Omnet Galactipedia Entry: Greater Galaxy - Nexus
Potential Theory Case study 2120.
Translation: Archaic
Q: How does a Minor
Empire ease itself into the court of galactic interaction? Is there a correct
procedure? A rule of protocol?
The Omnet offers numerous case studies
on the subject, each shedding a unique light on the correct paths of diplomatic
acceptance
and diplomatic catastrophe. One has
only one chance to make a first impression. Is there bodily contact during
salutations? Should
eye contact be avoided? A simple faux
pas may lead to death.
Take for example
the now isolated Minor Empire of Gaal, whose Octopod sentient species mistakenly
sought understanding of
their fellow galactic neighbors by
symbiotically bonding with them, and consuming their conscious into theirs.
This marked the
beginning of the Sixth Galactic Micro-war.
Half a billion sentients were killed.
Events such
as these and countless others lead to formal Catalog of Contact entries
of all Minor Empires before their official
introduction into the Greater Galaxy.
In your studies you have tracked the interplay of numerous Empires in their
new found status
of Minor Empire. Track now the affairs
of Sector H as the August Empire of Archaen moves to accept its membership
into the AiD
Pact Alliance. Study now how one empire
affects another as the Archaens make their galactic debut. New enemies
will be made, as
well as friends. The following are
a chronology of holo-plays, diplomatic missives, Omnet, and Minor Empire
news post tracking these
events. It begins with a simple open
letter. One pebble that makes a ripple across the galactic ether ....
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Feints befall you. Beware my strike."
-Old 'Sin-Guardian proverb.
GALACTIC STANDARD TIME: DAY 251. 0010:19 SECTOR: H
_______________________________________
*[INCOMING TRANSMISSION: Open Hail. ENCRYPTION
CODE: level1]*
Greetings fellow sentients,
Allow me to introduce myself.
My name is Lady Onia Onnetta Farfel Marcello, youngest daughter to Emperor
Shadrach
Farfel Marcello VI of the August Empire of Archaen. Today
is a great day for our people. Today the Greater Galaxy has officially
recognized the Archaen Empire and its people as a sovereign
Minor Empire. Ishtar has smiled upon us, and we wish to share our
joy and good will. Our borders are open for all to come
and visit in the spirit of friendship and the open exchange of new cultures,
new ideas so that we may foster lasting bonds and ties
with our friends of the Greater Galaxy. A reception will be held on Dreamworld
VI within two weeks, to be followed by a formal celebration
and festival on the White. None with open hands and peace in their hearts
will be turned away.
Some of you
may be familiar with us through correspondents with our esteemed neighbors
and allies of the Rhuk-D'Kai
Dynasty and/or our involvement with the AiD Pact Alliance.
For those of you who are not, the White is the interstellar palace
and fortress of our Empire. It is also my home, and home
to over 14 million citizens of the Empire, including, Dreamers, Wights,
Wight-Spectors, Humans and 'Sin-Guardians. So many names
and terms to figure out. Please come and discover who we are.
I am told the towers of the White are a marvel to behold,
and our hospitality knows no bounds. Please come for this open
celebration, so that we may further know and understand
one another.
Sincerely,
Lady Onia Onnetta Farfel Marcello
The White
The August Empire of Archaen
Sector H
************[END TRANSMISSION]*************
_______________________________________
GALACTIC STANDARD TIME: DAY 252. 0007:28 SECTOR: H
_______________________________________
*[INCOMING TRANSMISSION: Diplomatic Hail. ENCRYPTION
CODE: level 3]*
Lady Onia Onnetta Farfel Marcello
The August Empire of Archaen
Dear Lady Onia Onnetta Farfel Mercello,
I am Ambassador
Kreen of the New Asgard empire. You may remember us from the AiD Pact Alliance
also and as
allies of the Rhuk-D'Kai Dynasty. We wish to formally
greet you into this wondrous universe. We would be pleased to meet
you for the celebrations and would present onto you a
gift, a finely wrought silvanite broach blessed by the high priests of
Odin.
We would also like to ask that after the celebrations
are over and you are ready to discuss empire relations, we would discuss
trade negotiations.
Again, welcome to the Universe,
Ambassador Kreen
New Asgard
************[END TRANSMISSION]*************
_______________________________________
GALACTIC STANDARD TIME: DAY 252. 0009:03 SECTOR: H
_______________________________________
*[INCOMING TRANSMISSION: Diplomatic Hail. ENCRYPTION
CODE: level 3]*
Dear Ambassador Kreen,
Of course I do remember you. How good
to hear from you again. On behalf of the citizens of the Archaen Empire
I would
like to thank you for your beautiful gift. It will be
an honor to wear the broach as a symbol of our friendship and as a reminder
of the beauty and kindness of the Asgardian People. As
a token of our appreciation and renewed friendship I would like to offer
you and the fair people of New Asgard an Archaen Hunting
Horn carved from the single ivory horn of a Cirrillian Bull, woven
with silver and pearls. The hunting horn is a symbol
of strength, prosperity and friendship, blown first on the signing of the
Archaen Constitution.
My father has asked me to make arrangements
with you for a series of high level meetings concerning trade negotiations
and further imperial relations. Attending the meetings
will be Lord Cambridge, high counselor and adviser to my father, and
Ambassador Cardinal, the Wight Ambassador to the throne.
Of course I expect to see you and your
delegation at the celebration and hope you enjoy our hospitality and friendship.
My father and the rest of the Royal family will be present
and we all look forward to making your acquaintance.
Sincerely,
Lady Onia Onnetta Farfel Marcello
August Empire of Archaen
P.S. Please contact my 'Sin-Guardian,
Jan Church concerning your accommodation needs and security arrangements.
Looking forward to your visit.
Lady O.
************[END TRANSMISSION]*************
_______________________________________
GALACTIC STANDARD TIME: DAY 252. 0009:41 SECTOR: H
_______________________________________
*[INCOMING TRANSMISSION: Diplomatic Hail. ENCRYPTION
CODE: level 4]*
Lady Onia,
Please allow me to welcome you and
your people to the greater galaxy. We of the Golem Homeworld are always
looking for new allies among the stars, and would like
to extend our hand in friendship. Our usual arrangements include
open trade agreements and non-agression pacts. (Due to
the fact that we lack a military, we cannot enter into mutual
defense treaties.)
I look forward to your reply,
--OpenHands,
FarReach Coalition.
************[END TRANSMISSION]*************
_______________________________________
GALACTIC STANDARD TIME: DAY 252. 0010:11 SECTOR: H
_______________________________________
*[INCOMING TRANSMISSION: Private Diplomatic Hail.
ENCRYPTION
CODE: level 4]*
Dear OpenHands,
Thank you for you welcoming words,
and we will gladly accept your hand in friendship. The Archaen Empire would
be delighted to begin open trade talks and to discuss
a non-aggression pact with the Golem HomeWorld. Ours is an open
culture and we believe we have much to offer to the Greater
Galaxy, as well as learn from our friends amongst the stars.
We hope to
meet you during the reception on DreamWorld VI, and to make your acquaintance
again on the
White during the week long festive celebration officially
marking our Empire's recognition by the Greater Galaxy.
