars, and up to large shuttle barges full of cargo, orbited like living veins, about the planet, splitting off smaller 'veins' toward the six cities upon the planet, amongst other smaller townships and what not. The Traffic Control Tube, filtered to a second seen active Boson JumpGate, off to the left of view, where some other enormous Stations, held station keeping about it. The traffic was heading to other already heavily developed planets, in Gaian Core space. This which included now, the rest of the ascended....

-----

Imladris BLINKS... "ACK!!!" ...over open Comms... "Th... the... the... thwaa... A... AS ASCK... um..."

The others of Gaian mode, blink alot over the replete number of open holoscreens... this before Lind blinks as well... "Ascension Protocol?"

Yeah, they all BLINKED!!! Yurika was the next most... "ACK!!! THEY'LL TURN INTO MINI-SUNS!!!" ...er... calm... ...as several holoscreens actually ZIP about in panic!!! Yeah... as Imladris just BLASTS out... "GET THE DIMENSIONAL PROTECTION FIELD UP AROUND EM!!! LIKE TIME BEFORE YESTERDAY EVEN!!!"

Ruri's image just deadpans... ": - We need to lay off the sweets. - : ...this before Ashar's image just 'bonks' into Ruri's, yelping... ": - You kidding!?!? The Dornies aren't ready for Ascension!!! They'll... they'll... - :"

Sounded like, the trip was about to be a short lived one.

[New Dornalia]

...and Immy, sounding like some annoyed New York cabbie, or something... "I got it." ...before he clears his throat, and a chime sound in the Command Core, informs that Comms are open. "Well... ah... sorry about that. But I welcome you to Gaian Core Space, Gaia-Ceii."

OOC: Edited to reflect the explanation below, and for a bit more humor value.

"Thanks," came the dazed reply from the SupCom. Rubbing her head, she stood there, as she wondered what the hell she had gotten herself into. The last time she had entered Gaian space, it was something to behold. A heroic effort to resist the Dark Ascendancy, one for the record books and one for the ages. It was the subject of a small plaque in her office, and the subject of that Valkyrian Axe, after all. Now, here she was again. Things looked much friendlier, frankly, as there weren't gunshots. But it was, even with the bit of familiarity, a very different sight.

Gracie-Chakri Naruebet spoke.

"Supreme Commander, you better take a look at this."

Displaying the images, Gracie treated the Supreme Commander to a vast array of activity unequaled by anything except say, Coruscant in terms of business. Naturally, the locals were watching them, to ensure no funny business went about. But, as she saw the array of stations, including the ones to be placed around Saturn, and the brilliant blue hue of the place, she got the feeling that even with the wonders she knew the Gaians capable of producing, she'd never quite be able to get bored by them at the least. The blue was the most striking thing about it, and it held the crew in rapt attention for a moment. Gracie meanwhile, was logging everything they were seeing, for posterity, and for the boys back home.

Mrs. T looked at the place, and went, "Oh, my." Turning to Father Flanagan, she was intercepted by the Jesuit, who merely said, "I've got nothing. Given the fact' we're dealing with an advanced civilization here, they'd likely have any number of means to pull this little wonder off." Turning to the starways though, he then added, "Although I'm surprised they managed to get traffic control down so quickly. Commute doesn't look painful, even with the flow like that. I'd kill for that kind of commute."

Mrs. T looked at the screen, and took it all in, as someone who barely got into space would. She then merely said, "Wonder of wonders."

SupCom Wachowski looked at the immortal and nodded, as did Gracie, who chimed in, "Dunno if your friend over there told you this, but civilizations like this don't come every day." The AI then added with some degree of wry observation, "Then again, given our previous and now somewhat out of date intelligence on the Gaians, I think no one was really all that surprised."

"No doubt. An entire civilization of ascended beings, prosperity...." Staring intently at the screen, Mrs. T then got a funny look from Gracie-Chakri Naruebet, who added, "I'm finding this as intriguing and fascinating and worthy of a Kodak moment as you are, but do you have to stare so closely at the screen? You'll get cross eyed, you know."

Mrs. T looked up and smiled at the ship's AI. "A friend once told me that 'If you enjoy living, it is not difficult to keep the sense of wonder.' When you get to be my age, you will understand why I am so intently staring."

"If you say so."

Then, as the ships kept moving through the whole panoply of wonder and awesomeness, Gracie, for the lack of a better word, freaked out. Nervously, she coughed and poked the Supreme Commander, speaking urgently.

"Boss, I just realized something."

SupCom Wachowski looked at the AI and went, "Something the matter?"

"Either our navigators are making an epic dumb, or we're about to head to one of the gates."

"Can we turn around?" the Supreme Commander asked quickly, concerned for all of her vessels.

"Well, that's not the big issue at the moment, in fact, the other Gracies are ensuring our damn navigators don't do anything stupid. I just told them to tell their navigators to tell their people to stop their ships. The issue of the moment is the little problem of the, um...." Gracie-Chakri Naruebet fumbled with how to provide the exact nature of the report, but it was clear it wasn't likely the news the SupCom wanted to hear.

"What little problem?"

"Umm...."

"Well?"

The Supreme Commander's gaze was a piercing one, and one which urged through a nasty death stare that she was in no mood for Gracie to play inarticulate law student. The AI sighed and went, "Our somewhat outdated intel suggests that the Gaians have some pretty powerful dimensional things....things we may have needed prophylactics against...."

Wondering what Gracie was yammering about, her mind suddenly remembered the problems the Gaians had mentioned in allowing the Dornies to use their Boson Jumps without proper shields--indeed, it only now dawned on her that the entirety of the ad-hoc force was now in Gaian Space and alive by some reason, and without shields--oh dear. The sudden realization that this all likely meant her men were now, if not from the trip itself, then from something of a very significant nature in the environment of a dimensional nature (of course, the SupCom wouldn't have known of the name of the Protocol or its actual purposes, whereas us Authors would know of such things. Her intel isn't perfect!) caused the SupCom to grow white with panic. Nothing had scared her--not even the Mahdist revolt. Now, this would....

"FUCK!" Picking up the gertrude, she then went, "All ships this is the Supreme Commander. Begin macgyvering procedures with the shields, i want them ready in case of anything." Then, calling Imaldris, she went in very blunt and annoyed language that slightly thickened her Polish accent and seemed very confused by events, "This is CRS Chakri Naruebet. Requesting dimensional shield protection for my forces and an explanation as to what is going on!"

As this occurred, Mrs. T looked around at the party, and went to Gracie, "Our hosts are most amenable. I am sure they would do nothing to harm us."

"Sorry. SOP, lady."

"SOP maybe, but I would hardly call Gaians the bushwhacking kind," Mrs. T went with some annoyance.

Gracie then sighed.

"Can you at least prepare a spell or somehting?"

"If it would make you feel better, although I can swear that our hosts are not that kind of people. Living as long as I have, you tend to judge character very well." Shrugging and sighing, Mrs. T pulled open her Gladstone, she then began thumbing through the briefcase....

[Gaian Ascendancy]

*POP SOUND!!* - A mini-chibi blond, long haired, Nergal lab coat wearing Inez Fressange drops from the top of the thread, and pulls down a banner...

Too many voices to be normal: 'Get to know your Ascendancy - (A Nergal Production)'

": -Hello, I am Inez Fressange, and this is a special episode detailing the Ascension Protocol. This is one episode, in a series prepared for those not in the know. Today, we will talk about the aforementioned Protocol, and why it even exists. Forgive my techno-speak dry tone, and we'll get to the point.

Anyway, in the First Guardianship Ascendancy Era, the Gaians made a special treaty with the Angelics, a race of extra-dimensional beings that in essence, proscribe to every ideal that the first Gaian Lord Excellency, one Aleaic Kerensky ascribed to. They are everything as iconic as their name suggests, and reside in a portion of alternate parallel reality subspace, called the Eternal Aspect Dimension. They resided in Hosts, for both military, and peaceful applications and endeavors, and are naturally ascended from birth, a process not unlike natural freebirth, in the Ascendancy. The Angelics approached the Gaians, lending assistance in year 5 of the First Guardianship, after the original Foundation, and with agreement, the Gaians gained the assistance of at first, a small number of Angelics, later grown to the point in number, that they became 'Gaian' by association of cooperation. However this discussion really centers on the events now called in Archives, as the Eternal War.

During the Third Age of the Ascendancy, the Angelics called on the Treaty, and the Gaians got their first taste of Universal scale warfare, unlike any experienced beforehand, or even since. The Ascendancy essentially disappeared into the Angelic Dimension, to fight against very real Demon forces, over a long, protracted conflict, the Gaians learned of their place in the Grand Order of the Infinity Complex, and along the way, learned many special details, the Ascension Protocol being one of them.

Ascension Protocol, is in essence, trans-terraforming over large scales of space-time. Ascension should be familiar enough to lower developed civilizations, but despite, this format is applied to whatever we decide fit to be exposed to Ascendance energies. The process is a triggered effect, based off our vast civilization aspect of the Hiakri Trees, and a combined waveform of Hikari, Holia (the Angelic based waveform energies,) and Foundation Layer energy, in combination with special matrices and Encoding Programs, that are meant for nothing less, than instant terrafoming and ascension of every kind of stellar body, that comes in contact, with this triggered waveform energon.

There is no reversal effect of this waveform, once triggered, and was used as recently as at the end of the Gaian MWCG Civil War, in reaction to the voracious forces of the Hive Mind, that invaded at the tail end events, of the same Civil War, all of which was combined in hindsight, with a plan for this effect anyway, as a special safeguard protection for our still, at this time, by Gaian standards, a small, venerable Realm."

"Is this why we exist in this ascended state now?" ...this in the dry tone format of one Ruri Hoshino, this as... er... she's in 'uniform'... Inez responds again in kind... "Why yes indeed Cabbit-RuriRuri. It all is as much to protect ourselves in the short term from potential enemies, such as the vile Dark Ascendancy, as much as it is to chain terraform, and trans-ascended our current bioform, cyform and Machinerform formats. That is not to say we are walking light-bulbs that flick in and out of annoying existence or something, but it's what we have become used to being, in the last few thousand Universal Ages."

Ruri... er... "And this is why I'm dressed in a Cabbit costume?" ...this in dryer a tone than normal for her. Inez just thumbs behind her. "You could have had the rabbit costume instead, like Ryoko behind me is wearing." ...this the camera pans to see a cyan-spiky haired (and FUMING) wife of Tenchi Masaki, bound and gagged inside the rabbit costume, quite LESS than happy about it. There's a shiner bulging below her rabbit hoddie-something, almost out of sight. Ruri sees... "She'll just kill you later for this." ...which Inez just chuckles... "Worry not, Ayeka helped." ...which makes Ryoko-rabbit BOUND all of the place, struggling and saying words, that her gagged mouth keeps lil ears from hearing.

Ruri then asks, cause... eh... "So, Ascension Protocol is mainly for Gaians?"

Inez... "To a point. Obviously other ascended races and beings, would not be too affected by the Protocol, when triggered. However the primary reason for the now past Isolation, was that the Protocol had the effect of enforced Ascension, upon those of bioforms, that are not evolutionary prepared for it. In essence, what the others are yelling about, is that an unprepared bioform, and some cyforms and Synthetic archetypes, would then essentially be force ascended, without proper focus of the mind to handle it properly. Ascension requires discipline to harness, to prevent a body overloading on the contained waveform energon effects, which is a combination of mind expansion, body absorption of the same energies, and trans-dimensional anchoring, the last a complex process of our various bio-matricies and nanite formats that allow us to remain anchored in this reality, and not end up drifting through some 'higher plane' that we simply don't want a part of. Putting ourselves as direct gods, not participating in existence as a whole, isn't our goal here. Nor is it the goal of others not of our mode, to suddenly turn into miniature stars, as their minds literally burn out from ascension energy. This is a form of mind narcosis that was the primary reason for Isolation.

The Protocol is essentially still in effect, despite ten Cyclon Solars now having past. That's the primary problem at hand here, with... well... the trick Lord Aleaic pulled, that defies even our sciences. Trust me alone, nevermind others of my scientific ilk, we intend to explore the effects conducted, after we assure safety of our friends."

Ruri just smirks... "That would be why a Shield Tree just Folded amongst the Dornalian Fleet. Plus..." ...this she then realizes a good bit for once, before Inez already did... "...and they're not in any danger. Are they?"

Inez teardrops. "I would doubt heavily, that our former Lord Excellency would drop unprepared mortals, into a Protocol, that Aleaic himself was likely already aware of. There's probably more to it all. And as to the Protocol, there's still a timeframe of another fifty standard Cyclons Solar, before the area of the Blue Core Nebula is safe to enter for non-Gaians, as a special type of personal grade shielding would be needed to be provided to outside citizen souls, before they can approach our core worlds. This all of course, makes for a splendid defensive zone, against non-ascended invasion forces, which all doesn't include of various Orders and Toumans and Fleets, prior to inclusion of any defense anyway.

The priority of the Expansion, as a part of things, is to make our Realm more accessible to outside civilizations, as well as to increase our holdings to match our other Realm 'allies', as well as to look cool while doing it."

Ruri just shrugs. "So basically, our new Lord Excellency Imladris just wants to match..." ..Inez coughs, Ruri leapfrogs to... "...with the pompous Jurai Lord Excellency, who is none too pleased with Imladris, being a proper challenger to Azusa, in all aspects." ...this Inez just giggles... "Yes. Nothing ever really changes, for any of us. Just only how the story is told, in unique ways."

Ruri just smiles. All the while an impromptu forced holoscreen channel from Azusa, flicks on for a second, before SNAPPED shut, by Inez, via Hikari Net rudeness. Both just smirk further, in kind. - :"

-----

Meanwhile, as the sudden broadcast is shown, Gaian operations wide, as well as to the Dornalians of direct enough mode, a Gaian Hikari Shield Tree Fold Jumps into the midst of the Dornalian combined Fleet, answering the demand the Dornies easily had coming. A set of Angelhawk Wings deploys in split seconds, the vast multi-kilometer wide, triad set of Hikari-Holia mixed energon, deploys a Dimensionalized scrambler field that localized to cancel out the Ascension Protocol effects, which despite 'prior help', was to the Dornies, as their bodies feeling 'warm', and their minds a bit 'too cerebral', to be considered normal. Of course...

": - What did Commander Ruri mean by 'they're not in danger'? - :" ...this holoscreen Yurika asks bluntly. Imladris considers, as another holoscreen of Caladeni asks... ": - Are we of Twilight and Juraian archetype Gaians, in any danger ourselves? - :" ...this Eihwa shakes her head, her Italian inflection spicing words to effect of... "Nay. We all of the old 'Gaian' lay prior to Second Exodus, are used to the Protocol already. Our Angelic Soul Partners are one of the protections for this anyway, not that we aren't already evolved to the point of ascension auras anyway."

"And the Dornalians are in no danger either." Imladris states, a lot of holoscreens looking at him, as Lind explains as well... "Given whom sent us here, in a format that defies even our logic, it's likely the Dornalians are somehow... 'protected', from the Protocol." ...Imladris nodding, as he rubs his chin, with a gleaming white diamond techno-gauntlet. "We can enhance that further, with the special Protocol shielding devices that Washu was developing anyway."

Just then, Inez's image pops up, as well as an image for Cabbit-Ruri, the former asking... ": - Apologies my Lord, but 'how' did you know about that? - :" ...this alluding to information not disclosed yet. And also then alluding to the 'you're kidding me' look, from Imladris, in return. "I won a Trial of Knowledge over Refusal, over Washu last year, concerning what she was teasing me about."

": - Chess. - :" ...the rest, including Lind and Eihwa, simply quip, Imladris smirking proudly. "Aye." ...this in turn Inez nods, and Hori then mentions over his Comm... ": - We need to get enough prototypes made, for all the affected Dornalian crews, as soon as possible! - :"

"Brian Cache Delta-8734/MB44-23LI has enough for an Army, at this point." Imladris imparts, before Inez just comically complains back... ": - Stop that sire! - :" ...this Immy just chuckles in kind, before he's foot stomped by Lind in response.

"Don't get cocky." Lind 'asserts', as Immy ow-bounces around for a bit.

And then, another holoscreen pops up, one with... ": - Ah, the Lord Excellency... er... cometh? - :" ...this a LOT of eyes blink around in seeing... ": - L... L... Lady Jean Kerensky!?!? - :" ...this as the elder image of the mother of the new Representia, just shows her eternal, youthful beauty, ever tinged by motherhood, as the auburn haired Lady Excellency of the Representia Realm, is more focused on Immy's painful reaction to prior. Jeain sees, and then giggles... ": - I see the power of the throne, remains ever at the chain of his neck. - :" ...which Lind... "Aye..." ...says beamingly, and Imlade spins about to carefully growl at Lind. It gets giggles and chuckles, all around.

