Main Story : Outlaws of the Verse . part 3 : Meet the Captains .
CHAPTER :
Once they finished their drinks, Hilda checked her watch, before leading him out of the Pub.
"So whatever happened to your old crew?" Gene asked, as they walked down the busy path. Shops and vendors were set up everywhere... not all of them selling... legal things.
"They died," Hilda calmly informed.
Gene blanched.
"Don't worry," Hilda smirked. "They'll get better... I'll see to that."
They approached a shabby restaurant. Although all shops looked dirty and shabby, on this station. The notable thing, about this restaurant, was they made them stuff their weapons in a locker. Taking the key with them.
Gene was hesitant to give up his Caster, but a look from Hilda was all he needed to convince him.
Walking down the stairs, to the main floor, Hilda approached a large booth... with a notable man sitting there.
"You're Malcolm Reynolds!" Gene couldn't stop himself from exclaiming. Even Gene had heard of this guy. Public Schools covered how he exposed the corruption in his Government, before leading a Rebellion to topple it.
Unfortunately, Mal rolled his eyes. Looking at Hilda, he acknowledged, "It's not like you to tolerate green horns."
Hilda shrugged, taking a seat. "He's got a few hidden tricks, makes it worth the effort of teaching him."
Mal nodded... then suddenly grew more sympathetic. "I was sorry to hear about your crew," He acknowledged... "But do you really think this is the way?"
"Wouldn't you do the same for any of yours?" Hilda gave her usual smirk... but this time, it didn't reach her eyes.
"The Galactic Layline is no joke," Mal sighed. "Wishing magic is always dangerous."
Gene blinked. "Wishing Magic?" he asked. "I thought the Galactic Layline was just some kind of treasure vault?"
Hilda eyed him, "Wanna back out?"
Gene smirked, "I wouldn't mind a few wishes, but are you sure this thing is benevolent, and not some kind of monkey's paw."
A messy haired teenager, suddenly took a seat. As he explained, "It works like the Dragon Balls, through keylines. Meaning it's very nature is morally neutral. But it will give you what you want, exactly as you want it."
"Harry," Hilda nodded at the young man.
"And how would you know?" Gene glared.
The young man just smiled, "Because I helped build it. Over 20 thousand years ago."
Gene blinked, staring at the boy. "You really think I'm THAT gullible?"
Hilda laughed. While Harry just shrugged. Gene could only stare at the kid... The boy looked no older then 17. A good few years younger then even Gene... yet his eyes... looking at them... they were old eyes. Impossibly old eyes... they gave him the creeps.
"Hilda!!!"
Gene gaped as something even more terrifying entered the room. A tiny Equine charged through the bar. Coming straight towards their table.
The young ginger almost grabbed his gun, purely on reflex, only to find it wasn't there.
Suppose it was a good thing he didn't have his gun. It wouldn't do to break the only rule in a free town. A stray bullet could crack a seal of the space station they were on.
Hilda seemed to notice how tense the "space cherry" was, and placed a hand on his shoulder. Obviously to reassure Gene they weren't in danger.
The pony continued to run over to them. An infectious smile on it's face.
It was a pastel orange, with small wings, and a purple mane. She was only a little bigger then Jim, yet was clearly fully grown. These types of ponies never did grow any bigger then a great dane.
Gene gulped. He had heard about these creatures. Supposedly they were overpowered war machines, with the awareness of young children. Because of this, the Space Forces tended to treat them with kid gloves, made of titanium.
A single civilian pony, could easily best a platoon of highly trained space marines, with minimal effort. However, even more terrifying, they couldn't comprehend how powerful they were, nor why other creatures were wary around them...
Although, from what Gene had heard, they were also extremely cuddly living plush toys. Wanting to "be friends" with everyone they met. With boundary issues that rival a Silgrian.
Ponies were a prey race, that were living in a universe were barely anything could rival them, much less hurt them. Yet they were still jumpy and naive.
Jim would probably jump for joy, if he met this little filly. But Gene was worried letting him near the mare. Ponies were danger wrapped in cutesy floof.
"Scootaloo," Hilda acknowledged. As the pony reached them, and immediately started nuzzling the more seasoned outlaw.
