South Tip Conclave
Varian nodded to the League negotiator briefly, and offered his hand. "It is good to finally meet with a delegate from the Strandless League. As I am sure you aware, long-range diplomacy is... uncomfortable, rather, and allows the hiding of secrets far too easily." He paused then, weighing up the environment around him, and both the Miranu's emissary and the League negotiator. His mind, ever alert, could not help but note the military-class security evident everywhere he looked, and some aspects of his surroundings that struck him as odd, to the extent that he realised they likely had defensive applications he could not even fathom. This place is a fortress... like everything I've seen of Tibidat. What does the League expect?
"Indeed it does," replied the League's spokesman. "I have no doubt that our recent sorty against Riomor and the remnants of the renegades will have helped further our diplomatic relations."
"Perhaps..." Varian mused, keeping his thoughts to himself. There had been quite some controversy over the business of attacking Riomor. Mathuin, who had so recently bulled his way into a more real power, was beginning to lose support, firstly and foremostly among the militant ranks. Varian had received a private communication from Evhael suggesting that some of the actions she was forced to take by Conclave command were unacceptable. Most notably, was that the Conclave had accepted peace with the renegades - peace, of all things - and yet had at the same time told the League nothing of this, and left them to continue their rampage, massacring the remnants of renegades. Mathuin has set himself up for a tragedy, a plummet from the hierarchy, and someone is going to come out on top, Varian thought to himself. The question is, do I press it and seize Mathuin's position, or remain in the background?
"There are problems, you see..." Varian continued seamlessly. "Something of a dispute on the result of the battle within the Conclave. I'm sure it will be resolved soon, but until then, every member needs someone to blame, and most are happy to blame the League for all their problems. I wouldn't worry about it, were I you." Now, the SRL... a cause for concern, surely.
"However, there are a few questions I feel I must raise. I've prepared a series of questions from the Conclave to the League, that we must request a thorough response to before we could consider a more permanent diplomatic relationship." Varian eyed one of the more blatant defensive systems in the room they all stood in before - slowly - drawing out a datapad and handing it to the League negotiator. "Read it at your convenience, of course," he added, though his tone hardly suggested he would appreciate it if was left unread.
_Strandless Redemption League,
Before we could even consider the possibility of a pact of brotherhood, as we call our most intimate diplomatic status, between our two nations, we must first understand your standing on numerous issues. As such, we present the following questions to be answered by your electives or any authorised diplomat:-
I. What are the fundamental goals of the Strandless Redemption League at this current time, regarding diplomatic and military relations with nearby nations, and your motivation for such actions?
II. In general, what is the political and civilian view of the prime Strands - the Igadzra, the Zidagar and the Azdgari - and their war? What are your long-term goals regarding this?
III. How does your government function, e.g. how are elections managed, who may vote, is there any system of grading the voting influence of citizens, how often are elections held, etc.?
IV. Are there any dominant religions held by your nation's populace? If so, please briefly describe what these religions promote.
V. How are taxes handled, and what level of free services are provided by the government?
VI. What are the the rights of a citizen of the Strandless Redemption League, under your law?
VII. What are the rights of a sentient being, under your law?
VIII. What are the rights of a military soldier in a nation you are at war with?
IX. What percentage of your nation's global domestic product goes into the military?
X. Under what grounds would you consider declaring war on another nation?
Please answer as soon as convenient,
Halls of the Conclave
The South Tip Conclave_
"As you can see, the questions are rather more in-depth than you might perhaps be asked by the Miranu, but, the Conclave is naturally wary when regarding other nations, for the protection of our people.
Mathuin is a fool to place much trust in this government. I know a warmachine when I see one, Varian muttered silently to himself.
And you see them everywhere, don't you? came an unwanted reply from the back of his mind. Blinking, he held his hand to his head. "I'm afraid this must be brief..." he ended, "as I do not feel entirely well." Everywhere.
On the Arada in which Varian had travelled to Unobot, a grim-faced Kayan worked in total silence, and semi-darkness. Technically not part of any official Conclave organisation, he was one of Varian's most trusted friends, and his violent appearance belied a strong morality and sharp mind. The Kayan's name was Arcad, and he had accompanied Varian on this mission for the purpose of light intelligence gathering.
The Arada's sensor took note of its surroundings in as much detail as possible, noting down energy readouts and the general layout of the facility. Arcad worked slowly but steadily on producing a map of the facility's defendability, finding it more than slightly impressive. The scans were by no means hostile, and Arcad was not so much attempting to discover a way to breach such defences as to learn from it, both learn how to improve Conclave defences, and to learn about the League.