Jeain then imparts... ": - I'm here on my Son's orders... - :" ...which got reactions from the gathered listening, as Jeain imparts... ": - ...which I just told to Lady Washu and Lady Peorth, as well as the Juraian Ladies Funaho and Masaki. Oh... and that Azusa guy that doesn't like you much, Lord Imladris, step-son. - :" ...which the latter part, makes the Gaians make a collective 'hmmm' before Imladris decides, keeping the Juraian channel closed for the moment, to be certain. "Okay then. Let's see to the Dornalian safety with those devices, while we settle all accounts, and head down to... to... yeeesh... to the Palace." ...this as the Juraian channel is trying to bust a holoscreen open, given 'whom' is trying to do so. There was consequences, more than likely for doing this, but Imladris then settled his orders... "Also, since we are here, we should update on the Operation, since we've been not a proper part, up to now. Let's make it happen fellow souls."

": - AYE! - :" ...a Gaian Landsdrad of billions cascade over the Net, this prior to Imladris then asks over open channel to the Dornalians... "Please be assured that nothing will happen to you. We are going to furnish special devices that will aid in protection of every last Dornalian guest, that is present in our System. If you need to contact your home commands, our Comm-Orb Network will accept your transmissions, off my express command authority. In the meanwhile, I formally welcome you to Gaian Core Space, and if it pleases you, please take a select command and guest staff, preferably those that attended the event prior aboard my Father's Treeship, to join us down at the Palace Tree, at your earliest convenience. If it would also please, allow our staffs to assist your effective safety and temporary immigration into Protocol space. Your safety as honored guests, is our primary concern at this point. Standby for further orders."

From there, the next stage of things, was set.

And the Dornalians would get a taste of Gaian 'Clan politics', along with their stay.

[New Dornalia]

": - AYE! - :" ...a Gaian Landsdrad of billions cascade over the Net, this prior to Imladris then asks over open channel to the Dornalians... "Please be assured that nothing will happen to you. We are going to furnish special devices that will aid in protection of every last Dornalian guest, that is present in our System. If you need to contact your home commands, our Comm-Orb Network will accept your transmissions, off my express command authority. In the meanwhile, I formally welcome you to Gaian Core Space, and if it pleases you, please take a select command and guest staff, preferably those that attended the event prior aboard my Father's Treeship, to join us down at the Palace Tree, at your earliest convenience. If it would also please, allow our staffs to assist your effective safety and temporary immigration into Protocol space. Your safety as honored guests, is our primary concern at this point. Standby for further orders."

From there, the next stage of things, was set.

And the Dornalians would get a taste of Gaian 'Clan politics', along with their stay.

Wachowski was glad to hear back from her hosts, and just as well. Her sudden burst of insight and sweats was not appreciated, and as she looked about, she found Mrs. T, to the amazement of all, pulling out a handkerchief from her Gladstone and wiping her face as if nothing had happened. She did look a little worried, but she took it like a trooper.

"Oh my. It was getting a bit warm, don't you think?" was her only comment on the matter.

SupCom Wachowski nodded, eager to move on and not think too hard about their close call. Well, to be honest, it wasn't that close. But it was quite a shock to have her sudden flash of insight accompanied by what felt like a heated sensation. Whatever forces were at work here seemed to amplify both, and she noted that down in the Chakri Naruebet's networks.

Picking up her Gertrude*, she called the fleet again and went, quickly and calmly, trying to find the right, calm, comprehensible English wordings to convey her hosts' intent: "All personnel, this is the Supreme Commander. You are ordered to stand down from alert status. Crisis is over. Repeat, stand down from alert status. Our hosts wish to talk and also assist us in getting acclimated to the dimensional vagaries of this realm we are currently stuck inside of. I will meet with them personally; however, they have agreed to send teams of personnel and some technological bits to assist us in maintaining our current positions--for a lack of a better term, existence being perhaps too esoteric--in this part of space. Please let them through if they request permission to board or otherwise install equipment on the ships. Direct any queries to me personally. Thank you."

Switching the comms to interface with the Comm-Orb Network, she then had the Gaians, after going through any needed procedures, send a message to JRCCC and the Cooperative Union, whom were no doubt panicking over the sudden teleportation of vessels.

"To all Joint Reaction Command and Control Center Personnel and Cooperative Union Central Troop Office staff, this is Supreme Commander Wachowski. I am alive along with a small contingent of Dornalian and CU forces. We are currently in the space of one of the Four Realms of the Gaian peoples, as they are currently extant now, and am engaging in fruitful negotiations with them as we speak. Do not be alarmed and instruct the President to stand down any and all search parties which she may be presently deploying or contemplating deploying. To authenticate this message, I am sending it with all appropriate tags and security codes. That is all."

Hanging up, she sent the message, and then told Gracie, "Remind that when we get back home, scramble the Security Codes per weekly rotation. I'm going to go change again, anyone else is free to do so from our previous meeting." Turning to Mrs. T, she went, in Polish, "That includes you, my friend. You may wish to wear something a bit lighter, though."

Mrs. T raised her eyebrow, and Gracie-Chakri Naruebet then went, "I got a spare change of clothes ready to be repli--"

"That will be quite alright. I will retrieve something from my wardrobe."

Skeptical that such clothing would be nothing more than more frilly dresses more proper for a period drama than a meet, the AI simply nodded and went, unsure, "Right."

---------------------

Now, the small Raptor-King shuttle, assembled and ready to go, would embark to the Palace Tree...after of course, everyone was prepared and all the IC shenanigans had been appropriately attended to on the Dornie side. The Gaians would find the same party as before, all well and assembled, with a couple of changes.

One was Mrs. T--she was in a simpler outfit. This one as also white, but it resembled something slightly less cumbersome than the Edwardian era "Mary Poppins" getup she had before, although it was certainly something that shouted "DIGNIFIED!" and "FORMAL!" and "OLD FASHIONED!" at one when they saw it, especially with the bonnet. She still had the Gladstone however, and her parasol, and the ever busy Father Flanagan trying to make sense of this all as a man trained in the Jesuit traditions of rationality and intellectual pursuit could try to do. However, he changed into a polo shirt and slacks.

A more striking addition, however, was the addition of the Captain from the Cooperative Union who had been the one showing some irateness earlier. A nametag on his uniform would read "Gersch." His uniform, similar to the Supreme Commander's but colored in a red, white and blue scheme as Cooperative Union formal dress was ordered to be, bore a strange triangular mark that distinguished him in another way besides the difference in color, as did the peaked cap. As he had been out of the loop for the initial meeting and only brought here by surprise, he was still somewhat wary of the goings on, although he was clearly in a better mood now that the Supreme Commander was explaining things to him, a sight which could be seen as everyone entered the Palace Tree....

*Dornie term used for the phone/communications set used to communicate within vessels and between vessels. Particularly, refers to the physical set itself. Bastardized and borrowed from a term used to refer to US Navy underwater telephones whose purpose is similar, but a tad different.

[Gaian Ascendancy]

All the meanwhile, quite at that, the Gaians went about multitasking the heck out of their myriad of deals to work on.

First off, Grand Admiral Yurika heads off with several of the Councilors and Command Staff, to ascertain the overall initial effects of Plan Alpha. This included checking on the current distribution of assets, Fleet forces, and all ancillaries, including resource consumption and collection aspects, still for one, even Gaian starcraft, ran on fuel, needed bio-matrices for replication of sustenance, and all the little details that went unglorified, compared to the Plan that was being supported.

Second off, NAIS and Diplomatic Advisory both were scrambling to begin reaching the designated Brian Cache, for the simply labeled (on the spot by Inez herself in fact,) Personal-D Shield units. Had to find them, through a Trove of stored, forgotten, and cached equipment that was mindbogging there alone, of many kinds. All this in a Cache the size of a mountain, on the Sixth planet Eredis-Ceii, set within an actual Fortress Lunar. (It is what it sounds like there.) The devices had to be sifted through, for about an hour, by anti-grav and point contact transporter cargo-Synthetics, since a LOT of stuff had been, in Gaian terms, adhoc stored at the time of creation of the Cache 'warehouse', with other stored parts and supplies, created as a part of the Isolation protocols for longer term self sufficiency in an emergency, meant that tens of millions of RU tons worth of stuff, had been essentially piled, one created set, atop another stored from the immediate days after Exodus.

Long story, a lot of stuff and a boat load of arguing comically, about it all. Short story, a large cargoship was soon heading to the Dornalian Fleet, with a bunch of Gaian NAIS types, with Diplomats led by Inez herself, to simply distribute a device about the same size and shape as a rounded, Radio Shack walkie-talkie, and more than reliable to be certain, that was bluish-gray, had a triad of blue colored, sheen plas-steel projection ports, that projected the actual shield sets, and was fitted to be worn on a belt, or similar such. As an extra, the Gaians threw in a stylish blue-white sheen poly strap that could act as a belt or something... (Maybe it was stylish. Eh, Nergal liked making things like this on overkill sometimes.) Overall, Gaians asked for permission to board the Dornalian ships, and begin distributing the guest crews, with the devices. At the same time, some of the more 'medical' NAIS Gaians, used their Angelic Soul Partners to do a Spell program 'checkup' to ascertain the Protocol effects on the Dornies. Essentially, the produced Angels sang alot, spooned out swirling, glowing spell code, and check the Dornies over, including the A.I. Systems, for Protocol effects. If anything, it was a show for the Dornies to enjoy, all in the meanwhile.

And so to the Third, which was after ensuring a stable parking orbit for the mixed Dornalian and Gaian vessels that arrived, properly on the ridiculously busy traffic grid, as the Dornalian shuttle was prepping to leave, the Gaian core leadership, minus the aforementioned Command Staff, used teleporters to head down to be in position to greet their guests, in prompt and honorable a fashion.

-----

"Everyone looking sharp?" ...Imlade said, polishing at his own gleaming Gaian Knight crystal armor, gold and silver meld trimmed, with an under-aura of blue-white light within. A standard Gaian controller unit set upon the gauntlet, being polished at with a hem of his own cloak. This he quips... "It's our first guests since we locked ourselves away and all. We... hey! I got that Lind!" ...which nets him a bonk on the head, as Lind then continues on, with a puffy white towel-cloth. "Hush naive. I should shove you through a sonic shower again here." ...this Imlade just groans. "I'm still feeling the nanites complaining about that one here." ...which gets Immy, a slap to the face with the said cloth.

"And they're not married?" Alusair comments, Ifurita just smirking, as she, and many other remaining faces familiar, just finish adjusting essentially the same clothing, as from the meeting aboard Aeo Treeship, and hence eye the somewhat more than nervous Lord Excellency, as he's semi prepped against his will now, by Lind and Eihwa. (Get used to seeing that stuff alot folks.) Caladeni, for her part, just walks up and quips... "I may have to see the addition of two more Lady Excellencies then here soon." ...this making the three subject Gaians stop and look, this Caladeni giggling as a lead to the peanut gallery doing the same. Eihwa sure looks lost in thought, as Lind just balks to Imlade. "You mind responding to that?" ...which... "Uhhh..." ...in Immy return.

Sasami just giggles... "They're hopeless." ...with 'some' nodding all around.

Immy is almost... er... well not saved from a wicked headlock, as suddenly, Ryoko barges in, looking all TRASHED... "WHERE ARE YA AYEKA YOU DRIP!!" ...making all look, as Mokoto balks at the sight of... "Yessh girl! At least fix yourself up!" ...as Ryoko has shredded through both her rope(?) bindings, and the rabbit suit she was in, looking PEEVED looking as well! The nigh demonic (if comical,) voice responds back... "I. Said. WHERE. Is Ayeka!?!?!?"

A lot of uncertain murmuring, is ever helpfully accented by... "I think she went to the Council Chambers to see her Daddy." ...from Hori, the others... "HORI!!" ...Ruri accenting... "Daddy?" ...Hori just wilting-balking back... "Hey! She's scarey you know!"

"Yeah but... he... HEY!! Ryoko!" ...Imladris yelps, as the said... er... demon girl, (acting like one anyway,) suddenly Teleports away, off her own off a personal activation grid. Imladris just YAKS... "Don't mess around Lord Azusa NOW!?!?" ...he about panics, before Lind suddenly yanks him back from nearly teleporting himself away in a fruitless chase or something, (actually yanking him 'back' from some teleport sparkles in fact,) as she reminds him... "Not so fast. The Dornalians are arriving."

From the Dornalian perspective, the shuttle is directed by Nav-beacons, over the primary continental landmass that Gaia-Ceii has it's Capital City-plex resided. Not quite a Coruscant, it was twinkling with a cityscape reminiscent of rounded supercity architecture. From there, over the large cove of a large, and yes, glowing sea of blue in blue water, passing over a version of a seaside villa, and then an adjoining Port township, before approaching the Palace Tree, a city of it's own right, with another seen past the GLOW of the Palace Tree, on below. Yup, busy airspace all around here too, as eyes adjust on approach of the Palace Tree, the off kilter doppler effect, of a BLINDING light from afar, is on up close, a far less blinding, but still quite alit Tree, down to the leaves, as detail shows 'blue shadowed' edgings, where the bark and edges of branches, and leaves, all are. It's an odd effect, but one natural for Hikari Trees as other lifeforms approach them. This as further detail shows a Starport in the upper branch levels, has the shuttle passing through a break in the Tree canopy, towards a standard technological space port of white in white polished surfaces, nestled within four enormous branches. It was there, that the Nav-beacons were showing the way, for the Dornalian Shuttle.

[New Dornalia]

Long story, a lot of stuff and a boat load of arguing comically, about it all. Short story, a large cargoship was soon heading to the Dornalian Fleet, with a bunch of Gaian NAIS types, with Diplomats led by Inez herself, to simply distribute a device about the same size and shape as a rounded, Radio Shack walkie-talkie, and more than reliable to be certain, that was bluish-gray, had a triad of blue colored, sheen plas-steel projection ports, that projected the actual shield sets, and was fitted to be worn on a belt, or similar such. As an extra, the Gaians threw in a stylish blue-white sheen poly strap that could act as a belt or something... (Maybe it was stylish. Eh, Nergal liked making things like this on overkill sometimes.) Overall, Gaians asked for permission to board the Dornalian ships, and begin distributing the guest crews, with the devices. At the same time, some of the more 'medical' NAIS Gaians, used their Angelic Soul Partners to do a Spell program 'checkup' to ascertain the Protocol effects on the Dornies. Essentially, the produced Angels sang alot, spooned out swirling, glowing spell code, and check the Dornies over, including the A.I. Systems, for Protocol effects. If anything, it was a show for the Dornies to enjoy, all in the meanwhile.

And so to the Third, which was after ensuring a stable parking orbit for the mixed Dornalian and Gaian vessels that arrived, properly on the ridiculously busy traffic grid, as the Dornalian shuttle was prepping to leave, the Gaian core leadership, minus the aforementioned Command Staff, used teleporters to head down to be in position to greet their guests, in prompt and honorable a fashion.

The Dornies let the Gaians onboard, per the Supreme Commander's orders, and the crews began recieving and equipping their devices without much ado, although there were the occasional queues to be managed by the Masters-at-Arms onboard each vessel. \

Much more intriguing for the Dornalians was the diagnostic side of the Gaian visit. None of the Engineering crews or the people there who had ever worked on machines, save for the Cooperative Union's Fighter Cult, had done much besides wave scanners and whistle tunes while they worked--maybe scared up a work song for the heavy jobs. This was something else, and although the Dornies had heard tales of the Gaians' technomagical prowess beforehand, it was still something to see that their idea of diagnostics was spell code and singing. Many were held in rapt attention by it, and it wasn't uncommon for the occasional, "Cool." to be heard from a crewman, along with the intermingled, "bitchin'."

The Gracies of course, having what the Dornies knew of the Gaians, conferred with one another as they each underwent the scan procedures, to ensure they too weren't badly affected by everything. The Gaians would be able to observe the Gracies perform one of their key skills--networking and talking shop. A function that, although meant to coordinate battle plans and actions in combat, also had well documented "peace dividends" and comedic value as the Gracies socialized and talked shop, much like groups of people do when waiting in line for any checkup and procedure to get protected against some vagary of space and time.

