Beginnings of the Future Part 7:

Union High command Orbital: Mirach system: Union space

The Tenebrean delegates had, by this point largely remained at their places. Drogan and Aldarian gone from their seats. The War-caste out on the hanger with tenebrean guards shunting in off of the intercepter to aid in the rescue efforts of the injured deck hands and crew men.

The raudonain was gone from the scene. Having utilized his personal shunt tech to join the passengers of the coalition shuttle as it had pulled away, contacting Xtopher on his intentions of making sure that the two empires economic alliance would remain intact, although his more obvious intentions could clearly be made out in his tone of deep worry. He knew that the female teruvian had been injured in the collision, and had wanted to remain with her.
The Administrative caste shook his head and groaned in obvious annoyance at the diplomats affections. But Allowed the Zlato clan rep take his leave for the time being. Giving him the order to both report in as soon as the collation ship returned to its fleet, as well as proving an actual solid relation between their empires trading alliance in the time that he was with them.
Shaking his head, he closed the comm-link. Mentally annoyed by the utter lack of protocol that had been the norm at this entire conference, as well as the general lack of both focus and sense at the requests that had been made.    
Some of them were standing up in mixed surprise and shock as the union captain was first accused, then publicly executed in front of them. Pham and libernus being the most shocked as her brains and fragments of her skull splattered across the conference room floor. the kanids armor ears going up at the sound of the impact.  the others giving mixed looks of confusion and disgust.
Many of them quickly changed in their tone as the mention of the Cults spreading corruption amongst the union was said. The tenebrean delegate and a few of the others sitting back down as news of the cult that had been plaguing their empire in the months following the natza kartania had spread so extensively among the other empires was spoken to them. While the Stromian and Xtopher remained standing as The Drake royal made his way to the center of the room.

The Administrative caste Listened as the drake explained to hargun and the SSC diplomat that was known as Hess, as what had been going on, as well as just what the scientists and salvagers in the natza kartania system had fallen prey to. Describing the horrible state that the remainders of the crew had been when they had been found. Reporths having been presented to him to review. Remembering pict captures of horribly mutilated bodies, some fused to the hulls of the ships themselves like some twisted pseudo organism. While others had been horribly mutated or twisted beyond measure... helios Explaining to the two diplomats what he had explained to him already when he had visited the drakes capital palace himself months ago. That something horrible had entered ancerious, and was set on leting chaos loose on them all.

He watched for a little bit more as the royal bent down, reanimating the captains severed head. Resisting the urge to smirk to himself as it started to scream in his hands... Claws? He wondered. Watching the union admiral start to question the severed appendage as it looked around. the deceased captain shouting out her thinly masked gloats and curses. The Union and SSC diplomats looking surprisingly unmoved by the fact that a head was screaming to them without any tech or cybernetics to support its functions. functions, that had, only moments ago, been smashed flatter then the flat cakes that the humans referred to as "A Pancake"

"So, Helios." He said. Interrupting the three as they spoke. directing what he said at the royal. "We are to tell them what We have discussed in our previous meetings then?"

Helios turned to Xtopher just as the other drakes returned from the hangar and into the conference room.
"yes, withold no information you have on the subject, we need to keep these people informed if we are to stand a chance." He replied and returned his attention to the other drakes, Terran was not among them. they had stopped to after seeing Lydia's headless body still on the ground but as soon as they saw Helios they returned their attention to him.
"The injured have been properly healed, my king." Glacian told the king, occasionally glancing at the new corpse. "Terran is still tending to the dead but he should be back shortly...my king, do you need him to-"
"no, Glacian, ive already taken care of her, leave her body where it lies. make arrangements to have the head properly contained and silenced. we dont need her making a scene..." Helios replied. Glacian placed his hand over his chest in a salute.
"as you command my king." with that, Glacian disappeared in a flash of white.Helios looked at the rest.
"the rest of you may leave or stay as you wish, i'll take care of things here."
Vortexean bowed and disappeared just as glacian had, Aquadie soon after. only Pyracian, Circe, and Terran once he returned, were left.

