NiNES: A Broken Galaxy

[MadDogOfMI]

No problems from me Niklas. Everything looks good.

 

[Disenfrancised]

Nice update Niklas.

I had a feeling that I was getting funny maps from NAM. It only showed their home system.

We never sent you maps, did we?

And oh yeah this is real strong complaint

To the Furians
From NAM

We are somewhat confused by your settlement of Kruger, a system that has been claimed by the NAM for several years now in order to allow us to trade with the core network. It cannot be for resource aquision as there are two systems far less dangerous and more suited to your techical skills that are closer to your homeworld, and it is unlikly it is for trade as both Ross and Alphard are better placed for that. Thus our mystification remains...

If you wish to relocate your settlement to a more congenial system we would be happy to provide assistence and funding.

We're not saying that they shouldn't colonize the system, merely indicating that was a bad idea and getting slightly worried at the huge fleet they brought in.

 

[Symphony D.]

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SOMETHING ON THE SCOPES…
KUIPER BELT, SOL, CORE WORLDS
12:54 UTC, JANUARY 13, 0013AE
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“We’ve got something on the scopes sir,” said Marsha’s voice, right in Zheng’s ear. The Captain flinched a little, turning his head slightly to one-side as if expecting to see her standing beside him and whispering like some high-schooler telling a secret. There was, of course, no one there. Zheng frowned slightly. Getting used to full comms interlink was taking some time. It’d been a lot of years since he’d been wired with cyberware and it didn’t help that his synesthesia inductors had just been upgraded at the same time either. He’d been studying their op-plan when she’d whispered in his ear to boot, too. Shaking his head a little while dispelling the myriad icons and data from his virtual vision he acknowledged “What is it, Mars?”

There was a momentary pause of silence on the other end. He knew the XO was pinging the sensor and communications hub for their analysis. Ships were a damn sight better today with the computer automation systems and intelligence they’d been rebuilding since Scurvy, but it still never hurt to have large crew. AI, no matter how smart, could only interpret so much. Icons started lingering back into his vision as he mentally reviewed the op-plan for the patrol and he had to focus to make them flee beyond the edges of his vision again. Synesthesia and virtual vision separately were bad enough; adding them of them together could almost lead to sensory overload. “Huzzah for tax-payers,” he murmured. Right then Mars’ voice came back to life in his left ear “Sorry for the delay sir, they’re having some trouble analyzing it… we don’t rightly know what it is.”

Zheng blinked and actually turned away from the display in front of him and swept his gaze across the bridge, locating the XO’s chair below and to the right. Beyond her stretched the trenches to either side of the Captain’s platform, which was at the pointed end of the upside-down T of the rows. His eye took in the dozens of headset wearing figures at their posts, the gleam of their console lights, displays, diagrams, and projections, even the main holoprojector hovering above the rows, everything tinged the soft green of operational running lights, but his mind took in none of it. He stared at Mars for a minute, watching her go through communications with the rest of the Command Staff. He formed his question in his mind, and then asked it “What do you know?”

“Whatever it is there’s only one, and it’s coming in from deep space, sir,” said Mars right into his ear, before adding “We only just picked up its plasma emissions because it’s on a low thrust trajectory into the system and the Kuiper Belt’s giving it a lot of cover—no signals transmissions, it’s running silent.”

Zheng pulled up his command options and opened his datalinks, patching himself into Mars’ datalinks to see and hear what she was seeing and hearing. He was deluged with voices, images, and readouts almost instantly. Every time he did this it gave him renewed understanding of the skill with which she did her job. He begin manually reducing his own selection of channels down to Analysis, direct sensor input, Tactical, and Comms, keeping the line with Mars open in case pertinent news came from elsewhere. He listened in for a moment before bringing up Comms, stating “Open general hail of inbound vessel.”

“Yes, sir,” came the smooth reply, and he could hear, see, and read the transmission going out all at once, repeating endlessly “Unknown vessel, this is the United Systems Ship Victoria—you are entering the sovereign United Systems Commonwealth territory of Sol System and are in violation of identification and communication protocols; state your origin, status and intentions immediately please.”

