OOC: Vice Admiral Ipvicus expressed an interest in playing the Azdgari in this story to me by IM. As I'd thought of a government infinitely more enjoyable to play, if it is allowed, I happily let him take my position. The government I'm going to commandeer is one that is not strictly mentioned in the game (i.e. it's not a gövt), and thus its actual name was one I chose. It is the South Tip Conclave of Akrayhek, which is normally simply called "the Kayans" in webstories that involve them. I am not sure whether Admiral will accept this, but I'm in a writing mood, so I'll write some stuff anyway. If it's all unacceptable, it can be erased at a later point... it likely won't effect any other players until Admiral returns. I made a guess at what standing forces I might have, which is numerically similar to the Zachit, and consists of Crescent fighters and Aradas.
South Tip Conclave of Akrayhek
Rise of the New Power
Vardamaught, the capital of the planet Kayia for over four hundred years, literally buzzed with the life and energy of a space age, socially advanced civilisation. The introduction of Strandless colonists to the planet one hundred and thirty six years ago had made a great change in the Kayan society. Then in the beginnings of their industrial age, the Kayans had been a constantly warring species, with a more complicated series of alliances, vendettas, blood feuds and rivalries than seen almost anywhere in the known galaxy. When the Strandless arrived, they had at their hands the power to eliminate the Kayans completely; to purge their seemingly purposeless lifeform from the planet. Many Kayans still knew this, even now, and knew that the Strandless leader, Rei-Amun, had taken a great risk in his original communication with the Kayan species, and later co-operation which made the Kayans what they now are.
While originally Vardamaught had been a fortress city with a disgustingly high crime and corruption rate, now the city, populated by Kayans and Strandless, was a thriving industrial city. Its walls had been torn down, yet its defences now were more powerful (if more subtle.) Crime in the city was virtually non-existent, with children of all ages safe in the streets at any time. There was not a single prison in Vardamaught; and the two existing rehabilation centres bore a success rate of 87.4%. In fact, there was only one high-security prison on the entire planet - the Iron Hold, located eighty seven miles from Vardamaught. Those rare individuals who escaped rehabilation were relocated to the Hold by hovercar under heavy guard, and there they spent the rest of their lives.
Overall, Vardamaught was a beautiful city. It was not a city of tall buildings that overshadowed conjested roads, like many cities belonging to the human race, light years away. The Kayans were not a prolific species - in fact, since the Strandless introduced advanced technology to the Kayan populace, the Kayan population has levelled out at three and a half billion, and is not increasing - and as such, there was never any need for the city to be centralised into a small area. Many of the buildings were two or three storeys, with several basements (a trademark of the Kayans, a reminder of their warlike times), and constructed of angles and curves, masked in white marble or glimmering chromium alloys. Unlike every other society except perhaps the Miranu one, the city was almost overwhelmed by natural colour, intensely coloured blossoms and organisms similar to trees on the planet Earth, but infinitely more beautiful. Slender towers rose from the city in a strict pattern - while the Kayans on the whole valued the beauty of nature, they also very much valued symmetry and symbolism - and rose far higher than any skyscraper would have.
From one such tower, black as onyx, that was linked to other such towers by pathways that arked through the air, slender as gossamer threads, a Strandless figure watched out of a tall window, viewing the city. From this far up, the shape that these towers created was almost visible, a shape reminiscient of a creature of flight, a predator, that could be seen from the sky. These towers were more than simply displays of the wealth and prosperity of the Kayan-Strandless society. They were Vardamaughts main defensive device. Each tower was a laser, independantly powered by an underground reactor.
The Strandless eyed the network of towers with unfeigned interest. He had often pondered, idly, the power that these towers held. The government could have established a dictatorship, giving them unsurpassed power, and with these towers already in position, no rebellion would have succeeded. That this had not come to pass was one of many happenings of which he was grateful.
While originally, the Strandless had been allpowerful outsiders, building their own cities on the planet, eventually the last barriers had been broken down. Strandless mingled with Kayans, and Kayans with Strandless, as if there were no differences. Communication had been a problem at first, but now many Kayans learnt Gadzairan, and all Strandless had attempted to learn the Kayan tongue (although many Kayan words proved difficult for the Strandless to pronounce.) Of course, Kayans and Strandless could not produce offspring, although it was possible for them to engage in intercourse, although there were several independant projects seeking to find a way to do this, due to an increasing number of Kayan-Strandless relationships.