Xtopher turned to look at the drakes as they entered the conference room and spoke briefly to the royal several of them disappearing soon after. Returned back to their own worlds or home world most likely. Before turning his attention back to helios.
"Very well." He said after a moment. his teneberean accent becomingly slightly apparent. "I'll share what we've uncovered."  he nodded, before stepping forward towards the center of the conference room. His solid form harmlessly passing through the conference table and chairs that stood between him and the royal drake and the union admiral as if they were the consistency of smoke. Several strides being enough to bring him to where they stood.
"And, as a passing note, in terms of Kartania ships. There are two that are missing. the ERVO is simply the most recent."

Helios glanced over to Circe who in turn looked to Xtopher.
"actually...there have been new developements in regards to the ERVO..." she started to say.
"but that should be discussed in a more secure location..." Helios added.

Hargun listened "Either way i would recomend all nations check their populations, they might not be as loyal as you think... Especially those who participated in the Natza Kartania attack, those had direct contact to this... corruption..." Hargun said heavily.

Helios turned to address the others after Hargun gave his advice.
"good advice, Hargun. to add to that, I advise not killing those you find. there are a great number of undesireable consequences if you do." Helios followed.

"instead, i advise you either rehabilitate those who have not strayed too far into the darkness, or send them to be imprisoned in the drake world, where they can do no more harm."

Hargun looked at Helios "Mind melding would work right? Thats the method currently in place suggested by Volkus here" He gestured to Volkus who was furiously typing, probably to make war plans and other notes and was too busy to notice.

"no, i forbid the act on the grounds of survival. there are risks into 'mind melding' with these individuals. it may very well spread the corruption." Helios answered

Laramar looked up "What would these consequences of killing them be" he queried

"Damn..." Hargun replied. Volkus looked up at the Drake and grimaced at the reply, and went back to writing up new methods to implement.

"the drakes can provide the methods for determining the identities of the corrupted, no worries, they are quite simple. as for the consequences of killing these individuals." Helios addressed Laramar. "Lydia answered that for you. upon death, their souls and life forces go to their gods to use as they see fit. it's a consequence of worshipping one of the draconian, one my people consider most heinous. in doing so, you would give the draconian one more weapon to add to their arsenals."

Xtopher stood silently near the union and drake leaders. listening as they spoke their warnings towards the assembled representatives. Taking note of what him and the drake had covered months earlier. "So, capture over killing is a preferred movement. Stasis bursts tend to work, and putting them in it helps in their transport. But its best to be wary.. Not all of them are the same species as they originally were. and underestimating them will lead to causalities if your not careful. I've been working with helios for some time now on countering their movements. But they have proven to be more then capible of adapting to the situation."

Hargun nodded "In that case i suggest we work closely together Lord Helios, these are pressing times, i would consider your help invaluable both for the Union and for the greater whole"

Helios nodded. "this is good news, Hargun. the drakes will gladly aide the union and its allies who wish it against this threat."

As Drogan returned to his respective spot templar walked over the lifeless body and said with an very serious tone in his voice. "Who ever this 'APOPHIS' is they are most likely just a myth made up by those who seek only to satify their own greed. My lord's empire has sealed its self off from the rest of the Ancerious system since we have arrived though we are fully aware of situations like this." He walked over to his seat and continued as the royal guard returned to their postions. "My Lord's empire is currently at war back in our galaxy against many hostile empires. One of which serves a true being of darkness known to our empire as Cerberus. His armies spread his chaotic corruption like wild fire to world that are within his gaze. We have developed special 'methods' to prevent this spread. " Drogan opened a hologram that appeared in the middle of the table showing a unknown planet as he spoke "This is Domion II a prison world. It houses the majority of criminals aswell as those who wish to spread the corruption." Several orbital battle stations nearly the same size of the very station they were on started appearing around the planet as drogan continued "The prisoners are brought to the planet via high security prison ships which once in position orbital drop the prisoners to the planet's surface. The drop pods self destruct once afew minutes after landing preventing the prisoners from salvaging anything from it. The pod is also tracked by these orbital battle stations which also prevent any unathorized spaceship from entering or leaving the planet's surface."