As a representative sample of their little Greek Chorus, for a lack of a better word, the Gaians checking up on the Chakri Naruebet's Gracie system would find the Thai-themed avatar chatting with other avatars, dressed in those funny pilot uniforms from Macross (Gracie-Roy Fokker), a Japanese sailor fuku outfit (Gracie-Tokyo, one of the older model Mao Vs on exercises), and finally what looked like a woman in a WWII US Army Airborne outfit, with the sign of the Flying Hellfish on her arm (Gracie-Abraham Simpson).

Gracie-Chakri Naruebet was the first to speak, as the Gaians ran a scan.

"Quite a show they've got here, ladies."

The others acknowledged her with a nod and a collective, "Mhmm."

Gracie-Roy Fokker spoke next, adding her own, Canadian accented commentary to the whole thing, "Well, I like the fact they're being so nice about it. With such wonderful music, and colors and everything.....oh dearie me. It's like a night at the opera."

"It sure beats a mundane scan, I think," Gracie-Tokyo went with a wistful sigh.

"A scan's a scan, right?"

Everyone turned to Gracie-Abraham Simpson, who had pulled out a virtual piece of beef jerky and was eating it. "All I'm sayin' is that either way, they're checking system integrity. I'm sure nothing happened. With song and dance or scanner and a tip of the hat, job gets done either way, and we can all go back to calculating warp speeds and making conversation."

"Wow. You have no appreciation for the big things, don't you?" Gracie-Tokyo went, crossing her arms and frowning. "When you get to be my age, dearie--when you see a Civil War and many wars for the Republic--you will learn to treasure these moments."

"Now, now, Gracie-Tokyo," Gracie-Chakri Naruebet said with a pat on the avatar's shoulders. "We haven't been around like you have. I mean, I just got retrofitted onto the Chakri Naruebet in time for the war on the Ssi-Ruuk, along with Gracie-Abraham Simpson. I'd ease up on her. Besides, she's still young and combatitive."

"Damn straight." Gracie-Abraham Simpson then stuck her tongue out and blew a raspberry, leading Gracie-Tokyo to go, "And clearly, a tad immature."

Gracie-Roy Fokker went, "Now, now. I think she's just having a bit of sport, eh?"

"Perhaps," Gracie-Tokyo went. "Perhaps. Hopefully, the forces out there that affected everyone haven't done us much harm. Judging by the fact the Gaians are scanning us, they seem to worry if that's going to be an issue. I personally don't think it will be, but I'm letting them in, per full Maintenance Protocols. I presume all others are doing the same?"

The Gracies all nodded and bowed slightly, before Gracie-Tokyo laughed, turning to Gracie-Chakri Narubet. "Technically, you're the Grand Poobah. SupCom chose your vessel, so..."

"Oh, right!" Laughing, she then went, "You can skip the bows, folks. I'm just here for the veal."

A dead silence fell over the room, as the other Gracies struggled to comprehend her attempt at humor. Realizing she had just made a joke that fell flat, Gracie-Chakri Naruebet simply finished with, "Tough crowd." Turning her digital avatar to the Gaian crews, she asked them, "How do we look, guys? Safe?"

From the Dornalian perspective, the shuttle is directed by Nav-beacons, over the primary continental landmass that Gaia-Ceii has it's Capital City-plex resided. Not quite a Coruscant, it was twinkling with a cityscape reminiscent of rounded supercity architecture. From there, over the large cove of a large, and yes, glowing sea of blue in blue water, passing over a version of a seaside villa, and then an adjoining Port township, before approaching the Palace Tree, a city of it's own right, with another seen past the GLOW of the Palace Tree, on below. Yup, busy airspace all around here too, as eyes adjust on approach of the Palace Tree, the off kilter doppler effect, of a BLINDING light from afar, is on up close, a far less blinding, but still quite alit Tree, down to the leaves, as detail shows 'blue shadowed' edgings, where the bark and edges of branches, and leaves, all are. It's an odd effect, but one natural for Hikari Trees as other lifeforms approach them. This as further detail shows a Starport in the upper branch levels, has the shuttle passing through a break in the Tree canopy, towards a standard technological space port of white in white polished surfaces, nestled within four enormous branches. It was there, that the Nav-beacons were showing the way, for the Dornalian Shuttle.

The brightness took the Dornies aback for a moment, as everyone had to shield their eyes, put on sunglasses, or simply squint for a moment to get adjusted. It was bright, shiny, and paradiselike, and something that no one could ignore. In some ways, it was like flying down the Pacific Coast Highway in Los Angeles, or sailing around Southern New England. A nice, busy view of a pristine shore, with a city on top, as the beacons guided the Raptor-King in to the Tree.

When they began landing and making contact with the Port, the Supreme COmmander radioed the management with this simple message.

"Command, this is the Supreme Commander. We are landing...nowish."

The Dornies, upon landing, would exit in an orderly fashion to greet their hosts. The Supreme Commander walked out first, along with the Adjutant holding the Valkyrian Axe like a trooper--no pun intended of course. Alongside her was Mrs. T and her Hajarran Cooperative Union friend, Gersch, whom she had been explaining things to all trip, with modest success. And, Father Flanagan was with the ICBA and the old Captain, snapping pictures of the landscape.

With a bow, the Supreme Commander greeted her hosts, and then saluted them.

[Gaian Ascendancy]

Exiting the shuttle for the Dornies, ensures that their eyes weren't tricking them, given the previously detailed sights, everything with a blue tinge upon all pigments. Oh, and shiny too. As the guest crew arrives, into the middle of BUSTLE at it's definition, as even a couple of corvette type transports rise from nearby amongst the starport, now at ground view size, was almost a city all it's own here. Such bits would come into 'play', as Supreme Commander Wachowski arrives with her group, and makes her greeting. This just as a YT-2400 Transport roars overhead. This as Imladris steps up and starts with his own bow-salute back, starting... "Welcome to our lil abode that..." ...as another transport flies overhead, Imladris managing... "...we call Gaia-..." ...and another larger transport rumbles overhead the Tree canopy. Imladris teardropping now... "...Ceii. pardon the..." ...and another transport, with OmniFighters... "...pardon the..." ...and a High-Mobile Warship ZOOMS overhead at exacerbated speed. (See the others behind Immy lookin off kilter?) Imlade... "...pardon..." ...and a Altaran City-Ship then makes 'it's' noise overhead... Imlade... "...the noise, we..." ...and a rather 'loud' sounding chime smacks the air, as a HPG Station unseen, sends off a POWERFUL signal pulse, meant for the Archonis Supercluster Exploration forays...

Imlade kinda loses hi train of thought there...

...Lind didn't... this as her Twin Mints Angel Sou Partners suddenly shoot out, and literally Spell-SNAPS off her Command Voice... ": ~ CORE AUTHORITY STOP OPERATIONS, THIRTY SECT-CYCLONS!!! ~" ...which... well... ever see 'all' sound stop, on a dime? Yup, make things good and quiet for a lil bit, as Imladris teardrops out, finally finishing... "...welcome to our Coreworld. Don't mind the... uh... operations... Boy she's loud." ...this as Lind looks rather proud of herself, the other Gaian bigwigs around, look at Lind semi-amazed, (and Eihwa has lil bubbles popping out, with her smile,) and all sight of traffic around, has defied the laws of physics, in stopping cold all around.

Imladris just looks semi peevish, as he suggests... "Let's head on in and out of the noise." ...this he turns about to lead in the guests, shortly before everything shot back to normal.

They are all led inside the actual Palace Tree, through a branch zoneway that enters through a archway, leading into the Palace, one the size of a Stadium itself alone. This Ruri comments over to Lind... "Careful all of that didn't use up your Hikari allotment for the day there." ...this Lind considers, but shrugs it off... "Unlikely there will be any other reason for me to tax my abilities today."

Hmm...

Meanwhile, Imladris then reports to the SupCom, off of some of the 'scans' that were conducted aboard the Dornalian vessels, this relayed off real-time data relay off the Hikari Net... "It seems there is a form of quantum shielding... well... in place around your very molecules. You and your crews. This.... I guess is what my Father did, while we all got sent here like we did."

It was clear that the Gaians were shocked enough in hearing this. Caladeni sure was sounding this... "My brother did that? How is that all even possible?"

Keiichi sure accented, as they walked along. "I hope we are getting copies of those scans." ...this Skuld nods. "Sure are K-bub. It's never been documented like this before."

"Compartmentalized quantum shielding..." Ifurita considered, this as they all pass into the inner sanctums of the Palace, a good berth given to the leadership and guest cadre, as a swath of Gaian citizen souls, passed by in all directions, even some above them in the massive hallway, one that saw numerous branch offs and internal traffic arteries, for both nominal Gaian citizen 'traffic', and even some for technological mediums, as even some holoscreens shot off, as if 'they' were actual citizens too... and in fact...

Overall, it was all a busy time. Eihwa makes light of this... "Pardon our operations Admiral. Normally we aren't quite this busy." ...this Lind corrects... "Actually, we'll be this 'normal' for quite some time now. It'll take a century of Cyclon Solars before we see 'quiet times' again." ...this Eihwa just shrugs at. This as the group head over towards a 'central' node where branched off zoneways within the Tree, come together as a good fifty yard radii column, where a shaft beyond obvious guardrails of tree sculpted-melded, make for looks for on below, and above, for many kilometers. Sasami makes light of noting... "I see your Palace Tree has grown well and tall now." ...this Imladris notes, as a visible data-stream suddenly filters downwards from above, a few that split off as more of the same holoscreens, others just remaining stream-code, heading all over, some even having to make a couple of Gaians alter their own midair courses. (Hey, it was busy.) "Eh, we're only at about fifty kilometers now, the highest levels and roots still growing. We'll catch up to your Tree though." ...this Immy eggs at Sasami, and gets a cute raspberry back in turn for it.

Imladris just asks back to his Dornalian guests. "So, the long way, scenic way, or just get on with it all here?"

The tone given, was of 'hoping' for the first two choices, over the last...

-----

...the 'start' of the reason for it.

"Hello Father dearest..." ...this Azusa looks over, stopping his angst fest, to give a genuine smile over to... "Ah, Ayeka." ...this the previous group in the Council Chambers, all see Ayeka and Mihoshi arrive, as 'they' bring their own guest, as... "Ah... Arch-Commander Serenity." ...Washu notes with a stand for decorum. It's readily reciprocated by the others (Misaki, Funaho, Peorth, Azusa, Jeain.) ...as the deeply respected Gaian Arch-Angelic Commander nods. "~ All regards in return, in kind. I have the update from Plan Alpha Operations. ~"

"Oh good..." ...this as Yurika's voice chimes out, as heads turn unto... "Admiral Yurika. Councilor Tenkawa." ...Washu notes, as Yurika makes a beeline for Commander Serenity. Ayeka filters over to Azusa, Mihoshi taking a moment to bound over and glom onto a pensive looking Peorth. Azusa just huffs however, as Jeain remarks... "So is our mutual leader's actions bearing fruit?" ...this Yurika notes over and WIDE EYED reacts by BOWING!! (So did Akito, Mihoshi (with Peorth yanked down with her,) Ayeka, and others, as Frode, Ashar, Noike Masaki then enter, Jeain bemusingly waving all that off. Yurika then notes... "Quite alot actually. We had to do something with all our stuff, stuck in this Nebula."

Azusa muttered something, Yurika eyes over a tic peeved, as Misaki 'makes' Ayeka hug her. This as Washu notes over to Serenity. "I presume you are here to ask for permission to use our Declaration finally."

Serenity nods. "~ Indeed Madame Councilor. We have made too many actions up to this point, along with several First Contacts, to not make our formal intentions known. ~"

Azusa huffed one too many times. Yurika finally snaps at him, cause she can... "What's your problem?" ...this Azusa in turn reacts like he's too emotional in response... "Like you don't know."

"Dear." ...Funaho remarks, to 'settle' her husband with, and it would have worked...

...and then... "AYEKA!!!!" ...yeah... Washu just droops her head. "Oh, that's just peachy." ...before she blinks and realizes her own words. This as the same disheveled former CAG Touman Commander, and current (somehow) Juraian Princessa, all but STORMS in, making a beeline towards her target. This as Ayeka just giggles... "Oh, I see you liked the nice surprise I bestowed upon you." ...this, with everyone looking, (in various degrees of disbelief, and amusement, 'and' dismay...) as Ryoko just SNARLS back at her Sister-wife. (Hey, Tenchi said yes to all three of em...) "Surprise NOTHING!! You knocked me out and got me stuffed in this stupid COSTUME!!"

Ayeka just laughs haughtily back... "What, not one for a costume show?" ...which makes both Ryoko GROWL at her, and Misaki make a dissenting... "Ayeka..."

"Oh no Mother! You know that stunt with the sonic shower, last month that 'she' pulled!" ...this Misaki looks thoughtful, as Ayeka barks-banters back at Ryoko... "It took a week for the nanites to stop yelling into my head! Save nothing for my hygiene."

Ryoko stops growling, and looks sly... "What's the matter Sis? Can't take being a little dirty?" ...this in 'turn' Ayeka just FANGS back... "Says one that must have been grown from mud! No offense Washu."

Washu... "Eh..." ...waves it off. Ryoko just... "Shut it mom!" ...yeah, and... "And 'you' still haven't apologized for swiping my prized bottle of distilled Sake last month either! I had that distilled myself you..." ...Misaki..."...ahem." ...Ryoko... "Er... you... bad... lady you."

"Ouch." Ayeka 'quips back, ala deadpan. It about makes Ryoko take a real shot at her Sis. (We 'are' sure Tenchi said 'yes', right?) This as one Alielle Relryle comes in, sees... "Ah, Lady... EEP!!" ...and bolts back out the Council Door, Mokoto looking back. "Allie?" ...as Azusa just bites out... "Hey! Stop it you two!" ...as then Jeain is seen laughing, most taking it for what it is, with smiles. Azusa however balks back at her... "Do 'you' mind Lady?" ...this making Jeain just laugh harder... "Of... -LOL* ...course not." ...and then loses it, setting Azusa about off... "Is... that..." ...Funaho, attempting again... "...dear." ...and not this time... "...so?" ...as tensions quite in truth, rise in the room.

Serenity then quip-asks at Azusa... "~ What's up your song-pipe Boss? ~"

...and Azusa grinds back at her... "Yours."

[New Dornalia]

Exiting the shuttle for the Dornies, ensures that their eyes weren't tricking them, given the previously detailed sights, everything with a blue tinge upon all pigments. Oh, and shiny too. As the guest crew arrives, into the middle of BUSTLE at it's definition, as even a couple of corvette type transports rise from nearby amongst the starport, now at ground view size, was almost a city all it's own here. Such bits would come into 'play', as Supreme Commander Wachowski arrives with her group, and makes her greeting. This just as a YT-2400 Transport roars overhead. This as Imladris steps up and starts with his own bow-salute back, starting... "Welcome to our lil abode that..." ...as another transport flies overhead, Imladris managing... "...we call Gaia-..." ...and another larger transport rumbles overhead the Tree canopy. Imladris teardropping now... "...Ceii. pardon the..." ...and another transport, with OmniFighters... "...pardon the..." ...and a High-Mobile Warship ZOOMS overhead at exacerbated speed. (See the others behind Immy lookin off kilter?) Imlade... "...pardon..." ...and a Altaran City-Ship then makes 'it's' noise overhead... Imlade... "...the noise, we..." ...and a rather 'loud' sounding chime smacks the air, as a HPG Station unseen, sends off a POWERFUL signal pulse, meant for the Archonis Supercluster Exploration forays...

Imlade kinda loses hi train of thought there...

...Lind didn't... this as her Twin Mints Angel Sou Partners suddenly shoot out, and literally Spell-SNAPS off her Command Voice... ": ~ CORE AUTHORITY STOP OPERATIONS, THIRTY SECT-CYCLONS!!! ~" ...which... well... ever see 'all' sound stop, on a dime? Yup, make things good and quiet for a lil bit, as Imladris teardrops out, finally finishing... "...welcome to our Coreworld. Don't mind the... uh... operations... Boy she's loud." ...this as Lind looks rather proud of herself, the other Gaian bigwigs around, look at Lind semi-amazed, (and Eihwa has lil bubbles popping out, with her smile,) and all sight of traffic around, has defied the laws of physics, in stopping cold all around.

Imladris just looks semi peevish, as he suggests... "Let's head on in and out of the noise." ...this he turns about to lead in the guests, shortly before everything shot back to normal.