"Hilda!!!" Exclaimed the pony, again. Before looking at Reynolds. "Mal!!!" giving him a nuzzle as well. Then moving into the Harry's personal space.
Then just looked at Gene, offering him no nuzzles. "Who the buck are you?" asked the pony.
But before Gene could answer, the gods damned Lord Marshal stepped into the bar. Emperor of that wacked out group of murdering cultists.
Richard B. Riddick, took a seat at the table. He had revamped the religion, to work in cooperation with the god of destruction, Beerus... they mostly targetted threats to the universe... but many of the planets they destroyed, weren't that bad... they just had the potential to go bad. His trade was still genocide, masked behind "God's Plan".
"Riddick!" Mal smiled, as if the killer of trillions was an old friend. "How's Jack?"
"Upset I wouldn't let her come to this meeting... Speaking of..." The mass murderer's glowing eyes turned to Gene.
The young Outlaw did his best not to cower away. "Hilda wants to make sure her new Technomancer doesn't wander off, So she's keeping me close.
"Technomancer, huh?" Riddick smiled... a grin that made Gene wanna keep Jim as far away from this psycho as possible.
Hilda eyed Gene a moment, as if he wasn't supposed to know that was the reason, but it was kinda obvious.
Whatever Hilda wanted. It involved Jim. He was the reason she first tried to kill Gene, and kidnap the boy. And only after that didn't work, did she try to make them both crew... Gene had to admit, he was a liability. His only use was as Jim's nanny.
Harry frowned, "You collecting odd manifestations of magic again?" He asked, with a good deal of concern. "Thought you would have learned to stay away from that kinda shite."
Hilda eyed Gene, "I need a Technomancer, to keep the Bio-Android in repair."
Harry sighed, "I suppose, but still, taking on someone like that will get you noticed. There are enough mortals trying to kill you. Do you really wanna take on gods?"
"That's what I have you for," Hilda smirked.
Harry groaned, "I don't exactly have time to run interference, between you and whatever deity you piss off. I came here out of respect for our friendship."
Harry Continued, "But I'm not willing to go with you. You're hunting for one of the most powerful wish granting artifacts in existence. You have any idea how dangerous it be, for someone of my power level, to accompany you? My benefactor, sure as his hell, wouldn't tolerate it."
"Harry..." Hilda sighed. "I need this... my crew... their your friends to."
Harry groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose, in a manner similar to his Magical Guardian. Before insisting, while his eyes where screwed shut. "I'm sorry Hilda, but the Galactic Leyline can't be used to resurrect the dead. At most it can give you clones, and program them with behavioral patterns from your own memories."
Hilda looked down.
"It's a machine," Harry insisted. "Might be the most powerful piece of techno magic, I ever built... but it's still bound to the physical world. It can't reach into the heavens, and pull out a soul."
Hilda said nothing merely processing this.
"Ignoring that for the moment," Riddick spoke up. "We now have access to the XGP, the coordinates to the Leyline, and most importantly, The Bio-Android navigation system. We've come too far, to stop now."
Scootaloo agreed, "The Space Forces are already cross with us. Even if they haven't put out any warrants for our arrest, that's only because they don't want a connection between them, and the pirates."
"Wait a Minute," Gene eyed Hilda. "It's a Space Forces ship you were talking about."
"No," Hilda neutrally informed. But said nothing else.
So the Pony took it on herself to explain. "It was built by the pirates, with funding from Starfleet. On the condition they received the blue prints to build more. The ship is such a powerful piece of Technomagic, it requires an Android to act as the Navigation computer... or, at least, a decently skilled Technomancer."
Gene eyed Hilda, "That's why you wanted Jim, to act as some secondary computer."
Hilda shrugged, "It doesn't hurt to have a Backup." showing no regret. "Regardless, the Space forces still have the first XGP model. They merely gave the pirates the second, that's the one I stole."
Riddick explained, as he did like explaining things. "The pirates constructed, Malfina's secondary programming, in secret. The Space Forces only became aware of the Galactic Leyline, after we stole the ship. It had already been handed over, to a pirate Starship Carrier. It was rather fun storming it."