The prison is self sufficent which removed the need for resupply and the prisioners run their own cities on the surface meaning that there is no need for any guards to watch over them on the surface. However we normally have one land fortress for 'questioning' as well as oher reasons." *a hologram image of a massive fortress on the planet's surface appeared in a location far away from any of the now appearing prisioner cities. There was also a two mile no mans land located around the entire fortress which showed that it was easy to keep it defended as well as secluded from the inmates. "We have received very useful information from these as well as other reasons and only once did the need arise to purge the planet anoter fail safe put in place in case the populace over ran the planetary fortress.

Hargun frowned "Do not be so quick to dismiss other evils Drogan, Xanthos was the very essence of evil in our home reality but was no less deadly. And this method... Is too brutal in my eyes i cannot sanction such actions for it is against the Unions way" He said looking over the schematics

Helios raised an eyebrow at drogan.
"good for you. it will do you no good against this threat, but still, good for you."

Templar he turned to hargun and Helios saying still in a serious tone "We are no strangers to this kind of warfare and whether you deam it nesseary or not  I do not care. Another thing i will tell you is that cerberus's armies will soon take notice of the chaos that is happening here and begin their invasion.

"Let them come" Laramar boomed. "Should we be sensible enough to  unite against common evil's we shall previal no matter the odds!"

Templar turned towards Laramar and said shaking his head "I comend you on your optimisim but I can only tell you to prepare for them as well as high losses and casualties. Then then looked at the direction of the corpse body before saying "As well as traitors among your ranks."

"My people are used to high casulties templar, I assure you." Laramar's expression and tone had become cold, his usual happiness and optimism gone.

Hargun nodded "And this my freinds" He said looking at everyone "Is why we need a grand alliance. So we can tackle these threats together and destroy them"

Templar spoke not looking at Laramar saying simply and to the point "Then your people must prepare for even more." He then turned towards Hargun and said "What will your emperor do with those that have betrayed him? Bring them back to the fold? Or purge them from existence? My methods however brutal to you they seam are for the greater good of my lord's empire. War is not a lesson that doesn't leave scars. We must learn from these lessons and adapt.

"And there is no evidence that these forces are anything like what your used to." Xtopher added calmly. "i've seen sciences beyond what most human imaginations could encompass... But some of the reports i've seen still manage to puzzle me..."

Templar turned to look at helios saying "Chaos breads war the damage of this corruption must be repaired quickly before it becomes irreversable. Corruption leads to rebellions which then lead to civil wars. This may be peacekeeping for you Rep. Helios but sooner or later it will result to warfare."  Templar then turned towards Xtopher and said "As for you rep. xtopher you do not know what 'i'm used to' in the service to my lord or what i am capable of imagining." His words towards Xtopher were filled with force and authority as he spoke. "You should know better than to compare one who you have never met to something else."

Xtopher made no reaction towards templar as he turned to face him in return. The Force and authority that the rep had made clear in his voice doing little to impress the Ancient Calvara as it regarded him with a glance that Spoke silent Volumes and Libraries worth of age and experience. " Then why are you comparing the cultists we speak of to the ones your own empire has faced? There are more realms then this, child." His calm words of response carrying even larger amounts of Force and authority of a silent kind as he replied. "I expect that you'll find that The same rules do not apply everywhere, as we've come to learn. Cerberus may be a force of great power where you hail from, but we know little of the powers of this, nagaetros that helios has told me of, or even these, Draconian. Among them, he may very well be one among their ranks... That option must remain open. We have to assume that we dont know the full extent of what we're dealing with."
The Administrative caste narrowed his eyes slightly, tilting his skull forward to regard Templar. "Or is that something that your "Capable of imagining" as well?"

