SLYNES - Swirly Lights Yonder, a Never Ending Story

UPDATE 10
Mysteries, Violence, and So On



Aiweh scientists complete a series of groundbreaking new research projects, bringing about a revolution of genetics and cloning technology. Cures for ages-old diseases, replacement body parts, expendable workers, biological weapons, and all sorts of interesting new things like that begin to circulate the scientific community. A new fleet is produced at the home world, while the existing exploration fleet makes more headway into locating livable environments in the local galaxy.

The home planet of the strange Amoeba species continues its dutiful work in repairing the ecosystem, making great strides now that the first few careful steps have been navigated. Unfortunately for the entity known as "One," such luck does not apply to it as well. (SEE: Battle of B/C-T)

The Bako Tellians pour massive amounts of resources into research efforts, paving the way for hundreds of new, bleeding-edge inventions that hit manufactories and market places on Bako and the colonies alike. A number of these new inventions include new military technologies, which find an almost immediate application at the colony of Tounis. (SEE: Battle of Tounis)

Capricocial explorers press on, finalizing their study of the local sector. Meanwhile, colonial expeditions have continued to reach the colonies in system D/F-M, exploiting the massive amounts of resources available in this virtually untouched star system. A new fleet leaves the shipyards of the home world, beginning their test runs and shake-down cruise of the home system, eventually destined to join its aging sister fleet in exploring the local regions of the galaxy.

The Distopteran Hive Ship continues to linger in the Ivking home system, attempting to make first contact with Hlethan explorers that have also been investigating the system. Meanwhile, the Nekopteran colony puts its resources to work in the efforts to uncover new technical advancements to further the planet's capacity to support the mini-hives. A new underground lake is found, teeming with subterranean creatures and strange fungal growths, much of which appears to be edible; the breeders prepare to expand the colony's population once more, as a result. Unfortunately, one of the larger mini-hives seems to be growing more aggressive, attempting to exert control over smaller groups in an effort to secure more resources and workers for its own usage. A number of the idle warriors are drawn to this growing mini-hive, attracted to the possibility of combat in the near future.

Hlethan explorers aboard the Rhetho depart the home system of the Snud, endeavoring to make contact with the Geskani, a race they had heard nothing but negative things about from both the Satellians and the Snud alike. Ignoring these warnings, the Rhetho seeks contact nonetheless. Elsewhere, the Tharaez continues its efforts to explore the galaxy, skirting the core region of the galaxy--and experiencing significant problems due to gravitational and radiological anomolies--headed for the Distopteran world of origin following a (presumably) successful contact event. Back at Thaej, the combat-oriented fleet centered on the warship Hrkan is nearing completion, beginning its final testing phases and preparing for the possibility of future action. New colonies are founded in the Taikhad system (H/E-T), nearby to the Ivking home world. Support for the Thaej Alliance grows as the reality of the abundance of alien life truly sinks in to the population. Previously unaligned clans make arrangements to participate in the Alliance's activities.

Iokolu explorers press on in their investigation of the star systems nearby to their home system. Otherwise, things are quiet for the Iokolu.

On Halvalla, the war continues, reaching another stagnant point as the Confederation's counter-offensive grinds to a halt. The populace continues to be ignorant to the multiple alien species exploring their star system, though how long this ignorance will last is unknown.

The Kant withdraw their last remaining fleet to their home world of Sanctum, preparing themselves for a mass exodus from their colonies and home world to escape the rampaging Phleghesh. Anticipating further attacks, the Kant prepare for the worst, but the worst fails to arrive. Instead, it would seem that the Phleghesh have stalled their attacks for reasons unknown to the Kant.

Kekeji fleets assembled at the home world begin their journey to system B/C-T, preparing to investigate the disappearance and possible destruction of their missing exploration fleet. Upon arrival, they note the presense of their lost fleet, though it fails to respond to any signals sent. It is when they notice the alien ship reported by the explorers nearby that things become even more tense, and as the entity known as "One" and its slave-ship begin to approach, the battle begins.

Spoiler Battle of B/C-T :
"One" takes the initiative, firing first while the Kekeji ships remain indecisive about what to do. "One" itself lands the first hit, though its slave-ships (the former Kekeji exploration fleet) encounters disaster as One fails to properly control one of the vessels, leading to its plummeting into the atmosphere of the nearby planet instead of toward battle. The Kekeji vessels throw themselves wholely into action, unloading their first salvo with significant success into One and the compromised exploration ships.

One's second strike fails to produce significant damage, though the slave-ships begin to have an affect, particularly against the refitted exploration fleet. The damage done to several of the exploration ships causes numerous problems, including a total failure of one of the reactor cores, leading to a quick flash of destruction. Startled and uncertain about this fight, the combat fleets fail to make an impact.

Several minutes more of the battle rage on, weapons fire slugging back and forth across the vast space of the battle zone, the Kekeji crews accepting the lack of an alternative and engaging fully into the battle, even if it meant killing their lost comrades that might still live on the enslaved vessels. Unfortunately for One, the Kekeji assault quickly becomes too much, and it finds itself alone in the battle before long, its former slave ships now scattered debris taking orbit around the nearby planet. One applies its every ounce of will and effort to turn the battle around, even beginning to attempt new assimilations, but it is too late. The derelict ship was far too old to sustain damage like this, and it quickly fell to pieces under the steady barrage of Kekeji weapons.

The battle ended with a victory for the Kekeji, though their wounds were severe, including the crippling of the exploration fleet and a substantial amount of damage acquired by the combat fleet that had thrown its all into the fight. The Kekeji crews began to collect their wits, attempting to come to terms with what just happened.


Lelinthian explorers press on, with Lotholitel investigating a system previously explored by the Hletho, and Kelethletel bringing her fleet into the home system of the Snud. A new series of mining colonies are established in system (J/D-R). The Warden Kululuthul, still enraged at his near-defeat against the mindless automatons of system (J/D-L), acquired replacements for his lost fleet amongst the idle ships of Lolan, insisting on nothing but male Wardens to accompany him. Scooping up the first force of battle-ready Culud, Kululuthul carried the army to the Vurdu home world, a planet inhabited by a primitive industrial-era species. Their chaotic lives would be brought into order, their wars against each other over territory and wealth ended, their awareness of the majesty of the Lelinthians would come.

Spoiler Battle of Vurdu :
Following a steady barrage of warning fire from orbit, the invasion proceeded efficiently onto the surface of the planet. Considerably better armed and armored, the Culud shock troops slammed into the assembled armies of awed, fearful natives. Cutting their ranks to ribbons, spilling their life-giving fluids on the soil, the Culud warriors reveled in their first true combat experiences. Orbital strikes leveled fortifications and assembly camps, while the Culud themselves swept out the large resistance cells, securing the population centers. The invasion took a mere six weeks, at which point the natives began to surrender themselves to the superior alien invaders, some even having already begun to aid their occupiers. Though resistance would continue for years, the Lelinthian Warden Kululuthul had proven himself and his warriors as an effective force. Though he counted this largely as a training exercise, it still proved its point.


A new star-faring species, the Myzokans, begins their exploration of their local bits of the galaxy late in the year, though the event is still remarkable in and of itself.

