"Send These, The Homeless, Tempest-Tost To Me" FT - Open

by **Lotrabme** » Sat Dec 22, 2018 4:56 pm

"Send These, The Homeless, Tempest-Tost To Me"

A narrative compilation regarding the lives and experiences of galactic refugees in the Velorum Annex.

Link to the related State of the Galaxy news article (See September 30th): viewtopic.php?f=5&t=335560&p=34980496#p34980496

Welcome! This thread is designed to provide a space for those interested in reflecting on or writing about the experiences of the galaxies refugees as they seek safety and a chance to rebuild their lives. The setting for these stories is the system designated 23 Velorum. It is a quadruple star system which was recently settled and established by the Mind Empire, a mid-level galactic power in the Beta Quadrant of the Milky Way Galaxy. An Admiral of the Empire’s navy established this system as a colony in 3930 IR with refugees in mind and named it the Velorum Annex. Admiral Kranmar described his colony as “a safe haven where people can rest and sort out their lives” and the building of a colonial infrastructure has given him a chance to advertise opportunities for work.

The system has three orbital components. The red dwarf pair of stars, CA and CB, have a single deep green neptunian planet around them called Tivo. Tivo and its moons have been set aside as the holding station for new arrivals. A variety of office complexes and medical stations have been built up to support these efforts.

The yellow star 23 Velorum A has four planets in its thrall: two mercurian balls of rock in scorching orbits, a warm tropical and oceanic world in its habitable zone, and a rusty, mineral rich desert 2.5 AUs out. All of these are surrounded by a thick asteroid belt. Admiral Kranmar has ordered a series of projects to increase the livability of this star’s worlds since he envisioned it becoming the core of habitation. IRDaC, the mining and commerce conglomerate of the Empire, bought the two inner worlds for full exploitation and is seeking employees to work the stations and AI maintenance. In exchange for the purchase, Kranmar was granted an initial set of six O’Neil cylinder colonies in orbit of Rico Mundi, with teams assigned to build up to fifty in the LaGrange points between the planet and the sun. The planet Rico Mundi is habitable for many near human species, and three cities were established around a triad of space elevators. The rusty world is called Gram’s World, and is governed by Lonerd Numon, Kranmar’s friend and advisor. He is an auditor of the Imperial Chamber of Commerce and an entrepreneur and has begun setting up the mineral rich planet as a mining colony with a continual need for new employees.

Star 23 Velorum B has a large Saturn like gas giant in its orbit named Oovoo. Oovoo’s largest moon has been converted into the fleet base dominated by Kranmar’s vessels and named Shivana Star Fortress. It is from here that Kranmar commands his feudal property. An oceanic and a Venusian planet orbit star B closer, but they have not had any building projects yet.

Kranmar has exclusive governing rights of the whole Annex Colony, although Rico Mundi was settled with a civilian government of Haman colonists. Colonists from any part of the galaxy and from any nation or species are welcome in the Velorum Annex. They must all pass through Tivo for screening and medical treatment if needed but are left free to settle anywhere else in the system they desire. Refugees have been offered a “fast-track” to Mind Imperial citizenship if they were not intent on leaving for another port or have no where else to go, however, this comes with the stipulation of five standard years of residency in the Annex before being allowed to move to other Imperial colonies.

by **Lotrabme** » Sat Dec 22, 2018 4:58 pm

The Velorum Annex

A Mind Empire Colonial Venture with a Humanitarian Twist

Aimed at the constellation Vela, a small fleet of Hulk Galleons and a single Super Carrier sailing from the orbital wells of Rigel Kentauri weighed anchor in the star system designated 23 Velorum. This system is comprised of four stellar bodies, A, B, Ca, and Cb. The two former are Yellow stars of medium small mass while the latter are a close knit pair of red dwarf stars. Together the stars have elliptical orbits around one another which has limited the room for planets to exist, yet there are some planetary bodies in these systems.

Ca and Cb share one planet and heavy rings of ice particulate. This world is a Neptunian gas giant designated Tivo by the explorers. It was used as a staging ground for examining and venturing to the inner stars.

23 Velorum A is the central star around which the others are bound. Its planetary host includes two Mercuroid iron worlds, a watery terran planet, and a dusty microterran planet. The wetter world, surface area 85 percent water and dotted by minor continents and islands was labeled Rico-Mundi for its rich flora environment and salubrious climate. The microterran was named Gram’s World after Mind Empire Grand Admiral Barlino Gram who was the commanding officer of Tevron Kranmar, the expedition’s leader.

These are all the planets 23 Velorum A possesses, though evidence of earlier members of the system exists in the extensive asteroid belt. Their destruction can be explained by the companions of star B. B possesses three major worlds and an even larger assortment of asteroids. The two innermost worlds are a Venusian known as Nublar, and a complete ocean world named Tethys. These are being explored by Mind Empire scientists and evaluated for resources. The outer world, surrounded by asteroids and its own moons is the large Jovian Gas Giant designated Oovoo. Oovoo has several large ice and rock moons, though the largest was converted into a local fleet base by Admiral Kranmar, and is now referred to as Star Fotress Shivana.

The orbits of the stars and the compositions of the worlds around them provided a natural cloaking barrier for those who would reside within the system. Discovering this, Admiral Kranmar along with his advisors Malicon and Numon re-affirmed the rights of their contract. They would agree to establish a colonial settlement as vassals of the Mind Empire, and in doing so in a formerly un-settled sector of space, would be granted sector overlord-ship rights. With that, Kranmar and his subordinate Commanders, along with the Sages on board the 4 Hulk Galleons and the Nebulan Hive Queens who joined them, established the Velorum Annex.

The Velorum Annex is a feudal-federal territory; its constituent worlds are governed by Proprietary Governors and Military overseers and maintained with the aid of World-Controller class AI systems. As this is a new territory, the colonies most well established and populated are Rico-Mundi, Gram’s World, and Star Fortress Shivana. While Shivana is under Admiral Kranmar’s direct rule the former colonies are civilian run with his oversight as Sector Overlord.

Gram’s World is run as a proprietorship by Lonerd Numon. Numon was assigned to the Admiral’s fleet as a Factor and Liquidator agent of the Imperial Chamber of Commerce. Gram’s World being a rich metal deposit and containing specialized crystalline reservoirs proved attractive to him and he agreed to direct its development of a mining and manufacturing infrastructure. Gram’s World is also the gateway planet to the system, with beacons set up connecting it to Lars, Natron, and Sygma, three nodes in the Mind Empire’s superluminal transportation network.

Rico-Mundi is a jointly governed planet by the settlers from the Hulk Galleons, specifically a subset of those ships Sage Councils. The Sages have organized three successful colonial cities on the surface: Tychonia, Bellanor, and Portalbin. Portalbin is the capital settlement on the surface, and all three contain space elevators which have docks at their counterweights for ships.

The Hulk Galleons were commissioned to begin manufacturing habitats in the space around Rico-Mundi and Gram’s World. Admiral Kranmar and Governor Numon promised IRDaC that they would be granted exclusive mining access to the two mercurians in System A in exchange for matching them half the price of 50 Oniel Cylinder Colony Habitats. These would be placed in pairs in the langrage points surrounding Rico-Mundi with its star, 10 habitats at each point. Any further colonies would need to be paid for in full, but the resources available in system make this hardly a challenge.

Admiral Kranmar with the agreement of his advisors placed a clause in his overlordship contract. That the Velorum Annex would be a Colonial Sector open to refugee populations from around the galaxy. Kranmar’s ideal is one of humanitarian aid to the galaxy at large. These refugees would be permitted entry into the system and given access to shelter, sustenance, and comfort. If they were in transit they could get premiums and discounts on hotels after their 6 month period of free stay ended. If however they had nowhere else to go and the Velorum Annex was their last hope, they would be offered a fast track to Imperial Citizenship and residency within the Velorum Annex.

The authorities on Hame were concerned about this deal, and fearful that it would become a bureaucratic nightmare of one kind or another, but it was approved by the High Sages and the Ministry Council and therefore no higher ups would challenge Kranmar’s authority. They were likely convinced to approve this unique constitution due to the contracts requiring these new citizens to establish themselves within the territory of the Velorum Annex specifically, and only after at least five standard years of residency could they move to other Imperial Colonies outside the Annex.

An Image of the System

Link for greater detail: https://imgur.com/a/Wd9WAhS

by **Lotrabme** » Sat Dec 22, 2018 5:07 pm

The Admiral’s Assistant

Deep within the craters and rocky outcroppings of the moon Shivana blue and white lights shimmered. The star fortress of Admiral Tevron Kranmar was hidden by the moon’s surface except for the great circular shipyard door which entered a crevice in the mantle. The Admiral’s quarters were nestled in a rook overlooking the central bay of the underground shipyard. The office window was open, and the Admiral stared out at the dozen Galleon size vessels in dry dock. He held his hands in a steeple as he silently contemplated his collected forces and employees working below. His brow furrowed under the bill of his admiral’s cap when the door chimed for someone to enter. The Admiral allowed it and turned to face the door in his swivel chair.

The lanky, messy haired figure of the high cleric Malicon in his black robe entered the room. His clothes were opened in a casual way which many of his rank found unprofessional and would be unthinkable in the military. The Admiral permitted Malicon’s unkempt state due to his direct line to the College of High Clerics and the High Sages, his employers.

“What’s going on Ion?” Admiral Kranmar said looking at his guest.

“Sir, I’ve just got a new file from the Sages and uh… I think we need to talk about it.”

“Please…” The Admiral said motioning for Malicon to sit down across from him at his desk. Malicon obliged.

“Well Sir” Malicon continued “The Sages are concerned about the new census data from our recent arrivals.”

“How so?”

“First um, I think they were expecting less Erkanch immigrants…”

“The Erkanch are a species of quick breeders, their empire isn’t at war and is our close neighbor, they have every right to move here as you and the Sages well know. We are preferential to refugees, not refugee only.”

“But the Erkanch are, as you said, right on our coreward border. The Federation of Erkan Colonies might have an interest in seeding our colony with nationals and possibly uh… spies.”

The Admiral scoffed at this remark. “If you think I haven’t already taken precautions regarding that then the Sages must be wanting for capable agents.”

“Okay, well as long as you are covering it sir.” Malicon shrugged. “Another thing we should be concerned with is the high number of sick who are coming in. The Sages are happy that you’ve made medical screening a priority, but the number of those affected with different strains of Karax who’ve applied give us uhm just more problems just more issues we have to deal with.”

“Issues that we CAN deal with” Kranmar said raising his hands. "I selected Tivo for a reason, several big moons for the sick and to treat people. None of those with Karax or any other virulent strains are being allowed in until they are treated or cured. What you can do to help me with that is tell the Sages to send me more medical researchers. We need those.”

“Sure… sure” Malicon said writing that down. Admiral Kranmar nodded silently as he watched. The least he could say regarding Malicon was that he was an understanding man. His concerns were sometimes overly combative, but at least he said when things were troubling him, unlike Numon who stuck to his point almost beyond arrogance.

“So, uh, the last thing… the Sages want you to update the census forms. They think the surveys you give at Tivo for registration aren’t as in depth as they would like.”

“Okay” Kranmar sighed “that’s something I can do. Give the Sage’s recommendations to my pencil pushers and oversee it. The more data we can get the better.”

“Very good Sir” Malicon said “That was all I had.”

“Then you are dismissed” Kranmar smiled “Good day Ion.”

“Good day Tev” Malicon said with a grin as he stood to leave. The door slid silently shut as he left. The Admiral turned back to look at the ships. He saw that during his conversation with Malicon another vessel had entered the bay, the door inside the moon was open and a B-5 Galleon was gliding slowly into its moorings. As he watched it couple with the docking arms and survey lights from drones floating nearby turned on, he heard another chime at the door. “Enter” he commanded.

Another figure, a Haman who stood straight and had bright amber eyes and dressed in the uniform of a lower ranking officer, entered the room. He saluted the Admiral “Sir.”

“What’s happening Lieutenant? At ease.”

The Lieutenant relaxed. “Sir, the base received a group of new arrivals from Tivo, it’s a new set of mechanics who have been screened for loyalty.”

“Excellent! We needed a new set of crews since the last bunch shipped off to Rico.”

“There was another thing Sir, there’s a kid among them.”

“What about its Lieutenant?”

“He’s orphaned sir, this group was part of a big wave that came down from Delta Quadrant, the kid and some of the new techies were from a badly damaged ship. Screening Overseer Yen told me to tell you about it, and said the kid was a gift for you.”

“A gift huh?” The Admiral smirked “more like a damn liability. Yen knows I have a soft spot for kids but I’m to damn busy for this kind of crap. Well… lets go see him. And have a mechanic from his ship come with him too, I want to know about him. What species are they?”

“Don’t know sir, never seen their kind before.”

Downstairs, in one of the conference rooms nearer to the hangar, the Admiral and the Lieutenant entered to find another officer standing with a tall and a small figure. The two the Admiral had not seen before had the faces and torsos of apes and the legs and waists like spiders. The taller one was grey and aged, while the younger had a face that was tan and smaller arms. The taller creature stood around 6’7” while the shorter and clearly younger one stood 5’3”.

“At ease officer, who do we have here?” The Admiral asked the alien’s escorts.
“Sir” the officer saluted “these are the kid and the mechanic Overseer Yen wanted you to see. The mechanic’s name is Grachik, the kids name is Art-feen…”

“Artheen” the young one corrected.

“No worries Ensign” the Admiral waved to the officer. “Artheen huh?” The Admiral looked at the kid. “So, what’s your story, what brings you two to the Velorum Annex?”

“War” the elder said. “Our people only began to venture into space in the last one hundred of our years, and we found our first colonies caught in the crossfires of Galactic conflict. Our ship was one of a group of Arks seeking a better system far away from that theatre. We were hunted however, and the ship we came here in was badly damaged, most of the crew is dead. But a few of us remain.”

“So, you have travelled many lightyears and only now found a safe harbor” the Admiral pondered “I’m guessing since you’ve come with the team here you are good with tools Grachik?”

“Yes” the elder chuckled and brushed his short beard “I’ve been working on keeping our own ship together for about five decades now.”

“And what do your people call yourselves?”

“We are People…” Grachik said before he realized the translator was translating their word. Turning it off he said “Tumis.”

“Tumin is one” Artheen said “Tumis is for a group.”

“Ah” The Admiral nodded, he would remember to tell Malicon to include such questions in the new survey, though doubtless the Sages already bugged him about that. “And what about you Artheen? Do you have any skills?”

“I was being trained for our ships strategic forces under my male parent, but the last attack killed him” Artheen said looking a bit glum. Grachik patted him on the shoulder.

Kranmar asked “Are you his relative Grachik?”

“His mother’s uncle” he admitted “his last relative. Many lost more.”

“Well at least you have someone.” Kranmar thought for a moment and paced to the edge of the room. He turned back around and said

“Artheen, I plan to help you continue your training, though you will be working for the Mind Empire. Would you accept such an offer?”

Artheen was silent, but Kranmar could tell he was thinking about the matter. “I might, considering we are all here now, but I know nothing of the… Mind Empire. Or of your people. Before I decide to continue what, I started, I would like to learn.”

“Well, I could teach you. I am currently in command of this whole star system, and a man in my position could use assistants. And since I’m based here, you could be my aide and still be close to Grachik, who will be part of the team working on ships here. How does that sound?”

Grachik looked relieved at that idea. Artheen didn’t show any clear emotion, but after some silence said, “this seems agreeable.” He extended his hand which had six long phalanges in a gesture that looked like clenching into a paw and held it to the Admiral. The Admiral raised his hand flat to meet it. This appeared to please the two and the meeting was concluded.

Over the next two weeks Artheen settled into the role which the Admiral had assigned to him. He was slowly learning to read Haman script, and was mostly ordered to gather papers and forms for the Admiral. Admiral Kranmar felt that until he began to learn a bit more about the Empire, Artheen would need to be handled with a light hand. He found to his surprise that the training the youth had already experienced on his old ship accustomed him to a military chain of command, even if he had to learn new terms.

Artheen squatted on his six legs in the Admirals office as Kranmar read over the statuses of his system patrols. Patrol duty was second nature to the Admiral since that is where he rose through the ranks. He only half read the reports and decided to ask more interesting questions. “You still find our air agreeable Artheen?”

“Sir” Artheen said “I do find it a bit dry, but I turned the heat up a bit in my room and that helps.”

“It’s true we don’t have as much moisture in here, but your ship must have been a habitat ship, because its hard to get the air un-stale without a lot of plants.”

“That’s true” Artheen said “I also like your garden, it reminds me of home a bit.”

“Have you ever been on a planet?”

“Once, but I had a suit on because it was barren” Artheen admitted.

“I see…” the Admiral said as he typed absent mindedly on a blank document on his computer. He deleted it and shut his screen off. “Guess we ought to show you what a comfortable planet is like then hey?”

“What sir?” Artheen said wide eyed.

“I think it’s about time we took you planet side. To Rico Mundi, it’s a lush planet, and where most of the systems people live. I’ve been meaning to go visit my house there for a while, and I guess this can be an education opportunity for you.”

“Oh, neat.” Artheen said. “All the Tumis ships that got sent out were looking for green planets to land on and settle. We hadn’t found any that were perfectly suitable for us, so we started wandering more.”

“I thought you all had only been travelling for less than one hundred years.”

“Yes, but that’s when our ship and it’s partners left. Before war split us up and brought some of us here.”

“Hm” The Admiral grunted “Well, now you get to see what you were looking for… maybe, I’ll have one of the staffs figure out what you need to breath.”

It only took a moment for a xeno-biologist to say that the warm and wet air of Rico Mundi would not be harmful to the Tumin, especially since Artheen had been breathing the air inside Shivana Star Fortress unassisted. With that established, the Admiral and his aide took off in a Nimloth shuttle from 23 Velorum B to the planets around star A, namely the blue and green ball named Rico Mundi.

Exiting the executive star port’s hangar and entering the bright air and warm breeze from the nearby coast took Artheen aback. He was afraid to exit and stumbled in the full gravity of the planet which was about 0.91 Gs. “I’m used to it a bit heavier” he said. He squinted as he walked out and looked around. Artheen smiled as he looked around and saw free-growing plants and buildings in the nearby city.