Running a quick simulation of a possible renegade assault on the base from what little data had been gathered, Arcad blinked. "Bloody fortress..." he muttered. In addition to the orbital station around the planet of Tibidat, and the formidable fleet, Arcad could but conclude that the League were by no means pacifistic... as if the Conclave needed much more confirmation on that than the Battle of Riomor.
Determined to find any discrepancies, any hints of maltreatment of citizens, federal law, or such, as ordered, Arcad continued logging tangible data, pondering the meanings that might lie behind. "Can't find anything wrong, as such... but damn, these guys give me the creeps." May be a treat at some point, seem too violent, Varian had said. I wouldn't be half surprised.
A sharply cold exhalation birthed a cloud of condensation, rising and dissipating in the freezing cold air. That from Nhada - clothed in his usual when on the surface, a black uniform with a razsaegul on the breast. Not an official uniform. His hair was a dark red, and his eyes were black. It was not a sign of mourning - the Kayans wore purple in mourning - but simply him.
The others gathered in the run-down, abandoned factory on Kayia were similarly unique. Flame haired, bright-eyed Jenra wore a white cloak over a blue blouse and (typical of her) tight-fitting leather pants. Karatis was garbed in a grey robe of a distinctive style - he would not speak of its origins. He often joked lightly about the arbitrary, but seemingly specific way in which the three of them wore black, white and grey.
They were hardly the only characters present, though. Three others - a Kayan, a Strandless and a human of all people, were present, though somewhat separated from Nhada, Jenra and Karatis, who stood closely. The fourth Kayan was Evhael, and she wore dull black and dusty grey, exaggerating her hair colour (already several shades redder than Jenra's.) The two of them seemed to have some sort of emnity - perhaps something to do with them being the only women there. They kept far apart from each other, although Evhael managed to make it seem like her own decision.
The only Strandless there was the living image of Azemir, and since Karatis had told him of that (rather heatedly), he had kept his distance, knowing that the three Guardians of the fleet and Azemir had all held a close affinity with each other. He was Ethnorion, second Magistrate of the fleet, along with Evhael, and his manner was possibly the most brutally logical and rational that any sentient ever possessed.
The last of them, Arhanor, was the antithesis of Ethnorion in many ways. Outstripping Jenra for absurdity as his most serious, Arhanor was human, and captured what many aliens referred to as the "soul of humanity" - a complete lack of order, placing utility far above style, and in that possessing his own unique finesse. Arhanor wore brown leathers, and his black hair was tied at the neck. At his belt were two weapons: the first was a phase pistol, the standard light armanent for defence, but the second was odd. A human weapon. He referred to it as a handgun, and had explained that it shot "bullets" with miniaturise plasma explosives. The other five all regarded it with equal parts amusement and condescension, except Karatis. Surprisingly, while Karatis had grown up in the more self-righteous localities of Kayia compared to Jenra and Nhada, he was perhaps the most willing to accept and respect alien technology, and had in fact requested a demonstration of Arhanor's "handgun" some time in the future.
"Now this , is my idea of a council of war," Arhanor jested lightly, looking around him. The factory was dusty and long-since left desolate. It was in the poorest area of Kayia, where towns were often left completely abandoned, the citizen's having moved to more prosperous areas like Zeneph and Vardamaught. "Much more like life as a militia captain on BLANK..."
Jenra laughed. "This is hardly how we'd normally conduct things, but I must say, it has a certain romantic feel to it." She winked then, at Arhanor. Previously, it would have been Nhada. For some reason, that made Nhada's teeth grate.
"Indeed it is not," Evhael murmured quietly, yet disapprovingly. "Just why did you ask that we meet here, Nhada, and not anywhere more official? I must say, you surprised me in your determination. I had hoped for some degree of... respect for superiors... from you." Karatis laughed, and when Evhael arched an eyebrow questioningly, he winked, surprisingly resulting in a start from Evhael.
"Three reasons, Magistrate," Nhada responded formally, flashing a bemused glance at Karatis. The six-way conversation was a jumbled mass of verbal and non-verbal signals, of which even Ethnorion played part - playing part being leaning on a wall somewhat removed from the rest of them with an entirely blank expression on his face. Of course, humour was not logical. "One," he began, ticking a finger off, "we need to have something of a good relationship, all of us, if we expect of function together well. Two, good relationships rarely spawn from interstellar communications and the odd formal meeting in a official building, likely with a member of the Conclave present. Three... I prepare for anything, and regarding certain recent events, our conversation may stray upon thoughts of a nature which any who listen may misinterpret as being of a dangerous and even treasonous nature."
Evhael was taken aback, but quickly recovered, her face a mask. Arhanor grinned and spat, shrugging his shoulders. Jenra and Karatis did not react much - they both knew Nhada, and had heard this reasoning several days ago - although Karatis took the opportunity to study Ethnorion, who took the last part coolly. "In other words, you intend to discuss the morality of the Conclave," Ethnorion noted calmly. "Tell me, what has brought this on?"