I look forward to meeting with you at that time and to
further plan future negotiations. May Ishtar guide your way.
Sincerely,
Lady Onia
August Empire of Archaen
************[END TRANSMISSION]*************
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Omnet Galactipedia sidenote: [The following
document was recently discovered in the Kar'negie Library and Information
Archives, New Pittsborg, 1st World Cirrillia, and was
found to pre-date several Omnet news post by about approximately one
week. The following information sheds new constructive
light on the specific unfolding of events during the Archaen reception
held on Dreamworld VI.]
-Excerpt from the Personal Journal of Omnet
News Reporter Somerset Ohio.
JOURNAL ENTRY NO. 221.
I'm an avalanche of professional flutter with ten seconds to go before I'm on.
"Get out of my face, Gina, my hairs fine," I say.
My hair stylist bats her eyes at me, then gives
me a look that's at the opposite end of a sly-come-hither stare. She pouts,
and walks out of camera view in a way that could cause
accidents on a busy street. I hear the music fade up in my earpiece.
The lights hit my face strong and clear.
I'm on ...
"This is Somerset
Ohio reporting live on the August News.Net from the Jade Blade on Dreamworld
Six. Behind me,
through this interstellar tavern's
famous porthole view, is the breath taking spacescape of Tarrkhul Prime,
and ...yes ..there
she is now, arriving as scheduled,
the Archaen Diplomatic Imperial ship, the HMS Negotiator, just now pulling
into port.
On board is Lady Onia Onnetta Farfel
Marcello, youngest daughter to the Emperor of the Archaen Empire, and her
diplomatic
entourage, including, the Wight representative
to the Archaen Throne, Ambassador Cardinal, Lord-Senator Finnigan Waxham,
Chairman of the Archaen Senate subcommittee
on Interstellar Defense, Kal'li Pasquay, representative of the Cirrillian
Steel Union,
and a host of other VIP's. Their arrival
now officially marks the beginning of what will prove to be a week of informal
introductions
and exchanges with the various races
and cultures of the greater galaxy, ending in a formal reception, hosted
by the Archaens, where
I'm standing now, here at the Jade
Blade.
The Negotiator,
from what I understand, has just completed a low orbit tour of Tarrkhul
Prime guided by Ambassador Jai'Kai,
the Rhuk-D'kai ambassador to the Archaens.
Once docking procedures have been completed we'll be back for another live
cast to see
the debarking of the Archaen Honor
Guard, the arrival of Lady O and her 'Sin-Guardian retainers and the reciting
of the Istata Prayer
of Welcome. This is Somerset Ohio
signing off from the August News.Net."
The lights clicked off and I feel the heat leave my cheeks.
"You always had a flare for the dramatic, Somer."
The man speaking stood with a cane.
In a younger life I knew him to be tall, and skinny with an infectious
smile. Now he was heavier,
balding, but the welcoming grin was still the same.
"Holy Janus! ... Jolson! What the hell are you doing here?" I said.
My old friend hobbled over with the cane and shook my hand. He hooked a thumb over his shoulder.
"Same thing you are. I'm here
with the Asgardians. They were one of the first empires to offer diplomatic
ties to the Archaens,
so ... I'm here covering the
story."
"Yeah? With the Omnet or the Asgardian press?" I asked.
"Well, unlike you I don't freelance anymore. I'm strictly Omnnet now."
"Well congratulations! Put 'er there,". We shook again.
"What about you ...Sir Somerset?" He said.
"Oh ...you heard about that?"
He nodded.
"You rescued Princess Onia from the Ghoiites, and got knighted ...everyone heard about it."
I shrugged. "Well, you don't have to call me 'Sir', I still work for a living." I looked down at his cane. "What's with the stick?"
"This thing? Got a liver transplant recently," said the reporter.
"Janus! ...why? " I asked.
"The damn Asgardians. Whenever I want
a story it's ... 'Drink with me, good Jolson', or.. 'Drink to Odin,
and I'll share my tale'. Problem is
those people never get drunk. I do. This is my third liver."
We laughed together, but his ended in a series of ragged coughs.
"That sounds serious. You sure you're okay?" I said.
He steadied himself. "Yeah. I think I caught something on the surface.".
"You were down on Prime? "
"Uh huh. I was trying to find Hewlett. He's with the RDD Omnet branch. Just wanted to stop in and say hi."
"You, me and Hewlett. Now that brings back memories." I folded my arms.
"Problem is he wasn't there. The Mobil Omnet Unit was gone, and no one seemed to know where they are."
"That's odd?" I said. "Do tell," said Jolson. Suddenly, he looked over my shoulder.
"Whoa, I think I just saw Lanita Howard ...Mmmmm." He rose to his full height and straighten his tie. "Gotta go, Somer."
He began to hobbled away. I called out to him, extra loud.
"Yeah, well give my love to Kathen and the kids." He threw me a sour
look and called,
"Spoil sport!"
Part of me wanted to follow. It would be like old times, but I had other things on my mind, and besides, I was due back live in three minutes.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Omnet Galactipedia sidenote: [The following holo-play
was created based on the testimonials of several participants involved
in the
Archaen reception on Dreamworld VI, and the declassified
briefing reports of Interstellar-lawyer Cameron Trek, and Master Assassin-Guardian
Jan Church. The Omnet gratefully acknowledges its thanks
to the Imperial Department of Records, August Intelligence Agency.]
Dreamworld VI Holo-play. Production No. 344b-XXI. Archaen Reception.
Episode No. 1.
"What do you call?"
The dignitary from the Magi'lli Homeworld looked down
at the food dish. The man across from him on the buffet table
smiled and said,
"Pasta, your excellency."
"Pah ...stah..?" struggled the Magi'llian. The pinchers around his mouth had trouble pronouncing the word.
"Yes, that's right," replied
the human. He was dressed in a jet black Archaen tuxedo. The holo-name
tag on his chest read
'Cameron Trek' which dissolved and reappeared from time
to time in different languages. Presently it was in Golem script.
"And ...how do you eat? "
"Well sir, you just kind of take
a fork and ... here, let me show you, ...there! On your fork like that,
make sure
you get some sauce, and ...eat!"
Cameron gestured towards his mouth. The Magi'llian followed his instructions and placed the noodles and sauce into his mouth.
"Might I suggest an excellent wine to go.."
But Trek was cut off. The Magi"llian's
eyes bugged. He dropped his fork and reached past two people for a carafe
of water,
ripped the lid off and proceeded to chug the entire contents.
Trek's heart raced in his chest.
"Ishtar, sir! ...I'm sorry, I should have realized. The tomato sauce has citric acid and..."
The insect-like alien pulled the carafe
away and fanned his mouth with his three fingered hand. He looked at Trek
and stretched
his mouth wide revealing a series of jagged cutters -
his smile. When he spoke his voice was a horse whisper.
"ssSSSPIIcyyy...I LIKE IT!". He finished the rest of his water, put the carafe down, leaned in towards Trek and said,
"Where can I buy?". Trek adjusted
his tie, grateful to feel his heart rate go down. He pointed to a group
of people, humans and
other species, congregating near the Imperial Marine
Band. They were playing an Asgardian folk ballad.