"Starfleet gave it to the pirates," Hilda assured Gene. "So the Space Forces won't be obligated to reclaim it."
Harry suddenly roared. "The bloody Catrl-Catrl, the Frost Demons, and a bakers dozen other Inter-Galactic governments, are now after the Leyline! This little pleasure cruise of yours, could risk plunging the entire universe into War.
"And now you ask me, no EXPECT ME, to accompany you on some hair brain scheme! That won't even do what you originally wanted it to!!!"
"Yes Harry... that's exactly what I expect," Hilda calmly informed.
Harry groaned, ruffling his own hair, in agitation.
"Fine! You gods damn bitch!!! I'll help. Bloody saving people compulsion." Harry grumbled.
"Once we make our wishes," Hilda reminded. "The Leyline will return to subspace, for another thousand years. There will be nothing to fight over. No one WANTS a war."
"Hum," Everyone turned to Scootaloo. "Why don't we just work together?" The Outlaws just looked at her. "I'm serious. We invite the leaders, of every Government, and we make our wishes, along with them. This way, no government gains an advantage over the other. We can even wish all the pirates into the penny colonies."
"Wishing them dead would be easier." Hilda sneered.
Harry glared, "The Terran Empire does not condone the Death penalty, outside the most extreme cases. I'm talking genocide, and nothing short of that."
Riddick finally spoke up. "Even the planets I destroy, are the more dangerous ones. The civilizations that threaten the rest of the universe."
Mal snorted, "Even the bloody Irkens wrote out a peace treaty, out of fear of the Necromangers."
Gene... felt numb... as he left the restaurant with Hilda. "...Did I just meet the God Emperor of Mankind?"
"I was wondering why you suddenly shut up," Hilda smirked. "No, Harry isn't the Emperor. But he is something close to him. Don't worry. He won't smite you... just... try not to irritate him. He's got a hell of a temper."
Gene shook his head, "So what now?"
"Now?" Hilda eyed him. "While my friends are getting ready, we'll expand my crew."
CODEXes :
• Galactic Powers .
The Citadel acts as a neutral third party, and trade union, most races listen to. A Type of "United Nations" between the various species of the universe. Whom guides planets towards inter-galactic governments, with like minded civilizations.
Even having the Reapers, now under Citadel Control, move the worlds into their own galaxy, within their joint intergalactic government's boarders. Which is outside the main galaxy, at the center of the universe, which continues to be explored.
• The Terran Empire.
• The Ctarl-Ctarl Empire.
• The Federation of Allied Planets (Without Humanoids. Like Vulcans, Bajorans, and other human looking races.)
• The Shadow Proclamation.
• The Borg.
• The Cybermen.
• The Synthetics Democratic Union.
• The Dominion.
• The Jedi Council.
• The Sith Empire.
• The Revanist.
• The Frost Demon Empire.
• The Mobius Federation.
• The Magical Union.
• etc.
Timeline: Terran Empire :
• Earth That Was .
• In the 31st Century, Earth's sun underwent a massive Solar Flare, that threatened the inhabitants. Various Generational Ships were constructed, and spread out across the Stars, Colonizing millions of Worlds.
Through various disasters, further technologies were lost, and many worlds devolved into primitive cultures. Although some worlds continued to advance.
• One Civilization perfected Terraforming. Making many planets and moons, habitable. Though they didn't leave their new Star Cluster, for several generations. And So never encountered aliens there. This Cluster is locally known as "The Verse" (Based on the Joss Whedon show "Firefly / Serenity"). Whom left Earth, in the year 3279, and reached their Star Cluster 762 years later.
• Planets with Sapient life are rare, with only one found, between every 42 Star Clusters.
• Even then, Mankind often settled on already inhabited worlds. and over the course of over 20 thousand years, most forgot their origins. Or believed them to be mere myths. Most Worlds having lost access to space travel, and most of their other Technologies.
• The Engineers :
Over 150,000 years ago, the Mala'kak had a thriving Empire. However, they joined forces with the Forerunners. Destroying most Sapient life in the Galaxy, in order to starve a race of parasites, called "The Flood".
However, there were several plans to preserve the species. Such as collecting thousands of each species, before activating their weapon to destroy all Sapient life. Then depositing them back on their homeworlds.