Zheng muted the voices for a minute, ignoring the flashing of the various icons as new entries popped up and moved his digital hand to the ship’s processor link. As he tapped it he found himself immersed in the soft and subtle scent of jasmine. Victoria had always had a somewhat strange sense for reassuring her officers in troubled situations—Zheng still wasn’t sure he liked it. Then again, every ship tended to have its own quirks. “Something’s wrong, Vicky,” he said, “Invaders don’t come from interstellar space.”

A soft voice right between his ears stated “That’s quite correct, Captain Li, unless your opponent in question is far more advanced and economically equipped than you wish to believe.”

Zheng frowned a little, able to hear the smile in the words, almost see it. “That would seem unlikely given what we know of the potential of the the factions; I doubt aliens up and decided to invade at this moment either given a better chance existed a few years ago.”

Victoria almost seemed to shrug in response but stated “An accurate analysis of the probability, Captain Li—it is indeed more likely that it is simply a ship reentering the system from an STL voyage, given its current velocity and course.”

Zheng paused at the thought. He had considered it himself, but… “Nobody has gone STL in the core for decades.”

Victoria responded calmly “It is likely it was an emergency voyage then; perhaps brought on by the outbreak of the Scourge epidemic—maybe the crew sought security in deep space and plotted a high eccentricity orbit to bring them back once it was over.”

Zheng quietly raised an eyebrow at the possibility. Mars’ icon was still dark. “An intriguing scenario,” he said, before stating “However we are receiving no reply from the vessel; what do you rate its probability as?”

“Given available data,” said Vicky, “17%.”

“And the rest,” asked Zheng.

“Expand odds to 24% if crew mortality presumed; 9% odds of various lesser scenarios; 13% odds intentional voyage by crew for unknown reasons unrelated to Scourge, 2% odds of utterly unknown origin, 52% odds vessel was infected by Scourge but control systems were rendered ineffective and it was locked into a long burn orbit,” she stated with that same cool professionalism.

Zheng’s eyebrows shot up at the last proposition. “Thank you, Vicky,” he said hurriedly, and closed the connection right as she intoned “Any time, Captain Li.”

He immediately brought back up the links he was tapped into and despite the more specific throughput once again found himself in a torrent of information. He heard Comms informing the XO of no continued communication but ignored it, linking into the ship-wide communication relay. Once he was connected he stated flatly “This is Captain Li, we are moving to Defense Condition 2; this is a red alert, all personnel to action stations.”

An instant after the words “red alert” left his lips the soft green of the bridge cycled to a bright crimson and status alert klaxons began to sound with spinning yellow strobes. Several displays echoed “DEFCON 2: Red Alert” in red text on black and immediately the bridge erupted into activity. He repeated the last part to make sure his message was clear, not that it was necessary “Repeat, this is a red alert, all personnel to action stations—this is not a drill.”

All across the ship personnel sprang into frenzied action as they rushed to and fro to their stations. Turrets swiveled to life as their targeting systems began searching for targets, comms systems extended out to pick up maximum gain, engine heat-sinks spread out like feathers across the aft of the ship—the Victoria came to life as it prepared for combat, a predator awakened.

Zheng withdrew connection from the relay and immediately brought up Comms again, stating with finality “Get me contact with the rest of White Fleet immediately.”

 

[Kozmos]

Great update Nik. Awaiting PM with great joy.

 

[Erik Mesoy]

From: Emergents of Providence
To: Cybran Dominion & Democratic Autarchy of Huris

We are interested in finishing our galactic cartography research and as such request to trade maps with you.

(OOC: Once the PMs arrive, of course. )

 

[MadDogOfMI]

Offices of the Regent, Conclave Hall
Blight

Two men occupied the suite. The one sitting behind the desk, wearing robes of red – the color of spilled blood – and black was older, his hair and beard black shot through with white was idly adjusting the cross around his neck as the other man gave his report. Standing, the other man dressed in a white paramilitary dress uniform with little in the way of decoration - only showing a golden long sword lapel pin on each side of his collars and over his right breast – was clearly decades younger than the other man but was himself no youth.

“… so I don’t believe they are a threat to our dominion at this time but we’ll have to remain vigilant regardless. Given Democrats claims and supposed resources, we’d be at a significant disadvantage should conflict break out between us.” Said the standing man in white.

