Tou'lon was not expecting Erin to come and visit him, especially in his office. He would have appreciated a little heads up from the girl. Barging into his office with nothing but a knock was quite rude of her, but no matter.
Getting up off his chair, ruffling his feathers in irritation. He walked over, bowed in greeting and gestured for her to sit.
She nodded gently, her features indifferent, but he knew, he knew she was here for something of importance. The way she walked, the way her shoulders were tensed, the way her eyes were squinted. It all pointed to stress, or something close. Something that's caused her to be so tense is definitely something that is of some serious importance.
Sitting back down on his chair, claws resting on the shimmering desk, cup filled with jolikia Juice resting casually on his right. He waited, he sat there quietly. Waiting for Erin to speak.
Sitting across from him as she was, he was able to witness the changes on Erins face. The way her lips thinned, or how her mouth opened just a bit before closing, it all indicated that she had something to say, but just did not have the courage to speak it.
So, waiting as he was, he went to grab his cup filled with jolikia juice for a sip. But just before the cup was placed on the ridges of his beak, she spoke.
"tou'lon, what i am about to say is something that could not leave this room. Now, I know you are loyal to your people as I am mine, but this is the only favor I ask of you. It's not... Its... a big ask." She stammered, her voice strained, yet filled with something, something akin to determination. "It's something that you don't have to answer right away. but it is something I would like to know sometime soon. Will you convince your people to not violate our non-militarized border agreement?" she questioned.
...He was speechless, he was beyond surprised. This ... This could account for treason from Erin. What she is suggesting is something that could imply that the federation is not up to the task, that it fears war.
The federation's policies do not account for this situation, they do not allow for the federation to be seen as weak, especially if the request is made officially. But that is the problem isn't it. Erin is not requesting this officially. This is a private discussion, a favor that she is asking. A favor if he may add, that cannot be done.
The information that he found out during the meeting has already been sent to the elder council, and it is their decision alone on what to do with the information. If he was to ask for the elder council to delay, or comply with the agreement, he can be seen as part of the united peace party. A party that is, if he is honest with himself, not doing so well.
The United peace party are looked down upon for their extremist-like ways of implementing their favored laws. And, to the frustration of many, they consider the non-militarized border agreement a law. A law that can be used to dissuade the elder council from war.
"Erin, you know that cannot be done, the Elder council will reject my ask. It will be seen as me taking sides. Something i have sworn not to do. The United Peace Party has already takin to much political ground anyways. So, my asking may not even do much." He replied. Claw casually resting on his jolkia filled cup.
Erin slumped, her eyes still squinted, but shoulders lay droopy. "i did not want to put you in this position tou'lon, I know you could lose your standing with the elder council, I know you could lose your job. But please, just consider it. Think about how many lives can be saved if it only takes a single speech with your elder council to stop a re-ignition of the war." she spoke, passion hidden beneath the layer of the indifference it hid behind.
Tou'lon knows that what she is asking is important to her, but, still, to lose his job for a Favor for the enemy... it just seems so... Ironic. Ever since he was a child, he has seen humanity as the enemy to be feared and crushed beneath the boot of the Welkin expanse. So, to suddenly open himself up to this kind of manipulation that can only really be used on him by someone who is close to him, someone he trusts. It seems preposterous, he does not really have many friends outside of the elder council. Well, technically Erin can be considered a friend, family even.
But still... looking to Erin with now, open eyes, he replied. "Erin, if i do this, I would be breaking my people's trust in me to be neutral in all affairs of the elder council. It would be like breaking a promise, like breaking an agreement between Council leaders and the populace."
Erin nodded slowly at his reply, like what he just said somehow resonated with her. "I know tou'lon, i know well. What I have done here can be considered treason, or a betrayal. But, in my heart, i know this is what i have to do. I know people of the federation will praise me one day, for stopping a war that many thought was finished more than 50 years ago. I know it will happen. It's a feeling."
Humming in acceptance of what was said, he pressed a button underneath his desk, adjusting the shimmering glosks setting. A window became visible, materializing right Infront of them. He looked towards the morning earth trees, their green filled leaves gently swaying in the cold winter winds. And he sighed.
Being a diplomat and a part of the elder council is a job that is tough on the individual. It withers at your relationships; it slowly decays your sense of self and is a straining occupation. He knows this, his relationship with his son is but one example. They used to be so close. his fawn used to tell him everything.