A few decades later, with the Forerunners and the Mala'kak being the only space fairing creatures left... the Mass Effect Reapers, a race of self aware space ships, attacked. Harvesting the remaining survivors, but leaving the other races alone, given they were no longer technologically advanced enough.
Seeing no way out, the Mala'kak left clues, seeding their genetics across millions of worlds, and encoding a message with the DNA.
A hundred thousand years later, the first humanoids evolved. While they weren't exactly the same, across all worlds, they did have many similarities. As their genetic message, containing the Mala'kak's history and their Warning of the Reapers, caused these humanoids to subconsciously evolve with similar cultures, and even give their cities similar names. Though clearly not exactly the same, as their was diversity in how they evolved. Such as the large differences, between the Terrans and the Vulcans.
• Emperor's Origins :
The Emperor of Mankind, is none other then the same Emperor form "Warhammer 40k". But from well before his corpse was strapped to the Golden Throne.
He is currently a whole and Healthy Kami. A mortal who has unlocked divine ki, and extended his life indefinitely as a result. However, he can still be killed.
The Emperor hates gods, particularly gods of chaos. Often seen battling any that dare enter his galaxy.
He also has a "humanity first" agenda. But he does not believe aliens are inherently "evil". Even trading with them, engaging in diplomatic talks, and willing to obey the Citadel. Although he does frown on inter species couples, it is not illegal within Terran Space.
• The Unification War .
• Over the course of a year, after the Reapers were defeated, the Emperor grew more and more unsatisfied, with the squabbling between the various humanoid races. Until he finally revealed himself to the humans of Sol 3. And reorganized them into an Empire.
• At first, the Emperor tried to unite these races peacefully. However a Rebel faction developed, Calling themselves the "Independents" or "Brown Coats". With all out war erupting between all space fairing humans.
• The Unification War lasted a full 42 years, until The Emperor felt the only way to end the killing, was to demonstrate his power. To force compliance, The Emperor proceeded to teleport all solar systems, with humanoids, into one large Galaxy. Splicing it together, outside the main galaxy. Even going so far as to organize the worlds, by "genre"... "for a laugh".
• On the worlds, that were still fighting, The Emperor proceeded to rain fire from the skies, to terrify the Rebels to submit... it worked... and resulted in all of humanity worshiping him as a god. The fact Emperor made Earth habitable, by literally snapping his fingers, only encouraged this belief... despite how he discouraged the notion, himself.
Treaties were signed, with the Emperor recognized as ruler over all of mankind. While the aliens, now trapped in his territory, become second Class Citizens.
• The Emperor created a Parliament, with representatives from ever space fairing humanoid world. With an elected Chairman. While the planetary governments, were largely left to their own devices.
The Parliament was designed to act independently. With the Emperor largely being a figure head, whom had veto powers.
• After The Unification War, the "God of Mankind", forced the humanoids from the former "Federation of Allied Planets" to surrender all their technology. Then traded it to the Citadel, along with all the Federation's Starfleet officers and ships. With the Space Forces reorganized into a branch of Starfleet.
This is largely a bribe, so the Citadel won't send in the Reapers to de-throne the Emperor. Which the Citadel Council accepts the bribe, but writes up their own treatie, requiring the God Emperor to recognize Citadel Authority.
• Distant Future of the Terran Empire :
The Humanoids have established a well balanced government. Where each planetary government, given their own seat on a Senate. As well as an additional Senator, per species, to represent all of their race's interest.
Prior to the Empire, due to their sheer abundance, Humanoids were once seen as the pest of the Galaxy, and an invasive species at that.
The Terran Empire is a union of humanoid species. Designed to protect the rights of humanoids, and defend them against persecution.
The Empire is made up of thousands of space fairing species, all descended from the Mala'kak. These governments remain largely independent, but must obey the same doctrine.
Creating new laws is very difficult, as they must get a 90% majority vote to be added to the doctrine. While new laws have been added since the Doctrine was written, it is very rare.
The Systems Alliance Fleet, is a union of the humanoids' militaries, like NATO.
The Empire enforces their laws for all humanoids, even if they have never officially been read into the Empire. The Empire claims jurisdiction over all forms of Mankind.