Brow furrowed in thought, the other man spoke. “Yet we have no confirmation whatsoever that their strength is anything like they claim. I’ve staked myself out naked over this agreement you’ve committed me to Alastar. The Crusaders are agitated enough without handing them this kind of ammunition. I’m afraid that this will give them the opening amongst the Cardinals we’ve been trying to deny them.”

“I know your Grace, I can…”

Regent McManus interrupted his Paladin before he could finish. “No, Alastar you will not throw yourself on a sword for me. This challenge to my authority was inevitable, you’ve simply brought it to the here and now instead of some point in the near future. In a way, you’ve done us a favor. We have few ships that we can readily give them right now. Actually now that I think of it, we can give them the new Cruiser. They aren’t familiar with a ship of that size and it’ll buy us at least another cycle, maybe as many as three before they have enough men trained to crew more ships.”

“I see your Grace. I still believe I should…”

Interrupting again, his voice raised in anger the Regent continues. “Yes, yes activate their implants and ash the bodies. Alastar, how many times do we have to beat this dead horse. The Crusade is far too entrenched a movement amongst the Wrath to purge as a mere insurrection. The time where we could have dealt with them with the implants passed years ago. The best we can do is attempt to deflect their ambitions and mold them to a form more of our liking. Of course that presumes I will be around for awhile longer which is no certainty itself. No Alastar. No further talk of purging them root and branch.”

“Yes your Grace. Is there anything else?”

“No,” said the Regent “Go home and see your family Alastar. I appreciate you giving your report in person but your family needs to see you. It may well be I will have to send you forth again soon so get all the time with them as you can.”

Watching the Paladin withdraw, then waiting for the door the close the Regent let the room’s silence engulf him. Standing up and walking over to a display screen imbedded in the wall, it’s picture that of a courtyard far from the inner sanctum of his offices. Letting himself feel his age and tiredness for but a second, Regent McManus chuffs quietly to himself then returns to his desk.

 

[TerrisH]

To Kalia
It appears our trade for Terraforming fell through. we are curious if the break happened on your ende, or if it happened on route.

 

[Niklas]

OOC: The deal didn't go through because the two of you wrote so different things in what you had agreed upon. Synch it better next time.

 

[Nylan]

To: Nekomi
From: Kalia

Apparently transmissions were garbled. We have done nothing to break off the trade.

 

[Erik Mesoy]

To: Kalia
From: Emergents

We would like to purchase Terraforming. Can we offer Elerium Fusion and Gate Forwarding?

 

[Nylan]

To: Emergents
From: Kalia

That depends on the tech levels of such technologies.

 

[TerrisH]

To Kalia
Ah, it appears part of the deal was not sent on our part. full appologies. the remaining part will be sent as soon as we can.

OOC:
Nylan's orders were right, mine were wrong. whops, lefts something out, and we will try again this turn.

 

[Lord_Iggy]

From: Emergents of Providence
To: Cybran Dominion & Democratic Autarchy of Huris

We are interested in finishing our galactic cartography research and as such request to trade maps with you.

(OOC: Once the PMs arrive, of course. )

Huris is, as always, willing to trade its starmap information.

 

[Erik Mesoy]

To: Kalia
From: Emergents

We have offered equal value.
(OOC: Terraforming is Tier-4, 100PP, Elerium Fusion and Gate Forwarding are tier-3, 50PP.)

 

[Massive Attack]

TO: Nekomi
FROM: Colonial Federation of Sezuren

It is my understanding our paths of peaceful expansion and settlement have created a situation that I believe should be resolved as quickly and as amiably as possible.

First, as a purely procedural matter, we do not recognize your claim on the system MIZAR. Further we state our own claim to the MIZAR system. We also emphasize our claims on the PROPUS and CANCRI systems accordingly.

Having said that, we are fully willing to negotiate its disposition and preemptively diffuse any tension that could arise should we not facilitate a settlement. If you would so like, my government is willing to arrange a meeting to negotiate an agreement.

I look forward to hearing your reply,

Calvin Williston
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Colonial Federation of Sezuren

 

[TerrisH]

To the Colonials.

we are willing to Co-settle the System.