They are all led inside the actual Palace Tree, through a branch zoneway that enters through a archway, leading into the Palace, one the size of a Stadium itself alone. This Ruri comments over to Lind... "Careful all of that didn't use up your Hikari allotment for the day there." ...this Lind considers, but shrugs it off... "Unlikely there will be any other reason for me to tax my abilities today."

Hmm...

Meanwhile, Imladris then reports to the SupCom, off of some of the 'scans' that were conducted aboard the Dornalian vessels, this relayed off real-time data relay off the Hikari Net... "It seems there is a form of quantum shielding... well... in place around your very molecules. You and your crews. This.... I guess is what my Father did, while we all got sent here like we did."

It was clear that the Gaians were shocked enough in hearing this. Caladeni sure was sounding this... "My brother did that? How is that all even possible?"

Keiichi sure accented, as they walked along. "I hope we are getting copies of those scans." ...this Skuld nods. "Sure are K-bub. It's never been documented like this before."

"Compartmentalized quantum shielding..." Ifurita considered, this as they all pass into the inner sanctums of the Palace, a good berth given to the leadership and guest cadre, as a swath of Gaian citizen souls, passed by in all directions, even some above them in the massive hallway, one that saw numerous branch offs and internal traffic arteries, for both nominal Gaian citizen 'traffic', and even some for technological mediums, as even some holoscreens shot off, as if 'they' were actual citizens too... and in fact...

Overall, it was all a busy time. Eihwa makes light of this... "Pardon our operations Admiral. Normally we aren't quite this busy." ...this Lind corrects... "Actually, we'll be this 'normal' for quite some time now. It'll take a century of Cyclon Solars before we see 'quiet times' again." ...this Eihwa just shrugs at. This as the group head over towards a 'central' node where branched off zoneways within the Tree, come together as a good fifty yard radii column, where a shaft beyond obvious guardrails of tree sculpted-melded, make for looks for on below, and above, for many kilometers. Sasami makes light of noting... "I see your Palace Tree has grown well and tall now." ...this Imladris notes, as a visible data-stream suddenly filters downwards from above, a few that split off as more of the same holoscreens, others just remaining stream-code, heading all over, some even having to make a couple of Gaians alter their own midair courses. (Hey, it was busy.) "Eh, we're only at about fifty kilometers now, the highest levels and roots still growing. We'll catch up to your Tree though." ...this Immy eggs at Sasami, and gets a cute raspberry back in turn for it.

Imladris just asks back to his Dornalian guests. "So, the long way, scenic way, or just get on with it all here?"

The tone given, was of 'hoping' for the first two choices, over the last...

The Supreme Commander nodded when told about the scans, and let Imaldris speak. When it came time for either a scenic walk or business, she wisely decided to pick the former. All the usual justifications one could make about intelligence gathering aside, it did seem to be a shame to waste the marvelous sights in front of them. Vocalizing her choice, the Supreme Commander spoke up and said, "Let us take the scenic route. It would be a shame to waste the view, no?"

As they walked onwards, the Supreme Commander couldn't help but think of the conversation the Gaians had, and Imaldris's revelation, regarding their protection. It would seem that the use of personal shielding fields, cast over each Dornalian by their host--not a plural statement, as the other Gaians were confused as to how such a thing could be from Al--were keeping them alive for the moment, even as the crews in orbit were likely fixing things up, as their messages seemed to indicate.

As they did walk, her inquisitiveness came out, as she looked around.

"It would seem your father's action is...unprecedented. I think the answer may be obvious, given our circumstances, but it does behoove me to ask why this is so."

Mrs. T, meanwhile, looked at her traveling companions, and pulled out the Leica again. Father Flanagan's own photographic spree soon paused, as she saw the old soul snapping images in journalistic form, waiting for the right moment before getting the right image. This left the Father amused, more than anything--no suprise here, she'd keep on taking photos. Then again, everyone was a bit busy trying to keep up with the scenery, and the vistas presented to them of the Palace Tree.

Snapping pictures of her environment, Mrs. T remembered her jar of tea, and wondered if she'd get to see that Belldandy woman again. Such a pleasant person, she was....would she be down here? Mrs. T hoped that would be the case. There were so many stories to tell Belldandy and so many things for them to discuss.

[Gaian Ascendancy]

Imladris stated it simply. "Well..." ...and is hijacked by Lind, deliberately, as she takes over with her ever business like demeanor... (and yeah, Immy is perturbed,) "This is ascended space. We had an enforced Ascension Protocol at the end of our Gaian Civil War, the parts you remember, ended with parts you did not witness. A separate invader force called the Hive Mind entered our space, at the time of our counterattack on Lord Caceroth's forces. The Hive were pervasive in attempting to absorb our entire worlds, and all attached. We responded by ascending our worlds to a nominal level, such we once had amongst our Core Supercluster Zones in Antara Dimension..." ...this as they kept walking along, entering internal, open air glades where it was part royal like gardens, while still seeing plenty of activity all around, with the same 'walled' previous of around sight. Flowers were abloom here, smells to accompany and soothe... "...the result made habitation by outside citizen souls not of our Gaian mode, subject to essentially, flash ascension consequences."

"Basically, instead of needing countless years of study and meditation, you'd ascend within minutes of exposure to our current 'level' of space. Something I imagine you don't want at present. Your minds would literally burn out, at the first least, the rest most, you'd turn into pure energy." Imladris notes, this as Belldandy comes up aside Cecilia at that moment. She offers of insight, as she looks with eyes even bluer now, than even before. "I imagine this is why Lord Aleaic conducted what he did. Even if we don't fully understand how, at this moment. Our understanding of quantum states and the four Universal forces, doesn't quite cover direct actual manipulation over quantum matter. Given the effect is still ongoing, with his majesty not even amongst us, whereever he actually is, time included, shows a degree of control we are quite surprised to witness here."

They then move from the garden area, through another fricken vast hallway, some of the more internal areas now, having sub-levels, where conference rooms, control centers, and offices replete, dot everywhere now. The walls now also are adorned more in artistic merit, with sculptures, tapestries and paintings, both real, and holographic, line the walls, and sit in alcoves. A busy area to be sure.

Amp that up to the max, as they then pass into the Outer Habitation Ring, as they all enter open tower zone, where one entire massive open ring of the Tree, is open, as a good kilometer now spans between the outer Tree rings, and the next zone, where the more sensitive operations areas, and more are. Ifurita notes... "Ah, home sweet home." ...with a good body glom onto a pensive Makoto, as they all look at... "And here is our primary habitation zones, everything a normal city has, in this zone." ...Imladris notes for his guests, as sight of the zone, towers far fathomlessly below for tens of kilometers, and above of same sight, up towards where clouds are seen, (with a bit of trace in trace rain fall at times, just to make peeps take notice.) Above that with a halo like glow, the canopy of the tree is barely seen, hazed over by the gentle clouds. The catch is below, the glow is hazed over by a strange fog, with blue as the 'halo' color there.

In between, a city is latticed all about, carved into the walls on both ends, with large branch centers that have their own infrastructure. Off to the left and right of curved off, rounded sight, the detail fades into another pair of glows, as it's clear just how enormous it all is. And yup, quite busy here too. Mainly of a different kind, as for once, children are seen, of all ages, families with, all flitting about, representing every Gaian racial profile available. (Seeing Forran versions literally eject from specialized energon ports, flash snapping binding rings, to then just float along as any other family, is one detail of note, off the left. The right, an Avian Ascendant clutch of some fifty citizen souls, as a male patriarch leads a quintet of matriarchs, with the rest their lil kin, of all ages, heading off on their own whims as well.

Imlade just quips... "Anyone for a snack?" ...as then on some weirded cue, a trio of Gaian kinseths run up to them, one Gaian red haired girl, a glowing blue haired Illuminaran, and a male Glassian kith, all of about eight Solar Cyclons old. And they come up, making the regal lot look/blink, as the kiths then see and go... "Ooooooooooooooh!!!" ...making Imlade sigh-blush, before he play salutes the kiths back. (Making his enterouge snicker and giggle in response.) This before... "Get back here already!!" ...which causes the trio to freak out a lil, and run off, before an apparent nanny, a female Illuminaran, also of glowing facade, and elongated blue hair (like if the Ahb got ascended. Good nuff there,) this Imladris notes, as the Illuminaran reaches, then sees... "EEP!!" ...with a wide eyed reaction, before she then bows and imparts... "~ A... apologies Lord Excellency. ~"

Imlade just smirks, as Eihwa giggles, and Lind looks... lay... as an L.E. just remarks... "Off to thy quest then." ...this the Illuminy lass smiles.... and then BOLTS after.. "~ Wait till I get you three in the simulator tonight, you brats!!! ~" ...this leaving the royal lot to blink off kilter in response.

"Wonder if the Illuminy Juice is getting to them." Sasami remarks. Ruri just shrugs. "Or just the usual hyper type." ...this Luriena just elbows Ruri... "You should know." ...making Ruri (and a few others,) blink.

Imlade then just shrugs it off... "Kay... about that snack..." ...this Lind chides, as Imladris leads the way... "Eating too much will cause you consequences later." ...which Tenchi remarks... "Probably at night." ...and a good bit of laughter, at two soul's expenses.

Belldandy meanwhile makes a point to be by Cecilia's side, as she imparts... "How do you find our version of heaven so far?" ...this giving a smile to Father Flanagan all the same.

[Gaian Ascendancy]

Something else was burning inside the soul of the Juraian Lord Excellency. Everyone else present, was too used to it, as Lady Excellency Jeain was garnering attention far better, as now, after a formal update of the Operation with Advisor Washu, Admiral Yurika was directed instead of focus, on the final details with Lady Jeain. "So, it really all is a compact." ...this Funaho and Misaki taking as much merit of interest here, as Yurika spoke. Jeain just nodded cutely. "Hmmhmm... my son is most instilled to see us act at least as a hegemony, if not as the singular Realm, that we once were."

Yurika nods, as Akito came over. The latter imparts... "Should we accept for Lord Imladris in absence?" ...this made Azusa grunt further, as Akito ignores, adding... "He's busy escorting the Dornalian delegation."

Jeain wasn't remiss in Azusa's continued angst, and remarked to respect of the absent Lord Excellency. "Perhaps we can direct this to find his Lordship, in person on our own approach of regard. I sense there is reason for it."

And then said Azusa was too wrapped up in his emotions, before he realized that he was being stared at, but the rest of the chamber. He fumbles out annoyed... "Oh now you wish me to advise on the matter?"

"Or get to the heart of it." Jeain stated outright. Azusa just levels back... eyes and tone alike... "Indeed." ...as he turns, with Misaki double taking at Funaho, before she warily follows in quick order... "D.. dear! Wait a moment! I said wait you royal turd!" ...as she reaches soon enough, and the rest of the chamber wilting some, as Peorth for one... "Did not need to hear that as well." ...before Jeain just makes to follow. "And I suppose we should bear witness to what is to come." ...this she then looks up, but then sees... "And sooner than we think!" ...as Azusa is heading for a teleporter station, off to the right of the Council Chamber exit! The others see and GACK! Washu for one... "Not taking the slow route apparently!" ...and a Gaian gaggle literally floods after the Juraian Lord, and a less than appeased Second Juraian Queen!!

Oh, a bit on... ut oh...

-----

*POP SOUND!!* - A mini-chibi blond, long haired, Nergal lab coat wearing Inez Fressange drops from the top of the thread, and pulls down a banner...

Too many voices to be normal: 'Get to know your Ascendancy - (A Nergal Production)'

": -Hello, I am Inez Fressange again, and this time I will be talking about the Gaian teleportation system. This is another episode prepared for those not in the know. It happens alot, we know. Today, we will talk about the aforementioned Teleportation System, and why we still bother with starships in this day and age, as a side. Again, forgive my techno-babble, and I will get to the meat and potatoes of the matter.

Over here, you will see our young Hori Makabi, husband of the cute and adorable Ruri Hoshino, and therefore despised by fan everywhere for it. because of this..."

Hori: "And this is why I'm stuck in a DUCK outfit this time?!"

Inez: "Well, the costume Ryoko had, was incinerated, so we had to wing it." ...bad snickering sounds...

Hori: -Deadpan look back.- "I say boo as well." ...this before the artifice he is in, starts to glow. Inez: "Here, our ducky-pig will demonstrate the use of our quantum phase teleportation system. It is in essence, the scaled down version of the Hikari-ZPC Core powered Fold Drive, and used the same Hikari subspace medium, to achieve in essence, the same effect, via teleportation. Here, I will send Hori on a one way trip."

Hori: -FREAKING!?!?- "ONE WAY!?!?!" ...before he snap vanishes from viewers sight, with a cool looking flash of light. Inez: "Here, I just sent Hori, to the Angel God Bathhouses, where Ruri will find him later. As you can see, his teleport was instantaneous, due in large part to a combination of factors.

First, it is in effect, a direct Quantum teleportation system. In our case, it is also a simple doorway, where instead of turning our bodies into small particles, ala disintegration, we send the entire mass of the target unit, in this case Hori, off to the target destination, such as the bathhouse that Hori is likely being mauled within, as I speak. How do we do this, you say? The secret lies in the second effect.

The second effect is a combined targeting bridge effect, between end point node teleporters, with as many other teleporter units as required, as a form of a router, in essence, we send a person as a mass single packet of data, through the Hikari medium. Normally, the requirements of power consumption needed, to achieve a stable result for participant transit, are handled by a combination of the Hikari medium itself, and a combination of other factors, with I will now explain.

The third part of the process, lies in the genetically altered nature of every Gaian, as well as reformatting the substructures of Synthetic and Cyform Gaians, that allow transit through the two dimensional medium of another of our allies, the Ahb of Humankind, like to call Planespace. We use a form of an altered Sord effect, as well as a combination of a Gaian's altered physiology, via the standard Nanite network that resides within each Gaian, as a second form of a sentience, as well as further modifications, such as the nominal Angelic Soul Partner, and other aspects, that make a host body compatible for transit through the 'Sord medium', within Hikari Subspace. A form of controlled Yuanon particle, also is harnessed, at the time of a Teleportation, usually handed by another partnered aspect of a Gaian, the Hikari Host Partner Tree. This forms a four way targeting system that also can act as a multi-phase shield of a person, against compression shock, unto the plane-space continuum. The Teleporters act as a routing system, the Hikari subspace via Sord modeling, as a data conduit, the nanites and Soul Partners, handling time space bubble shielding of the individual, and the Tree handling cross error checking, for the person or Synthetic, in transit. In the Case of Synthetics, lacking Soul partners, they have installed time-space shields, as part of their nominal makeup, no matter what classification.

The end result, is that Gaian can transport themselves, via any teleporter, in a near instantaneous method, that some will call unscientific here. However for many of our former enemies, the science tended to be proven, when the process is applied to our entire Hosts and Toumans, when as many as a million at a time, of our troops, used the said methods described, to surprise assault enemy entrenched worlds, before an enemy could react. The Teleport System, not hindered by time-space differential effect, thanks to the anchoring effects of the Hikari Seeds and Trees, via the Hikari Subspace medium, means that entire said Hosts could teleport within the range, of any other teleporter, with a standard time differential of lag, due to exponential space, of calculated distance. As such, the only true weakness of the system, is the space of actual territory that it covers. As much as up to an hour has been allotted for teleportations, from half way across a Universe Complex, up to a week, from across chained InterUniversal teleportation systems. As a result, military forces are usually organized in a hive defense protocol, for surrounding forces to assist, usually via teleportation units, that can send entire armies at a time. Yes, this means that we can send large numbers of ground troops, via a single teleport unit, this presuming the receiving unit on the other end, is operational. If it is not, a dynamic node reroute, sends troops to the three closest teleporters, where inbound troop transports, are redirected. Given teleporters are on vessels and starbase assets however, this can only usually lead to a delay of further standard orbital teleportation, as well as a hybrid of standby defense invasion pods, and other reactive assets.

This comes to the aspect of 'why' we even field a starfleet at all, given the implications of this technology. One, as our founding Lord Excellency said: Ships are cool. Plus I have my own Treeship, so who am I to complain. Second, in addition to the above strategic factor involved, there are certain ascended races that make up a part of the Gaian Way, that cannot directly teleport via the stated medium. Of particular example, the Forran, essentially living balls of energy, that require stasis rings to even exist on our medium, given they are an advanced race, ten times older than even the Griffional Ascendants. They are no longer proper classified 'mass', and the use of a teleporter through the Hikari Medium, or any other form of standard teleportation, would end up with the merging with the standard energon subspace mediums, losing their cohesion with standard space as we know it. They have their own localized teleportation system, but it is intended as an emergency measure, as they prefer in combat, to be launched via their binding rings, as projectiles, against targets, and in non-combat situations, prefer to use wave conduits and shuttles to effect similar transport. A reason also why, most standard teleporters and civilian craft in Ascendancy space, have either a short term use Fold Jump unit, a Hyperspace or Warp Field FTL generator, or just a one time emergency use Fold Unit, that is later recycled back into one time use.

