UPDATE FIVE
Buzzing...
The entity identified as "One" scours its recent discovery, consuming raw materials from celestial objects in-system, expanding its cellular population. Meanwhile, the Amoeba home world attempts to further improve conditions and repair the damage done by One's departure, though the ecosystems remain fragile and it takes the entirety of the remaining population to prevent a total collapse.
The Bako Tellians channel resources steadily into their new colony world of Obra, taking advantage of the lush biosphere and plentiful resources. Meanwhile, their exploration of the cosmos continues in sector H/H, where a considerably less worth-while system is located, though despite its lack of comparison to Obra, it presents a bounty of mineral resources that offer a potential to be harvested. The new system, as yet unnamed, contains twin red giants circling each other, blasting radiation and heat all about the system, leaving the two small, rocky planets with little water and no atmospheres. A large gas giant orbits at a considerable distance, host to a swarm of small asteroids caught in its gravity well.
On Distopterus, the hive runs into a resource shortage as it continues to work on the Hive Ship, unable to progress much further without compromising the ship's sustainability. Near the end of the year, a new mine is prospected and digging begins, though it will be some time before this discovery truly pays off for the completion of the great vessel.
The nearby colony of Nekopterus continues to eke out a living, the small micro-hives still struggling with each other over resources, territory and workers, though there are no significant conflicts as yet. Several Thinkers coordinate their efforts to modify the remains of their colonial vessels into breeding chambers where they might manage to spawn new members of their slowly dwindling society.
The Geskani exploration of the galaxy continues to be quite interesting. The devastated and irradiated alien ruins in the coreward system are settled with a small outpost, mostly dedicated to archaeological and scientific study, though it also supports a new industry of salvage operations around the system. Back on Ges, the Fallen reorganize the social structure slightly to prepare for a greater militarization of the space program, anticipating a future of galactic chaos and warfare. In fact, within a short time after their departure from the ruined system, the Geskani exploration fleet locates a system of moderate economic interest that also happens to possess another alien fleet, already in the process of surveying the system. What will come of this meeting is unknown, but assuredly the crew of the Geskani fleet does not forget their last encounter with an alien race.
A massive exploration endeavor is undergone by the Hletho people, sending scouts in all directions from their home world. In the Hlethan home sector, I/E-Top reveals a slightly habitable, moderately productive system, including a planet just outside of the habitability zone for the red giant host star, leaving it icy and lifeless... or is it? Further study shows evidence that, following particularly active volcanic cycles, sub-surface ice liquifies and flows on the surface, carrying with it a very small variety of incredibly simple native organisms that often find themselves dwelling in aquifers underground or trapped in ice sheets just under the surface dust. This planet's atmosphere would be capable of supporting Hlethan life if accompanied with filtration masks and environmental suits. The system bearing the Galactic Standard Designation of I/E-Bottom harbors less interesting worlds, mostly barren rocks circling a red giant that is slowly seeping into a white dwarf. This system also contains a brown dwarf star in its outer reaches, which merits some study to those interested in star formation. In sector J/E-Left, a system is located that seems to have failed to truly form, the red dwarf star in its center shining bleakly over the hundreds of belts of small rocks, dust and dwarf planets. A few of these tiny worlds orbit close enough to the star to carry a small amount of heat and provide some very faint measure of natural habitability there, though any form of life attempting to live on the surface of these worlds would need a lot of help surviving. The fourth system explored by Hlethan scouts is in sector J/D-Left, and what they find there is a startling series of goings-on. At first glance, the system appears dead and lifeless, until further investigation finds ruined cities and destroyed environments on just about every world orbiting this otherwise promising yellow-orange star. Further study detects various vessels wandering about the system, traveling from derelict space stations to blasted planets, firing upon each other as well as targets on planetary surfaces. Even closer inspection shows that some of these ships are not the same, and in fact, appear to be two distinct groups of aliens. The one group seems to be far smaller, holding together in a single fleet on the other edge of the system, while the other group is traveling from world to world, derelict to derelict, firing wildly at each other with very little obvious pattern or reason. The final realization is that the smaller group is carefully approaching, while a gathering of ships from the larger group are fast encroaching on the scout, proceding with the same hostile intent that they appear to approach each other with.
The Ivking home world of Halvalla finds itself pocked with massive craters as the reigning powers-that-be turn to thermonuclear weapons as the solution to the barbarian attacks. Several population centers in the barbarian territories cease to exist, as well as particularly large groupings of barbarian forces. Little remains of Ivking civilization at this point, with most of the population displaced and war-weary, most of the cities in ruins or no longer existant, and no sign of an end coming for this struggle even still.
In the farthest reaches of the galaxy, the Kants find themselves possessed with a wanderlust as their population further decentralizes. New colonies appear as roaming bands of Kants settle in explored systems, while two new systems are explored as well. In sector B/G, a dismal system is found with only moderate resources, though the explorers still find interest in this place as they poke about the nooks and crannies of the many small, rocky bits floating about the white dwarf parent star. Meanwhile, on the opposite edge of Kant space, explorers find a largely worthless system, mostly consisting of planetary debris and a small gas giant. However, they soon realize that they have made another discovery: a massive vessel lurches out of the shadow of the gas giant, appearing on sensory system so suddenly that few of the Kants have time to react. Those that were familiar with the events in interstellar space a few years back recognize the configuration of the vessel, and the ensuing swarm of small fighter craft announces that they have encountered the same race that had slaughtered an exploratory expedition previously. Invigorated by hatred, the Kants launch themselves into battle, though it is they who take the first losses. With so little combat experience, the Kants actually find themselves taking two losses for every kill they make, and the battle soon becomes a grim sight indeed. One of them attempts an escape, though with damage to his suit, she doesn't make it far before the power systems overload, leaving her vapor to join the dust fields of the system. The remaining Kants flee soon after, successfully departing the system and heading back for home, with no sign of the aliens following them. As they made their first rest stop to cool their FTL systems, they discussed revenge...