Tou'lon can't blame Yoi'tou, he was but a babe when he went to office, when he was elected for the elder Council position. They barely had time to speak, let alone get to know each other. But they managed. He may have been tough on him, but Yoi'tou know he loves him.
But even with all of that, he loves his job, deeply.
He likes being able to help his fellow Welkins with laws that can be of use to them. He likes helping prevent sickened lifeforms from destroying their natural, and beautiful states of being. He likes researching and exploring the cultures of the humans and the carstos.
He loves it. But, yet...
"Erin, I'm going to be honest with you. I'm going to tell you something that I have not told anyone. Something that will probably surprise you. See, I am not well liked within the confines of the elder council. They may seem all cheery and bubbly from the outside, but they do not agree with my neutral stance on internal welkin matters. They do not like how i am supposedly compromising the integrality, and unity of the council." he replied. His gruff and scratchy voice somehow clear in a way that it has not been since he was but a fawn.
"..." Erin smiled, a smile that made tou'lon feathers ruffle with unease. "yes, indeed. That is information that is definitely surprising-" she went on about how the federation has suspected such but has gotten no confirmation. She went on about the artifact. There were things that Erin said she could not elaborate on, but tou'lon got the gist.
He was surprised by the information that he had received, of course. He knew the federation had spies, but he did not know that they had spies that high up. He could not help but respect their intelligence officers. Of course, the Expanses' own counterintelligence teams would need some more extra training, or just more advanced equipment in general.
What really got him intrigued, however, was the information she relayed about the artifact. He was surprised by the information she shared, so he asked her if she was allowed to share this information. Erins reply was simple but juicy. "Our governments have come to an agreement, so, I am technically allowed to give general information about the artifact."
It seems, the artifact is more of a Ftl transporter instead of a weapon, like the elder council thought it was.
After that, the political discussions after a while sort of just fell to the wayside. In their place, talks of their more usual discussions followed. Family, life, and their jobs. Non-classified stuff, of course.
It was relaxing, talking with Erin. It brought him to better times; it brought him to the time when he was just starting his career, nothing but a child. It was a time that was special to him. It was a time when his interest in other cultures arose.
It was beautiful.
"What about the Bugs? Have you come to an agreement? Have you convinced them to not attack your borders?" tou'lon questioned, curious about humanity's relationship with the bugs.
He knows the extent of their relationship, certainly. but it is always good to get a general overview of their side of things. It makes connecting dots of information easier.
"tou'lon" she said in a voice that was filled with exasperation. "You know i cannot tell you that, especially without Federation officials nearby. I won't fall for your tricks old man." she finished with a half-baked sneer.
Tou'lon all but laughed, happy that the somber mood had been lifted.
...
Garnidum region
Orbit around Earth federation Research Station Akira
Star-Poor System/better known as Artifact relay system
37cc from Carsto- Federation Border
Carsto Observer Ship 'Domination of the Sands'
Raker Tantru is a crude and narrow minded male. His achievements may be great, but his personality is lacking. Raker knows this is what others think of him. He knows they see him as nothing but a foolish individual that only follows evidence that is of no importance in the grand scheme of things. He knows they view his as an old man but a few years away from enslavement.
He knows and he thinks it's okay. His flaws are what make him great, they are what got him through the raids against the Birds failing empire, they are what got him in command of this ship. His father's ship. His father was a great man, he won battles that saw him ascended to great levels of infamy. But like all other older carstos, they fall to the great deterioration. They fall, their minds gone. Laid to rest within the confines of the labor camps. Put to use for the success of the tribes.
Of course, it is no fault of their own, raker knows his father was a great general, a great advisor, but he also knows he got his narrow Mindness from him. He knows his father was a part of his success as well as his failures.
Looking out the view port of his ship as he was, clawed hands resting casually on his rear. He was able to witness the vastness of space, the multitude of ships, varying in design. The human's box like, ascetically displeasing ships, and, to the left, orbiting mere light years away from the artifact, was the welkin observer ships. Their long circular hulls, with advanced signal dampeners, make it very difficult to get an accurate reading of their ship's specifications.