As you can see however, for most of our effects, the Gaian form of Teleportation, evolved technologically for billions of years, and endless times more technological generations, has given us the ability of a form of flexibility, that is one of the small cogs, that helped make the First Guardianship, the InterUniversal Superpower it once was, and hence the Second Guardianship, hoped to end up unto the same political effect, down the interstellar road.

-And then a FLASH Teleport back!- Inez looking: "Oh, so you escaped."

Hori: -Wow... all those bruises and kiss marks, tain't coming off. Oh and the Duck outfit is TRASHED... - "No thanks to you!! I should use a Trail of Grievance against you for this!!"

Inez reacts, by holding out a Padd-tablet of white diamond formatting, for Hori to somehow read. (A LOT of lip stick, is all over his face and eye lids. "Eh? What's this?" ...Inez: "Oh, Ruri prepared a Trial of Possession to dispute your own Trial, before we got on air here."

Poor Hori: "No fair."

Inez.... boy her laughing is just evil to look at. -:

[New Dornalia]

Imladris stated it simply. "Well..." ...and is hijacked by Lind, deliberately, as she takes over with her ever business like demeanor... (and yeah, Immy is perturbed,) "This is ascended space. We had an enforced Ascension Protocol at the end of our Gaian Civil War, the parts you remember, ended with parts you did not witness. A separate invader force called the Hive Mind entered our space, at the time of our counterattack on Lord Caceroth's forces. The Hive were pervasive in attempting to absorb our entire worlds, and all attached. We responded by ascending our worlds to a nominal level, such we once had amongst our Core Supercluster Zones in Antara Dimension..." ...this as they kept walking along, entering internal, open air glades where it was part royal like gardens, while still seeing plenty of activity all around, with the same 'walled' previous of around sight. Flowers were abloom here, smells to accompany and soothe... "...the result made habitation by outside citizen souls not of our Gaian mode, subject to essentially, flash ascension consequences."

"Basically, instead of needing countless years of study and meditation, you'd ascend within minutes of exposure to our current 'level' of space. Something I imagine you don't want at present. Your minds would literally burn out, at the first least, the rest most, you'd turn into pure energy." Imladris notes, this as Belldandy comes up aside Cecilia at that moment. She offers of insight, as she looks with eyes even bluer now, than even before. "I imagine this is why Lord Aleaic conducted what he did. Even if we don't fully understand how, at this moment. Our understanding of quantum states and the four Universal forces, doesn't quite cover direct actual manipulation over quantum matter. Given the effect is still ongoing, with his majesty not even amongst us, whereever he actually is, time included, shows a degree of control we are quite surprised to witness here."

The Supreme Commander nodded as she listened along to Imaldris's explanation, walking with the Lord Excellency and looking at him attentively as they entered the gardens. With her hands behind her back, and her Adjutant holding the Valkyrian Axe at shoulder arms--although looking a bit tired by now--she listened attentively as Imaldris and Belldandy explained the Gaian side of things. Her tactical brain couldn't help but like the idea of the Ascension Protocol having the effects it did on non-Gaians. It was the best passive defense method she could think of. Her "softy" brain, however, thought of the fact that her people nearly got hit by said effect, and were spared by Aleaic's intervention--an event the Gaians, true to her query, did find unprecedented in a way. Not by the nature of the act. It was perfectly within character for Gaians to, in common parlance, "help a brother out." But, rather, what seemed to strike the Gaians about the whole thing was how the miracle was being pulled off.

To be fair, as the SupCom said to her hosts, with a smile to lighten the mood a bit more, "Well, my people....well, I won't pretend we would know how the effect works either. The best we can do is make some educated guesses, and be glad Aleaic has done what he has done. Of course, such long distance coverage of our fleet isn't surprising in some ways; it does speak to just how much Aleaic's capabilities have grown due to the events of the past few hours and perhaps all that has happened. Still not denying its something to witness though."

Meanwhile, Cecilia noticed her friend for a brief moment, but said nothing to interrupt. She was more polite than that.

They then move from the garden area, through another fricken vast hallway, some of the more internal areas now, having sub-levels, where conference rooms, control centers, and offices replete, dot everywhere now. The walls now also are adorned more in artistic merit, with sculptures, tapestries and paintings, both real, and holographic, line the walls, and sit in alcoves. A busy area to be sure.

Amp that up to the max, as they then pass into the Outer Habitation Ring, as they all enter open tower zone, where one entire massive open ring of the Tree, is open, as a good kilometer now spans between the outer Tree rings, and the next zone, where the more sensitive operations areas, and more are. Ifurita notes... "Ah, home sweet home." ...with a good body glom onto a pensive Makoto, as they all look at... "And here is our primary habitation zones, everything a normal city has, in this zone." ...Imladris notes for his guests, as sight of the zone, towers far fathomlessly below for tens of kilometers, and above of same sight, up towards where clouds are seen, (with a bit of trace in trace rain fall at times, just to make peeps take notice.) Above that with a halo like glow, the canopy of the tree is barely seen, hazed over by the gentle clouds. The catch is below, the glow is hazed over by a strange fog, with blue as the 'halo' color there.

In between, a city is latticed all about, carved into the walls on both ends, with large branch centers that have their own infrastructure. Off to the left and right of curved off, rounded sight, the detail fades into another pair of glows, as it's clear just how enormous it all is. And yup, quite busy here too. Mainly of a different kind, as for once, children are seen, of all ages, families with, all flitting about, representing every Gaian racial profile available. (Seeing Forran versions literally eject from specialized energon ports, flash snapping binding rings, to then just float along as any other family, is one detail of note, off the left. The right, an Avian Ascendant clutch of some fifty citizen souls, as a male patriarch leads a quintet of matriarchs, with the rest their lil kin, of all ages, heading off on their own whims as well.

Imlade just quips... "Anyone for a snack?" ...as then on some weirded cue, a trio of Gaian kinseths run up to them, one Gaian red haired girl, a glowing blue haired Illuminaran, and a male Glassian kith, all of about eight Solar Cyclons old. And they come up, making the regal lot look/blink, as the kiths then see and go... "Ooooooooooooooh!!!" ...making Imlade sigh-blush, before he play salutes the kiths back. (Making his enterouge snicker and giggle in response.) This before... "Get back here already!!" ...which causes the trio to freak out a lil, and run off, before an apparent nanny, a female Illuminaran, also of glowing facade, and elongated blue hair (like if the Ahb got ascended. Good nuff there,) this Imladris notes, as the Illuminaran reaches, then sees... "EEP!!" ...with a wide eyed reaction, before she then bows and imparts... "~ A... apologies Lord Excellency. ~"

Imlade just smirks, as Eihwa giggles, and Lind looks... lay... as an L.E. just remarks... "Off to thy quest then." ...this the Illuminy lass smiles.... and then BOLTS after.. "~ Wait till I get you three in the simulator tonight, you brats!!! ~" ...this leaving the royal lot to blink off kilter in response.

"Wonder if the Illuminy Juice is getting to them." Sasami remarks. Ruri just shrugs. "Or just the usual hyper type." ...this Luriena just elbows Ruri... "You should know." ...making Ruri (and a few others,) blink.

Imlade then just shrugs it off... "Kay... about that snack..." ...this Lind chides, as Imladris leads the way... "Eating too much will cause you consequences later." ...which Tenchi remarks... "Probably at night." ...and a good bit of laughter, at two soul's expenses.

At that scene, the Supreme Commander and the rest of the party were taking it in as usual...until the kids came along. When the kids did come and played with the royals, the Supreme Commander couldn't help but smile and melt a little, although she was relatively restrained. Cecilia, meanwhile, looked upon the scene with some wistful remembrances, noting to Belldandy and Father Flanagan, "It's good to see children at play. Let's you know there are many things good in the world."

At that, the Cooperative Union man, Gersch, nodded in assent. "I got a family myself back home. Buncha little rascals. Always crawlin' all over the place, colorin' in the books...." He seemed to welch at the thought, and Cecilia looked concerned.

"Were those valuable books? Or beloved books?"

Gersch surprisingly shook his head.

"Nope. They were just some dictionaries and some romance novels my wife collected over the years. The principle of the thing is what gets me though."

"Oh."

Smiling, Gersch went, "At any rate, it doesn't matter. They're precious."

"That's good," Cecilia pronounced, glad to see the man loved his children after all. Father Flanagan, meanwhile, raised an eyebrow at the whole thing. Yeah, kids trashing books by accident wasn't appreciated, but books like that were replaceable, right? Glory of God in all things yes, but romance novels weren't exactly rare. Of course, out of deference to Cecilia, he said nothing. But, he did make the sign of the cross and thought to himself, "Lord...what the heck was that?" before turning back to the Gaian scenes, which proved much more sensible and comforting.

Belldandy meanwhile makes a point to be by Cecilia's side, as she imparts... "How do you find our version of heaven so far?" ...this giving a smile to Father Flanagan all the same.

The Jesuit, at that, replied to the Gaian with his trademark sense of verbosity, which tended to be surprisingly jovial and "punchy," for a lack of a better word, for a priest. Although, given the fact he lacked the "Roman collar" and the usual Jesuit gear (not that the Jesuits ever did require a uniform, really), Joseph Flanagan wasn't an ordinary priest per se.

"Well, aside from the fact that its a bit more colorful and bright than the how the Renaissance masters envisioned things, I'd say its a lot like it." Looking about, he went with an approving nod, "A helluva lot like it." Father Flanagan then grew silent for a bit, taking the time to really admire the environs in the spirit of that most vital part of Ignatian Spirituality--seeing God in all things. And indeed, with the happy domestic scene in front of them, and the wonders of the place, it wasn't hard to argue this was heaven, in a way. People here seemed pretty happy. And that was a good thing.

Cecilia of course, was glad to see Belldandy again, and she greeted the woman with a very warm expression and some glad, if awkwardly phrased when it came to framing the effects of the Ascension Protocol in her relatively-unused-to-space-travel-thingies lingo, tidings.

"Oh, hello! I noticed you as you came in to discuss the matter of our....protection from that strange...effect. Quite a ward Aleaic's put up, I would say. He's come along quite a bit." Looking around, Cecilia then inquired, with honest curiosity and wonder befitting someone like her (who didn't really get out much until recently), "And I must say, this place really is quite heavenly. I had thought the treeship we were on was amazing--but this place truly surpasses it in splendor...and size...and sophistication. How did they make it? Or grow it even? I've never seen anything quite like it, maybe except for that one ninja village I had visited...but that was a mere house nestled in the trees. This is something much more. Much more....."

[Gaian Ascendancy]

The ND/Gaian Group made their way through the zoneway sized 'catwalk', wide enough for a six lane highway on it's own, as it spanned over the towering chasm below, (and above,) as they effectively entered the central Tree Zones. Course that lil blurb is a 'bit' forgotten of, as Lind needlessly calls out... "Lord Excellency coming through! All citizens hail!" ...which begets attention unwanted, as Imladris just makes endless shushing sounds and motions. "Lind! I keep telling you that isn't necessary! In my Father's name even!!" ...which nets both amusement from a Gaian peanut gallery alone. Lind just eyes back, as she states, in a way like she was shoving it all down Imladris's throat. (About as so at that.) "I insist that the common folk know that their leader is amongst them."

Imlade just blands back, shuffling along... "Bet my Father didn't have to go through this."

"Yes he did." Ifurita noted. Mokoto nods in succinct memory. "Yeah. In fact..."

----------

- Another common Gaian day, Foundation Age, Archonis Age, Antaran Age, or any other...-

Tsunami: "Make way for our glorious leader!"

Arashi: "He that give all hope and life, make way for his snack time!"

Aleaic: -CHASING after!!!- "Will you both quit that again!!!" ...until he's 'yanked' back by some form of Force-Hikari Power...

Jennifer (then) : "Don't run so fast. You have to let the masses gaze upon thee."

Aleaic -whinny- : "But I don't wana let them do it again!!"

Al is then shoved through a usual throng of cheering Gaians that stop what they are doing, to partake in the glory (hazing) of their leader, once more. Kings shouldn't cry that much though...

----------

...and a successor is treated the same, as Eihwa pushes a RESISTING Imladris forth. "Dai, Padrone Eccellenza, through the unwanted throng with thee." ...as Imlade isn't very kingly either, when bawling.

The whole endeavor for laughs, is framed further as Belldandy turns to answer Cecilia, about the Palace they are making slow progress through. (For more than one reason.) "The Palace itself is alive, you see. When we planted the initial Seed, no larger than a... say... grapefruit... in size, it grew to these proportions, in concert with our Hikari Attendants. Gaians that actually meditate and talk with the Tree, to help both nurture it's rapid growth, and to effect it's structure, that leads to sights, such as what we are walking through. A Palace Tree also is the seed for the growth of the rest of the, pardon the simile, branch lines of Trees, and the Seeds that come from them. You'll forgive if I refrain further details from beyond of obvious note, since our Alcoves, are one of our most Core secrets. No offense intended. However we are fully aware of the potential vulnerability of so much of our technology and ascendance support, that is reliant on the Trees. As Lord Aleaic once said himself, he'd rather give away all the A-SSDs in the fleet, before he'd give away one single Seed. Only his love of his wives, was of more importance to him. The Trees are as much friends and citizens to us, as we as friends are to each other the same."

From there, the group finally manage to make their way to a food court, a technological recess of a hundred restaurants, interspersed with countless replicator station kiosks. Yup, quite busy here too, not that the royal enterouge have a problem making headway, (once Imladris is force fed enough adoration, by Lind and Eihwa,) as they reach the area. Imladris just offers... "WEll... um... well, it all works the same as back on my Father's Treeship. If you want anything, ask a replicator holo-helper, for some grub. we'll meet back here..." ...pointing at a galactic holo display, with newsfeed holo-net screens, plying around. (A lot of them too.) Which at that point, Lind YANKS Immy along... "You need to eat right today. I saw that snack cake you had the other day."

"But I like my sweets!" ...Immy whines a bit too aloud, as Eihwa giggles and follows, the others looking ala in trail at them.

Keiichi... "Where the heck is the engagement ring at already?" ...with the rest nodding up and down readily.

[New Dornalia]

"Why am I not surprised that junior gets the same level of 'affection' as his dad?" With that observation, made with a tinge of snark and a tinge of "I knew this was coming," Father Flanagan's temporarily contemplative state was broken, and he returned once more to becoming that fine Snark Knight that the Dornalian Author knew and loved--besides, the Padre always knew there'd be time during the daily Examen to ask forgiveness for the snark, like he always did.

Of course, that little observation, made to Mrs. T, was unreturned. Mrs. T was too busy taking in all of what Belldandy said, and the old woman could only reply with a genial nod. "I understand. In my experience, such privileged information is best kept privileged." Of course, she didn't say anymore, as she was busy trying to figure out how such a thing could work--it wasn't easy when the exact workings were classified, doubly hard for someone who had just barely got out the house for the first time in a long time and was only getting used to modern Future Technology. Pensively, Cecilia tapped her chin, musing the problem over, and spoke up. "An intriguing concept...a ship from a tree...a palace of wonders from a tree...truly no ordinary civilization..."

Father Flanagan's only reply was to point towards the food court.

"I'll get you your cuppa, Mrs. T."

"That would be appreciated. Matcha, please. Travel mug. This is intriguing."

The Jesuit smiled at Belldandy and explained, only half-jokingly, "I find that when she gets like this, she thinks best with a cup of tea. And no, coffee doesn't work. I tried that once. It just made her talk faster."

As Cecilia was busy trying to mull how such a thing could be, Father Flanagan went to grab the tea. As he walked to the replicator holo-helpers, he saw Captain Gersch looking at the machine, slightly worried and slightly confused. Flanagan asked simply, "Something the matter?"

"Do you think this thing would understand what Penseetown Walnut Bread is?"

"Eh?"

"Walnut Bread. You know, brown sugar, walnuts, bread?" Gersch looked at Father Flanagan with a puzzled expression, as if he was from another world, unfortunate to have not known of the Hajarran delicacy. "I'm looking at the menu here and asking for help, but I'm not sure where to find the item I want. I've been burned by replicators before, y'know. Not all of them have Hajarran specialities like Walnut Bread."

