OOC: Esponer will notice this is the same introduction I used in Shadows Dawning (Or close enought to it. The end of Ch.1 is now different. ).
Character Name: Lelos Somm
Rank: Miranu High Councilor
Strengths: Lightning reflexes, exceptional leadership qualities, strong drive for research efforts: genius-level on the Galactic Intellect Standard
Weaknesses: Does not like to lose, has difficulty adjusting research towards other ends, hatred of war.
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Saga of the Guild: Chapter 1
Since time immemorable, sentient species had a hungry fascination for the stars. During such species' early development, mysticism and religion shed their glorious light on the cosmos. Spatial phenomena would be attributed to the supernatural forces wielded by the local deities, and supernovae would spawn tales about wars the gods waged. Nebulae and galaxies seen through the revealing lenses of telescopes brought more wonder to the populace. The stars in their full scintillating glory were a comforting constant to all who viewed them.
Yet, amid such worship and awe, there was also a great yearning, as it were, to walk amongst the stars. To be with such beauty and idyllic splendor would truly be an achievement. Thus, the sentient races set out to advance into the space race. Those capable of contesting advanced rapidly in both technology and national identity, bringing a unified front of scientific intellect to the fore. A species' culture was often symbolized in the new stellar navies that started the race for power and the desire for empire grew strong. Ideology, not technology, began to bend the routes of these fleets to its own ends. Conquest, research, trade, isolation, or xenophobia took hold to guide the flow of history.
As the great races moved inexorably outwards from their homeworlds, carving interstellar kingdoms as they went, the more primitive peoples of the outlying worlds became part of the empires. Some were welcomed as partners, others as mortal enemies. Others were exterminated, while still more were subjugated and enslaved. All were caught up in an enormous cyclone of change, a cyclone that seemed to have no escape. The forces of time drew lines on the galactic maps, and the great races obliged them by expanding. Contact and war would become inevitable. Resources would dwindle and run dry. Subject races would rise up against oppression. Time was always in motion; nothing ever remained static forever.
All this passed through High Councillor Somm's talented Miranu mind as his courier approached the homeworld of Mira. He never ceased to admire the pristine beauty of the world. Pride filled him with a glowing sense of warmth as he thought of the utter lack of pollution on the planet. Mira was both the birthplace of the Miranu and the womb of the trade guilds that flourished and sprawled across the Miranu Star League. The far-flung trade outposts his people had scattered around the galaxy all had their roots below the purple cloud cover of Mira and its countless archipelagoes. Many of these interstellar marketplaces were divisions of the Miranu Trading Conglomerate, the economic organ that pumped the lifeblood of the Star League and funded many of the science community's major projects.
Today one of these projects would be presented. The Station Pybin Steering Committee would lay down its goals to the Miranu High Council. The eudaimonic government of Mira helped to foster the scientific psyche of his people. Somm had little doubt regarding the approval of the project.
His vessel landed in Docking Bay 83 of Miranu Guild Spaceport. The sleek violet courier was pulled in by tractor beams and secured by docking clamps. Spaceport personnel bustled about and made haste to complete the final procedures before the councillor disembarked. Dockworkers could be seen with laser welders, safety equipment, and the ubiquitous Miranu wallet and phase pistol. Through the transparent gem windows of the port other travellers could be seen hurrying about. A keen eye could pick out an abnormally large quantity of government officials. Senators and their retainers marched somberly through the spaceport's crystalline corridors, while high councillors and their armies of clerical staffers ambled towards the magnetotram terminals. Along the walls were commodity tickers, news broadcasts, and trade guild announcements. Policy changes could be viewed above the doors that lined the hallways. Information was a constant everywhere on Mira, and the spaceport was no exception.
High Councillor Somm and his escort of petty officials and assistants finally were cleared to exit their spacing vessel. The high councillor's rank brought them through customs in record time, and a four standard minute voyage on the magnetotram brought him to the capitol of Mira, which held the same name as the planet it governed. He trekked the familiar walkways that led to the Grand Convocation Chamber, and emerged into the courtyard that spearheaded the building. Plantlife and fauna from across the Star League flourished here as a symbol of the eudaimonic cooperation the worlds shared. The building was of the finest Zarla stone, excavated from F-9012 and augmented by rich veins of ore mined on Zeldra. It stood thirty stories high, and housed the clockwork and machinery of the Miranu government. Its splendor was unmatched across the League.
High Counillor Somm casually entered.
"We thus conclude this project to be worth investigation. Your work is to be a collaborative effort with the Himgro plague-curers and our other intellects at Station Pybin. Begin work on the Nebula Penetration Device at once. The High Council will supply adequate funding."
The speaker was Trademaster Corzun Dah, official leader of the free peoples of the Miranu Star League. He had started as a scientist at Station Pybin, where he had developed the widely-used pursuit missile weaponry, and had quickly risen through the upper echelons of the Miranu government. Somm thought highly of him for his achievements.
"The chair recognizes the High Councillor from Priat."
"Motion to move to agenda item nineteen."
"All for Councillor Somm's proposal?"
The green lights of approval flickered on. They were in the majority against the red lights of disagreement.
"Motion approved. Agenda item nineteen. The Miranu People's Assembly has proposed contacting the Zidagar to offer the following proposal, presented here for our approval. The Assembly wishes us to open negotiations for Zidagar aid against the North Tip renegades. The Assembly believes such an alliance would greatly aid our Zachit comrades' successes."
"Motion to table the proposal."
"All for tabling the motion?"
The green lights flickered on.
"All against?"
Red lights flashed as they activated.
"The motion has been defeated."
"Motion to approve the Assembly's proposition."
"All for?" The majority of green lights lit up in agreement.
"The motion is approved. We shall dispatch negotiators at once to contact the Zidagar and sue for aid against the North Tip renegade threat to further safeguard our mutual trade agreements. Today's session of the Miranu High Council is adjourned."
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Constructed/Built/Completed: 20 M. Heavy Freighters, 30 M. Freighters
Research begun: Singularity Warp Shielding
Project Initiated: Miranu Carrier design ( refitted M. H. Freighter chassis with carried fighters ) (Begun: 11/29/02) (End: 12/6/02)
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OOC: As I do not know the exact specifications we have placed on research rules and project time lengths, as well as restrictions on what can be researched (or is imagination the limit?) the above numbers for the Carrier are estimates with little information. If someone could clarify this for me, I would greatly appreciate it.
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Cogito Ergo Cogito
United we stand, so I wandered off and got me a chair.
(This message has been edited by Solel (edited 11-29-2002).)