But, knowing the welkins as Raker does, there sure are going to be invisibly cloaked photon accelerated cannons, with an attachment of anti-flak mounted guns neatly placed, and out of view of ships scans. Closer to the systems sun, the sun's flames gently colliding with its hull, was Akira station. Its small width of 120 meters and height of 300 meters, human measurements, obviously. Make it a rather niche structure.
It has all the indicators of human development. The short box like width, the obscenely displeasing aesthetic of dark Greys accompanied by a fleet of orbiting automated plasma defense platforms. With a crew of corvettes, seemingly fully armed and fully equipped with plasma shielding. Alongside the human element of nationalism, flags of the federation line the exterior hull of the station, clearly indicating it is, in fact, a federation station.
He finds it absurd; the federation officials were clear in making it obvious that this system belongs to them, and the tribes and the expanse are nothing but observers. So, there is no need for such a... passionate display of nationalism. But what can you expect? They are but apes. Toying with tools that they barely understand. With just preliminary scans of the artifact, Raker can tell this... this structure, this... Ancient artifact is better left alone than to be tinkered with.
We don't know who made it, we don't know if the makers are still alive? Questions. Something the apes never seem to ask. Pfft, that is why the tribes will one day wrestle control of this system from the whining, pathetic little apes, and hopefully, finally, make it known that the tribes are the superior nation of the two. Let's not even mention the birds, they can rot for all he cares.
A beeping from his terminal interrupted his, rather, profitable inner monologue. Grunting in a pathetic attempt at annoyance, he walked over to the nearby terminal, he shuffled unneeded documents out of the way and proceeded to quickly scour the alerts confines.
He was, however, quickly elated to find that they were to participate in a test of the artifact. The implications, of course, were not lost on him. This is to be the first test held by all three powers since the agreement for observer statues was signed. It is a big deal within the political forums. This 'test' is supposedly a step in the right direction. A step to peace.
Lies he says. Delusions. The people who speak such nonsense are either delusional, or do not understand the politics between the three great powers. He thinks the latter, but who cares?
Barking out orders ecstatically, he ordered his crew forward. His cruiser attaché followed behind rather quickly. Fearful of retribution if not.
For the tribes. He hymned.
...
Rakers is not ignorant to the tenseness that pervades the room. Every individual can tell with but a glance outside the view ports how gigantically massive the artifact is. How it looks like one of the humans' pronged forks, except it turns. Gyroscopic circular spheres turn periodically around the core, emitting a Clear-ish blue like glow every few rotations. making it difficult to actually get a good view of the core within.
The glow, everyone knowns, is the newly discovered Eezo. Only recently discovered within the outer worlds of the artifact. Worlds that are within the Garnidum regions confines, a region that has a heavy carstos presence. He dares anyone stupid enough to try and strong arm them of their rightful Eezo Worlds. A term tokened by himself. Well, anyways, he knows for a fact that that will not happen again, especially with what happened at the meeting. Pfft, allowing humans, and the Welkin access? When everyone within the tribes agrees that the artifact should belong to them, it is preposterous.
Thier ships, while however difficult it is to admit, are not as advanced as the welkin, nor are they as distinct as the humans, but what they did have that the humans and welkin currently did not, were various colony worlds filled with Eezo. Shield technology that cannot be matched, and scanners that put the humans 'Automated security surveillance independent Monitors, or ASSIM for short, to shame.
Having worlds filled with Eezo, ones that are especially close to the artifact, allows the tribes a much better time at researching the varying uses of eezo in the technological department. So, while the Welkin are obsessed with the Artifacts uses and completely forgetting the varying prospects of Eezo itself, the tribes will be researching other, more useful ways to achieve technological parity, or even superiority over the arrogant Welkin.
Raker almost sneered when he thought of a rather unpleasant memory. It was when he was on the battlefields of trek-Hall, a welkin Monitor world. Fighting on worlds with such unpredictable weather forecasts such as trek-hall is always something raker never enjoys. The grimy sands, the musky mud-like smell, and the unbearable humidity. It gets annoying after a while.
But, anyways, he was reporting to some report of a welkin operating base on the northeast side of their camp. Nothing very serious, it was most likely just Welkin operatives moving positions or scouting the surroundings of their camp. Nothing he has not dealt with before. So, when he arrived, he was expecting a rather moderate pushback, he was expecting some casualties. What he was not expecting was a refurbished, re-integrated, and shambled together, functioning Nuclear swarm artillery cannon, with an attachment of welkin Sharda officers.