The Orindi city-ships continue to provide their primitive kin on the surface of their home world with substantial new resources and a bit of new technology, edging them along the path of progress ever so gently.

The Phleghesh pause their offensive against the Kant, taken aback by the ferocity at which their own home world was attacked. A new command carrier is built at the colony of Ollethurr (C/H-R), which also receives an infusion of new colonists and materials, expanding the settlements in that system substantially. Considering an offensive later in the year, the idea is struck down as a new species enters on of their colonial systems. A Raer exploration fleet is detected in proximity of Hutthh (D/I-B), causing panic in the colony and greater worry among the council leaders back on the home world. A new threat had appeared, and this must be carefully considered before approaching.

Pohm scientists complete an extensive series of new technological developments. Explorers of the Betik nation arrive in H/G-B, while a scattered exploration effort driven by multiple nations results in the discovery of the system at G/H-B. Otherwise the civilizations of the Pohm are quiet.

Raer scientists also complete their own series of major technical developments, though this is only one simple facet of their great leaps forward this year. Another truly major event is the discovery of alien life, and in fact, star-faring alien life at the Phleghesh colony of Hutthh (D/I-B). The Raer generally considered this to be the most significant event in their history, and yet, a rivaling event arrived as explorers investigated the system at F/I-B. There, they locate a system containing hundreds of small, out-lying rocky bodies, several gas giants orbiting distantly from their parent star, and several mid-sized and small rocky worlds orbiting within the habitable zone. One of these rocky worlds in particular bears a vast, incredibly complex ecosystem, covering much of the planet in dense vegitation and swarming with animal life. Most interesting of all about this world, however, is the discovery of mysterious, levitating relics scattered about the planet's atmosphere, appearing to have once been some kind of settlements. Though no hints of their inhabitants remain, the still-floating ruins teem with flying animals and high-altitude plants. Even at first glance, the technologies employed by this apparently lost civilization are well beyond the understanding of the Raer.

The Seipas Yag carry on their local exploration efforts, and otherwise events are fairly calm during this year.

Skul'agran forces, put off by the failed contact with the Bako Tellians, launch an invasion of the Tellian colony of Tounis (H/H-R). Two fleets arrive from other systems, joining the one already present in-system. Carrying ground forces and intent on a full-scale assault of the planet, the battle for Tounis begins.

Spoiler Battle of Tounis :
The space battle is an overwhelming defeat for the Bako Tellians, as could have been expected by the sheer difference in numbers. Though the new equipment upgrades had arrived mere weeks prior, they failed to provide enough of an edge for the Tellians to be victorious.

More remarkable was the actual ground invasion, which began immediately after the completion of the space battle. Skul'agran soldiers set foot on the planet eagerly, engaging the defending Tellian warriors almost instantaneously. Two large Skul'agran armies scour the planet, leaving the Tellian defenders to use their knowledge of the terrain to wage a guerilla war. For nearly seventeen weeks, the invaders found themselves being foiled at so many turns, despite the fact that they were slowly and surely eradicating the disconnected cells of Tellian warriors. Tellian resistance fighters launched a huge counter-offensive, actually managing to destroy one of the Skul'agran armies, which had taken up residence in the main colony itself. Driven out only momentarily, the Skul'agrans engaged in a counter-counter-attack. These warriors were veterans of the invasion of the Shodog home world, their resolve stronger, their tactics more finely honed. The Tellians put up a brilliant fight, but ultimately were defeated.


While this invasion was commencing, the Skul'agran leadership ordered the production of two new combat fleets and two new armies, one each at the home world (I/I-T) and the colony world of Shor'ath (I/H-B), which appeared to be closest to Bako Tellian space. Elsewhere in the Skul'agran empire, the occupation of the Shodog home world came to a peaceful end, as the native Shodogs largely resigned to their fates and accepted alien rule of their simple, primitive people.

Snuddian scientists complete the groundwork for the greatest project since the Great Sleep, employing Geskani, Satellian and Snuddian robotics and cybernetics technology to produce, in conjunction with converted hibernation systems, a method of using robotic proxies to experience the universe. Snuddians, being very sensitive to the rigors of space travel, will soon be able to freely travel the galaxy in mechanical bodies, and then safely return to their own flesh and blood selves upon returning home. Further ideas arise on how to alter this technology for different functions and means, but as yet no true plans have reached public attention. Elsewhere, aerospace firms launch a new network of defensive satellites using upgraded equipment and software, and despite the previous failure of such a system for planetary defense, the populace feels greatly comforted to be protected by something, at least, once again. Many worry that this new system would already be put to the test as a new arrival, the Lelinthian fleet commanded by the Warden Kelethletel, entered the system late in the year. Having been warned by the Satellians of this species, the Snud prepared for another attack. Interestingly, despite this caution, morale was keeping high among the populace.

The Ulmans Kungs produce new technological marvels to advance their civilization, while their explorers finally reach the end of their long journey to the nearby star system of (C/J-O). With minor traces still remaining of the brief battle between the Kant and the Phleghesh several years ago, the Ulmans Kungs began to gather evidence that they are, in fact, very much not alone in this galaxy.

Undroth workers complete their final development of the Hunf colony (D/C-B), bringing its population up to a sustained level in comparison to the available resources of the planet, and producing a defensive military force of local warriors. Other than this event, the Undroth, as always, remain a simple, quiet folk.

The Geskani leadership, despite the collapsing state of its control over the Geskani population, assembles as many loyalists as it can find. Despite lacking the control elements of the narcotics once used to keep the people in line, these warriors remain loyal, at least so far. These gathered individuals are put to work in the three newly-assembled fleets at Ges, having been quickly and efficiently produced by the mechanical workforces used in the shipyards.

The meeting between the rebellious Admiral Zuro of the Geskani and the Satellians finally nears, though as the Admiral's transport draws in to dock with the Satellian vessel that was to serve as the meeting site, it is believed that an argument broke out between Zuro and several of his escorts over the rationality of this endeavor. Geskani aggression took hold of the situation, it would seem, as a fire-fight broke out. The results of the gun battle remain unknown, as it would seem that the weapons fire caused a breach in the transport's coolant systems, causing the instantaneous deaths of everyone onboard, as well as the overheating and eruption of the vessel's power source. As the unguided craft collided with the Satellian meeting ship, the core of the transport exploded, triggering the back-up self-destruct systems of the Satellian ship, all in all, forming a brief, tiny star in the outer edges of the system. Seeing this as a purposeful attack, the anxious Satellians open fire.

Spoiler Battle of Hmmaiaa :
Joining the battle on the Satellian side were two new, experimental military projects. One, the High Energy Weapon, was originally being built to serve as a diplomatic cruise ship with the purpose of traveling alien worlds, though its basic framework and power systems were adapted to serve as a gigantic laser weapon. The other project was a system of, in effect, space-faring missile launchers designed to barrage enemy targets with swarms and swarms of explosive warheads. Though neither of these projects had actually been fully tested, and barely even finished at that, they were applied to combat immediately.