"you should know how to talk to those willing to help in the coming storm. the signs have become irrefutable, and if this should devolve into a war for whatever the reason, then i promise you it will be too late to turn back and regret." Helios added.

Xtopher nodded silently at this.

Templar looking at xtopher uneffected by his glance before saying "You walk on very thin ice rep xtopher though you have earned some of my respect. Unlike the many of the rep. here who failed to acheive that.  When i speak about the corruption however where 'i hail from' It has been proven to lead towards the same outcome in many situations and simulations. I am fully aware that there are 'more realms then this' however this 'child' is simply laying down what you may deam the worst cast situation." Templar then turned towards Helios and said " Oh? Then tell me rep helios when i have been trying to help Hargun to eastablish his plan of  a 'united acerious system' one which would have most likely help prevent this 'coming storm'. Why do many of you hold still and not support his plan? If you say you are are one of those who are willing to help then why didn't you act?"

(mars Empire) Drogan he cleared his voice and said "I know my fellow rep methods aren't one politions favor but i assure you that he and I are only trying to help resolve this situation.  Perhaps a combination of ideas that our empries have come up with could work at resolving this corruption situation that we find our selfs in as well as work towards the joint ancerious idea that Admral Hargun has proposed."

Xtopher chuckled dryly for a moment, amused at the mistake of his association. "I have to correct you, Templar." He said. "I am of Tenebrae, The "Emerald sword." is of the Immortal empire. a rather distant comparison."

"you talk as though i have offered no aide to the greater good against a foe i am all too familiar with and have lost much to." Helios replied evenly. " that's quite the insult to a king who has lost countless lives of his people to this terror, since before many of you were ever born, and still brought his people up from the brink of extinction and into prosperity. ive said what needs to be done, and while i cant force you to follow it, i advise you do."

Klester leaned back in his chair before addressing the drake royal, "And what of those that are not allied with the Union? Are we to be left to our own devices, to inveitably fall to the clutches of this cult?" Klester grimmaced slightly. His last sentence dripped with sarcasm, but was still a genuine question. Of course, given how most here responded simple sugestions and honest questions he was almost certain that someone would take it the wrong way. He thought about Harguns response to the too brutal methods. A laugh escaped from Klester at Hargun's remark. Life imprisonment on a desolate world was too much for the Union, but a public excecution during a peace conference was hunky dory. He reached up and rubbed his temples as he tried to comprehend this lunacy. "Don't be naive, you would just end up with a horrible mess. Your methods are apparently too extreme for the Union's taste and not extreme enough for my own. Trying to combine the ideas of all or even most of those present would simply end with several sides taking up a position on the matter and refusing to budge, due to either national pride or basic differences in culture. No one plan is going to work. The factions assembled here are too diverse and varried for a single plan to work."

"we are also able to help those willing to cooperate, klester. whether we help your empire or not is entirely up to you. the relationships between factions is not a defining factor of those we help or associate with." Helios replied to Klester's question

Hargun nodded to the different nations, the Immortal Empire made sense, they were too different however there was no other choice. It was stand or fall "Klester you are correct, we are too different. However what would you rather us do? Stand alone? We have inteligence from the Tau Volaris system where a joint fleet is taking down a combined rebel threat. The fact this is a large joint fleet shows us when we have a common enemy we can stand together, however this is not the point. The rebels from our factions are not only working together, they are cooperating with other empires. They have ties to the Dark Triumvirate, as well as some other factions like the cults and some we dont know about. THAT is the problem, there are many enemies here but THEY are unifying and together they will threaten all of us"

"Why not stand alone? At least, somewhat alone. We are more familiar with our populations and therefore better suited to routing these rebels and cultists out of hiding in a way that won’t rouse the notice or suspicions of others. Of course this is just a small part of a larger plan. It is obvious that the Drake have a great deal of knowledge on these cults. It would therefore be prudent to ask them for additional information on the matter before even thinking of acting. This would deal with the internal affairs of each nation without them having to call upon the aid of others. I’m not saying you shouldn’t ask for help, but I would caution against it. After all, who your ally sends to help could have fallen to this cult without them knowing.” At this Klester gestured to the headless corpse. “As shown here you need to be exceedingly cautious with who you trust with this information.”