He tried to call out to his team; he tried radioing back to camp. But it was no use, the welkins had obviously jammed their comms. And, within seconds, the cannon shot out cannon artillery components, filled with small Pico missiles, headed towards the Carsto camp. He knew then that he, alongside with everyone advancing towards the wellkin forward base, were to witness the death of all their friends back at camp, alongside their only functioning anti artillery mount, complementing their forward assault team currently advancing towards the welkin's front lines.
He knew then that the welkins were as arrogant as they come, he is sure that they knew swarm missile placements near ground forces were illegal according to the Judia agreement. They can be severely punished if they were to be found out by the rest of the tribes. The high chieftains would be duty bound to alert the Federation of such an alarming breach of Treaty agreements.
Alas, that never came to be, as when he deftly escaped welkin imprisonment, screaming at his superiors that he was a witness to the Welkins use of treaty bared technology all the while. They mocked him, they laughed at his stupidity. He could not blame them of course. No-one would be foolish enough to use such regionally destructive weapons. While the weapon itself may not seem all that destructive. The Pico missiles integrated into the artillery rounds are powered by nuclear power, with small radioactive cores powering the destructive, small, missiles. Allowing for vast amounts of destruction to occur within the targeted area in which they were fired.
Sighing, the number of times that thought has entered his mind during important missions has to be some sort of Ptsd. Taking out his own personal Holo-pad, he checked the integrated ship scans of the artifact. He was expecting it to be filled with Eezo. Having personal experience with eezo, he can tell that the blue glow from the artifact is surely the eezo core from within the Artifact.
And there it was, the reported scans of the Artifact, Eezo, Eezo, and more Eezo. Their new scanners can tell that the core is filled with it, somehow making the artifact work. He is sure that the welkin are practically drooling at the various applications of the Eezo fueled artifact. Something his higher ups can definitely agree to encourage.
Raker knows that the humans, the welkin and himself agreed to traverse the artifact together. It's signed practically into law. But it can never be too careful to keep your guard up. You never know if one of them has a nefarious agenda. It would be hard, obviously. It's practically doomed to fail if you try saber rattling the other parties away. It only makes you look more aggressive and less accepting of peace.
From his perspective, he cannot care less about the other party's agenda with the artifact when the other side of the relay is sufficiently explored. They can fight each other over it for all he cares. He has his orders. Keep the welkin and humans at each other's throats so that it is easier to arm their western border. Therefore, making it difficult to allow the federation to adequately defend their, rather, limited control of the artifact relay, and allow for a more superior party to govern it, their party.
Moving to the other side of the access terminal, he was able to get away from the Viewport, so he did not have to see the mess that was the combined formation of the Welkin-human-carsto ships. Just looking at it, you can clearly see the level of distrust everyone has for each other. The welkins formation clearly lets them have their formidable photon cannons aimed at the humans, allowing an easier time for their strike craft components to easily be released. He is sure that the Welkins and humans strike craft would immediately target his ships if anything were to go wrong. It's common knowledge that carsto vessels are weak to strike craft, barely having any anti-flak cannons as they were.
Raker knows carsto ships heavily rely on their shield's. So, he knows how weak he is being so close to enemy craft. The carstos doctrine is to fight from a distance, allowing them time to knock out their enemies more important space craft, and letting their frigates clean up any strays.
Mumbling to himself as he walked. He was able to pass the time rather quickly, making his way to the cockpit within minutes, when actually it was a rather long walk. He blames the elevators. The cockpit itself is filled with various holo-pads, and the central terminal in the center. Various carstos misters surround the terminal, claws flawlessly tinkering with the controls, effortlessly flying the craft in a perfectly coordinated formation. He ordered for the View-slits within the cockpit to be closed, having enough of the view of deep space, and no longer wanting to witness the formation horror that was the combined formation of ships outside.
Heading towards his personal terminal, he dialed a number given to him before the assignment and acceptance of this exploration mission. Within moments, high Chieftain indra Tiranka answered. Her elegant tribal paints layered her flawless scaled chitin, her well-earned feathers lay hanging by the strings attached to her protruding mandibles. The kaleidoscopic colors of her eyes were dim, signifying her rather old age, and her closeness to enslavement.