This includes protecting non-space fairing humanoid worlds, while secretly observing them for anthropology studies. As the Empire is forbidden from directly interacting with the more primitive worlds, by Citadel Law.
The Terran Empire still has a seat on the Citadel Council, and by extension are expected to honor the rulings of the Citadel. With trade agreements for races across the 10 thousand Galaxies.
Since the Reaper Invasion, Humanoids became a more respectable Animal Kingdom. If aliens have a dispute with any humanoid civilizations, to individual people, they contact the Empire.
The Empire is largely a benevolent government, but they do claim jurisdiction over all humanoid races, and enforce their laws on them. However, their laws are few, and they largely let the human worlds govern themselves, while giving them better resources and defense.
Most new Humanoid governments, are resentful that the Empire just claims jurisdiction over them... but all inevitably come to appreciate the benefits.
Timeline ; Trek Galaxy .
The Dominion :
The Federation had gone to war with a primitive culture, that had superior technology. Whom worshipped their leaders as gods.
• Changelings :
Sapient lifeforms that could shapeshift into anything, but their natural state was a liquid. These creatures disliked 'solid' lifeforms and used them as slaves.
The Federation were able to defeat them, using some underhanded tactics. Soon there after, signing a treaty, to stay out of each other's quadrants.
Around this time, one member of the Changeling race, named "Odo", 'showed them the way'.
The Dominion is still a cast based society, but it stop treating 'solids' as slaves or simple worshipers.
Changelings were still very much fascists but more accommodating to their citizens. They focused more on the ideal of 'Justice' to substitute their biological need for order.
• Return to the Alpha Quadrant :
A century later, The Federation welcomed the Dominion back to the Alpha Quadrant, with a new treaty.
Any official declaration, even if it was just of consideration, about joining the Dominion or Federation, meant that species was off limits to the other.
It was designed to stop the Dominion from taking aggressive action against races, for wanting to join the Federation, but it actually went both ways.
They could still bribe and attempt to influence the planet's choice, but couldn't directly interfere with it.
At any time, be it a planetary government or even an individual, could choose to leave and join the other galactic power, and neither side was allowed to stop them.
This meant the Dominion had to actually make sure their citizens were happy being under their rule. The Dominion also took it on themselves to accept any planet deemed "Not ready" to join the Federation. They convinced many races to join them instead of attempting to meet the "unrealistic standards of the arrogant Federation".
As a result, Federation policies became more laid back. However, they still refused to interact with anyone who wasn't capable of space travel or, more recently, could send a message into space outside of their solar system. From their home planet that is. The treaty with the Dominion prevented them from doing this as well.
Many Alpha Quadrant races had joined the Dominion after their return. It was extremely difficult to get Cardassia to trust the Dominion again, but Odo smoothed things over, and after a few decades, they rejoined the Dominion.
This was amazing considering what happened towards the end of the Dominion war. The Dominion abused Cardassia until it rebelled, and then killed off over 800 million of the planet's citizens in retaliation, with the intention of killing every Cardassian on the planet.
It had greatly helped the Dominion's image, when they were able to convince Cardassia to rejoin.
How they were able to do that took nearly a century of relief funds and diplomatic negotiations. The Dominion took great pains to repair relations with the Cardassians, knowing that if they could convince them they changed, the rest of the Alpha Quadrant would follow.
However, after they rejoined millions of Cardassians left all their worlds, in protest and joined the Federation. They were given a planet to colonize as Federation Citizens. Still the Dominion's plan worked.
After Cardassia joined so did the Ferengi, the Breen, and countless other races of the Alpha Quadrant. That the Federation wouldn't accept. However, some worlds of the Dominion, joined the Federation, but the Dominion honoured the Treaty, and allowed them to leave peacefully.
• Romulus :
The Romulans had joined the Dominion as well, but long before the new treaty.
The planet Romulus had been destroyed when it's sun went Supernova. The surviving Romulans had no choice but to go to the Gamma Quadrant, and join the Dominion, if they hoped to gain back their power.
