Re: The Domain-Scavenger conflict

by The Clans Mon Jun 06, 2016 12:19 pm

(I haven't gotten to use this character yet, so may as well fo the encounter.)

"You wish to meet in person? Very well then," he rises from his desk just as the feed cuts out. Shortly thereafter a shuttle blasts toward the planet while the bulky constructor ship requests permission to enter geosynchronous orbit while the military ships enter high orbit to screen the civilian ship from the void.

by **Zuko Darkborn** Mon Jun 06, 2016 12:20 pm

To the Kha'ni:
Captain Rehoar explains his knowledge regarding the Kreazi, without showing any emotion:
"I must say I don't know much about the Kreazi. We have had contact with Thyaras, the ones who worship them, and seen the pictures. None of the Guilds United have never seen them in person, only in the pictures, so we are unsure if they are fictional gods or actual creatures pretended to have reached divinity. There have been theories. Until my line gained our fame through scavenging, most of our species were suppressed. You see, the Krithyzaesi Empire were... Hated, or despised, you could say, by other nations.

They purged several worlds in their early years, before falling to a coalition. This was the time after the first crisis had started, so the willingness to focus on defeating the Empire instead says a lot of the threat they posed. The crew of enemy fleets never returned from the Imperial Capital System. Instead the AI had been infected by some virus, spreading it as they returned. The second crisis had started. My ancestry from the emperors is not meant to gain respect, but fear, owing to their infamy. Whether the Kreazi are descendants or not, is unknown."

The tower entrance stands in front of you, and opens to reveal a corridor.

"I must leave to meet the other aliens, now."

by **Zuko Darkborn** Mon Jun 06, 2016 12:26 pm

To the Yuxun Clans:
Several planetary spaceships lead the shuttle towards the surface, not descending much before reaching a few miles from the base. They then turns towards it. They lead it to a landing area close to the one earlier (for the Kha'ni). A weird creature similar to the known pictures of the Domain Gods are present here, but lacking in a few features, and including some kind of hat.

by The Clans Mon Jun 06, 2016 12:44 pm

As soon as the shuttle lands and the boarding ramp extends the figure from the video feed moves hastily down the ramp despite leaning heavily on a cane. His six attending armored guards move hastily to keep up with him, as do the two robed backpack wearing servants.

The guards' rifle-like weapons are fitted with machete-like bayonets with three simultaneously loaded magazines.

The lead figure gives a small bow of his head before stopping to lean on his cane. "Where are we dealing?"

by **Joe Joerson** Mon Jun 06, 2016 12:45 pm

Dro'ni'hef bows goodbye to Captain Rehoar and moves to enter the corridor, his retinue following of course.

by **Zuko Darkborn** Mon Jun 06, 2016 3:06 pm

To the Yuxun Clans:
The alien introduces himself as "Captain Rehoar, 92th in line of the Kalseer-Mergul-Roo-Daka-Meghernd dynasty, descended from the Ancient Emperors of the Krithyzaesi." He then starts to lead the retinue towards the central tower.
"You shall be able to speak to an executive of the Hiwyqa Scavenger's Guild, and a fair deal should be struck. I'm not sure how you treat aliens at home, but people of the Guilds United have no hate of other species. Any distrust shall be gone if you show that you are trustworthy, and there is no prejudice to be found."

He suddenly turns silent. The same happens to the diverse crowd around them. He look towards the roof of the rocky overhang, and the cannons hanging there seems to activate. Spaceships can be seen leaving towards the air. The sounds of bombing follow. Rehoar explains, "We are being attacked by some force. It is not a rival guild, but the designs seems more similar to the ancients... Might it be the Thyaran Domain, the religious hierarchy? I urge you to follow me to one of the bunkers, just in case..."

To the Kha'ni:
A new, golden avian, attendant starts showing the Kha'ni retinue through the tower, to an elevator. Any questions are unanswered, as he seems to be unable to speak. His eyes seems to frequently change color, however, when he meets other workers, so that seems to be his way of speaking. The corridors, like the rest of the tower, has quite a clean and efficient look, something which contrasts the rest of the base. The elevator follows this trend, with just a few chairs of different shapes, as to suit multiple types of body forms. The movement itself is quite subtle. The elevator stops what seems to be prematurely, and the lights turn magenta. The golden avian seems quite distressed, and turns on a device. The device, a translator, speaks in a natural way, despite its robotic nature.

"There has been some issues. The Domain of the Kreazi are attacking. Many of us urged the higher ups not to take the risks. The young civilizations have the morale of the old, who brought the seven crises upon themselves. We were right, it seems now, to judge you. The executive however has ordered me to keep you safe, and what better place for that than the prison? They might punish me, but I'm just one more victim of their decision."
The elevator starts to descend.

by The Clans Mon Jun 06, 2016 3:31 pm

He introduces himself quickly, but unenthusiastically, as "Kal'adrir, my titles are irreverent for the task at hand."