He bowed, not wanting to disrespect the high Chieftain. Just before he was about to greet her with welcoming and kind words, she lifted her talons in a way that signaled 'hold your tongue'
"There is no need for praises Raker. The tribe leader wants results within the expected time frame. The date of your expected return was sent to your terminal, you are expected to send regular reports in that time. The higher up within the federation and Expanse have told us that this supposed high risk mission is a trust exercise. The humans of course whined about our and the welkins observer status. Thier involvement with our side mission should be minimal. And like we expected. The welkin took the bait. They are expected to be most hostile during the long voyage." she snickered, her mandibles retracting back in a grin of contempt.
Raker could not help himself, he snickered as well. While not the most laughable person, he could not help but start laughing, quietly, of course. He did not want to wake up the others within his ship's barracks.
"The plan is working mistress, the welkin have done as you have said. Their weapons are primed towards the human ships. And they are expected, if not guaranteed, to get their observer statues revoked within the month-long journey though the artifact." he replied. Head still bowed. Snickers, muted behind the visage of normalcy.
"of course, when am i never correct my dear?" she questioned.
He was about to reply when he thought better of it. It was obviously a rhetorical question.
"Well, if the plans are successful, the humans and the welkin will be at war once again, the welkin will be displeased with their observer statues being taken away, and the humans will be seen as the aggressor. It will be a perfect time for plan utopia to come to fruition. But that is some time away. Right now, we have to focus on actually completing the plan." raker said. His voice hesitant. Almost like he was scared of forgetting some information.
"Well then, i think it is time to initiate plan zeta. If our schedules are not incorrect, the humans should be calling you, alongside the welkin officers on the hour. Be prepared. They are to be rather difficult to persuade. And remember Raker, keep your temper in check. The plan must be successful if we are to one day control the artifact..." she paused, talons dialing buttons on her terminal. "Transferring call now" Indra continued, her mandibles twitching.
And within seconds, the call was transferred to the encrypted call room the discussions on what to do next, presumedly, were to be held. He, of course, took the high chieftains warning well. He breathed in and out, calming his nerves, and echoed his inner mantra for a few seconds... opening his translucent eyelids, he was ready.
...
An echo of periodic beeps were heard throughout the inner layers of the cockpit, rakers personal terminal being the source. Green haptic bio-lights illuminated the surroundings of the area in which Raker is standing. His chitinous scales glowed a bright green, making his eyes squint just a bit. The lighting irritating his fractal kaleidoscopic like eyes.
Displayed in full view, his grey clothes, with his commanding plaques visible for all to see, was the commander of the human ship. His eyes a bright blue roamed the holographic displays of the welkin and Raker himself. Looking like he was searching for something. Too bad, raker thought, he will not find whatever it is he is looking for. in the corner of his eye, near the bottom right corner of the humans holo-display, was the humans name written in Gerlick, the carstos sub-language. Ryan hilar. What a peculiar name.
To the left of the human, split down the middle by a white L.e.d barrier was the welkin officer. His flowy clothes lay drifting slightly, most likely from the AC of their ships. The welkins whiskers twitched once in a while, letting them sway side to side, almost hypnotically. His feathers ruffled up in a display of a ludicrous dance of intimidation. The welkins eyes were clearly stuck to the human's face. A clear attempt at intimidation. And like the humans, at the bottom corner of the holo-display was a translated version of the Welkins name. {Junior} Ino'ran
Anyways, he had his orders. So, he waited.
And waited.
...And waited.
Raker didn't know what to feel. If he should feel insulted or relieved. The human on the other side of the Holo-Communicator has not yet addressed the Welkin Officer, nor himself. leaving them waiting for him to start the meeting. The Welkin will surely let the state of things be. Certainly not wanting to speak first, most likely waiting for another party to speak so they can spout their aggressive agendas.
An agenda that, like High chieftain indra expected, will most likely cause further tension among the humans and the Welkin. And let's not forget the various sabotage operations Indra is surely taking. Operations that he, nor the rest of his crew have the clearance to know. But they have their own suspicions.
She is, after all, the high chieftain with the most reported assassinations associated with her name.
A cough from the holo-display interrupted his thoughts. The human, Ryan, it seemed, was trying to get their attention. Finally.