 

[BananaLee]

Æsir Power Armour - Part 1


Official Transcript of Operation Musclebound, Experiment 45-B, 8th day of Eros, 12YM

Experiment Summary: Professor Atlas and Team Musclebound - consisting of five section leaders and 14 assistants - are testing a new type of myomer bundle, smaller and requiring less motivating energy than previous models. The new myomer bundle, dubbed "The Schwarzenegger Bicep," was a collection of myomer strings interwoven with a new, electrically soluble nerve circuitry. The team hoped this would solve a problem that had plagued them for the past ten months: the uncoordinated contraction of individual myomer fibers, resulting in uncontrollable and useless twitching.

The myomer bundle, about two meters long and ten centimeters thick, was attached to the test harness, which was little more than a universal gym system using lead weights from a local health spa. The myomer bundle was attached with one end anchored to the concrete floor and the other to the pulley system of the test harness so that, if the contraction succeeded, the strength of the bundle could be measured by how much the bindle could lift.

Atlas: Is everything all set? Unauthorized personnel out?...Everyone behind the safety barriers?...All right. Good luck, everyone. O.K. Devers, charge the myomer bundle.
Devers: Myomer bundle charge at 100 percent.
Atlas: Trethers, measuring instruments ready?
Trethers: Yes, sir.
Atlas: Fine. Iona, turn on the cameras. Countdown from five, four, three, two, one, discharge.

[Professor Atlas pushed the discharge switch. Immediately, all the potential energy stored in the myomer bundle became one swift and powerful contraction as the electric current traveled through it. The new myomer bundle composition of "Schwarzenegger's Bicep" contracted into a mass one-tenth its original size. It ripped the thick metal tubing of the test harness to shreds, causing ten-kilogram lead weights to be tossed into the air like confetti. Some of the scientists had to run for their lives to avoid the falling weights.]

Atlas: My God. Am I hallucinating?
Trethers: Professor, the contraction was off the scale of my instruments!
Atlas: Which means what?
Trethers: A pull of over one metric ton!
Atlas: I think it's time to get rip-snorting drunk, don't you?

 

[Nylan]

Enter Ardus​

“What the frik are you doing, Ardus?! Your altitude is dropping fast! We’re under strict orders not to perform acrobatics while on duty! Ardus you idiot!”….she shook her head. I swear one of these days he’s gonna get killed.

“Take a chill pill, will ya babe? It’s fun!” and with that Ardus went into a barrel roll. He really was showing off. As he raced above the lush, green landscape of Amadeus, the glistening lakes and the engulfing forests, he wondered if there was anything quite this beautiful this side of Sol.

Shannon, however, did not notice the trees. Nor did she notice the lakes. The whole of her being was channeling anger towards the tiny speck on the horizon that was Ardus. Oh how she hated him. He could never follow orders, he disrespected his superiors, he was brash and hotheaded, in short he was a commanding officer’s worst nightmare. Therefore it was natural that an order-loving kissup like Shannon would want to beat him over the head with the nearest rifle every time she saw him. On that note she punched the throttle, in order to catch up with the daredevil and perhaps keep him from doing something else equally stupid.

“You know…I never quite realized how pretty clouds are…they’re all like…they’re all like…”

“Like what?”

“like fluffy and stuff.”

Shannon rolled her eyes. “Okay, I think you’ve spent just a little too much time flying at high speeds and altitudes. We need to get you home before you revert to the intelligence of a five year old…” The thing with these old reconstructed clunkers was that they were not self-contained, and they had no life support. Just like the old F-22s of the pre-colonial times, one could black out from lack of oxygen or too many Gs.

“Pssht! No way! I bet you can’t catch me!” Just as Shannon drew up level with Ardus, he took off again, this time heading east, towards the mountains of Kalianna.

Not again…she thought. “Ardus, it’s getting late. We’re supposed to be back at base by now. Colonel Rogers will have your rear!”