When the cannons activate and the bombs drop his two servants start to pull in on themselves while his guards start to take notice, looking to the sky for the sign of drop pods. Kal'adrir looks unperterbed. "You are the first alien I've ever spoke to in person," he says flatly. "Our race has been in space for less than ten years. We treat aliens as equals with more leniency. I'm here to do a job. I'll meet with your executive where I must, but I won't head underground until I hear from orbit."

He makes a clicking sound with his tongue. "Sahib Kal'adrir to command. Verify if any ships are attacking and their class."

by **Zuko Darkborn** Mon Jun 06, 2016 3:39 pm

The attacking ships:
50-80 Corvettes
10-20 Destroyers
2 Cruisers
The design seems strange and unpractical, as they are vertical in design. They seem to attack the scavenger ships with energy cannons somehow cutting through most shields.

by The Clans Mon Jun 06, 2016 3:59 pm

He walks until he finds someplace to sit to get off of his leg. He holds his hand out and a servant digs a glass and thermos of water and pours it for him. He tilts his head to the side as he looks up at his escort. "Tell me something, Captain Rehoar, how well can this world stand up to a mass carpet bombing followed by an invasion? It doesn't sound too good for your boys up there."

by **Zuko Darkborn** Mon Jun 06, 2016 4:11 pm

Captain Rehoar seems amused. "I shall admit that we aren't getting out of this alive. Nevertheless, you shouldn't forgot the fact that we are scavengers, not warriors. We escape when conflict arises, and it just happens I'm an expert at that. That is unlike the rest of this weird organization, who seems to believe fighting is the right option. As my brain-chip keeps telling me, the landing area is under heavy suppression, making it difficult to get off this world. Our spaceships in orbit are already dead, but that isn't true for your fleet. I tell ya, your options are three: Stay where you standing now, and die when the atmospheric shield is gone, and I tell you, they shall be soon enough. Or ya can go under, and come up again when the job's done, claiming the boon of neutrality. Lastly, you can join me on my escape route, and probably unite with your fleet later, when you're out of this star system."

by The Clans Mon Jun 06, 2016 5:15 pm

"I make my own options," he says unwittingly betraying a hint of offence in his voice as he painfully gets up on both of his feet. "I need a line to your executive, or yoh can tell him, I don't care. Ask him if he would say no to reinforcements."

by **Joe Joerson** Mon Jun 06, 2016 9:23 pm

Dro'ni'hef simply nods accepting the change in circumstances. Saying almost under his breath.

"May the Protector's will protect Dra'ksh'ka from his stupidity."

by **Zuko Darkborn** Tue Jun 07, 2016 5:34 am

To the Yuxun Clans:
Captain Rehoar seems to let our a sigh, before he press some button on a tool. A flying robot, similar to his translation companion, descends from the air. A life-like hologram is created of an alien, with leather-like skin and no eyes. It has a humanoid form, without any head. It seems to wear some manner of clothing, covering the lower party of the body and the arms. Captain Rehoar says, "Then I shall leave you. I favor death over life..." He descend from his flying disk-throne, and leaves around the corner, in a hurry. The hologram-bot starts speaking, in coordination with the hologram's arm movement.
"I am the executive. My name is unimportant. You must be the representatives... I am busy with contacting our reinforcements... What do you wish for?"
Meanwhile, the atmospheric shield seems to flicker.

by **Zuko Darkborn** Tue Jun 07, 2016 6:14 am

To the Kha'ni Temporary Dominion:
The elevator stops after a while, then seems to go sideways. After yet another short period of time, it stops, and one wall disappears, revealing a sizeable room. The walls and floor is put together of what seems to be recycled plastic. The opposite wall of the elevator starts slowly pushing forward towards the room, to make sure everyone moves forward. Thankfully, it is properly lit and heated, although there are only a few furniture to be used. Worryingly, it is impossible to gain any signal from above.

by **Joe Joerson** Tue Jun 07, 2016 8:33 am

Dro'ni'hef speaks to the group.

"Since it does not seem to matter whatever actions we can take will affect the outcomes of our survival, we shall discus other matters. Mre'tal'hef you were trying to explain something about the Cliffs on Dsa'to..."

Mre'tal'hef, wearing the red robe, starts to respond.

The group discusses and modifies ideas into new concepts at an alarming rate, after a short while of Mre'tal'hef and Dro'ni'hef speaking the Guards, and the Workers join as well.

by The Clans Tue Jun 07, 2016 9:48 am

He looks up at the flickering shield and motions toward the fleeing captain. Two of his guards drop their weapons and break into a dead run to seize the captain. "Not just yet, buddy boy. You're taking me to the bunker."