"Do you see that stout human
talking with the others? That's Casper Roebuck, but everyone calls him
Buck. He represents several
Archaen agricultural cooperatives
as well as the Archaen Nano Union. He should be able to help you."
"That one there?" The Magi'llian pointed.
"Uh, no sir, the other human. The one with a ...uh ...uni-brow."
"Ah! ...I understand." He showed his sharp smile again.
"Thank you Mr. Trek. You may have made me a rich man!"
The Magi'llian made his way over. Trek blew out a long sigh, turned around and ran into a pair of clear green eyes.
"Cameron Trek, Interstellar-Lawyer and pasta exporter," said the redheaded woman behind the eyes. Trek laughed at the joke.
"Hi, Vicky. Sorry, I guess you saw?"
He handed his plate over to his date.
Victoria Kret was dressed in a beautiful, yet tasteful black velvet evening
gown. She accepted
the dish with her one good arm. The other was in a sling.
Two weeks ago it was injured in a duel. Victoria had won. The other man
didn't.
"I thought you lawyer types solved
interstellar incidents, not start them," She chided with a warm smile.
Trek pushed in and spoke
softly in her ear.
"Trade secret: That's how we
get our best cases." That got a nice laugh. Trek loved it when she did
that. They had been seeing each other
for over a year. They were more then just an item, but
Trek was afraid to where things would go next. He wondered if Vicky felt
the same.
"Shouldn't you be with the Senator?"
asked the lawyer. The Senator was Lord-Senator Fin Waxham, Chairman of
the Archaen Senate
subcommittee on Interstellar Defense. Victoria was his
aid.
"He's talking with Lady Onia, so Jan's got him covered."
Cameron nodded, knowing what she meant.
Very few people in the room did though. Hidden within Victoria's sling
was a Nil jamming device.
A small instrument designed to interfere with the function
of any recording devices within a five meter radius. The Senator was quite
proud of the
Archaen fleet and the AiD Pact alliance. After a few
drinks he tended to boast, perhaps a little too much. Loose lips sink ships
as they say.
Victoria has partially here to make sure that didn't
happen. Jan Church was Lady Onia's 'Sin-Guardian. He too carried a similar
device.
"I have to get back though." Cameron held her plate as she finished her last hors d'oeuvre. "Save me a dance?" she asked.
"Count on it," answered the lawyer.
She dabbed her lips with a napkin and pecked a kiss on his cheek. "Stay
out of trouble," she whispered,
but he knew she meant it. He, after all, had a knack
for getting into it. He watched her walk away enjoying the view of her
open back.
"What's the word, counselor?" Somerset Ohio casually slid in next to Trek.
"That depends. On or off the record?" asked the lawyer, folding his arms.
Ohio took a bite of his appetizer. "I'll let you pick."
Trek looked around the room. The Jade
Blade was full of people. The holographic field projectors mounted in the
walls, floor and ceiling
were randomly showing a three dimensional vistas of various
breath-taking views from around the Archaen Empire. Currently, all the
guest
were standing on the holographic waters of the Sea of
Opal on the planet Knosqual'locay. A Moss Whale could be seen near the
horizon
gliding its kite collectors thousands of feet into the
air. A storm was gathering in the distance. The scene was eerie and peaceful
at the same time.
A striking memory that Trek would never forget.
"I'd say so far the reception was a success."
Ohio swallowed the last of his bite. "Me too. I have a question though. Where are the Rhuk-D'kai's?".
Trek drooped his arms to his side and
casually looked around the room. The reporter was right. Aside form the
Shaimite guards of Skygod
Security, and those working the bar, there wasn't a single
Rhuk-D'kian present. That was odd. The RDD'S were as much a host here as
the
Archaens were. After all, Dreamworld 6 was their property,
and they were the Archaen's oldest and closest allies. Something was wrong,
close to being terrible. Trek caught someone staring
at him - Jan Church, Lady O's 'Sin-guardian. He gave a subtle nod. He was
aware of their
absence as well.
"I'm not sure, but I intend to
find out." Trek had a good friend among the RDD's; Voor K'chk, a special
envoy in the RDD intelligence
community. He had his Page-card; a quick call should
answer the question.
Ohio called out to him as he started to leave. "If you find out, can you let me know?" Cameron called back, "We'll see."
Trek set off to find a Com-booth. Somerset
headed towards the bar. It felt strange walking on holographic water. On
the way he noticed
how cold it was. At first he thought it was a side effect
of the water imagery, but now it felt actually real.
"A screw up with the environmental controls," he said to himself.
He sat at the bar and ordered a drink, spun on his stool and looked at the room again.
"Maybe thing aren't as successful as they look." The vapor from his breath trailed into the air.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dreamworld VI Holo-play. Production No. 344b-XXII. Archaen Reception.
Episode No. 2
"Ishtar, it's cold"
Trek blew on his hands with a frosty
breath in a vain attempt to warm them. He stood before a com-booth in a
public
corridor on Dreamworld VI. Just a stones throw away was
the another interstellar lounge, The Cactus Barb, which, until a few minutes
ago
had been a relatively calm place. A fight had erupted,
a good one from the sound of it, causing the lawyer to cut a frown across
his clean
shaven face. Trek had just left the noise of the Archaen
Reception in search of a quiet spot to make a call to Tarrkhul Prime. Now,
with the
current mayhem coming from the new drinking establishment,
he wondered about the wisdom of that decision. That, unfortunately, was
the
least of his worries
-[ALL COM.LINKS ARE CURRENTLY BUSY. PLEASE TRY AGAIN AT YOU EARLIEST CONVENIENCE]-
Flashed the communications unit.
"Damn!" he groaned. This was his third
attempt and each time the same message. He resisted the urge to kick the
unit and instead
tried to concentrate on the puzzle it presented. RDD
communications technology was unprecedented. They had one of the best systems
in their
Sector of the galaxy. Dreamworld VI their orbital entertainment
space platform was quite capable of processing hundreds of thousands if
not
millions of com-calls at once. For Tarrkhul Prime to
be 'busy' was the same as saying everyone on the planet was trying to call
in or out at once.
Trek stopped his thoughts at that. Whatever could give
rise to that kind of situation chilled his blood a few degrees colder than
it already was.
He pulled out his friend Voor T'chk's Page-card, and
re-entered it again. In seconds he received the same message:
-[ALL COM.LINKS ARE CURRENTLY BUSY. PLEASE TRY AGAIN AT YOU EARLIEST CONVENIENCE]-
He sighed frosty air.
The noise from the Cactus Barb had
died down. Perhaps he could stop in, get a drink and try again shortly.
He pulled the card out and
unconsciously put his hands in the pockets of his Archaen
Tuxedo to keep warm. As he strolled towards the bar entrance, four people
came
out and turned down the hall towards him. The first one,
a woman, he recognized as a Locke courtesan, yet there was something odd
about her.
A strange smudge to her make-up and her clothes were
ruffled.
*Probably on of the participants in the fight,* he thought.
She clutched a wine bottle in her hands.
Two Argonauts followed closely, bodyguards perhaps, and a human companion.