The opening salvos came from one of the Satellian combat fleets, though the Geskani are quick to respond, perhaps also seeing the detonation of the meeting ship and transport as a Satellian trick. The mass-missile ship fires, though a lack of fine calibration in the guidance systems causes only insignificant amounts of armor damage to be dealt to the Geskani. The other two Geskani fleets rush into action, though in their haste, fail to succeed at causing any significant wounds on the Satellian ships. The High Energy Weapon takes its first shot, possibly intended as merely a test-firing, as it hits nothing. Marginal damage is exchanged between the opposing sides for several minutes.

The second usage of the mass-missile system meets with success, as well as teaching the Satellian technicians quite a bit about targeting computer calibration techniques during an active battle scenario. Geskani forces continue to fail in coordinating successfully, particularly with the distracting efforts of the Satellian and Snuddian individuals on the Geskani ships trying to smooth the situation. The Satellians seemed unswayed, possibly disbelieving that there were even any Satellians on the Geskani ships, or possibly just deeming them all to be compromised already.

Geskani forces slip into the heat of battle, now delivering grave injuries to the Satellian fleets, though the damage is being reciprocated the entire time. The battle, overall, wages for nearly an hour, the two forces slugging back and forth at each other. Finally, the Geskani realize that they are out-matched, with one fleet attempting to escape the system to make repairs. Unfortunately, the Satellians fail to realize that this fleet is attempting an escape, cutting off their flight paths and tearing the last few ships of that fleet to pieces.

The remaining Geskani forces, assuming that the Satellians are not allowing their escape and are taking no prisoners, dive head-long into battle for several more minutes, until they fully realize the magnitude of their losses. Not enough damage had been inflicted to the Satellians to even make this battle remarkable and glorious. They, too, chose to run.

One of the Geskani fleets makes a jump out of the system, the other being cut off by Satellian forces. This, of course, allows the Satellians to realize that the Geskani are attempting to flee, and thus it becomes permitted. The Geskani exit the system, traveling with haste to system (H/C-B) to attempt emergency repairs. Meanwhile, the Satellians progress their plans to end Geskani aggression further.


Before the battle, the Satellian Exploration Fleet is sent on an expedition to system (H/D-T), with the eventual intent of exploring the core regions of the galaxy. After the battle, the heavily damaged Satellian Second Combat Fleet is deemed to be scrapped in favor of a new colony at system (I/B-O), while the First Combat Fleet travels to (G/C-T), blockading the Geskani colony there and finding it curious that the Hlethan explorer Rhetho is also present in this sytem; the Third Combat Fleet travels to (H/B-B) to blockade the colony there as well. The Agreement, back on Hmmaiaa and the colonies, begins a massive campaign to instill support for itself amongst the populace, investing massive amounts of resources into stabilizing the civilization and readying it for prolonged warfare.

Lastly, the Nhroaat SsKraed continue their explorations and expand their existing colonies, but that isn't really what's interesting, nor the reason they are the last on the list to be addressed. What interesting about the Nhroaat this year, is the arrival of a strange, crystalline life form in the proximity of the Krensht colony (K/F-O). Small scientific craft study the object for several days, before contact is suddenly lost with the vehicles. Soon after, the object approaches the colony, taking up a high orbit. Many of the colonists begin to feel exhausted, even so much so that it overcomes their anxiety toward this alien object. Quite suddenly, a third of the population is killed, with no cause of death discernable. The object maintains its position, but takes no further action, so it would seem. Nhroaat SsKraed leadership scrambles to address this issue, though, quite frankly, they have no idea what to do about it.
 
Spoiler AIWEH (Seon) :
ECONOMY: 4.5e (+3e/turn)
TECHNOLOGY: 2
STABILITY: 8
FLEETS: 2 (-1.0e/turn)
Spoiler :
Fleet 1 - (H/J-L) - Strength: 100%
Fleet 2 - (G/J-T) - Strength: 100%

MILITARY: 1 (-0.5e/turn)
Spoiler :
Army 1 - (G/J-T) - Strength: 100%


[research Tech Level 2; -2e]
[build 1 fleet; -1e]

[income earned = +3e]

[income increases by +0.5e/turn due to technical improvements]
[income decreases by -0.5e/turn due to added maintenance]



Spoiler AMOEBAS (Vertinari118) :
Homeworld:
ECONOMY: 1.5e (+1.5e/turn) [1.5e invested]
TECHNOLOGY: 1
STABILITY: 5
FLEETS: 0
MILITARY: 0

[invest 1e into homeworld repairs]

[income earned = +1.5e]


"One":
FUEL: 15
TECHNOLOGY: 1
FLEETS: 2
HEALTH: 0%
POSITION: B/C-T
HIBERNATING: Yes

[harvest 8 fuel]
[spend 2 fuel]

[DESTROYED!]



Spoiler BAKO TELLIANS (Thedreadedlock) :
ECONOMY: 6.5e (+4.5e/turn)
TECHNOLOGY: 4
STABILITY: 6
FLEETS: 2 (-1e/turn)
Spoiler :
Fleet 1 - (H/H-R) - Strength: 100%
Fleet 2 - (I/H-T) - Strength: 100%

MILITARY: 4 (-2e/turn)
Spoiler :
Army 1 - (I/H-T) - Strength: 100%
Army 2 - (I/H-T) - Strength: 100%
Army 3 - (I/H-L) - Strength: 100%
Army 4 - (H/H-R) - Strength: 100%

Spoiler COLONIES :
"Obra" (I/H-L) : +2e/turn (value = 3.5e)
"Tounis" (H/H-R) : +1.5e/turn (value = 1.5e)


[research Tech Level 4; -4e]

[income earned = +4.5e]

[income increases by +0.5e/turn due to technical improvements]
[Fleet 1 destroyed!; +0.5e/turn]
[Army 4 destroted!; +0.5e/turn]
[colony "Tounis" invaded and lost!; -1.5e/turn, -2 stability]



Spoiler CAPRICOCIAL (Thlayli) :
ECONOMY: 4e (+4e/turn)
TECHNOLOGY: 2
STABILITY: 6
FLEETS: 2 (-1e/turn)
Spoiler :
Fleet 1 - (D/F-T) - Strength: 100%
Fleet 2 - (D/F-B) - Strength: 100%

MILITARY: 1 (-0.5e/turn)
Spoiler :
Army 1 - (D/F-B) - Strength: 100%

Spoiler COLONIES :
"?" (D/F-M) : +1e/turn (value = 3.5e)


[expand colony (D/F-M); -2e]
[build 1 fleet at (D/F-B); -1e]

[income earned = +4e]

[income increases by +0.5e/turn due to expanded colony]
[income decreases by -0.5e/turn due to added maintenance]



Spoiler DISTOPTERANS (Anonymoose) :
Hive Ship:
FUEL: 11
TECHNOLOGY: 1
STABILITY: 10
FLEETS: 5
CARGO: 1 army, 4e
HEALTH: 100%
POSITION: G/E-O
HIBERNATING: No

[10 fuel spent]

Nekopterans:
ECONOMY: 2e (+2.5e/turn)
DEVELOPMENT: 1e out of 1.5e [1.5e invested]
TECHNOLOGY: 2 [2/3]
STABILITY: 4
FLEETS: 0 (-0e/turn)
MILITARY: 0 (-0e/turn)

[spend 2e on research]

[income earned = +2e]

[large underground lake discovered, leads to new farming; +0.5e/turn]
[a larger mini-hive begins to threaten others for control of the colony; -1 stability]



