Sector 25 - Pyura Station

Ambassador Hsu notices the moods of the Zaedrax, and quickly attempts to remedy it.

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My name is Ambassador Hsu, the Republic of Soter offers its deepest condolences at the state of your homeworld. We have pledged our first scouting fleet that has been outfitted with the best of our weapons and armor. Reports are that they have engaged the enemy as of this time. The Republic of Soter is offering as much support is needed to reclaim your homeworld. Until we have more information on the "Mass" we cannot offer more support, as rumors of it's power are very alarming. I turn to each delegate and request this information.

The Ambassador turns to the Amundi

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If you truly can build such a weapon, then you must have detailed information on the Mass. Although I cannot authorize any funding to your project, the information you possess would go a long way to helping our forces.

Ambassador Hsu turns back to the group

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This need'nt be Bihbulba's final hour. It is in dark times like these that the strength of human civilization shines brightest. While we have little knowledge of any of your civilizations and even less love, the citizens of Soter will not stand idly by and watch the destruction of another race, only to allow it to show up on our doorstep. That is why I beseech you all to impart on us the information we request, so we can effectively combat this foe that terrifies every civilization in this galaxy.

The Ambassador reclaims his seat while awaiting the response from the group.

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The representative would halt his fiddling with the object, and place it within a compartment in his armor before steadying himself and preparing to speak once more.
"Information on the mass is not widespread. Zaedrax drones first witnessed their behaviors on an uncolonized planet, quickly rendering all life-forms food for their cause. On that planet, they arrived from debris and projectiles from their vessels and as such, our operations on Bihbulba have been to locate any crash sites, and scorch the crater and the surrounding site."

The representative would halt his speech, and subtly attach a small tube from the chair to port on his armor. The tube would stiffen up as something transfers from the chair to the individual before it settles and is removed.

"My apologies. With information given from the Azraelas and their experiences with the Mass, we know that electrical and fire based weapons are effective. Along with this, Bihbulba's highly radiated surface seems to have halted the usual pace of Mass expansion. Some of our scientists believe that if this plague were to obtain any sort of biological matter from any life-forms native to Bihbulba, it could provide with it the means to survive the radiation. As a result, we have made sure to scorch the surrounding wildlife near the crash sites. The efforts will take a while and are putting a strain on our forces, along with leaving a permanent scar on the surface of our planet. I have been authorized by the military consul to state that we should first eliminate any Mass vessels before fully focusing on ground operations. Ground operations are currently being handled by Azraelas forces, and a handful of vessels."

The representative turns to the Amundish representative before turning back and speaking.
"As for the weapon, the work being done on Bihbulba is enough proof to ensure that it will be effective. As stated however, our resources are strained. The construction of Pyura Station and a Independent Systems of Pyura flagship have drained our resource pool. Without external aid, construction on the weapon has been at a crawl."

The Ambassador Hsu solemnly nods.

Colonel Jazar stands up.

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They are a very scary enemy. My military needs to know as specific details as possible. Where they're from, what they're made of, how the think and fight, any records of battles with them. Knowing what they're weak against doesn't help if the information is outdated or wrong. The omission of anything no matter how slight can change the tide of battle severely.

The Colonel turns to the new Leonum representative.

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Representative of the Leonum, this is no time for rash actions. If we form plans while our tempers are raging, the wrong decisions will be made. We should all combine information before deciding a fabled weapon is the proper course of action. In my opinion a nuclear strike is a better option until we thoroughly discuss throwing a new weapon at an enigmatic foe.

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The representative is quick to intercept the Colonel's suggestion, the white lights on his suit now turning a vibrant red.
"You suggest not making rash actions, yet propose a nuclear strike? Such suggestions will not be tolerated within this council, and I will not have my planet burn with nuclear fire."

The representative takes a moment to coll down, leaning back into his seat.

"As stated, findings on Bihbulba ensure that the weapon will function as intended. It's simply the matter of getting enough resources to produce it."

The Colonel stands defiantly

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You wish to ask Soter to pump its funds into a project that we've been given no information on!? How can you have such audacity to-

The Ambassador shoots a stern look at the colonel

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What I mean to say is, how can you ask us to support a project with Soter's funds when we've been given absolutely no information on what it is, how it works nor the data we requested on the enemy. With all the information we have present, nuclear strikes are the safest solution to this problem, it will sterilize the area, as nothing can survive the blast of a nuclear device, well at least ours. We don't know what the Mass is, just that it consumes planets, it seems like the only logical solution.