Trek instantly
recognized him. As an intestellar-lawyer he was part
of a delegation that would draft numerous treaties and conduct trade negotiations
with
the many empires the Archaens were greeting at the reception.
He also worked secretly, from time to time, as a field analyst for the
August
Intelligence Agency - AIA, and was privy to classified
information, such as the visual identification of a number of Omnet Vestis
Inquisitas.
Vestis Anders And regarded Trek with
cold suspicious eyes, and suddenly the Archaen realized why. Trek's hands
were still in his pockets,
and no matter where you are that always looks damn suspicious.
To remove them could also be read as an act of aggression. Trek didn't
like
the four to one odds. as the group pressed closer. He
decided to keep his hands where they were and try and look as non-threating
as possible.
The courtesan would pass him first.
Despite her feminine perfume, a look that could kill was
focused on him. Suddenly, warning sirens erupted through out the corridor,
causing
Trek to nearly jump out of his skin. The woman reacted
on reflex, throwing a lethal kick towards Trek's head. He spun out of the
way, being
missed by inches, and fell into a defensive stance.
*Ishtar, she's fast!* he thought. *If that had connected ...*
The woman recovered from her kick and her companions looked about the hallway in confusion. Alarms were going off all over DW6.
"GET OUT OF THE WAY! MOVE! MOVE! MOVE!!"
Three guards from Skygod security sprinted
down the hall towards them as if hell were on their heels. They were armed
with Ul'ek armor
emanating wicked pikes from both arms. Close on their
heels were three Archaen Marines dressed in Imperial Armor with torpedo
blasters
and Razor-epees drawn. Trek and his adversaries scrambled
out of the way as the security team shot by at a break neck speed. The
last Archaen
marine stopped about ten meters past them, spun
around and fell to one knee. He sheathed his weapon, and extended
his right arm out,
palms forward in the universal body pose of 'STOP'.
"THIS HALLWAY IS SECURED. STAY WHERE
YOU ARE. MAKE NO ATTEMPTS TO MOVE!" shouted the Marine in a clipped
sharp tone.
His left arm was stretched across his waist and rested lightly on the handle of his Torpedo blaster holstered on his right hip.
"What the hell...," whispered the woman.
"Get against the wall!" barked Trek. Vestis, courtesan and Argonauts looked back at him. "Do it now if you want to keep breathing!"
And with that Trek flattened against
the wall, hands out of his pocket. The Argonauts glared at the Marine with
challenging eyes,
until the woman order them to the wall where she followed
as well. The Vestis threw a look back at the guard, them reluctantly followed
suit.
They stood shoulder to shoulder, Trek, Courtesan, Vestis
and the Argonauts. The woman whispered to Cameron in clear Archaic
with a Locke accent.
"Listen, I'm sorry about the kick. That alarm made me a little jumpy."
"I'd be sorrier if you'd hit," he said. She agreed with a sly smile. "What's going on?" She nodded down the hall towards the Marine.
"Trouble at the Archaen reception," answered Trek.
"Trouble?" There was genuine concern in her voice.
"Uh-huh. Unfortunately assassination
attempts are a little too common place in our Empire. Actually, it could
be anything. There are a lot of
important people from throughout the
galaxy in that tavern." Including, he desperately thought, his date Victoria
Kret. He didn't like this one bit.
"I see," answered the woman, then added. "Why is he doing that?"
She referred to the Marine who still remained on one knee with his right arm extended, palm forward. Trek took a quick look, and said,
"He's monitoring us. That's a
Sensor-glove on his hand. It's got microphone pick up's embedded in the
palm and fingers, as well as thermal
sensors. Right now he's listening
to our heartbeats and monitoring our body temperature. Any significant
rise in either and he will, make
no mistake about it, take it as an
aggressive act, and kill us all."
She nodded her head cautiously.
"How ..how do you know all this?"
"I used to be an Imperial Marine. My name's Cameron Trek," His wry grin was genuine.
"I'm ..uh.. Lucy Pucell," she said
with charm. Cameron believed her accent, but not the name. She introduced
her Argon bodyguards as Dor,
and Klem and then referred to Vestis Anders And as "Peewee."
He shot her a murderous look. She returned his with a warm smile. Trek
tried not
to laugh. He had a feeling 'Lucy' was having some fun
at Anders's expense. The Vestis regarded Cameron again with cold eyes,
but there was some
warmth in his voice.
"Charmed," he said.
"Likewise," returned the Archaen..
Lucy looked back at the him. "You look to be in pretty good shape Mr. Trek. Why aren't you still in the service?"
Cameron pursed his lips before answering.
"About seventeen years ago I
used to pilot Stellar Marauders for the Imperial Fleet. One day my squad
was flying escort for a
merchant caravan of Archaen and RDD
ships when we were attacked by Hunn Pirates. I managed to shoot down two
of their
Hornet attack crafts before I was
blind sided by one of their Omn missiles. I lost my left arm."
Lucy looked at Treks left extremity
with confusion. It looked like genuine flesh and blood. The lawyer nodded
with understanding and gently
wiggled his digits.
"It's a clone graft. Generally
a second generation isn't as good as the original so I wasn't able to pass
my reflex profile
for the Fleet. I was given
an honorable discharge."
"I'm sure our Mr. Trek is being modest. I have a feeling he was decorated for his part in battle of Merchants Crossing," said Anders And.
He leveled Trek a look with eyebrows
raised. Trek nodded, but what the Vestis said spoke volumes. By mentioning
Merchants Crossing Anders
just announced that he was as aware of who Trek was as
he was of him, making the Archaen wonder how much of a file he had with
the Omnet.
"I was awarded the Star of Ishtar,
and given a generous severance commission. With the money I decided to
go to college
and study law. I now prosecute
pirates in interstellar courts and write treaties for empires."
"And that's what brings you here?" asked Lucy
"Pretty much," replied the lawyer.
"Trek, something's happening with the guard," voiced Anders And. All eyes
locked on the
Marine whose extend hand was executing a series of intricate
finger motions.
"That's Battle Language," said Trek. "The Sensor-glove allows the marines to communicate with fingers signs."
"Can you make out what he's saying?" asked Lucy.
"Hold on..." Trek squinted. "Sit ..uation under control. Will stand down and take ...rear point."
The guard caught Trek's eye and smiled.
"Very good translation, sir," he said again in his clipped style. The Marine
stood up, squared his legs
shoulder length apart, lowered his arms, placed them
behind his back and said,
"The situation is over. Sorry for the inconvenience folks. You are free to go, but none my pass this point until I am relieved."
The group breathed a sigh of relief and moved away from the wall. Anders moved to face Trek and to his surprise offered his hand.
"Thanks for the assist. If you weren't here things could have gotten ...interesting."
Cameron shook the imposing mans hand, glad that he didn't have to find out what 'interesting' was.
"Looks like I'm stuck here until the guard let's me pass. Would any of you care to join me for a drink?" asked Trek.
Anders and Lucy exchanged looks, then shook their heads.
"Thank you, no. I'm afraid we really must be going. Perhaps in the future we can meet under more pleasant circumstances," she said.