Spoiler GESKANI (TaylorFlame) :
ECONOMY: 2.5e (+1.5e/turn)
TECHNOLOGY: 3
STABILITY: 4
FLEETS: 3 (-1.5e/turn)
Spoiler :
Loyalist Fleet #1 - (G/B-B) - Strength: 100%
Loyalist Fleet #2 - (G/B-B) - Strength: 100%
Loyalist Fleet #3 - (G/B-B) - Strength: 100%

MILITARY: 2 (-1e/turn)
Spoiler :
Army 1 - (G/B-B) - Strength: 100%
Army 2 - (G/B-B) - Strength: 100%

ARTIFACT: 0/50e
Spoiler COLONIES :
"Bactri" (F/B-R) : +0.5e/turn (value = 2.5e)
"Bu" (G/B-T) : +0.5e/turn (value = 0.5e)
"?" (G/C-T) : +0.5e/turn (value = 0.5e)
"Benovo" (H/B-B) : +0.5e/turn (value = 1.5e)


[build 3 Loyalist Fleets for 3e]

[income earned = +2.5e]

[colony (G/C-T) blockaded!; -0.5e/turn]
[colony (H/B-B) blockaded!; -0.5e/turn]


Rebel Forces:
FUEL: 8
Spoiler :
Rebel Fleet #1 - (H/C-B) - Strength: 9%
Rebel Fleet #2 - (I/C-T) - Strength: 0%
Rebel Fleet #3 - (H/C-B) - Strength: 18%


[Rebel Fleet #2 destroyed!]
[expend 4 fuel]

Just trying to make this work statistically...



Spoiler HLETHO (Lord_Iggy) :
ECONOMY: 5.5e (+5.5e/turn)
TECHNOLOGY: 2
STABILITY: 5
FLEETS: 3 (-1.5e/turn)
Spoiler :
Rhetho - (G/C-T) - Strength: 100%
Tharaez - (G/E-O) - Strength: 100%
Hrkan - (I/E-R) - Strength: 100%

MILITARY: 1 (-0.5e/turn)
Spoiler :
Army 1 - (I/E-R) - Strength: 100%

ARTIFACT: 0.5/50e
Spoiler COLONIES :
"Haefar/Jolat" (I/D-R) : +0.5e/turn (value = 3e)
"Jiloh" (I/E-T) : +0.5e/turn (value = 2.5e)
"Vanaraej" (J/E-B) : +0.5e/turn (value = 2.5e)
"Taikhad" (H/E-T) : +0.5e/turn (value = 3.5e)

TRADE: Satellians +1e/turn

[Taikhad system (H/E-T) colonized; -2e]
[build fleet "Hrkan" in (I/E-R); -1e]

[income earned = +5.5e]

[income increases by +0.5e/turn due to new colony]
[income decreases by -0.5e/turn due to added maintenance]

[support for the Thaej Alliance grows as the reality of abundant alien life sinks in; +1 stability]



Spoiler IOKOLU (tuxedohamm) :
ECONOMY: 3.5e (+2e/turn)
TECHNOLOGY: 1
STABILITY: 8
FLEETS: 2 (-1e/turn)
Spoiler :
Oluko-Ilume - (E/D-B) - Strength: 100%
Oluko-Ilomo - (G/D-L) - Strength: 100%

MILITARY: 0
Spoiler COLONIES :
"Milui" (F/D-T) : +0.5e/turn (value = 0.5e)
"?" (F/D-R) : +0.5e/turn (value = 3.5e)
"?" (F/D-L) : +0.5e/turn (value = 2.5e)


[income earned = +2e]



Spoiler IVKINGS (bestshot9) :
ECONOMY: 0.5e (+0e/turn)
TECHNOLOGY: 1
STABILITY: 1
FLEETS: 0
MILITARY: 2 (-1e/turn)
Spoiler :
Army strength indeterminate due to civil war!


[no change]



Spoiler KANT (Shadowbound) :
ECONOMY: 2.5e (+2.5e/turn)
TECHNOLOGY: 2
STABILITY: 5
FLEETS: 1 (-0.5e/turn)
Spoiler :
Red Fleet - (B/H-O) - Strength: 70%

MILITARY: 0
ARTIFACT: 2.5/50e
Spoiler COLONIES :
"Parun" (A/H) : +0.5e/turn (value = 1e)
"Ren" (B/I-T) : +0.5e/turn (value = 2.5e)
"?" (B/F-L : +0.5e/turn (value = 2.5e)


[income earned = +2e]

[more efforts are redirected toward industry for defense; +0.5e/turn]
[populace begins to panic as a result of military defeats; -1 stability]



Spoiler KEKEJI (NPC) :
ECONOMY: 1.5e (+1.5e/turn)
TECHNOLOGY: 2
STABILITY: 7
FLEETS: 4 (-2e/turn)
Spoiler :
Exploration Fleet #1 - (B/C-T) - Strength: 18%
Exploration Fleet #2 - (C/C-T) - Strength: 100%
Combat Fleet #1 - (B/C-T) - Strength: 91%
Combat Fleet #2 - (B/C-T) - Strength: 64%

MILITARY: 1 (-0.5e/turn)
Spoiler :
Army 1 - (C/C-T) - Strength: 100%

Spoiler COLONIES :
"Gudiluha" (C/C-B) : +1.5e/turn (value = 1.5e)


[colony "Gudiluha" expanded; -2e]

[income earned = +1e]

[income increases by +0.5e/turn due to expanded colony]



Spoiler LELINTHIANS (NPC) :
ECONOMY: 2e (+1e/turn)
TECHNOLOGY: 3
STABILITY: 7
FLEETS: 3 (-1.5e/turn)
Spoiler :
Kelethletel - (H/C-T) - Strength: 100%
Lotholitel - (J/E-T) - Strength: 100%
Kululuthul - (J/C-T) - Strength: 100%

MILITARY: 1 (-0.5e/turn)
Spoiler :
Culud Invasion Force #1 - (J/C-T) - Strength: 100%
Culud Invasion Force #2 - (J/D-T) - Strength: 100%

Spoiler COLONIES :
"Extrasolar Labor Site #1" (J/C-B) : +0.5e/turn (value = 0.5e)
"Extrasolar Labor Site #2" (J/D-R) : +0.5e/turn (value = 2.5e)

OCCUPATIONS: Vurdu (J/C-T) [-1e/turn : 10 Unrest]

[establish colony on (J/D-R); -2e]
[build 1 army at "Lolan" (J/D-T); -1e]

[income = +2e]

[income increases by +0.5e/turn due to new colony]
[income decreases by -0.5e/turn due to added maintenance]
[income decreases by -1.0e/turn due to occupation costs]



Spoiler MURGLERS (NPC) :
ECONOMY: 2e (+0e/turn)
TECHNOLOGY: 0
STABILITY: 3
FLEETS: 0
MILITARY: 0

[nothin']



Spoiler MYZOKANS (Frozen In Ice) :
ECONOMY: 5e (+2e/turn)
TECHNOLOGY: 1
STABILITY: 6
FLEETS: 1 (-0.5e/turn)
Spoiler :
Fleet 1 - (C/E-B) - Strength: 100%