Nhada also studied Ethnorion for a moment, but all that was returned was a level stare from indigo eyes. "I was on Freeport when we took it, Ethnorion. Evhael, Jenra and Karatis... were all in the system, but I was on Freeport. And I am beginning to doubt whether it is right to target the entirety of these 'renegades' on the actions of a few - no, a single - human."
"What makes you come to this conclusion?" Ethnorion asked.
"Children," Nhada retorted, the heat in his voice anger left over from the battle. "Children, Ethnorion. Freeport wasn't just a military base, it was a home, an entire social structure." A hush fell, and the attention turned to Arhanor.
"Your attack was already underway," he muttered, "when I was recruited into the Conclave ranks. I would have told you all that I knew of Freeport, but... I figured there was not enough time to call it off... and besides..." He coughed. "I would have called it a fair sacrifice." Five sets of eyes fixed on him: four disapproving, one measuring. Nothing fazed Ethnorion, not even human ethics.
"The Conclave had no knowledge of this either," Evhael stated. "You know that."
"Yes, Magistrate, but they made no effort to find out. We labelled them renegades without really seeing what we were dealing with. We could have been even more wrong," Nhada responded quietly. "Besides... we have made no communication to the League about our treaty, no suggestion that they hold their attack off. This whole agreement has been forged just to seize Freeport. For what use... I am not sure."
"Oh, they want it for an orbital refinery," Arhanor answered casually. Eyes shifted to him. "Ah... forget it. Just a hint, eh?"
"Look," Karatis spoke up. "We have nothing to suggest that the Conclave is on any level twisted... yet. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
"Is it our responsibility to cross it?" Evhael asked, her face slightly pale. They were suggesting possible treason, and Evhael was in all reality probably the most loyal to the Conclave, and the most hopeful of its ideals.
"Somebody has to, if things get out of hand," Nhada said.
"Y'know, you lot aren't half as bad as I'd thought," Arhanor murmured, loudly enough for them to hear it. "You all have a couple of vices... but I'm sure I can iron them out of you. Do you take direct orders t lighten up?"
"Define lighten up," Ethnorion responded.
Conclave Shipyards
32 Crescent fighters, 10 Crescent interceptors, 18 Aradas and 8 Crescent warships constructed (16/12/2002 - 18/12/2002)
Fleet Status: 139 Crescent fighters, 44 Crescent interceptors, 105 Aradas, 28 Laziras and 21 Crescent warships in total.
{Major move around}
35 Crescent fighters, 11 Crescent interceptors, 27 Aradas, 6 Laziras and 6 Crescent warships in DSN-3587 on patrol.
35 Crescent fighters, 11 Crescent interceptors, 27 Aradas, 6 Laziras and 5 Crescent warships in Hrinix on patrol or standby.
33 Crescent fighters, 11 Crescent interceptors, 25 Aradas, 7 Laziras and 5 Crescent warships in Malago on patrol.
34 Crescent fighters, 11 Crescent interceptors, 25 Aradas, 7 Laziras and 4 Crescent warships in Unobot on patrol or standby.
2 Crescent fighters, 1 Arada, 2 Laziras and 1 Crescent warship in Akrayhek in port.
Deep Isle
Graviton Membrane; a secondary shield nexus that is directly damaged by energy weapons and explosions, but allows matter to pass through it (slows down matter that passes through it, and disables warheads dealing <65 energy/mass damage.)
Begun: 11/12/2002
Completed: 19/12/2002
Infinity Threshold
S-S Comm Net; sub-spacial communication. Cannot be detected or intercepted, and is instant.
Begun: 16/12/2002
Completed: 19/12/2002
Conclave Production Line
Zeneph Expansion; expanding the Zeneph shipyard (one of the two shipyards on Kayia), constructing 2 Aradas, 2 Crescent fighters and 2 Crescent interceptors.
Begun: 16/12/2002
Completed
Conclave Production Line 2
Photonic Defence Upgrade; upgrade all defensive platforms on planets and stations to photonic. Also replaces phase ground weapons with their photonic counterpart.
Begun: 18/12/2002
Completed: 21/12/2002
Navis Synthesis
F-2795 Beta Nexus; an extensive military base on F-2795 in the DSN-3587 system. Includes a second Galactic Eye, a shipyard, starport, and SAD silos equivalent to 40 SAD launchers (virtually unlimited ammunition.) Additional production results in the construction of 2 additional Crescent warships, 2 Crescent fighters and 2 Crescent interceptors per day.
Begun: 16/12/2002
Completed: 20/12/2002
(This message has been edited by SilverDragon (edited 12-18-2002).)