"Tell you what." Trek reached into his tux and removed his bill fold. He took out one of his own Page-cards and gave it to Lucy.
"If you ever need a lawyer, or you're in the Archaen Empire, look me up."
"Thank you Mr. Trek. I'd like that."
She took the card, smiled and turned
to leave. Trek watched the quartet walk away, wondering seriously who 'Lucy'
really was. After a few
moments he decided to dismiss the thought. He had more
pressing things to worry about. Taking out Voor's Page-card he walked back
to the
com-booth, wishing again that it wasn't so cold.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dreamworld VI Holo-play. Production No. 344c-XXII. Archaen Reception.
Episode No. 3
"Is that her?" asked the dignitary.
"Yes, ma'am." answered the Senator
"She's so young!"
"Well, ... looks can be deceiving"
Senator Anne Urundi of the Confederation
of Democratic Worlds looked at Lord-Senator Fin Waxham of the August Empire
of Archaen.
There was with a slight trace of bewilderment on her
face. Waxhan sighed. This was the second time he was having this same conversation.
*For an dignitary, she isn't too keen,* he thought to himself.
The two stood by the Archaen Imperial
Marine band near the famous grand porthole of the Jade Blade tavern. The
Archaen reception
around them was now in full swing. Waxham hooked his
chin in the direction of Lady Onia and Jan Church her 'Sin-Guardian shadow.
Senator Urundi had just commented on the Princess's youthful
appearance.
"Her body is eight years old. Her mind-age is eighteen," said Fin.
"I'm afraid I don't understand," calmly replied the Confederate. Waxham explained.
"Lady Onia is what we call a Dreamer.
Dreamers have the ability to access the Mindplane, the subconscious realm
shared by all
living things. While there she can
superimpose her own reality - a dream if you will, where other sentient
minds may enter. Time
on the Mindplane is different from
ours. Roughly ten years there equals one in the material world. Lady O
has just completed her
first decade of diplomatic training,
so..."
"...So her mind is ten years older," finished Urundi. "Fascinating."
The Senator pleasantly nodded. He turned to his side and smiled.
"Ah, here comes my aid."
Victoria Kret approached the two dignitaries.
Despite the sling on her arm the tall redhead looked radiant in her evening
gown.
The Archaen senator turned back to the CDW Ambassador
and for a fleeting second he saw a look of absolute scorn blur across the
confederate's features. It was aimed at his assistant.
His mouth dropped open in a small perfect 'O'. Vicky noticed it as she
came to his side.
"Senator?" she asked in a low voice.
"I ...I don't know. It's probably nothing," he whispered back.
"Hello, my dear. My name is Senator Anne Urundi," said the woman to Vicky.
The redhead tried to restrain her confusion.
She, after all, had just been introduced to the female dignitary no more
then ten minutes ago.
The strange woman from the Confederacy of Democratic
Worlds was now acting as if this was the very first time they had met.
Vicky was
quick to respond. Despite the sling on her arm, she managed
to cross her palms to her chest and courtly bow.
"Honor-Urundi. I am Victoria Kret, First Assistant to Lord Senator Finnigan Waxham. We are well met."
Vicky wondered if there was anything
wrong with the Confederate Senator. In reality she wasn't far from the
truth. Senator Urundi wasn't
who she appeared to be. Unknown to the occupants of the
reception, Urundi was a robotic android. Embedded in her nose was a holographic
field-projector giving her the appearance of the real
Senator Urundi whose whereabouts were a mystery. The robot had approached
Waxham
in hopes of picking up tactical information on the Aid
Pact. That's when things began to go terribly wrong. Something was jamming
it's short
term memory processor.The cause, the artificial being
was certain, was emanating from the woman's sling. As a result, its behavior
protocol
program was in flux, leaving it in a state of confusion.
In a few minutes backup systems would be on line to ....
"What a charming salutation. My dear, you have an injured arm. How did that happen?" asked the robot Urundi. Kret slyly smiled.
"In a duel madame Senator."
"A duel! My, how exciting. Show us the scar."
Vicky backed off slightly, taken surprised by such an unusual request.
"I'm ...I'm sorry madame Senator, but that would be most inappropriate."
"I understand. Details? How did it happen?"
Vicky didn't like the nature of the conversation, but tried to show her best face.
"It's a long story and I'm afraid rather impolite."
"Oh, come now my dear. We are all new friends here. Let us not close our minds to such small things."
Urundi smiled. Vicky didn't like it.
Part of her wanted to tell the Confederate Senator that it was none of
her damn business, but she decided
protocol wouldn't allow it. She decided to get it over
with quickly.
"Suffice to say an impolite cur took
my family's name into it's polluted mouth and compared it to lower forms
of life. His widow
should be getting the flowers I sent
today."
That drew some silence from the android.
Waxham saw it as a perfect time to cut in. He, after all, could sense the
agitation in
his Aid's demeanor.
"Ambassador, I understand your empire's Yardow reserves are down. How is your economy doing?"
Urundi turned to Waxham and smiled. Inside it's mind was
chaos -it had no idea who it was talking to.
Across the room two eyes studied the
dignitaries with tactical interest. Jan Church, Master Assassin-Guardian
to Lady Onia was slightly
uneased. Earlier before he had observed Cameron Trek
in a conversation with August Net reporter Somerset Ohio. It appeared the
two had
just became aware of the absence of the RDD representatives
at the reception. Trek had left the room, probably to make a call. Ohio
had
taken a seat at the bar. Now it appeared that the CDW
Ambassador was behaving oddly, and on top of that the room was getting
steadily
colder. He sensed a presence to his side.
"Do you always make a habit of sneaking up on 'Sin-Guardians?" said Church, eyes still forward.
Commander Juliet Bruchard, First officer of the HMS Negotiator stepped out of the shadows and took up on Jan's side.
"I'm sorry Jan, you seemed deep in thought. I ...I didn't want to disturb you."
"I'm never that deep. What's on your mind?" asked the assassin.
"You've noticed Senator Urundi's odd behavior."
Jan nodded.
"Did you know her shoe heels are made of tempered steel?"
Jan turned her way, and said, "You scanned the Senator's shoes? Why?"
"She left considerable impressions in the carpet by the buffet tables. I thought that strange." She shrugged. "So I scanned her."
Jan cut a devilish smile. He had to
admit he was impressed. Six weeks ago he had to "retire" the Captain of
Lady O's retainers on
charges of treason. In the weeks that followed Lady Onia
had been urgently busy with the preparations for the reception, leaving
Jan
with almost no time to find a permanent replacement.
Commander Bruchard was bucking for the job.
"Either the Ambassador has a strange shoe fetish ..."
"...or she's heavier than she looks," completed Church. Juliet smiled.
"All right Commander, you busy?" asked the 'Sin-Guardian. She Smiled again; her answer.
"She's all yours. Keep an eye on her ...a distant one," said Jan.
Juliet nodded, turned to leave, then looked back.
"Jan ... I was wondering when you are off duty ... if we could have a dance together."
Church replied in even tones.
"Juliet, if you want this job, remember one thing,"
"Yes sir?"
"I'm never off duty."