ARMIES: 1 (-0.5e/turn)
Spoiler :
Army 1 - (C/E-T) - Strength: 100%


[income earned = +2e]



Spoiler NHROAAT SSKRAED (NPC) :
ECONOMY: 6e (+4.5e/turn)
TECHNOLOGY: 2
STABILITY: 4
FLEETS: 1 (-0.5e/turn)
Spoiler :
Fleet 1 - (J/H-T) - Strength: 100%

MILITARY: 2 (-1e/turn)
Spoiler COLONIES :
"Krensht" (K/F) : +1.0e/turn (value = 1.5e)
"?" (K/G-T) : +1.5e/turn (value = 1.5e)
"?" (K/G-B) : +0.5e/turn (value = 1.5e)


[invest 2e into (K/G-T)]

[income earned = +4.5]

[income increases by +0.5e/turn due to colonial expansion]
[colony "Kresnht" attacked by mysterious forces!; -0.5e/turn]
[mystery attacker causes panic around the colonies; -1 stability]



Spoiler ORINDI (NPC) :
ECONOMY: 2.5e (+2.5e/turn)
TECHNOLOGY: 2
STABILITY: 8
FLEETS: 4 (-2e/turn)
Spoiler :
Norisia City - (I/F-T) - Strength: 100%
Ulusia City - (I/F-T) - Strength 100%
Yoros City - (I/F-T) - Strength 100%
Latasia City - (I/F-T) - Strength 100%

MILITARY: 0

[invest 2e into homeworld development]

[income earned = +2e]

[income increases by +0.5e/turn due to expanded infrastructure]



Spoiler PHLEGHESH (NPC) :
ECONOMY: 5e (+5e/turn)
TECHNOLOGY: 3
STABILITY: 7
FLEETS: 5 (-2.5e/turn)
Spoiler :
Nhuuff - (C/I-O) - Strength: 45%
Hhhhuu - (C/I-O) - Strength: 100%
Shuuush - (C/H-B) - Strength: 100%
Nhaaash - (C/H-B) - Strength: 100%
Sllhuuuhh - (C/H-R) - Strength: 100%

MILITARY: 0 (-0e/turn)
Spoiler COLONIES :
"Ollethurr" (C/H-R) : +1.5e/turn (value = 3.5e)
"Gllth" (C/H-B) : +0.5e/turn (value = 1.5e)
"Hutthh" (D/I-B) : +0.5e/turn (value = 2.5e)


[spend 2e developing colony "Ollethurr" (C/H-R)]
[build 1 fleet at "Ollethurr" (C/H-R); -1e]
[repair fleet Hhhhuu; -0.5e]

[income earned = +5e]

[income increases by +0.5e/turn due to colonial improvements]
[income decreases by -0.5e/turn due to added maintenance]
[faith in the war effort declines!; -1 stability]



Spoiler POHM (North King) :
ECONOMY: 2e (+2.5e/turn)
TECHNOLOGY: 2
STABILITY: 6
FLEETS: 2 (-1e/turn)
Spoiler :
Betik Fleet - (G/G-B) - Strength: 100%
Disorganized Multinational Fleet - (G/H-L) - Strength: 100%

MILITARY: 1 (-0.5e/turn)
Spoiler :
Army 1 - (G/H-L) - Strength: 100%

Spoiler COLONIES :
"Denim" (G/H-T) : +0.5e/turn (value = 3e)
"Ukupu" (F/H-R) : +0.5e/turn (value = 3.5e)


[conclude research of Tech Level 2; -1.5e]

[income earned = +2e]

[income increases by +0.5e/turn due to technical improvements]



Spoiler RAER (Haseri) :
ECONOMY: 3.5e (+4e/turn)
TECHNOLOGY: 3
STABILITY: 8
FLEETS: 2 (-1.0e/turn)
Spoiler :
Fleet 1 - (D/I-B) - Strength: 100%
Fleet 2 - (F/I-B) - Strength: 100%

MILITARY: 2 (-1.0e/turn)
Spoiler :
Army 1 - (E/I-R) - Strength: 100%
Army 2 - (E/I-R) - Strength: 100%

Spoiler COLONIES :
"Yalir" (E/I-B) : +0.5e/turn (value = 2.5e)


[research Tech Level 3; -3e]

[income earned = +3e]

[income increases by +0.5e/turn due to technical improvements]
[productive efficiency booms; +0.5e/turn]



Spoiler SATELLIANS (Daftpanzer) :
ECONOMY: 5e (+5e/turn) [0.5e invested]
TECHNOLOGY: 3
STABILITY: 7
FLEETS: 5 (-2.5e/turn)
Spoiler :
Exploration Fleet - (H/D-T) - Strength: 100%
Combat Fleet #1 - (G/C-T) - Strength: 42%
Combat Fleet #2 - (I/B-O) - Strength: 17%
Combat Fleet #3 - (H/B-B) - Strength: 100%
High Energy Weapon - (I/C-T) - Strength: 100%
Mass Missile System - (I/C-T) - Strength: 100%

MILITARY: 1 (-0.5e/turn)
Spoiler :
Surface Battle Kinship - (H/C-R) - Strength: 100%

ARTIFACT: 0/50e
TRADE: Hletho, Snud [+2e/turn]
Spoiler COLONIES :
"Ulumm-Bukk" (I/C-R) : +1.5e/turn (value = 1.5e)
"Ulann" (I/C-B) : +0.5e/turn (value = 3.5e)
"?" (I/B-O) : +0.5e/turn (value = 3e)


[build 1 fleet ("High Energy Weapon") for 1e]
[build 1 fleet ("Mass Missile System") for 1e]
[public speakers, supported by The Agreement, rally the masses; -2e, +1 stability]
[Combat Fleet #2, redirected after battle, settles colony in I/B]

[income earned = +5e]

[income decreases by -1e/turn due to added maintenance]
[income increases by +0.5e/turn due to lessened maintenance]
[income increases by +0.5e/turn due to added colony]



Spoiler SEIPAS YAG (NPC) :
ECONOMY: 4e (+2.5e/turn)
TECHNOLOGY: 2
STABILITY: 5
FLEETS: 1 (-0.5e/turn)
Spoiler :
Fleet 1 - (E/B-B) - Strength: 100%

MILITARY: 1 (-0.5e/turn)
Spoiler :
Army 1 - (D/B-T) - Strength: 100%

Spoiler COLONIES :
"?" (D/B-B) : +0.5e/turn (value = 1.5e)
"Umbar" (D/B-L) : +0.5e/turn (value = 1.5e)


[income earned = +2.5e]



Spoiler SKUL'AGRA (NPC) :
ECONOMY: 5e (+3.5e/turn)
TECHNOLOGY: 3
STABILITY: 9
FLEETS: 5 (-2.5e/turn)
Spoiler :
Yun'thoth - (H/H-B) - Strength: 91%
Sha'lanak - (H/H-B) - Strength: 45%
Noth'hohth - (H/H-B) - Strength: 100%
Unth'haath - (I/I-T) - Strength: 100%
Neth'nethel - (I/H-B) - Strength: 100%

