The Reaper War
July 17, 2061
Pale blue light played across the mix of curving walls and geometric indentations and equipment strips that was the architectural style of the Venii as the Stargate opened deep underground in V'yen's Off-world Expedition Centre. The room's defensive guns remained secure inside their harnesses, behind high-powered force field barriers as two Razg dignitaries stepped through, silhouetted against the bright event horizon.
The blast door at the end of the room opened like a mouth, retracting into the curved ceiling and an avian figure dressed in grey combat silks stepped forwards quickly to greet the guests.
"Exarch." Hera Varadu gave short bow to the Venii monarch. The Sharp hawk like features of the avian ruler shifted into a smile. "At last, we meet under…tolerable circumstances."
"As tolerable as one could hope for in a time of war." She agreed, retuning to her previous posture, a few centimetres taller than the avian leader, with a slender build clearly indicating low gravity ancestry.
"Indeed. Take a seat." He motioned to the short backed chairs around the low table and followed suit. A light breeze blew through the open balcony, and Varadu's neural nanonics caught the shimmer of a pale force field as she took a chair, luxurious protection.
"Now delegate Varadu, I understand you have a most intriguing economical proposition for me." The Exarch's unreadable bony structure betrayed subtle shifts indicating intrigue to Hera's neural evaluation programs. Her aid placed a small data storage device on the table, which instantly created a menu around it as it linked to it.
"Indeed we do;" She paused and selected the one document in the devices storage. "…You may be aware that the Concordiat has successfully reverse engineered and tested a hyper drive capable of intergalactic travel over economically viable periods of time, through whatever sources you may have." The Exarch nodded and continued smiling, but seethed on the inside, not only did this further widen the gap in their respective drive technology level, but he had had no word whatsoever of any such breakthrough, he would have a long discussion with his chief of military intelligence later on.
Hera's neural nanonics picked up on the subtle shift in facial expression, posture, and even breathing, she kept her own expression under computer control but allowed herself a small inner smile. Her family had fought in the Venii Skirmishes, and not all of them had made it back.
"The Venii relay network is a feat of engineering." She continued. "It has been a cornerstone of Venii society since it's invention, older than the Razg as a developed species it links the Venii Conclave's holding from across the galaxy. Posesing no theoretical or practical range; it allows for the instantaneous transport of any ship no matter the size across any distance; linking together the entirety of Venii space." A turquoise wire frame of a Venii relay floated above the table, then reconfigured to a galactic map as she spoke. The Exarch clasped his hands in front of him, wondering where this was leading.
"The Concordiat proposes that we enlarge its sphere of influence yet." The galactic map zoomed out into a map of the entire local cluster. The Exarch dropped his hands and narrowed his eyes at this as another wire frame appeared overlaid with the first, showing a spacecraft cradling the Relay. "We propose a business alliance, the Concodiat navy will design and build a large intergalactic ship capable of towing a Venii Relay station with the purpose of establishing it in another galaxy as a gateway for ships allowing instantaneous transit, and in return we demand seventy percent of the substantial tax revenues levied as the price for using the relays." She sat back and let the ruler consider the implications. The Exarch's interested expression turned dark as if somebody had flocked a switch.
"This is robbery!"
Hera's lips hovered on the edge of a snarl. "Please, consider our relative expenses your majesty," She spat the word out. "The Concordiat has kept your borders safe from the Reapers- whether you want to admit it or not; our forces have drawn the Reaper's attention from you and the rest of the League. We've eradicated any Reaper beachhead inside League space with extreme prejudice, giving you the breathing room which has allowed for your survival while millions of Razg suffocate from Reaper bio engineered plagues that have been unleashed upon our colonies." She paused and went on in a calmer, yet sharper tone. "Not to mention that the Concordiat's share of revenues will undoubtedly be directed into the manufacture of warships dedicated to the continued war effort, whose economy, if you call it that, show no signs of weakness, producing thousands of ships in scant months, so many that even the Concordiat's economy, built over three centuries for this moment, is straining, while you would do whatever you pleased with your share of the profits. And once the Concordiat's protective umbrella is overwhelmed, the League will be easily isolated and broken."
She clasped her own hands in front of her as she leaned back, unblinking letting the Exarch consider what she'd said for a moment. "These terms would have to be renegotiated once present hostilities cease." The avian's language was devoid of tone.
"Naturally."
"A comprehensive treaty will have to be established in the meantime."
"I will forward the necessary requests."
"Then I believe this meeting is adjourned."