Update 4
President Frit’ide of the United Republics of Hedge has made his first visit to the colony world of Garv’n, receiving an enthusiastic welcome from the Verthomme colonists, and a polite- indeed, almost friendly reception by a delegation of Cherwals. The colony has grown significantly into a major trading station. A few enterprising natives are beginning to find significant success in producing exotic goods for the Verthomme population. On the other hand, many of them are still finding themselves marginalized by the technologically-superior newcomers. Despite this, relations between the two species are beginning to warm slightly, as they begin to discover that their radically different biologies allow them to coexist with only minimal resource squabbles.
Meanwhile, a follow-up to the cryptic response from the Choon has arrived. Responding on the same channels in which the initial Verthomme message was transmitted, the massive, kilometre-long being has identified itself as Cho|Viz|Nan, the Dreamer. It is rapidly approaching Garv’n, and has requested one individual to be presented to it, so that The Dreamer may speak.
Times are difficult for the Fudirunins. Zaff forces, led by one Herdmaster Ulm, have been using a hand-me-down fleet of ships unsuited for the fight against Zan Shamai to launch repeated raids against various peripheral research bases established by Nidkubra. Ulm has also scouted two planets occupied by these small, fuzzy aliens. The extreme sociality of the species has been further confirmed by the discovery that, as they accumulate in larger and larger groups, they become more and more aggressive and difficult for the Zaff to psychically dominate. However, the growing captive herds have thus far remained comfortably under control, having lived generations knowing nothing but their mastery by the Zaff.
Other herdmasters have continued scouring nearby space for new subject species to deliver them an edge against the immediate threat of the Zan. One such entrepreneur managed to find an exploratory Ullau vessel, seizing it and bringing the passengers back to Braniga, where they were individually dominated and sold for great prices to the higher-ranked Zaff.
With a persistence wavering on the edge of monomania, the Zan Shamai has continued his forward assault against the Zaff Dominion. Huge battles have raged in the space between Glare and Wairt, leaving the area littered with sensor systems, gravity mines, and the ruins of several fleets. Growing frustrated, Shamai directed a large battlegroup to simply travel further up the galactic disc, bypassing the early warning systems and plowing downwards towards the Zaff homeworld. The defensive fleets were unable to return in time to prevent landings, but they were able to, in conjunction with the planetary defense systems, destroy much of the invading fleet. The battle on the surface caused heavy damage, as Shamai replicated the sort of suicidal attack done on Glare, but the Branigan were able to bring the situation under control, leaving only two landmasses devastated, and only one of those heavily irradiated. The debris left behind has proven to be useful for Zaff research and reverse-engineering, as they begin to get the very first crude insights into the elabourate machinery employed by the Zan.
The Tapani Republic continues its colonization efforts in the Nuxue System, which is beginning to pay off as its population grows ever larger. The Allentryen are growing increasingly convinced of the existence of alien life, given the bizarre series of clearly unnatural signals their probes over Nuxue A have been receiving. However, they have yet to contact any of these species, and fantastic speculation runs wild.
It would concern them greatly to know that one of these approaching forces is a scout of the Zaff Dominion. They might be more relieved to learn that their other undiscovered neighbours are the Tras’na. The Tal’Edra clan continues to reign supreme over Jen’Tsa, further establishing the colony of Mas’Chasi, which continues to thrive. On a darker note, the social strife amongst the lower-ranking clans continues to seed dissent and instability on the homeworld.
The Akari may finally be facing their moment to advance into the stars. Lisseth Minae, regarded by many of his contemporaries as a fool, has finally had his plans for the exploration of space approved, though not by the Democratic Autarchy. Rather, the Illegal State of Hubridia, regarded by many of its contemporaries as a load of cranks, has provided the resources to fund his grand dream.
Fehan remains generally stagnant and content as it is. Minor exploration continues along the limits of known space, but focus remains intently on the planets already under their possession. Its first peopled-expeditionary vessels have arrived in the vast nebula hiding the planet Catifah, triggering great Karronic concerns that their homeworld’s location might be discovered. All varieties of means to maintain the secret are being considered, and pre-emptive attacks on the explorers via asteroid proxies, or through electromagnetic pulses to avoid suspicions of intelligent origins of the destruction rank high on the list. Meanwhile, the First Karronic Expeditionary Group continues its long vigil, studying the Fehan from afar. A good understanding of their language, culture, physiology and technology is now in their possession, and the FKEG moves on to the next planet of which they have learned from the intercepted Fehan transmissions: Sathan.
On this planet, they find a Fehan colony and a much larger native population of Sadhilim, thus confirming their suspicions about the imperialistic nature of the Fehan. The Sadhilim agitate against their oppressors, as always, but do little of any consequence on a galactic scale. Karronic balloon probes are presently studying them, while struggling to maintain the secrecy of their presence.
The Amur Collective has dispatched further vessels to continue its patient observation of Nurm-Tok.
Unobserved by the Amur, Hess’peh has begun to advance its plans, incredibly managing to entirely remove a planet from its orbit, through use of the Inertial I’n drive. Their exact goals in this action remain unclear.
The Worshippers of Izoza continue their long vigil. Certain dissident groups within the Sgligatiki population are beginning to question whether Izoza actually does intend to lead them in his grand mission, suggesting that he in fact has no plan. Alternatively, others are beginning to wonder if Izoza’s plan is to have them lead the way on his mission. The actual content of the mission varies wildly, depending on who you ask.
The Association of Fplinmy continues to do nothing, moving along at the same glacial pace as always.
At the fringes of Fplinmy’s space, the Kog’Vlad continue to advance at a rapid pace, their planet now in the throes of early industrial development. Their Zan neighbours remain mercifully disinterested in their existence.
The Collectivity of Sanath continues extending its invitations to the Ullau, as the two races advance their relationship. Observers representing Ulla have been established on the nearest city-ships of the Collectivity, and populations of Kasekral, Nitha and Qii have been established in several of Naellae’s largest centers. Interactions thus far have been generally positive, although there have been numerous misunderstandings, as one might expect when encountering alien cultures first hand. The recent abduction of one of Ulla’s exploratory vessels has triggered great uncertainty in the population, and has lent increased public support to the idea of joining the Collectivity.
Ma’Autra continues to struggle. The survivors on Uex fight against the ever-strengthening Choon presence on the planet. Battles rage constantly against the brood of the late Watcher, but there is a sense that it is a failing fight. The Choon grow apparently without limit, and enjoy abundant sources of food on the planet. Every Choon who escapes or survives a battle with the Rax’Lauki will only continue to grow larger and stronger. The population of Choon on Uex is dropping, but their total biomass is growing as the individual survivors grow more and more powerful. There is a great fear amongst the Maus that some of the largest of these invaders will soon be able to reproduce, although too little is known of Choon life cycles to know when, or even if, this can happen.
On Au, Ma’Autra entrenches itself for the expected attack from One, who they believe will be furious for the destruction of her presumed servant, The Watcher.
The Skriv continue to be the Skriv, and do Skrivvy stuff, such as digging tunnels with masses of enslaved rivals and eating each other. Much fun is had by those who enslave and eat, less by those who are enslaved and/or eaten. The nearby Wera watches with interest.
Map