“Quite a sight isn’t it?” The Admiral said with a grin. “We got this all built in a decade.”

“It’s beautiful” Artheen “I’ve never been so in the open without a spacesuit.” He moved his hand and legs around and rubbed his head “It feels… free.”

“It really is” the Admiral said removing his hat. “Come on, we’ve gotta get to my house.”
It took a little while to get a speeder-truck which could properly hold Artheen’s arachnid lower frame, but they managed, and he sat on the floor while the Admiral sat in a back-passenger seat near him. Together they watched the street scenes of the city of Portalbin go by. The vehicle was unmarked, so pedestrians wouldn’t know the Admiral was among them.

Looking at the passing crowds and lines of people walking from marketplaces and fairs and their jobs Artheen asked “Are they all refugees?”

“Not all of them, some are settlers from the Empire, others are settlers from other places, but yes, a good number have also been escaping war in far parts of the galaxy. We get new arrivals constantly.”

The crowds had a majority of Hamans, Ombroj, and Erkanch, with some nebulan workers and Mallumans among them, but a variety of other species, mainline Humans and Ozulkar among them, walked about. It was a menagerie of the sentient species of the galaxy. Most looked clean and in good health, clearly those who made it this far were in good hands.

After a half hour drive and more small questions the Admiral and Artheen arrived at a lagoon-side community which had several large and small houses. They pulled up to one medium sized one with little Caribbean flourishes and bright pastel colors. The speeder-truck pulled into the driveway and the driver opened the door for the passengers. “Thank you Marsint” the Admiral said to the Haman driver who silently nodded before driving off.

The Admiral showed his guest into the house through the front door after picking up his suitcase. It was a double door, but one door was just enough for Artheen to fit his legs and body inside. The house was a single story but was high ceilinged and wide. “This is bigger than the ship captain’s quarters were, and this is a private residence?”

Kranmar nodded “There is a lot of wealth and space to go around. Please, make yourself comfortable.” Artheen walked around and looked at the Admiral’s personal decorations, such as pictures of his family and of him when he was younger until Kranmar opened the back doors facing the lagoon and leading out to the porch. Artheen walked out there and took in the warm air. He breathed out his nostrils and sighed. “If only we could have found somewhere like this for ourselves.”

The Admiral silently looked out to the water until Artheen asked him “Why do you think we’ve had so much trouble trying to find a home for ourselves like this? Your people seem to have had plenty of luck finding places to live.”

“We live pretty much anywhere we can honestly” the Admiral shrugged “Besides, for all you know, the other ships could have found somewhere to stay too?”

“I guess so” Artheen agreed. “It’s just that, we had this idea to re-create our homeworld, but I’m afraid that the machine we built for it has gone missing, and my dad was the last one to…” suddenly Artheen stopped and worry took over his face. The Admiral got scared, and then Artheen said “GET DOWN.”

Before he knew it the Admiral was on the ground and under Artheen and looking up, the Admiral saw what looked like a javelin stuck into the pillar of his house. Artheen jumped up suddenly and in a flash was off the porch. Rolling onto his stomach the Admiral crawled and turned to see. Artheen cornered an insectoid figure on the beach. It was an Erkanch spy, who painted his green exo-skeleton black and whose long grasshopper legs were covered in protective plexi-nylon. Artheen shouted at it “What do you want with the Admiral? WHAT?” The Erkan quivered in fear.

The Admiral, seeing he was safe, stood and walked to them. “Easy on him, easy, he didn’t bring ballistics.”

Artheen turned but kept two of his legs on the spy pinning him to the ground. The Admiral knelt to it and held his hands on its throat in a significant grip. “What is the meaning of this?”

“Yekoth Nil, service number 66770090, Federation Marines Soldier”

“Save the service designation” the Admiral said, “I know where the soft spots in your exo-skeleton are, now TALK, what are you doing trying to spear me at my house?”

“Strategic Management. Take out threats to the Federation.”

“Threats aye? Get up!” The Admiral let go of its throat and pushed Artheen back, who looked confused. “Give me your weapons” the Admiral commanded.

The Erkanch spy handed over it’s knives. The Admiral continued “tell your strategists this, the Federation would do well to keep me alive here. Without a good governor a system like this becomes a liability. Now get out, before I decide I don’t want you to relay that message.”

The spy ran and disappeared into the palm trees and bushes.

Artheen looked at the Admiral confused. The Admiral dusted his uniform and said, “thank you Artheen, you saved me.”

“Why did you let him go then? I was taught in combat not to let an enemy out of your grasp till the threat is neutralized.”

“We did neutralize it, he gave up his weapons and I gave him a good story to tell his bosses.”

“How did you get him to go away without a fight?”

“Manipulation” the Admiral pointed to his head. “It works well on weak minds, but that told me more than he did.”

“How do you mean?” Artheen said even more confused.

“I don’t expect you to know multiple cultures traditions, but do you really expect an interstellar federation’s spy to take out a rival empire’s admiral with a spear? This guy was a plant made to look like a Federation goon. He’s a spy for one of the smuggler bosses. And they have a reason to hate me, I bring order to a population who needs help, and who they would otherwise exploit.”

“Oh” Artheen said.

“You saved me, and to thank you, I’m going to treat you to the finest in Haman cuisine.” The Admiral smiled and pulled out his personal communicator. After dialing, he spoke to the voice on the other side “Yes, I’d like to place an order for two large pizzas…”

by **Allanea** » Thu Dec 27, 2018 10:10 pm

Leyfield Palace, Sovereign Duchy of Leyfield

She raised her eyelids – aching, heavy – and looked around at the men and women seated at the heavy malachite desk. Seated at her left was Priscilla Stossel-Conde, the Minister of War, dressed in a black uniform suit, her brown hair done up in a bun. Next to her was a grey-haired male in a dark-grey suit – Maverick Monningham, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. At the Queen's right was Gazmar Gro-Batog, Minister for Colonial Affairs. His curved, sharp tusks and sharp ears were a reminder of his Orc origin, but his outfit – hair dyed blonde, a business suit that must have cost as much as a half-decent gravcar seemed to belie the brutal reputation of his ancestry. Next to the Orc sat an even more unusual creature – a Myconid, seemingly part-man, part-mushroom, looking for the world as if he was wearing an enormous wide-brimmed hat. A pair of spectacles, a kindly smile, and a pipe which he continued to smoke throughout the meeting finished off the look, and with his tone that seemed to imply everyone in the office was somehow his grandchild made Professor Mossbard the perfect man for his role – a Ministry of Finance consultant.

"You see," spoke Mossbard, - she wondered how she managed to miss part of his speech – "we shouldn't be looking at it as an act of charity. We should be looking at it as an opportunity for Allanea to gain from an influx of immigrants. A decline in prices and wages in the short term will lead to economic growth in the intermediate and long term, and of course it will allow the Free Kingdom to achieve a larger budget surplus in the next fiscal year. But that said, there are no doubt difficulties that the more… violently-minded here can address."

Priscilla ignored the veiled insult, and began to speak. "The Karax itself is a strategic security threat to our allies. We've already called on assistance from the Greater Prussian Navy to patrol the shipping lanes," – a hologram appeared over the desk, demonstrating a simplified map of the Milky Way Galaxy. "We are deploying a Greater Prussian Fleet under Archduke von Annsbach that will aid the New Dornalians here, here, and here." – small lights lit within the transparent galactic model, and it was awe-inspiring to think that they stood for hundreds of warships. "The goal is to divert any refugee vessels to security zones."

She paused. "Which is where we come in. We will be working on creating primary and secondary quarantine zones. Primary quarantine zones will be in orbit, and will be in the form of adopting the refugee ships themselves, or possibly stations. If the quarantine is broken or overrun, emergency procedures will be activated. Secondary quarantine zones will be on some of the worlds we had reserved for future colonization, for those refugees where the risk of contagion is low. Maverick?"

The Minister of Foreign Affairs nodded. "We will be of course working with the New Dornalians to monitor the situation there, in the event it gets worse, which in my unprofessional opinion, it might. Further, we will be working to establish screening procedures for the refugees so as to allow them to receive residency status. Ideally they should be able to apply for paperwork in the later stages of the quarantine so as to be able to settle in Allanea once the doors open."

The Queen looked at Gro-Batog quizzically. Dear Gods my eyes hurt why can't this meeting be over. "Are your people ready?"

"We are going to prepare the papers and proceedings for colonization in some of the colony worlds in the Milky Way. Once they clear quarantine, we will offer the usual Homestead Act lots – one hundred and sixty acres away from cities, forty acres near the spaceports."

Cassiopeia opened her eyes wide, raising a mug of coffee to her lips. "Very well, now I'd like your people to talk to each other and produce a joint policy paper. I feel this meeting can adjourn now… Pris, I'd like you to stay, there's a range of other stuff we need to deal with." If I don't pass out from exhaustion, that is.

by **Lotrabme** » Sun Dec 30, 2018 9:31 pm

Admiral Kranmar's Beach-House
About Lunchtime

The Admiral's bean-bag chair which graced the eastern corner of his beach house's living room served as a comfortable seat for the arachnopedal frame of Artheen. The Admiral sat across from him on a lazy chair with thick upholstery and both began to eat their lunch. Artheen found this pizza agreeable, over the first two weeks of his stay with the Admiral in the Shivana Star Fortress he had sampled the Navy Mess Hall's food to see what was edible, and took nutrition supplements his people had saved from their vessel. The nutritional pills were able to be re-created by the Armada's scientists but it was a poor replacement for hand crafted organic food. The pizza he ate in question was Cheese and Sausage, and he enjoyed the warmth and grease of it. It was clear from the Admiral's pleased, full-cheeked grin that he did as well.

After finishing a slice in silence the Admiral looked over to his alien charge and said "I see you're taking to our food?"

"Yes sir" Artheen said after a gulp "this is good. Reminds me of Ichnuk, but its flat."

"Well there's plenty more where that piece came from, help yourself kid."

After enjoying another slice Artheen straightened his back and asked "Admiral, can you tell me a bit more about the Federation? How did you know that the spy wasn't one of theirs?"

The Admiral stretched his arms and leaned back in his chair. "It wasn't only that the spy gave up being an agent of the Federation too fast AND threw a spear at me instead of using some sort of lasgun or vaporizer like the Erkanch government contractors like to make. The Federation's agents are masters of disguise. Not much of the public in the Mind Empire knows this, but the Erkan Federation has had spies in our colonies for the last century. That is part of why so many were pre-approved to come to this colony and to our Dominion of Castor in the first place."

"Castor is your nearest civilized system right?"

The Admiral smiled "You've been studying our charts aye? Yes, Castor is one of our more prosperous outer colonies. It's surrounded by others but they are still in the process of being explored and made livable."

Artheen scratched the fuzz under his chin which was black like his body and head hair. He asked the Admiral silently "Are any of the worlds in those systems habitable?"

"Like Rico Mundi?" the Admiral asked, "Or something different?"

"Like here, but a little different" Artheen shyly said.

"Like the Tumin homeworld?" the Admiral said with a raised brow.

Artheen was silent, but the Admiral could tell what he meant. "I could always review the star-charts, but I think we have most of those worlds pre-claimed. The astral cartographers are always finding new things though. There may be a perfect new home for the Tumin somewhere nearby."

"That would be a dream come true" Artheen sighed. "My people have been wandering for a long time. Grachik did not tell you the whole truth. Ours was not the only colony ship, there were dozens, and we left because our world was destroyed. By what we do not speak of it. I think it may have been our own avarice and pride. But the elders, those who are still alive, know such better than me and the other young Tumis. Most of us who are left are young, and have known only ship life."

"Were the other ships nearby?" the Admiral queried.

"Some, one or two of them may be arriving at Tivo within the next year or two. I do not know what their condition is but last I heard they were still operational."

"Well I'll keep an eye out for them, they can remain here for the time being surely. You and your kinsmen seem to be adapting well."

"Yes, Grachik has had no complaints about the job you gave them."

"I'm glad to hear it" the Admiral said. Just then they heard a knock upon the front door. Both heads turned to see a humanoid figure blocking the outside light. The Admiral got up and went to the door. Opening it he smiled and said with a sly voice "Hello Numon." The portly Haman in rich red robes and wearing spectacles replied "Hello Kranmar."

Walking in this new Haman, Lonerd Numon looked at the Admiral's guest and asked "Who's the new guy?"

"He is my new personal assistant, Artheen. His people are the Tumin."

"Interesting, nice to meet you Artheen" Numon said extending his hand for a shake. Artheen copied the move. The shake was a bit awkward.

"Kranmar" Numon said with a more hushed tone "I need to give you these" he said producing rolled papers from his sleeve. "They're figures from Gram's World, we have a couple discrepancies regarding IRDaC's collection policies that we need to take care of."

"And take care of them I will, don't worry too much about it Numon."

"If you say so Kranmar." Numon sighed. "It's my planet though, I don't want to find myself in any poor places on account of bad management."

"Numon, do you seriously think I'm going to allow one of my feudal territories fall into some kind of administrative laxity. Trust me when I say we have full amenities here to make sure that everything is taking care of."

"Alright my friend. In that case, I'll be heading out." Grabbing a slice of pizza Numon made it for the door and left. "Goodbye" the Admiral waved to Numon as the door shut. Turning and shaking his head the Admiral looked as his quietly pondering aide and said. "Man's a strange character, but he keeps Gram's world in line."

"What goes on there?"

"It's a new industrial world. Lots of mines and processing plants. Best use for a cold desert like that" the Admiral shrugged.

"Do a lot of the new immigrants take jobs there?" Artheen asked.

"Most of the new arrivals have some easily teachable skills. Of course a lot of our labor is automated nowadays, so maintenance crews like the one assembled from your own people are always welcome. I imagine some of your compatriots are working there under Numon."

"We had people like him on my ship" Artheen said, "the strategic crews didn't like his sort."

"He has his uses. Taking care of a planet's administration for instance." The admiral chuckled.

by **Lotrabme** » Mon Jan 28, 2019 6:38 pm

Admiral Kranmar itched behind his ear for a moment as he paced along the dais of the bridge of a B-3 Strategic Carrack called Ilmoris. Kranmar heard the door chime from the command module corridors open and the black cloaked figure of Malicon, the envoy of the Sages, entered.

Turning, Kranmar said "glad you could make it up Malicon, I have something to show you."

"Oh please, do show me" Malicon said in his nasily baritone. His beady eyes turned toward the projected screen upon the forward wall. Kranmar pointing towards it activated a zoom in function. What was once an image of space with the greenish gas giant Tivo in the far distance became a full globe shot of that planet and it's attendant moons. While Malicon was looking, he took notice of the psychic silence in the room, and the lack of anyone but two service droids who were helping pilot the vessel.

"What do you want me to see?" Malicon asked.

"You know our medical facilities on Tivo's moons? The ones we set aside for the particularly virulent things sentients have been catching in the past few years."

"Oh yes, is anything amiss? Should we call a quarantine?"

"No, actually, our facilities are making considerable progress."

"I'm relieved" Malicon sighed "I like to hear good news every once in a while."

"Indeed, I thought I'd show you the figures.... as you can see on these charts, our influx of Karax Positive patients, from a variety of strains mind you, have all been sent to a group of subterranean facilities on the mid-sized moon. Our geno-mancers have been hard at work getting a set of vaccines for treatment ready, and we've had no incidents of unregulated contamination."

Malicon studied the charts which showed these figures. "Are the treatments working?"

"My doctors say... not yet. They're still working out some figures. Most people who are administered the treatments go into shock within two hours, and are catatonic for over seven hours minimum thereafter. Some others, particularly those at Saint Yttrion Facility have experienced what they're calling blood deterioration and are almost hemophiliac by the time the rates settle. Many die, but some who recover, the hardier species, feel generally better and are less contagious than their newly imported counterparts."

"So this good news is actually pretty phyric?" Malicon said.

"At least as the Karax strains are concerned. Other ailments are easier treated. We've actually eliminated three strains of flu from some of the immigrant populace. And treatments for a variety of injuries in the surgeons wards have been a resounding success. Some of the immigrants are concerned about the bionic implants however. We've had reports of a cult of some kind from among them."

"Ah yes" Malicon said looking around. "I-uh think they're called the Weld. At least that is what the Majestine Order has issued to us prelates."

"What are they? Parasites? Hive minded?"

"As far as we can tell? Kinda, it's still something we don't know much about, but um, these immigrants, talking about it and running from it? I would take them seriously if they're afraid. And I would also keep a look out for any suspicious religious groups."

"I see" the Admiral said. "I hope the Sages don't use this as an excuse to enforce orthodoxy on a newly arrived populace."

"It's not about orthodoxy in this case, and besides, you know I of all people am not an advocate of it. It's too limited."

"Indeed" the Admiral huffed. "Is there anything the Majestine agents said we should be looking out for from this... Weld group?"

"They said they're good at disguising themselves."

"Well that's pretty specific ain't it?"

by **Lotrabme** » Tue Apr 30, 2019 11:11 pm

One of the gambling halls of the Rico Mundi equatorial metropolis of Tychonia, 12:30 A.M. (planetside equivalent)

A lanky, splotchy carapace, and bright-eyed Erkanch named Figero puffed smoke from his mandibles after taking a long draw from a kelp-tobacco cigar. He looked down at his set of cards, just a semi-favorable hand. The Malluman beside him didn't look like she had a strong hand either based on the clear displeasure in her eyes. The strong jawed Haman they sat across from had a much different look on his face, a light grin at least. His poker face was non-existant. The Erkanch looked to the other side and saw the more plump Haman with the short mustache. He was sweaty, and not just from the gluttonous levels of food he had taken in not half an hour before this game commenced.

Yaxrya, the Malluman, finally hissed her disappointment. "I fold" she said as she dropped her cards "I'm not going to catch a case over a pile of money that's clearly not mine." She tapped the pommel of her waist-bound sword gesturing to her desire for a duel.

"Indeed, I think I should call it too" Porquin agreed, showing his pitiful hand. It was as Laramy Kandoros, the smirking Haman, began to castigate the two for their early folds that Figero remembered that several aces had been drawn in the last round, and Laramy couldn't have had the skilled hand he was gloating about. "I'll stay in" Figero chirped and wiggled his antennae.