Ardus laughed. “Well good! Then he can kiss it!” was his reply as he zoomed off into the burnt orange sunset. It was going to be a long, long debriefing back at base…Shannon could tell. She pursued him, watching him perform loops that in fact looked like they were encircling the sun. In fact, for a moment she was caught up in the beauty of the land as well, the only untouched area left on Kali Prime. After a few seconds, however, she came to and remembered what a royal fool Ardus was making of himself. It would not be long before he passed over the mountains and entered the valley, where Kalianna City resided in all its splendor. If someone spotted a military aircraft screwing around it would be a Court Marshall for the both of them.

“Ardus! What are you thinking?! You can’t pass those mountains or you’ll be spoted. Colonel Rogers…kitchen detail…any of this ring a bell? Ardus, turn around and head back to base NOW! That’s an ORDER!”

But on he went. She spent the next hour or so chasing him around the range, heading further and further north. The sun had finally sunken in the east and all was dark except for the shining lights of cities here and there. Thankfully he had never crossed over Kalianna City, but it still wasn’t very far away. Ardus was completely out of control. Was it the G forces? Was it stress from the rigorous training exercises they’d just been through? Was he just mad because he was ineligible to participate in the Interstellar Galactic Games? Yes…yes that must be it. The games.

Ardus had been a sporting pilot before joining the military to raise money for university. He had been a rising star, some said he was the best pilot since the Arabian War. Shannon didn’t know about that. What she did know is he was the best dang pilot in the squadron, and ever since he’d come along she’d been left high and dry, all the respect and praise she’d earned as the most talented pilot was robbed from her like a carpet from under her feet.

She had been considering talking him down, discussing the games with him and maybe convincing him that flying stunts and breaking orders wasn’t going to change the Colonel’s decision to keep him from the games. After he performed a perfect barrel roll and triple loop combination, she decided against it. The sorry kid’s gotta learn some time…

Ardus, however, was getting tired. G forces were nothing new to him, but he’d been flying at high altitudes and velocities for a few hours now, not to mention the late hour, and it was beginning to wear on him. He went into another roll, and then decided he’d go higher, take a nice look at all the city lights, and then call it a night. He jerked his joystick back, intending to pull up. What he didn’t realize, however, was that he was in fact plummeting rapidly towards the planet’s surface. The Gs had put so much strain on his mind that he no longer could feel the difference between up and down. What he thought were the stars were in fact the gleaming lights of civilization.

Shannon saw what was happening and she gasped. This was exactly why they weren’t supposed to fly acrobatics while on duty, most especially at night. “Ardus, do you read me?”…No reply. “Ardus! Can you hear me?! Break off, break off, you’re losing altitude fast! Ardus! Get out of there!”. Ardus wasn’t answering.

“Pull up! Pull up! Come on Ardus, please!” There was no reply, and time was running out. Shannon knew what she had to do. “Computer, eject cockpit of Alpha Charlie Beta.”

“Unauthorized action. Can not proceed.”

She swore under her breath…what was his code…what was his code? She thought for a second…and then figured it out. She remembered him mentioning at the bar a few nights previous that his passwords were always related to people he hated. There was one man who fit that bill perfectly.

“Override. Access code rogerssucks. Activate Alpha Charlie Beta ejection sequence”

“Proceeding…”

There was a short burst of light and Ardus was flying through the air, and after a moment his parachute was launched. Five seconds later, his plane crashed into downtown Cindar. Shannon didn’t want to think about how many people Ardus’ bad judgment had just killed. You are so dead Ardus…I may have just saved your life but I am gonna dismember you when we get back to base…

 

[Massive Attack]

To the Colonials.

we are willing to Co-settle the System.

TO: Nekomi

The Federation does not think that, at this time and juncture, such a joint settlement agreement is workable, though we entertain the possibility. Such an arangement would cause significant problems regarding juridical and jurisdictional matters to us, that cannot be discounted.

We are willing to recompense you for your efforts in placing beacons in the system, possibly more concessions, but would prefer to negotiate in a closed enviroment or meeting.

 

[jeps]

“Pull up! Pull up! Come on Ardus, please!” There was no reply, and time was running out. Shannon knew what she had to do. “Computer, eject cockpit of Alpha Charlie Beta.”

Steal from Star Wars: A New Hope much?

Porkins: "I've got a problem here."
Biggs: "Eject."
Porkins: "I can hold it."
Biggs: "Pull up!"
Porkins: "NO, I'm all ri-- Aah!"