MILITARY: 3 (-1.5e/turn)
Spoiler :
Frontier Assault Forces #1 - (H/H-B) - Strength: 36%
Frontier Assault Forces #2 - (H/H-B) - Strength: 0%
Homeworld Guard - (I/I-T) - Strength: 100%
Shor'ath Guard - (I/H-B) - Strength: 100%

Spoiler COLONIES :
"Nah'shahan" (I/I-B) : +0.5e/turn (value = 0.5e)
"Shor'ath" (I/H-B) : +2.0e/turn (value = 3.5e)
"Yush'hasahn" (J/I-O) : +1.5e/turn (value = 1.5e)
"Nograth Nava'haron" (H/I-R) : +0.5e/turn (value = 1.5e)
"Shodog" (H/I-L) : +1e/turn (value = N/A)

OCCUPATIONS: "Tounis" (H/H-B) : -1e/turn [10 unrest]

[invest 0.5e into pacifying the Shodog homeworld]
[build 1 fleet at (I/I-T); -1e]
[build 1 army at (I/I-T); -1e]
[build 1 fleet at (I/H-B); -1e]
[build 1 army at (I/H/-B); -1e]

[income earned = +5e]

[unrest on "Shodog" ends!; +1e/turn]
["Shodog" becomes a colony; +1e/turn]
[army "Frontier Assault Forces #2" destroyed!; +0.5e/turn]
[income decreases by -2e/turn due to added maintenance]
[occupation of "Tounis" (H/H-B) begins; -1e/turn]



Spoiler SNUD (NPC) :
ECONOMY: 4e (+3.5e/turn)
TECHNOLOGY: 4
STABILITY: 5
FLEETS: 1 (-0.5e/turn)
Spoiler :
"Orbital Defense Array" - (H/C-T) - Strength: 100%

MILITARY: 0
TRADE: Satellians [+1e/turn]

[complete research of Tech Level 4; -1e]
[build 1 fleet ("Orbital Defense Array"); -1e]

[income earned = +3.5e]

[income increases by +0.5e/turn due to technical improvements]
[income decreases by -0.5e/turn due to added maintenace]
[despite its previous failure, new defensive satellites bring comfort to the masses; +1 stability]



Spoiler ULMANS KUNGS (At the edge) :
ECONOMY: 4.5e (+3e/turn)
TECHNOLOGY: 2
STABILITY: 6
FLEETS: 1 (-0.5e/turn)
Spoiler :
Fleet 1 - (C/J-O) - Strength: 100%

ARMIES: 1 (-0.5e/turn)
Spoiler :
Army 1 - (D/K-O) - Strength: 100%


[research Tech Level 2; -2e]

[income earned = +2.5e]

[income increases by +0.5e/turn due to technical improvements]
[excitement for colonial endeavors unites the people; +1 stability]



Spoiler UNDROTH (NPC) :
ECONOMY: 4e (+3.5e/turn)
TECHNOLOGY: 1
STABILITY: 10
FLEETS: 3 (-1.5e/turn)
Spoiler :
Ux Fleet - (D/C-B) - Strength: 100%
Grut Fleet - (D/C-T) - Strength: 100%
Hunf Fleet - (D/C-L) - Strength: 100%

MILITARY: 3 (-1.5e/turn)
Spoiler :
Army of Ux - (D/C-L) - Strength: 100%
Army of Grut - (D/C-T) - Strength: 100%
Army of Hunf - (D/C-B) - Strength: 100%

Spoiler COLONIES :
"Grut" (D/C-T) : +2.5e/turn (value = 2.5e)
"Hunf" (D/C-B) : +1.5e/turn (value = 1.5e)


[colony "Hunf" is expanded further; -2e]
[build 1 army at "Hunf" (D/C-B); -1e]

[income = +3.5e]

[income increases by +0.5e/turn due to colonial improvements]
[income decreases by -0.5e/turn due to added maintenance]




Spoiler GALACTIC MAP :
milkyway2.png

Spoiler NAVIGATION MAP :
navmap.png
 
Spoiler EXPLORATION RESULTS :
Aiweh

H/J-L - "Favorably Habitable, Highly Productive" - +3.5e value


Capricocials

D/F-T - "Slightly Habitable, Highly Productive" - +3.0e value


Hletho

G/C-T - "Uninhabitable, Slightly Productive" - +0.5e value
Geskani colony.
Lots of debris and ruins scattered around the system.
Geskani mining colony sits in the middle of these alien ruins.


Iokolu

E/D-B - "Uninhabitable, Slightly Productive" - +0.5e value
G/D-L - "Barely Habitable, Somewhat Productive" - +1.5e value


Lelinthians

J/E-T - "Uninhabitable, Slightly Productive" - +0.5e value


Myzokans

C/E-B - "Barely Habitable, Somewhat Productive" - +1.5e value


Nhroaat SsKraed

J/H-R - "Favorably Habitable, Highly Productive" - +3.5e value


Pohm

H/G-B - "Uninhabitable, Moderately Productive" - +1.5e value
G/H-B - "Slightly Habitable, Moderately Productive" - +2.5e value


Raer

D/I-B - "Slightly Habitable, Moderately Productive" - +2.5e value
Phleghesh colony.
F/I-B - "Favorably Habitable, Highly Productive" - +3.5e value
Mysterious levitating ruins floating above untouched wilderness.
No signs of a population; ruins are inhabited by flying animals.
***ARTIFACT*** (must be colonized to obtain)


Satellians

G/C-T - "Uninhabitable, Slightly Productive" - +0.5e value
Geskani colony.
Lots of debris and ruins scattered around the system.
Geskani mining colony sits in the middle of these alien ruins.
H/B-B - "Uninhabitable, Moderately Productive" - +1.5e value
Geskani colony.


Seipas Yag

E/B-B - "Slightly Habitable, Highly Productive" - +3e value


Ulmans Kungs

C/J-O - "Uninhabitable, Slightly Productive" - +0.5e value



FINAL THOUGHTS:

I had forgotten to put a Capricocial colony on the map a turn or so ago, and apparently forgot to put a Phleghesh colony on the map a bunch of turns ago. That's fixed.

I'm sorry if anyone has a problem with how I handled them this turn, but about half of you didn't send orders, so I did what I thought was most appropriate.

If anyone has any issue, or notices any mistakes or anything, please make me aware. This update took a while, and I'm sorry about that, but aside from having to NPC half of the players (aside from running a whole bunch of NPCs normally) and trying to keep track of the huge battles and such, I also had a few technical and free time problems. But, it's done! Awesome.
 
Awesome update, well worth the wait!

Its interesting that I'm now a player in a major war, when all I wanted was to be all peaceful and eccentric :) I'm imagining Sneed becoming the centre of operations for our defensive fleets.

I wonder what will happen with the Geskani rebel fleet. If TaylorFlame comes back to this, will he be in control of them?

@Iggy nice income. If you want tech level 3 maybe we can make a deal. I'll undercut whatever the Snud offer :)

Also the Rhetho is formally asked to not aid the Geskani military/industrial complex in sector GC, though we won't try to prevent you making contact or negotiating with them.
 
Minor alteration: I moved the Hlethan ship Tharaez along on its exploring voyages, which I had not done though it was requested. Just a small change. Contact between the Hletho and the Distopterans can still occur in the stories (and they better continue, or else someone's going to be in big, big trouble!) written past-tense.