Now, the Strandless were on equal footing with their Kayan brothers. The Strandless had not taken any position of authority over the Kayans, and as such their united governing body was governed by Kayans and Strandless in a ratio equal to their numbers on the planet - roughly twenty Kayans to every Strandless.
You do spend quite some time here, dont you, Lysaeun? a voice called from behind the Strandless in Gadzairan.
Indeed. It is difficult to believe that such beauty can exist in tandem with productivity, Lysaeun replied in the Kayan tongue, as fluently as he physically could.
A hawk-like Kayan took several steps to Lysaeuns side. Wearing all black, except for red emblem on his chest in the shape of the same predatorial flyer (a razsaegul ) that stood out in Vardamoughts skyline), he was a handsome Kayan, in his middle years. We all think that, at some time. We are fortunate to be here, and not in Bakoom, or Tibidat, where the Conclaves fighters can give little protection.
Bakoom and Tibidat have their own fleets. If only they would sort themselves out, their fight against the renegades would go that much better, Lysaeun replied, his tone bitter, yet determined.
You refer to the Conclaves offer to the Republic of Bakoom? the Kayan asked in response. He shrugged. I do not know whether they will accept... it is a great thing to ask of a government, to sacrifice its power of its people.
It should not be so, however, Nhada. The government exists to protect the people. If it can protect its people by sacrificing its power to form a greater governing body, then it should do so.
Nhada sighed, and shook his head. Lysaeun, I consider you a friend, but in many ways, you are naďve. Power is addictive, and compassion is fleeting. If you think for a moment that even our Conclave is as pure as your standards, you are a fool. He looked across the city then, taking in all of its beauty. Vardamaught is a great city, yes, but there are backwater cities and provinces on Kayia which are not so well-kept. That in itself is a failing of the Conclave. I would hope that our government is not corrupt - I would give my life on a wager that it is not - but we cannot expect perfection. You never can.
Lysaeun was silent for a moment, and then he turned to Nhada, who was observing him. Blue eyes met black. We cannot expect, perhaps, Lysaeun murmured slowly. But we can hope, he added in a whisper.
Shaking his head sadly, Nhada turned to leave. Youre a good man, Lysaeun, and there are none who I would rather have at my back in a fight, but you have a lot to learn, yet. With that, he left.
Lysaeun studied the chasm that ran down the centre of the tower for a moment, listening to the sound of the platform Nhada was on travel downwards, until it clinked heavily far below, and then turned back to study the city. Power is addictive. Power corrupts. If Bakooms government does surrender to the Conclave, and so do the governments of Tibidat, Duios, Groned... all of the South Tip colonies... will the Conclave remain as pure in intention as they do?
Power corrupts.
Varian was an aging Kayan, his face lined with what they Kayans called wisdom scars. He was the second oldest member of the Conclave, which consisted of eighty four council members (of which four were Strandless.) Kayans were typically much longer lived than their Strandless brothers - Varian himself was two hundred and six years old, and he had sat at the right hand of Dieknur, Lord of Vardamaught, when the Strandless had arrived. Indeed, Dieknur was the only member of the Conclave older than he, but while Dieknur had fallen to the senility of age, Varians mind was still sharp, and it was his age and intellect which gave him an authority of respect over the other council members. In all important ways, Varian was the most influential citizen in the Conclave, before even Mathuin, who had been voted into the position of governor of the Conclave (and had only won because Varian had stood aside.)
When the Conclave had decided to present the proposal to merge with Bakoom to the Republic of Bakoom, Varian had offerred to choose an emissary and write diplomatic instructions himself. It is no secret that every member of the Conclave has their own personal information network (save the Strandless) to ensure that none of the other members of the Conclave attempt anything that would be classified as corrupt. The emissary Varian had selected was a Kayan he had known for over a hundred years, who he trusted implicitly.
Two hours ago, Varian had received a communication from the Chedok , an Arada in Bakooms militia. The vessel carried the answer the Conclave had been waiting for - whether or not the Republic would accept the proposal. Normally, a hyper comm. network would have been used, but the disturbance generated by the Proxima nebula made it impossible for a long-range hyper communication to reach Akrayhek (or DSN-4611 and DSN-5651.)