“As for the pirates, the rebels, this Dark Triumvirate you keep mentioning, those that are posing an immediate threat, a joint force may be called for. Just don’t include the Immortal Empire in your plans. Feel free to ask us for help though. We might say yes if we think it benefits us enough.”


The Carnaithian ship captain, having returned from the restroom after the head incident, with here stomach now being cleared of most contents, got a message. She made a quick adjustment to the hair hanging over her eyes, and checked the message. "sorry to interupt, but i would like to notify everyone that Reik is now being picked up from the station. He is not being shipped out of ancerious as originally planned, but you won't have to hear from him for a while." she said with the best composure she could muster. when she sat down, she let her breath out, put her head in her hands, and asked her assistant to grab her a drink, non-alcholic, but something to hold her up. this was stressful, considering there hadn't been a large meeting like this between interstellar powers such as these. at least it wasn't the conferences back in the Imperial Omniverse, by the gods those were stressful...

Laramar was irritated, not that he displayed it. All that was happening were veiled insults and general lack of co-operation between the nations that had the ability to save the galaxy or destroy it. He stiffened visibly in his chair as Lock's warning came through. There was nothing he could do to help but that didnt make it any easier on him. "Where would this station be built prey tell? It would be quite the mammoth task and many of us may not be able to quickly access it if the location is unfavourable." he finished waiting for someone to respond.

Hargun looked at Laramar "It would be best to contruct the station in a neutral zone out in open space, create jump lanes to all of the allies home systems for ease and also would hopefully aid trade between us all. And as a staging ground for any quick military action" He replied

Klester chuckled, "And create a convenient pathway from the station to your capitols at the same time, making the station an even bigger target than it was before."

Hargun laughed at Klesters comment "And how do you think one nation would be able to best all of the combined defences of the races and then have to brave those of our capitols? We would have blocks in place to shut down the gates at a moments notice"

The Captain had recovered for the most part, and decided to make her thoughts clear. "an enemy fleet may be to null effect, but what of someone using superweapons?" she asked, not to jab at anyone.

Hargun replied "Then the gates would be shut down by a automatic sequence, and again could be sealed on the capital system end too. Besides..." Hargun smiled "We would make to to be able to take such power and survive"

"Didn't you just say that there where forces gathering together, who wish for nothing more than to destroy you? If the station and its forces were to fall they would have access to the gates. Sure you place a block to stop them from using the gates. But what's to stop them from discovering a work around?"

Hargun nodded "A self destruct system to destroy the gates in the worst case scenario, besides it dosent have to be linked to the Capitols we could always just make jump anchors to the station so that people can jump to it from anywhere though it wouldnt be instant without the gates of course"

The captain smirked "very well. i guess i can't criticise it until the designs are made, and it is built" she said, leaning back in her seat. she noticed that the assistants hadn't grabbed the firing device for reiks' revolver, and rushed one out of there and onto a carnaithian travel liner that was in-system.
While it is an interesting Idea admittedly....and I never thought I'd find myself saying this but the representative from the Immortal Empire has a point.  For every system you build someone will always find an exploit...this system has quite a few means by which it could fall easily to your enemy. I am not convinced this is a particularly safe idea.

Xtopher smirked, leaning against the table slightly as he took in the arguments that were ebbing tossed between the various representatives of the empires and how utterly ridiculousness some of the conceptualized systems they were putting foreword. "I will interject at this point" He said, giving a small Gesture. "What competent Empire, or empire leading government would make such a foolish decision as making Gateway routes Directly to their capital systems. It's a foolish system at its very best..." He finished, putting down his arm and letting it hang by his side.

" I have to agree with Xtopher, this is a very risky concept" Helios said.