With a simple click of a button on his dial, Ryan unmuted his communicator, letting the meeting finally begin.
"I'm sorry for the delay. I had... troubles on my part." Ryan explained his exceedingly long delay. Commanders hat fully tucked between his arms.
"Tsk, let us get this over with shall we." the welkin replied. Ino'rans scratchy voice, common for the welkins, irritated the humans' ears, evident by Ryans lips thinning, and eyes discreetly looking towards the welkins holo-display.
"Yes, shall we" raker followed along. Breath raker, follow the plan.
"The federations ship 'Love and unity' shall be the head ship during the explorations. It seems only fair, as, per the statutes of observer statues, signed by All...of our governments." Ryan spat a subtle dig at the Welkin officer. It was so obvious that it was not even offensive. "And the federation's ownership of the artifact during the agreed upon time period of 5 solar cycles, it only seems logical that the federation shall be the leading force of this... crusade, if you will." he continued. Back straightening as he continued to spout federation hogwash.
Internally smiling, raker couldn't help but praise the high chieftain. How she could predict the federations plans for the exploratory mission so wonderfully, he would never know. Of course, this is still within the plan's expectations. Now, it is only a matter of time before the welkin reveal what the high Chieftain so painfully wants them to reveal.
Then, the plan will begin. He chuckled internally.
"The welkin will support this suggestion; our ships are not currently retrofitted for the specifications that a lead ship would require." he replied, whiskers swaying with his beak's movements. "But" He pronounced. "We will not accept Human claims upon worlds that are found by welkin observation ships. We may be sending planetary coordinates to your capitol ship, but that does not mean everything we find behind the artifact will belong to the federation."
"of course not, we will respect Planetary claims, and other such claims that are reported by other third parties." Ryan replied. Putting on the most sincerest smile that he could possibly muster. Raker can tell, just from that look alone, that the federation has no intention of honoring those claims.
"Well then, it seems that everythi-" Ryan was interrupted by a call coming from the welkins side of the holo-display. Ino'ran, just as surprised as Ryan was, picked up the slim transparent like communicator by the side of his desk. Muted his holo-display and then took the call. Within the first few seconds of him picking up the call. Ino'rans eyes widened, his feathers shifted from there natural state, to being fluffed up in surprise.
Raker, meanwhile, was sitting, face indifferent on the outside. But internally, he was ecstatic. The plan was a go. The welkin picking up the call means the high chieftain's part of the plan was a success. Now, all he has to do is wait and manipulate.
Raker and Ryan were the witnesses to ino'ran pacing his quatres, seemingly shouting at the individual on the other side of the communicator. He breathed in and out. Then, like magic, he was calm once again. His eyes, like magnesium, alighted with fire. He walked forwards towards the holo-display. His feathers were threatening. His steps true. Steadily he unmuted his holo-display, allowing Ryan and raker to hear his ragged breathing. Like he just ran a marathon.
"Unfortunately, gentleman, I have just received news of the utmost importance. I will order my sharda officers to follow the federations lead ship. But, for now, i must go and tend to this very disturbing news that I have come across. Farwell." and just like that, the welkins holo-display disconnected.
You would expect raker would be happy about this news. To be jumping up and down with joy. No, no, that is not what is happening now. Right now, Raker is panicking. This is not part of the plan. Ino'ran was supposed to be threatening and screaming at the human by now. War should already be declared. Not, this. Not just ino'ran saying farewells and hanging up and going to deal with this.
Have they been discovered? Have they been compromised? That could be the only answer for this situation, right? That could be the only possible answer for the high chieftain falling, right?
Looking towards the human with the most indifferent expression that he could muster. He spoke, his voice low, and tone steady. Eyes squinted and eye ridges bulged, indicating stress. "Well, that was quite rude of Ino'ran, but I will have to agree. For the time being, I will order my ships to follow your lead. We can continue this discussion when ino'ran returns."
"Very well." Ryan said, without fanfare he disconnected from the call.
Leaning back on his chair, he closed his eyes. And calmed his nerves. Picking up his personal communicator he scrolled till the high chieftain's number came into view.
Exhaling a deep exhale, Raker clicked call, and dialed the high chieftain. Worried that she failed the most critical part of the plan.