Despite the rumblings of social unrest lying beneath the surface of Kekeji society, the stalled space program gets back on track. A new colony is founded at C/C-Bottom, largely consisting of mining companies and research firms. The exploration of the cosmos continues for the Kekeji, their ships traveling both spinward and antispinward along the two galactic arms they now occupy. Interestingly enough, the Kekeji make first contact this year; not once, but twice! In sector B/C-B, a fairly unassuming system is discovered that contains a life-bearing planet. Civilization is primitive here, barely beyond stone age technology, with tribal groupings based on complex family trees warring in the jungles and forests over territory and food. There is little to note about these people, other than the fact that much of their society is in a state of disorder and they are largely stagnant in terms of progression and development; being so small, they must even still worry about large predators as much as they must worry about opposing tribal groups. Whether or not the Kekeji will involve themselves with these people is as yet undetermined. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of Kekeji space, a far more imposing force is discovered. A fully developed star system is discovered that contains a civilization with low-level space faring technology, and yet, colonial and resource harvesting operations throughout that system are so highly efficient and productive that the Kekeji, at first, believe it to be a race of machines. Inspection of the out-lying colonies in the system show that, in fact, a biological race occupies these worlds, these perfectly symmetrical colonies and space stations. It isn't long, of course, before they are greeting with several warning shots (at least, that is the intention; the interpretation might be something entirely different) from a native fleet of very efficient-looking vessels. While they do not seem any more powerful than the Kekeji, they are nonetheless on "home ground" (so to speak) and are clearly standing firm on that ground.
The Lelinthian race finds greater unity in its stance against "inferior" alien species, and the belief that order must be brought to this galaxy spreads rapidly amongst them. The Culud are further organized as a result, and substantial resources are swept into a militarization effort, with thousands of young Culud entering combat training camps every day, while thousands more produce new military hardware for the eventual purposes of ground warfare. A new fleet is built and launched, entirely geared towards military action and the carrying of Culud soldiers to enemy planets. While they do not know for certain that any alien species in this galaxy is a threat (and, in fact, the Satellians appear to be quite the opposite), they do know that only chaos and strike will reign if they do not assert themselves as the masters here. Feelings of Lelinthian superiority hit another high when a new system is explored (J/D-L), bearing some manner of warlike species. The planets there lie in ruins, their environments wasted and lifeless, while dozens of ships wander from site to site, showing very little order to their actions, lashing out at each other with brutal violence. It is almost immediate that these aliens approach the Lelinthian explorers, aggression saturating their every movement and action. The battle is brief, the damage taken is minimal. Studies of the debris show that very little biological matter existed in these alien craft, and further investigation would have been conducted if it were not for another presence arriving in-system. A single vessel of unknown alien design appeared at the edge of the system, and the native aliens immediately set out to attack them. The Wardens of this fleet engage in a brief discussion and agree that these new aliens must be investigated, for if a vassal can be formed, then it shall be so. Meanwhile, the fleet engaged with studying the Satellian home system disembarks with little subtlety, and soon after they arrive in system J/C-B, finding very little of worth.
The Nhroaat SsKraed finally land their first colony, quite a distance from home, though it is a colony nonetheless. As the Nhroaat society stagnates back on the homeworld, their industry does not seem affected, instead booming as the possibilities of more celestial expansion become fully realized. Another system is explored, revealing several small, barren worlds with nothing to offer besides mineral resources. Two large gas giants reside in the outer system, swarming with asteroidal moons, but otherwise, little is of note in this place.
Satellian traders finalize their deals with the nearby Snud people, and cargo craft come and go between Hmmaiaa and Sneed on a regular basis. Further technical improvements are made, particularly in the fields of defensive military equipment, much of which draws from several strange and varied Snud designs. New ships are built, outfitted with these devices integrated into the vital systems, as well as general improvements to functionality and sustainability. The out-dated fleet that had made contact with the Lelinthians aborts its retrofit and travels to the garden world in sector I/C-B, settling a research outpost on the surface, while its more valuable components are shipped back to the fleetyards to be used in other vessels. The fleet that was previously occupied with the Snud departs Sneed and heads on its exploratory way, traveling to system H/C-B and finding worlds rich in mineral resources, though mostly devoid of habitability. A few weeks into the survey, the upgraded sensory systems detect the arrival of an alien fleet of unknown origin...
The Seipas Yag continue to struggle with the recent coup, and unrest returns to the streets as the military police continue to maintain order. No significant violence has arisen, but the new leadership grows ever more concerned with domestic affairs. Despite this, efforts are made to lessen the burden on Yuynemel, the home world, by exploring the system in sector D/B-B. Unfortunately, this system offers next to nothing in the ways of habitability, though its mineral resources attract the interests of mining companis back home. Another fleet is produced in the shipyards, keeping the populace employed and hopes of stellar expansion up, or at least, that is the intention.
The Snuds have been celebrating quite a bit since the majority of them woke up from hibernation, and the wealth of alien goods coming in from the Satellians is proving even more satisfying than they could have hoped. Already, new designs are leaving the factory floors and demand for Satellian-inspired goods continues to rise. Stocks go up a fair amount.