He addresses the executive "Your permission to land troops once the shield bursts. Once that's done I can distract the cretins in space long enough for the fleets to arrive. As far as I'm concerned attacking with us here is an act of war."

by Caspoi Tue Jun 07, 2016 9:51 am

[What with this whole incident I can't help but feel like I made the right choice not to get involved.]

by The Clans Tue Jun 07, 2016 9:55 am

(I don't know what you're talking about, this is great.)

by **Zuko Darkborn** Tue Jun 07, 2016 12:32 pm

To the Yuxun Clans:
Captain Rehoar returns without any more resistance. He says some words, which are not translated this time. Then he furiously says something else, this time properly translated by the bot, with some trouble, due to his broken speech. "You're dragging me to a sure death. *** not what I signed up for. I? should have denied *** dealing ***, but the executive said my debt? repaid... I had anticipated? trouble, the risk *** was why they used? me, and not a proper *** member."

The executive ignores Rehoar, if he can hear him (which is unclear), rather thinking about what to say to Kal'adrir. After a minute, he replies properly. "That might actually work... There might still be hope for a deal between us. You have my permission to perform whatever plan you have." A map appears, showing 1/8 the surface of the small planet, with the base as center. There are many small symbols on the map, with a few areas that are currently clear. Subtitles in the Yuxun language (or whatever they speak) shows them as mines. "We're unable to send this information to your ships ourselves. Your signal with your command, however, are not disrupted. Diplomatic purposes, I'm sure. If you don't want any Yuxun ships or vessels to explode, I'd suggest showing them this. Anything else you need?"

Suddenly, a huge hologram of a Thyara appears, hovering in the sky. The gigantic rock previously blocking the air was now gone, yet all parts had bounced off the shield of the base. First it says several sentences in the Unity Language, then some in the Yuxun tongue. "The Awakened Dreaming Clans, we are advising your diplomats against dealing with the scavengers. The Sixth Prophet, known from now as the Domain Lord Prophet, along with the second, third and seventh Prophets, has brought us the wisdom of the Divine Beings. The Asornuais, the eater of Planets and destroyer of our Ancestral Home, was reborn of the scavengers.

We believed they were small scattered groups, merely remains of the destroyers of the old galaxy. What we did not know, was that they had rebuilt... Is it not obvious, the most divine of Kreazi say, that they brought the planet-eater back? While the peaceful Archprophet pray due to the destruction of Krethia and the starting final ascension of the Kreazi, the Lord Prophet shall annihilate all Bringers of Doom... We are not wishing to destroy the Awakened Dreaming Clans yet, as their faith in the Divine Beings can yet be brought, but do not be fools!"

by The Clans Tue Jun 07, 2016 1:30 pm

Kal likewise ignores the captain while he transmits the information to the squadron of ships in orbit. A third guard threatens the captain with the electric crack of a stun gun if he doesn't keep silent.

Kal takes another drink of his water while the executive continues to speak. When he finishes he wipes his mouth with a kerchief. "My price is the wreckage of their ships, regardless of which fleet does the most damage. Keep calling for reinforcements. Alright, captain, take me to this bunker and you can go." He resumes his surprisingly hasty limping walk, "We don't want to be out here when the fireworks start."

He relays his directives from his earpiece for approval, calling for defensive troop landings, the commencement of Operation MAD against the attacking fleet under the Psychological Principle, followed by a full fleet action against "Whatever is left space based assets."

While he walks the corvette captains freak out, broadcasting a flurry of "We didn't sign up for this," "Take them, let us go," and other cowardly transmittions shortly before they blink into the hyperlanes. The bulky and defenseless constructor ship meanwhile makes a desperate plea, offering the fleet to trade the goods they brought to trade with the scavengers if they will allow them time to extract their personel from the surface.

by **Zuko Darkborn** Tue Jun 07, 2016 2:22 pm

To the Yuxun Clans:
The executive's hologram disappears as he plans to attend to other matters. Before this, however, he explains the Guilds United's FTL system - how the travel is instant after the ship-mounted engine charges. This meant yet another hour for the ships closest to activating. The captain's eyes never seems to change color, unlike the little available information on the Kreazi claims. He leads them around the corner, to a metal door, which he opens. While shaking, he says, "Follow me through this tunnel, and you shall have access to the bunkers, the executive's bunker, or the pathway to the landing area..."

To the Kha'ni:
After a while of complete silence, a pathway from the prison cell opens. Several soldiers with exoskeletons and armor walks in. They shoot the traitorous attendant with some electric blast, causing him to fall unconscious. After they have searched the room, another armored creature enters, this without any form of head. He makes some gestures with his hands, and his suit translates.

"I am the executive of the Hiwyqa Scavenger's Guild, and the leader of this base. I must apologize for this poor behavior this individual has caused. You must understand, keeping complete order in an organization of many kinds of creatures is simply impossible... Some dissident are sure to happen, but the Guilds United are prepared for such. I'd advise you to follow me to a more comforting bunker, but what you do now is up to you."

by **Joe Joerson** Tue Jun 07, 2016 2:27 pm

Dro'ni'hef nods and responds.