She pursed her lips and nodded. "Understood sir. Your back is watched."
"yours too, Juliet."
She moved back into the shadows.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
GALACTIC STANDARD TIME: DAY 270. 0006:30 SECTOR: H
_______________________________________
The Alliances Guide Newscast
*** Elder OpenHands Joins New Empire Gala at DW6 ***
The FarReach Coalition's acting Galactic
Contact traveled to the Rhuk-D'kai Dynasty today to join delegates from
over 50 Empires in
welcoming the Archeans to the greater galaxy. OpenHands
held high hopes for the gala, especially in light of recent events.
"Now that tensions are easing between
the CDW, Chilkit, and SDP, it is time to repair the damage to our Imperial
honor and re-commit
ourselves to Peace and interstellar
community." Of the still missing Elder 'Nzar, OpenHands had only this to
say, "I, personally, still believe
in his innocence, and can only hope
that Reason guides him back to us soon."
In related news, AG sources have also
spotted Guide Watches-silently on DreamWorld VI. Watches-silently is the
shaeman who uncovered the
information behind both the trial of 'Nzar as well and
the allegations currently assailing the RDD concerning Fleet Dread. What,
if any,
connection her presence may have to the Archean gala
is unknown.
Further details as we uncover them. This has been an Alliances Guide Update.
(A complex universe made simple -- The Alliances Guide)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
-Excerpt from the Personal
Journal of Omnet News Reporter Somerset Ohio.
JOURNAL ENTRY NO. 222.
I stared into my glass of noe, raised
it to my lips and swallowed The brandy spread through my body like fire,
warming me against
the increasing cold. I sat at the open bar of the Archaen
reception enjoying my free drink, wondering where the RDD representatives
were, and wondering who the Golem woman next to me was.
She seemed strangely familiar, but it was hard to say, I was, after all,
on
my third drink. A man walked up and stood next to me.
I ignored him, only because I didn't like him.
"Take a hike, Ohio," said the man.
"Can't you ask nicer than that?" I said
"So I'm askin'. Beat it!" he sneered in a low voice.
" I'm having a drink."
"I'm warning you! Leave now!" Spittle
flew from his teeth. He leaned closer. Captain Morris Trent of the Imperial
Merchant Marines
wasn't a man to be trifled with. As the Merchant Order's
representative to the Archaen reception, Capt. Trent had many friends in
high
places, and several enemies in low. I was one of them.
Over the years Trent was suspected of having ties to both Hunn and Ghoiite
pirates.
I had made the world aware of it through several articles
I had written. I guess he held it against me.
"You know, you're cute when you're angry," I said. He flustered.
"Tell you what, hotshot," I continued. "I'll grant your wish and leave, but only because your breath smells worse than a sewer worm's."
His hands balled into two fist, but
he held his place. I picked up my drink, gave him a cheeky wink, and departed.
Something was up and
it didn't take a reporter to realize that. I walked into
the crowd of dignitaries, merchants and celebrities, turned around and
watched over the
carapace of a Nos'Traulian Huller. Trent stood away from
the bar casually watching the Golem woman. She ordered a drink then turned
around to scan the crowd. I followed her gaze.
There was another Golem by the buffet
table, near the pasta dishes, but his back was to her. I don't think she
could see him through the
crowd. He moved, and faced my way for a brief moment.
He had onyx eyes. I turned back, and that's when I saw it - Trent gave
a subtle
nod to the bartender. She nodded back and in one motion
gave her hand a quick twist. Something fell out of her signet ring and
into a glass.
The bartender served it to the woman. She turned around,
picked up the glass and swallowed half the contents before I could do anything.
The Nos'Trualin moved and the view was blocked.
I tried to get around, but moving past
a person with twenty arms is no small feat. A shout rang out and I looked
to my side.
Something was happening, something that caught the attention
of the Golem by the buffet. He moved in. Back in the shadows,
behind him, I made out someone else of importance.
Omnet Vestis Anders And.
I got past the Huller. What I saw was
unbelievable. Trent was trying to strong arm the woman away from the bar.
He was half way across
the floor when suddenly he cried out in pain. The woman
reacted in liquid motions. Whatever Trent's accomplice had given her apparently
wasn't working. She turned the tables on Trent, locked
his arm behind his back, slammed his head into a bowl of vanilla ice cream
and
dropped him like an old pair of shoes. I started to laugh,
then realized where I was. I had covered enough Archaen receptions and
events in
their empire to be a little familiar with their security
procedures. Many of the waiters circulating hors d'oeuvres were undercover
operatives
armed with smoke grenades. The grenades are harmless,
but would provide cover for the 'Sin-Guardian retainers to protect the
Archaen
dignitaries.
Almost on cue the smokers went
off everywhere around the tavern. I knew behind the the smoky veil the
Assassin-Guardians had moved
in, drew their Razor-epees; blades out in the high line
of prime. Anyone foolish enough to enter that ethereal curtain would come
back one
head length shorter.
"Somer, what is it?" Gina, my stylist
was at my side. She and I had been to hell and back several times. We were
more then friends and
if I had any sense I'd marry her, but I know how this
crazy job is.
"Cloak and dagger business," I said.
Another commotion broke out. Gina looked
and I followed her long gaze across the room. Lightly seen in the smoky
veil was the smudged
outline of Vestis Anders And, and a tall Archaen woman
dressed in the officer's uniform of the HMS Negotiator. Suddenly, And picked
up a
vegetable tray from the buffet table, swung it back like
a champion discus thrower and let it fly.
"Ishtar!" gasped Gina, as she slapped
her hands to her face. The steel plate flew out of the smoke and struck
the regal form of Senator
Anne Urundi; struck her in the head - hard!
*She's dead,* said a voice in my head.
But the Ambassador stood her ground.
Her formed wrinkled, blurred, then evaporated like a murky mirage. In her
place stood the hideous
form of a glass and steel android. The robot tore through
the crowd, throwing people aside, only to be stopped by the brute force
of two
Argonaut soldiers.
I whirled to Gina. "Where's Galen?" She rolled her eyes.
"Tryin' to get lucky somewhere."
"Tell him to get the camera." I turned back "This is going to be good!"
Gina bolted back into the crowd. I
turned back to the Golem woman. Two more of her species had joined her.
One was strong arming
the other towards the bar-the one I had seen before with
the onyx eyes, then savagely slammed his head into it.
*That's gotta hurt!* said my inner voice; I could hear the crack from here.
The Golem woman gripped the dazed man
by his temples and closed her eyes. Their bodies stiffen. I tried to move
closed, but Skygod
Security men were already erecting barricades. I fished
for my press pass. Gina and Galen made their way through the crowd. I flashed
my pass to the Shiamiite guard and looked over his shoulder.
Jan Church had moved in, Razor-epee drawn in his left hand. He separated
the Golems, breaking their memory bond. The female Golem's
eyes snapped open. They were clear, and wide.
"They used me," she muttered. "Everything I uncovered was a lie." Jan threw her a questioning look.
"Tell me you're getting this, Galen?" I said.
"Camera's rolling, boss," said my cameraman.
I smiled. Gina started to fix my hair. I'd be ready in
half a minute.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The hot lights were on. My hair was fixed. I was on in five, four, three....