Laramy laughed "bold, but I appreciate your candor. This round is mine though" as he placed his cards down it was clear he had won the game. Figero gently placed his own hand down to show the inferior score and drew another pull from his cigar. "You win again Laramy."

Laramy chuckled. "Thank you gentlemen, madame." Yaxrya nodded to him as he took his pile of newly won chips to cash in. "It's a night for me." "Of course" Figero said "shall we see you again tomorrow so you can take more of our money?"
"Oh come on, I can't win forever" Laramy winked as he left.

Yaxrya and Figero left the table after Porquin bid them goodnight and left with his mistress a moment later. Yaxrya walked with Figero in the direction of the slot machines to pick up her own mate. As they walked they discussed the conduct of Laramy Kandoros.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he was cheating" Yaxrya growled as she brushed her feathery head hair back and down with her clawed hands. "But like most psychics he tends to incur good luck."

"Luck is a two way street, that's what your Davidian Priests in the empire say. It's its own dimension with good and bad luck being analogous to forward and backward. He just happens to have a lot of momentum."

"Theology and metaphysics isn't my strong-suit Figaro, you'd be better off talking to Porquin about all that, or that Nebulan queen you've been in contact with."

"How do you know about that Yax?"

"You forget my clan has people everywhere" she smiled bearing her teeth.

Figero nodded silently. He looked forward and saw a shorter slimmer Malluman with long hair at one of the slot machines. "I think I see your
concubine Yax." FIgero pointed his upper right hand in his direction, and Yaxrya looked that way and grinned. "He's a reliable man. Make sure your own mate is reliable when you choose one."

"My people do things differently" Figero shrugged.

"Well then make sure your partners are reliable, particularly that Queen. Laramy is a reliable cheat, she is a reliable bit of cautious. My clan has done business with her hive, they make our handguns and they are our mechanics. They tend to be... well, reliable when they know a client has no other options."

"And an Erkanch like me often has few options in your Empire."

"An Erkanch like you has a lot of options if you know where to look" Yaxrya said as she stepped forward to grab her husbands shoulders. With a reptilian kiss on the cheek he got up sullen that he hadn't won and the two of them left the gambling hall. Figero on the other hand had business upstairs.

In a private parlor in the gambling hall.

Figero stepped into the dark room and immediately smelled the musty and sulfuric atmosphere change which made the air more comfortable for Nebulans. He slowly inserting a breathing tube into his nostrils so he wouldn't be totally disoriented. He realized it was only common courtesy to meet them here since they tended to wear apparatuses in most of the public spaces of the Empire.

Erkanch and Nebulans are both bug-like species with a key difference in body structure. The Nebulans walk on four spindly legs, have large abdominal sections and large wings, while having two clawed and fingered hands on two long folding arms. Their antennae rest where a human mustache might on their faces above their mandibles and below their eyes. The Erkanch however stand on only two legs, have a reduced abdomen in their pelvic region, and four usable arms and hands with four small fingers. Their antennae rest on their foreheads between their elongated eyes. The Erkanch are also mostly uniform in body type, while Nebulans are a caste-hive structured species, with "Queens", "Barons", and "familiars" with a variety of builds. So despite speciest comments Figero received from "mammalian" immigrants regarding their supposed similarity: structurally, and indeed culturally, the two species were quite far apart.

Particularly alien to Figero was the manner in which the queen greeted him. He had heard something of it from his Haman associates who had regular dealings with the queens but only now did he experience it. Two wide-eyed Barons and a set of diminutive familiars entered from a back room and examined him. The Barons he could tell from the slight buzz he felt were giving him a psychic scan. "I'm not a magi" Figero said politely. One of the Barons, an older one Figero could tell from his golden-pale chitin, waved his antennae before Figero's face. He chirped, but Figero did not hear words audibly. Instead in his head he got the message "We can tell. Sit still."

"The queen comes" a different voice in his head spoke. He felt it was the younger one who had a redder layer of chitin on his face. Sure enough the queen entered the room. She was carried on a sedan chair designed to bear her extended abdomen carried by six familiars and followed behind by two more barons. The queens could be told apart by their antlers which grew with age. This queen had fashioned hers to resemble trees and had decorated them with some of her home-world's richest flowers.

"Good to meet you at last Figero" she spoke into his mind.

"You as well, Jamona."

"We do not use Haman honorifics, though we are flattered. You may call me by my name: Oruleela."

"The pleasure and honor is mine Oruleela."

"You answered our anonymous ad on the Mercenary Guilds website. Why have I made a good decision in hiring you as my informant?"

Figero coughed, "as you may know, the Federation into which I was born trains some of the best covert agents in the galaxy. We do not just act as saboteurs and as agents of assassination but as informants. I was trained in that art. I rose through the ranks of the Almighty's secret service, Emsix. I left the service when I reached the end of my required service period. Since then I have taken work as a private contractor for several merchant guilds, both in the Federation and in the Empire. In particular I have been on several trips to Corovan."

"So you know our case then?" Oruleela thought in Figero's direction.

"I do my research" he clicked his mandibles with just a hint of pride. "I know that your hive Orumol has had a private conflict with the Haman Kess Kobol and his Kobol merchant family. Because of both of your connections in the Imperial Chamber of Commerce your feud have been at a standstill. And I know that a covert auction, being held here in Tychonia, is coming up regarding iron rich asteroids in the Markarther system. You want the planetary core asteroid labelled Mizar-15, and so does Kobol. But more than that, you and Kobol want settlement rights on the third world of Markarther. And that fight is tipped in favor of whoever gets the asteroid Mizar."

"You have done excellent research." Oruleela nodded with respect. "Most of this information is inaccessible to the general public, and only those in the Commerce chamber or on the black market have been informed that the auction is to be held here on Rico Mundi. Moreover, Kess himself has decided to come personally to attend the auction."

"Has he arrived?" Figero asked.

"Our agents in customs tell us that he is staying in Portalbin at a newly built villa. We don't know the house itself but we know the neighborhood, and Kess always displays his heraldry on his vehicles."

"What would you have your informant do, Oruleela?"

"Figure out if he has any allies at the auction, if he does he will be able to bid higher than we can reasonably compete without bankrupting our hive treasury. That is one thing you must find."

"What else Queen?" Figero asked.

"You must also find out if he is planning any direct attacks on us. This we are afraid of, because now that my mother is dead I and my sisters have been fortifying our hives and building our familiars up. We are not as strong psychics as he. Our mother could battle his mind, we cannot."

"You are aware that I am not a psychic."

"But you are Erkanch. You and your people might not have the connection with the Holy Ghost that we do, but you all have a higher tolerance for its effects. You do not suffer aneurysms when snared by a magi's mind."

"I'll need a psychic to assist me then, so I can have some protection. Will one of your baron's join me?"

"No, they would be recognized, but you know a psychic strong enough."

"Laramy, you've been talking with him too haven't you?" Figero said with his antennae perking up. Oruleela chirped what was apparently a laugh. "We weren't going to hire just one agent" she said.

"Well... at least it's someone I know" Figero said. "What is the date of the auction? We need time to act. Was it going to be on the 31st?"

"It's been moved to the 3rd of next month" Oruleela nodded. "You and Laramy have two weeks to scout out Kess and his intentions. Find his partners, and let us know if he plans to try something against me or Hive Orumol."

"You have my word Oruleela" Figero said with respect. He felt her say that she would give him the map to Kobol's villa in the morning, and recommended that he should get some rest. He obliged her request and left the room.

Now in the hallway again and heading for the stairs, Figero took out a fresh cigar and struck a match on the wall to light it. Taking a draw as he stepped down the stairs he thought to himself that the pay he'd be getting from this job would be more than enough to make up from loosing to Laramy these past three nights. Though he also thought about what Laramy was being paid and cursed him as a cheat.

by **Lotrabme** » Fri May 03, 2019 9:00 pm

It was the next day outside the gambling hall in the bright morning daylight of 23 Velorum A. Figero stood with his back leaning on the wall of the building as he watched the passersby. Before him walked a menagerie of the galaxy’s refugees and seekers of a brighter future. Many were species of the Empire and of the Federation, but many among them were from far afield. From stellar nations who neither the Federation nor the Empire had contacted. The variety of body types was enough to make Figero ponder the variety evolution could produce, specifically a five limbed and almost imbalanced family who walked by on the way to a breakfast restaurant nearby.

It was during this contemplation that Laramy appeared from within the crowd. He was whistling a tune to himself as he causally strolled in the Erkanch fellow’s direction. Figero noted that like most Hamans he was upright in posture, but something about him made him seem like he stood not entirely at his full height. Laramy wore a brown vest over a light blue shirt and tight jeans, which contrasted with the dark green tailed coat and white striped pants that Figero wore.

Figero nodded to Laramy who responded with a “Good afternoon Sir.”
Standing next to him Laramy whispered “So I hear we have the same employer now.”

“That’s right” Figero replied “and she sent me the map to the place in Portalbin this morning. We just need to get out there.”

“We can take the rail line, but it doesn’t leave until mid-day. I suggest we get some grub and make a plan for ourselves.”

“Sure, thing but let’s eat closer to the station” Figero said motioning Laramy to walk with him. They walked together for a while down the busy foot road. There were not many cars in this part of town, so this street and others were designated for foot traffic. Coming to a car and bus filled street they made a left and continued down toward the monorail station that would take them halfway across the planet toward Portalbin.

After almost an hour of walking they came to a small diner set in a larger building. They ducked in through the door and found a family of Yorms running the restaurant with a large Ombroj chef. They sat at the bar and ordered breakfast entrees, donuts, and drinks. Laramy got a black coffee while Figero got a heavily sugared energy drink mix.

After taking a sip of his drink Figero sighed. “Do you know much about Kess? I’ve only been able to learn a couple of things about his personal life and most of it relates to his family’s work history.”

“Yeah, they’ve been with IRDaC for five generations.” Laramy nodded as he messed with his plate of food. “They’ve mostly stayed in Hamesol and Kentauri, but Kess thinks himself a visionary. He sees the frontier as the best way to make money, and the more asteroids he can have his contractors mine under his name the more shareholding percentage he can gain. Most of the core-worlds asteroids have been bought up so many of the shareholders look to the new systems. Markarther’s bids are going to be kind of high stakes.”

“Why do he and Hive Orumol have a conflict?” Figero asked. “From what I could tell it was because they have conflicting interests, and they were both around Y’rcon at the same time.”
“I think it has something to do with that. There must have been a tussle over some resource or another. It must go back a while though because there wasn’t much news about it. Either way, we need to worry about what Kess is planning to do now. I hear he has a significant force of guards made up of clones, typical for one of his rank. They buy out a bunch of clones to work for them and can pay them less, it’s disgraceful.”
“Having a lot of guards means we will need an in. Do you know anybody who works for him that we might get on our side?”
“Are you kidding? Of course, I don’t. I’m sure Kess has enemies but I think we are better off playing it covert at a distance.”

A Refueling Station Outside of Kess’s Neighborhood
Having took the rail line out of Tychonia to Portalbin and a taxi from Portalbin to this convenience store, the two spies were buying roller dogs and sodas when they saw a Haman with a blond bowl cut and robotic eyes enter the store. Watching from the back the two looked at each other and acknowledged that this was one of Kess’s cloned employees. They could tell from the black upside-down pyramid he displayed on his silver-white jumpsuit.

Laramy and Figero pretended to talk about some show they had just watched for a few moments until the clone had bought his drinks and a pack of cigarettes and left the store. They waited for about five minutes before walking out themselves. They watched as a blue and white car driven by the clone pulled out from the electric refueling pods. As it drove off, Figero mindlessly tossed a small bug like instrument from his lower-left hand. It attached itself to the vehicle as it sped away and into the neighborhood.
“Now we wait till he gets back” Laramy smirked.
“He might not go straight back to the house, but he will park nearby, and that should be enough for us” Figero corrected.
“Of course,” Laramy sighed “so I guess we should commence to walking?”
“Why not” Figero said. And the two of them followed in the direction the car went off.

The two walked into this neighborhood which was clearly the domain of the upper-middle or upper-class folks who moved to Portalbin. It was a large neighborhood with many twisting and turning streets, and it was dominated by small still growing trees among large almost palatial houses. Every now and then the two would pass by a group of kids playing ball or engaging in general hooligan activities outside of their parents’ homes. The kids paid little mind to the strangers, and the two men did not bother the kids, except when an errant kickball flew their way and Figero chucked it back to the kids with a chuckle.
Figero could smell the sea as they approached the waterside homes. Laramy breathed in the air and said “this worlds got good salt, a lot like my home world.”
“And where do you call home?” Figero asked.

“I was born on the planet Namur, in the Tomas-Aquarius system” he replied “spent most of my early life there before moving to Y’rcon for a while and then out here about a year ago. Though I’ve been to Corovan and Gammu a couple times, and I took a pilgrimage to Hame and Edom with my family when I was a kid.”

“I see, is Namur a lot like Rico Mundi? Or like Hame for that matter?”

“Hame is a lot dryer than both Namur and Rico Mundi. Though they all have different biomes. Namur has a few beautiful mountain ranges where the air is dry and cold, but the archipelagos and the lowlands are where I grew up and the fog rests among the green hills and forests for half the day. Rico Mundi is more like a swamp and a plain. It’s a very flat world.”

“It reminds me of my homeworld Orkin. It’s also very flat and very wet” Figero admitted.

“I’ve never been to any of the Federation worlds” Laramy wondered “is this the sort of place that Erkans find comfortable?”

“It’s certainly not harsh” Figero said “but we like our stars a bit more orange, this one is brighter than we prefer.”

“Fair enough” Laramy shrugged, and then he paused. “Look ahead” he said quietly. Figero looked forward and noticed like his ally a pair of the clones, with blond bowl cuts just like their compatriot, walking along the sidewalk nonchalant. Figero and Laramy decided not to draw attention to themselves by running away since now they were too close to evade and simply walked by. The two clones simply continued their walk and the two agents nodded at them in greeting. The clones responded politely.

After they walked several paces beyond Figero whispered to Laramy “they must have been out for a stroll.”
“Right, we are close” Laramy replied. He seemed terse. Figero was surprised at this. As he was looking around at several of the homes nearby to see a sign of Kobol’s residence Figero said that “I’m so used to seeing you over confident that to see you… cautious is kind of interesting Laramy.”
Laramy turned to him and smirked “my confidence comes from knowing I’m gonna win.”

“So, you do cheat at cards then” Figero cocked his head.

“No! Who says?” Laramy objected.

“We’ve been taking bets” Figero chirped “me and Yaxrya.”

“Well whoever bet in favor of me playing fair should win money. I just have a strong intuition.”

“With your folk that means you are cheating with psychic powers.”

“That is baseless libel and you know it.”

“Ha! Do I?”

“In cards, I know how to read people, reading people tells me the strength of their hands. I don’t need my psychic influence to give me an upper hand. In those situations, I can accurately manage my risk and reward. In a situation like this it’s a little harder.” His speech was close to the same as when he was calm, but Figero could tell that Laramy was almost fuming at this point.

Continuing Laramy said “I can’t measure the mood of a man I cannot see. And until we find Kess I’m not going to be able to read him.”
“And then once you read him, you’re going to do what exactly? Can you use your psychics then since you DON’T use them at cards?”
“Well yes, hopefully. Although I hear Kess is a good psychic himself, he might be stronger than me, and that scares me. I’ve never had to fight a stronger psychic than me.” He said, and muttered “at least not at gambling.”

“Ah ha, well I trust you. But” Figero groaned.

“But what?” Laramy rolled his eyes.

“I owe Yaxrya some money if you didn’t cheat.”

Laramy slapped Figero lightly on his upper right shoulder, and Figero wiggled his antennae in laughter.

by **Lotrabme** » Wed May 22, 2019 4:27 pm

Continuing their jaunt through the upscale neighborhood Figero and Laramy remained indistinct. Other residents of the neighborhood passed them by politely on walks with their pets or alone in exercise gear. Eventually, the two came upon a villa with walls plastered in a fine granite paint and bearing the insignia of Kess Kobol on the gate. Figero and Laramy both saw there was a cavalcade of vehicles in the driveway, not all of them property of Kess’s.

“He must be having a meeting” Figero chirped. “Those are fancy cars.”

“Damn. We can’t snoop while there’s a whole party at his house!” Laramy said.

“Quiet” Figero said looking around “think it to me.”

And the two of them communicated silently about two houses down from Kess’s new villa. They decided a direct spying approach was probably not best. A more indirect way of gathering information must be taken.

After some debate about the details, they silently agreed to pretend to be representatives of a Lord on Hame. Laramy and Figero recognized some of the vehicles and knew none of them belonged to the person they were claiming to represent. They picked a safe lord from the roster of Commerce Chamber members who they knew was back on Hame.

Coming to the front door of the villa they knocked lightly, and one of the bowl cut clones approached. Staring at them with orange-brown eyes he said, “Are we expecting you?”

“You should be sir” Laramy said in an authoritative tone “we are Lord Patabon’s representatives. We are here to talk with Kobol.”

A voice from the back rang out in a baritone “did I hear Patabon’s name?” Just then the golden tan and red haired Kess Kobol appeared staring at them with steely eyes and a grin. “Do come in fellows, its alright JO-3, let them in.”

The clone stood aside, and the two entered undisguised except for their mission and their identities. Mick and Jeph were the pseudonyms they gave themselves for this visit. Kess was delighted to see them to their surprise. He told them how much Lord Callixtus Patabon’s support meant to him, and he was happy to have his aides in his new home.

Figero as Mick said to Kess “He is sorry that he is not able to make it to auction, a family matter came up.”

“Oh yes, that damn brother of his Pierre no doubt.”

“Yes” Laramy as Jeph acknowledged. “Another incident with the High Clerics.”

“He really must control himself. But I’ll be happy when Callixtus is able to appreciate the success I’ll doubtlessly receive in the auction. Come here, I was just going back to billiards with my other guests, do join us in the room.”

The inconspicuous Mick and Jeph followed. Laramy noted to Figero mentally that Kess was in a good mood tonight, he was usually dourer according to what he knew from the Chamber of Commerce.