Flanagan of course did know, and he looked at the holo-helper, requesting, "Matcha, in a travel sized mug." As the priest recovered the tea thus dispensed, he added, "Oh, and for me....hmm....." He turned to Gersch, and began some logical deduction. "Knowing how these things usually work, I'm guessing you could likely just tell it you want Walnut Bread. I mean, it is a replicator."

"Well, you sure?"

"Look, Cap," Father Flanagan went, applying a bit of common sense and a bit of Jesuit analysis. "Think about it. This Palace Tree is a different place than whatever Automat screwed you over. These guys grew a Palace from a tree seed. These guys have snacky cakes which His Excellency got called out on for eating. And, I just got this mug of green tea. In fact...lemme try something else, out of perverse curiosity."

Walking up to the dispenser, Flanagan went, "Could I have a fried bologna sandwich, with Swiss Cheese, white bread, and Arby's Curly Fries on the side?"

Sure enough, out came the requested item, and the Jesuit held it up in front of the somewhat unsure Captain, adding, "I think this solves your problem. After all, I'm sure Mrs. T told you these guys did mention coming from Earth originally, before they embarked on all their crazy adventures. They'd know about stuff like this."

"But what about walnut bread? Walnut bread is from Hajarra." Gersch presciently replied to the Jesuit, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, the likelihood is good they would have at least some idea of what you'd like in the menu, if not culturally, then technologically. Try it out."

Gersch thus ordered, willing to try anything once, "One loaf of Penseetown walnut bread, and some currywurst."

Sure enough, the wish was the machine's command. Looking down at his food, Gersch smiled.

"I guess you were right."

With both returning to Mrs. T's side, Father Flanagan handed the mug to the woman, who took it and sipped, continuing to contemplate the wonders of the Palace Tree and the food court around her, her look pensive and deep in thought. She then broke from her thoughts temporarily to turn to Father Flanagan, and reply with a simple, "Thank you, Father."

"Anytime, Ma'am."

After a few moments, Cecilia shrugged and put off the thought for another day, going, "Ah well. This can wait. I'm wondering personally, what is happening with the Lord Excellency? And why did someone mention the need for an engagement ring? Is the Lord Excellency to be married or begin a courtship otherwise?" Smiling, she added, "I would hope that is so. Father Flanagan's tone notwithstanding, Imaldris seems to be as well loved as his father, in some ways."

In the meantime, the Supreme Commander was busy nibbling on a chocolate bar, observing everything....

[Gaian Ascendancy]

What the Captain didn't know, was that replicators had a tendency to passively scan the ordering host, as they were discussing their very order, and then proceeded to run a complex nutritional analysis, as well as conduct a molecular matrix suite, that listed the fifteen likeliest types of foodstuff and culinary palates, and proceeded from there, to 'blend' and mix an order, in simulation, based off stored archive parameters, that dated back from the First Guardianship - Second Ascendancy Era, onwards. And since the Gaians had prior contact with the Dornalians before, and a likely cross reference matrix to work with, while the final offered result had that usual 2% deviation from culinary standard, most times, the order was begotten 'right'.

Course that 2% was usually something attributed to both the replicator matrix itself, the bio-hydrogen mass that was molecularly composed from, and just that little bit, that only true home cooking could give. It was something only really noticed, when one wanted 'the' exact type of food stock or cooking, that then usually came with a loving chef, in the abode, that many a Gaian, more than knew better of.

And box lunches 'were' a part of the Diplomatic Advisory tact, though not alluded to here, as everyone begot their snacks, as Imladris is soon 'returned' sporting only a steaming apple cider. "But I said I was hungry...." ...he whisper complains to Lind, and is bonked forward, only kept from spilling his HOT drink, via the anti-spill deflector shield, at the rim of the cup. (What, like an advanced civilization wouldn't have 'that' little oversight nailed down? The nanites in Gaian clothing, didn't like to work anymore than they needed to, ye know. )

And from there, everyone begot respective snacks, and met back up at the arraigned gathering spot. It was here that something uncommon for many a civilization, might not be used to seeing: A bunch of the most powerful beings in the Ascendancy, nevermind Alpha Universe alone, short of the actual Powers and related beings themselves, just... loitering... mingled with many Gaians of other modes, just going on with their own lives, not too overly flustered with the Leadership of the Realms, amongst them. Eihwa just sipped at her own spiced peach juice, looking around. "Everyone looks so fulfilled." ...Imladris nodding, as he sips at his own cup, leaning on a typical leaning pylon, just relaxing while he could, Lind using 'him', for the same purpose, sharing the same cup that was deliberately larger than needed. Her lips however, were stained with a flavor gloss of mint, so that her sips had a taste of apple mint in it, while not messing the flavor of Imladris's drink, since he, for whatever reason, didn't like mint. The flavor anyway, and Lind liked to... "Still not a mint type bub?" ...tease him about. Imladris just sighs... "...and it's still in the aftertaste I tell you. I 'do' keep trying to like it." ...which Lind just shrugs back, and 'steals' his cup, gulping more than before, and leaving a 'mark' on the cup lip this time. Imladris just sighs in all too knowing, worse when Urd makes needless light again. "Not the place for indirect kissing here, don't you think?"

Imladris just steers that iota away from, as he notes with a look off the GUNN newsfeeds... "I see we found an old ally today. And one of the lost Races as well." ...this in turn, Lind reacts to elbowing Imlade, while she sees the same feed, as Imlade drinks (and pulls a face quickly after,) "We might need the Dinnamari reproductive cycle to accomplish what we are conducting, over the largest span." ...this she then looks back at Imladris, with a 'look'.

Imladris just deadpans back. "Really?"

Lind just steals more of his drink.

Meanwhile, the Landsdrad indeed looks serenely at peace. It's like a shopping mall, the size of old New York City, with the number of souls that are flitting about, all somehow not making 'one' ill comment to each other, about anything. It's not some mind control sedative either. After endless Ages of proscribed civility, instilled in the respect for other living beings, it was representative of such, here, at a moment where any small accident, had laughs and help to clean up, and never a truly harsh word against another. Banter was replete. Families were everywhere.

It was an example to verily behold.

"Imagine this. Just this, all across this galaxy. And then across this Alpha Universe." ...Belldandy makes light of, as she comes over to Keiichi, glomming onto her husband. Skuld and Sentaro, off the right of them, Urd floating as if on a recliner, off behind Imladris and his twinset, Ifurita hand feeding Mokoto some stir fry, off the left further, the Kerenskys loitering in midst of the Dornalians, with more souls than one can count easily, with a Synthetic assisting, a few looking on, as Belldandy infers... "We did this once in Antara. All those galaxies... all those worlds... as many as we truthfully could, as fulfilled as this scene. I hope what we are doing with this Plan, is to this final reward, all for days aplenty, just like this."

Yeah... nice and calm moment to be fuzzy and warm by... and Imladris... "I..."

"Is it!??!" ...that kills the mood quick. And... yeep... a LOT of eyes turn at the staunch sound, as Lind crouches defensively at the sight of... "Not you again Azusa." ...as the entire party from the Council Chamber is arrayed around, and behind... "Lord Excellency Azusa." Imladris quips, still unnerved some, by the sight of the Juraian Lord. (Why exactly he's uncertain.) Imladris then notes, "Um... kinda picturesque a scene you brought with you." ...he tries to amend on a spur of the moment kooky, yet respectful tone unto scene.

Azusa... "Stifle that pup!" ...yeesh... though, Misaki and Funaho aside both sides of their husband, giggle more readily than their husband was prepared to. Eihwa and Lind however are more constrained, as they position to the back and fore each respectively. Protectively at that. The rest witnessing, then denote some less than amused looks, on 'their' faces. It sets the tone, as Imladris then notes... "Ah! Lady Jeain." ...he readily steps forth, (with tactile accompaniment to greet a bowing Lady Excellency. "And well in kind to you in return. My Son's... your Father's regards, I am sure you are already noting of." ...as she then quickly rises her head, and looks over, as a second Lady Excellency, and familial accompaniment, just go with a far more family oriented protocol.

Ala, Caladeni, Alusair, Luriena, and Ashar... "MOTHER!!" ...in one well needed family glom, that maybe only the Dornalians don't fully realize, just HOW long in coming, this was bereft of. It, for a moment, defuses everything, as Imladris just leaps back clear with twin 'braces' catching him, as Jeain just sobs out... "My precious babies..." ...as more than a few tears flow out, as 'all' activity in the area, ceases.

At that calm moment, everyone else realizes... "All four of them together at once." ...ala Skuld to a realizing Sentaro. This in place of one former Lord Excellency, there are two Lady Excellencies, and two Lord Excellencies. Maybe a full of everything moment, but up to now, 'this' event hadn't happened yet. The Gaians sure weren't mindless on the realization.

"Should it have come to this."

Imladris looks over, at the author of the tone apparent, as he replies back to... "It is, what it all is Azusa, my Lord."

Azusa just steel eyes back at Imladris.... "Is it really?" ...with a return of that belayed tone of ire. The moment not long enough of tears of joy, settle back into nerves that don't want, what is about to occur anyway. This all, as a Juraian Lord just outright accuses... "Are you really indeed fit, to bear the same Title as I?"

Blood pressure problems in the Ascendancy, aren't from bad eating and lifestyle habits. Usually they come from harsh moments, which prior to Isolation for the MWCG Gaians, had been aplenty indeed. Being at the cusp of extinction would do that, after too many years at the literal edge.

And Azusa's tone seemed to 'echo' that hopeless sentiment. Imladris struck back in realizing kind. "I bear that which was earned by the Choice of far more many around us, NOT because it's a Title! Has your sense of responsibility left YOUR Title bereft of mind!?" ...which was probably a bit excessive, due to simple inexperience, that last part anyway, as emotions suddenly flare, and Funaho quickly defends her husband, all proper and honored. "My husband holds his Title 'and' it's meaning well, young Lord Imladris." ...as she and Misaki motion upon Azusa, just as protectively as Lind and Eihwa are also doing now.

Imladris realizes his words, as sound all else, also now stops, as two Lady Excellencies (formal) look on for a moment, as the youngest of the four Lord just nods. "Apologies, I..."

"I want not your pity of words!" ...Azusa bites back, 'something' egging him on at that! Imladris is reactively forced back unto the same, as two pairs of loves suddenly feel helpless for that moment, as the younger Lord Excellency snaps back... "Then what DO you want!?"

"A Trial..." ...as a gasp of a Landsdrad, plies out that would ripple across much of the local Universe, it seemed... "...of Possession of your Throne, as my own."

Kinda hard, to denote who said... "WHAT!!??" ...first there.

-----

The details quickly incoming, was what caused a Devil Princessa to Chain Teleport, to the Kyoto Treeship, as the details, would quickly get the attention of even a Representia, some two months 'ahead' in the Time-Space Lind, to return to ensure causality itself.

To what final end though....

[Gaian Ascendancy]

Cut the tension with a molecular-cutting knife, and everyone might drown from the bleeding. Everyone witnessing sure weren't used to this.

"Now hold on a frakin sect-Cyclon here!" ...comes a BELLOWING tone of a eye magnetizing, head jerking causing Grand Admiral of the Republic StarFleet! Misaki just balks... "Yurika!?"

...the blue haired flame bolt just has those around her, wilt a little, as Yurika just snaps back... "Oh no no no no!" ...she decries elegantly, her pointing finger not as so, as she does so at Azusa... "What the HECK is up with him suddenly wanting Lord Imladris's throne like that!??" ...this Azusa just snaps back, clenching his teeth through his rough tone. "Should I dare explain?" ...Yurika, not taking any of that, just folding her arms, and one eying back... "I wish you would."

Imladris just sigh at first, as Azusa just snaps his own finger at his more than self presumed rival apparently. "I am not the one that caused a Civil War amongst our own people! Not even Lord Aleaic ever made that mistake!"

Lind was glad Imladris was able to fight his own verbal battles, as she almost said some less than savory words in return. It was better countered by... "Everyone here knows what happened, what started that! I don't remember you having to fight against an actual goddess, nevermind one corrupted by your own worst enemy OF our Enemy!" ...which was justified to put Azusa in his own place, which Imladris tries to vector focus away from... "Besides, all those around me, did far more than I did, in surviving that ordeal, 'and' how we are thriving now afterwards! Plus..." ...Imladris flings a hand at... "...you're being rude to our guests." ...the Dornalians.

"And I believe you do not hold the present qualities of being the leader of this Realm."

Eyes were wavering at others, all around, as Imladris head Lind speak for him finally... "Explain that one 'Juraian' Lord." ...which raised a mixed ire from Misaki, though the 'mixed' part, had to do with the continued response of, from a riled said Juraian Lord... "You only true act so far, since your War ended, is to consolidate and then grow your territory, merely to match 'us'." ...this Imladris cocks an eye... "...and further..." ...the antagonist here imparts, "...you hold your Station, too singular of note, to the full potential you have lain before you." ...which all causes constrained looks that Imladris misses seeing, of two closest to him.

Imladris just rolls his eyes in conjecture... "Does it help any, that I just started my Reign? It's not like I chose all of this. In... In fact..." ...a good hand shoved back at Azusa... "...Dad... it was you as well, that donated the DNA that led to my own very creation! You call me out as if you find me lacking, of yourself!"

Azusa grinds, Funaho about to interject, but all of it directed to... "I still do not see why that Plan of his, was ever needed! You are 'not' HIM!!"

"Of COURSE he's not his Father! Or you of the same!" Eihwa took a turn at snapping in kind. Funaho finally interjected, a bit too somber sounding to fully realize of looking before saying... "No... he is not..." ...this gets a rough snarl back from Imladris this time. Imladris just spat tersely in turn... "If THIS is all about my personage NOT being the same mode as our mutual Great Father, then I stand to question your mindset as the Lord of YOUR Realm, Lord Excellency Masaki!!!" ...which quickly seemed to level in tone, against a BloodHouse, such an inflection, only a Gaian could garner recognition from! It was enough, as Azusa just restated... "Then we have accord for Trials of Grievance, Position, Possession..." ...and... "...possibly Refusal as well..." ...Imladris grinds in, Azusa in snaking kind... "...for the right of your Throne, 'and' all commanded of it."

Imladris just stared, and then closed his eyes to sigh. It didn't help that essentially 'all' Gaians by now, knew what was occurring. The Hikari Net was a true curse, in this case... hence a sense of requirement was in play now. Even if ALL of this, was stupid beyond nigh belief, it was all still a declared... except... "Then state Batchall!"

Azusa... "I, Lord Azusa Masaki, of the same BloodHouse and Throne of the Juraian Ascendancy, hereby challenge you for the Right of your Throne, as my own, and all it pertains!"

Ever feel helpless? A lot of listening Gaians did, before Imladris just leveled back. "And I, Lord Excellency Imladris Kerensky, gene-blood of the First Holy Council, and protector of my Beloved Realm, declare my counter, that I claim as Possession in turn, 'you', as my Bondsman, if i should win!" ...which raises eyes all around, as Azusa had an off kilter, twittering eye, as Imladris finishes... "Declare your Parameters to conduct this affair by!"

Something 'inside' Azusa quivered, but Azusa realized in turn... "To combat to the harm of my prize...." ...which riles Imladris further against proper thinking... "...would not be of benefit here. Instead, I know of 'another' Realm that would serve better, for a Circle of Equals.

The Ahb Empire, such I just learned moments ago, would make for a proper neutral party..." ...as the crowd ROUSES quickly in response... "...such could not be fairly for our Trial, 'here', or unto the harm of my Realm included!"

"W.. what?!" ...Imladris realizes, and 'just then' notes to even look further into the Hikari Net Log, and then grimaces... "...n... no. No!" ...Imladris outright objects! "You dare use another for our Parley!? The Batchall does NOT concern those that do not know of our Way, and the damage it can call be, if Zellbrigen is somehow breached!? I refuse this Trial with all reason to do so!!!"

Azusa actually looked about ready to just have AT Imladris, in response!

However...

...the last voice expected to ever object her stated Son's intent, came from... "That.... that isn't..." ...which Imladris looks over at... "...M... Mother?" ...at...? "...t..that isn't wise... my Son. The T... Trial... needs to be..." ...Belldandy?!? "...Honored."

Imladris felt his heart break. "(Wha.... what.... what's going on....?)"

That was when Imladris noticed something... odd... from familiar faces. Something that made him feel more helpless...

One voice however... "No Belove..." ...makes him look down, into steel blue eyes... "...something is wrong." ...and feel clenched hands unto his armored back. He was truly confused at that moment, as a mere Gaian soul, and stuttered out... "Fine...." ...so hollow, it broke a Valkyrium Commander down into tears, into his armored chest, the robe white overlain, stained quickly... "...you have your Trial."