The Colonel sits back down

The Colonel grimaces in annoyance

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What, pray tell, is this "secret weapon" you keep touting about? I understand the sensitivity of it but the Republic of Soter must know what the hell we're fighting if you wish to have us operate at our full abilities! What is the enemy? Is it a plant? Is it an animal? Is it a bug? All I know is they have ships and they can be killed, is there something I'm missing? Is it a swarm of nanobots or something? I've seen pictures of tendrils coming out of these things and them slowly eating away at ships. My patience is at its end, what in god's name are my forces fighting!?

This time the Colonel remains standing, the ambassador puts his hand on the colonel's sholder, whispers a few words into his ear that seem to calm him, and the two return to their seats awaiting a response

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The representative lets the heat die down before providing his response.

"They're clearly some sort of parasite, or a plague, and they give off mild to strong psychic energy. The weapon isn't effective against the Mass in particular, it can kill any organic. I don't say that with pride, the weapon and concept is horrible, but such dark times raise the need for it."

The Colonel puts his hand to his face

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Are you kidding me? You want my forces to kick up funding to some project that doesn't even affect the Mass? I mean hell you can't even specifically tell me what we're dealing with over there let alone tell me what they look like. We can end this whole conflict right now by saturating the areas around their crashed ships with high yield nuclear weapons, which kill everything, incinerating and annihilating the mass where they stand right now. If they're a parasite they wont last long, but no you'd rather leave your planet and pin on your hopes on a weapon that may or may not work. I'm sorry I just fail to see the tactics behind these plans.

The Ambassador speaks next

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What the Colonel is trying to say is we cannot risk our government's funds without any knowledge on how it works for a weapon that is only a maybe. I am sorry about that. Are there any other concerns we should discuss regarding this invasion?

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The representative's fingers would dig into the conformed seat, the arms beginning to crack due to its material. He raises himself, lights turning red on his suit and beginning to pulsate.
Without a second's notice, two cylindrical turrets emerge from the ceiling, spinning intensely and beginning to glow a white-blue color.
The representative's lights quickly revert to their white color, and the guards that stand there now escort him out of the council chambers.

The turrets recede into their slots, becoming flush with the ceiling, once again hidden.
A new figure enters the chamber, striding in confidently as he observes the surroundings. His armor is less vibrant and decorated, and seems to be more function than aesthetics. He approaches the seat where the former representative sat, and quickly swipes a few commands into an arm-mounted computer. The seat that was there would shatter, pieces falling to the floor and proceeding to vanish. The seat quickly rebuilds itself, a crackling sound accompanies the action as a white light glows in the form of a seat, which soon solidifies into a grayish - ash color. The representative sits down, looking over a transcript of the events.

"I apologize for the inconveniences. My name is Ambassador Sedoxa, and i'll get straight to the point. According to all the information gathered, the Mass are an organic plague that feed on organic material. They appear to have psychic properties, and travel via large vessels which they intentionally use in inaccurate or unusual ways in order to spread infestation and expansion. Currently, one vessel has crashed mostly intact on Bihbulba, and thousands of falling debris are impacting the planet. Each bit of material carries the potential for Mass as it would seem, and we've been approaching the situation by scorching the land on and around the sites in order to kill and contain them."

The Colonel removes his hand from his belt as the turrets recede.

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Did he just point guns at us?

The Ambassador interrupts the colonel

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We greatly appreciate the information you have provided, the Republic of Soter will be more than willing to provide you refuge on some stations orbiting Novus Spera as well as providing food for your refugees. Colonel Jazar, you should probably inform the science fleet on stand-by with this information.

The Colonel nods and heads toward the communications room set up by the Republic of Soter

The Ambassador asks

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Is there anything else we can help with?

A medium sized, unarmed black ship fades to color. It stays motionless, sending a transmission in what they currently know of the Zeadrax language.

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Greetings. We were given coordinates after appreciated actions in sector ten. We would like to request permission to dock, so we may have an opportunity of trade, proper diplomatic relations and prosperity. Also, we may have an answer to your conflict on your unknown planet.

A massive ship, bursts into existence from a hole in reality. The Flag ship of the Rhyndir union has appeared. It slowly makes its way toward the station while sending a message aboard.

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"we humbly present ourselves as representatives of the Rhyndir Union. We have come not to far from here after hearing that our galactic neighbors welcome us to a political and trade center. We felt it necessary to investigate. We come in peace, we only come in such a large ship because we are currently in other affairs."

The massive ship has its scanning system poking and prodding around the area soaking up the new information. The people on the ship take only a moment to see, for the first time, something their people haven't built. The Rhyndir Union has taken the first massive steps into the neighboring galactic community.

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With hundreds of vessels evacuating Zaedrax onto the station, it takes some time before both parties can be met.