Entering the game room, they found two other well dressed individuals who stood out against Kess with his black cape and leather overcoat that he wore indoors. There was the tall greyhound-faced bald man who was introduced by Kess as Adamar Vleshir of Cereon. He wore a purple and orange checkered vest over a jumpsuit in green, and the vest was studded with sapphires like the rings on his hands. A plump and fluffy golden-bearded man stood beside him in a black velvet coat with a red and white stripped undershirt. He stood a foot shorter than Kess and had a pig like nose and beady eyes. He was introduced as Hukman Sontaire. Mick and Jeph claimed to recognize them from the chamber of commerce, and they agreed saying they had done business with Lord Patabon before. “I didn’t know he hired your kind” Hukman snorted. “All the same, good to have ye.”

“Much obliged Mon Sontaire” Mick said with a wiggle of the antennae.

Adamar and Kess engaged each other in a game of billiards. Knocking the balls back and forth, Adamar said “you have my full support. I’ll be bidding on some of the smaller rocks, but when it comes to Mizar-15, I’m willing to give you 20 million tops.”

“Deal” Kess smiled “I don’t think we will need to go higher than that.” Striking red 10 into the corner pocket he rose and said “but… if Orumol Hive gets the support of the Proximian’s party…”

Adamar sighed “Twenty. Million. Gold.” Chalking his cue, he tilted his head to look at Kess who missed his next strike. “I don’t see how they’re going to even get the Proximians, let alone raise more than eighty million.”

“You would be surprised” Kess said with a scowl standing up straight. “I’ve had unfair dealings with both in the Imperial Core.”
Adamar sighed again as he lined up his cue. “They’re more likely to bid against each other.”

Kess looked at him coldly. “Okay. Don’t be surprised when they upset the balance of the auction.” Adamar missed his shot. Figero and Laramy took note of this exchange.

The game progressed and they spoke more until Kess won the match. This put a smile back on his face. Kess turned to the new guests and said, “Hey Mick, do you play at billiards?”

“I’ve done so once or twice.”

“Well come, let me show you how its done. This was designed for beings with two hands, so I’ll have to ask you handicap yourself.”
“Mick” raised his lower set of arms and clasped them behind his back. With a shrug he said “Does this work?”

“It should” Kess chuckled. He had re-triangulated the balls and asked Mick to take the first strike. Figero did so and sent the balls flying, a purple striped ball went in the middle pockets. Feigning ignorance, Figero asked what this meant for him, and Kess instructed him to keep playing and aim for stripes.

Figero got a lucky shot on green stripe. Then he missed the next and Kess went to his turn aiming for solids.
“Let us talk a bit of shop Mick, Jeph, I always think better on my feet” Kess grinned at them both. “What will it take for ol’ Callixtus to give his unwavering support to my claims in Markarther?”

“Aside from you winning the auction for Mizar-15?” Figero clicked.
“Of course,” Kess grinned.

“Jamon Patabon would feel… doubly inclined… to support your claims on the system if you discontinue the feud with Hive Orumol.”
For about three seconds they could have heard a pin drop. Kess’s grin was gone.

“Do you hear this Adamar? Callixtus Patabon insults my intelligence.” Taking his shot, Kess nearly missed, but solid orange went in the hole near it with a lazy spin.

Moving to another side of the table Kess stared at Figero with steel blue eyes as cold as ice. “The feud does not end on easy terms. The old queen may she fester in her tomb insulted my father. Her daughters insult me. It would take more than the support of even an Apostolic Lordship to end our rivalry.”

“His position is the key issue” said Laramy from the back of the room. “He wants to give you his support, but in his office, he cannot be seen to support you over a Nebulan hive due to your rivalry. It would lead to the other queens in the Chamber of Commerce feeling slighted by a psychic lord, the only ones they see as equals.”

Kess looked back at Jeph and struck his next shot, which would have entered the nearby pocket but for a midway curve to the far end of the table. Jeph didn’t take his eyes off Kess.

“So, he wants me to end the feud to clear his own conscience. What about mine sirs?” Kess stirred silently with anger.

“He has it from one of the barons of that hive that if you discontinue the feud out of mercy, that Orumol hive might relent in the feud themselves, and in their claims on the third world.”

Kess was silent, Figero stood tableside with hands clasped behind him to take his next shot. A lucky double strike with two of the stripes entering separate pockets. Turning to hit red stripe into the back corner the character of Mick said, “They would accept generosity.” A lazy hit and red stripe just missed its mark. Mick hissed some disappointment at that.

Kess grinned again. “Generosity you say… well I am not lacking in it. But I want proof.” He lined up his cue and struck solid yellow into the middle pocket. “You will tell your master to get me proof of their willingness to end the struggle. I want to see it you hear?”
Mick nodded “you play a firm hand Mon Kobol.”

After the Gathering

They hand left the party sometime after that billiards game and got themselves a cab to the maglev station. They had both imbibed some but not extensively and were able to keep their wits. Now they sat together silently. “You don’t think he suspected anything do you?” Figero said. “You’ll remember I don’t have your skills.”
“I had a shield up. That’s why I only talked a bit” Laramy replied. “It’s useful for things like this where identities needed to be masked. He thought we were who we said. But we came close to being found out. He is strong.”

“I hope he doesn’t call on Jamon Patabon to confirm the story.”

“No, he will believe it” Laramy said “the tabloids tell me they’re not really on speaking terms right now.”

“And what about that billiards board?”

“Oh that? He was cheating… but so was I” Laramy sighed.

“I knew it!” Figero said almost with pride.

“Hey now” Laramy cautioned “don’t go spreading stories. I wasn’t about to risk your own reputation on a game of pool.”

“I appreciate the gesture” said Figero with gesticulating antennae.

“Don’t mention it. Really.” Laramy smirked.

by **Lotrabme** » Mon Jun 03, 2019 8:25 pm

About three hours past Rico Mundi’s noon. In the backyard tea house of Yaxrya.

That crocodile hiss like laughter of the Werox of the clan rung through the hall among the strums of Sannish lutes being played by two of Yaxrya’s concubines.

“Unbelievable” she said. “You two, managed to waltz into his villa and made him agree to a tenuous peace?”

Laramy took a drink from a shallow tea dish that was his, while Figero lounged on the felt cushions under his arms. The Erkanch chirped “That’s exactly what happened, and Oruleela just needs to deliver the sign of peace and he won’t cause her trouble.”

Yaxrya snorted “if I didn’t know you both for such poor hands at gambling I’d say you both were swindlers.”

“I take offense to that” Laramy said with a snide grin. “What was so stupid about our plan? We found out who he’s planning to try to ally with for the auction, Oruleela needed that information so she could counter-bid.”

“But now you’ve involved another party, Jamon Patabon. Sure, he has no kind of interest in this auction, but suppose Kobol looks to get more solid support for him. What if he asks about his faithful agents? Your plan had too many holes, and I’m surprised a psychic like Kobol didn’t see through you all.”

“You can thank Laramy for that” said Figero raising his cup to his partner.

“Yes, you can” Laramy laughed “I nearly gave myself an aneurism by damnation.”

Yaxrya smiled at him toothily “I knew you were one.” She stood and walked up to her musical mates and instructed them to put on the record player and to bring them more to drink. Pouring the last of the present jug for herself and her guests she said: “I take it you both will be attending the auction?”

“I don’t see why we should” Laramy said “We’ve got no place with those magnates.”

“But it’ll give you a chance to see how your mission played out! Surely you want to see if Oruleela is benefitting from your work.”

“We have been payed already” Figero said “it cant hurt to show our support.”

“But Kobol will be there and he will recognize us. Plus, Figero, you don’t know how these big wigs of the Empire do things. Dirty politics and all that.”

“The Federation has its own share of that Laramy. I’ve left one pigsty for another it seems.”

“You really have” Yaxrya laughed. “I was going to go sit in the spectator seats, you both can come with me if you don’t want to get directly involved.”

Figero shrugged “I think I will consider it.”

“Well if you’re just going to consider it, I’m going to sleep on it” Laramy sighed, and took another sip of his drink.

“You’ll have plenty of time for that” Yaxrya said. “the auction doesn’t occur for another week.”

by **Lotrabme** » Tue Jul 02, 2019 10:17 am

Inside the tropical themed Planetary Government House of Rico Mundi, Portalbin, 3:30 pm:

The Sages of the planet, a trio of Hamans of priestly rank and psychic mastery, sat in a semi circle before a raised platform in the center of a circular room. The other half of the room was occupied by two dozen of the higher ranking ministers of the planetary government's administration. Most of them were elected by the residents of Portalbin, Tychonia, and Bellanor and some of the newest by the first settlers of the Cylinder Cities hanging in orbit. Twelve were Hamans, four were Erkanch immigrants, four were Nebulan barons, two were elder Mallluman Werowes, one was a Hircine immigrant, and the last was a member of a far flung race of alien refugees called the Mergao.
The Mergao councilor, Gerontias Nymeego, was one of the leaders of the exodus of his people to the Velorum Annex. Their homeworld was ravaged by war, and they fled in a fleet halfway across the galaxy to here. Gerontias had made allies of the ministers Jake Jefrys and Ondyna Lodanee, and worked closely with the Hircine minister Daniela Deibex on immigrants rights on Rico Mundi and aimed at Gram's World's mining colony.

Gerontias sat wrapped in his armbound wings listening to one of the Nebulan ministers speaking about the resource output they could expect to report to the Chamber of Commerce, and how the influx of new immigrants would provide for greater expected outputs. He didn't like how mechanical this insect made the plight of millions sound, but then again, he was from a hive that treated its individuals like limbs.

The Chief Sage, a bearded Haman known as Moe Buriah, thanked the baron and declared that the council move on to the matters concerning new residents of the Annex. "Many of them, especially among new arrivals from the direction of Gamma, report high levels of ptsd and other trauma. They also show signs of fear to those of us with cybernetic implants. Regarding this new development, I have summoned a special agent sent to Overlord Kranmar by the High Sages of Hame to this council to address what he views as the problem."

As he addressed him, the black robed and curly haired Malicon stood up. Gerontias looked at the figure with some disdain, probably a Haman on a high perch he thought. Minister Deibex nudged her ally, noticing his disdain. The Hircine smiled with that goatish grin and whispered "he's one of our friends, Jefrys recommended him come today." This piqued Gerontias' interest.

Buriah opened the floor to Malicon who stuttered for a moment before starting. "Ministers, friends, I'm here today to talk about a threat we keep hearing about from our new arrivals. They speak it with fear, they-uh drive themselves mad trying to get away. It makes them suspicious of all those with the lightest prosthetics and it makes many fear us for our high use of A.I." He paused for a moment before saying bluntly. "They call it the Weld."

A piece of Gerontias's distant memory came back to him. Malicon continued.

"All across the galaxy the merchants of the Empire and the Erkanch Federation have been seeing reports of an A.I. uprising that compromises a civilzations technology and starts cults that convert the people to its cause. The effects have been, uh, genocidal."

"News outlets and international organizations in the galaxy have been reporting these incidents for months" chimed in Minister Jefrys. "We have to consider the effects this could have on the Empire considering the annex is our main entrypoint for refugees fleeing the Weld."

Gerontias stood, tall and red among the other beings in the room. He was silent for a moment. Sage Buriah nodded to him and Malicon looked in his direction. Signing with his talons and then translating to speech Greontias spoke. "I recall a time in my youth, when I took up the mantle of leadership among one of the ships of the Mergao fleet. We encountered a band of weary xenos. Tired they were. And afraid. Then some among them with silver eyes and metal limbs began to turn on them. They fought, and then they were no more. They took five of our ships with them into the void. We fled safe with our lives, but at a high cost. This was twenty six of your years ago."

Taking in this information, Malicon asked Gerontias. "Minister Nymeego, having seen them personally, what would you say to combatting the welded?"

"Any who enter are a threat." He signed. "Your quarantines at Tivo are wise for this alone. Keep them up, but be extra cautious. Any Weld can find a way through the cracks. We had to purge two more of our ships twelve years later because the weld had entered our people. We survive safe and pure now. And when we entered your port."

"You have the verdict your Emminences" Malicon said to the Sages, "the weld need to be stopped before they enter, and Tivo must double down on its security."

"What about those affected by the Weld? Not possessed mind you but those disposessed of home and sanity?" Asked Daniela Deibex. "What shall we do with them? We have many of them here already. I suggest that while we strengthen our borders, we also strengthen our care facilities at Tivo. Most has been devoted to health and medical treatment, we need more psychological facilities."

"I agree with Minister Deibex on that your Emminences" Malicon said. "We need to devote more to our screening facilities and the ammenties therein. If we want to do justice by the people entering this colony, we need to do more for them."

"These proposals are sound" Buriah the Sage said to the whole room. "The work of these ministers reflects the good judgement of the people of Rico Mundi in electing them to their offices. We shall see to it that these proposals are entered, once a vote has been agreed."

One of the other sages, a Haman woman named Cordelia Yansmith, called for a vote. Both proposals were passed with almost unanimous votes.

by **Lotrabme** » Fri Aug 09, 2019 6:39 pm

+---Quarry-9653: Gram's World---+

A single planet/orbit transport descended to the landing platform standing on plinths above a great hole a mile and a half deep and triple that wide. The impression was carved into a stony plateau that rested above a rusty desert that extended endlessly into the horizon. Like millions of mites in the rock the workers carved and carried the resources of this great slab. Granite, ore, rich minerals found only on certain planets. Trace particles of more precious chemicals were contained. This work would be back breaking toil and deadly, were it not for the help of automation and power tools which lessened the load for many.

After the transport settled on the titanium of the landing strip a whistle blew and the doors opened. The great door clanged on the ground and thousands of hardy Rockheads exited the ship in rank and file, flanked on the sides by atmosphere suited Malluman minders. Following them were a set of more freely moving immigrant workers of a variety of races, each equipped with a suit and several trade tools. Among them were also engineers.

In an observation tower overlooking both the platform and the quarry Lonerd Numon and his local overseer were observing the new arrivals. Numon rubbed his palms together with a grin "good, we have more muscle now!"
"You ordered Rockheads here? All the way from Olora Zeta?"
"I've got contacts that were able to put it through. With them at work in the quarries it should help us get to the deeper minerals quicker. I trust you will find good use for them here?"
"Of course your excellency. They'll be put to work as soon as they're through health inspection. The new engineers are also most welcome here."
"I should hope so" Numon scowled "especially since you've been experiencing.... problems with the cranes I got from Edom..."
"I..." the overseer paused, fearful "your excellency the problem has been solved..."
"Make sure there aren't any more problems. We have Galleons to fill and send to the core. Understood?"
"Yes your excellency" the Overseer bowed. Numon left the room.

Numon took his personal flyer back up to his private skyhook making its orbital rounds about Gram's world. It had a full garden and suite for his personal use. He docked his flyer like a bat taking nest in a tree and entered his home. An AI servant with a mechanical body approached him and spoke in a smooth sing songy voice "Good afternoon Master Lonerd, I have electronic and paper mail for you."

"Paper mail first please Ax-4."

"Two letters, the first is addressed from the Gnolm Bureaucracy and concerns potential late phone payments and payment plans their loaners can offer. The second is a sweepstakes for special male enlargement..."

"Trash them both" Lonerd ended the explanation. "electronic mail please."

"Of course Master" Ax-4 said as he shredded the two letters in a compact shredder he carried in his torso. "Regarding non-spam email, there is a message from Minister Daniela Deibex, cc'd with Ministers' Adelberto Luthon and Jeff Jefrys."

"I thought you said non-spam" joked Numon.

"Very funny Master... Shall I continue?"

"Tell me what they want Ax."

"They want to visit the planet to make sure you aren't abusing the workers, they choose to phrase it as "checking on immigrant workplace conditions and on the treatment of imperial domestics in a frontier work environment." I think they assume you are abusing their rights to a fair workplace and to fair pay."

"Absurd. You can write a response... polite of course, and tell them they may come and visit me or the workplace and see for themselves that we meet all the legal safety requirements for any species who we can hire. AND that we are giving them equal pay for equal work and positions. We are an equal opportunity employer here."

"Very good Master... I am adding my own personal touches to make sure your point is clear. There is another message from Bart Sybon. He requests a holo-call with you as soon as you are free. It regards the auction for the Markarther System."

"Oh yes! That's today isn't it... I'm going to be calling him soon. That'll be all for now Ax-4."

"Very good Master." Ax-4 replied. Numon left him and entered his residence section of the Skyhook. He took care of some minor items around the home that needed his touch and got himself comfortable on his couch as he patched his hologram-messenger into Sybon's frequency. The stern and bearded Sybon appeared as a moving bust above Numon's coffee table. Numon likewise would appear as a plump bust of himself above Sybon's desk rising from among his files and books and twin lamps.

Sybon said "greetings friend, how's work?"

"It's tough keeping my overseers in check, they've always got some complaint or another, but we are keeping stocks up here. How are things on the Auction floor?"

Sybon smirked "I think they're going to go tooth and nail for these asteroids. Everyone wants a choice claim in a new colony. I'll be sure to send you the winners list. And regarding our other enterprise..."

"Ah yes, that is going swimmingly" Numon said with a coy smile. "No one outside of the most trusted Noahs suspect anything"

"I'm concerned that they aren't firmly tied to us. How do we explain if news gets out to the Chamber? We need to be sure of their tight lips."

"That is not a problem. My connections in IRDaC itself leave us both in a favorable spot if anything gets out."

"You're awfully sure of yourself" smirked Sybon. "I'll trust your word for now friend. Don't disappoint me." As he cut off the transmission Sybon shook his head. That Numon fellow had too many shaky foundations to be trusted with an operation like this one. Sybon picked up his auctioneer's staff, with a small ruby-like gem encased in the top globe shining bright red. It was a small core of Red Matter. It was a hint at the smuggling operation which Sybon was part of and which he linked Numon into as the proprietor of a world rich in the trace ore of the substance. Red Matter is one of the controlled substances of the Empire, and anybody outside of IRDaC is prohibited from selling it, and agents of the company are required to sell it to specific partners. For Noahs and Captains in the smuggling business Red Matter for warping is hard to come by, leading Sybon to fill an exploitable market. This is not the only market he has a claim on. He also directs one of the largest narcotics and opioid rings in the Empire. His personal wealth and position as a legal agent for IRDaC itself makes his trades easy to cover as legal trades in mineral rich asteroids which carry bulk wealth. This reputation and front company means he is often assigned to appoint asteroid fiefs and grants, like with the Auction he is officiating in Tychonia.