"~ Indeed. ~" ...one additional, unexpected facade speaks, eyes gasping at... "A... Aleaic?" ...as as a literal god stands before them all, for ever a moment. Aleaic just eyed Azusa, whom just spoke of shock, before he hears... "~ I 'was' settling affairs... but... ~" ...this in turn, Aleaic goes Q like, and 'blinks' out of sight, making for renewed GASPS all around, Akito for one gulping... "Oh, now we did it." ...as the Angelvine just goes Furban in sect-Cyclons!

And somehow, after the frayed nerves settle, if barely just enough... "You have Three Solar Cyclons, to arrive at the Designated spot." ...as Azusa then makes about face, and has only his wives follow, only as much as Funaho and Misaki look as much constrained in doing so. Everyone else just keeps eying, as Caladeni walks over... "Nephew?" ...as Imladris just looks level, a form of stare that Caladeni had seen on one other person, of familial mode, and equal Station rank. It scared her. This as Lind found herself unexpectedly ever shaking in his arms, Eihwa clutching rather dearly unto Imladris's back. This all as Jeain also approaches, as Imladris then states... "Maybe..." ...and says no more.

Keiichi meanwhile, is now by Belldandy, wondering what got over 'her', as Urd then quips to the Dornies... "Ah... well... didn't think you'd be seeing all of that, huh?" ...this Skuld just bonks Urd in the melon. "Can it Sis! Wrong place for that!!"

Meanwhile, the air of everything, settles thick and discordant across countless citizen souls. Soon, a Lady Princessa is 'sent', but not before Seto lays INTO Azusa, prior to departing over a Chain Teleport, across dozens... no... thousands of Gaian vessels, all now halted in shock, as news of what happened, screeches to a halt, countless operations of the Expansion. Seto however isn't the first to arrive at Lakfakallae, at least, not 'yet'... if that even makes sense existentially.

But it all 'was' still happening.

[New Dornalia]

Things generally looked good at first, with the fine array of snacky foods and fine culinary delights provided to the Dornies. It would seem that things would have calmed down, and the Dornies finally able to socialize with rekindled friends in peace. The food was good, and Father Flanagan indulged his love of fatty foods once more. How he remained of average build would be a mystery for the ages, although the fact his polo shirt had the title "Loyola Boxing Team" embroidered on it probably had something to do with it. Mrs. T sipped tea, and for a bit, it would seem like things would be pretty mundane. Heck, even SupCom Wachowski, concerned these things would usually go insane within several minutes, felt for a minute that the meal would be uninterrupted.

And then came Azusa's challenge, Belldandy's assent to it, Imaldris stuck between a rock and a diamond-hard place and the Dornies left holding the proverbial bag of popcorn.

Now, having been whipped around for the second time in a row by the intricacies of Gaian clan politics, all the Dornalians could do was try to keep up. Supreme Commander Wachowski turned to her people and urged for calm, entering into a conference with Captain Gersch on the matter.

Father Flanagan put down the fried baloney sandwich, instinctively crossed himself and thought to himself, "Lord, if you're tryin' to tell me something, I think you've made your point." The Jesuit then looked up and turned to Urd, with a somewhat worried and confused expression--an expression shared by the other Dornies. Scratching his head, Flanagan then asked a question that was perhaps meant to confirm his suspicions--the talk of bloodlines caused his inner Sherlock to begin putting things together--more than to get an actual answer.

"Um...about...that...why did our host just get challenged for a duel concerning the throne?"

-----

Meanwhile, Cecilia was more interested in the same thing Keiichi was; her reaction had been a disquieted, "Oh my." She wasn't eager to see a fight over succession break out so soon--her long life had seen many such squabbles between kindred, bretheren, what have you, over positions of power, ultimate prizes. And although they were old hat, seeing them in action was always a bit....tough to watch for someone like Mrs. T, especially when they involved blatant powergrabs like what Azusa had just orchestrated. She had seen many of those too.

For that matter, she wondered--why did Belldandy urge Imaldris to continue the Trial? Belldandy didn't seem to be the Lucrezia Borgia-esque type, eager to manipulate power, or perhaps more pertinently a Justice Clarence Thomas, bound to obey the strict rules and regulations of generations upon generations even when it seemed to be more inflexibly rigid than prudent. She seemed a bit more...charitable than that. Even when quizzing Cecilia on the nature of her immortality. Bell's voice crackled--perhaps Belldandy had only reluctantly agreed? It was mystery upon mystery, and given that others had consented, seemingly to the shock of others, Cecilia took it upon herself to try and investigate.

Walking over to her friend, Cecilia inquired to Bell, friendly and bearing in mind that Keiichi was near and thus waiting for a pause-- "Is something the matter?"

----

The Supreme Commander, meanwhile, quietly checked with her ships to see how they were doing. She, unlike Mrs. T or Father Flanagan, had a rough understanding of what a Trial was, as the Gaians were using the word--it didn't refer to two men asking people in a box for sure. She knew that the Army Armored Cavalry Corps, trained by the Clanners of Skagura, had a rough Trial tradition of sorts where grievances would be solved by a duel of arms. It was illegal and she had intervened to stop it on multiple occasions. Yet, it remained. It was but a pale imitation of a trial, and certainly nothing like the Gaian clash in front of them. But if the principle was the same.....she shuddered to think.

Finishing her status updates and advising them of the situation, she put down the phone and walked back to the others with Gersch, confiding in him, "I hope this ends well." Looking out into the distance as she rejoined Flanagan's side, she said again, "I hope it goes well..."

[Gaian Ascendancy]

Cecelia's concern, came as much at the same time that Keiichi was trying to settle his wife, as Belldandy started to realize once more... "Belldandy?"

"I'm... I'm fine Keiichi.... I..." ...the word think, stops upon her tongue, as she looks more directly at her friend. "I'm fine Cecilia."

"Everyone who cares to..." ...comes a strong tone suddenly, from a Challenged, as Imladris states directly, for all to hear... "...attend to the Council Chambers at once."

"Yes Sire!" ...comes from several Council vectors, appended with voices that didn't need to respond, as Imladris finds to his surprise, that several others of Juraian, Representia and Twilight, of citizen souls in attendance, respond as well. Imladris just nods gingerly, at Jeain and Caladeni, of his equal Stations of Title. Imladris however then decides to look down next, at some seriously quivering eyes, of a kind he intended to put the steel back into, with... "Everything 'will' be fine, by barbed sweet." ...this... "E` tutto sotto controllo." ...and that, making two loves, settle nerves readily.

Imladris then offered to the Dornalians... "Well, since you came this far already..." ...and head bobs his head to the right, to garner to follow. This as in short order, a good flock of the creme of the Ascendancies, makes for the nearest Teleporter chamber. Along the way... "Stronger than I expected." ...Mokoto makes note to Ifurita, whom refrains a tad at first...

-----

...as they all finally end up in Command Core, literally once entering the Teleport Chamber, the archway entrance, reconfigured 'as' the Teleporter, that in effect, makes the step of ten thousand further steps, become only 'one', from Outer Habitation Ring, to the foyer to the Council Chamber, as behind everyone, Command Core, vast and usually busy, is eerily quiet now. Some semblance of activity beyond, is still apparent, but nowhere near what is was, only minute-Cyclons prior. And a lot of the same Gaian Landsdrad souls, trying to resume their activities, many can't help but watch their reason for even doing what they do, walk towards the towering Council Chamber archway.

Behind, where technology is near at chocking levels of notice, was replaced by 'reverence', as the souls filtered into the Apex of all that governed Gaians, and their works unto empowerment. A wooden sculpted, melded chamber, not unlike entering a massive church congregation chamber, hence the 'feel' apparent, was of a white aura of direct mode, if soft enough in trim to everything, to not feel too intimidated by where one was. The 'windows' all around, were white aglow gilded work, 'of' the Palace Tree branches, meld-worked as they filtered in the sunlight beyond, off the left of entrance, the ones rest all around, different vantages of the Tree Palace and further beyond landscapes, of the Gaian Capital World. Sounds came in with them, both natural, and high technological.

To the fore, a U shaped Council table, rounded sculpted from the Tree itself, as everything else here was, with a deep wood colored underlay, was overlain by White Diamond polished surfaces, embedded with holo-technology, and seats proud looking to match of the Table. The U shape was almost more a curved V shape, surrounding a white diamond holo-projector, in fact, what isn't word carved and melded, has the same materials of opulence, meshed with technological requirement, all interspersed with artistry, all about the chamber, all replete to insure, with holo-displays, and holo-screens, that were scattered about the chamber, giving a busy look. A contrast to the glorious white curtains that framed each window, as everything in the chamber was of contracts of shared nature with technology.

The singular seat of note, at the head of the Table, was where the youngest of the Excellencies was heading. The other Gaians that decided to come, spread to either familiar seats, or to other parts of the Chamber, all to ensure their sight, as Imladris made to only reach his seat, but not sit in it, instead, rubbing at the opulent finish, as he quips... "I need to fix this..." ...which... "What?" ...Lind asks, and Imladris looks back... "Everything, and more."

"Too much work." Eihwa just reacts to, pulling a face, as some needed chuckles ply the chamber, if ever a needed moment. Imladris then looks at the Dornalians, prior to looking at... "Admiral Yurika my friend?"

"Aye!" ...the blue haired Admiral stated with confidence, not that it helped as she was commanded... "Prepare Diamond Fleet for Sortie, deployment for the Trial."

"What?!" ...came from more than a few vectors... but not from....

[New Dornalia]

The Dornies followed Imaldris and his party to the meeting, as Father Flanagan shrugged. He never did get an answer to his question, but something told him that perhaps, his suspicions really were confirmed. As for Cecilia, Bell's reply elicited only an accepting nod, although Cecilia couldn't quite shake that sinking feeling she got. Perhaps Mrs. T was worrying a bit much, but this all seemed rather weird. Still, she followed, eager to learn more. As Imaldris spoke of fixing things, she could only think indeed of the price of power, and how it likely weighed on one such as the Lord Excellency.

Thus, the Dornalians entered the hall, but unlike the last few moments, there wasn't any snapping of pictures or gawking. Things seemed a little urgent for that. Not to say it wasn't a nice place to do business, but the situation demanded an attentive eye towards unfolding events. As such, Supreme Commander Wachowski looked on as Imaldris and company filed into the room.

The brief eye contact was met, and then, when Imaldris ordered the Diamond Fleet to mobilize, Wachowski got a sudden feeling--was it going to be like last time? Dornies, dueling with forces which epitomized Clarke's Third Law? The thought wasn't offensive or scary, for sure. She'd be willing to do it again. The SupCom could trust her men and her ships to hold under such pressures. But Imaldris had said nothing about bringing the Dornies to the party. So, perhaps risking a faux pas and figuring it wouldn't hurt otherwise if it wasn't a problem, she asked.

"With your permission, Lord Excellency--I would like to clarify something. Where do the Dornalians stand in regards to this Trial?"

[Gaian Ascendancy]

Imladris addressed the SupCom outright... "Where ever you feel you must be at. It was certainly not my intention to have 'this' be a part of the tour."

"But..." ...Keiichi found himself speaking up... "...is Diamond Facet even needed for this?" ...which is countered by Lind, whom already knew, as she stood near her Belove... "It is expected, that a Trial of this nature will be a show of strength, and a needless display of pomp."

"Maybe..." Imladris said again, taking this moment to answer Father Flanagan's query, in a more all encompassing way. "...plus I did challenge his status to properly belong in the Masaki BloodHouse." ...which he trades a hard stare with Tenchi Masaki, across the Chamber, the current leader of the gene-pool BloodHouse didn't care facially, at the minimum, that the Bloodline was challenged like this. Plus, Azusa 'was' Ayeka's father, hence a sense of loyalty inherit, plus earned after so long. (All those billions of years, weren't hyperbole here, that was for sure.) Such Imladris insured... "...I expect an equal 'Jurai' Fleet to be present, for the presentation of Batchall. Even if it 'all' won't be required.

Presuming...." ...Imladris utters, but quickly shakes that off...

Tenchi then insured 'his' point was made across the matter... "I expect Lord Azusa 'won't' be found to be an uncertain opponent, even despite the air of mistrust apparent here." ...which drew some faces in the chamber, of the different 'Sects' of the Gaian Landsdrad, eying each other a bit more warily than they themselves realized.

"I would expect no less." ...this was countered as Imladris had gained a royal penchant of mindful thought, relevant to the Kerensky BloodHouse and Line. Imladris then leaned forward upon the Council Table, and imparted without fail to the senses. "Even if I am defeated, I fully expect that my Father's will... and my own alike, will see that we Gaians remain as a UNITED mindset, against any that believe that we are a fractured society, dealt unto the same ills that befell too many civilizations before us, 'and' upon our eye to witness despite all! IF I should fall out of favor, it does not mean you 'all' fall with me! We 'are' if nothing more, creatures of our own history, chiseled unto further, with every breath! That same history, 'will' remain, no matter the cost!"

The 'singular' pride that is what is meant to be a Gaian, now replaced the prior distrust that permeated. Imladris then looked back over to the Dornalians... "If you wouldn't mind me asking Supreme Commander Wachowski, or any others that wish to offer, I'd like to know whom these Humankind Ahb are. I myself am not directly understood of them, not unlike the rest of my citizen souls apparently."

"Oui! You could ask 'me' here!" Peorth just eggs out, the Foreign Advisor complains. Urd however... "Sure... start another interspatial incident, why dont'cha." ...which gets a comical glare back from Peorth, and some needed laughter around.

[New Dornalia]

The 'singular' pride that is what is meant to be a Gaian, now replaced the prior distrust that permeated. Imladris then looked back over to the Dornalians... "If you wouldn't mind me asking Supreme Commander Wachowski, or any others that wish to offer, I'd like to know whom these Humankind Ahb are. I myself am not directly understood of them, not unlike the rest of my citizen souls apparently."

"Oui! You could ask 'me' here!" Peorth just eggs out, the Foreign Advisor complains. Urd however... "Sure... start another interspatial incident, why dont'cha." ...which gets a comical glare back from Peorth, and some needed laughter around.

Wachowski nodded, and began considering her options as to whether or not to join the Trial. The Dornies had done it before and could certainly do it again. Fighting opposing Gaian forces if they needed to. But did they need to here? She pondered and pondered, and thought. Of course, interrupting her thought patterns was Imaldris's solicitation for information on the Abh.

Wachowski had her Axe-Bearing Adjutant pull up a PDA in reply to the query-cum-demand for information, and the man brought up an article on the Abh for Imaldris's edification, although to his chagrin it was an older copy from the databanks. While he had Gracie hunt down more recent information, all the man said simply was, "Well, sir, the Abh Empire, as we call them in the Republic, are a longstanding ally of the Republic; we share a Special Relationship which has gone on since the earliest days of the MacIntyre Era. At heart, the Abh are a spacefaring people, descended originally from genetically engineered bioroid laborers that formed their own civilization. They prefer the company of space to a planetary surface by design and as such are renowned sailors, both merchant and military. This also influences their governmental structure--although a large empire, they prefer to rule the planets within their space indirectly through local allies and suzerains, retaining space as their sole jurisdiction. They aren't a people whom you can rattle easily, and they're very logical and orderly, and savvy traders. Also, the Abh are quite refined and stylish, if I remember correctly, although there is a difference between the ruling Abriels and other levels of society, especially with ear shape. I'm having Gracie dig up more details, if you need more."

As the Adjutant gave his spiel, Wachowski motioned for Captain Gersch to come over, and began chatting with him about the need to participate in the Trial or not Participate, and what their resources were if they did. The conversation went on for a bit, and Gracie popped up, with a pen and paper to provide numbers to the two. Wachowski seemed to take a bit of time to mull this over--the look on her face suggested this wasn't to be made lightly, but if she was concerned, she wasn't verbally confirming it. Given the ad hoc resources, this could go either way, although Dornie experience in these matters was generally pretty good. Still, she was going to move pretty carefully before tossing her hat into the ring.

Amidst all this, Flanagan and Mrs. T looked a bit worried at the assembled huddle, and were slightly less worried about the Gaians--who seemed to find their footing again. Flanagan was the first to speak, looking at the good cheer and Wachowski's huddle.

"Well, I guess that speech answered my question. But what the hell is a Batchall?"

The Axe-Bearing-Adjutant lept in to answer that one.