"This is Somerset Ohio reporting for
the August News.Net, live from Dreamworld Six. The Archaen reception has
just been
disrupted by what appears to be an
underground sting operation conducted by agents from the Golem FarReach
Coalition and
the Confederations of Democratic Worlds.
Details at this time are still sketchy, but it seems that the CDW Senator,
Anne
Urundi has dramatically been revealed
to be a robotic android using a hologram projector to give it the semblance
of the real
Senator. Also apprehended in the operation
was Archaen Merchant Marine Captain, Morris Trent. Sources close to this
reporter
witnessed Trent, working with a Ghoiite
terrorist who escape, poisoning a Golem woman and attempting to kidnap
her. Captain
Trent is being questioned at this
time, but could be facing the serious charge of treason. If found guilty,
it's a good chance
that he will be executed by the end
of this month. No one else in the reception was seriously hurt and the
official function is
expected to resume back into fully
swing after a thorough security sweep has been made. This is August News.Net
reporter
Somerset Ohio signing off, live!...
from Dreamworld Six."
------------------------------END
TRANSMISSION--------------------------
GALACTIC STANDARD TIME: DAY 270. 0006:00 SECTOR:
H
_______________________________________
IGNM Netcast Now. Your Universe in perspective.
Robotic mole within Government of Confederation
of Democratic Worlds nearly causes Outbreak of Tri-Sector Hostilities.
This is Vestis Anders And from the
Omnet Citadel on the planet Locke in Sector H with a report on recent events
nearly leading
to war in the Tri Sector area of Sectors B, G, and H.
Civil War has been raging for a standard
year now between the sector H Minor Empire the Federation of Democratic
Worlds and
the ten breakaway planets calling themselves the Confederation
of Democratic Worlds and also between the legitimate Government
of the Rhuk D'kai Dynasty and Ghoiite literalist terrorists.
This time last year Ghoiite Pirates had kidnapped crews of ships belonging
to several Sentient empires in the area and had held
them for ransom until a Coalition Fleet of ships of several empires involved
freed
the hostages and destroyed the Ghoiite fleet.
Recently a strange alliance was discovered
between the Ghoiites, the United Anarchist Collective, Fleet Dread, and
the Federation of
Democratic Worlds to raid CDW and RDD commerce in the
trade lanes between the CDW, RDD, and Thras Divas. A ship with ammunition
and war supplies from the Golem Homeworld was hijacked
and later used to destroy CDW 'Albatros' scoutships in RDD space.
The Pirates left circumstantial evidence
in the wreckage of the scouts to convince CDW investigators that the Pirates
were not Ghoiites
but were rather Golems under the leadership of Elder
'Nzar of the FarReach Coalition. The Confederation security council immediately
asked for 'Nzar's extradition to the Three Sisters System
to stand trial. In a surprise move, 'Nzar agreed to come voluntarily to
the planet
Dixie where he was held in house arrest under the care
of CDW Ambassador at Large and Minister of State Skylark Telemarke.
Pirate activity against CDW shipping
increased in the meantime and supplies of Yardow necessary for the construction
of Synthetic
Minds for export dwindled causing the Confederation stock
market to drop in value and supplies of Robots available for export to
decrease causing inflation and a shortage of hard currency
in the Empire.
In the meantime Ambassador Skylark
came under increasing pressure from Senator Anne Urundi, Security council
member and leader
of the opposition Democratic-Republican party to bring
'Nzar before the Security Council for trial as a Pirate. Ms. Telemarke's
ties to the
FarReach Coalition in the earlier expedition against
the Ghoiites lead her to believe 'Nzar's innocence and she sought to delay
the proceedings
for as long as possible until agents of FarReach could
infiltrate the Pirate command structure and discover who was actually responsible
for
attacks on Coalition and Minor Empire Shipping.
Ms. Urundi in a political move to unseat
the Whig Party of President Campabares and Ambassador Skylark used her
connections on the
Council and in the CDW press to ask for an immediate
trial of 'Nzar and called Ms. Telemarke's protection of the Golem Homeworld
'treasonous' and began secret proceedings to try 'Nzar
and Telemarke before a Star Chamber.
Sources loyal to Ambassador Telemarke
revealed Urundi's plan to her and she and 'Nzar fled the Three Sisters
to a safe haven on a
CDW/FarReach Joint Commerce ship while the CDW ambassadorial
ship 'Confederation III' driven by a Synthetic Mind laid a trap for
FDW Pirates sent by Urundi to intercept her.
Safe on Dreamworld VI in the Rhuk Dkai
Dynasty Telemarke found her position as Minister of Foreign Affairs usurped
by Urundi.
A distress beacon from someone claiming to be 'Nzar was
discovered by Chilkit Coalition and Saurian Defense Pact Shipping and rescue
ships from each Sentient Empire drove off the 'attackers'
and rescued 'Elder 'Nzar' prompting calls from Anne Urundi of the CDW to
turn him over or be caught up in a Declaration of War
from the CDW. These chivalrous Sentients refused to do any such thing and
Urundi
began steps to bring the Empires to the brink of war.
Over the next several days, both the
CDW and SDP found military and civilian targets under attack by what seemed
to be ship's of
the other's armed forces. Both sides vehemently denied
any such attacks on the other and the situation began to deteriorate rapidly
as
Urundi pushed for a formal declaration of war from the
full CDW Senate which was divided as Argon Emperor Helix V declined to
allow
his subjects to be used against the Chilkits nor the
SDP.
Forces loyal to peace within the Confederation
Supreme Command began to mutiny and the Spacecraft Carrier Battlegroups
belonging
to the CDW Carriers 'Isenhower', 'Pelahatchie', 'Craig',
and 'Akagibanzai' refused to follow orders from the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs
declaring them to be null and void. A mutiny aboard
the Carrier 'Tshomingo' was crushed by the military Police loyal to Ambassador
Urundi. Several of the Human Army barracks rebelled also
and the Leib Grenadier Garde surrounded the Presidential Palace to safeguard
President Campabares and Commander-In-Chief Confederation
Admiral Lee Qoun Ju.
Meanwhile as mentioned on earlier Netcasts,
the Chilkit Coalition was invaded by Fab'Rini ships crushing all resistance
before them.
The Sentient pretending to be 'Nzar was caught
by IGNM cameras boarding a Fleet Dread ship. Due to one of their enemies
being
completely destroyed and the 'escape' of 'Elder 'Nzar'
and the impossibility of the SDP being able to deliver him, the Senate
tabled any
plans of War against the SDP and Chilkits and Ambassador
Urundi was sent to Dreamworld VI to meet with SDP representatives to try
to
work out details to a lasting peace at a reception for
the ambassadors of the new Archaen Empire.
Agents of the CDW and FarReach Coalition
working on Dreamworld VI discovered that intelligence officers of the Federation
of
Democratic Worlds in tandem with forces of the UAC had
conspired to frame the real 'Elder 'Nzar to cover actions against Sentient
Empires in the Tri-Sector Area and Ambassador Telemarke
furthermore accused Senator Urundi of being a Spy for the FDW.