"MUST the gates go directly to a nation's capitol?" the Carnaithian ship captain asked, to go along with the other statements and arguments being posed

Hargun looked at the different reps "And dont you think this can all be changed? Perhaps some of you should put forward some ideas, seeming as you are backing the move yet criticising it?" He replied

Hess raised one eyebrow at Harguns comment as if the responce was out of place. "Actually, I am not backing anything at this point. I am merely raising the question of the logic behind such a seeming waste of resources that would potentially give your enemy a bridgehead in any cooperating allied territory. Would not such effort be better suited to finding means to inflict greater losses upon the enemy instead or perhaps finding a better way to isolate and protect against their corruptive effects?"

"I must say the idea of linking our home systems to the station is wise" Laramar began. "However if we all stop questioning and actually offer assistance as opposed to a barrage of questions this station could become a strong tactical asset for each of us. Joint science projects, a unified military force against those that would threaten the good of ancerious, these are but a fraction of the good we can do if we unify around this cause" he sat back in his chair.

Hargun turned to Laramar "The gates idea can be changed if needed, however we still need a location. I suggest open space, with jump anchors if needed or in a neutral system so the star itself can function as the jump anchor. With the nations currently committed to the Alliance we will be able to construct the station with relative swiftness. However if more choose to join it would be even greater" He turned to the others "But yes it is all up to those who are joining to decide"

Laramar nodded. "As for open space there seems to be little of that around nowadays" he laughed. "Perhaps establish the station, off the grid so to speak, outside of the majority of the galaxy, perhaps towards or even in the Uriel star cluster?" Laramar sat in thought as he surveyed the map of known space.

Hess found the sheer naiveté of it all disconcerting to say the least, as legitimate concerns were both brought up and rapidly swept under the rug by a select few with some unclear agenda. Individually considered the parts were innocuous but when considered in whole it presented a picture of complete arrogance to Hess. Why he remembered the last time a species was so arrogant…they ceased to exist eons ago according to record…and yet here was another bunch so cocksure that it was disgusting. Hess debated even bothering to stick around for the rest of it, SSC wasn’t signing on so why bother? But no, someone had to remind those locked on such a plan that no, the plan was a bad idea and needed to be re considered without just one representative working on the whole thing.  “I have a better idea, how about we treat this nonsense of jump gates like you treat the very valid concerns of their safety…we ignore your proposal all together and move on?  I do think this conference needs adjournment since it has failed to produce any progress.”

Hargun shook his head, these people did not even remotely understand. He had emphasied the joint work aspect yet they required the Union to feet them ideas only to be criticised? The whole point of a joint project was to each give ideas in turn. But there was none of that here. At least the alliance had been made with a few nations and the joint station idea would be built on and in time completed. However Hargun knew the reaction his report on this would give... Myric would personally intervene on the event. Perhaps if the Emperor talked to the respective heads of state instead of hotheaded representatives more would be done. While the arguments and criticisms at his ideas raged he merely ignored them and jotted down private messages which would be sent to the respective reps after the conference. Inviting them to a private leaders meeting, with less drama and tighter security. As he looked up he knew this wouldnt go any further. With a heavy heart Hargun stood up and spoke "My freinds i am sorry to say that this conference will not proceed any further. If criticism is all that is going to be forwarded instead of new plans and ideas then this is a pointless endeavour to try and satify your needs to make enemies. I have sent respective messages to some of you which you will rescieve shortly however this conference is at a close. You may all return to your respective shuttles and depart if you wish or you may stay here under surpervision for a few days. Any shuttles damaged or destroyed by the Coalitons... actions will be reimbursed by us on the house. However i do wish to talk to some of you alone. I hereby call this conference closed. Thank you for coming and good day" He turned away "And may creation have mercy on your souls..." He stepped down and sent the messages, primarily to Hess, Xtopher and Helios. Asking them to meet him in private.

(And so died the conference, As badly as it failed due to OOC issues i thank all those who participated )