His office was located on board a personal mobile mansion which he landed like a skyscraper not far from the ballroom which was being used as the site of the auction. Wearing ermine and jade robes and carrying his staff in a regal manner Sybon showed himself proudly as one brought up in the Haman houses culture of refinement.

Taking his place in a chair sitting above the ballroom roundel, he awaited the arrival of the auction-goers.

by **Lotrabme** » Tue Aug 27, 2019 6:31 pm

Ballroom Garden Palace in Tychonia, Rico Mundi, 23 Velorum System

It was not a voluminous congregation, but it was not by any means a small one either. The bulk of the crowd who entered and meandered through the glass and prismatic granite arches of the garden palace were servant-hosts to the wealthy auctioneers and the middling speculators of the stock markets who could afford the trip and a seat in the audience balcony.

Werox Yaxrya Rutananey was one of the second group. Since she and her clan lived on Rico Mundi the trip cost was much less for her. The ticket for her party cost her two of her prized thoroughbred racing animals. She was accompanied by her senior concubine Juhanisorr, and their eldest daughter Vorkyra, who Yaxrya was grooming as an heir. They were joined by Figero and Laramy and the whole party was dressed in flashy formal clothing common to their people. Both Laramy and Figero wore the long ankle-length robes their people prefered, the Haman in baby blue and the Erkanch in indigo and green. Yaxrya and her family wore their clan tartan kimonos, full with their personal sabers.

They silently made their way up the stairs among the speculator capitalists to the balcony. Yaxrya's seats were not on the edge, but provided a good enough view to see the round ballroom in full.

Below them was a two tier crescent of couches surrounding a central floor, with a hologram projector taking up the centerpoint of the room. At the "stage" of the room, across from the doors the auctioneers were entering from, sat the officiator: Bart Sybon. Asking about the man's identity, Laramy informed Figero that: "He is part of the nobility from Hame itself and has been influential both as a student of the grand master psychics and an influential shareholder of IRDaC. His mother is also a cousin to some of our Sage Council and a high ranking diplomat."

"Fascinating" Figero thought to himself. He could not guess at the full depth of Sybon's influence.

Both of the gamblers saw their employer, Oruleela, enter the room among fifteen other Hive Queens and their attendant barons and familiars. They wore the robes of their hive and their special incantations over their atmospheric suits. Oruleela sat comfortably upon one of the couches as her two leading barons stood at her side, with familiar Nebulans attending to their wants.

Several Haman auctioneers were entering the room as well. Among them was the black robed and stern faced Kess Kobol. Figero turned to Laramy knowingly "Do you think he found out?"
"That look says Patabon might have informed him that he had no agents here..." Laramy looked concerned. Figero brushed it off.

They also took note of Adamar Vleshir standing by Kess's side, and a group of ethereal and starry eyed Hamans approaching Oruleela on the other side of the room. "They must been the auctioneers from Erra, the Proximians," Laramy pointed them out to Figero "they're monk types devoted to the study of the spirit. They probably want to set up a shrine in Markarther and want her help."

They also saw the stout Hukman Sontaire in his finest red and green silk and velvet standing in the center of the room. He didn't talk to anyone, but simply nodded to Kess. Figero took note of this.

It took twenty five minutes before Sybon finally ordered the doors closed and the auction to commence. He began with a short speech on the system itself:
"It has never until this day been my pleasure to offer up the wealth of a whole star system, and I am especially honored to be among the cream of the Imperial elite. May we live by Balazar's word and act with honor toward one another here. The Markarther system was cataloged in the year 3886 by the colonizers of the Castor Dominion, and in the last few decades the agents of IRDaC's resource scouting teams have proceeding with extraction and industrial zoning grids. Consequently: I have thirty-nine substantially sized asteroids, each unique in composition, to offer you ladies and gentlemen this day. I also have fifteen clusters of small asteroids and twenty-six inner-system comets to offer you today. For those of you who win and purchase, the rights to colonize the planets of the Markarther system will be extended in a first-come first-serve manner by the agents of IRDaC and overseen by the government of Castor. The money earned at this auction will go toward the funding of colonization resources for the pioneers of Markarther. Now, without further detail, let me commence the auction with the asteroid clusters..."

Figero and Laramy watched as the auctioneers bid on the locations. The clusters received sparse bids, except for one called 66-Phisori-Adama, which Yaxrya told Vorkyra was rich in space titanium alloy. The others had been leaked by the speculators to be metal-poor. The comets went quicker due to rich water and plasma reserves, along with precious gem speculations. The last one in particular, MKR-ISC-026, sparked a bright shouting match between a Nebulan baron and two Haman lords which Sybon separated by Telekinesis. This sparked a chuckle out of Figero. Kess even won a small comet rich in jewels, MKR-ISC-018, for cheaper than many were expecting.

Figero was also taking in the people around him. Many of them were more focused on their tablets and data-sets than they were the auction itself. Many were meticulously typing out the results to leak to the Stock Markets. Speculators in the Empire would doubtlessly want to know who owned what pieces of rock in the new system. Even Juhanisorr was regularly checking his wrist-bound device for stockmarket data, and he whispered some details to his chieftain-wife. Figero knew that some of his own countrymen were among the crowd, and were probably letting the market-players of the Federation know everything that was happening here. He recognized some of the "in the open" spies by certain marks that Mind Imperials weren't wise to yet. There was one truly disguised agent of the Federation itself in the back of the hall, posing as a janitor.

Frankly, Figero was glad he was retired. He looked on them as overworked and over-attentive busybodies more than anything else. The Federation was never going to crack the Empire. And moreover they were too co-dependent as stellar-states. While some conspiracy nuts and political theorists might think this spying was truly a threat, Figero knew better because he knew his people in all their contradictory strategy and incompetence. He was silently amazed how similar Homo-Sapiens were in these regards to the Erkanch. His new friend and gambling partner Laramy had taught him that, mostly unintentionally.

Finally, the auction made it to the large asteroids. For some, which Figero felt were probably also wealth poor, only one or two auctioneers stood to challenge for the bid. Most of them went quickly. Then some, the richer and heavier sort, went with more of a debate of rising prices. An ice filed and mostly rounded asteroid had five challengers and went for 170 million gold credits.* It wasn't long before the hologram of Mizar-15 appeared in the center of the room.

It was a long, cracked, and cratered thing. Mizar-15 was described by Sybon as "the core remnant of a failed planet. This asteroid is loaded to the surface with precious high pressure minerals. Magnetic minerals at that. This is a fine prize, and it will start at 3 million gold credits."

The auctioneers were silent for a moment until Kess began by offering 5 million gold. Oruleela challenged with 7 million. He rose it to 9, and she in kind rose it to 12 million. He went to 15, she to 18, and he again rose it to 25 million. It continued to rise, and Figero saw Adamar pitch in his twenty million. Oruleela got the support of the Proximian monastics and they scaled up to 100 million quickly. Eventually it rested at 155 million gold, well to the brink of what Laramy and Figero knew Hive Orumol had to spare in its treasury.

They both watched the floor attentively, and it seemed that Kess would have won the auction. However, Hukman Sontaire walked to Oruleela and whispered at her antennae. She replied before Sybon could count that "We raise to 200 million." At this Kess threw down the auction fan to the floor in anger. Adamar backed away from his ally. Sybon asked the floor as he walked around the hologram if there were any more challengers. "Going once! Going Twice!...... Congratulations Madame Oruleela, Mizar-15 is yours."

Some clapped, some grumbled, the speculators typed hurriedly. Figero and Laramy were pleased for their boss. Yaxrya grinned. "You boys must carry luck with you." It wasn't long till the auction was over after that.

As the group following Yaxrya descended the staircase to the entrance foyer, they saw Kess standing tall and stern waiting for someone. Oruleela and her attendants appeared from the door, her lower ranking barons and familiars carrying her on a liter. She chirped at him, "Our arguments are over a century old. Surely we can dispense with it here Kess, we mean you no harm."

He sighed, Laramy and Figero could feel his displeasure from their vantage point twenty feet away. He looked the Hive Queen in her eyes and said "I have no personal enmity with you Madame. We are simply competitors. I... am not one to forgive easy, but I think now that this is over, and I know who my solid partners are..." he said looking at Hukman "... that we can look toward making Markarther a livable system together." He extended his hand to shake, and Oruleela offered her claw.

This brought a slight grin to Figero's mandible, and he looked to Laramy and said "looks like we actually were successful." Laramy nodded to him and thought in his friends direction: "Hukman was bought by Oruleela and the Proximians, he's a devout man. Kess didn't have a strong hold on him anyway. This is a peace of convenience."

"Wonderful" Figero whispered. The two quickly left following Yaxrya and her family so Kess wouldn't turn and see a set of familiar faces promising the aid of a powerful noble.

*=340 billion $US

by **Lotrabme** » Sun Jan 19, 2020 4:31 pm

"Navigator's Plaza" in the Borough of Little Yuktabon
Cylindrical Colony: Cronosa
Rico Mundi L4

The colonial habitat of Cronosa was as large as some small moons. At 35 kilometers in length and 8 kilometers in diameter its main body was a dominant figure of the bodies orbiting in the L4 Lagrange point of Rico Mundi, the tropical resort and refugee safe haven, and it’s yellow star 23 Velorum A.

The Navigators Plaza was a large shopping center and public parkway designed in the architectural style of the 3790s and early 3800s, chrome and smooth angles and a very clean aesthetic to the buildings, with more square doors than the curved designs of both earlier and later themes. It was called the Navigators plaza because it was funded by the brotherhood of Noah’s, the Navigators Guild who worked under IRDaC and other Imperial shipping magnates as well as the navy. The Brotherhood even had a Lodge in the plaza which stood at three stories while the other buildings stood at two or one. It was the prominent feature to anyone walking the length of Duke Grafton street from the “South” of the cylinder or it’s cross with the circumferential Glassford Avenue. D.G. Street forked at the fountain-garden standing before the lodge and a small memorial shrine to one of the numerous Hamans who achieved the rank of Grand Master psychic and was sainted. The street looped around the lodge building and a gaggle of buildings constructed behind it, facing either fork of the street until they reconnected in a Y at the chairs before a chain-coffee shop.

Among this line of two story retailers and eateries was an unremarkable silver and navy blue building among the neon and vibrant paint of the rest. It had a simple double door in the front and three tall windows above. There were only two markers of it’s identity to passers by: the Lot Number Address: 321 Duke Grafton St., and the sign above the door: CASCADIA HOLDINGS.

There were light cancelling shutters in the three windows. The second floor was reserved for the executive conference room. Since the light of the fusion-lamp which lit Cronosa was blocked from the room, the only light came from two glow-globes floating above the long table with twelve seats. Half of them were occupied.

Sitting at the head of the table before the windows was Minister Lonerd Numon. He was lightly sipping from a nearly empty and fine-cut diamond glass of whiskey. The bottle and a set of the same cups were spread around the table for the five guests. Two of them were Hamans, one was an Erkanch, another Ombroj, and the last an Ozulkar wearing studded jewelry in a necklace.

This meeting had gone on for two hours now and Numon was starting to get tired. He told them “now, are we agreed, our portfolios are sealed to the public records office, no one is getting access to this information, and we can continue operation Haystack without pause?”
“It’s getting too risky for me” said one of the Hamans “I’m pretty sure the Liquidators of IRDaC,... present company excluded… are on my trail. I’ve had to re-route through the Badlands five times because Lupus Sygma’s government is performing deeper hull scans. You try getting the Hamesol Oort Clouders out to Vega to do business with us, and I’ll see about staying on the project. Otherwise, you can count me out.”

“Hmph” said the Ombroj representative “never bothered me.”

“That’s because it’s your people who live in the badlands. Those systems are a warzone.” Mocked the other Haman. “I’m still in Mon Numon, the spacers on the Pegasi frontier don’t have ready access to IRDaC supplies, we will still have a domestic market there.”

“As you will from my contacts in the neutral Ombroj tribes, especially if you keep the price range competitive” laughed the Ombroj.

The Ozulkar was silent, but nodded along. “You said your supply would last for a century at least yes?”

“Probably more” Numon nodded “but we can safely say a century's worth of Red Matter. The Mind Empire has so many systems that all the colonial mines can't be depleted soon. You have nothing to worry about regarding that.”

“All the same” the Ozulkar said as he looked to the Erkanch, to the agreeable Haman, and back to Numon, “... I think we’d like a piece of your Heptol trading enterprise. The white and black are more profitable than the Red Matter trade. Smugglers can use different technologies for FTL, and the trade routes galaxy wide have portal access. As long as they can get on the carrier ships the Smugglers have no need to curry smaller vessels.”

Numon was silent, but stern with his beady eyes behind his square glasses. He said nothing, but the Erkanch at the table followed the Ozulkar: “He’s right. We’d profit more from getting access to Heptol black. Do you know how easily we can market it to people? Its an enhancement drug!”

“Heptol black is traditionally guarded by IRDaC sanctioned dispensaries, as is Heptol White” the agreeable Haman said. “Even in the empire if we can offer alternatives for cheaper prices, especially in the colonies and among the borderland states, we could double our earnings.”

Numon sighed. “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, while I would love to have you all be distributing for me, my most abundant resource is the Red. My connections for suppliers is dependent on the Kingpin. If they don’t offer me access to those suppliers in greater quantity, I can only take on one of you.”

The others at the table looked at eachother. Numon said “I’d be happy to have all of you, but like I said guys, I can only take one.”

The Ozulkar replied first “I can only take on so many jobs myself. I’ll stick with Haystack for now.”

“As will I” replied both the Ombroj and the Haman agreeing to continue. The Haman who was dropping out of the venture shook his head and said “I’m going to have to say no. I’ll stay working for Cascadia’s public front, but I’m backing out after my next shipment.”

“Right” Numon said. “Mr. Jagiellis?” looking at the Erkanch he wasn’t sure what kind of response he said. Mr. Jagiellis however clicked his mandibles, looked around for a moment, and said: “Well if no one else is taking it up, I will!”

“You sure?” Numon asked. Jagiellis shrugged all four shoulders and said “I have people who can buy it if we sell it.”

“Very well” Numon said taking a final sip of his whiskey. “I think we are done for today gentlemen.”

As the party entered the reception room on the first floor preparing to leave, Numon made Mr. Jagiellis and Mr. Dathon, the Haman who was backing out, stay longer than the rest. As the others awaited their transports outside or walked home Numon asked both of them at the reception desk “fellas, since we are re-organizing our… business relationship, I want to socialize a little. I got tickets to the Raiders game and I have enough to spare for both of you. Keep in mind, this is not a business meeting, my son and his wife will be there too. Can you make it this weekend?”

“Certainly” said Mr. Dathon. “Yes I think so” said Mr. Jagiellis checking his wristband-calendar, “Yep I’m free. What time are you trying to get their Numon?”

“Five thirty, they’re good seats so we have to get in early.”

--- That Weekend, outside Cronosa Municipal Stadium ---

The throngs of alien crowds were parked outside the stadium in the tens of thousands, with nearly three thousand landspeeders and cars and over one hundred buses parked in the complex’s parking lot and on designated areas of the grass. Grills were out, and fans of the Rico Mundi Raiders dressed in Red and White, and the visiting team dressed in Orange and Green for the Gamoray Giants. Hot dogs, snacks, and insults flung between sides as Numon, Jagiellis, and Dathon walked among them. Jagiellis wore red and purple high collared robes signifying his old place in Federation society as a Magistrate of the Almighty, but also to support his favorite team. Mr. Dothan wore a red and white jersey over his casual gold and grey body suit. He also wore a gold chain and had his brown hair quaffed in what he thought was an attractive manner. Numon himself wore a buck blazer and jeans along with a red and white shirt with the Raiders boarding-craft logo over his stomach.

They were walking toward the imposing structure of the stadium. It was built to house five hundred thousand spectators and stood four hundred feet tall. They approached the gate and stairs when Numon called out “Joswein! Jaina!”

A bald, long nosed, and squinty eyed Haman man and his wife with black hair straightened hair and a large cheeked smile both wearing red and black saw them and approached with grins. “Hey dad” said Joswein. They hugged, as did Numon and Jaina. “How’s your day been bud?” Numon asked his son, and Joswein said “so far so good.” Numon introduced his associates as well: “This is James Dathon, one of my agents for Cascadia Holdings, and Mr. Zimsk Jagiellis, a contact and friend from the Federation.”

“Oh dad, you’re not doing business today are you?”

“No no no” Numon shook his head. “This is a friendly get out for us. I do have a life outside my work.”

“Mhm” Joswein said. “Now let’s find our seats… wait, where’d Jagiellis go?”

“Hm?” Numon looked around and saw the Erkan ordering a large popcorn. When he returned he looked as he crunched in his mandibles and asked “what?”

First Quarter

Not the executives box, but close to the field in a VIP box was where Numon had got his family and friends their tickets. It gave them a decent view of the middle of the field. During the first quarter of the game the Raiders had a strong offense and held their opponents behind the three hundred yard line for three goals.

Lonnerd Numon was keeping a close eye on the field “look out there Jagiellis” he said pointing. The Erkanch did his concentration equivalent and asked “what am I looking for?” between bites of popcorn. “The quarterback and the coach are chatting now, the Giants are going to try their secondary playbook. They’re probably going to start gaining a few goals on the Raiders.”

“But aren’t the Raiders our team?” Jagiellis was confused.

“I’m entertained by strategy” Numon grinned “our team is going to beat them. We have one of the best quarterbacks in the League.”

“You really should know my father better than this by now” Joswein said to Jagiellis with a smile. Jagiellis nodded “Indeed. So where do you work young Numon?”

“I..” Joswein was interrupted by Mr. Dothan returning with two six packs of a light beer “BREWSKIES HERE.” Everybody took one and Mr. Dothan sat down while Joswein continued.

“I work for the Colonial Ventures Ministry. I’m an architect and an advisor for construction teams. My wife works with the same company.”

“I’m a resource manager and logistics agent” she smiled.

“Oh wonderful!” Jagiellis smiled. “How’d you like to work for the Federation? We’ve got colonial projects in the Prospect Stars that we need good agents for.”

Joswein laughed. “Quite busy at the moment, but I’ll keep your offer in mind.”

“Don’t take him up on it” the elder Numon remarked. “Mr. Jagiellis knows as well as I do that the prospects are lawless space, almost as bad as the badlands.”