Within moments she picked up. Upon immediate visual with her, however. He was able to tell that new scar's adorned her body. Her wounds were fresh, and her mandibles were tucked inwards, quivering however so slightly. Clearly indicating she was in pain. Her chitinous outer scales were rugged with blaster wounds. While they will definitely scar, they are not critical.
"Are you o-'" he was interrupted before he could say another word.
"I am fine. Target has been neutralized. But I was unable to leave behind the framed human weaponry. They most likely have visuals of carsto operatives within the region of operation." she coughed, green liquid-like blood spilled from her inner mandibles. "Mission now deemed: failure. War: Most likely imminent"
...
Saturn's orbit
Sol system
Kiligua Station
Within the confines of the lower armory within the station, there were three individuals, their ranks proudly displayed on their plaques. A deep rumbling, a side effect of the antimatter reactor of the station's core, was heard throughout the entire station. Causing minute vibrations to occur under General Yadid's feet.
Displayed before him and his comrades was a board, its confines of the technical variety. Something he would have a difficult time understanding. But he is sure it is something of importance.
The holographic displays, placed to the right of the board, backdropped by a pane of glass. Allowing complete visual of Saturn's gaseous surface, had pictures of an operating base seemingly of Welkin design. Its Spherical ridged surfaces, along with protruding Obelisks, of which he knows are the welkins Shimmering glosks ready to be put to use. Paint a clear visual of the base.
What is not known is why they were being shown such a picture? "No disrespect sir, but why are we being shown a welkin Observation base? Surely, we can be put to much better use." he looked towards the Scientist/commander? In front of him. The man was clothed with a white coat, a piece of cloth commonly seen in labs, or research departments. A place they are currently not.
"None taken soldier, it was but a necessity for the things that we are to speak of." The scientist replied. Hand grasped onto a ruler, its clear materials allowing Yadid to clearly see through it. "As you may not know why we have called you here, let me debrief you. This welkin Observation base." He pointed his ruler at the Holographic Display-Displaying the welkin base.
"Was recently discovered within the DMZ approximately 12 hours ago. It is a clear breach of the non-militarized border treaty. But do not despair, this does not mean war, or whatever you may have heard from the paranoid geeks on the extranet. It is but a small violation of the treaty, something the Federations diplomats are already getting ready to Decry over."
"So, we do not have to gear up and die for no reason." the idiot Rick replied. Standing to the side as Rick was, he was not able to see the subtle frown that appeared on scientists' Hank's face. A clear way of showing those within view, I.E Yadid, his annoyance at Ricks interjection of his flow.
"Yes rick, there is no need for you to get ready for battle, or whatever it was that you spoke of. Anyways, what was I saying." Hank paused, trying to get his thoughts in order. "Oh, right. The implications of the welkin's border/treaty violation. Well, if we are being totally honest here, nothing really. The current mission of exploring the Artifact, as well as the tedious powerplays, the tribes' efforts of seemingly trying to get everyone on board of the status Quo, and the welkins aggressive gestures.
No-one wants to risk the mission as well as a chance for another war to break out. So, for now, I expect the federation to leave the observation base be, and just focus on the exploration mission on the other side of the relay. If not, then just publicly embarrassing speeches about how the welkin are violating their borders. The federation will do nothing, i assure you. So, don't keep your pants in a twist." hank explained, arms gesticulating his words as he went on.
"isn't it shaming for the federation to do nothing Though? Surely, they have something they can pull out their ass. I mean, i am only a mere infantry commander. But even i can see ways for the federation to come out on top, even with all these messes." Yadid Asked. Arms crossed; head tilted to the side. Eyes roaming the board that was now starting to make sense.
"Yadid, my boy. The federation is not exactly doing nothing, I mean, even if they were doing nothing. Members of the Inner council will not enjoy our lacking response. The federation will have to show strength at some point in time.
For now, though, they are most likely going to be content with spouting useless speeches and using minimal escalatory military responses. " Hank replied, erasing something on the board as he spoke. Rick, to the left of Hank as was usual, was staring up at the ceiling, not even paying attention.
Sighing. If Yadid was honest with himself, he did not even know how he got paired with rick in the first place. His scores for the Aptitude test needed to join the military were way lower than the requirements required.
His IQ, probably all the way down in the 10s. His decision making needed some massive rework, and his situational awareness needed some major tuning. It was like he was shoved down the military's throats forcibly.