Any other changes that need to be made?
 
It all looks wonderful to me. As soon as I see Iggy online again, we'll have perhaps the final or next-to-last installment of the Hlethan-Disopteran discourse, and then on to other grandiose adventures for us all. :)
 
Mourn the lost:

Who was to blame for what happened? Gao Supreme, for his ambitious ideas for space travel? Tuu for not communicating "to the best of his ability"? Or the Skul'agra, who proved to be too powerful for the amphibious species?. Who can really tell? What's done is done, and after a series of misfortunate years the Bako Tellians were now at an all time low.

Gao ordered all Bako Tellians to take a day off and dedicate some time honoring the memories of those lost on Tounis. And so for one day, the normally active planets of Bako, and Obra shut down. Families huddled together and cried for those who would never come back to this reality. Some turned to religion, which soothes the souls of all creatures. The Bako religion Tafism teaches that all good souls who die trying to protect some thing go to become part of the "Great Sea" and that the wicked will be crushed by its mighty waves. It proved to be the biggest comfort to the Bako Tellians to know that those who fought so bravely against the "Skul'agran menace would not be lost forever, and would be part of the justice that would overcome these wrongdoers.

Not one Tellian felt the effect of the invasion harder then Gao Supreme. He locked himself in his room and wept for and entire day, beating himself. "Why couldn't I help them sooner, How could I not see this coming, How could I not plan for an invasion?!" His hysteria was also pushed along by the fact that his turn as Tellian Supreme was coming to an end soon, and this was not the note he wanted to leave on. However, despite his crying and regrets there was nothing more he could do. Tounis, a chunk of the Bako Tellian population, and his good legacy had all been destroyed.
 
BTW, groups of Hletho are called 'Clades' not 'Clans'. But that's a minor detail. :)

See you soon Anony! I'm online now.
 
History of Myzokan Spaceflight

The Myzokan's journey with space began long ago when philosophers looked up at the sky and first began to wonder what, if anything was beyond the surface above their heads. This was long before Myzokan civilization had blossomed; there was no planetary government and the clans had only just started take shape as a political and societal entity. At this time and for a long time thereafter, they could only wonder and speculate late. Then, much later the Myzokan's equivalent of telescopes was invented which stimulated new interest in space. They gave the Myzokan's their first true taste of the galaxy's wonders.

It was not until about two centuries ago that the next advancement towards the ultimate goal of joining the stars in their rhythmic dance took the form of planetary flight. This allowed the Myzokan's to get ever so close to the mysterious void, but they still could not reach it. Then a little over a century ago, the Tontso Clan, renowned for their scientific brilliance, developed the first object of Myzokan origin to enter space and stay in space. This first satellite was christened the Visi Dyforn or the "First Embrace". This was, and still is considered one of greatest accomplishments of the Myzokans as a species.

After the extraordinary leap forward that the Tontso Clan provided, the other clans all attempted to replicate the feat, but only some of these clans were met with success. As each new challenge of space flight became apparent fewer and fewer clans were able to keep up with the competition due to the excessive costs that meeting the challenges implicated. It was in this period that the first few Myzokan's entered space. The next goal however, of a Myzokan visiting another planet, proved too much for any one clan to handle by themselves. That was when the planetary government, which was still quite new at this period, took over and was handed all responsibility over orchestrating a push to the nearest planet.

This coordinated effort resulted in the first landing on a foreign planet just under a half century ago. Within twenty years of this event the Koa System was filled with Myzokan space shapes of all forms, but all of these vessels were much slower than light. This final barrier to unrestrained space travel was finally over come just two years ago when the first wormhole generator was created. This device was able to create a rift in the fabric of space that was directly connected to another rift in some other location. Matter doesn't actually travel any faster inside these wormholes; the wormholes are just paths that are physically shorter than the path of normal travel between the same two points. This development resulted in the first Myzokan spaceship to travel to another star system. In honor of Tontso Clan's achievement in spaceflight so long ago, this vessel was also christened the "First Embrace" as well.
 
Firstly, I apologise profusely for my absence. I have been varying between extremely busy and extremely far from a computer, and havn't had time for this recently. I will try my best to avoid this in the future. Secondly, if it isn't too much of a problem, I would like to play as the Geskani Rebel Fleet until the (hopefully) inevitable victory of the rebellion. Is this permissible? I would like to play as both forces, but if there is a problem with that, I will side with the rebels.
 
I'd actually prefer that you play as both, so that's just fine. :)

I understand the absence, I just hope my method of dealing with it was acceptable.



Also, on another note, Lord Iggy and Anonymoose better still be planning to work out that first contact event, or they're both going to be grounded with no TV for a month.
 
Sneed

Vrun had returned to Sneed amidst considerable celebration, welcomed as an adventuring hero. He was regaled with stories of The Invasion, as well as the following occupation and liberation, told of all the great and exciting things that had been happening in the post-Invasion world, and of the new market ventures in Mar Aih. Though he had done little, other than rather standard vacation-type activities, he was pestered for details about his stay with the Satellians. He told them about Hmmaiaa, which seemed to be a rather big hit at the party, considering the rather chaotic and destructive way that life exists there. He told them about all the interesting Satellian foods he ate, the kind folks he met, his theories about the Kudos economic system (hinting that he might one day come up with additional theories on how to formulate some kind of exchange rate, though he knew that this was a pipe-dream), and of the sudden arrival of a massive Geskani expedition just moments before his departure. Naturally, the more exciting parts of his tale were embellished to seem more lively and action-packed, and of course, his efforts were met with glee. Above all else, the Snud like to be entertained.

After the revelry was over, Vrun managed to get to Ulls' house (having sold his own house to pay for the transport rights), curling up in the spare bowl-bed and sleeping for nearly an entire day. His internal scheduling was all sorts of screwed up, and coupled with his utter exhaustion, he simply couldn't have helped it.

Ulls woke Vrun with a breakfast of fried needlefruit and a bowl of hot milk, which was easily the best meal he had eaten in years. The two talked for a time, mostly about what Ulls had been doing in the years while Vrun was gone. Vrun really enjoyed the saga of Ulls in the resistance, wishing to his surprise that he could have been there to take part, then remembering all the parts about how terrible and dangerous it was. Ulls carried on for a while about his new job, and about all the interesting things he had overheard about the new Proxy technology, though eventually it turned back to more accounting talk.

A few days later, once Vrun had gathered his wits and partially adjusted to the length of the day on Sneed, the duo went down to the storage centers to find out if Vrun's Satellian walker had survived the war. After several hours of investigation, it was determined that a group of resistance fighters had taken it into the Needle Forest to hide it from the Geskani, and also to equip it with a considerable armament of weaponry. It turned out that the lifespan of the walker following its upgrades was short, ending in a spectacular explosion somewhere in the depths of the forest, falling to a hail of fire from aerial patrol ships. Conflicting reports suggested that it managed to destroy anywhere between two and forty Geskani patrol craft before its destruction. Vrun and Ulls came to the agreement that it had probably taken down one, and it was likely a lucky shot.

After being reimbursed by the successor to his insurance company, Vrun purchased a very tiny apartment in the seedy bowels of Black River City, quite a ways away from Ulls' house on the other side of the river. Though the neighborhood wasn't great, and the apartment consisted of a bowl-bed and a sink, Vrun was happy to have a home again. He was also happy that he wouldn't have to go right back to work just yet, as the insurance pay-out would easily cover his expenses for another few months.