“Oh contraire, it’s empty space right now.”

“I appreciate the offer either way” Joswein replied “even if I don’t take it up right away.” The Erkan nodded.

They continued watching the game and sure enough the Giants put a new strategy into effect. Joswein and his father both watched the field intently, and while Mr. Dothan and Mrs. Numon were enjoying their beers and the game, Jagiellis was almost watching the father and son almost as much as he was the sports. The game and the athleticism of the players were enjoyable but predictable, it was this until now unknown family that Mr. Jagiellis found more interesting. In his culture, parents and their offspring were becoming closer but still quite distant, since there were so many and in the old days they died before they saw their children grown. That distance that Mr. Jagiellis had with his own parents he could see between the younger and elder Numon. They lived very different lives. He thought he could see love and some connection, in the way they watched the game and every so often mentioned a play or two. But he knew there was a wall, put up by one or the other, that blocked something at a core level.

Half Time

The Halftime show for this game was composed of band performances by the team bands in addition to a Dornalian singer and dancer who Numon knew the game bosses had hired with the proceeds of the game bets. Esmeralda Hijuelos of Esmé and the Question and Answers Band was all she was made out to be by the records charts, and she played five songs which had the stadium in a good mood. Numon particularly liked it and was pleased the bosses didn't waste their money.
In the back of his head for this game, Numon was waiting to see for himself if his contact was correct about how the teams would act. So far, they had followed the script well, alternating strings of scores. Once halftime finished, they would change it up, with the Raiders leading almost till the fourth quarter before the Giants caused an upset. The question that Numon had, and why he didn’t bet on the giants, was the cooperation of the Quarterback. She was one of the best players in the League and was prone to follow the Malluman code of honor above all else. Numon didn’t believe the stereotypes about Mallumans, but he knew a warrior's heart when he saw one and neglected to tell his game-rigging friends that she might not follow the script to a T.

Joswein wasn’t in on all these details, but he knew his father was up to something. He didn’t think much about it. Instead he and his wife kicked back, drank their beers, and watched the game. Mr. Dathon was hyped and was hardly paying attention, he was a diehard Raiders fan. Mr. Jagiellis was just here for the show, but he made a call during half time and was back with information.

“Hey” he alerted Numon. He shrugged over to indicate he wanted to talk in private. Numon got up and followed him briefly. Mr. Jagiellis said “I’ve made contact with one of my Vaum shippers. He knows dozens in Rejellon who want easy access to Black. How soon can you get me a supply?”

“I need to talk to Kingpin, but expect word back from me in two weeks.”

“Right, that’s all” Mr. Jagiellis said.

“Good, I’m glad you’re the one who decided to join. I need agents I can depend on.”

They walked back together into their seats. Joswein asked his dad simply: “Work?”

“Work” he nodded and sat back down. They continued watching for a while and Numon asked “how are your kids doing in school?”

“Pretty good” Joswein nodded “Jr. wants to be an athlete himself, he’s going to try out for the Griffball team, but he needs to keep his grades up.”

“Right, right” the Elder Numon remarked, “and Kacie?”

“Oh she’s good, dealing with typical middle school stuff, her grades are fine. She’s doing more singing too, she has a recital after Vultoberfest if you want to come see it.”

“Really?” Numon said cheerfully “I should be able to make time.”

“I’m glad” Joswein said before pausing to watch the game. It was into the Raiders making a lead, but unlike the hidden plan, the Malluman quarterback was continuing a lead. The giants began their upset offensive early, tipping the game away from the rigger’s script. Numon grinned with glee, watching the executive box across the field where the faces of the betting agents were becoming pale.

“Dad” asked Joswein to Lonnerd “do you ever regret not trying to work things out with mom?”

“Hm?” Numon looked at his son confused “regret is a strong word… do I wish we could have kept the family together longer? Maybe.”

“But I imagine it was a bit of her goals and yours not mixing that lead to you separating.”

“Some might see it that way, but I’ve known a lot of people with different goals who worked well together. Your mother and I just didn’t have the same chemistry we did when we met. We drifted apart in our personal lives.”

Joswein was silent. Lonnerd turned to his son and said sternly, “Never blame yourself for it, the drift was long after we had you and we’ve always been united in our love for you and now your family. She and I drifted apart… well, for other reasons.”

“Right. I know dad, but I just… I just kinda wish that you and I hadn’t gotten further apart. I feel like we don’t talk the same as we used to.”

“Ah” Numon said seeming slightly deflated. “I’m sorry son. I’m not trying to be distant. I’ve been very busy though, but I’m coming to that concert, I guarantee you. And I’ll probably come before too, it's been awhile since I've been to Prosperity.”

“Sounds good dad, just let us know when you’re coming.”

Numon smiled and patted his son on the hands “Love you bud.”

“Love you too Dad.”

“Now watch this!” Lonnerd said pointing to the field. The Malluman Quarterback for the raiders was tossed the ball to the fastest runner on the team, a svelte and dark Haman named Akilion Drew, he ran the ball from the Raiders 200 yard line and after dodging the Giant’s strongest defense he scored a single run touchdown. As the stadium erupted Numon stood and clapped and looked at the scoreboard. The game was set by now, the gamblers for the Giants would be losing big, and the Rico Mundi Raiders would win the game in triumph.

by **Lotrabme** » Mon Mar 02, 2020 8:50 pm

TIVO, 6:40 AM <LOCAL> JAN, 3, 3941.
SAINT ELLIS RECEPTION FACILITY AND SPACEDOCK

Joe Brett had taken the unenviable but usually quiet morning shift manning the control tower of Saint Ellis Spacedock in orbit of Tivo. The green gas giant hung lazily in the overhead as Joe sipped his coffee. He was usually the first one in on this shift, and as usual had sent Darla May who ran the nightshift to bed with his typical greeting: "Bright and Early".

Joe was a regular guy among Hamans. He did his work, went to temple, played sports, and watched public broadcast. He liked his work in the early morning, a good way to get his responsibilities out of the way so the rest of the day he was free to change. He would find today a bit different however. He had become accustomed to vessels entering the "gateway" system at strange hours, but today he was alerted first by his friend and co-worker Jonnie Cashe, a Haman cyborg who kept comms open to Shivana Starbase around 23 Velorum B. They didn't seem happy today, more afraid, and this worried Joe.

"Jonnie, whats up?" Joe said with his usual brimming smile, not trying yet to make too much of Jonnie's mood immediately. Jonnie said almost out of breath "you remember how that star Elnabrak went supernova last year?"

"Yeah I remember it. The navigators were all talking about it. Whats that got to do with anything?"

"Well" said Jonnie catching their breath, "Shivana starbase got the message before us, but you can check the registry, apparently Elnabrak was right next to a newly spacefairing species who are now fleeing that sector for their lives."

"Huh... some of them must be coming here then aye?"

"Thats right" Jonnie said "we are expecting a whole Armada in the next couple hours, this shift."

"Oh fun" Joe said "guess we better let quarantine know and get the systems prepped." Joe began the process of alerting the medical bays and security teams and telling them to prepare for a mass arrival. Some of them were already active taking care of random small vessels entering the Velorum Annex as immigrants. The largest so far was a 200 meter star-yacht, the only others were little twenty to fifty meter tugs and personal ships going through the toll booths. Everybody this morning had gone through without incident, but all those who carried signs of danger... i.e. those suspected of Weld activity or harmful parasites, were impounded and sent into the "junk field" of Tivo: the trailing trojan asteroid field of the gas giant.

Sign's of Karax and other viral diseases had been decreasing in the last few weeks, the quarantine laboratories of Tivo's moons had fielded much research so far producing semi-viable vaccines and treatments. Those who arrived with these plagues were either quarantined there or sent to a "closed" refuge in the protected systems, where they could live in peace and still have living amenities. Two O'Neil cylinders had been set aside for Karax patients who survived the treatment phase so far but still carried the disease. They were not allowed wide scale trade, but manufactured goods were sent to them in regular automated shipments.

Joe didn't suspect that these new arrivals would change the pace of things so far, but then he read the ship charters which the approaching civilization had sent ahead. Five 40 kilometer hollowed asteroid vessels and a fleet of nearly sixty one kilometer vessels trailing with them of various blueprints.

Joe turned to Jonnie and said "I think I see why you are concerned. Have a look at these ship sizes. They've got to be carrying millions. Has command talked with these people at all?"

"I think it's been under wraps to avoid a crisis" said Jonnie now sitting next to Joe. "I expect Admiral Kranmar is going to make a press statement after these guys arrive."

"Looks like they call themselves... Larnaubs?"

"Yep, Larnaub or Larnaubish. It's kind of unclear but that seems to be their designation, or at least the best way we can pronounce it."

"I see" said Joe, who then turned to look out the window of the control tower and repeated "I really see".

Looking out the window Joe and Jonnie witnessed the approach of a ragged armada. Ships in various states of disrepair approaching the stations around Tivo's moons at a meandering drift. Meanwhile, above their heads the two tower operators saw the bulk of Admiral Kranmar's detachment of the 5th Order take positions in front of and beside the approaching vessels. Joe knew that they would be routinely scanning the innards of the hollowed asteroids and their companion flotilla. After nearly an hour and a half of approach and what was probably some negotiation between the captains, the five asteroid ships had teams sent to them, while the smaller vessels went in waves through the toll booths and disembarked their passengers into the "Screening Harbor" of Saint Ellis.

SAINT ELLIS, 9:20 am <LOCAL>

Disembarking from the Blettcharik had taken nearly half an hour, and Chichnaib was paranoid. He had not taken into account when he heard the Emergency Coalition's escape plan to this "Refugee's Haven" that they would be giving up political autonomy. That made him and many of his fellow wandering Larnaubs fearful, especially from these aliens who could afford to set aside a whole multi-star system to the harboring of the galaxy's lost and found.

The supernova had been a tragedy, nearly five decades ago to the Larnaubish people who had become fractured politically. Many wanted to reform in the colonies they had just founded before their neighboring stars exploded, while others had become nihilist. And those who wanted to reform were divided between re-centralizing the United Colonial government and decentralizing it, making such a tragedy impossible and spreading the Larnaubs to more distant locales. Chichnaib's colony fleet was part of the latter group, and the captains had made contact with this Admiral Kranmar several months ago. He agreed, and it was confirmed in the last hour, that the Velorum Annex as they called this system could host the fleet while they made repairs and even let them stay long-term. The only condition was that the Larnaubish people must be screened and that they be allowed to leave the fleet and become new residents if they chose to do so.

Chichnaib and his associates were not impressed, and even less so that the Captains seemed to be ceding to every demand made of them by this Admiral. Now he was lining up in a queue behind one hundred of his fellows heading for a strange box through which they were all walking an a pair of tall hairless apes in robes were standing at attention and reading small screens near the box. Chichnaib eyed them with suspicion as he approached. He recognized them as vaguely "Human", but having not seen any in person before, he couldn't judge them to be good or bad specimens. They simply directed him as they did others to stand in the box. A device whirred around him, and they made him pass through. There he continued to follow the line to another device. Here he was instructed to stand beside it and remove his footwear and all the contents of his trouser-pockets. Chichnaib didn't have much, and his footwear were a worn pair of triangular sandals. This device scanned him too, also without incident.

Then came the next room. Here, more of these "Humanoids," who he vaguely remembered the captains calling Hamans, were wearing white clothing and mouth covers and getting close to each Larnaubish to be screened.

The one who examined Chichnaib wore her hair long and was slender of frame. She motioned for him to extend his mouth trunk and show his beak. She checked each of his bulbous eyes, and measured his height, weight, and length of his limbs, and jotted down notes in what scribbles appeared to be the Haman language. The last thing she did was give him an injection in the form of a patch. After applying the patch, which Chichnaib wasn't sure of for a moment, she looked at him sternly. Suddenly, in his head he heard her:

"I've just applied a dose of nanites into your body. They will disperse vaccines against our most prevalent diseases as well as scan you for ill health. If we find you in any kind of disrepair, we will call you again to fix you."

"Oh" Chichnaib chirped. "Thank you" he tried to say.

"Of course" the Haman lady thought at him. She motioned him on his way. Now Chichnaib and several others of his race had their pictures taken. They each stood before a wall and had a flash shine before them and within moments they were all handed cards with their faces on them. They would be sent into another room after that and here split up into groups of about fifty or sixty. There they would all be handed dry erase boards and instructed by another Haman, this one male, who thought at them:

"The Mind Empire would like you all to give us information about yourselves. We ask you to write in your native system of writing some details about yourselves and we will assign a personal attendant to communicate with you about options in the Mind Empire or beyond. We want you to know that this is designed to help us help you."

Chichnaib was surprised at what appeared to be mental forwardness, and decided to comply. Once he completed writing what he wanted, he brought the card with his picture and the dry erase board to the Haman at the front who took a picture on a small handheld device of the board and card and handed him back his card. "Go sit down" said the Haman in thought "I will ping you when your turn is up."

"Thank you" Chichnaib said. He had only to wait about thirty minutes before he was summoned. He was directed down a smaller hallway to a room by a machine with a humanoid form. The machine spoke to Chichnaib in his own chirping language, but awkwardly. "Stay" it said when he arrived at the designated room. Chichnaib entered and found it empty except for some furniture.

He chose a flat and long seat that he could comfortably fit his bulbous abdomen upon. Chichnaib like the rest of the Larnaubish were built like bipedal cockroaches with chameleon like eyes and short trunks for mouths. They had two legs and two arms with strong fore-sections and a light shell upon their backs. Chichnaib found the room somewhat dark for his liking, but he could see well enough. Soon, a Haman appeared in the room. He had a blond patch of hair on his head and a bright demeanor.

He was the first Haman to speak aloud to him. His language naturally flowed in a way the Larnaub's could not articulate with their mouths. He clicked a box and audibly his tone shifted toward what Chichnaib could understand:

"I am Thomas Hardelvon, an interspecies advocate and councilor. I understand your name is Chichnaib Al'Uthorkin zich Blettin. You are thirty five of our years standard counting, but twenty two in your own count. Now before I continue do you have any questions for me?"

Chicnaib sat back and asked... "how do you, you know" pointing to his head.

"Oh yes" Thomas laughed "all species have varying levels of psychic capacity. The Hamans have simply been blessed with the ability to harness it with great potential. It makes communicating with species easier. I can audibly speak to you using this device here, and you can be provided with them through the Advocation offices in the Annex."

"I see... well, I'm also curious about this whole place. Why are you making us go through screening?"

"To protect ourselves and you" Thomas said. "The galaxy has seen the arrival of mass plagues and hidden invaders. We don't plan to let any of them in here when that is what has sent so many to the Annex in the first place."

"Makes perfect sense" Chichnaib said. "What do you want to ask me?"

"A few statistical questions, to get a rough idea from you and your compatriots what the Larnaub people are like, and then some personal questions about your personal goals."

"Huh, ask" Chichnaib said.

Thomas proceeded to ask about average lifespan, typical family set ups, preferred style of governments, ethnic divisions, and important things people who weren't Larnaubs needed to know to understand the way Larnaub's think and act. At this Chichnaib said that the best way to describe his people was pessimistic and pragmatic.

"Even before the supernova."

"Even before I think" Chichnaib said "but especially after. It broke us."

"What did that disaster mean for you personally?" Thomas asked.

"It destroyed my family. My parents became drug addicts in the fleet and I and my siblings had to deal with the aftermath of it. That is why I joined this fleet, to get as far away from the old colonies as possible. Now, nearly 300 lightyears away and we might be letting our pessimism get the best of us."

"How do you mean?" Thomas asked.

"Well it just seems like we are all giving up."

by **Sub Sector Protractis** » Thu Mar 05, 2020 6:01 pm

Velorum Annex buffer Space

Polemon flotilla, Flagship of Planetary Governor Flavius Reed The Sound Eternal, 4 hours ago

Governor Reed sat in a rich red armchair, the baroque architecture of his ship quarters flickering in the light of the cabin. Reed preferred cabin lights to simulate the flicker of candles, he felt it was or "authentic". The deep brown of his hardwood desk over cast with his shadow, papers with information on the nation known as the Mind Empire and intelligence reports sprawled the wooden face of the desk.

"You worry Inquisitor, needlessly so. The local government will either receive us and heed our warning or they will disregard us and seal their own fate. It is not as if Polemon is at risk anymore. The corruption has been rooted out and driven from our realm without outside assistance or any attention from the Lord Regent." Spoke Reed

"I worry Governor, that the Luminaries that have fled here will fester and grow their ranks on the tangled masses this "Mind Empire" has decided to force feed together. Initial reports on the ground are there are massive quarantine efforts for some local contagion, more diverse Xenos congested together than can readily be counted, and a altruistic vision of governance that will lay the groundwork for a mass conversion.

What will we do if they cults take hold and plunge the region into turmoil, the Ordos has desperately fought to keep this issue in the past where it belongs. You know as well as I do that the Crovas region will be consuming all available resources for the next 18 months. I do not feel like appearing before the Lord Regent and his council to explain how a minor insurrection evolved into a threat on Polemon's ability to transport munitions to the rest of the Sub Sector." Replied Inquisitor Hector Armus.

"I think you worry solely about what Marcus would do if he found out about your little experiment gone awry, you should count yourself lucky that Polemon had the capability to contain the outbreak." said Reed

"Enough Flavius! If you were not as concerned as I, you would not be here so far from your little fiefdom and its high walls." clipped Armus

The two men stared intently at each other, neither quite sure if the argument should escalate further.

The uncomfortable silence overcome by the in cabin Vox

Code: Select all: "Governor, we are in a holding pattern preparing a transmission to the local powers would you be so kind as to join me in the command deck? "said Reed's Hetman and Fleet admiral Karissa Vicanni

"Yes Vicanni, I will be there shortly with Hector. Keep mass conveyor back some until we get clearance to enter their space lanes." replied Reed

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Sound Eternal's Command Deck

Reed stood next to Vicanni on the command deck waiting for their diplomatic mission signal to be recognized by fleet authorities so a secured transmission could be sent.

Armus had departed with his retinue some hours ago in his personal gun cutter. Armus had hoped that the cutter's reflex shield would render the vessel undetectable in the busy transit of orbital space lanes. If that failed, Armus and his crew would have to rely on the confirmation codes provided to them at an exorbitant price by local smuggler cartels.