The embassy party for the Archaen Empire was disrupted
by a fight and all present were shocked when Urundi upon being hit full
in the face with a plate of food turned suddenly from
a Human Female into a hideous humanoid robot of glass and steel confirming
Skylark's accusation that she indeed was a Robotic Spy
from the FDW.
The Robot Urundi attempted to escape
but was captured by Legate Doriano of the Argon Secret Police. IGMN has
learned that the
thing that was impersonating Ambassador Urundi had a
Psionic Holograph Emitter imbedded in it's nose that presented viewers
in this
Q-zone with the image of the former Senator. The whereabouts
of the real Senator are unknown.
Now that the threat of trans sector
war has been averted life has returned to normal in the Tri-Sector area
of Sectors B, G, and H. True,
the Federation of Democratic Worlds, and Rhuk D'Kai dynasty
are still heavily engaged in internal insurrections and the Chilkit Coalition
has been invaded by hostile forces but overall the forecast
throughout all three sectors is for continued peace and prosperity.
That's all for this Netcast Now. This is Anders And for IGNM
- Your Universe in Perspective.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
GALACTIC STANDARD TIME: DAY 271. 0010:00 SECTOR: H
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Confederation Network Newscast
This is Lanita Howard in Atalanta with your Confederation
Network Newscast update.
Things are returning to normal in Atalanta
and the CDW as tensions ease following the capture of the FDW Robotic Spy
pretending
to be Senator Anee Urundi by the Omnet in the Rhuk D'kai
Dynasty. Senator Skylark Telemarke of Dixie today officially resumed her
duties on the Security Council as Minister of State and
Ambassador at Large. Senator Demas Tran of Nixie was sworn in to replace
the
late Anne Urundi.
President Campabares and CICCon Admiral
Lee today declared a General Amnesty for those who participated in the
various mutinies
which followed Senator Urundi's call for War against
the Chilkit Coalition and Saurian Defense Pact. No notation will be made
in the
permanent record of anyone involved in the insurrections.
The Argon assault on Kakulosis continues
as heavy fighting between Argon Imperial Marines and Argonauts and FDW
defenders have
descended into a bloody war of attrition not seen by
sentients in this sector in almost 100 years. Air Marshal Brion Sasiuno
has vowed to
end FDW opposition 'in a matter of weeks'. In related
news, Emperor Helix V and Empress Margala were greeted by cheering masses
numbered in the hundreds of thousands as they visited
newly liberated Kilosis for the first time since that colony was restored
from FDW
to Argon control.
In other war news the CSS "Tchula"
carrier battle group sustained light damage earlier today in exchanges
of air strikes between
themselves and Orange colored Starhawks from the USS
'Kanawha' battlegroup near the Twelve Apostles System. Damage reports
from CICCon report damage to enemy ships as also 'light'.
Finally in sports the Atalanta 2500
relay was run today as a male/female team run the race to reenact the ancient
legend of Atalanta
who vowed only to marry a man who could beat her in a
foot race. The male participants run 1500 meters and deposit a golden apple
100 meters from their female teammate. The female runner
runs 100 meters picks up the golden apple and runs the remaining 900
meters to the finish line reenacting somewhat the part
of the legend where Hippocrates dropped the Golden Apple in front of Atalanta
as she was gaining on him in a race causing her to lose
the race and win a husband. Today's winners were Sonia Telemarke and Wendall
Court of Atalanta. There is no report of any nuptials
for these two in the near future.
This is Lanita Howard in Atalanta.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Omnet Galactipedia Entry: Summary: Greater Galaxy - Nexus Potential Theory Case study 2120. Translation: Archaic
The dynamics of a single encounter
creates an expansive effect resonating throughout a single Sector. Information
is redefined
as news and spread to the rest of the Galaxy. From the
first moment of the Archaen's debut, new ties were created between Empires.
Friendships, enmities, business ventures, commerce, cultural
exchanges, and the mechanisms of war all began to move. History
would reveal that both Senator Skylark Telemarke and
Elder 'Nzar would be awarded the Star of Ishtar by the Archaen Emperor
Shadrach Farfel Marcello VI for their involvement in
ending the CDW/Chilkit/Saurin Defense Pact War. The AiD Pact would eventually
go to war with the insurrecting New Ghoiite Nation (NGN)
of the Rhuk Dkai Dynasty, while Cameron Trek would be appointed as
Acting Ambassador to the Fab'Rini Federation, the overthrowers
of the Chilkit Coalition.
Many of you are perhaps wondering at
the many gaps in the story. Where were the RDD representatives? Why was
it so cold on
Dreamworld VI? Who was the woman counselor Trek encountered
outside of the Cactus Barb? What became of the real Senator Urundi,
and how was Vestis Anders And able to seemingly be in
two places at once? These very facts have been investigated by several
competent
Vestis, but much of the information is classified. Many
suspect the involvement of the opening volleys of civil war by the Ghoiites
on
Tarrkhul Prime as to the cause for some of these mysteries.
To this day even the Omnet does not fully know. Every Minor Empire has
its secrets.
[See Galectipedia Entry: Minor Empire: Rhuk-D'kai
Dynasty - subnote: Dreamworld VI Skygod Security files. See: Federation
of
Democratic Worlds/Confederation of Democratic Worlds
- subnotes: Vestis Anders And. See: FarReach Coalition - subnote: Alliance
Guide Agent Watches-silently]
Many within the Omnet have studied
these events as a case study in Nexus Potential Theory. The belief that
the affairs of all First
Contact encounters and any resulting diplomatic decisions,
whether adverse or benign, create permutations across the galaxy. Redefinition
results, and sentient perception of the galaxy changes.
This is the mission of the Omnet: Observation, information and the connecting
of
dynamic forces. The face of the galaxy is constantly
changing, one must never assume to know, or to ever understand it. A great
poet
once said 'We must unlearn the constellations to see
the stars'.
Assume nothing, sentient. Observe, and you will learn.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Authors Notes: Thanks for reading this little
slice of history from the Starshield Listserve, circa 1998. This little
tale of diplomatic
interaction involves my first foray into Starshield,
and the first formal introduction of the August Empire of Archaen. I'd
like to
give thanks and credit the to following writers who also
made this possible.
Robert Ravens - Ambassador Kreen's letter to Lady Onia, creator/designer of New Asgard.
Dan Pond - OpenHands's letter to Lady Onia, the Alliances
Guide Newscast and creator/designer of the Golem
FarReach Coalation and the characters elder 'Nzar, and
Guide Watches-silently. Dan - thanks for the constructive criticism.
John Sheppard - IGMN Newscast, Confederate Network News,
creator/designer of The Federation of Democratic Worlds,
The Confederation of Democratic worlds, The Argon Empire
and the characters of Skylark Telemarke (AKA Lucy) Anders And
(AKA Peewee), Dor and Klem, and Senator Anne Urundi.
Hayz - Creator/designer of Dreamworld VI, the Rhuk D'kai
Dynasty, New Ghoiite Nations, and the Jade Blade Tavern, who
without his permission, none of this would have been
possible. Thanks Hayz.
Everything else is my fault.
Lowell Boston