"The Kha'ni are one in the Ethereal and Corporeal. There is order. We will follow your advice."

by The Clans Tue Jun 07, 2016 2:39 pm

"Just keep moving," he says with no real sense of impatience or malice.

Up above the captain of the constructor ship continues to hail the Kreazi fleet, asking for permission to extract their personnel from the surface to avert a diplomatic incident.

by Caspoi Tue Jun 07, 2016 4:00 pm

Theclans wrote:(I don't know what you're talking about, this is great.)

[You might of course be sarcastic but while this certainly is exciting I have no wish for my diplomats to be caught in the crossfire of a war that I have no investment in.]

by The Clans Tue Jun 07, 2016 4:44 pm

Caspoi wrote:
Theclans wrote:(I don't know what you're talking about, this is great.)

[You might of course be sarcastic but while this certainly is exciting I have no wish for my diplomats to be caught in the crossfire of a war that I have no investment in.]

(Diplomats are expendable at the end of the day. All characters are in the name of story and drama.)

by Caspoi Tue Jun 07, 2016 5:09 pm

[Sure, but that incident, coupled with the earlier "missunderstandings" between me and the Domain would have almost certainly led to war, which I would prefer to be at least postponed]

by **Zuko Darkborn** Wed Jun 08, 2016 2:38 am

(You will find that many in the Domain do indeed wish for a war against non-believers.)
After a few minutes' walk, the Clans' envoy meet the executive, his soldiers, and the Kha'ni. He seems to hand a spherical device to both the leaders of the two races.
"These can project the whereabouts of certain important ruin-planets, including Ar Gaforn, the one with ancient archives about the seven crises. We have caused some trouble to you, and wish this to stand for a long-lasting peace between our people. The Guilds United's goal is one of survival, not one of dominance, so granting you the possibility to save yourself from the rebirth of any crisis, do not hinder our goals. First however, you must link them to yourself. Think "The Queen of the Core shall never return, even in our death," in whatever language you want, while grasping the sphere. Now I shall leave, and fight..." He repeats it to the others too, before leaving through an entrance. A robotic attendant seems to lead the diplomats to too separate rooms, which he claim to have enhanced connection to space. Captain Rehoar seems even more tense than before. He asks if he can finally leave.

Meanwhile, in space, the Domain fleet seems to grow tired of the Clans' fleet. They send a signal to all fleets: "The Awakened Dreaming Clans and the Kha'ni Temporary Dominion are allowed to extract their personnel. Any unidentified ships shall be shot down, and we should be allowed to scan the lifeforms of any leaving ships. If there is any population not that of the Yuxuns or the Kha'ni on the ships, they will be treated as hostiles. We shall grant them a tiny bit of trust, as we see them as future worshipers of the true Gods."

by The Clans Wed Jun 08, 2016 2:51 am

As soon as the party comes across the Executive, the two guards restraining the captain let him go to do as he pleases. Not wanting to be the first to activate the strange sphere, Kal swiftly hands it off to a servant while trying not to think of the words, while the servant quickly deposits it.

He looks to Dro'ni'hef. "Kha'ni, correct? I didn't expect to see you here. Of course, I didn't expect the current situation either."

Meanwhile, in orbit. Several shuttles break off from the constructor ship and head toward the surface while the main ship itself drifts closer to the Domain fleet.

by **Joe Joerson** Wed Jun 08, 2016 1:34 pm

As the Kha'ni group follows the attendant Dro'ni'hef responds.

"Indeed this was not expected, in either case. I hope to see a Yuxun envoy to Kha'to soon. As well I think we shall have to inform the Kreazi on our homeworld of the generosity of their people not to kill our diplomats. I think we will have to show them the same kindness."

by The Clans Thu Jun 09, 2016 1:09 am

"That is if we actually get out of this. My people... Don't take too well to finding themselves in the middle of a war without warning... Especially when that warning doesn't come until after the battle is already over and damage from crossfire sustained."

The landers come to a rest outside of the outpost. Their boarding bays open up and a variety of construction equipment begins to spill out. The support crews begin to immediately dig holes to bury their assault landers in, encasing the exposed portions in rapid drying neocrete, and further covered with sand and soil from the hole digging to soften the bulk of incoming detonations and blows to the neocrete fortifications. An elaborate system of tunnels is dug connecting each lander to each other underground with deployment ramps for larger vehicles to emerge from beneath the earthworks. The crews execute the maneuver with the precision of a group of men who have done nothing but practice it day after day in preparation of combat on some hypothetical battlefield.

Meanwhile in space the construction ship moves uncomfortably closer to the Domain fleet.

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