• Klingons :
73 years later, the Klingons had made it known that they wanted to join the Federation, but after realizing they would never be allowed due to their aggressive tendencies, which really wasn't their fault as it was genetic, they joined the Dominion instead.
First contact had not gone well between the Dominion and the Klingons, but same could be said of the Federation.
The Dominion had been working on improving relationships in the Alpha Quadrant for the last 200 years, and had largely succeeded.
Losing the Klingons as allies was a huge blow to the Federation, but in the last few decades, they were starting to rekindle their old friendship.
An additional 30 years later, Some Klingon planets broke away from the Dominion, and joined the Federation.
• Other Races :
However this was not a one way street. Many Gamma Quadrant races joined the Federation instead of the Dominion, with some of their planets braking off to be part of the Dominion. The Galaxy was a mix of races, separated by Federation and Dominion ideals.
The Federation and Dominion had developed a mutual respect, and at times even a friendly rivalry with each other. However that does not mean their was not conflict.
• Evolution of Star-Fleet :
After the Dominion War, but before the new treaty, The Federation realized they couldn't ignore that they needed an actual military. 'To mold a safer galaxy' Starfleet was transformed into the combined forces of all planetary governments, under the Federation. An Academy was built on every home planet, connected to the Federation.
There was also a large amount of propaganda thrown out, encouraging alien races to join Starfleet. As a result Starfleet now had countless aliens serving.
10% of each of the 1573 planetary governments, that belonged to the Federation, had joined some branch of Starfleet, and with at least a population of 200 billion per species, the Federation had an impressive fleet. Each Federation vessel was a joint effort by all planets. There were more aliens then humans on most ships.
Many planets also dissolved their military forces, and began to rely solely on the armed forces of Starfleet. Namely the newly formed Starfighter and Marine Corps. As Starfleet itself was mostly still used for exploration, research, and diplomatic missions.
The Federation did not like to fight, but they learned with the Dominion, and the Borg, that sometimes there was no choice.
They kept most of their resources with Starfleet, but didn't neglect the Starfighters or Marines. Those were largely tasked with defending against, and more often then not, attacking the Borg.
Other Races :
• Tamarians :
The Tamarians joined the Federation 127 years, after Picard was first De-aged.
It was tricky to communicate with them, as Tamarians didn't think like most lifeforms, but rather purely in imagery. Their written language was a series of odd hieroglyphics which didn't represent words so much as the most basic of actions, places, objects, names, and species.
They spoke entirely in metaphor, referring to the history and even myths of their culture. Beyond that they actually spoke in galactic standard, so if you knew the stories of their people, you could understand what they mean.
Tamarians had taken to using the stories from species they were talking to. With the Federation helping them translate the stories of each new race into the hieroglyphics.
• I'Borg :
The new Borg Data mentioned were interesting. They still considered themselves Borg and were working hard on 'fixing' their 'malfunctioning brothers' or one of the thousands of other names they gave to their counterparts. They wanted to bring back their personalities. They still Assimilated people, but now they gave them a choice.
This didn't mean they were completely peaceful. They had a habit of firing on ships, if they attacked their 'Unenlightened brothers'.
They might be self aware, but they made a point of saying they were still Borg. They could hear the lost voices of their counterparts. They saw those Borg purely as victims, and were doing everything in their power to protect them, until all Borg were self aware.
They appeared in more then one battle, in order to let their counterparts get away.
Relationships between these new Borg, the Federation, and the Dominion were tense as a result, but they were also known to help in scientific endeavors, and trade goods with other species.
These new Borg, known as the "I'Borg" by the Federation, used mobile Dyson Sphere's as their homes. Their Nanites were used to construct these Spheres, assimilating every last atom found in nebulas built around a rogue star. The star, itself, was assimilated. So it couldn't destabilize and would be a permanent power source.
• Cultural Appropriation :
All this resulted in an extreme case of cultural appropriation. Due to humans forcing themselves into the background, various alien races had become rather fascinated by human culture. They began watching their media and implementing their policies. Humans accidentally gained an incredible amount of influence through this.
For example: most Federation planets abandoned the use of money. They 'lived not for the accumulation of wealth, but to better themselves as well as the Federation' as humans liked to preach. Really with the existence of replicators, money was completely obsolete.