"I can answer that. Batchall is essentially the Clanner equivalent of a challenge to a duel, mixed with an Order of Battle. In theory, everybody shows their batchall before a fight. Armored Cav guys did that all the time, although their batchalls usually involved games of battle golf."

Flanagan raised an eyebrow, curious to know as to how that would work. The Adjutant merely replied, "It involves a golf course, lots of whiskey, BB guns, and a golf ball and zero common sense." Turning to Imaldris, the Adjutant addressed both, with a calm, nonchalant explanation of how he knew what the heck the term Batchall meant.

"I had a cousin in the Army Armored Cav. They were trained by Clanners from Skagura back a long time ago. Things rubbed off on them."

[Gaian Ascendancy]

As the explination of the Ahb was given for the incumbent MWCG Gaian Lord Excellency to digest, with Lind and Eihwa looking at him, Imaldris rubs at his own chin, the glove padding of the diamond gauntlets chaffing a bit as he rubs a bit... "Why would he choose the Ahb for all of this? Other than it all being..." ...the train of though halting when he realizes... "...a neutral site." ...Eihwa completes for him, such that Imaldris just sighs. "I hate melodrama."

And then they heard the explination of Batchall being given by the Adjutant, which in after hearing, Yurika replied... "I must amend. If you will, Batcahll was a rule of warfare conduct we adopted from our earliest beginnings, to allow duel style combat, where indeed both sides display their selected forces. However, it's expressly impressed upon both sides, that the batchall is intended to limit forces, avoiding waste in battle, and essentially both sides only declaring the smallest contingent of forces, of those made available, both to demonstrate honor, and insure that no unnecessary losses are incured.

However the forces of both sides 'are' still elligible to enter combat, if... er..." ...Akito helps... "...Zellbrigen..." ...Yurika... "...thanks love. If Zell... Ze... Zelly... ERGH... the code of conduct after batchall is completed, and then breached somehow by either side, then a free for all battle can exist, and then.... well..." ...this Yurika then looks dead at Tenchi, and quips... "Azusa is going to keep to his honor, right?"

Tenchi/Ayeka: "What does that mean?" ...which Skuld doesn't help much with... "You guys gotta admit that Azusa is being flipped right now, with his behavior." ...which Tenchi sternly belts back at... "Excuse us Skuld, but Azusa 'did' lead us through a rather dark time when we first came back to this Dimension. He has the respect of my House and myself." ... "Indeed." Ayeka accents in terse tone.

"Then why is he doing this!?" Peorth interjects, Urd not helping on 'her' end, with... "Yeah, this all better not be some territory grab." ... "HEY!" Tenchi barks at, which ramps up the tension in the room, the same 'cultural' divisions of loyalty, where all the agitation belies. Which is vectored, when Caladeni makes a comment of... "Does that mean 'we' should worry the same?" ...as she includes her mother Jeain, in her comment, with a head tilt bob towards her, to Cal's right.

"You gotta be kidding me." Mokoto takes a stab with his own deadpan outlook, at the situation, Ifurita nodding, and so does... "Indeed." ...the subject of the matter, as Imaldris growls his comment in again, making for looks at him once more, as Imladris... "I will reiterate. If I remain leader here, we are Gaian. If Azusa wins, we are Gaian. If THEY lead..." ...a gauntleted right finger at Jeain and Caladeni, whom blink, "...we are STILL Gaian.

We will not be petty, and 'wll' uphold our honor respectively, 'as' the civilization we were wrought as! Is this last, trully understood at the last, My. Fellow. Gaians!"

'All' were nodding again. "Yes Lord Excellency." ...more than a few voices ensure they are heard. Imaldris then looks at SupCom Wachowski and informs... "You place, I would advise, but not enforce, would be to attend as witnesses, as a third party to these events, 'if' we do conduct all of this, upon Ahb territory. I however, for one, despite the neutrality effects of this Trial, as this 'is' for the right to command an entire Realm, would hope the Ahb reject this demaond, and that a more sutable location for this..." Imaldris bades a bland hand about... "...endeavor. I would hate to invole a nation I myself to not personally know of, and I imagine, is of regard, if held at distance due to time itself in fathomless measure, to my fellow kin present here." ...the last he directs at his confidants. Yurika nods... "We haven't had contact with the Ahb, ever since prior to First Exodus. It... really all was... a different time." ...this a sense of 'lost time', permeates now, amongst the gathered.

"Not the way we should reintroduce ourselves, to old.... friends." Keiichi states, an uncertain tone there, since 'that' descriptor... "That could be damaged beyond repair, if this goes badly." ...which Luriena was the kind author of, which she imparts to both Tenchi and Imaldris... "No offense."

"Oh sure... whatever..." Imaldris quips nonchalantly. Tenchi just shrugs in kind as well. The mood of tension, eases back once more.

[Godular]

slight OOC semi-tag-hope-this-doesn't-get-deleted to say its nice to see that there's still some of the older folks about.

Yes I'm still here...

[New Dornalia]

Eager to break the tension, Supreme Commander Wachowski decided to distract the Gaians for the moment. Raising her hand to speak, she then addressed the Lord Excellency with a cough and a simple affirmation.

"Well...the Republican Navy would be honored to act as observers for the Trial, should it occur on Abh space or for that matter anywhere else the Trial ends up. The Chakri Naruebet would be able to record any such events; the Gracies are good listeners and watchers and barring that we can send in drones or multiple other ships to ensure a fair and accurate record of events."

She then closed with a slight warning, one which she knew from experience working alongside Admiral De Bruyn all those years ago.

"The Abh themselves tend to be prickly about foreigners entering their land, especially foreign ships. If that indeed is to be the case, a trial to be held in Abh space, no doubt one of our parties should petition the Abh for permission to let the Dornalian party in to observe. Again, that is only if the Abh actually accept Lord Azusa's request to host the trial there. That is how I would petition them for permission. The Abh know the Dornalians well, and trust us to behave ourselves in their presence--but its always nice to warn them first."

Mrs. T then nodded as she observed events, and simply sighed as she turned to Father Flanagan with a dismayed, almost pensive expression. Father Flanagan simply replied to her with a worried, "Not a fan of duels for thrones, huh? I'm not either."

"No. Especially not when its like this. Not like this at all." Mrs. T shook her head, and looked at the scene with worry--a duel for the throne indeed. And despite the calls for unity and respect, clear signs that people weren't thinking of unity at the moment, somehow. Troubling thoughts yes, especially given the surroundings. But then again, the mood wasn't exactly conducive to happy thoughts. Then again...as someone who vowed to reduce pain and suffering in my existence, Mrs. T felt she must do something. It wasn't her way to leave suffering unsolved. To save one life was to save the universe--perhaps to save many was to do much more. At the very least, the prospect of a quarrel-cum-civil war was not something she enjoyed.

Getting up, she then coughed and asked Belldandy--or for that matter, anyone in the mood to respond-- "What are the rules for third parties hosting Trials, exactly? Could we vote to move it to a remote sector of Dornalian held space? Or space held by none? Or would it be too late?"

[Gaian Ascendancy]

Imaldris nodded to Wachowski quickly. "Contact them by all means. I've already sent a special envoy to make contact on our end, in person, before the presence of the Ahb."

Keiichi blinked, for one... "Who?" ...as then a bemoaning sound, comes from Peorth. The others see the Foreign Advisor, with her hand in her face already. That makes the lot of them teardrop in realization, such that Imladris confirms... "Lady Seto Kamiki-Masaki. She's dealt with the Ahb before, such the neutrality aspect will be established. The final decision is up to the Ahb however." ...Imaldris makes note to quip aloud, so it's 'heard' afar from the Council Chambers.

Lind just hip bumps him in response, about throwing Imaldris across his own Council seat! "Lind!!" ... "You mind confering that to us 'before' you send an envoy via Hikari Net?" ...which Eihwa immediately giggles in hearing Immy's blanch... "What?! I gotta get permission from you, before... ow... owowow!!! Not the ear again!!" ...as Lind makes for a scene stealer, as she just yanks Imaldris along, 'by' his right ear! Lind just rounds about everyone, in declaring... "Common bozu, you got two days to train. And I MEAN two days!" ...which imaldris realizes, and tries to... "Bell... Yur.. someone! Get... ow... everything squared.... yeep... away, and... wait... not the... oh my glob... not the window bit... YEEEEK!!!!" ...as Lind just treats her love so gently, by yanking him (by the ear, painfully,) and then... well... tosses him out the window. Yes, there's Goofy like yelping, as Lind just looks back... "Excuse us..." ...and leaps up to the same open window and yells out... "...REMEMBER YOUR Anti-Grav spell code this time, you tin plated wuss!!" ...and leaps out to literally fly after.

You can guess the looks on everyone's faces, as Akito quips... peevishly... "Well, at least he'll be ready when the time comes." ...though a narly sounding spell energy shimmer, arcing the outside air, makes for paused breath, for a moment. Yurika then imparts, for her own part... "Well, I better get Diamond Fleet squared away here." ...and then continues a familiar Gaian theme by yanking Akito along, as she heads on out of the Chamber... "Come along Akito to the War Room." ...this Akito blanches himself in turn... "Can't you do that by just asking me?" ...and Akito just hears... "You know we don't have much time Akito. Common." ...and an Akito esc 'gleep' from another yank.

Belldandy then answers Cecilia in turn... "Third party rules in our asepct, are done to ensure trust is maintained, to ensure fair rules are adhered to. We may indeed require to lean on that, in a time where we find ourselves lacking that same trust, that we should have still, of ourselves." ...this a hurt look, becomes of the lot in witnessing, of Gaian mode.

-----

Somewhere down withina rare sight in Gaian mode, an empty hallway, within the Palace Tree, a hand finally has enough, and yanks to stop a brooding shoulder, as the fore author just snaps... "Just what in Aleaic's name, are you doing husband!?!?" ...which stops three figures, in a arched hallway, lit only by sunlight from one end of the hallway, no technological lighting here, as the sheer mood of the Lord Excellency entering here, seemed to dusk the light, all on his own. "What does it look like, I am doing?"

Misaki about decks Azusa for that one, as Funaho behind them both, just remarks, of a measured nature. "This is not how we planned to conduct our affairs with them."

"I will conduct our affairs, as I dictate. Even if you all sem to have a measure of control, over even myself."

Misaki blinks... "What are you..." ...as Azusa looks back, then to both ends of the cooridoor, before looking at Misaki again. Azusa then imparts... "You are close to them, my dear. perhaps too close."

Misaki blinks, again, before something... occurs... to the rear of her shoulder.

And in her mind, before it doesn't hear, what it once did...

...but what did...

-----

"~ I am 'not' about to become under the word of order of... that... bearded... pompus... ergh...!!! ~" ...an Arch-Angel Commander stamps around, ratehr than float around, such is how agitated she is. It makes being near her enlarged wingspan, a tricky proposition, given that several other Gaians are in her Office, despite the size of the place, as a couple of Avians, and a Forran elder, are amongst the present. (Some large sized beings, these are.)

A 'smaller' version being, one Frode Endomiel, just comments out... "Is it really our place, whom we serve, as long as..." ...put out to garner a reaction, and one begotten, as Serenity just snapped back... "~ I'll send 'all' Six Hosts back where whence we came, before I follow the word of one I don't respect, as a leader! ~" ...which makes Frode blink. Another voice... "~ This makes of it all, that we all are folly in our current pursuits. ~" ...as the Forran Elder remarks back, which makes Serenity stop, which is reacted to... "That m akes it presume, we folly to subsit at all." Frode peggs again, which eyes glower at the gene-father of a Valkyrie Commander, as an Avian remarks to... "~ Aspect Fre'd'ash. Judicator Frode. You make of us, unprepared to endure in this Trial ahead of our leadership, as if we seek a second Civil War, or just a Sundering of Foundation itself, as far as the conduct of this affair goes. ~"

"I seek us to buck up." ...Frode responds back to that. Forran Fre'd'ash replying in turn, his 'voice' vocalized through a translator matrix, set within the massive containment bands that 'hold' the Forran together. The tone is stern enough in anycase... "~ Then why antagonize us like you are, Judicator. ~"

"To make you all buck up." Frode just calmly states again, before he turns to his left and looks at the (for some reason,) massive holoscreen of Plan Alpha operations, all halted at the present moment. Serenity looks as much as any, as Frode just walks over and fingers at the galactic holo-display, and remarks... "I mean dear us all, like womever leads us, really will see what we are expunged. And if I know my less than preferred son-in-law in coming, plans are in development in concern of what will transpire. One way or another..." ...which he then stops at the holo-board, and waggles a finger at it... "...all the while we just sit anf twddle our thumbs..."

"~ You know I do not posess.. ~" ...which Frode interrupts Fre'd'adh... "...and yet you use consoles as much as we, and we in turn show we are timid in our conduct, when all is said and done?"

Serenity just imparts in turn, a tilt of her head egressing her words... "~ Does it seem wise to conduct our operations, while a possible change of leadership is taking place? ~" ...which Frode just stares cock-eyed back with, which Serenity realizes her words, and then looks at her gathered Staff... "~ For our 'current' Lord Excellency, of 'our' trusted mode, we continue without paralization. I expect there will be reason for our actions, in the coming. ~" ...which gives some mixed reactions, but overall positive in mode, as another Avian remarks... "~ Then for the good of our Guardianship then. ~" ...which garneres enough approval, before in turn, as citizen souls disperse, Serenity loioks back at Frode.

"~ You are the last, I would have expected to give confidence like just seen. ~"

"I will drop my chosen Bloodname, if I am found to be wrong. I myself expect to be wrong in even thinking this." ...Frode imparts, and then heads out himself.

Serenity chuckles, when she is finally alone... "~ And 'whom' is of discontent here? ~" ...before she turns her mind, back to the Hikari Net.

A civilization couldn't keep halted forever. No matter what the obstacle.

[New Dornalia]

Wachowski took advantage of the fact that the Lord Excellency's men had linked them into the communication networks to begin making calls. Knowing how touchy the Abh could be if an armed vessel was sent from the Dornie mainland, Wachowski decided to make it the most inoffensive vessel she could think of. With a simple call, she began to issue instructions.
---------

JRCCC, Earth SSR

"Guys! GUYS!"

Everyone huddled around the table, and saw the Supreme Commander's message:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Authentication Code--VALID
World of Origin--UNKNOWN
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

PLAYING AUDIO FILE....

"This is the Supreme Commander, speaking. Please contact the State Department and have them cable Lakfakalle at once and request permission to enter Abh space to commence monitoring of Gaian Trial of Grievance between elements led by Lord Commander Imaldris Kerensky and Lord Excellency Azusa Masaki, concerning a contest for leadership. Currently gathered intelligence suggests the Trial is to be potentially held on Abh space and Lord Commander Kerensky has requested our presence as third-party observers. ORBAT--if you can call it that--is to send six unarmed Raptor-Slick shuttles and one unarmed Pelican all equipped with cameras, personnel and observation equipment to monitor events. Please contact me at your earliest convenience regarding Abh authorization or denial. SUPCOM out."

Turning around, the man in charge bellowed, "Well, don't just stand there! Get in touch with the Secretary of State! LET'S GO!" Before long, the Dornies rushed to contact the State Department, and not long afterwards, a copy of the Supreme Commander's request was sent to the Abh.

--------------------

MWCG Core

As all that occurred, Cecilia nodded. Belldandy's answer proved unusually dour, but given the situation it wasn't unexpected. Things were looking rather...distrustful and even despairing on the Gaian end, and the immortal could only nod. "Perhaps indeed, Belldandy. Perhaps. But let us hope that this current crisis does not destroy the bonds of trust. Political games are not friendly to trust--but trust can survive them."

Then again, looking at the cavalcade of silly hijinks involving dragging and slapstick, Cecilia couldn't help but smile a little and let out an "Oh my," out of force of habit. Father Flanagan, meanwhile, turned to Mrs. T and shrugged. "Well, if it takes trusting people to practice slapstick, even in stressful times, I guess you're right." Mrs. T looked at the Jesuit, and only replied with a simple, "You have a way with words."

Flanagan grinned.

"I get that a lot."

Wachowski, meanwhile, wandered to the two and asked, "Question. How would you feel about being observers?" At the query, Mrs. T nodded. "I am willing to help observe the Trial, to ensure it is fairly followed. I have been a referee before and a monitor for delicate situations." Turning to Father Flanagan, the Jesuit merely replied with a simple, "Well, it can't be any worse than refereeing the family paintball matches. Sure."

"Excellent. I'm gathering observer staff, tis why. Thank you." Wachowski walked off at that point, to ask the other Dornies and gather her team together, poking her phone for that vital call back....