When it eases up, a transmission is first sent to the vessels of the Moira.
"Greetings friendly vessel. We do remember your actions in Sector 10, and welcome you to Pyura Station. Please approach Spire one, and you may dock a boarding team; two probes will guide you".

As promised, two glowing and flashing balls of energy approach the vessel, and would guide the vessel and perhaps a shuttle to the dock.

As the other large vessel appears in the system, the numerous orbital stations take aim, but remain idle. The vessels attempting to scan would gain nothing, as if the massive station and its orbital stations are simply voids in space. Besides looping welcome messages, the only other information would be private messages and streams, established by civilians and traders alike. The words of the streams are foreign, composed of the diverse nations who represent and communicate with the Independent Systems of Pyura.

The station would scan the large vessel and receive the message, attempting to match the language. As odds are slim, the station would attempt to probe the vessel's information, attempting to directly correlate their words with pictures and objects. These attempts are far-fetched, but keep the concerned crews occupied. A message is sent, this time in multiple languages and formats known to the Zaedrax. It is sent in UCUS, Zaedrax, Amundi, Templar, Leonum, and Phoenix binary, as well as Zaedrax, Amundi, Leonum, Phoenix, Soter and Templese dialects, as well as sending digital dictionaries of each language.

"Welcome new nation. Your message is currently being decoded, but attempts aren't very fruitful. Please send a dictionary of your language so we may welcome you to the station".

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The councilor would raise before speaking.

"I would request that only a handful of my people be sent to your stations. We have two colonies that could use the work force. The first colony is in Sector 25 called Jal'ken, the coordinates will be sent. The other colony is in Sector 26, GL6-78, coordinates also being sent. Thank you for the aid, an..."

The councilor is cut off, an officer comes up to him and alerts him of something. The councilor looks over the two Soter representatives, his mask remaining emotionless, but behind it is contempt.

"For such a militaristic nation, you would suspect that firing missiles into a debris field would be detrimental. Twenty million Zaedrax's blood stain the soil of Bihbulba due to your negligence."

The councilor sits back down in his chair, leaning back slightly.

"The orbital station at Bihbulba has instructed your fleet on which actions it should take, I pray that you follow them. Now, all that is said can be said, I believe that this council meeting has reached its conclusion."

The councilor remains in his seat and slides a glyph into his armrest. Four guards approach and stand by the door, remaining idle, but eyes piercing.

In the large flagship of the Rhyndir Union. The Leader of the ship has gone to the comms directly.

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"Forgive us, we have forgotten to send you our language while we understand yours. Here is a dictionary that translates directly to all the languages we recieved the original signal in."

The captain orders his men to stop scanning as it seems fruitless to attempt to best the advanced protection technology of the station.

The two Soter guards match the Zaedrax guard's stare. The ambassador stands.

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I regret your losses, but Admiral Ajax would not have acted as such had he not felt it was absolutely necessary. The Republic of Soter will stand by your planet without its nuclear weapons.

The ambassador lifts his communicator from his belt

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Colonel, send word that nukes are no longer authorized save for extraordinary circumstances. You have clearance for the kinetic strike, the Zaedrax request you use fire based weaponry, I'll leave it up to your discretion.

The Ambassador places the communicator back on his belt.

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I have done as you asked, as I have said, the Republic of Soter will support you in your endeavor to reclaim your home planet, and if the worst does happen to come, we will stand by you and make sure the Mass does not claim your planet. If you require anything else please don't hesitate to contact me. And ambassador, we are prepared to stop them, by any means necessary.

One of the guards moves from his position and opens the door for the ambassador. The ambassador turns and exits through the door followed closely by the guards, returning to the Soter sections of the space station.

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A group arranged to meet the new visitors to the station. Assembled are some guards, and a diplomat. The diplomat's glossy white armor goes well with the aqua light accents, and visor colors. The Zaedrax all stand around nine feet tall, the diplomat a bit smaller.

The diplomat strides to the group, and the lights on his armor flicker as a speakers in the armor buzz with life:

"As a representative of the Zaedrax Tetrabune, your nation is welcome aboard Spire One. Please follow us through the screening area, and then we can progress to a quick discussion before heading to Pyura Station".

The diplomat would escort the visitors to a translucent room, which would scan for any radioactive, and potentially malicious devices or weapons.


The new information and dictionaries are cracked by the supercomputers and AI aboard the station, and a response is written up.

"Two probes will guide you to the Spire Two. We suggest taking a well-rounded party aboard the Spire via shuttle. The probes will be there to guide you all the way through."