For now Reed had heard nothing from Armus, and in this matter nothing was good.

The Diplomatic signal is established and ready Governor. Vicanni said to Reed.

Reed cleared his throat before the transmission.

Code: Select all: ++++Incoming Imperial Transmission++++ +++Diplomatic transmission code:Vertitas+++ ++Request Immediate direction to local systems commander++ +Greetings, I am Governor Flavius Reed, Planetary Governor and guardian of Polemon. Defender of Sub Sector Protractis. I come to you in the spirit of cooperation, there are a series of matters that must be addressed that arose in Protraction Space and which I fear may cause undue complication and hardship to your empire's mission here in the Annex. I respectfully but urgently request a direct audience with the highest ranking authority in the system to address this matter at your earliest availability. I have several of my Systems defense ships further out-system awaiting permission to enter the interdiction zone and gain entry to the system. I understand any hesitation to allow entry of a foreign power's naval assets and thus wish to explain the circumstances and necessity of my presence here. With Respect, Governor Flavius Reed

OOC:

by **Lotrabme** » Fri Mar 06, 2020 6:20 pm

Sub Sector Protractis wrote:
Code: Select all
++++Incoming Imperial Transmission++++ +++Diplomatic transmission code:Vertitas+++ ++Request Immediate direction to local systems commander++ +Greetings, I am Governor Flavius Reed, Planetary Governor and guardian of Polemon. Defender of Sub Sector Protractis. I come to you in the spirit of cooperation, there are a series of matters that must be addressed that arose in Protraction Space and which I fear may cause undue complication and hardship to your empire's mission here in the Annex. I respectfully but urgently request a direct audience with the highest ranking authority in the system to address this matter at your earliest availability. I have several of my Systems defense ships further out-system awaiting permission to enter the interdiction zone and gain entry to the system. I understand any hesitation to allow entry of a foreign power's naval assets and thus wish to explain the circumstances and necessity of my presence here. With Respect, Governor Flavius Reed

Admiral Tevron Kranmar was enjoying a stroll through the drydock of Shivana Star Base, inspecting the B-5 Assault Carracks and the Ormal Corvettes currently being worked on. Accompanying him was the young Tumin named Artheen who was for now still acting as his aide-de-camp. They had just passed the spider-monkey's great uncle Grachik and his mechanic team repairing the solar collectors embedded in the hulls of the slender B-5s. The Tumin people whose scattered fleets had recently arrived in system had taken to the world of Rico Mundi and their habitat ships were being retrofitted with new technology in system courtesy of their supplication to the Admiral. A similar situation had occurred with the remnants of the silent Mergao people who had also entered the system and both species were petitioning for settlement rights in nearby systems while other members of their parties were becoming resident citizens of the Annex.

Admiral Kranmar and Artheen were talking about this at some length, since the teenage alien was curious about the dynamics of this substantial star state. "How long have your people been surveying the stars, Sir?"

"At least a millenium, but some of our scholarly work goes back further. Our most recent surveys have found many worlds to settle. We have colonies all throughout this corner of the galaxy now."

"Huh" Artheen said. Suddenly, an officer rushed to Admiral Kranmar and said "Sir! We have an incoming communication, its from a foreign source."

"Oh?" Turned the Admiral to the approaching officer. "What did they say Jatson?"

"It's a governor of... Polemon, part of Sub Sector Protractis if I'm reading the communique correctly. I think he's requesting your response as soon as possible. He doesn't say for what but it sounds urgent. We've also detected that the message came from a fleet of ships positioned on the gravitational edge of the Annex."

"Right, thank you Jatson. Artheen, go attend to your studies. This sounds like business."

"Yes Sir" both Jatson and Artheen replied. Admiral Kranmar made a b-line for his office.

-- 5 minutes hence---

When Kranmar was back in his office which overlooked the docking bay he closed the shutters so the room appeared to have solid steel walls. He patched in to his communication network and began to broadcast in the direction where Jatson's print had indicated the message came from. Turning on a camera to face him, whoever saw it would see Admiral Kranmar's square and olive toned face with his curly brown hair neatly tucked under his white and blue Tombstone cap. His visible uniform was a white and golden piped jacket with a black chest cover decorated with the insignia of his rank and service.

With a display of the message from Governor Reed to one side, the Admiral would speak the following with a polite smile.

Code: Select all: +--- The Mind Empire of Hame, In Concordance with the Queens' Alliance, the Imperator of San, and the Allied Ombroj Tribes---+ +--- Office of the Overlord of Velorum Annex Sector, and 5th Order of the Armada Admiral Tevron Kranmar---+ Planetary Governor Flavius Reed, Greetings and Good Fortune. I am Admiral Kranmar, officer of the Mind Imperial Armada and Sector Overlord of the Velorum Annex. If I am reading your tone correctly you wish to speak with me with some urgency. I see also that your fleet is stationed nearby. My office is the highest authority within reach, and I command the forces present in this system. You may speak with me and speak freely if you must detail private information. I assure you all my lines are secure due to the nature of my dual roles. I request this audience take place before I allow your vessels entry. All entering parties save sanctioned merchant vessels and military ships must enter by way of the planet Tivo. Seeing as your vessels are military in nature: if the threat you speak of is great enough I will send my scouts to escort you in. Otherwise, we can arrange an alternative way to deal with the current issue. Please patch in as soon as possible. Sincerely, Admiral Kranmar.

by **Sub Sector Protractis** » Mon Mar 09, 2020 7:33 am

Code: Select all: +--- The Mind Empire of Hame, In Concordance with the Queens' Alliance, the Imperator of San, and the Allied Ombroj Tribes---+ +--- Office of the Overlord of Velorum Annex Sector, and 5th Order of the Armada Admiral Tevron Kranmar---+ Planetary Governor Flavius Reed, Greetings and Good Fortune. I am Admiral Kranmar, officer of the Mind Imperial Armada and Sector Overlord of the Velorum Annex. If I am reading your tone correctly you wish to speak with me with some urgency. I see also that your fleet is stationed nearby. My office is the highest authority within reach, and I command the forces present in this system. You may speak with me and speak freely if you must detail private information. I assure you all my lines are secure due to the nature of my dual roles. I request this audience take place before I allow your vessels entry. All entering parties save sanctioned merchant vessels and military ships must enter by way of the planet Tivo. Seeing as your vessels are military in nature: if the threat you speak of is great enough I will send my scouts to escort you in. Otherwise, we can arrange an alternative way to deal with the current issue. Please patch in as soon as possible. Sincerely, Admiral Kranmar.

Governor Reed and Vicanni were surprised at the prompt response from the local authorities, a Admiral Kranmar of the Mind Empire.

"Vicanni, secured transmission please to the Admiral." said Reed

Code: Select all: +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++IMPERIAL MILITARY COMMUNIQUE++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++To:Admiral Kranmar++++ +++From: Governor Reed+++ ++Subject: Threat to stable governance imposed by the Luminaries Cult + + + + Admiral Kranmar, Well met sir, I do hope I have not unduly inconvenienced you with this sudden issue. What is to be shared in this communique is of a restricted nature and as such I would request that any dissemination be withheld pending further discourse. About 6 standard years ago, Polemon noticed an increase of several sporadic cults calling themselves the Illuminated Children or Luminaries for short. In compliance with Imperial directives members of the Eccessarchy attempted to investigate the nature of the beliefs and ensure that the teachings were in compliance with Imperial Creed mandates. After several months and reports of Eccessarchy investigators disappearing Enforcers were directed to act as armed escorts for the investigators. Several patrols were attacked what appeared to be spontaneous mobs. Only after several Precincts of Enforcers were forced into a defensive containment posture did the truth of the matter become apparent. The mobs were raved followers of the Illuminated Children who's leadership had directed them to contain the precincts of Enforcers and to move on the Hive 's Generator banks and Armories. I ordered the Planetary Defense Force to deploy and with some difficulty a loose quarantine zone was established. Our troops being more suited to open land combat and defensive urban combat were hard pressed to make use of their Armor assets while still keeping the populace safe. As the fighting grew harder the Cult's "elite" followers were set upon my Defenders. These followers were afflicted with a contagion that grossly mutated the human form and provided enhanced combat abilities as the cost of rendering the afflicted thrall to the cult's overloads. After 45 standards days the open fighting was done and we were victorious after my Pretorians and I lead a direct attack into the sanitation systems were the cult made its home. The following time was spent rebuilding and purging any members of the Cult or those with the contagion. After extensive purges and compliance investigations the Command Staff and I were confident that that matter had been resolved. However, six months ago some Cultist sympathizers and other assorted political unfavorables were discovered aboard a trade freighter. The trade freighter was linked back to a non-Protractian guild that has offered services to a variety of clients, some of which have helped bring bands of refugees here to the Annex. Our concern is that wide range of species and the diversity of cultures in the Annex would have made it easy for these cultists to infiltrate and grow within your space. Further, we have no way of determining how long this has been occurring and seek to continue our investigation and quarantine efforts within the Annex. The following Objectives are in mind: 1. Contain the threat that Cult and its contagion presents for the stability of the region. 2. Investigate if the cult and the contagion originated in the Annex and was transported to Polemon via third parties 3.Take custody of and or Purge Protractian Cult members before they can pose a threat to the greater Sub Sector. I implore you to allow my investigation entry as the scale in which an uprising could occur with some many citizens in such close confines would be unimaginable. We were lucky, as the cult had planed to remain hidden for another decade on Polemon before attempting a coup. We fear the cult has learned and entered a deep cover here in the Annex. -Governer Reed+ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++END IMPERIAL MILITARY COMMUNIQUE++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Reed closed the transmission and it was sent to the Mind Empire's Admiral. With hope he would allow the Protractian investigation to continue overtly, otherwise the future of containing the Cult would rest on Inquisitor Armus and whatever local mercenaries he was able to employ.

by **Mercatus** » Tue Mar 10, 2020 6:51 pm

Outskirts of Velorum Annex

A small passenger vessel slipped in from a small wormhole. It had numerous signs that it had recently been attacked, including scoring from hard-light bolts and the fact that the ship was running auxiliary engines. Inside the vessel, 18 survivors of a planetary genocide were hoping and praying that the officials of the Velorum Annex would provide refuge, and they considered themselves lucky that they even knew about the annex and its coordinates. A qualified Captain was also aboard, who expertly maneuvered the vessel under heavy fire, and managed to escape with the crew's lives. Captain James Samuel was in his 70's,and had a grey mustache along with a noticeable layer of fat, but he was by no means overweight. The rest of his crew consisted of a navigator, mechanic, and 15 civilians. They had come from an independent colony world of 51 Deneb B, a little-known planet in the Small Magellanic Cloud, which had been recently been rendered uninhabitable by the Mercatusian assault on the planet after the colonists refused to allow mining by Mercatusian ships on the planet.

The Captain radioed his message for help. "Hello? Please, me and my crew desperately need help! We have a shortage of fuel and we have wounded on board. There are 18 souls currently aboard this vessel, 6 need urgent medical attention. Our home is gone, and we seek refuge. Captain James Samuel out." The Captain turned hopefully towards his navigator, "I sure hope these are the right people, and that we really can be guaranteed safety here." The navigator responded optimistically, her words reassuring the Captain, "We're gonna be fine. If we weren't wanted here, we would have been blasted to bits by now." The Captain simply nodded, and looked out of the bridge observation window.

Meanwhile

Another, smaller vessel slipped in. It was configured to look like an average explorer's craft, but inside was no explorer. Instead, a human-shaped figure made up of a grey-black substance stood next to the communications equipment. A Mercatusian creation, this robot could assume the appearance of those it scanned through prolonged visual contact. The material it was made of was a hard metal alloy broken up by microscopic seams into many scalene shapes, held together by magnetism. The robot could detach material from its body and form weapons like knives, swords, spears, and even bows, due to how it was held together. It had very good conversational skills, could run extremely fast, and had high resistance to projectiles and even some explosives. It was here to make sure the refugees didn't get the word out of what Mercatus was doing in its War of Expansion. It contacted the local authorities, claiming it had rescued some refugees from being sold into pirate slavery. "Greetings to Representatives of the Mind Empire of Lotrambe, I have recently picked up some refugees from a black market station who were about to be sold into slavery. They told me they had no home to go to, so I thought I might bring them here, see what you guys could do with them." "he" said, who had just assumed the form of a traveler in a tattered flight jacket, grey pants, and jet black hair.

by **Lotrabme** » Wed Mar 11, 2020 12:08 pm

Sub Sector Protractis wrote:
Code: Select all
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++IMPERIAL MILITARY COMMUNIQUE++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++To:Admiral Kranmar++++ +++From: Governor Reed+++ ++Subject: Threat to stable governance imposed by the Luminaries Cult + + + + Admiral Kranmar, Well met sir, I do hope I have not unduly inconvenienced you with this sudden issue. What is to be shared in this communique is of a restricted nature and as such I would request that any dissemination be withheld pending further discourse. About 6 standard years ago, Polemon noticed an increase of several sporadic cults calling themselves the Illuminated Children or Luminaries for short. In compliance with Imperial directives members of the Eccessarchy attempted to investigate the nature of the beliefs and ensure that the teachings were in compliance with Imperial Creed mandates. After several months and reports of Eccessarchy investigators disappearing Enforcers were directed to act as armed escorts for the investigators. Several patrols were attacked what appeared to be spontaneous mobs. Only after several Precincts of Enforcers were forced into a defensive containment posture did the truth of the matter become apparent. The mobs were raved followers of the Illuminated Children who's leadership had directed them to contain the precincts of Enforcers and to move on the Hive 's Generator banks and Armories. I ordered the Planetary Defense Force to deploy and with some difficulty a loose quarantine zone was established. Our troops being more suited to open land combat and defensive urban combat were hard pressed to make use of their Armor assets while still keeping the populace safe. As the fighting grew harder the Cult's "elite" followers were set upon my Defenders. These followers were afflicted with a contagion that grossly mutated the human form and provided enhanced combat abilities as the cost of rendering the afflicted thrall to the cult's overloads. After 45 standards days the open fighting was done and we were victorious after my Pretorians and I lead a direct attack into the sanitation systems were the cult made its home. The following time was spent rebuilding and purging any members of the Cult or those with the contagion. After extensive purges and compliance investigations the Command Staff and I were confident that that matter had been resolved. However, six months ago some Cultist sympathizers and other assorted political unfavorables were discovered aboard a trade freighter. The trade freighter was linked back to a non-Protractian guild that has offered services to a variety of clients, some of which have helped bring bands of refugees here to the Annex. Our concern is that wide range of species and the diversity of cultures in the Annex would have made it easy for these cultists to infiltrate and grow within your space. Further, we have no way of determining how long this has been occurring and seek to continue our investigation and quarantine efforts within the Annex. The following Objectives are in mind: 1. Contain the threat that Cult and its contagion presents for the stability of the region. 2. Investigate if the cult and the contagion originated in the Annex and was transported to Polemon via third parties 3.Take custody of and or Purge Protractian Cult members before they can pose a threat to the greater Sub Sector. I implore you to allow my investigation entry as the scale in which an uprising could occur with some many citizens in such close confines would be unimaginable. We were lucky, as the cult had planed to remain hidden for another decade on Polemon before attempting a coup. We fear the cult has learned and entered a deep cover here in the Annex. -Governer Reed+ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++END IMPERIAL MILITARY COMMUNIQUE++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Admiral Kranmar listened with emotionless but clear interest to the message. He considered the options available to him now that the gravity of the matter was known. It seemed like the people of Subsector Protractis were of a similar mind to the fanatics of his own Empire, people he tried to not let impose such strict authority on his colony. They allowed Heterodoxy of belief so long as it could be encompased in the quasi-faith, but Kranmar recognized the need to win over the refugees with other aspects of the Empire apart from it’s faith.

This cult did concern him though, and agents of the Sages like Malicon might come in handy with dealing with them. Listening to the goals of the Governor Kranmar recognized that there were some things which he felt might overstep his own authority here. He would have to be polite about it, but he wasn’t going to let them walk over him to expedite what seemed like their problem.

His reply was as followed:

Code: Select all: +++ The Office of 5th Order Admiral Kranmar +++ Governor Reed, I believe I now understand the gravity of your situation, and I thank you for being clear with me about the apparent threat these Luminaries pose. However, for some points of clarity on my end: I have not had any report from my security or any of the civilian arms of local government that sleeper cells or mutations of the kind you are describing are present in the Annex. That does not mean that they are not in hiding as you say. However, I would be hard pressed to think they originated here and did nothing while they moved ahead to Polemon and caused a system wide calamity. That being said, I have no evidence to contradict your statements, and I will allow you to conduct a search because I see that the Luminaries are a group that requires extradition and elimination. To do so however, you may not bring the full power of your forces into this system, and if you'll hear my reasoning for forbidding your entry this is it: The refugees and inhabitants of this system rely on the image of security my presence and the presence of the Armada gives them. Since a decade ago when we settled this system we have had no incursions of this kind, and I intend to keep the public's image of it's overall security that way. In addition, your forces being present will either draw the Luminaries into the open which might cause greater damage than you or I would wish, they might also escape to another system and we will lose them entirely. While I wont let you bring your full forces in, I will bring my mothership to you. There, we can discuss in person how we wish to proceed. I want this done with a level of... shall we say quietness? I have agents, partly disconnected from myself but carrying my approval and my trust, who can assist you in the matter of rooting out the luminaries. With their help, you and I wont draw unwanted public attention to ourselves which could compromise the safety of the search. If you have any questions, you can speak to me in person within the hour when our vessels meet. I hope this arrangement is suitable to you. Sincerely, Admiral Kranmar.

Alongside the message he attached the signature and coordinates of his C-2 Carrier Galleon, a several kilometer large diamond shaped vessel with folded holds for numerous smaller vessels. As he said, within the hour, the vessel would perform a precise jump to the location of the Subsector Protractus fleet with weapons cooled and in a friendly position for ship to ship communication.

by **Lotrabme** » Wed Mar 11, 2020 12:26 pm

Mercatus wrote: "Hello? Please, me and my crew desperately need help! We have a shortage of fuel and we have wounded on board. There are 18 souls currently aboard this vessel, 6 need urgent medical attention. Our home is gone, and we seek refuge. Captain James Samuel out."