Ulls brought up the reproduction certificates again, and Vrun begrudgingly agreed. The pair mated, had breakfast the following morning, and parted ways for good. This was the part that Vrun wasn't looking forward to, as Snuddian tradition meant that they had to cease all interaction and treat each other as strangers to ensure that the child doesn't get confused as to who its birth-parent is and end up psychotic or something. While Vrun didn't understand the rule, he did understand that he had to obey it if he wanted to stay a part of this society, which he did.

Moping for a time at the loss of his closest friend, Vrun finally decided to go out and get a job. Sure, he still had some time to kill before his pay-out ran thin, but he was far too bored to wait for that to happen. He poked around some of the shipping companies, but the work didn't really excite him like it used to. He queried the transportation companies, but passenger-managing work sounded tedious and technical, especially the offers he got for being a hibernation pod repairman. He briefly looked into becoming a chef, but it turned out that he didn't know anything about preparing food, and so nobody would have him despite his fame.

So, he started to write his book. A few days later, he was interrupted by a knock at his door. With a hiss, the portal opened and his guest became visible; a portly Snud with a wide mouth and oddly-thin limbs.

"Traveler Vrun?" the guest queried.

"That's me," Vrun answered, "Who are you?"

The stranger stepped into the room, the portal hissing shut behind. Climbing into Vrun's bed with him (as there was no where else to stand), the stranger stated, "I work for Valu-Vark-Urlon Advanced Technologies. I have an offer for you. We need you as a face to our new product, and you need a job. With your experiences off-world, what we are offering you will solidify your position as a celebrity, as well as allowing you to continue having adventures if you want. And, if you don't, there will be other perks to our offer that you can enjoy while staying comfortably on Sneed. Are you interested?"

Vrun carefully thought about the offer for several seconds, then asked, "Does it pay well?"

"Extremely," was the response he got.

With a delighted quiver of his torso, Vrun stated, "I'm in."
 
Contact Report

Captain Paila Sae looked into the screen at the assembled Governing Council, paused for a moment, then spoke.

We encountered a tremendous alien startraveler above an alien planet which, while inhabited, was apparently not its homeworld. The object had dimensions of approximately 150 kilometers, by 20 kilometers, by 10 kilometers. Its construction was extremely varied- large sections of it were composed of heavy metals and incompletely refined materials, others were composed of organic carapace. The alien species within, which would later identify itself as simply ‘This’- and occasionally as ‘Of Disopterus’-was able to very quickly break the language barrier, a fact which will be touched upon later. All we performed were a handful of mathematical sequences and a single message before they responded using a poorly-formed, but comprehensible form of the Hlethan language. After a brief discourse, they requested our presence aboard their worldship.

Sae paused again, bringing up recorded footage of the colossal alien vessel.

We docked outside one of the organic sections and extended our umbilical through a solid-permeable membrane. Our diplomatic officer, Saen Ko Na, led a small group into the ship’s interior, where he engaged in the first physical contact with the aliens. As you can see in these images, they are multilegged exoskeletal organisms, separated into different groups- there are these ‘workers’, who stand roughly half our height, and somewhat larger and differently proportioned ‘thinkers’. It has been implied that there are further different variations which we have not yet contacted. At any rate, they were unable to directly converse with us, but had a piece of technology which made use of recordings of our own transmissions to them, playing them back to us in an edited and reordered format.

Now, what we cannot see from these images is what is perhaps the most important feature of this species. They share a single, communal mind. It is more accurate to think of them as a single being with an extremely large number of specialized bodies. That proved to be a source of confusion during our first contact. I am still not entirely sure that the communal mind fully comprehends the fact that each Hletho is a generally sovereign entity. ‘This’ struggles with virtually every thought that involves sentience other than itself- it didn’t understand why it would need to greet anything, or why anything would be titled- our science officer suspects that it lacks a spoken or otherwise recorded language of its own, but she will detail the evidence for this point after I have finished.

‘This’ did seem to be willing to face these concepts, though it struggled. It was quite, eager to speak to us despite its repeated statements of confusion, and gave off many signs of enthusiasm in its later responses. It is amused in its conversations with us like we are in hearing a joke, or like a mentally damaged child is in repeating its exposure to a non-understood phenomenon.

At any rate, we spoke to ‘This’ through a variety of its proxies, went through simple exchanges of goods, then took part in several varied discussions before parting. We left a communications relay in their possession, and maintain open, regularly utilized communications with ‘This’. Now, I yield to my science officer Dae Ro Phtan, who will detail the topics covered in some of our discussions with the aliens.

Dae Ro Phtan, still bedecked in her goggles and an awkward mishmash of tools and technology, grinned widely, arcing her tongues above her head before speaking.

We must first make sure that we are clear in that we are dealing with an unprecedented different kind of consciousness. I am currently compiling a full report on what we have learned about ‘This’, and will submit it for your information upon its completion. The mind of ‘This’, while an apparently singular entity, is capable of tremendous multitasking skills. We understand that it used only a tiny portion of its mental resources in our contact- which is very significant when we consider that its problem solving method seems to be simply using brute mental force, making countless millions of thinkers approach a problem from a huge variety of paths until a solution becomes clear- it is through this type of analysis that they most likely came to speak our language.

‘This’ transmits electronic information through a binary coding system, and have sent us a tremendous collection of data which I am just beginning to work through. However, they were eager to provide physical data as well- they provided us with several bodies which it had mentally vacated, for investigation. We, of course, were unable to directly reciprocate, but provided detailed information about our own bodily function in place of sacrificing several of our small crew. The data collected so far shows that the individuals composing ‘This’ have biochemistries broadly similar to our own. Mentally, they are all connected in a manner similarly to us- low-frequency electromagnetic radiation transmits signals through gaps, and nerve-cables serve to carry signals for longer distances. The individuals are essentially nodes, forming up a massive hierarchical network centered around a ‘Queen’, who is apparently the housing of ‘This’. I must stress that this understanding is still preliminary, and that many more details remain to be clarified.

Technologically, they are minimalists. It seems that ‘This’ has developed only the technologies that it absolutely needs. The peak of its development seems to be its faster than light propulsion system- we possess startlingly similar technologies for hyperspatial transportation. Theirs involves the generation of a gravitational anomaly- much like that created by the trident apparatus on one of our own Startravelers. However, while we use this to shorten and compact and extremely long cylinder of space before passing through it, they compact space in front of them and extend space behind them as they move, resulting in a much slower, but less energy-intensive transportation method. The fundamental difference is that while we travel directly through compaction events, they create a ‘rolling event’, and simply cruise conventionally through a pocket of normal space. The end results are that their method, while much slower and slightly more energy intensive, places far less structural stress on transiting objects and consumes far less energy in a given time interval.

Captain Paila Sae returned into view.

Thank you, Phtan. Now, esteemed members of the governing council, I conclude the report on our first contact with ‘This’. Your questions may be answered until our power cells have recharged, at which point we will continue our exploratory mission around the outer galactic core. Captain Paila Sae out.
 
Back
Top Bottom