Two probes approach the large vessel, awaiting a shuttle to emerge before guiding it to a dock along the large vessel known as Spire Two.

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The councilor would scan the chambers and reset the hardlight-chair before rising and exiting.

The ship sends out a shuttle no larger than a house with several kretzel aboard, all coupled with a Sno'yarc. The shuttle is guided by the probes toward the designated spire. The men onboard have brought no small arms because they knew that the advanced technology of this station would destroy them easily if they intended harm.
The large ship remains where it is, without making any moves.

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The group would continue to escort the Moira further into the Spire, passing hundreds of others who are trying to get into Pyura Station.

The hundreds of orbital stations and vessels sit in almost a circle aroind a large black void in space. No light passes through, as if that chunk was missing.

In another dimension, Pyura Station sits, operating normally. Perceived as a void, Pyura's intended location remains that void, and it sits safely.

The would continue to guide the group, eventually entering a rather elegant room. The room overlooks an artificial scene, a purple hue emanating from space as out-lookers stare at a welcoming planetoid. The diplomat gestures to a few pedestals, and then approaches one on the other side of the room. After swiping his armored finger across its surface, the pedestal projects the silhouette of a perfectly contoured seat for the individual, and defying logic, the image solidifies. The diplomat reclines in his chair, and gestures once more for the Moira to do the same thing.

If pressed, each chair would project an image of a suitable seat for each individual, and would soon solidify for them.

The diplomat would shift a bit in his seat before finally speaking once more.

"I hope that the seats prove to be suitable. Now, as welcomed guests of the Independent Systems of Pyura, I would like to extend my formal greeting. Along with this, I also bear the question as to what you would like to see come from this visit with our nation."

The Zaedrax's words are carefully chosen, but he shows no sign of apprehension.


The new shuttle would be met by another party, following the same format as four guards and one diplomat. The diplomat would give a slight bow, and extend a formal greeting.

"As a prepresentative of the Zaedrax Tetrabune, welcome to to Spire Two. After some screening processes and discussions, we will be aboard Pyura Station shortly."

The diplomat would lead the group to a screening area, which after searching for malicious items, would then give the green light to go.

The group pushes on in the hallway of refugees and civilians, including the short but intelligent Amundi, more of the tall and wise Zaedrax, and of the more balanced and new humans of different nations.

The group enters a room, a artificial planetoid being the center of the glass window. There is a warm glow within the room, and multiple pedestals stand in certain locations of the room. In an identical event mirroring the events in the Moira's chamber, the diplomat's pedestal would project and solidify a perfect seat. The diplomat would gesture for the Sno'yarc's or Kretzels to do the same. The diplomat would wait for the individuals to be seated before speaking.

"I am glad that that communications farce was settled so that we may now interact with each other properly. We have not seen or heard of activities from your nation, so I assume it would be safe to say you are new to the galactic scene?"

The Rhyndir Union

A slightly more muscled figure in the group takes a step forward to reply

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Why yes it does appear that we are knew to the activities of the galaxy. I am Maglim Allebazi the current leader of our naval fleet. We have come here to answer to the signal that was sent out to welcome all nations to political discussion. It is in our best interests to begin trade and other peace time faculties. Please excuse our armament as we had not known what we may find, in all likelihood, it could have been a message from a dead station.

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The diplomat would sit rather stunned by the Head of Dawn's remark.

"I..I, this is just a screening room, and this deserves the ears of the council. I'm sorry, but is it alright if we proceed straight to the station?"

The diplomat would stand, and swipe the pedestal resulting in the solidified chair to chatter, and the pieces to disappear. He and the guards would guide the group to a large capsule within a specialized chamber, and it would contain many seats and cargo areas.

The capsule would be launched from Spire One, immediately entering a slipspace portal and exiting within another location, overlooking the massive Pyura Station. The capsule would be towed in, and the Moira would be guided outside of the capsule into a large hangar. The group continues to move on, and through a series of mag-elevators, would reach the council chambers.

===

The diplomat would great Maglim before getting to business.

"Indeed, it could have been a dead station, and not even seeing it must make it even more unusual. I assure you, Pyura Station is here, and you will soon be there. Now, before jumping into any negotiations, i'd like for us to sign a basic non-aggression treaty, to ensure that both are nations will behave properly throughout our dealings."

A pad would be brought to attention, a digital version of the treaty prepared to be signed.

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The group of Moira would enter the large chamber, and pedestals of the same type exist for seating purposes. The diplomat gives a slight bow to the council member present, and departs.

The councilor member looks down at the individuals before him before speaking.
"Welcome aboard Pyura Station. I was informed you may have the means to eliminate the Mass on Bihbulba. You may present your findings."