Dontian Garma was working the radio communication tower at Saint Ellis Station, the central command center of the Tivo reception center for the Velorum Annex. When the static cleared and he could understand the speech coming through he decided to directly respond.

Code: Select all: ---This is Saint Ellis Station, Velorum Annex do you copy? --- --- If you can hear me, please proceed to Moon 03 for medical services. Your ship will be able to refuel, you will just need to follow our standard docking protocol. The coordinates are being pinged to you now.---

Dontian had just sent the coordinates and data instructions to the incoming vessel, when he was pinged with another message from a different vessel. When he saw the message for the first was received he sent a message to the second ship.

Code: Select all: --- This is Saint Ellis Station, Velorum Annex do you copy?--- --- You've found the right place. For further services you can proceed to Moon 04 for standard immigrant services. Your passengers can be offloaded there and you can find ship services in the orbital stations there.---

Both vessels would proceed to different moons orbiting the same gas giant. The green and blue superstorm covered world of Tivo. It's moons were barren orbs of Rock and Ice illuminated by twin red suns and covered in newly built habitat stations and burrowed with tunnel cities for the incoming residents of the system. At the 4th and 5th Lagrange points of Tivo and it's suns there were fields of ship junk and at the 1st and 2nd closer to the planet there were the "toll booths," designated gates into the civilian inhabited zone of the Velorum Annex.

by **Sub Sector Protractis** » Sun Mar 15, 2020 3:49 pm

Landing area, Gram's World

Inquisitor Hector Armus and staff

The Gun Cutter of Armus had been allowed entry with the access codes provided by the Ombroj merchants and the private pad that was "closed for maintenance" would provide a veil from intrusive eyes. The rent paid to the Ombroj was one and one half the rate the raiders had asked for, the addition 50% was for the local raider clan to remain on retainer for Armus should he need local assistance.

Armus' staff would first establish some form of billeting for the duration of the operation preferable from landlords that didn't ask any questions of the occupants. The investigation would start in the underworld of Gram's World, dependent on local criminal elements being aware of any Luminary activity. Armus turned to the Ombroj who was sent to collect payment and stated "Your seniors have proven very reliable, I was hoping that I may meet them or acquire a local guide on this world to help me.....flow freely we could say."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Velorum Annex buffer Space

Polemon flotilla, Flagship of Planetary Governor Flavius Reed The Sound Eternal

Reed instructed his communication staff to to send the following reply:

Code: Select all: +++++IMPERIAL SHORT FORM TRANSMISSION+++++++ +++Good Admiral, I look forward to making your acquaintance directly, we will be standing by for your arrival and further direction.+++ ++In His Service++ +Flavious Reed+ ++++++++++++||||||||||||||+++++++++++++++++++

The flotilla lowered its primary void shields and placed weapons battery status to 50% maintaining its holding pattern for Admiral Kranmar's arrival.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Rico Mundi surface, Present

Cities always displayed the very best and very worst of habitation, the tall buildings, bright lights, and all the entertainment one could consume. Under the gilded surface however, every citizen and occupant knew there was a darker side to the urban sprawl. The hunger, homelessness, crime, violence, all covered under a shallow veneer of order. All of it, just simmering like water about to boil, just waiting for a slight increase in temperature. The Illuminated Children arrived to safeguard and harbor the weak, defenseless non-believers. Several years ago, before the conversion of Polemon could be prepared they were driven from their home by non-believers led by the arrogant and genocidal Flavious Reed.

At least that's what the elders said to the new initiates.

Rico Mundi offered the children a unique opportunity, a world with so many different species and religions was an easy one to disappear into indeed. It started simply, the occasional disappearance of naive sub-urban dwellers who just ended up in the wrong part of the city. The young and bright students who yearned to learn and take part in new experiences. The hungry who could be fed and given shelter in the warm embrace of the Illuminated Children, or as they called themselves now, the Disciples of the Eternal Star. Their more normal "missionaries" had made great gains in spreading the word and had even gained support for a mega temple to be built in each of Rico Mundi's three primary cities. This of course was just the initial stage as building had not yet begun, but the the Disciples public appearance had been cemented as a welcoming, if private religious group.

Below the surface however, the Disciples enforced protection of their followers. Local criminals gone, gangs and the crime they brought with them disappeared. The Disciples temples, once in dangerous parts of the urban sprawl became beacons of hope and safety for the local neighborhood. programs to assist the masses in finding jobs off world began to flourish. Poor and desperate urban dwellers, refugees with little to no personal connections were easy sign up for a "Three month paid Apprenticeship as a ship docking assistant."

In a mere 30 to 40 years, every trade ship in the sector would have technicians trained by the Disciples manning their maintenance bays. I return for this training, all they members had to do was refer fellow voidsmen to the to the temple.

Faith was alive and well on Rico Mundi.

by **Mercatus** » Sun Mar 15, 2020 10:02 pm

Lotrabme wrote:
Mercatus wrote: "Hello? Please, me and my crew desperately need help! We have a shortage of fuel and we have wounded on board. There are 18 souls currently aboard this vessel, 6 need urgent medical attention. Our home is gone, and we seek refuge. Captain James Samuel out."

Dontian Garma was working the radio communication tower at Saint Ellis Station, the central command center of the Tivo reception center for the Velorum Annex. When the static cleared and he could understand the speech coming through he decided to directly respond.

Code: Select all
---This is Saint Ellis Station, Velorum Annex do you copy? --- --- If you can hear me, please proceed to Moon 03 for medical services. Your ship will be able to refuel, you will just need to follow our standard docking protocol. The coordinates are being pinged to you now.---

Dontian had just sent the coordinates and data instructions to the incoming vessel, when he was pinged with another message from a different vessel. When he saw the message for the first was received he sent a message to the second ship.

Code: Select all
--- This is Saint Ellis Station, Velorum Annex do you copy?--- --- You've found the right place. For further services you can proceed to Moon 04 for standard immigrant services. Your passengers can be offloaded there and you can find ship services in the orbital stations there.---

Both vessels would proceed to different moons orbiting the same gas giant. The green and blue superstorm covered world of Tivo. It's moons were barren orbs of Rock and Ice illuminated by twin red suns and covered in newly built habitat stations and burrowed with tunnel cities for the incoming residents of the system. At the 4th and 5th Lagrange points of Tivo and it's suns there were fields of ship junk and at the 1st and 2nd closer to the planet there were the "toll booths," designated gates into the civilian inhabited zone of the Velorum Annex.

Captain James Samuel's Vessel

"Oh, thank God!" the Captain exclaimed after hearing the message. The coordinates were shown on the navigation display, and haste was made to chart a course.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" the Captain asked.

"What's beautiful?" asked Lilith, the vessel's navigator.

"The gas giant I mean. It's beautiful, the green and blue bands, and the storm. I can see the lighting in the atmosphere from here."

"Yeah, I guess it's beautiful. I just hope we are safe in this system." Lilith replied.

"Well, the Mercatusians didn't follow us here, so we should be good, right?" the Captain inquired.

Lilith looked at the Captain, "I don't know, James, something just doesn't feel right. I feel like we never truly lost them, that something related to them is here, in this system. You saw their stealth tech, as well as their incredibly convincing infiltration robots." she said.

The Captain thought on this, "I don't know. I have to admit I have many questions myself. Only time will tell."

Moon 03

After the vessel had landed, the access ramp came down. The 6 wounded displayed horrific wounds, which were mostly burns of differing severity and effect, with some having melted the skin, and others having taken off limbs. They were carried on makeshift stretchers by the other passengers. A small child, no more than 3 or 4, stood at the end of the ramp, clutching a teddy bear and with dried tears visible on her face. She was accompanied by an older kid, presumably 14-16, who stood beside her, his arm around her shoulder. The Captain and navigator came out last, and looked around for anyone who looked like they were coming to assist.

Moon 04

The disguise vessel rapidly approached the hangar, having sent no reply after clearance to dock was given. It was a very dangerous speed for a hangar approach, and would likely result in a crash.

Closer...

Closer...

CRASH!

The ship slammed into the hangar floor, erupting into flames. The ship was very small, so it wouldn't damage anything besides the immediate area. From the area where the cockpit once was, a figure emerged from the flames. It had a grey-black color to it, and was completely opaque. There were no facial features, just a smooth, featureless, humanoid shape.

Most confounding of all, it emerged unscathed. This would likely cause much confusion and security issues.

by **Lotrabme** » Sun Mar 22, 2020 5:17 pm

Sub Sector Protractis wrote:Landing area, Gram's World

Inquisitor Hector Armus and staff

The Ombroj representative who had been sent to the inquisitor seemed on the outside a typical member of his species. He was round and hairy, with pointed ears and thin small eyes hidden behind protective lids from bright sunlight that only ever could be seen in the dark. He waddled toward them in the derelict hangar they had rented and brushed his brown fur with bearlike claws. The only clothing he wore was a golden necklace with pearls and sapphires embedded and a bandoleer with pockets wrapped around one shoulder. He stood five feet two inches tall.

Contrary to this beastly figure, he spoke a refined dialect which translated easily into low gothic for the convenience Inquisitor Armus. How he spoke through his trunk the inquisitor might not comprehend but the sound came anyway. "Hector Armus correct? Well sir, I can offer you two choices. Both would serve a man like yourself, it depends only upon your choice."

"The first is to meet my higher ups now and start your hunt later. I can take you to our compound in the Canyon City where you and your team here can rest for a bit and we can provide you with our intel. We also have food if that interests you. Your other choice is to go ahead to the Canyon City on your own and start looking for your charges on your own. I can tell you where some of the folk turning Luminist are living. I can also give you a contact who can show you to them now under cover. This same contact is currently at our compound, the choice is only different in how fast you want to proceed."

"The one constant is that I need the pay. A deal is a deal, and Ombroj honor their contracts. Don't worry about your ship. This hangar is chartered with us and Numon's repo-men won't get wise until our contract for it runs out, and I think you all will be long gone before that's a problem."

______________________________________________________________________________________Velorum Annex buffer Space

Polemon flotilla, Flagship of Planetary Governor Flavius Reed The Sound Eternal

Reed instructed his communication staff to to send the following reply:

Code: Select all
+++++IMPERIAL SHORT FORM TRANSMISSION+++++++ +++Good Admiral, I look forward to making your acquaintance directly, we will be standing by for your arrival and further direction.+++ ++In His Service++ +Flavious Reed+ ++++++++++++||||||||||||||+++++++++++++++++++

The flotilla lowered its primary void shields and placed weapons battery status to 50% maintaining its holding pattern for Admiral Kranmar's arrival.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile......

The great carrier vessel entered a resting pattern at a safe distance from the flotilla, and Kranmar decided he would request entry to the flotilla. This Governor reed was likely a man who knew how to be a good host. Kranmar also wanted to get a feel for the man and his subordinates. As a military commander, he knew how to assess a situation on his feet.

He brought with him the Malluman Werox Honbeya of Clan Sorn and the Sage's errand boy, Ian Malicon. Being an agent of the Quasi-Faith and of the executives, Malicon could tell something was amiss when Kranmar made moves to leave and tagged along. Since both men were concerned about the safety of the colony and the Empire as a whole, they felt they should come as a team. Honbeya Sornee was present because she was one of Kranmar's chief commanders of the Malluman clans and auxiliary security forces. If they had need of covert hunters, she could provide them.

They took a Cherubim Transport across the short gulf toward the Governor's vessel, and requested permission to dock. Should permission have been granted, they would exit the craft and proceed to where they would meet the governor face to face.

For the denizens of the Sub Sector, they would find the Hamans to be very close to baseline Humanity, almost identical. The only difference might be certain tiny quirks in their form. Lankiness, and a certain look in the eye. If the Governor or his agents could tell, they were also psychic. Such could not be said for the Malluman, but she towered over her already tall Haman counterparts, standing at 9 feet and three inches. She was like a humanoid therapod in form with red and yellow scales and bright teal eyes.

Rico Mundi surface, Present

The Illuminated Children's church projects had not gone unnoticed by the general populace or the local government of Rico Mundi. The planet did not have a strong Church Inquisition office yet, so the local sages were not want to enforce any sort of orthodoxy here at the current time. However, some of the more devout or more bigoted of the Haman and Malluman immigrants from the core and other colonies of the Empire looked on the outsider evangelists with some suspicion.

It was only when the Illuminated Children, calling themselves and their new converts Luminist's in this new environment, recognized (at least through lip service) the divine nature of the Holy Ghost and the prophecies of Balazar the Blessed that they started to convert Mind Imperials. Some of the aliens and far flung immigrants who could not provide for themselves jumped in faster, and soon it became socially acceptable to be a Luminist, as it was to be a Zensuffi, a Mentality Reformer, a Clear-Pathist, or a member of the Temple of Natural Spirits and Saints- all recognized split denominations of the Quasi-Faith.

How the Illuminated Children would deal with an openly psychic population of Humanity would be up to them. But there was fertile ground to hybridize with, and soon enough some families found themselves to have relatives with extra limbs and odd complexions. Since hybridization wasn't common in the Mind Empire, this was seen as a novelty which some gene-therapists and doctors were eager to explore, but per the sensitive nature of "religious freedoms" in this particular colony, it was something they were not allowed to openly order.

So far, the Luminists had not proven a threat to society, so the Sages and their paltry local inquisitors were not concerned with them. The criminal underbelly silently forming a new branch of the black market however saw them as a threat since they were taking otherwise easy targets and giving them a support network. This made the church some enemies it would find it could not afford, enemies who might call in favors in high places...

For now though, the Illuminated Children might see themselves as having made an easy break from their near extinction.

by **Lotrabme** » Sun Mar 22, 2020 6:12 pm

Mercatus wrote:Captain James Samuel's Vessel

"Oh, thank God!" the Captain exclaimed after hearing the message. The coordinates were shown on the navigation display, and haste was made to chart a course.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" the Captain asked.

"What's beautiful?" asked Lilith, the vessel's navigator.

"The gas giant I mean. It's beautiful, the green and blue bands, and the storm. I can see the lighting in the atmosphere from here."

"Yeah, I guess it's beautiful. I just hope we are safe in this system." Lilith replied.

"Well, the Mercatusians didn't follow us here, so we should be good, right?" the Captain inquired.

Lilith looked at the Captain, "I don't know, James, something just doesn't feel right. I feel like we never truly lost them, that something related to them is here, in this system. You saw their stealth tech, as well as their incredibly convincing infiltration robots." she said.

The Captain thought on this, "I don't know. I have to admit I have many questions myself. Only time will tell."

Moon 03

After the vessel had landed, the access ramp came down. The 6 wounded displayed horrific wounds, which were mostly burns of differing severity and effect, with some having melted the skin, and others having taken off limbs. They were carried on makeshift stretchers by the other passengers. A small child, no more than 3 or 4, stood at the end of the ramp, clutching a teddy bear and with dried tears visible on her face. She was accompanied by an older kid, presumably 14-16, who stood beside her, his arm around her shoulder. The Captain and navigator came out last, and looked around for anyone who looked like they were coming to assist.

To the likely relief of the party, there was a team of attendants on standby. Several carried stretchers. They were a party composed primarily of Hamans and Mallumans and androids. Picking up the most grievously wounded, the stretcher carriers took them to the severe injury wards. Along with the medical team came the "civilian ambassador" a Haman man who introduced himself as Rebeno Durlos. He was a tall, smooth faced, black haired fellow with ice blue irises and a tall head. He extended his hand to the Captain and Navigator and other "leaders" of this group and Welcomed them.

In addition to the usual form of greetings, he assured them "we are taking your wounded to the emergency wards to be cared for. We have some of the finest nano-technology for cell level repairs. We can offer both cybernetic and organic replacements for lost limbs and organs as well. You'll be able to meet them after security and wellness screening. For those of you in good health, you can follow me to our screening areas and we will take you to the general lobby where you can get anything you need, supplies, food, information pamphlets. I'm available for any questions you have."

He would bid the group follow him to the screening queues and the lobby afterword, and along the way he would be open to any questions they had.

Moon 04

The disguise vessel rapidly approached the hangar, having sent no reply after clearance to dock was given. It was a very dangerous speed for a hangar approach, and would likely result in a crash.

Closer...

Closer...

CRASH!

The ship slammed into the hangar floor, erupting into flames. The ship was very small, so it wouldn't damage anything besides the immediate area. From the area where the cockpit once was, a figure emerged from the flames. It had a grey-black color to it, and was completely opaque. There were no facial features, just a smooth, featureless, humanoid shape.

Most confounding of all, it emerged unscathed. This would likely cause much confusion and security issues.

The crash was obviously a disturbance to the natural flow of this moonbase. The automatic security and repair teams were launched to assess the damage. The one organic part of this team, a Haman woman named Erissa Janos figured it might have been a passed out pilot or some kind of automatic ship malfunction. She wore one of the void power armor suits issued to Sevashi-Stellaris and other Naval engineers. She was accompanied by a large ship-tugging droid with crab arms and a single large eyepiece, and two smaller ball-drones. The two drones were security pattern with restraints and plasma turrets. They were present in case this wasn't a drunk driving incident.

When they arrived at the crashsite however, Erissa and the drones found what appeared to be an unharmed metallic creature. Observing that the thing appeared to be completely unharmed and not alarmed at it's present situation, Erissa realized this might be a more serious threat than she first anticipated. Stopping several meters above and apart from it, Erissa and the drones tried to contact it with a loud alarm and her speaking: "IDENTIFY YOURSELF! You've crashed on our moonbase and violated security protocol. For your safety and the safety of all who enter this system, you will come with us for questioning."

The ship-tug began the work of trying to excavate the rubble of the crashed ship. Erissa sent a live feed to her superiors and comrades to make sure they were kept abreast of the situation.

"Send These, The Homeless, Tempest-Tost To Me" FT - Open

"Send These, The Homeless, Tempest-Tost To Me" FT - Open

Background of The Velorum Annex

The Admiral's Assistant

The Admiral's Assistant Part 2

Private Discussions part 1

Risks and Rewards 1

Risk and Reward 2

Risk and Reward 3

Risk and Reward Four

A Civil Government in Uncivil Times

Grinding Sands, Glittering Stars 1

Auction Day: They who buy worlds may miss small details

Hello Numon 1

The wretched refuse of your teaming shore 1

Strange Bedfellows

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