According to the Bakamese diplomat on the Chedok , which by now would be setting down on the planet, the Republic had accepted the proposal, on several terms. The Strandless population of Bakoom exceeded six billion, an impressively high figure for the Strandless, and they demanded that they receive proportionate representation within the Conclave. Such a demand had not been unexpected, and Varian already knew that it would be accepted - despite this, the system of democracy in the Conclave meant that the Bakoom Strandless would not have more power than the original members for decades, and that had satisfied Mathuin and some of the more power-addicted members of the Conclave, not that there were many.
Varian was busy running through a record of the specific agreements that the meeting with Bakooms parliament had resulted in, in his own chambers, when a blip informed him of someone at the door. Come in, Varian replied, shutting the datapad he had been reading.
He was somewhat surprised when Taikaenor, one of the four Strandless in the Conclave, walked in as the door disappeared in a clink of metal. Taikaenor had a tendency to keep to himself that was well known. He rarely made any comments at the Conclaves meetings, and had taken up the role of president of the fleet upon Chaudaks resignation in a rather quiet manner. Taikaenor had since begun an operation to enhance the Conclaves fleet which Varian had long believed was greatly underestimed.
Good evening, Taikaenor, Varian greeted him warmly. He was almost surprised to realise that he felt it; most of the members of the Conclave, while not corrupt, were still typical politicians, while Taikaenor was rather refreshing.
Evening, Taikaenor replied with a nod of the head rather deeper than was Kayan custom - most of the Strandless seemed overly respectful on the whole, while the Strandless often joked that Kayan respect was shockingly lax.
Do you need anything? Varian asked, standing and offering his hand on impulse. Taikaenor shook it, seeming pleased that manners had, in his mind, been satisfied.
Regarding the fleet, yes, Taikaenor replied bluntly. You have considerable influence within the Conclave, and I request your aid in convincing them to accept my next proposition.
Varian blinked, and then laughed. Straight to the point. And pretty observant, too. I see. And what proposition would that be?
Taikaenor paused for a moment, but only a moment, before responding. You know of how the last military project I suggested to the Conclave was passed - the shield mask. I know how long it usually takes the Conclave to come to a decision on matters that may effect the economy on the whole, so I believed that it would be prudent to raise the next matter before the completion of the last.
And what matter is that?
With it being almost certain that Bakoom will accept our proposal, were very soon going to have an influx of resources which would be best used to further our fleet, particularly if we except the Bakamese to accept our jurisdiction - theyll hardly be likely to do that if we can offer them no more protection. Our shipyards on South Tip Station, and at the bases Tykar and Zeneph, will not be sufficient, nor will Bakooms limited shipbuilding facilities. As such, I wish to propose the concentration of an orbital shipyard facility close to Kayia, Taikaenor explained levelly. Varian could but laugh.
Your proposals are perhaps the most crippling that any member of the Conclave had ever made. Orbital shipyards? I suppose theyd be able to produce Laziras and Crescent warships as well. And theyd also need some sort of defensive system. Anything in mind?
SAD launch batteries, and dispersal rocket launchers, four to a track turret, twenty in total.
Formidable, Varian replied, turning slightly paler in colour. Most crippling indeed. But it might very well give us the power to challenge Histori Station itself, and free the entire South Tip from this war.
Indeed, Taikaenor responded coolly. Will you aid me?
I will, Taikaenor. Give me ten days, and your shipyards will be under construction.
Conclave Shipyards
OOC: Since I rather leapt into this without authorisation, nothing is actually decided, as such, though I hope these will be considered reasonable.
Eight Crescent fighters constructed, four Aradas constructed. (29/11/02 - 30/11/02 construction)
Fleet Status: Fourty eight Crescent fighters, twenty eight Aradas in total. Six Crescent fighters and five Aradas on patrol in DSN-4611 and/or DSN-5651. Two Aradas in Bakoom. All other ships patrolling or on standby in Akrayhek.
Conclave R &D; Department
The Conclaves research and development department has begun work on Taikaenors last proposal, a modification to the existing phasic shielding which will prevent sensors from penetrating the shield matrix, and diffuse engine trails into the shields. The result of this modification will mean that:
The shield status of vessels in the Conclave fleet will be unidentifiable (e.g. how much damage the shields have taken.)
The vessels will only register as a shield matrix in the shape of the vessel underneath. No other information will be available.
It will not be possible to register vessels using this type of shielding as Conclave in origin, nor will two vessels of the same shape be distinguishable.
There is a tiny enhancement to the shield regeneration of Conclave vessels at speed due to the diffusion of engine trails. Emphasis on tiny; it has little to no practical use.
